Walnut Park Baptist Church Podcast: Recent Episodes
Walnut Park Baptist Church
Walnut Park Baptist Church exists to glorify God by multiplying followers of Christ who are growing in Christ.
“If I only had a little more each month, life would be much more comfortable.” “If my parents would just let me do this, I’d be much happier.” “If I could understand what was going on in her heart, things would make sense.” “If our culture wasn’t so backward, I wouldn’t complain about it.” “If he would show affection; if she would stop arguing; if the boss would just notice; if they would just let me in.” The human heart, stained by sin, is always seeking something more. That one thing that will prove to be the answer. The one solution that solves all problems. The key that unlocks all doors. When Paul wrote to the Colossian church, he pointed them to that one solution that stands above all others: Jesus. He’s enough. He’s all we need. And how do we know that Jesus is enough? In Colossians 1:15-23, Paul asserts that Jesus is the Most High King of Creation and the Most Humble Lord of Salvation, and therefore He is all I need.
Often we get discouraged and give up praying. Often we don’t even know how to pray or what to pray for people for whom we are concerned. In addition to that, we struggle to even know what to pray for ourselves. Paul prays an interesting prayer in Colossians 1:9-14, our text we will consider this coming Sunday morning. Take a few minutes to read the text and pray along with Paul. We will be challenged by the Word to continue in prayer, praying that “you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him." Prayer changes things. Prayer changes us!
You do have good reason to an outlook today that is filled with thankfulness. We have the Good News! Certainly, our world bombards us with concerns. It is a sin sick world! Yet, we are commanded to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). How is that even possible? Colossians 1:3 begins with these words: “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Take a few minutes to read Colossians 1:3-8. On Sunday morning we will carefully look at the text, meditating on the realities of the Good News that gives us constant reason for a genuinely thankful heart.
Is change possible? Can our lives really change in such a way that God is glorified? So often Christians go through life constantly defeated, often discouraged by our present world culture, and living no differently than the unbelieving world around them. Why is that? What will enable each believer to experience the differences inspired by our new life in Christ? On Sunday we open a new sermon series at Walnut Park—Colossians. We will begin with an introduction and overview of book of Colossians with an aim to identify what God reveals about how we can change and how we can comprehend living a new life for His glory.
Our culture tends to take sin very lightly. How often do you hear someone say, “I’m not a bad person”? Or maybe you hear someone boast about all the great things they do for God. Or what about you? Have you let a bad habit creep back in? Do you sometimes think God owes you for how much you serve him? Where does all this light-heartedness about sin come from? If Isaiah were alive today, he would tell us it’s because we need a fresh glimpse of the holiness of God. When we begin to see who God really is in all his glory and splendor, we become painfully aware of who we really are in all our sin. And when sinners see the holiness of God, they are either softened toward service or hardened in heart. May God give us softened hearts as we listen to His Word together.
We anticipate this Sunday! The choir will be singing. The children will be singing. We’ll all be singing! Why? Christ is risen from the dead! He live and lives forevermore. We will also examine Mark 16:1-8 with particular emphasis on the impact the resurrection made on the followers of Christ. Their lives were transformed and so are ours. The truth of the gift of life God provided through the resurrection of Jesus Christ provides great perspective and motivation for how we live our lives today. Because He lives…
On this coming Sunday, Palm Sunday, our choir will be presenting O What A Savior, by Russell Mauldin. One of the numbers they will sing repeats this phrase, “Oh, praise the One who paid my debt!” We will also take time to meditate on one verse, Mark 15:34, “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” Which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Why? Why was Jesus forsaken? As we examine that question we will be moved and motivated to praise the One who paid our debt!
After a long journey, it’s always good to finally arrive at your destination. And in many ways, that’s where we find ourselves in Mark 15 this Sunday. Mark 15 is that story that tells all the other stories. It’s the center point of Mark’s gospel account. It’s the center of the entire New Testament. And it’s the center of the entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments. This is the story that everything else in the Bible points to. The sinless Son of God was forsaken by God and was unjustly and brutally crucified by the hands of hateful men. What a love! What a cost! We stand forgiven at the cross!
