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Redeemer Bible Church Blog

Worship

Worship

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16

 Singing praises to Jesus is a natural result of being born again to new spiritual life. When we learn the good news of who Jesus is and what He has done upon the cross that our sins might be forgiven, the word of Christ begins to dwell within us. You have to make decisions about what you believe about these things. Do you believe that Jesus really rose from the dead? When you believe what you have learned, knowledge becomes faith. What was once a curiosity becomes a passion. Jesus, who was once far off, becomes more precious to you than anyone. Where you once knew so little about Him, you now seek every day to know Him more through studying the Bible. You want more and more of His words filling your thoughts and shaping your life. This is the point where you begin to understand what Paul wrote about the word of Christ dwelling richly in you! You want to memorize the words of Jesus, write them where you can be reminded of them, and tell them to your friends and children in times of trouble.

 We then enter into the community of the church and, in love, begin to “teach and admonish” each other wisely with the words of the Bible. All this culminates in the congregation being filled by the Holy Spirit to sing praises together – psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs – expressing truth in song. Christian congregational singing is a special activity where people joyfully and together turn truth into song and add even more beauty to already beautiful truths. God would have us sing to Him. He has given us this ability and would have us use it, above all, to bring glory to His name. The risen King Jesus is worthy of our praise!

 Part of what motivates us is thankfulness from the heart: an overflowing thankfulness for forgiveness of sin, the removal of the guilt of sin, the unspeakable joy of free grace through Jesus, eternal life, a new identity in Jesus, and peace that passes understanding. This deep thankfulness is not fake, it’s deeply seated in the heart. It makes you want to sing – loudly and joyfully.

 I’m thankful for the gospel-teaching churches I was raised in, but one of their significant weaknesses was worship. One of the first times I remember as a teen being moved by musical worship was at a Promise Keepers rally. These were large events that revolved around calling men to deeper devotion to Christ. Much emphasis was put on men truly singing biblical truth with a full and thankful heart. It was powerful, authentic worship, and I know Jesus was pleased to hear thousands of men sing that were thankful to God for His grace.

But during all that time, I never heard a sermon like Bob preached last week. No one explained to me, from the Bible, how worshipping God can and should involve even more than our voices. We should prepare our hearts for congregational worship through confession, prayer, and time in Scripture. We should seek the presence and filling of the Holy Spirit, and we should engage in worship with our voices and the posture of our body. Our worship should involve our entire person.

I distinctly remember the first time I felt deeply moved to raise my hands to honor the Lord as I sang in church. No one else had their hands raised, and it was going to be weird to have my hand raised when no one else did. But I had reached a point in my Christian life where I was determined to obey the leadings of the Holy Spirit. I raised my hand and sang with a full heart of thankfulness to Jesus. It was like I had been freed from something. I have never felt inhibited again in raising my hands to God as I sing.

There is no specific way that we are commanded to sing, or certain set of things we are to do as we sing, but there are important principles we must not ignore. First, the Lord God is worthy of worship – and He will be worshipped (Psalm 113:2-3, Malachi 1:11). The name of Jesus will be worshipped among the nations. He is God, and He is the Savior. He is worthy to be praised.

Second, singing together at church is about God being worshipped by you being involved in congregational praise. Musical worship on Sunday morning is not about people performing something for you to listen to and experience. They are playing music to lead us all in praising Jesus together. I’m always grieved when my heart is overflowing with joy to Jesus, and I look over the congregation and see people standing stone still, not singing a word. They stand in the midst of worshippers, not worshipping. It’s always shocking to me and turns my joy to sadness. It causes me to pray for these people, that they may come to understand the fullness and glory of who Jesus is.

If you are one of those people that does not sing, I urge you to spend more time prayerfully reading the Bible this week. Fill your heart with more of the words of Christ. Draw near to Jesus in personal relationship. Confess your sins. Pray to Jesus about the things that trouble you. Live out your Christian faith in sacrificial obedience and love. You will find that you have plenty to sing about on Sunday. And it doesn’t matter if you can’t sing well. This is part of God’s plan in singing together as the church. Your voice will blend with others, and the result is always beautiful when the song is from a thankful heart.

