East Point Church http://epointchurch.org Pointing People To Christ Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:58:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Pointing People To Christ no I Stand Amazed! http://epointchurch.org/2010/05/20/i-stand-amazed/ http://epointchurch.org/2010/05/20/i-stand-amazed/#comments Thu, 20 May 2010 12:09:20 +0000 ajcarter http://epointchurch.org/?p=3796 Someone asked me recently how East Point Church was going.  My answer is to say that in spite of the challenges and pressures that come along with planting a church, I can honestly say that East Point Church has been the recipient of God’s grace beyond measure. I am a sinner unworthy of God’s mercy and favor, and yet God’s love overwhelms me every time we gather for worship and fellowship at EPC.  Every Sunday when I am blessed to give the benediction, I look out over the faces in the congregation and can’t help but say:   I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene/And wonder how He could love me, a sinner condemned, unclean.  How marvelous, how wonderful and my song shall ever be/How marvelous, how wonderful is my Savior love for me.

I Stand Amazed (How Wonderful) Chris Tomlin

Here are a few pictures that remind me of God’s love and care for EPC and why I am so amazed:

]]> http://epointchurch.org/2010/05/20/i-stand-amazed/feed/ 0 Someone asked me recently how East Point Church was going.  My answer is to say that in spite of the challenges and pressures that come along with planting a church, I can honestly say that East Point Church has been the recipient of Gods grace beyond measure. I am a sinner unworthy of Gods mercy and favor, and yet Gods love overwhelms me every time we gather for worship and fellowship at EPC.  Every Sunday when I am blessed to give the benediction, I look out over the faces in the congregation and cant help but say:   I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene/And wonder how He could love me, a sinner condemned, unclean.  How marvelous, how wonderful and my song shall ever be/How marvelous, how wonderful is my Savior love for me. I Stand Amazed (How Wonderful) Chris Tomlin Here are a few pictures that remind me of Gods love and care for EPC and why I am so amazed: Someone asked me recently how East Point Church was going.  My answer is to say that in spite of the challenges and pressures that come along with planting a church, I can honestly say that East Point Church has been the recipient of Gods [...] Tellin East Point! http://epointchurch.org/2010/03/31/tellin-east-point/ http://epointchurch.org/2010/03/31/tellin-east-point/#comments Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:41:57 +0000 ajcarter http://epointchurch.org/?p=3690

Recently the brothers and sisters of East Point Church hit the streets of East Point with the gospel of Jesus Christ and the vision of East Point Church.  God was gracious in giving us a beautiful day on which to go, and the EPC took full advantage of it.  One of the values of EPC is to be a church that ministers the gospel to our community.  One of the ways it is done is by making our presence known through frequenting  local establishments, engaging our neighbors, attending events, and supporting those who serve.  In fact, part of our outreach efforts was to the Fire Department, Police Station, and local hospital.  We took goodies and refreshments to the men and women who serve in these places and we asked how we might support and pray for them.

The day was filled with wonderful opportunities of engaging people on the street, in shops, and even door-to-door with gospel.  The day was also a time of training and stretching.  Many had never done such outreach, engaged with strangers about the gospel, experienced the joy of rejection for Christ’s sake, or been encouraged by their brothers and sisters in the witnessing for Christ.  Before we started I listened as some expressed anxiety about going.  After we finished I heard many of the same voices expressing excitement in anticipation of the next opportunity.

The day ultimately served as a reminder to us that our message for salvation from sin through Jesus Christ is not just for us within the confines of the church, but we must be showing and Tellin the World!

Tellin’ the World, feat. Conviction (Songs of the Redeemed)

