Grace Church Swansboro: Recent Episodes

Grace Church Swansboro

Based in Swansboro, serving the Crystal Coast and Jacksonville

Passage: Philippians 1:9-11

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Though the world’s rulers unite against Christ, the Lamb will conquer them and His called, chosen, and faithful people will share in His victory.

I. The Intimidating Rise of Beastly Power – 17:7-13.

II. The Eventual Fall of Beastly Power – 17:15-18.

See also Proverbs 14:12

III. The Certain Victory of the Lamb and His Church – 17:14.

See also Eph. 1:3-6; Rev. 2:10; Eph. 1:1

Application

Rejoice.
Repent.

We must recognize and resist the seductive power of Babylon the Great, the world system that opposes Christ.

I. The Development of Babylon the Great.

See also Gen. 9:1; Gen 11:4

II. The Description of Babylon the Great.

III. The Danger of Babylon the Great.

See also 1 John 2:16-17; Luke 12:15; Mark 8:36

Application

What do I truly love? See also Matt. 6:21
What Influences Me the Most?
Where Is My Security? See also Heb 13:14

Look forward and prepare for the final Day when God destroys all wickedness, vindicates all justice, and makes the great declaration, “It is done!”

I. The Declaration of the Judgment Complete – 16:17b.

See also Isaiah 45:23

II. The Destruction of Judgment Applied – 16:17a, 18-20.

See also Hebrews 12:28

III. The Defiance of Judgment Rejected – 16:21.

Application

Great hope for the redeemed! It is finished!
Sober warning for the lost! It is done!

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” – Revelation 22:12

Armageddon is not the triumph of evil, but the final, futile rage of the nations gathered against the Lordship of Christ.

I. The Darkness of the Nations’ Rage – 16:12-14.

See also 2 Thess 2:9-12

II. The Answer to the Nations’ Rage – 16:15.

See also Titus 2:11-14

III. The Gathering of the Nations’ Rage – 16:16.

Application

Recognize the hidden danger. See also Eph. 6:10-12
Stay awake and hopeful. See also 1 Peter 5:8-9

The unconverted human heart curses God and clings to sin even under the fiercest judgment.

I. The Wicked’s Response to Judgment #1 = Blasphemy.

See also Exodus 20:7; Romans 8:7

II. The Wicked’s Response to Judgment #2 = Lack of Repentance.

See also Ezekiel 36:26-27; Jeremiah 31:33

Application

Suffering does not produce repentance. See Jeremiah 17:9-10
Examine your own response to affliction.
Marvel at God’s grace.

See God’s judgment from heaven’s perspective. God’s holiness demands that evil be righteously punished by pouring out His cup of wrath.

I. Final Judgment Poured Out – 16:1-4.

II. Final Judgment Explained and Affirmed – 16:5-7.

Application

Are you ready for judgment by a righteous and Holy God? See also Romans 3:23, 6:23; Hebrews 9:27
GOOD NEWS! There is also a cup of salvation! See also Psalm 116:13, 145:17-20

Avoid error by interpreting unclear or symbolic passages in light of the clear teaching passages in Scripture.

I. The Day of the Lord.

See also 1 Thess. 4:16; John 5:28-29; 2 Peter 3:10, 13

II. Revelation 16.

Application

“Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” – 2 Peter 3:11-13

Take God’s holiness seriously by repenting of your sin and trusting in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation!

I. The Sanctuary Opened – 15:5-7.

See also Exodus 38:21, 31:18

II. The Priests Come Forth – 15:6-7.

III. The Sanctuary Closed – 15:8.

Application

Take God’s holiness seriously!

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

Embrace your victory in the righteous judgment of your God.

I. The Glorious Scene in Heaven – 15:1-2.

See also Psalm 33:1-3

II. The Glorious Song of Heaven – 15:3-4.

See also Exodus 15:11; Jeremiah 10:7; Psalm 86:9, 145:17-20

Application

One vital thing the book of Revelation is teaching us is the importance of remembering that the meaning of events on earth is not found in headlines but in heaven’s throne room.
True conquest is by faithful endurance.
Worship is the proper response to God’s judgment.

Jesus Christ fully accomplished our salvation by His life, death, and resurrection on our behalf, and everything necessary for our inclusion in His salvation is granted to us freely through the gospel.

I. Christ =

See also Isaiah 9:6-7

II. Died =

See also Genesis 3:15; Psalm 22:16-17; Isaiah 53:8-9

III. For His enemies! =

Definition: Grace is God’s unmerited favor in Christ, whereby He freely gives salvation to those who deserve judgment, accomplishing everything necessary for their redemption.

Application

Look to Christ and rest in His love, even when you are most aware of sin.
Confidence in Christ’s love will help you fight sin from a position of assurance instead of anxiety.
Grow in grace by returning daily to the gospel.

Make every effort to grow in God’s grace by daily meeting with the Lord in prayer and in His Word.

I. Growing in grace is a command – 2 Peter 3:18.

See also 2 Peter 1:5

II. Growing in grace is through the Word – Matt. 4:4.

See also Psalm 1:1-2; Col. 3:16

Application

Scripture is essential, not optional.
The Warning: Bread without the Word is death!
Scripture reveals Christ Himself as our Savior.

“The Word of God is the rule of our faith, the measure of our hope, and the ground of our comfort. … If we would grow in grace, we must be much conversant with the Scriptures.” – John Newton

“My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior.” – John Newton

Anchor your hope in God’s steadfast faithfulness in Christ, and trust Him to provide all you need to walk in humble obedience.

I. God’s grace for the lowly (vv. 26-30).

II. God’s Impossible Promise: The Holy Son of God (vv. 31-37).

III. Mary’s faith: humble, trusting obedience (vv. 34-38).

Faith waits. Christ is Coming. And that changes everything!

I. Simeon was an ordinary man (v. 25).

II. Simeon was a godly man (v. 25).

III. Simeon was a waiting man (v. 25).

IV. The Unique promise given to Simeon (v. 26).

V. God’s Promise to Simeon is fulfilled as he sees Salvation (vv. 28-30).

VI. Jesus Christ is a Sign (vv. 34-35).

The shepherds serve as a great example of the truth that God prioritizes the lowly.

I. Shepherds in the Field – 2:8.

II. Angels in the Sky – 2:9-14.

III. Shepherds in Bethlehem – 2:15-20.

Application

For the proud: Lay down your supposed greatness.
For the humble: Rejoice!

See also: Isaiah 57:15, 61:1; Matthew 5:3; James 2:5; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

God calls us to trust and obey Him even when His purposes are hard to understand, because in Jesus He has come to be with us and to save us.

I. Joseph’s Dilemma – 1:18-19.

See also Micah 6:8; Deuteronomy 22:23-24

II. Joseph’s Dream – 1:20-23.

See also Galatians 4:4

III. Joseph’s Determination – 1:24-25.

Application

Obey God when it is hard and confusing.
Be merciful as you are obedient.
Trust God’s Word.
God often brings much good out of what looks like disaster.
He is Immanuel.

True gratitude does not flow from striving for a positive mental attitude. It flows from a Spirit-produced confidence that God is in control and He is good in every circumstance.

I. True Gratitude is a Command to Faith.

See also Col. 3:16-17; Phil. 4:6-7

II. True Gratitude is a Fruit of Faith.

See also Psalm 103:1; Rom. 1:21; Eph. 5:18-21

Application

Happy Stoicism
True Gratitude

At the appointed time, Christ, the Son of Man, will harvest the earth—gathering His people into safety and casting the wicked into the winepress of God’s wrath.

I. The Wheat Harvest – 14:14-16.

See also Matt. 24:30; Mark 4:29; Matt. 24:31

II. The Grape Harvest – 14:17-20.

“The love that saves is the same holiness that must destroy evil; they are not two attributes but one character of God seen in different objects.” – Herman Bavinck

“The most terrifying truth of Scripture is that God is holy. The most comforting truth of Scripture is that God is holy. Because He is holy, He must judge sin; because He is holy, He can be trusted to do so justly.” – R.C. Sproul

Application

There will be great terror for unbelievers in the final judgment!
There will be great comfort for believers in the final judgment!

The world is divided by loyalty — those who are loyal to the world face eternal judgment, and those loyal to Christ receive eternal life.

I. The Danger of Loyalty to the Beast – 14:9-11.

See also Matt. 6:24, 25:46, 18:9

“Eternal punishment is as necessary as eternal salvation. Heaven will forever demonstrate God’s grace; hell will forever manifest His justice.” – A.W. Pink

“God’s eternal justice requires that sin, which rises up against an infinite Majesty, be eternally punished.” – John Owen

II. The Glory of Loyalty to the Lamb – 14:12-13.

See also James 2:26

Application

Notice: There is no neutral ground!
It’s not too late to change your mark.
Those who truly have faith will finish the race!
Comfort for believers.

Because He loves us, the Lord silences our accuser, removes our guilt, and clothes us in the righteousness of Christ.

I. The Accuser of the Brethren – 3:1.

II. The Justifier of the Brethren – 3:2-5.

“In Joshua we behold the believer, silent under guilt, and in the Angel we see Christ, who not only rebukes the accuser but furnishes the sinner with a righteousness meet for God’s presence.” – Thomas Boston

Application

This is a beautiful picture of our salvation.
Are you able to distinguish between the voice of the accuser and the voice of our Advocate?

Judgment is coming on Babylon, every worldly system that exalts itself against God, so flee to Zion, the city of God, and find hope for this life and the life to come.

I. Babylon the Great.

See also Gen. 11:1-9

II. Babylon the Fallen.

See also Isaiah 21:9

III. Babylon the Symbol.

Application

Discern the world’s idols.
Detach your hope from the world’s promises.
Declare the gospel boldly.

Hear the angel’s command to fear, glorify, and worship the Creator before His coming judgment.

I. The Target of the Angelic Gospel – 14:6.

II. The Command of the Angelic Gospel – 14:7.

See also Eccl. 12:13

Application

Are you someone who is yet to trust Christ?
Are you His child?

Be refreshed by this vision of the Lamb standing in victory on Mount Zion, surrounded by the thunderous worship of His redeemed!

I. Standing in Victory – 14:1.

See also Heb. 12:22-24

II. Surrounded by Thunderous Worship – 14:2-3.

See also Rev. 19:6, 5:9; Zeph. 3:17

III. Satisfied with the Redeemed – 14:4-5.

See also 2 Cor. 11:2; John 10:27; James 1:18; Col. 1:21-23

Application

Is your identity one of victory?
Could your singing be characterized as a shout of joy?
Be refreshed! You will stand forever with the Lamb in victory!

I. The Antichrist of Revelation.

See also Rev. 14:1; Deut. 6:8; Rev. 19:20; Rev. 20:10

II. The Antichrist outside Revelation.

See also 1 John 2:18; 2 Thess 2:1-12

“This man is not merely a pre-eminently godless individual, but … in him the humanity hostile to God comes to a definitive, eschatological revelation.… The figure of the ‘man of lawlessness’ is clearly intended as the final, eschatological counterpart of the man Jesus Christ, who was sent by God to overthrow the works of Satan.” – Herman Ridderbos

III. The Identification of the Antichrist?

See also Heb 2:14-15

“2 Thessalonians belongs among the many prophecies, whose best and final exegete will be the eschatological fulfillment, and in regard to which it behooves the saints to exercise a peculiar kind of eschatological patience.” – Geerhardus Vos

“We conclude that the sign of antichrist, like other signs of the times, is present throughout the history of the church. We may say that every age will provide its own particular form of antichristian activity. But we look for an intensification of this sign in the appearance of the antichrist shortly before Christ’s return.” – Anthony Hoekema

Application

I urge caution on setting dates and identifying the antichrist.
Do not fear the number 666.
Who marks you?

Live every day looking to Christ through the Word and you will not fall for the deceit of beastly religion.

I. Beastly religion is an arm of the state – vv. 11-12.

See also 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Matt. 7:15

II. Beastly religion includes signs and wonders – vv. 13-15.

See also Deut. 13:1-3; Matt. 24:24; 2 Thess 2:9-12

Application

Watch out for beastly religion!
Cling to Christ!

Endure in faith even though the dragon wages war against the church by raising up beastly political powers.

I. The Beast from the Sea – 13:1-2.

See also Rev. 17:15; Daniel 7:1-8; Rev. 12:3

II. Characteristics of the Beast – 13:3-8.

See also Dan. 7:21-22

III. Victory over the Beast – 13:9-10.

See also Col. 3:9-14; Rev. 14:12; Rev. 12:11

Application

Do you have an enduring faith?
Beware of siding with the world.
Expect that sometimes in this world it will look like the devil is winning!

We can both enter into heaven’s rejoicing and patiently endure this world’s opposition because Christ is risen and reigning over this world for His church!

I. Heaven Rejoices because of the Accuser’s Eviction – 12:7-12a.

See also John 12:31

II. Earth Suffers because of the Accuser’s Eviction – 12:12b-17.

See also 1 John 5:2-4

Application

The deceiver of the whole world is cast out of heaven to earth.
Rejoice in the victory that is yours in Christ.
Endure suffering and hardship as a loyal soldier in Christ’s army.

