Passing through on his way to the conference in Orlando, Brother Ashton Bristol shared this message from Ezra about the mixed response to the rebuilding of the Lord's temple. As we consider the current state of the Church, we also might have feelings of sorrow mixed with joy. May we all be motivated to put these emotions to use in the Lord's service as we go on in His strength.
Scripture passage: Ezra 3
Luke Harriman concludes this series by considering the "how" and the "why" of baptism. It is good for us to meditate on God's purposes in instituting this practice as we continue to follow his command to "make disciples of all nations, baptizing them."
Scripture passages: 1Pet 3:20–21, Rom 6:1–15; Gal 3:26–29
Luke Harriman returns to the topic of baptism and addresses the most divisive aspect of the doctrine: the question of infant baptism versus believer baptism. After considering a strong argument in support of baptizing infants, Brother Luke defends the practice of only baptizing those who are able to confess their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. He concludes with the example of Naaman being cured of his leprosy, which has beautiful implications for the practice of baptism.
Scripture passages: Col 2:8–15; 2Kings 5
This week, Brother Kazi Chhetri encouraged all of us as he stood to speak on Psalm 77, led there by the Holy Spirit during our breaking of bread meeting. In difficult times, the believer's only resource is to cry out to the Lord, who has promised to always hear His people. Although there are times when His "footsteps were unknown" (v. 19), He is always with us. May we all be more faithful to bring our cares and concerns to Him!
Scripture passage: Ps 77
Last week, Brother Ken Huebner shared a helpful message in which he took us through several of the hymns in our Spiritual Songs hymnbook. In each one, Brother Ken directed our attention to a line that calls us toward personal holiness in response to the Lord's love, and he supported each one with several verses of scripture. Indeed, may we sing these hymns with honesty and sincerity as we strive to "be holy even as He is holy."
In anticipation of an upcoming baptism in the fall, Luke Harriman began a three-part series on the practice of Christian believer's baptism. Although it has been almost universally practiced in the church, this important element of the faith has been a source of great confusion and division for many. In an attempt to cut through some of the disagreements and discover the beauty of baptism itself, Brother Luke considers the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the practice.
Scripture passages: Rom 6, Acts 8
Brother Ken Huebner took us to Psalm 139 on the Lord's Day and encouraged us all to meditate on the aspects of God revealed there. This much loved psalm shows the Lord to be omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and full of grace and mercy toward those who would seek His face. Brother Ken also uses verses 13–15 to speak in a practical way about the practice of abortion and the way it goes against God's desire for the people He created in His own image.
Scripture passage: Ps 139
We often can sympathize with the writer of Psalm 121, who asks "From where does my help come?" Truly, during times of difficulty, our help comes from the Lord. But what exactly does that help look like? Luke Harriman shares this message, describing the way the Lord promises to help His servant. Drawing from the "servant songs" in Isaiah, Brother Luke describes God's help as holding us, encouraging us, leading us, and protecting us.
Scripture passages: Ps 121; Is 42, 49, 50
Brother Laurel Smalling offers this message as a reminder of the value of looking back, looking here (at our present moment), and looking forward. He then uses the example of Moses's farewell address to the Israelites in Deuteronomy to further describe the importance of remembering from where we have come with the Lord.
Scripture passage: Deut 1
Brother Jim Auld shared this message on feet and shoes in the Bible. Taking us from the burning bush all the way to the vision of the Lord Jesus in the book of Revelation, Brother Jim discussed the way shoes are sometimes to be taken off and sometimes to be worn. May we experience both as we walk with the Lord, taking off our shoes in worship and strapping them on as we go out to share the good news of Christ.
Scripture passages: Ex 3:5; 12:11; Eph 6:15; Rev 1:15
Brother Collin Beckford turned our thoughts on Sunday morning to the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." After reading some of the characteristics of the Passover lamb, Brother Collin pointed out some of the distinct differences between that prophetic picture and the Lord Jesus Himself. While the similarities between the two are important, the differences can also be instructive.
Scripture passages: Ex. 12:1–13; John 1:29–36
Romans 8 was referred to as "the great eight" by some of the Puritan writers, and it is a favorite of many Christians. Brother Luke Harriman offers this meditation on the last few verses of the chapter as an encouragement to keep going on for the Lord, no matter what may come our way.
Scripture passage: Rom 8:35–39
Brother Ken Huebner offered this stirring charge last Sunday to remember thankfulness in our daily walk with God. Beginning with the story of the ten lepers and taking us through several important passages on giving thanks, Brother Ken encouraged us to cultivate the attitude of gratitude as we see the many ways the Lord has blessed us.
Scripture passage: Luke 17:11–19
In this Fathers Day message, Luke Harriman considers the story of the man with two sons from Luke 15. In this well-known parable, we see a true model of fatherhood that mirrors our heavenly Father's great compassion for us.
Scripture passages: Ps 103; Luke 15:11–32
Brother Henry Starr offered this meditation on Psalm 46 this past Lord's Day. When we truly "behold the works of the Lord" (v. 8), we are led to be still before Him and rest in God as our refuge and strength. After the message, Luke Harriman shared some similar thoughts from Psalm 97.
Scripture passages: Ps 46 & 97
In this Sunday morning message, Brother Ruell Clarke contrasts the Lord Jesus with Adam, bringing out several beautiful aspects of our Lord's perfections.
Scripture passages: Col 1:15–20; Rom 5:12–21
During a visit to South Florida, Brother Ruell Clarke joined us for our Thursday night meeting and shared this message on how well the Lord knows us. He knows our sorrows, our fears, our needs, our frame. He knows the plans that He has for us. A question we must consider is, how well do we know Him? May it be our life's pursuit to know Him more. Following this message, Brother Viv John added some brief complementary thoughts on the fact that this God who knows us has come down to raise us up.
Scripture passages: Ex 3:3–8; Ps 103:14; Jer 29:11
On this Memorial Day weekend, Brother Viv John delivered a challenging reminder to always remember the person, promises, and power of our Lord Jesus Christ. While there are many temptations that would cause us not to remember all the Lord has done for us, the weekly breaking of bread service presents a continual opportunity to call Him to mind and remember the One who gave His all for us.
Scripture passages: Gen. 40:14, 23; 41:9; Luke 22:61; Acts 20:7–12; 1Cor. 11:23–26
One of the most beautiful ways the Lord has given us to show His love in this world is the practice of hospitality. As we continue to look for opportunities to grow in Christlike agape love, brother Luke Harriman offers this brief encouragement to show hospitality "without waiting, grumbling, or discriminating."
Scripture passages: Rom. 12:13; 1Pet. 4:9; Heb. 13:2
Luke Harriman wraps up the review of 1 John by discussing the way that the agape love of God "centers" us and serves to unite a group of believers who really take God's love seriously. When we love one another, we will be protected from the temptations to boast when we have plenty or to envy when we have little. Love should be the great leveler, both within the church and as we reach out to the world around us.
Scripture passage: 1 John