And so to the Psalm the point is simply made Blessed are those whose way is pure and who walk in law of the Lord.
|
|
- Lora Lucas
- 5 years ago
- Views:
Transcription
1 1 Difficult passage from the Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5 If you scan through all of the readings appointed for today it is hard to find much comfort. From Deuteronomy a reminder about the Ten Commandments. And the reminder is that only by observing God s laws will the people of Israel prosper and enter into the Promised Land. If they do not follow God s laws, they will not cross the Jordan, they will perish. But what has that got to with us? This was written thousands of years ago for a people long gone. But here we are still reading this. Our Christian Faith comes out of these times, out of this distant land and its people, who showed themselves to be pretty stiff necked and stubborn and consistently failed to follow God s laws. Not one of the people who God had led out of slavery in Egypt crossed the river Jordan. Not even Moses who witnessed the Ten Plagues, who crossed Red Sea when the waters were parted and stood like walls to give safe passage to them. God had rescued them from the might of Egypt but only the generation that came after them entered into the land that God set apart for them. And yet, God does not demand anything difficult. God says Choose life so that your descendants may live hold fast to Him. But they couldn t do it and people today still do not do it. And yet God always come out as the bad guy. So move on and scan through Ecclesiasticus. Again God gives his people a choice a choice between life and death. And through history people choose death. It doesn t make sense. And so people make up excuses for their sinfulness, even blame God you made me like this, I can t help how I am. But God has not commanded anyone to be wicked and has not given anyone permission to sin. And so to the Psalm the point is simply made Blessed are those whose way is pure and who walk in law of the Lord. But we live in a world that is far from pure. We inhabit a world that delights in exploitation, where the sex trade is worth billions,
2 2 where the world economies would collapse without the sale of weapons; a world that thrives on dishonesty; that seeks its own interests above the needs of others. And we wonder why there is not peace in the world. We live in a world where those who would strive to live by the Ten Commandments are more likely to be ridiculed than applauded and yet there is not one that I would strike from the list. But what about worshipping God, not everyone believes in God, not everyone believes in the same God and then people will say that religion is behind most of the trouble in the world anyway. But God says: I have not given anyone permission anyone to sin Ecc 15v20. But who is this God? John the Evangelist, writes in a letter that God is this: God is love and those who live in love, live in God and God lives in them. Wherever there is trouble in the world, in the community, in the church, in the home: it is because of the absence of love. Love is easily usurped by our own insistence on having our own way. Paul writes in his letter to the Corinthians this very thing: love does not insist on its own way. And so when you look at the reading appointed for today, from that same letter, Paul is speaking to that church and telling them straight: For as long as there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, ARE you not of the flesh in other words not of God behaving according to human inclinations? And so the church in Paul s day feels so much like the church of our day: split into factions. Those who follow Paul are at odds with those who follow Apollos and Paul says it is all nonsense. What would Paul make of all our different denominations today? Catholics, Anglicans, Baptists, Methodists, Free Methodist, Gospel Churches, Pentecostals The church of the holier than thou and The chapel of the We are better than you. All are human constructions and all are the result of human sinfulness and the absence of love.
3 3 And then in our Gospel reading we have the sermon on the Mount. There is huge symbolism going on here, because thousands of years earlier God gave the law to Moses on a Mount and the people consistently failed to follow it. Was it because the law was at fault? Absolutely not! When rules don t work for people we tend to change the rules. We say they are unworkable; the goal posts shifts, the benchmark changes, we turn a blind eye: but God does not change the rules. There is a tendency to think of God s rules as the enemy but God s rules are really about our health and safety. God s health and safety policy that guarantees peace Rather than tone down the rules for being unworkable, Jesus ramps them up. To be angry with a brother or sister is to commit murder in the heart; to be rude and insulting will drag you before the courts of the Lord, to put one another down by ridicule is to court the fires of hell. So important is this that Jesus says forget about your religious duty, don t even think about offering your gifts at the altar unless you first reconcile yourself with your neighbour. It s not new, but Jesus restates this point. The only thing God desires of us is expressed by King David in Ps51 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Or in Hosea 6v6 I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. God hates the hypocrisy of religion and accuses his people of making idolatry out of worship. And as we enter into the New Testament this does not change. St Paul picks it up in his letter to the dysfunctional church of Corinth: For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord s death until He comes. Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Each one must examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 1 Cor 11v27.
