Tapestry Community Church: Recent Episodes
Simply calling ourselves Christian or even doing Christian things is not what matters most to God. Christian language nor Christian activities are the mark of true Christianity. Listen to find out what is.
When Christians do not consistently live out what they claim to believe before a watching world, it brings dishonor on the name of Christ.
Will believers stand at the Day of Judgement? And if so, what for? Does how we live today matter when it comes to Judgement Day? Listen and find out.
We all deserve to be condemned by God and we inherently know it. Yet God is being very kind, patient, and forbearing toward sinful humanity, giving them time to repent and turn to Christ.
What is the cause of all the ills and suffering we see in the world and in our nation? Is it the failure of public schools, the failure of government, bad parenting, or something else, something that stands behind all these things? Listen and find out.
What is the "due penalty" Paul speaks of in Romans 1:27, and why does it matter? Listen and find out.
The most horrible thing God can do to sinful humanity is to remove his restraining hand and give them over to the sinful desires of their hearts. This is not something we ever want God to do.
In these verses, the apostle Paul will pinpoint the root sin that dominates human beings and unleashes God's wrath upon all humanity.
God's wrath is being poured out on humanity because they suppress the truth about God in unrighteousness. But how? How does humanity suppress the truth about God, and where is this truth found? Listen as Pastor Hexon explains.
Most do not like to talk or think about God's wrath. But when we fully understand God's wrath, why God is angry with the world, and what it means that God's wrath is revealed against all humanity, it makes the gospel--the good news of Jesus Christ--so much sweeter.
In what way does the gospel, the good news regarding the person and work of Christ, reveal God's righteousness?
Why does Paul say "for the Jew first and also for the Gentile"? In what way is the gospel for the Jew first? In what way do the Jewish people have priority over non-Jews? And why does it matter? Listen and find out.
What does Paul mean by the "gospel is the power of God for Salvation"? Why is the gospel the power of God? Why does God work through the message of the gospel to regenerate sinners? And is the gospel only for the unbeliever to be saved? Listen and find out.
In this four-part series, this sermon deals with Paul's words: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel". What is the gospel? And why does Paul imply that some think he should be ashamed of the gospel?
What drove the apostle Paul to be so zealous for proclaiming the gospel? He understood that in light of all that Christ had done for him, all he had been forgiven of, he was indebted to Christ. He owed it to Christ to proclaim the gospel. He was a debtor to mercy.
Being with the saints can be a tremendous blessing and balm for our soul. Paul understood that which is why he longed to be with the saints in Rome.
The resurrection of Christ not only vindicates the person and work of Christ, it provides the assurance for our salvation.
Today Christians around the world will commemorate the crucifixion of Christ and call it Good Friday. But why is it good? What is the cross of Christ all about? Listen to this five-minute discussion and find out.
On Thursday of the last week of Jesus' earthly ministry there is a lot that takes place, particularly in the gospel of John. One of these many things is Jesus' high priestly prayer in John 17. This prayer is our focus this morning for Thursday of Holy Week.
On this day, Wednesday of Holy Week, the gospels record two events which take place, Jesus' anointing by a woman at Bethany and Judas striking a deal with the religious rulers.
On Tuesday of Holy Week there is a lot of activity taking place in the life of Jesus. One of the events that happens on Tuesday is that Jesus issues his teaching regarding the Two Great Commandments, which is what today's Holy Week devotion is about.
On Monday of Jesus' last week, he does three things: curses a fig tree, heals the lame and blind inside the temple, and cleanses the temple. In this Monday of Holy Week devotion, we focus on Jesus cursing the fig tree.
Two-thousand years ago, Palm Sunday is the day Christ, the King, rode into Jerusalem on a donkey to shouts of "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" and the waving of palm branches. What was so significant about that event?
Does the Bible speak of two peoples of God--Jews and Christians? Is the Church a parenthesis within redemptive history? In this opening verse, Paul will hint at where he is going in this book and ultimately how he will answer these questions.
In these verses, Paul explains the means, the goal, the purpose, and the scope of God's grace.
The historical Jesus was prophesied throughout the Old Testament, is the Son of God, is the son of David in fulfillment of the Davidic promise, and was raised from the dead by the Holy Spirit to prove all of this is true.
Accurately understanding the Jesus of history is critically important to accurately understanding the gospel. If we get wrong the historical Jesus, we will get the gospel wrong.
Who is Jesus? Rudolph Bultmann said that in order to know the real Jesus, we need to strip away the husk of myth and legend that has been built up around him. Was he right? Listen to find out.
The book of Romans is Paul's magnum opus. Throughout, Paul will unpack the glorious gospel of God, showing how his righteousness is revealed in and through the gospel, in and through the person and work of Christ. Join us as we embark on this wonderful journey through Paul's letter.
As the apostle Paul brings this encouraging, yet difficult, letter to an end, he concludes with a Trinitarian prayer for the church. Something he sincerely hopes to see God working in them. Something we should all hope to see God working in all our churches.
What are the marks of a healthy church? What does it look like to be a part of a healthy church? How do we know we're a part of one? Listen and find out.
We live in a time when many believe it is cruel to speak truth into someone's life if I may upset them, but Paul's words and example remind us that speaking biblical truth to others is the most loving thing we can do.
What are the marks of being a genuine believer? What are the signs that we truly love God? We often think in terms of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22-24), and this would be correct. But there are other, less obvious marks, which are still valid nonetheless. Namely, how do we respond to correction regarding our sin? This is what Paul will be dealing with as he approaches the end of his letter, from 2 Corinthians 13:5-7.
Sometimes it can be difficult dealing with false accusations against us. We can be tempted to fight fire with fire, to take matters into our own hands, rather than simply trust God. Paul was no stranger to false accusations and character assassinations, so what can we learn from him?
What does it mean that Jesus is the Savior? Luke, the gospel writer, is particularly interested in this aspect of Jesus as he uses the words "Savior/save/salvation" far more than any other gospel writer (14x). Thus, Luke is particularly interested in the idea that Jesus is the Savior of the world. But why? What does that mean?
This time of year, much of what we read and hear is about Jesus coming into the world to bring joy, peace, and hope. While all that is certainly true, it's not all. Jesus, the King, was born into the world to rule--to rule over the powers of darkness, to rule the nations, to rule his Church, and to rule in our hearts and lives. Christmas is not just celebrating the birth of the Savior, but the birth of a Ruler!
