Second Reformed Presbyterian Church: Recent Episodes
- Wisdom exposes the problem. 2. Wisdom can't solve the problem. 3. Only God can solve the problems that human wisdom exposes.
The forgiveness of God is tender. Paul promotes love in all the congregations Mirror God's forgiveness
- Have confidence to draw near to God by the blood of Jesus. (v.19-22) 2. Hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. (v.23) 3. Consider one another for provoking to love and good works. (v.24-25) 4. Beware of deliberate wandering. (v.26-31)
Live in ways that reflect the Lord. 1. Reflect Christ's character. 2. Rest in Christ's peace. 3. Remain in Christ's Word.
1) The call to pray in the Spirit 2) The call to pray in alertness 3) The call to pray for those whose calling is to proclaim the gospel
- Faithfulness begins with God's sovereignty. 2. Faithfulness requires holy resolve. 3. Faithfulness receives God's blessing.
- The Problem: imperfection - in us - in the law - in animal sacrifices 2. The Solution: Christ has made us holy through His sacrifice once for all 3. The Results: - Victory over enemies - Spirit empowerment - Complete forgiveness
- How and why the world lives as it does. 2. Christians are to live according to Christ's teaching. 3. We are members one of another.
- Jesus corrects His disciples. 2. Jesus commissions His witnesses. 3. Jesus continues His work from Heaven.
- Be imitators of godly people. 2. Keep your focus on heaven and meditate on His Word day and night. 3. God transforms our lives. Application: Find a godly person to hold you accountable in reading, studying, meditating and putting into practice God's Word.
- Jesus was forsaken so that you will be welcomed 2. Jesus was abandoned so that the way would open 3. Jesus was revealed so you would come
- Grace precedes repentance. 2. There is no sin that cannot be forgiven if we turn to Jesus. - Sin is serious. - Sin must be brought into the light for restoration to happen. - Our battle with sin doesn't surprise Jesus. 3. Restored from guilt and pain to serve the Lord.
- Call to be diligent 2. Look at life from a heavenly perspective 3. Don't twist the scriptures 4. Don't be influenced by lawless people 5. Keep growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Application: Is my purpose in life to glorify Jesus Christ?
- Press on toward the goal of perfection. 2. Do not look back. 3. Look forward to the reward that Christ has for us.
- The King was counted with sinners 2. The King was rejected by sinners 3. The King stayed to save sinners
- Recognize the prophetic pattern. 2. Never lose track of the real story of the Bible, the story of Jesus Christ. 3. The Holy Spirit is our internal interpreter. 4. Honor the Lord's Day; hunger and thirst for Him. Application: 1. Talk about Jesus 2. Read about Jesus 3. Walk with Jesus 4. Ask for Jesus
Ged establishes and maintains His relationship with us through the finished work of His Son. 1. The who, what, where of Melchizedek 2. The greatness of Melchizedek 3. The so-what of Melchizedek
Rest in Jesus, who took our place. 1. Jesus is handed over without defense. 2. Jesus is rejected so the guilty can go free. 3. Jesus is delivered to suffer in our place.
- Remember the Bible 2. Remember that there will be scoffers 3. Remember the power of God's Word
- Because of God's faithfulness to Abraham, we can be assured of His covenant love. 2. Because God is Who He is, we can be comforted with an unbreakable hope and we can rest secure.
- Stay near to Jesus in your sorrow. 2. Trust Jesus when you don't recognize Him. 3. Listen to Jesus when He calls your name.
- Distancing from Jesus 2. Denying any association with Jesus 3. Rejecting Jesus completely 4. Confronted by Jesus' Word Don't trust in yourself--trust in Jesus and stay near to Him.
- The character of these false teachers - They despise authority - They despise holiness - Forsaking the right way they have gone astray 2. The danger of these false teachers - They entice others 3. The outcome of these false teachers - destruction Applications: 1. Beware of false teachers; compare their teaching to Scripture. 2. Flee to Christ; He is the only way to God.
