Ebenezer Family Church

We may well be inclined to give in to our carnal desires and start fighting with one another, but God gives a greater grace! Humble yourselves and submit to Him. Humiliy doesn't earn us grace, but puts us in a position to understand how lavish is the gift of God

Either we do everything for the glory of God alone, or we share the glory with something else (including ourselves). The Reformers were clear on this matter: to the glory of God alone! And so, we need to examine our hearts and ask this question: to whom does the glory go?

Fights within the Church are often bitter and harsh. That's because we are pursuing selfish pleasures and desires in the exact place where it should not be happening! When we chase after our sinful desires, we are unfaithful to the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. Friendship with the world is enmity with God.

The Roman Catholic Church did not have a problem with the person of Christ, but with the works of Christ. Was Christ's work on the cross enough, or was it merely an opening to other things needed unto salvation? For the Reformers, the answer was clear: solus Christus, Christ alone!

Wisdom from below brings disorder and chaos. Wisdom from above brings peace and righteousness. Since wisdom from above is what we need for righteousness, let us not think that we can find it ourselves! But we should always be asking God for, and seeking, His wisdom so that we can know His peace and do righteousness

When Jesus had exposed the crowd's earthly motivations for following Him, many of them turned away. He then asks the Twelve if they wish to leave as well. Peter replies: "To whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life". When He strips away our earthly motivations, how do we respond to this question? We cannot fake faith!

Is faith enough? The Reformers said, "Yes it is!" The Roman Catholic Church did not deny the Gospel or God's grace, but they added to it. We believe that we are justified and receive grace by faith alone. If not, we have added something else and missed the point. Repent and believe - by faith alone!

We should seek wisdom, but not human wisdom. Human wisdom is rooted in selfish ambition and jealousy. It leads to disorder and every evil practice. Let us pray for wisdom from above and guard ourselves against falling into the trap of wisdom from below!

To those who think that it's up to their own ability to save themselves, the message and sacrifice of Christ and His grace becomes offensive. To His own followers, Jesus said: "There are some of you who do not believe". Soften your hearts, not the Word!

The reformers believed in "monergism", which means that God is the only agent in salvation. It is by His grace alone imparted to us in His own sovereign knowledge and election that we are saved.

The sad reality of the untameable tounge is that we bless God and curse men with the same mouth. As James says, this ought to not be. In other words, Christians, who should be glorifying God, should not have a foul mouth. However, although we break this contradiction each time, it makes us more and more aware of God's lavish grace upon us!

Martin Luther and the other Reformers considered tradition important, but not infallible or inerrant. This brought about one of the pillars of the Reformation: Sola Scriptura: Scripture alone. Our only source of infallible, inerrant, and inspired words from God is His Word

Just as a small fire can set a forest aflame, so too can our little tongues wreck havoc if we do not keep them under control. So, we need to make a choice: each time we open our mouths, are we going to start a fire, or are we going to like the ship's rudder and steer it through the waves to safety?

The Jews want to know to what extent Jesus can fulfil their needs. Jesus strikes right at the heart of their religion: the sacrificial system. He who eats and drinks of this sacrifice has eternal life, once and for all. He is the ultimate sacrifice.

The Reformation produced five essential pillars upon which Protestant theology stands: faith alone, grace alone, Scripture alone, Christ alone, to the glory of God alone. In this first sermon, Pastor Paul provides some background context and sets the stage for this new series!

It's funny to think how such a small thing can wield so much power, like a ship's rudder or a horse's bridle. Our tongues can do far more than we realize. In fact, James says that one who can control his tongue is one who is perfect (spiritually mature). As Christians, especially teachers of the Word, we need to mind our tongues!

What do we believe in? Jesus keeps repeating that one must believe in order to have eternal life. He is the Bread of Life; He is the one in whom we believe for eternal life. And the bread that He gives is His flesh: His body as an atoning sacrifice. Are we snacking or feeding on this Bread?

This morning, Pastor Paul shared a few thoughts on Communion, or the Lord's Supper

A true faith will be demonstrated by works. One cannot see faith in itself, but one can see faith by works. In the example of Abraham, his faith was made complete by his willingness to offer up Isaac. Let's be people whose faith is evident to all!

The Jews are upset by Jesus's teaching that He is the Bread of Life. How can this familiar bloke from insignificant Galilee be of Heavenly origin? How can a man be someone like God? Ah, well that's the crux of our faith in Christ: God indeed became man! But we cannot arrive at this conclusion by human effort. We must be taught by the Father.**Apologies for the sub-standard audio quality**

As we end our journey through the biblical narratives, we come to these great promises: He is making all things new, there will be no more physical and emotional pain, and, greatest of all, we shall see our Saviour face-to-face. What a day that will be when we arrive in the New Jerusalem!

Faith saves us, but faith with no action or works is no faith at all. Works don't give us faith, but faith should give us works. Let's make sure our faith is not a useless faith!

After the shipwreck, Paul gets bitten by a deadly viper on Malta, but does not die. God's purpose for him is to go and stand before Caesar in Rome. What do we learn from this narrative? Whether it's miraculous healing or surviving shipwrecks, we shall all reach our final destination that God has prepared for us for His glory!

James's warnings against showing partiality aren't just practical; they're also rooted in the law. If you love your one neighbour and not the other, you have shown partiality and transgressed. But he also gives a remedy: showing mercy (compassion) under the law of freedom!

The people want this bread from Heaven; Jesus drops the bombshell: "I am the Bread of Life". It is the Father's will that all He gives to the Son will be safe and secure until He raises them up on the last day. If you have the Bread of Life, you have been specifically chosen by the Father and given to the Son who will keep you until the end.