Sermon from February 14, 2010
Speaker: Glenn Record

God’s Unfailing Love

Hosea 14:1-9

I.       Introduction

         A.    It is fitting to think about love today – the Lord’s Day

                1.    Marriage is honorable in all (Heb. 13:4)

                2.    Marital love is a Biblical concern – it is commanded.

         B.    Jesus is the model for the kind of love husbands are to have. (Eph. 5:22, ff)

               1.    We husbands are to love our wives as Christ loved the church.

               2.    Other passages reveal just how durable, how unfailing this love is. (1 Cor. 13:7-8)

         C.    The enduring, unfailing nature of God’s love may be richly seen in the Book of Hosea.

                1.    Hosea shows us that God has always manifested patient, enduring love.

                2.    Let us look at the message of Hosea briefly, and see the unfailing love described within it

II.     Hosea – A living example of God’s relationship with Israel.

        A.    Hosea was called to marry a harlot. (Hosea 1:2)

        B.    His children’s names give us an indication of how the marriage was going.

               1.    Jezreel (v. 4) God sows, or God scatters

               2.    Lo-ruhamah (v. 6) “No mercy”

               3.    Lo-ammi (v. 9) “Not my people”

               4.    Indications are that she had completely reverted to her former way of life

        C.    He was to reclaim his unfaithful wife, buy her back (3:1-3)

        D.   This is of course, a living analogy of God and His covenant people

              1.    God brought an idolatrous people out of Egypt (Josh. 24:14-15)

              2.    Israel was continuing to do what it had for years (Hos. 4:12; 13:2; 12:1; 2:12)

              3.    God was bringing judgment against Ephraim, Israel (Hos. 4:6; 5:9; 7:11-13)

              4.    God had a plan to buy her back (Hos. 2:7, 16-20, 23; 1 Peter 2:10)

III.   God loves unlovable people.

        A.    He demonstrated His enduring love even in the face of rejection

               1.    How painful it must be to watch those you love turn away! (Hosea 11:8-9)

               2.    Yet God continues to extend that love even today to those who are just as unlovable.

               3.    He still determines to love them (Hosea 14:4)

        B.    He paid the unspeakable price to redeem us, to take the initiative (Romans 5:8)

        C.    He continues to wait all day long

              1.    Romans 10:21

              2.    No matter how you’ve disappointed Him in the past, He still seeks your return
(Luke 15:20-22)

IV.  What does this example of love say to us?

        A.    We must not be presumptuous about God’s love

               1.    It does not preclude judgment (2 Peter 3:7-12; Hos. 10:12; 14:9)

               2.    It does not guarantee salvation. (Matthew 7:21-23; 2 Thes. 1:9)

        B.    We must return it

               1.    1 John 4:19; John 14:15

               2.    Live as faithful bride of Christ (2 Cor. 11:2; 1 Cor. 6:19-20)

        C.    We must imitate it.

               1.    God asked Hosea to imitate Him in loving the unfaithful

               2.    Christ asks us to imitate His love, as well (Matt. 5:44-46; John 13:34; 1 John 3:16)

V.    Conclusion

        A.    How will this love story end for you?

February 14, 2010

I.    Introduction
      A.  Of the three patriarchs with whom God connected Himself, Jacob surprises me most
            1.  Deception. (Gen. 27)
            2.  Family favoritism, competition, strife (Gen. 25:28; 29:30; 37:3-4)
      B.  How is it that God exalted him to such honor? (Matt. 8:11)
      C.  There are lessons to be drawn from the life of Jacob for us today.
II.   Jacob valued the birthright of his family
      A.  “Esau despised his birthright” (Gen. 25:34)
            1.  He valued the immediate, temporal satisfaction
            2.  He had little use for the long-term, down-the-road promises
      B.  Jacob understood the value of birthright
            1.  He knew that the promises God made would strongly impact his future
            2.  He understood that the value was lasting, the difference eternal
      C.  We would do well to learn this value lesson from Jacob (Heb. 12:15-16)
            1.  Birthright (John 1:12), inheritance (1 Peter 1:3,4)
            2.  We must choose righteousness over sensuality in order to maintain our birthright (Eph. 5:5)
III.  Jacob suffered wrong while doing right.
      A.  There is a lesson in his life that our poor choices sometimes result in suffering.
            1.  Jacob participated in the treacherous deception his mother suggested. (see Gen. 25:23)
            2.  The consequences of the action were painful – and God let him experience them
      B.  Yet Jacob bore hardship with righteousness
            1.  He endured the ill treatment of Laban without reciprocating (Gen. 31:38-41)
            2.  Sought a path of peace, rather than violence, with Esau (Gen. 32:20)
      C.  God was able to bless him in spite of the circumstances (Gen. 31:42; 33:4; 35:27)
      D.  We need to take heed to these lessons about doing right in the face of wrong
             1.  1 Thes. 5:15; Rom. 12:17
             2.  1 Peter 2:21-23
             3.  Rom. 12:19; 2 Thes. 1:6-7
IV.   Jacob actively looked to God for blessings
      A.  Jacob invoked God’s assurance and promise when facing decision (Gen. 32:9-12)
             1.  When he faced the uncertainty of the confrontation with Esau, he appealed to God (32:11)
             2.  He called upon God to remember the promises He had made (32:12)
      B.  Jacob struggled with God, refusing to let go until he received the blessing (Gen. 32:24,ff)
             1.  I’m not sure I understand why God wrestled with Jacob.(Symbolic of the change in Jacob?)
             2.  God used the occasion to give him a new name (32:27-28)
             3.  Because of his willingness to face life’s challenges by calling on God, God blessed him
      C.  We must look to God in faith, knowing He rewards (Heb. 11:6)
             1.  God’s promises to us are sure (Heb. 6:17-19)
             2.  He gives us a new identity in Christ (Rev. 3:12; Eph. 2:12; Rom 8:37)
V.   Conclusion
       A.  We can apply valuable lessons to our lives from Israel
       B.  The examples of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob continue to speak to us.
            1.  We don’t have to be perfect – we will make mistakes
            2.  We do have to believe, and act upon, the promises of God.

