This is our pastor’s newsletter article for June, 2014. In last month’s newsletter article, we learned that tradition is not a bad word. In truth, we learned the opposite: Tradition is a good word. However, what matters about tradition is whose tradition we are following. The Apostle Paul wrote to the congregation at Thessalonica: “So […]
Understanding New-Covenant Worship as the Fulfillment of the Old
March 22, 2014 by
Worship before God gave Moses instructions on worship From the dawn of time, proper worship of God involved resting from work on the Sabbath day to hear God’s Word (Genesis 2:3). At first, that Word was proclaimed by word of mouth with no written Scriptures: Adam to Seth, Seth to Enosh, Enosh to Kenan, and […]
Exodus, Lesson 29: The Golden Calf
February 14, 2014 by
Moses has just finished receiving his instructions from God on how He was to be worshiped. Yet, while Moses was receiving God’s instructions for 40 days (Exodus 24:18), the people at the foot the mountain began to do things their own way, not knowing what had happened to Moses. The Golden Calf Read Exodus 32:1-6 […]
Exodus, Lesson 27: The Daily Sacrifices, Incense, and Tithing
February 1, 2014 by
We still find Moses on Mt. Sinai receiving instructions from God. Last week, God told Moses how he was to anoint, consecrate, and ordaining priests into the Old-Covenant Priesthood. God now tells Moses of the Evening and Morning sacrifices that were to be made every day. The Daily Sacrifices Read Exodus 29:38-46 – What […]
Worship Reflecting a God-Given Pattern
December 21, 2013 by
This in an excursus on worship from a lesson on the Old-Testament book of Exodus. It speaks to many of the issues concerning worship in our current-day setting. Exodus 25:40: “See to it that you do according to the pattern that you were shown on the mountain.” This one verse lays out an important principle for […]
Properly Formed New-Covenant Worship
July 2, 2013 by
Our True Citizenship 1 Peter 1:1-2: Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and set apart by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood. Hebrews 11:13: […]
Hebrews 12:22-24: Worshiping with the Saints and Angels
March 6, 2013 by
After Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, the Jewish leadership had decided it was better for the people if Jesus was dead. They said, “If we let Jesus go on like this, everyone will believe in him. Then the Romans will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation” (John 11:48). “So from […]
On Holy Ground
February 27, 2013 by
This is our pastor’s next article for the Stone County Gazette. Moses was in the wilderness watching over his father-in-law’s flock. That was nothing extraordinary. But as Moses was working on that ordinary task, something extraordinary took place. The messenger of the Lord revealed Himself in the flame of fire that burned from a […]
Commemoration of the Birth of St. Augustine of Hippo, November 13th
November 14, 2012 by
This is the sermon our pastor preach at the Springfield, MO pastoral circuit meeting on November 13th. Texts: Revelation 7:9-12, 8:1-4; Hebrews 12:22-29 Augustine was born on November 13th, 354 in North Africa, about 45 miles south of the Mediterranean Sea. Like all of us, he was born dead in his trespasses and sins. […]
Revelation 7:2-17: With All the Company of Heaven
November 4, 2012 by
“Who can stand?” That’s the question at the end of Revelation chapter 6. In that chapter, the entire cosmos rumbles and quakes to its foundation. The sun goes black, and the moon turns to blood. The stars fall from the sky like ripened figs. Even the strong and mighty, the movers and shakers of this […]
