"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace."  Ephesians 6:10-15The gospel which brings peace is to be the touchstone, yardstick, benchmark, litmus test in the life of the Christian. The gospel brings peace with God, peace in daily living and relational peace with others.Peace with God: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”  Romans 5:1-2 “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”  Hebrews 13:20-21Peace in Daily Living (existential peace): “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:4-7Peace with Others:“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’”  Romans 12:18-19 “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”  Colossians 3:15“But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, ‘If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?’”  Galatians 2:14 Believers are called upon to contend for the faith (to struggle in behalf of) Jude 3, and simultaneously to be kind, approachable and grace-filled (2 Timothy 2:22-24). In order to live out this reality, you must be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and continue to make distinctions between:1. Central issues2. Important issues 3. Issues of indifference (issues to die for, opinions to be held, and matters of indifference) "…the webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight…Shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness and delight—a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens doors and welcomes the creatures in whom he delights. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be."  Cornelius Plantinga, Not the Way it's Supposed To BeWhen the gospel that brings peace is central in our lives we move from shame, fatigue, and relational strife to loving out of the overflow of our relationship, to the overflow (John 7:37-39).Themes:1. How does the cross answer the accusation of “you don't measure up” simultaneously diffuses the statemen... Speaker: Buster Brown

"'For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts. 'Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. 'Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.'"  Malachi 4:1-6150 years after returning from the Babylonian captivity 597BC-538BC), the people of God are walking in a spirit of malaise and half-heartedness in their relationship with Jehovah. Malachi's prophecy comes as a wake-up call to renewed covenant living on the part of God's people.1. The rising sun of righteousness (v.2a)."The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil."  Isaiah 9:2-3"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying,'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"  John 8:122. Healing in its wings (v.2b)."Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."  2 Corinthians 3:17-18New City Catechism: Question 26Q: What else does Christ’s death redeem?A: Christ’s death is the beginning of the redemption and renewal of every part of fallen creation, as he powerfully directs all things for his own glory and creation’s good.“Longing, breathing, panting after deliverance is a grace in itself, that has a mighty power to conform the soul into the likeness of the thing longed after.”  John Owen, The Mortification of Sin3. Leaping like calves from the stall (v.2c).The coming of the Messiah King, and His empowering grace by the Holy Spirit leads to a joy as we live out of the overflow of the knowledge of our union with Christ."And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,"  Ephesians 5:18-19There is a glorious measure of freedom as we walk in the power of the Lord, while simultaneously groaning under the burden of indwelling sin and personality of brokenness.4. Tread down (v.3). "But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble."  Proverbs 4:18-195. Renewed Priorities (v.6): lives that are attuned and ordered under biblical prioritiesThemes:1. We live today in light of THAT DAY (v.1).2. Memento mori (“remember you must die”)3. Our prayer: let me see and experience you as the Light which dispels darkness and brings hope.4. In 2026, to glorify God by His power, I will bring change to ______.5. Holy Spirit, bring overflowing joy as I understand/ponder the majesty and mercy of Jesus.6. God is most glorified in u... Speaker: Buster Brown

"And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.' 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!'"  Luke 2:8-14Jesus is the Savior who saves us from our sin and the judgment that should rightfully fall upon us; and He gives us the hope of life (Matthew 1:21, 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10. Therefore, we live with confidence (no fear) and great joy. The Old Testament was hope anticipated and the New Testament is hope manifested in the Savior. 1. No fear of rejection or abandonment."Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'”  Hebrews 13:5"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?...For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:35, 38-39New City Catechism: Question 24Q: Why was it necessary for Christ, the Redeemer, to die?A: Since death is the punishment for sin, Christ died willingly in our place to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin and bring us back to God. By his substitutionary atoning death, he alone redeems us from hell and gains for us forgiveness of sin, righteousness, and everlasting lifeNew City Catechism: Question 25Q: Does Christ’s death mean all our sins can be forgiven?A: Yes, because Christ’s death on the cross fully paid the penalty for our sin, God graciously imputes Christ’s righteousness to us as if it were our own and will remember our sins no more.2. Great Joy"I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers."  Jeremiah 31:3-4"To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified."  Isaiah 61:2-33. Because salvation is by grace through Christ, it compels worship, adoration, and a desire to walk in the way of the Lord.“Always you renounce the lesser good for a greater…What you call my struggle to submit (to the will of the Lord) is not struggle to submit, but a struggle to accept with passion (and joy). Picture me with my ground teeth, stalking joy—fully armed too, as it is a highly dangerous quest.”  Flannery O'Connor“What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism. Orwell feared that the truth w... Speaker: Buster Brown