4 4 And then Jesus tackles that thorny of issues of adultery: even to look lustfully at another man or woman is to commit adultery - so that pretty well covers everybody. I can hear Private Fraser even now.. We re doomed. Surely Jesus can t mean this, surely this is too hard: pluck out your right eye or cut off your right hand if it causes you to sin. And then he comes back to adultery and Divorce. By God s standards more than half of people today are living a permanent state of adultery because they have divorced and remarried. It is a point taken very seriously by the Catholic Church divorcees who re-marry are barred from taking communion the very nourishment of the soul in preparation for entering into Eternal Life. I don t agree with this view and thankfully it is changing. But, given that all have sinned and all have fallen short of the glory God how can anyone be saved? How may anyone enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Jesus hasn t singled out divorcees, his list makes it clear that none is worthy to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. All have sinned, says Paul, and all have fallen short of the glory of God. But it remains that the more colourful aspects are of our sinfulness get the most attention: we even immortalise and celebrate these things in film. Whilst some lifestyle magazines will tell you to have an affair to spice up your marriage. Adultery and divorce are wrong there is no way of getting it around it but there is more to understand about this troubling part of the Sermon of the Mount and it is related to injustice, oppression and the worst sin of all human pride and arrogance. There will always be those who will pass over their own sinfulness and focus on the sinfulness of others: they think they are better than others, and in focussing on the shortcomings of others it distracts attention away from their own sins. Sue and I caught a glimpse of the film Now you see me. It is a brilliant expose of the magician s art, the art of distraction, but it is in the end an illusion and the most deluded are those point the finger at others the gossipers, the anonymous critics, the ones who write poison pen letters these are the evildoers that God most hates because when they do such things they set up themselves as judge, they set themselves up in the place of God, and this is the worst kind of idolatry.
5 5 And so a woman was brought to Jesus who had been caught in the very act of adultery. In the very act now unless she was on her own and looking lustfully at another, then there was a man somewhere. But in Jewish law only a woman could be guilty of adultery and only a man could divorce his wife, not the other way round. Yet this woman under Jewish law should be stoned and here is the challenge that the self-righteous upholders of the law brought to Jesus. They wanted Jesus to condemn himself by saying that the law was wrong and that would be blasphemy. But Jesus does not contradict the law, he upholds it and he ramps it up. All sin in God s eyes is punishable by death and so he says let him who has never sinned cast the first stone and one by one each of the accusers puts down their stone and walks away, a walk of shame but a walk of confession. St John the Evangelist writes: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make God a liar, and his truth is not in us. 1 John 1v8-10 These religious people were guilty of the terrible thing that so many do the sin of duplicity: to say one thing but do another: happy to point out the fault of others but not prepared to address their own failings. The writer of the Proverbs, probably King Solomon, said this: The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Proverbs 11v3 God s laws of justice and freedom, his health and safety policy for the world had been re-written to favour the strong over the weak and in this man s world the woman had no power and once stripped of everything, the only thing left for her was prostitution for which she could be stoned whilst the man engaged in the very act with her would walk free.
6 6 You may have read in the papers about the anonymous hate letters written to the Revd Chris Newlands, Vicar of Lancaster Priory and Patron to St Peter s Scorton. He received hate letters because he lives in a same sex civil partnership: under the law. These anonymous letters, purportedly by Bible believing Christians, were full of hatred by these invisible cowards who must think that they are somehow without sin but here is the truth we all live in sin. God s judgement will fall heavily on those who think that they better than others. It is to those people whom Jesus preaches the Sermon on the Mount where even to harbour an angry thought is murder and simply to cast a lustful eye toward another is adultery. But in this understanding of the law. Who then can be saved? The answer is noone because all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But there is hope and St Paul in his letter to the Romans puts it like this: But now, irrespective of law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, (no distinction) since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; [And here is the Good News] they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. That does not mean that we can forget about the law, we must still strive to follow God s ways even though it is hard but it is the way that makes for peace. We can only stand alongside one another in our sinfulness, no one can stand higher than anybody else. Only by grace can we stand and we can only take hold of the gift of grace by letting go of whatever we would hold on to for ourselves. All we can say to God in the end is Yes, Yes Yes or reject him and say No No No. So today, in heart and mind, let us say Yes to God and journey with him to the Promised Land.
