Princeton Christian Fellowship's Podcast: Recent Episodes
Princeton Christian Fellowship
Bill Boyce gave our message at our Reunions FNF meeting, exhorting us from Hebrews 6:17-20:
"So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."
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David Keddie addresses our Virtual Reunions FNF with a reflection on Psalm 19.
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John Musick concludes our spring teaching series on Acts by examining the character and life of the Apostle Peter.
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Chris Sallade's message at our Interfellowship Good Friday service reflected on the text from Hebrews 12:2 "...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
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Chris Sallade continues our FNF series on the book of Acts, focusing on Paul's sermon in Athens from Acts 17:16-34.
16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.
22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for
“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;
as even some of your own poets have said,
“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’
29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
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David Keddie continues our series on the book of Acts, discussing the first church council in Acts 15.
"But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, 'Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.'And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”
The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter."
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Chris continues our sermon series on Acts by focusing on the role of Barnabas as an encourager:
"The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians." Acts 11:22-26
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David Keddie continues our FNF series on Acts by teaching from Acts 14 and Paul's sermon to the people of Lystra:
Acts 14:8Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,[b] 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
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Chris Sallade continues our series on Acts by teaching from Acts 9 and the account of Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus.
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David Keddie continues ours series in Acts, reflecting on the account of Philip sharing the gospel with the Ethiopian Eunuch from Acts 8:26-40:
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south[d] to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opens not his mouth.33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”
34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”[e] 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
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Chris Sallade continues our FNF series on the book of Acts by reflecting on Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost from Acts 2:1-41.
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David Keddie kicked off the first FNF of the spring semester with the opening message from a new series on the book of Acts. He taught from Acts 1:1-11.
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
4 And while staying[a] with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
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David Keddie continues our FNF reflections on the season of Advent, the coming of Christ, and on these verses from Hebrews 4: "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (v. 14-16)
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Chris Sallade reflects on the season of Advent, the coming of Christ, and on these verses from Hebrews 4: "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (v. 14-16)
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John Musick concludes our series on the Beatitudes by teaching from the eighth beatitude, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10)
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David Keddie continues our FNF series on the Beatitudes by teaching on the seventh beatitude: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Matthew 5:9)
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Chris Sallade continues our FNF series on the Beatitudes by teaching on, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8)
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David Keddie continues our FNF series on the Beatitudes by reflecting on, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy."
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Chris Sallade speaks at our Friend's Night FNF meeting on the 4th Beatitude: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matthew 5:6)
John Musick continues our series on the Beatitudes by picking up on the third beatitude: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." (Matthew 5:5)
Chris Sallade continues our sermon series on the Beatitudes by reflecting on the second Beatitude "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)
David Keddie continues our series on the Beatitudes by examining the first beatitude from Matthew 5, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Chris Sallade kicks off our fall sermon series on the Beatitudes with the question, "what is the good life?" He shows how Jesus's teachings present a surprising, counterintuitive, but trustworthy answer to this deeply significant question.
Matthew 5:1-12
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Bill Boyce spoke at our Reunions FNF meeting on what it means that Jesus promises us abundant life.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." - John 10:10
Bill Boyce spoke on Zoom at PCF's Virtual Reunions FNF meeting. He talked about the need to hit the "recenter button" on our lives and to remember centrality of the Great Commission:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20.
David Keddie teaches at FNF on Ezekiel 37 and God's promise to give life to a valley of dry bones.
Ezekiel 37:1-14
"The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. 2 And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”
"So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
"Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. 14 And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.”
Chris Sallade teaches on how God was present with the prophet Jeremiah, even when he was thrown into a cistern and left to die. The story comes from Jeremiah 37:11-38:13 and here are the verses from chapter 38:
"Now Shephatiah the son of Mattan, Gedaliah the son of Pashhur, Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur the son of Malchiah heard the words that Jeremiah was saying to all the people: 2 “Thus says the Lord: He who stays in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence, but he who goes out to the Chaldeans shall live. He shall have his life as a prize of war, and live. 3 Thus says the Lord: This city shall surely be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon and be taken.” 4 Then the officials said to the king, “Let this man be put to death, for he is weakening the hands of the soldiers who are left in this city, and the hands of all the people, by speaking such words to them. For this man is not seeking the welfare of this people, but their harm.” 5 King Zedekiah said, “Behold, he is in your hands, for the king can do nothing against you.” 6 So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king's son, which was in the court of the guard, letting Jeremiah down by ropes. And there was no water in the cistern, but only mud, and Jeremiah sank in the mud.
