March 2, 2014

Sermon – Special Delivery to the Church in Leodicea – Pastor Rusty Rushing

Text: Revelation 3:14-22 & John 10:10
Lukewarm Living
Today’s sermon concludes the Letters to the 7 Churches in Revelation. The church in Leodicea received the most stern condemnation of the 7 churches. They lacked compassion and Christ-centered works. They were spiritually poor and needed Jesus. They were living for self instead of living for Christ. Jesus was telling them to repent of their sin and turn to Jesus Christ in faith. Jesus was not happy with their lukewarm living but he loves them. Are you living to satisfy yourself or Jesus Christ? Are you producing souls for the kingdom? Jesus stands at the door and knocks. Are you willing to answer the door?

www.littlechurchonthelane.com/audio/2014.03.02.mp3

February 16, 2014

Sermon – Special Delivery to the Church in Sardis – Pastor Rusty Rushing

Text: Revelation 3:1-6
Absent Authenticity
In His letter to the Church in Sardis Christ tells them they have an outstanding reputation, but their reputation is not what it appears to be. They are dwelling in their past glory, but in the present they are dead. They are encouraged to strengthen what life they have left and become active in the sight of God. In their complacency they have failed to represent Christ. Christians bear Christ’s name so we must be authentic in our representation of him. If Jesus was writing a letter to you today, what would he say to you? Is your representation of Christ true?

www.littlechurchonthelane.com/audio/2014.02.16.mp3

March 7, 2014

Gospel Lesson — 03.09.2014

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ²After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

⁴Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

⁵Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

⁷Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

⁸Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

¹⁰Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

¹¹Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

— Matthew 4:1-11

March 7, 2014

Epistle Lesson — 03.09.2014

²¹But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. ²²This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, ²³for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. ²⁵God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— ²⁶he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

— Romans 3:21-26

March 7, 2014

Time of Silence — 03.09.2014

¹²Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

— James 1:12

March 7, 2014

Silent Meditation — 03.09.2014

Beloved, let the fact of what our Lord suffered for you grip you, and you will never again be the same.

— Oliver B. Greene

March 7, 2014

Watchword for the Week — 03.09.2014

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

— Psalm 32:11

February 28, 2014

Gospel Lesson — 03.02.2014

17 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. ²There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. ³Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

⁴Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

⁵While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

⁶When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. ⁷But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” ⁸When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

⁹As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

— Matthew 17:1-9

February 28, 2014

Epistle Lesson — 03.02.2014

¹⁶For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. ¹⁷He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” ¹⁸We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

¹⁹We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. ²⁰Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. ²¹For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

— 2 Peter 1:16-21

February 28, 2014

Time of Silence — 03.02.2014

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

— Hebrews 4:14

February 28, 2014

Silent Meditation — 03.02.2014

To a true child of God, the invisible bond that unites all believers to Christ is far more tender, and lasting, and precious; and, as we come to recognize and realize that we are all dwelling in one sphere of life in Him, we learn to look on every believer as our brother, in a sense that is infinitely higher than all human relationships. This is the one and only way to bring disciples permanently together. All other plans for promoting the unity of the Church have failed.

— Arthur Tappan Pierson

February 28, 2014

Watchword for the Week — 03.02.2014

God said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with whom I am well pleased; listen to him!

— Matthew 17:5

February 23, 2014

Sermon – Special Delivery to the Church in Philadelphia – Pastor Rusty Rushing

Text: Revelation 3:7-13
Open Outreach
In His letter to the Church in Philadelphia Christ commends them for their faith and for standing firm as they are persecuted. Christ has opened a door of opportunity for them to reach out into the community to share the gospel, and no one can stand in their way or close the door. Are you standing firm on God’s word? How is God using you to share his gospel?

www.littlechurchonthelane.com/audio/2014.02.23.mp3

February 21, 2014

Gospel Lesson — 02.23.2014

³⁸“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ ³⁹But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. ⁴⁰And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. ⁴²Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

⁴³“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

— Matthew 5:38-48

February 21, 2014

Epistle Lesson — 02.23.2014

¹⁰By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. ¹¹For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

¹⁶Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? ¹⁷If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.

¹⁸Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. ¹⁹For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; ²⁰and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” ²¹So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, ²²whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, ²³and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.

— 1 Corinthians 3:10-11,

February 21, 2014

Time of Silence — 02.23.2014

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. ⁹The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

— 2 Peter 3: 8-9

February 21, 2014

Silent Meditation — 02.23.2014

He is intangible and invisible. But His work is more powerful than the most ferocious wind. The Spirit brings order out of chaos and beauty out of ugliness. He can transform a sin-blistered man into a paragon of virtue. The Spirit changes people. The Author of life is also the Transformer of life.

