Providence Community Church

The third adversarial cross-examination attempt by the ideological enemies of Christ is recorded in Matthew 22. The power of Jesus' response cannot be fully appreciated without some background which we will explore in today's message. With the context in view, we feel the punch of Jesus' answers. The full force of the Law is wielded by its author in this exchange to expose the sin of the self-righ...

Today's message finds its structure here in Mat 22 as well as a parallel encounter between John the Baptist and the Sadducees in Mat 3. In both texts, corruption of unbelieving intellectual commitments is highlighted. The foundation and fallout of the worldly mind is on display in these interactions. In Jesus' day, as in ours, the unbeliever displays a tragic irony in His presuppositions. In most...

In keeping with the theme of Psalms 52-60, Psalm 54 provides a song of worship in the presence of our enemies. II Sam 22:35, Ps 18:34, & 144:1 speak of the Godly warrior prototype in terms of hands trained for war and fingers for battle. Ps 54 expounds the conditioning and disciplined mentality of the warring ambassador by example in this soldier's lament in first person. Hands trained for spi...

Guest speaker Dr. Roger Shultz. "Saints of Hebrews 11"

Commendation and assurance never taste so sweet as when they follow the stern rebuke of exhortation and correction. The author of Hebrews shifts the attention of his readers from the horrific consequences of apostasy to the glories of salvation and its properties in the latter half of chapter 6. Taken as intended, this entire passage serves as reassuring smelling salts for the prone to sluggishnes...

I Cor 3:19 returns to mind with today's text in view. Proverbs 8:15-16 also is relevant to the situation at hand... “by me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just, by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly...” Our text displays the wisdom of Christ in deftly thwarting the hypocrite’s attempts to entangle Him. Instead He leaves them befuddled and demands they pay tribute to God. Thi...

Jesus' teaching of the wedding feast is certainly among His most paradigmatic parables. The animosity of the chief priests and Pharisees (21:45-46) provides occasion for instruction of utmost significance. Major themes of redemptive and revelatory continuity converge in this chapter of Christ's ministry. The compact, yet sweeping scope of truth is notable here as well. Only inspired words from the...

Psalm 53 is the 2nd of eight psalms of related theme compiled in this section of the Psalter. Psalms 52-60 are a collection of Maskils and Miktams extolling and encouraging by declaring the faithfulness and surety of God in the midst of His people even when they find themselves in the midst of enemies. Psalm 53 serves well to remind us, in these kind of circumstances, that there is not only an ene...

What is the danger of refusing to heed the Kingdom call to violence found in Mat 11:12? Hebrews 6 answers the question with frightening clarity. Last week's message reminded us of a reality of the Christian life... It involves an obedient application of force necessary to overcome obstacles between us and our calling in Christ (mortify sin, sell all we have, take up our cross, endure the disowning...

Matthew 21 documents a distinct change in Jesus' tone of teaching as the scope of His kingdom declaration expands to specify the judgment edicts and inscrutably wise sovereignty of the Triune God. Note in this section a rare reference to the Kingdom in Matthew's gospel... 'Kingdom of God' as opposed to his preferred 'Kingdom of Heaven' language (31 references to 4). Jesus' most explicit and direct...

The life of David parallels these 9 verses. Every chapter of His biography serves to illustrate the truths poetically encapsulated here. The glory of God in the life of David in contrast to the vainglorious is thematic in this song. It is not that the wicked personified by Doeg successfully steal the praise and power ascribed to God alone, it is rather, that the enemies of God serve to display His...

By way of illustration, consider two samples at a water treatment facility. 1st) The Holding Pond: Accepts all streams – available in large quantities – easily accessible – The longer it sits, the more stagnant, corrupted, and polluted it becomes – though it may look inviting and attractive on the surface. 2nd) Bottled Water: Smaller quantities – pressurized system – forced through fine, narrow an...

This is not the first time Jesus has confronted the elites of His day on the question of His authority. The disingenuous mob of scribes and pharisees demanded a sign from Him in Chap 12:38-42. His answer was similar. Sufficient testimony to condemn them had reached its threshold long before their questioning. More evidence refuted them than the demonstration of the Word of God that moved Nineveh t...

