Psalm 146
View this week’s worship guide
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
The ideas of God as creator, and God’s compassion for the poor appear in Psalm 146. The Psalmist points us to nature of the LORD in this psalm. It is so relevant because our view of God determines everything. When we have a high view (or biblical view) of God, we will praise him continually, trust him supremely, and imitate him faithfully.
Acts 13:13-52
View this week’s worship guide
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Acts 13:16-41 contains Paul’s first recorded sermon. This isn’t his first time to preach, but this is his first recorded sermon. It is also the longest sermon that we have. Why this text at Advent? Paul’s sermon traces the history of the Old Testament that leads to the coming of Christ, and then reflects on Christ’s life, death and resurrection. Christmas is part of this grand story. It is also to help us embrace the mission. This month we are taking up an offering that will go to reach unreached people groups, and that will go to help fund church planting. This is also a great text to talk about mission, since this is not only Paul’s first recorded sermon, but it is also Paul’s “first mission trip!” Paul and Barnabas are sent out by the church in Antioch, and along the way, we get Paul’s recorded sermon.
Ephesians 5:1-17
View this week’s worship guide
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In chapter 5:1, Paul urges us to imitate God. Be like God. Paul tells us in other places to imitate him, as he imitates Christ (1 Cor 4:16; 10:31-11:1; Phil 3:17; 1 Thess 1:6; 2 Thess 3:7, 9); and he tells congregations to imitate other congregations (cf., 1 Thess 2:14). Only here in Ephesians are we told to “imitate God.” So the main point is clear: be imitators of God. I love the simplicity of this verse. But “How?” We see three “walks” (the key verb in this section, “to conduct your life”): walk in love (v. 2); walk in light (v. 8); and walk in wisdom (15).
Ephesians 4:17-32
View this week’s worship guide
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
We’re talking about a new set of clothes in Eph 4. Paul uses this metaphor, of “taking off and putting on” (clothes) to talk about what happens when you become a Christian.Of course, he’s not talking about physical clothes, but spiritual clothes – for a person may change their outer appearance and be a fifthly spiritually. The “clothes of Christ” changes everything. When we put on Christ, we receive a new spiritual identity and must now live differently. When a Christian puts off that corrupt garment of the old self (22), and puts on the new self recreated in God’s image (24), he then has new expectations and responsibilities corresponding to his identity. So what are you wearing? Have you come to know Christ? Are you dressed in his righteousness? If so, live out your new identity as new creations in Christ, for the good of others and the glory of God.
Ephesians 4:1-16
View this week’s worship guide
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In Ephesians 4, Paul describes the body of Christ. We should not be like my uninterested third period health class when we cover this material! We should listen closely to Paul for we are part of this body as Christians! And should pay attention because, unlike a lot of changing health opinions, this is eternal truth.So what is the nature of a healthy body of Christ, and how does it function? That’s our question.Let me point out three marks of a healthy church. A Healthy Church is Marked by Spiritual Unity, Spiritual Diversity, and Growing Maturity. This is like a physical – a spiritual check up for us.