Sermon Audio: Recent Episodes
Jason Velotta
As we continue our journey through the Gospel of Mark, we’ve seen Jesus reveal His divine identity through jaw-dropping miracles—calming storms, forgiving sins, and feeding thousands with just a few loaves and fish. Yet, the disciples who witnessed these wonders firsthand still struggled to grasp who Jesus truly is. Sound familiar? It should. Mark has repeatedly shown us the theme of Jesus’ identity and the people’s inability to understand.
This Sunday, we’ll explore Mark 6:45-56, where Jesus sends His disciples into a stormy sea on their own while He prays on a mountain. They struggle against the wind and feel abandoned when something extraordinary happens. Jesus does what only God can do and comes to them walking on the sea. Jesus "passes by," revealing His name just as God did in the Old Testament before Moses. What Jesus does in this moment leaves the disciples astounded yet still confused. Verse 52 tells us they were astounded at Jesus’ coming because "they did not understand about the loaves." They should have understood who Jesus is from the feeding of the 5000. How can Jesus’ identity ground us when life’s storms make us feel like we’re rowing against an impossible current? Why does Mark repeatedly point us to who Jesus is?
Join us as we explore how Jesus meets us in our struggles and why knowing Him as God in the flesh is the deepest truth we need, now and always.
I. Jesus Is El Roi, The God Who Sees (v. 45-48a)
II. Jesus Is Jehovah Sammah, The Lord Who Is There (v. 48b-52)
III. Jesus Is Jehovah Rapha, The Lord Who Heals (v. 53-56)
This Sunday, we’ll explore what “success” means for a disciple of Jesus in Mark 6:14-29. Last week, we saw Jesus send out the disciples to preach repentance, relying only on God to meet their needs. Jesus also instructed them on how to face rejection. The Twelve return victoriously in verse 30, celebrating their accomplishments. Yet, between their mission and return, Mark sandwiches the sobering account of John the Baptist’s execution—a powerful reminder that faithfulness, not earthly victories, is the true measure of success. Chronologically, John the Baptist had already been executed by the time Jesus sent out the Twelve. Mark could have included John’s execution in chapter 1 when he told us John was arrested. However, Mark places the account here as a flashback to explain why Herod initially believed Jesus was John raised from the dead. John the Baptist’s faithful testimony had a profound impact on Herod, despite the imprisonment and execution that followed. As the Twelve return with stories of their success, Mark reminds us that a “successful” disciple is one who is faithful regardless of the earthly trials in which they find themselves. John’s witness, even his death, was used mightily by God. On Sunday, we will read v. 14-30 as it is written, but to unpack the significance and flow of Mark’s intent, I will examine the flashback to John’s execution (v. 17-29) first, and then show the effect this event had on Herod (v. 14-16). I would strongly encourage you to read Mark 6:14-30 several times to become familiar with the text before we come together to worship through its exposition.
I. Faithful Disciples Will Face Opposition (v. 17-20)
II. Faithful Discipleship May Cost Everything (v. 21-29)
III. Faithful Disciples Are ALWAYS Used By God (v. 14-16)
This Sunday, we will continue our study of Mark’s gospel, specifically Mark 6:7-13. After Jesus’ rejection in His hometown of Nazareth, He calls the twelve and sends them out on a training mission. Despite their earlier doubts and fears shown in Mark—such as accusing Jesus of not caring during the storm on the Sea of Galilee—Jesus equips them with His authority to cast out demons, instructs them to rely on God’s provision by taking minimal supplies, and charges them to proclaim repentance and the coming of God’s kingdom. Jesus sent out the twelve, not because they were ready, but because they weren’t. The mission itself would serve as their training ground to grow as disciples while making disciples. As we hear Jesus’ instructions for their mission, we also hear Jesus’ instructions for ours. The same authority, charge, and commission are given to the whole body so that we might make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all that Jesus commanded.
I. Commissioned With Christ’s Authority (v. 7)
II. Charged To Depend On Christ’s Provision (v. 8-10)
III. Called To Testify To Christ’s Kingdom (v. 11-13)
I know you’re all used to Jason’s weekly emails. This week, however, is Senior/Youth Sunday, and Jason has graciously given me the opportunity to preach, so you’re stuck with me. I’m excited that the students will be leading us in worship this Sunday, and we will be recognizing the 2025 high school graduates during the second service. I will be continuing Jason’s series in the book of Mark, chapter 6:1-6. As we’ve seen in Jesus’ ministry, He has healed many sick people, calmed the wind and seas, and even raised the dead. You would think that after all these miraculous wonders, everyone would recognize who Jesus is and respond appropriately. However, in Mark 6:1-6, this isn’t the case. In this section of Mark, the text shifts to show Jesus’ own amazement at the unbelief of His hometown. This made me ask the question, “How do you respond to Jesus?” Do you respond with mere amazement at His words and deeds? Do you respond by being offended at His claims or commands? Ultimately, do you respond in faith or unbelief? I’m excited to dive deeper into this text and these questions. By God’s grace, may He show us proper response to who He is and eliminate the unbelief in every area in our lives.
Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record this event, intertwining a woman’s healing with the raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead. These two individuals could not be more different. Jairus is a respected synagogue leader, and the unnamed woman is an outcast, suffering for twelve years. Yet, both approach Jesus in desperate need. Jairus pleads for his dying daughter, while the woman, impoverished, suffering, and ceremonially unclean, seeks healing by touching Jesus’ garment. While Jesus accompanies Jairus to heal his daughter’s sickness, the procession is interrupted by this woman who touches Jesus. Because of this delay, Jairus’ daughter dies. But as Jesus brings this woman forward, calls her "daughter," (the only place in the gospels where Jesus calls someone daughter) and says, "Your faith has healed you," Jairus is given a picture of what is required of him. When news of his daughter’s death comes, Jesus tells Jairus, "Do not fear, only believe." Jesus calls Jairus to trust in Him despite what the news-bearers have said, despite the mocking laughter the mourners spew, and despite what his own heart tells him about the finality of death. Just as the woman stepped forward and fell at Jesus’ feat (even with her fear and the risks involved), Jairus is called to put aside his fear and step forward with Jesus, believing He is Lord over even death itself. The four miracles in this section reveal Jesus as God incarnate, with power over creation (the storm), spirits (the legion), disease (the woman), and death (Jairus’ daughter). They point to the inbreaking of God’s kingdom, offering a glimpse of a future where sin, sickness, and death are no more. But, whether a ruler of a synagogue or a poor hopeless outcast, all humanity must enter this kingdom by faith.
I. The Desperate Father’s Plea (v. 21-24a)
II. The Hopeless Woman’s Faith (v. 24b-34)
III. The Call To Faith (v. 35-40)
IV. The Lord Over Death (v. 41-43)
Mark 5:1-20 is the second of four miracles that display Jesus’ power as God in flesh. At the end of chapter 4, Jesus calmed a storm by rebuking it. Creation bowed to its master as the wind and waves obeyed. The creator is sovereign over His creation. Mark 5:1-20 shows us that Jesus also holds power over the spiritual realm, the armies of Satan, and the kingdom of darkness. When Jesus arrives at the opposite shore of the Sea of Galilee, a man enslaved by unclean spirits meets Him. Mark provides significant detail regarding this man’s hopeless and tormented condition (v. 1-5). As the narrative progresses, we learn that a legion of unclean spirits inhabits him. But even thousands of demons cannot withstand His authority. Jesus triumphs over the host of enemy powers with the same authority and word that stilled the storm. Jesus has come to set the captive free. This man’s circumstances are extreme, but they are not the only picture of someone enslaved to Satan’s kingdom. Without Christ, all of Adam’s descendants are held under Satan’s power (1 John 5:19; Eph. 2:1-2; Col. 1:13-14). If Jesus can conquer the army garrisoned within this man, He can free any captive and save any soul enslaved by sin. There are several twists in this narrative involving suicidal pigs and a howling graveyard dweller, but as we have seen before, Jesus is the "Son of the Most High God" (Mark 5:7) and possesses the power to bring the kingdom of God into the darkness. Mark ends this passage by displaying how the townspeople and the recently delivered man respond to Jesus. One is commissioned, while the others beg Jesus to leave.
I. The Plight Of The Enemy’s Slave (v. 1-5)
II. The Power Of The Sovereign Son (v. 6-13)
III. The Responses To This Lord & King (v. 14-20)
In Christ,
Jason Velotta
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Mark 4:35-41 is a very familiar narrative. After spending a grueling day debating with scribes and teaching in parables, Jesus tells his disciples to take Him across the Sea of Galilee. He sleeps as a deadly storm hits and wakes to calm it by His word. Having just compared the word to the seed that brings the kingdom, Jesus demonstrates the power of that word as He commands the storm to be silent. While it is certainly true that God sometimes miraculously intervenes and calms the storms of this life, the main point of this passage is who Jesus is. Mark previously narrated four miracles that demonstrate Jesus’ authority over unclean spirits, sickness, and the forgiveness of sin. Now, after Jesus’ kingdom parables, Mark will give us four more miracles. Jesus will calm the storm (forces of nature), cast out a legion of demons, cure a woman with a chronic condition, and raise Jairus’ daughter from the dead. These four miracles, which would seem to be on a grander scale, reveal more of Jesus’ identity and authority. He is God in the flesh. Only God can still the wind and waves. Yet, Jesus calming every storm in your earthly life is not the point. Jesus undoubtedly knew they would sail into a storm when He commanded them to sail across the sea. The storm tested their faith and revealed what they trusted in. When Jesus wakes, He rebukes them, saying, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" (v. 40) They were in far more danger from their fear and unbelief than from the storm. Their fear of the storm caused them to wonder if Jesus even cared (v. 38). This narrative is framed around three questions that could apply to every Christian’s life in this world. These questions call for answers that speak to our trials, sufferings, battles against sin, and things of the world. If Jesus is truly who He says He is, "Why are you so afraid?" The battle in this narrative is not simply a fight for survival on a stormy sea or expecting Jesus to calm our storms whenever we call. The battle, even in the fiercest storm, is answering, " Who then is this?"(v. 41) And trusting the one who is with us in the boat.
I. Setting: An Inevitable Storm (v. 35-37)
II. Do You Not Care? (v. 38)
III. Why Are You So Afraid? (v. 39-40)
IV. Who Then Is This? (v. 41)
Throughout the early chapters of Mark, Jesus’ emphasis on the kingdom and His authority has been central. The kingdom of God is His rule and reign, which is a present reality and a future fulfillment. As Christ came preaching and working miracles, we saw the fullness of God’s kingdom breaking into the present reality of this fallen creation. Jesus demonstrated His authority to bring God’s kingdom and called people to enter through repentance and faith (Mark 1:14-15). Yet, we have seen wildly different responses to Jesus in Mark’s presentation. It does not look like Jesus’ message and the kingdom of God is gaining traction among the people. Last week in Mark 4:1-20, Jesus explained these responses with the parable of the soils. He presented three soils that bore no fruit and one that bore fruit abundantly. After explaining its meaning, Jesus calls His disciples to "pay attention to what you hear," giving several reasons why this is so important. We must give heed to the word because everything hidden will come to light (v. 21-22), and the way one responds to the word (seed) will shape one’s future (v. 23-25). Those who have will be given more, and those who do not will lose what they have. Jesus clarifies that the word (seed) brings someone into the kingdom and grows the kingdom as the seed is spread. Then, adding to this picture, Jesus gives two more parables involving seed growth. In the first, He shows us that the seed of God’s kingdom grows through God’s power and word. In this parable, the farmer sows the seed and waits in faith for the harvest. The third parable illustrates that the kingdom of God grows from the seemingly smallest of seeds. Though its beginning and spread may seem insignificant in our sight, God’s work in the mundane and insignificant moments grows His kingdom for His glory. God’s kingdom and purpose are unstoppable in our hearts and His creation. Sunday, we will examine how the smallest of seeds can change everything.
I. The Kingdom Is Given Through Word: Heed What You Hear (v. 21-25)
II. The Kingdom Grows By God’s Word & Power (v. 26-29)
III. The Kingdom Grows From The Smallest Seed (v. 30-34)
Throughout the early chapters of Mark, Jesus’ emphasis on the kingdom and His authority has been central. The kingdom of God is His rule and reign, which is a present reality and a future fulfillment. As Christ came preaching and working miracles, we saw the fullness of God’s kingdom breaking into the present reality of this fallen creation. Jesus demonstrated His authority to bring God’s kingdom and called people to enter through repentance and faith (Mark 1:14-15). Yet, we have seen wildly different responses to Jesus in Mark’s presentation. It does not look like Jesus’ message and the kingdom of God is gaining traction among the people. Last week in Mark 4:1-20, Jesus explained these responses with the parable of the soils. He presented three soils that bore no fruit and one that bore fruit abundantly. After explaining its meaning, Jesus calls His disciples to "pay attention to what you hear," giving several reasons why this is so important. We must give heed to the word because everything hidden will come to light (v. 21-22), and the way one responds to the word (seed) will shape one’s future (v. 23-25). Those who have will be given more, and those who do not will lose what they have. Jesus clarifies that the word (seed) brings someone into the kingdom and grows the kingdom as the seed is spread. Then, adding to this picture, Jesus gives two more parables involving seed growth. In the first, He shows us that the seed of God’s kingdom grows through God’s power and word. In this parable, the farmer sows the seed and waits in faith for the harvest. The third parable illustrates that the kingdom of God grows from the seemingly smallest of seeds. Though its beginning and spread may seem insignificant in our sight, God’s work in the mundane and insignificant moments grows His kingdom for His glory. God’s kingdom and purpose are unstoppable in our hearts and His creation. Sunday, we will examine how the smallest of seeds can change everything.
I. The Kingdom Is Given Through Word: Heed What You Hear (v. 21-25)
II. The Kingdom Grows By God’s Word & Power (v. 26-29)
III. The Kingdom Grows From The Smallest Seed (v. 30-34)
This Sunday, in Mark 4:1-20, Jesus teaches the Parable of the Soils and challenges us with a profound question: “How are you hearing?” Since the fall of creation into sin, God promised a Savior—a seed of the woman—who would crush the serpent’s head, deliver humanity from sin’s corruption, and establish an everlasting kingdom. In Jesus of Nazareth, that promise is fulfilled. He proclaimed, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the good news” (Mark 1:15). Through miracles such as healing the sick and forgiving sins, He demonstrated His authority as the long-awaited Messiah. Yet, as we’ve seen in Mark’s Gospel, people responded to Jesus in unexpected ways. Crowds pursued His miracles but overlooked His kingdom. Religious leaders, who were most familiar with the Scriptures, rejected Him. Even His family believed He had lost His mind. How could so many hear the same teachings, witness the same wonders, and respond so differently? In Mark 4, Jesus addresses this through the Parable of the Soils. He describes four types of hearers: the hardened heart, the shallow heart, the strangled heart, and the receptive heart. Each hears the word of the kingdom, but only one bears fruit. Jesus emphasizes hearing—a term mentioned thirteen times in this chapter—not merely as listening, but as accepting and obeying His message. He warns, “Take care how you hear” (v. 24), because our response reveals whether we truly follow Him or simply agree with Him. Jesus’ parables judge the hearer, not the other way around. They call us to examine our lives: Are we bearing fruit for His kingdom, or are we distracted, indifferent, or unchanged? The difference, as Jesus says, has an eternal cost.
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"Hear" The Parable of the Soils (Mark 4:1-9)
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"Hear" The Parable’s Purpose (v. 10-13)
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Hearing is a Matter of the Heart (v. 14-20)
Mark 3:20-35 is two stories sandwiched together. Verses 20-21 introduce Jesus’ earthly family traveling to retrieve Jesus because they believe he has gone insane. Then, Mark talks about an interaction with scribes who came from Jerusalem to oppose Jesus. Verses 31-35 give us the rest of the story regarding Jesus’ family. By using this structure of one story sandwiched between the beginning and end of another, Mark sets these two groups side by side, showing two kinds of unbelief. Then, he shows us the characteristics of Jesus’ true family. In this passage, we see two types of unbelief common to mankind. His earthly family does not believe Jesus knows what He is doing and has come to "seize" Him. They certainly don’t oppose Jesus or seek to harm him, but they do not believe He knows what is best. They think He is out of His mind and are attempting to control Him for His own good. Today, many do the same, following only the parts of His word they deem acceptable and neglecting the commands that seem too outlandish. This is a well-meaning unbelief that assumes Jesus cannot adequately know what our specific situation requires, and, therefore, His word is malleable depending on what we think is best. However, well-meaning unbelief is still unbelief. The scribes, on the other hand, are not ignorant. They know the prophecies of the Messiah better than anyone on the planet. Yet, when they are faced with the undeniable miracles the Spirit accomplishes through Jesus, they attribute His word to Satan. Jesus warns them of what is often called the unpardonable sin. Sunday, we will examine this sin and how it is committed today. Finally, when Jesus’ family arrives, Jesus is told they wish to speak to Him. Jesus tells those who sit at His feet and listen to His word that His true family is "whoever does the will of God." (v.35). This passage presents us with the two groups who should have known more than any other who Jesus is. His family knew Him better than anyone. The scribes knew the scriptures better than anyone. Yet, both respond with dangerous unbelief, and Jesus says the mark of His true family is those who sit at His feet (come to Him in faith) and whose lives are characterized by living for the Lord.
I. Unbelief That Seeks To Control Jesus (v. 20-21)
II. Unbelief That Willfully Rebels Against Jesus (v. 22-30)
III. Faith that Characterizes Jesus’ True Family (v. 31-35)
Having seen the repeated questions and confrontations between Jesus and the religious leaders in Mark’s gospel, we came to a decisive moment last Sunday. In Mark 3:6, the Pharisees and Herodians resolved that Jesus had to be "destroyed." He had disregarded their traditions regarding ritual fasting, separation from sinners, and the Sabbath, and His message of God’s kingdom was not the same message they taught. He had become a threat. Though the Pharisees’ opposition was now at a fever pitch, Jesus’ ministry had never been more popular. As Mark 3:7 begins, Jesus withdraws to the seashore, and a massive crowd of people from a hundred-mile radius come to Him. As the leaders refuse to acknowledge Jesus’ identity, masses of people are coming. However, Mark doesn’t present this as a cause for celebration. Mark 3:7- 19 contrasts how the crowd (and unclean spirits) respond to Jesus and how his called disciples respond. The crowd comes to Jesus as nothing more than consumers. They desire relief from their physical ailments and spiritual maladies rather than Jesus Himself. Mark presents their press upon Jesus to touch him and be healed as a danger to Jesus, whose priority is proclaiming the kingdom of God (hence his need for a boat. 3:9; 4:1). Yet there is another group present who acknowledge Jesus’ identity and authority in all its reality. The unclean spirits fall before Jesus and declare Him the Son of God, something the religious leaders would not do. However orthodox their profession may be, they are not citizens of His kingdom or those whose hearts desire and love Him. They profess the truth about Him, but they hate it. Finally, Jesus chooses the twelve, committed and commissioned, as His ambassadors: three groups - three responses to Jesus. Sunday, we will apply this passage to our own lives and ask which group describes us.
I. The Consumers: The Crowd (v. 7-10)
II. The Cognizant: The Unclean Spirits (v. 11-12)
III. The Committed & Commissioned (v. 13-19)
This Sunday, we will be working through a difficult section of Mark’s gospel. There are several ways that this text can be misinterpreted or applied wrongly. It will be a challenge to navigate all these issues within a 35 minute sermon, so I would encourage you to read Mark 2:23-3:6 several times before Sunday. We will use a very simple outline to work through this account. Over the last several weeks, Jesus has demonstrated His authority to bring the Kingdom of God which He preached. He healed sickness, cast out demons, claimed authority to forgive sin, and compared himself to the bridegroom who has come for His bride. We have also seen the religious leaders increasingly oppose and confront Jesus. They doubt His authority to forgive sins, question his company of tax collectors and sinners, and call out His view on ritual fasting. Mark 2:23-3:6 shows the Pharisees challenge Jesus for breaking the Sabbath. First, they question His disciples picking and eating grain on the Sabbath day. To them, this amounted to reaping and threshing (doing work on the day God commanded for rest). Then, their hearts stand ready to accuse Him if he heals a man on the Sabbath. There are several ways we might go off the rails in interpreting and applying this passage. The most common is to deny that God fourth commandment still applies today. It certainly does. There are 10 commandments not 9. Jesus does not deny the creation ordinance of a sabbath rest. Yet, the Sabbath is not the legalistic, burdensome, & rule-filled reality that the Pharisees made it either. The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (2:27). In the Christian life, we must keep all of God’s word in balance and stay out of the ditches. Foundationally, the Pharisees’ nit picking confrontations with Jesus were not because He kept company with sinners, didn’t require fasting, or was neglecting the Sabbath. The real problem was their hard heartedness (3:5). The religious leaders knew that their view and teaching on God’s salvation was fundamentally different than Jesus preaching on the Kingdom of God. Their view of legal obedience earning righteousness is not compatible with Jesus’ call for sinners to come to Him in faith. Because of this, their hearts were hard to Jesus’ identity and His call to repentance and faith. To receive Jesus would be to deny their teaching, their worldview, and their own righteousness. They would not do that. So, at the end of this passage, Jesus using the healing of a man’s hand to expose their hearts and Mark 3:6 says began seeking how they might destroy Him. From this point, Jesus is headed to the cross as their hearts grow harder to His call. It is easy to veer off into topical expositions of the Sabbath and legal technicalities (some of which we will do) but this text shows Jesus authority as the Son of Man to rightly interpret the word (for He is the author) and call the most religious of sinners to salvation in Him.
READ Exodus 20:8-11 for God’s sabbath command
I. Jesus is Confronted With the Law (2:23-24)
II. Jesus Cites Precedent From Scripture (2:25-26)
III. Jesus is Lord Of The Sabbath (2:27-28)
IV. Jesus Reveals The True Problem (3:1-6)
Remember, daylight savings time begins this Sunday! Everything moves up an hour. When we last left Mark’s gospel, Jesus had called Levi, the tax collector, to follow Him. Having left all behind, Levi held a banquet at which Jesus ate with many tax collectors and sinners, drawing the questions of the Pharisees. As we examine Mark 2:18-22, we again find Jesus questioned about this feast at Levi’s house. Jesus is asked why the disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees’ disciples fast while Jesus’ disciples are feasting. Jesus does not condemn the practice of fasting as a spiritual discipline. Jesus himself fasted in the gospels. But Jesus answers by comparing Himself to a bridegroom at a wedding. His presence is a time for joy and celebration. Then, He gives two illustrations showing that the New Covenant Kingdom of God has not come as an addition or addendum to the traditions of Judaism. Jesus says no one sews a new patch on an old garment or puts new wine in old wineskins. Doing so would destroy both the old and the new. Jesus does not come as a helpful addition to an already religious life. He did not come to add an extra little benefit to our already put-together goals and aspirations. Christ comes as the bridegroom to transform the sinner’s nature. He has come to make us new creatures, not to sprinkle some good theology and doctrine on our religious traditions. Sunday, we will examine what kind of fasting Jesus is being asked about and how his answer and illustration apply to us today.
I. Jesus Is Questioned About Fasting (v. 18)
II. Jesus Presence Is An Occasion For Joy (v. 19-20)
III. Jesus is Not An Accessory To Life Or Religion (v. 21-22)
This Sunday, we enter a new section of the gospel of Mark. Having seen four demonstrations of Christ’s authority, culminating in His authority to forgive sins. The next four passages show us the religious leaders’ opposition to Jesus, which leads to their resolution to destroy Christ (Mark 3:6). Last week, as Christ forgave and healed the paralytic, we saw the beginning of this opposition as scribes viewed Jesus’ authority to forgive sins as blasphemy. In Mark 2:13-17, Jesus calls one of the most despised and immoral people in Hebrew culture - a Jewish tax collector. As Jesus continues to proclaim the Kingdom of God, calling people to repent and believe the gospel, He shows that this salvation is even open to the worst of sinners. Not only that, but Jesus fellowships at table with the worst of sinners. Christ’s association with sinners brings the opposition of "scribes of the Pharisees," who saw this as an act of defilement. Jesus responds with a well-known proverb saying, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17). This is both a glorious welcome for sinners and a warning for those who see themselves as righteous by their works (as the Pharisees did). Jesus is a friend of sinners, but He is not a friend of sin. In Luke’s account of this event, Jesus says, "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32). A sure sign of the Kingdom of God breaking into the life of a sinner is repentance and faith. When Jesus calls Levi, who is probably well-known and hated for his extortion of the people of Capernaum, He calls him to leave everything behind and follow Jesus. Sunday, we will examine Levi’s call, this fellowship meal of sinners, and Jesus’ warning to the self-righteous.
I. Jesus Calls The Worst Of Sinners (v. 13-14)
II. Jesus Fellowships With The Worst Of Sinners (v. 15-16)
III. Jesus Calls Sinners Not Self-Righteous (v. 17)
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Jesus’ kingdom authority has been the focus throughout Mark 1. He burst onto the scene proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is at hand and calling people to repent and believe the good news. Then, Mark presents four consecutive miracles that demonstrate Christ’s authority. Jesus casts out an unclean spirit in the synagogue of Capernaum, showing His authority over the kingdom of darkness. He heals Peter’s mother-in-law because He has authority over every effect of the fall. Last week, we examined the third miracle, when Jesus cleansed a leper. Only Christ has the authority to make the unclean clean. Each of these miracles reveals more of the Messiah’s authority to bring God’s Kingdom, culminating in the exercise of His most incredible display of authority. This Sunday, Mark presents the fourth miracle, revealing that Jesus has the authority to forgive sin. The story of four men breaking through the roof to let down their paralytic friend before Jesus is a well-known narrative. Yet, this event is not just another physical healing. After seeing the faith of these men who are determined to get to Jesus and seeing the paralyzed man suffering before Him, Jesus does not immediately say, “Pick up your bed and walk.” Instead, His first words are, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Jesus looks past this man’s physical suffering and meets his greatest need. Jesus only heals this man’s physical body to prove that He has the authority to forgive sins. When Christ pronounces the man’s sins forgiven, scribes in the crowd are offended that Jesus would claim an authority only God has. Only God can forgive sins, and claiming this authority is blasphemy. Knowing what is in their hearts, Jesus heals this man proving that He indeed is “the Son of Man” and “has authority on earth to forgive sins.” (Mark 2:10).
I. Setting (v. 1-2)
II. Faith Is Displayed In Action (v. 3-5a)
III. Jesus Meets Our Greatest Need (v. 5)
IV. Jesus Has Authority To Forgive Sin (v. 6-12)
Sunday, we examine the third of four miracles grouped together in the first section of Mark. Each of these miracles reveals another dimension of Jesus’ authority and mission. The first showed Jesus’ authority over evil spirits. The second illustrated His authority over sickness & the effects of the fall. In Mark 1:40-45, we will see Jesus’ authority to make clean what is unclean. As Jesus moves through Galilee, preaching and casting out spirits (1:39), Mark singles out one miracle for emphasis, the cleansing of a leper. While this miracle is indeed a physical healing similar to Peter’s mother-in-law, the word "heal" is not used in this passage at all. Instead, both the leper and Jesus repeatedly refer to "being clean." The leper approaches Jesus and says that Jesus can make him clean if He so wills. Jesus touches him and says, "I am willing. Be clean." While this is certainly a healing in every sense of the word, the emphasis is on the cleansing of the leper’s uncleanness. Leviticus 13:45-46 tells us that leprosy not only was a debilitating and deadly disease, but it required the afflicted person to live an isolated, lonely, and humiliating life. Not only this, but the leper would never be allowed into any synagogue or the temple courts to worship God as He commanded. The defilement of the disease separated the leper from the community of faith, his family, the worship of God, and from life in Israel. Because of this, leprosy has often been seen as a fitting picture of sin, which also defiles and separates us from God. As we examine this miraculous cleansing, we see that Jesus has authority not only to heal and roll back the effects of the fall, but Jesus can remove the defilement of sin as well. Jesus can make the unclean clean. That in itself is most instructive as we root ourselves in the gospel of Christ, but the passage doesn’t end there. In a curious turn of events, Jesus tells the leper not to tell anyone of his healing and to go to the priest and be declared clean according to the ceremonial law. Mark chronicles the disobedience of this cleansed man who immediately tells everyone. Because of this, Jesus’ ministry is hindered and he is no longer able to enter the towns to preach in the synagogue. Sunday, we will talk about what this means and how it applies in our own lives.
