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East Cooper Baptist Church - Sermons Podcast
Hosted by East Cooper Baptist Church · EN
This is the podcast for the Sunday sermons at East Cooper Baptist Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Our senior pastor, Conrad 'Buster' Brown is normally teaching but we also have other resident pastors and guest speakers at times.
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Spiritual Reality and Warfare: Helmet of the Hope of Salvation (Hope in the Midst of Hard Times)
Mar 8Tap to summarize“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:1-5“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.” 1 Thessalonians 5:8“...and take the helmet of salvation…” Ephesians 6:17In verses 1-2, Paul brings out three stabilizing truths:We are justified by faith alone. Therefore, we have peace with God. Because of this faith we have obtained access into the grace in which we boldly stand as forgiven sinners.We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. (HOPE is the confident anticipation of an event that is sure to happen (Romans 8:24-25 and 1 Peter 1:3). It embraces the belief in the present goodness of Abba Father and the continual looking forward to the coming eternal world of incredible happiness and joy in the NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH.)RESPONSES TO HARD TIMES:1. The STOIC approach (“white knuckle”). We endure.2. The dismissive approach towards pain, sorrow, and heartache, which is unbiblical, non-reality, and fancifulness.“Jesus wept.” John 11:35“For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.” 2 Corinthians 1:8 “For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.” 2 Corinthians 2:43. Understand that hard times (eventually) produce endurance, character, and hope. How does God build us in the midst of hard times?1. It underscores my n_____ for c_________ g_______.“The new condition makes him realize the need of a fresh supply of grace and strength. In other words, the trials and tribulations make him think of the Lord Jesus Christ again, the One he is always liable to forget. They do more, they send him to Christ, they make him pray to Him, they make him spend more of his time with Him, they make him plead with Him and ask Him for greater strength and understanding. To put it in another way, the trials are doing something that is very good for him, they are driving him back to the Lord Jesus Christ.” D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Romans: Exposition of Romans 5, pp. 67-68“And pain is not only immediately recognisable evil, but evil is impossible to ignore…pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain, pp. 90-91“As for me, I said in my prosperity, 'I shall never be moved.' By your favor, O Lord, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed. 8 To you, O Lord, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy…”. Psalm 30:6-8The Lord uses hardships, pain, and brokenness to build Christ's honoring character.“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11 “I trust him so much, that I do not doubt that whatever I need for body and soul, he will provide; and whatever hardships he sends me in this life of sorrow, he will turn for my good. He is able to do this because he is Almighty God; And... Speaker: Buster Brown
Transcribe →Spiritual Reality and Warfare: The Helmet of the Hope of Salvation (II)
Mar 1Tap to summarize"And take the helmet of salvation…" Ephesians 6:17"But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ..." 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:1-2HOPE is the confident anticipation of an event that is sure to happen (Romans 8:24-25 & 1 Peter 1:3). It embraces the belief in the present goodness of Abba Father and the continual looking forward to the coming eternal world of incredible happiness and joy in the NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH. We have peace with God and walk in hope as we understand and comprehend the glory of justification by faith alone by the work of Christ alone (present-day grace & future glory).To daily remind ourselves of the glory of the gospel is an incredible and vital habit in the life of the child of God. WE LIVE WITH HOPE: I. Because of the finished work of Christ ( justification by faith alone) we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7II. The believer stands with confidence and boldness because of the reality of the cross."Since then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:14-16"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright." Psalm 20:7-8III. We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified." Romans 8:30(Note that the redemptive message goes straight from justification to glorification or the hope of heaven)LIVING IN THIS HOPE:1. We have security in the midst of life's trials and failures.2. There is rest in the goodness of Christ. “How sweet it is to labor for God during the day and at night to lie down under his smile.” Sarah Edwards, (1710–1758 , wife of Jonathan Edwards)3. Answering the accusations of the adversary in our conscience."Thus be my shield and hiding place!That, sheltered near your side,I may my fierce accuser face,And tell him Thou hast died."John Newton, (1807)"And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death." Revelation 12:114. The conquering, immobilizing fear of death is gone. "Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery." Hebrews 2:14-155. Trust in the future grace of the triune God."Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come." Prove... Speaker: Buster Brown
