Teaching

Dead Sea Scrolls at the Reagan Library

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The Dead Sea Scrolls are now on display at the Reagan Library, and our church is planning a field trip there this Friday.

Last Thursday, I taught a seminar to explain the significance of the scrolls, and how to get the most out of a visit:

Here’s the slideshow that goes with that presentation…

Summary and basic outline of my talk:

Introduction
Stephen shares his personal experience of visiting Israel, including swimming in the Dead Sea, boat rides on the Sea of Galilee, and exploring caves and tombs.
He expresses his love for Jerusalem, highlighting its rich history dating back to King David and the time of Christ.
Stephen mentions visiting the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, where he saw a permanent display of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
He recounts his experiences of seeing the Dead Sea Scrolls at various locations, including the California Science Center and the Reagan Library.
Significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls
Stephen explains the popularity of the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibits and their relevance to people of different faiths.
He emphasizes the importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls for Christians, as they provide a tangible connection to ancient biblical documents.
Stephen discusses the field of apologetics, which defends the faith and the truth of the Bible.
He quotes Proverbs 30:5-6 and Revelation to highlight the importance of preserving the Word of God without adding or subtracting from it.
The Jesus Boat and Ancient Warfare Artifacts
Stephen introduces the Jesus Boat, a replica of an ancient boat found in the Sea of Galilee during a severe drought in the mid-1980s.
He describes the process of extracting the boat from the mud and the tests that dated it to the time of Christ.
Stephen explains the significance of the Jesus Boat in the context of biblical stories, such as Jesus calling the disciples and the miraculous catch of fish.
He also mentions other artifacts on display, including catapult rocks and spear tips, which provide insights into ancient warfare.
Archeology and the Dead Sea Scrolls
Stephen explains the process of archeology, particularly the study of ancient cities and tells.
He describes the layers of civilization found in these tells, with the oldest layers at the bottom and the newest at the top.
Stephen discusses the different periods, including the Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Roman period, and their significance in biblical history.
He provides a historical perspective, linking the periods to biblical figures like Job, Abraham, and King David.
Discovery and Preservation of the Dead Sea Scrolls
Stephen recounts the story of the Bedouin shepherd who discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls in a cave in the late 1940s.
He explains that the scrolls were found mostly in clay jars and were largely undecayed due to the dry climate of the Dead Sea area.
Stephen describes the process of recovering and documenting the scrolls, including the use of modern technology like lasers and MRI equipment.
He highlights the importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls in confirming the reliability of the biblical text over thousands of years.
The Dead Sea and Qumran Community
Stephen provides a geographical overview of the Dead Sea, including its location, depth, and the surrounding areas like Jericho and Qumran.
He explains the significance of Qumran, a community of ancient Jews who were messianic and avid documenters of biblical and extra-biblical texts.
Stephen describes the caves near Qumran where the scrolls were found and the challenges of accessing these remote locations.
He mentions the shrine of the book in Jerusalem, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls and other ancient artifacts.
The Scrolls on Display at the Reagan Library
Stephen lists the specific Dead Sea Scrolls that will be on display at the Reagan Library, including fragments of Exodus, Psalms, and the Book of Tobit.
He explains the significance of the paleo-Hebrew script found in some of the scrolls and its historical context.
Stephen discusses the extra-biblical texts, such as sapiential literature and the community rule of the Essenes, and their historical value.
He emphasizes the importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls in confirming the accuracy and reliability of the biblical text.
The Role of Scribes and the Masoretic Tradition
Stephen explains the role of scribes in copying and preserving the biblical text over centuries.
He highlights the work of the Masoretes, a group of highly trained scribes who produced accurate copies of the Bible in the Middle Ages.
Stephen discusses the significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls in supporting the fidelity of the Masoretic tradition, which is the basis of modern Hebrew Bibles.
He provides examples of the close agreement between the Dead Sea Scrolls and later manuscripts, demonstrating the reliability of the biblical text.
Practical Tips for Visiting the Reagan Library Exhibit
Stephen provides practical tips for visiting the Reagan Library exhibit, including the importance of arriving early to avoid crowds.
He advises visitors to read interpretive signs and make biblical connections to enhance their understanding of the artifacts.
Stephen suggests taking advantage of the commemorative booklet available in the gift shop to document the exhibit.
He encourages visitors to explore other parts of the Reagan Library, including the presidential travel area and the Air Force One exhibit.
Closing Remarks and Final Questions
Stephen concludes the presentation with a reminder of the importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls in confirming the reliability of the biblical text.
He encourages visitors to ask questions and seek further information from docents and other knowledgeable individuals at the exhibit.
Stephen provides final logistical details, including the meeting time and location for the field trip to the Reagan Library.
He opens the floor for any final questions and comments from the attendees.

