Leviticus 19

Have people read 2 Peter 2:1-22

Memorial Day Weekend. Forest Gump and Lt. Dan,

Memorial Day It was first called Decoration Day then it was changed to Memorial Day. My sister Linda called me to tell me she was going to Laporte to decorate family graves there as well as Grandma and Grandpa, mom and Dad. Years back I was given a book that told the family history and learned about Marcy’s who fought at Bunker Hill and many other places in the Revolutionary war. There were Marcy’s in all the wars from then to now. Your family history is probably filled with people who fought for our country. Mind you that I do not think war is good thing or something to look forward to. But each person who fought, voluntary or drafted, gave up part of their life, or all of their life for the rest of us. Sure it is about protection but more than that. Who other than Americans help rebuild, set up schools, establish free governments, there is a generosity that marks our country as well as strength. Oddly enough our part in Leviticus tells us about being giving people.

1. GLEENINGS, SECOUND PICKINGS, WITHHELD WAGES

A. GLEENINGS

B. BOAZ AND RUTH

C. SECOUND PICKING

D. WITHHELD WAGES (INTEREST AT THE BANK)

a. COL 3:22-4:1, Eph 6:5-9 working hard and treating fairly

b. Matthew 20:1-16

2. God’s generosity to us

A. Romans 6:23 The wages of sin

B. Eph 2:8&9 for it is by grace you have been saved

C. Rom 5:8 while we were yet sinners

D. Rom 8:32 He who did not spare His own Son

3. The true American spirit

A. Men and women who give their lives

a. In the military

b. In the mission fields

c. In the ministry

B. Giving to the greater good

C. Standing for yourself and helping others to stand as well

D. John Nash:

E. The Medal of Honor, given for saving lives not for taking them.

F. God blesses the generous heart

Conclusion: So this weekend as you thing of all who came and gave to their world before us, make your vow to give in equal measure to our world today. To God who gave everything for us, let us pledge to give all that we are to Him.

John Nash Nobel Prize winner “the best way to succeed is to allow others to succeed as well.”

A spirit of generosity brings blessing from God.

Leviticus 11

Lev 11:1-8

INTRODUCTION: About the rapture/end of the world thing. A person should spend their time looking for the plain meaning of scripture and obey it, not spend your time looking for secret codes to discover when the end of the world is to come. The point of the Bible is to make you ready for that day, not tell you when it is. Though President Osama’s recent policy shift on Israel, and the killing of Obama Bin Laden, could be some kind of major sign of the Apocalypse.

Leviticus is steeped in Law. Laws that cover offerings, laws that cover what you can and cannot eat, laws about purification, infectious diseases, and even sexual relationships. Many of these laws are about keeping people healthy and safe. Some have spent a great deal of time looking and trying to understand these laws in terms of safety and health. Yet this might be as big of a mistake in Bible reading as looking for secret codes. While many of the Laws of Leviticus are recognized to be good for health reasons and for civilized culture, they cannot all be explained in these terms. I think we might better understand these laws when look in terms of identity.

1. Clean and unclean animals

A. Animals had been divided into clean and unclean for a long time

B. Noah was told about taking clean and unclean animal into the ark Gen 7:2

C. It appears that some laws were given to Adam and Eve

D. Coming out of Egypt they had forgotten about clean and unclean animals

E. Now God gives them these laws but not for safety but for identity

F. These laws set them apart

G. Do not be like the people of the land, you belong to me.

H. Later in Acts 10 Peter is told to eat all things not because they are now safe

I. He is told to eat because God’s family now has a wider identity

2. A new look at God’s law

A. Safety

B. Civilized behavior (getting along)

C. Indemnity

D. Opportunity for sacrifice

E. Show obedience and submission to God

3. Living as his people

A. 1 Peter 2:9-12

B. Romans 12:1

C. James 1:22-27

Conclusion: What a difference it makes when we stop looking at God’s law as restrictions and start seeing them as opportunities to show our love and obedience.

call for congregational meeting

Dear Members and Friends

We hope you have taken the time to read our previous letter of May 11^th, 2011. During an informational and question time regarding the amendment we wrote to you about, a call from the congregation to hold a congregational meeting was made. In accordance with the Book of Order the Session is required to hold a congregational meeting when one-forth of the congregation request such a meeting.

