Stuart Presbyterian's Podcast: Recent Episodes
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This message is an introductory message to a sermon series on the book of Exodus.
The message highlights some of the major themes of Exodus like:
Liberation and Redemption, God's Sovereignty, God's Glory, Law, Covenant, and God's Presence.
The message also looks at Exodus 1:1-7 where we begin to see that God is keeping the promises he made to Jacob in Genesis 46:2-4.
This is the final message in the "Summer of Joy" series and in this message we find Paul suggesting that Joy is found in "Thinking Right" and "Being Content in Jesus."
Paul urges us to find joy in unity.
And it is humble unity for he urges us verse 3-4 to do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant.
Humility is a virtue and clearly Jesus humbled himself (vv. 5-8); but how can we find joy in humility? This message explores a few possibilities.
What is Joy?
It is often confused with happiness.
Joy is found in Christ. The apostle Paul makes it clear that Christ is his joy; Christ is his delight.
What do we learn from Paul regarding increasing out joy:
Nurture your relationship with Christ.
Celebrate!
Surround yourself with joyful believers.
This message is a wrap-up for Stuart Presbyterian's Vacation Bible School (June 24-26), "Snowball Mountain Challenge"
The message provides a synopsis of what was learned over the three days, namely:
When we face challenges:
We can use our gifts (Joseph the dream interpreter, Genesis 40-41).
We can pray (Jesus - Matthew 36:36-46).
We can have hope (Peter and John heal lame man - Acts 3:1-10).
John believers are called to overcome the world; but what does he mean by "world"? And what does he mean by "overcoming"?
John warns of three primary paths to worldliness: desires of the flesh, desires of the eyes, and pride of life (1 Jn. 2:16)
But John offers hope of how we can overcome in 1 John 5:1-5.
In this message we consider what is sometimes referred to as John's "Test of Affection." We know true believers if they love God and love one another.
This "test" is based on Jesus' answer regarding the greatest commandment (Mk. 12:28-31).
The message will attempt to provide a definition of love as well as some ways in which we can love God and love one another.
John wishes to assure us of our salvation and for those who have questions he offers three pieces of evidence that we are saved:
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Obedience to God's Commands (vv. 3-4)
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Adherence to the Word of God (v. 5)
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Walking as Jesus Walked (v. 6)
John asserts the Moral Test for genuine fellowship with God.
Are we walking in the light?
The Ascension is often overlooked but it is more prominent in Scripture than we might realize.
Jesus' Ascension is historical in that it took place at a specific geographic location; there were eyewitnesses; and it was bodily.
What does it mean for us?
We have an advocate at the right hand of God.
Our priorities should shift to things above.
We have the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit, so we are fully equipped.
Our Lord reigns!
We seek life through things like security and comfort; and there is nothing inherently wrong with wanting some measure of these things.
But the life we seek is found in Jesus.
It is in Jesus that we have been made alive!
The Great "I Am" willingly humiliated himself on the cross such that he said, "I am a Worm" scorned and despised by the people!"
He was delivered through the trial of the cross, so that we might be delivered for all eternity!
Pastor Hunsicker reminds us that:
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God offers each of us the gift of abundant and eternal life.
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Our response to that offer is the most important decision we will ever make.
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A Spirit-filled life is the hope we have when we respond in faith.
We find in the cross Jesus' Heart and Our Hope
Jesus may have recited or meditated or possibly even sang Psalm 22 from the cross.
We find in the opening verses the emotional and spiritual anguish which Jesus endured for our sake.
Jesus reminds us that we too have hope that God is near even in our most anxious moments. In Jesus we have hope of salvation and hope in trials.
All believers know prayer is essential, but often it is difficult to be consistent.
This message offers some practical suggestions for intercessory prayer and takes a brief look at the practice of "Fixed Hour Prayers."
Next to Last Category of Spiritual Practices in Adele Calhoun's acronym WORSHIP.
The practices here call us to "incarnate" or demonstrate Christ's love to the world around us.
This message taking its cue from Dane Ortlund's book "Gentle and Lowly" specifically looks at how Jesus is "gentle and lowly in heart" (Mt. 11:29)
What might it look like for us to demonstrate gentleness and lowliness, compassion and humility?
Spiritual Practice of Hearing God's Word.
This is a call to "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly," (Col. 3:16)
John MacArthur offers four helpful ways for the Word of God to dwell in us richly:
Hear It; Handle It Rightly, Hide It, Hold It Fast.
This message will consider:
Reading God's Word (Hear It)
Studying God's Word (Handle It Rightly)
Meditating and Memorizing God's Word (Hide It)
Living God's Word (Holding It Fast)
We are called to love as Christ loves us.
Which means we are called to practice hospitality, sympathy, and service
The message considers the discipline or practice of confession.
We learn from Daniel 9 to:
Confess Clearly
Confess Biblically
Confess Confidently
Today, we consider ways to open ourselves to God by using age old practices as well as one that has become important in our day:
Contemplation
St. Ignatius Examen
Unplugging
Introductory sermon to 2026 series on Spiritual disciplines or Practices, using Adele Calhoun's categories in "Spiritual Disciplines Handbook"
This message focuses on the Who, What, and How of worship. It concludes with an emphasis on celebrating God!
Christmas songs as well as the message is included in this podcast.
2 Timothy 4 urges us to "Fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith."
Paul utilizes metaphors that are: military, athletic, and financial.
By his own example, Paul calls Timothy and in turn us to understand we are in a battle and it's a marathon in which we keep the sacred trust of faith for future generations.
This message:
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Looks at the role of Kings in ancient Israel.
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Considers how Jesus fits the role of King.
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Ponders some implications of Jesus' Kingship which includes:
a. Trusting Jesus
b. Allowing Jesus to be Lord of our lives.
We have a great high priest who made the once and for all sacrifice for our sins.
Our great high priest is also able to sympathize with our weaknesses because he's been where we are!
Christ listens to us and understands us!
How is Jesus a prophet like Moses? How does Jesus surpass Moses and all prophets?
Jesus is the prophet mighty in word, deed, and prayer.
Christians have hope that is beyond wishful thinking or mere optimism.
Our Hope is Rooted in the Promises of God.
Our Hope Sustains in Trials.
Our Hope is Anchored in the Resurrection of Jesus.
God has provided our greatest need, the forgiveness of sins.
Therefore, God can be trusted for our daily needs.
Our calling is to trust God, and be grateful and content.
Ecclesiastes reminds us that two are better than one whether we are: working, walking, watching, or needing warmth.
Relationships reflect God's love for us
In relationship, we can bear one another's burdens.
In relationship, we strengthen one another's faith.
Glory be to God for our relationship with Him and with one another!
Salvation is a gift we do not deserve and cannot earn.
The response to such a gift is deep gratitude!
Traditional teaching of religious leaders had missed what the Old Testament actually taught about loving neighbors and the implications of texts like Proverbs 25:21 for our interaction with "enemies."
