This sermon presents a robust biblical defense of marriage as a lifelong, sacred covenant established by God between one man and one woman, rooted in creation and reflecting Christ's faithful love for the church. Drawing from Mark 10, it emphasizes that while divorce was permitted under Mosaic law due to humanity's hardness of heart, God's original design—articulated in Genesis—intends marriage as an unbreakable union, not a transactional arrangement. The teaching confronts cultural relativism by asserting that marriage is not defined by human convenience or emotional fulfillment but by divine intention, with adultery resulting from remarriage after divorce, regardless of gender. It acknowledges rare biblical exceptions—adultery and abandonment—while affirming that reconciliation is always preferable and that forgiveness is available in Christ for all, including those affected by divorce. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to view marriage as a sacred, Christ-centered relationship that demands self-sacrifice, grace, and reliance on God's strength, reflecting the eternal covenant between Christ and His bride.
Editor's Note: the beginning of the Scripture reading is cut off. The reading picks up with Mark 8:28.
Editor's Note: Due to a technical issue, the audio cut out the prayer of illumination and part of the sermon intro.
For the last several years, Redeemer has had the opportunity to hold a Protestant Reformation worship service outside on the Riverfront in downtown Peoria IL during the Oktoberfest Festival. This sermon was preached during the 2025 Oktoberfest Festival.
The sermon explores how Jesus, amidst a tumultuous storm, demonstrates divine authority over creation and calls his followers to greater faith. Drawing from the familiar story of Mark 4, the message examines the setting, the storm itself, and Jesus' calm rebuke of both the wind and his disciples, highlighting the contrast between their fear and his sovereign power. It emphasizes that trials, though challenging, serve a purpose in conforming believers to Christ, removing reliance on self, and ultimately revealing the hope of glory found in trusting the Lord, even when facing life's inevitable storms.
The sermon explores the nature of God's kingdom, drawing parallels between the seemingly insignificant beginning of a mustard seed and the glorious expansion of Christ's salvation. Using the story of David and Goliath, the message emphasizes that God sovereignly uses small and unexpected means to accomplish His purposes, revealing that the kingdom's growth, though often imperceptible, will ultimately be revealed in Christ. Christ reigns now (Psalm 2), but the kingdom of God will be fully revealed when he returns. The speaker encourages listeners to look beyond external circumstances and to trust in God's promises, finding hope and assurance in the knowledge that Christ's sacrifice has secured their freedom and that He will return to perfect His work.
The sermon explores the nature of kingdom growth, drawing parallels between a farmer scattering seed and God's sovereign work in spreading the gospel. It emphasizes that while evangelism and ministry are vital, true growth is ultimately dependent on God's power and timing, not human efforts, and that the harvest is certain despite appearances. The message encourages trust in God's plan, faithfulness in sharing the gospel, and a hopeful anticipation of Christ's return to establish His kingdom in its fullness, urging listeners to embrace their role as stewards of God's mystery and to remain steadfast in their faith.
The sermon emphasizes the responsibility to actively engage with God's revelation, drawing a parallel to possessing a secret meant to be utilized rather than hidden. It highlights the importance of not only hearing the Word but also considering and applying it to one's life, as this leads to spiritual growth and increased understanding, while neglecting it results in a loss of what one already possesses. Ultimately, the message calls for diligent stewardship of the gospel, encouraging listeners to share its light and seek God's promises through faithful engagement with His Word, recognizing that God works through means to bring about growth and understanding.
Editor's Note: There is some white noise/feedback at the beginning of the sermon, however, it is not as present after the Scripture reading.
