Christians are pilgrims and strangers traveling in this barren land, living between redemption and the Promised Land. But as God’s people, “you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Eph 2:19).
Read MoreExodus 2:1-4; 14:21-30; Hebrews 11:23-29 April 30, 2017 • Download this sermon (PDF) Congregation of Christ: To those of you who spend some time on Facebook, did you notice the fondness for posts like, “Which celebrity do you most resemble?” or “What state is your favorite?” Even Reformed Christians have this question, “Which Reformer are you?” and if it turns out John Calvin or Martin Luther, you can congratulate yourself. I think of this Facebook culture as a form of name-dropping, an annoying habit of some people who mention—or “drop”—names…
Read MorePsalm 95:7b-11; Hebrews 3:7-19; Heidelberg Catechism 31 & 32 January 15, 2017 • Download this sermon (PDF) Congregation of Christ: In every undertaking, whether in our studies, in sports, we are encouraged to finish well and finish strong. The Apostle Paul urged the church in Corinth, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it” (1 Cor 9:24-26). And when he knew that his life is about to end, told young Timothy, “I…
Read MoreToday, we sang “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me” written by the Reformed hymnwriter Augustus Toplady in 1776. I want to focus on why Toplady prays to Christ as the “Rock of Ages” who was “cleft” for him. The original first stanza was: Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee! Let the Water and the Blood, From thy riven Side which flow’d, Be of Sin the double Cure, Cleanse me from its Guilt and Pow’r. The word “cleft” as a noun means a split or…
Read MoreScripture Readings: Judges 1:1-2:5 (text); Ephesians 6:10-20 June 5, 2016 • Download this sermon (pdf) Congregation of Christ: The book of Judges is a hard book to preach on, so that many pastors avoid preaching or teaching from it. It is full of names, geography, conflict, and even uncomfortably graphic sex, violence and gore. So it is a wonder that sex-and-violence crazed Hollywood has not made more movies about the stories in this book, except about Samson, and Delilah of course. The title of the book comes from the title…
Read More© September 20, 2015 • Download PDF sermon Readings: 2 Samuel 12:1-15; Psalm 51:1-19 (text); Luke 18:9-14 Congregation of Christ: I’m sure you’ve heard this very common prayer many times: Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.…
Read MorePsalm 105:8, 9; Luke 1:72-75 (text) December 14, 2014 • Download this sermon (PDF) Introduction Dear Congregation of Christ: Last Lord’s Day, we began our study of the Song of Zechariah in Luke Chapter 1. Zechariah prophesied that “a horn of salvation” promised by the prophets of old would come to visit and redeem God’s people. This “horn of salvation” is Jesus, the cousin of his yet to be born son, John the Baptizer. In our lesson for today in verses 72-75, Zechariah’s prophecy continues with God sending this “horn of…
Read MoreThe men are currently visiting a period in Biblical history known as “The Conquest of the Promised Land” in the Book of Joshua. But in recent times, the most heated discussion when Joshua is mentioned is about the command by God to the Israelites to “devote” everyone and everything “to destruction” as they conquered the cities in the land. How can a good, loving God command “genocide”? Join us as we embark on a “conquest” of this and several other themes and issues in seven Lessons from the White Horse…
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