The post God’s Mercy to the Broken appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

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1. God’s agenda for you is DIFFERENT from what you planned.
2. God’s agenda is BETTER than you imagined.
3. God’s agenda for you is BIGGER than just you.

The post God’s Better Plan appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: When we seek to put God at the center of our lives, sincerity and enthusiasm aren’t sufficient. God’s holiness requires that we serve Him according to His Word.

The post What a Holy God Requires appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: God Exalts His Anointed King for the Sake of His People.

The post God Exalts His King for the Sake of His People appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: Just as God providentially ordained the events of David’s life to fulfill His promise to him, He will providentially ordain the events of your life, if you are God’s child, to fulfill His promises to you.

The post The Final Fall of the House of Saul appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: In the midst of a mess we need to rely on & reflect the heart of our peacemaking God.

The post The Heart of the Peacemaker appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: Will you give your allegiance to the conquering kingdom of God or to the crumbling kingdom of Satan?

• We Are Graciously Invited Into God’s Kingdom
• Many Will Try to Resist God’s Kingdom
• It Is Foolish & Dangerous to Resist God’s Kingdom

The post Which Kingdom Will You Choose? appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: Learn to love the difficult people of God so much that you lament their loss.

The post The Lament of Love appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post A Promise Kept (Easter 2026) appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: The power of Good Friday is the love of Christ.

• Christ’s love is active love that serves.
• Christ’s love is gracious love that saves.
• Christ’s love is God-centered love that steers.
• Christ’s love is settled love that stabilizes.

The post The Power of Good Friday (Good Friday 2026) appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: The tragedies of man always serve the triumph of God.

• Saul’s Death Was a Tragedy Because of How He Lived
• Saul’s Death Was a Tragedy Because of How He Died
• The Tragedies of Man Cannot Thwart the Triumph of God

(The camera went out before the sermon began, so the “video” is audio only.)

The post The Triumph of God Through the Tragedy of Man appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: God’s providence often seems strange, yet always results in victory for his faithful servants.

• At the Frontlines: God’s providence results in deliverance (29:1-11)
• As Ziklag burns: God’s providence results in sustenance and hope (30:1-10)
• In the Desert: God’s Providence results in direction and mercy (30:11-15)
• In the Battle:  God’s Providence results in victory and spoils (30:16-20)

The post Strange Providence, Sure Victory appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus:  Do not fear the lesser things of this world. Rather, fear the Lord.

The post Fearing the Lesser Things appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: Shrewd faith produces wise action for the Lord, because of the Lord.

The post Shrewd Faith appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: We are chosen, called, and created anew in Christ in order to display the virtues of our King by taking His kingly virtues upon ourselves. We do not imitate David to become accepted, we imitate Christ because we are accepted, to proclaim His virtues.

The post Displaying Kingly Virtues appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: Welcome the goodness of God that keeps you from sinning.

•  Welcome the LORD stopping you from sinning.
• Welcome the LORD showing you your weakness/sinfulness.
• Welcome the LORD strengthening your faith in Him.

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The post The Goodness of God In Restraining Sin appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: You should entrust your life, both present and future, to your sovereign, just, and faithful God who will work all things together for your good and His glory.

The post Entrusting Yourself to the Lord appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: Because all things are in the hands of the LORD, we should live by faith even in the midst of fear.

The post Faith Amidst Fear appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: What should I do when I am fearful and God’s plan for me is unclear?

• Respond wisely to God’s providential guidance. (21:10-22:2)
• Submit willingly to God’s clear commands. (22:2-5)
• Pray watchfully for God’s plans to unfold. (22:3, Ps. 56)

The post Fearful & Uncertain, Yet Faithful appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Even when the wicked triumph over the righteous, stay with Jesus.

The post Stay With Jesus appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary:  Jonathan is a model of Trusting, Loving, Costly Allegiance to the True King.

The post Allegiance to the True King appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post God Will Preserve His People appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: We should humbly & happily surrender to Jesus as the LORD’s anointed King.

The post Humble & Happy Surrender appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post The Faith-Filled Giant Killer appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: The greatness of Christmas is tied to the greatness of Christ.

The post The Greatness of Christmas – Christmas Eve 2025 appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post The Man of God’s Own Choosing appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Partial obedience to the Lord is disobedience to the Lord.

The post The Sin of Partial Obedience appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Fearful, Faithless Leaders Lead by Legalism, Blame-shifting and Worldly Wisdom

The post The Fearful, Faithless Leader appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary:  Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving His people.

The post Nothing Can Hinder the Lord from Saving appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary:  If you love God, you will joyfully obey His commands.

The post The Choice appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Be faithful, for the Lord is faithful.

The post Farewell From a Faithful Prophet appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

QUESTION:

“I’ve heard you talk recently and in the past about how suicide is wrong because it is murdering someone made in the image of God, and as it seems to me, giving up on trusting His providence over your life. I would agree with that, but my question is how do you think this affects their eternal destination? Do you believe a person who commits suicide automatically goes to hell? I know it’s a heated topic, but I’ve often wondered what a Biblical response and viewpoint would be.”

ANSWER:

This is such a heavy and important question, with much that can/should be said about it, but the simple answer to this question is that while suicide is a sin (by rejecting God’s authority in disobedience to His revealed Word, murdering human life made in His image, failing to trust Him with your life and welfare, being selfishly unloving to others, etc.) it does not and cannot sever the salvation of a true Christian.

This is the only possible conclusion from several Biblical facts:

1. Salvation comes by grace alone, through faith alone in the Person and work of Christ alone. We aren’t saved because we are sinless, but because we trust in Jesus who was sinless in our place. (Romans 3:21–26; 2 Corinthians. 5:21)
2. The work of Christ for sinners is perfect and complete, lacking in nothing, for all of the sins of His people. (1 John 1:9)
3. The timing of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection in the place of sinners, while being future for some of God’s people and past for others, covers all sins committed both before and after coming to Christ. (Hebrews 10:12; John 3:16; Romans 5:6–11)
4. God chose all whom He’d save before the foundation of the world, before we had done anything (either good or bad). He knew every sins we would commit (including the sin of suicide for some) before any of His people would commit them. (Ephesians 1:4–5; Romans 9:10–13)
5. The saving work of Christ cannot be undone. Nothing and no one can hinder the plan of God or render ineffective the work of God or invalidate the promise of God or rescind the gift of God in Christ. The salvation of God’s people is secure! (John 10:27–29; Romans 8:28–39; Ephesians 1:13–14)
6. The cross of Christ alone was the sufficient payment for the justifying forgiveness of repentant, believing sinners. Nothing else needs to be done than what Jesus has done. Just as no other obedience or law-keeping can add to what Christ has done, so too no one sin or amount of sinning can undo or even take away from what Christ has done. (John 14:6; Acts 4:32; Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 3:20, 4:13, 8:1; Galatians 2:16, 2:21, 3:11)

We could go on, but I hope the point is clear: All Christians sin. All sins of Christians have been eternally forgiven in Christ. Therefore, the sin of suicide is forgiven for the Christian.

Now, perhaps one would object that when a Christian sins in life, they will repent, but that when they sin at death (i.e., by suicide) they cannot repent.  Two problems with such an objection are: (1) See all of the above points. (2) Many Christians have died (and will die) right after or even during a sin (e.g., coveting, lusting, lying, yelling in hateful anger, etc.), and they would not be able to repent. The same could be said of Christians at the moment of Christ’s Return. But nowhere in all of Scripture do we see that this would make all (or any!) of God’s promises and work in Christ obsolete or void. Salvation comes by grace for sinners throughout their whole lives; so too at the point of death.

Imagine a super godly man who was saved at the age of five and lived his whole life with an ever-growing love for, faith in, and worship of God, having grown in obedience and repentance more and more, but . . . as he lay dying on his deathbed at 105 years of age, in his extreme agony he yells out in anger at a mean nurse who maliciously refused to give him more medicine . . . and at that moment he died. Would he go to hell? Of course not! The reason is not because he had amassed years of obedience/repentance or because his sin was small and understandable, but only because of the grace of God through faith in the Person and work of Christ. It isn’t the frequency or strength or timeliness of our repentance that saves us; it is Jesus who saves us.

Furthermore, even when a Christian dies at the moment of doing some act of love, faith, and obedience (e.g., singing praises to God, giving money to the poor, sharing the gospel, sacrificing their life for the sake of another, as a martyr, etc.), they are not accepted into Heaven because of such obedience but only because of Christ’s obedience in their place. Even our best works of faith and love and obedience and worship are still tainted by our sin, requiring the blood of Jesus to sanctify them (1 Peter 2:5; Hebrews 13:15). Only Christ’s work is all-sufficient.

The post Suicide & Salvation? appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

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The post Surprised By Grace appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

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Sure Signs of True Repentance

• Deep Longing for the Lord 
• Exclusive Worship of the Lord 
• Open Confession of Sin 
• Humble Dependence on Our Mediator

The post Repentance – Rescue – Remembrance appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: The rebellious heart wants distance from God’s holy perfection, but the repentant heart longs for Him to draw near.

The post Responding to God’s Holy Presence appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post When Idols Are Toppled appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

•  True religion requires repentance.
• Religion without repentance is dead.
• Religion without repentance is deadly.

The post Religion & Repentance appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post From Famine to Feast appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post The Heart and House of the Priest appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Rebellious Sons of a Weak Parent appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Praise to the God Who Lifts Up the Weak appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post The Right Response to Loss or Lack appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post The Heart and House of the King (Intro to The Book of Samuel) appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary:

1. Our Father is the just Judge.
2. Our Father, the just Judge, is in the process of making all things right.
3. Our Father, the just Judge, will make certain everything ends just (and) right.

The post Psalm 75 – God Makes All Things Right appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: God blesses His people and glorifies His Name through Christ-like leaders.

The post Psalm 72 – Wanted : Good Leadership appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: The pursuit of hope in God is the pursuit of God is the pursuit of praise to God.

The post Psalm 68 : The Warrior-King Who Bears His Servants’ Burdens appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: The pursuit of hope in God is the pursuit of God is the pursuit of praise to God.

