vassal of the King

WARMLY INVOLVING ALL AGE GROUPS INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST Geoffrey R. Kirkland Every pastor hears it. Every shepherd receives that phone call. Every minister faces the same question. Someone comes to the elder and says that he doesn’t feel plugged in because the church doesn’t ‘have what I need.’ Or, to phrase it slightly differently, a churchgoer may quibble: ‘I don’t feel as though I can relate all that well to others in your church. There’s not that many people my age’ (or, my season of life, etc.). Every man of God serving in leadership in Christ’s church has been there. He’s faced it. He’s dealt with it. So, how do you involve various and all age groups into the beautiful and unified body of Christ in a local assembly? A local church will have lots of groups, from twenty-somethings, to high school students, to the divorced, to the widowed/widowers, to the middle-aged singles who have never been married, to the teenagers, to the empty nesters, to the hurting ones who have been div

“Holy to the LORD” [קֹדֶשׁ לַיהוָה] The Mark of the Minister Geoffrey R. Kirkland Christ Fellowship Bible Church In Exodus 28:36, God instructs Moses that he should make a plate of pure gold and shall engrave on it, like the engravings of a seal: ‘Holy to the LORD’. And this plate of pure gold shall rest upon Aaron’s forehead (v.38). In reflecting on a similar parallel for the minister of the gospel today, he should also have a sort of engraving that sets him apart as a man wholly devoted to the LORD. In pondering this very phrase, I see a few marks that every minister of the gospel should have this engraved on him that distinguishes as singularly minded man with a God-given mission and a God-driven passion. In a word, the mark of the minister should be that he is a holy man entirely devoted to the LORD . 1. Holy in his SOUL The man who serves as the minister of the Lord must be holy in his soul. This means that this man must be soundly converted; that is, set apart in his soul. He m

JC Ryle describes the day of judgment: Believers and unbelievers, holy and unholy, converted and unconverted, are now mingled in every congregation, and often sit side by side. It passes the power of man to separate them. False profession is often so like true, and grace is often so weak and feeble, that, in many cases, the right discernment of character is an impossibility. The wheat and the chaff will continue together until the Lord returns. But there will be an awful separation at the last day. The unerring judgment of the King of kings shall at length divide the wheat from the chaff, and divide them for evermore. The righteous shall be gathered into a place of happiness and safety. The wicked shall be cast down to shame and everlasting contempt. In the great sifting day, every one shall go to his own place. -- Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke (p.97-98).

HOW TO ENSURE SEXUAL PURITY IN THE MINISTRY! Geoffrey R. Kirkland Christ Fellowship Bible Church This brief essay serves to ask heart-probing questions so as to gauge my heart and my love for Christ. May I rehearse these questions frequently so as to ensure sexual purity in the ministry for God’s glory and for the good of my soul. 1. Do I love Christ passionately? I will always pursue what I love most. Do I love Christ or do I love sex? Do I love temporal, immediate, sexual pleasure more than I enjoy the lasting, eternal, full pleasures of Christ? If I am loving Christ passionately, fully, diligently, daily and savoringly then I will not live a life pursuing sexual immorality in any of its forms. 2. Do I really meet with God in prayer daily? Not do I ‘say my prayers’; but, do I really meet with, commune with, fellowship with and enjoy intimacy with the Living God? Meeting with God and speaking to Him (prayer) and hearing from Him (Scripture) can safeguard us from the wily and seducti

Beginning Sunday, December 7th, Christ Fellowship Bible Church will launch a verse-by-verse expositional preaching series through the Book of Revelation. This study will help you understand the glory of Christ & His triumphant victory over the forces of evil. CFBC takes a futuristic premillennial position regarding the hermeneutic (='how to interpret') the book. Revelation 1:19 provides its own outline of the book: Revelation 1:19 – "Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things. Christ tells the Apostle John to write the things... 1. Which you have seen ( PAST ) — chapter 1 2. Which are ( PRESENT ) — chapters 2-3 3. Which will take place after these things ( FUTURE ) — chapters 4-22 Join us at 4:00PM every Sunday at CFBC . Or, if you can't join us, the sermons will be online at the media page.

