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- Scripture Galatians 3:15–20
- Date Sunday, 20 September 2020
The Promise of God came long before the Law. The Law guides our lives. But, God's Grace is responsible for our salvation. The Promise is God's Grace extended to all. A choice must be made - will you believe that you must live according to God's Law strictly in order to be Heaven-bound? Or do you claim God's Promise and rejoice because God's Grace has brought the path to Heaven. The Law is your guide in this life. But, we focus on the eternal life because of the Promise. It doesn't matter what you've done in the past. God's Love is extended and you are loved by God. Claim the Promise and accept God's Love and Jesus' blood shed for you. He will create a 'new creature' in you.
- Scripture Various
- Date Sunday, 18 August 2019
We continue with our year in the Heidelberg Catechism. If you are not familiar with the Heidelberg, it is a set of questions and answers intended to teach theology and Biblical truths to young people in the early days of the major Reformation movement in Europe. The thing is, so many people who attend church today were never taught these theological particulars. So, this has been very beneficial to do. Don't miss a single Sunday morning, because each builds on the next. However, if you step into this in the middle, it is crafted to still teach 'stand-alone'.
Due to time constraints over the past couple of Sundays, we've been dealing with Lord's Day 27 doing 1 Q&A per week. I will finish that up so we can move on to LD28. So, this Sunday, we will take on that 'fun' subject of child baptism and the theology behind it. Who of us fully understand what scripture says about child baptism - and children?
See you Sunday ... oh yeah, and we will come to the Lord's Table and hear the profession of 3 candidates for membership! What a great day!
Tagged under
- Scripture Several w/in LD26 & 27
- Date Sunday, 04 August 2019
We have worked our way into the Heidelberg Catchism, observing the Lord's Days divisions up until now. We began to study the Sacrament of Baptism last week and didn't get very far, but it was worth it. The message was a bit more interactive and I pray many learned through it. Anyway, we are going to pick up the study of Baptism finishing the Lord's Day #26 and beginning LD#27.
We will face questions like:
"What does it mean to be washed with Christ's blood and Spirit?"
and,
"Where does Christ promise that we are washed with his blood and Spirit as surely as we are washed with the water of baptism?"
and perhaps,
"Does this outward washing with water itself wash away sins?"
The theology in all this is so cool and likely many churchgoers are certain about it. This a great opportunity to check it out.
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- Scripture Various
- Date Sunday, 02 June 2019
We jump from LD16 over to LD18 because LD17 was covered on Easter morning ... and what a morning!
Here is what we are taking on for June 2:
Q&A 46
Q. What do you mean by saying, "He ascended to heaven"?
A. That Christ while his disciples watched, was taken up from the earth into heaven and remains there on our behalf until he comes again to judge the living and the dead.
Q&A 47
Q. But isn't Christ with us until the end of the world as he promised us?
A. Christ is true human and true God. In his human nature Christ is not now on earth; but in his divinity, majesty, grace, and Spirit he is never absent from us.
Q&A 48
Q. If his humanity is not present wherever his divinity is, then aren't the two natures of Christ separated from each other?
A. Certainly not. Since divinity is not limited and is present everywhere, it is evident that Christ's divinity is surely beyond the bounds of the humanity that has been taken on, but at the same time his divinity is in and remains personally united to his humanity.
Q&A 49
Q. How does Christ's ascension to heaven benefit us?
A. First, he is our advocate in heaven in the presence of his Father.
Second, we have our own flesh in heaven as a sure pledge that Christ our head will also take us, his members, up to himself.
Third, he sends his Spirit to us on earth as a corresponding pledge. By the Spirit's power we seek not earthly things but the things above, where Christ is, sitting at God's right hand.
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