Cambria Pulpit

Does is matter how a church is structured? A quick survey of the hundreds of churches in Hillsdale county will reveal a variety of church structures. Some are heavily structured, and some have very little structure. Does it matter what a church does? Again, a quick survey of the hundreds of churches in Hillsdale county will reveal a variety of actions by the churches. Does it matter what a church believes as long as they believe in Jesus? A quick survey of the hundreds of churches in Hillsdale county will reveal an amazing diversity of beliefs and doctrine. So, does it really matter? Or is it really just up to each individual church to decide for themselves? From the very first time I interviewed here, I made it very clear that these things do matter. In fact, they are of supreme importance to God. Fidelity to God’s Word demonstrates that God cares deeply about the structure, actions, and beliefs of His church. So we, as his church, ought to care and know what structure, actions, and beliefs God expects of us. 

For this reason, the next book of the Bible that we will walk through together is the book of 1 Timothy. When we are done with 1 Timothy, we will turn to 2 Timothy. These books (along with Titus) are known as the pastoral epistles. Although they might be better named the church epistles. Because they present to the church what God expects regarding the structure, actions, and beliefs of the church. 

As we work through these Letters, we will discover that God cares about the structure, actions, and beliefs of the church, because the church is the visible picture of Christ and His Kingdom. Christ is in heaven, and his physical Kingdom has not yet become a reality. The only way the world and we as believers can physically see Christ and His Kingdom is through the church. So, it is important that the church accurately reflect Christ and His Kingdom. 

As we begin each book, there are some important things of which we must remind ourselves. We are looking at the very words of God. Therefore, it is vital that we interpret these words correctly. One thing we have been striving together for over the past few years is an understanding of how to properly interpret the Word of God. Now we spent a little over a year walking through the Gospel of Mark. So, it has been a little while since we have looked at these foundational principles. 

We must first remember that this book is written as a book. So, everything in the book must be interpreted in its context: in the paragraph, section, book, and testament. Second, it cannot mean for us, what it did not mean to its original hearers. Meaning does not change. But if we do not understand the context of the original hearers, we will not rightly understand the book. Applications change, meaning does not. So, we will spend some time today looking at the author and the original hearers. Third, the structure of the book gives insight into the purpose of the book. Typically, Paul follows a very distinct two-part structure. However, in this book, the structure follows more of a manual style, consisting of four to five parts. Each part relating to the structure, beliefs, and actions of the church. 

Today may feel a little more academic than what we normally feel on Sunday. However, it is vital that we lay the proper foundation today, so that we can gather all that God intends for us to gather from this book. And when we are finished with this book, we should have a clear grasp of what God expects from Cambria Baptist Church in regards to its structure, actions, and beliefs. 

This book begins with a two-verse salutation. In this salutation, We discover many of the foundational principles we need to cover in order to lay a proper foundation to understand the book. ...

There is a classic movie many of you are familiar with called Princess Bride. In the movie, the hero Wesley is killed by the villain. Discovered by his friends, Wesley is taken to the miracle worker name miracle Max. As he examines Wesley, he informs the friends that Wesley is not actually all dead, he is just mostly dead. He revives Wesley and Wesley goes on to defeat the villain and save the princess his one true love. 

The humor of the scene is found in that idea of not being all dead, just being mostly dead. Because death is an all or nothing event. Some claim that on the cross, Jesus did not die. Rather, he was mostly dead. But this misses the reality and glory of redemption. Jesus was all dead. But the good news is that Jesus didn’t stay dead. Today we reach the climax to Mark’s gospel: the resurrection. Without the resurrection, the death of Jesus is nothing but an overwhelmingly tragic event. The good news about Jesus Christ is that God, by the resurrection of Jesus, defeated sin, death, and hell. Our hope in life and death is Christ alone. Because of his resurrection, we need not fear death, and we can live a complete life. 

Mark records the resurrection events through the eyes of the women we introduced us to in the crucifixion account. On Friday, April 3, AD 33 Jesus was murdered on the cross. Hastily he was laid in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea before the Sabbath which began at sundown. After the Sabbath, on Sunday April 5, AD 33, three women witnessed the climax of all human history, the resurrection of Christ.  ...

Due to the sensitive nature of the message by our missionary yesterday we cannot publish it online. So we are happy to bring you the next message in our Characteristics of a Healthy Church Series from 2019.

Through the most horrific act in history, our redemption was gained. However, this was no mistake. This was God's plan from before the foundation of the world. Pastor Dave discusses this amazing love as we continue through the Gospel of Mark

Due to technical difficulties we are unable to bring you yesterday's message from the Gospel of Mark. So we are reaching into our archives and brining you the second characteristic of a healthy church: A high view of God's Word. Originally preached on February 10, 2019.