]]> http://epointchurch.org/2010/03/31/tellin-east-point/feed/ 0 Recently the brothers and sisters of East Point Church hit the streets of East Point with the gospel of Jesus Christ and the vision of East Point Church.  God was gracious in giving us a beautiful day on which to go, and the EPC took full advantage of it.  One of the values of EPC is to be a church that ministers the gospel to our community.  One of the ways it is done is by making our presence known through frequenting  local establishments, engaging our neighbors, attending events, and supporting those who serve.  In fact, part of our outreach efforts was to the Fire Department, Police Station, and local hospital.  We took goodies and refreshments to the men and women who serve in these places and we asked how we might support and pray for them. The day was filled with wonderful opportunities of engaging people on the street, in shops, and even door-to-door with gospel.  The day was also a time of training and stretching.  Many had never done such outreach, engaged with strangers about the gospel, experienced the joy of rejection for Christs sake, or been encouraged by their brothers and sisters in the witnessing for Christ.  Before we started I listened as some expressed anxiety about going.  After we finished I heard many of the same voices expressing excitement in anticipation of the next opportunity. The day ultimately served as a reminder to us that our message for salvation from sin through Jesus Christ is not just for us within the confines of the church, but we must be showing and Tellin the World! Tellin the World, feat. Conviction (Songs of the Redeemed) Recently the brothers and sisters of East Point Church hit the streets of East Point with the gospel of Jesus Christ and the vision of East Point Church.  God was gracious in giving us a beautiful day on which to go, and the EPC took full [...] Destination East Point Interviews http://epointchurch.org/2009/10/05/destination-east-point-interviews/ http://epointchurch.org/2009/10/05/destination-east-point-interviews/#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:29:11 +0000 ajcarter http://epointchurch.org/?p=3163 sany0994This past weekend the city of East Point held their annual Fall festival, Destination East Point.  It was a time of community fun and fellowship as people from all over East Point and the surrounding area walked Main Street, enjoyed the sunshine, listened to music, and sampled the variety of foods and goods East Point has to offer.  At East Point Church, we always see this an opportunity to get to know the people of East Point a little better, and for them to see and hear our vision for gospel impact upon the city.  We set up a booth and spent the better part of the day meeting and greeting, and sharing the gospel of Christ and the vision of East Point Church.  We were able to meet and greet a variety of people from the Mayor to the local beautician.  With every meeting we were challenged and reminded of the need for the message of the gospel to be clearly proclaimed.

To get a sense of the need for the gospel, my son and I walked around the festival and asked people a few questions concerning their understanding of gospel, salvation, and Jesus Christ. The answers varied. Yet, one thing was clearly revealed, people are not clear on what the gospel is.  We were reminded that despite people’s spiritual confidence, the harvest remains plentiful.  We pray to be faithful laborers in the harvest, especially in East Point, GA.  Here are a few of the interviews we conducted.

Update:  You can listen to part two of these interviews here.

]]> http://epointchurch.org/2009/10/05/destination-east-point-interviews/feed/ 1 This past weekend the city of East Point held their annual Fall festival, Destination East Point.  It was a time of community fun and fellowship as people from all over East Point and the surrounding area walked Main Street, enjoyed the sunshine, listened to music, and sampled the variety of foods and goods East Point has to offer.  At East Point Church, we always see this an opportunity to get to know the people of East Point a little better, and for them to see and hear our vision for gospel impact upon the city.  We set up a booth and spent the better part of the day meeting and greeting, and sharing the gospel of Christ and the vision of East Point Church.  We were able to meet and greet a variety of people from the Mayor to the local beautician.  With every meeting we were challenged and reminded of the need for the message of the gospel to be clearly proclaimed. To get a sense of the need for the gospel, my son and I walked around the festival and asked people a few questions concerning their understanding of gospel, salvation, and Jesus Christ. The answers varied. Yet, one thing was clearly revealed, people are not clear on what the gospel is.  We were reminded that despite peoples spiritual confidence, the harvest remains plentiful.  We pray to be faithful laborers in the harvest, especially in East Point, GA.  Here are a few of the interviews we conducted. Update:  You can listen to part two of these interviews here. This past weekend the city of East Point held their annual Fall festival, Destination East Point.  It was a time of community fun and fellowship as people from all over East Point and the surrounding area walked Main Street, enjoyed the sunshine, [...] Sunday Reflections http://epointchurch.org/2009/09/14/sunday-reflections-4/ http://epointchurch.org/2009/09/14/sunday-reflections-4/#comments Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:21:00 +0000 ajcarter http://epointchurch.org/?p=3095

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote:  “Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ.  No Christian community is more or less than this.  Whether it be a brief, single encounter or the daily fellowship of years, Christian community is only this.  We belong to one another only through and in Jesus Christ.” Yesterday again was a gracious reminder of this truth.  The gospel forms us into community.  The gospel builds up that community.  The gospel empowers that community.  The gospel displays itself in wonderful God-honoring, Christ-exalting ways through that community.  We witnessed this on yesterday evening.  Here are a few thoughts that are still warming my heart:

  • “The gospel is a treasure displayed in the most unlikely places.”
  • “Grace causes us to boast in our weaknesses, while others are boasting in their strength.”
  • A cure for AIDS would be good news.  The cure for sin is the GREATEST news in the universe.
  • Let us never underestimate a mother’s prayers and a father’s example.  Hallelujah!
  • God is still filling “clay pots” with a treasure for His glory and not the pots’.

