Heritage Weekly

Dear Family,

Reminder:  For those who signed up we will be serving at FMSC tomorrow at 9 AM.  Reminder 2:  See the prayer requests below (and send me any requests you would like listed…doesn’t have to be for health).

In my preparations for this week’s sermon I came across this poem by Robert M. McCheyne (1813–1843) that I want to share with you (we’ll get back to the marks of regeneration next week):

Jehovah Tsidkenu = Jehovah our Righteousness
(Jer. 23:6)
I once was a stranger to grace and to God,
I knew not my danger, and felt not my load,
Though friends spoke in rapture of Christ on the tree,
Jehovah Tsidkenu was nothing to me.

I oft read with pleasure to soothe or engage,
Isaiah’s wild measure and John’s simple page;
But e’en when they pictured the blood-sprinkled tree,
Jehovah Tsidkenu seemed nothing to me.

Like tears from the daughters of Zion that roll,
I wept when the waters went over his soul,
Yet thought not that my sins had nailed to the tree
Jehovah Tsidkenu— ’t was nothing to me.

When free grace awoke me by light from on high
Then legal fear shook me; I trembled to die;
No refuge, no safety in self could 1 see,—
Jehovah Tsidkenu my Savior must be.

My terrors all vanished before the sweet name,
My guilty fear banished, with boldness I came
To drink at the Fountain, life-giving and free:
Jehovah Tsidkenu is all things to me.

Jehovah Tsidkenu! my treasure and boast;
Jehovah Tsidkenu! I ne’er can be lost:
In thee shall I conquer by flood and by field,
My cable, my anchor, my breastplate and shield!

Even treading the valley, the shadow of death!
This “watchword” shall rally my faltering breath;
For while from life’s fever my God sets me free,
“Jehovah Tsidkenu!” my death-song shall be.

><>><>><> 8/22/10 LORD’S DAY<><<><<><

Sermon:
Romans 7:7-13  Paul’s Defense of the Law

Discussion questions for family worship
1. Why might some think Paul was against God’s Law? v. 7a
2. How does the Law reveal your sinful nature? v. 7b
Why do many who know the Law not experience deep conviction of sin?
3. How does sin use the Law to produce more sin? v. 8
4. Explain the four stages of Paul’s experience as described in verse 9.
5. How does sin deceive you using the Law? v. 11
6. What about God’s Law is holy, righteous and good? v. 12
7. Why isn’t the law responsible for death? v. 13
8. What place does the law have in saving us?
9. What good is the law?

Hymns (Home Discipleship Hymnal):
26           Crown Him with Many Crowns
45           Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun
60           O Worship the King
52           Lord Jesus, I Long to Be Perfectly Whole
80           Doxology

Communion Servers:
Emrick, Fowler, Vejvoda    Cups: Jacob & Luke N.

Accompanist :
Mr. Freitag

><> OTHER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS <><

Announcements:

Announcements:
No teaching time until the third Sunday in September (9/19).  We will begin with a 3 week seminar about knowing your church.  This will be the first time we’ve had a class like this so it will be appropriate for all members, attenders and new folks.  More details to follow.

Upcoming Events:
8/21 – Feed My Starving Children in Aurora – 9 AM – 11 AM
8/25 – Ladies’ Salad Supper at Emrick home – 7:30 PM
8/28 – No men’s breakfast (moved to 8/7)
9/1 – Wayside Chapel service – 7:30 PM
9/12 – Fellowship Meal following service
9/15 – Elder Meeting at Molitor home – 7 PM
9/17 – Fall Hymn Sing – more info to follow soon

Heritage Weekly – Romans 3:21-26 Part 2 Edition

Dear Family,

QUICK REMINDER: The service this Sunday (5/2) is at 10 AM!

We all long to grow in grace and be faithful children of our great God. The reality is, however, that we fail often in that desire and goal.

Here is a helpful quote to get us through those (sometimes frequent) failures:
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly – Celebration Edition

Dear Family,

Celebration of Life: This Sunday we have much to celebrate. Children are a blessing and our church has been very blessed over the past several months as four little blessings have joined us. The focus of the meal and celebration will be to honor God for His blessings, to encourage each other in our parenting duties and to pray for the salvation of our children.
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly – Rom 2:17-29

Dear Family,

A week from this Sunday (March 14th) we will have a fellowship meal and our church’s annual meeting. The elders’ goal for the meeting is to give you the pertinent information while still allowing for plenty of time for fellowship and mutual encouragement. We hope many of you can join us.

I found the following quote by Thomas Chalmers and thought you might appreciate it:
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly – Romans Edition 1

Greeting Family,

Today is the first Weekly edition in which I will include discussion questions for our Romans sermon series (see below).  As always, the sermons will be posted on the church web site within a couple days of being preached.

