There are some things in the truth of God that, quite frankly, make the head ache if you think about them for very long! For instance, try to really get your mental arms around the biblical teaching regarding the Trinity. God is three personages and yet one Being. Each person of the Godhead is fully God and equal with the others, and yet they are distinct. That is hard stuff! Read more…
Posted on February 1st, 2010 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
Church Elder Don Bernard’s sermon on January 3rd prompted me to consider God’s reconciliation and just what it means to Christians. When I think of how great and magnanimous it was for God to reconcile us to Himself, I am in awe! Read more…
Posted on February 1st, 2010 by Robert
Filed under: From the Pew
Our book review this month is another H.A. Ironside commentary, Mark. In the author’s introduction, Ironside mentions, “To Mark it fell by divine appointment to show us the Son of God acting in lowly grace and devoted subjection to the Father as the perfect servant and prophet of the Holy One.” Read more…
Posted on February 1st, 2010 by Scott
Filed under: From the Church Library
In recent sermons, Pastor Pauley exhorted us to aspire to live holier lives, no matter what the circumstances entail. Believers in Christ are to live a life that is consistently and continuously growing with honor, pleasure and satisfaction to our Lord! Read more…
Posted on January 1st, 2010 by Robert
Filed under: From the Pew
Our first review of 2010 is 1 & 2 Thessalonians, written by Henry A. Ironside, pastor of Moody Memorial Church for 18 years. Dr. Ironside was noted for his simple, clear teaching of complex scriptural truth. In fact, his favorite two quotations were, “Put the cookies on the bottom shelf where the little kiddies can get ‘em” and “Christ didn’t tell Peter to feed his giraffes. He told him, ‘Feed my sheep.’” Read more…
Posted on January 1st, 2010 by Scott
Filed under: From the Church Library
I try to have a theme. The teaching ministry at Elim largely goes through books of God’s Word verse-by-verse, but as we go through those times together, a theme for each book usually connects those studies. In counseling there is an attempt to work on one area at a time, and that gives a theme to the sessions (that is not always easy). And most certainly there has been a repeated effort to let each year’s collection of newsletter cover articles revolve around a helpful (I hope!) theme. Read more…
Posted on January 1st, 2010 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
Would you believe that CNN ranked Branson, Missouri, as one of the top “Christmas destinations” in the world? It’s true. In large part this was because of the elaborate display at the place that put the formerly small Missouri town on the map, Silver Dollar City. During the Christmas season (which they begin on November 1) the 1880’s themed park decorates and dazzles with a five-story high special effects Christmas Tree and an all encompassing light-and-sound show on the “Town Square.” It is all timed to traditional Christmas music with the pinnacle being a synchronized lights and music presentation of “The Hallelujah Chorus.” In all, Silver Dollar City alone boasts over 4 million lights during their Christmas celebration! Read more…
Posted on December 1st, 2009 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
Currently, Pastor Pauley has been teaching us seven ways God’s love is manifested to believers: sovereignly, demonstrably, eternally, historically, uniquely, prophetically and faithfully. During one of Pastor Pauley’s recent sermons, I could not help contemplating about the vast spectrum of God’s love. However, one word did come repeatedly to my mind as he preached—the word is “unconditional. ” Read more…
Posted on December 1st, 2009 by Robert
Filed under: From the Pew
Last month’s “From the Pew” article focused on the fact that becoming a Christian and truly following Jesus Christ might cost you significantly—even to the extent of relinquishing unity with other family members. Or worse yet, you might even become their enemy. This is exactly what Jesus Christ exclaimed in Matthew 10:34-36. After one of Elim’s elders preached a second part to a sermon approximately a month ago, the Holy Spirit, through the elder’s powerful preaching, prompted me to write a second part to last month’s “From the Pew” article. Read more…
Posted on November 7th, 2009 by Robert
Filed under: From the Pew
I expect the world to be sinful. Any proper reading of God’s truth and any genuine theology will always lead us to an understanding that God’s assessment of sinners in Genesis 6:5 (the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually) continues to be accurate. However, I was caught off guard recently by an avenue of wickedness and persecution of the truth that I had not witnessed in days past. Read more…
Posted on November 7th, 2009 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen