Three times in the Gospel of John, the Lord Jesus spoke of Himself being “lifted up.” This is the source of our salvation, and it has two distinct meanings in Scripture: on the one hand, He was lifted up to scorn and shame on the cross, and on the other hand, He was lifted up to exaltation by God the Father. Now we have the privilege of lifting Him up in praise as we gather in His name.
Brother Norris Clarke shared this message from Acts 1, encouraging us to let our actions match what we are teaching with our mouths. In this way, we will be like our blessed Lord.
What an amazing thought, that our Lord Jesus intercedes for us in the presence of God! Reflecting on His High Priestly prayer in John 17, we see His abiding concerns for us, His beloved ones.
During our Lord’s Day meeting, Brother Glen Smalling took us to a verse in Exodus 12 describing the preparation of the spotless Passover Lamb as a picture of the perfections of the Lord Jesus—He who knew no sin, who did no sin, and in whom was no sin.
Luke Harriman brings the series on 2 Peter 1:5–11 to a conclusion with a sermon on that greatest of all attributes: love. God himself is love, as we read in 1 John, so as we become more loving, we are made more and more conformed to his divine image. After looking at some of the words of the Lord Jesus on loving our enemies, Brother Luke considers Joseph's treatment of his brothers as a beautiful picture of agape love.
This ninth in our series of reposted messages on the seven qualities of 2 Peter 1 speaks about the necessity of adding brotherly affection to our faith. What exactly is the difference between brotherly affection and love in Scripture? If brotherly affection more properly describes the emotional side of love, what can we do practically to "add" this in our lives? After considering Joseph's more emotional attachment to his "true" brother Benjamin over his half brothers, Brother Luke encourages us to cultivate a sense of shared time, training, and trouble with our brethren in order to grow in this divine quality.
Luke Harriman continues this series from 2015 on the seven qualities of 2 Peter 1:5–11 by taking a close look at the word godliness. One way of defining godliness is living one's life in the context of God. While there are many who would argue today that we can be "good without God," the godly person always strives to live in such a way that those looking on will see their good deeds and glorify God. The message concludes by looking at the godliness, or lack thereof, of Joseph in Genesis 44 and 50. If there were one of the seven qualities that Joseph could have made more of an effort to add, perhaps it would be godliness.
In this reposted message from 2015, Luke Harriman continues to discuss the importance of steadfastness, or endurance, in the life of the believer, and specifically in the role of motherhood. Drawing from Hebrews 12 and Romans 5, he gives practical encouragement regarding the way the Lord uses our sufferings to develop this quality. A brief look at the steadfastness of Joseph and Moses concludes the message.
On this Lord’s Day, as we celebrate love in all its many manifestations, Brother Collin Beckford read a love letter from God to us from the book of 1 John.
Continuing a reposted series from 2015 on 2 Peter 1:5–11, Luke Harriman takes a close look at steadfastness, or endurance, and its importance in the Christian life.
This is the fifth in the series of messages we are reposting on the seven qualities of 2 Peter 1:5–11. Here we are encouraged to add to our faith self-control.
This is the fourth in the series of messages we are reposting on the seven qualities of 2 Peter 1:5–11. Taking a break from the list of seven, Luke Harriman turns to a discussion of the general need for discipline in the life of the believer.
During our Lord’s Day meeting, Brother Glen Smalling shared these thoughts on the way the Lord is our sustaining help and hope in the past, in our present moment, and in the future glory that we await.
This is the third in the series of messages we are reposting on the seven qualities of 2 Peter 1:5–11. Here we are encouraged to add to our faith knowledge, a key theme in the book of 2 Peter.
This is the second in the series of messages we are reposting on the seven qualities of 2 Peter 1:5–11. Here we are encouraged to add to our faith excellence, or “virtue.”
Six years ago, as we were going through 2 Peter in our Thursday night Bible study, Luke Harriman preached a series of messages on the seven qualities of 2Peter 1:5–11. Since the Spirit of God has returned us to this chapter once again, we will be reposting these ten messages over the next few weeks for anyone interested in reviewing them. This is the introductory message in the series, originally delivered at Pine Street Chapel on a Lord’s Day morning in 2015.
In times of grief and trial—as with the recent home-call of our young sister Kimberly Gordon—the truths found in chapter 8 of Romans can be a source of comfort and encouragement. There we are reminded of the glory, groaning, goodness, and gracious gift promised to the children of God. Let us continue to bear the Howie Gordon family up in our prayers as they have had to say goodbye to their two young daughters within only a few months of one another. We are grateful to know the God who is near to those who are brokenhearted.
Luke Harriman shared these thoughts on the eternal destination for every believer: to be conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. Keeping this end goal in mind can help us course correct when we veer off the path.
Brother Ken shared this Lord’s Day meditation on the seven witnesses to the Lord Jesus in John 5. As Peter puts it in his second epistle, “we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”
During our Thursday night open ministry, Brother Orrin Ledgister shared a word of encouragement for the New Year, that we would keep our eyes fixed on the Lord and His coming for us, as He promised in John 14.