Sharon RP Church: Recent Episodes
A (About): This passage reveals God's sorrow and righteous anger over Judah's persistent idolatry, deceit, and rejection of His law. It highlights divine judgment as a just response to generational disobedience and spiritual adultery. B (Best Verse): Jeremiah 9:13–14 — "Because they have forsaken My law which I set before them... and walked after the dictates of their own hearts." C (Call to Action): We are called to reject self-led living, abandon deceit and idolatry, and walk humbly in obedience to God's Word, depending on Christ's righteousness alone.
A. What is this about? This passage confronts the horrific sin of Judah: child sacrifice and idolatry. God's people rejected His voice, followed their own imaginations, and committed atrocities He never commanded. Judgment comes because of their cruelty, defilement, and rebellion. B. Best verse to summarize: Jeremiah 7:31 — "...to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command, nor did it come into My heart." C. What are we called to do? We must not follow our own hearts, but rather trust and obey the Word of the Lord. We are called to holiness—rejecting self-made religion and living by the Spirit through Christ. Abide in Him, cherish life, and walk in His ways with humility and fear.
A - About: This devotional from Jeremiah 8 warns against spiritual complacency, false teachers, and persistent sin. Despite signs of judgment, the people refuse to repent, placing trust in false peace and rejecting God's Word. B - Best Verse: Jeremiah 8:11 — "For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, saying, 'Peace, peace!' When there is no peace." C - Call to Action: We are called to reject false comfort, repent from hidden sins like covetousness, and walk in the truth of Christ's commandments, trusting not in our wisdom but in God's Word.
After experiencing all the riches and pleasures of this world, King Solomon in his old age decided that everything in this world is vanity, just as we so often find today. Our cars break down, our houses need repaired, and people fail us. What is the point of your life? The world will always try to make you find joy and ultimate purpose and comfort in something other than Christ. But He alone is the substance of our hope. Our satisfaction is only fulfilled in Him, for He has given us purpose both in this life and the life to come!
A – About: This passage rebukes Judah for trusting in outward religion while living in rebellion. God exposes their idolatry, injustice, and false assurance, warning of coming judgment and urging true repentance. B – Best Verse: Jeremiah 7:23-24 – "Obey My voice, and I will be your God... Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and dictates of their evil hearts..." C – Called to: We are called to reject empty religion, repent genuinely, obey God's Word, and trust in Christ's righteousness instead of religious symbols or traditions.
A - About: Jeremiah 6 is a passionate warning to Jerusalem, describing the coming judgment due to persistent sin, oppression, and refusal to listen to God's Word. Despite watchmen and prophets, the people choose rebellion over repentance. B - Best Verse: Jeremiah 6:16 – "Thus says the Lord: 'Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls.' But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'" C - Call to Action: Return to God's Word and walk in His truth. Seek the "old paths" of faith and righteousness rather than following the world's deception. Listen to God's warnings and respond in obedience and faith.
A – About: This passage highlights God's indictment of Jerusalem's people and leaders for their rampant sin, false worship, and rejection of truth. Despite widespread corruption, God promises not to make a complete end, revealing both His justice and mercy. B – Best Verse: Jeremiah 5:18 – "Nevertheless in those days," says the Lord, "I will not make a complete end of you." C – Call to Action: We are called to humbly receive God's discipline, repent of sin, and follow His ways, trusting in His righteous judgment and steadfast love.
A – About: This passage captures Jeremiah's sorrowful lament over God's righteous judgment against Judah. It reveals the devastating consequences of spiritual rebellion, yet it highlights God's mercy in preserving a remnant. B – Best Verse: Jeremiah 4:22 – "For My people are foolish, they have not known Me. They are silly children, and they have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge." C – Call to Action: We are called to take sin seriously, to stop presuming upon God's grace, and to pursue holiness with reverence. God's mercy should stir us to repentance and sanctification, not complacency.
A - About: God warns Jerusalem of imminent judgment due to deep-rooted sin and hypocrisy. Outward reforms are not enough; inward repentance is required. B - Best Verse: Jeremiah 4:14 - "O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved. How long shall your evil thoughts lodge within you?" C - Call to Action: Examine your heart for hidden sin. Turn away from darkness and walk in the light of Christ. Pursue genuine repentance, not empty religion.
As Dwight Moody once alluded to, it is better to play with forked lightning or the most deadly disease, than to despise the Word of God. Preaching the Word is serious business. We must pray for our pastor, that he will not fall prey to becoming a "popular preacher" who tickles people's itching ears. The Word is God's key means of grace in this world, so it must be faithfully preached. That's what ministers are called to do, and that's what we are to pay attention to.
Discover why the Bible is "God-breathed," inspired, inerrant, authoritative, and sufficient for every season of the Christian life in this expository message on 2 Timothy 3:10-17. Drawing on church history, Reformation theology, and practical hermeneutics, guest preacher Dr. John Wiers shows how Scripture alone (sola Scriptura) equips believers for sanctification, perseverance, and spiritual discernment—especially during persecution, suffering, and cultural confusion. You'll learn: * how Paul's charge to Timothy grounds our faith in the authority of Scripture rather than tradition or pop psychology; * what "all Scripture is breathed out by God" means for inspiration, inerrancy, and biblical interpretation; * why sound doctrine and Christ-centered application are inseparable; * practical steps for reading, memorizing, and applying God's Word in tough times today. Perfect for anyone searching for solid teaching on the sufficiency of the Bible, the reliability of God's Word, and living a godly life in a hostile world. Watch now and be equipped "that the man or woman of God may be complete, thoroughly furnished for every good work."
What is changing in your soul because of what God has done in you? Sanctification is the fruit that shows that we are moving closer toward glorification. It is the process of being made holy and conforming more and more to be like Christ. This work is carried on within us through the Holy Spirit, union with Jesus, the Scriptures, the Lord's Supper, prayer and fellowship with other believers, and the furnace of trials and sufferings. We are no longer slaves to sin, for we have been redeemed by Jesus. Do you long to be made more like Christ and follow the ways of righteousness?
A (About): This devotional emphasizes God's loving call to His people to return to Him despite their spiritual unfaithfulness, comparing their idolatry to adultery. B (Best Verse): "But you have played the harlot with many lovers; Yet return to Me," says the Lord. (Jeremiah 3:1b) C (Call to Action): We are called to repent from idols in our lives, turn back to God with sincerity, and walk in faithful obedience to His Word.
A - About: This passage emphasizes God's urgent call to repentance, directed toward Israel and Judah. Despite their deep betrayal and spiritual adultery, God offers restoration, healing, and renewed intimacy if they genuinely turn from sin. B - Best Verse: Jeremiah 3:22 – "Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings." C - Call to Action: We are called to repent from our personal idols—whether pride, lust, anger, or greed—and turn fully to God with sincere hearts. Circumcise your heart; do not just bear outward signs of faith. Return now while grace is offered.
A (About): This devotional explores Jeremiah 2, where God confronts Israel for abandoning Him after all He had done. He recalls their early devotion, accuses them of spiritual adultery, and pleads for repentance. B (Best Verse): "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water." (Jeremiah 2:13 NKJV) C (Call to Action): Remain faithful to the Lord. Do not turn to false hopes or worldly comforts that cannot satisfy. Return to the source of living water—God Himself.
A - About: This devotional addresses the people of Judah's unrepentant idolatry and spiritual arrogance. Despite their sin being plainly visible, they deny guilt and rely on false securities, forsaking God's faithful love. B - Best Verse: Jeremiah 2:35 – "Yet you say, 'Because I am innocent, surely His anger shall turn from me.' Behold, I will plead My case against you, because you say, 'I have not sinned.'" C - Call to Action: We are called to recognize and confess our sin rather than deny it. Like Judah, we may chase idols of the heart, but we must return to God, repent earnestly, and uproot sin before it grows. Remember the One who made us beautiful and walk in His truth.