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might."  Ephesians 6:10"But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation."  1 Thessalonians 5:4-8 “What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism. Orwell feared that the truth would be concealed from us. Huxley feared the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance. Orwell feared we would become a captive culture. Huxley feared we would become a trivial culture.”  Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death (1985) SALVATION SEEN AS:• A process of divine grace being gradually (infused) in an individual through a prescribed system.• A legal act whereby we are declared righteous in the sight of the living God by virtue of the work of Jesus on the cross for our sins (imputation)."For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."  2 Corinthians 5:21IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS:1. Builds confidence/assurance."Of this article nothing can be yielded or surrendered, even though heaven and earth, and whatever will not abide [all created things], should sink to ruin. For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved, says Peter (Acts 4:12). And with his stripes we are healed (Isa. 53:5). And upon this article all things depend which we teach and practice in opposition to the pope, the devil, and the world. Therefore, we must be sure concerning this doctrine, and not doubt; for otherwise all is lost, and the pope and devil and all things gain the victory and suit [rule] over us."  Martin Luther, The Smalcald Articles2. Leads to the full embrace of life.New City Catechism: Question 26Q: What else does Christ’s death redeem?A: Christ’s death is the beginning of the redemption and renewal of every part of fallen creation, as he powerfully directs all things for his own glory and creation’s good.3. Leads to joy and hope because of the unchanging nature of the mercy of God."I change- He changes not;the Christ can never die;His love, not mine, the resting place;His truth, not mine, the tie.My love is oft-times low;my joy still ebbs and flows;but peace with Him remains the same;no change Jehovah knows."Bonar, I Hear the Words of Love“...dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name.”  Edward Mote, My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less (1834)4. Leads to a compelling nature of justification. “We shall be made truly free when God fashions us, that is forms and creates us new, not as men– for he has done that already– but as good men, which his grace is now doing, that we may be a new creation in Christ Jesus.”  Augustine (354–430 AD)Freed by grace, driven by love. New City Catechism: Question 29Q: How can we be saved?A: Only by faith in Jesus Christ and in his substitutionary atoning death on the cross; so even though we are guilty of having disobeyed God and are still inclined to all evil, nevertheless, God, without any merit of our own but only by pure grace, imputes to us the perfect righteousness of Christ when we repent and believe in him. Speaker: Buster Brown

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."  Ephesians 6:10-11"And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days. Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, 'Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!'”  Revelation 12:1-12Act 1 (v.1-6): The woman is the messianic community in the Old and New Testaments. “Crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth” (v.2) is the anticipation of the coming Messiah. This hope was realized in the advent of Jesus Christ, who would save his people from their sin."And he began to say to them, 'Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.'”   Luke 4:21This is referring to the prophecy from Isaiah 61 regarding the coming of the Messiah/King.The red dragon is the adversary (the devil), the accuser of the brethren who wants to devour the child (v.4b) (Matthew 2:1-18, Luke 4:28-30).Act 2 (v.7-12): The great red dragon and his allies are “thrown down” (v.9a, 9b, 9c, 10, 13)."Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”  John 12:31-32“We should recognize that Satan's power is broken through what happened on the cross so that he can no longer successfully bring accusations against God's people. The church is to regard the devil as an enemy who has already been defeated…verse 10 emphasizes that Christ's salvific work has robbed Satan of the right to bring accusations against Christians. Because they are free from his condemning judgment, they share in Christ’s victory over him. Though Christ’s death results in the justification of believers, it does not bring an end to Satan’s attacks on them. On the contrary, because Satan knows that he has lost and that his doom is certain, he becomes furious. Since Satan cannot direct his anger at Christ, he directs it at the saints.”  Sydney H. T. Page, Powers of Evil God’s People Conquer: 1. By the blood of the Lamb."They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 'Therefore they are before the throne of God, a... Speaker: Buster Brown