January 31, 2010
Glenn Record

Sermon from January 24, 2010
Speaker: Glenn Record

Sermon from January 17, 2010
Speaker: Glenn Record

Sermon From December 06, 2009
Speaker: Glenn Record

Hidden With Christ In God

Colossians 3:3

I. Introduction

A. A Canadian woman recently lost her disability payments because of her Facebook page.

B. It is not uncommon for people to try to project two images of themselves

C. Those in Christ must be different.

1. Are we trying to maintain two images?

2. What influence for good or evil might we be exerting?

II. Christians must not project two images!

A. Every sincere Christian wants to be recognized as godly by fellow Christians

1. We want the benefits that come from harmony, partnership in God’s family.

2. We want approval.

3. We don’t want to be admonished

B. But some seek to project another image as well

1. One that is admired by the world

2. One that gains the acceptance of worldly friends

3. We can put this face on any number of ways – language, practice, encouragement

4. We can do this any number of places

III. We are to have one nature.

A. We have only one identity – Christ’s

1. “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3)

2. We who have been raised with Christ have died to sin (Romans 6:1-4)

3. We who have put on Christ must not take Him off! (Gal. 3:27; 2 Cor. 4:10)

B. We are to have one kind of fruit (Luke 6:43-46)

1. All that we are to do is to be good in the eyes of God, something He desires

2. We can’t put out two kinds of fruit

C. We must not desire worldly approval

1. Woe to you when all men speak well of you (Luke 6:26)

2. We must not talk like the world (Col. 3:8; Eph. 5:4)

3. We must not seek attachment with worldly people (2 Cor. 6:14-16; Psalm 1:1 Prov. 24:1)

IV. We must understand the influence we are called to have.

A. If we dabble in worldliness, we damage ourselves and others as well

1. The images of ourselves we present to others can influence others

2. Can be especially hurtful if it sways others to embrace sin

B. The Corinthian church hurt, and were hurt by their acceptance of sin (1 Cor. 5:1-11)

1. A man practicing a terrible sin was being encouraged by the acceptance of the church

2. Their acceptance not only encouraged him to continue, but desensitized them to sin

3. When they resolved to have one nature, they helped their erring brother (2 Cor. 2:6, ff)

C. When we talk and act with the one nature Christ has, we stand out – and glorify God.
(Eph 4:29; Php. 2:14-15)

V. Conclusion

A. When our lives are hidden with Christ, we gain so much more. (2 Cor. 6:16-18)

B. What kind of images are you projecting?

1. What does your life look like away from the company of Christians?

2. How are you displaying Christ in your life?

C. Is your life hidden with Christ in God?

December 6, 2009

Sermon from August 19, 2009
Speaker: Mark Blackwelder

Sermon from August 16, 2009 Sunday Morning Service
Speaker: Mark Blackwelder

Sermon from August 16, 2009 Bible Class
Speaker: Mark Blackwelder

Sermon from April 05, 2009
Speaker: Glenn Record

Sermon outline is available here.

