Porter Podcast

1 Corinthians 15, Revelation 21:1-7

Series: Apostle’s Creed

Until He Comes Again

Acts 1:1-11

Recap

Creeds are simple, concise statements revealing the essential beliefs of believers.  The Apostle’s Creed is the oldest, widely utilized creed.  The creed summarizes the key components of the apostle’s teaching. 

Creeds are not infallible and, therefore, should not be treated as Scripture.  

He ascended into heaven,

Acts 1:1-11

is seated at the right hand of the Father,

I John 1:8-2:1

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

Galatians 5:22-23

The Spirit transforms us is through our weaknesses and our confession of our need for God.

Ephesians 1:13-14 

the holy catholic church, 

catholic = universal

the communion of saints, 

communion = together as one  (local expression)

 Romans 12:4-5

the forgiveness of sins

Today’s Takeaways:

Be confident. Christ is the Lord of heaven, and He is in control of our life. 

Be faithful.  We have the responsibility to represent our King well.   

  Get Connected.  The church is God’s plan for all of His people.     

Live in peace.  The presence of the Holy Spirit guarantees God will not abandon you.

My Next Step   (put a box to check here on each of these... )

 Ask God to produce the fruit of Spirit in my life.  
 
Get connected to a local church family.

Put my faith in Christ as my Savior. 

 Be baptized into the church to show my faith. 

Series: Apostle’s Creed

Of Most Importance

I Corinthians 15:1-7

Recap

Creeds are simple, concise statements revealing the essential beliefs of believers.  The Apostle’s Creed is the oldest universal creed, and its goal is to summarize the key components of the apostle’s teaching.  No creed is infallible and, therefore, should not be treated as Scripture.  

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried;

The reference to Pilate establishes the crucifixion as a historical fact. 

In the brutality of the cross, we see God’s displeasure with sin. 

He Descended to the dead.

Regardless of interpretation, the phrase “He descended to the dead” shows the extent of His love. 

The third day He rose again from the dead.

why I believe in the resurrection

·      the multiple witnesses  

·      the martyr death of the disciples

·      the rapid spread of the message 

·      the faith of his brothers

·      an internal affirmation of truth  

Today’s Takeaways:

The cross reminds us that all people are broken and need to be reconciled with God. 

  The resurrection validates Christ’s payment for our sin and assures our victory over the grave. 

  The cross should smash our pride.  

The cross declares that you do not have to carry your sin--Jesus has taken it away!

Series: The Apostle’s Creed

Jesus’ Identity

Philippians 2:5-11

Recap

The Latin word Credo means “to believe.”  Creeds were statements about faith essentials. The Bible is our final authority, but we can find value in some historical creeds. 

The Apostle’s Creed is one of the oldest creeds and seeks to provide a summary account of the 12 Apostles’ teachings about Christ. 

The Apostle’s Creed focuses on the fact that Christians believe in a Triune God. 

Christology = the study of the Person, Nature and Work of Jesus. 

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord

Matthew 16:13-16

.   

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, 

born of the Virgin Mary.

John 1:1-3, 14

Jesus has always been fully God, and he became fully man. 

Luke 1:1-3

Today’s Takeaways

Understanding the person of Jesus can guard you from heretical teaching.

The God-Man Jesus enables us to understand the nature of God and the intended nature of man. 

Hebrews 1:1-3

The fact that God the Son came to earth reveals the love of God for humanity.

Philippians 2:5-11

Series:  The Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God the Father

Jude 3

the apostle’s creed 

The word “creed” comes from the Latin word “credo,” meaning      “I believe.”  The Apostle’s Creed is one of the earlier creeds           (ca 375-400 AD).  It was originally written in Latin and was called the ‘Apostles’ Creed’ because it was believed to be an accurate summary of apostolic teaching.  

Creeds, Confessions & Statements of Faith

·      Creeds are simple, concise, liturgical written statements which primarily deal with essentials of the faith.

·      Confessions/Statements of Faith are more detailed works that deal with both primary and secondary doctrines. 

·      Catechisms are a series of question and answers designed to teach the faith.  

The Bible is the primary and final authority in all of our church’s beliefs and decisions.  

the value of creeds

·      Formation

·      Distinction 

·      Connection to History

·      Connection to Community

While the creeds hold value, they are not inerrant.  

I believe in God,          

Romans 10:9-10 

The creed’s construction highlights the importance of the Trinity. 

the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Psalm 103:8-13

Our God is infinitely powerful, yet He is intimately personal.

Jeremiah 32:27

Genesis 1

·      His creation was ex nihilo.              

·      His creation was easy. 

·      His creation was good.  

·      His creation was purposeful.

