Northpointe PCA Sermons

By Northpointe Presbyterian ChurchReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Northpointe PCA Sermons episodes

May 23, 2021May 23, 2021; Sunday Evening Worship
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-25
Order of Service
Call to Worship — Psalm 96:7-10
Hymn — Brethren, We Have Met to Worship (#381)
Prayer of Invocation
Hymn — (#629)
Pastoral Prayer
Sermon
Benediction
Sermon Title: Conducting Ourselves as Children of God and Redeemed Believers
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-21
I. The Indicative-Imperative Pattern in the New Testament Epistles
A. The indicative mood states facts; the imperative mood states commands
Peter establishes who believers are in Christ in 1 Peter 1:1-12 (indicatives), then moves to commands for living (imperatives) beginning in verse 13
B. The word therefore in verse 13 ties the commands back to the facts of who we are in Christ
Without the indicatives, the imperatives crush the sinner or drive him to vain and presumptuous efforts
II. How We Are to Conduct Ourselves as Children of the Father
(1 Peter 1:14-17)
A. We are to be obedient children
"Children of obedience" is a Hebrew idiom — obedience is not optional but defines what it means to be a child of God
To live disobediently is to forfeit the right to call God "Father"
We are not to conform to the passions of our former ignorance
B. We are called to holiness because God is holy
Peter quotes Leviticus 11:44: You shall be holy, for I am holy
The word "call" in verse 15 is a summons — effectual calling — by which God draws his elect to himself
Holiness is to cover all conduct, not merely certain parts of life
As total depravity corrupts every faculty of man, so redemption is meant to cover every faculty — God seeks to redeem the whole man
C. We are to conduct ourselves with fear before the impartially judging Father (1 Peter 1:17)
We must never presume on the grace of God or assume God will overlook secret sin
God has no favorites in the household of faith; he judges each one's deeds impartially
Presumption on grace has been the downfall of many prominent pastors — the belief that service to the kingdom earns a blind eye toward private sin
III. How We Are to Conduct Ourselves as Redeemed Believers
(1 Peter 1:18-21)
A. We have been ransomed by the precious blood of Christ, not by silver or gold
Ransom carries the idea of a payment to redeem someone from bondage
The language of a spotless, unblemished lamb echoes the Old Covenant sacrificial system — we are ransomed from the wrath of God himself
God is both the one who receives the payment and the one who gives the payment through his only begotten Son
Therefore our obedience, giving, and offerings are never to win God's favor but are always thanksgiving offerings — his favor has already been won through Christ
Cf. Peter's rebuke of Simon in Acts 8:20: May your silver perish with you
B. Christ was foreknown before the foundation of the world and manifested in the last times for our sake (1 Peter 1:20)
"Foreknown" carries the sense of foreordination (cf. 1 Peter 1:2; Ephesians 1:3-14)
God never foreknows Christ apart from the body — when the Father sees the Son he sees all those the Son came to die for
Assurance: God the Father will never stop loving his Son, and because we are united to the Son from before the foundation of the world, our standing in his love is eternally secure
C. Faith itself is the gift of God given through Christ (1 Peter 1:21)
Ephesians 2:8: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God
Hebrews 12:2: Christ is the founder and perfecter of our faith — God does not give us the Son and then ask us to supply our own faith; he gives faith through the Son
D. The hope of the believer is living and eternal, not futile and vain
The word futile in verse 18 was commonly used of pagan idols — dead hope in dead things
The world can only offer hope that is here today and gone tomorrow
The hope that is in Christ — whom God raised from the dead — is a living, meaningful, eternal hope anchored in a person seated at the right hand of the Father
The governing question behind obedience: Where do you place your happiness? — whatever fills that blank determines where your hope, obedience, and submission lie
Hope in the things of this world produces submission to vain and fleeting things; hope in Christ produces obedience to God and an eternal, living hope
28 min
May 16, 2021May 16, 2021; Sunday Evening Worship
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:10-12
Order of Service
Call to Worship — Psalm 107:1-3
Hymn — Marvelous Grace of Our Loving Lord (#465)
Prayer of Invocation
Hymn — Rock of Ages (#499)
Prayer Requests
Pastoral Prayer
Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 1:10-12
Sermon
Benediction
Sermon Title: The Prophets, the Spirit, and the Church
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:10-12
I. The Prophets Searched and Inquired Concerning Salvation in Christ
A. Peter draws attention back to the full complex of salvation described in 1 Peter 1:3-9, calling it "grace" — God's unmerited (even demerited) favor toward sinners in Christ
Every aspect of redemption is of grace; these Christians in Asia Minor are undeserving recipients of what the prophets foretold
B. The prophets searched and inquired tirelessly (like Bereans) to understand what they had been given to prophesy
They inquired about the manner and time — how and when the grace would be revealed (the KJV rendering "what manner of time" is preferred)
The prophecies made clear a Messiah was coming, but how and when remained hazy in the age of types and shadows
C. The New Testament concept of mysterion (mystery) explains this haziness
Mystery = that which was hidden in the age of preparation but is now revealed in Christ
Luke 8:10 — Jesus grants his disciples knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom
Romans 16:25-27 — the mystery kept secret for long ages is now disclosed through the gospel
Old Testament prophecies come into clear focus because Christ has come
