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An active Christian group, regarding this life we believers must experience.
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WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

Famous singer Tina Turner had a worldly way of understanding love on behalf of a hit song she is most known for. And there is no fault in perhaps enjoying the song she sung. However, we Christians do not follow the world's definition of love, but rather we want to know what the Bible says about it.

1 Cor. 13:1-8, Context:

Christians in Corinth had been given the ability to perform miraculous gifts. They needed instruction as to how to properly conduct themselves with these gifts. They also needed to utilize them with a righteous mind intended to be used for the further growth of the gospel.

vs 1. Communicating to men with language, void of love & truth.

“Tongues of men” = Supernatural ability allowing one to speak in a known language which they had never learned before. A natural linguistic among mankind, uninspired, common. If this power was no ...

t used for the gospel, it became noisy and useless.

I’ve never spoken Chinese, I’ve never learned the language. If at this moment I would begin to speak the language (with the understanding of the words I am uttering). This would be miraculous. For it would break the natural law.

“Tongues of angels” = a known language which would come from a messenger of the LORD with a purpose to declare direction or command. This language, if not for the further purpose of Christ, is nothing but useless noise.

This language has absolutely nothing to do with modern day denominations who claim the gift by incoherent mumblings. God always communicated in an orderly and understandable manner. That’s why Paul made sure they knew what the gift was for, who was to use it, how it was supposed to be used, and the office of interpreter.

Paul is simply revealing a spiritual fact. It don’t matter what kind of known language you speak, if it is not backed by agape love, it bears no fruit. If it does not seek to further the cause of Christ, it is noisy and useless.

vs 2. Communicating to men with powerful display, void of love & truth.

So not only are verbal communicative skills useless without love (whether from men or from messengers). The same applies to anyone who would have power beyond their ability. If you had powers above and beyond your ability, perfect power and faith like God, without love? Useless. If you could literally move a mountain (an impossible task but for God), without love? Useless, you’re just making noise.

If you’re not proclaiming the right gospel (Gal. 1). If you’ve either removed, or added to it. Your talents and opportunities are nothing but deafening, loud and useless, so much so people can’t hear the purity of the true gospel around you, because you’re noise drowns out the truth.

How many religious leaders out there, with big names and big money have millions following and supporting them? Noisy gongs. Who are they converting to Christ? No one. They are useless. Why? They don’t use their influence for the greater good of the kingdom. They are enemies of the cross.

Paul is making it very clear for these Christians. If you’re not speaking the truth in love, stop your noise!

vs 3. Communicating to men with benevolence, void of love & truth.

It don’t matter how many needy people you help out, feed, lodge, cloth. If there is no purpose to give them gospel truth? Useless, noisy, unproductive. You are producing nothing but deafening racket.

You can have all the money in the world, without love you are but a sounding brass. It seems to be greatly important, it calls attention to itself, but not to what is in important. It has no lasting value. It does not lead anyone to Christ. It does not have the right kind of heart.

Paul tells the church that anything they do without love, is useless. So naturally, Paul is now going to tell them what love looks like. In order to be useful, productive, fruitful.

vs 4-7. Communicating to men with love, the Bible kind of love.

“Patient” = You’re suffering long with everyone. Not quick to dismiss someone because of their immaturity or lack of scriptural knowledge.

“Kind” = Gentle with people. You don’t want to break them. You want to build them.

“Not jealous” = It does not find joy at the misfortune of others. You pray for their success.

“Does not brag” = It does not try to build self up while tearing others down.

“Not arrogant” = It does not boast in societal standards (i.e. I’m smarter, bigger, richer, etc).

“Unbecomingly” = Not rude, do nice things to others (i.e. open doors, etc)

“Does not seek its own” = You don’t have to have it your way all the time, allow other people to decide also. You might be surprised at the value of their participation.

“Not provoked” = Not irritable, being easily annoyed or made angry at everything and everyone. Getting worked up about every little thing that ultimately holds no true spiritual wealth for your faith.

“Account a wrong suffered” = Taking inventory of the things people have done wrong against me. Holding a grudge till the hth degree. Never letting it go. Waiting for a reason to bring it back up as a weapon.

“Do not rejoice in unrighteousness” = in words, behavior, and practice which is against doing what is right.

“Love rejoices with the truth” = the truth being preached and practiced, honesty.

“Bears all things” = puts up with everyone, no one is perfect.

“Believes all things” = desires to believe the good in others.

“Hopes all things” = has full trust in the promises of Christ and counting on His faithful followers.

“Endures all things” = perseverance in the most difficult trials, tests, circumstances. Never give up on Christ and His church. No matter how difficult things may come.

vs 8. Miraculous Gifts will cease, but love will remain.

Love is the great equalizer, everyone can be the same with love. Back then not everyone had the same miraculous gifts. And so it caused problems. It was not perfect. It was transitional. It was to confirm the word of God. All of the miraculous has since ceased in the 1st century. And now we have the two remaining elements, the Bible & love written therein.

