Ray Fowler .org

Sunday’s message in the Why Do We …? series was on Music and Singing, taken from Ephesians 5:19-20 and other scriptures. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. (Ephesians 5:19a)
   A. The words we sing are important
   B. Singing is a part of community life
   C. We should use a variety of musical expression

II. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:19b)
   A. God is our primary audience
   B. True worship always comes from the heart

III. Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:20)
   A. We should always be thankful to God
   B. We should thank God for everything
   C. Do it all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
   D. Music makes it easier to remember

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.

Sunday’s message in the Why Do We …? series was on Church Giving, taken from 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 and other scriptures. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Some poor reasons to give to the church.
   A. You should not give out of guilt or manipulation. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
   B. You should not give to impress other people. (Matthew 6:1-4)
   C. You should not give to try and earn favor with God. (Titus 3:5)

II. Some good reasons to give to the church.
   A. You should give as an act of worship to God. (1 Chronicles 16:29; 1 Samuel 24:24; Luke 21:1-4)
   B. You should give out of a desire to see God’s kingdom grow. (Matthew 6:24, 33)
   C. You should give because you are committed to the local church. (Ephesians 5:25)

III. How do we approach giving here at PCC?
   A. Practical matters
   B. We encourage biblical giving. (1 Corinthians 16:2; Deuteronomy 16:17; 2 Corinthians 9:7)
     1) regular –
     2) proportional –
     3) cheerful –

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.

Sunday’s message in the Why Do We …? series was on Church Membership, taken from Acts 2:42-47 and other scriptures. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Biblical reasons for church membership
   A. Identify with Christ through the local church (Ephesians 5:23)
   B. Encourage and serve one another in the local church (John 13:34)
   C. Provide accountability for each other within the local church (Hebrews 3:13; 13:17)

II. How do we approach church membership here at PCC?
   A. Requirements for church membership
     1) Have a personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
     2) Affirm the church statement of faith
     3) Commit to uphold the church covenant

   B. Responsibilities of church membership
     1) Attend church services faithfully (Hebrews 10:25)
     2) Pray for the concerns of my church (Ephesians 6:18)
     3) Graciously accept other members (Romans 15:7)
     4) Honor Christ in all areas of my life (Matthew 5:14-16)
     5) Support the church with my finances (1 Corinthians 16:2)
     6) Have a personal ministry in my church (1 Peter 4:10)
     7) Support the leadership of my church (Hebrews 13:17)
     8) Share my faith with others. (Romans 1:16)

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.

Today is Ash Wednesday marking the beginning of Lent. A number of years ago I wrote up a series of articles dealing with Lent that generated some good discussion. For your convenience I have posted the links to each article below.

Lenten Series:
    1. What is Lent?
    2. Should Christians Celebrate Lent?
    3. Should I Give Something Up for Lent?
    4. What is Ash Wednesday?
    5. What is Maundy Thursday?
    6. What is Good Friday?
    7. What is Easter?

Trackback: Norfolk Examiner: How can Protestant grandparents help grandchildren understand the Lenten season?

Yesterday’s message in the Why Do We …? series was on Baptism, taken from Matthew 28:16-20 and other scriptures. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Why should you be baptized?
   A. You should be baptized because Christ commands it. (Matthew 28:19; John 14:15)
   B. You should be baptized to demonstrate that you are a believer in Christ. (1 John 2:3; Acts 18:8)

II. Why do we baptize by immersion?
   A. The word baptize means “to immerse.” (2 Kings 5:14)
   B. Every baptism described in the Bible was by immersion. (Matthew 3:16; John 3:23; Acts 8:38-39)
   C. Immersion best symbolizes death, burial and resurrection. (Romans 6:3-4)

III. Why dedicate instead of baptize infants?
   A. There are no examples of infant baptism in the Bible.
   B. Repentance and faith are necessary before baptism. (Acts 2:38, 8:12, 10:47-48, 18:8)
   C. To guard against false assurance of salvation. (Titus 3:5)

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.

