Come Sojourn with Us
This is where you will find sermons and updates for our church. Our mission is to preach expository sermons focusing on the gospel of Christ. We are a church that is tied to the reformed tradition and seeks to submit to the scriptures so we walk in the Lord’s wisdom rather than our own.
We would love to have you join us on our Christian sojourn if you are in the Belgrade, MT area. If you are not in area then join us by listening to our bi weekly free sermon podcast.
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This is a narrative that is not that encouraging read. The disciples are told that they will abandon Christ, Christ collapses, Judas betrays Christ, and his disciples fall asleep instead of praying after claiming to be heroes of the faith. So, what do we do with this discouragement? How can we see the sovereign hand of God in the midst of all that transpires in this story?
We talked last time about the incarnation of Christ being something that is challenging for us to understand because it is a doctrine that is difficult to grasp. It does not make sense that the second person of the Trinity would take on flesh like our flesh. It does not make sense that He would submit to death and then be raised up again. Why all this drama? What is the purpose of Christ taking on the flesh and then dying? How does this have a meaningful impact right now instead of at the end of our 80 years of walking this earth?
I wonder what it must have been like for the disciples to have the last supper with Jesus. They would expect this to be a normal day where they could enjoy the day and the time with one another recounting the history of Israel. Their experience is something that is radically different as Christ is preparing them for what awaits Him in His ministry: His betrayal and death. The disciples are horrified, and so what is the assurance in this text that there is no need to worry? How do we know that Christ is still in control?
The incarnation of Christ is a very difficult doctrine for us to understand. In fact, I would say that as human beings it is an impossible doctrine to fully understand. This doctrine teaches that Christ, who is from all eternity, took on real human flesh to ratify the promises of God. If this doctrine is so difficult to understand then why do we want to study this doctrine? What could be beneficial about it regarding our day to day life?
We know that our Lord is one who cares for the poor, the widow, and the orphan. We know that our Lord is the one who heals the sick, takes away diseases, and is one tho ultimately takes away the sting of death. If this is true, then why is Christ so cavalier by respond to the disciples that they will always have the poor? Why not hear their suggestion to sell the ointment, give the money to the poor, and then just use a cheaper bottle? What does this story have to do with the tragic decision of a disciple and the leaders of Israel finally having the fortitude to send Christ to the cross?
Joshua gives the exhortation for Israel to choose whom they will serve. The Lord is the one who has assured Israel that He chose them to dwell in the land that was promised to Abraham. So, if the Lord has chosen this people then why must this people choose the Lord? This is a rather strange declaration, and what does this have to do with profession of faith?
We know that Christ is the Good Shepherd and there is no shepherd that even compares to Christ in terms of His caring for the sheep. We also know that God is gracious and good in terms of HIs care for His people. We also know that Christ is so gracious that He is going to do what is right and consistent with His gracious will. So, is it gracious that God decides who receives the work of Christ? What basis would we have to make the claim that God limits the work of Christ? So, we continue to deal with the question of how many people are impacted by the work of Christ?
The Reformed position on Christ’s death on the cross is probably not the majority view in Christianity. If this position is held by a minority then what basis would people have to hold it? How do we see that really any conservative Christian believes in a limited atonement? What is more, how can the Reformed definition of a limited atonement actually teach a very gracious God?
When we think about the Reformed doctrine of salvation we could think that the doctrine is simply summarized as such, “Once saved always saved.” I have to confess that personally such a definition really bothers me. It makes salvation sound cheap in the sense that we just go along for the ride and there is no struggle. So, if this is not something I like then what can we put in the place of it? What is more, how can Reformed people be so sure that God will preserve sinners who naturally hate Him? How does the Spirit even work in Reformed theology?
We as Christians can sometimes be discouraged when we survey the world. We read the news and see what is happening to the world and at times it feels as if things are spiraling out of control around us. What can we do in light of such discouragement? How do we honor the Lord in the face of such a trying time? What did the Lord tells us about Abraham in light of Sodom and Gomorrah? What was Abraham to do in light of that tragic day when the Lord finally manifested His judgment on such blatant narcissism?
Christ has talked about a life of suffering and struggle. The reality is that it is not encouraging to to think that one can pursue the kingdom only to find that there is just more and more suffering in this world. So, why continue if the Christian message seems to be suffer, then suffer some more, and then eventually die. Is that really the message? What is the comfort we take in the midst of the tragic day that happens in Jerusalem? How does that tell us this suffering will not always continue and be the thing that defines us?
The disciples know where they buried Christ. They are the ones who placed Christ in the grave. They showed their care for the Lord in their provision for Him, but yet Christ is not where they put him to rest. What has happened? Why does it seem like the only rational for Christ being some place else is because of grave robbers? What other option is there that we should see, appreciate, and love?
When we think about Christ on the cross it is not something that is celebratory. That means we do not look at this event and celebrate the reality of the promises of God. The reason why I say this is because Christ has died. He died on the cross for what? He died on the cross for our sins. The disciples are rattled, his followers are rattled, but what has Christ done that is so good? Why would we call this Good Friday and not Fatal Friday if this is about the death of Christ? Death means failure right? Or are we missing something about that?
The doctrine of the Trinity is a rather confusing doctrine. In fact, it is a doctrine that we will not fully grasp or understand as creatures possibly even during glory. So, if this doctrine is so difficult can we really know our God? What is good about such a confusing doctrine? What does this doctrine have to do with our redemption? In other words, if we cannot understand this doctrine then why talk about it? What does such a doctrine have to do with the doctrines of grace?
The Christian life is a life that has high points and low points. When we face the trying seasons are temptation is to wonder what we have done wrong. When we face seasons of life when things go well for us then our temptation is to think that we have done something that is honorable or right in the Lord. Should we anchor or lives in what we see and experience in this world or is that a faulty life orientation? What should we expect as we go through this life and what is the basis of our expectation?
One of the criticism of the Reformed faith is that if God chooses us then our wills are set aside. This means that we become mere robots of puppets who follow the one who pulls our strings. I guess my first reaction to this is if this criticism is true then I am not guilty for my sin. So, this would present a huge problem because God does not tempt us to sin. So, how can I preached a Reformed theology with such a glaring criticism and potential problem?
One of the great struggles that people have with the Reformed faith is the notion that if God chooses His people then why preach or send missionaries? We can understand the force of this because if God has determined what has happened then why do anything? It would seem that we are merely helpless pawns in the game of life. Is this fair? Is this really what Reformed people believe about preaching?
The pharisees and the sadducees finally have Christ right where they want him. In their minds they have trapped Christ into either losing credibility with the people or being charged as an insurrectionist. How is Christ going to get out of this trap? What does Christ teach as He responds to their trap?
John 3:16 is a passage that seems to show the problem with a Reformed doctrine of salvation. It seems to be rather plain and simple that it is God who loves the world. So, if God loves the world then how can God only apply the blessings of Christ to His people? How would a Reformed person explain this text without explaining the whole text away?
When Christ is in the midst of Israel it seems that Christ has a challenge making friends with the leaders of Israel. Why does Christ have such a problem and what does Christ say about them? Why does Christ speak of a vineyard and troublesome tenants? Most of all, why would this offend the leaders of Israel?
We are a bible believing church in the Belgrade, MT. We are a Reformed Protestant church who desire to build one another up in love as we sojourn under the sun.
