Pilate and the King
February 28, 2021
Rev. Bruce Brown
John 19:1-12
I. The King in His Humiliation (verses 1-6)
II. The King with His Authority (verses 7-11)
III. Friends of the King (verse 12)
“We see the Savior of mankind scourged, crowned with thorns, mocked, smitten, rejected by His own people, unjustly condemned by a judge who saw no fault in Him, and finally delivered up to a most painful death. Yet this was He who was the eternal Son of God, whom the Father's countless angels delighted to honor. This was He who came into the world to save sinners, and after living a blameless life for thirty years, spent the last three years of His time on earth in going about doing good, and preaching the Gospel. Surely the sun never shone on a more wondrous sight since the day of its creation!” J.C. Ryle
Pilate and the Kingdom of Christ
February 21, 2021
Rev. Bruce Brown
John 18:28-40
I. The Accusation: A Kingdom of Righteousness (verses 28-32)
II. The Question: A Kingdom of Truth (verses 33-38a)
III. The Substitute: A Kingdom of Grace (verses 38-40)
“Our LORD did not come (in His first advent) to win a kingdom with the sword, and to gather adherents and followers by force. He came armed with no other weapon but "truth." To testify to fallen man the truth about God, about sin, about the need of a Redeemer, about the nature of holiness--to declare and lift up before man's eyes this long lost and buried "truth,"--was one great purpose of His ministry. He came to be God's witness to a lost and corrupt world. That the world needed such a testimony, He does not shrink from telling the proud Roman Governor. And this is what Paul had in view, when he tells Timothy, that "before Pontius Pilate Christ witnessed a good confession." (1 Tim. 6:13.) … If we love life, if we would keep a good conscience, and be owned by Christ at the last day, we must be "witnesses.”” J.C. Ryle
The Faithful One
John 18:12-27
February 14, 2021
Rev. Bruce Brown
I. Jesus Bound: Apparent Failure (verses 12-14)
II. Peter’s Denials: Actual Weakness (verses 15-18, 25-27)
III. Jesus’ Trial: Amazing Strength (verses 19-24)
"One thing at any rate is very clear. The love of Christ to sinners is "a love that passes knowledge." To suffer for those whom we love, and who are in some sense worthy of our affections, is suffering that we can understand. To submit to ill-treatment quietly, when we have no power to resist, is submission that is both graceful and wise. But to suffer voluntarily, when we a have the power to prevent it, and to suffer for a world of unbelieving and ungodly sinners, unasked and unthanked--this is a line of conduct which passes man's understanding. Never let us forget that this is the peculiar beauty of Christ's sufferings, when we read the wondrous story of His cross and passion."
~ J.C. Ryle
An Arresting Lord
John 18:1-11
February 7, 2021
Rev. Bruce Brown
I. Jesus’ Lordship of the Circumstances (verses 1-3)
II. Jesus’ Lordship in the Confrontation (verse 4-9)
III. Jesus’ Lordship Through Consuming the Cup (verses 10-11)
"Nothing shines clearer in this account than the fact that Jesus goes willingly to his arrest. He who might have summoned twelve legions of angels, whose regal majesty could send his enemies reeling to the ground, accepts his arrest, trial and death in willing submission. His words to Peter unveil his heart: Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me? The cup is the symbol of the judgment of God; it is the cup of the wrath of God against human sin. In the strange mercy of God the cup of His righteous wrath is given into the hands, not of his enemies, but of his beloved Son. And He will drink it, down to the dregs until the moment comes when "I thirst" gives place to "It is finished."
~ Bruce Milne
A Prayer of Rest
Rev. Bruce Brown
Psalm 23
January 31, 2021
I. Resting in a Competent Shepherd (verses 1-3)
II. Resting with a Comforting Companion (verse 4)
III. Resting in His Complete Provision (verses 5-6)
"It is interesting that the psalm begins at this point ("I shall not want"). We might expect it to begin with motion, with some kind of activity either by the shepherd or the sheep. But strikingly, it begins with rest. It is a reminder that the Christian life also begins with resting in God revealed in Christ. Along the way there will in time be many things for us to do. But we begin by resting in Him who has done everything for us. Are you resting in Christ? Have you found Jesus to be the perfect provider of all your many needs?" ~ James M. Boice
Prayer on the Run
Rev. Bruce Brown
Psalm 17
January 24, 2021
I. Prayer on the Run Requires Integrity (verses 1-5)
II. Prayer on the Run Rests in the LORD’s Love (verses 6-12)
III. Prayer on the Run Remains Expectant of Rescue (verses 13-15)
“Let a man who is thirsty be brought to an ocean of pure water, and he has enough. If there be enough in God to satisfy the angels, then sure there is enough to satisfy us. The soul is but finite, but God is infinite. Though God be a God that satisfies, yet he does not over indulge us. Fresh joys spring continually from his face; and he is as much to be desired after millions of years by glorified souls as at the first moment. There is a fulness in God that satisfies, and yet so much sweetness that the soul still desires.” Thomas Watson.
