Sunday Morning Preview - September 30, 2018

“There's no such thing as bad publicity” is a phrase often associated with P.T. Barnum, the 19th century American showman and circus owner. To say that the idea expressed has gained a foothold in modern society would be an understatement of colossal proportion. 

For many in the age of monetized social media the chance to “go viral” far outweighs any antiquated sense of morally appropriate conduct or fear of scandal. Some of my younger readers may be surprised to learn that for most of human history there has existed a concept known as “infamy”, a kind of fame which was not to be desired, and a corresponding emotional state known as “shame”  that the vast majority of people felt was the correct way to feel after the exposure of shameful behaviour. Of course on a fallen planet every family has always had its fair share of notorious skeletons in the proverbial closet; until recently it was thought best to leave them there.

The idea of putting ones best foot forward, or of saving face, leads to one of the surprising revelations contained in the genealogy of Christ. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit Matthew does not show Jesus this courtesy. 

Please join me this Sunday morning at DCC as I ask the question: Why not?

Pastor Dan C.

Sunday Morning Preview - September 23, 2018

It was a warm August evening in 1983 when a nervous 19 year old version of myself left the safe confines of the balcony at Rock Church to stand before a visiting preacher and a crowd of some 800 witnesses to be officially welcomed into the family of God. After a brief time of prayer I was escorted into a side room for more prayer and a discussion concerning what it meant to be a Christian and how my life had just been forever changed. A kind man named Bill Hanson shared many things about relationship with God and the power of the Holy Spirit, but what stood out to me the most was an encouragement to read the Bible, to pray, and to faithfully attend a local church. By the grace of God that encouragement has been my anchor and my joy ever since.

Things got off to a bit of a rocky start however, when against Bill’s advice to begin in John, I decided to start on page one of my KJV Gideon Bible in the "Gospel According to Saint Matthew". 

… Aminadab? Naasson? Salathiel? And so, so much begatting. 

I was no authority on best selling literature but I knew that this was no way to bait a perspective reader. My journey in the scriptures nearly crashed and burned on day one.

I hope you will join me this Sunday morning as we mine the genealogy of Jesus Christ for the rich truth once hidden from my novice eyes. 

Pastor Dan

Sunday Morning Preview - September 16, 2018

I hope you will all be able to join me this Sunday morning for the introduction to our series on the Gospel of Matthew.

One of the first things we notice in doing a little biblical background research is that Matthew refers to himself, the former tax collector called by Christ to be one of the twelve, as Matthew, while Mark refers to this tax collector as Levi, son of Alphaeus. There is a very simple explanation for this particular apparent contradiction, however that is not always the case. We all know someone who rejects biblical inerrancy based on what they see as a multitude of contradictions in the scriptures. 

What is a believer to do with these arguments? 

Do we go with the position that seems to be the most biblically prevalent? 

Do we take the position that we “feel” is best or go with the one most consistent with our current worldview? 

If Paul and Jesus disagree, which one is authoritative, given that Jesus did not record His own words?

We’ll clear up this soupy nonsense, hear from four early church fathers, and begin the exciting journey into what some have called “the most important single document of the Christian faith”. 

Pastor Dan