Rockport Baptist Church: Recent Episodes
S. Scott Lee
Because God's Word is true and has divine power to change lives, we who lead God's people must proclaim it faithfully and live it exemplarily while keeping it ever before the eyes and ears of our hearers. I. Keep Proclaiming the Truth with Authority v 11 II. Be the Example of the Truth You Proclaim v 12 III. Devote Yourselves to Hearing, Believing and Obeying God's Word v 13
Jesus flips upside down the culture norms and traditions of the religious leaders of the day by dining with sinners. He came to seek and save the lost by preaching good news; often at a dinner table. In his calling of Levi the tax collector, Jesus puts on full display his mission to seek out sinners that they would leave everything and follow Him
Because a God-centered life is of such supreme value both now and for all eternity, we must set our sights and our hope on knowing and walking with God, letting nothing in this silly world distract us from that pursuit. I. For a Godly Life, You Must Keep Your focus on the Life-changing Gospel v 6 II. Get Rid of the Silly Distractions that Keep You from Pursuing a God-Centered Life! vv 7-8 III. We Run this Race with Joy Because Knowing and Following Him Is Worth the Cost! vv 9-10
Because there are demonic deceivers who pervert a living faith in Christ with a dead man-centered asceticism, we must consciously embrace a life of God-glorifying gratitude that keeps our joy focused on Him. I. Be Warned: There Are Deceivers and There Are People Who Fall Away from Christ v 1 II. Beware: There are Human Deceivers Working Hard to Separate You from Faith in Christ vv 2-3 III. Be Grateful! A Shared Gladness in God Defends Us Against the Deadening Power of Unbelief vv 4-5
Because the local church is central to God's plan to uphold and proclaim the truth of the gospel, we must hold fast to it's truth, celebrating the presence of Jesus among us week after week. I. The Vital Importance of the Church (the Local Church) in the Life of Christians vv 14-15a II. The Identity of the Church: Why is the Church Such a Big Deal? v 15b III. The Gospel of Christ is not only true, it is Great! It is Awesome! v 16
Because deacons are called to serve the church as assistance to the pastors, they must be well qualified and proven to be godly servants of Christ and His people. I. A Deacon's Character v 8 II. A Deacon's Faith v 9 III. A Deacon's Testing v 10 IV. A Deacon's Wife v 11 V. A Deacon's Family v 12 VI. A Deacon's Reward v 13
Justification is the fountain head of the hymn that justified people sing. I. We rejoice in hope! II. We rejoice in our trials because they purify that hope. III. We rejoice ultimately in God who is the consummation of our hope.
Because the call to lead Christ's church is a noble task undertaken for God's glory, the elder must be a qualified man who is above reproach with a proven character of maturity and faithfulness. I. An Elder's Character Must Be Above Reproach v 2 II. An Elder's Conduct Must Be Unswervingly Faithful v 3 III. An Elder Must Have a Proven Track Record of Faithfulness at Home vv 4-5 IV. An Elder Must Be a Mature Man with a Good Reputation Outside the Church vv 6-7
Because the church matters and must be led in a God-centered, healthy way, we need God-called, faithful men serving as pastor/elder/overseers in this noble calling. I. The Importance of Faithful, God-Called Leaders in the Church II. The Office and Calling of a Pastor/Elder/Overseer III. The Noble Task of Those Called to Shepherd Christ's Church
Paul told Timothy to command the women in the church at Ephesus that they must be learners, but not the authoritative teachers of the church since that is a role God has reserved for qualified men by Creation Ordinance.
We all think we are wise. We all think we have an angle on the way the world works. This applies whether you are a lofty thinker or down to earth. The question is, "Are we?" Is the wisdom we claim real and reliable? In this passage, James corrects our tendency to equate wisdom with mere words and insists that true wisdom will be distinguished by good conduct flowing from and filled with meekness.
As the church of Christ gathers in His name, men are called to be devoted to prayer and women to dress with modesty and good works for His glory. I. Brothers, We are Called to be Men of Prayer v 8 II. Sisters, You are Called to be Godly Women of Modesty and Good Works vv 9-10
Because there is only One God and One Gospel that declares the One Mediator between God and Man, we as a church must take our stand upon this Gospel and proclaim it to all, that all may be saved. I. We Proclaim Christ Alone as Our Only Mediator v 5 II. We Proclaim Christ Alone as the One Who Gave Himself for Our Sin! v 6 III. We Proclaim Christ Alone that All Who Believe in Him May Be Saved! v 7 (THE FIRST MESSAGE IN OUR NEW LOCATION)
Because our God is the ultimate authority over all kings, we pray for him to overrule all rulers in bringing stable government that enables human flourishing and the witness of a godly church to go forward. I. The Priority of Prayer vv 1-2a II. The Purpose of Such Prayer vv 2b-3 III. The Person to Whom We Pray and in Whom We Find our Highest Joy vv 3-4
Celebrating 60 years for our church on Telegraph Road as we prepare to move to our new location on Tenbrook. Because God is good and ever-faithful we must draw near with joy-filled thanks as we look back over the years our church has enjoyed his blessing and presence in our current location, even as we prepare to move to our new location. I. Seven Exhortations to Give Joyful Thanks vv 1-4 (1) Loud Singing (2) Glad Service (3) God's Presence (4) The Knowledge of God (5) An Open Gate to Growth (6) Growth in Gratitude (7) Growth in a Life Centered on God II. The Foundation of Our Gratitude (1) The Character of God - His Goodness - His Steadfast Love - His Faithfulness to All Generations (2) An Inter-generational Faith
Because we are called to wage war against sin and error as good soldiers of Christ, we must stand firm in faith and a good conscience lest we make shipwreck of our faith as others have done. I. Faithful Soldiers Are Called to War v 18 II. Faithful Soldiers of Christ Must Stand Firm in Faith and a Good Conscience. v 19a III. Faithful Soldiers Must Be Warned: You Can Make Shipwreck of Your Faith vv 19b-20
The seventh and final message in our series on "Biblical Emotions" by Brian Borgman, "Emotions and Worship" Why do we sing?
The sixth message in our series on "Biblical Emotions" by Brian Borgman, "Battling Bitterness"
The Fourth message in our series on "Biblical Emotions" by Brian Borgman. Emotions and Truth: Properly Handling the Emotions
The Third message in our conference on "Biblical Emotions" by Brian Borgman. Emotions and Truth: The Priority of Truth Over Experience
The fifth message in our conference on "Biblical Emotions" by Brian Borgman "The Emotional Life of Jesus."
The first message in the series "Biblical Emotions" -- Biblical Foundations for Understanding Our Emotions (Part 1)
The second message in the series on "Biblical Emotions" by Brian Borgman Biblical Foundations for Understanding Our Emotions (Part 2)
Because the God who saves through Jesus Christ is an all-glorious, unchanging King, we who know Him ought to rejoice in Him as we give Him praise and honor forever and ever and ever. Amen I. All Good Theology Should Lead Us to Doxology vv 15-17 II. In Doxology We Praise God for Who is He as Our God v 17a (1) He is the King of the Ages (2) He is the Immortal, Immutable, Unchanging King (3) He is Invisible, above all that is (4) He Alone is God Alone III. In Doxology, We Give Him the Honor and Glory He is Due v 17b
Because you have been joined to Christ in his death and resurrection, you must now live with that in mind, believing God when He says that you're dead to sin and alive to Him in Christ. I. The Living Truth for the Christians is that You Are Truly Alive 'in Christ!' v 8 II. This New Life in Christ Is the Foundation Upon Which You Now Build Your Life! (vv 9-10)
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me" is a familiar childhood chant to many from the 80's. It's also wrong. Our words can do great evil – both to us and to others. This is dangerous ground regularly exploited by the enemy. Yet our God is greater and his plans for us are good. In this passage, the One who made our mouths reminds us of the tremendous power they hold and calls us to a faith-filled, love-fueled use of the tongue.
Because the Gospel saves sinners by grace through faith alone in Christ, it is a message we must believe and treasure and proclaim and rejoice in to the glory to God alone.
Perhaps Christ's greatest battle was in the garden of Gethsemane. Come to the garden, and wonder at His love. Weep over His suffering. Worship at His conquest.
To understand all that must take place, John must first understand something else: The Lamb who was slain is reigning with all authority and power, and He has already conquered by His death. He is worthy!
As James heads into a broader discussion of the power (and evil) exercised by our tongues in chap 3, he begins with a quick word cautioning us in our rush to be recognized and our hurry to be heard. We shouldn't push into a pulpit. Teaching others is serious business and should only be done by men who are called, conscientious, and contrite. While this has particular application to teachers, the principles extend to all of us. When we speak, we speak as those under authority, answerable to authority, and needing mercy from authority.
Because we have received such an amazing mercy in the salvation and calling of Christ, we ought to be filled with gratitude as we dedicate ourselves wholly to his service. I. Amazed by Christ's Gospel Calling v 12 II. Amazed By Christ's Mercy to Such Sinners v 13 III. Amazed by Christ's Overwhelming Grace v 14
Because the Law was given, not to manage sin in believers but to expose sin in unbelievers, we must declare it's truth in a way that keeps our focus on the gospel that saves and sanctifies those who believe. I. The Law is Good, If We Understand What It is For vv 7-8 II. We Must Understand Who the Law Is For and Who It's Not vv 9-10 III. The Whole of God's Word, Including the Law, Points us to the Gospel of the Glory of God v 11
The conversion of Manasseh, like New Testament Saul of Tarsus, stands as an example that God can save anyone and will hear and save those who repent and Call out to him.
Because it is the preaching of the Gospel that produces real change through the agency of Christ-like love implanted in the heart, we must beware of those who leave the gospel behind in their effort to gain a following as teachers who focus on anything other than the Gospel. I. The Gospel Alone Produces the Christ-like Love that Changes Lives! v 5 II. Beware of Those Who Have Left the Gospel Behind and Gotten Tangled Up in Other Things v 6 III. Beware of These Self-Appointed Teachers Who Have Much to Say, but Not much of Value! v 7
Because the Gospel alone is what changes lives and produces Christ-like love, we must be quick to reject all false teaching and pointless pursuits that would distract us from that focus. I. Don't Give in to False Teaching v 3 II. Don't Get Distracted by Myths and Speculation v 4a III. Keep Your Focus Firmly on the Gospel of Christ and the Love It Produces vv 4b
Because God appointed Paul an apostle to the gentiles, commissioned to preach the Gospel and organize the churches on a sound footing of Gospel truth, we must, like Timothy heed his instruction and join him in the blessing that is ours in Christ. I. Authorship: Who Wrote this Letter? v 1 II. To Whom Did Paul Write This Letter and Why? v 2a III. The Blessing Promised to Those Who Hold Fast to Christ by Faith v 2b
Because of the shortness and uncertainty of life, we must set our course this year to gain a deeper and more intimate knowledge and experience of God! I. Let's make it our goal to seek God for spiritual strength and growth in this new year! II. We must Seek God for Growth in Intimacy with Christ in this coming year! III. Let's Press on into an even Deeper Knowledge and Experience of Christ in His Love
Our unity is God's plan. Unity in the church is how we show Jesus, know Jesus, and grow in Jesus. So why do we often feel so divided? Why do we fear that our unity is a fragile thing, easily broken? This passage helps us see that unity is not what we thought. It is not merely the absence of conflict or the absence of error, but a shared celebration of Jesus. We already share an essential unity with every true believer and we have an expansive unity that gets bigger and bigger as each of us happily agree with Jesus in every area of life.
