Calvary Free Grace Baptist Church: Recent Episodes
The sermon explores the contrasting motifs of destruction and renewal in Isaiah, using the imagery of a burning forest to depict God's judgment on pride and wickedness. It highlights how this divine cleansing prepares the way for the emergence of a humble shoot from the stump of Jesse, symbolizing the Messiah. The preacher emphasizes that while judgment purges corruption, it simultaneously reveals the hope of resurrection and restoration through Christ. This dual theme assures believers that refuge is found in Jesus amidst worldly turmoil, as He bridges human descent with divine glory. Ultimately, the message calls for trust in Christ as the secure shelter and future king.
Ahaz had refused God's offer of confirmation, and the message of Isaiah was unheeded; but the Word of God will not return unto Him void and was to be kept until it's fulfilment in Christ.
As the practical atheists of Israel conspire to defeat their enemies, the Lord, Immanuel, commands Isaiah to separate from them and sanctify the Lord, who will be his Sanctuary, and their stumbling block. But in deeper mystery the message is unto us, as the Apostles and Christ make reference to this passage.
The Last of the Doubled names called out in the Scripture is Saul, or Paul as He became. As Christ gave his life unto death, He redeems His persecutor, and Saul's deadness in sin become a life for Christ.
Abraham Rejoiced to see Christ's day, and no wonder, for it was the deliverance of His son Isaac, and life from the dead.
Mary accepted the good news of Christ's advent through her by faith. Likewise our salvation is accepted. We may not have a messenger from heaven, but we have some messenger from earth who revealed to us the gospel.
Who is Christ? This is a huge subject which is introduced an considered here, in a superficial, but hopefully suggestive way that may lead you to consider the wonder of David's Lord, and inspire our own contemplation of Christ's glories.
Just four of the prophecies of Christ's coming, here is the first, the proto-evangel. Why did Christ come?
Just four of the prophecies of Christ's coming, here is the first, the proto-evangel. Why did Christ come? (2nd part)
The cross was referenced by Christ even before He died on one! Why does Paul glory in such a place of cruelty?
Paul desires to be "with Christ; which is far better". In Colossians there are four things referenced as being "with Him", three of which we may have without "departing".
After the death of Queen Elizabeth II and accession of Charles III to the throne, we are reminded in the Scripture of the upcoming death of the apostle Paul, and his receiving of a crown, while Timothy and others would now bear the burden. For the child of God, the crowning day is coming by and by.
It was a strange providence that brought Onesimus, a free bondman, to meet with the apostle Paul, a bound freeman- But the grace of God in Christ declared them both free, with a freedom that cannot be enslaved.
A word often used in the description of her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was -duty-, the thought drew me to these two verses, as we remember her legacy and our duty before God.
The Resource of our Strength - As Saviour-The Requiring of our Strength - As King-The Rallying of our Strength - As Conqueror
By His Sovereign Authority-By His Sacrificial Atonement-By the Saving Association of His Elect
Both Simon and the Lord are involved in judging here. Simon's prejudicial judgement of a woman's Character and motives on the one hand, and the Saviour's incisive and frankly inspiring judgement of the woman and Simon are contrasted beautifully be Luke.
The pride of man is staggering, it is also his destruction. The Lord Jesus speaks to His Father in heaven, Lord of heaven and earth, since the proud would not hear Him. How often our Lords people have a similar experience- Nevertheless the Saviour continued to preach, and so must we, for -God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.-
How shocking that Chorazin and Bethsaida should be compared unfavourably with Tyre and Sidon- worse, that Capernaum should be twinned with Sodom- And yet such was the resistance to the Son of God in these towns that it brought forth this condemnation from the lips of Christ. But where will the privileged villages, towns and cities of England stand in the Judgement-
How illustrative was Saul's trip to Endor. Having rejected the Lord's counsel and command, killed His priests, and been abandoned by His prophet, he is left bereft of help. In desperation he seeks light in the darkest place ever he had known, -If the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness.-
Paul announces in Ephesians 2-10 that we are God's -workmanship-. Perhaps this statement was prompted by the words of Jeremiah. Whether or not it was, Jeremiah gives insights to the work of sanctification the are beneficial for our understanding.