D. We now know more than the prophets understood — even more than the angels
1 Peter 1:12 — angels long to look into these things
Ephesians 3:10 — through the church the manifold wisdom of God is made known to rulers and authorities in heavenly places
E. Reading the Old Testament apart from Christ is to remain in haziness
2 Corinthians 3 — Paul says the Jews of his day still have a veil over their eyes when they read Moses, because they do not read him through Christ
Christ is the Yes and Amen; Colossians 1:15-16 — all creation and redemptive history finds its apex in him
II. The Prophets Were Inspired by the Spirit of Christ
A. The predictions are attributed not to the prophets but to the Spirit — and specifically the Spirit of Christ
The prophecies are God-inspired, not merely human predictions
Each prophet's personality and style shows through, but the words are the Spirit's
B. Distinction between inspiration and illumination
Inspiration: the Spirit working in the prophets to produce exactly what God intended — a closed canon
Illumination: the Spirit bringing greater clarity to believers today as they study the inspired Word; we are never inspired, but we are illumined
C. "Spirit of Christ" implies the pre-existent Son at work in the Old Testament
This relates to the filioque clause — the Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son
The Western church affirms this in the Nicene Creed; it was the cause of the Great Schism with the Eastern Orthodox Church in AD 1054
D. The sufferings (plural in Greek — intensifying the suffering) predicted by the Spirit
Isaiah 52:14 — the physical disfigurement of Christ
Isaiah 53:10 — the deeper suffering: the Father's wrath crushing him as a sin offering
The cup Christ shuddered at in Gethsemane was not Rome's or the Jews' cup but the Father's holy wrath poured out on him
E. The glories (also plural — equally intense) follow the sufferings
The triune God's plan has always been centered on the sufferings of God in the flesh
The heresy of Marcion (2nd century) wrongly separated the "cruel" Old Testament God from the loving New Testament God; Peter refutes this — the Spirit of Christ himself was predicting these sufferings in the Old Covenant
Everything in redemptive history flows from the eternal plan to come down in the Son and be crushed by his own wrath for his people
III. The Prophets Were Serving the Church of Christ
A. It was revealed to the prophets that they were serving not themselves but the church (1 Peter 1:12)
B. This theme runs throughout the New Testament
1 Corinthians 10:11 — Israel's wilderness experiences were written down for the instruction of the church, "on whom the end of the ages has come"
Romans 4:22-25 — Abraham's faith was recorded not for his sake alone but for ours, who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord
Hebrews 11:39-40 — the Old Testament saints of the Hall of Faith did not receive what was promised; God provided something better for us, so that "apart from us they should not be made perfect"
C. The church is not Plan B — she is Plan A
Israel's experiences, Israel's saints, Israel's prophets — all written down for the instruction of the church
God's redemptive promises find their perfection and completion in Christ and the church purchased by his blood
The mystery hidden in ages past is now revealed: these things have been written for us — Jews and Gentiles united to Christ — who now hold an imperishable and eternal inheritance in him
28 min
May 16, 2021The Truth and Nothing but The Truth
Scripture: Exodus 20:16; Hebrews 6:13-20
Order of Service
Call to Worship — Psalm 95:1-7
Prayer of Invocation
Confession of Faith — Westminster Shorter Catechism
Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 17
Pastoral Prayer
Offering
Sermon
Hymn — I Need Thee Every Hour
Benediction — Numbers 6:24-26
Sermon Title: The Truth and Nothing but the Truth
Scripture: Exodus 20:16; Hebrews 6:13-20
I. The Ninth Commandment Teaches the Tongue to Uphold Justice
A. The commandment is set in a judicial context — "bear false witness" places us in the courtroom
In ancient Israel, courts were held at the city gates, central to everyday life
The witness held enormous power, since there was no forensic evidence — a false witness literally held the accused's life in hand
Proverbs 25:18 — a false witness is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow
James 3 — the tongue is a fire, a deadly poison; speech can ruin people
B. The ninth commandment safeguards commandments six through eight
Commandment 6 protects life, Commandment 7 protects marriage, Commandment 8 protects property — all require a trustworthy judicial system
Deuteronomy's principle: a false witness received the same punishment as the accused (lex talionis)
Justice and truth are two sides of the same coin; that coin is peace — Psalm 85:10: righteousness and peace kiss each other
C. The commandment protects the name and honor of individuals and families
In Israel, a person's name carried their honor and reputation across generations
False witness could render a family an outcast within Israel
Slander of someone's name is an abomination before God
D. Application: Christians are to be slow to judgment and careful with accusations
We are a court unto ourselves whenever another person's name enters conversation
Disagreement is permitted, but must address content and policy — not slander the person
Social media is a prominent arena where the ninth commandment is constantly broken; the church must be different and shine bright
II. The Ninth Commandment Teaches the Tongue to Uphold Faith
A. The root of lying is self-preservation — we soil others' names to safeguard our own
We are not liars because we lie; we lie because we are liars — the deceitful heart runs deep
The original lie of the serpent in the Garden: "You need not trust God; you can be like God" (Genesis 3)
In turning from God, Adam and Eve did not become like God — they became like the serpent, the father of lies (John 8)