Jesus teaching is radical; Jesus is calling us to a love that is far beyond what is common. Therefore, we cannot demonstrate such love apart from the reliance upon the Holy Spirit and prayer.
Jesus shares the traditional teaching of "The Law of Retaliation" but then adds his shocking teaching, telling us "Do not resist the one who is evil."
Is Jesus teaching absolute pacifism or is he teaching something else?
Looking at the four illustrations Jesus gives, this message seeks to understand the context of Jesus' day and how the principle Jesus teaches applies today.
Jesus gives another illustration of how his followers' righteousness should exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees.
In this segment he reminds us to be radical truth tellers and truth keepers!
Oaths really are not necessary for Christ followers for our "yes" should be yes and our "no" should be no.
God is serious about His holiness; therefore, God is serious about our holiness.
But regardless of our sin, God does not hate us. God hates what our sin does to us, but God does not hate us.
Jesus teaches us the great importance of guarding our lives and protecting ourselves from sin.
But no one is righteous, not even one; therefore, no one should be self-righteous.
We are all in need of God's great grace!
Jesus makes it clear that murder is not just an external action.
The sin begins in our hearts as unrighteous anger and harsh words and insults.
Our calling is to be reconciled to our brothers and sisters. Reconciliation is both necessary and urgent!
This message introduces a series on Jesus teaching in the Sermon on the Mount where he begins each teaching with a variation of: "You have heard it was said .... but I say ..."
In this introduction we see Jesus' relationship with the Law and the Prophets. We also see that though we're saved by grace, Jesus calls his followers to a life of "radical righteousness."
We all struggle; we all wonder sometimes if God is listening.
David encourages us in Psalm 28 to be honest with the Lord and keep calling out.
He also gives us encouragement to keep meeting together for corporate worship.
The Story of Jonah reveals God's great mercy to at least three people or groups of people:
Jonah, the sailors, and the Ninevites.
God's mercy is related to his grace and patience and all three flow out of God's goodness and love.
Mercy is not just what God possesses; it is who God is.
God has mercy on all in a general way by providing food to eat and air to breathe. But God provides special mercy in Jesus!
We see from the story of the revival of Ninevah that several things are present when revival takes place:
The Word of God is preached.
People believe God's Word and believe in God who gave His Word.
Action accompanies that belief - particularly the act of repentance.
Prayer
Could a great fish possibly swallow a human? Is the story real?
The opening of the message seeks briefly to explain the answer to both questions is: "Yes!"
This message then turns to focus on the characteristics of Jonah's prayer:
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Honest
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Repentant
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Thankful
This introductory message considers why Jonah ran. Was the call too difficult? Was it too dangerous? Or was there another reason?
Then the message looks at how the sovereign will of God played out in Jonah's life.
"God will do whatever God needs to do to fulfill His sovereign will in our lives!"
This message is a review or summation of some of the key points of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church's 45th General Assembly.
We seek to build on a firm foundation of Jesus Christ, the cornerstone.
And as we build on that foundation we focus on Faith, Family, and Future.
This message is a paraphrasing of what our Youth learned at their mission camp with Mfuge in Ridgecrest, NC.
It is about walking in the light of Jesus and owning our Faith.
It is a reminder that Jesus is the Source of Faith.
We are called to help Spark Faith in others.
We must Fuel our Faith.
And we are called to Shine the light of Faith.
Psalm 147 is all about God. In the opening eleven verses "Lord" or "God" is used eight times. And the pronouns "He, His, and Him" are used fourteen times to refer to God.
The opening eleven verses give us at least three reasons we should praise God:
God cares for His people
God cares for the least significant.
God cares for all of creation.
God is all Loving.
God's Love is:
Sacrificial
Jealous
Unconditional
Chastening
God-Initiated
Steadfast and Everlasting
God is all-merciful and God has demonstrated His great mercy in Jesus.
Our response to God's mercy is to: remember it; delight in it; demonstrate it; and declare it!
God is all-knowing and all-wise.
God's knowledge is exhaustive and perfect; whereas, our knowledge is partial and imperfect.
God is also all-wise.
We see God's wisdom in creation, God's plan of redemption, in the Church, and most of all in Jesus.
God's knowledge and wisdom is a call to humility. It's a call to Scripture and to prayer. It's a call to seek the mind and will of God.
God is All-Sufficient.
We can not add anything to God. God does not need anything or ultimately anyone beyond himself.
But the good news is that though God does not need us; God wants us; God chose us.
God chose to create us; God chose to redeem us; God chose us for service.
And because God is all-sufficient we can depend upon God!
Two "secret disciples" buried Jesus along with two women.
Really no such think as a secret disciple. We must stand with Jesus.
Four people at his burial, but oh what a difference the empty tomb made.
Transformed the disciples and the early church and it transforms us.
Jesus was mocked and forsaken upon the cross to take away our shame and guilt.
He was forsaken so that we might be accepted! Forsaken so that we might not ever be forsaken by God!
Look and remember the humiliation Jesus endured. Remember he endured it for our salvation; he endured it because he loves us.
Look and see yourself in this scene.
Repent, obey, and worship the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Two Trials were going on that Thursday evening:
Jesus was before the Sanhedrin.
Meanwhile, Peter had a trial of his own before a servant girl.
The symbols or images in the garden of Gethsemane tell the story.
Warren Wiersbe suggests we find in this text: a lonely garden, a costly cup, a hypocritical kiss, and a useless sword.
This message looks at each of these images and asks, Which will we choose in our own Garden of Gethsemanes?" Betrayal, Our Own Strength, or Trust in God?
Jesus had a definite plan. Jesus and God were in control of that last Passover meal with the disciples. Even the location was kept secret.
Judas was the betrayer.
However, all the disciples understood that they had the potential to betray Jesus. Thus they asked, "Is It I, Lord?"
We all must ask that difficult question. It could be and probably has been all of us.
But the good news is that the story doesn't end here. Jesus was in control, thus it means Jesus willing gave his live for us. His body was broken; his blood was shed for us.
This message following along with the Prayer Course is about contemplation and listening.
Not only should we speak to God in prayer but we should also listen to God.
It is hard for us to listen because we are distracted by busyness. If we're going to listen, we must "ruthlessly eliminate hurry" (Dallas Willard).
Meditating on God's word and practicing "Sacred Reading" or "Lectio Divina" is one way to listen to God; and this message presents one way to do so (A method suggested through the Prayer Course).
Unanswered Prayer is difficult for us all.
Sometimes there are reasons why they are not answered like: We're not right with God or we ask with the wrong motives or what we ask is not in accord with God's will. Sometimes we even give up too soon.
But what about when we feel like we're asking with the right motives and in accord with God's will and God's Word?
It helps to know that Jesus had to abide by the same rules. He prayed, "Yet not my will but Thy will be done."