Lectionary Readings. February Year A
Lectionary Readings February 2017 Year A Sunday, February 5 (5 Epiphany) Isaiah 58:1-12 Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house
More informationThe Story Caught In A Trap We continue our year long series looking at the unfolding story of Redemption. This morning I want to look at his life
The Story Caught In A Trap We continue our year long series looking at the unfolding story of Redemption. This morning I want to look at his life changing encounter with a woman who was caught in a trap.
More informationThe New Life in Christ
Christadelphian Bible Mission The New Life in Christ Lesson 9 Truthfulness and Honesty in our Lives The Faithfulness of God I n the book of Deuteronomy we have the last words of Moses, spoken just before
More informationTHE 10 COMMANDMENTS GOD S DESIGN FOR SEX & MARRIAGE
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS Series: The 10 Commandments Setting... God delivers his people from Egyptian slavery Great miracles and God s power displayed People gather at the foot of Mount Sinai Amidst fire and
More informationA Humanistic Satan-Inspired Misunderstanding Of Matthew 7:1-5
A Humanistic Satan-Inspired Misunderstanding Of Matthew 7:1-5 In Matthew 4:5-7, we see Satan used verses of Scripture to try to deceive Jesus Christ. So Satan and his demons will use the written Word of
More informationThe Sermon On The Mount
The Sermon On The Mount Lesson 5 Murder Contrasted With Hateful Anger Matthew 5:21-26 The Sermon On The Mount 1. The Beatitudes Character of Kingdom Citizens Matt. 5:1-12 2. Influence of The Kingdom of
More informationRepentance A Forgotten Grace
Repentance A Forgotten Grace Brian Bunn August 17, 2014 AM Worship Service Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God s kindness is meant to lead
More informationMeeting With Christ THOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY. A matter of the heart. Matthew 5:27-30
Meeting With Christ Practical and Exegetical Studies on the Words of Jesus Christ Yves I-Bing Cheng, M.D., M.A. Based on sermons of Pasteur Eric Chang www.meetingwithchrist.com THOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY
More informationGod s wrath certainly isn t an attribute that we think should be cause for worship, something we should thank God for and praise Him for.
IS GOD MAD AT US? Rev. Robert T. Woodyard First Christian Reformed Church, Lynden, WA October 4, 2015, 10:30AM Text for the Sermon: Nahum 1:1-8; Exodus 34:6-7, 14 Introduction. We come this morning to
More informationUNDERSTANDING HYPOCRISY Sylvester Onyemalechi
UNDERSTANDING HYPOCRISY Sylvester Onyemalechi Hypocrisy is a false assumption of virtue. Hypocrisy is the act of pretending to have goodness and strength of character which one does not possess. Hypocrisy
More informationMatt 5:21-37 Epiphany 6 Feb 13, 2011
The Way of Life Matt 5:21-37 Epiphany 6 Feb 13, 2011 In today s sermon our Lord will be speaking to you of the way of life not a way of life, but the way, stressing the word the. This is the way to be
More informationTHE SACREDNESS OF MARRIAGE Matthew 5:27-32
TBC 5/3/98 a.m. The Sermon on the Mount #14 THE SACREDNESS OF MARRIAGE Matthew 5:27-32 Intro: Why the Lord singled out the particular aspects of the Law which He did, we can t say with any degree of authority.
More informationIn Judging Others, We Judge Ourselves (Romans 2)
In Judging Others, We Judge Ourselves (Romans 2) In around A. D. 57, from the city of Corinth in Greece, the apostle Paul wrote the letter to all who are in Rome to both Jewish and non-jewish Christians
More informationTo God Alone be the Glory
To God Alone be the Glory 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (ESV) 26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
More informationRighteousness is what is right. To be righteous means to do what is right, holy, and good. Righteousness is
Trinity 6 Matthew 5:17-26 Christ Fulfills All Righteousness Pastor James Preus Trinity Lutheran Church July 3, 2016 "For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees,
More informationOur Relationships. Psalm 133:1 How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!
Our Relationships Once there were two shopkeepers who were bitter rivals. Their stores were directly across the street from each other, so they spent each day keeping track of each other s business. If
More informationIntroduction. Errors of The Pharisees. Nature Of Hypocrisy. Hypocrisy. Nature Of Hypocrisy. Nature Of Hypocrisy
Introduction Errors of The Pharisees One of Pharisees greatest failings Excuse for disobedient Christians not to attend regularly and be active in service What is hypocrisy? How does it display itself?
