Grab our RSS feedConnect the Gospel with the Ancient Promises
"Readers can gain the 'full advantage from the gospel' only when they 'connect it with the ancient promises.'" - John Calvin (The Sermon on the Mount Through the Centuries, p. 142).
Filed under Jesus
March 2009 Entries
Scriptura scripturam interpretat, "He reads the Bible as a single book."
"Scripture interprets scripture!"
"If one looks more closely at the way he works, it becomes clear that his interpretation is driven by a kind of interior guidance system powered by the Scriptures. A key to Augustine's exegesis is to be found...in the maxim Scriptura scripturam interpretat. He never proposes an interpretation of a biblical text without citing another biblical text. That means, of course, that by our standards Augustine is cavalier about historical setting, literary context, or social world--the topics that excercise contemporary biblical scholars. He reads the Bible as a single book and what one scriptural writer says, whether in the Old Testament or the New Testament, is fair game for interpreting what occurs in another part of the Scriptures." (The Sermon on the Mount Through the Centuries, p. 56)
Filed under Jesus
Lathan & Lyons Wedding This Saturday, 3:00PM : You're Invited!
God
has been at work in the lives of Theopolis Lyons and Deirdre Lathan,
two friends from downtown Memphis that the Lord has recently connected
to Grace Church.
Theopolis and Deirdre want all of the Grace family and friends to know you are invited to celebrate with them as they exchange covenant vows of marriage.
Where
Calvary Baptist Church, West Memphis, Arkansas
When
3 o'clock in the afternoon, this Saturday, March 28th
Theo, Deirdre and family,
Congratulations, and we love you!
Filed under Grace Church
It has never been my custom to divide up a portion of Scripture...and then to issue a syllabus announcing what will be done each week
"The Doctor," is the way many referred to, and still refer to, the
great preacher, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, who was formerly pastor of
Westminster Chapel, London, now in heaven.
In preparation for our upcoming women's and men's retreats, I'm walking through Lloyd-Jones' sermons on Matthew 5-7. Can someone say "sledge hammer!" (Contrary to the look of his photo, his sermons make it appear that he was a divinely happy man). I digress...
Where did you get the title of this post?
The title of this post is a quote from Lloyd-Jones' introduction to the second of his volumes dealing with the Sermon on the Mount.
I'm writing because I want to agree with "The Doctor"...
Filed under Grace Church
A Five Sentence Update
Yesterday I wrote a five-sentence update about Grace Church for Bethlehem's worship bulletin. Those who know me, know that I have a hard time saying anything in five sentences or less, let alone a two-year update!
Filed under Grace Church
Got an Idea?
What are some themes you'd like to see touched on through the GC blog?
Filed under Grace Church
"We Need You Grace Church Family" : Pray for Brandon Sheridan
A dear brother in our congregation, Brandon Sheridan, is suffering from a rare blood disorder. Please join us in prayer for he and his young family.
Recently Brandon wrote an urgent appeal for our church to be the church for his family during this trying time:
"Starting next Tuesday, I will begin another round of chemotherapy...We are thankful for your prayers and your encouragement!!
Grace Church I implore you, as did our beloved pastor, to come along side and ”one another” the Sheridans. I long for the LORD’S grace in your life!! We need you Grace Church Family; with the affection of Christ Himself we LOVE YOU!"
Filed under Grace Church
Voddie Baucham Conference
Voddie Baucham will be leading a conference entitled "Ever-loving Truth and Family Driven" at Lifepoint Church in Senatobia April 10th-11th. Check here for all pertinent details or you can email me if interested in getting a group together to attend.
Uptown Infiltration Weekend Recap
We've been a bit slow on the blog around here lately. In part that's been because we have been out in our community for the past three days commending Christ to our neighbors.
We are thankful to the Lord that the team from Shade's Mountain came to serve alongside the folks of Grace this weekend in Uptown. We are also thankful that the Lord answered our prayers for good weather during all of the outdoor events. Here's a few recap thoughts from the weekend, in radom order...