— R. C. Sproul

February 21, 2014

Watchword for the Week — 02.23.2014

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.

— 1 Corinthians 3:11

February 14, 2014

Gospel Lesson — 02.16.2014

21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’;anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

— Matthew 5:21-37

February 14, 2014

Epistle Lesson — 02.16.2014

3 Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?

5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

— 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

February 14, 2014

Time of Silence — 02.16.2014

Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;
praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.

— Psalm 30:4-5

February 14, 2014

Silent Meditation — 02.16.2014

It is a glorious thing to get to know God in a new way in the inner chamber. It is something still greater and more glorious to know God as the all-sufficient One and to wait on His Spirit to open our hearts and minds wide to receive the great things, the new things which He really longs to bestow on those who wait for Him.

— Andrew Murray

February 14, 2014

Watchword for the Week — 02.16.2014

Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him.

— Deuteronomy 30:19,20

February 9, 2014

Sermon – Special Delivery To the Church in Thyatira – Pastor Rusty Rushing

Text: Revelation 2:18-29 & 1 Kings 16 – 21 (Jezebel’s story)
Morals Matter
In God’s letter to the 4th church, he commends the Church in Thyatira for their love, patience, dedication to service and reaching outside the church. He condemns them for idolatry and sexual immorality which go hand-in-hand. Jesus walks in purity and he expects us to imulate him by walking in purity. We have liberty by God’s grace, but we have limits. God always gives us a chance to repent, but if we refuse His judgment will come. Are you changing God’s word to suit you or are you letting His word change you? Do God’s words matter to you?

www.littlechurchonthelane.com/audio/2014.02.09.mp3

February 7, 2014

Gospel Lesson — 02.09.2014

¹³“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

¹⁴“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

¹⁷“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. ¹⁹Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

— Matthew 5:13-20

February 7, 2014

Epistle Lesson — 02.09.2014

2 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. ²For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. ³I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. ⁴My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, ⁵so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

⁶We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁷No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. ⁸None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—

¹⁰these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹²What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.

¹³This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. ¹⁴The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. ¹⁵The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, ¹⁶for,

“Who has known the mind of the Lord
so as to instruct him?”

But we have the mind of Christ.

— 1 Corinthians 2:1-12, (13-16)

February 7, 2014

Time of Silence — 02.09.2014

¹Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the Lord.
²Blessed are those who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart—

— Psalm 119:1-2

February 7, 2014

Silent Meditation — 02.09.2014

In the world it is called Tolerance, but in hell it is called Despair, the sin that believes in nothing, cares for nothing, seeks to know nothing, interferes with nothing, enjoys nothing, hates nothing, finds purpose in nothing, lives for nothing, and remains alive because there is nothing for which it will die.

— Dorothy Sayer

February 7, 2014

Watchword for the Week — 02.09.2014

For I have decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

— 1 Corinthians 2:2

February 6, 2014

ESSENTIAL Service

ESSENTIAL meets this Saturday at 5:15 pm in the sanctuary at Little Church On The Lane.
Please join us for worship as we attempt to learn the essential nature of what it means to do life together.

This is a refreshing spiritual way to end one week and prepare to begin a new week on Sunday morning.

Joe McCready
Rusty Rushing
Chaz Snider

February 2, 2014

Sermon – Special Delivery: To The Church In Pergamum – Pastor Rusty Rushing

Text: Revelation 2:12-17 & Numbers 22
Compromised Christianity
In God’s letter to the 3rd church, he commends the Church in Pergamum for holding fast to the name of Jesus Christ in the midst of evil. He condemns the church for compromising their Christianity. We live in a world not unlike Pergamum, yet Christ calls us to holiness and to be set apart from the world. Sin is real and deadly because it separates us from God. Are you standing on the Word of God alone by resisting the pressures of the world?

www.littlechurchonthelane.com/audio/2014.02.02.mp3

January 31, 2014

Gospel Lesson — 02.02.2014

5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ²and he began to teach them.

