Calvary: the Hill Sermons

The first man, the first woman, the first sin, the first curse. In this installment of our Through the Bible, we zero in on the consequences of sin and God's proclamation of the first Gospel.

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth". So begins the revelation of God to mankind. This first installment of the Through the Bible explores some fundamental principles including God's triune nature and Man being made in the image of God. Genesis 1:1-2:3

The Church is God's plan for helping individual Christians to fulfill the Christian life. But what is "the Church"? Ephesians 4 explains that we are the Church and lays out the contours of biblical ministry. Ephesians 4:11-15

By means of the Cross, Jesus has reclaimed the throne of Earth. However, the full consummation of His reign is not yet manifest. Why this gap in Jesus' dynasty and what are we to do in this time between times and place between places? Titus 2:8-3:11

The difference between Grace and Legalism is far more than what we are and aren't permitted to do. The freedom of Grace gives room for exceeding the status quo, whereas legalism inherently encourages the bare minimum performance. It's important for us to remember that we aren't to obey to make our God love us, but that our God has loved us first which excites obedience in response of that love. 1s...

When we dabble in worldliness, we let unworthy parties in on that which is meant to be exclusively Christ's. Our lives, for which Jesus died to purchase, have room only for one Lord. If we permit to consorting with the world, we come against the God who deserves the throne over our hearts. Are we stronger than Him? 1 Corinthians 10:15-22

Temptation, as we all know, is real and severe. In this passage, we learn that temptation is ubiquitous and yet, not unendurable. In the face of temptation, we are weak; but present with us, God is faithful. 1 Corinthians 10:12-14

This First installment of the 'Warning' series introduces us to some of the unassuming pitfalls for believers --specifically the danger of presuming security. Paul refers to four different accounts in the Old Testament where, even in the presence of miracles, mankind seems always to veer toward rebellion. This sermon concerns 1 Corinthians 10:1-11.

Understanding the aim of the Christian life transforms the way we make decision about all things. Like an athlete we choose self control so that we might run the race to win.

We need to follow the example of Paul who was so rooted in his Christian identity that he could adapt in different cultures to effectively impart the Christian message. We should use our freedom in Christ to be a servant of all.

Here Paul shows us from personal experience that Love is more rewarding than demanding your rights. Is it possible that we are settling for merely our rights when God has something better for us?

In the latter half of 1 Corinthians 8, Paul advises the Church that their diet is not a question of Christian permission, but of loving consideration of our brothers. Just as Jesus laid down His rights for the well-being of the vulnerable, so should we for the sake of the younger in faith and knowledge.

This first installment of the Hearts Over Clubs sermon series challenges the excuse of engaging in an activity because you may "know" that it's permissible. Instead, Paul contends that pure knowledge just inflates the ego, but love gives way for the building of Jesus' Church.

In the last installment of the Great Divorce sermon series, we see that the root of enslaving self-victimization is unforgiveness. We learn from this portion of the Sermon on the Mount that the salvation Jesus offers His church is rooted in divine forgiveness that should overflow in to earthly relationships.

Jesus speaks seriously of sin and calls us to recognize that dealing with it calls for drastic measures. Learn how and why to deal with our sins.

One of Jesus' hardest sayings reflects the truth behind one of Lewis' most tragic characters. Jesus demands He be first and only in our life for our sakes and for the sake of those we love.

Lewis' character the controlling wife challenges us to recognize how easy it is to mistake our self-serving reality for sacrifice and love. Only if we understand God as a humble servant, will our ambition to control be broken.

C.S. Lewis' character the Artist is a man experience the same drift we all experience, from the love of the told to the love of the telling. See how Jesus' call to discipleship radically saves us from ourselves.

The problem with moralism, which approaches God assuming we are good enough to do so, is that its irrational and destructive to others. In His parable, Jesus teaches us a better way.

Paul provides his reasoning for recommending the single life as a good option for Christians. In doing so, he challenges all Christian's to reassess how they make their decisions in life.

When God calls us to himself in salvation, he also calls us in the midst of our current circumstances. Our current relations, culture and work are the place where God's will begins.

Understanding the Bible's teaching on Divorce requires both an understanding of Marriage as well as an understanding of how the Living God brings hope into our current circumstances, whatever they be.

When we understand what sex was made for, we can make sense Bible's consistent regulation of it to the covenant of marriage. Understanding the purpose of sex also helps us to understand why its so often simultaneously addictive and unfulfilling.

The Guilt Offering was the only sacrifice that required restitution to be made. In it we learn about the obligations we have to God and man and how Jesus fulfilled those obligations in his death.

The Sin Offering helps us to deepen our understanding of what the Bible calls sin. That deeper understanding gives us a greater appreciation for what God has done with our Sin through Jesus Christ.