It helps to know God is storing up our prayers (Rev. 8:3-5).
And then we've got to trust and keep asking, seeking, and knocking.
Confession is acknowledging our sins. Agreeing with God that we have sinned.
It includes being sorrowful for our sins.
1 John 1:9 is beautiful - if we confess sin, God is faithful to forgive us!
Practical way to confess is the Examen or "Ignatius Examen."
God calls us to articulate our needs and to exchange our wills for His will.
The story of Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-52 reminds us that though God knows our needs we are called to call out to God.
We are called according to Philippians 4:6-7 to pray and exchange anxiety for peace.
The message concludes with some practical steps: keep a prayer calendar or a prayer box or prayer basket. Use the image of the hand to teach intercessory prayer to children.
Jesus models the adoration of God.
"Our Father" makes God intimate.
"Hallowed be Thy Name" reminds us God is also holy and majestic.
To praise God is to vocally adore God, to render honor, to esteem, to love and worship God.
This message provides some practical ways to do so:
Praying the Psalms.
Pausing and Rejoicing
Praising with Music
Posture of Praise
Of all the things the disciples could have requested, they asked, "Lord, Teach Us to Pray."
They didn't ask, Teach us to evangelize, or teach us to preach, or teach us a leadership axiom. No they asked, "Teach Us to Pray."
So in this series paralleling the "Prayer Course" we will learn to pray using the Lord's Prayer as our model.
Give thanks to God with your whole heart and recount again and again his wonderful deeds!
Declare what God has done and trust God for the future!
Charles Spurgeon once said, "Half heart is no heart!"
This message is a call to go deeper in our relationship with God. Deeper in faith, deeper in service.
It's a call to take the next step to walk closer with God.
The texts today are a reminder to go deeper in our praise of the Lord.
The message suggests that we can go deeper by reflecting on who God is, what God has done, and what God has promised. And the Psalms are a great place to reflect upon these truths!
Simeon's song reminds us that we can have hope in the midst of the waiting.
We can hope for Jesus is our hope in the hopelessness.
Mary's Song of Worship is intense and humble.
She is clear that the object of her worship is the Lord and Savior.
She has reason to worship. She worships because of God's redemptive history and she is assured God will continue those mighty acts in Jesus.
In Jesus, we can have peace with God.
It is peace from our past, peace in the present, and peace for the future.
Christmas and Christmas Songs are beautiful and even enchanting.
But what about when life is not so "Holly Jolly?"
Well, we still have songs of faith and one of those which is part of the birth of Jesus is Zechariah's song in Luke 1:67-79.
Zechariah and the Israelites had been waiting a long time for the Messiah - more than 400 years in fact.
We learn something from Zechariah and even more so from Jesus about what to do while we are waiting.
This message looks at the final two pieces of the whole armor of God: the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit.
Two pieces of the armor of God are considered in this message: The shoes of Gospel readiness and the shield of faith.
The shoes of the Gospel is on one hand offensive as we take the good news of the Gospel to save lost souls. It is also defensive as the truth of the Gospel protects us against the attacks of the evil one.
The shield of faith is a reminder to "put our whole weight on God" when the enemy attacks. We can trust God to do what he says he will do to protect us.
In this message, we look at two pieces of spiritual armor: Belt of Truth and the Breastplate of Righteousness.
Spiritual warfare is real and our adversary is real.
But Christ is stronger and has won the ultimate victory!
Therefore, we should; we must; and we can stand strong by putting on the full armor of God!
There is a call in this text to "stay salty":
Minister in His name; nor for our fame.
Avoid jealousy; rejoice with other ministries
Be careful to cause no one to sin.
Ruthlessly cut out sin in our lives.
Followers of Christ are called to be servants.
Servanthood is foundational to being a Christian.
Being a servant leads to a rise in the grace of humility.
Jesus in this text asks "life's most important question" - "Who do you say that I am?"
Most important because:
It's about the most important person.
It's personal.
It's Eternal.
It impacts our lives every day. Determines what or who is Lord of our lives.
We don't like to be put on hold!
So What do we do when God seems to put us on hold?
We do what the Syrophoenician woman did; we ask and keep asking; we trust and keep trusting!
God has a plan
We are called to obey God instead of the culture around us.
God's promises are trustworthy
Jesus' encounter with the Pharisees and Scribes revealed that they were concerned with the external. But the problem they and all of us have is internal; it's a heart problem.
A problem that only Jesus can solve!
God is in the business of making things right.
Not only was God working out his eternal purposes through Joseph and his brothers, but God was also reconciling Joseph to his brothers.
But Joseph and his brothers had to do their part. The brothers had to come to some level of remorse. And Joseph as the authority figure and the one sinned against had to come to a place of forgiveness; and he did! He went above and beyond!
What about us? How are we making things right with one another?
Through it all the Lord was with Joseph, even when he couldn't see it.
Likewise, the Lord is with us. The hard part for us is that it is in His time!
Joseph's Big Dreams were part of God's plan for Joseph and through it all God was working out His plans.
However, the dreams only fueled his brothers' envy.
We see here a practical warning to guard against envy and to understand that every one of us are children of God. The "playing field" is level at the foot of the cross!
Isaiah invites us to come to water, milk, and wine which represent refreshment, nourishment, and exhilaration, respectively.
The invitation is to those who are spiritually bankrupt as well as to those who think they're self-sufficient thus they do not know they're spiritually bankrupt.
It's a call to leave behind emotional and spiritual junk food and instead make the healthy choice and feed upon God's Word.
This message considers the final phrase of the Apostles' Creed: "I believe .... in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen."
The forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting are great riches we have in Christ!
This message considers the following phrase from the Apostles' Creed: I believe in the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, ..."
Sermon is part of the Apostles' Creed series and considers the statement, "I believe in the Holy Spirit."
General look at the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son or The Parable of the Loving Father is the Gospel in parable form.
It's all about the mercy of the Father! We can always come home!
This message looks at the following segment of the Apostles' Creed: "... He ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead."
This message takes a look at the following phrases from the Apostles' Creed: "He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead;"
This message considers the following phrase from the Apostles' Creed: "suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried."
In this message, we consider the names and titles for Jesus found in the Apostles' Creed's opening statement about Him: "I believe "in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary."
A look at the opening phrase of the Apostles' Creed: "I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth."
These narratives at the end of John teach us something of how we shall live once we come to trust in Jesus.
Fishers of Men Obey Jesus (vv. 1-14)
Shepherds Love Jesus and His People (vv. 15-19)
Disciples Follow Jesus (vv. 20-25)
Thomas may have had his doubts but when he came to believe he understood the implications; Jesus was his Lord and his God.
Do we believe?
Jesus can overcome our doubts.
Who is Mary Magdalene? Why is she significant? What does she teach us? How might we follow her example?
This message seeks answers to those questions.
What did the disciples see? Why did it cause them to believe? What did it cause them to believe?
