November 26 Sermon: Woes
It was back in September of 2001 that my wife and I got on an airplane in Omaha and we flew to Cleveland. We were going there for the purpose of an interview at a church in Sundeski, ohio, to be the youth director at a church there. Now, after the interview, we got a full tour of the church building and the rest of the church property. As part of that tour, we checked out one of the two parsonages that the church had. Now, we only needed one tour because these two homes were mirror images of each other. So if you saw one, you saw the other.
Westminster Confession of Faith: Chapter 2
As we continue looking at the Westminster Confession of Faith, we dive into Chapter 2. After speaking on Holy Scripture in Chapter 1, we turn the page and zoom in on God and the Holy Trinity. It is a heavy topic, to be sure, but the Westminster Confession of Faith takes this difficult topic and condenses it down for us in a helpful and terse way.
Devotions: That They May See the Light
Day 1:
Bible Reading: Matthew 5:14-16
Devotional: Begin this week reflecting on the power of light, both physical and spiritual. Today's reading calls us to be the "light of the world". Consider how Jesus uses the metaphor of light to describe the influential role His followers should have in the world. How can you allow your life to shine brightly for Christ? Reflect on areas of your life that need to be illuminated by God's truth and love.
November 12 Sermon: That They May See the Light
Throughout Scripture, we often get some very powerful imagery for us to understand the work of God. In our lives we have this idea that it is light, and this is really helpful imagery because you and I know the power of light. We understand this one at some point in our lives. I'm sure that when you were younger you were afraid of the dark. This is just a natural thing in us that light is powerful.
A Sure Confidence
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
Last month I shared that I had been experiencing some television nostalgia by watching the Andy Griffith show. Enjoying stepping back into the past inspired me to watch another show that I watched as a child. When I was younger there was nothing more exciting than Friday evening at 7:00 PM. That was when "The Dukes of Hazzard" would come through the airwaves to channel 11 on our TV set. The show had cars flying through the air and arrows with sticks of dynamite attached to them. What's not to love?
Devotions: The Sign of Jonah
Day 1:
Bible Reading: Luke 11:29-32
Devotional: Jesus' stern warning to the crowd that was asking for a sign shows the gravity of ignoring his message and call for repentance. As we read today's scripture, let's reflect on the authority Jesus holds and the warning he issues. He reminds us of the importance of accepting his message and the dire consequences of rejecting it.
Reflection Questions:
1. How does Jesus' message in Luke 11:29-32 challenge your understanding of faith?
2. How can you apply Jesus' warning to your daily life?
November 5 Sermon: The Sign of Jonah
Dive into the teachings of Jesus in Luke 11:29-32. Discover the gravity of Jesus' message and his call for repentance. We consider the Pharisees' rejection of Jesus' plea, explore our own shortcomings, and gain deeper insights into faith, repentance, and Jesus' teachings. Will we heed Jesus' call and to embrace humility and repentance?
Devotions: The Righteousness of God
Day 1: The Rigor of Law
Reading: Romans 3:19-20
Devotional: The law of God serves to highlight our inability to live righteously and the depth of our sin. As we reflect on these verses, consider the rigor of God's law and our shortcomings in fulfilling it. The law was not given as a means of salvation but to illuminate our need for a Savior.
Reflection Question: How does understanding the rigor of God's law shape your perspective on God's grace and mercy?
October 29 Sermon: The Righteousness of God
When you're studying history, there are often those things that you study that kick off much larger movements. I'm guessing even if you aren't all that interested in studying history, you could probably come up with a few big events like this without thinking too much about it. The first one, of national significance, that came to mind for me is the start of the American Revolution. Now, you might remember it with far better precision than I do, but I at least know without knowing all the details, I know, of course it was significant. Now you might remember that it happened on April 19th 1775.
Reading Scripture with Christ at the Center
When it comes to reading the Bible there is one thing that I hear more than anything else. People have trouble understanding some parts of the Bible. I believe that a significant part of this is rooted in the way that we view the Bible. Rethinking how we view the Bible is an important first step for knowing how to understand it and apply it.
When I was younger, I read the Bible looking for things I could do. I saw the Bible as a big book that was filled with stories and rules that were telling me how to live. In a sense, this is true. God's word shows us how to live, but I was approaching it completely from the wrong perspective.
Westminster Confession of Faith: Chapter 1
The first chapter of the Westminster Confession deals with the topic of Holy Scripture and it answers some important question for us about the Bible, such as:
- How do we know God and his will for us?
- What are the books that make up the Bible?
