IBC Blog (Page 28)
Pastor Matt’s Keywords for Kids
The coronavirus has led to social distancing, which has led us to be apart again this Sunday. Since we can’t be together, I’m developing a new video series called “Keywords for Kids.” Each Sunday morning, IBC will post a short video featuring keywords from the Bible. These videos are designed for kids, but adults are more than welcome to tune in (I’m certain adults will learn something too!). Three of the keywords are Christ, Kingdom, and Love. CHRIST First, Christ…
Sunday Service Plans
March 17, 2020 Dear IBC Family, In keeping with the changing guidelines, we will not be gathering for services this Sunday, March 22, as initially planned. LIVESTREAMIn response, we are pulling together the tools necessary to livestream the Sunday service. The messages will continue to be available online and on the IBC podcast as usual. We will let you know the actual time for the livestream as the plan comes together. We will be conducting services via livestream until further notice. EVENTS…
IBC Ministry Update 3.16.20
Dear Immanuel Family, It is amazing how quickly matters can change. This past Sunday (March 15) we were prepared to roll out updated information on our staff search, our projected missionary expansion, our present missionary projects, and our facility completion budget and needs. As the church didn’t gather, that information wasn’t shared. Now we are working on plans to simply continue our ministry to one another in the midst of extraordinary upheaval. (See the end of the email for a…
Immanuel’s Response to the Coronavirus
March 13, 2020 Dear Immanuel Bible Church, First, the joy of the Lord is our strength, and we rest in the faithfulness of our King and Shepherd. As you may be aware, the governor of Michigan has temporarily banned gatherings larger than 250 people for the next several weeks. What does this mean for Immanuel Bible Church? We are canceling all morning and evening gatherings at IBC for Sunday, March 15. The audio from the message Pastor Matt planned to preach on Sunday will…
Boast in Weakness
The value system of our world tells us that in order to be successful in gaining people’s respect, we must be impressive in every way possible. Education, wealth, skill, aggressiveness, creating vision, and having charismatic charm are absolute necessities for gaining a following and being a good leader. For many churches, our culture’s definition of leadership has also become the definition of leadership for the body of Christ. That’s why Paul’s words are so shocking. If I must boast, I…
Parousia
As we read and study the book of 2 Thessalonians together at IBC, I’m encouraged and motivated by the coming of Jesus (παρουσία). It’s a reality that Paul has already put forth as motivating comfort in his first letter to the Thessalonians (2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23), and now also in his second letter (2:1, 8). The παρουσία (coming) is a singular term the NT writers use to denote the 2nd coming of Jesus. It is mentioned a total of 24…
Living in the Overlap
The NT writers make the bold claim that the Satan and all the evil powers of the cosmos were defeated at the Christ event (the death, resurrection, ascension of Jesus of Nazareth). Here’s some of their outlandish language: “In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross…You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world” (Col. 2:15, 20).…
Social Gospel
Many Christians are afraid of the term social gospel. But when we look carefully at what the New Testament writers believed, we discover that the gospel is in fact all about social issues. For example, in Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he writes, But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in…
God’s Faithfulness
In Exodus, we see that the stage is set, and the instruments are in place for a symphony of blessing to the world. God has rescued the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt (Ex. 6-13), delivered them safely through the waters of the sea (Ex. 14-15), and brought them to Mount Sinai where He called them to become a Kingdom of Priests (Ex. 19-23). If Israel would just listen to the voice of God from the Mountain, they would become…
God’s Covenant Presence
After God rescued Israel from bondage in Egypt (Exodus 14:15-15:21), He leads them to Mt. Sinai and initiates a covenant with them that they might become a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19-24). He then gives detailed instructions to build a tabernacle (Exodus 25-31, 35-40). The purpose of the tabernacle was to provide a way for Yahweh Himself to live among His people (Exodus 25:8, 22). The function of the tabernacle was the beginning of God’s plan to renew what was…