Grounded In Grace

By Christ Church of ClarksonReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Grounded In Grace episodes

October 29, 2023 After Darkness, Light
After Darkness, Light | 2023 Reformation Sunday
48 min
October 22, 2023 God's First Reply to Job: Not "Why" but "Who" (Part 2) | Job 38:12-30
God's First Reply to Job: Not "Why" but "Who" (Part 2) | Job 38:12-30
Tough Questions Melt in the Light of God’s Nature
***For a complete sermon transcript click on the "Notes" icon above***
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Introduction:

I. God's First Reply to Job: Who Are You? (38:1-40:2)
   A. God’s Opening Statement (38:1-3)
   B. God as Prosecuting Attorney and Judge (38:4-39:30)
       1. Job’s Finiteness: Were You There? (38:4-11)
           a. Questions about the earth (38:4–7)
           b. Questions about the sea (38:8-11)
       2. Job’s Experience: Have You? (38:12-30)
           a. Questions about Light and Darkness (38:12-15)
           b. Questions about Unexplored places (38:16-17)
           c. Questions about the Seasons and Weather (38:22–30)
               (1) Expanse of the Earth (18)
               (2) Light and Darkness (19-21)
               (3) Snow and Hail (22-23)
               (4) Lightening and East Winds (24)
               (5) Rain (25-27)
               (6) Ice and Frost – Father / Mother Metaphor (28-30)
Conclusion:
1. Jesus Christ, as God, providentially controls all things
2. Jesus conquered the “King of terrors” (death)
56 min
October 01, 2023 God's First Reply to Job: Not “Why” but “Who” (Part 1) | Job 38:1-11
God's First Reply to Job: Not “Why” but “Who” (Part 1) | Job 38:1-11
Tough Questions Melt in the Light of God’s Nature

***For a complete sermon transcript click on the "Notes" icon above***

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Introduction: Four things that don’t happen in this first speech and the nagging question of “why?”

I. God's First Reply to Job: Who Are You? (38:1-40:2)
   A. God’s Opening Statement (38:1-3)
       1. Tetragrammaton: YHWH (v. 1a)
           a. Exodus 3 (cf. John 8:38)
       2. Theophanies and Christophanies
           a. Four reasons why this may be a Christophany:
       3. The “Whom” is YHWH — Note the “where” (v. 1b)
       4. The first of over 70 questions – key word “knowledge”
   B. God as Prosecuting Attorney (38:4-39:30)
       1. Job’s Finiteness: Were You There? (38:4-11)
           a. Questions about the earth (38:4–7)
               (1) Creation (38:4-7)
                   (a) God is the architect (4-5a)
                   (b) God is the surveyor (v 5b)
                   (c) God is the engineer (v 6)
                    (d) God’s work applauded by angels (7)
           b. Questions about the sea (38:8-11)
               (1) Birth of the Sea (38:8-9)
               (2) Boundaries of the Sea (38:10-11)

Conclusion: Three closing ideas . . .
57 min
September 17, 2023 The Fourth Speech of Elihu: God is Great and Good | Job 36:1-37:24
The Fourth Speech of Elihu: God is Great and Good | Job 36:1-37:24
“God’s Greatness and Goodness Lead the Believer to Repentance”

***For a complete sermon transcript click on the "Notes" icon above***

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INTRODUCTION

IV. Elihu's Fourth Speech: God is Great and Good (36-37)
   A. Introduction: A Prophetic Voice (36:1-4)
   B. God Is Good (36:5-25)
       1. His Goodness in Justice (36:5-7)
       2. His Goodness in Discipline (36:8-10)
       3. An Appeal to Job (36:16-25)
   C. God Is Great (36:26-37:23)
       1. God's greatness in nature (seasons)
           a. God's sovereign glory in the autumn storm (36:26–33)
           b. God's sovereign glory in the winter (37:1–13)
           c. God's sovereign glory in the summer (37:14–18)
       2. Job's inability to understand God's ways (37:19–23)
   D. Conclusion: God is to be Feared (37:24)

CONCLUSION: GOD AND THE GOSPEL

57 min
July 09, 2023 Essential Elements of a Christian Worldview | Selected Scriptures
Essential Elements of a Christian Worldview | Selected Scriptures

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INTRODUCTION

I. Epistemology (Knowledge)

A. We Must Believe Something Before We Can Know Anything

Augustine rightly observed, "I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but rather, I believe in order that I may understand."

A worldview is the lens by which every person views the important matters of life.

B. The Essential Role of Presuppositions

1. Touchstone Propositions

2. According to the Bible, absolute knowledge is possible

C. The Bible is God’s Word (that is our touchstone proposition, our presupposition)

II. Theology (God)

A. Why Start with Knowledge (Epistemology) and not with God?

B. There’s One God and He is Holy, Personal, Omnipotent Spirit

III. Humanity (Man)

A. Are Humans Free, or is Biology Destiny?

B. Man is Unique with Special Dignity and Purpose

1. All People are Created by God in the “Imago Dei”

IV. Metaphysics (Reality)

A. Does Life Have Meaning, Purpose?

V. Morality (Ethics)

A. There Can be no Evil Apart from an Absolute Source of Good (God)

B. There is a Universal Understanding that Some Things are Wrong (evil) - Romans 2:14-15

CONCLUSION
57 min
June 25, 2023 The Third Speech of Elihu: God is Indebted to None | Job 35:1-16
The Third Speech of Elihu: God is Indebted to None | Job 35:1-16

***For a complete sermon transcript click on the "Notes" icon above***

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INTRODUCTION FROM NEHEMIAH 8

