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Emmaus is a Reformed Baptist church in Hemet, California. We are a community of Christ followers who love God, love one another, and serve the church, community, and nations, for the glory of God and for our joy.
Our hope is that you will make Emmaus your home and that you will begin to grow with us as we study the scriptures and, through the empowering of the Holy Spirit, live in a way that honors our great King.
LORD'S DAY WORSHIP (SUNDAYS)
10:00am Corporate Worship
In the Emmaus Chapel at Cornerstone
26089 Girard St.
Hemet, CA 92544
EMMAUS ESSENTIALS
Sunday School For Adults
9:00am to 9:45am most Sundays (Schedule)
In the Chapel
MAILING ADDRESS
43430 E. Florida Ave. #F329
Hemet, CA 92544
The Realm is our church's online network. We use this tool as our primary means of communication. Be sure to check it often and don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Interested in becoming a member? Please join us for a four-week study in which we will make a case from the scriptures for local church membership and introduce the ministries, government, doctrines, and distinctive's of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church.
Learn MoreEmmaus Essentials classes are currently offered online Sundays at 9AM. It is through our Emmaus Essentials (Sunday School) that we hope to experience an in depth study of the scriptures and Christian theology. These classes focus on the study of systematic theology, biblical theology, church history, and other topics practical to Christian living.
An audio teaching series through the Baptist Catechism aimed to instruct in foundational Christian doctrine and to encourage obedience within God’s people.
A podcast produced for International Reformed Baptist Seminary: a forum for discussion of important scriptural and theological subjects by faculty, administrators, and friends of IRBS.
A podcast devoted to discussions concerning Christian doctrine and the Christian life from a confessionally Reformed Baptist perspective.
A fourteen-week Bible study in which we consider “what man ought to believe concerning God, and what duty God requireth of man” (Baptist Catechism #6).
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At Emmaus we believe that God has given parents, especially fathers the authority and responsibility to train and instruct children up in the Lord. In addition, we believe that God has ordained the gathering of all generations, young to old, to worship Him together in one place and at one time. Therefore, each and every Sunday our children worship the Lord alongside their parents and other members of God’s family.
Learn MoreEmmaus Reformed Baptist Church is committed to the fullfilment of the Great Commision given by our Lord when he said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV), through the planting of local churches, both at home and abroad.
Apr 12
27
Emmaus Christian Fellowship is almost eleven months old (born June 5, 2011). In some ways it feels as if we have been together for a long time, but in other ways it feels like we have just begun. The past eleven months have been filled with a lot of hard work for the Elders and Leadership core here at Emmaus; lots of study, lots of meetings, lots of writing.
In particular, we have been working hard on the Foundation Documents of Emmaus Christian Fellowship. These documents will include things such as our statement of faith, confession, bylaws, membership process, mission statement, as well as other core documents which will bring clarity to the beliefs, policies, and vision of ECF.
These documents are important and I’m looking forward to the day when we will give them to the people of Emmaus for review and feedback (I have a date in mind as a goal but I rather not say given that rushing these documents for the sake of meeting a deadline would be foolish and potentially harmful to the decades of ministry that await us).
I write this post because we are approaching a time when the beliefs of Emmaus Christian Fellowship will be stated with great specificity. My concern, as we grow in our understanding of the scriptures, is that we maintain a disposition of heart where we are able to, one, stand firm upon our convictions and, two, be humble and gracious towards those who might disagree with us on the non-essentials of the Christian faith.
Maintaining this balance is no simple task. Christians have struggled throughout the ages with this interplay between standing for truth and loving those who might disagree. It has been a struggle because it is a complicated endeavor.
I think the motto, “In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity”, is potentially helpful for three reasons.
