Does Scripture give us any examples of those experiencing depression- -Several examples stand out, but the first perhaps is here in Genesis 4. With Cain, of course, we see an example of murder, but it starts with his anger and depression. As Christians, we gain insight from these texts as they exemplify truth to us -1 Cor 10-11-. So, in examining what God's Word has to say about his situation, I'm hoping that you'll hear how God might be speaking to you concerning your own emotional and spiritual state.

From our Sunday morning Bible readings.

As we continue our trek through the Old Testament, we are spending a few weeks with these two books.

Here, we see what appear to be the people of God in heaven. So, is this the church- Let's consider who these saints are first tonight, and then we'll note their praise and promises.

From our Sunday morning Bible readings.

They can engage us for many reasons, but what should drive the biblically-faithful preacher- Faithful preaching only comes when the preacher embraces and proclaims the undeserved grace of the Lord. Based on what the Apostle Paul writes this morning, we conclude that the faithful preacher recognizes the undeserved strengthening of the Lord -vv. 12-14- and the undeserved salvation of the Lord -vv. 15-17-.

We look at article fourteen--WE AFFIRM that racism is a sin rooted in pride and malice which must be condemned and renounced by all who would honor the image of God in all people. Such racial sin can subtly or overtly manifest itself as racial animosity or racial vainglory. Such sinful prejudice or partiality falls short of God's revealed will and violates the royal law of love. We affirm that virtually all cultures, including our own, at times contain laws and systems that foster racist attitudes and policies.--WE DENY that treating people with sinful partiality or prejudice is consistent with biblical Christianity. We deny that only those in positions of power are capable of racism, or that individuals of any particular ethnic groups are incapable of racism. We deny that systemic racism is in any way compatible with the core principles of historic evangelical convictions. We deny that the Bible can be legitimately used to foster or justify partiality, prejudice, or contempt toward other ethnicities. We deny that the contemporary evangelical movement has any deliberate agenda to elevate one ethnic group and subjugate another. And we emphatically deny that lectures on social issues -or activism aimed at reshaping the wider culture- are as vital to the life and health of the church as the preaching of the gospel and the exposition of Scripture. Historically, such things tend to become distractions that inevitably lead to departures from the gospel.

We look at article thirteen--WE AFFIRM that some cultures operate on assumptions that are inherently better than those of other -cultures because of the biblical truths that inform those worldviews that have produced these distinct -assumptions. Those elements of a given culture that reflect divine revelation should be celebrated and -promoted. But the various cultures out of which we have been called all have features that are worldly -and sinful-and therefore those sinful features should be repudiated for the honor of Christ. We affirm -that whatever evil influences to which we have been subjected via our culture can be-and must be--overcome through conversion and the training of both mind and heart through biblical truth.-WE DENY that individuals and sub-groups in any culture are unable, by God's grace, to rise above -whatever moral defects or spiritual deficiencies have been engendered or encouraged by their respective -cultures.

We begin introducing these two books.

While the text seems straightforward enough, the identity of the 144,000 is a matter of great debate. Whatever the case, though, it is clear that these are God's elect. As those He has predestined for His purposes, He instructs His angels concerning them. We note, then, that the holy angels restrain judgment for the sake of the elect, and the holy angels help with the sealing of the elect. Let's dig in to see if we can learn more.