Because Christ is the Perfect Image of the invisible God, our all-powerful Creator and Redeemer, we must entrust all we are and have to Him and praise Him as Lord and Savior of all. I. Christ is Preeminent as Creator of All Things (1) He is the Perfect Image of the Invisible God (2) He is the First-Born of Creation (3) He is Before All Thing (4) He Holds All Things Together II. Christ is Preeminent as Redeemer of All Things (1) He is the Head of the Church (2) He is the Beginning (3) He is the Firstborn from the Dead (4) He is Preeminent (5) He is the One in Whom the Fulness of God Dwells (5) He is Our Savior Who Reconciles Us to God by the Blood of His Cross
Because God is faithful to keep all His promises, we can trust Him even in the most fearful times to keep His word, as confirmed in His sending of His Son to be born of the Virgin. I. God Speaks to Bring Assurance to a Terrified King vv 10-11 II. God Rebukes the Unbelief of a Faithless King vv 12-13 III. God Promises to Keep His Word and Send His Salvation through a Virgin-Born Son! vv 14-17
Because we are a people who belong to Christ, we must use our gifts to help one another grow up in Christ-like maturity rather than remain children who are vulnerable to the deception and distraction of this world. I. We Must Grow Up so We Are No Longer Children Who are Easily Deceived v 14 II. We Must Speak and Live in a Way that Helps Each Member Grow Up in Christ-likeness v 15 III. We Must Work Together to Build a Healthy Church Where Growing to Maturity is Normal v 16
Because the exalted Christ has given gifted leaders to equip the saints to build a healthy, vibrant, growing, maturing church, we must depend on these gifts as we engage the kind of one-another ministry and lifestyle that results in healthy, sustainable growth in Christ. I. Christ Himself Gives the Church Gifted Leaders to Equip God's People for Life and Ministry v 11 II. Gifted Leaders Equip the Saints for the Work of Ministry that Builds a Healthy Church v 12 III. All of Us Share the Goal of Building a Healthy, Maturing Congregation at Rockport v 13
Because we are one body in union with Christ who gives a diversity of gifts to each individual member to be used for His glory and the good of the church, we must serve Him together faithfully in using His gifts in unison for His glory and the advancement of His reign. I. Within This One Body of the Church, Christ Has Given Us Many Gifts to Serve Him v 7 II. It Is the Christ Who Reigns on High, Who Gives These Gifts to the Church! v 8 III. Christ Extends His Reign on Earth through Our Church as We Use Our Gifts vv 9-10
Because we have been called into union with the Triune God, we must live self-consciously in step with the Spirit of God as he creates and through us maintains genuine heaven-sent unity. I. We Must Walk Together in a Way that is Worthy of Our Gospel Calling! v 1 II. We Must Eagerly Work to Keep the Unity His Spirit Creates in Our Fellowship! vv 2-3 III. The Basis of our Unity is Found in Our Union with the Triune God! vv 4-6
Because we follow as Lord the Christ who came to give His life in service to others, we too must serve the least and the smallest among us, for that is the sign of true greatness in Christ's Kingdom. I. We Must Remember Why Christ, the Mighty Son of Man, Has Come vv 30-31 II. We Must Never Allow the Story to Be About Us vv 32-34 III. We Must Embrace the Upside-Down Values of the Kingdom Where the Greatest are Servants vv 35-37
James gets a bad rap. His emphasis on works makes some Christians uneasy. They wonder if James knew salvation is by grace through faith. He did. But he also knew there's a lot of fake faith – faith that is all words and no works. James's response is "What good is that?" Where there are no works, there is no life. As people who have been justified by God's declaration of righteousness apart from works, we are called to demonstrate the reality of this faith through our works.
Because Jesus is all-powerful Lord of all, we must bring our powerlessness to Him and trust in Him for the mighty works only He can do in vanquishing evil. I. We Must Face the Demons and Desperation in the Valley vv 14-16 II. We Must Face the Powerlessness of Unbelief in the Face of the Mighty Power of Jesus vv 17-18 III. We must Turn from Our Faulty Self-Focused Faith to a Full Trust in Christ Alone! vv 19-23
Because the glory of Christ cannot be understood apart from his suffering, death and resurrection, we must keep His suffering (and ours) in view as we follow Him. I. You Must Come Down the Mountain and Face the Suffering! v 9, Mk 9:10 II. There Are Hard Questions Only Jesus Can Answer! vv 10-11, (v 5b) III. We must listen to Jesus and Follow Him, even when it means following Him in Suffering! v 12-13
Because Christ is God the Son sent by the Father and revealed the Spirit, we must give Him our whole attention and follow Him faithfully as Lord and Savior. I. The Declaration by God the Father that this is His Son! v 5 II. The Fear that Fell Upon the Disciples Because of the Presence of God in His Glory v 6 III. The Mediator and the Comfort that Comes When Jesus Draws Near! . vv 7-8
Because Jesus has been confirmed as God the Son who shares in the Father's Glory and Deity, we can and must put all our trust in Him, giving Him our full allegiance as Saving Lord, no matter what happens. I. The Glory of Christ Revealed vv 1-2 II. The Glory of Christ Confirmed v 3 III. The Glory of Christ Proclaimed by God Himself vv 4-5
Jesus has a more excellent ministry than the Levitical priests because 1) he as a more excellent sacrifice, 2) a more excellent location, 3) a more excellent duration and 4) a more excellent intercession.
Because faith orients us to God and his future promises, we must understand that we cannot make our home here since we are pressing on to a better one in eternity! I. We Must Acknowledge that We Are Strangers here. v 13 II. We Must Live Our Lives as Those Who Are Seeking Our True Homeland! v 14-15 III. We Must orient our lives to God and press on with passion toward the home He's prepared for us! v 16
By Faith Isaac embraced God's Foundational Provision for his soul, which fueled his faith in God's ordinary plans for his life, and carried him through God's hard providences in the darkness. I. God's Foundational Provision - Moriah II. God's Ordinary Plans - Marriage III. God's hard Providence - Mess
Most of us like happy stories, or at least stories with a happy ending. Jephthah's story is neither. Bracketed by lust and pride at the start and brutal judgment at the close, you could almost class it as a tragedy. Yet the misery of this story is bracketed by mercy as Jephthah rescues his people and serves as a signpost pointing us to the real hero of the story. Trusting in our Savior, we can adjust our expectation of his people and appreciate that faith does not need to be perfect to be real.
Faith in God isn't about my ability, but rather about knowing and obeying God's Word, giving Him the glory, and being thankful for his patience towards us.
Like Abel, believers can offer to God a better sacrifice by acting in faith on what He has revealed, have God bear witness that they are righteous through offering to Him the sacrifice He has provided, and speak through their faith by entrusting themselves to Christ their sacrifice.
Because Jesus is the Son of Man who is coming in glory to judge each person's work, we must live today as His people who take up our cross and follow Him. I. The Third Reason to Take Up Your Cross – Because Jesus is Coming to Judge the Earth! vv 24-26 II. When Jesus Comes Back in Glory He will Judge Each of Our Lives. v 27 III. Some Standing There Will Not Taste Death until They See the King in His Glory v 28
Because we follow a Suffering Savior, we too must take up a cross like His and follow Him willingly into death if we wish to be His disciples. I. All Who Follow Christ Must Take Up the Cross v 24 II. Only Those Who Give All to Follow Christ Gain the Life He Gives! v 25 III. The Only Way to Keep Your Precious Soul is to Give it Away to Christ by Faith! v 26
Because being the Christ means that Jesus must suffer death and rise again, we must embrace and follow Him as suffering Savior before we can know Him as glorified King. I. The Necessity of Christ's Suffering to be Our Savior v 21 II. The Refusal to Believe that Christ Must Suffering! v 22 III. The Rebuke of Christ against the Satanic Suggestion that He Can Avoid Suffering v 23
Our world is very short on mercy these days. Cancel culture has grown like a weed and encouraged cutting off not only celebrities with whom we disagree but family and friends as well. Experts assure us this is both morally laudable and absolutely necessary for our mental health and happiness – yet it has made the world a friendless, merciless place. Sadly, the church has not been much different. We are quick to speak, quick to assume motives, quick to fixate on what the other person "ought to have known." In this passage, James warns us against such "judgment without mercy" and shows us a better way – the way of mercy. Choose mercy because love commends it, the law demands it, and you need it.
The First message is the series, "Transfiguration: Seeing Christ's Glory" begins by looking at Peter's Confession of Christ. Because we live in a world of opposition and spiritual confusion, we must come to a confident confession of who Jesus is by the gracious gift of God's Spirit through the Gospel. I. The Big Question You've Got to Answer is: Who is Jesus? vv 13-14 II. What is Your Answer to this Question? vv 15-16 III. The Grace-Given Revelation of the Truth of Who Jesus Is! v 17 (vv 18-19)
In this message we experience the thunder of God's holiness rumbling down from the Mountain of God's Law (Sinai), and then find the grace of God's mercy in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because God is fearsome in his holiness and His law cannot save, we must flee by faith to the Mediator He has provided in Jesus who leads us away from Sinai to the mountain of His grace. I. The Terror of the Law. vv 18-19a II. The Cry for a Mediator. vv 19-20 III. We Have a Better Mediator and a Better Mountain in Jesus. v 21; Heb 12:18-21
Because we know that God is faithful to provide all that we need, we must not allow our hearts to covet anything that belongs to another and instead strive to find our contentment in Christ alone. I. The Subtle Sin of Coveting Ex 20:17 II. As Human Beings We are Driven by Our Desires III. Only Christ by Faith Can Satisfy Your Heart, so it is Him you Must Go Php 4:11-13
The doctrine of election displays the character of a merciful, loving God and the nature of an amazing grace
Because Truth matters and God is a God of Truth, we who belong to Him must always speak the truth in love both to and about our neighbors for Christ's sake. I. God Commanded His Covenant People to Never Lie About Others Ex 20:16 II. God's People Must be Committed to Always Speak the Truth To and About Others Ex 4:25 III. Jesus Calls us to Use Our Words to Build Others Up, Not to Tear Them Down Eph 4:29
Because Christ is our Lord and the giver of all good things, we must not only reject the self-centered life of the thief, but must also embrace the self-giving generosity of Christ. I. God Commanded His Old Covenant People Israel Not to Steal from One Another! Ex 20:15 II. God is the One Who Gives What We Need to Glorify and Enjoy Him! Jas 1:17; 1 Tim 6:17; III. God Calls us as Christians to a Stewardship of Christ-like Generosity with our things Eph 4:28
Because marriage matters, we must guard our hearts, minds and lives against the devastating danger of adultery by cultivating a Christ-like love that values the good of marriage. I. Adultery is a Devastating Sin Because Marriage is a Vital Good Given by God. Ex 20:14; Heb 13:4 II. The Heart of the Matter is the Condition of Your Heart! Mt 5:27-28; III. Christian Obedience to God's Commands Flow from a Heart made new in Christ
The Sixth Commandment: Because every human life reflects God's image and is precious to Him, we must value each person as valuable and worthy of respect (something we can only do through the power of Christ's love given in the new birth). I. The Purpose of the Prohibition for Israel was to Protect the Value of Every Human Life Ex 20:13 1) The Law served Israel as a Fence 2) The Law served Israel as a Teacher II. The Deeper Truth of Creation Order that Proclaims the Value of Every Human Life! Gn 1:26; 9:6 III. The Grace We Need thru the Gospel that Brings a New Heart to Love God and Value Others Mt 5:21-22; Rm 13:8-10
Living the good life means rejecting the world's way of thinking and acting, including the partiality that comes to us so naturally. Showing special treatment to some and lesser treatment to others based on whom they seem to be displays a lack of love, a lack of sense, and a lack of faith. Put more bluntly, partiality is selfish, dumb, and worldly. In this passage, James helps us see that favoritism doesn't fit the Christian and shows us the hope that comes from looking past appearances to the powerful grace of God.
Because family matters and is central to God's purpose of bringing up godly children and securing the stability of society, we must train our children to honor their parents into old age and to do the same ourselves. I. Because Family Matters, the People of Israel were Commanded to Honor Father and Mother. Ex 20:12 II. Because Family Matters: We must forge a biblical culture that values and upholds parenthood III. Because Family Matters, Our Homes Must be Centers of Faith-filled Discipleship. Ex 6:1-4The sermon emphasizes the vital role of family in God's plan, drawing from Exodus 20 and Ephesians 6 to highlight the importance of honoring parents and fostering a faith-filled home. It asserts that healthy families are foundational for individual well-being, societal stability, and national flourishing, urging both children to obey and fathers to discipline with grace, ultimately pointing to Christ as the source of redemption and guidance for navigating the complexities of family life and resisting the destructive influences of a secular culture.
Because the Sabbath command was given as a sign of the old covenant that has been fulfilled with the coming of Christ, we must now rest our faith in Him, submitting the whole of our lives to His Lordship. I. The Law of the Sabbath Was Central to God's Old Covenant with the Nation of Israel Ex 20:8-11 (1) It was the Law of the Land (2) It was a Sign of the Covenant (3) It was a Test of their Faith II. The Sabbath Principle of Rest from Labor Points Us to the Goodness of God (1) The Gift of Work and Rest (2) The Grace of Compassion to Others (3) Our need to find rest in Christ by Faith III. We are no longer under the Law of the Sabbath because we have something far better in Christ! Col 2:16-17 (1) Jesus is the Substance of Salvation the OT Shadows like the Sabbath only pointed to! (2) We Keep Sabbath, not by resting on a Day, but by resting by faith in Christ! (3) In the New Covenant we don't have a Sabbath Day to keep, but a Lord's Day to Celebrate!
Turning from trust in yourself to trust in Yahweh brings His comprehensive holiness, and turning from your wisdom to the fear of Yahweh brings complete renewal.
Because God's Name represents Who He is and we are commanded to love God, we must love and honor His name, using it and wearing it with respect. I. Israel Was Commanded to Take God's Name Very Seriously in All They Did v 7 II. We must Take God's Name Very Seriously in the Way We Speak of Him! III. We Must Take Christ's Name Seriously in the Way We Wear It Before Others! 2 Tim 2:19b
Because every man-made image used in worship obscures God's glory and misrepresents him, his people are commanded to have no images in worship but instead to give their full attention to Him as He has revealed Himself in His Word and above all in Christ. I. The Second Commandment Prohibited Images of God Used in Worship vv 4-5a II. God is Zealous for His Glory, and Images Always Obscure His Glory v 5b III. God Warns of Dire Consequences for Those who Exchange His Glory for Images vv5b
In this message we see the principles for how to read, understand and apply Old Covenant Commands in the life and faith of a New Covenant Believer in Christ. From the First Command we learn that, because God alone is God and thus worthy of all worship and allegiance, we must submit to Him alone our full and unmixed loyalty, loving and obeying Him in all things. I. Read the Command in it's Original Old Testament Context vv 1-3 II. Consider What the Command Reveals about God that Never Changes Rm 15:4, etc III. Apply the Command in Light of the New Testament Fulfillment in Christ 1 Cor 8:4-6
Because God called Israel into covenant faithfulness under the old covenant through Moses, we must learn to see both the continuity and discontinuity in what he required of them as we seek to apply these same words as God's word in our lives under the new covenant in Christ. I. Covenant Context Matters II. The Old Covenant Context of the Ten Words vv 2-6 III. The Purpose of God for Israel Under the Old Covenant vv 5-6
Because God gave the Ten Words to reveal Himself and His ways to them His people as part of the old covenant people, we in the new, though not under these commands as a law, still benefit from them as God's revelation of Himself and His ways. INT: It All Started with a Question. (Galatians flashback) I. God Spoke These Ten Words to Reveal Himself to His People. v 1 II. God spoke These Ten Words in the Specific Context of His Covenant with Israel v 2
Because God is our almighty, saving God who has promised to keep His people to the end, we can and must trust Him and praise Him for His faithful goodness with extravagant joy. I. We Must Praise Him Because of Who He is and What He Does! v 24 1) He is able to keep you from stumbling 2) He is Able to Present You Blameless and Joyful in His Presence Forever! II. We Can Entrust Ourselves to Him Fully Because of Who He is! v 25 1) Who is this God trust? The only God our Savior 2) What does this great God abound with? Glory, Majesty, Dominion and Authority 3) What is the extent of His power and authority? All time and eternity 4) What is our response? Amen!
Because we have a Redeemer who lives, we have a hope that triumphs over all despair I. Sorrow and Suffering are realities we cannot avoid in this present life! vv 13-22; II. We Can Have Real Hope, no matter what is happening, because we have a Living Redeemer! vv 23-25 III. There is Hope for You in the Promise of Your Own Coming Resurrection vv 26-27
Because God has given us a faith that keeps us in His love, we must keep keeping on in that faith, holding fast by the means of grace, even as we hold out to others the promise of redemption. I. Keep Yourselves in God's Love by Keeping Hold of Faith in Christ vv 20-21 (1) By building yourselves up in your most holy faith (2) By regularly praying in the Holy Spirit (3) By waiting in Hope for God's promised mercy CC: Keep Yourselves in the Love of God II. Reach Out to Those Whose Faith Has Been Perverted by False Teaching vv 22-23 (1) To those limping along in doubt, show merc! (2) For those who are following false teachers into judgement, Go after them (3) To those in the midst of soul-killing sin, continue to hold our redemptive mercy
The final message from Grace Bible Conference 2025 "Biblical Counseling: Gospel Solutions for Life" by Nathan Currey. "Grace Trained Lives"
The 6th message from Grace Bible Conference 2025 "Biblical Counseling: Gospel Solutions for Life" by Nathan Currey. From the Sunday School hour "Living the Gospel with One Another"
The fourth message from Grace Bible Conference 2025 "Biblical Counseling: Gospel Solutions for Life" by Nathan Currey. "How We Engage the Heart"
The fifth message from Grace Bible Conference 2025 "Biblical Counseling: Gospel Solutions for Life" by Nathan Currey. "Common Heart Struggles"
The third message from Grace Bible Conference 2025 "Biblical Counseling: Gospel Solutions for Life" by Nathan Currey. "How We View the Heart"
The first message from Grace Bible Conference 2025 "Biblical Counseling: Gospel Solutions for Life" by Nathan Currey. "Every Christian is a Counselor"
The second message from Grace Bible Conference 2025 "Biblical Counseling: Gospel Solutions for Life" by Nathan Currey. "Gospel Solutions from Scripture"
The value of what we claim is seen in what we do. But, as in everything in life, the doing is in the details. As James continues pressing the idea of being a doer of the Word and not merely a hearer, he presses obedience into the specifics of our speech, our mercy, and our purity
Because we have been warned that false teachers will come and try to influence the church, we must be on our guard against them and able to identify and expel then when they try show up. I. Remember the Warnings Christ Gave You through His Apostles v 17 II. Beware of the Scoffers Who Seek to Influence the Church v 18 (1) When they will come? (2) What will they be like? (3) How will they live? III. Be Alert to the Impact Such People Have on a Church v 19 (1) They Bring Division (2) They Import Worldliness (3) They Are Unregenerate
Because Christ will return in power to judge the ungodly who continue to oppose him in word or deed, we must not give in to their teaching and must warn them and others that his promised judgement is coming so that all will flee to Christ by faith. I. Jude's Use of this Prophesy of Enoch Concerning Coming Judgement v 14a II. The Coming Judgement of Christ Against the Ungodly v 14b-15 1) It is the Lord Jesus Who is Coming in Power for Judgement 2) The Purpose of Christ's Coming Will be Judgment for the Ungodly! 3) The Ungodly will be judged for their God denying actions and Christ belittling words! III. Beware These Ungodly Sins that Bring God's Judgement v 16
Because false teachers mislead those who follow them and can even lead them to destruction, we must beware of them, refusing to tolerate them or their message within Christ's church. I. "Woe to Them!" A Warning We Must Take Seriously v 11a II. Beware of Them! Because Their Path Leads to Judgement v 11 III. Don't Tolerate Them in the Church Because Their Presence Is a Danger to you! vv 12-13
Because God in grace has forgiven you and accepted you through faith in Christ alone and not on the basis of your own merits, you have a foundation for an everlasting joy. I. This Joy comes from the fact that we as Xns are now counted righteous in God's sight. v 6 II. It Brings Us Joy to Understand as Believers that Our Sins Really are Forgiven vv 7-8; Ps 32 III. Justification by Faith alone brings us the Joy of Fellowship with Christ and One Another Ps 32:7
Christians sometimes get nervous talking about obedience. Though we know we're saved by God's grace, we slip into thinking we are defined by our works. What we have done and left undone becomes the measure of our identity. James corrects this picture, showing that who we are does not flow from what we do; what we do flows from who we are. Doing what God says is how we confirm, express, and enjoy who we truly are.
Because those who look for authority within themselves to justify their sins live in opposition to God, we must refuse to follow them into the spiritual arrogance and folly that will destroy them. I. Those Who Are Spiritually Arrogance Look Within Themselves and Justify Their Sin v 8 (1) They Justify Their Sexual Immorality (2) They Reject Christ's Lordship (3) They Presume an Authority They Do Not Have II. An Interesting Illustration of Spiritual Humility v 9 III. The Spiritual Arrogance of Those Who Look to Themselves Brings Destruction v 10
Because we know God will judge all who persist in their sin and unbelief, we must be willing to heed his warnings and hold fast to Him in the faith and holiness which save. I. We need to be Reminded about God's Judgment v 5aII. Three Examples of God's Judgment that Serve as Warnings for Us vv 5b (1) Exodus: God's Judgment falls on would-be believers who do not continue in faith v 5b (2) Angels: God's Judgement falls on those who reject His creation order and go their own way v6 (3) Sodom: God's Judgement falls on those who persist in sexual immorality and perversion v 7
To become what we are, God's people need to understand who they are as God's holy temple, where God's Spirit dwells.
Embracing the good life means embracing meekness. This is the mindset that says, "I am not enough" and positions our heart to receive from God. When we set aside our reliance on what we think we know, what we think we can do, and how we think we will gain life, we are ready for the good life God gives as he makes us more like Jesus. This life comes to us as we meekly receive wisdom, meekly receive power, and meekly receive rescue.
Because there are many who seek to undermine or "update" our Faith in Christ in a way that would pervert it into something other than the biblical Gospel given by God, we must fight to hold on to this faith and defend it against all efforts to dilute or change it. I. The Reason Jude Has to Write this Difficult Letter v 3aII. We Must Contend for the Ancient Faith of the Gospel v 3bIII. The Danger Comes from Those Who Want to Pervert this Gospel Faith v 4
Because our faith is always under attack, we must stand firm in it, knowing Who we are and to Whom we belong that we may contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints. I. The Identity of Jude: Who is this man? v 1a II. The Identity of the Christian: Who are we as believers? v 1b III. The Prayer of Jude: What does he pray our lives will be filled with? v 2
Because God knows us so completely, we ought to submit ourselves to his heart-searching gaze that our sin might be exposed and we might be led into a life of greater holiness. I. God Truly Does Know Us Through and Through! v 1fII. God's Knowledge of Me Can Be Used to Change Me! v 23III. The Goal of God's Gracious Gaze in Our Lives Is the Sweet Grace of Repentance!. v 24
Because God has proven his faithfulness in sending the promised Messiah, we should trust Him and celebrate Him for the salvation Christ has won.I. Zechariah Praises God for Keeping His Ancient Promise of Salvation vv 67-75 (1) God has taken action as He promised vv 68-69 a. He has visited b. He has redeemed c. He has raised up (2) God has done what He promised through the prophets vv 70-73 a. He is the God who speaks v 70 b. He is the God who saves v 71 c. He is the God who keeps His covenant promises vv 72-73 (3) God has saved us into a life of fellowship and service vv 74-75 II. Zechariah is Amazed that God would use his son to prepare the way for Messiah vv 76-77III. Zachariah's Joyful Declaration of God's Deep Mercy in Sending the Savior vv 78-79
Because of God's gracious gift of a Savior, we can rejoice with Mary in His undeserved mercy. I. Mary Praises God for the Gift of Salvation. vv 46-48II. Mary Praises God for His Faithful Character vv 49-50II. Mary Praises God for His Mighty Acts of Salvation! vv 51-53 Con: God is a faithful promise keeping God vv 54-55
Because it is so easy to be distracted by the pressures and pursuits and controversies of this world, we as believers must come back to those things that really matter and form the foundation and center of our faith in Jesus.I. Boast Only in the Finished Work of the Cross v 14II. Trust Only in the Power of the New Creation v 15III. Keep Walking in the Blessing of this New Life as God's People v 16IV. We Who Follow Christ must Bear the Scars that Come from Him v 17V. Keep Resting in the Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ v 18
Because man-centered "show" religion is hypocritical and powerless to save, our only hope and our only boast must be in the finished work of Jesus on the crossI. Paul's Passionate Warning to his friends in Galatia v 11II. Paul warns them to Watch Out for the Empty, "Show Religion" of the Legalists vv 12-13 (1) This kind of religion is all for show (2) This kind of "show religion" is motivated by a desire to avoid persecution (3) This kind of "show religion" leads to boasting in self, and yet brings no change of heart III. The Christian's Only Boast and Only Hope is in the Finished Work of Christ on the Cross! v 14 (1) The cross is the only thing worth boasting about for the Christian! (2) The Cross has changed everything, bringing new life in union with Christ!