A - About: This devotional introduces the prophetic call of Jeremiah, emphasizing that God knew and ordained Jeremiah before birth. It explores God's assurance, authority, and presence amid adversity. B - Best Verse: Jeremiah 1:8 – "Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you," says the Lord. C - Call to Action: Trust in God's calling over your life, even when facing fear or opposition. Speak truth with grace and boldness, assured that God is with you and equips those He calls.
A - About: This passage addresses the believer's confidence in prayer, particularly when praying according to God's will, and the discernment needed in interceding for others. B - Best Verse: 1 John 5:16 – "If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life..." C - Called to Do: We are called to pray confidently within God's will, intercede for repentant sinners, and discern situations where prayer for forgiveness may not be appropriate due to persistent unbelief.
A (About): This devotional concludes 1 John by emphasizing the distinction between those born of God and the world under the sway of evil. It affirms our security in Christ and urges us to reject idols and remain in Him. B (Best Verse): 1 John 5:20 — "And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true..." C (Call to Action): Keep yourself from idols. Remain rooted in Christ, rejecting worldly desires and temptations. Trust in God's keeping power and live in the truth of Jesus Christ.
A - About: This devotional explores the reason John wrote his first epistle: to assure believers that eternal life is found only in Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the divine testimony—the Spirit, the water, and the blood—that confirms Christ's identity and mission. B - Best Verse: 1 John 5:13 – "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life..." C - Call to Action: Believe the divine testimony about Jesus Christ. Trust that life is found in Him alone. Continue in faith, grounded in the assurance that your life is hidden in Christ.
Ever since the Fall, the souls of all human beings have been corrupted and ruined. But the Lord, in great mercy, has given us a whole new being by regenerating us and causing us to be born again. In His sovereign grace, He applies the resurrection-life of Jesus to every believer. If we have been re-born by the work of the Holy Spirit, then we're a renewed soul with new life, and we are no longer slaves to sin. God has renewed our mind and affections, and we can cling to His promises of new life that He has given to us in Jesus.
A — About: This devotional explores the harmony between faith and works, emphasizing that true love for God is reflected in our love for others. It assures believers of confidence in judgment through God's perfect love and encourages living out faith through obedience and love. B — Best Verse: 1 John 4:18 – "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." C — Call to Action: Trust fully in God's love without fear, and demonstrate genuine faith by keeping His commandments and loving others sincerely.
A - About: This passage assures believers that God's presence is confirmed not by visible signs but by love, confession of Christ, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When we love others and confess Jesus as Lord, we demonstrate that God abides in us. B - Best Verse: 1 John 4:13 – "By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit." C - Called to Do: Confess Jesus as Lord, trust in His redemptive work, and live a life of love toward others as evidence of God's abiding presence within.
A - About: This devotional emphasizes that true Christian love is rooted in God's love for us. It challenges believers to express genuine, sacrificial love for others—not out of fear or obligation, but because we have first been loved by God. B - Best Verse: 1 John 4:10–11 "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." C - Called to: We are called to love one another as God has loved us—practically, sacrificially, and sincerely—even when it is hard. This love is not permissive of sin but committed to others' eternal good.
A. What is this passage about? This devotional centers on discerning between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. It explains that Christians must not believe every spiritual claim but must test the spirits to determine whether they are from God. A key marker is whether the spirit confesses that Jesus came in the flesh. False teachers and the spirit of the Antichrist deny this truth. The devotional emphasizes relying on Scripture, listening to apostolic teaching, and being confident in God's power within believers. B. What is the best verse to summarize this passage? "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." – 1 John 4:1 C. What are we called to do? Test all teachings by comparing them with biblical truth. Confess and believe that Jesus truly came in the flesh. Stand firm in faith, knowing that God's Spirit in us is greater than the enemy. Reject false doctrines, especially those that deny Christ's incarnation. Be like the Bereans, examining the Scriptures to confirm truth.
Our culture loves happiness, but we also love to celebrate darkness, death, and violence. That is the way the natural human heart works. Ever since the Fall, our whole being has become corrupted. Sin twists our thinking so that our darkened minds choose to "follow our hearts" and love sin, rather than the glory of God and the light of Christ. What do you desire, delight, and rejoice in? What do you find to be beautiful? Choose who you will be, and pray for the Lord to shine the light of Jesus into your darkened soul!
What does your soul actually do? It thinks, chooses, and desires. The three faculties of the soul are your intellect, your will, and your affections. Does God care what you think about or delight in with your mind? Are your choices for God's glory or your own pleasures? What do you enjoy, treasure, and seek after with your affections? Since you were made in God's image, you were made to think His thoughts, choose His ways, and desire what He delights in. What are you doing with your soul? Please don't neglect it!
Man was created by God with an immortal soul, and that is the reason why he has inherent worth, value, and dignity – because God Himself breathed the breath of life into him. We are to love the Lord with our whole person – both body and soul. Death is a temporary and unnatural separation of body and soul. When our body dies, our spirit returns to God Who gave it, while our body rests in the grave and awaits the final resurrection. Your soul matters eternally to God!
We have both a body and a soul that were created by God, and we have an innate dignity and worth because we were created in His image. The Lord gave us tasks to accomplish on this earth that require a physical body, so the body is not inherently evil. Our whole lives should be built around our soul and body worshiping God and bringing Him glory. As Christians, we are uniquely enabled to glorify God in our bodies. Through the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, we can resist the power of sin that tries to enslave us. Thanks be to Christ for redeeming both our souls and our bodies, which will one day experience the fullness of redemption on the day of resurrection!
Who is God? Who are we? Why do we exist? The world tries to tell us what is true, good, and beautiful, and it tries to explain to us the purpose and meaning of life in different philosophies and worldviews that are in competition with one another. But what does God say in the Scriptures? Man is created in God's image, with a body and a soul, as a relational being, capable of thinking and creating and cultivating. And even while we were still sinners, Christ died for us so that we might live with Him in heaven forever!
You need to stand firm in the grace of God before you will be able to enjoy the peace of Christ Jesus. The sufferings of this life are nothing compared to what awaits us in heaven. And through these hardships, God is working in our lives. What is the anchor of our souls as we are buffeted by hard circumstances? When we think on Christ, we will find peace that we can't find anywhere else. Stand in the grace of God. Rest in Christ and the peace that comes from Him, as we wait for Him to return!
In this part of 1 Peter, we are reminded that our suffering in this life is temporary, purposeful, and governed by the God of all grace. These trials are not intended to harm us; through them, He is perfecting what is broken, establishing us on a firm foundation, strengthening our faith, and settling our hearts for eternity – which we will spend forever with our heavenly Father, basking in His glory. This has been the hope of believers, from generation to generation.
Those persons who are in Christ recognize their spiritual poverty, mourn over their sin, and walk in meekness. We must examine our own hearts, deal seriously with sin, extend grace to others, and glorify God in every circumstance. True meekness is not weakness, but strength under control that marks those who belong to the kingdom of heaven, and imitates the way Jesus lived and acted – even when He was mistreated.
Satan is alive and active, and he is out to deceive us. We need to be sober and aware of our weaknesses, because that is where Satan will trip us up most. We need to be watchful for the traps he has laid for our souls. He tries to accuse us, make us doubt, and twist the truth. We must resist him by keeping our eyes fixed on Christ, putting on the whole armor of God, and helping and encouraging one another in the Church. Satan is an adversary, but if we are in Christ, we cannot be stolen away from Jesus' hands.
Our culture tends to prize a spirit of pride and refusal to submit to anyone, but God calls His people to something different: humility. Peter exhorts young men, in particular, to submit to their elders, for it is common for them to show resistance to authority. But the command also extends to all believers, who are to clothe themselves with humility. True biblical submission isn't begrudging compliance. It's an inward humility, modeled after Christ, who served His disciples, submitted to His Father, and walked in obedience, even to death. We are called to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, trusting in His sovereign care, even when life is filled with suffering. We can cast our anxieties on Him, acknowledging that He cares for us and knows what is best. The Lord resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble; and in due time, He will exalt those who follow the path of Christ-like humility.