If anyone need a depth of earth, Jairus did. How easily could he have given up under his afflictions, but Christ overcame and did exceeding abundantly above all he could ask or think-
David's life is full of stress as he tries to handle his responsibilities by himself. Deception and violence characterise his life while at Ziklag, and there's worse to come before he yields to the Lord's sovereignty.-Why do we put up such a fight against the only one who can really deliver us-
In what possible way can the least in the kingdom of heaven be greater than John the Baptist who was -more than a prophet--
David returns from Carmel, and emboldened, he makes a foray into the midst of Saul's camp. Yet still he will not lift his hand against the Lord's anointed.
How gracious God was in bringing Abigail to head off the rage of David. A woman of great wisdom used of God and blessed.
Even the miracles of Christ are parabolic. How wonderfully did Christ in meeting a funeral procession, give life to the Widow of Nain's son- -Life from the dead- That is salvation in deed and illustrates the power of God to save.
The pressure had got to David, Samuel his friend was dead, he was on his own, and when Nabal refuses him, he is ready to take things into his own hands, setting aside his own standards. But God had another servant who stood between him and his folly.
The Jews thought him worthy, but the centurion knew himself to be unworthy of the truly Worthy One, and Jesus himself drew attention to his faith, in contrast to the Jews.
They had a morbid curiosity as they sat and watched Christ upon the cross, and many a portrayal has been attempted, some quite gruesome. But the reality of the cross could not be seen, or at least only by those who see Him that is invisible, by faith we might perceive something of what redemption cost.
Paul writes, -Let God be true but every man a liar-, Aye, and we would be well advised to heed him. People might not necessarily be maliciously lying, but Oh, so often they are mistaken, or have wrong perceptions, and basing our opinions on gossip, tittle-tattle or even our own unverified perceptions is a path to disaster.
David has the opportunity to end Saul's unrelenting persecution once and for all. But he has too much respect for the Lord's purposes, and although the opportunity might appear to be providential, it did not accord with the heart and teaching of the Lord.
David had enemies, and not the least of these was fear. Indeed fear can often be the greatest enemy of all, and yet there is encouragement in the hands and words of the Lord.
Saul's descent from honour to dishonour hits an all time low as he has Doeg to slaughter the priests. The sins of Eli's house, and the sins of Saul meet on the killing fields. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death- -Proverbs 14-12-
Having Miraculously fill9ied to ships with fish nigh to sinking, The Saviour even more miraculously brings Peter under the conviction of sin, and calls him to be a fisher of men.
Almost a year after the last message in this series we pick up where we left off. David has come to a turning point. He is learning to trust the Lord, and the Lord brings him a rag-tag army, which includes some who prove to be an elite force. But He himself waits for the Lord's command.
When Jesus returns to His home town, He takes Scripture for His gospel sermon, and announces His arrival and indispensability. Their response is to kill Him- But He walks through their midst and finishes His work.
Paul does all to avoid tainting the message of God, and all included blessings in Christ Jesus, all that we might be enlarged, and not confined.
John Baptised with Water, But Jesus Christ with the Holy Ghost- Although used in different senses in the NT, Mark points to salvation itself. Jesus says we MUST be born again of the Spirit, and Paul writes to Titus, -... according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost-
When Moses came down from the mount with the -ministration of Death- in his hands his face shone and all were afraid. But Christ brings a more glorious ministration that outshines that of Moses, If we dwell in the presence of Christ, we too will shine, though that blessing be held in earthen vessels.
Jesus, the Lord of Glory, had no need of baptism unto repentance, nor yet the the Holy Ghost baptism of regeneration, and yet He insisted on Baptism. Why-