Providence Community Church

We have noted from Isaiah, how authors of scripture have recognized and expounded the milestone moment of the calling of Abraham first recorded in Genesis 12. In Isaiah 50 & 51, the prophet visits the altar of Abraham, as it were, noting the signal implications of the patriarch's legacy relating to the arc of redemptive history. He calls the lineage of Abraham to “look to the rock from which t...

Spurgeon comments on the placement of Psalm 95 and 96 in the Psalter noting... “It follows fitly upon the last Psalm which describes the obstinacy of Israel, and the consequent taking of the gospel from them that it might be preached among the nations who would receive it, and in due time be fully won to Christ by its power. It thus makes a pair with the ninety fifth Psalm, it is a grand missionar...

As Paul brings his book to the Galatians to a close, his final words contain a structure summary of the letter. He refutes the scripture twisting false teachers, describing their efforts as that which only promotes “a good showing in the flesh”. This they do in order to avoid the persecution cost associated with the truth of Christ's teaching seeking to glorify themselves in the process. In closin...

Genesis 12:1-9 signals a watershed moment so significant in world history that the remaining context of the entire Bible is dedicated to the record of fulfillment and implications of God's covenant promises first revealed to the significant son – Abraham. Abraham himself was the first to recognize the importance of these events in his life and family line and his acknowledgment of the grace and gr...

The significance of this moment in covenant/redemptive history cannot be overstated. The narrative context reflects as much in the structure of Genesis (not to mention the rest of the Bible). Up to this point, 11 chapters have chronicled many centuries and many generations following the elect line of Seth through to Noah, and the elect line of Shem through to Abram. The remaining 39 chapters of Ge...

The structure of Genesis narrative allows for a “google earth” view of the landscape of the history of redemption interrupted by a 'zoom in' feature to record particular events in the lives of individuals who will figure prominently in the family line and legacy of the Messiah. This overview/biographical approach helps us appreciate the context setting the stage for the call of Abraham. Corruption...

The liturgical context for Psalm 95 involved the observances prescribed for public worship in the life of the people of God. An order of service would be presided over by the Levitical officers, (those appointed by God to lead the people in worship of Yahweh). The priestly rites and regular assembly would be called to ascribe glory to the Lord: Israel's covenant hope, Glorious Shepherd, and Triump...

The tone of emergency and necessary apostolic intervention carries all the way through the letter to the Galatians. Paul has dedicated particular personal attention to the church in in this Gentile region. One commentator has noted that his work in this regard was so pointed, thorough, and clear that the error of preaching circumcision as necessary for salvation seems ridiculous to our ears. The b...

Genesis chap 11 recalls specific events instrumental in establishing the individual identity and geographic dispersion of the clans, languages, lands, and nations of Gen 10. This record is foreshadowed in chapter 10 as Moses describes the descendents of the cursed line with special mention of “Nimrod” (8-12). Nimrod is the archetypal strongman and pagan hero figure. His name literally means: “we s...

Two passages exemplify how foundational Genesis 10 is for the worldview of all the Biblical authors and all well informed Christians (Acts 17:26, and Ephesians 3:14-15). Immediately after documenting the flood and select events of Noah's life, Moses records this genealogy marking the lineage of Noah's sons. This chapter goes further than a mere list however, there are signal details which anticipa...

Psalm 94 is the second in a set of 8 songs that magnify and proclaim the universal lordship of Yahwey. His majesty is set forth in these songs of exaltation reminding the citizens of mere earthly kingdoms that their hope is secure in the ultimate King. Psalm 94 declares specifically and extensively that our God is the true and powerful judge of the earth. His day of reckoning may appear slow to ar...

Having detailed the distinct differences between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit, Paul proceeds to offer real time scenarios in the typical church context where the fruit of the Spirit is begging to be lived out. The circumstances and relationships among the believers in Galatia are no doubt Paul's first audience and this congregation provides a list of pressing needs as he writ...

The legacy of Adam is revisited in many ways in the account of Noah. As Noah's final days are documented in Genesis 9, the similarities are only magnified. This reality introduces a somber tone in the post-flood narrative. No sooner has man inhabited the renewed earth than the corruption of his nature rears its ugly head once again. Noah and Adam share many parallel aspects... They both tend a new...

Guest Speaker - Greg Allen

Guest Speaker - Joe Reed

Having thoroughly condemned the theological error which animated the Judaizers, (Namely requirements of the law as a prerequisite for salvation) The Apostle turns his attention to another prevalent error: that of Licentiousness (acting lawlessly with antinomian disregard for holiness as if your status grants you license to pursue your worst desires). Gal 5:1 provides a helpful conceptual theme to...

As we have noted, the pruning judgements of God have stripped the world down to the basic constituent elements of the created order. We considered several of these in our last study. Today we expound upon just one 'pillar of the earth': The Word of God as covenant with his people. This event in Noah's record signals the first explicit mention of 'covenant' ('berith') in scripture and proves to be...

Today's message expands on concepts introduced last week. We noted that a silver lining of judgement is the beauty of God's law shinning forth as the veil of obfuscating sin is forcibly removed from culture. In the great flood, the world has been stripped down to its constituent elements by the judgements of God serving to illustrate the irreducible complexity of the created order. This order enco...

As the title of this message indicates, a momentous occasion is recognized in the text at this point. Noah is standing on the doorstep of a new world. We recognize something similar in our culture related to marriage. It is has been customary for a husband to carry his bride over the threshold of their new home together. This action indicates the formation of a new family, a joint purpose and call...

Though just 5 verses in length, Psalm 93 introduces an extensive theme for book 4 of the Psalter. This theme is the kingship and authority of Yahweh Himself. In the sequence of ideas unfolding in the central portion of the Psalms, this song of praise supplies reassuring perspective, and it does not stand alone. Whereas book 3 closes with an ominous note of lament occasioned by the unraveling of th...

Paul's closing exhortation to the Ephesian church is remarkably similar to his admonitions in Galatians 5. In both cases the apostle pleads with the church to stand firm. The Ephesians are addressed again, this time by Christ directly in Revelation 2. Christ commands the church to repent and return to their love for the Lord and His gospel that first inspired them. From these parallel passages, we...

We continue to note particular aspects of the flood record in Genesis 6-9 which emphasize its significance in scripture. As in other 'event oracles', patterns of God's works are evident in this account. The great flood of Noah's day served immediately to satisfy the purposes of God in the destruction of the unrepentant wicked... yet it is continually referenced throughout scripture as a signal of...

As we consider the Genesis account of the great flood in its context both immediately and as a jewel strung upon the chain of redemptive history, it becomes apparent that Noah’s testimony, calling, and experience is of central significance in the scriptures. The flood account and its implications are an indispensable foundation stone for the Biblical/Christian worldview. The particular emphasis gi...

It was the works of the Lord to date that captivated the psalmist's sanctified attention and inspired his song of worship. These exalted themes reached soaring heights in the minds and hearts of true worshippers long ago. The force and beauty of Psalm 92 has only increased through the ages as the works of God have multiplied in history, providence, and redemption. New Covenant revelation breathes...

Here Paul introduces his second illustration to emphasize the distinction between the 'justification by faith alone' gospel and the notion of works enabled salvation. Having introduced the picture of a guardian/child relationship, to represent the telos of the law, he now cites contrasts from the biography of Abraham's 2 sons: Isaac and Ishmael as an allegory of the true gospel vs. the Judaizer's...