What to do about denominational differences?

 What to do about denominational differences?

1. Measure all things by the Scriptures. There are many helps in the Christian Faith, but we are those who believe that our only infallible (incapable of error) rule. They constitute a completely trustworthy record of divine revelation and are the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. All doctrines, denominations, and men should be judged by them.

 

Prov 30:5-6; Rom 15:4; 1 Cor 4:6; 1 Thess 2:13

 

2. Study as best you can and lean into what you believe to be true. The way I was taught was to find the borders of orthodoxy, figure out your options, and then find a starting place based on what seems most reasonable to you at the time.

 

Prov 3:5-8; Acts 17:11

 

3. Do not be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. Do not be quickly and/or easily persuaded to drop a belief or add a new one.

 

Eph 4:14; Gal 1:6-10

 

4. Religious movements come and go. Beware of trends. Plant your flag and get comfortable. Plan for the long-haul. Those who endure until the end will be saved.

 

Rom 15:4; Col 1:11; Heb 10:36; 12:1-3

 

5. Trust your leaders.

 

Heb 13:7, 17; 1 Tim 5:17

Jesus Christ is Lord

 κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς was the confession of the very first Christians all the way down to each of us. 

 

“Jesus Christ is Lord.”

 

Several New Testament passages explicitly state, “Jesus is Lord.” Here are some examples:

 

Matthew 12:8 “For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

 

1 Corinthians 12:3 “[N]o one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.”

 

Romans 10:9 “[I]f you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

 

Philippians 2:11 “[E]very tongue [will] confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

 

2 Corinthians 4:5 “For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord.”

 

Colossians 2:6 “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus as Lord, so walk in Him.”

 

The confession “Jesus is Lord” (Greek: Κύριος Ἰησοῦς) is one of the earliest Christian creeds and was central to the Christian Faith from the beginning. The title “Lord” (Κύριος) was important as a counterclaim to Caesar is lord but especially significant because it was used in the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint) to translate the divine name Yahweh, making this confession a powerful statement about Jesus’ divine identity and authority as ruler over all.

The True Church

"The true Christian church, or house of God, is composed of all those in every place that do publicly acknowledge Jesus of Nazareth as the true Messiah, and the only Savior of men; and, building themselves upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, associate under the constitution which he himself has granted and authorized in the New  Testament, and are walking in his ordinances and commandments—and of none else"

(Alexander Campbell, The Christian System (2nd ed, 1839), Chapter XXIV: "The Body of Christ").

The Gospel of Luke 9:23-26

The Gospel of Luke 9:23-26

Then [Jesus] said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels."

NKJV

The Nicene Creed (AD 325)

 The Nicene Creed (AD 325)

 

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

 

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

 

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spake by the Prophets. And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

 

Source: https://bookofconcord.org/ecumenical-creeds/nicene-creed/

(1) Let us strive for and appreciate unity, even in the midst of diversity of traditions. 

(2) Let us rejoice over the truths concerning Jesus Christ and his Gospel which have been maintained throughout history. 

(3) Let us celebrate what God has done in the world through his Son and our Savior. 

(4) Let us continue to open ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our congregation and in the Church worldwide.

Invocation for Little League 2025

Invocation at the Opening Day Ceremony of the North Forsyth Little League 2025

Our Father in heaven, may your name be praised in the highest. You are the great God, the Creator of all things, and the Savior of our souls.

We come to you with thanksgivings—for family, for community, for good weather, for sport. As these families look forward to another season of ball, I ask that you bless every household. We pray that many lessons are learned, that community is built, that physical exercise is gained, that protection from injury is given, and that there is a whole lot of fun. Bless this league and all who are involved.

Father, we ask that your grace be on every practice, on every game, on every player, on every team, and on every family.

And we pray all of these things through Christ Jesus the Lord, Amen.