Here is the gospel message Philip preached on the Sunday of his licensing.  His text was 2Cor. 4:7.  May God grant him the grace, courage, and faith to continue proclaiming these words:

The Gospel Treasure

]]> http://epointchurch.org/2009/09/14/sunday-reflections-4/feed/ 0 Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote:  Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ.  No Christian community is more or less than this.  Whether it be a brief, single encounter or the daily fellowship of years, Christian community is only this.  We belong to one another only through and in Jesus Christ. Yesterday again was a gracious reminder of this truth.  The gospel forms us into community.  The gospel builds up that community.  The gospel empowers that community.  The gospel displays itself in wonderful God-honoring, Christ-exalting ways through that community.  We witnessed this on yesterday evening.  Here are a few thoughts that are still warming my heart: “The gospel is a treasure displayed in the most unlikely places.” “Grace causes us to boast in our weaknesses, while others are boasting in their strength.” A cure for AIDS would be good news.  The cure for sin is the GREATEST news in the universe. Let us never underestimate a mothers prayers and a fathers example.  Hallelujah! God is still filling clay pots with a treasure for His glory and not the pots. Here is the gospel message Philip preached on the Sunday of his licensing.  His text was 2Cor. 4:7.  May God grant him the grace, courage, and faith to continue proclaiming these words: The Gospel Treasure Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote:  Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ.  No Christian community is more or less than this.  Whether it be a brief, single encounter or the daily fellowship of years, Christian [...] More from SMCRT 09 http://epointchurch.org/2009/07/30/more-from-smcrt-09/ http://epointchurch.org/2009/07/30/more-from-smcrt-09/#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:08:23 +0000 ajcarter http://epointchurch.org/?p=2926 Here is another of the messages from this year’s Stone Mountain Conference on Reformed Theology.  This is Michael Leach preaching on Hebrews 12:1-13 – The Discipline We Must Endure.

download

]]> http://epointchurch.org/2009/07/30/more-from-smcrt-09/feed/ 0 Here is another of the messages from this years Stone Mountain Conference on Reformed Theology.  This is Michael Leach preaching on Hebrews 12:1-13 The Discipline We Must Endure. download Here is another of the messages from this years Stone Mountain Conference on Reformed Theology.  This is Michael Leach preaching on Hebrews 12:1-13 The Discipline We Must Endure. download The Supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ http://epointchurch.org/2009/07/25/the-supremacy-of-the-lord-jesus-christ/ http://epointchurch.org/2009/07/25/the-supremacy-of-the-lord-jesus-christ/#comments Sun, 26 Jul 2009 02:23:05 +0000 ajcarter http://epointchurch.org/?p=2877 The Annual Stone Mountain Conference on Reformed Theology has once again come and gone.  It was a most encouraging time as the conference experienced growth in the number of speakers, attendees, and spirit.  Once again I had the privilege of participating in the conference.  Yet my greatest joy was seeing the enthusiasm in the faces and hearing it in the voices of so many of the attendees and sitting at the feet of some excellent Bible preachers.  Michael Leach (pastor of All Saints, and the organizer of the conference) was joined this year by Ken Jones, Robert Benson, Roger Skepple, Joseph Pipa, and yours truly.  The theme of the conference was The Supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ:  Expositions from the Book of Hebrews.  The audio will soon be available at All Saints Redeemer Church. Until then I will try to post a few of the messages to wet your appetite for the rest.  The following is a message by Ken Jones from Hebrews 9:11-29 – Jesus:  High Priest of a New Covenant (part II).

]]> http://epointchurch.org/2009/07/25/the-supremacy-of-the-lord-jesus-christ/feed/ 0 The Annual Stone Mountain Conference on Reformed Theology has once again come and gone.  It was a most encouraging time as the conference experienced growth in the number of speakers, attendees, and spirit.  Once again I had the privilege of participating in the conference.  Yet my greatest joy was seeing the enthusiasm in the faces and hearing it in the voices of so many of the attendees and sitting at the feet of some excellent Bible preachers.  Michael Leach (pastor of All Saints, and the organizer of the conference) was joined this year by Ken Jones, Robert Benson, Roger Skepple, Joseph Pipa, and yours truly.  The theme of the conference was The Supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ:  Expositions from the Book of Hebrews.  The audio will soon be available at All Saints Redeemer Church. Until then I will try to post a few of the messages to wet your appetite for the rest.  The following is a message by Ken Jones from Hebrews 9:11-29 Jesus:  High Priest of a New Covenant (part II). The Annual Stone Mountain Conference on Reformed Theology has once again come and gone.  It was a most encouraging time as the conference experienced growth in the number of speakers, attendees, and spirit.  Once again I had the privilege of [...] A Truly Pentecostal Church http://epointchurch.org/2009/07/15/a-truly-pentecostal-church/ http://epointchurch.org/2009/07/15/a-truly-pentecostal-church/#comments Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:49:52 +0000 ajcarter http://epointchurch.org/?p=2803 Here is a message we preached on the nature, understanding, and ongoing significance of Pentecost (Acts 2:42-47).   Though our Pentecostal brothers and sisters have co-opted the biblical reference to Pentecost and misunderstood the historical and redemptive significance of this epochal event, we need to understand that every biblical church living, learning, and loving according Acts 2:42-47 is a truly pentecostal church.

