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< Back Spiritual Maturity Pt. 3: Gifts of Christ Pastor Nate Brosher Dec 21, 2023 Spiritual Maturity Pt. 3: Gifts of Christ Ephesians 4:4-16 NLT 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all. 7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. 8 That is why the Scriptures say, "When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people ." 9 Notice that it says, "he ascended." This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. 10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself. 11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever, they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. 1. Christ “gave” to the Church. a. Didomi – To give, granted, furnished, endued, appointed, commissioned, returned. Apostle - Prophet - Evangelist - Pastor - Teacher Apostle – (Apostolos) a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ. Ephesians 4:13 – This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 NLT - 10 Because of God's grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have--Jesus Christ. Prophet – (Prophetes) one who, moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation. 1 Corinthians 14:2-4 NLT - 2 For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won't be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. 3 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. 4 A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church. Evangelist – (euangelistēs) a preacher of the gospel. This name is given in the N.T. to those heralds of salvation through Christ who are not apostles: 2 Timothy 4:5 NKJV – 1 I charge [you] therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season [and] out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, [because] they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn [their] ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. Mark 16:15 NLT - 15 And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” Romans 10:13-15 NLT - 13 For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." 14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!" Pastor – (poimēn) a shepherd. Outline of Biblical usage: A shepherd in the Near East was responsible for watching out for enemies trying to attack the sheep, defending the sheep from attackers, healing the wounded and sick sheep, finding, and saving lost or trapped sheep, loving them, and sharing their lives and to earn their trust. Teacher – (didaskalos) an instructor. In the N.T. one who teaches concerning the things of God, and the duties of man: Ephesians 4:13 NLT - 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. The Purpose of the gifts are to equip the Saints. Previous Next

< Back Heroes of the Faith Pt. 11: When Faith is Tested Pastor Nate Brosher Oct 19, 2025 Job 1:13-22 NLT - 13 One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother's house, 14 a messenger arrived at Job's home with this news: "Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." 16 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: "The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." 17 While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: "Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." 18 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: "Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother's home. 19 Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." 20 Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. 21 He said, "I came naked from my mother's womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD!" 22 In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God. 1. Why are we being tested? Job 1:8 NLT - 8 He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless--a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil." What is God saying about us? Job 1:22 NLT - In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God. Job 2:7-10 NLT - 7 So Satan left the LORD's presence, and he struck Job with terrible boils from head to foot. 8 Job scraped his skin with a piece of broken pottery as he sat among the ashes. 9 His wife said to him, "Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die." 10 But Job replied, "You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?" So, in all this, Job said nothing wrong . Job 6:28-30 NLT - 28 Look at me! Would I lie to your face? 29 Stop assuming my guilt, for I have done no wrong. 30 Do you think I am lying? Don't I know the difference between right and wrong? Job 9:32-35 NLT - 32 "God is not a mortal like me, so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial. 33 If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together. 34 The mediator could make God stop beating me, and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment. 35 Then I could speak to him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strength. 2. Mediator Hebrews 8:6 NLT - 6 But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises. Jeremiah 31:31-34 ESV - 31 "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. 33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." 1John 2:1-2 NLT - 1 My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. 2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins--and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. We have been given an advocate to the Father and that is through Jesus Christ! ■ Advocate - paraklētos - one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant. Ephesians 1:13-14 NLT - 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. Previous Next

< Back We Are the Church Pastor Nate Brosher Dec 17, 2023 We Are the Church Matthew 28:16-20 NLT 16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him--but some of them doubted! 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." 1. Jesus states: “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.” a. Didomi – To give, granted, furnished, endued, appointed, commissioned, returned. What hinders the body of Christ is fear and doubt. 2. What part of the body are you? 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 NLT 12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So, it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. Not everyone is called to be the pastor, evangelist, teacher, prophet, or apostle, but we are all called to be a part of the body. 3. We are the Church. Colossians 1:18-20 NLT 18 Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So, he is first in everything. 19 For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20 and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross. We are too busy trying to DO church that we forget that we are to BE the church. Church; Ekklesia; assembling of the saints. We are more than just an assembling; we are part of the body of Christ. Previous Next