More informationCain s Homemade Religion
SERIES: HOW THE GOOD GO BAD Dr. Larry Osborne Message 2: Cain s Homemade Religion North Coast Church Genesis 4 June 20-21, 2009 CAIN S SAD STORY: Genesis 4/ Jude 11/ Hebrews 11:4/ 1 John 3:12-13 Cain s
More informationThe law drives us to Christ
The law drives us to Christ Galatians 3:19-22 Pastor Tim Melton Several years ago I was part of an effort to start a new church in south Florida, in the United States. One Sunday morning we met in the
More informationTHE 10 COMMANDMENTS THE VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS Series: The 10 Commandments Setting... God delivers his people from Egyptian slavery Great miracles and God s power displayed People gather at the foot of Mount Sinai Amidst fire and
More informationWatch a testimony of how powerful God s Word is in a simple Gospel tract: Spread the good news. Soli Deo Gloria.
THE DESIGN FOR HUMAN SEXUALITY A GOSPEL TRACT FOR SERVICE MEMBERS WHO STRUGGLE WITH SEXUALLY IMMORAL CONDUCT (LGBTQ, FORNICATION, ADULTERY, INCEST & BESTIALITY) Important Note: If you are a service member
More informationBorn to Love: A Biblical Celebration of Relationships
Born to Love: A Biblical Celebration of Relationships In July we have chosen to explore how we are made for relationship and what should relationship looks like. We will look at God s relationship with
More informationRomans. 13Brothers and sisters, I want you to know that. 14I must serve all people Greeks and non- 16I am proud of the Good News.
1311 Romans 1Greetings from Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus. God called me to be an apostle. * I was chosen to tell God s Good News * to all people. 2God promised long ago to give this Good News to his
More informationWHY. Victory of the Cross Divine Exchange. Guilt and Condemnation. harm him. Resurrection Sunday 4/5/2010
Resurrection Sunday Victory of the Cross Divine Exchange 1 John 5:18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch /
More informationSermon on Psalm 32. Beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Sermon on Psalm 32 Beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ, What really makes a person happy? What is it that makes for a relaxed and peaceful life? If you take a look around you, at our world and
More informationall body before beginning church created creation dead everything for God head heaven him hold image in might over rulers Son things thrones visible
Colossians 1:15-18 The is the of the invisible, the firstborn all. 16 For in him things were : things in and on earth, and invisible, whether or powers or or authorities; all have been created through
More information1 John 1:1 1 1 John 2:1. John s First Letter
1 John 1:1 1 1 John 2:1 John s First Letter 1 We declare to you that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we watched, and our hands have touched, concerning
More information1. Law & Grace (Article 1)
1. Law & Grace (Article 1) We do not keep the Ten Commandments (old covenant) for the same purpose that Israel was commanded to keep them. They kept it as a demonstration of faith in the promise of a Savior
More informationDon t Store It Up! (Romans 2:1-16)
1 Don t Store It Up! (Romans 2:1-16) by Rev. Dan McDowell August 26, 2018 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning
More informationYour Enemies: The Flesh, the World, and the Devil
WHAT IS THE FLESH? Natural humanity. Flesh is neutral, but its natural tendency is to go away from God and toward sin. Some Bible versions translate sarx as sinful nature rather than flesh. Context indicates
More informationSoteriology Lesson 22 The Work of Salvation
Soteriology Lesson 22 The Work of Salvation By Dr. David Hocking Brought to you by The Blue Letter Bible Institute http://www.blbi.org A ministry of The Blue Letter Bible http://www.blueletterbible.org
More informationTHE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD GOD S UNLIMITED POWER
THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD GOD S UNLIMITED POWER The Sovereignty of God. 1 Nelson s Illustrated Bible Dictionary describes God s sovereignty as a theological term, which refers to the unlimited power of God,
More informationPaul's Attitude. Corinthian Church.
Welcome to: - Bible House of Grace. God, through His Son Jesus, provides eternal grace for our failures and human limitations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More informationVillage Church of Wheaton Romans 8:1-6 October 17, Romans Chapter 8
Romans Chapter 8 Just wait till you see what s coming in this chapter. What a terrible waste it would be if you missed any of it. So let s not waste any time. We ll begin by looking at the first four verses
More informationThe Heart of Anger and the Priority of Repentance Matthew 5:21 26
The Heart of Anger and the Priority of Repentance Matthew 5:21 26 Matthew 5:21 26 21 You have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.