B. The ninth commandment asks: who do you trust — yourself or God?
Self-preservation apart from God will always require twisting the truth
Abraham Kuyper: everyday life bores us; gossip becomes the spice people use to enhance an otherwise dull life of faith
Reality television illustrates the culture's rewarding of ninth-commandment-breaking: fame comes to those who gossip, lie, and backstab most
C. Illustration: A Man for All Seasons — Sir Thomas More vs. Sir Richard
Sir Richard gives false testimony against Thomas More in exchange for being made Attorney General of Wales
More's response echoes Matthew 16:26: "It profits a man nothing to give his whole soul for the world — but for Wales?"
The question for every believer: are we entrusting our souls to God, or bartering them for measly gain through deceit?
III. The Ninth Commandment Teaches the Tongue to Uphold Christ
A. The commandments, as Galatians 3 makes clear, expose our sin and drive us to Christ
We are all liars who twist truth for self-preservation — the ninth commandment condemns us and points us to the only true Witness
B. Jesus at his trial — the ultimate courtroom scene
Matthew 26:59 — the chief priests sought false testimony against Jesus
The false witnesses twisted his words from John 2:19 — "Destroy this temple and I will raise it in three days" — a true statement perverted for wicked ends
This false witness turned the crowds from "Hosanna" to "Crucify him"
C. Jesus honored the ninth commandment perfectly
He refused to bear false witness about himself in order to gain the world
He kept his soul and entrusted it to the Father, who alone could preserve it
His truthfulness brought the cross — true justice, God's wrath poured out on sin — and then resurrection and peace: "Peace be with you"
D. The gospel ground of the commandment
Christ is the way, the truth, and the life — filled with grace and truth
In him, our lies, slanders, and half-truths have been honestly dealt with at the cross
Because we have died to the world and live unto God in Christ, we need not lie to gain the world — we already have everything in him
By the Spirit we are conformed into Christ's image: let your yes be yes and your no be no; seek the glory of God alone
34 min
May 09, 2021May 9, 2021; Sunday Evening Worship
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9
Order of Service
Call to Worship — Psalm 100:1-5
Hymn — To God Be the Glory (#55)
Prayer of Invocation
Hymn — Great Is Thy Faithfulness (#32)
Pastoral Prayer
Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 1:3-9
Sermon
Benediction — 2 Corinthians 13:14
Sermon Title: The Wonder of the Believer's Salvation
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9
I. The Father Gives Us a New Life in the Son (vv. 3–4)
A. God causes the new birth — regeneration is entirely God's work
Just as our physical birth was caused by another, so also the new birth is caused by God; we are passive, God is active
To be born again is to be born from above — a heavenly, spiritual birth wrought by the Holy Spirit in dead sinners (John 3:3)
B. The new birth is grounded in the resurrection of Jesus Christ
Union with Christ in his death and resurrection is the basis of the new birth
Romans 6:6-11 — we are dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus
Thomas Goodwin's imagery: Adam is the old "giant man" onto whose hooks we are born; Christ is the new heavenly man — by union with him we are transferred from the old Adam to the new
C. The inheritance secured by the new birth (v. 4)
In ancient Israel, inheritance was tied to birth — born into Adam we receive a perishable, defiled, fading inheritance; born into Christ we receive the opposite
Imperishable — not subject to death or decay (Matthew 6:19-20)
Undefiled — can never be corrupted or polluted
Unfading — eternal, it will never pass away
Suffering is often caused by the fading of earthly joys; 1 Peter 1:4 should be memorized for times of suffering — what is kept in heaven is imperishable
II. The Father Gives Us a New Faith in the Son (vv. 5–7)
A. God guards his people by his power through faith (v. 5)
The Greek word for "guarded" is a military term — a watchman outside city walls keeping enemies at bay
God does not guard apart from faith; faith is the instrument through which God's power protects his people
Spirit-wrought faith is God's power in action — the two are not separate
Ephesians 6:16 — Paul commands soldiers to take up the shield of faith; Peter reveals its heavenly source — two perspectives on the same battle
B. God brings trials to test and refine faith (vv. 6–7)
Distinction: God brings trials (testing), not temptations — James is explicit that God tempts no one
Examples: God's testing of Adam in the garden (the serpent brought the temptation); God's testing of Abraham in Genesis 22 with Isaac
No suffering in the Christian's life is arbitrary — every trial from the sovereign Lord is purposeful, to sharpen, mold, and refine faith and produce Christian character and living hope
Illustration: Everybody Loves Raymond — God does not want us content with the "babysitter" (this world); he uses trials to awaken hope for the new heavens and new earth
III. The Father Gives Us a New Joy in the Son (vv. 8–9)
A. Present, inexpressible joy in believing without seeing (v. 8)