I. The Faith To Be Made Clean (v. 40)
II. The Compassion & Power To Make Clean (v. 41-42)
III. The Cost of Disobedience (v. 43-45)
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Mark 1:21 - 2:12 chronicles four miracles of Jesus. #1-Jesus cast out an unclean spirit in the Capernaum synagogue. #2- Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law’s fever. (We have already examined both of these.) #3- Jesus cleanses an unclean leper (1:40-45), and #4- Jesus will forgive the sins of a paralytic (2:1-12). Wedged halfway between these four miracles is a short passage that reveals Jesus’ priorities in His earthly life and mission. After healing Peter’s mother-in-law, Jesus ministered late into the evening, healing and casting out demons (1:32-34). That Sabbath had to have been an exhausting day. Jesus’ public ministry had begun as He declared the authority of God’s kingdom and pushed back the kingdom of darkness. This marked the beginning of many more days of preaching, teaching, healing, and ministering, ultimately leading to His execution. So, despite how exhausted Jesus must have been after that Sabbath, when the disciples awoke the following day, Jesus was gone. He had risen early and gone to pray. Jesus prioritized communion with the Father in prayer. He knew He needed prayer more than sleep to face the day ahead. Jesus never ceased being God, but what He did, He did as a man in the power of the Spirit. He faithfully depended upon the Father throughout His earthly life. If the Son of God, who upholds all things by the power of His word, prioritized prayer throughout His life, how much more must we if we are to follow Him? When the disciples find Jesus, they expect Him to return to Capernaum immediately. Many people with significant needs had again gathered to see Him. People were still sick, still infirmed, and still under spiritual attack. The priority must be to return and continue the miraculous ministry He began yesterday. However, Jesus refuses to return at this point. Instead, He tells the disciples they must go to other towns "that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out" (v. 38). Jesus prioritized preaching the message of the gospel, refusing to let anything (even his healing and exorcisms) get in the way. His priority was to bring the ultimate eternal healing that comes from being adopted into the kingdom of God. Physical healing is but temporary relief. Christianity is, first and foremost, a message - good news - that Jesus Christ has come to seek and save that which is lost. As we follow Jesus today, our priorities must be those of Jesus as we live for His will and glory. As a man, Jesus showed us how to live in the power of God as we bear His commission to make disciples and live in His presence. Prayer and the Word of God must be prioritized if we are to live faithfully, for it is only in His strength that we are able. Finally, Jesus’ priorities of prayer and preaching are not only the example we must follow but how He stands in our place. Because Jesus faithfully and perfectly lived in communion with the Father, so can we. Because Jesus faithfully proclaimed the kingdom, we can now enter in. Because Jesus gave His life as the perfect Lamb of God, we can become co-heirs with Him. As we follow Jesus, let our priorities be conformed to His.
I. Jesus Prioritized Prayer (v. 35)
II. Jesus Prioritized Preaching (v. 36-39)
Mark 1 has already given us several lines of testimony declaring Jesus as Messiah, Son of God, anointed by the Spirit, and baptized to identify with sinners. After overcoming His wilderness testing, Jesus came forth proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is at hand and calling people to repent and believe in the gospel. Last week, in verses 16-20, we saw Jesus call four fishermen to leave everything behind and follow Him. Jesus spoke with authority, calling these men to step out in faith because the kingdom of God is at hand. But does Jesus actually have the authority to promise such things as salvation and entry into God’s kingdom? Authority is not real just because someone claims it or even because some people submit to it. True authority is the ability to back up your claim and enforce your words. Mark 1:21-43 (and even into Ch. 2) shows that Jesus has the authority to bring the Kingdom - to the creation and the hearts of sinners. Verses 21-43 give us the events of a single day. A day in the life of Jesus’ ministry as He and His new disciples enter the synagogue of Capernaum on the Sabbath.
By Jesus’ words and His works, we see how the kingdom of God is indeed at hand. Jesus teaches with authority that amazes the people as He announces the kingdom and calls them to repent and believe the gospel. Then, Jesus demonstrates His power to overcome the corrupted kingdom of this fallen world. He has authority over the evil spirits who tremble at His word, and He has authority to banish the sickness and disease that entered this creation through the corruption of sin. In Jesus’ words and His works, we glimpse through the keyhole at what the creation will be when the kingdom comes in fullness. There will be no more corruption of sin nor any effect of the fall. No more death, suffering, or evil when the King returns to make everything new. Though we look forward to this day, in Jesus, the kingdom of God is indeed at hand. He has authority over all other kingdoms, and as His gospel goes forth, Jesus’ kingdom is overcoming sin in our hearts and all creation. Today, Jesus bears the King’s authority and is seated upon His throne until all His enemies are placed beneath His feet.
I. Jesus’ Authority In His Teaching (v. 21-22)
II. Jesus’ Authority Over Evil Spirits (v. 23-28)
III. Jesus’ Authority Over Disease (v. 29-31)
IV. Jesus’ Authority To Bring The Kingdom (v. 32-34)
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Having worked through Mark’s prologue (v. 1-13), we have been given all the information needed to understand who Jesus is. Before Mark begins the account of His ministry, he gives the readers the answer to the question everyone in the book grapples with. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. He is the Messiah, anointed with the Spirit. The sinless Lamb has identified Himself with sinners through a baptism of repentance and stood in their place through testing in the wilderness. Through this extended introduction, Mark has demonstrated that Jesus bears the authority and divinity of almighty God. He is God in the flesh. So, when Jesus comes declaring, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel,” we hear the unequivocal voice of God calling us to Himself. Jesus is bringing the Kingdom of God to pass.
On the heels of this declaration, Mark gives a condensed version of Jesus’ authoritative call to four fishermen. The command He gives is simple and to the point...Follow me. Mark shows us a definitive picture of what repenting and believing look like. Sunday, we will examine Jesus’ call to follow Him and the promise embedded in that call. Likewise, these four men will radically respond to Jesus’ call. Today, Jesus still calls sinners to leave their old lives and follow Him. Later in Mark 8:34-35, Jesus will tell the crowd the same thing. "34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, ’If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.’" Sunday, we will examine the calling of these fishermen who would eventually turn the world upside down. Although it doesn’t seem initially evident, when we compare the timeline between Mark 1:16-20 with John 1:35-40, we see just how applicable this call is for us today.
I. The Content Of Jesus’ Call (16-17)
II. The Promise Within Jesus’ Call (17)
III. The Response To Jesus’ Call (18-20)
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Last week, we introduced ourselves to the gospel of Mark. Mark is a fast-paced account, mainly of Jesus’ actions and ministry, emphasizing Him as the suffering servant Messiah who has come to give His life as a ransom. Chapter 1:1-13 functions as a prologue to the gospel, revealing Jesus’ identity to the reader before He begins His public ministry in v. 14-15. Last Sunday, we worked our way through 1:1-8 and saw the testimony of Mark (v. 1) that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God. Likewise, the scriptures testify that He is the Lord long foretold to come, also pointing to a forerunner who would prepare the way for Him. John the Baptist was this messenger, preparing the people by preaching a baptism of repentance and calling them to turn to the one who would come after him. John calls them to repent and trust in the coming Messiah, promising that He would baptize them with the Holy Spirit. Sunday, we will jump back into this prologue, examining v. 9-15. In these verses, we find two events that are very familiar to us but are strange in their meaning. Jesus comes forth from Galilee as the crowds are repenting, confessing, and being baptized, and rather than beginning His ministry to them, He joins them in their baptism. As He does this, the heavens open, the Spirit descends upon Him, and the Father declares His pleasure in His Son. Immediately after these events, the same Spirit that "anoints" Jesus drives Him into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. Only then does Jesus begin His preaching in v. 14-15. Although Mark’s account of these events is significantly shorter than the other gospel writers, he records them for a purpose. These events prepare Jesus, in His humanity, to be the kind of Savior we must have. Only God can be the Holy and perfect fulfillment of His covenant and law, but only a human being can represent humans before the Father. Jesus willingly submits Himself to a baptism of repentance, though He has no sin to repent of, in order to identify with us in our plight. He is anointed by the Spirit and commissioned as Messiah, the only man in whom God is perfectly pleased, and then, He is sent into the wilderness to do what no one has ever done before. He must stand in the place of Adam and Israel who fell to temptation, and emerge victorious to be the kind of Savior we need. We will explore the significance and application of these truths Sunday as we gather to worship and receive the Lord’s Supper.
I. The Preparation Of Our Messiah (v. 9-11)
II. The Testing Of Our Messiah (v. 12-13)
III. The Proclamation Of Our Messiah (v. 14-15)
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It seems appropriate that we begin a new book on the first Sunday of the new year. Having studied through a few epistles, we turn our minds back to a gospel narrative as we present our hearts to God’s word. The Gospel of Mark is the shortest of the four gospels, but it is no less impactful in showing us Jesus and what it means to follow Him. Each of the four gospels emphasizes a different aspect of Jesus and His ministry, and Mark’s emphasis is Jesus as the suffering Servant-Messiah (foretold in Isaiah). Many see Mark 10:45 as the thematic point of the gospel as Jesus says, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” As this servant emphasis is reflected, Mark also vividly shows us the cost of discipleship and what it means to truly follow Jesus. Throughout the book, the disciples, the crowds, the religious leaders...everyone struggles to understand who Jesus is. However, Mark does not expect the reader to wrestle with this question. From the first verse, Mark tells us that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God. In fact, Mark 1:1-13 functions as a prologue of sorts, giving several lines of testimony regarding Jesus’ true identity. Mark himself, John the Baptist, the Old Testament prophecies, and the Father Himself testify to who Jesus is right at the beginning. This Sunday, we will examine 1:1-8 and hear the testimony of these witnesses as we prepare our hearts to serve this servant Messiah.
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As we focus our hearts and minds on the birth of our Savior, we celebrate the fulfillment of all God’s purposes from before creation. The coming of Christ heralds the salvation promised from the earliest pages of scripture and the goal to which all of history has moved. Though many of us have repeatedly heard the story of Jesus’ birth through the years, we should not let the wonder of God’s love in the incarnation fail to amaze us. Sunday, we will read Matthew’s account and marvel at what the angel tells Joseph regarding the child in Mary’s womb. Matthew repeatedly chronicles Jesus’ fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. He does so from the very first verse of chapter 1 as he declares Jesus Christ as the son of David and the son of Abraham. Matthew continues chronicling Jesus’ fulfillment of all God has promised throughout his early chapters. In Matthew 1:18-24 we will see that being conceived from the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin fulfills God’s very first promise for humanity (spoken to the Serpent) in Genesis 3:15:
15 “I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head,
and you shall bruise his heel.”
God, the eternal Son, took a human nature upon Himself and was born into His own creation to overturn the fall’s curse and bring salvation to sinners. Joseph is told to call the baby “Jesus,” for He will save His people from their sins. This is only possible because Jesus is “God with us.” Forevermore, Jesus – God and Man – reconciles sinners with God and brings us into the eternal love relationship of the Trinity. Today, He is still God with us. That is the wonder of Christmas.
I. Jesus is The Seed of The Woman (Matt. 1:18; 20; Gen. 3:15; Heb. 2:14-15)
II. Jesus is Our Salvation From Sin (Matt. 1:21)
III. Jesus is God With Us (Matt. 1:22-23)
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Sunday, we finish our series on the church. I hope you have found this study informative and helpful in understanding why we, as a church of Jesus, organize and function the way we do. We have examined Scripture’s teaching on the church’s nature, purpose, governance, offices, and ordinances. As we examined the church’s structure and the authority of the congregation, we made reference to Christ giving the "keys of the kingdom" to the local gathered body (Matt. 16:13-20; Matt. 18:15-20). We also showed that Christ has given authority and responsibility to the congregation to protect its doctrine and membership. In those passages (Along with Paul’s application in 1 Corinthians 5) we showed the congregation’s authority regarding what has historically been called church discipline. When many hear that term, they immediately think of formal proceedings to remove someone from church membership, but that is only a small (and usually rare) part of true "church discipline," which is happening all the time between believers. I prefer the term biblical accountability, most of which happens in private between Christians. The commands of Christ are clear in Matthew 18, however "how" and "when" to exercise this accountability are questions often left unanswered. We cannot ignore the clear commands of Jesus in this area, but we also cannot use Jesus’ command as a sledgehammer to break the bruised reed and harm the struggling believer. There are significant guardrails given in these commands to prevent wrong application. So, we must not only know "what" to do regarding biblical accountability, but also "how" and "when" to do it. Biblical accountability is a grace given to the body of Christ. All of us, at one time or another, need brothers and sisters to pull our hearts away from the deceitfulness of sin. None of us is immune and we need each other. This past year, the world has seen three or four high profile pastors disqualified from ministry because of unrepentant, ongoing sin. If biblical accountability had been in place around them, the devastation to those churches may have been prevented.
19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20)
Proverbs 12:1
I. The Practice of Church Discipline (Matt. 18:15-20)
II. The Process of Restoration (1 Co. 5:1-13; 2 Co. 2:5-8)
III. The Purpose of Church Discipline (James 5:19-20)
1 Co. 11:30-32
Rev. 2:20-22
Rev. 2:14-16
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We are quickly coming to the end of our series on the church and what faithfulness as a body of believers entails. Last week, we examined Baptism as one of the ordinances given to the church and were blessed to participate in the ordinance itself. This Sunday, we will examine and observe the Lord’s supper, the other ordinance Christ commands of His church. Earlier this year, we began observing the supper on the first Sunday of every month rather than quarterly. Not only did the change in frequency allow members to participate in the supper more often, but it has also heightened our awareness of the supper’s intent and purpose. We observe the supper at the beginning of the second service so that we are able to participate in this covenant meal as a whole body together. In preparation for this ordinance, one of the pastors briefly explains the significance, the warnings, and the purpose of the supper. This Sunday, the sermon will examine all these things at length. On the night Jesus was betrayed, while observing the Passover with His disciples, Christ transformed the meaning of the Passover’s cup and bread to signify the salvation and institution of the New Covenant in His blood. Now, much like the Passover, the Lord’s Supper is the New Covenant sign of ongoing participation, remembrance, and celebration of the New Covenant as the body of Christ communes with Christ and one another. As we receive the Lord’s supper, we proclaim and display our response to the gospel before God, the church, and the world, declaring in a visible way that we belong to Christ in the New Covenant.
I. A Sign Of The New Covenant (Luke 22:15-20; Exodus 13:8)
II. An Act Of Communion (1 Corinthians 10:14-22; Highlight 16-17)
III. An Act Of Remembrance (1 Corinthians 11:17-25)
IV. An Act Of Proclamation (1 Corinthians 11:26)
V. An Act Of Expectation (1 Corinthians 11:26; Rev. 19:6-9)
VI. An Act Of Examination (1 Corinthians 11:27-34)
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This Sunday, we begin studying the two ordinances Jesus commanded the church to observe. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the signs of the New Covenant. Together, these two ordinances proclaim the gospel in visible form. Baptism testifies that one has entered into the New Covenant by grace through faith in Jesus, and the Lord’s Supper portrays one’s ongoing life of repentance, remembrance, and communion with Christ and His body. This Sunday, we will focus our attention on Baptism, the first act of obedience for a new believer, and the commanded ordinance by which new believers testify to their new life in Christ. Baptism is also a church proclamation to the new believer and the world. In Baptism, the church affirms a believer’s profession of faith and marks them out from the world. Jesus commanded the church to make disciples, partly by baptizing them in (literally “into”) the name of the Father, the Son, and The Holy Spirit. As believers are baptized “into the name,” baptism is the sign identifying one as being united with Christ and His people. Although Baptism does not save or complete one’s salvation, baptism is commanded as the sign proclaiming one’s entry into the New Covenant and picturing one’s death and resurrection with Christ, an internal reality given by grace through faith alone.
I. A Sign Of The New Covenant (Col. 2:11-12)
II. A Sign Portraying Death & Resurrection With Christ By Immersion (Rom. 6:3-4)
- Evidence of Immersion - Matt. 3:16, John 3:23, Acts 8:38-39
III. A Sign Not A Saving Work (1 Co. 1:12-17)
IV. A Sign Commanded Of Believers (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:38)
-
NT assumes every believer has been baptized (Col 2:11-12; Rom 6:3-4; 1 Co 12:13)
-
Baptism is for believers only – (Acts 2:41; 8:12; 16:14-15; 18:8)
V. A Sign Identifying Us With Christ & His People (Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Co. 12:13; Acts 2:41-42)
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As we continue studying what the Bible commands for every local church, we come to the second office God has commissioned in the body. The office of Deacon. The word “deacon” simply means servant or minister. In one sense, every believer is called to serve – “to deacon.” However, God has ordained the office of deacon as a gift for the church as an example of the heart of Christ, who came to serve. Just as we studied the office of elder last week, this Sunday we will examine the duties and qualifications of deacons in Acts 6:1-7 and 1 Tim. 3:8-13. Though the duties of this office can vary depending upon the specifics of each local body, the purpose and goals of this office are clearly articulated in Scripture. Acts 6:1-7 shows the early formation of this office and the general duties associated with it. Deacons are ordained to serve the physical and tangible needs of the church and its members and protect the unity of the body. Likewise, the qualifications for those called be deacons are given right alongside of elders in 1 Timothy 3. And just like elders, the qualifications necessary are not expertise in skill or ability, but character. Christ has demonstrated His care for the body by giving us living examples of how we are called to serve and leaders who model that service in the body.
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As we have studied the doctrine of the church, we have talked a lot about church officers and the importance of the congregation’s authority in choosing their leaders. Therefore, it is only fitting for us to also define the duties and qualifications required of such offices. This Sunday, we will focus on the office of pastor/elder/overseer and the following week, the office of deacon. First, we will see that the New Testament refers to pastor, elder, and overseer (or bishop) as the exact same office. These are not three different offices in the church, but three aspects of the same office. Pastors are elders, elders are pastors, there is no distinction. Then, we will examine the duties and responsibilities of those called to be elders that the congregation might know what God expects of this office. Finally, we will assess the qualifications of one whom God calls to this office, and we will see that while these qualifications (most of them) are elsewhere commanded of all Christians, they are necessary for those called to the office of pastor as an example to the flock.
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If someone said, “The Bible nowhere says that God is a Trinity.” How would you prove that person wrong? No verse in the Bible says, “God is a Trinity.” So, could you demonstrate it from Scripture? Of course you can! You would take all that the Bible says about the nature of the Father, The Son, and The Spirit, and when you put it all together, the only way to make sense of it all is the doctrine of the Trinity. Sunday, we will see the same is true with church membership.
Last week, we discussed the authority and responsibilities that Christ has given to every local congregation. We highlighted that every local congregation has the authority and responsibility to protect right doctrine, install and remove officers, and protect its membership and ministry. This Sunday, I will explain why we have formal church membership at FBC and why churches throughout Christian history have believed it scriptural. While it’s true that there isn’t a specific verse saying, “Thou shalt join a local church,” the concept of an identifiable membership in a local congregation is everywhere in the New Testament. The word “member” is used by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12, as Paul describes the local church in Corinth as the body of Christ there. However, we often associate the word “member” with joining a club. When we look for that kind of membership in the New Testament, we certainly don’t find it. The New Testament picture of a local church’s covenant membership is more akin to embassies of a grand kingdom rather than a club or organization. When all of Christ’s commands for the local assemblies are brought together, having a defined, mutually understood membership is necessary for a church to obey all that Jesus commands for the gathered congregation.
This Sunday, we continue our study on the doctrine of the church and how we are called, as a congregation, to make disciples for God’s glory. If you have not heard the previous two sermons on the church, I would encourage you to listen to them on the podcast or the church’s website. The first sermon dealt with the nature of the church, and the second, the church’s mission and purpose. Each of these sermons builds upon the previous foundation. This Sunday, we examine what Scripture says regarding church polity, a crucial aspect of our understanding of the church. Polity refers to the church’s organization and governance. If you surveyed 100 churches, you would find vast differences in how the church is organized and governed, even among godly, Bible-preaching churches. If we all read from the same Bible, why is this so?
Simply put, two sets of texts speak of human authority and governance in the local church. One set speaks of the congregation as the earthly authority, and the other speaks of the pastor or elders’ authority, calling the congregation to submit to them. There is so much variation in how churches govern themselves because some elevate the congregational texts over the texts that speak of elders. Therefore, some churches refuse to follow the pastors that God has given and are characterized by divisions and disunity. These churches fight or split because of the carpet color, the photocopier, or any number of day-to-day decisions.
On the other side, some elevate the texts about the pastor - elders’ authority over the congregational texts, and you have pastors who rule like kings. The pastor’s word is law and imposed on the church, which leads to cult-like dictatorships and often ends in leaders abusing authority & damaging the church in a myriad of ways. This is not the model of authority that Jesus intended for His church. This Sunday, we will take the biblical texts regarding congregational and pastoral authority and show how they harmonize with one another to give us the complete picture of Jesus’ commands for the polity of the local church. Christ has given the local church as His instrument to make disciples; therefore, seeing the whole picture is imperative. This Sunday will be far more informational than exhortative as we examine the authority and responsibility Jesus has given us all in order that we may function as a body, every member working together.
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Last week, we examined the nature of the church and saw that the New Testament overwhelmingly stresses the local church rather than the universal in its teachings. The Bible does speak of the church as the invisible, worldwide, universal body of all believers everywhere, but never to the exclusion of the local churches, which are the only place the exhortations, commands, and blessings can actually be lived out. We also studied several descriptions of the church (body of Christ, bride of Christ, temple of God) and saw how they apply to both the universal and the local church. This Sunday, we ask, "What is the church’s mission," and, "Why does the church exist?" Jesus succinctly gave the church’s mission right before He ascended into heaven. At the very end of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus provides the church with her marching orders (Matt. 28:18-20). We are to make disciples. That is the church’s mission. Therefore, everything we do must contribute to that mission or spring from it. Sunday, we will discuss what making disciples means and how we do that as a congregation, not just individually. Making disciples is our mission, but that is not why we exist as the church. Our purpose in all things is to glorify God. God created everything, including His people, to glorify His name. To demonstrate this, we will examine several passages (Isa. 48:9-11; Eph. 1:3-14) but focus on 1 Peter 2:9-10. There, Peter calls the church God’s chosen race, His royal priesthood, and His holy nation - Then, he tells us why the church has been given these titles and responsibilities. "...that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (v.9). Finally, we will see how the church makes disciples and glorifies God as a congregation in the example of the first local church in Jerusalem (Acts 2:42-47). I understand this is a lot of information to absorb in one sermon, and I tend to talk fast. So, below, I have given my outline and verse references (also attached to this email in printable form) if you want to take notes easily or study the passages beforehand. May God be glorified in our hearts and assembly this Sunday
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For the next few months, we will be doing something very different from our regular practice at FBC. Over the past seven years (with a few pauses), we have worked expositionally through the books of the Bible. The preaching of God’s word in this way must remain the steady diet of the church as we strive to feed on the whole counsel of God. That is not going to change. But, for some time, I have been convicted about neglecting to teach what Scripture says about the church, who we are called to be, and what we are responsible for doing as a congregation. So, over the next seven or eight weeks, we will examine what the Bible says about the nature of the church, its governance, its mission, offices, ordinances, membership, and discipline. To do this, instead of taking a book and work verse by verse, we must do "systematic theology." Systematic theology is examining a subject or doctrine that is taught progressively all through the Bible by bringing all the relevant texts together to understand it as a whole. This approach, while necessary, is not without its challenges. It is easy to take verses out of context when we are not studying straight through a book. But this type of study is necessary to get a full orbbed, view of what the Bible says about certain truths. One of which is the church. Our ultimate goal in this series is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the church as revealed in the Bible, and to be faithful to what God has called the church to be and do. Jesus is passionate about His church and we must be too, for the church is God’s chosen instrument to glorify Himself in the world. In Ephesians 3:9-10, Paul says that God appointed him to bring the gospel to the Gentiles, and continues saying, "9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
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On October 22, 2023, we began the book of Hebrews. This Sunday, almost a year later, we come to the final passage in the book. Throughout the book, the author shows Jesus’ superiority over all things. With exegesis of multiple Old Testament passages, he proved that Jesus fulfills God’s purposes in the Old Covenant and His promises in the New Covenant. Then, the Hebrew Christians were urged to run with endurance and endure suffering as God’s loving discipline because Jesus is better. Chapters 12 & 13 were filled with commands demonstrating what it means to live like Jesus is better. If Jesus is better, let brotherly love continue, aid those in prison, honor marriage, and obey your leaders. In 13:18-25, the final section, through the author’s request for prayer and his prayerful benediction, he explains where the power comes to live like Jesus is better. Though we are to emulate godly examples and understand right doctrine, the power to follow Christ faithfully comes only from God. Before concluding his "word of exhortation," the author himself asks these readers to pray for him and his companions because they desire to act honorably in all things. Even the author, who has been exhorting these wavering Christians in truth, knows he cannot live faithfully without the power of Christ and the prayers of the saints. In the same way, he prays that God would "equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever" (v. 21). In this benediction, we see that the faithfully maturing Christian life (that endures hardships as discipline and acts honorably in all things) only grows strong as it grows more aware of its weakness and more dependent upon Christ in all things. "Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things" (v. 18).
I. Pray For One Another (v. 18-21)
II. Depend Upon God’s Power In Christ (v. 20-21)
III. Closing Remarks That Reveal His Heart (v. 22-25)
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As we begin winding down the book of Hebrews, the final chapter is filled with exhortations and commands that show us how to live like Jesus is better. The last verse of chapter 12 told us to offer acceptable (pleasing) worship to God. In Hebrews 13:21, the author prays that God would equip the reader to do what is "pleasing" in His sight. Between these two ideas of living and worshiping in a way that pleases the Lord, the various commands show us what that looks like. In verses 13:7-16, we are instructed in what to do and shown where the strength to endure in these things comes from. The Hebrew Christians are told to remember those who taught the word to them and to consider the outcome of their way of life (v. 7) Many have endured faithfully to the end, and we can draw encouragement from their example because Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (v. 8) The same Jesus that enabled past saints to end well is with us as we hold firm to our faith through trials. Moreover, the writer shows us how to be "strengthened by grace" (v. 9) by going to our "altar" (v. 10), which is the cross of Jesus Christ. We have an altar that the Old Covenant priests cannot eat from (v. 10). "Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured" (v. 13) By grace, we can endure to the end as we:
I. Emulate The Faithfulness Of Godly Examples (v. 7-8)
II. Be Strengthened By Grace From Our Altar (v. 9-14)
III. Continually Worship With Spiritual Sacrifices (v. 15-16)
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As we begin Hebrews 13, the final chapter in the book, we are confronted with many short, rapid-fire commands that seem contextually disconnected from each other. Hebrews 13:1- 17 sometimes feels like the author has run out of space, so he throws a bunch of commands in at the end. This is certainly not the case. At the end of chapter 12, the readers are exhorted to "offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe." The same word translated as "acceptable" is translated as "pleasing" in 13:16 and 13:21. These commands are interconnected by showing the readers what offering acceptable ("pleasing") worship/service to God. The commands of Chapter 13 may seem disconnected, but the author is actually showing the Hebrew Christians (and us) what running with endurance looks like practically as individuals and as a congregation. Sunday, we will study the first six verses as we see the author’s application of the theological truths he presented throughout the book. If we truly believe that Jesus is better and seek to run with endurance as we offer pleasing service to God, this is what it looks like. We certainly aren’t perfect in our running, but (after showing us the finish line toward which we strive (12:18-14), Hebrews concludes by showing us what should characterize our present running in a hostile world.
I. Be Characterized By Love (v. 1-2)
II. Care For The Oppressed (v. 3)
III. Honor Marriage (v. 4)
IV. Be Content In Faith (v. 5-6)
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This Sunday, we come to the book of Hebrews’ thematic climax. The author draws together all the book’s theological truths and reminds the Hebrew Christians of the glorious reality Jesus has imparted to them. They are suffering and persecuted. They are wavering in faith and being tempted to go back to their old lives. So, the author shows them (and us) how to “lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet,” (v. 12-13). We must firmly believe in where we stand to run this race with endurance. To show this in verses 18-29, the author tells these Hebrews where they “have not come” and where they “have come.” To illustrate their position in Christ, the author shows two ways to come to God, pictured in two mountains. Mount Sinai was a mountain of fear and dread as God’s terrifyingly holy presence thundered upon it. The other is Mount Zion, characterized by joy and peace, with a mediator whose blood speaks peace and atonement rather than justice. The author of Hebrews reminds the reader to which mountain they have come. In Christ, they have already come to Zion, the picture of God’s perfect salvation throughout the Old Testament. By remembering where they stand, the readers are encouraged to offer God praise and thanksgiving, even amid their trials. Because they already occupy Mount Zion, their future glorification is sure. Quoting Haggai 2, he says, “At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” (v. 26). Since the world and all its tempting comforts are passing away, it is foolish to hold onto what is “shaken” and forsake the true kingdom that remains forever. Refusing to follow Christ to gain relief from our worldly suffering is not worth the cost. All the things of this life are temporary. Yet, like Esau (v. 16), the temptation to trade our birthright for temporary satisfaction is a continual snare for us. Therefore, we are warned, “25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.”
I. Remember Where You Are Standing (v. 18-24)
II. Remember Where You Are Heading (v. 25-27)
III. Remember Where Your Treasure is (v. 28-29)
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Hebrews 12:14 begins the final section of the book. Most of the remaining sections instruct the Hebrew congregation on living out the church’s calling together in a hostile environment. The author gives many short commands regarding how these professing Hebrew Christians are to respond to the deep theological truths of Jesus’ sufficiency and excellency. Because Jesus is better than all things, fulfilling all God’s promises and sufficient to secure their inheritance, the last section of Hebrews shows them how to live out these truths as the body of Christ. After speaking extensively about their sufferings and trials being the discipline (training) of a loving Father and calling for them to see their difficulties as such, v. 12-13 told us - "Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed." We saw that the text says, "Lift THE drooping hands and strengthen THE weak knees," meaning we must lift our own drooping heads but also lift one another’s as well. This is confirmed as the author shows us how we do that as a congregation. V. 14-17 gives explicit instruction about what our focus must be as we run this race with endurance. We are to strive (chase after) peace with everyone (specifically within the body of Christ) and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. In this section, the writer gives some difficult realities of the authority and responsibility of the local church congregation. We are indeed our brother’s keeper. Sunday, we will look at that pursuit of peace and holiness and the three responsibilities necessary to faithfully pursue this peace and holiness in the body.