More informationThe Sermon on the Mount Recap...
THE on the Mount The Sermon on the Mount Recap... Setting & Background People have witnessed great miracles and heard amazing teaching and Jesus has become famous (Matt 4:23-25) The sermon is directed
More information1. What is repentance? 2. Why should we repent? 3. What should we repent of? 4. How do we turn away from sin and walk as Jesus did?
The Importance of Turning Away from Sin Matthew 4:17 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. Mark 1:14-15 14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into
More informationThe New Life in Christ
Christadelphian Bible Mission The New Life in Christ Lesson 11 Marriage and Family Life The Principles of Marriage T he relationship between a husband and his wife is the most important human relationship
More informationTHE PROPER USE OF GOD S LAW
LEVEL 3 LESSON 8 By Don Krow One day Joe and I were talking to Bill and Steve at the lake. The question was brought up, How could people possibly be held accountable before God who have never heard of
More informationA MATTER OF THE HEART Romans 2:11-29
February 15, 2015 Providence A MATTER OF THE HEART Romans 2:11-29 INTRODUCTION: What happens when professing Christians act more like practicing sinners? Having already introduced the problem of hypocrisy
More informationBIBLE RADIO PRODUCTIONS
BIBLE RADIO PRODUCTIONS www.bibleradio.org.au BIBLE ADVENTURES SCRIPT: A1828 ~ The Ten Commandments. Welcome to Bible Adventures. Help for today. Hope for tomorrow. Jesus is Lord of all. In today s Bible
More informationJOHN A Translation of the Original Greek Text into Modern English Beta Version July 7, 2011 Translated by J. A. Crabtree
The FIRST Letter of the Apostle JOHN A Translation of the Original Greek Text into Modern English July 7, 2011 Translated by SECTION 1 [1:1-2] 1. I want to relate to you what was from the beginning regarding
More informationProverbs 25:12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
THE PERIL OF PARTIALITY. Rev. Robert T. Woodyard First Christian Reformed Church November 16, 2014, 10:30AM Scripture Text: James 2:1-13 Introduction. Suppose you and a good friend are meeting over coffee
More information(Romans 5:12-13; Ephesians 2:1-9 and Romans 10:9-11)
B2B Crossing over from death to life 1 (Romans 5:12-13; Ephesians 2:1-9 and Romans 10:9-11) 04-Feb-2018 Recap [PowerPoint 1-B2B] This is 2 nd part of our B2B series 9 weeks [PowerPoint 2-B2B] Page 1 of
More information1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we. have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched
Chapter 1 : 1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life 2 and the life was manifested,
More informationThe Law Verses Faith (Grace)
The Law Verses Faith (Grace) By B. D. Tate Something that has been made clear to me lately is how the law being taught as part of the gospel is actually hindering us from faith and walking in grace! This
More informationMicah. Living Right in God s Kingdom. Micah 6:1-16. Sermon given on January 11, 2012 Core Christian Fellowship
Micah Living Right in God s Kingdom Sermon given on January 11, 2012 Core Christian Fellowship Wednesday Evening Service @ Home of Jeremie and Sheila Curtis Pastor Rick Lancaster Opening Comments Turn
More informationConcerning the Service
Concerning the Service Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent: a time of penitence, fasting and prayer, in preparation for the great Feast of the Resurrection. The season of Lent began
More informationIs God Angry With Me? Series: Inner Healing With Bishop Ronald K. Powell
Is God Angry With Me? Series: Inner Healing With Bishop Ronald K. Powell How do you perceive your relationship with God? Did you know that your faith depends on how you perceive your relationship with
More informationSixth Sunday after Epiphany February 12, 2017 Pastor s Welcome Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation LSB 909
Sixth Sunday after Epiphany February 12, 2017 Pastor s Welcome Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation LSB 909 P If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. C But if we confess
More informationMount Sinai : Golden Calf Incident
Mount Sinai : Golden Calf Incident Exodus 32:1-35 bible verse Committing to memory 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
More informationTHE LIGHT OF THE WORLD (JOHN 8-9)
Name Page 49 Lesson 6 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD (JOHN 8-9) Jesus Christ is "the of the world" (John 8: 12). As we learned in John 3:19-21, there are those who hate the Light and there are those who come to
More informationBrokenness, Brokenness is what I long for
1 Brokenness, Brokenness is what I long for The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. (Ps. 34:18) For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give
More informationSkeletons In The Closet
FEARLESS Pastor Chris Brown Message 9: Skeletons In The Closet North Coast Church John 4:1-42 March 14-15, 2009 Skeletons In The Closet John 4:1-42 FACING THE TRUTH ABOUT ME John 4:1-42, John 21:15-19
More informationLive By Jesus Interpretation of God s Will
FOCAL TEXT Matthew 5:17 48 BACKGROUND Matthew 5:17 48 MAIN IDEA Jesus instructs his disciples to live a life of complete goodness springing from a heart grounded in the character of God. QUESTION TO EXPLORE
More informationHow can a loving God condemn people to suffering in hell? Question 9
How can a loving God condemn people to suffering in hell? Question 9 For this study I did not prepare a detailed study outline. Included here are a brief outline of the lesson, and then a verbatim of the
More informationOne person complained (I) look like a convicted and unrepentant mass murderer Another wrote I looked like a very happy pig.
