The Rod and Restoration

II Samuel 12:15-31

Rev. Bruce Brown

I.    The LORD’s Rod and Personal Anguish  (verses 15-23)

a.    David Before Death (verses. 15-17)

b.    David After Death (verses 18-23)

II.  The LORD’s Restoration and Public Triumph  (verses 24-31)

a.    A Restored Household (verses 24-25)

b.    A Restored King (verses 26-31)

"David’s restoration as a man and as king was remarkable. It was not perfect, and it was not complete. But it was enough to point us to the kingdom of God in which all things will be put back in their proper order. That is what the death of Jesus was about (see Colossians 1:20). At the very heart of the restoration of all things is the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:14; 2:13; 3:13). The Lord Jesus Christ restores people who come to him, just as he will one day gloriously restore all things."  ~ John Woodhouse

The Path to True Freedom

July 4, 2021

 II Samuel 12:1-15

Rev. Bruce Brown

   I. The LORD Liberates by the Word (verse 1)

  II. The LORD Liberates Through Wisdom (verses 2-7)

 III. The LORD Liberates in Wrath  (verses 8-15)

"David’s confession provides a model because it was direct and open, and without excuse. “I have sinned,” he said, and so also should we when our transgressions are revealed. Moreover, David acknowledged that his sin was chiefly against God himself. Not that he had not sinned grievously against many people, but his sin’s chief wickedness was its offense to the Lord. Remember that this confession takes place after a most terrible punishment has been pronounced. But David did not quarrel with God’s severity against him. He was without defense in God’s court, and he confessed his sin without reservation."  ~ Richard Phillips

Crime and Cover Up

 II Samuel 11:1-27

 Rev. Bruce Brown

June 27, 2021                      

I.      The Causes of David's Crime   (verses 1-5)            

II.    The Cover-Up David Commits (verses 6-2

 III.  The Conviction in David's Case (verses 26-27)

"David’s fall urges Christians to pray for themselves and especially for the protection of their leaders. This is why Jesus taught: “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt. 26:41). Paul likewise exhorts us: “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2). Lesser men and women of faith than David are cautioned by his fall to keep close to God and pray for the Father to “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matt. 6:13)."  ~ Richard Phillips

Kindness and Courage

II Samuel 10:1-19

 Rev. Bruce Brown

                    June 20, 2021                      

I.    The King’s Covenant Love Brings Contempt  (verses 1-5)

II.   The King’s Commander Imparts Courage  (verses 6-14)

III.  The King’s Crushing Conquest  (verses 15-19)

"The early church recognized that the rebellion against God’s Christ described in Psalm 2 came to its hideous fulfilment at the cross of the Christ, and continues in the persecution of the Christ’s people. For it was Psalm 2 which they turned into prayer when they were first persecuted (Acts 4:25-29). Hanun did not take a personal dislike to the delegation. He disgraced them because of his antagonism towards David. And we, if we suffer as Christians, are suffering for Christ’s sake."  ~ Tim Chester 

Kindness to a Dead Dog

 II Samuel 9

    Rev. Bruce Brown

                       June 13, 2021                      

I.     The King's Ardent Search (verses 1-6)

II.    The King's Adopted Son (verses 7-11) 

III.  The King's Abundant Supper (verses 12-13) 

"Christians may be certain to receive all the blessings of adoption as God’s children because of the words “for Christ’s sake.” These words provide the key to all the blessings of God’s covenant, for as Paul extolled, God “has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3). John said that our “sins are forgiven for his name’s sake” (1 John 2:12). For Christ’s sake we are justified, adopted, sanctified through the Spirit, and glorified in the end as the people of God. All these eternal riches are offered to sinners through faith in Jesus. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” he urged (Matt. 11:28). “Let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price” (Rev. 22:17)."  ~ Richard Phillips 