Strong Faith When the Foundations Shake
“Strong Faith When the Foundations Shake”
Rev. Bruce Brown
Psalm 11
January 17, 2021
I. The Question that Faith Receives (verses 1-3)
II. The Answer that Faith Gives (verses 4-7)
III. The Hope that Faith Holds (verse 7)
“Set against the necessary hatred of God towards the violent wicked is the love of God for justice. God is determined that his world shall be a place of moral order, justice, goodness and fairness. And he will ensure that happens. To join with the church of Christ in speaking verses 4-7 ought to deepen our confidence that, against all appearances, the church of Christ and the law of God are not doomed to failure, but rather they are bound to triumph in the end, as we know with even greater assurance since the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus and his ascension to the place of cosmic authority at the right hand of the Father.” Christopher Ash
Strong Faith When the Foundations Shake
January 10, 2021
Rev. Bruce Brown
Psalm 11
I. The Question that Faith Receives (verses 1-3)
II. The Answer that Faith Gives (verses 4-7)
III. The Hope that Faith Holds (verse 7)
“Set against the necessary hatred of God towards the violent wicked is the love of God for justice. God is determined that his world shall be a place of moral order, justice, goodness and fairness. And he will ensure that happens. To join with the church of Christ in speaking verses 4-7 ought to deepen our confidence that, against all appearances, the church of Christ and the law of God are not doomed to failure, but rather they are bound to triumph in the end, as we know with even greater assurance since the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus and his ascension to the place of cosmic authority at the right hand of the Father.” Christopher Ash
God Centered Prayer
Rev. Bruce Brown
II Samuel 7:18-29
January 3, 2021
I. Who Am I, LORD? (verses 18-22)
II. Who is Like Your People? (verses 23-24)
III. How Then Shall We Pray? (verses 25-29)
“God has promised believers in Jesus Christ not merely a Messiah-King to come but our personal admission into the glories and riches of his reign. Paul writes that believers are “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Rom. 8:17). Jesus, moreover, promises that those who conquer through the faith that he gives will “sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne” (Rev. 3:21; see also Matt. 19:28). If we learn from God’s Word how great are the promises made to us in David’s greater son, Jesus Christ, then we may be moved to sit before the Lord and pray with a humility, wonder, thanks, and praise rivaling that of King David.” ~ Richard D. Phillips
Inexpressible Joy
Mr. Jay Krestar
December 27, 2020
I Peter 1:3-8
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.
LORD and Promise
“LORD and Promise”
Rev. Bruce Brown
II Samuel 7:1-12
I. The LORD of the Promise (verses 1-11)
a. He is a Humble LORD (verses 5-7)
b. He is a Gracious LORD (verses 8-1
II. The Promise of the LORD (verses 12-17)
a. It is a Forever Promise (verses 12-13, 16)
b. It is a Steadfast Promise (verses 14-15)
“The same eternal security attends all of God’s covenant promises, including those that guarantee eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Since Jesus is the Son of God born to reign as King on David’s throne, those who believe in him may enter his forever kingdom of salvation. Jesus said: “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. . . . For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:37, 40). This is God’s forever covenant with you, a promise that neither death, nor sin, nor an eternity of time will ever break, if you will believe on Jesus, the offspring of royal David and the Son of the God of grace." ~Richard D. Phillips
Joy Before the Lord
Rev. Bruce Brown
December 13, 2020
II Samuel 6:12-23
I. The Humility of David’s Joy (verses 11-13)
II. The Hunger Behind David’s Joy (verses 14-15,17-19 )
III. The Hostility Toward David’s Joy (verses 16, 20-23)
“Even though there are occasions when the people of God have cause to be solemn and reflective, or to be crying out to the Lord in brokenness of heart, the predominant theme of our personal devotion and public worship ought to be a rising sense of the joy of salvation… As he (the Christian) worships the Lord and reflects on his grace to his people, [the Christian’s] heart is lifted above the earth-bound horizon of his problems and, from the high ground of communion with the Lord, he sees everything in the perspective of the finished work of Christ: sin forgiven, the future secure, the Lord with him as the way, the truth, and the life, and heaven opened as his everlasting inheritance in his beloved Savior!” ~ Gordon Keddie
The Delightful Danger of Drawing Near
Rev. Bruce Brown
December 6, 2020
II Samuel 6:1-11
I. The Desire of the LORD’s Presence (verses 1-2)
II. The Danger of the LORD’s Holiness (verses 3-9)
III. The Delight of Dwelling with the LORD (verses 10-11)
"But just as God is holy, so also the gospel of Jesus Christ is a holy revelation of salvation. We must not treat it casually. We dare not neglect the offer purchased by the death of God’s own Son. If Uzzah suffered a temporal death by violating God’s law, we risk a far greater, eternal death by rejecting the holy gospel of Jesus Christ. John 3:36 warns us, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” Richard D. Phillips
The King and His Castle
Rev. Bruce Brown
II Samuel 5:1-25
November 29, 2020
I. The King Reigns by God's Pleasure (verses 1-5)