I. The Pursuit: Peace & Holiness (v. 14)
II. The Responsibility: Help One Another Endure (v. 15)
III. The Responsibility: Guard Agaisnt Defiling Division (v. 15)
IV. The Responsibility: Hold One Another Accountable (v. 16-17)
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This Sunday, we will finish the section of Hebrews 12 we began last week. As chapter 12 began, the author exhorted us to run the race set before us with endurance, looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. As we learned last week, v. 4-13 shows us what fixing our eyes on Jesus looks like. We studied v. 4-8 in depth and saw that the suffering Hebrew Christians had forgotten God’s promise of discipline to every one of His children. The author quoted Proverbs 3:11-12 to demonstrate this. Amazingly, the author is saying that their suffering and trials are the disciplining hand of God. We also saw that this discipline is more like what we refer to as training. For the believer, God’s discipline doesn’t come from His wrath or justice for sin. Sin was fully atoned at the cross. Yet, like every good father, the Lord disciplines His children for their growth and benefit. As those united to Christ, adopted by the Father, the author commands us to endure all our trials and hardships for discipline’s sake (v. 7). Even in the hardest and most painful circumstances, we are told "God is treating you as sons." Understanding this, however, doesn’t make enduring God’s discipline any easier. Hebrews also tells us that all discipline is unpleasant as we go through it, but it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who are trained by it (v. 11). With our eyes fixed on Jesus, knowing that God is working all things for our good, we need not turn from Christ, disobey His word, or descend into despair when faced with suffering. That is easier said than done, but in this text we are given four principles to apply and to help one another in times of trial. We looked at the first two last week.
I. Remember God’s Promise of Discipline (v. 4-6)
II. Recognize The Necessity of God’s Discipline (v. 7-8)
This Sunday, we will concentrate our study on the remaining two:
III. Remember The Benefit of God’s Discipline (v. 9-11)
IV. Respond To God’s Discipline Together (v. 12 -13)
Hebrews 12:4-13 is one of those passages we must read over and over. The more we do so, the more profound and life-altering it becomes. Initially, I intended to preach through the entire section in one sermon, but I just can’t. There is so much here that we must allow to saturate our souls. This Sunday, we will read the whole text but only examine v. 4-8 in depth. Technically, the whole text will be a single sermon, but we will look at two points this Sunday and two next Sunday. Having just exhorted us to run the race set before us with endurance, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author shows us that our perspective about trials and suffering in this life needs to change. The author tells his readers they have forgotten what God said about those whom He calls His children. Quoting Proverbs 3:11-12, he shows that all the believer’s sufferings in this life are the discipline of God. Even the persecutions the Hebrew Christians were enduring are to be seen as God’s discipline. When we think of discipline, our minds often jump to "punishment" or "justice." But discipline in this context is not punitive. God’s discipline of His children is redemptive and corrective for our good, to conform us to the image of Jesus and grow us into maturity. Discipline (which is used repeatedly in this section) is what we would call training. It includes instruction and correction as God forces His children to use the muscles of faith in order to grow them. His discipline of His children is never done in wrath, but a loving care for His children’s growth in holiness and faith. Of course, discipline is often painful and difficult, but this kind of discipline doesn’t show God’s abandonment, but rather His love for us. Although every phrase in this text is earth-shakingly profound, verse 7 is the thematic point being driven home. "It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?" The NIV actually captures the first sentence more accurately. It is a command. The NIV says, "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children." Last week (as we examined v. 1-3), we talked about "training, not trying." But I purposefully didn’t go into any depth about what this training entails, because the author highlights this training in v. 4-13 and it isn’t the training that we do (there is a place for that), but here, it is how God trains (disciplines) us through the trials of this life. The overall exhortation in this section is not for us to do better or train harder - it is for us to change our perspective about the hardships and sufferings of this life. For the Christian, all of them - ALL OF THEM - should be seen as God growing us, conforming us to the image of His Son. "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11.
I. Remember God’s Promise of Discipline (v. 4-6)
II. Recognize The Necessity of God’s Discipline (v. 7-8)
(Points 3 & 4 - will be Sunday Aug. 11)
III. Respond Rightly To God’s Discipline (v. 9-10)
IV. Remember The Benefit of God’s Discipline (v. 11-13)
The Hebrews had become tired of the struggle and striving. In Hebrews 10:32-33, the author told them to recall the former days when they had endured affliction and trial, even doing so with joy. Yet, now they were tempted to turn from Christ because of the continuing struggle. The endless hardship and suffering had worn them down. So much so that the author told them they needed endurance in Hebrews 10:36. After the long list of saints who endured in faith, chapter 12 begins with the reason those Old Testament believers were given as examples. They are a cloud of witnesses testifying to the faithfulness of God, the surety of His promises, and the faith that looks to what it cannot see. Now, the writer calls us to run the race set before us with endurance. Running with endurance is training ourselves to fix our eyes on Jesus as we cast off the weights and sins that hinder us in the race that God has set before us. These hindrances come in many forms and many ways. Yet, as we keep our eyes fixed on the goal (Jesus) rather than the track, the difficulties, or past failures, we can run with endurance and finish well. Just like athletic running, spiritually running with endurance requires training, not trying hard. Sunday we will explore what it means to follow Jesus by faith with endurance.
I. The Encouragements To Run With Endurance (v. 1)
II. The Practice of Running With Endurance (v. 1)
III. The Power To Run With Endurance (v. 2-3)
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The Ecuador mission team is leaving on Monday, so this Sunday, in the second service, we will take the opportunity to pray for the team and those with whom they will share the gospel. We will also finish Hebrews 11:32-40. In this section, the author brings his list of faith-filled Old Testament saints to its conclusion. After telling us "the righteous will live by faith," the text began with Abel and systematically walked through the eras of biblical history. As verse 32 continues, the author gives rapid-fire references to the faithful during the time of the Judges, through the Davidic Monarchy, and speaks of the many unnamed believers leading up to the time of Christ. Several issues arise in this final section of chapter 11. The judges listed (Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah) accomplished great victories in the Lord’s name, but much of their stories also included acts of doubt and sin. How could the author include such men in the "hall of fame" of faith? As the author summarizes the great accomplishments, victories, and miracles that God did in the lives of His faithful, delivering them from every conceivable suffering, our hearts rise with the text’s proclamation of God’s power and promises. Yet, in the middle of verse 35, the list turns and speaks of many unnamed saints who were not delivered - they were tortured to death. They lived lives of destitution and lack. These saints (who are just as faithful as those who accomplished victories) endured the worst the world had to offer - by faith. And God commended them for their faith with the same commendation as those who put foreign armies to flight. Yet, in the end, none of these faith-filled people of God received the promise in this life. They did not see God’s salvation in Christ fulfilled while they lived on the earth. By faith, they trusted it from far off. Chapter 12:1-4 gives us the application of this list of the faithful. Since we have such a cloud of witnesses (those who testify to a life of faith) let us lay aside the weight and sin that besets us and run the race with endurance. How? By looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
I. What Faith Accomplishes (v. 32-35a)
II. What Faith Endures (v. 35b-38)
III. What Faith Receives (v. 39-40)
This Sunday, I intended to finish chapter 11 in Hebrews. However, as I studied the Old Testament backgrounds of the three examples of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11:29-31, the faith mentioned in these verses took me by surprise. As we have walked through chapter 11, studied these great examples of faith, and reminded ourselves of the author’s call to hold fast to our faith, some might very well begin to think "faith" is synonymous with "strength." As if Hebrews is saying faith is being strong, capable, and unfaltering in devotion. These are, of course, attributes we should strive for, but "faith" is not strength. In fact, faith often grows "strong" out of weakness. In Hebrews 11:29-31, we find three examples of faith commended by God that are surprising. The text of Hebrews is quite simple and to the point, not going into detail about the events it records because the Hebrew readers knew these accounts like the back of their hands. Yet we may need to remind ourselves of these events. So, this Sunday, we will approach the text a little differently. We will examine not only the text of Hebrews 11:29-31 but also the Old Testament events these verses describe. In doing so, we find that the faith commended here was weak, simple, and sometimes so lacking it had to be stirred up by others. Yet, here they are, commended by God in this list. A "mustard seed" sized faith is still faith, and though God surely grows our faith, it is its presence, not its amount, that the righteous live by.
I. God Commends A Weak Imperfect Faith (Hebrews 11:29; Exodus 14:1-16)
II. God Demonstrates His Power Through Imperfect Faith (Hebrews 11:30; Joshua 6:1-17)
III. God Receives Sinners Through Simple Faith (Hebrews 11:31; Joshua 2:1-24)
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The righteous will live by faith. That quote from Habakkuk chapter 2 is quoted three times in the New Testament. (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38). As fallen people following Jesus in a fallen world, there is no end to temptation, trial, and suffering in this life. The Hebrew Christians were indeed experiencing this as they suffered persecution for following Christ. At the end of Hebrews 10, we were told how we endure, "the righteous will live by faith." Then chapter 11 begins a description of "living by faith" by reminding the readers of how the Old Testament saints endured by faith. This Sunday, our study focuses on Moses, the mediator of God’s law. To the Hebrews, Abraham and Moses were the most important figures in history. As the Hebrew Christians weighed the possibility of returning to the law and sacrifices, they may have thought they were returning to Moses’ faith. Hebrews 11:23-28 demonstrates that to be untrue. Moses endured temptation and, by faith, chose to follow God despite the hardship. The writer says, "By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin" (11:24-25). Then in a statement that would grab the attention of these Hebrews, he says, "He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward" (11:26). Yes, you read that right! Moses bore the reproach of Christ and he himself, knew that Jesus is better. Moses looked to the reward of following God as more valuable than all the wealth, power, and glory of the Egyptian royal family. In this example, the author shows his readers that faith (without which it is impossible to please God - v.6) trusts that Jesus is better than a life without persecution and suffering. Jesus is better than all the wealth and comfort of this world.
IX. Faith Obeys When it Doesn’t Make Sense (v. 17-19)
X. Faith Submits Our Will To God’s (v. 20)
XI. Faith Endures To The Very End (v. 21-22)
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By now, you should be very familiar with the structure of Hebrews 11. "By Faith" begins each example showing the Hebrew Christians that God’s people have always lived by faith through trials, uncertainty, testing, and even death. The Hebrew Christians enduring persecution are no different. As we continue with verses 17-22, I feel a bit like we are beating a dead horse with the repetition. Repeating, by faith...by faith...by faith, God shows us the righteous who lived by faith, just as He called the Hebrew Christians (and us) to live. I don’t feel bad about beating this dead horse because the author of Hebrews beats it, over and over again. He bangs this drum until he reaches his conclusion in 12:1-2, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith..." Hebrews 11 shows us the examples of those who ran with endurance and have testified ("witnesses’) to God’s saving grace through faith. In Hebrews 11:17-22, we are shown how the patriarchs’ faith at the end of their lives. Right before Abraham died, he was tested as God called him to offer Isaac as a sacrifice (v. 17-19). Isaac blessed his sons (Jacob and Esau) at the end of his life (v. 20). Jacob and Joseph died away from the promised land, but looked forward to the promise with expectation (v. 21-22). We will continue the outline we began a few weeks ago. Sunday we will see that:
IX. Faith Obeys When it Doesn’t Make Sense (v. 17-19)
X. Faith Submits Our Will To God’s (v. 20)
XI. Faith Endures To The Very End (v. 21-22)
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Hebrews 11:8-16 continues describing faith by showing the example of Abraham and Sarah. Last week, as we began walking down this list, we saw Abel, Enoch, and Noah. From their lives, Hebrews taught us:
I. Faith Commends Us As Righteous (v. 4)
II. Faith Is Necessary To Please God (v. 5-6)
III. Faith Acts On God’s Word (v. 7)
As we continue the thread of this outline, Abraham’s call and life shows us:
IV. Faith Obeys Without Explanation (v. 8)
V. Faith Endures Seasons Of Waiting (v. 9-10)
VI. Faith Expects God’s Faithfulness (v. 11-12)
VII. Faith Looks Toward Future Reward (v. 13-16)
By emphasizing Abraham’s life of obedient, expectant, forward-looking faith, the author shows the suffering Hebrew Christians what living by faith looks like when trials and temptations abound. The life of faith is an expectant trust in the Lord, looking forward to a "better country."
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Sunday, we begin walking down the list of faith-filled Old Testament saints in Hebrews 11. Having encouraged the professing Hebrew Christians to “live by faith” at the end of chapter 10, chapter 11:1-3 opened with a description of faith, saying, “1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.” In v. 4, the writer begins showing example after example of those who lived in the assurance of things hoped for and by the conviction of things not seen. This Sunday, we will examine the first three examples, Abel, Enoch, and Noah (v. 4-7). I originally planned on preaching through v. 13, but it quickly became apparent that there wouldn’t be time to deal with the text adequately. It is easy to get lost in the details of these Old Testament saint’s lives and miss the point Hebrews is making, so as we work through this chapter, we will emphasize the purpose of this list repeatedly. The writer shows the suffering Hebrews what “living by faith” looks like by giving examples of the righteous who have done so. In each example, we see godly individuals who endured hardship or trials as they lived “being assured of what they hoped for and convinced of what they could not see.” The writer calls the Hebrews to do the same as they face the pressures of persecution and temptation for Christ’s name. Just as they, we are called to hold fast to our profession that Jesus is better and trust that God is a rewarder of those who seek Him, even when doing so in this world means denying our desires and facing a hostile world. The righteous are those who live by faith.
I. Faith Commends Us As Righteous (v. 4)
II. Faith Is Necessary To Please God (v. 5-6)
III. Faith Acts On God’s Word (v. 7)
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Having just exhorted the professing Hebrew Christians to “Live by faith” as they are suffering persecution, the author will give a varied list of Old Covenant saints who lived by faith, trusting the word of God even when trial resulted. The Hebrew Christians were tempted to return to the religious ways of Abraham, Moses, and David, but the author of Hebrews shows that it was by faith that these Old Covenant saints looked forward to the fulfillment of the promises. They looked forward to the fulfillment that the Hebrew Christians are being tempted to turn from! However, before launching into the list, the author of Hebrews explains what faith is and what faith does. Hebrews 11:1-3 is very short, but its depth is massive and relevant today.
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This Sunday, we will finishe Hebrews 10 as we examine verses 32-39. Beginning in 10:19, the author shows the suffering Hebrew Christians how they are to live in light of the profound theological truths of the first ten chapters. “Jesus is Better” is the central theme of this book, but what does that mean for those suffering because they follow Jesus? Hebrews 10:19-25 showed us what to do in the face of hardship and temptation. We are to draw near to God, hold fast to our confession, and consider how we can help one another as we do not neglect to assemble together as the church. This is how believers endure in faith to the end, despite the circumstances. Then, in verses 26-31, we are given another severe warning for those who “go on sinning deliberately after receiving knowledge of the truth.” After that warning, the author returns to encouragement and instruction on how believers endure in faith, with three more exhortations. These are vital for living faithfully in the face of hardship, suffering, and persecution. The author admonishes us to:
I. Recall Your Former Faith & Endurance (32-34)
II. Remember Your Coming Reward (35-36)
III. Resolve To Live By Faith (37-39)
Endurance will be the major theme all the way through chapter 12’s beginning. After showing that we must live by faith (v. 37-39), chapter 11 defines and describes this faith through the examples of Old Testament saints. As chapter 12 begins, the author writes, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (12:1). Endurance by faith is the key theme throughout the next several sections, showing that the born again believer, eternally secure, will endure to the end in faith.
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Happy Mother’s Day! This Sunday, we will take a break from Hebrews as we praise God for His gift of Mothers. We will also have baby dedication in the second service. Because of the occasion, we will examine several verses from Proverbs 31, the quintessential passage extolling the virtuous woman (or the excellent wife). This is a very well-known section that is often preached and taught on Mother’s Day. Unfortunately, I was often taught that Proverbs 31 is a checklist of virtuous actions the woman does to be excellent or worthy. If I were a woman or a mother (don’t laugh), Proverbs 31 wouldn’t encourage me or show me the virtue in my worth or calling. It would make me feel unworthy! The woman of Proverbs 31 is the epitome of honor, virtue, wisdom, and strength. Yet, when we look at ourselves, we are confronted with sin, mistakes, and inability. Sunday, we will look at Proverbs 31 a bit differently (“correctly” in my opinion). We will, of course, read Proverbs 31:10-31, but rather than run down the checklist of attributes and measure our worth and value by them, we will focus our attention on v. 28-31, finding that this “excellent wife” or “virtuous woman” is excellent and virtuous not because of all the things she does, but because she fears the Lord. Because she fears the Lord (which makes her “excellent”), she does all the wonderful things in this list. Her actions are not the source of her excellency but the fruit of her fear of the Lord. Proverbs is a book about wisdom, and this woman is presented as the model of wisdom. All her actions reflect previous teachings in Proverbs regarding what the wise do. The book begins by saying, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” and Proverbs ends by showing us this woman’s fear of the Lord expressed in a life of wisdom. She is excellent and virtuous because she fears the Lord, and because of that, we all must take heed. “a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” (Prov. 31:30).
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The book of Hebrews contains five incredibly severe warnings that warn readers not to turn from Christ. We have already studied three of these warnings. Sunday, we come to the fourth. Although we must examine these texts in sections because of limited time, Hebrews 10:19-39 is a complete unit and must be read as such. Many spurious interpretations have come from isolating this warning from the surrounding text and ignoring the intent and context of the author. Last week, the author began this section by showing how the reader must apply the truths of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice and priesthood. V. 19-25 said since we who are born again have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, we must 1. Draw near to God with true hearts, 2. Hold Fast to the confession of our hope, and 3. Consider how to stir one another to love and good works, not neglecting to assemble together. These commands are more than just our duty of obedience. They are the means by which God has given us to persevere in following Jesus to the end. After the “Let us” appeals, the author explains why he commands these things. V. 26-27 says, “26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.” We will meticulously study v. 26-31 on Sunday to understand the warning. Yet, after this stern and frightening warning, the author returns to encouragement in v. 32-39, telling the readers that they need endurance, as they showed after first being converted. As with all the other warnings in Hebrews, we will see two ways this warning can be misunderstood. First, many use it to teach that true, born-again Christians may lose the gift of salvation. That is certainly untrue. Second, many misunderstand these warnings by dismissing them as if they do not apply to us because believers are eternally secure. Both of those are misapplications of this text. We cannot trust our own hearts and to do so is folly. We must draw near to God, hold fast to our confession that Jesus is better, and consider how to stir one another to love and good works, not neglecting assembling together. (v. 19-25)
I. The Content Of The Warning (v. 26-27)
(this is where we will spend most of our time)
II. The Reasoning For The Warning (v. 28-29)
III. The Certainty Of The Warning (v. 30-31)
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Sunday, we will begin the final movement of the book of Hebrews. From 10:19 through the book’s end, the author shows us how we must live in light of the truths he has taught. Through ten chapters, the author has demonstrated from the Old Testament Scriptures that Jesus fulfills God’s covenant promises. He is the perfect High Priest and the perfect sacrifice. Jesus is the priest-king, enthroned at the Father’s right hand. Yet, this rich theological truth is not just for the Hebrew Christians to understand. Jesus’ sufficiency should inform the way we live. The writer repeatedly calls the Hebrew Christians not to turn from Christ, even in tribulation and suffering. Trusting that Jesus truly is better than all other things should draw the Hebrews closer to Christ when the world seems to be crumbling around them. To that end, the writer not only gives the reader exhortations and commands to live faithfully, but his appeals also show how we avail ourselves of the blessings God has provided to help His people persevere. Before giving these commands, Hebrews grounds our response in what Jesus has already given. We are bound to live by the writer’s commands because of the perfect salvation we have already received.
I. Our Responsibility Flows From Our Possession (v. 19-21)
II. Our Responsibility To Draw Near (v. 22)
III. Our Responsibility To Hold Fast Our Confession (v. 23)
IV. Our Responsibility To One Another (v. 24-25)
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This Sunday, we will complete the final section in Hebrews’ doctrinal case for the supremacy of Jesus. Throughout the book, the author has given numerous scriptural and theological proofs that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises and the goal to which all the Old Covenant has pointed. We have also been warned several times not to turn away from Christ. In 10:1-18, the author brings the case to a close with four conclusions based on all that has come before. We examined two of them last week in verses 1-10.
I. Our Sacrifices and Offerings Can Never Take Away Sin (v. 1-4)
II. Christ’s Sacrifice Has Sanctified Us Forever (v. 5-10)
This Lord’s Day, we will finish the section with the last two essential truths.
III. Christ’s Sacrifice Perfects Those Being Sanctified (v. 11-14)
IV. Christ’s Sacrifice Is The Only Offering For Sin (v. 15-18)
As we said last week, these four truths are essential for walking in the gospel of Christ when it seems the whole world seeks to turn us away. When our own hearts tempt us to find sufficiency in our works or feel incomplete in our failures, these four truths keep us grounded in the truth. The writer has gone to great lengths to prove Jesus’ superiority and fulfillment of all things, so these concluding truths are essential for us to absorb before moving into his instruction for how we must live in light of them.
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Hebrews 10:1-18 is the final section of the author’s doctrinal argument. Here, we are given the conclusion of all the arguments in the last few chapters. Beginning in Hebrews 10:19, the author will begin showing his readers how to live in light of Jesus’ sufficiency and superiority to the Old Covenant. Given all that we have examined in the book of Hebrews, the author’s conclusions in 10:1-18 won’t be new truths we haven’t heard before. Yet, the conclusions drawn in this section are vital for the Hebrew Christians (and us) to anchor themselves in the face of suffering and persecution. The same is true for us. Though we may feel that we are already familiar with these truths, they are the bedrock and foundation upon which we must stand to walk out this Christian life. The author concludes the doctrinal section of Hebrews with four vital truths.
I. Our Sacrifices & Offerings Can Never Take Away Sins (1-4)
II. Christ’s Sacrifice Has Sanctified Us Forever (5-10)
III. Christ’s Sacrifice Perfects Those Being Sanctified (11-14)
IV. Christ’s Sacrifice Is The Only Offering For Sin (15-18)
This Sunday, we will work through the first two points (v. 1-10) and the final two next week. Let these four concluding statements (found in v. 4, v. 10, v. 14, v. 18) be the compass that continually points us to the truth when our hearts and the world draw us toward other things.
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we return to the book of Hebrews and continue in Chapter 9. Several weeks ago, we worked through the first 14 verses. In those sections, the writer gave us a quick tour of the Tabernacle and explained its message, saying, “By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper” (Heb. 9:8-9). Then, in verses 11-14, the writer explained that Jesus, the better High Priest, and sacrifice did what the Old Covenant elements could not do. He has permanently cleansed our sins and consciences so that we may enter God’s presence through Him. All this culminates in a conclusion stated in verse 15. “ Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant” (v. 15). There is so much packed into this conclusion statement that the rest of the chapter will explain and expand on this verse. Jesus has provided the promised inheritance that the Old Covenant works and sacrifices could only point toward. The blood of Jesus cleanses in a way that no other can. The argument of Hebrews 9:15-28 is difficult to follow. Therefore, I would encourage you to read Hebrews 9:11-28 multiple times before Sunday. To help you prepare, I have provided a more detailed outline to see the flow of the argument. Ultimately, the writer shows why Jesus’ death is necessary to inaugurate and consummate the New Covenant and how Jesus fulfilled everything necessary to have an eternal relationship with God.
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This Lord’s Day is often called Palm Sunday, the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem mounted on a donkey to the shouts and praises of Jerusalem. This final entry into Jerusalem began the last days before Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection. This Sunday, we will look at what is often called “The Triumphal Entry” from John 12:12-26. If you had been in Jerusalem that day, it would have been a scene of victory and glory for Jesus. You would have assumed that Christ had finally reached the pinnacle of his ministry, and this messiah was now bringing the Kingdom promises to God’s people. You would have thought that Jesus was about to be proclaimed King and rule from Jerusalem, inaugurating God’s reign over the oppressing nations. Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead, which this crowd knew (v. 17-18), and now they saw the fulfillment of prophecy as Jesus rode into the city mounted on a donkey (Zech. 9:9). Yet, no one in the crowd understood the kind of king Jesus had come to be. His disciples didn’t understand He had come to die (v. 16). Within several days, the crowds who hailed him as king cried, “Crucify Him” before Pilate, and even the Pharisees thought he had come to reign (v. 19). Everyone in this scene understood Jesus based on their own expectations rather than who He really was. Yet, before entering the city, Jesus Himself tells them how all must respond to this King. As Greeks desire to see Him, Jesus explains that He would be glorified in His death (v. 23-24) so that His people would be with Him. Then, He tells them the requirement of this King (v. 25-26). Before we come to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, we must ask if we have rightly responded to this King of kings for who He is.
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By now, the continuous exposition of Hebrews may be wearing on you. The context and argument of Hebrews is a bit foreign to us as modern Western readers. This world of sacred tabernacles, altars, priests, and ceremonial rites is not part of our upbringing or customs. We are certainly not tempted to return to such practices as the first Hebrew readers were. So, what does this intricately detailed comparison and contrast of Jesus’ new covenant and the old covenant have to do with me? In our text (9:1-14), the author will tell us what the Holy Spirit teaches us through the old covenant Tabernacle. “By this (the limited access to God’s presence), the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section (the Tabernacle) is still standing” (Heb. 9:8). This has everything to do with us. The Tabernacle shows us that the way into God’s presence is closed because of His holiness and humanity’s sin. The Tabernacle kept God’s people at a distance so they would not die from His holy presence. The Tabernacle in Israel’s camp was a constant reminder that though God dwelled among them, they must keep out of that tent or die. However, this section also shows us that the Tabernacle and the Old Covenant system were never intended to be the final answer. The Old Covenant could never cleanse the conscience and allow complete access to God (v. 9-10). Then, Hebrews shows us the contrast of Jesus’ sacrifice and high priestly work that not only secures our eternal redemption but also cleanses the conscience so that now, in Christ, we enter into the full presence of God without fear. Today, you are not tempted to build a sacred tent and start sacrificing goats, but we are all tempted to forsake the way of Jesus and follow some other means to be accepted by God. Yet, just like the works of the Old Covenant, nothing other than Christ can cleanse us on the inside so that we may draw near to God.
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As we spring into daylight savings time this Sunday, we will work our way through Hebrews 8:7-13. In the last few sections, we have spent significant time understanding and glorying in Jesus as our perfect High Priest, mediator, and intercessor. Now, the writer discusses the covenant our Priest mediates to us. We ended in verse 6 last week, which said Christ is superior to the old priests because the covenant He mediates is based on better promises. Hebrews 8:7- 13 contrasts the old and new covenants to explain those “better promises” that Jesus mediates. Most of Hebrews 8:7-13 is a direct quote from Jeremiah 31:33-34 as the prophet foretold God’s intention to establish a new and better covenant with His people. Hebrews 8 uses Jeremiah’s text to show that God Himself declared the old covenant insufficient because of the people’s sinful hearts, and He promised to remedy mankind’s “heart problem” with a new covenant. Rather than a covenant based on the efforts of God and humans, as the Mosaic covenant stipulated, God Himself would change the hearts of His people, dwell with them, and accomplish complete and perfect forgiveness. The “fault” in the old covenant (man’s sinful inability to keep the law) is overcome by the “better promises” of the new. Jesus satisfies the justice of the law and, as our High Priest and sacrifice, accomplishes what the law could not do. In Christ, God’s new covenant promises are poured out fully through Him, and the sinner’s heart is transformed as God Himself writes His law upon it by the Spirit. As the writer continues to make his case to the Hebrew Christians, it becomes increasingly clear that attempting to worship and serve God through the old covenant law is futile and foolish when better promises have been given.
I. The "fault" In The Old Covenant (v. 7-9)
II. The Better Promises Of The New Covenant (v. 10-12)
III. The Exclusive Nature Of The New Covenant (v. 13)
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Hebrews 8:1-13 describes Jesus’ “more excellent” ministry as our perfect High Priest and the better covenant of which He is our mediator. This Sunday, we will examine the first six verses as the writer demonstrates that, though the Hebrew Christians no longer take part in the sacrifices and priests of the earthly temple, they still have a perfect priest, a true tabernacle, and an eternally sufficient sacrifice. As I studied the text and prayed this week in preparation, I found myself thinking, “How much more do we really need to know about Jesus as our High Priest?” Honestly, we have considered the writer’s arguments pretty deeply through chapters 5 & 7. Yet, the deeper I investigated Hebrews 8:1-6, the more convicted I became of that mindset. Jesus representing us as our High Priest and sacrifice is the gospel! I had forgotten the basic context of the book’s intent. The writer of Hebrews isn’t calling his readers to learn about Jesus’ High Priesthood. He is calling them to trust in it and stake their lives and eternity on it! The truths of Jesus’ priestly ministry in the true heavenly tabernacle are not just theological reflection to be studied, they are the heart and soul of our salvation. By intricately explaining Jesus’ superior intercession and sacrifice in the real holy of holies, the Book of Hebrews intends to spur our hearts to depend upon Jesus more, to repent of our sin more, and to worship Christ as the all-sufficient Lord of Glory. For the author, this is not a mere instructional lecture on Christ’s nature and ministry, he places Jesus’ priesthood before that we might turn more deeply to Him and hold fast to our confession without wavering. The Hebrew Christians have a Priest who reigns over all things (8:1), a true tabernacle which all the earthly temples point to (8:4-5), and an offering that saves to the uttermost presented by our perfect Priest (8:3). Though we may be coving ground we have trod before, we should not think of these truths as repetitive mundane doctrine to be learned. This is an exploration of our identity in Christ that should draw our hearts deeper into worship and dependence. Don’t just learn it – depend on it. This text doesn’t just show us that such a Priest exists. He says, "We have such a priest" (8:1).
