Calvary: the Hill Sermons

Paul answers his critics by reminding the church that a true teacher presents Jesus to the church (2 Cor 11:1-6).

With this final sermon, we close the Pentateuch. These remaining chapters serve as appendices tying up the final exhortation Moses speaks over the nation of Israel and also narrates the events of his death.

Although we may not occupy official positions of authority, we all operate in a God-given sphere of influence. Despite the fact that we have a diverse range of influences, Paul's posture challenges us to stay the course and not be distracted by comparing ourselves to others (2 Cor 10: 12-18)

Moses finishes out his exposition of the law and proceeds to pronounce blessings upon Israel in the event of their obedience as well as curses in the event of their rebellion. Moses prophesies that Israel will indeed rebel and yet he tells them how God will forgive and bring them back into the land. Thus concludes Moses' farewell address; all that remains is four chapters of epilogue.

Married couples must recognize the limitations of their love and engage in ongoing conversations setting the boundaries of sacrifice and self care in their shared and individual lives. Jordan and Michelle Taylor serve as pastoral family at Calvary Wallingford in Washington.

In our culture, we've become so anti-authority that we've lost site of the value of proper authority. As we explore Paul's role of authority, Apostleship, we see that in God's kingdom, there indeed is a structure of authority, but not quite like the world's (2 Cor. 10:7-11).

In these legislation passages, we see that God's care and emphasis is always on the abject and destitute. Never will God permit greater priority on the monetary gain over the person.

In this portion of Deuteronomy, Moses outlines the laws that concern the respecting of human life. We see some of the most controversial laws of the old testament over the course of these four chapters. Upon further investigation, however, we see that God seems to care more deeply than our sophistication; not less. THIS IS PART 1 OF A 2 PART SERMON THAT ENDS WITH DEUTERONOMY CHAPTER 22. PLEASE CON...

As Paul contrasts himself to his critics, we discover a Christian understanding of true power. Because of the coming of Jesus Christ, our view of power can never be the same (2 Cor 10:1-6).

In this portion of Deuteronomy, Moses outlines the laws that concern the respecting of human life. We see some of the most controversial laws of the old testament over the course of these four chapters. Upon further investigation, however, we see that God seems to care more deeply than our sophistication; not less. THIS IS PART 2 OF A 2 PART SERMON THAT BEGINS WITH DEUTERONOMY CHAPTERS 19-21. PLEA...

Is belief in the Resurrection foolish? In this sermon, we examine the Old Testament's demand for a dying and rising Messiah. The disciples on the Road to Emmaus had their eyes opened and the apostles had their minds opened. Despite the rationale in the faith in the Resurrection, the ultimate realization of said faith is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:13-33).

When God calls us to give, He's not calling us to do anything He hasn't first exemplified Himself (2 Cor 9:8-15)

As navigating through the decalogue, Moses expounds on the idea of Sabbath lifestyle and the honoring of authority. In addition, Moses places restrictions on the roles of judges, kings, and prophets. Upon deeper examination, we see how Jesus upholds all of these restrictions and even far exceeds them.

Though God promises eternal reward for generosity shown to the needy, He will revoke that reward for an impure heart. God calls us to have willing hearts when giving (2 Cor 9:1-7)

For the Jerusalem offering, Paul determines to recuse himself and appoint three men of good reputation to bear the gift. As Paul sought to manage his ministry in blamelessness, so should we. In doing so, we bear a good witness for the God Whom we represent (2 Corinthians 8:16-24).

Moses reminds the people of existing laws and even expounds on some of them more deeply. Ultimately, we see how God has structurally designed Israel to be set apart and be wholly different from their surrounding neighbors.

When God calls us to give, it's never because He needs from us, but rather because He wants to give blessing to us as well. How can that be? (2 Corinthians 8:10-15)

As the apostle Paul exhorts the Corinthian church regarding their relief gift to the Jerusalem church, we learn how we too can offer relief to our family in Christ. In this message we see that the gift should not be out of compulsion, but out of love instead (2 Cor 8:1-9)

Through Paul's example of humility, we can learn how to pursue repentance for the wrongs we've committed against others (2 Corinthians 7:10-11).

Moses exhorts the nation of Israel to remember the testimony that God has built for them in their history. He reminds them of the Golden Calf event and the remade tablets of stone. He calls the people to serve God because He's lovingly saved them despite them not deserving.

In this passage, we see Paul graciously considering the abuse with which the Corinthian Church had treated him. We can learn from his behavior how we should react to other peoples' sin toward us (2 Corinthians 7:2-9, 7:12-16).

Moses addresses the succeeding generation of Israelites to reaffirm the covenant established at the foot of Mount Horeb in the generation before. Moses explains that this covenant is extended to their generation and the ones that follow. The Ten Commandments are recapitulated and set a thesis and perhaps even an outline for the remainder of his address.

We see in this passage that Paul's boundaries between him and others are altered by his relationship with Jesus (2 Corinthians 6:11-7:4).

This, the last book of the Pentateuch, has Moses addressing the people of Israel in one final exhortation. This pastoral address challenges the Israelites to build future faithfulness upon a foundation of God's past faithfulness.

Like Paul, our lives are never perfect. In reality, we navigate a slew of hardships and trials in our every day to day. However, the death of Jesus Christ changes how we interpret those difficult times when they inevitably come (2 Cor 6:3-10).