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Wendell Stoltzfus 12/26/21 Wendell Stoltzfus 12/26/21

Singing, and Praying, about Your Leaders

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Speaker: Wendell Stoltzfus
Scripture: Psalm 125
December 26, 2021

Sermon Notes

Psalm 125: “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore. For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong. Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts! But those who turn aside to their crooked ways the LORD will lead away with evildoers! Peace be upon Israel!”

Notes:
Those who trust in God are secure because God is immovable. God surrounds the church, just as the mountains surrounded Jerusalem. Bad rulers come and go, but the sovereign God is forever. Pray for leaders.

Tyler Estes 12/19/21 Tyler Estes 12/19/21

Dayspring From on High

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Speaker: Tyler Estes
Scripture: Luke 1:76-79
December 19, 2021

Sermon Notes

I. Introduction: The winter solstice helps us to enter into Zechariah’s prophecy.

II. To whom is the light given?

A. To those who sit in darkness (v. 79).
1. Darkness of delusion.
2. Darkness of depravity.
3. Darkness of despondency.

B. To those who sit in the shadow of death (v. 79).

III. What is this light that is given?

A. Not just light generally but a sunrise (v. 78).

B. Jesus shines as light to us:
1. By revealing.
2. By reviving.
3. By directing.

IV. For what reason is this light given?

A. Because of his tender mercy (v. 78).

B. Because he is faithful to keep his promises.

V. For what purpose is this light given?

A. That we might serve God (v. 74).
1. “Without fear.”
2. “In holiness and righteousness.”
3. “Before him.”
4. “All our days.”

B. To guide our feet into the way of peace (v. 79).

VI. Application

A. Gratitude: We have clearer and brighter knowledge of this sunrise than the Old Testament saints did.

B. Focus on God’s promises.

C. Imitate God by showing tender mercy to others.

D. The light of the gospel is all-encompassing: Live all of life in fullness of life and fullness of joy.

E. Are you still sitting in the darkness of your sin? Repent, believe in Christ, and be saved.

Dave Royes 12/12/21 Dave Royes 12/12/21

Always Through Faith

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Speaker: Dave Royes
Scripture: Romans 4:1-12
December 12, 2021

Sermon Notes

Romans 4:1-12: “What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” (Psalm 32:1-2)

Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.”

Notes:

Paul’s teaching style is to anticipate the Q+A; for example, “What about Abraham?”

The Old Testament does not offer a different means of salvation; the entire Bible offers one single means of salvation: By grace through faith in Christ.

Paul looks at Abraham as a test case: “If Abraham was justified by works, then you could expect boasting and entitlement. This is problematic because God is indebted to nobody.”

Abraham was justified by trusting God, who owns everything. Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness.