The Sermon Podcast of Church in the Canyon, a PCA church in Calabasas, CA.
Text: Psalm 122 Sermon: Standing in Your Gates
Pastor Bob Bjerkaas Sermon: A Time to Meditate Text: Genesis 24:63
CITC Easter Service Sermon: Looking for Jesus Text: Luke 24:1-12
CITC Good Friday Service Sermon: Christ Died for Sin Text: 1 Peter 3:18
Remote church service for 4.4.20 Sermon: Palm Sunday Text: Matthew 21:1-11
Our first remote service during the COVID-19 Safer at Home quarantine. Pastor Bob delivers a sermon from Ephesians 5:15-21.
" Recognizing a Toxic Advisor " Job 18:1-21 March 15, 2020 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas Of all of Job’s friends, Bildad may be the most caustic in his speech towards Job – and is perhaps more difficult to appreciate than either Eliphaz or Zophar. Bildad’s speech in Job 18 is very simple – a short introduction followed by a single unit of text in which he doubles down on his argument that Job is suffering, therefore Job has sinned. In this response to Job, Bildad shows us a picture of toxic advisors. 1. Their Attitude a. They don’t want to listen b. They take your disagreement personally c. Their condescension2. Their Perspective a. Focus is on self and their role in your life b. Focus is on the visible/external 3. Their Truth a. Partly right! b. Limited with respect to God’s character c. Limited with respect to Your life Application Do you recognize toxic advice when you offer it? When you receive it? Do you respond in grace and with grace? Let gospel themes dominate the advice you give and the counsel you receive.
" Broken but not Beaten! " Job 17:1-16 March 8, 2020 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas Because Job knows that his witness, advocate, intercessor,and friend is in heaven, he will be faithful in suffering, “hold to his way,” despite… 1. Brokenness a. His spirit is broken 1-2 b. His body is broken 7-8 c. His plans are broken 112. Unanswered Prayer a. For a sign of vindication 3 b. For the humbling of his critics 43. Universal Rejection a. “The Peoples” 6 b. “The Upright 84. Continued Opposition a. From persistent, foolish men 10 b. Who are wrong (Isaiah 5:20) 12 i. About Job’s suffering E,B,Z ii. About Job’s options 11:13-20 iii. About Job’s hope 16:19; 19:25 Application Do you “hold to the way” when times are difficult – confident that God is faithful despite what you arefeeling or experiencing during difficult times? Do you have a hope beyond this life, beyond the fiction of a quiet grave with an eternal sleep? Do you know the Christ who has fulfilled Job’s every desire?
" A Friend Who Will Not Fail " Job 16:1-22 March 1, 2020 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas 1. Though friends should all fail us… 1-6 a. Miserable comforters b. They are angered by Job’s words c. Job would have done better! d. Job’s lose/lose situation 2. …And foes all unite… 7-17 a. God himself 7-9 b. Ungodly men 10-11 c. God himself 12-14 d. Despite Job’s innocence 15-17; Ps. 24.4 3. …Yet one thing secures us… 18-22 a. Job’s cry will be heard! b. There is One who is… i. Witness Gen. 31:50 ii. Advocate Gen. 31:47 iii. Intercessor Gen. 42:23; Job 33:23 iv. Arbitrator Job 9:33 c. …a true friend ApplicationDo you have a sense of urgency when you contemplate your spiritual existence? Your guilt or innocence before God?Do you have a friend who will never fail you?
" The Trouble with Oversimplification " Job 15:1-35 February 23, 2020 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas 1. Codebreaking and Human Nature a. “What must I do…?” b. The big “I” c. A personal, practical plan offers you control 2. The Practical Edomite Theology a. “Retributive Theology” – quid pro quo b. We all sin – God punishes sin – punishment brings suffering – therefore those who suffer are being punished for some sin they have committed c. PROBLEMS: there is no accounting for any other cause or use for suffering in the believer’s life! 3. The Edomite Temptation a. Pride – doubling down on your tradition b. Cruelty – You will force others into your preconceived molds c. Ignorance – you will always be limited in your knowledge ApplicationAre you stuck in a cycle of pride, cruelty and ignorance? Or do you have a friend who is humble, gracious, and true?Are you listening to an Edomite or to Jesus Christ?
