Good Shepherd Community Church: Recent Episodes
This sermon explores the biblical significance of the cloud of glory as a manifestation of God's presence, tracing its history from the Garden of Eden to the Exodus. It details how God guided the Israelites through the wilderness with a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, ultimately dwelling among them in the Tabernacle at Mount Sinai. The speaker emphasizes that this heavy, tangible presence signifies God's grace in inhabiting the midst of a sinful people, providing both protection and direction. The narrative highlights the transition from general fellowship to specific covenantal revelation, culminating in the dedication of the Tabernacle, where God's glory filled the Holy of Holies. Ultimately, the message underscores that the center of Israel's life was their worship and meeting at God's mobile presence in the Tabernacle.
This sermon explores the narrative of Daniel in the lion's den, highlighting his unwavering faithfulness and integrity amidst political intrigue. The preacher draws parallels between Daniel's trials and New Testament themes, emphasizing that supreme loyalty to God must prevail over human authority. Key theological points include the sovereignty of God over earthly kingdoms and the assurance of divine presence during suffering. Through detailed exposition and personal application, the message encourages believers to maintain consistent devotion regardless of consequences. Ultimately, it affirms that God is the living King whose eternal dominion surpasses all temporal powers.
This sermon walks through the prophet Ezekiel, chapters 8–11, under the theme "God's Patience with Human Sin Has a Limit," structured around three points: human sin repels God's glory , human sin reaps God's judgment, and God's mercy alone conquers human sin. These texts show Ezekiel's visions of the idolatry practiced within the Jerusalem temple—elders worshiping idols, women mourning the pagan god Tammuz, and men bowing down to the sun—and connects this to the departure of God's glory from the temple, which chapter 10 describes step by step as the direct consequence of the nation's persistent unfaithfulness and idolatry. The sermon frames Israel's judgment and eventual Babylonian exile as a sobering pattern of divine patience reaching its limit, while also highlighting the hope offered in chapter 11's promise of a new heart and spirit—ultimately pointing forward to the fulfillment of that promise through Christ's redemptive work in the New Testament.
This sermon examines Daniel chapter 5, focusing on the fall of Babylon and the divine judgment against King Belshazzar for his arrogance and desecration of holy vessels. The preacher highlights how God remains sovereign over human history, using empires to discipline pride just as He did with Nebuchadnezzar. Through the mysterious writing on the wall, God declares that Belshazzar has been weighed in the balances and found wanting, leading to the immediate transfer of power to the Medes and Persians. The message challenges listeners to recognize warning signs of spiritual rebellion and to maintain integrity before God rather than seeking worldly validation. Ultimately, the text serves as a sobering reminder that all authority comes from the Most High and that humility is essential for those who serve Him.
The sermon explores the tragic departure of God's glory from the earthly temple due to the severe idolatry and abominations committed by the people of Israel. It traces the historical significance of the tabernacle and Solomon's temple as places where Yahweh dwelt in concentrated presence among His covenant people. The preacher contrasts this holy dwelling with the spiritual corruption that forced God to vacate Jerusalem, highlighting the seriousness of mixing pagan practices with true worship. Ultimately, the message points to Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the earthly temple and emphasizes the need for believers to approach God with reverence and holiness through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
This sermon explores Ezekiel's dramatic prophetic sign-acts in Ezekiel 3–7 to demonstrate that God's intense, covenantal love demands exclusive devotion and holiness from His people. Beginning with the foundational authority of the Old Testament and Ezekiel's calling as a watchman, the text details four symbolic "street theater" demonstrations—the engraved brick, lying on his side, the starvation diet, and the shaved hair—that vividly portray the siege, famine, and destruction awaiting rebellious Jerusalem. Because Israel spurned God's love and defiled His sanctuary with idols, His righteous judgment becomes necessary to strip away their false securities . Yet, despite this severe condemnation, the sermon connects Ezekiel's symbolic burden-bearing to Jesus Christ, who ultimately bore the full weight of human sin on the cross to redeem a faithful, repentant remnant and restore them to complete devotion.
This interactive teaching examines King Nebuchadnezzar's journey from arrogant pride to humble submission through the events of Daniel chapter four. The teacher contrasts the king's indirect acknowledgments of God in earlier chapters with his direct praise after experiencing divine judgment for his self-exaltation. Central to the message is the theological truth that God sovereignly rules over human kingdoms and humbles those who walk in arrogance. The text emphasizes that genuine repentance requires active righteousness and mercy toward others, rather than mere verbal apology. Ultimately, the sermon illustrates how God's corrective discipline serves as a merciful invitation to recognize His eternal dominion and restore right relationship with Him.
This sermon explores Ezekiel's commission as a watchman for the house of Israel, emphasizing the necessity of the Holy Spirit in receiving and delivering God's word. The preacher highlights the paradox of the scroll being sweet to eat yet containing messages of lamentation, illustrating that God's truth is inherently valuable despite its challenging nature. Central to the message is the call for ministers to remain faithful to their divine mandate regardless of the audience's stubbornness or refusal to listen. The text underscores the serious responsibility placed on prophets and preachers to warn both the wicked and the righteous, ensuring they do not bear guilt for those who reject the warning. Ultimately, the sermon urges believers to internalize God's word with humility and obedience, recognizing that hearing is a prerequisite for faithful action.
This sermon explores Ezekiel's commission as a watchman to the rebellious exiles in Babylon, emphasizing God's enduring presence and power even in times of judgment. It highlights the prophet's need for divine strength through the Holy Spirit to deliver difficult messages of warning and repentance to a stubborn people. Ezekiel's duty as a watchman is part of the OT foundation for the New Testament mandate for believers today to faithfully proclaim the Gospel without fear of rejection. Key themes include the sweetness of God's Word, the seriousness of spiritual responsibility, and the assurance that God equips His servants for their tasks. The message concludes with an exhortation for listeners to rely on God's strength to witness effectively in their own contexts.This sermon explores Ezekiel's commission as a watchman to the rebellious exiles in Babylon, emphasizing God's enduring presence and power even in times of judgment. It highlights the prophet's need for divine strength through the Holy Spirit to deliver difficult messages of warning and repentance to a stubborn people. Ezekiel's duty as a watchman is part of the OT foundation for the New Testament mandate for believers today to faithfully proclaim the Gospel without fear of rejection. Key themes include the sweetness of God's Word, the seriousness of spiritual responsibility, and the assurance that God equips His servants for their tasks. The message concludes with an exhortation for listeners to rely on God's strength to witness effectively in their own contexts.
The sermon examines the biblical account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refusing to worship King Nebuchadnezzar's golden statue, highlighting their unwavering faith despite the threat of death in a fiery furnace. It explores the theological significance of the fourth figure in the fire as a theophany or Christophany, demonstrating God's power to deliver His people. The preacher contrasts the Hebrew youths' loyalty with Nebuchadnezzar's pride and subsequent acknowledgment of the Most High God's sovereignty. Additionally, the discussion clarifies the chronological gaps in the Book of Daniel, distinguishing between historical events and prophetic visions. The message concludes by warning against spiritual amnesia and urging believers to recognize God's ultimate control over all earthly kingdoms.
This sermon explores the nature of Christian worship through the lens of Ephesians, emphasizing that true worship is a Spirit-filled, communal act rather than a private experience. The preacher highlights the dual direction of congregational singing, which simultaneously addresses God vertically and edifies fellow believers horizontally. By integrating Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, the church expresses a full range of biblical emotion and theological truth while remaining alive to the Holy Spirit's movement. The message strongly advocates for physical gathering over digital consumption, arguing that mutual edification requires the presence of the body of Christ. Ultimately, worship is defined as dependence on God through song and intercessory prayer, reflecting the church's identity as the habitation of the Spirit.
The sermon explores Ezekiel's vision of God's glory amidst the Babylonian exile, emphasizing that God is not confined to the Jerusalem temple but moves with His people even in judgment. By analyzing the symbolic imagery of the storm, living creatures, and wheels, the text highlights God's holiness, omnipotence, and sovereignty over history. The preacher connects this ancient revelation to the incarnation, illustrating how God enters human brokenness to bring reconciliation and restoration. Ultimately, the message assures believers that God remains present and active in their struggles, calling them to humility and trust in His covenant faithfulness.
This podcast explores How the Church Functions, Equips, and Builds Itself Up in Love based on Ephesians 4.
The sermon examines the biblical narrative of Daniel and his friends in Babylon, focusing on the conflict between cultural assimilation and religious fidelity. It highlights King Nebuchadnezzar's attempt to erase Hebrew identity through indoctrination and the subsequent decree mandating worship of a golden image. The preacher emphasizes Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's unwavering trust in God, illustrating that true faith persists even if deliverance does not occur. Through personal testimonies and historical context, the message encourages believers to maintain their loyalty to Christ amidst societal pressure and persecution. Ultimately, the account demonstrates God's power to protect those who refuse to compromise their allegiance to Him.
The main idea of this sermon is that "the goal of all evangelism is to bring people into active participation in the life of the local church." Grounded in Ephesians 1:22–23 and other passages from the Epistle to the Ephesians the sermon outlines how the local church serves as the body of Christ, a manifestation of His fullness, and a cosmic display of God's glory and wisdom. Evangelism is incomplete without incorporating new converts into a local congregation where discipleship and sanctification take place. Seven distinct marks of church life are referenced—including mutual love, congregational worship, and prayer—and underscores the fact that active participation in the local church is an essential, irreplaceable source of strength and encouragement for the believer's life.
The sermon defines the church as the visible earthly presence and body of the risen Christ, emphasizing its central role in God's redemptive plan rather than viewing it as an optional institution. It outlines three primary marks of a healthy local assembly: faith directed upward toward Jesus, love extended outward to all saints regardless of status, and Spirit-given unity maintained through patient humility. The preacher argues that the church serves as the instrument through which Christ continues his ministry and displays God's manifold wisdom to spiritual powers by uniting diverse peoples into one body. This cosmic significance underscores the necessity of face-to-face participation in a local congregation for genuine Christian discipleship and spiritual growth. Ultimately, the gathering of believers glorifies God and functions under the headship of Jesus Christ as they await his return.
This sermon examines Daniel's interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream, highlighting the supremacy of God over human history and political powers. The preacher emphasizes that true wisdom and revelation come solely from God, who reveals mysteries to those who seek Him in prayer and humility. Central to the message is the prophecy of an everlasting kingdom established by God that will destroy all earthly empires, fulfilled ultimately in Jesus Christ. The transcript connects this ancient vision to the present reality of the church as an agent of God's kingdom, urging believers to trust in divine sovereignty during times of crisis. The study concludes with a call to worship and faith, affirming that God controls the rise and fall of nations according to His sovereign plan.
The sermon examines the life of King Manasseh, highlighting his extreme wickedness followed by profound repentance and divine forgiveness. It emphasizes that God's mercy extends even to the most sinful individuals who humble themselves before Him. The narrative also explores the lasting impact of parental sin on children, noting how Manasseh's early rebellion influenced his son Amon's evil reign. Despite this negative legacy, Manasseh's later restoration demonstrates the power of genuine faith and obedience. The message encourages listeners to seek God's grace while acknowledging the spiritual responsibility parents hold over their offspring.
The sermon argues that biblical evangelism extends beyond individual conversion to include incorporation into the local church for discipleship and sanctification. Drawing primarily from Acts 2 and the Great Commission, it establishes that Christ gathers believers through the proclamation of the gospel and nurtures them within the community of faith. The speaker critiques modern reductionist approaches to sharing the message, emphasizing that true evangelism involves conviction, repentance, baptism, and ongoing participation in the life of the assembly. This holistic pattern ensures that new believers are not merely saved but are actively discipled and equipped for service within the body of Christ. Ultimately, the goal of gospel proclamation is the growth of the visible church as a covenant community reflecting God's kingdom on earth.
The sermon explores the theological significance of the Sabbath years and the resulting Babylonian exile as a consequence of Israel's disobedience. It examines Daniel chapter two, highlighting how God sovereignly reveals hidden mysteries to Nebuchadnezzar through Daniel, demonstrating His ultimate authority over earthly kingdoms. The preacher emphasizes that true wisdom and power belong solely to God, who directs history and removes rulers according to His will. By contrasting pagan reliance on magicians with Daniel's faithful prayer, the message underscores divine providence in preserving His people. The central theme affirms that God reveals future events to fulfill His purposes and to expose the limitations of human power.
This message focuses on how the early Christian church in Thessalonica serves as a timeless example of a congregation faithfully proclaiming the gospel. Drawing from Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians and the historical context of Acts 17, the sermon details how the Thessalonian believers embraced the word of God with both joy and affliction, ultimately spreading their faith so thoroughly throughout Greece that they effectively fulfilled the evangelistic work in their region on behalf of the apostles. The sermon emphasizes that the gospel remains just as powerful today, and it concludes with a practical call to action, encouraging modern believers to be active, Spirit-led witnesses by intentionally utilizing everyday opportunities, personal hospitality, and gentle, respectful dialogue to share the message of Christ.
Every Christian is called to bear witness to who Jesus is and what he has accomplished by his death, burial and resurrection from the dead for those who believe in Him and confess him. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, Romans 10:4-13. We are to witness to him by using his Word recorded in promise in the Law, the prophets and the psalms and how Jesus fulfilled them as the Messiah as recorded in the New Testament. Examples are given in Acts 5, 7 and 8 of Peter, Stephen and Philip doing as Christ commanded in Luke 24:44-49.
The sermon calls believers to embrace their identity as a sent people. Because God has sent His Son and His Spirit, the Church is now commissioned to proclaim Christ to the world until His return, relying on the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to fulfill that mission.
The sermon introduces biblical apocalyptic literature as a genre defined by symbolic imagery and allegory rather than literal narrative. It explains that this style emerged in crisis environments to comfort oppressed communities by revealing God's ultimate sovereignty over history. By comparing the book of Daniel with Revelation, the teaching highlights how recurring symbols like horses and beasts represent spiritual forces and earthly powers. The analysis emphasizes interpreting these texts through their historical context and Old Testament parallels to grasp their theological intent. Ultimately, the message assures believers of God's control and the final victory of His kingdom amidst present suffering.
This sermon explores how God's eternal plan of salvation is being historically fulfilled through the global expansion of the Gospel. The text states that Jesus Christ came as a servant to the Jewish people to fulfill covenant promises made to the patriarchs, yet he simultaneously extended unmerited divine mercy to the Gentiles. By citing four specific OT texts, primarily from the Psalms, the Apostle Paul demonstrates that the inclusion of all nations in the worship of Yahweh was always God's intention, though its implementation awaited the proper timing of the Messiah's arrival. The sermon serves as a celebratory reminder of God's sovereign grace and a motivational call for believers today to act as instruments of His Gospel, fostering universal praise and making His saving power known across all nations and local communities.
This episode of Bible Insights with Wayne Conrad explores the theological connection between God's historical covenant with Israel and His ultimate, universal desire to offer salvation to all nations. God's purpose for Israel was never isolated but rooted in His universal desire to reveal Himself to all nations. From the beginning, humanity's fall into sin and idolatry left the world in spiritual darkness, yet God chose Abram not for Israel's sake alone, but to bless all the families of the earth through him. Through the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants, God established a people who would embody His character, foreshadow the Messiah, and ultimately prepare the way for Jesus Christ—the true Israelite and Savior of the world. The entire biblical narrative unfolds as God's redemptive plan to gather a great multitude from every nation, tribe, and language, who now worship the Lamb and the Father in eternal glory. This global fulfillment of covenant promises is being realized today through the gospel, as God calls people from every corner of the earth to know Him through His Son.
This sermon explores the genre of apocalyptic literature, using the book of Daniel and the prophecies of Ezekiel as primary case studies. The speaker explains that this specialized prophetic style employs vivid symbolism and surreal imagery to reveal divine mysteries and provide hope during times of crisis and persecution. By analyzing Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones and his chariot throne, the transcript demonstrates how God uses these powerful pictures to assure displaced believers of His sovereignty, presence, and promise of restoration. The central message emphasizes that apocalyptic texts are designed to sustain faith and anchor weary believers in God's ultimate control over history.
The sermon centers on the profound revelation of God as Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—unveiled through Jesus' words in John 14, where He declares Himself the way, truth, and life, and promises that to see Him is to see the Father. It emphasizes that God's eternal nature, expressed in the divine name 'I am who I am,' is not a solitary, distant deity but a self-sufficient, mutually indwelling community of love, eternally existing in perfect fellowship. The passage confronts human attempts to compartmentalize or reduce God to mere concepts, affirming instead that true knowledge of God comes only through Jesus Christ, who reveals the Father and makes the divine presence accessible through the Holy Spirit. The sermon underscores that the believer's experience of God is not abstract but intimate: the Father, Son, and Spirit dwell with and in believers, fulfilling Christ's promise to not leave them as orphans, and culminating in the believer's eternal union with God, where love, obedience, and divine indwelling are inseparable.
The Day of Pentecost marks the sovereign outpouring of the Holy Spirit, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy and inaugurating the Church as God's new covenant community. Through the dramatic phenomena of wind and fire, the disciples were empowered to speak in tongues, enabling a multilingual proclamation of the wonders of God that drew a diverse crowd to hear the gospel. Peter, empowered by the Spirit, preached a powerful sermon rooted in Scripture, declaring Jesus as the crucified and resurrected Messiah, whose resurrection was foretold by David and confirmed by divine power. The message led to conviction, repentance, and baptism, resulting in the immediate conversion of 3,000 people—a spiritual harvest symbolizing the beginning of the Church's mission to the ends of the earth. This event demonstrates that Pentecost is not merely a historical milestone but a living reality where the Holy Spirit continues to convict, regenerate, and gather believers into the body of Christ through the preaching of the gospel, all to the glory of God.
This sermon focuses on the person, divinity, and work of the Holy Spirit, based primarily on Acts 2:1-21. Pastor Jeff introduces the Holy Spirit as the co-equal third person of the Trinity , emphasizing Jesus' promises from the Gospel of John that the Spirit would serve as an internal, omnipresent Helper for believers. Four principal ideas are seen in this passage: the Holy Spirit came down sovereignly under God's timing and power, fell indiscriminately across various people and language groups to unite them in praising God, was poured out as a direct fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy from the book of Joel , and ultimately enables people to be saved from sin as the same Spirit awakens them from spiritual death. Listeners are exhorted to be grateful, open and obedient to the Holy Spirit and to be proactive in sharing the Gospel with individuals from every walk of life.
The sermon presents the ascension of Jesus Christ not as a departure but as his coronation as the triumphant, conquering King who has defeated Satan through his incarnation, life, death, and resurrection. Centered on Scripture from Hebrews, 1 Peter, and Revelation, it portrays Christ as the divine warrior—Joshua—fulfilling God's redemptive mission by reclaiming humanity from the enemy's dominion, defeating sin and death through his sacrifice, and ascending to sit at the right hand of God with all spiritual powers subject to him. The ascension is depicted as the climax of Christ's victory, where he triumphs over evil, disarms demonic authorities, and establishes his eternal reign, empowering believers through the Holy Spirit to live as citizens of heaven, engaged in spiritual warfare against fear, anxiety, and temptation. The message calls Christians to live in the reality of Christ's present victory, setting their minds on heavenly things, bearing witness to his lordship, and anticipating his glorious return as the King who will ultimately restore all things.
This sermon looks at the ascension of Jesus in his resurrected immortal body from the perspective of his current heavenly reign culminating in the utter defeat of Satan and the results of sin at his physical return to earth as the Judge.
While the Church rightly celebrates the Incarnation (the birth of Christ) and the Resurrection (His victory over death), the Ascension is often overlooked. Yet, the story of our salvation is incomplete without it. In this message we consider the necessity of Jesus ascension to the right hand of the Father.
Jesus Christ's resurrection serves as the vital foundation for Christian living and service. In 1 Peter 4:7-11, we see four primary commands for believers: maintaining a serious commitment to sanctification through self-control and sober-mindedness, prioritizing earnest love for one another, practicing hospitality without complaint, and faithfully exercising spiritual gifts of service as stewards of God's grace. These actions are not mere duties but are fueled by the same "immeasurable power" that raised Christ from the dead, intended to transform the believer's life. Ultimately the overarching goal of all Christian conduct and service is to ensure that God is glorified through Jesus Christ in the life of every Christian and in the mutual life in the local church assembly.
This sermon, titled "Living the Resurrection Life," explores the radical transformation of the believer as detailed in Romans 6:1–14. Addressing a misconception that God's abundant grace provides a license for continued sin, the message affirms that those who belong to Christ have undergone a spiritual "regeneration"—dying to their old identity in Adam and being raised to a new life in Christ. Through the lens of baptism as an "acted parable," the sermon illustrates our union with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection, signifying that the tyranny of sin has been broken. While acknowledging the ongoing presence of temptation in a fallen body, the speaker encourages believers to live as "resurrected people" empowered by the Holy Spirit, grounded in the certainty of their new identity and the future hope of physical glorification.
The risen, ascended Christ does not intend to leave his people spiritually frail and famished on earth. Through weekly participation in the Lord's Supper, believers commune with the Lord Jesus as he is the invisible host at the Table. The Lord's special presence by his Spirit, renewed assurance of sins forgiven, and expressed union with the body of Christ make this time a highlight of every Lord's Day gathering. The cruciality and value of the Holy Table needs to be given full weight in our Christian worship services. Therefore, let's stop diminishing the Lord's Supper.
"The Imperative of Gathered Worship" — Bible Insights with Wayne Conrad What if skipping church isn't just a personal choice — but a quiet unraveling of your faith? In this thought-provoking episode, Wayne Conrad challenges one of the most common habits of modern Christianity: the slow drift away from gathered worship. With a pastor's warmth and a theologian's precision, he dismantles comfortable excuses — "I can worship God on the golf course," "I connect with God better on my own" — and replaces them with a compelling, scripture-rooted case for why community isn't optional for the Christian life. Conrad traces the thread from Israel assembled at Sinai, to Jesus himself making it his custom to attend the synagogue every week, to the early church meeting house-to-house with prayer, teaching, and the Lord's Supper at the center. The pattern is ancient, consistent, and — he argues — still binding. But this isn't a legalistic scolding. It's a love letter. Conrad reframes attendance not as a religious duty but as a matter of devotion: Christ loved the church and gave himself for it. Every Lord's Day, he suggests, Christ is waiting — and the question is whether we show up. Whether you're a faithful churchgoer, a spiritual drifter, or somewhere in between, this episode will make you think carefully about what it means to belong to the body of Christ — and what we lose when we quietly opt out.
The church is fundamentally the resurrection community—a people formed around faith in the risen Lord Jesus Christ. The church did not suddenly appear at Pentecost, nor did it fully exist from the Garden of Eden. Instead, the church developed progressively through three stages: roots in Israel, embryo in Christ's earthly ministry, and birth through the resurrection and Pentecost. The church's roots go back to God's covenant with Abraham, the nation of Israel, and the promises of the Messiah found in the Mosaic and Davidic covenants. These Old Testament foundations prepared the way for Christ and the formation of His people. During Jesus' earthly ministry, the church existed in embryo as He called the twelve apostles and gathered disciples around Himself, teaching them about the kingdom of God and laying the foundation for the future church. The birth of the church occurred when Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to His disciples. The resurrection transformed fearful followers into bold witnesses and confirmed that Jesus is Lord. During the 40 days after His resurrection, Jesus taught His disciples, commissioned them, and prepared them for their mission. Pentecost then marked the public, Spirit-empowered launch of the church as believers were empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel to all nations. The church is therefore the body of Christ, composed of both Jews and Gentiles united in faith. Jesus is its head, the apostles and prophets form its foundation, and believers are being built together as God's dwelling place through the Spirit. The church exists visibly in local assemblies where believers gather for worship, teaching, fellowship.
The sermon centers on the essential Christian doctrine of the bodily resurrection, rooted in the historical resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the foundation of the gospel and the guarantee of future resurrection for all believers. Drawing from key passages in John and 1 Corinthians 15, it emphasizes that Christ's resurrection is not a spiritual one but is physical and bodily, thus, establishing the reality of a future resurrection when believers will be raised with glorified, imperishable bodies. The sermon distinguishes between the spiritual resurrection that occurs at regeneration —where believers pass from death to life—and the final, bodily resurrection at Christ's return, which will transform all who are in Christ. It underscores that this hope is not vague or uncertain, but certain, grounded in Christ's victory over death. It calls believers to live with steadfast faith, knowing their present actions matter because their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and will be glorified. The resurrection is both a present reality in union with Christ and a future consummation, transforming grief into hope and motivating faithful service in anticipation of eternal life in the new heavens and new earth.
In this episode of Bible Insights, Wayne Conrad explains the biblical doctrine of Christ's finished work on the cross, centering on Jesus' declaration, "It is finished" (tetelestai), as a proclamation that His atoning sacrifice fully satisfied God's wrath against sin. Drawing especially from Hebrews 9–10, he emphasizes that Christ offered Himself once for all—unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament priests—and, having completed His priestly work, now sits at the right hand of God. The podcast contrasts this teaching with the Roman Catholic doctrine of the Mass, particularly as defined at the Council of Trent, arguing that the idea of a repeated or ongoing propitiatory sacrifice contradicts Scripture. Highlighting the unity of the Protestant Reformers such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Ulrich Zwingli, Conrad affirms that salvation rests entirely on Christ's completed work and is received by faith alone, not by human merit or ritual. He concludes by urging the church to recover clear, robust doctrinal teaching so that believers may rest in the assurance and peace that flow from the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ
This sermon focuses on the apostolic testimony regarding the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the "Living Savior". The testimony of the apostles and apostolic associates are recorded as the writings of the New Testament. They are the God-ordained, Spirit-inspired revelation of the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As such they are as real and authoritative to us today as if we ourselves were at the events or as if God himself speaks from heaven directly to us regarding the Jesus event. Drawing from Acts 10:34-44, the message emphasizes that the eyewitness accounts of the apostles—who saw, heard, and even ate with the risen Christ—serve as the authoritative and sufficient foundation for Christian faith. The sermon highlights that Jesus' physical resurrection was a cosmic event that fulfilled Old Testament prophecy, conquered the forces of evil, and provided the "living hope" of forgiveness of sins and eternal life for all who believe. Christian believers find unshakeable joy in the historical reality of the resurrection, noting that while Jesus is now at the Father's right hand, He remains an active, powerful presence with his people and who will one day return to judge the living and the dead.
The podcast teaches that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central message of the Christian gospel, especially in the Book of Acts. The apostles consistently proclaimed not only Christ's death for sins but His bodily resurrection as the decisive proof that He is Lord and Messiah. They supported this message through eyewitness testimony, fulfillment of Old Testament Scripture, and the present power of the Holy Spirit working among them. This resurrection empowered their bold preaching despite persecution, brought thousands to faith, and confirmed both the promise of salvation and the reality of coming judgment. The proper response, therefore, is to repent, believe in Christ, and receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
Jesus Christ fulfills the Feast of Firstfruits through His resurrection, which guarantees that all who belong to Him will also be raised from the dead. In the Old Testament, Israel offered the first portion of the harvest to God as an acknowledgment that everything belonged to Him, as an act of faith that He would provide more, and as a promise that the full harvest was coming. This ceremony pointed forward to Christ, who, after dying as our Passover Lamb, rose from the dead as the "firstfruits" of the resurrection, as taught in 1 Corinthians 15. Just as the first sheaf guaranteed the rest of the crop, Christ's resurrection guarantees the future resurrection of believers and the final defeat of death. Even now, believers experience the firstfruits of this promise through new spiritual life and the indwelling Holy Spirit, though we still await the full harvest when Christ returns and raises His people in glorified bodies. Therefore, because Christ is the firstfruits, Christians live with hope, pursue holiness, trust God with their lives, and serve faithfully, knowing that resurrection life has already begun and the full harvest is certain.