Note: for those with sensitivities or with small children, please be aware that as we meditate on the death of Jesus, the sermon this Sunday may contain some graphic explanation of crucifixion and the suffering that Jesus endured. Parents of young children, please be advised.
Historically, Christians have spent the month leading up to Resurrection Sunday in personal meditation on the cross of Christ. And since we are going through the gospel of Mark on Sundays, we have the joy and privilege of meditating together as a church for four weeks leading up to Easter on the events leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection. This Sunday, we’ll find Jesus all alone, deserted by all his friends, confronted with the reality and proximity of his terrible suffering. In the end, who proves faithful? Do we champion our own faithfulness? Or do we look to the faithful One who keeps us faithful?
Join with us this Sunday morning at 10:45 am for our first Sunday of the month communion remembrance. We will stop to appreciate two momentous moments in Mark 14 revealing magnificent plan of God for our salvation. Take a few moments prior to the service to meditate on our text, Mark 14:1-26. What would motivate a woman to pour such a costly substance over the head and feet of Jesus? When we consider the price the Anointed One paid to provide propitiation for our sins, it makes sense. Why did Jesus emphasize the bread and the cup at the Passover meal? The answer to that question provides great assurance of the sufficiency of Christ, our Messiah.
Since the early church age, people have tried predicting the Second Coming of Christ. There’s something intriguing about trying to “read the times” and match them to biblical prophecy. But is that the point of biblical prophecy? Is that the point of a passage like Mark 13? In the last few chapters that we’ve looked at in Mark, we’ve seen Jesus in the temple. And it hasn’t exactly been a friendly scene. Jesus entered the temple in Mark 11 in order to clear it out. And in Mark 12, Jesus’ authority is constantly being challenged. There will always be opposition to Jesus. But will that opposition last forever? Followers of Christ understand that though opposition will increase throughout history, God will bring final judgment. And so, as Jesus says, Christians must stay awake and be on guard, always watching for Christ’s return.
We will study Mark 12:38-44 on Sunday morning. In that text Jesus gives a warning, “Beware of the scribes (vs.38),” and Jesus gives a compliment, “This poor widow put in more than all those (vs 43).” We need to understand why Jesus cautions us against takers, and why he compliments the humble giver. More importantly, we need to actively apply Christ’s teaching. Ask yourself, am I a taker or a giver?
Takers will say, “I need you to do this.” Givers will say, “what can I do for you?”
Takers are focused on their own agenda. Givers want to further your agenda.
Takers resent requests that they give of their time or energy or resources. Givers relish the opportunity to do so.
Takers are greedy. Givers are gracious.
Takers are entitled. Givers enable.
Takers use people. Givers serve people.
Takers are concerned about themselves. Givers are concerned for others.
Takers will stab you in the back. Givers will give you the shirt off their back.
In preparation for our time in communion on Sunday morning prepare your heart by reading Scripture. Read Isaiah 5:1-6:8. Read it thoughtfully and prayerfully. When you do read that passage you’ll begin to see so many comparisons that fit with our day and our need. We need to face the reality of the mess that surrounds us in a world that calls evil good and good evil. More importantly, we need to see the reality of God as He is and in so doing discover the answer the Lord has provided. When you see that, what will be your response?
We all tend to be intimidated when facing hard questions about our faith and life in Christ. However, Christ demonstrates for us how believers can be confidently prepared to handle difficult situations by learning how to respond to hard questions and how to ask the right questions. Read and meditate on Mark 12:13-37 in preparation for our service on Sunday morning at Walnut Park. You’ll see that Christ set a great example for his disciples of bold witness in difficult circumstances by using the tool of “questions.”
One of the four core values that we emphasize again and again at Walnut Park is this: “Life is all about Christ, our Lord, and our God!” Have you ever taken time to consider that word “Lord”? What does it mean? Essentially, it means that Jesus is our authority. How should it impact how we live? Does it even matter? We will see in our study of Mark 11:27–12:12 that it should impact how we live. Yes, Christ’s authority does matter. In preparation for our Sunday morning worship service take a few minutes to read our text (Mark 11:27-12:12). Ask God to prepare your heart to be in awe of Jesus as your Lord.