Acts 17:22-27

John 1:12  

Today’s Takeaways

We must know that a creed has no saving power, but it can point us to biblical truth.

Our God is a Trinity and, thereby, a loving, relational God. 

Understanding that God is infinitely powerful and intimately relational is essential to having a healthy personal identity. 

Through Jesus, we can know Him as Father and find rest for our souls. 

Series: The Art of Forgiveness

Reconciliation: Beauty Mixed with Mystery

Philemon 12-25

Philemon’s Purposes:

To reveal that God can forgive anyone.  

To admonish Christians to forgive and seek reconciliation. 

Recap

Philemon is the shortest letter of Paul. It was written to an individual member of the church at Colosse. The 3 main characters in the book are Philemon, Paul and Onesimus. 

Philemon 12-25

Biblical Lessons for Us

1.             Forgiven people forgive people.  

2.             Reconciliation is not the same thing as forgiveness

            Forgiveness deals with retaliation; reconciliation     deals with relationship.

3.             Reconciliation does not always mean the past relationship is the same.

4.             Reconciliation is a humble, volitional, two party activity.

            If you are the offender

ü Repent 

ü Ask for forgiveness, 

ü Make amends

Matthew 5:23-26

            If you are the offended

ü Release your right to retaliate

ü Work on your part

ü Acknowledge God’s sovereignty

ü Confirm repentance

ü Be realistic 

 Romans 12:16-19

5.             Reconciliation is a powerful witness. 

the Gospel in Philemon 

            All of our relationships provide an opportunity to point people to Christ, even those that require forgiveness. 

Series: The Art of Forgiveness       

The Beauty of Redemption

Philemon

Book of Philemon

Philemon is the shortest of Paul’s writings.   It was written from prison sometime between AD 55-62.  The letter to Philemon has close connections to the book of Colossians. 

Philemon was a private letter.  The letter focuses on three people: Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus.

The slavery problem

Galatians 3:28

Philemon 

Onesimus = Useful

pote = Formerly, Once, Then

de nuni = But Now, Currently

Biblical Lessons

1.    We all have a past of which we need forgiveness.

2.    We all have a debt we cannot pay -- only Christ can cover our sin.

            2 Corinthians 5:21

Double imputation (2-WAY TRANSFER):

My Sin on Jesus, His Righteousness in me

3.  People in Christ are transformed. 

o   Our standing has changed.

o   Our Character is changed.

Colossians 3:7

o   The trajectory of our lives has changed. 

4.  It takes transformed hearts to experience true forgiveness. 

July 4, 2021

Appropriately Patriotic

Psalm 33:10-22

Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters.

 Fear God. Honor the emperor.

I Peter 2:17

Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait

 for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:20

Patriotic Mistakes

·      Confusing Patriotism with Christianity

·      Claiming that Patriotism is Idolatry

An Appropriately Patriotic Christ Follower 

Acknowledges nations are temporary and only God is eternal

Remembers God honors the nation that honors Him       

Faith’s Influence on America

            Faith inspired the settlement of America.

            Faith influenced the education of America.   

            Faith encouraged the leaders of America.  

            Faith shaped the heart of America.  

Knows God is the source of our hope--not our military or our wealth.  

            “America is great because America is good.  If she ceases to be good, she’ll cease to be great.”

Alexis de Tocqueville

Realizes the most patriotic thing you can do for your country is to live a Godly life.  

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

Proverbs 14:34

Series: Open House

Hospitality and the Church

3 John

Hospitality…

·      was valued in the Scripture and in the culture. 

·      is consistent with the character of God.

·      is a key part of the Christian mission strategy.

·      is expected to be prevalent among church members. 

3 John

Quick Facts

            It was written between 60 - 90 AD. 

            Historically, it has been attributed to John, the apostle. 

            It is the shortest book in the Greek New Testament.

            It focuses on 3 men:  Gaius, Diotrephes and Demetrius. 

The Context

The congregations still met primarily in homes.  Mission work is expanding rapidly. The early church was still governed by the apostles; however, the leadership structure of the church was starting to transition.  

The Message

Christians and churches are expected to be hospitable, especially toward those who are serving Jesus.  

The Text

            “I have no greater joy than this:

 to hear that my children are walking in truth.”

            “you are acting faithfully in whatever you do 

for the brothers and sisters, especially when they are strangers.”

            “we ought to support such people so that

 we can be coworkers with the truth.”

“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.”

biblical lessons

The one who knows God is transformed.  The lack of Christian obedience is to be regarded as a mark of an absence of a Christian experience.

A part of “walking in the truth” is living a hospitable lifestyle.

All Christians are called to missionary investment.

Hospitality is a billboard for Jesus.