Looking Like Your Passport by Jeff Strite 1 Peter 1:13-2:3 OPEN: How many of you have ever had a passport? You realize that when you visit a foreign land, you MUST have a passport, because without that
More informationWelcome to Promise Land Bible Church We re glad you re here!
Welcome to Promise Land Bible Church We re glad you re here! Praise and Prayer Request Philippians 1:3-6 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my
More informationLevel 3 Lesson 8. THE PROPER USE OF GOD S LAW By Don Krow
Level 3 Lesson 8 THE PROPER USE OF GOD S LAW By Don Krow One day Joe and I were talking to Bill and Steve at the lake. The question was brought up, How could people possibly be held accountable before
More information1 John 1 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
1 John 1 New American Standard Bible (NASB) Introduction, The Incarnate Word 1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with
More informationReal Life Issues 4: Sex
1 Real Life Issues 4: Sex Reading: Genesis 2:18-24 The LORD God said, It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him. 19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all
More informationDifferent Voices Lesson 2 1 John 2:1-11, 2:12-17, 2:18-29
Different Voices Bible Text New International Version Observations What does the text say? Interpretation & Questions What does it mean to all Christians? 1 John 2:1-11 1 My dear children, I write this
More informationPaul s letter to the church of Jesus Christ at Oklahoma City The Admonitions-1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Paul s letter to the church of Jesus Christ at Oklahoma City The Admonitions-1 Corinthians 6:9-11 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor
More information1 Corinthians 11:17-34
1 Corinthians 11:17-34 Traditional Sunday lunch the Oxo Family. It s a really civilised occasion, but have you ever been to a children s party at MacDonalds! But adults aren t much better. In a survey
More informationCOVENANT Lesson 4. DAY ONE Genesis 17:9-14
COVENANT Lesson 4 DAY ONE Genesis 17:9-14 9 God said further to Abraham, Now as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. 10 This is My covenant,
More informationYOUR GROWTH GOAL. Part 1, Lesson 3 Becoming Good Soil: Experiencing God s Love and Forgiveness Fertile Soil: Starting Your New Life with Jesus
Part 1, Lesson 3 Becoming Good Soil: Experiencing God s Love and Forgiveness Fertile Soil: Starting Your New Life with Jesus Growing a garden takes work. After the soil has been cultivated and the seeds
More informationWelcome to Promise Land Bible Church We re glad you re here!
Welcome to Promise Land Bible Church We re glad you re here! Praise and Prayer Request Philippians 1:3-6 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my
More informationWelcome to St John the Evangelist East Dulwich
Welcome to St John the Evangelist East Dulwich 12 February 2017 3rd Sunday before Lent Vicar: Revd. Gill O Neill 07958 592425, vicar@stjohnseastdulwich.org Assistant Priests: Revd. Anne Clarke and Revd.
