Restoration Church

Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of Christ, but this event has far greater implications than many understand. This sermon gives a brief overview of how the Bible fits together in one, comprehensive metanarrative in which the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central, paradigmatic event.

The Bible is understood best in four movements that together explain what we call the Gospel (Good news), the message that Jesus Christ has died to pay for our sins, rose from the dead to give us new life, and is currently making all things new. The four movements are Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. We have hope of eternal glory because of His saving work.

The headship of Christ is a neglected topic in evangelical circles. We so often forget that He is King over all (Matthew 28:18, Col 1:1-11). We see in Ephesians that Christ is the Head of the Church. The term “Head” was used to refer to Kingly authority as the king wears his crown on his head and the head controls the body. As it applies to Christ and His Church, it means that He has absolute authority. He has subsequently given us His Word (the Bible) which is authoritative and sufficient for all matters (2 Tim. 3:16-17). While God has placed pastors/elders to shepherd the Church, they do so as under shepherds submitted to Christ, Scripture being the authority for their office. This headship that Christ has is reflected in the home with husbands serving as head over the wife, loving her and sacrificing for her. In this sermon, Pastor Daniel addresses this critical doctrine of Christ’s headship.

Download the sermon slides here.

The evangelical church in America is suffering from a lack of doctrine, a lack of discipleship, and now a lack of attendance. The less faithful the Church becomes, the more troubled the society grows. One of the problems at hand is the lack of understanding of the Church and its role. People don’t seem to know what the Church is or what it is made to do. Even prominent leaders such as Andy Stanley fail to recognize the essential nature of the church, assuming live-streamed sermons count as “church”. But, the very nature of the biblical word for church “ekklesia” involves assembling together. We are called to gather together to display the truth of the Gospel and to partake in physical signs connected to spiritual realities. In this series, Pastor Daniel Samms takes us through what the Church is, what it does, and why it is essential. This sermon focuses on the Church’s role as the displayer of Truth (1 Timothy 3). Future sermons will address the essential job of Christians to assemble as a Church, the role of serving and giving, the nature of ordinances (baptism and communion), and more.

It is common for church people to go around saying “God Told Me” without clearly understanding the implications of such a phrase. The language of “Thus saith the Lord” or “The Word of the Lord” bears the weight of biblical canon. In this sermon, Pastor Daniel Samms addresses two related topics: First, he teaches on the nature of Scripture and how we got the Bible, building our confidence in the authority and clarity of the Bible. Additionally, we discuss the role of the Holy Spirit to convict, direct, and otherwise work in a time when the biblical canon is closed. We answer questions such as “How can I know that the Bible is God’s Word"?” and “How can I know that we aren’t missing books of the Bible?” Additionally, we will address the question: “How do I know if God is directing/leading me?”

There is a common misconception that Biblical commands in the Old Testament were entirely limited to the nation of Israel, but the truth is that in both the Old and New Testaments, both Jews and Gentiles were held to God’s moral and civil laws. As Paul says in 1 Timothy 1:8-11, the law is useful if one uses is usefully.

Christians have been far too timid about bringing biblical commands into the civil arena. God designed governments to be ruled by laws (His laws), not by the whims of the populace or the pride of tyrants. The founding fathers of the United States understood the role of God’s Law as the foundation for a just society. This is why they cited Deuteronomy more than any other book and why they regularly prayed in the meetings.

This sermon addresses the issue of the lawful use of God’s law in the civil realm.

Quick Historical Review on the Relationship Between the Church and the State in the United States:

There is no mention of a "separation of church and state" in the constitution. Rather, the "establishment clause" of the First Amendment to the US Constitution says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

Thomas Jefferson, in his letter to the Danbury Baptist Association (Jan 1, 1802), is who referred to the establishment clause as "building a wall of separation between Church & State" to ease their fear that the state might try to take control of the church (not vice versa). The establishment clause exists to keep the state out of church business and is a separation of governments, not a separation of lawfulness or religion. Standard laws related to theft, murder, etc. still apply to the church, and Christians are still to influence the state through non-coercive means.

At the drafting of the Constitution, most states had "state churches" and this was permitted. The establishment clause ensured that there would be no "national church/denomination" (like the church of England which established a single denomination of Christianity).