We conquer the evil one by entering into Christ’s victory, by speaking of Christ’s victory, and by prioritizing Christ’s victory.

I. Conquer the Evil One by Entering Christ’s Victory.

See also Col. 2:13-15; Rom 8:1

II. Conquer the Evil One by Speaking Christ’s Victory.

See also Acts 4:20

III. Conquer the Evil One by Prioritizing Christ’s Victory.

See also Heb 2:14-15

Application

Do you believe the gospel?
Do you proclaim the gospel?
Will you die for Christ and the gospel?

I. The Church Gathers to Proclaim Christ.

See also Acts 2:42

II. The Church Scatters to Proclaim Christ.

See also Mark 16:15

Application

God’s Provision
Our Continued Need

The birth of God’s kingdom takes place in the midst of great danger, but it is safe in the male child who rules the nations!

I. The Greatest Labor – vv. 1-2.

See also Gen. 37:9-10, 3:15; Micah 4:10

II. The Greatest Danger – vv. 3-4.

III. The Greatest Birth – vv. 5-6.

See also Psalm 2:8-9

Application

Develop a warfare mindset. See also 1 Peter 5:8-9
Determine to be on the right side of the conflict.
Declare the Lord’s victory. (His priority) See also Revelation 12:11

The seventh trumpet points us to the time when God’s kingdom comes in full and is celebrated by singing His praise in His glorious presence.

I. The Kingdom in the Lord’s Timing – v. 15.

See also Rev. 10:7; 1 Cor. 15:51-52; Isaiah 9:6-7

II. The Kingdom in the Lord’s Songs – vv. 16-18.

See also Rom. 1:18; 2 Thess 1:8

III. The Kingdom in the Lord’s Presence – v. 19.

Application

An interpretive application:

Which kingdom has your allegiance, the kingdom of this world or the kingdom of Christ? “Worldliness is whatever makes sin look normal and righteousness look strange.” – David Wells
The kingdoms of this age are temporary.

As Christ’s church, we are fully equipped to walk through gospel opposition through the knowledge of our eternal reward.

I. God’s Witnesses are Fully Equipped – vv. 3-6.

See also Jeremiah 5:14, 23:29

II. God’s Witnesses will Face Opposition – vv. 7-10.

III. God’s Witnesses will Find Vindication – vv. 11-13.

Application

1) The church is vulnerable while on mission.

2) The church is also invincible while on mission.

Main Point: Church, you are known and kept secure by God, but you should expect rejection, hostility, and suffering from this world.

I. Security in a Measured Temple – 11:1.

See also 1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Cor. 6:16; Rev. 3:12

II. Vulnerability in a Trampled Court – 11:2.

See also Rev. 21:2-3; Rev. 21:9-10

Application:

Have proper expectations in this world.
Don’t be surprised when the church appears weak, small, or despised.
Live in Christ’s security and do not fear the world.

In a world rushing toward judgment, God calls His church to boldly proclaim His gospel message that is both sweet with hope and bitter with judgment.

I. The Messenger’s Glory – 10:1-4.

II. The Messenger’s Oath – 10:5-7.

III. The Messenger’s Scroll – 10:8-11.

“When you digest the gospel and its great truths begin to work in your day to day living, you might too find it a bittersweet experience. In the home, some of your children or your spouse may have never tasted the sweetness of the gospel. It is difficult to be a Christian in that setting, for just by being a believer, you drive a wedge between yourself and those you love. It is utterly impossible to be faithful to Christ without incurring some of the world’s displeasure and contempt.” – Joel Beeke

No amount of suffering is sufficient to produce repentance apart from divine grace.

I. Dead Men Under Judgment – 9:13-19.

See also 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

“These horses of death wield death through the hellish deceit that pours forth from their mouths, hot, smoky, and rancid smelling as sulphur.” – Dennis Johnson

II. Dead Men Unrepentant – 9:20-21.

See also 1 Corinthians 10:31

“The blood of the martyrs is precious to the Lord. The prayers of the saints are heard. God sees their tears and their suffering. Yet, in spite of all these warning voices, mankind in general does not repent. Foolish and stubborn men continue to transgress both the first (v. 20) and the second table of the law (v. 21). The persecuting world becomes the impenitent world. It is impenitence that brings about not only the outpouring of the bowls of final wrath (chapters 15, 16) but also the culmination of this wrath in the final judgment.” – William Hendrickson

Application

1) Have you been deceived?

2) Have you been burdened?

3) Rejoice in the Lord.

These locusts serve as a warning: God’s temporal judgments call us to repent before the final judgment comes.

I. The Tyrant and the Terror of the Locusts.

See also Luke 10:18; Ephesians 6:12

II. The Target and the Torment of the Locusts.

See also John 10:9; Ephesians 2:1-2; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Acts 26:18

“Here are the demons, robbing men of all light, that is, righteousness, and holiness, joy, and peace, wisdom and understanding.” – William Hendrickson

Application

1) Heed the warning!

2) Many believers need to re-read Eph. 6.

“Never let go out of your minds the thoughts of a crucified Christ. Let these be food and drink unto you; let them be your sweetness and consolation, your honey and your desire, your reading and your meditation, your life, death, and resurrection.” – Thomas Brooks

3) Rest in God’s sovereign control, even over evil.

4) Take comfort that God has sealed us and will take us all the way home.

5) Warn others while there is still time.

Sermon: Luke 22:14-23, From Passover to Lord’s Supper

Main Point: Jesus transformed the Passover meal into The Lord’s Supper,

showing himself to be the true Passover Lamb.

I. From Passover to Jesus – 22:14-18

See also Exodus 6:6-7

II. From Passover to Lord’s Supper – 22:19-23.

See also 1 Corinthians 10:16

Application:

Rejoice in Christ’s redemption.
Look forward to His return.
Prepare your hearts.

Sermon: Revelation 8:6-12, Echos of Exodus

Be thankful for God’s judgment. Through it He calls the world to repentance and reminds His people that this world is not our home.

Echo #1, The First Trumpet Judgment.
see also Exodus 9:22-24; Isaiah 28:1-3

Echo #2, The Second Trumpet Judgment.

Echo #3, The Third Trumpet Judgment.
see also Jeremiah 23:15

Echo #4, The Fourth Trumpet Judgment.
see also Ezekiel 32:7-8; Matthew 24:29

Application:

God is good to send smaller judgments into the world to call the wicked to repentance and remind the righteous that this is not their home.
God is holy and His judgment is sure.
Take hope, believer. His judgment is terrifying, but He is sovereign and in control.

Sermon: Revelation 8:1-5, From Silence to Sinai

Be submissively silent and confidently prayerful before the holy judgment of God.

I. Seven Silent Trumpets – 8:1-2.

See also Hab. 2:20; Zeph. 1:7; Zech. 2:13; Psalm 46:10; Joel 2:1; Joshua 6:4

II. Smoke, Prayers, & Sinai – 8:3-5.

See also Hebrews 4:15-16; Exodus 19:16-20

“Our prayers may make little impact to those who hear them in this world, but when they reach heaven, they are sent back as ‘reversed thunder.’ The power of prayer is truly immense!” – Derek Thomas

“Our great High Priest is here presented as standing at the golden altar which is before the throne of God, having in His hand a golden censer full of incense, the fragrance of which would give acceptance to the prayers of the saints for His sake.” – Charles Spurgeon

Application

1) Has God’s Law brought you to silence?

2) Are you confidently prayerful as you wait for judgment day?

Sermon: Nehemiah 3:1-32, Lessons in the Lord’s Work

3 Lessons in Faithfully Serving the Lord

Lesson 1: The Lord’s work is not only for spiritual leaders, but for ordinary Christians (v. 1-3; 1 Thess. 1:3, 8)

Lesson 2: The Lord’s work is worthy of great personal sacrifice (v. 8, 14, 32; Matt. 16:24)

Lesson 3: The Lord’s work is worthy of our zeal (v. 4, 21, 30; Rom. 12:11; Philippians 1:12-14)

“Nothing is so effective in keeping true Christianity alive as the yeast of zealous Christians scattered throughout the Church. Like salt, they prevent the whole body from falling into a state of decay. No one but men of this kind can revive Churches that are about to die. It is impossible to overestimate the debt that all Christians owe to zeal.” – JC Ryle

Sermon: Revelation 7:13-17, Coming Out of the Great Tribulation

When is the great tribulation, and who are the ones coming out of it?

I. When is the “Great Tribulation”? – v. 14

See also Revelation 1:9; 1 John 2:18; 1 Cor. 10:11

II. Who are “the ones coming out of the Great Tribulation? – vv. 13-17.

See also Ezekiel 37:27

Application

1) Are you out there enough with your faith in Christ to receive pushback from the world?

2) Are you daily delighted and satisfied by His grace?

Sermon: Revelation 7:4-12, The 144,000 of IsraelMain Point: Who are the 144,000?

I.The Narration of the 144,000 – 7:4-8.

See also Revelation 14:1

II.The Vision of the 144,000 – 7:9-17.

“Those marked as God’s treasure by the seal of his name are securedand sheltered from his burning wrath to come. They are the people of hiscovenant, portrayed as twelve complete tribes. But now that the Lamb hasconquered through his death, God’s covenant embraces all nations, tribes,peoples, and tongues. The Israel secured by God’s seal is a multiethnic multitude, dressed in robes washed white in the Lamb’s blood and praising himfor his salvation.” – Dennis Johnson

Application:

Gospel Optimism.
Gospel Awe.
Gospel Gratitude.
Gospel Humility.
Gospel Passion.

Sermon delivered by Jonathan Hood

Scripture Reading: Psalm 119:49-64

O Great God (35)

Christ, the Sure and Steady Anchor (406)

Sermon: Luke 8:4–15, A Parable of Kingdom Reception

“When you come to Christ, bring your ears with you, ears to hear, so that hearing, you might understand; understanding, you might remember; remembering, you might practice; and practicing, you might continue. In this way, God’s seed will be sown in good ground and bring forth fruit, in some thirtyfold, in some sixtyfold and in some a hundredfold.”

– John Boys (1571–1625)

Sermon: Revelation 7:1-3, Sealed & Secure

As God’s sealed children we may suffer greatly in this age, but we will never be the objects of God’s wrath.

I. God Sovereignly Controls His Judgment – v. 1

See also Jeremiah 49:36

II. God Personally Seals His People – vv. 2-3.

See also Revelation 9:4; Revelation 14:1; Revelation 22:3-4

III. Find Refuge in the Glorious Reality of Grace!

Application

1) Are you living in fear of the winds of judgment—or in the peace of being sealed?

2) Trust Christ, the One who seals His people with the Spirit.

See also Ephesians 1:13–14

3) Walk in security and confidence in Christ.

See also Ephesians 4:30

Sermon: Revelation 6:12-17, The Seal of JudgmentThe day of judgment is a just and fearful thing, so give all diligence to being sure you are ready.

I.Heed the Fearful Symbols of Judgment – 6:12-14.

See also Nahum 1:5; Ezekiel 32:7-8, 38:20b; Isaiah 34:4; Matthew 24:29

II.Flee the Fearful Reality of Judgment – 6:15-17.

See also Ecclesiastes 12:13; Deuteronomy 27:26; Isaiah 2:19-21

III.Find Refuge in the Glorious Reality of Grace!

Application

1)Think deeply about the judgment to come.

See also 1 John 1:8

2)Repent & Trust Jesus alone.

See also Hebrews 12:25-29

Main Point: Prioritize and proclaim Jesus, and rest in God’s sovereignty over your life.

I. The Cause of the Martyrs – v. 9.

See also Romans 12:1

“When God calls a man, he bids him come and die.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

II. The Cry of the Martyrs – v. 10.

See also Psalm 94:1-5

II. The Comfort of the Martyrs – v. 11.

“Faith wraps the soul up in the bundle of life with God; it encloses it in the righteousness of Jesus, and presents it so perfect in that, that whatever Satan can do, with all his cunning, cannot render the soul spotted or wrinkled before the justice of the law. Yea, though the man, as to his own person and acts, be full of sin from top to toe, Jesus Christ covers all… The man, therefore, standing here, stands shrouded under that goodly robe that makes him glisten in the eye of justice.” –John Bunyan

Application:

Prioritize Christ and His kingdom.
Pray for the persecuted church.
Praise God for those who died to bring the gospel to you, the Bible to you!
Proclaim Christ and His kingdom.

“He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” – 2 Cor 5:15

“The martyrs are more glorious than the sun, more brilliant than light. For when the sun sets, the martyrs shine with their own light, ever bright in the heavens.” – John Chrysostom (c. 347–407 A.D.)

Sermon: Revelation 6:3-8 – Seals 2-4, No Peace, No Bread, No Breath

Through these seals we are introduced to God’s righteous judgment, so repent and rest in His grace in Christ our Savior & Lord.

I. Overview of the Seals, Trumpets, & Bowls.

II. The Last Three Horses: Bright Red, Black, and Pale.

See also Isaiah 2:4; Ezekiel 14:21

“We do not live in a world as God created it, but as sin spoiled it. Yet even the red horse and its rider are under the Lord Christ’s control.” – Joel Beeke

Application

1) Flee from the judgment of Christ.