- In a variety of times during the weekend, I was encouraged to see quite a few folks from Grace engaging in evangelistic converstaions with people from the neighborhood. When I saw you and overheard your conversations, I prayed for God to step in. I'm sure others did the same. I trust the Lord answered.
Filed under Grace Church
Laura is Home!
We praise the Lord that Laura was able to go home on Saturday, and has been feeling well. She has been back to see her blood specialist, and is awaiting the results of the tests taken then. Thank you all once again for your prayers!
The Lord reigns!
Filed under Grace Church
Laura Minton Update
Joel and Laura thank you all for your prayers.
Overall Laura is doing well.
Yesterday there was talk about being discharged today, but the doctors have decided to keep Laura at least through tonight (Friday) because of the current parasite count in her blood, and because the malaria continues to cause symptoms (mainly fever). As an added item for prayer, one of the side-effects of the medication is an almost total loss of hearing. Pray for God's peace.
The Minton's also recounted a sweet time they shared together in 2 Corinthians last evening, as they were praising the Lord for His pleasure to demonstrate His strength in their weakness. The Lord provided an assurance to both Joel and Laura's hearts that His purposes are always for their good.
Filed under Grace Church
Please Pray for Laura Minton
Dear Church Family and Friends,
Please be praying for Laura Minton who has been diagnosed with malaria,
and is being cared for at Baptist East Hospital. She too, as you may
remember, was on the same trip to Nigeria where Kelly contracted malaria.
Laura is feeling well, and her parasite count appears to be low (a good
sign). The doctors have started her on a seven-day prescription regimen
with hopes that she could return home as early as Friday of this week.
We will keep you updated as new information comes.
"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the Name of the Lord, our God." Psalm 20:7
Filed under Grace Church
Recommendations for Deacon
As was mentioned a couple of week's ago, the elders are eager to receive recommendations from the congregations for the office of deacon.
Members of Grace, don't hesitate to let your elders know who you see among us (1) already serving like a deacon :), and (2) who appears to be qualified biblically to serve in the office of deacon (1 Tim. 3:8-13).
We'll allow several weeks, or perhaps a couple of months. But, as you pray about the matter, we're happy to hear your thoughts sooner rather than later.
May the Lord build His church!
Filed under Grace Church
Worship Prep for March 8th
***Set your clocks forward one hour on Saturday night so that you don't show up for service thinking it is time for prayer or for service and wonder why I'm already in (v6) of Colossians 2:1-15***
This Sunday, Lord willing, we will spend our time together worshipping Christ in Colossians 2:1-15. Here is a snapshot of things Paul says about Jesus in our text.
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
Nothing Meaningful to Say But Christ!
I've recently began re-reading sections of Courtney Anderson's book, To the Golden Shore in preparation for a series of sermons on Missions I will be preaching in a few weeks for a Student Ministries Disciple Now in Ohio. To the Golden Shore is an account of the life and missionary efforts of Adoniram Judson--the first American Missionary to Burma. To set this quote up, which comes towards the end of the book, Judson has returned to America and travels around to various churches preaching. Judson was one of the more brilliant minds in his day and people were fascinated that he would spend his life among a pagan people preaching Christ and translating the Bible in the Burmese language. So when he arrived back in the states (which, according to his letters, was never his intention when he got on the boat to head to India) you can imagine how the Northeast was buzzing to hear from Judson about his missionary efforts.
"Although the day was rainy, the church had become crowded with people who had learned he [Adoniram Judson] would have something to say......
Filed under Jesus
March at a Glance
There's a lot going on in March around Grace. Here's a quick glance to help keep all our ducks in a row.
March Sermon Texts
The elders have done a bit of sermon shuffling since we published the most recent church card. To prepare your heart for the preached word, here are the texts for the remainder of the month.
- March 8 | Colossians 2:1-15
- March 15 | Philemon 7, 20
- March 22 | Colossians 2:16-23
- March 29 | Colossians 3:1-4
Filed under Grace Church