February 2012
1 post
3 tags
Resources to Help us Pray
In looking at the Lord’s Prayer this past Sunday we referenced several resources to help us learn to pray.
Some of the mentioned resources we referenced previously in a post called: Prayer Weapons for the Warfare: 3 Books, a PDF (Martin Luther), & Blog Post (Tim Keller).
Some New Resources
Learning to Pray from Others
The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers
...
January 2012
4 posts
2 tags
“This, we remember, is the great reward of the gospel: God himself. When we risk...”
– David Platt
1 tag
Learn With Us. Grow With Us.
New Family Bible Classes & New Schedule
Starting this Sunday (January 29) and running through Sunday (March 25) we’ll gather three times on Sunday: 8:45; 9:40; and 10:45.
Two New Discussion Groups at 8:45
For the next several weeks we’ll all gather together Sunday morning for opening prayer and singing. Then we’ll be dismissed into one of two discussion groups.
Living...
1 tag
There Are No Ordinary People - Sanctity of Life...
There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations: these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals with whom we joke, work with, marry, snub and exploit: immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.
- C.S. Lewis in Weight of Glory
This Sunday our church recognizes the haunting truthfulness of...
1 tag
This Sunday - Join Us at Our New Location!
437 W. Butler Rd Mauldin, SC 29662 is our new home.
Please pardon our “construction” as we settle into our new location.
Here’s a link to pictures of the outside of the building.
Directions from Our Old Location (269 Lakewood Dr. 29607).
Turn right onto Butler Rd (heading towards Laurens Rd/417).
Go through the next traffic light. (The Mauldin Pub is on the right of...
December 2011
5 posts
A Perennial Christmas Question: How Important is...
Just how important is the virgin birth? What are the implications of not believing it?
An article called “Must We Believe in the Virgin Birth?” supplies some biblical answers.
Must one believe in the Virgin Birth to be a Christian? This is not a hard question to answer. It is conceivable that someone might come to Christ and trust Christ as Savior without yet learning that the...
1 tag
Sharing Christ with Confidence to Our Muslim...
During our first service on Sunday our missions speaker shared his experiences relating to his Muslims friends, in and out of the United States. He reminded us that, while there is certainly a radical element to their faith which needs to be taken seriously, they are people who have the similar fears, dreams, and desires that we do. We should not be afraid to befriend them.
He also recommends a...
2 tags
Mission is the Purpose of the Incarnation
The Christmas season is a missions emphasis month at EBC. We remember that missions is the purpose of the incarnation: the babe in the manger is on a mission to seek and save the lost.
Several events this month will reinforce the missional purpose of Christ’s arrival into the world.
1. Our Sunday Morning Sermon Series
Psalm 117 reminds us that Jesus Christ is the Hope of the Nations.
During...
November 2011
3 posts
1 tag
Warn Them Not to Abuse Their Children by Jonathan...
Do your church members physically abuse their children? Maybe you think it’s so few that you don’t feel compelled to teach publicly what everyone knows: don’t abuse your kids. At most it’s one or two bad apples, right?
I’m not so sure.
I cannot say that I want to write about this topic, and I’m no expert. But I keep stumbling into abuse situations in one church or...
1 tag
Warn Them to Not Abuse Their Children →
October 2011
4 posts
Marriage: Christ and the Church
Last Sunday during family bible class we looked at three questions about marriage:
Where does marriage come from?
What is the purpose of marriage?
How can we live up to God’s design for marriage?
1. Where does marriage come from?
In the beginning God made marriage. It was his idea, not ours. Because of that, the essence of marriage does not change with time, culture or popular opinion. When a...
1 tag
Directions for Bald Rock Service Sunday - Oct 16
Our only service this Sunday (Oct 16) will be 10:30 at Bald Rock. Please join us for a time of singing, Scripture reading, and picnicing!
Bald Rock is located on the way to Caesar’s Head State Park. It may be easiest to enter the following address into your favorite map program and follow those directions. (If you get to Caesar’s Head State Park you have gone too far.)
