Sermon text for December 30th – Luke 11:14-23

14 Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” 16 while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 18 And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Click here for sermon audio.

Christmas Eve Service

If you’re in the area, you’re welcome to join us for a Christmas Eve service at Oikos, beginning at 7:00 pm.

Sermon text for December 23rd – Matthew 2:1-12

 Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men [1] from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose [2] and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

I Need Your Help

I’m looking for any and all resources (books, articles, audio, etc.) dealing with counseling people who suffer from Satanic Ritual Abuse (SRA) and/or Multiple Personality Disorders (MPD) – but specifically resources that approach this with sobriety and Biblically-informed wisdom.

Sermon text for December 16th – Luke 11:1-13

11:1 Now Jesus [1] was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

 

“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread, [2]
4 and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”

5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence [3] he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for [4] a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Click here for sermon audio.

More Than a Feeling…

From a sermon by Spurgeon titled “Life by Faith” (based on Galatians 3:11)

…let me notice that some Christians appear to try to live by experience. If they feel happy to-day, they say they are saved, but if they feel unhappy to-morrow, they conclude that they are lost. If they feel at one moment a deep and profound calm overspreading their spirits, then are they greatly elevated; but if the winds blow and the waves beat high, then they suppose that they are none of the Lord’s people. Ah, miserable state of suspense! To live by feeling is a dying life; you know not where you are, nor what you are, if your feelings are to be the barometer of your spiritual condition. Beloved, a simple faith in Christ will enable you to remain calm even when your feelings are the reverse of happy, to remain confident when your emotions are far from ecstatic. If, indeed, we be saved by Jesus Christ, then the foundation of our salvation does not lie within us, but in that crucified Man who now reigns in glory. When he changes, ah, then what changes must occur to us! But since he is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever, why need we be so soon removed from our steadfastness? Believe in Jesus, dear heart, when thou canst not find a spark of grace within thyself; cast thyself as a sinner into the Saviour’s arms when thou canst not think a good thought, nor uplift a good desire; when thy soul feels like a barren wilderness that yields not so much as one green blade of hope, or joy, or love, still look up to the great Husbandman, who can turn the desert into a garden. Have confident faith in Jesus at all times, for if thou believest in him thou art saved, and canst not be condemned. However good or bad thy state, this shall not affect the question; thou believest, therefore thou shalt be saved. Give up living from hand to mouth in that poor miserable way of frames and feelings, and wait thou only upon the Lord, from whom cometh thy salvation.

Joe Thorn on Evangelism

Joe’s a pastor back in the mid-West as well as a long-time blogger. He seldom wastes words in his posts, which is a exceedingly rare gift these days. He’s posted some thoughts on evangelism in a suburban context which I found very helpful – you can find those here. In addition, you should take a look through his six-part “Reforming Evangelism” series from two years ago:

1. Introduction
2. Preparation
3. Is It Biblical?
4. Practice
5. The Diagram
6. Assurance

Sermon text for December 9th – Luke 10:38-42

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus [1] entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. [2] Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Click here for sermon audio (my apologies for the poor quality of this week’s recording).