download

]]> http://epointchurch.org/2009/07/15/a-truly-pentecostal-church/feed/ 0 Here is a message we preached on the nature, understanding, and ongoing significance of Pentecost (Acts 2:42-47).   Though our Pentecostal brothers and sisters have co-opted the biblical reference to Pentecost and misunderstood the historical and redemptive significance of this epochal event, we need to understand that every biblical church living, learning, and loving according Acts 2:42-47 is a truly pentecostal church. download Here is a message we preached on the nature, understanding, and ongoing significance of Pentecost (Acts 2:42-47).   Though our Pentecostal brothers and sisters have co-opted the biblical reference to Pentecost and misunderstood the historical and [...] An Interview with Eric Redmond http://epointchurch.org/2009/04/24/an-interview-with-eric-redmond/ http://epointchurch.org/2009/04/24/an-interview-with-eric-redmond/#comments Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:39:49 +0000 ajcarter http://epointchurch.org/?p=2290 redmond-photoEarlier this month we had the privilege of hosting Eric Redmond for the annual Men’s Retreat for Southwest Christian Fellowship.  Eric is the pastor of Reformation Alive Baptist Church.  He is a dear brother and comrade.  I am always excited about the opportunity to fellowship with him and to learn from him.  During the retreat we took some time to host an informal discussion with him on the subject of his book “Where Are All the Brothers?” and generally on whatever topic came up.  The session was meant to go for only an hour, but it lasted well beyond that, and would have continued on into the night had we not called it quits.

Today I want to share with you the audio from the interview and the Q & A we had that evening.  The quality is not the best, but the topic, questions, and answers surely are.  So please take the time to listen.  You will be glad you did.

And thanks Eric.  You are a dear brother to me and I look forward to many more years of co-laboring with you.

download

]]> http://epointchurch.org/2009/04/24/an-interview-with-eric-redmond/feed/ 0 Earlier this month we had the privilege of hosting Eric Redmond for the annual Mens Retreat for Southwest Christian Fellowship.  Eric is the pastor of Reformation Alive Baptist Church.  He is a dear brother and comrade.  I am always excited about the opportunity to fellowship with him and to learn from him.  During the retreat we took some time to host an informal discussion with him on the subject of his book Where Are All the Brothers? and generally on whatever topic came up.  The session was meant to go for only an hour, but it lasted well beyond that, and would have continued on into the night had we not called it quits. Today I want to share with you the audio from the interview and the Q & A we had that evening.  The quality is not the best, but the topic, questions, and answers surely are.  So please take the time to listen.  You will be glad you did. And thanks Eric.  You are a dear brother to me and I look forward to many more years of co-laboring with you. download Earlier this month we had the privilege of hosting Eric Redmond for the annual Mens Retreat for Southwest Christian Fellowship.  Eric is the pastor of Reformation Alive Baptist Church.  He is a dear brother and comrade.  I am always [...] On the Resurrection http://epointchurch.org/2009/04/13/on-the-resurrection/ http://epointchurch.org/2009/04/13/on-the-resurrection/#comments Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:26:43 +0000 ajcarter http://epointchurch.org/?p=2254 Yesterday we had the pleasure and privilege of preaching at Cornerstone Church of Knoxville. I am always encouraged when I have opportunity to fellowship with my brothers and sisters at Cornerstone. It is an easy church in which to preach. They warmly and enthusiastically receive the word preached. It is a congregation that has been gospelized and I for one as a visiting preacher am encouraged and challenged by it. I thank God for the pastors and leaders of Cornerstone. I pray that I was able, in some small part, to reciprocate the encouragement and service they gave to me.

