from IBC (Immanuel Baptist Church)

This past week IBC (where I go to church) "launched" their website. It is nothing too impressive, but it does have sermons up on it. I'm telling you all this because there is one in particular that I hope you will be able to listen to. It is here. Ryan is one of the best preachers I have heard. He consistently gives the big picture and always relates his sermon to the cross. This particular message is significant because of the circumstances surrounding it. It was preached September 9th. The next time Ryan was to preach was this past Sunday (two months later). September 7th his wife had surgery, she had not been feeling well. September 10th she was to be diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. She was to have surgery and then start chemo as soon as possible. What made this particularly difficult is that she was 8 months pregnant. There were some complications along the way, but as of right now, she has delivered a healthy baby and has recovered well from surgery. Needless to say, this has been a difficult time for Ryan and his family. I think it is incredible that in God's Providence He had Ryan preach this particular sermon when he did. Over the past two months Ryan has been a visible demonstration of what he talked about in this sermon. It is definitely worth a listen if you can find the time.

Chip, think about it as a preview...

A few other things about the message:
1. Every Sunday the text (usually a chapter) is read by someone other than the person preaching. That reading is included in the file. I like that they do this. The person who reads it has practiced it and prepared. During the reading we all stand "in honor of the Word." It's good.
2. I think Ryan's Canadian - so, that's his accent.
3. I don't know if this is typical of the audio files, but there is some of the music and then some of the rest of the service on it. I would recommend skipping over the music, but listening to the vote on the candidates for membership. The membership process is not a simple thing at IBC - application, classes, recommendations, interview with an elder, affirmation of vows, and then presentation to the church body for vote. What you can hear on this file is the affirmation of vows/confession before the church that each of the candidates goes through before the congregation votes. I kind of like the system (I think I talked with you, Chip, about it some) and think it is about the best that you can do to have a regenerate church membership.

Alright, a long post after not posting for a while. I hope you guys can listen to it sometime...