" Belief in Him Who Raises Unto Life " John 11:25-27 February 16, 2020 Pastor Jerrard Heard
" Job's Third Prayer: A Prayer for Hope " Job 13:20-14:22 February 9, 2020 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas 1. Job’s Denied Requests 13:20-21 a. Leave me alone b. Stop scaring me 2. The Conversation Job Wants 13:22-28 a. What is my sin? b. Why are you punishing me? 3. Job’s Problem 14:1-22 a. Life is short and we are all guilty 1-6 b. We die and are gone forever 7-22 4. Job’s Deepest Longing 14:13-17 a. A prayer to be hidden from God’s wrath b. A prayer to be renewed after death c. A prayer to have all his sins permanently covered ApplicationDo you see how Jesus is the answer to Job’s prayer?Are you sins removed from you “as far as the east is from the west?” Psalm 103:12Will you join Job in his prayer and have hope?
" The Hard work of Faith " Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 February 2, 2020 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas 1. What We Know About God a. He is powerful b. He is good c. He makes all things “beautiful”2. What We Know About Life a. “Eternity” has been set in our “hearts” b. God has given the inner sense of how things ought to be forever!3. The Problem for Us: What Is God Doing? a. His plan spans eternity b. We cannot know everything4. Being About Our Business a. LIVE in light of God’s blessed provisions b. Fear God and serve him well c. Trust that one day God will make these mysteries plain Application Where do you struggle to see beauty in your biography? In the stories of other people? Where is the business of living by faith most difficult for you? Do you hear God calling you to trust him in whatever difficulties you are currently experiencing? Do you see how Christ himself modelled this trust for us?
" The Supremacy of God " Job 12:1-13:19 January 26, 2020 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas All of the speakers in Job are agreed on the substance of Job 12:13 – “With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding.” But in Job’s longest speech, he insists that his friends qualify God’s supremacy. 1. The supremacy of God must not be _________________ by __________________ a. Job’s complaint: I have wisdom too 12:1-3 b. Outcomes are not predictable 12:4-12 c. God is also a destroyer 12:13-25 i. Job’s friends did not account for this ii. In his state, Job could think of nothing else. 2. The supremacy of God must not be __________________ by _________________ a. Job’s complaint: You are liars 13:1-7 b. God will not be pleased with caricatures of himself 13:5-12 c. I will argue my case with God 13:13-19 i. “Though he slay me, I will hope in him” ii. “This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him.” Application Is your understanding of who God is and how he acts in our world big enough? Or have you settled for a watered-down, tamed version of God that you can “bring in your hand?” Are there attributes of God that he has revealed or areas of your life that he has addressed that you ignore? Or in which you have a cultivated ignorance? Do you have any hope of salvation when you face God?
" Almost Right! " Job 11:1-20 January 19, 2020 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas 1. Almost right about Job Job 11:2-6 a. The dangers of deductive judgments! Inductive and Deductive reasoning both strive to construct a valid argument. Inductive reasoning moves from specific instances into a generalized conclusion. Deductive reasoning moves from generalized principles that are known to be true to a specific conclusion. b. Generalized principles: i. Suffering is always a punishment for a particular sin. ii. Much talk = unavoidable sin Job 11:2b; Proverbs 10:19 and 17:27 c. Necessary conclusions: i. Job is suffering, therefore he sinned ii. Job is talking a lot, therefore he sinned iii. Job has even sinned more than his suffering suggests! d. Doing violence to the data! i. Job never said “My doctrine is pure” ii. Job never said “I am clean” e. Mocking Job Job 11:12 2. Almost rights about God Job 11:7-12 a. God does “exact less than our sins deserve” Ezra 9:13 b. God is indeed incomprehensible! c. God is indeed sovereign in justice! d. BUT Zophar does not know that God uses suffering in the lives of his people for more than mere punishment! Job 1-2 3.Almost right about Job’s remedy Job 11:13-20 a. True repentance is always a good thing. b. But the blessedness of your life with God will always be an already/not yet experience until heaven. Application1. Are there any people in your life that you must set free from your deductive judgments?2. Zophar was limited by thinking exclusively in terms of this life. Are you living your life and thinking about your good and bad times in light of eternity?3. Do you have hope in your suffering?4. Are you almost right?
