April 2, 2017 AM, Genesis 22.

Missionary Tim Goossen preached on the familiar text in Genesis 22 about Abraham offering his son Isaac to God.

The testing of Abraham helped us to see how God uses tests in our lives to help us to worship Him more fully, and sacrifice for Him more completely.

April 2, 2017 SS, 1 John 2:18-25.

For the Lord's Table meditation this morning, we turned attention once again to 1 John 2. After review what we studied before, we looked at 2:18-25.

March 26, 2017 PM, 1 John 2.

Our study took us through the portion of 1 John 2 that deals with the last hour, antichrists, the Antichrist, apostasy, and the anointing that each Christian has by the Holy Spirit.

March 26, 2017 AM, Mark 4:26-29.

The parable is about how a farmer plants and harvests a crop. The meaning has to do with the kingdom of God, namely that there is a process of growth to the kingdom instead of a "big bang" entrance to it. Does this parable refer to the individual person who is impacted by the kingdom’s teaching? Or does it refer to the entire kingdom program from beginning to end? Since the growth process is "organic" I believe that both the individual growth process and the corporate growth process are analogous. The parable can help us understand both at the same time.

March 26, 2017 SS, 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

In this lesson, we look at the doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture. We noted some key features of inspiration, including that Scripture was not produced by dictation (at least in many places), and that it was superintended in every way by the Holy Spirit to ensure that the words of the Bible are God's very words. Literal, grammatical, and historical interpretation are important principles brought out, and the proper handling of figures of speech and the like. Key passages are 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:20-21.

March 19, 2017 PM, 1 John 2:15-17.

After reading of Matthew 25, we continue our study of 1 John 2, reviewing three tests of eternal life, and focusing on verses 15 to 17 to see whether we love God or the world. The Bible is very straightforward here about the requirement of a believer to avoid loving the world. We then spent some time considering the nature of Biblical commands and evidences to see just how we should think about them.

March 19, 2017 AM, Mark 4:21-25.

This message treats a number of related parables about lamps--Matthew 5:14-16, Matthew 6:22-23, and Mark 4:21-25 and their parallels. In the first parable, believers are likened to lamps; the eye is a lamp; and the message of Christ is a lamp.

March 19, 2017 SS, Acts 10.

In this lesson, we examine the doctrine of general revelation and special revelation with special attention given to the case of the gentile Cornelius.

March 12, 2017 PM, 1 John 2:9-14.

After reading Matthew 24, we examined 1 John 2 again, specifically verses 9-14. The test of love for one's brother is put by John very straightforwardly. We also learned about how John wrote to the believers and recognized different levels of sanctification and maturity among them.

March 12, 2017 AM, Matthew 25:14-30.

After reading of Proverbs 6, Pastor Postiff taught the parable of the talents. We saw that the future is bright for those who are diligent in their service for Christ. On the other hand, those who do not serve the Lord face a fearful judgment. We have a tremendous set of resources to manage in this world, and God expects us to make the best use of these for His purposes. Those who are faithful over a few things will be charged with responsibility over many things.