Sermons

Christian has a of ups and downs in sanctification, but a lot of downs. Pastor Jared tells a story of one such a believer whom the Lord blessed not because of his sanctification but because of God meeting the conditions of the conditional covenant.

Sinners are not those outside, unbelievers. The sinners are the people in the church. Believers, lie, gossip, and violate the ninth commandment, sometimes even under the pretense of keeping it.

If all people are totally depraved, why are there many wise and good unbelieving great neighbors, fair judges, smart philosophers? Rev. Jeff Karel explains that these occurrences are totally consistent with the doctrine of total depravity; law of God written on the hearts of all people is often enough to produce civic righteousness. This is, however, not a salvific righteousness before God.

Christian life is a life of trouble, trials and temptations, yet throughout history people are tempted to comfort suffering believers by telling them to pray more, repent, believe, etc. In Psalm 88 we see a proper approach to deal with suffering.

To Christians, it is not necessary to get involved in a ministry. Therefore, Calvinistic work ethic is about doing one's best and working hard.

What does Scripture mean when it calls sinners as "dead in sin"? Does total depravity mean people are unable to freely choose good or bad? Rev Karel explains that total depravity choose to do everything freely, but always do evil by necessity.

Moses did not receive the promises of God because he obeyed the law of Moses. He received the blessings and favor of God because of Christ. If it is ever appropriate to "how to be like Moses", then it is in this: just like Moses, look to Christ and away from your own deeds, misdeeds, feelings, circumstances, etc.

Only two chapters in to the First Book of Kings, which is supposed to describe the kingdom of God, and we see nothing but deceit, malice, murders and other worst sins--at the very top! The son of David who is supposed to be leading and strengthening this kingdom is walking in the steps of his fathers David and Adam, following the example of brother-murdering Cain. The promise of God to David are kept by God on the condition that sons of David's son will faithfully keep God's commandment; the First Book of Kings shows that it is certainly not Solomon who kept these stipulations, but Jesus was the only one who kept these requirements. God's promises are fulfilled only because of Him.

What is the secret to overcoming suffering and enjoying life? Some teachings claim that all life is meaningless and we should just live our life as please, getting what we can out of it before we die. Others claim that suffering of loss can be overcome by connecting with God via lengthy prayers, and other spiritual exercises or keeping ourselves from enjoying worldly pleasures and goods. Are any of these views Biblical?

What does it mean to be a Godly man, a man after God's heart like David? David was a man after God's own heart and even on his deathbed, in one breath he displays his reverence for the love of God AND his sinful scheming and covenant breaking. David's life shows that, as the Heidelberg says, "even the holiest have only a small beginning of this obedience." To be a man after God's own heart is to love the Gospel.