Kept
From the time we wake up until we lie down, it’s easy to spot danger and uncertainty; they’re all around us. Then we try to sleep, knowing that danger lurks even then. We see it inside ourselves, and we see it all around us. We feel our lack of control; there are things we can’t prepare for and people we can’t defend against. We see our own sin and short-comings; we can’t even keep ourselves on the right path. How in the world is a follower of Christ supposed to get to Him? How are we supposed to navigate the changes, shifts, and dangers of our journey? In this sermon, Abe Stratton preaches for us from Psalm 121, a psalm that speaks to these questions.
Listening to Hebrews
The book of Hebrews was read out loud before it was ever read in a Bible with binding. But this book was not only written to be read out loud, it is itself a written sermon. In this sermon we will get a sense for how this book may have sounded on the ears of the first hearers. More importantly, we hear the book in one sitting as God’s Word for us as Pastor Abe Stratton recites the book from memory.
Encouragement for Exiles
Suffering. Slandered. Insulted. Maligned. Tested. These are some of the words which Peter uses to describe the life of one chosen by God who is living on this earth. We’re not home, and we feel it. Our time on our pilgrimage is not comfortable, and our response to these trials is far from easy. But the apostle offers us grace for the road and peace for our souls. He does this by turning our gaze upward and forward. Far from making us ignore our suffering, this perspective makes us better able to live in the rough and tumble now. We’ve been soaking in 1 Peter for a number of months, and we’re almost done. In this sermon we’ll hear the whole letter at once as Abe Stratton recites it for us.
Out of Our Sin and Sadness
How will God bring His people home? That’s the question of this sermon as we continue our series Out of Our Lonely Exile. Christmas is approaching. Excitement is building. However, as Christmas heightens our joy and anticipation, it also deepens our sense of loss and longing. Ever since God evicted our first parents from the garden because of their rebellion, humanity has longed for and sought to find our way home, but every attempt has failed. We can’t get ourselves back to the place we’re supposed to be because we can’t make ourselves right with the One who matters. If we are ever to get home, God himself must do something. Listen in and be ready to rejoice in God’s shocking solution to our deepest problem.
The Glorious Mystery
Paul wrote to a little church 2,000 years ago—a little church which was being told that they needed to experience something in addition to Jesus. That kind of message continues to crop up today: “You need something else. You’re deficient unless you’ve done [fill in the blank].” As the Colossians needed to hear Paul’s answer, we need to hear it as well. Pastor Abe begins the sermon by reciting the book of Colossians by memory, something he does for us from time to time.
Jesus, You, and Surprising Mercy
Life can be crushing; difficulties and anxieties surround us and press in on us. But Psalm 118 reminds us that the God who set his love on his people will not let them be destroyed. In unexpected ways he provides a way out. This will be our final sermon in our short series, The Psalms, Jesus, and You.
Jesus, You, and a Royal Wedding
The beauty of the Psalms is that they capture so many of our human emotions. As we hurt, as we walk through darkness, as we grieve, as we are angry, these God-given texts give expression to our deepest pains. However, they also provide us with expressions of unbounded celebration and joy. They pull our eyes and hearts up and remind us of the glories which are real and which are coming. Through this sermon we get to participate in a wedding celebration—a Psalm so full of beauty and light and festivity that we can’t help but join in.
The Glorious King
Who can stand in presence of the Creator and owner of all things? What kind of person will receive his blessing? Only one who has clean hands and a pure heart. Where does that leave you and me? Psalm 24 offers us an answer, and there is good news; it’s good news of a glorious King.
Looking to Jesus
The book of Hebrews, found toward the end of our Bibles, is more than a letter to first century Christians. It’s a penned sermon expounding the glories of Jesus Christ in light of the whole of the Old Testament. Listen as this sermon is recited from memory.
The Holy God
Holiness is a word which stirs up any number of reactions or emotions. It also exposes a lot of misunderstanding and misperceptions. To get a grasp on what it means, we have to turn to the God who is described in Scripture as “The Holy One.” In Him we begin to see what holiness truly is, and from Him we begin to learn how we can be holy. Through the preached word we will meditate on Psalm 99 and gaze upon the Holy God as Pastor Abe Stratton begins our 4-part series, “The Beauty of Holiness.”
Ignorance and Idolatry; Knowledge and Love
As God’s people we know that we’re supposed to love Him and pursue Him more than anything else. But if we’re honest with ourselves and with others, there are times when God seems pretty low on the list of things which are interesting or exciting. In fact pursuing Him or reading His Word can sound downright boring. This reality reveals a dangerous truth about our souls: we don’t really know God. If we did, we would realize that nothing compares to Him in beauty, love, and glory. The prophet Hosea addressed these things in his message centuries ago. Listen in to see how it connects to you.
Song for the Fearful
It seems that there are a million things which crowd into our lives and bring anxiety. Financial issues, loss of a job, broken health, strained relationships, international tensions, and even natural disasters overwhelm our hearts; fear and worry are often close behind. Hear this Psalm which turns our eyes from chaos and uproar to our eternal Protector.
