Oceanside United Reformed Church

Summary: When darkness feels like your only friend, pray to the Lord in faith and wait for the dawn in hope because Jesus has risen from the dead. The Darkness You Feel Is Real (vv. 3–9, 15–18) The Light You Seek Is in the Lord (vv. 1–2, 9, 13) The Place Your Darkness Turns to Light Is the Empty Tomb

Summary: We see the Church through God's eyes when we see that he loves her, gathers outsiders into her, and makes himself the fountain of her joy. God Sees His Church as the City He Loves (vv. 1–3) God Sees His Church as the Home of Former Outsiders (vv. 4–6) God Sees His Church as the People Whose Life Is in Him (v. 7)

Relevance: why does this matte to me? Thesis: When you doubt God's love, look to the cross: Christ died for you while you were still helpless, ungodly, and sinful. GOD'S LOVE FOUND US AT OUR WORST GOD'S LOVE SURPASSING HUMAN LOVE GOD'S LOVE IS PROVEN AT THE CROSS

Summary: When your heart is divided, pray to the Lord who alone can unite your heart to fear His name. Pray As the Lord's Needy Servant (vv. 1–4, 16–17) Pray According to the Lord's Good Character (vv. 5–6, 15) Pray to the Lord as the Only God (vv. 8–10, 12–13)

Summary: When your heart is divided, pray to the Lord who alone can unite your heart to fear His name. Pray As the Lord's Needy Servant (vv. 1–4, 16–17) Pray According to the Lord's Good Character (vv. 5–6, 15) Pray to the Lord as the Only God (vv. 8–10, 12–13)

Summary: where we're at in Romans and where we're going in this passage. Relevance: why does this matter to me? Thesis: Because God has justified us in Christ, we can rejoice even in suffering, knowing he uses it to deepen our hope and assure us of his love by the Holy Spirit. THE SURPRISE: WE REJOICE IN SUFFERING (V. 3A) THE PROCESS: SUFFERING PRODUCES HOPE (VV. 3B–4) THE ASSURANCE: HOPE WILL NOT SHAME US (V. 5)

Summary: Psalm 85 is all about praying for renewal in our relationship with God. I. Remember Rightly—God Has Restored Us in Christ (vv. 1–3) II. Plead Honestly—God Invites Us to Ask for Renewal (vv. 4–7) III. Expect Confidently—God Speaks Peace to His People (vv. 8–13)

Summary: where we're at in Romans and where we're going in this passage. Relevance: why does this matter to me? Thesis: If you're justified by faith in Christ, your past is settled, your present is secure, and your future is full of hope. I HAVE PEACE (V. 1) I HAVE ACCESS (V.2) I HAVE JOY (V.2)

Summary: Psalm 84 shows us that "going to church" is a big deal because God's dwelling place pictured in the temple is embodied in Christ and enjoyed by the church. I. It's God's Special Dwelling Place (vv. 1–4) II. It's a Place Pilgrims Receive Strength (vv. 5–8) III. It's a Place God Gives Grace (vv. 9–12)

Easter noon service 2026

Easter morning service 2026

Good Friday service 2026

Summary We continue our 2026 evening series on the Christian Life, with the theme that we're pilgrims (message #01) whose sure footing is belonging to Jesus (message #02) as we live before the smiling face of God (message #03). Tonight, we'll focus on the essential doctrine for the journey—sanctification. Introduction: when old habits keep tripping you Thesis: Because God brings His children into the light through Jesus Christ, we must live by ongoing repentance—not hiding in sin or despairing in sin, but confessing it and rising again in His mercy. GOD TEACHES PILGRIMS TO WALK IN THE LIGHT SIN TEACHES US TO HIDE; GRACE TEACHES US TO CONFESS CHRIST GIVES STUMBLING PILGRIMS PARDON AND A PATH FORWARD GOSPEL INVITATION: COME INTO THE LIGHT Conclusion: learn the gait by returning

Introduction: God counts righteousness to sinners who believe, not to workers who earn. Summary: where we're at in Romans and where we're going in this passage. NOT BY WORKS (VV. 1–5) Question and answer 60 of our Heidelberg Catechism: "How are you righteous before God? Only by true faith in Jesus Christ...without any merit of my own, out of sheer grace, God grants and credits to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ, as if I had never sinned nor been a sinner, and had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me—if only I accept this gift with a believing heart." BUT BY FAITH (V. 5) AND WITH FULL FORGIVENESS (VV. 6–8) Justification has two sides: • Negatively: he doesn't count your sin against you. He takes away your guilt. • Positively: he counts righteousness to you. He grants you righteousness. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US AS A CONGREGATION?

