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Sermons
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But Be Doers of the Word
Our text for December 28 is James 1:21-25. We also briefly considered Romans 2:13. We started with a brief overview of the early Protestant doctrine of salvation (Reformed Soteriology) because many folks try to make James into an advocate of legalism. We maintain that James is no such advocate. Then we looked at how James uses repetition of a few key words to support the flow of the letter in verses 15-25. We made sure to remind ourselves that James is not advocating ignorance of the Word; we are to hear the Word and to do the Word. We considered the perfect mirror which is the Word of God. We generalized doing the Word into a broad spectrum of activities which includes how we think and our attitudes toward others. Then we briefly considered changing the promise in verse 25 into an admonition. God will bless the doer of the Word. So perhaps we should admonish ourselves to be blessed by doing the Word.
Today’s sermon audio can be found on Castbox at 146 “But Be Doers of the Word”, James 1:21-25.
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Waiting for the Consolation of Israel
Our texts for December 21 are Titus 2:11-14 and Luke 2:21-38. We considered the concept of Christian waiting. We are “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,”. What can we learn about waiting God’s way from Simeon, Anna, and Paul? Surely there is to be worship and contemplation of our great God and Savior. And it seems likely that our sins are clouding our perceptions. Jesus “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”.
Today’s sermon audio can be found on Castbox at 145 “Waiting for the Consolation of Israel”, Luke 2:20-38.
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I Bring You Good News
Our texts for December 14 are Luke 1:57-66; Luke 1:67-80; Luke 2:8-20. In 1525 William Tyndale smuggled part of Matthew’s Gospel into England after anti-Lutheran opponents disrupted the production of the full New Testament in Cologne. That fragment of the New Testament contained a Prologue that defined the word gospel and explained salvation from an early Protestant point of view. We considered Tyndale’s definition of the word “gospel” and noted the influence of his translation of Luke 2:10 on future English translations. Then we looked at the birth of John the Baptist and at his father’s prophecy about Jesus, salvation, and John. We considered the proclaimation of the Gospel to the shepherds by the angel and we thought about how we ourselves should respond to the Gospel:
- believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved;
- grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus;
- worship God;
Today’s sermon audio can be found on Castbox at 144 “I Bring You Good News”, Luke 2:8-20.
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She Gave Birth to Her Firstborn Son
Our texts for December 7 are Luke 1:1-4; Luke 1:39-45; Luke 1:46-56; Luke 2:1-7. We considered Luke’s competence as an historian. Then we contemplated Elizabeth’s pronouncements of blessedness and Mary’s responding song. Then we thought about two saviors, the imposter Caesar Augustus and Jesus Christ our true Savior. Jesus fulfilled Micah’s Messianic prophecy. Jesus died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, was buried, and was raised again from the dead in accordance with the Scriptures. Only the true God-man could have done this for us.
Today’s sermon audio can be found on Castbox at 143 “She Gave Birth to Her Firstborn Son”, Luke 2:1-7.
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You Shall Call His Name Jesus
Our text for November 30 is Luke 1:5-25, 26-38. Gabriel announced miraculous births to Zechariah and to Mary. These two announcements provided the foundation for the Gospel of Luke. Both John and Jesus contributed to the history of salvation. John, however, needed that salvation just as we do. But Jesus provided that salvation.
Today’s sermon audio can be found on Castbox at 142 “You Shall Call His Name Jesus”, Luke 1:26-38.
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Be Quick to Hear
Our text for November 23 is James 1:19-21. James tells us to be quick to hear, to be slow to speak, and to be slow to anger. If we get angry we will produce ungodliness. That is the opposite of what we want to produce. So James also tells us to put away all sin (all filthiness and rampant wickedness). And James tells us to receive the implanted word with meekness. Paul tells us the same kind of things. These commands are for believers. Some will say we can’t control our anger. But James is telling us that believers can control their anger. Paul tells us that the fruit of the Spirit should be exhibited in the lives of believers. In the same letter he also tells us to walk by the Spirit and to keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26). The implanted word is crucial to this endeavor. God the Father has saved us (James 1:18); He will continue the good work in us that He began.
Today’s sermon audio can be found on Castbox at 141 “Be Quick to Hear”, James 1:19-21.
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The Birth of Christ in Luke
God willing, we will begin a four sermon series on The Birth of Christ in Luke on Sunday November 30, 2025. Then on December 28 we will resume the series in James (Let Steadfastness Have Its Full Effect).
Tentatively, we will consider:
- Nov 30 Luke 1:26-38 The Annunciation
- Dec 07 Luke 2:01-07 The Birth
- Dec 14 Luke 2:08-20 The Shepherds
- Dec 21 Luke 2:21-38 The Temple
We also plan to sing four Advent/Christmas/Epiphany hymns each Sunday.
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The Father Brought Us Forth
Our text for November 16 is James 1:16-18. We should take James seriously when he says “Do not be deceived” (v16). This command is not just a rhetorical flourish. James is giving us an important admonition to help us “let steadfastness have its full effect” (v4). Then in v17 James gives us a specific area of doctrine where believers can be deceived. Everything God does is good; every good gift comes from Him; God never changes so we do not need to be concerned about Him giving us bad gifts. Then in v18 James tells us about being born again. We conclude by looking at how we are born again: by the Word of Truth.
Today’s sermon audio can be found on Castbox at 140 “The Father Brought Us Forth”, James 1:16-18.
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Steadfast under Trial
James 1:12-15 helps us to distinguish trials, temptations, and sins. But we also need to keep in mind that some temptations are also sins. We want to remain steadfast under trial. By the grace of God we can, if we are born again, work toward that goal. Today’s sermon audio can be found on Castbox at 139 “Steadfast under Trial”, James 1:12-15.
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For the Sun Rises
In our sermon today from James 1:9-11 we considered how wealth or the lack of wealth can shift our perspective from God’s point of view to the world’s point of view. We want all of our “boasting” to be God-centered boasting. We want none of our boasting to be self-centered bragging. Today’s sermon audio can be found on Castbox at 138 “For the Sun Rises”, James 1:9-11.
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But If Any of You Lacks Wisdom
In our sermon today from James 1:5-8 we considered how wisdom and double-mindedness impact our spiritual maturity. Are we “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing”? Today’s sermon audio can be found on Castbox at 137 “But If Any of You Lacks Wisdom”, James 1:5-8.
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Count It All Joy
Our text for October 19 is James 1:1-4.
- Introduction: Perfect and Complete
- A Servant of God (1:1)
- All Joy (1:2)
- The Testing of Your Faith (1:3-4)
- Conclusion: Lacking in Nothing (1:4)
Today’s sermon audio can be found on Castbox at 136 “Count It All Joy”, James 1:1-4.
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To the Twelve Tribes
Our text for October 12 is James 1:1-4. We consider various introductory matters such as authorship, the focus of the letter, and challenges to the acceptance of James.
- Introduction (1)
- Focus (4)
- Challenges
- Gospel
Today’s sermon audio can be found on Castbox at 135 “To the Twelve Tribes”, James 1:1-4.
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