Understanding the Sacraments: “The sacraments, of which there are two(baptism and the Lord’s Supper), “have been instituted by the Lord”, and are to be accompanied by the Holy Spirit(Inst. 4, 14, 9). This essay concurs with Calvin and J.I. Packer who also maintains that Jesus Christ instituted two rites for His followers to observe: baptism, a one time rite of initiation, and the Lord’s Supper, a regular rite of...
Water Delivery in Venezuela
With the economic decline in Venezuela, public services such as reliable water and electricity are increasingly becoming problems. Luz y Vida, one of our partner churches in Venezuela is helping by bringing water to those in need . . . I find this hugely symbolic, as well as a great way to reach out in Christian love. They are working to grow the kingdom each and every day. Pray for God’s guidance for how you can do likewise. We need to...
Thomas Chalmers on Psalm 41 (extra reading for “Double Exposure” sermon )…
“Blessed is he that considereth the poor. I call your attention to the way in which the Bible enjoins us to take up the care of the poor. It does not say in the text before us, Commiserate the poor; for, if it said no more than this, it would leave their necessities to be provided for by the random ebullitions of an impetuous and unreflecting sympathy. It provided them with a better security than the mere feeling of compassion—a feeling...
Benson on the Significance of Psalm 110:1 (extra reading for “Ghostwriter of Hebrews” message)…
“The Lord said unto my Lord — נאם יהוה לאדני, neum Jehovah ladoni, the saying, or decree, that is, I record the saying or decree of Jehohovah to my Lord, that is, to his Son the Messiah, whom I acknowledge as my Lord and God. This decree, made in eternity, was in due time published, and was actually executed when God raised up Christ from the dead, and brought him into his heavenly mansion. David designedly calls the Messiah his Lord, to...
Albert Barnes on Matthew 15 (extra reading for “Mercy or Magic” sermon)
We learn from this chapter: 1. That people are often far more attached to traditions and the commandments of human beings than to the Law of God, Matthew 15:1-6. 2. That people are strongly disposed to explain away the law of God, if possible. It is too strict for them, and too spiritual. They dare not often attack it directly, but they will explain it and dilute it so as to make it mean nothing. Wicked people do not love God’s law,...