DanubeChurch.org

2012-01-05 Dave Ginn Philipians 1:12-21

info@danubechurch.org (Danube International Church Podcaster) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:37:34 +0000

2012-02-05_Dave_Ginn_Phlipians_1_12-21.mp3

2012-01-29 Ronnie Stevens Matthew 19:16-26 Part II

info@danubechurch.org (Danube International Church Podcaster) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:34:27 +0000

2012-01-29_Ronnie_Stevens_Matthew_19_16-26_Part_II.mp3

2012-01-22 Ronnie Stevens Matthew 19:16-26

info@danubechurch.org (Danube International Church Podcaster) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:09:07 +0000

2012-01-22_Ronnie_Stevens_Matthew_19_16-26.mp3

Salvation:Possible and Impossible

Matthew 19:16-26

I Jesus Answers a Question about Salvation vv. 16-17

A. Salvation is a Matter of Accepting the True Standard of Goodness

1. Goodness is Ascertained by Comparison

2. The True Standard of Goodness is God Himself

"There is only One Who is Good..." v. 17

B. Salvation is a Matter of Keeping the Commandments

"...if you wish to enter into Life Keep the Commandments." v. 17

II The Young Man Asks for a Clarification v.18

A. He Wants to Negotiate

B. He Wants to get as much as Possible for as little as Possible

III The Exception in Jesus' Answer v. 18-19

- The Second Great Commandment is not in the Ten Commandments-Lev. 19:18

IV The Young Man's Staggering Self-Deception v.20

V The Diagnostic Ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ v.21

A.The Greatest Offer in the Bible

B.The Embedded Gospel

VI The Sad Response v.22

"The Gospel does not demand reflection;the Gospel demands response."

David Platt, Radical

" Not to decide is to decide." Harvey Cox

VII The Impossibility of Salvation Revealed vv. 23-26

2012-01-15 Ronnie Stevens Colossians 2:2-3 Part III

info@danubechurch.org (Danube International Church Podcaster) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 12:39:12 +0000

2012-01-15_Ronnie_Stevens_Colossians_2_2-3_Part_3.mp3

Christ our Treasure: A Theme for the New Year Part III

...Christ Himself, in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:2-3

Value Determined by:

Scarcity-Christ is Unique

Utility (Usefulness) -Only Christ Can Help Us at Death

Beauty

I Christ is a Treasure Because of His Beauty

A The Beauty of Holiness Colossians 1:15

B The Beauty of Glory Colossians 1:27

II Christ is a Treasure Because of What He is Worth to God

What Will God Give for Christ? Colossians 2:13-14

III Christ is the True Treasure far Above the False Treasure of:

A Philosophy Colossians 2:8

B Legalism Colossians 2:14,16

C Mysticism Colossians 2:18

D Asceticism Collossians 2:20-23

2012-01-08 Ronnie Stevens Colossians 2:2-3 Part 2

info@danubechurch.org (Danube International Church Podcaster) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:21:39 +0000

2012-01-08_Ronnie_Stevens_Colossians_2_2-3_Part_2.mp3

Christ Our Treasure: A Text for the New Year

Part 2

Colossians 2:2-3

I. Christ is Our Treasure because of His Uniqueness

A. He is Unique as Creator

1. All Things were Made by Him

Colossians 1:16

2. All Things were Made for Him

B. He is Unique in Comprehensive Reconciliation

For it was the Father’s good pleasure…

through Him to reconcile all things…

whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Colossians 1:19-20

II. Christ is Our Treasure in Terms of His Usefulness to Us

A. Because Christ Gives us Life

Colossians 2:13

B. Because Christ Gives us a Sinless Status.

Colossians 1:22; Colossians 2:13

C. Because Christ Gives us Life that is Dynamic

Colossians 1:10

III. Christ is Our Treasure Because of His Beauty

A. The Beauty of Humility

1. The Humility of a Birthed Creator

Colossians 1:15

2. The Humility of a Slain Life-Giver

Colossians 1:20

3. The Humility in the Royal Dwelling He Chose

Colossians 1:19, 27

B. The Beauty of Holiness

- The Beauty of the Sighted God

Colossians 1:15

C. The Beauty of Glory

Colossians 1:27

IV. Christ is our Treasure because of His Market Value

Colossians 1:12-14

V. False Treasure

A. Philosophy Colossians 2:8

B. Legalism Colossians 2:14, 16

C. Mysticism Colossians 2:18

D. Asceticism Colossians 2:20-23

2012-01-01 Ronnie Stevens Colossians 2:2-3

info@danubechurch.org (Danube International Church Podcaster) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 12:43:40 +0000

2012-01-01_Ronnie_Stevens_Colossians_2_2-3.mp3

Christ Our Treasure: A Text for the New Year

Colossians 2:2-3

Wisdom is the skill of navigating the path of

the uncertain with the compass of certainty.