During the month of December, we will focus on the birth of Christ--the reason for the season! The theme of this year's Advent sermon series is "The King has Come," and each Sunday we will read a different passage surrounding the birth of Christ and will be looking at various implications regarding the coming of the King. This week's reading is from Matthew 1:18-25, and the message is from v.21.
The theme of this year's Advent sermon series is "The King has Come," and each Sunday we will read a different passage surrounding the birth of Christ and will be looking at various implications regarding the birth of the King of kings. The reading for this Advent Sunday is from Luke 1:26-38 with a focus on vv.32-33.
Despite what we struggle with in life, for the believer the glass is always mostly full. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. As we prepare for Advent, a month of celebrating the greatest gift ever given to humanity, let us rejoice and be thankful for God's amazing grace!
Relationships can be tough. In a throw-away society like the one we currently live in, it can be tempting to just write off a relationship when things aren't going well. But like the apostle Paul, if we truly love God and we truly love others, then writing off relationships will always be the last resort. In this passage Paul provides us with a wonderful example and some wonderful guidelines to follow when struggling with difficult relationships.
Christians are called by God to do all we do for His glory and the blessing of others. Whether we are appreciated or not, recognized or not, should not matter. We know this and yet this can be difficult for many Christians. This was not the apostle Paul. He had an incredible love for people because he had an incredible love for God. This is what we will examine and learn from Paul's deep love for the saints from 2 Corinthians 12:14-18.
The world is in desperate need of pastors who will preach the Word of God without watering it down or messaging the text to ensure no one is offended. However, those who do so run the risk of becoming the target of attacks. Not just from those outside the church, but also from those within the church. These bold preachers can weather the attacks if their church rallies around them. However, many preachers will be driven out of their church for preaching boldly (i.e. Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Jonathan Edwards). The apostle Paul was not immune from this. He left Corinth in the face of withering accusations and will address his ill treatment by the church in Corinth in a very personal manner.
When it comes to theology, Christians are often like pack rats--attracted to new things that sparkle. In a time when we have so much information at our fingertips, when getting multiple degrees can be done from the comfort of home, and when a person's social media presence can be quite misleading, it can be easy to be drawn to new ideas that everyone else is latching on to. However, all that glitters is not gold. And when it comes to theology, new is not always better or trustworthy. In fact, new is usually not better or trustworthy.
Sometimes we can become so preoccupied with others, with what others are doing, what they are thinking, or what they think of us that it can effectively distract us from focusing on God and on what God would have us do. This can be unhealthy and dangerous and is exactly what Satan wants us to do. Paul was not immune from this line of attack from the devil, but he never fell for it. We will see in this passage what Paul kept his focus on and how.
It can be tempting to compare ourselves to those around us, to other Christians or to the standards of the world. However, when we do that, we are focusing on the wrong thing. We should not care what others think. We should not compare ourselves to those around us. And we certainly should not allow the culture to dictate how we live and what we believe. Our only goal should be to please Christ. That's what we discuss from 2 Corinthians 10:7-12.
Many Christians mistakenly think that when they placed their faith in Christ and became a Christian, they were joining the Peace Corp--a life of ease and comfort--or they were enlisting in a peacetime Army. Nothing could be further from the truth. When we placed our faith in Christ, we raised our right hand and enlisted in combat arms to be on the frontline of a wartime Army.
Why does God bless us? Why does he do good things for us? Why are some blessed more abundantly than others? These are questions we will be dealing with in this message from 2 Corinthians 9:10-15.
There are few things in life that are guaranteed, especially when it comes to investments. Yet, Americans spend much of their time, energy, and money investing in things that have no guaranteed return. But there is one investment which offers us a guaranteed return--God.
When thinking about the future, should Christians take time to make definite plans or just "let go and let God"? After all, the Bible does say we "walk by faith and not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7). Should we not just take life one step at a time and see where God leads? When we plan out our future, are we being arrogant in assuming we can control the future or that we are masters over our own destiny? What we'll see in our text this Sunday is that Paul made definite plans for the future.
At times what we see in the news is churches mishandling church funds, ministers embezzling church funds, and prosperity gospel preachers doing what they do for personal gain. This is why integrity and transparency are vitally important in ministry, so that the name of Christ will not be maligned in today's world. However, integrity and transparency in ministry is not something that just happens. Necessary steps must be taken to ensure there is mutual trust within the church.
It has often been said, "Nothing good comes from conflict." But according to the apostle Paul, that is not always the case. In fact, when handled well, when conflict is handled biblically, much joy and blessings can come from it.
How can we be certain of our salvation? What assurance do we have or can we see that our redemption is genuine and that we are not self-deceived? These are important questions that many Christians will wrestle with during the course of their lifetime. Should we really just believe that if we said a particular prayer or have been baptized that that is sufficient or is there something more we should look for? This is the topic of our passage this from 2 Corinthians 7:10-13a.
Speaking the truth of God's Word in love to someone else can sometimes be a difficult thing to do, especially when we are uncertain of how it will be received. For that reason, we are often tempted to say nothing to our brothers and sisters in Christ or to our neighbors, friends, and family, when we see them engaging in sinful behavior. It can be tough to say the things we know might be hurtful. The apostle Paul found himself in a similar situation with the church in Corinth. In this message we'll see how Paul handled it, and how this can bring glory to God.
When we are going through difficult times, it can be easy to think we are on our own. It can be difficult to see God, to see how he is walking with us, helping us or comforting us through the storm. But he is there, and he is comforting us. We sometimes just need to look for it in unexpected places.
We have all had the unfortunate experience of being wrongfully accused of sins which were not true. We have all had the unfortunate experience of having our best intentions misunderstood. What do we do when that happens? How should we respond when our best intentions are taken to be sinful actions? The apostle Paul found himself in a similar situation with the church in Corinth. For all of his best efforts, he was wrongfully accused of some horrible things. So how did he respond?
As Christians living in a fallen world, we can often be more influenced by the world than realize. This is a great danger that we must guard against, and one that the apostle Paul exhorted the Corinthians to guard against. Thus, Paul encourages them and us to strive to bring "holiness to completion in the fear of God."
