#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.

The sermon emphasizes the vital importance of humility and teachability in receiving wisdom, asserting that true guidance flows from listening to wise counsel, particularly within established communities and through the instruction of others. It cautions against the illusion of neutrality, arguing that every individual is influenced by voices, whether wise or deceptive, and that rejecting sound instruction opens the door to negative influences. The message underscores the need for habitual meditation on Scripture and the faithful delivery of messages, warning that twisting truth for personal gain ultimately leads to both personal and relational harm, while accurate communication fosters healing and a life of blessing.

The sermon explores the concept of profitability, not in a worldly sense, but as a reflection of a life pleasing to God. It contrasts the efforts of the self-righteous, who attempt to earn favor through works and rituals, with the humility of those who acknowledge their need for grace and forgiveness through faith in Christ. The message emphasizes that true profitability involves investing one's resources – time, talent, and finances – with courage and conviction, recognizing that God's blessings extend to those who fear the Lord and diligently steward their gifts, ultimately leading to a life of purpose and eternal reward.

The sermon explores the deceptive nature of wealth, emphasizing that appearances can be misleading as true prosperity lies not in material possessions but in aligning one's life with God's calling. Drawing from Proverbs, the message cautions against pursuing riches at the expense of spiritual growth, highlighting that both the pursuit of wealth and the neglect of God's word can lead to destruction. The speaker underscores the importance of humility, teachability, and diligent study of Scripture, advocating for a life of patient, faithful service as the path to enduring reward and genuine wealth, ultimately urging listeners to prioritize God's kingdom and seek wisdom from His Word above all else.

The sermon traces the decline of American Christianity, arguing it began in the early 1800s with the rise of Arminianism and its emphasis on man-centered salvation over God's sovereignty, leading to practices like emotional revivalism and the altar call. This shift, influenced by figures like Charles Finney and later exacerbated by secular philosophies and government-controlled education, fostered a dualistic worldview separating the sacred and secular and ultimately resulted in a diminished understanding of Christ's dominion over all of life. The speaker advocates for a return to reformed theology, rejecting these trends and embracing a holistic vision of Christ's kingdom advancing in all areas of society.

The sermon emphasizes the profound impact of words, both spoken and nonverbal, on personal well-being and relationships, drawing from Proverbs 13:2 and 18:20. It asserts that words produce tangible consequences, yielding either nourishing or poisonous fruit, and encourages listeners to cultivate a mindful approach to communication. The message advocates for intentionality in speech, advocating for loving, kind, and true expressions, alongside awareness of body language and facial expressions, as essential components of a fulfilling and harmonious life, suggesting practices like reading Scripture and prayer as pathways to improved communication.

The sermon emphasizes the importance of guarding one's words, cautioning against careless speech that can lead to anxiety and conflict, while also highlighting the dangers of loveless apathy and sluggardliness, which prevent fulfillment. Drawing from Proverbs, the message underscores the need to hate falsehood and passionately defend truth, even when facing opposition, and encourages acceptance of one's calling and diligent work connected to a larger purpose, ultimately leading to a sense of fulfillment that transcends mere career success and contributes to the kingdom.

The lecture traces the English Reformation's complex history, beginning with Henry VIII's desire for a male heir and culminating in the establishment of the Church of England as a distinct institution. It highlights the shift from Roman Catholicism, the influence of key figures like Thomas Cranmer and William Tyndale, and the eventual development of the 39 Articles as a foundational doctrinal standard. The speaker emphasizes the legacy of the English Reformation, particularly its impact on shaping Anglican identity and its role as a significant part of the speaker's own ecclesiastical heritage, while also acknowledging the wide range of theological perspectives within the Anglican tradition today.