Sermon Video: The New Covenant - Hebrews 10:14

The superiority of Jesus, his person, his life, and his sacrifice is the central theme of the book of Hebrews.  Here in Venango County, PA, our ministerium has been dealing with a challenge from an unorthodox organization, the First Fruits of Zion, whose Torah Clubs are promoting the belief that Jesus did not fulfill the Mosaic Covenant.  To them, the Law of Moses remains binding on all of God's people, and always will be.  Hebrews 10:14 is one passage of scripture among many that demonstrate the falsehood of this teaching.  The sacrifice of Jesus is superior, in every way, to anything in the Law of Moses, and this is by design.  The purity of Christ's priesthood, the power of his sacrifice, and the tenacity of its application to all of us who put our faith in him is a core tenant of the Gospel.  The New Covenant established by Jesus' blood was built upon a new foundation, for it is the ultimate manifestation of God's redemptive work among humanity, fully and finally.

Sermon Video: The Purpose for which God works all things - Romans 8:28-30

Romans 8:28 is an oft misunderstood piece of scripture, in part because it is often quoted or considered apart from its context, especially vs. 29-30.  So, what is the 'good' to which God is working all things?  Paul defines this in vs. 29: "to be conformed to the image of his Son."  What is God working throughout human history to accomplish?  Christ-like adopted children.

Human failings, tragedies and sorrow, and evil itself, all  are not 'good', and God doesn't want you to pretend that they are.  What they are, however, is NOT capable of derailing God's purpose in your life.

Sermon Video: "I do not understand what I do", Romans 7:14-25

In this passage, the Apostle Paul discusses the war that rages within the human heart against sin. The two primary ways to interpret this section both reflect deep theological truths: (1) If this is Paul before he knew Jesus, when he was known as Saul, it reflects the utter hopelessness of human being to overcome sin by our own power, (2) if it instead is Paul after he was born again by faith in Jesus, it reflects the ongoing fight against our still-present sinful nature to imitate Christ. Because the Law of Love supersedes the Law of Moses by demanding right motivation and attitudes along with right action, even those who are in Christ and have the power of the Holy Spirit to bolster them still will have a fight on their hands to overcome not only temptation, but the thoughts that lead to it.

Sermon Video: How to know the power of Christ's resurrection Philippians 3:10-11

How can I know Christ? Really know him? The Apostle Paul considers that thought and responds with two ideas: know the power of his resurrection, and participate in his sufferings. In other words, not only intellectual knowledge about Jesus, but experiential as well. In order to become "like him in his death" we must become like him in his life. Imitate Jesus. The end result of the power of Christ's resurrection for those who believe will be fully transformed and glorified resurrected bodies, so why not strive for as much Christ-likeness as we can (by God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit) obtain here and now? To truly know Christ is to embark upon a life transforming path of becoming like him.

To watch the video, click on the link below:

Sermon Video: Persistence in Prayer - Luke 11:5-13

Persistence is an interesting quality in people, it can be the making of our success, and it can be the cause of our destruction.  When persistence is combined with righteousness the result is saintly, when it is combined with vice, the result is grotesque.  In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus expounds upon his answer to the question from the disciples, “Lord, teach us to pray”, by talking to them about being persistent in prayer.  The Greek term used by Jesus could also be translated as: audacity, boldness, or even impudence.  The overall idea is that we must be actively seeking an answer from God to our prayers and never give up until we find it.  But what are we to be praying for?  What is the object and goal of our prayers?  To answer that question, Jesus first gives a parable illustrating the value of persistence, followed by the command to us that we are to ask, seek, and knock knowing that we will receive, find, and have the door opened for us.  Lastly, before answering the question of what it is we’re praying for, Jesus reminds us that even human fathers are wise enough, and good enough, despite the fallen state of humanity, to give their children good things that will benefit them.  If human fathers can do that much, imagine what our heavenly Father has in store for his adopted children.

                So, what is the object and goal of our prayers, that which Jesus has told us we will receive if we ask?  The Holy Spirit.  Jesus isn’t talking here about jobs, health concerns, money, family troubles, or even freedom or justice, all of which are legitimate things we need and the focus of many of our prayers.  The one thing that Jesus is telling us we must diligently seek from God in prayer, because by so doing we will find it, is the Holy Spirit.  Jesus isn’t talking about salvation, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is given eagerly by God to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord, and it is that single act of faith that makes God’s grace available to us as we become his adopted children.  Jesus is talking about the life-long process of transformation, we call it sanctification, which follows after our salvation with the goal of transforming us into the likeness of Jesus himself.  We will all one day be like him, in the life beyond this one, but for here and now we can become more like him each day as we purge ourselves of sin and embrace righteousness.  That process is a long and difficult one requiring an ongoing commitment and effort from us, enabled by God’s power working in us, and yes, supported by persistent prayer. 

                What will the answer to your prayer for healing be?  I don’t know, pray and trust in the will of God.  What will the answer to your prayer for that job you need?  I don’t know, pray, trust in God.  What will the answer to your prayer to be more like Jesus be?  God will hear you, he will answer you, and he will transform you if you are persistent, bold, audacious, and even impudent in continuing to ask it of him.

To watch the video, click on the link below:

Sermon Video