Category Archives: Thoughts From the Pastor

Leave a reply

Praise be to our Sovereign God and His Son Jesus Christ – and the Holy Spirit who indwells all who believe. The transcendent God exists in the 3 persons: God the Father – God the Son – and God the Holy Spirit. They are co-equal in their essence yet “subordinate” in Their functions.

As I stated in last week’s sermon, God has created human beings in His image. This means that all human beings have equal value and worth.(Genesis 1:26 a. – 27) Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness …. 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

We saw that the image of God in human beings was not lost at the “fall” (when Adam and Eve Sinned). However, the image was severely damaged in terms of moral orientation but not in terms of intrinsic worth.(James 3:9-11) With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it, we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and saltwater flow from the same spring? – Of course the answer is NO.

As God’s elect, chosen, adopted and redeemed people we have no right to mock a fellow human being created in God’s image – yet it happens all the time! “ …. Did you see the size of that guy’s ears?” “Did you see how ugly our new co-worker is?”

We have no right to make fun of a fellow human being! No one has a choice when it comes to physical appearance – i.e.our inherited physical features (not talking about the need to lose weight when necessary etc.) I’m working on that one.

So, as Christians, let us stop this behavior; let us banish it from our lives both in speech and in thought.The old saying – “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names can never hurt me”, is patently false.

(Proverbs 12:18) The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.Let’s begin putting aside this behavior today and rather look for ways to build others up in honesty – Pastor Dan

What Does It Mean To Be A Fundamentalist?

Leave a reply

I have no problem declaring that I am a “Fundamentalist!” – and here’s why. It simply means that I embrace the fundamentals of the Christian faith – and therefore, I stand on a solid rock foundation of biblical truth. Here are just a few examples:

  1. The Bible is completely true … without error! This means I do not have to explain away the miracles recorded within – from Genesis to Revelation. For example, when reading about God parting the sea for his people to safely pass through (escaping the pursuing Egyptian army). I have no need to believe, “Well, they simply waded through a shallow part of the sea.”
  1. As a fundamentalist, I have no need to explain away a literal six-day creation (Genesis 1- 2). I reject theistic evolution’s claim that God created all that is through the process of evolution. To do so, one must believe that death occurred before the fall of Adam and Eve.
  1. As a fundamentalist, I adhere to the truth that Jesus was/ is fully God and fully man (but without sin). C.S. Lewis is right when he conveyed  the idea of Liar – Lunatic – or Lord. In other words, if Jesus claimed to be God knowing he was not, he would be a liar. On the other hand, if Jesus thought he was God but was not, he would be a lunatic. However, if Jesus is who he proclaims to be – the God Man – he is Lord!
  1. As a fundamentalist I believe that Jesus was crucified, buried, yet rose from the grave conquering sin and death and offering eternal life for all who receive him as Savior and Lord.
  1. As a fundamentalist, I believe that Jesus, after his resurrection from the grave, ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of God. And, I believe, that he will one day return in the same manner he was taken up into heaven to gather his people to be with him forever.
  1. As a fundamentalist, I reject the notion of universal salvation – that is, that all of humanity will one day be saved – even if they did not repent of their sin and accept Christ as Savior and Lord.
  1. As a fundamentalist, I believe that, after the final judgment, God will create a new heaven and a new earth for all who believe. I also believe that those whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, will be separated from the True and the Living God for all eternity.

But here’s the GOOD NEWS!

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).