I. The Messenger's Mission (vv. 1-3) II. The Messenger's Manner (vv. 4-6) III. The Messenger's Message (vv. 7-8)
Key Verse—v. 9: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." (ESV) Aim: To be Strong and Courageous in Christ—as God's Liberated and Joyful Church
Key Verse—v. 1: "The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth." (ESV) Aim: To live in the fullness of our incarnated and glorified Redeemer
Key Verses—vv. 1-2, 13: "The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever . . . The children of your elect sister greet you." (ESV) Aim: To live as elect children of Christ's elect church
Key Verses—vv. 8-9a: "Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you . . . " (ESV) Aim: To treat each other with miraculous grace in Christ
Key Verse—v. 17: "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." (ESV) Aim: To rejoice and sing for gladness of heart, in Jesus
Key Phrase—v. 15a: "Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace! . . . " (ESV) Aim: To rejoice in our God—since we are liberated in Christ's gospel
Key Phrase—v. 3a: "The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock . . . " (ESV)Aim: To walk humbly with our God—through saving faith in Christ
I. The Righteous Call Upon God (vv. 1-3)II. The Righteous Know God (vv. 4-6)III. The Righteous Petition God (vv. 7-10)IV. The Righteous Trust in God (vv. 11-12)
Key Verse—v. 11: " 'In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old . . . ' " (ESV)Aim: To rejoice in Jesus—since we have everything we need in Him
Key Phrases—vv. 28a, 32a: " 'And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh . . . And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. . . . ' " (ESV)Aim: To Be Filled With The Spirit of God—As Christ's Church
Key Phrase—v. 23b, c: "And I will have mercy on No Mercy, and I will say to Not My People, You are my people; and he shall say, You are my God." (ESV)Aim: To rejoice—that God has united us to His Son
Key Phrase—v. 4a: "Scarcely had I passed them when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not let him go . . . " (ESV)Aim: To seek, find, and love God in our Lord Jesus Christ
Key Verses—vv. 13-14: "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." (ESV)Aim: To come to and be found in Christ—as His redeemed church
Key Verse—v. 10: "Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said, 'Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. . . .' "(ESV)Aim: To praise our God with great delight—as His blood-brought church
Key Verse—v. 18: "Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, 'Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?'" (ESV)Aim: To explode in praise to God—for what He has done for us in Christ
Key Verses—vv. 24-26: "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give youpeace." (ESV)Aim: To live in The Great Benediction—through Christ alone
Key Phrase—v. 11c: " . . . and the God of love and peace will be with you." (ESV)Aim: To relish The God of Love and Peace through our living faith in Jesus
Key Verse—v. 5: "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (ESV)Aim: To "pass" "The Faith Test" with "flying colors"—through true love for God in Christ
Key Verse—v. 2: "I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them— . . . " (ESV)Aim: To Fear our Great God—even as we are Perfectly Loved by Him
Key Phrase—v. 19b: "It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved." (ESV)Aim: To be strong and secure in Christ—despite fearful threats
Key Phrase—v. 14a: "Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you." (ESV)Aim: To be honorable, regenerated Christian churchmen
Key Phrase—v. 11b: "For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing." (ESV)Aim: To aspire to Christ-greatness as God's redeemed church
Key Verses—vv. 8-9a: "Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he [Christ] said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect inweakness.'" (ESV)Aim: To accept our "thorn in the flesh"; with true gratitude
Key Verse—v. 5: "On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— . . . " (ESV)Aim: To comprehend that all of our strength is in Christ alone
Key Verse—11:30: "If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness." (ESV)Aim: To glory in Christ—even as we are destitute sinners
Key Phrase—v. 3a: "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called the children of God . . . " (ESV)Aim: To Love The Father Who Loves us—In Christ, and By The Spirit.