9 Motivations for You to Repent Now! Geoffrey R. Kirkland Christ Fellowship Bible Church The Bible teaches that today is the day of salvation. Now is the acceptable time for sinners to repent. God always promises to forgive when sinners repent of sin but God never promises the sinner tomorrow so that he can repent of his sin then. So, this brief writeup lists nine compelling motivations for sinners to repent now. Come to Christ today ! Turn from your sins now and live! 1. The shortness of time! You must number yours days. Time on earth will not go on forever. People are not immortal. Humans are eternal beings but not immortal beings. You will live on forever. Your life, dear friends, is but a candle, for it’ll soon go out. Your life is but a shadow that quickly passes by. One’s existence is but a sunset that begins and after but a few passing moments it is gone. Your life is like steam on a hot cup as it goes up and then it’s gone forever. God lovingly beckons you to come now when h

REPENTANCE: What To Repent Of? Geoffrey R. Kirkland Christ Fellowship Bible Church 1. Repent of your public, known sins. Make it your ambition to come before the Lord and ask for His mercy for your public and known sins. That is, make known the sins that you’ve committed in public, that you know about, that others know about. 2. Repent of your hidden, private sins. Uncover the hidden, deep, dark recesses of your private sins to the Lord. He sees it all and knows them all anyway. Uncover the deep blackness in the well of your heart. Bring it to light. Let the blackness of sin be cleansed by the crimson blood of Christ. Uncover and repent of these. 3. Repent of that ‘pet/darling/favorite’ sin that you won’t let go of. Come to the Lord and earnestly beseech God’s mercy for that one sin that you repent of often. That ‘darling’ (pet, cherished) sin that you have, that you fight against, that you repent of often, and that you are most afraid of — or unwilling — to give up. Repent and surre

Believe in the Absolute Sovereignty of God! A Most Comforting Doctrine to the Christian Geoffrey R. Kirkland Christ Fellowship Bible Church The Lord has given a number of psalms that focus on the theme of the LORD’s Kingship. These “Kingship Psalms” consist of Psalms 93-100. The psalms highlight, repeat, and underscore various features of the Lord’s reign, His character, His deeds, and His praiseworthiness.  This brief write-up will provide eleven adverbs describing how the LORD reigns . 1. Exclusively The Lord alone reigns. He shares His throne with no one else. No enemy or foe or fate could ever share the throne with the LORD. He reigns exclusively over all things in all creation. 2. Absolutely The Lord reigns absolutely. His kingship is absolute. He rules as king independently and depends upon no one or nothing else for existence. He reigns with all control and with no co-dependence upon another. 3. Exhaustively The Lord reigns over everything — every single proton and every g

The Pastor’s Primary Responsibilities Geoffrey R. Kirkland Christ Fellowship Bible Church In this brief essay, I will set before you three primary responsibilities of every pastor. 1. Intercede for God’s Flock Pray To neglect to pray is to neglect the power source in a pastor’s ministry. For a minister to engage in many duties in his church and yet omit the regular practice of prayer demonstrates that he has no understanding of nor does he have any conviction of the importance of the ministry, his helplessless in the ministry, his humility in the ministry and God’s sovereignty over his ministry. A pastor must pray. A shepherd must intercede for God’s flock. Every Christian is a sheep that belongs to God and God has stated that every sheep in the fold belongs to Him. And God has entrusted His own blood-bought sheep to the care of His undershepherds — pastors. To lead is to model. And there is no greater way that a pastor can model Christlikeness for his flock than to show them how to

Christ Fellowship Bible Church (St Louis, MO) has just completed a three-part teaching series on the Lord's Supper. MEDIA Part 1 - The MEANING of the Lord's Supper  ( listen | download ) Part 2 - The PREPARATION for the Lord's Supper ( listen | download ) Part 3 - The SUBJECTS/PARTICIPANTS of the Lord's Supper ( listen | download ) ARTICLES 1. The Lord's Supper | A Philosophy of Ministry Paper of Christ Fellowship Bible Church 2. Children & the Lord's Supper | A Position Paper at Christ Fellowship Bible Church 3. Some Blessed Understandings When the Christian Participates in the Lord's Supper FURTHER RESOURCES More articles & write-ups

Counsel to Those Looking for a New Church Geoffrey R. Kirkland It seems to be commonplace for people to be looking for new churches these days. With job transfers, moves, students heading away to college, and others who are looking for a new church for any host of reasons, people often find themselves on the hunt for a new church. But how should one undertake this journey? Are there some helps that can guide folks in this search for a biblical church? This brief write-up will provide some counsel for those looking for a new church. 1. PRAY MUCH, PRAY BIBLICALLY, PRAY FERVENTLY, AND PRAY SPECIFICALLY. Dealing with the precious and beloved Bride of Christ is no trivial matter. Christ died for His Bride and He jealously loves her, longs for her love and devotion in return, and promises to guard and keep her from the evil one. Since this is the case, in looking for a church, don’t treat your search for a church like a ‘buffet line’ where you pick and choose some things that suit your ta

A few months ago, Christ Fellowship Bible Church (St Louis) conducted a 5-part series on Roman Catholic Doctrine. This series shows how many of the cardinal Catholic doctrines attack the biblical gospel. 1. Roman Catholic Doctrine Attacks the Sufficiency of Scripture ( listen | download )  2. Roman Catholic Doctrine Attacks the Sufficiency of Jesus' Death ( listen | download ) 3. Roman Catholic Doctrine Attacks the Singularity of God's Gospel ( listen | download ) 4. Roman Catholic Doctrine Attacks the Sanctity of Christ's Church ( listen | download ) 5. Roman Catholic Doctrine Attacks the Severity of God's Judgment ( listen | download )

