Sermons from April 2023
1 Samuel 3:1-21 (Part 2)
Many pastors refuse to preach about judgment though the Bible is filled with passages on the subject. This, however, is contrary to the pattern of Scripture. Samuel’s call to prophesy included a call to preach on judgment, and he is not unique in the Scriptures. All of God’s prophets prophesied about the coming judgment. Such has been one of the marks of faithful preaching throughout the history of the church.
Isaiah 45:14-25
What is the primary motivation for evangelism? The glory of God. The reason every Christian ought to be committed to evangelism is because God is not worshiped as he ought to be. If you love God, then this means you must be committed to worshiping him. If you are committed to worshiping him, then you ought also to strive to see him worshiped by others.
1 Samuel 3:1-21 (Part 1)
In 1 Samuel 3:1-21 Samuel’s call to the office of prophet is recounted. The most significant thing about this call is that it comes from God. Ultimately this is what is needed in the church: for God to call men to preach the gospel and to bless that preaching. There is a connection between prophecy and preaching. God has always used his Word to grow the church.
Proverbs 9:13-18
In the gospel eternal life is offered. Wisdom has set a great feast, and yet, many refuse. Why is this the case? Many reasons can be given, but one significant reason is that there is another offer to go to another feast, and many choose this one over Wisdom’s. This is the feast of folly, built on the foundation of sin. Ultimately, it leads to death. Those who are foolish content themselves with this feast that leads to death.
1 Samuel 2:27-36
In 1 Samuel 2:27-36 a man of God confronts Eli about the sins of his sons and by extension Eli’s own sins. He pronounces a word of judgment against Eli but also promises that God will raise up a faithful priest after God’s own heart. Samuel is the type of the faithful priest, which ultimately refers to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 9:1-12
In Proverbs 9:1-12 Wisdom sets a table with a great feast and invites all to come. This is the offer of the gospel that goes out to all. The beginning of wisdom is to accept the invitation offered. Those who do so will feast with Christ on the last day at the wedding feast of the Lamb. The question is, will you be there?
Acts 2:1-41
As a prophet Christ reveals to us by his Word and Spirit the will of God for our salvation. This he does today, as the greatest of all prophets, by pouring out the Spirit upon his people and by calling men to preach the Word.
Romans 3:21-26
How does Christ’s death relate to Christ’s work as a prophet? Christ’s death reveals who God is. In Romans 3:21-26 Paul speaks about the way in which Christ’s death shows God to be both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Christ. Christ’s death shows forth the righteousness of God. The cross does not only reveal these things about God but is the perfect revelation of God. All of God’s attributes are revealed in the death…
1 Samuel 2:11-26
In 1 Samuel 2:11-26 two different kinds of priests are contrasted. On the one hand is Samuel with his godly mother supporting him. On the other hand are the sexually immoral and impious sons of Eli, Hophni and Phineas. As Samuel provides a contrast between two kinds of kings, so too it teaches that there are two kinds of priests. Christ is the fulfillment of this priesthood, being not only the king after God’s own heart, but the priest after…
Proverbs 8:32-36
In Proverbs 8:32-36 the final appeal of Wisdom is made. In light of Wisdom’s call, her greatness as seen in the rule of kings, her righteousness, her glory in creation and eternity, there is tremendous blessing for turning to Wisdom. Great blessings are offered to those who turn, as well as great curses for those who fail to heed the call.