| Message Series |
The Pursuit of God
A Bible study at the Edge, Sundays, starting Jan 7. |
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Postcards From The Edge
07.05.07 9:28 pm
Posted by Steve
Subject: July 8, 2007
Hi. This week we are up to chapter 8 of "the Case for Faith" entitled "Church History Is Littered With Oppression And Violence." Oliver will lead the discussion.
Don't forget to bring your backpacks this Sunday. If you can, try to stock them with some of the following items:
bath towel, washcloth, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, shampoo, school supplies, toys, books.
Adjust the contents according to the age and sex of the child. Please put a note or sticker on outside of bag denoting if backpack is for a girl or boy and the age, from newborn to 17.
The following is taken from A.B. Simpson's devotional "Days of Heaven on Earth":
"If the household be too little for the lamb. . . . What does all this mean for us as redeemed men and women? Surely, this-that we have no right to claim the purchase of the Savior's blood for ourselves alone, and that we are guilty of selfishness, dishonesty and base in gratitude if we can be content to be saved without having done everything in our power to give our fellow men an equal opportunity of eternal life. Have we understood this? Have we lived it? But who is the neighbor with whom we are to share God's Lamb? He is spoken of here as the one that is next to us, the one in closest contact with us. Surely, that means that God brings people into touch with us in order that we may be stewards of His grace to them. The people in our families, the fellow traveler, friends in our social circles and people with whom we work-these are the neighbors to whom we owe a spiritual responsibility. Have we met it according to our utmost ability? Did'st Thou love and die for A sinner like me? Then, Master, I will take More thought for the perishing Souls I may meet If it's only for Thy sake."
Scripture
If the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls—Exodus 12:4
Hope to see you there.
SteveA.
05.18.07 7:02 pm
Posted by Steve
Subject: May 21, 2007
1 Peter 3:15
"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,"
This week we start a new series on the book
"The Case for Faith" by Lee Strobel. This series will last for 8 weeks and will tackle some topics such as the existence of evil in the world, evolution, and miracles.
Come and join us.
03.29.07 7:36 pm
Posted by Steve
Subject: Sunday, April 1, 2007
Hi to all. This Sunday we will be having an outreach/social. We will be relabeling Hershey bars with our Edge labels. They will then be handed out at the Easter Egg-Stravaganza the following Saturday as a way to invite the parents of the children to come and check out the Edge. We pray that the Lord will use our efforts to lead many to Himself.
The following is taken from Charles Spurgeon's devotional "Morning and Evening":
"Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered."—Hebrews 5:8.
We are told that the Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering, therefore we who are sinful, and who are far from being perfect, must not wonder if we are called to pass through suffering too. Shall the head be crowned with thorns, and shall the other members of the body be rocked upon the dainty lap of ease? Must Christ pass through seas of His own blood to win the crown, and are we to walk to heaven dryshod in silver slippers? No, our Master's experience teaches us that suffering is necessary, and the true-born child of God must not, would not, escape it if he might. But there is one very comforting thought in the fact of Christ's "being made perfect through suffering"—it is, that He can have complete sympathy with us. "He is not an high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities." In this sympathy of Christ we find a sustaining power. One of the early martyrs said, "I can bear it all, for Jesus suffered, and He suffers in me now; He sympathizes with me, and this makes me strong." Believer, lay hold of this thought in all times of agony. Let the thought of Jesus strengthen you as you follow in His steps. Find a sweet support in His sympathy; and remember that, to suffer is an honourable thing—to suffer for Christ is glory. The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to do this. Just so far as the Lord shall give us grace to suffer for Christ, to suffer with Christ, just so far does He honour us. The jewels of a Christian are his afflictions. The regalia of the kings whom God hath anointed are their troubles, their sorrows, and their griefs. Let us not, therefore, shun being honoured. Let us not turn aside from being exalted. Griefs exalt us, and troubles lift us up. "If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him."
03.15.07 8:27 pm
Posted by Steve
Subject: Sunday, March 18, 2007
Hi. This week we will start a two week miniseries by Oliver on "Mountaintop Experiences from the Bible." Don't miss it. We meet at 9:47 AM in the chapel at First Baptist Church in Metuchen. Hope to see you there.
Steve
The following is from Charles Spurgeon's devotional "Faith's Check Book."
