Come Sojourn with Us
This is where you will find sermons and updates for our church. Our mission is to preach expository sermons focusing on the gospel of Christ. We are a church that is tied to the reformed tradition and seeks to submit to the scriptures so we walk in the Lord’s wisdom rather than our own.
We would love to have you join us on our Christian sojourn if you are in the Belgrade, MT area. If you are not in area then join us by listening to our bi weekly free sermon podcast.
Stay informed by following us on Facebook, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or through our RSS feed. We would love for you to join us for worship every Sunday at 10 am and 6 pm. If you cannot join us in person then tune into our YouTube livestream.
Israel is in exile when Isaiah writes chapter 45. You would think that all is lost because Israel has failed, they are in a foreign land, and God should be done with them. The Lord does not discard his people, but binds himself to deliver his people out of exile. What does this deliverance teach us about God’s name? What does this deliverance teach us about the Lord’s redemptive promise?
The people of Judah are facing a foreign and domestic threat that could impact their future existence. Ahaz their king is scared that his kingdom will not be able to withstand a lengthy battle. The Lord sends Isaiah to deliver a prophecy to Ahaz and he is to bring his son. What is the significance of Isaiah’s child? What is the hope that a remnant shall return?
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?
We have seen that Israel had a unique calling in the land of Canaan. They were to subdue the land, and they were to be engaged in holy war for the glory of God. The problem has been Israel remembering this goal and truly waging war against those who tempt them to be distracted from the Lord. We have seen examples where Israel has not conform to the Lord as Israel is called to conform to the Lord as we considered Samson, the levite, and even a little bit of Saul’s life. So, what happens to Israel when Israel looses sight of their goal? They are to go into exile and how are they to live in exile away from the promised land? What could their life away from the promised land teach us in our particular context?
We might think that we cannot relate to what it must have been like for Israel to be in exile. The reality is that James greets the church as a group of people who are in exile. We might think that this life is a waste because it does not measure up to what we want. We need to listen to James who is laying out for us that this life probably will not meet our expectations because it is not supposed to meet our expectations. So, why follow our God then if this life will not give us all that we think it should?
The Lord is sovereign and mighty even during the exile that Israel faces. We affirm that no matter where we walk in life that the Lord will save us and secure us. Why did the Lord send Israel into exile? What does exile do for us that is good? Where are the Israelites to put their faith? Can they be saved even as they march into exile and it seems as if all is finished? What is the assurance even at the time of facing exile?
Micah has warned that Israel is facing exile. Israel is going to be marched away from the promised land. This does not sound fun nor does this sound like there is opportunity for any rest. So, what can be a positive outcome of this prophecy? What is the ultimate reversal and the declaration of rest? How should we view ourselves in light of these promises?
I hope that we can agree that the ultimate splendor of Jerusalem was not the buildings, but ultimately that the Lord dwelt in the midst of the city. If you were an Israelite in the ideal times of Israel it must have been reassuring to see the temple and know that the Lord was in Israel’s midst. This is not necessarily a bad desire, but when can this desire be sinful? When can the Lord withdraw His presence from His people? Why would the Lord withdraw His presence from us? How can that ultimately be a good thing for a time no matter how tragic and painful it might be?
The Lord is a good shepherd. So, if the Lord is good why is it that people who have not contributed to the problem in Israel still face exile? How does this show that God is good? We can see that exile is part of the punishment for Israel, but what is encouraging about exile?
We are a bible believing church in the Belgrade, MT. We are a Reformed Protestant church who desire to build one another up in love as we sojourn under the sun.