Key Phrase—v. 21b: "But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that." (ESV)Aim: To Appreciate God's True Apostles and Ministers
Key Verse—v. 16: "I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little." (ESV)Aim: To wisely follow Christ, as His faithful church
Key Verse-v. 12- -And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do.- -ESV---Aim- To thoroughly frustrate Satan's ministers
Key Verse-v. 7- -Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God's gospel to you free of charge--- -ESV---Aim- To understand that Christian love does what is necessary
Key Verse-v. 5- -Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles.- -ESV---Aim- To stand with God's apostles-rejecting all fakes
Key Verse-v. 17- -Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord - -ESV---Aim- To be liberated, joyful, and confident Christian churchmen
Key Verse-v. 11- -Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present.- -ESV---Aim- To appreciate and emulate honest gospel ministry
Key Verse- -We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ-- -ESV---Aim- To understand that church life and ministry is serious--I. Doctrine- God's Church Shepherds Are Both Tender And Fierce -A. We Are Gentle Lambs Toward Repentant Sinners -Lk. 7-47-48--B. But We Are Destroying Warriors Against Christ's Enemies -2 Cor. 10-4-6---II. The Attitudinal Flow Of Christ's Faithful Ministers -vv. 1-6--A. We Much Desire To Be Soft And Tender -vv. 1-2--B. But When Necessary We Will Wield Lethal Weapons -vv. 3-4--C. To Expose And Destroy Anything That Dishonors Our Redeemer -vv. 5-6---III. Why Humble Christians Need Never Fear Christ's True Ministers -A. Because We, Like Jesus, Love You -Who Love God- -Jn. 16-27--B. And Our Passion Is To Bless And Encourage You -Eph. 1-15-20-
Editor's Note- Due to technical difficulties, the recording does not include verses 15-16 but picks up at verse 17 being read.--Key Verse-v. 26- -Then -Pilate- released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him -Jesus- to be crucified.- -ESV---Aim- To revel in the fact that Jesus took our place on the Cross, thus giving His church Resurrection Life-
Key Verses-vv. 14-15- -And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 'Fear not, daughter of Zion- behold your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt-' - -ESV---Aim- To understand why King Jesus came to earth- and to live by faith in Him
Key Verse-v. 15- -Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift-- -ESV---Aim- To Live Fully in Jesus Christ, The Glory of The Kingdom
Key Verse-v. 8- -And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.- -ESV---Aim- To Live to the Full in Jesus-As God's Beloved Church
Key Phrases-vv. 2a, 3b- - . . . for I know your readiness . . . so that you may be ready, as I said you would be.- -ESV---Aim- To Be a Church Always Ready For Ministry
Editor's Note- Due to technical difficulties, the recording does not include verses 16-19 but picks up at verse 20 being read.--Key Phrase-v. 23b- - . . . And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.- -ESV---Aim- To Always Be God's Church, -The Glory of Christ-
Key Verse-v. 9- -For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.- -ESV---Aim- To relish the wonder of The God of Grace and Mercy
Key Verse-v. 1- -We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia . . . - -ESV---Aim- To always be a miraculously gracious church-in Christ
Key Phrase-v. 13b- -And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.- -ESV---Aim- To be what we are- the Contagiously Joyful church
Key Verse-v. 17- -Then I said to them, 'You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.' - -ESV---Aim- To be Encouraged to Loving Action-through our Faith in Christ
Key Verse-v. 10- -For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death -ESV---Aim- To be thoroughly humbled, repentant, and joyful Christians
Key Phrase-v. 7a- -Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end . . . - -ESV---Aim- To appreciate some of the wonderful significance of the Gift of our Savior-our Lord Jesus Christ
Key Verse-v. 4- -But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law . . . - -ESV---Aim- To Wonder at Christ's Incarnation, and its Amazing Ramifications
Key Verses-vv. 6-7a- -But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you . . . - -ESV---Aim- To be completely -comfortable- people in Jesus-as God's beloved church
Key Verse-v. 4- -I am acting with great boldness toward you- I have great pride in you- I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.- -ESV---Aim- To be-and know ourselves to be-the sheep of Christ's church
Key Verse-7-1- -Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.- -ESV---Aim- To wisely -choose- Christ-by God's grace -alone-