A closer look at the contextual significance of this event in the gospels provides striking emphasis for prophetic, messianic, and gospel themes! An imagery study of 'fig tree' in scripture reminds us of the proprietary literary devices of scripture. There is a resplendent uniqueness in every aspect of special revelation right down to its metaphors. For those so nearsighted, they are blind (II Pet...

The individual and corporate implications of the message of II Peter are of utmost importance. The instructions of this epistle are necessary for a sustainable church and the assurance of salvation. The value of these truths is illustrated well in the personal note of context provided by the author in 1:13-15. These are his carefully chosen last words to his closest of family members. These words...

Psalm 51 is the 'locus classicus' (classic example text) of repentance. The song is 4th in a series of 7 penitent (confession) songs (Ps 6,32,38,51,102,130,143). David's soul has been awakened to his actions of late which horrifically exemplify deceit, murder, adultery, betrayal, tyranny, malice, conspiracy, stealing, covetousness, dishonoring parents (Ex 20). This context is clear from the Psalm'...

The personhood of Christ as Son of God – the second person of the Trinity – is inextricably linked to His office as our High Priest. This connection is beautifully expounded in Heb 5, though the author is concerned his magnificent treatise will fall on stunted and juvenile ears. The original audience of these words was flirting with former trappings of man-made piety, philosophy, and religion. Our...

Our text today drowns out the hecklers of popular culture and secular academia who have reduced the Bible in the minds of the worldly to an incidental anthology of cultic practices couched in a history distorted by primitive, mythical, and ethnic bias. Let us consider the contextual scope of these 12 verses alone and see who's the fool.... modern higher critics like Bart Ehrman – or – the source i...

Jesus' journey to Jerusalem culminates with a note of humility and prophetic triumph. This surprising confluence of events fulfills prophetic imagery particularly from Zechariah. Some 20 times in the book of Zechariah, the phrase: “on that day” appears indicating: A DECISIVE MOMENT OF MESSIANIC FULFILLMENT SIGNALING JUDGEMENT – DELIVERANCE – AND SALVATION. Matthew 21 records this day's events and...

Psalm 50 reverberates like a trumpet blast in the ears of mankind signaling the supreme court of all the universe will now convene. A shudder of sobering anxiety ought to course through the spine of every mere mortal caught red handed in their lethargic routine of self-serving living. Divine court is now in session. Psalm 50 reminds us in legal tones that one day a decree will go out through all h...

Our last message in Hebrews entitled: “Hold Fast” focused on our grip on Christ, as we embrace the Christian life and all of its paradoxical tensions described in Heb 4 (Fear and Good news, Today and long afterwards, Strive and rest, & Living Logos/Word. There is, however, a mutual grasp involved in 'holding fast' and the primary grip is that of our Great High Priest Jesus Christ as the savior...

Progress ascending to Jerusalem is halted yet again for a brief six verse record of a profound incident involving one of the last recorded healings during the ministry of Christ This providential interruption serves to potently illustrate manifold gospel concepts summarized by object lesson in this event. As Jesus' ministry transitions to the latter chapters, two blind men are healed and demonstra...

The road to regeneration goes through the cross and there are no exceptions, detours, or alternate routes of any kind, much to our carnal dismay. This chapter in Matthew's gospel leading up to Calvary employs the occasion of Christ's journey to Jerusalem to redirect our attention and affections. Lest His disciples be distracted by the perceived glory of judging from 12 thrones (Mt 19:28), Jesus ut...

The title of this message reflects the perspective of the Word of God on the human claim to power and influence. One author said of this Psalm: “Men of spiritual understanding without worldly honor are higher than the angels of God in heaven – men of worldly honor without the true wisdom are worse than the beasts that perish.” Futile, foolish, and presumptuous are the ambitions of fallen men who f...

We need not wonder what is the goal of 'holding fast' in this chapter of Hebrews. The term 'rest' is employed ubiquitously as the desirable end of our gospel driven efforts. Rest as the “utmost of salvation” is further expounded in Thayer's greek lexicon as: “The heavenly blessedness in which God dwells and of which He has promised to make persevering believers in Christ partakers after the toils...