More informationRomans. God s judgment is part of the gospel too
Romans God s judgment is part of the gospel too In Romans 1, 2 and 3, Paul makes his strongest statements about God s judgment. He tells us there really is a judgment day coming, with a typical law court
More informationMatthew Vines, God and the Gay Christian
Matthew Vines, God and the Gay Christian Mark Yarhouse, Understanding Gender Dysphoria Wesley Hill, Washed and Waiting Caleb Kaltenbach, Messy Grace Preston Sprinkle, People to be Loved Jesus returned
More informationMALACHI BROKEN COVENANTS
MALACHI BROKEN COVENANTS Malachi 2 1 And now, you priests, this warning is for you. If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honour my name, says the LORD Almighty, I will send a curse on you,
More informationIn Nomine Jesu. The Helper on Earth. next week, are a sort of series that are built into the historic one-year lectionary.
1 Psalm 66:1-8 Isaiah 12:1-6 James 1:16-21 John 16:5-15 Christ is risen! In Nomine Jesu The Helper on Earth He is risen indeed, alleluia! Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our Father, and from our
More informationCOMMUNICATOR GUIDE. Haters / Week 1 PRELUDE SOCIAL WORSHIP STORY GROUPS HOME SCRIPTURE TEACHING OUTLINE
COMMUNICATOR GUIDE Haters / Week 1 PRELUDE SOCIAL WORSHIP STORY GROUPS HOME BOTTOM LINE Drop the rock. GOAL OF SMALL GROUP To encourage students to move away from judging others (and comparing sins) and
More informationTeaching Our Kids About The Lord
Session Two Session 2 Overview 1. Teaching Our Kids about the Lord 2. Partnering in Parenting 3. Behavior and Attitudes and Discipline Reminder: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 o All Scripture is God-breathed and is
More informationDATE LESSON MEMORY WORK
7 th Grade Confirmation Schedule Zion Lutheran Church 2016-2017 Teacher: Pastor Zellers, pastorzellers@gmail.com 763-242-3993 Class Coordinator: Russ Weixel, rweixelzion@aol.com 400-6492 DATE LESSON MEMORY
More informationThursday of Proper 24 in Year 2 Morning Prayer
Thursday of Proper 24 in Year 2 Morning Prayer Opening Sentence Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 Versicle
More informationStep Five. STEP 5: Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. First Week - Introduction
Love Lifted Me Recovery Ministries Step Five http://www.loveliftedmerecovery.com STEP 5: Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. First Week - Introduction
More informationWhat kind of faith? Luke 18:9-14
What kind of faith? Luke 18:9-14 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray, one
More informationWHAT ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY? I want to try to answer three questions today that often come up when addressing this issue;
WHAT ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY? We are concluding our series today on Love and Marriage. We have looked at the biblical basis for marriage and last week looked at what happens when marriage is broken through
More informationIs It Ever Right to Lie?
Is It Ever Right to Lie? I realize many people claim that it is sometimes acceptable, or even good, to lie. They may give examples of situations in which they consider lying "appropriate" or even "necessary."
More informationDo We Have to Sin? 2. The discussion comes about when one looks at the temptation of Jesus.
Do We Have to Sin? Introduction 1. Many people wonder if man has to sin. 2. The discussion comes about when one looks at the temptation of Jesus. 3. It is reasoned that "Jesus was tempted like we are,
More informationWhat repentance really is: Composed of three elements:
GODLY REPENTANCE Deut. 30:11-20 Commandments of God not hidden 1. Knowledge of what sin is: a. How serious it is, damaging to our lives, relationships, etc. b. How full of peril it is. c. How displeasing
More informationUNFAITHFULNESS WITH OUR ADVANTAGE WILL NOT COMPROMISE GOD S RIGHTEOUSNESS
Romans 3:1-8 (Psalm 51) Psalm 51:1-4, 15-17 King Jesus, we thank You for Your perfect sacrifice in our place that satisfied God s just anger against us, so our hearts may be circumcised by Your Spirit
More informationRighteousness from Above: The Problem By Senior Pastor Tom Harrison. June 3, 2018
Righteousness from Above: The Problem By Senior Pastor Tom Harrison June 3, 2018 Rom 1:18-32 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress
More informationReceive God's Forgiveness
