Surrey Reformed Baptist Church: Recent Episodes
Before Moses dies, Yahweh confirms to him and Joshua that the people of Israel will forsake Yahweh and break the covenant. They will forget His presence, His salvation, and His revelation. The Old Covenant is breakable, while the New Covenant is unbreakable.
David starts by expressing his confidence in Yahweh his light and salvation, before seeking Yahweh in a time of distress. God's people have similar experiences as we can go from strength to despair. Though we waver, our assurance never changes- Yahweh is the strength of our life, of whom shall we be afraid-
Paul reminds Timothy about his teaching and conduct. Timothy has been faithful to God's Word, followed Paul's faithful example, and has endured suffering as a man of God. All of God's people are warned about the regular reality of suffering in this present age. God delivers and God saves, but God's people will suffer.
Genesis 38 focuses on Judah as the other potential leader of the clan. Judah's wickedness abounds all the more in this section as his concern for the Promised Land and Promised Seed is non-existent. He takes a wife from the land of Canaan and bears wicked sons who are struck down by the Lord. After Tamar is rejected by her father-in-law, she takes matters into her own hands and tricks Judah into being the father of the seed. Judah recognizes his wickedness and confesses it.
As Paul closes his letter, he turns his attention to thanking the Philippians for their financial gift during his time in prison. Though he is thankful, Paul wants to assure the Philippians that he has learned to be content in whatever circumstance God leads him. He recognizes that this is not his own strength, but he can go through good times and bad times because Christ strengthens him.
Paul describes the sufficiency of Scripture for a man like Timothy. Regardless of what imposters might say, the Scriptures are sufficient for a minister. There does not need to be any addition or subtraction. The reason the Scriptures are sufficient is because they are God-breathed. God is the source and and divine author who speaks to His people concerning the truth.
The Pharisees try to ensnare Jesus with a question about taxes. Jesus answers their question in a marvelous manner and asserts his authority in the process. God has set up authorities who are to be honoured in all things lawful. But God's people must remember that we honour God above all.
After God redeems Israel by bringing them up out of the land of Egypt, he enters into a covenant with them. While God condescends and promises blessing, the Mosaic covenant is contingent on Israel's obedience. Israel must obey God's law in order to enjoy life and blessing in the land. This temporal covenant serves the eternal and points ahead to Christ who bestows blessings, not because of our merits, but because of His merits.
Jesus paints a picture of judgment for the religious leaders in Jerusalem. Using the familiar image of a vineyard, Jesus illustrates how Israel has always rejected the servants of the LORD. They persecuted and killed the prophets- they will persecute and kill the Son. There is hope- the vineyard will be given to those who have faith in the Son of God.
Jesus' authority has been on full display throughout the gospel of Mark. The Sanhedrin questions Jesus about His authority in order to bring a charge against him. Jesus, being the master teacher, asks them a question concerning John. Jesus' authority and deity are evident, but the Sanhedrin will not acknowledge it.
Jesus gives a picture of the coming judgment for those who reject him. Israel has rejected him by turning the temple into a den of thieves rather than treating it like a house of prayer. With the coming of Jesus, old shall pass away and the new temple shall be built in His body.
Paul warns Timothy about the dangerous times of the last days. His exhortation is a theological reflection of the reality of sinful men in the church. God's people should not be surprised by this reality, but marvel at God's forgiveness of sinners and protection for His church.
The disciples marvel at the authority of Jesus and his power over the fig tree. The fig tree teaches about judgment, but it points God's people to the Savior. The Old temple is passing away and the New temple has come. The New Covenant people shall be a people of faith and a people of prayer.
Paul reminds Timothy what vessels of honor must be. They must flee from youthful lust and pursue righteousness. This includes holding fast to the truth of God's word, which may include correcting those in opposition to it. The goal is that false teachers might repent and turn to the truth of God's Word.
Jesus begins to unveil His royal majesty and does so by riding on a foal. Jesus is the Son of Judah promised and the fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy. Jesus coming gives the people hope.
Paul exhorts Timothy concerning heresy and heretical teachers. A minister approved must exposit the Word of God faithfully by not turning to vain chatter. Vain chatter brings ruin and spreads like a cancer. God's people can be assured that He is the firm foundation and is sovereign even in the face of encroaching false teaching.
Paul reminds Timothy about the reality of suffering. Timothy must be strong in the Lord and endure hardship just as Christ did, Paul does, and all believers will. But there is encouragement and hope in suffering. We are alive in Christ and will reign with Him forever.
Blind Bartimaeus makes a remarkable observation about Jesus. He calls Him the Son of David. This blind man sees while the disciples still struggle and the religious leaders reject him. Salvation and entrance into the Kingdom of God only comes from the mercy of God towards sinners.
In Genesis 17, God further affirms His covenant with Abraham and reveals through whom the promise would come. The seed that is set apart would come from Sarah's womb, showing the supernatural power and work of God. God gives Abraham the sign of circumcision to confirm and affirm these promises.
Jesus contrasts between the tyranny of worldly kings and the service of the Kingdom of God. Jesus exhorts his disciples that their quest for authority must stop and that they must serve one another. Jesus suffering and death is the greatest example of service as He gave His life as a ransom for many.
In the final sign in John's gospel, Jesus demonstrates that He is the Resurrection and the Life by raising Lazarus from the dead. But Martha does not know this plan but believes that Jesus is the Christ. She questions Jesus about why he didn't come, but Jesus assures her that He is the Resurrection and the Life. He is the source of life and everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life.
