Belgrade URC: Recent Episodes
Belgrade URC
We are a Bible believing church in Belgrade Montana. Subscribe to our feeds to listen to our expository Reformed sermons. We also include from time to time brief meditations on different topics.
Peter knows the weight of suffering. When Satan requested permission from Christ to sift Peter he caved. He denied his savior three times. One would think that such a record would disqualify Peter to talk about suffering. However, Peter encourages us to rejoice in suffering, feel blessed when insulted, and glorify God. This sounds a bit hypocritical that Peter would say such things. However, as we dig deeper we note that Peter is not a hypocrite at all, but rather a fellow sojourning living in the dispersion.
Peter is communicating to us that living as redeemed people means enduring trials, sharing in Christ’s suffering, and not a necessary failure in our Christian life. Peter reminds believers that suffering is not a sign of abandonment but a means of refinement like gold or silver having its impurities burned away. The trials we endure as Christians test and strengthen our faith, strengthen our union with Christ, and reveal our character. We rejoice not in superficial words of piety, but consciously seeing ourselves as sharing in Christ’s sufferings which also means we will share in his glory.
The presence of the Holy Spirit in us is God is refining and preserving us through every hardship. Ultimately, our confidence lies in the Spirit of God who dwells in us, the same Spirit which raised Christ, and the full glory that filled the temple is in us. This divine presence secures our heavenly destiny and empowers us to live as God’s people, even in the context of suffering. The Spirit is not a temporary gift but a permanent power that preserves us as we consciously persevere in Christ by faith. Thus, we are called to walk in the Spirit, trusting that God is working out His redemptive plan in us, and securing our place in His eternal kingdom. Let us rejoice in God’s refinement, and not suffer as evil doers in this age.
So often we reduce Job down to a book about suffering, but we miss the deeper theodicy. Theodicy is dealing with the issue of a just God and suffering in this world. Job is a book about God showing he will triumph over Satan, and addressing the issue of theodicy. The seed of the woman will be crushed. Job, the main actor in this historic story, is put forth as a champion. Job is in line with the counselors that the righteous receive blessing while the wicked receive punishment. Job has to wrestle with this self-righteous view. Job comes to know God and eventually puts his hand over his mouth after knowing that the ways of God are more complex than the box man builds around God. This theme is echoed in Christ’s response to the question of the Siloam tower. Here humans died, the setting seems to be that the Galileans probably deserved it, but Christ calls all people to repentance, emphasizing that righteousness is not determined by outward circumstances but by one’s hearing Christ’s words. Suffering is complex, and the study of suffering in light of a just God is even more complex.
Christ further illustrates this point through the parable of the barren tree. The tree, despite receiving care and nourishment, fails to bear fruit, symbolizing those who hear the gospel but remain unrepentant. They are not hearers of God’s word, but merely performers. Just as the vineyard owner delays judgment to give the tree one more chance, God’s patience allows time for people to repent, reorient their mindset, and humbly submit to Christ. Christ echoes the words of John the Baptizer that the axe is at the root, so the time to repent, hear Christ’s call, and consciously be oriented towards Christ’s kingdom is right now.
Job’s story fits this broader biblical narrative by challenging simplistic views of divine justice. Job’s friends assume that there is a direct cause-and-effect relationship between righteousness and suffering, but Christ is making the case that God’s ways are more intricate and complicated than the boxes we place around God. Christ’s point is that suffering should not lead to self-righteous vindication, but to humble self-examination that leads one to conform to Christ’s kingdom, and discern Christ’s ways. Our role is to remain faithful by discerning what is pleasing unto the Lord, conform to the Spirit’s proddings, and humbly submit to God's will as sojourners in this world.
The return of Christ is not just a concept, but it’s a reality that orients and grounds how we live today. Many of us, when we think about His return, are either tempted to ignore it as something so future that we doubt Christ is coming at all. On the other hand we might fear the looming judgment. But Scripture tells us that Christ’s return is both a sobering and a thrilling reality. He is not only the Judge but also the Redeemer who has already secured our place in His kingdom. If we are in Christ, we don’t have to live in uncertainty—we can have confidence because we are represented by our great Melchizedekian Priest and not our performance. Judgment isn’t about measuring up; it’s about who possesses us. And if we belong to Christ, we can look forward to His return with joy rather than dread.
But how do we know if we belong to Him? Jesus makes it clear that His true followers aren’t identified by religious performance, but by their response to His grace. The sheep in His parable didn’t do grand, impressive things—they simply lived out of love, responding to needs around them in ordinary ways. They fed the hungry, welcomed the stranger, cared for the sick. Why? Because when you truly understand grace, it changes you. You stop asking, “What do I need to do to get in?” and start asking, “How can I reflect the love I’ve received and seek to share one another’s burdens?” This is the key difference between those who are secure in Christ and those who are not. The goats in Jesus’ parable weren’t condemned because they failed to check off a list of good works, but because their lives revealed that they had never had a heart that was tender to their Redeemer, Lord, and Master.
So, how do we live in light of Christ’s return? Not by trying to earn our place, but by living as people who know we are already His. That means prioritizing the kingdom—not as a task list, but as a way of life. It means trusting that the world, in all its brokenness, is not spinning out of control, but is heading toward restoration under the reign of Christ. The hope of His return isn’t an escape plan; it’s the assurance that everything we do, every act of love, every moment of faithfulness, is part of His ultimate redemption. And that changes everything because we have the joy of showing the Gospel even in our everyday ordinary tasks. Let us seek our King because he has first sought us!
Colossians 3:1-4 assures us of the significance of Christ’s dual nature and heavenly position. Lord’s Day 18 contrasts two heretical views that contradict the two natures of Christ: Eutychianism and Nestorianism. Eutychianism blends the two natures in such a way that Christ is a hybrid human who is a man god or god man, but not God and man. The divine and human natures bleed into each other. Nestorianism teaches that the two natures are so radically divided that Christ is almost two persons. Neither of these positions understands the hypo (under) static (same/consistent) union of Christ. A very practical problem with these views is that our redemption is never accomplished because the creature that offended has not endured the Lord’s wrath. The eternal punishment we deserve has not been poured out. Thus, we are still in our sins.
Colossians 3:1-4 assures us that Christ’s ascension to heaven marks his position as the glorified God-man, taking his seat at the right hand of the Father. He is ascended in glory as the glorified God-Man. His glorified human nature is bound to space and time while his divine nature is everywhere present or omnipresent.
His presence in heaven is described as advantageous for believers, as he now serves as our ultimate authoritative advocate before God. Christ intercedes on their behalf, understanding our struggles and needs. He knows our weakness as our sinless priest who walked this age. He knows our struggles because he dwells in us by His Spirit. His heavenly ministry ensures our glorification as he guides, intercedes, and empowers as our savior.
His supreme position refutes alternative spiritual philosophies that appear to threaten our Christian life. Christ’s ascension testifies that he has overcome and we are guaranteed to overcome in him because He has triumphed. He is our heavenly advocate who continues to sustain us in this age.
The Christian life is often seen as one where believers coast carelessly in Christ's finished work, secure in their righteousness through Him being completely indifferent to morality. However, the gospel calls for a responsive life, marked by tenderness and sensitivity to Christ's leading, driven by new desires as the Holy Spirit works in Christ’s servants. Though Christ's sovereignty assures us that He will take care of our needs, the gospel challenges us not to be passive, but to actively serve Him as living sacrifices while awaiting His return. We are called to live in light of the kingdom, anticipating the fullness of Christ’s blessings when He comes again, while diligently serving in the present. This includes staying vigilant and prepared, like the servants waiting for their master’s return, with lamps burning and hearts ready to welcome Him.
Christ’s parables exhort us that we live consciously in light of Christ’s provision, not relying on earthly storehouses but trusting in God's care. Jesus instructs His followers to be prepared, living as if His return could come at any moment. The parables of the faithful and wise servant highlight the importance of serving diligently, even in the master’s absence, and being alert to His return. The kingdom's radical nature is revealed when the master, instead of merely commanding service, invites the servants to dine with Him and even serves them. This reversal of roles underscores the sacrificial love of Christ and the grace extended to His people, who are called to wait with readiness, faithfulness, and joy rather than complacency.
The kingdom challenge calls for believers to live with an awareness of Christ's return, not to take His delay as an excuse for complacency or indulgence. Jesus warns that those who fail to live faithfully, abusing their position, will face judgment. The severity of this judgment varies, depending on the knowledge and responsibility each servant has been given. While the passage warns against neglecting the master's commands, it also encourages a life lived before the Lord's face (Coram Deo), seeking to glorify Him (Solo Deo Gloria) in all things. Christians are reminded that their actions matter and that God holds them accountable. Still, they are also empowered by Christ’s finished work and the Holy Spirit to live with wisdom, humility, and reliance on God's guidance. Ultimately, we are called to live in light of our physical reunion with our savior while we walk by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The resurrection of Christ is a profound doctrine that assures us of our redemption and transformation in Christ. While it might seem straightforward—Christ lived, died, took our sin, and was raised to life—the challenge lies in understanding its full implications for us today. Some may believe that Christ’s resurrection means we have already reached the end, experiencing the fullness of glory right now. However, Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 15 reveals that while we are secured in Christ, but we still wait to sing the final victory hymn. The resurrection assures us that we have moved from death to life, yet we still experience the struggles of this broken world, awaiting the full realization of our redemption. The Heidelberg Catechism emphasizes that Christ’s resurrection not only declares Him as the Son of God but also grants us righteousness, regeneration, and the hope of eternal life.
Death, as portrayed in Scripture, is more than the end of physical life; it represents the brokenness of this age and the tragic consequence of sin. The first man, Adam, was formed from the dust and given life by God, but his rebellion led to a fallen existence. In contrast, Christ, the last Adam, is from heaven. He is the life-giving Spirit securing our life, redemption, and physical resurrection. Despite the resurrection being a historical reality witnessed by many, even the early Corinthian church struggled with doubts about its reality. Paul’s teaching makes clear that if Christ is not raised from the dead, then we have no true life, no real spiritual power, and no lasting future in glory.
The resurrection life is ours now, but not yet in its fullness. Christ’s resurrection power works in us through the Holy Spirit, ensuring our ultimate glorification while calling us to walk faithfully in this present age. We experience the victory of Christ as we walk in the Holy Spirit, united to Christ, and progressively transformed day by day into His image. Paul encourages us to remain steadfast, knowing that Christ has secured our future resurrection, and we are called to live in anticipation of that final triumph. Currently, we walk in the power and confidence of Christ’s work, living as thanksgiving offerings, not adding to Christ, work, and seeking to glorify God in all aspects of life while waiting for the full physical glory.
The passage explores Christ’s teaching on material wealth and priorities through the lens of a parable about a man seeking his inheritance. Initially, the issue is framed around a personal dispute where one brother demands his share, revealing a heart of covetousness rather than a concern for family legacy or honoring God’s wisdom. Christ rebukes the man’s perspective, highlighting the deeper problem of placing too much value on earthly wealth rather than seeking eternal security in God. The passage reminds us that life under the sun is fleeting and that true security is found in trusting Christ’s provision, not in material accumulation.
Christ then presents a parable of a rich man who plans for his future by building bigger storehouses for his crops, focusing entirely on himself without regard for God or others. The parable does not condemn business or private property but rather exposes the man’s self-reliant attitude and failure to recognize God as the provider. The rich fool’s error lies in his misplaced security in self reliance rather than in God’s protection. Scripture supports wise planning and stewardship, but Christ warns against the idolatry of self reliance and encourages his followers to seek heavenly priorities, understanding that earthly gains cannot secure eternal life.
Finally, Christ addresses the anxiety that often accompanies concerns about material needs. He assures his followers that God, who cares for the unclean birds and temporary flowers, surely loves his people more. Christ’s exhortation is not to reject work or planning but to entrust our lives to God’s care, living with a heart that prioritizes the kingdom of God over temporary security. True faith means living in the confidence of God’s sovereignty and provision, living with confidence in his promises, and seeking to please him rather than striving for earthly status. Ultimately, we rest in the assurance that our legacy is in Christ, finding our worth and success in his finished work and future return. He is our Shield and Defender!
Christ enters history as the suffering servant to overcome the problem of sin. Sin’s problem is deeper than we can imagine. Sin’s depth and severity demand a redemption only Christ provides and overcomes. The problem of sin is a hellish problem.
Christ’s being fully God and fully man enables him to endure the eternal punishment of hell in a way we will never grasp. In Christ’s divine nature he is outside time and space; as man, he fully receives the full wrath of God as the offending creature. His cry from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” declares that is a moment of time he endured hell as the sin cursed creature. Christ committing his spirit into the father’s hand tells us that the two natures are still distinct as we are assured that Christ is really dead because his body is laid in a grave.
Christ living to make intercession means he is not left in the grave as a failed servant. This ongoing intercession emphasizes our dependence on Christ and the assurance that his work is complete, freeing us from attempting to earn redemption through our own efforts. However, even as redeemed Christians we are prone to wander. Praise be to God our perfect priest continues to intercede on our behalf and sustain us through this age.
In Luke 12:1-12, Jesus confronts the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, warning his disciples to beware of the “leaven of the Pharisees.” This is the fermented product from the old loaf that is put in the new loaf. He exposes the dangers of living for outward appearance rather than living by faith in the Holy Spirit. True piety is living before the face of God rather than pleasing the community. Grace liberates us from living up to the community’s expectations, trying to earn God’s favor, and failing the human standard. Christ calls us to live with integrity, knowing we are only made worthy in Christ, and will only conform as we are joined to our savior.
Jesus then reassures his disciples that God’s cares for his people. If God notices even the minor details of sparrows being sold and counts the hairs on our heads, how much more does he value us. When we know our worth is secure in God’s love, we are freed to obey him from a heart of gratitude rather than a spirit of fear. This shifts our motivation from self-justification to worship, cultivating a life that manifests God’s character. We are not living out of fear of judgment, but living as living sacrifices joined to Christ before the Lord’s face.
Finally, Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit as the source of courage and guidance in times of trial. True piety flows not from our strength but from God’s Spirit, who sustains and equips us even in our most vulnerable moments. Jesus warns that we will face persecution and we might not always know how to respond. However, Christ’s redemption continues to be at work in us in His Spirit. The Holy Spirit will sustain and give us the words to say in our intense times of trial.
In Galatians 3:10-14, Paul makes clear that we are not going to remove the sting of death by our works. The law demands perfect obedience, and no one can meet its standard. This reveals the depth of human sin and the impossibility of earning God’s favor through self-effort. Paul underscores that righteousness comes not through the law but by faith, quoting Habakkuk 2:4: “The righteous will live by faith.” This is a gospel moment—our standing before God depends on His grace, not our performance.
Paul then highlights the redemptive work of Christ, who became a curse for us by dying on the cross, fulfilling Deuteronomy 21:23. Jesus took the curse we deserved so that we could receive the blessing promised to Abraham that only comes by faith in the Spirit’s power. This exchange is the heart of the gospel: Christ bore our penalty, and we receive His righteousness. The cross is not just an act of forgiveness but a complete reversal of the curse, securing our freedom and reconciliation with God.
Finally, Paul connects this truth to God’s promise to Abraham, showing that the gospel has always been about faith. Through Christ, the blessing of Abraham extends to the Gentiles, breaking down all barriers of ethnicity, culture, and works-based religion. Paul reminds us that salvation is a gift of grace, received by faith alone, ensuring that no one can boast. This passage calls us to abandon self-reliance and trust entirely in Christ’s finished work.
In Luke 11:37-52, Jesus is invited to a Pharisee’s home to dine with the movers and shakers of God’s people. One would expect Christ to fall in line and seek to work with these men to promote his messianic identity. However, Christ initiates sharp rebukes, exposing the dangers of religious hypocrisy after Christ fails to comply with their washing tradition. The Pharisees, think they are clean, but they only cleanse the outside and miss God’s intention for internal transformation. Christ comes to establish true holiness that flows from a changed heart, and not mere behavior. Jesus calls out the futility of trying to cleanse the inside with outward strategies.
The lawyers are offended because Jesus is not just rebuking the Pharisees, but also the lawyers. Jesus’ woes Are against the details of the law, but not the substance which only burdens God’s people. The Pharisees love their significance while the scribes build prestigious tombs that elevate the prophets. However, Christ points out they only show themselves to be in the line of Cain. The Pharisees corrupt the people by being unmarked graves and the lawyers hinder people from entering the kingdom.
The problem: They weaponize God’s law, making it oppressive. They stand in the way of seeing God’s life-giving gospel. This is a warning for all who use religion to control or manipulate. The gospel liberates us because Jesus bore the ultimate burden of our sins, Christ gives us new life, and we are continually being called to rest in His finished work. When we use faith as a tool of pride or power, we distort its purpose and alienate others from God’s grace.
What do we make of the statement, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Does this mean that Christ is a sinner? If that is the case then we are in a horrible predicament. What does Paul mean?
Paul is describing the heart of the Gospel and the ministry of reconciliation. He explains that the purpose of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection is to reconcile sinners to God. There is a double transaction that must occur. Our sins get credited to Christ. He is so holy that our sin does not contaminate him. He does not know sin in the sense that he is a sinner. Jesus in his perfection is treated as the sinner.
The other side of this is that Christ’s perfect work is given to us. We are credited as faithful sons. Jesus was treated and received what we deserve. He was treated as a sinner who never sinned. This was done so that we can receive the righteousness of God.
But notice, this isn’t just about our individual salvation. In the context of 2 Corinthians 5, Paul is calling the Corinthians to live out this reconciliation. If Christ has reconciled us to God, how can we not live as agents of reconciliation in the world? To know that Jesus became sin for us is to know a love so radical that it reorients everything about how we relate to God, to ourselves, and to others.
This transaction shows us the depth of sin. It shows what it takes for sin to be eradicated and removed from us. It shows us what needs to be done in order for us to come into the Lord’s presence. The beauty of this verse is that it does not just show the hope of the gospel, but it assures us that the gospel is not theoretical, but actual as we are joined to Christ we receive his distinct blessings. We are called to live out the life-giving union that is ours in Christ Jesus.
Christ’s birth turns the world values upside down. Ceasar established world peace, but the story communicates that Ceasar can only maintain peace through power. This is contrasted to the true king born in a peasant’s home God is showing us something profound: His kingdom doesn’t operate according to the world’s priorities of wealth, power, and status. His kingdom is established only his power and not in his intimidation.
The story does not get better. Shepherds, a vocation that many rabbis would forbid are out in the field. These are men who could not testify in court. These are not credible witnesses. However, they are the first in Luke’s gospel to be entrusted with the message of Christ’s birth. They also see the angelic army assembled before them.
The shepherds testify that the Lord’s blessing does not go to the worthy. The Lord’s blessings and good news do not come to the religious. Rather, this is a message for all. This is for the elite centurions right down to the outcasted shepherds. All need to bow the knees to the messiah and find their life in him.
Jesus fulfills the Lord’s will by coming to save the sinner and not the righteous. The righteous do not need a savior, but it is the sinner who has the cross-like posture before the Lord’s throne. The angels in heaven do not engage in war. They know that war only comes through the success of Christ’s humiliation in the incarnation, his humiliation in obedience, and his humiliation in death, and this results in his glorification.
As we conclude our Christmas series let us marvel at the humble victory that our Lord accomplishes in his son. He could have sent his angels to establish world peace, but our Lord saw the bigger picture and the need to eradicate sin!
We can misunderstand redemption. We can make redemption something that is sentimental and miss the deeper implications of redemption. Israel is enslaved for 400 years. We can think of their redemption through the Red Sea, but miss the point that they deserve to be cast down and held in bondage.
