FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS ALWAYS BEING REFORMED ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF GOD

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS ALWAYS BEING REFORMED ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF GOD"

Transcription

1 FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS ALWAYS BEING REFORMED ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF GOD Scripture Lessons: Exodus 20:1-17; Matthew 22:34-40 This sermon was preached by Dr. L. Holton Siegling, Jr. on Sunday, October 28, 2018 at First (Scots) Presbyterian Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Matthew 22:34-40 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest? He said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Leader: People: This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God Let us pray Almighty and Everlasting God, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of each of our hearts be pleasing, acceptable, and even joyful in your sight, for you are our Rock, and our Redeemer. Amen. The period of history known as the Renaissance took place over the span of several hundred years, with the first traces of that era beginning as early as the 14 th century. From then until well into the 17 th century our world experienced unprecedented reform - a renewal - a rebirth, if you will, thus the name Renaissance. Changes were happening in nearly every aspect of life: religion, art, education, architecture, literature you name it, advancements were happening all over the place. More printed information was available than ever before; people were getting smarter. There was an emerging sense of self-sufficiency and creativity the spirit of individualism was being nurtured; the notion someone could actually be about the business of making history was beginning to flourish. Yet of all the extraordinary changes that the world was experiencing during that period of time, few were more significant, and in fact, more revolutionary, than the Protestant Reformation. The Reformation itself began with a seemingly simple event in a charming little German town called Wittenberg, where, on October 31 st, 1517, a friar, priest and theologian a composer, who wrote the hymn we sang as our processional hymn this morning, A Mighty Fortress is Our God a renaissance man by any standard, Martin Luther, he walked up to the Wittenberg 1

2 castle church doors and he nailed to them his 95 Theses for debate which were essentially 95 brief points of concern that Luther wished to raise with the presiding church, which, at that time, happened to be the Catholic Church. For example, the church had long since been in the habit of offering people the opportunity to buy what were called indulgences it was like paying for forgiveness, because for having purchased an indulgence, it was suggested that a person had somehow made themselves right with God. Not surprisingly, one of Martin Luther s 95 Theses read as follows: Christians should be taught that the pope s indulgences are useful only if one does not rely on them, but most harmful if one loses the fear of God through them. In posting his 95 Theses, Martin Luther sought to engage the larger church, that she might rediscover certain basic Biblical truths, that through a much needed theological debate, she would recognize her mistakes and correct her faults, that she would be, in a word, reformed. Nearly 501 years have passed since October 31, 1517, but the reverberations of that day can be felt even now. Not only can we as Presbyterians be counted among those churches who have been significantly impacted by the reformation, but, in fact, to this very day, we still call ourselves reformed. And for us to use that term reformed, it is to communicate certain things that are distinctive about who we are and how we understand the church of Jesus Christ. To be clear, reformed means a lot of things, but it means one thing in particular. Most notably, it means that we subscribe to a set of theological principles which fall under the broader heading called Reformed Theology. Now, time does not permit us to go into great detail about the particulars of reformed theology, except to say that such convictions relative to being saved by grace through faith and not by our works, convictions about God s sovereignty and how we are all called to be ambassadors of Christ, convictions about how the Bible is the only rule by which we can know how to live and love, and yet how we are still sinful and yet how by God s grace there is healing and forgiveness that s reformed theology! A wonderful statement has come to encapsulate much of the spirit of the Protestant Reformation. Perhaps you have heard it before The church is reformed and always being reformed according to the Word of God. We should acknowledge that there s some debate as to where that statement originated, though many will affirm that it first appeared in a devotional from within a period of Dutch reform, in the late 1600 s. To hold to that statement is to affirm that: 1) The Protestant Reformation did reform the doctrine of Christ s Church; 2) that God never ceases to be about the business of reforming the lives and practices of His people; and 3) that the reforms of God are always in accordance with the Word of God. Sometimes, however, the church has chosen to leave off the part of the phrase, according to the Word of God, which is like trying to quote the Westminster Confession of Faith by saying, God alone is Lord of the conscience, without including the rest of that statement which reads: and hath left it free [the conscience, that is] hath left it free from the doctrines and 2

3 commandments of men which are in anything contrary to the Word of God, or beside it in matters of faith or worship. What I m trying to say is that, that part of that Reformation statement which reads, according to the Word of God is absolutely essential, because, without it without affirming God s ongoing work as existing in harmony with that which God has already said in the scriptures the church runs the terrible risk of becoming like a mirror to the world, and thus wrongfully presuming that any and all changes must be the work of God. Consider our New Testament Lesson this morning. It provides us with some wonderful insights into how Jesus effectively reforms the understanding of God s people relative to the Law of God, and how such insights are wonderfully consistent with God s overarching and covenantal faithfulness. In Matthew chapter 22, beginning with verse 34, Jesus is approached by a group of Pharisees a very religious group of people, leaders they are. One of them speaks for the group and says: Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest? Now to better understand Jesus response, let s first think about how God s Law was operative in the life of those people. To begin, the religious leaders of Jesus day would have considered a vast array of laws relative to God s will. For our purposes, the Law of God, in a general sense, fell into three broad categories: there was the ceremonial law, the civil law and the moral law. An example of a ceremonial law would be the kind of dietary laws which loomed large in the life of Daniel in the Old Testament. So much so, that we recall how Daniel simply would not eat the royal rations that were provided to him while in captivity. But friends, that kind of law and others like it were beginning to change upon the advent of Jesus Christ, to the point that some parts of the Law, namely the ceremonial and the civil, they were no longer going to apply to those who put their trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, at least not in the way they had for those who operated under God s old covenant. As witnessed in the sheet that came down from heaven for Peter in Acts chapter 10 that sheet which presented him, as if a picnic, with so many varieties of food, many of which had previously been labeled profane. It s a surprise that Peter, knowing the Law as he did, he wasn t about to touch that food, and yet a voice from heaven declares: What God has made clean, you must not call profane. The rules about circumcision also fell under the ceremonial, yet we would do well to remember that, when it comes to that important and ancient practice, the Apostle Paul asserts in his letter to the Galatians that, to require circumcision of the Gentiles, would be essentially sinful. So what s in and what s out, we might ask? Well, here s the difference, and this doesn t answer every question, but there are some laws - laws that speak to the divine and natural character of God that are forever in force, but there are other laws that have fulfilled their purpose (cf. R.C. Sproul). 3