Some things in life are not what they appear to be. They might look great on the outside, but on the inside, it’s disgusting. In Mark 11, we are going to encounter the temple. We’re going to see Jesus ride to Jerusalem, and we are going to see him in the temple. But the temple is not what it appears to be. And this reveals something about humanity, and Jesus has something to say about it. In our text, we’ll see that Jesus is a different kind of King than anyone expected, and we’ll see what he desires for his people. May God lead us to complete dependence on him!
On Sunday morning, the first Sunday of the New Year, we will again observe the Lord’s Table, remembering the work of Christ. His death, burial, and resurrection makes known to us the hope of the Gospel! That Gospel should change the way we live! Like the children of Israel addressed in Isaiah chapter 1 we need to understand why the hope of the gospel is so important and how we should live willing and obedient lives for our Lord.
The Gospel of Mark describes discipleship in terms of walking with Jesus. When we find Jesus “on the way to Jerusalem” in chapters 8-10, “the road” becomes a teaching opportunity for Jesus on what it looks like to follow him. A disciple is someone who walks with Jesus. And when someone walks with Jesus, he opens their eyes to understand what it looks like to follow him. In our passage, we find Jesus both healing a physically blind man and in the process of healing the disciples of spiritual blindness. The disciples think greatness comes from pushing your way to the top. But Jesus says true greatness is found in serving. May God open our eyes to find rescue in Jesus and serving as a way of life.
Consider this simple riddle: What is at the same time so incredibly simple and yet so ridiculously hard?
We will discuss this riddle on Sunday morning as we look at Mark 10:13-31. Spend a few minutes considering the text. You may discover the answer to the riddle. Most importantly, prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand and apply the value Christ declared in Mark 10:29-30 when we said, “there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time… and in the age to come…”
The culture around us is constantly evolving. The values and philosophies that were in vogue 50 years ago are now considered old school and even bigoted. If you hold on to unchanging truth long enough, something about what you believe will eventually become unpopular in mainstream culture. Such is the case with marriage. But the Creator’s intention for marriage has not changed from day one of its existence. In Mark 10, Jesus, the Creator Himself, argues for the creation intent for marriage. May God give us grace to hear and embrace the Creator’s plan for marriage.
Good teachers know how to get the attention of their students. Jesus, the master teacher, did that for us in Mark 9:42-50. He captures our attention by stating his points with shockingly unforgettable analogies. By doing so, Jesus impresses upon us the horrible consequences of sin. Sin should bother us! Sin should scare us! Jesus also drives home the responsibility we have to live our lives as “living sacrifices” to provide a salty influence through our testimony of the gosepl. Grasp the gravity of what Jesus is teaching.
What sidetracks you? What distractions tend to keep you from doing what is important to Christ? We all do it; we all get distracted. The question is are we able address those distractions and get back on track? With those thoughts in mind, take a few moments to read our Sunday morning text, Mark 9:30-41. Note how the disciples became distracted and how Jesus wisely guided them back to ministry “In His name.”
In Mark 8, Jesus begins to withdraw from the crowds and focus on his disciples. With Jerusalem and his looming death on his mind, Jesus begins to teach his disciples what it truly means for him to be the Christ and what it looks like to follow Christ. It’s as if they enter the classroom for a class on discipleship, “Following Christ 101.” In Mark 9, we find two of the most fundamental aspects of what it means to follow Christ. Christ-followers should expect suffering for their faith, and they must express dependence on Jesus as their source of strength. 2,000 years later, the lessons are just as appropriate for us.
Mark 8:31 “He began to teach them…” Are you a good learner? How quickly do you comprehend and use the instructions you are given? Immediately following Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Christ, Jesus laid out pertinent instructions for his followers that had a massive impact on his followers. These instructions proved to be very meaningful. On Sunday as we gather around the Word of God, it will do us well as followers of Christ to heed His instructions in Mark 8 regarding the gospel. Take a few minutes to prayerfully meditate on Mark 8:31-38.