The founding fathers presumed us to be a Christian nation, and cited Deuteronomy more than any other book as the basis for our constitution.

In the majority opinion of the SCOTUS decision on Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States, 143 U.S.457 (1892) the court acknowledged that the USA is a Christian nation.

The USA was established on God's Law and led to peace, prosperity, and liberty.

Quick Historical Review on the Results of Atheism in the French Revolution:

The French Revolution rejected Christianity and established "The Cult of Reason" as an atheistic substitute for Christianity.

Three days after forcing the Christian bishop out of Notre Dame, on Nov. 10, 1793 the Christian vestments were removed from the temple, a woman was dressed as "The Goddess of Reason," statues of enlightenment thinkers were erected, and a congregation sang, ""Come, Holy Liberty, dwell in this temple; become the Goddess of the French people." The French people publicly rejected Christianity and adopted atheistic religiosity in defiance of God.

The Cult of Reason spread quickly but ended quickly when it's leaders, Chaumette and Jacques Hébert, were taken to the guillotine (March 24, 1794).

The French Revolution saw multiple government changes, multiple constitutions, and years of bloodshed.

The atheistic French Revolution was marked by "The Reign of Terror" (5 September 1793 – 27 July 1794) in which "The Revolutionary Tribunal" killed many, including many of their own allies. The bloodshed continued until Napoleon brought 'order."

The French Revolution had no objective moral law (because they rejected it) but had "inequality" as its chief enemy. Anyone who was perceived to have more could be considered an enemy of "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity."

The French revolution was established on atheism and led to bloodshed, poverty, and tyranny.

Quick Review of the Role and Function of the Law:

We are NOT saved by obeying the Law. We are saved by grace through the saving work of Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).

We should obey God's law unless He specifies otherwise (Acts 10:15) just as the sacrificial and ceremonial aspects of the Law have been overridden in the New Covenant and are no longer applicable (Hebrews 1-13).

The apostles believed that the moral commands of the Law were essential as a guide for right living and that the civil and punitive aspects of the Law were just as valid as ever (1 Timothy 1:5-11)

The book of Judges traces the history of God’s people between Joshua’s death and the ministry of Samuel. It is. an account of Israel’s repeated disobedience, suffering, repentance, and restoration as Israel shows itself in need of a King. As we will see in 1 Samuel, not just any king will do. Ultimately, the account of Judges points to the need for the King of Kings.

There are some parallels between Israel’s Idolatry and the troubles of our present day. The Canaanite gods, Ba’al and Ashtoreth desired debaucherous worship practices involving transgenderism, sexual promiscuity, self-mutilation, and infanticide. Sadly, the Israelites compromised by not eradicating the Canaanites as God had commanded, and the idolatry of Canaan became a snare for the Israelites.

Apart from Christ cultures descend into self-destruction. Secularism is merely paganism under a different name. The same gods are worshipped in the same way under different names. We are witnessing it now. We are entering this study of Judges to learn how to respond in the midst of a pagan culture. What’s more, we can be reminded that the King Israel needed has already come. Let’s drive out the Canaanites, brothers and sisters.

https://restorationhcn.org

2 Timothy 3:10-17 reminds us that Christians who seek to live faithfully will likely face persecution. Notably, the faithless are not expected to suffer as the faithful do. In this sermon, we discuss key principles about persecution and how to remain faithful when tyrants and adversity are in the path. Notably, the power of the Word of God remains central.

There is a lack of exegetical teaching in many “evangelical” churches that leaves Christians ill-prepared to discern truth from error. Further, there is a lack of understanding related to the value of theology and Church history. Faithful Christians have been responding to error for millennia, and their shoulders are worth standing on insomuch as they stand on the Word of God. In this sermon, we outline biblical parameters related to the essentials of the faith and discerning truth from error. Additionally, we take a brief look at creeds, confessions, and statements of faith as they pertain to Christian doctrine.

God commands His people to teach their children the things of God. Deuteronomy 6 outlines the essential teaching about God and His work, the things we are to believe and teach to our children. With it comes a warning to avoid the gods of the age that tempt us to abandon the Truth. This sermon reminds us of God’s commands to teach the Truth diligently to our children and provides a few practical tools for doing that very thing.