The post Psalm 42 & 43 : The Pursuit of God-Hope-Praise appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

1. David’s Motivating Declaration of God’s Faithfulness
2. David’s Desperate Dependence on God’s Faithfulness
3. David’s Confident Exultation in God’s Faithfulness

The post Psalm 41 : God’s Faithful Mercy to the Merciful appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Intentionally recognize and then rhythmically remember God’s providence with joy.

The post The Rhythmic Response to Providence appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

• Before the final Great Reversal comes, the people of God must fight.
• Before the final Great Reversal comes, the people of God are normally rescued through providential means.
• Before the final Great Reversal comes, we must make sure that we are part of the people of God.

The post The Great Reversal appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Life Under the Edict appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Hoist with His Own Petard appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: By the providence of God, the humiliation of His enemies and the exaltation of His people will be sweeping, swift, & sure!

The post Humiliation & Exaltation appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: “Am I using my influence for the good of others and the glory of God, or am I using my influence to serve my own pride and glorify myself?”

The post The Proper Use of Power appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: God calls His people to confident courage.

The post The Call to Confident Courage appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: God providentially plans persecution for His people in order to purify and preserve them.

The post Providential Persecution appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Because God is writing the story of your life with His providential hand, follow along with humility and hope.

The post Providential Foreshadowing appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Setting the Table for Esther appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Jesus was raised from the dead so that you might believe in Him.

The post Resurrection Faith (Easter 2025) appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Learning from Jesus’ Faithful Obedience in Gethsemane appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Psalm 69 is a picture of the Righteous Sufferer – foreshadowed by David, fulfilled by Christ, and formed in His people. In it we see:

1. The Righteous Sufferer’s Pressing Problem (v1-12)
2. The Righteous Sufferer’s Passionate Plea (v13-18)
3. The Righteous Sufferer’s Petition for Punishment (v19-28)
4. The Righteous Sufferer’s Promise of Praise (v29-36)

The post Psalm 69 : The Righteous Sufferer’s Sure Deliverance appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Every Christian has the joyful responsibility of calling others to worship God, telling them why they should worship God, and showing them how to worship God.

The post Psalm 66 : You Are a Worship Leader appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary:  The righteous response to wickedness requires God-centeredness, truth, and faith.

The post Psalm 58 : The Righteous Response to Wickedness appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary:  Because He is sovereign over every creature and everything that happens in His creation, all peoples should joyfully worship God.

The post Psalm 47 : Give Joyous Praise to the Sovereign King appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary:  Put joy-killing anger, envy, and anxiety to death by delighting in God and trusting His Gospel promises.

The post Psalm 37 : Kill the Joy-Killers appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sin is bad. Discipline is painful. Happiness is sweet. Life is short. So pray with honesty, humility, & hope.

The post Psalm 39 : Responding to the Discipline of God appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

• • Matthew (TGC), Sean Douglas O’Donnell (FREE!)
  • Matthew (TNTC), R.T. France
  • The Gospel According to Matthew (PNTC), Leon Morris
  • ESV Expository Commentary on Matthew, Daniel Doriani
  • Matthew (CCC), J.C. Ryle
  • Matthew (REBS), Jon Nielson (Bible study guide)
  • Matthew (Concise), Matthew Henry (FREE!)

Here are some general resources for helping to focus your heart and mind during this season of Lent:

• • Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die, by John Piper
  • To Seek and Save: Daily Reflections on the Road to the Cross, by Sinclair B. Ferguson 
  • Jesus, Keep Me Near The Cross: Experiencing the Passion and Power of Easter, Ed. Nancy Guthrie
  • Journey to the Cross: A 40-day Lenten Devotional, by Paul David Tripp
  • Are Radiant Redeemer Lent Devotions on the Transfiguration of Jesus, by Tim Chester
  • The Beauty of the Cross: Reflections for Lent from Isaiah 52 and 53, by Tim Chester 
  • The Risen King: 40 Devotions by C.H. Spurgeon, Ed. by J.A Medders
  • Your Sorrow Will Turn To Joy: Morning and Evening Meditations for Holy Week, by Desiring God (various authors).
  • Love to the Uttermost: Devotional Readings for Holy Week, by John Piper
  • Rich Wounds: The Countless Treasures of the Life, Death, and Triumph of Jesus, by David Mathis
  • Happily Ever After, by Jonty Allcock (Evangelistic Booklet)
  • A Visualized Timeline Infographic of Holy Week (Free)
  • Peine Pastor’s Podcast on Lent
  • Harmonious Holy Week Readings

The post Lent Resources appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

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What is Lent?  Lent is the 40-day season of reflecting and re-focusing on the suffering and sacrifice of Christ leading up to and preparing for the celebration of Christ’s glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Where does Lent come from?  The word “Lent” had an original meaning of “spring” or “lengthen” (as in the lengthening of the days in springtime).  In Greek and Latin, the words used to refer to the Christian holiday season of Lent mean “forty/fortieth” (referring to the 40 days Jesus fasted in the wilderness before starting His public ministry that was characterized by sacrificial service; see Matthew 4 and Luke 4).

Do we have to observe Lent?  No.  It isn’t commanded in Scripture and it doesn’t necessarily make one more spiritual or holy to observe it.

Should some people refrain from observing Lent?  Yes.  Those who would observe Lent in a sinful way or out of sinful motivations should refrain from observing it.

Why observe Lent?  Since it isn’t commanded, isn’t necessary, and can even be observed sinfully, the only reason why someone should observe Lent is as an act of worship to God, desiring spiritual benefits from their observance.

How can we observe Lent in the most God-honoring and spiritually beneficial way?  As with any special day or season on the Christian calendar, the point is to increase and intensify our worship of Christ.  There are nearly innumerable ways to do this.  Whatever stretches our minds, stirs our affections, strengthens our faith, and solidifies our commitment to Christ is a worthy practice during Lent.  But again, the primary focus of Lent is upon the suffering and sacrifice of Christ.  In addition to the many ways we can observe Lent (e.g., Prayer; Fasting; Bible reading, studying, & memorizing; Books; Service; Family Worship focus on Holy Week; Worship Gatherings; Evangelism; Apologetics; Giving; Seeking conviction, confession, & repentance), this year we are encouraging all of our covenant members to read the Gospel of Matthew together as a church.  Here is the reading schedule:

Scripture Readings:

• Day 1 – Matt. 1
• Day 2 – Matt. 2
• Day 3 – Matt. 3
• Day 4 – Matt. 4
• Day 5 – Matt. 5:1-20
• Day 6 – Matt. 5:21-48
• Day 7 – Matt. 6:1-18
• Day 8 – Matt. 6:19-34
• Day 9 – Matt. 7
• Day 10 – Matt. 8
• Day 11 – Matt. 9:1-17
• Day 12 – Matt. 9:18-38
• Day 13 – Matt. 10
• Day 14 – Matt. 11:1-24
• Day 15 – Matt. 11:25-12:14
• Day 16 – Matt. 12:15-50
• Day 17 – Matt. 13:1-35
• Day 18 – Matt. 13:36-58
• Day 19 – Matt. 14
• Day 20 – Matt. 15:1-20
• Day 21 – Matt. 15:21-39
• Day 22 – Matt. 16:1-12
• Day 23 – Matt. 16:13-28
• Day 24 – Matt. 17:1-13
• Day 25 – Matt. 17:14-27
• Day 26 – Matt. 18
• Day 27 – Matt. 19:1-12
• Day 28 – Matt. 19:13-30
• Day 29 – Matt. 20
• Day 30 – Matt. 21:1-22
• Day 31 – Matt. 21:23-22:14
• Day 32 – Matt. 22:15-46
• Day 33 – Matt. 23
• Day 34 – Matt. 24
• Day 35 – Matt. 25
• Day 36 – Matt. 26:1-46
• Day 37 – Matt. 26:47-75
• Day 38 – Matt. 27:1-54
• Day 39 – Matt. 27:55-28:15
• Day 40 – Matt. 28:16-20

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In this passage we see:
– Judgment Prepared
– Judgment Stated
– Judgment Executed

The post Sin, Death, and Judgment appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Christians should live in light of the fact that Satan is a defeated enemy whose doom is assured.

The post Lo! His Doom Is Sure appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

In this sermon, Pastor Nathan asks and answers three main questions:
1. When & Where Is the Millennial Reign?
2. What is Happening During the Millennium?
3. Why Does the Millennium Matter?

(For more on the millennium, see the Peine Pastors Podcast, Episodes 83 & 84)

The post The Meaning of the Millennium appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Live all of life in light of the judgment of God.
– The Judgment of God is Sure.
– The Judgment of God is Severe.
– The Judgment of God is Sweeping.

The post In Light of the Judgment of God appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Jesus will return to Earth to bring salvation for His people and to judge His enemies.

The post The Return of the King appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: The Last Day will be the First Day of eternal happiness for everyone who is invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.

The post The Marriage Supper of the Lamb appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Through understanding the coming of Jesus, we can understand how to truly know God, how God wants to relate to us, and how to have eternal life.

The post Christmas Is For Understanding – Christmas Eve 2024 appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Joy In Judgment? appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Fallen, Fallen Is Babylon the Great appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post The Faithful Refuse to Be Fooled appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Babylon the Prostitute appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: Repent today, because another Day is coming when it will be too late. 

The post Repent Today appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: God’s judgment is just! His wrath demonstrates His righteousness, and we ought to worship Him for it.

The post A Divine Corrective Regarding Divine Wrath appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: Songs of praise are the normal response of God’s people when they see His holiness displayed through mighty acts of judgment and salvation.

The post The Song of the Conquerors appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus:  At the end of the age, the Son of Man will arrive in glory and power to deliver His people and crush His enemies.

(Unfortunately, there is no audio file available for this sermon, due to technical issues.)

The post The Unflinching Justice of God on the Last Day appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: Every person has one of two futures–eternal rest and blessings in Christ or eternal torment in hell.

The post Three Warnings, a Call, and a Blessing appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: Who you belong to determines everything about you.

The post Belonging, Identity, and Destiny appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: Do you have the wisdom to recognize and reject every attempt to persuade you to worship something other than Christ?

