On the cross, Jesus overcame evil with good: He didn’t return evil for evil; He didn’t pass on the evil by seeking revenge; He absorbed it (Romans 12:21; 1 Peter 2:23). The only way we can truly absorb evil—the only way we can forgive—is to “roll it over” on Jesus who deals with it for us in perfect love and justice. To do that is to show love for our enemy because of our desire that he should know the…
There are 5 descriptions of the early church that can be distilled from the early chapters of Acts. God’s new ekklesia (church), besides being the community of the forgiven, is also: the community of the outpoured Spirit, the blessed citizens of the eschatological City of God, the Heavenly Zion, living out their high calling and final destination and dwelling in the coming Heavenly Zion, while yet residing in the present evil world, the firstfruits of the last days remnant (the…
Pastor Steve Carpenter closely examines the Fall of Adam & Eve in Genesis chapter 3, with careful attention to the snake’s engagement with Eve. Very insightful. You may download a text copy of this message by using the orange button below —->
Because God is a forgiving God, He is a healing God! These two are inseparable accompaniments of each other. Our healing always touches multiple levels in varying proportions—the emotional, the spiritual and the physical. These are not separable categories in our lives. We cannot rigidly distinguish between emotional and spiritual illness, which inevitably also carry in them physical implication. God is concerned about the whole person: body, soul, spirit, mind, will, and emotions. So if we harbor grudges, offenses, anger,…
This message of God’s full and complete forgiveness of sins was heard and rejected by the proud, blind, corrupt Judaism of Jesus’ day, but a handful of religious outcasts received it as the best news that could ever be heard by listening ears, and they became the early nucleus of a new people of God known as the church, the called-out assembly, whom Christ has received as the inheritance and reward of His sacrifice. And we, the church of Jesus…
Today, Pastor Steve Carpenter continues his exploration of Jesus’ Parable of Two Debtors from Luke 7:36–50. Jesus now places this (former) prostitute on a high pedestal for all to see, while at the same time giving a scathing indictment of Simon’s own rudeness. Jesus looks squarely at this woman, whom everyone else was trying to ignore, while at the same time speaking directly and pointedly to Simon the Pharisee. To drive His point home to Simon He tells the Parable…
In part 1 today, Pastor Steve Carpenter begins an in-depth exploration of Jesus’ Parable of Two Debtors from Luke 7:36–50. In this parable an immoral woman comes center stage as a perfect picture of both forgiveness and repentance as Jesus schools a self-righteous Pharisee on such matters. In the process, this (formally) immoral woman beautifully bestows the honor and courtesies rightfully due Jesus, but which had been shamefully withheld by his Pharisaic host. Simon, the self-righteous Pharisee, would do well…
Marjorie Dillon had just celebrated her 100th birthday, and had been a member of Strasburg Union Church for over ninety of those years! Pastor Steve Carpenter remembers Marjorie’s life of sweet devotion to her Lord and Savior by reciting several of her many poems, which evidence both her devotion and the Lord’s inspiration. Pastor Carpenter then expands wonderfully the “goodness and steadfast love” of God contained in Psalm 23, which culminates with us “dwelling in the house of the Lord…
The 11th chapter of John’s gospel celebrates a “coming out” party, that concludes with the joy of Lazarus coming out of the grave. The same joy that was celebrated in John 11 is appointed for us as well. The resurrection will be the greatest coming out party in all of history as time merges into eternity, and the new creation is celebrated by a new humanity that will dwell in the New Jerusalem in a new heavens and new earth!…
Dr. Steve Carpenter delivers his Resurrection Day message at Strasburg Union Church, entitled “Jesus – Our Tabernacle.” He beautifully demonstrates that in His crucifixion and resurrection Jesus Christ became the fulfillment of all the types and shadows embodied in Israel’s Tabernacle. As a result, He will be our tabernacle throughout all eternity, and we shall dwell within His tent. We are His new creations, now housed in Christ Jesus Himself. Old things have passed away, behold, all things have been…