Trinity PCA - Rochester, MN Podcast: Recent Episodes

Trinity Presbyterian Church - Rochester, MN

Audio Recordings from various church events such as Sunday morning worship and adult Sunday School

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“The New Jerusalem and Bride of the Lamb”
Revelation 21:9-21
May 3, 2020 — Reverend Chris Harper

I. The city is safe (10-12, 15-17)
1. Measured (15-17)
2. Guarded (12; cf. 25-27)
3. Filled (10-11; cf. 3)

II. The city is beautiful (11, 16, 18-21)
1. In its shape (11, 16)
2. In its shine (11, 18-21)

III. The city is you (9-10, 12-14, 19-20)
1. The holy city is the Bride of the Lamb (9-10)
2. 12 tribes & 12 apostles (12-14)
3. 12 stones (19-20; Ex 28, 39)

So what?
1. Courage & strength to live like who you are
2. Overwhelming peace because of the unified and faithful plan of God

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“Move out! - The King’s Parameters”
Matthew 28:16-20
April 26, 2020 — Mr. Michael Johnson

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“All Things Being Made New”
Revelation 21:1-8
April 19, 2020 — Reverend Chris Harper

I. By whom? (2, 5-7)
1. God the faithful (7)
2. God the trustworthy & true (5)
3. God the sovereign (6)

II. How? (1-4)
1. By renewing (1)
2. By intimate communion (2-3)
3. By establishing biblical diversity (3)
4. By removing all sadness & death (4)

III. For whom? (7-8)
1. Who it is not for (8)
2. Who it is for (7)

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“No Fear of The Two Deaths”
Revelation 20:6,14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:12-22, 50-57

I. Christians have no fear of the 2nd death

  1. What is the 2nd death? (14)
  2. Why is there no fear for Christians? (6; 1 Cor 15:12-22, 50-57)

II. Christians have no fear of the 1st death

  1. What is the 1st death? (21:4, 8; Phil 1:21-23)
  2. Why is there no fear for Christians? (11-15; Heb 9:27)

III. Christians have hope for the end of death itself (14; 1 Cor 15:54-55; 2 Cor 4:16-18)

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“Hope and Warning”
Revelation 20
April 5, 2020 — Reverend Chris Harper

I. Hope and encouragement for those in Christ

  1. Because Christ is reigning now through his Church (1-6; 12:1-6)
    (A) Power on earth (1-3)
    (B) Power in heaven (4-6)

  2. Because Satan will be defeated in the future (3b, 7-10)

  3. Because there is no fear of judgment forevermore (6, 11-15)

II. Final warning for those outside of Christ (11-15)

  1. This is the last warning

  2. Is your name written in the book of life?

Visit www.trinityrochester.org/resources to access the full video sermon, past sermons, and additional resources.

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I. Wedding feast (6-10)

  1. What is the context?

  2. Who are the participants? (7-8; John 1:29; Eph 5:32; Rev 21:9ff)

  3. What are they doing? (9)

  4. What is this a picture of?

II. Funeral feast (11-21)

  1. The Warrior (11-16)

(A) How he is described (11-16)

(B) What he is called (11-16; John 1:1ff)

  1. The war (17-21)

(A) Defeat is fast (19-21)

(B) Defeat is definitive (17-18, 3)

III. So what?

  1. Which feast are you going to?

  2. God’s people should sing hallelujah (1-8)

  3. Injustice will be made right (1-2)

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The Fall of Babylon and the Hope of God's People

Revelation 18

Reverend Chris Harper

I. Life is fragile (1-3, 10)

II. The end is coming (9-19, 21-24; Jer 51)

  1. It is a certainty (1-3)

  2. It will be a time of great loss (9-19, 21-24; Jer 51)

  3. It will be sudden (10b, 19b)

  4. It will be forever (21)

So…..(4)

III. There is still hope (20; 19:1; 2 Pet 3:11-13)

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Indispensable

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

March 15, 2020

Mr. Stephen Johnson

I. The World's Perspective: Dispensable

II. God's Perspective: Indispensable

III. How Jesus Transforms Our Perspectives

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How Should We Then Live?, Revelation 17
Reverend Chris Harper, March 8, 2020

I. Who are the prostitute and beast? (1-15, 18)

  1. Prostitute (1-6, 15, 18)

(A) How described?

(B) Who is she?

  1. Beast (3b, 7-14)

(A) How described?

(B) What is it?