We have a problem. In American Christianity, often professing Christians are Christians “in name only.” Jesus dealt with a similar concern with his disciples during His ministry. What will it take for us to see Jesus as he really is, our Messiah? That is the point of the progression of Christ’s interactions with his disciples in Mark 8:11-30. Jesus warns them of the dangers of unbelief. He helps them handle doubts. Then he prompts them to perceive the reality of who he is. As we study Mark 8 today the Scriptures will move us from unbelief, doubt and apathy to the overwhelming conviction that Jesus is the Messiah, our Christ!
If Jesus is who the Scriptures reveal and Jesus does what it says he did, then what should be our response? That is the question we will address as we examine Mark chapter seven and eight together. In Mark 8:29 Jesus asked the disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” That response became the overarching conviction of Peter’s life. What observations led him to that conclusion? What will lead us to that same conclusion? What difference will that conviction make in us today?
There’s something about human nature that enjoys a list of do’s and don’ts. Give me a list of boxes to check, and I enjoy working through each one, because then I can feel good about myself once I’ve checked the box. But while this approach works really well for house projects and work tasks, it is a powerless tool when it comes to the Christian life. Rules don’t make you a better person. Rules can’t save. What is it that truly defiles us and makes us sinful before God? The heart of the matter is a heart matter. But thanks be to God that there is a heart-Transformer.
As a follower of Jesus Christ, you will discover that Jesus will use a variety of life events to equip you for service in his kingdom. Today we will again examine the Gospel of Mark together and observe several actions that Jesus took to prepare his disciples for their essential ministry. Jesus used quiet teaching moments, he used stressful responsibilities, and he used the overwhelming emergency circumstances to emphasize his Lordship and deity. What discipleship essentials does Jesus have for you to learn as his follower?
At Walnut Park we as a church family are committed to following Christ and helping others follow Christ. This morning we will look at three different teaching moments Jesus had with his disciples so that they would be ready for lives as followers of Christ. Christ’s followers need to know that discipleship is not for the faint of heart. There’s a level of commitment in the face of hardship that is required in order for us to prepare, find our purpose, and persevere. Take a few moments to read Mark 6:1-30. Believer, pray that God will use His Word to strengthen you as a follower of Christ.
In Mark 5 we have two stories involving two different life situations: the story of Jairus and his daughter and the story of the woman who had been sick for twelve years. The two stories are intermingled. Why? What’s the connection? There is a reason for that intermingling. This morning we will study the two accounts together to discern what Christ intends for us to know about faith.
This Sunday, the first Sunday of the month, we will again observe the Lord’s Table together. You will be encouraged in your faith in Christ and your conviction of His coming! We read in 1 Corinthians 11:26 “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” In anticipation of Christ’s coming, we will study Revelation 19-22 seeking to develop our comprehension and appreciation of what will heaven be like. How will Christ be revealed? What will He do? How will we respond? Jesus said in Revelation 22:20, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen! Come Lord Jesus!
Paradise—it’s a term often used in our culture: A town in California is named Paradise and another in Nevada, and another in Florida. You can go to Florida to Paradise Beach. You can go to the Bahamas to Paradise Island. You can get Paradise shoes. You can go to a Paradise restaurant. You can even go to a nail salon called Paradise Nails. Believer it or not, there’s a tobacco store called Smoker’s Paradise. The list goes on and on, but none of them are true paradise. What is Paradise really? The Bible gives us the answer. We’ll study that together in our service on Sunday. You’ll find it encouraging and motivating.
Jesus spoke often about heaven. Christ’s Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24 and 25 provides an extended discussion Jesus gave, teaching us about heaven. Matthew 24 might be given the title: Anticipating Christ’s Return. Matthew 25 might be given the title: Realities of Heaven. How well do you know what heaven will be like? Is heaven a reality to you? We don't think about heaven enough! A. W. Tozer said, “Let no one apologize for the powerful emphasis Christianity lays upon the doctrine of the world to come. Right there lies its immense superiority to everything else within the whole sphere of human thought or experience… We do well to think of the long tomorrow.”