Whoever you are, if you think singing is embarrassing and not for you – you’re wrong. When you feel the tug of the Holy Spirit on your heart, obey and sing. You may start timidly, but press to honor God with a full heart. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit concerning the posture of your body, whatever is appropriate for the work the Holy Spirit is doing in your heart at the moment (joy, thankfulness, confession of sin, praying for those in need, etc…).

Lastly, we are admonished in the Bible to be “doers” of the Word and not merely hearers (James 1:19-27). Singing with a full and thankful heart is an important part of “doing” obedience. Intentionally not singing when you know you should withholds honor from the Lord and is sinful. Be a part of the worshipping congregation of the church. Sing! Obey the leading of the Holy Spirit and may God the Father look down upon us in the field and be pleased by what He hears!

May our voices reach the heavens,

Pastor Vic

Suffered–Part 5

“Everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For He will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging Him, they will kill Him, and on the third day He will rise.” Luke 18:31b-33

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate …

Who was Pontius Pilate and why would his actions be included in an essential expression of Christian faith? Let’s begin with the fact that Pontius Pilate was a real Roman governor and judge. The purpose of noting this is that the record of Christ’s suffering is not one of mythology and legend. The sufferings of Christ were real, and the effect of His real atoning sacrifice will be our real eternal salvation. Through Jesus we are delivered from the penalty of sin and death.

 Jesus’ entire ministry was directed toward the cross. The cross was the cup of suffering and wrath that He would drink to the bottom. It is essential to note that Jesus was innocent in His suffering; he was falsely accused. The gospel accounts of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion record that the Jews pressed for His crucifixion from unbelief in His claim to be the Son of God, and from jealousy of His popularity with the masses. From Pilate’s perspective, crucifying Jesus was the most politically expedient way to calm a riotous crowd and consolidate his political power. Pilate even admitted publicly that Jesus was innocent. However, all these conflicting and sinful motives ultimately worked out the purposes of God that Jesus might be put to death in His innocence as the Lamb of God.

The sufferings of Christ were atoning and substitutional. Jesus was pierced for our transgressions crushed for our sins (Isaiah 53:5). The sufferings of Jesus unto death were more than sufficient to pay the price of justice before God. Jesus suffered according to the will of God, but Jesus was motivated by love – a love for you and me. Obligation and duty were not His motivation. Jesus went to the cross for the “joy” set before Him of accomplishing the salvation of His beloved children (Hebrews 12:2, John 1:12).

However, the sufferings of Christ were not only physical. In His death, the wrath of God toward sin was poured out on Jesus. In His just anger, God the Father turned His favor and face away from Jesus. Jesus was forsaken on the cross because of the sins of the world counted against Him (Matthew 27:45-50). In His resurrection from the dead, Jesus overcame death.

By grace through faith, we are not destined for the wrath of God (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11). We are sparred by the substitution of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:11-12)! We will receive the blessing and reward of being counted righteous in Christ! Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate so that we might not have to face death and judgment before God (2 Corinthians 5:21). In Jesus, we will receive eternal life, a place in the Kingdom of God, a place of welcome at His table … but not yet.

It is the will of God, that as we live this life, we take up our cross and join Jesus in His sufferings. By sharing in difficulty and hardship, we do not expect to rise above the station of Jesus Our Savior. We expect in this life we will be poured out for the sake of accomplishing God’s will. Like the Apostle Paul, we count all that the world has to offer as loss in light of the opportunity to have eternal life and personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord. “The way of glory comes through the way of the cross” (Mohler). The fullness of the Kingdom of God will not come in this life. His Kingdom is not of this world. Now is a time of sowing, a time of labor, a time to be poured out to accomplish the will of God. Now is a time of dying to self, a time to go into the world making disciples of Jesus Christ, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commanded.

As we go into a time of the Lord’s Supper this Sunday, consider reading over the words written long ago by Isaac Watts in the hymn “When I Survey the Wonderous Cross.” Consider Jesus who suffered under Pontius Pilate. He suffered for you that you might be forgiven of your sins and have eternal life.

May you believe in Jesus today!