Peter makes it clear that elders in the Church are to shepherd and disciple the flock of Jesus Christ – not rule over it or govern it, but to care for it. They are not to shepherd by compulsion, or to enrich themselves, or to lord it over the sheep as spiritual tyrants. Elders are to faithfully shepherd the sheep by following Christ first in their own lives and being an example for the flock, seeking the smile and approval of the Chief Shepherd when He appears. The Lord Jesus is glorified when His elders shepherd His people in a caring way.
Suffering is an inevitable part of the Christian life, but not all suffering is the same. Peter warns us that some suffering results from sin, and this kind of suffering is justly deserved. However, suffering for the name of Christ is entirely different. Those who endure hardship for their faith should not be ashamed, but should glorify God. Peter also reminds us that suffering serves the purpose of purifying and strengthening our faith. If you're suffering in your life, ask yourself why. If it's for your own sin, repent of it and turn away. But if you're suffering for the name of Jesus Christ, do not be ashamed, but rejoice and praise God!
Cain hated his brother Abel because his own works were evil and his brother's were righteous. He was envious of Abel, and envy is always sinful and is a characteristic of the devil. His envy led to unrighteous anger and finally murder. Anger is a grievous sin that is an effect of the Fall, resulting in our thoughts and emotions being out of sorts. God desires for us to examine ourselves and to repent of our envy and anger toward our brothers and sisters.
Sometimes we think it's strange that we might suffer for our faith. But these trials and oppressions that come to us specifically because of our Christian faith will bring us joy, because they bring us closer in our relationship with Jesus. Christ promised that we would have peace, but not ease. He promised that He would give us His presence, but not prosperity. Suffering for Jesus hurts; but in Him, we can find and remember our ultimate joy.
What we believe about the future will impact the way we live our lives today. Do you live your life as if the Kingdom of God is here now? As we live in these last days, waiting for the return of Christ, our lives should be marked by sober living in fervent prayer, love and hospitality, and stewardship of our gifts for serving Christ and His Kingdom.
Being a Christian often requires being counter-cultural – and that is offensive to many. God calls us to walk in a way that is different from the "norm" of this world. We are not under the tyranny of sin anymore. The question is, what are we spending our lives on? What do we desire? The sinful "pleasures" of the world or the will of the Lord? Upon what are we spending the currency of our time? There are two paths to choose from: the path of least resistance, or the path of following Christ – and suffering and maybe even dying like Him. Christ suffered persecution at the hands of the world, and we must arm ourselves with the same mind that He had – expecting to receive nothing less than He experienced. The world may hate and kill us, yet we will still live. But who are we living for?
We were born to be like Jesus – and Jesus suffered. As we go through pain and turmoil, the Lord is refining and shaping us. Jesus suffered for a reason: to bring us to a reconciled relationship with God. His suffering was necessary to pay for our sins and become our Substitute. And He triumphed over death and become the exalted King over everything. Do trials seem to be out of control in your life? What consumes your thoughts? Your problems that you are facing today or your King Who lives and reigns forever?
God is completely faithful, and all His promises find their fulfillment in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). While human promises often fail, God never wavers; His covenant of grace is not a contract but a divine commitment. In this passage, Paul defends his integrity to the Corinthians – not by focusing on himself, but by pointing his readers to the trustworthiness of God's promises. The Holy Spirit serves as our guarantee, assuring us that God will complete His work in us. Our response should be a firm "Amen," living in faith and reflecting His faithfulness in our integrity, commitments, and daily walk. In a world of broken promises, we can proclaim that in Christ, God's promises are always Yes and Amen.
There are two extremes when looking at this passage before us. One extreme is that baptism literally saves you, period. And the other extreme is that it literally does nothing. What is the middle ground here? Baptism is a sacrament that binds the believer to God and God to the believer. The water is just a sign, but what does it represent? It's a sign of our being born again. It's not a magic superstition; it represents us being united with Jesus. The Holy Spirit uses the sacrament to work spiritual blessings within us sealing us to be His. We must remember to not trust the sign of baptism alone, for the Holy Spirit must be applied to cleanse us from the sin in our heart. Also, we must look to Jesus as our only hope. He washed us in the water of regeneration and that is why we can stand before God. He has cleansed us, so we must hate sin, love something better, and live for God's glory.
How was Noah "saved through the water," and how does that tie in with baptism? The same waters that drowned the wicked unbelievers also lifted up the Ark and saved Noah and his family. Both the Flood and baptism show us judgment and salvation, simultaneously. The building of the Ark was salvation for Noah's family but it also proclaimed judgment to the evil world. In baptism, we are reminded that our sins were judged and laid upon Christ. In Him, we are cleansed; and in Him, we find salvation. The Lord really does take sin seriously. He is patient but He won't wait forever for us to repent. Ruin will eventually come. Where will we be on that day of judgment? Will we be safe in Christ, our Ark? Or will we be on our own like the unbelievers in Noah's day? If we are in Christ, the true Ark of our salvation, we don't have to fear Judgment Day. If we have trusted in Him and His promises, there is safety and hope for us!
Sometimes we can get to places in the Bible where we are lost and misoriented. There are passages that are hard to understand, and this is one of them. We must strive for clarity because even the hard parts of God's Word are profitable to teach and instruct us. Who are the "spirits" that Peter refers to in these verses, and what is the "prison"? Are they the disobedient human beings in Noah's time who refused to get into the Ark after decades of Noah's preaching? Or are they evil spirits, to whom Jesus proclaimed the victory of His work of redemption for lost souls? We must use the plain passages in God's Word to interpret the hard places in God's Word. We can't use our imaginations to create what we want to read out of the Scriptures. We are also reminded here to get into the Ark of salvation now because no evil will escape God's righteous judgment. Do not wait until "someday" to believe – trust in Jesus now!
In verse 11 of this chapter, we are called to turn away from evil and do good, and we are assured that the eyes of the Lord are upon those who are righteous. But how is this supposed to be a comfort to us when not one of us can dare to claim any righteousness of our own? Verse 18 brings us hope because it reminds us that Christ suffered for our sins. Unlike us, He was just and perfectly righteous and never sinned. We are Law-breakers, but He is the great Law-Keeper. He suffered for us who are unjust, so that He might bring us near to God. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are the onlu reason that we can have hope and comfort in this life!
God desires to give us good gifts and blessings. How do we obtain these blessings? Through a relationship with Him. If we seek true happiness in anything outside of Him, we will be sadly disappointed. That's why we should go to God's Word and soak in the life-giving water for our souls so that we will grow in our relationship with Him and bring forth good fruit. Let's start this New Year by watering ourselves with the Word of God!
Discover the amazing truths of Isaiah 9:6-7 in this Christ-centered sermon. Explore the prophecy of Jesus Christ, the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, who reigns with justice and eternal authority. Delve into how Christ's birth, life, death, and resurrection fulfill God's promises, offering believers peace, hope, and salvation. Reflect on the joy and awe of Christ's reign and His role as King over all nations, bringing light and peace to a world in darkness. Experience the transformative power of God's Word through this timeless message.
This passage exhorts us to endure suffering for righteousness' sake, finding our hope, peace, and joy in Jesus, who secures our eternal blessing. Peter reminds us that no harm can truly befall us, that will separate us from the love of the Lord. We are called to sanctify Christ in our hearts, remain unafraid of threats, and always be ready to give a reasonable defense for our hope in Him, with gentleness and reverence. Our actions and attitudes should reflect the transformative power of the Gospel. Even in the face of persecution – such as that which was endured by the martyrs in bygone centuries – our hope in Christ endures, bringing glory to our God and pointing others to our Savior.
