Church of The Redeemer - Sermons

In the midst of false teachers trying to dismember Jesus by denying Him as the Christ, John begins his letter by proclaiming his eyewitness testimony to the whole Jesus. We must believe in the whole Jesus to have eternal life, fellowship, and joy.

As we begin our study through 1 John, we need to get a good understanding of who John is and why he wrote this letter. In the midst of false teachers trying to dismember Jesus, John wrote this letter because a clearer vision of the whole Jesus brings joy, holiness, and assurance.

The final word in our series on 1-2 Peter and Jude is a word of glory with one main vision: God will keep us from here to home.

In spending the majority of his letter addressing false teachers, Jude now unpacks and explains how Christians contend in the midst of division. We see that the call to contend against false teachers is a call to pursue both God and each other.

Having shown that contending Christian look to Jesus as Lord in reliant humility for all things, Jude now shifts his focus upon the ungodly lifestyle of the false teachers and what it will inevitably lead to: eternity in hell. Jude makes this point clear: ungodly living leads to godly judgment. But in this condemnation there is a promise of hope: godly living will lead to godly rewards.

Having outlined three historical examples of false teachers being judged, Jude goes on to demonstrate what the current false teachers are guilty of: rebellion. We must remember that contending Christians live in a better story, they look to Jesus as Lord in reliant humility for all things.

In describing the threat of false teachers, Jude now moves to three Old Testament examples of what the judgment of God looks like. It is a call for Christians to remember and contend for the faith because Jesus is Lord and judge now and when he returns.

Though intending to write about the common salvation his recipients shared, Jude pivoted to remind us that the church must be united and vigilant against false teachers.

In the opening chapters of the book of Jude, our identity is firmly established in God. Jude writes that in Christ, Christians can know who they are and look to live in God’s power every day until Christ’s return.

In these final few verses of 2 Peter, we see that as we wait for Jesus to make all things new, we are called to remain faithful by the grace and knowledge of Jesus.

In chapter 2, Peter helped us see the character and impending judgment of false teachers and the deliverance of God's people. Now he shifts his focus to the false teacher's main argument: Jesus wasn't returning, so why not live ungodly lives? But Peter makes his point very clear: Because God is a God of His word, Christians live godly and fruitful lives in light of His return and judgment.

In chapter two, Peter doesn't mince words about false teachers and the danger they are to the church. In the last half of chapter two, Peter helps us recognize that the dangers of false teachers are real, so we must learn how to identify them and behold a better story.

Having introduced the purpose behind his letter, exposing and countering false teachers, Peter shows us that Christians are called to live in anticipation of God’s future judgment.

In 2 Peter 2, we come to understand the purpose behind why Peter wrote this letter: false teachers. For the church in Asia Minor and us today, the threat of false teachers is real, dangerous, and imminent. In the opening verses, Peter shows us three ways false teachers deceive us: they desire to steal the hope that is our in Jesus.

Last week, Peter helped us understand the fruit of godly living. This week, we will see that the foundation for godly living is found in the power, majesty, and word of Christ.

In his second letter, Peter continues to help us see that kingdom people live godly lives in light of Jesus and heaven.

In our modern Western world, we forget just how good Jesus really is. This is where Peter draws our attention in the opening verses of his second letter. He emphasizes that because we know Jesus, we have everything we need to live a godly life.

At this moment in the life of Church of The Redeemer, we are asking what God wants to say to us as new ministry teams form and Community Groups start. We see from 1 Corinthians 12-13 that God's story invites us to build up, depend on, and love one another for the world of love that is to come.

In our final sermon from 1 Peter, we will see four commitments for faithful endurance. These commitments are not "to-do's" for the Christian life, they are a result of God's powerful work in us and through us to stand firm to the end, even in the midst of righteous suffering.

In one of Peter's final exhortations in 1 Peter, we see that it is God’s design for the church to have faithful pastors and humble followers.

As Christians living in a world that is not our home, Peter writes on seven truths about persecution and what our posture should be in it.

The church is to be praying, loving, and ministering to one another for the glory of God.

From 1 Peter 1:3, 2:9-10, and 5:10-11, we'll see that because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have the hope to live!

We must prepare ourselves with the mindset of Christ in three ways: we must prepare to suffer like Jesus, to live like Jesus, and to be judged by Jesus.

In the midst of trials and unjust suffering, when you think you can't go any further, remember the ultimate victory you have in Christ Jesus.