New Sermon Series: The Book of Ruth

February 10, 2016September 25, 2019 BigSpringsBoaz, Naomi, Ruth

This Sunday, February 14, 2016, we will take a break from our study of the Gospel of John to start a short series on the Book of Ruth. We often hear that this much-loved book is a love story between Ruth and Boaz, Ruth’s commitment to Naomi, and Boaz’s kindness and generosity. But are these the only themes in this book, as told in many children’s Sunday schools? Preview the whole series schedule, titles and texts below. Read why I almost always preach a sermon series: “6 Advantages of Consecutive Expository Preaching” by…

Sermons

The Christian’s Four Assurances

February 7, 2016September 25, 2019 BigSpringsCanons of Dort, doctrines of grace, John 10, perseverance of the saints, preservation of the saints, Tulip

Jeremiah 32:36-41; John 10:28-30 (text); Romans 8:30-39 February 7, 2016 • Download this sermon (PDF) Beloved congregation of Christ: About twenty years ago, I taught a high school Bible class at a school for missionary children in the Philippines. Sometime after teaching the doctrines of grace to the class, including the perseverance of the saints, one of my students told me what another missionary taught them in a Bible study for youth. He asked the teacher about this doctrine from John 10:29, “no one is able to snatch them…

Sermons

The Shepherd’s Call

February 2, 2016September 25, 2019 BigSpringsCalvinism, Canons of Dort, Good Shepherd, hosea 11, irresistible grace, Isaiah 43, John 10

Isaiah 43:1-3a; Hosea 11:1-2;John 10:3-5, 16-17, 27 (text) January 31, 2016 • Download this sermon (PDF) Congregation of Christ: When the pastor preaches the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to a congregation, there are people who respond positively, and with interest, and later come to faith. But there are also many who have no response and show no interest. Have you ever wondered why this division happens? Are those who say yes to the gospel have better understanding and more wise than those who don’t? Are they better…

Sermons

5 Sermons on God’s Salvation Plan in John 10

February 2, 2016September 25, 2019 BigSpringsCanons of Dort, Five Points, John 10, Tulip

John Chapter 10 is a chapter rich in theology. In addition to the doctrine of the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, this chapter is a gold mine of the “doctrines of grace” – how a person is saved only by God’s grace alone in Christ alone, according to God’s sovereignty alone. Date Sermon Title Scripture Readings (texts in bold and Small-caps) January 10 “The Son Sets You Free” Isaiah 6:8-10; John 8:31-59; John 10:25-26; 1 Corinthians 2:14 January 17 “I Know My Own and My Own Know Me” Deuteronomy…

Sermons

“The Good Shepherd Lays Down His Life for the Sheep”

January 24, 2016September 25, 2019 BigSpringsday of atonement, Good Shepherd, John 10, limited atonement, particular atonement

Ezekiel 34:22-24; John 10:11, 15-18 (text) January 24, 2016 (Big Springs URC & ZCRC Pasig) • Download this sermon (PDF) Beloved congregation of Christ: On October 6, 1973, as I was looking forward to the last few days of my college years, news broke out that Egypt and Syria attacked Israel simultaneously on two fronts: the Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights. Egypt and Syria chose that day because it was the holiest day of the year for Jews, the Day of Atonement. Also, since it was a holiday,…

John Sermons

“I Know My Own and My Own Know Me”

January 17, 2016September 25, 2019 BigSpringsDeuteronomy 7, Good Shepherd, John 10, predestination, unconditional election

Deuteronomy 7:6-11; John 10:1-30; John 10:3-4, 14, 27 (texts) January 17, 2016 (Big Springs URC and ZCRC Pasig) • Download this sermon (PDF) Dear Congregation of Christ: As I was listening to one of the lectures yesterday at the Annual Conference of Westminster Seminary in Escondido, California, I was struck by the lecturer’s Top 10 reasons why the Holy Spirit is so important in preaching. These reasons include: without the Spirit, there would be no Bible, no preacher, no people to listen, and no regeneration. The Spirit works in…

Sermons

“The Son Sets You Free”

January 10, 2016September 25, 2019 BigSprings1 Corinthians 2, John 8, John Newton, slave to sin, total depravity

Isaiah 6:8-10; John 8:31-59; 1 Corinthians 2:14 January 10, 2016 (Big Springs URC) • Download this sermon (PDF) Dear Congregation of Christ: Did you know that the great hymnwriter John Newton was a former slave trader? In 1744, when he was 19 years old, John served on a British warship. But he could not stand the harsh conditions on the ship, so he deserted. He was soon recaptured, publicly flogged, and demoted. Later, he requested to serve on a slave trading ship, which took him to the coast of…

Sermons

Jesus Turns the Tables on Unbelievers at His Trial

January 4, 2016September 25, 2019 BigSpringsChristians and Muslims worship the same God, Deuteronomy 19, false witnesses, John 5, trial of Jesus, Trinity

Deuteronomy 19:15-19; John 5:1-47 (text) January 3, 2016 • Download this sermon (PDF) Dear Congregation of Christ: In recent weeks, so many people are confused about the person and work of our our Lord Jesus Christ. They confuse Christianity with other religions. One popular movie personality says, “We’re all Muslims.” A professor at a well-known Christian university says that Christians and Muslims worship the same God. Just a few years ago, even those who reject Christianity knew the simple distinction between Christianity and other religions: Christians believe that Jesus…

Christmas Sermons

The King-Priest is Worshiped at His Birth and Honored at His Death

December 21, 2015September 25, 2019 BigSpringsgold frankincense myrrh, John 19, king-priest, magi, Matthew 2, wise men

Psalm 45:6-7; Matthew 2:7-12; John 19:38-42 (text) December 20, 2015 • Download this sermon (PDF) Congregation of Christ: Everyone loves the Nativity scene: a cute baby in a manger holding out his hands in blessing; Mary and Joseph in wonderment of their firstborn son; lowly shepherds and three kings kneeling in worship; and adorable sheep and cows in the background. But Nativity scenes are far from real, and not even Biblical. A few years back, Dr. Jack Kinneer, professor at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, wrote a…

Christmas Sermons

“That Where I Am You May Be Also”

December 13, 2015September 25, 2019 BigSpringsAdvent, Christmas, Gospel of John, Isaiah 33, John 14, Second Coming

Isaiah 33:13-16; John 14:1-7, 15-18 (text) December 13, 2015 • Download this sermon (PDF) Congregation of Christ: In 1949, Ira Stanphill composed a song entitled “Mansion Over the Hilltop” that was made popular by Elvis Presley. This song is based upon the misleading translation and mistaken interpretation of Jesus’ promise in John 14:2, “In my Father’s house are many monai.” The King James Bible translates the Greek word monai into “mansions,” which in 1611, simply meant “dwelling-places.” Sadly, even though the word “mansion” has a very different meaning today,…