"When Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch who was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern—the king was sitting in the Benjamin Gate— 8 Ebed-melech went from the king's house and said to the king, 9 “My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they did to Jeremiah the prophet by casting him into the cistern, and he will die there of hunger, for there is no bread left in the city.” 10 Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, “Take thirty men with you from here, and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.” 11 So Ebed-melech took the men with him and went to the house of the king, to a wardrobe in the storehouse, and took from there old rags and worn-out clothes, which he let down to Jeremiah in the cistern by ropes. 12 Then Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, “Put the rags and clothes between your armpits and the ropes.” Jeremiah did so. 13 Then they drew Jeremiah up with ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the court of the guard.
David Keddie reflects on the way the LORD ministers to Elijah when Elijah flees from Jezebel after his triumphant victory against the prophets of Baal.
1 Kings 19
"Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
"But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.
"There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
Chris Sallade continues our series in the Old Testament, by reflecting on the short account of the life of King Omri in 1 Kings 16:21-28:
"Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts. Half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king, and half followed Omri. But the people who followed Omri overcame the people who followed Tibni the son of Ginath. So Tibni died, and Omri became king.In the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, Omri began to reign over Israel, and he reigned for twelve years; six years he reigned in Tirzah. He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver, and he fortified the hill and called the name of the city that he built Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill.
"Omri did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did more evil than all who were before him.For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in the sins that he made Israel to sin, provoking the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger by their idols. Now the rest of the acts of Omri that he did, and the might that he showed, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?And Omri slept with his fathers and was buried in Samaria, and Ahab his son reigned in his place."
Chris Sallade teaches on Hannah from the book of 1 Samuel in a message entitled, "Our Eyes, God's Eyes: Avoiding Comparison Traps."
1 Samuel 1
There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. 2 He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
3 Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. 4 On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. 6 And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. 8 And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”
9 After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”
12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” 17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
19 They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.”
David Keddie continues our series on the Old Testament by teaching from the story of Balaam from Numbers 22-24.
"Then Balak became furious with Balaam, struck his hands together, and said to him, 'I summoned you to put a curse on my enemies, but instead, you have blessed them these three times.Now go to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but look, the Lord has denied you a reward.' Balaam answered Balak, “Didn’t I previously tell the messengers you sent me: If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go against the Lord’s command, to do anything good or bad of my own will? I will say whatever the Lord says.Now I am going back to my people, but first, let me warn you what these people will do to your people in the future.'” Numbers 24:10-14
Chris Sallade continues our Old Testament series by looking at the LORD's providence in the life of Joseph, particularly in the moment when an unnamed man gives Joseph directions to find his brothers in Dothan.
"Now his brothers went to pasture their father's flock near Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph, 'Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.' And he said to him, 'Here I am.' So he said to him, 'Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word.' So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.And a man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, 'What are you seeking?''I am seeking my brothers,' he said. 'Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.' And the man said, 'They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’' So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan." - Genesis 37:12-17
David Keddie kicked off our spring semester Friday Night teaching series entitled, The LORD is There: Key Moments in the Old Testament. David's message focused on Melchizedek, first mentioned in Genesis:
"After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said,
'Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
and blessed be God Most High,
who has delivered your enemies into your hand!'
And Abram gave him a tenth of everything." (Genesis 14:17-20)
Chris Sallade shared our message on Friends Night. He spoke about "amazement" and its connection to Advent. He spoke from Luke 2, especially focusing on 2:18, "...and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them."
Listen to as Lynn '79 & Karen '81 McAdam share how their experience as Princeton undergrads shaped their understanding of the relevance of faith to their lives. They spoke at the Friday Night Fellowship meeting of our Global Ministry Conference.
Robbie Freeman continues our series on the parables by looking at two short parables concerning Jesus's teaching on prayer.
Luke 11:5-13
"And he said to them, 'Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!'"
Chris Sallade teaches from Luke 14:12-24 on the parable of the Great Banquet:
*He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’”*
In a Friday morning lecture, Dr. Michael Kruger taught on the development of the New Testament canon by addressing five common misconceptions about how we came to have 27 books in our New Testaments.
Dr Michael Kruger currently serves as the president of Reformed Theological Seminary (Charlotte NC campus). In addition to serving in that leadership role, he also teaches as the Samuel C. Patterson Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity. He earned his PhD from the University of Edinburgh, where he researched P.Oxy 840, a fragment of an apocryphal gospel, one of the thousands of New Testament fragments we currently have. He is the author of numerous books including works on the New Testament, the canon of the New Testament, early Christianity, and Christian origins. His website is Canon Fodder.
On October 24th, Dr. Michael Kruger came to campus to deliver a lecture on "The Lost Gospels: Our Culture's Quest to Rewrite the Story of Jesus." In this talk, Dr. Kruger addressed the following questions: "When it comes to the story of Jesus, which historical testimonies and documents are the most accurate and reliable in conveying who Jesus actually was? Can we even answer that question? If so, how?" Dr. Kruger provided case for the primacy and reliability of the four canonical gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, over and against later accounts of the life of Jesus, such as the gospel of Thomas and the gospel of Peter. Dr. Kruger's talk was also followed by a time of Q&A, which is included in the recording. This event was co-sponsored by Christian Union Nova and Manna Christian Fellowship.
