Reformation Presbyterian Church – Sermons

God and humanity meet in Jesus, the righteous son of God, who will judge the world on the Last Day.

Perseverance and the Danger of Being Near-sighted (vv. 1-4, 8-11) Partaking in the Divine Nature (vv. 5-7) • Knowledge / Identity (v. 5) • Self-Control / Purpose (v. 6) • Love / Community (v. 7) The Last Wish of a Dying Apostle (v. 1, 12-15) Discussion Starters Monday—Why is it necessary for Christians to bear fruit? (v. 8) What does it mean to be nearsighted? (v. 9) Why is it detrimental to Christians? Tuesday—What does it mean that people want to know who they are? How does being a Christian define who you are? Can you follow Jesus well if you don't understand this? Wednesday—Why is purpose so important to people? What is your purpose? How do you exercise that purpose? Why is self-control necessary to do so? Thursday—Why is love so important? Why is it impossible to grow as a Christian apart from being a part of a church? Friday—What does it mean that you already have all things that pertain to life and godliness? (v. 3) If you have everything you need, why aren't you living a perfect life? What do you need in order to grow in godliness?

The Goal of Creation (Ascending in Victory) (vv. 1-5)Another Way (Ascending in Defeat)The God of Jacob (vv. 6-10)Discussion StartersMonday—What does the “fullness of the earth” refer to in verse 1? What was Adam's job in creation (Genesis 1:28)?Tuesday—What reward would Adam have received for doing his job well? How does that relate the description of the righteous person described in verses 4 and 5 (clean hands, pure heart and an honest tongue)?Wednesday—Who was Jacob and what was he known for (Genesis 25:29 - 28:5)? Did Jacob deserve to see heaven because of clean hands, a pure heart and an honest tongue? What did he deserve?Thursday—What did God promise to Jacob (Genesis 28:10-22)? What did it take for Jacob to be blessed by God (Genesis 32:22-32)? Why does God conquer and subdue them?Friday—Psalm 24 presents God as ascending back up his holy mountain into his house. What does it mean that he has first descended to the earth (Ephesians 4:8-10)? Whom does he bring with him as he goes back up to his home (Psalm 24:7-10)?ean that you will have no problems? Is where does it teach you to set your hope (v. 6)?

Jesus' resurrection on the third days tells us that the enemy is conquered, peace with God has been restored, and Gentiles are now invited in to share in these blessings.The Original Tabernacle (and Temple)The Exile, Destruction and Rebuilding of the Temple (Ezra 6:1-18)Jesus the True Tabernacle / Temple (John 1:14; 2:19)Discussion StartersMonday—What was the tabernacle? When was it made and why? What was it meant to represent and communicated to Israel?Tuesday—How is the temple related to the tabernacle? Can you remember any of its features? What was the most important place in it? Why was it important?Wednesday—Why did God send his people into exile in Babylon? Why was it for 70 years? How does the exile teach God's people that the law could not save them?Thursday—How was God's declaration that the exile would only be 70 years tell his people that there was hope and a future? What did the rebuilding of the temple communicate after the exile?Friday—Could Jesus have chosen to be raised on the 4th day or the 5th? Why not? Why does he call his body the “temple”? What does his resurrection tell us in light of the rebuilding of the temple in Ezra 6?

The only way to stand strong against the devil is the humbling habit of submission.Why Submitting is Hard (v. 8; Genesis 3:1-7; Matthew 4:1-11)Resisting the Devil (vv. 5-7, 9-14; Matthew 4:1-11)Submitting (v. 5)Discussion StartersMonday—Is submission a good thing or a bad thing? Is it easy or hard? Why? Is this an area that you need to grow?Tuesday—What is pride? Why does the devil always use our pride against us? What are some ways you have seen him do that in your life?Wednesday—Re-read Matthew 4:4, 7, & 10. How did Jesus resist the devil? What does that show you about how you can resist the devil?Thursday—What does submitting to your elders look like? (v. 5) Do you have to agree in order to submit? What are some things you can do to support your elders?Friday—Is the suffering of this life forever? (vv. 10-11) How can that reality help you to stand strong when the world seems unfair?

Jesus establishes the pattern of caring for his sheep through his appointed shepherds.Jesus Appoints Shepherds (v. 12-16)Jesus Models Shepherding (v. 17-19)

Those who wish to be leaders in God's house must serve with no view to personal gain.The Shepherds of Israel (Deuteronomy 17:14-20Feed My Sheep (vv. 1-2; John 21:15-19)Under-Shepherds (vv. 2-4)Discussion StartersMonday—How do we tend to think about authority and those who possess it? Where do we get these ideas? Are they consistent with the Bible or at odds?Tuesday—What kinds of instructions did God give to kings in Israel? (Deuteronomy 17:14-20) How did these compare with how kings typically led? Why were God's instructions so different?Wednesday—What happened when Jesus met with Peter after the resurrection? (John 21:15-19) How do you think this conversation influenced what we read in 1 Peter 5:1-4?Thursday—What kind of qualities does Peter call elders to exhibit? (vv. 2-3) Is this what you have historically looked for in leaders? Are you praying for new leaders to be raised up that look like this?Friday—What are the “two crowns” that belong to leaders in Christ's church? Are these two crowns the sole possession of leaders, or do they belong to all Christians?

