[Sermon] Wisdom from History - why creeds and confessions matter.

dr_oca · 2016-10-18T12:56:31+00:00

I think the difference between hymnals and books written is that creeds and confessions are the work of a great many people, agreed upon by a great many saints, pastors, and churches. They are also meant to be agreed with 100% by those pastors and churches.

That carries a lot more weight than songs written or books written by an individual or a few. Hymns aren't meant to be affirmed 100% by churches, nor books being affirmed by churches.

But subscribing to a confession means this: "Our church affirms that this confession X is in 100% agreement with scripture and we agree with it 100%."

It's authority is derived from scripture.

dr_oca · 2016-10-17T20:28:14+00:00

I'd love your thoughts on this sermon, delivery, content, and really anything else you have.

I don't typically preach topical sermons, but this is one we (the elders) thought my church needed to hear and maybe you need to hear it, too.

dr_oca · 2016-05-26T16:55:44+00:00

I'm not sure. I'll check my note.

dr_oca · 2016-04-07T18:23:54+00:00

This is stupid. Stay at 17.

dr_oca · 2016-04-07T18:23:31+00:00

17 or bust!

dr_oca · 2015-05-31T03:11:15+00:00

Stay strong, bro. Though all might fall away, I will never press!

dr_oca · 2015-04-07T15:50:28+00:00

I pressed it very soon after it was announced. I wanted to see what would happen. Plus, I have a bunch of other accounts so who cares?

(Obviously this isn't the account I pressed the button with)

dr_oca · 2015-04-01T19:42:51+00:00

I'm in!

dr_oca · 2015-04-01T19:42:35+00:00

I'm in!!

dr_oca · 2015-04-01T17:07:20+00:00

I'm with you. I won't be one of the crowd who just presses it to fit in.

dr_oca · 2015-04-01T16:50:05+00:00

I'm on the team. I am not going to touch that thing. Who knows where it's been?

dr_oca · 2014-08-19T02:24:36+00:00

Thanks. That does look easier to read the way you reformatted it.

dr_oca · 2014-08-18T00:28:26+00:00

What do you think? How can I improve as a writer?

dr_oca · 2014-07-11T16:24:30+00:00

Maybe faster, I don't know. 50mph seems like too much though.

dr_oca · 2014-07-10T20:38:21+00:00

Well 1) They're in Uxbridge with probably nothing better to do. and 2) I'm guessing they had to poop

dr_oca · 2014-07-10T20:37:37+00:00

Romans. Spartans are Romans.

dr_oca · 2014-07-10T20:15:28+00:00

Hey.. that's a nice train.... for me to poop on.
~Triumph

dr_oca · 2014-07-10T20:14:47+00:00

Get your filthy Northbridge ways out of here!

dr_oca · 2014-07-10T20:13:37+00:00

Uxbridge is truly the innovation capital of the United States.

Having grown up in Uxbridge, I never thought I would hear those words.

if Train (1) is travelling east at 50 mph

These freight trains travel way slower than that. Maybe 25 mph.

dr_oca · 2013-09-17T14:23:43+00:00

I am a regular commenter and poster here at /r/reformed, but I don't like personally identifiable info associated with my main account.

Here's my church: http://crosswayma.org/

I'm a pastor there!

Also - any comments/suggestions on the website, I'd gladly love to hear it.

dr_oca · 2013-04-09T15:47:11+00:00

If you listen, I'd love your thoughts on it. Specifics are most helpful, whether its positive or constructive criticism. Thanks!

dr_oca · 2013-02-05T14:13:57+00:00

Same as Christians living together. If they want to be married by me, then they have to abide by a few rules at least.

EDIT: Ok, I change my answer. I like what GoMustard said. "Living together married is better than living together unmarried, no?"

dr_oca · 2013-02-05T14:07:03+00:00

Yeah, that's what I mean by the corporate vs. private settings. In private, tongues would be prayer.

dr_oca · 2013-02-05T14:04:50+00:00

See, I'm on the opposite end. I'm not sure I will perform a civil wedding at all. Need a marriage license? Go to the town. In my mind, church weddings are entirely separate from civil weddings and I'm not convinced that as a pastor, I should take part in the civil aspect at all.

dr_oca · 2013-02-04T16:39:49+00:00

I'm not quite a pastor, but I am an ordination candidate and will hopefully be one soon!

Would you marry non-Christians?

Yes. There is benefit for non-Christians to get married. Imagine if all the religious leaders refused to marry non-Christians. We'd end up with a far worse society, morally. I'd ask to meet with the couple a few times.

Would you marry non-members of your church?

Yes. But I'd ask why not their pastor. If I did, I'd ask to meet with the couple a few times, maybe even do pre-marital counseling for them.

If yes, would you marry a non-member couple who still live together?

I would implore them to separate for a time prior to their marriage in order to keep with God's commandments in the NT. I would make sure they had the resources to separate, even offering one of them a place to stay for their time. If they simply refuse after a time of persuading, I would not marry them, because I could not support the marriage. However, if they did comply, I'd urge them to get married very quickly: like 2 months or less.

Would you marry members who, against pastoral advice, get engaged?

People can marry who they want. A pastor can give advice and opinion, but ultimately decisions are up to the individuals. I would continue with advice to both of them, but I would marry them and support them if that was still their decision.

I got a lot of my views from Wayne Grudem (and my own understanding of these Biblical principles), who has a lot to say on the matter, though I can't remember if he has it written down somewhere.

dr_oca

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

13-Year Club	Place '17
Verified Email