My Heart is Steadfast (Ps 108:1-13)

This unique psalm combines the positive endings of Ps 57 and Ps 60 to give us a new psalm divorced from the circumstances that began those two psalms so that we have a psalm of faith for launching into any venture for the Lord. We trust in our great God in spite of our own failure and weakness and trust in Him to help us through to the end.

July 11, 2010

Do you know you died to sin? (Rm 6:3-4)

The foundation of sanctification is the doctrine of Christ acting as your representative so that we died to sin with him on the cross. Understanding the identification of ourselves with Christ in baptism helps us to understand not only that we died with Christ but also that we are raised with him so that we might experience the newness of resurrection life right now.

The Christian in the World (4)

Having defined the terms ‘godliness’, ‘worldly’, and ‘worldliness’, we now go on a survey that looks at what the Bible says about the Christian’s relationship to the world.

A Bishop kept from the Devil (1 Tim 3:6-7)

We conclude our look at the pastor’s qualifications by discussing the last two on the list. In each of these there is a special danger of being affected by the devil. The church and pastor must be on guard that these traps can be avoided and the ministry in the local church may be pursued according to God’s will.

July 14, 2010

O God do not be Silent (Ps 109:1-31)

This psalm is one of the most bracing of the imprecatory psalms. In fact, it almost offends our Christian conscience. However, if we understand its prophetic significance, we come to realize that it reveals God’s heart towards the traitor Judas who threw away his birthright, so to speak, for thirty pieces of silver. The psalm displays the proper attitude of the Lord’s Anointed against the spirit of Antichrist that motivated Judas and will fill the man of sin in the last days.

July 18, 2010

Baptism is for Believers (Rm 6:3-4)

Baptism is the illustration Paul uses to help us understand the foundation of our sanctification, our identification with Christ in his death. As such, we can learn something of the requirements for proper Christian baptism: immersion in water as an initiatory rite for people who have consciously believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as saviour from sin.

Godliness Revisited (1 Tim 6:3-11)

We look at a passage (1 Tim 6.3-11) that clarifies the meaning of godliness as emphasizing a visible external kind of way of life. Such a life can be counterfeited to a point, but the devoted disciple is committed to a pursuit of godliness, with contentment, from the heart.

Deacons Likewise (1 Tim 3:8-10)

Today we consider the basic qualities required of deacons and challenge our peolpe to be in pursuit of these qualities in their own spiritual lives.

July 21, 2010

The Oracle to My Lord (1) (Ps 110:1-3)

Psalm 110 provides the foundation for much of the doctrine of Christ in the New Testament. It is the most quoted psalm by the NT. As we look at its first three verses, we see the tremendous truths of our Lord as the exalted King, waiting at the right hand of God until the time appointed when all his people will rise as one man behind him and attend his glorious return to the earth.

July 25, 2010

The Power in the Resurrection (Rm 6:4)

We look at one phrase in Rm 6.4 in this message, ‘raised … through the glory of the Father’. We find that just as Christ was raised by the Father’s glory, so to are we raised in our new spiritual lives to the newness of life found in Christ. By God’s glory we are indeed made able to live the Christian life. It is important for us to know this in order to have the victorious Christian life we desire.

Set Your Affections Above (Col 2:20-3:17)

We are getting to the end of our study and are wanting to direct our minds away from worldliness to a true godliness from the heart. In doing so we are looking at Col 2.20-3.17. The passage first of all addresses the idea that trying to achieve godliness by rigorous external religious practices, we will fail to deal with the heart issues. That kind of religion is a kind of worldliness because it is exactly the same as the practices of pagans which has a show of wisdom, but is of no value in overcoming the flesh.

The Women must be Likewise (1 Tim 3:11)

In this message we look at a verse that is somewhat controversial in today’s society and is also somewhat ambiguous and hard to interpret. The question is whether Paul is addressing the wives of deacons or the office of deaconess. Or is something else in view? We attempt an answer and insist that there is no third office of deaconess in the church. We also point to the need for women in spiritual leadership in the church to be spiritually minded people from the qualifications given in this list.

Paul is now transitioning from the doctrine of justification to a salvation-by-faith oriented understanding of the doctrine of sanctification. He begins by posing a question which exemplifies a misunderstanding (deliberate or by ignorance) of the doctine of justification: should we sin that grace might abound?

The Christian in the World (2)

Having defined the terms ‘godliness’, ‘worldly’, and ‘worldliness’, we now go on a survey that looks at what the Bible says about the Christian’s relationship to the world.