The post Can You Spot a Fake? appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus:  Satan is always attempting to corrupt governing authorities in order to dishonor God & destroy His people.

The post Endure the Beast With Faith in the Lamb appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: God’s people conquer Satan by the blood of the Lamb, by the Word of their testimony, and by loving Jesus more than their earthly lives.

The post Defeating Satan appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: The work of Christ removes the power of Satan’s accusations.

The post Slanderous Accusations appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: We all have a choice to make, today and every day. Will we side with The Dragon? Or will we side with The Woman and The Male Child?

The post What’s Your Story? appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Let this reality reorient you: The Kingdom of God will overcome the kingdom of this world.

The post The Overcoming Kingdom of God appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Be faithful to your calling by courageously, boldly, fearlessly, and confidently proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to the unbelieving world.

The post Responsibility, Reaction, Reward appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: God dwells with His people and will protect them spiritually, and preserve them through persecution.

The post The Lord Is In His Holy Temple appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Revelation Through Old Testament Lenses appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: When God confronts us with the horrors of death it is a gracious call for us to repent.

The post Death, Deception, and Denial appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: God reveals that He uses unholy spirits to judge unrepentant sinners.

The post Demonic Judgment appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: God is glorified in His judgment of evil and by saving His people through judgment.

The post The Symbolism of the First Four Trumpets appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary:  

The post Persevere In Prayer appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary:  

The post Those Who Can Stand appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary:  God’s promise that the Day of His wrath is coming is meant to give comfort and courage to saints struggling against, and suffering under, worldly opposition as they seek to faithfully follow Jesus.

The post The Coming Day of Divine Judgment appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Because of the sin of mankind, God executes His judgments upon the earth for the purpose of displaying His glory in His judgment of evil, the salvation of His people, and the proclamation of the gospel.

The post The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: We are all in desperate need of the Seal-Breaker unrolling the scroll of God’s decrees in this broken world.

The post The Seal-Breaker appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: In order to conquer in the face of persecutions and temptations our greatest need is an awesome, overpowering, worship-inspiring vision of God.

The post The Throne at The Center of Everything appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post The Lukewarm Church at Laodicea appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Don’t Lose Heart, Hold Fast appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: True churches & true Christians are awake to God.

The post True & Awake appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Because of Christ’s authority to punish unrepentance and reward faithfulness, we must hold tightly to truth, love, and good works when we’re pressured to compromise.

The post Hold Fast What You Have appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Every church has a responsibility to confront every member who embraces heresy & sin.

The post Condoning or Confronting appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: In Christ, believers will persevere through every tribulation, even unto death, and be graciously awarded the crown of life.

The post The Suffering Church in Smyrna appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Every faithful church will patiently endure in hate and love.

The post Enduring Hate & Enduring Love appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post The Message of Revelation (Introductory Message #3) appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Be Not Hindered From Hearing (Introductory Message #2) appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post The Apocalypse (Introductory Message #1) appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: You must believe Jesus’ claim to be Life in order to have Life.

The post Jesus, Life, and Faith (Easter 2024) appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Purposeful Suffering (Good Friday 2024) appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Psalm 118 : Palm Sunday & God’s Surprising Work appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Psalm 67 : Blessed for the Glory of God appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Psalm 63 : The Truth About the Soul’s Satisfaction appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Psalm 48 : We Have Heard, We Have Seen appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Psalm 45 : Our Coming King appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Psalm 40 : Proper Responses to Suffering appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Psalm 31: Desperate Praying appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Compassion Gone Wild appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Consider the Consequences appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post The Enemy Within appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Honoring God should be our main goal in life and “success” is not a sure sign of God’s approval.

The post Success? appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Our worship can be sincere, and yet be ridiculous in God’s eyes.

The post Sincerely Ridiculous Worship appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: God’s purposes are more important!

The post Primary Purposes appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post You Shall Call His Name Jesus appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Tests of Love & Loyalty Require Humility appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: When fallen men follow their hearts, devastation follows them.

The post Don’t Follow Your Heart appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: God is always working His good plans through sinners.

The post The Mystery of Samson’s Judgeship appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Don’t Miss God’s Grace appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Focus: What are we doing with the opportunities and influence that God has entrusted to us?

The post The After Party: Majoring on the Minors appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Self-worship is destructive and must be overcome in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The post Sibling Rivalry appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: The LORD cannot be manipulated, nor do we need to manipulate Him.

The post No Manipulation appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Jesus teaches us to pray: “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” – Matthew 6:10

In this vein, pray this with me today:

“O, Lord, come quickly and reign on Your throne, for now often something rises up within me, and tries to take possession of Your throne: pride, covetousness, uncleanness, and sloth want to be my kings, and then evil-speaking, anger, hatred, and the whole train of vices join with me in warring against myself, and try to reign over me.  I resist them; I cry out against them, and say, ‘I have no other king than Christ.’  O King of peace, come and reign in me, for I will have no king but you!  Amen.”  – Bernard of Clairvaux

The post Your Kingdom Come appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

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The post The Only God of Just & Saving Judgment appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Gideon’s Mixed Legacy appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Godly Warrior or Prideful Oppressor? appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Committed to Worship appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Gideon: The Hesitant Hacker appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post A Song of Providential Motivation appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post God’s Salvation Through Surprising Means appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post The Ironic Savior appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Beware the Devil’s deceptive substitutes, especially when you’re hurting, stressed, anxious, or discontent. The enemy lies, promising that we can be saved from our woes through the power of God’s good gifts. Entertainment, food, alcohol, vacation, sleep, shopping, and the like may all be enjoyed as blessings from the Lord, but they make terrible saviors. They are false substitutes that leave us worse off when we run to them, trusting that they will set us free.

We must remember:

Distracting ourselves is not the same thing as being delivered.

Getting lost in another world is not the same thing as being at peace in this one.

Numbing the pain is not the same thing as being healed.

Escaping from reality is not the same thing as being rescued.

Changing our scenery is not the same thing as changing our life.

Filling our stomach is not the same thing as being truly filled.

Buying new stuff is not the same thing as having a new life.

We should seek to enjoy God in His good gifts, while never confusing the two. And we enjoy His blessings best when we receive them not as what will save us, secure us, or satisfy us, but as what are meant to show us more of Him. True freedom cannot come from false substitutes, so don’t entrust your soul’s struggles or sorrows to anything but the Lord of Heaven & Earth who died and rose again to set sinners free.

The post Substitute Saviors appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post God-Centered; Gospel-Centered appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post God’s Purposes for Israel appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: The downward spiral of Judges is a call to flee from idols, into the arms of King Jesus.

The post The Downward Spiral of Idolatry appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

If we fail to share the Lord with the next generation, we are in great measure failing to serve the Lord in ours.

The post For the Next Generation appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

When God calls out your sin, He is calling you out from your sin to Himself.

The post Confrontation for Covenant Renewal appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The spiral of sin without a King.

The post The Royal Tribe of Judah appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The spiral of sin without a King.

The post Introduction to the Book of Judges appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The key to worshiping when suffering doesn’t make sense is to keep crying out to God for help.

The post Psalm 44: Bewildered By Suffering appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Psalm 38: Under the Discipline of the Lord appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Psalm 36: The Sinfulness of Sin & The Goodness of God appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Psalm 34: Magnifying God Amidst Many Afflictions appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

• Pour your heart out to God (vv. 1-2)
• Express your need for God (vv. 1-2)
• Pray for Justice (vv.3-5)
• Let prayer push you from fear to faith (vv. 6-7)
• Let your prayers move y0u from inward to outward focus (vv. 8-9)

The post Psalm 28: An Honest Prayer appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

• How was this letter written? By God’s providence.
• What was this letter written as? A word of exhortation.
• Why was this letter written? Because of, and for, grace- Grace to pardon sin and empower sanctification.

The post Beneficial Reflection appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

For the sake of your soul, obey and pray for the leaders God has given for your good & His glory.

The post Leadership: For Your Good and God’s Glory appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Christ’s sacrifice for us enables and calls forth continual sacrifices from us. 

The post Sacrifices Pleasing to God appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

•  Keep believing in Jesus alone because He never changes.
•  Keep believing in Jesus alone because there is saving grace in no one else.
• Keep believing in Jesus alone because the only lasting Home with God is promised in Jesus alone.

The post Ever Only Jesus appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”

The post Honor God With Your Wealth appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Marriage & sex are inseparably connected to each other and to love & worship.

• Marriage is the binding covenantal relationship between one man and one woman meant to be for life wherein God spiritually unites them together as one flesh for as long as they both shall live.
• Faithful covenant love between sinners is meant to point to God’s gracious covenant love for sinners.

The post Marriage & Sex; Love & Worship appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

• Love: Because We’re Family
• Christian Hospitality: Receiving People Into Your Home That You Don’t Know, Might Not Even Like, (and Whose Kids May Wreck Your House)
• We’re All In This Together: When They Hurt, We Hurt Too

The post Brotherly Love Is Worship appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

You should believe all that Jesus said because He said He would rise from the dead and then, He did in fact rise from the dead.

The post Declared to Be the Son of God appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The delight of the Father in the death of the Son is why we can call this “good” Friday.

• The Father delighted in the sin-bearing sacrifice of the Son.
• The Father delighted that many would be accounted righteous in the Son.
• The Father delighted in the imminent exaltation of the Son.

The post The Delight of the Father in the Death of the Son appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

• Receive both the promises of God and the warnings that they carry.
• Respond with Gratitude→ Awe!
• Overwhelmed by the greatness & grace of God
  •  Awareness of God
  •  Affection for God

The post Overwhelmed for Exaltation appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Wonder at the better blessings of the New Covenant in Christ.

The post Enjoying & Exalting appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The church needs each member to take responsibility to make sure that we all persevere to the end and receive our inheritance.

The post See To It! appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post The Ways & Reasons of Following Jesus appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: When we remember its meaning, model, and motives we will joyfully receive God’s painful discipline.

The post Remember the Purpose of Painful Discipline appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Looking to Jesus means at least three things:

• Looking to Jesus as our Pioneer
• Trusting Jesus as our Perfecter
• Treasuring Jesus as our Prize

The post Christ-Centered Endurance appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: God’s people are called to persevere through joyful triumphs and difficult struggles and to die in hope of receiving the fullness of what God has promised them at the return of Christ.