Related post: Philosophy Lessons from the Movie Groundhog Day

Sunday’s message was called Sexual Purity and the Sanctity of Life, taken from 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 and various other scriptures. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. We must be committed to absolute sexual purity in our lives
   A. We need to affirm the goodness of sexual relations in marriage (Proverbs 5:18-19; Song of Songs)
   B. You need to keep your heart pure (Mark 7:21; Proverbs 5:23; Matthew 5:8)
   C. You need to repent of any sexual immorality in your life (1 John 1:9, 2:1-2)
   D. The church must confront willful, unrepentant sin (Hebrews 13:4; Ephesians 5:25-27)

II. We must extend grace and forgiveness to those who fall.
   A. God’s grace is greater than any sin (Romans 5:20-21, 6:23)
   B. We must not stand in judgment over each other (Rom 3:23)
   C. We must hold high the values of grace and truth (John 1:17, 8:11)

III. We must support those who choose life (Proverbs 24:11-12)
   A. We need to love and welcome single mothers in the church
   B. We need to support adoption, foster care and pregnancy care centers
   C. We need to support candidates who choose life

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.

Yesterday’s message in the Psalm 23 series was called The Shepherd at Home, taken from Psalm 23:5-6. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. God invites you into his home (Psalm 23:5)
    A. He prepares a table for you (Psalm 31:19; Isaiah 25:6-8)
    B. He honors you before your enemies (Psalm 27:1-6)
    C. He treats you as a guest and fills your heart with gladness
        (Psalm 104:15; Ecclesiastes 9:7-8; Luke 7:46)
    D. He provides unending abundance (Psalm 16:11; John 10:10)

II. Eternal life starts now! (Psalm 23:6)
    A. God’s goodness and love follow you throughout this life (Lam. 3:22-26; John 5:24)
    B. You will dwell in the house of the Lord forever! (John 14:1-3)

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.

Yesterday’s message in the Psalm 23 series was called The Shepherd in the Valley, taken from Psalm 23:4. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. The Fear of Death (“the king of terrors” – Job 18:14)
    A. We fear the unknown
    B. We fear separation
    C. We fear judgment (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:27)
    D. We fear the finality of death (Job 16:22)

II. The Presence of the Shepherd (Psalm 23:4)
    A. A shepherd in all circumstances
    B. The valley of the shadow of death
    C. The rod and the staff

III. The Casting Out of All Fear (Hebrews 2:14-15; John 16:33)
    A. Jesus knows the way (2 Timothy 2:11)
    B. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Cor 5:7);
        There will be a reunion! (1 Thess 4:13-14)
    C. Jesus took your punishment (Romans 8:1)
    D. Death is not final for the believer (John 11:25-26)

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.

Yesterday’s message in the Psalm 23 series was called The Shepherd on the Path, taken from Psalm 23:1-3. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. The Identity of the Shepherd (Psalm 23:1)
    A. The LORD as the Shepherd of Israel (Genesis 49:24)
    B. The Messiah as the Shepherd to come (Isaiah 40:10-11; Ezekiel 34:11-15)
    C. Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 5:4)

II. A Personal Relationship with the Shepherd (Psalm 23:1)
    A. The shepherd knows his sheep (John 10:14-15)
    B. The sheep know the shepherd (John 10:3-4)

III. The Provision of the Shepherd (Psalm 23:2-3)
    A. He provides for your physical needs (Ps 23:2a)
    B. He provides rest and peace in an anxious world (Ps 23:2b)
    C. He provides correction and renewal when you fall (Ps 23:3a)
    D. He provides guidance for your life (Psalm 23:3b)

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.

“Christianity isn’t about turning over a new leaf; rather it’s about receiving and living a new life through Jesus Christ.”

Happy New Year all!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Here are some links to help you with your Bible reading in the New Year. The first link points you to a variety of Bible reading plans. The second link will direct you to some good book resources. And the third link provides recommendations for children’s story Bibles (for families that would like to read the Bible with their children this year). May God bless you richly as you spend time with Him in his Word this year!

Reading the Bible Through in a Year Series:

      1. Free Bible Reading Plans for the New Year
      2. Books to Help You Read through the Bible
      3. Recommended Children’s Story Bibles

Related post: 5 Reasons to Read God’s Word This Year