Grace Covenant Church - Bloomington MN: Recent Episodes
Grace Covenant
The Problem: We’ve Lost One, 1.15-20
To Prepare: We Need 12, 1.21-22
In Prayer: Ready to Go, 1.23-26
The Problem: We’ve Lost One, 1.15-20
To Prepare: We Need 12, 1.21-22
In Prayer: Ready to Go, 1.23-26
Covenant Blessing, 67.1-2
(Saving Grace Results in Worship)
Covenant Extension, 67.3-4
(Glorifying Worship Learns in Discipline)
Covenant Increase, 67, 5-7
(Genuine Discipleship Participates in Mission)
Summons to Worship, 66.1-4
Come and See!, 66.5-12
I Will Worship, 66.13-15
Come and Hear!, 66.16-20
Instruction for Battle, 60.0
God’s Hand and Banner, 60.1-5
God’s Word in Holiness, 60.6-8
God’s Salvation over Foes, 60.9-12
Grabbed in Gath, 56.0
Trust When Chased, 56.1-4
Trust When Tracked, 56.5-11
I will Worship and Walk, 56.12-13
The Book of the Twelve:
3 Reading Pointers – Reprised
The Book of the Twelve:
The “Day-ly” Theme – Today
The Book of the Twelve:
Canonical Conversation –
Bookstore and Coffee Shop
The Whole Twelve
The Entire Book: Malachi
The Single Passage: Malachi 2.17-3.5
The Dispute: There is No Justice, 2.17
The Response: I Am Coming, 3.1-5
The Whole Twelve
The Entire Book: Zechariah
The Single Passage: Zechariah 9.9-17
Your King is Coming, 9.9-13
The People Sent, 9.14-15
The People Shine, 9.16-17
The Whole Twelve
The Entire Book: Haggai
The Single Passage: Haggai 2.1-9
Be Strong to Work, 2.1-5
I Will Fill this House, 2.6-9
The Whole Twelve
The Entire Book: Zephaniah
The Single Passage: Zephaniah 3.9-20
Purity in Word and Deed, 3.9-13
Joy in the King’s Presence, 3.14-17
Gathered for a New Destiny, 3.18-20
The Whole Twelve
The Entire Book: Habakkuk
The Single Passage: Habakkuk 2.1-4
Waiting for the LORD, 2.1
Running Until the End, 2.2-4
The Whole Twelve
The Entire Book: Nahum
The Single Passage: Nahum 1.1-11
The LORD’s Zeal, 1.1-8
People’s Plot, 1.9-10
City’s Evil, 1.11
The Whole Twelve
The Entire Book: Micah
The Single Passage: Micah 4.1-5
Last Days, New Days, 4.1-2
Walking in the Name, 4.3-5
The Whole Twelve
The Entire Book: Jonah
The Single Passage: Jonah 4.1-11
Jonah’s New Motto: Death First!, 4.1-4
Yahweh’s Appointed Plant: Grace First, 4.5-8a
Jonah’s New Motto: To Die is Gain, 4.8b-9
Yahweh’s Great Question:
Will it be Shade or Souls?, 4.10-11
The Whole Twelve
The Entire Book: Obadiah
The Single Passage: Obadiah 15-21
It Shall be Done to You, vv15-18
The Kingdom is the LORD’s, vv19-21
The Whole Twelve
The Entire Book: Amos
The Single Passage: Amos 7.1-9
First Vision & Intercession: Locusts, 7.1-3
Second Vision & Intercession: Fire, 7.4-6
Third Vision: Desolation of High Places, 7.7-9
The Book of the Twelve: 3 Reading Pointers
The Book of the Twelve: 1 “Day-ly” Theme
The Book of the Twelve: A Canonical
(Coffee Shop) Conversation
Explaining the Law: Framing Deuteronomy
Keep: To Go Well, 6.1-3
Teach: Love the LORD, 6.4-9
Fear: Don’t Forget or Follow, 6.10-15
Faith: Don’t Test but Trust, 6.16-19
Future: ReTell the Story, 6.20-25
We Have Peace, 5.1
We Boast upon Hope, 5.2
We Boast in Sufferings, 5.3-10
We Boast in God, 5.11
Bookends: Persevere and Restore, 1.2-8; 5.19-20
Control Your Tongue
Love Your Neighbor
Live Unstained
Anyone Among You, 5.13-15
For One Another, 5.16
As Elijah, 5.17-18
Not All Who Wander are Lost, 5.19-20
The Lord Comes as the Harvest, 5.7-8
The Lord Comes as the Judge, 5.9
The Lord Comes to the Saints, 5.10-11
The Lord Comes in Truth 5.12
James 4.11-12 Just One Judge Speak not Slander, 4.11 God’s Law of Love, 4.12 Commission:
ERMON NOTESMark 16.1-8 | The End?
