Category: The Biblical Storyline

“The Temptation of Jesus” Summer Series / Ciclo de Verano “La Tentación de Jesús”

Join us for a short preaching series with three area pastors on the temptations of Jesus in Matthew 4. Complete information in English and Spanish in the PDF below. Livestream event info here. And we’ll be singing psalms a capella.

Únase a nosotros para una serie de predicaciones cortas con tres pastores del área sobre las tentaciones de Jesús en Mateo 4. Información completa en inglés y español en el PDF abajo. Información sobre el evento en directo aquí. Y también cantaremos salmos a capella.

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“Del Polvo a la Gloria”

Este es el primer mensaje de un tratamiento muy útil de la historia bíblica, desde el Génesis hasta el Apocalipsis. Escuche, aprenda y sea desafiado:

Del polvo a la gloria

¿Quiere saber más sobre la fe reformada? Envíeme un mensaje de texto, Pr. Michael Ives, al 609-459-3580.

Desde ahora serás pescador de hombres

Y aconteció que, estando él junto al lago de Genesaret, la multitud se agolpaba sobre él para oír la palabra de Dios. Y vio dos barcas que estaban cerca de la orilla del lago; y los pescadores, habiendo descendido de ellas, lavaban sus redes. Y entrando en una de estas barcas, la cual era de Simón, le rogó que la apartara de tierra un poco; y sentándose, enseñaba desde la barca a las multitudes.

Y cuando cesó de hablar, dijo a Simón: Vuelve mar adentro, y echad vuestras redes para pescar. Y respondiendo Simón, le dijo: Maestro, hemos trabajado toda la noche y nada hemos pescado; mas en tu palabra echaré la red. Y habiéndolo hecho, encerraron gran cantidad de peces, y su red se rompía. E hicieron señas a los compañeros que estaban en la otra barca para que vinieran a ayudarlos; y vinieron, y llenaron ambas barcas, de tal manera que se hundían.

Viendo esto, Simón Pedro se postró de rodillas ante Jesús, diciendo: Apártate de mí, Señor, porque soy hombre pecador. Porque el temor se había apoderado de él y de todos los que estaban con él, por la pesca de los peces que habían hecho; y asimismo de Jacobo y de Juan, hijos de Zebedeo, que eran compañeros de Simón. Y Jesús dijo a Simón: No temas; desde ahora serás pescador de hombres.


Lucas 5:1-10

Now you will catch men

And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, [Jesus] stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

Now when he had left [finished] speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught [catch]. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: and so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

Luke 5:1-10 (AV)

Watch a message on this passage here.

“The State of Glory”

Half a lifetime ago now, as I was hitting golf balls at a driving range, the older man in the next booth offered me his brand-new, state-of-the-art, high-tech, large-headed driver. “Try this one, son,” he said. He insisted. I laid aside my old wooden-headed club (it cost £5 secondhand) and tried his ultramodern metal-headed version. The ball flew off the clubface and was still in the air as it flew past my earlier attempts. Suddenly, golf seemed easier, my swing so much more powerful.

I couldn’t believe it. Nor could I afford my own high-tech driver. But, I thought, this must be what the resurrection body in the state of glory is like. No longer weak, but powerful; obedience no longer a struggle against the world, the flesh, and the devil—but natural, the smooth and happy tempo of a sin-free world. If I can enjoy this new technology in a golf shot, how wonderful it will be to live in the full blaze of God’s presence.

Read more, by Sinclair Ferguson

Glorious anticlimax

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:8-10).

We’ve all felt the letdown. There is expectation, there is buildup, there is excitement, and then … it all falls flat. The climax we expected disappoints; or really, a quite unexpected anticlimax comes in its place, leaving us deflated and depressed.

Continue reading “Glorious anticlimax”