< Back New Testament Church Series Pt. 6: Living by Faith Pastor Nate Brosher May 19, 2024 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 NLT 1 For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3 For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. 4 While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it's not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. 5 God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit. 6 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7 For we live by believing and not by seeing (We walk by faith, not by sight KJV). 8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him . 10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. 1. Are we truly pleasing God? Hebrews 11:1, 6 ESV 1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ... 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Faith – (Pistis) – conviction of the truth of anything, belief. Relating to God: the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ. Relating to Christ: a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God. How do I increase my faith? Romans 10:17 ESV 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. 2. What are we allowing in our spirit? Are we speaking Life or Death? Proverbs 18:21 CSB Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Are we seeking God or are we seeking wealth/fame? Matthew 6:33-34 ESV 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Are we praying or are we complaining? Philippians 2:14-15 NLT 14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Are we submitting to his word or are we cherry picking from his word? Revelation 3:15-16 NLT 15 "I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! Galatians 5:7-9 ESV 7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. Previous Next

< Back Thessalonians Series Pt. 1: What Do They Say? Pastor Nate Brosher Jul 30, 2025 1Thessalonians 1:1-3 NLT - 1 This letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy. We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May God give you grace and peace. 2 We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. 3 As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ. Three Things Paul expresses in Chapter 1: 1. Faithful Work - Dedication, Reliability & Commitment. - Integrity & Honesty. - Serving Others. 2. Loving Deeds - Care, Compassion & Affection. - Sacrificial. - Authentic Expression of Love. 3. Enduring Hope - Confidence in God’s Promises. - Anchored in God. 1Thessalonians 1:4-7 NLT - 4 We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. 5 For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. 6 So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. 7 As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece--throughout both Macedonia and Achaia. • Are we imitating the Lord? - What would Paul say we are imitating? verse 7 that as a result of imitating Christ, they have become examples to all believers in the surrounding areas of Greece and Macedonia. 1Thessaslonians 1:8-10 NLT - 8 And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don't need to tell them about it, 9 for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. 10 And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God's Son from heaven--Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment. - Verse 9: for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. Are we just surface deep Christians? Revelation 12:11 ESV - 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. ■ Testimony - Martyria – record, evidence given, report. What is coming out of our mouths? 1 Thessalonians 1:10 NLT – And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God's Son from heaven--Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment. - It’s time to declare the promises of the Lord! Previous Next

< Back Pathways: The Gifts of the Spirit (Session 2) Pastor Nate Brosher and Chase Radford May 8, 2024 Link to study guide: https://estd.craft.me/gifts Previous Next

< Back Journey Through James Pt. 6: Patience While We Wait Pastor Nate Brosher Apr 10, 2024 James 5:7-12 NLT 7 Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord's return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. 8 You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Don't grumble about each other, brothers, and sisters, or you will be judged. For look--the Judge is standing at the door! 10 For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers, and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy. 12 But most of all, my brothers, and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned. 1. Developing Patience Makrothymeō – To be longsuffering, not to lose heart. To persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles. How does one develop patience? Waiting can be difficult! While being impatient can sometimes serve as a motivator to get things done, it can also have serious negative consequences on our lives. 2. Detrimental to Patience. 10 Negative impacts of Impatience on your life. Irrational Behavior Ruins Relationships Hinders Career Growth Causes Stress and Anxiety. Decreases Focus Limits Creativity Bad Decisions Causes Health Problems Limits Opportunities Impedes Personal Growth Causes Regret Isaiah 40:31 ESV but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Qava – to wait, look for, hope, expect. Hebrews 11:1 NLT Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. James said, “We must be patient and wait upon the return of our Lord.” Acts 1:11 NLT "Men of Galilee," they said, "why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!" Previous Next

< Back Letters from Paul (1 Timothy): Leadership That Reflects Christ Pastor Nate Brosher Oct 29, 2025 1Timothy 3:1-7 NLT - 1 This is a trustworthy saying: "If someone aspires to be an elder (Bishop, Overseer), he desires an honorable position." 2 So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. 3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. 4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. 5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church? 6 An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. 7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil's trap. 1. The Call of a Leader “If a man desires the position of a bishop/elder/overseer, he desires a good work.” Elder/Overseer/Bishop - (Episkope) overseership, office, charge, the office of an elder, the overseer or presiding officers of a Christian church. The CHARACTER of elders - Qualifications: • Personal Life: • Family Life: • Spiritual Life: Aspires/Desires - (Orego) to stretch one's self out in order totouch or to grasp something, to reach after or desire something. 1Timothy 3:8-13 NLT - 8 In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. 9 They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. 10 Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons. 11 In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do. 12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. 13 Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus. Deacon - (Diakonos) - One who executes the commands of another, literally “servant” or “minister.” The CHARACTER of Deacons - Qualifications: • Integrity in Conduct • Integrity in Faith • Integrity at Home Romans 16:1 NLT - 1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. 1 Timothy 3:13 NLT - Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus. ■ Faithful leaders earn trust, not demand it. Their influence grows naturally. The Health of the Church does not depend on giftedness, but on godliness in its leaders. 1Peter 5:4 ESV - 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. John 13:12-15 ESV - 12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, "Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. • The Elder/Bishop/Overseer reflects His wisdom; the deacon reflects His service. Previous Next