The Conquering King

 II Samuel 8:1-18

Rev. Bruce Brown

June 6, 2021                      

I.    The King’s Conquest (verses 1-6, 13-14)

II.   The King’s Collection (verses 7-12)

III.  The King’s Catalog (verses 15-18)

“Both Old and New Testaments testify that, on the whole, mankind and nations do not long to receive but live to resist Christ’s reign and that He will establish His rule at the last not by popular demand but by armed might (see, e.g. Ps. 2; Isa. 11:3-5; Joel 3:9-17; Zech. 14:1-5, 12-15; 2 Thess. 1:7-8, 2:8-10).  The church tends to mute this strong biblical note… But surely the cross has taught us that no one defeats the dominion of darkness in a bloodless coup.  Nor will history simply ooze into the Kingdom of God.  That Kingdom will come at the last because Christ, David’s seed, imposes it over all objection and opposition and conquers all His and our enemies.” ~ Dale Ralph Davis  

The Glory of Following Christ

  John 21:20-25

Rev. Bruce Brown

May 30, 2021                      

I.   The Demand to Follow in Contentment (verses 20-22) 

II.  The Necessity to Follow with Care (verses 23)

III. The Glory of Following in Confidence (verses 24

"Each of our lives is a sovereign creation of God. Our worth and our effectiveness, God’s favor in our lives, is not to be determined by comparison with others. We are not to be involved in unprofitable musings about the relative providences of our lives—how one brother has it easier than another, or how one ministry is fraught with hardship and another is not, or why one believer becomes famous and another remains obscure. We are each simply to follow Christ."  ~ Kent Hughes 

Restoring Love

John 21:15-19

 Rev. Bruce Brown

May 23, 2021     

 I.     A Place of Humility (verses 15-17)

II.    A Position of Ministry (verses 15-17)

III.   A Path of Adversity (verses 18-19)

"What, after all, is the great secret of loving Christ? It is an inward sense of having received from Him pardon and forgiveness of sins. Those love much who feel much forgiven. He who has come to Christ with his sins, and tasted the blessedness of free and full absolution, he is the man whose heart will be full of love towards his Savior. The more we realize that Christ has suffered for us, and paid our debt to God, and that we are washed and justified through His blood, the more we shall love Him for having loved us and given Himself for us. Our knowledge of doctrines may be defective. Our ability to defend our views in argument may be small. But we cannot be prevented feeling. And our feeling will be like that of the Apostle Peter--"You, Lord, who know all things, You know my heart; and You know that I love You."" 

~ J.C. Ryle

A Fish Breakfast with Jesus

John 21:1-14

 Rev. Bruce Brown

 May 16, 2021                               

I.       The Moment that Jesus Reveals (verses 1-3)

II.     The Mission that Jesus Commands (verses 4-8)

III.    The Meal that Jesus Serves (verses 9-14)

“The fishermen, a picture of the church toiling on the restless seas of life, found it was Christ who brings the increase and that apart from him they could do nothing. They also found that his resources were sufficient, whatever the catch… With Christ in the midst directing the work the resources are never overstrained. Nothing, in a person or a group of persons, is beyond his power and grace. Serving Christ in our own strength, trying to do it our own way, is like going after Moby Dick with a pickle fork. But led and sustained by Christ’s strength, the net will never tear.”  

~ Kent R. Hughes

The Surety of His Promises

II Corinthians 1:17-22

Mr. Jay Krestar

May 9, 2021                                      

17 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? 

18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. 

19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes.