Because we belong to Christ by faith and are led by His Spirit, we must continue to follow Him in the good works He produces within us, no matter the opposition, with confidence that it will be worth it when he reward us in the end.
Those who keep in step with God's gracious Spirit will follow Him in a life of open-handed generosity and holiness that refuses the fleshly self-centeredness that brings God's judgement, and instead will reap the grace-given reward of eternal life.
God made men to be strong and to use our strength for the good of others. Particularly in the home, husbands and fathers must recognize our critical role in leading our families to worship the Lord. If we fail to lead well, we fail to love well. Drawing on a number of passages, the message is a call to own our role and lead in family worship.
Because we belong to Christ and live by His Spirit, we must follow Him in a life of service to others, rather than a life of self-centered pride that judges and condemns others, knowing we will one day stand before Him.I. Be a Burden-Bearer for Others as You Walk in Christ-like Love. v 2II. Don't be a Selfie-Stick Christian with Eyes Focused on You. v 3II. Evaluate yourself with the Mirror of God's Word, rather than Nit-picking others with a Magnifying Glass of Self-Righteousness. vv 4-5
As those who belong to Christ and walk by the Spirit, we are called to care for one another's needs by restoring those who sin and helping each other bear life's heavy burdensI. When your Brother or Sister stumbles into sin, Go after them! Restore them! v 1II. When your Sister or Brother has a heavy burden to carry, help them carry it! v 2aIII. This is "Love in Action" that fulfills the Law of Christ! v 2b
The devil is a liar, and one of his most common lies is that God is not good – or, at least, not good to us. In this passage, James points us to a world full of goodness to demonstrate that God is not merely good, but is lavishly good, reliably good, freely good, and victoriously good.
Because every person is made with loving care by God who knows them from the womb, we must understand that every little life is precious to God and resist the heinous evil of abortion.I. The Precious Value of Every Little Life Made by God Psa 139:13-18II. The Biblical and Historical Opposition of God's People to the Heinous Crime of Abortion III. "For Such a Time as This": Our Moment to Stand Against the Evil of Abortion.
Because we have been united to Christ in His death to sin and given new life by the indwelling Spirit, we can have victory over our sin by following the Spirit's lead day by day.I. We have a New Identity with Christ that Gives Us Power over Sin v 24II. We must Keep Following the Holy Spirit Who is leading us into this New Life. v 25III. We have a Precious Fellowship that must be Protected as We Follow Him v 26
Practical advice for men in bringing up children, preparing yourself to bring up children, helping others bring up children
Because the Spirit of Christ lives in us to produces the power of Christ-like holiness in our lives, we must give ourselves to following Him in the power of this new lifeI. This is the Power of Christ's Own Life in Us to Bring Us to Holiness vv 22-23aII. This Fruit Brings a Power for Holiness that is Greater than the Law v 23b
The sixth and final in our Family Camp series on -The Fruit of the Spirit- -Self-Control- by Aaron Sutton.
The fourth message in our Family Camp series on -The Fruit of the Spirit- Patience by Mike Booker
The fifth in our Family Camp series on -The Fruit of the Spirit- -Goodness and Faithfulness- by Jason Woelm.
The third message in our Family Camp series on the Fruit of the Spirit. -Peace- by Warren Kesselring
The Second message from Family Camp 2024 on -The Fruit of the Spirit- -Joy- by Kyle Davis.
The First in our Family Camp 2024 Series on -The Fruit of the Spirit- -The Fruit of the Spirit is Love-
The eternal purposes of God are the foundation for his gospel message. He was rich in mercy and great love for us before he created anything- When we were dead in our sins and unable to save ourselves he made us alive with Christ. We will be seated with Jesus in the heavens. The eternal ages will show the riches of his grace toward us. We are saved solely by his grace and not by our works. But, he has saved us to do good works which he has ordained for us beforehand.
In the war against the flesh, the Spirit of God works in you to produce the kind of life that has power to kill sin by conforming you to image of Christ.-I. His Fruit in You is the Key to You Victory over Sin-II. His Fruit in You is the Confirmation of Your Salvation-III. His Fruit in You is the Power that Conforms You to Christ
Because we have been made new in Christ and given new spiritual desires by the Holy Spirit, we must learn to walk in the power of those new desires in order to overcome the works of the flesh which are constantly making war against us and would destroy us of possible.-- I.There is a War Being Fought Over Your Desires Every Day. vv 16-18-II. The Flesh Works against you to produce God-dishonoring sins in your life- vv 19-21a-III. This Warning is Real, but it points us back to the promised Life of the Holy Spirit vv 21b
Because the Holy Spirit dwells in us as believers, we are called to live our lives under his daily direction as he bears his fruit in our lives and leads us into a life of growing holiness that the Law could never give.-I. As you Walk by the Spirit you will not live out the desires of the flesh v 16-II. You must walk daily in the power of the Spirit because the flesh makes war daily- v 17-III. If you are Led by the Spirit into this new life, you gain a freedom the Law could never give- v 18
Because Christ has fulfilled the old covenant Law, but not destroyed it, we must receive it as fulfilled Scripture and listening to Christ, our covenant Lord who tells us how it applies to our lives in the new covenant.-- I. How Should We View the Old Covenant Law in Light of the Coming of Christ-- Mt 5-17- -1- The Old Covenant has been abolished by the coming of Christ Heb 8-13- Gal 3-23-25- -2- The Old Covenant Law has not been abolished, but is fulled in Christ Mt 5-17- II. The Old Covenant Law is Relevant to our lives, but only in and through Christ- - -1- In the New Covenant our eyes are not set on the Covenant of Law, but on Christ Himself- - -2- No part of God's word is to be disregarded, all is to be understood and applied through Christ
Because the Gospel brings freedom from the Law and it's condemnation, we must realize that we are truly free, not to continue in sin but to walk with Christ in a new life and a new love that fulfills the intent of the law in our lives and leads us to live lives of Christ-like service to others. --I. Gospel Freedom is Not the Freedom to Sin, but the Fulness of Christ's Love at work in us. v 13-II. A Life of Christ-like Love Fulfills what the Law originally commanded for God's People v 14--III. The Absence of Christ-like Love bring bitter division and destruction v 15-
Because it is faith alone in the gospel that saves and keeps us running with Christ, we must reject the efforts of the false teachers to knock us off course by leading us back to the Law, that we might continue on in faith alone while they face the awful judgement of God.-I. Don't Let False Teachers Make You Stumble Away from the Simple Grace of the Gospel vv7-9-II. God Will Keep You on Course and Bring Judgement on the False Teachers- v 10-III. Keep Running by Faith in the Freedom of the Gospel, No matter who it offends- vv 11-13a
Because Christ has set us free from trying to gain acceptance with God through living under Law, we must determine to live in that freedom by keeping our eyes on Christ alone by faith in full confidence in our justification as we live God-glorifying lives marked by love.- I. Gospel Freedom is Christ's Gift to You by Faith, So Stand Firm in It v 1-II. Those who Turn to the Law for Righteousness Lose all Hope of Gospel Freedom. vv 2-4-III. Freedom Comes by Faith Alone in Christ Received through the Grace of the Holy Spirit vv 5-6
Because we have been born again into the freedom of the new covenant, we cannot go back and try to live under the bondage of the old covenant, which is not our covenant.--I. The Bible Tells Us There Are Two Distinct Covenants vv 21-23-II. These Two Covenants Govern Two Different Peoples vv 24-27-III. We Are Children of the Promise in the Freedom of the New Covenant vv 28-31
As we seek to live godly lives in the present, we fix our eyes on the sure hope of the new creation and our glorification, brought about by the glorious presence of God.
When we face trials and temptations, we often slip into viewing our sin as the unavoidable result of the difficult life we have been assigned. We blame God and excuse our sin as the inevitable result of our circumstances. In this passage, James reminds us that sin is not inevitable, excusable, or innocuous. If we want to remain steadfast and receive the crown of righteousness, we must take temptation seriously, remembering that the sin that tempts us is resistible, evil, and active.
Because God's goal in our salvation is that we would be remade in the image of Christ, we also must pursue this as our goal, seeking to walk daily by faith with Christ, yielding to His life-transforming work in and through us.--I. God's Goal in Your Salvation is to Re-make You into the Image of Christ- Gal 4-19, etc- 1- The Goal of Your Salvation is Christ-likeness- -To see Christ formed in you--- 2- Sanctification is the Process by which your life is being reshaped into Christ's image daily-- 3- God's big goal in redemption is to see the beauty of His image restored in us through faith--II. God's goal to reshape your life into Christ's image must now become Your Goal in Life- Col 3-9-10- Eph 4-20-24-III. How do we pursue Christ formed in us-- How do we cooperate with God's grace in this--- -1- It starts with conversion- -2- Look to Him to do this work- That's the promise- This is His purpose for you as a Christian-- -3- Set your mind to be renewed as you learn to think like Christ- Col 3-1-2- -4- Fix your Eyes on Jesus Daily and Follow Him- - -5- Depend on the work of the Holy Spirit whom God has given to lead you to Christ daily-
Because the Gospel of Christ alone by faith is what gives us freedom, we must not let ourselves be misled by those who promote law-based religion into turning away from the grace of Christ to try to please God by our law obedience in keeping the rules of religion.
Because we are adopted sons who truly know God through faith in Christ, we must never allow ourselves to fall back into the religious slavery of legalism.-I. You are not a Slave-, but a Son who is called to know and walk with God- vv 8-9a -II. Why would you ever go back to the Slavery of Legalistic Religion-- v 9b-III. To Make it all about the Rules of Religion is to Lose the Reality of Christ- vv 10-11
Because God has fulfilled His plan to send His Son to bear our curse and bring us into the assurance of sonship by faith, we can know that we are truly His and experience the full assurance that we are sons by faith through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.--I. The Slavery that Was Ours Before Christ Came vv 1-3-II. Christ Came to End Our Slavery and Brings Us Freedom and Adoption as Sons- vv 4-5-III. As Sons We Can Know with Full Assurance that We Are His through the Holy Spirit- vv 6-7
Because we have become sons of God through faith-union with Christ, we can have full confidence that we are accepted and beloved heirs of all that is promised to Christ apart from works of the Law.--I. You are Sons of God through Faith-Union with Christ v 26-II. Your New Identity as Someone -in Christ- is Confirmed through Baptism- v 27-III. You Share this blessing of Sonship with all believers, regardless of where you came from- v 28-IV. You and I are Joint Heirs in Christ through our faith Union with Him- v 29
Our identity is not measured by our income. In this passage, James corrects our tendency to gauge our worth by our wealth. He reminds us who we are- by nature, mortal and passing away, by grace, exalted with Christ. Our prosperity does not erase our humiliation. Our poverty does erase our exaltation.
Our thorns and weaknesses are given to us -by God- that his power might be perfected in us. It is in our weaknesses- not our strengths- that we come face to face with His all sufficient grace.