The Haunting Conclusion of the Gospel According to St. Mark
I. Of Stories, Legends, and the Unsatisfying Ending of Mark
II.Three Functions of Mark's Odd and Troubling Conclusion
A. An Honest Portrait of Christian Life in the Present Age
B. A Sober Warning about the Real Danger which is Fear
C. A Haunting Evocation of the Next Act in the Drama
Psalms 55.12-23 | Cast Your Burden
With Frienemies Like These…, 55.12-15
With a God Like This…, 55.16-19
Sustained and Unmoved, 55.20-22
David’s Choice, 55.23
Commission
Psalms 55.1-11 | Where is Shelter?
The World Around, 55.0-3
The World Within, 55.4-8
The Enemies Around and Within, 55.9-11
Psalms 54 | Saved by Your Name
Ziphite Tattle-Tales, 54.0
Strangers Rise: Save and Hear, 54.1-3
The LORD Upholds: Return and Thanks, 54.4-7
Commision
Psalms 53 | Fools’ Talk
Rejection: No God, No Good, 53.0-1
Inspection: God Looks for Good, 53.2-4
Rejection: God Scatters, 53.5
Restoration: God Saves, 53.6
Commission
Psalms 52 | The Tongue and the Tree
A Restless Evil: the Massacre, 52.0
Doeg the Evil Edomite, 52.1-4
God the Righteous’ Refuge, 52.5-7
David the Trusting Tree, 52.8-9
Commission
Psalms 51 | The Path of Repentance
David's Darkest Hour, 51.0
Sin and Confession, 51.1-6
Appeal and Restoration, 51.7-12
Commitment to Proclamation, 51.13-19
Commission
Psalms 50 | Courtroom Drama
Court is in Session, 50.1-6
The Legalist Defense, 50.7-15
The Antinomian Defense, 50.16-21
The Rightly Ordered Way, 50.22-23
Commission:
2 Parameters
- All power has been given to Jesus!
- He is always present with us.
Commission: Sing a him about his power or his presence this week with your family or if single for yourself.
Psalms 49 | Fear Sheol, Not Sheep
Come Hear My Riddle, 49.0-4
Why Fear Man?, 49.5-6
Who Can Ransom?, 49.7-15
Don’t Fear Man, 49.16-20
Commission:
Psalms 48 | The Eternal City
The Sons Sing (Verse 6 of 7), 48.0
Sing about the King, 48.1-8 The City of God:
Place of the Peoples’ Praise, 48.1-3
Kings of Earth: Scattered and Shattered, 48.4-7
The City of God: Established Forever, 48.8
The Fame of the Name, 48.9-14 From Temple to the Ends, 48.9-11
From Zion to Forever, 49.12-14
Commission:
James 3.13-18Two Wisdoms, Two Lives
Who is Wise? Look at the Lives, 3.13-14
Which is Wisdom? Look at the Fruit, 3.15-17
Teacher, Tongue, Harvest, 3.18
Commission
The Prayer to the Almighty
- Attitude of prayer ( vs. 14-17)
- Strengthened in the inner being. (vs 18 -19)
- Expectation (vs 20-21)
James 3.5b-12The Tongue’s Terrible Power
JAMES 3 STRUCTURE: 7 PAIRS(1a) Not many should be teachers;(1b) The mature don't fall in words.(2a) Bridle steers the horse;(2b) Rudder steers the ship.(3a) Small fire lights off a forest;(3b) The tongue is a fire.(4a) All animals have been tamed by man;(4b) No man can tame the tongue.(5a) Tongue blesses our Lord and Father;(5b) Tongue curses man, God's image-bearer.(6a) Spring does not produce 2 waters;(6b) Olive and vine do not switch fruits.(7a) Earthly wisdom;(7b) Wisdom from above.