 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

 21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 

22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. (ESV)

Don’t Doubt but Believe

 Rev. Bruce Brown     

   John 20:24-31                                                                     

I.    Thomas’ Doubt (verses 24-25) 

II.   Faith and Sight (verses 26-28)

III.  Faith Not by Sight (verses 29-31)

“The noble exclamation which burst from the lips of Thomas, when convinced that his Lord had risen indeed; the noble exclamation, "My Lord and my God"--admits of only one meaning. It was a distinct testimony to our blessed Lord's divinity. It was a clear, unmistakable declaration that Thomas believed Him, whom he saw and touched that day, to be not only man, but God. Above all, it was a testimony which our Lord received and did not prohibit, and a declaration which He did not say one word to rebuke… Forever let us bless God that the divinity of our Lord is taught everywhere in the Scriptures and stands on evidence that can never be overthrown. Above all, let us daily repose our sinful souls on Christ with undoubting confidence, as one who is perfect God as well as perfect man. He is man, and therefore can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He is God, and therefore is "able to save to the uttermost all who come unto God by Him." That Christian has no cause to fear, who can look to Jesus by faith, and say with Thomas, "My Lord and my God." ~ J.C. Ryle

Through Closed Doors

Rev. Bruce Brown     

John 20:19-23

April 25, 2021

I.   A Remarkable Phrase (verses 19-21)

II.  A Remarkable Proof (verse 20)

III. A Remarkable Purpose (verses 21-23)

 "According to the New Testament, the Spirit’s power is absolutely essential to the work of the church in the world. Sin’s reign in our lives is so overwhelming that no one can turn in faith to Christ without God’s supernatural working (see 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:1–5). Therefore, without the Spirit, churches may do many things, some of them worthwhile, but they cannot bring anyone into Christ’s new creation through a living faith. For sinners to believe, the Holy Spirit must attend the ministry of God’s Word with power (see 1 Peter 1:23; John 3:5). This highlights the importance of a regenerate ministry, going forth in a spirit of faith and prayer, relying on Christ to be faithful in sending the Holy Spirit to empower his trusting servants."  ~  Phillips, Richard D.

The Apostle Paul, Chief of Sinners

               Rev. Steve McCullough     

             I Timothy 1:12-1                              

I.   Paul's Gratitude for God's Grace  (verses 12-14)

II.  Christ's Purpose in Saving Paul  (verses 15-16)

III. Paul's Benediction  (verse 17)

12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

From Sorrow to Indestructible Joy

                  Rev. Bruce Brown     

                                  John 20:11-18                            

I.   The Weeping of Genuine Love  (verses 11-13)

II.  The Workings of a Sorrowful Heart  (verses 14-17)

III. The Worship of Indestructible Joy  (verse 18)

“Let us leave the passage with the comfortable reflection that Jesus Christ never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. As He dealt with His erring disciples in the morning of His resurrection, so will He deal with all who believe and love Him, until He comes again. When we wander out of the way He will bring us back. When we fall He will raise us again. But he will never break His royal word--"Him that comes to Me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37.) The saints in glory will have one anthem in which every voice and heart will join--"He has not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities." (Psalm 103:10.)” ~  J.C. Ryle

A Closer Look at the Tomb

Rev. Bruce Brown    

John 20:1-10

April 4, 2021

I.   The Personal Touch of the Tomb (verses 1-2)

II.  The Eyewitness Details in the Tomb (verses 3-8)

III. The Foundation of our Faith (verses 9-10)

“Today we need not think of Jesus as the vulnerable Jesus of history. Jesus died, but he died once for all. He was buffeted and spat upon and cursed, but that will not be repeated. We pray today to a powerful Lord, to an exalted Lord. And this Lord will return one day to take his own to be with him in glory.”  ~ James M. Boice

I Thirst

Rev. Bruce Brown     

John 19:28-30

April 2, 2021

I.   Thirsting in Fulfillment of Scripture (verse 28-29)

II.  Thirsting as a Curse (verses 28-30)

“Jesus was proved to be really man, because he suffered the pains which belong to manhood. Angels cannot suffer thirst. A phantom, as some have called him, could not suffer in this fashion: but Jesus really suffered, not only the more refined pains of delicate and sensitive minds, but the rougher and commoner pangs of flesh and blood.”  ~ Charles Spurgeon

