Sermon Notes

(Back to Table of Contents)

Apr 20, 2025. Easter 2025. II Corinthians 5

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video link to this message.

RECONCILED TO BE RECONCILERS. EASTER 2025. II Corinthians 5

¹⁶ Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. ¹⁸ Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹ that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. ²⁰ Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. ²¹ For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

1. A transforming gift
2. Paul begins by disregarding any man as being special or superior

                                a1. The Corinthians regarded some men (Peter, Apollos) as being better than others

                                a2. Paul states that looking upon men is the wrong focus

1. When Christ died on the cross he did 3 things:

                                a1. He paid the penalty for man’s sins

                                a2. He reconciled God and man

                                a3. He made a way for any who would come to him to be reconciled to God

1. Paul states that not only does Christ provide eternal life, but he provides a transformed life

                                a1. Old things have passed away and all things become new (kainos, uniquely new)

                                a2. A transformed life is to be set aside to serve the Lord alone

1. To merely receive the gift of salvation misunderstands the nature of the newness of life
2. A transformed life is different than the old life
3. From reconciled to reconcilers
4. To marvel at the wonders of the cross is glorious
5. To merely wonder is to miss the point
6. We are not only given life at the cross, but a commission as well
7. The change in the new believer is dramatic

                                a1. The message of the cross is enlightening

                                a2. To realize that we are sinners who have a divine savior who paid for our sins is both thrilling and life changing

1. By Christ’s sacrifice all who come to him have been given assurance of eternal life

                                a1. Recorded evidence (John 20:24-31)

                                a2. Prophesied evidence (Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, 16:10)

                                a3. Testimonial evidence (I John 1:1-3)

                                a4. Personal evidence (Acts 9)

1. Receiving Christ comes with benefits and obligations

                                a1. We have been reconciled to God

                                a2. We have been given eternal life

                                a3. We have been empowered to live a holy life

                                a4. We have been commissioned to share the good news of reconciliation with others

1. Becoming reconcilers means that we seek to share the good news of the cross with others

                                a1. We have been given the task of being reconcilers by the word of reconciliation

                                a2. Notice that the commitment of the great task of sharing the news has been given exclusively to believers and not angels

1. There are only 2 sources to spread the Gospel: The Word of God and believers
2. Shining the light
3. The cross work had one other benefit: Christ did not die only to provide salvation, but also to transform believers to become the righteousness of God
4. Becoming the righteousness of God in Christ does not mean that we have become sinless

                                a1. We still have a sin nature

                                a2. Those living for Christ become more like Him as we grow in Christ

1. It is righteousness seen in believers that draw men to Him

                d. The power of the cross is to save and to live holy lives

Apr 20, 2025. Esther 2:19-23

Please click here to view the sermon notes to this message. Please click here for the audio and click here for the video link to this message.

Apr 13, 2025. I Peter 4:7-11

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links to this message. Please click here to view today’s bulletin.

THE HOLY WALK. I Peter 4:7-11. 4/13/2025. #19.

⁷ But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. ⁸ And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” ⁹ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1. Living in light of the end
2. Peter connects his thoughts on preaching to those who are dead in sin to living a life worthy of Christ
3. But the end of all things is at hand = as the end is drawing near (present perfect tense)

                                a1. 1st century saints believed that Christ would return very quickly

                                a2. The church age is the last age of the Gentiles before Christ comes

1. Living in light of the approaching end has nothing to do with figuring out when the end will come

                                a1. It is to be a motivation to serve the Lord in preparation for the end (Matthew 25:13, Acts 1:6-8)

                                a2. Knowing that we are in the last days is to produce both an expectation & urgency in us (Ephesians 5:16 a no time to waste focus)

2. Qualities of the focused believer
3. Peter lists several traits of the faithful saint:

                                a1. Serious (sober-minded) = clear-minded thinking that leads to holy living (Romans 12:3; I Timothy 3:2, Titus 2:1-6)

                                a2. Watchful prayer = a prayer life that seeks both to intercede for others & seek God’s guidance in his service

                                a3. Fervent love = lit., strained love, a love that goes to extreme effort to care for & serve fellow believers

                                                b1. Proverbs 10:12 love covers a multitude of sins (does not mean that love ignores sins, but it endures or bears sins without condemnation, ridicule, shunning, or broadcasting it abroad)

                                                b2. 1 Cor. 13:4-8 love is patient with others, seeking to graciously help them

                                a4. Hospitality = welcoming others into our houses & lives without complaint or dismay

                                a5. Using spiritual gifts to serve one another

                                                a1. 1 Cor. 12 this is our stewardship responsibility in the body of Christ

                                                a2. Gifts aren’t for ourselves or to showcase our abilities, but to serve others

1. The expectation of Christ’s coming is to stimulate us to work fervently to encourage & equip others, as well as live blameless lives before the lost to draw them to Christ (Romans 12:1-8)
2. The oracles of God
3. Peter then admonishes believers to speak the oracles (utterances) of God

                                a1. Not everyone is a teacher or preacher

                                a2. Everyone is called to be a witness

                                a3. Too many speak out of ignorance, speculation, or imagination

1. Peter admonishes believers to speak God’s words

                                a1. Stay with the scriptures, not going beyond what they say or misinterpreting them

                                a2. This requires study (2 Tm. 2:15), restraint (James 1:19-20), & clarity (I Peter 3:15)

                                a3. Must stay away from the latest interpretive fads, creative insights, & clever reasoning

1. Peter urges us to stay within ourselves: we are to minister to each other with the abilities God has given us in his strength as he supplies for his glory
2. To serve as called in truth & love is faithfulness

Key Passage: Romans 12:1-8

¹ I beseech[a] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your [b]reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. ³ For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. ⁴ For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, ⁵ so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. ⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; ⁷ or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; ⁸ he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Apr 13, 2025. Esther 1:1-18

Please click here to view the sermon notes for this message. Please click here for the audio link and click here for the video link to this message. (Please note that the audio (on both the audio and video) audio quality is not up-to-par between the 2:00-8:00 and 14:00-1700 time portions of the recording, thank you for bearing with us on this matter)

Apr 6, 2025. I Peter 4:1-6

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links to this message. Please click here to view today’s bulletin.

STRANGE TO THE WORLD. I Peter 4:1-6. 4/6/2025. #18.

