What's so new about the New Covenant, and what role does it play in creating, establishing and uniting the Church?

Having seen us through 10 weeks of doctrine, we will now turn back to Paul's words to the church of Corinth in order to help us consider His Word to ours in Fredericksburg.

Is the church following more closely after cultural trends, or the Truth of Christ? Does the Body of Christ in our neck of the woods look more like a group of people in cohabitation, or the covenant love of marriage God designed between His Son and His bride, the Church?

How about you personally? Are you a part of the Body of Christ? Could it be that the real answer to that question is the same as this one: Are you committed to the well being and spiritual health of a smaller local body of believers? Are you a member of a church family?

Join us today as we look to God's Word to direct our lives together, living on mission, and growing in Truth!

Today's passage:

17 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— 34 if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”6 And the Lord your God wi

Any time we're presented with something "new" there's an opportunity to make some changes. We tend to apply what is deemed valuable, while denying what isn't.

So, are these doctrines that we've been examining in the Scriptures important to you? Have they caused you to reconsider your life, your love, your dedication to Christ, your knowledge and pursuit of Him? How have you responded to what you've learned and where will it lead you for all eternity?

What is your response to the Truth of the Gospel? In whom, what or where is your eternal destiny? Join us today for our tenth and final doctrine: The Doctrine of Response and Eternal Destiny.

Today's passage:

16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;as even some of your own poets have said,“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. -Acts 17.16-34, Revelation 21.1-3 (esv)

How much time do you spend thinking about the second coming of Christ? Probably not enough!

Think of all the time we spend preparing for what excites and thrills us most. Whether it's a wedding around the corner or a big game at the end of the week, we pour hours of prep time into readying ourselves for what we love and look forward to.

Insert the grace and glory to come at the return of Christ!

Jesus is coming, Church. And one thing is certain: we are 2,000+ years closer than the apostles who persuaded the Church to purify herself in preparation.

This doctrine has the potential to be one of the most encouraging in the series. Nothing readies like love! Where else can you find the power to stay your faith through present trials and storms? Nowhere better than upon the future grace and glory to come when Christ returns.

Just a little longer, Church. Just a little longer!

Today's passage:

11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, 18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” 19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. 20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. 21 And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.20:1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. 2 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a t

Having spent seven weeks searching the Scripture and seeking to understand the foundations of our faith, we turn now to applying what we've learned to the practice of our faith. Reverse the order and we have a righteousness by works rather than by faith. So, this doctrine rightly sits in the eighth spot of our top ten.

What difference should God's Word make to our lives? Are our lives a living testimony to the power and hope of God in Jesus Christ? Has the Word and the Spirit of the Lord changed our perception of worship, of human sanctity, of sacrificial service? Does the Scripture determine how we handle our finances, where we find our hope, how we witness? Applied Truth ought to change our lives.

Is Jesus our Lord and Master, or do we prefer to just call Him "savior"? What has He saved us from if not from wretched lives of self and sin. What has He saved us to if not to Himself, to living with Christ, to Christian living?

Today we'll be scanning a slew of Scriptures to begin laying the ground work for Christian living. But please note, this is a lifelong process and He who began a good work in you will bring it to pass! "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling... knowing it is the Lord who is at work in you." -Ph2.12

May the Light of the glory of Jesus shine through our hands and feet, minds and mouths, repentance and righteousness.

Today's passage:

30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.3 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.9 Honor the Lord with your wealthand with the firstfruits of all your produce;24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. -Romans 8.30, 1 John 3.16-18, Romans 13.8, Ephesians 4.28, John 17.3, Proverbs 3.9, Hebrews 10.24-25 (esv)

For all that's wrong with her, one thing is certain: her Husband is amazing!

She is so very loved with a special, enormous, eternal, covenant love, the love of God, the same Trinitarian love shared and enjoyed by Father, Son and Spirit. Yes, she is a work in process. Yes, her background is pretty filthy. But, No! He is not finished with her yet. From beginning in deadness and darkness, God's tremendous grace--one Day soon--will have her wearing white, washed clean by the blood of the Lamb.

O Church, know yourself! But don't look for long. Rather, behold your Beloved, your Husband to be. He looked on you in your pitiful estate, before the foundation of the world, and covenanted to love you into a spotless, wrinkle-free beauty that He will proudly present to Himself in holiness!

Needing some hope? Grab of copy of God's Word and join us as we peek into the mystery of marriage, the Church's beginnings, and her Husband, the Son of God, the Son of Man.

Today's passage:

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. -Ephesians 5.22-30 (esv)

The Holy Spirit. Perhaps one of the most divisive doctrines in the Church. Ironically, however, He was given by God to unite the Church in the Spirit and Truth of Christ.

Is the Holy Spirit the cause of people flopping in the pews, barking like dogs? Or perhaps He is... well, not; as in, not with us any more? Or, is He still alive, but powerless to overcome our sin and lawlessness?

