“I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist… but I am afraid, lest they should exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast to the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out.” The Simplicity of the Gospel We live in an age where celebrity culture is increasingly evident in both society and the church. Billboards featuring singers, artists, bishops, pastors, and religious leaders have become common. When this desire for recognition is only external, it is already concerning; but it becomes far more dangerous when it reaches the heart—when the mind is dominated by the need to be seen, to achieve success, and to be admired by others. In the religious sphere, many leaders compete to prove who works harder, who organizes the most attractive events, who preaches or sings better, who gathers the largest membership, or ultimately, who commands the greatest f...
Gospels Through the Perspective of Grace - Gospel of Matthew Bible Study Recap – Matthew 3 & 4 On August 20th , our group gathered for another Bible study, this time focusing on chapters 3 and 4 of the Gospel of Matthew. The study was led by Rev. Marvel Souza , who began with a short introduction about why Matthew is placed first in the New Testament. He explained that Matthew’s message and purpose show how Jesus fulfills the promises of the Old Testament, making clear the connection between God’s covenant with Israel and the new covenant in Christ. Rev. Marvel also highlighted how some chapters of Matthew mirror the first five books of the Bible (the Torah). For example: Matthew chapter 1 reflects Genesis , since it tells the story of Jesus’ origins. Matthew chapter 2 connects with Exodus , showing Jesus’ time in Egypt, the flight from danger, and the persecution of newborns—reminding us of Moses’ story. These connections help us see that Jesus’ story is not random or i...