Fear Not Faithful, God Gives Good Gifts in Affliction

When you read a title like the one above you may wondering, “How in the world can there be anything good in this?”

Previously, we’ve tried to help you see that suffering precedes glory, and so you may think to yourself “I just have to endure all this until I reach glory!” That is true. There is an incomparably glorious future for believers. It’s why we can have real joy in the midst of real loss. But it’s also true there is great encouragement now, even in seasons of loss, we can be content and stand on the stable word of God knowing that God will never leave us nor forsake us. This is all really good news, especially to those who are suffering.

I would like to add to this good news the truth that some of the best gifts that God gives to His children, He gives in affliction.

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Suffering Precedes Glory

Passion Week 2020 has passed. Palm Sunday, Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Black (Silent) Saturday, and Resurrection Sunday have come and gone. For nearly two-thousand years the Church has celebrated the events of this week. After all, the culmination of The Gospel that our faith rests upon occurred in this week. It is during this week that, after dwelling upon His earth, Christ bore the sins of men upon that old rugged cross. The Sinless One died for sinful ones. Yet, He victoriously rose to reign over sin, death, and Satan. Later, He would ascend into heaven to return to the glory He had before the world existed. What a glorious week! But, before we move on too quickly we would be wise to ponder how the experience of Jesus relates to the experience of the Christian. I am convinced that far too often we gloss over a major biblical theme that comes to its climax in the Passion of Christ. Moreover, I am concerned that a promise from Christ Himself is frequently disregarded in His Church. So, what do the experiences of Christ during the week before His death teach us about our lives now? What is this biblical theme that is brushed aside? What is this promise of Christ that is ignored?

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A Stable Word for an Unstable Time in the World

In a world of volatility, a reliable message is often hard to come by. We all desire accurate words and encouraging news. This may be especially true during the COVID-19 crisis we find ourselves in. Have you found information from the governing authorities to be profoundly uplifting lately? Have you found stories from the media to be overwhelmingly precise recently? Perhaps your bank statements and investment portfolio are shooting it straight with you, but do you want to listen? Undoubtedly, you have heard many words of misfortune and multiple mixed messages. But is there a fitting word, a stable message, some encouraging truth in the midst of this predicament? YES!

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The Next Chapter for Redeemed South Bay

A Time for Change.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that there is a time for everything under heaven. I am certainly reminded of that truth as our church relocates and relaunches this week. Undoubtedly, many things are changing and will change as Redeemed settles into a new city (Torrance), a new facility (2545 W. 237th Street Suite A), and a new Sunday worship service time (9:30am). With all these changes and more, it is all too easy to become overwhelmed with the intricacies of a new facility. What should the color scheme be? How many chairs should be in the sanctuary? What color should the chairs be? How should the furniture be arranged? What should the sound system include? Where should the display screens be mounted? What should the various rooms be used for?

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Assessment of the Athanasian Creed

If you are anything like me, then you like to geek out on history. Particularly you enjoy reaching back into the centuries to discover the fascinating facts of church antiquity. One simple way to study church history is through the ancient creeds of the Christian faith. For individuals, friends,  and families alike, an engaging and edifying activity is reading a creed and searching the Scriptures to find out the biblical basis for the statements of the creed. The following paragraphs serves as a brief introduction to ancient creeds; followed by a biblical analysis (with proof-passages) of the Athanasian Creed, which is one of the least known ancient creeds in contemporary Christianity. This creed asserts the doctrine of the Trinity, the humanity of Christ, the divinity of Christ, and the person and work of Christ. Enjoy the exploration...

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Is There a Difference Between an Exegetical Lecture and a Sermon?

Is there a difference between an exegetical lecture and a sermon?