Transcribe →Spiritual Reality and Warfare: The Helmet and the Hope of Salvation
Feb 22Tap to summarize"Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation…" Ephesians 6:13, 16-17a"But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11HOPE is the confident anticipation of an event that is sure to happen (Romans 8:24-25 and 1 Peter 1:3). It embraces the belief in the present goodness of Abba Father and the continual looking forward to the coming eternal world of incredible happiness and joy in the NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH. APPROACHES TO HOPE1. The Fool's Way - He puts the blame on the things themselves and goes on thinking that he will find true happiness in the next vacation, or the next life partner, or the next job, or the next zip code. 2. The way of the disillusioned “sensible man” - He understands that the pursuit of happiness will never be realized and settles down and learns not to expect too much from life and represses his previous desires to achieve the “good life” (“grin and bear it” mentality).3. The Christian way - “I must take care never to despise or be unthankful for these earthly blessings, but on the other hand to never mistake them for something else of which they are only a kind of copy, or echo, or mirage. I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that other country (heaven )and to help others to do the same.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Book three, Chapter 10 BECAUSE WE HAVE PUT ON THE HELMET OF SALVATION (1 Thessalonians 5:8) 1. We do not stumble in the darkness or in the stupor of drunkenness, but we are called to live with a biblically informed sobriety (Proverbs 4:18-19).2. We understand the brevity of life - “Sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape” (v. 3)3. Salvation is found in Christ, the one “who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we might live with him” (v.10).4. This hope builds deep encouragement (v. 11)APPLICATIONS:1. We do not sleepwalk! (1 Peter 4:7-8, 5:8) We battle against an adversary who is a prowling lion and wants to consume us.2. Why should believers be filled with hope tinged with optimism?3. We embrace present joys with gladness, remembering… “life cannot get better… this side of heaven.”“Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home.” C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain4. Romans 5:3-4“And as He (Aslan) spoke He no longer looked to them like a lion; but the things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: ... Speaker: Buster Brown
Transcribe →Spiritual Reality and Warfare: The Shield of Faith and a Place to Stand (with Joy and Resolve)
Feb 15Tap to summarize“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one...” Ephesians 6:16“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ...” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5“I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2A WORLDVIEW is a framework from which we view reality and make sense of life and the world.1. Truth? (historical or personal preference)“The symbol is very simple: it is the belief that there is nothing finer, profounder, more attractive, more reasonable, more courageous and more perfect than Christ.. I tell myself with jealous love that there cannot be. Even if someone were to prove to me that the truth lay outside Christ, I should prefer to remain with Christ than with the truth.” Doris Dostoyevsky, 1821-1881“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” The Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:17-192. Creation? (design or cacophony-chaotic mixture) Design:“Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart...” Psalm 119:1-2“Sam (Samwise Gamgee) saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach. … Now, for a moment, his own fate, and even his master’s (Frodo Baggins), ceased to trouble him. He crawled back into the brambles and laid himself by Frodo’s side, and putting away all fear he cast himself into a deep untroubled sleep.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King, pg.901 Cacophony:“I have said that in one respect my mind has changed during the last twenty or thirty years. Up to the age of thirty, or beyond it, poetry of many kinds… gave me great pleasure… I have also said that formerly pictures gave me considerable, and music very great delight. But now for many years I cannot endure to read a line of poetry:...Music generally sets me thinking too energetically on what I have been at work on, instead of giving me pleasure. I retain some taste for fine scenery, but it does not cause me the exquisite delight which it formerly did.” Charles Darwin Mankind (image bearers or the impersonal) “Man is the special creation of God, made in His own image. He created them male and female as the crowning work of His creation…The sacredness of human personality is evident in that God created man in His own image, and in that Christ died for man; therefore, every person of every race possesses full dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love.” The Baptist Faith and Message 2000, Article 3 Westminster Larger Catechism, Question 143Q: Which is the ninth commandment?A: The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.Westminster Larger Catechism, Question 144Q: What are the duties required in the ninth commandment?A: The duties required in the ninth ... Speaker: Buster Brown
Transcribe →Spiritual Reality and Warfare: Outwitted??