4 This is where statements like: Are we now going to stop eating shellfish? or Are we going to prohibit tattoos? - this is where those kinds of statements begin to break down, as if we are subscribing to some haphazard or arbitrary determination of which laws count right now. And it is not that the various laws of God do not impact God s people both before and after Jesus Christ, but the Reformation, the Reformation by God s grace, has given us the scriptural and spiritual maturity to understand the richness of God s laws, how it functioned then and how it function now. So, we return once again to the Pharisees, and we acknowledge that they are grappling with aspects of God s moral law - the very covenants and commandments of God which are rooted and grounded in God s character. In their case, the very Ten Commandments are in play, and here again, to void those laws those commandments it would be in violation of God s character, and Jesus knows this. But Jesus also knows the curse of the law that we can never keep it, that we re always going to sin and fall short of God s glory and of this, we are acutely aware, for the commandments make our sins so evident, so apparent! And, try as we may, we ourselves, we simply cannot make ourselves right with God! And praise be to God, for that s where Jesus comes in! Jesus brings to bear upon the human condition a new covenant, a better covenant. In him there still exists the moral law that perfect rule of righteousness (19.2), as the Westminster Confession of Faith refers to it, but now there is the grace of Jesus Christ! What s more, because Jesus knows that the purpose of the commandments of God are to reveal our shortcomings, to restrain us from doing wrong and to help us know that which is pleasing in God s sight, Jesus never once turns his back on the commandments; on the contrary, Jesus fulfills them. In Matthew chapter 5 Jesus said, Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. And here in Matthew chapter 22, Jesus says, On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. And what were those two commandments? Well, listen to them again beginning at verse 37: He said to him (to the Pharisee who asked which commandment was the greatest) Jesus said: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Two things of note about Jesus response, the first is that, in Jesus own answer, he provides a summary of the Ten Commandments. We don t need to be Biblical scholars to notice that the first four commandments have to with our love for God and that the final six commandments have to do with our love for neighbors. So if we love God and love our neighbors, we are honoring God s will; we are doing the work of following his commandments. The second thing we notice about Jesus response is that what he is saying has other deep and abiding Biblical connections, roots, if you will. In Deuteronomy chapter 6 Moses says: You shall love the Lord 4

5 your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your might. And in the Book of Leviticus, Moses says on another occasion: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The reason I bring up these important Biblical connections is because they were important enough to God in Christ to make them! For this reason and many others, we simply cannot say the Old Testament doesn t matter anymore, because it matters to Jesus. One of the gifts of the Reformation and reformed theology is the blessed awareness that all of Scripture is to be read in light of its witness to Jesus Christ, even the Old Testament. In this way, the Old Testament finds it partial filment in itself, but it finds its fulfilment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Martin Luther struggled mightily to discern what was good and acceptable and holy, not only in his own life but also in the life of the church that he loved. But let us make no mistake about it, the reforms that Luther brought to bear upon the ecclesiastical landscape of the world they were not his they were God s. Luther s 95 Theses his points of emphasis, they rested not on his own understanding - not on what others had to say, certainly not on what the culture thought was appropriate. No! Luther based his reasoning his very faith he based it on what God has revealed to us through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, and in the full breadth of Scriptures, which bear unique and authoritative witness to Jesus himself! Goodness knows, there is not a church in the world today that is not in need of reform! There is no human soul so right with God that it is not in need of that newness of life, that kind of abundant life that Jesus offers to all those who put their trust in him. But know this, it is Christ alone who gives it, and it is Christ Jesus will and intention the very heart and mind of our Savior as revealed in the Scriptures and through that inward witness of the Holy Spirit. Oh, that is not only the key to reliably determining if any current or future reform is of us or truly of God, but it is also the only way by which we will ever know how to live and how to love both God and our neighbor! Let us pray Almighty and Everlasting God, help us to live our life together as a church reformed and always being reformed according to your Word. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. *The following sermon has not been edited by the author; therefore, there may be discrepancies. When in doubt please refer to the audio version of the sermon on this website. 5

FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS HOW ARE WE BEING REFORMED?

FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS HOW ARE WE BEING REFORMED? FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS HOW ARE WE BEING REFORMED? Scripture Lessons: 2 Chronicles 34:14-21, 29-33; Romans 3:19-28 This sermon was preached by Dr. L. Holton Siegling, Jr. on Sunday, October 29, 2017 at First

More information

FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS OUR SPIRITUAL ADOPTION

FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS OUR SPIRITUAL ADOPTION FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS OUR SPIRITUAL ADOPTION Scripture Lessons: Genesis 21:1-7; Mark 1:4-11 This sermon was preached by Dr. L. Holton Siegling, Jr. on Sunday, January 7, 2018 at First (Scots) Presbyterian

More information

FAQ - Galatians 3:10-13 Is God s Law a Curse or Did We Curse Ourselves?

FAQ - Galatians 3:10-13 Is God s Law a Curse or Did We Curse Ourselves? FAQ - Galatians 3:10-13 Is God s Law a Curse or Did We Curse Ourselves? There are many who read Galatians 3:10-13 and conclude that God s law is a curse and anyone that follows God s law is under that

More information

Lesson 9 GIVING AND THE LAW

Lesson 9 GIVING AND THE LAW Dr. Jack L. Arnold Biblical Giving Lesson 9 GIVING AND THE LAW Christians disagree as to whether giving is part of the moral law of God and required by God, or whether giving is not part of the moral law

More information

Reformation Day (Years A, B, C)

Reformation Day (Years A, B, C) Reformation Day (Years A, B, C) On Reformation Day the church honours Martin Luther and other reformers of the sixteenth century, and reformers of every age. Luther s teachings focused on the promises

More information

IT IS WRITTEN GALATIANS 3:6 14 OCTOBER 15, 2017

IT IS WRITTEN GALATIANS 3:6 14 OCTOBER 15, 2017 IT IS WRITTEN GALATIANS 3:6 14 OCTOBER 15, 2017 1. [SERIES] This month marks the 500 th anniversary of an event in Europe that changed the face of Christianity. Does anybody know what that event was? a.

More information

Our Refuge, Our Strength Meditation on Psalm 46 Oct. 29, 2017 Reformation Sunday Merritt Island Presbyterian Church ***

Our Refuge, Our Strength Meditation on Psalm 46 Oct. 29, 2017 Reformation Sunday Merritt Island Presbyterian Church *** Our Refuge, Our Strength Meditation on Psalm 46 Oct. 29, 2017 Reformation Sunday Merritt Island Presbyterian Church 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not

More information

Did the Cross Do Away with the Torah? By William Schnoebelen 2016

Did the Cross Do Away with the Torah? By William Schnoebelen 2016 Did the Cross Do Away with the Torah? By William Schnoebelen 2016 It has been a common perception fostered through most Christian theologians that somehow what Yahushua (Jesus) did on the cross somehow

More information

The importance of Faith

The importance of Faith 1 Galatians 3:6-14 The importance of Faith The early church had a saying, In essentials, law, in non-essentials, liberty, in all things love. Three Tiers: Dogma (Essentials) Doctrine (Non-essentials) Opinion

More information

We Believe in Jesus. Study Guide THE PROPHET LESSON THREE. We Believe in Jesus by Third Millennium Ministries

We Believe in Jesus. Study Guide THE PROPHET LESSON THREE. We Believe in Jesus by Third Millennium Ministries 1 Study Guide LESSON THREE THE PROPHET For videos, manuscripts, and other resources, Lesson 3: visit The Third Prophet Millennium Ministries at thirdmill.org. 2 CONTENTS HOW TO USE THIS LESSON AND STUDY

More information

Description of Covenant Community Introduction Covenant Community Covenant Community at Imago Dei Community

Description of Covenant Community Introduction Covenant Community Covenant Community at Imago Dei Community Description of Covenant Community To be distributed to those at Imago Dei Community upon the completion of Belonging Series or Covenant Community Class Introduction Throughout the history of Imago Dei

More information

FUNDAMENTALS OF THE FAITH: BAPTISM PART 4. Randy Broberg 2005

FUNDAMENTALS OF THE FAITH: BAPTISM PART 4. Randy Broberg 2005 FUNDAMENTALS OF THE FAITH: BAPTISM PART 4 Randy Broberg 2005 2 Peter 1:12 For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present

More information

Elephants in the Room What Paul Really Meant about the Law by Michael Rudolph Delivered to Ohev Yisrael October 1, 2011

Elephants in the Room What Paul Really Meant about the Law by Michael Rudolph Delivered to Ohev Yisrael October 1, 2011 Elephants in the Room What Paul Really Meant about the Law by Michael Rudolph Delivered to Ohev Yisrael October 1, 2011 Messianic Judaism is similar to other Judaisms in seeking to observe the laws of

More information

Only through faith. Welcome to 1

Only through faith. Welcome to   1 Only through faith For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse, for it is written; "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them. Now it is

More information

C. The Commission of the Dispensation (Exodus 19:3-6; Deuteronomy 26:16-19)

C. The Commission of the Dispensation (Exodus 19:3-6; Deuteronomy 26:16-19) VIII. THE DISPENSATION OF THE LAW (Exodus 24:1-8) A. The Contents of the Dispensation 1. The bookmark events a. The beginning: the giving of the Law (Exodus 20:1-21) b. The end: the life of John the Baptist

More information

Matthew 22:35-40; Romans 12:1-2; 13:8-10 LESSON: LOVE FULFILLS THE LAW August 28, 2016

Matthew 22:35-40; Romans 12:1-2; 13:8-10 LESSON: LOVE FULFILLS THE LAW August 28, 2016 Matthew 22:35-40; Romans 12:1-2; 13:8-10 LESSON: LOVE FULFILLS THE LAW August 28, 2016 INTRODUCTION: 22:34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered

More information

THE IMPORTANCE (AND DANGER) OF TRADITION! REFORMATION SUNDAY

THE IMPORTANCE (AND DANGER) OF TRADITION! REFORMATION SUNDAY THE IMPORTANCE (AND DANGER) OF TRADITION! REFORMATION SUNDAY Scripture Lessons: Matthew 15:1-6 1 Corinthians 11:1-2 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 (10/28/18) So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold

More information

The Gospel In Galatians: Lesson 10 The Two Covenants

The Gospel In Galatians: Lesson 10 The Two Covenants 1 The Gospel In Galatians: Lesson 10 The Two Covenants Memory Text: But the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. (Galatians 4:26) Setting The Stage: (Bible Dispensations The Cloud Church

More information

gathering for reformation

gathering for reformation OCTOBER: gathering for reformation PART 1 g n i t get ady re A Youth Ministry Curriculum ramping up for the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering This month we observe the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. (Martin

More information

Contents Wisdom from the Early Church

Contents Wisdom from the Early Church Contents Wisdom from the Early Church Introduction to Being Reformed: Faith Seeking Understanding... 3 Introduction to Wisdom from the Early Church... 4 Session 1. Forming the Christian Bible... 5 Session

More information

Our Better Covenant. Peter Ditzel

Our Better Covenant. Peter Ditzel Our Better Covenant Peter Ditzel The writer of Hebrews, after quoting from Jeremiah's announcement of the New Covenant that appears in Jeremiah 31, states, "In that he says, 'A new covenant,' he has made

More information

Building Biblical Theology

Building Biblical Theology 1 Building Biblical Theology Study Guide LESSON ONE WHAT IS BIBLICAL THEOLOGY? 2013 by Third Millennium Ministries www.thirdmill.org For videos, manuscripts, and other resources, visit Third Millennium

More information

I. Introduction. II. Scripture Reading (Acts 15:1-21, NIV, 1984)

I. Introduction. II. Scripture Reading (Acts 15:1-21, NIV, 1984) Osaka International Church Pastor Daniel Ellrick March 3 rd, 2013 Series: Acts # 43 Scripture: Acts 15:1-21 Key Verse: Ephesians 2:8-9 Title: We are not under Moses Special Events: Communion I. Introduction

More information

Study Notes For Ephesians

Study Notes For Ephesians Study Notes For Ephesians (Chapter Two) Ephesians 2:1 In sin, one is spiritually dead (Luke 15:11-32, Colossians 2:13, and I Timothy 5:6; cf. Luke 9:59-60). In Christ, one is spiritually alive (John 14:6,

More information

The Reformation and You Rom. 3:21-28; Hebr. 4:12; II Tim. 3: About the time I graduated from college, Bonnie and I were in a

The Reformation and You Rom. 3:21-28; Hebr. 4:12; II Tim. 3: About the time I graduated from college, Bonnie and I were in a 1 The Reformation and You Rom. 3:21-28; Hebr. 4:12; II Tim. 3:14-17 10/29/17 (The 500 th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation) About the time I graduated from college, Bonnie and I were in a Christian

More information

Contents Exploring the Book of Confessions

Contents Exploring the Book of Confessions Contents Exploring the Book of Confessions Introduction to Being Reformed: Faith Seeking Understanding... 3 Introduction to Exploring the Book of Confessions... 4 Session 1. The Nature and Function of

More information

To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS YOU KNOW WE LL HAVE A GOOD TIME THEN Scripture Lessons: Deuteronomy 6:1-8; 2 Timothy 1:1-7 This sermon was preached by Dr. L. Holton Siegling, Jr. on Sunday, October 8, 2017 at First

More information

Martin Luther. ( ) - Part III

Martin Luther. ( ) - Part III Martin Luther (1483 1546) - Part III "The just shall live by faith" (Retold from "Martin Luther" written by Mike Fearon, published by Bethany House Publishers; "Martin Luther: The German Monk Who Changed

More information

Kingdom, Covenants & Canon of the Old Testament

Kingdom, Covenants & Canon of the Old Testament 1 Kingdom, Covenants & Canon of the Old Testament Study Guide LESSON FOUR THE CANON OF THE OLD TESTAMENT For videos, manuscripts, and Lesson other 4: resources, The Canon visit of Third the Old Millennium

More information

Blessings and Curses

Blessings and Curses Blessings and Curses (27 30) In the late 1960s, Dr. R., who had an international reputation as a leading Jewish scholar, returned to East Germany to pursue his research in Holocaust studies. Little did

More information

The Book of Galatians (Part 2) - God's Law and Salvation

The Book of Galatians (Part 2) - God's Law and Salvation The Book of Galatians (Part 2) - God's Law and Salvation Author: Larry W. Wilson First article in series... Legalism and Faith The book of Galatians centers on a controversy that existed in the early Christian

More information

What s the Hang Up? Matthew 22:34-46

What s the Hang Up? Matthew 22:34-46 Garrett Vickrey 10.29.17 Reformation Sunday What s the Hang Up? Matthew 22:34-46 Woodland Baptist Church San Antonio, TX A blogger from Dallas who is a lay person in the church wrote to the editor of the

More information

The Sovereignty of God The Reverend Joanna Adams Morningside Presbyterian Church Atlanta, Georgia January 22, 2006

