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Posts by Aaron Downs

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Gratitude in Luke's Gospel

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Luke's Gospel provides insight into a truly Christian approach to gratitude. ...

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Marriage Seminar Discussion Guide

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The PDF Discussion Guide for the Marriage Seminar is available in this post. ...

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The Psychology (Soul-ology?) of Professional Sports Fandom

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In the end, professional sports fandom has a lot to do with finding some level of identity and value in connection with the success of a sports team....

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Scripture Memory Meditation | Romans 1:16

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Paul’s focus seems to be less on the act of sharing the gospel but on the identity of the recipients of the gospel....

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Christmas Day & The Defeat of the Dragon

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On this Christmas Day we celebrate the birth of our King Jesus, the Light of the World, the Defeater of the Dragon....

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Advent: Adopting a Posture of Repentance

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God’s prophet (John) would call people to turn from their sins so that they could embrace God’s Son (Jesus), the giver of salvation....

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Advent: Bearing Christ to the World

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We are called to adopt Mary’s humility and faith as we answer the call to bear Christ to the world....

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Advent: The Script of Scripture

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Embrace the Holy Scriptures. Hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them because they nourish within us grace, patience, and comfort as we anticipate our Lord’s return....

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What Is Advent?

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Beginning Sunday and continuing into the next four weeks, Christians across the world celebrate the season referred to as Advent....

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James: A Guide to Authentic Christianity

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James’s short but incisive letter teaches what it means to walk in the way of wisdom that issues forth in authentic Christianity. ...

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Book Review: Not the Way It's Supposed to Be

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Ignoring sin makes us less conscious of it, and when we become less conscious of sin, we become less conscious of grace. ...

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Can Women Read Scripture and Lead Prayer on Sunday Mornings?

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The elders believe it is not only permissible but also desirable for both men and women to participate in the public prayers and Scripture reading in our corporate worship services....

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Open Membership in Baptist Churches?

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Open membership advocates make strong, credible arguments for their views. These arguments deserve careful and charitable engagement, even as they may prove to be unconvincing in the final analysis. ...

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Talking to Children (Or Anyone) About Sin and the Love of God

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Jesus and the biblical authors did not avoid speaking about sin, but they also did not speak only about sin. They brought an appropriate emphasis into the contexts in which they spoke. Similarly, we should carefully consider which emphasis is required when we talk to children (or anyone) about sin and the love of God....

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Scripture Memory Meditation | Acts 2:24

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Central to our gospel hope is the reality of Jesus’s past resurrection and our future resurrection....

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Introducing James: Author & Audience

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James writes in ancient Israel’s prophetic and wisdom traditions, bearing a remarkable resemblance to Jesus’s teachings. Although James addresses his letter to ethnic Jews, there are good reasons for every follower of Jesus to receive this letter as authoritative and instructive....

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Scripture Memory Meditation | 1 John 1:9

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Christian confession brings with it all the power of exposing darkness to light, but it does so in a way that does not destroy the confessor. Instead, it heals and restores....

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Scripture Memory Meditation | 1 Thessalonians 5:18

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Our thankfulness to God is not determined by the age in which we live but by the future hope of Christ’s return and the present faithfulness of God....

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Echoes of the Eucharist: Meals in Jesus' Ministry

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In Christian homes, there should be a hospitable welcome to share in the death-mitigating bread of the common meal that echoes the welcome from Jesus, the death-defeating Bread of Life. As Christ welcomed us to his Table, we welcome others to ours....

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Weekly Celebration of the Lord's Supper

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At Resurrection Church, starting June 27, we will begin weekly participation of the Lord’s Supper in keeping with the New Testament witness that is fortified by the practice of the global Church throughout history....

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Going Deeper: Holy Spirit or Human Spirit?

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Holy Spirit or Human Spirit in Ephesians 1:17? Which is it?...

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Scripture Memory Meditation | 2 Peter 3:9

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Whenever God’s declaration of judgment is delayed, it is because there is an extended opportunity for the salvation of the damned....

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Scripture Memory Meditation | Revelation 3:20

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"It is impossible to abide in Christ if we leave him standing on the doorstep. We need ears to hear the knocking on the door."...