II. What happens to the prostitute and beast? (14, 16-17)

  1. To the prostitute (16)

  2. To the beast (8, 12b, 14, 17)

III. How should we then live?

  1. As exiles (Jer 29:1-9)

  2. With humble confidence (14, 17)

(A) Because of who we are (14)

(B) Because of who God is (17; 1 Thess 5:23-24)

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Cup of Wrath vs. Cup of Blessing, Revelation 16

March 1, 2020
Reverend Chris Harper

I. The character of God which necessitates & controls judgment (1-7)

  1. God’s character necessitates it

  2. God’s power controls it (15:5-16:1, 5, 7)

II. The recipients of the world requiring judgment (2-16)

  1. Idolaters & the immoral (2-9)

  2. The dragon and 2 beasts (10-16)

III. The people of God who find hope in judgment

  1. Two different cups (19; 14:10, 1 Cor 10-11)

  2. The end of evil and the effects of the Fall (16-21)

  3. God’s discipline is not God’s judgment (15; Heb 12:3-11)

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Responding to the Gospel - Baptism, Acts 16:25-40
February 23, 2020, Reverend Chris Harper

I. The story (16-29)

  1. The girl – demon-possessed & taken advantage of (16-18)

  2. The response of the town (19-22)

  3. In jail but not without hope (23-25)

  4. A severe earthquake and trembling fear (26-29)

II. The response (30-34)

  1. A most important question and a simple yet profound answer (30-32)

  2. The jailer believed (33-34)

  3. The jailer and his household were baptized (33b)

  4. The jailer began serving (33-34)

III. So what?

  1. Baptism does not save you – Jesus does (31; Acts 4:12; Rom 10:9)

  2. Household baptisms were normal in NT and church history

  3. How are you doing at “improving your baptism”? (WLC 167; 2 Pet 1:5-10; Tit 2:11-12)

  4. Reminder to covenant children (Rom 10:9)

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Another Great and Amazing Sign in Heaven, Revelation 15
February 9, 2020, Reverend Chris Harper

I. Sovereign judgment (1, 5-8)

  1. When?

  2. What?

II. Song of jubilee (2-4)

  1. By whom? (2; 4:6)

  2. About what? (3-4; Ex 15)

(A) God’s faithfulness (3a; Ex 15)

(B) God’s sovereignty (3)

(C) God’s justice & truth (3b)

(D) God’s holiness (4a)

(E) God’s great plan (4b)

III. So what?

  1. For unbelievers – God wins, so…

  2. For Christians – God wins, so…

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There Is No Need for Judgment When Your Hope Is in Jesus

Revelation 14:6-20, Reverend Chris Harper, February 2, 2020

I. Warning (6-11)

  1. When?

  2. What?

(A) Indifference (6-7)

(B) Immorality (8)

(C) Idolatry (9-11)

II. Judgment (14-20)

  1. When?

  2. What?

(A) Judgment of the wicked (17-20)

(B) Judgment of the righteous (14-16)

III. Hope (12-13)

  1. God’s grace is real (12b)

2 The end result is worth it (13)

  1. Our endurance is needed (12)

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Open Your Eyes and See Things from Heaven's Perspective

Revelation 14:1-5
January 26, 2020
Reverend Chris Harper

I. Identity of the Lamb (1; 5:1-10; Jn 1:29)

II. Location of the Lamb (1)

  1. Where he is

  2. What he is doing

III. Friends of the Lamb (1-5)

  1. Who they are

(A) Numbered (1; 7:1-12)

(B) Secured (1b)

(C) Redeemed (3b, 4b)

  1. What they do

(A) Commit whole-heartedly (4a)

(B) Follow obediently (4b)

(C) Live genuinely (5)

(D) Sing robustly (2-3; 5:8-13)

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The Counterfeit "trinity", Revelation 13:1-14:5

January 19, 2020, Reverend Chris Harper

I. What is the beast of the sea? (1-10; Daniel 7)

  1. How it is described

  2. What it meant for 1st century Christians

  3. What it means for 21st century Christians

II. What is the beast of the land? (11-18)

  1. How it is described

  2. What it meant for 1st century Christians

  3. What it means for 21st century Christians

  4. What the mark of the beast means (16-18)

III. Why do Christians have no reason to fear?

  1. Limit of the counterfeit trinity

(A) Counterfeit

(B) Limited by God’s control (7)

(C) Limited by God’s timing (5b)

  1. Security of the 144,000 (14:1-5)

  2. Call to endurance and faith of the saints (9-10; Ephesians 6)

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Drama, Declaration, and Doxology, Revelation 12

January 12, 2020, Reverend Chris Harper

I. Drama of redemptive history (1-17)

  1. Act 1 (1-6)

  2. Act 2 (7-17)

II. Declaration of our freedom & protection (10-17)

  1. Freedom (10-11)

  2. Protection (13-17)

III. Doxology of God’s people & danger for everyone else (12)

  1. Doxology for God’s people (12a)

  2. Danger for everyone else (12b)

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The Church Suffering and Secure

