URC Learning: Rev. John Sawtelle

Psalm 32 | Confession is good for the soul

Rev. John Sawtelle — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:14:58 +0000

Life experiences often teach valuable lessons. In David’s case, on the one hand, he learned that hiding sin from God led to physical and emotional pain, and a lack of spiritual joy, and on the other, he learned that confessing sin openly before God led to assurance of justification and true happiness. These life-lessons are the basis of David’s instruction to the saints in Psalm 32.

http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_Psalm_32.mp3

1 Corinthians 10:6-13 | Don’t crave evil things

Rev. John Sawtelle — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:10:01 +0000

Paul cites a series of examples from the wilderness period in Israel’s history which serve negatively to warn saints to not gratify sinful lusts. He concludes his admonition in v13 with a note of encouragement for those who struggle with sin.

http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_1_Cor_10_6-13.mp3

1 Corinthians 10:1-5 | Don’t be ignorant

Rev. John Sawtelle — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:18:28 +0000

As Paul turns back to his admonition about meat sacrificed to idols, he warns the Corinthians, from the history of Israel, that Christians ought not presume upon their baptism and participation in the means of grace if they don’t fight sin and persevere in faith.

http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_1_Cor_10_1-11.mp3

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 | Run to win

Rev. John Sawtelle — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:17:01 +0000

In a day and age when everyone gets a participation ribbon, Paul reframes our thinking about competition and says there is only one aim: win! Using a couple of different athletic metaphors Paul describes the kind of perseverance, discipline, and aim that is required in order not fall short of final salvation.

http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_1_Cor_9_24-27.mp3

1 Corinthians 9:15-18 | Woe is me if I preach not the gospel

Rev. John Sawtelle — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:16:40 +0000

In bringing the first section of this chapter to a conclusion, Paul explains why he does not exercise the liberty of taking a paycheck for his ministerial labors. The claim Paul advances is that his pay is preaching without compensation, so that no one will be able to remove his ground for boasting. It is difficult to find deeper insight into what moved Paul to serve as he did than what is disclosed in this passage here. Out of conscious awareness of his unworthiness to be a slave of Christ, as well as out of an appreciation for the objective value of the gospel, Paul sacrificed his all for the kingdom of God.

http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_1_Cor_9_15-18.mp3

1 Corinthians 9:4-14 | You work, you get paid

Rev. John Sawtelle — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:59:51 +0000

With two separate arguments, Paul defends the claim that he is entitled to financial compensation for ministerial labor. By establishing his right to be paid, Paul demonstrates that sometimes it is wise, and beneficial to others, to deny certain privileges to self in order to be a blessing to others.

http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_1_Cor_9_4-14.mp3

1 Corinthians 9:1-3 | Am I not an apostle?

Rev. John Sawtelle — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 17:26:34 +0000

As we come to chapter 9, it might seem that Paul has temporarily dropped the topic of meat offered to idols. In reality, Paul has not drifted off topic, he is simply addressing the same general topic from a different angle. This text marks the beginning of Paul’s argument for sacrificing personal liberty for the gain of other Christians by pointing the apostolic privileges he has sacrificed for the advancement of the gospel.

http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_1_Cor_9_1-3.mp3

1 Corinthians 8:7-13 | Strength is for edification, not destruction

Rev. John Sawtelle — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 17:24:37 +0000

Paul admonishes the Corinthians to moderate the use of their liberty in Christ. “Strong” Christians must be aware that “weaker brothers,” on account of their past, are sometimes constrained by their conscience not to engage in certain actions which may be lawful. In such cases, the “strong” must refrain from actions which may embolden the “weak” to defile their conscience by acting contrary to its guidance.

http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_1_Cor_8_7-13.mp3

1 Corinthians 8:1-6 | Things We All Know (Or Should Know)

Rev. John Sawtelle — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:03:44 +0000

In chapters 8-10 Paul takes on the issue of meat offered to idols, which the Corinthians have asked him about, and which is causing a measure of spiritual harm to some in the church. At the outset of his instruction, Paul reminds them of great foundational Christian truths and admonishes them to live in a manner consistent with them.

