Meadow Creek Presbyterian Church: Recent Episodes
Justin Huston uses several different passages to discuss how God defines things like failure and success.
Moses uses Deuteronomy 6-11 as an exposition of the First Commandment: You shall have no other gods before me.
Christ has always used jars of clay to serve His church. He still raises up elders and deacons for His glory and our good.
God has used ordinary people like us to accomplish His purposes... even at Jesus' birth.
We pray, "Thy Will be Done on earth as it is In Heaven," but what does that mean exactly?
Jesus contemplates His coming passion and declares that God's name should be glorified. This is our example in life as well.
The Preface to the Lord's Prayer is powerful in scope, describing the God to whom we pray.
We have every reason for hope in the United States of America. Our God is in the heavens, He does whatever He pleases. And He loves His church.
Prayer is a wonderful privilege that most of us take for granted. We must turn to God once again.
Mary anointed Jesus with expensive ointment, preparing Him for burial. Stop and look at this sacrificial gift.
Our responsibility is to prayerfully vote for the most God-honoring party, platform, or person. But much more importantly, we should desire the Kingdom of God.
God's grace is part of a covenant made with Abraham, and it gives us hope, confidence, and motivation in life.
Jesus describes His identity in light of the world, His Father, and Abraham. He is God-
The Jews blasphemed the name of the Lord when they called Jesus a Samaritan. We break the 3rd commandment often as well.
Moses continues his exposition of the first commandment...You shall have no other gods before Me.
Jesus was rejected by almost everyone, yet He continued to love and teach them. He is our example.
After most of Jesus' disciples deserted Him, Peter asks, -To Whom shall we go-- You have the words of eternal life.-
Jesus knew exactly what he was going to do when He fed the 5000. He does today as well.
What Christ teaches us in the Sermon on the Mount is that murder is more than just an external act. It's something that we do every day.
Christ has the perfect evidence and witnesses of His divinity. Yet they still don't believe.
John the Baptist was a wonderful witness to Christ. Jesus said that he -burned and shined- brightly for a time. May we also burn and shine for Jesus.
Jesus is accused of breaking the 4th commandment, and of claiming to be God. One is wrong, the other is right.
Is Sunday a day devoted to the Lord, or a day devoted to our own pleasure and entertainment--
One of the biggest failures of the church today is the careless manner in which we approach the Lord's Day.
Knowing God is only possible after your eyes are opened in the new birth, the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.
Moses tells the Israelites that as they enter the Promised Land, facing great and mighty enemies, they should remember one thing above all else...God's Word.
Jesus cleanses the temple, showing His glory. He is the true Temple, in Him alone do we come to the Father to worship.
Jesus turns water into wine, displaying His glory. And also teaching us a lesson about the Kingdom of God.
God calls people to Himself using preaching, personal evangelism, and His Word. We should tell others the Good News-
John calls Jesus -the Lamb of God.- He's referring to the Old Testament, especially Gen 22.
Jesus came all the way down to us. The Creator became a creature. God became man and dwelt among us-
Paul boasted only in his weakness and suffering... because it was done with his eyes on Christ. He will bring all of His children to suffering for His own glory and the good of the church.
Daniel and his friends lived courageously in a hostile world, and God gave them wisdom.
We are all in a spiritual war, and God has given us weapons that are mighty....although they are despised by the world.
This world can appear chaotic and wicked, but the kingdom of God crushes all nations under its weight.
Even in tragedy we find hope in God. If you are in the darkest time of your life, there is hope for you.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the pivotal event of all human history.
When we see Paul's complete trust in God and the implications for the Christian life, we better understand how he was able to persevere under the emotional strain of his position.
God's Spirit live in the people of God, the Spirit of Christ is the Spirit of adoption. What a blessing-
Paul commended himself to the church by referencing his great endurance in the midst of suffering.
God appointed human ministers to transmit Gospel truth. He entrusted this sacred ministry to them.
Election is clearly emphasized throughout Scripture. Far from being an embarrassing, cold, impersonal Biblical doctrine, God's loving election of a people for Himself is the source of all the blessings of God for His children.
The ark of the covenant was captured. The priests of God were killed. Eli, the high priest, broke his neck. It seemed that the glory of God had indeed departed. But there was hope.
The kingdom of God is much grander and expansive than the Jewish Christians in Ephesus could ever imagine. The gospel is for everyone.
God showed great grace in His call of Samuel. Grace in bringing His Word, in His Providence, and in His Saving Call.
Prayer is the fist and most important thing that we can do in our Christian life, which is why it is so opposed by the devil, our own flesh, and the world.
Knowing Self is critical to knowing God. Paul understood exactly who he was, and he glorified God.
Hannah prayed to her God, informed by Scripture, and confident of His sovereign plan and goodness.
Paul tells Timothy that the false teachers are as bad as the worst law-breakers. They don't know God, they don't know His Word, and they have no right to be called teachers.
After 400 years of increasing darkness under the judges, Israel seemed in a hopeless place. Then God answered the prayer of an obscure woman named Hannah.