January 5, 2020, Reverend Chris Harper

I. The Church suffering (3-10)

  1. Who are the witnesses? (3)

  2. What are they doing? (3-6)

  3. How long are they doing it? (3)

  4. What is the response? (7-10)

II. The Church secure (1-2, 11-19)

  1. God’s people are measured (1-2)

  2. God’s people are rescued (11-14)

  3. Christ is reigning (15-18)

  4. The covenant of grace is fulfilled (19)

III. So what?

  1. Are you inside or outside of the temple?

  2. Declare the truth & expect persecution

  3. Find comfort & rest in your security

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Feasting on Christ through Faith, John 6:22-36,

December 29, 2019, Mr. Steve Johnson

Jesus Exposes Sinful Hunger

Jesus Satisfies Spiritual Hunger

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Preparing for the Second Advent - The Great Commission Part IV

Matthew 28:16-20, p. 835; Ephesians 4:11-16

December 22, 2019, Reverend Chris Harper

I. Service of leaders (11-12)

  1. By whom? (11)

  2. For whom? (12a)

  3. For what? (12b)

II. Service of everyone (7, 12, 16; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12)

  1. By whom? (7, 12, 16; Rom 12; 1 Cor 12)

  2. With what? (7, 16; Rom 12; 1 Cor 12)

  3. For whom? (12, 16)

III. So what?

  1. For leaders

  2. For saints

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Preparing for the Second Advent - The Great Commission Part III

Ephesians 4:11-16

December 15, 2019

Reverend Chris Harper

I. Picture of it (15-16; 1 Cor 12:12-20)

  1. Depending on one another (16; 1 Cor 12:12-20)

  2. Speaking truth in love to one another (15)

II. Necessity of it (1 John 3:17, 4:7-9, 20-21)

III. Motivation for it (15-16; 1 John 4:9-11, 19)

IV. Practice of it

  1. In word (15)

  2. In deed (1 John 3:16-18)

  3. In time

  4. In absorption

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Preparing for the Second Advent--The Great Commission II
Matthew 28:16-20; Ephesians 4:11-16
Reverend Chris Harper, December 8, 2019

I. What does it mean? (4:12b-15)

II. How do we do it? (Mt 28:18-20; Acts 2:42; Heb 10:23-25)

III. Why do we do it? (14-15; Titus 2:11-14)

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Preparing for the Second Advent - The Great Commission

Matthew 28:16-20

December 1, 2019

Reverend Chris Harper

Introduction

· Shackleton - the willingness to follow someone with a focused, compelling plan

· An unusual sermon series for Advent?

· Purpose of Advent and the connection with the Great Commission

I. Mission for every disciple (16-18a; Eph 4:11-12)

II. Ministry for every disciple (19-20; Eph 4:11-16)

  1. “Make disciples”
    (A) Reaching & equipping (19b-20a)

(B) A picture (Eph 4:11-16)

(1) Growing in knowledge and love for God

(2) Growing in knowledge and love for others

(3) Growing in ability and desire to serve in the Kingdom of God

  1. “Of all nations” (19a; Acts 1:8)

III. Motivation for every disciple

  1. The command itself (19a)

  2. The power and presence of Jesus

(A) Power (18b)

(B) Presence (20b)

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Intermission, Revelation 10

November 24, 2019, Reverend Chris Harper

I. Hold fast to what is true (1-7, 9-10)

  1. What is true

(A) God is with his people (1)

(B) God is faithful to his covenant promises (1, 7)

(C) God is sovereignly bringing his plan to completion (1-

(D) God is building his church (7; Eph 3:1-6)

  1. Hold fast (9-10)

II. Proclaim what is true to the world (8-11; Matt 28:18-20)

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The Warning & the Hope of the Trumpets, Revelation 8:6-9:21

November 10, 2019 Reverend Chris Harper

I. Playing of the trumpets (8:6-9:21; Ex 7-11; Josh 6; Joel 2)

  1. Trumpets 1-4 (8:6-12)

  2. Interlude (8:13)

  3. Trumpet 5 (9:1-12)

  4. Trumpet 6 (9:13-19)

  5. Result (9:20-21)

II. Purpose of the trumpets

  1. For unbelievers

(A) Serious warning and call to repentance

(B) Demonstration of God’s patient mercy

  1. For believers

(A) Encouragement because of God’s sovereignty

(B) Hope because of God’s covenant of grace

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Prayers, Trumpets, and God's Sovereign Grace
Revelation 8