We also see that we are redeemed because Christ is the true Son of God. He is eternal, having the same nature as the Father. However, we are only adopted by the Father because of Christ's perfect work. He is the faithful son who lays down his life so the unfaithful children can have life. This new birth and life is because of Christ’s merits and applied by the Spirit.
Our inheritance and life are only by the work of the Spirit, initiated by God, and not by our effort. Sure, we walk in the Spirit and orient our affections to heaven. We are called to consciously live this life under the domain of the Spirit. This is why Godliness is a mystery. Our security is only in Christ.
Ultimately, we have our adoption and inheritance by the grace and mercy of our God. We consciously live as people identified and secured in a new family. We walk in the power of the Lord's Spirit.
Christ enters history through a scandalous line calling into question his credibility. However, God defies human expectations. We expect the Lord to fail, but he succeeds. The Lord shows that he can take broken and sinful people and use them to secure his victory. He is bigger and stronger than his people. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba display that the Lord will not use conventional people to establish his promise through the Messiah. Joseph suspects that Mary was unfaithful to him and in love with another man. The genealogy could certainly lead one to easily draw that conclusion. However, by the Angel’s intervention, he learns that there is a bigger plan. Just like the story in Genesis when the seed of the woman dies or is hampered in some way it appears the serpent seed has won. The Lord shows that his purpose, his power, and is plan is not what human beings expect. The Lord wants his people to see that he has established his promise. Humans are used, and genealogy shows us that it is not always the cream of the crop. Yes, God’s people fail. However, by the grace of God, their overall trajectory is that the Lord’s strength is shown in the midst of human weakness. The Lord has been with his people in the high times of their history as well as their low times. Ultimately, Christ is the seventh seven. Christ establishes the kingdom, using a broken people, and slaying the serpent. Matthew captures the tension about whether or not God can establish his kingdom. The answer is yes! Against all hope, the Lord is always faithful. He secures, redeems, and makes his people alive to live unto him out of gratitude.
Paul opens the chapter by reminding believers of their freedom in Christ: “For freedom, Christ has set us free; stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (v. 1). The gospel frees us from striving in the flesh that misses Christ, and the gospel as we conform in our power. It also shines a light so we see where we sinfully indulge selfishness and self-reliance to find joy on our terms. We must focus on Christ as we walk in His Spirit.
Paul contrasts two ways of living: life according to the flesh and life in the Spirit. The flesh, in Paul’s terms, is not just the body but our old, self-centered nature—our default way of living apart from God. It’s a life marked by striving, selfishness, and broken relationships. Paul lists the works of the flesh (v. 19-21), which include sins of self-gratification (like sexual immorality and drunkenness) and sins of self-righteousness (like envy, dissensions, and jealousy).
Living in the flesh is our attempt to build our identity apart from Christ’s power and Lordship. We can do this through moral performance or selfish indulgence. The flesh is fundamentally self-focused, driven by a desire to control our own lives and find meaning apart from the gospel and from submitting to Christ.
Life in the Spirit, by contrast, is marked by freedom, transformation, and love. Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit (v. 22-23): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When we lose sight of the to do list and focus on living for Christ we produce fruit just as the fruit grows naturally when connected to the vine, so the Spirit produces Christlike character in us when we abide in Him (John 15:5).
Life in the flesh is about striving, either through self-indulgence or self-righteousness, but life in the Spirit is about surrender—trusting the Spirit to work in and through us. The Spirit doesn’t just give us new behaviors; He gives us a new heart.
Paul’s command to “walk by the Spirit” (v. 16) is not about trying harder but about living in daily dependence on the Spirit. In the same way, life in the Spirit is about continually turning to God’s grace for every need, moment by moment.
The Spirit frees us from self-centeredness so that we can love sacrificially, reflecting the love we’ve received from Christ.
Galatians 5 teaches us that life in the Spirit is not about trying harder to be good but about being transformed by grace. The flesh leads to striving and self-destruction, but the Spirit leads to freedom, fruitfulness, and love. When we give up our control, submit to Christ, and walk in the Spirit we find the power to live out the Shalom, the peace, and the joy that God has created us to enjoy as we commune with him.
Genesis 21 recounts the fulfillment of God’s long-awaited promise to Abraham and Sarah—the birth of Isaac. This chapter centers on God’s faithfulness, the nature of grace, and the surprising ways God accomplishes His purposes.
The chapter opens with the Lord visiting Sarah, just as He had promised (v. 1). At the age of 90, Sarah gives birth to Isaac—a name meaning “laughter”—as a testament to the joy that comes when God’s promises are fulfilled, even in the face of human cynicism.
Isaac shows the Lord’s redemption: God moves his people from cynical laughter to joyful celebratory laughter. God’s promises don’t operate on our timeline; they operate on His. Isaac’s arrival reminds us that waiting on God is not wasted time but formative time—teaching trust in His sovereignty.
Isaac’s arrival contrasts sharply with Ishmael’s, Abraham’s son through Hagar. Ishmael represents human effort—Abraham and Sarah’s attempt to secure God’s promise through their plans. Isaac, however, is entirely the result of divine grace, showing that God’s blessings come as gifts, not as something we can earn or achieve.
Isaac shows the impossibility of the Christmas promise. The thought of the Lord establishing his promise through death seems absurd. However, Abraham and Sarah testify that the Lord establishes life through death because the Lord knows the depth of sin, and what it will take to overcome it. Isaac sets the joyful foundation, but Christ is the one who definitively establishes the foundation by fulfilling God’s promise.
Paul addresses a fractured church, divided into factions based on allegiance to specific leaders—Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or even Christ in a tribalistic sense. These divisions reveal the human tendency to seek identity and superiority in secondary things, even in the church. Paul responds by re-centering their focus on Christ alone, emphasizing that their unity and salvation are rooted not in the messengers, but in the message of the cross.
Human hearts naturally turn good things, like church leaders or even the gospel, into ultimate things that ironically look away from Christ. We are those who create idols that divide rather than finding significance in Christ. But Paul dismantles these divisions by reminding the Corinthians of the gospel’s leveling power: none of them were baptized into Paul or Apollos—they were baptized into Christ. The cross is not just the means of salvation; it’s the ultimate unifier, declaring that all believers are equally in need of grace.
The key takeaway is that the gospel creates a new identity transcending tribalism. In Christ, there’s no room for boasting in human leaders or factions because everything we have is a gift. This passage challenges us to examine where we are tempted to find our worth outside of Jesus and invites us to center our hearts and community on the One who unites us all.
In Acts 17:22–31, Paul addresses the philosophers in Athens, presenting the gospel, and calling them to see that they do not market god. It is God who continues to uphold this creation whether we affirm it or not.
Paul begins by acknowledging the Athenians’ religiosity, even pointing to their altar “to an unknown god.” He uses their cultural and spiritual hunger as a starting point to reveal the true God — not a distant deity but the Creator who is near, sustaining all life. Paul calls them to account for the fact that they do not discover and promote the gods but that there is one God who sustains all things.
Paul then calls them to repentance, announcing that this God has revealed himself in Christ. Jesus’ resurrection is proof that God will judge the world through him.
The resurrection isn’t just evidence of God’s power; it’s the assurance of his love and the hope of renewal for all creation.
The crowd is seeking signs, challenging their demand for proof, but Christ says they will receive the “sign of Jonah.” Jonah was the sign to Ninevah so Christ is the sign for the current generation. Then Jesus shifts to a metaphor of light and vision. The problem isn’t the light (the gospel) but the eye (our spiritual perception). If our “eye” is healthy, we’ll see clearly and live in the light. If not, we’re plunged into darkness. So, we are not to demand signs but to see the Gospel as the sufficient light pointing us to Christ. We are to have a singular focus on the kingdom. As we are focused on the Lord’s kingdom, his light will continue to conform. Ultimately, it is the call to give ourselves to the Spirit, the sole source of light and life.
We welcome Mr. Roy Kim to our pulpit while Pastor Paul Lindemulder enjoys a week off. In Job 3, we see Job’s raw and unfiltered anguish. After losing everything—his wealth, his children, and his health—he breaks his silence and curses the day of his birth. This chapter shows us the depths of human suffering and the honesty of biblical faith. Job doesn’t sugarcoat his pain or pretend to be fine. Instead, he expresses the full weight of his despair, wishing he had never been born and lamenting the darkness that has engulfed his life. God allows honest lament—Job’s words are deeply emotional and even shocking, yet God doesn’t rebuke him for pouring out his heart. This shows that God welcomes our questions and grief, even when they are raw and messy. Despair arises when suffering feels meaningless—Job’s cry is rooted in the feeling that his life has lost all purpose. He doesn’t yet see the bigger picture, but his pain foreshadows the human cry for meaning in suffering, ultimately answered in Christ. Job suffers, but he still prays—Though Job curses the day of his birth, he never curses God. His lament is directed to God, showing that even in his darkest hour, Job clings to the reality of God’s presence. We are encouraged to be honest about our pain while trusting that God can handle our darkest cries—and that He works even through suffering to bring ultimate redemption.
We welcome Mr. Roy Kim to our pulpit while Pastor Paul Lindemulder enjoys a week off. In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard. This parable challenges our sense of fairness and exposes the radical nature of God’s grace. A vineyard owner hires workers at different times throughout the day, yet pays them all the same wage. Those hired first grumble, feeling cheated, but the owner reminds them that he gave them exactly what he promised. God’s grace is unearned and generous—It’s not based on merit or how long we’ve worked. Those who arrive late (like the thief on the cross) receive the same reward as lifelong believers because salvation is a gift, not a paycheck. Our pride blinds us to grace—The first workers represent those who feel entitled to more because of their perceived efforts. Their complaint shows a heart that values comparison and fairness over gratitude. Ultimately, this parable flips human values upside down. It invites us to rejoice in the generosity of God, rather than resent it, because none of us deserves his grace in the first place.
Psalm 55:22 is part of David's deeply personal and anguished prayer, where he laments betrayal and overwhelming sorrow. He describes the agony of war and ultimately being betrayed by a close friend. He wrestles with feelings of fear, anger, and despair. Yet, in verse 22, David pivots from venting his pain to expressing trust in God. David acknowledges the crushing weight of life’s burdens—especially those caused by betrayal and injustice—but points to the radical hope in casting those burdens onto God. The psalm reveals that we don’t need to carry the weight of our pain or solve every problem ourselves. Instead, we’re invited to entrust our struggles to the One who is both infinitely powerful and intimately loving. God sustains us not by removing all hardships, but by giving us the strength to endure and the assurance that He will uphold the righteous in His unshakable faithfulness. Truly, he is our powerful father because he is creator and continually cares for this world and his people.
Jesus heals a man who was mute due to demonic possession, sparking amazement among the crowd. However, some accuse Him of using demonic power (Beelzebul) to cast out demons, while others demand a sign from heaven to prove His authority. Jesus responds with powerful logic, exposing the absurdity of their claim—why would Satan work against himself? Instead, Jesus declares that His work is evidence of God’s kingdom breaking in.
He warns that neutrality is not an option; those who are not with Him are against Him. He further cautions that simply ridding oneself of evil without filling the void with God leads to greater vulnerability. A clean but empty “house” is an open invitation for even worse spiritual oppression. Finally, when a woman in the crowd praises Jesus’ mother for giving Him birth, He redirects the focus, saying that true blessedness comes from hearing and obeying God’s Word.
This passage reveals the radical claim of Jesus’ authority and the decisive nature of following Him. It warns against the dangers of superficial spiritual change—reformation without the Lord’s transformation. Jesus doesn’t just aim to remove evil; He wants to renovate and regenerate with the presence and power of God.
In Galatians 4:1-7, Paul explains that believers in Christ are no longer like slaves with no real exercise of the inheritance. It is in Christ that we are children of God through faith. We are no longer under the tutor who would teach us to be adults and function at some point as an adult.
With Christ’s coming, however, believers are redeemed from this bondage. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are not only set free as adults walking in the Spirit but also adopted into God’s family. This adoption allows them to call God “Abba, Father,” a deeply personal and intimate term that conveys closeness. God is not a Roman Father who is harsh and unpredictable. Rather, he is a Father who shepherds his children desiring to see them grow in him.
The use of “Abba, Father” reflects a significant shift from a relationship based on law and obligation to one based on grace and family. It changes our motivation: we obey not out of fear but love and gratitude. With the Spirit within us, we can confidently approach God, not to earn favor but because we are already fully embraced as His children. This adoption and inheritance change everything, grounding our identity and security in God’s love rather than our performance.
Jesus’s disciples want to learn how to pray from their teacher. Jesus teaches them to pray to the father who places our absolute reliance on our heavenly father as citizens of his kingdom.
Jesus then shares a parable about a persistent friend. In this story, a man goes to a friend at midnight to ask for bread. At first, the friend is reluctant, but because of the man’s persistence, he eventually gives him what he needs. This parable illustrates the importance of persistence in prayer.
Jesus further encourages His disciples to “ask, seek, and knock,” promising that those who do so will receive answers. He emphasizes God’s desire to give good gifts. If fallen fathers know what is good for their children how much more our creator and redeemer? Ultimately, the greatest gift is the new birth, the entrance into the new family, and calling upon our heavenly father as Abba.
Ephesians 2:1-10 highlights the transformative power of God’s grace in the lives of believers. Historically because of Adam we are dead, living in sin and separated from God (verses 1-3). However, in verses 4-5, God takes the iniative by his mercy and love making us alive together with Christ. His resurrection is not just overcoming our physical death, but moves us from children of wrath to children of God.
In verse 8-10, Paul makes it clear that salvation is a gift from God, not something earned by works. He states that we are saved through faith, and even faith itself is a gift from God. This means no one can boast about their salvation, because it is solely by God’s grace, not by human effort. We only live out the gospel by the Lord’s power.
Hebrews 10:19-25 emphasizes the boldness and confidence believers have in approaching God, based on the sacrifice of Jesus. In verses 19-22, the writer encourages Christians to draw near to God with sincerity and full assurance, holding fast to the hope of salvation, because we have a final priest who has cleansed and opened the heavenly sanctuary. It is our priest who represents us in heaven, he stands over his church, but guarantees that we can draw near to God.
Verse 22 is the first of three exhortations that we draw near to God. We are not distant from God even while we are on this earth.
Verse 23 urges believers to hold tightly to their confession of faith without wavering, we are exhorted to stand firm in the hope that God is faithful to fulfill His promises.
Verses 24-25 call the community to encourage one another toward love and good deeds, especially as the Day of Christ’s return draws near. The passage underscores that our confession of faith—declaring and affirming our hope in Christ—should be lived out through mutual support and active participation in the life of the church as a people joined to the one priestly redeemer.
Genesis 3 records the fall into sin. This is a tragic day when Satan enters the garden, challenging the Lord’s word. Eve is tempted, and Adam fails to defend the Garden Sanctuary. They eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil only to discover that death is separation from their communion and fellowship with God. Adam and Eve realize their nakedness, and they are ashamed, contrasted to the Lord’s creation when they were naked and unashamed. Now, they do not want to be vulnerable before the living God. Their fellowship is instantly broken. This act of disobedience brings sin and death into the world, altering humanity’s relationship with God.
God pronounces consequences on the serpent, the woman, and the man. Speaking to the serpent, God says, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will crush his heel” (Genesis 3:15). Humanity will be divided into two lines. There is the seed of the woman represented by the Messiah. Adam defected to the Satanic army. The Lord will rise and triumph over the Satanic Army as some of the human race will be the Lord’s seed, and some will be left on their course as Satan’s seed.
The Lord sets up a guarding angel with a flaming sword that administers eternal death. Anyone who gains access to the tree will be cut off. The Lord provides cover for Adam and Eve, symbolizing the first sacrifice. The Lord will pass through the sword as the God/Man. He will take the eternal punishment that man cannot endure. The first gospel is proclaimed in paradise as Adam and Eve are pushed out of the garden sanctuary. Jesus Christ will enter history, live a perfect life to consecrate his people, endure eternal punishment, and rise in victory to live in the heavenly temple as our eternal priest.
In Luke 10:38-42, Jesus enters a village, and Martha invites Jesus into her home. She is going to host Jesus with her sister, Mary. Martha is busy preparing and serving while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to his teaching. Frustrated, Martha tells Jesus to make Mary help her. However, Jesus gently tells Martha that while she is worried about many things, “only one thing is necessary.” He explains that Mary has chosen the “better part” by focusing on his teaching, something that won’t be taken from her.
Jesus clarifies that service in our strength is not service to God. One has to start in the renewing work of the Spirit, doing these works in the power of faith. Martha is simply doing and not hearing.
In Romans 5:12-21, Paul explains how sin entered the world through our representative Adam, leading to death for all humanity. He contrasts Adam’s disobedience with Christ’s obedience. While sin and death spread through one man’s failure, God’s grace and the gift of righteousness come through Jesus. Paul emphasizes that just as death reigned through Adam, grace reigns through Christ, offering eternal life to those who believe. Paul points out that all in Christ are saved, and all in Adam are condemned. This is not a universal salvation but a consolation that Christ’s work overcomes Adam’s fall for all who are in Christ Jesus.
Jesus rejoices in the revelation of truth to the humble and contrasts it with the wise. By God's grace, anyone is considered among the humble. Christ then engages with a lawyer who asks, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” The man summarizes God’s law. The lawyer, seeking to justify himself, asks, “Who is my neighbor?” In response, Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. In the story, a man is attacked and left for dead. A priest and a Levite pass by without helping, but a Samaritan considered an outsider, stops to aid the man, showing compassion. Jesus concludes by asking which of the three acted as a neighbor, teaching that the kingdom boundaries are beyond Israel and transcend social boundaries. We are not to ask who is my neighbor, but to ask, “How can I be a better neighbor?”
Genesis 8:20–9:17 Noah the soother gives off a soothing aroma after the ark rests (noahs) on the top of Mount Ararat. builds an altar and offers sacrifices, which pleases God. God delivers Noah, and his family, through the flood onto a new creation. It is the precedent and picture of God shepherding his church from this world to the glorified creation.
God blesses Noah and his sons, commanding them to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth. He allows them to eat animals but forbids blood, symbolizing life. God also declares that human life is sacred, stating that anyone who sheds human blood will be held accountable. God will restrain sin so the gospel can go forth.
The sign of the rainbow is a reminder that the Lord has put down his war bow. He will preserve this creation through seedtime and harvest and the various seasons. However, he will pick up that war bow on the final Har Maggeden (mountain of judgment) day and put down the rebellion. This narrative teaches that one wants to be part of the ark community. One wants to be part of the community that has moved through death and now possesses everlasting life in Christ Jesus. Yes, man has a season to continue to rebel, but man’s rebellion will not spiral out of control. However, the Lord will squash man's rebellion once and for all. The Lord is teaching that he will shepherd his people into the new heavens and earth.
Jesus sends out 72 disciples in pairs to bear two-fold witness to announce his coming. He gives them specific instructions, telling them to rely on the hospitality of those they meet, heal the sick, and proclaim that the kingdom of God has come near. Their reception in the village determines the village’s reception of the messengers. They are lambs/sheep among wolves. This kingdom is not here in its full glory as we see Israel experiencing rebellion. The New Testament letters record wolves in various congregations. The kingdom is here with Christ, spiritually realized, but not in full glory. When the disciples return, they are filled with joy, reporting that even demons submitted to them in Jesus’ name. Jesus responds by affirming their authority over the power of the enemy, but he reminds them that their true joy should come from knowing that their names are written in heaven as sons of peace identified in a new Messianic family.
In Luke 9:51-62, Jesus resolutely sets out for Jerusalem, knowing His mission involves suffering and sacrifice. On the way, a Samaritan village rejects Him, but He rebukes His disciples for wanting to call down judgment on them. As they continue, different people express a desire to follow Jesus, but He warns them that following Him demands radical commitment. He tells one that the Son of Man has no place to rest, indicating the hardship of discipleship. To others, He stresses that nothing, not even family obligations or looking back at past life, should take precedence over following Him.
