Sermons: Recent Episodes
Aulds Chapel Bible Church: Downsville, LA
In Psalm 32 we are shown that it is the forgiven person who is the truly blessed and happy person. Have you experienced this great and joyful blessing? Is it one that you continually experience through a life of repentance?
The Christian life is a life that involves continual repentance. Yes, daily we are called to be confessing our sin before our Lord asking to be washed in the blood of Christ afresh. In Psalm 51 David gives us an example to follow as we seek to do this well.
In this last message of the series we look at the new heavens and the new earth when Christ returns. Also, we look at the Great Commission.
Seasons of struggle that cause depression and great sadness are not uncommon in the Christian life. But thankfully God's Word speaks into these seasons that are sure to come to us all. Psalm 42 is one of those passages that speaks directly into our struggles, whatever they may be. In this sermon let the author of Psalm 42 help you to face struggle well.
In this sermon we look at what is know as Redemption, where we see Jesus restoring what was broken by sin. Also, as we have been doing, will continue to see how the theme of God's glory and our joy in Him fit into this part of the Bible.
In this sermon we look at what is called the Fall of Creation, where Adam and Eve reject God's glory and exchange it for other things. However, even in the midst of this horrible event called the Fall we see God's plan still at work.
This sermon is the first in a series on the topic of God's glory and our joy. In this sermon we look at the Bible through the lens of Creation. In the beginning when God created all things He had in mind first and foremost His own glory. This is not a bad thing though because in beholding God's glory we find our greatest joy.
Many of us, if not all of us, view work as something that is necessary for life but not something that is good or to be enjoyed in and of itself. This is kind of view though is not Biblical nor is it good. In this sermon Jared Hawthorne deals with some of the wrong views of work and then shows how to see work correctly by using the the lens of Proverbs and of the Gospel.
Throughout this book Jonah has struggled with self-righteousness, selfishness, idolatry, and other sins. But here at the end of the book God once again patiently rebukes and corrects Jonah. Does he finally learn this time? Yes, he does. Another question that arises at this point though is this: will we learn with him?
God knows our hearts better than we do and He knows what we need better than we do. So, it's often the case that God will put us in different kinds of situations in order to expose some form of sin our lives. This is what we see Him doing to Jonah here at the beginning of chapter 4. Jonah has some sin tucked deep within his heart and God is bringing it to the surface so that it may be seen and repented of. May we continually ask God to do this with us!
Here in chapter 3 of Jonah we see the Lord's power to save even the most unexpected people, the Ninevites. What makes this event even more astonishing is that God uses a stubborn prophet and a short sermon to accomplish this salvation. This work of salvation is indeed great! But, it is only a glimpse and taste of the salvation to come in Christ.
Jonah was cast into the sea and was sinking down into the depths. As sank helplessly he cried out to the Lord to save him and the Lord did. The Lord saved Jonah with a fish. Now, as Jonah is in the belly of this fish he prays to God with thanksgiving. In this prayer we see that it is often when we are at the bottom that we receive a clear vision of who God is and who we are.
God loves to use what may seem strange and even foolish to us so that we will boast only in Him. This episode of Jonah getting swallowed by this fish of salvation is no different. God is putting His glory on display while also pointing us to the cross.
Jonah hears the command of God to go and preach to Nineveh but he runs instead. God doesn't leave Jonah in his sin and disobedience though. Thankfully, our God is the pursuing God.
Jonah was a prophet of God who was called to go and preach against wicked Nineveh. Jonah goes but it's in the opposite direction. Why? Why does this servant of the Lord flee and disobey the command of God?
At some point or another it seems that we have all heard the story of Jonah. But do we really understand what God is putting on display through this strange and interesting story? It's not a story about strange events but about a God who is full of steadfast love.
The Christian life is often hard. It is filled with suffering and days that are often marked with discouragement for various reasons. So, you have need of endurance Christian. Let the author of Hebrews show you where to find it.
Christian, our God knows us in the most intimate way possible. He knows us perfectly, is with us always, and is our maker and designer. Oh, let us rejoice that we are fully known and fully loved!
We come now to the conclusion of the letter. Here, Paul summarizes some the main themes that he's been talking about in the letter. He does this by contrasting himself with the Judaizers. They are defined by boasting in the flesh. Paul however, is defined by boasting in the cross of Christ. May we be the same.
Paul continues to show us what it looks like to be keeping in step with the Spirit of God.
As Christians we are called to be keeping in step with the Spirit of God. In chap. 5:25-6:5 Paul gives us some examples of what keeping in step with the Spirit looks like. He also shows that the only way we are able to do this is by first being filled in Christ.
