In the morning message, Pastor Dickson referred to the book

A Gospel Primer

which is available in the church bookstore.

In that book, the author expressed his profound relief at truly understanding the teaching of Romans 5.

In his message from Romans 5 during our recent special meetings, Dr. David Shumate helped us to understand why Romans chapter 5 is so important to us and how it helps us to take a stand. You can listen to that message here:

The Unsurpassed Blessing of the Gospel (5:1-21)

“…be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might”

(Ephesians 6:10)

What if our weakness is actually a terrific encouragement to us? Since we are weak, we must depend upon the strength of another. To the glory of God, that is the way it has always been.

In this message, we learn more about the ancient, not-so-secret weapon to aid us in spiritual combat.

All references are from Proverbs 21

We all think we are right. But check your thoughts by God’s Word for real wisdom. Helpful hint: Ask “what’s right about this?” before you post it.

2     Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: But the LORD ponders the hearts.

Want to get rich online? If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

Should you assume that strangers who contact you are “probably o.k.”? Think again. Or should you give everyone the ability to post things on your personal pages?

8  The way of man is forward [crooked] and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right. Read the rest of this entry »

Here are a few random thoughts about the use of social networking.  In Ecclesiastes, Solomon reminds us that “there is nothing new under the sun,” so consider these thoughts from Proverbs 20 as they relate to social networking (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)

Enjoying conflict? Fools meddle to keep strife alive.

3 It is an honor for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

Purity in posting. What are you known for?

11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

Who is reading your posts? The One who made eyes and ears. Read the rest of this entry »

Dr. David Shumate will be delivering a series of messages from the Book of Romans beginning this Sunday, March 21 and continuing through Sunday, March 28.

Schedule: Sunday, March 21, 9:30 am, 11 am, 6 pm

Monday through Friday, 7 pm

Saturday, March 27 morning sessions 8:30, 9:30, 10:30

Sunday, March 28, 9:30 am, 11 am

Here is the general conference outline for The Gospel of God in the Book of Romans

PLAN FOR THE EXPOSITION OF ROMANS IN FOURTEEN LESSONS

1.    The Gospel and the purpose of Paul: Paul’s calling and desire to minister the Gospel to the Roman Christians (1:1-16)

2.    The Gospel reveals God’s righteous judgment against sin (1:16-3:20)

3.    The Gospel reveals God’s righteous justification of sinners (3:20-4:25)

4.    The Gospel reconciles us to God (5:1-21)

5.    The Gospel frees us from the dominion of sin (6:1-23)

6.    The Gospel frees us from the dominion of the Law (7:1-25)

7.    The Gospel frees us from the condemnation of sin and death (8:1-39)

8.    The Gospel triumphs even when people reject it: Introduction to chapters 9-11 (9:1-5)

9.    The Gospel reflects divine sovereignty (9:6-31)

10.    The Gospel reflects human responsibility (9:30-10:21)

11.    The Gospel results in the fulfillment of God’s wise, benevolent purpose (11:1-36)

12.    The Gospel leads us to God-honoring service and testimony (12:1-13:14)

13.    The Gospel leads to a God-honoring harmony between believers of vastly different backgrounds and perspectives (14:1-15:13)

14.    The Gospel and the partnership in the ministry: Conclusion and commendations (15:14-16:27)

This entire series will be available soon as a free download at GlimpsesofCalvary.com

Are you planning to have a glorious wife and a glorious life?

In Ephesians 5:25-30, we have just such a plan presented to us.  Just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it, so each husband can use the “washing of the Word” to present his bride in a glorious manner.

Sir, do you think in terms of how little you could do for your wife, or how much you could do for her? Don’t miss the illustration of the son of the tribal chief who knew how to seek a wife. The message concludes with practical “he-man choices” for you to make.

To listen to this message, please click here.

9/11. Tsunamis. Myanmar. Virginia Tech shootings. Samson, Alabama. Binghamton, NY. Air France flight 447. Ft. Hood, Texas. And now, the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile.

When these kinds of tragedies strike, what are we supposed to understand? Is there a timeless message in a terrible massacre?

These horrible, earthly miseries carry a message for all humanity — even for those who were not victimized by the recent disaster.

These earthly miseries warn us about  eternal miseries, and the Gospel message shows us how to escape from the everlasting tragedy.

The answer came from Jesus Christ and can be found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 13.

Click the player below to listen to a message on this text.

[display_podcast]

Husband, love your wife!

Spirit-Filled Marriage, Part 6, Ephesians 5:25-30

Love your wife, in the same way that Christ loved the church.

• By making the choice to love her

• By giving yourself to meeting her needs.  It’s an act of the will.

-    In order that he may set her apart from the  world

-    In order that he may set her apart with the Word

-    In order that he may present her in a glorious manner

To listen to this message, click here.

On Sunday evening, February 21, Nathan Lucius presented a testimony of God’s Grace in the lives of the Lucius family. Listen to this remarkable story of how the Gospel of Grace transformed a family during the biggest battle of their lives.

Kayla, their oldest was diagnosed with cancer: Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (explained here).

Nathan delivered this testimony during the evening service at Calvary Baptist Church in Findlay, Ohio.

Click the player here to listen to this presentation.

If you would like to learn more about this story, Kayla’s Caring Bridge site is here.

Spirit-filled Marriage, Part 5

Ephesians 5:22-27

Making a Majestic Marriage, Happy Valentine’s Day!

Which one would you want your marriage to be? Full of deep affection or destructive accusation? Genesis 2 or Genesis 3? Shepherd or serpent?

In a Spirit-filled Marriage, the wife honors God by giving respect to her husband. 22-24

She honors Christ’s authority by “arranging herself under” her husband. 22-23

She represents the church in its submission to Christ. 24

How bad can it get? Adam & Eve; Isaac & Rebekah Genesis 2:21-25; 3:12; 25:27-28

In a Spirit-filled Marriage, the husband honors God by loving his wife and giving himself for her. 25-27

He honors Christ, with a self-sacrificial desire for his wife– giving himself for her. 25

He represents Christ by using the Word to

purify problem areas and perfect holiness. 26-27

• Practical Steps

• Put God’s Word back into your garden at home & church

• Take the change challenge: put off, renew, put on

• Wife: Trust God enough to submit to your husband

• Husband: Love the Lord enough to love your wife

• Ask the Lord to turn you from misery to majesty

Additional Study: Ephesians 3:14-2; 5:18-19, 1 Peter 3:6-7, Genesis 2:21-25; 3:12; 25:27-28; 27:1-6, 41-46

Click here to listen to this message.