by Pastor Ray Viola | Jan 8, 2024 | Contemporary Christianity
“I love the church, Pastor; it’s the people I can’t stomach!” Face it, the church is made up of people with different personalities, cultural and social backgrounds, genders, ages, occupations, etc. The most diverse body of people on this earth is the Body of Christ....
by Pastor Ray Viola | Jan 7, 2024 | Contemporary Christianity
Luke 5:31,32 They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. How many of us have made some New Year’s resolutions? Goodbye couch potato, gym membership, here I come. Sick of my eating...
by Pastor Ray Viola | Jan 1, 2024 | Contemporary Christianity
As we come to the end of another year, may we thank our Lord Jesus once again for His faithfulness towards us. His mercies have sustained us and His grace has enabled us to do His will. As we reflect on the chapter of 2017 in our lives, hopefully we have seen progress...
by Pastor Ray Viola | Dec 26, 2023 | Contemporary Christianity
Sacrifice is an often forgotten word within today’s church circles, at least in America. This is, no doubt, partially due to the influence of our affluent and pleasure-centered culture. Oh Christians may speak of giving to the Lord’s work and serving, but how much of...
by Pastor Ray Viola | Dec 23, 2023 | Contemporary Christianity
1 Peter 4.15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. In 1 Peter, chapter 4, verses 7–11, the church is exhorted to be about the business of doing five things as we see the end of the...
by Pastor Ray Viola | Dec 17, 2023 | Contemporary Christianity
Jesus made this statement before His disciples in the area of Caesarea Philippi (Matt 16:13-18). After our heavenly Father revealed to Peter that Jesus is indeed the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God, Jesus told him that he was blessed to receive that...