Because the Mosaic Law-Covenant has fulfilled it's role by keeping Israel in custody until Christ came and is no longer in effect as a covenant, we must look to Christ alone as our standard and guide through faith.-I. The Law Served as Israel's Prison Warden to keep them in Custody until Christ Came -v 23--II. The Law Served as Israel's Childhood Guardian until Christ Came -v 24--III. Now that Christ has come, the work of the Old Law-Covenant is finished -v 25-
Because the Law's role is limited and subordinate to the Promise, showing what sin is and why we need a Savior, we must not dismiss it as irrelevant, but must understand the role it plays as well as it's limit as a covenant that is no longer in force.-I. The Limited but Important Role the Law Played in the Purposes of God vv 19-20- -1- The Law was added to make sin's transgression obvious- v 19a- -2-The Law is temporary - given to Israel for a specific time within God's greater plan- v 19b- -3- The Law is subservient to the Promise, as seen in the way it was given vv 19c-20-II. The Law Does Not Contradict the Promises, It Complements Them v 21-III. Scripture Imprisons All of Us in Sin so that Freedom May Be Found in Christ- v 22
Because the salvation of the Gentiles like us is rooted in the unchangeable Covenant of Promise God gave to Abraham, not the Covenant of Law given through Moses, we as Christians must look to the promise alone to secure our inheritance in Christ.- I. Covenant Matters- Keep your eye on the Covenants v 15- II. The Covenant of Promise Centers on the Promised Seed v 16-III. The Difference Between the Covenant of Promise and the Covenant of Law vv 17-18
Because the Law cannot save but instead brings a curse on those who fail to keep it in its entirety, we must look away from the Law to Christ by faith alone to receive justification and life from God- I. The Stark Contrast between the Blessing that Comes by Faith and the Curse of the Law v 10- II. An Obvious Conclusion- No One can be Justified by Doing Works of the Law vv 11-12-III. Our Only Hope- Christ has Redeemed us from the Curse of the Law vv 13-14
Because justification and every other spiritual blessing we have from God comes -by hearing with faith- rather than through -works of the Law-, we must, like Abraham, put our trust in God alone to keep the promises of His Gospel-- I. Abraham is the Poster-Child for Receiving Justification by Faith Alone- vv 6-7-II. It was always God's plan that we would be justified by faith and not by works of the Law v 8-III. It is those from every nation who share the faith of Abraham who receive the blessing of Abraham v 9
The Final Message from our 2024 Grace Bible Conference -- -Strangers - Exiles- by Ryan Haider
The Sixth message from our Grace Bible Conference 2024 -Strangers and Exiles- ---Choosing Your Leaders- by Warren Kesselring
The Fifth Message in our Grace Bible Conference 2024 -Citizens and Exiles- by Dr Josh Wilson -Why Civic Government-- A Temporary, Delegated Authority-
The Fourth message from our Grace Bible Conference 2024 -Citizens and Exiles- -- -Laws and the Law- by Geoff Ingrum
The Third message from our Grace Bible Conference on -Citizens and Exiles- -- -Business to the Glory of God- by Ben Hedrick
The second message from our Grace Bible Conference 2024 -Citizens - Exiles- by Pastor Warren Kesselring. -The Church and the Kingdom- -2 Peter 3-11-13-
The opening sermon from Grace Bible Conference 2024 -Citizens - Exiles- -- -The Reign of the King- -Col 1-13-14-
1 Peter 4-12-19 shows that suffering as testing should not surprise believers but instead give an occasion for rejoicing in and finding assurance of their union with Christ, that God tests both the believer and unbeliever with suffering, each with its own eternal outcome, and that believers experiencing God's test of suffering should entrust themselves to their faithful Sovereign in doing good.
Because Christ has come, we no longer live by law-based obedience but through faith alone in Christ.- I. The Foolishness of taking your Eyes off of Christ to put them somewhere else v 1-II. A Vital Question- Did you receive new life by keeping the Law or by trusting in Christ-- v 2-III. More Questions- Is Your New Life Centered on Keeping the Law or Trusting X by Faith-- vv 3-5
Because we are joined to Christ by faith, we have a new life with Him, having died with Him to our old life to now live by His power working in and through us.-I. We have been crucified w-X so that we have died to the old life of sin that once held us- v 20a-II. We have been raised with Christ in His resurrection to live new lives as new people- v 20b-III. We now live with our eyes fixed on Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us- v 20c
Because we have died to the jurisdiction of the old covenant Law and now live through faith-union with Christ, we must no turn back to the Law as the focus of our lives, but to Christ alone by faith.-I. Because salvation is by faith in Christ alone and not works of the Law, we cannot go back to the Law as the foundation for our lives we must go on to Christ- vv 16-18-II. Because we have died with Christ by faith, we are dead to the Rule of Old Covenant Law v 19-20a-III. The Whole of our lives is now found in union with Christ, not in adherence to OT Law- vv 20-21
Because there is no salvation to be found in doing works of the Law but only by faith in Christ alone, we as a church must hold to this truth as the heart and soul of our message to the world.-I. No matter who you are, you need the Gospel of Justification by Faith Alone. v 15-II. There is NO Salvation to be found in the Law, but only through Faith in Christ Alone v 16- -1- Paul's General Statement of this Truth v 16a- -2- Paul's Personal Application of this Truth v 16b- -3- Paul's Universal Proclamation of this Truth v 16c
Because the Gospel of free grace unites us as one people in Christ, we must refuse the legalism that would divide us by emphasizing non-essential matters of Law and tradition.--I. When Peter Got It Wrong- v 11-II. How Legalism gets it wrong and divides the body of Christ- vv 12-13-III. How Legalism Denies the Gospel and Subverts the Power of Christ to Save- v 14
Because the gospel of salvation brings us to Christ alone by grace through faith alone, we cannot and must not every let it be subverted by those who would drag us back to the observance of the Old Testament Law.--I. A Test Case- Is Grace through Faith Alone Enough, or is it not-- vv 1-3-II. The Danger from those who subvert the Gospel by trying to enslave us to OT Law vv 4-5-III. The Fellowship and Freedom of Those who believe and proclaim the Gospel of Grace vv 6-10
Because we have experienced the wealth of God's mercy in salvation through Christ, we must yield our lives to Him as living sacrifices who choose to serve one another in love with all generosity.--The motive of all Christian living- Gratitude for Mercy-1- Offer Yourself to Christ Daily as a Living Sacrifice shaped by His Word vv 1-2-2- Humble Yourself as a Grace-Empowered Servant of His People vv 3-8-3- Give Yourself to Loving One Another with Genuine Christ-like Love vv 9-11-4- Anchor Yourself to the Hope of the Gospel through Persistent Prayer v 12-5- Give with a Generous and Hospitable Heart v 13
Because a spiritually healthy church will grow with a growth given by God, we must pursue the kind of spiritual health that brings good growth and be prepared to navigate the challenges and trials that come with such growth.--I. The Good Growth of a Healthy Church Eph 4-11-16-II. God-given Growth is Good, but with it come Changes and Challenges to the Church- Acts--III. The Challenges and Changes we must face at Rockport as we experience Good Growth
Because Christ has given the church the mission to make disciples, we must prioritize the things God has given us for this purpose as we seek to bring all His people to maturity in Christ--I. Our Priority Mission as Christ's Church is the growing maturity of Believers -Col 1-28-29--II. Five Biblical Priorities - Values God Has Given to Bring His People to Maturity -Acts 2-42-47-- 1. Truth that Transforms Our Lives to be like Jesus- 2. Worship that Centers us on Jesus- 3. Fellowship that Unites us in the Love of Jesus- 4. Prayer that Keeps us Dependent on Jesus- 5. Mission that Shapes our Lives around Making Jesus Known to Others
Because Jesus the Lord of the Church has given us His mission to make disciples who walk in obedience to Him, we must keep this as our conscious goal at Rockport while we train His people to be His faithful, obedience disciples in this world.--I. Our Mission is Defined by Christ Himself, Who is Lord of the Church. v 18-II. Our Mission as Christ's Church is to Make Disciples vv 19-20a-III. Your Mission as a Believer is to -Be a Disciple- living in obedience to Christ- v 20b
As we meet trials of many kinds, we need wisdom to respond with steadfastness, joy, and faith. In this passage, James helps us put our faith in God by pushing back against the things that keep us from faith- pride, fear, and doubt.
Because the Gospel does not depend on the influence of men, but is a message given by God through his hand-picked apostles, we must receive it as truth and with joy and gratitude believe it's promise with faith fixed upon Christ alone.-- I. Paul's Gospel is not a man-made Gospel, but the God-given message of salvaton for the world-- vv 11-12- II. The Power of the Gospel as seen in the life and conversion of the Apostle Paul- vv 13-24- -1- Paul's Life before Christ was marked by zealous opposition to Christ and his People - -vv 13-14- - -2- Paul's Conversion to Christ by Grace Alone -vv 15-16-- -3- Paul's Independent Testimony to this Gracious Gospel of Salvation- -vv 17-21-- -4- Paul's growing influence as a Christian on those who heard what God had done- -vv 22-24-
Because the Gospel of God's grace in Christ alone saves, all false Gospels must be repudiated and those who proclaim them rejected as accursed in order to preserve the undiluted priority of the true Gospel.--I. Beware- There are false teachers who proclaim a false Gospel- vv 6-7-II. Be Clear- Those who embrace and proclaim a false Gospel are Accursed- vv 8-9-III. Be Assured- Our Allegiance belongs only to Christ- v 10
Because the Gospel proclaimed by the Apostle Paul tells us what God has done in Christ to rescue us form our sin and enslavement to the evil of this present age, we must make sure we understand and believe it and let it shape every aspect of our lives.-- I. The Source and Sharing of This Freedom vv 1-2- II. The Grace and Power of This Freedom vv 3-4- III. The Celebration and Joy of This Freedom v 5
New Year's is a time for fresh resolutions. Yet our resolutions have a serious limitation. We can resolve actions- we cannot resolve outcomes. When we come to Jesus, like the wise men come to Jesus in our text, we come to the One who is unlimited, who can resolve outcomes, and whose resolutions are never broken. He is the Savior-King who governs everything - creation, hearts, and our stories.
Because God has been faithful to send His Son to be the promised Savior of sinners, we can trust Him and must trust Him to save all who put their faith in Him.--I. Joseph's Heartbreak and Extremely Difficult Dilemma vv 18-19- II. God's Faithful Assurance of a Promise Kept vv 20-23- -1- God is always faithful...always at work even when we can't see how v 20- -2- God's faithfulness to bring this mess together for our good and His glory vv 20-21- -3- God's faithfulness confirmed in Keeping His Promises vv 22-23 -Rm 15-8--III. Joseph's Faith-Filled Response and Costly Obedience vv 24-25
Because God is faithful to keep every promise and because He promised Mary that she would bear a Son to be the Savior of the world, we can and must trust in that Son who came to deliver us all.--I. Mary's Troubling Encounter with an Angelic Visitor vv 26-30-II. Mary's Commission to Bear God's Son vv 31-33-III. Mary's Concerned Question- -How will this be--- vv 34-37-IV. Mary's Faithful-filled Submission- -Let it be according to your word.- v 38
Because God has kept His promise to send Christ as the incarnate God-King from Bethlehem, we must acknowledge, worship and obey Him as saving Lord. - I. The Utter Failure of Human Leadership v 1- II. The Promise to send a True King to Lead His People v 2- III. The Majesty and Glory of the Coming King vv 3-5a
Because God's infinite majesty can be seen in the heavens, we ought to moved to awestruck humility to think that such a God would care for us and call us to rule this world in His stead - the very thing we have failed to do through sin, bringing ultimate fulfillment and restoration only through Christ.-- I. The Majesty of God in the Beauty of Creation vv 1-2- II. The Majesty of Man made in God's Image vv 3-4-III. The Majesty God Intended, Broken then Restored vv 5-9- Heb 2-5-9
Because of who God is and all He has done to make Him worthy of praise, we should consciously orient our lives to Him with conscious thanksgiving and praise.-- I. You are called to a Life of God-Centered Praise- vv 1-2- II. True Worship grows from a True Knowledge of God v 3- III. A Heart of Gratitude grows out of a life that is consciously fixed on Christ and His Gifts- vv 4-5
Because God has proven time and again to be full of mercy for those who look to Him, we must pray and ask Him to renew us spiritually, turning our hearts back to Him and reviving our faith by giving His gracious presence among us.--I. When Spiritual Life Fades, Go back and remember God's God's rich Mercy in Times Past vv 1-3-II. In Our Spiritual Need, We must pray and seek God to restore us for His Glory vv 4-7-III. Knowing God's Faithfulness, We pray in Anticipation that He will Keep His Promises- vv 8-13
In Psalm 2 we see the conspiracy of the nations' rulers against Yahweh and His Anointed, Yahweh's response to the rulers' plot, Yahweh's decree to His Anointed, and warnings of wisdom to the worlds' rulers.
