PHOTO: Stone Engraving

PRAYER REQUEST: Pray for the victims of Hurricane Irene

The storm is over, but Hurricane Irene continues to be a disaster for many as hundreds of thousands are without power, and dozens lost homes or businesses to the floods. Please be praying for restoration for many, protection for the crews working to repair the damage, and wisdom for the leaders trying to lead us thru these difficult times.

HUMOR: God's Omnipotence

Not mine. From here.

A Sunday school teacher was asking her students some questions after a series of lessons on God's omnipotence. She asked, "Is there anything God can't do?"

All was silent. Finally, one boy held up his hand.

The teacher, on seeing this, was disappointed that they had missed the point of the lesson. She sighed and asked, "Well, what is it you think God can't do?"

The boy replied, "He can't please everybody."

REMINDER: No Church Services Today!

Church services have been cancelled at Calvary Church on Sunday, due to Hurricane Irene.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Savior

Instant feedback

Happy birthday, Coach Michelina!

May today be a day of joy and laughter, and this upcoming year one of friendship and deepening faith! Leave your birthday wishes to Michelina below.

Theology of 2 Peter

Every writer has an intent when he puts pen to paper (or has his scribe do so). What are the underlying themes and theology of 2 Peter? And what does he see as most important?

Eschatology is the dominant theological focus in 2 Peter, with an emphasis on the certainty of divine judgment on ungodliness and apostasy. This judgment has happened in the past, continues in the present, and will find ultimate expression on the day of the Lord ( 3:10 ). This is proven by the destruction of the ancient world in its ungodliness, the continuing detention of insubordinate angels, and the catastrophic destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah for their evil and immorality ( 2:4-10 )...

The final judgment of ungodly persons will occur at the second coming of Christ ( 1:16 ; 3:4 ). It will be so severe and comprehensive that it will include the destruction of the heavens, the earth, and everything in them. All evil will be brought under the scrutiny of God and will be punished by him ( 2 Peter 3:5-7 2 Peter 3:10-12 ).

PHOTO: Engraving - Moses in the Nile

Lil' help?

Did you catch the Slide on Sunday?

Please note, we will be quizzing on Hebrews 1 the very first week!

HUMOR: Truly Ironic

Not mine. From here.

"There will be a meeting of the Board immediately after the service," announced the pastor.

After the close of the service, the Church Board gathered at the back of the auditorium for the announced meeting. But there was a stranger in their midst -- a visitor who had never attended their church before.

"My friend," said the pastor, "Didn't you understand that this is a meeting of the Board?"

"Yes," said the visitor, "and after today's sermon, I suppose I'm just about as bored as anyone else who came to this meeting."

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Behold

Bad choices

Outline of 2 Peter

So, we've seen the outline/structure of Hebrews and 1 Peter. What about 2 Peter? How does the structure work itself out?

I. Salutation (1:1-2)

II. The Certainty of the Believers’ Salvation (1:3-21)

A. Its Subjective Basis: The Work of God (1:3-11)
B. Its Objective Basis: The Word of God (1:12-21)


III. The Deception of the False Teachers’ Message (2:1–3:16)

A. Their Antinomianism (2:1-22)
B. Their Denial of the Lord’s Return (3:1-16)


IV. Conclusion (3:17-18)

A. Summary of Letter (3:17)
B. Benediction (3:18)

PHOTO: Torah Scroll

ANNOUNCEMENT: Practices begin September 7!

Start the countdown! The summer is nearly over, and Quiz Team will soon resume. We'll have our first practice for the 2011-2012 season on Wednesday, September 7. We'll be quizzing on Hebrews 1 ,that week, so start studying now. (There will NOT be a separate "Kickoff" this year.)

See you then!

A moment of peace on the Delaware

Not sure about your summer, but mine has been FRANTIC and insane. So, here's a moment of peaceful reflection from our canoe trip down the Delaware River.

HUMOR: Top Secret

Not mine. From here.

A friend was in front of me coming out of church one day, and the preacher was standing at the door as he always is to shake hands. He grabbed my friend by the hand and pulled him aside.

The Pastor said to him, "You need to join the Army of the Lord!"

My friend replied, "I'm already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor." Pastor questioned, "How come I don't see you except at Christmas and Easter?"

He whispered back, "I'm in the secret service."

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Taken by the Storm

The narrow way...

Why are 1 Peter and 2 Peter so different?