This passage calls believers to reflect Christ-like attitudes and actions in their relationships, even amidst conflict or suffering. Christians are exhorted to break cycles of retaliation, choosing instead to bless others and entrust justice to God instead of relying on personal vengeance. Moreover, believers are urged to seek peace actively, to refrain from evil speech, and to pursue righteousness in word and deed – trusting in God, who listens to the prayers of the righteous and opposes those who do evil. We are challenged to reflect Christ's character in every interaction, seeking reconciliation and extending God's blessings, even to those who oppose us. Sometimes it is very difficult; but it is a Christ-like way to live, pointing others to the transformative power of the Gospel of Jesus.
As sojourners and pilgrims in the midst of a wicked world, Christian husbands are to behave in a way that is very different, following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. They are to live with their wives in an intentional and considerate way, with thoughtfulness, patience, and an awareness of their needs. As the "weaker vessel" physically speaking, wives are to be protected by their husbands, who have been given physical strength by God for this very purpose, not for intimidation or abuse. Despite functional differences in their roles, husbands and wives are equal in their standing before God; both are co-heirs of the covenant of grace, sharing the blessings of salvation and the hope of eternal life. Husbands are also solemnly warned that their failure to honor and love their wife can disrupt their own relationship with God. Christian husbands must lead their homes in a way that brings Jesus glory. It is a blessing to live out the Gospel in front of your wife and children, by the power of the Holy Spirit!
In this portion of 1 Peter, he calls Christian wives to a radical and countercultural idea: to be submissive to their own husbands as an expression of their faith in the Lord. This submission is never a call to endure abuse, but it is a voluntary act of hope in the Gospel. The meek, Christlike conduct of a believing wife can be a powerful testimony that may lead to an unbelieving husband's salvation. Christian wives are also called to find their worth, not in cultural standards or appearances, but in their identity as one who is chosen, beloved, and precious in the sight of God, with an imperishable inheritance in Jesus.
Christ's people are called to live in submission to earthly authorities, sometimes even enduring unjust suffering. In this part of his letter, Peter writes to household servants, urging them to submit to their masters, whether kind or harsh, out of reverence for God. Our submission mirrors Jesus, Who is the ultimate example of enduring unjust suffering. Just as He bore our sins without sinning Himself, believers are to endure wrongs, trusting in God's justice and ultimate vindication. Through His substitutionary atonement, Jesus redeemed us from our sins and calls us to follow His footsteps. When we endure suffering for His sake, we testify to the world of His grace, and we hold fast to the hope of eternal life, knowing that our Savior has walked this path before us.
This historical theology lecture was adapted from Andy Naselli's article "What Is the Spectrum of Major Views on Political Theology? A Proposed Taxonomy of Seven Views on Religion and Government."
In this passage, Peter addresses the challenging concept of submission to authority, urging believers to submit to all lawful civil authority for the Lord's sake. Although submission may seem countercultural to our society that values freedom and independence, our submission is not merely to human authorities; it is an expression of our faith in God's sovereignty. Peter also provides four pillars of Christian conduct: honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, and honor the king. While submission to the governing authorities has limits – especially when we are called to obey God rather than men – we as Christians are called to be witnesses to the Gospel through our integrity and peaceful submission. Jesus Himself exemplified this, submitting to human authorities even unto death, which ultimately accomplished our salvation. By following His example of submission, we trust in God's higher plan and bring glory to His name in a watching world.
This sermon on 1 Timothy 3:8-13 examines the character and role of deacons, emphasizing integrity, humility, and faith. Deacons are called to serve with godly character, holding fast to the Gospel and modeling Christlike love in their actions. Their service strengthens the church and glorifies God.
Jesus' primary purpose during His earthly ministry was to preach the Kingdom of God. Although He did perform miracles and cast out demons, His mission centered on proclaiming the good news of the Gospel. He moved from town to town, spreading the message of the Kingdom in synagogues, on mountainsides, and by the sea. As J.C. Ryle noted, "Until the time when He died as a sacrifice for our sins, His daily and almost hourly work was to preach." In our modern day, preaching is often undervalued; yet preaching is central to both our conviction of sin and our growth in grace. Through preaching, God enlightens, comforts, and sanctifies us, calling us to a deeper relationship with Christ. When we hear the Word of God preached, we encounter Jesus' offer to draw us closer to Himself!
This sermon, based on Matthew 20:20-28, emphasizes the role of deacons as servants who follow Christ's example. True greatness in God's kingdom comes from humility and service, reflecting Jesus' love and sacrifice. Believers are called to serve others with compassion and selflessness.
This sermon, focusing on 1 Peter 2:11-12, addresses the Christian's identity as sojourners and pilgrims on earth, engaged in spiritual warfare. The battle, primarily against fleshly desires within, calls believers to abstain from sin and live honorably among unbelievers, so that by their good works, God is glorified.
As believers, our identity is secure in Christ. He is our cornerstone; and since we are built upon Him, our lives are meant to reflect that identity. As the cornerstone sets the standard for the alignment of the rest of the building, our lives must be aligned with His. We are living stones that He is using to build us up into a spiritual house – a spiritual temple where we are a "holy priesthood" that is called to offer up spiritual sacrifices to Him. He has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light, in order to be His own special people. And when challenges arise in our lives, we can go to Christ, our cornerstone. We don't have to bear the weight of our entire life! Jesus does, because He is the firm cornerstone that doesn't move.
Because we have been born again and redeemed, we are called to love others in the same way that God loves us. We're called to love each other fervently - not because it's easy, but because the Lord's great love towards us has been displayed in Jesus Christ. As we are sanctified and purified more and more, and as the Gospel takes root in our hearts, the love of Jesus changes how we love others. Jesus Himself modeled this sacrificial, fervent love by not coming to this earth to be served, but to serve, and to ultimately lay down His life to redeem us. Have we been born again-- If so, are we showing it by following Christ's example and loving each other fervently--
God has called us to be holy. Our Father in heaven is the One Who judges without partiality- and when we think of that, we realize we're doomed. But the Lord has graciously redeemed us with the precious blood of Jesus - the Lamb who willingly shed His blood for our sins. We were slaves to sin and death, but Jesus bought our freedom so that we could live holy lives. The King of the Universe has adopted us as His sons and daughters to live as His royal children. That doesn't mean we won't have struggles with sin anymore while we still live on this earth. But our hope and strength to battle that old slavemaster is found in Christ. Because we've been redeemed by the blood of Jesus, we may call on God our Father, and walk as His blood-bought, Spirit-filled, heaven-bound children.
Holiness isn't about us trying harder to do all the right things- it's about what God is doing in us, which then plays out in our daily lives. Holy living must be rooted on the hope that we have in Jesus, or otherwise it's legalism. Nevertheless, it's hard mental work because we need to take every thought captive unto the obedience of Christ. Everything in our lives has to be put through a Biblical worldview to see if it helps us hope more in Jesus' grace. Without our hope in Him, we have no motivation to pursue holiness. Holy living is a transformation that starts with our hope and works outward into our everyday conduct. Are your actions today reflecting the holiness of God-- Hope wholly in Jesus and live a holy life because He has called you to be holy.