Because God, the King of Glory, is sovereign and holy we can only enter his presence with a humble faith ready as we seek to exalt Him who is worthy of our praise.-I. Proclamation- He is the Sovereign Creator and Ruler of All that Exists vv 1-2-II. Preparation- He is the Holy One Whose Presence We Seek to Enter vv 3-6-III. Procession- He is the King of Glory Who Comes to Reign in Joy Over Our Lives vv 7-10
Because our sins are wicked and deserve God's wrath, yet God has chosen to be merciful to those who repent through faith in Christ, we must turn from all sin, seeking Him for the forgiveness and restoration he so freely gives.-I. When you have sinned, turn to God with confession, seeking promised mercy. vv 1-6-II. When you have sinned, ask God for cleansing and restoration vv 7-12-III. When you are restored, trust God for a renewed life of service and praise vv 13-19
Omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence - -this Psalm has some of the loftiest theology. What captures David's heart, however, is not the glory of these attributes in abstract, but the way they express God's perfect, personal love toward us. His love satisfies the deepest desires of the human soul. We want love that knows us, love that is intimately invested, and love that will not let us go. This is how our infinite God expresses his infinite love.
Because God has made Himself known in nature and even more so in Scripture, we can and should respond to His revelation with joy and faith that we might live to His glory.-I. General Revelation- God makes his glory known in the Book of Nature. vv 1-6-II. Special Revelation- God makes Himself known even more clearly in Scripture vv 7-11-III. Response- We must hear Him speak and respond with faith-filled obedience. vv 12-14
Because God is our Refuge in troubling times, we can have confidence in His sovereign reign over this world no matter what may be happening at the time.-- I. God is Our Refuge when the world is falling apart vv 1-3- II. God Remains Our Refuge even as the nations rage vv 4-7- III. God, Our Refuge will soon end all opposition and establish His peace forever vv 8-11
This familiar Psalm has much to teach us about daily trust in the Lord and hope in the life to come. Because the Lord is our good and faithful shepherd, we can rest confidently in His care as He leads us faithfully through life's many trials and bring us safely home where we will praise Him forever.- I. The LORD is Our Shepherd Who is Faithful in His Daily Care vv 1-3- II. The LORD is My Shepherd Who is Strong in His Daily Protection v 4-III. The LORD, Our Shepherd, is Kind and Gracious and Will Keep us to the End vv 5-6
The final message from this year's Family Camp about how marriage reflects Christ and how applying that truth to how marriage is lived can make all the difference in the world.
The fifth message from this year's Family Camp, Bro Aaron Sutton talks about ministering to the unmarried in the context of the church.
The fourth message from this year's Family Camp, Bro Mike Booker shares about Servant Leadership and the Servant Savior
The third message in this year's Family Camp, Pastor Kyle Davis looks at -Parents and Children- from Eph 6-1-4.
The second message from this year's Family Camp looks at the beautiful faith of a wife's fearless submission in the context of living faithfully for Christ.
How teaching sound doctrine puts the family in order, both in the family of the home and the family of the church
Salvation starts by fearing God- -- understanding we are justly condemned for sin- and knowing that we will receive the due reward for our deeds. Jesus is Lord- Jesus is King- Jesus has a coming Kingdom-
When God seems distant and the soul finds itself in darkness, the believer must be ready to cry out to God, to reason with himself about God and His faithfulness and to continue pursuing God in faith until He answers.--I. When Your Heart is Full of Sorrow and you feel cut off from God- 42-1-5-II. When Depression keeps closing in and you still feel abandoned by God- 42-6-11-III. Keep Pleading with God for His help until He gives it- 43-1-5
A Prophetic Royal Psalm- Because the Father has promised the Son a seat on His throne and the final victory over all His enemies, we can rest secure in the ultimate triumph and salvation of Christ our Savior.
The stories we tell ourselves shape us. They shape our identity, our expectations, and our focus. If we tell ourselves, -I am unsafe- I am unclean- I am unable,- we will be paralyzed by fear. On the other hand, merely adding positive thinking leads to pride and presumption. The problem with both is they are rooted in self. Psalm 18 shows us a third way - a way not rooted in self but in the saving work of God. David's praise teaches us to say, -Because I am in Jesus Christ, I am safe, I am clean, I am able.
Because wicked leaders are bringing great harm to people with their actions and policies, we ought to pray for God to put an end to their evil deeds and establish justice on earth to the praise of the glory of His grace.
As Maker of all, the Lord is sovereignly over all. God is attentive, active and able to perfectly provide divine protection for His people.
Because God has displayed His steadfast love in so many way, we His people should think about it, celebrate it and build our lives around it by contemplating it daily.-- I. A call to give thanks to God for His Steadfast Love -HESED- vv 1-3- II. Four Pictures of God's Steadfast Love in Action vv 4-32- -1- He saves the lost wanderer who calls on Him vv 4-9- -2- He frees the imprisoned rebel who calls on Him vv 10-16- -3- He heals the sin-sick fool who calls on Him vv 17-22- -4- He rescues the storm-tossed soul who calls on Him vv 23-32-III. We are strengthened as we Consider and Celebrate God's Steadfast Love. vv 32-43
We all want to be happy. This desire fuels our world's endless chase after stuff, status, and safety - yet we never seem to find what we're looking for. In this beautiful song of praise, the Psalmist paints a picture of the good life, a life where God is our satisfaction, our strength, and our security.
Because the crushing weight of sin's guilt brings great sorrow, while the blessing of God's forgiveness grants great joy, we must freely confess our sins to God that we might receive this great assurance and rejoice in renewed fellowship with Him.- I. The Abounding Happiness of Those Who Know They Are Forgiven- vv 1-2- II. Stop Hiding Your Sin and Confes it to Him and You will Receive Forgiveness vv 3-5- III. God's invitation to confess your sins and receive the joy of renewed fellowship w- Him vv 6-11
Because the Lament Psalms teach us how to turn to God and find help in our times of pain, we must learn to how to lament toward God by crying out our questions and complaints as we determine to seek Him until He gives the help He has promised.
In this message from our Psalms series, Pastor Kyle looks at Psalm 49 and how it warns against reliance on wealth and power and points us to our true need of salvation in Christ. Those who put their foolish confidence in the wealth and power of this world will perish, but the righteous will be received by God
We are tempted to think our words are just throwaway tools for getting what we want in life, but the Bible says the power of life and death are in the tongue. Our words matter a lot. As Christian men, we should see our speech as one of the big areas of life that Jesus intends to bring under his active lordship, as he leads us to speak words that are true, kind, and helpful.
I want my hearers to understand the blessing that comes from meditating on and living in God's Word - especially on the Psalms - and thus embrace such a life in order to avoid the curse that is coming up on the wicked who live their lives in defiance of God's Word.
Because John was there and can give us a faithful eyewitness testimony about the Person and Work of Christ, we should believe his account and join him and Peter as disciples whose principle calling is to follow Jesus.-- I. A Disciple of Christ has one central calling, to Follow Jesus vv 19b-22-II. We cannot allow ourselves to be distracted by non-crucial issues vv 22-23-III. We can rely on the faithful, eye-witness testimony we have about Jesus in Scripture vv 24-25
Missionary Paul Snider shares from John 6-48-59 about how Christ alone can satisfy the soul. He is the bread we must eat, the wine we must drink. He is the centrality of all missions, the true food of the starving soul.
We know God uses trials, but we struggle to see His goodness in our suffering. Often our trials feel like meaningless pain and difficulty. James helps us see that, if you are in Christ, the trials you are facing are not an interruption to your best life now. They are your best life now- They are the best way for you to glorify God and know Him in all the ways he wants you to.
Because the love of Christ fully restores fallen believers, we should be willing to give our lives in serving Him and His people no matter what it may cost.- I. A Question of Love vv 15-17- II. A Commission to Serve vv 15-17-III. A Promise of Suffering vv 18-19
Because our best efforts are fruitless until Jesus comes, we must seek His presence and be ready to draw near to Him as He draws near to us.- I. The Futility of the Disciples Without Jesus. vv 1-3- II. The Abundant Blessing That Comes Only with the Presence of Jesus vv 4-8-III. The Simple, Satisfying Joy of Fellowship with Jesus vv 9-14
If the unjust judge grants the widow her need after her persistent coming, how much more our loving Father
The Ascension focuses our priorities for Christ, reminds us of our blessings in Christ, displays the exaltation of Christ, points to our future with Christ, and compels our worship of Christ.
As our culture treats sin as -no big deal,- God calls his people to a sober consideration of the sinfulness of sin. Wave after wave in this passage, God's wrath crashes against the sin in ancient Israel, in our modern society, and, perhaps, in our hearts. We discover that the evil of sin is so great that even great judgement does not satisfy God's justice - but Jesus does-
His is John's conclusion to the hear of His Gospel where he tells us that, because we have seen in John's Gospel that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, we ought to place our faith fully in Him alone in order to have eternal life.
In Thomas we see a picture of someone moving from determined unbelief to the blessing of belief in the risen Christ
The final message from our Grace Bible Camp with Brian Borgman from Ecclesiastes 12-1-14.
The sixth message in our Grace Bible Conference by Brian Borgman from Ecclesiastes. -How to Put Death to Shame.-
The fifth message from our Grace Bible Conference with Brian Borgman from Ecclesiastes where we see God's sovereignty over our good days and our bad days.
The third message in our Conference showing God's absolute sovereignty and goodness in all things.
The second message from our Grace Bible Conference by Pastor Borgman. Everything is Hebel. This message begins to piece together the message of Ecclesiastes about the brevity and gift of life. Seeing life, not as achievement, but as gift.
Introduction to the Series. This message gives an overview of the message of Ecclesiastes
The Life of Christ series continues with a discussion of differing views of the Sermon on the Mount.
The Life of Christ series continues with a reading of the Sermon on the Plain and the Sermon on the Mount and discussion of observations and questions regarding the text.
Because Christ is risen and present among us, we can have joy and have received his commission to go out in His power and proclaim the message of the forgiveness of sins.-- I. The Risen Lord Makes His Present Known to His Disciples vv 19-20- II. The Risen Lord Sends His Disciples Out to Continue His Mission v 21-III. The Risen Lord Empowers His Disciples to Proclaim the Forgiveness of Sin vv 22-23
Because the tomb is empty and Christ is risen we can put away our doubts and sadness and rejoice by faith in the truth that death is conquered and Christ is alive.
The series on the Life of Christ series continues with a study of Jesus' selection of the apostles, the ministry of the apostles after Christ's ascension, and preparation for the Sermon on the Mount.
Many faithful saints are weary. We're exhausted by long trials, extended struggles against sin, and even much good work we embrace in ministry. In this passage, God speaks a word of comfort to weary Christians. There is strength for us as we wait on the Lord, and we do this through remembering that our sight is limited, our God is unlimited, and our God has a plan.
The series on the Life of Christ continues with a discussion of Jesus' selection of the twelve apostles.