2) Rest in the grace of Christ.

Conclusion

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord..” – Romans 8:35-39

Sermon: Revelation 6:1-2, The Lamb and the White Horse

Jesus is risen and reigning on His throne to perfectly judge evil and establish a righteous earth for His redeemed people.

I. The Lamb on His Throne – 6:1.

See also Acts 2:32-36; Eph. 1:20-23;

II. The Lamb on His Horse – 6:2.

See also Rev. 19:11; Rev. 19:16; Psalm 145:3-7

“It is Christ in the power of His gospel who is galloping across the plain of history. Let us be comforted by knowing that the greatest force – the leading power in this world – is Christ and His gospel. … This horse and its rider have advanced throughout history through the preaching of the apostles, the early church fathers, the Reformers, the Puritans, and missionaries in China, Africa, and around the world. Nothing can prevent the white horse and its rider from advancing throughout the world… Christ, the Captain of our salvation, rides forth to conquer.” – Joel Beeke

Application

1) Live in resurrection confidence.

2) Proclaim the cross and resurrection.

3) Live in anticipation of the final victory.

Sermon: Revelation 5:10, A Kingdom of Priests

As a believer in Christ, own your dual identity. In Him, you have both a kingly authority and a priestly role in His kingdom.

I. The Priesthood of the Believer.

See also Heb. 10:1; Col 2:17; Heb 10:14; 1 Tim 2:5

II. Our Reign with Christ.

See also Rev. 22:5

“Through their prayers they are priests who serve God. Although severely disadvantaged and entirely powerless within their society they actually reign on earth. They reign in the way Christ ‘reigned’ during the crucifixion. It is a reign of courage, of love, of truth and of hope; qualities that come from God himself and which are greater than death. The person possessed of these qualities, though poor and powerless, has the dignity of Christ the king.” – Paul Barnett

Application

1) Christian, you are a priest in God’s kingdom.

2) Christian, you reign with Christ now and you will reign with Him forever.

Conclusion

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” – 1 Peter 2:9

Main Point: Jesus, the prophesied Lion of Judah and Lamb of God, is worthy to reign over all and be worshiped by all!

I. The Lamb is Worthy to Rule – 5:7.

See also Matt. 28:18-20; Daniel 7:13-14; Psalm 2:8

II. The Lamb is Worthy of Worship – 5:8-14

See also Psalm 95:6

“The Bible tells us that there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10). When you were saved, tens of thousands burst into song. They were happy – perhaps happier than you were, because you hadn’t fully understood at that point all that had happened to you. They rejoiced!” –Joel Beeke

Application:

Rev. 4-5 is the center of all creation!
Join the new song now.

I.What is this scroll? – 5:1

See also Hebrews 1:1-2

II.Who is worthy to open it? – 5:2-6

See also Genesis 49:9-10; Daniel 7:13-14; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

“This Lion-Lamb is not only at the center of heaven; He is the centerof heaven. All heaven is focused on Him, All the worshipers surroundHim and look to Him, beginning with the Father, whose deepest delight is in His Son.” – Joel Beeke

I. In What Sense is Jesus a Father?

See also Heb. 2:10-13; Eph. 1:3-4

II. The Everlasting Nature of Jesus’ Fatherhood

“He was so from everlasting; for regeneration and faith don’t make men children, but make them appear to be so; God’s elect are children previous to the Spirit’s work upon them…..adoption is an act of the will of God in covenant from eternity: and Christ is a Father to these unto everlasting…”– John Gill

III. Soak in Who Your Everlasting Father is for you Christian

See also Rom. 5:12-21; Eph. 2:1-10; Jer. 17:9; John 3:36; Heb. 9:27; Rev. 20:11-18; Luke 13:22-30; 1 Cor. 15:3-8; Matt. 4:1-11; Gal. 4:4-5; 2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 3:21-31; Col. 2:8-15; Mark 1:15; John 6:37; Eph. 1:3-14; 1 Thess. 1:4-5; Acts 11:18; Acts 13:48; Eph. 4:1-16; Phil. 1:19-26; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:50-58; Rev. 21-22:5

Main Point: In the midst of life’s hardships, live in imitation of heaven’s worship of our eternal, sovereign, holy, Creator God.

I. The One Worshipped in Heaven – 4:3.

II. The Worshippers in Heaven – 4:4 – 8a.

“Four is the number that is symbolic of creation in all its fullness. Think of the four winds of heaven, and the four corners of the earth. In their number they represent the entire creation…” – Herman Hoeksema

III. The Worship in Heaven – 4:8b – 11.

See also Gen. 1:1; Psalm 95:6

“God’s holiness is His total and eternal separation from all that is sinful and defiling, and His positive purity, righteousness, and moral perfection.” – J.I. Packer

“God doesn’t need our worship; we need to worship Him” – R.C. Sproul

Application

1) True worship can only flow from redeemed hearts.

2) Worship Him as Creator!

3) Worship Him as Holy!

Main Point: God is on the throne. Interpret the trials of your life in the light of His eternal, sovereign perspective. Glory is coming!

I. Big Picture.

II. Come Up Here – 4:1.

III. The LORD is on His Throne – 4:2.

See also Psalm 47:7-8; Psalm 99:1-3; Romans 8:28

Application

1) “Come up here.” Is this the rapture?

2) We too are invited to “come up here.”

See also Isaiah 53:5-6

Main Point: Rest in the love of your Savior and rededicate yourself to living for Him.

I. He set His love on us before creation!

See also 1 Peter 1:3; 2 Tim 1:9; Eph. 2:4; Eph. 3:14-19; 1 John 3:1

II. He set us free by His own blood.

See also John 8:34; Rom. 6:15-18; 1 Cor 15:3-4

Application:

Rest in Jesus’ love.
Live for Jesus’ glory!

“He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” – 2 Cor 5:15

Main Point: Believe Christ’s Word, buy Christ’s riches, and look forward to Christ’s reward.

I. Christ Diagnoses a Repulsive Church – 3:14-17.

See also Jeremiah 17:9-10

II. Christ Counsels a Repulsive Church – 3:18-19.

See also Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17; Acts 26:18

III. Christ Promises a Repentant Church – 3:20-21.

Application

Ephesus – In the business of ministry, guard against your heart growing cold and losing your first love.
Smyrna – Do not fear suffering for Christ. It is necessary in this world.
Pergamum – Watch out for worldliness. Be content and press into community with those who walk closely with Jesus.
Thyatira – Beware of a false love that tolerates false teaching and compromises with sin.
Sardis – Do not become complacent with the gospel. It is the fountain of love for Christ and the antidote to a dead heart and church.
Philadelphia – Embrace your weakness and trust in the Lord’s strength and wisdom in the trials of this life.
Laodicea – Always hear Christ’s Word, believe His gospel, hope in His grace, live for His glory, and look to his reward.

Main Point: Embrace your weakness and place full confidence in Jesus to use you in His kingdom and keep you in His grace.

I. Jesus Greatly Uses His Weak Church – 3:7-9.

See also Psalm 89:18; Isaiah 22:22; Acts 14:27; Col. 4:2-3; 2 Cor. 12:9-10

“The true child of God does not have great strength in himself. He is strong at times in Christ, but in himself he remains broken, weak, and dissatisfied with what he is and how little he makes use of God’s open doors.But in all the believers brokenness and weakness, Christ says, ‘I will give you a little strength, enough for the day, enough for the hour, enough to testify my name and to show the way for loss centers in me, the strong and almighty king of Kings.’” – Joel Beeke

II. Jesus Eternally Keeps His Weak Church – 3:10-13.

See also John 17:15

Application

1) Embrace your weakness.

2) Trust His strength.

See also 1 Pet. 1:3-5

Sermon: Revelation 3:1-6, To the Church in Sardis, A Dead Church

Main Point: Beware of the danger of spiritual complacency and be renewed in your commitment to faithfull follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

I. Jesus’ Diagnosis of the Church in Sardis – 3:1.

See also Matthew 15:8-9

II. Jesus’ Remedy for the Church in Sardis – 3:2-3.

See also 1 Thess. 1:4-5

III. Jesus’ Recognition of the Faithful in Sardis – 3:4-6

See also 1 Thess. 5:23-24; Eph. 4:1; Matt. 10:32-33

Application

1) Are you dead or alive?

2) Where is Grace Church slumbering?

3) Pray that we, individually and corporately, will not grow complacent with the gospel.

Sermon: Revelation 2:18-29, To the Church in Thyatira, Too Tolerant

“We must learn to hate sin, and we will, if we are getting to know God. If we do not, we will increasingly hate God.” – James Montgomery Boice

Main Point: Hold fast to Christ so that His church is purified and productive in His kingdom.

I. The Son of God Praises Thyatira – 2:18-19.

See also 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

II. The Son of God Rebukes Thyatira – 2:20-23.

See also 1 John 5:2-3

III. The Son of God Challenges Thyatira – 2:24-25.

IV. The Son of God Rewards Thyatira – 2:26-29.

See also Revelation 22:16

Application:

Embrace Chirst’s call to repentance.
Beware of being the one through whom Satan works to bring false teaching into the church. See also 1 Peter 5:8
Beware of being too loving and not disciplining when sin appears in your life and in the church.
Hold fast to Christ!

Conclusion

“Our most miserable and vulnerable moments as Christians are the times when we lose sight of Christ.” – Joel Beeke

Sermon: Revelation 2:12-17 – To the Church in Pergamum, The Danger of Worldliness

Worldliness – any thought, attitude, or behavior that is shaped by the values and priorities of a fallen, rebellious world system rather than by the kingdom of God.

Main Point: Stand fast against the pressure of the world and root out all worldliness.

I. Be Faithful Under Pressure – 2:12-13.

II. Root Out False Teaching – 2:14-15.

See also 1 John 5:4-5

Application: Antidotes to worldliness

1) Live in the Word and remember the gospel every day.

See also Romans 12:2

2) Live in prayer and daily communion with Christ.

See also Psalm 139:23-24; Matthew 26:41

3) Live in Christian community.

See also Hebrews 10:24-25

4) Live in contentment.

See also 1 Timothy 6:6-7

“The world is a seducer. It seeks to attract our attention and our devotion. It remains close at hand, visible and enticing. It eclipses our view of heaven. What is seen vies for our attention. It entices our eyes, preventing us from watching for a better country whose builder and maker is God.” – R.C. Sproul

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” – John 15:18-20

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

“Eighty and six years have I served him, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?” – Polycarp of Smyrna

Sermon: Revelation 2:8-11, To the Church in Smyrna, Victory over Death.

Main Point: Jesus knows our suffering and comforts us with His victory!

I. Jesus Knows Our Suffering – 2:8-9.

See also Luke 6:22-23; James 2:5; Mark 8:36

“God is mine, it is enough.” – Thomas Watson

II. Jesus Comforts Us with His Victory – 2:10-11.

See also James 1:12

Application

1) Do not fear suffering for Christ.

2) Rethink suffering.

3) Rest in Jesus.

4) So, live with an eternal perspective.

See also John 11:25-26

Conclusion

“You can kill us, but you cannot do us any real harm.” – Justin Martyr

Sermon: Revelation 2:1-7, To the Church in Ephesus

Main Point: Repent of a cold heart and pour out your life for Jesus!

I. Jesus Commendation of the Church in Ephesus.

See also Heb. 12:3; 1 Cor 15:58; Col. 1:11; Rom. 12:2

II. Jesus’ Correction of the Church in Ephesus.

See also 1 John 4:10-11

can keep you going through the motions of church life for a long time without your first love. But the Lord Jesus knows the very day and hour when your love began to fade.” – Joel Beeke

“It is profitable for Christians to be often calling to mind the very beginnings of grace in their soul.” – John Bunyan

Application

1) Work hard for the Lord and His kingdom.

2) Expect hardship and purpose to endure in his strength.

3) Always treasure the purity of the church.

4) Beware of cultural compromise.

5) Live in the gospel daily so that all your works are done out of love for the Lord and His people!

Sermon: Revelation 1:19-20, Applying Revelation

Main Point: Make the focus of your study of Revelation knowing Jesus and His reign on your behalf.

I. The Summary of the Visions of Revelation – 1:19.

See Revelation 1:11

II. The Focus of the Visions of Revelation – 1:20.

See Daniel 12:3

Application: What is the purpose of prophecy?

1) It reveals God’s Sovereignty.

2) It calls God’s people to repentance and faithfulness.

3) It highlights a Christ-centered fulfillment of all things.

4) It fuels encouragement & hope in a fallen world.

5) It fuels sanctification.

6) It validates God’s Word.

7) It declares both judgment and salvation.

Conclusion: Prophecy is not a crystal ball but a means of grace!

Sermon: Revelation 1:10-16, Seeing Jesus

Main Point: See Jesus as glorified while resting in His grace and living forHis glory.

