Draw Me Close: Podcast - A Ministry of Whitestone Christian Fellowship, with Pastor Bob Lawrenz

We have witnessed in the media a wonderful example of what it means to train up children. From the days of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, there are lessons to learn from then Prince Charles and Princess Diana, to now just King Charles as he raised up Prince William, and Prince Harry. The training and grooming took to Prince William, and was rejected by Prince Harry. . .

As we continue our study in Galatians chapter 3, Paul continues to explain to the Galatians, that Christ redeemed believers from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for them, and that those who have faith in Christ are heirs of the promise made to Abraham. The law, introduced later, didn't invalidate the promise but rather served as a temporary guide, confining people to sin until Christ&...

Inherent within The Law is a problem that is nearly insurmountable. While it adds some substance to the Jewish faith, it also obliterates “faith!” The Abrahamic Covenant is integral with the Jewish faith. It is impossible to separate the two, but not because the Law has added anything to God’s promises within the covenant. . .

With a defense of his apostleship behind him, Paul spends the next two chapters defending the gospel he received by revelation. It is a gospel which proclaims justification by faith in Christ, not by keeping the works of the Law. 

In last week’s teaching, The Apostle Paul exposed the hypocrisy of the Apostle Peter when Judaisers from Jerusalem came to Anteeok, dispatched from the Apostle James. The cultural morals held by the Jews at that time were to not eat or share a meal with non-Jews. But Peter, as well as Barnabas, Paul’s companion in ministry, both fell away from the truth, and left eating with new Gentile converts t...

This week, we are finishing up in Galatians Chapter 2, beginning with verse 14. We will explore Paul’s powerful message about the true gospel of grace. In Antioch, a significant event unfolded involving Apostle Paul and Peter, recorded in  Galatians 2 . Paul confronted Peter for his inconsistent behavior regarding Gentile Christians. Peter initially ate with Gentiles, but then separated himself wh...

In the Seven Letters to the Churches which were in Asia, recorded in  Revelation 2  and  3 , we read that each church had unique problems that warranted correction. But one thing becomes clear in every church, that is, that loving faith through grace leads us to correct doctrine. . .

Galatians 2:1-13 is describing Paul's second visit to Jerusalem after his conversion. The purpose of this visit is to meet with the leaders of the church to ensure to those questioning his ministry, that the gospel he preached to the Gentiles aligned with the same gospel the apostles preached in Jerusalem. Paul addresses his concerns about the inclusion of Gentiles. The leaders, including Pete...

Paul’s controversy with the Judaisers continues into Chapter 2 with decisions that must be made regarding the election of the Gentiles. Many years pass before the debate comes to a head for resolution. We read today of the First Council of Jerusalem, 46 AD. The heads of Christ’s Church in Jerusalem recall how Jesus taught from the Law, and so thought therefore that the Gentile converts should also...

In the second half of chapter one, Paul is defending both the gospel he preaches as well as the authority by which he preaches.  He reminds the churches in Galatia of who he was before Christ and how he was saved.  When God revealed himself to Paul and commissioned him to proclaim the gospel among the Gentiles, that’s exactly what Paul did. Without consulting anyone else, Paul was obedient to what...

Galatians 1 sets the stage for the letter's overarching defense of the true Gospel. Paul's transformation from a fierce persecutor of the Church to a fervent apostle reinforces the transformative power of God's grace. This chapter serves as a potent reminder to remain grounded in the true Gospel, be wary of distortions, and continuously praise God for His work in the lives of believers...

Paul has been traveling in this second section of Galatians 1. He gives testimony of the changed life he has received, and gives us an abbreviated overview of how he ended up teaching of Christ, rather than persecuting Him. He assures the readers of this letter that this change has come about because of the wonderful works of God. His knowledge of Christ was not taught to him by man, not like he w...

