Baptized into Christ Jesus

Preached by Pastor Brian Robinson on April 15, 2012

What is Baptism? Why do we do it? What is it supposed to do for you? Does it save? What does it symbolize?
Some come from traditions that baptize infants.
We can’t answer all issues raised since the beginning of Christianity, but we do have the word of God.
We do it because Christ commanded it. Matthew 28:18
Baptism is an initiatory rite.
What does the word signify?
What is the proper mode? Immersion or sprinkling?

The New Testament was written in Greek, an accurate and precise language. Because a tradition of sprinkling had emerged, they left the word untranslated.
Baptism means immersion.
There are other words to describe washing, bathing, pouring, and sprinkling. They are not used. The only Greek word used for baptism is baptism, or immersion.
John the Baptist was John the Immerser.
In Mark 1:10, when Jesus was baptized, it says, “...as Jesus came up out of the water”. Did He go in to be sprinkled?
John 3:23 “John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there.” You don’t need much water to sprinkle.
Acts 8:26-40 The Ethiopian eunuch says, “Here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” If it was only sprinkling, they could have used their water in jugs.
“When they came up out of the water.” You don’t need to go into water to sprinkle, but both the baptizer and the one being baptized do need to go in to be immersed.
Does the mode matter? No big deal, as long as you’re baptized (immersed). :)

Immersion is the most expressive mode for giving a picture of its meaning.
In Romans 6, we see baptism symbolizes death, burial and resurrection. We identify with Christ in His death.
The old nature has been put to death. We die to a self-centred life. Christ first, others second, self last. We offer up our bodies as living sacrifices.
Resurrection—abundant life, liberated from the power of guilt, sin and the law.
This picture only makes sense with immersion.
Who are the proper subjects of baptism?
Only believers need apply.
We don’t believe in adult baptism as opposed to infant baptism, we believe in believer’s baptism as opposed to unbeliever’s baptism.
There is no example or command in Scripture to baptize infants. No one was ever carried to the water. They walked in.
All examples of baptism show faith preceding it. See the Ethiopian eunuch, the Apostle Paul and the Philippian jailer.
“What must I do to be saved?” “Believe on the Lord Jesus.” An infant can’t believe.
The message comes first, then the ordinance.
When the mothers brought their children to Jesus, it was for a blessing, not to be baptized.
We can pray for our children, teach them, and be an example to them, but they cannot inherit our faith. God has sons and daughters, not grandchildren.

Can we make too little of baptism? Yes, if we ignore it. It’s a command of Christ. It’s a matter of obedience. It’s the beginning of the Christian walk, not the end. It’s an outward, public sign of an inward cleansing.

Can we make too much of baptism? Yes, if you believe it is necessary to salvation. Nothing is to be added to the work of Christ.
An example is the thief on the cross. He believed, yet he could not get off the cross to be baptized, yet Jesus promised he would be with him in Paradise that day.
Christianity is simple.
Gal. 6:15 “For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.” You could also say, neither baptism counts for anything, or not being baptized, but a new creation.
Baptism will never wash away one sin, even if you did it every day. You must be born again.