The Day of Atonement, known as Yom Kippur, was the most sacred ritual of the year prescribed under the Mosaic law. Every fall in the seventh month of the Jewish calender the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies, the inner sanctum in the temple in Jerusalem. He would take the blood of a bull to cover his own sins and the sins of his family. Then he would take the blood of a goat to cover the sins of the people and apply it around the ark of the covenant as he had applied the bull's blood. But then he would lay his hands on a second goat and confess all the sins of the nation. A designated man would subsequently lead the goat off to a remote place in the wilderness and let it go. All this was a type (pattern or example) or a foreshadowing of the coming work of Christ on the cross whose suffering not only bore the wrath of God against his people's sins (known as "propitiation") but truly and completely removed them "as far as the east is from the west" and "cast them into the depth of the sea." What was foreshadowed or pictured under the Old Covenant became true, complete, and final in the New Covenant secured by Jesus' shed blood on Calvary's cross.
Day of Atonement: Two Goats and Jesus Christ Was the sacrifice of Jesus a "down payment" for salvation, or did it pay the debt in full? In this episode of Bible Insights, Wayne Conrad explores the profound relationship between the Old Testament Day of Atonement and its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. By comparing the "shadow" found in Leviticus 16 with the "substance" revealed in Hebrews 9, we examine how Jesus alone embodies the work typified by the two goats. We also dive into a theological contrast between the Reformed evangelical view of a finished atonement and the Seventh-day Adventist teaching regarding the role of the scapegoat. Key highlights include: The Finished Work: Why R.C. Sproul argued that "if we don't get the doctrine of atonement right, we don't have a gospel at all." Shadow vs. Reality: Understanding the biblical relationship between the rituals of Leviticus and the reality of the Cross. Atonement Defined: A look at why Christ's sacrifice provides actual and complete atonement rather than just a "possibility" for salvation. Join us as we search the Scriptures to find assurance in the "double cure" of Christ's finished work.
The sermon presents a profound theological connection between the Old Testament Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16 and its fulfillment in Jesus Christ as revealed in Hebrews 9 and 10, illustrating how the shadow of ritual sacrifice points to the substance of Christ's redemptive work. Through the dual symbolism of the two goats—one slain to satisfy divine justice and the other sent into the wilderness to carry away sin—the Old Covenant ritual prefigures Christ's dual role as both the sacrificial Lamb who bears punishment and the living High Priest who removes guilt forever. Jesus fulfills this pattern not through repeated earthly rituals, but through His once-for-all sacrifice on the cross, His resurrection, and His eternal intercession in heaven, where He now sits at God's right hand, having completed the work of atonement. The result is not merely ceremonial cleansing, but the purifying of the conscience, enabling believers to serve the living God in true worship. This eternal redemption, accomplished through Christ's perfect sacrifice, renders all other offerings obsolete and establishes a permanent, definitive reconciliation between God and humanity. The Day of Atonement and its ritual of the two goats were a prefigurement of the actual atonement made by Jesus Christ on the cross followed by his death-burial-resurrection and ascension into heaven.
After being delivered from Egyptian slavery, the Israelites harshly complained against God and his servant Moses during their wilderness wandering. We read in Numbers 21 that once again they grumbled because of their lack of water and their weariness in eating manna day after day. In response, Yahweh sent fiery serpents among them in judgment and many died. When the people asked Moses to beseech God to remove the serpents, Yahweh told Moses to construct a bronze snake and put it on a pole and anyone bitten by the snakes could gaze at the bronze snake and be healed. Jesus referred to this incident in John 3:14-15 and said that in like manner to the bronze snake, he would be lifted up so that anyone who believes in him may have eternal life. The physical healing resulting from gazing at the bronze snake was a type or foreshadowing of the spiritual healing that comes from looking in faith to the crucified Christ. "Look to Jesus Christ and live!"
This episode is a narrative story of the internal worship experience based on the actual worship guide of the service. It begins and ends with the Apostle John's closing words in his letter. Little children keep yourselves from idols.
Genesis 22 along with Heb. 11:17-19 present us with an example of a key "type" (i.e., pattern, model, foreshadowing) in the Old Testament of the substitutionary sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ for the sins of his people. In these passages we see the unwavering faith of Abraham that God would preserve the life of Isaac so that through him a multitude of peoples would be born. We see the quiet trust and submission of Isaac to his father's acts of presenting the burnt offering to God. Most wonderfully, we see the picture of Yahweh's gracious provision of the ram (his Son Jesus Christ) as the offering for the sins of his people.
The Apostle John in his first epistle is seeking to establish believers in their faith by assuring them that if they believe in Jesus as the Christ, the incarnate Son of God, they can know for certain that they now possess eternal life, the very life of Christ, internally ministered by the Holy Spirit. This certain knowledge of personal union with Jesus Christ is a gift from God. But being recipients of such a gracious salvation does not exempt us from the temptation of clinging to idols in our minds and hearts of things or persons which rob our devotion to God. So John duly warns us of the danger - a surprising end to his letter, but also a needed "reality check" on our Christian lives.
As we enter the worship of God in the gathering of his people we need to heed the caution lights of Ecclesiastes 5. We are entering the presence of the holy King of the universe and our Father through faith in Jesus Christ. Such a high and holy privilege requires intentionality, putting away distractions and listening to God's Word shared in reading, singing, praying, teaching, preaching. We are to worship God with reverence and awe.
This sermon explores the themes of assurance and divine confidence found in 1 John 5:13-19, emphasizing that believers can know with certainty that they possess eternal life through Jesus Christ. This foundational knowledge provides the confidence that God hears and grants prayers when they align with His will, which is discovered through the study of Scripture Additionally, the text highlights the believer's role in praying for fellow Christians who stumble, while reassuring struggling believers of Christ's protection against the power of the "evil one." Ultimately, the passage contrasts the secure, enlightened life of a child of God with a world that remains under spiritual darkness.
Send a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1248857/open_sms) In this episode of Bible Insights, host Wayne Conrad explores the foundational identity of Jesus Christ through the lens of 1 John 5. Addressing the "doctrinal erosion" that threatened the early church, Conrad breaks down the "triple witness"—the water, the blood, and the Spirit—that confirms Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah. Bible Insights with Wayne Conrad Contact: 8441 Hunnicut Rd Dallas, Texas 75228 email: Att. Bible Insights Wayne Conrad gsccdallas@gmail.com (Good Shepherd Church) Donation https://gsccdallas.org https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJTZX6qasIrPmC1wQpben9g https://www.facebook.com/waconrad or gscc https://www.sermonaudio.com/gscc Spirit, Truth and Grace Ministries Phone # 214-324-9915 leave message with number for call back Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
In this sermon, Wayne Conrad explores the foundational evidence for the identity of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, drawing from the Apostle John's "triple witness" in 1 John 5. Navigating the historical and spiritual controversy surrounding Jesus' claims, the message identifies the three divine testimonies—the water of His baptism, the blood of His crucifixion, and the present-tense witness of the Holy Spirit—which together confirm Christ's true humanity and His finished work of atonement. Listeners are challenged to recognize the spiritual battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil, and to find absolute assurance in the fact that eternal life resides exclusively in the Son. This teaching serves as a call to move beyond doubt and embrace the certainty of God's own testimony, reminding believers that to have the Son is to possess life indeed.
Today is Ash Wednesday on the Christian Year cycle. A number of Christian group gather for worship for the beginning of Lent. The actual word lent comes from Latin, ver which refers primarily to spring. However, the term as used in church is time of preparation for the coming focus on Jesus' sufferings and death and the glory of his resurrection. Even if you do not observe Lent with fasting and self-reflection the ritual of Ash Wednesday brings before us some vital Biblical truths. Primarily the mark of ash on the forehead carries the truth of our mortality and the need for ongoing repentance in our lives. This podcast looks at the trail of ashes in the Biblical story.
The writings of the Apostle John gives prominence to the idea of overcoming the devil and world system and the old human nature termed our flesh. We are engaged in a spiritual war consisting of many battles. We can overcome the world, the flesh and the devil in union with our Lord Jesus. We conqueror only because Jesus overcame and our faith is in him. However we cannot be passive in this battle. Our faith must be active in the war. The Lord has gifted us with necessary actions that equip us and build us up. These consist of reading the Bible for understanding of the writer's thoughts, praying which is talking to God as expression of our relationship to him and other believers. A major means is attendance and active involvement in the corporate worship of our God and Savior plus active fellowship with our spiritual family, fellow believers. 1 John 5:3-5 For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers (overcomes) the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? NRSV
Christians live with many persuasive voices—religious, cultural, and spiritual—and therefore must not be gullible nor cynical, but discerning. John's command is clear: "Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God." The reason for testing is that many false prophets have gone out into the world. False teaching often sounds spiritual and convincing. Discernment, however, is not suspicion; it is love guarding the truth. Several key tests drawn from the text: 1. The Christological Test The primary test concerns the identity of Jesus Christ. True teaching confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh—fully God and fully man. Any teaching that denies or distorts Christ's incarnation, deity, humanity, or saving work reflects the spirit of the Antichrist. Redefining Jesus while using religious language is a mark of error. 2. The Apostolic Test True doctrine aligns with the apostolic witness preserved in Scripture. Those who know God listen to the apostles' teaching; those shaped by the world reject it. Scripture—Old and New Testaments together—is the authoritative standard for testing all spiritual claims. 3. The Reception Test The world often embraces false teaching and resists biblical truth. Fidelity to apostolic truth, not success or charisma, is the true measure. 4. The Goal and Fruit Test The Spirit of truth exalts Christ, produces worship of God, nurtures godliness, and brings assurance through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The spirit of error promotes self-centered independence, false ideas, and deception—even if it appears impressive or spectacular. The ultimate focus must remain on Jesus Christ, his person and work.
1 John is a theologically rich and compact book - essential divine truths are laid out in rapid succession and are often repeated; such is the case in this passage. In only nine verses John puts forth the following doctrines: 1) The Love of God for His People 2) The Reality of the Mutual Abiding of God and the Believer 3) The Gift of the Spirit 4) The Father Sending His Son from Heaven 5) The Profusions [outpouring, extravagances] of the Love of God 6) The Necessity of Brotherly Love It is the Spirit who confirms these realities and necessities in the Christian life. Thanks be to God for such a rich feast for our minds and hearts!
Using Psalm 95 the author of Hebrews warns believers, Christians, of the danger of falling away from following Christ. Two references are recalled of how to Stop the regression by remembering God's Word of promise and the confession of a true faith. "Well, on Saturday, about midnight the pilgrims began to pray; and continued in prayer till almost break of day. Now a little before it was day, good CHRISTIAN, as one half amazed, break out in this passionate speech: "What a fool," quoth he, "am I, thus to lie in a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty! I have a key in my bosom called Promise; that will, I am persuaded, open any lock in Doubting Castle." Then said HOPEFUL, "That's good news; good brother, pluck it out of thy bosom, and try." Then CHRISTIAN pulled it out of his bosom, and began to try at the dungeon door; whose bolt (as he turned the key) gave back, and the door flew open with ease: and CHRISTIAN and HOPEFUL both came out. Then he went to the outward door that led into the castle yard; and with his key opened that door also. After, he went to the iron gate, for that must be opened too; but that lock went exceedingly hard: yet the key did open it. Then they thrust open the gate to make their escape with speed; ... Then they went on, and came to the king's highway again; and so were safe." [John Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress] Martin Luther's prayer from Psalm 119:94 ,taught to him by his friend and confessor Stauptiz, when Luther was in torment over his sins,in the movie, I am yours save me. When you know you are moving away from the Lord in your heart and actions recall whose your are. You belong to the Lord Jesus. Confess your sins. Get up!
This passage is one of only two in the New Testament declaring the great description of God's nature and being: "God is love." The riches of divine truth in this passage can be summarized as follows: v. 7 - The Command, the Source and the Power of Love v. 8 – The Unfortunate Truth and the Great Declaration v. 9 – The Manifestation of the Love of God v. 10 – Propitiation Is the Divine Remedy for Our Sin v. 11 – Jesus' Work of Love is our own Model of Love v. 12 – God's Love is Seen in the World When We Love One Another Christ's example of sacrificial love in going to the cross is our model as to the extent of sacrificial love to which we should go in loving our brothers and sisters in the church.
Among all the books that make up the Bible, the Book of Ecclesiastes is unique literature. It is part of the wisdom literature of the Bible. But it is different. Sometimes when people read it they can become sad and feel a sense of loss. The reason may lie in how the word in Hebrew transliterated as havel is translated. The English translations vary. Some render it as "vanity," others as "meaningless" or "futile" and some as "purposeless" A more literal translation would be merest breath (Robert Alter) carrying the idea of a vapor, wind, something real but illusive. The author of Ecclesiastes who says he is a Teacher or Preacher relates how people such as himself try in vain to obtain lasting fulfillment in various things or activities to excess and to the exclusion of God, who alone can give true meaning to life.
In Acts 2:39, the Apostle Peter states that the promise of salvation is for "everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." The only reason a person ever comes to saving faith in Christ is because the Lord sovereignly calls him or her, quickens spiritual life in them, and enables them to repent of sin and believe the Gospel. As verses 40-41 indicate, the called one must respond by coming to Christ and by submitting to Christian baptism. We must share the gospel of Jesus with others, but ultlmately it is God's calling which will bring them to saving faith. He will do it; this is his great work. To him be the glory!
Psalm 86:6-8 Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. In the day of my trouble I call upon you,for you answer me. There is none like you among the gods, O LORD (Yahweh),nor are there any works like yours. ESV Psalm 50:14-15 Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Pay your vows to the Most High. Call on me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will honor me." This podcast is an An offering of praise to God for his kindness and mercy in answering prayer yesterday in sending help to deliver me and my friend from a serious situation. Bible truth expressed in these verses demonstrated in a personall event.
The psalmist Asaph, the leader of the temple worship, shares a struggle he had in his mind and spirit with his faith. The struggle was a result of a wrong perspective in considering the arrogant unbelievers in contrast with the believer such as himself. He had thoughts that would have harmed the people if he spoken them aloud. He felt hopeless in understanding God's dealings with the unbeliever and with the believer such as himself. However, when he went into the sanctuary of God he understood the end of the wicked and his own future, " afterward you will receive me to glory." Following this revelation he burst into affirmative praise and confession: Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever! An interpretive reading of Psalm 73.
The book of 1 John was written to strengthen believers in their holy faith. It was written to give them the assurance that they belong to God as his beloved children, in spite of their struggle with their own sin. This passage gives believers four grounds or reasons that they can have assurance that they really are saved from their sins and are secure in God. It's because of their "deed-doing," their "truth-keeping," their "love-giving", and their "Holy Spirit-abiding." In other words, the ongoing presence of good works in their lives, their belief in and fidelity to the truths of the Gospel in the Word of God, their sacrificial love for fellow believers, and their continual abiding in the presence and fellowship of the Holy Spirit are marks, evidences, that they possess true and saving faith. When they feel condemned for their sins, they can look at these realities in their lives and rest in the assurance that God has saved them and is working in their lives.
Malachi is the last prophet who ministered to the remnant of the Jews who returned to the land from Persia. See 2 Chronicles 36:15-23. The people have been in the land and have rebuild the temple and their houses. However there are serious problems with the people's relationship to Yahweh, their Covenant Lord. Malachi presents God's message that called for their repentance and His promise to come down himself among in the form of a disputation. It is in the style reverse catechism, that is questions and answers. This podcast only considers chapter 1 using the Christian Standard Bible and the World English Bible.
Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God. To love God and our neighbor as ourselves is not only the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets but it is the grand goal of the Gospel. In Genesis 4 Cain demonstrated the opposite of love when he rejected God's prescription for proper sacrifice and hated and killed his brother Abel. But Christ demonstrated true love in that he laid down his life for his people. Thus he demonstrated the principle of sacrificial love that we as his people are to follow. Christian love is affection that is rooted in action which moves us to love God with all of our being and moves us to love others by meeting their spiritual and material needs.
Mankind has this God driven need to designate times, seasons and years. In the Bible the designation of a New Year and its yearly celebration is given in Exodus 12, this month is to be the beginning of a year. Our current custom of marking a New Year on January comes from paganism and the Roman emperor Julius Caesar and it is in honor of the Roman god Janus, the two directional god of beginnings and transitions who faces backward and forward. But what is the Biblical meaning attached to new beginnings? Psalm 90 is the prayer of Moses on such an occasion. O God our help in ages pass and our eternal home. Teach us to number our days and give us hearts and minds of wisdom to number our days.
The appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ will be with great effect. The previous passage speaks of how God's people will be changed into his likeness by entering his presence. Even the very hope of his coming has a purifying effect on his people. In contrast, those who practice sin are guilty of "lawlessness," a succinct description of the nature of sin. But Christ's coming will deal radically with sin. Verse 5 of our passage says that our Lord will also "take away sins." This is accomplished primarily through his death on the cross (Heb. 2:14). His death also empowered him to "destroy the works of the devil" (v.8). Thus as the Holy Spirit applies these benefits to God's people, he engenders inevitable righteousness in their lives as well as love for the brethren.
Although we celebrate the birthdate of Jesus of Nazareth on December 25 it is highly improbable that he was born on this day! The accounts found in Luke and Matthew do not give us an exact day they do relate a timeframe of the year. Consider Luke 2 and the revelation to the shepherds out in the fields at night. No shepherd would have his sheep in the wet cold winter in Israel! This is the season of little grazing grass necessary for their life and health. The time for flocks grazing is the Spring and Summer and early Fall but not Winter. John's gospel directly links Jesus with the fulfillment of the Feast of Israel recorded in Leviticus 23. After Jesus immersion by John and his return from the wilderness the Prophet Forerunner of the Messiah declared- "Look! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." John 1:29,35 Using the historical indicators identified in the gospel accounts mostly likely Jesus was crucified at the Passover in the Spring of AD 33 on Thursday or Friday April 2 ,3. The shadow of Law meets its completion in Jesus dying as God's provided Lamb for the sins of his people. In like manner Jesus birth is connected to the Fall feast of Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles. The Hebrew lived in tents during their journey from Egyptian slavery to the Promised land. God also had his tent erected among them as they traveled. And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it. Exodus 25:8-9 John connects Jesus incarnation with Tabernacles in chapter 1 of his gospel. John 1:1-3,14
In view of Christ's certain coming, three realities stand out for believers. First, they are commanded to abide in Christ, specifically to abide or remain in the true doctrine of Christ and to abide or remain in a Christian lifestyle that reflects the righteousness of Christ. Secondly, they are assured of the certain hope of Christ's return. This will mean their resurrection from the dead and their reception into his bodily presence, as well as the end of sin and evil and death. And thirdly, Christ's appearance confirms our privileged position before him as children of God. He loved us first before we ever loved him, and he sent his Son to die for our sins. He has done all that was necessary to remove our sins and bring us into his everlasting fellowship.
All Episodes Wayne A Conrad The Antichrists Identified Episode Downloads 0 Total 0 Today Description Send us a text Many people throughout Christian history have been fascinated by the identity of the antichrist. The Apostle John is actually the only biblical write to use the term antichrist! He uses it 5 times in his first two letters. Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 1 John 2:18 John must have been remembering the words Jesus had spoken ."Be careful that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will lead many astray. Matthew 24:4 John's concern is the theological identity of the antichrist. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. 1 John 4:2-3 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 2 John 7 Thus the spirit of antichrist is found in all those who deny the reality of the incarnation, the coming of the Word, the eternal Son, into human flesh through the virgin birth by Mary of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus became a true human without ceasing to be true deity in his one person for the salvation of sinners.
The Apostle John begins this section with a time reference – the " last hour" had arrived because many antichrists had come on the scene. These antichrists were people who had been associated with the church, but they had departed from the fellowship of believers because they adhered to doctrines that denied the reality of the incarnation. They denied the fact that the eternal Son of God had taken upon himself our human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. These antichrist people denied that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. By denying the truth of who the Son is, they also denied the Father and demonstrated that they did not belong to the body of believers. The indwelling Holy Spirit confirms to the believer the truth of the Lord Jesus' incarnation. Thus the believer should continually abide in Christ.
This week I have had 3 people I know die. I went to one's funeral but the other two were many miles away and 2 were having funerals today at the same time! All this on my birthday. It causes me to remember Psalm 90 verses 3, 9-12 "You return man to dust and say, "Return, O children of man!" ... For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. What does the Bible teach us about the reality of death? The location of the spirits of the dead? And how does Jesus Christ birth, death and resurrection address this issue?
The Apostle John in his first letter writes some intriguing words, "Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you." The old commandment he is referring to is the "Shema," the confession of faith in the one true God to whom we owe full allegiance and devotion. In answer to a scribe's question in Mark 12:28-33 as to what is the greatest commandment, Jesus answers, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. He also relates the second greatest commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself." (This latter commandment is a phrase attached to a list of various laws in Leviticus 19.) The new component is Jesus' own love for his disciples. He loves us so much that he laid down his life for us on the cross. John 13:1-5, 34f records John's own experience of the love of Jesus shown by his washing their feet. In this context he gives the new commandment, "A new command I give you: Love one another as I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
The Apostle John writes a deeply personal pastoral letter to his spiritual children in Ephesus. He is concerned about the spiritual dangers they are facing both from within and without related to false doctrine and ungodly secular antichrist pressure. He wants to protect and enhance their fellowship with the Father through Jesus Christ. His letter points to several signs or markers to distinguish true from false believers. In verses 12-14 of 1 John the apostle inserts a pause to particularly address the little children, the fathers and the young men in 6 parallel statements. The "little children" designation is used throughout his letter to indicate that they are beloved in the Lord by him. But it can also accent the reality of the first great awareness of newborn Christians. They rejoice in the forgiveness of their sins through Jesus' death and their relationship to God as Father. John then addresses two groups he calls fathers and young men. The fathers seem to refer to mature believers who know the true identity of Jesus Christ as the incarnate Word who has always been with the Father and through whom we know the Father. However, John writes the most to the young men. They are strong, have overcome the evil one. He gives the reason because the word of God abides in them. This middle group bears the brunt of the spiritual battle in which the church is engaged. Although John singles out these particular groups the spiritual realties noted belong to all believers. It appears that John wants to encourage and assure the believers that they do belong to God in Christ.
Thanksgiving Day as a national holiday in America dates back to 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln proclaim the 4th Thursday in November a yearly day of thanks. "It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a Day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens." However the tradition of giving thanks to God for his providential care goes back to the Pilgrims who had come over from Holland on the Mayflower. Governor Bradford reports that Plymouth had been stricken with a severe drought. "Upon which," said William Bradford "they set apart a solemn day of humiliation, to seek the Lord by humble and fervent prayer, in this great distress." That same evening it began "to rain with such sweet and gentle showers as gave them cause of rejoicing and blessing God… For which mercy, in time convenient, they also set apart a day of thanksgiving." Our Thanksgiving festival probably goes alway to the Torah indirectly through the Pilgrims having such a feast in 1621. Consider Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Sisters 32:40 Old Commandment Becomes New in Christ 35:36 The Darkness Is Passing – Light Is Shining 38:49 Hatred Has No Place in the Light 44:18 Summary: 3 Marks of Genuine Faith 46:13 Closing Prayer Hashtags: #1John #KnowGod #ObeyJesus #WalkLikeChrist #ChristianLove #LoveOneAnother #LightVsDarkness #BibleSermon #AssuranceOfSalvation #TrueFaith #JesusIsTheLight #Commandments #Sermon #ChristianLiving #GospelTruth
The main idea that drives the Apostle John's first letter is fellowship with God. He makes this clear when he starts his letter. "What we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3 He then addresses the need for knowing the truth about God as light and the truth about our sin as a necessity for true fellowship to exist. He presents 3 false ideas that some have. If we assert the believes that sin is a non entity or that humans do not have a sinful nature or that we have not actually sinned we are not speaking according to truth. We lie about the reality of sin and human nature and actually call God himself a liar! With repentance that is a change in our mind about our sin and God the holy righteous One who has acted on our behalf we can know fellowship with God through Jesus atoning death. John presents Jesus work as the corrective for these false beliefs. " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. v9 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. v7 John is a realist and says, My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:2 At the letter's conclusion John writes, I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13
In this epistle the Apostle John's focus is on the strengthening of fellowship of believers with God and with one another. Verse 5 states that "God is light" - this points to his total perfection infinitely. Thus his people must reflect his nature and strive to conform to his image, though the reality is we still sin. Three times, in verses 6,8, and 10, John writes, "if we say," thus pointing to some erroneous concepts regarding sin: 1) Those who walk in darkness are not in fellowship with God or the brethren. On the contrary, we must walk in the Light, which brings us into Christian fellowship, and such walking also brings us cleansing from sin through Jesus' blood. 2) Those who deny that they are sinful are self-deceived. They must instead confess their sin to receive forgiveness. 3) Those who deny they have committed acts of sin make God a liar and do not possess the indwelling of the Word of God. Jesus Christ himself is the standard for Christian living and behavior, and we must strive to be like him. Though Christian people have not reached perfection, their solemn calling by the grace of God is to be like the Lord Jesus as much as possible.
The Christian message and life begins not with man, humanity, but with the being of God himself. In fact the Apostle John begins with the One who was in the beginning and with whom he had had physical emotional connection. He is writing about the incarnation of the Word in the person of Jesus the Christ. John's letter to the churches begins at the same place as the Gospel of John! Compare 1 John 1:1-5 with John 1:1-4. He writes of the Word, Life and light. In his letter he adds the eternal life and fellowship with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. His climatic statement is- God is Light! At the conclusion of his letter he summarizes in these words, "And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know the true one. We are in the true one—that is, in his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life." 1 John 5:20 CSV If we are to understand the gospel, and the Christian life correctly then we must begin at the right place. We must begin with God, the God who is Father and Son, Jesus Christ- the true God who is the Holy, the Light!
John the Apostle was the youngest of Jesus' apostles and he had a unique relationship with the Lord Jesus. Both his gospel testimony and his letters to the churches convey a warm pastoral heart of loving care for the Lord's people. One thing I value in his writings is his stated purpose for writing. In his gospel he states, " Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." JZohn 20:30f in his letters of 1 John he states several times why his writing and to whom he is writing. "that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled. JZohn 1:3-4 My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. 1 John. 2:1-2 He addresses all the people under their spiritual maturations of young believers, adult father believers and young adult believers. To each group he gives a reason such as assurance or encouragement in spiritual warfare. a number of other reasons are given but end his letter with this one. " And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life." 1 John 5:20 His letter to them will function in like manner for us who pick up and read.
The Biblical description of a "saint" is not some super-spiritual Christian but all those people whom God has called out of the world and set apart for himself through their faith in Jesus Christ. These people are expected to live holy lives, separated from the world, and reflecting the character of God. They have spiritual union with contemporary believers around the world, as well as with those who are already in heaven. An example of a fellow believer and martyr from the early centuries of the church would be Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, who stood firm in his faith in Christ despite being killed for his belief. The distinguishing and necessary mark of a true believer is personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This faith is marked by ongoing spiritual growth by conforming progressively more into the image of the Savior. Such people are commanded to "run with endurance" the race of life marked out for them, looking to Jesus, "the author and finisher of their faith," as well as to the example of the saints of previous ages, who were faithful to God in the midst of hardships and trials. As a living saint today, each believer has union with all believers who together are Christ's joy.
The various Reformers during the Protestant Reformation restored New Testament worship emphasis especially the centrality of the Bible in the language of the people. Preaching and the public reading of the Scriptures was the focus in the services. They looked to such Bible passages as John 4:24 and Phillippians 3:3; 1 Corinthians 14:16-18,26 and Acts 2:42 for direction. John 4:24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." Phil 3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh Acts 20:7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them Acts 2:42 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 1 Timothy 2:1-8 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, .. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 2 Timothy 4:1-2 I charge you i..preach the Word
The supreme goal and end of all things is the glory of God. God's glory is seen in the magnificence of his creation but it is even more profoundly seen in the salvation of sinners through the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. That God would send his Son from heaven to take upon himself full humanity and then die on Calvary's cross to pay the sin debt owed to God is grace and mercy beyond comprehension. God created the universe out of nothing but when he saves a sinner he enters into his creation in mortal combat with sin, Satan, and death through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. The Biblical truth of the all-sufficient saving work of Jesus Christ for his people was recovered at the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. In his work God's glory is fully displayed, and that is to be the supreme focus of the Christian life.
