God Reviews Israel’s Case (Hosea 13:1-11)

Hosea rehearses the Lord's case against Israel. They have failed him, they have pursued Baal, and they have failed to have an exclusive relationship with the Lord. This prophet is warning us that we might think that we are fine because we can trust in everything other than the Lord. This is why John the Baptist calls Israel to turn away from their confidence and to turn unto Christ. Hosea is fundamentally exhorting God's people to find their contentment and fulfillment in the Lord and His kingdom.

Warning to Wooing (Hosea 2:2-15)

Hosea speaks the word of the Lord to God's people. The Lord calls God's people to one last time of repentance and reformation. They are facing another time in the wilderness. We might think that all is lost as Israel wanders through the dry and dusty land because the Lord's purpose has failed. This is not the case because the Lord will walk with his people in the midst of their testing.

#expositorypreaching #hoseaseries #lifeinchrist

Good Friday: The Centurion's Christ (Luke 23:47)

The centurion is charged to execute Christ.  Christ is charged with insurrection.  So, this centurion would most likely expect another insurrectionist uprising followed by a crucifixion. However, Christ is not put down like other men. He is clearly not an insurrectionist, but worthy of praise. We join together to hear the testimony and praise of the Centurion for our Good Friday Service.

The Servant's Exaltation (Isaiah 52:13-53:12)

Mr. Aaron Chizmer opens the word of God for us on Sunday morning. He exhorts us to see the significance of Christ's servant mission. He does not just suffer by a people who reject him, but he is also exalted at the right hand of God. (preached 10.2.2022)

Waiting on the Lord's Wisdom (LD 3; Psalm 14)

We might think that God does not see the injustice in this age. We are tempted to cry out to God, "How Long O Lord?" The reality is that injustice is upsetting. We have a problem in our human perspective. We think God has lost sight of everything, but we fail to see the bigger picture. Psalm 14 assures us that God does in fact see all things in this world and can even peer into the heart. This does not make God a busybody, but shows that God is bonded to his people. God will establish his promised eternal rest.

Discerning our Strength in Christ (2 Timothy 2:1-13)

Paul gives us the assurance that where we are faithless God remains faithful. Does this mean that we do not seek and desire to live a Christian life? Are we indifferent or neutral to the plan of God? Paul does exhort Timothy and he exhorts us not to fall away as Paul also says, "If we deny him he will deny us." Do we seek to conform to the Lord our of fear? Do we seek to live for the honor and glory of our king just for our own benefit? What is Paul fundamentally teaching us about the Christian life?

Christ’s Tragic Fulfillment (Matthew 26:47-75)

Christ has to live up to his name.  He is the anointed (christ) who has to save his people from their sins (Jesus).  The moment of testing has arrived, but will Christ go to the cross?  He has already prayed that the father would remove the cup and so will Christ fulfill his mission's objective?

The Unconventional Kingdom (Matthew 20:1-16)

Christ is making his way to Jerusalem.  It would seem that as Christ travels to Jerusalem that all is on schedule, the kingdom will be the kingdom of glory where Christ secures his place in history.  Our expectation would be Christ sitting on David’s throne establishing the kingdom that David failed to establish. If this is the case then why does Christ talk about suffering?  What does Christ’s suffering have to do with the kingdom?

Are All Things Good? (Romans 8:26-30)

The Lord promises that no matter what we face that God works all things for good. Does this mean that everything that we face as Christians is going to be good? Is this a declaration that sin is so eradicated that there will be no lasting consequence of sin? Does this really mean that all things are good or is the Apostle Paul teaching us something else about our Christian sojourn?

Paradox of Wisdom (2) (Matthew 10:24-39)

Christ’s disciples will face trials, struggles, and hardships.  Christ has already mentioned the hardships that await us.  However, Christ goes on to speak of other problems that tempt us beyond just the comforts of this world.  Christ tells us that we might have to walk away from family to be incorporated into the kingdom of God.  How can Christ talk about disrupting the family?  Why would we want to give up these earthly comforts for Christ?

The Ordeal Champion (Psalm 69)

There are times when we are tempted to think that God is not walking with us in the midst of our trials.  We can think that the Lord is not really there nor is the Lord really all that gracious.  We can think that until we consider the words of Psalm 69.  How can the words of Psalm 69 and the suffering of our Lord encourage us in those trying times? 

Sojourning Under the Sun: Sabbath Benediction (Revelation 22:17-21)

The book of Revelation concludes with a blessing, but there is a warning in the midst of the benediction.  Why would John give us a warning in the midst of the blessing?  Does this imply that we cannot freely draw near to the Lord?

Job’s Wish Granted (2) (Job 40:6-42:6)

Job has not repented in a true Godly sorrow, but instead continues to hold to his innocence.  So, now the Lord is the one who continues with his speech to Job.  Job is invited to hear that the Lord is good, gracious, merciful, and the Lord is perfectly just.  We are invited to witness this speech, Job is invited to hear this speech, but will Job finally listen and concede the righteousness of the Lord?

Sojourning Under the Sun: Sabbath Pilgrim (1 Peter 1:1,2)

Peter and James greet the church in the dispersion.  What is the dispersion?  Why would they greet the church with such strange language?  What can such language communicate about our Christian Sojourn?

Elihu's Conclusion (Job 36-37)

Elihu is going to conclude his speech which concludes the counselors speaking.  The counselors have told Job to repent of the sin that Job has committed, but Job has not committed a sin to deserve this punishment.  However, Job has attached the integrity and purity of the Lord claiming that something has gone wrong in how the Lord has treated Job.  Elihu has encouraged Job to drop his case.  Will this man drop his case?  Will Job see the goodness of the Lord?

Sojourning Under the Sun: Sabbath Suffering (Luke 14:25-35)

Christ uses very strong language regarding our Christian life.  He tells us that we are to actually hate our families.  Is this a contradiction of the 5th commandment?  I thought that we were to honor our parents?  I thought that we were to love our Lord as first priority and love our neighbor as ourselves?  How can Christ command us to hate our families?

Friday Fools (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Christ assures us that the folly of Christ’s cross is salvation manifested by the power of God.  How can this be?  This sounds impossible because the cross is a method of execution.  Why would we want this symbol?  The tragedy is that we are tempted to sanitize this symbol, but why is that so tragic?  What could be the possible benefit of this cross?

Struggling with God's Injustice (Job 31:1-40)

Job is one who has suffered, but he is not someone that we would say is a champion.  He is a man who continually rests in his righteousness while wondering how God can make such a righteous man suffer.  We can chuckle and Job, judge Job, and point out Job’s problems.  However, we still have not asked the deeper question: why is this book in our canon?  What can Job’s suffering and self righteous speech teach us about our Christian walk, our bent, and our failure to see the gospel?

My Indictments (Job 30:1-31)

Job is not happy with how the Lord has treated him.  You would think that Job would be rather content considering that the Lord has blessed him, and allowed him to enjoy a great life.  However, now we hear why Job is so upset as he even uses the counselors own words to describe his suffering.  Why would Job be so upset if he is merely using the counselors own words to describe his suffering?

Where is Wisdom? (Job 28:1-28)

We can interview numerous people, we can comb the Scriptures, we can dig into the earth, but where is wisdom?  This is a rather profound question that Job seeks to answer.  The answer to the question may not be as simple as just reading some Scriptures, or interviewing some people.  So, what is the answer?  Is Job ready to embrace the answer as he feels it being pressed upon him?