The Law In the Grace Pt. 2

Posted on by under Pastor Wrinkles

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I am preaching a message this morning entitled, “The Law In the Grace”. This is excerpt number two from that sermon if you missed the opening of our discussion. You can catch it

HERE

Now on to today’s discussion:

The New Covenant (which we spoke about yesterday) is our hope folks. It is why we gather on Sunday mornings to worship God. This binding agreement with God says that anyone who comes to Jesus and accepts Him as Lord of their lives, anyone who will believe in Christ’s power to forgive and in the power of Christ’s resurrection from the dead will be saved unto eternal life. That is good news and it is good news we find only in the Bible, God’s book of covenants.

We have been studying from John Bevere’s book, Good or God,  over the last several weeks and in that time we have established several facts.

  • There are things in the world that seem good and even may have aspects of good in them but they are not of God.
  • Many things may seem good or right in our eyes as humans but because they are not of God they actually lead to death.
  • Because of “the Fall” mankind’s perception of reality is skewed and so we cannot rely on our heart or emotions to tell us what is really good or of God. Because of sin in our lives we can even sometime end up calling good evil and evil good.
  • God has given us His Word, His book of covenants or binding agreements to show us what is really good and really God and what is not. That Word is the Bible and the Bible is the only Scripture. Both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man. The Bible is the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.

That is a review of the foundation that Pastor Risto has already laid. I would like to add to that foundation this morning by continuing to speak about the authority of the Word of God. This is important stuff because the Word of God is our foundational revelation of God. Let me explain that another way. God, the Father , the Son and the Holy Spirit is the foundation of our faith. But the only way we know about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is through the Bible. Only the Bible reveals to us who God really is. Without it we have no understanding of God we can trust. You may ask, “Pastor Jay what about experience, what about the gifts of prophecy, what about dreams and visions, what about other religions?”

Every one of those things is second to the Bible. The Bible is the litmus test for every other truth. If our experience teaches us something that is contrary to the Word of God then our understanding of that experience must change. If a dream or a prophecy or a word of wisdom contradicts Scripture it is in error and I do not care who delivers the dream, vision or word. It must be thrown out. If another religion contradicts the Bible, then it is error plain and simple and is not speaking the truth.

The Word of God is the only infallible, authoritative Word of faith and doctrine and the only source of knowing good and evil that will never fail us. There is an old song we used to sing in youth group and it went something like this.

“If Jesus said it I believe it. It’s His Word He cannot lie. If it’s written in the Bible I’ll believe it till I die. Until the mountains be removed and be cast into the sea if Jesus said it I’ll believe it that’s good enough for me.”

 

In these days when that song had largely been forgotten. I see four attitudes arising concerning the Bible that are eroding the Bible’s influence and which are destroying people’s trust in the Bible and are destroying people’s grip on what is truly good and what is truly God….

Tune in again tomorrow for more of “The Law In the Grace.”

The Law In the Grace Pt. 1

Posted on by under Pastor Wrinkles

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I will be preaching a message at Cornerstone Church tomorrow entitled, “The Law In the Grace”. Our subject matter is the importance of the Bible in judging what is right, good and of God.

Over the next few days I will be publishing the sermon in bits and pieces. Here for your perusal is our launching point.

Our Scripture study this morning begins by introducing us to the fact that God is a God who operates in the world  by covenants.

 How many of you know that God is a God who makes binding agreements with people? Whether you know it or not God has offered to make a binding agreement with you today. He is just waiting for you to sign on the dotted line, so to speak.

God talks about His newest covenant, or binding agreement, with mankind in the Book of Hebrews, There He says,

“Here is the main point: ….

now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.

7 If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant to replace it. 8 But when God found fault with the people, he said:

“The day is coming, says the Lord,     when I will make a new covenant     with the people of Israel and Judah. 9 This covenant will not be like the one     I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand     and led them out of the land of Egypt. They did not remain faithful to my covenant,     so I turned my back on them, says the Lord. 10 But this is the new covenant I will make     with the people of Israel on that day,[c] says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds,     and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God,     and they will be my people. 11 And they will not need to teach their neighbors,     nor will they need to teach their relatives,[d]     saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest,     will know me already. 12 And I will forgive their wickedness,     and I will never again remember their sins.”[e]

13 When God speaks of a “new” covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and will soon disappear.

…by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. 15 That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant. “Hebrews 8:1-9:15 (excerpted)

What is the importance of this covenant to you?

