ARCC Sermons

May we linger often over the truth that God became flesh and dwelt among us. May we live truly believing that He draws near to those who call upon Him in truth and with broken and contrite hearts.

Scripture makes it plain that we have terrible taste in seeking counsel for this life. There is no question that we desperately need a wonderful counselor, but how would we know if we had come into contact and enjoyment the child given unto us?

Church Discipline:

5W’s:

• Why: God’s glory, Preparation of the Bride of Christ, Restoration, Freedom, Protection, To point all involved back to a right relationship with our Heavenly Father

• What: The gift of loving confrontation for believers in their unrepentant sin, holding them accountable to a publicly professed commitment.

• Where: Inside the church body

• When: When there is unrepentant sin, While there is still time

• Who: Church members, Church leaders

The 5th century church father Augustine referred to Baptism and the Lord’s Supper as “visible words.”  

We know that when children are learning, they often need pictures or tangible objects to help them understand a lesson. This is what God provides for us in Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. He comes down to us, His beloved children, with visible and tangible signs. He does this so that we truly grasp, remember, and have confirmation of His covenant promises. This assures us, and strengthens us, in our relationship with God.

As a church we express our thoughts on Baptism and the Lord’s Supper in this way. “Baptism and communion are commands given to the Church as symbols and remembrances of the death of Christ. These ordinances are for believers in that they are external pictures of inward realities. In Baptism, believers are buried with Christ into death and raised to walk in newness of life. Through the Lord's Supper, believers proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.”

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are Jesus’ gifts to His bride, the church. May we be encouraged by all that the Lord has for us as we consider both of these ordinances.

We were built for commitment by a God who reveals Himself in large part through His commitments, promises, and covenants. Our contention is that one would be hard pressed to commit their way unto the Lord unless their “way” could sustain a life fully committed to being a healthy, functioning part of the body of Christ.

What a blessing to be members of the household of God; the assembly of the LORD; the LORD’s treasured possession; the apple of His eye; His little flock; sons of the resurrection; those called and chosen and faithful; His bride; those who share in the first resurrection; and those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. The Bible contains so many vivid picturesque descriptions of those beloved by the Lord it is easy for us to lose sight of that truth with the simple expression “Church members”. But that is the splendid reality for those who are in Jesus Christ.

It will be the church’s great privilege and blessing to keep the words of this prophecy because she will have eyes to see the portrait of her Bridegroom and the amazing grace which He has lavished upon her.

Far above a vision for getting to walk on streets of gold, we have a vision of being loved proportionate to the longings and love of our own heart.

Are you going to live out the great commission to make disciples of Jesus to the ends of the earth? If yes, then to some degree the only thing that matters is that all authority in heaven and on earth now belong to Jesus AND Jesus is going to be with us to the end of the age!…until He returns. That being said, it would seem likely that the great commission is being lived out and the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus is advancing in part because Jesus, Himself bound the strong man for a thousand years.

In this chapter we see a tale of two stories…two feasts. One story leads to everlasting life and joy and pleasures forevermore and the other leads to death. Everything that is good, right, and true can be found inside the true story. Everything outside of that story is ultimately a lie and bound for destruction in the end.