WHERE SHOULD YOU GO TO CHURCH? (2)
"We are called to join and remain living members of a church which feeds us with the Word of God, where the voice of the Shepherd is heard. We are not to attend the church of our choice but His choice — where we hear the voice of the Good Shepherd. As our Lord says in John 10:27, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." The question "Where should we go to church?" is therefore first and foremost a question of "Where is the Good Shepherd? Where is He at work? Where can I hear His voice calling me?" If we want to know where the Shepherd gathers His sheep then we must see Him as He appears to us in the garment of Scripture. If we pay attention to the behavior of the sheep in the congregation we are bound to be discouraged and disillusioned. Our eyes are to be on the Shepherd. We are to listen to His voice. He not only gives us personal directions but He makes clear what our responsibilities are as we interact with His sheep."
—Peter Feenstra
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WHERE SHOULD YOU GO TO CHURCH? (1)
"Most people think church attendance and membership is strictly a matter of individual preference. For new believers, it may be difficult to discern the Shepherd's voice, especially if they are unfamiliar with His Word. Yet as we learn to discern His voice we need to choose Comfort over comfort. The Lord does not want us worshipping in ways intended to satisfy our own needs. We may not choose a place of worship in terms of what seems best for us and our children, or what fulfills our wishes. Where we go to church is not a matter of personal taste but obedience to God. The church which is true to its purpose lets God speak through preaching and teaching. The Bible is opened and explained. The Gospel of the forgiveness of sins and eternal life, through Christ's redemption, is proclaimed. Christ is at the center of preaching and practice."
—Peter Feenstra
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“Underneath are the everlasting arms.”
—Deuteronomy 33:27
"Our God—the eternal God– is Himself our support at all times and especially when we’re sinking in deep trouble. There are seasons when the Christian sinks very low in humiliation. Under a deep sense of his great sinfulness he is humbled before God until he hardly knows how to pray; he feels worthless. Child of God, remember that when you’re at your worst and lowest, underneath you are “everlasting arms.” Sin may drag you very low, but Christ’s great atonement is still under everything."
—CH Spurgeon
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“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
~John 14:27
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HOPE REFORMED LADIES' CONFERENCE
Friday & Saturday, April 26-27 with Donna Evans
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AS MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST: the redeemed, the sheep of His pasture, the Bride of Christ, the people of His hand, God's fellow workers, God's field, God's building…
*We purposely gather on the Lord's Day to present ourselves as a living sacrifice of thankfulness unto our God and Father (Rom. 12:1-2).
*We deliberately gather out of obedience to our God, Who commands that we gather one day in seven for corporate worship (Ex. 20:8; Heb. 10:25).
*We gather on the Lord's Day for corporate worship to honor the Lord by hearing and bowing to His Word (2 Tim. 4:2).
*We gather to cast our cares upon Him in prayer knowing that He cares for us! (1 Peter 5:7).
*We gather to sing the glory of His name and give ourselves to the Lord (Psa. 95; Rom. 12:2).
*We gather to give tithes and offerings for the extension of Christ's kingdom and to demonstrate that the Lord owns us, our time, our ways, and all that we possess as stewards. As David wrote, "My times are in Your hands" (Psalm 31:15).
*We gather to fellowship with the Triune Godhead (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), the saints in glory, and the saints on earth (1 John 1:3).
*We gather to confess His name, His Majesty, His Glory, His Lordship, His Saviorhood, His Sovereignty, His Grace, His Mercy, His Justice (Ex. 34:6).
*We gather to receive blessings from the Lord as He feeds, nourishes, and comforts His sheep as He walks among the candlesticks (Rev. 2:1).
*We gather for the glory of God, as the Apostle Paul wrote, "Do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31).
*We gather to praise the name of Jesus by the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the preaching of His Word, and this is well pleasing to the Father! "That all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him" (John 5:23).
Psalm 95:1-2: "Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms."
—Pastor S. Henry
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