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For the next several chapters, Hebrews will continue to show us the purpose and result of Jesus as our perfect High Priest. Through the first 22 verses of chapter 7, the writer proved to the Hebrew Christians that Jesus’ priesthood is superior to the Levitical priests. Jesus’ priesthood is shown using the picture of Melchizedek, a mysterious priest-king from Genesis 14. Last week, we worked through Hebrews 7:1-22, which was a very complex argument proving Jesus is our perfect priest. If you haven’t listened to the sermon walking through this dense section, I encourage you to do so before Sunday because this week, we will finish chapter 7, examining the conclusion of the writer’s argument. Hebrews 7:23-28 will be much more straightforward. Because Jesus is the perfect priest who lives forever representing us eternally, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him (v. 25). Verse 25 is one of the most profound and beautiful truths in the Scripture. Jesus is able to save because He lives forever interceding for His people. Today, our priest is interceding for us by His perfect life and sacrifice. As the Hebrew Christians suffered persecution, they needed to know that their advocate still stands at the throne on their behalf. Their trial is not without purpose or hope. And because Jesus is our priest by God’s own sworn oath (v. 28) our mediator perfectly satisfies every aspect of our justification, our ongoing sanctification, and our future glorification. Jesus is superior and sufficient because only He is able to save to the uttermost.
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In Hebrews 5:1-10, the writer began teaching that Jesus is the true and perfect High Priest. He quoted Psalm 110:4, showing that God swore His Messiah would be a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. However, before explaining what he meant, he stopped this line of teaching because the Hebrews were “dull of hearing” and needed to go on to maturity (5:11-6:20). Sunday, as we come to chapter 7, the author will pick up where he left off, teaching what it means that Jesus is a priest in the order of Melchizedek. Chapter 7 is very dense and often confusing in our context because we are not steeped in the culture of Judaism. If someone says, “Jesus is a perfect priest, greater than all the Levitical priests in the Old Covenant,” we would say, “We agree! Let’s move on to something else.” Yet, the author of Hebrews spends considerable time and energy proving that Jesus is better than the Levitical priests. He does this because these Hebrew Christians facing persecution and suffering were tempted by the arguments of their fellow Jews. They were tempted by questions like, “How can Jesus be a priest at all since God’s law commands all priests be Levites?” “Why did God give a law for the priesthood if He always planned on changing the priesthood?” Although we will only preach through verse 22 Sunday, the main point of chapter 7 is found in v. 25. “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Though the depth of argument may not be necessary to convince us Jesus is our perfect High Priest, it was for the Hebrews. Likewise, we also learn how the Scriptures had always foretold and pointed to the true priesthood of Jesus Christ. We need a priest to perfectly represent us eternally before the Father – and we have one! Jesus is the “guarantor of a better covenant” (v.22).
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Though the last two sections of Hebrews have been challenging, the author doesn’t leave his readers without hope before returning to the exposition of Jesus’ High Priestly work. Sunday, we will examine Hebrews 6:13-20, the last part of the digression, before returning to his central teaching about Jesus. For the first five chapters, the author extolled the glories of Jesus and His superior nature. In chapter 5, he began teaching about Jesus as our perfect High Priest, but from 5:11-6:20, he stops to give a command (Go on to maturity), a warning of falling away, and an encouragement of hope. Hebrews 6:13-20 is the encouragement. Using Abraham as an example of one who held fast to his hope, the author shows that the Christian’s hope is not found in how well we hold fast but in the promise of God. The writer shows us that God not only gave us a promise but swore an oath that His promise will never fail. By these two unchangeable things (the promise and the oath), we have a hope that anchors our soul in the presence of God. God didn’t have to swear an oath because His Word is trustworthy. However, He swore by Himself because when “God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose he guaranteed it with an oath.” (v. 17). The reason He did so is so that “we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.” (v. 18). Sunday, we will examine the promise and oath to Abraham and the promise and oath we have in Christ.
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I hope you have read and re-read Hebrews 5:11-6:12 over the past week. If not, I would encourage you to do so before Sunday. This Sunday, we finish the second part (6:4-12), perhaps the most controversial, debated, and difficult text in Scripture. Throughout Christian history, there have been a myriad of interpretations and applications of this text. The language of this text is shocking and terrifying, making the reader sit up and notice. That reaction is exactly what the author of Hebrews intends. This is a warning – a real warning - for the professing Hebrew Christians tempted to turn back to Judaism. However, saying, “It is impossible…to renew them again to repentance” (v. 4-6) is incredibly severe. In preparing to present this passage, I don’t have the luxury of simply telling you what the text “can’t” mean. To be faithful to God’s word, I must tell you clearly and correctly (as best I am able by God’s grace) what the text does mean, and how it applies to us today. Therefore, as we dissect the text, we will probably answer many of the questions most ask concerning this passage, but we cannot divert from the author’s intent in the context. This passage is a warning for the professing Christians. This warning echoes the previous warnings in Hebrews. (3:6-7; 14). The content of this warning teaches the same truth with differing emphasis. I don’t know if we will answer every question you may have about this passage, but we will seek to be faithful to the author’s meaning, tone, and application. Again, I would suggest reading and re-reading 5:11-6:12 so that you will have a working knowledge of the passage as we dive into it on Sunday.
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Sunday, we begin a very captivating and complex section in the book of Hebrews. For five chapters, the writer has exalted the glories of Jesus and repeatedly shown how He is better than all else. As Hebrews continues to call the readers to hold fast to Christ, chapter 5 began explaining the depths of Jesus as our perfect High Priest. As the author mentions Jesus as a priest in the order of Melchizedek, he stops this line of teaching and gives one of the strongest warnings in all of Scripture. Hebrews 5:11-6:12 is a single unit, but we will examine this section in two sermons. Here, the writer admonishes the Hebrew Christians for being “dull of hearing” and needing milk instead of solid food. Hebrews 5:11-6:3 will be our text Sunday, as we see the danger of spiritual immaturity and learn why and how we “go on to maturity” (Heb. 6:1). The following Sunday, we will examine what is perhaps the most debated text in the Bible, Heb. 6:4-12, which is a warning about apostasy. However, please read the whole section (5:11-6:12) for this Sunday. The writer does not separate these two concepts but shows that regressing into spiritual immaturity is the first step toward apostasy. I will readily confess that this has been the most challenging section of Scripture I have ever had to explain. There is no end to the different interpretations of the writer's words. Therefore, I hope to show you what the text means and how I came to my conclusions. You may be surprised Sunday as we challenge the common definitions of milk, solid food, spiritual maturity, and progress in the Christian life.
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Sunday, we continue in Hebrews 5:1-10 as the writer shows Jesus not only qualifies as a High Priest but exceeds the qualifications of any other High Priest. Jesus is a superior High Priest to all who have come before. This may not seem like a profound revelation to us, but the implications for our Christian walk are immense. The writer gives three qualifications of any priest in verses 1-4. They must represent the people before God with offerings, identify with the people’s weaknesses, and be appointed by God to the task. Through verses 5-10, the writer takes these qualifications in reverse order, showing that Jesus has fulfilled them all more than any earthly priest could. This week as I studied this passage, verses 7-8 regarding how Jesus identifies with our weakness (yet without sin) deeply impacted me. Those verses say, “7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence (reverent submission) 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. I look forward to working through this text with you as the Holy Spirit applies the word to our lives.
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Hebrews 4:14-16 begins a new section in the book of Hebrews. In fact, from this passage through chapter 10, the book's focus will be on Jesus as our perfect High Priest. That theme is introduced here, showing the readers why they must hold fast to their confession and how to do so. Those two truths will be the points of Sunday’s sermon. 1. Why we must hold fast, and 2. How we hold fast to our confession. Hebrews 3:7-4:13 was a sermon exegeting Psalm 95:7-11. That long passage’s point called the suffering Hebrew Christians not to turn from the Lord as the wilderness generation did. The refrain repeated in that section is, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart.” Last week, we saw the end of that “mini-sermon” in 4:11-13. We were told that the word of God lays us all bare before the Lord, revealing our true intents and motivations, and everyone will give an account before God based on His word, not our feelings, circumstances, or sufferings. That is a frightening truth, but the writer continues by showing us why we hold fast to our confession – because we have a high priest, the Son of God, who has passed through the heavens. Jesus has done what the Old Testament priests could never do – brought His people unfettered continual access to the Holy God. However, anyone mired in the fires of suffering knows that “holding fast” is easier said than done. How could we possibly find the strength to hold on and follow Christ despite the trials. We have a High Priest who not only passed through the heavens for us but stands ready to help us in our time of need, sympathizing with our weakness. We hold fast by His grace and receive it as we continually draw near to the throne. Sunday, we will learn why we must continue following Christ when everything without and within tells us to turn back, and we will see how we accomplish this by drawing near to the throne of grace with boldness, “that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (v.16)
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Hebrews 4:12-13 is the conclusion of the mini-sermon we have been studying. Hebrews 3:7-4:13 is a comprehensive sermon applying Psalm 95:7-11 to the Hebrew readers. Throughout this text, the author compares the suffering Hebrew Christians, tempted to turn back to Judaism, to Israel in the wilderness, who refused to enter the promised land. The repeated cry of this text is, "Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart." As the writer ends this “sermon,” he exhorts us to strive to enter God’s rest, 12“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Heb. 4:12-13). The word of God is the standard by which judgment will be leveled. We often think that our circumstances, situations, and issues are too complex for the word of God to discern accurately, but that is not the case. The word is living and active, speaking to our precise situation and needs. The living God speaks to our immediate issues through His living word. The word exposes our hearts, showing our motivations and the intent of our hearts. The word of God lays our hearts bare before the God to whom we must give account. He knows our deepest motivations and the intent of our hearts. Regardless of how we may justify or explain away our disobedience, the word of God will be the standard by which we are judged. No claims of mitigating circumstances lessen our guilt before the one who knows the depths of our hearts and sees all. Therefore, we must strive to enter His rest according to the word of God. There is no other standard by which me must give account. The word of God is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. We may convince those around us and ourselves, but the word of God stands as the judge of all, exposing the intent of the heart before Him to whom we must give account. Our New Year resolution should be to submit ourselves to God’s word in repentance when our sin is exposed rather than stubborn disobedience. We have a high priest who has made sacrifice for our sin, yet we must not stand against the word of God. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart.
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This year, our Christmas Eve Service will be at 10 am on Sunday. I look forward to celebrating our Savior's birth as we sing praises to our King, observe the Lord's Supper, and open God's Word together. Last Sunday, Cameron preached from John 1:6- 13, showing us the light of Christmas. On Christmas Eve, we will continue that passage and examine the glory of Christmas. "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). Although John 1 is one of the most familiar passages in the Bible, it should still amaze us that God would take upon Himself a human nature to bring salvation to sinners. The Son, the radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of His nature, who upholds the universe by the word of His power (Heb. 1:3), became a man so that He might be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. For His birth in Bethlehem, myriads upon myriads of angels filled the skies, singing glorious praises to God. They celebrated this wondrous act of our gracious God, who humbled Himself to redeem us. This Lord's Day, which is also Christmas Eve, let us join their celebration and marvel at the Savior, who is God with us.
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CORRECTION: In the audio, Numbers 15:42-43 is referenced - it is actually Numbers 14:42-43
Salvation is Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God’s rest. Having received the covenant promise by grace through faith in Jesus, there is no more work to be done. However, walking in faith as we trust in Jesus through the wilderness of this fallen world is a battle. The world, the flesh, and the devil consistently pull at our hearts and minds to draw us away from following Christ. That was happening to the Hebrew Christians to which Hebrews was written. They were suffering persecution and hardship, and the temptation to go back to the worldly safety of Judaism was strong. Hebrews 3 began with a very concise command. In Jesus, we are holy brothers with a heavenly calling; therefore, “consider Jesus.” Last week, we discussed what it means to fix our hearts and minds upon Him. As the writer continues, Hebrews 3:7-19 will bring one of the hardest warnings in the book. The readers are warned through these verses to beware of a hardening heart. The pattern of a hardening heart is given in verses (7-11) as the writer quotes Psalm 95:7-11. The Israelites who came out of Egypt show this pattern in the wilderness. Then, the readers are warned to protect themselves from a hardening heart (12-15). Finally, the reader must not presume this warning doesn’t apply to us (16-19), as the author demonstrates the same people who came out of Egypt in praise, joy, and glory were the ones who rebelled and died in the wilderness. Verse 19 shows us the real problem – unbelief. Using the wilderness wanderings as an example, the author of Hebrews exhorts the Christians, saying, “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God” (3:12). These Hebrew Christians were also traveling through the wilderness of persecution and suffering. When trial comes, will they do what the Exodus generation did and grumble, complain, and rebel? Would they wish to return to Egypt when they can’t find water, as that generation did? Or would they trust the God who has spoken in His Son? The seeds of unbelief can fester in any heart, which is why we are called to “exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (3:13).
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Salvation is Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God’s rest. Having received the covenant promise by grace through faith in Jesus, there is no more work to be done. However, walking in faith as we trust in Jesus through the wilderness of this fallen world is a battle. The world, the flesh, and the devil consistently pull at our hearts and minds to draw us away from following Christ. That was happening to the Hebrew Christians to which Hebrews was written. They were suffering persecution and hardship, and the temptation to go back to the worldly safety of Judaism was strong. Hebrews 3 began with a very concise command. In Jesus, we are holy brothers with a heavenly calling; therefore, “consider Jesus.” Last week, we discussed what it means to fix our hearts and minds upon Him. As the writer continues, Hebrews 3:7-19 will bring one of the hardest warnings in the book. The readers are warned through these verses to beware of a hardening heart. The pattern of a hardening heart is given in verses (7-11) as the writer quotes Psalm 95:7-11. The Israelites who came out of Egypt show this pattern in the wilderness. Then, the readers are warned to protect themselves from a hardening heart (12-15). Finally, the reader must not presume this warning doesn’t apply to us (16-19), as the author demonstrates the same people who came out of Egypt in praise, joy, and glory were the ones who rebelled and died in the wilderness. Verse 19 shows us the real problem – unbelief. Using the wilderness wanderings as an example, the author of Hebrews exhorts the Christians, saying, “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God” (3:12). These Hebrew Christians were also traveling through the wilderness of persecution and suffering. When trial comes, will they do what the Exodus generation did and grumble, complain, and rebel? Would they wish to return to Egypt when they can’t find water, as that generation did? Or would they trust the God who has spoken in His Son? The seeds of unbelief can fester in any heart, which is why we are called to “exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (3:13).
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Jesus is better than Moses therefore, we are exhorted to "consider Jesus" so that we might hold fast to the confession or our hope.
Sunday, we continue in Hebrews 2 by examining verses 5-9. Though Hebrews 2:5-18 is a single unit, there is so much here that we will break it into two sermons. The overall point 5-18 demonstrates why it was fitting for the Son of God to become fully human and to suffer. The writer begins by showing God’s intent for mankind. He says it is not to angels that God has subjected the world to come. Then he quotes Psalm 8:4-5 to illustrate this. In Psalm 8, David wonders at the grandeur of God’s creation and marvels that God is mindful and cares for man. Even more incredible, God made mankind in his image (crowned with glory and honor) and gave humanity dominion over creation. Using this quote from Psalm 8, the writer of Hebrews anticipates an objection. Commenting on the Psalm, the writer says, "At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him" (Heb. 2:8). The Hebrew Christians were suffering for their faith. They were outcasts from their Jewish kinsmen and persecuted by fellow Jews and Rome. Dominion, glory, honor, and a crown seemed like the last thing they were experiencing. However, verse 9 is a pivot point in the chapter. Verse 8 says we don’t see everything subjected to him (man), but then verse 9 tells us what we do see. "9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone." The ESV obscures the writers point a little bit. The text of v. 9 says "him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, We See Jesus crowned with glory and honor. Jesus is man as he ought to be. Jesus has been crowned with glory and honor. Jesus has been given perfect dominion as He sits at the Father’s right hand until all His enemies are put under His feet. Jesus has accomplished what Adam failed to do. That is glorious news for suffering believers being warned not to drift from Christ. There is a world to come, a new heaven and a new earth, and by grace through faith, we are united with Jesus, who reigns over all. We are co-heirs with Christ. Holding to Jesus, even in the face of suffering, is better than any peace, rest, or comfort in this world. We don’t yet see all the glory and splendor of God’s intention for our lives and this creation, but we see Jesus...
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I hope you have delighted in Hebrews’ exhalation of Jesus. Chapter 1 showed us that Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s nature. The Son is the final revelation of God in these last days, so the writer of Hebrews showed us how Jesus is better than the angels, God’s highest messengers. And because Jesus is superior to the angels, we must hold fast to the gospel declared by the Son. As we begin chapter 2, we come to the first of five warning passages in Hebrews. Hebrews 2:1-4 is a solemn and urgent call to avoid drifting away from Christ and the gospel as our anchor. If the message declared by angels (which we saw is the law of Moses, the Old Covenant of God) proved to be reliable, then how can we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? This first warning of Hebrews isn’t a caution against rebelliously turning from Christ, it warns us against being gradually pulled away from our hope and neglecting Christ. There is a remedy for this drifting. We are told to pay closer attention to what we have heard! We can’t take the gospel for granted and neglect the pursuit of Christ with our whole lives. We must pay attention - to center all we are on the truth of the gospel, not drifting away with the undercurrent of our flesh, the world, or lifeless religious practices. Sunday, we will examine this warning in Hebrews 2:1-4.
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This Sunday’s text is going to be difficult. The writer of Hebrews quotes seven Old Testament passages to prove that Jesus is better than the angels. But the overarching question is why is this argument necessary? Any reader of the New Testament understands that Jesus is God the Son. Of course He is superior to the angels. And how does this argument help urge the Hebrew Christians not to return to Judaism and the Old Covenant law of Moses? Over the past week, I have reworded, reorganized, and restructured the sermon at least five times in order to make it easy to understand and not 50 minutes long. But this will be a complex presentation of why the writer of Hebrews presents this, and what all these Old Testament references show us in context. In a nutshell, the premise upon which the writer begins is that angels accompanied and ordained the giving of the law to Moses (See Acts 7:37 and Gal. 3:19). So by saying Jesus is superior to the angels, the writer is showing that the message given to us by the Son, is the consummation and fulfillment of all God’s previous revelation, whether through the prophets or angels. This is verified by the context in Hebrews 1 & 2. Hebrews 1:5-14 (our text for Sunday) is a dense list of seven Old Testament quotations proving Jesus is better than angels. Then the application of this argument comes to us in Hebrews 2:1-4 - He says THEREFORE (because Jesus is better than angels) we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, (gospel) lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?
Please read Hebrews 1:5 - 2:4 a few times before Sunday. It is a very dense argument and easy to get lost in the details. Ultimately, the writer is still urging the Hebrew Christians not to return to Judaism and the Old Covenant, even though doing so would free them from the suffering they were experiencing. The point is Jesus is better than the law of Moses even though the law was ordained by angels.
I pray that I am able to lay this case out contextually and faithfully, and also simply enough to be easily understood. I ask that you would pray for that as well. - And you may also want to drink some extra coffee before service.
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this Sunday, we will continue examining how we make disciples and grow as disciples. The last three weeks, we have talked about worshiping corporately and personally, and we have shown the importance of connecting in discipling relationships. This Sunday we will see how serving is essential for making disciples and growing as disciples. We will examine Luke 17:7-10 and hear how Jesus explains the heart of a servant to His disciples. Verses 7-10 will be our focus, but we will read Luke 17:1-10 to see the incredible context which leads Jesus to speak about service to the Lord. Please read Luke 17:1-10 for Sunday as we look at the heart of Christ’s servant. As servants of Christ, our highest priority is to be faithful.
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Right now we are reminding ourselves of who we are at First Baptist Church. We exist to make disciples of Jesus and grow as disciples of Jesus. We have seen that discipleship is not a destination. It is the lifelong process by which believers are always deepening in their relationship with Christ and moving closer to Christlikedness in their walk. We saw from Acts chapter 2 that the early church in Jerusalem discipled thousands of new believers by worshiping, connecting in discipling relationships, and serving one another as they served Jesus in evangelism and disciple-making. Worship, Connect, Serve is much more than a pithy slogan. It is the means by which believers grow in Christ. Over the last two weeks, Dave and Cameron preached on corporate worship and personal worship. They showed us from the Scripture how important worship is for the growing disciple. Ultimately, we become like what we worship. This Sunday, we will examine the importance of connecting in discipling relationships. Growing in Christ cannot be done in isolation. Jesus’ model of disciplemaking involved an intentionally small group of disciples who were relationally bound together under His teaching. They followed and learned as they daily walked with Him through His earthly ministry. In this same pattern, the early church continued the practice of smaller groups (Acts 2:46-49.) To illustrate the urgent and essential nature of being in accountable discipling relationships with one another, we will examine Hebrews 3:7-15. The Hebrew Christians were being tempted to leave from following Jesus and go back to the old ways of Judaism. They were suffering persecution, being treated as outcasts by their own family and friends, and enduring hardship because they had professed faith in Christ. The temptation was great to just go back to the old religion they had always known. The book of Hebrews is written to encourage them to remain faithful to Christ. Again and again, Hebrews shows us that Jesus is better than the old sacrifices, temple, priests, and even Moses. Jesus is the fulfillment of all these things. As the writer exhorts them not to turn away from Christ, he shows us the importance of being in discipling relationships with one another. Hebrews 3:13 says, “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” We were never intended to fight alone. We were never intended to battle the world, the flesh, and the devil in isolation.
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This Sunday will be our first service in the remodeled sanctuary. This is an exciting and overwhelming time in the life of our church. About four years ago, we began talking seriously about building, and through this process we have seen God’s hand working at every step. Of course, the building is beautiful and more spacious and we praise the Lord for His work among us. But what I find more amazing is that, by the grace of God, we have come through this entire project united together as a body. Sunday we have a new church building - but it is the church (all of you) that makes First Baptist Church such an oasis in the desert. I am thankful that God has brought us together to carry this baton that has been passed to us. And just like God led us through this building project, he will lead us to carry out His will as we commit ourselves to the gospel above all, feeding on the word of God together, and investing ourselves in making disciples. God is doing an amazing work among us (I’m not talking about the new building) and what we have at FBC is worth passing down to the next generation. It’s my prayer that no matter what state the word descends into, there will always be a place in Mulvane where disciples of Christ are made and grow strong.
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There are lots of changes happening at First Baptist Church. We are still on track to have our first service in the new sanctuary Sunday Sept. 17th. It will be at 10am and we will only have one service. I’m sure we are all looking forward to the new space. This is the beginning of a new chapter in the life and history of First Baptist Church and I am overjoyed to be embarking on this journey with this congregation. Sunday the 17th, won’t be the end of this project. It will just be the beginning. While there are many things that are changing and have changed in the life of our church, our mission hasn’t changed. We are called by the authority of our Lord, as individual believers and as a church, to His mission. The mission is to make disciples. This building is a glorious work of God and we have seen God’s hand move in mighty ways throughout this whole process. But I don’t believe God has provided this building as an end in itself. It is a tool for us to more effectively make disciples and grow as disciples of Jesus. The mission will not change until the end of the age. To remind ourselves of that, we will examine Matthew 28:16-20 this Sunday as we continue focusing our hearts on who Christ calls us to be at First Baptist Church. This passage is often called the Great Commission. It is what Jesus calls the church (all of us) to be doing until he returns.
Last week as we looked at the end of Revelation, we saw how the Bible is one grand story of redemption. God is moving to restore creation to what was intended in the garden. And you are part of that epic story. You have a place in the movement of God’s kingdom toward His goal. Adam and Eve were commissioned to be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth with God’s image. But sin spread with humanity. It spread so profusely that God destroyed all life with a global flood and began again with Noah, who he also told to be fruitful and multiply. But Noah also failed. Then Israel was called to be a light to the nations, and they rebelled in unbelief. Finally, Jesus the Son of God took on a human nature and defeated the sin that pervaded the creation. Now by the Holy Spirit, His people are being conformed to the image of His Son. And so we have the same commission as Adam and Eve - be fruitful and multiply. We spread this image over the earth as we make disciples of Jesus Christ. As we study the Great Commission we find that:
I. The Mission isn’t Given to Perfect Disciples (v. 16-17)
II. The Mission Bears The Authority of Jesus (v. 18)
III. The Mission Is To Make Disciples (v.19-20)
IV. The Mission is Empowered By Jesus HImself (v. 20)
I am looking forward to the book of Hebrews and getting back to preaching section by section. I am still firm in my conviction that verse by verse is how God intends us to study His word. But taking several weeks to remind ourselves of who we are and who we are going to be no matter what is extremely important. Our mission is to make disciples and grow as disciples, and we do that just as the early church did in Acts 2:42-47, by worshiping, connecting, and serving. So in the first Sunday in our new Sanctuary (Sept. 17) we will look at that passage in Acts.
Before we launch into the book of Hebrews, we will take some time to remind ourselves of our mission at FBC, to make disciples of Jesus and grow as disciples of Jesus. Last week, we heard Paul tell Timothy to "train yourself for godliness" in 1 Timothy 4:6-10. If you weren’t able to be there, I would encourage you to go to www.fbcmulvane.com and listen to that text. Discipleship is not a destination it is a path we walk all the way until we reach glory. Until that day, we sow to the Spirit as we train ourselves in the things God uses to grow us in godliness. But before we begin detailing those things God uses (which are under the categories of Worship, Connect, Serve). It is important for us to understand what Paul meant in 1 Timothy 4:10 when he said, "For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe." When we train, strive, and toil, we must keep our eyes on the true hope. Our hope isn’t in our training. It is in God who has told us how this race will end. When we turn our eyes upon things above, we are able to keep on sowing, and "not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Gal. 6:9). To that end, this Sunday we will examine the first and last section of John’s description of the new heavens and earth, the new Jerusalem in Revelation 21:1-4 and 22:1-5. We will examine what awaits us in eternity and the hope for which we long. We won’t have enough time to walk through all of chapter 21, but I would suggest you read 21:1-22:5 before Sunday because I will be referencing a few things in there.
We can strive and toil to grow in what we have been freely given because we know where our hope lies. Sunday we will examine what our eternal hope and the glory of our eternal state with Jesus.
1 Timothy 4:6-10, where Paul tells Timothy what a good servant of Jesus Christ looks like. What is most striking to me about the letter to Timothy is that though Paul is writing to tell him how to build up the church(es) and how to be faithful as a minister of Jesus Christ, Paul continually draws Timothy’s focus to watching over his own walk and godliness. And it is in this text that he tells Timothy to train for godliness. Having just come out of Galatians, this may sound strange to us. But Sunday, we will see that training for godliness and depending upon the Spirit do not contradict. Even in Galatians, Paul could say that we are to walk in the Spirit as He produces His fruit, and at the same time we sow to the Spirit and not the flesh. This is essential for us to comprehend if we are to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. We must:
I. Be Nourished On The Word of God (v. 6) - (ESV says "train" here but it is more appropriately "nourish"
II. Train For Godliness (v. 7-9)
III. Strive With Our Hope In The God Who Saves (v. 10)
Galatians 6:11-18 is the final section in the letter. Paul has made his case against the false teachers pushing circumcision in the Galatian churches. They said that faith in Jesus was not sufficient for Gentiles to be saved. They must also be circumcised to be right with God and heirs to Abraham’s covenant. Through this letter, Paul has been terse, abrupt, and confrontational, even placing those teaching another gospel under the curse of God. He has demonstrated that salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone. He has demonstrated the inability of the law to make sinners righteous. All the law can do is condemn, punish, and point us to the Savior. In Christ we have been freed from the condemnation of the law and we have been declared righteous because Jesus stood in our place, taking the punishment for our sin and imputing to us His righteousness. The gospel is sufficient. The gospel gives us perfect righteousness and nothing can be added by any outward work. But Paul also showed us that the gospel also transforms our hearts by the indwelling Spirit. We are given new hearts in Christ so that we now live out the intent of the law as we serve one another in love. We have been changed by the gospel and now the Spirit Himself produces His fruit in us as we keep in step with what He is doing in us. In this final section, Paul doesn’t introduce anything new but concisely summarizes the important conclusion of his argument. He will contrast the motives of those who boast in the flesh with his boasting in the cross alone. And in the end, he leaves the Galatians with what really matters. "For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation" (Gal. 6:15). The Galatians are being caught up in this idea that outward religious works, service, rituals, or laws can add to their standing before God. Paul says what really matters is not what you put on the outside, but what God has done on the inside - what matters is that you have been made a new creature in Christ by faith in the gospel.
