The Greatest Love of All (Romans 5_6-8; 1 John 4_19) Subject: The Greatest Love of All Scripture: Romans 5:6-8; 1 John 4:19 I believe that children are our future/teach them well and let them lead the way/ show them all the beauty they possess inside/give them a sense of pride, to make it easier/let…
Simeon called Niger, prophet and teacher in Acts 13 (Black History of the Bible)
Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the…
The Essential Church invites you to celebrate our Educate the Hate Month (February 2018)
It’s hard to believe, but the second month of 2018 is now in full swing (where did January 2018 go?). With this new month comes the celebration of love. We here at The Essential Church intend to participate with the universal Church of Jesus Christ and engage humanity with some announcements regarding our own celebration…
Paul and the Pastoral Epistles: Bart Ehrman’s forgery claim disputed
Paul deals with the problems in the church by addressing the church at large and pleading with all the members to change their ways. Why doesn’t he address the bishop of the church, or the head pastor? Why doesn’t he write a letter to the leader of the church to tell him to get his…
No need for divine damage control: a response to Bruce Wildish in the Story of the Magi
Many believers will object that, through the device of dream revelation, God provided for both Jesus’ escape to Egypt and his safe resettlement in Nazareth some time afterward, thereby thwarting Herod’s plans to have him killed. But this hardly demonstrates wisdom or virtue on God’s part, given that the crisis that God seeks to redress…
Mom Tribute: But God, Ephesians 2:1-7
Mom Tribute Sermon_ _But God_ (Ephesians 2_1-7) Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-7 Our salvation is a wonderful thing. The Lord saved us. He took us out of the spiritual mess we were in and made us anew. This is the gospel message, a message that informs us through the preached Word that, as unbelievers,…
Spiritual resurrection vs. bodily resurrection? Bart Ehrman’s claim that Paul didn’t write Ephesians and Colossians investigated
Whenever Paul talked about being raised with Christ, it was always as a future event (see, for example, Romans 6 and 1 Corinthians 15). Within Paul’s churches, some of his converts had a different opinion, thinking that they had already experienced a kind of spiritual resurrection with Christ and were already “ruling” with Christ in…
Matthew vs. Paul: Bart Ehrman and the faith vs. works controversy revisited
If Matthew, who wrote some twenty-five or thirty years after Paul, ever read any of Paul’s letters, he certainly did not find them inspiring, let alone inspired. Matthew has a different view of the law from Paul. Matthew thinks that the followers of Jesus need to keep the law. In fact, they need to keep…
Does Matthew quote the wrong prophet? Bart Ehrman on Jeremiah and Zechariah
Why does Matthew quote the wrong prophet? When Matthew indicates that Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, he notes (as by now we expect of him) that this was in fulfillment of Scripture: “Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, ‘And they took the thirty pieces of silver…and they…
Jesus rode into Jerusalem on one or two donkeys? The Triumphal Entry in the Gospels
When Jesus entered Jerusalem during the Triumphal Entry, how many animals did he ride? It seems like there should be an obvious answer: he rode one animal, a donkey or a colt. And that in fact is what is said in three of the Gospels, including Mark 11:7. In Matthew’s Gospel, however, this triumphal act…
God’s Word and Contradictions: Sworn Enemies, Part 3
Scriptures: Romans 16:25-27 1 Corinthians 15:3-19 2 Timothy 3:14-17 James 2:18-24 James 4:1-6 2 Peter 1:16-21 2 Peter 3:14-16 Service Music Opening Selection: “Speak To My Heart” (artist: Donnie McClurkin) “Word of God Speak” by Mercy Me “Word of Life” by Jeremy Camp Intermediate Selection: “Ancient Words” by Michael W. Smith Inspirational Selection:…
Women at the Tomb: Examining Bart Ehrman’s claim of contradictory reports
Who actually went to the tomb? Was it Mary alone (John 20:1)? Mary and another Mary (Matthew 28:1)? Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome (Mark 16:1)? Or women who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem — possibly Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and “other women” (Luke 24:1; see…