Pastor Vic

Virgin Birth–Part 4

“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary …“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” See Luke 1:26-38

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary … –The Apostles’ Creed

              Jesus’ ministry began and ended with dramatic and unprecedented supernatural events. A supernatural event consists of something that cannot be explained except for the action of God upon the world from outside the natural order of things. The ministry of Jesus began with His conception within a virgin young woman and ended with His permanent resurrection from the dead. It is a hallmark of theological liberalism to be embarrassed over these two essential teachings of Scripture. They are embarrassed for the very reason that they cannot be explained by science and they cannot be accounted for by anything other than a divine work of God. They are both included in the ancient Apostles’ Creed because they are both essential to rightly understand who Jesus is. The virgin birth of Jesus Christ is essential Christian doctrine.

              The Gospels record that Jesus was conceived by a sovereign act of God and born of a virgin. This is very significant for at least three reasons. First, Jesus was born according to the will and timing of God the Father, not according to the will or action of a man. However, Jesus was born of a woman and did not simply appear or descend from heaven. In this Holy Spirit initiated human birth, we have the beginning of Jesus as truly God and truly man. Jesus was not a man indwelled by the Holy Spirit, or a spirit that appeared to be physical. Jesus was a mysterious fusion of God and man, and this begins at the virgin birth.

              Second, this miraculous conception points to how Jesus is conceived without sin. According to Scripture, all who descend from Adam inherit from him the guilt of humanity. We are born with a corrupt nature, dead in our trespasses and sins (2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 5:18-19). By having no earthly father, the normal pattern of conception and birth is broken. A new line begins with Jesus. He is spoken of as the “second Adam,” come to do perfectly where the first Adam failed (1 Corinthians 15:20-49).

              Third, the virgin birth speaks directly to the miraculous nature of God’s redemption. Carl F. H. Henry writes, “The fact that Jesus is born of the Virgin Mary shows the work of incarnation and reconciliation involves a definite intervening act on the part of God Himself.” Similar to how Jesus was not a man that became enlightened and morally better over a period of time and learning, our salvation is not a gradual plan of learning and self-betterment over time. The redemption of each and every Christian is a work of God to intervene and save. We begin in spiritual death and are made alive by God (Ephesians 2:1-10). From death we are born again to spiritual life (John 3:3-17). Our hearts of stone are made into hearts of living flesh (Ezekiel 11:19-21). We were blind but now we can see (John 1:1-13). We are taken from a kingdom of darkness into a kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13-14). All these beautiful analogies point to the work of God that we respond to by faith. However, this intervening saving work of God is ALL of grace, undeserved and brought about by the favor of God (John 1:12-13).

              As mentioned earlier, the modern secular world is often embarrassed by, or rejects, anything that cannot be quantified in a laboratory. Such people lack faith, and for them the virgin birth teaching of Scripture is relegated to myth. The rejection of the supernatural aspects of Jesus’ life and ministry ultimately caused influential liberal theologians like Adolph von Harnack, Rudolph Bultmann, and Wolfhart Pannenberg to only accept Jesus as a moral reformer, or the New Testament as a collection of myths to “save” Christianity from modern embarrassment. In these conclusions they depart from biblical Christianity and depart from the ancient orthodox confessions of faith passed to us from the early church. These questions and definitions matter. It’s not enough to say that “You just believe in Jesus!” with no definition to what that means. You must ask yourself, and you must ask those you interact with, what basic essentials you believe about Jesus.

May we gladly accept that Jesus was born of a virgin, come to save His people from their sins,

Pastor Vic

< This is part four in a series of articles on the Apostles’ Creed. If you have missed previous articles, they can be found on the church blog. To learn more about the Apostles’ Creed read: “The Apostles’ Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits” by Albert Mohler. >

Men’s Ministry

Men’s Ministry

Exciting things are happening at Redeemer! God has led Redeemer to launch two new ministries—a men’s mentoring ministry and a missions ministry.  

Iron sharpens iron and one man sharpens another (Pro 27:17)

The purpose of the men’s ministry is to come along side men and encourage them in their walk with the Lord. God has placed men in a leadership role within their families and the Church. Our hope is to counter the current cultural philosophies of secular humanism through biblical teaching, fellowship and leadership in the home, church, and community. We need to reach out to unsaved men, as well, and build relationships with the intention of sharing the Gospel. To accomplish this goal, we are planning the first annual men’s event, Legacy, Sunday July 18, at 6:30pm.  We will gather men for a time of worship and teaching.  Paul Sok will be our speaker and Coleson Herron will be our worship leader. We are going to provide an opportunity for men to register for the event to get a good head count. This will be a great time of fellowship.