First of all, the motto acknowledges that there are essentials to the Christian faith that all must agree upon in order to be a Christian. As a result, there are some things worth fighting for. Consider Paul’s words to Titus concerning the qualification of an Elder within the church: “He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Titus 1:9, ESV)
Second, the motto acknowledges that within the church we must leave room for liberty in the areas that are non-essential to the Christian faith. Consider Paul’s words to the Romans concerning the diversity which existed within the church of Rome: “One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.” (Romans 14:5–6, ESV)
Third, the motto encourages us to do all things with charity, which I take to mean, humility, graciousness, and out of a heart of love. Paul encouraged the church in Colossae in the same way saying, “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3:14, ESV)
We must be careful at this point given that we have made a mess of this “love” concept in our modern day supposing that it means that we are never to disagree, confront, or rebuke. To those who hold the view that love is being perpetually passive I would ask the question, have you ever read about Jesus in the gospels or Paul’s writings to the churches? These men confronted boldly from time to time and yet they did so out of love.
Consider the contrast concerning Paul’s dealings with the church of the Thessalonians. First he says, “But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.” (1 Thessalonians 2:7, ESV) And then a few verses later he says, “For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:11–12, ESV) Paul uses the imagery of a nursing mother and an exhorting father to illustrate his care for the believers. Both tenderness and exhortation can and should emanate from a heart of love.
In regard to the charity principle, the point is this – we must be sure that whether we are encouraging or exhorting that our hearts are truly humble and filled with love, even for our enemies. To be perpetually passive or constantly confrontational will not do. It is possible to be passive out of a heart of hatred just as it is possible to confront in love.
The issue is the heart. This is my prayer for Emmaus Christian Fellowship, that our hearts would be pure. We must stand for the truth of the gospel and do so because we possess a true love for God and our fellow man.
Click here for more thoughts on the motto, “In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity.”
Feb 12
22
Today marks the 1st day of Lent (Ash Wednesday). Lent marks the 40th day prior to Holy Week. This time of year has always been a special time for Whitney and me as we each give up something of importance for a time of “fasting” in preparation for the Passover and the celebration of our risen Lord. I’d like to encourage you to consider taking part in this great event. We have found that in fasting from what are usually normal luxuries for a 40 day period brings about a great spiritual renewal as we enter into the time of Easter. The following list gives some ideas for what to choose for fasting.
-TV
-Internet
-Sweets
-Soda
-Money
-Solitude
The idea is to give up something that will be difficult but not unmanageable or impossible. In doing so we mimic the acts of Christ in the wilderness prior to His ministry. But whether you participate in this year’s Lent or not, praise be to God for He is risen indeed! (A little premature I know, sorry I’m a little excited!)
Blessings,
Russell
Dec 11
30
I read this passage in my devotional time this morning and I thought it would be good to share. Anyone who holds a position of teaching within the church of God would be wise to pay careful attention to this passage as it reveals God’s high standard for ministers of the gospel.
Malachi 2:1-9
1 “And now, O priests, this command is for you.
2 If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the LORD of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart.
3 Behold, I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it.
4 So shall you know that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may stand, says the LORD of hosts.
5 My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name.
6 True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.
7 For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
8 But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts,
9 and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction.”
Dec 11
27
John 17 is precious. It is an incredible thing to think that we have recorded for us the prayer that Jesus prayed, not only for his original disciples, but even for those of us who are in Christ today. Jesus’ prayer was not for the world, but rather for all whom the Father had given to him. His prayer was for those who were his, living in that moment, and also those who would be his in the future, reaching to this present day and even beyond.
There is nothing more intimate and revealing than honest prayer. Jesus uttered these words only hours before being arrested – less than a day from being crucified. His love for God and his love for his people is exposed through this prayer. Even as he considered the suffering that he was about to endure, his mind and his heart were fixed upon the objects of his affection. Christ, in this moment was supremely concerned about two things, the glorification of God the Father and the redemption and sanctification of those whom the Father had given to him.