¹ Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, ² that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. ³ For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. ⁴ In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. ⁵ They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

1. Ceased to sin
2. There are two different possibilities of saying that those who have suffered in the flesh cease to sin:

                                a1. Those who come to Christ no longer sin

                                a2. Those who come to Christ no longer live in sin, but live for Christ

1. Just as Christ suffered in the flesh in a battle against sin to overcome sin, believers should fight against sin in their lives (same mind as Christ)

                                a1. A believer who becomes accustomed to sin has dulled both his conscience and witness

                                a2. Loathing sin is a sign of spirituality

1. A believer does not become sinless at conversion

                                a1. 1 Jn. 1:8-10 he who says he has no sin is a liar (must confess sins)

                                a2. Jam. 5 believers are to confess their sins

1. Romans 6:1-14 when a person comes to Christ he is baptized into Christ’s death and his sins are nailed to the cross

                                a1. The believer is done with sin = he no longer lives to sin or to pursue unrighteousness

                                a2. I John 5 to habitually sin is to make manifest that one is not in Christ at all

                                a3. A believer shuns sin and seeks holiness

2. From this time forward
3. There is a demarcation at time of conversion

                                a1. Before coming to Christ one follows his own will and desires (varying degrees of sin)

                                a2. After coming to Christ, the believer shuns the things of the world and pursues the things of Christ

1. Though a believer is not perfect yet (Paul goes to Jerusalem against will of God; Peter backs away from fellowship with Gentiles), their goal is to please the Lord
2. The old friends of the believer wonder why he no longer is interested in drunkenness, sensuality, profanity, materialism, and other fleshly pursuits

                                a1. No longer have anything in common with those of the world

                                a2. Worldly neighbors think that believers are strange and even mysterious

1. No matter how much time elapsed before conversion, a believer has the rest of his life to serve Christ

                                a1. There is nothing you can do about time past

                                a2. Determine this day forward to serve Lord

3. Preaching to the dead
4. Many take Christ preaching to the dead as referring back to 3:19, where he preached to spirits in hell

                                a1. Vs. 6 makes this an impossible interpretation

                                a2. Heb. 9:27 the dead don’t get a 2nd chance to come to Christ

1. The gospel is preached to those who are spiritually dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1)

                                a1. We are born spiritually dead (Rm. 3:10)

                                a2. Only those who come to Christ during their lifetime will be made alive to God in the spirit (given eternal life)

1. Three marks given of a believer in this passage:

                                a1. Cease to pursue sin (done with sin)

                                a2. No longer have anything spiritually in common with the unsaved

                                a3. Seek to share the Gospel with the lost

Key passage: Romans 6:1-14

¹ What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? ² Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? ³ Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? ⁴ Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ⁵ For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, ⁶ knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. ⁷ For he who has died has been freed from sin. ⁸ Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, ⁹ knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. ¹⁰ For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. ¹¹ Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹² Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. ¹³ And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. ¹⁴ For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Apr 6, 2025. Esther 1

Please click here to view the sermon notes for this message. Click here for the link to the audio and click here for the video portions of this message.

Mar 30, 2025. I Peter 3:18-22

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links to this message. Please click here to view today’s bulletin.

FROM THE DEPTHS. I Peter 3:18-22. 3/30/2025. #17.

 ¹⁸ For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, ¹⁹ by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, ²⁰ who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. ²¹ There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²² who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

1. In the bowels of the earth
2. Many interpretations of this section
3. The most consistent interpretation with other passages is that this describes Christ’s activity

                     between his crucifixion and resurrection

1. Luke 16 We learn from the parable of the rich man and Lazarus that hell and paradise were located at the same place with a great gulf between them

                                a1. Luke 23:43 Jesus promised the repentant thief on the cross that he will be in paradise

                                a2. Once in paradise, Jesus preached to the

                                       spirits (demons) in prison who were disobedient during the days of Noah

                                a3. II Corinthians 5:8 at his resurrection and ascension, Jesus took paradise with him to heaven (EPH. 4:7-16)

1. While in paradise Jesus preached across the gulf to the captive spirits

                                a1. We do not know the context of his message, but it probably was a proclamation of victory over their rebellion and sin

                                a2. Christ could have told them that the spirits could have shared in glorious eternity

2. From baptism unto baptism
3. Christ had died as the just for the unjust, but was made alive in his spirit

                                a1. A debate as to whether the Holy Spirit is meant or Christ’s human spirit

                                a2. John 10:17-18 Jesus had the power to both lay down his life and take it up again

1. Peter makes a comparison between the Flood and believer’s baptism

                                a1. God waited for man to repent as Noah spent 120 years preparing the ark and was a preacher of righteousness (Hebrews 11)

                                a2. Just as faithful Noah and his family were saved through the water (not by the water), believers proclaim their faith by a good conscience toward God by baptism

                                a3. The ark was a type of salvation and baptism is the antitype or symbol of our salvation

1. Rom. 6 we are saved through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9) and water baptism is a symbol of being washed clean by the blood sacrifice of Christ (Matthew 28:19-20)

                                a1. The water (washing of the filth of the flesh) does not save us, but symbolizes that we have been baptized with Christ

                                a2. Just as God saved Noah from the water, so we are saved apart from the water

3. Upon high
4. After Jesus raised from the dead sealing our own resurrection unto life, he ascended into heaven 40 days later
5. Jesus now sits at the right hand of God

                                a1. He exercises authority over angels, powers, and all created things (Matthew 28:18)

                                a2. Hebrews 4:16 he makes intercession for us

1. Since Jesus died on the cross in our place, rose again, and ascended on high, we have full assurance of both eternal salvation and victorious living (Romans 8)

                                a1. His victory is our victory!

                                a2. We live and minister in assurance of triumph

Key Passage:   Ephesians 4:7-16

⁷ But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ Therefore He says:

“When He ascended on high,

He led captivity captive,

And gave gifts to men.”

⁹ (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) ¹¹ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, ¹³ till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; ¹⁴ that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, ¹⁵ but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Mar 30, 2025. Nehemiah 13:23-31

Please click here to view the sermon notes for this message. Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links to this message.

Mar 23, 2025. I Peter 3:13-17

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links to this message..  Please click here to view today’s bulletin.

HARM, HURT, & HOPE. I Peter 3:13-17. 3/23/2025. #16.

¹³ And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” ¹⁵ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; ¹⁶ having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. ¹⁷ For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

1. No harm in hurt
2. Peter states that no one can harm you if you do what is good & right

                                a1. This seems like a contradiction since Jesus & the apostles suffered much for doing well

                                a2. This also seems to contradict vs. 17

1. Harm (Greek: Kakos) means to do bad to

                                a1. There is no permanent eternal harm when we suffer for Christ (RM. 8:31-39)

                                a2. Suffering for doing what is right is both strengthening & rewarded

                                a3. The enemies of Christ can do no permanent harm to those who serve him

1. Evil people may hurt (paschoite, cause to suffer) believers while we are in our present bodies

                                a1. The suffering is a result of doing what is right, rather than wrong, as evil people

                                       lash out against holiness which convicts them of their sins

                                a2. The suffering believer is blessed in his trials

2. Fear not
3. Peter states that we should neither be afraid nor troubled by their threats
4. Having courage when threatened is a common theme throughout the Bible

                                a1. Ps. 118:6 the Lord is on my side; I will not fear; what can man do to me?