In addition, we are currently working to establish a men’s mentoring ministry to encourage Christian men who desire to have a deeper walk with Christ through the mentoring of other spiritually mature men. More information to come on this aspect of the ministry.

Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Our mission’s ministry has several opportunities coming up to fulfill the Great Commission.

Hope of Appalachia Virginia, led by Mike and Lisa Dodson, is a ministry to the rural areas of southeastern Kentucky.  They work with local schools in poor areas to perform evangelism and discipleship activities.  We are working to partner with Mike and Lisa to conduct a trip this fall or in the spring of 2022.

Josiah Luttrull, IMB Missionary to Rwanda, and his family are stationed in Kigali, Rwanda, Africa and minister to the student community and rural areas outside Kigali.  Their primary mission is to preach the Gospel, teach, and disciple the people of Kigali.  We are planning a trip in September to work alongside Josiah to evangelize, teach, and build relationships. Pray that God will open the hearts and minds of those we will be teaching.

IMB missionaries, Nathan and Tessa Baker, are located in Madagascar.  We are hoping to partner with them in the future to reach an engaged, but unreached people group in the region of Sihanaka. Missionaries in that region, Olivia and Narindra, are working with the Malagasy Biblical Baptist Church.  Unfortunately, we currently are not able to travel to Madagascar due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Please pray for God’s direction as we move forward with the ministries.   

 In His Service,

Rodney Swann

Jesus, Lord and Savior–Part 3

“He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 16:15-17

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord … The Apostles’ Creed

 All true Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. As with Simon Peter, this reality is revealed to each Christian as a work of the Lord in their heart. To this revelation of the true nature of Jesus, we respond in faith. We don’t believe in an empty name. We don’t believe in one who can merely help us live better and more fulfilled lives. We don’t follow a wise teacher named Jesus. We believe that Jesus Christ is the long-awaited Savior (“the Christ”) and “the Son of the living God.” During His ministry on earth Jesus claimed to be the “only begotten” (John 3:16) Son of God, to be one with God the Father (John 10:30), and the only way of salvation from judgement to come (John 14:6). Those who crucified Jesus long ago understood that He made these claims, and they hated Him for it. They rejected Jesus’ teaching, prophetic fulfillment, and miracles. They did not believe.

 Today, many would say that they believe in Jesus Christ, but cannot define what is behind that wonderful name. Also, there are those who know what the Bible teaches about the person and work of Jesus Christ, but choose to reject and redefine Jesus. They want a Jesus that affirms them, not the biblical Jesus who preached a gospel of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. If we are to believe in Jesus, we must believe at least three basic things.

 First, Jesus is the second person of the Trinity. The Bible teaches that God exists eternally as one God in three persons – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Three divine persons – one God. Jesus is God the Son. He is eternally existing as God. Jesus participated in the creation of the world and will one day judge the world in holiness. In the midst of these things, He was born of virgin. God with us – Emanuel.

 Second, Jesus was born to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). Jesus was not born into the world to inspire us. Jesus was not born into the world to be a political leader. Jesus was born to live a sinless life and to be the atoning sacrifice for sin, that His elect people might be saved. Jesus was born to be the Savior of the world! He was born at the proper time to fulfill all prophecy spoken of Him from ages past.

 Third, Jesus is Lord. For many ages this is what Christians have proclaimed at baptism. Jesus is our Savior and our Lord. When we believe in Jesus Christ and follow after Him in discipleship, we submit to His Lordship. This means that we submit to His authority in all things. The ways of Jesus are not suggestions and are not meant to be therapeutic. Jesus’ teaching and commands are not open for cultural re-interpretation. Those who believe in Jesus and submit to His Lordship are radically changed to walk in a way that is counter to this world. By a changed heart and a renewed mind, we are not conformed to this world (Romans 12:1-2). There always has been, and always will be, a significant difference between the words, actions, and ways of those who follow Jesus Christ and those who follow after this world.

On a final note, please take very seriously the beautiful and precious name of Jesus. It is the intentional name given by the angel Gabriel (Matthew 1:21). Always speak highly of our Lord Jesus. Sing His precious name in worship. Use His precious name in prayer, but hear the will of the Lord in Exodus 20:7. Never use the precious name of Jesus as a curse word. Never use the Lord’s name in vain.