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Book Review: Stewards of Eden

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Stewards of Eden provides a careful assessment of the biblical texts, current practices, and potential paths toward a more conscientious and biblical approach to the earth and its resources....

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A Baptist's Musings on Lent

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Why, if there is any reason at all, should Baptists take interest in Lent? And if they do, are they stepping onto the slippery slope of legalism that will inevitably end in Roman Catholicism?...

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Scripture Memory Mediation | Numbers 6:24-26

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There is nothing magical about the benedictions at the end of our services, but there is something powerful about an appeal to our covenant God to bless and keep us....

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Scripture Memory Meditation | Proverbs 12:18

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Just as the tree of life will provide healing for the nations, so too can a wisely worded sentence bring healing to those who hear it....

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Scripture Memory Meditation | 1 Corinthians 15:19-20

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There is, therefore, no virtue in placing hope in the promises of the Christian faith or in abiding by the Christian ethic if Christianity is not true....

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What to Know About the Mask Mandate (And Everything Else)

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What we must know is how to navigate the situations before us in a way that will foster life in Christ and love for one another....

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Scripture Memory Meditation | Psalm 23:1-4

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The significance of the psalm is that Yahweh is the shepherd ...

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Scripture Memory Meditation | Revelation 19:15-16

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This important book has encouraged the persecuted and downtrodden for centuries and can do the same for us....

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Book Review: Being Logical (McInerny)

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I’m thankful for such a helpful book that will, I hope, facilitate meaningful conversation about whatever pressing issue is before us....

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Logical Fallacies in an Internet Age

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In an internet age, bad thinking can be perpetuated by liking, sharing, or commenting on posts with logical fallacies....

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Scripture Memory Meditation | Psalm 4:7

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We must learn to find our security and our joy in God alone. ...

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The Killing of George Floyd and the Image of God

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The death of George Floyd and the events surrounding it are tragic because they all efface the image of God. What does that mean?...

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Motherhood: A Sacred Gift

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Motherhood is a gift from God. Mothers bring life into the world, mitigating the curse of death resulting from sin....

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On Not Neglecting to Gather

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Are Christians disobeying God by staying home from church?...

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Cancellation Notice | COVID-19

Due to COVID-19 concerns, we will not meet for our regular gatherings this week. We will continue to assess on a week-to-week basis. If you have questions or need assistance, please email elders@clbcmn.org....

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Gathering Together Is a Grace

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"It is by God’s grace that a congregation is permitted to gather visibly around God’s word and sacrament in this world. Not all Christians partake of this grace."...

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COVID-19 and CLBC (Update)

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- No Bible Classes on Sunday - AM Service at 10:45; doors open at 10:30 - No Communion on Sunday...

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Coronavirus and CLBC

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Please know that we are monitoring the situation and will respond accordingly. If you are feeling sick, please stay home. Though we desire that all gather with us, it is an act of love to others in the church and our community at large to self-quarantine if you suspect illness....

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Scripture Memory Meditation | Genesis 15:6

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God always remains faithful and true to His promises...

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Scripture Memory Meditation | Luke 24:44

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Jesus began the fulfillment of the messianic mission prophesied about in the Hebrew Bible. He invites us to join in that mission as we await his return. ...

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Scripture Memory Meditation | Romans 1:20

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God reveals through the gospel and creation that he is powerful and that he deserves to be worshipped. ...

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Book Review: Spiritual Gifts

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In this book, Tom Schreiner provides a primer on spiritual gifts. ...

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The Unchurching of the Church

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Responding to the unchurching of America by unchurching the church simply isn't viable. ...

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Church Partnerships: For the Gospel

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Partnering with other local churches in these (and other) ways requires sacrifice, humility, and creativity....

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Book Review: Your Future Self Will Thank You

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Nobody—not even Christians—perfectly exercise self-control. That is why Your Future Self Will Thank You: Secrets to Self-Control from the Bible & Brain Science is so helpful....

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Our Church Blog: Coram Deo

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Our church blog exists for the purpose of informing, encouraging, and challenging our church family. ...

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