There are a number of very important issues that were addressed by the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. Among them is the recovery of biblical spiritual worship offered to God alone. How we worship must be in accordance with God's special revelation first to Israel under Moses and then to the fullness of truth given in the person and actions of Jesus of Nazareth. "The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." John 1:17 This episode looks at God's first revelation under the Old Covenant through Moses. The first 3 commandments God spoke from Mount Sinai concern his worship. God alone is the object of our worship. His worship is exclusive and tolerates no idols. Under the Old Covenant God's worship involved an elaborate priesthood, sacrifices ,vestments , days, ect. An imitation of these practices rose in the history of the church and is seen in the worship practices of Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches. The various Protestant Reformers rejected the use of idols in God's worship. They looked to Christ as the fulfillment of the law and ground worship on the New Covenant spoken of in. the New Testament. "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." 1 John 5:21
Of all the people groups on the earth, the ancient Hebrew people were the most blessed because God revealed his being and nature to them alone, as well as another vital revelation: they had sinned against him and needed cleansing and forgiveness of their sins. The Law of Moses established the sacrificial system of killing animals whose deaths were a substitute for the deaths that the Israelites deserved for their sin. But the sacrifices of animals was insufficient to cover the peoples' sins. It was a temporary stop-gap measure that would be completed when the Messiah and Savior would come in the future to die for their sins on a cross outside of Jerusalem. The sacrifice of his body was all-sufficient for the complete removal and forgiveness of sin, once for all and eternally.
A "mediator" is someone who stands between two parties and has the interests of both parties at heart - such is our Lord Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament Moses (along with his brother Aaron) stands as the great model of a Mediator between Yahweh and the people of Israel. When the people had fallen into idolatry and immorality while Moses was up on Mt. Sinai, in his anger Yahweh told Moses he would destroy the nation and begin another nation with him. But God relented when Moses implored him to withdraw his hand of judgment and reminded him of his promise to the patriarchs that he would make a great nation of them. In Hebrews 2:10 we read about the suffering of this Mediator, Jesus Christ, which qualified and tested him and confirmed his worthiness for the job God appointed him to. The former Levitical priests under the Old Covenant were imperfect because of their sin, but Jesus was perfectly sinless and rose from the dead so "he ever lives to make intercession for his people" (Heb. 7:25). This Mediator, who was fully human and fully divine, also offered himself up on the cross as the payment for the sins of his people. As our High Priest in heaven he takes our praises and prayers and purifies them and offers them to the Father on our behalf. "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the cross tells me so." Therefore, let us remember our baptismal vows and by his grace serve him with gratitude and consistency.
David in Psalm 145 tells us the greatness of God by declaring what he is and what he has done. By example he shows how to praise God the King. However, he goes further by speaking at the beginning of the psalm of he various ways he intents to lift up the Name of God. Listen for the various ways he is extolling God and we can join him in these actions.
In the first three chapters of the Book of Romans, the apostle Paul lays out the case that all humanity, not only the Gentiles, but also the Jews are guilty before God of sin. Their infection with sin is not shallow, but all pervasive. In this passage in Romans 3 the apostle quotes several passages in the Old Testament, mainly from the psalms, demonstrating how deep-seated sin is in all humanity. This immersion of every human in sin can be seen in that: No one seeks God No one does good. No one is righteous Every person is active and deliberate and cruel in their wickedness. No one fears God. The world with its philosophies and religions has no real solution to this massive spiritual problem; only the Gospel of Jesus Christ recognizes the seriousness of this problem and presents the only solution: the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ whose death on the cross paid the price of his people's sin and provides them with the imputed righteousness of Christ. Salvation from sin cannot be obtained by human works, but is only by the grace of God through faith in Christ for all who believe.
David composed a hymn, a song, extolling the greatness of God in the revelation of his nature, his character displayed in his grace to us. Psalm 145:3 Great is YHWH (Yahweh) and greatly to be praised.
The Psalms of David are so valuable and instructive to God's people in every age. The overarching theme of this psalm is the magnificent greatness of God. The content of this psalm may be structured as follows: I. From whom should Yahweh's praise come? It would come from David himself as well as all of God's people and even all humanity from every age. It will arise from one generation to another as the faith is passed on by faithful teachers and preachers. All the saints of God who call on him, those who fear him and love him will praise him. II. When should Yahweh's praise come forth? David declares it would arise every day as well as forever and ever from him - probably indicating it would continue into the future after his death. David is the model for all God's people to follow. III. Why should Yahweh's people offer him unending praise? It is because of his mighty acts, his goodness to all his creatures, but especially for the perfections of his holy being: he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and steadfast in love, as well as righteous and not neglecting to destroy the wicked. Christians today should follow David's example and be people unswervingly committed to praising and blessing God every day of our lives.
Paul writes in Colossians 3:16, "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." These words address participation in Christian assembly and tells us to use Psalms. We should read them, pray them, sing them and teach and preach them. Three recently used psalms demonstrate this. The psalms reviewed are, first of all, Psalm 130, a prayer of lament and petition resulting in a self exhortation and a group exhortation. For the next service we turned to Psalm 105. However, Psalm 105 and 106 are actually one psalm of poetic historical narrative of God's dealings with his chosen people, the Hebrews, Israel. The psalm is an exhortation to praise God and a teaching device to encourage spiritual renewal in light of God's faithfulness. Lastly, we used Psalm 86, a prayer of David in the form of lament and petition to Yahweh, the Lord. It is a heartfelt prayer of deep relationship with God confessing God's uniqueness- You alone are God. There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. 9 All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. 10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. 11 Teach me your way, O Yahweh, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. 12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. 13 For great is your steadfast love toward me
We are not told the specific occasion for David's distress but we can learn from him how to deal with the trials that come our way. He goes to Yahweh in prayer with confidence that God would answer him. Even in the midst of David's personal trials, God's glory and majesty remains unchanged and his worthiness to be worshiped will be recognized by all nations. David's enemies are ruthless, but God's love and faithfulness is steadfast. As David is comforted in his God, so are we as we look to him.
The Lord's Supper , holy Communion is an integral part of Christian worship and the singing done at the Table should be rich in content filled with biblical orthodox teaching as well as praise and prayer. Jesus set the example at inaugural holy meal recorded in Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26. After singing a hymn (probably Psalm 118) they went out to the Mount of Olives. Consider the teaching of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:14-21 and Luke's words in Acts 2:42 and Acts 20:7. The Supper was frequent apparently every First Day of the week when the disciples, the believers came together to eat the Lord's Supper. See 1 Cor. 11 repeated phrase "when you come together". Examples of good hymns to sing at the Lord's Table that express rich biblical teaching and the meaning are cited. From the Baptist Charles Spurgeon, in the 19th century when teaches spiritual presence of the Resurrected Lord Jesus, "Among Us Our Beloved Stands". Alex Motyer, in the 20th century, "O God Your Mercy Moved by Love" and "Behold the Lamb, Communion Hymn" by the Getty's in 2006.
The people of Israel rejoiced in Yahweh because they remembered his mighty acts in their history, especially how he chose them, the least of all the peoples of the earth, to be his very own treasured possession. Then he graciously saved them from starvation when he brought them from Canaan to Egypt. After several hundred years they had grown into a populous nation which the Egyptians feared, so they oppressed them and put them into servitude. Yahweh sent Moses to deliver them out of Egypt, lead them through forty years of wilderness wanderings, and bring them to the Promised Land. God brought them there so they could obey his law and live before him as his special people. When the ancient prophecies of the coming Messiah-Deliverer of God's people were fulfilled in the incarnation of the Son of God, Jesus Christ the Lord, and through his subsequent death, resurrection, and ascension, there was even greater reason to remember the mighty acts of Yahweh seen in the Savior. Through his Son, God has done all that was necessary to save his people from their sins, granting them eternal life and fellowship with himself. God's actions in Christ must be proclaimed by his people throughout their daily lives. We pray for the Lord to open up doors for us in our everyday lives to speak the Gospel to people in our culture whom he brings us in contact with. Both the speaking of the gospel and the receiving of it are works of the Holy Spirit.
The act of worship that is Christian baptism must contain the proclamation of the Word containing its institution and its meaning. A biblical way of enhance this service is to sing Christ centered gospel focused hymns expressing Biblical truth to both the one being baptized and the body of worshippers participating in this gospel ordinance. Psalm 105:2 ESV Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! There are examples of people who upon being baptized responded with rejoicing Acts 8, the newly baptized Ethiopian went on home rejoicing. The converted Philippian jailer upon hearing and believing the good news was baptized and rejoiced greatly with all his household, having believed in God. Acts 16:34 New Testament baptism presents conversion and baptism together. We must not separate what God has joined! The order of human response to God's sovereign move in grace is to repent-believe and baptized. One very important way of worshiping at the observance of baptism is to read appropriate scripture ,comment upon it and sing songs that express the meaning of the act to both the one being baptized and the others witnessing and sharing in this act of worship. Two examples of hymns are "The Servants of God a Baptized and When Jesus Died Upon the Cross
Sermon Outline: I. The Distress of the Psalmist - v. 1-3 II. The Relief of the Psalmist - v. 4-6 III. The Certain Hope of God's People - v. 7-8 As we read this Psalm we see that the psalmist is in great distress and is crying out for the mercy of God. The thing that is overwhelming him is his own sin, his great iniquity. He knows how righteous God is but is comforted in Yahweh's steadfast love and plentiful redemption. So the Psalmist waits in certain hope that God will redeem him as well as all his people from their iniquities. Knowing the Old Testament promises of the Messiah is where his ultimate hope rested: the coming One who would pay the price for the true removal of their sin and guilt. We, too, wait for the consummation of our salvation at Christ's return.
Jesus Christ gave and commanded two ordinances or sacraments for his followers to observe. Both are directly connected to and embody the gospel, the wonderful news of forgiveness and new life with God as our Father through the redemptive actions of Jesus- his life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension into heaven. Through these appointed rites we participate with Christ in his work on our behalf. To counter the all to common low view of the ordinances we must embrace a robust biblical view of their connection with our salvation through union with the Lord Jesu
Paul's words in Col. 3:1-4 cut across time: they begin with the past, come into the present, and look to the future. In all these phases we are united to Christ. Union with Christ has been called the "umbrella doctrine" because it covers the entire Christian experience. "In Christ" is the fundamental expression used over and over in Paul's letters to describe the position of the Christian in this world. In Gal. 2:20 we learn that we have been united with Christ in his death. All of our subjective blessings are based on his objective work on the cross. As Michael Horton says, "If Christ remains outside of us , it's useless to us - we must cash in through personal faith in Christ." When Christ arose and ascended, we also rose and ascended with him, not bodily, but spiritually. So in our present experience on earth, we walk by faith via the enablement of the grace of Spirit, to live our daily lives so as to please him. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 we read about our future at Christ's return: the raising of our lowly bodies from the grave to be changed like unto Christ's glorious resurrection body. Thus our present spiritual union will also become physical by the power of God.
Hymn singing that is the musical expression of Biblical truth in the form of vocal music is extremely important in the Christian life. What we sing and how we sing it shapes us in many ways. In the Bible singing plays a major role. This is especially true when believers gather. The Scriptures in both the Old Testament and the New Testament command us to sing and gives examples. The earliest recorded song I find in the Bible is Exodus 15:1ff Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to Yahweh, and said, "I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously. He has thrown the horse and his rider into the sea. 2 Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him; my father's God, and I will exalt him. 3 Yahweh is a man of war. Yahweh is his name. WEB Moses concluded his mediator prophet role by composing and singing a song recorded in Deuteronomy 32. Give ear, you heavens, and I will speak. Let the earth hear the words of my mouth. My doctrine will drop as the rain. My speech will condense as the dew, as the misty rain on the tender grass, as the showers on the herb. For I will proclaim Yahweh's name. Ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock: his work is perfect,for all his ways are just. A God of faithfulness who does no wrong, just and right is he. An example of the importance of singing God's truth is the experience of Paul and Silas recorded in Acts 16. After being grossly mistreated and thrown into jail, About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. This is the Paul who later wrote to the churches in Colossians 3.
"Union with Christ" is essentially "Christ in you" and "you in Christ." But it involves not only a union with Christ but a union with one another, with the body of Christ, fleshed out in the core of a Christian assembly. Louis Berkoff gives a good definition of union with Christ: it is the "intimate, vital, and spiritual connection between Christ and believers." M. Pete Johnson says "to be saved is to be united to the Savior." God saves us not just as individuals in union with himself but also to join us to his people. The Christian life cannot be lived in isolation from other believers. Rom. 12:5 says "we are members one of another." It is only in the local church that we can rub shoulders with fellow Christians and share our mutual life together. In Christ we are new men and women, but we are joined to other new men and women in the local assembly. We have all been washed of all our various sins by Jesus' blood. We have all been awakened from spiritual death to spiritual life by the Holy Spirit and brought into the same quality of fellowship with God and his people that the triune God has experienced in himself in all eternity. As Christian believers we are in union with Christ and the "new we" - the people of God, the body of Christ.
In Ephesians 4 we have a picture of the Lord Jesus ascending back to the Father in heaven. He has as the incarnate Lord entered into the spiritual battle with Satan on the cross. There he He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it. Although Satan thought he was winning in the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus he was in fact being defeated. Christ Jesus dying for his own people given to him by the Father took away their damnation and since he had no sin of his own death had no hold on him. Thus he arose from the dead on the third day in an immortal body. Some 40 days later Jesus ascended into heaven and took a host of captives with him! We are those captives if we belong to Christ Jesus by faith. He rescued us from the domain of Satan and now leads us in victorious procession into heaven to be presented to the Father in union with His own person. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory in Christ Jesus the Lord! He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it. 2 Corinthians 2:14
The believer's union with Christ includes union with him in his ascension - this is accomplished by work of the Holy Spirit - it is a mystery, but it is also reality. Four key words will be used to describe this great union of the believer with their Lord in his ascension: 1) "glory" - the fundamental meaning of "glory" as seen in the Old Testament is something of great heaviness or weight, such as gold. Christ has always shared in glory with the Father and Spirit in eternity but when he was incarnated and suffered for sins at the cross his glory was manifested in a powerful way. In John 17:24 Jesus prayed to the Father that his people would be able to be with him and see his glory. 2) "home" - salvation fundamentally involves placing us in union with his Son. Since Jesus' home is with the Father, it is the home of his people also! Christ is in the home and we are in him, so it is our home also. 3) "victory" - we see in Colossians 2:15 that at the cross Christ disarmed rulers and authorities and in his resurrection and ascension he defeated these enemies so that he now brings his redeemed people with him into the Father's presence by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. 4) "seated" - the New Testament states that Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father and therefore the believer's life "is hidden with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3). By the Spirit we are also seated with him there, though we still live on earth. Union with Christ involves these four great realities: glory, home, victory, and seated.
In times of affliction the presence of friends can be a great source of help and encouragement. Consider Job and the visit of his three friends.
In this sermon, we delve into the profound truth of our union with Christ. Discover how believers are spiritually resurrected with Christ, united in His death, burial, and resurrection through faith and baptism. Uncover the transformative power of this divine fellowship, where our sins are forgiven, and we are made alive in Christ, free from the judgment we deserve. Join us as we unpack the significance of participating in Christ's redemptive work and living as those identified and incorporated into His body, the church.
Paul writes in a number of places of our natural identity in Adam as condemned transgressors of God's law born spiritually dead and under condemnation. But the message he had delivered to the churches in Galatia was that the Lord Jesus Christ, had given himself on the cross for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. No one can be saved by the works of the law because of our state in Adam and our transgressions. The Law can convict of sin but can not deliver those who break it. Accordingly ,we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. (Galatians 2) For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Paul's new identity is that of a forgiven sinner who is a new person in Christ. His old identity in Adam as condemned sinner is replaced because of Christ payment for our sins. Through Jesus identification with us and our identification and participaction in Him we are accepted sons of God. How Paul marvelled that Jesus loved because he died for him, even more by the Spirit's work of union with Christ in his death on the cross Paul as all true believers have been crucified with Christ so that Christ lives in us, in the New I.
Sermon Text: Galatians 2:20 Sermon Title: "Apprehending Our Union with Christ" The theme of being "in Christ," central to Paul's epistles, describes the believer's profound union with Christ, drawing us into the intimate fellowship of the Father and Son. Through the Holy Spirit, we are united with Christ by repentance and faith, becoming justified, sanctified, and glorified in Him—spiritual realities that transform and empower our Christian lives. When Christ died, our old sinful self died with Him; when He rose, our new self in Christ rose, so that "it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). Living by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us, makes all things new. In today's sermon, "Apprehending Our Union with Christ," we explore this transformative union. By understanding Scripture's truth, we uncover the benefits of salvation—not just deliverance from hell but freedom from this evil age, bringing peace, joy, and harmony with God. Yet, a warning remains: we still sin, and God will judge. To resist sin and avoid the weight of judgment, we must continually study and apply Scripture, mortifying the deeds of the flesh. By apprehending our union with Christ, we live out the truth that Christ lives in us, revolutionizing our lives through the power of this divine fellowship. 00:00:13 - Introduction to Biblical Grammar 00:01:12 - Understanding Verb Tense and Audience 00:02:25 - Exploring Voice, Tense, and Mood 00:03:30 - Importance of Grammar in Scripture 00:04:05 - Introduction to Galatians 00:05:15 - Justification Through Faith in Christ 00:07:06 - Sin Beyond Actions: Thoughts and Motives 00:09:10 - The Law and Cov
Early believers in the Lord Jesus as the Christ or Messiah did not called themselves Christians. Paul never referred to himself as a Christian! How did he called himself and what name did he used to referred to believers. You discover this by looking at his salutations in his letters- he addresses them to the believers and gives them a designation.
The word Christian, while meaning many things to many people in our modern world, has one essential meaning: "to be in union with Christ." The apostle Paul repeatedly uses the term "in Christ" in the introductions to his letters to the Romans, Thessalonians, Colossians, Philippians, and Ephesians, where the doctrine of union with Christ is plainly evident. These greetings highlight the truth of Christ's incarnation and His indwelling presence in believers. John Calvin captures this, stating, "We do not, therefore, contemplate him outside ourselves from afar in order that his righteousness may be imputed to us but because we put on Christ and are engrafted into his body—in short, because he deigns to make us one with him" (Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book III, Chapter 2, Section 24). In the reality of union with Christ, we find the external work of His incarnation. This work is applied internally to us through the Holy Spirit, what we have termed "one-inness in Christ," the center of our salvation and sanctification. The New Testament provides four metaphors to understand this mystery: marriage, the body, the temple, and the building. In our modern day, Louis Berkhof has perhaps phrased it best: "That intimate, vital, and spiritual union between Christ and His people, in virtue of which He is the source of their life and strength, of their blessedness and salvation" (Systematic Theology, Louis Berkhof).
Early believers in Messiah Jesus were known as Followers of the Way and Nazarenes, treated as a sect within Judaism . They were first called Christian as a pejorative term Acts 16 but the term given in derision stuck. However the term that the Apostle Paul used for believers was the "in Christ". This sermon begins the exploration of union with Christ.
Sermons on the wrath of God and the final judgment and hell are missing today. This has been true for several decades. But we avoid the message at our own peril and of those who most need to hear God's summons to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus. Revelation 6 contains the vision of the six seals of Revelation. The fifth seal is that of the martyrs calling for vindication and the sixth seal is the response. Consider the wrath to come from the holy God against all who do not know him and do not obey the gospel by belief in the Son. He who is the Lamb of God that bore the sins of his people and took their punishment is also the One to whom judgment is given. "the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. John 5:22f Peter preached to Cornelius that God appointed Christ to be the judge of the world. "[Christ] is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead" by his resurrection from the dead.(Acts 10:42). Paul declare the same truth to the Athenians:"[God] has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead. Acts 17:21 The only refuge from the judgment of the Lamb is personal faith in the Lamb. Psalm 2:11b Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.
The Lord Jesus Christ is not only the promised Savior of his people but he is also the coming Judge. The one who bore the wrath of God against our sin is also the one who will mete out his wrath on sinners when he returns. The wrath of God is a reality revealed in the scriptures that we need to be reminded of. It is a terrifying prospect for those outside of Christ, but there is escape from this wrath when a person flees to Christ in repentance and faith. In Christ is refuge, life and never-ending joy and fellowship with God.
What happens when a human dies? Many ideas have been suggested. However, the Bible gives a clear but reserved answer. The focus in the Scripture is on the believer in Christ Jesus. Jesus gives a story of the rich man and Lazarus to warn us to heed the words of God now in order to prepare. Jesus also gives great assurance to those who believe on him. He says he gives them eternal life and will raise them from the dead on the last day. Until then he is with them even in death and they enjoy his presence while they await the day of his return to earth. Paul states that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, indicating a conscious and immediate presence with Christ after death. 2 Corinthians 5:8
The great awaited "tsunami of salvation" broke out 2,000 years ago with the advent of Messiah Jesus, his death, resurrection and the outpouring of the Spirit. But the thousands gathered into the kingdom of God needed training and discipleship. So the Lord Jesus led the apostles to form groups of believers around Jerusalem. Acts 2:42 describes the holy activities of these discipleship groups: "they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." Why do Christ's churches gather weekly? It is to be instructed in the faith as Jesus passed it on through his apostles, it is to fellowship with Christ and his people by the Holy Spirit, it is to be reminded of Christ's suffering for our sins at the Table of the Lord, and it is to present our praises and petitions to our God in prayer with one mind and heart. The local church gathering is the only place on earth where this happens - it's why the Christian needs to be there and must be there when the saints gather for corporate worship.
The church, those people who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and gather to worship him, are very important to God. This message sets forth the importance of the church to God the Father, to Jesus the Son and to the Holy Spirit. In light of these facts how important is the church to us, to you?
The Nicene Creed's statement regarding the church is taken directly from Scripture: it is the one holy, catholic, and apostolic church. The New Testament epistles show the vital connection between Christ and his church. To be a Christain is to be intimately involved in the life of a local assembly. A New Testament church is a gathering of regenerated people who belong to the Lord Jesus by the ministry of the one Holy Spirit and who are summoned to belong to the one Lord to commune with him and to mutually upbuild one another. It is "holy" because it is separated from the world and separated unto God as his holy people. The church is "catholic", meaning it is trans-historical and trans-cultural - comprising all who are cleansed by Jesus' blood and inhabited by the Holy Spirit. The church is "apostolic," meaning it exists under the teaching authority of the apostles as expressed in the New Testament. The church is composed of those who are baptized "for the forgiveness of sins." Baptism is the initiation rite into the Christian church for those who have come in repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ; it is the outward mark of those whom God has called to himself through Christ. These believers function as living members of Christ by participation in local assemblies before God under his Word.
Happy Independence Day/ Happy Birthday to America There is a greater freedom than political independence from a foreign power. It is the spiritual freedom that Jesus accomplished for those who believe on him. He came on the divine mission of the rescue of rebel sinners from the slavery of Satan and sin and its consequence of death and hell. (Genesis 3:13-15) His incarnation- the Word, the eternal Son taking mortal flesh - was necessary to free us from slavery to sin, death and ultimate hell. (Hebrews 2:14) He did this by undergoing, submitting himself to the suffering, death on the cross in our behalf in our place. (Colossians 2:15) For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death! He is the true Liberator who fought and won the battle for all who place their faith, their trust in Him. If the Son sets you free you are free indeed! (John 8:36)
How important is the church to God? To answer the question we will need to understand what is meant by the word "church". There are many misconceptions. However the Bible in both New and Old Testaments define the church. The world and time spanning company of believers take visible forms. How important is the assembly of Christians in particular places and time?
Paul and his two companions wanted to clear up any doctrinal cloudiness that the believers at Thessalonica needed in regards to the events that would occur at Christ's return. Some were evidently confused about the fate of loved ones who had already died in Christ. So in this passage Paul gives four basic reasons that they should take great comfort in Christ's coming: I. The Fundamental Fact of Jesus' Death and Resurrection II. II. The Happy Fate of Those who Had Previously Died in Christ III. III. The Good Fortune of Those who Will Be Alive at Christ's Return IV. IV. The Never-ending Face-to-Face Fellowship of All Believers with Their Lord will take place. For all believers, deceased or living, Christ's return will commence blessed resurrection life with the Savior.
The Holy Spirit is called the lifegiver in the Nicene Creed that was published 1700 years ago. This universal creed of the Christian church is thoroughly biblical. I considering its declaration concerning the Spirit as the giver of life we noted this points to his regenerating work of giving spiritual life to dead sinners followed by his indwelling presence in the lives of believers corporate and individual. We are made the temple of the Lord. Also his presence in our mortal bodies in the reason for our resurrection from the dead with immortal bodies like our Lord Jesus at his return.
Jesus' constant companion was the Holy Spirit. He told his disciples that he would send another person "just like me to be right beside you forever." His own presence would be communicated to them by the Holy Spirit. His Spirit was Christ's greatest gift to all God's people. The Holy Spirit is so necessary to us, we need to be aware of him, and to know him. He is not impersonal energy but a person; he is, in fact, God. He is the "life-giver;" we owe our lives to him.
The Holy Spirit is essential to the existence and reality of the church. Jesus makes this truth clear to his apostles in the Upper Room just hours before his arrest and an execution o the cross. John 14 records Jesus promise to return to the disciples after he goes away. His first return was his post resurrection appearances and after he return to the Father he promises to send the Helper, the Comforter who is the Holy Spirit. John 14:18-24 contains the great truth of the Tri-unity of God and the essential ministry of the Holy Spirit to make the ones believing in Jesus a dwelling place of God. By the Holy Spirit Jesus said "will come to him and make our home with him."
In June of 325 AD the Roman emperor Constantine called 318 bishops of Christian churches scattered throughout the Roman Empire to convene at Nicaea (in present day Turkey). The purpose of their gathering was to discuss a thorny theological controversy regarding the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ. After two months of careful discussion the bishops wrote the Nicene Creed, a short document of about 35 lines in careful and concise language describing the Biblical doctrine of the Holy Trinity, the One God revealed in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The majority of the Creed is given over to a delineation of the divinity and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, him being equal in all the divine attributes with the Father and the Holy Spirit. For 1,700 years this Creed has been the cornerstone of the Church's confession of the being of God, especially as regards the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus is known to refer to himself under a number metaphors that usually pertain to something in the history of Israel or to its system of laws. Leviticus 23 lists the festivals and among them are the Feast of Firstfruits and the Feast of Weeks, known as Pentecost. Both of these festivals concern the firstfruits of a harvest. The first one relates to the barley harvest but the second one relates to the wheat harvest. Jesus in John 12 says that he is the kernel of wheat that falls into the ground and sprouts as a new plant bearing much fruit. His death by crucifixion, burial, and resurrection on the third day was prefigured by the wheat harvest of the Feast of Completion. It is for this purpose he came into the world.
What is the relationship of the Christian to the kingdom of God? The New Testament has a lot to say about the kingdom. John announces it soon arrive in the Christ. Jesus came preaching the kingdom. He was going around from one city and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him. Luke 8:1 And he asserted to a group of Pharisees in Luke 11:20 if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. and in Luke 17:20f, Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, 'Look, here!' or, 'There!' For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst." He as God's appointed King was there in their midst, among there. Where the king is there is the kingdom. How do people enter the kingdom of God? It is through the new birth, the supernatural birth of the Spirit. John 1:12 and John 3:3,5 1 Peter 1:23 you have been born again not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. The Bible teaches that the Christian, the Christians are citizens of the kingdom.
Jesus Christ's ascension back to heaven is just as crucial to God's saving and sanctifying work of his people as is his death and resurrection. In this passage we discover the following truths: I. The Ascension flowed from the Resurrection. II. The Ascension was the exaltation of Jesus Christ to Kingship and Authority. III. The Ascension set the stage for the defeat of the enemies of Christ. IV. The Ascension triggered the pouring out of the Spirit on the Church.