A Bishop’s Household (1 Tim 3:4-5)

We focus on just one qualification for a bishop in this message, the qualification that his household must be in order. The Bible ties the pastor’s management of the church with his management of his household. As such, God puts the children of the pastor in the "fishbowl" and makes their response to their father’s leadership a test of his church management ability.

The Law not only magnifies the effect of sin, it brings about a magnification of the immense treasure of grace that is available to sinners in and through Jesus Christ.

The Christian in the World (1)

Having defined the terms ‘godliness’, ‘worldly’, and ‘worldliness’, we now go on a survey that looks at what the Bible says about the Christian’s relationship to the world.

A Bishop Then Must Be … (2) (1 Tim 3:2-7)

We continue looking at the qualifications for a bishop or pastor. He must be hospitable, apt to teach, not a fighter, gentle and not a lover of money.

The God of the Second Chance

Rob Perry

Using notes from a message by J. Vernon McGee, one of our deacons highlights God’s working with men, giving opportunities through a lifetime to make spiritual choices in service of the Great God of heaven.

Sunday Messages:

The Purpose and Place of the Law (Rm 5:20)

For the first time in Romans, Paul introduces the Law in a positive way, showing us one of the major purposes for the Law as an intermediary step between Adam and Christ. The Law comes in alongside sin in order to intensify the impact of ‘the transgression’ on everyone. In so doing, it also magnifies our understanding of the abundance of grace available through faith in Jesus Christ.

Distinguishing Worldly Passions (Tt 2:12, 1 Jn 2:15-17, Gal 5:19-21)

In this lesson we distinguish between things that a Christian might do (‘works of the flesh’) that are ungodly and Scripturally prohibited and the worldly desires a Christian might have (‘lusts of the flesh’) that hinder our relationship with Christ. In making this distinction we arrive at a definition of worldliness.

The Bishop Then Must Be… (1 Tim 3:2-7)

In this message we begin to look at the qualities required of a bishop or pastor. We note that these are primarily spiritual qualities, but also note that they are almost all qualities required of every Christian in other passages of Scripture. We conclude that the pastor is not a ‘super-Christian’ but a comprehensively consistent and mature Christian who exhibits these qualities in his life

Rm 5.18 can be construed as support for the idea of universalism. In fact, unbelieving ‘scholars’ have used it as such. In this message, we show how such a view contradicts the message of the Bible and the message of Paul in Romans, as seen in the immediate context. A universalistic world would be a world that knows no bounds or restraints, not even the disapproval of men. And we address a problem of ‘practical universalism’, where professing Christians attempt to maintain their Christian assurance but live lives as if God is unconcerned about restraining their lifestyle in any way.

Defining Worldly Passions (Titus 2:12, 1 Jn 2:15-17)

In this lesson we come to some conclusions about the worldly lusts mentioned in Titus 2.12, and turn to 1 Jn 2.15-17 for a further definition and understanding of the term. These desires are the underlying motives of ungodliness and are opposed to a life lived soberly, righteously, and godly which grace instructs us to live.

A Good Desire for a Good Work (1 Tim 3:1)

In this message we look at the desire for the office of ‘bishop’ or ‘overseer’ in a local church. The apostle commends the work as good and speaks of that desire that moves a man to stretch himself out to grasp the office as a worthy desire in the assembly.

This message is a reprise from our series in the Gospel of John. We take a look at John’s purpose statement for his Gospel in the belief that John has indeed proven his proposition. In looking at the gospel this way, we call men to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Denying Worldly Passions (Titus 2:12)

In this lesson we look at some of the background information defining the words in Titus 2.12. The gospel teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires while living in a certain way: soberly, righteously, and godly. In understanding these terms we take another step towards understanding the concept of worldliness.

Saved by Childbearing? (1 Tim 2:15)

In today’s message, we tackle the understanding of one of the most difficult verses in the Bible. At face value, it might seem to deny some key doctrines concerning salvation. As we examine the details of the passage, we find that it grants a complementary opportunity for Christian women to find great blessing and satisfying ministry influence if they will continue in the faith, submissive to God’s order and embracing God’s mission in the local church.

Bless the Lord, O my Soul (2) (Ps 104:1-35)

This psalm, a companion and meditation on Ps 103, speaks to us of our ordered world, set in place by our majestic and glorious God to sustain us and keep us alive so that we might praise him. What folly it is for a sinner to ignore God’s daily doings on his behalf! May we join with the psalmist in his commitment to sing to the Lord.