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Coming Back On the Grid

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Grid.”

Check out other grids by clicking the link above. My grids are below.

A wall at trinity College Dublin

A wall at trinity College Dublin

Walking on the grid in Derry

Walking on the grid in Derry

the Gossamer Grid Above Amsterdam

the Gossamer Grid Above Amsterdam

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Grid.”

Check out other grids by clicking the link above. My grids are below.

Cee’s B&W Challenge: Public Transportation

Posted on by under Photography

It’s time to transport yourself over to Cee’s blog to see how her B&W contributors have displayed public transport. But before you get on the bus by clicking the underlined link take a peek at my photos.

The Zaanhopper is a little touring boat that takes passengers from Wormerveer to Zaandam down the Zaan river.

The Zaanhopper is a little touring boat that takes passengers from Womerveer to Zaandam down the Zaan river.

The canals of North Holland are filled with touring boats. I caught sight of this one in the city of Haarlem.

The canals of North Holland are filled with touring boats. I caught sight of this one in the city of Haarlem.

One way to get around the city of Dublin is to rent a hansom. These ones stood just outside of the Guiness factory waiting for fares

One way to get around the city of Dublin is to rent a hansom. These ones stood just outside of the Guiness factory waiting for fares

And of course no public transport system would be complete in any land of lakes and rivers without the bridge. This is the Peace bridge in Derry

And of course no public transport system would be complete in any land of lakes and rivers without the bridge. This is the Peace bridge in Derry

From the most ancient to the most modern. This is how I bridged the distance between me and Europe.

From the most ancient to the most modern. This is how I bridged the distance between me and Europe.

Travel Theme: Angles

Posted on by under Photography

I am finally getting back to blogging on a regular schedule and while I am still a little behind at least I am arranging to blog daily again. That has been a challenge for months and now I think I have figured out how to make it happen. 🙂

Anyway this week’s travel theme is ANGLES. Hop on over to Ailsa’s place when you’re done here and check out some of the other angles bloggers have taken from around the world.

Here are mine:

The Mohawk Trail Massachusetts

The Mohawk Trail Massachusetts

Inside Gould's Maple House, Mohawk Trail

Inside Gould’s Maple House, Mohawk Trail

Oars to the water! Womerveer

Oars to the water! Womerveer

Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans

He Is Wisdom’s Cry! Let Him Shout!

Posted on by under Pastor Wrinkles

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“The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,[c][d]
    before his deeds of old;
23 I was formed long ages ago,
    at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
    when there were no springs overflowing with water;
25 before the mountains were settled in place,
    before the hills, I was given birth,
26 before he made the world or its fields
    or any of the dust of the earth.
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,
    when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above
    and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
29 when he gave the sea its boundary
    so the waters would not overstep his command,
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
30     Then I was constantly[e] at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
    rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world
    and delighting in mankind.

32 “Now then, my children, listen to me;
    blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
    do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen to me,
    watching daily at my doors,
    waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me find life
    and receive favor from the Lord.
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
    all who hate me love death.”

Who is wisdom?

Jesus is wisdom as the first of God’s works brought forth. As the one who was with the Father when the world was formed. (Prov. 8: 22-31)

Listen to the New Testament parallel speaking of Jesus!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it. John 1:1-4

Jesus is wisdom as the one who blesses those who obey His word.

(Prov. 8: 34)

Listen again to this New Testament parallel

Jesus said…”Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” Matthew 7:24

Jesus is wisdom as the one who blesses those who are ever watchful.

(Prov. 8:34)

Again a New Testament parallel

Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:36

Jesus is wisdom as He is the source of life and favor.

(Prov. 8:35)

From the New Testament

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Finally Jesus is wisdom because those perishing hate Him.

(Prov. 8:36)

Final parallel

18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;

the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”c

20Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles I Cor. 1:18-23

If Jesus is wisdom. Then His ways are wise. If He is wisdom’s cry then it behooves every culture to let His voice be heard. Where Christ is shut out folly and ruination will surely follow. The wisdom of man apart from Jesus will not stand.

We must let the voice of Christ shout over our nation again!

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Fun Foto Challenge: Sense Of Hearing

Posted on by under Photography

This week’s challenge is to depict sound through photos. BANG! CRASH! BOOM! I love it!