Jesus' life did not end with his death and burial. No, on the third day he arose bodily from the dead. Also he did not simply arise and disappear. He spent 40 more days on earth visiting with his disciples before he ascended back to heaven. Luke gives us this summary in Acts 1:1-3 "The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about God's Kingdom. A review of a number of these instances are recorded in the longer ending of Mark 16 plus the more detailed events recorded in Luke 24 and John 20-21. Here is the longer ending of Mark 16 plus the shorter ending for your reference from the Berean Standard Bible. This podcast is an overview of these appearances. They function as proof of the physical resurrection of Jesus in an immortal state. In this body he ascended into heaven on the 40th day after he arose from the dead. Mark 16 shorter ending,9 But they quickly reported all these instructions to Peter's companions. Afterward, Jesus Himself, through them, sent out from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. Amen.
The kingdom of God has been defined by Anthony Hoekema as "the reign of God, dynamically active in human history through Jesus Christ, with the purpose of redeeming God's people from sin and demonic powers, and ultimately establishing the new heavens and the new earth." The kingdom of God began to be manifested among men when Jesus Christ began his public ministry and proclaimed that it had arrived in his person. His kingdom is now manifested in the lives of his redeemed people, especially as they gather in local churches for worship and instruction. The book of Acts, in fact, begins with Jesus teaching his disciples about the Kingdom of God and it ends with Paul "proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ" Acts 28:31. As we await the full revelation and consummation of Christ's kingdom at his return, we Christians are ambassadors for King Jesus as we proclaim his Gospel, and as we pray, live, and teach by the Holy Spirit.
Peter no doubt received Jesus' forgiveness for his sin of denying knowing him when the risen Christ visited him on resurrection Sunday. But it was later at another meeting on the seashore in Galilee that Jesus restored Peter to his place of pastoral leadership in the early church. We see here the vital role the ministry of pastor (under shepherd) was then and now for the people of God.
We meet Peter on numerous occasions in the gospel narratives. He was the great confessor at Caesarea Philippi for all Twelve of the apostles when he declared, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." But we also encounter him at the last Passover with Jesus when he declared his unwavering loyalty, "Even if they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away. Peter said, "I will lay down my life for you." Jesus replied, "Will you lay down your life for me? Truly I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny me three times." Then tragically we read of his warming himself in the courtyard where Jesus was being interrogated. Three times he was ask if he was not a follower of Jesus. But he denied it. Even asserting, "I do not know the man." On tge third denial he even cursed in his denial! What will happen to Peter? Surely his sin has permanently disqualified him as chief of the Apostles. John records for us the gentle beautiful interaction of Jesus with Peter on his third appearance to seven of the apostles. John 21:12-19. Jesus asked Peter the love question.
The Apostle Thomas is often called "Doubting Thomas," but that is only part of his story. We see that at one point he was the "Fearless Thomas" - urging the other disciples to join him in going to Jerusalem and dying with him. At another point he was the "Inquiring Thomas," asking Jesus to show the way to the place he was going. He clung to unbelief during that first week after Christ's resurrection because he had not been at that initial appearance of Christ among the disciples. But then Jesus appeared again when Thomas was with the disciples and he told Thomas to throw aside his unbelief and come forward to touch the wounds he bore from the cross. At that point Thomas saw, believed, and confessed, "My Lord and God!" Jesus' word to the church from then on is, "Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed."
Witnessing is very important in the Christian life. We are commanded by the Lord Jesus to be his witnesses to others. This involves a focus on him as he is revealed in the Scriptures. The content of our witness is Christ Jesus not a plan of salvation or a story of our experience, although we can use what has happened to us as an example of believing. Too often we are focused on a few prooftexts that support steps to salvation. This can lead to faulty conversions that center on the wrong focus. The story of Jesus Christ in fulfillment of prophecy given in the Old Testament leading to an acknowledgement of his identity and the meaning of his death-burial-resurrection and ascension in our behalf must be the substance. Belief is expressed in a change of mind and direction of life (repentance) and faith in Jesus himself expressed in confession that is marked by baptism. This is our calling by the command of Christ our Lord. "You shall be witnesses unto Me." Tell people who I am and what I have done in fulfillment of the promises made to the prophets ."
On that first Resurrection Sunday, Cleopas and his companion's walk to Emmaus that afternoon proved to be monumental, not only for them, but for the Christian church. The stranger who accompanied them turned out to be Jesus, who pointed them to the OT scriptures which spoke of him. At the conclusion of their walk, Jesus showed them he himself had resurrected. Hurrying to Jerusalem with the good news of their encounter, the disciples had their resurrection joy strengthened by the news that the risen Lord had also appeared to Peter. And so for us today it is also the scriptures which prophesied and then testified to Jesus' death and resurrection that is our strength and help when we face sadness and fear. The risen Jesus is alive and always with us by his Spirit!
I believe in the resurrection of the dead because Jesus Christ arose from the dead. He is the first fruits of all the harvest that is to come,that is all those joined to him in faith. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ the firstfruits; then at His coming, those who belong to Him. 1 Cor. 15:35 But someone will ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come? Our resurrection body will be like Christ Jesus' resurrection body.
After Christ's execution on the cross his disciples were in fear that some similar fate might happen to them. Christ's appearance to them brought the astounding realization that he had risen physically from the dead. He had defeated death so they did not need to fear death. His presence assured them that they need not feel guilty for deserting him. The "peace" he extended to them included his forgiveness. The resurrected Christ breathed on them imparting the person of the Holy Spirit to them. They were not alone! And he gave them a mission and purpose in life - to declare the Gospel to the world. These formerly fearful men had become faithful servants of the living Christ.
I believe in the resurrection of the dead because it happened in history. It happened when Jesus of Nazareth arose from the dead. What difference does the resurrection of Jesus Christ make?
"The glorious resurrection body of Jesus Christ is the first fruit of the glorious resurrection bodies of his people which will occur at his return. Among the characteristics of Christ's body that will also mark the body of resurrected Christians are: 1) Continuity with their pre-resurrection bodies 2) Actual physical resurrection 3) Immortal (never dying but eternally living) bodies Christ went through death and all of its destruction and came out the conquering victor to God's glory and the great benefit of his people.
It is Friday afternoon. All is quiet now. The crowds have gone. Darkness has lifted. The earth has violently quaked. Jesus' mother and two close friends are waiting to receive his body for burial. Jesus of Nazareth is dead but ... Luke 23:44-56
The time for Jesus to complete the mission of redeeming his people arrived. It was Passover and Jesus gathers with his 12 special disciples. He will soon go through the horror of his sufferings climaxing in his crucifixion. He will actually be the true Lamb making atonement for people. During the course of this ceremonial meal Jesus gave his followers three commandments. Two are recorded in John and Matthew, Mark, Luke and Paul record the other commandment. Three words can help us to remember the 3 commands he gave at this last Passover: wash, love, eat.
When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday we see three things happening: 1) The plan of God being carried out as the ancient prophecies are being fulfilled that the Messiah would enter Jerusalem as the descendant of David. 2) The praises of the people as they hail him King and Deliverer in the words of Psalm 118:26, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" Their praises were likely based on political hopes for freedom from Rome, rather than a recognition of Jesus is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 3) Jesus weeping painful tears as he predicts the coming destruction of Jerusalem because they had not recognized their "time of visitation," (v. 44) when God's Messiah would visit them. Jesus had entered the final countdown to the cross that momentous Sunday.
Don't you rejoice when good news comes? When someone is very sick, but they are now well and healthy. Or when a bad situation is reversed. This is Paul's announcement in Colossians and in Ephesians. He tell us first the very bad news of our spiritual situation outside of Christ Jesus - dead, condemned, sold under transgressions, without God. "But God..." This simply phrase is how he introduces the good news, the gospel. God intervened in Jesus Christ to save us, to rescue us from a bad, impossible situation and condition. He acted out of his nature by his electing love in the person of his Son Jesus and the activity of his Spirit, making us alive!
The Victory of Jesus' cross, that is, his death in behalf of his people, is seen in this text as follows: I. The Hour of Crucifixion was the Hour of Glorification. It was through his sacrificial substitutionary death on the cross Jesus gained glory for his obedience to the Father and his love for his people. II. A Seed Must Die to Produce Life. As is true in the natural world, it is even more true that Jesus had to die to purchase the multitude of his people, ransoming them from the slave-market of sin. III. The Seed that Dies Bears Much Fruit. Jesus' death brings much spiritual fruit in the salvation of an innumerable number of people from every place and age. IV. We Must Lose our Life to Gain Eternal Life. Surrender to Jesus' Lordship results in manifold blessing including eternal life.
Jesus' death on the cross of Calvary is the remedy to at least three barriers that separate sinful humanity from the all-holy God. First of all, we are slaves to sin, to Satan, and to the world system of thought and behavior. Jesus' death on the cross is the ransom that paid the release-price so set us free from these enslavements (Matt. 20:28). Secondly, we are legally condemned before the court of God; we are guilty because of Adam's sin and because of our own personal sin. Jesus' death and resurrection removed our guilt and credited to us his righteousness (Rom. 3:21-26). Thirdly, we were enemies of God (Rom. 5:6-11) because of our wicked behavior. By his sovereign initiative, God stepped into our lives and reconciled us to himself because of the work of his Son on the cross. Through the work of the cross the ransom was paid, guilt was replaced by justification, and former enemies were adopted and made friends of God.
Many people have a mistaken view of the role of the law in salvation. In fact it is common for people to think they will be accepted by God because their out weights their bad. Others believe God saves you by his grace initially but you must began to keep the law in order to be saved in the end. Exactly what role does God's Ten Words (Law) play in the ultimate salvation when Christ Jesus returns.
No one likes to hear bad news. However, sometimes bad news is necessary and can not be avoided. At other times bad news is helpful if it leads to a good result where the bad news becomes good news. Paul in writing to the Ephesians states the bad news bluntly in chapter 2 verse 1-3. He introduces the good news that had come to the believers with these promising words, but God.
The cross of Jesus Christ was crucially necessary for lost sinners to be saved from their sin for three basic reasons: I. God is Righteous II. Humans Are Unrighteous III. Humans Are Guilty of Cosmic Treason In contrast to the perfection of God's absolute righteousness and holiness, Romans 1 shows us by contrast the nature of humanity: they are ungodly and unrighteous, they suppress the truth, they refuse to honor God or give him thanks, they are foolish in their thinking, and they exchange the worship of the immortal, eternal Creator for created things. Is there no help for a lost human race? The cross of Jesus Christ is the only solution.
The Apostle's Creed which is based on an earlier baptismal creed is primarily a biblical summary of the person and work of Christ Jesus. The bulk of the creed is a direct biblical summary on Jesus. But the third part of the creed has a list of belief statements. This podcast explores the significance of this list as a summary statement of consequences or results of Jesus redeeming work on the cross and his resurrection and ascension. Each statement is directly connected to the Bible and its truth.
The Disciples' Model prayer teaches us that it is to our heavenly Father that we pray and it is to his glory that we live. This prayer is an echo of David's prayer in 1 Chron. 29:11-12. This last sentence in the prayer, "For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." is a return to the God-directed focus with which the prayer began, specifically on his glory. All the previous petitions tie in to the promotion of God's will and his kingdom. God, not like us, has all power to fulfill these petitions, which center around God's provision, pardon, and protection. He is our Provider in all these vital aspects of our Christian lives, as subjects in his everlasting kingdom.
When his disciples ask the Master, Jesus to pray he gave them a model prayer. The roots of this prayer is God's prior revelation through the Law, the prophets and the psalms. Listen to the prayer with some of the old Testament verses that are echoed in this brief pattern prayer our Lord taught us to pray.
The Lord Jesus teaches his people to pray, acknowledging God's holiness and kingdom, as well as our need for forgiveness of our sins. In this particular text we see our need to pray for deliverance, for rescue, from Satan and the evil he fosters in the world. Without God's grace we are helpless, but God is strong and he will keep us safe in his care. Jesus defeated Satan on the cross, and we triumph and live in his victory.
A number of Christian churches observe Ash Wednesday. My church does not usually observe the set period known as Lent. But there have been times when I have gone to an Ash Wednesday service. I have found it to be a biblical time of remembrance of our mortality. God often called Israel of old to remember. Remember who I am and who you are before me. Remember what I have done. Remember you will give an account to me. As God told Adam so he speaks to all of us, Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return. Genesis 3:19 It is a call to confession of our sin and transgressions so that we can receive God's gracious pardon based on the death of Christ Jesus for sinners who put their trust in him. Join with me in a composite psalm prayer of repentance.
Christians are in great danger because of the evil cosmic forces aligned against them. Temptations, i.e., enticements to sin, come against us from Satan, the world, and our own remaining corruption. Prayer is needed that we would not yield to the temptations to sin, but would resist them and flee from them. Why these trials? To mold our character more into Christ's likeness that God would be glorified. Evil surrounds us on every side - we must call upon God our Father in the name of his Son Jesus, for protection and deliverance!
God has some important words addressed to both the rich, the wealthy, and the poor, those with little. Surprisingly, one of the words applies to both alike! This message begins in Proverbs but concludes with Jesus' own words as he observed people giving their offerings in the temple, Luke 21:1-4. God has number of warnings to the rich but both those with wealth and those in want can be guilty of idolatry expressed as the love of money! The rich should not despise the poor, but rather be generous toward them. The poor should not envy the rich, but should themselves be rich in faith.
When a person prays, "forgive us our sins," he is demonstrating his awareness of the high and holy God as well as his own sin and spiritual poverty. It is the proper prayer of a humble person and it brings one into the cleansing, restoring power of God. Christ, the teacher of this prayer, is also the foundation on which forgiveness is obtained - it is Jesus' death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead that makes forgiveness possible. Having been forgiven by Christ of our great sin debt before him, we need to likewise forgive others who sin against us. How can we not forgive others whose sin against us is not near as great as our own before the holy God?
There is a sect that seeks to say there is a gospel in the first century but they have another gospel for the current generation. They build their view of how they read into and interpret the so called "Three Angels Messages." However, we must remain very vigilant against any other so called gospel, The Apostle Paul says in Galatians 1:6-8, "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed." The first angel's message is a call to worship the true and living Creator God. It's wording is like Nehemiah 9:5-7, "Stand up and bless Yahweh your God from everlasting to everlasting! Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise! You are Yahweh, even you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their army, the earth and all things that are on it, the seas and all that is in them, and you preserve them all. The army of heaven worships you. You are Yahweh, the God who chose Abram, brought him out of Ur of the Chaldees, gave him the name of Abraham." The one eternal gospel is the message of Jesus - his person and saving acts in his death, burial and resurrection of Jesus for us sinners. Mark 16: 15 says, "And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. In Luke 24:44-49 we read, "Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, th
From John the Baptist's ministry we see that baptism has always been associated with the forgiveness of sin. Jesus calls his people out of the kingdom of darkness and places them into his kingdom. We must begin with the New Covenant scriptures to correctly understand baptism. It is the sovereign work of the Spirit who brings us to repentance and to Christ himself, who is the object of our faith. Baptism is not so much our testimony of our becoming a Christian as it of what God is doing in us and our submission to the Gospel of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. It is a response to God's call and working in his people's lives. We come to God, confessing our faith in Christ, call upon his name to save us, and gratefully submit to Christian baptism as we begin our lives of allegiance to King Jesus and loyal soldiers in his army. So, do you believe in Jesus? The New Testament commands his disciples to declare their faith by being immersed and raised from the watery grave to "walk in newness of life in Christ" (Rom. 6:4).
Book beginnings are often very important in understanding what follows in the book. I think this is especially true of the writings, the books, in the Bible. We began a several week reading study of the book of Acts. The opening paragraph of Acts connects to the gospel of Luke. By careful reading of the opening paragraphs we learn the method, the structure and the purpose of Luke's writing his two volume work on the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth in order to establish a believer name Theophilus in the certainty of the teaching he had received as a believer. A challenge is for us to read carefully in a few settings all of Luke-Acts. Let the Word impact you and study the Scriptures. This is a way of loving God with your mind.
After Jesus leads his disciples to begin their prayers with the focus on God and his will and his kingdom, he surprisingly instructs them to pray for daily bread, showing his awareness of the practical needs of human life. Three simple but vital truths about prayer are seen here:I. God commands us to ask him for the necessities of life. ("bread")II. God wants us to realize that everything that we have from him is a pure gift. ("give")III. God instructs us to be in continual prayer for his provision. ("daily")
How do you usually pray? Is there a particular position that your body takes? Some believe and it is often announced especially in church meetings to bow your head and close your eyes. What does the Bible say about the positions of our body when we pray? You may be surprised but one of the best positions is to "pray with your eyes open"! Explore with me the various positions of biblical prayer.
This third petition in the Disciples' Model Prayer, "your will be done," is closely related to the second petition, "your kingdom come," yet it is distinct enough to warrant special attention. First of all, we should understand that although the ultimate fulfillment is at Christ's return, the more immediate relevance is a prayer that God's will be done here and now, in the church, in the kingdom subjects who live in a fallen and hostile world. For each of us personally, we are concerned that his kingdom be fulfilled in our lives. There are two primary aspects of God's will:1) His decreed will, his eternal plan, that he carries out on earth (cf. Acts 2:23), and2) His prescriptive will, that is, specific revelation and execution of his will in the lives of his people. Two examples would be Jesus' submission to the Father's will in submitting to the horrors of the cross, and Paul and the believers' submission to God's will in the prophecy that in Jerusalem suffering and imprisonment awaited him. Martin Luther in his catechism question on this petition summarizes this teaching in this idea, "that the good will of God would be done on earth but we want it done among us also."
Jesus taught his disciples to pray, Our Father, your kingdom come.Two words are key to understand this petition. Kingdom. What is this kingdom of God? In what way is it to come?Jesus who teaches his disciples this prayer is the king of God's kingdom. Where the King is there is his kingdom. The prayer is not focused on geography but on relationship with God in the person of Jesus. So we are asking God to bring in a greater realization of the kingdom in and through our lives culminating in the personal arrival of the king in power and glory at the end of the age. We want God to actively bring in his reign in the midst of the rival kingdom of Satan ultimately totally destroying that kingdom and filling the earth with the eternal kingdom. The kingdom of God has a present and a not yet aspect.The present reality of the kingdom and its future aspect are present in this petition as demonstrated in the gospel narratives and Acts and Paul's descriptions of the kingdom in his letters. Revelation shows its ultimate fulfillment at the return of Jesus to this earth in power and glory.
This second petition in the Disciples' Model Prayer states, "Your kingdom come." A number of characteristics of the kingdom of God as set forth in the Bible are described in this sermon. God's kingdom is a reality wherever king Jesus rules and reigns, especially in the lives of his people. This Kingdom will come completely and fully at Jesus' Second Coming. Until then, the kingdom is expanded on earth as the Gospel goes out to the world and is received by faith and believers grow in him. These are ways we should pray that God's kingdom through Christ will come.
One day when Jesus was engaged in prayer to his Heavenly Father one of his disciples asked him to teach them to pray. Luke 11:1-4 record this conversation. On another occasion when Jesus was instructing his disciples on the mountain side he gave them this prayer model, Matthew 6:9-13. This podcast gives an overview of the prayer by noting its two sections. The first section deals with the concerns of God, his honor and kingdom. The second section deals with our needs as his dependent children. God's glory and his will must always be our chief priorities, but our material and spiritual needs are also important to him. Let this prayer be a model and guide to you as you come before the Father in praise and petition.
Jesus teaches his disciples to pray what we term "the Lord's Prayer," but is better named, "the Disciples Model Prayer."The prayer consists of 7 petitions which are easily divided into two sections. 1. That which concerns God's interest.2. That which concerns our needs as God's dependent children. Jesus teaches us first to be concerned about God's concerns. We ask the Father to do what only he can truly do. Sometimes we interpret these petitions as if they are commands for us to follow. They are not. Only God can truly make his name great, only he is the Holy One. The petition centers on two key words: "holy" and "name"The sermon today looks at both terms with special reference to God's revelation of his Name to Moses in Exodus chapter 3 and 34.The 3 petitions of the first section of the prayer are interconnected • Father, hallowed be your name.• Your kingdom come.• Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.These three sections all involve God's doing. He makes his name holy; he will bring about his kingdom and he will do his will on earth. "Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed." Revelation 15:4
How should we pray? According to Jesus we must address our prayers to "Our Father". (Matthew 6:9ff; Luke 11:1-4)This episode explores the meaning of this expression both as to what conveys concerning our family relationship to God and fellow believers. But it also looks at a theological question on Jesus as the "only begotten Son" or "the one and only Son" and our being called sons of God. Devotion plus theology is embedded in this broadcast. Exposition leading to worship.
How do Christians know God is our heavenly Father? It is to Jesus Christ himself that we are indebted for the chief revelation in the Bible, primarily in the Gospel of John, that God is the heavenly Father of his people. When we look at Jesus Christ, we look at the Father also. He is a kind Father who desires to give good gifts to his children. Christians do not stand before the heavenly Father isolated from the other people of God, but in union with them, the one body of Christ that both rejoices and suffers together. We bow before the Father in the name and because of the redeeming merit of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus gives instruction on praying by his own prayer practice and through instruction on the personal level in Luke 11 and in a more formal public instruction to the multitudes who followed in what we term the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6). From these two accounts with different contexts we can learn principles for praying.
The apostle Paul was in prison and he was writing a letter to the Christian believers at the church in Ephesus, a city in present day Turkey, and as he was writing and he was thinking about all that the Spirit of God had been prompting him to write, he was overwhelmed with the grandeur and truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ and what God had been doing among both the Jews and the Gentiles and so he places his writing quill down on the table and falls on his knees and begins to pray. That prayer is what we will be looking at today.
We often say to one another, "Pray for me." And we are urged, we are pushed to pray for one another. But what should we pray? Praying for the ups and downs and decisions in life certainly are matters for which we should turn to God for help and supply. God has concern for all his children's needs. The Bible through the examples of Paul would elevate our prayers to deeper concern. His prayers are rooted in the revelation of God in Jesus Christ and in the deep reality of conversion as a result of spiritual regeneration. One of these prayers is in Ephesians 3:14-19, "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." (Christian Standard Version)Paul adds many layers in his writing from all the fullness of God's saving work in Jesus Christ. These truths and spiritual realities are connected and often one thing leads to another. In this podcast my goal is to summarize two primary petitions Paul prayed for his fellow Christians and also for us as part of the group, "all the saints". Considering these petitions as ones made for me, I in turn now pray them for you."I pray that you will be strengthened by the Holy Spirit in your inner being.""I pray that you will be mentally and
The arrival of the Son of God, sent from heaven, to the land of Judea in ancient Palestine some 2,000 years ago was not an unexpected event. It did not catch everyone by surprise. Those who knew the ancient Hebrew scriptures had been looking for him, they were waiting for him. One of those people was an old man named Simeon. He believed that God would send a Deliverer, a Savior, for the people of God. He believed this because he believed the prophecies in the OT. Simeon's devotion to God and to his Word fueled his prayer life and his prayer, preserved by God for us, is a great model for us today.
Christians remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus, son of Mary. Traditionally this has been done throughout many centuries either on January 6 or December 25. The date of his birth is never revealed, but the fact of his birth is essential for the salvation of people. The death of the Messiah Jesus by crucifixion was decreed by God from all eternity. He is the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8, 1 Peter 1:19-20, Acts 2:23). In order for him to make the one real and sufficient sacrifice for sin it was necessary for the Word, the Son, to assume humanity in a mortal body. Although death had no claim on him he was born the sinless holy son of Mary in order that he might as a man in the prime of his life lay down his life in death on behalf of humans. All people die because they are born sinful in Adam. Because of the virgin birth through the power by the Holy Spirit Jesus was not born in Adam (Romans 5:16-19). Thus he could offer his sinless body as the sacrifice for the sins of his people (Hebrews 2: 10-15, Hebrews 10: 3-10, John 10:17-18, Isaiah 53). The hymnist Charles Wesley expressed it thusly:Christ, by highest Heaven adored;Christ the everlasting Lord;Late in time, behold Him come,Offspring of a virgin's womb.Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;Hail th' Incarnate Deity,Pleased as man with men to dwell,Jesus our Emmanuel. Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace!Hail the Sun of Righteousness!Light and life to all He brings,Risen with healing in His wings.Mild He lays His glory by,Born that man no more may die.Born to raise the sons of earth,Born to give them second birth.
How does anyone bless God? It is strange sounding yet the Bible exhorts us to bless God and gives examples of people blessing him.Of David. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Psalm 103:1LORD is Yahweh, the personal covenant name of God.Psalm 104:1 Bless Yahweh, my soul. Yahweh, my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty.The meaning of words is directly connected to the context in which they used. When we speak of blessing such as "be blessed" to another person we are wanting that person to receive something they need or be enabled to accomplish something. But God has no needs! He is the all-sufficent all-mighty self-sustaining eternal holy sovereign one!Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. Deuteronomy 10:14So to bless God is to speak of God as he has revealed himself to be to God in praise or thanksgiving. We also can bless God by lifting him high above all to others in words that declare his works especially in the salvation of sinners such as ourselves.Two great examples of blessing God are given around the birth of the forerunner of the Messiah John the Baptizer. Mary the mother of the Lord Jesus, the incarnate Word offers her praise in Luke 1:46ff "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,...After John's birth his father blesses God Luke 1:67ff
Zechariah the aged father of John the Baptist has his voiced restored on the 8th day of the child's life. It happened at the moment of his naming following his circumcision. This speech is called the Benedictus and is easily divided into 2 parts. The first is a praise prayer declaring God's faithfulness in sending the Messiah as promised in the Abrahamic covenant and sworn to by God. The second part is a direct address to the newborn son named John who is God's appointed announcer of the Messiah who was even then in Mary's womb.
This sermon looks at the two prayers of Hannah, the barren first wife of Elkanah. The first silent praying under her breath for a child and Eli thinking she was drunk. The second is her jubilant prayer of praise after the birth of Samuel. Her prayer of exaltation of God as the Deliverer, the Savior exalts God in his attribute of holiness. Her prayer is later echoed in the prayer of Mary the mother of Jesus.We can learn how to pray from the examples of people whose circumstances and prayers are recorded for us in Scripture. Hannah's prayer and Mary's similar prayer centuries later demonstrate the exaltation of God in worship though the declaration of his name and declaring his deeds.
The Psalms are useful to stimulate prayers and provide words we can actually pray. In active reading of the psalms we take note of who is addressed in the various verses. It could be direct speech to God or words directed towards others or to one's self. Join me in a prayer reading of psalms 4 and 5.
All Christians at times encounter difficulty in praying. At such times it is important to understand that prayer starts with bring one's attention Godward. Genuine prayer begins inwardly before it is expressed outwardly. Believers have turned to the Psalms through the centuries to help them express their thoughts to God and to themselves and toward and with others. The Psalms gives us models of communication with God. Today we read-pray Psalm 3," Arise, O Yahweh!Save me, O my God! Salvation belongs to Yahweh."We can locate prayer when God is addressed directly by his name or roles. Sometimes the psalmist will engage in self talk and at other times people talk. The Psalms are dynamic in nature and should be read and prayed in this manner.
This ancient prayer of the prophet Isaiah was a cry for Yahweh to be merciful to his sinful people in remembrance of his covenant with Abraham to establish a people for himself. It is a plea for him to "come down" among them. This prayer was answered when the Father sent his Son to be incarnated and live, die, and rise for the salvation of his beloved ones. This prayer will be completed at Christ's Second Advent, "Come, Lord Jesus!"
Happy birthday! This is a common greeting in America. Birthdays are usually significant in the western world but hardly mentioned in many eastern cultures. The question some ask is, "Why celebrate birthdays?" The Bible never mentions birthday celebrations although there were a number of days marked for celebration in the Mosaic Covenant. In the ancient Christian churches days of martyrdom were kept. The oldest days of celebration concerning Jesus were termed "Epiphany," which celebrated the recognition of Jesus as King by men from the east (Matthew 2) and the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan by John in which the Father announced him as his beloved Son (Matthew. 3, Mark 1, Luke 3, John 1). His baptism commenced his ministry as Messiah.We do not know the day of the year that Jesus was birthed by Mary. However, we do know the significance of his arrival. The designation of such an event is properly termed the "Festival of the Incarnation." The Word became flesh and lived among us! In Jesus of Nazareth we have the Lord of Glory as a human!Why do we celebrate birthdays? We are really celebrating a person's life, their uniqueness, our relationship. A good scripture to read on one's birthday is Psalm 90:12, "Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts."As a Christian, celebrating one's birthday should involve the blessing of the Lord and so my prayer for you is in the words of Ephesians 1:17, "I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him."