                                a2. Mt. 10:28 do not fear the one who can destroy the body; but fear him who can destroy both body & soul in hell

                                a3. Phil. 4:6 Be anxious for nothing…

1. Suffering for doing right is the common lot of believers from the prophets to the apostles and to righteous believers

                                a1. Since it is normal to be abused for one’s faith, it should be expected

                                a2. Jn. 16:33 the Lord’s strength & encouragement should also be expected

3. Be ready
4. When a believer holds up well under persecution, there are some who will ask him why he has hope

                                a1. The good conscience (with knowledge; i.e., proper biblical knowledge), as opposed to the dull or defiled conscience (Tt. 1:5), seared conscience (1 Tm. 4:2), or evil conscience (Heb. 10:22; Is. 5:20) confirms within the believer that he is promoting holiness

                                a2. With fear (reverence) of the Lord, he stands

1. Peter commands us to be ready to testify to others when given the opportunity

                                a1. Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts – set aside self for service of the Lord

                                a2. Ready to give a defense (apologia = defense or answer [apologetics]) for hope in you

                                                b1. Look for opportunities to testify

                                                b2. Know the biblical reasons for faith

                                                b3. Be able to clearly share your faith

1. Is. 8:12-13 show forth your faith in meekness (gentleness) & reverence, not fearing abuse or rejection

                                a1. When your faith & testimony align with Christian conduct, your enemies are shamed

                                a2. Even if you are abused for you faith, it is better to suffer for doing well than evil

1. To be ready & respond rightly makes trials worth it

Key passage: Romans 8:31-39

³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? ³³ Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

³⁷ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Mar 23, 2025. Nehemiah 13:15-22

Please click here to view the notes for this message. Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links to this message.

Mar 16, 2025. I Peter 3:8-12

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links to this message.. Please click here (pending) to read today’s bulletin.

THE CHRISTIAN WALK. I Peter 3:8-12. 3/16/2025. #15.

⁸ Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; ⁹ not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. ¹⁰ For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.

¹¹ Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. ¹² For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

1. The 5 virtues
2. Peter begins this section with finally, which is not to say that he is ending his letter, but in summation
3. Peter has been instructing his readers to triumph through persecution with hope and perseverance
4. Peter lists 5 virtues in vs. 8 that must be a part of the believer to live victoriously: harmony, sympathy, love, compassion, and humility

                                a1. Other passages list different virtues (Galatians 5:21-23, 2 Peter 1, Romans 12…)

                                a2. 28 different virtues listed in NT

1. Harmony (be of one mind) does not mean uniformity, but rather unity of purpose, respect, and devotion
2. Pity (Eng. word sympathy) – to empathize with fellow believers both emotionally and practically
3. Love for brethren – brotherly love (philadelphos) is major theme in NT (John 13:34, Romans 13:8-10, James 2, 1 Corinthians. 13, 1 John 4…)

                                a1. Self-sacrificing love (agape) is the hallmark by which others see our faith

                                a2. Love for the brethren confirms true faith

1. Tenderheartedness – to be moved with kindness and benevolence toward others
2. Courteous (lit., humble-minded) – putting others 1st in consideration before oneself (Philippians 2:1-11)
3. The Christian walk precedes the Christian witness
4. An absent of virtues taints a believer’s witness
5. Love of enemies
6. Matthew 5:38-48 – as emphasized by the Lord, Christian love goes beyond the assembly to our enemies

                                a1. It is easy to love those who love you and with which you have a common bond of identity

                                a2. It is harder to love those who hate and abuse you

1. Grace to those who despise you is a mark of being led by the Lord and filled with the Spirit

                                a1. Romans 12:12-21 to return good for evil, blessing for cursing, and kindness for harshness is a sign of understanding calling

                                a2. As Christ surrendered to his enemies, we yield to evil doers in order to be a

                                       testimony to them

1. Not a natural response, but one which recognizes the purpose we have been given by the Lord
2. Blessing – to speak well of (used over 400 times in the Bible)

                                a1. To bless those who curse us is a divinely inspired response

                                a2. Only a close walk with the Lord and a focus on his will allows us to bless our enemies

3. Love life
4. Many do not love life due to wrong focus (Ecclesiastes 2) or extreme difficulties (Job 5:7)
5. Three approaches to life: endure life, escape life; embrace life
6. The spiritual believer embraces the life given to him not because he loves suffering, but because he understands that his calling and purpose exceeds any discomfort he endures (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
7. John 16:33 to embrace life is to accept trials as a necessary part of serving the Lord (2 Cor. 12:1-10)

                                a1. There is purpose to the struggle

                                a2. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 the gain for the faithful saint far outweighs the temporary discomfort

1. Those who patiently submit to God’s calling will be heard of him, led by him, and strengthened by him

Key passage:  Matthew 5:38-48

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. ⁴⁰ If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. ⁴¹ And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. ⁴² Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. ⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? ⁴⁸ Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Mar 16, 2025. Nehemiah 13:10-14

Please click here to view the sermon notes for this message. Please click here for the audio and click here for the video link to this message.

Mar 9, 2025. I Peter 3:7

Please note that the link to the audio is not available due to an audio problem during the recording of the service, and there is a short video portion of this message on YouTube, our apologies for the outage.. Please click here to view today’s bulletin.

THE UNDERSTANDING HUSBAND. I Peter 3:7. 03/09/2025. #14.

⁷ Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

1. Servant leadership
2. The headship of the husband is often misunderstood

                                a1. Many emphasize the authority that the husband has for making decisions

                                a2. The biblical emphasis on husbands being protectors, providers, and encouragement to their wives

1. The list for the husband is shorter than that for the wife because of the necessary explanations needed for the wife to under her role in the marriage
2. This passage assumes a Christian marriage

                                a1. Vs. 1-6 assumed an unsaved husband

                                a2. Peter addresses the believing husband

1. The admonition begins with likewise

                                a1. Just as the wife is to submit to her husband, the husband is to emulate Christ as the shield for his wife (Ephesians 5:25-33)

                                a2. Each is to play the role given them

1. There is a 3-fold commandment given to the husband: dwelling, understanding, honoring
2. There is no mention of lording, commanding, or controlling
3. Just as Jesus demonstrated servant leadership by washing the disciples’ feet, so husbands are to serve their wives as providers and protectors (see I Timothy 5:8 and Ephesians 5:25)
4. Dwelling with one’s wife
5. Husbands are to dwell (live) with their wives

                                a1. Genesis 2:24-25 God created marriage for companionship, partnership, and reproductions

                                a2. There was to be a physical bond

                                a3. Not only were husband and wife to become one flesh is physical union, but also in spiritual, mental, and emotional bonding

1. Habitation with one’s spouse implies time commitment, relationship building, care giving, and sensitivity to each other’s needs

                                a1. Husbands who are rarely home are not actually dwelling with their wives

                                a2. Often, men are very attentive in winning their spouse, but neglectful in marriage