Three Groans and One Glory

Preached by Pastor Brian Robinson on March 18, 25, 2012

Romans 8:18-39

Creation groans, the church groans and the Holy Spirit groans.
God did not create the world with existing materials. He created out of nothing. What is nothing? It’s not air or space, because they are something. Matter is not eternal.
What is happening in creation now? Vs. 20, 21 Creation stands on tiptoe.
It eagerly awaits its redemption. The fate of creation is linked to ours. It awaits the revealing of the sons of God. Then God will release creation from its bondage. It is under a curse. We live in a fallen world. It cannot reach the perfection for which it was designed. It is flawed and frustrated. It was created for a purpose and has not been allowed to achieve it. It’s not by the choice of creation , unlike Adam, who disobeyed.
Man was to have dominion over creation. Now it would happen through blood, sweat and tears that man would get his food. The cruelty of animals against animals, germ causing disease, and natural disasters demonstrate this. Gen. 3:15 was a word of hope and promise.
Christ’s redeeming work was not only for us sinners, but for His creation as well.
He will not abandon His creation, but will renew it, unpolluted, that it cannot fade away. Like childbirth, it is not purposeless or meaningless pain. They are bringing to birth a new order. Picture a radiant mother holding her baby. You don’t show pictures of your wife in labour.
The lion will lie down with the lamb. Creation claims chaos came after order. It was a fall. Evolution says order came from chaos.
Christ wore a crown of thorns. He redeemed the earth on the cross, as well.
Vs. 23 We also groan, awaiting our redemption. This world is a vale of tears. Why do we groan? Because we see things as they are, and we know how they will be. We see the dissonance.
We long for its fulfillment.
Like Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus, he wept at the effects of the fall.
We have the firstfruits of the Spirit, but we long for the harvest. Vs. 24,25 we hope, and we wait patiently for it. We haven’t obtained it yet. This hope is certain. Therefore we endure, we persevere.
All of creation will sing His praises.
In warfare, morale is essential.
“We can do it!” This war is winnable. Don’t lose heart. We may groan, but we know how it ends.
The Holy Spirit also groans. Vs. 26
Paul assumes we are weak, dependent and frail.
The worldling boasts in his strength. The boast that they are self-sufficient and self-made.
1 John 2:16 “boasting of what he has or does”.
Paul boasts in his weaknesses. “When I am weak, then I am strong.” Paradox.
We boast in the cross. The Spirit also helps us in our weaknesses. Who is sufficient for these things?
We have the downpayment, but not the full inheritance yet. We await the full harvest. A pledge from God.
We don’t know what we ought to pray for. We know the will of God broadly from the Bible.
For prayer: ACTS: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication.
There are many sample prayers. Sometimes words are inadequate.
Unutterable sighs and groans. We are speechless before God.
Judges 2:4 the people wept aloud.
Jesus groaned before Lazarus’ tomb.
Prayer is not about eloquence, but as a general rule, we use words. But there are times when we have no words. Even if no one else is praying for you, the Spirit and the Son are interceding for you.
We feel Heaven’s longings. Our will is subsumed under the will of the Father.
We need to have the heart of God, not just the mind of God.
We are cold and indifferent. God uses us in our prayer life to further His purposes.

A Tale of Two Cities: Part 2

Originally preached by Pastor Brian Robinson on March 18, 2012

1 Kings 14:21-31

The house of Reheboam was being strengthened. Meanwhile, Jereboam was building shrines in Dan and Bethel.
He was being pragmatic.
Jereboam couldn’t wait on God anymore.
Trust God and obey God.
Satan whispers that there’s an easier way.
Pilots must trust their instruments over their senses.
Vs. 21, 31 Reheboam’s mother is named. She is mentioned at the beginning and end of his reign. It also mentions she was an Ammonite. This is an inclusion, similar to brackets. Mentioned because she had an influence on Reheboam. Solomon married many foreign wives who introduced idolatry into Israel.
Deut. 23:3 No Ammonite or Moabite may worship in the temple.
Satan is powerful and crafty. You are no match for him, unless you have the Strong Man on your side.
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. How can two walk together unless they be agreed?
God is jealous for His name and reputation. He is jealous when our affections are given to lesser things.
2 Chron. 12:9-11 God used an even more wicked king to judge Reheboam.
Shishak, King of Egypt undid everything Reheboam tried to build. He carried off all the treasures of the palace and temple.
Reheboam was now impoverished. Solomon’s kingdom was diminished both in quantity (number of tribes) and quality (treasures).
The gold shields were replaced by bronze. The continued the same ceremonies as before, bringing them in and out.
Do some ministries go through the motions even when there is nothing valuable left, only appearances?
Do we repent when we are judged? Do we agree that God’s judgments are righteous and holy?
Isa. 1:5 The law beats us but cannot save us. That’s why God sent His Son.