This passage teaches that Christ’s exodus is laser focus on the heavenly Jerusalem. The values and priorities of this age all submit to the the goal of the heavenly Vision of Peace (Jerusalem).
Paul writes this letter to Titus in Crete. Paul encourages Titus to teach believers to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. Believers are encouraged to see themselves stationed between two epiphanies, that is two events where God has manifested himself. On the one hand God redeems an international people by confirming his promises in Christ which is the first epiphany. We are called to look forward to the blessed hope of Jesus Christ’s return, second epiphany, who gave Himself to redeem and purify a people for His own possession, eager to do good works. We live between these two Christ events knowing that our Lord continues to purify and work in his people.
In this passage, Peter highlights the profound work of Christ in His suffering and victory, showing how the gospel reshapes everything—even our understanding of baptism. Jesus, the perfectly righteous one, suffered and died for the unrighteous to bring us to God, demonstrating that salvation is entirely a work of grace. He didn't just die; He was resurrected, triumphing over all spiritual forces.
Peter then connects this victory to the story of Noah, using the flood as a powerful analogy for baptism. Just as Noah and his family were saved through the waters of the flood—not by their own efforts but by trusting in God’s provision—the waters of baptism now symbolize how we are saved, not by physical cleansing, but by the resurrection of Christ after descending to death. Baptism is not a mere ritual; it’s an outward sign of an inward grace, a pledge of a cleansed conscience made possible only through Jesus’ resurrection.
Mr. Sen Zorilla exhorts us this evening from Luke 17:5-10.
The disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith. In response, Jesus tells them that even a small amount of faith, as small as a mustard seed, can achieve great things, such as uprooting a mulberry tree and planting it in the sea.
This passage emphasizes that faith takes hold of Christ’s victorious power. As we are united to Christ we seek to live in humble service to God and grow in comprehending that obedience to God is not about earning merit but fulfilling one’s duty in Christ’s power.
Mr. Sen Zorilla exhorts us this morning from 1 Peter 4:12-19.
The Apostle Peter encourages Christians to be prepared for suffering, particularly for their faith. Suffering for Christ is framed as something to rejoice in, as it means sharing in His sufferings, which will eventually lead to glory when Christ returns.
Peter makes a distinction between suffering for doing wrong and suffering for doing good. He stresses that suffering for being a Christian is honorable and should not bring shame. Instead, believers should glorify God in the midst of their trials.
He concludes by reminding them that judgment begins with God's people, implying that believers must endure these tests faithfully. The passage ends with a call for those suffering according to God's will to continue entrusting themselves to God, the faithful Creator, while doing good.
Isaiah 4 presents a vision of hope and restoration following judgment. After describing the devastation of Israel due to sin, the chapter shifts to a promise of renewal for a purified remnant. The "Branch of the Lord," seen as the Messiah, will bring beauty and glory to the land. God will cleanse His people from their sins through judgment and refining, and afterward, His presence will dwell among them, offering protection and shelter like the cloud by day and fire by night that guided the Israelites in the wilderness. The assurance is that the Lord will protect us with his spirit.
After coming down from the mountain where the Transfiguration occurred, Jesus encounters a crowd, including a man whose son is possessed by a demon. The disciples had tried but failed to cast out the demon. Jesus expresses frustration at the faithlessness of the generation, then rebukes the demon, healing the boy and astonishing the crowd with His power.
While people marvel at His miracles, Jesus tells His disciples about His impending betrayal, but they don’t understand what He means. The meaning is hidden from them, and this is not just spiritual blindness as they refuse to inquire about Christ’s prediction.
The disciples argue about who among them is the greatest. Jesus responds by taking a child and saying that whoever welcomes a child in His name welcomes Him, and whoever is least among them is the greatest. Just when it seems that Christ made his point then John is upset that someone is casting out demons in Jesus’ name. The problem: the man is not one of them.
The call is for Christians to see that Christ’s kingdom is bigger than they are. His kingdom is for the weak, the broken, and the sinners who need a redeemer.
We might wonder if the Scriptures go beyond their original context. 2 Peter 1:21 makes explicit to us the trustworthiness and divine authority of Scripture. Peter is assuring us that the Bible isn't a collection of human ideas or insights, but rather a divine revelation. The prophets were not just inspired, but moved by the Holy Spirit, ensuring that what they wrote was God's truth, not merely their own thoughts. The Scripture is not subject to the changing opinions of humans, but is a reliable, unchanging guide given by God Himself. We are called to align our opinions with the Scripture, discerning its truth, and not align Scripture to our convictions.
Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ, noting that this moment is foundational because one needs to understand Christ for someone to understand their passage into the kingdom. Jesus then goes on to make explicit that he is not a conquering king, but a suffering servant. Jesus’ disciples are called to bear the cross as people united to Christ. This leads to the transfiguration where Jesus' divine glory, a powerful confirmation that, despite the call to suffering, Jesus is the Son of God with ultimate authority. Jesus shows that he will exodus through the cross to be raised to glory.
John 14:26 and John 15:26 both highlight the role of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus refers to as the Advocate or Helper.
John 14:26 emphasizes that the Holy Spirit will be sent by the Father in Jesus' name to teach the disciples all things and to remind them of everything Jesus has said. This means that the Holy Spirit will guide believers into truth, helping them understand and remember Jesus' teachings. The Spirit will give the disciples the words to bear testimony about Christ.
John 15:26 builds on this by describing the Holy Spirit as the one who will testify about Jesus. The Spirit comes from the Father and will bear witness to the truth of who Jesus is, affirming His mission and identity.
Together, these verses show that the Holy Spirit is crucial in the life of a believer, serving as a teacher, a reminder of Jesus' words, and a witness to His truth. The Spirit's presence assures believers that they are not left alone; they are empowered and guided in their faith. The Spirit is sent from the father and the son as we see sending and proceeding used interchangeably in John’s gospel.
Paul warns against the dangers of greed and the love of money, which can lead people away from faith and into spiritual ruin. Paul is not condemning wealth itself but the unhealthy attachment to it that leads to worthless pursuits.
Paul calls us to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness, showing how these virtues reflect a life centered on Christ rather than material gain. The passage encourages believers to "fight the good fight of the faith," keeping their focus on eternal life, which is the ultimate goal.
We are called to see ourselves between two anchor points in the Christian life. We are those who are grounded in Christ’s resurrection and we are those who are oriented to the epiphany of his return.
Jesus is confronted with a situation where He heals a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute. The Pharisees, seeing this miracle, accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons.
The Pharisees are spiritually blind. The pharisees in their religious pride and self-righteousness, are unable to recognize the work of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ ministry. These men slander the work of the Holy Spirit by attributing it to Satan. They do this despite the clear working of God in their midst. So they willfully, and consciously attribute the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan.
The "unpardonable sin" is not a specific act but an ongoing, hardened stance of slandering the work of the Spirit when the Spirit’s work is overwhelming evident.The seriousness of this sin is attributing God’s work to evil, showing how it reflects a heart that is closed off to the Spirit’s transformative power.
Jesus sends out the twelve disciples, giving them power to heal and cast out demons. He tells them to preach about God’s kingdom and rely on the hospitality of those who welcome them. If they’re rejected, they should leave and show that the town is excluded from the kingdom by wiping their feet.
Luke then mentions that John the Baptist has been killed by Herod, which seems like a major setback for God's kingdom. This raises doubts about whether the Lord can truly establish His rule.
Later, in a remote area, the disciples find themselves without enough food, even for their small group of thirteen. But despite the huge crowd of over 5,000, Jesus miraculously feeds everyone with just five loaves and two fish. This shows that God's kingdom is not limited by our obstacles or lack of resources. The Lord's power and provision ensure that His kingdom will prevail.
In Acts 5:1-11, Ananias and Sapphira are a powerful illustration of the Holy Spirit's divinity and the seriousness of lying in the Lord’s presence. Peter confronts Ananias, pointing out that lying to the Holy Spirit is equivalent to lying to God, underscoring that the Holy Spirit is not just a force but God Himself. We are humbled as we consider the holiness of God and the gravity of sin, especially within the community of believers. The sudden judgment on Ananias and Sapphira serves as a sobering reminder that the Holy Spirit, being fully God, is deeply concerned with the integrity and purity of the church.
Luke 8:40-56 describes two miracles of Jesus: healing a woman with a long-term illness and raising Jairus' daughter from the dead.
The story begins with Jesus returning to a welcoming crowd. Jairus, the leader of a synagogue, asks Jesus to heal his dying twelve-year-old daughter. On the way, a woman who has bled for twelve years touches His garment, believing it will heal her. Her bleeding stops instantly, but she must acknowledge her action first. Jesus tells her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."
While this happens, someone from Jairus’ house brings news that his daughter has died. Jesus encourages Jairus not to fear but to believe. At Jairus' house, mourners laugh when Jesus says the girl is only sleeping. He takes her hand and says, "My child, get up!" She rises, astonishing everyone. Jesus then tells her parents to feed her and not to share what happened.
This passage highlights the power of Jesus' words to heal and bring life, illustrating that true healing comes through His word that imparts and cultivates faith, which even conquers death.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11, Paul addresses the Thessalonian Christians' concerns about the fate of those who have died before Christ's return.
Paul reassures the Thessalonians that believers who have died will not miss out on Christ's return. Instead, when Jesus comes back, those who have died in Him will rise first, and then those who are alive will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord. This provides comfort and hope. Death cannot overpower Christ’s shepherding care.
In chapter 5, Paul shifts to discussing the timing of the Lord's return, emphasizing that it will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. Therefore, Christians should always be prepared, living lives of faith, love, and hope.
So we are to live with an heavenly viewpoint, being alert and self-controlled in this life, confident in the resurrection power that Christ has secured for us, and supporting one another in the community of faith. We are a community who sojourns through this age in the Holy Spirit.
Jesus overcomes the storm showing that the Lord of life is the Lord who is the Word that ordered this creation. The abyss of the sea will not overpower Christ's word. The disciples are to see that their faith and confidence is not a sentimental thing. It is rather having a heart tuned into the conviction that the Lord prevails.
Christ moves to the other side of the sea he encounters a mock incarnation. This is a man possessed by evil spirits showing death rather than life. Christ shows once again that the word of Lord is more powerful than the Satanic legion. The demons demonstrate that their kingdom is one of death. Christ merely gives a command to free the man. The unclean spirits run into the abyss on their terms destroying the unclean animals.
We are encouraged to trust in Jesus' authority in our own lives, to seek His transforming power in our struggles, and to live out our faith boldly, knowing Jesus has power over all circumstances.
The Levitical priesthood, instituted under the Mosaic Law, could not bring perfection or complete access to God. It was always meant to be temporary and preparatory. Jesus is a priest in the order of Melchizedek, not Aaron. Melchizedek's priesthood is eternal and not based on ancestry. Jesus, like Melchizedek, holds His priesthood permanently because He lives forever. This eternal priesthood brings a better hope, allowing us to draw near to God because his sacrifice is permanent. His resurrection and ascension places Christ in a superior place than the OT temple. We might be tempted to think that our representation is inferior to the priests of old, but Hebrews teaches that it is superior because the promise is confirmed.
Jesus uses the parable of the lamp to drive home the principle of hearing the words of Christ. Just as a lamp is not lit to be hidden but placed on a stand to illuminate the room. The fertile soil of the heart is to be tuned into the Lord's purpose eager to live out the Gospel. Jesus then underscores the importance of listening carefully. What we hear and how we respond to it matters greatly. The one who truly hears and understands God's word will be given more understanding, but those who ignore it will lose even what they think they have. In verses 19-21, when Jesus' mother and brothers come to see Him, He makes a striking statement: His true family consists of those who hear God's word and put it into practice. The kingdom is not about a taxing king, but about a family who communes with God. It is a call not just to hear the words, but to humbly live out the word.
Paul argues that if Christ has not been raised from the dead, our faith is futile, and we are still in our sins. Without Christ's physical resurrection, there's no victory over sin and death, leaving us without hope. For those who have died in Christ, their faith would be in vain. Paul insists that the resurrection is essential because it confirms Jesus' victory and ensures our future resurrection, making our faith meaningful and our hope secure.
Paul calls us to have the same mindset as Jesus, who, despite being divine, didn't cling to His status. Instead, He emptied Himself, becoming a servant and embracing human vulnerability. Christ's obedience went all the way to death, and even death on a cross. Because of this, God exalted Him, giving Him a name above all names, so that every being will acknowledge His lordship. One of the things we learn about the Christian life is that our sanctification is in a sense suffering. It is suffering to deny self to conform to Christ. We d not naturally want to die to self, but this is what Paul is teaching us. As we are in the power of the Spirit we are new creatures called to conform to our heavenly status in Christ.
In the parable of the Fertile Soil, Jesus illustrates how different people respond to the Gospel. The seed represents God's Word, and the various soils depict different hearts. Some hearts are hard, indifferent, and quickly lose the message. Others receive it with joy but lack depth, falling away when difficulties arise. Some hearts are choked by life's worries and riches, preventing growth. But the good soil, a receptive and persevering heart, produces a fruitful life by the Word's power. In Luke's Gospel christ is challenging his audience to be see the admittance to the kingdom through the gospel message. It is an exhortation to be tender to the Lord's purpose seeking to do his will as one secured in Christ.
God saved us by His mercy, not our good deeds. The Holy Spirit renews us, showing His grace, not based on what we do. Baptism signifies we belong to God. We don't follow our old ways as Christians. We've been saved from death and raised to new life in Christ.
This passage focuses the circumcision and naming of Jesus, which took place eight days after His birth, fulfilling the Law of Moses. This act symbolizes Jesus' full identification with humanity and His submission to God's Law from the very beginning. Naming Him Jesus, which means 'the Lord saves,' foreshadows His mission to save His people from their sins. It points to the incarnation of God in Jesus, who came to live a perfect life and fulfill the Law on our behalf as one who will die a cursed death. His resurrection confirms his perfection and the promise of the covenant of grace.
In 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Paul explains the transformative power of the gospel and the ministry of reconciliation given to believers. He begins by stating that we no longer view anyone from a worldly perspective, including Christ. If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old has passed away, and the new has come.
Paul emphasizes that all of this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. This means that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people's sins against them. Instead, He entrusted believers with the message of reconciliation.
Paul concludes by identifying believers as ambassadors for Christ, appealing to others on God's behalf to be reconciled to Him. He underscores the gospel's essence: God made Christ, who had no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God.
Christ is taking on our sin so that we might receive His righteousness, showcasing the depth of God's grace and the transformative power of the gospel.
Jesus dines at Pharisee Simon's house. A sinful woman anoints Jesus' feet with perfume. Jesus responds to the shock of this woman’s attention with a parable about forgiveness and love. Jesus contrasts woman's love with Simon's judgment. Jesus emphasizes grace, forgiveness, and humility. The pharisees respond by judging Jesus rather than submitting to his kingdom.
The hypostatic union is the Christian doctrine that in the one person of Jesus Christ, there are two natures: fully God and fully human. These natures are united without mixing, changing, or dividing. This means Jesus is completely divine, with all the attributes of God, and completely human, with all the attributes of humanity. This union is essential for our salvation because it means Jesus can truly represent us as a human and save us with divine power. It means that the man from heaven has submitted his human will to God as the last Adam.
John the Baptist, in jail, asks if Jesus is the promised Savior. Jesus performs and calls attention to His miracles, like healing the sick and resurrecting the dead. He also praises John as a top prophet but says even the humblest in God’s realm is special. This shows how God's realm brings unexpected changes to society and religion, fulfilling His word. The text closes by comparing those who believe in Jesus and those who don’t, stressing the need for faith and embracing God’s radical kingdom.
A Roman centurion asks Jesus to heal his servant in Capernaum. Despite being a Gentile, he shows strong faith. Jesus praises his faith, healing the servant from afar. In Nain, Jesus sees a widow mourning her only son. He comforts her and resurrects her son. These events reveal Jesus' compassion, power, and ability to confer true life to his citizens. They show that Jesus' kingdom redeems all nations as they respond by faith in the Spirit, breaking barriers of society and distance.
The Angel of the Lord speaks as God, the Angel promises to be the redemption that Christ promises, and ultimately this Angel is God or pre-incarnate Christ. Angels are often perceived as weak messengers, this angel is actually the spoken word, messenger, and even an envoy of God who manifests His presence as a theophany.
John introduces Jesus as the eternal Word of God, emphasizing His role in creation, bringing light and life to humanity. Jesus takes on the flesh and tabernacles among us. It is God walking in the midst of the human race. However, Jesus does not become the Son of God at that moment, but is Son from eternity. We are assured that as we receive him by faith we are children of God. Yet, there is the language of being born again before we accept Christ. How can Christ be Son of God, and we can also be sons of God by new birth and faith?
Jesus teaches a new way of living, valuing love and kindness. He warns the wealthy, satisfied, joyful, and earthly esteemed about an earthly reward. Followers are urged to love everyone, love enemies, pray for abusers, and forgive offenders. Believers are encouraged to show God-like mercy, being confident that Christ’s kingdom is present, and they will receive a great life in the age to come.
Jesus commanded his Apostles to spread His message worldwide, baptize people in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and teach disciples to obey His teachings. Christ also gives the remarkable promise that he will be with them always until the end of their age.
In Luke 6:12-23, Jesus goes to pray on a mountain before choosing His twelve apostles. He blesses the poor, hungry, and sorrowful, showing that real blessing comes from God's Kingdom, not material wealth or status. Jesus' message gives hope to the oppressed and challenges the privileged, assuring all that blessing comes in the midst of turmoil.
Revelation 3:14-22 speaks to the church in Laodicea, highlighting their useless faith and encouraging them to repent turning unto Christ. Jesus cautions them about their lack of spiritual awareness and advises them to acquire genuine faith, purity, and spiritual understanding. He waits for them to welcome Him into their congregation. Now, he patiently waits, but when he returns his patience will run out. The call is for the church to turn to Christ, consciously wanting Christ in their midst, and changing their course which lead to Christ being excommunicated from their communion.
In Luke 6:1-11, Jesus faces criticism for not following Sabbath rules when he picks grain and heals a man on the Sabbath. He explains that the Sabbath is meant for true restorative life, and not to celebrate death. Jesus challenges the religious customs, and shows the deeper meaning of resting in God’s glory. This incident demonstrates Jesus's authority over traditional beliefs and demonstrates his mission to bring God’s people into the full victory rest that Adam forfeited.
Revelation 3:7-13 highlights the promise of God's protection and favor for those who remain faithful amidst challenges. In these verses, the message to the church in Philadelphia emphasizes the importance of perseverance and obedience to God.
In Luke 5:27-39, Jesus asks Levi (Matthew) to follow him, eats with tax collectors and sinners. He tells the Pharisees he came for sinners, not the righteous. Jesus talks about fasting, using parables to say new wine goes in new wineskins and people don't fast with the groom around. This is a passage that is making clear why Christ has to come to redeem. We are left with the question: is Christ the Messiah or a fraud?
Paul refers to some children as clean, rather than unclean. Is baptism the cleansing bath? Does baptism make the child clean, or does Paul refer to something more fundamental and traditional? Why does Paul use Old Testament terms like clean and unclean?
We might fall into a routine and forget about Christ, losing sight of His importance. Sardis trusted in their fortress. They assumed they were safe because of their fortress. However, the city fell two times because they were too complacent to check their fortress. The church in Sardis is urged to wake up and pursue Christ.
The Church in Tyatira struggles to balance faith and daily life, torn between its Christian values and worldly temptations. They are compromising their beliefs, and losing focus on their spiritual goal. they are exhorted to cling and live for the conquering Christ who forced Balaam, the great prophet, to speak his words.