What does God do with our prayers? How do our prayers relate to the return of Messiah Jesus to the earth? another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne. Revelation 8:3 This action is the answer to the prayer recorded in Revelation 6: 10 They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" The ultimate answer to the disciples prayer Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come your will be done,on earth as it is in heaven.What is prayer and how does our prayers relate to the end of the age, the consummation
Paul often began his letter to the churches with a thanksgiving to God for what he has done and is doing in them. Two of the assemblies Paul wrote were Thessaloniki and Colossae. He overflows with thankfulness because of God's work in them and how this is being demonstrated in their lives. Four things are pointed out beginning with God's sovereign grace expressed in their faith expressed in their changed lives.
God has given his Son Jesus as the great Shepherd of his people. Christ in return has appointed undershepherds. Paul is a great example of such a pastor. He gives thanks to God for his grace at work in his people at Corinth and Philippi. These thanksgivings are found at the beginning of his letters to them.
Paul, Silas, and Timothy show us how to pray:I. …To God himself to whom thanks is due – the source of the blessings. V.2, 3II. ,,..by giving thanks to God for his work among all the diverse people among the Thessalonians.III. ..by .giving thanks to God constantly for his gracious and powerful work among them and continued to pray for their growth in grace. V. 2IV. ...by giving thanks for the rigor and faithfulness of their Christian lives. v. 3V. ..by giving thanks to God for his election of the Thessalonians to salvation. v. 4.VI. ...by giving thanks to God for their teachable spirits v. 6VII. ...by giving thanks to God for their unbridled proclamation of the Gospel to all people. v. 8May we Christians today follow this example of giving thanks for our fellow saints.
One of the most powerful testimonies in the New Testament of the transforming power of the gospel among a group of people is seen in the opening verses of 1 Thessalonians. There Paul thanked God for the clear and obvious evidence of his mighty saving work in the lives of the Thessalonian Christians. It happened then. It can happen now!
King Jehoshaphat's prayer of distress when a confederation of nations came to Judah. How did it get to this point? Consider the backstory and then hear his prayer.We are helpless. We don't know what to do! But our eyes are on you!God gives an immediate reply by a prophetic utterance and the next day Judah is confronted with the dead bodies of the invading confederation of armies. We can learn how to pray in distress from Jehoshaphat's prayer in distress.
After God has established a covenant with David and his household David comes before the presence of Yahweh God. David's prayer of response can teach us much about prayer. Prayer is an intentional come before God in humility to present our acknowledgement of him and to ask him to fulfill his will.
Yahweh God used the prophet Nathan to tell King David that his throne would endure forever by the future placement of one of his descendants as the Ruler of the kingdom of God. In response to this revelation David went immediately into the presence of God in prayer. His responsive prayer teaches us much as to how to approach God in prayer. Christian prayer is, among other things, participation with God in his action in the world for his own glory and purposes.
The first mention of prayer in the Bible is Genesis 4:26. "To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD" (Yahweh). This simple phrase, calling upon the name Yahweh, functions as a basic definition of prayer, a vital experience of the Christian life.
The Christian life is lived in a faith community of disciples of Jesus Christ that is marked by a personal confession of Christ and sealed by the ceremony of baptism.
We must look to the inspired Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments for both the substance and as the final or ultimate authority for our teaching and practice. To the inspired, inscripturated Word alone do we find the answer to the burning question, How does a person find acceptance with the all holy God? All humans are sinners and sin is against God's nature! How then can I, a fallen sinful human ever be welcomed into God presence by the forgiveness of my sin and righteousness?Looking to the Bible alone, all of the Protestant Reformers of the 16th century came to see that the answer is the nature of Jesus Christ's suffering for sin once for all, and we connect to him by personal faith. It is by grace alone through faith in the living Lord Jesus Christ who died on our behalf and was raised from the dead for our justification and ascended into heaven where he serves as our Advocate, our High Priest. Romans 5: 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. This is the core of the gospel recovered at the Protestant Reformations.
Reformation Sunday sermon preached at One Church with 3 congregations combined for the annual remembrance. This sermon focused on the atoning death of Jesus Christ once for all. People are justified, forgiven and accepted by God because Jesus died on their behalf and rose from the dead for our justification. The cross of Jesus where he shed his holy blood was necessary and results in removal of guilt, satisfaction of God's justice, and reconciliation through personal faith by grace in the Lord Jesus the Christ. In the great exchange of redemption Jesus took the sin of his people and bore the punishment due and the Father gives them the righteousness of the Son. His death is finished the atonement complete and those who believe on him have eternal life.
In a sense we could say that the spiritual renewal of gospel that happened in the 16th century with the Protestant Reformers was sparked by a discovery of a correct translation and interpretation of two verses of Scripture. Luther came to see that Matthew 4:17 which had been mistranslated by Jerome as penance( From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say: Do penance, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.,Douay) should read, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." It was not telling people to do a performance of penance but calling them to a change of mind.The second verse is Romans 1:17-18 " For in it (gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith. For God's wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people.." Luther had thought the phrase was speaking of God's direct total holiness and righteousness by which we are judged and damned. But one day by God's grace he saw the verse was referring to a passive righteousness God grants, donates, gives to the one believing in Jesus. This credited righteousness of Jesus is put to the believers account and thus we have acceptance with the righteous God. When this truth came to Luther's understanding he was born again. Quotes from Luther Preface to the Complete Edition of Luther's Latin Writings. It wa written by Luther in Wittenberg, 1545.via REFORMATION INK (www.markers.com/ink)
Paul describes God as "the only wise God" in Rom. 16:27. As we consider this final attribute in this series, we will look at God's wisdom in:1) Creation from Psalm 1042) Redemption from 1 Cor. 1:18-313) Providence from 1 Phil. 1:12-14In viewing his great wisdom in these areas, may we be drawn to worship him with more awe, and rest in his providential oversight of our lives.
John the Immersionist (baptizer) appeared in the wilderness of Judea on the banks of the Jordan River proclaiming, Prepare the way for Yahweh! He is the prophesied Forerunner of the Messiah in fulfillment of the prophecy of Malachi and Isaiah and he prophecy of his own father, Zacharchi at his birth. And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, Luke 1v 76ff: And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins,because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on highto give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."Mark begins his good news announcement with the message of John concerning the soon appearing of Messiah, King of God's Kingdom. He summons the people of Israel to repentance from the lifestyle of commandment breaking of the Mosaic (Law) Covenant to a heart obedience to Yahweh. He preaches repentance, a conversion to God marked by a new ritual sign of immersion, dipping in the river. He was proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Luke 3:3In his quoting from Isaiah and Malachi he identifies Jesus as the Son of God and in the quotations from this earlier prophets John gives testimony to the divinity of Jesus, the Messenger of the Covenant who is identified as the arrival of Yahweh!
Jesus made the bold identity to his disciples in John 14, I am the way, the truth and the life. The next day he was arraigned before Pilate and testified, "For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice."Pilate responded with the age old question , What is truth?in fact Truth stood before him! Years later the Apostle John wrote: And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
There are 4 men named, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John who wrote short books to spread the good news (gospel) of Jesus. Each one has a particular target in mind and the key to their presentation is found in the opening lines. This podcast gives an overview of how the person and deeds of Messiah Jesus are presented. Also listeners are challenged to read through one of the gospel in the next 7 days without reference to chapters and verses.
Deut. 32:3-4 is a good place to start as we consider "God, the Righteous One:" I. Yahweh's Work is PerfectII. Yahweh's Ways are Justice and JudgmentIII. Yahweh's Nature is RighteousIV. Yahweh's Judgments are UprightThis sermon goal is to help us understand more clearly that God is righteous so we might know him more accurately to the end that we may worship and serve him more intelligently and wholeheartedly.
Paul in both his letter to the Roman Christians and the believers in Ephesus gives us a picture of our natural state as humans from birth. It is not a picture of innocence or even of a neutral state but one of spiritual death, captivity and rebellion. In fact it is a state of condemnation from birth awaiting execution!Romans 5: 12 sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—v.15 many died through one man's trespassv.16 the judgment following one trespass brought condemnationJohn 3:17-18 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.Ephesians 2:1-3 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
Grace is a word often used but seldom truly understood. We first hear of it in Genesis 6, Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.Who is this God of all grace that Moses requested to see in Exodus 33 and 34 and who is manifested full in Jesus Christ. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17 An exposition of Ephesians 2:1-10 with reference to Romans 5. We have a desperate need for grace. But what is it? How does it come to us. God declared his covenant name to Moses in Exodus 34:5-7 Yahweh descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed Yahweh's name. Yahweh passed by before him, and proclaimed, "Yahweh! Yahweh, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth, keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin;Paul uses the word frequently in his letters in the New Testament as demonstrated in Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God;God's grace is associated directly with his goodness, his compassion, kindness and mercy. Grace is God in action to bestow a needed gift on one totally underserving by which he brings us in a relationship with himself based on the work of his beloved Son Jesus the Christ.
Grace is a word often used but seldom truly understood. We first hear of it in Genesis 6, Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. God declared his covenant name to Moses in Exodus 34:5-7 Yahweh descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed Yahweh's name. Yahweh passed by before him, and proclaimed, "Yahweh! Yahweh, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth, keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin;Paul uses the word frequently in his letters in the New Testament as demonstrated in Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God;God's grace is associated directly with his goodness, his compassion, kindness and mercy. It is God in action to bestow a needed gift on one totally underserving by which he brings us in a relationship with himself based on the work of his beloved Son Jesus the Christ.
In 1 John 4:17-21 we see these truths:I. God's Love Is Fundamental to His Beting - vs. 8 & 16II. God's Love is Revealed in Christ - vs. 9-10, 14III. God's Love is the Prime Cause of Our Love for One Another - vs.10-11Jesus did the greatest thing: he loved his people and died and rose for them. We who believe in Christ must, therefore, respond tohim in love and express that love to others.
The Apostle John uses a phrase three times in his writings to refer to the nature of God. In1 John 1:5 he makes this declaration: This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.The message he heard and proclaimed was the message of the coming of the Son, the Word into the world. John was his earest disciple along with Andrew and he bears witness to Jesus. This theme is also stated in John chapter 1, He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.The basic truth of the statement, God is light is that in God is absolute moral purity, absolute purity. The context of John's use is contrast between people's walk in darkness, sin and God the pure, holy altogether righteous One.Later the Apostle Paul will use this language of light bearing to refer to Christian witness and living as children of light.
God's knowledge is personal and complete. Although no one can know the depths of God's knowledge he has chosen to reveal himself especially in Jesus Christ. This is true knowledge. To know we must know him in Jesus the Christ.John 17 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.1 John 5 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:11-12, 20Of GodWe confess and acknowledge one only God, to whom only we must cleave, whom only we must serve, whom only we must worship, and in whom only we must put our trust; who is eternal, infinite, unmeasurable, incomprehensible, omnipotent, invisible: one in substance, and yet distinct in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: By whom we confess and believe all things in heaven and in earth, as well visible as invisible, to have been created, to be retained in their being, and to be ruled and guided by his inscrutable Providence, to such end as his eternal wisdom, goodness, and justice has appointed them, to the manifestation of his own glory. Scots Confession
When we enter the meeting area where God's people assembly to offer him worship what do we see? In many churches today we see a stage with musical instruments with few if any symbols of the God ordained ways to offer him acceptable praise. Why is this the case? Could it be a loss of the sense of the reverence we owe to God? Have we traded reverence for utility? Consider the words spoken to begin the public service. Worship should begin with a clear scriptural call that marks the time and brings the people into an awareness of God by the speaking of the Word that summons us into God's presence.This message looks briefly at 3 examples in the experiences of Jacob, Moses and Isaiah. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28f
Isaiah 57:15 leads us to consider these truths regarding God, the Holy One:I. There is only one God who is holy.II. This Holy God inhabits eternity.III The name of this God is holy.IV. The holy God lives with those of a contrite and lowly spirit. The creator God is high and exalted, separate and unique from us. Yet calls us to know something of his holy person so we can worship his awesome majesty. And by his grace we seek to imitate him by conforming our own lives to his holiness.
Holiness is the most prominent of the attributes of God. It is the one attribute that is used in a threefold manner as seen in Isaiah 6:1-3 and Revelation 4:8-11. It is often used in connection with other attributes such as love.When we think of God as holy our tendency is to understand it like we use it to refer to people. But this is the wrong place to start. As a principle of the correct understanding of the vocabulary use in the Bible or any book we must consider how it is first used. This will give us a key to its basic and then developing use. The word holy is first used in Genesis 2:1-4 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.Exodus 3: 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" 5 Then he said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."The meaning is separate, apart, in a category exclusive. This was true of the completion of creation at end of 6 days. God's rest was the rejoicing in the completed work as Creator. This is not a commandment for mankind but a narrative of God's action. The day like the ground was apart because of God's presence.God's name is Holy. Here are some references: Psalm 99:3Let them praise your great and awesome name. He is Holy!Psalm 111:9; Isaiah 57: 15 For the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy.
Isaiah 40 verse 18, To whom will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to him? The obvious answer is no one, nothing. Why because God is God and he is in a different category as the Creator, transcend above his creation. God is One, an undivided essence yet shared by Father, Word/Son and Holy Spirit. God has attributes which are shared in some measure with humans, his marred image bearers such as love, mercy, kindness but God also has characteristics which are his alone that can not be shared with any. This incommunicable attributes are unique to God!
How shall we begin a study of the being and the attributes of God? As creatures who have a beginning, the study of the ever-living One, the eternal God, reveals to us the magnificent awesomeness of God's nature, so different from ours. To think that there never was a time when God did not exit, and there never will be a time when he will not exist, is hard for our human minds to grasp. Yet this shows one attribute of the great God of the universe. This revelation only comes to us by the Word through the Spirit - and gives us cause to fall down and worship the great "I AM" - he who was, is now, and ever will be!
I have a question for us. Are we at times due to our emphasis on what in our understanding or opinion God cannot do anymore, pedaling an impotent, weak and powerless God?
Paul writes the Galatian churches with a heavy heart because the one true gospel he had preached there and by which they had been saved was under siege by rival messages advocating deeds, rituals and laws as necessary additions."even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed." This sermon presents a review of the rue message before the false messages brought by "angel messengers."
Sometimes we read a verse of Scripture in isolation from its context. This can result in an error of interpretation and false teaching. This podcast takes up a proper method of reading Bible verses in their context. The verses to be considered are 1 Corinthians 4-13 and Jude 24. --No trial has overtaken you that is not common to mankind. And God is faithful- he will not let you be tested beyond what you can bear, but with the trial will also provide the way through, so that you will be able to endure it.---Jude 24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,..--Reading these verses in isolation bring some people to the conclusion that a Christian can live a sinless life. That it is possible a believer can stop sinning and never sin again. But is this a correct conclusion-- If not why----The podcast then looks at levels of context that help test this conclusion. What steps should one take as he or she reads verses or passages of Scripture.-How do we go about reaching correct understanding of Bible verses-- This podcast addresses wrong conclusions that are sometimes reach when we read and interpret a verse out of its context levels. Join me on the discovery journey.
We are familar with the frequent exhortations to believers to sing to God. It is a command of Scripture. An example is Psalm 92- 1-5 It is good to praise Yahweh,-to sing praise to Your name, Most High,to declare Your faithful love in the morning-and Your faithfulness at night,with a ten-stringed harp and the music of a lyre. For You have made me rejoice, Lord, by what You have done--I will shout for joy because of the works of Your hands.-5 How magnificent are Your works, Yahweh, how profound Your thoughts---You may find it a refreshing revelation that our God sings over the works of his almighty saving hand. Zephaniah 3-17-Yahweh your God is among you, a warrior who saves.-He will rejoice over you with gladness.-He will bring you quietness with His love.-He will delight in you with shouts of joy.---In the days of his earthly ministry Jesus, the Word made flesh sang with his disciples. Mark 14-26 And after they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. The psalm hymn is Psalm 118.--In his ascension our Lord Jesus is the our great high priest who presents our praises with own to God the Father- Romans 15-8 For I say, Christ has become a servant of the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God, in order to confirm the promises to the fathers, 9 and that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, just as it is written,---Because of this, I will praise you among the Gentiles,- and I will sing praise to your name.---10 And again it says,---Rejoice, Gentiles, with his people.---11 And again,---Praise the Lord, all the Gentiles,- and let all the peoples praise him.---12 And again Isaiah says,---The root of Jesse will come,- even the one who rises to r
Jude not only warns Christian assemblies of the danger of false teaching and teachers who have slipped into the churches but he also gives a summary of how to combat them. He does so in the command -keep yourselves in the love of God. He relates 3 ways of doing this. Jude 20-21- 20f But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith, by praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. LEB--Jude 20-21-20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. NASB--New English Translation - But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith, by praying in the Holy Spirit, maintain yourselves in the love of God, while anticipating the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that brings eternal life.- Jude 20f--Paul in his letters to the church in Corinth and John is Jesus letter to the 7 churches give us concrete examples.
Jude sounds the alarm warning of false professors within the assemblies who lead others astray. He paints pictures of their false teachings and ungodly lifestyle from the Old Testament scriptures depicting evil actions and illustrated by certain individuals.-Jude -Woe to them- For they have traveled in the way of Cain, and have given themselves up to the error of Balaam for gain, and have perished in the rebellion of Korah. 12 These are the ones feasting together without reverence, hidden reefs at your love feasts, caring for themselves, waterless clouds carried away by winds, late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, uprooted, 13 wild waves of the sea foaming up their own shameful deeds, wandering stars, for whom the deep gloom of darkness has been reserved for eternity.
An introductory look at the letter of Jude. Jude states his main point and why he is compelled to write this letter to the assemblies.--1 Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and brother of James, to those who are called, loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ. 2 May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.--3- Dear friends, although I was making every effort to write to you concerning our common salvation, I considered it a necessity to write to you to encourage you to contend for the faith delivered once and for all to the saints. 4 For certain men have slipped in stealthily, who were designated long ago for this condemnation, ungodly ones, who change the grace of our God into licentiousness and who deny our only Master and Lord Jesus Christ. Lexham English Bible. Logos
Jesus had brother named, Judas and he wrote a letter we find in the New Testament with the altered name Jude. How would liked to have received first hand a hand written scrolled fro him encouraging you to contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints---a brief introduction to this important letter tucked away in our Bibles just before Revelation. t is an important letter addressing an urgent situation in some assemblies of false ungodly people within who are undercutting the faith by their false teaching and ungodly behavior.
The first two verses of Jude are loaded with rich and crucial theological content. Two main subjects direct our thoughts into this passage--I. Jude, a Submitted Servant of Jesus Christ-II. The People of God, Secure in Their Triune God-The -effectual call of God- is an important truth this sermon presents. Those called by the Spirit are inextricably also beloved by the Father and kept for Jesus Christ.
Do you know what truth is-- Pilate asked this question of Jesus right after Jesus made a claim as to why he came into world. John 18-29-38-29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, -What accusation do you bring against this man--- 30 They answered him, -If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.- 31 Pilate said to them, -Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.- The Jews said to him, -It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.- 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.--33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, -Are you the King of the Jews--- 34 Jesus answered, -Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me--- 35 Pilate answered, -Am I a Jew-- Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done--- 36 Jesus answered, -My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.- 37 Then Pilate said to him, -So you are a king--- Jesus answered, -You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world-to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.- 38 Pilate said to him, -What is truth-----Truth was staring Pilate in the face and he missed it. Jesus is the only way to know the true God and to have eternal life-
Often people quote Bible verses out of context to promote an idea. One such verse is John 8-32 where Jesus says, -you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.---Let's consider the verse in its context of John 8-2-30-After these opening startling claims about himself Jesus makes the statement.- So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, -If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.-
Three basic truths are set forth in this book--I. Truth is the foundation of Christian fellowship - v.1-II. Christian Truth Does Not Stand Alone, but is Wedded to Christian Love - v. 5-III. Christian truth is based upon fact of Jesus Christ's coming in the flesh. -v.7--The truth of Jesus Christ's incarnation is essential to our salvation. --We must know the truth and reject the errors that are everywhere. --Jesus' incarnation is crucial for our salvation and therefore we must believe it, confess it , proclaim it , and protect it from false teaching and attacks.
Is it possible to know that your sins are forgiven and to have the assurance of eternal life-- Many believe this is impossible but the Apostle John asserts that it is- In fact he wrote his gospel narrative so that people would come to believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Son of God and have eternal life. -Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book- but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.- John 20-30-31--We can not have assurance of eternal life unless we first have received this gift through faith in Jesus. John relates how Jesus defines eternal life and how people enter into it by grace through faith in him. John 3-13-18--No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven -the Son of Man.--14 -Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16 For God loved the world in this way- He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. -Christian Standard Bible--- Later John writes so believers can know they have eternal life. He defines eternal life in these words, -this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son Jesus
1 John 5 v13 specifically states we can know if we have eternal life. -'I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.- He writes to believers so that they can have assurance of salvation in Jesus Christ.- To know is to enter into a personal reliance upon Jesus Christ, enter into a personal relationship with him. It is not mere mental assent or acquaintance. It is a imitate relationship establish by faith through the working of the Holy Spirit. -Christian assurance is -a Christian believer's confidence that he or she is in right standing with God, and that this will issue in ultimate salvation.- -D A Carson, Reflections on Christian Assurance--This truth of assurance of salvation in Jesus Christ is necessary for God's righteous honor and for our knowing how to live as Christians and how to handle our failures. 1 John 1-5-2-2- 1 John 5-1-13
In this final section of Peter's first letter, the apostle gives several commands to the churches he was writing. He often gives a reason for the commands or a benefit from following them. God's people were commanded to...-1. Walk in humility under God's mighty hand.-2. Cast all their anxieties on him.-3. Be sober minded and watchful.-4. Resist the devil, firm in the faith. -5. Stand firm in the grace of God. -6. Greet one another with a kiss of love. --In acknowledging the divine authority of these apostolic commands, we would also do well to implement them.
At the very beginning of the church as we know it is the Day of Pentecost. Acts 2 records this event in detail. There are various teachings today about the meaning of this event. We are left with a clear witness as to its meaning by the witness of John to Jesus promise in the Upper Room and to Luke's account in Luke 24 and in Acts 1 and 2.-The event of Pentecost and its continuing relevance must be determined and articulated by the witness of Luke, John, Peter and Paul. This message looks at 3 meanings assigned to the Pentecost event by the Scripture,
God has called pastors to diligently shepherd and lead the congregations of God's people, as all people in the church are to be clothed in humility toward one another. --Sermon goal- -To help us understand the role-ministry of pastors so we can-- Understand the pastors' responsibilities.- Submit to their ministry as they adhere to the Word of God.- Support them and pray for them.- Be thankful to God for providing them -see Eph 4- to his church.
The Apostle Peter closes his first letter with an exhortation to his fellow elders and the young men. They are to relate to one another in humility. It is in this immediate context that Peter issues his Devil alert alarm. The command is rooted in an immediate context as well as in the context of the whole letter.-Be sober-minded- be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5-8
Paul spent much time and words in exhorting his young ministers, Timothy and Titus to hold to the pattern of sound words in which they they had been instructed. These core beliefs of the faith are to be taught to passed on coming generations. They are the measuring line, the rule by which other teachings and teachers are to be evaluated. Their contents can be determined by the summaries Paul gives in his letters to the churches. In early Christian history they are referred to and summarized in the Rule of Faith. Some Bible passages in which they are in part found are- Titus 2-11-14, 1 Corinthians 15-1-11- Philippians 2- 5b-11. --Pattern of Sound Words-The Gospel--This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance- --Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--- For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind,-the man Christ Jesus who gave himself as a ransom for all people. - Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. --This is my gospel.--Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness--- -God- He was manifested in the flesh,- vindicated by the Spirit, - seen by angels,- proclaimed among the nations,- believed on in the world,- taken up in glory.--He has saved us and called us- with a holy calling,- not according to our works,- but according to His own purpose and grace,- which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.--This has now been made evident- through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,- who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
God has appointed his Son, the Lord Jesus as the Chief Shepherd of his people.-This is the fulfillment of his own promise recorded in Ezekiel 34-11 -'For the Lord Yahweh says- -Behold, I myself, even I, will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered abroad, so I will seek out my sheep. I will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. .. 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will cause them to lie down,- says the Lord Yahweh.--v.23 And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them- he shall feed them and be their shepherd.--John 10-11ff-11 I am the good shepherd.Isaiah 40-11- Ezekiel 34-11-12,15,22 The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I'm known by my own- 15 even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. He who is the Chief Shepherd, who has completed his sacrifice and gone into heaven, has called and appointed under-shepherds to care for his sheep gathered in local assemblies. These elders, pastor, overseers are Word Servants to God's people.-Peter drawing from his own calling and experience instructs and exhorts the elder-pastors in how they are to exercise their calling and charge in 1 Peter 5-1-7Therefore I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed--He uses 4 key terms to describe how pastors are to shepherd his people.
To churches who were experiencing persecution because of their Christian faith we see in this passage--I. The Prevalence of Fiery Trials-II. The Purpose of Fiery Trials-III. Proper Responses to Fiery Trials
Paul enumerated the qualifications for a pastor -overseer, bishop- in Titus 1-9 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.-Titus 2-1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.-The Apostle Paul was a great advocate of proper doctrine.--Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine -1 Timothy 4-13-.--All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness- That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works -2 Timothy 3-16-17-.--Although many today neglect sound doctrine or even deny truth God's word puts a high value on teaching the objective truths about. God, humanity, Jesus Christ' person and work. In John 18-37 jesus said, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.---Both the belief in and the teaching of God's truths, doctrine, sound teaching of the pattern of sound words, spelled out in the New Testament is absolutely necessary for health spiritual life.
This sermon seeks to demonstrate that the three persons of the one triune God were all participants in the conception of our Lord Jesus Christ in the womb of the Virgin Mary. -Likewise, in all of Christ's saving and sanctifying work, the three persons of the Trinity worked together to accomplish the salvation and sanctification of God's people.
God as Trinity or better stated the One Eternal God as a triune Being is a crucial teaching of the Bible and therefore is essential to true Christianity. Yet this doctrine is often neglected in the pulpit by pastors. Failure to adequately instruct believers in this truth has resulted in serious errors in the faith touching many other doctrines especially the person of Jesus Christ and his redemptive acts. - How should this doctrine be stated---A brief look at Matthew 28-16-20 and 2 Corinthians 13-14 and creedal summary statement and hymn expressions.-18 And Jesus came and said to them, -All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.--2 Corinthians 13-14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Jesus in the hours before his sufferings and death on behalf of sinful people spent several hours seeking to prepare them. He spoke of leaving them. First a short leaving by his death and burial but in a little while you will see me again. He is prophesying his third day resurrection. Then of a much longer departure when he returns to the Father. It is in this connection that Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit as his ascension gift that he will send to them. His promise was fulfilled on Pentecost ten days after he ascended into heaven. The Spirit brings the spiritual presence of Christ Jesus and he bears witness to him. He empowers believers in the Lord Jesus to witness beginning with the disciples on that Pentecost day but continuing to this day. He is Christ's ascension gift and he comes with fullness of power and grace gifts for ministry and witness to Jesus.
Jesus' ascension into heaven after 40 days of pos- resurrection appearances and detailed instructios is related by Luke in his gospel in chapter 24 verse 50-53 and by him in Acts 1. Jesus spoke of returning to his Father. Why did Jesus need to return to heaven after his resurrection from the dead--
In his grace Jesus not only forgave a repentant Peter on the day of his resurrection but he restored Peter 3 weeks later to his role as an apostle. John records this intimate conversation between Jesus and Peter on the shore of Lake Galilee in John 21. For every denial Peter had uttered- I do not know the man- Jesus now allows him to confess his personal love and affection. To each affirmation of love Jesus responded with the commission- Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep. Feed my sheep. His ultimate command to Peter was Follow me.