The Uncertainty of the Year Ahead of Us

The Certainty of Eternity Around Us

Underneath are the everlasting arms.

Deuteronomy 33:27

His banner over me is love.

Song of Solomon 2:4

The Lord our God will go before us .

Deuteronomy 31:3

And the glory of the Lord will guard us from behind.

Isaiah 58:8

January 1^st, 2012 finds us in a place we have always been. A place between the past and the future. The place between a past covered by God’s mercy and a future guarded by God’s grace.

I. Christ is Our Treasure

“What ‘things’ did she treasure? A lock of hair, one of the cloths she had used to wrap him at birth? The gifts of the Wise Men? No, she had no place to keep anything. She treasured words spoken, the sayings given to her of a deeply personal nature. The promises of God, the testimony of the shepherds, the visit of the Wise Men, the prophecies of Simeon and Anna. Precious words, words of wonder, words of joy and sorrow, words to consider over and over again.”

Ed and Coralee Murray

II. Christ is Our Treasure because of His Uniqueness

A. He is Unique as Creator

1. All Things were Made by Him

Colossians 1:16

2. All Things were Made for Him

B. He is Unique as Redeemer

For it was the Father’s good pleasure…

through Him to reconcile all things…

whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Colossians 1:19-20

III. Christ is Our Treasure in Terms of His Usefulness to Us

A. Because Christ Gives us Life

Colossians 2:13

B. Because Christ Gives us a Sinless Status.

Colossians 1:22; Colossians 2:13

C. Because Christ Gives us Life that is Dynamic

Colossians 1:10

IV. Christ is Our Treasure Because of His Beauty

A. The Beauty of Humility

1. The Humility of a Birthed Creator

Colossians 1:15

2. The Humility of a Slain Life-Giver

Colossians 1:20

3. The Humility of the Royal Dwelling He Chose

Colossians 1:19, 27

B. The Beauty of Holiness

- The Beauty of the Sighted God

Colossians 1:15

C. The Beauty of Glory

Colossians 1:27

V. False Treasure

A. Philosophy Colossians 2:8

B. Legalism Colossians 2:14, 16

C. Mysticism Colossians 2:18

D. Asceticism Colossians 2:20-23

2011-12-25 Collection of Christmas D

info@danubechurch.org (Danube International Church Podcaster) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:28:31 +0000

2011-12-25_Collection_of_Christmas_Devotions.mp3

2011-12-18 Ronnie Stevens Micah 5:2 Part 2

info@danubechurch.org (Danube International Church Podcaster) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 13:32:56 +0000

2011-12-18_Ronnie_Stevens_Micah 5_2_Part_2.mp3

BETHLEHEM

Part 2

Micah 5:2

I. The Coming Forth is a Going Forth

“…out of thee shall He come forth…

whose goings forth have been from of old…”

A. Jesus’ Birth was an Active Decision on His Part

B. The Birth in Bethlehem was not the first “Going Forth”

1. The Angel of the Lord and Hagar Genesis 16:10

2. The Angel of the Lord and Jacob Genesis 32:28, 30

3. The Angel of the Lord and Samson’s Parents Judges 13:18, 22

II. In Bethlehem Eternity becomes a Permanent Part of History

“…whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

A. He Comes Forth to Impact History

1. He Changes History Forever

2. He Dominates History

1 I met a Traveler from an antique land,

2 Who said, “Two vast and trunkless legs of stone

3 Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,

4 Half sunk, a shattered visage lies…

9 And on the pedestal these words appear:

10 My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings.

11 Look on my works ye Mighty, and despair!”

12 No thing beside remains. Round the decay

13 Of that Colossal Wreck, boundless and bare,

14 The lone and level sands stretch far away.

--Percy Bysshe Shelley

(1792-1822)

