23
Nov 2009
The Gospel and Transformation 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 7 ¶ Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory......
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23
Sep 2009
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous …. Among others things the gospel assures us that Jesus lived the life that we failed to life and died the death that we deserve to die. Believing this, assures us that we need not live with the burden of trying to achieve our own righteousness to earn God’s favor, nor do we need to live with fear of God’s judgment for our sin. In his active obedience Jesus, as the second Adam, performed and fulfilled all......
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14
Sep 2009
An Introduction to Christianity Dr. John P. Davis Presented to my Moslem friends at TAMEF (A Turkish Moslem Organization) Let me say at the outset, how much I appreciate the sincere desire of Turkish Moslems to be friends with Christians. A true friendship is one in which you can discuss your differences and even retain your differences while being friends. Friends cannot always reconcile their differences. Friends can disagree over politics, aesthetics, personal choices, worldviews, and religion and still be friends. As we discuss Christianity and Islam, it becomes clear that these......
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11
Sep 2009
Welcome to Grace Church of Philly – Today we gather in the name of Jesus Christ to worship him who loved us and gave his life for us. Please join us as we sing about the greatness of our God. Adoration (recognition of God’s greatness and grace) Sing – How Great is our God (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl1k_Q1n-QU&feature=PlayList&p=FBFA602E6C01B00D&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=5) Sing – Glory to the risen king Confession (acknowledgment of our sin and need for grace) Please remain standing as we read a portion of God’s word that reminds us of our need of his grace. Isaiah......
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10
Sep 2009
Years ago I read Kennon Callahan’s Twelve Marks of an Effective Leader (1997) and was struck by what he called the ‘four foundational searches’ of all humanity. He argued that effective leadership understands these searches and seeks to minister to them. The four searches he defined are the search for identity, the search for community, the search for meaning, and the search for hope. In their search for identity, people need to know why they have value, and that they are valued as in individuals with their unique personality, gifts, and calling.......
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31
Aug 2009
Yesterday, Sunday, August 30, 2009 I preached my final message as Pastor of Grace Fellowship Church in Sunnyside (Queens), NY. For months I had been preaching through the book of Hebrews, so it was fitting and timely that I was now at chapter 13. As I studied the chapter, my attentiion kept coming back to verse 8 – “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.” This verse follows the call to imitate the faith of those who believed in Jesus Christ so faithfully that they not only lived for Him,......
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18
Aug 2009
Yet John realized that there was something about Jesus that dwarfed his own potential greatness. John’s confession, though brief, is actually a key to life – he is more powerful than I am. ...
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11
Jul 2009
The ultimate target group for Grace Church of Philly is simply ‘people who need Jesus.’...
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30
Jun 2009
The gospel is not a lesser, unrefined, more elemental understanding of God’s work of redemption. The gospel is deeper and broader than any biblical theology or systematic theology....
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30
Jun 2009
To oppress anyone, especially the disadvantaged, is to show the utmost disrespect for human life. To oppress others, especially the disadvantaged, is to live in blatant violation of the second greatest commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." To oppress others or to fail to deliver them from oppression is contrary to the call of the gospel.
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