Update on Jenni Seven:  She is doing better, but will spend one more night in the hospital just to be on the safe side.  Please continue to pray for her to have strength and for healing.  As you could see from the pictures, Eva Gloria Grace is doing great!

Reminder:  If you are planning to participate in the upcoming pinewood derby, please get your money to Brad Seven…the deadline is tomorrow.

Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for 12/23/09

Dear Family,

May you all have a blessed Christmas celebration this year.

Here are some announcements and updates as we head into the new year:

1. No Teaching Time for 12/27 & 1/3 Services
We will not be meeting for family teaching time these two Lord’s days. We will meet at the usual worship time, 10:45 AM.

2. Sunrise Retirement Home Update
Through the generosity of families at HOFC and the work of the mothers and daughters during their recent fellowship time, we were able to provide the following for Sunrise:
24 – gifts (slippers and 2010 calendars)
21 – homemade cards (created during the mother/daughter fellowship time)
4 – gift jars of trail mix for the staff and residents to share and enjoy
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for 12/3/09

Greetings Church Family,

Reminder 1: Service this Sunday is at 10:00 AM and there is no teaching time

Reminder 2: This Sunday will be the last opportunity to sign the Christmas cards for the missionaries. They will be on the middle booth table before and after service. We will also pick up any pictures made for Kelsey or the Barceló family at that time as well. We probably won’t have time to do any of the work after service, but feel free to make pictures and bring them to church.
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly – Thanksgiving Edition

Dear Family,

Quick Announcement: On 12/6/09 we will not have teaching time and will hold our worship service to 10 a.m.. The school is having a concert at 1 p.m. so we need to be out early that day.

Tomorrow is a day set aside to give thanks to our God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. We thank Him for all of our rich blessings. I thought I would share with you a few things for which I am truly grateful to God.

First, I am thankful that God’s perfect Son was my substitute under the wrath of the Father against my sin.
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for 11/18/09

Dear Family,

For this weekly we have a wonderful prayer to start our days:

Hold me up!

(Henry Law, “Family Prayers”)

Almighty Father,
Conscious of our own weakness, and trusting only in Your grace and power–we beseech You this day to increase and multiply Your mercy upon us.

We are going forth to tread on slippery ground–may You uphold us.
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for 11/4/09

Dear HOFC Family,

Here are some helpful thoughts on the Holy Spirit from J.C. Ryle.

The Five Marks of the Holy Spirit

“I place these five grand marks of the Spirit’s presence before my readers, and confidently claim attention to them. I believe they will bear inspection. I am not afraid of their being searched, criticized, and cross-examined.

1) Repentance toward God.
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for 10/29/09

Dear Brethren,

Quick reminder:  This Sunday is also the day Daylight Saving Time ends.  So don’t forget to set your clock back an hour before you go to bed Saturday night.

In God’s providence, we’ll begin meeting at our new location this Sunday, November 1st.  The elders thought it would be helpful to share some of the stipulations of our agreement with Kaneland School District:

Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for 10/21/09

Upcoming Events:
10/24 – Men’s Breakfast at Harner’s Bakery restaurant in North Aurora – 6:00 a.m.
10/25 – Last service at Waubonsee –relocation of storage items following service
10/28 – Ladies Fellowship study at Brooks home – 7:00 p.m.
10/31 – Wayside Cross chapel service – 7:30 p.m.
11/1 – Meeting at new church location: Harter Middle School
11/1 – Because of new location no teaching time this day – it will resume 11/8

Heritage Weekly for August 10, 2009

Dear Family,

We have two topics this week…both directed toward the men.

1) Here are some of the topics for discussion at the upcoming Elder/Head of Household meeting. The meeting is this Wednesday at the Politowicz home at 7 p.m.

- Fiel Adopt-a-Pastor program
- Sermon Audio membership for HOFC
- Date for Father/Son study of Ryle’s Thoughts for Young Men (free study guide/discussion questions HERE) Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for July 10, 2009

Dear Family,

Today’s weekly includes a recap of Wednesday’s Elder/Head of Household meeting. The actual notes are attached as well.

Meeting Highlights

1. Fellowship meal this Sunday following service
2. Please pray about the church sponsoring a pastor in one of the Portuguese speaking countries (Brazil, Portugal, Mozambique). You can learn about the program at: http://www.editorafiel.org/adoptapastor.php
3. We are also considering the use of SermonAudio.com through a Full Membership and would appreciate your prayers for wisdom. You can see what the program offers here: http://www.sermonaudio.com/services.asp Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for July 1, 2009

Greetings Family,

Would anyone be willing to host the Elder/Head of Household meeting on July 8th? Lord willing, I will be hosting an evangelistic Bible study in my home beginning the next night, July 9th. Also would please be in prayer that the Lord would bring some of the families in our neighborhood that we’ve invited.

