Christianity is the Story of God the Father sending His Son to bring home His children (Sunday, June 13th)

On Sunday, June 13th, we gathered to worship the triune God. Here is teaching from that worship gathering.

Continue reading “Christianity is the Story of God the Father sending His Son to bring home His children (Sunday, June 13th)”

Ask Anything: How shall we interact with those who profess Christianity but disregard the clear commands of Scripture? The first church was different from the church today; where are we off? (And other questions.)

For three Sundays we collected questions — Ask Anything! — and gave a pastoral response. Continuing from part one and part two, we wrapped up with four more questions in part three.

Message title: Ask Anything (part 3)
Week three of three considering questions, Ask Anything
Scriptures: Romans 8:28-39, et al.
Preacher: Jeff Patterson
Date: 10/6/19 Continue reading “Ask Anything: How shall we interact with those who profess Christianity but disregard the clear commands of Scripture? The first church was different from the church today; where are we off? (And other questions.)”

Ask Anything: When is lying not sin? What about foolish vows? What does God’s discipline look like? (And other questions.)

For three Sundays we collected questions — Ask Anything! — and gave a pastoral response. Continuing from part one, here’s part two; more to come in part three.

Message title: Ask Anything (part 2)
Week two of three considering questions, Ask Anything
Scriptures: Romans 8:28-39, et al.
Preacher: Jeff Patterson
Date: 9/29/19 Continue reading “Ask Anything: When is lying not sin? What about foolish vows? What does God’s discipline look like? (And other questions.)”

Ask Anything: How do you determine theological truth? (And other questions.)

For two Sundays we collected questions and gave a pastoral response. Here’s part one; more to come in part two.

Message title: Ask Anything (part 1)
Week one of two considering questions, Ask Anything
Scriptures: Hebrews 1:1-4, et al.
Preacher: Jeff Patterson
Date: 9/22/19

Listen or download:

Four questions considered in part one:

Question #1:

Questions #2 & #3:

Response to these two questions on ordinances/sacraments included reference to the Renew foundations (doctrine) statement:

(12) Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

We believe that baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordained by the Lord Jesus himself. The former is connected with entrance into the new covenant community, the latter with ongoing covenant renewal. They are God’s pledge to us and our public submission to Christ.

And the New City Catechism, question 43:

The sacraments or ordinances given by God and instituted by Christ, namely baptism and the Lord’s Supper, are visible signs and seals that we are bound together as a community of faith by his death and resurrection. By our use of them the Holy Spirit more fully declares and seals the promises of the gospel to us. (See Romans 6:4; Luke 22:19-20)

Question 4:

Scripture readings:

Hebrews 1:1-4 (ESV)

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Quotes:


Audio for this teaching may be played above, and is included in the RENEW Church podcastsubscribe in iTunes here, or Google Play podcasts here, now on Spotify podcasts here, or access the church podcast feed directly here.

Does God Control Everything? (Romans 8:28-39)

The seventh and final message of an adventure in the eighth chapter of the book of Romans. Super8: Supernatural Living for Natural People.

Are you persuaded that nothing can separate you from the love of God in Jesus?

Our lead pastor’s small response on the big question: Does God Control Everything?

super8_600

Message title: Does God Control Everything?
Week 7 of Super8: Supernatural Living for Natural People, a series on Romans 8
Scriptures: Romans 8:28-39
Preacher: Jeff Patterson
Date: 9/29/13

Listen or download:

Scripture: Romans 8:28-39

We know that all the events of our lives are orchestrated by God’s sovereign will for our ultimate good, the salvation which belongs to all who love God, to all who have been called in His plan. That plan began in eternity past, carries on into eternity future and guarantees our full salvation.

For all whom God chose long ago, the same ones He also predestined to become perfect images of His son, so that the Son would be first in rank within a huge family. And all whom God predestined, the same ones He also called to faith. And all whom He called to faith, the same ones He also justified. And all whom He justified, the same ones He has also begun to glorify. No one is lost along the way.

What lesson then should we take from all of this? One thing. If God is on our side, who can deprive us of our full salvation? If God did not even spare His own Son but gave Him up at the cross for us all, how could He possible withhold anything else? Won’t He give us everything we need for salvation?

Who could mount an effective attack against the very people whom God has already chosen to be on His side? God is Himself the One who clears us of all our guilt by the merit of Christ. So who could argue against that defense? We have no one less than Christ Jesus, who died, who was also raised and who is now positioned at God’s right hand where He pleads for us. So what would have to happen to cut us off from the saving love of Christ? Affliction? Anguish? Persecution? Starvation? Exposure? Danger? Execution?

The Scriptures acknowledge that these terrible things do happen to God’s people: ‘

For your sake we are put to death all day long, we are treated like sheep ready for slaughter.’

But in all our sufferings we achieve total victory through Christ who loved us, for He will not let our faith die. It keeps springing back, overcoming whatever adversities we encounter.

In fact, I am convinced that nothing can rob us of our salvation—neither the terrors of death nor the enticements of life, neither angels nor demons, neither present-day troubles nor future crises, nor cosmic powers, nor anything in heaven above nor anything in hell below, indeed, nothing in the entire created order will be able to separate us from the saving love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Romans 8:28-39 in the wording of a new translation by Ray Ortlund, Jr., found in A Passion for God: Prayers and Meditations on the Book of Romans.

New City Catechism:

Q5: What else did God create?
A: God created all things by His powerful Word, and all His creation was very good; everything flourished under His loving rule.

  • For additional teaching and prayers tailored to this question, click here to go to the online catechism tool.

Commentary on this question:

NCC Q5: What else did God create? from The Gospel Coalition