http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_1_Cor_8_1-6.mp3

1 Corinthians 7:25-40 | To Marry or Not to Marry That is The Question

Rev. John Sawtelle — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:57:47 +0000

Paul addresses a Corinthian question about the advisability of marriage under current circumstances of distress. Paul responds with five principles, which he calls “his opinion,” to provide them some guidelines to help navigate the issue responsibly.

http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_1_Cor_7_25-40.mp3

1 Corinthians 7:17-24 | Maintain Your Vocation

Rev. John Sawtelle — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:55:48 +0000

Transitioning from the topic of marriage to the topic of vocation, Paul maintains the theme he has been pursuing from verse one. In this passage, Paul warns against hastily abandoning one vocation in hopes of finding another which is more spiritual. Instead, each Christian is to discern God’s call upon their life and serve God faithfully in accordance with his divine call.

http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_1_Cor_7_17-24.mp3

1 Corinthians 7:10-16 | Divorce and Remarriage

Rev. John Sawtelle — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:14:52 +0000

Paul applies the Lord’s instruction to Christian married couples as well as addresses the problem of mixed marriages. Finally he concludes with one example of when it is lawful for a believer to divorce and remarry.

http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_1_Cor_7_10-16.mp3

1 Corinthians 7:1-9 | Marriage is Good

Rev. John Sawtelle — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:13:14 +0000

As Paul begins to respond to questions the Corinthians posed to him, he addresses one of their slogans, “it is better for a man not to touch a woman” which reflects their belief that celibacy is a more spiritually superior condition than marriage. Paul refutes that, arguing that marriage has been given by God to prevent sexual immorality, and makes the case the both husband wife are obligated to fulfill their conjugal duties towards each other.

http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_1_Cor_7_1-9.mp3

1 Corinthians 6:12-20 | Flee Immorality

Rev. John Sawtelle — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:28:46 +0000

Male sexual promiscuity was so prominent in Corinth that even some of the Corinthian believers viewed as similar to eating a meal to keep the body nourished. Paul explains the profound spiritual implications of sex and commands Christians to flee all sex outside of marriage.

http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_1_Cor_6_12-20.mp3

1 Corinthians 6:1-11 | How Dare You?

Rev. John Sawtelle — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:27:29 +0000

Brother was going against brother in Corinthian law courts and the result was the poor among the Corinthian Christians were left destitute. In response to this situation, Paul forbid all lawsuits between Christians brothers, commending a form of Christian mediation instead.

http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_1_Cor_6_1-11.mp3

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 | A Policy Of Engagement

Rev. John Sawtelle — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:26:19 +0000

Embedded in Paul’s clarification about associating with immoral people, is the missionary strategy employed by Jesus and his apostles. In order for the church to make a real impact for Christ, they must have personal contact with unbelievers. This message uses two concrete examples from the life of Christ, how the church must apply this policy of engagement in evangelism.

http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_1_Cor_5_9.mp3

1 Corinthians 5:1-13 | Church Discipline: Its Duty, Necessity, And Clarification

Rev. John Sawtelle — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:24:58 +0000

Church discipline is no mere option according to Paul. The danger of sin is that if it goes unchecked it will not only damage the straying sinner, it will also corrupt the whole church body.

http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_1_Cor_5.mp3

1 Corinthians 4:6-21 | Be Imitators Of Me

Rev. John Sawtelle — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:23:27 +0000

The center of Paul’s thought is found in v16 in his command to Christians to imitate his attitude and his way of life. In so doing, Christians will adorn a gospel humility and simultaneously cut down sinful pride.

http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_1_Cor_4_6-21.mp3

1 Corinthians 4:1-6 | Servants Of Christ And Stewards Of Mysteries

Rev. John Sawtelle — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:17:03 +0000

Paul explains that ministers are servants, not high profile personalities. Their duty is to serve the saints with the word, the mystery which is about Jesus Christ and him crucified.

http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_1_Cor_4_1-5.mp3

1 Corinthians 3:18-23 | Only Fools Are Wise

Rev. John Sawtelle — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:15:28 +0000

Paradox is sometimes used by crafty writers to challenge readers to deeper insights by placing apparently contradictory truths side by side. Paul uses paradox to communicate the duty of Christians to submit their thinking to scripture, rather than to intellectual fads.