< Back Letters from Paul Pt. 14: We Need His Glory! Pastor Nate Brosher Jan 9, 2025 Colossians 3:1-4 NLT - 1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. Doxah - the perfect inward or personal excellency of Christ; the majesty. Exodus 33:18 ESV - 18 Moses said, "Please show me your glory." Kabod – honour, glorious, abundance, riches, splendor. There are many warnings about the dangers of seeking glory and the praises of others. Here are two: Luke 20:46 NLT - 46 "Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. Matthew 6:1 NLT - 1 "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. ■ To God be the Glory! 1Peter 5:5-6 NLT - 5 In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for "God opposes the proud but favors the humble." 6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Isaiah 64:6-8 ESV - 6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. 7 There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities. 8 But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. ■ Our righteousness is nothing desirable. 2Corinthians 5:21 ESV - 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 1Corinthians 10:31-33 NLT - 31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Don't give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. 33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. Colossians 3:5-8 NLT - 5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming (Some manuscripts read “is coming on all who disobey him.”). 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 1Samuel 4:21-22 NLT - 21 She named the child Ichabod (which means "Where is the glory?"), for she said, "Israel's glory is gone." She named him this because the Ark of God had been captured and because her father-in-law and husband were dead. 22 Then she said, "The glory has departed from Israel, for the Ark of God has been captured." Previous Next

< Back The Waiting Room Pt. 3: Change to be Changed Pastor Nate Brosher Dec 29, 2024 Isaiah 1:11-20 NLT - 11 "What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?" says the LORD. "I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle. I get no pleasure from the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. 12 When you come to worship me, who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony? 13 Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts me! As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for fasting--they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings. 14 I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals. They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them! 15 When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims. 16 Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. 17 Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. 18 "Come now, let's settle this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. 19 If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat. 20 But if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies. I, the LORD, have spoken!" 1. Going through the motions. “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results.” Insanity – The state of being mentally ill, madness, extreme foolishness or extreme irrationality. (The quality of being unreasonable.) Matthew 23:1-3 NLT - 1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 "The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. 3 So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don't follow their example. For they don't practice what they teach. ■ Are we practicing what we teach? 2Timothy 3:1-5 NLT - 1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious (Form of godliness), but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! - The word "form" can be translated "appearance Matthew 23:5-7, 11-13, 15, 23-28, 33-36 NLT - 5 "Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels. 6 And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues. 7 They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called 'Rabbi.' ... 11 The greatest among you must be a servant. 12 But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. 13 "What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people's faces. You won't go in yourselves, and you don't let others enter either. ... 15 "What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are! ... 23 "What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law--justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. 24 Blind guides! You strain your water so you won't accidentally swallow a gnat, but you swallow a camel! 25 "What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy--full of greed and self-indulgence! 26 You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too. 27 "What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs--beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people's bones and all sorts of impurity. 28 Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness. ... 33 Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell? 34 "Therefore, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers of religious law. But you will kill some by crucifixion, and you will flog others with whips in your synagogues, chasing them from city to city. 35 As a result, you will be held responsible for the murder of all godly people of all time--from the murder of righteous Abel to the murder of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you killed in the Temple between the sanctuary and the altar. 36 I tell you the truth, this judgment will fall on this very generation. - Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy. 2. Turn your eyes upon Jesus! Isaiah 55:6-9 NLT - 6 Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. 7 Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. 8 "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. The dispensation of grace includes: • Forgiveness of sins through Christ Jesus • God's benevolence to the undeserving • The rule of life for the Church • Being able to walk with the Lord and live as he intends Previous Next