(Summary generated by Otter.ai)

Church

United in Membership (Part 2)

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Church membership is an interesting subject. There’s not necessarily one passage in the Bible that paints the full picture. If I wanted to preach on church leadership, I might take you to Acts 20, or 1 Timothy 3. If I wanted to preach on believer’s baptism, I might go to Matthew 28 or Acts 2. But where do you go to learn about church membership?

Membership is not explicitly taught in any one passage, but the descriptions of the church imply there must be some type of organization and standard of who belongs to the local church.

We don’t know exactly how church membership was done in NT times, but it is important to piece together how the NT describes church life and then determine how best church membership should be practiced today. One of many places we can go is the book of 1 Peter. I recently preached a two-part message on church membership, and shared the first half yesterday. You can find the second part below.

In this study of 1 Peter 4, we learn…

  • What is church membership?
  • How Jesus’ return will take many people by surprise
  • How is a spiritual gift different than a natural talent?
  • The church attendance crisis in America
  • How church membership encourages faithfulness
  • Being “equally yoked” for the gospel

Thanks for listening! For a complete list of sermons and Bible studies, please visit my sermon page.

Question: What do you think about church membership? Does your church practice it? Do you find it to be helpful, and if so, how? Leave a comment below!

Church

United in Membership

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Membership and loyalty clubs are an everyday part of life. We have gym memberships, wholesale shopping clubs, hotel and frequent flyer clubs, app subscriptions, and so much more. I noticed the other day that our local carwash even has a separate “members only” entrance from the “guest” entrance. In some cases, membership comes with special perks and incentives like extended hours, VIP lanes, discounts, referral bonuses, and cashback rewards.

That’s not what we mean when we talk about church membership. Church membership doesn’t give you a priority entrance or premier seating. There’s no secret handshake. No backstage pass. And sorry, you don’t get cashback rewards on your tithe. (In fact, the Bible warns against partiality or bribes).

What then is church membership? Church membership is a group of believers uniting together (we might even say covenanting) as a local church to honor God, care for one another, and obey the great commission.

There are a lot of modern misconceptions about church membership, so we recently spent a couple weeks digging into the subject. In part one, I explain the purpose of church membership and walk through the first two commitments of our church member covenant. We learn…

  • The value of commitment in a local church
  • Ways we can promote church unity
  • How church life is like team sports
  • Encouragement to invite more visitors to church  

(8/8/25 Update: Here’s an audio link to part two of this discussion on church membership.)