I believe in Jesus Christ our Lord,

Pastor Vic

Creation–Part 2

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1


I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth …
The Apostles’ Creed


All Christians believe that God created the world. The Bible begins with God
creating the world ex nihilo (out of noting) by the word of His power. The Old Testament
refers to God countless times and in many ways, as the Creator of heaven and earth
(the spiritual and the physical). Jesus affirms this reality, and it is further clarified in the
later New Testament. In the final book of Revelation, Jesus refers to Himself as the
“first and the last” (Revelation 1:17). He began all things and He will end all things. It is
impossible to be a Christian and reject the reality that God is our Creator. To reject this
constant foundation of revelation in the Bible, is to reject an essential belief of
Christianity.


We live in a non-Christian society that openly advocates that the origin of the
world was an accident. Secular professors and philosophers alike will argue adamantly
that the world has come to pass through random time and chance, and that there is no
God. These same secular scientists will spend their careers attempting to explain how
such shocking symmetry, ecological balance, artistic beauty, and mathematical
precision could possibly result from chaos and chance. These same secular
philosophers will spend their careers attempting to explain how there can possibly be
meaning and ethical imperatives in a world that resulted from non-directed material
chance. However, both of these secular professions have in common one starting
presupposition. No matter what evidence they encounter, or what their inner
conscience tells them, they reject the notion of a Creator God. They refuse to believe in
Creation. They will not submit themselves to the authority of a Creator.


The Bible tells us that the world, and all that is in it, was created by God with
beauty, balance, purpose, incredible diversity, and goodness. It should not surprise us,
that even after many thousands of years of decay, the world still bears these marks.
When we get out into nature we see these marks. When we visit natural parks we don’t
see chaos and random things in flux between one state and another. What we see is
shocking, living, artistic beauty that is complex beyond all imagination and scientific
exploration. What we see is a part of the mind of God made, or created, into reality.

In the first few chapters of Genesis we read about important distinctions that
cannot be overlooked. These distinctions define our understanding of the world and
are part of the foundation of our worldview as Christians. First, there is a distinction
between God and humanity. God is the creator and we are the creation. We are NOT
God, but we are beings created by God with purpose and goodness. Second, we see
the distinction between man and woman. God did not create one sex, but two distinct
sexes with a purposeful relationship between each other. Third, is the clear distinction
between humanity (man and woman) and the rest of the animal kingdom. Humanity is a
distinct creation of God, created in God’s image.


The secular evolutionist denies God as Creator and also denies all of the
essential distinctions. With the evolutionist, men and women are put in the place of
God, deciding their own truth and purpose. With the evolutionist, the distinction
between male and female fades away as a thing of lower evolution. More evolved
beings will be able to fully create their own reality according to their own desires. The
evolutionist insists that we have come up from the animal kingdom and have no
standing that is fundamentally different. What you believe concerning these distinctions
will radically reshape your life; educationally, politically, morally, sexually, and every
other aspect of the life you live.


What does it mean that humanity was created in the image of God? This means
that God created men and women, distinct from the animal world and with shared
character with God. We are distinct from God, infinitely lower in the order of our being,
but we also share attributes with God. God has given every human being a soul and a
moral sense, by this we are aware of the existence of God and have the opportunity for
relationship with God. By the gospel of Jesus Christ, we might be forgiven our sins,
and come into a personal relationship with God by faith. We have a moral sense that
the way things are in this sinful world are not the way they should be. Animals do not
possess these wonderful attributes.

The great question is, “How?” How could God create the world? The basic
answer is that creation was the first and greatest miracle of God. Hebrews 11:3 is very
clear, “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so
that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” Being a Christian means
that you believe that God exists and that He acts in the world. God acting into the
world is “super” natural (from outside the natural order). We believe in creation by faith.
You cannot be a Christian apart from faith. There is plenty of evidence, but no amount
of evidence allows a person to by-pass faith. If this is a stumbling block for you, I urge
you to read the many books and articles published defending the idea that that there is
no final conflict between science and Christian faith. There is no conflict whatsoever
between the daily science of researchers and Christianity. The conflict begins to enter
in when scientists attempt to explain origins with the hard presupposition that there is
not, and cannot, be a God.


