The Heidelberg Catechism - The Foundations Of Our Faith

Ambassadors For Christ. Call To Worship Law and Grace Reading  Ezekiel 3:1-21 Bible readings 2 Corinthians 5:6 -21 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 11              Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if ...

  Call To Worship   Jude 17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions." 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. False teachers:  focus on small stuff, they cause divisions. They don't read their Bible's. little understanding or personal knowledge of God. Godly folk: built up in their holy faith… understand more and more of God's Word. They pray as the Holy Spirit directs (not as their own emotional whims waver n...

The Trellis and the Vine By Colin Marshall and Tony Payne Chapter One : The trellis and the vine How trellis work takes over "Most churches are a mixture of trellis and vine" (p.8). The title of the book is an analogy for Christian ministry. "The basic work of any Christian ministry is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of God's Spirit, and to see people converted, changed and grow to maturity in that gospel... (Vine work)... However... Christian ministries also need some structure and support... (Trellis work)" (p.8). Both trellis work and vine work are critical and must be done with excellence. But vine work should clearly be the emphasis. Payne says, however, that, for some reason, trellis work "tends to take over from vine work" (p.9). There are several reasons why this might be, but the point is that churches and ministries can become consumed with trellis work when there may actually be very little vine work. Marshall and Payne ho...