Providence Church

This is a message concerning a family blessed by the presence of Christ. The Ark of the Covenant typifies Christ. It was left by David at the home of Obed-Edom. Providentially, he was in the right place at the right time. He was a Gentile, even a Philistine. David trusted him and God blessed him. This message looks at ways God blesses by the presence of Christ found in both Testaments. The text says: "the Lord blessed the house - the family - of Obed-Edom."

This is a passage of warning. James directly calls them "adulterers and adulteresses." He warns against making friends with the world. Its philosophy, religion and morality are the enemies of God. He calls them to grace. He gives them two exhortations: "submit to God" and "resist the devil." The first seven verses present the triumvirate of evil: the flesh, the world and the devil. Believers are in a lifetime battle.

This is a message concerning a family blessed by the presence of Christ. The Ark of the Covenant typifies Christ. It was left by David at the home of Obed-Edom. Providentially, he was in the right place at the right time. He was a Gentile, even a Philistine. David trusted him and God blessed him. This message looks at ways God blesses by the presence of Christ found in both Testaments. The text says: "the Lord blessed the house - the family - of Obed-Edom."

In this passage, Jesus is not the great encourager, the great pacifier, or the great unifier, He is the Great Offender. He divides His own household and His own country. He is not a compromiser. Verse three uses a word describing Him, "offended." It's a word that refers to a trap used in hunting, maybe a bird or a squirrel. He is the trap. It's also the word for "stumbling-block." Men stumble over the truth and are caught for judgment.

In this passage, Jesus is not the great encourager, the great pacifier, or the great unifier, He is the Great Offender. He divides His own household and His own country. He is not a compromiser. Verse three uses a word describing Him, "offended." It's a word that refers to a trap used in hunting, maybe a bird or a squirrel. He is the trap. It's also the word for "stumbling-block." Men stumble over the truth and are caught for judgment.

The Oklahoma Land Rush in 1889 allowed people to choose a section of land then plant their flag of ownership. James declares at the beginning of chapter two that it's "the faith of Jesus Christ" that is the message in which we plant our stake. Our worship and our life-ethic is to be fully engulfed in "the faith." He begins chapter three calling the want-to-be preachers to turn to righteousness. He begins chapter four asking what is the source of conflict?

The Oklahoma Land Rush in 1889 allowed people to choose a section of land then plant their flag of ownership. James declares at the beginning of chapter two that it's "the faith of Jesus Christ" that is the message in which we plant our stake. Our worship and our life-ethic is to be fully engulfed in "the faith." He begins chapter three calling the want-to-be preachers to turn to righteousness. He begins chapter four asking what is the source of conflict?

Sovereign grace is a wonder and a warning. The Hebrew children saw its wonder when they were delivered from Egypt. They had observed he promise of deliverance by blood on the door lentil pointing to the effectual, justifying blood of Christ. Still, they turned from the Lord. This stands as a warning. The New Testament word for their turn is "apostasy." This message explores that fearful warning.

Sovereign grace is a wonder and a warning. The Hebrew children saw its wonder when they were delivered from Egypt. They had observed he promise of deliverance by blood on the door lentil pointing to the effectual, justifying blood of Christ. Still, they turned from the Lord. This stands as a warning. The New Testament word for their turn is "apostasy." This message explores that fearful warning.

Following the healing of the woman with the "issue of blood," Jesus said, "thy faith has made thee whole." Did Jesus mean the act of her faith or the object of her faith? The Gadarene and the twelve-year-old girl in the same text had no faith. The thief on the cross had no faith. Jesus made her whole. This message looks at seven descriptions of faith in the New Testament. It closes considering Jesus' call to rest by faith in Matthew 11.