God is a Sanctuary
Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord God; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come. (Ezekiel 11:16)
Banished from the public means of grace, we are not removed from the grace of the means. The Lord who places His people where they feel as exiles will Himself be with them and be to them all that they could have had at home, in the place of their solemn assemblies. Take this to yourselves, O ye who are called to wander!
God is to His people a place of refuge. They find sanctuary with Him from every adversary, He is their place of worship, too. He is with them as with Jacob when he slept in the open field, and rising, said, "Surely God was in this place," To them also He will be a sanctuary of quite, like the Holy of Holies, which was the noiseless abode of the Eternal. They shall be quiet from fear of evil.
God Himself, in Christ Jesus, is the sanctuary of mercy. The Ark of the Covenant is the Lord Jesus, and Aaron's rod, the pot of manna, the tables of the law, all are in Christ our sanctuary. In God we find the shrine of holiness and of communion. What more do we need? O Lord, fulfill this promise and be ever to us as a little sanctuary!
03.08.07 10:42 pm
Posted by Steve
Subject: Sunday, March 11, 2007
Hi. This Sunday we conclude our study of "The Pursuit of God" with chapter 10, "The Sacrament of Living."
However, I know that each of you will continue to pursue God as you run the race. Hope to see you there at 9:47 in the chapel.
A.B. Simpson:
"Many Christians are in the place that the Lord has appointed them, and yet the devil is harassing their lives with a sense that they are not quite pleasing the Lord. If they could just settle down in the place that God has assigned them and fill it faithfully and lovingly for Him, there would be more joy in their hearts and more power in their lives. God puts us in various places to serve Him, and the secret of accomplishing the most is to recognize our place as designated from Him and our service in it as pleasing to Him. Even in the great factory or the complex machine there is a place for the smallest screw and rivet as well as the great driving wheel and piston. So God has His "small parts" whose business is simply to stay where He puts them and to believe that He wants them there and is making the most of their lives in the little spaces that they fill for Him. There is something all can do, Tho' you're neither wise nor strong; You can be a helper true, You can stand when friends are few, Some lone heart has need of you, You can help along."
taken from "Days of Heaven on Earth" devotional by A.B. Simpson
Scripture
How ye ought to walk and to please God—1 Thessalonians 4:1
Steve A.
03.01.07 7:43 pm
Posted by Steve
Subject: Sunday, March 4, 2007
Greetings Edgers. This Sunday is week 9 of "The Pursuit of God." The lesson will be on "Meekness and Rest" based on Matt 5:5, "Blessed are the meek:for they shall inherit the earth." Come and join us at 9:47 AM in the chapel.
"God gives to us a power within which will hold our hearts in victory and purity. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. It is the Holy Spirit; and when any thought or suggestion of evil arises in our hearts, the quick conscience can instantly call upon the Holy Spirit to drive it out, and He will expel it at the command of faith or prayer and keep us as pure as we are willing to be kept. But when the will surrenders and consents to evil, the Holy Spirit will not expel it. God, then, requires us to stand in holy vigilance, and He will do exceeding abundantly for us as we hold fast that which is good. He will also be in us a spirit of vigilance, showing us the evil and enabling us to detect it and to bring it to Him for expulsion and destruction. O Spirit of Jesus, fill us until we shall have room only for Thee. Oh, come as the heart-searching fire, Oh, come as the sin-cleansing flood; Consume us with holy desire, And fill with the fullness of God."
Scripture:
"That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost" 2 Timothy 1:14
taken from A. B. Simpson's "Days of Heaven on Earth" devotional
02.24.07 7:58 am
Posted by Steve
Subject: Sunday, Feb. 24
Hi. This Sunday will continue our pursuit of God by studying "Restoring the Creator-Creature Relation." Tozer's main verse is Psalm 57:5, "Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth."
Karen Housten will also be sharing about her ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ.
Come and join us in the chapel at 9:47 AM.
"How can I take Christ as my Sanctifier or Healer? That is a question that we are constantly asked. It is necessary first of all that we get into the posture of faith. This has to be done by a definite and voluntary act, and then maintained by a uniform habit. It is just the same as the planting of a tree. You must put it in the soil by a definite act, and then you must let it stay there and remain settled in the ground until the little roots have time to fix themselves and begin to draw the sustenance from the soil. There are two stages: the definite planting and then the habitual absorbing of moisture and nourishment from the ground. The root fibers must rest until they reach out their spongy pores and drink in the nutriment of the earth. After the habit is established, then by a certain uniform law the plant draws its life from the ground without an effort, and it is just as natural for it to grow as it is for us to breathe. Lord, help me this day to abide in Thee, and to grow into the habit of drawing all my life from Yours so that it shall be true for me, in [you] [I] live, and move, and have [my] being." (Acts 17:2 .
from A.B. Simpson's "Days of Heaven on Earth" devotional
Steve A.
(I cannot get rid of that little smiley face with the sunglasses; he won't go away!)
02.16.07 3:28 pm
Posted by Steve
Subject: Sunday, Feb. 18
Well, this is our first Sunday without Brad Cope at the helm. He left for Dallas on Friday to begin his new job with Southwest Airlines.
We will miss you, Brad, and we thank you for all the hard work you put in to make The Edge a great place to study God's word and to interact with other believers. God's richest blessing to you and your family.
This Sunday we will be studying chapter 7 of "The Pursuit of God" called "The Gaze of the Soul." The verse the study is based on is Heb. 12:2, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." Come and join us as we learn about faith.
02.10.07 8:46 am
Posted by Brad
Subject: So Long, Farewell ...
In case you haven't heard, I'm moving to Dallas next week to become the executive editor of Southwest Airlines' magazine, Spirit. (Check it out here: www.spiritmag.com.) Susan and the twins will follow when our house sells.
This means two things. First, you must fly Southwest as much as possible and read my magazine. And second, I'm leaving The Edge -- fortunately in the able hands of Steve Auriemma. He and the rest of the Edgy leadership team -- Nancy, Suzanne, Jen and Michelle -- will keep the class cruising along. Thanks to them and to all of you for making The Edge the best Sunday school class at the church. There, I've said it. Now I'll skip town before the other S.S. teachers come after me.
Two last announcements. Come at 5:30 tonight for our Edge Game Nite in the gym. Games, pizza, childcare, etc., etc., etc. for a mere five bucks. Tomorrow at The Edge we'll discuss the "speaking voice" of God. Intriguing, no? Please join us.
02.06.07 8:37 pm
Posted by Brad
Subject: Party: On
No plans for this Saturday evening? Come to The Edge Game Night. Plans for this Saturday evening? Break them for The Edge Game Night.
Five bucks for an individual and 20 smackers for a family buys unlimited games, top-notch pizza, sodas of all varieties and expert childcare. Invite your family, friends and enemies. (Remember Scripture: Treating your enemies with kindness is like heaping burning pizza on their heads -- or something like that.)
Details? Of course. 5:30 p.m. and thereafter on Saturday, Feb. 10 in the gym.
Hope to see you then and there ....
01.26.07 6:05 am
Posted by Brad
Subject: Taste and See?
Scripture says that people can experience God: "Taste and see that the Lord is good," and so on. But how much of that kind of talk is literal and how much is hyperbole?
A.W. Tozer takes up that question at The Edge in this week's installment, Apprehending God. Here's a snippet: "A spiritual kingdom lies all about us, enclosing us, embracing us, altogether within reach of our inner selves, waiting for us to recognize it. God himself is here waiting our response to his presence. This eternal world will come alive to us the moment we begin to reckon upon its reality."
More on Sunday ...
01.20.07 7:59 am
Posted by Brad
Subject: Clear Your Calendar
Gamble at the church at The Edge Bunco Night!
Okay, we won't really gamble. But we will play an addictive, rowdy, competitive dice game called Bunco.
Show up at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10 in the church gym. Come hungry and with the kids in tow. Your $5 per person or $20 per family maximum will buy all the Bunco games you can handle, childcare and a generous share of New Jersey's best pizza. If you're lucky, you'll even win a prize. At The Edge, please put your John Hancock on the sign-up sheet so that we can get an accurate headcount.
But it's not all fun and games at The Edge. We have fun and Scripture every Sunday. Tomorrow we'll tackle the next installment form A.W. Tozer's The Pursuit of God: Removing the Veil. What's that all about? Take it away, A.W.:
"My appeal is addressed to those who have been previously taught in secret by the wisdom of God; I speak to thirsty hearts whose longings have been wakened by the touch of God within them, and such as they need no reasoned proof. Their restless hearts furnish all the proof they need."
Come hear more tomorrow.
01.13.07 7:07 am
Posted by Brad
Subject: Tozer, Take 2
This week we'll look into the second part of A.W. Tozer's devotional classic, The Pursuit of God. The topic is the blessedness of possessing nothing.
