Revival Community Church(P) in Richmond held its Wednesday service on March 16. The Message was from Matthew 26. The church meditated on Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane. This message teaches how Jesus was able to overcome the weakness of the flesh with prayer. The image of Jesus was contrary to the one of Peter. Peter was so sure of himself that he would not disown Jesus. But he failed. While he put confidence in himself, Jesus' confidence was only in God. Jesus at the place of Gethsemane, prayed with tears and cries. His image is very weak. But through the prayer, he overcame the weakness and was able to carry the cross.
One of the attendants shared the reflection after the service, "The message really spoke to me. I felt like Peter many times.
I rely on my own ability and power instead of asking help from God. During the past week, I have a lot of works that are piling up. I keep saying to myself that I can do it and I want to do it by myself. I don't want to ask help from anyone. But I can't do this. Things keep piling up. It is because of my pride. As Jesus did, I want to also rely on God only." As a Easter is approaching, Revival church is meditating on the message of the cross deeply and pushing forward to Easter Retreat. May the members's heart and faith become transformed and renewed by the Lenten message during this season.
Roswell Street Baptist Church was once a slave plantation, but now seeks to reach intercultural, and intergenerational body of believers. Martin encourages not to be entrapped by nationalism, but to adopt the view Christ has which is His people, from all nationalities. Marin states, “Indeed, if all nations and all peoples would look to to God and acknowledge God as sovereign, there would be relative international order, harmony, and peace.” (Martin, 212, 2004) Roswell Street Baptist church has the history chains of being a “white supremacist” church that judged anyone: Latino, Muslims, and those with dark skin. Through the years their hearts have changed.
The New Salem Association of the Old Regular Baptist was established in the year of 1825 in Eastern Kentucky. The New Salem Association is still going strong today. Most associations today are a branch from the New Salem Association. There are a few Old Regular Baptist churches that are private; basically they do not belong to any association. The New Salem Association is in correspondence with several other Associations which is as followed Union, Old Indian Bottom, Sardis, Philadelphia, Northern New Salem, and Friendship.
How long will it take America’s streets to be clean? “In January 2014, there were 578,424 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in the United States” (Snapshot of Homelessness, n.d.). The number of homeless found on the streets continues to increase and more and more are left without food and shelter. They are left to survive off whatever resources they can find, and most nights it is nothing. This epidemic is beginning to grow out of proportion and action must be made to help change the brokenness found on the streets. Covina is one of many cities that has a numerous amount of homeless. The Calvary Chapel Cornerstone Church should implement a program that reaches out to help the homeless find jobs within the community due to
continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:2-3) Therefore, the disciples
We observed a series of skits that exhibited the attributes of Jesus. During the final skit, while we were sitting inside the K-Life gym, a black curtain dropped and we saw three men hanging from crosses. The men looked as if they had taken baths in blood, and they were struggling to speak and breathe; the man on the middle cross portrayed Jesus. The skit continued to act out the entirety of the crucifixion and the presence of the Holy Spirit was prominent in the room. I was astonished when I realized that He suffered and died on the cross for a person as broken and sinful as me. After the skit was over, Joe slowly walked out to speak to everyone who had just watched the simulated crucifixion. He revealed to us how undeserving we are of God’s grace, and how Jesus died for every person that has ever lived. He continued on with his disquisition and we eventually began to worship. At this point in time I had begun to pray to Jesus, that he would take over my life and use me in a way that glorifies him. I did not know what this would look like, but I desired to be a living example of a man of God.
In my paper I will talk about my visit to The Community Church at Murphy's Landing (CCML). I have chosen this particular Church because it is a family church type and my neighbor goes there and she encouraged me to go with her. I went there with my neighbor on April 6, 2014.This church is an appropriate for this assignment because the people there are welcoming me with an open heart and they are willing to help and provide me with information. When I visit the Church’s site I read these words “We know visiting a new church can be intimidating. But, we want to help you to be as comfortable as possible when and if you join us”. The people gather in the church weekly to glorify God in joyful worship. The expressions of worship on CCML take many forms a prayer, a hymn of reverent awe, a guitar ringing with a chorus of praise, or a warm handshake and a welcoming smile. Their weekly services begin at 9:30 each Sunday at church. Also, they have weekly podcast if anyone wants to listen online. They have many types of services for parents, kids and students. People at CCML were so friendly; they gather around me and start welcoming me, one by one. People there introducing themselves to me, one after another and provide me with their contact information and help. Then we start talking about the church services and Christianity in particular. The mission of CCML was knowing, growing and loving. They seek to live out our mission by worshipping together as a local community of believers, growing in spiritual maturity through discipleship, education, and small groups, caring for one another within the context of the larger church body and small groups, and Communicating the love of Christ to our world, both through local outreach and global mis...
E.M. Bounds wrote a wonderful book devoted to prayer entitled Power Through Prayer. This book encourages the preacher to become a true prayer warrior. E.M. Bounds has written many books on prayer, encouraging Christians to devote their life to prayer. Since the writer is coming from a preacher background himself, one can clearly see the passion he has for prayer in his life. Fellow preachers will hopefully be encouraged by this and want to devote their life to prayer, so that they will better their preaching. Bounds exemplifies through his work that preaching has no power without prayer. He also sets forth the idea that prayer is the life-giving force behind our work for God. In reading this book, it inspires one to pray more and be able to be more effective in their ministry.
