1st Maccabees, Lesson 3: The Revolt Begins with Mattathias
To learn about Mattathias, we need to learn about Joarib. Joarib (spelled Jehoiarib in 1st Chronicles) was part of the 24 priestly divisions that served at the First Temple, which Solomon had built (1 Chronicles 24:7). After the Babylonian exile, Joarib (no doubt from the Joarib priestly division) was a priest who was one of first settlers to return… [more]
Thinking About the Hymns We Sing
This is our pastor's newsletter article for June. Hymns are strange. It’s not that hymns are strange writings put to music but that many of the hymns we like and are used to singing all differ. I didn’t grow up as a Lutheran. I converted to Lutheranism in the autumn of 1988. So, most of my Lutheran hymn-singing experience was… [more]
Acts 2:1-21: Living in Pentecost
Pentecost was a feast that God told the Israelites to celebrate. The Jews celebrated Pentecost 50 days after Passover; that’s why it had the name “Pentecost.” That Old-Covenant feast was a joyous day, which, over time, became an entire week of celebration. The people thanked God and presented to Him the first-fruits of the wheat harvest. … [more]
1st Peter, Lesson 8: Trusting God while Enduring Suffering
We continue with Peter’s speaking about Christian persecution and suffering. Peter’s look into suffering has four subcategories: 3:13-22: Christian conduct during persecution 4:1-11: Living in the last days 4:12-19: Sharing in the sufferings of Christ 5:1-11: Suffering as a Christian congregation Living in the Last Days… [more]
1st Maccabees, Lesson 2: Events Leading Up to the Maccabean Revolt
Historical Backdrop: 1:1-9 Read 1 Maccabees 1:1-9 These verses give the background, as a review to the reader, for the events that will follow. This book was written for Jews, and so it should not surprise us when it uses Old-Testament terminology. For instance, “Kittim” points back to the capital of Cyprus (Genesis 10:4 and 1 Chronicles… [more]
News
Thinking About the Hymns We Sing
This is our pastor's newsletter article for June. Hymns are strange. It’s … [Read More...]
First Quarter’s Voters’ Meeting
Our first quarterly Voter’s Meeting for the year is now on April 4th at 7:00 PM. … [Read More...]
March 21st Voters’ Meeting Cancelled
Based on the predicted weather for this afternoon and evening, the Voters’ Meeting for … [Read More...]
Sermons
Acts 2:1-21: Living in Pentecost
Pentecost was a feast that God told the Israelites to celebrate. The Jews celebrated … [More...]
John 15:26-16:4: Christian Persecution
If historians are correct, the 20th century was the bloodiest century in human history. … [More...]
John 16:23-30: Praying as We Ought
God put on the robe of human flesh, being born from the womb of Virgin Mary. As God, He … [More...]
Articles
1st Maccabees, Lesson 3: The Revolt Begins with Mattathias
To learn about Mattathias, we need to learn about Joarib. Joarib (spelled Jehoiarib in 1st Chronicles) was part of the 24 priestly divisions that served at the First Temple, which Solomon had built (1 Chronicles 24:7). After the Babylonian exile, Joarib (no doubt from the Joarib priestly division) was a priest who was one of first settlers to return to Jerusalem around 538 BC. Mattathias was … [More...]
1st Peter, Lesson 8: Trusting God while Enduring Suffering
We continue with Peter’s speaking about Christian persecution and suffering. Peter’s look into suffering has four subcategories: 3:13-22: Christian conduct during persecution 4:1-11: Living in the last days 4:12-19: Sharing in the sufferings of Christ 5:1-11: Suffering as a Christian congregation Living in the Last Days (1 Peter 4:1-11) Having the Mind of Christ … [More...]
1st Maccabees, Lesson 2: Events Leading Up to the Maccabean Revolt
Historical Backdrop: 1:1-9 Read 1 Maccabees 1:1-9 These verses give the background, as a review to the reader, for the events that will follow. This book was written for Jews, and so it should not surprise us when it uses Old-Testament terminology. For instance, “Kittim” points back to the capital of Cyprus (Genesis 10:4 and 1 Chronicles 1:7). It was also a term that also referred … [More...]
1st Peter, Lesson 7: Baptism and the Baptismal Way of Life
Peter now begins a new section on Christian persecution and suffering, which makes up the bulk of 1st Peter. His look into suffering is broken down into four sections. 1. 3:13-22: Christian conduct during persecution 2. 4:1-11: Living for the last days 3. 4:12-19: Sharing in the sufferings of Christ 4. 5:1-11: Suffering as a Christian congregation Christian Conduct during … [More...]
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