D.C. Baptism Service Video (Nov. 22, 2009)!

Discovery Church had the privilege of baptizing six people this past Sunday. Baptism is such an awesome experience and we try to demonstrate that during our baptism services at Discovery Church. We were thrilled to be a part of each of these unique individuals experience as they publicly proclaim Christ's transformation in their life.

The Wisdom of Sex (Prov. 5:15-19)

SEX.... There we said it. SEX, SEX, SEX. This taboo subject has been one we, as the church, have often avoided, or if talked about, we have approached it negatively. In other words, we discuss everything we are against, and little regarding what we are for. Yes, when it comes to sex there are some things that God is against...but there are also some things God is for. At the forefront of God's design is a passionate, intoxicating, healthy sex life between husband and wife - and we should, according to Proverbs, take full advantage of it!

But what happens when something stands in the way of a healthy sex life? Maybe the experience of past abuse, rape or adultery makes it hard for you to trust anyone anymore. Or, maybe you are single and struggle intensely with desires that go unfulfilled. Even more, maybe you are married and are frustrated by an under-sexed or over-sexed marriage. How do you navigate these tough issues and live more of what God intended? Listen to our webcast called "The Wisdom of Sex" for answers and insight into this challenging, yet great gift from God.

Proverbs: The Adulterer (Prov. 5:1-14)

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" Proverbs 4:23. We learned a few weeks back that the way to protect your heart is to watch your mouth, watch your eyes, use discretion and avoid distractions. This week we saw that the adulteress in most situations does the opposite. She uses her mouth for flattery (Prov. 5:3; 30:20), she has no discretion (Prov. 5:6; 7:11-12) and she is the ultimate distraction (Prov. 5:8) and we must be careful of two things: becoming her or loitering around her.

For most Christians the problem is that we often think that cheating is below us (until, of course, it is too late). King Solomon (who wrote the book of Proverbs) is described as having 1000 sexual partners, who ultimately led him away from God (1 Kings 11:3-4). The point is that the guy who wrote such staunch warnings about the adulteress in the end was captivated by her 999 times over! If the guy who wrote the book can fail, then any of us, man or woman, can become the adulterer. The following are a few next steps to guard our lives from this possibility.

First, if you are married and your relationship is on the rocks, resist the temptation to hide and continue on as if nothing is wrong. Often poor marriages result in less intimacy increasing the chances that one, or both, spouses will stray. Get help! Many marriages have survived disaster trusting in the power of Christ.

Second, if you are a woman it is really important to engage other mature women who are in Christ. Check out "Nite Out" every other Tuesday from 7:15 - 8:45 pm in The Living Room located in the DC office. The next "Nite Out" is Tuesday, November 17th. If you have any questions, feel free to email the office at connect@dconline.org or call us at 636.294.5182.

Third, for men, whether single or married, you must become a Job 31 man if you want your wife (current or future, depending on your situation) to be a Proverbs 31 woman. In Job 31: 1 Job states, "I have made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl." However, you cannot be a Job 31 man on your own strength. You can't do it! Literally. You must call on Christ, admit you can't do it and allow His power to control your eyes and thoughts. "For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2).

Proverbs: The Heart (Prov. 4:20-27)

The heart is the center of a human being both physically and spiritually and in the midst of our passage that we studied this past week we see this verse, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Now, as Solomon writes this to his son, he is not talking about his physical heart; but rather, his spiritual heart, the heart of flesh that God gives to those who trust in the saving power of Jesus Christ. As God states in Scripture, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezek. 36:26; NIV). If you are a Christian, Solomon is exhorting you to protect this heart of flesh. But how do you protect it?

First, you must recognize this heart of flesh is given freely by God through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not something for which you work, strive and break your back. It is easy to sum up this way: Jesus gives me a new heart and in response I obey Him (by guarding it, protecting it, worshiping Him, etc.). I don't obey Him so that He will give me a new heart. Always remember Ephesians 2:8-9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."

So, once we recognize our new heart is freely given through faith in Jesus Christ, our response should be to protect it. Proverbs tells us to protect it in the following ways: watch your mouth, protect your eyes, discern your steps and stay centered on God (Prov. 4:24-27). Therefore, it is imperative of all Christians to look at their lives and ask, "is there anyway I am leaving my heart unprotected or unkept through what I talk about, what I gaze at, my discernment or my distractions. Do I find it easy to gossip about others? Am I hypercritical of certain people and quite vocal about it? Am I gazing at what I don't have (sexually, financially, achievements) rather than what I do have (the heart of Christ)? Am I making good life decisions that are honoring to God? Am I easily distracted (ie. unbridled web-surfing, excessive working, hobbies, Facebooking, TV watching, etc.)? All of these are sure to damage this new heart that Christ exhorts us to treasure "above all things."

Here are some great verses/ideas to meditate on and help center your new heart in Christ alone.

1. Read one chapter of Proverbs per day. Proverbs has 31 chapters and the average month has 31 days. So, daily read the chapter that corresponds to the day of the month. So, today is November 3rd and I just finished reading Proverbs 3. Tomorrow is November 4th and I will read Proverbs 4 and so on.
2. Meditate on Proverbs 3:7-8, "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones" (Remain centered on God).
3. Meditate on Proverbs 16:28, "A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends" (Watch your mouth).
4. Meditate on Proverbs 27:20, "Death and destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man" (Protect your eyes).
5. Meditate on Proverbs 3:21, "My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck" (Discernment & distractions).