Because Christ was really and truly dead and buried as confirmed by eyewitness testimony and predicted by prophesy, we have great confidence that when He rose from the dead it was truly a resurrection to life.-- I. Jesus was Truly Dead vv 31-34- II. Jesus' Death was verified by eyewitnesses and confirmed by Scripture vv 35-37- III. Jesus was a Corpse buried in a borrowed tomb vv 38-42
Because Christ on the cross has finished the work of redemption for all His people, we can rest fully in Him and what He has done by faith and rejoice in the fact that the work is done--I. Jesus Knew His Work of Redemption was Finished- v 28-II. Jesus Finished Out the Promise of Scripture for Us vv 28b-29-III. Jesus Declares the Work of Salvation Finished for all who trust in Him- v 30
Because the response of each person to the cross of Christ reveals where they stand in relation to Him, we must be among those who, out of love for Him draw near to find his caring compassion that brings us the assurance of belonging to Him as family.--I. The Cruel Cruelty of the Unbelieving Soldiers vv 23-24-II. The Caring Concern of the Believing Women Who Draw Near to Christ v 25-III. The Compassionate Care of Jesus from the Cross in Providing for His Mother vv 26-27
This message represents the charge given to a brother being ordained to the office of pastor-elder at Rockport Baptist Church as well as the charge given to the congregation to receive the gift of his ministry.
Because Jesus, the rightful King of Heaven, has been crucified in the place of us sinners, we who believe in Him ought to honor Him as our true king, surrendering all to Him in gratitude and joy for what He has done for us.- I. Jesus was handed over to be killed vv 16-17- II. Jesus was crucified as a criminal among criminals v 18- III. Jesus, in his death, is seen as the Exalted King vv 19-22
Because Jesus truly is God's Messiah-King, we must beware the temptation to turn from him and the promise of His heavenly kingdom in order to embrace allegiance to another king.-- I. Pilate's Dilemma- He must choose between Caesar or Christ- v 12- II. Christ's Judgement- Here we see the Condemnation of the King- vv 13-14- III. The People's Choice- They Embrace Caesar, Not Christ- vv 15-16
Because this is an unjust world where the innocent are condemned, our only hope is to be found in Jesus, the Man of Sorrows, who took our place in death, fulfilling the sovereign plan of God for our salvation.-- I. The Injustice of Christ's Innocent Suffering vv 1-4- II. The Injustice of Christ's Brutal Condemnation vv 5-7- III. The Sovereign Mercy of God that Sent Christ to the Cross vv 8-12
Because Christ is heaven's true King who is innocent of any crime and the very embodiment of Truth, we must not fail to hear and believe what He says and place our trust fully in Him.-- I. Jesus Stands Accused as a Criminal vv 28-32- II. Jesus Stands Revealed as Heaven's True King vv 33-38a-III. Jesus Stands Acquitted of Any Crime, yet is rejected by those who refuse to believe vv 38b-40
Because Christ's accusers were determined to reject Him, refusing to consider the truth of His claims, we must expect the hard heart of unbelievers to do the same as we continue to stand boldly and unashamedly for the truth He represents.
Because we, like Peter, are weak and easily intimidated and tempted to deny Christ when owning him would come at a cost, we must learn to keep our eyes on Him, trusting in His power to uphold us and to restore us when we fail
We are tempted to think about spiritual growth in very individualistic terms. We are reminded by this passage that maturity is all about knowing Jesus and growth in him means growing together as part of his body. If you want to grow spiritually, plug into a local, gospel-centered, Bible-believing church.
Because the Lord Jesus came to lay down His life for His sheep, He willing offered Himself up to the enemy even as He continued to exercise complete sovereignty over the situation. Here in John's narrative of Jesus' arrest, we see his faithfulness and sovereignty as he willingly lays down His life for His sheep.
Because God's word has power to bring us the blessing of a life in fellowship with Him, we should set our hearts to pursue Him by honoring and obeying His word with all our hears.
Because Christ has come in fulfillment of God's promise to send a Savior, we who are ready to receive Him need no longer fear, but instead should rejoice at the good news what brings us the assurance of salvation.-I. Fear Not-II. I Bring You Good News-III. There is Great Joy When Christ is Near
What terrified the Shepherds-- It was the manifest glory of God. This Christmas Eve devotional looks at the terror and comfort of God's Glory.
The angels announced -peace on earth-. But what is this peace-- And how does a person receive it-- This message looks at the peace of Christ given in the Gospel as promised that first Christmas-I. The Praise of Peace-II. The Person of Peace-III. The People of Peace-IV. The Response to Peace
Hope is critical. It points us outside ourselves and promises us, -Everything is going to be alright.- Through this passage, we hear God's reassuring promise that the gloom and anguish we may be facing in current circumstances will not last forever. Our darkness does not get the last word. Our sin does not get the last word. Our enemies do not get the last word. The hope we have at Christmas is that Jesus gets the last word.
Because we are God's people, called by grace to belong to Him, we must not only realize that we will be strangers in this world, but must also seek to live bold, God-glorifying lives so that others may see Him in us.
Because Jesus declared that our highest responsibility is to love God supremely and then out of that love, love our neighbors, we as Christians must learn how to apply such God-centered love toward all people, and in particular toward those with whom we disagree on fundamental biblical issues like those in the LGBTQ- community.
Because God has made each person in his image to live for his glory as male or female, we must teach our children the beauty of the binary and equip them to receive this good gift and live it out with compassion and joy for his glory in the face of the increasing moral confusion of our world. Here are some steps we can take to teach our kids to love God's good design and protect them from the harmful confusion of gender ideology.
Because we belong to Christ by faith, we can be confident that He will provide us with help through the Holy Spirit, bringing us peace in the midst of conflict and assurance of final victory with Him.
Because every genuine disciple of Christ is promised the gift of the indwelling presence of God through the Holy Spirit, we can know and experience real fellowship with Him as we walk in loving obedience to Christ.
Because the risen Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to be among us and to continue His ministry to us, we can rely on Him, believing that we have not been abandoned but are amply provided for as we continue to walk with Christ in the faithful obedience of love. Here we see learn of the experiential presence of Jesus through the indwelling Holy Spirit
In this lesson of the Rockport Men's Sunday School series on the Life of Christ, Jason Woelm discusses the expectation for the Messiah's coming and Jesus' genealogies in Scripture.
In this lesson of the Rockport Men's Sunday School series on the Life of Christ, Jason Woelm discusses grace and truth coming through Jesus Christ, the Beatific Vision, and Jesus making the Father known, and a brief outline of the study of Christ's life is discussed.
In this lesson of the Rockport Men's Sunday School series on the Life of Christ, Jason Woelm discusses Jesus' incarnation and the doctrine of eternal generation.
Because the risen Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to remain with us and continue His ministry among us, we can rely on Him, knowing we have not been abandoned by God but will be strengthened and upheld by God through His presence as we set our hearts to obey Him in love and accomplish all He has given us to do.
Because God is presence with us through Christ, we can trust Him to do His -greater works- through us as we rely on Him by believing prayer. Because we believe Who Christ is, we have a mission. And because we have a mission, we must pray-
In this lesson in the Rockport Men's Sunday School series on the Life of Christ, Jason Woelm discusses two of Christ's specific wilderness temptations and how He overcame them through Scripture.
In this lesson in the Rockport Men's Sunday School series on the Life of Christ, Jason Woelm continues discussing Christ's impeccability and His wilderness temptation.
Thankfulness is easily underestimated and neglected because it is such a simple virtue, but it is at the core of living a joy-filled, mature life in Jesus. Thankfulness is the Mark and Method of Christian Maturity
Because Christ Himself is our sure hope of eternal life and of a welcome in the presence of the Father-. we can trust Him, and as we trust Him will find help for our troubled hearts.
In this lesson in the Rockport Men's Sunday School series on the Life of Christ, Jason Woelm discusses John 1-2-13 - Jesus' characteristics, John the Baptist's witness, Jesus' rejection, and Jesus' reception.
In this lesson in the Rockport Men's Sunday School series on the Life of Christ, Jason Woelm discusses John 1-1, the idea of the Logos, and John's Christology.
Because Christ's willing sacrifice reveals the glorious greatness of God's love, we who belong to Him must love one another in a way that demonstrates the presence of Jesus among us.-I. The Sacrificial Love of Christ is a Display of the Glory of God. vv 31-33- The New Covenant Brings a New Command to Love like Christ. vv 34-35-III. In the New Covenant, We Rest in Christ for what He Has Done. vv 36-38
Because evil is always working close and hand and betrayal into the hands of the enemy is always possible, we must guard our hearts against the deception of the evil one and press every closer to the heart of Christ by faith that we may remain faithful to Him.
Because we follow the One who came as the Suffering Servant, we must likewise be servants who humble ourselves in service to those around us, thus living as His representatives.
Because Jesus has demonstrated the depths of His love for us as His people in His servant-like suffering and death to cleanse us from our sins, we must be willing both to humble ourselves in receiving His love and to follow Him in showing such love to others.
In this lesson in the Rockport Men's Sunday School series on the Life of Christ Jason Woelm discusses Simeon and Anna's encounter with the Messiah and how the Old Testament was formed to point God's people to the Messiah.
In the opening lesson in the Rockport Men's Sunday School series on the Life of Christ, Jason Woelm explains why it is important to study the life of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Matt Clark of All Nations proclaims the calling of those who have been reconciled to God in Christ to the ministry of bringing reconciliation to others through proclaiming the Gospel of Christ and loving them as Christ.
In this message Jason Woelm gives a biblical overview of the believer's longing to see God face to face and discusses its current applicability to a believer's life.
Because Christ is God's final word who perfectly represents the Father to us and speaks His saving word, we must hear Him with faith and turn and follow Him if we would have life.
Because Jesus is the the glory of God revealed by the prophets and believed by the redeemed, we must be faithful to see and acknowledge Him in our generation.
All the gloom and anguish of a world full of injustice and unrighteousness and unrest, will cease when a child is given to rule wonderfully, powerfully and peacefully forever. Wait on the Lord by believing He is in full control.
Because it is by His death that Jesus will glorify the Father and accomplish the overthrow of Satan's Kingdom, we must put our trust in Him and follow Him by faith in order to enter God's Kingdom
Because life in Christ can only come through His death and resurrection, we must be willing to follow Him in a while-hearted commitment of dying to self in order to live with Him.
Because Jesus came, not as a war-horse Messiah we want, but as the humble, suffering King of salvation, we who follow Him must likewise -wage war- as humble servants, willing to die as we follow Him.
This message explore the foundational gospel truth that we are justified by faith alone in Christ, not by works of the Law.
Because those who know Jesus for Who He is are drawn to Him with heart's of deep devotion, we who fix our eyes on Him by faith should be lavish in our expressions of faith and obedience as we fall joyfully at his feet to serve Him.
Justification by Faith Alone was at the heart of the Reformation -and of the Gospel-. This message explains why
This message considers the decision reached by the Sanhedrin following the Resurrection of Lazarus from the dead that Jesus must die. Here we see the God's sovereignty working behind the scenes to bring about his saving purposes through Christ.
Because Jesus is full of compassion and sovereign in power even over death, we have every reason to put our full trust in Him, knowing He can and will help us, even to the point of raising us from the dead by the power of His Word.
Because death and grief are facts of life in this broken world, we need to see that Jesus Himself is the Resurrection and Life we need and thus turn and put our trust fully in Him.
In this message we see how Jesus works through times of pain and grief to gracious bring us a clearer view of His glory as we put our hoe in Him.-Because Christ Alone has power to turn our grief into glory by the promise of His coming, we must be ready to endure times of pain and sorrow with our hope fixed on Him.
How God's own agape love is to be worked out in our relationships within the church as we follow Christ.
The final -sixth- message in this year's Family Camp 2021 -One Anothering for the Glory of God-. -But Encourage One Another-
The third message in this year's Family Camp 2021 -One Anothering for the Glory of God-. -Bear One Another's Burdens-
The fifth message in this year's Family Camp 2021 -One Anothering for the Glory of God-. -Outdo One Another in Love and Good Deeds-
The fourth message in this year's Family Camp 2021 -One Anothering for the Glory of God-. -Loving One Another by Watching Ourselves-
The second message from this year's Family Camp 2021 on -One Anothering for the Glory of God- -Bearing with One Another.
