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SERMON: “Clean Feet: The Washings of Christ” (John 13:2–17)

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  “Clean Feet: The Washings of Christ” ( John 1 3:2–17) Series:               “John: Life in Christ’s Name”           Text:                 John 13:2–17 By:                    Shaun Marksbury                         Date:                March 17, 2024 Venue:              Living Water Baptist Church             Occasion:             AM Service   I. ...

What should we think about the upcoming solar eclipse?

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As celestial phenomena unfold, many individuals rightly turn to Scripture, seeking insights into their significance.  Eclipses, comets, supernovas, and meteor showers spark fascination and questions as to whether these events carry divine messages.  However, discerning between natural occurrences and supernatural signs requires careful consideration among Christians, particularly in the context of hermeneutics (the science of interpreting the Bible) and eschatological (end-times) beliefs. The Balance of Natural Order and Divine Intervention I am a supernaturalist, meaning that I believe God made this world and can intervene in events in miraculous ways to accomplish His purposes.   God made the cosmos, and on the fourth day of creation, the Lord made the sun, moon, and stars, establishing these luminaries to be “for signs and for seasons and for days and years” (Genesis 1:14).   The word “signs” carries a special fascination for us, but we also see that God had...

SERMON: New Testament Overview, Part 9: The Remaining Epistles

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New Testament Overview Part 9 : The Remaining Epistles I. Introduction We went through Hebrews. This session: James – Jude II. James “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:22). AUDIENCE: Jewish Christians (diaspora) DATE: ad 44–62 AUTHOR: James Jesus’s half-brother (Matt 13:55; Mark 6:3; Gal 1:19) Became a believer after the resurrection (1 Cor 15:7) Elder in Jerusalem Church (Acts 15:13-21; 21:17–26) THEME: True faith works blessed righteousness OUTLINE I. The Prologue (1:1–18) II.   The Body: The Exhortation concerning the Word Implanted Which is Able to Deliver (1:19–5:20) A. The Principles Summarized (1:19–21) B. The Principles Applied (1:22–5:12) 1. Be Quick to Hear [and Do] (1:22–2:26) 2. Be Slow to Speak (3:1–18) 3. Be Slow to Anger (4:1–5:12) C. The Practices Needed at the Time (5:13–20) 1. Turn to Prayer (5:13–18) 2. Turn Others to the Truth (5:19–20) Debate over the meaning of fai...

Uncloaking a Common Church Scam

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 My phone rang, and I couldn’t believe what I heard when I answered. When I was serving in a Savannah church plant, a call came through our electronic church line, setting the stage for this unexpected encounter.   I prepared myself for a potential ministry call, so I answered, “This is Pastor Shaun.   How may I help you?”    I heard a man’s voice, and he exclaimed to (presumably) his wife, “Honey, I got the pastor on the line!  Let’s stand to show our respect!” Of course, I told him that wasn’t necessary.   I admit that I smiled to myself, thinking about how peculiar that moment was.   But, brushing it aside, I asked how I might help.   He explained that he visited our church this week while I was unavailable.     So, he spoke to my secretary, telling her about visiting family in Savannah, but that he and his wife’s vehicle had broken down, leaving them stranded.   They just needed a bus ticket to get back home.   ...