The Epistle to the Galatians that we begin today is not just a for a single Church. Asia Minor, which we refer to as Turkey today, was at the time of the letter called Anatolia. The region known as Galatia covered a large area of central Anatolia. There in that part of the country we find cities that we have read of in Acts of the Apostles: Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe were small...

Romans 16 emphasizes the power of personal connections and unity in the body of Christ. It is a testament to the many unsung heroes who worked with Paul in the spreading of the gospel. It also serves as a warning to maintain unity and stay alert to divisive influences. The final doxology serves as a reminder that it is God who strengthens us, as we strive to follow the gospel and the proclamation...

This final chapter of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans is in three parts. The first part takes us through verse 16, as Paul provides an introduction for Phebe, the courier of the Roman Epistle, and then offers greetings to friends, and family alike who are in the Church at Rome. The Roman letter introduces us to some of Paul’s family, who were also Believers, some even before Paul became one . . .

In chapter 15 of the book of Romans, Paul continues his discussion on how those who are strong (mature) are to receive and bear with the infirmities of the weak. Encouraging the strong to be concerned with uplifting the weak, he reminds them of Christ and His unselfishness (1-3). Reminding them of the value of the Old Testament Scriptures, he pleads for patience so that with one mind and one mouth...

Paul’s Epistle to the Romans was written while he was yet in Corinth. He’s ministering to two churches at once, hundreds of miles apart. The grass did not grow under Paul’s feet! We learn in this passage that Paul is planning on taking the Gospel to Spain, and along the way, planning a stop in Rome to see those of the Church there. He kept moving from Church-to-Church but was always willing to sta...

In chapter 15 of the book of Romans, Paul continues his discussion on how those who are strong (mature) are to receive and bear with the infirmities of the weak. Encouraging the strong to be concerned with uplifting the weak, he reminds them of Christ and His unselfishness (1-3). Reminding them of the value of the Old Testament Scriptures, he pleads for patience so that with one mind and one mouth...

On Thursday of this week past, we witnessed a new Pope being voted into his official position as Bishop of Rome. As head of the Roman Catholic Church, his outreach is world-wide. Of his many titles, he is also referred to as the Vicar of Rome, and the Vicar of Christ. Though it is the Anglican Church where the title Vicar is most often used, it is still a significant title within the Roman Church....

Romans 14  is a profound chapter in the New Testament that addresses the themes of Christian liberty, the importance of love and unity within the body of Christ, and the necessity of living out one's faith with a clear conscience. In this chapter, the Apostle Paul speaks to the Roman Christians about the need to accept one another despite differences in convictions, particularly concerning die...

We are back in Romans today, and in spite of the title  “First Amendment,”  the message is not about the US Constitution or the Bill of Rights, but about the freedom we enjoy in Christ Jesus! If we were to  “reverse think”  the premises for the Bill of Rights, we might well find its basis right here in Romans 12, 13, and 14. Romans 12:1-2 may even supply a like-phrase to  “American Exceptionalism!...

Today's message is a character study on one of the apostles. Didymus, also known as the apostle Thomas was a doubter. He simply could not believe in the risen Christ unless he saw with His own eyes. Jesus showed His hands and side to “doubting Thomas” and called him to stop doubting and to believe. Thomas immediately responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God” ( John 20.28 ). Thomas’ profession o...

It was about ten days ago that Christians around the world acknowledged Good Friday. Quite literally, “The Word of God” was executed and put to death. I use that phrasing because of what John wrote:  “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”  ( John 1:14 )...

Happy Resurrection Day! Today we are going to learn about Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Without question, the resurrection is central to everything we believe and is the fountain from which flows all our hope for today and our hope for the future. We serve a risen Savior. The empty tomb is proof that Jesus has the victory over sin and evil and death! Your life, my life, and indeed all of hist...

As we enter into this wonderful week of remembering the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, we know that it all began with what is commonly called Palm Sunday, that Sunday in which Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem and did so to the waving of palm branches and a hailing of him as King. And, of course, it ends with the resurrection. This is a great and glorious week for us to celebrate.