First Scots Presbyterian (PCA)

I. The Reality of Spiritual Warfare II. The Armor for Spiritual Warfare III. The Power of Spiritual Warfare

United: How Twelve Essential Truths Hold Us Together. Join us as we explore the truths that unite us and shape our identity as a local church - from the broad truths we share with all believers to the convictions that make us evangelical, Protestant, Reformed, confessional, covenantal, and Presbyterian. Whether you are considering membership at First Scots or simply want to undestand better who we are and why we do what we do, we hope you will attend this new adult class. This week's topic is: United in Worship

In our passage for this Sunday, Pilate asks Jesus a question that people have been asking ever since: "What is truth?" As we consider our Lord's response, we will see how the truth of Jesus Christ confronts us, calls us to follow Him, costs us our autonomy, and ultimately restores us to who God created us to be. The question before each of us is not simply, "Is Christianity true" but "What will I do with this truth?"

I. Pain Expressed (v. 1-2) II. Help Requested (v. 3-4) III. The Heart Sustained (v. 5-6)

United: How Twelve Essential Truths Hold Us Together. Join us as we explore the truths that unite us and shape our identity as a local church - from the broad truths we share with all believers to the convictions that make us evangelical, Protestant, Reformed, confessional, covenantal, and Presbyterian. Whether you are considering membership at First Scots or simply want to undestand better who we are and why we do what we do, we hope you will attend this new adult class. This week's topic is "United: A Confessional Church".

As Jesus stands judgment before the Jewish and religous leaders, we find that He is actually exposing their wickedness. The religious leaders reveal the hypocrisy of empty religion, while Pilate reveals the worldliness of human power. As we watch, we find that what matters most is where we stand before Jesus.

I. The Essence of Sin II. The Effect of Sin III. The Universality of Sin IV. The Blindness of Sin V. The Unrest of Sin VI. The Enemy of Sin VII. The Savior of Sinners

United: How Twelve Essential Truths Hold Us Together. Join us as we explore the truths that unite us and shape our identity as a local church - from the broad truths we share with all believers to the convictions that make us evangelical, Protestant, Reformed, confessional, covenantal, and Presbyterian. Whether you are considering membership at First Scots or simply want to undestand better who we are and why we do what we do, we hope you will attend this new adult class. This week's topic is "United in Reform". Pastor Mark will consider the roots of the Reformation, and seek to understand the church's duty to be reformed and always reforming.

Peter boldly promised that he would never deny Jesus. Yet before the evening was over, he denied even knowing his Lord—three times. This Sunday, we will take a deep dive into Peter's denial and the pride behind it. Peter's failure reminds us that we are weaker than we think—but also that Christ's mercy is greater than we could have ever imagined.

I. Turn Your Heart to the Word of God (v. 4) II Turn Your Heart to the Discipleship of Your Family (v. 5-6)

United: How Twelve Essential Truths Hold Us Together. Join us as we explore the truths that unite us and shape our identity as a local church - from the broad truths we share with all believers to the convictions that make us evangelical, Protestant, Reformed, confessional, covenantal, and Presbyterian. Whether you are considering membership at First Scots or simply want to understand better who we are and why we do what we do, we hope you will attend this new adult class. This week's class: United Around the Gospel Alone.

This Sunday we'll consider the Lord's Supper and the astonishing grace behind this meal. Jesus willingly drank the cup of God's judgment so that His people might receive the cup of blessing. As we come to the Table, we'll consider what it means to commune with Christ, to belong wholly to Him, to examine ourselves in faith and repentance, and to look forward to the day when we will feast with Him forever at the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Over the next twelve weeks, we will explore the truths that unite us and shape our identity as a local church - from the broad truths we share with all believers to the convictions that make us evangelical, Protestant, Reformed, confessional, covenantal, and Presbyterian. Whether you are considering membership at First Scots or simply want to understand better who we are and why we do what we do, we hope you will attend this new adult class.

In John 18:1-14, we encounter several people, and we get to see through their eyes how they view Jesus. Judas has gifts without grace. Peter has zeal without understanding. Caiaphas speaks truth without faith. But at the center of the story stands Jesus Christ, who knows exactly what awaits Him and yet steps forward willingly to give Himself for His people. In this passage, we are reminded that Christianity is not merely about being around Jesus, serving Jesus, or knowing things about Jesus. It is about trusting Him, loving Him, and giving ourselves to the Savior who first gave Himself for us.

Have you ever noticed how much the human heart longs for more? We long for beauty, excitement, accomplishment, meaning, and something that will truly captivate us. We were made for more than the temporary pleasures and lesser glories this world can offer. In John 17, Jesus shows us where that longing ultimately leads. We were made to behold His glory. As we look to Christ—especially Christ crucified for sinners—we find the glory our hearts have been searching for, and His glory begins to transform us. Join us this Sunday as we consider the glory of Christ from John 17:24-26.

When it comes to Christian salvation, the Bible has three great burdens: (1) The first is to teach us what the root and means of Christian salvation is not—that is, what has not caused our salvation. (2) The second is to teach us what Christian salvation is actually grounded upon and who it is accomplished by for all who are saved. (3) The third is to teach us what that salvation inevitably produces in the hearts and lives of all who have truly received it. This is exactly what Paul addresses in our text for this Lord's Day morning (Titus 3:3-8). Paul does this because he believes that when we either do not understand Christian salvation rightly, or when we have grown complacent and forgetful toward the wonder of the undeserved grace we have received, it will greatly hinder our devotion to God in life. Either misunderstanding the gospel, or losing our wonder and awe at the gospel, will both cause our motivation to live in sacrificial devotion to Christ to dry up. This is because our understanding of grace and our devotion to Christ always exist in proportion to one another. When our view of grace is small, our devotion will likewise be small. But when our view of grace is great—as it should be!—our devotion will likewise be great. A proper view of God's grace to us in the gospel of our salvation fans holiness into flame, and motivates us to strive to live lives that bring pleasure and glory to God.

