There is a significant change within a person when he or she comes to Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit, a metamorphosis takes place within the individual, transforming that person into a Christian. Read more…
Posted on October 1st, 2010 by Robert
Filed under: From the Pew
As Christians, we are not surprised that the Bible declares Jesus Christ as the only way by which one can be saved (Acts 4:12). So, we are not at all alarmed when the Gospel message of Jesus Christ is offensive or divisive to others. To the rest of the world, especially other religions, the exclusivity of Jesus Christ as the sole way to heaven sounds absurd, presumptuous and downright abhorrent. Read more…
Posted on September 12th, 2010 by Robert
Filed under: From the Pew
For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:4-7; emphasis added).
Two months ago I wrote emphasizing the power and exclusivity a bold, straight-forward Gospel message has concerning salvation. As opposed to relying on various ineffective methods. Pastor Pauley, who has been expositing through the 13th chapter of Acts, recently taught that Christians ought to focus on the Lord of the work, and not the workers of the Lord. Read more…
Posted on July 1st, 2010 by Robert
Filed under: Elim Refresher Newsletter, From the Pew
Recently in a sermon Pastor Pauley cited Matthew 16:16-18 and then declared Jesus Christ is the foundation of the church. I could not say “amen” fast enough! I contemplated on how powerful and indispensable the Bible is to Christians. For in the Bible, the only Word of God, we have a sure foundation of God’s revelation. I was particularly enthralled by v. 18a, where Christ declared “…on this rock I will build My church…” For centuries this verse has been interpreted in a variety of ways, even by Christians. Read more…
Posted on June 1st, 2010 by Robert
Filed under: Elim Refresher Newsletter, From the Pew
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers…And all who believed were together and had all things in common…And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved (Acts 2:42, 47b–emphasis added).
Pastor Pauley is currently expositing chapters 13 through 28 from the book of Acts. In his first sermon he provided a brief overview of the first 12 chapters. During that overview, I was significantly awe-struck as I read chapter 2, Read more…
Posted on May 19th, 2010 by Robert
Filed under: From the Pew
Last month’s From the Pew article talked about God’s reconciliation of us. This month, I felt compelled to expand on it and share what the Lord has taught about how God’s reconciliation ought to impact our lives. It is only because of God’s reconciliation that we are entitled to have citizenship in heaven. Read more…
Posted on March 1st, 2010 by Robert
Filed under: From the Pew
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
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
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