Matthew 5:5
/If there is an attribute in short supply in our selfie culture, it would be humility. This message will introduce the meaning and significance of meekness as a key attribute of those who follow Christ.
sermons | study
These are sermons preached during our Sunday worship services. (Recordings were not always successful, so there are gaps in the postings.)
Matthew 5:4
/Maya, an intelligent and charming young congregant, helped me with the beginning of this sermon considering the second beatitude of Matthew five.
Matthew 5:1-3
/The first of five sections of Jesus’ teaching in the Gospel of Matthew is the longest and most familiar, commonly known as the Sermon on the Mount. Remarkable for its eloquence, Jesus’ sermon opens with the Beatitudes, which have much to teach us about what it means to be followers of Christ.
Matthew 4:12-25
/This text is a narrative introduction to the public ministry of Jesus, and here Matthew provides a summary overview of what that ministry entails, and it gives us an opportunity to consider what it means to be a follower of Jesus today.
Matthew 4:1-11, part two
/Continuing a consideration of Matthew’s account of the temptation of Jesus, there is more for us to learn that has application to dealing with temptation in our own lives.
Matthew 4:1-11, part one
/This passage is closely related to the baptism narrative that precedes it, and together the two passages serve as a powerful introduction to Jesus as the Anointed One come in fulfillment of the Word of God sent through his prophets.
Matthew 3:13-17
/It might be said that Matthew 3:13 marks the true beginning of the Gospel, with that which has come before as a prologue. From 3:13 onward, Matthew focuses our attention on Jesus the Anointed One himself, who decisively assumes control of all that happens in the rest of the Gospel.
First Chronicles 16:8-36, part two
/This message continues the consideration of the elements of true worship as presented in the representative psalm selections of First Chronicles 16.
First Chronicles 16:8-36, part one
/This text is a collection of excerpts from the Psalms put together to provide a model of the worship that is instituted by David with the coming of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. After calling us to give thanks to God, verse eight commands us to “call upon the name of the LORD.” There is a depth of meaning to be explored in this expression.
First Chronicles 16
/First Chronicles chapter sixteen marks an important milestone for the nation Israel, and its focus on worship has much to teach us today.
Matthew 2:13-23
/This passage is rarely given much attention during the Christmas season, but it theologically rich.
Matthew 2:1-12
/The theme of kingship that is found throughout Matthew’s Gospel is clearly in view in this narrative of events following his birth.
Matthew 1:18-25
/Following his masterful introduction, Matthew opens the narrative portion of his Gospel with accounts that reflect the perspective of Joseph, a manual laborer of godly character who is chosen for a most unique calling.
Matthew 1:1-17, part two
/This is a second look at the genealogies that open Matthew’s Gospel.
Matthew 1:1-17
/With its many connections with the Old Testament and its comprehensive presentation of the ministry and teaching of Jesus, Matthew is the ideal first book for the New Testament. It is a good place to begin for someone unfamiliar with the Christian faith, and yet it has riches to reveal to the mature believer.
Psalm 138
/With the coming of Thanksgiving and the Advent season, I’m setting aside the series on Daniel for awhile, but will return to it in 2020, the Lord willing. I apologize for the interruptions and other distractions in this sermon caused by the cold I had this Sunday.
Daniel 10:1-9
/This is the climactic revelation of God to Daniel that is recorded in this wonderful book. In terms of its personal impact upon Daniel himself, it surpasses all those experiences narrated in previous chapters. Significant parallels to his experience are found in several other passages, most notably Ezekiel chapter one and Revelation chapter one.
Daniel 9:20-27 part 2
/The content of God’s message to Daniel through Gabriel is much debated. I interpret the passage along traditional lines. The translation I use in this sermon is below.
Daniel 9:20-27:
20 While I was speaking and praying,
confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and
laying my plea before the LORD my God for his holy hill,
21 while I was still speaking and praying,
the man Gabriel,
who I saw in the vision earlier,
wearied and exhausted,
reached me at the time of the evening sacrifice.
22 He caused me to understand, saying to me,
Daniel,
I came now to cause you to gain insight and understanding.
23 When you began your plea,
a message went out, and
I myself came to declare it to you,
for you are special.
Understand the message and understand the vision!
24 Seventy sevens are decreed concerning your people and your holy city,
to finish transgression,
to seal up sin,
to atone for guilt,
to bring eternal righteousness,
to seal up vision and prophecy, and
to anoint a holy of holies.
25 Know and gain insight:
from the sending out of the message to restore and rebuild Jerusalem
until the anointed one, the ruler,
there are seven sevens and sixty-two sevens.
It will be rebuilt with squares and moat, but in troubled times.
26 After the sixty-two sevens, the anointed one will be cut off, without anything.
The city and the holy place will be destroyed by the army of the coming ruler.
Its end, like a flood, and until the end, war; desolations have been determined!
27 He will make a mighty covenant for the many for one seven.
In the middle of that seven, he will make cease sacrifice and offering, and
because of the extremity of abominations there will be one will bring desolation to
complete destruction; what has been decreed will be poured out on what is desolate.”
Daniel 9:20-27 part 1
/This passage relates a remarkable answer to prayer that contains a word from God that presents challenges for interpretation. Before considering that word, however, we will consider the unique personal message that Daniel himself receives. The translation I use in this sermon is below.
Daniel 9:20-27:
20 While I was speaking and praying,
confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and
laying my plea before the LORD my God for his holy hill,
21 while I was still speaking and praying,
the man Gabriel,
who I saw in the vision earlier,
wearied and exhausted,
reached me at the time of the evening sacrifice.
22 He caused me to understand, saying to me,
Daniel,
I came now to cause you to gain insight and understanding.
23 When you began your plea,
a message went out, and
I myself came to declare it to you,
for you are special.
Understand the message and understand the vision!
24 Seventy sevens are decreed concerning your people and your holy city,
to finish transgression,
to seal up sin,
to atone for guilt,
to bring eternal righteousness,
to seal up vision and prophecy, and
to anoint a holy of holies.
25 Know and gain insight:
from the sending out of the message to restore and rebuild Jerusalem
until the anointed one, the ruler,
there are seven sevens and sixty-two sevens.
It will be rebuilt with squares and moat, but in troubled times.
26 After the sixty-two sevens, the anointed one will be cut off, without anything.
The city and the holy place will be destroyed by the army of the coming ruler.
Its end, like a flood, and until the end, war; desolations have been determined!
27 He will make a mighty covenant for the many for one seven.
In the middle of that seven, he will make cease sacrifice and offering, and
because of the extremity of abominations there will be one will bring desolation to
complete destruction; what has been decreed will be poured out on what is desolate.”
Daniel 9:1-19 part 2
/This message continues the consideration of Daniel’s prayer, focusing not only on its meaning, but also the way in which it serves as a model for us.