The Proper Use of the Law

Preached by Pedro Rodriguez on March 11, 2012

1 Tim. 1:8-11

Paul was slanderously reported to be antinomian.
Stephen was martyred for allegedly speaking against Moses.
Legalism: an approach to living in which a person tries to follow a set of standards to obtain a desired goal. Acceptability based on performance. It leads away from Christ.
Antinomianism: it means against the law. States that the Christian is free from the law because of reliance on Christ.
This letter, written by Paul, about A.D. 65, after his first imprisonment, probably from Macedonia, to Timothy, to warn him about false teachers.
Paul is aware of the impending end of his ministry. He cares about what the next generation will face.
He wrote 1 Timothy, then Titus, then 2 Timothy. They are called the Pastoral Epistles.
Paul may be warning about more than one group of false teachers.
Vs. 4: rather than God’s work—a plan involving a set of arrangements, purpose, or scheme. God’s work is by faith, contrasted with the false teachers.
Vs. 7: they wanted to be teachers of the law, experts in the Old Covenant.
Law here refers to the first five books of the Bible (Pentateuch, Torah).
The law is not for the righteous. Romans 3:21-26
Through the law, we become conscious of sin.
Law vs. Grace debate.
Contrast is not between the law and the gospel. We are not under law, but under grace.
Gal. 2:21
“If righteousness could be gained by the law, Christ died in vain.”
The Bible does not separate the law into civil, moral or ceremonial categories. We do that.
The law is for the unregenerate.
The vice list is similar to the Ten Commandments, the first few relating to our relationship with God, the rest to our relationship with people.
What is moral law, what is not?
The whole law is fulfilled in Christ.
What to do with the Sabbath command in the new covenant?
The New Testament takes up the whole law, except the Sabbath.
Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, is not just reinterpreting Moses; He is making new law, as the Lawgiver. “But I say unto you.”
The Christian is to live to a higher standard than the Jew ever did.
Love fulfills the law when we love God and others.
The law of works and the law of Christ are binding on the believer.
Legalism and antinomianism are extremes.
We are under grace and under the law of Christ.
The unbeliever is under wrath and under the Law of Moses. He is obligated to keep it.
Gal. 3:24,25 The law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. We no longer need the tutor.
In a church, you may write a new constitution. When the new one is in place, it nullifies the old. Yet you may still see many aspects of the old in the new
We have a different relationship to the law because we are justified by faith.
Vs. 14: Paul, formerly a blasphemer, had grace poured out on him. He was passive.
The law of Moses has condemning power. It shouts, “Guilty! Guilty!” Only Jesus can save.

A Lion and a Donkey

1 Kings 13

Preached by Pastor Brian Robinson on March 4, 2012

Jereboam feared a return to David’s house if the people worshipped in Jerusalem.
He built two places of worship; Bethel and Dan. It was for pagan worship; he appointed priests from every class, instituted holidays.
He offered sacrifices, himself. He is not concerned with God’s glory, but his own.
Because a person is ordained, or sweet, or smart, doesn’t validate his message.
Jereboam was appointed to be king, but it doesn’t follow that God approved of all he did.
He made it seem as if he was doing it make the lives of the people easier. “It’s too much for you to go up to Jerusalem.” Vs. 28
The man of God disrupted the public ceremony and spoke against Jereboam’s action. He was like a lion.
Jereboam calls for his arrest, not because he was a criminal, or was attempting to assassinate the king, but because he embarrassed the king.
Jereboam was humiliated at the height of his public life.
His outstretched arm withered and he could do nothing about it.
The altar split as predicted.
Let us not fear princes, parliaments and courts.
Jereboam pleads for the man of God to intercede for him with “your God”.
Do we pray for civil authorities who pass laws that persecute believers?
Both the healing and the broken altar should have been a sign to Jereboam, but he did not change.(1 Kings 13:33)
When the world threatens, we can resist, but it’s harder when they offer friendship and gifts.
The man refused to fellowship with the king. Still a lion.
It would have legitimized Jereboam’s rebellious actions.
The second prophet lies, saying God was cancelling His first command.
Never fall for special revelation that contradicts Scripture.
We are most vulnerable after a victory. Now a donkey instead of a lion.
Sometimes temptation comes from an unexpected source--the people of God.
The animals (lion and donkey on the road)were not acting in character.
It made the second man of God realize that the first one was a true prophet. He had respect for him.
He did it to save his own bones because of the resurrection. He didn't want his grave desecrated when the prophecy came true. He wanted to be buried along with the man of God.
This is fulilled in 2 Kings 23:17,18

Suffering Vs. Glory

Preached on March 4, 2012 by Pastor Robinson

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Romans 8:18

We will share in Christ’s glory. We will also share in His sufferings. We can’t have glory apart from suffering.
Like a piano virtuoso who is taking a bow, and the camera pans the crowd to find his family. They share his glory. Yet they have scrimped and saved, and suffered with his years of practice.
Most of us want to avoid suffering. We should not seek it, but if we live as believers, we will come across many enemies.
We are sheep among wolves.
Paul lists his sufferings. What are our complaints by comparison?
We shouldn’t avoid it by denying our Lord.
We all suffer; some more than others.
We have regular suffering, and suffering for our faith.
When Paul compares suffering now, with glory later, there is no comparison.