This message looks carefully at the setting and it's symbolism.
It is also a reminder of who was in control of the events of Jesus'' passion. God, the Father, and God, the Son were.
The scene also begs the question: Who are you in this story? Who do you identify with?
Jesus in his prayer refers to six marks of the church:
Joy (v. 13)
Sanctification (v. 17, 19)
Truth (v. 17, 19)
Mission (v. 18)
Unity (vv. 11, 20-23)
Love (vv. 23-24)
The First Petition of Christ's "High Priestly Prayer."
We see that he finished well and accomplished the work God gave him to do and in doing so he glorified God!
Will we finish well? How can we finish well?
Jesus was a masterful teacher and his teachings are still guiding us today.
We learn in this segment about the nature and privilege and condition of prayer.
We learn about the great Christian virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love in this text - and especially about God's great love.
Jesus' promise to turn sorrow to joy was not just for the first disciples; it is for disciples of every age!
Should Christians keep a Sabbath rest?
How might we keep the intent of Sabbath?
Worship has always been integral to the Sabbath and the Lord's Day.
The Practice of service. It's a difficult practice to serve as Jesus served, but it is our calling.
Service is not self-righteous but humble.
A servant sees people.
A servant is attuned to Jesus
We can serve in the everyday like: practicing common courtesy, listening, guarding another's reputation, and hospitality.
Simplicity and Stewardship are Connected. They both require similar attitudes:
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It All Belongs to God.
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Contentment
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Trust
With those attitudes, simplicity and stewardship can then be lived outwardly.
Jesus declared that we live by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
We believe the Bible is God's Word.
Must study if we're going to know anything or anyone. We study those we love.
Likewise, we study the Bible to know what's important to God and what God would have us believe and do.
One practical way to study, the inductive method, is shared in this message.
We tend to know the practice of prayer is important but perhaps we're not as intentional as we could be and we may need some structure to our prayers.
So this message shares one such structure.
Introductory message on Spiritual Disciplines or Spiritual Practices.
We tend to compartmentalize our lives. God on Sunday and everyone and everything else the rest of the week.
We need sacred rhythms or a "Rule of Life" to keep God at the center of everything we do.
Jesus left his home to come be with us.
Jesus' came to save us from our sins.
Jesus came to be with us.
Jesus left his home to show us the way home!
Jesus came at just the right time.
It was the right time: religiously, culturally, politically.
Love is evident in our being adopted as sons and daughters
The Heart of Christmas Brings Joy!
Joy that God entered our messiness to save us.
Joy that God continues to be with us in our messiness and loves us through it.
Joy because God is not finished with us!
Peace is at the Heart of Christmas.
Peace with God, Peace of God, Peace with Ourselves, and Peace with Others.
Hope is at the heart of Christmas.
Hope for the now and hope for our souls and hope for complete restoration of all things!
Psalm 103 is a reminder to "Bless the Lord" or praise the Lord!
We learn from this Psalm:
How to Praise God.
Why we should praise God.
Who should praise God.
This is not a message we want to hear but one we need to hear. And it is a call to prepare.
Jesus said abide in me.
He is inviting us to more than connection or even relationship; he is inviting us to union.
The message includes practices that can draw us into a deeper union with Christ.
Jesus asked the Father to send another helper, the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is "another" like Jesus. The Holy Spirit is a person; the Holy Spirit is deity.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. The Holy Spirit teaches us. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and draws us to Jesus so that we might be born again.
The Holy Spirit also sanctifies believers, convicting us of sin so that we might become more Christ-like.
The call to discipleship is a call to obedient love and loving obedience.
If we say, we love Jesus then we must be obedient to his commandments.
But keeping the commandments is first and foremost about loving God and loving others.
Love and Obedience should be held in balance.
The Gospel is exclusive in that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
But it need not be offensive for Jesus has lovingly provided the solution to our dilemma.
Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us.
We must not lose sight of eternity or we will:
Expect too much of this life and people.
Be too self-focused.
Lack Hope
The new Commandment to love has:
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A New Object - It includes everyone.
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A New Measurement - the standard is the love of Jesus.
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A New Power - the Holy Spirit
Jesus has a unique love for those he calls his own.
And he loves us not because of any merit of our own. He loves us just because he loves us.
He loves us so much that he created us, redeemed us, and sustains us every day.
As Jesus has loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Jesus taught that he was deity.
Jesus taught he was the light of the world.
Jesus gave a warning about unbelief.
Four truths when we face death:
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Friends and Family can help
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God is never far away.
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We need not fear.
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We can bear witness to both grief and victory.
Are you moved by the cross?
Are you moved by the agony? Are you moved by the love? Are you moved by the forgiveness?
Are you moved enough to respond?
Satisfaction comes through death to self and living to Jesus.
Satisfaction comes by exchanging the temporal for the eternal.
Satisfaction comes in serving.
The story of Lazarus teaches us at least four realities when we face death:
Friends and Family can help.
God is always near.
We need not fear death.
We can bear witness to both grief and victory.
Character Study of Mary, Martha, Lazarus, and Thomas
Are we loyal in our worship, service, and witness ?
We are called to be "rooted and grounded in love."
Paul prays we would know the "breadth, length, height, and depth" of Christ's love.
Christ's love ultimately surpasses knowledge but we can grow in it and though we may not have sufficient words to describe it, we can point to the cross!
"Teach me, O Lord ....!"
Psalm 119:33-40 is a prayer that the Lord would teach us His Word and his Ways.
Jesus calls His followers and they know His voice and they follow.
Have we heard His voice? Are we following?
Hide God's Word in Your Heart!
Read God's Word; study God's Word; meditate on God's Word; memorize God's Word.
The reactions of the neighbors and the Pharisees to the healing of the man born blind are divided.
But the man is not divided. He progresses from simply describing the miracle, to declaring Jesus is a prophet, to professing faith in Jesus!
The text challenges us to ask what we believe about the miracles of Jesus. It also challenges us to confront legalism and stand strong in faith.
Ultimately it asks, "Do you believe?"
Jesus said he was working while it was day for night was coming. He only had a limited time on earth to work, so he must keep working.
The same is true for us; we only have a limited time to serve the Lord. Therefore let us work while it is day!
Genuine faith manifests itself in a changed life.
Knowing the truth sets us free. Jesus came to liberate lost sinners
Selected Verses of Psalm 118.
Verse 6 - What can man do?
Verses 8 and 9 - Trust God instead of people!
Verse 24 - Rejoice in the day!
Mary Magdalene was among the first to see the resurrected Lord and among the first evangelist.
She is a reminder that the Lord came to save all who will trust no matter how significant or insignificant we might feel!
Yes, Peter denied Jesus; but it was an act of momentary weakness.
Jesus knew that and restored him.
As Peter denied Jesus three times, three times Jesus asked, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Three times, Peter responded yes; and three times Jesus commanded Peter to be obedient "Feed or Tend to my sheep or lambs."