The post Persevering Faith appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Biblical faith works radical changes in our lives

The post Biblical Faith Works Radical Changes appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Obedient faith is the only way to experience the power of God.

The post Obedient Faith appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Christian faith is unafraid to choose suffering over sin.

The post Suffering Over Sin appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Saving faith holds fast to God’s promises in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

The post Faith to Overcome appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Living and dying in faith is what Heaven-bound people do.

The post Heaven-Bound Faith appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary:  Only through believing in God’s existence and goodness can we please Him. 

The post Commended by God appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Faith is fundamental for every Christian.

The post Fundamental Faith appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary:  The truth that Mary was a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus is foundational to the Gospel.

The post The Sign of The Virgin Birth appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Don’t stop living by faith in God’s promise for your future!

The post God’s Promise For Our Future appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

HEAVEN

by Archibald Alexander

Heaven is a reality, not seen by eyes of flesh, but made known by revelation, and received by faith.

Heaven is a rest from toil, trouble, temptation, and sin. Such a rest is very desirable, if it were only a sweet sleep; but heaven is more.

It is a state of delightful activity. Every faculty and every affection will find appropriate exercise; and probably latent powers, not needed here, will there be waked into activity—powers suited to the new condition in which the soul exists.

Heaven is full of light; all darkness and doubt are absent. Knowledge will there be clear, and will possess a transforming efficacy; still, knowledge in heaven will be progressive; the pleasure will partly consist in ever learning something unknown before.

Heaven is a region of perfect love; all the heart and mind and strength will be exerted in love. And if the power of loving should, in the progress of the immortal soul, be increased a thousand-fold, all this increased ability will be kept constantly in full stretch by the loveliness and glory of the objects of affection.

Love in heaven is pure, perfect, and reciprocal. And the more exalted and excellent the character of the person beloved, the sweeter the sense of his favor. Heavenly joy consists in loving with all the heart, and in being beloved.

As heaven is a society, the members are happy not only in loving their King, but in mutual love. There will exist no envy, nor jealousy, nor apathy. Every soul will be transparent to every other, and all will see that nothing but pure love exists in every heart.

Heaven is a place of peace—sweet peace and uninterrupted harmony; all disturbing elements will be left behind. …in the heaven where saints and angels dwell and worship, war can have no place. The atmosphere of heaven is exempt from all evil; it is purity itself; all sin and impurity are denied admission into that holy place.

Heaven is a place of song: high affections are expressed in celestial music. O how elevating, how delightful the melodies!

Christ is the center of attraction in heaven. From Him radiate the rays of Divine glory which enliven, attract, and beautify all the innumerable army of worshipers.

The post What Is Heaven Like? appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Because Jesus loves us, He sternly warns us not to leave Him.

The post Hold Fast, Or Else.. appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: We will persevere as a church if we believe that the God of promise is faithful, the truth of our hope is immovable, and the people of God are essential.

The post The Persevering Church appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Draw Near to God appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post He Has Done All Things Well appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Saints, Now and Forever appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post Implications of Inferiority appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post The Return of Our High Priest appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

The post The Centrality of the Death of Christ appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Christ has cleansed your conscience so that you can freely serve God.

The post Set Free to Serve appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Do you enjoy partaking of Communion each week?  Have you have ever gone through the Sunday morning motions of receiving Communion only to go back to your seat thinking, “Why do we this?  What’s the point?  Does it really benefit anyone?  And why don’t I feel different when I take it?”  

There is a considerable amount of confusion surrounding Communion (a.k.a., the Lord’s Supper).  It is often misunderstood, and even more often under-understood.  Therefore, this is the sixth post of a series of blog posts of answers to some questions that I have been asked about Communion.  It is my prayerful hope that this blog post will be beneficial for you by answering nagging questions you might have, by helping you to think more clearly and deeply about this special gift from God to us which we partake of every week, by perhaps correcting some of your faulty thinking with regards to Communion and even the gospel itself, and by enriching your understanding of and appreciation for the unmatched love of God for you in Christ.

What should I be feeling during Communion?  And what if I don’t feel it?

The Feelings

What do you feel when you receive the Lord’s Supper?  Do you feel the weight of your sin being lifted from you?  Do you feel your faith being renewed and strengthened?  Do you feel a new or greater sense of being accepted and purified?  Do you feel elation and gratefulness for all that Christ has done?  Do you feel your hope welling up inside of you?  Do you feel a slight sense of pride and self-exaltation in being a part of the saintly club of Christ?  What do you feel?  Or is your struggle that you do not really feel much at all?  You want to, but you’re not sure what you should feel or how to make it happen?  Do you feel guilty for not feeling something during Communion?

The Misfocus

There are a myriad of different appropriate emotions and affections that one can feel during Communion.  And sometimes we should feel several different emotions and affections in a mixed way when partaking of the Lord’s Supper.  To be sure, it should not be a mere act of cold, religious duty without head or heart connection.  It is not meant to be a lifeless ritual.  But if you have been under the impression that either receiving Communion was pointless or that you somehow have failed in it simply when you did not feel what you thought you should, then your focus is off.  The focus of our hearts and minds when partaking of the Lord’s Supper should not be on how it makes us feel.  The focus should really be on what God is doing during Communion.  

The Right Focus

Whether you feel joy and gratitude and relief or not, our focus should be the same.  We should focus not so much on what we are feeling or what we are doing, as though we are doing something nice for God.  Yes, we are repledging, as it were, our faith in Christ; our open acknowledgement that we are sinners in severe need of the gracious gift of His life, death, and resurrection on our behalf.  However, since the focus of our faith is HIM and what has been promised because of what HE has done, then the ultimate focus of Communion should be not our faith, but the Object of our faith.  We believe not only that Jesus lived and died and rose again, but we also believe the great and precious promises of God secured for us because He lived, died, and rose again.  So, specifically, during Communion God is renewing His Covenant promise to us who partake of the bread and juice with faith in what they represent.  He is saying, “I am still with you, always and only for your everlasting good, because of your faith in who Jesus is and what He did (as symbolized in this bread and juice).”  So, the next time you take the Lord’s Supper, don’t worry about feeling anything magical.  Don’t take comfort or joy in what you are doing.  And don’t make what you feel or don’t feel the focus of it all.  But do focus on what Jesus has done almost 2000 years ago, what God is doing now, and on what He has promised in His Son, as He gives us a gracious reminder and renewal of His covenant love for us in Christ.  

The “Fix”

If your focus is right, and yet you still don’t feel humble, hopeful, joyful, or grateful because of what Jesus accomplished and secured for you, then do 3 things: 1) Confess to God that you do not feel what you should feel.  When you truly confess that you are not worshiping God, your confession itself becomes an act of worship!  2) Ask God to change your heart and to show you if there are any sinful things in you that are keeping you from having sincere and passionate affections for Him.  There may be, but there may not be.  And so, 3) Keep the focus on HIM and what HE has done, is doing, and will do.  Do this, in part, by trusting in the gracious life, death, resurrection, ascension, intercession, reign, and promised return of Jesus to be the only reason why God is still utterly and completely and gladly committed to you, both now and forevermore!

The post Communion Q & A – Part VI appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

How do I teach my children about Communion?

First Things First

The question that was implicitly answered in Communion Q & A – Part II, should probably be explicitly answered here first: Should I allow my children to partake of Communion?  The answer depends.  It depends on whether or not they are true believers, who have repented of their sin, and have had the genuineness of their repentant faith affirmed by their church in baptism (again, see the 2nd blog post in this series).  It matters not if the parents are believers or if the children “really want” to eat the bread and drink the juice.  What matters is the tested genuineness of their faith.  If they are living a sincere life of turning from trusting in anything else and turning to Christ alone by faith, then they should be baptized.  After they are baptized, they should not be kept from receiving the Lord’s Supper.  However, whether they partake of this meal or not, the time and topic of Communion can be used to share the gospel truth with our children.

The Three Parts

Where do we start?  There are so many different aspects of Communion that can be explained and expounded upon, but we need to start somewhere.  I think that there are three key aspects that would be most helpful to teach to our children early and often.  Here easy to remember parts to focus upon: Past, Present, and Future.  I have tried to explain them with certain words and sound play so as to make it easier to remember, as well.  I hope these things will help you to teach, remind, and pray with your children before, during, and after Communion each week.

Past – Remember His past death with faith.  (Luke 22:19; I Corinthians 11:23-26) — “Do this in remembrance of Me.”

Our sins have been atoned for in the past when Jesus passed away on the Cross.  Our sins passed from us to Christ and His righteousness passed from Him to us by faith in the good news that He passed away in the past as the righteous sacrifice in our place.  

This is faith in what Jesus has done.  Not just that He died, but that He died in the place of sinners like us, bearing our punishment as a Substitute.  His death effectively accomplished our full salvation so that our sins are forgiven and we are completely accepted by God forever because of what Jesus did when He died in the past.  This is what we remember with faith.

Present – Celebrate His present closeness with joy.  (I Corinthians 10:16; Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25). — “This is my body.”  “This is my blood.”  “a participation in the blood of Christ.”  “a participation in the body of Christ.”

Whenever we partake of Communion with faith, Christ is present with us in the present as a present.  It is a gift; a blessing; a present that He is spiritually present with us, meeting with us, at the moment we partake of the bread and the juice in present time for our spiritual good.  

There is great peace and joy knowing that Jesus comes close to us in a spiritual way for the health and growth of our faith in Him and love for Him.  This is a reality every time we partake of Communion.  It is as though we are receiving Him spiritually in our midst for the nourishment of our souls by feeding on Christ (John 6:30-35, 41, 47-58, 60-63, 66-69) at the very moment we are receiving the elements physically by faith in what they represent.  And this nearness, this closeness, is of great benefit to us and cause for celebration with great joy.

Future – Long for His future return with hope. (Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25; I Corinthians 11:26) — “until that day… in my Father’s Kingdom.”   “until He comes.”