The Sovereignty of God The Reverend Joanna Adams Morningside Presbyterian Church Atlanta, Georgia January 22, 2006 The Sovereignty of God The Reverend Joanna Adams Morningside Presbyterian Church Atlanta, Georgia January 22, 2006 Two Sundays ago, we began a sermon series on Protestantism by thinking together about

More information

The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments The Ten Commandments THE LAW OF GOD It is commonly believed by many Christians today that God s commandments were meant for those who lived in Old Testament times, and do not apply to Christians who are

More information

ADVENT PREPARE LUKE 2:21-24 DECEMBER 14, 2014

ADVENT PREPARE LUKE 2:21-24 DECEMBER 14, 2014 ADVENT PREPARE LUKE 2:21-24 DECEMBER 14, 2014 MAIN POINT Many religious experts were so busy with activities that they missed the dedication of Christ. INTRODUCTION As your group time begins, use this

More information

Sample Chapters. Covenant Discipleship Parents Handbook. The Handbook for a new sort of Communicant s Class

Sample Chapters. Covenant Discipleship Parents Handbook. The Handbook for a new sort of Communicant s Class Covenant Discipleship Parents Handbook The Handbook for a new sort of Communicant s Class Helping Students Understand Faith, Theology, and the Church By Richard L. Burguet & J. Ed Eubanks, Jr. Copyright

More information

The Law of God in the Life of a Christian

The Law of God in the Life of a Christian The Law of God in the Life of a Christian Peter Allison Crown & Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church February 2012 In most ethical debates among Christians, the question causing debate is often not what

More information

The Greatest Commandments Matthew 22: 34-46, by Marshall Zieman, preached at PCOC

The Greatest Commandments Matthew 22: 34-46, by Marshall Zieman, preached at PCOC The Greatest Commandments Matthew 22: 34-46, by Marshall Zieman, preached 10-29-2017 at PCOC Today we think back to that day in 1517 in Wittenberg, Germany, when the Catholic priest, Martin Luther, published

More information

Are You Living Under the Law?

Are You Living Under the Law? Are You Living Under the Law? Copyright 2008 CCI Publishing December 18, 2008 By J.P. Timmons Scripture References: 2 Cor. 11:4, Gal. 1-5 One of the problems I see while traveling around America today

More information

FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS THE STRENGTH OF STANDING BY

FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS THE STRENGTH OF STANDING BY FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS THE STRENGTH OF STANDING BY Scripture Lessons: 1 Samuel 2:1-10; John 19:25b-27 This sermon was preached by Dr. L. Holton Siegling, Jr. on Sunday, May 13, 2018 at First (Scots) Presbyterian

More information

Evaluating the New Perspective on Paul (4)

Evaluating the New Perspective on Paul (4) RPM Volume 17, Number 21, May 17 to May 23, 2015 Evaluating the New Perspective on Paul (4) What Does Paul Mean by Works of the Law? Part 3 By Dr. Cornelis P. Venema Dr. Cornelis P. Venema is the President

More information

What does the Bible say about itself?

What does the Bible say about itself? What does the Bible say about itself? The Bible is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice in the lives of Christians. The second letter to Timothy says that All Scripture is God-breathed

More information

Prayer is Powerful: Stepping into the Breach

Prayer is Powerful: Stepping into the Breach St. Paul s, Muskego, Wisconsin June 18, 2017 Prayer is Powerful: Stepping into the Breach Exodus 32:11-14 11 But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. LORD, he said, why should your anger burn against

More information

Tracing Paul s Argument in Galatians 3:1 26

Tracing Paul s Argument in Galatians 3:1 26 NT 2218 EN (Pauline Tradition: 1 Thessalonians & Galatians) Monday April 14, 2014 Luther Seminary Tracing Paul s Argument in Galatians 3:1 26 Part One: Paul substantiates the claim that righteousness comes

More information

F A Q. Why baptize infants? by Dr. Glenn Parkinson

F A Q. Why baptize infants? by Dr. Glenn Parkinson F A Q Why baptize infants? by Dr. Glenn Parkinson All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and

More information

Being And Doing. 1 Peter 1:15-16

Being And Doing. 1 Peter 1:15-16 Being And Doing 1 Peter 1:15-16 15... as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:15-16 (NKJV) Last week, we began

More information

The giving of the law on Mt. Sinai. For the law was given through moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ - John 1:17

The giving of the law on Mt. Sinai. For the law was given through moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ - John 1:17 The giving of the law on Mt. Sinai For the law was given through moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ - John 1:17 3461 Merle Ave Modesto, CA 95355 (209) 551-0563 www.stpetermodesto.org W Pentecost

More information

The Silence of God. 1. What do you do when God says nothing? Speak where the Bible speaks, remain silent where the Bible is silent.

The Silence of God. 1. What do you do when God says nothing? Speak where the Bible speaks, remain silent where the Bible is silent. Introduction The Silence of God 1. What do you do when God says nothing? Speak where the Bible speaks, remain silent where the Bible is silent. 2. Men have adopted two different attitudes toward the silence

More information

Bible Jeopardy 2018 Study Sheet

Bible Jeopardy 2018 Study Sheet Bible Jeopardy 2018 Study Sheet Sunday, June 3, 10:00 a.m. Fireside Room Please bring a plate of cookies or bars to share (no nuts please) and join us as we celebrate this year of learning! Below are the

More information

An Orientation to Romans

An Orientation to Romans An Orientation to Romans SESSION 1 Gathering Around God s Word (15 20 minutes) Welcome Begin on time by welcoming the group to the study. Ideally this should be the second time the group has been together.

