Confronting False Notions of Thanksgiving
How does Paul's theology of thanksgiving confront false notions of thanksgiving in our culture?...
Keep ReadingActing with Hope in the Pandemic
Our Lord has purposed to prolong the COVID-19 pandemic, and we believe it is both wise and loving to continue not meeting for Sunday gatherings or in groups of more than 10. We might experience several more weeks of temporary confinement. But God’s word remains unbound, unrestricted. As we observed from Acts, no obstacle is too great for God’s word. His kingdom marches on. The question is whether we have the spiritual eyes to see it and the willingness to participate in it. In that light, here are some ways to act…...
Response to COVID-19
We find ourselves facing a present distress. COVID-19 represents a significant and disruptive event. National and local health officials strongly recommend limiting public gatherings. In response, the elders believe that we ought to follow these recommendations in the best interest of our neighbors, especially the most vulnerable among us. Trusting in the Lord, we are responding with the following measures:...
Does James Contradict Paul on Justification?
James 2 has challenged the church for centuries. Based on Paul’s teaching in Romans 3:28, Reformed Protestants have confessed that justification is by faith alone apart from works. Yet James asserts that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone (Jas 2:24). So the question becomes, “Does James contradict Paul?” Since the Holy Spirit inspired both James and Paul, we must answer No. Rather, the following observations demonstrate how the two complement one another....
Jesus' Resurrection Changes Everything
What does the resurrection of Jesus mean? What makes it so significant for the world?...
Filling Your Soul with Scripture
The world has other false stories it wants us living by, as does our flesh and the devil. But only God’s story is true. He sees things about ourselves and the world that we cannot see but desperately need to see; and he has written it down for the sake of our eternal joy in him. Therefore, O how much we should fill our souls with the written word of God! ...
Idols of the Heart
The King and God of time and space, Who chose to grant to me His grace, Holds out His scepter - bids me stand Close to His heart, under His hand. He calls me friend, though well He knows My fickle heart will oft oppose......
Killing Racism & Ethnic Prejudice
The Lord’s word speaks pointedly to so many issues we face. Some months ago, our church studied Paul’s speech before the Areopagus in Acts 17:16-34. It took two Sundays, but we drew several inferences. One inference spoke directly to an issue that many, for varying reasons, have been thinking about afresh: racism. Acts 17 gives us at least four truths about all people that, when embraced rightly and applied comprehensively, kill racism....
Childcare Responsibility & Intentionality
Sunday morning the Houston Chronicle published the first in a series of articles investigating numerous sexual abuse cases in Southern Baptist contexts. The Chronicle’s report serves as a sobering reminder for all of us to ensure the best care for our children. Here are several principles that guide Redeemer Church when it comes to protecting the most vulnerable in our midst....
The God-centered Life Is One of Thanksgiving
Of all the thanksgiving words and concepts in the New Testament, over seventy-five percent appear in Paul’s letters alone. Here are seven observations about thanksgiving from Paul's letters....
Confronting False Notions of Thanksgiving
How does Paul's theology of thanksgiving confront false notions of thanksgiving in our culture?...
The Importance of Church Membership
What is the biblical rationale for church membership? ...
Keep ReadingBaptism & Receiving the Spirit
In the book of Acts, how does water baptism relate to receiving the Holy Spirit?...
Keep ReadingThe Only Cure
For Paul, the attitudes and perspectives of “the world” which needed to be crucified were his boasting in his Jewish pedigree and works of law-righteousness. For others, it may be a commitment to one’s career, or even to one’s own family. And for some, like myself, it can be a preoccupation with Christian ministry...
Keep Reading8 Ways to Fight Sexual Temptation (Part 2)
Pornography is one expression of sexual immorality inundating our culture.[i] Grievously, it’s far too common in the church as well. Covenant Eyes reports that “64% of Christian men and 15% of Christian women say they watch porn at least once a month.”[ii] Such statistics hardly represent the biblical imperative: “sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness ...
Keep Reading8 Reasons You Must Flee Pornography (Part 1)
The following reasons remain part of my own arsenal in the fight against lust and sexual immorality. I share them to equip you in the same fight. Part two will come soon, where I develop eight ways to fight sexual temptation. Until then please consider these seriously, especially those of you who may be looking at and thinking about porn. Some of my comments are geared tow...
Keep ReadingHow has Redeemer Church been a blessing to you?
At our 13th anniversary church picnic we asked members, new and old, the following question: how has your participation in the community of Redeemer Church been a blessing to you?...
Keep ReadingRedeemer Church 2018 Anniversary
A poem written by Tyrone Benson for Redeemer Church's 13th Anniversary Together...
Keep ReadingA Bit on Family Worship
What is family worship and how does one go about it? Several years ago, a brother in our congregation asked me this question. Here was my response....
Keep ReadingWhy Plant Churches? Four theological reasons...
Vision in the local church is what the Bible tells us God wants for us, in us, and through us to the praise of his glory in Jesus Christ. Based on the observations below, it is our conviction that an important part of the Bible’s vision for local churches is for them to plant more local churches, where new disciples can manifest God’s kingdom on earth and submit to one...
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