The short answer is... YES. Which begs the question: What is the difference between an exegetical lecture (for our purpose an exegetical lecture is an address that offers critical interpretation of a Scripture passages) and a sermon? Both an exegetical lecture and a sermon must display the proper implementation of interpretational principles (hermeneutics) in order to convey the truthfulness of God’s word. That being said, a sermon is much more than an exegetical lecture, therefore the differences between the two are vast. The application of hermeneutics is critical in the construction of a sermon, but it is only the launching pad for a biblical exposition. To some extent, an exegetical lecture is part of a sermon, but a sermon is not an exegetical lecture. The following paragraphs will convey the differences of an exegetical lecture and a biblical exposition or sermon.

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Walking in Wisdom: An Overview of Proverbs

The book of Proverbs is wisdom literature that offers experiential wisdom to its hearers. Although some equate much this book to common sense, it is much more than that; in reality the proverbs provide godly wisdom regarding common life. This book cannot be observed as a collection of phrases and sayings committed to portraying universal truths or promises but it is best understood as a collection of foundational and fundamental phrases that convey general truths and principles. While books such as Job and Ecclesiastes bestow non-conventional wisdom for the peculiarities of life, Proverbs is a book of conventional wisdom for everyday normality. The entirety of the wisdom literature in Scripture makes it clear that there is always an exception to the rules set forth in Proverbs.

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The Humility of Calvin: An Encouragement to "Calvinists"

It may not come as a surprise to those who adhere to Calvin's theology of salvation; the all-to-familiar notion that Calvinistic Christians tend to be arrogant and antagonistic. It was in the Fall of 2010 when I was first exposed to Calvin’s soteriology (the doctrine of salvation); more specifically I was introduced to Calvin’s view of God’s sovereignty in salvation. At first, I was opposed to such views, but as I continued to study, I became overwhelmingly persuaded that Calvin’s theology of salvation was nothing more than the Apostle Paul’s theology of salvation, which was therefore Jesus' theology of salvation. As I grew more attracted to this theology, I began reading blogs, forums, articles, etc. and that is when I noticed the continuous complaint that Calvinists are haughty and prideful.

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A Dead Goose Still Honks: A Synopsis of John Huss

Many in the evangelical church today have little knowledge, appreciation, or understanding in the realm of church history. The average church-going person’s witness to church history goes something like this, “The apostles were great! The early church fathers were fairly decent. The middle ages were a terrible period of time when the church had no one championing the truths of Scripture, that’s why they were called the ‘dark ages’. The Reformation is when Martin Luther combatted the heresy of the Roman Catholic Church and exclaimed to all professing believers that Scripture alone should have the authoritative word for the church, I think a couple other guys are called ‘reformers’ too. And now I attend a church down the road that holds to some of these truths that were rediscovered in the Reformation.” If this is your version of church history, then you are not alone!

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Am I Saved by Grace through Faith in Christ or by Works?

At Redeemed South Bay we are preaching an expository sermon series through Acts and we have arrived at chapter 15. In Acts 15 the essence of the gospel is being attacked; the stakes couldn't be any higher... is faith in Christ alone sufficient for salvation or must works of the law be added in order to be saved? This is indeed a monumental moment in the book of Acts as the church met in Jerusalem to settle the enormous issue. 

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The Best Part of Waking Up Is...?

The best part of waking up is Folger's in your cup!? Or perhaps, the snooze button, a hot shower, a roof over your head, a good breakfast, the stillness of the early morning, the sight of your spouse, the sound of your children? It is possible that any one or more of these could be the answer for some, for others it would depend on the day, and still for others it would depend on their age, perspectives, and interests on any given morning. I remember as a young boy the best part of waking up on Christmas day was the gifts around the tree and the amazing breakfast my mother would always make. As I matured and phased into the teenage years the best part of waking up on Saturday mornings was collegiate football. As I continued to grow into a young adult and college student myself, the best part of waking up was the all-you-can-eat breakfast at the dining hall. When I look back through the various stages of my life I can vividly remember precise details that, for me, made it worthwhile to rise out of bed and get going! Each of us wakes up everyday for something, the question is; What is that something?

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