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Today’s messages:

Abundant Grace, Abundant Righteousness, Abundant LIFE (Rm 5:17)

As we see the unfolding contrasts between the act of Adam and the work of Christ, we come at last to the notion of ‘reigning in life’. The ones who have received the abundant grace of v. 15 and the abundant righteousness of v. 16 receive also the power of grace in life that means not only a future reign, but a present reign in this life through Jesus Christ – a reign over the presence and power of sin as we yield ourselves to the Spirit and grow in grace.

Towards an Understanding of Worldliness (3)

In this lesson we are data gathering in order to get an understanding of Titus 2.12 and the meaning of ‘worldly desires’ in that verse. We are considerning the synonyms and antonyms as they are used in the Scripture to help clarify our understanding about what makes a desire ‘worldly’.

Women, Keep Silent (1 Tim 2:11-14)

In this message, we address a subject that is controversial in our culture, but not controversial in the Bible. The issue is the place of women in the church. The Bible clearly teaches that women are not to teach or take any leadership position over men in the church. The reasons for this order are rooted in the Creation and in the Fall. The spiritually minded gladly receive this word from the Lord and follows it faithfully.

Bless the Lord, O my Soul (1) (Ps 103:1-22)

This is the second and last of the psalms named "A Psalm of David" in Book 4 of the psalms. It reflects the thoughts of a mature David, admonishing his own soul in a time of discipline with his knowledge of the Lord’s past benefits and the Lord’s everlasting goodness. David’s thoughts become a hymn for our admonition as well.

Today’s Sermons:

Grace Magnified (Rm 5:16)

Today the contrast between Adam and Christ highlights the incredible magnitude of Christ’s gracious gift. The act of Adam plunged all men into sin – we all sinned in Adam. But we didn’t stop sinning with that one sin. Our lives are filled with sin. The gift of God in Jesus Christ answers every one of those human sins – working out of the many sins it pronounces the sentence: "Just before God". Hallelujah!

Towards an Understanding of Worldliness (2)

Today we make an attempt at defining the term ‘worldly’ and begin to look at a key passage for understanding worldliness, Titus 2.11-12.

Women’s Adorning (1 Tim 2:9-10)

Our message today looks at the topic of women’s dress, especially in the context of public worship. The way a woman dresses should flow from a godly inner testimony, but it does reflect itself in an appropriate, sober, modest style of dress.

Hear My Prayer, O Lord (Ps 102:1-28)

Our psalm looks at a comparison between a man’s days and the Lord’s days. The Psalm has a Messianic flavour that is made definite by Heb 1.10-12. This puts a whole new construction on the psalm, but is in keeping with prophetic themes often seen in the psalms.

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The 4.11.10 messages:

The Abounding Plus (Rm 5:15)

Paul is working toward a comparison of the work of Adam and the work of Christ, but first he must point out ways in which the works contrast rather than compare. The first contrast is this: although Adam’s sin plunged humanity into futility and death, Christ’s work is not simply a reversal of Adam’s sin. Christ’s work is much much more, abundantly more, it is "The Abounding Plus"!

Towards an Understanding of Worldliness

We are working on definitions. Our last lessons brought us to a definition of godliness. Now we are attempting to define worldliness. The first step is to define the term ‘worldly’, since ‘worldliness’ itself is not a Bible term. If we understand ‘worldly’, we will gain some insight into what ‘worldliness’ is. This lesson works through various passages where we find the term ‘worldly’.

Holiness Applied Distinctly (1 Tim 2:8-10)

Today we see that public prayer is ordained by the apostle for the men. The woman’s role in public prayer is supportive. Both men and women are called to every day holiness as their place in the effectiveness of public prayers and worship.

Today we look at the evidence Paul offers to prove that all men sinned in Adam and are subject to death as a result. This evidence points to all men in our world today who have not heard the message of the gospel. We should have compassion on men around us because they are all likewise doomed by Adam’s sin (and their own).

Defining Godliness (2)

We conclude our effort at defining godliness. Godliness is a manner of life that is dominated by reverence for God that is displayed in respect for other men that is visible to outside observers and is not confused with worldliness.

Ordained a Preacher (1 Tim 2:7)

Paul offers the testimony of his transformed life as the final reason why we should be praying for all men, especially for their salvation.

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Our Wednesday Psalm from 3.24.10

Make a Joyful Noise (Ps 100:1-5)

Our look at the 100th Psalm, the conclusion of the ‘God as King’ psalms (Ps 93, 95-100).