The Day of the Lord is like a coin with two sides. On one side there is judgment against the enemies of God and his people. Those who refuse to humble themselves before the covenant Lord will face his wrath and indignation. On the other side of the coin, there is salvation and restoration of his people. Those who humble themselves and seek the covenant Lord will receive his mercy. This is what we see in our passage today. God promises that the peoples will call upon his name when he removes the proud and usher in moments of joy. CALLING UPON THE LORD (9–10) REMOVAL OF THE PROUD (11–13) MOMENT OF JOY (14–20)

Introduction: "Do not go where it is all fine music and grand talk and beautiful architecture—those things will neither fill anybody's stomach, nor feed his soul. Go where the Gospel is preached, the Gospel that really feeds your soul, and go often!" The gospel of justification by faith humbles sinners, unites peoples, and establishes a life of grateful obedience. Summary: where we're at in Romans and where we're going in this passage. Relevance Bridge: What does this have to do with me? THE GOSPEL SILENCES BOASTING THE GOSPEL CREATES ONE PEOPLE THE GOSPEL ESTABLISHES OBEDIENCE

We continue our 2026 evening series on the Christian Life, with the theme that we're pilgrims (message #01) whose sure footing is belonging to Jesus (message #02) as we live before the smiling face of God (message #03). Tonight, we'll focus on the essential doctrine for the journey—justification. Introduction: The case that won't close Road Sign (Series Connection Line): Remember the Bible's pilgrim story: God has brought us out of Egypt (sin), he's leading us through the wilderness (this life), and he's bringing us home to the Promised Land—ultimately the New Heavens and Earth (Rev. 21–22). The wilderness can make you feel alone. The road is long. The enemies are real. You start to wonder if you truly belong. As pilgrims on the way, God's provision for you this week when you feel like a spiritual orphan is to remember the Father named you and replaced fear with filial confidence. Thesis: Because the Father adopted you through the Son and sealed you by the Spirit, live as a child who belongs—resting in His welcome and walking in His ways, not as an orphan earning a place. RECEPTION INTO GOD'S FAMILY RECEPTION OF A NEW NAME RECEPTION OF THE SON'S SPIRIT RECEPTION OF AN INHERITANCE GOSPEL BRIDGE: COME HOME TO THE FATHER THROUGH THE SON Conclusion: Live From the Name the Father Has Bestowed

Summary: where we're at in Romans and where we're going in this passage. Relevance Bridge: What does this have to do with me? God publicly presented Jesus as the sacrifice who satisfies his righteous wrath, so that God may remain just while justifying sinners who believe in Jesus. THE PROVISION: "GOD PUT FORWARD CHRIST" (V. 25A) THE PURPOSE: "TO SHOW GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS" (VV. 25B–26A) THE RESULT: "SO THAT HE MIGHT BE JUST AND THE JUSTIFIER" (V. 26B) Conclusion: God smiles upon you because he frowned upon his Son in your place

Introduction: "possibly the most important single paragraph ever written." Summary: where we're at in Romans and where we're going in this passage. Relevance Bridge: What does this have to do with me? We've all fallen short of God's righteous standard—therefore God justifies freely, by grace, through Christ's redemption. THE UNIVERSAL PROBLEM (V. 23) THE FREE VERDICT (V. 24A) THE MEANING OF JUSTIFICATION: ACCEPTANCE YOU CAN'T EARN (V. 24A) THE GROUND OF THE GIFT (V. 24B) Gospel Bridge: Conclusion: You fall short—but in Christ, God justifies freely, by grace, as a gift

Summary We continue our 2026 evening series on the Christian Life, with the theme that we're pilgrims (message #01) whose sure footing is belonging to Jesus (message #02) as we live before the smiling face of God (message #03). Tonight, we'll focus on the essential doctrine for the journey—justification. Introduction: The case that won't close Road Sign (Series Connection Line): We've been brought out, we're being brought through, and we're being brought home as pilgrims. Pilgrims can't walk with a prosecutor on their heels. God gives a road sign: His settled verdict in Christ—the doorway of peace that steadies your stride for the next step. Thesis: Because God has justified us by faith in Christ, the pilgrim has peace with God and stands in grace on the road of life—so even suffering produces hope, because the Spirit pours God's love into our hearts. THE PARADOX (PS. 143) THE SETTLED VERDICT THE PILGRIM JOY Spurgeon: "Peace is the flowing of the brook, but joy is the dashing of the waterfall." GOSPEL BRIDGE Conclusion: Walk through the doorway and keep walking.

