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.
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Christ commands us to pray that his kingdom would come. Our desire is to see his kingdom advance knowing that it is his kingdom and not our kingdom. We are called to be aligned with God's purpose in this kingdom and so we are praying that the Lord would continue to orient us with a heavenly perspective on this Christian pilgrimage.
Christ returns to Jerusalem after cleansing the temple and cursing a tree. He is going to face the leaders of Israel and we can imagine that this is going to be tense. Christ tells them that it is the prostitutes and the tax collectors who enter into the kingdom of heaven. Does this mean that in order for us to gain entrance into the temple that we have to be a tax collector or a prostitute? What is the point of Christ calling this to the leader’s attention?
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?
There are many things that we can say about the Kingdom of God, but one thing we must remember is that the kingdom takes residence within us. How do we realize the Lord's kingdom in the midst of turmoil and struggle? How does one gain the wisdom while walking in the Kingdom of God? Does one just study the Scriptures more? Does one just try to mysteriously encounter God more? How does one live out this request that the Lord instructs us to ask our Father in heaven?
Christ is the messiah who enters history to save us from our sins. He is our redeemer who brings in the kingdom. Why does Christ promise such a strong kingdom that will go beyond human history, but then tell his disciples not to tell anyone about his kingdom? What kind of kingdom can this be? Is this a kingdom that will go beyond human history?
Our Lord took on real flesh and has entered history to live a perfect life, die on the cross, be raised to life, and ascend to heaven. He gives the sure promise that those who respond to the gospel in faith have life right now and true life in the age to come. However, those who do not respond in faith do not and will not have life in the age to come. His assurance and warning is that how one responds to the gospel in this day has ramifications for the life to come. So, what is essential to the Gospel message to have life? Do we really need to believe that Christ took on the flesh?
One would think that if this kingdom is going to be largely invisible and appears too weak to defeat rivals. It seems as if this kingdom is going to initially provide hope and then become a grave disappointment as one still struggles with the burdens of life under the sun. However, this is not how Christ wants us to view this kingdom. So, why would we have joy when God’s kingdom impacts our lives? How should we react when we are informed by God’s kingdom?
It is tempting for the world to think that because the weeds continue to grow and flourish that the wheat has little hope. The serpent seed has always thought that it will rise up and be victorious, but will Satan be victorious? What does covenant history teach us about our destiny?
It is easy to get discouraged when we read the news and wonder what is happening in the world today. We might wonder where is this mighty and majestic kingdom that Scripture communicates so clearly. So, where is this kingdom? Is the kingdom here right now or is the kingdom on its way? How does this impact our lives today?
Christ is in his dying moments and it appears to the human eye that his idealistic kingdom and mission has failed. He is on the cross, helplessly nailed to a board as a covenant breaker, and he is hung there between two criminals. Clearly, Christ’s messianic claims are fraudulent, but are they? What do we see in this narrative that communicates that Christ really comes to save, and that his mission is absolutely successful?
One would think that as Christ enters history that his desire is to start a movement. He is the one who is bringing in the kingdom, and so one who brings in the kingdom will need citizens to be part of the kingdom. It would seem wise to make the kingdom accessible. However, Christ speaks in cryptic language, and seems to do more to drive people away rather than the bring them near. Why does Christ speak in parables?
Christ has discussed and warned his disciples about the struggles and issues that the church will face in time as they go to carry out Christ’s mission. The temptation is not to go forward with Christ’s mission. I mean if this is a kingdom that only involves cross bearing plus suffering then why go? Christ gives the assurance that we go because we will receive the prophet’s reward. So, what is that prophet’s reward?
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?
Our Lord calls us to be light in the world. So often we think that we need greater strategies to impact our particular circles. This is certainly something to pray about and to potentially discuss with one another. However, our Lord calls us to look beyond this immediate age. Where are we called to look? How do we know that our Lord is with us as we look to heaven’s glory?
Jesus announces that the kingdom of heaven is present. This is great to hear, but what do we do with John the Baptist being arrested? What do we do with Christ retreating to Galilee? The issue then: how can Christ say that the kingdom is present when the context of this chapter seems to contradict His message?
Strange star gazers from the east come to worship Christ. These are men that we would expect to be hostile to the mission of Christ, and do everything possible to destroy Christ. We would expect that Herod who is the king of the jews embrace the Messiah for the Messiah is God with us. How can strangers expected to be opposed to the Messiah’s mission show the power of the Messiah’s mission?
The Lord calls us to worship and to make the Lord our focal place. When we are called to worship as a people what is the basis of the Lord calling us to worship? How are we called out of the world to Worship our God and our King?
Abraham is one who has called out of his land, away from his father, and away from idolatry. He is called to worship the one true God. Does this mean that only those who are genetically tied to Abraham have life in Abraham? How do we know that the blessings for Abraham are for the nations rather than one nation or nationality?
The interactions between Job and the counselors has not been overly positive. In fact, Job has been beaten up pretty badly in this process and their interactions have by and large bypassed each other. One would hope that at some point the gospel would come out. Unfortunately, Job continues to cling to his righteousness, but is he beginning to see that his righteousness is not enough? Is Job finally starting to see that retreating into the pit of Sheol is not a refuge at all?
When we ask our heavenly father to forgive us our debts we are also asking that we forgive our debtors meaning those who sin against us. The reality is that there is a cost involved with forgiveness and we might not always be willing to bear the cost of it. What is more, the bigger problem is that we might not think that we ourselves need that much forgiveness. So, what does the older brother or the older son tell us about forgiveness in the kingdom? Why does Christ tell us that this man had two sons?
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.