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”   Colossians 3:1-4“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”  Colossians 3:15-17“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”  John 14:27“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”  Philippians 4:81. We ponder and think through the implications of being in Christ.2. Manifestations (which are made possible by Colossians 3:1-4):“Put to death therefore…” (v. 5)“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones…” (v.12-17)“Let the peace of Christ arbitrate in your hearts,’ he says. When hostile forces have to be kept at bay, the peace of God garrisons the believer’s heart, as in Phil. 4:7. But here the mutual relations of fellow-members of the body of Christ are in view; where differences threaten to spring up among them, the peace of Christ must be accepted as arbitrator. For if the members are subject to Him, the peace which He imparts must regulate their relations with one another. It was not to strife but to peace that God called them in the unity of the body of Christ. In a healthy body, harmony prevails between various parts. Christians who have been reconciled to God, who have peace with Him through Christ, should naturally manifest peace with one another. Strife is the inevitable result when men are out of touch with Him who is the one Source of true peace; but there is no reason why those who have accepted the peace which Christ established by His death on the cross should have any other than peaceful relations among themselves.”  Simpson and Bruce, The New International Commentary on the New Testament, pg. 282APPLICATIONS:1. “But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt. There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”   Isaiah 57:20-212. Pondering/thinking doctrinally leads to thanksgiving. 3. “Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God!”  Colossians 3:15-16 (MSG)“God has graciously disclosed his existence and power in the created order, and has supremely revealed himself to fallen human beings in the person of his Son, the incarnate Word. Moreover, this God is a speaking God who by his Spirit has graciously disclosed himself in human words: we believe that God has inspired the words preserved in the Scriptures, the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, which are both record and means of his saving work in the world. These writings alone constitute the verbally inspired Word of God, which is utterly authoritative and without error in the original writings, complete in its revelation of his will for salvation,... Speaker: Buster Brown

“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.”  Ephesians 6:14“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 2:1-7The breastplate of righteousness (the freely given mercy of God in Christ) protects and defends our identity and incites our passions. TWO TYPES OF PEOPLE:#1:Dead in trespasses and sins (v.1,5). Walks by following the prince of darkness (v.2).Lives in the passions of the flesh (v.3).They are, by nature, children of wrath (v.3b).The past is recalled not because the emphasis falls upon it but in order to draw attention to God’s mighty action in Christ. #2:Made alive with Christ (v.6).Raised up and seated with Him in the heavenly places in Christ (v.6).Knows and rejoices in the immeasurable riches of his grace and kindness towards us in Christ (v.8).OBSERVATIONS:1. Mankind without Christ: has a difficult environment (the ways of this world, inclinations to evil, the cravings of the sinful nature) and operates influenced by a supernatural power at work around him (i.e., the devil).“Original sin is by nature in all human beings; whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness and is of his own nature inclined to evil…”  Thirty Nine Articles of Religion (1571), Article 92. The problem is: “Out there” → “Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains.”  Rousseau, The Social Contract (1762) OR “In here” (with social/personal/institutional manifestations) → Total depravity is the understanding that sin has infected every area of our lives. It is a contaminant that, if left unchecked, will lead to brokenness and sorrow.3. Total depravity is not utter depravity."There remains in man since the fall, the glimmerings of natural light, whereby he retains some knowledge of God, of natural things, and of the differences between good and evil, and discovers some regard for virtue and good order in society, and for maintaining an orderly external deportment.”  The Canons of Dort (1619)4. The scheme of the devil is to blind us to the glory, goodness, and power of Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:14).“But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.”  2 Corinthians 3:14“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”  2 Corinthians 4:3-6APPLICATIONS:1. Behold the glory of the gospel in the work of Christ.2. Men without Christ gravitate towards:• Self-justification (“I may be bad, but I’m not as bad as ______”)• Bargaining with God in order to earn his favor (if there is one o... Speaker: Buster Brown