Although Simon Peter loved Jesus of Nazareth in the hour of trial when Peter from the courtyard was identified as a follower of Jesus, he denied even knowing him- How could this happen-- The tragic denial by Peter is recorded in all four gospel narratives. How can the designated leader of the apostles and the confessor of Jesus' messiahship deny even knowing him--
On several occasions during his three year ministry Jesus told his disciples about his coming suffering, death, and resurrection. But he also informed them, as we see in John's Gospel, on numerous times of his coming ascension to the Father. -In verse 28 of John 16 we see--1. Jesus' Preexistence with the Father-2. Jesus' Presence with His People-3. Jesus' Preparation of His Disciples for His Coming Ascension-All these predictions came true as will all the other predictions Jesus made about the yet-to-be-fulfilled-future.
The Apostle Peter is the great example of a true confessor of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 16-16, in answer to Jesus' question to his disciples as to who people were saying he was, Peter declared, -You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.- -On another occasion in John 6, after many of the followers of Jesus were deserting him, Jesus asked his disciples if they, too, would leave him. Peter answered, -Lord, to whom shall be go-- You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and come to know that you are the Holy One of God- -John 6-69-.-This bold declaration and confession of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, marked Peter's preaching as he led the early church in the same confession of Jesus . -Peter's untiring confession of the Lordship of Christ led to his own martyrdom. Likewise many true confessors of Jesus are suffering for their loyalty to declare the truth today. -In a world in desperate need of hearing the Gospel, may we likewise not be hesitant to declare and confess that -Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.-
There are more personal interactions recorded concerning Peter and Jesus than all the other apostle's combined. Simon Peter was one the earliest disciples having been brought to meet Jesus by his brother Andrew. After the great confession of Jesus as the Christ -Messiah- the Son of the Living God he and his confession shared by all the apostle's became the rock on which the church is built. Peter was known for his fierce loyalty to Jesus in which at times he expressed ideas contrary to God's will and Jesus' mission. At the last Passover of Jesus and his Twelve he stated that if all the others forsook Jesus and fled he would never do this. Yet when the Jewish authorities and the battalion of Roman soldiers came to arrest Jesus after stricking off the ear of the high priest servant and told to put his sword away by Jesus Peter too only followed at a distance. When through the apostle's John personal knowledge of some in the high priest circle Peter gained entrance into the courtyard so he could hear what was happening to his Master Jesus he publicly denied knowing Jesus three times. -I do not know the man.- On the third denial spoken even with a curse a rooster crowed and Jesus looked at him. He was overcome with grief and wept bitter tears. Surely with such a sin he woukd be forver barred from being an apostle. Yet on the day of his rising from the dead Jesus met privately with Peter. Then some possibly 3 or 4 weeks Jesus on the shore cooking breakfast for the small group of 7 disciples. He eagerly wades to shore to meet his Lord. After breakfast Jesus takes Peter on a walk and asked Peter of his love for him in a series of 3 questions. Thus Peter is graciously restored-
How did Simon Peter come to know Jesus and become his follower-- After spending some time off and on with Jesus what was Simon-Peter- first confession regarding Jesus and himself--
After an exhausting night of unsuccessful fishing, seven of Jesus' disciples had a surprise encounter with their risen Lord on the shore of Lake Tiberias. Jesus not only convincingly revealed his physical, bodily resurrection to a group of his disciples for the third time, but he even prepared breakfast of fish and bread for them. -This passage is further testimony to the importance of multiple witnesses to verify Christ's bodily resurrection.
Paul writes to Timothy concerning our Lord Jesus. God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel . 2 Timothy 1-9-10-Jesus in his incarnation abolished death and brought life and immortality. To explore the meaning of this work of Christ Jesus we need to ask and answer two questions. Where or in whom is eternal life-- When does eternal life begin. Second Jesus is referred to as the firstfruits from the dead and the firstborn of and from the dead. -Revelation 1-5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood-- Colossians 1-18-And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.--What does this mean and what bearing does it have on us and the resurrection from the dead--
The apostle Thomas was not present when Jesus first showed himself in his resurrected body to the Apostles on the evening of the day he arose from the dead. When his fellow apostles told him he refused to believe unless he saw for himself Jesus' body bearing the marks of his crucifixion. Jesus accommodated himself to Thomas and commanded Thomas to touch him. He said to Thomas, -Put your finger here, and see my hands- and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.- From the lips of Thomas came this great confession- -My Lord -King-Master- and My God---We are dependent on the eye-witness testimony of the Apostles and others who saw Jesus alive after his death and burial. They not only saw him but touched, and ate with him. Jesus says of us who believe- -Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.--The major reason for John's gospel narrative is to bear witness to Jesus as Messiah, the Son of God.
In this passage we see--I. The Appearance of the Risen Jesus to His Disciples-II. The Commissioning of the Disciples for Ministry-III. The Impartation of the Spirit to the Disciples
The day of Jesus' resurrection was very busy with his comings and goings to several people and climaxed in the evening with his first appearance to a group of ten of his apostles.-Jesus is raised in the physical body of incarnation and death which is now raised an immortal body. Jesus bestows his peace upon the disciples. He then gives his commission, -as the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.- Having said this he breathed on them and said, -Receive the Holy Spirit.- This poses several questions that call an answer.
A most unique attribute of the living God, Yahweh, is his immortality. Christians many times use this term incorrectly. The Bible says God alone is immortal.--1 Timothy 1-17-To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.--1 Timothy 6-13-16-13 I command you, in the sight of God who gives life to all things and Christ Jesus who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you observe the commandment without fault, irreproachable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will make known in his own time, the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of those who reign as kings and Lord of those who rule as lords, 16 the one who alone possesses immortality, who lives in unapproachable light, whom no human being has seen nor is able to see, to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.--An early Christian hymn expresses ,-Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One-- God is the blessed and only Sovereign,- the King of kings,- and the Lord of lords,- 16 the only One who has immortality,- dwelling in unapproachable light-- no one has seen or can see Him.
The two events of Resurrection morning according to John's Gospel are presented in this sermon. In this passage we see--I. The Astonishing Empty Tomb v.1-10-II. Mary's Deep Devotion to Jesus v.11-17-III. The Reality of Christ's Physical Resurrection v. 14-17-IV. Christ's Announcement of his Ascension v.17 V. Jesus' Unfailing Love for His Unfaithful Disciples v. 17-VI. Mary, the Faithful Message Bearer v. 18--A happy morning it was-
A descriptive sermon on Jesus' crucifixion centered on the eyewitness account of his beloved disciple. The framework is that of 3 focuses- the placement, the groups present at the foot of the cross, and Jesus 3 spoken words recorded by John.
A primary reason why Christians know that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Promised Anointed One, the Redeemer, is the predicted prophecies that are fulfilled in his life. Psalm 22 is a detailed picture of Jesus' sufferings on the cross. Both Matthew and John relate this in their accounts. Matthew records the behavior of people and Jesus' inner experiences of thought and emotional pain as well as his bodily suffering. Listen to the record of Psalm 22 with Matthew 27 and Jesus' own prophecy in Matthew 20.
After Jesus' arrest he was taken to the residence of Annas for a pretrial hearing which failed to produce a charge. From there he was taken to the Temple where a council was hastily summoned before daylight. False witnesses were called but no witness proved credible. Ultimately the High Priest by an oath compelled Jesus to answer the question, -I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.- Jesus said to him, -You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven- -Matt. 26-64-. He was quoting from Daniel 7. Because they rejected his claims, despite his many signs, they condemned him to death. However, since they did not have the legal power to implement capital punishment, they took him to the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate to secure a political verdict. Pilate said he was not guilty but yielding to pressure of the Jewish leaders he handed Jesus over to be crucified- Peter summarized the truth of what happened and why it happened in his sermon on Pentecost day. -This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men- -Acts 2-23-.-Yet it was through this means that Jesus accomplished the atoning death necessary for the forgiveness of sins for all who would believe on him.
When the soldiers came to arrest Jesus in the garden grove where he had been praying he went out and said to them, -Who is it that you're seeking---- -Jesus of Nazareth,- they answered. He answered, -I am-. At this manifestation of his nature they fell down.-When Peter drew a hand sword and cut off the ear of servant of the High Priest, Jesus rebuked him for once again seeking to interfere with God's will that the cross was his destination.-Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given me-- Jesus said to Peter. John 18-11-Jesus had spoken of the cup at the institution of the New Covenant in his blood. Mark 14-24 This pod explores the biblical answer to this question.
I want to take you to a dark spot. It is in the garden where Jesus is arrested and taken in custody. Here is the account as recorded by John who was an eyewitness to the event. John 18-1-11 with references to prior events.
In this passage we see that--1-3 -The Forces of evil set their plan in motion.-v. 4 - Jesus was not surprised by what was happening. -v. 5,8 - Jesus plainly declares his deity. -v. 9 - Jesus fulfills his own word of promise to guard his disciples.-v. 10 - Weapons of the world will not accomplish God's will.-v.11 - Jesus' commitment to drinking the cup -of God's wrath- the Father has handed him is unwavering.
Jesus spoke of his approaching -hour- a number of times throughout his ministry. He used this term to refer to his coming crucifixion on the cross. The whole trajectory of his life pointed to the cross. It was there in behalf of his people that Jesus accomplished reconciliation between the holy God and a sinful people, became the propitiation for them before the wrath of God, as well as the substitution for the judgment that they deserve. In addition, eternal redemption was secured and the power to walk in newness of life was granted them. So God's people can now live their lives by faith in the Son of God and no longer live as slaves to sin but for God's honor and glory. A great deliverance-
On the day of his triumph ride into Jerusalem two of Jesus' disciple approach him with a request. Some visiting Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover wish to meet with him personally. Rather that happened or not we are not told. Jesus took the occasion of the Greeks request to reveal the truth of his unfolding destiny. His hour, the hour set by the Father for him to be sacrificed on a cross has arrived- In his declarations he also speaks of the results of his death. Now is the judgment of this world- now will the ruler of this world be cast out.-And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.- Explore with me John 12-19-36
A Biblical exposition of the message Jesus the day after his supernatural came feeding of more than five thousand people by multiplying five small loves and two fish. The message takes the form of questions and responses.Jesus claims to be the Bread of Life who ame from the Father in heaven to give his flesh for the life of those whom the Father draws to him. Sermon text is John 6-21-71
The visit of the Jews with Jesus at the synagogue in Capernaum the day after he had fed them by the multiplication of the loaves and fish took the form of a series of questions. Questions are asked for various reasons such as information, to further a discussion, to express unbelief or belief, to express disapproval. This podcast reviews these questions as Jesus claims to be the Bread of Life.
In this passage we see that Jesus, the Bread of life--6-41-42,46 -is heaven sent but earthly connected. -the Incarnation--6-44-45 -is given to those whom the Father draws to his Son. . - Effectual calling-election- -47 - 50 -must be believed and eaten. -Salvation by faith with personal commitment.--49-50 - cancels the power of death. -Christ's resurrection--51 -is the flesh of Jesus Christ. -the necessity of -the bodily death of Jesus-.
One of the greatest signs that Jesus did that bolstered his apostle's faith in it was the feeding of the Five Thousand men plus. It is recorded in all four of the gospel narratives. Reading from John's account with some additional information from the other narratives we can relate day's the event . We can observe some obvious applications.
Jesus is the true bread from heaven who gives eternal life to those who believe in him. In this passage we see--I. The Bread Chasers-II. The Bread Receivers-III. The Bread Believers
This podcast relates Jesus' third messianic sign in his healing of a paralyzed man in one of the Temple porch areas. The man had been in this condition for 38 years but on this day Jesus at the Father's direction heals him. He miraculously restores his limbs so that he instantly got up and walked carrying his own pallet. And it was the Sabbath--Now his religious enemies began to plot his murder--Consider John 5-1-16 with Isaiah 35-5-6 and Matthew 11-1-6, John 7-21-24
On the mountainside that day, five thousand hungry and tired men, along with their families, were before Jesus and his disciples. Only five barley loaves and two fish were found to feed this multitude. What could be done-- In this incident we see--I. The Overwhelming Need-II. The Meager Supply-III. The Abundant Provision-IV. The Inescapable Conclusion - that Jesus is indeed the prophet whom Moses said would come into the world.
Nicodemus , a ruler of the Jews, came to visit Jesus during the early days of his ministry in Judea. He said to Jesus, -Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.- Jesus startled him with a discourse on his need to be born again by the sovereign work of the Spirit. He then gives Nicodemus this sign which explains how it is possible for God to forgive sinners and have access to God. -As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.' John 3-14-15-This was a reference to what happened the wilderness days of the Hebrews in route to the Promised land. When they grumbled and spoke against Yahweh and Moses God visited them in judgment by poisonous snakes that bit thousands who died. The people beg Moses to ask God to take the snakes away and that the punishment. God told Moses to make a bronze snake image and put it on a pole so that when a person was bitten by a serpent he could look on the snake imaged on a pole and live. -Numbers 21-4-9-Jesus told Nicodemus this was sign pointing to him. It was a prophecy of his destined death by crucifixion when he would take the judgment due his people and when they looked to him in faith they would live . He will some 3 1-2 years later speak his being lifted up to some Greeks who came seeking him. -John 12-32-34- Paul explains the meaning of Jesus death in terms that explain the divine transaction that took place with Jesus in 2 Corinthians 5- 19, 21 In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them. ...For our sake he made him to
Christians are referred to as God's Temple twice in Paul's letter to the Corinthians. Interestingly, Paul uses the pronoun -you- to refer to the group, a plural -you,- in 1 Corinthians 3-16-17, but later he uses the singular -you- in 1 Corinthians 6-19. This podcast considers the practical applications of the truth that we are God's Temple in both the corporate and the personal sense.
What sign do you give for your authority for you have done in chasing workers out of the temple court-- Jesus gave a puzzling sign.It is sign that comes to pass after he is killed and raised from the dead.
A certain class of prophecy watchers are looking to developments in Israel to detect any sign of a rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. To them this would be the signal of the end of the world. Perhaps in light of the New Testament we might need to listen closely to Jesus' teaching about the temple and the proper worship of God. Ezekiel's vision of a future Temple is recorded in chapters 40-47. The key to the meaning of this extended description of the Temple perhaps is found in the depiction of the flowing water from the Temple that becomes life giving water, a river of life. Jesus' words about himself in John 4 and 7 and the picture of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21-22-5 should help us see that the ultimate Temple is Jesus dwelling with his people.
After cleansing the Temple is Jerusalem in his early days of ministry Jesus answered the Temple authorities question about his authority to do this with a cryptic statement. Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up. John explains that jesus was speaking of his body. The utterance came true when Jesus was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven. This message gives an insight into its profound significance.
At Jesus' first cleansing of the temple by his zealous chasing out the marketplace animals, with the sellers and money changers, the temple authorities asked for a sign for the authority by which he was displaying such a drastic action. Jesus gave them a veiled sign based on the concept of type and its fulfillment. -Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.- The leaders did not understand, but they always remembered these words. After Jesus was raised from the dead his disciples remembered his words and its interpretation of Jesus' body as the temple. This message considers what the tabernacle-temple were and how they functioned and how Jesus was the fulfillment of their function. Jesus as the incarnate Word was God dwelling among us as the place where deity and humanity met in his body, and by whic he makes the all sufficient sacrifice for sin.
John's gospel narrative is structured around the signs that testify to Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. They function to reveal his nature, his character, and his divine mission. They are done so that people will believe in him. The healing of the royal official 's son from a distance of many miles demonstrates that Jesus is the life-giver because as the Word he is life -John 1-4-. This man believed Jesus when he told him, -Your son. will live.- On his way home his servants met him with the news, -He lives--- - When did it happen,- he inquired, -At 1 yesterday afternoon.- That was the exact time Jesus had said, -Your son will live.-
In this, Jesus' first cleansing of the temple, we see--I. The Disturbing Practice -II. The Decisive Action -III. The Devoted Son -IV. The Devout Worshipper--Jesus's zeal to protect the worship of Yahweh from corruption in the temple was seen as the now baptized, anointed Messiah exerts his Messianic authority in expelling the merchandizers from the holy courtyard.
The concept of sign is very prominent in the Gospel Narrative of John. It is an organizing principle of his witness to Jesus as the Messiah. Soon after Jesus has gathered his first disciples, 5 in all, they go to Cana in Galilee because they were invited to a wedding feast. It was probably a relative of Mary and Jesus who was the bridegroom. When the wine ran low the situation was presented to Jesus. He solved it by turning the wash. water into wine- John 2-1-12 Let's listen to the conversation of Mary, Jesus, the servants and the Master of the Feast.--Notice key words--Wine-My hour-signs-glory
Jesus' baptism was a defining moment in his ministry because-.--I. It revealed that he was the One whom John the Baptist was preparing the people to receive. -REVELATION - The revelation that he was the divine Messiah-II. It revealed Jesus' full identification with his people in their need of forgiveness for their sins. -IDENTIFICATION - His identification with sinners he came to save. -III. It revealed the descent of the Spirit from heaven upon him. -EFFUSION -outpouring-.-It was his effusion, inundation in the Spirit of God.-IV. It revealed the Father's love for and pleasure in his Son. -It was the AFFIRMATION of the Father's love for and pleasure in him.--This -defining moment- in Jesus' ministry is one also for us who believe in him.
After Jesu' baptism by John he begins to gather his disciples. The first two, John and Andrew, were disciples of John who now begin to follow Jesus. Andrew enlist his brother Simeon -Peter-. Jesus then finds Philip who in turn enlist his best friend, Nathaniel. Nathaniel's encounter wit Jesus leads to this first confession of a disciple to Jesus identity as the Son of God, the King of Israel. What is he confessing-- What lead to this confession--
John the Baptizer was the appointed fore-runner prophet of the Messiah -Malachi 3-1-4- Isaiah 40-3- Luke 1-5-80-. God sent him to proclaim the arrival of the kingdom of God through the Messiah. John received the sign of water immersion for repentance for heart preparation to receive the Christ when he arrived. God told John that he would know for certain who this man was when he saw the sign of the Spirit coming to rest upon his head. When Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River the baptizer both saw the sign and heard the voice of God speaking to Jesus. After this he loudly announced regarding Jesus, -Behold the Lamb of God.- The first sign was specifically given to John, and John in turn becomes the first witness, a confessor of Jesus as Messiah.
-The Word became flesh and dwelt among us...-John 1-14- - is a key text in the New Testament which focuses on the mystery and glory of the incarnation. The context makes clear that the Word is Jesus Christ. The first three verses of John 1 reveal that the Word is the eternal Son of God who lived in fellowship with God in all eternity- he was, in fact God, full deity in every way. He is God's agent of creation and the source of life as well as the bringer of light to all men. The only proper response to his coming to us is worship and thanksgiving.
John's gospel or good news testimonial to Jesus' person and nature is summarized in this key verse- And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. -John 1-14 ESV--Who is this Word-- What is the nature and purpose of his coming-- To fully grasp the meaning of this sentence we must consider the context. The context constitutes verses 1 through 18 which we call his Prologue, -the word before the word- that sums what the writing that follows consists of and serves as an introduction to its layout.
In Psalm 89 we see--I. Yahweh's integrity is unfailingly dependable. v.1-18-II. Yahweh's covenant with David was backed up by Yahweh's unfailing integrity. v. 19-37-III. Yahweh is questioned about his seeming rejection of his covenant with David. v. 38-51-IV. Yahweh is to be blessed forever. v. 52--Yahweh's covenant with King David to place one of his descendants on the everlasting throne of God's kingdom was fulfilled in Jesus Christ our Lord, as he died, rose, and now reigns.
Jesus of Nazareth , the son of Mary, unlike anyone else. existed before he was conceived and born. He existed from eternity. Although he was born a true human male of the tribe of Judah, descended from Abraham through Isaac and Jacob and from the line of David, he had a prior life of Deity which continued unabated, but then he added to himself humanity. There are a number of Scripture verses that pull back the curtain and tell us the backstory.-Consider Genesis 1-1-3 with John 1-1-3, 14,18. Also Paul's letter to the church at Philippi, chapter 2-5-8, and the sermon letter of Hebrews chapter 10 quoting Psalm 40--7. At Christmas we sometimes sing high biblical truth about Jesus Christ. Such is the hymn, -Of the Father's Love Begotten- - something of the backstory and the new story of Christ's birth are included in it.
Psalm 110 verse 1 is the most quoted of Old Testament verses in the New Testament. It's proper interpretation is dependent upon the identity of the speaker in each section. Jesus in his encounters with the Scribes and Pharisees cited this psalm as a key to his identity as the Son of David. Paul in his letter to Timothy said Jesus as the Sonof David is essential to the gospel. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and descended from David, according to my gospel, 2 Timothy 2-8-The Gospel begins with our understanding of the identity of Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Mary.
Christians rightly celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth the son of Mary because it was in fulfillment of God's promise to send a Deliverer, a Redeemer. And he came--This unique Son of God, the Word taking to himself human nature offered himself as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. He died. He was buried in the cave. Three days later in that body he was raised to life. Forty days later he ascended into heaven.His departure was seen by his disciples.--Where exactly did he go-- How did he get there-- Why is he there-- HHow long will he be there--
Paul details in Ephesians 6 the spiritual armor our Lord has provided for each of his disciples, his soldiers. The last grouping is found in Ephesians 6-16-18- In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one- and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.-This 3rd episode in a three-part series on our spiritual armor considers what a solider connects to his body at the time of a spiritual battle. We place the helmet on our head, take up the shield and grasp the sword and go forth to meet the enemy. Christ's solders remain alert for the bugle call or the sound of the enemy approaching. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10-4
Main Idea of Psalm 98- Yahweh merits exuberant praise for his works of salvation and his coming judgment. -The three sections of this psalm teach us--I. Yahweh's works of salvation call for a new song of praise. - v. 1-3-II. Yahweh's Kingship calls for exuberant worship. - v. 4-6-III. Yahweh's coming judgment calls for rejoicing. - v.7-9
Message 2 of a 3 part series on the Christian Armor listed by Paul in Ephesians 6. The armor can be seen as defensive weapons and defensive-offensive weapon. This message looks at the what the solider wears next to his body for protection from the enemy's assaults. . 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. This are then followed by the weapons he takes up in times of actual combat.--What is the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness and the shoes of the gospel of peace--
In Psalm 2 we see--I. Humanity's Opposition to Yahweh's rule is futile. v. 1-3-II. Yahweh's Response to Human Opposition is Decisive v.4-6-III. Yahweh Has Issued Sure Decrees Regarding his Son v.7-9-IV. Yahweh Declares the Necessity of Submission to the Son - v.10-12-Submission to the Son is the avenue of joy, please, and usefulness.
This is the first episode of a 3 part consideration of the spiritual armor Paul list in Ephesians 6. Before one can understand and interpret the various pieces of armor he must consider the whole suit on the Christian. A couple of verse in Paul's other writings can help as well as consideration of the context in Ephesians in which the armor is discussed. Romans 13-14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.-1 Thessalonians 5-8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
The Reformations of the 16th century was no less than the rebirth and resurrection of the church of Jesus Christ from false doctrine that laid an impossible burden on people and robbed christ of his glory as the all sufficent Savior of sinners through personal faith in him. The recovery of key doctrine is expressed in later adopted mottos of the five solas- Scripture alone, Grace aloe, faith alone, Christ alone for the glory of God alone.
Two major ideas in this passage are opened up here--I. Christ's suffering calls us to a radical break with sin. -2. Christ's coming calls us to a radical commitment to the will of God. -These two truths are bedrocks of what it means to be a Christian.
Major conflict among nations especially if it involves Israel usually leads to many people feeling the end of the world is at hand. However, a careful read of Jesus words in Luke 21, Mark 13 and Matthew 24 reveals that Jesus said, this is the beginning of birth pangs and the end is not yet. He went on to say no one knows or can know the time of his return in power and glory.-Let's assume that the end is near. How then should we prepare-- Jesus, Peter, Paul and the author of Hebrews all speak to this question.
Informal reflexions on the historical roots of Thanksgiving in our nation and how this foundational religious background directs us to the real source of our blessings- God himself and his mercies. Wayne and special guest Jeff Gregory recount the historical record, Scripture and personal testimony which engender great thankfulness in our lives, especially at this season of the year.
The Protestant Reformation recovered a number of fundamental truths. These are expressed in the five solas. At the foundation of the recovery of the gospel was the recover of God's Word to the people in translations based on the Greek and Hebrew, read and preached. All doctrine taught must be based on the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. This podcast looks at four statements of the Reformers and one from today. God's Word of the Holy Bible as the supreme and sufficient authority was recovered. We must guard this truth in all generations.
In Psalm 65 we see- that God is to be praised for-- --his merciful kindness is in hearing the prayers of his people. ---his merciful kindness in atoning for the transgressions of his people. ---his merciful kindness in choosing his people to bring them near to himself by allowing them to dwell in his courts, to join in to congregational worship. --... his merciful kindness in dealing with his people in righteousness through the death and resurrection of his Son to bring us to salvation. --Praise Yahweh...Hallelujah-
What was recovered at the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. The short but accurate answer is, The Gospel- Now the gospel is the announcement of the person of Jesus Christ and what he accomplished for us people and our salvation.-It is the good news of salvation from sin and its consequences to eternal life in fellowship with the holy God through the actions of Jesus- lI delivered to you as of first importance what I also received- that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me....He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.-1 Corinthians 15-1-8- Acts 1-3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.--The recovery of the gospel is summed up in the slogan- Christ Alone-Acts 4-12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men-a- by which we must be saved.--John 14-6 -I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
In this crucial passage, 1 Thes. 2-13, we see--I. The preachers' gratitude for the Thessalonians' attitude -II. The Thessalonians' Reception of the Revelation- A. They recognized its true source was from God himself. -III. The Working of the Word in the Thessalonian believers-IV. The Word is Working Today
When the various movements of Reformation came the worship services of the churches were transformed. Out with the old form of singing by choirs and monks and other clergy and their musical instruments. Any thing that was only for entertainment and passive worship in Latin was to go or be transformed into the language of the people in a style that was easy to memorize and sing. Based on the principle that what the church did in the worship of God must be based on the Scripture alone two schools of thought emerged. One could do in the service what was glorifying to God and upbuilding to the church if it was not prohibited by Scripture. This normative principle was followed by Luther and later the Anglicans. Luther himself wrote 37 hymns many based on the Psalms but all containing truths of Scripture. This was a major way the Reformation truths were taught and spread.-The second principle followed by the Reformed such as Zwingli and Calvin is known as the regulative principle. Therefore one could only do in the congregational worship what was clearly authorized by the Scripture. So at first due to reaction to what was considered idolatrous no singing was done. Calvin however made the restoration of congregation singing a condition of his return to Geneva. He introduced the singing of psalms with the human voice only. He produced the Geneva Psalter.--The scripture authorizes and commands singing in the assembly gatherings. Colossians 3-16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.-addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritua
When Ulrich Zwingli mounted the pulpit in the great Grossmunster Cathedral in Zurich, Switzerland, on Jan. 1, 1519, he began his preaching ministry by opening up to Matthew 1-1. Thereafter he preached consecutively through this book and others that followed. He had previously discovered the treasures in Erasmus' newly published Greek New Testament and he believed his people needed to be fed the Word of God in this manner, rather than the Roman Catholic tradition of prescribed lectionary readings, accompanied by homilies often unrelated to the text. Like Martin Luther, he believed the Word of God had truth and power within itself to meet the spiritual needs of the people. Zwingli and other Reformers replaced the sacrifice of the Mass with the preaching pulpit as the primary source of spiritual life and power as the Word of God was proclaimed. The restoration of Biblical preaching by these great Reformers thus began.
The restoration of the gospel, the Bible in the languages of the people and the restoration of aspects biblical worship began around and throughout the 1520's. There are 4 key players. This podcast relates a simple summary of their principal contributions.
In the early 1500's the various church reform movements led by Luther, Zwingli and Tyndale tore apart the political landscape of Europe. Although many recognized the corruption and moral laxity of the Roman Catholic Church, they only advocated clean- up actions within. Why was it necessary to separte from Papal Rome-- At an Imperial Diet at Speyer John Calvin's letter to the Emperor Charles V was read. In it he sets forth the necessity of reformation and why the Protestants are not guilty of schism. On the contrary, the Papists had so corrupted the church in the vital areas of worship and salvation that a total reformation was needed. The church needed to return to the Bible as its standard and authority. So the Protestant Reformation was a necessity in order to rescue the church from the fatal disease of extraneous doctrine and practice that had engulfed the Roman Catholic Church.