In a sinful and fallen world, life is filled with conflict. Wherever there are people, there is conflict. What do we do with this? It can be tempting to just ignore it. But is this the biblical response? Listen as we learn from the apostle Paul about how to deal with relational conflict in a godly and healthy manner as we walk through 2 Corinthians 6:11-13.
In a world filled with distractions, we need to be careful to not be led astray from the gospel and from God's Word by the things of this world, through bad teaching, or because of difficult circumstances. We need to be careful to live in such a way so as not to place a stumbling block before the gospel. This is what we talk about from 2 Corinthians 6:1-10.
In the previous passage, we talked about the fact that God took the initiative to bring about reconciliation between himself and sinners. In this message we talk about how he did that. What had to happen in order for God to reconcile sinners to himself? And why does it matter in our day-to-day lives that we know and understand this?
When Adam and Eve sinned, they radically damaged the relationship between mankind and God, to the extent that there was and is nothing humans can do to repair that damage. Yet, God was not content to allow the relationship to remain that way. Thus, God takes the initiative to mend the relationship. This is what Paul discusses from 2 Corinthians 5:16-19.
The resurrection does not just prove that Jesus was who he claimed to be. It proves everything we believe and understand about God, about scripture, and about redemption. The resurrection proves everything.
On Thursday night, Jesus instituted the sign and seal of the new covenant—the Lord's Supper—but on Friday night, he inaugurates the new covenant with the shedding of his blood. On Friday night Christ fulfills and brings about what the OT Passover meal only foreshadowed.
The Lord's Supper was a foreshadowing of what Christ would accomplish for his people the very next day, and was instituted and given by Christ, and commanded to be observed regularly, to be a means of grace to the church.
Why did Christ die on the cross? Was it just to save us from hell? Was it just so our sins could be forgiven? Was it just so that we might be justified in the eyes of a holy God? Was it to bring us into a covenant relationship with himself? Yes! Yes! Yes! And yes! All that and so much more. Listen to what scripture says about this from 2 Corinthians 5:11-15.
Today in the medical world, tests can be run to find out what is wrong or if a particular growth is malignant or benign. This is important because the results will tell us whether we should be concerned or not. But what about our relationship with Christ? How can we be certain that we truly do have a saving relationship with Christ? The Bible provides us with a way to test our Christianity to tell us how we're doing or if we should be concerned. This message is from 2 Corinthians 5:6-10.
How can we be sure God is really working all things for our good? How can we be sure God will keep his promises he has made to believers regarding our future destiny? How can we be certain that through our suffering God "is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison" (2 Cor 4:17)? What assurance do we have that these things are true? These are the questions the apostle Paul deals with in 2 Corinthians 5:1-5.
In this passage, Paul helps us understand more clearly how, as believers, "we do not lose heart" in the face of suffering. He will do this by helping us understand that, in many ways, suffering is a blessing and a means of grace from God.
Ever wonder how the apostle Paul was able to endure all that he suffered without losing his mind or his faith? It's not because Paul was just tougher than most of us nor because he was just wired differently. What was it about Paul that enabled him to persevere in the face of tremendous suffering? In this passage, Paul more specifically details how he was able to endure suffering without giving up.
In this passage, Paul tells us that despite the struggles he goes through in life, the trials, tribulations, false accusations, rejection of the gospel message by most, he does not become discouraged, will not resort to worldly tactics, and will continue to preach the truth of God's word because the fact that most reject his message is not a reflection on himself, but on Satan who has blinded their minds. Secondly, he does this not for himself but for Jesus' glory and to serve the church. And finally, he does what he does out of love and gratitude for what Christ has done for him.
In the previous passage (3:12-16), Paul discussed how the glory of the new covenant surpasses the glory of the old covenant, the Mosaic Law. Now, from vv.16-18, he points out two major benefits of being in the new covenant community, of beholding the glory of Christ as it is revealed in the new covenant; namely, regeneration and sanctification.
Why is it that some people can read the Bible or hear the gospel and immediately believe and understand, while others just never seem to get it? What makes the difference? Listen and find out.
This passage discusses the surpassing glory and splendor of the new covenant inaugurated by Christ over and against the covenant of law implemented by Moses. This text is arguing against Judaizers who have gone into Corinth and are encouraging Christians that they still need to keep the law of Moses. But the new covenant far surpasses the Mosaic covenant which has been "brought to an end."
Are you tired of trying to earn favor with God? Stop trying, and find your rest in Christ.
Paul shares where he gets his confidence from and what makes him think he is sufficient to be a minister of the gospel. There is lots here to be encouraged by. If you have ever struggled with believing you are insufficient in your role as a husband or wife, or that you are insufficient and lacking as a parent, or that God could never use you for his glory, feeling like a failure, then you will want to listen to this message.
Paul defends his apostolic ministry, specifically addressing the Corinthians' concern that he did not present them with a letter of recommendation from the apostles in Jerusalem, nor did he ask the Corinthians for a letter of recommendation to continue his ministry. However, in doing so, Paul conveys some very important and encouraging truths regarding the fulfillment of the promise of the new covenant, and the evidence in the believer's life of God's saving grace.
Paul describes his derailed plans and how he was not able to stay in Troas, despite there being an opportunity for the gospel. Yet, Paul was not discouraged by his plans being derailed. Paul was able to see the silver lining in his plans going sideways. If you feel like your plans in life are constantly being derailed, like life is not going the way you had hoped, this message should prove to be encouraging.
Within a local church, and within the life of the believer, unforgiveness is a weak point in our defensive line against our enemy, the devil. If and when he notices that weak point, that chink in our armor, within the church or within our heart, he will exploit it for all he can.
This Sunday, we continue in our Advent worship services, continuing the theme "The Jesus We Celebrate." This Sunday, the Advent reading comes from Matthew 1:18-25, and we will be focusing on the name Immanuel, and lighting two of the Advent candles.
Life does not always go the way we think it will go. Things do not always turn out the way we may think they will turn out. This can sometimes lead to feelings of regret, thinking that where we are is solely the result of bad decisions. This can also lead others to think less of us, believing that our change of course is the result of character flaws or something that is lacking in us. If you have ever experienced this, you are not alone. The apostle Paul went through the same thing with the church in Corinth. Because he changed his travel plans, they thought he could no longer be trusted. He lacked integrity. So how does Paul respond to these accusations? This is what we look at in 2 Corinthians 1:15-22.