Affliction in the life of the Christian can bring joy when we understand that it's part of what it means to belong to Jesus and that he is using it to make us more like him.Don't be Surprised (vv. 12, 19)Suffering as a Christian (vv. 14-16)God's Purpose and Our Response to Trials (vv. 12-13, 16-19)Discussion StartersMonday— To whom was 1 Peter written? What was the situation like? How would you summarize its message so far? How has it challenged or helped you?Tuesday—Why are so many Christians surprised by fiery trials? Why shouldn't you be surprised? How does good theology prepare you for trials and bad theology ill-prepare you?Wednesday—What does it mean to “suffer as a Christian”? (vv. 14-16) What all does it entail? Why?Thursday—What are God's purposes in ordaining trials in our lives? Why does he ordain more trials for his children than for the world? Is this proof of God's love or his indifference?Friday—How are you called to respond to “fiery trials?” Are you to rejoice in the trials themselves or something else? What and why?

Baptism serves as a picture of the kingdom of Christ—a kingdom of sacrifice and service, esteeming the weak above the strong, and putting others before yourself.The Arrival of the Kingdom (vv. 35-37, 41; cf. Mark 8:22-30; 9:14-29)The Correction (vv. 42-45; cf. Mark 8:14-21, 31-9:1; 9:30-32; 10:17-34)The Sign(s) of Inclusion (vv. 38-40)Discussion StartersMonday—What is an initiation rite? What are some examples of initiation rites in our culture? What does the Bible say baptism brings us into (Galatians 3:27; 1 Cor 12:13; Mark 1:15; Romans 6:3)?Tuesday—What were the Israelites expecting from the Messiah? In what ways did they expect him to be like David? When did James and John expect Jesus' glory to be revealed?Wednesday—What does Jesus say greatness looks like in his kingdom? Who is the chief example of this? How are you called to emulate the model set?Thursday—Why did James and John fail to grasp the warnings Jesus gave about what awaited them in Jerusalem (Mark 8:31-9:1; 9:30-32; 10:32-34)? In what ways do we show the same short of blindness?Friday—How is baptism a picture of greatness? How does it proclaim Jesus' death? How does it set before those who receive what life looks like in Christ's kingdom?

The time spent waiting for Jesus' return should be spent learning to subdue your selfishness and serving others whether they be inside the church or out.

All Christians should be able to explain why they are confident that heaven awaits them by telling people what Jesus has done for them.

Peace in life (and in marriage!) is found not in serving yourself, but surrendering to God.Strong Women (vv. 1-6)Strong Men (v. 7)Seeing Good Days (vv. 8-14)Discussion StartersMonday—Do you desire to love life and see good days? What does that mean? Why is it such a desire for everyone? Where do you tend to look for contentment?Tuesday—What is Psalm 34 about? Was pretending to be weak and insane flattering or humiliating for David? So why did he write about it? What did he want us to learn from his experience?Wednesday—Why does God tell wives to submit to their husbands? Is this easy or hard? Does it take weakness or strength? What makes this hard to do?Thursday—What does God expect from husbands as leaders? How does God respond to harsh or domineering husbands? Does it take weakness or strength to lead well? What makes this hard to do?Friday—How is God's understanding of strength different from the world's? Why does it take strength to submit? Why is this the only road to peace and contentment?

Entrusting yourself to God requires submitting yourself to others including those who would mistreat you because that's what Jesus did.Jesus' Example (vv. 21-25)Every Human Institution (vv. 13-17)Servants and Masters (vv. 18-20)Discussion StartersMonday—How do you feel when you hear the word “submit”? Is submission easy or hard? Why? What keeps you from submitting to others?Tuesday—Why do you think Peter spends so much time rehearsing what Jesus endured and why in verses 21-25? What did Jesus endure? How did he respond? Why?Wednesday—Are we meant to follow Jesus' example? What are we to imitate? Is there anything that we shouldn't imitate? Why?Thursday—What does Peter mean by “every human institution”? (v. 13) Are there ever times you shouldn't submit to a ruler? (cf. Acts 5:29) Do you have to agree with leaders to submit to them?Friday—Why is what we read about servants and masters in verses 18-20 so hard? Does the Bible condone what we think of a slavery? (cf. Ex 21:16; Deut 24:7; 1 Tim 1:9-10) How do Peter's instructions about servants and masters apply to your life?