We as Americans often like shortcuts. We like all the good stuff without all the pain that is required along the way. But hard things aren't necessarily bad things. And Peter shows us in this passage that even the hard things that we suffer in this life have a purpose as God is using them to transform us into the type of person He wishes for us to be. He refines us in the fire of afflictions to purify us. And when we have gone through those various trials, we only have one thing left that gives us ultimate joy- God Himself. We must also remember that these trials aren't forever- the Lord will only make them last as long as they need to be there for us to understand that His grace is sufficient for us. But as long as they are there, He is teaching us something - including how to have joy even in the midst of our trials. If our greatest joy is the Lord Jesus, no person or circumstance can take that away from us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Are we hoping in Him-- Are we loving Him-- Are we rejoicing in Him--
We have a lot to praise the Lord for. In fact, all good theology should lead us to doxology, or else we have missed the entire point. --Among the many gifts that God has given us, we have an inheritance that is reserved for us in heaven. It is uncourruptible and undefiled, and it does not fade away. But in order to enjoy this inheritance, we must be born again and in a saving relationship with Christ. --This assurance of our heavenly inheritance gives us hope when we are having hard days, because we know that this world is not all we have. And we can praise the Lord for that- --Praise the Lord for the new life He's given you. Praise Him for our inheritance in heaven. And praise Him that even on the Last Great Day, we know that we will be able to stand without fear when He returns to judge the terrified world-
Once somebody becomes a disciple of Jesus and they're baptized, they need to be taught. But what is the substance of what we ought to teach-- If we aren't telling people about the Gospel of Jesus, then we're missing the point. We must tell people about Him because there's nothing in this world that's going to satisfy anyone ultimately unless they have Jesus Christ. --If we are a believer in Jesus, then we have a place to teach others, either formally or informally. There are all sorts of opportunities that the Lord will give us to disciple others if we spend time with one another and live life together. --The Great Commission is for us. Will we go, disciple, baptize, and teach all that Jesus has commanded-- Are we praying that God will lead people into our lives that we can talk with about the Gospel-- This is why the church is alive and continues to grow. But it happens by ordinary Christians taking this Great Commission to heart, and obeying this important command of Jesus Christ.
Jesus has given us a job to do, and it's not just to sit in a pew and keep our Christianity to ourselves. The Great Commission tells us to go and make disciples, proclaiming the good news of the Gospel message- Jesus died and rose again to save sinners- The scope of the Gospel is global- God's plan is for all the nations to praise Him and confess that He is Lord. --Will you go and take that good news and herald it to the nations-- Will you make disciples with those people in your community who need to hear the Gospel-- Will you tell your children that there is good news for them if they believe in Jesus Christ-- Will we, as a Christian congregation, take the Great Commission seriously--
In the Book of Jonah, we are immediately confronted with two themes- God is sovereign, and His grace is for the whole world. He is relentless in His purposes and He shows mercy to those who don't deserve it. --This chapter shows us human weakness and God's holiness. Jonah was determined to flee from God's presence, which is always a futile attempt, and it cost him dearly. Ironically, however, as he attempted to avoid the mission that God sent him on to preach to the pagans in Nineveh, God relentlessly pursued His purposes and showed His grace to the heathen sailors. --Jonah knew that the only way for the sailors to be saved was for himself to be sacrificed and die. But how much better was Jesus' sacrifice for us - He gave Himself to save us and give us eternal life- Jesus ties Himself to the narrative of Jonah for a reason. --Do you submit yourself to God's purposes, or are you trying to run from His presence--
How do we cultivate and maintain friendships in the Church-- We need to care for others, just as Jesus perfectly modeled for us in His ministry and in His relationship with His disciples. We need to take a genuine interest in others, cultivating the art of listening well and sharing our lives with one another. There are many practical ways to build friendships with each other in the Church, and these include praying with and for each other, doing things together, sharing in each other's needs, and more. That being said, we do need to remember that no earthly horizontal friendship can fulfill all our needs. We ought to thank God for the gift of friendship, but ultimately, we can only find full satisfaction in our vertical relationship with Jesus.
God wants you to have friendships. And the key to friendship is love. The bedrock of our Christian friendships must be love for one another. It's not easy to do this- there is sin in the world. But Christ loved us even when we were enemies, and the Gospel is the glue that sticks us together. Through the cross, the wall of separation has been torn down. We are brothers and sisters, and Christ desires us to be friends with one another because He has made us His friends-
How do we deal with conflict in a Christian way-- We need to learn to listen well, and we need to learn to speak with grace in a way that builds up and edifies the other person. This may be unnatural to us, but God is calling us to something different. We are all depraved, and we are all in need of forgiveness. A lot of heartwork has to happen in order to be like Christ, which is why we need to rely on the Holy Spirit. In Christ, when we come into conflict with others, we will be enabled to work through the issue by communicating effectively, not merely attacking each other like enemies.
There is a great need for the Gospel to be taken to the ends of the world, and this verse gives us the foundation, the method, and the hope of missions. --Christ, the Good Shepherd, came to earth to gather His sheep from lostness and darkness. And He MUST bring them into His fold. These lost sheep hear the voice of their Savior through the lips of human messengers proclaiming the good news of the Gospel. And it is guaranteed to be a success- they WILL be brought into the one pasture of Christ's Church, where He Himself will be their one Pastor. --We need to bring the Gospel to others, starting with our own families and neighbors, but always with an outward momentum. Jesus wants to seek and save the lost sheep-
At some point in every relationship, there is conflict. How do we handle this conflict as Christians-- Do we view it as an opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and each other-- We need to ensure that we are fighting fairly and watching out for communication barriers. We need to fight for unity and not victory, and we need to build each other up and imitate the example of Jesus. When we were yet sinners, He died for us and reconciled us to Himself- Why are we waiting to be reconciled with our brothers and sisters in Christ--
This is a text that absolutely requires us to stand up and do something with it. Either we walk away from this and say, -I need this Priestly King Who was willing to die for me- - or we say, -I am in control of my own life.- The question we should be asking ourselves is, -Did Jesus die for me--- It was because of our sin that He died and experienced the displeasure of His Father. And His death caused open access to be given us to God. --Do you believe that Jesus was the Son of God, as the Scriptures say, Who dies to take away our sins-- Do you believe that He died for YOU-- Are you ready to exclaim, -Worthy is the Lamb--
Throughout the ages, evil people have conspired against Christ -Psalm 2-. Here the Pharisees attempt to ensnare the Son of God Himself, Who reacted in calm meekness- but they are outmaneuvered and forced to leave the scene, convicted of their spiritual adultery and unfaithfulness to Jehovah. Without a legal court proceeding against the woman whom they brought to Jesus, He alone had the legitimate right to sentence her- but He had not come to earth at this time to be a civil or ecclesiastical judge and hand down condemnations. He is the same One Who kept His strength under control even on the cross as He suffered the Father's wrath, so that we who were justly guilty might not be condemned.
Throughout the entire Gospel of Mark, Jesus has been talking about the coming of His Kingdom. Now it looks like that has failed. But the irony is that when He seemed to be defeated, He was actually receiving His crown. Even when He was mocked and ridiculed and tortured, He was really the true King. And the cross was not the end of the story- He did not fail in His mission- He fulfilled His mission. He loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and He made us kings and priests. He came to seek and save the lost, and that is why He died for us. --Are we still trying to be -good enough,- or are we placing our trust in His already-finished work of redemption-- We have been bought with the price of Jesus' blood, and we are members of His royal household. Our King lives today, and we are His sons and daughters if we have faith in Him alone-
These words of Jesus - -Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise- - leap out as us because He is speaking these words of life as He Himself is dying. Here we see several striking contrasts. --1- In the midst of the wicked lies, blasphemy, and mockery from those who were around the cross that day, Jesus speaks His word of truth and leaves no room for ambiguity. --2- In the midst of the supernatural darkness over this place of death and hopelessness, Jesus offers a message of immediate hope and everlasting life to the repentant thief that would be fulfilled that very same day. --3- In the midst of the pain, shame, and suffering of the cross - and while Jesus is also experiencing the wrath of God for sin - He gives assurance to the penitent thief of rest and joy with Him in Paradise, because He won the victory that day over all the powers of hell. --Are these words like heavenly music to our ears--
We don't know the end of the story, but God does. In this passage of Mark's Gospel, this was no accidental happening to Jesus. God's plan was for Him to die for us. He was still at work here. And even though everything in this narrative seemed to go wrong, Jesus still had all the power. He was slaughtered so that we can have peace with God. He willingly suffered for us and defeated the powers of this world. We need to remember that He is our King, He reigns, He has a plan for us, and He wants us to cling to Him more. We rejoice in the King of kings Who was the Lamb slain to take away our sins, even though it happened by wicked and unjust means.
