Archives for June 2020

The story of the Good Samaritan gives us "explicitly Scriptural categories" for how to love our neighbors. Jesus' parable reminds us of our own need for mercy as no one is justified before God. Jesus calls us to be godly neighbors especially to those we may normally overlook. Also, we are commissioned to extend "our neighborhood" through national and ethnic barriers just a...

Division is the story of our world beginning in Genesis 3. Every social and political institution, consisting of fallen mankind, will fail at bringing ultimate unity between peoples. But God, being rich in mercy, has acted to bring about ultimate reconciliation in the person and work of His Son, Jesus Christ. In this passage, Paul calls the church to remember that Christ h...

"with all humility and gentleness, with patience bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Eph. 4:2-3 "The portrait of the peacemaking Christ." John Stott "Keep in mind that the divide between Jews and Gentiles was not small or simple or shallow. It was huge and complex and deep. It was as intractable as any ethnic...

In a tumultuous season of conflict, we turn to Genesis chapter one where we join with the heavenly hosts and observe God's plan and design for humanity. This passage shows a biblical worldview on how those in a majority culture should view and relate to those who make up a minority in our country. As we look at these verses, we find what it means to be made in the image of...

On Sunday, Jeff exhorted us from Ezekiel 11 to remember God's promise of a new spirit and encouraged us to turn to Christ when we sin, when we are fearful, when we are wayward. Listen again and be encouraged....

"In a time of crisis, turmoil, conflict, a pastor, above all else needs to keep his hand on his Bible." Jeff Purswell "The importance of human beings created in God's image can scarcely be exaggerated." Thomas Schreiner "The Bible does not begin with the creation of a special race of people. When the first human is introduced into the story he is simply called 'adam', wh...

As a church, we have anopportunityto partner with New Day Ministries--an organzation on the West side of Louisville seeking to provide care for those in need due to unrest in our city. New Day has established several sites throughout the city asplaces to gather needed supplies. One of those is The Marketing Squad. This coming Tuesday, from 8:30am-5:30pm members of the com...

"Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is unwashedAnd the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, 'Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands.'" Mark 7:1-2; 5 "Life, death, hell and worlds ...

The Apostle Paul says he has learned the "secret" of being content, but for most of us, the path to contentment seems murky. We are easily drawn into discontent by advertising, comparison with friends and neighbors, and our own insatiable desires. It turns out, this secret is hiding in plain sight in the Word of God. Over the four weeks of this Sunday Class, we will explor...

In chapter 7, Mark sets the scene for a conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders over ceremonial washing. Instead of answering the Pharisees' question, Jesus addresses the true nature of defilement before God; a sinful heart. Remarkably, Jesus declares all foods clean and all human hearts unclean. As J.C. Ryle wrote, "Every man has within him the root of every sin"...

Considering the recent death of George Floyd and the increasing tension across the nation and in our own city, God's Word must inform how we, as believers, are to feel and act in response to such events. For the original audience, Micah 6:8 addresses many injustices that were taking place in Israel at the time. CJ points out that the three commands in verse eight are evide...

In our call to worship from Psalm 10, Jeff pointed us to hard-won words of faithwords that direct our hearts to God in the midst of injustice and confusion and fear. Listen again and be encouraged. ...