“For our light affection, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” 2 Cor. 4:17

Comparison between temporal and eternal perspective.
If you live only in the “now”, suffering is intolerable and meaningless.
If you have an eternal perspective, suffering is part of glory.
We need right perspectives.
Less “now” and more “not yet”.
We’re not saved because we suffer (a Roman Catholic belief).
Parable of the sower—a true believer will not fall away because of persecution.
Our suffering cannot cancel even one sin. Only the blood of Jesus covers sin.
How can you compare 80 short years to eternity in glory?
“We are a moment, You are forever.”
Men cling to this life. Put your treasures in heaven.
Nothing in this life surpasses glory in heaven.
The glory that lasts.
There is nothing we will miss from this life.
“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”

Can You Trust God?

Preached by Pastor Brian Robinson on Feb. 26, 2012

1 Kings 12

Can YOU trust God? Can you TRUST God? Can you trust GOD?
Israel was to be a theocracy, but they wanted to have a king, to be like the nations around them.
Saul was chosen, but proved to be unworthy.
David was a man after God’s own heart.
Solomon took Israel to new heights of glory.
His foreign wives turned his heart to other gods.
David reigned 40 years, as did Solomon.
125 years after Israel demanded a king, even though God warned them, they were begging Reheboam to lighten the load.
These events were from the Lord, as judgment. (1 Kings 12:24)
Jereboam was a diligent worker and was promoted.
He was Solomon’s servant.
He did not have royal blood. He had to work hard from a young age.
He was the son of a widow.
He didn’t aspire to be a king.
He is accosted by a prophet.
He is given a warning and a promise.
What does this have to do with trusting God?
If circumstances go against you, can you still trust God?
“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”
Reheboam didn’t follow the advice of the elders, because it had been determined by the LORD.
Reheboam was bothered by the presence of Jereboam.
He put his royal foot down.
He spoke so harshly, he lost his kingdom.
Reheboam becomes the agency of God’s will for Jereboam.
It’s wicked to resist the will of God—it’s rebellion.
Samuel prayed for Saul until God told him to stop praying for him.
Reheboam was going to fight to get his kingdom back, but God told him to stand down.
Jereboam saw that God kept His promise to give him the kingdom, but he didn’t trust Him to keep him.
He took it into his own hands and introduced idols into worship.
Can you trust God in every circumstance?

Obligations

Preached by Pastor Brian Robinson on Feb. 18, 2012

Romans 8:12-17

We have an obligation, but not to the sinful nature.
When you see ‘therefore’ in Scripture, ask what the therefores are there for.
It links the thoughts to what preceded it.
Everyone is under obligation. We can’t opt out. We are debtors to the flesh or debtors to God.
Obligation is a compelling word. It implies duty, necessity, requirement.
In Paul’s day, 45% of the population were slaves—they understood what it meant to be under obligation.
Freedom is an illusion; everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
Romans 7 talks about the tug of war that goes on in the heart of the believer.
The old nature will throw a temper tantrum if it’s ignored.
If only our old obligation understood we were not obligated to it.
In the Mortification of Sin by John Owen, he says, “Sin will not spare for one day”, and “It will either prevail or be prevailed upon.”
We all have our own Goliaths. “Is there not a cause?”
We need to learn to say no, and live self controlled lives.
It’s not all negative. We’re not alone. We may get tired, but like Gideon, we are “faint, yet pursuing.”
We may begin to question our salvation.
Tell your Elder Brother you are being bullied.
He didn’t save us to leave us alone, but to indwell us.
It’s not an equal fight, and it’s not meant to be. We have the Omnipotent One on our side.
We have the whole armour of God.
He reminds us of our status in the family of God—heirs, and joint-heirs with Christ.
The promises of God are overwhelming.
He takes us from the guttermost to the uttermost.
We must live up to the family name.