There will always be people who will misunderstand your best intentions, who will assume the worst in you, who will impute negative motives to your actions or to your decisions. When this happens, it can be difficult to endure, especially when you were honestly trying to do what was best for the other person. The apostle Paul went through a similar experience with the church in Corinth, and so in this passage we take a look at how he responded to them.
Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does it sometimes seem that no matter how hard we try to do the right thing, to please God, everything just seems to be falling apart all around us? Why does God allow suffering in the believer's life, and how can we make it through without losing our faith? These are the questions we will wrestle with from 2 Corinthians 1:8-11, "The Blessings of Suffering."
Life is tough. Filled with trials, tribulations, and suffering. Sometimes this suffering is the natural consequence of our own actions, but often we suffer simply from living life in a fallen world. Often, we experience physical suffering, emotional suffering, and even spiritual suffering through no fault of our own (think Job). But how do we survive suffering without losing our minds, or worse, without losing our faith? This passage from 2 Corinthians 1:6-7, will give us the tools we need to avoid a crisis of faith when we walk through the fires of life.
Why does God allow suffering in the believer's life? The apostle Paul experienced a great deal of suffering and pain during his lifetime. Was there a purpose for it? Did God have a reason? If so, what are those reasons?
The apostle Paul experienced a great deal of suffering, both at the hands of unbelievers and fellow Christians. Paul writes 2 Corinthians in response to a painful visit he had with the church in Corinth where he was severely and personally attacked by the church he planted and ministered to. Thus, 2 Corinthians is a book about suffering, and how God comforts believers in the midst of that suffering.
Biblical, God-honoring, Christ-exalting, love is a love that is steadfast and immovable because this is the kind of love with which God loves his people. This is the kind of love with which Christ's loves the Church.
What does it mean that love "hopes all things" or that love is always hopeful? Does it mean that love always hopes for a good outcome in the way one hopes it will rain tomorrow? Hoping for good, but not certain it will happen. Or, does it mean something deeper, something more concrete, something more encouraging? Listen, as Pastor Hexon explains from 1 Corinthians 13:7.
What does it mean that love believes all things? It cannot mean that love is naive or gullible as there has never been anyone more loving than Christ, and he was neither naive nor gullible. Then what does it mean? Listen to find out.
Biblical, God-honoring, Christ-exalting love bears all things or always bears up. But what does that mean? And how is that different from endures all things? Listen as Pastor Hexon explains from 1 Corinthians 13:7
The fact that love is patient and kind, does that mean loving Christians should never offend? Should Christians just 'go along' in order 'to get along?' Listen as Pastor Hexon answers these questions.
It has been said that not forgiving others is like drinking poison and hoping the other person will die. But scripture tells us that 'love is not resentful.' That is, love holds no record of wrong done to us. Love is willing to forgive. Listen, as Pastor Hexon explains from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
God is "slow to anger" because "God is love" (Ex 34:6; 1 Jn 4:8). And Christians are called to be imitators of God (Eph 5:1).
As we continue in this series on love, listen as Pastor Hexon explains what it means that love does not seek its own.
"Love does not elbow its way into conversations, worship services, or public institutions in a disruptive, discourteous, attention-seeking way."
In this message we continue through our series, "Love: The Heart of the Gospel" from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and are looking at the fact that love does not boast. This is different from love not being arrogant, which is next week. But what does it mean that love does not boast, and why does it matter? Listen to find out.
As we continue walking through 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 in our series, "Love: The Heart of the Gospel," in this message Pastor Hexon talks about the fact that love does not envy. Love is not envious of what others have, just the opposite is true. But why is that? Why must this be true about love?
In this message, we will be looking at what it means for love to be kind. What does it mean that love is kind? True love, biblical love, God-honoring love, is not only patient, but kind.
As we continue our series through 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, "Love: The Heart of the Gospel," we will be talking about love as patience. What does it mean that love is patient? What is patience? What does it look like in the lives of believers?
This message introduces our series on love, titled "Love: The Heart of the Gospel" from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. We will spend 15 weeks walking through this passage in order to better understand what love is and how it should behave.
Paul ends this letter on a very sweet and loving note, a letter which at times has been harsh. But Paul wants to end by reminding the church of the driving theme throughout this epistle, that which truly unites the church-love.
Paul encourages the church to submit to and honor those who labor for Christ and on behalf of the church. While all Christians are of equal value to God, not all positions hold equal status within the church.
Paul offers the church in Corinth one last strong exhortation in the hopes of keeping them on track. Throughout the letter he has corrected many of the ways they have drifted from sound theology. Now that he's placed them back on track, he is hoping they'll stay the course.
In this passage, Paul informs the church about an upcoming visit from Timothy, and why they won't be seeing Apollos. However, in doing so, he gives the church specific instructions regarding Timothy and why he is deserving of certain treatment. These instructions are very applicable to the church today.
Paul shares his missionary plans with the church. While this seems quite mundane, there are four important principles we can glean from Paul regarding the plans we make and the priorities we set.
Paul encourages the Christians in Corinth to take up an offering for the struggling saints in Jerusalem. In doing so, he provides us with four important principles when it comes to loving the church through giving.
When will Christ return-- What will be the sign of his coming-- And what will happen to Christians who are still alive when he returns--
What will the believer's resurrected body be like-- Will our bodies be the same or different-- If so, how will they be different-- And why does it really matter-- Listen as Pastor Hexon explains.
Christ is the mediator between God and man, but how does he do the work of mediator-- What does that entail--
The certainty of the bodily resurrection of all believers is not simply based on faith, but on the overwhelming evidence supporting the historical resurrection of Christ and on the power of God.
The believers in Corinth had gone off course by listening to the wrong people. Paul warns them to be careful about who they listen to and not be easily led down the wrong path.
That Christ, the second person of the Godhead, would be the mediator for his people was something agreed upon among the persons of the Trinity from before the foundations of the earth.
The resurrection Christ is the most significant event in human history. This is not only because Christ's resurrection validates the Christian faith, validates everything Christ said and did, but because Christ's resurrection gives meaning to every aspect of life. If Christ did not rise from the dead, then all humanity is back at square one, wondering where did we come from-- What is wrong with the world-- And where are we all going--
Christ came as the humble king, riding on a donkey, to mediate an eternal peace between God and man, for those who place their faith in Christ, and bow the knee to his kingship.