He said:

³“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
⁵Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
⁷Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
⁸Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
⁹Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹²Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

— Matthew 5:1-12

January 31, 2014

Epistle Lesson — 02.02.2014

¹⁸For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

²⁰Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. ²²Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, ²⁴but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

²⁶Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹so that no one may boast before him. ³⁰It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. ³¹Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

— 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

January 31, 2014

Time of Silence — 02.02.2014

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

— Galatians 6:14

January 31, 2014

Silent Meditation — 02.02.2014

Every growth of spiritual life, from the first tender shoot until now, has been the work of the Holy Spirit…. The only way to more life is the Holy Spirit. You will not even know that you want more unless He works in you to desire it…. The Spirit of God must come and make the letter alive, transfer it to your heart, set it on fire, and make it burn within you, or else its divine force and majesty will be hid from your eyes…. Prayer is the creation of the Holy Spirit. We cannot do without prayer, and we cannot pray without the Holy Spirit.

— Charles Haddon Spurgeon

January 31, 2014

Watchword for the Week — 02.02.2014

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

— 1 Corinthians 1:18

January 26, 2014

Sermon – Special Delivery: To The Church in Smyrna – Pastor Rusty Rushing

The Church in Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11) was a church under unrelenting pressure and affliction yet they persevered in faith through their suffering. Our Lord, in his letter to the second church, commends them for maintaining their faith amid suffering. Christ stood firm in his faith as he faced persecution and death. He was willing to die for us. Will you stand firm in your faith under pressure? Are you willing to lay your life on the line for Jesus Christ? Join us as Pastor Rusty takes us through this letter and shares with us how we can stand firm in our faith under pressure.

www.littlechurchonthelane.com/audio/2014.01.26.mp3

January 25, 2014

RCC Super Bowl Chili Challenge

RCC Super Bowl Chili Challenge Revised – 8 and a half x 14 — for pdf

It is finally here – time to see who has the ultimate chili! The competition day for the Salisbury Road Church Council!

Let’s come together as a congregation once more and welcome the other churches in the Council to Little Church on the Lane – and while we are sharing information about Sierra Leone and the need for solar power, enjoy some chili and vote on your favorite.

It is sure to be a good time with food, fellowship and fun! Please come prepared to support the fundraiser for solar power in Sierra Leone – we will also have solar powered flashlights there for purchase, and one will be given away as a door prize to the lucky winner!

We look forward to having our top three chilies back to the regional competition, and if you would like to make your chili again, or didn’t get to make it the first time but are interested, please let me know – we would love to have the extra chili!

It is sure to be cold, so come warm up with some warm chili and fellowship – we look forward to seeing you all there on Saturday, February 1 from 3:00 to 5:00pm!!
(See the attached flyer at the top)

Kim Ellington
LCOL RCC Representative

January 24, 2014

Gospel Lesson — 01.26.2014

¹²When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. ¹³Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— ¹⁴to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

¹⁵“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles—
¹⁶the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.”

¹⁷From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

¹⁸As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁹“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” ²⁰At once they left their nets and followed him.

²¹Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, ²²and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

²³Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

— Matthew 4:12-23

January 24, 2014

Epistle Lesson — 01.26.2014

¹⁰I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. ¹¹My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. ¹²What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”

¹³Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? ¹⁴I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, ¹⁵so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. ¹⁶(Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) ¹⁷For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

¹⁸For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

— 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

January 24, 2014

Time of Silence — 01.26.2014

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

— Ephesians 4:3

January 24, 2014

Watchword for the Week — 01.26.2014

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

— Psalm 27:1

January 19, 2014

Sermon – Special Delivery to the Church in Ephesus – Lost Love – Pastor Rusty Rushing

2nd in an 8-part series: As we study the letter to the church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7), we can apply God’s words to our own church and our own life. God walks with us and is in control. He knows our condition, our needs, our difficulties and what we have done. Remember your first love for Christ and that you are the light of the world, you are His messenger to witness to the lost and hurting. Christ and His mission must be central and drive all that we do. Are you in a love relationship with Christ and are you a bearer of his light, sharing his love with others?

www.littlechurchonthelane.com/audio/2014.01.19.mp3

January 17, 2014

Gospel Lesson — 01.19.2014

²⁹The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ³¹I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

³²Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. ³³And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ ³⁴I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

³⁵The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. ³⁶When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

³⁷When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. ³⁸Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

³⁹“Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

⁴⁰Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. ⁴¹The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). ⁴²And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

— John 1:29-42

January 17, 2014

Epistle Lesson — 01.19.2014

1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,

²To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:

³Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. ⁵For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— ⁶God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. ⁷Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. ⁸He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

— 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

January 17, 2014

Time of Silence — 01.19.2014

¹I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
²I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
that it surpasses your fame.

— Psalm 138:1-2

January 17, 2014

Silent Meditation — 01.19.2014

— Arthur Tappan (A. T.) Pierson

January 17, 2014

Watchword for the Week — 01.19.2014

God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

— 1 Corinthians 1:9