Dear Church Family, In last week’s reflection, we considered how we might arrive at a more full-orbed definition of the gospel. The gospel is about more than the good news of justification, it is the good news of the kingdom of God! Thus, the gospel includes what Christ, as the
Dear Church Family, In the first two sermons of our present preaching series on “The Church and the Means of Grace,” we sought to ask and answer the question, “What to expect from your pastor?” So, we looked at 1 Timothy 4:11-16. Specifically, we saw how the Apostle Paul admonishes his younger protégé,
Dear Church Family, In the last two lessons of our online “Inquirer / New Member” Sunday school class, we have been discussing and learning about what it means to support the work and worship of the church. As part of these lessons, we studied some ecclesiology. I am convinced that
Dear Church Family, Having just concluded our sermon series in Paul’s letter to the Galatians, I thought that a good way to review would be try and write a brief (and oversimplified) summary of the book. Additionally, I sat down and tried to imagine what Galatians might look like if
Dear Church Family, In our online Sunday school class this past Sunday, we examined the third vow of church membership: Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ? Basically, this vow
Dear Church Family, We have been having a great (virtual) Sunday evening class for the last several weeks! Thank you to those who have participated – and thank you for your patience as we all try and navigate meeting and learning in an online setting. I recognize that it is
Dear Church Family, This week we come to the final four verses of 1 John and the conclusion of our study of this epistle. If you’ve been following along in our study, then hopefully by now you might remember the three main themes or emphases of this letter. The Christian
Dear Church Family, As we near the end of this first epistle from the Apostle John, God’s Word focuses us in on the power and privilege of prayer. And, if you give full weight to the meaning of these words, and take God’s Word to heart – it is, indeed,
Dear Church Family, As we enter the fifth and final chapter in our study of 1 John, we find that the Apostle John wishes to conclude this letter by encouraging and building up the assurance of faith of his readers, “those who believe in the name of the Son of
Dear Church Family, Continuing in our study of 1 John, we come to a section in chapter four (1 John 4:7-12) in which John once again takes up the topic of love, specifically, a call for believers to love one another. In fact, that phrase, “love one another,” is repeated