I.    Introduction
      A.  God intended marriage to be a true blessing for the human race.
            1.  He instituted it literally from the beginning. (Genesis 2:18-24)
            2.  ”Let marriage be held in honor among all” (Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 19: 3-9)
      B.  Sadly, God’s plan for marriage is coming under increased attack.
            1.  American society is more and more rejecting God’s plan.
            2.  In the name of “freedom”, our nation is redefining the most important social relationship.
            3.  But the freedom they proclaim is filled with negative consequences. (II Peter 2:19)
II.   The Forms of the Assaults
      A.  Divorce
            1.  There are a number of reasons marriages fail
            2.  But none have anything to do with God’s plan.
            3.  Man is not to separate a union that God has established. (Matthew 19:3,ff)
            4.  The disrespect for marriage shown by divorce is opening the door for other problems.
      B.  Cohabitation
            1.  This is also becoming more commonplace as a result of disdain for marriage.
            2.  It is a sinful abuse of that which God gave to the married couple (Genesis 2:24)
            3.  God will judge those who practice fornication (Hebrews 13:4; I Corinthians 6:9-10)
      C.  Homosexual “marriage”
            1.  A most hideous, perverted abomination of marriage is rapidly growing.
            2.  These mock God’s design for marriage (Romans 1:26-28; I Corinthians 6:9-10)
      D.  Polygamy
            1.  What was inconceivable in our nation only a few years ago is suddenly an issue.
            2.  It is being ushered in through religious practice.
                 a.  Islam already provides for it
                 b.  Mormonism is increasingly returning to it
            3.  Polygamy is a deviation from God’s plan for the home.
                 a.  Such a practice assumes God can’t count.  He made exactly one woman for Adam.
                 b.  He requires exactly one wife for elders, deacons of the church (I Timothy 3:2, 12)
III.  The Aftermath
      A.  Failed homes
            1.  We have seen what happens as a result of divorces – Children traumatized, strained relationships
                 in the church, an obstacle to conversion
            2.  When polygamy was practiced in the Old Testament, problems followed (Strife, an insatiable
                 desire for more)
      B.  Failed society
            1.  When accursed relationships are treated on the same terms as husband-wife marriage, sin will
                 abound.
            2.  We have seen what happens as a result of cohabitation – desertion, children in poverty, crime
            3.  These rejections of God’s plan constitute a reproach upon our nation. (Proverbs 14:34)
IV.  Our Duty
      A.  Be committed to our marriages
      B.  We must teach our children the sacred nature of marriage.
      C.  Continue to proclain God’s definition of marriage

April 5, 2009
Glenn Record

Sermon from January 25, 2009
Speaker: Glenn Record

I.   Introduction
      A. Covenant is an important concept to understand.
          1. We celebrate te establishment of our covenant with God each week.
          2. Covenant: a solemn, binding agreement.
      B. God has long established covenants with men
          1. With Noah (Gen. 9:9, 6:18)
          2. With Abraham (Gen 15:18; 17:7-8)
      C. What are the terms of our covenant with Him?
          1. What has He offered us as His part?
          2. What do we vow to offer God?
II. The Old Covenant
     A. God established a covenant with Israel through Moses.
         1. It was an agreement in which each would commit to the other (Exodus 19:5-6)
         2. The covenant was formally established (Exodus 24::7-8)
         3. The covenant was perpetual, applying to all born into it. (Exodus 12:17)
         4. Moses warned Israel about breaking the covenant (Deut. 4:23-24)
     B. God kept His word, but Israel violated the covenant.
         1. He delivered the land of Canaan, exalted Israel.
         2. But the Israelites kept turning away from obedience, faithfulness to God. (Hos. 6:4-7; Dan. 9:4-5)
     C. God foretold a new covenant. (Jer. 31:31-34; Heb 8:7-12; Mal. 3:1)
III. The New Covenant
     A. The New Covenant was to be established in a similar way as the Old had been.
         1. Jesus pronounced the teachings, the Law of Christ during His ministry
         2. He established the covenant with blood (Luke 22:20; Rev. 7:14)
         3. It is a covenant into which we are born (John 3:3,5)
     B. It is a covenant in which all know Him (Heb 8:11)
IV. What does this covenant mean to us?
     A. It is to be a covenant of mutual obligation
     B. God is absolutely faithful to uphold His end. (Heb 8:12; I Cor. 1:9)
     C. Our lives must be spent upholding our agreement with God.
         1. His laws must be on our hearts (Heb 8:10)
         2. We come into this relationship agreeing to live righteously (Psa 50:16-17; Acts 2:38)
         3. We live in covenant relationship
             a. He is our God (Matt. 22:37; 10:32)
             b. We are His people
                 i.   The kingdom of priests, the holy nation (Rev. 1:6; I Peter 2:9)
                 ii.  Practicing righteousness rather than sin (I John 3:9)
                 iii. Striving for His perfection (Matt. 5:48)
V.   Conclusion
       A. Are you a part of the New Covenant?
       B. Are you living up to your end of the agreement?

Sermon from: October 5, 2008
Speaker: George Coffell

Sermon From: 30 March 2008
Speaker: Glenn Record

Sermon from: March 23, 2008
Speaker: Glenn Record

Sermon outline is available here.

Sermon from: March 16, 2008
Speaker: Glenn Record