Full Speed Ahead (Luke 9:61-62)
This Sunday there will be several personal stories about the history of Antioch. Through the years there has been good and bad. God has been gracious and blessed our church for 145 years! In light of our sin and His grace, how should we respond? Luke 9:61-62 gives us good instructions. Don’t dwell in the past This young man wanted to follow Jesus, but he was going to have a hard time saying “goodbye” to his past way of life.…
Abuse – Church Discipline (Part 1)
Once a church has notified the authorities and as they cooperate fully with the investigation how else are they to respond? At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore…
The Dad Who Wouldn’t Discipline (1 Samuel 2:12-17,22-34)
Eli was by earthly terms the most successful person of his day; however, he refused to correct his adult sons who were in sin. Because of this, God judged Eli and his sons. From this story we can learn several lessons about fathers. Fathers must get their priorities right Eli was successful at religion; he was the High Priest. He was successful at discipleship; he raised up Samuel. He was the most recognized, popular, and powerful man in his nation.…
Abuse – Introduction (Part 2)
Although we are forbidden from revenge, God has created human government for the punishment of those who violate His Law. Christians should report violations of God’s Law and cooperate fully with the government agency investigating the alleged crime. The Bible teaches a personal ethic in Romans 12, but follows this personal ethic with a government ethic. Just because I am supposed to turn the other cheek it does not mean that sexual assault, rape, physical violence, etc. are to go…
Foundation 1: Fear God (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
There is one God The foundation of our faith is that there is only one God, the God of Scripture. There are many “gods,” but they are simply the inventions of man blinded by the deception of the devil. There is only one God, the Yahweh of Scripture. He is to be loved and obeyed The whole of our faith is that the God of Scripture is to be loved and obeyed. Love and obedience go hand in hand. You…
Abuse Introduction (Part 1)
According to statistics, approximately 25% of women and 10% of men will be sexually abused over the course of their lifetime. Many times the abusers are prominent members of the church or even serve as elders or deacons. You can also add to this coercive actions by cult-like churches, domestic violence, and child abuse. In light of what the Scriptures teach, how should we as Christians respond to abuse? Abuse can be a very abused word (pun intended.) Because we…
Foundations of Our Faith (Psalm 11:3)
The foundation of our faith is under constant assault. If the foundations crumble, our faith will fall. We must strengthen and pass on the foundations If our faith is going to stand, we must strengthen the foundations. We must constantly be reminded of and refresh our minds to the great foundational truths of Christianity. In addition to this we must pass on these truths to our children and others who are new in the faith. Jesus is our foundation Christianity…
Pursuing Marriage – How Far Is Too Far?
When in a relationship, how far is too far physically? All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. And God hath both raised up the Lord, and…
Do You Know God? (John 17:1-5)
Jesus now goes aside to pray concerning His upcoming death and for His disciples. This is commonly called the “High Priestly Prayer.” In the opening verses He deals with one of the most important questions, “What is eternal life?” Eternal life is given to the elect Jesus is clear: He alone has all the power, including the power of salvation. Eternal life is something that Jesus gives; it is not something that we attain, earn, or merit. It is entirely…
Pursuing Marriage – How Do I Know?
How do I know if this is the person I am supposed to marry? 1. Is it lawful? And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.Matthew 19:9 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain…