World news services are carrying reports that a joint team of Chinese and Turkish explorers have discovered, successfully excavated and ventured inside a large wooden structure at an elevation of more than 4,000m on Mount Ararat.

Every few years we’ve heard about different groups setting off on expeditions to try and find Noah’s Ark, but these latest reports are quite extraordinary.  Working from previous reports and stories, this team have been at work for 2 years, and claim to have not only found the structure, but have photographs and video from inside it.

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I became acquainted with Martin Murphy recently through a couple of online exchanges, including comments he left right here on this blog. Martin has more than 20 years experience as a pastor and teacher, and holds degrees in Bible and Divinity from Columbia and Reformed Theological Seminary. He and his wife live in South Alabama.

Not every competent pastor or seminary graduate can write. Martin can!

I bought a copy of his new book “The Essence of Christian Doctrine”, and as I started to leaf through it I was immediately struck by it’s style. It does not pretend to be a magnum opus on systematic theology. (We probably have enough of those.)  It is clearly written for a more popular audience, bringing a good summary of sound Christian doctrine in a thoroughly engaging and readable style.

This book would be a great introduction to theological reading for any young person, and it would make an excellent small group Bible Study curriculum. The seasoned pastor will find immensely helpful material here in preparing to preach doctrine in terms that a whole congregation can grasp quickly.

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“So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.” (John 6:19-21)

I don’t know how tired these disciples were after they had rowed a Galilean fishing boat in a storm three or four miles – but I can imagine!

Then something extraordinary happened.

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The Story of Zac Smith from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

We have a brand new eBook available for instant download (just CLICK HERE).

“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards is the most famous sermon ever preached on American soil.  We have reproduced the entire text of the sermon here in .pdf format for easy download and distribution. It includes a brand new introduction with information about Edwards, the historical setting during the Great Awakening, and what the sermon says to us today.

It will remain available here on our download page.

Phil

Each day of this past week we emailed an early morning devotional out to First Assembly from our Pastoral Team. Here is the last of them as we culminate with the wonderful message of this Resurrection Sunday.

The Power of a Promise Kept

“And the third day He will rise again.” (Luke 18:33)

March 11, 1942 was a dark, desperate day at Corregidor.  The Pacific Theatre of war was threatening and bleak.  One island after another had been buffeted into submission by the Japanese.  The enemy was now marching confidently into the Philippines and surrender was inevitable. American General, Douglas MacArthur, spoke just three words as he stepped into the escape boat destined for Australia: that now famous line, “I shall return.”

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In this very funny short clip, the old warrior Dr. W.A. Criswell was 89 years old. This was, in fact, the last time he preached (1998).

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Each day of this week, leading up to Resurrection Sunday, we are emailing an early morning devotional out to First Assembly from our Pastoral Team. You can read them all right here.

The 7th Saying of Jesus on the Cross

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.  (Luke 23:46) Read the rest of this entry »

Each day of this week, leading up to Resurrection Sunday, we are emailing an early morning devotional out to First Assembly from our Pastoral Team. You can read them all right here.

The 6th Saying of Jesus on the Cross

“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”  (John 19:30)

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Each day of this week, leading up to Resurrection Sunday, we are emailing an early morning devotional out to First Assembly from our Pastoral Team. You can read them all right here.

The 5th Saying of Jesus on the Cross

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, ‘I thirst!’ Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. (John 19:28-29)

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