Stuart Presbyterian’s Podcast

One clear image of the church is "The Family of God." The family of God "gets together." The family of God loves one another.  The family loves being together and worshiping together and serving together.

The Church is the "body of Christ." We need to be very clear that Christ is the Head of the body. But everyone is a part of the body and we are called to be a unified and interdependent body. The body is also dynamic and so is the body of Christ; we can only move forward as one body, working together, with Christ as the head

First, remember the God who gave the commandments is holy and merciful. Second, what do the commandments teach us today?  

Israel is trapped with the Egyptians behind them and the Red Sea in front of them.  What do we learn from them? God doesn't always take us by way of the quickest or easiest route. But we can trust God and God keeps His promises. We can also be assured God is present. Remember, "The Battle Belongs to the Lord."

This message attempts to provide some explanation for the death of the firstborn Egyptians.  We struggle with this. But God does not inflict anything on us that God has not endured It was a battle between God and Egypt's deities of death. There was justice and judgment. There was also mercy.   This message also looks at the connections between the Passover and The Lord's Supper. Jesus is the Lamb...

As Pastor John Piper has reminded us many times all of redemptive history from creation to consummation gives glory to God. The plagues in Exodus are no exception.  The occur so that the people, Egyptians and Israelites alike will know that Yahweh is Lord! We too are called to give God glory.  Using David Mathis' categories of Audible words, visible actions, and invisible heart, this sermon explor...

Overview of the Plagues Themes. One over-arching theme:  The Glory of God Four Recurring Themes: Obedience Superior Power of God Counterfeits Perpetual Hardening of Pharaoh's Hearts  (Adapted from "Christ Centered Exposition Commentary: Exalting Jesus in Exodus," Tony Merida, pp. 50-65) 

We all face discouragement.  Moses and the Israelites did and we find in their struggles some encouragement for ours. Namely: God is in control. God keeps His promises. God saves: God liberates, redeems, adopts, and give us an inheritance.

We learn from this story about the "waiting years" before Moses is called to lead the Exodus at least three things: We can trust God even in the most desperate situations. But do not get ahead of God; wait for Him. And in the waiting, remember God is preparing you for what is ahead.

The new Pharaoh had forgotten Joseph and his family and the previous Pharaoh's policies regarding Joseph's families. But God had not forgotten. This opening chapter sets up the battle not so much between Pharaoh and Moses, but between Pharaoh and God! Pharaoh dealt shrewdly with the Israelites; he ordered slavery; and finally state sponsored genocide.  But through all this darkness; God was keepin...

This message is an introductory message to a sermon series on the book of Exodus. The message highlights some of the major themes of Exodus like: Liberation and Redemption, God's Sovereignty, God's Glory, Law, Covenant, and God's Presence. The message also looks at Exodus 1:1-7 where we begin to see that God is keeping the promises he made to Jacob in Genesis 46:2-4.

This is the final message in the "Summer of Joy" series and in this message we find Paul suggesting that Joy is found in "Thinking Right" and "Being Content in Jesus."  

Paul urges us to find joy in unity. And it is humble unity for he urges us verse 3-4 to do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant. Humility is a virtue and clearly Jesus humbled himself (vv. 5-8); but how can we find joy in humility?  This message explores a few possibilities.

What is Joy?   It is often confused with happiness. Joy is found in Christ.  The apostle Paul makes it clear that Christ is his joy; Christ is his delight. What do we learn from Paul regarding increasing out joy: Nurture your relationship with Christ. Celebrate! Surround yourself with joyful believers.

This message is a wrap-up for Stuart Presbyterian's Vacation Bible School (June 24-26), "Snowball Mountain Challenge" The message provides a synopsis of what was learned over the three days, namely: When we face challenges: We can use our gifts (Joseph the dream interpreter, Genesis 40-41). We can pray (Jesus - Matthew 36:36-46). We can have hope (Peter and John heal lame man - Acts 3:1-10).

John believers are called to overcome the world; but what does he mean by "world"?  And what does he mean by "overcoming"? John warns of three primary paths to worldliness: desires of the flesh, desires of the eyes, and pride of life (1 Jn. 2:16) But John offers hope of how we can overcome in 1 John 5:1-5.  

In this message we consider what is sometimes referred to as John's "Test of Affection."  We know true believers if they love God and love one another. This "test" is based on Jesus' answer regarding the greatest commandment (Mk. 12:28-31). The message will attempt to provide a definition of love as well as some ways in which we can love God and love one another.

John wishes to assure us of our salvation and for those who have questions he offers three pieces of evidence that we are saved:   1. Obedience to God's Commands (vv. 3-4) 2. Adherence to the Word of God (v. 5) 3. Walking as Jesus Walked (v. 6)  

John asserts the Moral Test for genuine fellowship with God. Are we walking in the light?

The Ascension is often overlooked but it is more prominent in Scripture than we might realize. Jesus' Ascension is historical in that it took place at a specific geographic location; there were eyewitnesses; and it was bodily. What does it mean for us? We have an advocate at the right hand of God. Our priorities should shift to things above. We have the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit, so...

We seek life through things like security and comfort; and there is nothing inherently wrong with wanting some measure of these things. But the life we seek is found in Jesus. It is in Jesus that we have been made alive!

The Great "I Am" willingly humiliated himself on the cross such that he said, "I am a Worm" scorned and despised by the people!" He was delivered through the trial of the cross, so that we might be delivered for all eternity!

Pastor Hunsicker reminds us that: 1. God offers each of us the gift of abundant and eternal life. 2. Our response to that offer is the most important decision we will ever make. 3. A Spirit-filled life is the hope we have when we respond in faith.

We find in the cross Jesus' Heart and Our Hope Jesus may have recited or meditated or possibly even sang Psalm 22 from the cross. We find in the opening verses the emotional and spiritual anguish which Jesus endured for our sake. Jesus reminds us that we too have hope that God is near even in our most anxious moments.  In Jesus we have hope of salvation and hope in trials.

All believers know prayer is essential, but often it is difficult to be consistent. This message offers some practical suggestions for intercessory prayer and takes a brief look at the practice of "Fixed Hour Prayers."