When Abraham lifted up his eyes, there was a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. He knew then that God himself had provided a substitute for his son. He sacrificed it to God to thank him for providing a substitute sacrifice for his only son. Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, is our Substitute Lamb sacrificed for our sins.
Read MoreWhat is the general order of worship? You can remember it this way: Confession, Consecration, and Communion. We see the same order of worship at Mount Sinai and in the Book of Revelation.
Read MoreSo when you find ourselves in the sin of unbelief, rebellion and covetousness, you have a Mediator who is better than Moses (Heb 9:15): Jesus Christ the Savior. He pleads for you before his Father’s throne of grace, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”
Read MorePsalm 118:1-29; Matthew 26:30-32; Hebrews 2:10-12 August 26, 2018 • Download this sermon (PDF) Dear Congregation of Christ: Who among you are not familiar with the chorus, “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” This short song is from Psalm 118 verse 24, one verse out of 29 verses in our text. It’s always better to sing songs straight from Scripture, such as this one verse. In singing the Psalms and other songs in the Bible, we can be…
Read MoreJoshua 20:1-9; Hebrews 6:17-20 September 10, 2017 ● Download this sermon (PDF) Congregation of Christ: Do you know what Machiavellianism is? The word comes from the Italian Renaissance diplomat and writer Niccolò Machiavelli, born in 1469, who wrote the popular book The Prince. In this book, Machiavelli proposed that all actions, whether good or evil, the state exercises to achieve and preserve its power are justified. In time, his proposition was summarized as, “the end justifies the means.” Individually, one can deceive, lie, steal, even commit murder, to achieve…
Read MoreExcerpts from Joshua 14-19; Hebrews 4:1-10 September 3, 2017 ● Download this sermon (PDF) Congregation of Christ: We now come to the tedious chapters of Joshua, where we read about the lands that the tribes and clans and individuals of Israel inherited after the conquest of Canaan. We read of tongue-twisting places and names. Why can’t Gederothaim be Gardensham, or Kerioth-hezron be Kerrington, and Shahazumah be Shenandoah? Why can’t the daughters of Zelophehad named Mahlah be Myla, or Hoglah be Holly, or Milcah be Michaiah, and Tirzah be Theresa?…
Read MoreJoshua 2:1-24; 6:22-25; Matthew 1:5; Hebrews 11:30-31 June 18, 2017 ● Download this sermon (PDF) Congregation of Christ: “It’s been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first.” Who said this? This quote is usually attributed to President Reagan when he was still governor of California. But claims for the oldest profession have been made for gardeners, ranchers, engineers, soldiers, doctors, nurses, teachers, and of course, lawyers. Some have pointed out that tailoring was the oldest profession because…
Read MorePsalm 50:23 ● Hebrews 13:1-25 May 28, 2017 ● Download this sermon (PDF) Congregation of Christ: What if the pastor of your church has “been guilty of arrogance, responding to conflict with a quick temper and harsh speech, and leading the staff and elders in a domineering manner … [and having] attitudes and behaviors reflected by a domineering style of leadership”? What if the pastor “domineers by making people feel unsafe and insecure should they desire to voice an objection to his proposals and policies”? These statements were made…
Read MorePsalm 96 ● Hebrews 12:18-29 May 21, 2017 ● Download this sermon (PDF) Congregation of Christ: Why do you come to worship every Lord’s Day? Is it out of habit or tradition? Is it to gather with family and friends? Is it to make you feel good? Have you ever wondered what really happens during a worship service? In many churches today, people flock to see and hear entertaining music and amusing, therapeutic sermons. They say the purpose of the worship service is to get unbelievers to be saved. Others…
Read MoreProverbs 3:11-12; Hebrews 12:1-17 (text) May 14, 2017 • Download this sermon (PDF) Congregation of Christ: In 203 A.D., about a century after John the last apostle died, there was a young Christian woman who was in prison awaiting her execution for being a Christian. When her pagan father visited her in prison, he tried to persuade her to renounce her faith in Christ. According to some accounts, there was this conversation: “Father do you see this vase here? Could it be called by any other name than what…
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