Who is Jesus-- That was the basic question that the high priest put to Jesus when He was on trial. Many people try to mold Him into an image that they like instead of who He says He is. In the presence of the high priest, Jesus declared Himself to be the long-awaited Messiah, the Anointed Son of God. He was the One Whom David himself would call Lord in Psalm 110. And He not only claimed Divine Personhood, but He also identified Himself as the Judge. Moreover, He is both our High Priest and our perfect Sacrifice. We don't deserve to be called His sheep, but He truly did humble Himself, suffer, and die. The Messiah of Scripture is our King, High Priest, and Sacrifice- and in Him, we have everlasting life-
How do you escape the snare of besetting sin-- Like Peter, who grew self-confident in his own abilities, there is no way that we can free ourselves from our sinful situations. --We need to look to Jesus alone as our Savior and Source of strength. We are not the hero of the story. If we fight the devil in our own strength, we will always lose the battle. We are not by nature virtuous, but Jesus is. He was tempted just like us, but He never sinned. He filled the role of the victorious Hero that we need. And we can access His strength by confessing to Him who we are and trusting in Him. Let us look to Him and find the strength that He freely gives to us-
The Passover had been celebrated for centuries. The people of Israel would remember the Lord's work of redemption that He had done for them, year after year, as they waited for the coming of the Messiah. Every year they would remember and long for the Suffering Servant to come and the New Covenant to be established. --Jesus stepped into this Passover tradition but said and did some things that are different. This Last Supper was a new redemption celebration for Jesus' disciples. God has redeemed us from the wages of sin and death. The redemption that He purchased was greater than anything connected with the Israelites' Exodus from Egyptian slavery. --God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed for us, and we are no longer a slave to sin and death. Our King laid down His life for us. And we can sing the words of Psalm 118 because we know that our Redeemer lives and we can have the hope of true freedom-
In this passage, we have various persons all playing a part as Jesus is about to fulfill ultimately the office of the Messiah. We have Simon the leper, who reminds us that Jesus does not enter into perfect situations, but into believing homes. We have Mary, who valued Christ above all the riches of the world and anointed His head with precious oil, in spite of those criticized her sacrifice. We also have Judas, who spent much time close to Jesus, but loved the world more and betrayed Him for money. We have the chief priests and elders, who believed their ends promoted their wicked means. And we have Jesus Himself, who told the disciples to leave Mary alone. He knew He was about to suffer and die, and He knew that the work of redemption would cost His own precious blood. But He chose to go to the cross as the unspotted Lamb of God. He sacrificially gave Himself to redeem those who believe in Him- Do you believe in Him--
Sometimes in life we fall asleep at the wheel and drift on auto-pilot, even though we know we are supposed to be alert and awake. There is one clear application from this section of the Olivet discourse- watch---We don't know when the day of Christ's return will be, so we have to be vigilant and on guard. How are we taking watch over our lives-- Are we neglecting our duties-- What do we take pleasure in-- The shadows of the world or the things of light-- Are we watching over our relationships and our families-- How are we using our money, time, home, and resources-- Are we doing our daily tasks and callings for God's glory-- --Failure to stay on guard has serious consequences. We must be vigilant in prayer with thanksgiving. The Christian disciple is never off-duty. Pray, watch, and be alert so that when the King returns, He will be able to say -Well done- to us-
We have to be humble when approaching a passage like this because we are not the director of the story. This passage is speaking about more than Jerusalem and the Temple. Jesus is talking about His Second Coming. When He returns in glory, all the nations of the world will see. It will be loud and open, not a hidden secret- and it will be a glorious reunion of all God's elect. --We don't have all the answers, but we do know Christ is coming back- and until He does, we must be on guard, watchful, and ready. Jesus died in humiliation, was raised in power, and will return in glory - openly and dramatically. In the meantime, let us live our lives with His heavenly Kingdom in mind-
This passage isn't just theological jargon- it has practical applications for our lives today. --Every Word of Scripture was breathed out to us by God Himself. It is foundational to our faith. It is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. And it is intended to thoroughly equip us and make us ready for every good work. --Reading the Bible will not automatically save us or make our lives great. But when we are familiar with God's Word, we will be able to respond properly in the situations that we find ourselves in life. We need to be properly trained so that we will be able to do the work that the Lord has called us to do. --This New Year, go and immerse yourself and your family in the Word of God so that you will grow in grace, love the Lord like never before, and glorify and enjoy Him forever-
There is nothing better than to stop and remember who our Savior is. Jesus fulfilled everything that was promised of Him. When Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, the Jews had been waiting for hundreds of years for the One to come Who was to sit on the throne of King David forever. And now that time had come. --Do you believe that God sent a second Adam, who was not born in the ordinary way, to bring us life and hope for eternity-- He was born fully human and fully God, He was given the throne of David, He lives now and reigns forever as our King, and He makes a way for us to be citizens of His Kingdom-
Jesus' mention of the -abomination of desolation- in this part of the Olivet discourse would have struck fear in the minds of the Jews of His day. They thought that this had already passed forever in the 160's BC when Antiochus Epiphanes tyrannized over the Jews and offered a pig to Zeus in the Lord's Temple. And now Jesus spoke of this as coming back and happening again. --Jesus' reference to the -abomination of desolation- was in regard to the Romans besieging Jerusalem and finally destroying it in 70 AD. And just as Antiochus' terrible dealings were a foretaste of the Roman siege, we need to be warned that we have not yet seen the worst to come. --We need to watch out and not be deceived. We need to be on our guard against people who claim that Jesus has returned and the Resurrection is over. We need to not be fooled by false Christs who are lying charletans. And we need to not be deceived by signs and wonders. We must keep our eyes fixed on the Jesus of Scripture so that we don't become the prey of these predators.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares Himself to be the Good Shepherd Who gave His own life for His sheep. And He has appointed elders to be caretakers and overseers to watch over His flock. --We tend to view the lists of elder qualifications in the Epistles as a -checklist- to identify elders in the Church. But if a man is not imitating Christ and living like Him, he is not qualified for the office. He must be like Christ - feeding and leading His sheep. He must feed them on a good diet of God's Word and promises, and he must lead them as he himself follows Jesus. --True elders are shepherds, not business boardmembers. Out of their love for God, they will love and care for His people. As they follow Christ, they will be examples for the flock. And when the Lord Jesus returns, they will receive an incorruptible crown of glory to take and lay at the Savior's feet-
When the Church prepares to select a man to fill the office of elder, they must look for a man who is filled with love. However, they must beware of men who possess the wrong kind of love. An elder should not be a man who loves money more than the Lord- nor should he love power and influence more than Christ, since he must be committed to service and sacrifice for the good of the Church. Moreover, the selection of an elder should also not be a popularity contest, where each seeks to win the largest share of the people's praise. And a faithful elder must be committed to discipleship of the people of God, even when it's unpopular. --As the Church seeks to elect an elder, we must remember that we are looking for a Christ-like man - not Christ. No human being is perfect- even the best of Church leaders will struggle with sin, as the Apostles themselves did. Besides, Christ Jesus, our Good Shepherd, is already and always with us- So we should be looking for a man who is striving to imitate our Savior as much as possible. --The Church would do well to remember that the qualities which we desire to see in an elder are also qualities that ought to be practiced by all the people of God. The elders and church leaders, however, ought to take the lead role in these qualities - and it starts with love-