- Righteousness in Christ: What it really looks like. 2. Righteousness in Christ: What it does not look like. 3. How we should live and what righteousness should look like in our lives.
- Don't trust the verdict of blind judges. 2. Hear the claim of the true Messiah. 3. Don't reject the King that you will one day face.
Jesus stood firm in obedience when everyone else fell away. We're called to rest in Jesus. 1. The betrayal that seizes Him. 2. The Scripture that governs it. 3. the desertion that leaves Him alone.
- You've become dull and are stuck in spiritual immaturity. 2. You can take a path toward maturity.
- Jesus feels the weight of the cup. - Feeling the weight is not failure. 2. Jesus surrenders His will in prayer. - True submission means entrusting your will to God after honestly bringing Him your struggles. 3. Jesus rises in resolve to obey. - Our salvation rests on this moment.
- Jesus warns of certain failure and promises restoration. 2a. Peter trusts his own resolve over Jesus' word. 2b. Human confidence is exposed when it contradicts the clear word of Christ. 3. The disciples persist in confidence instead of humility. Trust Jesus' word, not your own strength.
- Jesus gives Himself for His people. (V. 22) 2. Jesus explains His death for our assurance. (v. 23-24) 3. Jesus assures us of the coming Kingdom. (v.25-26)
- God's holy Word is the primary instrument which brings change and growth. 2. This Word is a person, the eternal Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, our perfect High Priest.
Trust Jesus. Follow Him even when the path is hard. 1. Jesus prepares the Passover knowing what lies ahead. 2. Jesus reveals the betrayal at the table. 3. Jesus submits to what scripture has foretold.
Prosperity can breed pride. 1. Ephraim builds on a false premise (v.1-8) 2. Israel is against God (v.9-11) 3. Judgment and Redemption (v.12-14) 4. The wages of sin (v.15-16) Count our many blessings in Jesus Christ and do not take it for granted.
Jesus is worth everything you give Him. 1. What looks wasteful to others. 2. What Jesus says is beautiful. 3. Why this moment matters forever.
True believers endure the Christian life by fixing their eyes on Jesus. 1. Lay aside what hinders endurance. 2. Run the race God has set before you. 3. Fix your eyes on Jesus.
- God breaks into the ordinary world. 2. God announces an unthinkable promise. 3. God reveals a holy mystery. 4. God calls for trusting submission. True faith yields to God's Word even when the cost is unknown.
- Live ready because the time is unknown. 2. Live ready by staying awake in your work. 3. Live ready because His return will be sudden.
- His coming will break through the darkness. (v.24-25) 2. His coming will gather His people in glory. (v.26-27) 3. His coming rests on the certainty of His Word. (v.28-31)
- Understand the need for the promised Shepherd King. 2. Recognize the promised Shepherd King. 3. Live in the promised Shepherd King. 4. Submit to the Shepherd King and repent. 5. Be shepherded by the promised Shepherd King. 6. Be secure in the promised Shepherd King. 7. Be at peace because the Shepherd King has won the war. 8. Be a blessing and a warning to those around you as the aroma of Christ. 9. Live securely and visibly in this promised Shepherd King. (from the sermon series "Christ in the Old Testament", Springs Reformed Church)
- God's original intention and His ultimate intention for humanity 2. The Son Who redeemed us delights to call us siblings. 3. The Son has delivered us from the devil and his works.
Trust Christ's Word in confusing times. 1. Trust Christ's Word when deception appears. 2. Trust Christ's Word when deception spreads. 3. Trust Christ's Word because He has told us the truth.
- Come to Jesus with your burdens. 2. Take His yoke and learn from Him. 3. Rest in the gentle heart of Christ.
- God's plans never fail. 2. Christ rules the chaos. 3. The Spirit strengthens His people.
- Jesus condemns self-glory in religion. 2. Jesus delights in humble trust that gives all.
- Love God with an undivided heart. 2. Love others with a generous heart. 3. Look to Jesus, who loved perfectly.
