First Scots Presbyterian (PCA)

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."

This Lord's Day we will continue our study through the Gospel of John by looking at John 16:25–33, where Jesus speaks tenderly to His disciples on the eve of the cross. In a world full of sorrow, pressure, fear, and tribulation, our Lord does not promise His people an easy path—but He does promise His presence, His peace, and His victory. In this passage, Christ reminds us that He came into this world, suffered in this world, and ultimately overcame this world. Join us as we consider the deep comfort and courage found in the triumphant words of our Savior: "Take heart; I have overcome the world."

This Sunday morning, First Scots welcomes to its pulpit Rev. Dr. Ian Hamilton to preach from Psalm 74. Dr. Hamilton served for many years as pastor in Newmilns, Scotland, and Cambridge, England. He also serves on the faculty of Westminster Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Newcastle, England, and Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, as President of the Paton Society. Dr. Hamilton and his wife Joan have four children.

This Sunday, we will consider one of the greatest privileges Christ purchased for His people: prayer. In John 16:23–28, we will see that prayer is not merely a religious duty or a last resort in times of trouble, but a blood-bought invitation into fellowship with the living God Himself. Together we will consider how prayer lays hold of the riches of Christ, why we pray in Jesus' name, and why prayer is the right response in every circumstance of life. Come and be reminded that through Christ, the throne room of heaven stands open to every believer.

It is both God's will and God's promise that his beloved church be protected and kept pure in all ages. But what is God's plan for achieving this good and holy end? How does Jesus Christ, the true and faithful Shepherd, watch over the flock of his love? A chief part of the answer is through the Spirit-empowered ministry of faithful elders who are called to stand as defenders of the people of God. Join us this Lord's Day morning as we continue to consider the important role of the Elder from Titus 1:10-16.

On the night before the cross, Jesus tells His disciples that sorrow is coming—but it will not have the final word. The cross will bring deep grief, yet through it, He will secure a joy that can never be taken away. This Sunday, we'll behold how Christ transforms the sorrow of the cross into the everlasting joy of His people.

Marriage is a living portrayal of Christ's love for His Church, especially through how husbands love their wives.

In our passage this Sunday, Jesus gave His disciples a profound truth: "It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you." Join us this Lord's Day as we discover how Jesus' departure was necessary so that the Holy Spirit could come. We'll explore how the Spirit works to convict the world of sin and righteousness, and how His ultimate mission is to glorify Jesus Christ in your life. Come and learn more about the power of the Spirit who lives within us.

Most of us readily recognize the importance of having the right qualifications when it comes to our dentist, our doctor, or our airline pilot. In fact, we would be very quick to avoid placing ourselves under the practice of any such persons who failed to meet the right qualifications for their given work. But what about having the right qualifications for church officers? Isn't it important, perhaps even more important, that the men whom God calls to serve as the shepherds of souls should actually be fit by the Holy Spirit for the proper care of the Church? Moreover, what are the proper qualifications for the office Elder after all? What things does God say are the most important requirements for those who provide both authority and care for his beloved people? Join us this Lord's Day morning as we learn some of the key answers to these important questions from Titus 1:6-9.

This Sunday, we will hear Jesus speak plainly about what it means to follow Him in a hostile world. He tells us not to be surprised when faithfulness brings opposition. To belong to Christ is to share, in some measure, in His rejection. And yet, even as the cost is real, so is the joy—because Christ is worth it. Join us as we consider what it means to bear witness, to hold loosely to this world, and to cling tightly to our Savior.

At first glance, John 15 doesn't feel like an Easter passage. There is no empty tomb—only the sobering words, "If the world hates you…". But this is exactly where Easter begins. The world rejected Jesus. It crucified Him. And yet, the Father raised Him from the dead. Easter is God's great declaration: His Son is righteous, His sacrifice is accepted, and His kingdom will stand. Join us as we consider how the resurrection changes everything- not just one day a year, but every day.