The children of Israel allowed themselves to be duped out of part of their inheritance because they were taken in by some deceiving -ambassadors- who lied to them and tricked them into making a covenant with them - despite the Lord's command to destroy all the wicked Canaanites. --It is strange to think that the Israelites got into this mess because they repeated a failure that they had just recently made in the matter of their attack upon Ai - they did not pray to the Lord and seek His guidance before making their plans and decisions. --The Christian life must be a life of prayer. A prayerless Christian misses out on so much blessedness. Without prayer and the reading of the Word, true communication does not exist between the Lord and our souls. --As a part of the Body of Christ, we ought to be lifting one another up in prayer - following the example of our Lord Jesus Himself, Who is repeatedly depicted in the Gospels as spending much time praying for His people-
After Achan's sin had been dealt with, the Lord assured Joshua that the Israelites would be successful in a second attack upon the city of Ai. This time, a plan was employed whereby the city would be captured and conquered by an ambush strategy. When the Israelites pretended to retreat again, the men of Ai pursued them, giving the ambushers an opportunity to take the city and burn it. None of the inhabitants of Ai survived- even the king, who was brought to Joshua, was not spared.--Like the victorious Israelites, we might be tempted to think that we obtain victory over our sins because we are -good people.- But nothing could be farther from the truth. The only reason that God shows us any favor and grace is because Jesus, our Captain and our heavenly Joshua, has already fought and won the battle against the enemies of our souls-
After the victory at Jericho, we are expecting to hear of more great things happening. The Israelites are confident and fully expect to continue their successses- but instead, at Ai, they are confronted with a shocking defeat. Joshua is confused and is beginning to wonder whether God is going to follow through with His promises to His people. --The Lord answers Joshua's prayers rather brusquely - -Get up-- He tells him that the problem is in Joshua's own camp, and must be rooted out. --We can only imagine how uncomfortable Achan was when Joshua got nearer and nearer to discovering his crime. He had stolen gold, silver, and a garment from the spoils of Jericho that had been devoted to the Lord. But he couldn't even enjoy the things he had stolen. And he could have repented of his sin at any time before Joshua's piercing eye demanded him to explain to him what he had done. --When we hide sin in our hearts, its consequences are far-reaching. We cannot conceal our transgressions and our guilt from the eye of God, Who sees everything. We would do well to examine our hearts, confess our sins to the Lord, and find forgiveness and blessedness in Him- -Psalm 32-
As Joshua is surveying the city of Jericho, pondering on the best course of action, he is suddenly confronted by a Man with a drawn sword. Joshua instinctively recognizes that this is his Lord, and he bows and worships in His holy presence. This Man was the Commander of the army of the Lord, and He had now come to fulfill His promise from Exodus 23 and go before His people in the conquest of the land of Canaan. Without Him, all the brilliant military strategies that the Israelites may have devised would have been worthless- --The battle plan that the Lord laid out before Joshua seemed ridiculous. But the people were going to be shown that their victory could only be obtained by trusting in the Lord. Every step they took as they silently marched around Jericho's walls was an act of obedient faith. And their confidence was placed in the Lord Himself, Whose presence -represented by the Ark of the Covenant- was in the very midst of the marching men. --Only Rahab's family was spared when Jericho was destroyed. It may seem cruel that all the others in the city were put to death, but we must remember that the Lord had patiently waited for the these people to repent and find mercy in Him for hundreds of years. And they stubbornly refused to do so. Sinners must flee from the wrath to come and turn to Jesus for their only hope and answer, contrary to what many teach us today.--Will we obediently follow the ways of the Lord, or will we turn aside to pursue the world's wisdom and pleasures- Jesus Christ, our Commander, has won the victory for us- and He still leads His people. Let's pray for grace to rejoice in His victory and follow Him faithfully-
Before the people of God could march in and conquer the land of Canaan, they had an issue that needed to be resolved. They had not observed the signs of the Lord's Covenant with them- circumcision and the Passover. --In spite of all the wonders that God had already done for the Israelites, the warlords of Canaan resolved to fight to the last, instead of bowing the knee before the Lord. And yet now He tells His people to incapacitate their entire army by doing something they had neglected and ignored for the last 40 years - circumcising all the Israelite men, thereby giving them the sign and the seal that they belonged to God. --People tend to not like a disciplining God, as He had showed Himself to be during the Israelites' wilderness wanderings. The good news of the Gospel is true, but we cannot live however we want and still be blessed by the Lord. But praise His name - there is hope for the next generation- --The people of Israel also celebrated the Passover - the remembrance of the Lord's redemption of their nation from slavery in Egypt. And the very next day, they enjoyed the produce of the land of Canaan and the fruit of the Lord's fulfilled promises- --Are we passing on our faith to the next generation of our children and grandchildren- They must be discipled and pointed to the Lord Jesus- When this is done, the Gospel will melt the hearts of whole families and begin to have an influence upon the culture in general.
A wedding ring is a sign and symbol of a promise that was made on a very special day in the lives of a husband and wife. We want to remember things that are important to us. In fact, one of the key words that is repeated over and over again in the Bible is -remember.- As God's people, that is what we are called to be - a remembering people. --Joshua had detailed 12 men to pick up 12 stones out of the Jordan River, which were to be set up as a monument when the Israelites reached Gilgal on the other side of the Jordan River. But it was not to be a memorial of when the people crossed the River- it was to be a memorial of the amazing power of the all-powerful God, Who miraculously caused the waters to part for His people. The 12 stones were to be a memorial that would help God's people remember His mighty works on their behalf - just like the Lord's Supper is a memorial to us of the work of redemption that Jesus carried out for us- --The Lord knew that when the children and the future generations would see the memorial at Gilgal, they would be curious and ask their parents what they meant. And the parents were to tell them that this was the place where God displayed His power and brought them into the land of Canaan. The good news of the Gospel is for us and our children. God wants us to remember and think of Him as strong and powerful and victorious over His enemies. --Remembering is hard- Too often, we forget God's mercy and kindness to us. Pray for grace to make a practical memorial for yourself, and to have purposeful conversations with your children and grandchildren about our God - Who always keeps His promises and is worth remembering-
Our God does not deal in empty promises. He means every Word that He says, and He will bring each one to a perfect fulfillment. Here in Joshua 3, He is beginning to fulfill the promise that He made to Abraham, hundreds of years earlier. --The people of Israel are standing on the banks of the Jordan River. The Ark of the Covenant is far ahead of the rest of the people, making it clear to all that it was the Lord Himself Who was leading the way. --Joshua reminds the people that they have a faithful God Who keeps His Word and fulfills His promises. How would they know this for sure- They would see the Jordan River open up before their own eyes when the priests who were carrying the Ark stepped into the water. The waters of Jordan would split, as the Red Sea did, in obedience to -the Lord of all the earth.- Everything on earth is His- He is the Creator, Master, and Ruler of all- --Every step that the Israelites took forward was an act of faith in the God Who keeps His promises. Do we believe His Word to us-
People often miss the point when they talk about the narrative of Rahab in Jericho. They get too caught up in talking about her lie concerning the Hebrew spies that she was hiding, but the theme we are to focus on here is Rahab's growing faith. --When the spies were in her home, Rahab told them that she knew God had given the land of Canaan to the Israelites- and she confessed to them that all the people of the land were fearful of them, because they still remembered how the Lord had worked on their behalf at the Red Sea, forty years earlier. She acknowledged Jehovah to be the one true God, and she essentially denounced everything she had known as a Canaanite. Rahab knew her only hope was to turn to the God of Israel, and the spies responded to her with a promise of safety for her and her family. --Rahab ought to be remembered most of all for her faith. That's what the New Testament writers focused on when they mentioned her. This Canaanite woman was at the very bottom of society, but she illustrates for us how the Lord raises up the lowest sinners and turns them into saints. Sinners are to be brought into the Church so that they may be healed there and enter into a relationship with the only One Who can save them from their sins-