Destructive Fire, 3.5b-6
Deadly Poison, 3.7-8
Twisted Blessing, 3.9-10
Mixed Botany, 3.11-11
Commission:
James 3.1-5aTrial by Tongue
4 Words about Words
Leading the Body: The Teacher and the Tongue, 3.1-2
Guiding the Trip: Horse and Ship, 3.3-5a
Commission
James 2.20-26This Faith Works
What Faith Works?, 2.20
Case Study #3: Abraham’s God-Loving Work of Living Faith, 2.21-24
Case Study #4: Rahab’s Neighbor-Loving Work of Living Faith, 2.25
Conclusion: A Corpse Can’t, 2.26
Commission:
James 2.14-19That “Faith” Talks
What Faith Saves?, 2.14
Case Study #1: Neighbor-Hating Warm Wishes of Dead Faith, 2.15-17
Case Study #2: God-Hating Demonic Theology of Dead Faith, 2.18-19
Commission:
James 2.8-13Faith with Mercy
Law of Love, 2.8-9
All or Nothing, 2.10-11
Word and Deed, 2.12-13
Commission
James 2.5-7Faith or Folly
God Chooses, 2.5
You Dishonor, 2.6a They Deny & Defy, 2.6b-7
Commission:
James 2.1-4Faith or FavoritismIncompatible Loyalties, 2.1
Divided Devotion, 2.2-4
They Come, 2.2
You See, 2.3
You Judge, 2.4
Commission
James 1.26-27Real Religion
Worthless Words-Only Religion, 1.26
Pleasing Faith-Doing Religion, 1.27
Commission:
2 Corinthians 2.12-17The Fragrance of the Gospel
Spread the Fragrance with Love
Spread the Fragrance with Humility
Spread the Fragrance with Sincerity
Commission
2 Corinthians 2.5-11A Forgiving Community
Addressing Sins in Forgiveness
Pursuing Sinners in Forgiveness
Protecting the Community in Forgiveness
Commission:
James 1.22-25Live the Word
Be the Doer, 1.22
Mirror as Millstone, 1.23
Mirror as Milestone, 1.25
Commission
Romans 4.1-3Counted as RighteousA Question: What about Abraham?, 4.1A Possibility: Justified by Works, 4.2A Quotation: Righteousness from Faith, 4.3Commission
James 1.19-21 Receive the Word
Ready Posture, 1.19
Righteousness Produced?, 1.20
Receive, Put Off, 1.21
Commission
James 1.13-18Source and Course
Desire Brings Forth Death, 1.13-15
Word Brings Forth Life, 1.16-18
Commission
Biblical Botany
Twin Trials: Poverty & Prosperity, 1.9-11 Blessed Tested Man: Wears the Crown, 1.12
James 1.2-8 Consider It Joy
Joy: The Telos of Trials, 1.2-4
To be Wise: Ask in Faith, 1.5 To Avoid Waves: Ask without Doubt, 1.6-8
Commission:
James 1:1-2 Word in Deed
Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy
Servant, James 1.1 & Paul Diaspora, James 1.1 & Peter Joy, James 1.2 & Acts
Matthew 12.38-42 Sign Language
Sabbath, Servant, Spirit, Siblings, Matthew 12 (the context)
The Sign of Jonah, Matt 12.38-42
The Sign of a Disciple
Jonah 4: The Great Question
Jonah’s New Motto: Death First!, 4.1-4
Yahweh’s Appointed Plant: Grace First, 4.5-8a
Jonah’s New Motto: To Die is Gain, 4.8b-9
Yahweh’s Great Question:
Will it be Shade or Souls?, 4.10-11
Commission
Jonah 3: The Great City
Get Up and Go! (Take 2), 3.1-2
The 3-Day City and 5-Word Message, 3.3-4
The Emperor’s New Clothes, 3.5-9
Salvation Belongs to the Lord, 3.10
Jonah 2: The Great Fish
(A1) Swallowed Up, 1.17
Down to the Pit, 2.1-6a
(B1) Jonah Prays a Lament, 2.1-2
(C1) Jonah Looks to the Holy Temple, 2.3-4
(D1) Jonah Hits Bottom (Death), 2.5-6a
Up from the Pit, 2.6b-9
(D2) Jonah Comes Up (Resurrection!), 2.6b
(C2) Jonah Looks to the Holy Temple, 2.7
(B2) Jonah Prays a Thanksgiving, 2.8-9
(A2) Vomited Forth, 2.10
Jonah 1.1-16 The Great Storm
Get Up and Go!, 1.1-2
Tarshish or Bust, 1.3-13
Joining Davy Jones, 1.14-16
Commission:
Jonah 1.1 (& Hosea 1-3)Tale of Redeeming Love: The Story of the Twelve
‘Beginning’ Jonah, Jonah 1.1
Framing the 12, Hosea & Malachi
Rebels and Enemies, Obadiah
Living the Story of Redeeming Love
Hebrews 4.1-13Rest to Run
In the Land of Egypt...
