Look to Jesus

Dear Saints, God has made it easy for us to rest in His assurance. We just need to be clear. We are not sure of our standing with Him because of our goodness or how well we walked in faithfulness yesterday or the fact that our parents raised us up in Christ.

Likewise, we are not cast down because we have sinned again in that old grievous way, or had that same struggling thought or have come from rough roots. Our victories do not save us and our sins and past do not damn us.

Why? Because we look to Jesus in faith. His work on the cross. His faithfulness to His Father. His victory over sin. Him, as sin, in our behalf. And our looking to Him in faith compels us both to repentance of sins and to act according to the love of God.

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Jesus is God’s promise to you. If you look to Jesus, in faith, then rest assured, God’s love is towards you and nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Confession

Our merciful Father, we confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have failed to love You with our whole heart and we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. Forgive us through the perfect sacrifice of Your Son Jesus Christ, for it is in His name that we pray. Amen.

Praise

Our Father in Heaven, after the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ we thank You that You did not leave us alone but, as promised, sent Your all powerful Holy Spirit to draw men and women to Yourself. Continue to draw the nations to Yourself through the work of Your Holy Spirit and fill us up to the full knowledge of Your love towards us in Christ Jesus. We praise You for this work and pray that You would reveal Your glory in and through us. Amen.

This Was John Calvin- Halsema****

I have read a great deal of John Calvin. I use his commentaries regularly. His theological insights and his pastoral mind are always revealing of the text and applicable to the body of Christ.

I had never read a biography of Calvin. My respect for the man has risen greatly, if that were possible. My youngest of six children is Calvin. We named him when I was reading the Institutes studying for the ministry.

After reading Calvin's life, I am even that much more glad we named our boy Calvin. If our boy gets an ounce of the will, spirit and output of the man who was John Calvin, he will do well.

Father's Day Sermon- Father God

Father God

Listen

Matt. 18:1-20

Lynchburg, Virginia

June 18, 2017 

EXHORDIUM

         God our Father is Creator, Provider, Teacher, Protector, and Present. There are other characteristics of a Father that we can imagine and that we can find in Scripture. But these five characteristics are repeatedly found in Scripture and characteristics that we should seek to image in the world.

         Of course, a sermon like this one, seeking to understand God, as Father, is sure to get the attention of the fathers gathered here and well it should. But God has revealed Himself to us, fundamentally, as Father. Thus, our response is not simply, How do I seek to be like God as a father but also many other responses.

Comfort at The Table

The Father’s love is lavished upon us through His Son, Jesus Christ. In our call to worship today or even in the sermon, you father’s may have been called up short. No doubt, many of you may have realized how far short you fall compared to the Heavenly Father’s kind of love that He revealed in His own Son, Jesus. If this has distressed you, and it should have, then now is the time to be comforted.

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         At the Lord’s Table, we remember the Lord’s Death, until He comes. His death is the only means whereby you can safely stand before the Father. Your works as a father, a mother, or a child are never enough. They always fall short. If you belong to Him, you should know this already. But the fact of falling short is only another means to drive you to your knees at the cross. And the Father Himself meets you there. He extends His hand. He puts a signet ring on your finger stamped with the image of Jesus. He selects the finest white robe for you to clothe you for a sumptuous meal. He has killed the fatted calf and prepared it with aromatic spices. Now is the time to sit down and eat, in welcome, in comfort, in assurance of grace, in the Father’s love, face to face. Come and welcome.

Father's Day Humble Pie

There is nothing like Father’s Day for men to eat humble pie. We are lauded by our children and wives for being great dads. Some are, no doubt. Some of you are, no doubt. I think so, too.

But for all the accolades, we know how far short we fall. This is not said to rub dirt in your eye but as a cold hard fact. This is especially true in light of today’s sermon about our Father God. When we compare ourselves to others, we sometimes come out pretty well but when we compare ourselves to the perfection of our Father in Heaven, our elder brother Jesus, or the all-knowing, ever present Holy Spirit, the scary reality sets in. This is not only true for fathers but also true for mother’s, sisters and brothers.

But do not despair. There is ever-present help in our time of need. The Father provides a way for us in His Son through His Spirit. Confess your failings and sins and receive the abundant mercy and grace of Jesus Christ. We are privileged to do so every week as we embark on our corporate worship. Make good use of this time.