November 3, 2019
Reverend Chris Harper

I. Power of prayer (8:1-5)

II. Purpose of trumpets (8:6-9:21; cf. Rev 6 & 16; cf. Ex 7-11, Joshua 6)

III. Promise of sovereign grace

  1. God is in charge (8:2, 9:1, 4, 10)

  2. God remembers his covenant promise of grace (8:13, 9:4b, cf 7:2-3; 9:14, cf. Gen 15)

  3. Time yet to repent (9:20-21)

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A Pause, a Multitude, and a Period of Silence
Revelation 7:1-8:1

October 20, 2019
Reverend Chris Harper

I. The Church on earth - militant (1-8)

  1. Who? (4-8)

  2. Whose? (1-3)

II. The Church in heaven - triumphant (9-17)

  1. Who? (9, 14)

(A) Vast (9)

(B) Diverse (9)

(C) Tested (14)

  1. What? (9b-10, 15b)

  2. How? (13-17)

(A) Clothed (9b, 13, 14b)

(B) Sheltered (15)

(C) Shepherded (17a)

(D) Comforted (16, 17b)

III. The Church in silence (8:1)

IV. So what?

  1. Assurance

  2. Worship

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The Lamb of War and Peace
Revelation 6, p. 1031

October 13, 2019 Reverend Chris Harper

I. What was and is (1-11)

  1. On the earth (1-8)

(A) White horse & rider (2)

(B) Red horse & rider (3-4)

(C) Black horse & rider (5-6)

(D) Pale horse & rider (7-8)

  1. In heaven (9-11)

(A) Who? (9)

(B) What are they doing? (10)

(C) Where? (9a)

(D) What is their condition? (11)

II. What will be (12-17)

III. What difference it makes

  1. Serious warning for those not in relationship with Jesus (12-17)

  2. Hope, peace, and encouragement for those in relationship with Jesus

(A) The Lamb is in control

(B) God’s people are safe

(C) God’s people are robed and resting

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Who is Worthy to Open the Scroll?
Revelation 5:1-14

September 22, 2019
Rev. Chris Harper

I. The plan & the problem (1-4)

  1. The plan (1; 6:1ff)

  2. The problem (2-4)

II. The provision (5-7)

  1. The Lion (5; Gen 49)

  2. The Root (5; Isa 11)

  3. The Lamb (6-7)

III. The praise (8-14)

  1. Of 4 living creatures & 24 elders (8-10)

  2. Of myriads of angels (11-12)

  3. Of every creature in the universe (13-14)

So what?

  1. There is only One who can open the scroll

  2. We have a wounded Savior

  3. Do we have tears like John?

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The adult Sunday school class for the fall is called Core Christianity, based on Michael Horton's book of the same name. We will be looking at the essential and basic beliefs of the Christian faith. We will engage with the drama or story of Scripture, study the doctrine of historic Christianity, reflect on how this should lead us to doxology or worship, and then discuss how this leads us to healthy discipleship or growth in the Christian life. This is a great class for anyone who has been a Christian for many years, or who is very new to the Christian faith, or is not a Christian and is interested in investigating the claims of the Bible.

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The Throne That Moves Us to Worship and Hope
Revelation 4:1-11

September 15, 2019
Rev. Chris Harper

I. The sovereign throne of worship (3-11)

  1. Description of the One on the throne (3)

  2. Description of the placement of the throne (2-4)

  3. Description of those around the throne (4-8a)

  4. Description of what is happening around the throne (8-11)

II. The sovereign throne of judgment (5-6)

III. The sovereign throne of grace (1-2, 3b, 4b)

So what?

  1. Hope in the midst of suffering & trials

  2. Hope in the midst of doubts

  3. God-centered worship

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Lukewarm Christianity
Revelation 3:14-22

September 8, 2019, Rev. Chris Harper

I. The problem (14-17)

II. The remedy (18-20; 3:3a; Isa 55)

III. The promise (21-22)

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The adult Sunday school class for the fall is called Core Christianity, based on Michael Horton's book of the same name. We will be looking at the essential and basic beliefs of the Christian faith. We will engage with the drama or story of Scripture, study the doctrine of historic Christianity, reflect on how this should lead us to doxology or worship, and then discuss how this leads us to healthy discipleship or growth in the Christian life. This is a great class for anyone who has been a Christian for many years, or who is very new to the Christian faith, or is not a Christian and is interested in investigating the claims of the Bible.

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I Have Set Before You an Open Door
Revelation 3:7-13

September 1, 2019
Rev. Chris Harper

I. Reality of gospel proclamation (7-8a)

II. Results of gospel proclamation (8b-10a)

III. Resources for gospel proclamation (10-11)

IV. Rewards of gospel proclamation (12-13)

So what?

