Friday, June 26, 2015

Happy 4th Anniversary, DASAL Baptist Church

Thank you Pastor Rolly for reminding us that this is the Fourth Anniversary of DASAL Baptist Church.  On behalf of the Elders and the Deacons, with all your brothers and sisters at Elk Point Baptist Church, we bless the Lord for His goodness and grace.

It only seems like yesterday that we were in discussions with Susana and Airyn and Pastor Rolly about starting a church in Dalumpinas.  We remember with fondness those days when Pastor Jason and Brother Rick visited you, and it was not long before God's grace enabled us to start the initial work.

What joy it brings to us as we have seen the Church work together and serve Christ for the advancement of His Kingdom.  We greet you all in Christ's name; and look forward to many years of ministry together in the Gospel, until He returns and stands glorified among His saints. 

In the account of Nehemiah, as he was rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, there were those that opposed.  In deceit they wanted him to stop and converse with them.  He responded this way: “so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?”” (Nehemiah 6:3, NIV).

How much more significant, in time and eternity the work you are all doing at DASAL Baptist Church.  It is a great "project"; and the joy we have today as we rejoice with you is “that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6, NIV).

From Pastor Jim, Jason, Rick and Rhonda, Seth, Courtney and Raha, AND TO ALL OF US WHO LOVE YOU IN THE LORD at Elk Point Baptist Church , we are incredibly thankful for the good work in Dalumpinas/Salincob.   May God contine to richly bless you.





Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Misused Bible Verses That Should Concern You – Proverbs 22:6. James A.E. MacLellan


Is Proverbs 22:6 a promise given to good parents?

Raised in a Christian home with a godly influence, I should have known better.  Observing two other siblings who seemed to follow the “path of righteousness,” attend Christian institutes and marry Christian spouses, enter fulltime ministry, should have impressed me. But for some reason I chose the “path of wickedness”.   But in my early 30’s God intercepted my free-fall and changed my life.  It would not have been out of line for my parents to give thanks to God who kept His Word, where He spoke through Solomon: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6, ESV).

However, is that valid?  Does God assure us that if we raise a child “in the way he should go” that this provides that necessary hope to parents that he or she will return, no matter what?  The answer is found in a correct interpretation of the proverb.  

Interpreting the Book of Proverbs

The Book of Proverbs is a collection of wisdom and insight attributed to four authors . . .

TO READ MORE CLICK HERE.



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James MacLellan is the Senior Pastor at Elk Point Baptist Church.  He is married to Debra and they have three grown daughters.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Misused Bible Verses That Should Concern You – Romans 8:28 (James A.E. MacLellan)


Probably the most loved verse in the Bible, especially for Christians is Romans 8:28 (ESV): “28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” By ripping this precious promise from its context we get to use it as a hope-filled tonic for whatever ills us.   Christians bask in the notion that the “good” that God promises is whatever we interpret as good. 

A parent is unfortunately disconnected from an adult child. Sadly, there is no communication and there is a massive rift in their relationship.  An unexpected illness occurs in one party.  The condition is serious and the prognosis is disconcerting.  But through the events both parties are brought together and one exclaims with gratitude: God has caused this to work together for good. Now “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17, ESV).  This is undeniable.  However can you root the upturn of this situation in the promise of Romans 8:28? Well let’s put it back in it’s context.

To read more click HERE.





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James MacLellan is the Senior Pastor at Elk Point Baptist Church.  He is married to Debra and they have three grown daughters.  

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Exegesis Colossians 2:6–7



Paul's Letter to Colossae

The author is Paul and the situation in Colossae seemed to be an invasion of lots of different ideologies and philosophies including semi-Jewish plus other Greek notions. Similar to Paul's letter to the Galatian churches, the variety of these philosophies were not set up in opposition to Christianity, it was being suggested that they enhance Christianity.  Paul wanted to affirm that Christ is sufficient.  Adding human philosophies to Christ actually robs Christ of His glory.  Paul wrote while in prison about the same time as he wrote Ephesians.  There is a similarity between the two letters. "Ephesians speaks of the Christian being in Christ; Colossians speaks of Christ being in the Christian."[1] The purpose of Paul's letter to Colossae was confront these false ideas and present Christ in the Gospel as of greater value and worth.