Key Verses-vv. 3-4a- -We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way- . . . - -ESV---Aim- To follow and be the Ministry Servants of God
Key Phrase-v. 2a- -For he -God- says, 'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' - -ESV---Aim- To be shown to be faithful in Christ-as God's redeemed church
Key Verse-v. 21- -For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.- -ESV---Aim- To be Experiencers and Ambassadors of The Great Exchange
Key Verse-v. 17- -Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away- behold, the new has come.- -ESV---Aim- To be Reconciling New Creatures-as God's forgiven church
Key Phrases-vv. 11a, 14a- -Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. . . .For the love of Christ controls us . . . - -ESV---Aim- To Fear The Lord in The Love of Christ
Key Verses-vv. 6-7- -So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.- -ESV---Aim- To be of -Good Courage- as the humble and militant church of Christ
Key Verses-vv. 6-7- -So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.- -ESV---Aim- To persevere in Jesus while living in our Tent of Preparation
Key Verse-v. 18- - . . . as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.- -ESV---Aim- To live in Jesus by grace-as God's persevering church
Key Verse-v. 13- -Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, 'I believed, and so I spoke,' we also believe, and so we also speak . . . - -ESV----Aim- To faithfully Believe in and Speak of Jesus-as God's redeemed church
Key Verse-v. 11- -For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.- -ESV---Aim- To cling to Jesus in life and in death
Aim- To bless God for His anointing of us - keeping us in Christ. --I. Doctrine- God's Anointing of His Churchmen is Invincible - A. Real Threats Really Do Come Our Way- B. But None of Them Can De-Christianize Us--II. Exegesis- The Teaching Ministry of God's Anointing of Us, His Children- A. It Anticipates Liars and Their Treacheries -v. 26-- B. It is the Special Grace of the Holy Spirit -v. 27a-- C. Its Main Function is to Keep Us United to the Godhead -v. 27b---III. Application- Why God's Anointing of Us is Our Unconquerable Secret Weapon- A. Because the World Can Do Nothing About the Fact that We Possess This -- B. The Impregnable Blocker Of All Serious Theological Error
Key Verse-v. 6- -For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.- -ESV---Aim- To be Lovers of Christ-as the Spirit-filled church
Key Verse-v. 2- -But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.- -ESV---Aim- To procure and hear Honest Ministers in Christ's true church
Key Verse-v. 18- -And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.- -ESV---Aim- To behold the glory of Christ by faith-with unveiled faces
Key Verse-v. 9- -For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory.- -ESV---Aim- To revel in The Christ of The Covenant of Grace
Editor's Note- There is some feedback-white noise in the background during the Scripture reading, however, it is not present during the rest of the sermon.--Key Verses-vv. 5-6a- -Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant . . . - -ESV---Aim- To bless God for sending His Ministers of a New Covenant
Key Phrase-v. 3a- -And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us . . . - -ESV---Aim- To be very -legible- -Letters from Christ,- as God's faithful church
Key Phrase-v. 16b- - . . . Who is sufficient for these things--- -ESV---Aim- To understand that all the church's sufficiency is in Christ alone
Key Verse-v. 10- -Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ . . . - -ESV-- -Aim- To relish forgiveness of sins in Jesus' blood-and to demonstrate this forgiveness to each other
Key Verse-2-4- -For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.- -ESV---Aim- To be Good Stewards of Pain, Faith, and Love-as Christ's church
Key Verse-v. 20- -For all the promises of God find their Yes in -Christ-. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.- -ESV---Aim- To trust and love the Trinity through Christ The Promise of God
Key Verse-v. 19- -For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes.- -ESV-- -Aim- To understand God to be absolutely positive toward us, Christ's church
Key Verse-v. 12- -For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.- -ESV- --Aim- To rejoice in Christlikeness in the church
Key Verse-v. 9- -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.- -ESV---Aim- To come to God through Jesus Christ in all our afflictions
Key Verse-v. 5- -For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.- -ESV---Aim- To Suffer and Be Comforted in Jesus-as God's supernatural church
Key Verse-v. 3- -Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Fa-ther of mercies and God of all comfort . . . - -ESV- --Aim- To Grow in our Love for our Heavenly Father-through our Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ
Key Verse-v. 2- -Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.- -ESV- - -Aim- To Be the Faithful Church-Sitting At Jesus' Feet
Welcome Rev. Justin Coverstone visiting from Grace Fellowship Church PCA in Freeport, IL
Key Verse-v. 14- -And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him- his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.- -ESV---Aim- To Enjoy our Christ Today-as we appreciate His Eternal Dominion
Key Phrase-v. 20c- - . . . Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.- -ESV---Aim- To Love God in Jesus Christ-As the Liberated Church
Key Phrase-v. 16a, b- -If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life-to those who commit sins that do not lead to death.-- -ESV---Aim- To Bless God for Forgiveness of Sins -in Jesus' Blood Atonement-
Key Verse-v. 14- -And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.- -ESV- --Aim- To More Consistently Practice Confident Faith-As God's Beloved Church
Key Verse-v. 11- -And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.- -ESV---Aim- To Believe The Testimony of God, As Christ's Faithful and Loving Church
Key Phrase-v. 4b- - . . . And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith.- -ESV--Aim- To Live by Faith in Christ-As God's Church of -World-Overcomers-
Key Verses-vv. 7-8- -For there are three that testify- the Spirit and the water and the blood- and these three agree.- -ESV----Aim- To Believe God's Inviolable Testimony Concerning His Son
Key Verse-v. 1- -Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.- -ESV- --Aim- To Live our True Nature in Christ-As Children of God
Key Verse-v. 18- -There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.- -ESV-- - Aim- To be Totally Secure in Christ-As God's Loved and Forgiven Church
Key Verse-v. 16- -So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.-- -ESV---Aim- To Love The God Who Is Love in Christ-As His Church
Key Verse-v. 9- -In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.- -ESV---Aim- To Live in the Love of God-in The Christ Who was Sent To us
Key verse. v. 4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. --Aim- To be transformed in our thinking, through Jesus', triumph on our behalf.
Key Phrase-v. 1a- -Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God . . . - -ESV---Aim- To faithfully test the spirits-as God's wise and loving church
Key Verse-v. 23- -And this is his -God's- commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.- -ESV---Aim- To Love God in Jesus Christ-Through Sincere Faith
Key Verse-v. 20- - . . . for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.- -ESV---Aim- To Bless God in Jesus that He is Greater Than our Hearts
Key Phrase-v. 16a- -By this we know love, that he -Christ- laid down his life for us . . . - -ESV---Aim- To -Embody- The Life of Christ-As His Church
Key Verse-v. 11- -For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.- -ESV---Aim- To Love God and All Good- and Hate Sin and All Evil
Key Phrase-v. 8b- -The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.- -ESV- --Aim- To Lucidly Understand the Religious World-through our Faith in Christ
-The Pharisee and Publican- sermon written by George Whitefield as read by RE Wayne Bosma
Key Phrase-v. 3a- -See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called the children of God . . . - -ESV---Aim- To Love The Father Who Loves us-In Christ, and By The Spirit.
Key Phrase-v. 28a- -And now, little children, abide in him . . . - -ESV---Aim- To Abide in Christ by Grace through Faith
Key Phrase-v. 7a- -For who sees anything different in you-- What do you have that you did not receive--- -ESV---Aim- To be the Humble and Gracious Church of Christ
Key Verse-v. 17- -And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.- -ESV---Aim- To Love God, Sinners, and Creation Properly-All in Christ
Key Verse-v. 12- -I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.- -ESV---Aim- To Love The God Who Loves His Church-All in Christ
Key Phrase-v. 6a- -And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain . . . - -ESV- --Aim- To Love and Worship The Lamb that was Slain-As His Redeemed Church
Key Phrase-v. 8b- - . . . because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining- -ESV---Aim- To Love and Live In The -Already-Shining True Light
Key Phrase-v. 5a- - . . . but whoever keeps his -God's- word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.- -ESV--Aim- To Sincerely Love God in Jesus Christ-Knowing That This Confirms our Faith and Obedience
TULIP Calvinism Explained.-T - Stands for Total Depravity.-U - Stands for Unconditional Election.-L - Stands for Limited Atonement.-I - Stands for Irresistible Grace.-P - Stands for Perseverance of the Saints.
