September 11, 2022
Dear Members and Guests of Holy Trinity,
"Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves the one born of the Father. By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments." –1 John 5:1-2
Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
We entered into 2020, not realizing the changes that would speedily occur up to the present. These changes have been life-altering both from without and within the Church. Although circumstances have changed, what must not change is our love and devotion to Christ and His Church. Trials, tribulations, and temptations are tests of our faith (belief) and faithfulness (practice). Ultimately, it is a test of our love for Christ and our love for one another.
Dear Members and Guests of Holy Trinity,
"Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves the one born of the Father. By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments." –1 John 5:1-2
Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
We entered into 2020, not realizing the changes that would speedily occur up to the present. These changes have been life-altering both from without and within the Church. Although circumstances have changed, what must not change is our love and devotion to Christ and His Church. Trials, tribulations, and temptations are tests of our faith (belief) and faithfulness (practice). Ultimately, it is a test of our love for Christ and our love for one another.
A minister should preach the Word in season and out of season. He is also responsible in teaching and leading the people of God to be faithful regardless of circumstances. Although, we live in an age and a culture where Christian devotion and fidelity are out of season, it is our duty as Christians to be faithful.
Some might say that the times reduce our responsibility, but this isn't Iran or China. We are not having difficulting with faithful attendance, giving, or service due to persecution. Our issue is that we do not want to live in faithfulness because it is not in season.
If Christianity is in season, our primary responsibility is to go forth and conquer. If out of season, our duty is to hold the fort. Obviously, our present task is to "hold the fort" as followers of Christ.
"Holding the fort" is not being idle or stagnant, but this description defines our present priority, which is to strengthen the things that remain. By God's grace this is what we will do, but it requires a lot of honest self-examination and correction. In other words—repentance!
We live in a day that has rejected character, courage, and commitment, so if the Church is to strengthen what remains and regain what is lost, we must see a revival of these necessary attributes of Christianity. Without question, strenthening the things that remain includes these qualities and more. Nevertheless, it all boils down to the question asked by George Thorogood in the song, "Who Do You Love?" Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love Me, keep My commandments."
Until we return to this Christian standard of faith and practice, we will not be faithful, will not strengthen the things that remain, and will not restore what is lost.
This objective standard caused the First Century Church to declare, "If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed" (1 Corinthians 16:22). Without a love of Jesus that progresses in obedience to Jesus, we are damned.
Speaking of the cursed who fall away and are burned in the fire, the writer of Hebrews told his audience that they were "confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner" (Hebrews 6:9). We, the session of Holy Trinity Reformed Church, refuse to believe that our end is to be accursed from Christ. Therefore, in the words of Jesus, we implore you to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33) and strengthen the things that remain (Revelation 3:2).
In light of these things, we are calling upon the members of Holy Trinity to join us in a day of fasting and prayer from 6:00 pm, Saturday, September 17, 2022 until 6:00 pm, Sunday, September 18, 2022.
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment." –Jesus Christ (Matthew 22:37-38).
Love,
The Session of Holy Trinity Reformed Church
Rev. James Brown Jr.
Pastor
Mr. Devin Maddox
Elder
Some might say that the times reduce our responsibility, but this isn't Iran or China. We are not having difficulting with faithful attendance, giving, or service due to persecution. Our issue is that we do not want to live in faithfulness because it is not in season.
If Christianity is in season, our primary responsibility is to go forth and conquer. If out of season, our duty is to hold the fort. Obviously, our present task is to "hold the fort" as followers of Christ.
"Holding the fort" is not being idle or stagnant, but this description defines our present priority, which is to strengthen the things that remain. By God's grace this is what we will do, but it requires a lot of honest self-examination and correction. In other words—repentance!
We live in a day that has rejected character, courage, and commitment, so if the Church is to strengthen what remains and regain what is lost, we must see a revival of these necessary attributes of Christianity. Without question, strenthening the things that remain includes these qualities and more. Nevertheless, it all boils down to the question asked by George Thorogood in the song, "Who Do You Love?" Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love Me, keep My commandments."
Until we return to this Christian standard of faith and practice, we will not be faithful, will not strengthen the things that remain, and will not restore what is lost.
This objective standard caused the First Century Church to declare, "If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed" (1 Corinthians 16:22). Without a love of Jesus that progresses in obedience to Jesus, we are damned.
Speaking of the cursed who fall away and are burned in the fire, the writer of Hebrews told his audience that they were "confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner" (Hebrews 6:9). We, the session of Holy Trinity Reformed Church, refuse to believe that our end is to be accursed from Christ. Therefore, in the words of Jesus, we implore you to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33) and strengthen the things that remain (Revelation 3:2).
In light of these things, we are calling upon the members of Holy Trinity to join us in a day of fasting and prayer from 6:00 pm, Saturday, September 17, 2022 until 6:00 pm, Sunday, September 18, 2022.
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment." –Jesus Christ (Matthew 22:37-38).
Love,
The Session of Holy Trinity Reformed Church
Rev. James Brown Jr.
Pastor
Mr. Devin Maddox
Elder
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