Formation – the manner in which a thing is formed; disposition of parts; formal structure or arrangement

Discipline - training to act in accordance with rules, an activity, exercise, or regimen that develops or improves a skill, behavior in accord with rules of conduct; behavior and order maintained by training and control.

Note: the root word of “discipline” is disciple

Disciple – a person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another. Any professed follower of Christ.

Today’s service wasn’t recorded. There was a glitch in the audio, so while we got the video, there’s no audio. Unless you’re a world-class lip reader and can zoom in with your browser, that renders the recording useless.
We’ve figured out the glitch and have resolved it for next week, but if you weren’t able to make it to church on July 20, and still want to stay caught up on the sermon - my sermon manuscript is below. It’s not the same as “live” - I don’t just read it - but you’ll be able to stay caught up in our series on John’s Gospel.

We have to remember that what’s inspired is not that LSB, NASB, ESV, or even KJV,/NKJV you have sitting on your desk. Nor were those that made copies of manuscripts, even the person who made the very first copy of John’s gospel. What’s inspired are the “autographs.” The originals. The actual piece of papyrus that John held in his hands as he wrote the words, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life” in Greek with his quill pen dipped in ink that he likely made himself.

Jesus was the only man to ever walk the earth who’s very words were living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Every Christian needs to be involved in the process of discipleship.

Who is discipling you outside of what you’re learning and how you’re growing on the Lord’s Day when you gather with the saints for worship?
The best context for pursuing the “One Anothers” of the NT (see the blog just before this one) is in both relationships and personal discipleship.

The Lord doesn’t intend for any of us to do the Christian life alone, but in the context of community. Part of His plan for your spiritual growth includes the community of believers He has blessed you with.

The resurrection isn’t just the central truth of Christianity. It’s not just the truth that, without it, we of all men are most to be pitied. It’s also a truth that has abundantly practical implications for every believer. It makes a distinct difference in the week-in-week-out rhythm of our lives. Read on to discover why the resurrection matters in your life today!

There’s a pattern that we all tend to follow. You follow it and I follow it. When we’re following the right people, it’s a good thing. But, we’re all sinners and trapped in bodies of flesh that constantly hunger for the wrong things. Between this and the fact that the best lie is mostly true, we must remember that it’s very easy to listen to the wrong voices and be drawn down the wrong path.

Friday, May 16 at 7:00 pm

Location: Coram Deo Bible Church

6863 E. Newman Road, Joplin, MO 64801
We’re located 1/2 mile east of 249 on Newman Rd.

and 2.3 Miles East of MSSU on Newman Rd.

Of all the various aspects and pursuits of the Christian life, all of them, save one, will be better in heaven. When we get to heaven one thing that won’t be better is evangelism because there won’t be evangelism in heaven. Sharing the life-changing message of Jesus is one of the reasons we’re still here.

In the face of the left’s attack on what they call “toxic masculinity,” many in the evangelical/Christian/Reformed camp have rightly pushed back. While I would call this push back both necessary and rightly motivated, some have taken it too far, pushing beyond where the Bible would have us go, ultimately painting a wrong picture of what the Bible calls us to as men.

You need the body, and the body need you. It is to your spiritual benefit to be fully involved in the ministries of your church. Church should be the first thing on your calendar, and the reason you miss other things, not the opposite that is so common today. To be less than fully involved will be to your spiritual detriment.

When you’re able to honestly and openly discuss your struggles, victories, needs, and such with another believer who you trust, you will benefit greatly from that. The Lord has designed us to pursue sanctification in community.

You’re busy and you don’t have time for more “things” on your schedule, but the reality is that we all make time for the things that are important to us. You already have priorities. The idea here is to be sure that they’re right priorities.

We have every right to feast and celebrate. So open the presents, enjoy the celebration. Christians should be the most joyful people of all.

One of the most basic elements of Christian discipleship is evangelism - telling others about Jesus. Whether it’s simply handing someone a tract - all the way to sitting down with them and fully explaining the gospel, it’s Christianity 101, not an advanced level thing.

Use this season as an opportunity to turn conversation to Christ. As believers, who are (as we saw in John 1 yesterday, watch the sermon here) committed to bringing people to Jesus like Andrew did in John 1:42 – He brought him to Jesus.

"Sufficient" means having enough. When you find contentment in the truth of God’s Word, you can genuinely be thankful for the solutions the Bible provides. Gratitude naturally flows from a heart that is content.

Boldness that’s not tempered by discernment and self control becomes brash and unteachable. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit, but so is faithfulness. It takes godly courage to be faithful, otherwise evil can run amok. We should seek, first for ourselves, and also for our sons, to be both bold and gentle.

Matthew 1:21 – …He will save His people from their sins. We can never forget that in the very first declaration of the coming of the Messiah, made by an angel to Joseph, culminated in this awesome declaration. It’s fitting that, as we turn our thoughts to the birth of our Savior each year, we remind ourselves that Jesus came to save His people from their sins.