< Back Letters from Paul Series Pt. 3: Anathema Chase Radford Jul 10, 2024 Galatians 1:6–9 (ESV): No Other Gospel 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed [anathema]. Generally speaking, most Bible scholars agree that the word anathema is best understood to mean that which is to be accursed, condemned, or destroyed. When the Lord says something is “anathema,” it is a serious matter. Galatians 2:4–10 (ESV) 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. 6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. Galatia wasn’t the only place where distortion of the Gospel was taking place, and keeping the old covenant law wasn’t the only distortion of the Gospel. So in this message, we’re going to talk about heresies of the New Testament church. ——— Why truth, sound doctrine and theology are so important In Acts 20:29-30, Paul prophesied that “fierce wolves will come in among [the church], not sparing the flock; and from among [our] own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” Needless to say, truth, sound doctrine and right theology are absolutely essential in the growth, the maturation of Christ’s followers. John 17:9–19 (ESV): Jesus' High Priestly Prayer I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth . It is through our submission to [1] God, [2] His objective truth, sound doctrine and right theology [3] empowered by the Holy Spirit that our minds are renewed and we are increasingly transformed into the image of Christ, as Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:18. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV) And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. In other words, when we behold Jesus with eyes of faith, we are transformed, becoming more like Him, from one degree of glory to another (progressively over time) as we behold Him more and more. And that’s the key: we must behold HIM. We cannot behold a false Christ or a false God. It is only through the truth of Christ, who He is and what He’s done that we are made free. And it’s that very truth and good news of Christ our Lord which heresy seeks to compromise. That’s the danger of heresy, which is important for us at this point to clearly define. ——— Heresy Background + Definition Source: Eerdmans Bible Dictionary HERESY (Gk. haíresis, from hairéō “take, choose”) …the term was applied to various branches of Judaism, such as the Sadducees ( Acts 5:17 ; RSV“party”) and Pharisees ( 15:5 ). Eventually the term came to designate factions representing divergent opinions within the early Church ( 1 Cor. 11:19 ); such divisions Paul denounced as a work of the flesh ( Gal. 5:20 ; RSV “party spirit”). Not until the second century A.D. did “heresy” come to indicate false doctrine (Ignatius Eph. 6:2 ; Trall. 6:1 ; cf. 2 Pet. 2:1 ). Oxford defines heresy as “ belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious (especially Christian) doctrine . ” Merriam-Webster defines it as “ dissent or deviation from a dominant theory, opinion, or practice ” and “ an opinion, doctrine, or practice contrary to the truth or to generally accepted beliefs or standards. ” Alistair McGrath defines it as “a form of Christian belief that, more by accident than design, ultimately ends up subverting, destabilizing, or even destroying the core of Christian faith.” The simplest definition I’ve found is from Redeemed Zoomer Richard Ackerman: Heresy is any belief that [A] redefines God or [B] redefines the Gospel. One of the main reasons I prefer this definition in addition to its simplicity is that it implies that heresy must be confined to top-tier essential doctrines rather than matters that are important but secondary, tertiary and so on. Things like Jesus being fully God and fully man and Jesus having lived a perfect human life are essential to the Gospel. On the other hand, things like views on speaking in tongues, whether the gift of prophecy still active today, tithing, infant baptism, predestination, etc. are secondary and tertiary matters that are important to engage with and discuss, but ultimately have no effect on the Gospel within a orthodox Biblical framework. Obviously there are religious movements and organizations who attempt to make secondary and tertiary matters essential, such as speaking in tongues being a required evidence of one being truly saved, but in doing so these organizations actually add to the Gospel in a way that distorts it and normalizes spiritual abuse on a matter Scripture is incredibly clear on. To be clear… Heresy is not the same as error. Heresy is the choice to abandon the widely accepted teaching on an essential doctrine and embrace another view (i.e. “another gospel”). Heresy is to “preach another gospel”, as Paul stated in Galatians 1:9: "As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed." Technically speaking, something is not a heresy just because the church or an individual deems it so. It is heretical because it is a teaching which has abandoned the “pattern of sound teaching” as we are instructed to hold to in Paul’s second letter to Timothy (2 Tim. 1:13). There are right and wrong way(s) to handle Scripture (2 Tim. 2:15). How can we know? Scripture must interpret Scripture, or in other words God interprets the truths which He has given us (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Cor. 2:12-13; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Peter 3:16; et al.). The main takeaway here is that anything that attempts to redefine God or the Gospel is destructive to the body of Christ and is therefore heresy. ——— Scripture, especially the New Testament, has a lot to say about heresy. As Peter writes in Second Peter (2:1), “false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.” Notice how Peter defines heresy. He calls it destructive . Proverbs 28:9 (ESV) If one turns away his ear from hearing the law [that is, the Torah; God’s covenantal instruction], even his prayer is an abomination. Proverbs 28:10 (ESV) Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance. ——— Heresies Prevalent in the New Testament / Early Church *This doesn't cover all of them, but these are some of the main ones during the early church. Arianism Colossians 1:15-16 (v16 rules out the idea of Jesus being a created being some believe is taught in v15; cf 2:9, Heb 1:3) Antinomianism The belief that Christians are not bound by God’s law and are free to sin as they please; That Jesus' rescues from the guilt of sin but not its power. Paul addressed this in Romans 6:1-2. Docetism The belief that Jesus was divine but only seemed to be human. John addressed in 1 John 4:1-6. Works Righteousness The belief that we are saved by works or a combination of faith and works rather than by faith alone. Paul and James addressed this in Ephesians 2:8-9 and James 2:14-26. Gnosticism Holds to a radical dualism of good and evil and believes secret knowledge is necessary for salvation. This contrasts sharply with Christianity which affirms the good of creation. Gnostics think matter is evil. Gnostics claim to possess an elevated knowledge, a “higher truth” known only to a certain few, and this is where gnosticism