This is the kind of thing that will give you the chills if you take the time to think about it! If you are in Christ it is because the Father has given you to him. You being in Christ and Christ being in the Father is Jesus Christ prayed for you, Christian! Take a moment and consider Christ’s heart for you as expressed in what is commonly called the “High Priestly Prayer” of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
___________________
“When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.’” (John 17, ESV)
Nov 11
22
One of the joys of starting a new church is having the opportunity to establish new traditions. Traditions can be either good or bad depending on how they are approached. If they become routine they can actually hinder the gospel by distracting from it; if they are approached with sincerity of heart and mind they can serve to illuminate and magnify the gospel in our midst.
One of the traditions that we are going to establish here at Emmaus is the observance of Advent. For most of us, this is nothing new. I can remember back to my early days as a child seeing families walk to the front of the church to read something and to light a candle or two. I think I was more impressed with the fire than I was with the reading, but I do remember the tradition! Now that I am a father and a Pastor I find myself excited about the possibility of making this a meaningful part our family and church tradition.
The word advent comes from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming”. It is during this season that we are to remember the first coming of Christ and also look forward to His second coming. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and also includes Christmas eve or Christmas day.
It was interesting to do a little research on the Advent tradition. As it turns out, there are many different ways to approach Advent. There are traditionally five candles, one for each Sunday leading up to Christmas and one for Christmas eve or Christmas day. Often the candles are organized in a ring to symbolize that God is eternal, the Alpha and Omega without beginning or end, and typically the candles are a particular color (three purple or blue to symbolize royalty, one pink to symbolize joy, and one white to symbolize the Christ). There is significant diversity within these traditions and, in some ways, I am glad for the diversity. It is not the arrangement of candles nor the color of candles that really matters, the point is that we remember Jesus.
Over the next five weeks we will have five families light candles and read scripture at Emmaus. For Advent season 2011 we will focus on the five songs (or pieces of poetry) found in Luke’s gospel. On November 27th the first candle will be lit and Mary’s song found in Luke 1:46-55 will be read. On December 4th the first and second candle will be lit and Zechariah’s song found in Luke 1:67-79 will be read. On December 11th candles one through three will be lit and John the Baptists song (poetry) found in Luke 3:1-18 will be read. On December 18th candles one through four will be lit and the angels song found in Luke 2:14 will be read. And finally, on Christmas day all five candles will be lit and Simeon’s song will be read from Luke 2:28-32.
It may be that we focus on different scriptures and themes in 2012 for the sake of fighting against falling into a routine. The point is that we remember Jesus during this holiday season. With each Sunday the candles will burn more brightly as a reminder that Jesus is the light of the world. May He shine fourth from each of our lives as we represent Him in this dark place. I am praying for Emmaus, that we would have an opportunity to proclaim the gospel to our friends, family, and our neighbors and that the lighting of the Advent candles would remind us to do that very thing.
Blessings,
Joe
Nov 11
16
Philippians 3:17-21
17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.
19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.
20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Paul’s analysis of those who once professed Christ and now walk as enemies of Christ is interesting to me. According to this passage the determining factor as to wether ones “end is destruction” or “glory” has to do with worship.
Those who’s end is destruction have their belly as their god. In other words, they live for the appetites of the flesh, worldly pleasure, self. They see fulfilling the desires of the flesh as being worthy above all else (this is worship).
Those who’s end is glory have their appetites fixed on heavenly things, spiritual things, Christ. They see Christ and living for the things that are of him as being of supreme worth.
This passage follows that familiar passage where Paul says, “Indeed, I count everything (worldly things) as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”
Do you treasure Christ above all else? Does he rule you? Is he your God? Do you consider him to be of surpassing worth? Or is your belly your god?
This passage has the Biblical doctrine of regeneration (being born again) at its core. To be regenerated is to have your appetites transformed. Before regeneration we lived for the flesh, in bondadge to sin, for our own glory, to fulfill fleshly appetites. After regeneration, our very being (heart) is reoriented to the things of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. We live not for self but for the things of God, we are freed from the bondage of sin, we live for the glory of God, and our appetites have been fundamentaly changed.