Dr Michael Kruger currently serves as the president of Reformed Theological Seminary (Charlotte NC campus). In addition to serving in that leadership role, he also teaches as the Samuel C. Patterson Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity. He earned his PhD from the University of Edinburgh, where he researched P.Oxy 840, a fragment of an apocryphal gospel, one of the thousands of New Testament fragments we currently have. He is the author of numerous books including works on the New Testament, the canon of the New Testament, early Christianity, and Christian origins. His website is Canon Fodder.
David Keddie teaches on the Parable of the Talents form Matthew 25:14-30:
“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’"
Chris Sallade continues our FNF series on the parables by teaching from Luke 12:13-21 on the parable of the Rich Fool:
*Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”*
David Keddie continues our series on the parables by teaching on the Good Samaritan.
Luke 10:25-37
*And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”*
Chris Sallade continues our series on the Parables by teaching on what we learn about love, and God's love, from the parable of the prodigal son.
Luke 15:11-32
*11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”*
David Keddie gives the second message in our FNF series on the Parables, addressing a pair of parables, one on the mustard seed and on leaven in bread.
Luke 13:18-21
"*[Jesus] said therefore,'What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.'
"And again he said, 'To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.'"*
Chris Sallade spoke at our first Friday Night Fellowship from Matthew 20:1-16. Chris reflected on how this parable shows that God's kingdom is based on God's grace and not on our own works or righteousness.
Matthew 20:1-16
"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
*“About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went.
“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’
“‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.
“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’
“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’
“The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 'These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’
“But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
"So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”*
At our Reunions Friday Night Fellowship Bill Boyce reflected on Philippians 3:10 where Paul speaks of his deep desire to know Christ: "...that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death..."
In a message for our virtual Reunions meeting on Zoom, Bill Boyce shared a reflection on Matthew 11:28-30, where Jesus says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
David Keddie closes out our series on Philippians by teaching on contentment, particularly focusing on chapter 4 verses 10-13:
"I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
Chris Sallade delivers the FNF message from Philippians 4:1-7 on peace.
"Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Bill Boyce continues our series on Philippians by asking the question: what are you waiting for? What are you longing for? His text is Philippians 3:17-21:
Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
David Keddie continues our series on Philippians by meditating on the one thing that is worth more than anything else in life--the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus the Lord.
Philippians 3:1-14
*Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.*
Chris Sallade continues our series on Philippians by preaching on what true "impact" looks like in the world.
His text was Philippians 2:12-30
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.
This FNF we took a break from our series on Philippians to hear from a guest speaker, Mike Emlet, on a Christian approach to mental health.
Mike Emlet is a faculty member and counselor at Christian Counseling and Education Foundation (CCEF), where he has served since 2001. He holds a doctor of medicine from the University of Pennsylvania and a master of divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary. Prior to joining CCEF, Mike worked as a family physician for eleven years. He has particular interests in working with ministry leaders and with those who struggle with anxiety, depression, and OCD. He has published numerous books, including CrossTalk (New Growth Press, 2009), Descriptions and Prescriptions (New Growth Press, 2017), and Saints, Sufferers, and Sinners (New Growth Press, 2021).
David Keddie continues on teaching series on the book of Philippians by teaching from Philippians 1:27-2:11 with a focus on the humility that we are called to in Christ.
"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Bill Boyce continues our FNF series on Philippians by talking about our longing for purpose and how Paul speaks to a life filled with purpose in Christ.
Philippians 1:12-26
*I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.*
Chris Sallade kicks off our spring FNF series on Philippians. Chris preached from Philippians 1:1-11 on where we get our sense of confidence and assurance.
*Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.*
Bill Boyce preaches from Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
"I said in my heart, 'Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.' But behold, this also was vanity. 2 I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” 3 I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. 4 I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 5 I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. 6 I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. 8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of man.
9 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. 10 And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. 11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.
David Keddie preaches from Ecclesiastes 2 about how the book dismantles the idea of breaking new ground, being remembered, and leaving a legacy.
"So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly. For what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done. 13 Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness. 14 The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that the same event happens to all of them. 15 Then I said in my heart, “What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?” And I said in my heart that this also is vanity. 16 For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool! 17 So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind. 18 I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me, 19 and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity." - Ecclesiastes 2:12-19
Chris Sallade begins our new series on Ecclesiastes by teaching from Ecclesiastes 1:1-11.
Chris suggests that the Preacher (Qoheleth) of Ecclesiastes can also be understood as a "Dismantler"--someone who asks the hard questions about life, and dismantles assumptions about what gives meaning to life.