The mediatorial work of Christ in establishing the new covenant was accomplished via his offices of prophet, priest, and king.
Christ's resurrection is not just definitive proof for what has happened in the past, but is the guarantee for what will happen in the future.
This historical, bodily resurrection of Christ is absolutely essential to Christianity. Without it, there is no Christianity.
The difference between loving Christ much and loving him little is not the difference between being forgiven much or being forgiven little. It is the difference between understanding the depth and magnitude of our sin and God's amazing grace and not.
The Scriptures are not just a record of what God has spoken- the Scriptures are God speaking.
The gospel is the 'sine qua non' of Christianity. That is, it is the thing without which there is no Christianity. We can be wrong about a lot of different biblical truths and still be inside the covenant community, but the gospel is not one of them. Get the gospel wrong and we lose everything.
The gospel is all-encompassing. Not that the gospel is all that is needed, but it is the glue which binds everything together, the thread which weaves together all other doctrines, the doctrine upon which the church stands or falls.
God desires to be revered and obeyed, which means that within the church God desires all things be done decently and in order.
The Church belongs to God. Therefore, God has the right to determine what we can and cannot do in church. And within corporate worship, gender roles matter to God.
When the body of Christ comes together for corporate worship, we are to be a reflection of the God we worship-order, peace, and reverence.
All the troubles and problems the Corinthian church was having come down to this-they simply did not know God's Word.
What the Scriptures say about the biblical role and responsibilities of men and women, particularly within the marriage and family.
Martin Luther once said, -The Doctrine of Justification is the doctrine upon which the Church stands or falls.-
For whom did Christ die-- For the sins of every sinner or for the sins of God's people--
Church conflict may be common, but it is not normal. Too many churches function as though they are infected with an autoimmune disease.
What does it mean that God is sovereign-- To what extent is God in control of this world and universe-- Listen as Pastor Hexon explains the sovereignty of God.
Humans are created in the image and likeness of God. Yet because of the fall, we are now a shattered image. What is the current spiritual state of mankind--
Men and women are different, made for different roles. Paul argues this difference should be evident from our behavior and by our appearance.
Man and woman, husbands and wives, are not independent of each other but are dependent on one another, not only for their existence, but to contribute their respective roles and responsibilities as man and woman.
What is Reformed Theology-- What does it mean to be a reformed church-- Listen in as Hexon Maldonado discusses this important topic. This is part of a series of discussions regarding various theological topics.
Marriages often struggle because husbands and wives do not understand their respective roles within the marriage.
This is the first of a series of discussions regarding various theological topics. Here Hexon Maldonado explains the link between the Old Testament and the New Testament, national Israel and the NT church.
Men and women were created with the same purpose--to glorify God. But we were also created by God with distinct purposes unique to men and women.
In 11-2-16 the apostle Paul will begin making his argument that women are to be properly adorned with a head covering in corporate worship, specifically when praying or prophesying. However, on his way to making that argument, he presents several sub-arguments along the way which provide valuable information regarding our understanding of the distinct roles and responsibilities of men and women. Hence, this message is part I of a four-part series titled -Biblical Manhood - Womanhood.-
Paul wraps up his discussion of how the Christians in Corinth are to deal with food that has been offered to idols. While the subject of food having been offered to idols is foreign to us, there are several timeless principles in this passage.
Paul deals with the dangers of eating food which has been offered to idols, but he is also dealing with an underlying issue which is very applicable to us today.
Paul offers a strong word of warning to the church in Corinth to be vigilant and guard their hearts, but offers a word of encouragement that they are not alone in this spiritual fight.
Paul will continue to refer to the reader back to the Old Testament for understanding and warning.
Paul continues his strong warning from the prior section about running the race in such a way so as not to be disqualified at the end. It is too easy for some to deceive themselves and others into thinking they are saved. Paul does not want this to happen to the church in Corinth
In this passage Paul will explain the significance of pursuing holiness with all our energy, not only for God's glory, but for our safety.
Here Paul teaches us what servanthood looks like by using himself as an example and explaining to the Corinthians why he lives the way he does.
Paul will use himself as an example of why Christians should serve in ministry and serve each other.
Paul will offer himself as an example of what he just taught them in chapter 8. Paul is always one to practice what he preaches.
Paul helps the church in Corinth, and us, understand how love and knowledge should work together to bring about and maintain unity within the church and unity within every relationship.
Paul reminds them of some important biblical truths while addressing a second cause of their conflict and disunity within the church.
As Paul begins to deal with the issue of eating meat sacrificed to idols, he begins with getting to the root of the problem--love trumps knowledge.
The bodily resurrection of Christ is the sine qua non of redemption. Without Christ's resurrection from the grave, there is no redemption. Thus, the resurrection of Christ is one of only a handful of miracles and events which appears in all four gospels.
In the passage, the apostle John describes Jesus, the King, riding into Jerusalem to bring deliverance not just to the people of Israel, but to the entire world.
In this passage, Paul will address the seriousness of the bond of marriage, and the choices one has after the death of their spouse. In this passage, Paul will address the seriousness of the bond of marriage, and the choices one has after the death of their spouse.
Paul will give some very practical instruction on how one can know whether God has called them to marry or remain single.
Paul exhorts his readers to live lives wholly devoted to God, to serving God, and for his glory. He continues to uphold singleness as preferred over marriage, although singleness is not commanded. However, now he offers some practical reasons why singleness is preferred.
Paul encourages us to hold on to the things of this world with a loose grip. The things of this world are fleeting, but the things of God are eternal.
Paul encourages the Cortinthian believers to be content with where God has them, to grow where they're planted, and to minister where God has placed them. God can use every believer in every circumstance.
Paul emphasizes the extreme value and sanctity of marriage by strongly opposing divorce. However, in order to fully understand the Bible's strong stance against divorce, one must understand the meaning and purpose of marriage. The abhorrence of divorce can only be understood in light of the sanctity of marriage
Paul offers his desire that all believers would remain single, as he is. It's an interesting shift from the previous section -7-1-5- which can give the impression that marriage is what everyone should desire and strive for. Not so, according to Paul.
Here Paul will correct many of the misconceptions regarding sex within marriage and bolster the sanctity of marriage. Thus, chapter six was all about what not to do, how not to engage in sexual relations, and chapter seven is all about how it should be used in a way that is God-honoring.