Receive God's Forgiveness Receive God's Forgiveness Michael J. NIelsen / General Go and Be Reconciled / Forgiveness; Confession; David / 2 Samuel 12:1 15; 2 Samuel 11:1 27 Grace, mercy, and peace be yours
More informationKeeping the Commandments
1 Epiphany 6, 2011A 581 These Are the Holy Ten Commands (verses 1-6) *704 Renew Me, O Eternal Light 581 These Are the Holy Ten Commands (verses 7-12) Keeping the Commandments 21 [Jesus said:] You have
More informationWarnings and Encouragement Sermons From Pastoral Rule, Book 3 August 28, 2016
Warnings and Encouragement Sermons From Pastoral Rule, Book 3 August 28, 2016 I. My original intention for today s teaching was to talk about the contrast between those who confess their sins and even
More informationTHE GOSPEL OF THE LORD
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD Living the Gospel: Living under the command of Christ Lord s Day 16 th November, Morning Worship, 9.30am Rev D Rudi Schwartz 1 Bible Readings Old Testament: Psalm 101 New Testament:
More informationSaint Mark s. episcopal cathedral. The Holy Eucharist. the sixth sunday after the epiphany. February 12, :00 am
Saint Mark s episcopal cathedral The Holy Eucharist the sixth sunday after the epiphany February 12, 2017 8:00 am Newcomers and visitors, the community of Saint Mark s welcomes you. We hope that you will
More informationCHAPTER 8:1-11 MEDIA REFERENCE NUMBER SM-385 OCTOBER 06, 2000 THE TITLE OF THE MESSAGE: THE THEME OF THE BOOK:
THE GOSPEL of JOHN CHAPTER 8:1-11 MEDIA REFERENCE NUMBER SM-385 OCTOBER 06, 2000 THE TITLE OF THE MESSAGE: W h a t G o d S a y s A b o u t A d u l t e r y THE THEME OF THE BOOK: John 1:12 But as many as
More informationUNDERSTANDING SALVATION Part 1 Titus 3:3-7 By Andy Manning July 24, 2017
UNDERSTANDING SALVATION Part 1 Titus 3:3-7 By Andy Manning July 24, 2017 The title of this sermon is Understanding Salvation. The Greek word for salvation is soteria. That s where we get our word soteriology,
More informationDo The Next Right Thing
Week #18 Tzadde Psalm 119:137-144 Do The Next Right Thing Gentle. Kind. Pure. Loving. Faithful. Just. Always there. Wise. Forever. Psalm 119:137-144 Last week we looked at the power of sin. This week we
More informationPassage Guide Romans 1 4
Passage Guide Romans 1 4 Romans 1:1 7 (NIV) Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the
More informationBiblical Sexuality Part 3 This is the third message in a four part series on Biblical Sexuality. I ve referenced this passage from 1 Thessalonians in
Biblical Sexuality Part 3 This is the third message in a four part series on Biblical Sexuality. I ve referenced this passage from 1 Thessalonians in the previous messages. Paul writes, Finally brothers
More informationThe Pathway to Repentance LESSON THREE: The Contrite Heart
The Pathway to Repentance LESSON THREE: The Contrite Heart Introduction 1. Have you ever broken something? a. My daughter broke her arm trying to pull her sister up on the roof. b. What happens to that
More informationRead. Attributes of God Just. Key Verse: In This Lesson:
Attributes of God Just Attributes of God: In this series, we will strengthen our relationships with God by studying the scriptures to further grasp not only what God does, but who He is. In This Lesson:
More informationWhat is your attitude? April 29, 2012 Genesis 39:1-23
I. Introduction What is your attitude? April 29, 2012 Genesis 39:1-23 During World War II, Victor Frankl, a Viennese Jew, was imprisoned by the German Nazis for more than three years. He was moved from
More informationMY YOKE IS EASY; IS MERE BELIEF IN YESHUA (JESUS) ALL THAT IS NECESSARY FOR SALVATION? By George Lujack
MY YOKE IS EASY; IS MERE BELIEF IN YESHUA (JESUS) ALL THAT IS NECESSARY FOR SALVATION? By George Lujack Yeshua (Jesus) spoke of an easy yoke of which He commanded all to come to Him and take. What is this
More information1 Corinthians 3:3-9 First Presbyterian Church. February 12, 2017
In it Together, Like it or Not Christine Chakoian 1 Corinthians 3:3-9 First Presbyterian Church Matthew 5:21-28 Lake Forest, Illinois February 12, 2017 1 Corinthians 3:3 9 As long as there is jealousy
More informationTeachings of Jesus Blessed Are the Merciful Matthew 5:7
Teachings of Jesus Blessed Are the Merciful Matthew 5:7 Introduction The beatitudes are the eight statements of blessing spoken by Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew Chapter 5.
More information