Speaker: Guest Speaker

“Thus we never actually live, but hope to live, and since we are always planning how to be happy, it is inevitable that we should never be so.”   Blaise Pascal, Pensées “What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man. I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.”  Ecclesiastes 3:9-15 The Tension of Toil “I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.”   Ecclesiastes 1:14 “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”  Augustine, Confessions “Part of being wise in this world is learning to accept that we have only very limited access to the big picture.” David Gibson, Living Backwards The Beauty of Brevity “Happiness comes not from controlling your life but realizing that everything you care about most is entangled with forces beyond your control.”  Bobby Jamieson, Everything Is Never Enough “Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot.”  Ecclesiastes 5:18 “Because life comes from God’s hand, and all the good things in life do too, both life itself and its million small good things are gifts. Seeing that and living accordingly makes the crucial difference between despair and delight.”  Bobby Jamieson, Everything Is Never Enough The Custom of Contentment “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.”  Philippians 4:11-13 “Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.” Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment “Christian contentment is finding delight in God’s wise plan for my life and humbly allowing him to direct me to it.”  Andy Davis, The Power of Christian Contentment “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world…I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that other country and to help others to do the same.” CS Lewis, Mere Christianity Recommended: Everything Is Never Enough (Jamieson) Living Life Backward (Gibson) The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment (Burroughs) The Power of Christian Contentment (Davis) For Discussion: What makes contentment difficult to maintain? How does the encouragement to “be joyful and do good” contrast with a secular view of pleasure or success? In what area(s) of your life do you struggle to trust God’s timing or purpose? In thinking about the week ahead, how can you live with an understandi... Speaker: Van Barnhill

“Finally, BE STRONG in the Lord and in the STRENGTH OF HIS MIGHT. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to STAND against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to WITHSTAND in the evil day, and having done all, TO STAND FIRM. STAND therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.”  Ephesians 6:10-14 “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 7Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.”  Genesis 3:1-7  POST-TRUTH: Objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief. (Oxford Word of the Year, 2016)  EXPRESSIVE INDIVIDUALISM: “Each of us finds our meaning by giving expression to our own feelings and desires (culture of authenticity). This entails the understanding that it is important to find and live out one’s own life as against surrendering to conformity with a model that is imposed on us from outside, by society, or the previous generation, or religious or political authority.”  Charles Taylor, A Secular Age, pg. 475  The Devil’s Playbook: 1. Questions the goodness/truthfulness of God (Genesis 3:1-4).  Westminster Larger Catechism: Question 7 Q: What is God?A: God is a Spirit, in and of himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection, all sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, present everywhere, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and ABUNDANT IN GOODNESS AND TRUTH. We combat the attacks of the devil by rejoicing in the glory and goodness of Jesus. (John 6:35, 8:12, 10:7, 10:11, 11:25, 14:6, 15:1) “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”  John 10:11 “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”  John 10:9 2. Lies in order to dethrone the kingly and benevolent rule of the Lord (Genesis 3:5). “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”  John 8:44 “What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18and, having been set free from s... Speaker: Buster Brown

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”  Ephesians 6:10-13 Paul is instructing believers to put on the whole armor of God so that we might walk in the joy and liberty as children of God, and be useful in the kingdom as we engage the dark forces.1. “Finally” (give attention to this, be on high level alert because the following information holds all the preceding truth together) 2. “Be strong in the Lord” (self reliance in our walk with the Lord is deadly) “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”   Colossians 1:9-12 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5 3. “Put on” (intentionality)“The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”  Romans 13:12 “And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”  Colossians 3:10 “Stand firm” (This is used four times in this passage) 4. Stand in His strength alone; the arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own. Put on the gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer; where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there. Stand up for Jesus, 3rd stanza 5. Understand the devil’s “schemes” “One must face the fact that all the talk about his love for men, and his service being perfect freedom, is not (as one would gladly believe) mere propaganda, but an appalling truth. He really does want to fill the universe with a lot of loathsome little replicas of himself-... We want cattle who can finally become food; he wants servants who can finally become sons. We want to suck in, he wants to give out. We are empty and would be filled; he is full and flows over.”  C.S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters, Letter Eight 6. “Wrestle”7. The enemy: “rulers, authority, cosmic powers over this present darkness, the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” 8 “Evil day” “The apostle is not only speaking of this present time between the two comings of Jesus, but it’s also alerting believers to the dangers of the devil’s schemes on critical occasions in this present evil age. There may appear to be times of reprieve for Christians, but they must hold, they must not be lulled into a false sense of security, thinking that the battle is over or that it is not especially difficult. They must always be prepared and put on the full armor of God, for the devil will attack them when least expected.”  Peter O’Brien, Ephesians, Pillar Commentary, pg. 471- 472 APPLICATIONS: 1. Why is the whole armor of God necessary in addressing: the destruction of the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles (finding our identity primarily in the glory of the cross and not our ethnicity), putting away falsehood and speaking the truth in love, not giving in to coarse living or jesting but rather being known as people of thanksgiving (worship), p... Speaker: Buster Brown

