Jesus has come to redeem us from our oppression under and participation in the evil of a fallen world and to give us the calling of following in his footsteps. I have a friend whom I see from time to time. He’s involved in the life of a church, though I’ve never really talked to … Continue reading Bible Note #30: Making the World Good Again, through the Redeeming Love of Jesus (Mark 5:1-20)
Tag: love
Quote of Note #24: Showing Respect to All
"We should never insult others on account of their faults, for it is our duty to show charity and respect to everyone. If we pay attention to the honor and reputation of others, whoever they may be, we shall conduct ourselves not only with moderation and good humor, but with politeness and friendship." John Calvin, … Continue reading Quote of Note #24: Showing Respect to All
Quote of Note #20: Love
"If you asked twenty good men today what they thought the highest of the virtues, nineteen of them would reply, Unselfishness. But if you any of the great Christians of old, he would have replied, Love. You see what has happened? A negative term has been substituted for a positive, and this is of more … Continue reading Quote of Note #20: Love
Pastor Note #75: Abortion: Not Just a Legal Issue
What is the goal for the Pro-Life movement in America? Is the goal that we should strive to make abortion illegal? Or is the goal that we should strive to end abortion? It’s very important that we should recognize that those two are not the same goal. I will assert that those who believe that … Continue reading Pastor Note #75: Abortion: Not Just a Legal Issue
Pastor Note #73: No “Us” and “Them”: Race, Ethnicity, and the Mandate of Love
No “Us” and “Them”: Race, Ethnicity, and the Mandate of Love A Sermon Preached at Venice Presbyterian Church on August 20, 2017 Pastor Gary A. Chorpenning Venice Presbyterian Church Cecil Township, PA http://www.venice-church.org Acts 15:1-21 Since you can’t help but notice it, let me acknowledge that I’m going to do something here this morning that … Continue reading Pastor Note #73: No “Us” and “Them”: Race, Ethnicity, and the Mandate of Love
Bible Note #20 — Deuteronomy 22:6-7 and Cruelty to the Vulnerable and Weak
Deuteronomy 22:6-7 [ESV] “If you come across a bird's nest in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs and the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young. You shall let the mother go, but the young you may take for yourself, that it … Continue reading Bible Note #20 — Deuteronomy 22:6-7 and Cruelty to the Vulnerable and Weak
Pastor Note #71: Loving Each Other in Words
Loving Each Other in Words The sad truth is that not all churches are places where people treat each other well. Some churches can become notorious for the way their people are prone to fight and mistreat each other. Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you love … Continue reading Pastor Note #71: Loving Each Other in Words
Pastor Note #50 — Of Love, the Mission of Christ, and a Long-ago Visit to Pakistan
The room where we all sat was crowded and dark and made of heavy stone. It felt almost like a castle or a fortress. That wasn’t so surprising. We later found out that the building had been built by the British during the “Raj” as a garrison for their troops. Now it housed … Continue reading Pastor Note #50 — Of Love, the Mission of Christ, and a Long-ago Visit to Pakistan
Pastor Notes #19
{A note sent to a family whose dog had just been euthanized because of cancer.} Dear Ts, What pain love can bring into our lives! Whenever we give our hearts in love, we make ourselves vulnerable to sorrow. Yet in spite of any sorrow that comes into our lives by way of love, the richness … Continue reading Pastor Notes #19
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 