1. Dwell with understanding

                                a1. Understanding = knowledge

                                a2. Husbands are commanded to study their wives to discern their needs, desires, way of thinking, moods, concerns, and motivations

                                a3. Wives need affirmation, husbands who listen with attentive concern, and husbands who respond to meet their needs

                                a4. The husband who is dismissive or unaware of his wife’s requirements will have an unhappy wife and a dissatisfying marriage

3. Giving the wife honor
4. Peter describes the wife in two ways:

                                a1. The weaker vessel = she is physically less strong than her husband, so she can’t carry the same load he can

                                a2. Joint heirs to the grace of life = she is an equal spiritual partner (Galatians 3:28)

1. Honor is to be given to the wife as a precious gift to the husband that is his precious stewardship responsibility given to him by God

                                 a1. She is to be respected, cared for, shown esteem before children and others, and treated as highly valuable (Proverbs 31; Malachi 2)

                                a2. The godly wife is worthy of praise, support, tenderness, attentiveness, and deference

1. Peter warns that if a man mistreats his wife, God will not hear his prayers (Malachi 2:13-15)

Key passage: Ephesians 5:25-33

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, ²⁶ that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷ that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. ²⁸ So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. ³⁰ For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. ³¹ “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” ³² This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. ³³ Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Mar 9, 2025. Nehemiah 13:1-9

Please click here to view the sermon notes for this message. Please click here for the audio and click here for the video link to this message.

Mar 2, 2025. I Peter 3:1-6

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links to this message.

THE GODLY WIFE. I Peter 3:1-6. 03/02/2025. #13.

¹ Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, ² when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. ³ Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— ⁴ rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. ⁵ For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, ⁶ as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

1. Submission begins at home
2. Peter turns to the home next as prime example of submission (submit to government, to masters, …)
3. The particular example is of a believing wife submitting to an unbelieving husband

                                a1. I Corinthians 7:10-16, Paul deals with the same issue, giving three admonitions: not to divorce spouse even if he/she is unsaved; if spouse leaves seek to reconcile; if there is no reconciliation, remain unmarried

                                a2. Eph. 5:22-33 Paul states that the Christian home is to be an example of Christ & church

1. Peter begins with in the same way…

                                a1. Just as Christ submitted to the will of the Father by submitting to cruel judgment of men, wives are to submit to their husbands

                                a2. Even though believing men & women possess equal salvation (Galatians 3:28), God has placed an order in marriage with the husband being the head of the family

1. Submission = to line up after (to follow lead)

                                a1. Ephesians 5:22-25 wives are to 1st line up under Christ, & then their husbands

                                a2. Submission entails respect & compliance, except in doing evil

2. The testimony of a godly wife
3. The mistakes wives often make:

                                a1. Concentration on outward beauty

                                a2. Preaching & badgering their husbands

1. Peter was not against fashion, jewelry, or making yourself as presentable as possible

                                a1. Women are not to focus on outward appearance, but on holiness

                                a2. Adorn (kosmos = to place in order; Eng. words cosmos, cosmetics, cosmopolitan) = instead of adorning oneself with fancy clothes & fixed hair, adorn self with godliness & grace

1. Instead of preaching at one’s husband, show holiness through a gracious & pure conduct

                                a1. Show a reverent & deferring spirit

                                a2. Gentleness which is not selfish, abrasive, demanding, or adversarial

                                                b1. Giving up rights as the Lord did in order to reach one’s spouse

                                                b2. Testimony is greater than rights

                                a3. Quiet (serene) spirit which demonstrates the internal peace of Christ (Phillipians 4:5-8)

1. A women of tranquil gracious demeanor is very precious in the sight of the Lord

                                a1. God can use her testimony as a witness to his grace to her husband

                                a2. The believing wife is an evangelist to her unsaved spouse, mainly by her example

3. Daughters of Sarah
4. Peter uses Sarah as an example of godliness
5. Even though Abraham gave her away twice & even though Ab. did not overrule Sarah in her frustration in the Hagar situation, she still called him my lord, submitting to his leadership
6. It is the godly, gracious testimony of a submissive wife that is the strongest evangelistic tool

                                a1. A gracious wife allows God to use her

                                a2. There is no fear in a wife doing God’s will

Key passage: 1 Corinthians 7:10-16

¹⁰ Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. ¹¹ But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. ¹² But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. ¹³ And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. ¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. ¹⁵ But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace. ¹⁶ For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

Mar 2, 2025. Nehemiah 12

Please click here to view the sermon notes for this message. Please click here for the audio and click here for the video portions of this message.

Feb 23, 2025. I Peter 2:18-25

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links to this message.. Please click here to view today’s bulletin.

LIKE CHRIST IN SUFFERING. I Peter 2:18-25. 2/23/2025. #12.

¹⁸ Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. ¹⁹ For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. ²⁰ For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. ²¹ For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

²² “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

²³ who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; ²⁴ who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. ²⁵ For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1. Submission to degradation
2. During NT times slaves were plentiful in the empire

                                a1. 1/3rd of empire were slaves (60,000,000)

                                a2. Slaves came from conquests, impoverishment, volunteer servitude, indentured servitude, etc.

1. Many slaves were considered part of the family
2. The word for servant here is oiketai (domestic servant) and not doulos (bond slave)
3. Many converted slaves expected to be set physically free, especially by Christian masters

                                a1. This is the subject of Philemon

                                a2. As the gospel spread, eventually the institution of slavery was abolished

1. Even though slavery is illegal in the western world, it is still practiced in other areas today
2. Peter states that servants should submit to their masters with all patience and respect, even if they are harsh (lit., perverse)

                                a1. Paul made the same statement in I Corinthians 7:21-24 (eternal freedom mattered more)

                                a2. The gospel had to change the hearts of men before evil practices would cease

1. Submission is grace that pleases God
2. Submission to those in charge
3. The modern equivalent is the employer/employee relationship, where control is exercised over those who depend upon a job for income
4. Peter mentions that it is not commendable to suffer for doing wrong, for this is simply just
5. It is commendable to suffer unjustly with patience
6. The Christian employee should be a model worker

                                a1. Honest in all his dealings

                                a2. Patience when rebuked, even if unjustly

                                a3. Diligent in service

1. The word master used here is simply the word overseer (episkopos, the same word for bishop)

                                a1. Believers are to respectfully submit to those who have authority over them, no matter what that capacity is

                                a2. The Lord allows unfair treatment and will vindicate the faithful believer

3. Christ as our example
4. Christ was not only our savior, suffering unjustly for the sins of the world, but our example as well

                                a1. As Christ suffered injustice for righteousness sake, so we are to suffer for the cause of Christ (Mt. 5)

                                a2. As Christ did no return evil for evil, we are to return good for evil (Romans 12:14-21)

                                a3. Peter quotes Isaiah 53:9 to illustrate how the Lord submitted to vile treatment of men in order to save men

1. Christ is not only our example in suffering, but also in shepherding

                                a1. As the Good Shepherd, Christ died to save his flock, for which he cares and guards

                                a2. In the same manner, we are to serve others, not seeking to be served ourselves (Philippians 2)

1. By sacrificing himself, Christ healed many of sin

                                a1. By sacrificing ourselves in service we point the way to Christ that others might be saved

                                a2. Service is more important than our rights

Key Passage:  Romans 12:14-21

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil. Have[a] regard for good things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Feb 23, 2025. Nehemiah 11

Please click here to view the sermon notes for this message. Please click here for the audio and click here for the video link to this message.