This passage deals with more sexual topics and is extremely applicable to present day believers, especially those living in the United States.
The church in Corinth seems to be struggling with knowing their identity. This has led to a host of problems. Paul hopes to help with that.
This passage will help us understand why we exist and what our bodies were created for.
In this section, Paul will focus on the main issue causing the division within the Corinthian church, that being that they are focused on a great many things but they are not focused on Christ. They are not living in light of who they are, but are living in light of who they were.
In this passage Paul deals with the issue of the Corinthian believers dragging each other to court to solve their disputes. He points out that for believers to do that is a denial of the gospel, tarnishes the name of Christ, and is a sign of spiritual unhealth.
The apostle Paul explains that prior to the coming of Christ, we were all enslaved to the things of this world but at the right moment and in the right place, God fulfilled the promise made to all the patriarchs in the birth of his Son
God makes a promise to David that someday he will have a son and that he will -establish the throne of his kingdom forever.- This promise is ultimately fulfilled in the birth of Christ.
This passage is important to understanding how God preserves the promise given to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3-15 to ensure its fulfillment.
Here we see God calling Abraham out of the land of Ur and proclaiming to him the promise of a Messiah. In the calling of Abraham, God is ensuring the promise of Genesis 3-15 will come to fruition and that he will most certainly receive all the glory.
This passage is often referred to as the protoevangelium--the first gospel. Here is where God makes the first promise to someday send a redeemer to fix what Adam and Eve had ruined and save a people to himself because, of course, this is what Christmas is all about.
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, Psalm 30 gives us many reasons to be thankful to God, not just for the good things in our life, but for suffering as well.
The Lord's Supper is one of two signs and seals given to the church as sacraments. The other is Baptism. Whereas baptism is the rite of initiation into the new covenant community, the Lord's Supper is the rite of remembrance for the new covenant community.
Christ gave to the Church two signs and seals of the new covenant. One being baptism, rite of initiation, the other being the Lord's Supper, rite of remembrance.
Christ inaugurated the new covenant in his blood, but what does that mean for the New Testament believer- How does the church relate to Old Testament Israel- What is the new covenant community and what does it mean to be a part of it-
Why does embracing a proper understanding of the new covenant matter- There are real practical life applications to having a firm and biblical understanding of the new covenant which God has made with his people.
The new covenant can rightly be labeled as the most significant because this is the culmination of all the prior covenants--the new covenant inaugurated in the blood of Christ for us and for God's glory. The new covenant is more closely linked to Christ and his Church than any other.
God's covenant with David is the last of His Old Testament covenants and sets the stage for the New Covenant prophesied about in Jeremiah 31 and inaugurated in the death of Christ. Everything the Old Testament covenants were driving to is about to come to a head.
In this passage we see the groundwork for the office of deacon first being laid. Although the English word -deacon- does not appear in this text, these seven men clearly met the qualifications of deacon -later outlined in 1 Tim 3- and were to carry out the functions of a deacon.
This covenant plays a very important role in bringing about the promises of Genesis 3-15 and 12-3b.
The importance of this covenant in God's unfolding of redemptive history cannot be overstated. In a sense this is where it all begins. God establishes a covenant with creation via Noah to preserve the planet and humanity and to bring about the promise of Genesis 3-15- however, the covenant with Abraham is where God begins to hone that promise.
In the wake of Adam violating his covenant with God, bringing sin and death into the world, and God making a promise in Genesis 3-15 to one day send a redeemer to fix what Adam had ruined, God re-affirms his covenant with creation and all humanity via Noah and establishes a sign in the clouds to remind us that he will keep his promise.
God's covenant with Adam and his subsequent breaking of that covenant is extremely important as it sets everything in motion. On that dark day when Adam and Eve violate the covenant, God makes a promise to some day send a Redeemer -Gen 3-15- who will fix what Adam and Eve have ruined. Hence, the mystery of redemptive history begins to unfold.
What does it mean that God entered into a covenant with creation itself- How is that possible- And what are the implications for humanity and for the Christian life-
Here Paul discusses the mystery that was hidden in the Old Testament but has now been revealed in the coming of Christ. That mystery being the bringing together of Jews and Gentiles in union with Christ by faith. What is worth noting is that Paul does not describe this as something new God is doing in the New Testament era but something God has always been planning.
Paul will summarize the entire book by addressing two main points. First, what has been his concern regarding the Judaizers who have infiltrated the church in Galatia. And second, he will remind his readers what is the marrow of the gospel
Thus far during this Advent series, we have looked at Christ coming into the world to be our prophet, priest, and king. Now we will focus on his coming into the world to be our Savior.
During the third Advent Sunday the pink candle is lit, and it symbolizes joy to remind us of the joy of Christ coming into the world and the words of the angels to the shepherds in the field in Luke 2-10-11. This message focuses on the birth of our King Jesus, the son of David.
The second person of the Godhead took on human flesh, came into the world, and was born in the little town of Bethlehem to be the high priest for his people. Why does that matter- And why should we celebrate it during the Christmas season-
In Christ's first advent, he comes as Prophet, Priest, King, Savior, and God. These are what we celebrate during Advent season.
In this psalm, David expresses his praise and gratitude for who God is and all he has done for David and for humanity.
Paul provides a very practical way Christians can -bear one another's burdens,- picking up on the theme from v.2.
In these verses, Paul begins fleshing out the practical implications of -walking by the Spirit- -5-25-. What does that look like in the believer's life- What does that look like in the life of the church- How should walking by the Spirit shape and inform the way we interact with the saints and with the outside world-
Self-control is the one quality every Christian struggles with. All sin is a failure to control our thoughts, emotions, decisions, and behavior. Beginning with the fall of Adam and Eve, the lack of self-control truly is the root of all evil
Gentleness is not something we should only expect from our mothers and grandmothers, but should characterize all believers--men and women.
Most understand what it means to be faithful- thus, in this message we are looking at the faithfulness of God, being encouraged by it, and then seeking to understand how God's faithfulness should shape and inform our lives.
