Category Archives: Sermon Notes & Announcements

May 7, 2023. Hebrews 1:9-12

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THE CREATOR and HIS CREATION. Hebrews 1:9-12. 5/7/2023. #3.

9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” 10 And: “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 11 They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment; 12 Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail.”

1. Inherent righteousness and worthiness

                a. Continued proof of Jesus’s superiority to angels

                                a1. Jesus always loved righteousness (an inherent quality within his divine nature)

                                a2. Jesus always hated lawlessness (anything that is contrary to the will and nature of God)

                                a3. Since many angels fell, pursuing lawlessness, they were not inherently righteous (choosing to follow holiness is different than being inherently holy)

                b. God the Father anointed the Son with gladness

                                a1. Jesus describes the Father as “my God” (John 20:17; I Corinthians 15:28) – as the head of the Godhead, God the Father is superior in position to Jesus, so he is Jesus’s God, as well as ours)

                                a2. “Messiah” and “Christ” mean anointed one (anointed as creator, savior, judge; king)

                                a3. Gladness = only Jesus could accomplish creation, salvation, and judgment

                c. None of the angels were anointed

2. Beginning and the end of creation

                a. For the 3rd time Jesus is presented as the creator of all things (Colossians 1:15-17; John 1:1-3)

                                a1. He sustains all things

                                a2. Everything is intricately designed with irreducible complexity (no random chance)

                b. Genesis 1:3 everything was perfect at end of creation

                c. Genesis 3 after the fall of Adam, creation began to deteriorate (even the ground was cursed)

                                a1. Romans 8:18-25 all of nature is corrupted and groans, awaiting deliverance (Isaiah 11)

                                a2. The universe is wearing out

                d. II Peter 3:10-13 the entire universe will melt with fervent heat, utterly destroyed

                                a1. Jesus created all things and will destroy it

                                a2. Revelation 21 the destruction of the old cursed cosmos will give way to a new perfect one where sin and temptation cannot corrupt

3. The eternal constant

                a. Even though the universe is finite, having a beginning and ending, Jesus is the same forever (Hebrews 13:8)

                b. The universe = rolled up as a scroll (Revelation 6:12-17)

                                a1. Revelation 20 Jesus will sit in judgment over all

                                a2. Everyone will be reconciled in redemption or condemnation (Daniel 12:2)

                                a3. 1 Cor. 15 Jesus then turns all back to the Father, who will be all and all

                c. We depend upon the eternal essence, nature, faithfulness, and promises of the Lord

                                al. Everything depends on the power and trustworthiness of our Creator and Lord

                                a2. Because he lives, we will live (John 14:19-20)

                d. Everything around us is temporary (our bodies, the earth, the sun, stars, galaxies…)

                                a1. God is the only permanent reality

                                a2. He has promised to make believers a permanent reality living with him

                e. The truth of the Lord’s eternal faithfulness leads to certain core values that believers should embrace:

                                a1. ETERNAL HOPE – Jesus will never forsake or leave us and will fulfill all he has promised

                                a2. CONFIDENCE – no matter what challenges come into our lives, be will carry us through

                                a3. COMMITMENT – we should dedicate ourselves to worship and serve him eagerly

                                a4. PRAISE – eternal gratitude is owed Him

Key verse: Revelation 6:12-1712 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

Apr 30, 2023. Hebrews 1:5-8

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BETTER THAN THE ANGELS.  Hebrews 1:5-8. 04/30/2023. #2.

5 For to which of the angels did He ever say: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”? And again: “I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son”? 6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.” 7 And of the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire.” 8 But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.

1. The exalted position of angels

                a. Angels are heavenly beings created on day on

                                a1. Nehemiah 9:6 God created angels along with the hosts of heaven

                                a2. Angels did not exist before creation

                                a3. Job 38:1-7 the angels sang for joy as they watched God create the universe

                b. Angels were the highest of creation, but they were not eternal beings

                c. Jews held angels in high regard

                d. Jesus claimed to be higher than the angels

                e. 108 ref. to angels in OT and 165 in NT (most in Revelation where Satan leads 1/3 to rebel – Revelation 12)

                f. Angels can take human form and minister to saints

2. The humbling of the Son of God

                a. Jesus is eternally God (Isaiah 9:6; John 17:1-5)

                b. Philippians 2:5-11 when Jesus became a man he humbled himself (emptied himself out of

                     the privilege of his glory)

                                a1. Psalm 8:4-5 man was made a little lower than the angels (Jesus became a man)

                                a2. Colossians 2:9 Jesus never left off being God

                                a3. As man, Jesus was made lower than the angels, but as God, he is higher than them

                c. As man Jesus felt fatigue, hunger, thirst, pain…

                d. Jesus did his work in the power of the Father

3. Jesus is far better than the angels

                a. No angel has been called God’s Son

                b. No angel has been given a throne to rule all

                c. No angel is called the firstborn

                                a1. Firstborn = chief born (most important)