http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_1_Cor_3_18-23.mp3

1 Corinthian 3:10-17 | Be Careful How You Build

Rev. John Sawtelle — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:13:03 +0000

Three reasons support Paul’s warning to pastors about how to build the church: the value of the church, the fact that God has prescribed how we are to build the church, and that ministerial labor will be either rewarded or judged according to the degree of their obedience to God’s rules for building His church.

http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_1_Cor_3_10-17.mp3

1 Corinthians 3:1-9 | God Causes The Increase

Rev. John Sawtelle — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:10:38 +0000

When it comes to salvation, human actors play a role in planting and irrigating, but ultimately, it is only by God’s sovereign grace that any sinner comes to Christ. Paul confronts the Corinthian failure to grasp that, which is manifested in their foolish and immature partisanship.

http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_1_Cor_3_1-9.mp3

Acts 2:14-36 | Peter’s Pentecost proclamation of the resurrected Christ

Rev. John Sawtelle — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:49:59 +0000

Peter confronts the Jews with the facts of Christ’s empty tomb and explains that the bodily resurrection of Christ and the bodily ascension of Christ is the explanation for what they now see and hear.

1 Corinthian 3:10-17 | Be careful how you build

Rev. John Sawtelle — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:48:50 +0000

1Corinthians 3:1-9 | God causes the increase

Rev. John Sawtelle — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:47:06 +0000

1 Corinthians 2:10-16 | Holy Scripture vs. Lessing’s ugly ditch

Rev. John Sawtelle — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:58:20 +0000

The contingency of history, and the Bible’s character as a historical document, makes it an unreliable source from which to form judgments about absolute religious truth, since such an enormous gulf exists between the temporal and the eternal. Paul argues that God Himself scaled Lessing’s ugly ditch by revealing redemptive, divine truth to his apostles and prophets, then God illumined that revelation to their minds, and finally God gave them the very words to communicate that truth.

1 Corinthians 2:6-9 | Wisdom out of this world

Rev. John Sawtelle — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:54:12 +0000

Does Paul preach “wisdom” after all? Well, not really. The “wisdom” Paul preaches a “wisdom” which is a mystery, hidden yet predestined before the world. He preaches the gospel, the kind of wisdom unknown to the rulers of this age.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 | The Virus of Triumphalism

Rev. John Sawtelle — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 08:14:15 +0000

Paul critiques the divisions in Corinth from a new angle when he argues that they flow from an immoderate desire to “be somebody.” To show the church how foolish that motivation is, he reminds them of what they were not: wise, influential, or well bread. Then, he points out that it was by God’s grace alone, that they are in Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:17-25 | The Foolishness of the Cross vs. the Word of Wisdom

Rev. John Sawtelle — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 07:12:57 +0000

Paul argues that the divisions in Corinth reflect fallen human ideals of power and wisdom. The key to church unity is to embrace the ideology of the cross which is a stumbling-block to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks.

1 Corinthians 1:10-16 | A Call to Unity

Rev. John Sawtelle — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 06:49:03 +0000

Paul admonishes the Corinthian church that unifying in doctrine and practice is an item of first importance.

1 Corinthians | An Overview: Closing the gap!

Rev. John Sawtelle — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 04:46:23 +0000

Luther described believers as people who are simul justus et peccator: simultaneously justified and sinners. What he meant was that there is a gap between our legal standing in Christ, and our lives in this world. Paul writes First Corinthians with a similar distinction in view, calling on these believers to close the gap between what they are in Christ, and how they are living in the world.

1 Peter 1:5 | Perseverance of the Saints

Rev. John Sawtelle — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 18:48:55 +0000

John 6:35-45 | Irresistible Grace

Rev. John Sawtelle — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 04:52:55 +0000

Irresistible grace means God never fails to bring his elect to Christ for their salvation. Jesus gives the basis of this doctrine in the “Bread of Life” discourse in John 6:26-59.