Peter shifts pronouns — from "us" (he saw Christ) to "you" (they have not seen Christ)
Peter commends the faith of those who have not seen — echoing Jesus' words to Thomas in John 20:29: Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe
Encouragement to believers today: rather than beating ourselves up over weak faith, receive Christ's commendation — "blessed are you who believe and have not seen"
The joy is inexpressible — it cannot be fully articulated; it is visible in the tears of a new believer
B. The joy is filled with glory because it participates in the heavenly inheritance
Unless one is born again, one cannot see or grasp the joy of the kingdom (John 3:3)
Earthly-minded people cannot understand the heavenly joy of the believer
C. The present reality of salvation — the "already" (v. 9)
"Obtaining the outcome of your faith" is present tense — we are already saved, already seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2)
The already/not-yet: we are already saved and yet await the consummation at Christ's return
The goal of faith is the salvation of souls — not the renovation of culture, not social justice theory, not critical race theory
The gospel produces wonderful horizontal effects (reconciliation among peoples), but those effects must never be conflated with the gospel itself
The pure gospel is the proclamation of Jesus Christ crucified for dead sinners headed for hell — this must remain the primary message
33 min
May 09, 2021Stewards of God
Scripture: Exodus 20:15; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Order of Service
Announcements
Scripture Reading — Hebrews 12:22-24
Call to Worship — Hebrews 4:14-16
Hymn
Prayer of Invocation
Corporate Confession of Sin
Assurance of Pardon — Psalm 130:3-4
Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 16
Pastoral Prayer
Offering
Prayer of Dedication
Hymn
Sermon
Hymn — Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
Benediction — Romans 15:13
Sermon Title: Stewards of God
Scripture: Exodus 20:15; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
I. The Eighth Commandment Teaches Us to Be Good Stewards of People
A. Paul's expansion of the eighth commandment in 1 Timothy 1:9-10
Paul's primary example of breaking the eighth commandment is enslavement — the theft of persons
This is a primary biblical reason why chattel slavery was indefensible
B. Stealing people includes more than physical captivity
Wasting others' time and ruining reputations falls under this commandment
In 2 Samuel 15:6, Absalom "stole the hearts" of Israel — flattery and false promises constitute theft
Politicians, salesmen, and flatterers who manipulate trust violate this commandment
C. The root problem: we see ourselves as owners of hearts rather than stewards
Pride drives the desire to possess others' affections and attention
In marriage, demanding exclusive devotion is not love but pride — a spouse's heart belongs ultimately to God
Adultery often begins not with lust but with the theft of a heart that belongs to God and a spouse
A good steward directs people's hearts toward God, who alone owns them
II. The Eighth Commandment Teaches Us to Be Good Stewards of Possessions
A. God as the true owner of all things
Deuteronomy 10:14 — heaven, earth, and all within it belong to God
God graciously gave Israel the promised land; Israel was to steward it, not own it
To steal is to fail to image the giving character of God
B. Stealing is a rejection of God as provider
Tax dishonesty, overwork driven by fear, Sabbath-breaking for financial gain all say: "God has not provided enough"
Jesus defines sufficiency in Matthew 6: give us this day our daily bread — a roof, food, water, clothing, and God
C. Contentment is defined by God, not culture
Culture defines contentment by accumulation — haves vs. have-nots
When we add to the list of what makes us content, God is lost in the equation
Biblical contentment: daily bread and the presence of God — Matthew 6:9-11
III. The Eighth Commandment Teaches Us to Be Good Stewards of the Church
A. The Sabbatical Year and Year of Jubilee in Deuteronomy 15:1-4
Debts released among covenant brothers — no Israelite to remain in poverty perpetually
A distinction between the covenant community (the brother) and the foreigner
Within God's covenant people, all basic necessities are to be met through mutual giving
B. The early church embodies this pattern — Acts 2:44
Believers sold possessions and distributed to those in need
Not socialism but covenant generosity, displaying God's abundance to the watching world
Tertullian records outsiders saying of the early church: "See how they love one another"
C. God's provision comes through giving, not hoarding — 2 Corinthians 9:11; Matthew 6:33
Paul does not say: become rich, then be generous
Jesus does not say: accumulate first, then seek the kingdom
Seek the kingdom first; give first; entrust yourself to God's fatherly care
D. The contrast of Cain and Abel as the summary illustration
Cain gave scraps — present in worship but withholding himself from God
Abel gave his best firstborn and fat portions — giving himself along with his gift
Like the poor widow, Abel's sufficiency was God alone
The question for every believer: are we giving God our scraps like Cain, or our very lives like Abel?