overlaps into various forms of sorcery and new age practices which are alive and well within the “church” space today. This gnostic way of thinking is combatted throughout Scripture — John 17:17 ; 2 Timothy 3:15-17 ; Hebrews 4:12 , etc. Even when these types quote the Bible, they conveniently cherrypick and re-interpret verses and parts of verses to harmonize with their philosophy, a practice that is strictly forbidden and warned against by Scripture ( Deuteronomy 4:2 ; 12:32 ; Proverbs 30:6 ; Revelation 22:18-19 ). Marcionism Prior to 144 AD Marcion of Sinope Marcionism is a heresy with layers. Two key points he taught were: To deny that YHWH was the true creator God of heaven and earth Jesus was not the Son of this God (YHWH) To deny that was God is the maker of all things in heaven and earth and the Christ predicted by the prophets is his Son. As Kevin DeYoung observes: "Marcion’s theological errors (and there were many) came from one main root: he refused to believe that the God of the Old Testament was the same as the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. Marcion simply could not believe in a God full of wrath and justice. So he threw away the Old Testament and took for his Bible a truncated version of Luke’s Gospel and selectively edited versions of Paul’s epistles. When all the cutting and pasting was finished, Marcion had the Christianity he wanted: a God of goodness and nothing else; a message of inspiring moral uplift; a Bible that does away with the uncomfortable bits about God’s wrath and hell. Marcionism was antinomian, idealistic about human potential, and skittish about dogma and rules. … As [Marcion] saw it, the Christianity of his day needed [to be purged of the wrath and judgement of YHWH in the Old Testament] so that the pure gospel could be received in all its radical simplicity and appeal to the heart . Since the Bible didn’t have the God he wanted, Marcion decided to make a “better” Bible. And so Marcionism lives on. The idea of recasting Christianity for a new day—in softer, gentler hues, more focused on the life of Jesus instead of the wrath-satisfying death of Jesus—is always popular. Some errors never quite die, and some new things are not that new." That was so well put. And there was one phrase that really gets to the heart of heresy in general — that we so often have tried, and still try to “appeal to the heart” (mind, will and emotions). ——— The issue with appealling to the heart What do you think the issue might be with “appealing to the heart"? Genesis 6:5 (ESV) …the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually . We aren’t supposed to appeal to the heart. We are to proclaim the Word of God, the bad news of our natural, sinful, hopeless state and the hope we have only in the Gospel, the Good News of Christ Jesus! In Acts 2 we read about those in the upper room were “filled with the Spirit,” which in the Greek is “pimplemi hagios pneuma.” This is a technical term or phrasing that is unique to Luke’s writings which, by the way, does not correlate with speaking in tongues as is a common view within Pentecostalism but rather it is directly correlated with the supernaturally empowered proclamation of the Gospel (“mighty works of God”) — be it in a native, foreign or heavenly language (tongues). There’s your Greek lesson for the night. But here’s what happens as we continue to read in Acts 2 after those in the upper room are filled with the Spirit and proclaim “the mighty works of God” — Peter, filled with the Spirit and standing with the rest of the 11 apostles, delivers a Gospel sermon and in Acts 2:37 it says those who heard were “ cut to the heart .” We don’t appeal to the hearts of men and women. We proclaim the word of God which pierces and cuts to their hearts that the power and love and peace and joy of God will reign hearts! Acts 2:37 (The NET Bible First Edition Notes): 81 tn Grk “they were pierced to the heart” (an idiom for acute [unwelcome, difficult] emotional distress). Peter wasn’t appealing to people’s continually evil hearts; He spoke the word of God, he proclaimed the Gospel which PIERCES their continually evil hearts. We are all born with this sin nature, this natural inclination to oppose our Creator — it’s a spiritual cancer. And the only cure is the Gospel. ——— The Gospel Source: Voddie Baucham God is Creator God created the world, and God created man. And he put man in the garden to keep the garden, and he gave the man a command, and he held that man to perfect, perpetual obedience to that command, and he promised him life if he kept it, and death if he didn't. And he didn't keep it — He ate. Original Sin And because he ate, because of that one man, sin entered the world, and death through sin. And everyone born from that man through ordinary generation inherited that man's sin nature. And because of that sin nature, sins proceed from it. And our world is broken because of that sin, and we stand guilty before a holy and righteous God. God is Holy, Righteous and Merciful And we know that he's holy, and we know that he's righteous. And we crave justice, but the problem is that if God gives us justice, we all die. And so that God, in his goodness and in his mercy, sent forth his son, who was not born of ordinary generation, but was born of a virgin. Virgin Birth Yes, the virgin birth matters. Why? Because if he's born of ordinary generation, he's born in sin. But because he's not born of ordinary generation, he's not born in sin. Jesus is Perfect He's clean of sin. His record is clean, and he keeps his record clean, and he obeys God's law, and because he's fully God and fully man, he obeys the law of God on our behalf in his active obedience. And then in his passive obedience, God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us. Jesus Died for Us All we like sheep had gone astray. Each of us had turned to his own way, but God laid upon him the iniquity of us all, and Christ died for sin once for all, the just for the unjust. Justification, Adoption, Sanctification and Glorification And God imputes our sinfulness to him, and he nails our sinfulness to the tree, and Christ dies and raises again on the third day for our justification. And there's another imputation: the righteousness of Christ is actually imputed to us so that God can be both just and the justifier of the one who places faith in Jesus Christ. So that all those who come to Christ may enter in. So that all those who place faith in Christ might be saved, but not only saved, but sanctified. Because he's the firstborn of many brethren we're justified, and we're adopted into the family of God, and we're sanctified. And as his children, we began to bear the family resemblance, and we're further sanctified throughout this life by the very same gospel that saves us until one day when it's all said and done, we're not just saved from the penalty of sin and we're not just saved from the power of sin, but one day we're glorified and saved from the very presence of sin. That's the gospel that we preach. That's the gospel that we need. And that's the gospel that's more than enough. Previous Next