John 10:1-30 | Limited Atonement

Rev. John Sawtelle — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:11:10 +0000

There are only two ways of conceiving of the extent of the atonement: either Jesus died for no one, or Jesus died for someone. This message makes the case from Scripture that Jesus died for “someone,” that is, his sheep, his people, and his church. Jesus died for a definite number of people on the cross, and for that definite number of people there is justification, redemption, reconciliation, and propitiation.

Romans 9:1-24 | Unconditional Election

Rev. John Sawtelle — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:02:51 +0000

Is God unfair because he chooses one unto salvation and not the other? Paul says “no way;” the sovereign creator is free to display His divine character through his creatures.

Genesis 3:1-24 | Total Depravity

Rev. John Sawtelle — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 04:32:04 +0000

No passage of scripture better explains the origins of sin, corruption, and death than Genesis 3 which relates the historical narrative of man’s fall and God’ promise of a champion who will reverse sins devastation and restore righteousness and life to fallen men.

Psalm 32 | Confession is Good for the Soul

Rev. John Sawtelle — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 04:22:16 +0000

David contrasts two stages in his spiritual experience, one of agony and one of blessing; then, David explains that the rout to blessing is confessing sins to the Lord.

Joshua 20-21 | Cities of Refuge

Rev. John Sawtelle — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:34:00 +0000

Cities of refuge serve as an OT pointer to the free offer of the gospel and the open invitation to receive pardon through the grace of Christ.

Matthew 2:1-12 | Unexpected

Rev. John Sawtelle — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 02:21:50 +0000

Matthew teaches the duty of worshiping the incarnate Son through the unexpected means of the magi’s visit.

Mark 7:24-30 | Crumbs for a Dog

Rev. John Sawtelle — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 02:19:28 +0000

Faith accesses the mercies of Christ, while Christ conquers demonic possession.

Joshua 23-24 | Choose This Day Whom You Will Serve

Rev. John Sawtelle — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 02:16:16 +0000

Joshua challenges Israel to cling to the Lord by faith and then serve him through continual obedience.

Joshua 14-19 | A Profile in Kingdom Courage

Rev. John Sawtelle — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 01:37:33 +0000

At the ripe old age of 85, Caleb models true kingdom discipleship by seizing his inheritance and driving out the Anakim.

Joshua 13, 22 | Sibling rivalry and the Transjordanian inheritance

Rev. John Sawtelle — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:08:00 +0000

A church split nearly occurs as Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh take possession of their inheritance east of the Jordan.

Joshua 10:28-12:24 | Thus the land had rest

Rev. John Sawtelle — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:06:22 +0000

By the obedience of Joshua to the principles of holy war, Israel secures the land of Canaan as their possession and enter into the promised rest.

Colossians 1:24-29 | Christ We Preach

Rev. John Sawtelle — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 06:01:44 +0000

Paul proclaims Christ in order that he might fulfill the goal of his ministry which is to present Christian’s complete in Christ at judgment day.

Joshua 10:1-27 | Sun, stand still

Rev. John Sawtelle — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:58:52 +0000

The Lord fights for his people and harnesses the powers of nature to defeat His enemies.

Joshua 9:1-27 | On the Brink of Har-Maggedon

Rev. John Sawtelle — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:56:37 +0000

As the kings of Canaan gather together to make war against Israel, the covenant people fall prey to Gibeon’s deception and make a covenant with the false church.

Joshua 8:1-35 | Conquest and Covenant

Rev. John Sawtelle — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:54:46 +0000

Conquest leads to covenant, but the last picture we receive of the conquest of Ai, the hanging of Ai’s king, functions as a window to Israel’s future as they renew the covenant at Shechem.

Joshua 7:1-26 | Stones of judgment and a door of hope

Rev. John Sawtelle — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 04:25:26 +0000

Achan’s sin bring God’s swift judgment upon Israel through a crushing military defeat at the hands of Ai; however, Joshua’s stoning of Achan in the Valley of Achor prepares an opening for a door of hope.

Joshua 5:13-6:27 | What we learn from Jericho’s ruins

Rev. John Sawtelle — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 04:22:46 +0000

The “divine warrior” leads Israel in a violent destruction of Jericho as symbol of the dreadful and climactic coming of the Lord in judgment upon fallen mankind at the end of the age.