Sunday, August 28, 2022

Cultivating a Biblical Church Culture - Dave Dickmann


Principles from the Epistle of James can instruct us in the culture God intends for our local churches:
1. Commit to enduring various trials together - James 1:2.
2. Pray together with expectation that God will give generously - James 1:5.
3. Humbly receive God's Word, which enables us to put off remaining sin and be saved from many problems - James 1:21.
4. Care sacrificially for needy ones - James 1:27.
5. Avoid partiality and divisions - James 2:1.
6. Value those who teach God's Word despite their various failings - James 3:1-2.

Sunday, August 21, 2022

Testing Your Assurance - Nathan Rages


One of the main topics in the book of 1John is that of Assurance, meaning that someone is sure that he or she is actually saved.  

God wants every Christian to have Assurance (1John 5:13, Hebrews 10:22, 2Peter 1:10, and 2Corinthians 13:5).  On the other hand, the Bible warns us about having a false Assurance, meaning that someone thinks they are saved when they're actually not (Matthew 7:22-23, Titus 1:16, 2Timothy 3:5, Judas Iscariot, Simon the Sorcerer, and Demas). 

In John's letter, he repeatedly refers to three tests by which we can evaluate whether or not we are genuine Christians: 

1. Test of Obedience (to God's commands).  1John 2:3-6, 2:29, 3:3, 3:6-10, 3:24, 5:3
2. Test of Love (for the brethren).  1John 2:9-11, 3:11-12, 3:14-18, 4:7-12, 4:20-21, 5:1-2
3. Test of Truth (particularly about Christ Himself).  1John 2:22-24, 4:1-3, 4:15, 5:1, 5:5

Sunday, August 7, 2022

Christ Our Propitiation - Nathan Rages


"and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world." 1John 2:2

"In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 1John 4:10

Christ Our Propitiation
1. What does the word mean?
2. When did Christ accomplish this?
3. What was God’s motivation for doing this?
4. How do I know that it’s actually for me?

Monday, August 1, 2022

Rescued from Darkness and Transferred into the Beloved Son's Kingdom - Z...


Colossians 1:13  "For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son"