Two men go to Jesus Christ for healing. One understands Jesus' power despite his mental barrier, while the other realizes his paralysis is not his real problem as his friends cut through the barrier. Jesus demonstrates the genuine healing in the kingdom.
The church in Pergamum faced martyrdom as one member died for their faith. They were praised but cautioned against Balaam's mistake. Ephesus is overly strict, while this other church is too accepting and risks diluting the gospel.
Christ obeys the father and dies on the cross to fulfill his father’s mission. Without being raised, his perfect obedience would be pointless. Christ's prayer in John 17 is confirmed because he has finished his work from the father. His resurrection testifies that he has completed the work His Father gave Him to do. His resurrection validates the Gospel.
Peter courageously wields his sword for Christ, then denies Him. He discovers Christ sacrifices for His followers, not vice versa. Our lives are to be centered on our savior, not ourselves. That's why Christ must go to the cross to secure his disciples, and to empower his disciples to live for him.
The church in Smyrna is encouraged to stay strong despite challenges. They will endure hardships, but should know they are spiritually wealthy in Jesus Christ, even if they lack material wealth.
Christ came to liberate the imprisoned. We expect the demon-possessed and the sick to turn to Christ. Peter was chosen as a disciple. Peter's response challenges the idea that the healthy are self-sufficient.
John brings a message from the angel to the church in Ephesus, praising their convictions but urging them to live according to it. The church is encouraged to see the resurrection power that they possess in Christ Jesus.
Christ enters a synagogue in Capernaum to preach the gospel. There is a man possessed by a demon. Christ commands the demon to leave and even the demon obeys. Christ not only drives out demons but also cures illnesses. He has authority over everything and aims to not only free us from sin but also bring healing.
John, the apostle in exile, is granted a profound revelation encompassing messages directed towards the seven churches. Within these divine edicts lie cautionary messages aimed at the historical churches of yore, yet their significance transcends the boundaries of time and directly warns the modern-day church.
Christ travels to different synagogues preaching the gospel. He is praised in Galilee but faces danger in his hometown of Nazareth. Christ escapes a near-death situation by slipping away from the crowd. We might think that this is an act of cowardice, but it testifies to the reality that Christ is simply following his father's plan.
We finish studying Belgic Confession Article 1: The Nature of God. We are created good but we fall short of God's perfect goodness since we are sinners. Christ points out that only God is truly good, highlighting our need to live more in line with His kingdom.
In the biblical narrative, Jesus confronts the Devil in the wilderness, a crucial moment establishing Christ’s integrity over the Devil. The Devil attempts to manipulate Scripture in order to deceive Jesus, testing His resolve. Despite facing these challenges, Jesus remains steadfast and overcomes the temptations presented to Him, emerging triumphant after three encounters with the adversary.
We believe that God is completely just. It's scary because God can see into our hearts and know our hidden wants. If we're even a tiny bit wrong, God is bound to punish us. That is why we rely on Christ and the Spirit to give us faith. If we're not connected to Christ, his work will not benefit us.
Luke tells us that John was arrested. This shows us that God's plan continues with the arrival of Christ, despite Rome's apparent world peace. We understand that God's plan and victory are different from what this world sees, and are seen through our heavenly eyes by faith.
We know that wisdom is applying knowledge. Knowledge is just learning things, but wisdom is using that knowledge. God has perfect knowledge and wisdom. We are supposed to have wisdom too, but it's not perfect like God's. How can we, as mere mortals, have wisdom like God?
Luke reports Christ's growth in wisdom, stature, and favor of his father. 20 years later, John, son of Zechariah, begins his holy call for people to repent and believe in Christ, which is the radical call of the Gospel. This is God’s holy war going forth in this age: the call of the gospel to repent and believe in Christ Jesus.
We believe that God is all-powerful. God communicates this truth through his name El-Shaddai which means God-All-mighty. In Psalm 139, David asks the Lord to examine his heart. Job struggles with God searching his heart because Job believes there is no appeal. Job wants to appeal his case to God, but he claims that God is so mighty that one cannot draw near to God. Job eventually finds comfort in knowing that God is almighty because Job realizes the problem is with Job and not God.
We believe that Jesus is both fully God and fully human at the same time. These two natures are united in one person, without blending together. When we hear that Jesus "increases," we might ask how it's possible for God to become more? We learn a great deal about Jesus' purpose and his role as both God and man, who is our Savior.
In Job 13:27, Job accuses God of tracking his every move and restricting him. Elihu criticizes Job for portraying God as a sinister figure, while David welcomes God's presence in his life. Job eventually realizes that God is not malevolent. This is why David invites God to search his heart.
The Lord is merciful and doesn't punish Nineveh when they repent, but Jonah is unhappy about it. Some might think God is inconsistent, but Jonah knows God is merciful and will relent if people repent. Some believe God can change, but God is unchanging. God is passionate and fulfills his plans, so we should be encouraged that we are rooted in the unchanging true God, as James assures us.
The Lord's people have lost their fight for the Lord. In fact, Hosea rebukes Israel for turning away from the Lord. They do not want to turn back to the Lord, but continue to plunge headfirst into their sin. They have failed to build the model and replica of heaven on earth. Now, the Lord comes against his people. Does this mean that the Lord is too weak to save? We find out that God really is gracious. He does not go back on his promise even as National Israel will be exiled from the land.
It would be really nice for us to show people God. It would be a very easy way to silence the skeptic and the critic who doubts that God exists. In fact, if we are honest, it would be nice to knock on God's door before entering his glorious throne room. However, this is not how God works in this time, but we are reminded that God dwells in unapproachable light. Paul reminds us that no one can see God nor has anyone seen God. We consider Paul's encouragement to be confident in an invisible God.
Hosea rehearses the Lord's case against Israel. They have failed him, they have pursued Baal, and they have failed to have an exclusive relationship with the Lord. This prophet is warning us that we might think that we are fine because we can trust in everything other than the Lord. This is why John the Baptist calls Israel to turn away from their confidence and to turn unto Christ. Hosea is fundamentally exhorting God's people to find their contentment and fulfillment in the Lord and His kingdom.
We say that God is incomprehensible. This sounds as if we are never going to know God. We might be able to know a few things about God, but it sounds as if we will never really know God. This is strange considering that we are called to know the Lord. How can we know the Lord if the Lord is incomprehensible? We discover that while we cannot fully know everything about God we can certainly know our God.
We can wonder as God's people if God is for us or against us. We should see that Israel is certainly a unique place in covenant history. They model heaven on earth, but demonstrate that we need a savior. Israel shows that despite the Lord's redemptive mercy their hearts can still wander from the true God. Israel is the model of heaven on earth, but communicates we will never bring heaven on earth. Israel also reminds us that the Lord can discipline his people. We might feel as if God is distant, but Hosea reminds us that the Lord is shaping his people even when he feels distant.
The Lord's majesty is certainly intimidating. We are people who will never be greater than God, and we will never usurp the Lord. Our temptation is to think that We just pull away from God or try to run. However, this is not a solution. In fact, Psalm 90 gives us the assurance that God's majesty is more assuring than threatening. God's majesty should invite us to draw closer to God rather than to run from him.
When we consider God we do not think that God is simple. In fact when we try to comprehend who God is we realize that he is rather majestic. In fact, he is beyond our comprehension. So, why would we say that God is simple and why does it matter so much for God to be God?
The shepherds gather round the messiah to see this thing that has happened. It is magnificent that such a thing has happened. However, we can grow so familiar with the Christmas story that we lose the humanness behind this story. Please join us as we look at this familiar story once again on Christmas Eve.
This is a reading of Matthew’s account of Christ’s birth. Please enjoy this reading as we ruminate on Christ’s birth.
John's name is a source of controversy for Zechariah and Elizabeth. Their relatives think that this couple needs a family name. However, we see in a subtle way that the Lord is overturning Adam's fall. The Lord is raising up a new humanity. Truly the Lord remembers his oath as he demonstrates his grace and mercy once again.
When Scripture opens we are told that the Lord created this world good. We read of the adversary, Satan, who enters the garden of Eden. He wants to challenge whether or not God created this world good. Satan is arrogant, Satan thinks that he can humble the great God of heaven, and he tempts Adam and Eve to sin. Adam and Eve sin joining this Satanic community. They soon discover that God will not be humbled, man will not be worshipped, and man's exaltation is only found as man submits to God. This is the very theme that Mary celebrates.
We wrap up our series on the means of Grace. We hear now that Christ is the action of God. He is not merely the word, but the one who confirms the Lord's word. He is the one who brought in the first creation, and he establishes us as a new creation. This means that word is more basic and prior to the sacraments. The preached word is not divorced from the true word. The sacraments are no divorced from the word. They all call our attention to the one true Christ.
Our Lord enters history through a very unlikely person. This is Mary, a person who is easily discarded. She has no genealogy, she is from a no nothing town, and she is a young peasant. However, she is the vessel that the Lord uses to bring about his redemptive purpose. She demonstrates the true essence of Christ's mission that we have to humble ourselves for our reproach to be taken away.
When we come to the Lord's table we are reminded that we are coming into the Lord's presence. There is something frightening about Paul exhorting the Corinthians church and telling them that some have died because of their sin. Paul correlates the eating of communion to this death. This can make us terrified to come before our Lord and we can think that the elements have a magical power. However, what Paul is calling us and exhorting us to see is that we partake of Christ, we dine at his table, and we eat his supper. We are called to discern that we do not come to this meal because we are worthy, but because we are made worthy in Christ. It is the call to come to the heavenly banquet table in humility.
Luke desires to present to us an orderly account of Christ, and why Christ is the messiah. We begin our Christmas series with Luke's account of John. We are going to cover Luke's gospel for Christmas, and then we will head back to Luke's gospel after we finish Hosea.
Luke presents Christ as one who is moving through this world, through Jerusalem, and eventually to heaven. Feasting communicates who has table fellowship in Luke's writings. The Lord's Supper is a taste of that heavenly feast as we gather together in the Lord's presence.
Paul and Silas are put in prison for casting out a spirit of divination. While they are in prison the Lord sends an earthquake. This event opens the doors and knocks the shackles off their limbs. They are free to escape, but they do not leave. Instead, we have record of a jailer being converted. He is converted, baptized, and his entire household. This is very significant in terms of the covenant sign of Baptism.
Christ celebrates passover with his disciples. We would think that this is just a passover meal, but Christ provides a twist. He is the passover lamb, the sacrifice, the one who confirms the covenant, and the one who feasts with his people. Certainly, passover is part of the Lord's Supper, but passover is part of the Lord's Supper.
Hosea makes explicit that the Lord is upset with his people pursuing other gods. Israel tries to baptize their immorality as "worship." However, the Lord knows the substance of their worship. One would think that the Lord's purpose has failed. One would think that his promise to Abraham has failed. However, the Lord is not a man. The Lord is able to establish and create new life.
We look at Paul's encouragement to the Ephesian church to live out of gratitude. We see that the word and sacrament go together. The Lord is pleased to work through this means to grow us in Christ. We cannot separate them as they both hold out the same Christ.
There is the warning to Israel that they are going to be carried off. They will be yoked and carried off. We might think that the Lord's purpose is finished. However, Christ exhorts us to put on his yoke that is light and easy. We need to see that coming under Christ's domain is freeing rather than domineering.
There is the warning to Israel that they are going to be carried off. They will be yoked and carried off. We might think that the Lord's purpose is finished. However, Christ exhorts us to put on his yoke that is light and easy. We need to see that coming under Christ's domain is freeing rather than domineering.
The Belgic confession assures us that the sacrament are given to us to strengthen our faith. However, the sacraments also communicate to us that we are weak. We are prone to wander, and testify to the reality that we need a savior. The sacraments communicate to us the truth of the gospel and cannot stand apart from it.
The Lord was refreshed by his people. He found them as a needy people needing redemption, and the Lord took pity on them, nurtured them, and loved them dearly. However, Israel crossed the line failing to see that God truly can protect his people. It sounds as if the Lord's purpose is concluded for his people, but we need to realize that redemption only comes through death. It is through death that there is true everlasting life.
In our previous sermons we have seen that the word of God has power, we have seen that church receives the canon of Scripture, and now we see that all we need to know about God and his saving work is in his scriptures. Our goal is to show that there is no longer any new revelation because we do not need new revelation.
Hosea gives a warning that Israel will not be celebrating their feast. The feasts are supposed to communicate Israel fellowshipping with God. They are in the presence of the most high God, but what do they do? They celebrate division, and feast in the presence of false gods. Truly, idolatry is a very irrational sin. It is a sin where we protect the gods we serve rather than seeing our God protects us.
Paul commends the Thessalonians church because they "received the word of God." This is a very important point that Paul is making. The church did not declare the scriptures and Paul did not declare the scriptures. He is an apostle, but even an apostle has to submit to the scripture. So we see what the Belgic Confession is teaching us that scripture testifies to its own authority, and the Holy Spirit also continually bears witness to the word of God.
The Lord protected his people as an eagle hovering over its young. The Lord saw to it that he continued to protect his people so that they survived their wilderness time. The Lord is the great protecting Eagle. However, the Lord now uses the nations to come against Israel. They are the eagle poised to attack God's people. We might think that God has given up his purpose for his people. However, Hosea gives a subtle reminder that the Lord will use Egypt again to reshape and mould his people.
The priest Ezekiel is called to be a prophet. He has this vision of dry bones, very dead bones, and we could say a mess of bones. You would think that he would have to gather the bones and bring them to the temple. However, he does not do such a thing. He is told to simply speak the word of the Lord over this valley of dead bones. Truly, the Spirit works as the Spirit wills and normally through the preaching of the Gospel.
When Christ enters history we expect Christ to bring peace, life, and joy in this age. However, this is not what we see with Christ. Christ speaks of casting fire and creating division. This is the messiah who is supposed to bring the kingdom of peace, shalom, that is a kingdom of wholeness for his people. So, if this is true then why is Christ bringing division on this earth? Secondly, why is Christ so overwhelmed by his baptism?
Christ does not follow the program for church growth, but rather does everything in his power to discourage people from following him. Christ exhorts us to bear our cross making clear that we are to be continual disciples in Christ and of Christ. We understand that Christ is more than merely a self-help guru. He is a redeemer and teacher.
Hosea continues to prove and prosecute the sins of Israel. There is a lot of immorality in the midst of Israel. They are a people who claim to return to God, but they are not really willing to repent of their sin. Hosea reminds us that as Christians we continually seek to pursue the Lord as we die to self.
James assures us that God does not tempt us. Christ commands us to pray that our Father would not lead us into temptation. Does this show that James contradicts Christ? We know that he does not because temptation also means testing. So, we are praying that the Father would not test us beyond what we can bear.
We hear the apostle Paul exhort us to live as living sacrifices before the Lord. David confesses that the Lord does not want burnt offerings and Hosea echoes David's confession. So, how do we live as living sacrifices and honor our God? We will see that our God calls us to live before him with a sincere heart tuned into his purpose.
Jacob declares that Christ is going to be the lion of Judah. This is a lion who is going to fight on behalf of his people. However, what happens when his people lose the sight of God? Is he merely vindictive seeking to destroy? We will see that God is not vindictive, but seeks to shepherd his people even in the midst of discipline.
Christ commands us forgive, but what about Paul calling attention to Alexander the Coppersmith who did him great harm? What does it mean to forgive?
We thank Mr Grant Sims for filling our pulpit while Pastor Paul Lindemulder takes a week off after classis and to attend a wedding.
We thank Mr Grant Sims for filling our pulpit while Pastor Paul Lindemulder takes a week off after classis and to attend a wedding.
We can loose sight that God provides for this while creation. The Apostle Paul reminds the mission field that God's continual care demonstrates his commitment to this creation. We think of the Lord reminding Job in Job 38:13-18 about the Lord's care for the careless ostrich. This is not an invitation for us to take God's faithfulness for granted, but to be even more confident to place all our requests before his throne of grace trusting in his provision.
We can attack the Lord and accuse him of many things. This is not right, and our accusations are not justified. However, human beings continue to attack God. We do not realize that God publishes many warnings, God is very long suffering, and ultimately God is merciful even though we may deny this reality. This is not a call for us to question God, but a call for us to reevaluate how we view God. Notice, this is not saying that God has changed, but a call for us to change. We can see that even in the midst of his judgment his mercy is manifested.
It would be nice if the Lord would just tell us what he wants us to do. It would be nice that in every circumstance the Lord would tell us what is right and wrong. However, God did not create robots. He desires for us to consciously pursue him. So, when we pray this request we are asking the Lord to accomplish his will, and what we would do his will for his glory.
When Satan stood before Adam and Eve in the garden of eden he gave them the seduction and the allure of freedom. They could be like God and God would have to bow to their will. Adam and Eve discovered that Satan is a liar in that moment. We also discover that sin's appetite is never exhausted and it can never be quenched. Hosea gives the examples of this from Israel's depravity, but also teaches us that God's redeeming mercy can reach deeper than our depravity and sin.
Christ commands us to pray that his kingdom would come. Our desire is to see his kingdom advance knowing that it is his kingdom and not our kingdom. We are called to be aligned with God's purpose in this kingdom and so we are praying that the Lord would continue to orient us with a heavenly perspective on this Christian pilgrimage.
People say that they want Christianity, but they do not want the religion. There is no doubt that there have been many hypocrites in the church who have done atrocious things in the name of Christ. However, we fail to ask, "Is that Christianity?" This is what Hosea addresses. Hosea warns a very religious people to stop trusting in their religion, and trust in their God.
We thank Dr. David Van Drunen for filling our pulpit this Sunday while Pastor Paul Lindemulder takes a week off.
Christ teaches us to pray that the Lord's name would be hallowed. This means that the Lord will make his name holy. This is a strange request considering that God is holy. So, why ask the Lord to make his name holy? #lordsprayer #expositorypreaching #heidelbergcatechism
Hosea is commanded by the Lord to go and bring his adulterous wife hom. Hosea must pay the cost to buy her back. We might wonder what God is doing through the prophet until we realize that Israel is not a distant people, but it is a picture of us. We continue to desire the false gods, but it is the Lord who continues to overwhelm us and woo us to him. Praise be to God that he redeems such a people and may we not push the boundaries of his grace.
expositorypreaching #hoseasermon #gospelpreaching
When our Lord teaches us to pray he tells us to pray to our father in heaven. We might think that this makes God a distant God. We might think that he is far away. However, this should assure us that not only is God our father, but he is powerful enough to see us through this age into the age to come.
The Lord promises to change his people. This is not some outward makeover, but internally. We will move from being people enslaved to Baal's ownership and idolatry to a people transformed by the Lord. How much we need to take comfort in the Lord showing his mercy and compassion to us in Christ Jesus.
James reminds us that our view of God is our problem. If we think that God is distant or we do not think that God is near us then we need to change our focus. You see God is with us and is literally a prayer away from our conscious pursuit. If we doubt our strength or our ability to find our way through this age we are to ask God for wisdom. We might not even know that our problem is lacking wisdom until we learn what scripture teaches us regarding wisdom.
expositorypreaching #hoseaseries #lifeinchrist
Hosea speaks the word of the Lord to God's people. The Lord calls God's people to one last time of repentance and reformation. They are facing another time in the wilderness. We might think that all is lost as Israel wanders through the dry and dusty land because the Lord's purpose has failed. This is not the case because the Lord will walk with his people in the midst of their testing.
expositorypreaching #hoseaseries #lifeinchrist
We are a people who will always struggle in sin on this side of glory. One would think that we would never want to hear about the Lord's holiness. This is something that would potentially discourage us from pressing forward in the Christian life. However, we are exhorted in Paul's writings to keep pushing forward. The law of God is a good, it is the Lord's righteous standard, and so we lay out why the Lord's law is something that we should continually hear and be exhorted to conform to the Lord as we walk in Christ.
expositorypreaching #lawofGod #christianstruggle #sanctification
It seems that the Lord's purpose has failed. His people that he has promised to redeem he calls not his people. They are no longer the Lord's special people where the Lord communes in their midst as the Lord promises to send them into exile. If the prophet Hosea ended at verse 9 we would have a hopeless story of redemption. However, the Lord remembers his promise. The Lord teaches that his people need to be born from the heavenly reality. The Lord needs to bring in a new creation so that his people have life. The Lord vows to rename Hosea's children assuring us that the Lord's purpose is not complete.
