First Scots Presbyterian (PCA): Recent Episodes
Rev. Alex Mark
When it comes to Christian salvation, the Bible has three great burdens: (1) The first is to teach us what the root and means of Christian salvation is not—that is, what has not caused our salvation. (2) The second is to teach us what Christian salvation is actually grounded upon and who it is accomplished by for all who are saved. (3) The third is to teach us what that salvation inevitably produces in the hearts and lives of all who have truly received it. This is exactly what Paul addresses in our text for this Lord's Day morning (Titus 3:3-8). Paul does this because he believes that when we either do not understand Christian salvation rightly, or when we have grown complacent and forgetful toward the wonder of the undeserved grace we have received, it will greatly hinder our devotion to God in life. Either misunderstanding the gospel, or losing our wonder and awe at the gospel, will both cause our motivation to live in sacrificial devotion to Christ to dry up. This is because our understanding of grace and our devotion to Christ always exist in proportion to one another. When our view of grace is small, our devotion will likewise be small. But when our view of grace is great—as it should be!—our devotion will likewise be great. A proper view of God's grace to us in the gospel of our salvation fans holiness into flame, and motivates us to strive to live lives that bring pleasure and glory to God.
If a man came to your door promising to sell you an elixir that healed every illness, and yet, the whole time he was giving you his sales pitch he was coughing and hacking away, would you buy his product? Of course not. The evidence that his claims are false is right in front of you. You can see by the lack of health in his own life that his product is a sham. That situation is rather obvious to us all—and perhaps even a bit silly—but have you ever considered that this very principle is a major part of the reason that Christians are called to live holy lives? There is an inseparable relationship between the witness of the Christian and the holiness of the Christian. Our lives are meant to be living confirmations of the faith we profess to hold in our heart. Come join us this Lord's Day morning as we continue to learn from Paul's letter to Titus together.
On the night before the cross, Jesus prayed not only for His disciples, but for all who would believe in Him—including us. Of all that Jesus could have prayed for, His great prayer was for the unity of the church. Join us this Sunday as we discover why our love for one another is one of the clearest testimonies to the gospel.
What was the purpose in the mind of Christ when he "gave himself for us"? What was the aim and goal of our Savior in his suffering for our salvation? What did Jesus intend to purchase for his people through the shedding of his blood? Most Christians know the right answer—at least in part. They know that Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins, (Matt. 1:21). But what most Christians do not know, is that even though that answer is wonderfully true, it is also woefully deficient. That is, it is only a partial answer that leaves much of the wonder of God's grace to us in Christ untold. The blessing of God given in the gospel is far greater than mere forgiveness. It also includes the complete renovation of the sinner's life—starting right now and culminating in eternity. Join us this Lord's Day morning as we focus in on Titus 2:14 and consider part two of The Power and Purpose of God's Grace To Us in Christ.
The Christian life is not lived in neutral territory. Jesus tells us that His disciples will be hated by the world, opposed by the evil one, and tempted in every direction. How can weak Christians possibly endure such relentless opposition? In John 17, Jesus pulls back the curtain and allows us to hear what He asks the Father on our behalf. Join us this Lord's Day as we discover that our hope is not found in the strength of our grip on Christ, but in the strength of His grip on us.
The Apostle Paul famously said that "the gospel...is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes," (Rom. 1:16). This is a verse we should all heartily "Amen!" Without God's saving power we would have no hope. But what would you say if someone asked you to describe what the power of God actually looks like in the life of a believer? What are the real and present effects of the power of God's grace when God is at work in a person's life? This Lord's Day we will be considering Titus 2:11-14 where Paul teaches us not only about the power of God's grace in the life of every believer (v11-13), but also about God's purpose for the grace he has given (v14). Our focus on Sunday will be the first of these: the power of God's grace. Together we will see that God's powerful grace to us in Christ (1) Brings "salvation for all people" (v11), (2) "Trains us" in righteousness (v12), and (3) Sustains us in faith as we eagerly "wait" for the glorious return of "our great God and Savior Jesus Christ," (v13).
On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus lifted His eyes to heaven and prayed for His disciples...the same disciples who would soon scatter and fail. Yet instead of abandoning them, He intercedes for them. In John 17:6–10, we are given a glimpse into the heart of Christ and the eternal love of God for His people. We will discover why our salvation is more secure than our feelings, why Christ treasures His Church, and why those who belong to Him are sent into the world with purpose and hope. Join us this Sunday as we continue our study of Jesus' High Priestly Prayer and consider what it means to be "Given to Christ, Sent Into the World."