This week we have a brief note from John Newton for the edification of our souls.

The secret of being content!

(Letters of John Newton)

“Godliness with contentment is great gain!” 1 Timothy 6:6
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for May 28, 2009

Dear Family,

We might call this the bi-weekly version of the weekly since I did not get one out last week.

Here is a good reminder for us from A.W. Pink (and a quote from William Law at the end):

When we complain about the weather!

(Arthur Pink, “The Sovereignty of God“)

“He spreads snow like wool;
He scatters frost like ashes;
He throws His hailstones like crumbs.
Who can withstand His cold?
He unleashes His winds, and the waters flow.”
Psalm 147:15-18
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for May 13, 2009

Dear Family,

REMINDER: Don’t forget to get your pizza order in to the Emricks if you haven’t already done so.

In today’s weekly I’m including information about the UN Council on the Rights of Children (UNCRC). One of the primary organizations seeking to inform parents about this UN treaty is parentalrights.org. Below is some information they recently sent out for you to get a better idea about what is at stake:

1. Understanding the details of Troxel v. Granville (2000) here.

2. Read how the lower courts have interpreted and applied Troxel v. Granville.
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for May 6, 2009

Dear HOFC Family,

The elder/head-of-household meeting will take place a week from Wednesday (the 13th) at 7 p.m. at the Christensen house.

Here is a good word from C.H. Spurgeon for the middle of our week:

The following excerpt is from “Holiness Demanded,” a sermon preached in 1862 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London.

Those who can look with delight or any degree of pleasure upon the sins of others are not holy. We know of some, who will not themselves perpetrate an unseemly jest, yet, if another does so, and there is a laugh excited upon some not over-decent remark, they laugh, and thus give sanction to the impropriety. If there is a low song sung in their hearing, which others applaud, though they cannot quite go the length of joining in the plaudits, still they secretly enjoy it; they betray a sort of gratification that they cannot disguise; they confess to a gusto that admires the wit while it cannot endorse the sentiment.
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for April 22, 2009

Dear HOFC Family,

This Sunday we will have part two of “Defending the Faith: Giving a Reasoned and Logical Defense of Christianity” by Ken Ham. One family told me they are reviewing the student book as a family before and after the class in order to get the most out of it. Last week’s lesson ended by suggesting that you read 1 Peter 3:15 and Romans 1:20 in preparation for this Sunday’s lesson.

I also want to share the following quote which I thought you would find encouraging. Our family-integrated and home discipleship convictions are not some new fad!
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for April 15, 2009

Dear HOFC Family,

With less than 1% of 18-23 year olds in our country having a biblical worldview, we should be doing all we can to instill one in our children.  They must be prepared to answer a world that does not know or care about God’s precepts.  This is why we must take our duty to disciple them very seriously (Deut. 6:7). 

This Sunday we will begin a 13 week study on having a biblical worldview about a number of important issues.  The material is called Answers Academy from Answers in Genesis.  Here are the topics we will be studying:

Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for April 8th

Dear HOFC Family,

REMINDER: We are meeting at 10 a.m. at Yorkville’s Chapel on the Green this Lord’s Day.

In light of the many trials our church family has been having lately, prayer for each other has been much on my mind.

James 5:16 says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

Let us take James exhortation to heart and pray for each other without ceasing and make supplication for all the saints, but especially our church family (I Thes 5:17; Eph 6:18). This is one of those privileges and responsibilities of local church membership which we commit to when joining the church. May the Lord be pleased to hear our prayers for one another.
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for March 26, 2009

Dear Family,

I usually cut and paste something written by others in this space of the Weekly, but something I read in my devotion so struck me that I want to share it with you. I read in Luke 6:30, “Give to everyone who asks of you”. I lived in Chicago for a couple of years and encountered homeless people on a regular basis. The issue of giving to them was one that everyone spending time in the city must deal with. What if they use the money for cigarettes, alcohol or drugs? Do I really want to support that self-destructive behavior? I give to various organizations which serve the homeless: they should go there. These were some of the thoughts to be wrestled with.
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for March 18, 2009

Dear Family,

I sent the following letter to families in the Rockford area that might be interested in seeing a church be planted in their area. Lord willing we will be holding an informational meeting on April 19th at 3:30 p.m. in Rockford. If there are any families that would be interested in attending in order to describe what being in a family integrated church is like let me know.

