July 2015

Following Jesus 90

The Smyrna Church. Revelation 2:8-11. The Persecuted Church. 
 
The Smyrna Church. Revelation 2:8-11. The Persecuted Church. 
 
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘the words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation.

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you.

Reformation Societies is a fraternal of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Reformation Societies and the mission of the Alliance.

Following Jesus 89

Churches in general, and followers of Jesus in particular, may leave their love for God for one of the following: 
 
Churches in general, and followers of Jesus in particular, may leave their love for God for one of the following: 
 
  • Silver. Money. I Timothy 6:6-10; Hebrews 13:5; Psalm 37:7, 17; Proverbs 23:4-5. 
  • Sloth; A lazy love and longing to be entertained. Proverbs 13:4; Colossians 3:23; 2 Thessalonians 3:10. Perhaps through drugs, alcohol, the media, games, etc. 
  • Sexual Immorality. I Thessalonians 4:1-8; I Corinthians 6:15-20. 
  • Selfishness. A love of self.

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you.

Reformation Societies is a fraternal of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Reformation Societies and the mission of the Alliance.

Following Jesus 88

In what way(s) may a church fail in its divine mission? It is within the fourth verse of Revelation 2 that Jesus gives a solemn indictment to any and all churches as He speaks to one particular church. 
 
In what way(s) may a church fail in its divine mission? It is within the fourth verse of Revelation 2 that Jesus gives a solemn indictment to any and all churches as He speaks to one particular church. 
 
“But I have this against you that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” A church which is failing is the church which has divorced itself, rejected, dismissed and departed from its first and foremost priority. Notice that the church freely abandoned itself from this preeminent object of their love.

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you.

Reformation Societies is a fraternal of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Reformation Societies and the mission of the Alliance.

Following Jesus 87

How does a church excel in the sight of God? Revelation 2:1-7 explains that an excellent church is one which works. Jesus said, “I know your works.” To work means to fulfill one’s responsibilities, whatever they may be. 
 
How does a church excel in the sight of God? Revelation 2:1-7 explains that an excellent church is one which works. Jesus said, “I know your works.” To work means to fulfill one’s responsibilities, whatever they may be. 
 
An excellent church not only works, but it also toils. Work is one thing, but toil is something else entirely. Toil refers to difficult work, trouble and labor or work done during troubling circumstances. 
 
But an excellent church, in the midst of its toilsome work, endures.

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you.

Reformation Societies is a fraternal of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Reformation Societies and the mission of the Alliance.

Following Jesus 86

Today, we again come to this time for biblical content, Christ-centered content, logical content, and content resulting in obedience to God.  
 
Today, we again come to this time for biblical content, Christ-centered content, logical content, and content resulting in obedience to God.  
 
Let’s begin looking at seven churches. These churches are found in Revelation 2-3. They are seven churches like the one you and I attend and are a part of. Then again, perhaps not! Let us take a look. We begin with the Church at Ephesus, Revelation 2:1-7. 
 
Where and how does a church excel in the sight of God?

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you.

Reformation Societies is a fraternal of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Reformation Societies and the mission of the Alliance.

Following Jesus 85

In Acts 2:14-41, the Apostle Peter preached the very first sermon containing the good news of the gospel. It was the first time the gospel was preached by an individual following the life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. What Peter preached is an enduring example for each and every pastor called and commissioned by God to preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:1-5). Like Peter on the Day of Pentecost, a pastor is commanded to preach a (1) Biblical sermon; a (2) Christ-centered sermon; a (3) logical sermon; and (4) an obedient unto God sermon. 
 
In Acts 2:14-41, the Apostle Peter preached the very first sermon containing the good news of the gospel. It was the first time the gospel was preached by an individual following the life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. What Peter preached is an enduring example for each and every pastor called and commissioned by God to preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:1-5).

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you.

Reformation Societies is a fraternal of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Reformation Societies and the mission of the Alliance.

Following Jesus 84

The Apostle explains that first there is fellowship with Christ. Vs. 1. “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,”
 
God’s vision for the church is to glorify Him (I Corinthians 10:31). The goal, aspiration and focus of the church is to bring God glory, honor and praise. The way in which this is to be done is not up for speculation. Rather, God has given us specific instructions as to how to go about glorifying Him. This is accomplished by God centered worship, evangelism, ministry, discipleship and finally the fellowship by followers of Jesus with God and with one another. 
What are biblical characteristics of God glorifying fellowship? Ephesians 4:1-3 provides insight.

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you.

Reformation Societies is a fraternal of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Reformation Societies and the mission of the Alliance.

Following Jesus 83

God’s vision for the church is to glorify Him (I Corinthians 10:31). The goal, aspiration and focus of the church is to bring God glory, honor and praise. The way in which this is to be done is not up for speculation. Rather, God has given us specific instructions as to how to go about glorifying Him. This is accomplished by God centered worship, evangelism, ministry, discipleship and finally the fellowship by followers of Jesus with God and with one another.
 
God’s vision for the church is to glorify Him (I Corinthians 10:31). The goal, aspiration and focus of the church is to bring God glory, honor and praise. The way in which this is to be done is not up for speculation. Rather, God has given us specific instructions as to how to go about glorifying Him. This is accomplished by God centered worship, evangelism, ministry, discipleship and finally the fellowship by followers of Jesus with God and with one another.
 
What are biblical characteristics of God glorifying fellowship? Ephesians 4:1-3 provides insight.

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you.

Reformation Societies is a fraternal of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Reformation Societies and the mission of the Alliance.

Following Jesus 82

God’s vision for the church is to glorify Him (I Corinthians 10:31). The goal, aspiration and focus of the church is to bring God glory, honor and praise. The way in which this is to be done is not up for speculation. Rather, God has given us specific instructions as to how to go about glorifying Him. This is accomplished by God centered worship, evangelism, ministry, discipleship and finally the fellowship by followers of Jesus with God and with one another. 
 
God’s vision for the church is to glorify Him (I Corinthians 10:31). The goal, aspiration and focus of the church is to bring God glory, honor and praise. The way in which this is to be done is not up for speculation. Rather, God has given us specific instructions as to how to go about glorifying Him. This is accomplished by God centered worship, evangelism, ministry, discipleship and finally the fellowship by followers of Jesus with God and with one another. 
 
What are biblical characteristics of God glorifying fellowship?

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you.

Reformation Societies is a fraternal of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Reformation Societies and the mission of the Alliance.

Following Jesus 81

God’s vision for the church is to glorify Him (1 Corinthians 10:31). The goal, aspiration and focus of the church is to bring God glory, honor and praise. The way in which this is to be done is not up for speculation. Rather, God has given us specific instructions as to how to go about glorifying Him. This is accomplished by God centered worship, evangelism, ministry, discipleship and finally the fellowship by followers of Jesus with God and with one another.
 
God’s vision for the church is to glorify Him (1 Corinthians 10:31). The goal, aspiration and focus of the church is to bring God glory, honor and praise. The way in which this is to be done is not up for speculation. Rather, God has given us specific instructions as to how to go about glorifying Him. This is accomplished by God centered worship, evangelism, ministry, discipleship and finally the fellowship by followers of Jesus with God and with one another.
 
To begin with, what exactly is fellowship?

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you.

Reformation Societies is a fraternal of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Reformation Societies and the mission of the Alliance.

PLACE FOR TRUTH

What David Received

Reformation 21

Augustine Against Gnosticism