How much do you think about heaven? If heaven doesn’t cross your mind very often you are missing out! Beginning this Sunday we will start a summer preaching series on “Heaven: Better Than You Can Imagine.” Meditate on Colossians 3:1-2. What is your concept of heaven? Is it biblical? Is it motivating? We’ll address the reasons why we aren’t all that excited about heaven and what to do about it. Believers in Jesus Christ need the encouragement that comes from knowing our home is in heaven and knowing that it will be worth it all!
Hebrews 13 teaches us what it looks like to follow Christ. What are the characteristics of Christians? Christians show love to each other and to strangers. They care for the mistreated. They hold marriage in high honor. They live content with what they have. They enjoy the security they have in Jesus. And our text this week shows that they respond to authority. In our day and age, authority is always suspect. But God has chosen to use leadership in the church as a means to keep his people in the faith, and so mutual joy is experienced through faithful submission to faithful leadership.
We live in the midst of a society that is desperately searching for hope. Like a blind man reaching for something, anything to hold on to to give him some perspective of where he is, our culture is searching for anything that might explain life and give hope. What is the hope for our culture? What is the hope for us? And where should the oppressed look for deliverance? What Mark 5:1-20 teaches is that Jesus can deliver you from all your oppression, and when he does, you will shout his mercy to anyone who will listen. Glory be to God for the Lord who is our salvation!
Great storms in life provide great opportunities to trust in our great God. But they also become opportunities to fear. Sometimes the waves of life loom large over us, and they appear to be more than we can handle. But above the storm stands the Sovereign Lord who commands the sea, and it obeys him. What does it look like for disciples to follow Jesus, specifically in the midst of difficult circumstances? Part of what it means to follow Jesus is to respond to all of life with faith in the all Sovereign God. Mark 4:35-41 asks the question, will you cower in fear of the circumstances around you, or will you trust in the Sovereign Lord to deliver you?
In the letter of Hebrews, we are constantly exhorted to persevere, and we are constantly encouraged that God will preserve his own. As it turns out, God’s preservation of his own is what motivates contentment with wherever he has placed us. Just like the Hebrew Christians this letter was originally written to, we often find ourselves in painful circumstances that we don’t like, and we are tempted toward discontentment. What motivation enables a person to be content with their current circumstances? The believer enjoys absolute security in Christ and therefore has no need for fear or discontentment. May God encourage us with his sovereign keeping hand and motivate us to continue running the Christian race.
Jesus is the light of the world. He’s given us his light–his truth we can understand and put to use–so that we can let others see his light. Every believer has opportunity to let his light so shine before the people in our lives so that they can see our good works and glorify the Father in heaven! The question is: how are you doing with that? How are you doing with sharing Christ’s light? Prayerfully consider what Christ has for you to understand and apply in the light revealed in Mark 4:21-25, the text we will study together this morning.
Today, we'll be considering that our King Jesus came as a servant to suffer in our place, paying the penalty for our sin. Jesus came, knowing the crowd would turn on Him, knowing they’d turn from singing “Hosanna, the King” to screaming “Crucify Him, Crucify Him!” He did what he did, dying on the cross and conquering the grave, so that someday believers can sing “He is Exalted” as King forever in Heaven! We will also see in Hebrews 13:5 that our contentment is found in Christ. Christian, learn that moment by moment practicing the presence of Christ in your life is where you will find what it means to be content.
God can accomplish so much more than we can ever imagine! Exceedingly above all we could ever ask or think! In our text this morning, Mark 4:20, Christ emphasizes that truth in an unforgettable way. When we hear the Word and accept it (understand it, receive it, and keep it) God produces fruitfulness that will leave us simply amazed! May this truth from God’s Word profoundly influence how we respond and live.
Jesus masterfully teaches. He is the master teacher! He spent three and a half years teaching his disciples using practical true-to-life illustrations. Jesus continues to teach us today, through the written Word, using the same tools He used to teach His disciples. Parables proved to be one of His most useful tools for teaching eternal truths. The more we think on them the more there is to learn. This morning, ask the Lord for a clear understanding of the parable of the sower of the seed. Also, pray that the Lord will use the parable in your life to bear much fruit that remains.
