Monday, September 26, 2022

Christ's Warning and Promise to the Lukewarm - Richard Hamilton


Rev 3:14-22 14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: 15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 ‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. 17 ‘Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, 18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19 ‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. 20 ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. 21 ‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” 

Sunday, September 18, 2022

How to Actually Love the Brethren - Nathan Rages


In this "Part 2" to last week's sermon on 1John 2:7-11, 3:11-19, 4:7-12, 4:20-21, and 5:1-2, we address seven frequently asked questions about "Loving the Brethren":
1. Who are these “brethren” that we’re supposed to love?
2. Is this about us feeling certain loving feelings? 
3. Can we love people that we don’t like?
4. Is it hyperbole to describe this as “laying down our life”?
5. In what specific ways do we demonstrate this love?
6. What are warning signs that we don’t love the brethren?
7. How should we apply this to our own assurance?

Thursday, September 15, 2022

Adorning the Doctrine - Mack Tomlinson


Titus 2:10 "not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect." 

Sunday, September 11, 2022

Real Christians Love the Brethren - Nathan Rages


This sermon considers the Apostle John's second test whereby professing Christians may examine whether or not they are genuinely converted: the Test of Love, whether someone is loving other Christians.

We first examine the five passages in which John addresses the subject: 
1John 2:7-11, 3:11-19, 4:7-12, 4:20-21, 5:1-2

John's teaching on this Test of Love is surprising for several reasons: 
1. It is narrow in scope.  It ignores all other kinds of human love and focuses exclusively on our love for the Christians near us. 
2. It is described with much repetition and strong language.
3. It gives interpersonal relationships in the local church a high priority that is largely unknown in American Christianity. 

Monday, September 5, 2022

Real Christians Obey Christ - Nathan Rages


Throughout his first epistle, the Apostle John sets forth a series of tests by which professing Christians may examine whether or not they are truly saved.  This sermon considers the Test of Obedience, whether someone is obeying Jesus' commands.

We first examine John's teaching on the subject in these five passages: 1John 2:3-6, 2:29, 3:3-10, 3:24, 5:3.

Then, in order to avoid possible misunderstandings, we address five common questions concerning the Test of Obedience:
Q1: Is this test somehow contrary to God’s grace?
Q2: Will a concern about obedience take our focus off of Christ?
Q3: If someone fails this test, does it mean he’s “lost his salvation”?
Q4: Do we lose our assurance every time we fall into some sin?
Q5: Should we expect to live in substantial victory over all kinds of sin problems?