The first message from Family Camp 2021 on -One Anothering for the Glory of God.- -Through Love Serve One Another
Because genuine Christ-centered unity is a grace given by God, the godly must share in and pursue it by giving Christ-centered grace to one another. This message look at how we as believers must welcome one another into fellowship in Christ
The unity and purity the church strives after are already realities of the Christian faith based on what Christ accomplished on the cross to unite us to Him and other believers, and cleanse us from all of our unrighteousness.
Because the Church belongs to Christ, it must be ordered according to the word of Christ and led by godly men called and appointed by Christ in the congregation to lead for His glory.
Because the gathering of the church, centered on the Gospel of Christ, is essential to our calling to be disciples and make disciples, we must keep the priority of centering on the gospel as we gather week after week as Christ's Church. This message considers--I. Our Calling as Christ's Church is to Make Disciples Mt 28-18-20-II. Our Weekly Gathering as Christ's Church is the Hub of Disciple-Making Col 3-16-17-III. At the Center of Our Gathering Each Week is a Re-presentation of the Gospel
Because Jesus' claim to deity is manifestly confirmed by His doing the kinds of works only God can do, we are right to believe Him and indeed must believe Him for the assurance of life He alone can give.
Because God has called each of us to glorify Him in our various vocations -callings-, we must understand this calling and fulfill it faithfully for His Glory. This message looks at the Doctrine of Vocation, the Calling God gives to every believer to serve him where he has placed them.
Because Jesus is the Saving Shepherd sent by the Father to claim His sheep, all who truly are HIs sheep and show it by believing and following Him, will be saved and kept secure forever since nothing can even snatch them out of His hands. This message deals with our security in Jesus by faith.
We live in a world that has turned from the objective truth of God's word to trust on the subjective feelings of each individual person, leading to moral chaos and societal destruction. The Gospel is our only hope.
Because Jesus came, in obedience to the Father, on a mission to rescue all His sheep, we can be certain that His mission will be accomplished for our joy and God's glory. Here we see the Faithfulness and Authority of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
This message considers what it means to know Jesus as the Good Shepherd, the God Shepherd, the Beautiful Shepherd, the Sacrificial Shepherd. Because Jesus is the promised Good Shepherd who lays down his life to care for and rescue His sheep, we can trust and follow Him into a life of intimate joy with God.
Because Jesus Himself is the door by which all may enter to find eternal life, we must come to Him by faith to receive the salvation, protection and provision he offers.
Because Jesus is the true shepherd sent from God to care for our souls, we must hear and respond to his voice in faith joyfully following him and fleeing from all false shepherds.
The sin of legalism comes far to easily to religious conservatives who take the Bible very seriously. As we look at the unbelief of the Pharisees, we see our own sins mirrored in their unbelief. But the Lord of light and life has come to show us our sins and bring us to repentance and faith in Him.
Every believer has remaining sin, the flesh, to wage war against. Only by the Holy Spirit's power, not our own, can we fight against our fleshly desires and grow in producing godly fruit.
Because we have met Christ and seen by faith Who He is, the opposition we face from an unbelieving culture ought to serve to clarify our view of Him and deepen our faith as we continue to hold fast to what we know to be true of him
In this message we see again how Jesus can do what no one else can. Here he demonstrates his power as Light over darkness, calling us to put our trust in Him and follow Him in taking His light into this darkened world.
Because Jesus either is Who He claims to be or He is not, we must decide whether we will believe and follow Him as Lord, or turn away and reject Him as a Liar or Lunatic. As C S Lewis said, He is either Liar, Lunatic or Lord. We must either follow him or reject Him.
This message is given to a group of people who are in the process of turning away from Jesus, and so seeks to address those who are struggling with doubts as well. Ultimately, it comes down to who you are following- Because people show by their actions which authority figure they follow, we must return to Christ Himself and listen to and believe what He says.
In this message, we consider how carefully considering Christ's endurance of Israel's rebellion against him helps keep the Christian from growing weary and giving up in the race He has called us to run.
True freedom is found only in Christ, the Son, who sets believing sinners free and unites them as one people to follow Him. In this message we contrast the true freedom given by Christ with two -false freedoms- that are embraced by our secular and confused culture- Expressive Individualism and Critical Theory
Jesus reverses the roles of the rich man and Lazarus, and we find out what true riches are in the eyes of God.
The blind man saw something the crowd could not.This passage about who Jesus is and what he has done.
Because every sinner is bound as a slave to sin, we must come to realize that the only hope for freedom for us is to abide by faith in Christ, the Son who alone has power to set sinners free and make them sons-
Because we trust in as the God of Hope, we can be filled with confidence in him as we face suffering and trials with joy and peace by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the final message from this year's Grace Bible Conference on -Walking in Hope---May the God of hope -that's who He is- fill you with all joy and hope -that's what He does- in believing -that's how He does it-, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in Hope.
In this sixth message from our Grace Bible Conference, Jacob Adams shares the hope of the -elect exiles- based on the faithful promise and work of God from 1 Pet 1-1-3.
In this fifth message from this year's Grace Bible Conference 2021, Dr Josh Wilson shows us how our hope is tied the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. If Christ has not risen, we have not hope. If He has, we have a sure and certain hope.
From this year's Grace Bible Conference, Pastor Geoff Ingrum of Heritage of Grace opens God's word about -A Hope That Will Not Disappoint.- The world's version of hope will ultimately leave us disappointed and broken. God's hope will not.
In this third message from our Grace Bible Conference 2021, Pastor Evan Skelton of Bayless Baptist Church talks about A Hope That Binds us to Christ. The author of Hebrews addresses those who are in danger of losing their faith and turning away from Christ with the good news that there is a living hope to be found in binding ourselves to the Gospel of Christ and His church in a way that gives a full assurance of faith.
In this second message in our Grace Bible Conference on Walking in Hope, Jamie Haguewood from Reaching and Teaching International Ministries share about Cultivating Hope through a Daily Walk with Christ.
In this first message of our conference, Tim Gray, Pastor of City on a Hill Church in Arnold, MO shows how our hope is founded on knowing and believing the Whole Story of God in the Bible. This is the message most urgently needed by the church and an empty, secularized culture.
Because we are hopelessly bound in our sin, our only hope of salvation is found in trusting Jesus, the great I AM, who has come into the world to rescue sinners who believe in Him.
Because Jesus is confirmed by God the Father to be the Light of the World, we must believe HIs testimony and follow Him to receive the Life He gives. This is a call to discipleship, to walking in the Light. We also see the self-authenticating truth of Jesus.
In this men's breakfast devotional, we see the power of Christ's authority and how he is our one hope in our desperate situation. He alone has the authority to help desperate people.
Because of how he lived, died and rose again, you cannot deny the power of Jesus or escape the unavoidable conclusion that He is your only hope in life and death. Here we see the undeniable power of Christ's resurrection for the salvation of sinners
An encounter with Jesus changes everything. This healing and restoration account is a gracious and loving act, and a sign that the Messiah has come-
This message, by Bro Kyle Davis helps us understand God's faithfulness to us as we persevere through suffering.
In Jesus' gracious treatment of the woman caught in adultery, we see a beautiful picture of his compassion for sinner. Here we see that, because Jesus came to save sinners, not destroy them, there is hope for every sinner who will turn and trust in Him.
In the request of a pagan, desperate Syrophoenician woman we see a picture of a genuine, saving faith that refused to let Jesus go. She is commended for her faith that won't take -no- for an answer.
Because there are so many worldly opinions about Jesus as well as strong opposition to those who believe in Him, we must be firmly anchored in a biblical faith that looks to Jesus and listens to Him, not the myriad of view of him swirling around us. Christian, know what you believe and why you believe it-
Because Jesus promised to satisfy the spiritually thirsty who come to him and drink, we can and must come to him for the satisfaction of soul He alone can give, and then invite others to come and be satisfied as well.
Because the unbelieving world cannot comprehend who Jesus is, we must be clear about His true identity by listening carefully to what HE says and watching all that He does with faith.
The Sadducees find out it is not wise to challenge Jesus when it comes to understanding the Scriptures and the power of God. Jesus' answer to their provocative questions demonstrates just how little they truly know of God and of His word.
Because every word of Christ is true as God's word, we must hear it willingly, recognizing its authority as His authority and be ready to believe and obey everything He says.-- I. The Authority of Jesus in His Words vv 14-18- II. The Authority of Jesus in His Actions vv 19-23-III. The Necessity of Righteous Judgment in how we live and how we treat others. v 24--- NOTE -- During the message I misspoke. The Arian controversy was in the 4th century -300s AD-, not the 3rd century as I indicated.
Because we will face opposition in an unbelieving world, we must continue to treasure Jesus alone no matter what it costs, and be faithful to declare Him in His Gospel to others. This message examines how unbelief results in misunderstanding, hostility and confusion in the world. This is why we need to know and declare the Gospel.
Because the words of Jesus are too hard for human pride to receive, we must be humbled and transformed by the life-giving Spirit in order to come to faith and continue to walk with Him in the life He alone can give.
Jesus offended his hearers with his demand that the -eat his flesh and -drink his blood.- This message explains what Jesus means as he calls us into intimate fellowship with Him.--Because He, in His sacrificial life and death, is the only source of eternal life, we must come to Him -- -feeding on Him- by faith in order to have the eternal life He gives.
Because our natural state in sin hardens us against God, not one of us can or will come to Christ apart from the power of God at work through the Gospel to draw us to Him by faith-
Assurance of salvation is grounded in the Gospel, not in our -fruit-. The fruit of the Christian life arises out of our assurance in the Gospel
In this message from Psalm 119, Pastor Kyle Davis looks at three reasons to make it our priority to delight in and learn from God's Word in this coming year.
This Christmas Eve Devotional looks at the Joy of the old prophetess Anna as she greets the Christ child in the temple and declares the good news of His coming to all who will hear.
In Simeon's joy and warning we see that because Christ has come in fulfillment of God's promises, we who see Him for Who He is must embrace Him with joy and faith as His coming bring change to the world.
Because Christ came down to earth to accomplish His Father's will in saving all those entrusted to Him, we who believe in Him can have a complete security that we do indeed have eternal life.--I. The Source of Life is the God-Sent Son vv 35-36-II. Our Security in Salvation Rests in the Faithfulness of Christ v 37-III. Your Security in Salvation is Found by Looking in Faith to the Son vv 38-40
Because Jesus, the Bread of Life, is the one true source of eternal life and satisfaction, we must come to Him by faith, trusting Him to give all we need.
Because the trouble and chaos of this world is more than we can handle on our own, we find comfort and encouragement when Jesus draws near to reveal Himself and speak to us His word of Hope--I. Apart from Jesus, we quickly find ourselves in trouble vv 16-18-II. On our own in the storm, we can't make sense of our salvation v 19-III. Hope comes when we hear His word and welcome Him in vv 20-21
Because so many want an earthly king who can meet their temporary needs, we must be careful to put our trust in Jesus for Who He is, not who we wish Him to be and not for what we think He can give us here and now.---- I. Many are interested in following Jesus, but ultimately for the wrong reasons- vv 1-4----II. Jesus is more than able to satisfy the needs of all who come to Him- vv 5-13----III. Jesus will not be the kind of King the crowds demand- vv 14-15
The commandment of God is perfect, and any effort to amend it or edit it, or to add to it in any way is a rejection of it.
Because Christ matters most and He has warmly welcomed us into fellowship with Him, we must turn aside from all secondary matters of division in order to maintain and deepen the kind of unhindered fellowship that is meant to be ours in Christ.
This message considers three questions-- I. Are you seeking the approval of people, or are you content to have the approval of God- vv 41-42-II. Is your attention fixed on what people say or what God says- vv 43-44-III. Are you willing to yield to the judgment of Scripture as it points you back to the supremacy of Christ- vv 45-47-Because seeking the approval of people around us shuts our ears to the voice of God calling us to faith in Jesus, we must be intentional about seeking Christ by faith and walking in the obedience that comes from Him.
Jesus makes some radical claims about Who He really is. Are they true- How can we know- What evidence does he point us to- That's what we look at in this message from John 5.