Sunday we look at Paul’s final exhortations before closing the letter to the Galatians. He is continuing to show us what keeping in step with the Spirit looks like in the body of Christ. In chapter 5, Paul pictured the Christian life as a battlefield. The flesh wars against the Spirit and the Spirit wars against the flesh. In 6:6-10, he describes the Christian life as a farm, where the Spirit and the flesh are fields where we sow seeds. Though these "sowing and reaping" verses are often misused and applied in all kinds of ways, Paul has not changed his subject. He is still talking about the fruit of the Spirit and the works of the flesh. He is still talking about keeping in step with the Spirit toward one another in the body. Because we know a harvest is coming, we are called to do good to all, especially those of the household of faith.
I am still trying to decide what the title of Sunday’s sermon should be. It will either be "Am I my brother’s keeper?" or "A Spirit-Filled Church." Honestly, both of these titles bring out Paul’s teaching in this final chapter of Galatians. After telling the Galatians not to use their freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but instead serve one another through love, Paul gave us specific examples of "the works of the flesh," and "the fruit of the Spirit." He ended chapter 5, giving believers a command. It isn’t "do better," or "work harder." He commands that believers keep in step with the Spirit, not becoming conceited or provoking one another. Galatians 6:1 is a continuation of this thought as Paul continues giving specific instructions about what "keeping in step with the Spirit" looks like in the body of Christ. It is believers gently restoring one another when they are caught in transgressions. The Judaizers in Galatia, who believed keeping laws makes people right with God, could do nothing for the sinner but bite and devour them. The law offers no redemption. But those who are spiritual (i.e. who have the Spirit) are restore such a person because we have the only means of restoration - repentance and faith in the gospel. In the same way, keeping in step with the Spirit means that believers bear one another’s burdens. Incredibly, Paul says bearing one another’s burdens fulfills the law of Christ. And he equates not bearing one another’s burdens with deceitful pride (6:2-3). In Galatians 6, Paul is applying what it means to keep in step with the Spirit in the real, day-to-day lives of the Galatians Christians. And his application for them is still our application today. When we are keeping in step with the Spirit, we will be discipling one another, loving one another, and bearing one another’s burdens. Subscribe to the Sermon podcast on itunes or search for "jason velotta" in your podcasting app
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This Sunday, we will finish Galatians chapter 5. Last week we looked at the first of Paul’s two lists in v. 19-26, the works of the flesh. As we examine the fruit of the Spirit, there are several things we need to keep in mind. First, as we saw last week, this is not a list of laws to fulfill in order to be right before God. Just like "the works of the flesh," the fruit of the Spirit is the evidence of the Spirit’s work. The fruit is what the Spirit produces in the life of the believer, just as the fruit tree produces its fruit. So once again, this is not a list of things we need to do better to be righteous, it is a list of evidences we are to examine to discern the Spirit’s work. Of course, we all need to do better in these things and we will talk about how we cultivate and grow in this fruit, but we must not lose sight of the fact that it is the fruit OF THE SPIRIT. It is God’s Spirit which produces it. Second, we cannot examine the fruit of the Spirit apart from the context of Galatians 5. Remember Paul told the Galatians not to use their freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but (instead) serve one another through love (5:13). Then in verse 15, he told them that if they bite and devour one another, they would consume one another (5:15). He follows this by saying, walk in the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh (5:16). And then he gives us the two lists - flesh and Spirit. And last week we saw that the works of the flesh are all about living for self. Divisions, dissensions, anger, enmity, strife - all these are fleshly sins that destroy communities and relationships. The fruit of the Spirit are also lived out in community, but they focus on goodness and godliness to others. It is impossible to demonstrate love, kindness, patience, goodness, and gentleness in isolation from others. The evidence of the Spirit working and producing fruit in the believer is seen in how we treat one another. Thirdly, the list of the fruit of the Spirit shows us the nature of God. He is all these things. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness etc. The fruit of the Spirit is a character sketch of Jesus Christ. So the Spirit of God in believers isn’t just working to make us "good." He is working to make us like Jesus. That is the evidence of the Spirit indwelling His children - He conforms us to the image of Jesus Christ. Sunday, we will examine 5:22-26 and see the evidence of God’s work in us, as well as our need to cultivate and nurture the fruit He produces.
Toward the end of Galatians, Paul brings this idea of walking in the gospel down to where we live. Last week in 5:13-18, Paul told us that the freedom of the gospel is not to be used as an opportunity for the flesh. Instead we are to walk in the Spirit and we will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Then we were shown the conflict between the Spirit and the flesh in every believer. In v. 19-26, Paul gets specific about what the flesh and the Spirit produce in a person’s life. He does this by giving us two lists. The first, he calls "the works of the flesh," and the second, he calls "the fruit of the Spirit." This Sunday, we will only have time to walk through the first of these lists, because we first need to get a bird’s eye view of how both of these lists fit into the book of Galatians. It is easy to misinterpret the intent of these lists. Often, the sins and virtues in these two lists are examined in depth as if they are a moral guide for being right with God. Especially since Paul says in verse 21, "I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Many have rightly seen the seriousness of that warning and thought, "I better stop doing these things so I can inherit the kingdom." But that isn’t the purpose of the list. No one inherits the kingdom of God by changing their behavior and living "better." These lists show us what the flesh and the Spirit produce. They are given for the reader to examine the evidence. If someone’s life is defined and characterized by "the works of the flesh," the answer is not "stop doing that." The answer is turning to Jesus in faith through the gospel and receive the Spirit who produces His fruit. Likewise, the believer who struggles with the flesh is exhorted to do the same. Turn to Jesus and "keep in step with the Spirit" (v. 25) as He produces His fruit in the life of believers. Please read through 19-26 a few times before Sunday, and I would ask that you pray for God to give us clarity Sunday, and that I would be faithful to rightly proclaim the word. Subscribe to the Sermon podcast on itunes or search for "jason velotta" in your podcasting app
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Throughout Galatians we have been hearing that we are free in Christ. We are free in the gospel. We are free from slavery to the law and now we are under grace. We have also seen how that message of freedom is offensive to the pride and self-righteousness of mankind. The gospel says you can do nothing to earn right standing before God - you can do nothing to keep yourself in right standing with God, and that stings. And even we who have found our rest in Christ are not immune. Through these sermons in Galatians, as we have repeatedly heard about grace, the gospel, and freedom from the law, there has probably been something inside you that said, "Hold on. We also have to live for Christ! People are going to hear these messages and think freedom from the law means freedom to sin all we want!" As I have prepared to preach these texts, I have thought the same thing. And it seems Paul understood this danger as well. The last two chapters of Galatians show us what walking in this grace looks like. This life of true freedom is a life of walking in the Spirit. In Galatians 5:13-18, Paul explains how the same glorious grace that frees us from the penalty of sin and the condemnation of the law, also transforms our hearts by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit takes up residence in everyone who is saved by grace and He leads us to glorify God, fulfilling the law through love. That is true freedom to be who God designed us to be; Freedom to be who He commands us to be, and freedom to be who He has made us in the gospel. Read through Galatians 5:13-18 and join us on Sunday.
As I type this, fireworks are going off around my neighborhood. Next Tuesday is July 4, the day we celebrate our independence as a nation. All weekend people will be celebrating freedom, so it is fitting that we find ourselves in Galatians 5:7-12 this Sunday. Verses 1-12 are a unit so we will read the entire text, but we examined verses 1-6 last week as we saw the freedom which Christ purchased for us. Galatians 5:1 is the summary of the whole book. "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." Last Sunday, we saw that salvation is all of grace or all of works. It is Jesus Christ by faith alone, or we must keep the whole law. The Galatians were being told that all they had to do was add circumcision to be saved, but Paul makes it clear - "Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you" (Gal. 5:2). Paul also showed us what "standing firm in freedom" looked like in verse 5 - simply waiting for the hope of righteousness. Now, in verses 6-12, Paul takes aim at those who are tempting the Galatians to trust circumcision. Here we find that standing firm in freedom also means standing against those who would hinder us from obeying the truth (Gal. 5:7). In this passage, we are called to be alert to anything that draws us away from walking in Christ alone, and Paul also shows us how seriously God views this. The command to stand firm in the freedom of Christ warns us of the danger of teachers, teachings, advice, and our own hearts which would tempt us to find our sufficiency in anything other than the gospel of Christ.
Sunday we begin the final two chapters of Galatians. Through chapter 3 & 4, Paul has made his case that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. He has shown that God’s covenant has always been through faith, even in Abraham’s day. At the end of chapter four, Paul used Abraham and his family to demonstrate that the Gentiles who trust in Jesus are themselves children of promise - children of the free woman (as Paul says in chapter 4.) As he begins chapter 5, he will show believers how we walk in the freedom Christ has given us. Sunday we will examine Galatians 5:1-6 and save 7-12 for next Sunday. Galatians 5:1 is a summary of what the whole letter to the Galatians is about. "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Gal 5:1). This is why Paul writes Galatians. To think that the gospel is not sufficient and to go back to seeking righteousness by the law is to return to slavery for sinners can never earn right standing by the law. We would have to keep it all perfectly for the entirety of our lives. In 5:1-6, Paul shows that even adding one tiny thing to "help" the gospel, is to return to the whole law. But Jesus has freed us. Sunday we will examine this freedom and see how we live in it.
Fathers’ Day is a wonderful day of thanksgiving and celebration as people thank God for the gift of our dads. It is a blessing from the Lord when a father leads his family in the Lord. Fathers’ Day is also a day of remembrance and mourning for those whose fathers have passed away. And Fathers’ Day is also hard for those who may not have had a close relationship with their father for one reason or another. Regardless of the memories and emotions Fathers’ Day brings, as believers in Christ, we have a perfect Father who loves us more than we can ever understand. We have a Father who gave His only begotten Son that we might be adopted into His family. In Galatians 4:21-5:1, Paul shows us that in Christ, we are children of Promise just as Isaac. This section of Galatians is the dramatic conclusion to Paul’s argument in chapters 3-4. From Abraham’s own sons (Ishmael & Isaac) Paul shows the Galatians that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God’s covenant promise to Abraham. Therefore, those who come to God by grace through faith in Jesus are children of promise. This section is filled with Old Testament references and quotes, so I am praying God will make the text clear as we walk through it. Because time is always short and this text is very dense, try to read through Galatians 4:21-5:1 a few times before Sunday...and have a happy Fathers’ Day. Subscribe to the Sermon podcast on itunes or search for "jason velotta" in your podcasting app
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Sunday we will examine Galatians 4:12-20. Paul has been arguing forcefully from the Old Testament Scriptures that God’s promise to Abraham is fulfilled to the nations by faith alone in Jesus Christ. He has defended salvation by faith against those teaching the Galatians that works of the law were also necessary to be right with God. We have taken note of the urgency and alarm in Paul’s words as he declared that anyone preaching another gospel is accursed. He also called the Galatians foolish twice in this letter. Paul is energetic in trying to persuade the Galatians to hold onto to the gospel truth. But in 4:12-20, Paul pauses his exposition of Old Testament texts and makes a personal, pastoral appeal to the Galatians. He reminds them of how they received the gospel message and Paul as the messenger, and he exposes the motives of those who are seeking to pervert the gospel. Paul, like the Judaizers, is trying to win over the Galatians. But his motive reveals his love and his heart for them. He not only loves truth, doctrine, theology and his mission - he loves these people. His desire for them is not that he would add numbers to his resume of converts. He desires them to follow Christ. He says "My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you...(v.19). The message of this heartfelt pastoral section, is a call for the Galatians to flee back to the simple gospel of Jesus. Let us do that as well - daily - hourly - moment by moment - until Christ be formed in us.
Sunday we will work through another section of Galatians. Last week we saw the relationship between the law and the promise in 3:15-26. Paul showed us that the law was never intended to give life but was added because of transgressions. He described the law as a guardian or disciplinarian that hems us in under the wrath of God and drives us to the savior in order that we might inherit the promise by faith. As we continue in 3:25-4:11, Paul will explain more fully who we are in the gospel of Jesus. It is the gospel alone in which we find our identity before God. The Galatians were falling into an all too familiar snare of many Christians. They were tempted to believe that their standing before God was dependent upon Jesus plus works of the law. Over the course of our study in Galatians, we have seen how easy it is for any of us to fall into this temptation. When we fail to walk in the commands of God that we love, our heart breaks and we feel that God has removed his loving presence from us. When we succeed gloriously in doing good according to God’s word, sometimes we feel that we have earned a higher standing than we had in the gospel. Paul shows us in this section that, in the gospel, if we have been born again - God eternally sees us in Christ - holy and blameless before Him. We cannot add to what he has given and it is the height of arrogance to think we can. We can easily see the folly of claiming an identity that doesn’t correspond with reality. We are seeing from the world during this month in particular. And we also know that the gospel is desperately needed by the world that embraces such sinful falsehood, in order to be brought to salvation and transformed to live for God. But as we seek to speak the truth in love and share the saving gospel of Jesus with the world, we also must hold fast to that gospel ourselves. In Jesus our identity is secure and perfect before God. Regardless of how we feel in the moment, that is reality. In the gospel, we have been saved from sin, and we have been transformed to live for sin no longer. That is the identity of the born again believer in Christ. We are:
I. United with Christ Through Faith (3:25-29) - and Paul lists the benefits of this union
II. Redeemed From Slavery & Adopted (4:1-7)
`And therefore we must:
III. Live As Children of God (4:8-11)
As we walk through the book of Galatians, the main point is repeated over and over again. Jesus is enough. Jesus is sufficient. We have all things in the gospel through faith alone. I know that the point of these messages in Galatians have been repetitive as we take the book in sections, but there is no greater truth that believers need to have repeated over and over. We must preach this to ourselves daily. The gospel is sufficient. The gospel is the grounds of our growth into maturity. The gospel is the hub around which the whole Christian life turns. We need the gospel more today than we ever have before - and tomorrow we will need it even more.
This Sunday we jump back into the heart of Galatians 3 after a two week break. Remember that Paul is writing to refute false teachers claiming that Gentiles must trust in Jesus and submit to circumcision according to the law of Moses in order to be right with God. In 3:1-5, Paul began by reminding the Galatians that they had received the Spirit by hearing with faith, not by works of the law. Therefore, to think that works of the law could now perfect them is foolish. Then in 3:6-9, Paul showed them from the Scripture that God foretold the Gentiles would be saved by faith when he preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying "in you all nations will be blessed." And in v. 10-14, Paul said that those who try to live by the law are under a curse, and that the only way to be free of it is through Jesus who became a curse for us.
Now, in verses 15-26 Paul will show the relationship between the law and the promise. He does this to demonstrate that the law of Moses was never intended to nullify or alter the promise given to Abraham. In these verses, Paul gives an overview of God’s purposes in salvation history, and shows us how the epochs in the Old Testament fit together in the grand narrative of God’s gospel. This section of Galatians is very dense and complex. Paul’s argument is difficult to follow in a few places. Take some time to read 3:15-26 before Sunday to familiarize yourself with them. I hope to break them down into three headings.
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There is quite a lot going on this Sunday. Of course it is Mother’s day; the day we celebrate God’s gift of our mothers. We are also having eight families which will participate in our Parent / child dedication service in the 11am service. And in addition to all that, we will begin our baby bottle project this Sunday to raise money in support of Kansans for Life & Embrace Crisis Pregnancy Center, in order to continue the fight against abortion and to help mothers who may think abortion is their only option. So because of this focus on the family, we will pause our study of Galatians and briefly look at Psalm 127. This is a psalm of ascent, meaning it was sung by those going up to the temple during times of worship. The Psalm is only 5 but it is significant in its application for parents and the family. The first two verses show us that unless the Lord is working, all our labors are in vain, and in the second part, the psalmist applies this principle to the raising of children and the family. Sunday as we celebrate our mothers, and the families committing to raise their children in the Lord, I hope that God’s word will guide us to commit ourselves to preparing the next generation to stand for the gospel in a culture that is continually moving away from the truth of God. This is important even if you don’t have children or your children are grown and have their own families. We will see 8 families committing to raise their children in the Lord and in the fellowship of FBC. Regardless of what season our own family is in, we can invest in making disciples of the next generation.
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Through the first two chapters of Galatians, Paul has given testimony of the origin of the gospel he preached, the authenticity of his call as an Apostle, and the authority of the gospel over even other Apostles. As we begin Galatians 3, Paul turns his attention back to the Galatians who are being tempted to follow after the false teachers who claim that Gentile Christians must adopt Jewish practices to be in covenant with God. Through chapters 3 & 4, Paul use many Old Testament texts to prove that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus alone. Sunday we will see the beginning of this presentation as Paul does for the Galatians exactly what he did for Peter in chapter 2. He calls them back to living out the truth they have believed in the gospel. As Paul presents the truth to the Galatians, we find those same truths calling us back to the gospel, when we are tempted to forget the promises of the covenant we have in Jesus Christ. Though we will probably not be faced with people telling us we must add traditional Jewish law to our faith in order to be righteous before God, we are continually barraged by messages from the world, well meaning religious people, and even our own hearts which tell us that Jesus has left something unfinished which we must complete. Paul addresses this head on, asking the Galatians (and us) "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" (Gal. 3:3)
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Sunday we will jump back in to the middle of Paul’s rebuke of Peter. In verses 11-14, we saw that Peter was not walking in step with the gospel. He drew back from fellowship with the Gentiles because he feared those of the circumcision party. Paul called this hypocrisy and said Peter stood condemned. Peter believed the gospel but he was not walking in step with what he believed. His actions said that Jesus’ death and resurrection was not enough to cleanse his Gentile brothers and sister before God. As we walked through those verses, we noted how we often live out of step with the gospel. We often fall back into thinking that works of the law must be added to what Jesus accomplished. We do this in the way we respond to trials in despair; when we refuse to reconcile with other believers; when we act or think in ways that says Jesus has not given me all I need to satisfy my soul. Paul calls this hypocrisy. But to remedy the situation, Paul doesn’t give Peter laws or rules to follow. Instead, he reminds Peter of the gospel in which he believes. Sunday we will see how Paul does this and use this as a template to remind ourselves of the gospel when we walk out of step with it. Whatever we face, whatever pain we experience or trial we endure - Jesus is enough. He has given us all things. And that means he has cleansed our brothers and sisters in Christ as well. If Jesus is enough - then we must walk in that truth in our own lives and in our relationships with one another.
Verses 15-21 make up the central theme of the book of Galatians. I hope you can join us as we remind ourselves of the gospel so that we may grow to live more and more in step with that truth.
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As we continue in Galatians Sunday, we come to the central passage of the book. In verses 11-21, Paul rebukes Peter for not walking in step with the gospel and then gives one of the clearest presentations of the gospel in the New Testament. Galatians 2:11-21 is a single unit, so we will read it in its entirety Sunday. But there is so much application throughout, we will exposit it in two parts. Sunday we will focus on v. 11-14 (though we will apply v. 15-16 as well) and then the following Sunday we will focus on v. 15-21. As we see Peter’s actions and Paul’s confrontation with him, we see the importance of thinking and living according to the truth of the gospel. In many ways, this could be the summation of growing in discipleship. When we bring all our life under the authority of the truth of the gospel; when we see our trials, our conflicts, our problems, our disappointments, and our brothers & sisters through the lens of the gospel. Though we are sinners and there is nothing good in us, Jesus has given us perfect righteousness before God. We are united with Christ and therefore with one another. And there is no higher standing before God than being in Christ. When we fail to respond, think, or act under the authority of that truth, we are not walking in step with the gospel. This affects every aspect of our lives from our marriages, relationships, occupations, trials, sufferings, and our fellowship with one another. The gospel is not just a message for unbelievers. It is for Christians as well. The gospel is our hope and our life. Sunday we will see what it looks like to live in step with who Jesus is and what He has done.
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"...so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you" (Galatians 2:5)
This Sunday will be our first week meeting in the gym. As I write this, half the chairs are set up for the start of DNow. I am so proud of our staff who have worked diligently to make sure we are able to worship without hindrance in this new space. Because this is the start of a new adventure in the life of our church, I spent alot of time praying and trying to decide what we need to hear this week. But I realized that we are a people who need to hear from God so it doesn’t matter what I think we need to hear. Therefore, this Sunday we are returning to Galatians and picking up at the beginning of chapter 2. And once again, God has shown Himself faithful to speak exactly what we need to hear in this moment. In Galatians 2:1-10, Paul’s is continuing the testimony of his early ministry in order to show that he is preaching the true gospel which he received from Jesus Himself. At chapter 2 begins, he chronicles how he finally went to Jerusalem and set his gospel before the Jerusalem apostles, and he demonstrates that they affirmed his preaching and his mission to the Gentiles. They were all preaching the same gospel for there is only one true gospel. But as Paul makes his case, the truths we at FBC need to hear echo out from the text. The gospel is worth fighting for (v. 3-5), the gospel mission has been entrusted to us (6-9), and the gospel is what unifies us together (9-10).
As I prayed and prepared this text, the Lord has made it more abundantly clear that what we are building here is worth fighting for. It isn’t just a building - It is a culture of gospel saturated discipleship standing upon the inerrent word of God, and we must strive "so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you" [i.e. those who come after us].
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I am so excited to worship with you this coming Resurrection Sunday. Of course, we celebrate the gospel every time we gather, but this is the Sunday the church sets aside to specifically commemorate and revel in what Jesus Christ has done for us. Our Savior is alive and He as given us an eternal resurrection life! Romans 4:25 says, "[Jesus] was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." So, this Sunday as we gather to worship, I hope to focus our hearts on what it means to be justified before God and how a sinner can be justified. We rightly give much attention to Jesus’ crucifixion when we speak of being justified before God. It is indeed there where the payment for our sin was made. (And we will of course speak much about it Sunday as well.) But the resurrection is also central to our justification. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul says if Christ has not been raised, our faith is futile and we are still in our sins. This Sunday we will talk about how the resurrection of Jesus applies to our justification before God. I hope to preach from Romans 4:18 - 5:2 in order to demonstrate this. I pray that God will use this Sunday to change hearts, draw people to Himself, and to deepen our love for His name.
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Although we have only completed the first chapter of Galatians, we will pause our study for the next two weeks. On Easter Sunday of course, we will focus on the resurrection and the gospel as we celebrate our risen savior. On Palm Sunday this week, I would like to focus our hearts more fully on what walking in the gospel entails, which is a theme we have seen already in Galatians. Being rooted and grounded in the gospel is the necessary and essential foundation for the maturing Christian life, and the life devoted to Christ’s commission to make disciples. As we drill down into this vitally important truth, I hope to draw our attention to a passage God used personally and powerfully in my life as I struggled to comprehend the growing Christian life - Colossians 2:6-15. I pray the Lord will use this text in your life just as He did in mine as we prepare ourselves for Resurrection Sunday, the transition of the building process, and our larger commission to make disciples of Christ.
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As we continue in Galatians, Paul begins to make the case that he is indeed an apostle of Jesus Christ, and the gospel that he preaches is directly from God. Remember the issue in Galatia. False teachers had come in corrupting the gospel. They claimed that Gentiles had to trust in Jesus and be circumcised to be right with God. They also claimed Paul got his message second hand from the Jerusalem apostles and altered the message so Gentiles would more readily accept it. Paul will refute both of these accusations in chapter 1 and 2. He does so by relating the testimony of his conversion, his calling to preach, and the early years of his ministry. Paul shows that he received the gospel directly from the risen Christ, and it was Jesus himself that called him to preach it to the Gentiles. Paul will also show that for the first fourteen years of his ministry, he had little contact with the Jerusalem apostles and was not influenced by their preaching. Paul is not making the case that his gospel is different from the other apostles. It is exactly the same (as we will see in ch. 2). He is proving that he is an independent witness of the same gospel Jesus gave the other apostles. The gospel is God’s gospel - It is God’s message - It is God’s word to humanity. And while your conversion may not have been as outwardly spectacular as Paul’s, it is no less miraculous that God would call us by His grace and save us outside of any work we can do.
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Last week we read the first ten verses of Galatians 1, but we only worked through Paul’s introduction (1-5). Sunday we pick up with Paul stern and urgent warning in verses 6-10. Paul is amazed by the report that the Galatians are giving ear to false teachers so quickly. He can’t believe that they are turning to another gospel. As we learned last week, the false teachers in Galatia were commonly known as Judaizer. They claimed to be Jewish Christians. They preached that Jesus is the messiah, that he really died, and he really rose from the grave. But they said faith in Jesus and his work was not sufficient to save. They taught that to be accepted by God, one must believe in Jesus and be circumcised according to the customs of Moses. They were adding something to the gospel.
Paul doesn’t tell the Galatians that this "other" gospel is close enough. He doesn’t find points of agreement with them. He says that this is a distortion of the gospel and, in fact, it is not another gospel at all! Then, with some of the most harsh language in the New Testament, Paul declares that if anyone, even a heavenly angel, preaches a gospel different than the one the Galatians received, they are accursed. They are under the wrath of God. Paul doesn’t beat around the bush when it comes to the gospel. He is adamant that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. Anything added to the gospel is to be considered under God’s curse. It doesn’t matter who preaches it. Whether it is Paul himself, an angel from heaven, or even our own hearts - we are to reject it. This is what the Galatians should have done. This is why Paul is so astonished to hear they have not. This is what we must do when teachers, friends, preachers, angels, or even our own hearts try to convince us that we must add to Jesus’ work. We have everything in Christ. That is the gospel by which we are saved - and that is the gospel we must walk in as we follow Jesus.
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I am excited to begin studying Galatians this Sunday. Galatians is a short but very powerful letter. Paul writes to the churches he and Barnabas planted in Acts 14 because false teachers had begun corrupting the gospel. These teachers, commonly known as Judaizers, taught that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. He indeed died and rose from the grave, but in order to be accepted by God, trusting in Jesus life, death, and resurrection was not sufficient. Those who desired righteous before God must believe in Jesus, be circumcised, and walk according to the customs and traditions of Moses. Paul doesn’t take this lightly. Galatians is a scathing rebuke of what Paul says is a rejection of the true gospel. There is only one gospel. It is a complete and perfect salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone.
Galatians isn’t just a primer to prepare believers to defend the gospel against false teachers. We need to defend the gospel against our own hearts. In this fallen world, believers still have a tendency to fall back into thinking that we are more accepted by God when we do good things, or less acceptable when we fail. We must continually preach the true gospel to ourselves. We must walk in the identity we have been given through Christ. This is what Paul warns the Galatians about. We cannot allow ourselves to be swayed away from the gospel from the outside teachings or the inside feelings.
Galatians is only six chapters so I would recommend reading the whole book (it may take 15-20 minutes). We will only cover the introduction Sunday, but verses 1-5 summarize the argument Paul makes through the whole book. He defends his authority as an Apostle of Jesus Christ, and he defends the only true gospel of grace. I look forward to diving into the word of God with you Sunday. Remember to set your clock forward!
Sunday we come to the end of our study in the book of Acts. It has been quite a journey through the text. In the first chapter, Jesus said His disciples would be witnesses to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. And that is what we have seen. We have followed the mission of His witnesses to all nations. We followed Peter, John, Phillip, Stephen, and Paul. We have seen much opposition to the spread of the gospel and the church. We have seen much hardship, suffering, and persecution of His witnesses, but we have also seen much faithfulness and perseverance as the Holy Spirit empowered them to be what Jesus commanded them to be. But this Sunday, we will come to the end of the story - or more accurately - the end of the beginning of the story.
As we look at the final verses in Acts, we will read an ending that isn’t quite what we are used to in good story-telling. We won’t have all our questions answered about Paul’s life. We won’t have resolution to the conflict we have seen through the last five chapters as Paul has gone from trial to prison to trial again. We won’t see him vindicated by those who oppressed and rejected him. In fact, we will see the same thing happen in Rome that has happened in every city in which Paul witnessed in. - THE SAME THING!
That isn’t the ending we want in the story, but it is the ending we need. Because the same will be true in our mission. This story is not about what happens to the messenger. This story is not about the messenger being vindicated in this life. It is about what Jesus is doing through His witnesses. It is about the gospel going forth to the world. That IS the story! And regardless of what events, cultural changes, political winds, or violent persecution arises, the gospel will continue being proclaimed until Jesus returns in glory. The gospel cannot and will not ever be silenced. To illustrate that point, God has allowed us the joy of baptizing believers in both services this Sunday. I hope you can join us in worshiping the King this Sunday.
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Over the next two Sundays, our journey through the book of Acts will come to an end. Yet the book doesn’t close with a final climactic ending. Luke leaves the story unfinished with Paul testifying unhindered in Rome. The story is not finished. Today, the church is still on the same mission begun so long ago by the first disciples. The gospel has gone out from Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and continues to go to the ends of the earth. Chapter 28 picks up after the shipwreck which left Paul and company on an unidentified land. Here we are informed they have landed on the island of Malta, off the coast of Sicily. Paul will spend three months here before setting sail again for Rome. Although Paul’s journey to Rome is stalled, it is not without purpose. Paul finds kind and compassionate people on the island who show hospitality and care to he and his shipmates. God also does miraculous works of healing through Paul for the people of Malta over those three months. The storm and the shipwreck were not without purpose. God has brought Paul to this island because even these kind, friendly, compassionate, and moral people also need the gospel to be saved. The message of Christ is validated here as it was in the Temple of Jerusalem through miraculous signs. God has brought the kingdom promised to Israel all the way out here on the shores of this island. And when Paul finally does get to the vicinity of Rome, the church is there ready to receive him, encourage him, and fellowship with him as God fulfills His promise and Paul makes his way into the city. The church in Rome, established by unnamed and unknown believers, is God’s instrument in the city & comes out to receive this brother in Christ. And here we see that although Luke has focused our attention on the Apostle Paul for much of the book of Acts, the church - together - is the instrument that brings the gospel to the nations.
