Hi Everyone,   As we move along the book of Hebrews, take advantage and ponder the theological landscape of the first three verses. Don't miss out on the peaks of doctrinal solidarity:   1. Revelation. This is the doctrine of Inspiration. The OT and the NT were produced through the act of divine inspiration. God revealed to the prophets of old His Word. It became the norm, the standard, the canon, the authority.God spoke reminds us of this doctrine as an established truth and the manner by which this divine speech was given: in diverse ways in the OT but singularly in the NT by His Son.   2. Christology. This is the doctrine of Christ's person and work. It describes His personhood: Who is Christ? Is He just a mere enlightened man (eg. Buddha and Muhammad) with uncanny and esoteric religious experiences? Is he just a great master teacher or poet? Is he just another sage that has blessed us with his life?  Basically, how is Christ taught in Scriptures is the question and answer with regard to Christology. The doctrine of the "hypostatic union" is preeminently taught in Scripture: this is the teaching that Jesus' personhood is both fully God and fully man indivisibly and inseparably (abovementioned term--hypostatic-- comes from Hebrews 1:1-3 where "exact representation of hisnature--hypostaseo--meaning essence--hypostatic/nature union). He is fully God and fully Man united. There is no dilution of either natures. They both perfectly are united in a mysterious union. Furthermore, His two natures operate in harmony and manifest itself in the work of Christ: His mission, miracles, redemption, etc. Christology, then, is simply everything taught in the Bible concerning Jesus. Nonetheless, this doctrine teaches that Jesus-the God-Man--is much more than any other religious sage that has come into the scene of humanity.   3. Sin. Notice in the first three verses of Hebrews, which are extremely important to the setting of the tone of the whole letter, there is a statement made about Christ and His redemptive work. Its amazing that part of the prologue connects Jesus' work on the cross as the preeminent accomplishment to his earthly mission. Beloved, sin and death is the primordial human problem! The writer does not postpone the doctrine of Christ's work on the cross for our sins. In other words, beautifully woven in the introduction to this sermon/letter is the topic of sin, and therefore, it behooves us in pulpit and evangelism ministries to treat sin as part of our presentation of truth AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.   4. The Trinity. In the first three verses is also revealed for us.  Both the Father/God is compared to the Son by way of essence. The Father spoke and the Son spoke with the same authority vested in them; the Father spoke in the prophets which is an allusion to the 2 Peter 1:19-21 and how the prophets spoke and wrote Scripture as they were moved by the HS. So all three are seen in the work of revelation and inspiration. Both the Father and the Son have equal Glory. Both the Father and the Son have equal status on the throne, etc. The Trinity is a mystery but a glorious truth! Much to the chagrin of Islamic followers.   These are just some of the doctrines and theology taught from the first three verses. Amazing isn't it!! Now, these are truly wonderful doctrines that rest squarely on the written Word. They are not just mere doctrines to admire as you would your new TV, but these are humbling eternal and functional teachings. These are solid doctrines that evoke adoration, praise, and worship for such an awesome God who is beyond our intellectual rational understandings in many ways. He is a mysterious God who can stoop down to the level of humanity and not loose one iota of His divinity in the second person of the Trinity. Jesus is not a superhuman--man but a man who was tempted like we were yet found without sin. Because of his sinlessness he was found to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins, a lamb without blemish. A priest without a sin offering of his own and  with a body as a gift offering to God which secures our forgiveness and pardon. Jesus, although truly man, was a Savior. he was not just a mere enlightened itinerary sage.  "For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth" (2 Corin.13:8)   Blessings, Pastor James T. Cater Miramar Church 6390 SW 32nd Street Miramar, FL 33023 (954) 981-4677 pastorjim@miramar.org www.miramarchurch.org

Dear Church Family,   As you know we have completed the sermon series on "Christian Liberty." I hope that you have been enriched and edified throughout the series. My deepest desire and hope is that the series has shed much needed light on the subject of "Christian Liberty." It is certainly a much needed skill for the church today to learn how to apply the principles of 1 Corinthians 6:12, 8, 10:23-33; Romans 14 to the gray areas of life. I hope that the messages have left an indelible impact on you that will enable you throughout your walk. Maybe in the future we can organize the messages into a series that can be available in CD's for everyone to re-listen to them. For now we will turn our attention to the next expositional messages and sermon series.   Our next expositional messages will be from the book of Hebrews. This book is a very rich book containing rich explanations of the Old Testament rituals. It is a book expounding on OT priestly functions, sanctuary symbolism, sacrificial typologies, and much more!! it is a critical book on understanding the relationship between the old covenant and the new covenant. It is also a book the accentuates Christ. His ministry is highlighted throughout the book in terms of how superior He is to the old system. I'm looking forward to beginning this great book! Be ready by reading in advance. We are shooting for August 28, 2011 starting the series.  "For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth" (2 Corin.13:8)   Blessings, Pastor James T. Cater Miramar Church 6390 SW 32nd Street Miramar, FL 33023 (954) 981-4677 pastorjim@miramar.org www.miramarchurch.org