The continued drift of the Roman Catholic Church away from the authority of the Word of God faced a major challenge when the Reformers in the early 16th century declared that supreme authority in the Church for teaching and practice must be the Bible alone - -Sola Scripture.- This sermon traces both the drift away and the return to Biblical authority in Christ's church.
The worship service performed in the Roman Catholic Church in medieval Europe was a far cry from the standard set down in the New Testament. The medieval worship service, the -Mass,- was in Latin, an unknown language of the people.-It focused on the supposed re-sacrificing of Christ for sins. There was no preaching or singing in the languages of the people. In short, true worship and true salvation could not be found. A radical rescue and reformation was needed. In God's kind providence he brought this about in the early 1500's as the Protestant church was born and the resumption of Biblical worship took place. The Word of God was translated into the common languages and the Bible then redirected worship into more Biblical patterns.
Martin Luther and Huldrich Zwingli were the first of the Reformers in the 16th century. Both were Roman Catholic clergy. Luther was a monk and theology teacher- Zwingli a parish priest. Both of them obtained hot off the press a copy of Erasmus's Greek New Testament in 1516. Encountering the raw text of the Bible in Greek helped uncover and correct mistranslations in the Latin Vulgate. Ultimately Luther was converted as he came to understand Romans 1-17. Zwingli became greatly influenced from preaching through the text of the Gospel of Matthew. After he recovered from near death in the plague of 1519 his breakthrough is recorded in his -plague poem.- God's Word is powerful and works the miracle of regeneration and conversion as the Holy Sprit moves in the heart of people.
There is a vital principle of Biblical worship that was recovered at the Protestant Reformation. The worship of God in the assembly or congregation must be in the common language of the people. Language used in worship must be understandable. Paul spells out this principle in 1 Corinthians 14. 9 So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said-- For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, 11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
The second section of the prophecy of Isaiah begins with a word of comfort to God's people. Their exile and severe punishment under the curse of the Mosaic covenant -Deut. 28-63ff- has ended and God is restoring his people. Israel knows that from their history restorations have occurred but they went back into sin and punishment. Who is this God who can bring about the reality of the gospel-- Yahweh himself in his faithful love promises to come among them and rule them as the Shepherd King. Because he is sovereign Creator, they can have confidence that He has the power to fulfill his promises as they trust in him. Yahweh is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
God was very careful in the Old Covenant to have special furniture constructed and placed in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and later Temple. There were three pieces or items. The Table of Showbread, the branched Candlestick and the Altar of Incense. The items carry theological meaning. Are there principles here that should impact our current worship space in our assemblies--
Do you read history-- A related question is do you value history especially the actions of God in the history of the Hebrew people and in the Christian churches.-This podcast considers God's attitude toward the history of his actions, his deeds and events that involve his people. This would include biblical history and historical Christian movement. An exhortation to take history seriously by reading and studying God's dealings with his people.
When Isaiah received his inaugural call as Prophet of Yahweh he encounter God in the temple following the death of the King of Judah. Isaiah saw the real KIng, the Sovereign Yah, on the throne of heaven. becoming conscious of being as witness of God's heavenly worship he is overcome with a sense of panic and awe. He cries out his awareness of his sin and God in grace fits him for worship and for hearing God call for Prophet Herald. Isaiah's experience is a Biblical patter for worship of God by his people.--How should we approach God in worship-- Hebrew 12- 28 tells us, Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.-Isaiah 6 shows us a true example. Isaiah saw the Lord. The sequence of events function as a paradigm for Biblical Christian worship.
This message is based on Isaiah 6 and is a consideration of the call of Isaiah to be God's prophet, with a reading and explanation of the text. We see Isaiah's personal experience of encountering God in his holiness as Sovereign King of the universe resulting in his conviction of guilt and need for divine cleansing. Then from a position of a provided atonement he hears and answers the call of God to be his special prophet. What kind of commission is this when he is informed that people will not listen and repent so judgment is decreed-- But in the midst of wrath and judgment God remembers mercy in accord with his covenant promises to send the Seed who is Jesus the Messiah..
The main idea presented here is that -Yahweh himself is coming to his people.- This coming...-I. Is to be boldly announced.-II. Will be with power and authority.-III. Will be as the tender Shepherd of his flock.
erhaps you have heard the expression a call to preach or a call to the ministry. Exactly what does this mean-- How does it work---This podcast looks at a few examples of men called in the New Testament time and to two quotes of statements from Paul on the called ministry of the Word. It begins with Paul's account of his own call to preach God's truth to the Gentiles. Then to his younger friend Timothy who has also been called to the work of an Overseer, bishop, pastor, teacher elder. These are all synonymously to refer to men called to preach-teach-exhort the Word, the inspired writings of the Old and New Testament to people especially within the assemblies, congregations to enable God's people for the work of ministry.
The God of the Bible is very skillful in asking questions. He does not ask to learn something from us but he asks in order for us to learn. His questions reveal our heart and they can spur us to a proper response to him. This podcast looks at several questions God asked people beginning in Eden with Adam.
One of the most interesting characters in the first section of the Bible know as the Law is Balaam. He is a prophet of God who on his way to try and curse the children of Israel enroute to Canaan had an actual conversation with his donkey- This was God's supernatural intervention to press upon Balaam his absolute need to speak over the Hebrews only the words he would put in his mouth. -Numbers 22-24- Even after Balaams blessing not cursing the people he found a way to get the money from Balak by advising him how to lure the men of Israel into idolatry by using the women of Moab. Numbers 25-1-3.-Numbers 31-16 --Behold, these, on Balaam's advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord.--2 Peter 2-15-16 --Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression- a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.--Revelation 2-14 --But I have a few things against you- you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.--Matt. 16-26 Jesus words--For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul-- Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul--
The prophet Isaiah open the two sections of his prophecies with a prologue. These prologues are found in chapter 1 verse 1 through 9 and chapter 40 verses 1 through 11. This message considers the contrasting messages and tone of the prophets words.--The prologue to the first half of Isaiah's prophecy in chapter one brings forth the strict indictment of Yahweh God against his people for their flagrant, rebellious sins. These persistent sins led to God's hand of judgment which finally fell in the ravaging of Jerusalem, the temple, and the people by the Babylonian army. -Yet when the 70 years of captivity in Babylon were completed, God extends great comfort and consolation to his people, assuring them of his never-failing covenant love and mercy. -The basis of his forgiveness of their iniquity lay in the future at the cross of Calvary, where Judah's sins were paid for and removed by Jesus' death and resurrection.
A Bible study teaching sermon on this section of 1 Peter 3-17-4-2. A reading with commentary on the text. The central assertion is Baptism now saves you. Peter relates baptism to the broad meaning of salvation. How does Noah's flood experience and the waters of the flood rfelate to Christian baptism--
When the church last gathered for worship was the public reading of the Scripture in the assembly a part of the worship service-- I do not refer to a minister reading a verse or two and then preaching on it. Was a significant section of the Bible or portions of the Bible read aloud as an act of worship-- We are commanded to worship God with his Word read as well as taught. We need to read significant sections fromm all its parts in context. By means of his Word read God speaks to his people.
A continuation of a previous podcast on a Biblical Philosophy of Christian Worship. This podcast uses the example of recent service to illustrate how we approach the Holy God through his grace. We are called to worship by God and in recognition of his holiness. Thus we humbly confess our sins with joyful assurance through our Great High Priest and only Mediator, Jesus Christ. --Copy of Service Entry is the written Transcript as the example read
Edit Delete-My Biblical Philosophy of Corporate Worship-WAYNE A CONRAD--Description-What underlying principles should guide us as we engage in public worship-- This is a satement of my personal philosophy that guides me as I construct an order of service. In other words shapes the structure of the liturgy. It is based on the whole of the Bible primarily guide by the New Testament especially the book of Acts and the apostolic epistles which fleshed out how the early disciples of Christ Jesus followed Jesus instruction in his commission.-Scriptures- Matthew 28-18-20- Acts 2-42- John 4-23-24- Philippians 3-3- Ephesians 2-18- Hebrews 10-19-25
This key verse in the NT tells us that Christ's suffering for our sins was--I. Sufficient to secure our salvation-II. Substitutionary in behalf of God's people-III. Effectual to bring us unfailingly to God
How can we be true and faithful Christians-- Two main ways are seen in this text- --by sanctifying or honoring Christ as Lord in our hearts.--by always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.
Suffering to common to all humans. The sufferings of this world take various forms. They exist because we live in a fallen world. Christians are not exempt from suffering. In fact they can suffer for simply being believer in God and follower of Jesus Christ. Peter addresses his letter to Christians who are experiencing various trials. He gives at least three reasons why Christians suffer.
The context here is interpersonal relationships in the church. There are certain attitudes and behaviors we should exemplify towards one another, but sometimes we fail - we may say something that was not loving, that was hurtful - or any number of sinful actions common to humanity. But in the church we must bear with one another's' weaknesses and sins, we must forgive one another, and support and uphold one another in our various struggles. -In every aspect of our lives we must embrace righteousness and reject evil - thus glorifying God before our pagan neighbors.
Peter's first letter is addressed to the Christian assemblies in Asia Minor who are undergoing trials because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Why do trials come-- What is there connection to Jesus and his own suffering as the Messiah for the salvation of God's elect-- What is the purpose of such trials, such sufferings--
Where should we turn when times of loss, of sorrow and grief or times of doubt and confusion and fear confront us-- My good friend once share with me how the words of the preacher at his grandmother's funeral impacted him. These are the words that were spoken, -In times like these we need to turn to the Bible.- They have also impacted me. In times like these I invite you to turn to the Bible with me.
This sermon's goal is to firm up believers' understanding of the submissive role Christian wives should have to their husbands and, likewise, the honor that should be given them by their husbands. All believers, in fact, should be marked by similar virtues.
Who hasn't seen a rainbow and marveled at its beauty-- God put the rainbow in the clouds after the worldwide flood that destroyed all the earth except for Noah and his family and the animals that he took on board at God's direction. The story of the bow in the clouds as God's covenant sign is found in Genesis 9. The rainbow reminds us that God always keeps his promises because he is the God who remembers-
Sermon Outline--I. The Christian calling to bear unjust suffering-II. Christ, our Example of the Gracious Sufferer-III. Christ Suffered as the Bearer of Our Sins- His Suffering brought us healing- He paid sin's penalty- He broke sin's power over our lives and set us in motion for - righteous living.
Numbers 21 records a tragic event in the camp of the Hebrews on their way out of Egypt and bondage to Canaan. When the food and water were scarce they spoke sinfully against God and Moses and despised the provide manna food. As a result of their rebellion God send poisonous vipers into the camp and hundreds began to die. Then the hurried to Moses asking God to have mercy. Moses prayed and God an unusual instruction. Make a bronze sake and put it on a pole. -What is the meaning of this and how does it relate to Jesus--
As servants of God doing his will, Christians are commanded to submit to human institutions which are ordained by the Lord for maintaining order in society. We are not to be law-breakers or trouble makers but good citizens. Thus we will be vindicated in the eyes of the world who would seek to slander us.
I want to tell you this story about the first humans in a perfect Garden who met up with a talking snake. The events in the Garden of Eden in Genesis Chapter 3 had profound effects upon the human race. Satan, the great Deceiver, managed to convince Eve to eat of the fruit of the tree from which God had forbidden them to eat. Adam followed her lead instead of God's command, and also ate the forbidden fruit. . -God's responded by turning Satan into a creature condemned to crawling on his belly. Yahweh God also declared that the descendent of the woman would bruise his head, while Satan's descendent would bruise the heel of the woman's descendent. -Satan's fate was sealed in the coming of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, whose death and resurrection brought the fatal curse on Satan's head.
Peter, as an authoritative apostle of Jesus Christ, gives two basic commands here- one negative and one positive. For each command he gives a reason.
I was happy when they said to me, Let's go to house of the Lord--Why-- Because I am meeting the living God in an assembly of his people. Such a weekly meeting is to identify myself as a believer in the true God and to fellowship with other believers through the offerings of joint hearing of God's word, singing and prayers. Cooperate worship of God through and in Jesus Christ is a command and is necessary for my soul's health, encouragement of fellow believers and the honoring of God. It is a chief expression of love to Jesus the Christ who made to way into the holy place through his sacrifice of his body on the cross. I never have to decide if I am going to the holy assembly. Unless I am unavoidably stopped I will be there. It is my joy- It is a holy habit, a spiritual discipline that expresses love to my Lord and to his body the church, the holy assembly-
Christ is the living Stone, the cornerstone, of the kingdom of God and of the church. Each local church is comprised of -living stones.- that is, of the people of God who belong through faith to Jesus Christ. Christian believers are called to be a holy priesthood, to offer up continually spiritual sacrifices of praise, thanksgiving, and good works. The -one another- texts in the NT demonstrate specific ways the members of the church are to be priests to one another. But the church is also to be outward- looking - proclaiming the excellencies of Christ to a lost world.
Peter's first letter is addressed to a group of several local churches in part of the area we now know as Turkey. He wants each church to understand that they are a special group of people loved and chosen by God to belong to Jesus Christ. Although each person comes to God by personal faith, they do not come isolated from other believers. 1 Peter 2-9 describes each community of faith as together a priesthood, that is, a group of priests who minister to one another. Each church is holy, set apart for God's possession. And each group of believers is called to proclaim to the world the excellencies of Christ. Peter wants us to live out our Christian lives in active, loving fellowship with other believers. This is the spiritual house that we belong to and that he is building.
The Word of God by the operation of the Spirit is the regenerating power of the new birth in the Christian. This new birth instills an innate love for fellow believers. Yet in relationship with others there is also the troublesome presence of common interpersonal sins - five of them listed in 1 Pet. 2-1. Martin Luther described Christians in this strange situation as -justified yet at the same time sinners.- It is the pure spiritual milk of the Word that enables us put away these sins and grow in Christian maturity.
The Apostle Peter in his first letter writes, long for the pure milk of the Word, that with it you may grow. 1 Peter 2-2 Beginning with the writings of Moses given in the first 5 books of the Hebrew Scriptures that we commonly call the Old Testament, Joshua, Moses successor, was told, -This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.- Joshua 1-8-Paul writes in Romans 15-4 , -For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.- So reading the Bible, God's written revelation, is essential for spiritual life and spiritual growth. What are some important things to know as we approach the reading of the Bible--
After King Uzziah of Judah died Isaiah records his encounter with God in his glory. Perhaps he had gone to the temple with David's Psalm 27 on his mind and even on his lips. Psalm 27-1-2,4--Yahweh is my light and my salvation.- Whom shall I fear--- Yahweh is the strength of my life.- Of whom shall I be afraid----One thing I have asked of Yahweh, that I will seek after-- that I may dwell in Yahweh's house all the days of my life,- to see Yahweh's beauty,- and to inquire in his temple.- -What ever the circumstance Isaiah encounters God's glory- Consider his experience and what it teaches us about the glory of God and how a person properly responds. It may not be as you expect---Bible Insights with Wayne Conrad
Peter's exhortation to his readers -and us- can be explained like this--I. Conduct your lives in the fear of God. -II. Know that you were ransomed with Christ's precious blood. -III. Through Christ your faith and hope is in God. -The ransom price of Christ's shed blood for his people calls forth the response of worship, service, and joy. -Hallelujah-
The Bible has much to say about the glory of God. The psalmist prayed and longed for the glory of God. In fact we pray for it in the Lord's Model prayer for his disciples. Psalm 104-31-34 NIV-May the glory of the LORD endure forever- may the LORD rejoice in his works- he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the LORD all my life- I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD.-'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6-9-10-Moses gives us an example of a person who seeks the glory of God. Exodus 33-12-34-9-Why does he seek to see God's glory-- How does God manifest himself-- What is its purpose and what is Moses reaction--- God's glory is the outshining of God's nature and attributes manifested in his exalted presence and his declared Word concerning himself. It is preeminently seen in Jesus Christ. John writes, -The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1-14-15 -To seek the glory or to be under the glory for one's own benefit is idolatry but to seek to give glory to God or to glory in God is worship.
Here is the high calling and sacred commands required of all God's people- as found in this text----I. Live your life in view of the fact that Christ is returning.-II. Let not the evil passions of your pre-conversion life control you. -III. Like your God is holy, be like him in all your conduct.
The Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary to becoming a Christian, a believer in the Lord Jesus the Christ, and He is indispensable to the Christian life. Jesus, early in ministry told a respected teacher and leader in Judea-Israel, -You must be born again,- born from above by the sovereign Spirit -John 3-. The Holy Spirit is the Life-giver. He brings spiritually dead people -Ephesians 2-1-7- to spiritual life through the Word of the gospel so they hear God's call to repent and believe. The Spirit's work of regeneration is manifested in being awakened to their spiritual condition of being dead, deaf, and under God's wrath. Awakened by his sovereign grace, they hear Christ's call and come gladly and freely to the Savior. He caused us to be born again. -In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.- -Ephesians 1-13-14-
This incident of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee is really a lesson in Christology - who was the man in the boat with the disciples- -First, he was the exhausted Man - revealing his full humanity with its limitations. Secondly, he was Lord over nature as we see him calm the storm - exactly what Yahweh does as in Psalm 107. Then Jesus is the Teacher of his disciples - exhorting them to have faith, and not be terrified of the storm. Finally, we learn about the fears of the disciples - fear of the fierce storm, but great fear of Christ himself, as they realized his divine power over nature.
The life of the Christian in this world is often pictured as spiritual warfare. We are exhorted to fight the good fight of faith and to put on the full armor of God so that we can stand against the devil and his attacks Three pieces are provided as body wear to protect the soldier at all times. So put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness and have our feet shod with the gospel of peace..
These three parables follow up and expand on the Parable of the Sower and Soils. They reveal how the Kingdom grows---By the light shining out of its subjects - Shining Lives--By the sovereign work of God within people - Sovereign Grace--By growth of the church in the world. -Spreading Assemblies
After Jesus told the story of the Sower or farmer who scattered seed to the crowd His disciples asked him for the meaning of the story. Luke introduced the context in chapter 8 with these words-Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him. Jesus tells the story to the crowd without reference to the kingdom. But when the crowd disbands his disciples asked him the meaning of the story. Mark 4-10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, -The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that,---'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,- and ever hearing but never understanding--otherwise they might turn and be forgiven-'-- He then gives the meaning of the story in light of God's elective purposes of grace. Each element is defined- the sower, the seed and the soil but the climax of the story is the abundant harvest from the seed planted in the good soil.--Who is the principle Sower, the associated sowers- -What is the seed- Primarily and secondarily--What is the soil in reference to the kingdom of God---There is more to the story than meets the ear on the first telling- Locked in this simple story are kingdom secrets.
Jesus of Nazareth was and is a master teacher. One of his most effective ways of teaching was the use of parables. Possibly the most famous of them is known as the Parable of the Sower. This episode looks at Mark's account in chapter. As part of the crowd following Jesus that day what lesson would you have received- Most people still only receive this general meaning and application- Pay attention to the lesson or listen to the sermon. What you receive from it is largely dependent on what type of listener you are. In other words, What kind of soil are you-
The chief purpose of this parable seems to be to describe the various heart conditions of people which affect the hearing and receptivity or lack of it to the Gospel message and teachings. Four spiritual heart conditions are described, only the latter being receptive and able to receive Jesus' teaching with profit. Part of this passage -v. 10-12- explains why some hear the parables but don't understand them so as to receive spiritual benefit. Some hear the Word with their ears but not their hearts, and others, on the other hand, hear it with spiritual profit.
Jesus' mother and brothers thought their son and brother had gone too far in his public ministry and he needed their help to get him to return to a fully sane mental condition.. Jesus was so familiar to them in his humanity that they could not grasp that he was God's promised Messiah. And in the midst of this incident Jesus declares that those who do the will of God are his true spiritual mother, brothers, and sisters. To be in this elect family is a blessing of grace for all those called into it - a relationship that will continue forever.,
A reading of sermon by David Martyn Lloyd Jones from Spiritual Depression Its Causes and Cures.-Dr Jones sets out the tests for evaluating false teaching by looking at Paul's letter to the Galatians
There is a real personal being of supreme evil known by the titles Devil or Satan. We must be aware of him butChristians are not to live in fear of him. He is a defeated foe because of Jesus death on the cross descent into hades and glorious resurrection and ascension.-And he said to them, -I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Luke 10-18-And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 2-15- Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, Hebrews 2-14
The gospel is Jesus Christ his person and his actions on the sinners behalf accessed by faith alone. False gospels take the focus off of Jesus to our own performance- our deeds and rituals and observances. Paul gives an intense defence and explanation of the pure gospel. May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In his letter to the Galatians Paul defends the gospel of God's grace. He had become a Christian only by the sovereign intervention of God in his grace given in the Lord Jesus Messiah. This is the good news he had proclaimed in Galatia that they had embraced. If one comes to faith in Jesus the Savior it is by God's intention - his call and our response of faith.-Beware of those who would preach another or other gospel or teach a contrary distorted messages-
Paul writes his letter to the churches in Galatia in defense of the pure gospel he had preached among them. His opening words ,however, are full of good news from God. Before he begins his passionate defense he gives a brief summary of the gospel he had believed and that they had received. We can not effectively defend the gospel without a clear definition of its content.
Chapter 4 winds up Malachi's prophecy and brings to a close the Old Testament. Here we read of the day when Yahweh -acts- - also known as -the Day of the LORD,- a recurrent theme in the OT. We learn that this Day is certain and it will be a day of fiery punishment on sinners but a day of joy and victory for God-fearers-believers. Before that Day Yahweh will send -Elijah,- a prophecy which Jesus affirms is fulfilled in the ministry of John the Baptist. This Day in which God acts in judgment and salvation will be great and awesome.
On the eighth day after his birth from Mary in Bethlehem Jesus received his name at the time of his circumcision. This name had been chosen by God and conveyed, first to Mary, and later to Joseph by the angel- You shall call his name Jesus --Yeshua- in Hebrew- for he will save his people from their sins. Both Jesus' personal identity and his mission or work are in his name- Yeshua -Hebrew- or Jesus -English- means Yahweh is salvation.
In the midst of the unbelief and rebellion of the people of Judah we see a godly remnant does exist. They fear Yahweh and desire to serve him. These are fundamental and key aspects of a relationship with God - to fear -reverence- him and serve him - this brings glory to God and good to ourselves.
There is One who hears our every word, our conversations with one another. Our words betray our attitudes, our thoughts. God regards with great seriousness what we say about him. The writing of the prophet Malachi forcefully illustrates this truth.
The giving of tithes and offerings was an integral part of OT worship, yet these Hebrews of Malachi's day had proven faithless to the covenant in this matter also. This sermon examines that situation and also some of the issues for the Christian church in the matter of tithes and offerings under the New Covenant.
John's account of the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth is unique in the gospel narratives. It is the last one produced and as an eyewitness to Jesus teachings and actions he selects 7 sign miracles in which Jesus showed his glory as the incarnate Word. He also records 7 I Am statements of Jesus related to the very name of God, Yahweh, I AM THAT I AM.-John uses the psalms, law and prophets to show Jesus as the Promised One, the Messiah. The covenant Lord himself come in the flesh, a true human and true deity. His purpose is clearly stated- John 20-30-31 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book- 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
In this passage Yahweh gives an answer to the people's complaint, -Where is the God of justice-- God responds by saying that he will send a -messenger- to prepare for his own coming and the divine one who would come is -The Messenger of the Covenant.- This One would bring messages from God to the people regarding His nature and will, as well as the proper response they must have- repentance from sin and faith in God. In addition, this Messenger would establish the covenant by his own blood, purify God's people from sin, and come to judge the world. This Messenger from God is Jesus Christ our Lord.
Although we do not know the day of the year in which was born of Mary we do know what happened on the eighth day of his life. In fact two very significant things transpired. First he was circumcised and thus formally entered into the covenant God made with Abraham and his offspring and he cam under the law covenant God made with Israel by the hand of Moses. This message answers two questions. What is the meaning of Jesus' circumcision- His circumcision involves not just him but as the fulfillment of the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants. The second question is how do the deeds done by Christ in our behalf become a reality in our lives-
The people of Judah were confronted by Yahweh because they were faithless to one another, to him, and to their wives. What is the antidote for faithlessness by God's people- It is to remember the nature of our God- he is unswervingly faithful. Likewise Christ was totally faithful to his Father in the mission to redeem the elect. And the apostles were devoted to faithfulness to Christ - most of whom died as martyrs in their glad devotion to their Savior. Self-denying faithfulness is the way of joy in the Christian life - nothing less will do.
How do you begin to tell the narrative of Jesus of Nazareth son of Mary in the days of his ministry- There are four gospel narrative accounts and Luke is one of them. He begins with the birth narratives and continues in an orderly sequence to Jesus resurrection and ascension. His narrative uses certain key names or titles to communicate who Jesus is and what he came to do.
Perhaps at no other time of year is good Biblical theology sung as it is during the Christmas season. There is much fluff in some Christmas songs that has little to do with Jesus and the coming of Messiah but there are a number of Christmas- Advent hymns that carry the message of who Jesus is and why he came and the result of our faith in him. This podcast considers two of Charles Wesley incarnation hymns- Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus and Hark- the Herald Angel Sings.
One of my favorite hymns is -I Greet Thee Who My Sure Redeemer Art- or modern English I Greet You Who Are My Sure Redeemer. In this episode we read and explore the meaning of the text. It is a personal word addressed directly to the Lord Jesus whom we acknowledge to be our Redeemer Savior King who did suffer for us. We turn to him to request what we need most in light of his glorious person and nature. --Hymn attributed to John Calvin--I greet thee, who my sure Redeemer art,-My only trust and Saviour of my heart,-Who pain didst undergo for my poor sake--I pray thee from our hearts all cares to take.--Thou art the King of mercy and of grace,-Reigning omnipotent in every place--So come, O King, and our whole being sway--Shine on us with the light of thy pure day.--Thou art the life, by which alone we live,-And all our substance and our strength receive--O comfort us in death's approaching hour,-Strong-hearted then to face it by thy pow'r.--Thou hast the true and perfect gentleness,-No harshness hast thou and no bitterness--Make us to taste the sweet grace found in thee-And ever stay in thy sweet unity.--Our hope is in no other save in thee--Our faith is built upon thy promise free--O grant to us such stronger hope and sure-That we can boldly conquer and endure.--Words-public domain
On the 8th day of his birth, according to the Law, Jesus was circumcised and also given given his name. Both Mary and Joseph were told by divine messengers to call him -Jesus.- We learn that this is the Greek equivalent of -Joshua- in the Old Testament which means -Yahweh is salvation.- So the name -Jesus- given to the infant of Mary is saying that this is Yahweh who has come in the flesh to bring salvation to his people. Jesus' name thus encapsulates the divine greatness of his person and work.
How do you begin to tell the story, the narrative of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of Mary and Messiah. We have four written narratives in the New Testament. Two are written by direct apostles who travel with Jesus during the 3 years of his ministry, Matthew also called Levi and John. Two are written by close associates of apostles. Mark related the memories and preaching of Peter. Luke is a close associate and travel companion with Paul. He uses personal historical research to give an orderly account. Then we have a fifth narrative of Jesus current ministry in heaven based on the fulfillment of the Old Covenant by Jesus in the Epistle to the Hebrews. All these writings we refer to as the Gospel. They have the power when received in faith to connect us to God in Jesus his unique Son.
Gift giving is often an activity of the Christmas season. But it can be very superficial and phony. How do we assess our giving- We ask hard questions of ourselves and give honest response before God. Here are some questions to help us in this process.
After the angel Gabriel appeared and announced to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive a son by the power of the Holy Spirit, she broke out in a psalm of praise in Luke 1-38, and v. 46-56. In these passages we learn about this mother of the Messiah. We see her obedience to God, her thorough knowledge of the Word of God, her humility before God, her joyful praise of God, and her confession that she was a sinner in need of a Savior.