3. He Himself is Not Changed by History

III. Implications and Applications

A. God Does Not Reside in the Sphere of Human Possibility

1. God is Triune

2. God the Second Person is Virgin Born

3. Jesus of Nazareth is One Person with Two Natures:

Human and Divine

B. Christ Exhibits in Perfect Combination

the Attributes of Humility and Deity

1. Jonathan Edwards’ Insight from Revelation 5:5-6

“the admirable conjunction of diverse excellences”

2. The Implications of Matthew 11:29

C. Christ Comes from the Outside of History

to the Inside of History

Christ Comes from the Outside of our Hearts

to the Inside of our Hearts

1. He Comes to Give a New Perspective on Eternity

Romans 8:28-30

2. He Comes to Be our King

“…out of thee shall He come forth unto Me

that is to be a Ruler…”

2011-12-11 Ronnie Stevens Micah 5:2

info@danubechurch.org (Danube International Church Podcaster) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 13:29:44 +0000

2011-12-11_Ronnie_Stevens_Micah 5_2.mp3

BETHLEHEM

Micah 5:2

I. God Speaks to Cities

“But thou, Bethlehem, …”

II. God Regards Obscure Places

“…though thou be little…”

“I am poor and needy;

yet the Lord thinketh upon me.”

Psalm 40:17

III. Out of Bethlehem He shall Come Forth

“Bethlehem…out of thee shall He come forth…”

A. From Whom? From the Father

B. To Whom? To the Father

C. For What Purpose? To be a Ruler

        “The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold,
      And his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold.”
                                                                - Lord Byron, 1815

IV. His Going Forth is Eternal

A. The Surprising Source of Encouragement

B. The Context of Romans 8:29-31

C. Bethlehem the Universal and Eternal Comfort

2011-12-04 Tom Allen Romans

info@danubechurch.org (Danube International Church Podcaster) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:24:53 +0000

2011-12-04_Tom_Allen_Romans.mp3

2011-11-27 Ronnie Stevens Acts13:38-52

info@danubechurch.org (Danube International Church Podcaster) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:51:42 +0000

2011-11-27_Ronnie_Stevens_Acts_13_38-52.mp3

Eight Marks of New Testament Ministry

Acts 13:38-51

What is New Testament ministry?

- Ministry which is biblical in its patterns, apostolic in its emphases, and spiritual in its essence.

- Because the presence of the Holy Spirit is necessary for New Testament ministry to take place, the work of the Holy Spirit becomes obvious over time as New Testament ministry is attempted by faithful believers.

I. The Gospel is Preached vv. 38-39

A. Forgiveness is a Needful Thing

B. Forgiveness is a Possible Thing

1. Earning Forgiveness by Moral Virtue is Impossible

2. Earning Forgiveness through Religious Effort is Impossible

3. Forgiveness Comes Only THROUGH HIM

II. There is Sober Warning vv. 40-41

III. There is Conviction v. 42

IV. The Christian Life Swells to a 24/7 Phenomenon v. 43

V. There is Opposition v. 45

VI. There is Division vv. 46-48

“Why should anybody hear twice before everyone hears once?”

VII. There is Expansion v. 49

VIII. There is Joy vv. 50-52

2011-11-20 Ronnie Stevens Acts 13:38-52

info@danubechurch.org (Danube International Church Podcaster) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 13:11:48 +0000

2011-11-20_Ronnie_Stevens_Acts_13_38-52.mp3

Eight Marks of New Testament Ministry

Acts 13:38-51

What is New Testament ministry?

- Ministry which is biblical in its patterns, apostolic in its emphases, and spiritual in its essence.

I. The Gospel is Preached vv. 38-39

A. Forgiveness is a Needful Thing

B. Forgiveness is a Possible Thing

1. Earning Forgiveness by Moral Virtue is Impossible

2. Earning Forgiveness through Religious Effort is Impossible

3. Forgiveness Comes Only THROUGH HIM

II. There is Sober Warning vv. 40-41

III. There is Conviction v. 42

IV. The Christian Life Swells to a 24/7 Phenomenon v. 43

V. There is Opposition v. 45

VI. There is Division vv. 46-48

“Why should anybody hear twice before everyone hears once?”