30 min
May 02, 2021The Purity of God's People
Scripture: Exodus 20:14; Matthew 5:27-32
Order of Service
Announcements
Call to Worship — Matthew 11:28-30
Hymn
Prayer of Invocation
Confession of Faith — Belgic Confession, Article 1
Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 15
Pastoral Prayer
Hymn
Offering
Hymn — Trust and Obey
Sermon
Hymn — God Be Merciful to Me
Benediction — 1 Thessalonians 5:23
Sermon Title: The Purity of God's People
Scripture: Exodus 20:14; Matthew 5:27-32
I. The Protection of Purity Through the Protection of God's Name
A. Israel was called to be a distinct and holy nation among the pagan nations
Exodus 19:5-6 — Israel is God's treasured possession, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation
Sexual purity was one of the primary ways Israel showed its distinctiveness from surrounding nations
Leviticus 18:3 — Israel was not to follow the sexual practices of Egypt or Canaan
B. Unlike pagan law, the seventh commandment applies equally to men and women
Pagan nations held only women accountable for adultery; the commandment makes no such distinction
Matthew 5:32 — Jesus holds men equally accountable
C. Sexual sin within the covenant community soils God's name and the church's witness
1 Corinthians 5:9-13 — Paul calls the church to discipline the sexually immoral member to keep the body pure
A little leaven leavens the whole lump — unrepentant sexual sin of one member stains the entire body
Sexual sin is not merely a private act; it carries corporate ramifications for the body of Christ
D. There is hope for the repentant adulterer
2 Corinthians 2 — the church is called to forgive and comfort the restored sinner
Christ came not to bring excessive sorrow to the adulterer but to purify them with his blood
II. The Protection of Purity Through the Protection of the Heart's Desires
A. Jesus internalizes the seventh commandment, as he did the sixth
Matthew 5:27-28 — lustful intent constitutes adultery in the heart
Just as anger breaks the sixth commandment, lust breaks the seventh
B. Defeating lust requires active engagement — pray and act
Jesus is extremely practical: cut off the eye and hand — destroy the paths and avenues that lead to lust
Merely praying and hoping for change without removing occasions of temptation is foolishness
God's regenerative Spirit is essential, but Jesus does not call us to passivity
C. This is a heaven-or-hell matter
John 10:27 — Christ's sheep hear his voice; a true sheep heeds the shepherd's warning about where lust leads
Failure to destroy the paths to lust gives reason to question one's standing before God
Today is the day of salvation — pray and act now
III. The Protection of Purity Through the Protection of Man's Body
A. Man is body and soul; the body must be committed to the Lord along with the soul
The seventh commandment governs how God's people are to use their bodies
Sex is not about selfish pleasure but about selfless obedience
B. The institution of the sexual union in Genesis establishes its selfless nature
Genesis 1:28 — "be fruitful and multiply" — the sexual union considers the offspring, not selfish pleasure
Genesis 2:24 — a man shall cleave to his wife and become one flesh — a selfless act considering the spouse
C. The body belongs to God and is to be offered to him in obedience
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 — the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit; glorify God in your body
Ephesians 5:31-32 — the marriage union displays Christ's union with the church; Christ gave his body for his bride
D. Christ is the only perfectly pure man, whose sinless body and blood cleanses our sexual impurity
He who was pure in heart and deed from birth to death sheds blood that purifies the sexually immoral
His Spirit pours out to transform and sanctify the lustful heart
Turn off every screen and avenue of temptation — cling to your spouse and commit your body to the God who owns it
31 min
May 02, 2021May 2, 2021; Sunday Evening Worship
Scripture: 1 Peter
Order of Service
Call to Worship — Psalm 89:5-8
Hymn — O God of Every Nation (#600)
Prayer of Invocation
Hymn — (#261)
Prayer Requests
Pastoral Prayer
Sermon
Benediction — 2 Corinthians 13:14
Sermon Title: Elect Exiles and the Triune God of Salvation
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-2
I. The Recipients: Elect Exiles of the Dispersion
A. The term dispersion (Greek: diaspora) evokes the scattering of Israel under Assyrian and Babylonian conquest
B. Historical context: Emperor Claudius established Roman colonies in the five provinces named in 1 Peter 1:1 and expelled Jews (and likely Christians) from Rome (Acts 18:2)
C. The term exile carried the weight of covenant curse in the Old Testament, yet the prophets promised restoration
Partial fulfillment came through Cyrus, Nehemiah, and Ezra — but no king, no full covenantal blessing, corrupt priests (Malachi)
The genealogy of Matthew 1:1 announces the long-awaited King