Lastly, why did God create the world? God created the world that He might be
glorified by His creation. The opportunity for us as human beings to have a relationship
with God, opens the door for us to join the angels in worshipping and glorifying God!
“God ultimately created the cosmos for redemptive purposes. The agent of creation
becomes the agent of redemption.” The worst part of denying God as Creator is
hardening your heart and refusing to worship God as He deserves. When you honor
yourself and put yourself in the place of God, your false narrative for life will come
crashing down.


As Christians we believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and
earth. If you struggle with these things, I urge you to search them out. The truth of God
as Creator can withstand your greatest scrutiny.


May Christ be praised,
Pastor Vic


For more on the Apostles’ Creed see: “The Apostles’ Creed; Discovering Authentic
Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits” by Albert Mohle

Apostles’ Creed–Part 1

Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord; who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he arose from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, whence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen

              The Apostles’ Creed is the most ancient and widely accepted summary statement of the Christian faith. It’s almost 2000 years old and records for us the basic teachings of the Bible. As Jude 3 states, “The faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” We walk in ancient paths and believe eternal things. Yet our belief in Jesus does not grow old because His living reality does not change. He is the beginning and the end of all things (Revelation 1:8), and His years will have no end (Hebrews 1:10-12).

              We believe what the Apostles believed. We don’t believe in our personal emotional experiences, we believe in actual historical realities that were witnessed first-hand by the apostles. They spread out after the ascension of Jesus and became witnesses to all the world, that Christ was indeed crucified, dead, and buried – but on the third day raised from the dead. Albert Mohler is right in saying, “All Christians believe more than is contained in the Apostles’ Creed, but none can believe less.”

This creed is a basic confession of what the Bible teaches about the person of God and His saving work. It’s the basics of what every true Christian believes. In these beliefs all Christians must stand firm and stand together. I am going to work through each line of this Creed over the coming months in our newsletter helping you have a better grasp of basic Christian doctrine.

              “I believe in God …” Do you believe in God? It’s the first question we must all ask ourselves. The actual answer to this question will completely redirect your life. It’s a question that can be pushed to the back of your mind, but never pushed out. It’s a question you will have to face, in this life or the next. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 11:6, “Whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists …” The starting point of Christianity is the belief in a real, actual, self-existing, non-created God. This God is self-revealing, meaning He makes Himself known to us according to His will and His purposes. If God did not choose to reveal Himself, He would not be known by us. The Bible is revelation from God. If you want to know who God is and know His will for your life today, read the Bible. In the Bible we learn who we are in light of who God is. We begin to understand ourselves in relationship to the Almighty power of God.

              “The Father Almighty …” Jesus taught the apostles to address God as Father (Matthew 6:9). This is an amazingly personal way to address God. It demonstrates His personal love for us and that our relationship with God is not through a religious system, but according to the nearness of what father/child relationship should be. Through the love, goodness, patience, and gentleness of the self-sacrificing Christian God, we learn what fatherhood should be. Our human relationships are modeled after God’s love for us, not the other way around. However, the love of God as a Father includes absolute, almighty, authority. This absolute authority would be terrifying, as it is in false religions, if it were not paired with God’s goodness. But Fatherly love paired with absolute authority produces security and direction for our lives.

              Do you believe these things? I urge you to consider who God is and how He has revealed Himself in the Bible. If you would like to read more about these things, get a copy of “The Apostles’ Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits” by Albert Mohler.

May God the Father Almighty strengthen our faith today,

Pastor Vic

Authentic Christian Love

Authentic Christian Love

“We love because he first loved us.”
1 John 4:19
 

Authentic Christian love is unique.  It exists in a heart that celebrates the new life found only through faith in Jesus Christ.  Authentic Christian love is supernatural.  It is completely the work of God’s grace and is fueled by the Holy Spirit living inside of us.  This love does not seek to earn God’s favor by what we do, but instead longs to magnify God’s goodness in all that he has made us to be.  God’s love for us is beyond compare and is the catalyst for everything good in our lives.  Authentic Christian love is radical.  
 