“Friends though fallen humanity is burning up with thirst. Though we look for broken cisterns that can hold no water. Jesus offers us rivers of living water. He says in John 6:35 - “whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” Will you seek His refreshing stream? Because He thirsted for us, He is the only one who can satisfy your thirst.” ~ Anonymous

Dead and Buried

 Rev. Bruce Brown  

John 19:31-42

March 28, 2021

I.  The Certainty in Jesus’ Death (verses 31-37)

a.   The Fulfillment of “No Bone Broken”   (verses 31-33, 36)

b.   The Fulfillment of “Piercing and Looking”  (verses 34-35, 37)

II.  The Consequences of Jesus’ Death (verses 38-42)

a.     The Preparation (verses 38-40)

b.     The Placement (verses 40-42) 

““In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and uncleanness." (Zech. 13:1.) When was that fountain so truly and really opened as in the hour when Christ died? What emblem of atonement and purification was so well known to the Jews as blood and water? Why then should we hesitate to believe that the flow of "blood and water" from our Lord's side was a significant declaration to the Jewish nation, that the true fountain for sin was at length thrown open, and that henceforth sinners might come boldly to Christ for pardon, and wash and be clean?... Faith in Christ is the one thing needful. "He that has the Son has life, and he that has not the Son of God has not life.” (1 John 5:12).” ~ J.C. Ryle

Under the Cross of Jesus

 Rev. Bruce Brown             

John 19:23-30

March 21, 2021

I.     The Soldiers and Jesus’ Clothing   (verses John 19:23, 24)

II.   The Women and Jesus’ Provision (verses John 19:25-27)

III.  The Scripture and Jesus’ Fulfillment (verses John 19:28-30) 

“The Prophets who foretold the particulars of the crucifixion, were inspired by Him who foresees the end from the beginning; and the books they wrote under His inspiration ought not to be read as human compositions, but Divine. Great indeed are the difficulties of all who pretend to deny the inspiration of the Bible. It really requires more unreasoning faith to be an unbeliever than to be a Christian. The man who regards the repeated fulfillments of minute prophecies about Christ’s death, such the prophecies about His dress, His thirst, His pierced side, and His bones, as the result of chance, and not of design, must indeed be a gullible man.” ~ J.C. Ryle

Behold Your King!

Rev. Bruce Brown 

March 14, 2021

 John 19:12-22 

I.      The King’s Rejection   (verses John 19:12-15) 

II.     The King’s Response (verses John 19:16-18)

III.    The King’s Royalty (verses John 19:19-22)

“It is for this moment that the whole of the Bible has been preparing us. From the time of the Fall, throughout the whole Old Testament revelation, God was leading his people towards that day when he would send a Saviour and through him bring about salvation for all time. Similarly, from the moment of the conception of Jesus in the womb of the Virgin Mary, right through to the climax of his ministry in Jerusalem, the Gospels have been preparing us for this—his death, and everything that it would achieve. ~  Mark Johnston

Christ and Government

Christ and Government                                     

 Rev. Bruce Brown  

John 18:33-38; 19:5-11

I.        The Kingly Office of Christ   (verses John 18:38; Psalm 2; Matt. 28:19) 

II.       The Authority of the State   (verses John 19:11; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17)

III.     The Responsibility of the Church (verses 19:11; I Timothy 2:1-4) 

"Let us carefully hold fast the true meaning of our Lord's words in these latter days. Let us never be ashamed to maintain that no Government can expect to prosper which refuses to recognize religion, which deals with its subjects as if they had no souls, and cares not whether they serve God, or Baal, or no God at all. Such a Government will find, sooner or later, that its line of policy is suicidal, and damaging to its best interests. No doubt the kings of this world cannot make men Christians by laws and statutes. But they can encourage and support Christianity, and they will do so if they are wise. The kingdom where there is the most industry, temperance, truthfulness, and honesty, will always be the most prosperous of kingdoms. The king who wants to see these things abound among his subjects, should do all that lies in his power to help Christianity and to discourage irreligion."  ~

J. C. Ryle