Summary We continue our 2026 evening series on the Christian Life, with the theme that we're pilgrims (message #01) whose sure footing is belonging to Jesus (message #02) as we live before the smiling face of God (message #03). Tonight, we'll focus on the essential doctrine for the journey—justification. Introduction: The case that won't close Road Sign (Series Connection Line): We've been brought out, we're being brought through, and we're being brought home as pilgrims. Pilgrims can't walk with a prosecutor on their heels. God gives a road sign: His settled verdict in Christ—the doorway of peace that steadies your stride for the next step. Thesis: Because God has justified us by faith in Christ, the pilgrim has peace with God and stands in grace on the road of life—so even suffering produces hope, because the Spirit pours God's love into our hearts. THE PARADOX (PS. 143) THE SETTLED VERDICT THE PILGRIM JOY Spurgeon: "Peace is the flowing of the brook, but joy is the dashing of the waterfall." GOSPEL BRIDGE Conclusion: Walk through the doorway and keep walking.

Summary: where we're at in Romans and where we're going in this passage. Relevance Bridge: What does this have to do with me? God doesn't wait for guilty people to become righteous; in the gospel, he reveals and gives a righteousness from Himself—apart from the law—to all who believe in Jesus THE TURNING POINT: "BUT NOW..." (V.21A) THE SHOCK: "APART FROM THE LAW..." (V.21B) THE CONTINUITY: "WITNESSED BY THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS..." (V.21C) THE INSTRUMENT: "THROUGH FAITH...FOR ALL WHO BELIEVE" (V.22) Gospel Bridge: stop trusting yourself and trust Jesus!

A series through John Owen's "The Glory of Christ" at "Anchored," the men's ministry of the Oceanside United Reformed Church

Summary We continue our 2026 evening series on the Christian Life, with the theme that we're pilgrims (message #01) and our sure footing is belonging to Jesus (message #02). Tonight, we'll focus on living before the face of God while under the stars on our journey. Introduction: Whose face are you living for? EL ROI SEES YOU ON THE ROAD (GEN. 16:13–14) THE GOD WHO SEES ALSO SURROUNDS YOU (PS. 139:1–12) UNDER THE STARS, GOD GIVES SIGHT NOW AND PROMISES SIGHT FULLY THEN Conclusion: Seen, surrounded, and still moving

Summary: where we're at in Romans and where we're going in this passage. Relevance Bridge: What does this have to do with me? God's law silences our excuses, sentences our guilt, and strips away self-justification—so we'll flee to Jesus for the righteousness God's grace alone can give THE LAW SILENCES US (V. 19A) THE LAW SENTENCES US (V. 19B) THE LAW STRIPS US (V. 20) The problem isn't the law; the problem is you. The law requires what we as sinners cannot perform: personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience. Gospel Bridge: stop trusting yourself and trust Jesus!

Summary We continue our 2026 evening series on the Christian Life, having set out on our pilgrimage (message #01). Tonight, we consider the need for sure footing for the journey from several passages of Scripture and how Jesus provides it. Introduction "COMFORT": CERTAIN FOOTING BELONGING STEADIES AT THE BEGINNING AND END OF LIFE (ROM. 14:7–9) SURE FOOTING BECAUSE YOU WERE PURCHASED (1 COR. 6:19–20) FIVE BOARDS ON A BRIDGE (HEIDELBERG CATECHISM Q&A 1) GOSPEL-SHOES FOR THE FIGHT (EPH. 6:10–17)

Summary: where we're at in Romans and where we're going in this passage. Relevance Bridge: What does this have to do with me? THE CHARGE: EVERYONE IS UNDER SIN (VV. 9) THE SUMMARY PROOF: NO ONE IS RIGHTEOUS (VV. 10–12) THE ANATOMY OF SIN: EVERY ASPECT OF EVERYONE IS CORRUPTED (VV. 13–18) Gospel Bridge: Because we're this bad, the gospel of Jesus Christ is so good!

Summary: We continue "Opening up Romans" and Paul's response to Jewish objections that all humanity is under sin. We try to dodge God's verdict with self-justifying objections, but God overrules them to show he's faithful and just- and to bring us to Christ. Introduction: The diagnosis and the Denial Chapter 1: diagnosed the ungodly and unrighteousness world of Gentiles- the nations outside Israel. Chapter 2: diagnosed the hypocritical and self-righteous world of the Jews. Chapter 3: the Jews' objections What does this have to do with me? you might not relate to "circumcision" or "Israel"—but you will relate to the instinct underneath: we build a case for why we should be okay with God. OBJECTION 1: "WHAT'S THE ADVANTAGE OF BEING GOD's PEOPLE?" (VV.1-2) OBJECTION 2: "IS GOD UNFAITHFUL?" (VV. 3-4) OBJECTION 3: "IS GOD'S JUDGMENT FAIR?" (VV. 5-6) OBJECTION 4: "WHY NOT KEEP SINNING?" (VV. 7-8) Gospel Bridge: the mercy in Paul's severity