If you've done any reading in 1 and 2 Peter this summer, you may have noticed just how different they are. You're not the only one. They way that the author says things just feels different, even translated into the English. However, we should not be too quick to worry. There are explanations.

In recent centuries, however, its genuineness has been challenged by a considerable number of interpreters. One of the objections that has been raised is the difference in style from that of 1 Peter. But the difference is not absolute; there are noteworthy similarities in vocabulary and in other matters. In fact, no other known writing is as much like 1 Peter as 2 Peter. The differences that do exist may be accounted for by variations in subject matter, in the form and purpose of the letters, in the time and circumstances of writing, in sources used or models followed, and in scribes who may have been employed.

It is not well known in America, but modern education is quite different from ancient education. And, in a world without typewriters or word processors, it was quite common for a man who could read and speak a language well not to be able to write the same language legibly. (Some, seeing my handwriting, might say the problem still exists.) So typically letters like this were put to paper by scribes, to whom the writer dictated the letter. The scribe would fix grammatical and vocabulary mistakes, and ensure that the letter reflected exactly what the author intended. Thus, while 1 and 2 Peter have the same author, they likely have very different scribes, who made different choices when putting the letter to paper.

PHOTO: Ancient Coptic (Egyptian) Bible

"The Heavens declare the glory of God..."

Sometimes by pouring down blessings, sometimes by pouring down hail! Videos from last week's local hailstorm.

Dogmatic Diet

HUMOR: Driving Deal

Not mine. From here.

A young boy had just gotten his driving permit. He asked his father, who was a minister, if they could discuss the use of the car. His father took him to his study and said to him, "I'll make a deal with you. You bring your grades up, study your bible a little and get your hair cut and we'll talk about it."

After about a month the boy came back and again asked his father if they could discuss use of the car. They again went to the father's study where his father said, "Son, I've been real proud of you. You have brought your grades up, you've studied your bible diligently, but you didn't get your hair cut!"

The young man waited a moment and replied, "You know Dad, I've been thinking about that. You know, Samson had long hair, Moses had long hair, Noah had long hair, and even Jesus had long hair...."

To which his father replied...."Yes, and they WALKED everywhere they went!

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Say What You Believe

Give them an inch...

INTRODUCTION: 2 Peter

The last book we'll be studying this year is 2 Peter. Unlike 1 Peter, this book is not focused on how to live in a world of persecution, but rather how to live in a world without the Apostles in it. As the lives of Paul and Peter - the two great leaders of the Christian church after the Ascension - were coming to an end, the Church needed to understand that Christianity was bigger than any sinful, human leader. Check out the Bible.Org introduction for more information.

Peter was about to die. Not only would this motivate him to get the letter finished, it served another purpose as well. With Paul gone, these Gentile churches lost their apostolic witness to the faith. If Peter were to die, then a second apostolic witness would die with him. Although he had only ministered to them in writing, this important link with the apostolic faith would be gone. Not only this, but with the continuing and widening persecution from Rome against Christians, there was still the danger of apostasy. Though Peter could not prevent his death, he could reassure his audience that his death was within the sovereign plan of God. Hence, in the very statement about his coming death, Peter tells his audience that it was prophesied by Jesus (1:14-15). Thus this letter served both as a last will and testament, and as an encouragement for the Christians to remain true to the apostles’ teaching (cf. 3:2, 15-16), even though there would be no living voice left. It is not insignificant that Bauckham, who denies authenticity to this letter, still sees a similar purpose/occasion: “In the relatively new and largely unexpected situation of the Christian church after the death of the apostles, [the writer] assures his readers that they are not disadvantaged as Christian believers who do not have personal access to the apostolic eyewitnesses . . .

PHOTO: The Sistine Chapel

Back from Vacation - Coach Matt's Photos

It's not exactly Bible-related, but it is related to the blessings of God. Coach Matt and Coach Mark are back from our vacation in Wildwood, NJ and we thought we'd share our photos of the trip with you. Today are Coach Matt's Photos (yesterday was Coach Mark). Feel free to flip on thru and enjoy the experience vicariously. Click on the photo below for the whole set.

Coach Matt's Photos

Back from Vacation - Coach Mark's Photos

It's not exactly Bible-related, but it is related to the blessings of God. Coach Matt and Coach Mark are back from our vacation in Wildwood, NJ and we thought we'd share our photos of the trip with you. Today are Coach Mark's Photos, tomorrow are Coach Matt's. Feel free to flip on thru and enjoy the experience vicariously. Click on the photo below for the whole set.

Coach Mark's Photos