Key Phrase-v. 1b- - . . . But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Fa-ther, Jesus Christ the righteous.- -ESV--Aim- To be Flabbergasted by the Love of God in Christ Jesus
TULIP Calvinism Explained.-T - Stands for Total Depravity.-U - Stands for Unconditional Election.-L - Stands for Limited Atonement.-I - Stands for Irresistible Grace.-P - Stands for Perseverance of the Saints.
Key Verse-v. 17- -If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.- -ESV- --Aim- To Be God's Prized -Temple--Christ's Holy Church
Key Verse-v. 5- -This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.- -ESV---Aim- To receive Christ's Message with faith, humility, and joy
Key Verse-v. 3- - . . . that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us- and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.- -ESV---Aim- To be wondrously Joyful-in total Fellowship with God and His Church
Key Verse-v. 2- - . . . the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us- . . . - -ESV--Aim- To Know and Love God-in and through Jesus Christ
Key Verse-v. 1- -That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and have touched with our hands, concern-ing the word of life- . . . - -ESV---Aim- To Grow to Love God More-Through our Faith-Union With Jesus Christ
Key Phrases-vv. 25a, 26a- -Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth . . . I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel . . . - -ESV---Aim- To Rejoice In our Triune Deity-Through Jesus Christ our God-Man King
Key Verse-v. 24- -And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions-they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.- -ESV---Aim- To Bless God for Giving us Jesus, -The Resurrection and The Life-
Aim- To be Faithful to God in Christ-as His redeemed people--Key Verse-v. 3- -Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.- -ESV-
Aim- To both Love and Fear The God of Glory-in our Lord Jesus Christ-Key Verse-v. 28- -PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.- -ESV-
Aim- To be Humble and Loving Listeners -to Jesus--Key Phrase-v. 23c- - . . . but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored.- -ESV-
Aim- To Love Christ -The Foundation--By Beautifying His Church-Key Verse-v. 11- -For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.- -ESV-
Aim- To Realize the Serious and Exciting Nature of our Life in Christ--Key Phrase-v. 21c- - . . . until he -Nebuchadnezzar- knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will.- -ESV-
Aim- To be Humble, God-Loving Christian churchmen--Key Verse-v. 17- -Then Daniel answered and said before the king, 'Let your gifts be for your-self, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation.' - -ESV-
Aim- To remain Faithful to Christ-Not Straying from Him--Key Verses-vv. 19-20a- -The LORD has said to you, O remnant of Judah, 'Do not go to Egypt.' Know for a certainty that I have warned you this day that you have gone astray at the cost of your lives.- -ESV-
Aim- To Present The Christ of The Gospel-at a moment's notice-Key Phrase-v. 11a- -There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. . . . - -ESV-
Aim- To Live Faithfully-As God's Redeemed People-Key Phrase-v. 5a- -Immediately the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace, opposite the lampstand. . . . - -ESV-
Aim- To Bless God For Christ's Sacrifice And His Triumph--Key Verse-v. 17- -The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.- -ESV-
Aim- To Bow the Knee To King Jesus, Here and Now--Key Verse-v. 9- -O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too difficult for you, tell me the visions of my dream that I saw and their interpretation.- -ESV-
Aim- To Bless God For Christ, our Redeemer and Sustenance--Key Verse-v. 4- -They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.- -ESV-
Aim- To Faithfully Live In the Freedom of Christ-as His Church-Key Verses-vv. 2-3- -Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.- -ESV-
Aim- To Be who we Are -in Christ--Thankful People-Key Verse-v. 37- -Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just- and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.- -ESV-
Aim- To Relish The Christ of The Glorious Gospel-As His Church-p-Key Phrase-v. 34a- -At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever . . . - -ESV-
Aim- To Be the Maturing and Loving Church of Christ --Key Phrase-v. 32b- - . . . until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.- -ESV-
