Calvary Evangelical Free Church - Essex Fells, New Jersey > Media/Resources


February 19, 2012 - Considering the Parts, 1 Corinthians 12:2-30. Pastor Glenn Blossom Apostles as sent ones: The select group — Acts 1:21-22. ²¹(Peter speaking) "Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ²²beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection." A representative group — 2 Corinthians 8:23. As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. Prophets as speaking revelation: Closed canon — Jude 3b. I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. Continued revelation — Philippians 3:15. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Evangelists as declaring the Good News: Everyone's responsibility — Acts 1:8. (Jesus speaking) "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Certain ones' giftedness — Ephesians 4:11. It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers.... February 12, 2012 - Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts, 1 Corinthians 12:1. Pastor Glenn Blossom A gift is a Spirit given ability for building (growing and strengthening) the church. A gift is any ability empowered by the Spirit used in any ministry of the church. All gifts are from the Holy Spirit: 1 Corinthians 12:11. All believers have gifts: 1 Peter 4:10. Unbelievers may have counterfeit gifts: Matthew 7:22-23. No one has all the gifts and no one gift is sufficient in itself: 1 Corinthians 12:27. All gifts are for edifying the church: Ephesians 4:12-13. All gifts must be used in love: 1 Corinthians 14:1. All gifts vary in their proportionment: Ephesians 4:7. All gifts are temporary: 1 Corinthians 13:8-9. To discover your gift: Live up to what you've already attained. Philippians 3:16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Seek to know about the Spirit's empowering. 1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. Ask the Lord to show you your gifts. James 1:5-6 ⁵If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. ⁶But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. Examine yourself and your service. 1 Corinthians 1:5a For in him you have been enriched in every way.... Seek the confirmation of others. Acts 13:2-3 ²While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." ³So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. Put yourself "all in" seeking and accepting opportunity, beginning where you are. Luke 16:13, 10 ¹³"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. ¹⁰Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." February 5, 2012 - Truth and Consequences, Ephesians 4:7-16. Pastor Glenn Blossom The finished product is being like Jesus Christ. Romans 8:29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. The cost for that to happen was Jesus "descending." Philippians 2:7-8 ⁷... but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! The "ascending" of Jesus is full of rewards. Ephesians 1:19b-23 That power is like the working of his mighty strength,²⁰which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. ²²And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. He abundantly shares His rewards with His captives whom He makes His very own. Acts 2:33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. January 29, 2012 - Body Trainers, 1 Corinthians 14. Pastor Glenn Blossom The gathering of the people of God always has God present among them. Matthew 18: "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." There is energy of the believers. Ephesians 2:4-5a ⁴But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.... There is exercise of the gifts. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20 ¹⁹Do not put out the Spirit's fire; ²⁰do not treat prophecies with contempt. There is edification of the body. Romans 14:19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. There is the established Word of God. 1 Timothy 3:15 ...if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. There is the example of God's character. John 13:35 "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." January 22, 2012 - In the Image of God, Genesis 9:1-7. Pastor Glenn Blossom The Affirmation of God's Sovereignty. The Understanding of a World in Struggle. The Declaring of the Sanctity of Human Life. The Establishing of Society's Statutes and Responsibilities. January 15, 2012 - You're Not Alone, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31. Pastor Glenn Blossom The wrong of denying our own significance - verses 14-20. 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 ¹⁴Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. ¹⁵If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. ¹⁶And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. ¹⁷If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. ¹⁹If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The wrong of denying significance to others - verses 21-26. ²¹The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" ²²On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, ²⁴while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. The church, local and universal, is God's body at work in the world - verses 29-31. 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 ²⁷Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. ²⁸And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. ²⁹Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues ? Do all interpret? ³¹But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way. January 8, 2012 - Living in Forever, 1 Corinthians 13:8-13. Pastor Glenn Blossom Consider What Is Temporal. Consider What Is Eternal. Choose to Live Now in the Forever. December 18, 2011 - Prince of Peace, 2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14, Isaiah 9:6. Pastor Glenn Blossom The Child at Peace. 2 Chronicles 14:1 ... and in his days the country was at peace.... The Peace Child. Colossians 1:19-20 ¹⁹For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. The Children of Peace. Colossians 1:21-23b ²¹Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. ²²But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— ²³if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that your heard.... Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. December 11, 2011 - God's Covenant Love, 2 Samuel 7:1-17. Pastor Glenn Blossom Covenant Love establishes the relationship. John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Ephesians 1:4b-5 ^4bIn love ⁵he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.... Covenant Love resources the relationship. 2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Covenant Love characterizes the relationship. Galatians 5:22a But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. John 15:12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Covenant Love guarantees the "foreverness" of the relationship. Romans 8:38-39 ³⁸For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Isaiah 9:6-7 ⁶For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. December 4, 2011 - Beyond Today, Ruth 1:16. Pastor Glenn Blossom Hope is the anticipation of the unseen end of our beliefs. Rooted in faith in the God of Abraham, the God of the Bible. Colossians 1:23 ... if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. It depends upon the God in whom we believe. Matthew 12:20-21 ²⁰"A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.