God's steadfast love and faithfulness endures forever. So let's join with people from all nations and praise the Lord!
Jesus' extravagant grace is not cheap grace. It is not a license to sin; it should not be taken for granted. Rather Jesus' grace is a motivation to live a changed life!
Have you ever been truly thirsty? Is your soul thirsty now?
Jesus is the only one who can truly quench your thirst.
God is our help and shield.
God blesses all who trust in Jesus - both the small and the great with salvation.
What made Israel special was not that they were a great people, but that God was present with them.
Likewise, the church is special not because of who we are or what we have done, but because God is present with us. God has chosen by his grace in Jesus to make us His people (1 Peter 2:9-10)
In John 7, The people of Israel are asking, "Who is Jesus?"
That is the most important question we will ever ask and answer.
Who is Jesus? A good man? A deceiver? A prophet? A sage?
Or is he the Son of God, Savior of the world, King of kings and Lord of lords?
You must choose.
In this segment of John 6, we see multiple responses to Jesus and the Gospel. Some were faithless; some were fickle, and some were faithful.
Work for Food that Endures.
Work for that which lasts. We must work; we must earn an income and acquire resources but we are not called to be consumed by those things.
Our calling is to bring God glory in thought, word, and deed.
Psalm 112 is an acrostic poem about the Godly Person.
It's about the person who fears the Lord and delights in God's Commandments.
It tells of the blessing God bestows upon such a person.
A little becomes much in the hands of Jesus.
Don't let what you think Jesus can and cannot do limit what he wants to do in and through you.
Sure you have doubts and fears; but if Jesus is calling, take the next faithful step(s).
Psalm 111 is an acrostic Psalm about God's works.
It's also a great Psalm to "pray back" to God!
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is: Historical, Central, and Personal.
It centers on the person and work of Jesus who is a historical figure.
The Gospel is central to all we do as individuals and as a church.
The Gospel is personal; each individual must decide.
God's faithfulness is infinite!
We have our ups and downs and our faith wavers; but God's faithfulness does not!
We are all broken.
But brokenness is what turns us to God for the only solution for our brokenness.
Continuing to look at the "Portraits of the Redeemed" found in Psalm 107.
Prisoners set free (vv. 10-16)
Sick Healed (vv. 17-22)
Sailors Saved from Storm (vv. 23-32)
Introduction to "3 Circles" method for sharing the Gospel.
Today focused on circle #1: God's Design.
God designed the world perfectly and God has a good and perfect design for every aspect of our lives.
Psalm 107 points ahead to our redemption in Jesus.
We too are lost, imprisoned, sin sick, and tossed about.
But in Jesus we are redeemed. Let the redeemed of the Lord give thanks to God!
God can use us if:
We are compassionate.
We see people.
We are prayerful.
We accept the challenge.
While Psalm 106 speaks specifically of Israel's sin and unfaithfulness, it also reminds us that we are all in need of God's mercy in Christ.
All of us would be wise to pray the "Jesus Prayer," "Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner!"
Acts 2:42-47 outlines the marks of the Church:
Devotion to Christ
Reliance on the Holy Spirit
Biblical Teaching and Preaching
Fellowship
Worship (breaking of bread and prayers)
Evangelism
Like the angels, we too are called to give glory to God for unto us our Savior has been born!
Focus on the joy and peace the Shepherds' had at the coming of the Christ child.
We too can have peace which surpasses understanding for Christ has come.
What are our motives?
What is the motivation for what we say and do? Is it to glorify God, love and serve God, and love and serve others?
Or are our motives more self-centered?
Why did God choose Bethlehem as the birthplace of our Savior?
The answer reminds us why God also chose us!
Part 2 of "Ugly Christmas Sweater" series. Too often we wear "ugly word" sweaters. Words we have spoken to others and words spoken to us.
Words have the power of life and death; they can build us up or tear us down.
Let's take off those "ugly word" sweaters and put on the love of Christ!
This sermon begins the Advent series titled, "Ugly Christmas Sweaters."
Too often we ruin our Christmas celebrations and negatively impact our lives by putting on "ugly" attitudes. We wear them almost like "Ugly Christmas Sweaters."
This message considers how "Ugly Thoughts" are impacting us.
Psalm 105 is a Psalm of Thanksgiving and in this Psalm we see:
God's Promises, God's Provision, God's Judgment, and God's Redemption
Jesus did not just know God's will, nor did he merely do God's will, but He accomplished God's will.
We too are called to do and accomplish God's will.
Scripture tells us what we must do and we can finish well, if we:
Focus on God
Hunger for God's Word
Hate Sin
Are Faithful in the little things.
Are Wholehearted
Avoid an independent spirit.
Jesus first discloses his identity to a Samaritan woman revealing that He has come for all.
Salvation is possible for all; Jesus breaks all barriers!
God not only created all we see; he also sustains all things.
In this devotion we see that God causes the grass to grow and the trees to grow, providing nourishment and lodging.
God also created and controls the sun and the moon and the seasons.
God gives the day as a time for men and women to go out and labor.
God is Lord. Is God, Lord of your life?
John understood that he was the forerunner of the Messiah but not the Messiah.
He understood that the time had come for him to fade into the background and for Jesus to move to the forefront.
He understood that Jesus must increase, but he must decrease.
Unless one is born again, they cannot see nor enter the kingdom of God.
Born from above, being regenerated is a prerequisite for faith.
Jesus again reveals his deity in two ways:
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He will be raised from the dead on the third day.
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Omniscient - Knows all people and all things
But the unbelieving Jews (religious leaders) reject Jesus and his "once for all" sacrifice. Many today do so as well. They seek more than the truth revealed in Scripture that Jesus died "once for all" gaining our eternal redemption.
"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" (v. 8).
Therefore let's bless the Lord, praise the Lord with all that is in us!
What do we learn from Christ's first Miracle?
Many things but among them are these:
Our Savior is a miracle working Savior. It is proof of His deity.
Jesus sanctified the institution of marriage.
Jesus enjoys a good celebration and being with people.
Nothing is too big or too small to bring to Jesus.
Psalm 102 is the plea of someone going through a very difficult time. Despite the Psalmist difficulty, he knows who to turn to and makes and impassioned plea to God.
In the call of the first disciples we find insight for our own calling to invite others to Jesus.
Our first calling is to be a witness to those closest to us: family and friends.
In order to be an effective witness a few things/tools are necessary:
A changed Life
Point people to Jesus
Know Jesus personally - Spend time with Jesus.
How effective is our witness to family and friends?
This section informs us of three days in the ministry of John the Baptist.
Day 1, verses 19-28 the emphasis is on preparing the way of the Lord.
Day 2, verses 29-34, the emphasis is on trusting in the "The Lamb of God"
Day 3, Verses 35-42, the emphasis is on following Jesus.
David desired to run his kingdom by God's standards.