More information

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Psalm 46:1-11; Romans 1:16-17

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Psalm 46:1-11; Romans 1:16-17 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Psalm 46:1-11; Romans 1:16-17 Message by Michael J. Barnard October 29, 2017 Teaching Aim: To explore the events leading to the Protestant Reformation. To study the life of

More information

Matthew 12:1-8. The fourth commandment reads as follows:

Matthew 12:1-8. The fourth commandment reads as follows: Matthew 12:1-8 I. Verses 1-2 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it,

More information

Reformation. The Story

Reformation. The Story Reformation The Story Close your eyes. Pretend you lived in a time with no T.V., no computers, no cars, airplanes, or trains, no electricity, no movies, and no video games. Your life would be very different.

More information

THE FOUNDATIONS OF PRESBYTERIAN POLITY

THE FOUNDATIONS OF PRESBYTERIAN POLITY F-1.01 F-1.02 F-1.0201 1.0202 THE FOUNDATIONS OF PRESBYTERIAN POLITY CHAPTER ONE THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH 1 F-1.01 GOD S MISSION The good news of the Gospel is that the triune God Father, Son, and Holy

More information

The Faith of Abraham. The Faith of Abraham. Walking In A Hoping Growing Faith. Misplaced Pride In Being Abraham s Descendants

The Faith of Abraham. The Faith of Abraham. Walking In A Hoping Growing Faith. Misplaced Pride In Being Abraham s Descendants The Faith of The Faith of Lesson 4 1. An obedient faith 2. Justified by a believing trusting working faith 3. Walking in a hoping growing faith 4. are 's descendants, 2 Walking In A Hoping Growing Faith

More information

By the Book? Dr. Jim Gilchrist

By the Book? Dr. Jim Gilchrist November June 12, 9, 2014 2011 By the Book? Dr. Jim Gilchrist By the Book? Dr. Jim Gilchrist 2014 by Dr. Jim Gilchrist and Westminster Presbyterian Church. All rights reserved. No part of this sermon may

More information

The Sabbath as a Sign

The Sabbath as a Sign The Sabbath as a Sign I heard a well-meaning Protestant minister refer to Acts 20:7 as a proof that the early church met on the first day of the week (Sunday), as opposed to the seventh day (Sabbath).

More information

The King Shall Come. The King Shall Come. Wed., December 5 King of the Jews Text: Jer. 23:5-6; Matt. 2:1-6; John 18:33-38; 19:16b-22

The King Shall Come. The King Shall Come. Wed., December 5 King of the Jews Text: Jer. 23:5-6; Matt. 2:1-6; John 18:33-38; 19:16b-22 The King Shall Come December 2018 The Advent hymn reminds us, The King shall come when morning dawns And light triumphant breaks, When beauty gilds the eastern hills And life to joy awakes (LSB 348:1).

More information

Christ Fulfills the Scriptures

Christ Fulfills the Scriptures Studies in the Sermon on the Mount December 8, 2013 Christ Fulfills the Scriptures Eric C. Coher Matthew 5:17-20 JESUS AND THE PHARISEES Jesus lays down two propositions in our text: 1. He says that everything

More information

FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS LOVE IS A VERB

FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS LOVE IS A VERB FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS LOVE IS A VERB Scripture Lessons: Jeremiah 31:1-4, 31-34; 1 Corinthians 13 This sermon was preached by Dr. L. Holton Siegling, Jr. on Sunday, August 13, 2017 at First (Scots) Presbyterian

More information

Moses Law and Jesus Law Page 1. May 3, 2003 MOSES LAW AND CHRIST S LAW

Moses Law and Jesus Law Page 1. May 3, 2003 MOSES LAW AND CHRIST S LAW Moses Law and Jesus Law Page 1. May 3, 2003 MOSES LAW AND CHRIST S LAW People were on earth a long time before God ever gave them a code of laws. To begin with He spoke to certain people individually,

More information

Scripture Prayers and Promises

Scripture Prayers and Promises Scripture Prayers and Promises I have found that many people who really love the Lord, don t realize how much He loves them. He has come that we might have life and life more abundantly. If you are a Christian,

More information

LIFE TOGETHER. 1) New Wine for New Wine Skins. Matthew 5: / Matthew 9: Rev. Ron Dunn February 22, 2015!

LIFE TOGETHER. 1) New Wine for New Wine Skins. Matthew 5: / Matthew 9: Rev. Ron Dunn February 22, 2015! LIFE TOGETHER 1) New Wine for New Wine Skins Matthew 5: 17-20 / Matthew 9: 14-17 Rev. Ron Dunn February 22, 2015! Imagine, for a moment that you are living in the City of Antioch in year 90 CE, a mere

More information

My Bible School. Lesson # 15 Sunday Keeping

My Bible School. Lesson # 15 Sunday Keeping My Bible School Lesson # 15 Sunday Keeping But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew 15:9 Sunday is the first day of the week. Saturday is the seventh day

More information

2017 ADVENT COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICE

2017 ADVENT COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICE 2017 ADVENT COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICE 1 INTRODUCTORY RITES HYMN O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice!