Here’s the full transcript to part one…

UNITED IN MEMBERSHIP (PART 1 OF 2)
PASTOR STEPHEN JONES
CALVARY CHURCH WEST HILLS
JULY 6, 2025

Introduction
• Membership and loyalty clubs are an everyday part of life. There are gym memberships, hotel and frequent flyer club membership, movie theaters, timeshares, HOAs, etc. E.g. (see photo) Carwash – members only vs. guests. Separate entrances. In some cases, membership comes with certain perks like extended hours, VIP lanes, special discounts, referral bonuses, and cashback rewards.
• But that’s not what we mean when we talk about church membership. Church membership doesn’t give you a priority entrance, or premier seating, or secret handshake, no VIP lounge with better donuts, or backstage pass to hang out with the worship band. You don’t get cashback rewards on your tithe. In fact, the Bible warns against partiality and bribery.
• Church membership a group of believers uniting together (or we might even say “covenanting”) as a local church to honor God, care for one another, and obey the great commission.
Our Church Covenant
• From Article V of our Church Constitution & Bylaws. Member Covenant – “Having received Christ as my Lord and Savior and been baptized, and being in agreement with Calvary Church’s statements, strategy, and structure, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the Calvary Church family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following: I will protect the unity of my church by acting in love toward other members, by refusing to gossip, and by following the leaders. I will share the responsibility of my church by praying for its growth, by inviting the “unchurched” to attend, and by warmly welcoming those who visit. I will serve the ministry of my church by discovering and using my gifts and talents, by seeking to be equipped by my pastor to serve, and by developing a servant’s heart. I will support the testimony of my church by attending faithfully, living a godly life, and by giving regularly.”
• Each of these statements are then backed up by scripture. I think you will be hard pressed to find anything unbiblical in that list. If you can assent to this statement, I would encourage you to join Calvary Church West Hills. It is my prayer that if you haven’t already joined the church, that you will do so as a result of these next two messages.
• There’s a scary word in that covenant I read for you. It’s the word “commit.” Many of us are hesitant to make that kind of commitment.
• Four commitments. We will focus on just the first two today.

Protecting Unity
• Romans 14:19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
• Context of Christian liberty. (see 14:2). Don’t quarrel! (14:1) Don’t despise (14:3). Don’t pass judgment! (14:3, 4, 13). Rather, know what you believe (14:5, 22-23), honor God in all you do (14:6, 8, 18), avoid stumbling blocks (14:13), pursue peace (14:19), and welcome others (14:1), knowing you will one day give an account before God and want to hear the words “well done” (14:10-12).
• Out of five chapters on practical theology at the end of Paul’s letter, two of them are dedicated to the subject of church unity.
• So what Paul is saying is use your newfound liberty in Christ, your spiritual strength, and any authority God has granted you, to serve others. Authority and submission. Biblical authority does not mean domineering. In fact, just the opposite. Leadership is the God-given privilege of providing vision, influence, guidance, and example for the benefit of others. Spiritual leadership is servant leadership.
• …By acting in love toward other members. Romans 15:5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus. Cf. 1 Pet. 1:22; Jn. 15:12.
• Think about the concept of right of way in traffic. In some countries, the biggest vehicle on the road gets the right of way. A pedestrian yields to a bicycle, a bicycle to a car, and a car to a van, and a van to a bus. But Jesus says in Matthew 23:11 The greatest among you shall be your servant.
• …By refusing to gossip. Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
• …By following the leaders. Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
• Harmony. Cf. Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
• Personal Example: Dr. Plew in the Master’s Chorale. 60 person choir. But there’s a sense in which we had one-voice. Had to blend – in dynamics, in timbre, to listen and match the pitch of others, all while following the conductor.
• >>A church member agrees first of all to protect unity, and expects others to do these same. Neither our members nor our leaders will be perfect, but these will mark a healthy, godly church. They would be good for a family as well.
Sharing Responsibility
• Rom. 14:19 “So then let us pursue what makes for peace.” Who is the us? Cf. 1:7 “to all those in Rome who are loved…” ch. 16 giving personal greetings – 16:1, 5, 6, 6-7…
• Love this expression – “share the responsibility.” If you’ve ever played a team sport, you understand this all too well. Take basketball for example, five players on the court at time, all different positions. One might be a captain. One might be taller, a better, scorer, ball-handler, or rebounder, or defender, but all of them are important.
• One of the most ridiculous aspects of COVID was the invention of the term “non-essential” worker. In the church, there are no non-essential members. Now, that’s not to say that the church ceases to function. But it will not be as healthy, as fruitful, or as bright a witness if some members fail to do their part and exercise their spiritual gifts.
• That would be like saying one of the body parts are non-essential. Sure, you can survive without an eye, or an ear, a thumb, or a second kidney. But do you really want to? Every had your foot fall asleep? The blood circulation gets cut off and suddenly your foot is numb, and you walk with a heavy limp. The same thing happens with a church has members who have “fallen asleep.”
• By praying for its growth. 1 Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,
• By inviting the unchurched to attend. Luke 14:23 And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.
• By warmly welcoming those who visit. Romans 15:7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
• Compare a consumer driven church versus a service oriented driven church.
Conclusion
• John MacArthur says it well in Biblical Doctrine: “To become a member of a church is to formally commit oneself to an identifiable, local body of believers who have joined together for specific, divinely ordained purposes. These purposes include receiving instruction from God’s Word (1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Tim. 4:2), serving and edifying one another through the proper use of spiritual gifts (Rom. 12:3–8; 1 Cor. 12:4–31; 1 Pet. 4:10–11), participating in the ordinances (Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38–42), and proclaiming the gospel to those who are lost (Matt. 28:18–20). In addition, when one becomes a member of a church, he submits himself to the care and the authority of the biblically qualified elders whom God has placed in that assembly.”
• How does membership help in practical, down-to earth terms?
– Classes are easy to schedule, provide regularly. Some larger churches even offer on a continuous cycle
– Gives us an opportunity to hear people’s testimonies and profession of faith
– Gives leaders a chance to get to know, shepherd, assimilate, disciple members
– Provides spiritual protection. Helps protect against false teachers – (remember Pastor Walter’s teaching from Jude last week)
– Provides legal protection, an opportunity for “informed consent” regarding church beliefs and practices, and special teaching such as Jesus’ words on church discipline
– Greater Transparency. We can provide a copy of our statement of faith and bylaws to members. People stay more informed. It gives us a chance to go over governing documents, resulting in more educated voting members. Along these same lines, it allows… 
– Congregationalism, where regenerate church members have the opportunity to prayerfully vote over some issues in the church such as approving the annual budget, calling a new pastor, or church discipline cases. You definitely want born-again, like-minded Christians to be making these important decisions!
Next week, we will continue this study…