This is a recording of our Friday night session of our PCF Global Ministry Conference. The speaker is John White '93 and his talk was entitled : From Princeton to Ukraine: My Personal Pathway to Global Ministry. John has served with World Venture in Ukraine since 2000.
David Keddie wraps up our series on "Jesus Discovered" by discussing Jesus as King. His text was Luke 2:10-14
"And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'"
Bill Boyce talks about how Jesus presents himself as a Servant, teaching from John 13:1-17:
"Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them."
Chris Sallade speaks on Jesus's role as a Judge. His text is John 5:22-27:
"For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son,that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man."
David Keddie continues our FNF series on "Jesus Discovered" by speaking on Jesus as a Friend. David's text was Luke 7:36-50:
"One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”
“A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among[h] themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Bill Boyce taught on Jesus as the long expected Christ and Messiah.
"And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him." - Mark 8:27-30
In this message, we continued our series on "Jesus Discovered," looking into Jesus's identity as "the Word" from John 1:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
Our guest speaker, Joel Ristuccia, is currently the Associate Pastor at Montgomery Evangelical Free Church and previously served as the Executive Director of Manna Christian Fellowship on Princeton's campus.
Chris Sallade continues our fall series, "Jesus Discovered," by teaching on Jesus as Healer, from Mark 5:21-43 (where Jesus heals a woman and Jairus's daughter).
Chris addresses these four questions:
- Did these miraculous healings actually happen?
- Why does Jesus heal?
- Why doesn’t Jesus always heal?
- What does this all mean for us?
This is the kickoff message of PCF's Fall FNF series "Jesus Discovered."
In this message, Chris Sallade talks about Jesus as Teacher and how that shapes our response as his students.
"Jesus got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat." - Luke 5:3
“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” (John 3:2)
“In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me.” (Matthew 26:55)
“The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.” -Luke 6:40
"[To those] who had believed Jesus, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” - John 8:31-32
"For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say." - John 12: 49
Chris Sallade shares his reflections on how we think about the past, present, and future as Christians.
Unfortunately, the beginning of the message was missed, and the recording begins five minutes into Chris's talk.
Bill Boyce shared a short reflection at our Virtual FNF meeting centered around John 14:6 where Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me," and also on Ephesians 2: 19-22 "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."
Chris Sallade speaks from 1 Corinthians 8 on how we are to navigate differences in the grey areas of the Christian Life.
Bill Boyce continues our series on practical theology by addressing the topic of doubt. His text was Matthew 11:2-6
"2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
David Keddie continues our series on Practical Theology by addressing the topic of friendship. His main text was Ecclesiastes 4:7-11
"7 Again, I saw vanity under the sun: 8 one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business. 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Chris Sallade takes on the topic of suffering in our series on Practical Theology. His message looks at what we can learn about suffering from the book of Job.
Bill Boyce teaches on Contentment in our series on Practical Theology. His text is Philippians 4:10-13
"I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
Some say Philippians 4:13 is now the most well-known verse in the Bible, but Bill explains that this is "not a promise that whatever I set out to accomplish God will help me to achieve." Rather in this verse Paul is saying that "...knowing Christ gives me the strength to face anything." Throughout the rest of the message Bill unpacks this as the true secret to Christian contentment.
Bill Boyce continues our Winter Retreat series by discussing fear in relation to Psalm 27.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
Chris Sallade continues our Winter Retreat series with a message on anger and Psalm 4.
"Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
Offer right sacrifices,
and put your trust in the Lord."
David Keddie leads off our Winter Retreat teaching on Emotions in the Psalms by talking about longing and depression and how they relate to Psalm 42-43.
As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my food
day and night,
while they say to me all the day long,
“Where is your God?”
Chris Sallade closes out our Advent series speaking from Daniel 2:
"And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”
Bill Boyce continues our Advent series, reflecting how Jesus is the fulfillment of the Good Shepherd described in Ezekiel 34:11-16:
“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.
David Keddie began our Advent series by teaching on the earliest prophecy of a coming Savior, from Genesis 3:15:
"I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head,
and you shall bruise his heel.”
Chris Sallade continues our series on Christian identity, speaking from Hebrews 11:
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible..."
"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city."
Bill Boyce continued our FNF series on identity, preaching from 1 Peter 2:
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
In this 10-minute talk, Karen Ristuccia '75 shares some of her own wisdom and perspective, looking back on many decades spent in ministry and teaching. She talked about question "Is ministry a waste of my talents?" She particularly reflected on 2 Corinthians 4:7, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us."