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Sunday, we pick up where we left off in Acts 27. This chapter is devoted to the arduous sea voyage of Paul to Rome. Jesus told Paul in Acts 23:22 that Paul was being sent to Rome. But from the beginning of their voyage Paul was at the mercy of the wind and the decisions of others which led them into a violent storm. We saw that God’s promise doesn’t mean an easy journey. But we also saw the anchor which Paul held onto through all the obstacles and trials. He trusted in the promise of God. He told the people on the ship that an angel appeared telling him that he would get to Rome and no life would be lost, only the ship. And Paul tells them that he has faith in God that it will be as he has been told.
As we work through verses 27-44, we will see that God’s promise is also the only peace in the storm. Paul’s actions are opposite from the sailors and soldiers as the ship ultimately wrecks. But the peace that we see in Paul is not often what we think of as a "peaceful" response in the midst of trial. He is not passive, inactive. He does not "let go and let God." He acts with wisdom, with common sense as he prepares the men on the ship for what will be needed. The peace he demonstrates is peace that the promise will come to pass by God’s providence through their actions and decisions. It is a peace that is striving for the goal. And finally we see that God’s promise is always faithful. Even when the soldiers themselves decide to kill all the prisoners and threaten God’s promise that no life will be lost, we see God providentially working all things to fulfill his word. He is able - He is faithful to bring his witnesses all the way home. I hope to see you all this Sunday.
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Acts 27 sees the beginning of Paul’s long journey to Rome. After all the trials and the two years of imprisonment, Paul is finally going to Rome just as Jesus promised him in Acts 23:11. It seems that Paul’s mission is no longer "on hold" and he is sailing by the will of God to the place God has ordained him to go. I would think there would be a brief note about the journey and then Luke would pick up telling us how Paul continued to witness in Rome, but that is not what happens here. Quite the opposite. Paul has a promise from Jesus that he will get to Rome, but every leg of this journey is fraught with difficulty from the winds, other people’s bad decisions, and an incredibly powerful and dangerous storm which ultimately shipwrecks the vessel. In fact, the 44 verses of chapter 27 are completely taken up with the difficulty and devastation of this journey. But how can this be? Paul is not Jonah. He is going exactly where God told him to go and doing exactly what God called him to do. As far as Scripture is concerned, Paul is directly in the center of God’s will - he is being faithful to his calling as a witness. And yet, all this suffering and difficulty swirls around every move he makes.
What we find here is that even though Paul bears a promise of God that he will reach his destination safely, it doesn’t mean the journey will be easy. And even when it looks like Paul is at the mercy of the wind, other people’s decisions, and the massive storm, Paul holds to the only anchor that is sure and certain. He holds to the word of God. When everyone else has lost all hope of being saved, Paul can say "I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told." (Acts 27:25)
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this Sunday we pause our study of Acts as we take the Lord’s Supper. We observe this ordinance of the church every fifth Sunday, as well as at Christmas and Easter, but it has been some time since we took the time to explain what the supper is and why we observe it. So this Sunday, we will look at 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 as Paul admonishes the Corinthians for their misuse of the Lord’s supper. As he rebukes them, he also explains the proper meaning and warning of the Lord’s supper which will be of much benefit to us as we observe this ordinance Jesus instituted. It is a vital part of the life of the church and the life of every believer.
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As we near the end of the book of Acts, we come to a climactic point in the book and in the narrative story of Scripture as Paul gives his defense before King Agrippa. Here before this Jewish King, Paul will finally get to give a full testimony without being interrupted by ridicule or riots. And as we examine the text of Paul’s defense, we find that it isn’t really a defense at all. Paul uses this opportunity to connect his preaching and his message with the promise of God to Israel. He shows us that the reason he has undergone all the trials and tribulations in the last five chapters is because of his "hope in the promise made by God to our fathers." In this speech, we find the thread that connects the whole of Scripture to the preaching and mission given to the church. And we see what it is all about. We see what Paul’s trials are all about, and what God’s big story is all about - It is the hope of resurrection through the Messiah Jesus Christ.
But as Paul weaves his masterful narrative and shows Agrippa all these things, we start to see something else. Toward the end of Paul’s defense, we find that it isn’t Paul who is on trial here. It is King Agrippa himself. Not only is Paul explaining that the Messiah of God has commissioned his preaching in fulfillment of the promise of God, but he is actually engaging in his mission right here as he seeks the salvation of Agrippa and all those listening to him. Not only will we see the importance of our mission to make disciples and how we engage it, but we will receive a clear, concise explanation of the grand storyline of God’s Word and how it all fits together.
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Sunday as we continue in Acts, we will talk about many things that we have seen before in the previous few chapters. As we saw Paul’s trial before Felix last week, we will see his trial before Festus this week. Acts 25-26 is really one unit, culminating in Paul’s longest speech in Acts as he testifies before King Agrippa, Governor Festus, military tribunes, and the leading men of the city. And through it all we will see God still providentially working to fulfill His word, Paul continuing to answer false accusations with truth, and continuing to be faithful as the witness Jesus has called him to be. In short, he does the same thing we saw him do before in previous chapters. The difference here is that between chapter 24 and 25, Paul has languished in prison for two whole years. Over two years, it seemed that God hadn’t moved. Paul may have felt that God was silent as he could do nothing but wait and hope. And then, when something finally does happen, Paul has to go through the same accusations, the same plots, the same dog and pony show trial as he did two years ago. But even when the trials and sufferings of living for Christ go on and on, when there doesn’t seem to be any break in the tribulations that smash against our lives, we see that God is still working for His purposes and we are still called to be faithful as witnesses commissioned for Him.
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We are steadily approaching the conclusion of our exposition in the book of Acts. This Sunday we will look at chapter 24 in its entirety. In chapter 23, Paul was sent to the governor in Caesarea for his own protection. A plot to kill him was providentially discovered and the Roman Tribune sent Paul to Felix under the protection of the Roman army. Now in chapter 24 Paul will be tried by Felix. In this chapter we see the first of several trials in which Paul will bear witness. Through them all, as Paul is on his way to Rome, he shows himself faithful to his calling to bear witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. As all faithful witnesses of Christ, Paul is facing lies and false accusations of his beliefs and behavior. But in chapter 24 he shows all believers how to remain faithful to our calling through the persecution and biases of this world. He speaks the truth from a clear conscience toward God and men, taking every opportunity to share the message of the gospel to all people. There is much to learn from this chapter as we ourselves face mounting misinformation in the world about what Christianity is and what the Bible teaches. Because we will have to work quickly to get through all of chapter 24, it will be beneficial for us all to read the chapter before Sunday. I hope to see you there.
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As we examine Acts 23:12-35, we will see God’s providence as he works to fulfill His purposes in the ordinary and unexpected events of this life. God will send Paul to Rome just as He promised, yet He will not do so through miraculous deliverance. He will do so through the schemes of the enemy, the unexpected appearance of a relative, and the selfish intentions of the authorities. Yet in all these unpredictable and unexpected "happenings" God is in control. We might not know what God is doing through certain situations, but we know that He knows what He is doing, and we can trust His providence.
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Sunday we will continue focusing on the birth of the Savior. Last week in Philippians 2:5-11, we studied how the eternal God emptied Himself to become man and then humbled Himself to become obedient to death. And we rejoiced in the fact that now, the eternal Son of God is now the exalted Lord who is both God and Man. This Sunday we will turn our focus to the question, "Why?" Why did the eternal God become Man. Why was it necessary? What does it accomplish for us? How do we walk in what Jesus has done? To answer these questions, we will delve into Hebrews 2:14-18 and examine the reasons given to us by the Spirit through the author of Hebrews. In His coming, His death, and His resurrection, Jesus destroyed the one with the power of death, He delivered us from our slavery to the fear of death, He became our perfect High Priest, and He is able to help us who are being tempted. Sunday we will examine these four reasons in depth, and what they mean for our lives.
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This Sunday, we will take a break from our exposition of Acts to focus ourselves on celebrating the birth of the Savior. Of course, we can’t discuss the birth of Jesus without also having an eye toward His purpose in coming. So Sunday, we will examine one of my very favorite passages of Scripture, Philippians 2:5-11. Often called the "emptying" passage, we will see how the eternal Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, emptied himself by taking the nature of a human being and entering into His own creation. Not only did He enter His creation, being born in Bethlehem, but He humbled Himself even becoming obedient to death so that the wages of others’ sin would be paid in full. And finally we see Jesus exalted to the right hand of the Father and given the name above every name. We will examine all these things in full and marvel at the love of God in the coming of the Savior. The story of Christmas and the truth of Jesus’ exaltation as God and Man is the foundation of everything. It is the joy of our lives, the glory above all others, and the very need of our souls. I hope you can join us the Sunday.
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This Sunday we find Paul in a very unenviable situation. In fact, it looks utterly hopeless. Paul has been mobbed and arrested by the Romans. The Roman Tribune allowed him to speak to the crowd in the hopes that he would calm them and disperse them. Last week we examined what Paul said to the crowd as he explained the testimony of how the Lord Jesus transformed and called him. However, Paul is not allowed to finish his proclamation to the mob in the Temple courts. As we pick up in Acts 22:22, the crowd again goes berserk at the mention of Paul being sent to invite the Gentiles into God’s covenant. At this point, things go from bad to worse. From Acts 22:22-23:11 we will examine how Paul navigates the impossible situation he now finds himself in. Though Paul does not act sinlessly throughout the next events, we do see some principles of wisdom in his actions that Jesus’ witnesses must understand in order to be faithful in hostile situations. Whether we are speaking of overt persecution and attacks from the world or hostility from individuals to whom we bear witness, we must be ready to give a defense for the hope that is within us, and to do so with gentleness and respect. Sunday we will see how to do so even when circumstances seem chaotic and hopeless.
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God gives the Sabbath to His people and uses the manna to teach them how to observe it.
Paul speaks to the crowd that just mobbed him in the temple court. He delivers the testimony of how Christ transformed his life
This Sunday we will look at the rest of chapter 21. This will be part 1 of Paul’s first defense after his arrest. Acts 21:27-22:29 is actually one unit so we will take it in two parts. Over the course of Paul’s journey back to Jerusalem multiple people warned him not to go because imprisonments and afflictions awaited him. And once he arrived in Jerusalem, he was immediately confronted with a problem among Jewish Christians. They had heard rumors about his teaching about Moses and Jewish customs. To ease the consciences of the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, Paul humbles himself and participates in a purification ritual in the temple. Our text Sunday picks up as he is in the temple doing just that. While Paul is doing all he can to honor God, keep peace among the churches, and show love to the Jewish Christians, he is accused and mobbed by the Jews in the Temple court. They are intent on killing him and the only thing that stops them is the Roman garrison stationed there. But things go from bad to worse as Paul himself is arrested and put in chains. From this point in Acts, Paul will not again be a free man.
Christ’s witness are accused wrongfully and treated unjustly all through scripture and all through church history. Jesus has sent us into a fallen world intent on using any means necessary to silence His message. It should not come as a surprise when suffering, affliction, and even imprisonment happens to disciples because of their witness for Christ. We are often slandered, misrepresented, and demonized in the culture and media. And things may get alot worse in the near future. But what we see in this passage is Paul sees all this injustice and affliction happening to him because God has called him to it. Paul sees this as an opportunity to preach the gospel to this mob intent on killing him. He understands that God’s priority is the glory of His name and the furthering of His kingdom. Paul’s safety, comfort, and preference is irrelevant. God places his witnesses where he wills so that they will be His witnesses especially through hardship. So even when obeying Christ means risk to our health, safety, reputation, or comfort - we can be faithful knowing that this world is not our home, and this life is meant for honoring Jesus.
As we continue in Acts 21 this Sunday, we are quickly coming to the last time that we see Paul as a free man. Over the last few weeks, we have seen much of Paul’s heart for Christ and for the gospel mission. Last week in Acts 21:1-16, we saw Paul committed to finish the course Jesus had set him upon, despite everyone around him counseling against it. Paul said that he was not only ready to be imprisoned but ready to die for the name of Jesus. That is what Jesus commands of all those who follow Him. Jesus said, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it." (Mark 8:35). In Acts 21:17-36, we find that Paul was not only willing to give his physical life but was also willing to humble himself and lay down some of his personal liberties in Christ for the sake of unity among the body of Christ. As he enters Jerusalem and meets with the elders of the Jerusalem church, they share that misinformation has been circulating about him among the Jerusalem church. The Jewish Christians have been told that Paul is teaching all Jews outside of Jerusalem that they must stop living like Jews in order to be faithful to Christ. To remedy this, they propose Paul go through a "purification" ritual in the temple so that the Jewish Christians will know these things are not true. That sounds like something Paul, who rails against anyone suggesting the law (or any part of it) can be added to the gospel, would never do. But he does! Why? That is the question we will examine this Sunday.
There is definitely alot going on at FBC! I am thankful for our church’s faithfulness to follow God’s calling wherever He is leading. That is exemplified in our text for Sunday. In Acts 20:1-16 Paul is on his final journey back to Jerusalem as a free man. As he spoke passionately to the Ephesian elders in ch. 20, he told them that in every city the Spirit was revealing to him that imprisonment and afflictions awaited him in Jerusalem. Yet, Paul did not sway from his calling. As we follow him on his return journey, Paul will stop in several places and minister to believers in the churches of different cities. The love and hospitality between all the believers is striking as Paul and his ministry team lodge with different believers. But everywhere Paul stays, everyone around him warns him not to go to Jerusalem. Indeed, even his own ministry team will join the chorus to keep him from heading into danger and tribulation. They love him dearly and want him to avoid suffering. This has a profound effect upon Paul’s heart, but he does not deviate from what he knows Jesus has called him to do. He is quite literally following in the footsteps of his Lord.
Paul is devoted to the will of Christ despite what everyone around him thinks and despite the consequences that he knows will result. He is living out Jesus’ call for the one who would follow Him to "deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Him."
God hears the grumbling of Israel and tests their faith by sending them bread from heaven
Sunday we continue examining Paul’s final words to the elders of the Ephesian church in Acts 20:28-38. As we saw last week in verses 17-27, Paul began by reminding them of his example among them. He lived and served among them for three years with humility and tears, despite the trials he faced. He taught the whole counsel of God unapologetically and therefore was innocent of anyone’s blood. Paul gave this reminder as an example of what the pastors of the church must do now that he is leaving them for good. As we examine the rest of his speech (v. 28-38) Paul moves to the direct exhortation of what pastors and church leaders are called to do. Without ambiguity, he lays out their responsibility before God as well as the ways and means they are to fulfill their calling.
This passage has been particularly convicting and formative for me over these last two weeks. Here we find God’s infallible testimony of what elders / pastors are called to be and to do. Here we find Paul’s pastoral theology and practice laid out in the Holy Scriptures, and it is here that the church is informed as to what God expects of those who are called to teach and lead as overseers of Christ’s church. Sunday we will look at what it must look like for the God called pastors to "shepherd the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood." We will also examine the under-shepherd’s call regarding "keeping watch" for the "fierce wolves" that arise from outside and inside the church.
With all the incredible things happening at FBC, I though about taking a break from Acts for a few weeks. I assumed I would focus on what the church would need to do - who we needed to be during this time. But, as we have seen so many times, God has placed us in the exact text we need, at exactly the right time. Sunday we will continue in Acts 20, examining the final instructions that Paul gives to the elders (the pastors) of the church in Ephesus. He is on his way back to Jerusalem and instead of stopping in Ephesus, he stops nearby and calls the leaders of the church out to meet with him.
Because of the depth of Paul’s speech to the Ephesian elders, we will break it up into two parts. This Sunday we will look at the example of Paul’s life and ministry (v.17-27) and next Sunday we will look at his exhortation for the elders to shepherd and oversee the church of God in v.28-35. But it would do well for you to prepare by reading the entire passage.
In our text Sunday (v.17-27), Paul reminds the elders of the example that he set for them in the three years he served the Lord among them. He reminds them how he lived, how he taught, and how with humility and tears he invested into them. He reminds them of how he preached the gospel to all people, leaving nothing out from the whole counsel of God. Paul isn’t just telling them these things to jog their memory. He is putting forth his ministry as an example of how they are to shepherd the church as he leaves them for the last time. Paul’s speech to the Ephesian elders shows the body of Christ the calling, responsibility, and demands of those whom God calls to shepherd His church. Yet the application of this passage does not end there. As Paul gives the example of his ministry we see an example of the heart and practices for all those who make disciples.
One of the commands of disciple-making and the Christian life is for believers to encourage one another. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Many more commands to encourage one another are found throughout the New Testament. As we examine Acts 20:1-12 this Sunday, we will see the importance of Paul’s ministry of encouragement among the churches.
Acts 20 begins the last phase of the book. Paul begins heading back to Jerusalem where he will be arrested and taken to Rome. Acts 20 is Paul’s farewell tour of the churches among his missionary journeys. He will never return to them again. Therefore, he spends significant time and energy visiting them again to encourage them in verses 1-12. The rest of the chapter chronicles Paul’s farewell speech to the Ephesian elders. Paul understands the importance of encouraging one another as we see the day approaching.
When the Bible speaks of encouragement (also translated exhort or comfort), it isn’t just patting each other on the back and saying kind words. Encouragement is not just telling people they are good enough, strong enough, smart enough, or more able than they think. It is to come alongside another believer bringing Christ-centered truth and help to their greatest need. It is reminding other disciples of God’s promise and the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is to help other disciples stand in truth regardless of the circumstances. That is what Paul is doing in these verses.
But what does that have to do with a young man falling asleep, tumbling to his death, and being raised miraculously by Paul? We will discover that together Sunday.
In the final section of Acts 19:21-41, we witness a riot in Ephesus. A group of silversmiths who make idols for the great temple of Artemis in Ephesus recognize that their business has slowed down considerably. People have changed. They are no longer buying their idols and visiting the Temple of Artemis. The leader of the silversmiths, who’s name is Demetrius, correctly diagnoses the problem. That guy named Paul has filled the province of Asia with the teaching of Jesus Christ. The gospel has gone forth in not just Ephesus, but all of Asia and it has changed people’s lives. Churches have been planted and souls have been saved. And because of the gospel’s advance in this region, the culture has changed. Paul and the disciples have not been picketing the temple or causing disturbances to get idolatry outlawed. They have been plodding along day after day, sharing the gospel and making disciples.
This is how cultures are turned to the living God - one heart at a time. A society’s culture (meaning their shared values, beliefs, and way of life) doesn’t come from anything except the hearts of the people within the culture. In order to turn a culture back to God, people’s hearts must be changed and only the gospel can do that. Idolatry wasn’t diminishing in Ephesus because of any political or social action. It was diminishing because more and more people were being won to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit was changing their values, beliefs, and practices.
But we must also be ready, because when people’s idols are threatened they lash out just as this emotional mob does in Ephesus. They are enraged that their goddess Artemis and her temple were being dishonored. They had their identity wrapped up in their idolatry so when it was threatened, they devolved into an emotional frenzy shouting "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" Yet here we are two thousand years later - there are no more Artemis worshipers. Her temple in Ephesus is in pitiful ruin - but the gospel of Jesus Christ still stands and still saves. There is hope for culture. There is hope for lost loved ones. There is hope for eternity. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation. And our call is to plod along for all of our lives sharing that good news and watch God change lives.
"Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven..." That is what Jesus taught the disciples to pray. And that is indeed our prayer today. Christ’s followers long for the day when the kingdom of God is fully consummated in a new heavens and new earth, where there is no more sin, suffering, sickness, death, or evil. When everything will be as God intended in the garden of Eden forever. And as God moves miraculously in the book of Acts, we have seen that kingdom breaking into reality as diseases are healed and evil spirits are cast out. The kingdom of God is advancing in the gospel’s spread and all the effects of the fall flee before it.
As we study Acts 19:8-20, we see power of Jesus’ name as the gospel continues going forth conquering the domain of darkness. In this passage, Paul stays in Ephesus for over two years preaching and teaching in a single location and God uses him to reach the entire Roman province of Asia. But also we find a very strange occurrence of miracles here, even for the context of Acts. God brings healing and deliverance from evil spirits through the handkerchiefs and aprons of the Apostle Paul. Even Luke calls these "extraordinary" miracles.
Through these "extraordinary" miracles and the preaching of Paul, the name of Jesus is infamous in the city of Ephesus. So much so that some professional Jewish exorcists begin using the name of Jesus in their business as a magic formula to wield His power over spirits. And when you compare these two scenes together, you see the power of Jesus name. Seven exorcists are overpowered by a single man with an evil spirit as the domain of darkness reigns over fallen man. Parroting Jesus’ name offers no help for those who don’t know Jesus. But, so great is our King and the gospel of His kingdom that in His name, an inanimate napkin conquers the darkness of this world. The power of Jesus name is such that even the most feeble of instruments is used mightily for His kingdom. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. And His kingdom has come in power in our hearts.
Sunday we will examine the first seven verses of Acts 19. These verses are infamous for being misused as proof-texts by many different groups. One need only read through Acts 19:1-7 to understand how various theological groups hang their hat on this passage. In the text, Paul runs into some "disciples" as he returns to Ephesus. Paul asks if they received the Spirit when they believed. They reveal that they are actually disciples of John the Baptist and Paul tells them of the fulfillment of John’s ministry in the gospel of Jesus. These disciples of John received the gospel and are Baptized into the name of Jesus. Yet it isn’t until Paul lays his hands on them that the Holy Spirit falls on them and they begin speaking in tongues and prophesying.
Sunday we will address the many questions concerning this passage. Why does the Holy Spirit delay coming until Paul lays his hands on them? Why does Paul ask about their baptism? What does it mean to be baptized in Jesus’ name? Why do we see tongues and prophesying happen again? As we study the passage we will seek clarity on all these questions, but this text is also the word of God for the church today, so the most important question we will answer is, "What is the Spirit saying to us in this text, and how must we respond?"
The final plague comes to pass and Israel is brought out of Egypt by the deliverance and power of God
Acts 18:1-17 showed us the encouragement Jesus provided the weary and fearful Paul in Corinth. Jesus came to Paul telling him not to be afraid and gave him promises of Christ’s presence and protection. Jesus fulfilled His promise as Paul stood before the Roman proconsul in Corinth and was set free. In the second half of chapter 18, Paul begins the return journey to his home church of Antioch. But as Luke transitions from Paul’s second missionary journey to his third, we get a glimpse of a cross section of faithful disciple-makers in the early church.
Of course Luke continues to show us Paul, who has devoted himself to the Lord and separated himself for Christ’s service. But as he begins the third journey on his way to Ephesus, we find him going back through the same territory he visited on the first two journeys. It would have been much quicker and easier to sail back to Ephesus, but Paul was just as devoted to strengthening the believers (i.e. making disciples) as he was planting churches.
That is par for the course where Paul is concerned. We have seen that before. But we are also shown that investing in making disciples was also the practice of Priscilla and Aquila, as they come along side a man named Apollos and explain the way of God to him more accurately. And then Apollos himself goes to Corinth to help the church there. From the sending out of Paul, we see a cascading wave of new disciples, becoming disciple-makers, who become disciple-makers. Investing ourselves in making disciples is the calling Jesus gave to every believer. As we devote ourselves to the service of Christ, we find that first our lives must be devoted to Him, and then to the mission He has given to make disciples.
The Lord encourages Paul's spirit in Corinth through companions, conversions, and the comfort of His presence and promises.
Sunday we will examine Paul’s preaching in the city of Athens. Athens was the intellectual center of the ancient world. It was the city of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. It was a city of grand architecture and philosophy. As Paul encounters the city of Athens, he is struck by how much the city’s culture is immersed in idolatry. And as he reasons with people in the synagogues and in the marketplace, he is quickly noticed by the city’s philosophers and academics. The intellectual elite in Athens come from a completely different worldview than Paul and the Jews, so as Paul preaches at the Areopagus, he does not quote from the Old Testament. However, he does preach the bible’s message in a way the Athenians can understand. He presents the biblical worldview in a way that answers all mankind’s greatest needs. Regardless of what culture, nation, or philosophical worldview a person comes from, we all ask the same questions. Why am I here? Who am I in this world? Who is God and what does He want from me?
These questions are answered differently by differing religions, philosophies, and cultures, but in Acts 17:16-34, Luke presents Paul’s sermon (answering these questions) as the only answers to these fundamental questions that is true, glorifying to God, and satisfying the soul. All other worldviews are empty and can only promise what they cannot deliver. The gospel for the Athenians is the same gospel for the Jews - and for you today. It shows us who our God is and what our purpose is in this world.
The plagues of locusts and darkness, and Pharaoh's attempt to compromise with God's command
After Paul and Silas leave Philippi, they head to Thessalonica and then Berea. Luke contrasts the Jewish populations in these two cities by how they respond to the authority of the Scriptures. As Paul, the faithful witness opens the Hebrew Scriptures and proves that all the Bible points to Jesus’ death and resurrection, the Thessalonians rebel against what God’s word says. Though they were members of the synagogue, studied the scriptures every sabbath, and no doubt believed in the authority of the scriptures, they would not submit themselves to the message and command of those scriptures. They incite a mob to hunt the missionaries down and attack any who are associated with them. They hate the true message of God’s word so much that they chase Paul and Silas to Berea and stir up a mob against them there also.
But on the opposite end of the spectrum, we are shown the Jews in Berea. Luke says that they were more noble than the Thessalonican Jews, even though they were not believers in Christ until Paul evangelized them. They were more noble because they loved the word of God and were eager to receive it. And yet, they were also not gullible. They didn’t just take Paul’s word. They examined the scriptures daily to see if what Paul was telling them was true. They studied the scriptures themselves because they were eager for the word of God, not necessarily the word of Paul. And when they found that Paul’s message was proven in God’s word, they submitted themselves to the word of God and believed the gospel.
Several applications stand out in this text which we will flesh out on Sunday. Especially as Christians, we should have an eager hunger for God’s word. It indeed is the food of our souls for we don’t live by bread alone. If we are not hungry for God’s word, something is wrong. But we must also examine it for ourselves and place no authority above it. Anyone can twist a single verse or a section and invest their own meaning into it and teach something that doesn’t come from the meaning of the text. Every word uttered from the pulpit of First Baptist Church Mulvane should be tested, examined, and scrutinized by God’s word. And when the message of God’s word is clear from the text itself, then like the Bereans, we must submit to its authority and live according to its truth.
Once again, I am continually amazed that God has us in the perfect text we need to hear this week. It has been hard not to question and try to understand God’s purpose and plan regarding the results of Kansas’ amendment vote. But even if this momentous even hadn’t taken place, there are always times in the believers life when we don’t understand what God is doing and can’t see His purposes in the events of our lives. We are often faced with the reality that our plans are not always God’s plans. Paul and Silas face this as they head out on the second missionary journey. In Acts 16:6-15, they attempt to evangelize portions of the Roman province of Asia and Bithynia, and both times God closes the door to them. God has a plan for their journey and He funnels them right where he wants them to go. But I wonder what they thought when those doors shut.
This Sunday we will see that God leads His people to accomplish His purposes (not necessarily our purposes). We will see what it looks like to follow Jesus when we have a direct call and also when we have no idea what to do next. We will remind ourselves from the text that God is in control of His mission. He is in control of all things. When he shuts doors on our efforts, there is a reason and a purpose. And though we often don’t see the big picture, we walk by faith.
Paul and the missionary team are not allowed to evangelize in Asia or Bithynia. Instead they are brought all the way across the Aegean to the edge of Europe in Philippi, so that one woman named Lydia may have her heart opened by the Lord through the gospel. We must follow God’s plan for it is only His power that saves and glorifies Himself by changing hearts.
Sunday’s passage is quite ironic in the context of chapter 15. Paul and Barnabas were instrumental in opposing false teaching that could have divided the church between Jew and Gentile. They stood against those teaching that Gentiles must be circumcised and hold to the law of Moses to be saved. When the church leaders met, they affirmed that God saves by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ. They affirmed this because God’s work proved it, and God’s word proclaimed it. Now the churches in Jerusalem, Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia are unified in the gospel. The Apostles also sent a letter asking the Gentiles to abstain from certain practices that would offend the Jewish Christian’s consciences. Now, the church was unified in love for one another as well. A great victory for the body of Christ has been achieved. But in the very next section, Luke records a division among the two disciples that helped bring this unity.
Paul and Barnabas have a disagreement that divides them and sends them to serve separately. They did not disagree on God’s truth, the gospel, Christ’s mission, or weighty theological matters. Their personality differences led them to argue about who should be on their mission team. As we examine this conflict and its effect on the mission, we find that discord and even heated disagreement is possible among godly believers. It is possible among those who’s hearts are focused on Christ and His mission. It is possible among the closest of companions who have risked their lives together for Jesus and suffered persecution together for the gospel. If it can happen among these men, it can happen among any disciples...and it often does. How should we react when secondary disagreements such as these escalate to a heated discord? Who was right in Paul and Barnabas’ disagreement? These are the questions we will wrestle with Sunday. I hope you can join us.
