New Series | The Five Solas

On Sunday, we're starting a new sermon series called "The Five Solas" and I'm extremely excited! First, the 5 Solas are vital and at the heart of gospel-centered theology and these are doctrines that we hold fast to; coming out of the 16th century Protestant Reformation, the 5 Solas are five latin phrases that make up the following doctrines: 

• Sola Scriptura ("Scripture Alone")
-- Scripture alone is our final and ultimate authority in the Christian faith, ethics, and practice. Additionally, it through Scripture that we evaluate both tradition and creeds.

• Sola Fide ("Faith Alone")
-- Salvation is received by faith alone and not by a means of our works. 

• Sola Gratia ("Grace Alone")
-- Salvation is a gift of God's grace; only He can freely give and not one that we obtain or earn.  

• Solus Christus ("Christ Alone")
-- The means by which we obtain salvation is through Jesus Christ alone; His finished work on the cross for sinners.

• Soli Deo Gloria ("God's Glory Alone")
-- Salvation is totally the work of God thus is given and for the glory of God

I am very excited about this series because I think it'll be a great opportunity for our people to not only hear about some church history--particularly because the Valley has a dense Roman Catholic population and many from our church come from that background--but also because this dives deep into the pages of Scripture and the heart of the church. 

My aim isn't to bash the Roman Catholic church. I do believe that we have some brothers and sisters in the Catholic church that love Jesus. However, I do believe it's important to teach briefly on the Protestant Reformation and why we hold to these core doctrines. And I believe the best approach for that is to engage the Word of God.

There is so much reading on these doctrines that you can easily get a hold of several books and articles. I'll hook you up with the list of books I've been in for the past few months as we've prepared this series, hope you enjoy---

RECOMMENDED READING:
• God's Word Alone: The Authority of Scripture by Matthew Barrett
• Faith Alone: The Doctrine of Justification by Thomas Schreiner
• Grace Alone: Salvation as a Gift of God by Carl Trueman
• Christ Alone: The Uniqueness of Jesus as Savior by Stephen Wellum
• God's Glory Alone: The Majestic Heart of Christian Life and Faith by David VanDrunen

Reflection | God's Work Our Witness

A few weeks ago, we began a sermon series titled "God's Work Our Witness" and the intention behind this short series was to cast vision for the new chapter and season that is Storehouse Community Church as well as share the mission we've been called to in McAllen. I also think it's been a good opportunity to look back at all God did in and through Logos Community Church- McAllen. Additionally, this series served as a great way to communicate revitalization in our church for the fame and glory of Jesus.

While, we have been through much, I feel as though we have officially walked into our own season as Storehouse Community Church; starting afresh in many aspects and moving forward by the grace of God. I'm very excited for our future and am anticipant about the work God will do, particularly as we engage our beloved city of McAllen and make disciples. 

Your prayers have been incredibly encouraging! Please continue to pray for our church family as we aim to be faithful and make much of Jesus. And if you're looking at what's coming up next, this week we're starting a new sermon series titled "The 5 Solas" which is based on the 5 Latin phrases that captivate the heart of gospel-centered theology and stem from the Protestant Reformation. I'll share more on this as we move along. 

The Start of a New Chapter

Last week on Sunday (6/18), the church I began attending almost 9 years ago, Logos Community Church-McAllen ceased to exist and while she closed her last chapter, three new chapters and seasons began for McAllen, Harlingen, and Edinburg.

We didn't merge with another congregation, rather by the grace of God we worked diligently on the health and vitality of our church in the midst of much change, hurt, and loss.  A season of revitalization is upon us and our aim is to be a people faithful in the gospel and in making the name of Jesus famous. 

OUR HISTORY: The Short Story

In 2008, what started off as a bible study in a living room and then having our real and official move to a youth pavilion/garage in north McAllen (Thank You to BT-McAllen!), Logos Bible Church was planted. The mission was simple and hearts were passionate: share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who do not know Him. For many, the birth of this church plant went hand in hand with the start of their relationship with Christ. 

In 2011 our small church was growing relationally and numerically, engaging the city that we loved, and disciples were being made. Additionally, we faced new challenges: we were starting to grow up! What began as a church with the average age of 22 was now seeing marriages flourish and new families attend.