Rural Hall, North Carolina

A Brief Summary of Maundy Thursday

A Brief Summary of Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday marks the night during Passion Week when the Lord Jesus gathered with his disciples in the Upper Room to observe the Passover. This gathering became known as the Last Supper. During the meal, two significant events happened that Christian churches throughout the centuries have remembered: the Lord washed his disciples’ feet, foreshadowing his voluntary and atoning death, and he instituted the Lord’s Supper, which we observe weekly to this day, eating bread and drinking the fruit of the vine in remembrance of his body and blood given for us.

 

Maundy is from the Latin word mandatum from which we get words like mandate or command. This is based on Christ’s new command which he delivers in the Upper Room on the night of the Last Supper. The Lord said in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” Maundy Thursday is a time to remember the events of the Lord’s last evening with his disciples in the Upper Room and the spiritual meal that he instituted. During this evening service, we consider the Passover, the love command, the Lord’s Supper, our own sinfulness, the holiness of God, the suffering and atoning death of our Savior and Lord, and the depths of the love of God.

Some Recommended Reading

Some Recommended Reading
 
Married Couples
Reforming Marriage by Douglas Wilson
 
The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Tim and Kathy Keller
 
NKJV Study Bible (read biblical text and study notes, one book at a time)
 
Single, Young Adults
Biblical Courtship by Douglas Wilson
 
Water for My Camels by Paul Grimmond
 
Sex, Dating, and Relationships: A Fresh Approach by Hiestand and Thomas
 
Men
Thoughts for Young Men by J. C. Ryle
 
Concise Guide to Conservatism by Russell Kirk
 
Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes
 
Women
Learning Contentment by Nancy Wilson
 
You Who? Why You Matter and How to Deal With It by Rachel Jankovic
 
Glimpses of Grace: Treasuring the Gospel in Your Home by Gloria Furman
 
Other Christian Literature for the Imagination
The Works of George MacDonald
 
The Works of Fyodor Dostoevsky
 
The Works of G. K. Chesterton
 
The Works of J. R. R. Tolkien
 
The Works of C. S. Lewis

Some Examples of Morning Prayers

Some Examples of Morning Prayers

Look upon us, O Lord, and let all the darkness of our souls vanish before the beams of thy brightness. Fill us with holy love, and open to us the treasures of thy wisdom. All our desire is known unto thee, therefore perfect what thou hast begun, and what thy Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer. We seek thy face, turn thy face unto us and show us thy glory. Then shall our longing be satisfied, and our peace shall be perfect. (Augustine, 354 - 430)

 

Alone with none but thee, my God, I journey on my way. What need I fear, when thou art near O king of night and day? More safe am I within thy hand than if a host did round me stand. (Columba, c.521 - 597)

 

Lord, thou hast given us thy Word for a light to shine upon our path; grant us so to meditate on that Word, and to follow its teaching, that we may find in it the light that shines more and more until the perfect day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Jerome, c 342 - 420)

 

Lord, be with us this day,

Within us to purify us;

Above us to draw us up;

Beneath us to sustain us;

Before us to lead us;

Behind us to restrain us;

Around us to protect us.

(Patrick c389-461)

 

I rise today

Through the strength of heaven -

Light of sun,

Radience of moon,

Splendour of fire,

Speed of lightning,

Swiftness of wind,

Depth of sea,

Stability of earth,

Firmness of rock.

(source unknown, early Scottish)

 

Lord, deprive me not of Thy heavenly joys. Lord, deliver me from eternal torments. Lord, if I have sinned in mind or thought, in word or deed, forgive me. Lord, deliver me from all ignorance, forgetfulness, cowardice and stony insensibility. Lord, deliver me from every temptation. Lord, enlighten my heart which evil desires have darkened. Lord, I being human have sinned, but Thou being the generous God, have mercy on me, knowing the sickness of my soul. Lord, send Thy grace to my help, that I may glorify Thy holy Name. Lord Jesus Christ, write me Thy servant in the Book of Life, and grant me a good end. O Lord my God, even though I have done nothing good in Thy sight, yet grant me by Thy grace to make a good start. Lord, sprinkle into my heart the dew of Thy grace. Lord of heaven and earth remember me, Thy sinful servant, shameful and unclean, in Thy Kingdom. Amen. (Prayer of St. John Chrysostom)

Scriptural Basis for Morning Prayers

Scriptural Basis of Morning Prayers

Psalm 5:1-3, “Give ear to my words, O Lord. Consider my meditation.

Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I will pray.

My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;

In the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.

 

Psalm 59:16-17, “But I will sing of Your power.

Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning;

For You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.

To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises. For God is my defense, my God of mercy.

 

Psalm 90:14, “Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy,

That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!”

 

Psalm 143:7-8, “Answer me speedily, O Lord. My spirit fails!

Do not hide Your face from me, lest I be like those who go down into the pit.

Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust;

Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.

 

Lamentations 3:22-24, “Because of the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,

Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning.

Great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul,

‘Therefore I hope in Him!’”

 

Mark 1:35, “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight,

He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”

A Couple Examples of Bedtime Prayers

A Couple Examples of Bedtime Prayers

O Eternal God and King of all creation, Who hast granted me to arrive at this hour, forgive me the sins that I have committed today in thought, word and deed, and cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul from all defilement of flesh and spirit. And grant me, O Lord, to pass the sleep of this night in peace, that when I rise from my bed I may please Thy most holy Name all the days of my life and conquer my flesh and the fleshless foes that war with me. And deliver me, O Lord, from vain and frivolous thoughts, and from evil desires which defile me. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

~Prayer of St. Macarius (c. 300 – 391)

 

O Lord, accept me in penitence. O Lord, leave me not. O Lord, lead me not into temptation. O Lord, grant me good thoughts. O Lord, grant me tears and remembrance of death and compunction. O Lord, grant me the thought of confessing my sins. O Lord, grant me humility, chastity and obedience. O Lord, grant me patience, courage and meekness. O Lord, plant in me the root of all blessings, the fear of Thee in my heart. O Lord, grant me to love Thee with all my mind and soul, and always to do Thy will. O Lord, protect me from certain people, and demons, and passions, and from every other harmful thing. O Lord, Thou knowest that Thou actest as Thou wilt; may Thy will be also in me, a sinner, for blessed art Thou for ever. Amen.

~Prayer of St. John Chrysostom (c. 347 – 14 September 407)

Scriptural Basis for Bedtime Prayers

Scriptural Basis for Bedtime Prayers

Psalm 1:1-2, “Blessed is the one whose delight is in the instruction of the Lord, and on His instruction that one meditates day and night."

Psalm 3:5-7, “I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord; Save me, O my God!

Psalm 4:4, 8, “Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. . . . I will both lie down in peace, and sleep. For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

Luke 6:12, “Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”

Examples of Mealtime Prayers

 Examples of Mealtime Prayers

Use these prayers around your family table or take them as inspiration to write your own prayers!

Prayers

 

Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we gratefully receive from Thy bounty, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 

Bless, O Father, Thy gifts to our use and us to Thy service; for Christ’s sake. Amen.

 

Come, Lord Jesus, be our Guest, and let Thy gifts to us be blessed. Amen.

 

Be present at our table, O Lord. Be here and everywhere praised. These mercies bless and grant that we may feast in fellowship with you. Through Christ. Amen.

 

God our Maker, for what we are about to receive, make us truly grateful, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 

May we eat and be full, and may our lives bless the Lord, our God, for the good He has given us. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Father, for this food and for every Word that comes from Your mouth, we praise Your name, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 

Father, You work miracles with only a handful of flour and a little oil, with only five loaves and two fish, but You so often provide us much more. For grace upon grace, we give You thanks. Amen.

 

God is great. God is good. Let us thank Him for our food. By His hands we all are fed. Give us Lord, our daily bread. Amen.

 

God, our Father, we give thanks for what we eat and drink today. We want to do all to Your glory through Christ our Savior. Amen. 

 

Heavenly Father, everything You created is good, and we receive this food with thanksgiving, through Christ. Amen. 