Matt and Karen Ristuccia were on PCF staff from 1978-1985. Then, Matt pastored Stone Hill Church for 35 years and now leads Linden Grove Ministries which provides global support to present and future pastors. Karen focused her career on Christian education as a teacher and leader, first as the head of the Westerly Learning Center, then as Academic Dean of the Wilberforce School, and now as a consultant and theology teacher at Wilberforce. She also works with Linden Grove Ministries as an associate mentor and Director of Curriculum.
PCF welcomed Matt & Karen Ristuccia to their Global Ministry Conference. In this FNF message, Pastor Matt '75 spoke from 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 about the challenges and blessings of a career in ministry, particularly focusing on verse 12: "So death is at work in us, but life in you."
Matt and Karen Ristuccia were on PCF staff from 1978-1985. Then, Matt pastored Stone Hill Church for 35 years and now leads Linden Grove Ministries which provides global support to present and future pastors. Karen focused her career on Christian education as a teacher and leader, first as the head of the Westerly Learning Center, then as Academic Dean of the Wilberforce School, and now as a consultant and theology teacher at Wilberforce. She also works with Linden Grove Ministries as an associate mentor and Director of Curriculum.
David Keddie teaches from 1 John 2:12-14 about how, in Christ, we have "overcome the evil one":
I am writing to you, little children,
because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.
I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, children,
because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God abides in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.
David Keddie teaches from 1 John 2:12-14 about how, in Christ, we have "overcome the evil one":
I am writing to you, little children,
because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.
I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, children,
because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God abides in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.
Chris Sallade reminds and teaches us that as followers of Christ we have been set aside as "saints" for God's purposes, citing many texts including Jude 3 "Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints."
Chris Sallade reminds and teaches us that as followers of Christ we have been set aside as "saints" for God's purposes, citing many texts including Jude 3 "Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints."
Bill Boyce teaches on our Christian identity as Messengers--how we are to relay God's message to the world. Bill drew from several Biblical texts, including multiple passages in 2 Corinthians.
Bill Boyce teaches on our Christian identity as Messengers--how we are to relay God's message to the world. Bill drew from several Biblical texts, including multiple passages in 2 Corinthians.
David Keddie reminds us that our identity as Christians means that we are brothers and sisters with one another. As Jesus said in Mark 3:31-35 "And [Jesus's] mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, 'Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.' And he answered them, 'Who are my mother and my brothers?' And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.'"
David Keddie reminds us that our identity as Christians means that we are brothers and sisters with one another. As Jesus said in Mark 3:31-35 "And [Jesus's] mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, 'Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.' And he answered them, 'Who are my mother and my brothers?' And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.'"
Chris Sallade reflects on Psalm 8, and reminds the group that as Christians we are called to be stewards of God's grace.
Chris Sallade reflects on Psalm 8, and reminds the group that as Christians we are called to be stewards of God's grace.
Bill Boyce continues on series on identity by preaching from 1 Peter 1:3-5 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
Chris Sallade kicks off our first FNF of the new semester with our new series on identity. Chris teaches from Luke 9:23-25 "Then [Jesus] said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.'"
Chris Sallade spoke at our Reunions Friday Night Fellowship meeting on Habakkuk 2:14 "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
David Keddie spoke at our Virtual Reunions FNF Meeting on Ezra 3:8-13
"Now in the second year after their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak made a beginning, together with the rest of their kinsmen, the priests and the Levites and all who had come to Jerusalem from the captivity. They appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to supervise the work of the house of the Lord. And Jeshua with his sons and his brothers, and Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together supervised the workmen in the house of God, along with the sons of Henadad and the Levites, their sons and brothers.
And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments came forward with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the directions of David king of Israel. And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord,
'For he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.'
And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers' houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people's weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard far away."
For our final in-person FNF of the spring semester we heard from Brad '10 & Casadi Schroeder about their work in Thailand with Multiply. Brad and Casadi shared stories of their ministry, while reflecting on the Parable of the Sower from Luke 8:1-15.
Chris Sallade gave the message at the Good Friday service this year. Apologies: the first minute of the recording is missing and so the recording starts mid-sentence.
David Keddie finishes up our series on the Minor Prophets by teaching from the book of Malachi.
Chris Sallade continues our teaching series on Friday nights by talking about the book of Zechariah.
Bill Boyce continues our series on the Minor Prophets by teaching through the book of Haggai.
David Keddie continues our series on the Minor Prophets by teaching from the book of Micah. "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" - Micah 6:8
Chris Sallade continues our series in the minor prophets by examining the bride and bridegroom imagery from Hosea.
Chris wraps up our 3-part series on the book of Proverbs by looking at the topic of integrity.
"As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man." - Proverbs 27:19
Bill Boyce gives our second message on the book of Proverbs, discussing the right way to use our words and the wisdom and folly of our speech.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." Proverbs 18:21
David Keddie begins our three-week series on the Book of Proverbs by examining many of the Proverbs along the theme of friendship.