Jesus judges the temple and declares himself the true temple (John 2:19); he is where the Father's glory now dwells
D. The inheritance of these exiles is not earthly but eternal — imperishable, undefiled, and unfading (1 Peter 1:4)
Christ has entered the true heavenly sanctuary, not a copy (Hebrews 9:24)
Believers are born from above and belong to the world Christ has inaugurated (John 3)
Suffering is expected for those not of this world, but Christ has overcome it (John 16:33)
II. The Basis of Election: The Foreknowledge of the Father
A. The Greek word prognosis (foreknowledge) means "to know beforehand"
B. In Scripture, divine "knowing" is relational and intimate, not merely intellectual
Exodus 2:25 — God "knew" Israel in their bondage: an intimate, loving knowledge
Jeremiah 1:5 — God knew Jeremiah before birth: an electing, consecrating knowledge
Matthew 7:23 — "I never knew you": not ignorance but the absence of covenant love
C. To foreknow is to fore-love; God set his love on the elect before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4-5)
III. The Agent of Election: The Sanctification of the Spirit
A. Two types of sanctification in Scripture
Progressive sanctification — the ongoing work of putting off the old man and growing in holiness by the Spirit
Definitive sanctification — God's objective act of consecrating and transferring his people from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of Christ
B. The sanctification in 1 Peter 1:2 is definitive: God sets apart his people for obedience, not as a result of it
C. The Spirit's role fulfills the new covenant promise of Ezekiel 36:27 — God puts his Spirit within his people to cause them to walk in his statutes
D. Romans 8:3-4 — what the law could not accomplish in the flesh, God accomplishes through the Spirit indwelling his people
IV. The Seal of Election: Sprinkling with the Blood of Christ
A. The language echoes Exodus 24:8 — Moses sprinkled the blood of the covenant on Israel, binding obedience to sprinkling
B. Two key differences between old covenant and new covenant sprinkling
The blood: animal blood in the old covenant only reminded of sin; Christ's blood actually cleanses the conscience and forgives sin (Hebrews 9:14; Matthew 26:28)
The Spirit: the new covenant adds the indwelling Spirit who empowers obedience (Ezekiel 36:27; Romans 8:3-4)
C. The church, like Israel at Sinai, is sprinkled with blood in the wilderness — pilgrims trekking toward their true inheritance
V. The Goal: Entering the Eternal Rest Secured by the True Joshua
A. Hebrews 4:8-14 — Joshua's conquest of Canaan did not give Israel everlasting rest; another rest remains
B. In the Greek, Jesus and Joshua are the same name — the writer deliberately contrasts them
Joshua passed through the Jordan into earthly Canaan
Jesus passed through the heavens into eternal rest at the right hand of the Father
C. Therefore believers are to hold fast their confession and strive to enter that rest (Hebrews 4:11, 14)
D. The Spirit given in the wilderness secures the perseverance and obedience of God's elect exiles until they enter that rest in Christ
30 min
April 25, 2021Introduction to 1 Peter
Order of Service
Call to Worship — Psalm 66:1-4
Hymn — All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name (#296)
Prayer of Invocation
Hymn — All to Jesus I Surrender (#562)
Scripture Reading — Psalm 13
Sermon
Benediction
Sermon Title: Introduction to First Peter — Suffering and Submission
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1
I. Background and Context of First Peter
A. Author: the Apostle Peter, one of the inner circle of Jesus alongside James and John
B. Recipients: churches in the northwestern region of Asia Minor
Provinces named in 1 Peter 1:1: Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia
Written to multiple churches, not a single individual or congregation — hence a "general epistle"
C. The General Epistles as a category
Seven general (catholic) epistles: 1 & 2 Peter, James, 1–3 John, and Jude
Written for the universal church across all regions and cultures
Early scribes titled it "The General Epistle of First Peter"
D. The timeless applicability of Scripture
1 Corinthians 10:11 — Paul uses Israel's wilderness wanderings as an example written down for the church's instruction
2 Timothy 3:16 — all Scripture is profitable for training in godliness for every person in every time and place
The modern scholarly tendency to treat the Bible as merely culturally bound is rejected; inspired Scripture is applicable to all audiences
E. Date: approximately 63 A.D.
Peter shows awareness of Paul's letters and in 2 Peter 3:16 calls them Scripture, suggesting Paul's writings were already established
Dated before 64 A.D. because the word "persecution" never appears in the letter, and in 1 Peter 2:17 Peter says "Honor the emperor" — language unlikely if Nero's official persecution had already begun after the Roman fire of 64 A.D.
