The First Vision Read Revelation 1:9-11 – Why was John on Patmos? – What does John being “in the Spirit” and receiving what he does “on the Lord’s day” tell about the content of Revelation? Read Revelation 1:12-16 When John turned around, he saw what Daniel and Ezekiel had seen in their visions. […]
Two Paintings Will Soon Adorn SOTHLC’s Chancel
June 19, 2012 by
By Pr. Rich Futrell Note: The paintings in this article are not yet finished, and so you are seeing them in their draft form. You only see part of the Hodegetria painting. Last year, during a couple of Elders’ meetings, I discussed the possibility of having artwork in our church chancel that would boldly proclaim […]
1st John, Lesson 2: Love vs. Its Antitheses
June 19, 2012 by
Love vs. Hate Read 1 John 2:1-6 Excursus: Hilosmos Hilosmos: This is the Greek term, which the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) used for the Atonement Cover on the Ark of the Covenant. There, in the Old Covenant, the High Priest poured the blood of the sacrifices on the Ark, covering sin, represented […]
Parable of the Seed: Mark 4:26-34
June 17, 2012 by
A question I have sometimes pondered is this: “Does preaching do any good?” When I look at how many lives are NOT changed based on what I’ve preached, I can all-too-easily conclude that sermons are a waste of time. What do you think? But the real question isn’t what we may think, but what Jesus […]
Sunday, June 24th: The Nativity of St. John the Baptizer
June 16, 2012 by
On Sunday, June 24th, we will celebrate the Nativity (birth) of St. John the Baptizer. St. John the Baptizer, the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, was born into a priestly family. An angel of the Lord announced his forthcoming birth to his father (Luke 1:5-23), and shortly after his birth, his aged father sang a […]
Revelation, Lesson 3: Prologue
June 16, 2012 by
Prologue Read Revelation 1:1-3 – In what way does the information from the visions in Revelation come to us? Is it primarily literal or by way of signs? (vs. 1) – What is the sequence of how the information comes to us in Revelation? – In verse 3, we see a sequence of […]
1st John, Lesson 1
June 14, 2012 by
Introductions Author: The earliest Church traditions we have about the authorship of 1st John is that the Apostle John, the son of Zebedee, is the author. Even more, 1st John is so similar to the Gospel of John in language, style, and theology that few have ever disputed that both books have the same author. […]
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1: Looking On What You Cannot See
June 11, 2012 by
Visiting Seminarian Mark Hunsaker’s Sermon: A few years ago, my youngest daughter Ally came to me with a very important request. She said: “Daddy, I want to see Jesus.” I would think any dad would love to have his child pose such a request and I was no different. Just as the buttons were about […]
James, Lesson 6 (Chapter 5): Warning, Patience, and Prayer
June 7, 2012 by
Warning to the Rich Scripture is clear that wealth isn’t something we are to place out trust in. Of course, this is contrary to the way of the world. Nonetheless, for the Christian, he is to trust in God. For example, King Solomon warns, “The one who trusts in riches, this man will fall, but […]
Holy Trinity: John 3:1-17
June 3, 2012 by
Paradox: That’s an underlying reality for the Feast of the Holy Trinity. For the Holy Trinity is the paradox of all paradoxes. And what is a paradox? It’s a seeming contradiction that may still be true. Would you like an example of a paradox? How about this? “And the catholic faith is this: We worship […]