How do you feel about God's Word- Can you echo what the Psalmist said about it - -O how I love Your law-- Loving God and loving His Word go hand in hand. The Bible is God's communication with us. Is it sweet to you- Do you cultivate a taste for it- --How do you use God's Word- You must actually pick it up and read it, and discipline yourself to read and understand - even if that means giving up time from some other pastime that you enjoy. This does not come naturally for anyone- But as you cultivate a taste for God's Word, it will become sweet to you. --What benefit does God's Word have for me- We have spiritual enemies that are always on the lookout to throw us down, and the Scriptures have the wisdom we need in order to combat them. Not only that, the Bible also outlines all the boundaries we need so that we can avoid falling into the pits of tempation. --What will you do with this information- Will you keep a hardened heart, or will you devote yourself to loving God's Word - starting right now-
Humility is something that is so foreign to the minds of most Americans. But God calls us to humility, and He gives us a supreme example of it in the Person of Jesus Christ. He was God Himself- He is and always has been King, yet He set aside His Kingship and took the form of human flesh. Unlike earthly rulers who seek to maintain their power at all costs, Jesus left His throne and became like a slave. He came to be obedient to the Law of God, because we are not. He did not sin, but He came to pay the price for our sins. We have fallen into a miry pit, but He came to rescue us and save us.--We can't talk about Jesus coming in the flesh without talking about why He did so. Everyone on earth - either willingly or unwillingly - will confess that He is Lord and bow the knee to Him- --Are you still trying to hold on to your own ways- Or do you confess Jesus Christ as your Lord- Do you do all to bring Him glory-
At the commandment of the Lord, Moses had commissioned Joshua to be the next leader of His people. He would take Israel across the Jordan River and into the Promised Land. The Lord promised Joshua that He would never leave him nor forsake him. But how would Joshua find the courage he needed to carry out the tremendous responsibility that was laid upon him- Where would the nation that was under his command find their strength- --Verses 8 and 9 of this chapter reveal the source of courage- the Word of God- Our courage and confidence does not come from the strength of our arms or the numbers of our armies. It is found in the pages of Scripture. --Unfortunately, Israel did not fully obey the words of the Lord- but we are in the same position - not one of us can obey God perfectly. However, the Word of God points us the Lord Jesus, Who did keep the Law without any fault or flaw- And because of what He has done to redeem us and save us, we have true courage- We have no strength, courage, or confidence in ourselves- but the Lord's promises are for us today, too. He has assured us that He will never leave us nor forsake us, and His Divine presence is what strengthens us-
By nature, we all possess a heart of ingratitude and covetousness for things we don't have. And it doesn't help that we are constantly bombarded by advertisements and other ungodly influences that try to promote the world's mindset of discontentment and -more is better.- --In the Tenth Commandment, the Lord forbids the sin of covetousness. This is a sin that makes us distrust God's goodness, become bitter against our neighbors, lose our own joy, and grow anxious and stressed. It may not seem like this sin is -really that bad.- After all, it's not as bad as murder, stealing, or adultery, is it- The truth is, however, that all of these terrible crimes had their beginning in a covetous heart that was not satisfied with the blessings that the Lord had already provided. --How can the sin of covetousness be conquered- It helps to cultivate a mindset of subtraction, instead of always yielding to the world's push for -more and bigger and better.- Contentment is not found in the stuff that we own. It is also helpful to have our heart and mind focused on our eternal treasures in heaven. And a spirit of thankfulness and gratitude for the everyday things in life will go a long way in battling the sin of covetousness. Above all, though, we need to properly value the preciousness of our Lord Jesus- When we do this, everything else will fall into its proper perspective- and we will find ourselves not only growing in thanksgiving, but also in -thanks-living--
Even though people often have more respect for those who speak the truth, being consistently truthful can be a very difficult thing. But God is a God of truth, and He has made it clear to us in His Word that people who tell lies encounter serious consequences -e.g., Ananias and Sapphira-. --There are all kinds of ways in which we are often untruthful - whether it is exaggerating, leaving out details, believing untruths about other people without evidence, or telling outright falsehoods. One small lie starts great fires, and the Lord assures us that liers don't have a place in heaven. The Psalms describe those who dwell on God's holy hill as being those who tell the truth. --As believers, we strive to be truthful because we have put on Christ. He is the only human being Who has never lied- and if we love Him, we will endeavor to imitate Him and keep His Commandments. Is His Spirit within us, helping us to tell the truth no matter what the cost-
Bryan - Simon discuss what to expect as we work through being students and followers of Jesus Christ. We'll start by discussing R. Kent Hugh's book - -Disciplines of a Godly Man.-
Marriage is a beautiful picture, for it represents the relationship that will be enjoyed between the Lord Jesus and His Church when He returns to bring her to His heavenly home in glory- But in our culture, there is so much wordly influence upon the way we view the marriage relationship- and it is the complete opposite of the purity that the Seventh Commandment requires of us. --Immorality in this sphere is not just a physical issue- it is a heart issue as well. Usually a person who involves themselves in these kinds of sins has already walked away from a relationship with Christ. Jesus is extremely zelaous for the preservation of the marriage-relationship, and He tells us that even looking at someone in a wrong way is adultery in the heart. He requires His followers to do anything and everything to avoid this sin, and even every situation that may lead to a temptation thereto -- as Joseph did in Potiphar's house -Genesis 39-. We are not to merely strive or fight against this sin- we must flee from it- --Why is this so serious- Because our bodies are for the Lord, not for immorality. God has made us for His own glory- our bodies are not our own. We have been redeemed and bought with a price- our bodies are now temples for the Lord, and ought not to be defiled with impurity and immorality-
The -Five Solas- outline the key points that Martin Luther and other Godly leaders took a stand on during the Reformation. --1. Sola Scriptura- The Scriptures alone are our only principle of authority. They are the inspired Words of God Himself- and they do not change, despite how much our post-modern world tries to misinterpret their meaning. If we reject the authority of God's Word, we reject God Himself. --2. Sola Gratia- By Grace alone, God repairs the broken relationship that exists between Himself and mankind. As sinners, we can do nothing that merits His favor and mercy.--3. Sola Fide- Salvation is received by Faith alone- we are not saved by a -faith - works- system. Jesus was perfect and paid the entire price of our salvation for us. --4. Sola Christus- Christ alone is our Savior, He alone is the only way for us to get to the Father, and He alone gives us peace. If He had not come to earth, died for us, and rose again, we would be in everlasting trouble. --5. Sola Deo Gloria- All the Glory goes to God alone- He saved us -- not because of any good works that we had done, but so that we may now do good works that bring glory to His name-
Sadly, the philosophy of the modern age in which we live does not respect authority, especially within the family unit. In fact, our culture accepts rebellion against parental authority, and even promotes it. But God is very serious about this matter, as we can see in this Commandment. He intends for fathers and mothers to govern and disciple their families, and there is no other way around it. Children must obey and respect that authority.--Jesus was a perfect Example in this matter. The Gospels present many instances of Him respecting His mother, Mary- and He also continually showed honor to His heavenly Father -John 5-30-. He even called out the Pharisees for permitting and condoning dishonor to one's parents. --Ephesians 6-1 and Colossians 3-20 remind us of the importance of this Commandment. Parents are to be respected and honored. And this Commandment comes with the promise that it will go well with us as we honor our father and mother.
Sadly, in today's culture, the observance of the Fourth Commandment has mostly gone by the wayside. But we really have to stop and think, -Is our society truly any better than back in the times when the Lord's Day was observed-- --The Lord completed His work of Creation in six days and set an example for us of resting on the seventh day. Unfortunately, many come up with all kinds of objections as to why we cannot or do not need to keep the Lord's Day. It is hard to not fall into the temptation of trying to divide our time between God and the world. But the Lord assures us that if we call His Day a delight, we will be blessed- He will remind us of His promises and recenter our hearts upon Himself.