In this letter, I desire to impress upon you the importance of every election. Too many Christians who love the Lord, who obey his commands, and who love their country sit out local elections. “I’ll vote when it counts,” one might say as they wait for the next “big” election like a presidential or senatorial race. Here’s the problem with this line of reasoning: there are no small elections. Elections have consequences, even the local …
Month: October 2023
Keep My Word: Christ’s Word to a Faithful Church – Revelation 3:7-13
THE TEXT:
The text for the sermon today is Revelation 3:7-13. Our text can be found on page 1029. These are the words of God:
7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.
8 “ ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before …
Pastoral Sabbatical
The full text of the Deacon’s Pastoral Sabbatical Announcement is printed below. You may also access a PDF version of the information here: Pastoral Sabbatical Document
PASTORAL SABBATICAL
Prepared by the Deacons of Lake Wylie Baptist Church
The following was presented by the Deacons to the church body of Lake Wylie Baptist Church in a congregational meeting on October 22, 2023.
* * *
Dear Father in heaven,
We thank you for the privilege of …
Pastoral Prayer
Prayers for the Church
God, Our Father,
The fear of you is the beginning of wisdom (Ps. 111:10), and we pray that you would give us that holy and reverential fear. May we keep your Word (Rev. 3:10), and obey your commandments (Eccl. 12:13)
Give us also the grace to love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Mk. 12:30) May your Son, the Lord Jesus, be very precious to us (1 Pet. …
When Spheres Collide – The Governments
INTRODUCTION
Take a deep breath because this installment may require multiple readings, but I promise it’s worth your effort. In 1880, Abraham Kuyper (pronounced kie-per) delivered a public address at the inauguration of the Free University in Amsterdam which he entitled “Sphere Sovereignty.” The basic idea is this: Jesus Christ is sovereign over all. Underneath his total sovereignty, Christ has instituted various spheres of human society and established the boundaries (or spheres) of their authority, …
Hold Fast: Christ’s Word to a Compromised Church – Revelation 2:18-29
THE TEXT:
The text for the sermon today is Revelation 2:12-17. Our text can be found on page 1028. These are the words of God:
18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
19 “ ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that …
Repent: Christ’s Words to a Worldly Church Revelation 2:12-17
THE TEXT:
The text for the sermon today is Revelation 2:12-17. Our text can be found on page 1028. These are the words of God:
12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.
13 “ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of …
Pastoral Prayer
Prayers for the Church
Father, may you sanctify your church completely. Keep us blameless in body and soul until the coming of our Lord Jesus. We know you are faithful and will do this (1 Thess. 2:23-24)
Prayers for the Lost
Father, we pray for the nation and the people of Afghanistan. We grieve that their nation is under the control of a terrorist group and ask for your mercy. Preserve the lives of Afghans …