Christ the King Presbyterian Church

Text: Ruth 3:1-18 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: Now that the harvest season is over, Naomi and Ruth come up with one final, desperate plan to find redemption through Boaz. In one final encounter, Ruth boldly puts herself at Boaz' mercy, asking him to "spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer" (3:9). Boaz responds with joy, agreeing to help her and praising Ruth as a "w...

American Presbyterian History, Class 8 — The Formation of the PCA This class looks at the events, groups, and people in the 1960s that led directly into the formation of the Presbyterian Church in America in 1973.

Text: Ruth 2:1-23 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: In the next chapter of Ruth we are introduced to another main character, Boaz, "a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech," Naomi's deceased husband (2:1). Ruth just so happens to glean from his field, and the two meet. When Naomi hears about it she is overjoyed because he is a redeemer (2:20). As this story unfolds we learn more about the larg...

American Presbyterian History, Class 7 — The Progressive Capture of the Southern Church This class focuses on the Southern Presbyterian Church (PCUS) during the 1900s up to 1960 and the progressive influence that affected the church during this time.

American Presbyterian History, Class 6 — The Northern Church in the 20th Century This class discusses the important events involving the northern Presbyterian church (PCUSA) at the turn of the 20th century, especially the Modernist-Fundamentalist Controversy, J. Gresham Machen, and the formation of the OPC.

Text: Ruth 1:1-22 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: What place does grief have in the Christian life? How are we to make sense of death and suffering? Ruth provides a glimpse into these questions and answers them in a remarkable and memorable way. This is an incredibly uplifting story, but it begins with absolute crisis and chaos. Through this story, we learn how God is always present in our...

NOTE: Our standard recording system malfunctioned during and this is backup audio with poorer quality. Text: Mark 16:1-8 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: From the start of his gospel Mark has invited us to see for ourselves who this Jesus of Nazareth is. And now, he lets the empty tomb have the last word. As the women arrive at the tomb, they find the stone already rolled away and an angeli...

Text: Mark 15:42-47 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: Why does Mark (and all the other gospels) record the fact that Jesus was buried in the tomb? Why is it so important that we believe Jesus not only was crucified and died, but also that he was buried? In this sermon, originally preached at a Good Friday service, we consider the importance of the tomb and the great benefit it brings to God'...

Text: Mark 15:33-47 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: We return to our series in Mark as Jesus breathes his last breath on the cross. As he does, he speaks the words of Psalm 22, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Through Jesus' death, his cry of dereliction, and the centurion's declaration, we learn about the saving power of the cross. Here, the Son of God incarnate offered up hims...

Text: Acts 20:32-38 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: As we welcome and install new officers in our church, it is important that we remember what leaders are called to do. In the age of celebrity church leaders and pastors, we must heed the words of Jesus himself, as Paul reminds us, that 'it is more blessed to give than to receive.' Biblical church leaders are able to give of themselves com...

American Presbyterian History, Class 5 — War, Separations, and Reunions (1837-1903) This class covers the Old School-New School split in 1837 and the lasting effects of the Civil War on the American Presbyterian Church.

Text: Acts 20:25-31 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: In the next part of Paul's speech he gives the Ephesian elders the charge to pay careful attention both to themselves and to the whole church entrusted to their care. Why? Because he knows that fierce wolves will arise, even from among themselves, and devour and lead away the flock. But Paul is confident they will succeed in their task, b...

Text: Acts 20:17-24 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: We are taking a break from Mark to look at Acts 20:17-38 over the course of the next three Sundays. This will coincide well with our upcoming officer elections and installations, because in this section we learn a lot about what godly leadership in the church looks like. But even before Paul gets into the leadership specifically, in the p...

American Presbyterian History, Class 4 — The Golden Age, Part 2 (1801-1836). This class discusses the events leading up to the Old School-New School split in 1837. Discussion includes the Second Great Awakening, the 1801 Plan of Union, Charles Finney, New Divinity/New Haven theology.

Text: Mark 15:16-32 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: Jesus is led away to be prepared for crucifixion. Mark spends little time describe the horrific and violent acts of Jesus' torture. Rather, he focuses on the mockery of those attacking and crucifying him. The soldiers, the chief priests, unknown passers-by, and even the two crucified criminals on either side of him will all join in the mo...

American Presbyterian History, Class 3 — The Golden Age, Part 1 (1789). This class discusses the events leading up to and surrounding the first General Assembly of the American Presbyterian Church in 1789. Groundwork is laid for following discussions on the Old School/New School split and the effects of the Civil War on the church.

Text: Mark 15:1-15 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: The Jewish leaders bring Jesus to Pilate in order to put him to death because they know only the Roman government can legally do such a thing. In this trial, however, Pilate admits that there is no guilt found in Jesus. Yet he succumbs to the crowd's demands and sentences Jesus to death while releasing a known, guilty criminal. Jesus, the...

Text: Genesis 47:13-25 | Speaker: Aaron Raines

American Presbyterian History, Class 2 — Early American Presbyterianism from 1706-1789 This class provides an overview of the Presbyterian church in the American colonies in the eighteenth century, from Francis Makemie and the first Presbytery in 1706 up to the first General Assembly in 1789. Also discussed in this class is the Old Side/New Side split and reunion that occurred during the Great Awa...

Text: Mark 14:26-31, 66-72 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: This Sunday we look at the story of Peter. He was the closest disciple to Jesus, but failed when it mattered most by denying him three times. Yet Jesus restored him, and through Peter the gospel went forth into the world. The good news is that this gospel that restored Peter after his massive failure can restore you, too.

Text: Mark 14:53-65 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: Jesus is brought to the Sanhedrin for a midnight trial, but it's a sham. They've already determined the verdict, now they just need to find a charge that will stick. As they interrogate him, Jesus now definitely declares "I am the Christ." They would be right in declaring this to be blasphemy, except that it is true. The good news of the...

Presbyterian Distinctives [American Presbyterian History #1] This first class provides a brief overview of the distinct qualities and beliefs of Presbyterian churches in preparation for the larger survey of American Presbyterian history.

Text: Mark 14:43-52 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: As Jesus is betrayed and arrested, we get a clear picture of what it means that "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Cor. 5:21). Jesus was betrayed into the hands of sinners and was abandoned, yet he did so in order to save sinners, all according to God's sovereig...

Text: Mark 14:26-42 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: After supper with his disciples Jesus takes them to a secluded garden to spend time in prayer. He gives them one more prophecy: they will all abandon him. It is in the midst of betrayal, abandonment, and impending crucifixion that Jesus cries out to his Father "remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." From this pa...

Text: Mark 14:12-25 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: It is now the night before Jesus' crucifixion. He shares one final meal with his disciples, the Jewish Passover. During this meal two unexpected things happen. First, Jesus gives a final prediction—one of his own disciples will betray him. And yet, even more unexpectedly, God's redemption of his people will be accomplished through this be...