The Posture of Worship —  It May Not Be Everything; But It Is Something Geoffrey R. Kirkland Christ Fellowship Bible Church New Testament believers quickly assert that worship of the one, true God no longer is limited to a particular location as it was in the days of Old Testament Israel. In former times, God required that His people worshiped Him in the place He so chose. Jewish men had to make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem three times a year for the Jewish feasts. Christians today boldly and rightly assert that that those who worship God must worship Him in “spirit and in truth”. Christ has come and has died so that His people, Spirit-indwelt believers, may approach the Father at any time and at any place. Nevertheless, though God does not required a certain place or posture of worship as He spoke to ancient Israel, is there still benefit in worshiping God in various biblical postures? One would be unable to point to one verse in the Scriptures to command all believers to worship in

What To Look For In A Potential Spouse Geoffrey R. Kirkland Christ Fellowship Bible Church 1. Soundly Converted. Since God created marriage to remain for life, in looking for a spouse you would do well to ensure that the person you find interest in is soundly converted. You want to make sure the person you would consider spending your life with is passionately in love with Christ, faithfully seeking His Word, and bearing the fruit of the Spirit. Your spouse will be the greatest tool of sanctification in your life. Ensure, for the joy of your heart, that the person is soundly converted. 2. Pursuing Christ. You do not want to marry just anyone who calls himself a Christian. You must certify that the person pursues Christ more than they pursue you. Ladies, you would be wise to note if the man who pursues you has a greater love for Christ than he has for you. Does the person you are spending time with pursue Christ? Do they pursue Christ while they are with you? How do you know

Profitable questions for an elder/shepherd leadership team to go through together with regularity. [Or, even any discipleship relationship.] Questions for Sexual Purity 1. Since you last answered these questions, have you viewed any immoral, impure or pornographic material online, on your cell phone or any other device in any way? 2. Since you last answered these questions, have you been in any questionable situation with a woman other than your wife that could be perceived as questionable? 3. Have you grown fond of and emotionally attached to any woman other than your wife even in the slightest? 4. Has your relationship with your wife been open in communication, healthy in sexual intimacy, and affectionate to serve her? 5. Has your mind and heart been pure as you have been out and about — work, lunches, cars, parks — as you have seen other women? 6. Have you lied about any of the answers you just gave?

Preacher! Keep Your Heart Mindful of the Brevity of Life. Geoffrey R. Kirkland Christ Fellowship Bible Church Psalm 90:12 — So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom. If you do this it will most certainly result in the following... 1. You will live an upright life. Keeping your heart mindful of the brevity of life will result in the man of God living a pure life before God. The minister of God’s Word will bear in the mind the piercing nature of God’s Word and the examining effect it has on the soul of man. Remembering that you may die at any moment should launch the man of God to a laser-beam focus of living uprightly, purely, godly, and devoutly. He must have this in his soul, in his heart, in his mind, and then with his life. 2. You will preach as if every sermon were your last. The more the man of God remembers the stark reality that he may die before he ever steps foot in his pulpit again, the more he will preach with passion and conviction. Jus

CALL SINNERS TO RESPOND TO THE GOSPEL! Geoffrey R. Kirkland Christ Fellowship Bible Church Someone once said that Christians should learn to plead with sinners to embrace Christ and escape hell. A child of God could faithfully give the gospel, speak of God and His character, man and His desperate need, Christ and His sufficient atonement, repentance and faith in clear terms, but one element that evangelists seem to omit is the urgent call for sinners to respond to the gospel! Paul said that he was not ashamed to beg! He pleaded with sinners to come to Christ. Whitefield loudly and lovingly wept as he urged sinners to turn to Christ and live! Spurgeon spoke of this kind of urgent pleading with frequency. The Puritan preachers spent a good deal of time in their sermons exhorting sinners to embrace Christ and follow Him. We should learn from these examples and do the same. We must call sinners to respond to the gospel. How should Christians ‘call for a response’ when speaking the gospel

The CFBC Retreat is only 2 days away (Aug 15-17th)! The theme is: " Aggressive Sanctification " Here are the 4 messages: 1. "Utilizing the means of grace in sanctification: to enhance the believer's joy in God" (Lincoln VerMeer) 2. "Sanctification in all its fullness- knowledge and practice. The motivation and means for growth in godliness" (Randy Kirkland) 3. "Sanctification & the power of the tongue" (Warner Aldridge) 4. "The reality, purity & theme of heaven as a powerful motivation for pursuing sanctification" (Geoff Kirkland) The sermons will all be on the CFBC website: www.CFBCSTL.org