Advent 2021. Ruth 4.
Waiting for the One Who Will Not Rest
Advent 2021. Ruth 3.
The Beginning of a Special Union
Famine and Faithfulness
First Sunday of Advent 2021. Ruth 1. Preached by Thad Rosenberg.
NCC Q12: "What does God require in the ninth and tenth commandments?"
This sermon continues our walk through the New City Catechism and concludes our series on the Ten Commandments.
Q: What does God require in the ninth and tenth commandments?
A: Ninth, that we do not lie or deceive, but speak the truth in love. Tenth, that we are content, not envying anyone or resenting what God has given them or us.
NCC Q11: "What does God require in the sixth, seventh, and eighth commandments?"
This sermon continues our walk through the New City Catechism and is the fifth sermon in our series on the Ten Commandments.
Q: What does God require in the sixth, seventh, and eighth commandments?
A: Sixth, that we do not hurt, or hate, or be hostile to our neighbor, but be patient and peaceful, pursuing even our enemies with love. Seventh, that we abstain from sexual immorality and live purely and faithfully, whether in marriage or in single life, avoiding all impure actions, looks, words, thoughts, or desires, and whatever might lead to them. Eighth, that we do not take without permission that which belongs to someone else, nor withhold any good from someone we might benefit.
NCC Q10: "What does God require in the fifth commandment?"
This sermon continues our walk through the New City Catechism and is the fourth sermon in our series on the Ten Commandments.
Q: What does God require in the fifth commandment?
A: That we love and honor our father and our mother, submitting to their godly discipline and direction.
NCC Q9–10: "What does God require in the third and fourth commandments?"
This sermon continues our walk through the New City Catechism and is the third sermon in our series on the Ten Commandments.
Q: What does God require in the third and fourth commandments?
A: Third, that we treat God’s name with fear and reverence, honoring also his Word and works. Fourth, that on the Sabbath day we spend time in public and private worship of God, rest from routine employment, serve the Lord and others, and so anticipate the eternal Sabbath.
Jonah Van Proosdy - Matthew 13
Matthew 13
Guest Preacher: Jonah Van Proosdy
Charlie Handren - Hebrews 11
Hebrews 11
Guest Preacher: Charlie Handren
NCC Q9: "What does God require in the first and second commandments?"
This sermon continues our walk through the New City Catechism and is the second sermon in our series on the Ten Commandments.
Q: What does God require in the first and second commandments?
A: First, that we know and trust God as the only true and living God. Second, that we avoid all idolatry and do not worship God improperly.
NCC Q8: "What is the law of God stated in the Ten Commandments?"
Sermon on the Q&A 8 from the New City Catechism:
Q: What is the law of God stated in the Ten Commandments?
A: You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below—you shall not bow down to them or worship them. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Honor your father and your mother. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony. You shall not covet.
Note, this sermon kicks off a brief series on the Ten Commandments.
Buried with Christ in Baptism, Raised to Walk in Newness of Life
Romans 6:1–14
The End of the Matter
Eccl 12:9–14
We've listened to the Preacher's message. We've walked with him through the ruins of Eden and looked under every rock we can think of for purpose and meaning and lasting gain. And everything has come up short; "all is vanity" (Eccl 1:2; 12:8).
But along the way, the Preacher has been pointing us towards true purpose and meaning and gain. And here, at the end, the narrator makes this explicit: "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." (Eccl 12:13).
Listen to this sermon and the Preacher's simple conclusion and ask "how can we learn to fear God and keep his commandments during our brief days under the sun?"
Rejoice Rightly
Ecclesiastes 11:7–12:8
As we near the end of Ecclesiastes, the Preacher reflects once again: life under the sun is full of both joy and sorrow—days of sunshine and days of deep darkness.
Young people know this is true, but often have a hard time seeing anything but optimism in life. This is why the reality of middle age hits us like a ton of bricks. And yet, once we're soured by the reality of life under the sun, we find it harder and harder to freely enjoy the good in God's good creation. How can we learn the wisdom of age while retaining the optimism of youth? The Preacher teaches us this lesson in Eccl 11:7–12:8.
Do Something!
Eccl 11:1–6
Farming in Eden was certain. Sowing, reaping, and enjoying the harvest was a sure thing. But in the ruins of Eden, living under the sun in a creation cursed because of sin, much is uncertain. Crops die and ships sink. How do we live faithfully in a world with so much uncertainty? That's the theme of this text from Ecclesiastes.
Choose Wisdom!
Ecclesiastes 9:13–10:20
So many of the daily challenges we face in this world do not have "chapter and verse" that tell us what to do. We need to learn to live skillfully in this world under the sun. That's where wisdom comes in. We need wisdom, but how do we get and use wisdom? That's the theme of this text from Ecclesiastes.
Enjoy Life By Remembering Death
Ecclesiastes 9:1–12
This passage is at the same time one of the bluntest looks at the reality of death in Ecclesiastes and one of the strongest exhortations to enjoying life. How can these two things fit together? How do we enjoy life knowing that everything we love will eventually be taken from us by death?
That question reveals the heart of the promises of the gospel. It's against the dark backdrop of our own mortality that the promises of the gospel shine brightly—bright enough even that we can receive life's good as a gift from God to be enjoyed.
Keep the King's Command
Ecclesiastes 8:1–17
As Christians, we know this world is not our home. We await a better home and a Good King. But in the meantime we live in the ruins of Eden, in a world filled with rebellion against King Jesus.
The Preacher in Ecclesiastes saw this world in rebellion and observed: "Then I saw the wicked buried. They used to go in and out of the holy place and were praised in the city where they had done such things. This also is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 8:10) How do God's people live wisely in a wicked culture like that? That's the theme of our text today.
Be Not Overly Righteous
Ecclesiastes 7:15–29
In Ecclesiastes 7:15–29, the Preacher looks at the frustratingly mysterious nature of life under the sun and considers: How should we live in a world that often doesn't make sense? How should we live in a world where bad things happen to good people and where the wicked seem to prosper? What does faith in God look like when he seems capricious?