And who better teach us about the Word of God & love than He who is love (1 John 4:8) and is the word, Jesus Christ (John 1:1).

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” - John 15:13

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16

“If you love me keep my commandments.” - John 14:15

If you want the love of Jesus and His family in your life this day you simply need faith in obeying His loving gospel (Acts 2:38).

Stephane H. Maillet

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Food Time

We usually have one main meal per day. Today was Sausages again. We go through a menu throughout the month, it typically repeats itself.

I don't eat anything for breakfast, never hungry. And for supper it can be a bowl of cereal, or an egg with toast and a few slices of bacon.

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"Cleansing the Temple"

Sermon Sunday: John 2:13-25
EastCoast church of Christ
Moncton, NB, Canada.
Sunday, Sept. 18th, 2022.

"Cleansing the Temple"
"Water Baptism, Saves?"

In 1 Peter 3:21, we see the explicit inspired words of Peter the Apostle of Jesus the Christ. Was he teaching the Christians of the 1st Century that they were saved by "water?" What exactly did Peter mean within the context? This and more we explore in this exclusive LOCALS podcast session.

POLL question: "was Peter the Apostle married?"

"Water Baptism, Saves?"
Prayers Please 🙏

We pray to accumulate enough support in 2025 to keep serving at our current capacity (and then some).

If you know of any Christians and/or congregations willing and able to participate in this opportunity, please let them know about us. Thank you.

Blessings 🙌

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Some Thoughts on Preachers

There are a few faithful preachers out there with kind and humble hearts, most of which we don't even know. These love Jesus and the members of His church, giving everything up for the gospel. For these we pray God continuously bless and keep productive, supported well and spiritually prosperous 🙏

However, I don't listen to preachers all that much anymore, it's been many years now. I've had the opportunity to meet all the big names, and little ones too. And though some can preach in such a powerful way that'll change your life? Many are faker than plastic. They aren't in it for the love of Christ and fellow saints. They're in it for all sorts of delinquent and selfish reasons, exploiting everyone they can for prideful gain. Whether in preaching schools, or local congregations, it turned me off so bad I just walked away from it all, and for the better, really.

When evil men can destroy everything in their path and be praised as "sound gospel preachers?" It's time to recognize that Christ is...

Greeting, friends.

We can't express to you how thankful we are for your support, if we could have you over during the weeks to cook you a meal and share faith, we certainly would. Times are challenging, and getting worst it seems, financially in this Country. But we remain hopeful that God will provide if we continue to do the work. We have to raise more funds to keep up with our monthly cost. So please, if you will, pray that God might bless us with increase. And if you happen to read this msg and are not yet supporting us, please kindly consider it? It would bless us.

This year, we have to take from credit to fix some house items. Our outside heatpump burnt out last month, that is a $7,500 service coming up in a few weeks (it's what helps keep the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter). We also have to update our electric panel, $3000 (currently it is outdated and does not hold enough power to perform the necessary "juice" needed to properly function with the church on Sundays). And we must ...

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Rescued - Transferred - Redeemed
The Kingdom of His beloved Son

You've fallen asleep comfy in your bed, and a fire started in your house. You wake to panic as you become aware of your surroundings, trapped by a wall of lavalike heat. You find yourself in danger, where smoke and flames threaten your life. Your neighbors were capable of seeing the threat and had since called for help. The firefighters arrive on the scene and immediately find you in your bedroom--time for a rescue. Are you yet seen in a location of satety? No, not yet. There still needs to be a transfer from the site of dakness, smoke, and fire to an area of light, fresh air, and safety. And so the firefighters guide you out of certain death into a secure location. You have now been saved, not without damage, trauma, and loss. But you've gained your life and get to learn fowared another day.

You've become idle in your sinful behavior and practices. You wake to panic as you become aware of your eternal punishment. A neighbor cares for you enough to share Jesus with you. Will you obey the gospel?

The reception of forgivness was the desired result of all who willfully gave their lives to Christ, submissive to His spiritual operation (Col. 2:11-12). Paul, the apostle, speaking to his brethren in Colossae, was accurate in reminding them of their reconciliation. And how the Word of God they had chosen to hear produced fruit for the Kingdom. The Kingdom was God's preplanned location where all found within would have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

A domain needs a King, Christ Jesus. A Kingdom has boundaries, borders, law and order, and justice. This Kingdom is of a peculiar kind, and we should all seek first legal citizenry (Mt. 6:33). His Kingdom is the body, the church (Col. 2:1,18,24). The body for it has organic members all united for the purposed function--the church fo its assembly, it's family. The way in? Being a repentant believer confessing Christ, immersed into water calling on His name, in order to receive the forgiveness of your sins, being added to His Kingdom, local assembly (i.e. "rescued, transferred, redeemed"). 

This good news of Jesus Christ "was proclaimed in all creation" to give humankind a way out of the flames and sinful consequences. And we are wise to hear its call.

Is your house on fire?

Ref. Colossians 2:13-24

Your servant,

SM

 

 

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