Although we are focusing on Acts 15:22-35 this Sunday, I would encourage you to read verses 1-35 in order to remind yourself of the context. We will be jumping back into the middle of what is commonly known as the Jerusalem Council. Last week we saw the reason for this meeting. Men had come into the church in Antioch and began teaching that Gentiles must be circumcised in addition to trusting in Jesus to be saved. Paul and Barnabas stood against these teachers and the question was taken up by the elders and apostles in Jerusalem. Our focus in verses 1-21 was the church’s refusal to compromise the gospel. Peter, Paul and Barnabas all spoke up. Then James showed that God foretold the saving of the Gentiles in His word. The church decides to stand on the word and work of God, refusing to add anything as a requirement for salvation. The Gentiles are saved in the same way that Jews are, by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone.
Sunday we will read the letter that is sent back to Antioch. In it we again see the church stand firm in the gospel of grace, disavowing those who teach contrary, but we also find that "requirements" (or essentials) are asked of the Gentiles. While the church in Jerusalem affirms that salvation is through faith alone and the Gentiles need not become Jews, they can also no longer participate in the pagan worship practices and festivities common in that day. They also recognize that the churches in Antioch, Pamphyilia, Cilicia, and Galatia are made up of Jewish believers as well as Gentiles. In order to preserve unity and table fellowship in churches composed of Jews and Gentiles, they ask the Gentiles to abstain from certain foods to retain unity with Jewish believers. Here we see two sides of unity in the body of Christ. First there can be no unity without the truth of the gospel. Some things are too important to be compromised for the sake of unity. But likewise, love for Christ must compel to walk in holiness and in unity with one another. If this means we sacrifice some foods, drinks, activities, or traditions for the sake of the mission to others, we must do so.
1 Co. 9:19-23 "19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings."
The plague of flies is sent upon Egypt as God continues to make his name known among Egypt and Israel
Salvation by grace through faith alone is put on trial when some people come to Antioch teaching that circumcision is necessary for salvation. The church takes up the question of what is necessary for salvation.
This Sunday, we will finish the final leg of Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey. Acts 14:21-28 shows us their route home and describes the missions activities they did along the way. Through chapter 13 - 14 we have seen them preach the gospel in the synagogues and the cities, to Jews and to Gentiles, and even to pagans with no knowledge of the Jewish Messiah or promises. They had been run out of several cities, caused quite a division in the cities, and had almost been worshiped as pagan gods. They had been persecuted and reviled. They had been chased by their opponents from city to city, and Paul had been stoned so severely that he was thought to have died. As we pick up in the city of Derbe (v.21) they continue to preach and make disciples because that is what Great Commission disciples do - they evangelize. But then they turn back to head home to their own church in Syrian Antioch. And on their way home, they retrace their steps to all the cities they had just visited. Not only was this dangerous because by now they were well known and hated by a great number of people in each city, but this was also the long way around to reach their home church in Antioch. Why would they risk it? Why would they backtrack out of their way to these dangerous places. They did so because their mission was to make disciples, not just converts. They returned to strengthen the disciples who were converted on their first trip through the area. They went back to encourage them to continue in the faith despite all the persecution and tribulation they would experience. They went back because they were following Jesus’ Great Commission, not only baptizing all nations, but teaching them to observe everything Jesus had commanded. They went back to organize the local churches there because that is God’s ordained instrument for disciples to grow and to make other disciples.
And when Paul and Barnabas finally get back home to Antioch, we see that even these great men of God knew the importance of being involved with their local home church. They stayed with there a long time and reported on their mission because it was also the church’s mission. The church in Antioch had sent them, ordained them, recognized the call of the Holy Spirit on them for the mission.
The passage demonstrates to us the importance of not only evangelizing but also investing in the growth of disciples. It shows us the importance of the local church for growing disciples to make disciples. Jesus’ call to us today is the same. Make disciples - evangelize the lost - baptize them - and come along side them to teach them TO OBSERVE everything Jesus has commanded. Simply, to help one another follow Jesus. I hope we will be a church who’s heart beats for Christ in the commission He has given.
The next two plagues are unleashed on Egypt as God shows Himself Lord over Egypt, Pharaoh, and his magicians.
A survey of Scriptural texts showing why every human life is valuable including the lives of those yet born.
Paul and Barnabas enter into Lystra, a frontier outpost town, and as God heals a lame man, the people begin worshipping the missionaries as gods....and then they try to kill them. What we see in this passage is that all people are worshipers. That is how we are created. Even the most devout atheist worships. What we live for - what we put all our hope in - what we sacrifice everything for - that is what we worship. And the truth of God’s message always exposes and confronts our idols. The gospel calls us to "turn from these vain things to a living God" (Acts 14:15).
It is God alone who "satisfies [our] hearts...with gladness" (Acts 14:17). All other things we live for, find our identity in, or put our hope in are powerless to give what they promise. Only a living God who created us in His image, can give the hope of salvation, reconciliation, and relationship for which we were created. But as we see in this text (and all around us) human beings don’t give up their idols easily. To touch someones idol will bring forth rage and hatred. To say an idol - what a person has built their life and identity on - is a "vain thing" will incite a tidal wave of opposition. The people of Lystra won’t give up their "gods" easily. The unbelieving Jews who followed the missionaries here won’t give up their idols easily either. And when they lash out together, we see where Paul has placed his hope and his worship. He values Jesus more than his own life, comfort, and security. He has turned to a living God and calls us to do the same.
When we left Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13, they had just been run out of town as the unbelieving Jews of the synagogue stirred up the leaders of the city to persecute them. As chapter 14 begins, they enter the city of Iconium and go right back to the synagogue there to continue preaching the same message. And, as you might expect, they same thing happens again. In each place, the gospel goes forth, God saves souls, a church is established, and the missionaries are attacked, persecuted, and banished. What we can see from these repeated situations is an uncanny perseverance that these witnesses exhibit. In 14:1-7, Paul and Barnabas persevere on the mission to which God called them. They persevere in contending for the faith against all opposition, and even when they are forced out of the city, they continue preaching the gospel wherever the Lord leads them.
This is instructive for the church today because Paul and Barnabas are not supermen. They are not free from despair, disappointment, weariness, and uncertainty. Yet something in them spurs them on in their mission. Not only will we seek to follow Paul as he follows Christ, examining his perseverance and applying it to our lives, but we will also see how he is able to persevere through the trials and opposition. It isn’t because he is stronger, smarter, or greater than everyone else. When we left Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13, they had just been run out of town as the unbelieving Jews of the synagogue stirred up the leaders of the city to persecute them. As chapter 14 begins, they enter the city of Iconium and go right back to the synagogue there to continue preaching the same message. And, as you might expect, they same thing happens again. In each place, the gospel goes forth, God saves souls, a church is established, and the missionaries are attacked, persecuted, and banished. What we can see from these repeated situations is an uncanny perseverance that these witnesses exhibit. In 14:1-7, Paul and Barnabas persevere on the mission to which God called them. They persevere in contending for the faith against all opposition, and even when they are forced out of the city, they continue preaching the gospel wherever the Lord leads them.
This is instructive for the church today because Paul and Barnabas are not supermen. They are not free from despair, disappointment, weariness, and uncertainty. Yet something in them spurs them on in their mission. Not only will we seek to follow Paul as he follows Christ, examining his perseverance and applying it to our lives, but we will also see how he is able to persevere through the trials and opposition. It isn’t because he is stronger, smarter, or greater than everyone else. Subscribe to the Sermon podcast on itunes or search for "jason velotta" in your podcasting app
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In the aftermath of Paul's sermon in Antioch, we see the different responses to the gospel and how the messengers react to them.
This Sunday we will finish Paul’s first recorded sermon in Acts. He stood and preached this sermon at the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia before those gathered to worship there on the sabbath. Last week, we walked through the first part of his sermon as Paul recounted God’s faithful and gracious works throughout the history of Israel (v. 16-23). His timeline shows that God has been faithful to His word from Abraham all the way to David. As Paul mentions David, he immediately comes to the point of his sermon. In v. 23 he says, "Of this man’s [David’s] offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised."
From this point, Paul shows the people how Jesus has fulfilled the promises of David and the purposes of God in salvation. In verses 26-41, we will see how Jesus accomplished salvation for us, how it was foretold and proven from the Scriptures, and how this salvation is applied reconciling the sinner to God. This gospel message Paul delivers would have been earth-shaking news to these synagogue worshipers. And indeed, it still is today. Though most of us are very familiar with the gospel truths Paul speaks here, this message is not mundane or repetitive. It is the glorious fulfillment of God’s promises and the foundation of how we walk in this world.
Paul's first sermon in Acts is given at a synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia. He begins the sermon by showing God's faithful grace to His people throughout their history culminating in the fulfillment of His promises in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
At the beginning of Acts 13 we will see another "first" in the early church. The church at Antioch became the first congregation composed mostly of Gentile Christians. Now as we begin chapter 13, this church will be the first to send out missionaries with the intent of strategically making the gospel known in other lands. And this is not the result of the goodness of the people or the desire of the Church. It was the Holy Spirit’s specific command to this church as they worshiped and ministered to the Lord. The Holy Spirit called the church to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work that He has called them to do. As these men are called, commissioned, sent, and engage in their mission on the island of Cyprus, we see the characteristics of missions and to be witnesses to the ends of the earth. Mission is the call of the local church because souls are at stake - eternity is at stake - and the gospel is the only answer for all of humanity.
As we return to Acts this Sunday, we once again find ourselves in a text that is providentially applicable to us today. Acts 12 presents the early church with a new, seemingly insurmountable opponent. Instead of being opposed and persecuted by the Jewish religious leaders or an overzealous Pharisee (Saul) bent on killing individual Christians, now all the governmental might of King Herod Antipas I (backed by the Roman garrison in Jerusalem) will attempt to destroy the church. The political power and might of Herod is enormous. He is a childhood friend of the Roman Emperor Claudius and uses the Roman garrison of Jerusalem to do his bidding. He succeeds in killing the Apostle James and imprisons Peter. And as the worldly powers marshal themselves to destroy the leadership of the church, all the believers can do is pray.
Chapter 12 is a clash of powers. The power of the world which seems unconquerable, and the power of God to overrule and overcome all others. Sunday, we will see that although individual Christians may suffer and even be killed, the Lord’s power is above all other powers. The Church’s prayers avail much, even when their faith is lacking, and when all the dust settles, the mission of Christ is increasing and multiplying (12:24). The church at prayer is surprised when their prayers are answered in this text, they needed to learn the lesson that we must internalize as well. There is no power in creation that can conquer the power of our God and His gospel.
God answers Moses objections by revealing more of Himself and His purpose to deliver Israel
Hannah sings a joyful, thankful, and worshipful prayer at the tabernacle of God as she dedicates her son Samuel to the service of the Lord. 1 Samuel begins with Hannah as a barren woman, suffering in despair and calling out to God for the blessing of a child. She prays at the tabernacle that God would give her a child and vows to give him back to the Lord (See 1 Samuel 1:27-28). And as our text for Sunday begins in chapter 2, Hannah breaks out into a psalm of praise (which is called a "prayer" in 2:1). The prayer of this mother is extraordinary, for is shows a heart of gratitude and trust in the God who rules over all. It shows that Hannah’s hope is in God, even as she is about to leave her son at the tabernacle to serve the Lord all his life. Hannah’s trust and hope in the Lord is the source of her joy and her strength, and this demonstrates that not only was Hannah giving her son to the Lord, but she had also given herself in faith to God. Her hope (and her hopes for her son Samuel) were bound up in the faithfulness and the promises of the sovereign God in whom she trusts. This mother’s prayer shows her joyful hope in the God who is faithful to her and to her child and to the God who is able to guard the feet of his faithful ones (1 Sam. 2:9)
This Sunday we will finish Acts 11 and be introduced to an incredible event in the mission of Acts. Acts 11:19-30 describes the planting of a church in the city of Antioch. The magnitude of this event in the early life of the church cannot be overstated. This is literally a church that will be used by God to change the world. The church in Antioch will be the first congregation composed of both Jews and Gentiles (the majority being Gentiles). What God revealed to Peter about the Gentiles in chapter 10, will come to fruition here in this large pagan city. The church in Antioch will also be the base of operations for the missionary journeys of Paul and Barnabas. God will move mightily through this congregation as the mission of Jesus takes root, grows, and spreads to the whole of the Roman empire.
In Acts 11:19-30, we are shown the DNA of this church. Luke records for us the planting and growth of this church where God is moving and the gospel is flourishing. Here we see a church that God uses to change the world. Sunday we will examine the fingerprints of a church that is used mightily of God and call ourselves to obey the exhortation of Barnabas to the church in Antioch – “he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose” (v.23)
Peter defends his actions as he relates how the Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius and his household
Moses is protected by God's hand and raised up to power in Egypt. Yet it is not from there that God will use him as the deliverer. He must be humbled and brought low in the wilderness of Midian before God will use him for God's glory.
This is the gospel sermon that Peter preaches to the household of Cornelius right before the Holy Spirit falls upon them and they are ushered into the family of God. In this sermon, Peter reflects on what God has taught him (that God shows no partiality between peoples and nations) and he explains the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation. I am praying as we gather together to worship our risen Savior that God will move upon hearts in our community just as He did in the household of Cornelius that day.
God is fulfilling his promise to make Israel a great nation, even in the midst of oppression and affliction
This Sunday, as we look at Acts 10:1-33, we see Jesus removing a final barrier for the gospel to expand to the nations. We have already seen Phillip preaching in Samaria and to an Ethiopian Eunuch, but in Acts 10, God brings Peter together with a Gentile Roman soldier. The salvation of this soldier, Cornelius, throws the door open to show the Apostles, and the Jewish church that all people of every nation are equally welcomed into the kingdom of God through the gospel. In this chapter, God prepares Cornelius to understand that he needs the gospel. Cornelius is a devout, prayerful man. He is sincere in his belief and filled with good works. Yet, this cannot make him right with God. An angel of the Lord tells him to send for Peter. He needs the gospel in order to be saved.
And at the same time, God sends a divine message to Peter, showing him that there is no longer a distinction between "clean and unclean" people. Peter’s heart is also prepared to accept that God has opened the door wide for all nations, all races, and all cultures to be accepted by Him through the messiah that he has sent. And through the movements of verse 1-33, we find our calling in this kingdom as well. God spoke to Cornelius through an angel. He could have easily given Cornelius the gospel Himself. Yet, Jesus has chosen to spread the gospel kingdom through his people. Through disciples who make disciples. So, with one hand he prepares Cornelius and with the other hand he prepares Peter. And at the right time, He brings both of these people together so that His disciple shares His message with one who needs it. And as that message is given, Jesus saves him. That is a miracle that is still happening today. Jesus is sending out His people to make disciples for His name. He has a divine meeting planned for you and a divine commission for us all.
Habakkuk has heard and understood God's declaration that the righteous will live by faith in troubling and dangerous times.
It’s easy to look at all the news of the day and lament our world’s seemingly endless descent into darkness. The fallen nature of our world and our flesh is a continual reminder that things are not the way they should be. Whether we are talking about worldwide conflicts, a degrading sinful culture, or the ordinary trials and tribulations each of us experiences in this life, things are not the way they should be.
In Acts 9:31-43, now that Saul has been shipped off to Tarsus, Luke turns our focus back to the Apostle Peter and the continuing works that Jesus is doing through him. The end of Acts 9 records two seemingly isolated miracles that eventually lead Peter to preach to Cornelius the Roman Centurion (in chapter 10). Acts 9:31-43 show us a paralytic being healed and a woman who passed away being raised back to life. We will examine these miracles and ask, "Why are they here?" "Why does the Spirit inspire Luke to record these specific miracles for the reader?" As we examine the text, we will see that Luke’s point is to show us how the church was being built up and multiplying (Acts 9:31). The response to both miracles is that many people believe in Jesus and turn to the Lord. Acts 9:31-43 teaches us something that we desperately need to remember in troubling times. Jesus is still working through His people and the kingdom of God is indeed breaking in. Despite the fallen world and the ever growing darkness, the words of Christ are true today: "on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell won’t prevail against it." The kingdom of God is here - and it is also coming in its fullness. Jesus is building His church and the instrument He has chosen to use...is you!
Habakkuk prays in the form of a Psalm recounting God's past acts in delivering His people from oppression. This strengthens His faith for God's future faithfulness
Sunday we are back in Acts 9. When we left this chapter two weeks ago, Saul of Tarsus, the great persecutor of the church had an encounter with Jesus on his way to Damascus. His encounter with Jesus changed everything! He was left helpless, broken, and blind. Jesus sent Ananias to lay his hands on Saul in order that his sight would be restored and he would be filled with the Holy Spirit. From that moment, Saul’s life was transformed. As we examine Acts 9:19-31, Luke shows us the depths of the transformation that has taken place. Saul’s heart has been changed to serve the one he once persecuted and fellowship with those he once hated. As Saul repeatedly bears witness now plots and opposition are formed against him, and the church (whom he once hated) repeatedly aids in his rescue.
In this text, we will stand amazed at the tenacity, the resolve, and the exploits of this new man - Saul of Tarsus. In fact, throughout the rest of the book of Acts, he will be a beacon for the gospel and a powerful instrument in the hand of Christ. But Luke goes into great detail here in Acts 9, not to teach us to "go be like Saul," or "work harder" or "do better" in following Saul’s example. Luke records this section to show what Jesus Christ has done in the heart of Saul. It is Jesus’ work in him that has transformed him into a witness, a warrior, an ambassador for Christ. It is Jesus that has made Saul a new creature and now fills his heart with a desire to witness, to worship with the church, and follow the commands of Christ. Luke has this section here to show us that even the hardest of hearts is changed completely by an encounter with Jesus. The question we must ask is not "am I doing as good as Saul?" The question we must ask is "has Jesus changed my heart like this?"
But as we will see in Acts 9:1-23, an encounter with the risen Jesus changes everything! The conversion of Saul is one of the most important events in Acts. It is so important that Luke recounts the event three times in the book. In Acts 9 he describes the event and then Paul testifies to what happened in Acts 22 before a crowd and in Acts 26 before King Agrippa. It is here that Jesus breaks one who’s heart seems unconquerable. It is here that Jesus calls an unexpected instrument for His glory. And it is here that an uncompromising disciple of Jesus is born. Although you may have never physically seen the risen Jesus or been blinded by the light of God’s glory, Saul’s conversion accords with every person who has experienced the risen Jesus as the Spirit Himself convicts the soul and comes to dwell in the heart changed by the gospel. This is also why our mission to point people to Jesus and say "look to Him, run to Him, and walk with Him," because an encounter with Jesus changes everything.
Habakkuk decries the violence and injustice that plagues Judah. He asks why God is not answering or asking to bring justice and he gets a very unexpected answer.
Before we return to our study through the book of Acts, it is fitting that we step back and stand in awe of our God and the works that He is doing among us. If we reflect on God’s presence and works among us over the last two years, I don’t think we can help but be amazed at His mercy and goodness towards us at First Baptist Church. I remember standing in front of a camera in our worship center during the month of March two years ago, unsure of what was about to happen. The world was shutting down because of Covid and for a time, we had to move to online services only. I remember the stress and worry of it all. But through that time God just affirmed over and over again that He is working through it all. I remember saying to the camera, FBC is not just going to survive this, we are going to thrive through it...and by God’s grace we did! Even more than any of us could have imagined.
And last Sunday as we kicked off our pledge campaign, God made His will for us known so decisively that it amazed us all! God is so good! And more than everything else, God has sent His Son to pay for our sin and draw us to Himself. He has forgiven our sin! He has given us the ministry of reconciliation as we proclaim the good news to others! God deserves our praise and worship! He deserves to be worshiped with our whole heart! He is God alone and He has poured His grace out upon us in Jesus Christ. And even in our sufferings, He allows us to cast our cares upon Him because He cares for us!
So before we move back to Acts, this Sunday we will examine Psalm 111, and use this song of ancient Israel to declare our praise and thanksgiving to the Holy One who is so good to us! I hope you will read this psalm with an eye toward all that God has done - and is doing - in your life, and make it the prayer of your hearts.
Psalm 111:1 - Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Haggai prophesies to Zerubabbel that he is God's chosen servant to lead the building of the city and the signet ring of the line of David through whom the true King would eventually come.
Over the last few weeks, as we move closer to our pledge Sunday on February 27th, we have been working our way through Nehemiah. In this book, we have seen principles for following God’s call as Nehemiah steps out to build the walls of Jerusalem. This Sunday, I planned on continuing in Nehemiah 4 and examining several forms of opposition the builders face as they strive to follow God’s will. However over the last few weeks, many have expressed questions about how someone can "know" what God is calling them pledge. A heart wrestling with this question is a good thing. This is a question that is relevant in all of the Christian life, not just in a building campaign.
So this Sunday, instead of continuing in Nehemiah 4 (which we will do after our pledge Sunday), we will look at portions of 2 Corinthians 8 & 9. You may have noticed that many of the verses in our "22 days of prayer" brochure are from this section. Here, Paul encourages the Corinthians to fulfill their pledge by completing the collection to help the struggling, impoverished church in Jerusalem. Paul exhorted them to begin this collection in 1 Corinthians 16:1-5, and in chapters 8-9 of 2 Corinthians, he urges them to complete their giving. While Paul is certainly not calling the believers to give in order to build a church building, he does give principles regarding the model and method of giving from the heart that are applicable and necessary in all of the Christian life. I hope you will read 2 Co. 8-9 as you prepare to worship on Sunday.
The Lord through Haggai addresses the people's discouragement in the work He has called them to do.
As we look toward our pledge Sunday on Feb. 27th, this Sunday we will continue in the book of Nehemiah. In chapter 1, we saw Nehemiah burdened for the name and the people of God as he hears about the broken down walls of Jerusalem. And in chapter 1, we saw that all Nehemiah’s efforts, strategies, and actions began with burdened, faith filled prayer. There we saw that we must be people of prayer, not just in building campaigns, but in every aspect of our life as we live for Christ’s name. Dependence upon Christ is essential for the mission of making disciples. For months Nehemiah prayed. And in the beginning of chapter 2, we will see the time comes for Nehemiah to step out in faith as he risks everything to follow God’s call. Nehemiah 2:1-8 shows us what "stepping out in faith" looks like. It isn’t just shooting from the hip or flying by the seat of our pants, hoping everything works out.
Nehemiah, as so many others in Scripture (including Abram, Noah, Moses, David, Esther, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego...the list goes on) steps out in faith, risking whatever circumstances may come in order to be faithful to what God calls him to do. When God opens the door, Nehemiah steps through it. As the writer of Hebrews says, "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). This is the epitome of the Christian life.
Nehemiah is burdened by the news of God's people and God's name suffering shame. This burden breaks forth into a faith-filled prayer as Nehemiah worships His God, confesses sin, and calls upon God's promises. Prayer is the foundation of walking in the will of God.
As we begin talking about our building campaign, we must enter this time with the wisdom of the Lord. He has given us principles of wisdom by which we can discern His will and walk in His ways - in every season.
God calls His people to assess their priorities and their ways and return to building His house
As we finished Acts 8 last week, we came across Acts 8:37 which is either missing or bracketed in most of our English Bibles. Whether removed or bracketed, your bible will have a footnote explaining that some manuscripts don’t contain this verse. Using situations like this, some people claim that we cannot trust the New Testament because it has been copied so many times down through history that the original message has been lost. It is commonly put forth that there is no way that we can no for sure that the Bible we have in our hands today is what the Apostles actually wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Sunday we are going to show that this assertion is demonstrably false. We will explain how the text of the New Testament has been transmitted to us and show some examples of how we can be assured of its accuracy. We will use Acts 8:37 as a test case and show you all the information the "scholars" use examine its history of transmission. And we will even look at a few manuscripts.
I know this kind of presentation is a different than a normal Sunday for us. We are committed to expositing the Bible verse by verse and section by section through scriptural books. That is not going to change. The preaching of the word is the central element of the church’s worship. However, as we have come across Acts 8:37, this is a good time for us to back up and also examine God’s work in preserving and transmitting His word to us. We can have assurance (from the evidence) that what we preach from every Sunday, what we read from in our devotion time with God, and what we live by as the sole infallible rule of faith and practice for the church - is God’s word accurately transmitted through time from the pen of the Holy Spirit inspired apostles!
God providentially orchestrates a meeting between Philip and an Ethiopian Eunuch on a deserted road so that he might hear the gospel and be saved. In this we see God's care for one lost soul, God's providence in creating divine appointments for His witnesses, and the response of those given the Great commission. We are to be willing, prepared, and faithful witnesses
Acts has already shown us the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ going forth in Jerusalem. Last week in Acts 8, we saw the gospel going forth into Samaria in power because believers were scattered by the persecution which arose on the day Stephen was executed. As we continue in Acts 8:9-25, again we see the power of the gospel to overthrow all powers and authorities. All people worship. Even those who do not worship the one true God, worship something. And it is the gospel alone that conquers whatever rules over the hearts of mankind. For the people of Samaria, that place of prominent influence is taken by a magician named Simon. "They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” (Acts 8:10). But when the gospel comes through Phillip they turn to Christ.
The power of the gospel is so profound that even Simon himself jumps on the bandwagon. Simon, however professes faith but does not posses faith. When Peter comes to Samaria, he tells Simon that he has no portion in the gospel because his "heart is not right before God" (Acts 8:21) and counsels him to repent and pray for forgiveness (v.22). Simon didn’t desire salvation or Jesus. Simon sought for more greatness and power as he offers to buy the gift of God with money. As we examine this section of Scripture, we see that the gospel is indeed the power of God unto salvation, and that power is uncompromising. It cannot be bargained for or merited. All people must come the God on His terms and by His word.
Persecution breaks out in Jerusalem and the Christians are scattered from the city. As Saul ravages the church, believers flee to the areas of Judea and Samaria - and everywhere they go, they evangelize and proclaim the name of Jesus. Through all the persecution and suffering, God is using His people to advance the kingdom and make disciples.
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Having paused our study in Acts in order to focus upon Christmas, this Sunday we will examine one of the most well-known prophecies of the Savior’s birth - Micah 5:1-7. When the wise men came from the east, asking Herod where the King of the Jews was to be born, it was this text that the chief priests quoted to show that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (See Matthew 2:1-6). Micah prophesied during a time of upheaval and fear in Israel. The Assyrians were conquering everything in their path and the people of Jerusalem were terrified that they would be next. Micah called the people to repent and turn to the Lord and he foretold the judgment that was coming. Yet in the midst of the doom and gloom, Micah also foretold a coming ruler - a Messiah who would be born in the tiny town of Bethlehem. He would be the shepherd of Israel and, Micah says, He will be their peace." Sunday we will examine how Jesus fulfills the prophetic picture that Micah puts forth. For those who seek peace, Jesus is the only answer. And that peace is what we celebrate in the coming of the Lord to Bethlehem. That peace is what the angels announced to the shepherds on that fateful night. That peace is our possession when we are united with Christ is salvation. For He shall be "our" peace - as Micah proclaims
As Christmas quickly approaches, we will pause our study in Acts for a few weeks in order to focus our hearts on celebrating the incarnation of our Savior. God the Son took on the nature of man and was born in the likeness of a servant so that we might be reconciled to the Triune God. This Sunday we will also be led in worship by the children as they sing praises to our God and recite Scriptures testifying to His nature. As you prepare your hearts for worship, take a moment and read Luke 1:46-55. This is the song Mary sings as her heart is filled with praise, knowing that God has given her the blessing of bearing the Messiah. Her song is often called "The Magnificat" because the first word in the Latin text is Magnifies. She says, "My soul magnifies the Lord" and then breaks into a psalm of worship, thanksgiving, and rejoicing in who God is and for what He has done. As we center our thoughts on the birth of Jesus, our hearts should magnify the Lord. We should stand in awe of the glorious salvation that the Lord has given to us. Let us prepare our hearts to come together in worship of our King this Sunday.
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This Sunday, we will finish Acts 7 and witness the execution of Stephen. This will most likely be our last sermon in Acts before Christmas. Stephen has been accused of blaspheming against God and against Moses. He has been taken before the Sanhedrin to answer the charges and throughout chapter 7, Stephen has taken the religious leaders on a trip through the history of God’s work among the Hebrews. He has shown that God’s presence with His people has not been confined to any land or temple throughout history. And when Stephen finally makes his point, he does so with a serrated edge. He calls them stiff necked and uncircumcised in heart. He tells them that their fathers had always persecuted those God sent to them and now they themselves have murdered the righteous one himself! (See 7:51-53).
But before Stephen can finish his sermon, he is interrupted by something amazing. God pulls back the veil and shows him that there is another court hearing Stephen’s testimony as he speaks. As Stephen marvels and announces what he sees, this will be the last straw in the minds of the Sanhedrin. This will lead to Stephen’s execution. But it is here that we see aspects of what it means to be a faithful witness for Christ. When we hear the reality of what Stephen is shown, the cost he is willing to pay, and the heart with which he prays as he dies, we see one who is like Christ having been transformed by His salvation and filled with His Spirit.