After Peter preaches at Pentecost, the hearers are cut to the heart by the Spirit over the fact that they crucified the Christ. Peter indicates that they must repent and be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Those who received the word were baptized and added to the church. The believers of the early church held fast to biblical preaching and demonstrated love toward one another.
Paul reminds Timothy about the importance of standing strong in the ministry. He gives him three pictures of it to reinforce his exhortation. A minister must be like a soldier who enlists to please his commander. A minister must be like an athlete who competes according to the rules. And a minister must be like a farmer who is diligent in his work. All of these pictures show that a minister must be faithful to God in his task.
Paul asks the commander to give a defense before the Jewish mob. Paul goes on to recount his former life in Judaism and then his conversion by way of the Damascus Road experience. There are similarities with Acts 9, but Paul also emphasizes certain things, namely that it was Jesus of Nazareth who appeared to him. Moreover, Paul tries to show the hostile Jews that he was once like them and that the message of Jesus Messiah is in line with the Old Testament.
Paul exhorts Timothy to remain strong in the truth despite suffering and opposition. Timothy only does so by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Paul also provides examples of some who abandoned him and some who served him because of his chains.
James and John try to assert power in response to Jesus' prediction about his death. But Jesus warns them about the suffering he will go through and the suffering they will go through before receiving the crown. Jesus is plunged into death and cut off for his people. His baptism is unique to him as he suffers as the mediator.
Jesus has set his face like a flint and is resolved to fulfill His mission regardless of the suffering that lies ahead. The road to Jerusalem is the road to suffering, which creates a somber mood for the journey. Jesus again predicts that the Son of Man will be betrayed, will suffer, will die, and will rise again.
Pursuit of eternal life through law-keeping provides no assurance. The rich young ruler claims to have kept the law from his youth, but he still sought assurance of eternal life. He is self-reliant rather than helpless like a child. Jesus teaches him about his idolatry, but also summons him to follow after him by faith.
After Abram recognizes who the True King is, God appears to Abram highlighting who is his shield and reward. God had promised that in Abram all the families of the earth would be blessed, but Abram hasn't seen how this would happen and asks God about it. God affirms that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars where Abram believes and it is counted to him as righteousness. God then affirms His promise of land by way of covenant.
Peter questions Jesus about the reward they shall receive for leaving all. Jesus gently rebukes Peter by reminding him that there will be great loss in this world with persecutions. But the reward of being found in Christ and the family of faith is of far greater value than the things a believer leaves behind.
Jesus is displeased with his disciples over their treatment of children. But Jesus reminds them that God's people must receive the kingdom like little children in order to enter into it. Children are examples of those who are helpless, while adults rely on themselves. God gives the kingdom to those who have great need.
Jesus defends the creation standard for marriage. In the face of questions about how marriages might be dissolved, Jesus asserts that marriage is meant to be lifelong. While there are some exceptions allowed by God for a fallen world, Mark's account emphasizes the sacredness and seriousness of marriage.
In Ephesians 2-1-10, Paul reminds the Ephesians of what they once were- dead to sin. Paul does this to remind them of the riches of God's love seen in making those dead Ephesians alive together with Christ. Believers have been raised and are seated with Christ as part of the new creation in Jesus.
God's people must flee from sin and pursue righteousness. This requires fighting and laying hold of eternal life. Christians must fight until the end and do so knowing that the battle has already been won in Christ.
The Baptist divines explain the coming Day of Judgment. God's word gives certainty to this coming day. God shall judge the world through Jesus Christ. Every person will have to give an account. The verdicts rendered will either manifest God's mercy toward the elect in eternal salvation, or his justice toward the reprobate in eternal damnation. The imminent return of Christ is meant to be a warning and a consolation for the people of God.
Jesus teaches his dull disciples about the status of the kingdom of God. The kingdoms of this world focus on personal gain, while the kingdom of God focuses on service. Jesus' care for children illustrates that those who desire to be first, must be last.
While charging the false teachers for using godliness for material gain, Paul instructs Timothy about why true godliness provides an everlasting increase. Godliness should be sought because one has been saved by Christ, not because they can gain wealth. True gain is seen in contentment regardless of the circumstances. Paul also shows the perils of greed as it leads to waywardness and all kinds of evil.
For the third time in 1 Timothy, Paul describes the sickness that is the false teacher. The false teachers feed on food that makes them ill, which leads to rotting. This rotting manifest itself with a depraved mind that is obsessed with trivial things rather than the Words of Christ.
The Jewish congregants at Rome still had distaste for heathen governments. Paul turns his attention to the state and the Christian's attitude toward governing officials whether believer or unbeliever. Romans 13 tells us that Christians must submit in lawful things. It also tells us what a government's focus ought to be. Governments are meant to punish the guilty and protect the innocent.
The apostle John hasn't grasped Jesus' lesson about being welcoming to the least of the Kingdom of God. He is more concerned with being followed rather than another following Christ. Jesus reminds them that the Kingdom of God is about serving, including performing unbecoming tasks for fellow believers.
Paul gives Timothy instruction about how bondersants ought to serve their masters. How a person treats those in authority evidences their lack of respect for God. In our modern context, this section applies to employees and employers. Employees ought to esteem their employers, especially those who are believers.