Summary: We begin looking at God's righteous judgment from the book of Zephaniah. It is sad that when we hear the word "judgment" talked about today, it almost always carries negative connotations as if it is a vice. But reading through Zephaniah you find hope and encouragement that God will bring this judgment in a just and righteous manner against all who do evil and do not seek after him. This is good news to those who follow him and bad news to those who do not follow him. Where will you find yourself at the end of history? Zephaniah's Identity (v. 1) Sweeping Judgment (vv. 2–3) Judgment on Idolators (vv. 4–6)
We continue our "Opening up Romans" his morning by turning again to 13:8-23, where we learn God is revealing his wrath against human societies that suppress him in idolatry. Does this include the USA? GOD IS REVEALING HIS WRATH AGAINST HUMAN SOCIETIES THAT SUPPRESS HIM IN IDOLATRY
Summary: Along with his promises, God has given two "sacraments" as tangible expressions of his grace to nourish and strengthen our faith. What's a "Sacrament?" Why Do We Need Sacraments? What Do the Sacraments Do? How Do the Sacraments "Work?"
Summary: The Word of God provides for orderly church government. Order in Offices (art. 30) Ministers Task? Elders Task? Deacons Task? Order in Elections (art. 31) Legitimate election Application: internal/external call Application: parity of ministers Application: esteem ministers and elders (Heb. 13) Order in Worship (art. 32)
We resume our "Opening up Romans" by turning again to 1:16, where God calls us to be a gospel church in an age of gimmicks. Amen? A GOSPEL CHURCH IS A PREACHING CHURCH Paul was "set apart for the gospel" (1:1) To do what? To "bring about the obedience of faith…among all the nations" (1:5-6) How? Look at verses 11:15: Objection: But ancient Rome was an audible culture; ours is visual. Look at what Paul says later in 10:13-17: A GOSPEL CHURCH IS A CONFIDENT CHURCH Why did Paul say "I am not ashamed of the gospel?" It is the power (Greek, dunamis) of God for salvation. Objection: How can words be so powerful? Look at 1 Cor. 1:18-25: A GOSPEL CHURCH IS A WELCOMING CHURCH "To everyone who believes, to the Jews first and also to the Greek"
Summary: Amid increased guilt of Israel, hope is found when the people confess their transgression. Ezra as a leader is greatly troubled by their sin. Jehiel on behalf of the people makes a confession that they have sinned against God and expresses hope even amid this chaos. This should remind us of the faithfulness of God. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:13 "...if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself." Broken Faith (vv. 1–5) Call to Confession (vv. 6–11) Corporate Response (vv. 12–17)
Summary: The church is assembly of all believers, in all times, and in all places, that is intimately connected to salvation in Christ, and that is recognizable in this life. The Church is "Catholic" -All believers -All times -All places The Church is United -The connection between Christ & salvation -The obligation to be connected to Christ's church The Church is Recognizable -The pure preaching of the gospel -The pure administration of the sacraments -The exercise of church discipline
Summary: Jesus is the one Mediator who is all-loving, all-powerful, and always-heard because he presents himself before the heavenly throne of grace continually. The One Mediator He is All-Loving, All-Powerful, and Always-Heard What About the Saints?
Summary: Sanctification is God's gracious work of renewing us justified sinners into saints culminating in our glorification. Sanctification is God's Gracious Work Renewing us Justified Sinners into Saints Culminating in Our Glorification
Summary: In this passage, Paul teaches us the testimony of God: the message of the Cross (both content and style must be consistent). We should by faith rest on this peculiar testimony and not on the things that look interesting, fun, exciting, or "practical.". Introduction: Because the testimony of God is Christ and Him crucified, then our faith should rest only on the power of God. THE WISDOM OF MEN THE POWER OF GOD THE FAITH OF THE CHRISTIANS
Summary: We continue through Romans this morning and Paul's introduction to this vital letter of the New Testament. Beginning in verse 8, Paul offers a lengthy prayer in the form of a narration. We'll focus in on just verse 8. Introduction: Paul gives a model of grateful prayer for the power of the gospel. THE APOSTLE AT PRAYER ASTONISHMENT IN PRAYER The background Christianity's presence in Rome Where did the Christian's come from? ACCLAMATION IN PRAYER
Summary: We continue in our Sunday Seminary series as we've been learning about the knowability of our Triune God, our creation and sin, and God's mercy to bring us back to him through Jesus. Today we learn about "justification," in which we embrace Jesus in faith and he embraces us with his righteousness. THE HOLY SPIRIT CREATES FAITH FAITH EMBRACES CHRIST CHRIST EMBRACES US
Summary: We continue through Romans and Paul's introduction to this vital letter of the New Testament. In verses 6-7 Paul describes the blessings of being a Christian, which we're going to consider as engraving on our spiritual crown that awaits us. Introduction: Paul's greeting to the Romans reveals the titles written on he Christian's crown. BELONG TO CHRIST LOVED BY GOD CALLED TO BE SAINTS RECIPIENTS OF GRACE RECIPIENTS OF PEACE
Summary: Grounded on the fact that God has called us in Christ and the eschatological hope, Peter exhorts us to humbly trust God under difficult circumstances, being watchful and sober against the cruelty of the devil. Introduction: Because we are called by God through Jesus Christ, we should humble ourselves by... TRUSTING GOD'S CARE RESISTING THE DEVIL IN FAITH TRUSTING GOD'S POWER