(1) Every Christian is called to be ready (1 Peter 3:15)

(2) Learn how to ask good question

(3) Our theology is the antidote to our fear and uncertainty

(4) What is really behind our lack of sharing the Christian faith?

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Wake Up!
Revelation 3:1-6

August 25, 2019, Rev. Chris Harper

I. Problem (1-2, 4)

II. Prescription (2a, 3)

  1. Remember

  2. Keep it

  3. Repent

III. Promises (4b-6)

  1. Clothed in white

  2. Name that lasts forever

  3. Jesus will confess your name

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Hold Fast to the Morning Star, Revelation 2:18-29

August 18, 2019, Rev. Chris Harper

I. The place and people (18-19)

  1. Place

  2. People

II. The problem (20-23; 1 Kings 16-22, 2 Kings 9)

  1. Jezebel in the OT

  2. Jezebel in Thyatira

  3. Following and tolerating

III. The solution (20a, 24-25)

  1. Hold fast and be willing to pay the cost (24-25)

  2. Don’t tolerate these things (20a)

  3. Don’t over-react (24-25)

IV. The promises (18, 26-29)

  1. Ruling with authority (26-27; Ps 2)

  2. Getting the Morning Star (28, 22:16)

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The Danger and Remedy of Compromise
Revelation 2:12-17

August 11, 2019
Rev. Chris Harper

I. Life that Jesus commends (13)

II. Problem that Jesus condemns (14-15)

  1. Toleration of false teaching

  2. Compromise of personal holiness

III. Motivation that Jesus provides (12, 16-17)

  1. Jesus will come (16; Heb 12:7-11)

(A) “To you”

(B) “Against them”

  1. Hidden manna (17)

  2. White stone with a new name (17)

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Real Hope in the Midst of Suffering
Revelation 2:8-11

August 4, 2019
Rev. Chris Harper

I. Jesus tells them he knows (8-10a)

  1. How he knows (8)

  2. What he knows (9-10a)

(A) Kinds of suffering

(B) Agents of suffering

II. Jesus tells them there is purpose to suffering (10; James 1:2-4; 1 Pet 1:6-7; Rom 5:3-5; Gen 50:19-20; 2 Cor 4:7-18)

III. Jesus tells them there is an end to suffering (10b-11)

  1. Hope for now (10b)

  2. Hope for the future (10b-11)

  3. Call to keep going (10b-11)

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Abandoning Our First Love
Revelation 2:1-7
July 21, 2019
Reverend Chris Harper

I. What they were doing well (2, 3, 6)

  1. Hardworking (2)

  2. Patiently enduring (2-3)

  3. Vigilant for truth (2, 6)

II. What was wrong (4, 5b)

  1. What it means (4)

  2. How serious was it? (5b)

III. How they should respond (5a)

  1. Remember

  2. Repent

  3. Return

IV. Why they should have hope (7)

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The Glory and Grace of Jesus, Revelation 1:9-20

July 14, 2019, Reverend Chris Harper

I. Problem (9, chs 2-3)

  1. Trouble from outside (9)

  2. Trouble from inside (chs 2-3)

II. Solution (10-20)

  1. Look (10-20)

(A) How is he described? (10-16)

(B) Where was he? (13)

(C) What was he doing? (16-20)

  1. Listen (17-18)

(A) What did he say? (17b)

(B) Why no fear? (17b-18)

III. Response

  1. Be overwhelmed by the glory of Jesus

  2. Be encouraged by the grace of Jesus (9, 17)

  3. Be filled with the Word of Jesus (11, 19, 2 Tim 3:16-17)

  4. Be moved to celebrate the day of Jesus (10, Mark 2:27-28)

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God Has Made Us Kings and Priests, Revelation 1:4-8

July 7, 2019, Reverend Chris Harper

I. How? (4-5b)

  1. Through the sovereign love of the Father (4a)

  2. Through the supplying love of the Holy Spirit (4b)

  3. Through the saving love of the Son (5)

II. What? (6-8)

  1. Living as a king (6)

  2. Living as a priest (6)

  3. Anticipating Christ’s return (7)

  4. Under God’s sovereign authority (8)

III. Why? (6b)

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God is in Control of History and He Wins!
Revelation 1:1-3

June 23, 2019
Reverend Chris Harper

I. It comes from God for us (1, 2a, 3, 22:18-19)

  1. From God (1-2a)

  2. For us (1a, 3, 22:18-19)

II. It is meant to be understood (1a, 3b

III. It is about Jesus (1-2)

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What Happens When We Die

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

June 16, 2019, Reverend Chris Harper

I. Reason Paul is writing (13)

  1. So they are informed

  2. So they would not grieve without hope

II. Basis of our hope (14)

III. Description of what will happen (15-17; 1 Cor 15)

  1. From Jesus himself (15a)

  2. Jesus will arrive (16)

(A) Literally

(B) Loudly

(C) With souls of those who have been with him (14b)