Caesar’s Head State Park...
3 tags
Resources on Headship & Submission from Tim Keller...
The last two Sunday’s we’ve looked at issues of headship and submission as they relate to gender roles.
Resources to listen to and to read about the issues.
TO LISTEN
Tim and Kathy Keller gave a two part seminar in 2005 called “Cultivating a Healthy Marriage.”
Part One is a lecture. The Keller’s describe marriage as a garden.
1. Planning & Planting
Gospel...
September 2011
5 posts
2 tags
“While SCRIPTURE commends marriage as ordained of God and good (1 Tim. 4:3-5), it...”
– Bruce Ware, in Biblical Foundations for Manhood and Womanhood, p. 90.
3 tags
Gender Roles, Relevance, & Relationships
Sunday we’re resuming our sermon series on gender identity issues called Biblical Manhood & Womanhood: Equal & Unique.
Here are some things that will make the series more helpful as we move along.
Three Talks on the Trinity & Gender Roles
Andrew Franseen and Andy Naselli served our congregation well by helping us see how the Trinity relates to...
2 tags
Right from the study ...
We are created for relationships.
Humans are made in the image of God who is a tri-unity—whose very nature consists in reciprocal love and communication among the Persons of the Trinity. This model provides a solution to the age-old opposition between collectivism and individualism. Over against collectivism, the Trinity implies the dignity and uniqueness of individual persons. Over against...
5 tags
Fall Schedule: Family Bible Class, Corporate...
The change of seasons brings with it a change of meeting times. Starting Sunday, September 18, and running through Sunday, November 20, we will gather three times every Sunday: 8:45; 9:40; and 10:45.
1. Family BIble Class 8:45
As Brad continues his sermon series, Biblical Manhood & Womanhood: Equal & Unique, we’re providing a series of discussion groups in Family Bible Class...
2 tags
Mauldin End of Summer Bash & Service in Sunset...
For the third year in row our church family has the wonderful opportunity to serve our community through volunteering from 8:00 to 2:00 at the Maudlin End of Summer Bash on September 10!
In addition to the great activities for families and children, the South Carolina Barbeque Association will be present to host a professional BBQ Cook-Off. Come ready to enjoy some great food and great fun!
The...
August 2011
3 posts
3 tags
Reflections & Resources from Sunday: Singleness
Sunday’s message (The God-Glorifying Design of Singleness) was another installment in our series on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.
We referenced two helpful books on the topic.
Singles at the Crossroads: A Fresh Perspective on Christian Singleness by Albert Y. Hsu. Hsu’s treatment of singleness is readable and thoughtful. He writes as a single person to us all.
You can get a feel...
1 tag
“Right from the Study…
IT IS NEVER EASY to be sure on what issues a...”
– H.G.M. Williamson. Word Biblical Commentary: Ezra-Nehemiah, p. 402.
4 tags
Special Seminar: What Does the Trinity Have to Do...
This fall we’ll look at what the Bible says about gender identity issues, especially as they relate to manhood and womanhood. Brad will preach a series of sermons on the topic, which will be followed by a short, interactive series in our Family Bible Class led by the Lawrence’s and the Payne’s.
We are excited to announce that Andrew Franseen, pastor of Grace Bible Church, and...
July 2011
1 post
2 tags
Reflections & Resources from Sunday: Suspicious of...
For communion this past Sunday we meditated on Christ, The Lord of the Feast. For many of us our faith tradition rightly emphasizes the need for solemn self-examination in approaching the Lord’s Table. In doing so we’ve unintentionally neglected another important biblical emphasis: the Lord’s Table is meant to increase our assurance of pardon and reassure of his steadfast love....
June 2011
1 post
1 tag
Summer Reading & Resources from Sunday
In case the weather in the Upstate hasn’t been convincing enough, the calendar announces today as the official beginning of summer. One of the most popular things to do during this time of year involves filling out a summer reading list.