 

Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth. Amen. 

 

Our Father, You give us our daily bread, and You give us the True Bread from heaven. For these gifts we give you thanks. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

God, our Father, be with us today. Bless our happy gathering, and bless this meal that we share. Protect us all, and help us to grow in our faith. In Jesus’ name we give thanks. Amen.

 

Our Father, send your Son, the Light of the world, to shine into our home and hearts today as we receive these good gifts around this table. Amen.

 

Our Lord, we receive this food and drink with joy and gratefulness. For these gifts and so many more, we bless your name. Amen.

 

God, our Father, You bless us abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that we need, we may abound in every good work. Amen.

 

God, You are able to make all grace abound toward us, that we, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. You supply seed to the sower and bread for food. We ask that You supply and multiply the seed we have sown and increase the fruits of our righteousness. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Scriptural Basis for Mealtime Prayers

Mealtime Prayers

Deuteronomy 8:10, “When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you.”
 
Matthew 14:19, “[Jesus] took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, 
He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and
the disciples gave to the multitudes.”
 
Matthew 26:26-27, “As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and 
broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ 
Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, 
‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood. . . .’”
 
Luke 24:30, “Now it came to pass, as [Jesus] sat at the table with them,
that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.”
 
Acts 27:35, “[Paul] took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all;

and when he had broken it he began to eat.”

Devotional Learnedness

There is a phrase that I picked up from my mentor that reflects the ongoing spiritual growth of the Christian. The phrase is “Devotional Learnedness.” This phrase refers to every type of Christian learning for devotional purposes and the pursuit of spiritual excellence. Remember what Jesus commanded in the Great Commission of Matthew 28 was for “disciples” to be made. Disciples are followers and students—lifelong learners. Also, a pursuit of holiness or spiritual excellence is not for the sake of earning our salvation, desiring the praise of men, or simply to fulfill religious duties. Rather, a pursuit of spiritual excellence is to live worthily of the calling that we have in Christ Jesus (Col 1:10; Eph 4:1; 1 Thess 2:12; Phil 1:27). Now, there are several passages that discuss how a Christian ought to live a life worthy of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Similarly, there are several key passages that discuss devotional learnedness. A few may be shared here.

Colossians 1:9: “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. . . .”

2 Timothy 3:15: “[F]rom childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Galatians 4:19: “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you. . . .”

Romans 8:29: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

Romans 12:2: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

2 Peter 1:5-9: “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.”

2 Peter 3:18: “[B]ut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”

So then, let us learn and obey the Bible—the Holy Scriptures—that we may be made into the people that God would have us to be.

A Poem by W. Cowper: Jesus Hasting to Suffer

JESUS HASTING TO SUFFER

by William Cowper, 1731-1800

 

  The Saviour, what a noble flame

Was kindled in his breast,

  When hasting to Jerusalem

He march’d before the rest!

 

  Good-will to men and zeal for God

His ev’ry thought engross;

  He longs to be baptized with blood,

He pants to reach the cross!

 

  With all his suff’rings full in view,

And woes to us unknown,

  Forth to the task his spirit flew;

’Twas love that urged him on.

 

  Lord, we return thee what we can!

Our hearts shall sound abroad,

  Salvation to the dying Man

And to the rising God!

 

  And while thy bleeding glories here

Engage our wond’ring eyes;

  We learn our lighter cross to bear,

And hasten to the skies.

What is a Christian Church?

A Summary of the Sermon: What is a Christian Church?

1. A church that belongs to Christ.

2. A Great Commission people.

3. A group of people baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

4. A group of people who as the Body of Christ are under the Headship of Christ and are members of one another.

5. A group who honors the Lord’s Day every week with a gathering to worship the Triune God. Lord’s Supper, biblical teaching, prayer, singing, and fellowship.

6. A group of people who honor the Scriptures as God’s Word and seek to live out New Testament Christianity.

7. A holy temple with Christ as the Chief Cornerstone, the apostles as the foundation, and the people as living stones built together.