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." - Proverbs 17:17
Chris Sallade teaches from 1 John on the importance of obedience in the Christian life.
"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:1-5)
Bill Boyce teaches from 1 John on the central call to Christian love. He discuss the example of genuine love, the evidence of genuine love, and the expression of genuine love. "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:16-18).
We welcomed Scott & Tina '90 Lawrence to our Global Ministry Conference. In this recording, Tina shares for the first few minutes on how attending these conferences back when she was a student in PCF began to shape her own call into global ministry. Then Scott shares about their international work, basing his reflections off of 2 Corinthians 5:14-21
"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
For the safety and security of Scott and Tina, please do not forward this podcast link beyond the PCF community.
David Keddie teaches on 1 John 4:1-6 "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error."
Chris Sallade speaks on assurance from 1 John 5:13 "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life."
Hear David Keddie teach from 1 John 2:15-17: "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
Bill Boyce teaches on the Christian call to love God and to love others.
1 John 4:7-12 "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
Chris Sallade speaks from 1 John 1:5-2:2 about how important it is that God is honest with us and that we are honest with Him.
David Keddie preaches on 1 John 1:1-4 and John 20:24-29 (Jesus's interaction with Thomas after Jesus's resurrection) and David unpacks the encouragement we receive from Christian believers who have gone before us in history.
Bill Boyce continues to discuss the opening verses of 1 John 1. What is trustworthy? What is true?
Chris Sallade begins our FNF fall semester series on 1 John by teaching from 1 John 1:1-4. This meeting was outside so apologies in advance for the lower audio quality and the constant noise of crickets in the background!
Bill Boyce gave the message at our Reunions FNF out of Titus 2:11-14, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."
In preparation for hearing senior testimonies this year, Bill Boyce reflects on what it means to bear witness to Christ, and meditates on Psalm 66:16 "Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul."
In this FNF message, Princeton alum, Jeremy Chen '11, gives a thoughtful and challenging reflection on 2 Corinthians 4:10 and what it means that we are "...always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies."
Chris Sallade delivers a message from Acts 6:1-7 about what we should respond when (not if!) we fail to love our neighbor well.
Chris Sallade offered this short message of encouragement at our on campus Easter Service, showing how two everyday objects point us to the work of Christ.
(Apologies for the lower audio quality and background noise as this was recorded in a large tent with several industrial fans going throughout the meeting time.)
Bill Boyce offers a Good Friday reflection on the Biblical word "Amen" and particularly reflects on 2 Corinthians 1:20, "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God. "
Chris Sallade day teaches on how Christ bore our burdens and therefore we are also called to bear the burdens of others. Galatians 6:2 "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
David Keddie continues our series on love by reflecting on Luke 7:36-50, where the woman with the alabaster jar anoints Jesus' feet. Jesus says of her "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
Bill Boyce teaches on what it means to love others with our speech: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34 And he particularly reflect on a series of interactions between Jesus and Peter where Jesus loves Peter by speaking truth to him.
In this message, Chris Sallade reflects on the beauty of love, looking at the anointing of Jesus recorded in Mark 14:3-9, when the disciples scolded the woman for her extravagance, but Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me."
David Keddie continues our series on love by reflecting on Jesus' interaction with the woman at the well in John 4.
Bill Boyce continues our series on John 13:34-35 by reflecting on the "hands of love"--what does it look like to reach out to others in love?
Chris Sallade continues our series meditating on John 13:34-35: "34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
David Keddie begins our new spring semester series on "Love" by reflecting on the words ofJesus in John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Chris Sallade gives a short Advent reflection on Matthew 2 during our special "Bring Him Your Gifts" Friday Night Fellowship meeting.
David Keddie finishes our two-part Advent series on Simeon and Anna from Luke chapter 2.
Bill Boyce looks at Luke 2:25-38 and the words of Simeon and Anna upon the birth of Jesus.
David Keddie continues our mini-series on Psalm 147, talking about what it means to say "Hallelujah!" to God in all circumstances.
Chris Sallade begins our new mini-series on Psalm 147, and reflects on God as our Savior and our Sustainer.
Bill Boyce concludes our sermon series on the Beatitudes by reflecting on Matthew 5:10-12, "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
David Keddie continues our series on the Beatitudes, preaching from Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
Listen to the talk given by Tim Zulker at our Global Ministry conference! Tim Zulker is the Executive Director of NEU, an organization that seeks to plant churches in New England's urban neighborhoods.
Chris Sallade teaches on Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
Bill Boyce continues our series on the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 by teaching on "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy."
Listen to David Keddie continue our series on the Beatitudes as he preaches from Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."
