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scripture

Encouraging the Church After the Violence in Washington DC

January 15, 2021 by Michael Coughlin Leave a Comment

The following is what I told my church on January 10, 2021. Click here for the audio. Our commitment at CBC is verse by verse and expositional preaching. By exegeting scripture and applying its wisdom every week, we think the saints are most edified and prepared to live godly lives. We also recognize that there […]

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Christian Life, grace, local church, love, Reformed Baptist Theology, scripture

How to Know the Holy Spirit is at Work — Part 3

November 30, 2020 by Allen Nelson IV

In 1741 Jonathan Edwards preached his sermon, The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God, from 1 John 4 for the commencement ceremony at Yale. We’ve seen two of these distinguishing marks so far: esteeming Jesus and opposing Satan. In this blog post, we look at the third and fourth marks. Below […]

Filed Under: Theology Tagged With: Bible, Distinguishing Marks, Great Awakening, Holy Spirit, Jonathan Edwards, scripture, truth

Clinging to Christ in Cultural Chaos – Part 4

September 30, 2020 by Allen Nelson IV

We have been examining Paul’s exhortation to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:8. “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel…” We have already seen an exhortation to cling to Christ’s humanity. In the last post we were encouraged to cling to His divinity, victory, and prophecy. Today, […]

Filed Under: Theology Tagged With: 2020, Cling to Christ, Divinity of Jesus, scripture, Victory in Jesus

Clinging to Christ in Cultural Chaos — Part 3

September 22, 2020 by Allen Nelson IV

We are now examining Paul’s exhortation to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:8. “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel…” In the last post I encouraged you to remember Christ’s humanity. Today, I want us to remember to: Cling to His Divinity We live in a day […]

Filed Under: Theology Tagged With: 2020, Cling to Christ, Divinity of Jesus, scripture, Victory in Jesus

5 Reasons People Don’t Believe Certain Truths from the Bible

July 16, 2020 by Allen Nelson IV

In teaching on the doctrine of regeneration recently, I was thinking through explanations on why people would reject the Bible’s teaching on this precious doctrine. I came up with 5 reasons. These reasons apply to other precious doctrines as well. When the Bible teaches something on any given subject, here are 5 reasons one might […]

Filed Under: Theology Tagged With: Bible, bible reading, Bible study, scripture

The Preaching Killdeer

June 24, 2020 by Allen Nelson IV

Growing up in rural Arkansas I had many opportunities to walk the woods with my grandfather learning about various aspects of nature, including birds. One of the most interesting birds I can remember is the Charadrius vociferous, or, you probably know it as the Killdeer. Or maybe, you’ve never heard of the Killdeer. That’s okay, […]

Filed Under: Theology Tagged With: atonement, Cessationism, Christian Life, conversion, Devotional, scripture

Children’s Book Review — The Woman Who Loved To Give Books

June 22, 2020 by Michael Coughlin

The Woman Who Loved To Give Books is a short depiction of the life of Susannah Spurgeon, wife of the prince of preachers, Charles Spurgeon. Faced with a difficult illness, Susannah wonders how she can serve God. And then she finds just the way!

Filed Under: Theology Tagged With: Banner Board Books, book review, Charles Spurgeon, children, Children's Books, scripture

Children’s Book Review — The Man Who Preached Outside

June 15, 2020 by Michael Coughlin

The Man Who Preached Outside is a short depiction of the life of George Whitefield, the well-known itinerant preacher in the UK and USA. Your children will see George Whitefield heralding the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ to a crowd. A good idea will be to show the child the variety of responses Mr. Whitefield is getting from the crowd. Warning, they aren’t all positive! But this should give the opportunity to prepare your child for opposition should he or she come to saving faith.

Filed Under: Theology Tagged With: Banner Board Books, book review, children, Children's Books, George Whitefield, scripture

Children’s Book Review — The Woman Who Helped A Reformer

June 6, 2020 by Michael Coughlin

The Woman Who Helped A Reformer is a short depiction of the life of Katharina Luther, the wife of the well-known reformer, Martin Luther. The work that she did to help her husband be free to preach and teach the Word of God during a pivotal time in church history is shown with wonderful imagery. Although the book is very well-written and captures little one’s attention, it is the illustrations that put the entire story together. Thoughtful parents will take time to ask their children questions like “How many things is Mrs. Luther carrying on this page? and “What is that in her hand?” in order to engage young readers’ attention.