" Job’s Second Prayer " Job 10:1-22 January 12, 2020 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas 1. Job’s Plight a. God is almighty, Job is weak b. God is holy, Job is sinful c. Job knows that he cannot answer God2. Job’s Lament a. Are your judgments like ours? 1-7 b. Will you destroy the work of your hands? 8-12 c. I am in a lose/lose situation! 13-17 d. Let me die in peace. 18-22 3. A Prayer Like Job’s? a. Insecure/Indirect b. Honest c. Clear d. Sad Application How do we “apply” a passage like this one? Should we pray this way? Hope for our imperfect prayers! Romans 8:26-27 What will you pray?
" Job's Desire " Job 8-9 January 5, 2020 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas 1. Bildad’s Accusation 8 a. Bildad’s Logic 8:1-7 i. Suffering is punishment for sin ii. Job should repent iii. Then God will restore him b. Bildad’s Authority 8:8-22 i. “The fathers’ learning” ii. The predictability of the world 2. Job’s Response 9 a. Job’s Agreement 9:1-12 i. Yes, we are all sinners ii. Yes, God is almighty b. Job’s Dilemma i. “One could not answer God 9:3 ii. “How can I answer him?” 9:14 iii. He is not like me… “that I might answer him.” 9:32 c. Job’s Desire Application How are your talks with God? Do you have a mediator?
" The Unlikeliest Witnesses? " Luke 2:1-21 December 29, 2019 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas 1. The Shepherds in their World a. Qualifications? b. Preparation? c. Risks? d. Results? 2. You in Yours… a. Qualifications? b. Preparation? c. Risks? d. Results? ApplicationWill you make known the saying that has been told you?
" The Servant's Last Song: Peace on Earth " Isaiah 65:1-11 December 24, 2019 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas
" The Messiah's Mission: Born to Die? " Isaiah 52:13-53:12 December 22, 2019 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas The Five Stanzas of Isaiah 52:13-53:121. Prologue 52:13-152. Fact: A life of rejection 53:1-33. Meaning: He suffered for our sins 53:4-54. Fact: An oppressive death 53:6-95. Meaning: God’s will is accomplished in the deathand resurrection of the messiah 53:10-12 1. The Shocking Truth a. The wisdom of God: “Jesus did not use ordinary human means to draw men to himself!” – Henri Blocher b. As many are “astonished” at the messiah a. AHD: “To fill with sudden wonder or amazement; confound.” b. Psalm 40.15, 1 Kings 9:8, Jer. 2:11-12 c. Ezekiel 26:16; 27:35; 28:19 d. Astonished: To be suddenly and utterly appalled – without words. c. Many nations will be “sprinkled” by him a. A purifying and consecrating act b. Isaiah anticipates 1 Peter 1:1-2 2. A Life of Undeserved Suffering a. The Facts a. Jesus was utterly unappealing b. Jesus was rejected, avoided, despised, and thoroughly disrespected b. The Meaning a. A retrospect: we believed God was dealing with him justly! b. A Clarification: But he endured contempt and violence for our sins – not his c. WE deserved what HE received 3. A Death of Unequaled Accomplishment a. The Facts a. He was killed without protest b. Three key words: slaughtered. Cut off, buried c. He was killed despite his absolute purity b. The Meaning a. This apparent tragedy was God’s plan! b. Christ died in our place for our benefit c. Christ will be raised and rewarded with those whom he suffered and died for ApplicationThis Christmas, worship Christ as the Holy One who gave himself for you.Like the Christmas shepherds, spread the knowledge of him that “many” will be accounted righteous!Have you believed this message? Has the “arm of the LORD” been revealed to you?
