Sermons of Rev. Tom Morrison

The Scriptures state that enemies in this life will persecute Christians for their faith. Christians can persevere, however, by understanding that God will judge their enemies, and will grant them rest on the final day.

Old Testament Text: Isaiah 66

The crucifixion of Christ manifests the justice and mercy of God: His justice is manifested in Christ bearing the punishment for your sins, and His mercy is manifested in the forgiveness of your sins through Christ’s punishment.

Scripture Lesson: Romans 3:21-31

The eternal Son of God became incarnate, that is, He became man. The incarnation means that the person, Jesus Christ, has two natures: divine and human. The Belgic Confession, article 19, describes the nature of the divine and human union, and explains that the death and resurrection of Christ did not change this union and that the union occurred for the purpose of your salvation.

Scripture Lesson: Hebrews 2:5-18

In order for there to be unity in the church, God’s people must strive to be at peace with one another and external circumstances in which they find themselves; but only Christ can acheive this peace and unity for them by His Spirit.

Old Testament Text: Psalm 85

In order to save His people, the Son of God had to be incarnated as a human so that he could become the second Adam: a real man who could both obey the Law and suffer the penalty of His people breaking it.

Scripture Lesson: John 1:1-18

When Jesus Christ returns on the Final Day, non-Christians will face God’s wrath. But Christians will experience God’s approval, because of Christ’s work on the cross. In response to Christ’s work on the cross and God’s promise of approval on the final day, Christians are motivated to be watchful and self-controlled in this life.

Old Testament Text: Isaiah 59:12-20

Some in the Thessalonian church were ignorant about the eternal destiny of Christians who had died (“the dead in Christ”). Because of their ignorance, the Thessalonians grieved as if they were non-Christians without hope. Paul comforts them (and the church today) by teaching that the dead in Christ will be raised and taken into heaven when Christ returns. Likewise, those who are still alive will follow the dead in Christ into heaven.

Old Testament Text: Daniel 7:13-14

Because people are sinful by nature, it is impossible for them to seek God for salvation. Nevertheless, God seeks His elect, saving them through Jesus’ work on their behalf. God seeks and saves His people through the preaching of Jesus’ work (the Gospel), by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Because of the problems with sexual immorality within the Greco- Roman culture, Paul argues that Christians are to be chaste. Further, Paul argues that Christians must make it their ambition to live quietly, to mind their own affairs and work hard. Because these duties are God’s will for Christians, carrying them out will be satisfying. In fact, these duties are a description of what constitutes “the good life.”

Old Testament Text: Isaiah 54:11-17

Satan afflicts the church in order to destroy its community. But God secures the church’s community through the Gospel, which creates the gratitude of love that binds the church together.

Old Testament Text: Isaiah 2:10-12