Feb 16, 2025. I Peter 2:13-27

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links to this message..

GOOD CITIZENS. I Peter 2:13-17. 2/16/2025. #11

¹³ Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, ¹⁴ or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— ¹⁶ as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. ¹⁷ Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

1. Submission to others
2. After spending time instructing believers to refrain from evil as emissaries of the Lord, Peter now indicates specifically what that means
3. Submit (hupotasso) means to subject oneself

                                a1. To voluntarily place oneself under someone or something else

                                a2. As believers we are to submit ourselves to the authorities God has ordained

1. Every ordinance of man

                                a1. Ordinance – is often translated institution, but is actually the word for creation or that which God has created (ktisis)

                                a2. Whatever God has placed on earth among men we are to submit to

1. Submission enters on many levels:

                                a1. Submit to God first (Acts 5:29)

                                a2. Submit to gov. authorities (Romans 13:1-8)

                                a3. Submit to church leaders (Hebrews 13:7-17)

                                a4. Wives submit to husbands (Ephesians 5:22-25)

                                a5. Children submit to parents (Ephesians 6:1-3)

                                a6. Believers submit to each other (Ephesians 5:21)

                                a7. Place needs of others above self (Philippians 2:3)

2. The Christian and government
3. Believers are to be good citizens, obeying every law, paying required taxes, and supporting rulers
4. Believers are not anti-government
5. Several considerations about government:

                                a1. Government is ordained by God (Romans 13)

                                a2. Government is to promote the good and punish evil

                                a3. Believers are to pray for government officials and seek the welfare of one’s city and country

1. Submitting to proper authority gives testimony that believers behave properly and orderly

                                a1. Believers can’t be accused of disorderly conduct or undermining authority

                                a2. By removing an excuse to accuse believers critics are put to silence foolish critics

1. Submitting to government is different than submitting to evil done by government officials from the emperor, king, president, or governor downward

                                a1. Daniel refused to obey the king’s directive not to pray to God for 30 days

                                a2. Daniel’s friends refused to bow before Nebuchadnezzar’s idol

                                a3. Elijah pronounced judgment on Ahab

                                a4. Peter and John refused to stop preaching the Gospel (Acts 5)

                                a5. Paul testified of Christ before the Sanhedrin (he still paid respect to the High Priest)

1. Christians are to utilize their citizen rights

                                a1. Paul refused to be scourged by Lysias because he was a Roman citizen (Acts 22)

                                a2. Paul insisted on officials coming to release him after the scourged him as a Roman

                                    citizen (Acts 16)

1. Obeying the laws and paying taxes is the will of God, but obeying God first is a priority
2. A life of respectful service
3. As bondservants of God, we are to obey his will to serve others, deferring to their needs
4. Four areas of submission;

                                a1. Honor (respect) all people (even the unholy)

                                a2. Love the brethren (love for those in Christ)

                                a3. Fear God – an awe-struck reverence

                                a4. Honor the king – respect earthly authorities

Key passage: Romans 13:1-8

¹ Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. ² Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. ⁴ For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. ⁵ Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. ⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. ⁷ Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. ⁸ Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Feb 16, 2025. Nehemiah 10

Please click here to view the sermon notes to this message. Please click here for the audio and click here to view this message on YouTube.

Feb 9, 2025. I Peter 2:11-12

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links to this message..

JUST PASSING THROUGH. I Peter 2:11-12. 2/9/25. #10.

¹¹ Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, ¹² having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

1. Resident aliens
2. Several strong images of believers: holy priests, living stones, temple of God, witnesses, salt of the earth, light of the world, pilgrims…
3. The next 2 chapters in 1 Peter deal with submission (to Lord, to earthly authority, to each other, to God’s will, his work…)
4. The image of a pilgrim or sojourner is a powerful one

                                a1. This world is not our home

                                a2. We are citizens of heaven who have taken up residence in a foreign land

                                a3. Though subject to the various rules of the land in which we reside, our values, duty,

                                       loyalty, commission, purpose, and accountability are to the Lord who commissioned us

1. It is important to keep the image of being a pilgrim in our minds (we are not citizens of this world)

                                a1. This is why the world believes that we are strange and our values seem odd to them

                                a2. We must refuse to submit to the values of the world around us

2. Self-disciplined
3. Though we are not citizens of this world, we are infected by the same evil desires of the world

                                a1. Our citizenship elsewhere does not prevent being influenced by the world

                                a2. Our flesh still desires what the world craves and engages in

1. The war is an internal one between the flesh and the soul, temptation and restraint
2. Romans 7:13-25 Paul also describes this war
3. The internal war is between our fleshly body and our eternal soul

                                a1. The converted soul longs for heavenly things but the flesh still lusts after evil

                                a2. The battle rages throughout life

1. Peter commands that we abstain or refrain from fleshly lusts

                                a1. We are to refuse to entertain or make provision for wicked pleasures (Romans 13:14)

                                a2. By saying NO! to the flesh, we submit to the Lord who saved us and sent us

                                a3. The command is ongoing in effect

                                                b1. It is necessary to continually say no for the war is not won in one battle

                                                b2. By focusing on pleasing the Lord we are conscience of our calling and the allegiance we owe to our king

3. Testimony
4. Allegiance to the Lord is not the only consideration in our obedience to the Lord and our duty
5. Believers are emissaries, representing Christ

                                a1. The citizens of the world our watching our conduct and observing our lifestyle

                                a2. When our conduct falls short of what we claim to be, we turn people away from Christ

1. Honorable conduct is part of our citizenship

                                a1. To be honest, kind, gracious, truthful, loving, holy, and faithful marks a believer

                                a2. As the world observes us, they also evaluate our message (is it real? does it work?)

1. When believers act contrary to their proclamation of Christ, the would accuses them of hypocrisy

                                a1. Vice pays tribute to virtue

                                a2. Accused of doing evil and being scammers

1. When our walk matches our talk, God is glorified

                                a1. Day of visitation could either mean the day of judgment or the day one comes to Christ

                                a2. We mustn’t let poor behavior hinder

Key passage: Romans 7:13-25

¹³ Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. ¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. ¹⁵ For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. ¹⁶ If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. ¹⁷ But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. ¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. ¹⁹ For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. ²⁰ Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. ²¹ I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. ²² For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. ²³ But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. ²⁴ O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? ²⁵ I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

Feb 9, 2025. Nehemiah 9:4-38

Please click here to view the sermon notes for this message. Please click here for the audio and click here for the video link to this message.