Therefore the Session is calling a congregational meeting after worship on June 5th, 2011 to discuss, and vote on a request for dismissal from the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Information regarding the meeting will be available at church on the table in the back of the church and on the church web sight www.crivitzfaith.org. We hope you will make use of this information in preparation for this meeting.

You must be at this meeting to vote. No proxy votes or absentee voting is allowed by the Book of Order. This will be one of if not the most important meeting in the life of our church. Please make plans to be at this meeting and exercise your right to vote, and determine the direction of our church.

With the Love of our Lord Jesus

The Session

Faith Presbyterian Church

congregational letter May 11, 2011

May 11, 2011

Dear Members and Friends,

We are writing to keep you informed about what your Session is doing in response to our members concerns over the changes in the Presbyterian Church.

Many people have expressed their dissatisfaction that the Presbyterian Church USA supports abortion in all forms and every stage of pregnancy. Also, many are concerned about statements made by the national church against Israel. Both of these stances of the Presbyterian Church USA are contradictory to what the Bible teaches.

On May 10^th the Presbyterian Church USA approved an amendment to remove part of our ordination standards. The standard was that Deacons, Elders and Ministers must limit sexual relationships to marriage between a man and a woman, or maintain chastity in singleness. This allows those who wish to live with someone of the opposite or same sex, or those who want even less committed relationships, to be leaders in our church. This is directly opposed to what the Bible teaches. This change will take effect July 11^th, 2011.

Many members have expressed that they will not be able to maintain a relationship with the Presbyterian Church USA because of this change. We have already lost families over this issue and know that some people will not try attending our church because of its relationship to the Presbyterian Church USA. Others in our church have asked that their Per Capita be withheld from the national church in protest. For many years our church and our pastor have been a minority voice within the Presbytery, opposing the various unbiblical actions and statements of the national church. We hope you understand this is not a change in the values of Faith Presbyterian Church, but a change in the values of the Presbyterian Church USA that has brought us to this place.

What concerns us now is that the change in ordination standards could split and destroy our church here in Crivitz. We want to keep the Bible as our standard for faith and life in our church, keep our church family together as it is now, and keep our church property, which we all have worked so hard to build and maintain. We believe that if we stand together there is a way to meet all of these goals.

Since we became aware that this change in ordination would pass, we have been discussing what we must do to keep our church family together. Pastor has had discussions with Presbytery officials, and we have had one special session meeting to talk over the issue. So far the Presbytery has responded with kindness and concern for our church family, and we expect this to continue as they work with us. We are planning to have a meeting with officials from the Presbytery in the next few months. We also plan to have congregational meetings, both with and without the officials of the Presbytery, to discuss our feelings and responses to the changes in the Presbyterian Church USA.

Figuring out what must be done, and how to do it, to keep our church family together will take some time. This process will require us to be patient, kind and loving toward each other, even while expressing differing opinions and options. Any solution will require some compromises from everyone.

What we ask you to do now is to read your Bible and become informed about the issues. Please pray for your session, pastor and our church for the Holy Spirit to guide us and give us wisdom. Please don’t panic or worry about this, God will guide us and has a plan. Keep an open mind to how God is directing us. And finally, do not be afraid to talk to session members personally about your questions and concerns. All of our session meetings are open meetings which can be attended by members of the church.

We pray that God will lead us and protect us through this difficult time for our church family. We pray that through the months ahead our church family will grow closer and stronger. May God bless each one of you and give you His peace.

With the Love of our Lord Jesus,

The Session

Faith Presbyterian Church

prs

2 Timothy 4:2&3

2 Timothy 4:2&3

Introduction: What is the church to you? What is Faith Presbyterian Church to you? Is it a building? Is it a name? Is it the Presbyterian structure of Deacons, elders, session, and pastors, presbyteries, synods and GA? Is the church the worship style? Is the church the people of faith that surround you, who are seeking to follow the Scriptures, while encouraging each other with Love and friendship? What is the church? Why do you come here to this church? What are you looking for? Your answers to these questions will soon determine the fate of Faith Presbyterian Church. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 That time has come in the Presbyterian Church (USA). It has left the sound plain teaching of Scripture and is adopting a new faith guided by cultural norms and political correctness.

