Articles on faith, theology, and other Christian topics
Dear MBC Family, It is Sunday morning, March 22, and I woke up early because I am still experiencing jet lag from our trip to Malawi. After dealing with the effects of a traveler’s stomach bug and taking the last few days to recover from that, I finally found a few moments to collect my thoughts which I wanted to share with…
Each month we want to share a word of encouragement and offer some resources from like-minded believers for your profit. These articles are available in print upon request. This article is a re-post because it is so clear and concise and get’s right to the heart of this week’s sermon on the priorities for the church. -Kurt Bekins, Pastor of Family Ministries and…
Each month we want to share a word of encouragement and offer some resources from like-minded believers for your profit. These articles are available in print upon request. Hiding God’s Word in Our Heart: Although there are many reasons, here are some of the key purposes of Jesus’ birth: Ephesians 6 tells of several defensive weapons to stand firm against the schemes of…
Each month we want to share a word of encouragement and offer some resources from like-minded believers for your profit. These articles are available in print upon request. The Reason for Christmas: Although there are many reasons, here are some of the key purposes of Jesus’ birth: Reality: Read: Remember: Respond: C oming King Matthew 2:2, 6; Luke 1:32 His reign is Eternal.…
Each month we want to share a word of encouragement and offer some resources from like-minded believers for your profit. These articles are available in print upon request. Beloved Congregation, I am writing to you out of love for you and because I believe that we need a reminder on how to warn people of the coming days. We are told in scripture…
June 26, 2015 SCOTUS RULING Our pastoral staff would like to offer to you a number of resources regarding the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on so called “same-sex” marriage. We hope you find these beneficial! History, Sympathy, and Sovereignty: A Biblical Response to Homosexuality: Genesis 19 Leviticus 18:22 Leviticus 20:13 Deuteronomy 22:5 Romans 1:26-27 1 Timothy 1:9-10 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 …
Personal Evangelism If you are in Christ and know the forgiveness of sins, it’s because at some point someone told you about the truth of the Gospel. Praise the Lord they did and that you know the hope of eternal life! Someone took the time to tell you about the bad news of sin and its consequence of eternal judgment, and the…
Each week we want to share a word of encouragement and offer some resources from like-minded believers for your profit. These articles are available in print upon request. Spring Growth Beloved Congregation, “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness…
Each week we want to share a word of encouragement and offer some resources from like-minded believers for your profit. These articles are available in print upon request. The Inerrant Word of God Last week, eight of us from MBC spent four days at the Shepherd’s Conference hosted by Grace Community Church and The Master’s Seminary. Attending were over 4500 men from…
Each week we want to share a word of encouragement and offer some resources from like-minded believers for your profit. These articles are available in print upon request. Regular Family Worship One of my favorite memories growing up was spending Sunday afternoons at my cousin’s house. We would almost always have roast beast with carrots and onions and potatoes. We would have…
Dear Brothers and Sisters at Maranatha Bible Church, A number of you have asked me for my thoughts on Rob Bell’s latest book Love Wins. Since the book came out this week, the blogosphere has been buzzing with posts and comments about it. Many reviews have been written in the last few days and I would encourage you to read them to…
The following are presuppositions that drive us to be purposeful and intentional in counseling that is thoroughly biblical in both doctrine and practice at Maranatha Bible Church. It is these assumptions that compel us to action in our counseling efforts.
Recently the elders of MBC have been wrestling with the issue of whether or not members of Maranatha should be baptized by immersion in order to be received as members. Prior to this, baptism has not been a requirement for church membership at Maranatha. However, as the elders wrestled with this issue, we came to the conclusion that this should be necessary for becoming a member at MBC. As we have discussed this issue, we have concluded that believer’s baptism and church membership should not be separated as if they were two unrelated events, rather, they are intimately connected with believer’s baptism serving as a necessary prerequisite for church membership. The following is a defense of this position.
Yesterday, many of us were at the airport to see the Thiry’s off to Tenerife. After helping them process 12 checked bags, car seats, a stroller, and 5 carry-ons, we gathered together for a short time of prayer and then said our good-bye’s. It was in all senses of the word “bittersweet.” It was sweet in that we had the great privilege…
To help us appreciate the gravity of what Christ did on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, we have put together a Devotional with seven sections to inform your mind, enflame your heart, and to help you prepare for our services this weekend. It is our prayer that these devotionals will fuel your hunger for the Word of God, increase…
This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday, the day we remember the coming of Christ into Jerusalem to begin the Passion Week. I want to encourage you to read the account of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem and the events that transpired surrounding it. Over the next couple of days, take a few minutes to read Matthew 21:1-11 and Luke 19:28-44 which describe Jesus’…
If you are a father and still have children living in your home, I just finished a book you should consider reading. It’s called Family Worship by Joel Beeke. If you are like me, you’ve probably struggled at times wondering how to lead your family and children in regular, productive worship times at home. What should you study? How long should it…
I have been thinking about Jeremiah 9:23-24 for a few days: “Thus says the Lord, ‘Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord…
We have been reminded recently of the brevity of life and the fact that life is a vapor. The deaths of 2 people close to our church family and the earthquake in Haiti have caused me to reflect on how short life really is. How do we respond to these tragedies and sorrows? Listen to this quote from The Thought of God…
The following are presuppositions that drive us to be purposeful and intentional in seeking to spread the Gospel and win people to Christ in the local area around Maranatha Bible Church. It is these assumptions that compel us to action in our evangelistic efforts.