On the night before His crucifixion, our Lord lifted His eyes to heaven and spoke to His Father in one of the most intimate prayers ever recorded. As we listen, we hear the heart of our Mediator. The hour has come. The cross stands before Him. Yet Jesus looks beyond the suffering to the glory that awaits and to the eternal life He came to secure for His people. Join us this Sunday as we consider Christ's work, Christ's glory, our salvation, and the glorious reality that our Savior now reigns in heaven and intercedes for us still.
What are you like when nobody is watching? In John 17, we step onto holy ground as we listen in on Jesus' prayer life with His Father. Just hours before the cross, Jesus spends time in prayer, revealing His heart, His priorities, and His perfect devotion. As we easvesdrop on this prayer, we'll discover the beauty of Christ's private life, the depth of His communion with the Father, and the wonderful truth that eternal life is found in knowing God through Him.
It is true that there is grace for all our sexual guilt in the bleeding wounds of Jesus Christ. And O how we should praise God for this gospel mercy! Even the most sexually defiled person in the world can stand spotlessly righteous before the throne of grace through the substitutionary merits of Jesus Christ in their place, (II Pet. 2:7). But it is also true that God is the "avenger" of the sexually immoral, and that "whoever disregards" God's commandments concerning holy sexuality "disregards God" Himself. Therefore, let the timeless words from I Thessalonians 4:1-8 be a sobering echo in our hearts that give us both holy fear and healthy defense as we zealously pursue sexual purity in all of life, and especially within our own "marriage bed."
The gospel does not just bring forgiveness for our sins, it also brings good order to our lives. The gospel teaches us how to live holy, godly, and Christ-exalting lives in the Church, in our homes, and in the workplace. Moreover, when we live a life that is conformed to the Word of God, we are also living a life that "adorns the doctrine of God our Savior"—that is, a life that shows the watching world the beauty of knowing and trusting Jesus. Join us this Sunday as we consider Titus 2:1-10 where we will learn that "good order in God's house gives a good testimony to the world."
This Lord's Day we will continue our study through the Gospel of John by looking at John 16:25–33, where Jesus speaks tenderly to His disciples on the eve of the cross. In a world full of sorrow, pressure, fear, and tribulation, our Lord does not promise His people an easy path—but He does promise His presence, His peace, and His victory. In this passage, Christ reminds us that He came into this world, suffered in this world, and ultimately overcame this world. Join us as we consider the deep comfort and courage found in the triumphant words of our Savior: "Take heart; I have overcome the world."
This Sunday morning, First Scots welcomes to its pulpit Rev. Dr. Ian Hamilton to preach from Psalm 74. Dr. Hamilton served for many years as pastor in Newmilns, Scotland, and Cambridge, England. He also serves on the faculty of Westminster Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Newcastle, England, and Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, as President of the Paton Society. Dr. Hamilton and his wife Joan have four children.
This Sunday, we will consider one of the greatest privileges Christ purchased for His people: prayer. In John 16:23–28, we will see that prayer is not merely a religious duty or a last resort in times of trouble, but a blood-bought invitation into fellowship with the living God Himself. Together we will consider how prayer lays hold of the riches of Christ, why we pray in Jesus' name, and why prayer is the right response in every circumstance of life. Come and be reminded that through Christ, the throne room of heaven stands open to every believer.
It is both God's will and God's promise that his beloved church be protected and kept pure in all ages. But what is God's plan for achieving this good and holy end? How does Jesus Christ, the true and faithful Shepherd, watch over the flock of his love? A chief part of the answer is through the Spirit-empowered ministry of faithful elders who are called to stand as defenders of the people of God. Join us this Lord's Day morning as we continue to consider the important role of the Elder from Titus 1:10-16.
On the night before the cross, Jesus tells His disciples that sorrow is coming—but it will not have the final word. The cross will bring deep grief, yet through it, He will secure a joy that can never be taken away. This Sunday, we'll behold how Christ transforms the sorrow of the cross into the everlasting joy of His people.
Marriage is a living portrayal of Christ's love for His Church, especially through how husbands love their wives.
In our passage this Sunday, Jesus gave His disciples a profound truth: "It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you." Join us this Lord's Day as we discover how Jesus' departure was necessary so that the Holy Spirit could come. We'll explore how the Spirit works to convict the world of sin and righteousness, and how His ultimate mission is to glorify Jesus Christ in your life. Come and learn more about the power of the Spirit who lives within us.
