Emmanuel Church

Psalm 21 celebrates the coronation and reign of the king and has been called David's triumphant song. Like many psalms, it's fulfilled in the Son of David, the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Solomon comes to the end of his book talking about the end of life. How do we live this life knowing it won't last forever? By the grace of God, our approaching death is no impediment to joy, but a reason to enjoy and thank Him.

Solomon delivers pointed advice for working in this inscrutable world. Though life is hevel, out of our control, this does not mean that wisdom and hard work are pointless. Despite our inability to figure it all out or guarantee results, we are to work smart and hard. Plow, plant, and leave the increase to the Lord.

Sermon from Eric Letsche, Emmanuel Church Elder (pro tem).

In the fourth and final section of Ecclesiastes, the Preacher reinforces what he has already set out and pushes wisdom into the corners. Or to change the metaphor, he builds new stories upon the foundation he has already laid. These are not castles in the sky, but God's gift to the forgiven today.

We have to look beyond appearances to understand prosperity, poverty, people, and now power. Rulers are a subset of mysterious mankind so king Solomon provides wisdom for dealing with those who have power. NOTE - We have a new sound system and discovered a setting that will improve the recording for next week.

All is vapor and out of our control, and what is more mysterious than the wildest creature on earth—mankind? In this section Solomon has shown that outward appearances aren't always what they seem. Just because someone appears prosperous doesn't mean they can enjoy their wealth. Adversity for the faithful is a means to glory. Now he talks about people: how to understand them with wisdom, how to avoid faux wisdom, and the gift the God that makes your face shine.

At Pentecost the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the church so that we would believe the gospel and live walk its power. The Spirit does the will of the Father and applies the work of Christ to the believer, revealing to us the deep things of God. NOTE - There was an incident with the sound equipment and recording quality for this sermon was poor.

God is the giver every good and perfect gift, as James says, but just because someone has received a lot does not mean he can enjoy it. Qoheleth addresses the inequalities obvious in a vaporous world. Rather than thwart or contradict the plan of God, these are established by Him. God gives us wisdom lit to teach the simple and to increase the learning of the wise. These verses won't make it onto any inspirational posters, but they will deepen your knowledge and love for your creator.

God is sovereign over all things, and even though life is vapor and impossible for man to control, Solomon does not tell us to despair. Just because you are not in control of everything, does not mean you can't control anything. Wisdom matters. Solomon addressed ethical and philosophical objections to God's sovereignty in, now he through practical problems, building to the conclusion. It's the gift of God to enjoy the good of your labor, and not just at the end of the day, but in all the ways you conduct yourself. In His kindness God gives prudence and wisdom, and this affects every minute of life.

The job of the Christian church is to be salt and light in the world by believing, preaching, and living out the uncompromised gospel that Jesus Christ is Lord over all. As the Seattle Symphony sang, “He shall reign forever and ever.” That this sounds too extreme to most pastors (!) today accounts for a recent meme that says, “If Paul were around today, the church would be getting a letter.” These texts from Revelation and Hebrews contain a letter of sorts, reminding us that the church has been overtaken by sin before and called to repentance, just as we need to be today. This message focuses on the state of the church in our country but includes exhortations for us locally

The miracle of the incarnation upended everything. The Greeks were fine with gods gallivanting around the world just so long as they and their followers supported the state. The Jews wanted a messiah, but he couldn't come from a jerkwater town, and he certainly couldn't claim to be God and go around acting like Him—forgiving sins, raising the dead, and claiming authority over the temple. Jesus did all of these things as true man and true God, the human and divine natures existing in the single person born in Bethlehem, born to the virgin Mary, born to set His people free.

In Psalm 20 Israel needs help in the upcoming day of the trouble. We don't know which specific events provoked this psalm, but we know God gave it to us for all our days of trouble. Israel prays for their king and teaches us to pray for ours. And like all Scripture, this psalm points to Christ and was fulfilled by Him.

We live in a world where God speaks. Creation bursts with His beauty and splendor. The inspired Scriptures preach the gospel and the whole counsel of God. And the Spirit applies these words to our hearts and minds. Psalm 19 has been called the greatest poem in the Psalter, a fitting psalm to describe the Lord's revelation.