" A Christmas Word for the Weary " Isaiah 50:4-11 December 15, 2019 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas 1. A Word for the Weary a. The problem of conscience Rom. 2:14-15 b. The burden of the Law Is. 28:9-13 c. What can we do? Is. 50:2 2. From the True Disciple a. An interrupting voice! b. One who has heard and understood everything c. One who has been utterly obedient Phlp 2:8 d. One with perfect faith 3. That Calls Us to Faith a. An invitation to fear the LORD and obey him b. A warning against walking “by your own lights” ApplicationAre you weary? Matt. 11:28-30As a Christian, are you by grace living in the truth of Romans 8:31-34? Do you daily spend time listening to God – reading scripture?Are you, like Christ, resolved to humbly obey your God no matter the cost?
" The Messiah's Mission: True Redemption " Isaiah 49:1-13 December 8, 2019 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas 1. Who is this “Servant of the LORD?” a. He is divinely called to a specific task b. He is a hidden weapon! c. Israel and the true Servant 2. Three Great Reversals a. In the effectiveness of the Servants work b. In the esteem of the Servants person c. In the state of the Servants people 3. How do these things come about? a. The will of God b. The word of God Application Christmas is a time when many people feel invisible, or powerless. As a Christian, are you following in your Savior’s footsteps? Will you rejoice this Christmas season because God has comforted his people?
" The Messiah's Mission: True Justice " Isaiah 42:1-4 December 1, 2019 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas 1. Who is this “Servant of the LORD?” a. Cyrus and the true Servant b. The Servant in Isaiah 40-66 a. Four Songs: 42,49,50,52 b. A Fifth Song: 61 c. Matthew 12:15-21 2. What Will he do? a. He will bring forth/establish justice b. He will disseminate his law 3. How will he do it? a. Quietly b. Relentlessly Application Christmas is a time to celebrate the justice that the Messiah brings. Is something you find it easy to celebrate? Do you seek both justice from God and his law for your life? Is the Servant quietly and relentlessly seeking you?
" Give Thanks! " Psalm 107 November 24, 2019 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas 1. The first song in the last inspired hymnal 2. Is a call to “Give Thanks” because God has redeemed us… a. From wherever we have gotten ourselves b. Whatever we were looking for c. No matter what our brokenness is d. Despite our complete lack of power 3. Simply because we “cried to the Lord in our trouble” Psalm 50:14-15 Application What have spent your life chasing? Have you found it yet? Are you lost, bound, dying, and overwhelmed? Has God redeemed you? And what more has he freely given?! Give thanks!
" The Path to Gratitude: Three Diagnostic Questions " 1 Corinthians 4:7 November 17, 2019 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas 1. Who sees anything different in you? 2. What do you have that you did not receive? 3. Why then do you boast Application In what areas of your life are you tempted to boast? Are there things that you have received that you need to be grateful for? What does God see in you?
" Job's First Prayer " Job 7 November 10, 2019 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas 1. The Difficulty of Life 7:1-10 a. Life is hard b. Life is short 2. Why Do I Matter to You? 7:11-19 a. I hate my life! b. What is man? i. Why do you care? ii. Leave me alone! 3. Show Me My Sin 7:20-21 a. What have I done? b. Why won’t you forgive it? c. Tell me before it is too late Application You matter. Your suffering is not always punishment for some specific sin. Are your sins forgiven?
" Feeling Betrayed " Job 6 November 3, 2019 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas 1. Job Defends His Complaint 6:1-7 a. The weight of Job’s suffering is a reasonable cause for the depth of his sorrow b. His complaining is as natural as a hungry animal making noise c. His complaining is as understandable as the rejection of tasteless food 2. Job Repeats his Complaint a. Job reiterates that he wishes life would end b. He is certain of two things: i. He has kept the faith ii. He cannot endure any more suffering 3. Job Condemns his Friends a. They have withheld kindness b. They have counseled from a place of fear c. Despite Job asking nothing from them! 4. Job Appeals to his Friends a. Tell me what my sin is b. Stop being piously self-interested c. Repent – and be specific if you think some sin has caused my calamity Application What kind of counselor are you? Do you need to repent of having been or done the same things that Job’s friends are guilty of? Have a you responded to the friendship of God?