Jesus Christ promises real lasting rest to all those who come to Him. We all desire rest. Have you found it in Christ? If not, then you will never find it because rest is only truly found in the Son of God who reveals the fullness of God to us.
In John 11 Jesus not only foreshadows His own death and resurrection and the final resurrection. He also shows us that He Himself is the Resurrection and the Life. These things can only be found in Him.
Christians are not perfect people. However, they are a people who walk by the Spirit of Christ and are defined by His fruit.
Through the power of the Gospel we are enabled to joyfully and freely submit to the will of God. Also, we are enabled to joyfully and freely serve one another.
For freedom Christ has set you free. A freedom that enables you to joyfully and willfully submit yourself to God and all that He has created you for. Which is, Christ-likeness.
To be in Christ is to be like Isaac, the son of promise. To not be in Christ is to be like Ishmael, the son of the slave woman.
Before Christ came and set us free we were all slaves to the elementary principles of the world. But now that Christ has come we are no longer slaves, but sons of God.
In Psalm 136 God shows His people how to give thanks to Him rightly. Praise that is rooted and grounded in the truth of who God is and how He has revealed Himself in His Word.
Before New Covenant faith in Christ came we were held captive to Law, imprisoned in our sin. But now that Christ has come we are all one in Him and experience freedom.
God's promises and His Law do not go against one another. Because when God gave the Law He did so in order to drive His people to His promise which is fulfilled in Christ.
We are all under the curse of God's Law. But thanks be to God who sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us.
Paul reminds the Galatians that is was by faith in Christ that they had begun the Christian life, not by works. So, for them to now think that they can finish what they did not begin is foolishness, as Paul makes clear.
The way that anyone will ever stand before God being counted as righteous is not by their own works. Justification comes by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
Paul continues to defend himself and the gospel that he preaches. Paul gives his defense so that the Galatian Christians and you would know that he speaks the words of God, not man.
The false teachers that were seeking to deceive the Galatians accused Paul of being a second rate apostle, receiving his gospel from man, and being a man pleaser. Paul however, seeks to show that this is not true.
The Galatians were being deceived by another gospel that the false teachers were putting before them. Paul however, is very clear in saying that there is only one Gospel.
God is with His people and will be exalted among all nations. Therefore, do not fear child of God.
In these last verses the Preacher of Ecclesiastes seeks to make sure that you, the reader, have indeed understood why he wrote.
The Gospel is not only the beginning of the Christian life. The Gospel is the beginning, the middle, and the end. It saturates all things.
You are in the process of aging and will one day face the reality of death. You can either do this well or you can totally waste it and face a bitter truth one day. The Preacher, once again, sheds wisdom on the situation.
Wisdom is sweet and gracious, it helps one to live well within this world. On the other hand foolishness stinks and is destructive, it will consume all who practice it.
What does it look like to live life well in light of death being certain and life itself being uncertain? The Preacher gives us his answer here within this section of Ecclesiastes.
We live in world that is consumed with sinful foolishness. The Preacher knows this and he calls us to consider God fearing wisdom. Because this wisdom will make your face shine and your heart glad.
Do not become prideful in wisdom or righteousness, for you will face the "crooks" of this world just like everyone else. Instead fear God, see your sin, and look to Christ.
In Psalm 23 we are given two beautiful pictures of who God is for His people. He is their shepherd and their host. Then we come to the New Testament and see how Jesus fulfills them both.
Wisdom gives an advantage to those who possess it. It helps them live well. Our wisdom however, is limited. What we need is the Wisdom of God.
God is the giver of all gifts and He expects you to enjoy what you have been given. But how?
How do we enter into the presence of God when we go to worship Him? Do we approach like foolish person or like the wise person?
You were not created to be alone. Nor were you created to use other people for your own personal gain. "That is vanity", says the Preacher.
In the midst of this fallen world God is testing us, so that we may learn that we are but weak and frail creatures dependent upon Him for life.
You and I are bound by the seasons and times that we find ourselves in. Rest assured however, Jesus Christ is the King of all seasons and times.
It doesn't matter if you have lived a life of wisdom or of foolishness, death is coming for you. So cling to Christ, and learn how to truly live by knowing that you will one day die.
In these verses the Preacher puts pleasure itself in the spotlight to see if there is gain found within it. His conclusion, as usual, is profoundly honest.
Wisdom is a gift from God. However, it can only get us so far before it begins to fall apart and we along with it. So, how are we as Christians called to treat wisdom?