8. A church rooted in history and tradition passed down from the apostles through every generation.

9. The pillar and ground of the truth.

Conclusion. The Christian Church is the universal people of God who are united with Jesus Christ. A Christian Church, to speak of specific, historical traditions and the heritage of this congregation, is one marked by an intention to be as biblical as possible. We seek to unite around Christ himself and around the Scriptures rather than anything else. Historically, our tradition was a back to the Bible movement born in the late 1700s in America. In that effort, we have tried to preach the Gospel the way it was delivered in the New Testament; we have renewed a high view of baptism and the work of God in it; we have emphasized the importance of weekly communion around the Lord’s Table; we restored the plurality of elders in every local church; and we have sought to root assurance of salvation not in emotional or sensational experiences but in the New Testament Gospel of Jesus Christ. You can be assured that you are saved and belong to the Lord if you have heard the Gospel, believed it, repented of your sins, and been baptized all according to the Scriptures. Assurance of salvation rests in Christ alone and not in ourselves or our experiences.

Now, the final encouragement to you today is three-fold: (1) Gain a richer and deeper appreciation for the Church of God; (2) Join the Church as a member united with Christ and in connection to the other members of the Body; and (3) Become a great supporter, defender, and lover of the Church.

For an explanation of each item, listen to the full sermon here:
https://archive.org/details/what-is-a-christian-church

Thoughts on Judas Iscariot

A friend recently texted me a podcast where somebody was giving a so-called “thought experiment” about whether Judas betraying Jesus was actually positive and whether Judas repented. The guys were fairly sloppy in how they talked about it. My friend asked my thoughts. Thought you might be interested in what I wrote to him:

You are right, Judas Iscariot is an interesting biblical character. Comparing and contrasting Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial has always fascinated me. There is a lot of detail in the biblical narratives to study.

What these guys are discussing is an old gnostic theory, even though they don’t seem to know that. This was pushed more recently in The Da Vinci Code and other fictional writings. These are all fabrications that are out of step with the biblical canon.

The Gospels use fairly harsh language for Judas. Judas is never viewed sympathetically or as a victim or in a positive light in the slightest. The Lord Jesus says that Judas was a devil. The Gospels say he was a thief during Jesus’ ministry (a man of selfish and immoral character) and that he was possessed by Satan to betray Jesus.  It seems that Judas was possessed by Satan because he opened the door to that evil. So, the New Testament is clear the Judas did not do what he did for righteous ends. A Christian reading of the New Testament does not allow for Judas is a hero or good guy.

Judas definitely regretted what he did, but regret is not the same as repentance. The narrative seems to portray his suicide as motivated by overwhelming grief rather than godly sorrow. True repentance is both a turning away from sin and turning to Christ in faith.

Acts 1 makes it clear that Judas had done evil and was never restored.

What is a Christian?

A Summary of the Sermon: What is a Christian?

1. Someone who has repented of his/her sins.

2. Someone who believes in Jesus Christ.

3. Someone who is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

4. Someone who has been born again from above.

5. Someone with a single-minded devotion to Christ.

6. Someone who picks up his/her cross to follow Christ.

7. Someone who obeys all that Jesus has commanded.

For an explanation of each of these items, listen to the full sermon here:
https://archive.org/details/whatisachristian.2024

Devotional Thoughts on the Second Commandment

Notice that God only spoke to them out of the midst of the fiery mountain. The people did not see God. The same is true of Moses when he said, “Show me your glory.”

 

Example: Golden calf (the people wanted to see).

This was a blatant disregard of the second command.

 

Your sins of commission (the things that you do) and your sins of omission (the things that you neglect to do that you should do) have an impact on the lives of others, especially your own children and grandchildren.

 

Alcoholism is often passed from one generation to the next. Overburdening oneself with debt is usually passed from one generation to the next. Poor marriages are passed from one generation to the next. 

 

And yet. . . .

 

*Generational sins can be prevented through covenant loyalty with God.

 

*The cycle of sin can be broken through repentance.