Rockford Church Plant Informational Meeting

Heritage of Faith Church of Sugar Grove (HOFC-SG) has begun the process of prayerfully investigating the possibility of planting a family integrated church in the Rockford, Illinois area. The first informational meeting is tentatively planned for Sunday, April 19th at 3:30 p.m. The location has not yet been determined. This will be a time to meet some of the people from HOFC and ask questions about the plans for the church plant in Rockford. Our desire as a church is always to do the will of our Father in heaven and to do all things in submission to Him. We, therefore, move forward with this process for the following reasons:

Fulfill the Great Commission
We desire to see a church planted in order to obey the Great Commission which Christ gave to His disciples (Matt 28:18-20). As we read about the first disciples’ fulfillment of this command in the book of Acts, we see them planting churches as the reach of the gospel expands beyond Jerusalem (Acts 11:19ff; 16:25ff, 17:1-9, etc). Evangelism is most effective when it is connected to a local church and under the authority of church leadership. Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for March 11, 2009

Greetings HOFC Family,

The Weekly is back after a brief, one-week break.

I wanted to give you all a heads up that we are scheduled for Wayside Cross on April 29th and May 29th. If any of you men would like the opportunity to preach and/or lead service let me know and I’ll work with you to make that happen. We will also need accompaniment for each service.

For those who are interested, we will attempt to recite together 1 John 1:7-9 at the hymn sing this Friday.

Here is a useful list of admonitions. While written by a father for his daughter we would all do well to consider them. We’ll look at the first eight this week. Please keep in mind these were written in the late 18th/early 19th century.

15 Marriage Admonitions

(By Legh Richmond)

(Prior to his daughter’s marriage, Mr. Richmond put into her hands a paper of directions for her future conduct, which, for simplicity, affection, and sound practical wisdom–may be considered one of the best dowries that a Christian parent could bestow on his child.)

My much-loved daughter,
When your sister Mary left her paternal roof, I gave her a paper of admonitions, which I requested her to read often. I do the same for you, in the form of a friendly string of maxims, to regulate your conduct in your new and very responsible situation.

1. Aim at keeping a devoted heart for God in the least and most common transactions of every hour–as well as in those events which may seem to call the loudest for manifestations of Christian prudence and principle.
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for February 18th, 2009

Greetings HOFC!

Here are a few words with very large importance, especially when it comes to the unity of the church and our families:

Jonathan Edwards Resolution # 8

“Resolved, to act in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.”

Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for February 11, 2009

Dear HOFC Family,

May the Lord use the following devotion from AW Pink to encourage us in our desire to disciple our children in the home!

Vaughn

PS. Remaining Weekly material is below.

The advantages and blessings of family worship

(Arthur Pink, "Family Worship")

"Pour out Your wrath on the heathen that do not acknowledge You–and on the families that do not call upon Your name!" Jeremiah 10:25

We wonder how many of our readers have seriously pondered these awe-inspiring words! Observe what fearful threatenings are pronounced against those who disregard family worship! How unspeakably solemn to find that prayerless families are here coupled with the heathen, who do not acknowledge the Lord.

Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for February 4, 2009

Dear Family,

On Sunday we will be studying the first half of Daniel 2. One of the important points of the text is the wisdom of God. That wisdom is found today in God’s Word, the Bible. I’ll point out in the introduction how much biblical illiteracy exists in our culture. Pastor Ray Ortlund gives several suggestions of what the church can do combat it:

1. Memorize the Bible together, as a church. One verse per week in your service. It can be fun, and it provides a moment of connectedness and participation together. It says a lot to guests about what your church is passionate for.

2. Gather a small group of eager men and go deeper. I believe every man should be able to think his way through the argument of the book of Romans, for example. That can happen, with great effect, in a small group.
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for January 31, 2009

Dear HOFC Family,

It appears the battle for life will not be getting any easier over the coming four years. Here are some helpful truths to have in mind as we bear witness to the world.

Fifteen Pro-Life Truths to Speak
By John Piper January 24, 2003

“You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” – Jesus Christ

1. Existing fetal homicide laws make a man guilty of manslaughter if he kills the baby in a mother’s womb (except in the case of abortion).
2. Fetal surgery is performed on babies in the womb to save them while another child the same age is being legally destroyed.
3. Babies can sometimes survive on their own at 23 or 24 weeks, but abortion is legal beyond this limit.
4. Living on its own is not the criterion of human personhood, as we know from the use of respirators and dialysis.
5. Size is irrelevant to human personhood, as we know from the difference between a one-week-old and a six-year-old. Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for January 14th, 2009

Dear Family,

Reminders:
1. Elder meeting tonight at 7 p.m.
2. Mother/daughter fellowship this Saturday, the 17th from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (call for details)

Next week’s (4th week of 2009) memory verse: 2 Corinthians 5:21 (in the translation of your choice)
(Review: Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalms 16:11; Ephesians 2:8-10)

We are pilgrims and exiles in a land that is not our home. The question is: How are we to live as exiles until the Lord brings us home? We are going to begin our study of the book of Daniel on Sunday. It’s a story about exiles. It’s a story about living faithfully in a land that is not your own. Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for January 7, 2009

Dear HOFC Family,

I hope 2009 is off to a good start for your family.

