sermons | study
These are sermons preached during our Sunday worship services. (Recordings were not always successful, so there are gaps in the postings.)
This is a transitional passage in Paul’s letter to the Galatian churches, with the first command that Paul gives to the Galatian believers, although he gives it in the manner of an entreaty. Before coming to the command, Paul reminds us of important truths and provides us with an excellent example for sharing the gospel.
This text is a good example of Paul’s effective use of an illustration to teach theological truth that has significant application to our thinking and living as Christians. Truly understanding what the Apostle is teaching here will have a profound effect upon our relationship with God.
Here from Isaiah is another prophecy that is especially appropriate during the Christmas season. (Due to a mistake on my part, the sermon was not recorded during worship, so I preached it again this afternoon for recording.)
In Isaiah chapter seven, we find one of the most notable prophecies of Jesus Christ in an unlikely setting.
Isaiah 6 records one of the most memorable of visions in the Old Testament. Isaiah is given a revelation of God’s holiness and his own sin before being commissioned to his prophetic role.
Passages from Isaiah will be used for sermons through the month of December. Today’s message considers the first chapter, with a focus on verse eighteen.
Paul brings his argument in chapter three to a climax with this passage. Sound theology always has an application to life, and that is the case with Paul’s teaching here.
Paul uses a question and answer format to explain important truths relating to God’s law and the gospel promises that are ours in Jesus Christ.
Two key terms appear in today’s passage: covenant and promise. The two are closely related and are important for our understanding of the gospel.
Paul continues his teaching in affirmation of the gospel, providing support for his teaching with quotations from Deuteronomy 27:26, Habakkuk 2:4, Leviticus 18:5, and Deuteronomy 21:23.
The biblical narratives of Abraham in Genesis serve as the backdrop for Paul’s teaching in Galatians chapter three. In appealing to Abraham’s example, Paul is decisively undercutting the false teaching that the Galatians have heard from those who say they must become Jews in order to be Christians.
An abrupt change in tone reflects the Apostle’s astonishment at the Galatian churches’ turning away from the gospel. Through a series of questions, Paul seeks to awaken the Galatians to a realization of what they have done.
In this text, Paul calls the Galatian churches–and us as Christians today–back to the gospel, and in doing so provides us with a clear and decisive description of the gospel. Luther called the teaching of justification by faith that is set out by Paul here the doctrine on which the Church stands or falls.
I hope that this sermon doesn’t sound as disjointed as it seemed to me when preaching it. I also felt that I was rushing through the last section. Thankfully, God’s Word does not depend upon preachers like me for its effectiveness!
This passage begins what is the main part, or body, of Paul’s public letter to the Galatian churches. Here he states his first main idea and begins to provide support for it. The apostle does not expect the believers simply to accept what he says because he says it, but provides reasons. Our faith is not a blind faith, but one that is reasonable. God expects us to use our minds as we search for truth.
Galatians is unique among Paul’s letters, and its distinctives begin to appear in these verses. Although Paul is addressing specific churches about specific circumstances they face, there are important lessons for us today.
The benediction that opens the epistle to the Galatian churches includes important teaching for us today.
This sermon begins a series on what is probably the earliest epistle written. Galatians provides an intimate glimpse into both the person and message of the great Apostle Paul.
It seemed to me that it would be helpful to consider further the idea of fearing God that we considered in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, so this sermon looks at various Bible passages on this theme. This subject is one that I thought I needed to learn more about myself and apply to my own life.
I admit to sadness at coming to the end of our consideration of Ecclesiastes. I have found the book challenging to study, but deeply rewarding. Even more important, the book has proven to have great relevance for our lives at Christians in the midst of postmodern culture.
