Christ Church of Livingston County Sermons

Sermon Notes for: 4/16/2023

Covenanting Together for God

Nehemiah 10

Pastor Steve Hemmeke

Sermon theme: Resurrection, revival, and repentance involve resolution to obey God in every detail of life.

Sermon outline:

I. The Signers (1-27)

II. The Summary (28-29)

III. The Details (30-39)

Sermon Notes for: 4/2/2023

What Kind of Lamb?

Luke 19:39-44

Pastor Steve Hemmeke

Theme: Jesus is the Lamb sacrifice we must trust to bring in God’s Kingdom.

Outline:

I. The King on a Donkey – Zechariah 9

II. The People want their King’s Advent – Psalm 118

III. The Pharisees object

IV. The King’s response

V. The King is the Lamb! – Exodus 12

Sermon Notes for: 3/26/2023

Resist the Devil

1 Peter 5:1-11

Elder Nathan Brunaugh

ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION OF

ELDERS JOE MARTINEZ AND TIM RAYNARD

DESCRIPTION OF THE OFFICE

The office of ruling elder is based upon the kingship of our Lord Jesus Christ, who provided for His church officers who should rule in his name. Paul and Barnabas “appointed . . . elders in every church”; and Paul commanded that those who “rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.” In this passage the Scriptures distinguish between elders who labor particularly in the Word and in doctrine—usually called ministers or pastors—and elders who join with the minister in the government and discipline of the church—generally called ruling elders. It is the duty and privilege of ruling elders, in the name and by the authority of our ascended king, to rule over particular churches, and, as servants of our Great Shepherd, to care for His flock. Holy Scripture enjoins them:

“Take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). As a consequence, ruling elders must be zealous in maintaining the purity of the ministry of the Word and sacraments. They must conscientiously exercise discipline and uphold the good order and peace of the church. With love and humility they should promote faithfulness on the part of both elders and deacons in the discharge of their duties. Moreover, they should have particular regard to the doctrine and conduct of the minister of the Word, in order that the church may be edified, and may manifest itself as the pillar and ground of the truth. If they are to fill worthily so sacred an office, ruling elders must adorn sound doctrine by holy living, setting an example of godliness in all their relations with men. Let them walk with exemplary piety and diligently discharge the obligations of their office; and “when the chief shepherd appears,” they “will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” (1 Peter 5:4).

ORDINATION VOWS

(1) Do you believe God is calling you through His body the Church, to take upon yourself this office of ruling elder?

(2) Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice?

(3) Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Confession of Faith and Catechisms of this Church, as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures? These are The Apostles’ Creed, The Nicene Creed, The Definition of Chalcedon, The Thirty Nine Articles, The Belgic Confession, The Heidelberg Catechism, The Canons of Dordt, The Chicago Statement on Inerrancy, and most clear and definitive, The Westminster Confession and Shorter Catechism.

(4) Do you approve of the government, discipline, and worship of Christ Church of Livingston County, and of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches?

(5) Do you promise to seek the purity, the peace, and the unity of the church?

(6) Do you willingly accept the office of ruling elder in this congregation and

promise, in reliance on the grace of God, faithfully to perform all the duties

thereof?

Do you, the members of this church, acknowledge and receive this brother as a ruling elder, and do you promise to yield him all the honor, encouragement, and

obedience in the Lord, to which his office entitles them, according to the Word of

God and the constitution of this Church? We do! Amen!

ORDINATION - With ordinands kneeling, the Session lays on hands and prays.

DECLARATION

I now declare that Joe Martinez and Tim Raynard have been elected, ordained,

and installed as ruling elders at Christ Church of Livingston County, agreeably to

the Word of God and our constitution; and that they are entitled to all that honor,

encouragement, and obedience in the Lord to which the office entitles them.

Congregational “AMEN!”

RECEPTION AND PRAISE

Session: “We give you the right hand of fellowship, to take part in this office with us.”

CHARGE TO ELDERS AND THE CONGREGATION – Jeff Swanson

Sermon Notes for: 3/19/2023

Baptism

Galatians 3:21-28

Pastor Steve Hemmeke

Sermon theme: God gives us baptism as a picture of the Gospel.

Sermon outline:

I. The Gospel

II. Baptism

III. Infant baptism

Sermon Notes for: 3/12/2023

Confessing Sin: Nehemiah IX

Nehemiah 9

Pastor Steve Hemmeke

Sermon theme: God’s people confess their sins thoroughly.

Sermon outline:

I. The setting (1)

II. The repentance (2-3)

III. The prayer (4-37)

IV. The covenant (38)

Sermon Notes for: 3/5/2023

Revived by the Word: Nehemiah VIII

Nehemiah 8

Pastor Steve Hemmeke

Sermon theme: God’s people reverence and receive His Word. It revives and

reforms us.

Sermon outline:

I. Reading the Law (1-8)

II. Proper response shaped (9-12)

III. Feast kept (13-18)

Sermon Notes for: 2/26/2023

“Counted and Known by God: Nehemiah VII”

Nehemiah 7

Pastor Steve Hemmeke

Sermon theme: God knows each of His people by name and each is precious to Him.

Sermon outline:

I. The problem (4)

II. The solution (5; 11:1)

III. The list (6-63)

IV. Imperfect records, totals, giving for the work (64-73)

V. God’s list: a tour of the Bible

VI. The invisible and visible church

a. Ephesians 1:4

b. Our list

c. Does Jesus know you?

Sermon Notes for: 2/19/2023

Dealing with Fear and Intimidation: Nehemiah VI

Nehemiah 6

Pastor Steve Hemmeke

Text Theme: Nehemiah wisely rejects fear and thwarts plots against him.

Sermon theme: Reject fear, and deal with obstacles to godly living.

Sermon outline:

I. Assassination attempt answered (1-4)

II. Rumors and threats rebuffed (5-8)

III. The motive and the response (9, 13-14)

IV. Spies and false prophets (10-12)

V. Wall finished (15-16; 7:1)

VI. Ongoing opposition. Response? (17-19)

a. Outward: Security (7:1, 3)

b. Inward: Delegation (2)

Sermon Notes for: 2/12/2023

Dealing with Internal Threats:

Nehemiah V

Nehemiah 5

Pastor Steve Hemmeke

Sermon theme:

Nehemiah pursues biblical social justice, serving his people sacrificially.

Sermon outline:

I. Problem (1-5)

II. Conviction (6-8)

III. Solution (9-11)

IV. Promise (12-13)

V. Generosity (14-19)