A Turn of Events

Preached by Pastor Brian Robinson Feb. 18, 2012

1 Kings 12

Many may not be familiar with the kings of Israel, other than David or Solomon.
We may be advanced technologically, but they are like us. The God of the Bible is the same. He is still sovereign and immutable.
The Bible is a big book. It’s a bird’s eye view of our world.
We all have a world view. The post modernist says you can’t have an all-encompassing world view, just stories. But the Bible claims to be the only correct world view.
The Bible begins with creation. It is not a fairy tale, but the word of God.
It begins in Paradise, and ends in Paradise.
66 books, 40 authors, yet One Author, written over 1,500 years, yet one theme. No contradictions.
It is the most amazing book in the world.
Our society crushes hope.
The slide began in Israel when the people wanted a king, “to be like the other nations”.
What can we learn from the kings of Israel?
We see the slide into idolatry. We see the remnant preserved because of the promise of a King that would come who would reign on the throne of David forever.

Life in the Spirit

Preached by PastorBrian Robinson on Feb. 11, 2012

Romans 8:9-11

God doesn’t just save us from hell, but He is in the business of transforming us into the likeness of His son—the process of sanctification.
Vs. 1 justification—no condemnation
Vs. 14 sanctification—because of the indwelling Spirit
Vs. 9-11 Paul addresses the readers personally.
A watershed: the destinations are completely different. This is the great divide.
Christianity is radical, revolutionary, supernatural.
It doesn’t just tidy up our morals, it changes our nature.
The Christian swims upstream, fighting against sin; the unbeliever floats downstream, never struggling against his nature.
We are weak and sin and Satan are powerful foes.
In our own strength, we have no strength at all.
With the Spirit, we are Overcomers.
If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not part of Him.
To have Christ is to have the Spirit; to have the Spirit is to have Christ.
Not for a select few, but for all believers.
How could you live life as a Christian without the Spirit?
You received the Spirit when you first believed.
Not denying the desire for a deeper blessing and relationship with Christ, but you only receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit once, at your conversion, although you can have many fillings afterward.
How? Stick close to the word of God.
We should be amazed that our bodies are the temple of the living God.
Now and not yet.
Paul talks about contrasts; live vs. death, outer man vs. inner man, sinful nature vs. Spirit filled nature, Adam vs. Christ, law vs. grace, physical life vs. spiritual life.

Reheboam; a King without a Kingdom

Preached by Pastor Brian Robinson on Feb. 11, 2012

1 Kings 12:1-17

Other than David or Solomon, the lesser kings are not well known, but they have much to teach us.
We live in an age that does not recognize that we can learn from the past.
We live in an age of anarchy, rebellion, protests, and resistance.
Also an age of the abuse of authority.
We need to learn submission to good authority and resistance to ungodly authority.
Reheboam was the son of Solomon. His mother was an Ammonite
The nation had prospered in every way.
Cracks were developing in the foundation.
Solomon married many foreign wives who brought their gods with them into the marriage. Thus he introduced foreign gods into the life of Israel.

Principles of Leadership
1)Prayer before big decisions. He had the example of his father. Humility and obedience.
2)Fairness. Don’t show favouritism in church, home, or work.
3)Don’t be hasty to make a decision.
4)Look to elders for good advice. When you get it, why go elsewhere? Often the advice that seems best to us is the one that agrees with our idea. We don’t really want advice, we want confirmation.

The result was the schism of Israel. Ten tribes to the north, two to the south.

Life in the Spirit

Preached by Brian Robinson on January 29, 2012

Romans 8:1-17

The Christian life is a life in the Spirit.

Justification
Man is guilt. He may not know it, feel it or believe it.
The guilt of violating God’s law brings condemnation.
We are enslaved to sin and Satan, unable to free ourselves.
God justifies the sinner. We are declared, “NOT GUILTY” before the bar of God’s justice.
He did it by making Christ a sin offering.
He does not overlook sin.
Justification is not subjective, but objective.
We had nothing to do with it.
It is outside of us.
The work of God as Judge.
We cannot be more justified in Heaven.

Sanctification
Follows justification in time.
Deals with the mastery over sin.
Done inside of us.
We are made new creations.
Stony heart out, heart of flesh in.
The work of God as a surgeon.
A process of transformation.
The Spirit is heavily involved in this work.
We grow in this grace.
Jesus delivers us from the penalty of sin. The Spirit delivers us from the power of sin.
Man hates the doctrine of original sin—he is a rebel, he can do nothing to please God. (Rom. 8:7,8)
Only two classes of people in the world; those who live according to the flesh and those who live according to the Spirit.
Life is short; what counts for eternity.
We act according to our nature.
Men are not sinners because they sin; they sin because they are sinners.
See a lamb in the pasture, a dead animal lying near him and a vulture circling overhead. What will the lamb and vulture eat, and why?
The lamb will eat grass and the vulture will eat the carrion because they will act according to their nature.
Likewise a sinner will act according to his sinful nature. He can do nothing else.
The school system without God is turning out hedonistic nihilists.
Laws are passed contrary to God’s law; gay marriage, and 100,000 abortions per year in Canada.