In the Beginning: Rest in Genesis
A New Hope: Rest in Psalms 95
A Completed Work: Rest in Hebrews 4
A New Garden: Rest in Revelation
In Ordinary Life in ‘Egypt’: Rest to Run
Commission:
We need a king for the Spiritual Battle. Many people refuse to acknowledge that truth.
Sometimes God gives us things we want to show us it's not the thing we need.
The children of Israel wanted a king and asked Samuel to provide one - God told Samuel they were not rejecting Samuel but God.
A King will make you a slave. For the Israelites a king was their idol. We have our own idols. Just as the Israelites thought they could master a king, we think we can master our idol. But it always winds up mastering us.
A recap of the individuals God used to reach Israel with the truth that they need him as their king.
End Times - Is it?
When is the end? What is the sign? What will Happen?
First Sign - Temple destroyed - 70AD
Persecution of the early Church.
This, the destruction and persecution, is an illustration of what will take place in the end.
How is God preparing me and teaching me to live in thins time?
When trouble comes, run!
Don't hang on to what doesn't mater.
You will not know when Jesus is coming. Some say they know, but they do not.
Are you living like you re ready whenever it He comes?
Matthew 23Deadly Religion
Incongruence
Legalism is Toxic
Arrogence
Deceived
Hypocrates
Mind the Gap
Mourning for Jerusalem
Maintaining the Status Quo
The Parable of the Wedding Feast
Three Questions of Jesus' Protagonists
Jesus Question for the Protagonist
Revealing the Kingdom of God
Who's Son
Matthew 21 | Don’t Need This System Anymore
Understanding the Kingdom of God.
The Clues to the Mystery of the Kingdom
What is Done in Secret is Proclaimed from the Rooftops
The Trial
The Courtroom
The Judge
The Prosecutor
The Defendant
Those who want to be seen as higher than others end up being seen higher than others.
(09-17-23) Esther 6 | The Distance Between the Best Day and the Worst Day is Almost Zero \ Rev. Dr. Luke Wynja
Haman's Good Day vs Haman's Bad day.
Commission
Psalms 45 A Royal Wedding
A Pleasant Theme
A Royal Bridegroom
The Princess Bride
Commission:
Psalms 44 Help, Please!
Confession of Past Faithfulness, 44.1-8
Complaining of Present Indifference, 44.9-21
Calling for Future Help, 44-22-26
Commission
Psalms 42-43 Why So Sad?
A Panting Soul Unfulfilled
A Praying Soul Unsatisfied
A Pleading Soul Unforgotten
Commission:
Psalms 41 Blessing and Betrayal
A Blessing Pronounced, 41.1-3
A Trial Presumed, 41.4-9
A Triumph Promised, 41.10-12
Commission
Psalms 39 Our Fleeting Lives
On the Verge of Losing It, 39.1-3
On the Cusp of Regaining Sanity, 39.4-13
Renewed Perspective, 39.4-6
Revived Hope, 39.7-11
Restored Peace, 39.12-13
Commission:
Psalms 38 A Contrite Heart
A Confession of Sin, 38.1-4
Six Consequences of Sin, 38.5-14
Three Correctives for Sin, 38.15-22
Commission
Psalms 37 Who Will Inherit the Land?