In 2013 we moved to our current location in what used to be a bookstore on one side and an old pizza shop on the other. During our time here and by the sole grace of God, we planted 2 additional campuses in Harlingen (2010) and in Edinburg (2016) and installed elders in our McAllen campus. 

As we continued moving forward, we grew as a family does. After all, the church is the people called together by God and not a building. And like many families, we have seen incredible seasons of blessing and seasons of difficulty where we were pushed to unite and mature for the sake of growing up into the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4). 

In the Fall of 2016, the elders at all 3 campuses decided that our mission would be better effective in our cities if we became independent churches. While this was a decision that was difficult, it was also a decision that brought much excitement as we championed one another for the sake of the gospel across McAllen, Edinburg, and Harlingen.  Additionally, we experienced the departure of our founding pastor and preacher, Tom Weaver as he accepted the call to pastor Mission Church in San Antonio. With many tear-filled eyes, we said our good-byes and prayed for him and his family as they, too, entered a new season in a new city. 

For me, my family, and our church family, the past three months have been filled with several ongoing emotions as we entered transition, but by God's grace, He brought several men around me to speak wisdom and counsel in addition to overwhelming support from our church planting network, Acts 29. 

My goal was to capitalize on health, create space for questions, and transition with transparency. And while there was much work happening behind the scenes, Sunday, June 18th was the last sermon as Logos Community Church- McAllen and as you read this, we have officially begun our journey as Storehouse Community Church. 

WHY STOREHOUSE?

The name "Storehouse" comes from Isaiah 33:5-6 where he writes "...there will be times of security for you, a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord is Zion's treasure." Some translations say that He will be "the stability of your times" in the place of "storehouse." The treasure that is found in the storehouse is the fear of the Lord; a relationship. One that is gifted to the people of God by God. It's knowing who God is and what God has done, particularly in Jesus Christ by sending Him to die for sinners on a cross, forgiving, and reconciling them back to the Father. 

Who we are is simple: to be a church that is saturated in the gospel and exists to declare and demonstrate the beauty of Jesus to the heart of McAllen. We're not perfect, no local church is. But I pray that we are faithful as we embark on the mission and direction God has called us to in McAllen.

If you're reading this, I would covet your prayers--not just for me and my family, but our church family. There's much work to be done and our hope is to see lives redeemed by the blood of Jesus!

My Summer Top 5's

The summer is upon us and that means it's hot in Texas. At heart, I'm an introvert and for me that usually means I like a handful of things to do, many I've written about. Nevertheless, I thought I'd share my top 5's on things I like to do a little more during the summer months.

Hope you enjoy!

TOP 5 BOOKS

1. Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands by Paul David Tripp
I started this book a few weeks ago and it's been incredibly good for my soul. Really, anything by Paul Tripp is good for the soul. But this book particularly has been refreshing for me as it's been a pastoral resource in counseling but also in my own life. I would highly recommend it. 

2. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
This was one of the first books I read when I became a Christian and the first I read from C.S. Lewis; his arguments and wisdom continually come to mind and it's rather nostalgic for me. 

3. The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions
Prayer has always been an area of weakness for me and over the past several months, that has been incredibly convicting. These collection of prayers from the Puritans is amazing and a great help to me in my daily prayer life. I highly recommend it. 

4. God's Word Alone--The Authority of Scripture: What the Reformers Taught and Why It Still Matters by Matthew Barrett
I'm 3 chapters in and I love this book because it's a rich culmination of early church history and the reformation. Additionally, we're about to do a 5 week sermon series on the 5 Solas so naturally this is a great resource for study. 

5. Reset: Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture by David Murray
I have yet to start this one, but it's on my desk. I've been burnt out before, both as a bivocational ministry leader and have almost burnt out as a full-time pastor. This is definitely a must read for anyone in ministry. 

Top 5 CIGARS

1. Flor de Las Antillas by My Father
This is a great quality stick, both in its performance and price. This is definitely a medium smoke, but lots of smoke. It has a hefty tobacco flavor with some added sweetness to it. 

2. Prensado by Alec Bradley
This is one of my favorite sticks, a common go-to. It offers rich coffee and chocolate flavors; great breakfast stick (as in, a good smoke with coffee) or dessert stick. 

3. All Out Kings by Drew Estate and Caldwell
This is the newest one in this list and was really looking forward to it when it came out. Thanks to my boys out at Cigar Saveur, they hooked it up! Definitely a great stick and hard to find in my experience. This is a medium strength cigar with a lot of rich flavor--earthy, black coffee, leather, and sweet tones throughout the smoke. 