Reminders

* We are back at Waubonsee this Sunday with teaching time at 9:30 and worship at 10:45.
* We are having a fellowship meal this Sunday after service. If you are not sure what to bring ask Pastor Christensen! :^)
* Please remember Pat Emrick (Jeff’s Mom) in your prayers. Her cancer surgery is tomorrow.

Next week’s (3rd week of 2009) memory verse: Ephesians 2:8-10
(Review: Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalms 16:11)
I mentioned memorizing in ESV so we could recite together. There are a number of families that prefer a different translation. Please memorize these verses in your family’s preferred translation. Don’t sit out of this important activity because you memorize a different version! There are a number of solid English translations and any one of them would be great for hiding God’s Word in your heart.
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly – January 2, 2009

Greetings Family,

Yes, I’m a little behind this week. :^)

Reminder: We are meeting once more (1/4) at the Chapel on the Green in Yorkville. The service is at 10 a.m.

Next week’s (2nd week of 2009) memory verse (ESV):

Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
(Review: Proverbs 3:5-6)

Here is a powerful reminder that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone:

The Devil’s Delusion

(Arthur Pink, “Another Gospel“)
“If our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:3

Satan blinds the minds of unbelievers through hiding the light of the Gospel of Christ, and he does this by substituting his own gospel. Appropriately he designated, “that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray!” (Revelation 12:9)
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for December 18, 2008

Dear HOFC Family,

We are at Waubonsee this Sunday. Teaching time at 9:30 a.m. and worship at 10:45 a.m.

The following devotion comes from Theodore Cuyler’s booklet entitled “God’s Light on Dark Clouds” which is available free and described as “Words of sympathy, comfort and encouragement for the weary pilgrim!”

I would have been perfectly submissive!
(Theodore Cuyler, “God’s Light on Dark Clouds”)

None of us has any trouble in accepting the doctrine of God’s sovereignty–as long as things go to our liking! We are perfectly satisfied to let God have His way–as long as He does not cross us! We all believe in His administration, and are ready to “vote God in as our governor” as long as our business thrives, and our crops are plentiful, and everyone around our own table is healthy and happy.
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly for December 11, 2008

Greetings Family,

Reminder: Hymn Sing tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at the Chapel on the Green in Yorkville. See these directions if you need help finding it. All are welcome!

Elder meeting minutes are attached.

Scripture Memorization

As we approach 2009 our thoughts go to thinking how we can grow in our faith beyond where we are today. One way to do this might be to commit to memorizing Scripture. I have also attached a suggested list of memory verses for 2009. There is one verse per week so if you do them all you will have memorized 52 passages of Scripture in the year to come.

I am not trying to give you one more thing to do (another brick in the backpack), but if you are already thinking about memorizing God’s Word this is a good list to work on. In fact, our family (the Christensens) will seek to memorize the verses on this list and if there are other families that also work on it we can recite together at a hymn sing or something. I believe the translation used is ESV (so our family will be re-learning some of these in a new translation so we can use the same as others). I will also use the Heritage Weekly to remind you of the coming week’s verse so that we all stay on the same page.
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly – November 30, 2008

Dear Family,

**Reminder: This Sunday’s service is at Chapel on the Green in Yorkville at 10 a.m.**

This Sunday we will be studying the suffering of Jesus Christ in the garden of Gethsemane. His suffering is our victory in that He suffered in our place. This is a wonderful truth and the source of our hope as Christians. However, we still suffer ourselves at times and this suffering has a purpose. We won’t have time to talk about the suffering of the saints, but I will share the following devotion with you:

The school of suffering
(J. R. Miller, “Ministry of Comfort” 1898)

“Before I was afflicted I went astray—but now I keep Your word.” Psalm 119:67
Most of us need the chastening of affliction. Pain is wonderful revealer. It teaches us many things we never could have known, if we had not been called to endure it. It opens windows through which we see, as we never saw before—the beautiful things of God’s love.
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly Nov. 19

Dear Family,

John Newton gives us a good reminder in these turbulent times. Let us not forget that there was One who was unchanging in His character and disposition. Jesus Christ was the perfect Son that never became wrapped up in the things of this world, but rather walked in obedience to the Father. He walked in our place that we might have His righteousness–a wonderful truth to meditate upon as Thanksgiving approaches!

Seriously engaged about trifles
(Letters of John Newton)
“This world is fading away, along with everything it craves!” 1 John 2:17

God’s own people are so shamefully inconsistent with themselves, and with their acknowledged principles.
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly

Dear Family,

Please be in prayer for the Rizo family as they wait for the new baby to be born.