VII. There is Expansion v. 49

VIII. There is Joy vv. 50-52

2011-11-13 Ronnie Stevens Acts 13:26-39

info@danubechurch.org (Danube International Church Podcaster) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 19:14:15 +0000

2011-11-13_Ronnie_Stevens_Acts_13_26-39.mp3

Jesus and the Old Testament in the Preaching of Paul

Acts 13:26-39

I. The Peril of Unrecognized Truth vv. 26-27

A. The Truth which was Meant for Us

1. “To us the word of this salvation is sent out” v. 26

2. The Danger of Misunderstanding the Message

“ Their rulers recognizing neither Him nor the utterances of the prophets” v. 27

“The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it” John 1:5

a. The Connection between Jesus and Scripture

b. The Hardening Effect of Unapplied Truth

II. The Deliverer Delivered Up vv. 28-29

A. A Biblical Way of Looking at Ourselves vv. 27-29

1. The Inward Corruption of an Unrenewed Heart

“The heart is more deceitful than all else.

And is desperately sick;

Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9

2. The Outward Expression of Corrupt Religion

“…they exchanged the truth of God for a lie…” Romans 1:25

B. The World’s Way of Looking at Christ

“…they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tomb.” v. 29

1. The Cross and the Transformation of History

2. The Cross and the Transformation of Humanity

III. The Man Who Couldn’t Be Buried

“But God raised Him from the dead.” v. 30

A. The Prevalence of the Witnesses v. 31

B. The Quality of the Message

1. The News that is Good v. 32

2. The Promise that is Kept vv. 32-33

IV. The Old Testament Witness

A. Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God v. 33

B. The Hope Inspired by David is Realized in Christ v. 34

C. The Help we get from God comes through the Living Christ vv. 35-37

V. The Specific Help which Christ Brings

A. Forgiveness of Sins v. 38

B. Freedom from Everything which Frustrates our Relationship with God v. 39

2011-11-06 Ronnie Stevens Romans 12:1-2

info@danubechurch.org (Danube International Church Podcaster) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:33:44 +0000

2011-11-06_Ronnie_Stevens_Romans_12_1-2.mp3

Romans 12:1-2

Worship, Conformity, and Transformation

I. Worship as an Appropriate Response v. 1

A. Because of the Lavishness of the Ransom

1. God’s mercy is shown by His willingness to sacrifice His Son.

2. Christ’s willingness to give up His life was acceptable to God as an atonement for us.

B. Because of the Worth of What was Paid for

1. A Living Gift

2. A Holy Gift

II. Worship as the Better Alternative v. 2

A. We will be Conformed to the Pattern of the World

“It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which if you saw it now you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are come in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and circumspection proper to them that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ‘ordinary’ people.’ You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations—these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit—immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.

--C. S. Lewis (1898-1963), from The Weight of Glory, June 8^th, 1941

A sermon preached at Oxford University, Church of St. Mary the Virgin

B. Or, We will be Transformed to the Likeness of God’s Own Son

1. What Jesus Says about God’s Preference in Worship

“…go and learn what this means, ‘I desire compassion and not sacrifice…’”

Matthew 9:13

2. What Jesus Says about the Heart of Worship

“God is spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

John 4:24

III. Worship as the Proof of God’s Goodness v. 2

A. In the presentation of ourselves as worshippers eager to serve our minds are transformed.

B. As our minds are transformed we discover the perfections of God’s will.

C. As our minds are transformed we grow in our agreement with God, and as we partake of God’s intellectual attributes we begin to take on His spiritual attributes as well.

“We do not want merely to see beauty…. We want something else which can hardly be put into words—to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it…. God will one day give us the Morning Star and cause us to put on the splendor of the sun…. At present we are on the outside of the world, the wrong side of the door. We discern the freshness and purity of morning, but they do not make us fresh and pure. We cannot mingle with the splendors we see. But all the leaves of the New Testament are rustling with the rumor that it will not always be so. Someday, God willing, we shall get in.”

--C. S. Lewis, Transposition, May 28, 1944

A sermon preached in the Chapel of Mansfield College, Oxford

2011-10-30 Avi Snyder Acts 27:20-25

info@danubechurch.org (Danube International Church Podcaster) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:09:46 +0000

2011-10-30_Avi_Snyder_Acts_27_20-25.mp3