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Stephen has been arrested and taken before the Sanhedrin, accused of blasphemy against Moses and against God. If you remember from chapter 6, witnesses came forward saying that Stephen spoke against "this holy place" (meaning the Temple) and he was changing the customs handed down from Moses. In the bulk of chapter 7, Stephen will explain himself before the High Priest, and this powerful sermon will culminate in his execution. I tried to break up Stephen’s sermon several different ways and preach through it over several Sundays, but Stephen’s sermon culminates in a specific point to which his entire speech leads. Unless we deal with his sermon as a whole, we might easily get lost in the weeds and miss the overall point Stephen is making. So, we will look at Acts 7:1-53 this Sunday.
Stephen’s sermon surveys the history of God’s presence, blessing, and work among the people of Israel. He starts with Abraham, moves through Joseph, Moses, The Tabernacle, David and Solomon. The Sanhedrin and the crowd already know this history. They know the stories Stephen relates by heart. The Jews were extremely proud of their history. So as we look at his sermon, we won’t get bogged down in the details of the Old Testament narrative Stephen relates. Instead, we will focus on WHY Stephen is relating these stories to the Jews who already knew them so well. Stephen will show that God’s presence has never been constrained to one place or one building, And in Jesus, He is Emmanuel - God with us. He also shows them that Israel has a long history of rejecting the deliverance of God and disobeying His law - which the Sanhedrin are now doing in rejecting Jesus. Read Acts 7:1-53 before Sunday and be ready to trace Stephen’s argument as we examine a very important exposition of God’s purposes throughout the whole of redemptive history.
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Last week in Acts 6, we saw the church adapt to the needs that growth brought. They came together and appointed seven men to oversee aspects of ministry in the Jerusalem church. Two of these men, Stephen and Phillip, will be the focus of the next few chapters in Acts. Through Stephen’s brief ministry, his testimony before the Sanhedrin, and his execution, God will propel the church out of Jerusalem to the nations. Although Stephen’s life will be cut short, it would be hard to find one who is more powerfully used by God for His kingdom. Sunday as we read Acts 6:8-15, we will acquaint ourselves with Stephen’s character and his ministry. He stands as an example for the church of one who is full of faith, grace, and the Holy Spirit. He demonstrates the character of one who draws strength from the presence of the Lord which is how he can face false accusations and martyrdom with peace and forgiveness for his murderers. Not only does his testimony and death propel the church outward, but they also have a profound effect on a man named Saul of Tarsus. His relatively short life shows us the power of a single witness wholly surrendered to Christ. No matter what the circumstances or the brevity of life, a single witness full of grace and power from the presence of Christ will resound throughout eternity.
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In the first five chapters of Acts, we have seen the church overcome many different attacks. Persecution from the religious leaders has increased as the disciples have been arrested, threatened, and beaten for teaching in the name of Jesus. We will see that continue in the coming chapters. The church has also been attacked from inside as Satan filled the heart of Ananias and Sapphira to lie to the Holy Spirit in an attempt to corrupt the church. But despite all the attempts to silence the church, chapter five ends by saying the apostles continued to teach in the temple and from house to house. By the power of the Holy Spirit, the church continued to grow despite the obstacles.
In chapter 6:1-7, it is that exponential growth that raises another obstacle the church must overcome. The issue this growing church faces is one of division and distraction. Both are serious threats to this new community striving for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because the number of disciples has increased so much, the church must now adapt to more efficiently engage in the ministry to which God has called them. The anatomy of this growing church is one is willing to reorganize and change to follow the ministry needs to which God is calling them, yet to do so without sacrificing the centrality of the message of the gospel and the ministry of the word of God. It is a church that raises up leaders from among it as they all strive together, united in love, to obey every facet of the mission of Christ.
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as we strive to be faithful to our calling and our mission, we cannot sacrifice our focus on our foundation - the source of our peace, our strength, and our passion in following Jesus - the gospel. The gospel the sinners entrance into relationship with God and it is the foundation of the believer’s faithful walk with Christ. We have been given everything in Christ...and as we engage in Jesus’ commission, we must continually preach this gospel to ourselves and fight to believe it in every situation. Jesus is better than all other things.
Jesus gave the church her marching orders. The body of Christ is commanded to make disciples of all nations. This involves many several different things, but at its core we are called to be witnesses for Jesus. Disciples are to be His witnesses to the lost as we evangelize and to each other as we strengthen one another through discipleship. And whenever the church is "on mission," faithfully carrying out the will and word of our Lord, there will always be opposition. This is a theme we have seen repeated in the book of Acts. There is opposition from inside, shown in the previous account of Ananias and Sapphira, and there is always opposition from the world outside. Persecution and opposition from religious leaders surfaces again in Acts 5:17-42. Yet as the Apostles are arrested again, and beaten this time, we see what radical obedience to Christ looks like...and what it costs.
As we examine this text, we find that the call to be His witnesses is not without risks and consequences. But ultimately we find that Jesus is better. Jesus is better than our comfort, our ease, our safety. Jesus is better than anything we could hope to gain by running from His calling. When our hearts desire Him more than all things, we obey His command despite the risk - despite the consequences - Not because we are strong but because our hearts have been changed to love Him over anything we might lose in this world.
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In Acts 5, opposition to the church’s mission doesn’t come from outside forces seeking to kill or imprison the community. This time, opposition attacks the church from within as Satan fills the hearts of Ananias and Sapphira to introduce hidden sin into the community of faith. The account of this married couple’s fate is a disturbing reminder of the seriousness of sin, both for the individual and for the church as she walks out the mission of Christ.
Though the church is perfectly forgiven and the condemnation of sin is removed by the blood of Jesus, sin is still wicked and reprehensible to God. Therefore, it must be reprehensible to us as well. We dwell in the presence of the Holy One - and He dwells in us. Our hearts and lives are exposed before Him. Not only do we see the seriousness of sin in this account, but we also understand the urgency of repentance. Sapphira is given an opportunity before God and His people to repent of her sin and be forgiven. Although sin is inevitable because we still dwell in fallen flesh, it is never acceptable. So John writes to the church saying, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9) We must walk humbly with our God, admitting our sin and casting our hope upon the death and resurrection of Jesus in order to live out our mission in His power.
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Judah takes leadership of his brothers and demonstrates that his heart has been changed since the day when they sold Joseph into slavery.
In Acts 4:23-31, the early church in Jerusalem is notified that the ruling council has banned all teaching and all speech in Jesus’ name. Peter and John responded boldly to the rulers saying, "We cannot help but speak..." but now they return to the body of believers and tell them the command of the Sanhedrin. The church is on notice. From this point on, there will be consequences if they choose to continue speaking of Jesus. In our text for Sunday, we will examine how the church responds the the threat upon their safety. Will they run? Will they fight back? What can they do?
In verses 4:23-31, they do the only thing they can. They go together to the Lord in prayer, and their prayer teaches us so much about how we must respond not only to opposition to the gospel, but to any trial. When we are afraid - when we are weary - when we are worried - when we are hurting - when we feel like we can’t go on anymore - this text shows us how we respond. Although we will learn several things in this passage, the overarching point is, we cannot be faithful in our own strength. We cannot walk out this Christian life under our own steam. In the face of persecution and the threat of death, this church doesn’t beg God to take the trial away. They don’t plead in prayer that they would be physically protected or that the enemies would be destroyed. They pray, "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness..." (v.29). They asked for strength to be faithful to His calling regardless of what comes.
The same faith by which we cast ourselves upon Jesus for salvation is the faith by which we must cast ourselves upon Jesus to live the Christian life no matter what the circumstances.
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Sunday we will finish looking at Peter’s interaction with the ruling council in Jerusalem. (Acts 4:13-22) Peter and John were arrested in the Temple court after they healed a lame man and proclaimed the risen Jesus to the crowd that gathered. After their arrest and questioning, Peter boldly proclaimed Jesus as God’s messiah to the council as well. He told them that there is salvation in no one else for there is no other name given by which men must be saved. This Sunday we will see the response of the council and examine Christ’s witnesses as they are opposed. Jesus has called His disciples to a life that witnesses to His glory and the gospel. This is exactly what Peter and John demonstrate as their boldness is evident to the religious leaders. They spoke with authority and confidence just as Jesus has done before this same council. The leaders could not help but recognize that these men "had been with Jesus." That was the source of their witness...and ours.
Peter and John truly believed that the gospel is the power of God. They truly believed that the risen Jesus was with them and therefore, they were not afraid to speak. Even when they were warned to never again speak in the name of Jesus, they respectfully tell the council "we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." This Sunday, we will look at our witness and how we draw strength from being with Jesus, and we will also look at the the obstacles that hinder us from speaking of what we have seen and heard.
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Joseph ascends to the height of power and just as in his trials, God is with him. Joseph is faithful to Gods call.
Chapter 4 begins a turning point in the book of Acts. As the disciples obey Jesus’ command to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, opposition to the gospel mission rears its head. In fact, after chapter 3, there are only three chapters in the rest of the book of Acts that do not mention some form of persecution or opposition. This will be a reality in the life of the church until Jesus returns. However, opposition does not hinder the progress of the gospel. Historically just the opposite is true. The church grew most exponentially in the first three centuries under the most extreme persecution. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation even in the face of opposition. Peter’s sermon at the end of Acts 3 was earth shaking for the people in the Temple courts. But as he stood before the crowd, the leaders of Jerusalem appeared to arrest he and John. These are the same men who turned Jesus over to be crucified and declared Him a blasphemer just two months earlier. Yet Luke tells us that despite this show of Temple authority, the gospel message took root in many hearts (Acts 4:4). And Sunday, we will see Peter give basically the same sermon before the Sanhedrin that he gave in the Temple courts. Through this, we will examine why the gospel always bring opposition (both worldly and spiritually) and we will see how we stand faithfully in the midst of it. We also see why we MUST stand faithfully - because "there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) Subscribe to the Sermon podcast on itunes or search for "jason velotta" in your podcasting app Visit http://www.jasonvelotta.com/for more audio, video, books, and teaching materials https://www.fbcmulvane.com https://www.facebook.com/jason.velotta.1 https://twitter.com/jrv773 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonvelotta/
Joseph is faithful in prison but he is forgotten rather than helped. He must wait on God's timing.
As the church of Jesus Christ, everything we are and everything we do must be grounded in and focused upon the gospel. What Jesus accomplished for His people in His death, burial, resurrection, and exaltation is the hub around which all of the Christian life turns. The gospel is not just the baby steps of the Christian life. It is everything! We will see this demonstrated clearly in Peter’s second sermon (Acts 3:11-26). Peter stands before an amazed crowd of people in the Temple courts. They are amazed because Peter seemingly just healed a man who had been lame from birth, and now he was leaping, walking, and praising God. Peter will explain to them what this is all about, but instead of focusing on the man’s physical healing, Peter uses the man as an illustration of something much greater. Peter proclaims that Jesus is the glorified Messiah whom God, through Moses and the prophets, promised to sent to His people. He shows the people God’s salvation and calls them to turn to Jesus and receive true healing in His name.
As Peter begins explaining who healed this lame man, he will introduce Jesus by saying, "The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus..." (Acts 3:13). When Peter says "glorified his servant," he is referencing the fourth "servant song" in Isaiah. He is claiming Jesus is the suffering servant of Isa. 52:13-53:12. So in addition to reading Acts 3:11-26, I would encourage you to read Isa. 52:13-53:12 as well. This prophecy tells us how the Father "glorified his servant, Jesus."
Peter’s point is that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s purposes in all of history. This is the moment to which all of Scripture has led. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation. There is no deeper theology and no higher spiritual level that being "in Christ."
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As we begin Acts 3, the church in Jerusalem is alive and growing. The Holy Spirit indwelled the disciples and through Peter’s sermon, God saved 3000 people. Last week we saw the discipleship life of the early church as they devoted themselves to worshiping, connecting in discipling relationships, and served one another. Acts 3:1-10 shows us the early church in operation. This section chronicles the healing of the lame beggar at the beautiful gate. Though we will only examine the event itself in the first 10 verses of chapter 3, I would encourage you to read the entire chapter before Sunday. The event of this man’s healing is explained by Peter in his sermon that follows in the Temple court. While the actual healing of this suffering man shows the compassion and the ministry of the church, and indeed, many people have drawn hope from the healing power of Jesus from this text, Peter’s sermon shows us the point of this miracle. The healing of this man’s physical infirmity is a sign that points to a greater reality. This miraculous event demonstrates that because Jesus is the messiah and has fulfilled the promised salvation, the coming kingdom of God is breaking into reality now. His physical healing is a glimpse of what is to come when all things are made new and the Christ who has brought deliverance, comes again in power and glory.
Peter’s sermon emphasizes that this healing miracle should lead the people to trust in Jesus so that their sins would be forgiven and when the Christ comes to restore all the things, they would receive times of refreshing from His presence (see Acts 3:19-21)
The healing of the beggar is not a declaration that all physical infirmities will be healed in this life. It is a preview of the kingdom to come when all sickness, disease, suffering, death and sin will be done away with forever. And that healing only comes by faith in the risen Messiah who is glorified at the Father’s side.
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Peter has just preached his Pentecost sermon, the Holy Spirit moved and three thousand people are converted in a single instant. Now the Jerusalem church is faced with a logistical nightmare. In one moment it time, the church went from 120 people to 3,120. How can all these new Christians grow as disciples? How can the church disciple all these people with no infrastructure or programs? They did so by being devoted to worshiping together, connecting with one another in discipling relationships, and serving one another. That is the pattern of discipleship presented in Acts 2:42-47. The early church met in the Temple courts, and in smaller groups in their homes. They praised God together. They loved and cared for one another when needs arose. And God moved among them, adding to His church daily. Sunday, as we examine this passage, we will see the early church’s method of making disciples and we will see the discipleship that Christ calls for each of us to invest ourselves in.
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Throughout history, man has come up with many different answers to the most important question in the universe. "How can I be right and righteous when I stand before my creator?" That is the question the crowd will ask Peter and the Apostles in Acts 2:37-41. After the Spirit came at Pentecost, Peter preached a sermon explaining what has happened and why it has happened. His message is that because Jesus is the Messiah, has risen from the grave, and is exalted at the right hand of the Father, He has poured out the Spirit in fulfillment of God’s promises. However, there is a troubling refrain repeated throughout Peter’s address to the Jewish pilgrims in Jerusalem. He continually reminds them, "you killed Him," and "you crucified Him."
As the Spirit convicts them of their sin, they come to realize their desperate and hopeless position. Finally understanding the most crucial problem of all humanity, the crowd cries out, "Brothers what shall we do?" How this question is answered will reverberate through all eternity. Sunday, we will look at how Peter, moved by the Spirit, answers this question. His answer (in v.38) is one of the most debated passages in Scripture as several different groups build whole theologies based upon it.
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The Spirit has been poured out on the disciples and the spectacle of their testimony has drawn an enormous crowd in Jerusalem. Peter stands to explain this to the crowd and gives a powerful gospel sermon. Last week we heard him explain that this is the fulfillment of Joel’s “last days” prophecy when the Spirit would be poured out on all God’s people. As we begin in v.22, Peter will now explain why this is happening. He will explain why the Spirit has been poured out on this Pentecost feast? His answer is simple – because Jesus of Nazareth is God’s Messiah who was crucified, raised from the dead, and is now enthroned at the right hand of the Father.
The coming of the Spirit is a witness to Jesus’ exaltation and his fulfilling the covenant promises of His people. The Spirit has come in testimony that Jesus is Lord and salvation is found in no other name. Likewise, the Spirit empowers those united with Christ to be His witnesses.
Acts 2:22-36 is one of the most masterful sermons in all of Scripture which presents the glories of the exalted Jesus, glorified and reigning upon the throne. Yet it is also one of the most pointed as Peter shows us the difference between how God the Father sees His messiah and how His people viewed Him. Peter leads His hearers to the main conclusion saying, “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:36) Sunday we will ask, “What have we done with this Jesus?”
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As chapter 2 opens, we see the inauguration of a new era. The Spirit’s coming marks the fulfillment of God’s new covenant promise to indwell His people. Because Jesus has come, died to pay for sin, risen from the grave, and has been exalted to the right hand of the Father - God Himself has made his dwelling place within His people and by His Spirit, He makes us witnesses for His name. This incredible beginning of the church shows us that God is still advancing His kingdom in our world and He is faithful to His promises. Now - every single gospel-believer, from the least to the greatest, is imbued with power from on High. By the gospel, every Christian is a temple of the living God, born again to be His priests, His prophets, and His ambassadors as we bear witness to the gospel in the power of His Spirit.
The fledgling church waits in Jerusalem for the promise to be poured out. As they wait, they prepared themselves to be His witnesses so they would be ready when the time came.
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Israel is a changed man, but there is still a little Jacob inside of Israel as he meets Esau after 20 years
In Acts, we will see the church stand against opposition and persecution, but Acts gives us a unique view of how the church moved from Jerusalem to the far reaches of the Roman empire. Acts shows us the church on mission. And Acts has no definitive ending. The last verse in the book shows Paul under house arrest in Rome, preaching unhindered to all that came to him. It is meant to be an unfinished story because it is also our story - it is our mission that continues today.
Through the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit will light (or reignite) our fire for evangelism and discipleship and we examine the work of Jesus - by the Holy Spirit - through the Apostles. They were given power to be His witnesses to the far reaches of the earth - and so are we today. Our study through Acts will be an examination of the foundation upon which the church was built and grew - but it will also be an examination of the beginnings of the mission that we are still called to today.
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God funnels Jacob to a point where there is nothing left he can trust in. He cannot plan or scheme his way out. This culminates in a wrestling match between God and Jacob in which Jacob prevails by his surrender.
Peter gives final instructions to the churches enduring suffering. In this final section, He says humble yourselves before God's mighty hand by casting your cares upon him.
Peter turns his attention to the responsibility of elders / pastors as he instructs the church in how we stand faithfully in a hostile world
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1 Peter has shown us how we stand faithfully for Christ in a hostile world. As Peter closes the main body of his letter in 4:7-11, he continues that instruction by showing us what faithfulness looks like toward one another. The world and the culture will always oppose the church of Jesus, and Peter has shown us what standing faithfully looks like in the face of that opposition. Now, in these verses, Peter turns our eyes inward as he shows us how we stand together. The only way the church faithfully endures the slander and opposition of the world, glorifying the name of Christ, and testifying to His gospel, is to do so together. So Peter shows us what the church must be toward one another as he counsels us to prepare ourselves for suffering. When Peter began the main body of his letter in 1:13 he said, "Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Here he closes this section showing that it is as a united body of believers that we engage in this preparation. Again, he calls us to be sober-minded for our prayers’ sake. He says that we must love one another and serve one another if we are to stand faithfully, giving a defense for the hope that is within us. Peter’s teaching in this section perfectly embodies our vision at FBC for making disciples and growing as disciples. We can only do so as we worship, connect, and serve. Our unity of love and service to one another is one of the most important aspects of growing in Christ, and it is absolutely essential in our calling to make disciples.
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Idolatry is on full display as the sons of Jacob are named based on two sisters' struggle against one another for the love of their husband and the prestige of bearing the most sons.
What does it mean to arm yourself for suffering? That’s a catchy title for a sermon, but preparing to endure the disdain, slander, and persecution of the world doesn’t sound like a very fun activity. Yet, that is what Peter has been teaching us all through this letter. 1 Peter 4:1-6 shows us how we, as exiles and foreigners, are to prepare ourselves for the slander and opposition of a worldly culture. Just as a soldier prepares and trains before going into battle, Peter tells his readers to arm yourselves with the same perspective on suffering that Jesus had. And Peter doesn’t just give us the command and leave us to figure out the details. In these verses, he shows us what we are to arm our minds with so that we might stand faithful, choosing to live for Christ rather than sin against him by compromising with the world. As suffering for following the word of God becomes more and more prevalent in our own culture, there also comes an increasingly strong temptation to fit in, to compromise, or sacrifice biblical truth for the sake of expediency. It’s easy to say we would never do such things, but too often as we sit comfortably in the ease the Lord has given, our mentality becomes one of entitlement and self-protection. Instead of training and preparing ourselves, we become complacent and easily stumble over the smallest temptations. In this text, Peter shows us how to arm ourselves - how to train our minds in preparation for the persecution that Paul says inevitably comes to every person who desires to live a godly life (see 2 Timothy 3:12).
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Jacob gets a taste of his own medicine as God teaches him what it is like to be deceived
Peter encourages his suffering readers by pointing to the victory which Christ's suffering accomplished. They are already partakers in this victory though they are suffering in the world. He compares their life in this world to that of Noah to show that God delivers His people.
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Jacob experiences God in a desolate place - receiving the promise by the proclamation of God. Yet, Jacob reveres the place more than the promise and we also look at the fulfillment of Jacob's ladder from Jesus' own words
Peter shows us what we need to stand faithfully when the world is hostile toward our faith and a biblical worldview
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Here Peter ends the current section instructing believers in how to “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (2:12). He has given instructions to Christians living under worldly governments (2:13-17), under worldly authorities (2:18-25), and to husbands and wives in the home (3:1-7). In 3:8-12, Peter finishes this section by giving general commands to all Christians in whatever situation we find ourselves. These exhortations apply to every believer in every circumstance.
By giving these directives, Peter shows us the tools we need to stand faithfully for Christ and have “good conduct” before a hostile world so that we will be a testimony to the glory of Jesus. But also, Peter will show us that even in trials and suffering, we may have the blessing of one who “love[s] life and see[s] good days” (v.10) because of the Lord whom we serve.
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God appears to Isaac and gives him the promise. The presence of God with Isaac is seen by the Philistines.
It is so easy to lose focus on the gospel when we experience trials or when we are forced to recognize how sinful we really are. The gospel is our salvation and our power for living. Though we constantly fail and continually strive for holiness, our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. Unless we keep our eyes centered on the salvation and new life given by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, it is inevitable that we will lose heart and succumb to despair. So this Sunday, as we take a week off from 1 Peter, we will look at 2 Corinthians 1:15-22 (focusing on v. 19-20). In this passage Paul says that in Jesus, all the promises of God are "yes."
When you find a promise from God and ask "is this promise really for me today?"- if you are in Christ, God’s answer is yes. Jesus has fulfilled and accomplished all that we need to be right with God and stand sure in our relationship with him. He is God’s once for all answer - all the promises find their "yes" in Him.
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Although Isaac fails in the same way as his father Abraham, God protects him and provides for him, showing that He is faithful to His promise in all things.
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We have seen Peter instruct believers in how we live faithfully under government and authorities, but in chapter 3:1-7, he turns his attention to the home. What does living faithfully for Christ in the home look like? As Peter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, describes the roles of both husband and wife, we do well to remember that he also speaks as one who is a Christian husband, living in a culture that is hostile to his faith.
We all come to this text with presuppositions. Perhaps we have even been hurt by someone wielding an improper application of this text. But marriage is the first institution created by God in Genesis 2, before the fall. Marriage is intended to be a picture of the relationship between Jesus Christ and His Church (Eph. 5:22-27). Therefore, we must come to the text and hear from God what it means to live faithfully in the home, so that we might "proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).
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1 Peter 2:18-25 addresses Christian servants (slaves, bond-servants) in the Roman Empire, which would have been most of the earliest readers of his epistle. While there isn’t a one to one correspondence between slaves serving in first century Rome and believers today in South Central Kansas, it is a huge mistake to think there is no application for us. The most common employee / employer relationship in the Roman Empire was between master and bond-servant, and all of us, at one time or another, have had to serve under an unjust or unreasonable authority.
Peter speaks to those who are miraculously delivered by the saving grace of the King of kings. These believers are given an eternal inheritance that cannot be defiled or fade away - it is kept by God Himself for them - But, when they looked around, they were still subject to unjust and worldly people. They still served in their jobs and they were suffering under worldly and wicked masters. Peter’s admonition to them is surprising. Be subject to them! This, Peter says, is a gracious thing in the sight of God. How do we do such a thing? How can we possibly do so?
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God continues to provide the line of His seed. This is also played out as Esau sells his birthright for a bowl of stew.
1 Peter 2:13-17 begins Peter’s specific instructions for the churches in Asia Minor. In the following sections, Peter will show believers what "abstaining from the passions of the flesh," and "keeping our conduct among the Gentiles honorable" actually looks like in different situations. This passage regarding how we live for Christ under government is not an easy one for us today. It was exponentially harder for those to whom it was first written. As we seek to understand God’s word on this subject, we will try to answer several common questions that arise when we talk about "being subject." However, the most important question that needs to be answered in each of our hearts is, "What is God saying to me through this?"
Peter doesn’t write to make sure the churches are being good boys and girls. He isn’t writing to ensure that he keeps everyone in line. He isn’t even writing to help them assimilate into this world. Peter writes specifically for the believers to live in such a way that Christ is glorified and honored in this world. So that "by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people" (v. 15), and "when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation (v. 12). Bringing glory to Christ’s name must be what drives all that we do.
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Beginning at 2:11, Peter will get real practical and specific about what it looks like to serve God in a hostile world. He goes into great detail describing how Christians are to live faithfully in the different spheres of life in this world. 1 Peter 2:11 through chapter 3 are tough lessons for us to hear. But these truths are essential because God alone has the authority to define how we are to serve Him in a hostile world. Because we haven’t been in 1 Peter for a few weeks, we will take some time and review what we have learned in this letter so far, and then look at a broad overview of what 2:11 through chapter 3 will look like in the coming weeks.
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Abraham acts to secure Isaac a wife while trusting in God's providence to work all things out to fulfill His promise
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Paul assures the Colossians that they are complete in Christ and need nothing else. The gospel completes their standing before God. They have been united in His death and resurrection and made alive with Him.
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Psalm 78:1-8 centers on the responsibility of the family and the covenant community to make known the greatness of God to the next generation. Our goal is “so that they should set their hope in God” (Ps. 78:7) and the Psalmist shows us how we strive toward that goal. Today, as our world strays further and further from biblical values, morals, and objective truth, planting the Word of God in the next generation has never been more important.
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1 Peter 1:13 Living Faithfully As Exiles
Who am I? What am I supposed to do? At some point, everyone asks these fundamental questions about identity. How we answer to these questions, whether consciously or not, determines much of how we live out our lives. These questions become even more important when we are faced with trials and suffering. When living as Jesus commands draws the ire and opposition of the culture, there is an enormous temptation to conform or compromise. Yet, when we trust in how God, in Christ, has answered those two questions, we are braced to stand regardless of societal pressure.
This is what Peter shows us in 1 Peter 2:4-10. Using several Old Testament passages, he demonstrates that believers are living stones being built up into a spiritual house by God. As we come to Jesus, we are being built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, a community united with one another for His name. But since the same gospel that gives us a new nature is an offense to the world, we are also an offense. That is who we are – living stones built upon one who is both a cornerstone and a stone of offense.
Peter also tells us what we are to do when facing the opposition of the world and the pressure to compromise with its values and practices – we have been called out “that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Pt. 2:9).
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1 Peter 1:13 Living Faithfully As Exiles
We see Peter’s fourth command in 1:22-2:3, Love one another. Faithfulness to Christ, especially when the world is growing increasingly hostile to the gospel, is lived out in community. Peter shows us where this love for one another comes from, how it endures in our trials, and how our love for one another grows. Because this section builds upon everything that has come before, it would be helpful to re-read verses 1-21 before Sunday for we will certainly be referencing them.
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1 Peter 1:13 Living Faithfully As Exiles
Lot and his daughters are delivered out of Sodom, but the effect of Lot's life remains ingrained in them. Lot is indeed a righteous man but his life of compromise with the world has taken its toll on his family.
Peter continues to instruct his readers in how to be faithful in the midst of a world that is hostile to their faith. He shows what faithfulness looks like when suffering trials. In these verses, he commands believers to be holy in their conduct and fear the Lord because of the hope they have in the gospel
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1 Peter 1:13 Living Faithfully As Exiles
Jason Velotta
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Lot is delivered from God's judgment upon Sodom because he is united with Abraham, God's covenant bearer - even though Lot is compromised, hesitant, and obstinate.
Peter finally begins to give instructions and commands to his readers. He instructs believers in what it looks like to live faithfully in the midst of trials, persecutions, and exile in a hostile world. Through the end of chapter 1, he gives four basic commands. Set your hope fully on the grace that will be given at Jesus’ coming, Be holy, Honor God, and Love one another. This command is so important for us. This command flows from all the glorious things God has done for us in verses 1-12. It is our response to what we have been given in the gospel and, as we will see Sunday, it is vital if we desire to be faithful as exiles in this world. "Setting our hope" is how we stand regardless of what this life throws at us.
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God explains to Abraham what He is about to do in bringing judgment down upon Sodom. He does this so Abraham can rightly understand God's justice and teach his children and household what justice and righteousness look like.
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1 Peter 1:6-12 continues to build the foundation upon which believers must stand as they face the sufferings and trials of this world. Verses 1-12 together are essential to understand as we are "grieved by various trials" in this life. They give us the footholds we need when grieved by trials for His name.
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Abraham demonstrates a heart of hospitality to three visitors, which is in stark contrast to how the visitors will be received in Sodom. Here the Lord reaffirms the promise and this time allows Sarah to hear it from His own mouth, as he exposes her heart.