The Exaltation of Christ.

Preached by Brian Robinson on January 29, 2012-01-29

John 3:14, 15

Spurgeon’s conversion
He was under conviction and would have done anything to be saved, except do nothing and trust in the finished work of Christ.
Text for the sermon he heard was “Look unto me, you ends of the earth, and be saved.”
Anyone can look.
Simple and free.
People complain the gospel is either too easy or too hard.
Numbers 21:4-9
Christ was exalted on the cross.
People would rather make up excuses than look.
People would rather “do” something.
There is no other cure for our sin.
There is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.
Christ’s death was for all people, not just one nation.
Jesus became sin for us—sin was imputed to Christ.
There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.
Vs. 15 everyone who believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Look. Believe.
Don’t worry about what others say, believe in Jesus.

What’s Your Focus?

Preached by Glen Zeidler on Jan. 15, 2012-01-22

Ecclesiastes 1,2

How do we find what is important in life?
What is life all about?
Consider the gold rushes of the 19th and 20th centuries—People rushing to find their riches. Most lost all they gained. What they sought to find seemed like chasing after the wind.
We could say they were foolish, but we are the same. We say ‘God is good’ but we want more.
What is your focus?
Life is monotonous; a meaningless action. A cycle like water, wind, sun.
Same actions year after year achieving nothing.
What gives meaning to life? Why am I here?
Solomon is looking back at his life. It was an experiment.

Knowledge and Wisdom
Highly rated today, but they still can’t give a reason for living.
Not against education, but what are you expecting from it?
We’re inundated with information, yet humanity is no better off.
William Carey was self taught, yet he translated the Bible into 8 or 9 languages.

Pleasure
If it feels good, do it.” Forget the consequences.
What pleases you now will bore you later.
You’ll keep searching for new pleasures.
A fleeting joy, not a reason for living.
Self-indulgence, alcohol, laughter.

Projects
Building projects (ch2:4-10) to leave a legacy.
The one with the most toys in the end still dies.
The arts, sexual pleasures.
Why do you work? So you can have things.

Is this the focus of your life?
It’s never enough.
It leaves us empty.
Only one Person makes our lives worth living—Jesus Christ.
Nothing else will satisfy.
Where is your focus, your fulfillment?
Externals: money, pleasure, pensions.
We can get trapped as easily as non-believers.
These things can be good in themselves, but beware of being mastered by them.
We’re just passing through.
You will leave it all to someone else.
God has put you here for a reason.
Find out what that reason is.

A New Commandment

Preached by Mark Hudson on January 15, 2011

John 13:21-38

We need guiding principles. Some say, "Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die." Others, "The one with the most toys wins," or "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," or "Do unto others before they do unto you."

Principles that please God:
1) Wash one another's feet.
2) Love one another- ongoing verb tense. Keep on loving one another. Why does He give this command now, right before the crucifixion? Why does he call it a new commandment? The Old Testament talks about love, so what's new about it?
The phrase, "just as I have loved you." A new standard is set.

There are counterfeit loves out there.
1) Reciprocal love; "if you love me, then I'll love you." No better than the Pharisees.
2) Comparative love; we want to be seen as more loving than the next person. Above average is the goal.
3) Selective love; won't love those who have offended and hurt them. People draw lines.
4) Investment love; some love because it's in their best interests. What's in it for me?
5) Manipulative love; may have schemes.
6) Reasonable love; Peter thought he was above average for forgiving seven times.

Jesus set a new standard. Our love is measured by His love.
He was willing to wash our feet and die for us.
That's what makes this commandment new.