Goodness is something true believers should possess and display. But what is goodness- How do we know we have it or are displaying it- How do we define it-
What is kindness- What does it look like- How is it different from gentleness- And what can we do to possess and display more kindness in our lives-
What does it mean to be patient- What does that look like- How patient should we be with people- And what can we do to be more patient people and display this quality more abundantly-
What is peace- How does one define it- How do we get it and how can we keep it- If joy is the universally desired human emotion, then peace is the universally desired state of existence. All people everywhere want to live in peace. They want internal peace and external peace. Yet for many, including the believer, living in peace can be difficult.
What is joy- How do we define it- Where does it come from and how do we keep it- We live in a world that is fraught with difficulties, challenges, and suffering. We all want to have more consistent joy in life. Yet, it seems the more we pursue joy, the more elusive it becomes.
In this sobering passage, we examine the brief words of Christ to those who thought they knew him. Some of the questions we'll cover include- Who are the deceived and why- Why aren't their works righteous- Is your faith firmly rooted in Christ alone- How this changes how you share the gospel with professing Christians-
The story of Peter's imprisonment has God's purpose and power on display at every turn. As persecution intensifies, what will the church do- Will the purpose of God be overturned- Will the power of God be overcome by evil- Prayer is the response of the church during trials and at times of need.
When Paul writes that -the fruit of the Spirit-, the evidence of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, is love, what does that mean- What is love- How do we define it- What does love look like and how does it behave-
This text deals with the evidence of conversion. Paul now shows the flipside of living in the flesh. In other words, how do we know we have the Holy Spirit living in us-
Paul now begins to identify what it looks like to not walk with the Spirit and what it looks like to walk with the Spirit. Walking with the Spirit is not about law-keeping, but it is also not whatever we want it to be. The Christian life is not a subjective emotionally driven life, but an objective Spirit led life.
Paul helps us understand -how- we use our freedom to serve one another and to love our neighbor as ourselves. In the previous section, Paul exhorts the Galatian believers to use their freedom not for selfish reasons, but to serve others. But how do we do that- What does that look like-
Here Paul begins to explain what it means to possess true freedom in Christ. What does true freedom look like in the life of the believer and how should we use our freedom in Christ-
Paul now turns his attention towards the consequences of not holding closely to the word of God and how this may affect both the Galatian believers and those who are leading them astray.
Paul talks about what it means to be set free in Christ and reminds his readers as to why they must resist the temptation to fall into legalism or law-keeping.
Paul uses the story of Sarah and Hagar as a sort of sermon illustration to yet again drive home the same point he has been making all along--that those who rely on works of the law will be cast out and will not receive the inheritance.
Paul expresses his personal concern for the Galatian Christians, reminisces about time he had spent with them, and expresses his love for them. He takes a softer and more personal approach to appealing to his friends to not abandon the gospel.
At this point in the letter, Paul has finished with his defense of the doctrine of justification by faith alone and will now begin to dive into more application.
Paul continues to drive home his point that we are justified by faith alone and that we have been freed from the law. He is looking at this topic from a different angle- however, this time he will seek to drive home the application to this glorious truth, that because of what God has done for us through Christ, we are all legitimate children of God.
Paul deals with the practical applications regarding all he has been saying and teaching. Since it is true that all people are justified by faith alone, then what does that mean for the life of the believer and within the life of the Church-
If justification before God is by faith alone, and has always been by faith alone, then what was the purpose of God giving the law- Paul will answer this very important question for us.
Paul argues that justification before God is and must be by faith alone, and he uses the covenant God made with Abraham as the basis for his argument.
Here Paul begins treading into deep theological waters in an effort to help the Galatian Christians understand why it was necessary that Christ had to die on a cross in order to redeem a people to himself.
In this passage, Paul makes the argument that justification before God has always been by faith alone in God and in the words-promises of God.
Since justification is by faith alone, then do works matter- Does the doctrine of justification by faith alone lead to licentiousness- Paul addresses that topic in this section.
In this passage Paul now begins to deal clearly with what the gospel is and explains how it is that faith places the sinner in right standing with God. He makes clear we are justified before God by faith and not by works of the law.
Here Paul will deal with a major issue which had the potential of dividing the church. In this passage we see two giants within the church clashing with each other which will show us that no one is above error, no one is above correction, and fear is never an excuse for sin.
The bodily resurrection of Christ is one of the most important and foundational truths in Christianity because without the historical resurrection of Christ, nothing Jesus said or did matters.
This message is from our Palm Sunday service marking the official start of Passion Week, aka Holy Week. Sunday is the day we commemorate Christ riding into Jerusalem on a donkey five days before his crucifixion.
Paul continues to respond to the question he raised back in 1-10 and continues to offer additional reasons why his gospel is to be believed over and against those who are preaching a false gospel to the Galatian churches. Paul focuses on the unity which the gospel creates.
In this text, Paul continues to defend the gospel he proclaims as being the one true gospel. Here he points to the fact that the apostles in Jerusalem endorsed the gospel message he was proclaiming.
In this section, he continues to respond to the question he anticipates the Galatian Christians might be asking in 1-10- Yet, Paul does not end with his conversion story. He continues beyond his conversion story and begins to describe what happened next. All in response to v.10.
In this passage, Paul is referring to his own conversion story in response to the question be believes his readers may be asking -see v.10-. However, in so doing he provides important theological truths regarding irresistible grace.
In this section, Paul focuses on what the gospel is and why it matters that we get it right. There is only one gospel and to tinker with it will have disastrous eternal consequences.
Galatians 1-3-5 represents Paul's second point in his introductory material. Here, Paul will remind the Galatian Christians of all that God has done for them in their salvation and he will begin to lay the foundation for his gospel presentation.
In this letter, Paul deals with the relation between Law and grace, understanding that to lean too far toward law leads to legalism, but to lean too far towards grace leads to antinomianism. In Galatians Paul makes clear that -faith alone- is at the heart of the gospel, but this does not mean believers may live for sinful passions.
When it comes to the worship of God, how you treat God, how you approach God, is not about how you feel or what you think. It's about what God commands. Too many Christians think it doesn't matter how we worship God- it doesn't matter how we approach God. Too many think God simply does not care how we do worship. But God does care. Thus, our goal at Tapestry Community Church is to conduct corporate worship in a manner that is both biblical and intentional.
In this passage, Matthew's central theme has now come full circle. He begins this book by saying, -The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David.- The king has come. He has received his authority by conquering his enemies, and now Christ's kingdom must be advanced throughout the world.
