Always Reforming

The Pillars of the Church Part 3: Breaking of Bread I.                    Introduction a.      Last time we looked at the importance of fellowship                                                              i.       God commands it                                                           ii.       God uses fellowship as part of sanctification                                                        iii.       Fellowship is encouraging and refreshing b.      This time we are going to look at breaking of bread II.                 What is it? a.      Some commentators interpret this as generic sharing of meals—they ate together—because “breaking of bread” was/is a common idiom for sharing a meal b.      Most commentators have traditionally identified this as the Lord’s Supper c.      Part of the confusion might be the way we do the Lord’s Supper because while the ceremonial taking of the bread and wine was always distinct, it was often done in the greater context of

Philippians 3:17-21: Our Heavenly Citizenship I.                    Context a.      Paul is warning the Philippians about false teachers--the Judaizers--who put confidence in the flesh by demanding that the Gentiles be circumcised b.     Paul sarcastically lists reasons he could be confidence in the flesh c.      Paul insists that righteousness that is by faith in Christ, but makes sure they understand that pursuing righteousness is the goal of the Christian life II.                  Verse 17 a.      Paul implores the Philippians to follow his example—leaning on Christ but striving for holiness b.     He calls on them to take note of those who are serving Christ and to follow their example III.               Verses 18-21 a.      Paul gives us describes the difference between the citizens of Christ’s Kingdom and the enemies of the cross b.     The enemies of the cross are defined by: 1.     Their end is destruction 2.     Their god is their belly 3.     The ta

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,  Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever   he be   of thy seed in their generations that hath   any   blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God. For whatsoever man  he be  that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded, Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken;   No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God.  He shall eat the bread of his God,  both  of the most holy, and of the holy.  Only he shall not go in unto the vail, nor come nigh unto the altar, because he hath a blemish; that he profane not my sanctuaries: for I the LORD do sanctify them.  And Moses told  it  unto Aaron, and to his

The Pillars of the Church Part 2: Fellowship 1.       Introduction a.      The second sermon of a 4-part sermon series on the Church based on Acts 2:42 (read) b.     Last time                                                              i.       We saw that these four items formed the basic lifestyle of 1 st century Christianity                                                           ii.       We looked at the importance of Doctrine/Teaching c.      This time we’re going to look at the importance of Christian fellowship. d.     Normally we would have a message specifically relating to baptism, but this happened to my turn to preach and it seemed altogether too appropriate. e.      Prayer 2.       What is fellowship? a.      Greek word=Koinonia                                                              i.       This is a difficult word to define/idea to communicate.                                                           ii.       It is usually rendered