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”  Ephesians 6:10-13KINGDOMS IN CONFLICT:  “We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” 1 John 5:19 “Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.”  Matthew 12:29 “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.”  1 John 4:4 “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 5:4-5 “Our policy (in the Demonic realm), for the moment, is to conceal ourselves…I do not think you will have much difficulty in keeping the patient in the dark. The fact that ‘devils’ are predominately comic figures in the modern imagination will help you. If any faint suspicion of your existence begins to arise in his mind, suggest to him a picture of something in red tights, and persuade him that since he cannot believe in that (it is an old textbook method of confusing them) he therefore cannot believe in you.”  C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, Letter 7  In putting on the whole armor of God, we have to be continually aware of the following central truths: 1. We have union with Christ through the work of the cross. The vital union that believers have with Jesus Christ makes them recipients of all the spiritual blessings that are found in Him as the Mediator and Redeemer of His people (Ephesians 1:3). By union with Christ, God confers on His people all the saving benefits Christ merited by His life, death, and resurrection (Ephesians 1:3-5, 7-8, 11-14). Rejoicing in the means by which we enter into a relationship with the triune God“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9 (3:17-19) Biblically informed, Holy Spirit empowered awareness of the eternal realities around us (Ephesians 4:14, 5:3-6, 8, 11). APPLICATIONS: 1. Do you agree with the following: “Few Christians fully realize the extent of Satan’s influence; nor do they understand their own authority in Christ?” Explain the concept of degrees of walking in the light and degrees of walking in the darkness. According to The Screwtape Letters (C.S.Lewis), how do demons “conceal themselves?"2. What is the devil’s counterattack to our union (eternal relationship) with Christ? 3. What does this statement mean: “Rats love garbage?"4. What are the “Maltese cats” in the life of the Christian?5. In the Barna survey, how do you explain the disparity between 95 % believe in “God” while 41% believe in “the devil/dark forces?" Speaker: Buster Brown

“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.”  Titus 2:11-14 “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.”  Revelation 1:5b-7 “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.”  1 Peter 2:9We Serve Others"We have been both secured* by Jesus’ service to us and equipped with spiritual gifts, that we might freely serve both the church and the world. Our members are called to pour themselves out in a variety of ways, as well as to consider their entire lives to be spiritual acts of service."  ECBC Values 1. The road to productive kingdom living: The grace has been fully revealed in Jesus Christ (v.11). "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit."  Titus 3:5 “An unbalanced stress on auxiliary (extra-biblical?) methods of assurance– testing one’s life by the inspection of works and searching for the internal witness of the Spirit –obscured Luther’s teaching on assurance to salvation through naked reliance on the work of Christ.”  Richard Lovelace, Dynamics of Spiritual Life, pg.100 2. We are always in training (v.12). A disciple is a forgiven sinner who is constantly learning Jesus in repentance and faith. We operate on the cycle of moving from need to nourishment/danger to deliverance. 3. An expectant/forward focus of faith: waiting for the blessed hope (the best is yet to be as we live in the “already but not yet”) (v.13).4. The present day joy producing an emotionally healthy focus: sound in the faith (1:13) sound in daily living (faith, love and steadfastness)(2:2), sound in speech/relationships (2:8). Therefore, we are free to be zealous for good works (v.14). “Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ; and that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is necessary an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them to will and to do of his good pleasure; yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit, but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.”  1689 London Confession of Faith, Chapter 16-3APPLICATIONS:1. When the grace of the cross is continually transfixing, it leads to secured disciples to serve freely. 2. For every one look at your sin (which leads to repentance), take 25 trips to the cross which produces joy and hope (Malachi 4:2-3).3. A non-repenting, non-fruit producing “faith” is not saving faith (Matthew 7:21-23, 25:40).4. Sound in faith → Sound daily living → Sound in relationships 5. Secured servants understand the secret of replenishment. “If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you conti... Speaker: Buster Brown

