Overcoming Temptation

I.              The Consequence of Temptation

  “     "Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-frown brings forth death. 

    The progression is as follows:

·      Desire gives birth to sin.

·      Sin grows up and gives birth to death.

·      Death reigns and destroys all our hopes and dreams.

 The consequences of sin:

1.    Sin brings guilt.

2.    Sin hardens the heart.

3.    Sin brings chastisement.

4.    Sin brings eternal damnation.

5.    Sin grieves the Holy Spirit.

6.    Sin wounds Jesus Christ again.

7.    Sin destroys our usefulness for God.

8.    Sin brings reproach on the cause of Christ.

9.    Sin robs us of our assurance of God.

10.Sin brings bondage.

11. Sin results in separation from God and death.

Great Days At Berean!

These two videos are the last from my trip to Grand Marais. I praise the Lord for the beauty of His creation and the joys of His gospel. What a privilege to serve the Living God while on earth. I enjoyed the beauty of God's earth while taking a short break with Mary on our 40th wedding anniversary. 

Last night at Berean we had a family night where we watched the film "Monumental" produced by Kirk Cameron. There were plenty of refreshments, great times of fellowship, and many visitors with us for this special night together. The young leaders in our church are a special group of men that are doing a wonderful job helping to mold and shape our church body into a close knit family. I am also so pleased with the wives of these young men who are doing an amazing job, and setting such a good example of hard work, godliness and displaying the love of Christ.

Last Sunday, we honored the workers at Berean. We have so many dedicated people. I would also like to remind our church family of the special group of Senior Saints we have among us. The example and love of this group of wonderful people is a testimony to all of us at Berean! The loyalty, passion, faithfulness, and the sacrifice of  these dear saints to Christ is an inspiration. God bless all of our dear Berean family!!

In the next few months we will be having a number of special guests coming to our church to minister and to serve the Lord with us. In two weeks we have Dewi and Mari Higham arriving. For our men's retreat we have Michael Robinson, author of God Does Exist, coming to be with us. And in the Spring from Africa, Ronald Kalufunga will be coming to minister and to serve the Lord in our midst.

May the Lord continue to bless all of you as you walk daily with the Lord!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Dickie

Blessed Is The Man Who Endures Temptation

Dear Berean Family, here is another video from our trip to Grand Marais. This week we will be considering James 1:12-15 dealing with temptation. When the believer sins and falls to temptation how wonderful to know that there is a precious fountain where all our sins can be washed away.

There are two books on temptation that I want to recommend to all of you to read. "The Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges and the Puritan paperback published by Banner of Truth, "The Mortification of Sin" by John Owen. Both of these books are excellent studies on holiness and overcoming sin and temptation in the believer's life.

Last Sunday was such a blessing. The fellowship dinner with all the new families and guests was a tremendous time and the joy of the Lord was manifestly present!  

"Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." Psalm 34:3

God bless you all, 

Pastor Dickie

The Higham's are Coming!

In just two weeks we will be having a visit from Dewi and Mari Higham from Wales. Please keep them in prayer as they make their plans to travel over here to minister the precious Word of God with us. If any of our Berean family would like to have lunch or dinner with them please let me know.

This Sunday we will be in the Book of James once again. The theme is: The Rich Man and The Poor Man. What does God have to say about wealth, money and those in the Church that are rich or poor? Come and see!

These are two videos from our trip to Grand Marais. I'm so blessed to have a wife who enjoys the simple things of life with  me! Mary is a treasure!!

See you all on the Lord's Day!

In Christ, Pastor Dickie

A Biblical Lesson From Grand Marais

Mary and I enjoyed our time at Grand Marais in the Upper Peninsula. We were there for just a few days but the rest was enjoyable and the scenery spectacular. Mary found this red lead and I took a moment to comment on the precious blood of Christ. 

I will be back in the book of James this weekend...Lord willing!! Sometimes providential events keep us from our appointments. I am humbled by the privilege to teach through this book to our Berean family. 

Please by praying for our dear friends from Wales who will be coming over this November to preach the Word of God and to exalt Christ.

I am always grateful for those servants of the Lord who are unwilling to compromise with the spirit of the age in order to draw a crowd or to pander to the flesh of those who are gathering under their ministry. I have been saddened to see people sit under our ministry and then move away and be content to sit under ministries that are diametrically opposite to what they learned here. It only tells me  that many people only came out of convenience and not out of conviction. When biblical principles are burned into our souls by the Holy Spirit we will never be content to worship where the truth is not fearlessly proclaimed, where the gospel of justification is neglected or ignored, where the worship is man centered, and where the pastor has a low view of expository preaching.

Dear God in heaven, visit your vine once again and pour out Your Holy Spirit in showers of blessing.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Dickie

Comments on James From Grand Marais

Mary and I had a wonderful time in the UP at Grand Marais. Here is a brief clip at one of the lakes that we visited on our trip. I am praying that the studies in James will be a great blessing to all of our Berean family. 

I will see you all at Berean on Sunday. Until then, God bless, 

Pastor Dickie