Ed said that he would "start with my car keys and driver's license and move on from there." He promises to be more profound on Sunday.
Hope to see you there.
01.04.07 5:47 pm
Posted by Brad
Subject: In Hot Pursuit
This Sunday we'll kick off our new series: the Pursuit of God. This A.W. Tozer classic shows how to develop a deeper relationship with God.
But don't take it from me. Listen to Christian recording artist Steve Green: "The writings of Tozer shake me from slumber, inspire grand thoughts of God and expose the compromise in my heart."
That line is an apt summary of the series, so come join us on Sunday.
12.28.06 6:05 pm
Posted by Brad
Subject: I Covet Your Prayers?
The tenth commandment forbids coveting in no uncertain terms. So what's up with this "I-covet-your-prayers" business? Steve A. will delve into that controversy -- and much more -- this Sunday.
We covet -- strike that -- we strongly desire your presence. So come.
12.21.06 8:45 pm
Posted by Brad
Subject: One-week Reprieve
Let's keep this simple: The Edge will not meet on Sunday. That's Christmas Eve, and we want to give everyone a break. (From the peanut gallery: "Especially the class!")
Of course, the church will have a worship service; that's what we do. Only on Sunday there will be only one service, at 10:30 a.m.
If the change of schedule upsets you, seek comfort from the message of the classic Christmas carol, "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen." Note the comma.
Merry Christmas!
12.16.06 8:56 am
Posted by Brad
Subject: Lying Witnesses
God's against them. Find out why and under what circumstances tomorrow at The Edge.
We're back in the chapel again after last week's bash in the gym -- no lie.
12.09.06 7:19 am
Posted by Brad
Subject: The Twelve Days of Christmas Party
It's on for tomorrow at 9:47 a.m. in the gym. What is "it," you ask? Well ...
-Stimulating conversation
-Wassail and other tasty treats
-A discussion of the deeper meanings of some favorite carols
-Caroling, circa 2006
-A partridge in a pear tree
Hope to see you then.
12.01.06 7:52 pm
Posted by Brad
Subject: Party On
I forgot to mention something important last Sunday: The Cowboys dismantled the Bucs on Thanksgiving. No, that wasn't it .... Oh, yeah, Nancy reminds me: The Edge's Twelve Days of Christmas Party.
It starts at 9:47 a.m. on Sun., Dec. 10 in the chapel. We'll have caroling, wassail, British accents and other Victorian-themed goodies. Bring your friends and family. Newcomers will fit right in; we're inviting a whole other Sunday school class to join us.
Okay, Nancy, am I off the hook?
In other news, this Sunday we'll cover the eighth commandment. Remember what it is? I'll give you a hint: I could come right out and tell you, but that would steal Oliver's thunder.
Hope to see you then.
11.24.06 8:30 pm
Posted by Brad
Subject: Adultery in the Church!
Actually, we'll cover the seventh commandment in the chapel on Sunday.
Please forgive the over-the-top subject line. Such is the nature of advertising. I will discuss sex, because you can't talk about adultery without mentioning sex. So maybe the subject line is just about right.
Hope to see you then.
11.17.06 7:29 pm
Posted by Brad
Subject: 1, 2, 3
1. Thanks to everyone for bringing Slim Jims and other goodies last Sunday for the FBMC-related troops. Our boxes overflow.
2. Steve Rutter will tackle commandment No. 6 this week: "Thou shall not kill." Or is the law, "Thou shall not murder"? Come find out.
3. Help get gifts to needy children this Christmas. Michelle Susanen, the Edge service project chief, needs people to staff the Angel Tree table in the narthex after the Sunday morning services. Interested? Contact Michelle at michelle@edgenj.org. Or just walk up to her and offer to pitch in. Thanks!
11.14.06 6:45 am
Posted by Brad
Subject: Wednesday Work Night
James wrote that true religion means looking after widows and orphans. If he had seen our drab Chapel two weeks ago, he might have added painting to that list.
Come help Nancy Turner finish the job tomorrow night. Show up in your paint clothes at 7 p.m., and the church will provide everything else: blue paint, rollers, brushes and readings of the fence-painting scene in Tom Sawyer.
Thanks!