Most of us readily recognize the importance of having the right qualifications when it comes to our dentist, our doctor, or our airline pilot. In fact, we would be very quick to avoid placing ourselves under the practice of any such persons who failed to meet the right qualifications for their given work. But what about having the right qualifications for church officers? Isn't it important, perhaps even more important, that the men whom God calls to serve as the shepherds of souls should actually be fit by the Holy Spirit for the proper care of the Church? Moreover, what are the proper qualifications for the office Elder after all? What things does God say are the most important requirements for those who provide both authority and care for his beloved people? Join us this Lord's Day morning as we learn some of the key answers to these important questions from Titus 1:6-9.
This Sunday, we will hear Jesus speak plainly about what it means to follow Him in a hostile world. He tells us not to be surprised when faithfulness brings opposition. To belong to Christ is to share, in some measure, in His rejection. And yet, even as the cost is real, so is the joy—because Christ is worth it. Join us as we consider what it means to bear witness, to hold loosely to this world, and to cling tightly to our Savior.
At first glance, John 15 doesn't feel like an Easter passage. There is no empty tomb—only the sobering words, "If the world hates you…". But this is exactly where Easter begins. The world rejected Jesus. It crucified Him. And yet, the Father raised Him from the dead. Easter is God's great declaration: His Son is righteous, His sacrifice is accepted, and His kingdom will stand. Join us as we consider how the resurrection changes everything- not just one day a year, but every day.
On the night before the cross, when His disciples were about to fail Him, Jesus spoke of a love that would never fail them. A love that holds us fast in our weakness. A love that changes us from the inside out. A love that calls us to love others the same way. Join us this Sunday as we hear Christ's invitation: "Abide in my love… and love one another as I have loved you."
Last time we were together in Titus we considered Paul's "glorious salutation of gospel grace" (1:1-4). In those verses we saw that the Apostle Paul took care to bolster the courage and strength of this young pastor by reminding him that the very authority of heaven was coming to his aid. Now, as Paul begins the body of the letter in 1:5, we see that his first priority and top order of business is for Titus to "put what remained into order and appoint elders in every town". By this simple and straightforward charge we learn many foundational truths about the way the Lord Jesus Christ intends for his beloved Church to be nourished, defended, and led. In particular, we will see that "Presbyterianism" is not merely a matter of man's preference or an invention of man's mind, but rather, it is the very form of church government which the Lord Jesus Christ has set forth in his Word for the progress, protection, and everlasting joy of his people.
What keeps God from being our deepest and most satisfying joy? Often it is not our circumstances—but our attachments to this world. In John 15, Jesus teaches that the loving Father prunes His people so they may bear more fruit. Sometimes He uses His Word, sometimes trials, failures, or discipline to loosen our grip on lesser treasures. Yet every cut of His pruning knife is aimed at one gracious purpose: that our joy in Him would grow deeper and stronger. This Sunday we will see how God lovingly prunes His people so that they may experience both fruitfulness and fullness of joy in Him.
On the night before the cross, Jesus tells His disciples the secret of the Christian life. It isn't mechanical — as if we could simply try harder and produce spiritual fruit. The Christian life is horticultural: Fruit grows only where there is life flowing from the vine into the branch. We will see this Sunday how Israel was meant to be God's vineyard but failed, how Jesus was the True Vine, and how real spiritual life is found only in abiding in Him. Join us as we open God's Word together!
In John 14, on the night before the cross, Jesus gives His disciples His final inheritance: "My peace I give to you." Not fragile peace. Not circumstantial peace. Peace purchased through the cross, and found in His presence. This Sunday we will see why so few of us have peace — and how true peace is found not in different life circumstances, but in Christ living within us. Come hear how believers can grab hold of the inheritance Christ Himself has left to His people.
This Lord's Day we will take a brief break from John's Gospel and turn to 1 Peter 5:1–5, where Peter gives one of Scripture's clearest pictures of shepherding in the church. We will consider what it means that Jesus is the Chief Shepherd, and that He lovingly provides undershepherds to know, feed, lead, and protect His people—leaders like Himself. Sheep need shepherds, and Christ has given shepherding as a gift to His church. Please come prayerfully, asking the Lord to teach us how to live together as His flock under His loving care.
On the ancient island of Crete, Christianity was beginning to bud by God's unstoppable grace. But it was certainly far from flourishing (yet). The culture all around opposed almost everything Christian's hold dear. What is more, even those who had been converted to Christ by the Holy Spirit were, for the most part, very young in their faith. They were only just beginning to take baby steps in learning to follow Christ. In the midst of all this was a young pastor named Titus who needed a lot of help. We can almost imagine Titus humbly crying out to the Lord in prayer, "Father in heaven, help me to know your will for your people! Help me to know how to rightly shepherd the flock of your love with wisdom, grace, and truth!" In response to the needs of this young pastor and the congregations he served, God gave us a little book of the New Testament that we call, "Paul's Letter To Titus", or just "Titus" for short. This Lord's Day we will begin a journey into this wonderful letter by considering Paul's introduction in Titus 1:1-4.