²¹In his name the nations will put their hope." It causes us to: Live patiently − Romans 8:24-25 ²⁴For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? ²⁵But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Live joyfully − Romans 5:2 ... through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Live anticipatingly − Titus 2:13 ... while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.... Live purely − 1 John 3:3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. What is our hope? To enjoy forever the presence of the living and true God! Acts 26:6-7 ⁶And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today. ⁷This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. O king, it is because of this hope that the Jews are accusing me. Titus 1:1-2 ¹Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—²a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.... November 27, 2011 - The Despised, Joshua 2. Pastor Glenn Blossom 1. Set for Destruction. John 3:19 "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil." 2. The Word of Power. Romans 10:14,17 ¹⁴How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ¹⁷Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. 3. The Covenant of Promise. Hebrews 9:14-15b ¹⁴How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! ¹⁵For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.... 4. The Life of Faith. James 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 5. The Sure Deliverance. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. November 20, 2011 - What in the World Is Going On? Exodus 14:1-22. Pastor Doug Everswick 1. God hears. Exodus 3:7,9 ⁷The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.... ⁹And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them." 2. God calls. Exodus 3:10 "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt." 3. God delivers. Exodus 3:8a "So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey...." All these things point to the glory of God. November 6-13, 2011 - True Spirituality, 1 Corinthians 13. Pastor Glenn Blossom 1. Love is essential - Necessity of Love, verses 1-3. Mark 12:32-33 ³²"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. ³³To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." 2. Love is elemental - Characteristics of Love, verses 4-7. Ephesians 5:1-2 ¹Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children ²and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. LOVE is longsuffering - graciously puts up with being wronged. is kind - gives good for evil. is not envious - wants others' success. is not braggadocious - understates itself. is not conceited - is humble. is not improper in behavior - is considerate of others. is not self seeking - seeks the advantage of others. is not touchy - is self controlled. is not keeping track of offenses - immediately shreds evil. is not happy over sin - is truly saddened over sin. is exuberant over truth - does not tolerate rumor or lies. always takes responsibility. always keeps the faith. always keeps sight of the final victory. always keeps on keeping on. October 23, 2011 - The Body's Bodies, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14. Pastor Glenn Blossom 1. The church of Jesus Christ works like the human body. Romans 12:4-5 ⁴Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 2. The life of Christ and the life of the church are found in the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:1-2,6 ¹Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ²because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. ⁶The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. 3. The healthy church exercises in unity its differences. Ephesians 4:16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. October 9, 2011 - The Spiritual Body, 1 Corinthians 12:1-3. Pastor Glenn Blossom 1. The historical context is a divided church. 1 Corinthians 3:3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? 2. Their former condition was one of spiritual deadness. Ephesians 2:12 ...remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 3. Their unifying confession comes only from the working of God's Spirit in them. Romans 10:9-10 ⁹That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. October 2, 2011 - The Body of Christ, 1 Corinthians 10:14-22. Pastor Glenn Blossom 1. Our inclusion into true relationship in the body of Christ is by covenant confession, the eating of the sacrifice and life of Christ. John 6:54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 2. Such a confession is exclusive of all other allegiances. Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. September 25, 2011 - Connected, Romans 12:1-8. Pastor Glenn Blossom 1. Reasonable thinking lease us to the duty of constant, total surrender to God: verse 1. Ephesians 5:1-2 ¹Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children ²and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 2. Renewed thinking embraces God's eternal design: verse 2. 1 Peter 1:13-14 ¹³Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. ¹⁴As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 3. Realistic thinking causes us to maximize our differnces for the good of His body, His church, His kingdom: verses 3-8. 1 Peter 4:10,11c ¹⁰Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. ^11c...so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. September 18, 2011 - From "Talents" to More, Matthew 25:14-30. Pastor Glenn Blossom God's desire for me is to make as much of Him as I possibly can and experience the continual and eternal joy of living that way. 1. His Gifts - He has entrusted each of His people with inestimable riches. 1 Peter 1:3. 2. Our Goal - Our life calling, our work, is to use all of those gifts to increase or multiply. Colossians 3:23. 3. Our Good - There is a day when we will have to give an accounting for what we've done. Acts 17:31. 4. His Glory - Our future is "more" or "less." Romans 6:22-23. September 11, 2011 - The Heart of God: Repossession, Luke 15. Pastor Glenn Blossom 1. To be lost is to be separated from God's heart. Isaiah 53:6. 2. There is great cost in the recovery process. Philippians 2:7-8. 3. Repentance is the essence of repossession. 1 Thessalonians 1:9. 4. Repossession culminates in cosmic celebration. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20. September 4, 2011 - Remember, It's His Vineyard, Matthew 21:33-46. Pastor Paul Voltmer 1. The Lavish Landowner. 2. The Preeminent Privilege. 3. The Tragic Transition. 4. The Justice of Judgment. 5. The Capstone of the Kingdom. August 21, 2011 - Attitude Counts, Luke 17:7-10. Pastor Glenn Blossom 1. We have been taken over by Jesus, which makes us Christ-ones. 1 Corinthians 6:19b-20a. 2. We now have a full time job. Romans 12:1-2. 3. Our sole goal is to do our job. Matthew 6:33. 4. Our job is not over until God is satisfied. 2 Timothy 4:7. 5. Our understanding and attitude are that this job is our duty and privilege of which we are undeserving. Philippians 3:7-9. August 7, 2011 - A Mustard Seed, Matthew 13:31-33 Pastor Glenn Blossom Like a Mustard Seed is the Kingdom of God. 1. Its root is sacrifice. 2. Its growth is subtle. 3. Its movement is slow. 4. Its end is stupendous. 5. Its Lord is sovereign.