- How do we know that the Bible is God's word and has authority over us?
- How can we be sure that what the Bible says is true?
Devotions: Blessed Are Those Who Hear and Keep
Day 1:
Reading: Luke 11:14-23
Devotional: Today, focus on Jesus's authority over evil spirits. Reflect on the fact that Jesus's miracles are not random acts but meaningful demonstrations of His divine power. Jesus, through His authority, breaks the bonds of sin and evil, setting us free. Consider how this impacts your understanding of Jesus's miracles and His authority.
Question: How does understanding Jesus's authority over evil and death change your perception of His role in your life?
October 15 Sermon: Blessed Are Those Who Hear and Keep
As I’ve mentioned many times, Luke takes the events of Jesus life and he is putting them together to tell us the story of salvation in Christ with a particular emphasis. One idea that continually comes through in “The Story Luke Tells” is the idea of the authority that Jesus has. We see this coming through in many ways in Luke’s gospel.
Three Reasons We Say a Prayer of Confession Each Week
Often people wonder the reasons behind some of the elements of worship that we do each week. Maybe you have wondered why we do a Prayer of Confession each week. In many cases the Prayer of Confession is the element of worship that is the first to go when a church trims something from their worship service. For me, the prayer of confession is one of the most important aspects of worship that we do each week and there are three primary reasons that I feel this way.
Held by God | Psalm 57, 1 Peter 1, & John 10 | 5 Devotions on God’s Faithful Grip
Day 1:
Bible Reading: Psalm 57:1-3
Devotional: Begin the week by reflecting on God's steadfast love and faithfulness, as revealed in the Psalms. This passage illustrates the depth of God's care for us, His constant presence and the refuge He provides in times of turmoil. Consider how God has been your refuge and fortress in times of adversity.
Question: How have you experienced God's steadfast love and faithfulness in your life?
Held by God | Psalm 57, 1 Peter 1, & John 10 | Confidence in the Perseverance of the Saints
Here we are today. We're finishing up our five-week series on understanding grace, and what we have been doing is we've been looking at the doctrines of grace and we'll review those here in just another second but today we are considering the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. Now, during our journey through these five points in the doctrines of grace, I have been pointing out that there is a logical progression and consistency to these doctrines, and so it all starts out with our understanding of total depravity.
Our Identity in Christ
You are a new creation in Christ. As we grow in grace and the Holy Spirit works in us we will see this coming through in our lives. While we do not reach perfection in this life we are confronted with our sin, comforted with the gospel, and God grants us the gift of repentance to love and serve him in his world. As we journey through this life may we come to embrace our identity in Jesus and never doubt who we are or whose we are.
Transformed by the Spirit | Isaiah 55:1–13 & Romans 8:18–39 | 5 Devotions on the Work of the Spirit in Salvation
Day 1:
Bible Reading: Romans 8:28-30
Devotional: Today, we dive into the doctrine of predestination. Reflect on how God knew you before the foundations of the world and chose you for His glory. Recognize that God's grace is so powerful that it transforms our hearts and minds, drawing us to Him irresistibly. Pray for a deeper understanding of this divine election and its implications for your life.
Question: How does understanding God’s predestination impact your view of His grace?
Transformed by the Spirit | Isaiah 55:1–13 & Romans 8:18–39 | The Power of Irresistible Grace
In week four of our series “Understanding Grace” we look at the doctrine of Irresistible Grace. For those appointed to salvation, the Holy Spirit will work in their life to bring them to faith in Jesus Christ.
The Bible teaches us that we are all dead in sin and unable to come to God on our own. However, when the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin and draws us to Christ, we understand the irresistible nature of God’s grace.
The doctrine of irresistible grace is a source of great comfort and assurance for believers. It reminds us that our salvation is not dependent on our own efforts, but on the grace of God. It also gives us confidence that God will continue His transforming work in our lives to conform us to the image of His Son.
Intentional Atonement | John 10:1-21 & Isaiah 53:1-12 | 5 Devotions on Christ’s Definite and Saving Work
Day 1:
Bible Reading: Isaiah 53:1-6
Devotional: Reflect on the suffering of Jesus, the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. Consider how Jesus took on our grief, carried our sorrows, and was pierced for our transgressions. Take some time today to thank Jesus for His sacrifice and ask for His grace to follow Him faithfully.
Reflection Questions:
1. What does Jesus' suffering mean to you personally?
2. How does knowing that Jesus bore your sins affect your understanding of God's love for you?
3. How can you show gratitude for Jesus' sacrifice in your daily life?