II. Theme One — Suffering
A. The primary theme of 1 Peter is suffering; it appears in every chapter
B. The nature of the suffering
Courtroom-style language (trials, slander) is used, but no official court proceeding is ever mentioned
The word "persecution" never appears — the suffering is social and cultural, not yet state-sponsored legal persecution
Psalm 13 illustrates the pattern of First Peter: David cries out in suffering yet ends with trust in God's steadfast love and praise
C. Four types of cultural suffering the Asian Minor Christians faced — and their parallels today
Unpatriotic — refusing to call the emperor "Lord" (a civic loyalty act); today, prioritizing God over national identity
Disloyal to the city — not participating in civic ceremonies tied to pagan worship; today, being ostracized in a small community for not joining in cultural traditions
Unprofessional in trade — guild meetings and commerce were conducted in pagan temples; today, refusing financially expedient but dishonoring business practices
Haters of family — family fellowship was centered in pagan temple worship; today, declining to participate in family events that conflict with allegiance to Christ, and being labeled cruel or unsympathetic as a result
III. Theme Two — Submission
A. A secondary but constant theme woven through every chapter of 1 Peter alongside suffering
B. Key vocabulary of submission throughout the letter
Obedience / obedient / obeying — 1 Peter 1:2, 1:14, 1:22
Disobey / submit — 1 Peter 2:8, 2:13
Submissive / obeyed / disobeyed — 1 Peter 3:1, 3:5, 3:6, 3:20
Obey / submissive — 1 Peter 4:17, 5:5
C. The danger of using suffering as an excuse for disobedience
The modern therapeutic/psychological view of man (following Carl Trueman's analysis) teaches that painful circumstances excuse ungodly behavior — this mindset has entered the church
Peter is compassionate toward suffering but does not grant a pass from obedience; suffering never diminishes the call to submit to the Lord
In the midst of suffering, Christians are called to remain obedient and await the glory that awaits — just as Christ endured the cross for the glory set before him
28 min
April 18, 2021April 18, 2021; Sunday Evening Worship
Scripture: Proverbs 9
Order of Service
Call to Worship — Psalm 65:1-4
Hymn — A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (#92)
Prayer of Adoration
Hymn — My Jesus, I Love Thee (#648)
Pastoral Prayer
Scripture Reading — Proverbs 9:1-18
Sermon
Benediction
Sermon Title: Two Banquets — An Invitation to Life or Death
Scripture: Proverbs 9:1-18
I. The Banquet of Lady Wisdom (Proverbs 9:1-6)
A. Wisdom's house is grand and perfect
Seven pillars signify both great size and perfection in Hebrew thought
The house is open to welcome many guests
Parallels Jesus preparing a place in his Father's house — John 14:1-4
B. Lady Wisdom is tirelessly active in her preparations
She hews, slaughters, mixes, sets, and sends — in contrast to Woman Folly's idleness
Wisdom sends out messengers to call guests, as the king in the parable sends servants — Matthew 22:1-14
C. The invitation goes out to the simple and the wise — the bad and the good (Matthew 22:10)
The simple (gullible, sinful) are called — as Jesus called sinners, the Samaritan woman (John 4)
The wise and righteous are called — as Simeon and Anna awaited Messiah (Luke 2)
Scoffers and mockers are notably set aside (developed in section II)
D. The banquet is offered without cost
No payment is required — only hearing and turning
Isaiah 55:1-3: Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price
The call is a call to repentance — "let him turn" (Proverbs 9:4); cf. the rich young ruler and Jesus' call to follow him
Jesus Christ is Wisdom incarnate — the fulfillment of Wisdom's call and purpose
II. The Difference Between the Scoffer and the Wise (Proverbs 9:7-12)
A. The wise teacher is not to correct or reprove the scoffer (Proverbs 9:7-8)
The scoffer abuses and injures the one who corrects him
Wisdom sometimes means knowing when to keep silent
Matthew 7: Do not cast your pearls before swine
B. Silence toward the scoffer is not the same as giving up on him
The prodigal son was arrogant and proud — yet he "came to himself"
Sometimes the most loving act is to let someone go, pray for their humbling, and keep the door open like the waiting father
Pray that God would bring the scoffer to himself through pain and humility
C. The wise grow in wisdom without end (Proverbs 9:9)
Only Christ is perfectly wise; all others are continually growing
Philippians 3:12-14: Paul presses on toward the upward call of God in Christ
Growing in wisdom is for our own benefit and our soul's good (Proverbs 9:12)
D. The fear of the Lord bookends the entire first discourse of Proverbs
Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 9:10 — the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
Who you fear determines who you listen to
III. The Banquet of Woman Folly (Proverbs 9:13-18)
A. Woman Folly is loud but knows nothing (Proverbs 9:13)
She makes a great show of importance while possessing no true knowledge
She takes a seat in the highest places — prominent and celebrated in society
Parallels the celebrity culture: loud, prominent, but empty
B. Woman Folly is idle where Lady Wisdom is active
Folly sits; Wisdom builds, hews, slaughters, mixes, sets, and sends
Folly is all appearance — lazy, with none of Wisdom's industry
C. Both Wisdom and Folly cry out to the simple with the same words (Proverbs 9:4 and Proverbs 9:16)
Wisdom offers wine — a symbol of celebration, festivity, and abundance
