Chatham Christian Church

Jesus already knew the general direction His ministry would have to take, and He knew where it would have to end. He had known that from the foundation of the world. But now that He was a man, could He do it? Did He have the resolve needed to follow the necessary course?

John’s job would be to get us ready. And he did so by showing how to be pleasing to our heavenly Father through confession, repentance, and baptism.

Matthew’s gospel is the Royal Gospel, written primarily for a Jewish audience, and the events he recorded surrounding Jesus’ birth and childhood make it evident that He was indeed the promised king.

Mary was a virgin when Jesus was born, something that was not only unusual, but humanly impossible. And it’s something that is doubted by skeptics, and unbelievers, even today.

To Matthew’s readers this genealogy was very important, and very interesting. And it was vital to Matthew’s presentation of Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah, the King of Kings. This is the royal gospel, written to the Jews, to show them that Jesus is the king they were expecting, the one foretold in Scripture.

Having concluded his main argument in the 12th chapter, our author now tries to get in the last word on just about every aspect of the Christian life.

Jesus is central to the plan of salvation. And now that Jesus, the promised Messiah, has come, a new covenant between God and man is in effect. The old is invalid, so there’s nothing to go back to.

It takes discipline to make a disciple.

We’re going to look at several victors in faith, and some who weren’t, on the surface anyway, so victorious. And then focus on the One who perfects our faith and brings ultimate victory to all who are faithful.

Obviously not everyone agrees on the value of walls, and sometimes they do what we expect them to do, and sometimes they don’t. Sometimes they keep us safe and secure, but sometimes walls fail. This morning we’re going to explore three walls, walls that stand, walls that crumble, and walls to build upon.

The Bible confirms that if we have faith in God there is no need to live in fear. And as we discovered when we began our study of faith in the Faith Chapter, faith is best understood by looking at the lives of those who lived by faith.

How long do you hang on to a promise?

God blessed Abraham by fulfilling His promises to him through his son, his grandson, and eventually through God’s own Son, who was born of Abraham’s seed. Who knows what God will do through our children, and their children, if we’ll have the faith of Sarah and Abraham.

The Apostle Paul said we walk by faith, not by sight. But most of us would rather walk by sight.

We’re going to look at that definition and the first three examples the author of Hebrews used to illustrate three fundamental elements of faith: a future element, a present element, and a past element.

The author of Hebrews explained in great clarity the value of what they had in Christ. And he warned them what would happen if they insulted His grace and walked away from the gift they had been given.

What’s the difference between a big sin and a little sin in God’s eyes?

You’ve been given the opportunity to enter the very presence of God, but have you done so? If not, it’s time to put your faith into action, and our author calls us to action as he continues in Hebrews 10:19-21.

This morning we bring the doctrinal section of the book of Hebrews to a close.

Christianity has been called a slaughterhouse religion. Blood, blood, blood; we’re always talking about blood. Or even worse, singing about it.

Why are we here this morning?

No matter how good a sermon might be, if it leaves your hearers asking, “So what?” you’ve failed as a preacher... every sermon should have a point to get. The author of Hebrews was apparently concerned about that as well.

After reprimanding his readers for having become dull of hearing and choosing to stay with the milk of God’s Word instead of going on to the meat, and warning them of the consequences of such, the author of Hebrews now lays before us some very meaty passages.

We’re ready to begin the seventh chapter of Hebrews this morning, but instead, I’m going to do what our author just did. I’m going to take a little side trip.

Do we really have assurance that we’re in a saved relationship with our heavenly Father?