Chris Sallade teaches on Matthew 5:5: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
In this message, Bill Boyce teaches on Matthew 5:4, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
David Keddie gives the second message in our FNF sermon series on the Beatitudes in Matthew 5.
Hear Chris Sallade give our the first sermon in our new Friday Night series on the Beatitudes from Matthew chapter 5.
David Keddie and Anna Megill kick-off our Summer Zoom Bible Study. Our summer series is "Inside Out? Processing Emotions with God from the Psalms" and this week we began with Psalm 27, looking at the theme of "Worship in the Waiting: David's heart during times of fear and anxiety."
Bill Boyce gives an introduction to our Reunions FNF, and gives an update on the state of the fellowship. This is followed by a message from Christ Sallade on 2 Corinthians 5:4-7, 21.
Chris Sallade delivers a message reflecting on the death of Jesus via Zoom during our Interfellowship Good Friday service.
Listen to David Keddie continue our series in 2 Corinthians. This message was delivered via Zoom as our Friday Night Fellowship meeting has now gone virtual. We apologize for the lower audio quality as we figure out our new recording routine!
Bill Boyce teaches from 2 Corinthians 4 on why Paul did not give up, even when he looked at the discouraging circumstances that surrounded him.
David Keddie teaches from 2 Corinthians 3 on how the Spirit lifts the veil and allows us to see God's glory.
Chris Sallade teaches on 2 Corinthians 2 and how God can work through the messy drama of human relationships.
Bill Boyce begins our spring FNF series on 2 Corinthians by teaching on chapter 1 and explaining what it means that God comforts us in all our afflictions.
Our series in Isaiah wraps up with a message from our guest speaker, Curt Saxton '04. Curt is the pastor of Ekklesia in North Philadelphia.
Anna Megill gives the historical background on the threatened Assyrian siege of Isaiah 36-37 and David Keddie reminds the fellowship that God is a God of history and of our history.
Bill Boyce preaches from Isaiah 9, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Chris Sallade teaches from Isaiah 6 on the vision that began Isaiah's prophetic ministry.
David Keddie inaugurates our 7-week series on the Book of Isaiah by teaching from Isaiah chapter 1.
Our guest speaker, delivers his third message as part of our Saturday morning continuation of the global ministry conference. There is a blip in the recording where it was interrupted and several minutes were lost.
Chris Clayman continues to teach at our Global Ministry Conference. This is part 2. There is a gap in the recording where Chris shows a clip from a tv show about maps; you can watch that clip here.
Bill Boyce teaches on the importance of service in the Christian life. His passage is Mark 10:35-45 which concludes, "And Jesus called them to him and said to them, 'You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servantand whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'"
Chris Sallade teaches from the Great Commission in Matthew 28 on why Christians should share their faith with others.
David Keddie preaches on community from John 17:20-21 where Jesus prays: "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
David Keddie preaches on Mark 1:15 where Jesus says, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
In our second FNF of the school year, Bill Boyce teaches from John 17:17 ("Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth") about the authority and trustworthiness of the Bible.
Chris Sallade teaches at the first Friday Night Fellowship meeting of the fall, answering the questions "Why Jesus?" His text is Mark 8:27-36 and he talks about who Jesus Christ is and what kind of invitation he extends to those who want to follow him.
Chris Sallade shares a testimony and reflection on the life of Carol Wever, a former member of the PCF Staff, who passed away earlier this year, as the conclusion of his message on Luke 14.
Bill Boyce continues our series on the parables by preaching on Matthew 13:44-46, which speaks of the treasure hidden in the field and the pearl of great price. This parable teaches us the surpassing worth of the kingdom of God.
Chris Sallade kicks off our spring series examining the parables of Jesus, preaching from Matthew 20:1-16 where Jesus tells a parable about laborers in the vineyard being paid the same at the end of the day regardless of when they started working.
David Keddie wraps up our three-part January series on the Lord's Prayer from Matthew 6 by talking about forgiveness.
Bill Boyce continues our series on prayer from Matthew 6, talking about what it means to pray for "daily bread" and ending with a 10 minute reflection on the place of fasting in our prayer lives.
Bill Boyce begins our January series on prayer looking at the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6.
Chris Sallade teaches on the final night of our fall series on Christian identity, looking at John 10:1-33.
David Keddie speaks on our Christian identity as conquerors from Romans 8:31-39 in our continuing series
A special lecture with Dr. Ian Hutchinson about the relationship between faith and science.
David Keddie continues our series on identity by teaching from 2 Corinthians 4:1-12 about how we are witnesses to the gospel.
Chris Sallade pulls from various Biblical texts to talk about the Christian's identity as a "saint".
Bill Boyce continues our series on identity by preaching from 1 Peter 1:3-5 on how we are heirs and what we are hoping for in the future.