Explanation, 37.1-2
Exhortation, 37.3-11
Exposition, 37.12-40
Commission
Psalms 36 In Your Light
Depravity of the Human Heart, 36.1-4
Steadfast Love of God, 36.5-12
Mercy’s Reach, Range, Resolve
Commission
Psalms 35 Great is the Lord
Defend Me, 35.1-10
Rescue Me, 35.11-18
Vindicate Me, 35.19-28
Commission
Hymn of Preparation – Great Is Thy Faithfulness (#32)
Hymn of Response – Oh Love that Will Not Let Me Go
1 John 5.13-21 By This We Know
Know Fellowship, 5.13-17
Know Assurance, 5.18-20
No Sitting Around: Be Faithful to the End, 5.21
Commission:
1 John 5.6-12 Know the Testimony
The Triad Testifiers, 5.6-9
Believe or Don’t Believe: That is the Question, 5.10-11
Live or Don’t Live: That is the Conclusion, 5.12
Commission:
1 John 4.7-21 Know God First Loved Us
Atoning Sacrifice: Thus We Love, 4.7-10
Abiding Savior: By This They Know, 4.11-12
Abiding Children: By This We Know, 4.13-16
Abounding Confidence: Thus We Are Loved, 4.17-21
Commission
1 John 4.1-6 Know the True Spirit
That’s Uncredible, 4.1
Confessional Criteria, 4.2-3
Apostates or Apostles, 4.4-6a
By This We Know, 4.6b
Commission
Philippians 4.10-23The Secret to Contentment
I. What is contentment? (11-12) 1. Learned (11-12)
-
Secret (12b)
-
Sufficient peace, strength, rest (11)
-
Not circumstantial (11b-12)
II. Why do we need it? (1 Tim 6:6-7)
III. How do we get it? (13-23)
-
By giving generously (14-20)
-
By receiving abundantly (13, 19, 23; 2 Cor 8:9)
Commission:
Matthew 3.13-17
My Beloved Son
The Baptism of Jesus - Fulfilling all Righteousness
The Father and the Spirit Witness to the Son
Stoppage time!
1 John 3.19-24Know Abiding
The Love Litmus Test, 3.19-20
The Confidence Challenge, 3.21-22
The Abiding Acts, 3.23-24
Commission
1 John 3.11-18Know Christ’s Love
We Cain’t Fight This Feeling Any Longer, 3.11-12
Cain-ted Love, 3.13-15
What is Love?, 3.16-17
Love is a Verb, 3.18
Commission:
1 John 2.28-3.10 Know the Children
What Kind of Love?: Reborn People, 2.28-3.1
What Kind of Life?: Hopeful Holiness , 3.2-6
What Kind of Fruit?: Spiritual Genetics, 3.7-9
Manifest Destiny, 3.10
Commission:
1 John 2.18-27 Know the Deceivers
The Final Countdown, 2.18
Going or Abiding, 2.19-21
Lying or Abiding, 2.22-25
Straying or Abiding, 2.26-27
Commission
1 John 2.12-17Because You Have Known
Do Listen to the Word, 2.12-14
Do Not Love the World, 2.15-17
Commission:
1 John 2.7-11 The Same Old New Commandment
It’s Old, It’s New, In Him and In You, 2.7-8
Hatred in the Dark or Love in the Light, 2.9-11
Commission:
1 John 2.1-6 If We Sin
Written Word: Sin, Sacrifice, and Savior, 2.1-2
If You Claim to Know, 2.3-5a I
f You Claim to Abide, 2.5b-6
Commission
1 John 1.1-4 We Testify to You
We Witness about Life Eternal, 1.1-2
We Proclaim for Life Communal, 1.3
We Write for Life Joyful, 1.4
Commission
The Actors: Mordecai, the Jew, Haman the Agagite and enemy of the Jews, Ahasuerus the King of Persia, the scribes.
The Enmity, the plot, the decree, the indifference of the King.
The two kingdoms: darkness and light and their representatives.
Do we live in indifference to the situation? Do we sit down in front of the TV with our beer, oblivious to the battle?
As we conclude our study in Genesis this morning, I thought you would find it helpful to have a written copy of the questions you’ll be asked to help you hear and heed the text.
These are the questions you’ll be asked in the sermon this morning to help you to obey Scripture.
Scripture provides the script for our existence.
- How is God calling me and us to participate in his Great Commandment and Great Commission in the world immediately around me in the time immediately ahead of me?
Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me
2a. How do I know and receive Jesus as my own Lord and Savior?
2b. How is God calling me and us to show and to speak Jesus to people immediately around me right now?
Don’t fear the Fall; faith works!
- What fear keeps my faith from working right now?
This is the commission you’ll be given in the sermon this morning, to help you hear and heed the book of Genesis in the days ahead.
This week, set aside a block of time (30-60min) to write down 2 things.
(1) In your own words, what you have learned about Genesis’ message?