The topic this next Sunday on our "Christian Liberty" series will be the last one. Yes, we are completing this series! However, this last topic is yet another confusing one. "To Cuss or not to Cuss" will be the topic. In other words, we will be exploring what are those words that are just debated among Christians as to whether they are inappropriate or just down right unwholesome and not befitting a Christian or permissible. Basically. we will be exploring the topic of words, speech, and the power thereof. Scatology will also be included.   Some suggested reading to jumpstart your gleaning: OT: Exodus 20: 7; Lev 24; Prov 15:1-2, 4, 7, 23, 26b, 28; 16:13, 21b, 23-24, 27, 28; 17:7, 20, 27; 18:4, 6; NT: Mathew 12:34, 36; Ephesians 4:29; Col 4:6; 1 Corinthians 14:3; James 3:1-12.   Enjoy your reading! "For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth" (2 Corin.13:8)   Blessings, Pastor James T. Cater Miramar Church 6390 SW 32nd Street Miramar, FL 33023 (954) 981-4677 pastorjim@miramar.org www.miramarchurch.org

“I’ve watched congregations get healthy and grow closer together under the faithful teaching of the Scriptures. I’ve also watched congregations drift and die as the pulpit became shallow, trendy, and biblically weak.” Chuck Swindoll, Dallas Connection, Autumn, 1997 (Vol.5, No.2) as quoted by Dr Richard Grubbs in IFCA, Voice Magazine, Theology to Doxology: Forging the Vital Link No one would argue against the idea that Christians must learn the Bible. No genuine Christian, with their right mind, would deny the need to have the Bible as the centerpiece of Christianity and where worship, praise, doctrine, counsel, advice, etc. hinges on. It appears to me that the Bible, among other vital things, is at least superficially considered the critical element to substantial growth and vital Christian living. Yet, what we see in churches today keeps certain peoples’ heads turning. The so-called Bible teaching that is pumped out of the pulpits today seem to contradict what people may say. Why is this? Well, part of the reason that Bible exposition is given lip-service is due to the pressure on churches to succumb to trends, fads, novelty, entertainment, felt needs, etc. If you follow the trendy and the hip you are bound to get wrapped up in it. This I say because the reality is that many I know have gotten too entangled with what’s new, what’s selling, what’s the superstars doing, or what’s next! Indeed Swindoll’s words are so accurate to the problem today. His key words are: “faithful teaching of the Scriptures,” vs. “the shallow, trendy, biblically weak.” What Dr Swindoll is saying is that Bible exposition is a second rate ministerial priority to those who see faithful teaching as superfluous. The shallow and the trendy and the biblically weak have replaced solid, quality, and powerfully, biblically saturated “teaching!” You say, teaching? What does he mean by this? Well, many today like to make a distinction between preaching and teaching. Some say, “Well, this preacher is a preacher and this one is more of a teacher.” Some say that in order to grab people’s attention you must be more of a preacher! Now, what they really mean is that you are not as hip, story telling, shallow, and trendy in order to keep the attention of self-indulgent church goers. This is really what people mean. Now, I’m not saying you need to be boring, dull, monotone, and lack passion; a preacher-teacher that is this way is not a real preacher-teacher. In other words, what they really mean is that they don’t want heavy stuff vs. Bible exposition: because it causes me to think too much, and therefore, I need to exert too much effort and so it becomes irrelevant to me. Beloved, don’t you see that the fruit of solid Christian living is watered in the garden of solid expository preaching and teaching! Notice, preaching and teaching! Preaching describes the faithful proclamation of the Bible and teaching describes the faithful systematic impartation of instruction and knowledge. Both are essential. Both are not mutually exclusive. Both play the tune of Bible exposition in harmony. You need to have both. There is no such thing as a preacher vs. a teacher. Therefore, the pulpit must reflect faithful preaching and teaching, and this, must be faithful exposition of the Scriptures. In order for us to be genuine, authentic, and authoritative Bible preachers we cannot skim through the Bible and tell an inordinate amount of anecdotes, stories, and pop-culture current events. Let us be faithful to preach-teach the whole counsel of God; and faithful congregation, be faithful to pray and support solid Bible exposition even when it takes effort on your part and it hurts. (cf. 2 Timothy 4:1-3)    Pastor Jim Cater