How did Jesus love?
1) Genuine and deep; He knows you and still loves you.
There is a substance to His love, "as the Father has loved me." Completely, totally, eternally. Trickle down. Father to Son, Son to His people, His people to one another.
2) Self-sacrificial love; John 3:16 'so loved, He gave'. The incarnation, His life of ministry among us. On the cross--greater love has no man than this, that a man lays down his life for his friends. Loving=giving.
3) Constant and steadfast; He doesn't love us less when we sin. Ongoing love. Nothing can separate us from His love. Rom. 8:35-39

How des this love show itself in our lives?
What are the first three words when people think of us? Are we loving?
Not just a resolution or determination. This is supernatural love.
1) Be quick to forgive; don't hold grudges. This is a distinguishing characteristic of love.
2) Watch out for the needs of others. Loneliness is listed as the number one problem of university students.
3) Be willing to submit to one another.
4) Pray fervently for one another.
5) Offer guidance and counsel when we're able.
6) Be loyal, trustworthy and dependable.
7) Be positive and optimistic in our delingswith others. Avoid slander.
Love should be the reigning principle.
This kind of love requires the grace of God.
We need to love Jesus first--be one with Christ.
Faith, hope and love should characterize us. The greatest of these is love. Faith and hope can be quiet, but love must be shown.

The Virginal Conception

By Pedro Rodriguez

Preached on Jan. 8, 2012

Luke 1:26-38

This doctrine is usually referred to as the virgin birth, but it was really a virginal conception and a natural birth.
The natural mind has trouble accepting this miracle.
It is as difficult to believe as the resurrection.
It is a fundamental belief of the Christian church.
Some modern theologians say it is not compatible with the modern mind.
They are quick to deny any supernatural intervention of God in the affairs of man.
Some say it is not inherent to the doctrine of the incarnation.
This doctrine relates to the truthfulness of Scripture and is linked to the deity of Christ and His sinless human nature.
Some say this idea is borrowed from Greek mythology.
Jesus is the God-Man. It is only possible if it happened this way.
Luke is a good historian and always gives you a time reference. (Luke 1:26)
A betrothal was more formal than ours.
It lasted about a year. She would be referred to as his wife, it could be broken only by divorce, and infidelity would be called adultery.
Joseph is from the line of David. (vs. 27)
Mary is troubled more by the greeting of the angel than his presence.
Judges 6:12 “The Lord is with you” in reference to Gideon.
2 Sam. 1:16 The Davidic covenant.
The name Jesus means Yahweh saves (Matt. 1:21)
Vs. 32 A fulfillment of the promise to David
Vs. 33 An eternal kingdom. Because it is forever, there is no one else coming after Him.
God always keeps his promises; we see this in Scripture and in history.
Mary asks, “How can this be?” she has not had a sexual relationship with Joseph, or anyone (vs.39)
This is the question of the natural man as well.
They laugh at the Christian.
They believe they are neutral, but they are not, because they discount the supernatural.
They are suppressing the truth (Rom. 1:18)
Gabriel’s answer in vs. 35 “The Holy spirit will come upon you.” Similar to the promise of the Holy Spirit to the believers (Acts 1:8) which results in a new birth.
Overshadow = envelope. (Like on the mount of transfiguration).
We must be careful to avoid any idea of a sexual interaction between Mary and the Holy Spirit.
How this actually happened, we don’t know.
The result? The Holy One will be called the Son of God.
Sovereign, divine, unilateral.
Vs. 36 He reassures her by giving her news of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, to show how God is capable of the impossible.
The LORD opens and closes the womb.
Mary’s response. Vs. 38 in faith, submission, obedience and gratitude.
The social implications would have been enormous.
The supernatural nature of Jesus’ birth is compatible with the rest of his life and resurrection.
He had life before life and life after death.
Jesus must be one of us, and yet separate from us, in order to save us.
This doctrine is critical to our Christian faith.
This is tied in to His work on the cross.

Looking Forward

By Glen Zeidler

Preached on Jan.1, 2012

Ecclesiastes 1

This book is part of the Wisdom Literature, which includes Job, Psalms, Proverbs and Song of Solomon.
This book seems sad, almost cynical.
Why should we trust this book? What qualifies this author to speak about life so authoritatively?
Solomon is not named, but there are clues; son of David, King of Israel, rich, wise.
As we look ahead of us, we can look forward to a sameness. There are things we can expect day after day.
An architectural folly—built for no purpose; pretty, but empty.
Verse two is the theme of this book—Everything is meaningless.
As you grasp for things in this life, it’s like grasping the wind.
Everything is fleeting; nothing is lasting; pursuing empty pleasures.
Was this the way it was supposed to be? No.
At Creation, everything had meaning.
After sin, man began a mundane, difficult existence. Gen. 3:17-19
Creation itself was affected by the fall.
We can’t keep anything.
Our actions have no purpose.
Think of your ancestors. You may be able to name them, but you don’t know them.
The cycles of generations, even the monotony of sunrise and sunset testify to the treadmill of life.
Fruitless activity is unsatisfying. It is wearisome.
We sometimes like to think we are different.
Of the millions of people that pass through history, how many are remembered?
For a non-Christian, your life has no meaning.
A believer’s life has purpose and meaning. We have been called.
The question is not what satisfies us.
What is your focus for the new year?
Build your house on the Rock. Lay up treasures in Heaven. What is the quality of your work for God?

