Pastoral

  • A Few Thoughts About Discipling Part 1 Revised

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    Len

    Introduction Definition: B1 To train in accordance with rules or principles (Source) B2 DISCIPLE, verb transitive to teach; to train, or bring up. (Source) B3 Process of making disciples. The apostles went about discipling the believers in Jesus Christ. (Source) Every Christian must know and defend 3 things B1 The Gospel B2 Doctrine (teaching,…

  • A Few Thoughts about Loss, Grief, and Anger

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    Len

    A Question about Loss I want to answer a question. (Source) Here is what a father asked concerning his child: He’s very angry with God and his issues seem to be summed up in the problem of evil. He acknowledges God is, but “I don’t want to worship him when he messed up my…

  • Purpose in Living

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    Len

    Introduction Consider this insight from Ben Shapiro: In other words, people need meaning and purpose in life. Our focus on materialism from both the political right and left — on income inequality and intersectional victimhood from the left, and on tribal affinity and economic deregulation from the right — ignores the key problem: Americans,…

  • A Few Thoughts about Baptism

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    Len

    Positions B1 Immersion which signifies identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Romans 6:4-5 NIV We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 For…

  • A Few Thoughts on Titus 2:13-14

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    Len

    Titus 2:13-14 NIV while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. A reason…

  • A Few Thoughts about God’s Character Traits from the Fruit of the Spirit

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    Len

    Galatians 5:22-23 WEL But, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. Ephesians 5:9 WEL For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. We can learn about God from His character traits. Another…

  • A Few Thoughts about Identifying Fakes

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    Len

    John 7:24 NKJV Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment. Do Scriptures teach us how to identify fake friends, partners, marriage possibilities, business partners, etc.? A society and every person doing God’s will leads to B1 Peace See Romans 2:10 and Colossians 3:15. B2 Our lives being decent (the opposite…

  • A Few Thoughts about satan’s Program

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    Len

    As soon as any person believes and trusts Jesus Christ alone for salvation, satan begins his program to destroy that faith. Truth into doubt Freedom into slavery Joy into sorrow Paul states in 2 Corinthians 2:11 NIV in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. How…

  • A Few Thoughts about Suppressing Truth Version 2

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    Len

    Romans 1:18 NIV The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness. B1 Suppress C1 The Greek word is κατέχω katéchō. It means to prevent free movement. This movement is bound and held down. It also means to repress…

  • Questions Answered—John 10:26

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    Len

    Calvinists believe this passage teaches that people are sheep before they believe. B1 John Piper, “We believe because we are God’s chosen sheep, not vice versa” (Piper, 5 Points, 54). B2 A. W. Pink, the elect “are ‘sheep’ before they believe, yea, before they are born” (Pink, Sovereignty of God, 338). Answer: B1 Passage with…