Sermons

Anger Management

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You’ve heard of trampoline parks and escape rooms, but there’s a new trend called the “rage room.” Rage rooms have grown in popularity in recent years, especially due to COVID, and they continue to pop up across the country. Basically, you pay money to go into an enclosed space and smash things to release all that pent-up anger.

One customer described the experience of going with her husband,

“At first, we were a little timid, but it didn’t take long before we were going full-out. We discovered that TVs are surprisingly hard to break, even with a metal baseball bat. …The best surprise? The old-school computer printer. I’d forgotten how much I hated printers for all the times they’d run out of ink, mangled my papers in college, or got jammed. That printer became a symbol for years of frustration, and it felt great to just destroy that thing….

“The most satisfying items to break [were] the glassware. My husband would “pitch” me a beer bottle or glass, and I’d hit it with the baseball bat. We laughed and cheered and smashed stuff until every last thing was unrecognizably destroyed. It was such a huge adrenaline rush. For the first time in what seemed like forever, I finally felt in control.”

This may all sound like fun and games, but these rooms illustrate a deeper problem in society. We have anger issues. Temper tantrums, road rage, campus protests, street riots, cyberbullying, hostile work environments, even assassination attempts on national leaders. People are angry, and most of them don’t know how to get help.

According to one recent report, 30% of adults struggle to control their anger. And 64% of teens and young adults admit they have uncontrolled anger. In this study of Colossians 3:8, we learn…

  • Why anger is so dangerous
  • Getting to the heart of the matter
  • Is it ever OK to be angry?
  • Five strategies to overcome anger
  • How Jesus can give you peace

Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons organized by book of the Bible, please visit the Sermon page.

Sermons

Recalibrating the Mind

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If you’re not careful, your mind will drift, and you’ll start thinking and acting more like the world. You’ll forget your identity in Christ. What you need is a regular tune-up or re-calibration. In this study of Colossians 3:1-4, we learn…

  • The difficulty of finding a quiet place alone with God
  •  Why do we often set our mind on earthly things?
  • Your identity in Christ changes everything
  • The role of Scripture in recalibrating the mind

Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons organized by book of the Bible, please visit the Sermon page on my blog.

Thoughts on Life and Leadership