Sermons - Darebin Presbyterian Church

What makes for good community?Jesus transforms people by the gospel to create communities that transform (Romans 12:1-2, 9)Christians are people transformed by God's mercy through Jesus (12:1-2)Christian community transforms people to be like Jesus (12:9)Christians are to form communities characterised by love and honour (12:10)Christians are loved by God and so they love each other like familyChristians are accepted by God so they honour each other freely and eagerlyEmbracing loving community at DPCBegin where people are atBe close enough to be challenged

Jesus shares his joyReceiving the divine joy that delights (John 15)Join the vine – connect to Jesus by faithRemain in the vine – obey Jesus to live out your status as his belovedBe nurtured by the gardener – know a full joy despite the pain, temptations and distractions of lifeThe Trinity and joy: Father = source; Son = sharer; Spirit = sustainer.Pursue delight in God through growing your faith in himTurn to the Word (Psalm 119:105; John 6:68; 17:13-14; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)Prayerful dependence (John 16:24; Philippians 4:6)Celebrate grace (Ephesians 1:3-6; Colossians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 4:15)Receive comfort from the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17; Romans 8:15-17)Commit to Christian community (Acts 2:42; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Hebrews 3:12-13; 10:24-25)

Growing up as a churchThe continuing mission of Jesus' church (Matthew 28:16-20)Make disciples of all nations (evangelism)Teach and train disciples (discipleship)Helping people meet Jesus at DPCA life-changing encounter with Jesus the MessiahAt DPC, we want to introduce people to JesusHelping people follow Jesus together at DPCThe call to discipleship is costly and challenging (Matthew 16:24-26)At DPC, we want disciples to journey together Working towards the futureImplement our strategic planGet involvedRely on Jesus who helps us

1. “The minister wants to baptise our baby!”2. God's salvation plan consists of a series of covenants— A biblical covenant is a solemn agreement between two parties with blessings and curses attached (Deuteronomy 29; Genesis 9:8-11; Genesis 17:3-11)— There is one covenant of grace administered differently across time (Genesis 15:6; Galatians 3:6-18; Jeremiah 31:31-32)— God has provided covenant signs to symbolise and guarantee his promises—- Noahic = Rainbow; Abrahamic = Circumcision; Mosaic (Old) = Circumcision and Passover and more; New = Baptism and the Lord's Supper2. Baptism replaced circumcision as a sign of belonging to the people of God – Colossians 2:11-12; Romans 4:9-12- Both point to the same reality- Both are a rite of initiation- Baptism entails an expansion of who receives the sign- There is no command to stop giving the covenantal sign to children- Not everyone who receives covenant signs is saved (Romans 2:28-29; 4:9-11; 9:6-8; Hebrews 6:4-6)- The children of Christians are viewed as insiders not outsiders (1 Corinthians 7:12-14)4. How do we respond?Parents: Let's do a baptism or thanksgiving spot for your childEveryone: Let's welcome the children of believers as young disciplesRESOURCESWhy Do We Baptize Infants? – a booklet (32 pages) by Bryan Chapell- A brief summary of the key arguments.How Our Children Come to Faith – a booklet (28 pages) by Stephen Smallman- A brief and thought-provoking book that will encourage parents in their efforts to disciple their children. He speaks of conversion as the point when a regenerate person personally takes hold of Christ by faith.Covenantal Baptism – book by Jason Helopolous.- Great explanation of covenants and baptism and God's kindness! Helpful on baptism in general but also for those wondering about baptising the children of believers.What is Coventantal Baptism – article by Gabriel D- A brief article on an apologetics website which gives a good overview of covenantal baptism.https://trinityapologetics.com/covenantal-baptism/ Why You Should Remember Your Baptism – article by Christopher David- A great article from Gospel Coalition, India on how baptism is an ongoing means of gracehttps://in.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/road-goes-ever-on/why-you-should-remember-your-baptism/Getting Baptised at DPC – paper by Adam Humphries- A summary of DPC's position and how to work towards baptism.https://darebinpc.elvanto.com.au/file/87d97797-3114-4671-95bd-7fadd0808ada/Bringing You Child to God at DPC - paper by Adam Humphries- An overview of options for your child: baptism or a thanksgiving spothttps://darebinpc.elvanto.com.au/file/ff359bec-492a-42c6-ba96-2ca860773369/

