Why be baptized? Adults like yourselves who seek membership in the church based upon their profession of faith in Christ and who have never received baptism are privileged and urged to receive this sign of the covenant upon their public profession of faith and reception as members of the church (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:38). We … Continue reading Thoughts on Preparing for Your Baptism
Devotional Thoughts
Thoughts on Preparing for Communion
Come not because you are strong, but because you are weak. Come not because any goodness of your own gives you a right to come, but because you need mercy and help. Come, because you love the Lord and want to experience more of His love. Come, because He first loved you and gave … Continue reading Thoughts on Preparing for Communion
Homo Unius Libri – A Man of One Book
The rich man in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus was not condemned because he was rich, any more than the poor man was justified for being poor. The issue was not whether these men were rich or poor, but whether or not these men believed the Scriptures and trusted in the Redeemer … Continue reading Homo Unius Libri – A Man of One Book
Learning to love like Jesus – Who?
John 13:34a says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another." Who we are to love? One another. The love of Christians for one another should be the distinguishing mark by which the world recognizes us as followers of Jesus Christ. Love is one of the key terms in Jesus' Upper … Continue reading Learning to love like Jesus – Who?
Learning to love like Jesus – How?
John 13:34 traces two great movements of grace -- 'just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.' Jesus calls this his "new commandment." What makes this commandment new? In a nutshell, "Just as I have loved you" “New” (kainen) implies freshness rather than simply “recent.” The word in the original Koine … Continue reading Learning to love like Jesus – How?
Learning to love like Jesus – Why?
Jesus says in John 13:35: "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Why is it important that we learn to love like Jesus? The obvious reason is that the Lord commands it. But this text offers us two vital reasons why… Fulfill our mission. Learning to … Continue reading Learning to love like Jesus – Why?
Confessing Our Sins Together – based upon Luke 16:19-31
AFFIRMING JUSTICE AND MERCY “Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps. “But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” - Amos 5:23-24 He has show you O man; What is good and what does the Lord require … Continue reading Confessing Our Sins Together – based upon Luke 16:19-31
Reflections on Treasuring One Master – Luke 16:1-15
We so badly want to believe that mammon has no power over us, no authority of its own. But by giving the descriptive unrighteous to mammon, Jesus forbids us from ever taking so naive a view of wealth. We must be more tough minded, more realistic. - Richard Foster Our hearts have room only … Continue reading Reflections on Treasuring One Master – Luke 16:1-15
How can children be included in missional living?
I read this blog entry from the Verge Network this morning and highly recommend this short interview with Paul Tripp. There is also a written synopsis of the interview. http://www.vergenetwork.org/2012/09/19/how-can-children-be-included-in-missional-living-paul-tripp/
Jesus’ Ultimate Desire for You – Part 2
Jesus prays in John 17:24: "Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world." Jesus gives us his reason for why he wants you to be … Continue reading Jesus’ Ultimate Desire for You – Part 2
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