When Hughes was thirteen he attended a revival with his Aunt it was his turn to "see Jesus," his entire community and church all waiting expectantly for the moment when he was finally saved from sin. Unfortunately for Hughes, salvation did not occur. His fellow peers that he would be delivered, to Jesus convinced him. He was so caught up in the idea that when it did not happen, and when it did not, he felt like an outcast amongst his religious community. People crying, and praying for him at his feet, Hughes did not want to be the reason for all the madness happening around him. He stood up and acted as if his salvation had come to him, although deep within he knew it had not. "My aunt came and knelt at my knees and cried, while prayers and songs swirled all around me in the little church. The whole congregation prayed for me alone, in a mighty wail of moans and voices” (Hughes 111-112). Influenced by the wales and the cries, Hughes started to feel as if he was the problem, that something was wrong and it was up to him to fix it. As the congregation prayed for him alone, and his aunt cried and prayed by his feet, a wave of social pressure came to him at once. To stop the crying, and the constant praying there was only one thing to be done, although he knew he was never actually saved, he stood to his feet, and the religious community and church all rejoiced as they
One of the greatest debates that continues to rage on amongst theologians, as well as others, is in regards to the balance between the humanity and the divinity of the person of Jesus Christ (also known as Christology). This debate can be especially challenging in the Scripture passage of Matthew 26:36-46 where the reader finds Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. Many of the ancient and medieval theologians worked to explain away apparent humanistic characteristics seen in this section of the text, while more modern theologians seem to be more open to embracing these characteristics. While the ancient and medieval theologians may not have embraced the humanity of Jesus, the translations and backgrounds of the words “cup”, “grieved”, and “agitated”, along with the translation of the passage itself, the humanity of Jesus is not only present in the passage but also a necessity to the salvation of humanity through the sacrifice of Jesus. Simply put, for the salvation through death to be relatable for humanity, Jesus had to also be, at least in part, fully human as well as being fully divine.
As my friend Jenni and I entered the hall of the big church, a feeling of apprehension overwhelmed us. Our feelings were soon comforted when we entered a sea of smiling faces and outstretched hands. A sense of belonging engulfed us. Ms. Shirley, an older colored woman was first to extend her arms. She did not know us from Adam, but it did not matter. She threw her arms around us. "You girls have the prettiest smiles", she declared. "I am so glad you came to be with us this morning." Words can not describe what the act of kindness did to our feelings of apprehension, and that was just the beginning.
Thirdly, according to vs 42 the new converts also spent time in prayer (And they continued steadfastly in the apostles ' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers). Prayer is communicating with God- we talking to God and pausing to hear from Him. The Bible in 1 Thes 5:17 tell us to pray without ceasing. Lk 18: 1 tells us that that man ought always to pray, and not to faint. It’s through pray that we are strengthened, that we get closer to God, get that desire intimacy, and hear his heartbeat. Jesus, took time out to pray ( examples Mk 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed, Matt 14: 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he
I arrived at the Bethany Center quite early in the morning. I remember feeling incredibly excited about the day ahead but also slightly anxious, because I had no idea what to expect from the day. However, all of my nervousness faded away once we got off the buses and stood in a huge circle together with the senior leaders in between us. They led us in a variety of fun activities, including songs and ice breakers that immediately brightened our spirits, and created enthusiasm for the rest of the day’s activities. Then, we broke up into small groups. My retreat leader was Caroline Lamoutte, and her friendly demeanor and bubbly personality brought everyone out of their shells and encouraged us to ask questions we had been too embarrassed to ask
I recently attended the Energizer Church a denomination associated with The Pentecostal churches of Australia. The service began with a worship song called Man of Sorrows by the Hillsong Church it was a very uplifting and holy spirit filled song. The service also had a rhythm to it songs, then worship, then praise songs, which was good. I also noticed that the music had a slower beat, tempo while they were doing the worship section of the service. The instruments that the band used to be a Piano, Synthesizer an acoustic a bass and two lead singers the tempo was comprised of a soft melody. The praise section of the service consisted of a fast speed tempo. My analysis of the worship section of the service was completely different from the Catholic Church I attended. The songs of the Holy Spirit Church I attended were traditional hymns and the instrument they used was an old organ. The difference between styles is what I also noticed that each song mainly consisted of traditional hymns similar to the song In Christ Alone. The Energiser Church band performed the following ...
For my observation trip, I decided to visit St. Ignatius Church in Oregon, Ohio. I visited a mass at 11:30 on Sunday November 19. I decided to visit a catholic church because my family has no religious background whatsoever, and I decided that I could go with one of my good friends that way if I need to ask questions, she was there to answer them for me.
Jesus served as example for all of humanity. His life work was to solve the fundamental problem of humanities sin and to provide eternal life with the Father. Jesus Christ demonstrated the way humans should live. He modeled behavior to the poor, the sick, the imprisoned, women, tax collector, to His friends. He came to set the example of the way to live for Christians. Basically, Jesus life was an outline of how to live your own life. Jesus confirmed that you should love your neighbor as yourself. That you should love your God with all your heart, with all your mind and with all your strength. This was demonstrated on a daily bases. Jesus verified that although humans are prone to sin, one can make a choice to not sin. When tempted by Satan, Jesus refrained from sin and turned to God the Father for strength to turn away from the temptation. Jesus was the teacher of complete, true knowledge.