Stonegate Family Life

Jesus and Lazarus

A few weeks ago, I preached on Jesus and Lazarus, and Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. I just posted a couple of summaries: Thoughts on the Death of Lazarus and The Death of Lazarus and Jesus Compared that might be of some interest to you. Also, you can add your comments to those posts or below to this one.

In addition, I would add that Jesus shouted for Lazarus to come out of the tomb because He knew He would succeed and not fail in bringing him forth. He called Lazarus by name so He would not bring forth many from their tombs. Certainly, we find these verses very intriguing for they are a resuscitation similar to that of Lazarus when many came forth from their tombs after the resurrection of Jesus: “Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!’” (Matthew 27:50-54). 

Furthermore, if Jesus’ body had been stolen as some of His detractors claimed, the wrappings around His body would not have been left behind (if His body had decayed as they would have supposed from being in the tomb for 3 days). If His body had been stolen the grave clothes would not have been carefully laid aside and the head wrapping carefully folded (which it may have looked like after it collapsed when He passed through the grave clothes).

So, we have many reasons for believing that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. He did what He said He would and He will come again as He said He would. We have many reasons to trust Him and follow Him and serve Him gladly.

Genesis 25 & 26: Families, Feuds, Friends

In these chapters we learn of the other descendants of Abraham through Ishmael and through Keturah, the second wife of Abraham. God had promised Hagar, Abraham’s concubine, that He would bless Ishmael and make “a great nation of him” (Genesis 21:18). Here we have recorded the names of his 12 sons who became “twelve princes according to their tribes” (25:16). Keturah bore to Abraham 6 additional sons and their descendants are named also. A study of the geography of middle eastern countries reveals place names of cities, regions and towns reflecting the ancient heritage of settlement by these other descendants of the patriarch Abraham.

To Isaac and Rebekah were born twin sons who feuded with each other even before birth. The familiar story of the complicated birthright issue and the alliances within this nuclear family are first mentioned here. This is the beginning of the drama to come between Esau and Jacob which will unfold in successive chapters.

Resource wars and political alliances are the subject of chapter 26, water being the main issue. In the desert, whether it be the Negev or the Mojave, water is life, the number 1 priority. In the spiritual desert of our lives, living water is our highest priority too. While sitting at Jacob’s well, Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, “whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life” (John 4:14). May that well spring up within our souls.

Amazing Grace

One of our church family sent me the link below that I want to make available to everyone who reads Stonegate Family Life. It may be the most beautifully sung example of Amazing Grace that I have ever heard and seen. You can watch and listen to it here http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid271552717?bctid=1913313052 . The title is  Il Divo “Amazing Grace,” and that is all I know about the group that sings “Amazing Grace.” Be certain to listen to the whole song for some special musical surprises.

Genesis 24: Walking and Talking along the Way

Throughout the Old Testament are found many “types” or symbolic foreshadowings of greater truths to be found in the New Testament. In the longest chapter of Genesis, chapter 24, we read the endearing story of Isaac and Rebekah and find therein many profound truths expressed as types. Abraham is a type of our Heavenly Father; Isaac is a type of Christ; Rebekah is a type of the Church; the servant sent out is a type of the Holy Spirit; the marriage is a type of the union between Christ and His Church, sealed now with the Holy Spirit of promise and later to be joined with Him at the great marriage feast of the Lamb. Subtly to be seen behind the scenes in this drama is the work of the Holy Spirit represented by the role of Abraham’s servant. In our earthly walk as Christians, the Holy Spirit call us, escorts us toward our heavenly home, walks and talks with us along the way, disclosing to those with receptive hearts and ears the mysteries of Jesus and the promises of the eternal riches that await us when we finally see Him.

in retrospect (from the beginning of a new year)

We do not put our children’s pictures on the Internet without parent’s permission, but in addition to the hungry and hardworking people picturesd here, we do have children who enjoy eating, having fun, learning, and working too.
Here, in retrospect, you will see how we put the antependium or antependia (a decorative hanging for the front of an altar, lectern, or pulpit) on our overhead cross, how we gather around chili and soup on Souper Bowl Sunday, how some of our square dancers have fun (even when away from the dance floor), and how we sometimes look after a delicious pot luck dinner. Click on an image to enlarge.