Context

In Chapter 1, Paul emphasizes the Person and the Work of Christ.  The greatness of Christ therefore enables Paul to launch this appeal to not depart from the Gospel: “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.” (Colossians 1:21–23, ESV).

Paul, then tells the Church how the hope of Christ enables him to struggle through opposition and trials. Paul's whole ministry can be described as that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.” (Colossians 2:2–5, ESV)

It is Christ who has all the superlative wisdom and knowledge.  Don't let even good sounding arguments move you from this truth.  Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6–7, ESV).

English Translations


Colossians 2:6–7 (AV)
Colossians 2:6–7 (NIV)
Colossians 2:6–7 (NASB95)
Colossians 2:6–7 (NLT)
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Analysis

Ὡς οὖν or "therefore"  "just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord" (summarizing the first part of the letter).  "Paul has spotlighted the person of Christ, ruler of both the old creation and the new (1:15–20), substance of the “mystery,” God’s plan for human history (1:27; 2:2), and repository of all wisdom and knowledge (2:3). And he has reminded the Colossians that they have responded to the message about this new Lord of the universe and given themselves to his service (1:5–8, 21–23)."[2] 

"The Colossians had received Christ in a certain manner: as the Anointed of God ("Christ"), as the historic Savior ("Jesus"), and as the sovereign ("Lord")."[3]

If that is true, the Apostle writes, then "walk in Him;" or "live your lives in Him;" or "continue to follow Him." In Greek: ἐν αὐτῷ περιπατεῖτε.   Pronounced per·ee·pat·eh·o  a verb written in the present active, that is, "continue to live in that same way." The present imperative περιπατεῖτε (peripateite) implies, in this context, a continuation of something already begun.  In the same manner we trusted Christ – we are to live.  Here's some examples of how Paul uses this idea of walk:

& Ephesians 4:17 (ESV) 17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.
& Romans 6:4 (ESV) 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
& Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

In Greek Paul uses 4 participles to describe the walk in Christ.   A participle in a sentence describes the verb.  So these participles are answering the question, "How do we walk?"  They are:

      A.      Eρριζωμένοι or firmly rooted.  Having been rooted because it is written in the perfect passive tense.  Live in agreement with the fact that someone/something has permanently rooted you. This is a settled condition.  You have been planted in Christ.
      B.      Eποικοδομούμενοι or built up.  This is present passive in the Greek reflecting the idea of "you are being built up. Eν αὐτῷ, in Him – in Christ.
      C.      βεβαιούμενοι τῇ πίστει strengthened, established in the faith.  Again this is present passive.  "The Faith" or "that body of truth – the faith system[4] -- as you were taught. The noun ("confirmation") is found in Phil. 1:7; and Heb. 6:16. The verb implies "to confirm" or "to verify".  Christ is confirming/verifying you, in The Faith.
      D.      Pερισσεύοντες ἐν εὐχαριστίᾳ -- continuing to abound/overflow with thanksgiving. This verb is active.  Something we do.  "The allusion to what the Colossians have already been taught interrupts the flow of participles, causing overflowing with thankfulness to stand by itself as almost an afterthought. But we should not thereby underestimate its significance. As we have noticed already, thanksgiving plays a prominent role in Colossians, Paul apparently being convinced that true gratitude for God’s grace is an important “offensive” measure against the false teaching (see the notes on 1:12).[5]

"The three participles rootedbuilt up, and firm belong together and reflect three different metaphors. The first participle “rooted” (perfect tense) indicates a settled condition on the part of the Colossian believers and refers to horticulture. The second participle “built up” (present passive) comes from the world of architecture. The third participle “firm [established]” (present passive) comes from the law courts. With these three metaphors (as well as the following comment on thankfulness) Paul explains what he means when he commands them to continue to live their lives in Christ. The use of the passive probably reflects God’s activity among them. It was he who had rooted them, had been building them up, and had established them in the faith (cf. 1 Cor 3:5-15 for the use of mixed metaphors)."[6]

Paraphrase

"Christ is supreme in all ways; superlative in all His Being and His work.  You received Him by faith as Lord, Savior and the Christ.  By grace He rooted you, has been building you up, and has established you in the faith.  So live in Him the same way, by faith as Savior, Lord and Christ; abounding in thanksgiving."  - Paul.

