What We Believe About the Five Points of Calvinism Bethlehem Baptist Church Staff March, 1985 Revised March, 1998 Preface We love God. He is our great Treasure, and nothing can compare with him. One of the great old catechisms says, "God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, … Continue reading “02A WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT THE 5POINTS OF CALVINISM”
01 FOR GOD'S SAKE, LET GRACE BE GRACE
For God's Sake, Let Grace Be Grace November 16, 2003 Rom_11:1-10 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the … Continue reading “01 FOR GOD'S SAKE, LET GRACE BE GRACE”
28 TAKING SWAGGER OUT OF CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE
Taking the Swagger Out of Christian Cultural Influence August 27, 2003 The fact that Christians are exiles on the earth (1Pe_2:11), does not mean that they don’t care what becomes of culture. But it does mean that they exert their influence as very happy, brokenhearted outsiders. We are exiles. “Our citizenship is in heaven, and … Continue reading “28 TAKING SWAGGER OUT OF CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE”
27 CHRIST IN COMBAT: DEFENSE BY THE SPIRIT
Christ in Combat: Defense By the Spirit March 18, 1984 Luk_4:1-14 Jesus said in Joh_8:44, "The devil was a murderer from the beginning and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him." A murderer and a liar by nature — that's Satan. But we don't always see our enemy … Continue reading “27 CHRIST IN COMBAT: DEFENSE BY THE SPIRIT”
26 THE FIRST DARK EXCHANGE: IDOLATRY
The First Dark Exchange: Idolatry October 4, 1998 Rom_1:21-23 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God … Continue reading “26 THE FIRST DARK EXCHANGE: IDOLATRY”
25 SPIRIT OF THE AGE & REALITY OF THE RISEN CHRIST
The Spirit of the Age and the Reality of the Risen Christ April 12, 1998 Rom_8:11 If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. What Hinders … Continue reading “25 SPIRIT OF THE AGE & REALITY OF THE RISEN CHRIST”
24 LET US GO WITH JESUS, BEARING REPROACH
Let Us Go with Jesus, Bearing Reproach September 28, 1997 Heb_13:12-16 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are … Continue reading “24 LET US GO WITH JESUS, BEARING REPROACH”
23 ADVANCING AND SUSTAINING THE COVENANT COMMUNITY
Advancing and Sustaining the Covenant Community February 14, 1993 1Th_3:11-13; 1Th_4:1-2 Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you; and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men, just as we also do for you; so that … Continue reading “23 ADVANCING AND SUSTAINING THE COVENANT COMMUNITY”
22 LET GOD BE ALL IN THIS BUILDING!
Let God Be All in This Building! February 28, 1988 1Co_3:5-9 In a very short time — for some us us a year, for others of us five years, for others ten, and others 50 — in a very short time, in a vapor's breath on a cool February morning, only one thing will matter, … Continue reading “22 LET GOD BE ALL IN THIS BUILDING!”
21 TERRORISM, JUSTICE, AND LOVING OUR ENEMIES
Terrorism, Justice, and Loving Our Enemies September 12, 2001 Someone asked me after our Tuesday prayer service in response to the terrorist attack, "Can we pray for justice, and yet love our enemy at the same time?" The answer is yes. But let's start with our own guilt. Christians know that if God dealt with … Continue reading “21 TERRORISM, JUSTICE, AND LOVING OUR ENEMIES”