Jesus is not finished with us yet.  The best is yet to come!  We have a secure and wonderful future awaiting us in the future.  Jeremiah 29:11 says that God plans and promises to give His people a hope and a future.  This means not merely that in future time He will allow us to exist, but that in future time we will have an overwhelming abundance of blessing in Christ which He has already planned and promised for us.  Every spiritual blessing is promised to us in Jesus Christ.  It is as though Jesus is our future.  In Him we have a hope of a better tomorrow/future, everlastingly so.

We will not always be receiving Communion together, for there will come a day in the future when the weekly appetizer of the Lord’ Supper will be followed by the great and everlasting feast with God in the New Heaven and Earth.  While we already have the Covenant promises of God and many of the foretastes of the future right now in the present (see previous point), we will not receive the fullness of these promises until the future.  So we should long for this glorious day, when all wrongs will be made right and all the faith will be sight.  But ours should be a longing with hope, because our future, bound up with Christ’s return, is as solidly secure as it is supremely satisfying. 

The post Communion Q & A – Part V appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Covenant Theology is a synthesized way of understanding the Bible’s message about God and His gospel purposes, plans, and promises in Christ. 

The post An Introduction to the Biblical Theology of Covenants appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Why do we receive Communion the way we do?

The Many Ways

Jesus gave us a clear command in instituting His Supper.  But He chose, in His perfect wisdom, not to give us many detailed instructions as to the precise way of partaking of it.  While there certainly would be wrong ways and less-than-helpful ways, there is no one way to serve and partake of Communion.  Many churches do it by passing a plate of bread or crackers and a plate of little cups of juice or wine.  Some churches have people come up front to be served.  Others have people come up front to tear off a piece of bread and to dip it into the juice.  And more.  While one or more practices may be most common for us, at PRC, we have used a variety of methods and will continue to do so in the future.  Why?  Because we believe that they each teach something different.

The Many Emphases

The passing of plates allows everyone to partake of the bread and juice at the same time, signifying and emphasizing the community we have in Christ (I Corinthians 10:17; 11:17-34).

The serving of it by others up front emphasizes the fact that Christ came to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).

The tearing off of the bread and dipping it into the juice emphasizes the reality of His flesh being torn and covered in His own blood for us who believe.  And, further, it points to the breaking of the bread (Mark 14:22) and the “one” bread from which many are receiving (I Corinthians 10:17).

Going up front to pick up your Communion bread and juice can emphasize the necessary response to Jesus calling us to come to Him by faith (Matthew 16:24; 22:4; John 5:37-43; 6:37, 44-45, 63-68).  It also allows time before partaking of the Communion Meal for families to pray together and for parents to briefly explain Communion to their children (who are spectators to all of this) (Deut. 6:4-9; Ps. 78:4, 6; Eph. 6:4b).

The post Communion Q & A – Part IV appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

There is a considerable amount of confusion surrounding Communion (a.k.a., the Lord’s Supper).  It is often misunderstood, and even more often under-understood.  Therefore, this is the third post of a series answering some questions that I have been asked about Communion.  It is my prayerful hope that these blog posts will be beneficial for you by answering nagging questions you might have, by helping you to think more clearly and deeply about this special gift from God to us which we partake of every week, by perhaps correcting some of your faulty thinking with regards to Communion and even the gospel itself, and by enriching your understanding of and appreciation for the unmatched love of God for you in Christ.

Why do we speak of the breaking of Jesus’ body when John 19 clearly teaches that none of His bones were broken?

Three Short Answers

We do not always use this language, and it is good to use fresh and new words at different times to speak of what the bread and juice represent, however, we frequently do speak of Jesus’ body being “broken”.  Why, especially considering what John 19:31-36 says as it quotes and alludes to other Old Testament passages about the Messiah’s bones not being broken?

1) It is Biblical language.  In Matthew 26:26; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19; and I Corinthians 11:23-24, Jesus breaks the bread and says, “This is my body.”  In I Corinthians 10:16b speaks of breaking the bread as a means of partaking of the body of Christ.

2) It is metaphorical language.   It does not need to refer to every part of Jesus’ body, but to the fact that He was broken for us.  In Isaiah 53:5 it says that He was “crushed for our iniquities”.  He was not literally crushed, but He was figuratively crushed in the sense of His body being beaten and brutally abused.  And even more so, as Isaiah 53:10 says, the “crushing”/“breaking” of Jesus was God’s punishment of Him for our sins.  This is a spiritual breaking.  Plus, while it is clear and true that the bones of Jesus were never broken, His flesh still was.  It was torn and ripped and flayed.  In this sense, His “body”/”flesh” was broken.  In His humanity, He was broken for us who believe so that we can be made whole.

3) It is historical language.  The Church has used similar language over the past 2000 years.  It is a way of staying connected to the rich and deep heritage of Christ-exalting practice and speech from believers over the centuries.  We do not stand alone and we do not stand unless we stand on the shoulders of those before us.  While tradition is not supreme, it can be good and helpful.

Why do we use juice instead of wine?

Three Short Answers

Wine is the preferred substance in keeping with the origins and history of Communion.  However, we believe that juice is an acceptable contextual substitute for the following three reasons:

1) It is still juice from the fruit of the vine, just like wine (Mark 14:25).

2) It speaks to the sweetness of the product of Jesus’ bitter death.

3) It is, in our context, more easily accepted by most people.

Why do we partake of Communion every week?

Three Short Answers

Many churches partake of Communion monthly or quarterly, and some only annually.  We do not believe it is a sin that they do so.  However, we do believe it is less beneficial that they do so, for the following reasons:

1) We believe it best represents and continues what the early church did (Acts 2:42-47; 20:7).

2) It is a constant reminder of and way to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in a tangible, visible way.  It gives us an opportunity and forces us to take the opportunity to explain the gospel in every worship gathering we have.

3) It is a real means of grace by which all who rightly receive it do so unto their spiritual nourishment and benefit.

(For more on this see the following link on Weekly Communion).

The post Communion Q & A – Part III appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Jesus Christ is a SUPERIOR HIGH PRIEST
of a SUPERIOR COVENANT
enacted on SUPERIOR PROMISES.

The post Superior Covenant, Superior Promises appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: Since we have the incomparable Heavenly High Priest, when our focus wavers, we must compare Him with everything else that seems to promise us connection with God.

•  Compare Jesus, our Heavenly High Priest, with those earthly experiences that drive us to Him.
• Compare Jesus, our Heavenly High Priest, with earthly religious rules and rituals.
• Compare Jesus, our Heavenly High Priest, with earthly ways of making up for your sins.
•  Compare Jesus, our Heavenly High Priest, with earthly people weak & stained with sin.

The post Our Heavenly High Priest appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

Sermon Summary: The basis of our hope is superior because our eternally unchangeable High Priest constantly intercedes for us.

Our hope is superior because of three things:

1. Our Hope Is Based on God’s Oath,

2. Our Hope Is Based on a Better Covenant, and

3. Our Hope is Based on the Constant Intercession of Jesus.

The post A Better Hope appeared first on Peine Ridge Church.

• People are in need and you can alleviate their suffering.
• God commands us to do good to others.  (Mt. 5:14-16; 22:37-40; Eph. 2:10; Titus 2:14; 3:8, 14; Gal. 6:9-10)
• By the work of the Holy Spirit in us we want to do good to others.
• Jesus did good works. (Mark 1 & Luke 19)
• Good works commend and adorn the Gospel.

He also pointed out some of the dangers of doing good works and gave us some practical suggestions for how to go about doing good works in a way that gives all glory to God.

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Sermon Summary:  We have every reason to be fully convinced of the glorious hope set before us.

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Sermon Summary: True disciples of Jesus will demonstrate that their faith is authentic by their costly, persistent, and practical service to their brothers and sisters in Christ.

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Sermon Summary: Followers of Christ must heed the warning against falling away from the Living God and instead pursue Him in order to receive His blessing.

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Summary: Jesus is the only High Priest in whom we can draw near to God.

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Summary:  Let the constant intercession and the compassionate heart of Jesus draw you confidently to the throne of God.

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Immerse yourself in the Word of God as the Word of God.  This is the exhortation.  But what does it look like to take in the Bible truly embracing it as the living and active Word of God?

Part of striving for steadfast faith in Jesus may mean getting help for needed growth, change, and/or repentance.  You may need to read a book, go to counseling, ask for prayer from others, submit to accountability, and more, but one thing is for sure, if you want to fight for steadfast faith in the Lord Jesus, then you must immerse yourself in the Word of God as the Word of God, trusting that it is powerful, living and active, piercing even to the depths of our hearts, creating in us a stronger, more steadfast faith.

Legalistic Weight?

Much of this is pretty practical.  Some of this is very specific.  All of this is exhortation.  Does it feel legalistic to you?  Here’s why it’s not: By following this exhortation to immerse yourself into the Word of God as the Word of God, you are not earning salvation for yourself.  Nor should you be trying to do this.  The exhortation is to immerse yourself in God’s Word in order to strengthen your faith in God’s Work.  We are not working for forgiveness, but working to trust in Christ’s work on our behalf.  Therefore, those who immerse themselves in God’s Word are not more accepted by (or even more acceptable to) God, rather they are healthier and more stable and steadfast in their faith.  Exhorting you to take in the Word of God is not legalism, because it is neither a substitute for, nor even a supplement to trusting in Christ.  On the contrary, it is a graciously God-given means to support and strengthen our faith in Christ.

And yet, I get it.  I understand why it may feel legalistic.  This exhortation is a call to DO something, and to do it more and more, striving and making every effort to do it.  It’s like Jesus’ call to give up everything to follow Him; to take up our cross daily to die to ourselves; to take the hard, narrow path.  None of this feels restful.  It feels heavy.

Some of you reading this are just plain tired.  You’re already feeling like you can’t take another item on your to-do list.  You’re saying, “Please don’t lay another burden on me; I don’t think I can bear up under even just one more thing.”