#hosea #hoseaseries #expositorypreaching #oldtestamentsermon #oldtestamentstudy
Christ makes clear that the leaders in Israel need to be careful. They claim to love the truth of the gospel, but they miss truth as they deny Christ. Christ tells them that they are illegitimate children. They might be descendants of Abraham, but they are not children of Abraham. This is a reminder for us to be truth speaking people.
slander #gossip #lovingtruth #catechismpreaching #expositorypreaching
The prophet Hosea is called to take a woman that is unfaithful. He is to take a wife who will undermine the institution of marriage. This seems to be a contradiction to the Lord's purpose. However, we know that the Lord is communicating to us the truth of the gospel. How can this prophet communicate to us the truth of the gospel when these words seem so hopeless?
hosea #hoseasermons #expositorypreaching #redemptivehistoricalpreaching #preachingchrist
We an always redefine the Lord's law to be very easy. We will find that in our definition of the law we are doing pretty well at keeping it out of gratitude. The truth is that we struggle, we fail, and we are called to continually grow in our conformity to God's standard. There are also things that we are called to do in light of God's standard.
#stealing #obeyingGod #godsstandard #livingingrace
We leave worship with God's blessing. Hebrews gives us a very rich blessing. We go in the confidence of the Lord's preserving mercy in Christ. This is a benediction that assures us of God's redemption, his grace, and his power. We conclude the letter to the Hebrews and show how the benediction wins us over to God's favor.
hebrews #hebrewsseries #hebrewssermon #hebrews13
We can think that God is absent from us or that what we do in the flesh is rather inconsequential. However, we are reminded that we walk in Christ as his redeemed saints. Christ is in us by his spirit and we walk through this age as the Lord's redeemed. We are temples of the Holy Spirit. This means that we are called to live exclusively to the Lord in our thoughts, words, and deeds. We are reminded to live this out as God's temple people.
temple #livinginchrist #gospelpower
Hebrews is concluding the exhortation for us to continue our sojourn under the sun. We are the Lord's people, called to honor the Lord, and a people oriented to heaven. The Lord uses the preaching of the gospel as the primary means to keep us on the way. We are also reminded about the significance of prayer being the means that we earthlings can use to reach the inner recesses of the heavenly tabernacle.
#hebrews #expositorypreaching #lifeinChrist #hebrews13
The Apostle Paul wants us to understand that murder is more than just taking a human life. It is not just a physical act, but also is tied to our desires. We can desire to destroy someone, we can have hate in our hearts, and we can belittle others to make ourselves look better. The Apostle reminds us to wait upon the Lord and to consciously do good to all as much as it depends on us.
(You can find our more about our church by visiting our webpage: https://www.urcbelgrade.com where you can subscribe to our podcast and access our sermon archive. We would love to see you worshipping and communing with us each Sunday.)
#romans12 #expositorypreaching #catechismsermon
We are exhorted to let brotherly love continue and to live out the gospel. We are told to trust that the Lord is our shield and defender. The assurance we have is that the Lord will never leave us or forsake us.
(You can find our more about our church by visiting our webpage: https://www.urcbelgrade.com where you can subscribe to our podcast. We would love to see you worshipping and communing with us.) #urcbelgrade #hebrews #expositorypreaching #expositorysermon
God has a redeemed a people who are called to bring glory to his name. We are to be lights in the darkness. We might think that this is only for adults, but the Apostle Paul reminds us that this is for children as well as they are members of the Christian household. So, we hear about how we bring glory to God as the Lord's redeemed saints.
We are called to embrace rather than refuse the Lord who is speaking. Our God speaks to us in His word. Hebrews tells us, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the hear" (Hebrews 4:12). This is the exhortation for us to see the power of God's word that is at work in us. So, we are told in Hebrews 12 not to refuse the Lord who is speaking. The reason is that through the power of God's word we have received a kingdom that transcends this age.
God'sword #hebrews #expositorysermon #expositorypreaching
The Lord assembles us before Mount Zion. We press forward in the confidence of Christ. We are warned not to allow the root of bitterness to spring up in us. The place and anchor point is Mount Zion.
Paul exhorts Timothy to practice and use his gifts for ministry. We might wonder what is so special about this gift of ministry. It appears to us that anyone can read the word of God and so what is the significance of receiving the preached word? Does it really make that much of a difference? According to the Apostle Paul these are the words of life and the means for godliness.
Peter uses strong language after his Pentecost sermon. Peter says, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). This sounds as if we repent, then we receive baptism, and then the Spirit is free to work. We say that the Spirit normally works through the preaching of the Gospel. We listen to Peter's exhortation and consider the deeper implications for the sign of Baptism and profession of faith.
When we face difficult times in life we are tempted to think that God is not present in the midst it. We think that when things do not go our way that God is not blessing us. Our problem is we want God to do our will rather than being trained to do his will. Hebrews reminds us how we can have our priorities reversed.
The Apostle Paul exhorts us to put on Christ. We are exhorted to be consciously set apart in Christ Jesus. The hidden mystery, that is God's plan of redemption, has been manifested and shown in Christ. As we are joined to Christ by the Spirit and Faith we are called to walk in a manner that honors Christ. We are not doing this to become God's holy people, but because we are God's holy people. We clearly bring glory to Christ's name because of His redemptive work. We seek to discern what is pleasing to him out of gratitude.
We conclude the catalogue of saints who have gone before us. Hebrews concludes the catalogue of saints with some who had to wait upon the Lord in extreme circumstance, and others who experienced the Lord's exceptional blessing. As we wrap up this catalogue of saints we marvel at the Lord's sustaining power throughout covenant history.
The Lord calls us to worship him exclusively. We can be creative in our worship. We struggle to follow the Lord and to follow him exclusively. We see this in Judah and also note Hezkiah reforming worship.
The author of Hebrews continues to lay out the significance of the Old Testament saints looking to the one Christ. We are tempted to elevate these heroes rather than seeing the power that is behind their actions.
We might think that idolatry is something that only other people do. If we are honest, we will see that we are blinded to our own affections and self righteousness. We do not see that there are things in this age, not necessarily sinful things, but things that can distract us from our God. This is why it is so important that we understand we are children of God, and it is because we are redeemed in Christ that we have an exclusive relationship with our God. So, when we are exhorted to discern what is pleasing to the Lord then we are invited to see what things do distract us and to be tender to the things that may distract us from Christ. However, we must always remember that we are beloved children of God and we persevere by His grace and power.
It is common for Christians to see Hebrews 11 as a catalogue of the Heroes of the Faith. This is not necessarily wrong, as there is a precedent of people who walked by faith, but it is lacking completion. You see we assume that they are walk in the faith, but we do not always consider the power that is at work in their lives. We assume that it is faith, but we can miss the undying beam that upholds them in their Christian sojourn.
Abraham presents the picture of the Gospel when he sacrifices Isaac. This is Abraham demonstrating Good Friday and the Lord’s intention.
The Lord is sovereign and rules over all things. This might sound oppressive until we realize the freedom and joy of living under God's sovereignty.
Billy Joel says, "I would rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints." This is a line in "Only the Good Die Young" that has always intrigued me. This would mean that living for God is a life fully of mourning, sorrow, and pure misery. The Apostle Paul does not command us to weep, but to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. In fact, as a Christian we would say that living for God is the source of our joy. In this sermon we consider what it means to live for God and discerning what pleases him.
The unnamed centurion carries out murder. This is not to say that everyone who has died by his hand has been murdered, but his carrying out an order to kill an innocent man is murder. We noted on Friday that the centurion praised God for Christ’s innocence. He saw this with his Roman bias and in darkness.
This is contrasted with the disciples who are familiar with Christ’s ministry. They are perplexed because they thought Christ was the messiah, but Christ died. Christ’s death does not fit into their system. The disciples never thought that Christ’s death has to take away death and definitively destroyed by Christ’s resurrection. So often we think about Christ’s death, but we do not see the significance of his resurrection. This is a reminder that we need to discern who God is rather than define him by our cultural expectations.
Christ’s resurrection is one of the most important days in world history. If Christ is not raised from the dead then all of God’s promises fall flat. In fact, if Christ is not raised from the dead then there is no assurance of entering God’s eternal rest. As the Apostle Paul quotes Isaiah when he says, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die'“ (I Corinthians 15:32).
Luke 24 assures us that our story does not end in death as we take hold of Christ by faith. No, our story is guaranteed a future beyond this age because we are grounded in Christ.
The centurion is charged to execute Christ. Christ is charged with insurrection. So, this centurion would most likely expect another insurrectionist uprising followed by a crucifixion. However, Christ is not put down like other men. He is clearly not an insurrectionist, but worthy of praise. We join together to hear the testimony and praise of the Centurion for our Good Friday Service.
This is not so much a mediation, but rather just a reading of our text for our Good Friday service this evening at 6:30. We read the word of God thinking about the tragedy and the goodness of Good Friday. We certainly praise our God as we think about the work of our faithful savior.
We are those who are created to do good works. We also know that faith is a gift that is given to us by God. Christ in the Sermon of the Mount gives us very strong exhortations to obey God from our heart. Where does grace fit into all this? Is grace something that enables us to be faithful?
sermononthemount #lifeinchrist #gospeliving
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." This is true, but what is faith? What does faith really do? Hebrews teaches us that faith is the manifestation of the Lord's creative work. It is as we walk in faith that the power of the spirit is manifested.
hebrews11 #hebrewsseries #expositorypreaching
Isaiah receives his commission from the Lord to go and bring the word to God's people. This is not a commission that is really positive as the people will not hear or see the message that Isaiah delivers. They will be deaf and blind to the substance of the message. This seems to be a hopeless mission until we read the holy seed is its stump.
#Isaiah #expositorypreaching #catechismsermon #heidelbergcatechism
The letter to the Hebrews gives us a very strong exhortation not to turn away from the Gospel. The truth is that we do not want to fall into the hands of our God. We do not want to sin deliberately. The mosaic order teaches us clearly that God is serious about his justice. The reminder is to see and cling to what we have in Christ Jesus.
melchizedek #hebrewsseries #hebrews10 #expositorypreaching
Rev. Karel preaches from Moses' Psalm 90. God will overcome the common curse of creation.
Rev. Karel opens the word of God for us this morning to Exodus 15. He lays out the significance of baptism picturing the Gospel.
We are called to examine ourselves when we come to the Lord's Table. There is a frightening reminder that there are some who have died in the midst of the Corinthian congregation. Can we come to the table with confidence? How much examination should we do?
#expositorypreaching #lordssupper #communion
Hebrews is exhorting us to live in light of Christ's second coming. We are to conduct ourselves in the confidence that Christ is at work in us. We also have to be confident that the Lord will usher us into his eternal rest. #hebrews #hebrews10 #expositorypreaching #hebrewsseries
The assurance we have is this, "49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die." - John 6:49, 50.
These are strong words that our Savior utters stating that in order for us to have life we need to consume Christ. We need to remember that Christ tells us we literally consume Christ by taking hold of him by faith and being joined to him.
The assurance that we have is that Christ has truly overcome. The letter to Hebrews makes a very strong statement that even the law of God is the shadow of what is to come. If we take this as all the Lord's directives then we should not see Hebrews in Scripture. This would clearly contradict a significant point of doctrine. So the law being the shadow has to refer to the Levitical priesthood and those regulations that show our sinfulness.
#hebrews #hebrews10 #expositorypreaching #hebrewsseries
Our Lord hosts the passover with his disciples on the night that he is betrayed. He applies the signs of the bread and wine to himself. He says that this is my body and this is my blood. This is sacramental metonymy. Christ is using the bread and the wine in the place of his body.
sacraments #lordssupper #communion
We conclude the climatic chapter of Christ's priesthood in Hebrews. Christ does his work in the heavenly tabernacle. He makes intercession for us in heaven. We live in the power of Christ as his heavenly people. We see to understand what it means to live out the gospel in the power of Christ.
melchizedek #tabernacle #heavenlytabernacle #hebrews #hebrewsseries
Isaiah, the prophet, speaks of the washing that will go forth. This washing is not just for the adults in the community, but their offspring. The wilderness normally is associated with death, but our Lord will overturn it with life.
waterbaptism #Infantbaptism #baptism
Christ enters through the tabernacle. He makes the definitive sacrifices and then he sits down at the right hand of God. He is the great priest king who has secured us once for all and establishing the new covenant. #hebrewsseries #expositorypreaching
Zechariah promises that there will be a fountain that is opened. This fountain will open on the day of the Lord where the Lord will establish the true cleansing. The Lord will care for us, and the Lord will redeem. This fountain is the symbolism of the true definitive washing. Baptism is the sign of the time that is shown in covenant history.
Zechariah promises that there will be a fountain that is opened. This fountain will open on the day of the Lord where the Lord will establish the true cleansing. The Lord will care for us, and the Lord will redeem. This fountain is the symbolism of the true definitive washing. Baptism is the sign of the time that is shown in covenant history.
Christ is raised from the dead, he interacts with his disciples on the last mountain, and he goes to heaven. This would appear to be Christ leaving us and forsaking us. However, Christ assures us that he will be with us until the end of the age.
greatcomission #matthewgospel #christianmotivation
We can think that Christians do not have a priest. We can think that we do not have a tabernacle. However, Hebrews assures us that we do have a priest and a tabernacle. Our problem is that we do not see them literally before our eyes so we assume we have neither. The joy we need to have is that our Lord is our priest and he presides in the heavenly tabernacle.
#hebrewssermons #hebrewsseries #expositorypreaching
The prophet Isaiah recounts the Lord's gracious work, and intercedes on behalf of God's people. We ultimate rest in God’s steadfast mercy. We are unfaithful, but He is faithful. We desire the potter to mold us as his redeemed.
Christ is superior, and we need to see that our joy, comfort, and consolation is found in him exclusively.
We know that the resurrection of Christ is essential for our resurrection. Our temptation as humans is to think that this is a future blessing. However, the Apostle Paul assures us that Christ's resurrection is for us right now. If Christ is not raised from the dead then we are still in our sins. Paul's point is that Abraham did not just look for a son, but he looked to the resurrection.
We might think that our Christian life has less meaning and less significance when we consider the visible religion. However, we forget the time of the patriarchs where they are looking to the promised Christ. They do not have the temple. So we might think that Israel has a greater experience. This is where Hebrews develops the argument showing that Melchizedek is superior to Levi because he is first, he is eternal, and Abraham paid a tithe from the spoils of war.
#hebrews #melchizedek #expositorypreaching
We know that before we can enter into the full bliss of heaven we need to be raised from the dead or enter heaven with a glorified body. We might wonder about our passage from this life to the life to come. Our temptation is to think maybe we go to sleep and enter a coma like state. We don't want to say that our soul needs to be more purified and so we wait for that process to finish. We enter heaven because of Christ's redemptive work. This is why we speak of the intermediate state. This is the state where our souls begin to taste our everlasting state, but not in the fullness because we have to wait for glory. This is why the saints in heaven are asking for Christ to return to make everything right. #intermediatestate #tastingheaven #martyredsouls #soulsinheaven #revelationsermon
When we take an oath we take the oath in the Lord's name. The reason for this is because we need a judge who can peer into the heart. The judge knows what is right and wrong and the judge will ultimately administer justice. Now, as Christians we know that we are to be people of our word as we live our lives before the face of God. However, Hebrews reminds us that the Lord swears by himself because there is no one greater to enforce the oath. So we consider the nature of the oath and the promise that God has made and fulfilled giving us an anchor for our souls.
hebrews #melchizedek #hebrewsseries #hebrewssermon
The Lord's gospel call is incredibly gracious. It is amazing that the Lord calls us to bow our knees before him, and to receive true everlasting life for the sake of Christ and his merits. It is easy to think that this call is only for the present time or maybe it is just for me. However, as we look at the book of Revelation we notice that the picture is much bigger than just my response to the Gospel. Our faith response to the Gospel not only unites us to the Trinitarian God, but also unites us to the Church universal. What a gracious God to give us such a taste our our beautiful redemption as we walk in the power of His Spirit.
Hebrews is a letter that encourages us to see the sufficiency of Christ. This is a letter that also exhorts us not to fall away from Christ. If we are not careful we might miss the context of the exhortation in Hebrews 5-6. We might doubt whether or not we really have Christ. There is certainly a call for self-examination, but there is also a rich conclusion we reach in this self-examination: Christ is sufficient.
selfexamination #expositorypreaching #hebrews #apostasy
Christians can struggle with assurance. We can struggle with whether or not we really have the Holy Spirit. Some people say that we need to have an experience similar to pentecost to know that we have the Spirit. Others say that is a one time event. We look at the Spirit working in our salvation. We see that the Apostle Paul teaches us that the Spirit applies Christ's blessings. If we take hold of Christ by faith we have the Spirit.
Christ is God and man. Christ took on human flesh, lived a perfect life, and now is in glory. We are earthlings from the dirt, we are fallen, and we are by no means perfect. We are works in progress suffering and struggling through this world. In fact, Hebrews communicates that we are in the wilderness time of testing. This is all true, and somehow Christ is a priest who really knows our struggle. He knows this struggle without sin. How can Christ really know us when he is God and man joined together in one person? How can Christ be a credible priest when he resides in heaven? Hebrews affirms these truths, but also assures us that Christ is a superior priest.
#hebrews #christisenough #melchizedek #christispriest
Jesus lives up this his name. His name means Yahweh Saves. Jesus enters history to save his people from their sins. This is why Christ has to be born an infant in order to live a perfect life to be presented as the perfect sacrifice.
John is the prophet who announces Christ's arrival. His privilege is that he sees the fulfillment of his word. He is a prophet of reformation to call Israel back to her king. John is frustrated because his mission does not bear the fruit that John hoped it would bear. John realizes that his prophecy is correct, but in order for Christ to bring glory he must first suffer. Christ's mission parameter in this age is Isaiah 61 rather than the full har maggeddon battle that John expected.
We thank Rev. Jeffrey Karel for filling our pulpit on short notice. https://www.missoulaurc.com #reformedfaith #fivepoints #wordandsacrament #meansofgrace
The apostles' creed teaches that Christ is sitting on the right hand of God. We might think that this makes Christ distant from the Lord. We might think that Christ being distant has no advantage for us today. However we can be assured that as Christ is in heaven we will overcome. We might experience discouragement in our current existence, but we know that we will prevail because Christ has overcome.
expositorypreaching #righthandofGod #christinheaven #christaspriest #christisenough
(Preached 12.4.2022)
It is easy for us as Christians to see Christ as distant, detached for us, and seated in an unattainable place. This is probably part of the struggle for the church who originally receives this exhortation. We learn from Hebrews 4 is that our redemption is opposite of this perception. We have a savior who can understand our struggle, a priest who is watching over us, a priest who invites us to draw near, and a priest who can understand our struggle. The beauty of this is that our priest is our king. He rules us, but not in tyranny. He has sacrificed himself, has been raised from the dead, and now represents us in the most holy place. Let us draw near to him in boldness and confidence. It is not because we are worthy, but because we have been made worthy in Christ.