Feb 2, 2025. I Peter 2:4-10

Please click here for the audio and click here for the link to YouTube video of this message. Please click here to view today’s bulletin.

LIVING STONES and HOLY PRIESTS. 1 Peter 2:4-10. 2/2/2025. #9.

⁴ Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, ⁵ you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” ⁷ Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,” ⁸ and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. ⁹ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ¹⁰ who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

1. Living Stones
2. Peter moves on from his imagery of newborns to describe Christians

                                a1. We are living stones

                                a2. Believers are a holy priesthood

1. Jesus is described as a living stone

                                a1. Jesus described himself as the bedrock on which he would build the church with Peter being a stone on that rock (Matthew 16)

                                a2. That rock became a permanent living stone upon Jesus’s resurrection

1. Christ is ultimately described as 3 kinds of stones:

                                a1. CORNERSTONE – the foundation on which God’s kingdom is built (Isaiah 28:16)

                                a2. LIVING STONE that lasts forever

                                a3. STUMBLING STONE or rock of offense on which the rebellious Jews trip and fall

                                                b1. Psalm 118:22 the stone that the builders (Jews) rejected became the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:14-22)

                                                b2. Daniel 2 this stone will eventually destroy all earthly kingdoms

1. When believers come to Christ, they are also living stones who are given eternal life

                                a1. The Jews stumbled because they were disobedient to the Word of God, so they

                                        sought a Messiah to give them power and wealth upon the earth

                                a2. True believers obey the Word and find Christ

2. Holy priests
3. Exodus 19:6 God wanted Israel to be a nation of priests who would shine forth a holy light to the nations

                                a1. They failed in this task and suffered penalty

                                a2. Romans 11 God laid aside Israel to bring together a new people, the church

1. The church was to fulfill what the Jews did not do

                                a1. It would be made up of Jews and Gentiles (a people who were not a people)

                                a2. Instead of a temple, each believer would be indwelt by the Spirit and become a living stone in God’s temple (I Corinthians. 3:17; 6:19)

                                a3. Unlike the OT priesthood, each believer is a priest who can go directly to God via his intercessor, Jesus Christ (I Timothy 2:5)

                                a4. Unlike the OT priests who offered sheep, goats, rams, and bulls, the NT priests offer themselves, worship, and service

1. Sacrificial praise of the saints: self (Romans 12:1-2), prayer (Philippians 4:5), praise (Heb. 13:15), works (Heb. 13:16), giving (Philippians 4:10-20), and service to others (Philippians 2:17)
2. Mercy unto mercy
3. Like Israel, believers are chosen by grace

                                a1. We have received mercy because God loved us and chose us (John 15:16)                       a2. The basis of God’s selection is not revealed to us, but the selection was not based upon any merit on our part

1. As a people the church is set aside to worship, serve, and obey him while seeking to bring others into the kingdom (Matthew 28:19-20)
2. It is a high calling to be living stones and priests

Key Passage: Ephesians 2:14-22

¹⁴ For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, ¹⁵ having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. ¹⁷ And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. ¹⁹ Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, ²⁰ having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, ²¹ in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, ²² in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Feb 2, 2025. Nehemiah 9:1-3

Please click here to view the sermon notes for this message. Please click here for the audio and click here for the video link to this message.

Jan 26, 2025. I Peter 2:1-3

Please click here for the audio link, and click on the YouTube link for the video. Please click here to view today’s bulletin.

A NEW LIFE. I Peter 2:1-3. 1/26/2025. #8.

¹ Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, ² as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

1. Shedding the old life

                a. Peter gives us a similar list as in verse 29 of Ephesians; of old habits and sins to lay aside

                b. Rid yourself of… = a term used of removing clothes

                                a1. As one removes soiled or tattered clothes one is to remove sinful behavior from life

                                a2. This phrase isn’t an imperative (command)

                                a3. A participle in Greek = having rid yourself of malice, deceit, hypocrisy…

                                a4. When one received Christ, one made a commitment to both believe and obey

                                a5. The NEW BIRTH called forth a new life that rejects the previous fallen life (II Corinthians 5:17)

                                a6. Coming to Christ obligates us to reject the habits of our old sinful lives

                                a7. New life comes with a new clothes of righteousness, so the old soiled clothes are removed and discarded as vile and useless

                c. Peter defines new believers as newborn babes

                                a1. We know very little of the new life at first

                                a2. A newborn babe must grow on its mother’s milk as believers must grow on milk of Word

                d. I Peter 2 describes growth in 3 phases: (1) newborns; (2) blocks in the temple; (3) holy priests

2. Soiled garments

                a. The list of sins are many, but key root sins are foundational to other sins preceding from them

                b. Peter lists 5 foundational sins: malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and evil speaking

                c. MALICE = general term evil or bad intentions and acts

                                a1. Mal is the term for bad or corrupted

                                a2. All evil intentions and behavior must be tossed

                                a3. Mal is the prefix for many Eng. words: malcontent, maligned, malice, maladjusted, malformed, malignant, malevolent, malicious…

                                a4. The heart is full of malice due to the sin nature of the our lives (Jeremiah 17:9)

                                a5. A believer must chose to reject evil tendencies, motivations, and behavior

                d. DECEIT or guile (dolos) – to hide the truth or use devious means to manipulate others

                                a1. John 8:44 deceit is a trait of Satan

                                a2. Those who take of the pure mild of the Word of God are not deceitful

                                                b1. Deceit must first be removed before one desires the pure milk of the  Word of God

                                                b2. To hold onto deceit and sin makes the Word unpalatable to him (he

                                                        finds the Bible uninteresting and hard

                                                b3. As a child raised on junk food finds healthy food nasty, so a person who holds on to sin finds the Word foul

                                                b4. One can’t grow spiritually unless one removes sin from life

                                a3. To the sinner, the Word is tasteless (Hebrews 6)

                e. HYPOCRISY – to wear a mask, pretending to be something that you are not (a fake believer)

                f. ENVY or jealousy – to resent what someone else is or what they have (covet or desire)

                                a1. Pilate knew that the priests desired to execute Jesus out of envy (Mark 15:10)

                                a2. Since all glory goes to God, envy is void

                g. EVIL SPEAKING or blasphemy – to speak against another, to mock, defame, or disrespect another

3. To remove sin is to enjoy the Lord

                a1. If you taste that the Lord is gracious is a first-class condition in Greek (since you taste…)

                a2. To come to faith is to declare the Lord to be good

                a3. Psalm 34:8 taste and see that the Lord is good

                a4. Those who love Christ find him and his Word good

Key passage: Ephesians 4:17-32

¹⁷ This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, ¹⁸ having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; ¹⁹ who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. ²⁰ But you have not so learned Christ, ²¹ if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: ²² that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, ²³ and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. ²⁵ Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. ²⁶ “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, ²⁷ nor give place to the devil. ²⁸ Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. ²⁹ Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. ³² And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Jan 26, 2025. Nehemiah 8:13-18

Please click here to view the sermon notes for this message. Please click here for the audio and click on the YouTube link for the video.