• Now, some people are struggling and tired because they don’t understand the gospel.  They are still trying to earn their way into God’s Rest.  They feel as if they will be accepted by God if they do enough good things well enough.  If this is you, then hear Jesus call you: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Mt. 11:28-30.  He is calling you, not to work harder to earn forgiveness and freedom and acceptance and assurance of His saving love.  He’s calling you to surrender to Him; to let your burden fall off your back a the foot of His Cross; to cease all of your striving for salvation and simply to trust Him, knowing God’s Work for you in Christ is all-sufficient.
• Others are true Christians who embrace the gospel, and yet they feel overwhelmed because they are knee deep in some sin.  Following Jesus is hard for them, harder than it needs to be, b/c they are entangled and weighed down with unrepentant sin.  If this is you, you cannot keep on like this, and you know it.  You must repent of your sin.  You need to confess your sin, turn from it in your heart, and make a real (accountable) action-plan for continuing to follow Jesus.
• Many others feel overwhelmed by an exhortation to immerse themselves in the Word of God because they don’t know how to do that.  It isn’t unbelief or sin, but ignorance that is their problem.  They’ve never seen it modeled or heard it taught well.  If this is you, then no longer let ignorance be an excuse for you.  Ask for help.  It may be humbling, even embarrassing to do so, but it’ll be worth it.  Ask for recommended resources, practices, and tips from trusted people, and just start reading and listening, prayerfully asking the Lord to graciously work wonders through His living and active Word.
• Still others feel overwhelmed, not because of any particular sinfulness or ignorance but simply because of foolishness.  It isn’t that they don’t want to or don’t know how to immerse themselves in God’s Word, as much as if they really don’t feel like they can.  They are already stretched to the max in their life.  This is foolish.  If this is you, you are right in saying you simply can’t add another thing to your plate. But what you need to do is take something(s) off of your plate.  You need to prioritize your life better.  You need to say no to some things so you can say yes to other things.  You need to stop doing some good things so that you can start doing the best things.  It isn’t that you can’t strive for faith by the Word of God, but that you can’t in your current schedule, and you need to change things up in your routine, schedule, situation, priorities.
• And, perhaps, some are feeling overwhelmed because of the weight of some change, struggle, or loss in their life, making it more difficult to engage with God in His Word like they’d like to.  Perhaps you feel guilty because you used to be able to spend much more time and have much more energy in studying God’s Word.  If this is you, remember, Jesus’s yoke is easy and His burden is light.  Don’t let Satan lie to you; battle his anxiety-inducing, stress-producing deception with the truth of God’s powerful and piercing Word.  You are not trying to live up to some “Bible-Reading Standard”.  Immersing yourself in the Word of God as the Word of God is for you.  Sure, it is (or at least should be) an act of worship, but it is one in which you are to come hungry for and dependent upon Him, wherein He blesses you, not the other way around.  Let His promise of grace, help, and blessing draw you to seek Him more, not less.

Exhortations really are meant to add a weight of pressure on you until you give in to them.  They are not meant to make you feel comfortable and peaceful with the status quo.  If someone exhorts you to do something, they are trying to stir you up, to agitate you in order to get you moving, to activate you by bothering you.  This does not necessarily sound loving, especially to modern ears.  But what makes an exhortation loving (or not) mainly has to do with what they are trying to get you to do and why.  For instance, if someone is screaming at you at the top of your lungs to get out of the way of the 2000 lbs. truck hurtling toward you at 40 mph because they love you and want to protect your life, then is that loving or not?  No one in their right mind would say that such an exhortation is mean or unloving.  In fact, not exhorting you to get out of the way would be unloving.  So, I exhort you, fight for steadfast faith in the sufficient Work of God by immersing yourself in the powerful and piercing Word of God, embracing it for what it really is; the Word of God.

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Practical Applications

Immerse yourself in the Word of God as the Word of God.  This is practical and (in one sense) quite easy to do.  “Just read the Bible, and come hear it read and preached and discussed?  Cool; I can do that.”  Not so fast.  There are two issues that need to be addressed: (1) Many people (most?) do not read the Bible as often as they should.  And (2) It is far easier to take in the Bible superficially or even flippantly than to do so as though it were living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, that pierces deep into our hearts.  The good news is that if we can tackle this second issue, the first often resolves itself.  (Below is an expanded form of what I mentioned on Sunday.)

What does it look like to take in the Bible truly embracing it as the living and active Word of God?  It looks like having the right attitude with which you approach the Word, having the right actions as you engage with the Word, and having the right applications as you respond to the Word.

• Attitude – In order to have the right attitude as you approach the Word of God:
  • Prepare yourself by having a good space, time, and plan before you read/listen.
  • Remind yourself of what the Bible actually is and is for (namely, it really is God Himself powerfully speaking to us, effecting change deep within our hearts).
  • Pray.  Pray throughout: before, during, and after you take in the Word.  Pray that the Lord will give you clear and correct understanding, passionate and sincere affections, focused and strong faith, and renewed and unshakable commitments.
  • Trust that He will always work through His Word to accomplish His good purposes (Isa. 58:11).
• Action – In order to have the right actions as you engage with the Word of God:
  • Engage intentionally and with intensity.  Gold yields to the committed and arduous digger, not the half-hearted slacker.  Engage your heart, mind, and body in the task of mining the Word of God.  And when listening to it proclaimed, fight to shut out distractions.  Don’t allow your mind to wonder.  In order to engage your heart and mind, you will often benefit from first engaging your body by physically leaning forward and focusing your eyes and ears on the preacher.
  • Think carefully about what you read/hear.  Don’t allow your thoughts to be shallow and quickly lost.  Don’t be satisfied with the most superficial understanding.  Ask questions, seek to understand the individual statements, and then see how they relate to each other, how they fit with other passages/doctrine, and how they help support the main point of the particular passage.  And when you need to (but only when you need to, after you’ve prayerfully thought through the text yourself), get help from good commentaries.
  • Take notes of what the Lord shows you.  Whether you write pages or just a few sentences or even words, writing helps you not only record and remember it, but it actually helps you understand it better.  Writing helps you carefully clarify your thoughts.  This holds true both for when you are reading/studying the Bible and when you are listening to it proclaimed.  So, regardless of whether you write it down on paper or an electronic device, take notes.
  • Make time.  Engaging and thinking deeply and carefully about anything takes time.  Most people have time available, or at least they can free up time, to spend in the Word.  We often just don’t prepare, schedule, or fight for time as we ought to.  And even if some days you really only have a few minutes here and there, then make the best use of the time that God does give you.  One idea is to get a 3×5 note card and write down the verse(s) you are reading that day, and every moment you can, take it out to read over, think through, write on, and/or pray about it.
• Application – In order to have the right applications as you respond to the Word of God:
  • Connect the rightly understood truth of the passage to yourself.  But make sure to do so responsibly and deeply.  Don’t allow illegitimate connections that aren’t supported by the truth of the text.  And when making personal applications, don’t be superficial.  Seek to go deeper.  Don’t be content with shallow connections that never challenge you or expose your sin.
  • Digest through discussion.  Meet with others studying God’s Word and talk about it together.  This is a really practical and helpful way to understand the Bible better, to apply it to yourself better, and to have better accountability for responding as you ought to.  You might even consider regularly sharing with unbelievers what the Lord is teaching you through His Word.  He may use it to bless them and draw them to Himself.
  • Plan to practice and commit to respond in obedience to what the Lord is showing you.  Remember, the Word of God pierces deep into our hearts, uncovering those areas of weakness and issues of sin.  What is God exposing in you that you need to confess and repent of?  Repentance is never less than confession, but it is always more.  Real repentance from a soft and receptive heart, reads/hears God’s Word and then responds by committing/recommitting to active obedience to the Lord.

Part of striving for steadfast faith in Jesus may mean getting help for needed growth, change, and/or repentance.  You may need to read a book, go to counseling, ask for prayer from others, submit to accountability, and more, but one thing is for sure, if you want to fight for steadfast faith in the Lord Jesus, then you must immerse yourself in the Word of God as the Word of God, trusting that it is powerful, living and active, piercing even to the depths of our hearts, creating in us a stronger, more steadfast faith.

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When we see Hebrews 4:7 in light of Hebrews 4:12 (especially in the immediate context), we can connect the exhortation: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” to the implied exhortation to immerse yourself in the Word of God as the Word of God.  This is how we fight for steadfast faith.  In order to fight for a sincere and surrendered heart toward God, we must fight for a soft and submissive toward God’s voice/Word.

The Hardened Heart

Hardening your heart against God’s Word can take various forms.  It can be a flat denial of its truthfulness; open hatred and antagonism toward its values; intentional twisting/using/abusing of its authority for selfish gain; defiantly disobeying its commands; and the like.  However, a hardened heart against the Word of God can also be a much more subtle rejection: Unintentionally minimizing its importance; being chronically apathetic about its centrality; giving little or no time to read, study, and listen to it; paying sloppy or superficial attention to its content; etc.

Do you do this?  Do you go days, weeks, or even months without really reading the Bible?  Do you regularly read the Bible simply to check off a box?  Do you find it too taxing to give serious and devoted time studying the Scriptures?  Do you fail to plan ahead and redeem the time that God does give you to seek Him in His Word (yet somehow find time to check the news, your social media feeds, and YouTube videos 5 times a day)?  Do you  refrain from reading the Bible prayerfully and with an eye toward having your own sins exposed for the purpose of repenting?  Do you read the Bible or listen to sermons lazily (not striving/making every effort), being put off if you don’t walk away with immediate warm fuzzies?  Do you struggle to maintain a healthy schedule in your life that allows for time in the Word both for yourself and for your spouse/kids/friends?  Do you pray for your pastors to preach better and for yourself to listen better?

In order to have a heart hardened against the voice of God, all you have to do is nothing.  It is the default direction of sinners like us living in a fallen world.  In order to have a soft, receptive, submissive, and steadfast heart of genuine humility and faith and love and worship toward Christ, we must fight to immerse ourselves in the Word of God as the Word of God!

Do you desire to read the Bible and listen to it preached wherein your mind is stretched, your heart is stirred, your faith is strengthened, and your commitments are solidified?  Do you want your love for God to grow?  Do you yearn for greater power of sin in your life?  Do you long for greater effectiveness and faithfulness in your ministering to others?  Do you feel the need for greater wisdom and understanding in a world of confusion and lies?  Do you feel the need for greater stability and peace in times of turmoil and suffering?  Then take up the Bible and immerse yourself in it as the living and active Word of God that it is, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart!