  1. Bodies will be resurrected & changed (16b; 1 Cor 15)

  2. All Christians will welcome Jesus (17)

IV. So what? (13, 18; 1 Cor 15:58)

  1. Be encouraged (13)

  2. Encourage one another (18)

  3. Be ready (cf. 5:1ff)

  4. Get to work (1 Cor 15:58)

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Sermon Notes: Jesus Crossing Boundaries

Mark 7:24-30, June 2, 2019, Reverend John Gordy

The Woman Comes To Jesus In Need

Jesus Challenges Her Faith

The Woman's Faith Brings Real Results

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Sabbath Rest, Mark 2:23-3:6

May 26, 2019

Reverend Chris Harper

Genesis 2:1-3 - Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the sev-enth day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

Exodus 16:22-26 - On the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers each. And when all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses, 23 he said to them, "This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD; bake what you will bake and boil what you will boil, and all that is left over lay aside to be kept till the morning.'" 24 So they laid it aside till the morning, as Moses commanded them, and it did not stink, and there were no worms in it. 25 Moses said, "Eat it today, for today is a Sabbath to the LORD; today you will not find it in the field. 26 Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, which is a Sabbath, there will be none."

Exodus 20:8-11 - Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the so-journer who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Deuteronomy 5:12-15 - "'Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter or your male servant or your female servant, or your ox or your donkey or any of your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you. 15 You shall re-member that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

Mark 2:23-3:6 - One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his dis-ciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees were saying to him, "Look, why are they do-ing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" 25 And he said to them, "Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: 26 how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?" 27 And he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sab-bath." 3:1 Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. 2 And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3 And he said to the man with the withered hand, "Come here." 4 And he said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sab-bath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?" But they were silent. 5 And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.

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The Benediction, Ephesians 6:21-24, p. 979

May 19, 2019, Reverend Chris Harper

I. Peace (23a; 2:14-16; 4:1-3; 6:15)

II. Grace (24a; 1:11-14; 2:1-9)

III. Love (23-24; 2:4; 3:17-19; 4:1-3; 4:15-16; 5:1-2)

➤ So what?

(1) From “Lucky” to Beloved

(2) The purpose & power of a benediction

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Gospel-Centered Work, Ephesians 6:5-9

May 5, 2019, Reverend Chris Harper

I. Gospel-centered workers (5-8)

  1. What?

  2. How?

  3. Why?

II. Gospel-centered bosses (9)

  1. What?

  2. How?

  3. Why?

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"I AM" Is With Us, Mark 6:45-56
April 28, 2019
Reverend John Gordy

· What Happens To The Disciples? (vv.45-48

· What Is Jesus Doing While All of This Is Taking Place? (vv.45-47)

· How Does Jesus Respond To His Disciples Circumstances? (vv.48-52)

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If Christ Has Not Been Raised...

Acts 2:22-39, April 21, 2019

Reverend Chris Harper

I. Reasons to believe the resurrection

  1. Jesus’ life (22)

  2. God’s power (23-24)

  3. Witnesses

(A) Scripture (25-31, 34-35)

(B) Apostles (32b)

  1. Arrival of the Holy Spirit (33; cf. 2:1-13)

II. Results of the resurrection

  1. For Jesus (33)

(A) Exalted (33a)

(B) Reception of the Holy Spirit (33b)

  1. For us

(A) Forgiveness of sins (38)

(B) Pain of death defeated (24)

III. Responses to the resurrection

  1. Believe (36)

(A) Who?

(B) What?

  1. Be cut (37)

  2. Be changed (38-39)

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Gospel-Centered Families, Ephesians 6:1-4

April 7, 2019

Reverend Chris Harper

I. Gospel-centered children (1-3)

  1. Who? (1)

  2. What? (1-2a)

(A) Obey

(B) Honor

  1. Why? (1b-3)

(A) Because it is right (1b)

(B) Because the Bible says so (2-3)

(C) Because of the gospel (1b)

II. Gospel-centered parents (4)

  1. Who? (4a)

  2. What? (4)

(A) Don’t…. (4a)

(B) Do…. (4b)

  1. Why? (4b)

(A) Heart of the parents

(B) Heart of the children

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Freedom To Do What?, Galatians 5:1-15

March 31, 2019, Reverend John Gordy

What Are Christians Set Free From? (vv. 1-6)

