Sermons tagged #Christmas

Matthew records the greatest birth in history - the birth of Jesus Christ.

I. What we have in common A. We should sing *Singing is an important aspect of worship B. We should sing with melody in our hearts *Singing should not be a bored, distracted, monotone. We should be actively thinking about what we are singing and our hearts resonating with the truths we are singing. C. We should sing to one another *We sing to God; but Paul also teaches that we should sing "to one another" II. Where we disagree A. What is the meaning of psalms, hymns, spiritual songs? Is it three distinct kinds of songs, or three kinds of psalms? The case is made for the former and not the latter. B. Regulative principle *This principle is discussed at length *While holding to the principle, there is more freedom that some want to allow. *We do not expect preaching to simply be a re-reading of a text. We expect exposition. But beyond that, scripture gives us very little specificity and a fair amount of freedom and latitude within the general boundary of "preach the Word". *The same is true for prayer: We do not expect that the only legitimate prayers are a regurgitation of the Lord's Prayer or other scripture prayers. Rather the boundaries of prayer are the content, the attitude, the kinds of petitions we bring, the God to whom we are praying, the Mediator in whose name we come. Once those boundaries are established, there is freedom and latitude for a variety of expressions and forms and words. *Why should it be more narrow and restrictive with singing? Whey can't we write hymns and songs that are governed by sound doctrine, just as we expect sermons and prayers? *Close with an application to Christmas and Easter, and Romans 14.

When reading about "gifts" we must be very careful to note the context. Cults and other extremist Christians see "gift" used for bribes or given to celebrate evil and then falsely extrapolate that out to mean that all gifts are bad. This Proverb contradicts that false teaching and we will compare Scripture with Scripture to lay out the truth about gifts. Also Reference; Ezekiel 16:33, Revelation 11:10, Acts 20:35 https://bbfohio.com

Isaiah's prophecy to the hard hearted Ahaz

In our study, we enjoyed a (day after) Christmas in July (the 26th) service and after some Christmas songs and current events, we read Scriptures related to the Incarnation in which God became Man in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah of Israel and Saviour of all who will believe. Also Reference: Matthew :1-4, Genesis 3:1, 1 Timothy 3:14-16, Matthew 4:8-11, Isaiah 53:1-3, Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:22-23, Hebrews 4:14-16 https://bbfohio.com

CURRENT EVENTS: (1) Janet Folger Porter explains the abortion connection to Issue 1 in Ohio (August 8th, 2023), (2) Greg Reese Reports on the Cloward-Piven strategy with a refresher for those who have heard of this but including excerpts of an interview with Frances Fox Piven, and (3) We review Babylon Bee headlines with explanations and commentary (and laughs). In our study, we enjoyed a (day after) Christmas in July (the 26th) service and after some Christmas songs and current events, we read Scriptures related to the Incarnation in which God became Man in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah of Israel and Saviour of all who will believe. Also Reference: Genesis 3:1, 1 Timothy 3:14-16, Matthew 4:8-11, Isaiah 53:1-3, Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:22-23, Hebrews 4:14-16, Titus 3:3-7 https://bbfohio.com

Christmas in July Service Luke1:13 " But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John." Luke 1:30 " And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God." Luke 2:10-11 " And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

Christmas in July Service. James 1:17 " Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." John 3:16 " For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

The Sermon deals with Luke 2:8-20 and the Angel's Song to the Shepherds.

Luke Chapter 2:1-7

In John 5, Jesus states some of the strongest claims He makes to deity and equality with God the Father. From this text, we learn the union that exists between God the Father and Jesus Christ. We learn that Jesus is a perfect reflection of God. This helps us in our understanding of both God and Jesus.

In this lesson Doug explains the significance of Jesus' unique birth

Paul Scharf, church ministries representative for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, presents a special edition of his weekly column for the conclusion of this Easter season of 2023. We appreciate all who read this column—and, if you are blessed by it, we hope you will tell a friend where they can find it, as well. And, please, let us know if you are aware of another outlet that may be interested in using it. Happy Easter! SharperIron version: https://sharperiron.org/article/some-thoughts-easter-monday Rapture Ready version: https://www.raptureready.com/2023/04/15/some-thoughts-on-easter-monday-by-paul-j-scharf/

Idolatry rejects and attacks God, is contrary to rational thinking, and harms one's own soul.

How does the famous incident of the golden calf connect to our lives today? Exodus 32:1–10 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord's Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that worship that is according to the desires, designs, or delights of men provokes the hot wrath of God .

Some folks like to squabble over whether Valentine's Day is "pagan" or NOT celebrating or observing it sends a message (the WRONG message) to your significant other. We'll discuss our point of view which we base solely on Scripture and where God's word says our emphasis should be and what ought to be avoided... https://bbfohio.com

When there's chaos in the church and in the world, what is the Lord doing? 2Kings 15 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these thirty-eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that despite all the chaos that we see from sinners and their sin, the history of the world and the church marches steadily on, in fulfillment of the Word of God.

The difference between religion and the worship of the Lord is the direction of one's heart. Where is yours?

PM sermons are preceded by a Confessional, Catechism, or Historic Creed lesson. Usually 5 minutes or so 1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.' " 7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also." 9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own count

Title: Who Invited Them? Speaker: Matthew Franchetti Bible: Matthew 2:1-12 Date: January 8, 2023

By the eighth century the church had compiled seven short hymns or chants sung during the advent season. Each hymn, sung in Latin, referenced a name of the Messiah, a deed of the Messiah and a call to the Messiah to return and deliver his people. So as the church remembered the 1st coming they anticipated the 2nd coming of the Lord. The last chant was a cry to Emmanuel. The first letter of each chant formed an acrostic which when repeated backwards gave the Lord's answer to their cries, "Tomorrow I come."