Cumberland Presbyterian Church Communications Team 02/28/09

Our pastor, L.G., serves on the Communications Ministry Team of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, which meets twice a year, usually in Nashville, TN. Since President Joe Malloy was absent, L.G., as Vice-President, conducted the meeting, which among other duties oversees the Cumberland Presbyterian Magazine. In attendance was Byrne Dunn and Edith Gholson, the Director of Ministry (see first picture below), Jonathan Clark, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Nadara Jones (see second picture below), and Pat White, the Editor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Magazine (with Edith in the third picture below). Certificates of Appreciation were presented to those rotating off of the team, to Byrne Dunn for eight years of service and to Nadara Jones for seven years of service on the Cumberland Presbyerian Magazine Board and the Communications Ministry Team (pictured with Edith and Jonathan). Click on the Gallery Picture to enlarge.

Friday Men’s Breakfast 2-27-09

Friday was a busy workday for some of our men around the church, but not before we began the day with a good breakfast and traditional Stonegate Family Fellowship! To Enlarge, click on a gallery picture.

Book of Acts Study 2-25-2009

On Ash Wednesday, we completed our study of Acts, chapter 11. The Lord worked in Peter’s life in an amazing way to convince the Jewish followers of Jesus that it was okay to enjoy fellowship with Gentile unbelievers and invite them into the church without them needing first to convert to Judaism and commit themselves to obeying the ceremonial laws; such as the food laws. Peter reports to the church in Jerusalem in chapter 11 essentially what Luke first reports in chapter 10. I believe that God inspired Luke to report the whole story twice because God wanted to emphasize that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was for all people of all races and nationalities. Interestingly, Peter justified his welcoming these Gentile believers into the church on the basis of what the Holy Spirit had done and also the very words of Jesus. We can avoid being misled sometimes when we always compare what we think the Spirit is saying to us with the words of Jesus and the Bible, remembering that the Holy Spirit will never contradict Himself, Jesus’ teachings or the Word of God. We call this “discerning the spirits,” which the Bible enables us to do.

L.G. Parkhurst, Jr.
Pastor
Stonegate Church
Edmond, OK

Genesis 22: More on Mt. Moriah

Subsequent to our study of Abraham’s near-sacrifice of Isaac in Genesis 22, we examined several major Biblical events occurring on or near the same geographic site. These included the following: Jacob’s dream of the gate of heaven in Genesis 28:10-17; David’s purchase of Ornan’s threshing floor as a resting place for the ark in 1 Chronicles 21:18-22:5; Solomon’s construction of the Temple as a house of sacrifice in 2 Chronicles 3:1-7:1; the resting place of the Lord’s glory as it will arrive from the east in Ezekiel 43:1-7. In the New Testament Jesus used language in reference to Himself that is remarkably similar to the imagery used in the account of Jacob’s ladder. In John 1:51 He speaks of heaven opening and the angels ascending and descending upon Himself in a future tense. In a sense, Jesus is the bridge between heaven and earth, between time and eternity, the high-priest mediator between God and man, ever living to make intercession for us. Taking all these references as a whole, we come to understand the great significance of this location as the prime piece of sacred real estate in God’s master plan for the establishment of His kingdom on earth. (Additional insight on this topic obtained from David Flynn’s Temple at the Center of Time, Official Disclosure, 2008.)

Friday Men’s Breakfast 2-20-09

As we continue our study of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church Catechism, we first must enjoy a fine breakfast. This week Bob cooked a great breakfast, which included pork chops, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy. We do know how to eat and have a good time. Feel free to join the men of Stonegate Church any Friday morning at 8:00 am! Check our Church Calendar for any schedule changes!

Bob sure knows how to cook!

With a good cup of coffee we can wait for anything . . . patiently!

Pork Chops Served Fancy . . . Hey, we're guys!

Plenty of Biscuits, Butter, Gravy and Jelly too!

If you cannot make it for breakfast, you can still study the PROPOSED CATECHISM FOR CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CONFESSION OF FAITH which is available from the Cumberland Presbyterian Church website.