Why Has The Church's Thinking Changed? (vv. 7-12)

Does This Mean The Law Is Not Important for Christians? (vv. 13-15)

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Gospel-Centered Marriage, Ephesians 5:21-33

March 24, 2019, Reverend Chris Harper

I. Picture of marriage (25b-27; 31-32)

  1. Gospel re-enactment” (25-27, 32)

  2. Covenant commitment (31)

II. Plan for marriage (22-31)

  1. What Paul is not saying

  2. Wives (22-24)

(A) What (22a, 24b, 33b)

(B) Why (22b-24a)

  1. Husbands (25-30)

(A) What (25a, 26-27, 28a, 33a)

(B) Why (25b, 28-30)

  1. Anchored in creation not culture (31)

III. Power for thriving in marriage & singleness (21, cf 18b)

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Look Carefully How You Walk Ephesians 5:15-21

Reverend Chris Harper

I. Growing in wisdom (15-17)

(1) Understanding the Lord’s will (17)

(2) How we use our time (16)

II. Being filled with the Holy Spirit (18-21)

(1) Singing (19)

(A) Horizontally (19a)

(B) Vertically (19b)

(2) Giving thanks (20)

(A) When?

(B) For what?

(C) To whom?

(D) How?

(3) Submitting (21)

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Being and Doing

Ephesians 5:1-14, March 10, 2019

Reverend Chris Harper

I. Being – what is true of them/us (8-9, 14b; 5:1-2)

II. Doing – how to live as a result (3-7, 8b-14)

  1. Don’t walk in the dark (3-7)

(A) Physically (3)

(B) Verbally (4)

(C) Participating (7, 11)

(D) Consequences (5-6)

  1. Walk in the light (8b-14)

(A) Be discerning (8b-10)

(B) Be different (11-14a)

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Being Imitators of God By Walking in Love

Ephesians 4:25-5:2

I. What? – the principle (4:1, 17, 22, 24)

  1. Walking worthy of the calling (1, 17, 5:2)

  2. Which means…putting off & putting on (22, 24)

II. How? – the specifics (25-32)

  1. Put off falsehood…put on truth speaking (25)

  2. Put off sinful anger…put on righteous anger (26-27)

  3. Put off stealing…put on honest work (28)

  4. Put off corrupting talk…put on speech that builds up (29-30)

  5. Put off unforgiving hard-heartedness…put on tenderhearted forgiveness (31-32)

III. Why? – the motivation (30, 5:1-2)

  1. The work of the Trinity (30, 5:1-2)

  2. The description of who we are (25, 30, 32, 5:1, 5:2)

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I. Don’t live like who you used to be (17-19)

  1. Wrong thinking (17b-18a)

  2. Wrong living (18-19)

  3. Wrong being (18b-19a)

II. Do live like who you are now (22, 24)

III. How you can do it (20-21, 23)

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The Shepherd We Need
Mark 6:30-44
Reverend John Gordy

Jesus Gives the Disciples Rest

Jesus Shows Mercy to the People

Jesus Satisfies the People's Need

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God's Roadmap For His Church
Ephesians 4:1-16, Reverend Chris Harper

I. Unity (1-6)

  1. Pictured (1-3)

(A) Manner (2)

(B) Means (2-3)

  1. Basis (4-6)

II. Diversity (7-16)

  1. Responsibility of leaders – equipping (11-14)

(A) Different gifts (11)

(B) To equip the saints (12a)

(C) For the work of ministry (12-14)

  1. Responsibility of every believer – serving (7, 15-16, 8-10)

(A) Who is gifted? (7, 16; 2:10; 1 Cor 12)

(B) How are they gifted? (7, 16; 1 Cor 12)

(C) How needed are they? (16; 1 Cor 12)

(D) How are they to use their gifts? (15-16)

(E) What is their motivation? (15, 8-10)

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I. What Paul wants – a passionate request (14-16)

  1. What?

  2. How?

  3. Where?

  4. When?

II. Why Paul wants it – a confusing & encouraging desire (17-19)

  1. Confusing

  2. Encouraging

A. Power to live (17, 19b)

B. Power to understand & believe (18-19a)

III. How we get what Paul prays (18, 20-21)

  1. Humble, persistent, expectant prayer (14a, 20)

  2. Wrestling with ourselves (18a)

  3. Helping one another (18a)

  4. Glorifying God (21)

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The Mystery Revealed
Pastor Chris Harper
January 6, 2019
Ephesians 3:1-13

I. What the mystery is (2-7, 11b-12)

II. What the mystery creates (6, 10, 12)

III. How the mystery is made known (9-11)

IV. What help the mystery brings us (1, 13)

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The Offense and Hope of the Gospel--Mark 6:1-13
December 30, 2018 Reverend John Gordy