These are still standards for us today.
In Jesus the fullness of God and the fullness of man dwells.
Makes all the difference for our salvation and everyday living!
Psalm 100 is a call to Worship the Lord.
Seven imperatives are used to call us to worship the Lord!
Like John the Baptist declared, "He must increase and we must decrease!"
The Gospels record a variety of responses to Jesus. Some were hostile. Some rejected him. Some thought Jesus was a madman. Some were superficially drawn to Jesus. Some were attracted to him but not committed. But some received him and became committed followers.
How will you respond to Jesus? Fan or follower?
God is Holy!
We need to better understand just how holy God is.
We are called to be holy as God is holy.
Bucky Hunsicker introduces us to the John series.
He reminds us:
Where the Holy Spirit collides with chaos and darkness new creation happens.
Jesus is life and light
Gospel of John is written that we "may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing (we) may have life in his name."
We were bought at a price.
We are not our own.
The Holy Spirit dwells in us.
Glorify God with your body.
Psalm 98 is a joyous song of praise.
It is a call to praise God for God is:
Our Savior
Our King
Our Judge
On the 75th anniversary of Stuart Presbyterian Church, let us remember what God has done, what God is doing, and what God will do!
The Lord Reigns!
God is sovereign over all!
Therefore, we can:
Trust God in our trials.
Rely on God's grace.
Trust and Obey God's Word.
Live boldly
We live very busy lives and that makes the practice of solitude difficult, but it is all the more reason we need Solitude.
After some of Jesus' busiest moments, he got away for times of silence and solitude with God.
This message shares reasons we need solitude and ideas for practicing solitude.
Hospitality is clearly taught in the Old and New Testament and has been practiced by Christians from the very beginning. Jesus himself modeled being a generous and gracious host.
What might it look like for us to practice hospitality in our homes and churches?
In this devotion we highlight the major sections of Psalm 96, using Derek Kidner's outline:
Verses 1-6, The King's Glory
Verses 7-9, The King's Due
Verses 10-13, The King's Coming
While the world around us declares: "Accumulate, accumulate!" and "Mine, mine!", the biblical view of household economics declares to us: Have enough for your needs; but not your greeds; and share some of your blessings with others.
Psalm 95 is a Call to Worship. It is a call to worship God joyfully and enthusiastically with songs and instruments and shouts of joy.
Christ gives us freedom from: Sin's bondage, sin's penalty, and sin's shame.
Christ gives us freedom for: new life with God, service to God
We do not seek persecution and it certainly should not come because we're obnoxious.
But if we walk in the footsteps of Jesus and live according to the beatitudes we are bound to face persecution.
The blessing is that we are walking in the footsteps of Jesus and great are our rewards in heaven.
Do you delight in worshiping God?
Is corporate worship a treat or a trial? A delight or a duty?
The Lord is our Refuge and Strength.
The Lord does not necessarily keep us from the terrors, but the Lord keeps us in the midst of the terrors.
The Pure in Heart have an undivided devotion to God.
No one is perfect in their devotion to God, but trusting in the grace of God, the instruction of Scripture, and the power of prayer we can become increasingly pure in heart.
Thus we see God now and we see him face to face for all eternity!
Extending mercy and forgiveness is evidence that we have been saved by God's mercy and forgiveness in Christ!
We are what we consume to some extent.
Jesus compels us to seek after a right relationship with God, and to seek after God's will.
It's a call to be in right relationship with God, with others, and the world at large.
The meek are those whose anger is under control.
The meek are gentle and God-controlled.
The meek submit to God's will.
God is faithful to his people!
God is faithful even in discipline!
God is faithful in all things and at all times!
This beatitudes is a call to mourn our individual sin and brokenness as well as the world's.
It's a call to grief our sins so that we might receive the comfort of forgiveness, changed lives, indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and salvation.
God Is Faithful.
God is faithful to His promises.
God's is praised in heaven.
God's faithfulness is revealed in creation and God's ongoing control of creation.
In this message, the Sermon on the Mount is introduced as the greatest sermon ever preached.
The Beatitudes give us a portrait of Jesus. We learn how to live as Jesus lived. We learn how to have a blessed life, a happiness that does not come from outward circumstances but from our relationship with Christ.
The first beatitude is foundational. We must be poor in spirit - that is humble enough to know we cannot save ourselves if we're going to accept God's mercy in Christ.
David's Psalm is a plea for mercy.
It reminds us:
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We need God's Mercy.
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God gives Mercy.
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We can plea for mercy.
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We should tell others of God's mercy.
Yes, we grieve; and grief is a healthy part of healing. Jesus himself grieved.
But we grieve as those with hope!
One day the crowd yelled, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"
A few days later, some of the same people yelled, "Crucify him!"
Like the crowd surely we can be just as fickle.
But praise God, Jesus says to us what he said to the crowd, "Father, forgive them ...."
Jesus is the True Vine.
He is the one perfect, essential, enduring vine.
No branch bears fruit in isolation; we, the branches, must abide in the vine Jesus. We are dependent upon Jesus and His Word.
How do you know if you're abiding in Jesus? What kind of fruit are you bearing (Gal. 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:5-8)?
Psalm 85 is a go to Psalm during times of discouragement. It reminds us to:
Remember God's faithfulness in the past.
Pray for God's restoration in the present.
Wait for God.
Look expectantly for what God will do in the future.
Jesus is the three-fold solution.
He is the Way to God.
He is the Truth about God.
He is the Life eternal with God.
All are welcome in the house of the Lord.
All service in the house of the Lord is valuable whether it be considered small or large, private or public.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd which means he is uniquely good, not just morally good, but beautiful, winsome, excellent, and so forth.
He is uniquely good because He is God.
He is uniquely good because He gave his life for us.
He is uniquely good because He knows everything about us and loves us anyway.
Psalm 81 challenges us to examine ourselves.
Are we only giving God lip service? Does our lives reflect the Gospel we profess? Do we honor God with our lips while our hearts are far from Him?
Asking these kinds of questions is actually a sign that we're seeking growth and maturity.
Jesus is the Door of the Sheep which means he is promising: salvation, safety, and satisfaction!
Jesus is the Light of the World
His light overcomes the darkness of our sin and give us life.
His light is present with us; it protects us; it guides us.
Believers are called to reflect the light of Christ.
Psalm 78 recall us to remember our past; learn from our failures; see God's faithfulness despite our failures; and share our faith with the next generation.
Introduction to the I AM Series.
Jesus is the Bread of Life:
Essential for Life
Needed Daily
Necessary for Growth
Psalm 77 reminds us that the God who has been faithful in our past will be faithful again now and into our future!
God has NOT forgotten you!
Daniel and his companions faced the temptation to worship Nebuchadnezzar's statue.
We face temptations to worship the false gods of possessions, power (pride), and pleasure everyday.
What choice will we make?