- Trust the God whose Word exposes error. 2. Trust the God whose power transforms life. 3. Trust the God whose promise guarantees life.
- Israel's heart is faithless 2. The consequences of arrogance 3. The path of restoration
Give God your whole life... 1. ...amid competing loyalties. 2. ...while honoring authority. 3. ...because you bear His image.
Know the will of the Lord: 1. By growing in your knowledge of the Lord 2. By walking in a manner worthy of the Lord 3. By meditating on the qualifications we receive from the Lord.
- Do you know that you're forgiven? 2. Meditate often on God's mercy to you. 3. Forgive others from the heart.
- Christ's authority demands surrender. 2. Christ's evidence demands honesty. 3. Christ's Lordship demands trust.
- Bear fruit by trusting God. 2. Bear fruit by praying boldly. 3. Bear fruit by forgiving freely.
- God's people are a world-wide people. 2. God's people are a thankful people. 3. God's people are a worshiping people. 4. God's people are a holy people.
- Outward religion looks impressive, but produces nothing. 2. Outward religion looks busy, but corrupts worship. 3. Outward religion looks strong, but faces judgement.
The King Has Come 1. Rejoice in the King of Sovereign Authority. 2. Rejoice in the King of humble majesty. 3. Rejoice in the King Who reclaims God's house.
- Without God there is no joy. (v.1-6) 2. God will punish Ephraim. (v. 7-9) 3. Israel has loved a detestable thing. (v.10-14) 4. God rejects Ephraim. (v.15-17)
Jesus stops for desperate sinners who cry out in faith. 1. Jesus halts for those who cry out. 2. Jesus hears those who cry out. 3. Jesus heals those who cry out. Cry out to Jesus for mercy and follow Him.
Follow Jesus on the humble path of service. 1. Follow the Servant Who walked toward suffering. 2. Follow the Servant Who confronted selfish ambition. 3. Follow the Servant Who gave His life for many.
Jesus alone gives you life and fruitfulness, so go forth bearing life-giving fruit for the household of God.
- The book of Zechariah is a book of encouragement for God's people. 2. God Himself will intervene for His people. 3. Christ's return will usher in a new age.
- All of your work is made fruitless by the curse of sin. 2. You cannot build a godly life on sin's foundations. 3. The foundation of God's house is Jesus Christ, the King of Peace. 4. Build your life and work on Jesus, God's chosen foundation.
If we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we must keep step with the Spirit while mortifying the deeds of the flesh. 1. Regeneration and the conflict it evokes between the spirit and the flesh 2. The victory of the Spirit over the flesh 3. The necessity of our active mortification of the flesh in our daily lives.
- The works of the flesh. 2. The fruit of the Spirit. 3. Crucify the flesh by walking in step with the Spirit.
Follow Jesus no matter what it costs you. 1. Following Jesus exposes what you love most. 2. Following Jesus demands what you cannot supply. 3. Following Jesus gains what you cannot lose.
The Kingdom of God belongs to the helpless, who receive it with childlike trust. 1. Bring the helpless to Jesus. 2. Don't hinder the work of grace. 3. Receive the Kingdom with empty hands.
- The person who is the focus of the Psalm: The LORD 2. What He does for His sheep 3. The result of what He does
- Sin distorts what God designed. (v.1-5) 2. Scripture reveals what God intended. (v. 6-9) 3. Jesus restores what sin has broken. (v.10-12)
- Fight sin and walk in holiness together. (v.42) 2. Fight sin that corrupts your own life. (v.43-48) 3. Fight sin that undermines peace together. (v.49-50) Fight sin and walk in holiness and peace together.