This seemed an appropriate devotion in light of our men’s meeting topics:

God Saves Sinners – Dr. J. I. Packer
via Reformation Theology

The very act of setting out Calvinistic soteriology [the doctrine of salvation] in the form of five distinct points (a number due, as we saw, merely to the fact that there were five Arminian points for the Synod of Dort to answer) tends to obscure the organic character of Calvinistic thought on this subject. For the five points, though separately stated, are inseparable. They hang together; you cannot reject one without rejecting them all, at least in the sense in which the Synod meant them. For to Calvinism there is really only one point to be made in the field of soteriology: the point that God saves sinners.

God – the Triune Jehovah, Father, Son and Spirit; three Persons working together in sovereign wisdom, power and love to achieve the salvation of a chosen people, the Father electing, the Son fulfilling the Father’s will by redeeming, the Spirit executing the purpose of Father and Son by renewing.
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly

Heritage Weekly

><>><>><> 9/14 LORD’S DAY<>< <>< <><

Sermon:
Blessed is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord – Mark 10:46-11:11

Hymns:
Fairest Lord Jesus 88
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing 2
All People That on Earth do Dwell 20
My Hope Is in the Lord 406
Gloria Patri 623

><> OTHER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS <><
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly #96

Dear Family,

Reminder: men’s breakfast tomorrow at Harner’s

Brief personal note:

Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement for my family and me. I am feeling better by God’s grace. We don’t have everything figured out at this point, but things seem to be stable. We may not learn anything new until next week when my regular physician returns from vacation. Please pray that the Lord would grant me His strength so that I might be with you all on Sunday and that I might preach.

Women Speaking in Church

Several weeks ago I was asked the question, “Is it appropriate for women to say ‘amen’ during the worship service in response to something said in a sermon?” This past elder meeting we spent a significant amount of time looking at the Scripture and discussing this issue. Here, then, is the position of HOFC on the issue of women speaking in the worship service:
Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly #95

Dear Family,

Reminder: Elder/head of household meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at the Emrick house.

As you know, we are called to a high calling as Christians (1 Peter 1:13-16). In addition, the way to heaven is through much suffering and tribulation (Acts 14:22). How, then, are we to make it through our pilgrimage in this land that is not our own? What is the source of our strength? This small devotion by JR Miller gives the answer:

Loving the Unseen Christ

(J. R. Miller, “In Green Pastures”)

Holy thoughts in the heart, transfigure the life. Your daily thoughts–build up your character. Our hearts are the quarries where the blocks are fashioned, which we build into our life-temple. If our thoughts and meditations are holy, beautiful, true, pure, loving, and gentle–our life will grow into Christ-likeness.
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Heritage Weekly #94

Dear Family,

Divorce and remarriage is a potentially painful and divisive topic. I share the following with the intent of encouraging us all to be Bereans and search the Scriptures for ourselves on this topic (Acts 17:11). I also encourage everyone to deal with the topic with a spirit of humility and grace. The gospel is powerful to heal even the deep wounds of divorce (Rom 1:16).

Here is a quick summary of my current understanding of Scripture on divorce (this was Option 3 on Sunday):

1. God hates divorce. (Mal. 2:16) If God hates it, then we as his children should also hate it.
2. What God has joined, let no man separate. (Mt. 19:6; Mk 10:9) When it comes to troubled marriages, our goal should always be first and foremost reconciliation. Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly #93

Dear Family,

Please remember to join your family’s voices with ours to ask the Lord for his blessings on our worship service on Sunday.

There has been a lot of enthusiasm about a children’s recital so we will plan to hold it on October 17 at 7 p.m. The location will be the Waubonsee Auditorium.
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Heritage Weekly #92

Dear HOFC Family,

*Reminders*
- Ladies salad supper get-together tonight at Emrick home at 7 p.m. All ladies are invited even if you didn’t know about it until just now.
- Men’s breakfast Friday morning at 6 a.m. at Harner’s in North Aurora

*Book Recommendation*
I just finished a book that I will be placing in the church library. The book is called Why We’re Not Emergent (by Two Guys Who Should Be). It is a very helpful analysis of the emergent/emerging church movement. It is unique in that it is written by two guys who alternate chapters…one is a pastor/theologian and the other is a sports writer. It is easy to read, entertaining and very helpful. Please contact Brad if you would like to check out this book.

New Feature! Ask the Pastor

People occasionally ask me about specific issues they would like my take on or want to know what the Bible says about it. I thought it might be edifying to the entire body to share my answers to such questions. While keeping the source of the question anonymous of course!
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Heritage Weekly #91

Dear Worshiping Family,

My week is off to a wonderful start after our encouraging day of worship and fellowship on Sunday. I didn’t mention it on Sunday, but I was moved by the outpouring of joyous worship in our service. Thank you for making a joyful noise with me!

I would like to share my notes from our call to worship as further encouragement. Also, the hymns this Sunday will be from the Home Discipleship Hymnal which many of you have. Please feel free to practice the hymns with your children so they will be familiar with them on Sunday.
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Heritage Weekly #90

Dear Family,

Quick reminder: fellowship meal this Sunday.