(Preached 12.4.2022)
The Lord promises to walk with us and to be present with us until the end of the age. We would like this to mean that we have visible access to Christ. Our best scenario is that wego to his earthly residence, knock on his door, and personally bring our requests to him. However, this is not what Christ does. He goes to heaven, sits at the right hand of the father, and assures us that this is the best thing for us. Once again we are reminded that this is a problem with our perspective and not a problem with the Lord's provision. We need to see that Christ's ascension into heaven guarantees our place, he prays in the heavenly temple, he guarantees that our glorified flesh is fit for heaven, and he sends the Holy Spirit uniting us to him. These are just a few of the benefits of Christ's ascension that we consider in our sermon. (Preached 11.27.2022) #christascended #doctrinalpreaching #expositorypreaching #christisenough #christisrisen
Hebrews assures us that Christ's work is enough for us to enter into heaven. There is a rich comfort that our priest-king has overcome. It is even more comforting that we overcome in him. This is assuring, but then we hear this exhortation that we are to strive to enter his rest. We can turn this into a discouraging burden, but when we look closer we are challenged to hold fast our confession. We are to confess that Christ is our priest king, he is our redeemer, and we proceed in the confidence of our Melchizedekian-priest-king securing our sabbath rest. (Preached 11.27.2022)
We normally think of the Resurrection of Christ as being a bit of an abstract concept. Sure, we believe that Christ is raised from the dead and we know that is important. We can think that his resurrection impacts our resurrection. This is true! However, the Apostle Paul sees the resurrection of Christ as being more than just the period or the end of history. The resurrection of Christ is essential for every day of our Christian life. It is in the resurrection of Christ that we move from to domain of death to the power of life even as our victory is currently hidden.
resurrectionlife #unionwithChrist #expositorypreaching #christisenough
The people of Israel set the pattern for God's redemptive program. We see that God redeems, leads through the wilderness, and then brings his people into their rest. This precedent shows us that the problem is never with God, but with his people. We are warned not to fall away in the wildness time of testing. The call is that we continually see the goodness of our God who has redeemed us. #wildernesswandering #christiantesting #christisenough #christianexodus
We might wonder why the disciples seemed to consistently miss Christ's message. We can read Luke 24 and desire to give a very harsh rebuke to the disciples who doubt Christ's resurrection. However, Christ tells these struggling disciples that the scriptures spoke of the Christ's suffering, and death. If we walk through the servant songs there are three servant songs that make us think we are on the winning side. We see a picture of the Lord's servant that we like. The fourth servant song is not an image of the servant that we fully comprehend. However, this final servant song communicates how the servant is going to be victorious. We cannot be ashamed of Christ's suffering, but we must embrace it. We must not end with Christ's suffering, because he lives to make intercession. We serve a Lord who has suffered in our place, but is also raised the Lord of life. (Preached on November 13, 2022 in the evening) #expositorypreaching #sufferingservant #christisenough #isaiah
We learn that Jesus is the apostle and high priest of our faith. We understand that Christ is priest, but saying that Christ is an apostle is very unique. When I say unique, I mean this is the only place in the Bible where we find that Jesus is an apostle. We learn that Jesus is sent on his mission to secure us as an exodus people. Moses is a faithful servant, but Jesus is the faithful son who builds his temple. We are being built together as the Lord's temple and we long for the true heavenly temple.
#jesusasapostle #jesushighpriest #hebrews3 #hebrewssermon #expositorypreaching
(Preached on November 13, 2022 in the morning)
We believe that Jesus is God who has taken on the flesh. He has taken on the flesh to redeem his people. We might want to minimize the need to have Christ die on the cross, but if Christ does not die on the cross then we are still in our sins. Christ had to become a curse for us so that we could be released from the curse of death. (Preached November 6, 2022) #expositorypreaching #galatians #whychristdied
We wonder about our life today. There are many temptations, we struggle with sin, and we just feel the incomplete plan of God. We long for glory. We know that Christ has redeemed us, but we wait for glorification. Hebrews assures us that this is our perspective, but we need to see that Christ has subjected all things under his feet. The problem is that we do not see it, and we have a tendency to doubt it. We need to see the bauty and the assurance that our priest resides in heaven.
The Apostle Paul tells us that in the fullness of time Christ is born of a woman. The fullness of time is when Christ enters history to establish the Lord's people in the freedom of Christian maturity. We are now released from the guardian and called to use our freedom to glorify Christ. Paul is teaching us that Christ is God and faithful Son from eternity who has come to secure our adoption. Praise be to God that our redemption and adoption is secure in God's faithful son. #redeemed #lifeinchrist #galatians #heidelbergcatechism
We receive an exhortation from Hebrews not to drift away. When we think of drifting we think of the soft and soothing current taking us away. This is like a ship that is slightly off course, but continues off course and eventually misses its port. We are told not to loose sight of Christ because we too might drift away. We are reminded to see the sufficiency and glory of Christ Jesus.
#christisenough #christissufficient #expositorypreaching #hebrewssermon #hebrews2
We believe that Christ is Son of God. He is son from all eternity. Christ is begotten in eternity. Yes, this is something that is difficult for us to understand, but nevertheless Christ was not created. However, we are also called sons of God. This means that we are adopted as children of God to share in Christ's inheritance. We are not deserving of this blessing, but by the grace of God we receive his inheritance by grace and mercy.
The fall into sin does not just impact our thinking, but our sojourn in the context of a fallen world impacts our view of life. We feel the consequence of Adam's fall. We see that nothing lasts forever because we continually see things returning to the dust. We struggle with our lack of contentment, the reality that things break down, and even our own covetous desires. It is a challenge to think that Christ's work is not only sufficient, but more than what we need to get through this age. Hebrews reminds us that Christ being seated in heaven testifies that we have all that we need to get through this world.
Christ presents our discipleship and conforming to his purpose as cross bearing. Peter speaks of sanctification as a refining fire. Paul uses the language of sanctification as a living sacrifice. These terms can discourage us from seeing the bigger picture. You see Paul speaks of us not merely being transformed as a heavenly people, but undergoing a process of metamorphosis. This is communicates the beauty and the bigger picture of sanctification. We are not just denying ourselves something, but we are becoming something by God's grace.
#sanctification #expositorypreaching #romans12 #livingsacrifice
Hebrews exhorts us to see that Christ is the confirmation of God's promise. Christ is not contrary to the prophets. Christ is not in competition with the prophets. Rather, the prophets have credibility because Christ has come. Christ is the word of God. He is the incarnation to fulfill God's purpose to redeem his people. Hebrews assures us that his work is done because Christ is seated in heaven, and we are a purified people made worthy to enter into God's presence
hebrewssermon #hebrews #expositorypreaching
wayoflife #christisrisen #christistheanswer #gospel Paul writes, "If the dead are not raised, 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.'" (1 Corinthians 15:32). This could be a citation of Isaiah 22:13 where the securing of one's self in the flesh is what establishes life. In other words there is no spiritual dimension. This can also be a summary of the Epicureans who basically wanted to life to the fullest. This means that for Paul if there is no resurrection there is no Christianity, there is no Holy Spirit dwelling in man, and it ultimately means we have no life. This quote is important for this provides the backdrop for Peter giving his defense for healing a crippled beggar. He did not engage in this miracle because of his piety or faith, but only in the power of Jesus of Nazareth whom they crucified, but God has raised from the dead. The resurrection does not just conquer death, but confirms that we are reconciled to God. It means that we are secured in heaven's glory. It means that right now we walk as the Lord's new temple building waiting for the full perfection.
zechariah #nightvisions #dayofthelord We can think of the "Day of the Lord" in scripture as being the final day. We do see the day of the Lord as a day when the Lord makes all things right. We think of this as one day rather than one day that is manifested at different times in history. In fact, God by his providence shows his deliverance in patterns throughout covenant history. The point is to give the assurance and warning to the nations that there is a day of reckoning. There is warning to the nations that they better assemble to worship with God's people rather than make war against them. These patterns give assurance that the Lord will bring his people to dwell with him on his holy plateau in the heavenly city that comes down from heaven when all things are created new.
Mr. Aaron Chizmer opens the word of God for us on Sunday morning. We look at Psalm 119 as a Psalm that summarizes and walks us through the Christian life. We are reminded that we are called to live out of gratitude and we are empowered to do so in Christ.
Mr. Aaron Chizmer opens the word of God for us on Sunday morning. He exhorts us to see the significance of Christ's servant mission. He does not just suffer by a people who reject him, but he is also exalted at the right hand of God.
The Apostle Paul has personally witnessed the resurrected Christ. He has been called into heaven to experience a vision on par with Isaiah. It is tempting for us to think that Paul does not have to wrestle with God's sovereignty and God's election. However, Paul confesses that he too has had a break through in his Christian walk where his theology moved from being a head knowledge to to a deeper conviction within the Apostle Paul.
We know that God's people will be pierced through the heart after they send the Lord's shepherd to death. We can see the future promise of this reality. However, what is the Lord going to do at the end of the day? The Lord says that he will scatter his sheep, he will cut off two thirds of the sheep. He will sanctify the last third of the sheep.
When we worry about tomorrow we doubt God's providence and his care for us. Christ could have easily ended his sermon with the assertion that life is more than food or clothing. Christ would then be telling us how sinful we are. Christ does not just tell us that we are sinful, but Christ gives us assurance of the Lord's personal care for us. Luke tells us that Christ gives two proofs to assure us that our Heavenly Father does care. The pesky ravens receive the Lord's care. The Lord watches over the wild flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow. Christ's point is that if God cares about the little details of this creation then how much more his people. Therefore, we should not be anxious about tomorrow as we are in the father's care.
Zechariah set a scary stage in the previous context. The setting is the nations marching against Jerusalem. The nations were meeting for the battle at the mountain of the assembly. This is not assembly for worship, but assembly with the intent to destroy God's city. God's holy mount Zion is being reclaimed as the mountain of war. The Lord promises to secure his holy mountain and his holy city. The Lord is going to establish his "vision of peace" or what we know as Jerusalem. History is moving to the goal of the Lord's heavenly city where God dwells with his people forever. Zechariah continues to describe the "Day of the Lord" with the assurance that the Lord's Spirit will be poured out. His people will repent. Idolatry will be removed. His people will grieve that they have pierced the messiah. However, the Lord's people will dwell in peace in the Lord's heavenly city dwelling in the presence of God himself.
The Apostle Paul closes his second letter to the Corinthians with an incredible greeting from the Triune God. Paul is writing to a church that is on the verge of denying the Apostolic Gospel, but Paul still greets them in the blessings of redemption. Paul does not just say the names of the Godhead, but he gives the blessings of our redemption that are given to us by our God.
The prophets speak of the "Day of the Lord." This is the day when the Lord makes everything right. This is a wonderful day when the Lord establishes his justice, manifests his mercy, and sees to it that the world is fully in the true rest of the kingdom. Zechariah is concluding his prophecy with this vision of the lord making all things right. Our call is to bow our knee to Christ, submit to his reign, and see that as we seek first his kingdom our Lord will deliver us.
Fikret opens the word of God from Revelation 6:9-11. We learn that the christian life is a life of suffering. It is not just suffering for the sake of suffering, but suffering in a sin cursed world. Christ is present with us in the midst of the suffering. Christ will defend his people as we hear the saints throughout the ages crying out to Christ.
Ex. 17:1 All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the LORD, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?” 3 But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” 4 So Moses cried to the LORD, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” 5 And the LORD said to Moses, “Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the LORD by saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”
The question that we can always ask is how do I know if the Lord's redemption is mine? We know that God promises to redeem, but how does that promise become my promise? This is where faith is the essence of assurance. This means that when we have faith in Christ we have assurance. The reason is because faith in Christ takes hold of Christ and all his blessings.
Zechariah prophesied that the Lord's judgment is going to come to all people. This means that it is upon those outside the believing or covenant community as well as those inside the community or the church. Zechariah warns the false shepherds they will be judged. Zechariah also points out a troubling time when his people treat one another as commodities to be traded rather than fellow members of Christ. Zechariah leaves us to see that our only hope is bowing our necks under the Lord's redeeming mercy.
There is one Gospel promise throughout all the scriptures. This is something that has been debated in church history with the extreme of Marcion denying the God of the Old Testament is the God of the New Testament. The struggle to see the unity of Scripture is addressed in the letter to the Hebrews. Christ is the character and the radiance of God. The Old Testament looking to his coming and the New Testament assures us that God's promise is set in stone because he has spoke through his word.
The prophet Zechariah gives a warning to the false shepherds. This is pretty scary considering that Joshua is not a perfect priest as we witness the vision in Zechariah 3. The assurance that the prophet gives the Lord's people is to pray and ask God. Zechariah assures us that God does in fact listen to our our prayer and God will provide for us. God desires a people who wrestle with him. We know that God will prevail, and so we seek to conform to his image. We do not make God in our image.
God's wrath is kindled because of Adam's fall into sin. This leaves us with the question: how can we get out this predicament? The answer is only through the means that God prescribes: Christ. Christ is God and man joined together in one person. He has to be God to endure the eternal punishment on behalf of his people. He has to be man because man offended God. God cannot simply overlook sin, God will punish sin. The solution is God's redemptive provision. God is the one who pays the redemption that we take hold of by faith.
Christ rides a donkey into the holy city of Jerusalem. This is upsetting to the rulers, but we might wonder why is riding on a donkey so upsetting? Why do the people chant praises to Christ as their king when he is on a donkey rather than a war horse? Zechariah provides the backdrop to this prophecy. Zechariah declares that the Lord will establish his vision of peace unlike the fallen nations. It is not through the war horse, but through the king laying down and taking up his life to establish the Lord's eternal kingdom.
Zechariah receives word regarding some cities that we barely know. However, these cities better pay attention because the Lord's judgment is coming against them. This is not just a prophecy that declares death, but there is assurance that the Lord will establish his heavenly city as symbolized in Jerusalem.
We might think that God does not see the injustice in this age. We are tempted to cry out to God, "How Long O Lord?" The reality is that injustice is upsetting. We have a problem in our human perspective. We think God has lost sight of everything, but we fail to see the bigger picture. Psalm 14 assures us that God does in fact see all things in this world and can even peer into the heart. This does not make God a busybody, but shows that God is bonded to his people. God will establish his promised eternal rest.
The prophet tells us about the promise of eternal life. The prophet makes a very pregnant promise that the Lord's people will be from the nations. The Lord's great feast will be an international community joining together as a new Israel. The Lord truly has wrestled and the Lord has prevailed to bring his people into his rest.
Mr. Andrew Smyth brings a word of exhortation to our church. We look at Acts 4 and consider the significance of Christ’s name.
A strange slogan for the gospel could be, “The Lord can save even a cretan.” This does not sound very polite, but the apostle Paul quotes from a cretan philosopher who summarizes non favorable cretan philosophers. Nevertheless, Paul makes very clear that even the cretans get the same gospel as Abraham. The point that Paul is making is that we are all set apart in Christ as a people who have been made worthy in Christ. It is because Christ has redeemed us that desire to live out of gratitude. In fact, it is a blessing to be owned by Christ.
The Apostle Paul tells us that we are baptized into Christ. This seems to imply that at the moment of baptism we are brought directly into communion with Christ. If this is the case then how can we baptize infants? We need to read this exhortation in the context of the church. We should note that that covenant and election are not the same thing. Further, the Apostle Paul is simply exhorting us in light of this sign of consecration. Paul’s exhortation is similar to the the prophets exhorting Israel to circumcise their hearts. The Apostle Paul is simply exhorting us to see that we are a people set apart in Christ. Christ has undergone the definitive ordeal of death and he emerged triumphant from the sea. This sign is showing us that we are identified as a community of people in Christ Jesus.
Satan is the accuser and adversary against the Lord. Satan seeks to undermine Christ's work and the church. Peter warns us that Satan prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). Peter seems to know a lot about Satan's power. We might be tempted to be afraid. We might be tempted to doubt whether the Lord can prevail against such an adversary. However, Christ gives the assurance that he prays for Peter. We also know that Christ prays for us in the heavenly temple. So, we learn about the power of prayer, and in particular Christ's prayer for us to persevere.
The Israelites inquire about fasting. They want to know if they should continue their fast regarding the temple's destruction. Their history is a place of limbo. On the one hand they are back in the land, but on the other hand the temple is not finished. This question is very pious as they are inquiring about how to honor the Lord. However, the Lord questions why Israel is asking about this fast. The Lord does not want our outward acts, but we learn that God wants his people.
Peter greets the church as a scattered seed, when he says "the dispersion." We are a people scattered throughout the world like Israel in exile. This means that the church is not settled in the land of canaan. We are sojourners through this world who will experience suffering, testing, and unrest. The assurance is that while we are the scattered seed in this world we are born of the imperishable seed from heaven, and we will persevere by God's preserving power.
Zechariah moves from being the recipient of visions to the prophet who brings the word of the Lord to the Lord's people. He brings a revelation that a crown is to be placed on the priest's head, and then the crown is the be placed in the temple. The promise is that the branch brings the council of peace between them both. We might think that there is a tension between the king in Israel and the priest. However, it is not an issue of the people, but the separate offices. Zechariah is speaking of the priest king who has no beginning of days nor end of days that we know as Melchizedek.
Normally when we read Hebrews 11 we focus on the individuals and their faith. We look at the deeds that they have done in the power of the faith and we consider them to be the heroes. However, if we put the chapter in the context we discover that the real hero is God who is showing his invisible power at work in his people.
Zechariah moves to another location where he sees two bronze mountains. There are chariots that pass between the mountains and survey the world. The horses resemble or echo the horses in the first vision, but now they are pulling chariots. These mountains show the entrance to heaven or the exit from heaven. These chariots are no longer surveying, but they are moving to judge the north country.
John tells us that if we see someone sin we should pray for that person provided that they are not committing the sin unto death. This can result in us being concerned that maybe we committed the sin unto death and we might wonder if we are saved. The assurance that we have is that if we are concerned about committing the sin unto death then we need to be confident that we did not commit the sin.
Zechariah sees a woman in a basket and then two women carrying her away to the land of Shinar. This is a vision of the Lord removing wickedness from the midst of his people in his holy land. Those who desire to worship other gods or being rebellion against God will be carried over to he Babelite community
Peter warns us that Satan is prowling around seeking someone to devour. This is a horrible picture to think that our main enemy is seeking to destroy us in such a degrading way. This sounds like we are facing David's fate where he writes, "like a ravening and roaring lion"(Psalm 22:13). The thing we need to remember is that Psalm 22 does not end with a cry of abandonment, but the comfort of God's presence. So Peter exhorts us to see the Lord's presence in the midst of our suffering. We consciously persevere while being assured of God's preserving power.
Zechariah sees a court room. This court scene is in heaven. In this vision Zechariah sees the Angel of the Lord, Satan, and Joshua the high priest assembled for court. Joshua is dressed in a garment that is ceremonially unclean. It is uncouth and not something that the priest should wear. The Lord commands the priest to be unclothed and clothed once more. The priest's condemning garments are removed, but not to humiliate him. This testifies to the Lord's redeeming mercy not only for the priest, but even for his people. The Lord demonstrates in his vision his passion to redeem, cleans, and dwell with his people forever.
Our instinct is to think that if we are assured of our faith then we will not grow because we will continually backslide. We might think that in order for us to grow we should be a little afraid, terrified, of God. If we are not terrified of the Lord's wrath then we will not be properly motivated to grow to conform to him. This is what we might think, but the Canons of Dordt is teaching us the opposite truth. The Canons of Dordt teaches us that If we are not assured of our faith then we will not grow in our faith. How does the Apostle Paul exhort the church? What can we learn from his exhortation?
The Lord places his people back in the promised land only to have their progress stalled by a letter. It is a letter that goes forth seeking to halt any progress Israel makes in rebuilding the Lord’s holy city. The Lord has affection for his people, and his dwelling in their midst. Can the Lord bring about his redemptive promise to dwell with his people? Is the Lord stronger than the nations?