Homiletical Outline

       I.        Illustration:   Are You Smarter Than A Fifth-Grader?

      II.      Where Do I Get That? (Colossians 2:6-7)

      III.    Lessons From Salvation
a.       What did you believe when you became a Christian?
b.      What does it mean when you believe Jesus is Lord?
c.       So how do we grow as a Christian?  Stay right there!

      IV.    Why Do We Stay in the Schoolhouse of Christ's Lordship?

#1.   He has firmly rooted me there.   
#2.   He is building me up.   
#3.   Thirdly, He has and is establishing me in The Faith.  "
#4.   Fourthly, it ought to produce a life abounding/overflowing with thanksgiving.   

      V.      How Do We Do That?

"As you received … so walk."  How did you receive Christ?   Answer?  By faith!   

      VI.    What Does That Simplicity Look Like?

A life of faith is a life directed by God’s Word – empowered by His Spirit.  It doesn't get any more complicated than that.  We never leave Grade One. 

 





[1] Hindson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M. (Eds.). (1994). KJV Bible Commentary (p. 2453). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[2] Moo, D. J. (2008). The letters to the Colossians and to Philemon (p. 175). Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.
[3] Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Colossians/Exposition of Colossians/III. The Ministry of Paul (1:24-2:7)/D. A Ministry of Exhortation (2:6, 7), Book Version: 4.0.2
[4] Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Colossians/Exposition of Colossians/III. The Ministry of Paul (1:24-2:7)/D. A Ministry of Exhortation (2:6, 7), Book Version: 4.0.2   
[5] Moo, D. J. (2008). The letters to the Colossians and to Philemon (pp. 182–183). Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.
[6] https://net.bible.org/#!bible/Colossians+2:6

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Who Represents True Islam? Moderates or Extremists? - Clint Roberts


There’s a fight brewing among the cultural left. These people usually agree with each other, especially on important issues. But they’re fighting over Islam. Maybe you heard Bill Maher and Sam Harris duking it out with Ben Affleck[1] a few months ago. More recently, Maher mixed it up with Howard Dean[2] over the same issue. And just what is that issue?

In short, Islam has a big problem. It seems to reproduce the worst kinds of radicals and extremists. It appears more prone to this than any other major world religion. Wherever you find a predominance of Muslims, the seed of dangerous extremism is usually taking root.
A typical day in the news includes reports of murderous Muslims killing civilians in cruel ways. This happens with ghastly consistency. We’re pummeled by the unbroken media coverage of this apparently global disease. Many have the unfair but understandable impression that Islam is a religion of death. To one degree or another they see all Muslims as wild-eyed barbarians.

The Two Sides of the Islam Debate


This is what has liberals bickering with each other. Some “leftists” don’t like any religious people of any sort. They see this violence as another reason we should all be secular. For them, the problem is Islam itself. A greater number on the left want to maintain the politically correct stance. President Obama appears to be in this second group. They seek to separate extremists from Islam entirely. For them, Islam is a religion of peace and love with no connection to the ongoing violence. They say that it’s crazy extremists, falsely claiming to be Muslims, who are responsible.


To read more click HERE




Wednesday, March 25, 2015

What ISIS Can Never Defeat - Vernon Brewer


GOD HAS NOT FORGOTTEN IRAQ
“You can look at the situation in Iraq and see pain, or you can look at it and see hope,” said Jeremy, one of our relief partners in Iraq. The words echoed in my head over and over and over.
On our first day in Iraq, we spent most of the day delivering food supplies and Bibles and now we’re meeting together to work on future outreach strategies.
To read the remainder of the story, please click HERE.

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Vernon Brewer
Committed husband, father, and grandfather. Try to live my life in a way that will outlive me and last for eternity. President and CEO of @world_help. Loyal@RedSox fan.