One of the most misunderstood aspects of the Christian life is the relationship between God's Law and the Gospel. In John 14:18–24, on the night before the cross, Jesus explains that the two are not at odds with one another, but that they walk side by side to help us live in the warm sunshine of the Father's smile.
On the night before the cross, as betrayal and suffering loomed, Jesus turned not inward but outward. He spoke tender words to fearful disciples and made them a promise: "I will not leave you as orphans." This Sunday in John 14:15–24, we will behold the extraordinary heart of Christ, the adopting love of the Father, and the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of adoption who teaches us to cry, "Abba, Father." Come and hear the gospel promise that you are not alone, not abandoned, but deeply loved and securely held as a beloved child of God.
In this passage we explore Jesus' powerful words: "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." In just eight words, Jesus reveals a divide in the human heart—those who love Him and desire to obey, and those who may obey without love. We'll look at what it truly means to love Jesus—not just serve Him out of duty—but to delight in Him, and how that love leads to joyful obedience. Whether you need comfort for a tender conscience or a challenge to your spiritual complacency, Jesus' words will speak directly to your heart.
The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards can be found at https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-resolutions-of-jonathan-edwards.
Peter deeply loved Jesus and boldly declared his willingness to lay down his life for Him—but Jesus knew Peter's heart better than Peter did. In this passage, we see Peter's confusion, pride, and eventual denial, but most importantly, we see Jesus' grace. When we focus on our own strength, we will fall. But when we rest in Christ's strength and His commitment to us, we find hope. Join us as we discover how Jesus lovingly restores us even when we fail Him.
This Sunday, we pause our series in John's Gospel to focus on one of Christ's most gracious gifts to His church: baptism. Too often, baptism is surrounded by debate—how much water, who should receive it, and when—but the heart of baptism is not controversy, it's Christ. Come and be reminded of what it means to be marked by the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and how to live as those set apart for His glory.
When Judas slipped out into the night to betray Jesus, a deep darkness settled over Jerusalem. Yet at that very moment, Jesus spoke of glory. How could betrayal, suffering, and a Roman cross reveal the brilliance of God's glory? In this passage we'll behold the ways God's glory shines brightest at Calvary. Come and see how the darkest night became the brightest dawn.
What does it really mean to follow Jesus? In the upper room, the Lord of glory stooped to wash dirty feet—including the feet of the very one who would betray Him. In this stunning act, Jesus gives us a picture of the life of loving service that should mark every disciple. Come and see why real blessing is found not in being served, but in serving others in the name of Christ.
In this passage, we gaze upon the beautiful account of Jesus washing the disciples' feet in John 13. Witness the Lord of the Universe humbly serving His disciples, just hours before His crucifixion. Discover how Jesus redefines leadership, showing that true greatness lies in serving others, not being served. Join us to learn about the radical example of our Servant King and the profound goal of Christian leadership.
Judas walked with Jesus, preached in His name, and sat at His table—yet he never truly trusted Him. In John 13:2, we see how an empty profession, a heart given to sin, and a door left open to the devil led to tragic betrayal. In this passage, we'll examine the life of Judas to ask: What does his fall teach us? How can we guard our hearts? And above all, how does his story magnify the mercy and majesty of Christ? Come ready to search your heart—and to see Jesus in all His saving grace.
The events of days 2 and 3 may not stand out as much as days 1 or 4 or 6, but they are gloriously wonderful events, in which God showed the might of His power. He's taking what He created ex nihilo- out of nothing- what was previously formless and void, and He's giving shape to it all. He's forming it. He's bringing order out of chaos. It's a great and powerful work to do that, and so we're going to look first at God's power this evening. And then second, we're going to look at several ways we see that it is God's prerogative to do whatsoever He desires with His creation. And that will carry us to the feet of Jesus.
As the cross draws near, Jesus gives one of His final public appeals: "Believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." In these urgent verses, we hear Christ's tender but solemn call—don't delay, come into the light while it still shines! We'll consider who the Son of Man is, why the cross was necessary, and how the light of the Gospel still drives out darkness today. Because Christ was lifted up, you don't have to remain in the shadows.
When some Greeks approached Philip with the simple but profound request, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus," they gave voice to the deepest longing of every human heart. This Sunday, we will consider the chief way God intends for us to see Jesus: as He is preached. We will look at what it means to preach Christ in His cross, His compassion, and His commands. Through faithful preaching, we behold Christ—not just to learn about Him, but to love, trust, and follow Him with all our hearts.