More information

Foundation Institute Center for Biblical Education

Foundation Institute Center for Biblical Education Foundation Institute Center for Biblical Education Fundamental Beliefs Church of God, a Worldwide Association The Sabbath Handouts/Study Material 2012 Church of God, a Worldwide Association Summary of

More information

Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone) To God be the glory! Creation declares his glory! Ps. 19:1: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky

Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone) To God be the glory! Creation declares his glory! Ps. 19:1: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky 1 Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone) To God be the glory! Creation declares his glory! Ps. 19:1: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Man declares his glory.

More information

GALATIANS: THE ONE TRUE GOSPEL

GALATIANS: THE ONE TRUE GOSPEL GALATIANS: THE ONE TRUE GOSPEL WEEK 14 THE LAW: WHY AND WHY NOT? GALATIANS 3:19-22 Van Nuys Bible Study Doulos Fellowship Group Grace Community Church Prepared by Hans Kaufman 2014 1 Galatians 3:19-22

More information

Making Sense of. of Scripture. David J. Lose. Leader Guide. Minneapolis

Making Sense of. of Scripture. David J. Lose. Leader Guide. Minneapolis Making Sense of Martin Making Luther Sense of Scripture David J. Lose Leader Guide Minneapolis Contents Acknowledgments................ vii Making Sense Introduction: Luther as Monk, Myth, and Messenger....

More information

God s Boundary Stones Part 2 Glenn Smith, April 2013, Ahava B Shem Yeshua

God s Boundary Stones Part 2 Glenn Smith, April 2013, Ahava B Shem Yeshua 1 God s Boundary Stones Part 2 Glenn Smith, April 2013, Ahava B Shem Yeshua Salvation is by Grace I talked about salvation by grace in my last message. This week s boundary stones are Sin, As It Is Defined

More information

Jeremiah 31:31-34 Covenant of the Heart 29 March 2009 John 12: st Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL Lent 5 J.

Jeremiah 31:31-34 Covenant of the Heart 29 March 2009 John 12: st Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL Lent 5 J. Jeremiah 31:31-34 Covenant of the Heart 29 March 2009 John 12:20-33 1 st Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL Lent 5 J. Shannon Webster There is a lot written about why the Greeks wanted to see Jesus. We

More information

Explanation of the series

Explanation of the series Explanation of the series We are pausing our study in the book of Acts - which is ancient church history, 1950 years ago - and we are now going to be looking at some more recent church history, a mere

More information

SMALL GROUP STUDY. participant guide

SMALL GROUP STUDY. participant guide SMALL GROUP STUDY participant guide Songs from Galatians: Small Group Study Written by Katie Gibson, for Freedom Church 2017 All rights reserved. Song lyrics from Songs From Galatians album used with permission

More information

Series: the End Times Bible prophecy about future events and periods

Series: the End Times Bible prophecy about future events and periods Thursday Evening Bible Study Series: the End Times Bible prophecy about future events and periods Teaching Summary for Week 12 The Kingdom and the Covenants Part 3. The Palestinian Covenant The Palestinian

More information

Defending Justification by faith

Defending Justification by faith 1 Defending Justification by faith Gal. 3:6-14 TODAY S MESSAGE IS ON DEFENDING JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH. ST. BERNARD OF CLAIR VAUX WROTE, Concepts Today: I believe though I do not comprehend, and I hold

More information

The Pharisees and Sadducees were the major ruling parties at the time Jesus walked this earth. Josephus says that

The Pharisees and Sadducees were the major ruling parties at the time Jesus walked this earth. Josephus says that Teaching The Truth The Pharisees and Sadducees were the major ruling parties at the time Jesus walked this earth. Josephus says that the Pharisees came into existence as a religious group sometime around

More information

INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE

INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE study one INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE T AB LE O F C O NT E N T S what kind of book is this 3 The Uniqueness of the Bible 3 The Structure of the Bible 4 inspiration: how the Bible was written 6 canonization:

More information

Glory to God. the presbyterian leader.com. Introducing the New Hymnal. the presbyterian hymnal. Introduction. I Love to Tell the Story

Glory to God. the presbyterian leader.com. Introducing the New Hymnal. the presbyterian hymnal. Introduction. I Love to Tell the Story Introducing the New Hymnal Glory to God the presbyterian hymnal the presbyterian leader.com This is one in a series of articles introducing Glory to God, the new Presbyterian hymnal. Introduction Collections

More information

The evacuation initiated: moses called

The evacuation initiated: moses called Session 3 The evacuation initiated: moses called Exodus 3 Memory Verses 14 God replied to Moses, I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you. 15 God also said

More information

Righteousness of God

Righteousness of God Righteousness of God November 20, 2013 Alpharetta Study Speaker: Allen Dvorak Paul s Argument Romans 1:16 17 (NKJV) 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation

More information

Justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not through obedience to the law of Moses,

Justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not through obedience to the law of Moses, The Law Does Not Nullify the Promise Text: Galatians 3:15-25 Justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not through obedience to the law of Moses, submission to ritual circumcision, or through

More information

THE FATHER'S COVENANT

THE FATHER'S COVENANT THE FATHER'S COVENANT Introduction to God's Purpose I have found that it is very difficult to understand what God is doing if we don't have some basic understanding of His eternal purposes. There are several

More information

What Does It Mean to Choose Life? Tim Hart-Andersen Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018 Deuteronomy 30:15-20; John 3:1-10