As I am typing this message, I cannot help but think of specific families in our church who are modeling this type of authentic Christian love in their care for orphaned children.  I am so thankful for God’s grace in their lives.  Here are just a few (of many!) examples: 
 
One couple, despite a crazy season of life with busy jobs, graduate school and two small kids, became certified last year as foster parents.  Not because they needed more to do, but because they love Christ and long to serve him by loving those in need.  I found out today (3/9) that Social Services placed them with a two-week old infant this afternoon.  They didn’t know the call would come.  They don’t know what will happen with this child tomorrow or next week.  They probably will not sleep much tonight.  Yet, God’s love compels them to act.  Christian love is unique. 

Another couple in our church, with little information and on short notice, recently adopted a Liberian boy who was facing dire circumstances.  They had no idea how he would adjust to their family or receive them as parents.  Yet, because of their love for Christ, they willingly opened their hearts and lives to him no matter what the outcome.  In the months since arriving in their home, God’s grace in this situation has been profound.  This young boy recently placed his faith in Christ and was baptized last week! Christian love is supernatural. 

Lastly, another couple from our church was required to move out of state last year for work.  However, with their move came an unexpected work bonus.  Rather than spend the money on themselves, they gave over $15,000 to pay for the adoption I mentioned above.  Not for lack of their own financial needs or for personal recognition.  Instead, they gave out of an overflow of love for Jesus Christ and a desire to exalt his name through adoption.  Christian love is radical. 
 
At Redeemer Bible Church we long to model the sacrificial love of Christ in everything we do.  While caring for orphans is just one of many biblical ways to express this love, I would urge you to consider how you might become involved.  This Sunday after the 11:00 service, we will have a meeting to talk about our church’s Orphan Care Ministry.  Whether you are new to this ministry or are already plugged in, we invite you to come and hear from others, share your own story, and deepen our fellowship in the fulfillment of this biblical mandate.
 
We love because He first loved us.
 
In Christ,
 
Justin Woodruff

Give Thanks

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)

This rich passage begins with an emphatic double call to rejoice in the Lord! Our ability to rejoice in the Lord is independent of the circumstances of our lives. The character and eternal promises of God our Father are unchanging and ours fully by grace. Our hope for eternal life is accomplished by Jesus Christ. He will carry us through the struggles of each period of life (Psalm 37:25-26). He will carry us from our youth through our old age (Isaiah 46:3-4). In the faithfulness of the Lord, we must rejoice, for the “Lord is at hand.” The Lord Jesus is ever beside His children. He is at hand to keep us from stumbling (Psalm 37:23-24). As a perfect Father, he makes a way for His will to be accomplished in the life of each of His children.

To this good Father, we give ALL our anxieties in prayer. We must not harbor anxiety about anything, but continuously give our cares to the Lord. The words “anything” and “everything” are not used here by accident. The righteous will live by faith (Roman 1:17). This means that tomorrow is unknown because that’s the way the Lord has designed things to work. The Lord would have us dependent on Him every day, as children are dependent upon a father for protection and provision. The more independent we are, the more anxious we will be.

In everything, we are to pour our anxieties and requests out to the Lord, but this passage guards us against becoming demanding, depressed, or greedy by directing us to always give thanks. In everything, we are to give thanks. Sometimes this is easy, and sometimes this will make you really stop and think. But stopping to think about what you have to be thankful for regularly each day will dramatically change your perspective. With a little thought, you will find there is always much to be thankful for. The issue is whether we will fixate on what we don’t have and what is going wrong, or whether we will turn our heart toward what we do have and what is going well.

This prayer of thanksgiving is followed by presenting our requests to God, but the rejoicing and thanksgiving must always come first. In fact, prayerful rejoicing and thanksgiving will shape our requests and lift our hearts. It is right to pray about your anxieties and ask God for what you need, but realize that your Heavenly Father who watches over you so carefully, already knows what you need (Matthew 6:8). Day after day, year after year that you live by faith in this way, the Lord will prove Himself faithful and good. Over time, an overwhelming sense of peace will guard your heart.

Peace is a fruit of God’s Spirit. This means that God’s Spirit brings about a powerful sense of peace in our hearts following a time of prayerful rejoicing, thanksgiving, and giving the Lord your anxieties and requests. You cannot achieve a powerful sense of peace in your soul through diet, yoga, quiet music, or being outside. These things can slow you down, but even after these things, the sense that life is too big for you to control will quickly creep back in. Peace comes from knowing that God is in control, and He’s close at hand watching over you – even as you sleep (Psalm 4:8).