God's Peace guards our hearts when we seek Him with trust. 1. Seek the Lord with rejoicing and gentleness. (v.4-5) 2. Seek the Lord with prayer and thanksgiving. (v.6-7) 3. Seek the Lord with focus and obedience. (v.8-9)
The deliverance of the Gospel brings three new things: 1. A new identity 2. A new redemption 3. A new authority
Stop being territorial and start honoring people who serve Him faithfully. 1. Don't block those who bear His name. (v.38) 2. Don't dismiss those who honor His name. (v.39-40) 3. Don't miss those who serve in His name. (v.41)
Mourn over what your sin cost Jesus Christ 1. Mourn profoundly. 2. Mourn perpetually. 3. Mourn personally. Look to Jesus Christ for cleansing from sin.
- In this world both strife and deliverance are only temporary. 2. God has wrought a great deliverance, both past and future. 3. Your deliverance comes through Christ, who then brings you His joy. 4. Because of your deliverance in Christ, you can labor in strife, anticipating great deliverance. You can labor for God in hope, for God has given and will give great deliverance in Christ.
Paul gives three speeches on the ship: 1. Paul advised 2. Paul encouraged 3. Paul urged Then Paul trusted God's goodness and left it to the Lord.
Be great by serving others in Jesus' name. 1. Be humbled by the mission of Jesus. 2. Be exposed by the ambition of pride. 3. Be changed by the example of Christ.
- The Creator God has a message for His people. 2. The message is concerning the distant future. 3. God's message is that there will be a great battle. 4. The victory is won! 5. We can see what God does for His people: First and foremost He gives them salvation.
- When your strength fails, look to Jesus. 2. When your faith falters, cry out honestly. 3. When your efforts fall short, depend on prayer.
- Unrepentant covenant breakers are doomed. 2. The good shepherd feeds the flock. 3. This passage points us beyond Zechariah to Jesus Christ. Seek the Good Shepherd; trust in Jesus Christ.
- Listen to Jesus when His glory is revealed. 2. Listen to Jesus when confusion clouds your vision. 3. Listen to Jesus when the cross comes into view.
- God secures His people in a restless world. 2. God alone condemns or forgives your restless heart. 3. King Jesus secures your righteousness. 4. Trust that King Jesus secures your righteousness, then live it out.
- Follow Jesus by confessing Who He truly is. 2. Follow Jesus by embracing why He came. 3. Follow Jesus by walking the same road. 4. Follow Jesus in hope of what's to come.
- Remember His Word when you're confused. 2. Remember His Word when you're reminded. 3. Remember His Word when you're dismissed. 4. Remember His Word when you're wondering.
- Jesus touches us when we don't see clearly. 2. Jesus grows our faith when sight seems blurry. 3. Jesus finishes what He starts in His time.
- Chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. 2. Predestined for adoption as sons. 3. We have redemption in Christ, though His blood. 4. Sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.
- Forgetting Jesus leads to misplaced focus. 2. Forgetting Jesus leads to spiritual dullness. 3. Forgetting Jesus leads to unbelief and fear. Remember Who Jesus is and trust Him with everything you need.
- You need a great deliverance. 2. You have a great deliverance. 3. Remember that your deliverance comes at a price. 4. Reflect on and celebrate your deliverance in Christ.
- When you resist the truth you invite confrontation. 2. When you demand a sign, you grieve the Savior. 3. When you persist in unbelief, you risk losing Him.
Jesus in His compassion provides abundantly for those who come to Him. 1. Trust Jesus when the need is great. 2. Trust Jesus when your resources are small. 3. Trust Jesus when His provision seems impossible. 4. Trust Jesus because He always satisfies.
- The holiness of God (v. 1-4) 2. The confession of Isaiah (v. 5) 3. Atonement at the altar (v. 6-8)
- Seek Jesus when you are powerless. 2. Seek Jesus when His ways are unclear. 3. Seek Jesus and rejoice in His healing.
Come to Jesus with persistent, humble faith. 1. Come to Jesus when you feel unworthy. 2. Come to Jesus even when He seems silent. 3. Come to Jesus with humble confidence. 4. Come to Jesus and find His mercy overflowing.
- Take accurate stock of your suffering. 2. Take joy in the God of your salvation. 3. Take strength in your covenant God.