" A Reckless Counselor " Job 4-5 October 27, 2019 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas The Logical Advice of Eliphaz Since godly people are always healthy and wealthy… 4:7-17 Your suffering means that you have sinned… 4:18-5:7 Therefore, repent of your sins5:8,17-19 And you will be healthy and wealthy again 5:19-25 Where did Eliphaz Fail? He does not know that sometimes bad things happen without a person’s sin being the cause: John 9:1-3 He does not know that sometimes God causes good people to suffer in order to strengthen them – not to punish them: John 15:2 Eliphaz fails because he knows some things but presumes to see the whole picture! Be Careful in Counseling Others! You can utterly fail despite: Humble compliments 4:1-6 Careful observations 4:7-11 Spiritual experiences 4:12-17 Theological sophistication 4:18-21 Doctrinal orthodoxy 5:1-7 Personal piety 5:8-16 Good intentions 5:17-27 Application Do not suppose that anyone’s health or wealth is an indicator of the nature of their relationship with God Never presume to speak as an expert about someone else’s circumstances and walk with God in this world. In all of life, both good times and bad, seek God!
" Job's Lament " Job 3:1-26 October 10, 2019 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas 1. Three Dark Stanzas a. I wish I had never been born v.1-10 b. I wish I had died at birth v.11-19 c. I wish I could die right now v.20-26 2. Truths to Acknowledge a. Christians sometimes suffer deeply b. Christians sometimes become depressed c. Christians sometimes have suicidal thoughts 3. What Job did not understand a. He did not understand what God is doing Ecc. 3 b. He did not understand the value of life c. He did not understand the life to come Application Do you grieve without guilt when it is “time to weep?” Do you have faith that God knows what he is doing in both he delights and the tragedies this world and life offer? Do you understand the value of this life – and the next?
" Job's Friends " Job 2:11-13 October 13, 2019 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas 1. Who are these guys? a. They are friends b. They share the same language/culture: Edom/Abrahamic c. They are in communication with each other d. They determine to act in unison 2. What do they do? a. They come b. They sympathize c. They comfort 3. What should we learn? a. Be present with those who suffer b. Be sacrificial with those who suffer c. Be humble with those who suffer Application Do you have a friend who is faithfully there, sympathetic, and comforting?
" The Integrity of Job " Job 2:1-10 October 6, 2019 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas 1. A Persistent Enemy v.1-8 a. Job’s Suffering a. It is continued b. It is increased b. Satan’s Psychology a. He will not accept contrary evidence b. He will imagine the worst of you: “Skin for skin!” c. His great interest is to separate you from God 2. A Final Indignity v.9 a. What do we know about Job’s wife? b. The “bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh” truly failed him a. She notes his integrity b. Instructs him to ‘curse’ God c. Instructs him to end his own life c. She is rebuked for speaking foolishly d. Job is now truly alone 3. A Refusal to Sin v.10 a. Shunning evil means refusing to abide folly and mockery. See Psalm 1:1 b. Job will accept both the good and the bad from God See Lamentations 3:38; Isaiah 45:9; 2 Cor. 4:17 Application Will you persistently “shun evil” – especially when your suffering continues and deepens? On whose behalf will you speak to those who suffer – will you speak for God or speak for Satan? Do you experience your life – its celebrations and its tragedies, as something that God has ordained for you?
" The Trials of Job: A Faithful Responce to Personal Tragedy " Job 1:13-22 September 29, 2019 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas 1. A Tragic Day v.13-19 a. A day that should have been joyous b. Attacked from all sides c. Attacked by man and nature d. Completely destroyed: “And I have escaped! Only me! I alone to tell you!” 2. A Righteous Man v.20 a. He Arose – he stops what he is doing b. He Tore – he responds with grief c. He Shaved – he responds with grief d. He Fell – he acknowledges his dependence e. He Worshipped – he goes to God with his grief 3. A Faithful Confession v.21-22 a. All material, worldly things are temporary b. Everything we have, we have because God has entrusted things to our temporary care c. God is always to be praised Psalm 73:25 Application Do I acknowledge the tragedies in my life – the areas of loss and suffering? Do I humbly grieve the effects of the Fall in my life? Will I worship God even now?