The purpose of the book of Hebrews is to motivate us to persevere in the faith, to keep on following Jesus! Do not grow weary or fainthearted, even when the rest of the world around us is in crazy chaos. Continue living the faith! Hebrews 13 emphasizes how we are to live the Christian ethic in a world gone mad! What does that look like? What ethics do we live by? Hebrews 13 affords us five formative ethics for the Christian: Christians love well; honor marriage; understand contentment; enjoy security; respond to authority. This morning’s focus will address the second one: honor marriage.
Christian, take time today to think of the many people God has used to “disciple” you in your walk with Christ! Consider the valuable investment others have made in you to make it possible for you to follow Christ. In our exposition of Mark 3 we see that Christ instituted and exemplified the ministry of discipleship appointing 12 ordinary men as disciples. Later, His command to them was to follow His example, making disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Mark 3:20-35, highlights the danger of distractions that may keep us from obeying Christ’s great commission. Nothing in this life is as meaningful as being used of God in discipleship.
God’s ways are far above our ways! We tend to think things have to be flashy and big, entertaining and popular for success to become a reality. We are impressed with big crowds and big events and big names. However, Jesus chose a different method to further His kingdom. Jesus chose to use ordinary people like you and me. We’ll see in Mark 3 that Jesus chose twelve unknown men to turn the world upside down proclaiming Christ. Jesus chooses the foolish things of the world to confound the mighty! That gives each of us, ordinary people, an understanding of the purpose God has for us. Whatever you do, make disciples!
No one in their right mind would ever aspire to be a Pharisee. Jesus condemned the Pharisees in Matthew 23, “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” However, the sad reality is that many of the tendencies of the Pharisees prevalent in Bible times remain evident in the lives of professing believers today. In our text in Mark 2 and 3 this morning we will see how Jesus interacted with the Pharisees and exposed their sin. We’ll identify the tendencies of a Pharisee and ask ourselves, “Am I one?” Prepare your heart to receive the message of the Word through the ministry of the Holy Spirit’s convicting power.
The book of Hebrews is meant to motivate us to persevere in the faith, to keep on following Jesus as Lord in a world that resists Him. So, how are we to to do that? What ethics do we live by? What does that look like in a day like ours? In Hebrews 13 we find five values that provide us an ethical basis for how we live in sharp contrast to the cultural values of people around us. Christians love well. Christians cherish marriage. Christians value contentment. Christians enjoy security. Christians respond to authority. On Sunday we will begin to examine these ethical values one by one. Meditate upon them. Answer the question, “How then should I live?”
This week, we had the privilege of having with us Chris Anderson from Biblical Ministries Worldwide.
The reality of living in a world plagued by sin is that much of life is filled with disappointment. There are seasons where everything is going right, and joy reigns. But there are also seasons, like our bleak midwinter, when not much seems to be going right, and pain and frustration stain the beautiful life we were living. And every so often, those seasons turn into sagas. They seem to keep on and on. How does a Christian pray when it feels like God is not listening? What should a child of God do when he feels despairing and God-forsaken? Thank God for Psalms like Psalm 88, that teach us how a child of God prays when the darkness will not lift.
We continue this morning with our January prayer focus. Be sure to take a few minutes each day to read the daily Walnut Park prayer email you receive each morning this month. Also, plan to read the book you have received, Praying the Bible, by Donald Whitney. In that book you’ll be encouraged to read a Psalm each day and to pray that Psalm to the Lord. One of the many benefits of prayer like that is the perspective you gain of God’s care for you and plan for your life. Our text this morning, Psalm 121, will do just that! “My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”
The beauty of prayer is that talking with God is for all seasons of life. And for Christians on this side of heaven, that includes bringing our sin to him. But stop and think about that for a minute. We can bring our sin against God TO God. God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. He is ready to forgive. That’s astounding! So what, then, does it look like for me as a child of God to bring my sin to him? How is my relationship with God restored after sinning? Only through real repentance. And what does real repentance look like? David’s prayer in Psalm 51 has much to teach us.
