From the Pulpit

For centuries the Jewish people had anticipated for the arrival of the promised Messiah, one who would fulfill prophecy by sitting on David’s throne in Jerusalem and establishing a peace-filled, prosperity-bringing, Israel-exalting, liberty-ensuring kingdom without end. In their minds, King and kingdom went hand-in-hand. But now that Jesus—the one who himself claimed, and they believed, to be that King—had come and gone, they were left wondering: Where’s the kingdom? How could Jesus be the King when Caesar’s still ruling? It’s into this confusion and uncertainty that Matthew writes his gospel account seeking to assure believers that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah and King and to explain the current and future realities of his kingdom.

Key Passage: Matthew 3:1–4:11

Speaker: Josiah Boyd

Key Passage: Selected Passages from John

Speaker: Lew Worrad

Although we now experience the pain of uncertain times, we have a certain hope for the future. 

Key Passage: Romans 8:18-27

Speaker: Andrew Longmire

Many Christians are well versed in the teaching of God forgiving our sins. We also know about the teaching of forgiving one another, but there is also confusion in the way that is done. Dr. Jim Rennie teaches on this topic using selected passages in Matthew. 

Key Passage: Matthew 18:21–35

Speaker: Dr. Jim Rennie

In  Luke 17 we find the account of Jesus healing ten lepers but then  finding only one returning to thank and worship him. They had been given  a new lease on life and yet 90-percent, for whatever reason, never  thought to show gratitude.

Likewise (but to a greater extent), believers have been given new  life in Christ—by his grace we’ve passed from death to life, darkness to  life. Today, on this thanksgiving weekend, we want to make sure that  we’re “turning back” together, running to the Giver of life to express  worshipful thanksgiving for such a precious gift.

Key Passage: Ephesians 2:1-10

Speaker: Josiah Boyd

As we come to the final chapter of the book of Jonah, we look back and remember to what we, as God’s people, have been called: To reflect God’s compassionate character to the world around us and to do so obediently (chapter 1), consistently (chapter 2), and indiscriminately (chapter 3). And, no doubt, we want to do those things!

So, what stops us? Why do we still struggle from time-to-time like Jonah—with disobedience, with self-righteousness, and with biased love? Chapter 4 reveals what was at the root of the prophet’s battle, and what could be at the root of ours as well. In this concluding section of the book we find that what we, as God’s people have, is often not an understanding problem (a lack of information or clarity) but a submission problem (a lack of willingness to sacrifice).

Key Passage: Jonah 4

Speaker: Josiah Boyd

The Apostle James describes the Bible as a mirror into which God’s people are to look, see their ungodliness rightly reflected, and be motivated to change (James 1:22–25). In other words, Scripture is given, not for mere information but for application and life transformation.

Having looked for a couple of weeks into the mirror of Jonah, we’ve been forced to ask ourselves some difficult questions. In chapter one, seeing a prodigal prophet running from God, we asked Do I reflect God’s compassionate character obediently? In chapter two, watching the pious prophet praying against God, we asked Do I reflect God’s compassion consistently?

As we now come to chapter three we find a pedestrian prophet speaking for God and we’re forced to look into that mirror again and, this time, ask ourselves Do I reflect God’s compassionate character indiscriminately?

Key Passage: Jonah 3

Speaker: Josiah Boyd

Just as a diary or journal can provide a “window into the soul” of its writer, so too prayers can reveal the heart of the pray-er. How we pray, when we pray, and what we pray for often showcases what we truly believe about God, ourselves, and life a pilgrims in a fallen world.

The second chapter of Jonah gives us an inspired eavesdropping session on the prayers of the prophet. And by listening we learn a lot about him as we find a hypocritical prayer marked by self-preservation, self-exoneration, and self-righteousness, characteristics that are especially disagreeable when contrasted with the character of the God to whom the prayers are being directed; a God who is generous, patient, and compassionate.

This prayer gives us a look into Jonah’s heart and invites you and I to examine our own.

Key Passage: Jonah 2

Speaker: Josiah Boyd

While obviously preferring obedience, there are times when parents allow their children to experience the consequences of their disobedience. So it is with God and his children. He has been clear in his parental instruction, inviting us to enjoy the abundant life he offers and warning us against activities that will rob us of it. And when we disobey—and we do disobey, don’t we?—there are times he wisely and lovingly allows us to experience the consequences of our disobedience.

As we begin our study of the book of Jonah, we find an example of just that. Jonah disobeys the Lord and is then allowed to experience the consequences of that rebellion. So, this prophet ends up serving as a negative example to us and a reminder as to what’s at stake when God calls you and I to obey his voice.

Key Passage: Jonah 1:1–17

Speaker: Josiah Boyd

Join us for a second week of Jude, part of the Biblical Postcard Series!

Key Passage: Jude 17-25

Speaker: Dr. Jim Rennie