Christ tells us that we are to turn the other cheek if someone slaps us. If someone takes us to court we give them more than they are asking in the settlement. If someone wants us to go one mile then we go with them two miles. If we take these words at face value they can become rather burdensome to the abused and the afflicted. We know that God defends the widow and the orphan so how can we care about injustice while hearing an exhortation to tolerate injustice?
The Apostle Paul shows where God's people have failed and disappointed the Lord in the past. The Lord's people have fallen into idolatry while calling it proper worship. This is intended to sober God's people and awaken us to see that we too are prone to these temptations. The Apostle Paul interjects at the conclusion of these examples that God is faithful. How can God being faithful encourage us when we doubt his goodness? Why is it so assuring that God will keep us until the end?
We are tempted many times in our Christian walk to doubt whether God is strong enough to fulfill his promises. We can survey the world and it is not as we think it should be. We might pray to God and in our perspective it seems that he is not listening to us. The prophet Zechariah gives us the absolute assurance that God does listen to our prayers. The prophet assures us that the Lord will build his heavenly city. The prophet assures us that the Lord has all this in check. How can this brief vision give us the assurance that God's plans do not fall flat when it seems his redemptive program has failed?
We are warned by those who have gone before us that if we push the boundaries of grace that God might give us the sin that we desire. The Lord might allows us to wallow and to walk in our sin for a time. So, what happens when the Lord snaps us out of our sin? What does David communicate to us about the Lord remembering his promises? How does David's sin, and more importantly, his restoration, teach us about the Gospel?
Mary goes out to the tomb to pay her respects to her dead teacher. She finds that the tomb is disturbed, the stone is rolled away, and someone has taken her Lord. She tells the disciples and they believe her report. The disciples are locked in a room, hiding away, and their Lord appears to them two times. How does Christ deal with these skeptics? How does Christ deal with the skeptic who does not believe the apostles' report? How does Christ show that his mission is not just to confirm God's promises, but to shepherd his people?
We look at Christ and Pilate going back and forth. The issue that we consider is how can Christ say that he is the essence of truth? It seems rather strange that the truth teller is handed over to a foreign official to be put to death. He is not even tried, but rather his own nation hands Christ over to face death. We seek to see and show that Christ is in fact truth despite Christ's kangaroo court.
The doctrine of the perseverance of the saints is sometimes summarized as, "Once saved always saved." There is truth to this statement, but it radically misses the complexity of the Christian walk. God will certainly preserve his people until the end, but we are called to persevere by the Lord's grace. The challenge in this life is that we can have sinful desires that are contrary to God's kingdom. The Canons of Dordt warns us that God can hand us over to those desires. Where do we find our strength in this life to continue on our Christian sojourn?
People in the city of man think that they are safe. They trust in their military might and their strategy. However, the city of man looses sight of the reality that it only functions in the confines of God's providence. The Lord sees the actions of the city of man and the Lord will act on behalf of his people. We can take comfort in Zechariah seeing the Angelic Horsemen surveying the earth.
God says through his prophet, “Return to me and I will return to you.” This is a promise that sounds rather conditional. This is strange considering that the Lord promises to send a redeemer to Adam. The Lord calls Abraham out of his idolatrous land to sojourn to heaven. The Lord is the one who walks between the cut up animals as the Lord cuts a covenant with Abraham that we call the “Covenant of Grace.” So, how can the Lord say to Israel “return to me and I will return to you?”
The Apostle Paul tells us that we are either slaves of sin or slaves of righteousness. Is our situation really this dire? Are we really just people destined to slaves of one thing or the other thing? Is it really a good thing that we are slaves of Christ Jesus? Why would we actually find freedom in such slavery?
Samson is the judge that Israel deserved as one who characterizes Israel. He is an imperfect messiah-deliverer, but he still delivers God's people.
Christ is a gracious king who shows his servant quality by washing his disciples feet. This shows us the call to love and service in the kingdom.
Christ has come to establish the Lord's kingdom and to bring his people to his heavenly city. We might wonder how one is worthy to enter into this city. Does one make themselves worthy through a series of preparations or is the Lord's grace bigger than our ability?
Paul, the Apostle, writes to a dear friend. Paul writes to a young minister who is most likely seen as Paul's child in the faith. As Paul departs and says his farewell how do we know that this letter extends beyond even Timothy? How do we know that Paul intends to encourage us today?
God is the one who overwhelms us with his mercy and Grace. God is the one who prevails over his people. We might think that this is a terrible thing until we realize that it is God who is conquering us. We might think that we would naturally love God, but Isaiah teaches us something radically different: we weary God while thinking he wearies us. So, is it good that God overwhelms us with his grace and mercy?
Paul, the Apostle, knows that his apostolic ministry is coming to a close. He is not looking to a retirement in this age, but to the ultimate retirement and graduation to heaven. What do these verses teach us about Paul's farewell? What do these verses teach us about our ultimate Christian comfort in Christ?
Christ tells us not to take oaths, but we read the apostle Paul taking oaths and putting other people under oaths. Is Paul contradicting Christ? What does Christ intend for us by his exhortation not to take an oath?
As human beings who sojourn through this world we can think that we are doing well. The problem is that we might not have the clearest picture on life. The tragedy of our existence is that we do not naturally want to pursue God. How do we then interact with God? Is God our enemy? How does God's grace and power overcome our hopeless situation?
The Apostle Paul is writing to assure his friend that ministry includes suffering, but also glory. This is very much an extension of Christ's life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Does this mean that we complete the work of Christ as we live out of gratitude? How should we understand the power in which we run the Christian race? Is that power our will or the Lord's power?
We can think that if God has chosen us before the foundation of the world, if God has elected us to be his people, and we are those who worship him then we are golden. We can fall into a trap of self righteousness thinking that because we have done the right thing we are worthy of God's electing mercy. However, the Canons of Dordt does not encourage this thinking. In fact, the canons does a wonderful job of reminding us that we are truly saved by grace, delivered from hell for the sake of Christ, and still called to live out of gratitude.
We normally think that baptism is a wonderful sign and seal of the Lord's promise. It presents for us the certainty that Christ has endured an eternal punishment, and he has emerged triumphant. The very promise of Genesis 15 is confirmed in Christ's death and resurrection. Christ confirms the promise of the covenant of grace. We think of baptism being this sign of the covenantal promise.
However, Christ is actually anxious about his baptism and he desires to get through his baptism as soon as possible. Why is Christ so concerned about baptism when his father has already pronounced that he is pleased with his son? If Christ is already baptized then what baptism is Christ looking forward to undergoing?
We know that we are saved by grace that is applied by the will of God. God is the one who chooses his people, empowers his people, and will preserve his people until the end. If this is true, then why does Paul tell us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling? Does God just start the work and then we need to finish the work?
The primary way that the church grows in faith and in number is through the preaching of the gospel. You would think that the church would love the preaching all the time and that the life changing power of the gospel would permeate our being so we cannot get enough of it. However, this is not the case. The incarnate word was sent to the cross by the will of God using the rejection of man. So, Paul warns Timothy that in the latter days the gospel will not be so joyfully received. What is the fundamental problem? Do we need to change the gospel message?
The Lord is free to do what the Lord desires to do, but the Lord still uses his means to call his people. We know that his gospel will be sent, and his people will respond in faith. We are familiar with John 3:16, but what does the context tell us about some coming to Christ and others rejecting Christ? What does Christ tell Nicodemus about this division in the recipients of the gospel message?
Paul has warned us about false teachers and our need to be discerning. The struggle we can have is when do we know the truth and when do we not know the truth. This is where Paul assures that the Lord has given us his proof and it is sufficient for us to know right from wrong.
Paul gives an exhortion to Timothy that not everything is going to go that well in the last days. There will be struggles and hardships for the church. When are these days? What are these hardships? How do we persevere in the truth? Paul answers these questions with the assurance that the Lord will prevail.
Christ commands us not to divorce. This seems to contradict Moses and not seem to account for abuse. What does Christ mean in the sermon on the mount? How has divorce been abused in Israel? What is Christ positively commanding about marriage?
We want to think that we are pretty good and our struggle is rather minimal. So, we want to think that we are good enough and wise enough to see the light. So, we come to Christ because we desire Christ seeing him as the way of life. The problem is that we humans underestimate the depth of our sin and depravity. We fail to see that we are completely unable to enter into the Lord's presence by our doing. So, is there any hope in our predicament? How can we have hope when even Paul the Pharisee cannot do enough to earn the Lord's favor?
We can fall into a trap and think that once we believe the gospel we know the gospel. However, this is not what we find in the Corinthian church. When Paul writes his second letter to the Corinthian church they forgot the gospel. Paul exhorts them to examine themselves to see if they are in the faith. This is pretty strong that we are to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. How do we know if we are in the faith? Can we have assurance that we are in Christ? What is Paul's point and what is this standard?
Reformed confessions might not lay out the most encouraging words regarding the status of humanity. We say things like man naturally hates God and his neighbor. Or we mention that man deserves the Lord's wrath from conception. We hear these things and might wonder if such strong language is really warranted. Is man really that bad? How did man ultimately get into this predicament? Why move forward in life if we are condemned anyway?
When Paul exhorts the church he exhorts us to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. This means that in our day to day lives there might be things that we do not fully understand nor do we know what to do. Paul gives us general exhortations to live for Christ, and in Christ. How do we know that we will continue to conform to the Lord as His redeemed?
We know that our God is a gracious God and a merciful Lord. He is a God who forgives, and so we wonder why does Christ have to die? It would seem logical that God would just forgive Adam and let him return to Eden. However, God does not do this at all, but he sends Christ to die. So, what is the purpose of Christ's death?
Paul gives us the assurance that where we are faithless God remains faithful. Does this mean that we do not seek and desire to live a Christian life? Are we indifferent or neutral to the plan of God? Paul does exhort Timothy and he exhorts us not to fall away as Paul also says, "If we deny him he will deny us." Do we seek to conform to the Lord our of fear? Do we seek to live for the honor and glory of our king just for our own benefit? What is Paul fundamentally teaching us about the Christian life?
Our Lord commands us not to commit adultery. We might think that in the most literal sense we have done very well. However, how does this command challenge us to live a deeper and more committed life to the Lord? What is the solution to our problem? It is important as we wrestle with these questions that we find our affirmation in our Lord.
Paul is detained by Rome because of Christ's gospel. The good news of Christ seems to be halted because Paul is in prison. In fact, there are some who have turned against Paul because of his current circumstances. It would seem that this would deter Paul. He would see his imprisonment as a negative thing. However, he does not see himself as Rome's prisoner, but as Christ's prisoner. How is it a blessing to be Christ's prisoner? How does being Christ's prisoner shift his perspective from being Rome's prisoner?
Christ' work will be applied to his people. We certainly have seen this in John 17. We know that individuals will come to faith, but what about the church? Is the church going to be sustained until the end? Will the Lord preserve his church through thick and thin?
Paul confers a greeting to Timothy that sounds consistent. However, Paul adds “mercy” to his greeting to Timothy. This is language the echos the Old Testament concept of steadfast love. Paul is in prison writing a friend who has grieved the loss of Paul, a friend who wonders if he will see Paul again, and so how is the Lord still showing his steadfast mercy? Is God’s steadfast mercy able to be conferred beyond Paul's current circumstances? How does this assure us that Paul's greeting applies even to us today?
It is very easy not to murder someone. We can tell that we are doing well because we have not literally killed a human being out of vengeance. However, Christ humbles us by telling us we have all murdered. How have we murdered an individual? Why is it important to know the right standard of holiness rather than our own holy standard?
John captures Christ's prayer before Christ goes to the cross. This prayer reveals to us that Christ is very aware of his mission and his purpose of entering history. Christ prays not only for himself, but also his disciples. His disciples are not the immediate 11, but also for us who will come to believe through his word. What does this prayer teach us about Christ's atonement? What assurance does this give us that Christ will not give up on those who has come to redeem?
Joseph considers his legal recourse regarding his pregnant fiancé. He thinks that she loves another man because Joseph knows that she is not carrying his child, and so Joseph desires to quietly break off their relationship by appealing to Deuteronomy 24. An angel appears to him and reveals that Deuteronomy 24 is not going to be used, but rather Deuteronomy 25. Joseph will be the levirate redeemer establishing the legality of Christ's line. Why is it so important that Joseph takes Mary to be his wife?
Christ invites his audience who hears his word to come to him. We are promised blessing if we are not offended by Christ. This sounds strange because why would we be offended by Christ? Nevertheless we are promised that as we respond to the gospel in faith we will take the yoke of Christ upon us. His teaching will progressively become more and more of who we are. Clearly, Christ is assuring us that as we take hold of Christ by faith, as we come under his control more and more we will enjoy his blessings. How can Christ give such a call without contradicting what we heard regarding God’s election before the foundations of the world?
When the Lord declares that he will be victorious over the serpent there is no doubt that the Lord will be victorious over the serpent. God does not overpromise what he is capable of accomplishing. Our expectation of this victory is that Christ is going to send an action hero, a special forces unit, or have a military strategy that would set this world on end. The Lord is going to conduct his battle according to our values rather than showing his strength through humility. Luke tells us that the Lord does reveals some of the heavenly army, but the angels only sing praises regarding Christ. The Lord recruits the shepherds, but they lack integrity. They do not come to fight, but only bear witness to the angels in heaven praising God. This seems like a flop, but in reality this is exactly how God intends to manifest his victory. The Lord will be exalted through humiliation.Luke tells us that the Lord does reveals some of the heavenly army, but the angels only sing praises regarding Christ. The Lord recruits the shepherds, but they lack integrity. They do not come to fight, but only bear witness to the angels in heaven praising God. This seems like a flop, but in reality this is exactly how God intends to manifest his victory. The Lord will be exalted through humiliation.
Christ tells us that he has come to fulfill. This means that Christ has come to put the law and the prophets in their place. In our culture putting someone in their place means we put them down or we knock them down a few pegs. This is not at all what Christ means. Christ has entered history, he has taken on the flesh, and he has done enter history as the God/man so that we can have life in him. Redemption is only found in our incarnate savior. As we are found in Christ we live as living sacrifices to Christ. It is very important that we understand Matthew 5:17-20 in its proper context so that we do not strive to keep the rigors of the law in our flesh, but as we walk by faith saying amen to the Lord’s promises.
John writes to the church with the assurance that Christ's payment satisfies the sins of the world. This sounds like the whole world is saved. This cannot be the case because right in Genesis 3:15 God promises that there are going to be two lines of people in the human race. There are those who are identified with Christ and those who are not identified with Christ. Christ's payment for the whole world must mean that Christ came to secure an international people.
Peter tells us, "Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you." This is a pretty strong statement as it sounds like this baptism actually gives us the blessings of Christ. However, Peter says after this, "not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." We are those who make a pledge to God and then we are baptized. This sounds like we first profess, and then we receive baptism. However, we notice the precedent is actually quite different. Scripture actually teaches us that first someone professes, and then the household if baptized. How does Noah's flood teach us this very promise?
The Lord told Adam that the day he eats of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil he will surely die. The Lord cannot just overlook his justice in order to show his mercy. Christ has to die on the cross for the Lord's justice to be satisfied. It is in Christ's death on the cross that his mercy is manifested. How does Paul use the Mosaic arrangement to give us a deeper understanding of Christ's cross?
The book of Daniel is a book that has many ups and downs in terms of the prophet's mission. He advances almost to the top while exiled in Babylon. However, he also has some setbacks. At the end of the book we might wonder what to make of all this? What is the purpose to press forward I Christ? We learn in this final chapter that God's providence and care for this creation are not haphazard. The Lord is moving this creation to his goal while working within the confines of a fallen world. The ultimately spoiler of history is that God wins so it is better to bow one's knee before Christ rather than at the end of the age.
Human beings can go in two different directions. On the one hand we can think that there is something about us that is appealing to God. So, we think that God is going to love us because we are a little more worthy of God's affection than say another person. The other side of this is that we can think that we are so bad that we are beyond redemption. We can think that God's mercy and grace cannot bring us back from being lost so we avoid the Lord. This too is wrong as we fail to understand the Lord's grace. How is it encouraging to know that God loves the unlovable? If we are not adorable why would we be encouraged and want to live for God? if we think we are adorable how can God's grace humble us? How does the humbling of God's grace ultimately lift us up?
Sometimes we can read the news or we can survey our current life and wonder if there is a point to this age. We might wonder if God is still in control or if God has abandoned his rule. We might think that Satan has won and the powers or darkness have defeated our God. This is our perspective, but Daniel assures us that our perspective is wrong. We must remember that God has written history in his book of truth. How does God's book of truth assure our that our victory is sure in Christ? Why is it so comforting that man cannot change God's book of truth? If we understand this Daniel's prophecy we can proceed throughout our life confident that we will prevail because Christ has prevailed.
Our Lord says that you are the light of the world. This almost implies that we are call attention to our good works and the good things that we do. This would mean that Christ is commanding us to be self righteous and to engage in a piety competition. Are we really supposed to parade around our good works? Why would Christ warn us about the outward pious acts of the pharisees? How does being the light of the world humble us and exalt our God?
In our political systems we can have recounts because we want to make sure that the right person is elected into office. It is tempting to think that God's election might also be flippant. He might have some that he elects to receive salvation for a time and then others who will receive his redemptive blessings unto glory. How do we know this is not the case? Why does the Canons of Dordt appeal only to Romans 8:30 to prove that there is only one election for God's people to receive heaven?
We can have sympathy for Daniel's desire to return to the promised land. Daniel wants to worship his God without persecution. He believes the words of Jeremiah, but yet Daniel does not return to the land. Daniel's desire intensifies because when his people do return to the promised land they face intense persecution while rebuilding the temple. How can Daniel cope with the Lord allowing his people to be persecuted when they rebuild the temple? Does God know? Does God care? How does the Lord show the bigger picture of history? Can we take comfort that history's goal is set?
Today when we mention that someone is salty we mean it as a bit of a warning. Saying that someone is salty means that the person probably uses less than refined language. We would not expect the individual’s language to come from higher culture, but closer to what we might find at a shipyard. However, saying someone is salty is more of a qualification rather than an insult. We might hear someone say, “So and so is a bit salty, but boy they sure….” Then the compliment follows. Christ calls his disciples the salt of the earth without qualification. We are called to be a salty people because we are the salt of the earth. Is Christ telling us to be like sailors? What does salt have to do with Christ’s mission and divine wisdom?
When Christians talk about man's free will and our coming to faith we end up with the old "Tastes Great.... Less Filling debate." We are not getting to the heart of the issue. The Canons of Dordt seeks to clarify how man comes to faith. The Canons also spells out that God's choosing does not deny our sincere call to respond in faith. The Canons affirms that we are called to obey God. The Canons also defends that christians are called to persevere in our faith. So, what is the fundamental problem? Is this merely a difference of preference or is there a substantive difference?
We can relate with a desire to return to normalcy, the things that bring us close to God, and our religious traditions that we cherish. The Lord has ripped these things from the Israelites, Daniel has confessed that Israel deserved this consequence, and now he waits upon the Lord. It is in the content of Daniel's confession that Gabriel comes to assure Daniel that the Lord is still working. Gabriel reveals that there is going to be strife and struggle throughout this age for God's people. If there is strife and struggle then why continue in the Christian life? What is so significant about the "strong covenant" in the 70th week?
We are told that persecution is a blessing. Persecution is suffering. Normally we do not associate suffering with blessing. However, Christ assures us that as we are persecuted we are blessed. Does this mean that Christ condones abuse? Is Christ saying that blessing and abuse are one and the same? Does Christ care about the abused and the persecuted? Clearly we know that our Lord does not defend the oppressor and the abuser so clearly Christ cannot condone such immorality. We know that our Lord is the shield and defender to the abused. So, how is persecution a blessing? How does persecution testify to our standing in Christ?
