February 15th, 2011

The Law of Love (part 1)

by Pastor Bob

Notes for a sermon preached at the Marbury Church of God on February 13, 2011

Parts of the following are taken from a previously published writing of this preacher.

The Law of Love, Part 1

Matthew 5:21-37

Background:  Fulfilling the Law (Matthew 5:17-20)

A  Higher Standard  (v 20)

In general, people settle for controlling behavior; but he wants us to look deeper. We tend to say, “Think what you want, feel how you want, say whatever you want, it doesn’t matter as long as you don’t hurt your neighbor.”  But Jesus holds his disciples to a higher standard:  for us it matters how we think, how we feel, and what we say.  Control over behavior is the least, loosest standard; to gain control of our thoughts, our passions, and our words:  this is in line with the blessings of verses 3-12.

First Example:

Murder, Anger, Conflict Resolution (21-26)

Nurturing anger is a danger zone; speaking out from it is worse; belittling another person is the worst of all.  Compare James 3:13-18.  Righteousness begins in the heart, and ends with proper behavior.  Merely restraining the worst behaviors leaves us among “the least in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19).

Thus in the very first instance, all anger is to be forsaken.  This is reaffirmed numerous times in the New Testament:  James 1:19, Ephesians 4:26, Colossians 3:8.  Then, any occasion for someone else to be angry with us is to be dealt with:  hence the reference to “if your brother has something against you” (v. 23):  the mandate is, that if at any time we are in the wrong or are the offending party in any dispute, it is up to us to do whatever it takes to make it right: “go; first be reconciled.”   Our own anger has long since been dealt with, but under the higher standard which exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, we can make sure that to the extent that someone may be angry with us (rightly or wrongly, through our own wrong action, a misunderstanding, or any other reason) we will take the initiative to set the relationships right.

Click to continue reading “The Law of Love (part 1)”

February 1st, 2011

Verse of the Month — February 2011

by Pastor Bob

Truth

So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbours, for we are members of one another.

Ephesians 4:25

January 1st, 2011

Verse of the Month — January 2011

by Pastor Bob

Peace

So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near;

Ephesians 2:17

December 1st, 2010

Verse of the Month — December 2010

by Pastor Bob

God With Us

Look, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel — which means, God with us.

Matthew 1:23

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November 23rd, 2010

December Events

by Pastor Bob

Don’t miss out on these events happening at the Marbury Church of God in December!

  • Sunday, December 12, 12:30 p.m. — Christmas caroling
  • Sunday, December 19, 10:00 a.m. — Children’s Christmas Play
  • Sunday, December 19, 6:00 p.m. — Sing-a-Long Christmas Cantata
  • Friday, December 24, 8:00 p.m. — Christmas Eve Service of candles and Communion.

Please come to as many of these as you can!

Bonus:  Pastor Bob will speak Thursday morning, Thanksgiving day (November 25) 9:00 a.m., at the Community Thanksgiving Service held at the Marbury Baptist Church.

November 1st, 2010

Verse of the Month — November 2010

by Pastor Bob

Power

But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.
2 Corinthians 4:7

October 31st, 2010

When Christ Comes

by Pastor Bob

Outline of a sermon preached on Sunday, October 31, 10:00 a.m. at the Marbury Church of God.

Sunday 10-31-2010

Luke 19:1-10
When Christ Comes

Zacchaeus: 
 Rich, Resourceful, and Alone (19:1-3)

Eager to see Jesus (19:3-4)

Joyful Welcome (19:5-6)

Jesus vs. the Grumblers (19:7)

Real Repentance (19:8)

Abraham’s Child! (19:9-10)
Luke 3:8; Romans 4; Galatians 3:6-7

October 17th, 2010

Sermon outline for Sunday 10-17-2010

by Pastor Bob

2 Timothy 3:14-17;  2 Timothy 4:1-5

As For YOU……

Keep going!

Remember what you have learned!

Speak out!

Be consistent!

Go all the way!

October 13th, 2010

not ANOTHER Bible translation | Liturgy

by Pastor Bob

not ANOTHER Bible translation | Liturgy.

Follow the above link for a thoughtful discussion of Bible translations.

October 1st, 2010

Verse of the Month — October 2010

by Pastor Bob

It’s Not About Us

For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake.

II Corinthians 4:5


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