Psalm 75 reminds us to give thanks to God.
It specifically calls us to thank God for being near!
Who we believe ourselves to be matters.
Culture, psychology, our past all try to define us.
But in Christ, we are children of God; and understanding that we are God's children, fearfully and wonderfully made with the Father's love lavished upon us makes all the difference.
Children of God have a great desire to worship and serve our Father who has lavished His love upon us.
Three Truths according to Scripture:
Christ died for our sins.
Christ was buried.
Christ was raised on the third day.
A final truth: no one's past nor anything else disqualifies them from salvation.
Jesus calls us to worship in spirit and truth.
It means we must worship the God who is revealed in Scripture who is bigger than any words we might use to describe him.
We must worship God with heart, soul, mind, and strength.
We worship by the power of the Holy Spirit,
We come honestly, sincerely, and wholeheartedly to worship.
We worship the God who is revealed to us in Scripture, with all God's attributes.
Psalm 72 speaks of an ideal King and Christian Scholars have long noted that it points ahead to the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus.
This week we learn that his kingdom is universal - that is over all ages and all people. His kingdom is compassionate. His kingdom brings blessings!
The word "Evangelism" strikes fear in some of us. But we can do this one on one with the people in our sphere of influence. We can because the Holy Spirit empowers us and if we have experienced new birth in Christ, we can tell our story.
Psalm 72 not only speaks of a great king but it seems to speak of an ideal king. Therefore Christians have long seen this Psalm as pointing to Jesus.
This week we look at how Jesus and His kingdom is Righteous and Everlasting.
The Psalmist, likely King David, looks to God's faithfulness in the past to give him courage for the present and assurance of the future.
He has lived many years (v. 9) and seen God's faithfulness since the womb (v.6) and he longs to share his faith with another generation (v. 18).
Psalm 70 reminds us that all of us have troubles but there is one we can cry out to.
Make haste to help us, O Lord!
Our prayer discipline should include more than requests.
Intercession and Petition is part of prayer, but prayer should also include Praise and Thanksgiving, Confession, and Praying God's Word.
Psalm 69
In Psalm 69, David is clearly crying out to God. In fact he is weary and his throat is parched from crying out to God.
But he does not give up. He knows that at the right time God will answer him out of the abundance of God's steadfast love!
Jesus invites us in Matthew 11:28-30 to learn from him; and one of the things we learn from him is how to walk more intimately with the Father.
And one of those ways is by hearing God's Word, the Bible, and reading it (Romans 10:17)
This message is a reminder to be disciplined in hearing and reading God's Word.
Today's message is primarily the reading of a Christmas story - Jean Gietzen's, "If You're Missing Baby Jesus." Published in the book "A Family Christmas," edited by James Dobson
Rediscover how much God loves you.
Let his love define you and propel you to love others!
Despite the trials of life we can have the joy of salvation! Unto us our Savior has been born!
God has made peace with us through Jesus; therefore, we are called to make peace with others, particularly with fellow believers!
We can have that "peace which passes all understanding" because "unto (us) has been born in the City of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord."
Peace is a person, "Emmanuel" - "God with us!"
Simeon and Anna never gave up hope despite their circumstances. Hope sees beyond our circumstances. We have hope because God is with us. We have hope because God does not change..
Hope is a person. Emmanuel. God with us!
Thanksgiving is an attitude we should have every day.
Give thanks to God in all circumstances!
This message ends the Holy Spirit series by considering the final six fruit of the Spirit: patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Psalm 68 is a reminder that the Lord goes before us. We can have a settled assurance that God is still in control despite our circumstances.
Psalm 67 is a reminder that God's "face shining upon us" is the greatest of all blessings.
God's face shining upon us is the blessing of being in intimate relationship with God. It is the blessing of knowing God and being favored by God.
It is the greatest of all blessings!
In this message, we consider the "vocational gifts" found in Ephesians 4:11:
Apostles
Prophets
Evangelists
Shepherds/Pastors
Teachers
Psalm 66 is a reminder to give God praise and thanksgiving.
It's a call to see all that God has done for us and give Him thanks!
In this message, we cover the gifts of:
Utterance of Wisdom
Utterance of Knowledge
Faith
Discerning of Spirits
Administration
In this message the following gifts are examined:
Service/Helps
Exhorter/Encourager
Contributor/Giver
Leader
Acts of Mercy
(Prophecy and Teacher will be considered later when we look at Ephesians 4)
David is surrounded by enemies who conspire to attack him with their slanderous words, but David puts his trust in the Lord.
This message share some over arching guidelines for Spiritual Gifts:
Every Christian has at least one Spiritual Gift
Don't compare gifts.
Spiritual gifts are for the common good. Equip saints, build up the church, attain unity, mature to fulness of Christ.
They are Gifts not talents.
How do you discern gifts?
What does the Holy Spirit Do?
Borrowing an image from Presbyterian Reformed Ministries International we might think about the works of the Holy Spirit in terms of a compass.
September 26 we looked at:
North - N - New Birth
South - S- Sanctification
Today:
East - E - Empowerment
West - W - We (Fellowship)
Who or what do you trust?
David said, "God alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress!"
This message looks specifically at the Holy Spirit's work of: Regeneration and Sanctification.
Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is a person.
The Holy Spirit is God.
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity.
The Holy Spirit along with God the Father and God the Son is to be believed in, loved, obeyed, and worshiped
Psalms 52-59 are an incredible collection of Psalms written during the season in which David was fleeing for his life from King Saul.
Yet despite the perils David faced, David declared repeatedly that his trust was in the Lord. David's refuge was in the shadow of God's wings (Ps. 57:1)!
Our work matters to God. Work was given as a good gift before the fall of humankind.
We should bring to our work: energy and enthusiasm, wholeheartedness, and excellence.
Should Christians keep a day of rest? What about Sabbath or Saturday versus Sunday? How does rest help? How might we keep a day of rest?
After confessing his sin and requesting to be cleansed, David also asks God to restore him and then he promises to teach others the lessons he has learned.
Paul prays that we will glorify God!
Perhaps a tough message for a society focused upon self. But Paul's prayer begs the question, "Whose glory am I seeking?"
David prays: purge me with hyssop; wash me; blot out my iniquities.
Hyssop was used for sprinkling with blood. The blood of an innocent victim sprinkled on something or someone was a sign of cleansing.
If you trust in Christ, you have been cleansed by the blood of THE innocent victim, Jesus.
What can wash away our sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Biblical hope is not wishful like hoping to win the lottery. It is not human optimism. It is not self-reliance.
Biblical hope is based on the person and character of God; it is based on who He is and what He has done.
Our world needs hope; we need hope. So Paul urges us to pray that the God of hope would fill us with all joy and peace in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may abound in hope.
Jesus and Paul both pray for unity. Unity in the Church draws others to Christ. It brings glory to God. And it protects against outside attacks.
Unity is not conformity.