David sings a nearly identical song in 2 Samuel 22 celebrating God's deliverance from the hand of Saul and all his enemies throughout his life. This psalm of thanksgiving bears the heart of the who man who was after God's own heart. Here we see a blazing faith and renewed mind on display as David reflects on what God has done and what He will do.

The psalms teach us how to pray and live, and the theme of justice occurs frequently in them. David's enemies plot wickedly against him, and he wants God to hear a just cause and stop them. The Lord would have us pray in the same way, calling on Him to act in the world on the basis of His covenant love and righteousness.

This psalm is a desperate cry for deliverance made from steadfast faith in the deliverer. David's expectation goes far beyond the present trouble, declaring the Lord will ultimately deliver him, body and soul, from the grave. The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of this promise to the Lord Jesus Christ who was raised up by the Father and seated at His right hand.

How are we to live in the house of God? We see in this psalm the efficacious grace of our God that not only brings us into His tabernacle but transforms us within it. He brings us into His presence and transforms us to live in covenant union with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Sin begins in the heart where the fool tells himself there is no God. Though he doesn't confess this outwardly, his actions reveal a practical atheism that would devour the people of God. Thankfully, the Lord has other plans and teaches us so sing them in grateful praise to our King.

In this Psalm David calls on God from the brink of death and despair, and yet finishes his song full of faith. His prayer consists of petitions, statements of faith, and arguments for why God should do what he asks.

Psalm 12 is a desperate cry for help, one that we need to study and apply in our times when spin doctors abound.

The book of Psalms runs the gamut of human emotion and experience while always directing us to trust God. This is no glib or easy faith, but one that looks to the Lord and remains steadfast when everything seems to be crumbling.

God establishes new households, families that receive and fulfill His promises to bless us to a thousand generations. We pass on the testimonies and praises of Yahweh so that coming generations would tell their children and set their hope on God.

The word of God is sufficient to equip us for every good work, including parenting teenagers. Like every age, kids during these years have particular temptations which ought to cause parents to seek the Lord and His wisdom during these delightful years.

God made Adam and Eve to live together in helpful companionship, to be fruitful and multiply, and to glorify and enjoy Him in the wonderful covenant of marriage. Our salvation comes to us through the marriage, the relationship of Christ and the church. In our marriages we have the privilege of picturing this ultimate marriage, and we do it well when husbands and wives fulfill their particular responsibilities. When they do, marriage sings, and when they don't, it clanks. Don't forget what we learned earlier, that while each spouse is individually responsible for themselves, the husband is responsible for the marriage.

Sermon from guest preacher Mike Kloss -- Pastor at Redeemer Church in Lynwood, WA.

We've seen God establishing His covenant of grace not just with individuals but with households, promising to bless to a thousand generations. These blessed generations are made in the covenant of marriage, the wonderful union of man and woman.

What is a Christian household? We live in a time when God wants us to relearn the basics, not because He is pedantic but because we have forgotten. What is a man, what is a woman, what is a marriage, what is a family—these foundational questions are answered by the Lord so that we can know who we are (identity) and what we are doing (mission). All of the Bible is applicable to all of God's people because we are united in Christ as brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, and sons and daughters. Therefore whether you are young or old, married or single, parents or not, this entire series on the Christian Household is yours.

Matthew concludes his gospel with the great commission, Jesus command to make disciples of the all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to do everything He commanded. This is the mission of the church and therefore of every Christian.

Sermon from guest preacher Joshua Edgren, ministerial student at Greyfriars Hall in Moscow, Idaho.

Sermon from guest preacher TJ Lukkasson of King's Cross Church in Kirkland, WA.

In order for the Holy Spirit to be poured out on the Church, Jesus had to leave. This was a hard pill for the apostles to swallow because they didn't have the Spirit post-Pentecost yet. But He has been given so that we would understand His work over the past 2000 years and carry it on.

How did an ancient instrument of execution become the most powerful symbol of salvation in world? We must never forget how the cross became what it is. Matthew reveals the pain, mockery, and God-forsakenness that Jesus endured for the salvation of the world.