“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 EAGER/ZEALOUS for good works.”  Titus 2:11-14 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 We Serve Others “We have been both secured by Jesus’ service to us and equipped with spiritual gifts, that we might freely serve both the church and the world. Our members are called to pour themselves out in a variety of ways, as well as to consider their entire lives to be spiritual acts of service.” ECBC Values “Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ; and that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is necessary an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them to will and to do of his good pleasure; yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit, but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.”  1689 London Confession of Faith, Chapter 16:3 1. The Christian faith is a cyclical experience moving from need to nourishment (danger to deliverance). 2. SOUND doctrine…faith…speech. 3. Living with the hope of heaven (“already but not yet”)…real and substantial change, but not complete the sight of heaven.“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”  Hebrews 10:14 4.  Being eager for good works is a sign of true saving faith. We are called to be a people who serve others(1 Peter 2:9-10).5. The secret of replenishment“And if you offer yourself to the hungry And satisfy the need of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness, And your gloom will become like midday. And the Lord will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.”  Isaiah 58:10-11 Speaker: Buster Brown

“Now I rejoice in my suff erings for your sake, and in my fl esh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s affl ictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.”  Colossians 1:24-29 …We make disciples (Who makes disciples?). • We believe that followers of Christ are called to multiply through the proclamation of the gospel from one person to the next and through the ensuing process of relational discipleship. Therefore, we mobilize our people in order to expand God’s kingdom to the neighborhoods and nations until they all know the gospel. How do we make disciples? 1. We _________. (v.28a) • Mark 5, John 9 → “Our problem in evangelism is not that we don’t have enough information—it is that we don’t know how to be ourselves. We forget we are called to be witnesses to what we have seen and know, not to what we don’t know. The key on our part is authenticity and obedience, not a doctorate in theology. We haven’t grasped that it really is OK for us to be who we are when we are with seekers, even if we don’t have all the answers to their questions or if our knowledge of Scripture is limited.”  Rebecca Manley Pippert, Out of the Saltshaker & into the World: Evangelism as a Way of Life 2. We _________ and ___________ . (v.28b) 3. We __________. (v.28c) “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.”  I Thessalonians 2:19-204. We _________. (v.29a) “…my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!”  Galatians 4:19APPLICATION QUESTIONS: 1. What is one way for you to taste the glory of the gospel in a fresh way this week? 2. What is one sphere in your life where you can spend time with people who don’t know Christ? 3. For whom will you toil in prayer this week? Speaker: Matt Reagan

"I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. The Lord preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy."  Psalm 145:1-9, 14-20 A disciple is a forgiven sinner who is committed to the transformational learning of Christ in repentance and faith.“Disciples are made by the persevering proclamation of the word of God by the people of God, in prayerful dependence on the Spirit of God.”  Marshall and Payne, The Vine Project, pg. 1451. The threefold personal worship pursuit “I will extol you” (v.1) “I will bless you” (v.2) and remember that your greatness is “no one can fathom” (NIV) “I will meditate” (v.5) (to think deeply with praise and thanksgiving/to ponder) “Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: grant us to so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of our everlasting life, which you have given us and our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen."  The Book of Common Prayer (1552)2. …which leads to iron resolve (v.4-6) to commend means to happily pronounce or boast to declare equals to remember, to make a written report APPLICATION STATEMENTS1. A love for the gospel and the understanding of God's heart for the nations/generations is at the core of what it means to be a disciple of Christ.2. We are called to deeply ponder/meditate on the wondrous works of the Lord in an impulsive, entertainment-saturated age of distractions.3. “We pour forth the fame” of that which we deeply treasure.4. The pouring forth of His fame involves joyful singing (Psalm 145:7, Psalm 100)5. We commend the reality of Christ with passion to the coming generations as we heartily rejoice in the mercies of the Father (v.14-20)"My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!"  Galatians 4:19 "Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church."  Colossians 1:246. We live with resolve because legacies are established and secured. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."  Philippians 4:8-9 7. We want to instill a culture of generos... Speaker: Buster Brown

"Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah. Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!" Psalm 32We Make Disciples "We believe that followers of Christ are called to multiply through the proclamation of the gospel from one person to the next through the ensuing process of relational discipleship. Therefore, we mobilize our people in order to expand God’s kingdom to the neighborhoods and the nations until they all know the gospel."  ECBC Core ValuesA disciple is a forgiven sinner who is committed to the transformational learning of Christ in repentance and faith. “Disciples are made by the persevering proclamation of the word of God by the people of God, in prayerful dependence on the Spirit of God.”  Marshall and Payne, The Vine Project, pg. 145Happiness/joy/security is found in the gospel of grace (v.1-2, 10-11). The price of your happiness has been paid. The basis for your happiness is secure. The resources for your happiness are daily. The assurance of your eternal happiness is absolute, providing an objective reason for your happiness today.  Heidelberg Catechism: Question 60 Q: How are you right with God? A: Only by true faith in Jesus Christ. Even though my conscience accuses me of having grievously sinned against all God’s commandments and of never having kept any of them, and even though I am still inclined toward all evil, nevertheless, without my deserving it al all, out of sheer grace, God grants and credits to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ, as if I had never sinned nor been a sinner, as if I had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me. All I need to do is to accept the gift of God with a believing heart. 3. Abba Father! (who corrects and lovingly disciplines) (v.3-4) "Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject two the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness." Hebrews 12:9-10 "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. 14 Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity."  Proverbs 28:13-14 3. Abba Father! (who invites/receives repenting children) (v.5)4. Abba Father! (who is a hiding place of strength; even when “all hell breaks loose and the dam bursts”) (The Message, v.6-7)  5. Grace-filled initiatives and worshipful response (v.8-9)Application St... Speaker: Buster Brown

Christians are referred to as “royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God THAT we may declare the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Therefore, we are to live out the strong reality of the triune God who has spoken definitively in his Word, as we walk before the watching world.We believe in the authority of the Bible. “The Bible reveals to us the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ. It is the very word of God, timeless in its expression, and anchoring us to reality in the midst of an ever-changing culture.”  ECBC Core Values  THEREFORE…"We will endeavor with a holy resolve to make our teaching and total church ministry centered around the great themes of holy scripture, our essential message being Jesus Christ, the crucified and resurrected Lord… Since faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard by preaching the Word of God, we pledge to faithfully support the gospel ministry among ourselves and spread the good news of God's redeeming love to the ends of the earth.”  East Cooper Baptist Church CovenantGod, who is Himself truth and speaks truth only, has inspired Holy Scripture in order thereby to reveal Himself to lost mankind through Jesus Christ as Creator and Lord, Redeemer and Judge. Holy Scripture is God's witness to Himself.Holy Scripture, being God's own word, written by men prepared and superintended by His Spirit, is of infallible divine authority in all matters upon which it touches: it is to be believed, as God's instruction, in all that it affirms; obeyed, as God's command, in all that it requires; embraced, as God's pledge, in all that it promises (Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, 1978).“Unless I'm convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures and by clear reason (for I do not trust in the pope or councils alone, since it is known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted. My conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.”  Martin Luther“Therefore we preach the fulfillment of all the promises found in the, in the incarnate, in the incarnate, in the incarnate, found in the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who saves His people from their sins.”We believe God established the family for human flourishing (Genesis 2:23-24, Ephesians 5:32-33)  “Because we recognize that God has ordained the institution of the nuclear family and called us into the greater familial community of the body of Christ, we celebrate and strive to build strong families within individual homes and across the generations within our church.”  ECBC Core Value, We Are a Family “Vast human experience confirms that marriage is the original and most important institution for sustaining the health, education, and welfare of all persons in a society. Where marriage is honored, and where there is a flourishing marriage culture, everyone benefits - the spouses themselves, their children, the communities and societies in which they live. Where the marriage culture begins to erode, social pathologies of every sort quickly manifest themselves.” Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience Therefore, we affirm the importance of the family as defined by Scripture and also rejoice in the good gift of human sexuality that is a gift in the covenantal marriage. It is a great sorrow to see our culture embrace a multifaceted agenda regarding family (LGBTQ) which support alternative definitions of the family and sexuality. This erosion does not lead to human flourishing but to ruin, heartbreak, sadness. As we speak, we will continually affirm the dignity of every man and woman because they a... Speaker: Buster Brown