What is a Christian?

This is a synopsis of the messages given by Steve West at the Sovereign Grace Youth Retreat last weekend. He preached from the book of Ephesians. Of course, he had many illustrations to flesh this out, but hopefully you'll get the idea.

What is a Christian?
Often to define something we need to define what it is NOT.
A Christian is not just someone who is raised in a Christian home.
A Christian is not just someone who feels bad about wrong things they've done--that just means you have a conscience.
A Christian is not just someone who is afraid of hell.
A Christian is someone who knows that, if not for Jesus, he would have no hope.
A Christian has repented of his sin and has faith in Jesus Christ.
Faith is not "hope so", or believing in something you don't believe to be true, or believing something in spite of evidence to the contrary.
Faith includes believing the right things about God and ourselves, and trusting (resting) in the finished work of Christ. He was our Substitute.
We recognize that God will never punish us for our sin, which we deserve, because He has punished Christ.
We have moved from death to life.

Prayer Life
Some words to describe your prayer life: inconsistent, humbling, selfish, strong.
If you wanted to learn to pray, go to Scripture. Model prayers in John 17, the Lord's Prayer, the book of Acts.
Paul tells the Ephesians how he prays for them.
Distractions and Daydreams during prayer: try talking out loud. It's not common to carry on a sustained monologue. Also keep your eyes open, have a passage open before you.
He gives thanks for the Ephesians faith in God and love for each other.
He prays regularly and consistently that they may know God better.
He prays that they'll understand how precious the church is to God. It is the inheritance of Jesus.
Churches this side of glory are not perfect.
Paul's prayer-life was radically "other-centred".
Do you pray like that for anyone other than yourself?
Do you only pray for God to make your life more comfortable?

The Old Life vs. The New Life
In the first century, you were either a Jew or a Gentile.
Gentile was a non-Jew, and a pagan.
Paul commands them not to live as they used to live.
"In the futility of their thinking." All self-centred thinking that rejects God is futile.
You are missing all the facts that make it all make sense--Who God is, who you are--You miss the main point of the whole universe.
"The ignorance in them"--culpable for their sin.
Hard hearts.
Lost sensitivity--the idea of calloused skin.
When you don't feel your need of Jesus, it proves you do need Him.
Leprosy is a picture of sin. In leprosy you lose your sensitivity to things.
Put on the new self, created to be like God.
We are moved from death to life.
Paul gives specifics of what that life looks like:
Put off lying. That includes leaving things out, making excuses and spinning the story.
Lying can start out small.
Don't stay angry--find a forgiving spirit.
Not controlling your anger gives Satan an avenue into your life.
Stop stealing. Instead, work honestly, share with those in need.
Old self--it hurts you to get what I want.
New self--I'll work hard to help you if you need it.
A radical change.
No unwholesome talk: cursing, blasphemy, gossip, slander, boasting, criticizing.
Rather, build others up with your words.
Do not grieve the Spirit--related to your words.
The Spirit speaks to build up the church. He lives in you--He doesn't want to hear your lives and slander.
Forgive, as you've been forgiven. They can't do anything to you that compares with what you've done to God.


Lifestyle
Sexual immorality should be far removed from the church.
Our society has changed so that what was formerly wrong, is right, or at least, morally neutral.
Sexual immorality is self-centred.
50% of engagements are broken off, so the idea that "we're going to be married" is not valid.
Such a person has no inheritance in the kingdom of God.
People will trade their souls for foolish things.
Let no one deceive you with vain words. Don't be partners with them. If you are partners in the act, you'll be partners in the wrath.
Expose these things to the light.
Pay attention to how you live.
Don't entertain yourself to death.
Make the most of the short life you have.
Don't be foolish, but discerning.
Don't be drunk. Rather, thanksgiving, control by God's Spirit.
Your life should be characterized as worship to God.
God takes great interest in our singing.