Are the Sacraments Necessary? - Part 1

ABOUT BAPTISM

by Pastor Jim Jester

January 26, 2020

Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:11-12

Introduction

If you ask a dozen Christians what is the meaning of baptism, you will get many different answers. Even among Protestant churches, one will get differing opinions on the meaning, purpose and mode of the alleged “ordinance” of Baptism. Some churches have split over these issues, or whether to observe the custom at all. The same can be said of the Eucharist (or Communion/Lord’s Supper). But are these symbolic practices, commonly called “the Sacraments”, really necessary?

Furthermore, we should ask, are these Sacraments necessary for what? Are they necessary for spiritual growth, or, for any kind of salvation? I realize that I am entering a controversial area of theology and some may disagree with what I have to say on this topic, but that is ok – we have liberty here. I hope these studies will answer such questions.

Bible Biology - Part 5

IMAGE - PART 1

by Walt Giddings

Greetings kindred. We are on a first name basis here. My name is Walter. I am your pedagogue whose mission is to lead you to the Real Teacher. Is one of the marks of a Christian his capacity to see the invisible? Is this strange to an unbelieving world? Direct from Romans 1:20 we have this blessed assurance. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made.” This fifth Bible Biology lesson may be the most invisible.

Scripture Reading:  Genesis 1:26-28

v. 28: The dominion covenant, we recall, received a major interruption in Genesis chapter three: Adam fell. Heaven and earth separated, losing oneness. Adam became a prisoner of time, fell into the image of the earthy, becoming mortal, his eyes now holden, an invisible realm no longer visible to him. Without divine intervention Adam can no longer see into what is now invisible to him. This presents in this lesson some difficulty.

vv. 26-27: We have two words, both mentioned three times. The first is God. The second is our lesson title : Image. These two verses emphasize the creation of Adam “in the image of God.” (v 26) “after our likeness.” Where is the likeness? Was Adam also created “in the likeness of God?” (Genesis 5:1). Here in verse one, God’s infallible Word, our question is answered. “In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him.” Why does God wait to tell us that “He created to make” His son Adam in his own likeness?

Why are we told all the way over in chapter five? There is a reason.

The Unholy Seed - Part 30

THE DIVINE RIGHT OF KINGS

Copied from the sermon notes of Pastor Don Elmore

January 12, 2020

Scripture Reading: Matthew 13:29, 30

Here are two competing grains in these two verses: tares and wheat.  One is evil, the other is good. The instructions given to the gatherers is to gather the tares first, bind them in bundles and burn them; but the wheat gather them into His barn. But they had to wait until the proper time—the harvest. Why? So, the reapers could tell them apart. Notice, the tares are to be taken first.

This was God’s warning to the Israelites through his general Joshua that if they let the Canaanites remain in the land of Palestine, they would no longer be driven out from before them. They would be snares, traps, scourges and thorns to the Israelites. The enemy would provide the harm that would result from Israel’s disobedience to keep them living in the land that they were promised.

The Unholy Seed - Part 29

DOES AMERICA HAVE THE BEST GOVERNMENT IN THE WORLD?

Compiled from the sermon notes of Pastor Don Elmore

January 5, 2020

Scripture Reading:  2 Samuel 1:13-16

Who was the stranger that David had killed for testifying that he had slain King Saul, the LORD’s anointed? He was an Amalekite. Who was an Amalekite? He was a descendant of Amalek, grandson of Esau, who was part of the Canaanites. So, it was the descendant of Esau and the Canaanites who said that he murdered the LORD’s anointed—the king of Israel. Remember, this was something that the future king refused to do, even when he had the opportunity.

In a recent speech, Nancy Pelosi said some confusing things. For example, she said that America had formed a new government, a republic, starting with “We the people.” Then she said, “For centuries Americans have fought and died to defend democracy for the people. But, very sadly now, our founders’ vision of a republic is under threat from actions from the white house.”

And it wasn’t just the speaker of the House. It was many of the Democrats, when they spoke they said in one breathe that we were a republic and in another that we were a democracy. The two words were used interchangeably, and the meaning was the same.

But they are not interchangeable.  Benjamin Rush (signor of the Declaration of Independence) said that “a democracy was the devil’s own government.”