I. John Seeing Jesus’ Glory – 1:12-16

See also Exodus 28:4; WSC 25; Hebrews 4:12; Matthew 17:2

II. John Falling at Jesus’ Feet – 1:17-18.

See also Isaiah 6:5; Luke 2:10-11

III. Application

1) This should change the way we worship!

2) This should change the way we live!

Sermon: Isaiah 9:6, Prince of Peace

Main Point: Love and trust the Prince of Peace and have peace in both the present world and the world to come.

I. The Identity of the Prince of Peace.

II. The Peace of the Prince of Peace.

III. Application

1) Love and trust the Prince of Peace and have peace in the present world.

2) Love and trust the Prince of Peace and have peace in the future world.

Sermon: Isaiah 9:6, Mighty God

Main Point: Because Jesus is our Mighty God, we can rest in His victory on our behalf and tell others about our Great Champion!

I. Jesus is God.

II. Jesus is Mighty.

See Deuteronomy 10:17

III. Jesus is Mighty God.

See Isaiah 10:20-21; Jeremiah 32:18-19; Psalm 24:8; John 1:1; John 1:14; Colossians. 2:9-10

Application

1) Embrace the Deity of Christ.

2) Embrace His Victory as our Mighty Champion.

3) Proclaim His victory to a dying world.

Sermon: Isaiah 9:6, Wonderful Counselor

Main Point: Because Jesus is the only wonderful counselor, seek His wisdom and trust His plan over all others.

I. Jesus is Wonderful..

See also Judges 13:17-18

II. Jesus is the Counselor.

See also Proverbs 14:12

III. Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor.

See also John 14:6; Col. 2:3

“Let us consider the infinite wisdom of Christ as the Counselor of His people. No case can puzzle Him, no difficulty can confuse Him; He is able to guide His people with unerring wisdom through all the intricacies and difficulties of this life.” – John Flavel

“Christ is the fountain of all divine wisdom. He knows what is best for us, and His counsels are never frustrated. Let us submit ourselves entirely to His guidance and trust His will for our lives.” – Jonathan Edwards

Application

1) Seek His counsel first and foremost.

See also James 1:5; John 17:17

2) Trust His wisdom.

See also Prov. 3:5-6; Romans 11:33-36

Conclusion

Sermon: Revelation 1:9, Kingdom Treasure

Main Point: Pray for a transformed mind that treasures the gifts of God’s kingdom, suffering for Christ, and the patient endurance given by His Spirit.

I. The Treasure of His Kingdom.

See also Matt. 6:33

“Union with Christ is the foundation of all our spiritual blessings and the fountain from which we receive every spiritual grace. It is the way in which the Spirit applies the redemption accomplished by the Lord Jesus to believers.” – Sinclair Ferguson

II. The Treasure of Tribulation.

See also John 16:33; 2 Tim. 3:12; Luke 6:22-23

II. The Treasure of Patient Endurance.

See also Col. 1:9-11; Romans 8:18-19; 24-25

Application

1) Are you a citizen in Christ’s kingdom?

2) Has your commitment to Christ brought these other treasures into your life?

Sermon: Revelation 1:7-8, Our Blessed Hope

Main Point: The Son of God is coming again in glory to bless His church and judge His enemies.

I. Jesus’ Glorious Second Coming – 1:7.

See also Acts 1:11; Daniel 7:13-14

II. Jesus’ Glorious Divine Identity = 1:8.

See also Revelation 22:12-13

Application

1) Are you ready?

2) Are you excited?

See also 2 Tim. 4:8

Sermon: Romans 1:4-6, Glorious Grace

Main Point: Embrace God’s call on your life by resting in His glorious grace.

I. Receive A Gracious Greeting – 1:4-5a.

See also Eph. 2:8-9; John 14:6; Heb. 10:12-14

“Peace flows out of that grace, for peace is the reflection of God’s smile. In our natural condition of sin, God must frown upon us … But through the blood of Jesus, by God’s grace, all of that changes. God now deals with us not as we deserve but according to the merit of His Son, Jesus Christ.” – Joel Beeke

II. Embrace A Glorious Calling – 1:5b-6.

See also 1 Peter 2:9

Application

1) Rest in His grace and trust in and experience His peace!

2) Rededicate yourself to living in line with your new identity!

3) Never again fear an earthly ruler to the extent that you deny the true and eternal ruler, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Sermon: Revelation 1:1-3, The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Main Point: The book of Revelation is not a puzzle, it is a picture of Jesus and His reign over a sinful world.

I. The Glorious Revelation – 1:1-2.

See Revelation 22:10

“This vision is about Jesus Christ, not the pope, Adolf Hitler, Napoleon Bonaparte, Saddam Hussein, or any other person in world history… The Bible is not a horoscope; it is a revelation of Jesus Christ.” – Joel Beeke

The Son of Man and the Seven Churches (1:1-3:22).
The Lamb and the Seven Seals of God’s Scroll (4:1-8:1).
The Seven Trumpets (8:2-11:19).
The War with the Dragon (12:1-14:20).
The Seven Bowls of Wrath (15:1-16:21).
The Fall of Babylon (17:1-19:21).
The Victory of Christ’s Bride (20:1-22:21).

II. The Promised Blessing – 1:3.

Application

1) Try to start fresh as we look into the book of Revelation.

2) Here are a few principles that will help us in our study:

Revelation is a series of visions filled with symbols in motion.

Revelation makes sense only in light of the Old Testament.

Numbers are used symbolically.

Revelation is for a church under attack.

Revelation concerns “what must soon take place.”

The victory belongs to Christ and His church!

The central message of this book is so clear that those who hear can take it to heart and receive the blessing it promises!

“Though the enemies’ might is portrayed in all its hideousness, Revelation’s last word is not about the destructive power of the “prince of darkness grim,” but rather about the joyful celebration of those redeemed by Jesus, the Lord’s Messiah. This hope motivates the suffering church to endure tribulation and the tempted church to remain a pure bride for her Groom.” – Dennis Johnson

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Sermon: Malachi 3:1, Two Messengers

Main Point: What Malachi predicted has come to pass through the two messengers. Believe the good news and proclaim the Messiah!

I. Messenger 1: Elijah

See also Isaiah 40:3; Luke 1:15-17; Mark 1:2-3; Matthew 11:13-15, 17:10-13

II. Messenger 2: Messiah.

See also John 2:19

Application

1) Messenger #1 has fulfilled his mission!

See also 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

2) Messenger 2 has come!

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Sermon: Zechariah: The Purpose of Prophecy

Main Point: Make eschatology primarily about you growing in holiness instead of merely gaining more knowledge of the future.

I. God’s call to holiness – 1:3-4.

See also 2 Peter 3:11-14

“We should contemplate the future life morning, noon, and night, for it is only when we fix our gaze upon it that we can be fully prepared to despise this present life and its allurements.” – John Calvin

II. God’s definition of holiness.

“The man who lives under the abiding conviction that he will soon see Christ, and give account to Him, will daily strive to please Him.” – J.C. Ryle

III. God’s way to holiness.

“Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.” – WSC 33

“Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.” – WSC 35

“If you would get holiness, think much of Christ’s coming. Live in the light of His approach.” – Charles Spurgeon

Application

1) Let eschatology cause you to turn from sin.

2) Let eschatology cause you to turn to God.

“Eschatology is not designed to inspire fruitless speculation but to encourage diligent service.” – R.C. Sproul

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Sermon: Zephaniah 3:14-17, The LORD Sings Over Us

Main Point: Sing to the Lord because of His salvation, and rejoice in the fact that He sings over you.

I. Sing to the LORD because of His Salvation – 3:14-16.

See Psalm 33:3, 95:1-2; Galatians 3:28-29; Hebrews 12:22-24

II. Because of His Salvation the LORD Sings Over You – 3:17.

See Isaiah 62:5; Jeremiah 31:3; Ephesian 1:4, 3:19

Application

1) Trust in the LORD and His salvation.

“Any life but a life lived fully and faithfully for Jesus Christ is a wasted life!” – Joel Beeke

2) Rejoice in the LORD and His salvation.

3) Stand in awe of the fact that He sings over you!

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Sermon: Habakkuk, Faith in a Fallen World

Main Point: True faith trusts in God’s sovereignty and promises even when we don’t understand His ways.

I. True Faith’s struggle with evil in the world – 1:2-4.

See also Psalms 13:1

II. True Faith’s Fuel in the Promises of God – 2:2-3, 14.

See also 2 Peter 3:9

III. True Faith’s Rest in the Goodness of God 3:17-19.

See also Psalms 18:33, 28:8-9

“Destroy the “vines” and “fig trees” of the carnal heart, and his mirth ceases. But those who when full enjoyed God in all, when emptied can enjoy all in God. They can sit down upon the heap of ruined creature comforts, and rejoice in Him as the “God of their salvation.” Running in the way of His commandments, we outrun our troubles.” – A. R. Faussett

Application

1) Habakkuk shapes our prayers.

2) Habakkuk shapes our expectations.

3) Habakkuk shapes our purpose.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” – Revelation 21:1-4

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Sermon: Nahum: God’s Goodness in Judgment and Mercy

Main Point: Because God is good, He is faithful to both judge His enemies and save His people.

I. The LORD is good in judgment.

See also Psalms 145:9, 86:15; Exodus 34:6,7; Nahum 1:3b

“Divine goodness is the overflowing bounty of God by which he communicates blessing to his creation and to his creatures. … Goodness is the broader category encompassing several of God’s moral attributes. His goodness toward those in misery we call mercy. His goodness to forebear with those deserving judgment we call patience. And his goodness to those who are guilty we call grace.” – Kevin DeYoung

II. The LORD is good in mercy – 1:7.

Application

1) Pray for this nation!

2) Pray for the lost around you.

3) Pray for yourself.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” – Psalms 139:23-24

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Sermon: Micah: The Coming Ruler

Main Point: Believe the good news of the Messiah and joyfully submit to His rule.

I. Believe the good news of the Messiah – Micah 5:2.

See also Psalms 22:16-18; Isaiah 53:5-6; Matthew 28:18; Romans 6:23

II. Joyfully submit to the Messiah’s rule – Micah 6:8.

See also Titus 2:11-14

“We are never to indulge a thought of independence from God, as if we were anything, or could do anything apart from Him.” – Charles Spurgeon

Application

1) Detailed fulfilled prophecy proves Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World. Do you believe it?

2) Detailed fulfilled prophecy proves Jesus is the Lord of the world. Have you submitted?

3) Detailed fulfilled prophecy proves He is coming again. Are you ready?

Conclusion

“Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” – Revelation 1:7-8

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Jonah 3, A Great Work in a Great City

Main Point: It is not too late for our great city. Let us repent, preach the law and the gospel, and intensely pray for revival!

I.A Great Wicked City – 3:1-3.

II.A Shocking Message = 3:4.

III.An Amazing Response – 3:5-9.

IV. God Had Mercy – 3:10.

See Jonah 4:2; Jeremiah 18:7-8

Application

1)Some of us need to truly press into repentance like Nineveh.

2)Some of us are reluctant messengers like Jonah.

3)Some of us doubt God’s ability to revive.

4)Will we repent? Will we fast and pray for revival?

5)Will we preach both Law & Gospel?

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“Pride is the worst sin. It is the most secret of all sins. There is no other matter in which the heart is more deceitful and unsearchable. Alas, how much pride the best have in their hearts! Pride is God’s most stubborn enemy! There is no sin so much like the devil as pride. It is a secret and subtle sin, and appears in a great many shapes which are undetected and unsuspected.” – Jonathan Edwards

“God abhors those people worst who adore themselves most.” – William Secker

Sermon: Obadiah 1:3, The Venom of Pride

Main Point: Rest in the grace of Christ and repent of the sin of pride.

I. The Deception of Pride – 1:3

See Proverbs 16:18; Proverbs 3:5-7

II. The Remedy for Pride.

See 1 Peter 5:5; Matthew 11:28-30; Romans 6:23

Application

Treat pride like the most poisonous snake!

See Proverbs 16:5

Treat the gospel like the most valuable treasure!

See Romans 8:37-39

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Sermon: Amos 5:21-24, The Priority of Righteousness

Main Point: Repent and let God’s Word define your worship and life.

I. Repent of Impure Worship – 5:21-23.

“Amos condemns Israel not only on the ground of their thinking to satisfy God by sacrifices without obedience …, but also because even their external ritual was a mere corruption, and unsanctioned by God.” – JFB Commentary

See 1 Samuel 15:22-23

II. Repent of Unrighteous Living – 5:24.

See Proverbs 14:34; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Romans 3:10-12; Romans 3:23-24

Application

God hates man-made worship!
God hates empty rituals!
God loves and calls for righteousness!
So, repent and let God’s Word define both the way you worship and the way you live.

Conclusion: Isaiah 2:2-3

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“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”

– 2 Corinthians 7:10

Sermon: Joel 2:12-13, True Repentance

Main Point: Respond to God’s message of judgment and hope by rightly understanding and embracing true repentance.

I. The Call to True Repentance – 2:12-13.

II. The Nature of True Repentance

“Repentance is a grace of God’s Spirit whereby a sinner is inwardly humbled and visibly reformed.” – Thomas Watson

Spurgeon’s Catechism Q 70: What is repentance to life?A. Repentance to life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sins, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, does with grief and hatred of his sin turn from it to God, with full purpose to strive after new obedience.