As those who have been rescued from judgment and assured of our eternal inheritance, we should treat outsiders with compassion, not malice.

The Old Covenant was intended to humble the children of God and drive them to the grace of the New Covenant, where they find peace with God.The Voice of Sinai (vv. 17-20; cf. Hebrews 2:1-4; 10:1-4)The Voice of Abel's Blood (Genesis 3-4; cf. Hebrews 11:4)The Voice of Jesus (vv. 22-24)Discussion StartersMonday—What does it mean to long for the “tangible” in worship? Why do you think so many religions revolve around the senses?Tuesday—How did God treat Jacob and Esau differently? Why did he treat them differently? How did Israel's experience at Mount Sinai mirror Jacob's story?Wednesday—How does the “voice of God” that Israel heard at Sinai relate to what Adam and Eve heard in the Garden of Eden? Is it a comforting voice or a terrifying voice? (Deut 8:20; 13:18; 15:5; 18:16; Is 30:31; 66:6; Jer 7:28; 26:13) Why would God give his children such a terrifying experience at Mount Sinai?Thursday—How does Zion differ from Sinai? Why is important to understand that our worship is defined as taking place on Zion?Friday—How does Jesus provide a way for us to enter into Zion? Why couldn't the law provide a way?

Being a child of God means walking in this world with sacrificial love, the way the Son of God did while he was on earth.

The end of the Christian life is a heavenly inheritance and the road to that goal is one of purification through trials.

When the Lord makes you his own, you become and exile in this world.

Peace and forgiveness come through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ who died for our sins and was raised again as testimony to the Father's acceptance of his sacrifice.

God is the great and exalted Creator and Lord, who lowers himself to serve the needy.

Jesus, as the embodiment of wisdom, is the truly blessed man who receives an eternal and unshakable inheritance, which he shares with all who take refuge in him.

A God you can control offers no comfort, but a God who can control history is the only refuge for sinners.

David mistakenly accuses God of abandoning him in his darkest hour, something Christ willing endures in order that he might draw near to his people in love and save them.

Because of his willingness to suffer for you, Jesus has been exalted above all others and will rule in the midst of his enemies until the final day and calls you to freely offer yourself wholly to him in gratitude for all he has done.

While we await God's justice on the Last Day, we must be on guard against those in the church who might be working against it, removing them and raising up others to take their place, for the sake of God's honor.

The fact that any good happens to man is not a result of man's worthiness, but of God's gracious love and his willingness to suffer for those whom he loves.

Your greatest strength is that you belong to God.

Those who have seen Jesus and are nourished on his gospel take no greater delight than in taking up their cross and disappearing into his story.

We will see that, in the Bible, victory comes through defeat, life through death and deliverance through suffering.

Because Jesus is the main character in history, we all have supporting parts, but in his family there are no small parts.

When we put it all together the message is this—We are to give no place in our churches or our hearts to false teachers who teach contrary to the teachings of Christ.

Those who love Jesus love his church and seek grace, mercy, and peace for those who belong to it.

Your greatest desire in life should be for Jesus and for others to find life in him before it's too late.

In Jesus' baptism, crucifixion, and resurrection the Father has born witness that he is the perfect Savior and our only hope of salvation.

David teaches us to boast in our weakness for, though it is foolish to the world and humbling, it is where God's power is made perfect and we find life.

Because God is love, his children must love each other and even those hate them.

Baptism preaches the message of the Gospel to God's people and seals it with His promise that all who trust in the blood of Jesus will be saved.

Love is the sacrificial concern for others that defines God and should define us as we reflect God's love to those around us.

Teachers show themselves to be true by preaching Jesus Christ crucified, a stumbling block and foolishness to the world.

God calls you to follow Abel's model of living sacrifice rather than Cain's model of bitter envy. Cain or Abel (v. 11-12; Genesis 4:1-11)Glory or the CrossHate or Love (vv. 13-24)Discussion StartersMonday—In what way is 1 John a book of antitheses? What are some of them? Why does John press these?Tuesday—Did Abel do anything wrong to Cain? Why did Cain hate Abel?Wednesday—What is a theologian of glory? What is a theologian of the cross? Which are you called to be? Why?Thursday—What does it mean that you are called to lay down your life for your brothers? What is the model that you follow? Is this hard or easy?Friday—What hope do you have when your heart condemns you? (v. 20) How can you pray when that happens?

Love is an unmistakable family trait—one that all God's children have.

The last days will be known for false teachers and we must be all the more sure to cling to the truth of the gospel.

True faith shows itself in love toward others, even seeking good for your enemies.