I preached from 1Cor 15:3-20 on The Resurrection of Jesus. You can hear the message here:

Here are some of the quotes I used during the sermon. The one from Thomas Watson is priceless:

Charles Spurgeon: “The resurrection of our divine Lord from the dead is the cornerstone of Christian doctrine. Perhaps I might more accurately call it the keystone of the arch of Christianity, for if that fact could be disproved, the whole fabric of the gospel would fall to the ground.”

Joel Beeke:  “The Gospel does not explain the resurrection.  The resurrection explains the gospel.”

Martin Luther: “He who would preach the gospel must go directly to the preaching the resurrection of Christ…For were there no resurrection we would have neither comfort nor hope, and everything else Christ did and suffered would be in vain.”

George Ladd: “If Jesus is not raised, redemptive history ends in a cul-de-sac of a Palestinian grave.”

Thomas Watson: “We are more sure to arise out of our graves than out of our beds.”
]]> http://epointchurch.org/2009/04/13/on-the-resurrection/feed/ 1 Yesterday we had the pleasure and privilege of preaching at Cornerstone Church of Knoxville. I am always encouraged when I have opportunity to fellowship with my brothers and sisters at Cornerstone. It is an easy church in which to preach. They warmly and enthusiastically receive the word preached. It is a congregation that has been gospelized and I for one as a visiting preacher am encouraged and challenged by it. I thank God for the pastors and leaders of Cornerstone. I pray that I was able, in some small part, to reciprocate the encouragement and service they gave to me. I preached from 1Cor 15:3-20 on The Resurrection of Jesus. You can hear the message here: Here are some of the quotes I used during the sermon. The one from Thomas Watson is priceless: Charles Spurgeon: “The resurrection of our divine Lord from the dead is the cornerstone of Christian doctrine. Perhaps I might more accurately call it the keystone of the arch of Christianity, for if that fact could be disproved, the whole fabric of the gospel would fall to the ground.” Joel Beeke:  The Gospel does not explain the resurrection.  The resurrection explains the gospel. Martin Luther: “He who would preach the gospel must go directly to the preaching the resurrection of Christ…For were there no resurrection we would have neither comfort nor hope, and everything else Christ did and suffered would be in vain.” George Ladd: If Jesus is not raised, redemptive history ends in a cul-de-sac of a Palestinian grave. Thomas Watson: We are more sure to arise out of our graves than out of our beds. Yesterday we had the pleasure and privilege of preaching at Cornerstone Church of Knoxville. I am always encouraged when I have opportunity to fellowship with my brothers and sisters at Cornerstone. It is an easy church in which to preach. They [...] Our First Communion http://epointchurch.org/2009/04/06/our-first-communion/ http://epointchurch.org/2009/04/06/our-first-communion/#comments Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:32:22 +0000 ajcarter http://epointchurch.org/?p=2210 This past Sunday, East Point Church celebrated the Lord’s Supper for the first time on the Lord’s Day. It was a most anticipated event. We marked the date on our calendars and looked forward to the opportunity to fellowship in the body and blood of our Lord and Savior. For new churches these are special events and so we celebrate them with added significance. And just as we anticipated it, it was a most worshipful and encouraging experience. As we celebrated the word preached and the word visible, we prayed for our Lord to minister his grace to all there present. He promised that he would be with us, and by faith we trust he was there. Our souls were strengthen and our fellowship enriched.

Here is the message and the service observed. The title of the sermon was Jesus Ministers a Better Covenant. As part of our series on Hebrews, it was taken from Hebrews 8:1-7.  Verse 6 states: But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

(apologies for some technical difficulties that required the cutting out of 7 minutes of the sermon)

]]> http://epointchurch.org/2009/04/06/our-first-communion/feed/ 1 This past Sunday, East Point Church celebrated the Lords Supper for the first time on the Lords Day. It was a most anticipated event. We marked the date on our calendars and looked forward to the opportunity to fellowship in the body and blood of our Lord and Savior. For new churches these are special events and so we celebrate them with added significance. And just as we anticipated it, it was a most worshipful and encouraging experience. As we celebrated the word preached and the word visible, we prayed for our Lord to minister his grace to all there present. He promised that he would be with us, and by faith we trust he was there. Our souls were strengthen and our fellowship enriched. Here is the message and the service observed. The title of the sermon was Jesus Ministers a Better Covenant. As part of our series on Hebrews, it was taken from Hebrews 8:1-7.  Verse 6 states: But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. (apologies for some technical difficulties that required the cutting out of 7 minutes of the sermon) This past Sunday, East Point Church celebrated the Lords Supper for the first time on the Lords Day. It was a most anticipated event. We marked the date on our calendars and looked forward to the opportunity to fellowship in the [...]