I came across this quote from AW Tozer. I have not been able to verify the reference, but it is a wonderful quote about the importance of the church in God’s plan. If you have the book and can verify the page number I would appreciate it.

“The highest expression of the will of God in this age is the church which He purchased with His own blood. To be scripturally valid any religious activity must be part of the church. Let it be clearly stated that there can be no service acceptable to God in this age that does not center in and spring out of the church. Continue reading…

Heritage Weekly #89

Dear Heritage of Faith Family,

I have just finished a very helpful little book called, What’s So Great About the Doctrines of Grace? written by Richard D. Phillips. The purpose of the book is to explain in clear, non-technical language the doctrines of God’s sovereign grace (aka Calvinism). Here is what Rev. Phillips explains is his goal in writing the book (from the preface):
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Heritage Weekly #88

Dear Family,

One of our great enemies is pride. Here is a helpful devotion to keep us alert and vigilant against this insidious foe. May God use this to humble our hearts before Him and cause us to lean more wholly on Christ.

A tumor and swelling in the mind

(Thomas Brooks, “The Unsearchable Riches of Christ”)

“The Lord Almighty has done it to destroy your pride and show His contempt for all human greatness.”
Isaiah 23:9

Pride is the original and root of most of those notorious vices which are to be found among men.

Of all sins, pride is most dangerous to the souls of men.

Pride is . . .
a gilded misery,
a secret poison,
a hidden plague.
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Heritage Weekly #87

Dear Family,

One of the many areas in which I need to grow and improve is singing. I like to sing, but I have had no training and have zero natural talent. However, I desire to improve so that I might worship our great God in a manner which pleases Him and brings Him glory.

Would you care to join me and my family as we seek to grow in our ability to sing?
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Heritage Weekly #86

Dear Family,

We have much opportunity to fellowship together over the next three days:

Friday – Hymn Sing at SG Community House at 7:00 PM
Saturday – Father-Son study at SG community house at 6:30 AM
Sunday – Lord’s Day worship and teaching time
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Heritage Weekly #85

Dear Family,

Sunrise Nursing Home Update: Bob McBroom will have a memorial service for his wife Faye on Tuesday, June 10 at 2:30 p.m. It will be held at the Sunrise of Naperville North facility.

As I was leaving church last Sunday someone mentioned the need to be content and to not complain about a situation. I saw this list and thought it might be helpful for all of us to use in our devotions. The regular Weekly information is below.

A 12 Point Cure for Complaining

Author: Bill Izard

Complaining is unbecoming of the true Christian and yet we are proficient at it. The cure is found in these verses. In Christ we are never hopeless or forsaken. Every trial has meaning. Meditate on this cure in order to change both your language and your heart.

1. GOD COMMANDS ME NEVER TO COMPLAIN.
Do all things without complaining and disputing. Philippians 2:14(NAS)
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Heritage Weekly #84

Dear Family,

Reminder: Men’s Breakfast at 6 a.m. at Harner’s in North Aurora

I hope that your week is going well. If I were to guess I would suspect that 7 out of 10 of you would describe your week as busy or worse. Are you feeling overwhelmed with your commitments and responsibilities? Do you feel like the carousel is spinning a little out of control and you can’t get off? I understand…I have been there and I’m sure I will get myself there again before long unless God intervenes.

Here are a few encouraging words from John Piper on the subject of finding times of quiet:

Do we need to pursue times of silence for our spiritual health?
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Heritage Weekly #83

Dear Heritage of Faith Family,

I just sent out the minutes from the elder meeting and I thought I would highlight a couple of things for you.

Teaching Time Info
- We will have our third teaching time session on other religions and cults this Lord’s Day. We will be looking at the religion of Wicca or witchcraft.
- Food and/or drinks are welcome during the teaching time especially for our younger participants who might find it challenging to make it through teaching time and worship without a snack.
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Heritage Weekly #82

Dear Family,

The week is almost over and I’ll be heading home later today. Thank you for your prayers for my family and me. I look forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday, Lord willing.

Just a reminder that there will be an informational meeting at Wayside Cross Ministries tomorrow morning from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. They are located at 215 E. New York Street in Aurora.

Because of Calvary,

Vaughn
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Heritage Weekly #81

Dear Family,

I write the words of greeting above with a joyful heart as I contemplate the wonderful family that God has put together here in the suburbs of Chicago. We are a family. We call each other brother and sister because we, by grace, have become children of God…we have one Father. We share in each other’s lives in a unique way because of what God has done in our hearts and because we have committed to live as a family at HOFC. I think this is part of the importance of membership to a local church. It is making a binding commitment to stick together no matter what…like a family.
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Heritage Weekly #80

Greeting Heritage of Faith Family,

We had a wonderful time last night as God’s family enjoying each others’ company at gym night. The Fowlers did a great job of organizing and leading the activities.

