Reformation Pratum 2023
November 3, 2023-
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Reformation Pratum 2023 videos are up!
Posted in 2023 Conference, Church History, Uncategorized
Tagged Early Church, Reformation Pratum
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Reformation Pratum 2023
The conference that Emmanuel Bible Church is hosting on November 3-4 will dive into the world of the early church. Although the times that we will cover were centuries ago, this time period is applicable for Christians of any era. We will journey back together to explore what Christians had to face not only under persecution, but also in times of acceptance. We will equip ourselves with the tools we need to walk in a way that honors the Lord.
November 3, 5:30-9:00 PM
November 4, 8:30 AM -12:00 PM
Who should come?
Everyone, children included!
Nursery will be provided for kids under 2 so that parents can attend the conference.
If you have Preschool kids ages 2-5, and grades K-6, please don’t feel like you can’t come, or that your kids will be bored. They will be learning about the same topics as the adults, but in a kid-friendly way. They also will lots of hands-on activities, games, and object lessons. They will have a blast!
FRIDAY NIGHT
- SESSION I: SUBVERSIVE CITIZENSHIP – GRANT CLAY of Emmanuel Bible Church
- How did Christians in the first three centuries live for Christ in a hostile culture?
- SESSION II: THE WORLD IS ENDING – PLANT A TREE – Vladimir Mitsuk of Grace Bible Church
- How do the early Christians find the motivation to live effectively for the Lord when there didn’t seem to be much hope for the future?
- SESSION III: JUST BURN THE INCENSE – Eric Spuur of Mt Angel Bible Church
- When the faith of early Christians was tested to the extreme, how did they respond?
SATURDAY MORNING
- SESSION IV: IT’S JUST AN IOTA – BRETT DAVISSON of Emmanuel Bible Church
- Athanasius and his stand for truth.
- SESSION V: ABOUNDING IN PLENTY & IN NEED – Brian Satern of True Light Christian Church
- How do you live a true Christian life when it doesn’t cost you anything?
- SESSION VI: THE CITY OF GOD VS THE CITY OF MAN – Michael Tourtellotte of Emmanuel Bible Church
- Which kingdom are you helping to build?
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Reformation Pratum 2022 Videos Are Up!
Posted in 2022 Conference, Video
Tagged John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress, Reformation Pratum
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Stuffed Christians!
“We are all Christians.”
“Why, we belong to a Christian nation–are we not born Christians?”
“Surely we must be all right–we have always attended our parish church, is not that enough?”
“Our parents were always godly; we were born into the church, were we not? Did they not take us up in their arms when we were little, and make us members of Christ? What more do we lack?”
This is the common talk.
There is no Christian practice, there is no Christian habit–but what has been, or will be before long, imitated by people who have no vital godliness whatever.
A man may appear much like a Christian, and yet possess no vital godliness!
Walk through the British Museum, and you will see all the orders of animals standing in their various places, and exhibiting themselves with the utmost possible propriety. Every creature, whether bird, beast, or fish–remains in the particular glass case allotted to it. But you all know well enough that these are not the living creatures, but only the outward forms of them. Yet in what do they differ? Certainly in nothing which you could readily see, for the well-stuffed animal is precisely like what the living animal would have been. Yet you know well enough that there is a secret inward something lacking, which, when it has once departed, you cannot restore.
So in the churches of Christ, many professors are not living believers, but stuffed believers–stuffed Christians!
There is all the external of religion, everything that you could desire, and they behave with a great deal of propriety, too. They all keep their places, and there is no outward difference between them and the living, except upon that vital point: they lack spiritual life. This is the essential distinction–spiritual life is absent.
It is almost painful to watch little children when some little pet of theirs has died, how they can hardly realize the difference between death and life!
Your little boy’s bird moped for awhile upon its perch, and at last dropped down in the cage. You remember how the little boy tried to set it up, and gave it seed, and filled its glass with water, and was quite surprised to think that birdie would not open his little eye upon his friend as it did before, and would not take its seed, nor drink its water!
Ah, you finally had to tell the poor boy that a mysterious something had gone from his little birdie, and would not come back again.
There is just such a spiritual difference between the mere professor, and the genuine Christian.
There is an invisible, but most real, indwelling of the Holy Spirit–the absence or the presence of which makes all the difference between the lost sinner and the saint.
John 6:63, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing!”
Charles Spurgeon “Life’s Ever Springing Well”
(this was copied from Grace Gems)
Reformation Pratum 2022: Pilgrim’s Progress
The conference that Emmanuel Bible Church is hosting on November 11-12 will dive into the world of Pilgrim’s Progress. Although written centuries ago, this book is applicable for Christians of any era. We will journey together through the book, exploring different aspects of the Christian walk, and equipping ourselves with the tools we need to walk in a way that honors the Lord.
November 11, 5:30-9:00 PM
November 12, 8:30 AM -12:00 PM
Who should come?
Everyone, children included!
Nursery will be provided for kids under 2 so that parents can attend the conference.
If you have Preschool kids ages 2-5, and grades K-6, please don’t feel like you can’t come, or that your kids will be bored. They will be learning about the same topics as the adults, but in a kid-friendly way. They also will lots of hands-on activities, games, and object lessons. They will have a blast!
FRIDAY NIGHT
- SESSION I: “THE WORLD OF JOHN BUNYAN” – Brett Davisson of Emmanuel Bible Church
- The life of John Bunyan and the historical background of Pilgrim’s Progress.
- SESSION II: “SIN AND SALVATION” – Vladimir Mitsuk of Grace Bible Church
- The City of Destruction through Pilgrim’s entry through the Wicket Gate.
- SESSION III: “PREPARATION & ASSURANCE” – Brian Satern of True Light Christian Church
- The Interpreter’s House through The Hill Difficulty.
