Standing Firm In the Faith

July 26, 2021 by Jace Kohen

This Sunday Pastor Barron brings a message from Hebrews 2:1-4 entitled “Do Not Neglect the Cross”. The theme of this study in Hebrews is an emphasis on how the Scriptures authoritatively point to the supremacy of Christ.

“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” 2:1 (ESV) Compare similar admonitions in 3:12-14.

If disobedience to the old covenant brought immediate punishment to the violators, how much more uncompromising will the judgment be for neglecting to obey the New Covenant gospel of salvation, mediated by the Son? This salvation includes inheritance of the world to come (v. 5), purification from sins (v2:11, 17), and the privilege of drawing near to God, offering worship that pleases Him. (v. 4:16, v. 12:28).

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North Greenville Church

North Greenville Church is a Reformed and Presbyterian fellowship that seeks to establish a traditional church of Christ in northern Greenville County.

North Greenville Church

2 weeks ago

Today's focal passages from Genesis and John both reference a heavenly stairway with angels ascending and descending. Jacob saw this vision, and Jesus promised Nathanael that he would see the vision. Regarding Jacob, sin was very present around him. His mother Rebecca wanted Jacob to have a godly wife, so she sent him to Haran and her own people to find such a wife. On the way, Jacob camped at what would become Bethel. In a dream while seeing the stairway or ladder, he received a restatement of the Abrahamic covenant made to his grandfather, promising a homeland and a mighty nation from his offspring. Most importantly, God promised to be with Jacob and his offspring, even though Jacob was a trickster and rascal. Jacob awoke afraid, but realized that he was in the house of God and the stairway was the gate of heaven. He declared the awesomeness of the place and became a changed man, a partriarch to his offspring. Jacob accepted wrongs done to him, for example by his father in law, Laban. Jacob now sought to serve God and live for Him. The stairway is the heart of this passage. Our age-old sin is our desire to be like God and be our own god. Yet, there is only one stairway to heaven, and as Nathanael would see, Jesus is that stairway. The gospel comes down and takes us up to heaven. Jacob responded to the awesome vision by building an altar where he praised God and worshiped Him. Jacob then made a vow that if God provided for his needs, Jacob would proclaim God as his personal true God. He set up a memorial pillar as a reminder of his vow. Jacob received surprising grace, converting him from a cheater to a patriarch, even though Jacob did not deserve it. We must appreciate the grace of God that overflows us and places us in His service. ... See MoreSee Less

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North Greenville Church

3 weeks ago

In the early church, the Lord's Supper was observed as part of a larger meal; it was known as the agape (love) feast. It was also part of the larger culture and was held in larger homes. However, the Corinthians were gathering according to socioeconomic class. This was wrong, because the church marked a whole new order, and there were to be no divisions among the members. In Christ, we are all one people of God. Christ broke down all dividing walls. In Corinth, the divisions were not for their betterment, rather for the worse. Divisions are a poor testimony for the gospel. The Lord's Supper is a visual representation of reconciliation with Christ and with the Body of Christ, the church. The Corinthian church perverted the Lord's Supper, because the wealthy were discriminating. They had lost the true meaning of the Supper, which had been well established by this time in the church. The wealthy indulged themselves, and there was nothing left for the poorer members. The Supper should display our unity for mutual upbuilding. Their practices also humiliated the poorer members and robbed them of their dignity. Paul, the apostle, warned the rich not to be selective in fellowship. The Lord's Supper is connected with the Passover meal. The broken bread visualizes Christ's body; in taking the bread, they pointed to their becoming one with Him. As with the Passover, they were to remember Christ's redemptive acts, what He did for them. The cup visualizes the new covenant in His blood, which is supremely effectual compared with the blood of bulls and goats, marking the redemption of the body of Christ. Jesus made a covenantal sacrifice. He satisfies the wrath of God. Jesus came not to exalt Himself, rather to serve and give His life as a ransom. The Lord's Supper visualizes the church proclaiming the Lord's death til He comes again; we present the gospel visually. We are to prepare to partake of it, but not to be afraid. We shouild not be overly introspective. The Supper unites, pointing to a restored relationship between God and His people. It should humble us befor a loving and just God. We must place other's interests before our own. We should share together, waiting for each other, remembering that whatever our status, we are needy. ... See MoreSee Less

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North Greenville Church

3 months ago

This teaching from Paul is difficult for religious people to consider. The Pharisees criticized Jesus for associating with known sinners. Jesus taught them that by these attitudes they placed themselves under the judgment of God, because they practiced the same sins. If you hold yourself to be a teacher, what should your disposition toward yourself and others be? Shouldn't it be that of a person who displays and lives the wisdom of God? Pride has no place here. Breaking God's law dishonors Him. In Exodus 19, God's people were to be a light to the nations, and yet they became hypocrites. The church is a hospital for sinners. We must not hold ourselves to be better than we actually are. Paul presses home the Jews' duplicity. We must not give nonbelievers another reason to reject God by hypocrisy. We are not perfect, but Christ is perfect, and in Him we have our hope. The sign of the covenant did not bring salvation to the Jews. If they did not believe, they would be cut off. Boasting is the sign of a curse that comes upon them. Circumcision is a matter of the heart. By the hypocrites' actions, the physically circumcised show themselves to really be uncircumcised dogs. Praise should come from God, not from man. It is the grace of God that makes us His people. How do we make the gospel attractive? Walking in humility and thankfulness for God's grace. ... See MoreSee Less

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North Greenville Church

4 months ago

Call To Worship: Dr. David Lauten – Senior Associate Minister at First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SCOld Testament Reading: Dr. Kyle Sims – Erskine SeminarySermon: Dr. Mark E. Ross – Erskine SeminaryQuestions To The Pastor: Rev. Buzzy Elder – Chairman of Catawba Presbytery Shepherding CommissionPrayer Of Installation: Rev. Neal Mathias – Retired Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SCCharge To The Minister: Rev. Joseph Crump – Minister at Effingham Presbyterian Church (ARP)Charge To The Congregation: Dr. Richard McCain – First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SC ... See MoreSee Less

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North Greenville Church

4 months ago

The Rev. David Scott HuffmanThe Rev. David Scott Huffman will be installed as senior pastor of North Greenville Church this Sunday, June 30, at 6:00 p.m. Serving on the installation commission will be:Mr. Bayne Brown – North Greenville Church, Greenville, SCRev. David Lauten – Senior Associate Minister at First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SCDr. Kyle Sims – Erskine SeminaryDr. Mark E. Ross – Erskine SeminaryRev. Buzzy Elder – Chairman of Catawba Presbytery Shepherding CommissionRev. Neal Mathias – Retired Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SCRev. Joseph Crump – Minister at Effingham Presbyterian Church (ARP)Dr. Richard McCain – First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SCCharges to the minister and to the congregation will be made by Rev. Joseph Crump and Dr. Richard McCain, respectively. Music will be provided by Nate Carpenter, cello, and Taryn Carpenter, piano. A reception in the Fellowship Hall will immediately following the service. All are welcome.The post Huffman To Be Installed As Senior Pastor June 30 first appeared on North Greenville Church. ... See MoreSee Less

Huffman To Be Installed As Senior Pastor June 30 - North Greenville Church

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The Rev. David Scott Huffman will be installed as senior pastor of North Greenville Church this Sunday, June 30, at 6:00 p.m. Serving on the installation commission will be: Mr. Bayne Brown - North Gr...

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