Feb 8Tap to summarize“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one...” Ephesians 6:10-16Regarding the Christian Warrior:1. We joyfully live out of the eternal embrace of the living God in light of the gospel of grace. The work of Christ, our substitute, is finished, complete, and irrevocable.2. We contend with a scheming, accusing, and lying enemy. 3. The shield of faith is, in large part, looking outside of our existential experience to the ongoing empowering work of the Savior by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. (“alien righteousness” - Martin Luther)4. There is to be a glorious (and dogged) pursuit of the Lord as we walk in faith.*P _______ on the w______ armor of God... (Ephesians 6:11)*P_________ righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. (1 Timothy 6:11)*F ________ the g______ f________. (1 Timothy 6:12)*Be r_________in the spirit of your mind. (Ephesians 4:17)*Do not p_______ your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but p_______ yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life. (Romans 6:13)“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.” “Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” 1 Corinthians 5:1-2, 6-8“Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.” “Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.” 2 Corinthians 2:5-7, 10-11We are Outwitted by the Enemy When:1. We do not understand the severity and crippling reality of sin (arrogant, haughty vs mourning) (1 Corinthians 5:2).2. Unconfessed and unforsaken sin is unaddressed in the church (Matthew 18:15 and following, i.e.), we avoid the uncomfortable realities that are part of the relational context of friendship, families, and church.3. The importance of your worship and attitudes towards fellow believers is not carefully embraced in your life and brought in line with Scripture.4. The church is unforgiving and emotionally closed to a repenting brother (Galatians 6:1-2).5. “Forgiveness” does not involve comfort and a tender reaffirmation of love for the repenting person.What is the difference between resignations (the stoics) and active yielding?“Never again look at your sins apart from Christ, you can’t handle them. You’ll... Speaker: Buster Brown
Transcribe →Spiritual Reality and Warfare: Take Up the Shield of Faith
Jan 25Tap to summarize“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. or we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES TAKE UP THE SHIELD OF FAITH, WITH WHICH YOU CAN EXTINGUISH ALL THE FLAMING DARTS OF THE EVIL ONE...” Ephesians 6:10-16The shield for the Roman soldier was four and a half feet by two and a half feet. The taking up of the shield was always done in conjunction with other warriors (Phalanx). “The devil would have us believe that all of our thoughts, all of our doubts, improper thoughts originate in ourselves, and then he persuades us that, in consequence, we must be very evil persons who have no right to be called Christians at all. And so he drives us down into the depths of despair and utter hopelessness about ourselves. So nothing is so vital for us as to realize that it is a small deed devil whose fiery darts are (often) responsible for our condition.”Martin Lloyd-Jones, The Christian Soldier, pg.301The way to deal with the fiery darts is to take up the shield of faith. It is the only thing that can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one that he constantly hurls at us.We must continue to walk in the gospel of grace as our feet are shod with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. This makes us mobile and agile and we’re able to respond to the attacks.Faith never points to itself, it always points to its object. The critical issue is not the depth or the strength of my faith, but the object of my faith. We stand on the basis of Christ and Him crucified. When we pick up the shield of faith, we are looking to the strong reality of Christ and the empowering grace of the Holy Spirit.• The holding of the shield of faith is always done in conjunction with others.• Note Martin Luther’s understanding of spiritual warfare and the example of his throwing the inkwell against the wall. Speaker: Buster Brown
Transcribe →Spiritual Reality and Warfare: Walking in the Gospel of Grace
Jan 18Tap to summarize“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:10-15“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 1:16-20In battle, the soldier needs to be a______ and m_______.*1. Mobility and the Gospel of Grace.• The conviction of sin and personal need.• The way of clarity regarding the way of salvation; by faith alone in the work of Christ alone.We must be “taken up by the gospel” in adoration as we understand the gospel. 2. Clear (unclouded) Communication and Advancement in Grace “One of the most urgent needs in the church of God today is a recovery of the simple biblical truth that the Christian life is a life of faith in response to God’s Word. Faith feeds on the promises of God and grows healthy and strong by them.” John R.W. Stott, Confess Your Sins: The Way of Reconciliation “There is no misery of mind or spirit to compare with estrangement from God through sin and the refusal to confess it in penitence; and there is no joy like fellowship with God through repentance, confession, and forgiveness.”John R.W. Stott, Confess Your Sins: The Way of Reconciliation“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16“Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man’s duty to endeavor to repent of his particular sins, particularly.” Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 15, Article 5“As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon of them; upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy; so, he that scandalizes his brother, or the church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or public confession, and sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are offended, who are then to be reconciled to him and to receive him in love.” Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 15, Article 6For the child of God, there’s never a fear of being abandoned because we’ve been adopted into God’s embrace by the work of the cross. But the Father has a settled antagonism against sin. If we harbour sin in our hearts, we can call forth the strong and potentially painful, PROVIDENTIAL action of a loving Father who desires our best and His glory. “And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.’” Hebrews 12:5-6“Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but a... Speaker: Buster Brown