Elements of True Repentance:

1) Sight of Sin: “Sin is not simply making bad choices or mistakes. Sin is having the desire in our hearts to do the will of the enemy of God.” – R.C. Sproul

2) Sorrow for Sin: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” – Psalms 51:17

3) Confession of Sin

4) Shame for Sin: “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens.” – Ezra 9:6

5) Hatred of Sin: “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” – Romans 12:9

6) Turning from Sin: “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” – Isaiah 55:6-7

III. The Promise of True Repentance – v. 13b.

See Joel 12:13

Application

Be honest with yourself. Have you returned?
Are you taking your sin seriously?
Are you properly defining the cure?
Have you truly embraced the cure?
Have you found God gracious & merciful and rested all of your hope for salvation in Christ?

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Sermon: Hosea 2:19-20, Steadfast Love

Main Point: Let God’s steadfast love shape your life so that you walk inassurance and imitate His love in all that you do!

I. Steadfast Love Defined – Hosea 2:19.

See Hosea 2:19-20; Psalms 23:6

II. Steadfast Love Embraced – 2:20.

See Hosea 2:20; Ephesians 3:14-19

III. Steadfast Love Returned – 2:20.

See John 14:15

Application

1) God’s love is not best read by your circumstances.

2) God’s love is not best read by your feelings!

3) God’s steadfast love is best read by the gospel and the fact that His Word says He set His love on us from before the foundation of the world!

Conclusion

“God’s love is an exercise of His goodness towards individual sinners whereby, having identified Himself with their welfare, He has given HisSon to be their Savior, and now brings them to know and enjoy Him ina covenant relation.” – J.I. Packer

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Sermon: Misusing the Prophets

Main Point: Be very careful to rightly interpret Scripture by keeping it in its proper context and using sound methods of interpretation.

I. Habakkuk 1:5.

II. Isaiah 54:17.

“wicked men, even though they exert themselves to the utmost, will gain nothing; for their attacks are guided and restrained by the secret purpose of God. … wicked men will have the means of attempting many and diversified methods for destroying the Church, but that their efforts shall be vain and fruitless, for the Lord will restrain them. (Their “weapons” will not prosper!)” – John Calvin

III. Jeremiah 29:11

Application

Before embracing an understanding of any particular text, see if it passes the martyr test.
Always seek to interpret Scripture in its proper context.
Regularly read and study the Scriptures.

Conclusion

John 16:33 NET – I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage – I have conquered the world.

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Sermon: Daniel Part 2: Faith Under Fire

Main Point: Stand firm in the faith and expect opposition from the world. Jesus Christ is worthy of our devotion!

I. Daniel disobeyed the king. (Daniel 6:1-15)

II. The king reluctantly exacted the penalty. (Daniel 6:16-18)

III. The King of Kings intervened. (Daniel 6:19-28)

Application

1.Beware of the world trying to shape your worldview.

“Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.” – J.B. Phillips Translation

Know that world hates those who faithfully follow Jesus in detail because that exposes their sin. (See John 15:18-19)
True faith remains faithful under fire! (See Matthew 10:28-33)
We have the ultimate example in Jesus! (See Titus 2:11-14)

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“The sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which the child of God rests his head at night, giving perfect peace… There is no attribute of God more comforting to His children than the doctrine of Divine Sovereignty.”

– Charles Spurgeon

Sermon: Daniel Part 1: Our Sovereign God

Main Point: Think rightly by adopting, rejoicing, and resting in God’s

sovereignty.

I. Who was Nebuchadnezzar?

II. What did he confess?

See Daniel 4:34-35; Psalms 115:3, 135:6

“Divine sovereignty is not the sovereignty of a tyrannical Despot, but the exercised pleasure of One who is infinitely wise and good! Because God is infinitely wise He cannot err, and because He is infinitely righteous He will not do wrong. Here then is the preciousness of this truth. The mere fact itself that God’s will is irresistible and irreversible fills me with fear, but once I realize that God wills only that which is good, my heart is made to rejoice.” – A.W. Pink

Application

If we are thinking rightly, we will adopt the doctrine of God’s sovereignty.

See Psalm 103:19, 33:10-11; Isaiah 46:8-10

If we are thinking rightly, we will rejoice in the doctrine of God’s sovereignty.
If we are thinking rightly, we will rest in the doctrine of God’s sovereignty.

Conclusion

“If there be a God, a King, eternal, immortal, and invisible, He cannot but be sovereign – and He cannot but do according to His own will and choose according to His own purpose. You may dislike these doctrines, but you can only get free of them by denying altogether the existence of an infinitely wise, glorious, and powerful Being. God would not be God were He not thus absolutely sovereign in His present doings and His eternal pre-arrangements.” – Horatius Bonar

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Sermon: Ezekiel Part 2: God in Residence

Main Point: If you are in Christ, you are the fulfillment of Ezekiel’s vision of a new temple in which the Lord dwells permanently, so glorify Him in all that you do!

I. Ezekiel’s Vision of a New Temple of God.

See Ezekiel 43:1-9; Revelation 21:10-11

II. The New Testament and the New Temple of God.

See Ezekiel 40-48; Revelation 21-22; John 2:18-22; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; Ephesians 2:19-22;

Application

1) Ezekiel had a vision of Christ’s Bride.

2) So glorify God in all that you do.

3) Remember that the old Temple was a place of continual sacrifice for sin. But in His new Temple no more sacrifice for sin is necessary! See Hebrews 10:14

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Sermon: Ezekiel (Part 1), God in Exile

Apocalyptic Texts:

They address both present circumstances and the future.
They are filled with symbols and imagery.
Avoid overanalyzing every little detail of the symbols. Focus on the main message.
Interpret apocalyptic texts in light of the teaching of the rest of the Bible. (Clear interprets unclear.)
Their purpose is to encourage suffering believers and affirm God’s ultimate victory.
Don’t always force elaborate end-times schemes onto the text since the focus is God’s justice and final triumph.
Remember, the goal is to discern the core theological truth being conveyed by the image, so as to avoid unwarranted speculation or overly literalistic readings.

Main Point: Ezekiel’s vision of God leaving His Temple should both encourage and challenge us to truly trust and live for our Lord.

I. Ezekiel Sees God in Exile – ch. 1.

II. Ezekiel Sees Why God is in Exile – ch. 10 -11.

See Ezekiel 8:6, 11:22-23

Application

1.We should respond like Ezekiel to the glory of God.

See Hebrews 12:28-29

2) We should take God’s warning about idolatry seriously.

3) We should not be jealous of Ezekiel’s vision.

See 2 Corinthians 3:18

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Sermon: Jeremiah 31:31-34, A New Heart

Main Point: God promised a new and different kind of covenant, one that works front he inside out.

I. God promised a New Covenant that is not like the old one 31:31-32.

See Deuteronomy 10:16; Jeremiah 7:23; Jeremiah 17:9-10

II. God promised a New Covenant that works from the inside out 31:33-34.

See Ezekiel 36:26-27; Matthew 26:28; 2 Corinthians 5:17

Application

1) Do you love God’s Law? See Psalms 119:97

2) Do you Know the LORD? See John 17:3

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Sermon: Jeremiah 7:1-15, Change Your Ways

Main Point: Repent and treat God as holy by joyfully walking in His commandments.

I. What was the root issue in Jeremiah’s day?

See Exodus 19:5

II. What was the situation in Jeremiah’s Day?

See Jeremiah 7:30

III. What was God’s response?

See Jeremiah 7:23, 7:25-26, 7:34; Matthew 21:13; John 4:23-24; Titus 2:11-14

Application

The church must understand that God is holy!
The church must treat God as holy!
As individuals we must be faithful to God’s covenant.

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Sermon: Isaiah Part 2: Your Kingdom Come

Main Point: God’s kingdom is found in His Son, the Messiah, and is for all nations.

I. God’s Kingdom Comes Through the Messiah.

See Isaiah 53:5-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

II. God’s Kingdom Comes To All the Nations.

See Isaiah 49:6, 65:17-19; Rev. 21:1-4

Application

1) God’s promise of His kingdom should promote hope in the midst of the trials of this life. See James 1:2-4

2) God’s promise of His kingdom should promote growth in grace. See 2 Peter 3:13-14

3) God’s promise of His kingdom should also promote our witness to those who do not have this hope. See Acts 13:47-49

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Sermon: Isaiah Part 1: A Burning Stump & A Holy Seed

Main Point: Only a repentant faith delivers from judgment.

I. Who was Isaiah?

II. When and where did he prophesy?

III. What was his message?

See also Isaiah 6:8-13, 12:2, 1:18

Application

1) Pray for our nation.

2) Pray for your own heart.

3) Live in great hope for the future.

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Sermon: Hebrews 1:1, Speaking God’s Word

Main Point: The Old Testament Prophets were men called by God to speak His Word to His people and hold them accountable to His covenant.

I. What was a prophet?

II. What was the standard for a prophet?

See also Deuteronomy 18:20-22

III. What was the message of the prophets?

See also Deuteronomy 11:26-28, Joel 2:12-13

Application

1) To Preachers and Teachers:

See 2 Timothy 4:2

2) To the Congregation:

See James 1:22-25

Conclusion:

Jesus Christ is Lord! Let us live for Him!

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Sermon: Romans 16:25-27, The Glory of Grace

Main Point: Be strengthened to give God the glory for His grace in saving a people who glorify Jesus by their growing obedience.

I. Be strengthened to give glory to God by His grace – chs 1 – 8.

See Romans 3:20, 3:23-24

WSC Q. 33 What is Justification?

Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein He pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.

WSC Q. 35 What is Sanctification?

Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.

II. Be strengthened to give glory to God by His purpose – chs. 9-11.

See Ephesians 3:6

III. Be strengthened to give glory to God by your obedience – chs 12-16.

Application

1) Give God all the glory for His gospel!

2) Give God the glory for His church!

3) Give God glory with your life!

See John 14:15, 10:27; 1 Corinthians 10:31

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Sermon: Romans 16:21-23, Saved to Serve

Main Point: We are called to follow Jesus in a life of self-sacrificial service to His church.

I. Servant #1 = Timothy – v. 21.

See Philippians 2:19-23

II. Servant #2 = Tertius – v. 22.

III. Servant #3 = Gaius – v. 23.

See 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Application

1) Our eyes.

2) Our attitude.

3) Our lives.

“When we exercise the gifts which Christ has given us we are really saying to our fellow Christians and others: See how much the Lord Jesus Christ loves you and cares for you; He has sent me to serve you in this way; He is using my hands and feet, my lips and ears, to show His love.” –Sinclair Ferguson

Conclusion

See 1 John 3:16; John 13:34

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Romans 16:19-20, Learning from Eden

Main Point: Be encouraged by God’s promise of full deliverance and press into your obedience to Christ by being wise regarding good and innocent regarding evil.

I. Obedience Restored – v. 19a.

II. Good and Evil Refocused – v. 19b.

See Romans 12:2, 12;9; Proverbs 3:7; Jeremiah 4:22

“As Christians we need to be aware of evil … without developing an obsession with it. We need to know enough about evil to discern and resist it, yet without stooping to plug our minds full of it. We are to be, in the words of Grotius “too good to deceive, too wise to be deceived.” Our expertise is to be not in what is evil but in what is good. In fact, it is those with the greatest expertise in all that is good and pure and lovely who are best equipped to identify and flee from what is evil and foul and ugly.” – Tim Challies

III. The Promise Repeated – v. 20.

See Genesis 3:15

Application

1) Turn to all that is good!

2) Turn from all that is evil!

3) All because of the hope of grace.

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Sermon: Romans 16:17-18, Smooth Talk & Flattery

Main Point: Continually identify and avoid false teachers!

I. False teachers are out there, so Identify them – 16:17a.

II. False teachers are out there, so Avoid them – 16:17b-18.

See also 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Colossians 1:9; 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Application

1) Study the truth so that false teachers stick out.

“It is neglect of the Bible which makes so many a prey to the first false teacher whom they hear.” – J.C. Ryle

2) Then, use the truth to identify those who teach doctrine that is out of accord with what you have been taught.

3) Avoid false teaching at all costs!

See Galatians 1:6-9

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Sermon: Romans 16:3-16, Worthy of the Gospel

Main Point: Live worthy of the gospel by standing together against the sinful culture and for the gospel of Christ!

I. Live worthy of the gospel by standing against a sinful culture.

See 1 Thes. 1:8-10; 1 Peter 4:1-5; Eph. 5:11-12; Romans 16:7

II. Live worthy of the gospel by standing together for the gospel of Christ.

See Acts 17:30-31

Application

1) Live lives worthy of the gospel by standing against the culture.

2) Live lives worthy of the gospel by standing for the gospel.

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Romans 16:1-2, A Devoted Servant

Main Point: Phoebe serves as an example of a willing and generous servant in the early church.