11.09.06 9:50 pm
Posted by Brad
Subject: Call for Slim Jims
Last Sunday we learned that The Edge does not want to send moderately full boxes to the troops associated with First Baptist. We want to send care packages absolutely stuffed with goodies. That's where you come in.
We kept the boxes for another week so you could fill them this Sunday. What should you bring? Take it away, Michelle:
-Books, magazines, journals
-Candy : hard and individually wrapped
-Food: instant soup, microwave popcorn, microwave oatmeal
-Snacks: beef jerky, crackers and cheese, Granola bars
-Toiletries: Clorox wipes, razors, baby wipes, shampoo, Chapstick
For more ideas, check out www.operationmilitarypride.org.
All this ... plus the fifth commandment. Hope to see you then.
11.03.06 10:23 pm
Posted by Brad Cope
Subject: Military Appreciation Day
This Sunday we'll take a break from the ten commandments to support the troops. How? By hearing from the mother of a soldier in Iraq (that would be Chris Matelski), listening to Scripture's take on the subject (as explained by Ed O'Connor) and assembling care packages for military people related to First Baptist (all of us will handle that part).
We'll also unveil the new color for the Edge room: a soothing blue that replaces the garish yellow and crayon marks we had before. As Jesus would say, "Come and you will see" (John 1:39, taken slightly out of context).
That wraps up the two top stories of the day. Here's No 3:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dailydime-061103a
10.26.06 6:37 am
Posted by Brad Cope
Subject: Applied Fourth Commandment
Since The Edge won't meet this week, you might feel tempted to skip church. Don't, for two reasons:
1. The fourth commandment. Even if the law doesn't bind you, Sabbath-keeping still makes sense for believers. It's like chicken soup for the soul, only more satisfying.
2. The Ministry Fair. The reason The Edge will take a week off is to open the floor to this event. Come to the gym at 9:45 a.m. and check out the 28 ministries the church offers. There are opportunities to serve and be served. Visit Steve Auriemma at The Edge booth and me at the small groups table. Maybe I'll have candy, maybe not. I make no promises.
10.20.06 6:52 am
Posted by Brad Cope
Subject: The Most Controversial Commandment
The commandment to keep the Sabbath holy is the oldest, longest, most mentioned in Scripture -- and the most frequently violated. This Sunday we'll discuss why. We'll also find out if the fourth commandment binds modern Christians. (Just to be on the safe side, for now let's say it does. So all you believers had better come to The Edge on Sunday.)
See you then.
10.14.06 4:50 am
Posted by Brad Cope
Subject: Food and Vanity
The food pantries First Baptist supplies tell us their cupboards are bare. Please bring non-perishable chow of any kind -- canned goods, boxed mixes, etc. -- and put them in the Perpetual Pantry bins in the narthex and by the door leading to the gym. Thanks!
After you drop off the grub, head over to The Edge. This week we'll tackle commandment No. 3: "Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain." You might wonder what this means, since it's in semi-obscure King James lingo. And if you don't understand it, you can't obey it. Don't worry. Oliver has it all figured out.
10.07.06 2:57 pm
Posted by Brad Cope
Subject: Taylor Hicks?
"Thou must not make for yourself an idol ..."
This Sunday Steve Rutter will address the most burning issue associated with the second commandment: Is it a ban on American Idol?
See you there.
09.28.06 6:57 am
Posted by Brad Cope
Subject: We're Going to the Chapel
Like Jericho, the walls of The Edge have come down. Thanks to the CE board, we're moving to a legit classroom, starting this Sunday. In other words, we'll have normal walls instead of fabric ones. And quiet. And freedom from children stealing our snacks. And ...
This legit classroom is the chapel, the biggish room across from the nursery. Just sniff for the coffee and you'll find us.
You'll also find our new series, Ten Commandments for Modern Times. Ed will tackle the most important one on Sunday: commandment No. 1. Come if you dare!
09.21.06 8:53 pm
Posted by Brad Cope
Subject: Gimme a C!
This Sunday we'll begin our new Edgy series: Ten Commandments for Modern Times. (The visually oriented can eyeball the image to the left.) The point? Figure out what God told the Israelites to do -- and what those instructions mean for us today.
Steve A. will introduce all ten this week. So if you like your decalogue done with Cliff Notes brevity, this is the session for you. In the coming weeks, we'll moved at a more measured pace: one commandment at a time.
Hope to see you there.
09.15.06 12:20 pm
Posted by Brad Cope
Welcome to the new and improved Edge website!
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