The Upright of Heart as a Metaphor for Integrity.

The Upright of Heart as a Metaphor for IntegrityPsalm 11.2 says that the wicked seek to destroy those who are “upright in heart” ( לְיִשְׁרֵי־לֵב). The LXX renders the Hebrew phrase as: τοὺς εὐθεῖς τῇ καρδίᾳ (“the straight ones [=upright] of heart”). The Aramaic Targum renders the phrase in its oft-expanded...

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God's priority for your life.

From John MacArthur: Christians must remember that sanctification is God's priority for their lives. It is His will for them (1 Thess 4.3; cf. Heb 12.14) and the result of Christ's death on their behalf — "who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds" (Titus 2.14). All believers are to live for sanctification....

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A Definition of the Gospel.

What's the gospel? Puritan Thomas Manton gives a very helpful summary: "The sum of the gospel is this: that all those who by true repentance and faith do forsake the flesh, the world, and the devil, and give themselves up to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as their Creator, redeemer, and sanctifier...

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The modern gospel versus the biblical gospel.

From JI Packer's introduction to John Owen's The Death of Death in the Death of Christ: There is no doubt that Evangelism today is in a state of perplexity and unsettlement. . . . Without realizing it we have during the past century bartered the gospel (the biblical gospel) for a substitute product...

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Preaching that is bold, direct, and most loving.

JC Ryle comments on the preaching of George Whitefield: Whitefield was a singularly bold and direct preacher. he never used that indirect expression "we," which seems so peculiar to English pulpit oratory, and which only leaves a hearer's mind in a state of misty confusion. He met men face to face,...

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Ways you can biblically pray for your pastors/elders

Eight Ways to Use Scripture to Pray for Your Pastor1. Pray that he would conduct himself wisely in a life of obedience that remains above reproach (1 Timothy 3:2)2. Pray that he would love and be faithful to his wife (Ephesians 5:25-33)3. Pray that he would raise his children in the fear and admonition...

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May this never be said to a preacher

There are some lines that a preacher hopes he never hears. In a sermon on Psalm 7 entitled: "Turn or Burn," Spurgeon noted how the topic of the wrath of God was seldom preached. Then he pondered how despicable it would be if, in eternity, one would approach him and say the following statement. From Charles Spurgeon: "Sir, you flattered us; you did not tell us of the solemnities of eternity; you...

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The intensity of Kirkland football

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What is true repentance? Is there a false repentance that leads to hell?

WHAT IS TRUE REPENTANCE? Is There a False Repentance That Sends to Hell? Geoffrey R. Kirkland Christ Fellowship Bible Church To use the words of the Heidelberg Catechism, godly grief “is to be genuinely sorry for sin, to hate it more and more, and to run away from it” (#89). To answer the question...

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what is SANCTIFICATION?

Very helpful words from D Martyn Lloyd-Jones: The New Testament calls upon us to take action; it does not tell us that the work of sanctification is going to be done for us. . . . We are in the 'good fight of faith', and we have to do the fighting. But, thank God, we are enabled to do it; for the moment...

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Vince Greene & Family — Serving & Training Pastors in the Philippines

This upcoming week, we at Christ Fellowship Bible Church have the awesome privilege of hosting Vincent Greene and his family. Vincent is raising support to join Sean Ransom serving with TMAI (the Master's Academy International) in the Philippines to train Filipino men to study, interpret, and preach...

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When you are angry, what should you do & ask?

From David Powlison: The simplest question to ask about what underlies anger is, “What do I really want?” If you are honest, with God’s help, you can recognize if you really crave to get even, or to hurt someone, or not to be inconvenienced, or to prove someone wrong, or to score points, or to be...

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Repentance Resources

Last Sunday I preached Jonah 4 at Christ Fellowship Bible Church & much of the sermon showed what true repentance looks like as evidenced by the Ninevites. Here are some very helpful resources on REPENTANCE for further study: The Doctrine of Repentance - by Thomas Watson Repentance - by JC...

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Call Your People to Repent — Specifically!

Some excellent application demonstrated by George Whitefield: Concluding a sermon on repentance & conversion, he shouts: You young people, I charge you to consider; God help you to repent and be converted, who woos and invites you. You middle aged people, O that you would repent and be converted. You old grey-headed people, Lord make you repent and be converted, that you may thereby prove that...

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There is Evil in the Land!

The responsibility of Jeremiah, given to him by the LORD, was to arise and speak all that God commanded him to say to sinful Judah (1:17). In chapter 2, Jeremiah speaks the LORD's words to Judah and indicts them for their wicked apostasy. I want to look at Jeremiah 2:8  and examine just a few ways that Judah had forsaken the LORD. THE TEXT: Jeremiah 2:8 — "The priests did not say, 'Where is...

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The worshipful act of financial giving in the local Church.

