From Pastor Gary M. Brown
Authentic, Biblical Christianity
"He cannot have God as his Father, who does not take the Church as His Mother." - St. Augustine
What St. Augustine is saying is it's not acceptable for a believer to disassociate themselves with the Church, the Fellowship of the Saints, or (The Body of Christ). BUT...
In a world filled with so many options, how do you choose the right church for you? May I suggest it's all about Jesus!
Afterall, we are CHRISTians. It is Jesus Christ whom we worship, and from whom we receive all the gifts of heaven, including Eternal Life.
When Christians gather, Jesus should be the One around whom they gather. Jesus and His finished work for you must be the message every time the Church gathers.
- He Lived a perfect and sinless life in our place.
- He Died on a cross and paid in-full the Debt for our sins.
- He rose victoriously over death & Hell, so we too will rise from the dead.
- He feeds us with His Word and the Sacraments.
- He has secured eternity for us, because He Loves us.
Jesus loves you too!
Many believe that God could never love them because of their sin! But, the message of the Cross is a message of forgiveness and acceptance for sinners just like you! Jesus has made us friends of God. That gift is for all people regardless of your sin, age, gender, nationality, religion, or personal preferences. Jesus loves all! Even you!
Vicar's Corner
Christological Reading
This past Sunday some of you joined me for Bible study where we talked about some of the literary features in Jonah and we briefly discussed Christological reading. What does this mean? Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John that all of the Scriptures point towards him. (John 5:39-47) This is something that Christians know, but I think many don't know how to apply this principle to their own devotional life.
An example that came up Sunday is Jonah sleeping in the boat when there was a storm. I was asked if there is any significance between Jonah sleeping in a boat (Jonah 1:5) and the Story of Jesus falling asleep in a boat with the disciples. (Matthew 8:23-27). There absolutely is! When we read the Old Testament, we can see "types" of Christ. These types foreshadow or point to Christ through their words and actions. When you read about Daniel and the Lion's den we are reminded of Christ and the Tomb. Just as we are when Jonah spends time in the big fish.(Matthew 12:38-42)
What you'll notice when you start to find these foreshadows of Christ to come is that Jesus is always doing something greater and better. Let's use the example of sleeping during the storm. Jonah gets up and the storm is only satisfied once he is no longer on the boat. Jesus gets up and commands the storm to be still and it listens. So what does this mean? Jonah and Jesus were both prophets, but Jesus is greater than Jonah. Being the living God, he has control over all of creation.
When you learn to read the scriptures Christologically you are welcomed into a new world of depth and meaning that points us to our Savior from which we receive ever lasting life.
May the Lord bless and you keep you always focused on that fount from which we receive that life, which is Christ.