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CHRIST IS KING |
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Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, Be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen 1 Timothy 1:17
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DISCIPLE107 Q & A |
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Disciple107 Q & A- is a ministry encouraging both children and adults to come and know Christ as their Savior and to grow in His Word. We encourage the teaching of the doctrines of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament through the use of the Westminster Confession and its Catechisms. We emphasize the use of the Shorter Catechism [107 Q&A’s] in the family and the church. It is a also a useful tool in home schooling. Our ministry is centered upon children, encouraging the parents and elders of the church to catechize the children that they may grow in the admonition of our Lord Jesus Christ. Of course, those who catechize the best are those who have been catechized. Pastors, elders, and deacons are to be familiar with the Westminster Confession and its Catechisms, taking note of its Biblical base and testimony. Therefore we encourage the practice of DISCIPLING where the Elder teaches the Younger that men may be prepared for service as Elder or Deacon in the Church of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. Thank you for your prayers and support. Rev. Robert La May, Litt.D |
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OUR FAMILY |
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Parents: Grandpa Robert LaMay, Dorcas & Rob Jarrard, Grandma Kay LaMay, Philip & Michelle La May Grandchildren: Joshua & Titus LaMay, Emma Ruth & Micah Jarrard. Andrew and Matthew LaMay
Taken Thanksgiving 2007 at Wexford, Pennsylvania |
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God’s Wonderful Gift of Salvation |
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I. CHARISMA “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed [through and throughout] upon all men, for that all have sinned; (for until the Law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned [missed the mark] the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offense, so also is the free gift [charisma=divine gratuity, pleasure]. For if through the offense one may be dead, much more the grace [charis=divine favour] of God, and gift [dorea=gratuity] by grace [charis], which is by one man Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one man Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift [dorema=bestowment]; for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift [charisma] of many offenses unto justification.* For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace [charis] and of the gift [dora] of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore, as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience one shall many be made righteous.” —Romans 5:12-19 *Grace of God, and gift by grace.—These differ, as the one is the spring and fountain of the other. The gift, namely, the gift of righteousness (ver. 17), is a gift which results purely from grace. Some explain this phrase as if by a figure on thing is made into two. But they are really two things. By one man, Jesus Christ.—The gift comes only by Jesus Christ. Without His atonement for sin, the gift could not have been made. Grace could not operate till justice was satisfied.” —Robert Haldane, An Exposition of Romans. |
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II. The Gift of God When Adam sinned, sin crowned death as the reigning master of all men. Though the written Law came at the time of Moses, the moral Law was still in effect from Adam to Moses, and they were without excuse as we are. The Original Sin of Adam* brought death into God’s creation, imputing that sin to all mankind, who followed by committing sin according to their immoral nature. Scripture teaches us, that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Therefore “Whosoever committeth sin transgresses also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4). How then shall we ever hope to know the love of God in Christ Jesus? How is it that by faith we are able to say, “Our Father, we love thee”? The beloved Apostle reveals the faith of those who have been redeemed from that darkness into a glorious light: “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed that love that God hath toward us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:13-16). *Did all mankind fall in that first transgression? The covenant being made with Adam as a public person, not for himself only, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in the first transgression.—Westminster Larger Catechism # 22. The Gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord [Rom.6:23] Grace alone is the means by which the Father brings us into his household. By divine favor, “God commandeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement” (Rom. 5:8-11). God’s free gift is truly a gift of grace: for “ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19).
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III. Receiving the Gift of Grace Scripture teaches us “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture saith, whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all who call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:9-13). Neglect not so great a salvation. Does your heart burn to know Christ? Then call upon him and he will nurture that faith which the Spirit has so graciously given you. Faith produces the act of repentance (change of mind, direction). Christ opened the understanding of his disciples, “Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations…” (Luke 24:46-47). Believe [Trust = Place your faith in Christ alone as your Savior and Lord]. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:25-26). Scripture teaches us that “the just shall live by faith; …we are not of them that draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ...without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 10:39-11:6). Believe, entrust your soul to Christ; commit yourself to Christ as he is revealed in his Scripture: “Wherefore it is contained in Scripture, Behold I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he that believeth (is convinced) on him (Christ) shall not be confounded (unashamed or dishonored). Unto you therefore which believe he is precious” (1 Peter 2:6-7).
[Adapted from He Hears My Voice, Rev. Robert L. La May, Litt.D |
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Quote for the Month: Politeness # 2 Never Poke your Uncle With a Fork, Never kick your uncle in the shins, Never bop your uncle with a cork… These are all unpardonable sins. If you grab your uncle by the nose, If you put potatoes on his lap, If you drop spaghetti on his clothes, He will make you go and take a nap. When you’re at the table, precious child, If you start to misbehave, and act Thoroughly undisciplined and wild, He will gnash his teeth, and that’s a fact. If you jab your uncle with a spoon, If you prod your uncle with a bone, You will leave the table very soon, And have to eat your dinner all alone. -Jack Prelutsky |