The elder board is deeply grateful for the godliness and willing heart of each of these men and women to take up devoted service in this church. It is by the joyful, Spirit-filled, and sacrificial service of EACH church member that this church will continue to thrive in health, meet the needs God brings to our door, and reach the lost of our area with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Have you found a place of service yet in the church? It is the Lord’s will that you not just come to service and receive. You are blessed by God so that you can be a blessing to others. Below is a list of ministry areas that may be right for you!

* Children’s ministry volunteer: Contact Sherry Morgan

* Prayer ministry: Contact Mike Patterson

* Greeting ministry: Contact Christine Lindahl

* Musical Worship: Contact Will Thorpe

* Youth ministry: Contact Mark or Kimberly Alexander

* Sound and video tech needs: Contact Dwayne Reynolds

* Prison ministry: Contact Laura Curry

* Ministry to the Poor and needy: Contact Kristin Frezza

* Pregnancy support / abortion alternatives: Contact Melissa Rhodes

* Orphan care ministry: Contact Justin Woodruff

* Disaster relief: Contact Dwayne Reynolds

* Meals for those in need inside our church (meal trains): Contact Maria Carpenter

* Building needs: Benjamin Pennington

* Set-up / break-down needs: Travis Elkins

May we each find joy in service to the Lord and to each other,

Pastor Vic

Book Review: Praying The Bible

By Mike Patterson
Spotswood West Elder (Prayer)

Admittedly, one of the areas of my Christian faith where I’ve struggled the most has been with prayer. It’s hard to get into a good rhythm. It’s easy to get distracted. My mind wanders all over the place. It’s even easy to fall asleep. I’ve tried several different methods to help with developing a good habit of prayer. But one of the best ways is one I was introduced to while reading the book, Praying the Bible. 

Author, Don Whitney, maintains that the reason so many Christians get bored or discouraged when they pray is not because there is something wrong with them, but because there is something wrong with their method. We tend to pray the most about the important things in our lives, such as our family, future, finances, work, our church or ministry involvement, and current crises in our lives. That is normal and good; we are called to pray about our lives, and our lives are made up of those things. The problem is not that we pray for the same things, but that we pray for the same things in the same old way. We pray the same things over and over, leaving us bored, frustrated, and feeling like there is something wrong. 

The solution to praying the same prayers over and over is to instead pray through the Bible. You choose a passage of Scripture and simply go through the passage line by line, talking to God about whatever comes to mind as you read the text. If you don’t understand a particular verse, or nothing comes to mind when you read it, you simply move on to the next one. As you read the Word, you talk to God about everything and anything that comes to mind. This works particularly well with the Psalms, which were designed to be prayed, but it can work with any passage of Scripture.

The author describes this method and then teaches it with very practical instructions. The book’s tone is that of a wise, older Christian coming alongside a young one and saying, “Let me teach you what I have learned. Let me teach you how to pray.” If you read the book, you will walk away knowing and being able to practice his method. I also think you will walk away excited to try it out and confident that it will bring new life to your prayers.

After reading the book, I tried a 5-7 minute time of prayer using Psalm 23. I went through this passage, bringing before God so many things I had never seen, never thought about and never prayed about before. And once my time was up, I found I had more prayer than time! More and more, things to pray about came to mind as I went through each verse of the psalm. And my mind didn’t wander nearly as much. Most importantly, I found that, as I prayed, my prayers were more naturally conformed to Scripture—they were more biblical than those I pray when I’m just making things up. This is perhaps the greatest benefit of the method.

One of the other benefits of this approach is that it fosters meditation on Scripture and guides our thinking. For example, if we are praying Psalm 34:19 (“A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.”) we may think of those we know who are in the midst of affliction as well as praising God for the reality that he delivers from our afflictions. Anything to get us to slow down and think about Scripture is a good thing!

Praying the Bible is a small, 106-page book easily digested over a short read. It’s very specific focus means the reader can put it into practice right away. If you have never read this book, I urge you to do so. Make the Lord make us a people of constant and scriptural prayer!

May our hearts be turned toward heaven,

Mike Patterson