When Jesus was born from Mary she first placed him in a manger for his first bed. This was open box to hold feed for livestock not the usual baby bed- This became the sign that the angel gave to the shepherds so they could locate the infant Messiah. But the manger sign tells us far more than the location of Jesus first bed. It also testifies of Jesus person, his mission and his experience. come let us go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened which the Lord has made known to us.
Where Jesus came from requires two responses. One respecting his human ancestors or dual family line reflected in Matthew focus on Joseph and Luke following the bloodline of Mary. The other respecting his divine origin. Jesus of Nazareth is the most unique person ever to exist as he in his one person has two natures which is necessary for him to be the Savior. The gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 1-1b-4
Isaiah 45-18-25 describes some of the key works of Yahweh God, as well has some of his personal characteristics. When we turn to the New Testament we see these same works performed by the Lord Jesus. In fact, in John 12-36-41, the author, the Apostle John, states that Yahweh, whom Isaiah saw high and lifted up in the temple, was actually Christ himself. So we have to conclude that Jesus Christ our Lord was Yahweh who had come in our flesh to rescue and redeem us to himself. This was I believe, a literal fulfillment of Isaiah 40-9-11-- -Say to the towns of Judah,- -Here is your God---Christ came to his people in the first century and we can be assured he will keep his Word to return on the Last Day to bring us fully to himself. In His presence will be fullness of joy.
Do you believe in the virgin birth- Many don't. It is unbelievable to them. In fact the first doubter of the virgin conception was the pledged husband of Mary- Matthew relates Joseph's story in chapter 1-18ff. Listen and learn what the birth of Jesus, what we call Christmas, is all about.
Christmas is the season in which the birth of Jesus is remembered and celebrated and it seems to begin earlier every year. The focus on a baby seems to lend itself to too much commercialism. Perhaps we think too much about the baby Jesus and his young mother and lose sight of the meaning of his birth of the virgin Mary. The church has a worship corrective in a focus on advent- the future return of this same Jesus to earth as the rightful Ruler. So to help understand the full significance of Messiah's birth remember to where it is leading. He who has come will come because he who is the Son of David is also David's Lord.
Jesus' second question to the Pharisees proved to be over their head---Tf then David calls him Lord, how is he his son-- -Matt. 12-45-. Jesus refers them to Psalm 110 where we read of King David testifying that Yahweh spoke to his -Lord- and crowned him with glory and honor that are reserved only for deity. The One to come will have the position of rulership over all things, he will be the great High Priest for his people,, and he is the Judge of all men. This person can only be the long-promised Deliverer of Israel, the Messiah Himself. Indeed, Jesus meets every criteria for the Messiah and his resurrection from the dead settles the question. Jesus is the incarnate Lord who is not lacking in any aspect of humanity except sin.
Yahweh promised King David that one of his descendants in the future would sit on the throne of rulership forever. Jesus of Nazareth, who was descended from David, was the fulfillment of that promise. Both his parents, Joseph and Mary, through different lines, were descended from David. Jesus' incarnation affirms his full humanity, which in turn confirms his descent through the blood line of David. As the great human-divine King he rules his people with understanding and compassion.
Christians face spiritual conflicts but God has made provision for both our defense and our victory. He provides us with full armor. Paul describes this armor in Ephesians 6. John Bunyan's classic book, Pilgrims Progress, introduces us to the armor and its use in battle.
Bringing the arc of the covenant into Jerusalem was the catalyst for David instructing his people on why Yahweh should receive thanksgiving- because of his wondrous works, his gracious covenant, and his glorious person. Our reasons are the same, but greatly enhanced by the establishment of the New Covenant in Jesus' death and resurrection.
Christians are to a thankful people. Paul wrote- Rejoice in the Lord always- again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand- do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. -4-4-6---King David led his people in thankful rejoicing as the ark was brought to Jerusalem. He gives 3 basic reasons why we should give thanks to Yahweh. Then Jesus healed 10 lepers and sent them to the priest to be declared clean so they could rejoin the community but only one returned to fall at his feet and say thanks. Where do you find yourself in this story-
The apostles played an indispensable role in the preservation and propagation of Jesus' teachings and the facts of his ministry. This passage launches us in seeking to answer three questions about the apostles- Who were they- What work did Jesus commission them to do- Why are they important for the Church-
One way Christians are depicted in the Bible is that of soldiers in God's Armor. We must put on the whole armor of God. What is the whole armor-
In Psalm 115 we see that steadfast love, faithfulness and sovereignty are the marks of Yahweh's nature, but impotence and death mark the idols and those who worship them. - Yahweh's people are to trust and fear and praise him.-The blessing of Yahweh is on his people, and his people should be committed to bless him now and forever. The summary command and privilege of Yahweh's people- praise him-
Christians, believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, are engaged in spiritual warfare, intense battles of the soul and mind from the forces of wickedness. We are not defenseless but we must be aware of and take up and use our spiritual weapons.
October 31 was the day when Luther unbeknownst to himself at the time lit a spark that led to a widespread recovery of the gospel of Jesus the Christ. His invitation to a debate resulted in his further discoveries of salvation by the grace of God alone through faith alone in Jesus person and work on our behalf alone based on the authority of God's glory so that a person's salvation is all for the glory of God alone. Let us celebrate this truth not as the world but as the recipients of God's gracious deeds on our behalf. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, -The righteous shall live by faith.- Romans 1-17-Romans 3-22-26 -the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction- for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Ephesians 2-8-For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing- it is the gift of God,--Soli Deo Gloria -
We are engaged in a spiritual war. For us to enter into the victory of Jesus Christ in the spiritual battles we fight we must be war conscious and use the spiritual weapons provided. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Revelation 12-11. This message explores three weapons mentioned in this verse .
The person and the work of the Lord Jesus on behalf of mankind is summarized under the concept of the mediator, the go-between the holy God and people who is our prophet, priest and king. This message explores the Biblical basis for saying Jesus is the King.
We are often told in the Bible in both Old and New Testaments to be strong. What does this mean- How can this be a reality in my life- The name of the LORD is a strong tower. Hear God's exhortation and remember his mighty deeds of old.
By accepting the defective, throw-away, third-rate offerings of the people of Israel, given to the Lord, instead of the perfect sacrificial animals that the Law required, the priests condoned and encouraged impure worship that was despicable in the eyes of the holy Lord. Yet it would not always be such, for in the future pure worship will be offered the great King by all the nations as they come to the Gospel light.
What is your attitude toward work- toward your job- The Bible has quite a bit to say about work. We need to think biblically about vocation and the every day work routine. We are placed by God's appointment to be engaged in ministry.
Jesus as the one Mediator between humanity and God acted as our high priest in offering up himself as the atoning sacrifice and then following his resurrection from the dead ascended into heaven and ministers there as our high priest. This is the guarantee of eternal salvation and acceptable worship.
In this passage at the beginning of Malachi we are confronted afresh with the reality of God's sovereign election of his people- Jacob's election and Esau's rejection. Paul does a similar thing in Romans 9-6-18. We are saved not by our works, but as a result of sovereign election extended to his people by the grace of God in Christ. As God's undeserving people we rest and rejoice in this great mercy.
Jesus gave two overarching commandments to the people of God. This message explores how we are to concretely apply this commandment to our fellow Christians.
Jesus was a master at using illustrative stories and parables to bring people to the gut. issues of life. One such incident is recorded in Luke 7 with Jesus as a dinner guest at a Pharisee named Simeon's house.
After the Exile and the loss of Judah's king, Zerubbabel became the governor of Jerusalem and its environs. His appointment gave hope that the covenant promise to King David that he'd always have a descendant on the throne was not distinguished but would be carried on. Ultimately this was fulfilled in the Messiah Jesus of Nazareth. Thus God's purpose and promise is renewed in Zerubbabel - the precursor of the Christ.
Do you love yourself- Should you love yourself- Important questions. Proper self love is necessary if we are to love God and love others as we love ourselves. Proper love of self flows out of proper motives.
Christian marriage takes 3 not 2. This message explores the who and the how of such a marriage.
The elderly Hebrews who had seen and experienced the glory of Solomon's temple were disappointed in the much lesser glory of the one being built after the Exile to Babylon. But the LORD through Haggai assured them that a greater temple glory was coming. This prophecy surely was fulfilled when the Messiah himself several times entered the temple at Jerusalem. Jesus also declared that his own body was the temple of God. Additionally, believers in Christ, as they are indwelled by the Spirit, are designated the present temple of Christ on earth. And finally, in the New Jerusalem that descends from heaven the only temple there will be God himself.
After the remnant of the Jewish population returned to the land after the exile they began rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem, but progress was stopped because of opposition by neighboring enemies. So the people had turned their energies to building their own -paneled houses- and the prophet Haggai confronts them with the fact that they were neglecting the rebuilding of the Lord's house, i.e., the temple. Through the prophet's inspired words we see that Yahweh knew exactly what his people's sins were, he commanded them to take corrective action, and then he grants them the ability to obey him. Refreshingly, they all, the king and high priest, and all the people, obeyed and went to work in the rebuilding project. They got their misplaced priorities placed correctly on the upbuilding of the kingdom of God, instead of their own little kingdoms and interests.
What does the Bible have to say about singleness- Since the single state involves more than half of the population in. the United States and many people experience the single state in all age groups we need to re-evaluate how we think about singleness and the Christian faith.
Who is the prophet who was to come like Moses- The Bible answers this question which is verified by the resurrection of Jesus the Christ from the dead. Jesus Christ brings God's final revelation- listen to him-
We often think and sometimes say- What does God look like- But this is the wrong question because God is above his creation and is totally unique. The better question is What is the nature of God. The Bible has definite answers to this inquiry. A fundamental statement is God is a spirit- he is Spirit. Jesus declared this truth in John 4-24. But what does it mean-
Obadiah's prophecy is against Edom for her pride and her pitiless violence in supporting the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. The LORD will severely punish this evil committed not only by Edom but by all nations, but in the end his kingdom and his people will alone possess the earth.
Every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is called to the ministry. What all does this involve- Are you a functioning priest and faithful minister to others-
The prophecy of Nahum reveals that Yahweh is opposed to Nineveh's evil, as well as the fact that He is the standard of righteousness and judgment. Nineveh and the Assyrians, on the other hand, were the embodiment of evil. But they reap their just reward in that Yahweh's punishment of their evil will be thorough and unreserved. This destruction of Nineveh enables the Hebrew nation and its holy remnant to live through whom later would come Messiah, Savior of the world.
How does one experience refreshment in Christ- A review of Paul's letter to Philemon in which the theme of refreshment in Christ is presented in a dialogue sermon format with questions and answers involving the congregation and pastor.
Philemon deals with a real-life example of Christian fellowship being worked out in the relationship between a Christian slave owner -Philemon- and his runaway but now converted slave -Onesimus-. Paul commends Philemon as one who -refreshed the hearts of the saints in Christ- and he asks him to do this again in his behalf. -What does this phrase mean- How can we refresh others in Christ and receive refreshment from them-
We have more free time in our generation than in any previous generation. Yet this has not always resulted in positive constructive outcomes. Often our free time become busyness- trivial and wasteful resulting in boredom. There are at least two misconceptions Christians have about leisure. But the Bible can give us guidelines to help us enjoy our leisure hours.
In prophesying the coming destruction of Nineveh, the prophet Nahum sets forth two general truths that are true for all people at all times. First of all, Yahweh's wrath will fall on his enemies. Secondly, Yahweh knows those who take refuge in him. There is only one way to escape God's wrath against sin, and we see this escape route fully explained in the NT- it is by fleeing to Christ and hiding in him.
As we turn to the final chapter in Zephaniah's prophecy, we see that Yahweh will pour out his burning anger on the sins of the nations, including his own people. We also see that in mercy he will do whatever it takes to change the hearts and lives of his people, both Jews and Gentiles. In the final verses we see the revelation of the true personhood of Yahweh as he takes delight in singing with joy over his redeemed and beloved people.
Holy appears as God's special word in the Bible. People today have a weak view of the nature especially of his holiness. Yet the understanding of God as the Holy is necessary for us to truly understand what our dilemma as sinners who are not holy. How can sinful people ever know or live with Holy God-
The prophet Zephaniah declares the coming Day of the Lord in which both Israel and the nations will be judged by God for their sin. In chapters 1 and 2 we learn about the coming Day of the Lord- - What brings in on- Who will be judged- The only escape-The only escape is to hide in Yahweh himself, specifically, in the coming anointed One, Jesus our Lord, who would redeem God's people as they hide in him from the wrath to come.
As a nation we rightly celebrate our history of the American Revolution which led to the establishment of our Republic. However our greatest need is to acknowledge our dependence on God who in his providence led to the formation of this blessed land.
As we have been following Habakkuk's struggle as he wrestles with trying to understand God's ways - especially God's coming use of the Babylonians to bring judgement on the Hebrew nation - we see that he is now resting in God's revelation of his nature and ways. He is also resting in the fact that God has extended his mercy to his people. The prophet here is a man of faith - schewing the arrogant ways of the world. He now trusts in the everlasting and holy God to work his just will among the nations - Jew and Gentile. And at the same time God rises up to bring salvation to his people, Therefore, Habakkuk can rejoice in Yahweh 's character and person - and he does so even in the face of dire circumstances - a great model for us.
Many people become centered on prophecy concerning the future with every major event or leadership change. But this is trying to fit today's headlines into the Bible. This is a mistaken emphasis. There are major things about the future and the end of the age that the Bible clearly states. What are they- How will this impact my future as a Christian-
Habakkuk was waiting for Yahweh to answer his complaint about God's perceived injustice and he begins to do that by showing him that in a wicked world the righteous person will live by faith in God. He or she will also seek to fill the earth with the knowledge of the glory of God, and such persons will come before God, silencing their own complaints, to hear his voice through the scriptures and the preached Word of God.
Have you being reading a book full of high adventure and suspense that you could not wait to see if the main character makes it- So you go to the last chapter to ease your anxiety. In the conflict of this world brought on and fleshed out by people's rebellion against the holy God you may wonder how will it end. God has given us a glimpse in the last chapter of Revelation. Consider the reassuring message God gives us in it.
The baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch by Philipp teaches us that the salvation of sinners happens because it is the will of God to save them, it comes from hearing and believing the Word of God, it is based entirely on the work of Christ in his death, burial and resurrection, and, lastly, salvation happens when it is the desire of the sinner to be saved.
The prophet Habakkuk had two issues that greatly perplexed him- 1- why does Yahweh allow his people to continue their flagrant sinning without judging them, and 2- why is God going to use the Chaldeans, a more wicked nation than his own, to bring judgment on them- Habakkuk doesn't have an answer but knows enough about the nature of God - he is everlasting and he is holy - that he can wait patiently in faith, and see what God will say.
People in their natural condition are not in a right relationship with the holy God due to man' state of sin. When people are awaken to their situation they attempt to build bridges to reach God on their own. Self generated bridges will never reach God. If a person is to be saved, find access and acceptance with God then he must walk on the bridge God has built. Only faith in Jesus Christ will brings us to the holy God.
The one God in Trinity, in the persons of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, work together in perfect coordination and harmony to bring inor solely the Son, nor solely the Holy Spirit that planned and effected salvation, but it was all three persons in the Trinity that planned, carried out, and is continuing to fulfill God's purpose in bringing a people to himself out of the world. Our daily fellowship is with the Father, in the name of his Son Jesus, and by the enablement of the Holy Spirit. What rich communion indeed with the living God-
The ascension of Jesus into heaven 40 days after his resurrection is one of the most significant events in history. The resurrected Man Messiah Jesus who in his person is both true God and true man enter the very throne room of heaven, the holy of holies. There he presents his once all sufficient for all sacrifice to the Father on our behalf. He ministers for us in receiving and conveying our prayers and worship to God. Consider Jesus our great high priest-
A description of the events of Pentecost in which Jesus fulfilled the promise of the Father by sending the Holy Spirit. How does this connect to the mission of the church and to the kingdom of God--It is the Ascended Christ who sends the Holy Spirit upon his waiting disciples.
After Jesus' ascension his disciples spent ten days engaged in crucial activities as they awaited the coming of the Spirit. It was incumbent that a twelfth witness to Jesus' ministry and resurrection be added to the eleven. The scriptures, prayer, and the sovereign guidance of the Spirit led to the selection of Matthias. Thus the apostolic foundation was complete - ready to receive the Spirit and move out as witnesses to the ends of the earth.
Jesus Christ arose from the day three days after his crucifixion and for 40 days he met with his disciples under various circumstances. Then he disappeared- So where is Jesus now--Luke gives us the answer in Luke 24 and Acts 1. The Man Messiah Jesus returned to Father in glory. The gospels and the letters of the New Testament treat the ascension of Jesus and his rule at the right hand of God as present reality. This podcast considers two reasons why Jesus ascension is so important.
We rightly rejoice in Christ's bodily resurrection from the dead. But his resurrection would be incomplete and unfinished without the accompanying ascension. Christ had to enter the heavenly sanctuary to present his blood for our redemption and begin his high priestly ministry. The ascension brought glory to Christ as the triumphant Mediator and thus the Spirit could now be poured out on his disciples. The ascension was necessary so that Christ could be present in many places with many believers by the Spirit - the incarnated Lord can only be in one place in his body. Power for witnessing to the world then became the possession of God's people.-Christ's ascension means glory for him and his presence with us.
We can only understand the meaning of the death of Jesus of Nazareth when viewed from the fact of his resurrection from the dead. Jesus arose. He who was dead 3 days arose from the dead and he lives forever. The New Testament is written from this perspective. The proclamation of this reality that his foes could not counter is what spread the message. A living Savior who had atoned for them filled their hearts with joy and their souls with peace. Christ resurrection proved his claims and was the divine receipt that sin had been atoned and people could now have eternal fellowship with the holy God.
That Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, arose from the dead after his crucifixion and walked out of the tomb where he had been buried is at the heart of the Christian faith. This podcast examines the following questions. What is so significant about the resurrection of Christ Jesus- Why is it so important- What did the resurrection mean to Jesus Christ personally and what is the meaning of his resurrection for us-
The third appearance of Jesus to groups of his disciples took place on the shore of Lake Galilee. After serving his disciples breakfast, Jesus addresses Peter in front of the others. He asks him three times if he loves him, corresponding to the Peter's three denials during Jesus' trial. Peter affirms his love for Christ, and Christ tells him three times to feed, to tend, his lambs and his sheep. Peter's authority to be the leader of the apostles was thus confirmed by Christ. He was forgiven and restored - thus in Peter's failings and restoration we, as weak and imperfect Christians, have hope that Christ will use us also in his service.
Having received all authority in heaven and on earth after his crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus Christ issued a solemn command to his disciples to go and make disciples of all the nations. New believers were to be baptized in the name of the one triune God- the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They were to be instructed in all things Jesus had taught. Yet the disciples would not be alone in this great endeavor - Jesus promised to be with them by the presence of his Spirit every step of the way. This solemn command is still in effect for the church today.
Which apostle do you think would not be one of the first eyewitnesses to the resurrected Jesus- Surely not Peter who had denied publicly three times and with curses- Yet Peter was the first of the Apostles to actually see the risen Jesus. How could this be- What happened with Peter and his Lord-
The distraught Mary Magdalene was astounded on resurrection morning when the Lord Jesus confronted her in the garden of the tomb. The speaking of her name was a revelation that he was not dead but alive, that he was not distant, but near, and not absent but present. Their relationship that had been terminated by his death was suddenly restored, and, oh, the joy in Mary's soul. Jesus would continue as her Lord, her Teacher, and her Comforter as he prepared for the ascension back to his Father -by nature- and her Father -by grace-. After his ascension, the relationship would go on, but in a different way, as Christ would be with Mary by His Spirit, as well as with all his people throughout the ages.
The resurrection of Jesus the Christ from the dead in flesh and bone is the bedrock foundation of the faith. Evidence for the resurrected Christ is grounded on historical fact and eyewitness testimony and the subsequent lives of his disciples. Consider a brief summary of the lines of evidence.
The resurrected Jesus appeared to his disciples on a mountain in Galilee. He declared that all authority had been given to him in heaven and on earth, and he issued a solemn command that his disciples were to go to all the world's people groups. Then they were to make disciples among these people, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all his commands. It was a daunting task but Jesus promised his presence with them. Today we see the harvest is still great, so we must press forward to obey Jesus' command which is still in effect.
What did Jesus do on the day he arose from the dead- He showed himself alive bodily from the grave. He demonstrates that he is the same Lord who had suffered for them but who now had an immortal glorified body fit for heavenly dwellings. He was thus the firstborn from the dead. Come and see with the first witnesses to Jesus resurrected state.
The first witnesses of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ were some women disciples who had followed him from Galilee, ministering to his needs. When most of the men had deserted Jesus at his trial and crucifixion, these were at the cross, witnessed his burial, and were the first to encounter the risen Christ. They saw him, heard him speak, even grabbed his feet, and worshipped him. Other similar incidents occurred over the next 40 days with the eleven male disciples. All could testify that -...which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life- the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it...- 1 John 1-1-2. Jesus' bodily resurrection is the ground on which our own resurrection from the dead stands.
Jesus died on the cross at 3 pm on the day of his crucifiction and by late afternoon Joseph of Arimathea had taken his body down from the tree and with Pilate's permission he was allowed to bury it. It was prepared for burial by the women who had been at the cross and Joseph and Nicodemus who supplied the burial cloths and 75 pound of spices. He was dead and he was buried. Jesus burial is part of the good news. Why- Explore it from the Scripture.
Was Jesus' cry of abandonment by his Father only a feeling he had or had he really been forsaken- Jesus was fully God and fully man in one person - the mystery and truth of the incarnation. As the second person of the Godhead he had always been in perfect fellowship with his Father and this bond of fellowship within God himself could never be broken. Yet in his humanity Jesus as our sin-bearer and sacrifice did experience abandonment by the Father. Christ experienced this, what we deserved, in our place, so that we will never be abandoned or forsaken by God the Father.
The week of Jesus crucifixion he was the central figure in two processes. He entered Jerusalem on the first day that we now call Palm Sunday announcing his kingship. Later in the week he took the journey to his place of execution- Skull Hill. Come journey with Jesus with me.
Legalism was a problem in the early churches and it continues today. It rears its ugly even in fundamental and evangelical Christian groups and individuals. Paul was God's instrument in breaking the back of such deadly teaching and Jesus had much to say about it. Definition and major marks of this error are covered in this podcast.
As Jesus had not shrunk from declaring before Caiaphas, the high priest of Israel, and the Council of Elders, that he was the Son of God whom they would see seated at the right hand of God and coming in power on the clouds, so he is not bashful before Governor Pontius Pilate to declare that he indeed was a king, in fact, the king of God's kingdom, not an earthly kingdom. Paul refers to this example of Jesus' -good confession- in 1 Timothy 6 in his charge to Timothy to keep unswervingly the commands of God to lead a holy life.
In our 7-week -Countdown to Calvary- series, we arrive at Jesus' trial before the high priest Caiaphas. Even though the entire Jewish Sanhedrin was determined to have him put to death, Christ did not shrink back but was the True Confessor as he affirmed his deity, power, and glory before Pontius Pilate and the others. He declared that the heavenly Man in Daniel's vision in Chapter 7 -13-14 was fulfilled in himself.
The average person in the world tends to regard Christianity as a negative. Christians have often contributed to this attitude by the way we accent what we do not do as believers rather than what God has now enabled to do. As Paul writes in Romans 13-10, Love is the fulfillment of the law. As Jesus inferred in his teachings we have not truly obeyed a prohibition unless we do the good God intended. James writes, So it is sin to know the good and yet not do it. -James 4-17-
The primary focus of this sermon is on Jesus' agonizing prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane in which we see that in his humanity, he was terrified and dreaded going to the cross. But as a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered, and so became complete or perfect, and thus the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him -Heb. 5-9-. In his prayer wrestling in the Garden, he submitted not to his own will, but to the Father's will. Thus his mind was settled, and he set his face like a flint to proceed to the cross. He put into practice the prayer he had taught his disciples, -your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.- -continued next week in this 7-sermon series from Matthew 26,27, - 28.
God does not have a one child family- When we come to faith in Jesus Christ we were joined him and to our spiritual brothers and sisters in a bond of life. Belonging to Christ involves belonging to his body, the Church. His spiritual family takes visible expression in local congregations. This message gives several reasons for participating in a local assembly.
This is the first sermon in a 7-week series covering Matthew chapters 26 , 27, - 28, called -Countdown to Calvary.- This series will extend through Easter and one Sunday beyond. We will examine the events in these chapters leading up to Christ's trial, crucifixion, and resurrection. In this first sermon we see the interweaving of God's plan to bring his Son to the cross and the schemes of wicked men, such as the chief priests and Judas, to destroy him. In spite of the suffering shortly awaiting him Christ does is not deterred from instituting the Holy Table of the New Covenant which he would soon ratify by his death on Calvary.
As the early church began its regular practice of gathering together for worship, 4 basic holy activities marked their assemblies. They were, lastly -the 4th element-, -devoted to the prayers.- What prayers were they devoted to- This sermon presents some general remarks about prayer, then offers suggestions for four sources of these prayers.
Reading the Bible and listening to the Bible read is a commanded activity. In an effort to do this we often advise people to read the Bible through in one year. Although this is good advice, I am. not convinced that is the most best way to read the Bible. So what are some alternative methods to read the Scripture with maximum profit- Explore this topic with me-
The presentation of the video sermon is enhanced by frequent scripture references and verses added to the video screen, as well as important points and summaries by the preacher, Wayne Conrad. --The -Breaking of the Bread- is the third principal act of worship that is seen in the early church's gatherings as laid out in Acts 2-42-. Guided by the context and grammar, this phrase is a reference to the Lord's Supper, that is, Holy Communion, which was a regular part of the church's worship gatherings, along with devotion to the apostles' teaching, the fellowship, and the prayers. At this holy supper, also called -the Lord's Table,- disciples of Jesus draw near to Christ in grateful remembrance of his sacrificial death in their behalf. But this holy rite is more than a remembrance, it is actual fellowship with the risen Christ who is the invisible host at the Table. Acts 20-7 reveals that the celebration of the Lord's Table was the chief reason the church gathered for worship. The Lord's Supper should be celebrated often, preferably weekly, because it focuses on the heart of our salvation from sin- the sacrificial death of Christ for our sins, yet his resurrection from the dead also to secure our justification before the holy God.
Why should we praise God- There are a number of incentives for lifting our voice in praise to God. Listening just might loosen your tongue and engage you in worship-
Praising God is an essential activity for man was made to glorify God and thus enjoy him forever. This is the first episode considering practical lessons on living the Christian life. We are commanded to praise for who he is- the only true God. Let's just the Lord-
As we study the New Testament's use of this word translated -fellowship- in Acts 2-42, we learn that this sharing, this communion, this participation, this contribution, partnership -some other ways the Greek word -koinoinia- is translated- is woven throughout the life of the early church and embedded in what it means to be a Christian in relation to God and to other disciples of Jesus Christ. The whole basis of fellowship among the people of God is based upon the one God's own fellowship within himself as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have in eternity been in perfect communion and love with one another. Thus the living members of the church share mutually in a common salvation, worship, mutual caring, and mutual -shared- witness to the world. Our link and union with God and his people in never-ending bonds of fellowship is a grace gift of our kind Heavenly Father.
The apostles of Jesus were commissioned by him to teach the people all that he had taught them, both before and after his resurrection. The large group of 3,000 newly baptized believers met with the apostles to learn all they could from them about Christ. This oral instruction was later recorded in the apostolic writings that make up the New Testament. Both for them and us, the apostles' teaching -doctrine- is our sole authority for all that we as the Christian church believes and practices.
Do you know there are three deaths a person may die- Two are inevitable for all and a third will be experienced by multitudes times multitudes. This message looks at the definition of each of these three deaths and the way of escape from two of them.
A consideration of God's work through his covenants especially the New Covenant and our response of faith and love and gratitude. Sharing of the covenant renewal ceremony of Wesley following Alliene followed by a personal covenant renewal.