Filed Under: Theology Tagged With: Banner Board Books, book review, children, Children's Books, scripture

Children’s Book Review — A Rainbow of Rocks

April 22, 2020 by Michael Coughlin

There are two main sections to this children’s book. The first section takes your child page by page and displays a picture of a rock with a little text about the rock on each page. The photos are brilliant, and the name of the rock is highlighted in the same color as the rock. The color scheme is really neat. Each set of two pages has similarly colored rocks. By the end, you’ve looked at 16 different rocks of several different hues.

Filed Under: Theology Tagged With: book review, children, Children's Books, scripture

Book Review — Canon, Covenant, and Christology: Rethinking Jesus and the Scriptures of Israel

April 13, 2020 by Chuck Ivey

How far should professing Christians go in pursuit of unity? When and how should we disagree with each other? Are there ever circumstances when we should break fellowship? The thorough look into church history in The Story of Creeds and Confessions serves as a helpful reminder to seek and speak the truth humbly and in love.

Filed Under: Theology Tagged With: book review, Canon, Christology, Chuck Ivey, covenant, IVP, Matthew Barrett, NSBT, scripture

Psalm 119:173-176 — Seek Your Servant Like a Lost Sheep

March 21, 2020 by Michael Coughlin

Jesus, the lamb of God, became sin for His people that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Jesus was the lamb who never strayed from the pasture, yet he took on the penalty deserved by foolish and rebellious sheep. Jesus is the lost sheep when he is suffering the penalty for our sins. Jesus is the one who cries to God to be sought after in this state. And Jesus is the one who never forgot God’s commands.

Filed Under: pSaturday Psalms, Theology Tagged With: Christian Life, Devotional, gospel, love, mercy, Psalm 119, Psalms, reformed baptist, reformed theology, sanctification, scripture

5 Reasons a Historical Adam Matters

March 12, 2020 by Allen Nelson IV

Did a man directly created by God out of the dust named Adam really exist in history? Did he really have a wife named Eve? Did he really have sons and daughters and populate the earth? And does it really even matter? Well, actually, yes it does. And I’m going to give you 5 reasons […]

Filed Under: Theology Tagged With: Adam, Church Roles, Gender Roles, Genesis, imputation, Jesus and Adam, Marriage Roles, scripture

Walking with God — Part 4

February 24, 2020 by Allen Nelson IV

Currently, I am preaching through Genesis 1–11 at Perryville Second Baptist Church. In our 33rd week through the series (no, I am not recommending everyone go that slow!) we came upon the curious case of Enoch in Genesis 5:22–24. This series of posts (see part 1 here) fleshes out some thoughts on Enoch’s walk with […]

Filed Under: Theology Tagged With: Enoch, fellowship, Following, Genesis, Genesis 5, obedience, scripture, Walking with God

Walking with God – Part 3

February 17, 2020 by Allen Nelson IV

Currently, I am preaching through Genesis 1-11 at Perryville Second Baptist Church. In our 33rd week through the series (no, I am not recommending everyone go that slow!) we came upon the curios case of Enoch in Genesis 5:22-24. This series of posts (see part 1 here, part 2 here) fleshes out some thoughts on […]

Filed Under: Theology Tagged With: Enoch, fellowship, Following, Genesis, Genesis 5, obedience, scripture, Walking with God

Psalm 119:169-172 — Eruption of Praise

February 8, 2020 by Michael Coughlin

Pray Like Jesus Psalms 119:169  Taw Let my cry come before you, O Yahweh; give me understanding according to your word! As we begin to close the longest chapter of the Bible, we might be tempted to think that God has already said everything that can be said. We must put away any thought that […]

Filed Under: pSaturday Psalms, Theology Tagged With: Christian Life, Devotional, gospel, love, mercy, Psalm 119, Psalms, reformed baptist, reformed theology, sanctification, scripture