SATURDAY MORNING
- SESSION IV: THE CHURCH & OUR SPIRITUAL BATTLE – Eric Spuur of Mt Angel Bible Church
- The Palace Beautiful through The Valley of the Shadow of Death.
- SESSION V: THE WORLD & TEMPTATION – Grant Clay of Emmanuel Bible Church
- Vanity Fair through Doubting Castle.
- SESSION VI: FINISHING WELL – Michael Tourtellotte of Emmanuel Bible Church
- The Delectable Mountains to The Celestial City.
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Carl Trueman on a Modern Movement
Carl Trueman gives another thoughtful analysis of the current cultural movement that focuses completely on the self.
https://wng.org/opinions/the-third-great-awakening-1647260133
Luther Documentary
Ligonier is offering their Luther documentary for free this month. Check it out here.
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Reformation Pratum 2021
Oct 29th, 6:30-9:00 PM
Oct 30th, 8:30 AM -12:00 PM
Who should come?
Everyone, children included!
Nursery will be provided for kids under 2 so that parents can attend the conference.
If you have Preschool kids ages 2-5, and grades K-6, please don’t feel like you can’t come, or that your kids will be bored. They will be learning about the same topics as the adults, but in a kid-friendly way. They also will lots of hands-n activities, games, and object lessons. They will have a blast!
The conference that Emmanuel Bible Church is hosting on October 29-30 will help address some of those issues that have crept their way into the thinking of Christians today. What is the final, ultimate, and sufficient authority in my life? Did the death of Jesus pay for all of my sins, past, present and future, or do I have to do something to earn salvation? Was my salvation dependent on how good a person I was, or was it a free and unmerited gift from God? Is Jesus the only mediator between man and God, or are there other avenues I can pursue to reach the Father? Do I live my life with a wall between the sacred and the secular, or can I glorify God in all that I do? These questions have answers, and the deeper a person delves into these answers the more profoundly it will influence their life and walk with the Lord.
The Reformers of the 16th century had to battle for what we take for granted: that we are saved by grace alone (sola gratia), through faith alone (sola fide), in Jesus alone (solus Christus); that Scripture, and not my feelings, nor the church, nor a priest, is my final authority in life (sola Scriptura); and that I can live a life that glorifies God no matter what my role is in the church or in society (soli deo Gloria). These are the five Solas of the Reformation, which we didn’t have to fight for ourselves, but could easily lose if we fail to remember.
So whether you are new to the faith or a mature believer, I encourage you to attend. If history scares you, don’t worry – it will not be all history. We are using the five Solas of the Reformation as a jumping-off point to what the Bible has to say to us. In an increasingly corrupt and hostile world, we need more discernment, more theological depth, a more profound love of Christ, and a better understanding of how our Christian forefathers fought these battles already.
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Nine evils which death will put an end to
(Thomas Watson, “The Saint’s Desire to be with Christ)
“I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!” Philippians 1:23
It is the desire of a true saint to be gone from this present world, “I desire to depart.” What a wicked man fears — that a godly man hopes for! The worldling desires to live in this present world forever; he knows no other heaven but earth — and it is death to him to be turned out of his heaven. A wicked man does not go out of this world — but is dragged out!
But a soul enlivened and ennobled with a principle of grace, looks upon the world as a wilderness wherein are fiery serpents, and he desires to get out of this wilderness!
The bird desires to get out of the cage, though it is made of gold. Just so, the saints of God have looked upon themselves as imprisoned in the body, and have longed for a jail-delivery. “Oh, that I had wings like a dove, that I might fly away and be at rest!” (Psalm 55:6).
It is no wonder that a true saint is so earnest to be gone from this present world — if we consider how beneficial death is to a child of God. Death puts an end to all his evils! In particular, there are nine evils which death will put an end to:
1. Death will put an end to a believer’s SINS.
2. Death will put an end to a believer’s TEMPTATIONS.
3. Death will put an end to a believer’s FEARS.
4. Death will dry up a believer’s TEARS.
5. Death will put an end to a believer’s TROUBLES.
6. Death puts an end to a believer’s CARES.
7. Death will put an end to all our NATURAL imperfections.
8. Death will put an end to the imperfections of GRACE.
9. Death will put an end to a weary PILGRIMAGE.
Though death is a bitter cup, there is sugar at the bottom. Death is the believer’s best friend; for it brings him to Christ, which is far better. “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!”
Posted in Puritans, Thomas Watson
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Carry all your concerns to Him — in the arms of faith!
(James Smith, “The Pastor’s Morning Visit”)
“Casting all your care upon Him — because He cares for you!” 1 Peter 5:7
The Lord knows all His people — all their needs, and all their trials.
He thinks upon them — to bless, deliver and supply them.
He keeps His eye upon them — in all places, at all times, and under all circumstances.
He has them in His hand — and will not loosen His hold.
He looks upon them always as His own ‘treasured possession’ . . .
the objects of His eternal love,
the purchase of His Son’s blood,
the temples of His Holy Spirit.
They are precious in His sight!
He knows they are weak and fearful — and that they have many enemies. He teaches them to cast themselves and all their cares into His hands! And He has given them His promise — that He will care for them.
It is a Father’s care which He exercises. It is a wise, holy, tender, and constant care. Therefore all will be well with you — only trust Him.
Believe that He cares for you this day. Carry all your concerns to Him — in the arms of faith! Leave all with Him, persuaded that He will manage all by His infinite wisdom, and bring all to a good outcome by His omnipotent power.
Cast all your cares upon Him — as fast as they come in.
Do not worry about anything.
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will support you! He will never allow the righteous to be shaken!” Psalm 55:22
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