One thing is for certain, what we believe, determines our behavior and our lives. That could explain some things, huh?

O for the presence of the Holy Spirit to clothe the Church in power here in our community! ...to reveal our sin, point us to Jesus, and bring about the holiness that is rooted in genuine love for Christ. Revive us, oh Lord, with Your presence among us.

Stay the course, dear family of faith. Be not discouraged, He is at work! If He is to visit us with revival again, before the return of Christ, it will most certainly be through those who kept the faith, who, by grace, continued tilling the soil, planting the seeds, watering the ground, making faithful preparations.

Wait eagerly, serve faithfully, and pray earnestly for the Holy Spirit as the Day draws near.

Today's passage:

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” -Acts 1.4-8, Luke 24.46-49 (esv)

A dear friend once said, "We live in a microwave culture with a crock-pot God."

It's so right and good for us to search for the Lord, to hunger and thirst for greater nearness. But, what when if don't find it? Or worse, what if the concert-high wears off in a few days?

You might feel like your power and efficacy are based on your performance, but one thing is for certain: God's power and efficacy aren't! At any time He can do anything He wants. Aren't you grateful?! How else would can we explain how He overcame our blind unbelief?

Are you plagued by a wavering-faith? This doctrine may be just what the Doctor ordered. In it we discover the basis for rock-solid, never-wavering, Christ-honoring, God-glorifying, joy-granting faith.

Perhaps you've been looking for love in all the wrong "spiritual" places and didn't even know it. Well "X" marks the spot! Grab a copy of God's Word and join us today for The Doctrine of The Work of Christ.

Today's passage:

1:1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. -Hebrews 1.1-4, 1 Corinthians 15.17, Hebrews 10.12-14 (esv)

Who is Jesus? As simple a question as it might sound, there have been a myriad of answers provided through the years. In the name of (false) "unity," we often over-simplify what we mean by "belief in Jesus." Jesus who? Which one? The Muslim's Jesus? The Mormon's Jesus? Maybe Madonna's "homeboy" Jesus?

Needless to say, this has the potential to be one of the most important Doctrines we'll cover in this series. No one unites or divides like Jesus. At His incarnation the angels sang, "Peace on earth!" Yet, of Himself, He said, "I did not come to bring peace, but a sword!" Well, which is it?

The Lord has provided us with nearly a hundred verses to consider in this sermon as we seek Him for the identity of His Son. But honestly, a hundred is just a drop in the bucket to what's available in God's Meta Narrative: The Grand Story of the Son, The Holy Bible! The Father loves to brag on His Boy! There is no one like Him. No one!

So, grab a copy of His Holy Word and join us for The Doctrine of Jesus Christ!

Today's passage:

16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:He was manifested in the flesh,vindicated by the Spirit,seen by angels,proclaimed among the nations,believed on in the world,taken up in glory. -1 Timothy 3.16 (esv)

During our first week of the doctrinal series we took a good look at our glorious God who exists in an eternal, loving, Trinitarian community. From the overflow of their love for each other, our Creator made us in His image. Last week we considered the the glorious means God has provided for relationship with Him: His Holy Word.

Upon the backdrop of such glory, this week we take a humbling dive into the depravity of man with the Doctrine of The Human Condition. Such a look into our fallenness may not prove much fun, but, as CSLewis points out, until we've been brought to the reality of the war we are in against God, we will never look to Him for our only solution, the Son He has provided. So, the depths of death we must dive that we might see the glory of Christ, and live!

Today's passage:

18 And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”11:1 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” -Luke 18.18-25, John 11.1-6,11-15 (esv)

We spent our time together last week examining the Doctrine of God. But how do we know who is He is?

The Bible says that God has revealed Himself through what scholars call "General Revelation." This to say, certain attributes of God can be observed through what He has made. But what He has made is no more Him than a house is the architect or builder who designed or constructed it. We may learn a lot about Him through what He has made, but certainly what He has made isn't Him.

There is also "Special Revelation" wherein God has especially revealed Himself in certain ways and words to certain people in history. Inspired by God's Holy Spirit, they have written and passed on His Words and their experiences. The most primary, collective source of special revelation today is God's Holy Word.

Do you desire to honor the Lord? Do you want to do His will? How do you know what His will is? Consider the answer Jesus provides in John's Gospel: "I only do what the Father tells Me to do." As with Jesus, all the more with His followers: we need the Word of God.

But can the Bible really be counted on? Is it truly a reliable source for knowing God? How does this book differ from all the others? Is there proof that God's Word is alive and contains the power to transform lives still today, nearly 2000 years after it's last written words?

Hope you'll join us today for the second of this ten-part doctrinal series: The Doctrine of The Bible.

Today's passage:

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. -2 Timothy 3.14-17 (esv)