Ridley Hall Evangelical Church: Recent Episodes
Its Certainty- Its Consequences- Its function as a guarantee of our own Resurrection - when we believe we participate in the resurrection- Its Outcome - Jesus is reigning, putting His enemies under His feet - Christians can face the future in hope, despite the reality of death.
What-- The standard of Holiness - Be Imitators of God -Why-- As Dear children -How-- The supreme expression of that holiness.
Joshua's leadership task, but for God's grace would have been an impossible one. -Joshua and the people had their work cut out and, going into this New Year, so do we. We are to stand for God's truth, even when it leads us into danger- we could, like them say -they are too strong for us---But God says -Only be strong and very courageous-
Caleb was a man like us, with the same passions, fears and hopes. The difference was the grace of God in his life- he was courageous because he had confidence in God's purposes.
Looking beyond the mixed messages old and new that confront us in the 21st Century to find why Christmas really matters.
The world is a source of great danger to the soul of the Christian -What is not meant by separation-- -What is real separation-- What is meant by Biblical separation from the world-- -What is the secret - how might we as Christians obey this injunction to be separate from the world--
Acts 16- The Mistakes That Were Made-1. Not taking the things of God seriously--2. Thinking we can do anything to aid our salvation--3. Not understanding the justice of God
Matthew now presents to us the teaching of Jesus regarding righteousness - the same main idea continues throughout the entirety of the Sermon on the Mount. We are to rejoice when we are persecuted for righteousness' sake.
By the grace of God, the presence of His children in the world is a blessing and a benefit to those around them.
- Paul Introduces himself vv 1 - 3-2. His Jewish Credentials vv 4 - 11 -3. Summary of his conversion and calling vv 12 - 18 -4. He speaks of the obedience to the heavenly vision given to him on the Road to Damascus vv 19-23
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
He is not just the sacrificial lamb, but also the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, overcoming sin and death and all his enemies, whether spiritual or physical.
We see the inherent conflicts which arise from our dual citizenship, earthly and heavenly. -In the passage- -Paul's indignation at the attitude of the high priest-His testimony before the Sanhedrin -His deliverance by the commander and encouragement by the Lord Jesus.
In Acts 22-22-29, we witness a dramatic turn of events as Paul defends himself before a hostile Jewish crowd in Jerusalem. Despite his efforts to explain his conversion to Christianity, the mob erupts into a frenzy, and Paul is arrested and bound in chains. However, the situation takes an unexpected turn when Paul reveals his Roman citizenship, causing the commander to order his immediate release. This passage offers a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty in the midst of persecution and the importance of standing firm in our faith, even when faced with opposition.
Sin, personal and corporate, produces spiritual bankruptcy. Such bankruptcy produces mourning. The arrival of the kingdom of heaven will bring the blessing of God's comfort.
The origin of careless worship- the essence-result of careless worship- the nature of true worship
In the first disputation -vv. 2-5-, mutual love was to bind the Lord and his people together, but the people of Israel -the descendants of Jacob- doubt God's love. Their lack of love for God shows itself in the issues raised in the rest of the book. God's choice of Jacob over Esau was from the womb -Ge 25-23-. His choice of the younger son over the firstborn is an instance of his grace as he extended blessing to the one who had no claim to it. God demonstrated his love for his people in Malachi's day by restoring them to Jerusalem after the Babylonians had destroyed it. God's love is seen in his covenant faithfulness. In contrast, God declares that Edom -the descendants of Esau- will be unable to rebuild after their devastation. God hates and judges the Edomites because of their sin, particularly their anger and violence against Israel. God's judgment of the Edomites demonstrates he is King over all nations. Paul refers to this passage in Romans 9-13-14 to highlight God's mercy in election.---From The NIV Grace and Truth Study Bible-
The Father loves us enough to send his Son, the one who shares both God's nature and ours. He comes to rescue his people from their sins, enemies far more deadly than Rome. If God loves like that, it is good news, gospel, indeed.
The Gospel is the only way of salvation for men and women of all peoples, race, language, customs, social classes.--It is not -work and be saved,- or -feel and be saved-- it is, -believe and be saved.-
The scope of the accomplished work of Christ was much bigger than what the apostle thought or imagined. It wasn't restricted to the Jews, or any other people, race, social status, academic achievements, sex, age or anything else. The work of Redemption is universal. It includes Jews and Gentiles, all creation in fact
Joseph's trust in God never faltered. He believed God would remain faithful to His promises. In spite of repeated hardships, Joseph did not allow his heart to become bitter or resentful. Instead, he persevered.
Jesus gave up his life and went down into death, so that he might pay the price that their sins had earned. Our sins have paid our admission price into eternal separation from God- in one word, hell.
The battle for the Bible has been raging since the beginning of time. Satan, the great enemy of souls, began his assault with a question- -Hath God said --- -It's still our battle to fight today
The conversion of a superstitious, idolatrous, syncretic and plunged into deep darkness people, like the Samaritans is an encouragement for us to go out and proclaim the Gospel into our own superstitious, idolatrous, syncretic and plunged into deep darkness nation. Only the light of the Gospel can bring light after the darkness. Post Tenebras Lux