III. Elihu’s Third Speech: Is God Obligated? (35:1-16)
   A. Job’s Arguments (1-3)
       1. Job claims a greater righteousness than God (2)
       2. Job claims that being good doesn’t matter (3)

   B. Elihu’s Answers (4-15)
       1. First Answer: God’s Transcendent Aseity (4-8)
       2. Second Answer: Job Has Become Proud (9-15)
           a. An example of pride in those who suffer (vv. 9, 12)
           b. Elihu gives an example of how people should respond (10-11)
               (1) There needs to be the recognition of three things:
                   (a) God as Creator
                   (b) God as Comforter
                   (c) God as Counselor
           c. God does not hear the prayers of the wicked (13)
d. Application to Job (14-15)

   C. Elihu’s Assessment (16)
       1. Elihu’s assessment is the same as God’s
57 min
June 04, 2023 The Second Speech of Elihu: God is Just | Job 34:1-37
The Second Speech of Elihu: God is Just | Job 34:1-37
God is the gold standard
***For a complete sermon transcript click on the "Notes" icon above***

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II. Elihu's Second Speech: Is God Fair? (34)
   A. Announcement For All to Listen (1-4)

There is a difference between suffering because of your sin or sinning because of your suffering.
   B. Allegations Made by Job (5-9)
   C. Answers Given by Elihu (10-30)
       1. To All (10-15)
           a. Elihu's Axiom: God Cannot Err (10-11)
               (1) God's Nature (12-15)
       2. To Job (16-30)
           a. Job Sits in Judgement Over God (16-17)
           b. God is the Standard of Righteous Judgment (18-30)
               (1) He Judges Without Partiality (18-19)
               (2) He Judges Without Uncertainty (20)
               (3) He Judges Without Ignorance (21-25)
               (4) He Judges Without Secrecy (26-28)
               (5) He Judges Without Impatience (29-30)
   D. Appeals for Job to Repent ( 31-37)
       1. Elihu’s Proposition: Change Your Ways Job (31-33)
       2. Elihu’s Challenge: The Trial Must Continue Until Job Reforms (34-37)

Three Concluding Thoughts:
   1. You Can’t Know A Standard Without a Voice
   2. Standards Are Violated, We Call That Sin
   3. The Ultimate Standard Came to Set Us Free
57 min
May 21, 2023 The First Speech of Elihu: God Is The Sovereign | Job32:1-33.33
The First Speech of Elihu: God Is The Sovereign | Job32:1-33.33
Keep trusting your sovereign and good God – especially when life hurts.

***For a complete sermon transcript click on the "Notes" icon above***

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INTRODUCTION: What to Think of Elihu . . .

I. Elihu’s Introduction (Job 32)
   A. Ambition of Elihu (1-5, 16-22)
       1. Elihu is Angry (1-5)
       2. Elihu is Anxious (16-22)
   B. Awareness of Elihu (6-12)
   C. Argument of the Three (13-15)

II. Elihu’s First Speech (Job 33)
   A. Allegations Made by Job (33:1-11)
       1. Job is faultless (9)
       2. God is unfair (10)
       3. God is aloof (11)
   B. Answers Given by Elihu (12-30)
       1. God is the standard of righteousness (12)
       2. God answers to no one (13)
       3. God provides (14-30)
           a. He provides guidance (14-22)
               (1) He guides through revelation — dreams and visions (14-18)
               (2) He guides through affliction – pain and suffering (19-22)
           b. He provides a mediator (23-30)
               (1) Angel, Human Messenger, Messiah?
   C. Appeals for Job to Listen to Wisdom (31-33)

CONCLUSION:
   1. For the Believer Suffering is Not Punitive
       The teaching of Job’s Three Friends—Not True of Us
   2. For the Believer Suffering May be Corrective
       The Teaching of Elihu—Might Be True for Us
   3. For the Believer Suffering is Always Instructive
       Teaching of Elihu—Always True for Us
57 min
April 23, 2023 Salvation, the Law, and Following Jesus | Matthew 19:16-22
Salvation, the Law, and Following Jesus | Matthew 19:16-22

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Introduction

I. How Do I Obtain Eternal Life? Do I recognize my need? (v. 16)

II. Do I Know Who Jesus Is? Do I know what "good" means? (v. 17)

   A. Jesus points the Young Ruler to three things: The holiness of God; the sinfulness of man; the Person of the Messiah

III. Am I a Law-Keeper or a Law-Breaker? Do I sense my sinfulness? (vv. 17-20)

A. Three Uses of the Law
       1. Theological:
       2. Civil:
       3. Practical:

IV. Have I Considered the Cost? Am I ready to believe and repent? (vv. 21-22)

Conclusion: Four Questions That May Determine Where you Spend Eternity . . .
48 min
March 19, 2023 The Nature of True Revival | Selected Scriptures
The Nature of True Revival | Selected Scriptures

* This recording is of rather poor quality and has been heavily edited. The unedited 65 minute version can be seen on our YouTube channel.

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Introduction: Cultural Confusion and the Need for Revival

“Revival is the God-given biblical transformation of individuals, churches, and cultures”

I. True Revival is Authored by God
II. True Revival Comes Through Prayer
III. True Revival is Biblically Orthodox
IV. True Revival Results in Greater Holiness
V. True Revival Passes the Test
VI. True Revival Begins in the Church
VII. True Revival Results in a Greater Passion for Evangelism

Conclusion: Revival and Your Heart
57 min

About Grounded In Grace

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Grounded In Grace is the teaching ministry of Tony Bartolucci, Minister of Preaching at Christ Church of Clarkson, New York. He has an M.A. from Phoenix Seminary and is a doctoral candidate at…

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Grounded In Grace

Grounded In Grace episodes

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