I. Phoebe, the Willing Servant of the Church – 16:1.

See Romans 13:4; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:11-12; Galatians 3:28

II. Phoebe, the Generous Servant of the Church – 16:2-3.

See Philippians 3:3-5

Application

Women and men are equally valuable to the mission and health of the church!
Women are not less valuable if they do not hold ordained office.
Both men and women should seek to embrace and excel in the roles assigned by God.
Warning. If we lose the God-ordained differences between man and woman, we dishonor God, and we lose the gospel purpose of marriage!

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Romans 15:30-33, Your Will Be Done

Main Point: God’s will is always accomplished through our prayers, though the answers sometimes look very different than what we pray, hope, or expect.

I.Paul’s Plea – v. 30.

II.Paul’s Request – v. 31.

III.Paul’s Purpose – vv. 32-33.

IV. God’s Answer

Application

We can be confident that our prayers for missions will be effective.
We should always submit them to the Lord’s will since our prayers arenever perfect.
We should not be surprised when things turn out differently than we prayed.
We can rest that God’s perfect will is accomplished through our prayers!

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Revelation 1:17-18

Main Point: Jesus is the Living One, the Lamb of God, and the only source of eternal life.

I.Jesus is the Living One – 1:17-18a.

See also Revelation 22:13; Isaiah 44:6; John 1:1-4

II.Jesus is the Lamb of God – 1:18b.

See also Romans 3:23-25; 1 Corinthians 15:3-6

III.Jesus is the Only Source of Eternal Life – 1:18c.

See also Hebrews 2:14-15; Romans 6:23

Application

1)Those of you who know this Savior, this Living One:

2)Those of you who do not know this Savior:

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Romans 15:25-29, The Priority of Poor Saints

Main Point: It is the church’s responsibility to prioritize meeting the needs of Christ’s sheep.

I. The Needs of the Poor Saints – 15:25.

II. The Answer for the Poor Saints – 15:26-29.

See also Deut. 15:4, Deut 15:11; Matt 25:35-40, Matt 12:50, Matt 28:10; Romans 8:29; Hebrews 2:11-12

Application

1) Every believer should have a heart that prioritizes poor saints.

2) Every local church should prioritize its poor saints.

3) It promotes great unity!

4) It fuels the mission!

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Romans 15:22-24, Hindered & Helped

Main Point: Our lives of following Christ are to be shaped by kingdom priorities which fuel gospel ambition to reach the lost.

I. Paul’s life is shaped by kingdom priorities – 15:22.

See also Matthew 6:33

“Make it your goal to seek God’s interests first …” James M. Boice

II. Paul’s heart is filled with gospel ambition – 15:23-24a.

See also 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

III. Paul’s vision includes the involvement of the local church – 15:24b.

See Philippians 4:15

Application

1) Is my life shaped by kingdom priorities?

2) Do I have gospel ambition?

3) Do I desire to strongly support the mission?

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Main Point: The church today needs recalibration to the great need, the glorious answer, and the gifted means of Christ’s Mission.

“The longing of my heart is to make known my glorious redeemer to those who have never heard.” – William Chalmers Burns

I. The church needs recalibration to the great need!

II. The church needs recalibration to the glorious answer!

See also Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

III. The church needs recalibration to the gifted means!

See Romans 15:20-21

Application

1) Pray for the gospel to go to the unreached!

2) Read good biographies of missionaries like William Chalmers Burns.

3) Form a Missions Team and choose a particular UPG to pray for and target with support.

“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win…” – John F. Kennedy (Sept 12, 1962)

4) GO!!!

5) So, Pray with Isaiah = “Here I am; send me!”

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Romans 15:19, Signs & Wonders & the Gospel

Main Point: God sufficiently confirmed the gospel preached by the Apostles by the signs and wonders done through them.

I. History: A Brief History of Signs & Wonders.

Three Major Periods.

1) the time of Moses & Joshua ~1525-1375 BC

2) the time of Elijah & Elisha ~875-797 BC

3) the time of Christ & the Apostles ~4 BC – 98 AD

II. Warning: The Danger of Signs & Wonders.

See also Deut 13:1-3; Matt 24:24; 2 Thes 2:9-10

III. Clarification: The Purpose of Signs & Wonders.

See also Heb. 2:3-4; Acts 19:10-12; Acts 5:12; 2 Cor. 12:12

Application

1) We don’t need new miracles in order to believe!

2) We don’t need new miracles because God’s revelation is complete!

2) We need a renewed confidence in the gospel!

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Romans 15:15-18

Main Point: God often uses unexpected people in unexpected ways to accomplish His purpose of redemption!

I. An Unexpected Grace – 15:15-16.

See Philippians 3:3-5

II. An Unexpected Boast – 15:17-18.

See 1 Corinthians 1:31; Romans 1:5-6

Application

Don’t always expect God to use you where you are most comfortable and seemingly prepared.
Embrace your weakness and know that His grace is sufficient.
Has God, through the gospel, brought you to obedience?

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Romans 15:14

Main Point: Christ’s sacrifice ensures that His church is full of goodness, filled with knowledge, and able to instruct one another.

I. Be certain that the church is full of goodness.

See also Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 2:11-14

II. Be certain that the church is filled with all knowledge.

See also 2 Peter 1:3-4; Romans 2:20

III. Be certain that the church is able to instruct one another.

See also 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Application

1) Remember that the you in verse 14 is plural.

2) The church is fully equipped and empowered by God to make disciples.

3) Believe it! Live it!

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Sermon: Romans 15:8-13, Joy to the World

Main Point: Christ came in fulfillment of God’s promises to bring the joy of His salvation to Jew and Gentile in one body.

I. Christ came to bring joy to the Jews – 15:8.

See also Genesis 3:15; Genesis 12:1-3; Romans 9:4-5

II. Christ came to bring joy to the Gentiles – 15:9-12.

See also Galatians 3:29

III. Christ came to bring Jew and Gentile together in joy – 15:13.

Application

1) How do I partake of this joy?

2) How do I spread this joy?

3) How do I maintain this joy?

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Sermon: Exodus 12:8, Feeding on the Passover Lamb

Main Point: The Lord’s Supper is the true and greater Passover meal where we feed on our Passover Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ.

I. The First Passover

II. The Last Passover

III. The New Passover

See also 1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Corinthians 10:16-18; WSC Q96

Application

1) The Supper is a reminder.

2) The Supper is a meal.

3) The Supper is a prophecy.

4) The Supper is a means of grace.

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Sermon: Romans 15:1-7, Fight for Unity

Main Point: Fight for the unity of the church by prioritizing pleasing God over pleasing self.

I. Fight for unity by not prioritizing pleasing self – 15:1-3

See Ephesians 4:1-3

II. Fight for unity by prioritizing pleasing God – 15:4-7.

See Philippians 2:1-11; 1 Peter 2:9

Application

1) Beware of elevating disputed matters to the level of God’s commandments and judging your brother or sister!

2) Beware of elevating freedom over unity and despising your brother or sister.

3) Fight daily not to prioritize self in the Christian life.

4) Fight daily to prioritize God’s glory in the Christian life.

“Divisions in the church over nonessentials diverts precious time and energy from its basic mission: the proclamation of the gospel and the glorifying of God.” — Douglas Moo

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Sermon: Romans 14:13-16, 20-23, Walking in Love

Main Point: The strong must walk in love by being careful not to cause your brother or sister to stumble with your freedom.

I. The Faith of the Strong.

II. The Danger of the Strong.

III. The Responsibility of the Strong.

See 1 Corinthians 8

Application

1) Keep the main thing the main thing.

2) Growing in freedom is a good thing.

3) Always be willing to sacrifice freedoms for the unity of the church and the spiritual health of your brethren!

4) Get to know your brothers and sisters well.

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Sermon: Romans 14:17-19

Main Point: Rejoice that the kingdom is here and rededicate yourself to following Christ by living a life of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

I. The Kingdom Defined – 14:17a.

II. The Kingdom Lived – 14:17b.

“The Kingdom of God is God’s people in God’s place under God’s rule.” – Graham Goldsworthy

WSC Q. 35 Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.

III. The Kingdom Benefits – 14:18-19.

Application

1) Rejoice.

2) Repent.

2) RE-AIM.

The post Kingdom Living appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Sermon: Romans 14:9-12

Main Point: Bow the Knee to Christ as Lord, Judge, and God in the flesh.

I. Bow the Knee to Christ as Lord – 14:9.

1 Cor. 15:1-4; Psalm 95:6; Philippians 2:8-11

II. Bow the Knee to Christ as Judge – 14:10-11.

2 Cor. 5:9-10; Matt. 7:3-5; Phil. 2:9-11

III. Bow the Knee to Christ as God – 14:12.

Application

1) Be different but live in unity.

2) Live in light of His judgment.

3) Know that when you kneel before Christ, you are kneeling before God.

4) Rest in his grace.

5) Note to the unbeliever.

The post Every Knee Shall Bow appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Sermon: Luke 9:23, No Ordinary Call

Main Point: Follow Jesus by denying yourself and taking up your cross daily.

I. Follow Jesus by denying yourself.

II. Follow Jesus by daily taking up your cross.

“When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“Christ may be ‘received’ without creating any special love for Him in the soul of the receiver. The man is “saved,” but he is not hungry or thirsty after God.” – A.W. Tozer

“Discipleship is not simply a door to be entered but a path to be followed, and the disciple proves that his discipleship is genuine by following that path to the end.” – James Mongomery Boice

Application

1) Have you embraced cheap grace or costly grace?

2) Are you fighting and dying to the reign of self?

3) Is Christlikeness your steady pursuit?

4) Is it all fueled by His love for you?

“We live in a day when a substantial part of the evangelical world wants a domesticated Jesus who “blesses, satisfies, fills, thrills, and strengthens his followers,” but does not insist on a cross. What we need is the genuine Jesus who demands that his followers die to self and actually follow Him.” – James Mongomery Boice

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“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” – Micah 5:2

Sermon: Matthew 2:13-18, No Ordinary Reaction

Main Point: Beware lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief that rejects the rule of King Jesus!

I. The Angel’s Timely Warning – 2:13-15.

II. The King’s Irrational Reaction – 2:16-18.

Application

All went according to plan.
Herod is not alone.
SO, repent and trust the biblical Christ alone.

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Sermon: Matthew 2:1-12

Main Point: Examine your heart. How much is Christ worth to you?

The post No Ordinary Worth appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Sermon: Luke 2:8-14, No Ordinary Announcement

Main Point: Embrace the good news of the birth of your Savior, and live in the great joy He has provided!

I. An Ordinary Audience – 2:8.

Psalm 138:6, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

II. An Extraordinary Announcement – 2:9-12.

Micah 5:2, Genesis 3:15, Psalm 2:7-9, Isaiah 42:1,4, Isaiah 9:2

Alfred Plummer (defines joy as) “that serene happiness, which is the result of conscious union with God …, of conscious possession of eternal life…and which raises us above pain and sorrow and remorse.”

III. An Angelic Adoration – 2:13-14.

Job 38:7

Application

1) Embrace great joy by remembering the gospel!

2) Embrace great joy by speaking the gospel!

3) Embrace great joy by applying the gospel!

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Sermon: Luke 1:26-38, No Ordinary Child

Main Point: Jesus was no ordinary child because of His mission, greatness, and purity.

I. No Ordinary Child Because of His Mission – 1:31.

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:21

II. No Ordinary Child Because of His Greatness – 1:32-33.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” – Isaiah 9:6

III. No Ordinary Child Because of His Purity – 1:34-35.

Application

1) Has His mission reached you?

2) Has His greatness humbled you?

3) Has His purity comforted you?

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child, and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”, Charles Wesley

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Sermon: Romans 14:7-8

Main Point: Christian, your life is not your own; you belong to Jesus, so glorify Him in both your life and death.

I. Your life is not your own – 14:7.

For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself – Romans 14:7 (NASB)

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God. – Psalm 31:5

II. You belong to Jesus – 14:8b.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. – Titus 2:11-14

For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. – Deuteronomy 7:6

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. – 2 Cor. 5:14-15

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. – 1 Peter 2:9-10

No Christian considers himself his own master or free to regulate His behavior according to his own will or his own ends. He is Christ’s servant and therefore endeavors to live according to Christ’s will and for His glory… We are entirely His, having no authority over our life or death. – Charles Hodge

III. So, live it out – 14:8a.

Application

1) Own His grace.

2) Own your identity.

3) Own your responsibility.

The post Whose Are You? appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Sermon: Romans 14:5-6

“Safely through another week God has brought us on our way; Let us now a blessing seek, waiting in his courts today; Day of all the week the best, emblem of eternal rest: Day of all the week the best, emblem of eternal rest.” – John Newton (speaking of the Lord’s Day)

Main Point: Study to be fully convinced of your position on the Lords Day, but think the best of those who disagree and entrust all judgment to the Lord.