If we really understand our relationship to our God we should be humble. There is nothing about the story of redemption that leads man to be arrogant. However, we can think that we are a little more worthy than our neighbor. We might also think that maybe one of our friends is more worthy of God's affection than say a thief on the cross. The Canons of Dordt reminds us that not one single person deserves God's grace. How can our contemplation of God's grace draw us closer to God,, hope less in our selves, and actually cultivate a deep compassion?
Daniel has reported to us his visions that he received by the grace of God. It would seem that the vision would be the source of Daniel's comfort and contemplation. This is not the case, but we witness Daniel contemplating Jeremiah's promise. Daniel submits to the word of God rather than appealing to his vision. How does his submission to the word of God and his prayer teach us about confession?
Jeremiah gives a very severe warning that we are not to say , “peace, peace when there is no peace. “ Christ states in Matthew 10, ““Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth.” If we are not to broadcast peace, and Christ does not bring peace then how can peacemakers be blessed? What is a peacemaker and can we know if we are one?
As human beings we have a tendency to be sentimental and make our judgements based upon our own bias. We can think that cute infants are unstained from sin because they are too adorable to be sinful. The harsh truth is that we are all sinners from conception. We are all estranged from God because of Adam's rebellion in Eden. If this is true, then how can we take comfort in the tragedy of infant death or a miscarriage? If infants are sinners before the Lord does that mean they are condemned to hell if they die in infancy? How does the covenant of grace give us rich comfort to console us in the midst of infant death?
Our perspective on the world is very limited and one sided. We cannot see the bigger picture of history and the ultimate guidance of the Lord. I am sure that there are times that we can see the Lord's providence at work, but we don't have a handle on the full picture. The Lord pulls back the curtain for Daniel so that he can see what makes history tick. Daniel is troubled and sick as a result of what he sees. How does Daniel's vision ultimately comfort us? How do we see the Lord's continual care for this creation? How do we know that our victory is secured in Christ?
Christ assures us that those who are pure in heart will see God. Does this mean that if we are pure enough then we will have a vision or be taken up into heaven immediately? How do we know if we are pure enough to see God? How does one attain this purity blessing?
Enjoy this exhortation from Mr. Jeffrey Karel who fills our pulpit while our pastor is on vacation.
As human beings we can potentially see ourselves as adorable, maybe a little mischievous, and maybe even a little flawed. The reality is that we are not always honest about how bad and undeserving we are to receive Christ's grace. One of our problems is that we can think that we are a little deserving of God's grace and favor, but in reality we are not deserving of it at all. So, how can our need for God's sovereign choice in applying his grace humble us? How does this realization compel us to be in a submissive and teachable posture before Christ's cross?
Daniel is terrorized by his vision of four ugly beasts. These are strange looking creatures, hybrids of mighty animals, and what man can defeat them? This question is especially relevant for the fourth beast. The last beast is essentially unstoppable leaving Daniel in a state of panic. How can man prevail against such a devious creature? What is our hope today? What do we take away from his vision that gives us hope to continue through today?
Our Lord gives the assurance that as we show mercy we will receive mercy. It this a relationship that is reciprical? It means that the more we show the more we receive? What does Christ mean that we have to show mercy to receive mercy?
One would think that if we are assured that Christ's work is enough then it would cheapen grace. It seems that we would think there is no need to desire good works because we have already attained it all in Christ. How can our assurance of faith bring us to a place where we want to bring forth good works? How can Christ's work compel us to want to live for him instead of self?
This is a new king, but certainly an inferior man of action compared to Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar wanted to witness the men going against his decree, but Darius throws Daniel into the lions den based on hearsay. He ends up being tormented during the night while Nebuchadnezzar can watch the burning furnace with curiosity. Is the Lord able to deliver his people from such a tormentor? How can we in our current circumstances take comfort in this old familiar story?
Mr. Brad Dickey fills our pulpit and gives us the assurance that Christ's work is enough and all that is needed for us to attain eternal life.
Mr. Brad Dickey fills our pulpit this morning exhorting us not to love this world as our primary source of hope.
We normally do not consider hungry people to be blessed people. However, Christ assures us that the hungry and thirsty are blessed. How can this be?
The Lord says, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.." The Lord uses strong language against Esau. What did Esau do that is so bad? Why does the Lord love the one child over the other child?
Nebuchadnezzar is dead and now there is a new king. This king Belshazzar rides the coat tails of Nebuchadnezzar. Will this man take to heart the reality that pride goes before the fall? Will the Lord be able to show that his will is the will and this empire will not rival heaven? Will Belshazzar understand the writing on the wall?
Today we encourage people to be active and deliberate in life because the successful are those who seize the day. We think of the meek people as the weak people who will be trampled. How can the Meek people of God be blessed?
The Apostle Paul tells us that faith is a gift. Is this a gift that we reach up and grab or is this a gift that is imposed on us? Why would this gift need to be imposed on us? What is fundamentally wrong with man that he would not want this gift and what does God ultimately do about it?
King Nebuchadnezzar was not humbled by his first dream. Instead, he builds a great statue decreeing that the empire bows down to the statue. It is a commemoration and celebration that the Babelites had achieved their goal. Now, there is another dream that torments the king. This is a dream that communicates the king will lose his mind and be like the beasts of the field. Will this dream humble the king?
John says that Satan is bound for 1000 years or a millennium. How do we know if we are in the millennium? We work through this issue showing that we do not take 1000 years literally, but communicating the Lord's complete time. We argue that when Christ enters history he brings in his kingdom with the millennium.
The Lord revealed to Nebuchadnezzar in a dream and through the Lord's prophet Daniel that Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom will not endure forever. Nebuchadnezzar might think that he is on top of the world and the ruler over the empire that is truly the gateway of the gods. The Lord will show Nebuchadnezzar that Nebuchadnezzar does not lead God around on a leash, but the Lord shows his ability to save the utmost unlike any dumb idol.
When someone is in a state of mourning we do not associate that with blessing. However, Christ says that those who mourn are blseed. How can they be blessed? How can they be comforted when it seems that there is no place to find hope?
John describes for us his vision of our heavenly graduation. The exhortation at the beginning of the book of Revelation is our invitation to enter into the Lord's presence to eat the tree of life's fruit. It is a life buffet where we swim in the river of life and dine at Christ's tree. What is the significance of the tree of life being in heaven? Why would we long for the final judgment?
Nebuchadnezzar has a nightmare that plagues him and keeps him up at night. He needs to know his fate, but no one can tell him. His theologians have told him that the gods do not dwell among man. Is this true? Is there a personal God who gives revelation and establishes truth? Is there a God who is reveals his intentions to man?
Christ is the lord of lords and the king of kings. He is God who has taken on the flesh to save his people from their sins. If Christ is a king you would think that his priority would be the successful rain makers of this age who make things happen. It would seem that Christ desires to save those worthy of his time. However, Christ says blessed are the poor in spirit? What does it mean that the poor in spirit are blessed? How does such a blessing communicate Christ’s mission?
The Apostle Paul exhorts us to live a peaceful and quiet life. This sounds like a life that is full of compromise. What can we do as Christians to be distinctive while still living out this call to be peaceful and quiet? How are we to conduct ourselves in our exile?
Nebuchadnezzar is used to getting his way and setting the terms of his reign. He has conquered nations, gods, and has plundered their temples. However, there is one thing that haunts the king. There is one tormentor that needs to silenced. He needs to know how to silence this one who is greater than the world ruler. Will he find this tormentor? Who can reveal the great mysteries that plague this kin
Christ takes his seat on the mountain and begins to speak. We might think that this is a place that would give him a great vantage point for the crowd to see him. Is this the only reason Christ is on the mountain. What is the significance of mountains in Scripture?
Jerusalem's fall is a tragic event. It is an event where a tyrannical king, the king who sees himself as a lord who rivals the true Lord, and it seems that the Lord's redemptive program has fallen flat. Is the Tower of Babel destined to penetrate the heavenly fortress? How does Daniel 1 encourage us to see that God is still sovereign in the midst of Judah's turmoil? Can God overcome those who realize the ideal of fallen man?
Rev. Casey Freswick fills our pulpit and lays out the significance of Christ going to the land of Zebulun and Naphtali.
Christ uses strong language to encourage the church to have life. HIs language communicates that we have the literally consume Christ in the sense that he is eaten like we would consume common food. We would drink his blood like we would find nourishment from water. What does Christ mean by these statements regarding our eating his flesh and drinking his blood?
We wrap up our series on Thessalonians. It is important to remember that the rabble of the city were agitators who did not like the gospel. They claimed to be part of the church, but did not embrace the substance of the Gospel. How can we be sure that we will persevere until the end? How does the grace of God encourage us to walk in Christ as we die to self?
The apostle Paul exhorts the church to rejoice always and in all circumstances. This is not very easy to do and we might want to just fake it until we make it. How can we find the strength or the encouragement to do this? How do we rejoice in all circumstances?
Our Lord celebrates the passover with his disciples. It is tempting to think that as the Lord celebrates the passover with his disciples that passover and the Lord's supper are exactly the same thing. However, when Christ takes the bread and the wine he does not ground the sacrament in the exodus, but in his work. This tells us that Christ is doing something unique: he is using this as a symbol to assure us that the new covenant is confirmed in him.
This is the last meditation in our series of God’s Pilgrim Citizens. We can be assured that our citizenship is in heaven because Christ has overcome in our place. We recall the tree of life and how the opening and closing of scripture shows the ultimate outcome of our victory in Christ. Thank you for listening to this series and I hope it helped solidify your thoughts as it did for me.
We are called to live each day in light of our Lord's return. Our Lord will return, but we do not know the day or the time. This explicit truth does not stop people from trying to predict Christ's return, and there have been many people disappointed that predictions did not come to pass. Despite these disappointments Paul still reminds us that these truths encourage us. How does knowing that Christ will return at some point comfort and encourage us to live out the gospel today?
John's baptism is a baptism of repentance closing the old testament canon. Christ's baptism is a baptism that goes to the nations with the gospel. We consider baptism in scripture and what it means in terms of an ordeal. Baptism overlaps the significance of the ordeal, but does that necessarily mean that the application and meaning is always the same?
Paul tells Timothy that Godliness is a mystery. This sounds like we just encounter God somehow and someway, but it is not something that is very concrete. Paul is rather assuring Timothy and the church that God is with His people because the mystery of the Lord’s promise has been manifested with Christ. If Christ has not entered history then we cannot be sanctified. How does this work for all the saints throughout the ages?
In order for us to baptize infants it is important to see that Circumcision and Baptism point to the same promise. If the signs do not signify the same thing then we should not baptize infants. The Apostle Paul assures that Christ has received the sign of circumcision and baptism. We know that Christ was circumcised at his birth and baptized by John. However, Christ's death and resurrection point to the significance of these signs. How do we know that these signs fundamentally signify the same promise? How do we know that there is a correlation between Baptism and Circumcision?
We associate the resurrection with the end times or easter. We do not always first and foremost think about the resurrection being grounded in Christ guaranteeing our future, and giving us comfort in our daily life. The resurrection also helps us with our grieving because it assures us that our Lord is sovereign even through death.
The Lord commanded Israel to go into the land to engage in holy war. They are to devote all that is unholy to destruction. We skip ahead in Scripture and we consider Jeremiah 29. This is a letter that Jeremiah writes to the exiles. He encourages them to seek the welfare of the city. What does this have to do with us today? We consider how Jeremiah 29 informs our life today as we sojourn under the sun as those secured in Christ.
Abraham receives the official Covenant of Grace in Genesis 15. The Lord is going to establish his covenant promise through this barren couple. This barren couple will have a son, the seed of the woman (Gen 3:15) will be sustained despite barrenness.
Abraham and Sarah have a crises of faith doubting that the Lord really can give them a son. Their crises and action is recorded in Genesis 16. Abraham and Sarah conspire to use a surrogate mother to establish the Lord's line. They are going to help God establish his covenant line.
In Genesis 17 the Lord gives a sign that symbolizes the promised heir will come through Abraham and Sarah's line. This barren couple will continue the lineage of the woman's seed despite their doubts. Abraham and Sarah both laugh at this prospect, but the Lord is faithful.
In terms of the sacraments we see the the precedent of the parents professing faith, and then the household receiving the sign. We also see how this sign pictures the gospel promise.
If Christ is the one who secures us, makes us alive, and guarantees our passage into heaven then are there norms for us to live out? Do we just say that we are secured in Christ and now we can live how we want? Are we called to dominate the society that is around us? How do we evangelize the world as we sojourn under the sun? What does it mean to live that peaceful and quiet life?
The Lord promises to bring his people into His rest. So, now we consider the Lord’s people going into Canaan. They have a command to devote to destruction which is pretty extreme. How does this show that the Lord is serious about his redemption and also his judgment?
The Apostle Paul desires to meet with the Thessalonian church, but there is no clear path to make this happen. Paul is frustrated because the Thessalonian church does not seem very rooted in the gospel. Does Paul think that the Lord is only as strong as the apostle or his people? What is the assurance in knowing that our Lord Jesus Christ will direct his way to them? What does this tell us about Christ and the Lord's sovereign will? How does this assure us about the outcome of our faith?
Reformed people are often accused of being drab, stoic, or rote. This week we look at 1 Corinthians 14 and consider why our worship is very structured. We consider the Apostle Paul exhorting the Corinthian Church to make sure that their worship is about the Lord and building up the body rather than about personal advancement. Why does Paul exhort them to do all things decently and in order? Why does Paul recall for us and the Corinthian church that God is a God of peace?
The Lord sword to Abraham that he would deliver Abraham’s descendants out of the land of slavery. We look at the exodus and the assurance that the Lord’s mighty hand is shown in this marvelous event. We are reminded that God works in the context of a community, and he brings his pilgrim citizens out of their slavery to the land of life.
The book of Hebrews teaches us that Christ truly is central and essential. The Old Testament models point to Christ and show the necessity of his work. Hebrews celebrates the truth that Christ is the greater priest who enters into the heavenly places once for all. How does this testify to the faith that we have? What is the ultimate comfort that we have in the Lord?
The book of Hebrews teaches us that Christ truly is central and essential. The Old Testament models point to Christ and show the necessity of his work. Hebrews celebrates the truth that Christ is the greater priest who enters into the heavenly places once for all. How does this testify to the faith that we have? What is the ultimate comfort that we have in the Lord?
The Apostle Paul says, "11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints, for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ..." Does this mean that the saints do the ministry as the men gifted in interpreting the word teach them or does this mean that the men who bring the word do the ministry? What is the ministry that Paul has in view?
The Apostles desire to go to a church, but they are not able to meet with that church. Our struggle as Christians is to think that the Lord is not really doing anything to save us. However, we learn from the Thessalonian church that God's word is sufficient. How does Paul's prevented visit communicate that the Lord's word is sufficient?
The Lord secures his citizens and shepherds them to rest in the heavenly city. We consider Genesis 15 and how this ancient history teaches the unity of God’s purpose through history for all God’s citzen people. We might be tempted to think that this history is too old to impact our life today, but in fact it lays out the very ethic for how we orient our days.
The true church desires to bend its neck under Christ's yoke. The true church desires to conform to Christ and build Christ's kingdom rather than its own kingdom. The false church desires to build a kingdom unto itself. The false church claims its own authority and might even claim to uphold the Bible. We know that there is no such thing as a perfect church in this age, but at what point is a false church a false church?
The Corinthian church has many problems and the Apostle Paul uses the precedent of the Exodus to exhort the Corinthian church. Paul does not just recall the Red Sea crossing as part of the Exodus, but he refers to it as a "Baptism." This Baptism is a movement from death to life and it warns the church today that just because someone goes through the actions of Christianity they might not have the blessings of Christ. So, why would we want to baptize infants in light of this precedent?
We consider what it means that the Lord will put enmity between the Seed of the Woman and the Seed of the Serpent. The Lord is making explicit that as the human race is divided into two lines the Lord determines his citizen and his means. The Lord will raise up a citizen people through Abraham. If the promised line comes through Abraham how do we become part of this kingdom? Can we even know if we are citizens of God’s kingdom?
We struggle to see with the eyes of faith. We can be tempted to please man rather than God. How does the resurrection of Christ, the work of Christ, and even the Gospel encourage us to move beyond our natural human struggle?
We believe that Baptism is a sign of the covenant and not a sign or our faith. In Acts 19 it appears that the Apostle Paul sees baptism as a sign of faith and the Spirit. In fact, Paul mentions that there are two baptisms. Paul also seems to be saying that we can have faith without the Holy Spirit. What is Paul teaching?
Paul praises the Thessalonians church for following their example. Why would Paul give the church such praise? How does this praise encourage us today? What does this say about our current circumstances today? Overall what does this book communicate about living out the Gospel?
Article 28 in the Belgic Confessions says two things that some people find troubling. First, it states that there is no salvation outside the church. What about the thief on the cross? What about deathbed confessions? What about children who die in infancy? Does this mean that the Reformed believed that the church tells the Lord who is in the kingdom and who is outside the kingdom?
The second thing that this article states is that people read that we are not to have fellowship with non Christians. Is the Belgic Confession really teaching that we cannot interact with non Christian people?
The Lord is going to raise up citizens to dwell in his kingdom. They will be pilgrims in this world. This week we spend a few minutes seeking to lay out how one enters into the Lord’s kingdom. Does the Lord secure every single human being in this age meaning that all are in Christ Jesus no matter what? Does the Lord secure only 144,000 people as a very literal number? Can we even know if we are citizens of heaven and members of God’s Pilgrim Citizens?
Habakkuk began wondering if the Lord hears him, and now he hears the Lord. Is Habakkuk at peace with the Lord's answer? What does Habakkuk have to learn regarding the Lord's sovereign plan? How is this lesson still relevant for us today?
Christ is our gracious Lord who takes away the heavy burden. Christ's righteousness goes beyond that of the scribes and the pharisees. Does this mean that we just have to work harder to attain the Lord's favor? Does this mean that we live as we want? How can Christ take away the heavy burden, but still we are called to conform to the Lord?
We see the tree of life in the Garden of Eden and in the heavenly temple. It would appear that as Adam has to obey the law and we are called to obey the law that our covenantal arrangement is the same. Do we individually have to earn heaven? How do we enter heaven after Adam Failed? What is the consequence of the fall and what is the consequence of Christ’s success?
The world seems to have gone awry at different times in history. We might wonder if the Lord really takes note of this age or if the Lord is just sleeping. Habakkuk wants to know what the Lord is doing. The Lord shocked him by saying that he sending the Babylonians to bring judgment. How can the Lord counteract the problem that is worse than what Habakkuk sees?
The prophet Elijah is very discouraged. It is strange that he would be discouraged. He has won the battle of the gods and rain has been sent in the land. It would seem that these are good things, and why the discouragement? The rain is not good enough for Jezebel because the Baal prophets have been executed. She vows to kill Elijah. Elijah runs to the wilderness to die, and then to a cave at Horeb. The Lord is going to speak, but what is he going to say? How is the Lord going to sustain his servant through this event? How does the Lord give assurance that his church will be preserved until the end?
The Tree of Life holds out the promise of glory. This tree is consumed only by those who overcome. This implies that Adam would not have eaten from this tree until his probation in Eden is over. How does one overcome and eat the fruit from the tree of life?
It is strange for protestants to profess that we are "One Catholic Church" or that there is "One Holy Catholic Church." How can protestants deny being Roman Catholic, but still be a member of the one Catholic Church?
Habakkuk is coming to grips with the reality that the Lord is bringing a nation worse than Israel to judge Israel. This does not seem possible, but this is what the Lord is doing. So, how does one cope with such disappointing news?