Calvary: the Hill Sermons

Abraham encounters the final exam in his life-long education in faith. Called to do the unimaginable and sacrifice his son, Abraham demonstrates that his trust in God goes to the very core of his being. However, there is good reason for Abraham's faith, just as there is in our own dark nights and trials.

God's Power makes his character visible. For that to happen, God often blesses us in ways that are greater than our reason, our mistakes, and (obviously) our power. Like Abraham, we can respond to this reality through obedience.

As Abram faces the temptation of worldly wealth, he finds himself prepared because of the mysterious arrival of Melchizedek. Like Abram, God is our portion and provider so we need not be tempted by all that glitters in this world.

The blessed life for Christians looks different than the world would expect. Because we trust in God's promises we can go about our life as peacemakers and with meekness. Like Abraham, instead of choosing for ourself we can trust God's portion.

The life of faith trust that God will provide. We are always tempted to provide for ourselves, and when we do so we cut corners, take shortcuts, and hurt those close to us. A better way is to keep God in our moral calculus and know that we can obey his word, because he will keep his promises.

When the faithful God speaks his promises, the people of God place their faith in him and live faithfully in light of his words. Like Abraham we have a choice to live life based on what we see, or live life based on what God has said. Abraham discovered that God keeps his promises, and so will we.

Hosea's final chapters reach the highest point in all his major themes: the highest indictment against Israel, the highest vision of punishment, and the highest portrayal of hope. We also get one final window into the loving character of God who calls us, like Israel, wherever we are, to return to him.

A life of faith always begins with us surrendering to God’s plan. However, to do so we have to recognize that the way of faith is always an interruption to the status quo, that the way of faith means laying aside our own plans, and that the way of faith isn’t hindered by the impossible. Just like Abraham, God is still calling us to follow him in the way of faith.

Hosea's message of impending judgment ramps up to its highest level. He describes the sins of the Northern Tribes as consonant with Israel's worst historical happenings. He also points to all their false hopes which God is going to remove, one by one, culminating in the removal of Israel themselves from the land.

The way of faith is superior to the law. For starters, God’s promise predates the giving of the law, and even when it was given it was only for a temporary purpose. More importantly, the law was given not to make us righteous but show our need for a savior and point us to Christ. When we read the commands of God we must do so in a way that leads us back to what God has done for us in Jesus, encoun...

Hosea begins his message proper, although still in the spirit of a scorned faithful husband. As Gomer, we see that Israel has been consistently unfaithful. We also find that their supposed freedom is just slavery, blindness and death. However God has a plan that extends past judgment, and will lead to restoration.

The law is great, but it was never meant to be the means to the blessings of God; in fact, if you aren’t good at following directions to the tee, then you don’t get blessing from the law, but cursing. Jesus in his substitutionary death and resurrection has purchased us something so much better - a piece of the blessing promised to Abraham, righteousness and God’s Spirit in us.

Hosea becomes a living prophecy as he is called to marry (and re-marry) an unfaithful wife and name his kids after the impending judgment. Nevertheless we find that after the judgment comes a new honeymoon and God proves himself to be a love greater than our sin.

From the beginning God sought a blessing for humanity: that they would live with him and be his partners and representatives. What is required to participate in that blessing? That we, like Abraham place our faith in God and his promises.

As Ezekiel concludes his final vision we find not just a new temple but a new priesthood, new cultus and a new Israel. We discover that one day, God will fulfill his promise to Israel on earth, and after that will fulfill it in heaven.

Today we live between the cross and heaven. We operate in the reality of a resurrected Christ that changed our lives, strengthens us through the trials we face, and provokes us to good works.

What is it that makes the good news so good? Here, Paul reminds Peter of all that God has done for us in Jesus Christ and shows that a return to the works of the law (or any other system of worth in our world) would be to reject the greatest gift ever given.

When Paul publicly confronts the apostle Peter, he’s not just being contentious, he is contending for the unity of the church and the true significance of the salvation made possible by Jesus. The gospel both demands a response to what Christ has done for us and calls us to challenge those who use man-made demands to deny the gospel.

An angel takes Ezekiel on a guided tour through the coming Temple. This temple remains empty until God sees to it that it is filled. This passage ends with the law of the temple being the promise that God will bring His spirit and His people into it.

Paul's meeting with the Jerusalem Apostles demonstrates the importance and shape of Christian unity. The Bible envisions a tremendous unity for those who are in Christ where differences are transcended in love. Because we are all in Christ we should pursue fellowship, cooperation and taking care of one another.

As Ezekiel continues to lay out a message of hope after the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of his people, we see that God's plan of restoration for Israel is expansive. He will resurrect and reunite the nation, and preserve them from attack as only he can do.

Paul says the Gospel is not "according to man", it does not align with man made systems of value and worth. When Paul encountered Christ it was an interruption and an intervention that made him a whole new person. When we truly encounter the gospel it does the same to us.

With the destruction of Jerusalem Ezekiel is proven to be a true prophet and turns his messages to what comes next. Whereas the book has focused on judgment, Ezekiel now begins to lay out a message of hope which culminates not just in the restoration of Israel but a veritable return to Eden.

Paul presents a severe warning about believing in other gospels (that are no gospel at all). What is it that makes the good news of Jesus Christ so unique? Here we see that when we add to the gospel we don't just dilute it, we deny it. Underneath this warning is the glorious truth of what makes the good news good.

After the long break since last we met, Pastor Justin took this first week back to review the events of Ezekiel 1-32. God has called Ezekiel to a ministry which no one will appreciate or heed, but at the fulfillment of these prophecies, no one will be able to deny that Ezekiel speaks for God. God's plan is for judgment upon Israel and Judah, but also for those who oppress Israel and Judah.