Sermons tagged #Sovereign

What does God know about the mind with which the Spirit intercedes for the saints? Romans 8:28–30 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to God's plan to glorify them in and with His Son.

Of all that God completely owns, He specially chooses His Church alone to love. God Chose and Loves to Love You.

It is not melodramatic to say that most Christians believe they are in Christ because of some autonomous choice or act on their part. And these Christians carry a certain self-righteousness about them, a spiritual smirk that tells the world, "I am a Christian and you are not because I am better than you." This is a common, and deadly error. In this episode, we examine and affirm not only the necessity of grace and faith, but the all-sufficient nature of grace and faith in Christ alone to save and renew the dead sinner. A salvation not of ourselves.

How does the Lord judge those who trust in riches? Isaiah 23 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these eighteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord judges those who trust in riches by drying up their wealth, by bringing disaster that wealth cannot escape, and even by allowing them to stockpile wealth that will serve the Lord's own people.

Electing love sent Jesus to save us by being the opposite of what we are, bringing the opposite of what we deserve, and bearing the opposite of what He deserves.

Theme: Jesus Teaches that There are Many Obstacles to Truly Hearing the Gospel and Bearing Fruit; the Grace to Hear and Believe is a Gift of God, Multiplied. I. God Reveals His Word Through Parables – vv. 1-18 A. Jesus Speaks to the Multitudes in Parables – vv. 1-3a B. The Parable of the Sower – vv. 3b-8 II. Parables Hide the Gospel from Those Not Chosen by God to Hear – vv. 9-18 A. The Disciples Wonder at Jesus' Use of Parables – vv. 9-10 B. To Whomever Understanding Has Been Given, More Will Be Given – vv. 11-13 C. God is Sovereign, but Man is Willfully Dull – vv. 14-15 D. You are Blessed in that God Has Opened Your Ears – vv. 16-18 III. There are Many Obstacles to Truly Hearing the Gospel, We Must be Actively Listening – vv. 19-23 A. Hearing Without Understanding – v. 19 B. Stumbling because of Trials – vv. 20-21 C. Choked by Cares and Deceitful Riches – v. 22 D. Hearing, Understanding, and Bearing Fruit – v. 23

IN this sermon, we continue our series of loving God for who He is. We look at the love of God. The love of God is amazing.

We're in the final part of Acts and Paul's journey to Jerusalem then to Rome (chapters 21–28). The Holy Spirit has led Paul to Jerusalem to be arrested, to Caesarea to be tried, and now on to Rome to have his case heard by Caesar. But getting there was an adventure! Introduction: BECAUSE HISTORY IS THE OUTWORKING OF GOD'S PROVIDENTIAL PURPOSE Application: BECAUSE GOD WAS IN CONTROL OF HIS SPECIFIC LIFE

Why didn't things go differently when Jesus entered Jerusalem? Why didn't the leaders of the people acknowledge Christ as the Messiah? It was part of God's sovereign plan, and they did not want to give up their authority. After Jesus would not answer their question about His authority, He told them this allegorical parable. The man in the vineyard (representing God) went to great expense to set up this vineyard, and He rented it out to tenant-farmers. These men were blessed to be stewards of the vineyard, but they went from enjoying the blessing to thinking they were entitled to owning the place. When the owner sent for his portion of the wine – which was contractually obligated – they became defensive and wouldn't give it up. They persecuted and killed the servants (the prophets); and when God finally sent His well-beloved Son into the world, they killed Him too. With ridiculous logic, they thought they would kill the heir and then receive his inheritance. This is what sin does; it twists our thinking and causes us to rationalize and justify what we have done. Jesus took the scribes to school and asked them if they had ever read the 118th Psalm, which speaks of the rejected stone becoming the Chief Cornerstone. They had tossed this stone aside and built up a crooked system of their own. But Jesus now stands before them and says He will bear the weight of the structure and make it square and sturdy. Jesus is still the Chief Cornerstone today! And the vineyard is God's. The Church does not belong to any pastor or man. Every pastor will fail somehow, but Christ is our Head – and we need to keep our eyes on Him!

El ser comisionados con el Evangelio es un privilegio, porque el Monarca del Universo nos confía el mensaje de salvación para predicarle al mundo perdido. La semana pasada vimos la primera parte de este mensaje, hoy vamos a terminar el punto tres concluyendo con algunas observaciones acerca del verdadero personaje principal de esta historia, Dios mismo.

No one can stand against the God who is for us -- not even US The point is not to study the life of Abraham, but to point to God and to Christ Who ran the race perfectly Abram's Flight (v. 10) Abram's Fear & Folly (v. 11-13) Fear (v. 11-12) - Abram says nothing about God. He is focused on his fear that Egyptians will kill him to get Sarai, his stunningly beautiful wife Folly (v. 13) His plan: lie & say you're my sister -- Sarai has no standing/right to disagree Abram's fear may not be unfounded, but his plan shows no faith (trust) in God Abram's Fiasco (v. 14-15) The final time Abram speaks in this story is when he tells Sarai to lie In Ancient Near East culture, wealth is measured by the size of your flocks & number of servants Sarai is property to be bought & sold; the lusting king gets the girl; the cowardly husband gets rich because of her However foolish we may be, God is not thwarted BUT GOD (v. 17) Sarai is called by name only twice in this passage God is the only One Who protects Sarai God is affirming His promises to Abram, despite Abram's folly Nothing will stand in the way of God's promises -- God is the Hero Abram's Felony (v. 18-20) See God's GRACE -- He protects Abram & Sarai, enriching Abram through Pharaoh, though Abram deserved none of it God is on display, stepping in exactly where, when, and how needed to further His plan

Mark 12:11 "This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?" King James Version

Why must manmade hopes for deliverance fail? Isaiah 21 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these seventeen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that manmade hope for deliverance must fail, because even the troubles of this world are part of God's design to bring forth the lasting fruit of His chosen people.

Joy During Trials, Tribulations, & Suffering - James 1:2-3; 1 Peter 1:6-9. In this message we examine: 1) Why do we go through trials, tribulations and suffering?; 2) Why we Should expect trials, tribulations and suffering; 3) False teaching about trials, tribulations and suffering; 4) Where do trials, tribulations and suffering come from ultimately?; and 5) How can we have joy as we come into and go through trials, tribulations and suffering?

One of the principal lessons from the Book of Job is - God is in control. It is also one of the hardest lessons. Today's conversation focuses on this profound truth. Even the most horrific events are not caused by the LORD but are allowed for reasons we most likely will never know nor understand this side of Heaven.