(This is the first of a 3-post series.)

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Summary:  The power of God’s piercing Word enables us to strive for steadfast faith in God’s sufficient Work so that we may fully experience God’s glorious Rest.

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Summary: The fear of not entering God’s rest should motivate us all to fight against unbelief.

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Summary: God speaks through the exhortations & encouragements of the Church to keep His people from hardening their hearts and falling away from Him.

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• Hold fast with Confidence in Your Identity (v.1, 6)
• Hold Fast With Hope in Your Destiny (v.1,6)
• Fixate On Our Faithful High Priest (v.1-2)
• Fixate on Our Superior Apostle (vv.1-2, 5)
• Fixate On the Superiority of the Faithful Son (vv 3-5)

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• The Superior High Priest helps sinners by delivering them from the penalty of sin.
• The Superior High Priest helps sinners by delivering them from the power & pleasure of sin.

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That being said, there are countless people today who have merely a superficial understanding of the 10 Commandments. This has led many into both theological and practical error, including the error of rejecting this grand summary of God’s Law either in part or in whole.

So, let’s dig a bit deeper. We need more than a shallow understanding; we need to look more closely to see what’s behind the Ten Commandments. In order to do this, I want to lay out the 4 P’s that are foundational to them, and thus give a fuller understanding of and appreciation for them. As we preached through the Old Testament book of Exodus at PRC we sought to show how each commandment is a precept, is built upon a principle, and flows out of a Person.  The precepts are synonymous with the word commandments given in a specific time and context. The principles are the guiding and timeless ideas behind each precept. And the Person (the nature and character of God Himself) is the ground and source of both the principles and the precepts. Now I’m going to add a fourth “P” word to each commandment: Pointer (so called for how they each have a way(s) of pointing us to Jesus).

The 4 P’s of the 10 Commandments

Commandment #1:

• Precept – “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Ex. 20:3)
• Principle – God deserves and demands exclusive allegiance and dependence.
• Person – There is but one God who is our Creator, Sustainer, Rescuer and King.
• Pointer –
  • Only Jesus gave perfect allegiance and lived in perfect dependence upon God His Father.
  • Jesus lived, died, and rose again to purchase forgiveness, reconciliation, and transformation for sinners who have not worshiped God alone.
  • Jesus the Christ, being God in the flesh, is the One through whom the world was created and is sustained, and He was appointed as the only Rescuer and King over the people of God. (Col. 1:15-20; Heb. 1:1-4)

Commandment #2:

• Precept – “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them.” (Ex. 20:4-6)
• Principle – We should be careful to worship God as He has appointed in His Word.
• Person – God, being heard and not seen, is a jealous God, burning with zeal for His own worship.
• Pointer –
  • Only Jesus carefully and perfectly worshiped God with burning zeal as He deserves and demands.
  • Jesus lived, died, and rose again to purchase forgiveness, reconciliation, and transformation for sinners who have not worshiped God as He has appointed in His Word.
  • The true, careful, and Biblical worship of God is to be centered on Jesus Christ. (Rom. 15:5-6; Gal. 6:14; Phil. 3:3; Heb. 13:15; I Pet. 2:5)

Commandment #3:

• Precept – “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.” (Ex. 20:7)
• Principle – God is to be honored in all we say and do.
• Person – God is holy, the great I AM, the Creator and  Sustainer of the universe. No one is higher or greater in all creation and therefore there is no name higher or greater in all creation. He stands alone as the one, true, Living God.
• Pointer –
  • Only Jesus perfectly honored God in all He said and did.
  • Jesus lived, died, and rose again to purchase forgiveness, reconciliation, and transformation for sinners who have not honored God in all that they say and do.
  • Jesus’ name, since He is the God-man, is the only name by which we must be saved, the name in which we should live, and the only name to which every knee should bow and every tongue should confess to the glory of God the Father. (Acts 4:12; Col. 3:17; Phil. 2:9-11)

Commandment #4:

• Precept – “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Ex. 20:8-11)
• Principle – Everyone should orient their lives on God with faithfulness and faith.
• Person – God is the sovereign Creator, Sustainer, Ruler, and Restorer of all things.
• Pointer –
  • Only Jesus perfectly oriented His life on God with faithfulness and faith.
  • Jesus lived, died, and rose again to purchase forgiveness, reconciliation, and transformation for sinners who have not oriented their lives on God with faithfulness and faith.
  • Jesus, being the Substance of the Sabbath-shadow, should be the focus of our faith and lives as the One in whom we have sovereign care, salvation rest, and secured hope. (Rom. 8:34-39; Mt. 11:28-30; Heb. 4:1-11)

Commandment #5:

• Precept – “Honor your father and your mother.” (Ex. 20:12)
• Principle – You must honor your parents so that you can honor God.
• Person – God is the Heavenly Father of all of His children.
• Pointer –
  • Only Jesus perfectly honored His parents so as to honor God.
  • Jesus lived, died, and rose again to purchase forgiveness, reconciliation, and transformation for sinners who have not honored their parents so as to honor God.
  • Because Jesus is the perfect and only-begotten Son of God the Father, by faith in Him alone we can become children of God the Father. (John 1:12-13; 3:16; I John 3:1)

Commandment #6:

• Precept – “You shall not murder.” (Ex. 20:13)
• Principle – Murder is unjustly causing the death of or being selfishly uncaring about the life of a human, therefore we should sincerely value human life made in the image of God and seek to lovingly protect, preserve, and promote human life for the glory of God.
• Person – God is the One from whom and for whom all human life exists.
• Pointer –
  • Only Jesus perfectly valued human life. Indeed, He came to give abundant Life!
  • Jesus lived, died, and rose again to purchase forgiveness, reconciliation, and transformation for sinners who who have not valued, protected, preserved, and promoted human life for God’s glory.
  • Jesus was murdered. This was an egregious sin, to be sure, but He also willingly laid down His Life (John 10:15, 17-18) to secure everlasting Life for sinners by sacrificing His own in their place and for their good.

Commandment #7:

• Precept – “You shall not commit adultery.” (Ex. 20:14)
• Principle – Followers of Christ honor and worship their faithful God and demonstrate His steadfast faithfulness by striving to be faithful to their own covenants and promises.
• Person – God is perfectly pure and steadfastly faithful.
• Pointer –
  • Only Jesus perfectly reflected and honored God by being faithful in all of His covenants and promises.
  • Jesus lived, died, and rose again to purchase forgiveness, reconciliation, and transformation for sinners who have not been faithful to God and others.
  • It is the faithfulness of God in His New Covenant in Jesus that gives us an anchor for our sin-torn and storm-tossed souls. (Heb. 6:13-20)

Commandment #8:

• Precept – “You shall not steal.” (Ex. 20:15)
• Principle – We should humbly acknowledge God’s ultimate ownership of all things and gladly reflect God’s generous character to all people.
• Person – God is the gracious and most generous One who is faithful to provide for His people, who is the ultimate Owner of all things, and who has called all people to steward all that He gives to them for His glory.
• Pointer –
  • Only Jesus perfectly acknowledged and gladly reflected God’s generosity.
  • Jesus lived, died, and rose again to purchase forgiveness, reconciliation, and transformation for sinners who have not humbly acknowledged or gladly reflected God’s generosity.
  • Jesus is not only a consummate giver, giving Himself up for sinners (Mt. 20:28), He Himself is the Gift. (Gal. 2:20; John 3:16)

Commandment #9:

• Precept – “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Ex. 20:16)
• Principle – Love your neighbor by speaking truthfully for them.
• Person – God is the God of truth and justice who loves His people by being for them.
• Pointer –
  • Only Jesus perfectly honored God by always loving His neighbors in His speech for their good.
  • Jesus lived, died, and rose again to purchase forgiveness, reconciliation, and transformation for sinners who have not honored God by loving their neighbors in their speech for the good of others.
  • Because He is lovingly for others, Jesus spoke the truth (John 8:40, 45; 18:37; I Pet. 2:22), is the Truth (John 1:14; 14:6), and gives freedom for others in the truth (John 8:32).

Commandment #10:

• Precept – “You shall not covet.” (Ex. 20:17)
• Principle – Coveting, being produced by discontentment with, and distrust of God, is the self-focused, unloving, and idolatrous desiring of what God has given to others instead of to us.  We should trust in the Lord, so as to be content with the Lord and grateful to the Lord for all He has given and promised.
• Person – God is the trustworthy and all-satisfying God who graciously promises, wisely plans, and providentially provides all good for His covenant people.
• Pointer –
  • Only Jesus perfectly trusted in the Lord and so was content with the Lord and grateful to the Lord for all He had given and promised.
  • Jesus lived, died, and rose again to purchase forgiveness, reconciliation, and transformation for sinners who have not trusted in the Lord and so were not content with the Lord and grateful to the Lord for all He has given and promised.
  • Jesus never worshiped idols, and thus never coveted (Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5), but rather, His settled and peaceful heart of faith in God led Jesus to honor Him whole-heartedly, love others sacrificially, and enjoy His Father more than (and by enjoying) all of His Father’s good gifts (Matt. 14:19; Luke 24:30; I Cor. 11:24a). Now by faith in Jesus, we too can be content. (Phil. 4:11-13; II Cor. 12:9-10)

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In this passage we see three reasons to pay more careful attention to the Gospel message:

• Jesus is a Superior Spokesman
• We have the Apostolic Attestation
• We have the Wondrous Witness of God

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• Jesus has superior Sonship
• Jesus has superior Status
• Jesus has a superior Nature
• Jesus has as superior Destiny
• This passage teaches us:
  • How we relate to the Old Testament
  • How we relate to Angels

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Sermon Summary: The only way to connect with God is by the right response to His revelation.

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In this message Pastor Nathan gives an introduction to the book of Hebrews, and an overview of the main theme of this sermonic letter, urging us to “Hold fast by faith in our Superior Savior.”

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 Good Friday is good news because…

• God has made you alive in Christ!
• Your sin is forgiven!
• Satan is defeated.!

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 The resolute love of Christ for sinners should humble, delight, and move us.