Throughout the month of January we’ll focus on prayer and seeking the Lord’s purpose and leading for the new year. The reality is that most of us struggle in our prayer life. Throughout the month of January, plan to take a few minutes each day to read a few pages of the book, paying close attention to the section teaching us how to pray the Psalms. This morning we will consider Psalm 57. Notice that it is a prayer. As we look at the Psalm, we will identify three prayer directives we can use in our own individual prayer lives that will lead us to God’s purpose for our lives.
It’s not a popular concept these days, yet helping our children recognize the problem of sin will do so much to prepare them for understanding the gospel. Our conversation in this podcast focuses on the realities of the “lostness” of the sinner without Christ and what we can do about that.
We read in Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” When you think of the “fear of the LORD,” what does it stir up within you? Have you ever thought of it as an encouraging thing? Our study in Proverbs help us dig in deeper to consider profound truths from God. In this message we will dig in deeper to discover the astounding realities of the “Fear of the LORD” that will motivate us to joyfully worship the LORD moment by moment, day after day.
As we begin our journey through Proverbs during our Sunday morning services at Walnut Park this summer we hope to see the book of Proverbs become one of your favorite books of the Bible. Proverbs can be an overwhelming book. In fact, it can be quite confusing. However, the first seven verses of the book provide us with the means for gleaning great things each time we read Proverbs. In this message we will unpack Proverbs 1:1-7 so that the rest of the book makes sense.
This week is the first week in our summer study on excerpts in the book of Proverbs. If you are familiar with this book of wisdom, you are already aware that is contains a wealth of “one-liners” that we would be wise to live by. And what is true of so many of these proverbs is that every human, whether they believe in God or not, can benefit from following these simple truths. But what sets Proverbs 3 apart from some of the others is that the benefits of wisdom found therein, are predicated on one’s trust in the Lord, acknowledgment and fear of Him, and a resolve to honor Him. These particular actions can only be found in true believers of God. And for believers who are determined to trust, fear, and honor God, the reward will be great and endless.
Join in and listen to our conversation about guilt free parenting. Guilt free parenting really can be discovered. The Shema in Deuteronomy 6 provides the way. Our responsibility as parents is to help our children know God and love God.
We live in troubling times in a messed up world. We are bombarded every day with so many off the wall arguments or opinions. We are surrounded with lies. It’s overwhelming. It’s all so very confusing. However, when we sit down with the Bible open before us and study God’s Word we gain insight for living that provides clarity and assurance. We can see through the fog of the foolish ideas. We can see what’s fake and what’s real. We gain perspective of true value and purpose beyond the limited constructs of this world. We sense our need for God and discover God’s help through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his provision of grace, saving grace and sustaining grace! We learn how to live by faith alone, in Christ alone, by grace alone.That is what we will do on Sunday morning as we gather at Walnut Park together to study the last few verses of the book of Galatians. We will gain insight from three very important points Paul makes as he closes out the book of Galatians. We will be convinced again of the dangers of heinous legalism, of the all encompassing work of Christ on the cross, and of His amazing grace.
What will keep you going when you don’t have any reason to believe it’s worth trying any more? What will help you persist? In this message you will see in Galatians 6 two “sure things” you can count on that will give you perspective to keep on keeping on. It’s worth it to keep on witnessing to your friend. It’s worth it to invest great commission discipleship. And it is so very worth it to continue on progressing in personal sanctification, even if you have failed again and again. Don’t give up!
We will study Galatians 6:1-6 together, emphasizing that when we are filled with the fruit of the Spirit and walking in the Spirit we will have opportunity to be used of God to minister to help others who are struggling with sin. The reality is we are all are sinners. That’s news to no one. It’s also a reality that we are surrounded by others who struggle with sin. The message of Galatians is that because of the gospel story (chapters 1 and 2) and the reality of the relationship we have with Christ (chapters 3 and 4) and the Spirit’s transforming power within us, we have freedom (chapter 5)! We don’t have to continue in sin. When we grasp that message, God then uses us to help others to discover the reality of that message! God will use you to restore others who are struggling with sin (Galatians 6). Be not weary in well doing!
