Pastor’s Corner

The Knowledge of Good and Evil

What is the difference between the knowledge of good and evil and knowing right from wrong? In this question is an allusion to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil found in the garden of Eden. God tells Adam and Eve, our first parents, not to eat of the fruit of this particular tree. (Genesis 2:17 and 3:3)  …

Dealing With Grief

I received four more questions, so I will answer two questions this month, and the last two questions in the November newsletter.  What is the best way to move forward from the loss (death) of a loved one? Once you have grieved, once you have prayed and accept by faith that God is taking care of everything, both the living …

To Whom Much is Given

Thanks to everyone who has submitted interesting questions in the Questions for PB box.  Here are the next two selections: How should we interpret the Bible’s admonition, “to whom much is given, much will be required” in light of the fact that we have so much in the U.S. and there is so much need in the world and in …

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

We all have tough life questions that we mull over. We all want to understand the world we live in. Here are two hard questions put to me by my congregation, along with two queries about things you will see in our worship services. Why do bad things happen to good people? At the end of time, do Israel or …

Q & A with Pastor Benner

I was excited to find slips of paper waiting for me in the colorful little “Questions for PB” box in the foyer at church! To the best of my ability, I will endeavor to answer these queries.  Look for the questions and answers over the next few months in this venue of the Pastor’s Corner. Here are two I will cover …

A Bowl of Cherries

The Apostle Paul writes this in 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, “We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and …

He Is Not Here!

“5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6 He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. 7 Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of …

Radical Repentance

Mark 1:14,15 says this, 14 Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” If we compare this message from Jesus at the beginning of His ministry in Mark 1:14,15 with John the Baptist’s message at the beginning of …

Worthy is the Lamb

Revelation 5:9-12 says this, “9 And they *sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. 10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” 11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice …

Resolve to be Godly

1 Timothy 4:7-13 says this, “7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.  9 It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. 10 For it is for this we labor …

The Incarnation

The word for my article this month is “Incarnation.”  When Christians use the word “Incarnation,” we mean the fact that God became human. This awesome mystery of our Christian Faith is taught most vividly in John 1:14,17,18: “14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace …

The Path of Godly Patience

Sometimes I really hate computers! There are times when I want to accomplish something that seems simple to me which I think will take only 10-15 minutes, but I come up against a technological snag and it takes more like 45 minutes! I can get so easily frustrated and quite impatient with these little annoyances in life.  I wish I …

Pastor Cedric Benner

Pastor Benner has a BA in Bible from Bryan College in Dayton and a Master of Divinity degree from Biblical Theological Seminary in Hatfield, Pennsylvania.