What is wrong?

On May 11^th the national Presbyterian church passed an amendment that clears the way for people who live in domestic partnerships, in various sexual life styles, both heterosexual and Homosexual, to be Deacons, Elders, and Ministers. You will note;

The removal of obedience to Scripture and historic confessional standards

The removal of fidelity in marriage or chastity in singleness

The removal of the need to repent of known sin

This change will take effect on July 11^th.

The stance on abortion; approving abortion in all stages, even partial birth abortions.

Anti-Semitic actions of the church, divesting of investments connected with Israel, and collaboration with anti Israel groups.

Now the change in our ordination standards.

All of which clearly points to a total disregard for Scripture or a smorgasbord approach to scripture, where you pick and choose the parts you like and leave the rest.

Why act now

These actions of the Presbyterian Church (USA) have moved from possible actions of the church to realities. This makes the Presbyterian Church (USA) apostate, having left its historical faith and interpretation of the Scriptures. The Presbyterian Church (USA) may not be Christian Church but a Religious/political organization. (Religious because it does have worship services, serves communion, and identifies it’s self as a church. Political because the PC(USA) lobbies congress and tries to influence many of the political issues. The Stated Clerk of the church writes position papers to the congress, President, and Governors on what they consider important issues.)

We have lost members and regular attendees because of our association to the Presbyterian Church. (USA).

We have had people who will not even try our church

In the future we will have even less people visit our church

If we stay associated with the Presbyterian Church (USA) we will have a split, losing a significant part of our membership. Possibly neither surviving, and then the loss of the church property.

What are our options?

Do nothing and watch the church split and die

Become and independent Church

Become part of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church

What are our goals?

Keep the Scriptural base for our church

Keep our church family together

Keep our building

What would change?

Our name (Presbyterian would have to go)

What would stay the same?

All the same members, if we stay together.

Same church structure, deacons, Elders, Session,

Worship

Book of Order

Presbytery

Open Door Community Church

The Road Ahead

Congregational meeting

Meeting with presbytery and the session

Meeting with presbytery and congregation

A request for Dismissal if approved

Dialog and negotiations with Presbytery

Possibly approved by the Presbytery at the September Meeting

Questions

Conclusion: What is the church to you? What is Faith Presbyterian Church to you? Is it a building? Is it a name? Is it the Presbyterian structure of Deacons, elders, session, and pastors, presbyteries, synods and GA? Is the church the worship style? Is the church the people of faith that surround you, who are seeking to follow the Scriptures, while encouraging each other with Love and friendship? What is the church? Why do you come here to this church? What are you looking for? Your answers to these questions will soon determine the fate of Faith Presbyterian Church.

Scripture references for study

The Holy Bible, New International Version. 2Ti 4:1-4

The Holy Bible, New International Version. 1Ti 3:1- 12

The Holy Bible, New International Version. Tit 1:5-9

The Holy Bible, New International Version. Ge 12:1-3

The Holy Bible, New International Version. Ps 139:13-16

The Holy Bible, New International Version. Ro 1:18-32

The Holy Bible, New International Version. Ro 13:13-14

The Holy Bible, New International Version. 1Co 6:13-20

The Holy Bible, New International Version. 1Co 7:1-9

The Holy Bible, New International Version. 2Co 12:20-21

The Holy Bible, New International Version. Gal 5:19-26

The Holy Bible, New International Version. Eph 5:3-14

The Holy Bible, New International Version. Est 3:1-5

The Holy Bible, New International Version. Da 3:9-12

The Holy Bible, New International Version. Da 6:10

The Holy Bible, New International Version. Jos 24:15

Amendment that was Passed

“b. Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament. Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (G-1.0000). The governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation (G.14.0240; G-14.0450) shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of office. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003). Governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.”