" The Devil in Heaven?! " Job 1:6-12 September 22, 2019 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas 1. The Courtroom of God a. The cultural background b. The biblical corrective: See Psalm 82; 89:5-8; 1 Kings 22:19-23 2. The Big Idea: the LORD is sovereign a. He has the initiative b. He authorizes action c. He sets limits 3. Theological truths to live by: a. The Causes and Intentions of specific events and circumstances in our life can be complex. Consider Gen. 50:20 and Acts 2:23 b. God is never absent or uninvolved in our suffering. Lam. 3:37-38; Rom. 8:28 c. God continues to “set hedges” around his people: 1 Cor. 10:13 Application Do I see God as being sovereign in the struggles I experience? Can I trust God in my suffering? Do I recognize God’s authority in his world and in my life?
" Portrait of a Godly Man " Job 1:1-5 September 15, 2019 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas Who Is Job? a. An ancient and “eastern” man b. A wealthy and godly man Job’s Personal Piety Proverbs 3:7-8 a. He fears the Lord b. He shuns evil Job’s Material Blessedness a. A large and happy family b. A prosperous landowner and shepherd Job’s Priestly Faithfulness a. He leads his family in worship b. He offers sacrifices – even for “unknown sins” Psalm 19:12 c. His great over-riding concern in life: the salvation of others – his kids in particular Application What part of Job’s life do you most wish for yourself? The material blessings or the spiritual virtues? How can you be growing in your concern for your own godliness and in your sacrificial desire to “present others perfect in Christ.” Colossians 1:28 Are your sins atoned for?
" The Return of Jesus Christ " Matthew 25:31-46 September 8, 2019 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas
" A Matter of the Heart " Deuteronomy 8 Sept. 1, 2019 Pastor Ted Neale
" The Ascended Christ " Revelation 1:9-18 August 25, 2019 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas
" The Death of Jesus Christ " I Corinthians 1:17-25 August 18, 2019 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas The Necessity of Christ’s Death The claim of scripture Matt. 26:39; Luke 24:25-26; Heb.2:10; 8:3; 9:22-23 The Holiness of God The Sinfulness of Humanity The Accomplishment of Christ’s Death: The Four “Shuns” of the Cross Expiation2 Cor.5:21; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18 Offense: we are guilty Effect: our guilt is removed PropitiationRom. 3:25; Heb. 2:17; 1 John 2:2; 4:10 Offense: God is angry Effect: The wrath of God against sin is appeased Reconciliation2 Cor. 5:18-20; Rom. 5:10-11; Eph. 2:16; Col. 1:20-21 Offense: we are separated from God Effect: We can now have peace with God RedemptionMatt. 20:28; Gal. 3:10,13; 4:2,5; Rom. 3:24; Eph. 1:7; Tit. 2:14; 1 Peter 1:18 Offense: we are slaves to sin Effect: We are delivered from the power and the effects of sin Application Do you embrace every aspect of what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross? Are all four of these shuns grounds for your worship of him who died for you! Will you share “Christ crucified” (1 Cor. 1:23) with others?
" The Humanity of Christ " Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 2:14-18 August 11, 2019 Pastor Bob Bjerkaas The Incarnation Is when God truly became man Without ceasing to be God The Messiah: One Person with Two Natures Jesus Christ was Human: “Like us in every way” PhysicallyHe wearied John 4:6 He was thirsty John 19:28 He was hungry Matt. 4:2 He weakened Matt. 4:11; Luke 23:26 He died Luke 23:46 MentallyHe increased in wisdom Luke 2:52 He learned obedience Heb. 5:8 EmotionallyHe was troubled Jn. 12:27; 13:21 He sorrowed Matt. 26:38 He marveled Matt. 8:10 He wept John 11:35; Heb. 5:7 He was tempted Heb. 4:15; Jas. 1:13 Why was it Necessary for God to Become Man? That atonement might be made for our sins That Satan might be defeated That you might be helped Application Is Jesus Christ any help to you in your like struggles? What human will pay the penalty for your sins?
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