Redeemer Church of Waterford

James tells us that the "tongue is a world of iniquity, set on fire of hell." In 1 John 1:1-2:3, the Apostle John reveals the progression of sin's deceitfulness: from hypocrisy, to duplicity, to apostasy. This progression is on display as our tongues reveal our hearts in what we say.

Our present temporal circumstances often cause us to be afraid or anxious. The test of true faith is whether your fear drives you to God or away from Him. There must be an eternal truth which transcends our present temporal reality. While dealing with his own fears, David discovers that, while his circumstances may not change, God is for him IN his circumstances, taking notice of him, and delivering him from the worst that could possibly happen to him.

David has fled the palace and is on the run from the rebellion created by his own son, Absalom. Like a hunted deer seeking streams of water, David seeks refuge in his God who seems to be absent and ambivalent to his plight. When David remembers his circumstances, he is in despair. But when David remembers his covenant-keeping God, despair turns to delight.

In 600 BC Jerusalem was sacked in a ravage attack by the Babylonians. Psalm 137 is a beautiful song of lament by the Jewish remnant who were carried away from their homeland to captivity in Babylon. The Psalm moves from reflective longing rooted in emotion at the beginning to recollected learning rooted in God's word at the end. Memory is a powerful emotion that must always be kept in check by the promises of God.

The Millennial Generation (ages 21 - 37) is abandoning the traditional forms of worship for new forms of community that often fulfill the same functions as traditional religious communities. Pastor Edwards analyzes research from Harvard on this trend, and shows how a properly functioning, healthy church as defined by the Bible provides everything and more that the Millennial Generation is looking for.

The Gift of Prophecy is distinguished from preaching and teaching in that it involves an immediate insight from the Scriptures imparted by the Spirit of God. It is speaking to construct, to counsel, to console, and to convict.