Paul tells Pastor Timothy what he and the church should focus on...sound doctrine. To fail here is to fail completely.
What has happened in our country and our world over the past 2 years has been extraordinary. Why did it happen- Was the world just unlucky- Was God involved in this-
Are you a coward for Christ, or a courageous Christian- The wise men and the shepherds show us great courage for Christ.
Are you a cowardly Christian, or do you show courage for Christ- Simeon and Anna showed courage in daily living, and Joseph and Mary were courageously obedient.
Matthew starts his gospel with a claim to the throne, showing that Jesus is truly the Son of David. The list also reveals the depravity of history, and the great redemption inaugurated at His birth.
The hope of a Savior is a hope that all humanity share. At the time of Jesus birth, the universe was bursting with anticipation.
We are all depraved, dead in sin. We are not even able to make a move towards God apart from His Spirit. This is the wonder of the Gospel-
God has charged all his disciples to shine as lights in the world, in all the nations. You should be strong and courageous as you fulfill your commission. It is not optional.
Both the women and the soldiers leave the empty tomb, both knowing the truth of what happened. Knowledge of the truth about Jesus doesn't save you. Love for the man, Jesus of Nazareth, must also be present.
When life became unbearable for David, he cried out to God. This psalm teaches us to pray in when we are miserable and doubt God's presence or plan.
It was an act of extreme futility to attempt to keep the Son of God in the grave. All of the efforts of man were a failure. He rose from the dead- And today it is just as futile to try to contain God or His church.
God will accomplish His purposes by even the most unlikely of people. Be faithful in all things, because the little things you do every day are precious to Almighty God.
On the cross God displayed His sovereignty, fulfilling ancient prophecies and all of His covenant promises.
When the foundations of society crumble beneath your feet, David says to take refuge in God.
When the world, the government, the society, becomes unjust and oppressive, David tells us not to fear but to trust God.
The thief on the cross shows the compassion and power of Jesus. Our God is mighty to save-
David trusts God to deal with His enemies. He doesn't take things into his own hands. Jesus fills out this trust relationship by explaining that we should do more than trust God, but actually love our enemies.
Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, submitted to suffering in body and soul on the day of His death. This informs and expands our love for the Man from Nazareth.
David gives God glory for all He has made in creation, and for all He has done. This leaves all men without excuse.
David teaches us to call on God- When we feel surrounded, when people desire to tear our souls to pieces, we call on God... OUR God.
Judas Iscariot betrayed our Lord, but he was unsuspected by any of the apostles. Everyone thought he was upright and he had a high position. We should all be warned to look at our own hearts, and see if we are like Judas. Self-deceived, self-righteous, self-absorbed, embracing an idea or a doctrine rather than a Man... the man, Jesus Christ.
Only hours after proclaiming that he would die with Jesus, Peter denied that he even knew his Lord three times. Why did this happen- How did this happen- And how has God equipped His church to grow in grace and truth, and recover when we fail like Peter.
David cries out to God in this psalm because of pain in his body, darkness in his soul, and enemies that pursue him. He points us to right prayer, and also points us to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus knows injustice and betrayal, more than any of us. Yet He faced His betrayal, unjust trial, and death not as a helpless victim, but as the the sovereign and majestic Son of God. The Lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world.
When Jesus prayed in the Garden, he contemplated the agony of the cross and wrath of His Father. Yet God his Father was with him.
Jesus said that the cup at His last supper with the disciples was the -new covenant in my blood.- What does this mean- It means so much for God's people.
Psalm 4 teaches us the secret of David's confidence in the trials and tribulations of life. He knew that he was God's own child. This knowledge changes everything for us as well.
In Psalm 3 David shows us how to suffer. He wrote this psalm as he fled from Absalom. We learn here how to walk in the confidence of Jesus Christ through the most difficult times.
Matthew contrasts the wicked priests who seek to kill Jesus, the wonderful anointing of Jesus by Mary to prepare him for burial, and the betrayal of Judas Iscariot. And all of this happened according to the definite plan of God, for our salvation-
Psalm 2 proclaims the Messiah- We see the world coming against God, the laughter of God at such rebellion, and the Son of God promised an inheritance. And this Son calls all people to repent and come.
In Psalm 1 we see the heart of God. He is glorified in us as we delight in His Word. But to do so we need His help, which He promises to give-
Jesus tells us that nobody knows the time of His 2nd coming, but that we should still strive to be ready. His return will be unexpected, but His judgment is certain.
In this last chapter of Zechariah we are warned of the wrath of the King, the King's grace of bringing in the nations, and the wonder of our inheritance in His holiness.
In the last chapter of Zechariah, God shows His people that in spite of the attacks of the world and the devil, He is in charge and fighting for His people. And the King will return and rule forever-
The Last Days... The End Times... Our culture has made passages like Matthew 24 into a puzzle to be pieced together. Like the book of the Revelation, these words are meant to be an encouragement, not a puzzle to be pieced together. Richard looks at the specific questions that the disciples ask Jesus, and shows the encouragement and warning that he gives them in response.
