Sermons
Ephesians 4:1-2 – The call to live a life worthy of the calling to which we have been called
The text is Ephesians 4:1-2. The message focuses on the transition from three chapters of indicatives regarding the great salvation obtained by Jesus Christ to the imperatives of chapters 4-6. Here in a continuation of messages on Chapter 4 Scott addresses the balance between what Christ has done for us and our response to that gracious work. Special emphasis at the close of the message is given to the grace of repentance and the vital role of sorrow over sin in the process of change
A brief homily on gentleness
At a special outdoor service, under a tent on a day where it rained hard until the first strum of the guitar in worship and then it stopped, Pastor Scott preached a brief message (about 14 minutes) on the biblical imperative to be a gentle a person and how the Spirit works to produce Jesus’ character in the heart of any believer who turns in repentant faith to God.
The need for clean feet – James Padley
Today our speaker is James Padley. James is the son of Thomas Padley and part of the Alliance for Renewal in Brazil. James is a church planter, and pastoral leader in Brazil. He is involved in giving care to leaders in a network of churches in several different states in Brazil. James is married to Flans and the father of 4 children. He is also an accomplished songwriter, and well known worship leader in Brazil. We are delighted to have him with us today. His message is full of encouragement and challenge. Particularly noteworthy is his powerful application of John 13 to the necessity of ongoing cleansing as we walk with Jesus
Ephesians 4:1-5 ‘Radical Humilty’ Part 2
Andrew Murray, the great devotional writer from the 19th century wrote the following: “There are three great motives that urge us to humility. It becomes me as a creature, as a sinner, as a saint. The first we see in the heavenly hosts, in unfallen man, in Jesus as Son of man. The second appeals to us in our fallen state, and points out the way through which we can return to our right place as creatures. In the third we have the mystery of grace, which teaches us that, as we lose ourselves in the overwhelming greatness of redeeming love, humility becomes to us the consummation of everlasting blessedness and adoration.”
Today we take one more inquiry into the nature of humility, concentrating attention on the role of suffering, hardship, trial and difficulties in training our souls to learn humility. Romans 8:28 is also in view, as the one of the consummate passages which require that the Christian learn humility.
Radical humility – Ephesians 4(Part 2)
Andrew Murray, the great devotional writer from the 19th century wrote the following: “There are three great motives that urge us to humility. It becomes me as a creature, as a sinner, as a saint. The first we see in the heavenly hosts, in unfallen man, in Jesus as Son of man. The second appeals to us in our fallen state, and points out the way through which we can return to our right place as creatures. In the third we have the mystery of grace, which teaches us that, as we lose ourselves in the overwhelming greatness of redeeming love, humility becomes to us the consummation of everlasting blessedness and adoration.”
This represents the second talk in the Ephesians Series specifically dedicated to unpacking the Biblical teaching on Humility. I am very much indebted to the brilliant writing of Andrew Murray on the subject of humility. Many of the ideas for this talk were taken directly from Andrew Murray’s writing on humility, unsurpassed as far as I can tell in the english language.
Ephesians Series – The implication of comprehending the love of Christ – radical humilty (Part 1)
How does the exalted theology of Ephesians 1-3, the implications of knowing our identity in Christ, our destiny, and comprehending the love of Christ get worked out in normal Christian life?
What are the implications in our personal lives? How does this exalted theology get worked out in the ordinary business of living as a Christian? In our marriages? In the variety or relationships we have life?
Would it be shocking to see that there is a direct connection between comprehending the love of Christ and radical humility?
Ephesians Series – The prayer in Ephesians 3 for comprehension of the love of Christ
Review of salient points of Ephesians 1 as a back drop to the continuing series on Ephesians.
Peter Kreeft on the love of God: Christianity is like a wheel as big and as complex a the cosmos. And the love of God is its hub. Everything else is a spoke. The love of God is the point, the final explanation, of everything else in Christianity and in fact of everything else in the cosmos. The love of God is not just one point among many. It is the ultimate cause and reason, the meaning and explanation for everything else. For everything that exists, exists only because of God’s will to create, preserve, provide for, guide, and complete it. And God’s will is absolutely simple and single in motive: God is love (I John 4:8)
Identity – Sons and Daughters of God
Destiny – to be make holy & blameless (See also Romans 8:29)
Work of Christ - the cross, his resurrection, ascension and enthronement are the basis of the above two points.
Review as well of the prayer request – ‘to know the hope to which we have been called’: The hope of a fullness to our salvation; A hope of the fullness of righteousness; a hope of resurrection bodies; A hope of eternal life; and a hope of the fullness of God’s glory.
Ephesians Series – Continuing look at Ephesians 1:15-23 & Ephesians 3:14-22
Continuing look at the two prayers of Ephesians 1 & 3.
Here the core of Christian identity (sons and daughters); the core of Christian destiny (to be made holy and blameless) are considered in relationship to the prayers in Ephesians 1 & 3. Here Pastor Scott reminds us that the Holy Spirit is critical in our comprehension of these deep truths.
Ned Berube on Church Discipline
Pastor Ned Berube shares a lengthy, but important message on church discipline. This is a message important to our current struggles as a church, and the necessity of administering church discipline, particularly as it relates to leaders.
One of the most difficult issues for a church is how to deal with a leader who requires formal church discipline. Pastor Ned Berube, President of the Alliance for Renewal Churches, a seasoned leader, and pastor to other pastors addresses the importance of rightly administering church discipline and the necessity of holding elders to the Biblical standards.
Ephesians Series
A look at the two prayers of Ephesians in Chapter 1 and in Chapter 3.
What do they tell us when we look at them together. What are their emphasis? How does considering these two prayers together help us see core concerns of the Christian Faith?
