BUILDING ON BEDROCK

Here is the final wrapup of the series that began in January.  It has been difficult and controversial, but I'm convinced it's both Biblical and essential for the future until the Lord Jesus Christ returns.  May God bless and encourage very listener!

This is our final look at how the Character of Christ should be reflected in local assemblies, notably, the Fruit of the Spirit.  One more episode and "Building on Bedrock" will be completed.  

This is a double episode: we consider 2 aspects of the Fruit of the Spirit: longsuffering, or patience, and kindness.  May all believers reflect these qualities every day of our lives.  

We're examining the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22 and 23 as the character of Christ manifested in the body of Christ.  As always, I hope it's an encouragement and a blessing! 

We continue our consideration of the Fuit of the Spirit as an aspect of "Christ in Session"; the Corporate Christ in action!  We "reflect" on the difference between Joy and happiness.  As always, I hope it's a blessing and an encouragement!   

In our examination of the New Testmaent model for local churches, we turn from the power and authority of Christ to His character.  The first and primary aspect of that is God's Agape Love.  May we all reflect it to each other and our neighbors! 

In this series we've already seen how Christ should be manifested in local churches in POWER: basically, Holy Spirit giftings.  With this episode, we complete how He should be manifested in AUTHORITY: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds and Teachers.  The final way He should be seen in us, CHARACTER, will start next.  As always, I hope this is a blessing!

Keeping in mind that all these authoritative ministries are TEAMS and not individuals, we consider the role of "shepherds" in the local churches.  While they are related to teachers, and often the same office, our tranditons have clouded the true functions of these offices.  May God steer us away from trends and traditions to open our hearts to his truth!    

Outside of Jesus Himself, we have only one example of Evangelist in the New Testament: Philip, who started out in Acts 6 as a deacon.  As always, I hope this episode is a blessing, an encouragement...and a push in the rith direction.   

Almost everybody who reads the title of this episode will think he or she knows what I say in it, and  most of them will be wrong.  It's a controversial subject, and what I say won't really support any of the more vocal positions.  Whether you agree or disagree, I hop it'll be a blessing and an encouragement!

This episode is based on 2 Cor. 12:12 which mentions "the signs of an apostle".  I believe both cessationists and charismaniacs abuse this verse.  The important words are "among you", and I seek to understand the verse that way.  And there ARE warnings about "false signs".  Let's always seek for balance in our Christian walk!    

We now turn to Ephesians 4:11 and consider the list of ministries that God gave to the church.  This is a controversial topic, but I believe this perspective will help the believers in the days to come.  As always, I hope it's a blessing!

With the pouring out of God's Holy Spirit on all His people, the nature of prophecy changed.  Now it is to be evaluated by the other believers.  The last section of First Corinthians chapter 14 teach about this subject.  As always, I hope this is an encouragement and a blessing!

Like they used to say on the radio and TV shows: "Keep those cards & letters comin'!"  Here we examine the next few verses in First Corinthians 14 about what should happen when Christians get together.  I'm looking forward to hearing from you about it, even if you disagree.  but, as alwasy, I do hope it's a blessing.     

Continuing in First Corinthians 14, we examine verses 15 through 19.  I'm not trying to take doctrinal sides in this, but to examine everything in the passage, regardless of denominational positions.  Please remember that I'm seeking and sharing what I'm convinced is Truth, not Trends nor traditions.  As always, I hope it's a blessing.

Here I examine 1 Cor. 14: 1-15.   I tried not to ignore anything in this passage, but I DID ignore all the various church traditions about it (except to correct one or two).  I'm especially excited to announce "Christ in Session" meetings at Discover Church in Camp Hill, PA startiing Tuesday, April 7!  As always, I hope this episdoe is a blessing.    

It's no accident that this message follows several on agape Love.  I present this with the firm conviction that the ONLY thing that "ceased" with the completion of the Bible was...the writing of the Bible!  Whether you agree or disagree, I pray this message causes prayerful examination of God's Word on this and every subject.  Blessings! 

I have to apologize for the lack of professionalism in this one.  I'm not really tech-savvy, so something I don't understand made it impossible for me to edit out all the grunts, snorts, false starts and verbal pauses.  I hope it's a blessing and encouragement anyway.  God bless!

Picking up where the last episode left off, we examine First Corinthians 12, verses 22 through 27.  We can't operate in the supernatural manifestation and gifts without understanding the dynaics of the Body of Christ in action, and we need to be properly realted to each other.  As always, I hope it's an inspiration and a blessing!

Continuing our controversial series on how the Body of Christ is designed to function, we examine 1 Corinthians 12, verses 12 abd 13.  Even ministries that emphasize teaching of God's Word verse by verse tend to glide over this.  This may surprise some saints.  but, as Al Jolson used to say, "You ain't heard nothin' yet!"  As always, I hope it's a blessing. 

The subject of "gifts of the Spirit" is controversial, and I'm sorry to say I don't agree with any of the popular positions on the subject.  But I do believe that a proper understanding of this truth can liberate local churches from the clutches of either demonic chaos or legalistic control.  Please let me know your own thoughts on this.  

Has Church tradition crippled the Church?  Not in most ways, but certainly in some!  Here we begin to examine 1 Corinthians 12 through 14 without using the "lens" of any denominational bias.  I welcome all responses, even if you disagree!  My hope is to prepare Christians for coming changes in our culture.  Blessings!

Here we begin to examine a hotly debated topic: spiritual gifts.  I don't want to be guilty of either over or under emphasizing them.  This will probably be a whole new perspective for many, since I'm not a devotee of any specific "camp" regarding this.  Please let me know what you think!  Blessings! 

Christ Himself is the foundation the Church is built on.  What are we building on this foundation, and how are we building it?  This answer is controversial: radically Biblical and Biblically radical!  I left the music off this one: straight Bible sharing.  Which do you prefer? 

Here I begin to examine what the New Testament says about how "church" is designed to function.  I'm not trying to shock or upset anyone.  I am trying to prepare believeers for what might be in our near future.  I hope it encourages those who hear this word.   Pleases let me know your thoughts!