< Back Romans 12: Use Your Gifts Pastor Nate Brosher Jan 25, 2024 Romans 12: Use Your Gifts Romans 12:4-11 NLT 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. 6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So, if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. 9 Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 1. We are many parts of one body. Each part has a special function. Function - an activity or purpose natural to or intended for a person or thing. Functionality - the quality of being suited to serve a purpose well; practicality. (Practical, useful, plain, simple, serviceable, effective, operative.) Dysfunctional - not operating normally or properly. (Broken, debilitated, decayed, defective, deteriorated, inhibited, maladjusted, malfunctioned, sick, undermined, unfit, wounded.) Romans 12:6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So, if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. You must define the gift that God has given to you for the body of Christ. Nobody is gift-less. Romans 12:7-8 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. 2. Serving, Teaching, Encouraging, Giving, Leading, Kindness. Serving – (diakonia) which means attendance as a servant, minister, assistant/administrator, which is where we get the word deacon. Teaching – (didasko) To impart instruction, to explain or expound, to hold discourse with others to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses. Encouraging – (parakaleō) Comfort, exhort, pray, to encourage, strengthen. Giving – (metadidōmi) to give over, share: —give, impart. (Generously – bountiful with liberty) Leading – (proistēmi) to stand before, (in rank) to preside, or (by implication) to practice: —maintain, be over, rule, to care for. Kindness/Showing Mercy – (eleeō) to help one afflicted or seeking aid to help the afflicted, to bring help to the wretched. Romans 12:9-11 Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 3. Don’t be a Pretender. Pretend – unfeigned, undisguised, sincere-without dissimulation. (Hypocrisy) Being a person of character and integrity means you are what you proclaim to be, this is why Paul says, never be lazy but work hard! Serve the Lord enthusiastically! Another word is fervently – (zeō) Zeal for what is good. Previous Next