Jan 19, 2025. I Peter 1:22-25

Please click here for the audio and click on the YouTube link for the video. Please click here to view today’s bulletin.

PURIFIED VIA JUST SEED. I Peter 1:22-25. 1/19/2025. #7.

²² Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, ²³ having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, ²⁴ because “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, ²⁵ But the word of the Lord endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

1. Born from above

                a. There are certain obligations believers have

                                a1. Obligation to worship and obey God

                                a2. Obligation to fellow believers to love and support them

                                a3. Obligation to lost to share the Gospel and to be examples of godliness

                b. Believers are purified through obedience to truth

                                a1. Purified = to make clean that which was impure and tainted

                                a2. Cleansing had three steps:

                                                a1. The hearing of the Word of God

                                                a2. The enlightening of the Spirit

                                                a3. The positive response of the hearer

                c. Rebirth comes through an incorruptible seed

                                a1. Obedience to the Law was flawed

                                a2. Jesus Christ is the incorruptible seed which brings everlasting life

                                                b1. Abides forever, so can’t fail

                                                b2. The Word empowered by the Spirit reveals Christ unto salvation

2. To receive Christ is to love the brethren

                a. Love is a repeated theme (John 13, I Corinthians 13, 1 Jn. 4, James 2, Matthew 5…)

                b. Peter’s readers struggled with loving one another

                                a1. The implication of coming to Christ is that the body loves itself as it loves the Lord

                                a2. Being part of the same family with the same purpose should produce harmony with others in the family

                c. Peter uses two different words for love

                                a1. There should be sincere (genuine, unfeigned) brotherly affection (Philadelphia) for others (not forced or fake)

                                a2. Love (unconditional love, charity, and grace) one another with a pure (cleansed) heart

                                                b1. Choose to care and esteem brethren

                                                b2. Affection + self-sacrificed charity

                d. The love for the brethren should be fervent (intent, great effort, ardent; heartfelt)

                                a1. Fervent implies a chosen effort to seek to love, serve, and support fellow believers

                                a2. A result of salvation should be ardent love and harmony in the body of (John 13:31-35)

3. Things that will pass away

                a. Peter reminds his readers that all that man is and achieves will pass away

                                a1. Man’s life on earth is very short

                                a2. All man’s glory and acclaim will disappear

                b. Peter makes two claims about man’s life on earth:

                                a1. All flesh is as grass = thrives briefly and dies

                                a2. The flower of man’s youth withers and fades away (man’s strength, vitality, attractiveness, and influence leaves quickly)

                c. The Word of God endures forever

                                a1. Through the Word of God came the gospel and through the gospel came salvation

                                a2. To choose to focus on earthly things is to grab ahold of something that leaves soon (Ecclesiastes 12 – all vanity)

                d. One can choose to pursue the corrupt things of life and lose them (all millionaires, celebrities, heroes, and champions leave everything behind) or embrace the eternal values of Christ which last forever

Key passage: John 13:31-35

³¹ So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. ³² If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. ³³ Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. ³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵ By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Jan 19, 2025. Nehemiah 8:9-12

Please click here to view the sermon notes for this message.

Please click here for the audio link, and click for the YouTube link.

Jan 12, 2025. I Peter 1:17-21

Please click here for the audio link and click here for the video link to this message. Please click here to view today’s bulletin.

ETERNAL MOTIVATION. I Peter 1:17-21. 1/12/2025. #6.

¹⁷ And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; ¹⁸ knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. ²⁰ He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you ²¹ who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

1. Final accounting

                a. Peter had stated that eternal promises are worth enduring temporary trials, even if severe

                b. Now Peter lays out the practical side of heavenly rewards

                                a1. There will be an accountability for believers

                                a2. Even though a believer is not judged for his sins, which are paid for, his works are judged

                                a3. I Corinthians 3:9-17, a believer’s works are judged for both reward or loss

                c. Peter holds this accountability evaluation up as a motivation for us to focus on faithfulness in serving the Lord

                            a1. Not only should we desire to please God, but also to gain his rewards

                                a2. Our lives should live as gratitude to our Lord

                d. Peter adds that we should live in the fear of the Lord

                                a1. FEAR = to tremble before awesome greatness

                                a2. Reverencing the Lord should produce humble submission, obedience, and worship

                                a3. God’s grace shouldn’t yield casual familiarity!

                e. God judges impartially

                                a1. He does not show favoritism or ignore sin

                                a2. To focus on self is to suffer eternal loss

                f. Realizing the cost of our redemption should motivate us

                g. Faith reality should make sight reality unnecessary

                h. The faithful are motivated by love, gratitude, and devotion

2. Not by tradition

                a. We were REDEEMED by the sacrifice of Christ

                                a1. Redeemed is to buy back or reclaim

                                a2. What was lost to sin is now reclaimed by Christ, purchased at the cross

                b. Not redeemed by tradition handed down from ancestors

                                a1. Two sets of traditions: the Jewish legalism handed down by Pharisees, rabbis, and scribes and the pagan myths of the Gentiles

                                a2. False religion and philosophy have same end

                c. Modern traditions produce the same ruin as ancient ones

                                a1. Teachings on salvation by baby baptism, church creeds, church organization authority, or social works all lead to eternal condemnation

                                a2. Faith in Christ is the only way to be saved (John 3)

                d. False teaching seeks to add to what is taught in Word or seeks to offer an alternative way to heaven

                                a1. Satan promotes the myth of many ways to heaven and salvation by own works

                                a2. Believers work because they are saved, not to be saved (service to promote Christ, not self)

                e. Any additions to Christ sacrifice cheapens it (as Moses taking partial credit for bringing water from a rock)

                                a1. The Lord is to receive all praise, honor, and glory

                                a2. I Corinthians 10:31 all we do needs to point to Christ

3. Chosen from before the foundation of the world

                a. Peter adds that grace is especially amazing when one considers that we have been chosen since the foundation of the world

                                a1. God foreordained believers to be saved before creation commenced

                                a2. Romans 9 to be specially chosen demands total devotion, submission, worship, and gratitude

                b. Believers are bought with a purpose

                                a1. He has made us special unto himself

                                a2. He seeks our worship, fellowship, and service

                c. All that we are we owe to the Lord

                                a1. By focusing on what God has done and what he has promised motives us to obey him

                                a2. When we are distracted we become worldly

Key passage:  1 Corinthians 3:9-17⁹ For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. ¹⁰ According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. ¹¹ For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. ¹⁶ Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? ¹⁷ If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

Jan 12, 2025. Nehemiah 8:1-8

Please click here to view the sermon notes for this message.