In Zechariah 13 God promises to save His people and make them holy, things that they couldn't do on their own. These promises are most fulfilled in the -true Israel-, the church.
Jesus said that the temple would be destroyed in one generation. It was. Yet he also promises that he is coming again- And he said that heaven and earth will pass away, but his words would never pass away. And they never will.
Just when it seemed that God's people had failed beyond all repair, God promises that he would Himself bring about the change that He desired. He would protect, empower, enliven, sanctify, and bring home those who are truly His people. Zechariah shows us that salvation is only from the Lord.
Zechariah tells of the discipline and the ultimate destruction of Israel. Why- They followed the way of their fathers. They rejected God's Word, His redemption, His leading, His prophets, and His Messiah. The pattern of rebellion-discipline-promise-restoration is seen again and again in Israel's history... and in our lives.
The people of Israel are told to pray. The shepherds of Israel are told that they failed. The God of Israel promises a Good Shepherd yet to come.
Jesus comes to Jerusalem announcing His kingship, riding through the King's Gate on a donkey as prophesied in Zechariah. He clears the temple and begins rebuking the Jewish leaders. After they try to trap him in his words 3 times, it's his turn to ask a question. Jesus is more than they thought He was.
Zechariah prophesies an impossible thing- the destruction of the Persian empire and all of the enemies of Israel. God brings about this prophecy by raising up a young Greek king named Alexander. But a greater king would come, as Zechariah prophesied, -riding on a donkey.- And this King is the greater King- He also does the impossible, but on a much grander scale than the Jews could ever imagine.
After rebuking the Israelites for fake worship, God then encourages His people with the promise to send His own presence. In this way, God brings faithfulness, blessing, joy, and salvation for them and for us.
The Jewish leaders seek to find cause to accuse Jesus, so they put him to the test 3 times. Each time Jesus not only answers their questions with ease, but instructs them. In doing so, He shows His glory and also instructs our own hearts.
Jesus continues to rebuke the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders. This parable shows the great expansion of kingdom in the New Covenant, and the danger of presuming to know God on our own strength. Hell is a reality.
God is not mocked- The Israelites are told that even their fasting was not pleasing to God. They are rebuked for feeble and self-centered worship. This is a rebuke and admonition for the church today.
The -night visions- of Zechariah paint a portrait of Jesus, referred to here as the Branch. As we walk the night of this earth, we take comfort in the detailed and personal providence of God, who gave us such a great High Priest.
This whole section is an indictment against the unbelief and hardness of the religions leaders.-And indeed of the people of Israel.-And their refusal to embrace their Messiah.-He will either be your Cornerstone or your crushing Stone.
Zechariah sees a vision of a scroll flying over all the earth, then another of a woman in a basket being removed from Israel. The Israelites needed to repent and turn back to God. So do we.
When Jesus cleansed the temple before His crucifixion, he restored proper worship in his Father's house for a short time. We see the love of God for all kinds of people in this event, even people like us.
Zechariah sees a vision of of a golden lamp stand that never runs out of oil. The word of the Lord for Zerubbabel is also for all of God's people- -Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord Almighty.-
By looking at the plague God brought against Egypt, the death of the firstborn, and the deliverance of Israel, we see how the Passover points us to our salvation in Jesus Christ.
We see in this vision Joshua given white clothes to replace his filthy clothes, representing the righteousness of Christ. After that, Jesus tells him to strive for holiness. God's sovereignty and man's responsibility are both displayed for our encouragement.
When Christ rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, it was a public declaration of His kingship. And many of those shouting -Hosanna-- would only a few days later be shouting -crucify him-- He was riding to His death to save sinners like you. This was why He came.
In the 2nd vision of Zechariah God reminds His people that they are safe, that He sees their suffering, and that He is their Avenger and will make all things right.
Zechariah sees a vision of the Angel of the Lord standing amongst some trees. Christ remains with His people today.
Zechariah tells the returned exiles to repent. We learn that repentance is also required for us today.
Jacob and Joseph both want to be buried in the land of Promise. They have great faith in the promises of God. In their deaths, their burials, and in their hope, they are examples for us today.
Jacob blesses his sons, prophetically inspired by God. The blessing received by Judah is fulfilled by David, but only partially. The true Lion of the Tribe of Judah was yet to come.
Jesus uses a child to show that we must be different from the world. He also tells us that, as children of God, we are very much loved.
Jacob adopted the sons of Joseph because he loved them, but also because he loved his son Joseph. He gave them a full inheritance as sons. God also adopts His own children, giving them great confidence in their future.
God often wants His children to wait. And His answers and His timing is often unexpected. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning.
All who knew the Incarnate Christ were changed forever. He issues a command to all- -Follow me.- -Do you really know the God-Man, Jesus of Nazareth- If you do, you will fear not, but will follow Jesus.
Grace is costly, but our culture cannot hear it. Hear how Jesus describes his mission, the selfless response of the true disciple, and culture's fixation on self.
Your Christmas needs to be reset- Richard tells us how, in light of the actual witnesses of the birth of Jesus Christ.