The things of the world no longer satisfy us the way that they used to. Those things that were once considered delicacies now taste like dung. We find that the things of the Spirit are much more appetizing and yet we still struggle with sin as we live in this broken world. Sanctify us Lord! Help us to walk in the Spirit daily that we might not satisfy the desires of the flesh. Continue to renew our appetites and transform our hearts!
In the end, Paul’s assessment of those who once proclaimed Christ and now are clearly enemies of Christ is that they still have their belly as their god; they are idolators, making something that is not a god in reality a god for themselves. May it not be true of us.
Just Thinking,
Joe
Nov 11
1
Hello Emmaus,
I mentioned on Sunday that November 13th is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. I would like to take some time in the worship service on the 13th to lift up in prayer our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering in Jesus’ name throughout the world.
I would like to encourage you to do some research between now and then utilizing sites such as www.onewiththem.com and www.persecution.com. Both organizations make it their aim to bring awareness to the sufferings that Christians endure around the world because they are followers of Jesus Christ.
We need to be obedient to the command found in Hebrews 13:3 which says, “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.”
Below is one story taken from persecution.com. You can subscribe to their newsletter and perhaps include the persecuted church in your regular prayer time.
Blessings,
Joe
Maldives Teacher Deported
After teaching at a school in Maldives for two years, 30-year-old Indian Christian Shijo Kakkattu was deported on Oct. 14, 2011, after police found a Bible in his house, according to Compass Direct News. A co-worker reported Kakkattu to the National Administrative Center after finding Christian materials on a school computer.
According to Minivan News, an independent news agency based in Maldives, Kakkattu accidentally transferred material from his flash drive onto the school’s computer. Mohamed Shiraj, the principal of Raafainu School in Raa Atool, told Minivan News, “The videos were in Indian, so I don’t know what they were saying, but the images were Christian.”
Police raided Kakkattu’s house and discovered a Bible and other Christian materials. They then charged him with preaching the Christian faith in the Muslim nation of Maldives, which recently tightened restrictions on preaching and practicing non-Islamic faiths. Police took Kakkattu to another island for interrogation and held him for 15 days before deporting him back to India.
Last month, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs published new regulations under the Protection of Religious Unity Act of 1994. Anything that represents a religion other than Islam is strictly prohibited, according to Compass Direct News. Web sites, blogs, newspapers and magazines are forbidden from publishing anything contradictory to Islam. Violators face two to five years in prison, house arrest or banishment. As in Kakkattu’s case, foreigners accused of proselytizing will be deported.
Sources: Compass Direct News, Minivan News
Oct 11
18
It was a joy to have a conversation with my wife and kids tonight over dinner concerning the Emmaus Doctrinal Standard #3. And lest you get the wrong idea that the Anady’s always enjoy family devotional bliss – I assure you, we do not. With four little ones there is always something interesting going on. Tonight Damon was going from plate to plate steeling everyone else’s noodles while we were talking. The kid loves rice and noodles like you wouldn’t believe!
But even with the craziness of real life pressing in we did manage carry on with some meaningful conversation concerning the question, “What does the Bible primarily teach?” The answer is that, “The Bible primarily teaches what man should believe about God and what God requires of man.” It’s such a blessing as a father to have a template for systematically teaching my children the truths of the Bible. These questions cause us to talk about a number of different topics as we dive into the scriptures, looking at the support for these doctrinal truths. These are sweet times that I will always remember!
Parents, I encourage you to engage your children in Christ centered conversation with regularity. Teach them to savor Jesus. Instill in them a passion for God’s word and for sound doctrine. Above all, show them what it looks like to find great pleasure in the things of God. When the family devotions don’t go as planned, smile at your spouse and try it again. Show your children the grace and mercy that we have experienced in Jesus while at the same time teaching them diligently. Easier said than done right? How about I pray for you as you pray for me in this.
Just Thinking,
Joe
"Him we proclaim,
warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone mature in Christ."
(Colossians 1:28, ESV)