Aim- To Be The Reformed -and Reforming- Church of Christ--Key Verse-v. 27- -Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you- break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.- -ESV-
Aim- To Believe, Live, and Preach the Theology of Christ-Key Verse-v. 3- -How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders- His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.-- -ESV-
Aim- To Be Encouraged and Faithful Churchmen Today-Key Verse-v. 28- -Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, 'Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Me-shach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.' - -ESV-
Aim- To Glory in The Christ Who has Provided us Everything in His Person-Key Phrases-vv. 1a, 2b- -Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life . . . also, on either side of the river, the tree of life . . . - -ESV-
Aim- To Trust God Always-Because Christ Is Always With us-Key Verse-v. 25- --Nebuchadnezzar- answered and said, 'But I see four men unbound, walk-ing in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt- and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.' - -ESV-
Aim- To be Strong and Courageous in Christ-As God's Faithful Church--Key Verses-vv. 17-18- -If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.- -ESV-
Aim- To Worship The True God though Christ-as the faithful church--Key Phrase-v. 7b- - . . . all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and wor-shipped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.- -ESV-
Aim- To Humbly Assume our Roles As Servant-Rulers of Earth--Key Phrase-v. 46a- -Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel . . . - -ESV-
Aim- To Believe and Live As Kingdom Churchmen--Key Phrase-v. 44a- -And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed . . . - -ESV-
Aim- To Be Faithful Members of the Eternal -Church- Kingdom of Christ--Key Phrase-v. 44a- -And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people.- -ESV-
Aim- To Be the Encouraged -and Expectant- Church of Christ-Key Phrase-v. 35c- -But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the earth.- -ESV-
Aim- To be a Faith-Filled, Obedient, and hence Joyful Church--Key Phrases-v. 17a, c- -And all the assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths . . . And there was very great rejoic-ing.- -ESV-
Aim- To be Magnificent In our Love for God-as His cherished church--Key Verse-v. 16- -And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king.- -ESV-
Aim- To Be Christ's Faithful, Humble Servant-Royalty on God's Earth-Key Phrase-v. 28a- - . . . but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries . . . - -ESV-
Aim- To Lovingly Trust our Heavenly Father-in Christ--Key Verse-v. 23- -To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter.- -ESV-
Aim- To Minister as the Salt and Light of the World-as the faithful church of Christ--Key Phrase-v. 10a- -The Chaldeans answered the king and said, 'There is not a man on earth who can meet the king's demand . . . ' - -ESV-
Aim- To Love God- and to Live to our highest potential in Christ--Key Phrase-v. 17a- -As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom . . . - -ESV-
Aim- To Feast on Christ-especially as we live in -Babylon--Key Phrase-v. 8a- -But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank.- -ESV-
Aim- To Bring our Children To Christ and His Church--Key Verse-v. 6- -Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah.- -ESV-
Aim- To be Faithful to God as Christ's Church-No Matter How Hard It Is--Key Verse-v. 1- -In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebu-chadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.- -ESV-
Aim- To Love God in Jesus Christ-As the Redeemed Church--Key Verses-vv. 23-24- -The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.- -ESV-
Aim- To appreciate Curt Gospel Language-so long as it enhances our Christlikeness--Key Verses-vv. 13-14- -Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.- -ESV-
Aim- To Be Faithful Churchmen, who -Keep in Step- with Christ--Key Phrases-vv. 5a, 6a- -I will visit you after passing through Macedonia . . . And perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter . . . - -ESV-
Aim- To Grow in Christlikeness Till The Judgment Day--Key Verse-v. 57- -But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.- -ESV-
Aim- To understand why King Jesus came to earth- and to live by Faith in Him --Key Verses-vv. 14-15- -And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 'Fear not, daughter of Zion- behold your king is coming, sitting on a don-key's colt-' - -ESV-
