I just reached 1 Chronicles in my Bible reading plan. If Leviticus is a good place to get confused, then 1 Chronicles is a good place to get bored. The first nine chapters are all names! Literally, it’s just name after name after name after name. Why would the author of Chronicles do this? The answer comes from the context out of which it was written. In the Hebrew ordering of the Old Testament, C...  Read More

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. Intro: (1) background of past three years (2) cultural realities, foundation of God’s word, owner vs. steward (3) present church corporately responsible for forming future churchTheology1. OT: (1) Proverbs 22:6  importance of laying spiritual foundation through both love and correction (2) Ex...  Read More

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. Intro: (1) prayer service — Onwuchekwa book (2) prayer on Sunday mornings — call to worship, confession, pastoral prayer, end of sermon, giving pastoral goal of bringing prayer shape to our congregation (4) 5 reminders about prayerBreathing prayer (17-22): (1) prayer like breathing (2) the pr...  Read More

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. Intro: (1) recap — significance of day of atonement (Yom Kippur) (2) “atonement” — broad word represented by a number of pictures/definitions to communicate what is necessary for sin to be addressed (3) read v.1-2 — Nadab/Abihu, ark/mercy seat (4) OT vs. NTOT Atonement1. Atonement and the pr...  Read More

While away on sabbatical I read a book that explored three daily temptations faced by pastors. Upon further reflection, I think each of these temptations are experienced by many of us in many different ways week after week.The first temptation is to be everywhere for everybody. The tendency for many of us to over-commit is ever upon us, and it can lead to a life of rushing and busyness, leaving li...  Read More

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. Intro: (1) outward symbols — ordinances (2) seats/candles at advent/lent (3) thesis statement in 15:31 CategoriesChildbirth (ch.12): (1) v.1-5 — lengths of time of uncleanness for boy vs. girl (2) two likely reasons — sin’s effect on childbirth, presence of blood (3) time away — maternity leav...  Read More