November 25, 2018 • Vaughn Park • Hebrews 10:19–25
The Fact of the Resurrection
April 1, 2018 • Vaughn Park
Preach The Word
February 25, 2018 • Vaughn Park
Message preached prior to the ordination of Andy deGanahl
(No video available due to equipment issue)
A Simple Theology of Christmas
December 24, 2017 • Vaughn Park
Resurrection Sunday: From the Cross to the Empty Tomb
April 16, 2017 • Vaughn Park
Main idea:
It is a mistake to think of the death of Jesus on the cross in isolation from His resurrection, which is the immutable fact upon which the Christian faith is built. Real saving faith trusts in Jesus as the resurrected and living Lord!
Application - Questions for further contemplation:
1) What did Jesus mean when He cried out "it is finished" in John 19:30?
2) Explain the significance of the fact that Jesus "bowed His head and gave up His spirit." Read John 10:11-18 for greater understanding.
3) Do you think that Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus came to believe in Jesus? Why?
Do you think it is possible to be a true believer in Jesus and never make your devotion to Him known?
4) Read Romans 10:9-11. Is it possible for a person to deny the resurrection of Jesus and be truly saved?
Select helpful resources:
Bock, Darrel L. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Luke 9:51 – 24:53. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1996.
Bruce, F. F., The Gospel of John: Introduction, Exposition and Notes. Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, , 1994.
MacArthur, John F. Luke 18-24. Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1985
Morris, Leon. Tyndale New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008.
Good Friday
April 14, 2017 • Vaughn Park
Christmas Eve Service
December 24, 2016 • Vaughn Park
The Penitent Criminal
April 9, 2017 • Vaughn Park • Luke 23:39–43
Four Indispensable Gospel Truths:
1) Salvation is from sin.
2) Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus.
Real faith in Jesus manifests itself in 2 important ways:
a) changed behavior (it bears the fruit of repentance)
b) the unshakable expectation that Jesus will deliver His believers even from death.
3) Salvation is granted to the believer instantaneously.
4) The outcome of physical death for the believer in Jesus is Heaven.
Application - Questions for further contemplation:
1) Given the record of the many amazing miracles of Jesus, do you find it surprising that relatively few people ultimately believed in Him?
What reasons do people give today for refusing to believe after hearing the gospel?
2) Many people possess accurate knowledge about who Jesus is, and maybe even what the cross was about, and yet they do not believe in Him in a saving way. How does non-saving knowledge of Jesus differ from authentic saving faith?
What came first – saving faith in Jesus, or conviction for sins and consciousness of guilt?
3) What is repentance?
Was repentance evident in the life of the criminal who believed? How?
Select helpful resources:
Bock, Darrel L. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Luke 9:51 – 24:53. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1996.
MacArthur, John F. Luke 18-24. Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1985
Morris, Leon. Tyndale New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008.
Seeking and Saving the Lost
April 2, 2017 • Vaughn Park • Luke 19:1–10
2 Crucial Truths About Salvation:
1) Before you can receive salvation, you must arrive at the understanding that you need it desperately.
2) Jesus is, without fail, the Savior of the broken and desperate who recognize their need and run after Him with abandon.
Questions for further contemplation and application after the message:
1) Jesus called His original disciples to follow Him in the simplest of terms. Literally, He said to them “Follow Me!” (Matthew 4:19; John 1:43, etc.). How similar do you find that appeal to His calling of Zaccheus in Luke 19:5? What is necessary to follow after Jesus as a disciple?
What are the things that often restrain people from salvation? You may wish to consult some of the following passages to help formulate your answer: Luke 10:30-37; 12:13-34; 14:25-35; 18:9-34.
Have you wholeheartedly followed after Jesus? If not, what is holding you back?
2) Zaccheus and Bartimaeus (the blind man referenced in 18:35-43; see Mark 10:46-52) knew very different life circumstances when they encountered Jesus. They did, however, share one thing in common, and that was a sense of desperation to meet Him (note the apparent similarity in 18:38-39 and 19:3-4). How do you think they were driven to the same point in understanding the need they shared for redemption?
Who convicts unbelievers of their need for Christ? Consult John 16:8-9.
3) How would you describe biblical repentance?
Is it necessary for salvation?
Who produces it in the life of the believer?
What does it “look like?"
Select helpful resources:
Bock, Darrel L. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Luke 9:51 – 24:53. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1996.
MacArthur, John F. Luke 18-24. Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1985
Morris, Leon. Tyndale New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008.
Instructions for Effectual Prayer
March 19, 2017 • Vaughn Park • Luke 11:1–13
Main Idea:
Disciples of Jesus are to pray in concert with God’s will, boldly, and with a firm faith that their prayers will be answered.
Outline:
4 Instructions for Effectual Prayer
1) ASK for the right things
2) APPROACH God in prayer with unashamed boldness
3) ABIDE in prayer
4) REST ASSURED that God will answer your prayers with good
Questions for further contemplation and application after the message:
1) According to the model prayer given by Jesus in Luke 11:2-4, what is the first priority we should pursue when we pray?
According to today's sermon, in what sense is “Your kingdom come” the disciple’s ultimate request?
Why is it essential to seek forgiveness for our sins when we pray - can sin that is not repented of hinder our prayers?
2) Do you find it surprising that Jesus encourages us to pray with unashamed boldness?
What are the things that hold you back from praying in this way?
What is the danger of likening God to the irritated neighbor in the parable in vv. 5-8? (How is God different from him?)
Write out the point of this parable, and its main lesson, in your own words:
3) The indication of v.10 is that God always answers our prayers. Do you believe this to be true?
Is “no” any less a valid answer from God than “yes”?
Is it sin to refuse to believe that God answers our prayers? Why or why not?
Select helpful resources:
Carson, D.A. Matthew Vol. 1 (Ch 1 – 12), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995.
MacArthur, John F. Matthew 8 –15. Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1985
Morris, Leon. The Gospel According to Matthew. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992.
Toussant, Stanley. Behold the King – A Study of Matthew. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1980.
Turner, David L. Matthew. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008.
The Lord's Supper
March 5, 2017 • Vaughn Park • 1 Corinthians 11:17–34
Main idea:
The Lord’s Supper must always be observed by Believers with great reverence and care.
Outline:
1) The Corinthians’ Carelessness in Observing The Lord’s Supper
2) Paul’s Correction
Three Corrective Steps:
a) Paul reminds the Corinthians of the Supper’s original setting and elements
b) Paul reminds them of the Supper’s purposes
c) Paul provides the Believers with instruction to be carefully followed for observing the Supper rightly
Application – Questions for further contemplation following the message:
1) What was at the heart of the sin problem on the part of some of the believers at Corinth in their observation of the Lord’s Supper?
How might sinful carelessness manifest itself among Christians today in the observation of the Lord’s Supper?
2) In the sermon, it was asserted (on the basis of 1 Corinthians 11:22) that treating your brother or sister in Christ without love is tantamount to despising the God’s church. Do you agree?
What other passages can you think of that affirm the necessity of loving other Believers?
3) Is it necessary to meditate on the cross-work of Jesus every time we observe the Lord’s Supper?
Why or why not?
4) Should the reality of the Lord’s certain and nearing return motivate us to live righteously?
Why?
5) Why is it dangerous for a Believer to partake of the Lord’s Supper without first carefully examining his heart?