How can we know the resurrection of Christ is an actual historical event- The goal of this message is to demonstrate that our belief in the resurrection of Christ is not simply a blind faith, but is very much an intellectual belief.
The resurrection of Christ is the ground upon which all of Christianity stands or falls. In this message we look at ten theological reasons why Christ had to rise from the dead and why we must believe in an actual and historical resurrection.
The gospel writers, particularly Matthew, all testify that Jesus actually died on the cross. Throughout history there have been some who have questioned this fact. However, the historicity of Christ's death is just as significant as the resurrection of Christ. If Christ did not 'actually die' then nothing he said or did matters.
In this fourth Advent message, we are looking at the promise God makes to Adam and Eve in the midst of cursing them and the serpent. In the midst of the grievous sin, God's wrath is tempered with grace and mercy.
The incarnation of God is only good news when we understand it in light of our current condition--total depravity.
If we are going to fully understand and appreciate why Christ had to become fully human and be born an infant in the town of Bethlehem, we need to rightly understand the fall of man.
Advent is about celebrating the fact that Christ came as the second Adam to accomplish what the first Adam failed to accomplish.
In this message we delve into the second half of the crucifixion story, seeking to understand the gravity of Christ's suffering and what it accomplished.
In this message we delve into the first half of the crucifixion story, discussing why Christ had to die on the cross and the meaning of substitutionary atonement.
The trial of Jesus' before Pilot was the greatest miscarriage of justice in world history, for Jesus was not only innocent of violating any Roman or Jewish law, but was completely innocent of violating the Laws of God. He was completely innocent of any wrongdoing or any sin and yet he was sentenced to death. Why- -It was the will of the LORD to crush him- -Isaiah 53-10-.
Psalm 23 is a timeless classic that has brought comfort to billions of people since it was penned some three-thousand years ago, and for good reason. We have all been through difficult times in life, some of us are going through them now. If that describes you, this psalm was given by God just for you.
This passage is ultimately not about Judas, but is about Christ. What happens to Judas simply provides the backdrop for the fulfillment of prophecy. Ultimately, Matthew sees all of this as being about Christ.
This is a powerful passage and one of the most well-known events in the life of Peter. It's a passage that speaks to our human frailty and reminds us that, when confronted with trials and tribulation, even the best of us can succumb to fear and pride. Yet, it's a passage that can bring us great comfort knowing that even after Peter's colossal failure, God would still use him for his glory.
Though he endured great injustice and cruelty, he did not retaliate in kind but -remained silent.- How was he able to do so- There is much we can learn from the character of Christ.
This is a dark hour in the life of Christ, and yet he displays amazing boldness and courage as he prepares to enter a dark valley, not simply because he is the son of God but because of the source of his boldness and courage, the source from which we drew his strength.
Along with the crucifixion , this was one of Jesus' most darkest hours, a time of deep darkness and wrestling with doing the will of God. If you have ever been through dark and difficult times in life, if you have ever found yourself wrestling with God, or have been paralyzed by fear, this passage will be of great encouragement to you.
In this passage Jesus is preparing the disciples for the tragic events which are about to take place, and then he offers them words of encouragement. It's a passage we can all relate to and learn from as life often does not unfold the way we think it should or had hoped it would and then we find ourselves lost and confused. This is a passage that offers encouragement during difficult times.
This message concludes this four part series on the Lord's Supper and looks at the significance of the eucharist in corporate worship. Does it matter whether we take the Lord's Supper every week or not- How significant of a role does the Lord's Supper play in corporate worship-
What did Christ mean when he said -This is my body.- In what way is the bread of the Lord's Supper the body of Christ- In what way is Christ present with the elements or is he present with the elements in any sense- This message looks at these questions and more.
In this message we explore the meaning and significance behind Christ's words -for this is my blood of the covenant.- To fully understand and appreciate the Lord's Supper, we need to have an understanding of covenants. What is a covenant- And how does it relate to the Lord's Supper-
The Lord's Supper is one of two ordinances Christ gave to his Church. Thus, it's important to understand why it matters, how it helps us better understand God, and how the Lord's Supper is a means of grace.
Here Jesus makes known to Judas that he knows he will betray him. It's an amazing passage which demonstrates for us the great humility and love of Christ as he purposefully goes through with his own betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion.
Matthew presents a contrast between the woman who anoints Jesus with expensive oil and Judas who decides to betray him. What is even more interesting is that Jesus does not stop the woman from pouring -some would say 'wasting'- very expensive oil on his head. Why is that- We'll explore the answer.
In this passage we see Jesus telling his disciples that he is going to be crucified, and we see the Jewish leaders secretly plotting to kill Jesus. Two evil acts. Neither one by accident.
Since justification is by faith alone in Christ alone, then do good works matter- Does it really matter how believers live their lives- Jesus' description of the Day of Judgement not only answers with a resounding 'yes', but also answers the 'why'.
As Christians continue to slowly climb out of their foxholes and come back together as a church during this COVID pandemic, some are still wrestling with a great deal of fear and anxiety. This passage is wonderful text in helping us deal with fear and anxiety during this time.
As church-members come back together, after many weeks of being separated due to Shelter-in-Place orders, some members are still anxious, many have taken sides, and most have an opinion.- Thus, it's times like these that it's good to be reminded we are all members of one body, one family, one church. It's good to be reminded that God's family is to be defined by grace, mercy, and love.- Romans 14 helps us remember and put into practice these important truths.
In this, the third parable Jesus teaches regarding how his disciples should be conducting themselves as they await the return of Christ, he teaches them and us that we must strive to be faithful stewards of all that God has given us.
This is the second in three parables Jesus offers his disciples and all future disciples to provide guidance and encouragement during the long delay before his second coming.
In this section, the first of three parables dealing with the end times, Jesus will provide his disciples with words of guidance, wisdom, and encouragement regarding how they are to conduct themselves during the interim between His first and second advent.
The celebration of Christ's resurrection is not just about celebrating an historical event that took place two-thousand years ago. It's about celebrating an event that has taken place in the lives of believers throughout history and all over the world. It's about celebrating the event of having seen the Lord-
In this section, Jesus now begins to talk about eschatology proper. Up until now, from v.4 to v.35, Jesus has been discussing the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, but he will begin to talk about actual end times events.
This is Part III in a four-part series. Here Jesus speaks about his return and what that would look like.