Blog
Pastor Ray’s thoughts on issues in the church and contemporary culture.
Fellowship In The Gospel
This morning we are talking about the importance of fellowship. First of all, what does the word fellowship mean? The English word “fellowship” is a translation of the Greek word koinonia. The exact definition of that word according to Strongs concordance reads as...
What’s in Your Heart?
Isaiah 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: When the prophet Samuel went to the...
Keep Thyself Pure
1 Timothy 5:22 …keep thyself pure. Those words were spoken by the apostle Paul to Timothy, his son in the faith of Jesus Christ. The word pure means to be innocent, clean, holy, sincere, free of defilement or impurity. Jesus tells us that the source of defilement or...
Purity, not Promiscuity
1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Paul exhorted Timothy to be an example of the believer in purity. When he wrote to the church in Thessalonica...
What are YOU doing Sunday?
Hebrews 10.25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. God has ordained The Lords Day as a day to honor Him, hear His word and reflect on His...
Nye-Ham evolution debate – Afterthoughts
I promise not to drag this debate topic out after today, but I cannot avoid making a few observations in light of the numerous exchanges between people, both Christian nod non-Christian, on various social media sites. As a Christian, the bible tells me that the...
Thoughts on the Bill Nye-Ken Ham evolution debate
As I was watching the much anticipated debate between Bill Nye and Ken Ham, I found myself feeling compassion for Mr. Nye. There was no question in my mind where I stood on the issue as a Christian before the debate began, but I wanted to hear a recognized proponent...
Thoughts from a recent Lord's Supper Message
1Cor 11.24-26 "For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat:this is my body, which is broken for you:this do...
Keeping Our Eyes On Jesus
As we work our way through this “dealing with differences” chapter of Romans 14, one of the things that is not in the text, but that I am most assuredly reminded of, is my need to keep my eyes on The Lord. I realize that every time I put any human being on a pedestal...
Dealing With Differences
How do we deal with matters of differing convictions on non-salvation issues within the body of Christ? Before we even go there, we must make it very clear that there is no room for discussion when it comes to essential doctrines like the nature of God, or the deity...
Sing, Rejoice And Praise
How we handle our differences within the body of Christ in those “gray areas” dealt with in Romans 14 is a critical part in maintaining the spiritual health of the church family. We see in Romans 15 that Paul wrote to a body of Jewish and Gentile believers who were...
Mega and hip or Holy?
1 Thessalonians 4.7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 1 Peter 1.15,16 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” What is the use of a great number of nominal...
Why Do We Go to Church?
PSALM 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. What is the main attraction in today’s church? Now before you give me the “off the cuff” answer in fluent Christianese, really think about it. Is it the state-of-the-art building with...
The Master Method and Power for Ministry
1.1,2 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: The first chapter of the book...
Growing together in Christ
Acts 2.41-47 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles 'doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came...
The Olivet Discourse
Matthew 24:3a And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? Over the years, it has never ceased to amaze me how God has “coincidentally” timed our studies in Scripture. Such is true of our...
Receiving one another glorifies God
Romans 15.5-7 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one towards another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ...
Men of God, Rise Up!
Psalm 128:1 Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. The bible asks in Psalm 11:3, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Satan may be a liar and a deceiver, but one thing that he is not….stupid! He can read, and...
The dangers of division
Romans 16.17,18 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create dissensions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them! For these are the kind who do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By their smooth...
God's presence for a troubled church
2 Corinthians 13.14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen The letters of Paul to the church of Corinth are filled with reproof, rebukes, corrections and warnings. They were divided over...
Facebook or Your Face in The Book?
Beloved brothers and sisters in Jesus, what The Lord has to say to us is far more important and edifying than any posting on any social media.
A priesthood of ministers
Exodus 28.3,4 And thou shalt speak to all that are wise in heart, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister to me in the priest's office. And these are the garments which they shall make;...
Good News, Not Good Advice
Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; Is it just me, or are some of you...
The Great Commission
Matthew 28.18-20 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in...
Almighty God, not Mother Earth
The Bible clearly tells us that the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows the work of His hands. The Bible begins with these words, "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth." Thus, the ownership and maintenance of this universe...
Not Ashamed
The Lord Jesus Christ warns us about the consequences of being ashamed of Him and His words. Couple that statement with the words of Jesus that the world hates Him, and that men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil, and you have a sure recipe...
The Godly Woman
Titus 2:3-5 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet,...
Faith in the Power of God
Corinth was a city that prided itself as being a center of eloquent orators. That was a typical notion of the Greek and Roman world of the time. Like Corinth, our day and age is captivated by mesmerizing orators and motivational speakers. The "mantra" of the day is...
Born of The Spirit
Until a person is born of a the Spirit, he or she remains unconverted. That which is born of the flesh is flesh (human birth), and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (spiritual birth). While every human being bears the image of God by creation, none are His...
Current Events and the Sovereignty of God
I was engaged in a conversation with a few brothers the other day about current events, dangerous political leaders, terrorism and an ever increasing occurrence of devastating weather phenomenon. Now please do not get me wrong, those things are of real concern to me....
About Me
I am the Lead Pastor of Koinonia Fellowship, a husband, father and grandfather. I also serve on the worship team as one of the drummers.