Sunday’s message from Nehemiah 6 referenced two books that should be on everyone’s summer reading list.
1. Charles Simeon: A Pastor of a...
April 2011
1 post
"Please buy, read and recommend a book about the...
Below is a helpful post by Adrain Warnock.
“I know and am very grateful that a number of you have bought my book already. But many have not. And some of you who have bought it have not read it yet, of that I am sure because I know how many unread books I have on my shelves that I got with good intentions! So this month I want to challenge you to buy a copy of a book about the...
March 2011
1 post
2 tags
Everything that Makes You Differ is the Gift of...
Everything, dear friend, that makes you to differ from the common sinner is the gift of God’s grace to you. You know it is.
Perhaps, my dear brother, there is a difference between you and other saints. I am sure there is reason for some saints to eclipse others, for some professors are very poor things indeed. Well, brother, you have a great deal more faith than others; where did you get it?...
February 2011
2 posts
2 tags
Resources for Rebuilding with Ezra and Nehemiah
We’re on the front end of a series exploring Ezra and Nehemiah. Here are five resources that will help you dig into each book for yourself. Consider purchasing one of them to help enrich your own study and to help prepare your heart to receive God’s word on Sundays.
1. Listen to these one-message overviews to help remind you of the overall theme of each book.
Ezra: The Faithful God...
How an Inferiority Complex Can Be a Form of Pride
Tim Keller, writing in his new book King’s Cross (on the Gospel of Mark), looks at how saying “I’m unworthy” can sometimes function not as a plea for deliverance but as a form of pride:
There are two ways to fail to let Jesus be your Savior.
One is by being too proud, having a superiority complex—not to accepted his challenge.
But the other is through an inferiority complex—being so...
January 2011
1 post
3 tags
Prayer Weapons for the Warfare: 3 Books, a PDF,...
THREE BOOKS…
1. A Call to Spiritual Reformation: Priorities from Paul and His Prayers.
If you only read one book on prayer in your life, this is it.
Jesus encourages us to let his words abide in us. This book teaches how to do that when it comes to prayer. From the writings of Paul, Carson demonstrates how the words of Scripture should inform our words in prayer. He also addresses...
December 2010
4 posts
1 tag
All Services Cancelled Tomorrow (Dec 26)
The ox is in the ditch. We don’t want your car to join it. So all services for Dec. 26 are cancelled.
1. Don’t Waste Your Sunday.
Gather tomorrow and listen to a sermon like this one by Charles Spurgeon. It’s called: Merry Christmas.
Take some time to strategize regarding your fight for faith in the new year. Start here.
2. Corporate Gathering on Wednesday
This Wednesday...
1 tag
Stockpiling Weapons for the Warfare
As the end of 2010 approaches, start thinking of ways to arm yourself in the fight for faith. Here are three good ways.
1. Remind yourself where the real warfare lies.
Though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. (2Cor. 10:3-4)
Put on the full armor of God so that you can...
2 tags
That we might offer our lives back...
This past Sunday Nathan Young concluded his message with this powerful quotation from Michael Lawrence, Senior Pastor at Hinson Baptist Church. It’s a great reminder of how the atonement enables our evangelism.
Ultimately the end or purpose of Christ’s sacrifice is that we might once again offer our lives back to God as sacrifices, not as payment for sin but as living sacrifices of...
2 tags
Missions and the Incarnation
Each Christmas season we remember that missions is the purpose of the incarnation: the babe in the manger is on a mission to seek and save the lost. To help remind ourselves of the missional purpose of Christ’s arrival into the world, two missionary families are ministering to us during December.
Nathan and Krystal Young (and their two children, Miles & Madeleine) are taking the gospel...
November 2010
5 posts
2 tags
November is National Adoption Awareness Month!
