Growing Deeper Into the Soil of God's Word to Bear Fruit For His Kingdom
Today is Pizza Friday! I thought it might be the perfect time to introduce a new pizza recipe. This is one of our favourite types of pizza to make. It's a pizza popular in Pennsylvania. Having family from that area, we were fortunate enough to be introduced to it. It's simple, slightly healthy (with the... Continue Reading →
Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46) Not every gospels account records the same last words as being on the lips of Jesus. What do we make of this? Matthew: Jesus cried out again in a... Continue Reading →
[This sermon was originally preached on Sunday, March 6, 2016] I invite you to open your bibles with me this morning to the Gospel of Luke, chapter 23. Luke is in the New Testament — Matthew, Mark, and then Luke. If you see John, you’ve gone a little too far. Luke chapter 23, beginning in verse... Continue Reading →
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43) Two criminals hung on crosses on either side of Jesus - an innocent man. One hurled insults, but the other recognized his sinfulness, and came to... Continue Reading →
I invite you to open your Bibles with me to the gospel of Luke. Luke 23:34. If you don’t have a bible with you this morning, please feel free to grab one from the pew in front of you and leave it open as we read and study God’s word together. Luke is in the... Continue Reading →
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (Luke 23:34) Jesus does not ask that his enemies get what they deserve (“Father, smite them, for they knew exactly what they were doing!”). Instead, he prays for their forgiveness. He prays... Continue Reading →
[This sermon was originally preached on Sunday, February 21, 2016 as part of a series of Community Lenten Evening Services between rural RCA and PCA churches in our area.] From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is the story of God bringing about salvation. Jesus would rightly claim that the whole of the Law and the... Continue Reading →
We have entered the season of Lent. It’s true that Lent is not in the Bible. There is no command to observe the forty days before Easter as a season of repentance and preparation focused on the death and resurrection of Jesus. In fact, there is no command to celebrate Easter in the Bible either.... Continue Reading →
At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three in the afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, eloi, lama sabachthani,” (which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) (Mark 15:33-34) There are many different ways to approach a biblical text in order to... Continue Reading →
Say these words after me: All Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. That’s 2 Timothy 3:16: All-Scripture is God-breathed. The words we hear in the Bible, every one of them, are God’s Word. Even as Paul or Peter or Matthew or Jeremiah or Moses put ink to... Continue Reading →
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