I. Be fully convinced about the Lord’s Day – 14:5.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed (passive imperative) by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2

II. Be patiently gracious about the Lord’s Day – 14:6.

III. So, is there a sacred day, the Lord’s Day?

“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. 11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.” – Hebrews 4:9-11

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet.” – Revelation 1:10

“During the Sabbath He continued under the earth in the tomb in which Joseph of Arimathæa had laid Him. At the dawning of the Lord’s day He arose from the dead… The … Sabbath embraces the burial; the Lord’s Day contains the resurrection.” – Ignatius of Antioch

Application

1) Study diligently to be convinced in your own mind.

2) Treat others who disagree with grace.

3) Do not break fellowship over differences here.

4) Wherever you come out on the Lord’s Day, His worship is to be primary on the 1st day of the week!

“O what a blessing is Sunday, interposed between the waves of worldly business like the divine path of the Israelites through the sea.” – Samuel Wilberforce (son of William Wilberforce)

The post The Lord’s Day? appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Sermon: Romans 14:1-4

Main Point: Leave all judgment to the Lord and walk in unity even though you hold different opinions in disputed matters.

I. Two Different Groups – 14:1-2.

II. Two Related Commands – 14:3.

III. One Risen Judge! – 14:4

Application

1) The strong should sometimes defer to the scruples of the weak.

2) The weak should be careful to not walk around passing judgment on the basis of disputed matters.

3) We should all strive to keep the main thing the main thing! The Great Commission is the main thing!

The post The Gospel and Steak appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Sermon: 1 Timothy 3:1-13, A Serious Responsibility: Nominating Elders & Deacons

Main Point: Take your role as a member of Christ’s church seriously by nominating men who meet the biblical qualifications for the offices of elder and deacon. The church’s health is at stake!

I. Questions & Answers

II. Qualifications for Elders

III. Qualifications for Deacons

Application

Read & Pray through the Qualifications
Consider the men you see serving the church consistently
Complete a nomination form over the next few weeks.

The post A Serious Responsibility: Nominating Elders & Deacons appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Romans 13:11-14

Main Point: Live well in the last days by knowing the time, casting off darkness, and putting on the armor of light.

I. Know the Time – 13:11-12a.

II. Change Your Clothes – 13:12b-14.

Application

1) Number our days.

2) Put off darkness.

3) Put on light.

4) Make provisions for righteousness.

The post Living Well in the Last Days appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Romans 13:8-10

Main Point: God’s Law both commands and defines true love.

I. God’s Law commands true love – 13:8 & 10.

II. God’s Law defines true love – 13:9.

Application

1) Beware of any “love” that is separated from God’s Law.

2) Beware of legalism.

3) Embrace your debt.

4) And define love well.

5) Never lose sight of true love.

The post What Is Love? appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Romans 13:5-7

Main Point: Honor God and the magistrate by supporting and honoring the authority structures He has put in place.

I. The Conscience of the Citizens – 13:5.

“We have to remember that acting according to conscience may sometimes be sin as well. If the conscience is misinformed, then we seek the reasons for this misinformation. Is it misinformed because the person has been negligent in studying the Word of God?” – R.C. Sproul

II. The Protection of the Citizens – 13:6.

III. The Duties of the Citizens – 13:7.

Application

Give appropriate honor and respect to those serving in government.
See government as God’s good gift.
Willingly support it with your taxes.
Seek tax reform through legal means.
Trust God to provide everything you need!
Be good citizens of the country in which the Lord has sovereignly placed you!
Remember, this world is not your home!

The post Good Citizenship, Part 2 appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Romans 13:1-4

Main Point: Since human government is God’s institution, believers should make every effort to submit to their rulers.

I. Human government is God’s institution.

“When God wants to judge a nation, He gives them wicked rulers.”

John Calvin

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”

Isaiah 5:20

II. Believers should make every effort to submit to their rulers.

Application

1) Pray for your government leaders.

2) Pray and work for good government.

3) Obey the law as much as possible.

4) Never hope in government.

5) Do not violate God’s Word in order to please wicked rulers.

The post Good Citizenship, Part 1 appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Exodus 20:1-17

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Romans 12:17-21

Main Point: Overcome evil with good by forsaking vengeance and returning a blessing instead.

I. Overcome evil with good by forsaking vengeance – 12:17-19.

II. Overcome evil with good by returning a blessing instead -12:20-21.

Application

1) When mistreated, be quick to return mercy.

2) Trust God with the results!

3) Keep the gospel the main thing.

4) Beware of the bitter web of vengeance.

The post Persecuted Love, Part 2 appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Romans 12:14-16

Main Point: Genuinely love your enemies and your brothers and sisters in the midst of persecution.

I. Genuinely love for your enemies in the midst of persecution – v. 14.

II. Genuinely love for your brothers and sisters in the midst of persecution – v. 14.

Application

1) This is instruction to the church, not the state.

2) Don’t primarily live in your pain.

3) Do not react or reply in anger.

4) Pray for those who hurt you.

5) Fight hard for humility and unity every day.

The post Persecuted Love, Part 1 appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Romans 12:11-13

“Dead churches are churches in which the Gospel is not proclaimed. If the Gospel is being proclaimed, the church is living. It may be stodgy. It may be tacky. It may be awkward. If the gospel is not being preached, however, it matters not if everyone is running around with sparks flying from their hair, the church is dead.”

Rick Ritchie

Main Point: Be on fire by being eager to honor the Lord and your brothers and sisters in Christ.

I. Be eager to honor the Lord – 12:11-12.

II. Be eager to honor one another – 12:13.

Application

1) Are you on fire for the Lord by being focused on honoring and glorifying the Lord first?

2) Are you on fire for the Lord by being focused on loving and serving one another?

The post On Fire for the Lord appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Romans 12:10

Main Point: Love genuinely by seeing the church as your family, and then outdoing one another in showing honor.

I. Love genuinely by seeing the church as your family 12:10a

II. Love genuinely by outdoing one another in showing honor 12:10b

Application

1) Are you living in Laodicea or Philadelphia?

2) What are some things in your life that would change if you took this text seriously?

The post Living in Philadelphia appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Romans 12:9

Main Point: Love truly by hating all evil and holding fast to all good.

I. Love truly by hating all that is evil.

“True love is not a directionless emotion or something that can only be felt but not expressed. Love is not genuine when it leads a person to do something evil or to avoid doing what is right – as defined by God in His Word.” – Douglas Moo

“Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” – Ephesians 5:11

“O you who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.” – Psalm 97:10

II. Love truly by holding fast to all that is good.

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” – 1 John 5:3

III. The Embodiment and Proof of True Love.

Application

1) Love truly by hating and exposing what God calls evil.

2) Love truly by loving and clinging to what God calls good.

3) Love truly by repenting and trusting His Son Jesus.

The post True Love appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Romans 12:4-8 Main Point: Strive to be a humble servant that embraces both the unity and the diversity of the body of Christ. You were saved to serve. I. Embrace the Unity of the One Body of Christ – vv. 4-5. II. Embrace the Diversity of the One Body of Christ – vv. 6-8. “When […]

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Romans 12:3 Main Point: Think rightly by putting off pride and putting on biblical humility. I. Beware of Pride – v. 3a “There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet […]

The post Right Thinking appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Romans 12:1-2 Main Point: On the basis of God’s mercy to us in Christ, our duty is to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God. I. Christ’s Call to Discipleship – v. 1. 2 Cor. 5:14-15 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore […]

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Romans 11:33-36 Main Point: God’s amazing grace causes us to look back on our redemption with a humble awe that gives all of the glory to God. I. The Wow of Redemption – v. 33. Eph 2:1-3. Eph. 2:4-9. Eph. 2:10 Eph. 2:19-22 II. The Humility of Redemption – vv. 34-35. John Calvin So deeply is […]

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This sermon is in a series on Marks of a Healthy Church, inspired by Mark Dever’s book, 9 Marks of a Healthy Church. Main Point: Based upon his authority as the exalted Christ, the Lord Jesus commissions his church to evangelize and disciple the nations, promising his presence and protection until he returns in glory. […]

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This sermon is in a series on Marks of a Healthy Church, inspired by Mark Dever’s book, 9 Marks of a Healthy Church. Main Point: Turn from sin to Christ and live a new life for which man was originally created. I. Wake up to your danger and to why Christ came (gospel). II. Repent […]

The post Saved from What and How? Converted to What? appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

This sermon is in a series on Marks of a Healthy Church, inspired by Mark Dever’s book, 9 Marks of a Healthy Church. Believers are called to be members of a local church and under the spiritual protection of Elders/Pastors. I. Understanding What a Church Is II. Response to Salvation and Growth III. Membership IV. […]

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This sermon is in a series on Marks of a Healthy Church, inspired by Mark Dever’s book, 9 Marks of a Healthy Church. Main Point: The 1st Mark of a Healthy Church is a commitment to Expositional Preaching I. What is Expositional Preaching?“Preaching that takes for the point of a sermon the point of a […]

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Romans 11:28-32 God is faithful to His promises to be merciful to a disobedient people from both the Jews and the Gentiles.

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Romans 11:25-27 Embrace the mystery of election and know that God will save all of His people from both the Gentiles and Israel.

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Romans 11:17-24 Cultivate humility by embracing both justice and grace. Tremble and trust in Christ alone. “The excision, of which he speaks, could not apply to individuals, whose election is unchangeable, based on the eternal purpose of God.” – John Calvin “Paul skillfully mixes theology and exhortation in this paragraph. His olive tree metaphor makes […]

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Romans 11:16-18 If you are connected to God’s holy root, then you are holy in His sight.

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Romans 11:11-15 God will make Israel jealous in order to restore them through the gospel. “The salvation of ‘all Israel’ will be the climax of this age and will be followed by the resurrection.” – Thomas Schreiner “At the climax of this age, her (Israel) hardening will be removed, and the present tiny remnant of […]

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Romans 11:7-10

Main Point: God mercifully grants faith and justly hardens a sinful, unbelieving heart!

I. The Elect Obtain Right Standing with God – v. 7a.

Romans 10:3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

II. The Rest are Justly Hardened – vv. 7b-10.

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Ephesians 4:18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.

James 1:13-15 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

So, what does it mean that He hardens hearts?

It refers to God’s decision to confine people in the sin that they have chosen for themselves.

R.C. Sproul When God hardens the heart, all He does is step away and stop striving with us. … He does not force people to sin; rather, He gives them their freedom to exercise the evil of their own desires.

PIC – Israel/Remnant

Application:

This does not mean that God has rejected Israel entirely.
Hardening does not remove responsibility.
How is your heart?

Conclusion:

Psalm 139:23–24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

The post Hardened by God appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Romans 11:1-6

I. God’s Unchanging Love is Based on His Choice – 11:1-4.

Romans 8:29-30 [29] For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. [30] And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Amos 3:2a “You only have I known of all the families of the earth”

Romans 9:6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,…

II. God’s Unchanging Love is Based on His Grace – 11:5-6.

Romans 4:3-5 [3] For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” [4] Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. [5] And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,

Romans 9:11 [ref. to Jacob & Esau] though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of [t]him who calls—

Ephesians 2:8-9 [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Application:

If you are in Christ, Grace is the firm basis of your salvation!
If you are in Christ, it is not the result of anything you have done!

Conclusion:

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
‘Tis a heav’n of heav’ns to me
And it lifts me up to glory
For it lifts me up to Thee/
Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Spread His praise from shore to shore
How He loveth, ever loveth
Changeth never, nevermore

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Romans 10:18-21

Main Point: See the warning in Israel’s rejection of grace and turn in repentance and faith to the God who holds out His hands to you!

I. Israel has heard the gospel (18)

II. Israel has understood God’s purposes (19-20)

III. Israel has rejected God’s grace (21)

“I have stretched out my hands unto Thee.”
Father, I stretch my hands to Thee,
No other help I know;
If Thou withdraw Thyself from me,
Ah! Whither shall I go?
What did Thine only Son endure,
Before I drew my breath!
What pain, what labor, to secure
My soul from endless death!
Author of faith! to Thee I lift
My weary, longing eyes:
Oh let me now receive that gift!
My soul without it dies.

Charles Wesley

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Galatians 1:1-9

Main Point: There is only one gospel that justifies and if you add your works to it, it’s no longer the gospel; it’s a deadly poison.

I. The Infallible Source (v. 1-2)

II. The Fundamental Message (v. 3-5)

III. The Deadly Poison (v. 6-9)

The post Legalism: A Deadly Poison appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Romans 10:14-17

Main Point: God gives us beautiful feet when He makes us fishers of men.

I. God gives us beautiful feet when He makes us fishers of men.

II. Beautiful Feet are Not Defined by Man’s Response – 16-17

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Nehemiah 2:1-8

Main Point: What does it look like to press into the Providence of God?

I. The Opportune Time (v. 1-2)

II. The Dangerous Request (v. 3-5)

III. The Impossible Answer (v. 6-8)

The post Pressing Into Providence appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Romans 10:1-13

Main Point: Resurrection faith does not trust in its own efforts to be good enough, but it trusts in Jesus alone – His life, death, burial, and resurrection.

I. Resurrection faith does not trust in works – 10:6-7.
II. Resurrection faith trusts in Christ alone – 10:8-13.

Some evidence:

Empty tomb.
Post-resurrection appearances.
The transformation of the disciples.