Transcribe →Spiritual Reality and Warfare: Readiness and the Gospel of Peace
Jan 4Tap to summarize"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace." Ephesians 6:10-15The gospel which brings peace is to be the touchstone, yardstick, benchmark, litmus test in the life of the Christian. The gospel brings peace with God, peace in daily living and relational peace with others.Peace with God: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2 “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21Peace in Daily Living (existential peace): “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7Peace with Others:“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” Romans 12:18-19 “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15“But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, ‘If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?’” Galatians 2:14 Believers are called upon to contend for the faith (to struggle in behalf of) Jude 3, and simultaneously to be kind, approachable and grace-filled (2 Timothy 2:22-24). In order to live out this reality, you must be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and continue to make distinctions between:1. Central issues2. Important issues 3. Issues of indifference (issues to die for, opinions to be held, and matters of indifference) "…the webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight…Shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness and delight—a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens doors and welcomes the creatures in whom he delights. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be." Cornelius Plantinga, Not the Way it's Supposed To BeWhen the gospel that brings peace is central in our lives we move from shame, fatigue, and relational strife to loving out of the overflow of our relationship, to the overflow (John 7:37-39).Themes:1. How does the cross answer the accusation of “you don't measure up” simultaneously diffuses the statemen... Speaker: Buster Brown
Transcribe →New Year's: Malachi and the Call to Renewal
Dec 28Tap to summarize"'For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts. 'Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. 'Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.'" Malachi 4:1-6150 years after returning from the Babylonian captivity 597BC-538BC), the people of God are walking in a spirit of malaise and half-heartedness in their relationship with Jehovah. Malachi's prophecy comes as a wake-up call to renewed covenant living on the part of God's people.1. The rising sun of righteousness (v.2a)."The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil." Isaiah 9:2-3"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying,'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" John 8:122. Healing in its wings (v.2b)."Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:17-18New City Catechism: Question 26Q: What else does Christ’s death redeem?A: Christ’s death is the beginning of the redemption and renewal of every part of fallen creation, as he powerfully directs all things for his own glory and creation’s good.“Longing, breathing, panting after deliverance is a grace in itself, that has a mighty power to conform the soul into the likeness of the thing longed after.” John Owen, The Mortification of Sin3. Leaping like calves from the stall (v.2c).The coming of the Messiah King, and His empowering grace by the Holy Spirit leads to a joy as we live out of the overflow of the knowledge of our union with Christ."And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart," Ephesians 5:18-19There is a glorious measure of freedom as we walk in the power of the Lord, while simultaneously groaning under the burden of indwelling sin and personality of brokenness.4. Tread down (v.3). "But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble." Proverbs 4:18-195. Renewed Priorities (v.6): lives that are attuned and ordered under biblical prioritiesThemes:1. We live today in light of THAT DAY (v.1).2. Memento mori (“remember you must die”)3. Our prayer: let me see and experience you as the Light which dispels darkness and brings hope.4. In 2026, to glorify God by His power, I will bring change to ______.5. Holy Spirit, bring overflowing joy as I understand/ponder the majesty and mercy of Jesus.6. God is most glorified in u... Speaker: Buster Brown
Transcribe →Christmas: The Savior Who Casts Out Fear & Brings Great Joy
Dec 21Tap to summarize"And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'" Luke 2:8-14Jesus is the Savior who saves us from our sin and the judgment that should rightfully fall upon us; and He gives us the hope of life (Matthew 1:21, 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10. Therefore, we live with confidence (no fear) and great joy. The Old Testament was hope anticipated and the New Testament is hope manifested in the Savior. 1. No fear of rejection or abandonment."Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” Hebrews 13:5"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?...For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35, 38-39New City Catechism: Question 24Q: Why was it necessary for Christ, the Redeemer, to die?A: Since death is the punishment for sin, Christ died willingly in our place to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin and bring us back to God. By his substitutionary atoning death, he alone redeems us from hell and gains for us forgiveness of sin, righteousness, and everlasting lifeNew City Catechism: Question 25Q: Does Christ’s death mean all our sins can be forgiven?A: Yes, because Christ’s death on the cross fully paid the penalty for our sin, God graciously imputes Christ’s righteousness to us as if it were our own and will remember our sins no more.2. Great Joy"I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers." Jeremiah 31:3-4"To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified." Isaiah 61:2-33. Because salvation is by grace through Christ, it compels worship, adoration, and a desire to walk in the way of the Lord.“Always you renounce the lesser good for a greater…What you call my struggle to submit (to the will of the Lord) is not struggle to submit, but a struggle to accept with passion (and joy). Picture me with my ground teeth, stalking joy—fully armed too, as it is a highly dangerous quest.” Flannery O'Connor“What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism. Orwell feared that the truth w... Speaker: Buster Brown
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