                                a2. Jesus is the most important person ever born, for he is the Savior (Psalm 2:7)

                                a3. Colossians 1:15-18 Jesus is both the creator of all things and chief born of all creation

                d. Ps. 97:1-7 no idol is to receive worship

                                a1. Matthew 4 Jesus told Satan that he was to worship God alone

                                a2. John 20:28-29 Jesus received worship from Thomas (“my Lord and my God”)

                e. Angels are great, but Jesus is far greater

                                a1. Psalm 45:6-7 it is Christ’s throne that lasts forever (Is. 6:1-6)

                                                b1. Jesus is referred to directly as God

                                                b2. He holds the king’s scepter forever

                                a2. Ps. 2:9-11 every knee shall bow before him (even those who are condemned)

                                a3. Angels are ministers and flames of fire, but Jesus is the king whose dominion is forever

                                                b1. Satan had usurped dominion over the earth (prince of this world)

                                                b2. Jesus takes the rule back from the great usurper

                f. If Jesus is far better than the angels, he is better than anything else as well (wealth, fame, pleasure, long life, comforts…)

                                a1. If Jesus is superior to all, he is the only one worth our devotion, focus, and service

                                a2. 1 Cor. 3:12-15 many will find out too late that they wasted time and effort on useless vanities (Ecclesiastes 12)

                g. One cannot embrace both the Lord and the world

                h. Hebrews starts out with the top (angels)

                                a1. Jesus is better than all else (Moses, Law…)

                                a2. Jesus is greater than what world offers

Key verse:  Philippians 2:5-11

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but [b]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Apr 23, 2023. Hebrews 1:1-4

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CHRIST: SUPERIOR TO ANGELS. Hebrews 1:1-4. 4/23/2023. #1.

1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself [d]purged [e]our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

1. A letter to Jewish Christians

                a. Addressed to the Hebrews (no location given)

                b. Traditional view = Paul wrote Hebrews, though he did not sign it

                c. Modern view = either Barnabas or Apollos wrote the epistle (Hebrews 2:3 neither had seen Christ on earth) + though Paul’s theology, the style is different

                d. Theme = Jesus is superior or better (used 15 times) than angels, Moses, Joshua, & the priests)

                                a1. Jewish converts tried to hold onto the Law

                                a2. Writer shows that Jesus surpassed the Law

                e. Date: before the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD since writer uses priestly sacrifice in present tense

2. Ministry in the Old Testament

                a. There is no greeting at the beginning of the book

                b. The author starts with a summary statement outing both identifying Jesus & his ministry

                c. Before Christ, God spoke to man through prophets

                                a1. Prophets had 3 ministries: to reveal the will of God; to warn Israel to repent or face

                                       judgment; to reveal God’s future plans & purposes (particularly about Christ)

                                a2. The prophets held a place of teaching before the coming of Christ

                d. Prophets came at different times & ways

                e. Main job of the prophet was warning

3. God has spoken to us in last days through His Son

                a. The church age is the last days

                b. God’s Son = heir to all things (1 Corinthians 15)

                c. Christ has a multiple-fold ministry:

                                a1. Creator – made all worlds (lit., all ages – aeons) = the universe & time (Colossians 1:15-18)

                                a2. The exact image of God – of the same essence of his Father (Colossians 2:6-15)

                                a3. Sustainer of all things – everything in the universe is held together by the power of his word (Colossians 1:15-18)

                                                b1. If Christ ceased to hold all things together, everything would vanish

                                                b2. Apart from Christ there is no substance or reality (not self-sustaining)

                                                b3. Existence depends on Christ

                d. Christ’s divine being asserted

                                a1. The author begins a long treatise on the divinity of Christ & his superiority to all

                                       creation

                                a2. Jesus is all glorious (an expression used only of God)

                                a3.The express image of God – not only does Christ exhibit the glory of God, but he is of the exact same essence of the Father

                e. The redemptive work of Christ

                                a1. Purged sins (catharsis) – to completely cleanse from sin (a removal of sins)

                                                b1. “Our” sin = sins of believers

                                                b2. Purging of sin is complete in Christ’s atonement on the cross

                                a2. After his cross work, Christ sat down on the right hand of the Father (making intercession for us (Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:24-25, Revelation 12:10-12)

                f. “Had become so much better than the angels”

                                a1. Christ was always superior to the angels

                                a2. His ministry “became” better than the angels in that they ministered, but Christ saved through his redemptive work

Key verse: Colossians 2:6-156 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. 11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Apr 16, 2023. Philemon 1:17-25

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A DEBT REPAID. Philemon 1:17-25. 4/16/2023. #2.