1. The trees of Christmas2. God promised a Branch who would renew King David's dynasty and usher in righteousnessIsaiah prophesied a Branch and a Root from the stump of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1-10)Jeremiah prophesied a righteous saviour Branch (Jeremiah 33:14-18)3. A thousand years of disappointmentZedekiah – Failed to bring righteousness (King – 597-586 BC)He did not rule with righteousness so Judah was conquered (2 Kings, 25:1-12; 2 Chronicles 36:11-14)Zerubbabel – failed to bring renewal (Governor – 538-515 BC)Governor of Judea after the exile (Ezra 3:8; Haggai 1:12)Helped rebuild the Temple but didn't bring the hoped for renewal (Zech. 4:9; 6:11-12; 3:8)4. Jesus is the Branch!A Branch who renewed the line of DavidA descendant of David who will receive the throne (Matthew 1; Luke 1:32-33)An inhabitant of Nazareth (Matthew 2:23)A Nazarene who lived in a town named for branch (Netzer in Hebrew), with descendants of David living thereIs Matthew's appeal to "the prophets" a broad reference to the many Old Testament promises of a messiah descended from David, but with a particular play on the word netzer, “branch,” from Isaiah 11:1? Though the royal line was hacked down to a stump, from that stump a shoot or branch would one day spring up. Matthew may be saying of Jesus, “He shall be called that ‘branch' of David,” that is, his long awaited son, the Messiah of Israel.Paul Barnett, Jesus & the Rise of Early Christianity, 92-93A Root who secured righteousness (Rev. 5:5; 22:16; Romans 15:12; cf. Isaiah 11:1, 10; 4:2)5. Find renewal and righteousness in Jesus the Branch this ChristmasShelter under the loving rule of JesusSeek to live a righteous life under Jesus

1. Mercy to the undeserving2. Jonah knows God is gracious and compassionate- A summary of God's heart from Exodus 34:5-73. Jonah is angry that God showed grace and compassion to his enemies- A summary of Jonah's heart towards outsiders … and God4. Christians must not seek to limit God's mercy- Extend mercy to all people- Share the gospel with all people

Are you good at saying sorry?Why should I repent?Nineveh was going to be overthrown (Genesis 18:20; 19:24-29)You can avoid being overthrown and instead receive true lifeHow do I repent?Nineveh expressed humility and contrition while turning from sinYou must turn back to God with genuine sorrow and ask for his forgivenessHow do I know repentance will work?Jesus is greater than Jonah (Matthew 12:38-41; 1 John 1:8-9)Come to God, through Jesus, in full assurance that you will receive mercy.Grow in your confidence in saying sorry to people you have wronged.Tell others of the blessings of saying sorry to God (Psalm 32:3-5)

1. What did Jonah do when the Lord sent him to Nineveh?2. Why did the Lord provide a huge fish to swallow Jonah?3. What did Jonah do when he was in the belly of the fish?4. In what ways does the story of salvation point you to the story of Jesus and the salvation he brings?5. What do you, therefore, need to do when you have been swallowed by something?

Does God need us to save people?The LORD sovereignly worked through his disobedient prophet to save the sailors (Jonah 1)God turns the spotlight on Jonah in the big storm (1-12; Proverbs 16:33)The sailors worship Yahweh (13-16)God's role: He alone saves people (Ephesians 2:1-10)Your role: Freely speak of your Christian identity (Romans 10:9-15)The LORD sovereignly worked through his grumpy prophet to save Nineveh (Jonah 3)God softens hearts despite Jonah's small efforts in the big cityThe Ninevites repent before GodGod's role: He changes hearts so people believe the message (Acts 13:48; 16:14)Your role: Know the gospel and the Bible (1 Peter 3:15-16)

1. What are you big on?2. Jonah: A small book about a big God• It's not about the whale!• A big God who sits over the land and sea• A big God who sits over history3. Jonah had a big problem with God (1:1-3)• A prophet with a mission (1:1-2)• A prophet maintaining his streak? (1:3; 2 Kings 14:23-29)• A prophet who wants God's love to be smaller (4:1-3)4. The challenge of a big God who loves to save (Jonah 2:9)• He loves to save people from all over the world (John 3:16-17)• He loves to save sinners, which includes us (Luke 19:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:15)• He loves to involve his people in saving others (1 Corinthians 9:22)5. Let's study Jonah and grow our hearts as we join God's mission

Fullness of joy is found in God

Psalm 15

Israel's animal laws told a story about the need to be redeemed from a fallen world, a story fulfilled in Jesus.

Leviticus reveals to us the great length God has gone to so we can draw near to him in Christ.

A joy shared is a joy doubled. Local churches are to delight in God together Fighting for delight together