Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church (EPC)

This is a message about thankfulness and the power of it in our lives. In Christ we have much to be thankful for. Through Jesus, God has qualified us to share in His inheritance. He has delivered us from the kingdom of darkness. He has transferred us to His Son’s Kingdom. He has redeemed us and forgiven our sins. When we return thanks to God for these things, we are strengthened in our inner most being; the place we need to be strengthened the most.

Jesus called an interesting group of “guys” to be His Disciples. This is not an awe inspiring group. The Magnificent 7, would certainly be more qualified by our standards. It has been said, Jesus did not have a backup plan for these guys. But God used them warts and all. So what does this tell us about God’s plan for our lives? He will use us just as we are.

For the past 4 weeks the messages have been about the 5 Solas of the Reformation. This is the final week and our theme is Solus Christus, Christ alone. What the Reformers meant by this phraise is that not only is Jesus the only way, He is suffcient. We do not need to add anything to His work.

Faith and faith alone is the only way we can obtain salvation. It is in the words of Michael Horton the “empty hand embracing Christ!” It is not faith in our faith, or developing a mental attitude which eradicates doubt in our heart. It is the gift of God which embraces Jesus Christ.

Martin Luther found he could do nothing to merit the favor of God. Favor with God is not something we can buy, nor is it like the carrot that is dangled before a mule. Grace is the free unmerited favor given to us by God and God alone. Therefore salvation is that which comes through Jesus Christ, comes to us as God’s free gift.

One of the hallmarks of the Reformation was that all that was created were all for God’s Glory. God's work of Redemption through Jesus Christ is also meant to glorify Him. We are left with only one option to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

Paul’s great chapter on love is 1 Corinthians 13. This is the glue that holds all church life together, the one distinctive element that eternally binds the body of Christ, the Church, together.

After participating in a memorial service this week, I was struck with the fact that we very rarely hear the passages that are read for funeral services on Sunday morning. We should hear them read occasionally so that we might be blessed by the powerful promises we have in Jesus Christ.

This message begins a series of sermons on the meaning of church membership. The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is integral to the life of the Church. How should we approach it? What are its requirements? What are its promises?

A back to school sermon. Isaiah shows us that God is with us in every transition of life. The promise to us who believe, and our children. He will keep us now and one day He will gather up all His people, so that we will be with Him and each other forever.