Folly offers only water — a measly and stolen feast
Folly's goods are stolen; she owns nothing and has no right to offer anything
Satan is a mere creature — he cannot truly offer life, security, or peace; everything is stolen
D. The ultimate contrast is life and death (Proverbs 9:6 vs. Proverbs 9:18)
Only the Creator owns life and can give life
To walk in wisdom is to walk in life; to walk in folly is to walk in death
This is the sum of Proverbs 1–9: fear God, hear his call, and live
All the treasures of wisdom are found in Jesus Christ — Colossians 2:3
30 min
April 18, 2021Honoring Parents
Scripture: Exodus 20:12
Order of Service
Announcements
Call to Worship — Psalm 65:1-4
Hymn
Prayer of Invocation
Affirmation of Faith — Apostles' Creed
Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 13:1-39
Pastoral Prayer
Offering Prayer
Offering
Hymn
Scripture Reading — Exodus 20:12 and Ephesians 6:1-9
Sermon
Hymn
Benediction — Numbers 6:24-26
Sermon Title: Honoring Parents
Scripture: Exodus 20:12
I. Honor the Family
A. The fifth commandment is the hinge between the two tables of the law
The first table (Exodus 20:1-11) governs love of God; the second table governs love of neighbor
The commandment dealing with the home occupies the prominent first position in the second table
B. Proper love of neighbor begins in the home
Proverbs 1–9 portrays a father instructing his son in wisdom, addressing all the commandments dealing with love of neighbor
The son's obedience to commandments 6–10 flows from submission to his wise, God-honoring father
C. God consistently delivers his promises in the context of families, not merely individuals
Genesis 1:28 — God commands Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply
Genesis 6 — Noah and his entire family are saved in the ark
Genesis 12:3 — God promises Abraham that all the families of the earth will be blessed
Exodus 12 — The Passover is instituted as a family meal for instructing children
The genealogies throughout the Old Testament show God's care for generations and family lines
Jesus himself is presented in genealogies (Matthew 1; Luke 3) and grew up in submission to earthly parents
D. God himself, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is a family in himself — his love for the family flows from his own being
E. 1 Timothy 5:8 — One who does not provide for his own household has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever
F. The church must be counter-cultural in upholding the prominence of the family as the training ground for godly citizens and loving neighbors
II. Honor Father and Mother
A. The fifth commandment, though in the second table, retains a foot in the first table — for children, honoring God-honoring parents is a way of honoring God
In the Passover (Exodus 12), the firstborn child's protection depended on the father's faithful obedience in applying the blood
In Old Testament sacrifice, fathers offered on behalf of their families (cf. Job 1)
1 Corinthians 7 — Children of even one believing parent are considered holy
2 Timothy 3:14-15 — Timothy's faith is traced back to his childhood formation under his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois
B. The promise attached to the commandment: long life in the land (Exodus 20:12)
C. The severity of dishonoring parents in the Old Testament
Exodus 21:15, 17 — Striking or cursing a parent was a capital offense
Deuteronomy 21:18-21 — Capital punishment applied to a continuously and obstinately rebellious son, not a single slip; the son is described as a glutton and drunkard, endangering the family's welfare
The process required parental discipline first, then bringing the son before the elders of the city for impartial judgment
Purpose: "purge the evil from your midst" so the covenant community remains holy
D. New Testament application — 1 Corinthians 5
Paul addresses a son dishonoring his father by sleeping with his father's wife
The elders are to excommunicate the obstinately rebellious covenant member
1 Corinthians 5:13 — "Purge the evil person from among you," echoing Deuteronomy 21
The application differs (excommunication rather than capital punishment) because Christ's blood has been shed, but the purpose remains the same: to keep the covenant community holy
III. Honor Children
A. The fifth commandment's promise of long life in the land is directed to the children — it is a gracious word from God to them, not merely a harsh demand
B. The character of God displayed in the fifth commandment is one that loves and cares for children
Luke 18:15-17 — Jesus rebukes the disciples and welcomes infants, declaring the kingdom belongs to such as these
The infant's total dependence on mother is a picture of the helpless sinner's total dependence on God for salvation
C. Ephesians 6:4 — Fathers are not to provoke their children to anger, but to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord
Discipline must not be malicious or dictatorial, but gracious, merciful, and loving — mirroring the discipline of God the Father
Children are heirs of the kingdom of God and are to be treated as such, not as second-class members of the covenant community
D. Exhortation: Do not turn children away as the disciples did; honor them as Christ honors them, for the kingdom of God belongs to them
32 min

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Weekly expository preaching from the Lord’s Day morning and evening worship services at Northpointe Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Meridian, Mississippi.

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