Aim- To Better-Understand the Nature of Redeemed Resurrection Bodies--Key Verse-v. 49- -Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.- -ESV-
Aim- To Thrive in the Only Source of our Life-our Resurrected King Jesus--Key Verse-v. 32- -What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus- If the dead are not raised, 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.' - -ESV-
Aim- To Rejoice in our Risen King Jesus-As His Faithful Church--Key Verse-v. 20- -But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.- -ESV-
Aim- To Glory in The Christ who has Atoned for us, His beloved church--Key Verse-v. 3- -And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, 'Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty- Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations-' - -ESV-
Aim- To Firmly Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ--Key Verse-v. 20- -But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.- -ESV-
Aim- To Grow in our Love for God-through Hearing Christ's Gospel--Key Verses-vv. 3-4- -For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received- that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures . . . - -ESV-
Aim- To Follow God's Good Order in His Church's Sunday Worship Services--Key Verses-vv. 33a - 40- -For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. . . . But all things should be done decently and in order.- -ESV-
Aim- To Hear, Believe, Love, and Preach Christ-in His Gospel of Grace -1 Cor. 14-24-25---Key Verse-v. 19- -Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.- -ESV-
Aim- To Always Build Up Christ's Church-in Love--Key Phrase-v. 12b- - . . . strive to excel in building up the church.- -ESV-
Aim- To continue to grow-in Christ alone-as God's supernaturally loving church--Key Verse-v. 7- -Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.- -ESV-
Aim- To Always Value Christ and His Love, Above Everything Else--Key Verse-v. 13- -So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three- but the greatest of these is love.- -ESV-
Aim- To Direct our Churched Hearts To Jesus and God's Love -in Him---Key Phrase-v. 31b- - . . . And I will show you a still more excellent way.- -ESV-
Aim- To Love Jesus with All our Hearts-Coming to Him by Faith-Key Verse-v. 17- -The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come.' And let the one who hears say, 'Come.' And let the one who is thirsty come- let the one who desires take the water of life without price.- -ESV-
Aim- To Feast On Christ and Live Forever-as His Beloved Church-Key Verse-v. 51- -I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.-
Aim- To Love and Adore The God who Formed The One Living Body of Christ -Key Verse-v. 12- -For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.- -ESV-
Aim- To Celebrate God's -Sameness- In The Spirit's -Diversity--Key Verse-v. 4- -Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit . . . - -ESV-
Visit www.pcaredeemer.org for Redeemer Remote Access Family Service-Aim- To Love God in Jesus-As His Multifaceted Church
Visit redeemerpca.org for Remote Access Family Worship-Aim- To Faithfully Submit To Christ-As His Obedient Church
Visit redeemerpca.org for Remote Access Family Worship-Aim- To Be Thoroughly Content In and With Christ-As His Church
Visit www.pcaredeemer.org for Redeemer Remote Access Family Service-Aim- To Be Faithful Churchmen-No Matter What our Marital Status
Visit www.pcaredeemer.org for Redeemer Remote Access Family Service-Aim- To Be Christ's Faithful Church-In Any and All Cultural Contexts
Visit www.pcaredeemer.org for Redeemer Remote Access Family Service-Aim- To Seek to be Always Truly Free in Christ
Visit www.pcaredeemer.org for Redeemer Remote Access Family Service-Aim- To Know ourselves to be the Authentic Inheritors of Christ's Church Kingdom
Visit www.pcaredeemer.org for Redeemer Remote Access Family Service--Aim- To Recognize the Saints' Judging Responsibilities-in the Church and the World
Redeemer Remote Access- pcaredeemer.org--Aim- To understand that all of us fallen sinners are represented by one of the two criminals, who were crucified with our Lord Jesus-Exact passages in this order- Luke 23-32, Matthew 27-44, Luke 23-39-43
Video Version during Quarantine-https---www.pcaredeemer.org-watch-maundy-thursday-service--Aim- To Delight in the Joyous Liberty of Justification in Jesus' Blood Atonement.
Aim- To Understand that Faithfulness occasionally Calls the Church to some Extraordinary Measures