I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned, and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren’t true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world and they couldn’t keep a lie for three weeks. You’re telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.

Charles Colson (Special Counsel to President Richard Nixon from 1969 to 1970, founder of Prison Fellowship)

The growth of the church.

Application:

He is risen! Do not trust in your own efforts.
He is risen! Trust in Christ alone.

The post Resurrection Faith appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Romans 10:5

Like the fascination that attracts the gnat to the candle that burns its wings, people by nature fly to the law for salvation and cannot be driven from it. The law can do nothing else but reveal sin and pronounce condemnation on the sinner. And yet we cannot get men away from it, even though we show them how sweetly Jesus stands between them and it. They are so enamored of legal hope that they cling to it when there is nothing to cling to.

Charles Spurgeon

Main Point: Righteousness based on the Law requires perfection in thought, word, and deed.

I. The righteousness based on the Law requires perfect thoughts.
II. The righteousness based on the Law requires perfect speech.
III. The righteousness based on the Law requires perfect actions.

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Romans 10:1-4

Main Point: Trust in nothing other than Christ alone for right standing with God.

I. Paul’s Persistent Prayer – 10:1.
II. Israel’s Ignorant Zeal – 10:2-3.
III. The Law’s Perfect Culmination – 10:4.

Application:

Let God’s sovereignty fuel your prayers for the lost.
Beware of all forms of legalism or ignorant zeal!
Accept God’s righteousness as a free gift in Christ alone.

The post Ignorant Zeal appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Romans 9:30-33

Main Point: Believe the Law and the gospel and turn to Christ alone for righteousness and salvation.

I. The The Law-Gospel Distinction.
II. The Faith-righteousness of the Gentiles – 9:30.
III. The Works-righteousness of the Jews – 9:31-33.

Application:

No one can be righteous before God by works.
Everyone can be righteous before God by faith.
If you are trusting in Christ alone, you are righteous in God’s sight, and you will never be put to shame.

The post The Stumbling Stone appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Romans 9:24-29

Main Point: The one true people of God is made up of those the Lord sover-eignly calls to faith from among both the Jews and the Gentiles.

I. The Identity of True Israel – 9:24.
II. The Mystery of Gentile Inclusion – 9:25-26.
III. The Prophecy of a Jewish Remnant – 9:27-29.

The post My People appeared first on Grace Church Crystal Coast.

Romans 9:19-23

Main Point: God is just in saving some of the Jews and some of the Gentiles, known here as the vessels of mercy.

I. Man Putting God in the Dock – 9:19.

II. God Putting Man Back in the Dock – 9:20-23.

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Romans 9:14-18

Main Point: God is righteous in either granting mercy or judgment to sinners.

I. God is just in His exercise of sovereign mercy – 9:14.

II. Moses and just mercy – 9:15-16.

III. Pharoah and just judgment – 9:17-18.

Application:

Humility
Worship
Repentance

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Romans 9:10-13

Main Point: God’s choice is not based on anything in those being chosen, but it is solely an act of His sovereign grace.

I. One Twin is Chosen – 9:10 & 12.

II. One Thing Made the Difference – 9:11 & 13.

Application:

Every single person ever born deserves just condemnation.
God is just and righteous in the choice of His elect.

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Romans 9:6-9, Jeff Duncan

Main Point: True Israel is the spiritual seed of Abraham.

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Romans 9:1-5, Jeff DuncanMain Point: Does my love for Jesus produce in me an intense burden for the lost?

https://youtube.com/live/N08u9zPHWmE

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Romans 8:35-39, Jeff DuncanMain Point: Since we cannot be separated from God’s love, we are more than conquerors in Jesus Christ.

Audio File:

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Romans 8:31-34, Jeff Duncan Main Point: Christian, you are not guilty because of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is for you!

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Romans 8:29-30, Jeff Duncan
Main Point: Christian, you were loved in eternity past; you are loved in the present; and you will be loved perfectly forever!

Audio:

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Romans 8:28, Jeff Duncan

Main Point: Embrace God’s comfort in His promise to work everything out for the good of His children.

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1 Corinthians 10:31, Jeff DuncanMain Point: Aim at God’s glory by joyfully keeping God’s Word in the power of the Spirit with patient persistence.

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Titus 2:11-14, Jeff DuncanMain Point: Grace appeared to redeem and purify a people for His possession who are zealous for Him.

Audio File:

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1 Corinthians 11:29-30, Jeff DuncanMain Point: Treat communion as holy by rightly defining it and by rightly practicing it.

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Romans 8:26-27, Jeff Duncan The Spirit’s groaning intercession perfects our prayers, linking them up perfectly with the will of God.

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Romans 8:23-25, Jeff Duncan Main Point: A sure hope of future glory enables us to groan eagerly in the present. Audio File:

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Romans 8:19-22, Jeff Duncan Main Point: Creation groans now, but soon there will only be glory!

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John 15:1-11 Main Point: Abide in Christ by being united to Him by faith and thus drawing life and purpose from Him! Audio File:

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Romans 8-18, Jeff Duncan Main Point: Focus on the glory to come and use your suffering for the glory of God.

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Romans 8:17, Jeff Duncan Main Point: Though we must walk through this world of suffering, our inheritance is glorious and secure in Christ! Audio File:

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Romans 8:15-16. Jeff Duncan Main Point: You have received the Spirit of Adoption who works in you through His Word to give you the assurance of your salvation.

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Nehemiah 1:1-4, Corey Riggs Reformation begins when God lays a heavy burden on us that drives us to our knees.

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John 16:33, Jeff Duncan Main Point: Learn to frame your suffering while you live here between Jesus’ two comings. Audio File:

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John 16:33, Jeff Duncan Main Point: Learn to frame your suffering while you live here between Jesus’ two comings. Audio File:

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Romans 8:12-14, Jeff Duncan Main Point: Since living according to the flesh brings death to the soul, embrace living according to the Spirit and bring death to sin.

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Romans 8:12-14, Jeff Duncan Main Point: Since living according to the flesh brings death to the soul, embrace living according to the Spirit and bring death to sin.

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9/11/2022, Sunday Evening Study, Jeff Duncan Audio File:

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9/11/2022, Sunday Evening Study, Jeff Duncan Audio File:

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Romans 8:9-11; Jeff Duncan Main Point: If you are in Christ, you have the Holy Spirit permanently dwelling in you and giving you new life.

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Romans 8:9-11; Jeff Duncan Main Point: If you are in Christ, you have the Holy Spirit permanently dwelling in you and giving you new life.

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Romans 8:4-8, Jeff Duncan Main Point: Walking According to the Spirit means putting off the mindset of the flesh and putting on the Mindset of the Spirit.

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Romans 8:1-4, Jeff Duncan Main Point: Jesus died to both purchase you for himself and to empower you for new life.

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Romans 8:1, Jeff Duncan Main Point: If you are in Christ, you will never be condemned by God for your sin! Audio File:

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Romans 7:14-25, Jeff Duncan Main Point: Though the battle with sin will remain in the life of the believer, the victory is sure in Jesus Christ our Lord!

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Romans 7:7-13, Jeff Duncan Main Point: The first purpose of the Law is to expose the existence and the nature of sin and remove all hope of self-righteousness.

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Jeff Duncan

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Romans 7:1-6, Jeff Duncan Main Point: Because of your union with Christ, you have died to the Law, so that you serve Christ in the newness of the Spirit.

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Romans 6:15-23, Jeff Duncan Main Point: Christian, do not go on sinning because you have a new master and a great reward.

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7/10/2022 Evening Service, Jeff Duncan

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Romans 6:13-14, Jeff Duncan Main Point: Living under grace means we make war on sin while resting fully in Christ.

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Ephesians 1:1-14, Jeff Duncan06/26/2022 (Evening Service)

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Matthew 3:11-17, Jeff Duncan Main Point: Jesus fulfilled all righteousness for us, in both His sinless life and His sacrificial death.

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Romans 6:12, Jeff Duncan Main Point: Since you are dead to sin and alive to God, resist sin’s reign in your mortal body.

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Romans 6:5-11, Jeff Duncan Main point: Believer, you were crucified with Christ, and you were raised from the dead with Him.

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Romans 6:1-4, Jeff Duncan Main point: Live for Christ by knowing that you died to sin and were raised to new life in Him.

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Corey Riggs, Matthew 28:16-20 Main Point: Christian, don’t waste another moment of your life on the sidelines of the Great Commission. Go make disciples of all nations.

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Romans 5:13-14 & 20-21, Jeff Duncan Main Point: Although the law exposes sin and brings death, grace super-abounds our sin and brings eternal life.

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Romans 5:12-19, Jeff Duncan Although Adam brought us sin, death, and condemnation, there is far more grace in Jesus Christ than there is sin in you!

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Romans 5:6-11, Jeff Duncan Rejoice in God by remembering your past, Christ’s past, and your present in Him.

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Easter Service 2022, Pug Pavilion Swansboro, Corey Riggs The Resurrection of Jesus Christ should grip your soul because it is the undeniable sign that everything He taught is the Truth To see scripture references and hymns for this special outdoor sermon, go to https://easter.gracechurchcc.com/

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Romans 5:3-5, Jeff Duncan Since the gospel is true, and all of our suffering will be used for good, we should rejoice in our hardships as instruments of grace.

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Romans 5:1-2, Jeff Duncan Three results of our justification: We have peace with God. We stand in grace. We hope for glory.

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Romans 4:13-25 , Jeff Duncan Live in gospel health by understanding imputation, faith, and justification.

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Romans 4:18-22, Jeff Duncan Walk in faith by knowing and trusting God in the midst of trying circumstances.

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Romans 4:17, Jeff Duncan Trust God! He is the only One who gives life to the dead and calls things into existence from nothing.

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Romans 4:13-16, Jeff Duncan Rest in the grace of faith because it is impossible to inherit the promise by keeping the Law.

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Romans 4:13, Jeff Duncan Be encouraged church, You will inherit the earth!

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Matthew 28:18, Corey Riggs The fuel to go make disciples is found in trusting that Christ has all authority in heaven and on earth.

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Romans 4:9-12, Jeff Duncan Jew or Gentile, trust Christ alone and you too will be part of the one people of God – the seed of Abraham.

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Romans 4:6-8, Jeff Duncan The blessed life is having Christ’s righteousness imputed to us and our sin imputed to Him!

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James 2:14-26, Jeff Duncan Good works are the essential evidence of saving faith.

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Romans 4:1-5, Jeff Duncan Look away from self to Christ, like Abraham, and you will be declared righteous by God!

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Romans 3:27-31, Jeff Duncan Justification by faith alone brings humility, unity, and order to the body of Christ.

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Philippians 4:4-9, Jeff Duncan What does it mean when we say “To Live is Christ”?

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Luke 2:11, Jeff Duncan Jesus is the Savior because He has both the power and the authority to save.

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Isaiah 9:6, Jeff Duncan I. Wonderful Counselor – Let this Christmas be the turning point when you REALLY begin to listen to Him, trust Him, and follow His counsel! II. Mighty God – This Christmas believe that He is God and that His power is directed toward your good. III. Everlasting Father – This Christmas […]

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Matthew 1:23, Corey Riggs Focus your thoughts on what Immanuel means and why that is astounding, and let that drive you to joy-filled worship

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Isaiah 53:1, Jeff Duncan Your Christmas is too small! The power of God was incarnate to save you!

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Romans 3:21-24 Jeff Duncan Trust Jesus alone because in Him wrath has been suffered so that God’s justice has been satisfied!

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Romans 3:21-24, Jeff Duncan Trust Jesus alone because He is the righteousness of God and He freely gives the righteousness of God!

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Romans 3:19-20, Jeff Duncan Hush and hope in Christ, because no one can be justified by keeping God’s Law.

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Romans 3:13-18, Jeff Duncan Mankind’s fundamental problem is a failure to fear God which results in wicked words and deeds. (Sin is primarily a heart problem.)

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Romans 3:9-12, Jeff Duncan Take seriously the fact that all are born under sin, and abandon the myth that anyone seeks God on their own.

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Romans 3:1-8, Jeff Duncan Take sin seriously because God is both faithful and righteous in judgment.

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Romans 2:25-29, Jeff Duncan Beware of trusting in the sign of the covenant without having the internal reality of the covenant.

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1 Timothy 3:1-13, Corey Riggs Nominate men who meet the biblical qualifications for the office of elder and the office of deacon for the glory of God and the good of the church

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Romans 2:17-24, Jeff Duncan Beware of hypocrisy by knowing its nature and its cure.

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Romans 2:1-16 Jeff Duncan

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Matthew 28:18-20, Jeff Duncan

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Romans 2:6-11, Jeff Duncan

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Romans 2:1-5, Corey Riggs

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Romans 1:28-32, Jeff Duncan

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Romans 1:16-27 ESV Jeff Duncan

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Romans 1:19-23, Jeff Duncan

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Romans 1:18, Jeff Duncan

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Jude 1:1-25, Corey Riggs

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Romans 1:1-17 ESV , Jeff Duncan

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Romans 1:8-15, Jeff Duncan

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Romans 1:1-7, Jeff Duncan

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