Leviticus 10

lev 10:1-7

INTRODUCTION: Our world is filled with people who want to make their own rules for God or worship in their own way. They wish to approach God on their own terms and dictate to God what is right and what is wrong. We read about famous pastor who declares that hell does not exist. Others say everyone is going to heaven. Still other teachers saying we are one with the universe. Even our own denomination is saying and approving things that contradict the plain teaching of the Bible. Today we are looking at a scripture that says to each of us “be careful”

1. WORSHIP IN THEIR OWN WAY

A. INCENSE WAS TWICE A DAY BY AARON EX 30:9

B. TO BE LIKE DAD, MORE IS BETTER

C. ADDED TO WORSHIP, PRAYERS TO SAINTS, ANGELS, POWER CRYSTALS

D. POSITIVE THINKING, NAME IT AND CLAIM IT

E. BLENDING, BUDDHIST, HINDU, AMERICAN INDIAN

F. WORSHIP OF EARTH, TREES, ANIMALS

G. WORSHIP OF SELF

2. MAKE THEIR OWN RULES FOR PLEASING GOD

A. THEY WERE GOING TO CONTROL WHO, WHAT AND WHEN

B. ADAM AND EVE GEN 3:4

C. ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA ACTS 5:1-11

D. WHAT IS SINFUL OR ACCEPTABLE TO GOD

3. WE ARE THE PRIEST AND WE ARE THE TEMPLE

A. 1 PETER 2:9-12 YOU ARE A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD

B. 1 COR 6:19&20 YOUR BODY IS THE TEMPLE

C. 2 COR 6:14-17 THERE CAN BE NO BLENDING

D. PHIL 2:12-13 YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE

CONCLUSION: How we worship, who we worship, how we live and by whose rules we live, really make a difference. God takes our worship and our conduct seriously. We should, we must take our worship and our conduct seriously as well.

Leviticus 1

Leviticus

Introduction: Leviticus is the book of the laws that god set up for his people Israel. It contains directions for worship, sacrifices, special feast days, dietary laws, moral laws, and the punishment for not following the laws. Many people just pass over this book because of the strictness of god and the severe punishments for some sins. Yet there are many things we can learn from Leviticus. The life set forth by this book would separate the Israelites from all the other people around them. Many of the laws are there because they forbid the following of the practices of the people that surrounded the Israelites. I hope that you will read this book as we go through it and always remember the difference between living in the law and living under grace.

Leviticus starts with directions for six different offerings the people were to make to the lord. Each of the six offerings are very similar in the way they are prepared and carried out. There were offerings to worship god, promote community, and atonement for sin and guilt.

Some of the offerings were completely burned on the altar, while others are partly burned with the rest being divided betweens priest, Levites, the worshiper and friends.

In all cases the worshiper’s hands are placed on the sacrifice and a declaration of worship, confession or praise is made to the priest and all present as the animal is sacrificed. In all cases god demanded perfect sacrifices, the best of the flock or herd, and grain

1. PERSONAL

A. PLACING HANDS ON THE HEAD

B. DECLARATION BEFORE THE PRIEST, AND COMMUNITY

C. PERFECT, THE BEST

D. PERSONAL COST

E. DAVID SAID “I WILL NOT OFFER TO THE THAT WHICH COST ME NOTHING”

2. MOTIVE FOR CHANGE

A. THE PERSONALNESS AND COST

B. MOTIVE FOR CHANGE

C. A WAY BACK TO A RIGHT PLACE WITH GOD

D. NOT AN EXCUSE OR WAY TO MAINTAIN WRONG BEHAVIOR AND HABITS

E. CALLING PEOPLE TO BE THE BEST THEY COULD BE

F. NOT MAKING A WAY TO BE THE WORST PERSON AND STILL BE ACCEPTED

3. GOD’S SACRIFICE FOR YOU

A. RAISED AND WATCHED OVER BY GOD

B. THE BEST OF THE BEST

C. YOUR SIN PLACED ON HIM (ISA 53:5)

D. A WAY BACK TO GOD, NOT AN EXCUSE

E. TO BE TRANSFORMED BY THE (ROOM 12:2)

F. TRANSFORMED INTO HIS LIKENESS (2 CUR 3:18)

G. CONFORMED TO THE LIKENESS (ROOM 8:29)

CONCLUSION: as we remember god’s sacrifice for us, let us not use it as a justification or excuse for our sin but as a way back to god and an opportunity grow and change.