Not too long ago we could answer questions about our Christian faith with the simple answer, “because the Bible tells me so.” While that answer may speak a foundational truth you believe, many people in society will respond with skepticism or even disbelief about the authenticity of the Bible, let alone its authority over our lives. Questioning the authenticity and authority of Scripture is something that has crept into some aspects of Christianity. In an attempt to stay relevant with society some denominations have abandoned belief that the Bible, in its entirety, is God’s Word and in so doing have removed themselves from under the authority of scripture. This Sunday we will consider both internal evidence (from within the Bible itself) as well as external evidence (from sources outside the Bible) that support Scripture as the Word of God which has authority over our lives. Join us this Sunday as we consider this fundamental doctrine of Orthodox Christianity.

The word “community” is often used to describe the places we live. For example, “I live in the community of Kure Beach”. But that is not the truest sense of the word. Webster’s Dictionary defines community as “the people with common interests living in a particular area.” It is unlikely that we share common interests with everyone who lives in what we call our community. The current trend is to find the things that we don’t share in common to divide neighbors from living peaceably with us. But the church is one place where we can find and value true community. While our church is composed of people from all different backgrounds and walks of life there is a common interest that instills the truest sense of community among us: our salvation in Jesus Christ. When we experience community in Jesus Christ, the differences and diversity each person brings with them doesn’t weaken us but instead strengthen our community. Join me this Sunday as we consider the Value of Community and have the opportunity to make a commitment to the Spiritual Community that is Kure Beach FBC. 

There is a tendency in society to measure our lives in comparison with other people.  How have we done as a parent in comparison to other parents? At work we are often evaluated relative to the performances of other people. We love to brag about our favorite sports team when they are doing well in comparison to a friend’s team that is not doing as well as ours. The Church is not immune from the practice of comparison. When there is a church that has had some success in a certain ministry it is easy for other churches to compare themselves to that church, wondering why they are not having the same results. That comparison often leads to copying what another church has done, expecting the same results, but being disappointed that God did not replicate the fruit with them. God has designed the church on a few foundational principles that can be applied in different cultures, and throughout the many generations that span the age of the church. What works in one church may not work in another church. What worked in one generation may not work in the next generation. Instead God calls the local church to be devoted to following the basics, implementing those in light of the unique community and cultural setting that church is doing ministry in. Join us this Sunday as we consider from Acts 2 What’s a Church to Do and make some unique application to our ministry right here in the Cape Fear Tidal Basin.

Sunday is a special day for our church: One Church – One Service! While I am so thankful for the two unique worship services we have every week, I am excited we will all be able to worship together this Sunday. In the New Testament, unity is one of the primary characteristics of the church and that will be the focus of our entire service. Our church is comprised of people from all over the United States. We also have people from various denominational backgrounds and religious experiences. And yet somehow God has called all of you together to form this one, united church in this beautiful place called Kure Beach.
What unites a church together? Is it just because we attend the same service or hear the same message? That we dress and speak like each other? Some people think it’s because the people share the same political views or are passionate about the same social causes. None of those are a basis for true and lasting unity in a church. In Ephesians 4:1-16 the Apostle Paul lays out for us what is the basis for unity in the Body of Christ. Join me this Sunday for this special service, where we will take a deep dive into this rich teaching from Ephesians. Our service will also incude the Lord’s Table – Communion.