Please click here for the audio link, and click here for the video link to this message.

Jan 5, 2025. I Peter 1:13-16

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links to this message. Please click here to view today’s bulletin.

BE HOLY. I Peter 1:13-16. 01/05/25. #5.

¹³ Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; ¹⁴ as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; ¹⁵ but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶ because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

1. Choice

                a. Once we receive Christ, we have the power to live

                     holy lives

                                a1. Holy living is not automatic, for sin is in us

                                a2. Choosing to be holy is an act of the will

                b. No one can force another to be holy and being in Christ does not guarantee holy living

                c. No excuses are adequate not to be holy

                d. Peter gives five commands, which are actually two commands and three explanatory participles

                                a1. Gird the loins of your mind

                                a2. Be sober

                                a3. Rest in your hope in Christ

                                a4. Be obedient

                                a5. Be holy

                e. Each command rests on choosing to obey it

                                a1. Not a matter of feelings, reasoning, opinion, or working up desire

                                a2. We choose to obey for the love of the Lord and his sacrifice for us

                f. Choice requires the removal and repudiation of selfish desires and impulses

                                a1. To say, “I can’t do it” is to say “I won’t do it” or “I refuse to do it”

                                a2. Love for Christ must be stronger than love for what you desire or your habits

2. The 5 commands for Christians

                a. Gird up your mind = to focus, to put your mind on the right things (PHP. 4:4-9)

                b. Be sober – to think clearly (Romans 12:1-3)

                                a1. Clear-minded thought requires rejecting fleshly or worldly impulses

                                a2. Christ died for us; we owe ALL to him; he is worthy of our entire devotion

                c. Rest in the hope given by the grace of God through the revelation of Jesus Christ – it is the hope of the promises of Jesus Christ which energizes, motivates, and encourages believers to keep going

                                a1. Peter listed the promises given to us in Christ that inspires us to serve under trials

                                a2. True hope provides unwavering commitment, determination, and perseverance

                d. Be obedient – to comply with the Lord’s Word and will despite opposition, fleshly impulses, and cost

                                a1. Obeying the Word of God keeps us truthful, faithful, determined, and humble

                                a2. Obedience keeps marriages together, God’s work continuing, and testimonies pure

                e. Be holy – to be separate from world and sin unto God

                                a1. A shunning of fleshly desires and worldly activity and enticements

                                a2. A focus on righteousness in Word and deed

3. A desire for holiness

                a. One cannot desire righteousness and be fascinated by evil and sordid things at the same time

                b. We must ask if we really desire to be holy, totally separated unto God in our focus and desires

                c. Peter quotes from Leviticus 11

                                a1. Just as the Jews were to be a separate people, so are Christians

                                a2. The unsaved should be able to see and hear righteousness in us in humility, love, grace, faith, and dedication

                d. Though believers do not live in isolation, our choices of entertainment, activities, priorities, expenditures, and time usage speaks volumes

                e. The distraction trap is easy to fall into and can take us away from our Bibles, callings, and the Lord

Key Passage: Philippians 4:4-9

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

⁵ Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. ⁹ The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Jan 5, 2025. Nehemiah 7:1-6

Please click here to view the sermon notes for this message.

Please click here for the audio, and click here for the video link to this message.

Dec 29, 2024. Philippians 3:10-14

Please click for the audio and video link to the Sunday service message.

Please click here to view today’s bulletin.

Please click for the audio and video link to the Sunday School message.

Dec 22, 2024. Luke 1:1-20

Please click here to view today’s bulletin.

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links to the Sunday School message (Luke 1:26-56).

For today’s message (Luke 1:1-20), please click here for the audio and click here for the video portion.

Dec 15, 2024. I Peter 1:6-12

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video link to this message. Please click here to view today’s email.

TRIAL TESTED. I Peter 1:6-12. 12/15/2024. #2.

⁶ In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, ⁸ whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, ⁹ receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. ¹⁰ Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, ¹¹ searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. ¹² To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

1. Of grief and glory

                a. Peter has drawn a word picture of the glory ahead of the saints and the reason for their perseverance

                b. He now contrasts their grief with their joy

                c. There are 3 points Peter emphasizes about trials:

                                a1. They are necessary for trying faith

                                a2. They are beneficial in our spiritual growth

                                a3. God with both strengthen and reward us

                d. We now greatly rejoice

                                a1. The relationship with Christ overrides all other considerations for the faithful

                                a2. In the present tense (rejoicing now)

                                a3. Those who do not rejoice are not living by faith (focused on our problems)

                e. Peter uses the word trials rather than either tribulation or persecution

                                a1. He is speaking of all manner of sufferings

                                a2. All challenges of health, situations, attacks

                f. The word grief is used of Christ’s agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26) and the loss of loved ones in I Thessalonians 4:13 (lit. means heaviness)

                g. Our joy is inexpressible and full of glory since our burdens are subdued by presence of Christ

2. Faith under fire

                a. Our precious faith exceeds all privilege and glory

                                a1. We believe in a Lord that we have not physically seen (John 20:28-31)

                                a2. We actually experience what the prophets desired to possess but could not

                                a3. We’ve obtained a salvation that the angels desire to study, but can never know

                b. Trials are important because testing our faith is of extreme value

                                a1. Just as gold must be separated from its ore through extreme heat, our faith is refined by various trials

                                a2. Those who wither under trials did not possess true faith (seed on stony soil)

                                a3. Only through trials is our faith proven to us and men and angels

                                a4. Victory in trials is to the praise and glory of God through the power of the Holy Spirit

3. Perspective on trials

                a. Trials are to be expected (John 16:33)

                b. Trials are for our benefit (Romans 8:28)

                c. Compared to the glory awaiting us, trials are very minor (Romans 8:18)

                d. Trials are short-lived (James 4:14-16)

                e. Our trials are light compared to our relationship with the Lord and our hope in him (II Corinthians 4:7-18)

                f. It is important to keep our focus, perspective, and hope on and in Christ

                                a1. Romans 8:31-30 nothing overcomes the faithful

                                a2. Peter does not deny grief, pain, and suffering – they are real and hurt and create agony

                                a3. Jesus is greater than our suffering

                g. Galatians 6:7-10 in Christ we can endure to victory

                h. Anyone who is falling by the wayside is either depending on his own strength or not in the faith

                                a1. Since trials are God ordained, we are also God sustained (a guarantee to believers)

                                a2. By faith heaven comes to us now

Key passage: II Corinthians 4:7-18⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. ⁸ We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— ¹⁰ always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. ¹¹ For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. ¹² So then death is working in us, but life in you. ¹³ And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, ¹⁴ knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. ¹⁵ For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. ¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, ¹⁸ while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Dec 15, 2024. Nehemiah 6:15-19

Please click here to view the sermon notes for this message.

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video link to this message.

(Back to Welcome Page)

(Back to Table of contents page:)