Living as a follower of Christ is no walk in the park. There are battles with the flesh, taunts of those who look down on Christians, long-term sufferings, and temptations to give up. Christians are not exempt from suffering. That’s what Christians in the book of Hebrews were experiencing, and we often find ourselves in the same place. So how is a child of God to view the painful circumstances of life? Are they evidence of God’s anger toward me for my sin? Or could they be the kind hand of a loving Father? Hebrews 12 gives us both an explanation of what God’s discipline is as well as a blueprint for how Christians should respond to it. May God help us to understand his kind hand of discipline, appreciate it, and submit to his training in our lives.
In this session, we are going to venture into a secular, dualistic model for viewing morality. Our usual study model has simply been to look at the truth of God’s Word and make conclusions for life from the Bible. But a perspective of secular morality will help us greatly in trying to understand the world’s approach to morality and humanity. This will greatly enhance our understanding as to why secular models can gain widespread acceptance and eventually lead to normalized “moral,” ethical, and legal processes that are counter to God’s truth in every way.
It is very easy to live in the sinful desires and passions of our flesh, but we know it is wrong. It is very hard to walk in the Spirit, allowing God to produce spiritual fruit in us, but we know this is what God desires. Amid Satan’s aggression and the perpetual shortcomings to which my flesh seems to perpetually ensnare me, how can I live in freedom from sin and self? Paul’s answer is to keep in step with the Spirit of God. This Sunday we’ll be studying practical ways to do just that.
This Sunday marks the beginning of the commemoration of the passion week of Christ. It culminates in the record of the horrible crucifixion of Christ on the cross. Horrible, cruel, unthinkable! How could they do that to him? When a horrible crime is committed we want to know who is responsible. We want justice to be done! With that in mind we will examine Luke 22 and 23 to carefully consider who was responsible for Christ’s death. What were they thinking? What was their response? Most importantly we need to consider our response.
Conflict! It’s inevitable. In your home sinners dwell. Anywhere sinners dwell there will be conflict. So, the question is, what are we going to do about it? In this message we will take a unique look at one of the poetic books in the Old Testament, the Song of Solomon. We’ll be looking for the answer to the question, “What are we going to do with all this conflict?” Prayerfully prepare your heart for the preaching and application of the Word. God’s solutions for our real life problems certainly are the best.
There is no verse in the Bible that begins this way: "Thus says the Lord, the image and likeness of God are . . ." with a description or list to follow. However, God has given us a comprehensive network of truth that helps us understand these concepts. These truths are necessary in helping us answer many questions regarding the humanity of man and our responsibility to God as the sole creation that bears His image and likeness.
Why does Galatians 5:23 end with, “against such things there is no law?" In your own study of the Bible you have probably found yourself asking that question as well without a sufficient answer. That phrase has been an enigma for many and is most often simply skipped over. In this message we will complete our study of the fruit of the Spirit and thoughtfully consider what is meant by “against such things there is no law.” You’ll be moved by the power of the Holy Spirit who makes much of Jesus Christ who is to you love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and temperance.
The question: "What is a human?" may seem very simple to answer. But if we get the answer even slightly wrong, there is no end to what else we will inevitably get wrong. This episode will help us form biblical answers for humanity as God designed it at His creation.
We often hear things like this: “Just be kind!” Or, “Just do the right thing.” Or, “Be true to your word.” The problem is that even though these are desirable qualities, most often they are not realities. Why not? The reality is that the only one who can produce the qualities of kindness, and goodness, and faithfulness is God who is kind and good and faithful. As we continue our study of the Fruit of the Spirit we will look to the Scriptures to see what the Holy Spirit does to produce in us what we cannot produce ourselves.
We find ourselves in a society that has more questions than they have answers. Fortunately, we have all the answers we need for life and godliness through knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:3). This first podcast will introduce the first tough question we’ll seek to answer biblically: “What is a human?”