The Worshipful Act of Monetary Giving to the Local ChurchBy: Pastor Geoffrey R. KirklandChrist Fellowship Bible Church Jesus Christ willingly went to the cross to die so that He might ransom men and redeem them to Himself in a saving, eternal, reconciled relationship. If Jesus Christ has given so much...

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Preaching Two Open-Air Sermons

Last night I went to the Metrolink station at the Central West End in St Louis. It is a busy hub where Barnes Jewish Hospital, Children's Hospital, Forest Park, & the CWE all converge. I was there for about an hour and had a number of great conversations. I recorded both of my open air sermons & I'll post them below. My prayer was two-fold as I went out last night: 1) May God cause spiritually...

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Why does CFBC exist?

Why Does Christ Fellowship Bible Church Exist?Geoffrey R. KirklandPastor, CFBC(download the pdf here)CFBC exists: to glorify God by preaching the Word, evangelizing the lost, discipling the saved, and obeying Jesus Christ—all by the power of the Spirit.Breakdown of mission statement & preaching points:1. Always Glorify God — A High View of God & His Glory2. Preach the Word — A High View of...

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CFBC Catechism — Teach Your Children Diligently!

This post will offer some ideas as to how you as the families of CFBC can continue to reinforce biblical truths into the minds and the hearts of your young people at home. CFBC is committed to teaching the children of CFBC during the Family Bible Hour (4:00PM) but CFBC affirms that the primary teachers...

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How Is God Glorified? Here Is One Aspect — Self-Denial

From Gracegems: Now the heart of depraved man is obstinately averse to such a course of feelings and conduct. Instead of being supremely attached to God and the good of His Kingdom, men are by nature lovers of their own selves. And here lies the controversy between man and his Maker....

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What is biblical wisdom — cf. Psalm 1

Willem VanGemeren wisely asks & answers: "What is the biblical wisdom that the psalmists speak of so frequently? First, wisdom calls for a response. The invitation is open to all (34:11-12; cf. Prov 1:8-9; 2:1-3:10). Regardless of age, social standing, or gender, whether Jew or Gentile, God expects...

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Catechizing our children at CFBC! This Sunday, Oct 14th...

Starting this upcoming Sunday, October 14th, Christ Fellowship Bible Church will be teaching a Catechism class for our younger children. Charles Spurgeon said it well: I am persuaded that the use of a good Catechism in all our families will be a great safeguard against the increasing errors of the ...

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Hudson Taylor — A man of prayer & trust.

In the year 1854 a sailing vessel was becalmed in the vicinity of New Guinea. Seeing the distressed look on the captain's face as he peered intently into the sea, a young Englishman inquired as to the cause of his anxiety. This was the reply: "A four-knot current is carrying us swiftly toward some sunken...

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Biblical Study on the 1,000 Year Millennium

Join us this Sunday night at Christ Fellowship Bible Church as we study the biblical period of the Messianic Kingdom. We will look at a number of elements that will characterize this important area of study. This is a very neglected doctrine in theological studies and the future hope that we as...

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Duties of a HUSBAND and a WIFE to each other (good counsel!)

Richard Baxter provides six helpful points on the husband and wife's roles to each other. Duties of a husband & wife to each other:1. Entirely to love each other … and avoid all things that tend to quench their love. 2. To dwell together, and enjoy each other, and faithfully join as helpers in...

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The Use of the OT in the OT. How does the OT quote itself?

The Use of the OT in the OT — “The LORD is my Strength & My Song”By: Geoffrey R. KirklandChrist Fellowship Bible Church The Biblical Texts Themselves:Exodus 15:2 (MT & Eng)  עָזִּ֤י וְזִמְרָת֙ יָ֔הּ וַֽיְהִי־לִ֖י לִֽישׁוּעָ֑ה זֶ֤ה אֵלִי֙ וְאַנְוֵ֔הוּ אֱלֹהֵ֥י אָבִ֖י וַאֲרֹמְמֶֽנְהוּ׃(“Yahweh is my strength & song. And he has become my salvation. He is my God and I will praise Him;...

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How do your hardships in life fit with the command to be JOYFUL?

Here is how John Piper connects the dots (in commenting on how Jonathan Edwards connected joy & suffering together): Yes, becoming a Christian adds more trouble to life and brings persecutions, reproaches, suffering, and even death. Yes, there are overwhelming sorrows. But the pursuit of infinite...

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The Power of UNforgiveness

The Drama in the Home Everybody loves Bill. The consensus is that his perceived spiritual maturity and humble servant’s heart have been an encouragement to many. When he isn’t running his moderately successful engineering firm, he volunteers for his local church. The pastors love him and usually...

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Biblical Counseling resources

Here are some very helpful resources to inform your thinking on biblical ("nouthetic") counseling. INTRODUCTORY ARTICLES Is There Any Difference Between Biblical Counseling & Christian Psychology? by John MacArthur and Wayne Mack. This is a very helpful, brief, and compelling overview showing...

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