A “brand” is a name, symbol, or a design that sets a company apart from competitors, and can be useful in communicating values important to the company.  Likewise, different “brands” exist regarding preaching methods, with each method conveying values regarding God, His word, and His gospel.  Every preacher, whether they realize it or not, communicates his values regarding God, the Bible, and redemption through the preaching “brand” they employ. Expository preaching is the “brand” that I abide by because I believe it is the method that pays highest honor to God, His word, and His plan for mankind.

Expository preaching seeks to expose what is in a passage of scripture and explain it in a way that is relevant to a contemporary audience.  This sounds simple enough, and most people might think that all preachers, according to this definition, are expository preachers.  However, a more functional definition of expository preaching, as made popular by Haddon Robinson, reveals what it takes to expose a passage of scripture.  Robinson claimed that expository preaching is “the communication of a biblical concept, derived from and transmitted through a historical, grammatical, and literary study of a passage in its context, which the Holy Spirit first applies to the personality and experience of the preacher, then through him to his listeners.” This type of preaching produces sermons that deliver God’s message clearly and accurately.  To deliver anything less is less than biblical preaching.

One value that expository preaching conveys is the primacy of the word of God.  In order to preach expositionally, one must be committed to a high view of the scriptures. The expository preacher derives his content for his sermons from the Bible because he believes that the Bible is the only certain information source given by God. He believes the word of God contained in the sixty-six books of the canon was “breathed out by God and are profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work,” (1 Timothy 3:16); and that “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). Additionally, the expository preacher affirms, “The sword of the Spirit is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). To unleash God’s word is to unleash God’s power upon the human soul.  Thus, he seeks to preach the truth of God’s words and not man-centered philosophy or psychology.

The reason the expositor places such a strong emphasis on the word of God centers on the fact that only scripture carries the claim of divine inspiration.  The preacher’s thoughts, ideas, or speculations carry no such authority; neither do the latest best-selling books.  This does not mean that commentaries, books, or thoughts are not useful.  These things may be helpful in explaining or illustrating God’s inspired word, but the authority is found in God’s words, not the preacher’s.

The dust has somewhat settled in the chicken coop we call Chick-Fil-A.  The controversy started when Dan Cathy told a Baptist newspaper that he and his company “operate on biblical principles” and “are very much supportive of the family — the biblical definition of the family unit.”

In response to his statements, several government officials threw their opinions, and cities, into the coop. “Because of (Dan Cathy’s) ignorance, I will deny Chick-fil-A a permit to open a restaurant in my ward,” Chicago Alderman Proco Moreno said, in a threat echoed by
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino was just as blunt: “Chick-fil-A doesn’t belong in Boston,” he said. “We’re an open city. We’re a city at the forefront of inclusion.” 

New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn echoed the Boston Mayor when she called for exclusion in the name of inclusion: “We are a city that believes our diversity is our greatest strength, and we will fight anything and anyone that runs counter to that.”

One lesson we can learn from the brew-ha-ha over Chick-Fil-A is that people can tend to be terribly inconsistent.  For instance, how can a mayor who claims his city is an  “open city…a city on the forefront of inclusion,” exclude anything or anyone.  Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of inclusion?  Or why would a council speaker want to keep out a company that is diverse if diversity is that city’s greatest strength?

Hypocritical right?  And who wants to join in with a bunch of hypocrites?  Answer: Jesus does.  In fact, if you are Christ-follower, then you are living proof that Jesus did get involved with hypocrites. While we help show support for First Amendment rights, we must not forget to pray for others.  No, I am not talking about holding a demonstration prayer circle.  I am talking about actually praying, in your closet, just you and God.

Another lesson we can learn is that stances affect actions, as they should.  One comment I have read repeatedly in all the commentary over this controversy is that it is okay for Dan Cathy to have a private belief, but it is not okay for those beliefs have ramifications in public.  But that is just the point of beliefs—they guide our actions.  Follower of Christ, do your beliefs guide your actions, or do you separate private beliefs and public beliefs?

I am truly thankful that Dan Cathy and his commitment to running a company with biblical values.  I am thankful that last Wednesday millions of people (including my own) waited in line to show their support for a biblical view of marriage and First Amendment rights.  But a deeper question may be, “Would you wait in line to show your support for First Amendment rights if it involved a person with whom you disagreed?”

Registration takes place on a priority basis, with currently enrolled students and siblings registering first, church members next and finally other students. No child will be considered for admission for one year following expulsion from another school.

Child must be 4 years old by August 1st to enter K4.

Child must be 5 years old by August 1st to enter K5.

Child must have :      A. Completed registration form.

                                         B. Copy of Birth Certificate.

                                         C. Immunization Record.

                                         D. Transcript if coming from another school.

Registration forms are available on the website or in the school office. If you have other questions you may call the school office at 870-777-3256. Ext. 2

Fees & Tuition: Registration is $100.00 per student per year. $50.00 Building fee per year. Tuition is $3,000.00 per school year. Tuition is collected over a 10-month period with the first month’s tuition of $300.00 due July 10^th  and the 10^th  of each month through April.

A 20% discount is given to each sibling.

Extended School Day is available from 3:00 -5:30 p.m. Structured activities and daily snacks are provided. Care is available on a daily basis of $5.00 per day.