Fellowshipmtz

Job 37:14-24 with James 4:6

Today's message is entirely focused on our first observance of the Lord's Supper since pre-Covid restrictions.  From Elihu's final words to Job we see the truth of James, "But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'"

Today's message includes an excerpt from C.s. Lewis's book MERE CHRISTIANITY on the sin of PRIDE.  Today's message also includes an excerpt from a message Bryan Stevenson shared in conjunction with Tim Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City.  The full video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyBfOX5OHRQ

John 16:5-15 (among others)

Our church has not gathered INSIDE our sanctuary since March 16!  During this interim, we broke from our regular teaching series from JAMES in order to explore a number of other topics (that were not recorded).  On May 31 (Pentecost Sunday) we began a series of messages on the terrific importance and significance of the sending of the Holy Spirit.  Today's message represents the culmination of this series -- especially highlighting the Holy Spirit's activity and ministry in the Church.

Isaiah 55

John Davis visits us from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.  His message comes to us from Isaiah chapter 55, focusing on:

Isaiah 43

Ray Clark provides today's message.  Ray pastors a "sister church" -- Baptist Bible in Decatur (IL).  We are very happy to have him (and his church) worshiping with us today!

James 4:1-6

James describes not one, but two wars in the life of the church/believers.  The more obvious (and glaring) conflict that is seen is evidence of a more dangerous and largely unrecognized conflict/war taking place beneath the surface.

We also carefully examine what is largely regarded as the most difficult verse written by James: chapter four, verse 5.

James 3:13-4:3

We start by establishing, recognizing a tight and necessary connection between the WISDOM of chapter 3 and the CONFLICT of chapter 4.  In order to appreciate James' alarm in chapter 4, a good bit of time is spent on understanding the Five Levels of Conflict (as was taught to me, primarily by Dr. Jim Mason -- former professor at Bethel Theological Seminary).

James 3:13-18 & Job

Today's teaching will still raise good questions as you try to grasp the importance and significance of receiving God's wisdom, BUT today's teaching will explicitly declare the wisdom that necessarily and exclusively comes from God!

James 3:13-18

After an 8 week hiatus, we resume our regular series examining the General epistle of James.  In verse 13, James asks a very good question, a question worth pondering: "Who is wise and understanding among you?"  How DO we identify and measure wisdom and understanding?

Miscellany Topics!

Today's message concludes the mini-series that started on Christ's Incarnation.  We lightly touch on WHY and WHAT the Christians ought to be doing when they gather together as a local church.  We also lightly touch on WHY and WHAT Christians ought to be doing when they are dispatched to go into an unbelieving culture, world. 

John 17

In our current (temporary) series of messages on Christ's Incarnation we have paid particular attention to the fact that Christ was SENT on a MISSION by the Father.  One of the important implications of this mission is something Jesus told His disciples after His resurrection in JOHN 20:21b: "As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you."  I am of the sound conviction that this instruction continues to be Christ's charge to His Church -- including ours!  One of the evidences of that deduction/determination stems from Jesus' "High Priestly" prayer as recorded in John, chapter 17.