"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end."  Hebrews 3:12-14Because of the eternal significance of the gospel, the Lord in mercy has called us to be a part of the church. Where we can be equipped, encouraged, challenged, corrected, built up, and live in relationship in such a way that we are sent out to adorn the gospel of Christ (Titus 2:10).The maturation of the believer is carried out, in part, by the joy of being involved in relationships in the way of the Lord.“The greatest need in modern civilization is the development of communities-true communities where the heart of God is home, where the humble and wise learn to shepherd those on the path behind them, where trusting strugglers lock arms with others as together they journey on.”   Larry Crabb, Connecting"There are two ways in which a practical moralist may attempt to displace from the human heart its love for the world — either by a demonstration of the world’s vanity, so that the heart shall be prevailed upon simply to withdraw its regards from an object that is not worthy of it; or, by setting forth another object, even God, as more worthy of its attachment, so that the heart shall be prevailed upon not to resign an old affection, which shall have nothing to succeed it, but to exchange an old affection for a new one... From the constitution of our nature, the former method is altogether incompetent and ineffectual, and the latter method will alone suffice for the rescue and recovery of the heart from the wrong affection that domineers over it."  Thomas Chalmers, The Expulsive Power of a New Affection • The assurance of salvation is a joyful reality in the life of a believer. How can I continually “work out my salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13)?" • Am I trusting in Jesus alone as the one who died on the cross for my sins? As my substitute? • Do I desire to be pleasing to God out of gratitude for His tender mercies? • Do I make life adjustments as I encounter the living God in the scriptures? The sobering teaching of Matthew 7:21-23.The potential of drifting, which results in a hardened heart:“The believer may, through the temptation of Satan, and of the world, the untamed corruption of indwelling sin, and the neglect of the means. of their preservation, can fall into grievous sins and continue in such a state for a time. In this reality, they incur the Father’s displeasure, grieve the Holy Spirit, are deprived of their joys, happiness, and comfort, experience a hardened heart and a wounded conscience. They bring sorrow to other believers and temporal judgments upon themselves.”  Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 17-3Applications1. Make your calling and election sure, and the joy of the assurance of your salvation.2. Hardening of the heart happens by a refusal to listen to the Lord and His people. Coupled with the determined desire or a desire to drift into wretchedness/vomitous feasting state (2 Peter 2:22).3. Sin is deceitful (fraud and trickery versus the glory and joy of the living God.)“[Senior demon to a junior demon] God is a hedonist at heart. All those fasts and vigils and stakes and crosses are only a facade. Or only like foam on the seashore. Out at sea, in His sea, there is pleasure and more pleasure. He makes no secret of it; at His right hand are ‘pleasures forevermore’. (Psalm 16:11) UGH! I don't think He has the least inkling of that high and austere mystery to which we rise in the ... Speaker: Buster Brown

"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls."  1 Peter 1:6-9A little while and grieved by various trials Joy is the emotion/feeling in our being (heart) produced by the Holy Spirit, as he causes us to see and savor the beauty/treasure of Christ in creation and the Word. Sorrowing yet rejoicing (2 Corinthians 6:10). “In this” you rejoice (v. 3-5): a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, a permanent inheritance, and divine protection.“Those who, not satisfied with him alone, entertain various hopes from others, though they may continue to look to him chiefly, deviate from that right path by the simple fact that some portion of their thought takes a different direction. No distrust of this description can arise when once the abundance of his blessings is properly known.”  John Calvin, The Institutes of the Christian ReligionWe will be grieved (distressed, saddened) by various trials (1 Peter 3:14, 17; 1 Peter 4:12-13,19).“For a little while” (v.6) versus eternity, anticipated and longed for. The purpose: 1 Peter 5:10-11 & Romans 5:3-5ApplicationFour Biblical Truths:• All people are made in the image of God and live their lives before loving God who controls the affairs of the world - versus random chance.• God is the person of Jesus Christ came to earth, lived a perfect life and suffering with humanity while living a life of joy and suffering and sacrificed his life for our sin versus the creator of God who’s a watchmaker and remote or non-existent. • Faith in the finished work of Christ upon the cross means that we have eternal salvation in the one who died for our sins versus “karma” which is the repayment of previous living i.e. our difficulties in life are not payment for past sins (karma) since Jesus paid for them.• There will be a bodily resurrection from the dead of all who believe there'll be a bodily resurrection from the dead of all who believe as they inhabit the new heavens and the earth forever, versus the impersonal absorption into an undefinable nothingness.1. “All things are new” (2 Corinthians 5:17) because of the strong reality of Christ.2. Believers live in the “already but not yet” kingdom. Therefore, everyone every day can simultaneously have sorrow and joy because we live in a fallen world and anticipate heaven.3. The sorrowing and rejoicing will vary from one degree but both realities are present this side of heaven. Speaker: Buster Brown