This Sunday evening we will begin a new sermon series in the book of Colossians.  The title of the series reflects the theme of the book – “The Supremacy and Sufficiency of Jesus Christ.”  We will learn that, in Christ, the believer has everything they need for salvation, sanctification, and daily living.

Below are some resources that you might find helpful in our study of Colossians.

Video Summary = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sV6DbJK3ZVc

Devotional = https://www.todayintheword.org/siteassets/pdfs/2019/tiw_may2019.pdf

Detailed Introduction = https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/eo/col/col000.cfm

“He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” (Col. 1:18 NASB95)

Blessings,

Pastor Steven

In part 1, we looked at how the word “incarnation” is not specifically used in the Bible, but that the concept and teaching clearly is.  Essentially the doctrine of the incarnation states that Jesus, as the Second Person of the Trinity, took on humanity Himself when He was born.  The teaching of Jesus’ incarnation comes from various verses that use the words “flesh” and “in.” 

Now, we will consider some of the purposes of Jesus’ incarnation.  In other words, why did God send His Son in the flesh? 

The first reason is that Jesus reveals God to us (John 1:18).  If you want to know what God is like look at Jesus (John 14:7-11).  Second, He came to provide salvation to all who would believe in Him (1 Timothy 1:15; Hebrews 10:1-10).  A third reason is related to the promise of the Davidic Covenant.  God had made this promise (covenant) many years earlier in 2 Samuel 7:4-17.  The angel Gabriel told Mary that her son would inherit the throne of David (Luke 1:31-33). 

Jesus’ birth was not accidental but served many purposes.  Therefore, the incarnation has many implications for our lives especially as we consider the birth of Jesus this Christmas.

Blessings,

Pastor Steven

The word “incarnation” is not specifically used in the Bible, but the concept and teaching clearly is.  This is similar to other doctrines such as the Trinity.  The word “trinity” is not used in the Bible although the teaching clearly is (Ex. Genesis 1:26; 3:22; 11:7).

The teaching of Jesus’ incarnation comes from various verses that use the words “flesh” and “in”.  Perhaps the best known is John 1:14 that says “And the word became flesh…”  Here are a few more to read through (Rom. 1:3; Gal. 4:4; Phil. 2:7f; 1 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 2:14; 1 John 1:1f; 4:2; 2 John 7).

Essentially the doctrine of the incarnation states that Jesus, as the Second Person of the Trinity, took on humanity Himself when He was born.  It is important to remember with the incarnation that Jesus did not come into existence at birth, but rather existed eternally before the incarnation (see John 8:58; 17:5).

In part 2, we will consider the purposes of Jesus’ incarnation.

Blessings,

Pastor Steven

King Ahaz was one of the evil kings of Judah who did evil in the sight of the Lord and did not walk in the ways of King David (2 Kings 16:2).  Many of his actions, such as idol worship, would lead to the fall of Judah in 586 B.C.  The prophet Isaiah describes the tragic consequences of his reign in Isaiah 7-10.

This Sunday evening, we will begin a two-part study of Isaiah 9:6.  In Isaiah 8, King Ahaz looked to the Assyrians for protection rather than the Lord.  In contrast to Ahaz, who would not listen to or obey the Lord, the prophet Isaiah tells of a future Davidic king that would.  This prophecy looks to Jesus Christ who would be a faithful king.  Isaiah 9:6 describes the Messiah using four titles/names.

Below are some additional resources that you might enjoy to supplement this study.

Warren Wiersbe – The Names of Jesus

Blessings,

Pastor Steven

Old Testament Scriptures

Exodus 12 – The Israelites sacrificed a lamb and placed the blood on their door so that the angel of death would pass by their doors.  Jesus Christ would be the ultimate sacrificial lamb, and this time God would provide the lamb. 

Isaiah 53:10 – Jesus’ death would fulfill the Father’s will.  Through this, many would be counted righteous (53:11).

New Testament Scriptures

Luke 22:14-23 – Jesus and his disciples observe the Passover meal and the institution of the Lord’s Supper occurs.

Colossians 2:13-15 – Jesus’ death on the cross canceled the record of debt against us.

1 Corinthians 11:23-34 – Provides the basic themes, instructions, and warnings concerning the Lord’s Supper.

May the Lord bless you as you prepare your hearts to observe the Lord’s Supper.

Pastor Steven

If you are like me, I love Christmas for a variety of reasons.  Some of those reasons are spending time with family and hearing many beloved Christmas hymns.  However, one thing that can happen during this time of year is to become extremely busy.  Often if we are not careful, the Christmas season will pass before we even know it.  As a result, we will have overlooked the real reason for Christmas.

Devotionals

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWmzuzTiUbV4ItgnYLIutvDoKlev9Vhuh

Blessings,

Pastor Steven

Under Roman law, prisoners who were accused of crimes would first undergo what we would call today a “preliminary hearing.”  This would allow for evidence and witnesses to help the accused before the trial began.  In 2 Timothy, the apostle Paul found himself in a similar situation in Roman imprisonment after his initial hearing and as he awaited his trial.  

Paul states that at his first defense all “deserted him.”  At first glance, this appears sad to think of Paul being deserted by the many he had ministered to and served with.  This was, of course, during the days of Nero’s persecution.  Had someone spoken on his behalf, they would have likely been arrested.   

We should take note of the remainder of the verse.  Paul does not have any bitterness towards them, but rather displays grace and love.  He asked that their failure “not be counted against them.”*  Paul is putting into practice what he wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:5 where he says that love “does not take into account a wrong suffered.” 

When you feel betrayed or wronged, how do you respond?  Do you allow bitterness to take root?  Or do you respond like Paul?

Blessings,

Pastor Steven

*For similar responses see Ps. 32:2; Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60

This Sunday morning we will continue our look at Matthew’s gospel as we begin chapter 10.  In chapters 8-9, Matthew has shown Jesus’ power over defilement, nature, demons, sins, and his compassion for the lost.  In Chapter 10, the focus changes from miracles to discipleship.  The first two messages in Matthew 10 will be a study of the Twelve Disciples (Apostles) of Jesus.

Below are some resources that you might find helpful.

Blessings,

Pastor Steven

This Sunday evening, October 18, we will begin a new sermon series on the Minor Prophet Haggai.  Haggai encouraged those who had returned from captivity to finish the work the Lord had given them.  But before the work could resume the people needed to get their priorities right.  The study will show the need for God’s people to put Him first in their lives or miss out on His best for them. 

Below are some resources that you might find helpful as we begin this study.        

The first message will be on Haggai 1:1-6 and is entitled “Misplaced Priorities”.

Blessings,

Pastor Steven

Our attitude toward something often appears in our behavior.  For example, a person can say something but what they really believe is revealed in their behavior.  For a Christian, the way we live our lives oftentimes is a direct reflection of our attitude toward the Lord.