1. How would you answer the question “How does the Old Testament apply to the New Testament and why does the Old Testament still matter?”

2. In the incarnation and sacrifice of Christ, what was changed and what remained the same in regards to the Law and Old Testament? Explain.

3. How is your faith doing? Are you fully trusting in the grace of God? Or are you trying to rely on your own strength and ability?

4. Why is Abraham central to our faith, and the faith of every believer who has ever lived?

5. What areas of your life do you need to have more faith in? (the future, your current circumstances, your past, your person…)

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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1. What insights did you gain in the reading out loud of Galatians 3, 4, and 5? Did any theme or particular point stand out?

2. How does the Holy Spirit work in the lives of believers? What does the Holy Spirit do and how does the Holy Spirit work? Support with scripture.

3. What do you think is the main point and core focus of the book of Galatians? Explain in a few words.

4. How does one live by the spirit and walk by the spirit. Explain and support.

5. Compare and contrast justification and sanctification. What does each look like and how are both similar and different?

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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1. Have you ever been guilty as viewing another Christian as a “second rate” Christian? Why? Share. 2. What is the biblical definition of “justification”? 3. How would you explain the biblical concept of “justification by faith alone” to a non believer who is interested in learning more about the Christian faith? 4. If we no longer need to keep the law in order to be saved (justification by faith alone), then why do we still keep the Law? (I’m speaking of the moral law…i.e. 10 commandments) Share and discuss with your group. 5. Are you currently resting in the truth that your salvation is by faith alone? Or are you struggling with needing to do more for God? Why? Share.

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups Russell Schmidt
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The Elders of Emmaus have a custom of reviewing one of our Foundation Documents each month at our Agenda Meeting. This month, we reviewed the Emmaus Church Covenant. This is one of my favorite documents as it communicates beautifully our commitment to one another in Christ Jesus.

While reviewing the document, we were reminded that we are to review and renew the Church Covenant as a whole congregation, once a year, in the Fall. It’s Fall, and so we had better follow through on that commitment.

If you are a Member of Emmaus Christian Fellowship, would you please take a few moments to review the Church Covenant (link provided below), being reminded of the commitment that you made to your brothers and sisters in Christ, and also the commitment that they have made to you?

I look forward to standing on October 27th during our regular worship service, and publicly renewing this covenant together.

Blessings,

Joe

Church Covenant 

Posted in News Church Life Joe Anady
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Tags: 2 Corinthians 1

Posted in Study Guides 2 Corinthians 1 Encouragement Life Issues Joe Anady
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Below is a quote from Calvin that I came across this morning while reading in the Institutes of the Christian Religion, book 3, chapter 6 entitled, The Life of the Christian Man.

Here, Calvin is first of all confronting those who confess Jesus as Lord but live in a way contrary to the gospel. His exhortation is strong. But afterwards he provides comfort to those who, although they may be truly striving after Christ, are frustrated with the slow progress when it comes to their growth in holiness.

If you take the time to read Calvin you will soon discover that he has the heart of a pastor. He understands that within the church there will always be some who need exhortation, and others who need comfort – he is careful to provide both.

“Doctrine is not an affair of the tongue, but of the life; is not apprehended by the intellect and memory merely, like other branches of learning; but is received only when it possesses the whole soul, and finds its seat and habitation in the inmost recesses of the heart. Let them, therefore, either cease to insult God, by boasting that they are what they are not, or let them show themselves not unworthy disciples of their divine Master. To doctrine in which our religion is contained we have given the first place, since by it our salvation commences; but it must be transfused into the breast, and pass into the conduct, and so transform us into itself, as not to prove unfruitful. If philosophers are justly offended, and banish from their company with disgrace those who, while professing an art which ought to be the mistress of their conduct, convert it into mere loquacious sophistry, with how much better reason shall we detest those flimsy sophists who are contented to let the Gospel play upon their lips, when, from its efficacy, it ought to penetrate the inmost affections of the heart, fix its seat in the soul, and pervade the whole man a hundred times more than the frigid discourses of philosophers?