Psalm 119:165-168 — Cause → Effect

February 1, 2020 by Michael Coughlin

It has been said that there are two religions in the world: the religion of grace and the religion of works. A distinguishing characteristic of the religion of works is that somehow the good deeds a man does are what pleases his deity. This is true whether that religion sees man as inherently good or as innately sinful. Since this is an affront to the gospel of grace, our Scriptures go to great lengths to destroy any hope men can have to save themselves by proclaiming the gospel of grace (Romans 3:24,25; Ephesians 2:8, 9). But wicked men will always twist good religion to their own ends and many a man has proclaimed the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ apart from works as a license to sin.

One of the ways God helps us to walk in his ways while we strive to imitate Christ is by granting us awareness of His immanence. Nothing can be hidden from the anthropomorphic eyes of God. For the heathen, this truth is blatantly denied as they fancy themselves into thinking they will escape judgment. It’s not always because men think they are good that they shall escape judgment, but sometimes it is that they think no one knows of their crimes. The child of God whose heart has been quickened earnestly desires obedience to God’s precepts and adherence to God’s testimonies, yet he or she still finds it difficult to obey. The spirit and flesh are opposed to each other and the battle rages, and sometimes the flesh wins.

Filed Under: pSaturday Psalms, Theology Tagged With: Christian Life, Devotional, gospel, love, mercy, Psalm 119, Psalms, reformed baptist, reformed theology, sanctification, scripture

Book Review: Truth & Grace Memory Book 1

January 29, 2020 by Michael Coughlin

I bought this book on the recommendation of a reformed Baptist pastor friend. I knew that I was supposed to teach my kids, and I had learned the value of catechizing them, but I didn’t know where to start. The Baptist Catechism book I owned seemed “too big” to ask my little ones to memorize. The question and answer format is a great teaching tool, in my opinion, so when I saw that Founders had produced a children’s catechism which was recommended by a trusted friend, I purchased a copy immediately.

Filed Under: Theology Tagged With: book review, catechism, children, Children's Books, Family Worship, Founders, scripture

Psalm 119:161-164— Do You Hate Falsehood?

January 25, 2020 by Michael Coughlin

Christianity is thought of by many as the “religion of niceness.” Whoever came up with that idea knows very little of the scripture. Yes, Christians are called to be kind and should be known by their kindness and meekness. But too often we mistake kindness for fake-virtues like “never disagreeing with anyone,” and “never hating anything or anyone.” But as David speaks here, so does the Christ, “I hate and abhor falsehood.” Jesus Christ is the Truth and falsehood is a lie. Thus it is fitting that we should hate the opposite (falsehood) of that which we love (Christ). God chooses more than one word here to denote His holy hatred for lying. God personally hates lying and morally detests it.

Filed Under: pSaturday Psalms, Theology Tagged With: Christian Life, Devotional, gospel, love, mercy, Psalm 119, Psalms, reformed baptist, reformed theology, sanctification, scripture

Psalm 119:157-160 — We Are In A Battle

January 18, 2020 by Michael Coughlin

We vomit spoiled food almost instantaneously, not because we think about it and decide we should expel it, but because our bodies are naturally designed to protect us. We have a *”gag reflex” for a reason, and it prevents things from getting deep inside us before we have time to realize all the effects. Similarly, our Christian conscience and convictions, bathed in the Word and Law of God, are capable of causing a natural aversion to sin and evil before we’ve even had time to consider it. We are disgusted by the ideas of lying, stealing, vandalism, gossip, slander, sexual immorality, rape, orgies, homosexual acts and desires, drunkness, hypocrisy, envy, sorcery, and faithlessness. A Christian who is growing in holiness and separation from worldly lusts will find themselves more quickly disgusted when they encounter rampant wickedness and filth as they walk their path in this world (James 1:21).

Filed Under: pSaturday Psalms, Theology Tagged With: Christian Life, Devotional, gospel, love, mercy, Psalm 119, Psalms, reformed baptist, reformed theology, sanctification, scripture

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