#WeAreChristChurch

The sermon explores the concept of the church as a household, emphasizing its distinct nature from modern corporate structures like LLCs or corporations. Drawing from 1 Timothy 3, 1 Corinthians 3, and Ephesians 2, the message highlights the importance of covenant succession, inheritance, and hierarchical obedience within the church community, asserting that individual behavior directly impacts the entire body. It challenges the notion of casual membership, advocating for a deeper commitment akin to adoption and inheritance, while also affirming the vital role of dedicated service to the church, exemplified by figures like Dorcas and Anna, and ultimately pointing to the church as the ultimate household of faith, where individuals can contribute meaningfully regardless of familial status.

The sermon explores the theological implications of baptism, particularly within the context of the Abrahamic covenant, asserting that all believers, regardless of status or background, are heirs to God's promises. Drawing from Galatians 3 and connecting to the Old Testament, the message emphasizes the responsibility of parents, acting as stewards and guardians, to raise children within the fear and admonition of the Lord, recognizing them as belonging to Jesus and claiming the covenant promises made to Abraham. The sermon challenges secular notions of individual consent, affirming that infants are inherently part of God's household and deserving of baptism as a sign of that belonging, while acknowledging the potential for individuals to forsake their inheritance, urging the community to support parents in their sacred duty.

The sermon explores the relationship between the Old Testament Mosaic law and the New Testament grace offered through Jesus Christ, arguing that the phrase 'grace upon grace' signifies a fulfillment rather than a replacement of the law. It contends that the Old Testament covenant, while structured by law, was itself a gracious expression of God's covenant with his people, and that the law served to intensify blessings and reveal God's character. Drawing on Reformed theological tradition, the sermon emphasizes that the law is an integral aspect of God's covenant, guiding believers toward a deeper understanding of God's will and ultimately pointing to the need for Christ, and that the New Testament builds upon the Old Testament, blossoming from its foundations to offer a fuller revelation of God's grace.

The sermon emphasizes the crucial role of community in shaping both children and adults, advocating for careful selection of friends and environments to foster sanctification and avoid corruption. It explores the long-term implications of financial stewardship, urging parents to leave inheritances not only for their children but also for their grandchildren, safeguarding against inflation, medical expenses, and the IRS while prioritizing the transmission of Christian values, covenantal connections, and a culture of diligent work and financial prudence to ensure multi-generational faithfulness and prosperity.

The sermon explores the profound implications of John 1:12, asserting that receiving Jesus grants individuals the right to become children of God, a transition distinct from Old Testament covenants. Drawing on passages from John, Galatians, and Hebrews, the message highlights the reconstitution of Israel and the blossoming of new realities in the New Testament, including the abolition of the Levitical priesthood, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the manifestation of God's glory in Jesus Christ as the ultimate temple. Ultimately, the sermon emphasizes that while the world often rejects this transformative grace, those who receive Jesus are welcomed into God's family and inherit His kingdom.

The sermon explores the concept of the virtuous woman as a poetic expression of God's law, emphasizing her role not as an unattainable ideal but as a model for living a life of service and responsibility. It highlights the importance of building strong Christian households, fostering a household economy through diligent work and supplementing income to benefit the community, and ultimately loving neighbors as oneself. The message underscores the significance of work, whether in business, homemaking, or other vocations, as a means of demonstrating Christian love and fulfilling God's purpose, ultimately moving beyond personal ambition to serve the needs of others and contribute to the well-being of the town.

The sermon explores the concept of the virtuous woman, not as an ideal unattainable by modern women, but as a warrior embodying strength, valor, and selfless dedication, primarily within the sphere of her household. Drawing on Proverbs 31, the message highlights the importance of a divinely ordained hierarchy, with the husband recognized in the community while the wife diligently supports the family, ultimately sharing in the rewards of their combined efforts. The speaker emphasizes that this structure mirrors the relationship between Christ and the church, encouraging listeners to embrace their roles and contribute to a shared mission, thereby experiencing both personal fulfillment and participation in God's greater purpose.

The sermon explores the profound implications of Jesus's incarnation, asserting that He entered a world already marked by relational estrangement—a divide between the Creator and creation stemming from sin. It examines the concept of dominion, highlighting how Jesus, as King, legally challenges the authority of the "ruler of this world" and his dominion over nations, ultimately offering a path to reconciliation and new creation through faith. The message emphasizes that Jesus's arrival initiated a judgment upon these powers, paving the way for a future where heaven and earth will ultimately converge, and believers will inherit the earth through Him.

The sermon explores the intersection of generosity and prosperity, drawing from Proverbs 31 to illustrate the ideal of a virtuous woman who embodies both. It argues that true generosity, rooted in compassion and obedience to God's law, isn't a source of guilt or manipulation but a pathway to equitable community care, emphasizing the importance of covenantal giving and a proportional ratio, ultimately suggesting that a church committed to these principles can become a place where no one is in need.

The sermon emphasizes the crucial link between spiritual well-being and submission to authority within a covenantal community, particularly through instruction and reproof. Drawing from Proverbs, it argues that true honor and long life stem from receiving guidance and accountability, which are absent in autonomous, disconnected Christian lives. The speaker contends that merely attending church or consuming sermons does not constitute genuine discipleship, highlighting the necessity of formal membership, covenantal relationships, and a willingness to be under the discipline of a church and its leadership for true spiritual growth and blessing.