Why Such Suffering? (Philippians 2:5-11; BC 29)

Paul calls us to have the same mindset as Jesus, who, despite being divine, didn't cling to His status. Instead, He emptied Himself, becoming a servant and embracing human vulnerability. Christ's obedience went all the way to death, and even death on a cross. Because of this, God exalted Him, giving Him a name above all names, so that every being will acknowledge His lordship. One of the things we learn about the Christian life is that our sanctification is in a sense suffering. It is suffering to deny self to conform to Christ. We d not naturally want to die to self, but this is what Paul is teaching us. As we are in the power of the Spirit we are new creatures called to conform to our heavenly status in Christ.

Realizing Christ’s Kingdom (Romans 16:20; LD 48)

Christ commands us to pray that his kingdom would come. Our desire is to see his kingdom advance knowing that it is his kingdom and not our kingdom. We are called to be aligned with God's purpose in this kingdom and so we are praying that the Lord would continue to orient us with a heavenly perspective on this Christian pilgrimage.

A Psalm for the Christian Life (Psalm 119:1-16, 81-96, 169-176)

Mr. Aaron Chizmer opens the word of God for us on Sunday morning. We look at Psalm 119 as a Psalm that summarizes and walks us through the Christian life. We are reminded that we are called to live out of gratitude and we are empowered to do so in Christ.

Living it Out (3) (Matthew 6:1-18)

The Lord has given some pretty strong commands as he expounds the intention of the law. We might want to turn away, tune out the sermon, and take our own path. Our Lord continues to give some assurances that he really has come to save sinners. How do we know that our God can and will love a struggling people?

Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16)

Jesus tells his disciples that they are the salt of the earth and they are to be the light on the hill.  This sounds like Jesus is giving us very strong directives, but what does it mean to be salt and light?  What do these commands imply about our Christian life?  What does it look like for us to live out this ethic? 

The Christmas Servant (Isaiah 50:4-51:16)

The servant is the one who lives out the promises of the Lord.  This is great, it is encouraging, and it is very significant for his mission.  However, why would we appeal to this text for Christmas rather than Isaiah 9 or Isaiah 7 if we were going to use a passage from Isaiah?  What does this servant teach us about the significance of Christmas?

Serenity Now! (1 Timothy 6:1-10)

This life can overwhelm us at times.  If we are honest, many of the things which overwhelm us are self inflicted.  We want the perfect job, house, marriage, or whatever it might be for us.  The reality is that we can quickly become a dog chasing its own tail while believing our own tale.  So, where do we find peace right now?  Where do we find a happy place where we can retreat?  How can we have a true peace right now even in a fallen world?

The Sanctifying Basis (2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (LD 32; COD Head 5 Article 11)

It is a good thing to desire the Lord’s sanctifictifying power.  We should want such a thing if we take hold of Christ by faith.  It is honorable, but do we think about what we are asking?  We are people who are stained with sin.  We are people who honor strength and not suffering.  How does the Lord conform us to Him?  Do we always enjoy this conforming power of the Lord?  When is the Lord working us the most when it seems he has abandoned us?

Needing the Spirit Beyond the Means (Romans 7 (LD 26; BC 15)

Romans 7 is a passage that is debated about its application.  Some say that this is Paul under judaism, Paul in a pre vs post conversion, a regenerate man looking at unregenerate man, and the theories continue.  How can Paul be talking about the issue of human sin and the law?  What if Paul is just laying out that fallen man is so sinful that fallen man cannot attain the holy God apart from Christ?

Cut and Drowned in Christ (Colossians 2:11,12)

So often I hear that the sacrament of baptism is administered only after someone makes a profession of faith while circumcision is something that is applied to children in the Old Testament.  The reason that is given is that the Old Testament was a physical promise tied to a land while the New Testament is about the Spirit working in the lives of God’s people.  The appeal is by looking to the book of Acts where we see someone profess their faith and then they receive baptism.   If this case is so cut and dry then why is Christ circumcised and baptized?  How can these signs encourage a church that is flat scared of what will happen tomorrow?

A Nagging or Nudging Spirit? (Psalm 32 (LD 21; COD Head 5 Article 5)

As a Reformed person I believe that the Holy Spirit will not leave the people that God has chosen.  When someone who is not persuaded of perseverance of the saints hears such talk they immediately think that the Reformed view teaches that God leads people around on a string.  The concern with Reformed Theology is that man becomes a puppet, an empty shell, or a blind follower who has been deprived of a will.  Is Reformed Theology teaching that the Holy Spirit is merely God’s string? Do Reformed people really believe that man is emptied or relieved of his will/desires/decision making ability?  How can Reformed People account for man’s will while God overwhelms His elect people by His Spirit?

Why is Faith so Important? (1 Corinthians 1:30; LD 23)

If we are really honest we must affirm that we struggle in our faith.  This means that there are times when our faith is strong, and there are times when our faith is not so strong.  In fact, we do not like to admit it, but we even sin.  We really do not like to admit it, but most of the time we enjoy our sin for a little while.  If we are so weak, and broken by our sin, then how can this weak faith be so necessary?  Should we trust in our faith or are we asking the wrong question?