- Guard your heart because sin comes from within. 2. Guard your heart because you can't clean it yourself. 3. Guard your heart because only Jesus can make it new.
Because God has made His love manifest to us in Christ, we can make Christ's love manifest to one another. 1. Love one another... (v.7-8) 2. ...just as God has loved you in Christ. (v.9-10) 3. Make this love manifest! (v.11-12)
Submit to God's Word, not human tradition. 1. Tradition distorts worship. 2. Tradition rejects authority. 3. Tradition avoids God's Word.
Put your trust in Jesus who suffered the grave in your place to keep you safe from sin and death from this time forth and forever more. 1. You are in grave danger. 2. God is keeping watch over you. 3. The Lord is your keeper only if He is your Lord. 4. Jesus suffered grave danger in your place to keep you safe now and forever more.
Jesus brings healing to those who come to Him in faith. 1. Jesus welcomes the hurting. 2. Jesus responds to desperate faith. 3. Jesus heals those who trust Him.
- Who carries who? 2. Who made who? 3. Who saves who? Remember that the LORD is God and there is none like Him.
- Trust Jesus to direct your path. 2. Trust Jesus to reveal His power. 3. Trust Jesus to calm your fears.
Put away your pursuit of what is false by pursuing God's peace in Jesus Christ. 1. Recognize that you traffic in deceit. 2. Recognize your need to cry out for deliverance from deceit. 3. Seek your deliverance and peace with God. 4. Press on in this world of deceit by pursuing God's peace in Jesus Christ.
- Go to Jesus when you're weary. 2. Go to Jesus when you feel empty. 3. Go to Jesus when the need seems impossible. 4. Go to Jesus for abundant satisfaction.
John the Baptist remained faithful to the Truth no matter the cost. 1. Truth provokes fear in the guilty. 2. Truth confronts sin with boldness. 3. Truth may cost you everything.
Give your whole self fully to God: 1. Because of God's mercies 2. Because of God's claim 3. Because of God's worth
Recognize Jesus for who He truly is and respond in faith. 1. Recognize Jesus' astonishing authority. 2. Recognize the danger of familiarity. 3. Recognize the cost of unbelief and the call to faith.
Destroy lust daily. 1. Stop your minimizing. 2. Identify your triggers. 3. Refocus your mind.
- Serve faithfully with the gift God has given. 2. Serve faithfully with the strength God provides. 3. Serve faithfully for the glory that God deserves.
- Recognize Jesus' mercy in your need. 2. Respond to Jesus' mercy with obedience. 3. Return to Jesus' mercy in worship. 4. Rejoice in Jesus' mercy through faith.
- Trust Jesus in times of desperation.2. Trust Jesus when you feel unworthy3. Trust Jesus in the face of hopelessness.4. Trust Jesus to bring life and peace.
Jesus brings freedom and transformation...1. See Jesus confront evil.2. See Jesus bring freedom.3. See Jesus restore lives.4. See Jesus commission the healed.
Seek to regain your brother in love.1. Go privately.2. Bring eyewitnesses.3. Tell Elders.4. Set Boundaries.
- Trust Jesus when He leads the way.2. Trust Jesus when fear overwhelms you.3. Trust Jesus to calm the storm.4. Trust Jesus by growing in faith.
- Shine the light of God's truth and you will receive even more.2. Trust the process even when you don't understand.3. Expect great results from small beginnings.
- Correctly prioritize the offence.2. Directly engage the offence.3. Quickly resolve the offence.
You have been raised from death to life in order to obey the commandment to love one another.1. Antithesis of resurrection love2. Object of resurrection love3. Source of resurrection love
The Parable of the Sower1.Listen and spread the Word of God to others.2. Listen and recognize the consequences of ignoring God's Word.3. Listen and prepare your heart to bear fruit.
Cling to Jesus Christ in the face of the dragon.1. The desire of your enemy2. The demise of the adversary3. The diversion of the dragon