If a man came to your door promising to sell you an elixir that healed every illness, and yet, the whole time he was giving you his sales pitch he was coughing and hacking away, would you buy his product? Of course not. The evidence that his claims are false is right in front of you. You can see by the lack of health in his own life that his product is a sham. That situation is rather obvious to us all—and perhaps even a bit silly—but have you ever considered that this very principle is a major part of the reason that Christians are called to live holy lives? There is an inseparable relationship between the witness of the Christian and the holiness of the Christian. Our lives are meant to be living confirmations of the faith we profess to hold in our heart. Come join us this Lord's Day morning as we continue to learn from Paul's letter to Titus together.

On the night before the cross, Jesus prayed not only for His disciples, but for all who would believe in Him—including us. Of all that Jesus could have prayed for, His great prayer was for the unity of the church. Join us this Sunday as we discover why our love for one another is one of the clearest testimonies to the gospel.

What was the purpose in the mind of Christ when he "gave himself for us"? What was the aim and goal of our Savior in his suffering for our salvation? What did Jesus intend to purchase for his people through the shedding of his blood? Most Christians know the right answer—at least in part. They know that Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins, (Matt. 1:21). But what most Christians do not know, is that even though that answer is wonderfully true, it is also woefully deficient. That is, it is only a partial answer that leaves much of the wonder of God's grace to us in Christ untold. The blessing of God given in the gospel is far greater than mere forgiveness. It also includes the complete renovation of the sinner's life—starting right now and culminating in eternity. Join us this Lord's Day morning as we focus in on Titus 2:14 and consider part two of The Power and Purpose of God's Grace To Us in Christ.

The Christian life is not lived in neutral territory. Jesus tells us that His disciples will be hated by the world, opposed by the evil one, and tempted in every direction. How can weak Christians possibly endure such relentless opposition? In John 17, Jesus pulls back the curtain and allows us to hear what He asks the Father on our behalf. Join us this Lord's Day as we discover that our hope is not found in the strength of our grip on Christ, but in the strength of His grip on us.

The Apostle Paul famously said that "the gospel...is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes," (Rom. 1:16). This is a verse we should all heartily "Amen!" Without God's saving power we would have no hope. But what would you say if someone asked you to describe what the power of God actually looks like in the life of a believer? What are the real and present effects of the power of God's grace when God is at work in a person's life? This Lord's Day we will be considering Titus 2:11-14 where Paul teaches us not only about the power of God's grace in the life of every believer (v11-13), but also about God's purpose for the grace he has given (v14). Our focus on Sunday will be the first of these: the power of God's grace. Together we will see that God's powerful grace to us in Christ (1) Brings "salvation for all people" (v11), (2) "Trains us" in righteousness (v12), and (3) Sustains us in faith as we eagerly "wait" for the glorious return of "our great God and Savior Jesus Christ," (v13).

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus lifted His eyes to heaven and prayed for His disciples...the same disciples who would soon scatter and fail. Yet instead of abandoning them, He intercedes for them. In John 17:6–10, we are given a glimpse into the heart of Christ and the eternal love of God for His people. We will discover why our salvation is more secure than our feelings, why Christ treasures His Church, and why those who belong to Him are sent into the world with purpose and hope. Join us this Sunday as we continue our study of Jesus' High Priestly Prayer and consider what it means to be "Given to Christ, Sent Into the World."

On the night before His crucifixion, our Lord lifted His eyes to heaven and spoke to His Father in one of the most intimate prayers ever recorded. As we listen, we hear the heart of our Mediator. The hour has come. The cross stands before Him. Yet Jesus looks beyond the suffering to the glory that awaits and to the eternal life He came to secure for His people. Join us this Sunday as we consider Christ's work, Christ's glory, our salvation, and the glorious reality that our Savior now reigns in heaven and intercedes for us still.

What are you like when nobody is watching? In John 17, we step onto holy ground as we listen in on Jesus' prayer life with His Father. Just hours before the cross, Jesus spends time in prayer, revealing His heart, His priorities, and His perfect devotion. As we easvesdrop on this prayer, we'll discover the beauty of Christ's private life, the depth of His communion with the Father, and the wonderful truth that eternal life is found in knowing God through Him.

It is true that there is grace for all our sexual guilt in the bleeding wounds of Jesus Christ. And O how we should praise God for this gospel mercy! Even the most sexually defiled person in the world can stand spotlessly righteous before the throne of grace through the substitutionary merits of Jesus Christ in their place, (II Pet. 2:7). But it is also true that God is the "avenger" of the sexually immoral, and that "whoever disregards" God's commandments concerning holy sexuality "disregards God" Himself. Therefore, let the timeless words from I Thessalonians 4:1-8 be a sobering echo in our hearts that give us both holy fear and healthy defense as we zealously pursue sexual purity in all of life, and especially within our own "marriage bed."

The gospel does not just bring forgiveness for our sins, it also brings good order to our lives. The gospel teaches us how to live holy, godly, and Christ-exalting lives in the Church, in our homes, and in the workplace. Moreover, when we live a life that is conformed to the Word of God, we are also living a life that "adorns the doctrine of God our Savior"—that is, a life that shows the watching world the beauty of knowing and trusting Jesus. Join us this Sunday as we consider Titus 2:1-10 where we will learn that "good order in God's house gives a good testimony to the world."