Archives for March 2017

March 2017 Shepherd's Letter for Occoquan Bible Church....

In the Bible, leadership is likened to shepherding. In the Old Testament, God shepherded his people; he called shepherds like Moses and David to lead his people; and kings were often likened to shepherds. In the New Testament, the image continues. Elders are commanded to shepherd the people whom God gives them to oversee (1 Peter 5:14). And local churches are to recognize ...

Proverbs says a soft answer turns away wrath. James 3 says that the tongue is a fire which can set a whole forest ablaze. 1 Corinthians 14 says to not forbid speaking in tongues, yet it also gives a long list of qualifications. With all these words about the tongue and tongues, how should we proceed? Our words have incredible power for building up or tearing down.This is ...

Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. -- Romans 15:7 -- In the Bible hospitality is no small matter. From Abraham to the Apostles, God called his people to greet one another with love and concern. For instance, in the Old Testament it was more than a cultural faux pas to deny hospitality; it was an indictment against the whole village. Lik...

This last Sunday we considered how love endures, looking at four movements in Paul's argument in 1 Corinthians 13:8-13. From the temporary to the eternal (v. 8) From the partial to the perfect (vv. 9-10) From the child to the man (v. 11) From the mirror to face to face (v. 12) Sermon audio is available online; discussion question and study resources are listed bel...

What comes to mind when you think of St. Patrick's Day? Leprechauns. Ireland. Wearing green. Or drinking green beer. If that is it, you may want to re-read the record books. A few years back, Russell Moore gave a brief history lesson on the real Patrick that should make every missionally-minded Christian sit up and take notice. Drawing on the Philip Freeman's 2007 book, ...

Yesterday, Ben Purves, pastor for student ministries at our church, preached a tremendous message on 1 Corinthians 13. Let me encourage you to listen to his message, "The Necessity and Definition of Love," as he unpacks Paul's explanation of love in the context of spiritual gifts. Even more, Ben also showed us how Christ fulfilled the qualities of love and how we can look ...

I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. -- Psalm 69:30 -- Thanksgiving is a practice of politeness, etiquette, and good decorum. Right? It is what we (are told to) express when Aunt Lucille buys you a sweater when you want the Super Hero action figures. Or something like that. It is a Christian command, but one that is more happe...

Building the Body of Christ: Unity and Diversity, Mutuality and Charity (Sermon Audio) What is the goal of Paul's discussion about spiritual gifts? If it is not clear from his words in 12:7, then his elongated illustration of the one body with many parts is unmistakable. Christ gave multiple gifts to his church in order for the various part to build one another up in love...

Assurance. It is a precious gift the Lord gives his people. As 1 John 5:13 says, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life." Yet, despite God's promise of assurance, sometimes experientially our personal assurance wanes. There are many reasons for thissome caused by God's sovereign and mysterious p...