Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of 12/27/09:
1. We can be devoted to service and causes in Jesus’ name but are we, in the words of Oswald Chambers, “personally, passionately devoted to Jesus Christ?” In Luke 7:36-50 we encounter a “sinful” woman who was just that, devoted to Jesus.
2. In Revelation 2 a charge is lodged against the church at Ephesus, though they were doctrinally sound and personally pure they had left their first love. Dr. John F. Walvoord writes in the Bible Knowledge Commentary: “Most of the Ephesians Christians were now second-generation believers, and though they had retained purity of doctrine and life and had maintained a high level of service, they were lacking in deep devotion to Christ. How the church today needs to heed this same warning, that orthodoxy and service are not enough. Christ wants believers’ hearts as well as their hands and heads.”
3. Great love for Jesus and others begins with a sense of our own sinfulness. Our goal must be to make others passionate lovers of Christ, not just those who tip their hats to Him. It was said of A. W. Tozer that he was always looking for those who would join the “fellowship of the burning heart.”
4. How we should love for Jesus: by treating Him, not as One to be manipulated to our purpose, but as One to adore; by sitting at His feet and listening to Him; by loving those He loved; and by being devoted first to Him, not to causes or service.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Christmas' Gift To Us
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of 12/20/09:
1. Mary and Joseph were in the betrothal period when the angel Gabriel came to Mary. During the betrothal period a couple were pledged to each other, considered to be married, and would require a divorce to end the relationship. The betrothal period was customarily a year during which time the bride would continue to live in her parent’s home and the marriage would not be consummated. To be found pregnant during this period would be considered adultery. This was the situation that Mary (and Joseph) faced in light of the announcement by the angel of Mary’s coming pregnancy.
2. In Luke 1:26,27,34; 3:23 and in Matthew 1:16,18,23, Mary’s virginity is verified both explicitly and implicitly.
3. The virgin birth was essential to Jesus’ saving purpose; only as the God-man would His sacrifice be acceptable. He had to be human so that He could die and He had to be God so that His death meant something.
4. Mary (and Joseph) are examples of the life of faith and obedience to God’s will in the face of adversity, difficult circumstances, disgrace and humiliation.
Recap of 12/20/09:
1. Mary and Joseph were in the betrothal period when the angel Gabriel came to Mary. During the betrothal period a couple were pledged to each other, considered to be married, and would require a divorce to end the relationship. The betrothal period was customarily a year during which time the bride would continue to live in her parent’s home and the marriage would not be consummated. To be found pregnant during this period would be considered adultery. This was the situation that Mary (and Joseph) faced in light of the announcement by the angel of Mary’s coming pregnancy.
2. In Luke 1:26,27,34; 3:23 and in Matthew 1:16,18,23, Mary’s virginity is verified both explicitly and implicitly.
3. The virgin birth was essential to Jesus’ saving purpose; only as the God-man would His sacrifice be acceptable. He had to be human so that He could die and He had to be God so that His death meant something.
4. Mary (and Joseph) are examples of the life of faith and obedience to God’s will in the face of adversity, difficult circumstances, disgrace and humiliation.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Faithfulness & Fruitfulness
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of 12/13/09:
1. The parable of the minas (Luke 19:11-27) deals with the time period between Jesus’ first and second comings. In four great lessons of life it lays out the priorities and responsibilities of believers for this church age and invites each of us as believers to see ourselves in the mirror of Scripture and evaluate our spiritual progress.
2. According to one author: “The [mina] represents the opportunity for service given each of [Jesus’] disciples.” (Gray)
3. Jesus taught four lessons of life in this parable:
-God had made an investment in us. He has given us gifts, abilities, opportunities, time and resources to be used for Him. We are to bear fruit.
-God will hold us accountable for the way we use these things. Jesus’ return will be a time of reward or loss of rewards for believers; and a time of judgment for unbelievers.
-Faithfulness is the standard God will judge us by. Faithfulness is the key to fruitfulness and success.
-This life id training for service in the Millennium Kingdom and in eternity.
Recap of 12/13/09:
1. The parable of the minas (Luke 19:11-27) deals with the time period between Jesus’ first and second comings. In four great lessons of life it lays out the priorities and responsibilities of believers for this church age and invites each of us as believers to see ourselves in the mirror of Scripture and evaluate our spiritual progress.
2. According to one author: “The [mina] represents the opportunity for service given each of [Jesus’] disciples.” (Gray)
3. Jesus taught four lessons of life in this parable:
-God had made an investment in us. He has given us gifts, abilities, opportunities, time and resources to be used for Him. We are to bear fruit.
-God will hold us accountable for the way we use these things. Jesus’ return will be a time of reward or loss of rewards for believers; and a time of judgment for unbelievers.
-Faithfulness is the standard God will judge us by. Faithfulness is the key to fruitfulness and success.
-This life id training for service in the Millennium Kingdom and in eternity.
Monday, December 07, 2009
Finishing Well (Part 3)
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of 12/6/09:
1. After Jacob’s death, Joseph’s brothers fear retribution by Joseph against them. Joseph answers their fears with assurance of his forgiveness and of his faith in God’s providence: “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good….” (Genesis 50:19,20)
2. “What gave Joseph the grace to make this remarkable reply? There is only one answer: Joseph knew God. In particular, he knew two things about God. He knew that God is sovereign—that nothing ever comes into the life of any one of His children that He has not approved first; there are no accidents. And he knew that God is good—therefore, the things that come into our lives by God’s sovereignty are for our benefit (and for others’) and not for our harm.” (James Montgomery Boice)
3. At the heart of Joseph’s life is a profound truth, a hard truth, a sometimes incomprehensible truth: Hard things will happen to us (we live in a fallen world with fallen people like us); God is not surprised; and He is not unsympathetic. We can respond by faith or we can become bitter at God, at life, and at people.
4. Joseph illustrates some truths about forgiveness. We cannot forgive until we recognize and admit the offense against us (Joseph didn’t deny that his brothers meant to harm him); while we cling to the pain; while we look for someone to blame.
Recap of 12/6/09:
1. After Jacob’s death, Joseph’s brothers fear retribution by Joseph against them. Joseph answers their fears with assurance of his forgiveness and of his faith in God’s providence: “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good….” (Genesis 50:19,20)
2. “What gave Joseph the grace to make this remarkable reply? There is only one answer: Joseph knew God. In particular, he knew two things about God. He knew that God is sovereign—that nothing ever comes into the life of any one of His children that He has not approved first; there are no accidents. And he knew that God is good—therefore, the things that come into our lives by God’s sovereignty are for our benefit (and for others’) and not for our harm.” (James Montgomery Boice)
3. At the heart of Joseph’s life is a profound truth, a hard truth, a sometimes incomprehensible truth: Hard things will happen to us (we live in a fallen world with fallen people like us); God is not surprised; and He is not unsympathetic. We can respond by faith or we can become bitter at God, at life, and at people.
4. Joseph illustrates some truths about forgiveness. We cannot forgive until we recognize and admit the offense against us (Joseph didn’t deny that his brothers meant to harm him); while we cling to the pain; while we look for someone to blame.
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