The wise men lauded Jesus as a King at His birth, and when He rode into Jerusalem on donkey the crowds hailed Him as the Son of David. But now the King is on trial. According to custom, someone will be released at the feast, either Jesus or Barabbas. It should be Jesus, but it isn't. Instead, He dies in Barabbas' place. The cross is like a diamond that you can look at from many angles, and here Matthew shows Christ as our royal substitute.

Because we are a sinful people made in the image of a righteous God, we have an inescapable need for atonement—to be right with Him. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins, and if men will not receive Christ's atonement which is offered by grace, they will try to find a substitute to deal with their guilt. But only His blood can cover our sins and restore us to fellowship with the living God.

Before Jesus goes to the cross, He takes the stand in front of the Sanhedrin who falsely accuse in order to execute Him. The whole setup violates the standards of justice in Israel, reveals the depths of our enmity with God, and displays the unconquerable love of our Savior.

Throughout the Gospel of Matthew Jesus has been boldly proclaiming and living out the kingdom of God. Lies, slander, and the attacks of enemies have had little effect on His ministry, and the disciples, though often mistaken and immature, have stuck with Him. This is about to change; all will be made to stumble this night. We see that Jesus is a stumbling stone not just to His enemies, but to those who love Him. And as He nears the cross and feels death bearing down, He falls on His face, asking God to let this cup pass. But it can't and so He trusts the Father to restore Him.

Passover commemorates the freedom of the Jews from slavery and death in Egypt. The angel passed over the houses marked with blood, sparing the death of the firstborn. Israel celebrated this foundational feast in the first month, Nisan 14, and then kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread until the 21st. Jesus observes Passover with His disciples, but it becomes clear that He will not be passed over. Judas will betray and hand Him over, but the apostles will forsake Him. Knowing this, Jesus loves them anyway and establishes the new foundational feast of the people of God, the Lord's Supper.

Christians generally understand that Jesus died on the cross and made atonement for our sins. But what happened when He rose from the dead? What does it matter that Jesus came out of the grave with the same body He had before? It's true as far as it goes that Jesus died so we would go to heaven when we die, but this leaves out the full impact of His resurrection. The enmity that ruled the world since the fall of Adam died on the cross with Jesus. His resurrection declared His victory sine and death, and the reconciliation of all things in heaven and earth to God the Father.

Jesus finished all these sayings. He completed the five discourses including the Sermon on the Mount, Sermon on Mission, Parables of the Kingdom, Sermon on the Church, and the Olivet Discourse. He delivered the whole counsel of God and up to this point He has constantly confounded His enemies, speaking with authority and not as the scribes. But from here He will say very little, but instead will be “betrayed” and “handed over” repeatedly. In this passage, two groups gather at very different houses to consider the price of Christ's blood.

In this final sermon in Matthew, Jesus describes the great judgment that will come upon all nations and individuals within them. So far in the Olivet Discourse Jesus has been predicting the destruction of the temple, which would take place within one generation, and warning His people to be ready for it. With the end of His life in sight, He tells the disciples what to focus on for the rest of theirs. When He comes in glory and they stand before Him, what will matter?

For most of history Christians have been persecuted for their faith. Jesus' life and message was so threatening to the leadership of Israel that they had Him executed, hoping to be done with Him. But then the Father raised Him up and poured the Holy Spirit out on the church. The disciples proclaimed the same world-transforming gospel and eleven of them died as martyrs (John finished his days in exile), expanding the kingdom even further. In the Olivet Discourse Jesus prepares His people for the tribulation and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD by teaching them how to be fruitful in the meantime while the master is away. They did not bury their talents but invested them to great profit and entered into joy of their Lord. We ought to be fruitful in hard times because we've been faithful in easy times.

Jesus has been delivering a lot of specific information and instruction. He said within one generation not one stone of the temple would be left upon another, that His disciples would encounter false Christs, hear rumors of wars, know of earthquakes and famines, and then be delivered up death. When they would see the abomination that causes desolation—false worship in the temple like Daniel saw—then they should leave the city. But now He says no one knows the exact day or hour and therefor they must watch and be ready. Instead of telling believers to hightail it immediately to a serene country, He wants them to stick around and be faithful disciples in Jerusalem. Decades will pass and it will feel like nothing is happening, so He warns them to be vigilant. They must be ready to go when it's time, but not before.