(2) How you are going to obey Genesis in one more step to the right by engaging the world?
Genesis 50
In These Days: Covenant Life in Exile
Dress Rehearsal for Deliverance, 50.1-14
Comfort in the Covenant, 50.15-21
Promise for the Future, 50.22-26
Commission:
Genesis 49 In the Last Days:
The Seed is a Coming King Let’s Talk Last Days, 49.1-2
Preeminent Judah: Scepter & Lion, 49.3-17
Let’s Talk Salvation, 49.18
Faithful Joseph: Perseverance & Preservation, 49.19-28
Jacob’s Last(!) Word, 49.29-33
Commission
The Offense of King Ahasuerus.
The Deposing of Queen Vashti.
An Opportunity to Put It Right.
Repeating the Same Mistake.
Two Faced Friends.
Salvation From an Unexpected Quarter.
The Transfer of Power
Jesus is the King
Come and See the Christ, 1.35-42
Come and See the King, 1.43-51
Commission
Jesus is the Word
God With Us, 1.14
God Witnessed, 1.15
God’s Grace Given, 1.16-17
God’s Glory Known, 1.18
Commission
John 1.3-13
Jesus is Life
Light in the Dark, 1.3-5
Witness for Belief, 1.6-8
Unknown by Own, 1.9-11
Adoption as Children, 1.12-13
Commission:
Genesis 48 Chosen & Adopted:
Extending the Covenant
- End and New Beginning, 48.1-2
- Choosing and Coming, 48.3-7
- Adopting and Blessing, 48.8-20
- Faith and Inheritance, 48.21-22
Commission
“And In You”: One Who Suffers Saves the Nations Family & Pharoah:
Two Way Blessing, 47.1-12
Purchasing People: Saving the Nations, 47.13-26
Home Again: Anticipating the Exodus, 47.27-31
Commission:
From Pit to Praise
Rescued from the Pit of Despair 40.1-5
Renewed by the Mercy of God 40.6-11
Restored to the Throne of Grace 40.12-17
Commission:
-
The King throws a 6 month long party to show who is in control.
-
The queen defies his authority.
-
The Decree!
-
Who is really in control?
Revelation: Finally They See, 45.1-3
Redemption: Joseph has Suffered to Save, 45.4-13
Reconciliation: Finally They’re Free, 45.14-15
Redemption: By Joseph, Egypt Sends Blessing, 45.16-24
Revelation: Jacob Finally Sees, 45.25-28
Genesis 44
It’s in the Bag: Judah and Benjamin
Silver into the Sack, 44.1-2
Steward Springs the Trap, 44.3-13
Substitute for the Son, 44.14-3
Strike out or Starve, 43.1-14
Arrival and Anxiety, 43.15-25
Fulfillment and Feast, 43.26-34
A Trip to Buy Life, 42.1-5
Sweet Dreams, 42.6-17
A Trial to Give Grace, 42.18-28
Fearful Family, 42.29-38
Joseph in the Jail House, 40.1-23
Two More Dreams, 40.1-8
God’s Word Given, 40.9-19
God’s Word Kept, 40.20-23
Joseph in the King’s Court, 41.1-57
Two More Dreams, 41.1-8
God’s Word Given, 41.9-49
God’s Word Kept, 41.50-57
Takeaways:
- Vocation is Ministry
- Faithfulness is Critical
- Order Brings Live
With Him: Rising in Potiphar’s House, 39.1-6a War of Words:
Temptation and Tenacity, 39.6b-18
With Him: Rising in the Prison House, 39.19-2
Something Completely Different?
Judah the “Canaanite”, 38.1-11
Tamar the “Righteous” Woman, 38.12-26
The Seed Line Saved, 38.27-30
Autumn is approaching and we are now in our Fall sermon series in Genesis. We will be following the story of Joseph, from his dreams which earned him the nickname "Dreamer" amongst his brothers to the dreams that bought him to Pharaoh's court and the saving of his family and the brother's that hatted him so much.
Genesis 36-37.
Two Lines in Two Lands
Genesis 37.2-36:
Selling the Savior for Silver Trading Covenant for Clothes?: Favored Son, 37.2b-4
Dreams and Dysfunction: Hated Brother, 37.5-11
Dreams Foiled or Fulfilled?: Lost Sheep, Lost Son, 37.12-3
What does the story or the Tortoise and the Hare have to do with the Book of Joshua. Dr Luck Wynja explains how like the tortoise we need to keep going at what the Lord has given us to do and He will take care of the end.