The New Testament uses three images to speak of the unity of the church: A family, a fellowship, and a body.
Paul prays that the church in Ephesus, and in turn we would be grounded in love. He prays we would be grounded in the love of Jesus and thus love like Jesus.
Psalm 49 reminds us of our mortality. It reminds us to put our trust in God not in riches or what we can accomplish!
Ultimately it reminds us to put our trust in Jesus who gave "his life as a ransom for many" (Mk. 10:45)
Paul prays for the sanctification of the Thessalonians and in turn for us.
Sanctification is a life-long process of growing in spiritual maturity.
It is both the work of the Holy Spirit and the work of our wills and our actions.
Psalm 48 is another call to Praise God.
The theme is found in the opening verse, "Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised!"
Paul prays that the Colossians and in turn we would be filled with the knowledge of God's will. This is a daily call. We tend to seek God's will for future, grand events; but seeking God's will includes seeking it in the things of everyday life.
Paul also prays we will live in a manner worthy of our Lord. He's praying that we live in a manner worthy of all it means to be a Christian.
As Paul prayed for wisdom for the Ephesians, we too should pray for wisdom.
Pray that God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit would reveal more of himself to us.
Pray we would know:
The hope to which God has called us
The riches of our glorious inheritance
The immeasurable greatness of God's power
Psalm 46 is a reminder that God is our refuge and strength. Martin Luther's great hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" was inspired by this Psalm. God is our "Mighty Fortress" despite our circumstances and even when we do not feel him near!
This is the introductory message on Paul's prayers for the church. Paraphrasing from D.A. Carson's, "Praying with Paul," we share some general lessons on prayer.
Then we look at one of Paul's specific prayers for the church, namely Paul thanks God for the members of the churches he has founded.
Why are you cast down?
Put your hope in God. The God who sustained you and strengthened you in the past can and will do so again!
We reap what we sow.
We are called to "sow to the Spirit." We're called to sow seed that produces the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
We're called to serve others and be reconciled to others. So "let us not grow weary in doing good."
If we're going to boast, let us boast in the cross of Christ. We have nothing to boast of but grace alone.
Paul suggests x necessary ingredients for life in the community of faith:
Restore sinners
Bear one another's burdens; while bearing the weight of our own responsibility.
Do not think too highly of self, but consider neighbor as important if not more important
Guest speaker Bill Wall brings a Father's day message from the great parable Jesus told about a father and his wayward son, Luke 15:11-32
Will we produce works of the flesh (5:19-21)?
or
Will we walk by the Spirit and produce fruit of the Spirit (5:22-25)?
David gives us a pattern that is helpful when we too face struggles. David gives testimony of God's past deliverance, reflects in the present on God's goodness, and then prays for future deliverance.
Remembering how God has delivered us in the past and has been good to us gives us hope that God will be with us and deliver us in our current struggle.
May the Lord indeed pull you from the miry bog and set your feet on a rock!
In Psalm 39, David invites us to ponder the brevity of life and in doing so to make the most of our lives!
We are set free to love and serve.
And Paul in Gal. 5:15 gives us a very specific way to love and serve, by not biting and devouring one another.
Rather than bite and devour one another with our words, we are called to build each other up.
Freedom in Christ is Freedom from Legalism. At the same time it is not license to do whatever we choose. It is freedom to live for Christ, which is ultimately freedom to serve and love God and others.
Psalm 39 is a s Psalm about the brevity of life; but before David prays about the brevity of life, he teaches us the value of guarding our mouth!
Psalm 38 is a Psalm of Confession.
Psalm 38 also speaks of times of difficulty; and those are times we lean upon the mercy of God!
Guest speaker Andy Koesters shares from 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8. He reminds us that we are to be driven by the Gospel!
Keep looking up and looking ahead.
In the midst of difficulties, trust that the Lord has a long range plan in which the righteous flourish.
Look Up and Look Ahead!
Look up: Trust in the Lord, delight in the Lord, commit to the Lord, be still before the Lord.
Look Ahead: Those who wait for the Lord have a great inheritance!
The law served as a guardian until Christ came.
The law is a deterrent.
The law convicts us of sin.
The law shows us how to live.
The law ultimately reminds us that we need a Savior.
And the law reminds us that we are all one in Christ. For we all are sinners in need of His grace!
Christ took our curse! He became cursed so that we might not be cursed. He was forsaken so that we might not ever be forsaken.
As Christ lived, so shall we live!
Evidence for the Resurrection
Ultimately, each person must decide!
David celebrates God's attributes of: steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice.
Because of those attributes those who "take refuge in the shadow of his wings" experience satisfaction, joy, life, and light.
What a difference a week makes!
At the beginning of the week Jesus is celebrated, but by the end of the week he is crucified and then comes resurrection and ultimate victory!
What will you do with Jesus who is called the Christ?
The Church has often been plagued with Legalism on one extreme and Hypocrisy on the other.
The solution is to learn that we are all saved by faith alone and even that faith is a gift from God.
Oh taste and see that the Lord is good (v. 8)
Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, (v. 9)
God is good; but God must also be revered!
To quote Mr. Beaver in C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe," "'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you."
The Gospel is not the invention of humankind but a revelation from God through Jesus.
If humankind had invented it, it wouldn't have lasted.
Besides we would never have made up such a Gospel.
Further, if we had made it up, it wouldn't change us.
Galatians Series Introduction
We are all in some ways "Recovering Pharisees." We are all tempted to think we can earn salvation; tempted to think we can tip the scales with our good outweighing our bad.
Even if we know we're saved by grace; we're still tempted to try to add human effort to grace.
This episode also includes the song "O Far Country"
The message reminds us that God's goodness and mercy are indeed sure.
Also "dwelling in the house of the Lord" is both a present and a future reality.
The Lord takes us through the valley. The valley can be a dark and difficult place; but the Lord takes us through and He never abandons us.
The valley is a place of shadows; but remember: "Where there is a shadow there is also light!"
Signs of a soul in decline are: Neglect of Spiritual Nourishment; unconfessed sin; companionship with the world, critical spirit, complacent spirit, uncaring spirit.
But God restores continuously, graciously, and with purpose!
Jesus has prepared a table for us. He has prepared this table in the presence of our enemies. Therefore the table is a reminder of the defeat of three great enemies: Sins Past; Temptation Present; and Death of Tomorrow.
Soli Deo Glory - For God's Glory Alone!
Look around and see what God has made. See His power and majesty. See and give Him glory!
God designed into the very fabric of his creation the need for rest. Rest begins by resting in the finished work of Christ.
To Seek God's Face is to seek His presence., It is an every day conscious effort to seek God in everything and everyone. God is always present; but will we notice him?
Savor Christmas and more importantly savor the Christ of Christmas. He is: Heir of all things, Creator of all, Radiance of God, Essence of God, Sustainer of all, Purifier of our sins, and the One seated at the right hand of God.