What Does It Mean to Choose Life? Tim Hart-Andersen Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018 Deuteronomy 30:15-20; John 3:1-10 Westminster Presbyterian Church 1200 Marquette Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 332-3421 www.westminstermpls.org What Does It Mean to Choose Life? Tim Hart-Andersen Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018 Deuteronomy

More information

! CNI. Martin Luther - passionate reformer

! CNI. Martin Luther - passionate reformer ! CNI Martin Luther - passionate reformer At last meditating day and night, by the mercy of God, I began to understand that the righteousness of God is that through which the righteous live by a gift of

More information

7 STUDIES FROM GALATIANS MITCHELTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

7 STUDIES FROM GALATIANS MITCHELTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 7 STUDIES FROM GALATIANS MITCHELTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WEEK 1 FREEDOM! PAGE 4 WEEK 2 FREE FROM SECOND THOUGHTS PAGE 7 WEEK 3 FREE FROM HYPOCRISY PAGE 10 WEEK 4 FREE TO BE GROWNUPS PAGE 13 WEEK 5 FREE

More information

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE CHRISTIAN TEACHING PODCAST EPISODE 1 (MARCH, 2018) SERIES: BIBLE BASICS FOR NEW BELIEVERS WWW.CHRISTIANTEACHING.ORG INTRODUCTION One must not underestimate the importance of

More information

Why Baptism? A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO BAPTISM AT GRACE

Why Baptism? A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO BAPTISM AT GRACE Why Baptism? A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO BAPTISM AT GRACE Why Baptism Grace Community Church is blessed with spiritual diversity. Our folks come from a wide variety of religious and church backgrounds, while

More information

How the TCC Cares for its Children: She Loves You, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah 1 John 4:13-18

How the TCC Cares for its Children: She Loves You, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah 1 John 4:13-18 My brothers and sisters in Christ, let us pray. God of our loving bodies, hearts, minds, and spirits, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of all our hearts always be acceptable in Your sight.

More information

GALATIANS 2. Jerusalem Conference. Defending the Gospel (cf. Acts 15:1-21)

GALATIANS 2. Jerusalem Conference. Defending the Gospel (cf. Acts 15:1-21) Jerusalem Conference GALATIANS 2 Defending the Gospel (cf. Acts 15:1-21) Galatians 2:1-2 Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. 2

More information

FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS WHAT THE HOLY LAND CAN TEL US

FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS WHAT THE HOLY LAND CAN TEL US FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS WHAT THE HOLY LAND CAN TEL US Scripture Lessons: Judges 7:108; Acts 10:23b-26, 12:20-23 This sermon was preached by Dr. L. Holton Siegling, Jr. on Sunday, January 13, 2019 at First

More information

Who Are You? Philippians 3:1-11

Who Are You? Philippians 3:1-11 1 Natalie W. Bell September 24, 2017 Who Are You? Philippians 3:1-11 As we continue this sermon series through Paul s letter to the Philippians, I encourage you to sit back and hear chapter 3 read aloud

More information

God s Plan For Salvation

God s Plan For Salvation God s Plan For Salvation Prepared by George Jensen 2 Introduction Luke records in the Book of Acts about Philip teaching an Ethiopian eunuch. The man was very religious, was a reader of Scripture, and

More information

FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS TIME, TOUCH AND PRAYER

FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS TIME, TOUCH AND PRAYER FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS TIME, TOUCH AND PRAYER Scripture Lessons: Psalm 103; Mark 10:13-16 This sermon was preached by Dr. L. Holton Siegling, Jr. on Sunday, June 17, 2018 at First (Scots) Presbyterian Church

More information

Looking at the Old Testament?

Looking at the Old Testament? Looking at the Old Testament? Introduction 1. Our Bible is divided into the Old Testament and New Testament. A. Today, we are under the law of Christ the New Testament. B. What should our attitude be toward

More information

FAQ Galatians 2:14 Should We Live as the Circumcision Party, Jews, or the Gentiles?

FAQ Galatians 2:14 Should We Live as the Circumcision Party, Jews, or the Gentiles? FAQ Galatians 2:14 Should We Live as the Circumcision Party, Jews, or the Gentiles? Galatians 2:14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the

More information

Jesus Is The Way. Lesson 3: Jesus Is The Way To Truth

Jesus Is The Way. Lesson 3: Jesus Is The Way To Truth Jesus Is The Way Lesson 3: Jesus Is The Way To Truth Jesus Is The Way Lesson 3: Jesus Is The Way To Truth Learn the importance of absolute truth and how Jesus can lead you to the truth Watch the free video

More information

Seeing Christ Rev. Jessie Colwell October 28, 2018

Seeing Christ Rev. Jessie Colwell October 28, 2018 A couple of years ago I went to the eye doctor to get some new glasses. Well they dilated my eyes and then did the eye exam. After my eyes were dilated, I was asked to pick out my pair of glasses. Well

More information

The law and grace. THE LAW Romans 13:8

The law and grace. THE LAW Romans 13:8 The law and grace A discipleship training to equip Christians for works of service, so that the Body of Christ may be built up (Ephesians 4:11-16) 9 QUIET TIME Theme: The law and grace Try to make a specific

More information

Sermon for Reformation Sunday (500 th Anniversary)

Sermon for Reformation Sunday (500 th Anniversary) Sermon for Reformation Sunday (500 th Anniversary) Text: John 8:31-36 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the

More information