Here is a list of the religions we will be looking at during the new teaching time series (not in any specific order):
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Love Thy Neighbor: Understanding Other Religions

New teaching time series to begin May 11, 2008.

We are commanded by Jesus to love our neighbors (Mark 12:31). If we can’t understand our neighbors it is hard to know how best to love them. Maybe your neighbor is a Muslim or someone who is into New Age philosophy. We can show love to our neighbors in many ways, but the most important way is to share with them the gospel.
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Heritage Weekly #79

Dear HOFC Family,

Mark your calendars! Our next hymn sing will be June 13th.

I want to one more time encourage you to listen to a very encouraging and challenging message by John Piper entitled, How the Supremacy of Christ Creates Radical Christian Sacrifice. You can get the audio and/or read the transcript at the Desiring God web site. The main point of the message which is the main point of the book of Hebrews is to encourage radical service for God.
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Heritage Weekly #78

Dear Heritage of Faith Family,

I just finished attending the Together for the Gospel conference in Louisville. It was an extremely encouraging, convicting and motivating conference that I pray will bear fruit in our church in years to come. We are going to be in Indianapolis today and tomorrow and, Lord willing, return home Saturday so we can worship with our family at HOFC.

Let’s continue looking at the article on contentment by William Ames. Here are the next seven in a total of 22 points on the topic. The first eight can be found HERE. And the next seven are HERE.

Before going to the last eight points from Ames, I want to share a point CJ Mahaney made in today’s last session. He reminded us that all complaining and grumbling is complaining and grumbling against God. Complaining is saying to God, “I know what is best for me not you God”. Complaining is sin. If you want proof see I Corinthians 10.

Contentment
One of the most difficult of Christian virtues to obtain.
Dr. William Ames

15. An inordinate love of ourselves is a cause of covetousness,

16. This philaoutia, self-love, is the source and origin of all sins not which is called philaoutia, 2 Tim. 3:2. only against our neighbor, but against God himself, 2 Tim. 3:4.

17. Covetousness is divided by John into that of the flesh, having

to do with food and lust, that of the eyes, having to do with outward delight and profit, and the pride of living, having to do with the glory and pomp of this world, 1 John 2:16.

18. Envy or an Eye being evil is opposed to joy and pleasure in the prosperity of our neighbor. Matt. 20:15. Likewise opposed is any epikairekakia rejoicing over the hurt of our neighbor, Ps. 70:3, 4; Obad.12.
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Heritage Weekly #77

Dear Heritage of Faith Family,

*Quick reminder: Fellowship meal this Sunday following service

Let’s continue looking at the article on contentment by William Ames. Here are the next seven in a total of 22 points on the topic. The first eight can be found HERE.

Contentment
One of the most difficult of Christian virtues to obtain.
Dr. William Ames

9. Covetousness is opposed to contentment, Heb. 13:5.

10. Covetousness does not mean the power and faculty of desiring and seeking what is natural; or the act of that natural faculty, or its lawful operation, which is also natural; or the whole inclination of our corrupt nature (not specially condemned in any one precept but in the whole law); or the actual inordinate primary lusts (for the most part contrary to religion and condemned in the first table); or last, lusts which tend to the hurt of our neighbor (for those having a deliberate will and purpose behind them are condemned in the other commandments). Covetousness means that desire which first instigates and excites the mind to yearn for the good things of our neigh­bors although it has not yet occurred to us to get them by unlawful means, 1 Kings 21:2; Mark 10:19.
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Heritage Weekly #76

Dear HOFC Family,

William Ames wrote an interesting and helpful article on the issue of contentment. There are 22 points in his article so I thought I would share it with you in installments. Below you will find the first eight points.

Contentment
One of the most difficult of Christian virtues to obtain.
Dr. William Ames

1. The virtue of contentment is the acquiescence of the mind in the lot God has given, 1 Tim. 6:6; Heb. 13:5; Phil. 4:11.

2. This contentment is ordered in the tenth commandment as appears from the words themselves. It is not at all proper to refer this precept to the inward and original purity of righteousness, which is the fountain of all obedience; such purity is not commanded in any one commandment but in all. And the precept no more belongs to the second table where it is situated than to the first.
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Heritage Weekly #75

Dear HOFC Family,

I hope this email finds you and your family feeling well. We have certainly been challenged this winter with much ill health in many of the families of the church as well as some serious job related trials. I pray that the Lord would grant us a season of health and provide work for all the men in the church. More importantly, I pray that the Lord would help each of us to learn the important spiritual lessons that he has for us in and through these trials. Romans 8:28 says, “that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” May we each get to see the good that will come out of these difficulties we have faced.
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