I insist not that the life of the Christian shall breathe nothing but the perfect Gospel, though this is to be desired, and ought to be attempted. I insist not so strictly on evangelical perfection, as to refuse to acknowledge as a Christian any man who has not attained it. In this way all would be excluded from the Church, since there is no man who is not far removed from this perfection, while many, who have made but little progress, would be undeservedly rejected. What then? Let us set this before our eye as the end at which we ought constantly to aim. Let it be regarded as the goal towards which we are to run. For you cannot divide the matter with God, undertaking part of what his word enjoins, and omitting part at pleasure. For, in the first place, God uniformly recommends integrity as the principal part of his worship, meaning by integrity real singleness of mind, devoid of gloss and fiction, and to this is opposed a double mind; as if it had been said, that the spiritual commencement of a good life is when the internal affections are sincerely devoted to God, in the cultivation of holiness and justice. But seeing that, in this earthly prison of the body, no man is supplied with strength sufficient to hasten in his course with due alacrity, while the greater number are so oppressed with weakness, that hesitating, and halting, and even crawling on the ground, they make little progress, let every one of us go as far as his humble ability enables him, and prosecute the journey once begun. No one will travel so badly as not daily to make some degree of progress. This, therefore, let us never cease to do, that we may daily advance in the way of the Lord; and let us not despair because of the slender measure of success. How little soever the success may correspond with our wish, our labour is not lost when to-day is better than yesterday, provided with true singleness of mind we keep our aim, and aspire to the goal, not speaking flattering things to ourselves, nor indulging our vices, but making it our constant endeavour to become better, until we attain to goodness itself. If during the whole course of our life we seek and follow, we shall at length attain it, when relieved from the infirmity of flesh we are admitted to full fellowship with God.” (Calvin, 447)

 

Posted in Devotional Thoughts Good Thoughts from Others Encouragement Joe Anady
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A New Wrinkle at Emmaus

No, I’m not talking about the fact that we are all getting older. I’m talking about the addition of something new – a new feature at Emmaus Christian Fellowship that I think will help us grow in Christ and our understanding of the Christian faith.

The Value of Asking Quality Questions

This new wrinkle is really quite simple – I am requesting that you as the congregation develop the habit of regularly asking quality questions that pertain to the Christian faith. It is my hope that these questions will then give leadership an opportunity to study and respond to issues that truly matter to you (if they matter to you, they probably matter to others as well).

I imagine that these questions will arise as you listen to sermons, study through Emmaus Essentials, have discussions in your GCG’s, study the Word on your own, and interact with others in the community. The idea is to encourage folks to think deeply on whatever they happen to be considering. There are no dumb questions. Anything goes (a humble and respectful tone would certainly be appreciated). Remember, if you have questions about something it is highly likely that others have the same questions in their mind as well.

Our Plan to Provide Quality Answers

I plan to receive the questions and then personally address them, or ask one of the other leaders of Emmaus to address them, in an appropriate forum.

Some questions will be addressed in a sermon or sermon series (I plan to devote at least one sermon every two months to Q&A). If the question is “big” a sermon series might be devoted to it. Other questions might be addressed through a blog post, through Emmaus Essentials, or through recommending books, articles, videos, or podcasts on the particular subject.

The idea is to encourage more engagement and critical thinking. This will surely lead to more learning for the one asking the question, the one providing the answer, and the church as a whole.

Please Participate

Please participate! Questions can be submitted at any time by going to emmauscf.org/questions, by sending an email to joe@emmauscf.org, or by simply calling me at 951-444-8765.

Please do not expect a full response to all questions immediately. I would like the leadership to have the opportunity to provide quality answers. That means we may need time to do some honest study, which takes time. We will respond right away to let you know that we have received the question and how we plan to address it. 

I look forward to the dialogue!

Posted in News The Christian Life Joe Anady
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One of my habits is to listen to podcasts throughout the week as I drive in the car and run. I plan to grow more consistent in passing along the good stuff to you so that you can also be edified.

As of late I have enjoyed listening to The Reformed Forum podcast. There are so many wonderful issues covered, and so many top-notch scholars interviewed in this broadcast – I would highly recommend that you listen in.

In particular, I would commend an episode entitled The Envy of Eve: Finding Contentment in a Covetous World. This is one of their “less academic” programs, but the content is so deeply practical – I think it would be worth your time to have a listen.

Blessings, church. I look forward to gathering with you all on the Lord’s Day.

Joe

reformedforum.org

The Envy of Eve: Finding Contentment in a Covetous World

Posted in Good Thoughts from Others Online Resources The Christian Life Joe Anady
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