17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. 19 I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. 20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. 21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you. 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers. 25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

1. A very personal appeal

                a. Onesimus is Philemon’s runaway slave

                                a1. Onesimus had stolen from his master

                                a2. Paul had led Onesimus to the Lord

                b. Paul is sending Onesimus back to Philemon with three appeals

                                a1. Forgive Onesimus for the wrong he had done

                                a2. Receive him as a brother in Christ

                                a3. Release him to the service of the Lord

                c. Paul spends much of his letter praising Philemon for his Christian grace and service

                                a1. This is not vain flattering

                                a2. Paul is relying on Philemon’s character to grant his request

                d. Paul puts pressure on Philemon to respond properly

                                a1. Onesimus’ life is at stake

                                a2. Paul appeals to Philemon’s sense of duty to do what is right; not what is his legal rights

                                                b1. Morality and legality are not the same

                                                b2. I Corinthians 6, grace means at times we suffer loss and allow sleights to go unrequited

                e. Paul personally wrote this letter (not dictated)

                f. Philemon would have to subdue his vexation

                g. Paul makes the appeal very personal

                h. This rises to the level of a personal favor

2. Paul lays out a thorough case

                a. Paul’s relationship with Philemon:

                                a1. Partners (koinonea) in the ministry

                                a2. Paul depends on Philemon spiritual character

                b. Covering Philemon’s losses

                                a1. If Onesimus owes anything to Philemon, Paul says to put it on his account and he will repay

                                a2. Paul reminds Philemon that he owe him his own life, for through Paul, Philemon heard the gospel (more was owed to Paul than to Philemon) – Philemon 3

                c. Paul expresses confidence that Philemon will respond with grace and generosity

                                a1. He will exceed Paul’s expectations

                                a2. Not to do what Paul asks would let Paul down (something that Philemon probably

                                       would not risk)

                d. Paul’s letter shows that Philemon probably would not have forgiven Onesimus on his own (Matthew 18:21-35)

                                a1. Often, we must be given a proper perspective to do what is right

                                a2. Paul had to overcome Philemon’s indignation

                e. In the body of Christ, it is important to give each other perspective, whether in counsel, comfort, or courage

                f. We do not know how this turned out, but Paul was confident that Philemon would do what was right

                                a1. It takes a right relationship with God to do what is right

                                a2. If we do not listen to godly counsel, then we will do what is sinful

3. An interesting entourage

                a. Paul’s benediction includes people of interest

                b. Epaphras = planted the Colossian church

                c. Mark = when Barnabas had appealed to Paul to forgive Mark and allow him to come, he refused

                d. Demas will soon abandon Paul (II Timothy 4)

                e. Paul is confident of his release and travel to Col.

                f. Grace must be learned – to receive and to give

Matthew 18:21-35

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

Apr 9, 2023. Easter 2023

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CROSSROADS OF CONTEMPT & CONSECRATION. Matthew 27:35-44. 4/9/2023

35 Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.”

36 Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. 37 And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 38 Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left. 39 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, 42 “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. 43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” 44 Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.

1. A universal crucifixion

                a. Several things we know of the crucifixion:

                                a1. Preplanned from before the foundation of the world

                                a2. Purposely manipulated by Christ’s enemies

                                a3. Public where criminals are displayed as a warning to others

                                a4. Pernicious as a slow agonizing death of pain, dehydration, & suffocation

                                a5. Humiliating as the King of Glory endured mockery, insults, & ignorant accusations

                                a6. Prolonged as Jesus endured 6 hours of pain, recrimination, & punishment

                b. Representatives of all classes, ethnic groups, & known nations were represented at the cross

                                a1. Jews cried for his crucifixion & their leaders held mock trials

                                a2. The Romans carried out the deed, even though crucifixion was reserved for the worse of criminals (note sign over cross)

2. Three classes of torturers at the cross:

                a. Passer-byes – those who walk along the busy path to the entrance of Jerusalem

                                a1. A mixture of people (Jews, merchants, pilgrims, thieves, officials, peasants…)

                                a2. The passer-byes blasphemed Christ

                                                b1. Accused him of lying = he would destroy the Temple & then rebuild it in 3 days (they didn’t know that Jesus spoke of his own body)

                                                b2. Accused him of impotence (no power to save self) – it was omnipotence that held him there

                b. The chief priests – religious leaders of the people

                                a1. These were supposed to be the most holy of the people (closest to God)

                                a2. These were wolves in sheep’s clothing, jealous for their own power & prestige

                                a3. False religionists are cruelest of all

                                a4. Jewish leaders challenged Jesus to prove that he was God by coming down off the cross (same tactic as Satan in wilderness)

                c. The thieves on the flanking crosses

                                a1. Ironically, the thieves join in the mocked

                                a2. The wicked point their fingers at others

                                a3. Only when one of the thieves realizes that he was justly being crucified, but Christ was not, did he repent

3. For all people

                a. Ironically, Christ was dying for the sins of all the people who were crucifying him

                b. Their mockery was unjust & misguided

                c. Christ showed compassion, perseverance, patience, endurance, & forgiveness

                d. The 3 types of people mocking Christ are us

                                a1. They represent us

                                a2. Christ loved them & us

                e. He suffered once for all

                                a1. His great endurance paid great dividends

                                a2. We will never comprehend the price paid

                f. Only after the resurrection did it become clear