Monthly Archives: September 2023

Patience Does Not Come Ready-Made

Posted on September 30, 2023 by salooper57

A while back, our washing machine started leaking just a little, so after wash day, we would pull the machine out and use a rag to dry under it. As time passed, the leak got a little worse, and then … Continue reading →

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God Speaks Your Language

Posted on September 23, 2023 by salooper57

He speaks to the poet in meter, to the architect in blueprints, to the child in games and laughter, to the wise in wisdom, to the fool in folly. He speaks to Isaac Newton in mathematical formulae, to Francis Collins in ribonucleic acids and to fisherman in fish. Continue reading →

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The One Who Is Able (Ephesians 3:14-21)

Posted on September 17, 2023 by salooper57

This message was preached in March of 2020, during the pandemic. It celebrates God’s power and his love. I hope you will be encouraged by Paul’s great prayer as you listen to this sermon. (Listening time: 20:10.) Feel free to … Continue reading →

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Did Christianity Support the Institution of Slavery?

Posted on September 16, 2023 by salooper57

Though Christians like the Apostles Paul and Peter accepted slavery as a societal institution, they also recognized the dangers inherent in it. They insisted that Christian masters treat their slaves justly, and offered counsel to slaves that would make their lives better. Continue reading →

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Finally, Brothers and Sisters (2 Corinthians 13:11)

Posted on September 10, 2023 by salooper57

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. I want to remind you of something we learned a couple of weeks ago. … Continue reading →

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Finding a Place to Stand in the Culture War

Posted on September 9, 2023 by salooper57

The culture war has left little space to stand, but there remains the higher ground of Jesus’s lordship and biblical teaching. Those who stand here must refuse to allow cultural battles to force them to retreat or to move them to antipathy for those with whom they disagree.   Continue reading →

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Vital Attraction (Titus 2:9-10)

Posted on September 3, 2023 by salooper57

In Leviticus 19:2, God says to his people, “Be holy for I, the LORD your God, am holy.” More than one famous Bible scholar has pointed out this could be translated, “Be different for I, the LORD your God, am different.” Continue reading →

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The Surprising Place God Shows Up

Posted on September 2, 2023 by salooper57

…it is often when we’re stuck at the intersection of unfair and inconvenient that God shows up. Continue reading →

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