Sermons tagged #Hospitality

The second part of the passage 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 answering the question - What is authentic gospel ministry?

Paul identifies something which delights an apostle's heart, something which Philemon does, and something in which we can all engage. The great work is that of refreshing the souls of the saints. It is done by brothers, motivated by love. It may be done by all, with gospel inventiveness. It produces great joy and consolation when we see the progress of Christian love and labour in the hearts and hands of God's people.a

Kindness is not merely vague "niceness" but love enacted – useful action applied, best demonstrated by the saving work of Jesus.

In order to be useful and fruitful in the Christian Life we must add brotherly kindness.

Paul speaks of this special and unique couple that served God and the Gospel call together. Priscilla and Aquila are mentioned many times in scripture and their devotion to Jesus Christ and their sharing of the Gospel from the church in their home. One might find it amazing the vast distances they traveled to be of service to the Lord.

Tent Revival

Pastor teaches his family a selection from "the Proverb of the day." In these eight verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us to guard against materialistic covetousness in ourselves and others.

This sermon looked at the name and witness of the 3 or 4 men named Gaius in the NT, mostly studying 3 John written entirely to a "Gaius," in connection with Pastor and his wife revealing the chosen name of their eighth covenant child and fifth covenant son, Gaius Ezekiel Van Leuven. Disclaimer: it was said there are 15 verses in 3 John. In English there are 14. Pastor worked with the Greek and in his printed copy there are 15 verses and that influenced him to think he must have missed noting the numbers (the text is the same). He plans to look into this to understand, but in English there are 14 verses. John says Christians, especially Church leaders, need to be reliably hospitable in brotherly love for Christ's truth with one another, especially other Christian leaders, even when other leaders in the Church make it hard to do. May this Church Remember Your Name Like Gaius.

In those whom God has called to wifehood and motherhood, He does a special part of HIs sanctifying work through the decades of filling their lives with the service of husband, children, guests, and saints.

As part of Antioch Presbyterian Church's 180th Anniversary Celebration, Pastor Zachary Groff delivered an address on the congregation's history entitled, "The Story of Old Antioch Church (1843-2023): 180 Years of Proclaiming Christ at the Crossroads of Greenville & Spartanburg Counties."

In this episode of "Faith & Practice," Dr. Pipa and Pastor Groff handle a diverse array of questions pertaining to church government, prayer, worship, and more. Questions include: Should we be expecting more or formal education for Ruling Elders? Where did Old Testament believers worship before the Temple? What authority do Deacons have in the church? What guidelines should we follow to properly pray imprecatory prayers? What do you think the ideal training method is for new office bearers in the church? What biblical principles apply to deciding how much money to spend on 'non-essentials' (e.g., recreation, entertainment, home decor)?

The Sacrifices of First Responders. Romans 12:1-2,9-18 There are certain days that for whatever reason are burned into our hearts and minds and always will be no matter how much time passes by. Where were you when you heard the news of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001? We're not likely to forget the circumstances surrounding that day in our lives. As we pause both as a nation and more specifically as a community of believers, I want to share with you three things that we need to keep in mind when we reflect on this tragic event.I. Sacrifice Has Its Profession. vv.1-2 II. Sacrifice Has Its Requirements. vv. 9-13 III. Sacrifice Has Its Purpose. Vv. 14-18 Jesus is our first responder when he met all our needs on the cross of Calvary.Paul tells us that we need to strengthen our commitment to unity.1. We need to make sure we're all moving in the same direction.2. We need to be willing to look out for one another.3. We need to take every opportunity to develop lasting relationships.Because we're devoted to one another. We're moving in the same direction. We share one another's burdens. We're committed to building heart-deep relationships that last a lifetime.We don't just love each other because we have to love each other. We like each other because we want to like each other.Life is better when we're connected, so let's devote ourselves to one another.You and I as believers are the sacrifices of the first responders!!!!