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Archive for the ‘Ministry Updates’ Category

“Greater Love Than This …” (February 2020 Update) 

Posted in Jim Ehrhard, Ministry Updates on February 1, 2020|

“Greater Love Than This …” (February 2020 Update) 

Even though it is very different from the original, we have enjoyed watching the new “Lost in Space” series on Netflix. The storylines have been riveting and full of action. But what we have liked the most was a focus on family relationships and the fact that love changes people (we won’t give you any specific examples – no spoilers!). 

There are many theories about the Atonement of Jesus in the history of the church. Most of them have elements of truth to them. The Substitutionary Atonement theory reminds us that Jesus died in our place. He became our substitute! This concept is seen throughout the Bible where a lamb is substituted as a temporary payment for sins. Jesus became one of us so that he could die in our place by being our substitute. “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!”  (more…)

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Thankfulness … (November 2019 Update)  

Posted in Jim Ehrhard, Ministry Updates on November 6, 2019|

Thankfulness … (November 2019 Update)  

We listen to a lot of old songs in our family. One of our favorites is the soundtrack from “Fiddler on the Roof” (which is actually based on stories Called “Tevye the Milkman” by a Jewish Ukrainian author, Sholem Aleichem). We love all the songs but especially “To Life” (L’Chaim). One verse sums up the biblical attitude toward thankfulness: “God would like us to be joyful even though our hearts lie panting on the floor; How much more can we be joyful, when there’s really something to be joyful for.” 

As believers, we have so much to be thankful for – even when things are not going well. In his book, The Godly Man’s Picture Drawn with a Scripture Pencil, Thomas Watson says, “Praise and thanksgiving is the work of heaven and he [the godly man] begins that work here which he will always be doing in heaven. The Jews have a saying – the world subsists by three things: the law, the worship of God and thankfulness. As if where thankfulness was missing, one of the pillars of the world had been taken away and it was ready to fall.” The psalmist says, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so” (Psalm 107:2) and “it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord” (Psalm 92:1). As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday in America, it is good for us to think biblically about our thankfulness. Here are some thoughts from Thomas Watson about godliness and thankfulness.  (more…)

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People Need the Lord … (October 2019 Update) 

Posted in Ministry Updates on October 7, 2019|

People Need the Lord … (October 2019 Update) 

Evangelism is the life blood of Christianity. Every generation is responsible for sharing the gospel. As Dr. E. Stanley Jones once said, “God doesn’t have grandchildren.”  Because spiritual life is not passed on when God’s spiritual children have physical children. Each person must hear the gospel and respond. No one is saved by being in a good Christian family. That’s why it is important that we share the gospel with people. For “how shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard?” (Romans 10:14) 

Evangelism is our responsibility. But evangelism today is often done wrongly. In our class, we talked examined the methods Jesus used and Paul’s theology of the gospel to better understand evangelism. But we also looked at some wrong approaches to evangelism. Here are a few.  (more…)

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Public Worship … (September 2019 Update) 

Posted in Jim Ehrhard, Ministry Updates, Uncategorized on September 16, 2019|

Public Worship … (September 2019 Update)

“Private worship is more important than Public Worship.” Until a few weeks ago, this is what I have always said and believed. But in preparing for teaching a class on Worship, I read an article by Don Whitney on “Private Worship.”i In his introduction, he wrote about a sermon by David Clarkson, Public Worship to be Preferred Before Private” which changed his mind. After reading Don’s comments about the sermon, I then read the sermon itself. I was convinced!  Clarkson has 12 lengthy major points followed by 9 explanations and another 11 exhortations or applications! Here are a few reasons that I have summarized from this excellent sermon with a couple more of my own observations.  (more…)

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How Beautiful … (August 2019 Update)

Posted in Jim Ehrhard, Ministry Updates, Uncategorized on August 10, 2019|

How Beautiful … (August 2019 Update)

“And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!’ (Romans 10:15).  In Romans 9-11, Paul speaks about the sovereign work of God in election, calling and salvation. In fact, Romans 9 and Romans 11 are considered to be the strongest chapters on election and predestination in the Bible. However, sandwiched in between Romans 9 and 11 is Romans 10 – one of the strongest chapters on personal responsibility!

In Romans 10:9-13, Paul speaks about the necessity for every individual to choose Christ. He makes it clear that conversion takes place when “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” In other words, we must tell people to choose Christ. In Romans 10:13, he reminds us that “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (more…)

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