Acts 15:1-21 (NIV) Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2  This brought sermons, that he still expected believers to uphold the moral parts of the law (see especially James 2 for Christians to continue to keep God's moral law and to not fall into the "error of lawlessness" (2 Today: 1 Corinthians 6

Heartlight.org 1 John 3:7–10 (ESV) 7  Little children, let no one deceive you. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Dig Deeper   As we read through our passage from 1 Peter yesterday , we learned that our souls were coated Today: John 20

Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome 14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9- 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant

Acts 6:1-7 - (NIV) In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2   when such persons are elected who are faithful and are chosen according to the rule that Paul gave to Timothy Today: 1 Peter 4

Bible.com Jeremiah 1:1–10 (NASB95) 1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, 2 to whom the word of the LORD came in the Ephesians 1:4 is just one of the places that God reiterates these same claims to you.

John 1:29-31 (NIV) CONTEXT: The religious establishment had just sent a contingent to inquire whether saying he was "the voice of the one calling in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'" 29 Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Articles 1-2 Article Today: Matthew 28

If that does describe you, cling to the truth in 1 Corinthians 12. ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Matthew 24

There's only One who can unite our polarized world: Jesus Christ Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 30 Q. Do those who look for their salvation and security in saints, in themselves, or elsewhere really believe in the only savior Jesus? A. No. Although they boast of being his, by their deeds they deny the only savior and deliverer, Jesus. Either Jesus is not a perfect savior, or those who in true faith accept this savior have in him all they need for their salvation. Summary In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul raises the issue of disunity and conflict amongst the believers in Corinth. In this letter Paul also addresses concerns over other issues including lawsuits amongst believers, mistreatment of the poor at the Lord’s table, boasting about spiritual gifts, and the strained relationship between the so-called 'strong' and 'weak.' Each of these areas that Paul addresses highlight the dissention within the church. A lack of unity causes or at minimum contributes to a whole host of issues. Singled out as a sign of their disunity was the Corinthians divided allegiance. Some claimed to follow Christ, or Cephas (Peter), and others Christ. When Paul came to Corinth and preached the Gospel, he was not looking for followers of himself, but desired for the people to come to faith in and become followers of Jesus. It is rightly pointed out that Paul was not crucified on their behalf, nor were they baptized in the name of Paul. It is Jesus who was crucified on their behalf, and in Jesus’ name that they were baptized. Instead of creating divisions by aligning with one of various teachers of the day, Paul hopes to see the Corinthian church united in their devotion to Christ. Dig Deeper The church in Corinth is not the only example of believers straying in devotion to Jesus and leaning into an allegiance to someone or something else. In Q&A 30, the Heidelberg Catechism directly mentions the examples of looking for salvation in saints, oneself, or elsewhere. While there are probably not a lot of protestants looking for salvation in the saints, there is still the possibility of repeating the same shortcomings as the Corinthians. Just as Peter and Paul were the well-known teachers of their day, a similar celebrity exists today around certain popular biblical teachers. There is nothing wrong with being fond of the teachings of Francis Chan, Craig Groeschel, or R.C. Sproul. Where issues can arise is when you forget that they are only human and not above critique. When I was a senior in high school Rob Bell was at the height of his popularity. His NOOMA videos were particularly popular and some nights after work a few coworkers and I would watch his lessons at the house of a friend who owned the DVDs. Eventually Rob Bell had a fall from grace when he started publishing works that had, at best, questionable theology. So, what do you do when a biblical teacher starts saying things that disagree with the Word of God? You trust the Word of God, every time. Our faith is in Jesus Christ and in no one or nothing else. Rob Bell is not the only well-known biblical teacher to let people down. Just in recent years Bill Hybels stepped down from Willow Creek following allegations of sexual misconduct and Mark Driscoll resigned after fostering a 'fear based' environment that led to the dissolution of the Mars Hill church. What the fall of these well-known individuals highlights is how no teacher today is infallible. Your allegiance should not rest upon a particular church, pastor, or likewise; as Christians our allegiance is to Christ, and Christ alone. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our undivided Savior; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that even though our society is riddled with division that Christians will remain undivided on the truths of God's Word. ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Hebrews 10

Logos.com Isaiah 64:1–8 (NIV) 64 Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains 2   As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Today: 1 Peter 4

Romans 8:1–17 (NASB95) 1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 1 Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death? A.