Introduction: Listen to Moses and the Prophets, who taught to repent and to believe, with implications of changing our ways, including being merciful toward others in our lives, before it's too late. If you're rich or just doing well, then be careful, it might take your whole attention and before you know it, it will be too late. We must repent and amend our lives before it's too late. Great Contrast Great Reversal Great Truth

The city of Nazareth did not benefit from Jesus because they thought too little of Him. JESUS REJECTED BECAUSE NAZARETH KNEW HIM JESUS REJECTED BECAUSE THEY DID NOT LIKE HIS PEDIGREE JESUS REJECTED BECAUSE OF UNBELIEF

Jesus comforts his disciples in the midst of their worries with reminders of the Father's great love and care for them. CONSIDER THE CREATION CONSIDER THE CRISIS CONSIDER THE CHRIST

Brief notes on John Owen's Preface to the Reader in his work "Meditations and Discourses on the Glory of Christ" at OURC's men's ministry "Anchored"

The world feels like it is falling apart, but our Almighty God is in control of all things. We may never know why things happen the way they do, but we do know that our Almighty God is also our heavenly Father and that all things come from his fatherly hand. The Providence of God The Providence of God Almighty The Providence of God, our Almighty Father

The sermon calls Christian to continually rediscover and courageously defend the gospel of salvation by grace alone through faith in Christ alone. Rooted in unison with Jesus, true gospel bravery resists adding to the gospel and faithfully lives out its implications in the church and the world. THE BEAUTY OF GOSPEL DISCOVERY THE IMPORTANCE OF GOSPEL RECOVERY THE NEEDY FOR GOSPEL BRAVERY

Introduction: In this sermon we'll focus on three main movements: the tragedy of unbelief, the identity of the sheep, and the security of salvation. My aim is to show how Jesus clearly distinguishes between those who do not believe and those who belong to Him, and to comfort Christ's sheep with the assurance that their salvation is secure in the hands of the Son and the Father. The Tragedy of Unbelief The Identity of the Sheep The Security of Salvation

Summary: The Savior who was born for us (Christians) is also the Savior who died (Good Friday) & rose again for us! John 20:1-18 bears witness to us that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead, which was promised by Scripture long ago, and has accomplished our participation in the new creation as our victorious Savior. THE BEGINNING OF FAITH (VV. 1-10) THE NEW SIGHT OF THE NEW CREATION (VV. 11-16) THE FELLOWSHIP OF HEAVEN (VV. 17-18)

We must forgive each other because God forgave us. Peter asks Jesus about forgiveness and the response he receives is that it is a lifestyle for the believer. Then the parable of the Unforgiving Servant teaches us that God is gracious to forgive our debts so that we can always forgive each other. FORGIVENESS DEFINED FORGIVENESS SHOWN FORGIVENESS EXPECTED

Introduction: Matthew 2 continues the biography of Jesus, and gives us a theological instructive overview of his life in a nutshell. THE RETURN OF THE NATIONS BEGIN (Matt. 2:1-12) response #1: The Magi were foreigners who came to worship Jesus response #2: The political and religious leaders rejected Jesus instead of entrusting him THE LIFE OF JESUS IN A NUTSHELL (Matt. 2:13-23) Exodus (Matt 2:16-18; Hosea 11:1) Exile and Return (Matt 2:18-23; Jeremiah 31:15) Righteous Suffering (Matt 2:18-23; Isaiah 11:1; Isaiah 53:2) Conclusion: God has drawn near in Christ. Come, worship him like the Magi, but be forewarned that it will involve suffering.

Festival of Carols and Lessons

Introduction: Jesus came to share our humanity so he could rescue us—by defeating our enemy through his death, and by becoming our merciful high priest who makes peace with God and helps us in our weakness. Jesus Came to be Truly Like Us Jesus Came to Destroy Our Enemy and Free us from the Fear of Death Jesus Came to Make Peace with God and to Help Us in Our Weakness

Introduction: Because God has revealed himself in Scripture, Christians must let that doctrine shape their heads, hearts, and hands. Knowing What and Why We Believe (Head) Doctrine Grounds Us Doctrine Guards Us How Doctrine Fuels Devotion (Heart) Doctrine Fuels Love Doctrine Fuels Worship Doctrine Fuels Obedience A Call to Lifelong Discipleship (Hands) Keep Growing Keep Practicing Keep Looking to Christ Keep Passing It Down

Introduction: Because God has revealed the meaning of the end—even if he has hidden the timing—Christians can live with watchfulness, comfort, and confident hope. The Return The Resurrection The Recompense The Restoration