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During Holy Week, it is good to read the passages of Scripture that correspond to each day in Jesus’ last week.

Matthew 21-27– Mark 11-15 — Luke 19-23 — John 12-19

To aid in a more complete and clearer understanding, here are some of the more famous and substantial events of the Passion/Holy Week in each of the Gospels:

PALM SUNDAY (So called because the people laid down palm leaves for Jesus to ride his colt over on His way into Jerusalem; kind of like a Red Carpet).

1. Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem — Matt. 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-18.

2. Weeping over Jerusalem — Luke 19:41-44.

HOLY MONDAY

1. Cursing of the Fig Tree — Matthew 21:18-19; Mark 11:12-14.

2. Cleansing of the Temple — Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45-46.

HOLY TUESDAY

1. Fig Tree Faith — Matthew 21:20-22; Mark 11:20-25.

2. Challenges and Controversies — Matthew 21:23-23:39; Mark 11:27-12:44; Luke 20:1-21:4.

3. Olivet Discourse — Matthew 24:1-25:46; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36.

SPY WEDNESDAY (So called because it was on that day that Judas was spying out an opportunity to betray Jesus).

1. Murderous Plot — Matthew 26:3-5, 14-16; Mark 14:1-2, 10-11; Luke 22:1-5.

2. Preparing the Passover — Matthew 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:7-13.

MAUNDY THURSDAY (So called for the new command (or mandate, from the Latin “mandatum”; hence “maundy”) that Jesus gave the Disciples on that day).

1. Passover/Last Supper — Matthew 26:20-35; Mark 14:17-26; Luke 22:14-30.

2. Upper Room Discourse — John 13:1-17:26.

3. Agonizing Gethsemane Prayer — Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46.

GOOD FRIDAY (So called because the only truly Good (Holy) One, Jesus, did a good (necessary and perfect) thing by dying a substitutionary death for the good (everlasting benefit) of His chosen ones).

1. Betrayal and Arrest — Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:1-12.

2. Unjust Trials — Matthew 26:57-27:26; Mark 14:53-15:15; Luke 22:54-23:25; John 18:13-19:16.

3. Crucifixion of the Christ — Matthew 27:27-54; Mark 15:16-39; Luke 23:36-49; John 19:16-37.

4. Burial — Matthew 27:55-61; Mark 15:40-47; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:38-42.

SILENT SATURDAY (So called because there was very little recorded in the Gospels about that day and because Jesus’ body laid silently in the tomb).

1. Sabbath Silence — Matthew 27:62-66; Luke 23:56b.

While Matthew gives the “fullest” account, it is not as easy to follow as Luke or especially Mark.  Matthew was more interested in the importance of themes, rather than a precise and tight chronology and placing of the events.

Luke, like Mark, follows a good chronological sequence, yet not as explicit as Mark.  Luke, while full, is only 5 chapters as well.

John is, oddly, the least full (leaving out the sequence and of events on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  And yet John has the most chapters (8), with five chapters (13-17) focusing on the upper room discourse, which is not found in any of the other Gospels.

There are some events of the Passion Week that are only recorded in Matthew, others only mentioned in Mark, others only referenced in Luke, and still others that are only found in John.  We need all of the Gospels for the fullest, clearest, and most detailed understanding of Holy Week (especially when we want a full chronology of the events of the week).

Reading these passages, asking the Holy Spirit to help us see them afresh and more vividly can serve to make us more connected (at least in thought and feeling) to the sufferings of Jesus as we contemplate the immeasurable and everlasting blessings that He brought us by His Holy Life and Horrible Death (and Miraculous Resurrection)!

PS. There is an extremely helpful chart of the Harmony of the Events of Holy Week found on page 1866 of the ESV Study Bible.

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The Lord of Peace gives us peace as we trust and obey His Word.

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God’s people should persevere in obeying His commands and exhort others in the church to do likewise.

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• Work Matters: Connecting Sunday Worship to Monday Work, by Tom Nelson (book)
• The Gospel at Work: How Working for King Jesus Gives Purpose and Meaning to our Jobs, by Traeger and Gilbert (book)
• Business for the Glory of God: The Bible’s Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business, by Wayne Grudem (book)
• God At Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life, by Gene Veith (book)
• What Should I Do After Highschool?, by Greg Forster (article)
• A Christian Theology of Work, by Joe Boot (video)

(Caveat: Some of these I have read/watched, others just come highly recommended, and there may be a few things here and there that I/you don’t agree with, so please, as always, read with prayerful and Biblical discernment.)

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The Christian order of work is work done because of Jesus.

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As a way of helping you to reflect, refocus, and prepare yourselves (and others) on Christ during this Lenten season, here are a few resources for intentionally and beneficially observing Lent:

• Rich Wounds, by David Mathis — Here is a short video intro to the book and a brief description of this book from the publisher:

These short but profound reflections from David Mathis, author of The Christmas We Didn’t Expect, will help you to look deeper at Jesus’ life, sacrificial death and spectacular resurrection–enabling you to treasure anew who Jesus is and what he has done for us.

Many of us are so familiar with the Easter story that it becomes easy to miss subtle details and difficult to really enjoy its meaning. This book will help you to pause and marvel at Jesus, whose now-glorified wounds are a sign of his unfailing love and the decisive victory that he has won:

“He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

This book works fantastically as a devotional at any time of year. The chapters on Holy Week make it especially helpful during the Lent season and at Easter.

• To Seek and Save, by Sinclair Ferguson — This short devotional book takes you week by week, day by day through the Lenten season.  Here is a short video trailer for the book and a brief description by the publisher:

“As you walk through the second half of Luke’s Gospel, you’ll meet the people Jesus encountered on the way to the cross and prepare your heart to appreciate his death and resurrection afresh.
Each day you’ll be invited to read a passage of Luke’s Gospel and a short meditation by Sinclair Ferguson, reflect on a thought-provoking question, respond in prayer and praise.
Pithy yet profound, these devotions will hold up a mirror to your own heart and, more importantly, give you a window into the heart of the Lord Jesus the one who came to seek and to save the lost at Easter.”

• Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross, by Nancy Guthrie (Editor) — Here is a brief description of the book by the publisher:This collection of readings, drawn from the writings and sermons of 25 classic and contemporary theologians and Bible teachers, focuses on the wonder of Christ’s sacrifice.In a culture where crosses have become little more than decorative accessories and jewelry, how easy it is for even the most well-intended Christian to rush from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday without thoughtfully contemplating the cross and all that it means. Yet we miss out on spiritual riches when we do.So that we all may linger at the cross during the Lenten season—and stay near it the whole year through—editor Nancy Guthrie has compiled this special anthology. It draws from the works and sermons of classic theologians such as Luther, Edwards, Spurgeon, Ryle, and Augustine, and from leading contemporary communicators such as John Piper, R. C. Sproul, Francis Schaeffer, John MacArthur, Skip Ryan, and Joni Eareckson Tada to help readers enter into an experience of Christ’s passion and anchor their hope in the power of his resurrection.Each essay in this collection holds to a high view of Scripture and expounds on a particular aspect of the Easter story using the appropriate Scripture passage from the ESV Bible. These readings are sure to prepare people’s hearts for a fresh experience of the cross each and every Easter season.
• Happily Ever After, by Jonty Allcock — This is a very small evangelistic book to give to your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, or whoever.  Here is a short video trailer for the book and a brief description of it by the publisher:

We all long for “happily ever afters”. But let’s face it, life’s just not like that! Or is it?

This evangelistic book takes readers through the Easter story. Good Friday looked like a bad ending to Jesus’ story. But Easter Sunday changed everything…for everyone…for ever after!

Readers will discover how Jesus’ happy ending can be theirs too as they explore how his life, death and resurrection solve the big issues that plague humankind–sin and death.

Easter really can change your life, for good, for ever after!

This book is great to give away to non-believers at Easter.

(If you do give away this book to an unbeliever, please be sure to:

• • Read it yourself, first.
  • Pray for them (that they’ll accept the book, read the book, and that the Holy Spirit will work through it).
  • Commit to following up with them after a few weeks.
  • Invite them to attend our Good Friday and/or Easter worship gatherings.)

• BONUS: For more understanding about the what, why, and how of observing Lent, check out these links: this one and and this one and this one too.

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Psalm 65 shows us three ways we should respond to God when facing an ending and a beginning: Praise with grateful joy, Pledge with awed surrender, and Pray with humble faith.

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I mean planning in both senses.  That is, are you making both a strategy and a commitment to follow that strategy?  You see, a commitment to read the Bible in 2022 is good, but it will be difficult for most to keep that commitment unless there is some sort of strategy to carry it out.  So, here are a few ideas for creating a strategy for your Bible reading this next year:

• Various Bible Reading Plans
• Personally, I am currently on the “M’Cheyne Plan” (though I’m not doing it all in one year).  I have really enjoyed the “Discipleship Journal Plan” in the past.  I have also benefited from an overview plan (there are 60, 90, & 180 day plans; you can find them here).
• I also have really enjoyed, especially alongside an overview plan, the “MacArthur Plan”, or at least a variation of it. This is where you read one book of the Bible each day for a month.  You can break up longer books into 3, 5, or 7 chapter sections.  This way you can read Philippians 30 times in a one month and really get a better grasp of (and prayerfully a greater love for) that portion of God’s Word.  And with a book like John, with 21 chapters, reading 3 chapters a day, you can read the whole thing in a week and 4 times in a month.
• One more that I haven’t done yet, but looks good to me is the “NT with OT References Plan”, found here. The focus of this plan is as follows: “Read the New Testament, and review every Old Testament passage it references as you read. Don’t just skim over the Old Testament reference; instead, read the text in its original context—and you’ll learn about the Old Testament, too. A good study Bible will help you with this task.”

Whatever plan you choose, I really urge you to have one. Which, remember, must include both a commitment and a strategy. If we, your pastors, can be of any help, please let us know.

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The birth of Jesus is significant because he is the True King who invites us into his joyful kingdom.

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God’s people should live their lives with a great anticipation and a strong yearning for Christ’s return.

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Main Theme: Jesus Christ is the only dependable, true, solid rock on which to stand.

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