Dangerous Drifters (Hebrews 2:1-4)

We receive an exhortation from Hebrews not to drift away. When we think of drifting we think of the soft and soothing current taking us away. This is like a ship that is slightly off course, but continues off course and eventually misses its port. We are told not to loose sight of Christ because we too might drift away. We are reminded to see the sufficiency and glory of Christ Jesus.

#christisenough #christissufficient #expositorypreaching #hebrewssermon #hebrews2

(Preached in the morning on 10.30.2022)

God’s Imperishable Seed (1 Peter 1:23; COD Head 5 RE 8)

Peter greets the church as a scattered seed, when he says "the dispersion." We are a people scattered throughout the world like Israel in exile. This means that the church is not settled in the land of canaan. We are sojourners through this world who will experience suffering, testing, and unrest. The assurance is that while we are the scattered seed in this world we are born of the imperishable seed from heaven, and we will persevere by God's preserving power.

Confidently Persevere in God's Grace (COD Head 5 Art 14, 5; I Peter 5:6-11)

Peter warns us that Satan is prowling around seeking someone to devour. This is a horrible picture to think that our main enemy is seeking to destroy us in such a degrading way. This sounds like we are facing David's fate where he writes, "like a ravening and roaring lion"(Psalm 22:13). The thing we need to remember is that Psalm 22 does not end with a cry of abandonment, but the comfort of God's presence. So Peter exhorts us to see the Lord's presence in the midst of our suffering. We consciously persevere while being assured of God's preserving power.

My God Will Save! (Micah 7:8-13)

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?

Our Power or God’s Power of Preservation? (1 Peter 1:3-9 (COD Head 5 Article 3)

We might think that this notion of the preservation and perseverance of the saints is unique to the Apostle Paul.  We might also think that this is not all that significant in terms of our psychology or encouraging us through difficult times in this life. In fact, we might think that that knowing God will preserver us waters down the struggle or the hardship of this life.  It sounds like life is not that challenging because God will just continue to pull the puppet strings.   So, what does a Calvinist say about such a claim that Reformed Theology minimizing suffering? 

Struggling Sinners and Saints (Romans 8:18-25 (COD Head 5 Article 1)

There is no doubt that one would not be saved apart from the grace of God.  I think all Christians who have a grasp of Christianity would affirm the necessity of grace for our salvation.  We know that we are those who need grace, but how much grace do we need?  Is 90 percent enough or do we need more?  Is our confidence in that we will not fall away because we love the Lord enough or is it because know that the Lord loves us enough?

Why Pray if God is Sovereign? (Romans 8:26 (LD 45)

The Lord is a God who rules over all things.  He is king over the heaven and the earth.  He is the one who orders and controls our destiny.  So, if this is all true then why pray?  It is not like you are going to change the mind of a God whose mind does not change.  It is not like you are going to inform Him of something that He does not already know.  So, why is prayer so necessary and significant for the Christian life?