Reynolda Church: Audio Podcast

How is it possible that, for the followers of Jesus, judgement day is the greatest day ever? We live with expectancy that Jesus will return and make all things new, and in the meantime, we root our hope in the sentiment of C.S. Lewis, “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” In this sermon I hope to give some basic parameters and a reformed understanding, in the broadest/non-controversial categories, for eschatology.

So much of life seems to be about failure. All of the times we make commitments, set goals, make resolutions and come up short. The best news about joining in on the work of God is that His plans never fail. Thus, as we see God’s kingdom purposes continue to claim victory around the world, our faith grows and is contagious.

Seed: Leaders take calling seriously and all those who have been called by Jesus have been qualified to lead. As the first letter to Thessalonica draws to an end, Paul is clear that we find joy in the unity of the local church and that this joy is NOT something we work on, but rather something we live in.

Our courage to face the challenges of today is rooted in our assurance that this world is not our home. The certainty of Jesus’ triumphant return and final victory over death is the foundation of the Christian’s courage to face uncertainty today.

In these verses Paul clearly illustrates that God is one in three persons and we will spend some time illustrating the exclusivity of the Christian Trinitarian claim. In addition, we will discover together how being filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit draws us towards Jesus like holiness and purity.

The authenticity of our faith is most fully realized by our authentic passion for loving God’s word and living out our Gospel mandate. In these verses we will notice that Paul came to Thessalonica not for what he could gain, but rather for what he could give away for their benefit. Paul illustrates that the authenticity of our relationships with others in public will be a reflection of our relationship with Jesus in private.

From the moment of someone’s salvation, God begins the process of a radical transformation. This new birth gives a follower of Jesus the unique privileges of viewing one’s current circumstances in light of eternal promises.

As we launch this nine-week series, this first message will explore Paul’s heart for the local church by looking at his efforts to launch the church in Thessalonica. Paul’s passion for the people of this new work of God was that each would discover the uniqueness of his/her gifting, grow in their love for one another, and mature in their relationship with Jesus.

Are you ready for some good news? You have, just with your speech the Bible says, the capacity to speak life. It is something that is so radical that we can read right past it, but surely God teaches this to us in His word. One of the greatest stories in the Bible bears this out in powerful fashion. Ezekiel was called by God to speak life to Israel. But first the Lord wanted him to see just how void of life the nation was. He took him on a prophetic, visionary tour of the Valley of Dry Bones. With it, the Lord brought a question: “Son of man, can these bones live?” It was as if the Lord wanted him to not only see just how dead the nation was, but to ponder if God Himself could in fact bring forth life. His reply reveals a heart that was open to the possibilities of life with God: “O Lord God, you know.” At God’s command Ezekiel began to speak to these lifeless bones. Miraculously, God was with Ezekiel’s words, bringing resurrection and life. It all points us forward to Jesus who declared Himself

God created the world by speaking. The words, “Let there be light,” were not magic but they were God-breathed. God’s integrity is so pure that His words perfectly express His essence. What God says, He does. What God says, happens. What God calls forth in speech, exists. Thus, the opening lines of the Bible announce a profound principle that will weave through the entire scriptural narrative: words have creative power.

Easter Worship at Reynolda Church

To delight yourself in the Lord is not only to yield to Him but also to enjoy Him. Yes, God wants our obedience – but not as slaves. The deepest obedience stirs within the soul that delights in the Lord.

“To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.” (John 10:3–6, ESV)

The text can be translated “keeping step with the Spirit.” To walk by (or in) the Spirit is a picture of moment by moment life with God. The life of the disciple is described as a walk with God because there is a fellowship that takes place when you walk alongside someone. This sermon offers opportunity to proclaim life in the Spirit as a day by day, step by step walk with Christ.

In a rich, irony-laden miracle story, Jesus “perceives” that power has gone from Him and He wants to know who touched Him. The disciples are befuddled; a huge throng is pressing in upon Jesus. A crowd is touching Him. But one woman’s touch was different. An unclean woman was the only person who perceived the power available in this man. Jesus was the only one who perceived the different kind of touch.

Among the greatest gifts of God might just be our ability to forget. Meaning, our ability to forget our past and Jesus’s forgive and forget as far as the East is from the West.

The Word of God isn’t an instruction book to be applied as much as it is a love letter to be relished. The Bible isn’t a collection of principles to study as much as it is an epic story in which to become immersed. Today’s message teaches how to read scripture devotionally and explains the power and practice of Christian meditation.

You can’t hoard grace any more than the Israelites could hoard manna. Because God meets our needs in the moment we must discover the delight and peace of seeing His grace in each moment. If we could accumulate God’s provision, we would have no need to trust Him. It’s a blessing that God gives you the grace you need day by day because it leads you into the greatest joy – knowing Him.

The Exodus 2-3 narrative is a lesson in mindfulness. Yahweh heard the cry of His people. He remembered His covenant. He saw their suffering. God knew. God is mindful of our estate. He hears. He remembers. He sees. He knows. In order to get Moses’ attention, the Creator spoke from a burning bush – a visual aid designed to make Moses mindful of God’s presence. But the fugitive prince was preoccupied with worry for the future. In order to build Moses’ confidence, the Lord brought the future leader of God’s people into the moment with a miracle that employed the shepherd’s staff. The basis for Moses’ faith was not off in the distance, it was as close as the staff in his hand. There was no other, exotic or distant place that Moses needed to travel in order to become convinced of God’s power. God was with Him in Midian. There was no rare tool that he needed; a common shepherd’s staff was enough. God can use whatever is in hand. Here is an invitation to look and see what God has already put in each of our hands.