Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 5-7
The Purpose of Fasting: Set Yourself to Seek the Lord
October 13, 2019 • Pastor Mark Mincy
"Set yourself to seek the LORD" (1-12) - Gather, pray, fast, and seek the LORD - Rest in His sovereignty "Stand before the LORD" (13-17) - Patiently wait for the Spirit of the LORD to lead - Listen to the Word of the LORD - Do not fear "Worship the LORD" (18-30) - Humble yourself before Him - Praise Him (His attributes and character) - Trust Him (His character, His covenant love, and His revealed Word) - Watch Him work! - Be still and know that He is God (30) "Set your heart upon the God of your fathers" (31-37) - Learn from history - Obey completely "Duties belong to us; events belong to God. When our faith goes to meddle with events, and to hold account upon God's providence, and we begin to say, 'How will You do this or that?' we lose ground; we have nothing to do there; it is our part to let the Almighty exercise his own office, and steer His own helm; there is nothing left for us, but to see how we may be approved of Him, and how we roll the wight of our weak souls upon Him who is God omnipotent." - Samuel Rutherford
The Purpose of Prayer
October 6, 2019 • Pastor Mark Mincy
Matthew 6 - The Purpose of Prayer God's Name is Elevated (6:9) - Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. God's will is Embraced (6:10) - Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. God's Provision is Expected(6:11) - Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. God's Mercy is Emulated (6:12) - Forgive us our debts as we forgive our detours. God's Deliverance is Ensured (6:13a) - And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. God's Majesty is Exclaimed(6:13b) - For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. Psalm 73 - The Power of Prayer Certainty about God's Truth is Reinforced (1) Confusion about God's Truth is Recognized (2-14) We can be disillusioned by circumstances (2-3) We can be disheartened by injustice (4-9) We can be discouraged by "life under the sun" (10-14) Clarity about God's Truth is Reiterated (15-28) We can cultivate spiritual understanding (15-22) We can cherish the presence of God(23-26) We can confirm the truth we know about God (27-28) God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever
The Uniqueness of Christianity, Part 2
September 1, 2019 • Pastor Mark Mincy
Roadmap for Today - Review: The Uniqueness of Christianity as it pertains to retaliation - This deals with matters of personal retaliation, not criminal offenses or acts of military aggression. Jesus applied this principal of non-retaliation to affronts against one's dignity, lawsuits to gain one's personal assets, infringements on one's liberty, and violations of property rights. He was calling for a full surrender of all personal rights - John MacArthur - 3 Spheres - Your life (relationships, work, school, family, community, etc.) - Governmental authority and law - God and His Law - Explore: The Uniqueness of Christianity as it pertains to love -There are vast differences between Christianity and other religions. The uniqueness of Christianity stands out boldly in the way we treat our enemies. Nikita Khrushchev understood this and graphically illustrated the difference between Communism and Christianity when he said: "The difference between the two is great. When someone strikes you on the face, you turn the other cheek. If you strike me on the face, I'll hit you so hard your head will fall off," - Bob Deffinbaugh - The Pharisees' approach: Bigotry and Bondage - Jesus' approach: Benevolence and Blessing - Consider: The Unconditional Love of God - While we were still sinners, Christ died for us - Romans 5:8 - The Hospitality of God - Hospitality - "to love or befriend strangers" - "I will dwell in the house of the lord forever" (Psalm 23) - When we love our enemies, we are simply treating others as we have been treated. That is the way God treats his image-bearers. When we love our enemies, we demonstrate that we are God's children. We prove that we have a relationship with Him. - Our Father is perfect, which in this context (Matthew 5:48) could be understood to mean "there is no limit to the bounds of His goodness". In the same way, we are called to be "perfect". There should be no limit to the bounds of our goodness in our dealings with others. - The Lord's Table - What a privilege to come to the table of our Heavenly Father - a table made possible by a glorious Savior. - The incredible POWER of unconditional love.
