The Preached Word Providence RPC

Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:9-13



I. Introduction



II. Marring of Discipleship

A. Easy-Believism

B. Legalism

C. Apathy



III. Discipleship is calling from:

A. Satan

B. Sin

C. Self



IV. Discipleship is calling to:

A. Christ

B. A life in Christ

C. A mission for Christ



V. Conclusion


“The Master has come, and he called us to follow”


“This is the way the Master trod, should not his servants tread it still”


“Discipline yourselves for the purpose of godliness” 1 Tim 4.7

Scripture Reading: Ezra 10:1-17



Introduction



II. Dealing with Sin Starts with the Right Heart Attitude (v. 1,6)



III. Dealing with Sin Requires a Plan (v. 2-8)



IV. Dealing with Sin can be Messy (v. 3, 9-11)



V. Dealing with Sin Requires Accountability (v. 12-17)



VI. Conclusion

Scripture Reading: Genesis 16



Introduction



1. We learn that human life is full of challenges and we must accept

God’s sovereignty over our lives regardless of how hard it is (vs 1-2).


There will always be a challenge, a challenge to trust God that He can keep His promise and make it happens without our help and interference.
Sarai’s plan was very common, very normal for the culture of her day. It was culturally legal (Nuzi Tablets).
However, it was in direct violation of the one flesh principle which God had set down in Genesis, Chapter 2:24.
Sarai’s action is a mistake. Galatians 4:22,23 − “For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman.
But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise.”
Such a drastic mistake, obviously, is not without dire consequences. Why then God did not stop Abram doing this foolish thing?



2. When it appears that God has been preventing what we have been seeking, we should wait and be hesitant to “work” and take matters into our own hands (vs 1-2).


Sarai’s words, in verse 2, betray a reluctance to accept the fact that God sovereignly prevented her from having a son.
Sarai wanted to remove the cultural pressure to have children, especially sons, in those days.
As for Abram, the pressure to have a son was even greater: (i) his name means “exalted father” or “father of nations” and Abraham means “father of multitude;” (ii) God’s repeated promise to give him a son is a burden.
It is always a bad idea to try to accomplish God’s plan in your own way and your own timing, especially when it appears that God has prevented it from happening.



3. We should only do our part when our motivation is right before God and out of faith (v 2).


We may do things rightly and legally according to the law of the land, but when we are scheming to achieve what we are seeking for, we have sinned.



4. We should never work with the wrong method (v 3).


Derek Kidner: “This chapter marks another stage in eliminating every means but miracle towards the promised birth.” God has intended the promised birth must be a miracle.
God’s plans come complete with His methods and His timing, and when we try to tamper with that in the power of the flesh, it messes everything up.
Union with Hagar attempts to accomplish God’s work with the world’s methodology.



5. Running away from problems is not the solution (vs 3-10).


Problems that resulted from Abram’s passivity by going along with his wife, Sarai’s schemes: (i) Competition between Sarai and Hagar; (ii) False pride on Hagar’s part; (iii) Conflict between Abram and Sarai; (iv) Sarai mistreating Hagar.
“Where have you come from?” Did God allow that trial for some reason?
Running away does not change relationships, nor does it remove responsibility.
“Where are you going?” seems to be intended to bring Hagar back to reality. Did Hagar think that going back to Egypt, her home country, after 10 years and with Abram’s child would solve the problem?
God requires Hagar and all of us to be submissive to those in authority and that He will take care of the rest.
1 Peter 2:18-20



6. There are negative consequences for taking matters into our own hands (vs 11-12).


The four family problems mentioned in point 5.
Beyond family problems: conflict in Middle East
Psalm 83:5–6



Conclusion


It is very tempting to try to “help” God to make clear His will for our church by following the step of some of us who have left us.
What is the purpose we are here in this church? Is our purpose here only to seek to be served? Therefore, when we feel we are not fed, then we leave?
Pastor Doug Van Meter: “faithfully wait upon the Lord through fervent prayer, faithful proclamation of the Word, fidelity to our responsibility to the local church and faithful living out of

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13



1. Without love we are nothing (vs 1 - 3)



2. What true love is ( vs 4 - 7)



3. Love in light of the end. ( vs 8 - 14)

Scripture Reading: Psalm 30



Sermon Outline

Introduction

1. Psalm 30 is made up of 2 stanzas. 30:1-5 give an overview of David’s story

while 30: 6-12 unpacks the story with more important insight or details.

2. The song describes David's near death experience, its cause, his plea for

deliverance, the reversal of his circumstances, and his response of

thanksgiving.



II. When we live as if our strength and not God’s favour is our security, we

live in danger of losing our souls (1-3, 7-9)

A. David nearly died (3, 9a)

B. David's heart was heavy (7)



III.We can easily be misguided by our prosperity and ease to become self-

sufficient (5-6,7)

A. David acknowledged that for a time he boasted of his prosperity (6)

B. He had to be woken up by his Father’s discipline (5,7)

“God whispers to us in our pleasures; he speaks to us in our work; he shouts

at us in our pain.” C. S. Lewis



IV. Our cries to the Lord distinguishes us as those who by faith endure

affliction even at the hand of God. (2,8,10)

A. David believed the Lord was yet present to hear his cry (30:2, 8)

B. David humbly reasoned and argued with God (9)



V. When we acknowledged God’s favour overshadow our affliction, we are

compelled to give thanks and praise to Him FOR EVER. (1-2, 4-5, 11-12)

A. The LORD answered David’ prayer (11-12)

B. David’s great turnaround was because of an even greater turnaround that

David’s greater Son, Jesus experienced

C. David acknowledged that the LORD’s discipline is brief but his favor lasts a

lifetime (4 - 5)

D.David exalted the Lord (1–2) for lifting him up

E. David cannot be silent in his joy (4-5, 11–12)



VI. Conclusion

1. We can frequently become self-sufficient, until God wakes us up with a

thunderclap.

2. But we are to hang on amid our afflictions because weeping may stay for a

night but joy comes with the morning. Our affliction is for a moment, but

his favour lasts a lifetime. So hang in there!

3. God delivers us from our troubles so that we might give thanks and praise to

Him FOR EVER. It is not that God needs our praise. It is because worship

filled with praise and thanksgiving invigorates our souls. Give thanks in all

circumstances, Apostle Paul reminded in 1 Thes 5:18; for this is the will of

God in Christ Jesus for you.

Scripture Reading: Titus 3:1-8



Sermon Outline

I. Introduction

• Grace triumphs when all seems lost and hopeless.

• Being reminded of God’s grace that changed us will motivate us to show

His grace to others through our good deeds.



II. Reminder One: How we are to act towards the ungodly world vs 1-2

A. Submissive, obedient, and ready to do good to rulers and authorities

B. Speak evil of no one

C. Peaceable and Gentle to all



III. Reminder Two: You were once just like the people of the world vs 3

A. We were foolish and disobedient

B. We were deceived

C. We were enslaved by our passions and pleasures



IV. Reminder Three: Salvation is of the Lord vs 4-7

1. We were saved by God’s grace and mercy

2. We were saved by Christ our Saviour

3. We were regenerated by the Hoy Spirit



II. Conclusion

• The doctrines of Grace must be preached in season and out of season

• The doctrines of Grace should motivate us to excel in good works for

God’s glory