Hear David Keddie speak about how we are all brothers and sisters in Christ and what it means to be family, based off of Mark 3:31-35. This is the third message in our Friday night series on Christian identity.
Listen to Chris Sallade teach from Psalm 8 on our role as stewards. This is the second in our Friday night series on Christian identity.
Bill Boyce kicks off our first Friday Night Fellowship of the school year with a message based on Luke 6:40: "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher." This begins our fall series on identity.
Bil Boyce talks about the role of the Holy Spirit in giving us an assurance of our salvation from Ephesians 1:13-14
David Keddie continues our series on the Holy Spirit, teaching out of 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12.
Chris Sallade continues our series on the Holy Spirit by preaching on John 14:16-17 and John 16:5-15.
Listen to Bill Boyce teach on the Holy Spirit in the first message in our new series. Bill teaches from Matthew 28:19-20 and 2 Corinthians 13:14.
At the Manna/PCF Winter Retreat Bill Boyce opens up our series on the first few chapters of Revelation.
Our guest speaker, Pastor David Rowe, delivers our third and final message in our series on Ecclesiastes.
Here Bill Boyce continue our FNF series on the book of Ecclesiastes. His text is Ecclesiastes 3:1-13.
David Keddie begins our new January series on the Book of Ecclesiastes. "It takes you to the brink of hell, to show you the threshold of heaven."
Chris Sallade finished up our FNF series on the Second Coming of Christ. He teaches from 2 Timothy 4:1-8
David Keddie delivers an FNF message on James 5:7-11. This is our second message in a 3-part series about the Second Coming of Christ.
Bill Boyce begins a 3-week series reflecting on what it means to live in expectation of Jesus's Second Coming. Bill teaches from 2 Peter 3:1-13
Charles Richardson talks about his faith and his work as a correctional officer in NJ at PCF's Global Ministry Conference.
Listen to John Wilsey speak about his experience teaching church history for six years in a maximum security prison in Texas. John Wilsey is an associate professor of Church History at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and this year he is a visiting fellow at Princeton with the James Madison Program.
Listen to Chris Sallade talk about Jesus's radical statement from the end of John chapter 8: “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
This message is a part of our FNF series on the "I AM" statements of Jesus in the gospel of John. The text for this message is from John 14:6 "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Listen to David Keddie preach on Jesus' statement recorded in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Hear Chris Sallade talk about the problem of suffering and evil from the book of Habakkuk.
Here Chris Sallade speak on the book of Hosea in the second message of our series on the minor prophets.
Listen to Bill Boyce delivering the first message in our spring FNF series on the Minor Prophets. He looks at Amos's stirring message about justice and integrity.
Listen to Joel Ristuccia (Executive Director of Manna Christian Fellowship) give the final talk in a series of six talks on the PEF/Manna Winter Retreat. The theme of the retreat was "Obstacles to Community" and the teaching was out of 1 Corinthians.
Listen to David Keddie give the fifth in a series of six talks on the PEF/Manna Winter Retreat. The theme of the retreat was "Obstacles to Community" and the teaching was out of 1 Corinthians.
Listen to Joel Ristuccia (Executive Director of Manna Christian Fellowship) give the third in a series of six talks on the PEF/Manna Winter Retreat. The theme of the retreat was "Obstacles to Community" and the teaching was out of 1 Corinthians.
Listen to Bill Boyce give the fourth in a series of six talks on the PEF/Manna Winter Retreat. The theme of the retreat was "Obstacles to Community" and the teaching was out of 1 Corinthians.
Listen to David Keddie give the first in a series of six talks on the PEF/Manna Winter Retreat. The theme of the retreat was "Obstacles to Community" and the teaching was out of 1 Corinthians.
This recording was accidentally cut off early and is missing the last few minutes of the talk.
Listen to Bill Boyce give the second in a series of six talks on the PEF/Manna Winter Retreat. The theme of the retreat was "Obstacles to Community" and the teaching was out of 1 Corinthians.
Listen to Chris Sallade give the third message in a three-part FNF series on the book of Titus.
Message 1 of 3 on the book of Titus. David Keddie discusses Titus 1:1-9 and the importance of sound doctrine.
Hear Bill talk about anxiety from John 14-16 at the Friday Night Fellowship before midterm week.
Hear John Hayes '76 speak about his work with InnerChange and our calling to learn from Jesus's ministry to the widow of Nain in Luke 7. This talk was given at Interfellowship Friday, an event sponsored by PEF, Princeton Faith & Action, Manna Christian Fellowship, and Athletes in Action.
The fourth talk in our Fall Friday night message series, given by Nyron Burke, pastor of Epiphany Fellowship and PEF alum.
Speaker: Bill Boyce Text: John 1 The opening message at PEF's first Friday Night Fellowship of the fall semester.