When thinking of adoption, many consider the verse in James reminding us the importance of ministering to widows and orphans. Adoption both domestically and internationally has gained ground in the last decade and over 10,600 orphans were adopted internationally and 57,000 orphans domestically in 2009. When considering the plight of orphans worldwide, many ask themselves how they can be involved...
2 tags
Reflections & Resources from Sunday: The Just...
MESSAGES
Both messages from Sunday are available.
1. Martin Luther: The Progress of a Reformer
The Progress to Salvation
The Progress from Roman Catholicism
The Progress to Building a Heritage
2. What is Justification?
The Righteousness of God: Why Justification is Necessary?
The Righteousness of Christ: How Justification is Possible?
The Righteousness of the Believer: What Justification...
October 2010
2 posts
2 tags
Reformation Sunday Celebration
Each year our church sets aside a day in October to celebrate the surprising work of God through the Protestant Reformation. The Reformation began with a German monk named Martin Luther asking a simple question: What will I do about my sin? This year’s celebration falls on the very day the Reformation symbolically began: October 31.
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther walked up to the...
1 tag
Directions to Bald Rock
Bald Rock is located on the way to Caesar’s Head State Park. It may be easiest to enter the following address into your favorite map program and follow those directions. (If you get to Caesar’s Head State Park you have gone too far.)
Caesar’s Head State Park 155 Geer Hwy, Cleveland, SC 29635
Essentially, from the Cherrydale area you will take 276W for about 30 miles.
Take 276/25 towards...
September 2010
3 posts
1 tag
Fall Frolic
Friends, fall foliage, frankfurters, fellowship, frisbee, and fun!
Enjoy a quick camping trip Friday evening and Saturday, October 8, 9. Everyone is invited!
Contact Brian P. for details.
3 tags
Reflections & Resources from Sunday: Declaring...
This past Sunday we started a short series encouraging us to put our hope in God, so that our children would put their hope in God. Here are some helpful resources to that end.
1. Resources for Adults.
Knowing God
The Gospel for Real Life
The Cross of Christ
Living the Cross Centered Life
2. Resources for Children.
Books.
What God Has Always Wanted: The Bible’s Big Idea from...
4 tags
Fall Schedule
The change of seasons brings with it a change of meeting times. Starting this Sunday September 12, and running through Sunday, November 14, we will gather three times every Sunday: 8:45; 9:40; and 10:45.
1. Family BIble Class 8:45
Within a congregation many issues arise that are better dealt with in a discussion group than in sermon. In the past our congregation has benefited from discussion...
August 2010
4 posts
2 tags
Reflections & Resources from Sunday: Signs of the...
This past Sunday we looked at the Old Testament book of Esther. Here are some resources from that message.
1. Two resources on a popular level.
We referenced a book by Malcolm Gladwell called Outliers and a film by M. Night Shyamalan called Signs. Neither of these make any claim to be Christian in any sense, but both raise insightful questions concerning the apparently random events in our...
2 tags
Reflections & Resources from Sunday: "Psalms is a...
Last Sunday provided an overview of the Old Testament book of Psalms. Here are some of the resources referenced in that message.
1. Martin Luther’s Preface to the German Psalter (1531)
Psalms is a little Bible. It seems to me as if the Holy Spirit had been pleased to take on himself the trouble of putting together a short Bible, touching the whole of Christianity, in order that they who...
2 tags
Reflections & Resources from Sunday
At the beginning of each week we will try to post some resources referenced from the previous Sunday’s message. We post the resources because they are helpful, not because they are perfect.
Last Sunday provided an overview of the Old Testament book of Song of Solomon, and here are some of the resources referenced in that message.
1. Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God. C. J. Mahaney
...
3 tags
School Supplies for our Friends at Bethel...
Bethel Elementary School is just around the corner from our church in Mauldin. Over the past year, we’ve enjoyed the privilege of serving and praying for the the students and teachers at Bethel. With the school year starting in just a week (yikes!), we have an another opportunity to serve the teachers at Bethel Elementary.
Public school teachers are usually provided money to stock their...