June 6, 2021 ~ "The Day of Returning"

Pastor Mitchell Cruit

Joel 2:1-17

This text is tailored to teach us that the Lord himself opposes us, yet even now the Lord invites us to return to him.

 

I. The Lord himself opposes us. (v.1-11)

    A. Those who presume upon God’s kindness should fear. (v. 1, cf. Rom. 2:3-5)

    B. No one can endure  the day of the Lord. (v. 2-11, cf. Matt 24:29 )

II. Even now the Lord invites us to return to him. (v.12-17)

    A. How do we return to the Lord?

        1. Return with whole-hearts. (v. 12a)

        2. Return with integrity. (v. 12b-13a)

        3. Return in community. (v. 15-16)

    B. What can we expect if we return to the Lord?

        1. We can expect God to be gracious. (v. 13b-14)

        2. We can expect God to act on our behalf for his glory. (v. 17)

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May 30, 2021 ~ "The Day of Disaster"

Pastor Mitchell Cruit
Joel 1:1-20

I. The Disaster (v. 1-4, 7)

II. The Call to Respond 
    A. Wake up to the reality of disaster. (v.5-7)
    B. Lament the devastation of the disaster. (v. 8-10)
    C. How to Lament:
        1. Turn to God.
        2. Bring Our Complaint.
        3. Ask Boldly.
        4. Choose to Trust.
    D. Be ashamed of the effect of the disaster. (v.11-12)
    E. Cry out to the Lord. (v.13-14)

III. Why should we respond in this way?
    A. Because the Day of the Lord is near. (v.15-18)
    B. Because this is the model given to us. (v. 19-20)

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May 23, 2021 ~ "CBR: The Curse and the Countercurse"

Pastor Josh Leamon

Galatians 3:10-14

1. The Problem: The curse of relying on the works of the law (v. 10).

• Once we know the law of God, we find ourselves under its curse due to our inability to follow it perfectly.
• The curse of failing to keep this law (which is sin) is death.

2. First Evidence: Justification cannot come through the law for us (v. 11). 

• Even after we know the law of God and our imperfection, we still might try to rely on our works.

3. Second Evidence: The one who is perfectly able to do the law will experience life (v. 12).

• Paul’s citation of Leviticus 18:5 is a veiled reference to Christ himself.

4. The Solution: This problematic curse of the law is solved through a countercurse found in the grace of Jesus.

This text teaches us that the gospel is that Christ was cursed by God for us.

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May 16, 2021 ~ "Standing Firm"

Pastor Mitchell Cruit

This text is tailored to teach us to stand firm in the true grace of God. 

I. Peter’s Purpose (v. 12-14)

II. How can we stand firm in the true grace of God? (v. 6-9)

    A. Accept your suffering. (v. 6-7)

    B. Resist the devil. (v. 8-9)

III. Why can we stand firm in the true grace of God? Because we can trust in God. (v. 10-11)

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May 9, 2021 ~ "Humility Under Pressure"

 Pastor Mitchell Cruit

This text is tailored to teach us to embrace our God-given roles in the church with humility.

I. Elders, shepherd the flock. (v. 1-4)

    A. An Elder’s Role (v. 1-2a)

        1. Elders are pastors.

        2. Elders don’t pastor their own flock. 

        3. Elders don’t pastor all Christians.

    B. Elders don’t pastor alone. (cf. 1 Tim. 5:17)

        1. An Elder’s Task (v. 2b-3)

        2. Elder’s feed the sheep. (cf. John 21:15-19)

        3. Elder’s lead the sheep. (cf. Mk 10:42-43)

    C. An Elder’s Reward: Elders will receive the unfading crown of glory. (v. 4)

II. Members, submit to your elders. (v. 5a)

III. Everyone, be humble. (v. 5b)

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May 2, 2021 ~ "Confidence in Suffering"

Pastor Mitchell Cruit

This text is tailored to teach us to trust our Sovereign Savior. (v. 19)

I. Because suffering is normal. (v. 12)

II. Because suffering for Christ is a blessing. (v. 13-16)

III. Because suffering reveals who belongs to Jesus. (v. 17-18)

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April 25, 2021 ~ "Living for the End"

Pastor Mitchell Cruit

This text is tailored to teach us to live with the end in view. 

I. Four Ways to Live with the End in View (v.7-11a)

Be clear-minded. (v. 7)

Love earnestly. (v. 8)

Show hospitality. (v. 9)

Serve graciously. (v. 10-11a)

II. Why?  We should live with the end in view for God’s glory through Jesus Christ. (v. 11b)

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April 18, 2021 ~ "Joy Through Pain"

Elder Ron Padilla

Peter commands believers to arm themselves with the same attitude of Christ so that we may be prepared for what is to come.

I. What does arming ourselves with the attitude of Christ look like? (v.1-2)

    A. We must be willing to suffer rather than sin. (v. 1)

    B. As a result we live for God’s will, not our own. (v. 2)

II. Why must we be prepared? (v.3-6)

    A. We must be prepared because giving up our former desires of the flesh, we will encounter suffering in the form of persecution. (v. 3-4)

    B. We must be prepared because we understand our hope is in He who judges all. (v. 5-6)

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April 11, 2021 ~ "Accepted by Christ"

 Pastor Mitchell Cruit

This text is tailored to teach us to accept one another as Christ has accepted you for God’s glory. (v. 7)

I. What does it look like to accept one another? (v.1-2)

Accepting others looks like seeking the good of others rather than pleasing ourselves.

II. Why should we accept one another? (v.3-4)

We accept one another because Christ was rejected so that we could be accepted.

III. How are we able to accept one another? (v.5-6)

We are able to accept one another by the power of the God of endurance and encouragement.

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April 4, 2021 ~ "Meeting the Risen Lord"

 Pastor Mitchell Cruit

I. How do we meet the risen Lord?

    A. We meet the risen Lord by remembering his words. (v. 1-12)

    B. We meet the risen Lord in all the Scriptures through community. (v. 13-35)

II. What does Christ’s resurrection mean for us?

    A. Jesus’ resurrection provides peace. (v. 36-47)

    B. Jesus’ resurrection makes us witnesses. (v.48-49)

    C. Jesus’ resurrection produces joy. (v. 50-53)

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Since we are live streaming on YouTube during this time of separation, you can also                   CLICK HERE to watch the entire service if you prefer!  ...This week's livestream was interrupted by a power outage.  This link is to the portion of the service that contains the sermon.