Archive for the The Church category
Reformation Sunday
Posted on Sunday, November 01, 2009 at 7:41 AM by David Zavadil
The one hymn that most symbolizes the Protestant Reformation is "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." In it, Martin Luther proclaims his confidence in God and rallies all Christians to war against evil. Basing his words on Psalm 46, he victoriously states "We will not fear, for God has willed His truth to triumph through us." Those persecuted and martyred for their convictions during the Reformation sang these words.
Luther understood the power of evil: After he posted his ninety-five theses on the door of Wittenberg's Castle in 1517, he faced years of trials and persecution, he was excommunicated from the Roman church, and he continually faced threats against his life and his freedom. Other reformers had been persecuted and burned at the stake.
But he also knew "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in danger" (Psalm 46:1) and so he wrote "A Mighty Fortress is our God," proclaiming boldly that "the prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him . . . one little word shall fell him."
Since he wrote it in 1529, Luther's hymn has been translated into nearly every language. There are said to be over eighty English translations alone to this hymn, but the version most used in the United States is the translation by Frederic Henry Hedge in 1852.
The first line of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" is inscribed on the tomb of Martin Luther at Wittenberg. And its powerful words and tune continue to live. The hymn was sung at the funeral of President Dwight D. Eisenhower at the National Cathedral in Washington DC, March 1969. And it was also included in the National Service of Prayer and Remembrance, held shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks against America.
A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same, And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us: The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him.
That Word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth: Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever.
Posted in Ministry (RSS), The Church (RSS)
Why is Christianity True?
Posted on Monday, September 14, 2009 at 11:49 AM by David Zavadil
Why is Christianity True? How would you answer this question? Is your answer based upon what you have expereienced or feel inside or do you have a true knowledge of what God has done and said through Jesus Christ. Michael Horton and his friends had an interesting exchange at The Whitehorse Inn . This discussion is worth a listen to.
Posted in Commentary (RSS), The Church (RSS)
Islam and Africa
Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 at 3:56 PM by David Zavadil
I just received an email from Equipping Pastors International. EPI had some interesting insights I thought I would share.
No Islam in Africa Anymore
"A Very Depressing Picture" According to One Islamic Scholar
During recent ministry trips overseas I have heard some astounding stories of Muslims converting to Christ. While I cannot personally guarantee the accuracy of these claims the statistics are staggering, and all over North Africa and the Middle East Islamic clerics are fearful of the reality of the collapse of Islam.
According to one Islamic scholar, six million Muslims convert to Christianity each year. That is more than 16,000 conversions per day, or 667 every hour. It is difficult to verify these numbers, and they do seem incredibly high, but there is no doubt that tens of thousands of Muslims are coming to faith in Christ throughout North Africa and the Miiddle East.
So it seems that the picture of Islam as a rapidly growing religion is not as accurate as some sources report. To put it in the words of Ahmad Al Katani, an Islamic scholar interviewed on Al-Jazeerah, The picture is very depressing and I fear that one day we may be overshadowed by a great darkness where we do not find Islam in Africa anymore.
Posted in Commentary (RSS), The Church (RSS)
Another Gem from Tozier
Posted on Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 11:41 AM by David Zavadil
"In my opinion, the great single need of the moment is that light-hearted superficial religionists be struck down with a vision of God high and lifted up, with His train filling the temple. The holy art of worship seems to have passed away like the Shekinah glory from the tabernacle. As a result, we are left to our own devices and forced to make up the lack of spontaneous worship by bringing in countless cheap and tawdry activities to hold the attention of the church people."
A. W. Tozer 
Posted in Commentary (RSS), The Church (RSS)
Quote for Today
Posted on Friday, May 29, 2009 at 8:18 PM by David Zavadil
"I refer to the loss of the concept of majesty from the popular religious mind. The Church has surrendered her once lofty concept of God and has substituted for it one so low, so ignoble, as to be utterly unworthy of thinking, worshipping men..."
A. W. Tozer
Posted in Ministry (RSS), The Church (RSS)
Politics and the Preacher
Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 1:17 PM by David Zavadil
I was pretty open during our elections concerning my view of the candidates running for office. I made it clear, up front, that I did not think either candidate was, in the long run, good for our country. My view has not changed.
While our president says he is doing what is best for the country, I am not sure. Between the state of our economy and the state of our society, more and more there are issues that are crossing and sometimes blurring the line between the political and theological. As a preacher of the Word, I struggle with the fine line between God's pulpit and the "Bully Pulpit."
During both the Revolutionary and Civil War periods many sermons were preached for and against every view. Today we tend to see multiple views of political sermons. One view is that we should just focus on the Word of God and should take an apolitical position. Another view is that we need to be politically proactive, declaring our views and vocally advocating them. I am not sure I agree with either position and wonder what is the place for hot button or political sermons in our pulpits. Can a minister of the word address the recent California Supreme Court hearing or the economy or other political issues of the day? Weigh in and let me know what you think. Let's talk about this.
Edited on: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 1:24 PMPosted in Ministry (RSS), The Church (RSS)
What is going on here?
Posted on Monday, August 18, 2008 at 1:13 PM by David Zavadil
Things have been crazy here at EPC the last few weeks. If you have been checking my site out you have probably noticed things changing back and forth and looking kind of wierd. I am reconstructing my site and will also be changing my focus on here. I am beginning with the site name and a new look. In coming days you should notice a differenct frequency in posts and a change in what is posted. Bear with me as I make a move necessary to maintain my sanity.Posted in Ministry (RSS), The Church (RSS)
Christian Witness to Israel
Posted on Saturday, May 24, 2008 at 3:50 PM by David Zavadil
We at EPC had a blessed evening and then breakfast with Rev. Stephen Atkinson of Christian Witness to Israel . If you have a heart for the Jewish people and desire to learn more about this Reformed and International ministry, I heartily recommend CWI.
Posted in Ministry (RSS), The Church (RSS)
Marks of a Healthy Church Sermon Series
Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 10:34 AM by David Zavadil