The Uniqueness of Christianity, Part 1
August 25, 2019 • Pastor Mark Mincy
Matthew 5:38-42 (ESV) 38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other one also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him take your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. Matthew 5:38-42 (NLT) 38 "You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow. How should you respond when your PRESTIGE is threatened? - Bless those who curse you How should you respond to PERJURY committed against you? - Commit your rights to God How should you respond to PREJUDICE against you? - Love those who mistreat you How attached are you to your POSSESSIONS? - Give to those who ask of you
Righteousness
August 18, 2019 • Pastor Mark Mincy
"HUMAN ANGER DOES NOT PRODUCE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT GOD DESIRES" Mathew 5:21-26 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother sister will be subject to judgement. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, 'Raca', is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, 'you fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. James 1:19-27 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because HUMAN ANGER DOES NOT PRODUCE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT GOD DESIRES. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone that looks in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it - not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it - they will be blessed in what they do. Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. 1.) THE RIGHTEOUS LIFE IS DISPLAYED IN OUR LISTENING 2.) THE RIGHTEOUS LIFE IS DISPLAYED IN OUR SPEECH 3.) THE RIGHTEOUS LIFE IS DISPLAYED IN OUR SELF-CONTROL 4.)THE RIGHTEOUS LIFE IS DISPLAYED IN OUR OBEDIANCE 5.) THE RIGHTEOUS LIFE IS DISPLAYED IN OUR DEVOTION
Jesus Fulfills The Law
August 11, 2019 • Pastor Mark Mincy
The Law Reinforces the Righteous Character of God - Psalm 103 - Micah 7:18-19 - Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of His inheritance? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. - Romans 5:8 - But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. The Law Reveals the Unrighteous Condition of Man - Isaiah 53 - Romans 3:10-12 - For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." The Law Requires the Perfect Culmination found in Jesus Christ Alone - Isaiah - Romans 1:16-17 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith." - Romans 5:18-21 - Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Salt and Light
August 4, 2019 • Pastor Mark Mincy
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste (it's strength, its quality), how can its saltiness be restored? It is not good for anything but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men. We are called to INFLUENCE the world: - The world needs to be influenced for the better "You ARE the salt" - The power of our influence is in our uniqueness (Relationships, Righteousness, and Reverence) You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bowl, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven. We are called to ILLUMINATE the Gospel - The world desperately needs light (Ephesians 5:8-14) "You ARE the light" - The power of illumination is in what is revealed: The reality of God, The Righteousness of God (Romans 1:16-17), and The need to reverence God
Blessed are the Persecuted
July 28, 2019 • Pastor Mark Mincy
The Beatitudes: - Blessed are the poor in spirit... Blessed are the merciful - Blessed are those who mourn... Blessed are the pure in heart - Blessed are the meek... Blessed are the peacemakers - Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness... Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake Key Word in Sermon On The Mount: Righteousness Study of Mathew 5:10-12 "The greatest critcism of the church today is that no one wants to persecute it because there is nothing very much to persecute it about." George Macleod Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. THE UNCOMFORTABLE QUESTION: Am I being persecuted for righteousness sake? THE BETTER QUESTION: Am I living righteously? - Pray not so much that we would be persecuted but that we would live righteously - Pray that we would be salt and light - Pray that our righteousness would so exceed the righteousness of "Scribes and Pharisees" that they will not like us - Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness
Blessed are the Merciful
June 2, 2019 • Pastor Mark Mincy
Have You Received Mercy? - You can’t dispense mercy until you understand mercy. - Understanding mercy is the result of becoming poor in spirit. - A person who is poor in spirit has come to the end of himself, realizing that he has nothing good to offer to God. He is actually casting himself upon the mercy of God. - A person who is poor in spirit recognizes that he is a sinner in need of forgiveness. Do You Understand Mercy? - Some mindsets that will hinder us from being merciful: - Pride will keep us from being merciful. - A critical spirit will keep us from being merciful. - Selfishness will keep us from being merciful. - An unforgiving spirit will keep us from being merciful. Do You Dispense Mercy? - We must see people in their need - We must have compassion upon them - We must proactively move towards them Luke 10:36-37 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
The Essence and Evidence of True Religion
May 12, 2019 • Pastor Mark Mincy
The ESSENCE of True Religion - Poor in spirit: A sense of unworthiness; I need help; I am spiritually bankrupt. - Mourning over my sin. - Meek: Active humility. Not asserting myself or demanding my rights (even if I have legitimate reason to do so). - Hunger and thirst for righteousness: Longing to be like God. External holiness motivated and empowered by internal purity. - Merciful: forgiving and compassionate. Dealing with people based upon what they need rather than what they deserve. Note: Government is ordained of God to impose law for the protection of innocent people. - Pure in heart: Single-minded devotion. Internal moral purity. Pervasive internal uprightness. - Peacemaker: Promoting God's peace. Promoting total well-being both personally and communally. - Persecuted: Joy in the trial. Sharing in the sufferings of Jesus. Being treated wrong for living right. - Be salt and light: Preservation and proclamation. Salt is more "behind the scenes", while light is very visible. Without preservation we have nothing to proclaim. - Rest in Christ's righteousness. Constantly look to Jesus, the one who fulfilled the law. - Recognize the danger of all sin. - Love, even your enemies. - Righteously practice righteousness. Why worry when you can pray, fast, and give! - Humble authenticity - Obedience - Stability (peace) Matthew 5:16 You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
The Message Of The King
April 28, 2019 • Pastor Mark Mincy
Be known for the right reasons (5:1-12) "Blessed" - Supremely happy; so happy that other people want what you have. What are you known for? Be willing to make a difference (5:13-16) Preservation (Salt) Revelation (Light) Be Genuine (5:17-7:29) "This life, therefore, is about growth in righteousness. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it. The process is not yet finished, but is going on. This is not the end, but it is the road. All does not yet gleam in glory, but all is being purified." - Martin Luther