So far in the Olivet Discourse Jesus has mostly described what will precede the destruction of the temple when “not one stone will be left here upon another”. He says not to be troubled when they would hear about false Christs, wars and rumors of wars, nations rising against nations, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes: these are just the beginning of sorrows. This instruction prepared the church to be ready at the right time for the worst, knowing it would be ultimately for the best. This whole passage is fulfilled in 70 AD, but Jesus tells His disciples not to be frightened by all the things that frighten those who are worried about the end times—wars, rumors of war, etc. Instead, He shapes the church to thrive and be more faithful and fruitful in hard times.

The Olivet Discourse, Jesus' last and longest, occurs in Matthew 24 and 25. Jesus is the new Israel who is called out of Egypt, baptized in the Jordan River, tempted in the wilderness, ascends the mountain like Moses to teach the law, sends disciples like Joshua to take the land, establishes the kingdom as David did, teaches wisdom like Solomon, and now like Jeremiah He warns Israel of the temple's destruction and judgment. He makes it clear these things will take place within a generation, which makes this text no less relevant to our time. We live in God's world where there are wars and rumors of wars, nations rise and fall, churches thrive and perish, and God's kingdom comes from heaven to earth anyway.

In His eighth and final woe, Jesus condemns the scribes and Pharisees for building the tombs of the prophets while being just like their fathers who murdered them. His imminent death will prove Him right, but He makes an even bigger point. We live in a broken world where innocent blood is often shed. Just days ago Russia attacked Ukraine, including civilian targets, and thousands have already died. Jesus reveals that God isn't far away, ignorant, indifferent, or unwilling to do something about it. He confronts violent and murderous peoples and gives His life to transform the world.

Now that Jesus has tossed tables in the temple, the chief priests and elders want to know why. Who does He think He is, and what is going on? They try to trap and end Him, but He confounds them with riddles and parables. Fig trees and vineyards are symbols of blessing and prosperity in Israel. Micah prophesies when Yahweh's house is established on the top of the mountains and nations study war no more, “everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid” (Mic. 4:4). But in these parables of judgment the fig tree withers, and the vinedressers are destroyed. Having wept over Jerusalem, Jesus predicts what will happen, and as shocking as it seems, it's good news for God's people and kingdom.

At the birth of Jesus, magi from the East saw His star and came to worship the King of the Jews. When they found Him, they presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Although the baby Jesus didn't know about these events, his parents, and soon Herod, certainly did. He was recognized as a King and therefore considered a threat. Because of this, Jesus did most of His ministry in northern Israel away from Judea where the ruling class dealt with threats like Him. Now He comes deliberately and triumphantly into Jerusalem for the final week of His life, to take His throne and save His people.

At the incarnation, the Word of God took on flesh and dwelt among us. He did not become less God, and He did not remain fully God while only appearing to be a man. Jesus is one hundred percent God and one hundred percent man. This union of the divine and human natures in the person of Jesus is not obscure theological trivia, but truth that determines the rise and fall of nations.

Jesus made Himself of no reputation, took on the form of a servant, lived without sin, and died on the cross in order to redeem us from sin and death so that we would reign with Him now. James and John want the crown without the cross, but sometimes we don't even want the crown. We want the couch until Christ comes back. But the way of Christ is cross and then crown, humility and then greatness. Even though our final glorification will occur at the resurrection, Jesus shows us how to follow Him now.

God is constantly turning things upside down including us. The rich young ruler goes away sorrowful because he doesn't want to give away his possessions, which causes the disciples to ask in despair, “Who then can be saved?”. But Jesus answers that with God, all things are possible, and everyone who has left homes for His sake will receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life. Many who are first will be last, and the last first. The disciples have left everything to follow Jesus, so they're good, right? They may have thought so until hearing the parable of the workers in the vineyard. This is usually read as a separate story, but it's also about wealth and drives to the same conclusion in reverse order: last/first, first/last. God is the “good” one who does right with what is His. He is good all the time, especially when He appears to be doing more for others than for us.