The People Are Offended By Jesus

Jesus Marvels At The People's Unbelief
Jesus Sends Others Out With His Message

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Hymns of Advent - Thou Who Was Rich Beyond All Splendor Philippians 2:1-11

I. What Jesus did

  1. Became poor (6-8; 2 Cor 8:9; v1

  2. Became man (6-7; v2)

II. Why Jesus did it (4-5; 2 Cor 8:9; Eph 2:4; vv1-2-line 1)

III. How we should respond

  1. Worship (9-11; v3)

  2. Love-filled humility (1-4)

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Hymns of Advent - Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Luke 2:21-35 (pp. 857-858)

I. Law-fulfilling Savior (21-24, 27; v1-line 1, v4-line1, v4-line4)

  1. Circumcision (21; Gen 17:9-14)

  2. Purification (22-24; Lev 12:1-4)

  3. Dedication (22-23; Ex 13:1-16; Numb 18:14-16)

II. Global Savior (31-32; Gal 3:27-29; v1-lines 3-4)

III. Savior with consequences (33-35)

  1. Soul-piercing (35)

  2. No neutrality (34-35)

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Hymns of Advent-Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
Luke 2:13-14

I. For God’s glory (13-14a; v1-line 1)

II. For peace on earth (14b; v1-line 2, vv2-3)

III. For God’s people (14b; v1-lines 3-4)

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Hymns of Advent-Good Christian Men, Rejoice
Luke 2:1-12,
December 2, 2018 Reverend Chris Harper

I. Who the message came to first (8)

II. How they responded (9)

III. What the message was (10-11)

  1. Fear not, for behold…

  2. Behold what?

(A) The Messiah has arrived (11, 1st verse)

(B) The Messiah brings good news for God’s people (10-11, 2nd verse)

(C) The Messiah is the Savior and Lord (11, 3rd verse)

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Remember & Reconcile, Ephesians 2:11-22
November 25, 2018, Reverend Chris Harper

I. What God is doing (19-22, 14)

  1. 3 images (19-22)

  2. Breaking down the wall (14)

II. How God is doing it (11-18)

  1. Through vertical reconciliation (16)

(A) Who needs it? (16a)

(B) How it’s accomplished (13b, 16b)

  1. Through horizontal reconciliation (14-18)

III. What that means for us

  1. Remember (11-13)

  2. Reconcile

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A Faith That Overcomes Despair, Mark 5:21-43 Reverend John Gordy Jesus Is Our Source of Help Jesus' Compassion Does Not Discriminate Jesus Is Trustworthy When Circumstances Seem Impossible

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Guilt, Grace, and Gratitude
Ephesians 2:1-10
November 4, 2018
Reverend Chris Harper

I. Guilt (1-3)

  1. Status (1)

  2. Practice (2-3a)

  3. Nature (3b)

II. Grace (4-9)

  1. God’s motive (4-5)

  2. God’s purpose (7)

  3. God’s provision (5-9)

III. Gratitude (10)

  1. We are God’s workmanship (10a)

  2. We are created to do good works (10b)

  3. Good works are prepared for us to do (10c)

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That You May Know...Hope., Ephesians 1:15-23

October 21, 2018
Reverend Chris Harper

I. Position (18b)

  1. Whose inheritance?

  2. What is the inheritance?

◊ Do we live life in light of this hope?

II. Power (19-21)

  1. Whose power? (19)

  2. What kind of power? (19-21)

  3. What is the goal of the power? (19)

◊ Do we live life in light of this hope?

III. Perspective (22-23)

  1. Who is the “fullness” of Jesus?

  2. What does that mean?

◊ Do we live life in light of this hope?

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To the Praise of the Holy Spirit's Glorious Grace
Ephesians 1:11-14
October 14, 2018
Reverend Chris Harper

I. We are an inheritance (11-12)

(1) Where is that in this text? (11a, 14)

(2) How do we know it can’t be lost?

(A) Anchored in his plan (11b)

(B) Secured by his power (11c)

(C) Designed for his praise (12)

II. We have an inheritance (13-14)

(1) What is it? (cf. 1:3-10)

(2) How do we know it can’t be lost?

(A) God has always been faithful to his people (12a, 13a)

(B) We have been sealed (13b)

(C) We have God’s earnest money (14)

So what?

(1) We have certainty that leads to hope that leads to peace (2 Cor 4:7-9, 16-18;

Eph 1:18; WCF 18.2)

(2) We must live to the praise of God’s glory and grace (Eph 1:6, 12, 14; 1 Pet 2:9-12)