One message seems clear in our world today as we contemplate all that is going on around us: Justice seems to be in grave danger. Whether we want to discuss the racial conflicts in our country, the debates in every state (and definitely here in Michigan) regarding the authority of the governor, the glaring hypocrisy of our national leaders, or the discriminate application of executive orders between various groups, the common theme is a lack of justice. 

To be honest, most don’t even have an idea what justice would look like anymore, we just know, this isn’t it. Too many times we have seen justice fail in the courtroom. We all remember OJ walking free as we shockingly heard the not guilty verdict. We have seen religious institutions forced to provide abortive birth control and wedding services forced to provide for homosexual unions. We have all seen miscarriages of justice which led us to shake our heads in perplexity. 

We wonder what is going to become of our world with each passing day of injustice. We worry about the world our children and grandchildren will inherit where injustice reigns. But all of this pales in comparison to the ultimate miscarriage of justice that occurred 2000 years ago. On that fateful morning, God himself, experienced the most unjust ruling ever handed down. On that morning, Jesus suffered injustice. But this was not without purpose in the divine plan of God. Jesus suffered injustice, to make us just.

As we look at our text this morning, we will do so in two parts. As is typical of Mark, he sandwiches two scenes together in order to teach us an important lesson. Let’s look at the two scenes in this narrative today in order to revel in the glory of God’s grace in salvation. And to be encouraged to stand with boldness for Christ regardless of the cost. 

What comes to mind when I mention salvation? What comes to mind when I mention the cross? Most likely like me, you have some sanitized thought that comes to mind. We sing upbeat songs with joy about the fact that Jesus died. And we ought to sing with joy. But often, we miss the heinous nature of the cross. We don’t see our sin for what it is. As a result, we don’t truly understand the suffering that Jesus faced. To compound matters, if we don’t understand the suffering that Jesus faced, we will not be able to rightly face suffering ourselves. All of this results in fear. 

After through the last supper and on the way out of Jerusalem afterwards, Jesus was preparing the disciples for the suffering that they would face in the coming hours, days, and years. Yet they still didn’t understand. They insisted that they would die with Jesus. Further, the reality of the cross began to weigh heavily on Jesus. So our Suffering Savior faced suffering for us and showed us how to face suffering ourselves. 

They didn’t know it yet, but their world was about to spin out of control. What they had trusted would happen would be ripped away from them. All hope would be stolen from them. Chaos would reign. In a few hours they would move from complete comfort to running for their lives. Within 24 hours, their leader would be dead. 

The disciples had no idea what the next day would bring. But Jesus did. So, over the day on Thursday, prior to His death, Jesus prepared the disciples for what they would face. How would he prepare them? By reminding them of the most important lesson. Regardless of what happened, regardless of appearances, Jesus was in complete control.

We could have started the message the same way, but instead said they had no idea what the nest year would bring, and we would have been talking about us in 2019. Yet here we sit. And the lesson Jesus gave the disciples is no less important for us. Regardless of what happens, regardless of appearances, Jesus is in complete control. ...

Due to a technical difficulty with our recording yesterday we are unable to provide yesterday's sermon. So we would like to present this message from February 3, 2019 for your edification. More in our foundations series can be found on our website https://www.cambriabaptist.org/foundations/

The end times is a preoccupation we all love. When I was growing up, it was the film Thief in the Night. Later it was the Left Behind series by Tim Lahay that dominated the church. We love the charts and the signs and the speculation. Everyone’s favorite series is end times study. Over and over I hear believers state that this or that is a sign of the end times. Wars, persecutions, coin shortages, viruses, riots are all stated as signs of the end times. But are they really? In our text today, the disciples asked Jesus what the sign of his coming would be. And he gave them a clear and sure answer. 

Mark 13:1-3 – And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

After sparring with the leaders and teaching the people in the temple, the time has finally come for Jesus to leave and head back to Bethany. As they leave, the disciples could not help but be overwhelmed again with the magnificence of the temple. Historians tell us it was a structure that was awe inspiring. The massive stones shone white, much of the building was overlaid with gold which glistened in the sun. It was an edifice unlike any other. As they left, these Galilean men could not help but gape at it. One of them commented on the beauty of the temple to Jesus. No doubt, this was an off hand comment like we make when we see something amazing.

Yet Jesus’ answer was not one we would expect. Instead of agreeing with the disciple, Jesus comments that these great buildings would be destroyed. To the extent that not one stone would be left standing. ...