My sounds in sight are below.  CLANK AND SWISH your way over to Cee’s place after making some noise here and raise your voice to congratulate all her other contributors about the beautiful sounds they display.

The barking of a dog in the surf

The barking of a dog in the surf

An airplane overhead

An airplane overhead

A train leaves the station

A train leaves the station

Guys with guitars

Guys with guitars

Blow the trumpet in Zion

Blow the trumpet in Zion

Share Your World 2015 Week 37

Posted on by under For Family & Fun

We are 37 weeks into sharing the year with each other using Cee’s wonderful site and weekly questions.

I have answered her questions and shared my world below. After you have read my thoughts click the underlined link above and see what Cee’s other contributors have shared.

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If you could have three wishes granted for you alone, what would they be?

Wishes are tricky things you see. I thought about wishing the mistakes of my past undone but some of those mistakes while painful had unintended good consequences. Undoing them would remove the good as well as the bad. So I would not wish away my mistakes. I guess I could wish for money but I don’t know that I could handle it. So I wouldn’t wish for money. Fame? Nah!

I think I would wish for godliness with contentment.

I would wish for the fruit of the Spirit to multiply in my life.

I would wish for the ability to forgive as completely as God forgives.

What is the most incredible natural venue that you’ve ever seen in person?

Oh boy this is a hard one. I think the Grand Canyon was an incredible view. The Grand Tetons were also amazing. The Great Plains actually struck me dumb. The Irish Coast was amazing as was Killarney. I think the world is the most amazing natural venue I have seen in person. Each place has a beauty all its own.

Is your hair short (total neck and ear showing), medium (covering ears and neck), long (below shoulders) or extra long (at least halfway down your back)?

Short, but I do have a tendency to let it grow to medium length between cuts simply because I don’t have enough time to get to the barber.

List some of your favorite blogs.

Ceenphotography.com . This is a great photography blog everyone check it out. 🙂

anotherredletterday.com  Prolific author Ben Nelson shares the red-letter words of Jesus and other Scriptural truths

jsparkblog.com  Pastor J.S. shares thoughts and advice on navigating church life in the 21st Century.

Bonus question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I am grateful Rose Hall Media signed me to a book contract on Saturday. Here is a picture of my editor Tracy and my publisher Ken.

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This week I am looking forward to sharing the gospel in music at Wachusett Manor Nursing Home and at the Gardner Visiting Nursing Association Dayhab. I am also looking forward to preaching at Cornerstone Church on Sunday.

The Whole Counsel Of God

Posted on by under Pastor Wrinkles

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Prove. 9:10

“Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for, through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.” Prov. 16:6

“For God so loved the world he gave His only son that whoever believes in him should ot perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith- and this not from yourselves it is the gift of God- not of works so that no man can boast.

” Eph. 2:8

A young preacher recently preached a real old-fashioned barn-burner of a sermon at our church. You know one of those messages that called the people not just to confess their sins and ask Jesus for forgiveness but a message about how it was necessary to let God change you… to repent.

I had someone approach me afterwards a little upset that we felt the need to address people in their sins and tell them that they had to get the problems “fixed”. I was reminded that the Christian life is all about grace and God’s love and that we ought to focus on pointing people to Jesus rather than pointing out people’s sins.

A few weeks before this I sat with a couple who lamented that preaching about sin had left our pulpits and that Christianity had become a “feel good faith” rather than one that produced actual healing.

WHO’S RIGHT?

Ah and there you find the conundrum that confronts pastor’s everyday.

The battle of whom to listen to about what should be preached from the pulpit is an impossible one to win if you are considering what people want to hear. Pastor’s aren’t called to preach what people want to hear. They are called to preach what people need to hear. ..The whole counsel of God as it is revealed in Scripture.

This is not a popularity contest we are competing in. It is a battle for souls and communities of souls at that. We can no more preach just the love of God than we can preach just the judgment of God. Every congregation is comprised of people who need the tenderest touch of God’s mercy and of people who need the hardest kick in the pants the   Holy Spirit can deliver.

The fear of God needs to be preached and it needs to be lived. The mercy of God needs to be preached and it needs to be received.

If your preacher is not preaching both the fear of the Lord and the mercy of the Lord then you are getting short-changed. Conversely if you are not living in both the fear of the Lord and the mercy of the Lord you are short-changing your church and the Lord.

Folks this is not about our preferences or what we like. It is about truth and balance and serving a God who died for us!