Great Expectations - John 14:12-14

     “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
    (John 14:12-14 ESV)

Pastor Mark Scholten

 We welcomed to our pulpit this week at Redeemer Church Pastor Mark Scholten of Faith Presbyterian Church in Akron. Pastor Scholten graduated from Hope College (Holland, MI) in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion. He also studied at the Oregon Extension and at L’abri in Switzerland. He received an M.Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary (Jackson, MS) in 1992. Mark is married to Kathy, and they have been blessed with five children.

Misconceptions in the Faith II

St. Paul Preaching

"Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words." Ever heard that? Did it strike you as true or did you get that sinking feeling that it wasn't right and people are being misled by others who toss it out at convenient moments? I never did like it. Yes, to be sure Scripture makes it clear we are to display good works (Eph. 2:10; James 2:17) but to emphasize actions over speech is to create a false dichotomy as Glenn T. Stanton helpfully points out here in his informative post. The phrase, falsely attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, is simply incorrect and unbiblical. Let's not forget Paul's words,  How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? (Romans 10:14 ESV) Thus, it is most certainly a misconception to think we can preach without employing words.

So as Believers, let's consider what we say more carefully. As Stanton correctly points out, "We can do better."