Psalms 32 | Just One Covering
Find Cover in Uncovering, 32.1-5
Find Love in Sheltering,
32.6-11 Commission: Uncover your Sin!
Psalms 31 | Just One Savior - Notes
Refuge in God’s Hand, 31.0-8
Trust in God’s Time, 31.9-20
Waiting in the City, 31.21-24
Psalms 30 describes the substitutionary nature of the work of Christ and the meaning of his shed blood.
To You I Call, 28.0-2
Don’t Drag Me Off, 28.3-5
The LORD Has Heard, 28.6-10
Commission: Read Psalms 28 with another person and pray for each other in light of this Psalm.
John Frese discusses these topics:
Whom Shall I Fear?, 27.1-3
Desire to Live, 27.4-6
Desire to Love, 27.7-10
Desire to Learn, 27.11-12 I
Will Wait, 27.13-14
Pastor John Frese gives a review of the book of Psalms in preparation for the Summer Psalms series. He explains that the book of Psalms is the story of Jesus. Psalms is actually 5 books in one and every book
- Book One, Psalms 1-41 - Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting, Amen and Amen.
- Book Two, Psalms 42 - 72 - Blessed be his glorious name forever, may the whole earth be filled with his glory, Amen and Amen!
- Book Three, Psalms 73 - 89 - Blessed be the Lord forever! Amen and Amen.
- Book Four, Psalms 90 - 106 - Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, "Amen!"
- Book Five, Psalms 107 - 150 - Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
God promises rest to those who trust in Him through what Jesus accomplished. Jesus did what we could not and cannot do when He gave himself on the Cross.
What does it mean to live in Christian Community
- Prayer of the persecuted
(a). The sovereignty of God,
(b). Boldness to continue,
(c). God's response
2. Generous sacrifice
(a). Deep unity,
(b). Stewarding God's gifts,
(c). Wisdom in giving and distribution
Pastor John Frese, in the conclusion the book of 1 Thessalonians, summaries as
- We are Thankful you are Imitators, 1:2 - 2:16
- Torn Away, Brought Together, 2:17 - 3:13
- Loving Exhortations for Imitators, 4:1 - 5:24
- Closing, 5:25 - 28
He leaves us with three commissions:
- Give Thanks (Joyful Gratitude)
- Become Imitators (Diligent Discipleship)
- Now We Live (Godly Motivation)
Every Day Until the Day (Eschatological Endurance)
Paul admonishes and encourages the Ephesians to Live the New Life they have in Christ, by putting away dishonesty, anger, laziness, stealing, corrupting talk and bitterness and wrath. Instead speak the truth, work honestly with their hands instead of using the hands to steal, build up with our words, be kind and tenderhearted toward each other and forgive one another. Give not opportunity to the devil nor grieve the Holy Spirit.
"Now may the God of peace sanctify you completely..." Pastor John Frese explains what Paul meant by "sanctify you completely" and points us to the coming of Christ for the fulfillment of that prayer.
Joshua and the Israelite were up and down in seeking the Lord for his guidance. In this story from the time of the conquest they were deceived by the clever trick of some local people God commanded them to destroy, all because they failed to seek the Lord for insight into the story they were being told, and thought their earlier success had given them the wisdom they needed. We can learn from this story and seek the Lord for his wisdom when faced with difficult situations and not rely on our own understanding for direction.
Develop habits that display the effect of the Gospel in your life:m Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks. Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise prophecies. Test everything, hold fast to what is good, abstain from evil.
Understanding Paul's encouragement to honor those who serve in the church and to for habits that imitate those leaders. Paul uses words like Labor, admonish, and rule. He encourages us to warns our fellow believes, to encourage and help others, to be patient, and to not repay evil with evil, but to do good.
This is the will of God: our sanctification. This text tells us the practical side of that process - controlling our passions.
A study of the meaning of Paul's words in 1 Thessalonians and how they should direct our life.
When adversity comes into the Christian life, at times there is a desire to avoid it or fix it. The apostle Paul expected it, but also expresses his concern for how persecution and adversity can challenge faith. In this message, the Challenges, Concerns, and Calling of Christians is set against the backdrop of Paul's love for the church and his greater love for the gospel.