II. The King Reigns in God's Place (verses 6-12)
III. The King Reigns with God's Presence (verses 17-25)
"By faith, let us see Jesus as he is, exalted at God’s right hand in the heavens, “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Eph. 1:21). Christ’s kingdom is now advancing by faith as new believers are gathered in, with the time soon ahead when all of creation will be transformed into the city of his glory and peace. Revelation 14:1 anticipates the coming scene of his glory, together with his gathered people: “behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.” Of this coming scene, the angels sing, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever” (Rev. 11:15). Let us therefore hasten to make covenant with King Jesus through faith in his gospel, securing our own place in his city that will endure in glory forever." ~ Richard Phillips
The Wrath of the Weak
Rev. Bruce Brown
II Samuel 4:1-12
I. Assumptions Reveal Our Sin (verses 1-8)
II. Gratitude Remedies Our Idolatry (verse 9)
III. Justice Reassures God’s Saints (verses 9-12)
"It was a glorious thing for Israel to have in David a king who would enforce God’s bloody justice upon the wicked. But in Jesus Christ we have a higher sovereign and a better Savior. Christ is a king who not only inflicts justice on his enemies but who takes upon himself the penalty of his peoples’ sins, offering his own blood to save us from the severe judgment we have deserved. If in our waywardness we find God's mercy to seem severe, we nonetheless rejoice over every stroke, every loss, and every trial that leads us to the crowning mercy and the glory of knowing Jesus Christ.” ~ Richard Phillips
The Pursuit of Peace
Rev. Bruce Brown
II Samuel 3:1-30
November 15, 2020
I. Seeking Peace through Personal Advantage (verses 2-5)
II. Staging Peace for Personal Gain (verses 6-21)
III. Stalling Peace with Personal Revenge (verses 22-30)
“If we are to have peace and blessing in the church, then Christians must be led by those who are servant-hearted and zealous for the good of God’s people even at their own expense.…. For the believer in Jesus, the basis and the power of peace is Christ himself. For “he himself is our peace,” Paul writes, who has made all believers one “and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility” (Eph. 2:14). Sinners may have peace with the very God they have offended through the peace that Jesus gives through his own blood. And it is through born-again Joabs, looking on the Abners of their lives, their hearts melted with the peace of Christ, no longer burning with the fires of resentment and hatred, that Jesus extends, promotes, and offers his peace to a dying, divided, and sin afflicted world.” ~ Richard Phillips
A House Divided
“A House Divided”
Rev. Bruce Brown
II Samuel 2:12-3:1
I. The Death of Unity in Israel (vss. 12-17)
II. The Death Blind Obsession Brings (vss. 18-24)
III. The Deep Divide and Better Blood (vss. 25- 3 vs. 1)
“Do not be surprised that the best human efforts achieve less than we hope for. Often much less. Do not be disillusioned when what we do achieve is weak and fragile. It is (as it has always been) God’s work to bring in His kingdom. Only when He establishes his kingdom will we know the peace for which we long. Only when we remember Bethlehem will we pray authentically “Thy kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10)” ~ John Woodhouse
Kingdom Ambition
Rev. Bruce Brown
November 1, 2020
II Samuel 2:1-11
I. How the King Began His Reign (verses 1-4a)
II. How the King Extended His Reign (verses 4b-7)
III. How the King Was Opposed (verses 8-11)
“These events provide us with an opportunity to contemplate the reign of our LORD Jesus Christ. Our King Jesus has begun to reign, not in Hebron, but in Heaven. He is the King who in perfect obedience exercises God’s good rule. His Kingdom really is God’s Kingdom. His word (even to his would-be enemies) is a word of grace, extraordinary mercy, and kindness. He is the one who will bring the kindness of God to those who come to him.” ~ John Woodhouse
The Glory of the Church
Rev. Bruce Brown
October 25, 2020
Psalm 87
I. The Glory of Zion (verses 1-3)
II. The Congregation in Zion (verses 4-6)
III. The Joys from Zion (verse 7)
"Everything that makes life worth living comes from membership of Zion. Everything. We do not sing that some of what rejoices our hearts comes from what we may be proud of in this life - our citizenship, or education, or career success, or family - and that there is a little room at the end for a measure of joy that we find in belonging to the church of Christ. No! All the fountains that feed my life and give me joy come from being a member, by new birth, of the church of Jesus Christ." ~ Christopher Ash
Blessed to be a Blessing
Rev. Bruce Brown
Psalm 67
October 18, 2020
I. God’s Blessings on the Church to the Nations (verses 1-2)
II. God’s Blessings to the Nations Brings Praise (verses 3-5)
III. God’s Blessings and the Harvest (verses 6-7)
Our eyes, when we see the bounty that God has heaped on us, can never be focused simply upon our enjoyment of the bounty that God has given to us nor even in our thanksgiving to God for that bounty that He has given to us…but our eyes must turn to the nations. We must ask the Lord, like the Psalmist, that the nations too would share in His bounty. And so the believer longs for God to be served and praised through the salvation of people from every tribe and tongue and nation. This is an expression of the church's desire for the salvation of the nations." ~ Ligon Duncan