Month: February 2010

It is interesting to compare the children of Israel, (God’s chosen under the Old Covenant), to God’s children under the New Covenant.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

When contemplating the purpose of the Lord’s Supper, this sermon shows that we should look “within”, “without”, “forward”, and “backward.”

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Jude 1-2

Even the salutations of scripture contain wonderful lessons for the discerning reader. For example, in our text Jude describes himself as at “bondservant of Jesus Christ.” The word literally indicates a slave, and shows clearly the concept of submission and subservience. We are all to be bondservants of our Lord, submitting wholly to His will.

Jude refers to his readers as “sanctified by God the Father.” The word sanctified literally means to be set apart. God separates us from the world when we obey the gospel. But, the concept of sanctification requires that we live a life worthy of that separation (cf. Ephesians 4:1).

Finally, among the first words of Jude is the phrase, “preserved in Jesus Christ.” As Christ is our Savior, we are “more than conquerors” (cf. Romans 8:37). There is nothing on this earth, or under the sway of the devil, nor the devil himself that is able to separate us from Jesus Christ. As our Savior, he is “able to keep” what we have committed to Him “until that Day” (cf. 2 Timothy 1:12).

“Mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you.”

Last Tuesday Reuters reported that the head of the Lutheran Church in Germany, Margot Kaessmann, 51, the Lutheran Bishop of Hanover, was cited for running a red light while driving under the influence of alcohol. A state prosecutor told the German Newspaper Bild that Kaessmann had a blood alcohol level that was three times the legal limit. She is under investigation, and could lose her driver’s license for a year.

The Reuters article also noted that Kaessmann was a controversial choice to head the Lutheran church, because she had had a divorce.

(Protestant Leader Regrets Driving Drunk, 2/23/10, Christopher Lawton)

Continue reading “In the News: Lutheran Leader Drives Drunk” →

I recently came across two quotes on the subject of Holiness, which I would like to share with you…

“A holy life will make the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns, they just shine.” – D. L. Moody

“How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets real thing, it is irresistible.” – C.S. Lewis

One quote expresses the true thought that actions speak louder than words. While we are told to preach the gospel, our words have a greater potency is God can be seen in us.

The second quote accurately portrays the fact that a Christian is a desirable and pleasant person to know. He is who we all aspire to be. Are you living a properly holy life?

This sermon discusses the text of 1 Corinthians 15:45-ff, comparing and contrasting Jesus Christ and Adam.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

One of the definitions of the term olympian is “surpassing all others in scope and effect” (American Heritage Dictionary). This definition certainly applies to the sexual appetites of the athletes in the Olympic Village this week in Vancouver. Continuing the trend of recent Olympiads in Sydney (70,000) and Beijing (100,000), Canadian officials ordered and distributed 100,000 condoms to athletes for the Vancouver Olympics. That averages to 14 for each athlete.

In explaining the hedonism of the Olympic athletes, former Olympic skier Picabo Street said, “It’s hundreds of auras, which does lead to a huge movement of energy. It’s not normal, resting energy. It’s jacked-up, hyped-up, on-the-brink-of-my-dream-coming-true, got-to-get-it, got-to-do-it energy, and it’s there all the time.”

Continue reading “In the News: Olympian Promiscuity” →

3 John 5-8

Gaius was a wonderful and hospitable man. This is evident from our text, where the beloved apostle John commends him for the love he showed for “the brethren and for strangers.”

Though hospitality is a physical thing, it is a spiritual work. It is a means of supporting the Christian laborer, as evidenced by the words of our text, “If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well.” One who is doing the Lord’s work should be encouraged and helped in that work. This is something that even the babe in Christ is able to do. To put it simply, you may not be able to eloquently share the word, but you can supply a comfortable bed and warm meal for those who do!

2 John 9-11 also indicates that the work of hospitality is a spiritual endeavor. John there indicates that the offer of your home to a teacher is the equivalent of extending the hand of fellowship. That is why we are not to extend such hospitality to a false teacher, for “he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (11).

Hospitality is the Lord’s work!

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2).

Paul here gives us a wonderful promise, though you note it is conditioned upon our walking according to the Spirit rather than the flesh. You can go to his epistle to the Galatians (5:16-26) for an extended discussion of the difference between walking according to the flesh and the Spirit. In verse 24 of that passage, the point is well made, “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

It doesn’t make sense to claim to be a Christian unless you are willing to live the life you claim!

Too many religious people believe that Love and Truth do not go hand in hand. If you insist on obedience to truth, you are unloving. If you claim to love, you must be tolerant of error and sin. John, in his epistle reveals this view to be wrong.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

This sermon examines the concept of sin, what it is, and how God feels about it.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

2 John 1-3

2 John 1-3

The apostle John begins his epistle to the “elect lady and her children” by petitioning God on their behalf. His request? “Grace, mercy and peace” from the Father and the Son.

A most interesting juxtaposition is made in this text. Truth and Love are combined several times. John loved the elect lady “in truth” as well as all others who “have known the truth.” For Christians, truth is the foundation for our love. Abiding in truth is necessary for maintaining our relationship with God (cf. 2 John 9-11).

In contrast, many in our day believe truth and love to almost be antithetical. Those who contend for truth are called hatemongers for that very reason. John shows us here that truth and love go hand in hand.

John here promises us that “grace, mercy and peace” will come to Christians in “truth and love.” You can’t receive God’s mercy unless you abide in truth and love. It is a lesson we all would do well to learn.