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"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." (James 2:17) We are in a series at Eastbrook Church exploring "Authentic Faith" from the New Testament book of James. One of James' central themes is that faith must be active, or lived out, and without that active aspect, …
Continue reading "Faith and Works?: Why We Cannot Have One Without the Other"
Merry Christmas! This is the reason we celebrate. Fra Angelico, The Annunciation; tempera on wood; between 1433 and 1434. Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on …
Outside of the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ resurrection, there is really no better passage of Scripture on the resurrection than Paul’s writing in 1 Corinthians 15. There, in a church that was grappling with the meaning of the resurrection, Paul begins by setting the stage for the believers with the historical resurrection of Jesus: 3 For …
The psalms are the prayerbook of the Bible, prayer-songs that were often used within the corporate and private worship of the people of Israel. They are also one of our strongest biblical resources for shaping our life of worship today within the Christian church. The entire psalter concludes with a summary psalm of worship, Psalm 150, …
Continue reading "Comprehensive Praise: some reflections on worship from Psalm 150"
1 Corinthians 13 is one of the most powerful and profound passages of Scripture describing love. In particular, with verses 4-7 the Apostle Paul writes one of the most succinct statements about the nature and activity of love. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It …
Matthew Erickson 