4. AFR-75 San Andreas Maduro by A. Flores 
This one is a little harder to find, but when you do find it, it's hard to be disappointed. Don't let the maduro wrapper intimidate you as this is a mild-medium smoke. The flavors are a great blend of a natural tobacco sweetness, creamy, and very smooth with a long finish; it's definitely a smoke for anytime of the day. 

5. Liga Privada T52 by Drew Estate 
If you have some extra cash, then Liga Privada is a good "special occasion" cigar. I only get these when I'm out of town because they don't carry them in McAllen and they're a little expensive (anywhere between $13-16). Nevertheless, lots of smooth tobacco, creamy, and leather flavors; long burner.  

If you choose any of these great sticks OR you have a few of your favorites, but are missing a good cutter. I suggest Cuban Crafter's Perfect cut. It'll be the only cutter you need. 

Top 5 COLD BREW COFFEE

1. Chameleon Cold Brew Coffee
Chameleon Cold Brew is definitely a constant in our fridge. It's also distributed throughout most grocery stores in Texas so it's easily accessible. The original is my favorite; strong in its strength (it's concentrated) and rich in chocolate flavors.

2. Black and Blew Coffee by Cuvee
This is a delicious treat; it's sweet and creamy both in it's flavors and texture. A friend and I would love to have this on tap in our office because it's that delicious. 

3. Grady's Cold Brew
Grady's is very creamy, much more creamy than Chameleon and I mean that in its flavor and texture which gives it a little "heavier" taste to it. The earthiness is very sweet and great for the early morning or after dinner. 

4. Bear State Cold Brew Coffee
Sometimes, when you drink black coffee (hot or cold brew) it can taste quite bitter in its notes. Bear State has done a phenomenal job at making a cold brew that is very sweet from the start (but also pairs well with creamers or almond milks). Not bad, Cali. Not bad.

5. Bruja Cold Brew Coffee
This is a very easy drinking coffee--great on a hot day. If I'm not mistaken, it's a brazilian bean; smooth nuttiness flavors with a hint of sweet. 

We Moved!

Where do I begin!?

The past 3 months have been an absolute whirlwind of change, transition, and emotions. In March, I became the Lead Pastor at Logos Community Church, a church that we have called home for the last (and almost) 9 years. That, alone, has been an incredible and humbling experience. Many days feel like there's simply not enough hours in the day in an effort to pastor a church, develop leaders, and set forth vision toward our future.. But before I jump into that, the main objective of this post is that we have finally moved into our new home! 

OLD TOWN McALLEN

Previous to our new house, we were renting a house in central McAllen, a part of the city known to many as "Old Town" because of its deep historical roots in addition to it being a small and thriving urban neighborhood. As we began to look for houses in McAllen, I knew this was the area of town we needed to stay in as it's the heart of the city. And as the heart of the city, my desire is to see the neighborhood as well as our city impacted through gospel saturated community. The best way that I have learned for there to be cultural renewal and city engagement is by moving directly into the neighborhood, so out of conviction and desire (John 1:14), that's what we did. 

Old Town McAllen is the section of the city where several cultures collide unlike other parts of the city. There are thriving local businesses, young professionals and entrepreneurs who value culture, art, and community involvement, low-income families, a large school population, a historical district, and a growing entertainment district. It's a beautiful blend of rooted history and cultural value.

COMMUNITY

One of the most encouraging aspects of this move for my family and I has been our community group. Not only did they help us move into our house, but have been an amazing support in the midst of this transition. The men have helped by taking care of and discipling our son, loving him and hanging out with him while the women have been supportive to my wife's needs whether it was boxing up our old house or being available emotionally. It's been incredibly overwhelming in the most tear-soaked-thankful way! 

WHAT'S NEXT?

We're throwing a party. 

THANK YOU

So many people contributed to this move, whether through lifting boxes, words of encouragement, or wise counsel and we simply wish to say Thank You. My family and I are excited and encouraged, we long to see people meet Jesus in our big neighborhood, and while we're still not finished with the overall transition, moving in has been a tremendous reminder of God's faithfulness towards His children and evidence of His grace and provision. May this house become our home and a tool to minister to those in and outside the church.