Providence Community Church

The occasion of Paul's opening remarks in I Cor chapters 1-4 came by way of distorted views of the nature of the church and her leadership. Many in Corinth had a corrupted view of the identity of church influencers and the relationship between these men and the church generally speaking. In writing to correct these errors, Paul is provided opportunity to expound and apply elements of the Gospel th...

Once again calling the attention of the student of wisdom in verse 11 with the adjuration "my son·: Solomon continues with an exposition of the virtues of wisdom in verses 11-20 of chapter 3. We find here, in the light of her great benefits, that wisdom is rejected at an infinite cost of our souls. On the other hand ... Would you have great stores of wealth? Would you have abundant life? -Then "La...

The Third “My Son” oracle of Proverbs opens in chapter 3. Verses (1-10) comprise a set of 5 of condition/benefit couplets…followed by an exposition of the virtues of wisdom (11-26)…closing with a list of prohibitions and warnings (27-35).  Conditions, virtues, & warnings are key categories of Proverbs chapter 3. The genre of wisdom literature classically exemplified in our text today occasion...

We are quite familiar with the term 'existential threat' these days. This term is appropriate with respect to our guilt before a holy God.  The existential hope published & heralded in Ps 130 is indeed our only prayer and this hope is unto eternity.  In terms of this song, ‘forever’ is not hyperbole.  The weight of anguish the author associates with his iniquity/sin is unto eternal damnation w...

The "temple vantage point" of Paul's instruction to the church in Corinth in chapter 3 extends to his applications in chapter four. In our text today, Paul writes to correct the view of the Corinthians toward apostolic ministry and authority. Once again, he addresses a primary theme and purpose in writing that has surfaced several times early in his letter. This concern involved the role of and re...

In our passage today, 11 mentions of path, way, or walk, highlight the through line metaphor of Solomon's 2nd "my son" oracle. The concern of wisdom applied has much to do with our way of life. The scriptures and wisdom demand an entirely new direction for the godly son. The pathway of our hopes, ambitions, decisions, destinations, covenants, vocations, and legacy is of critical importance. The de...

Our working definition for Biblical Wisdom is: "The communicable attribute of God equipping His people with skills for the art of Godly living". Proverbs Chapter 2 contains the second “My Son” oracle in the book of wisdom literature.  Here Solomon makes great use of the 'father to son' literary device in disclosing the virtues of legitimate wisdom.  The basic construction of this oracle follows a...

Proverbs 1:20 introduces wisdom as a woman whose voice offers an appeal & invitation to live according to the ways of God.  This passage is the first of four ‘Lady Wisdom’ oracles in Proverbs.  In the first oracle (our text today) we are issued a warning given the high stakes she commands. Oracle two (3:14-18) expounds the great wealth of blessing for those embracing her. Thirdly, in chapter 8...

Psalm 129 addresses 2 groups of people: Israel and those who hate Zion. What of those who stand in the way of ascent? What should the nation do If Israel's enemies assail the peace and livelihood of the land thereby disrupting temple worship? Ps 129 acknowledges the weakness and hardship the nation has endured and lifts a rallying cry of worship inspired by the power and authority of a righteous G...

Writing to a church in peril, Paul expounds the implications of the indwelling Spirit for believers. If you are God's temple, what does that mean with reference to your relationship with the Lord? Furthermore, as the temple of God, how is your relationship to the fellowship and forces of this world affected? The tangled web of sinful motivations that are uniformly aligned in rebellion against a Ho...

In chapter 5, Paul transitions in the book of Romans from a calling of repentance and delivering the Gospel, to encouragements, and a deeper understanding of justification. We see the fruits of justification, and the blessings we can expect if indeed we have been born again.

The first “my son” oracle in Proverbs serves as a warning against the self destructive and deceptive nature of sin.  Solomon takes as his example of wickedness, the plundering of innocent people.  This scenario serves additionally to illustrate the anti-virtue character at the root of all transgression.  Protection & care for the vulnerable innocent is a paramount concern in a Biblical governm...

The first “my son” oracle in Proverbs serves as a warning against the self destructive and deceptive nature of sin.  Solomon takes as his example of wickedness, the plundering of innocent people.  This scenario serves additionally to illustrate the anti-virtue character at the root of all transgression.  Protection & care for the vulnerable innocent is a paramount concern in a Biblical governm...

The poetic context of Psalm 128 parallels passages from the prophets. Two examples might be Micah 4 and Zechariah 8. Our song today is a personalized confession and invocation of the redemption and hope found in Old Testament prophecies. Shining forth in the midst of judgment oracles and warnings in prophetic literature, is the language of restoration for Zion - God's covenant people. This song ap...

Similar to a medical diagnosis of a hospitalized patient, Paul's synopsis of the church at Corinth includes a description of their condition as well as an explanation of how a healthy body is designed to operate. He uses three analogies in our text today to illustrate his point. First he describes the members of the church at Corinth in general terms as infants As spiritual dependents they remain...

If Biblical wisdom can be defined as the communicable attribute of God equipping his people with skills for the art of godly living, then the book of Proverbs reveals this aspect of God’s nature according to a 4-part structure. Chapters 1-7 open the book with extended admonitions and teachings to the classic student of wisdom. These addresses often begin with: “my son”. Chapters 8-9 follow with po...

I Kings 3:9-12 documents Solomon’s famous request from God for wisdom to rule the kingdom of Israel after the death of his father David. Recognizing the weight of his calling: “your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or accounted for multitude.” ...and recognizing his own inadequacy: “I am but a little child, I do not know how to go...

Solomon proclaims in Psalm 127 that ascending in any area of life is conditional upon “vigilant providence” (Elicotts commentary). That is the providence of God, not as a set of impersonal systems, but the proactive favor of the Lord.  Consider this song in light of the calling of its author, Solomon, a man appointed to build the house of the Lord and to carry on the dynastic lineage of his father...

Our recent resurrection themed sermon began with Ezekiel's vision of dry bones. Here in chapter 37:9-10, it was the breath of God picturing the power and means of His Holy Spirit that infused life into the human remains. The prophecy provides a fitting image to illustrate the difference the Spirit makes in every aspect of the believer's life. In II Corinthians, the apostle Paul expounds the necess...

Building on our theme from “Palm Sunday”, today we consider milestones marking the covenant history of the hope of life after death. Just as the message of Jesus' triumphal entry is magnified upon the realization of a prophetic pattern in scripture, so too is the message of resurrection. Since the advent of the curse there can be no gospel (good news) for humanity without redeeming grace and resur...

My thesis today is 2-fold: FIRST: the message of Palm Sunday is magnified upon the realization of a prophetic pattern in scripture & SECOND: Palm Sunday signals the great hero archetype of history.  In support of proposition one: There is a prophetic symmetry enhancing the glories of Palm Sunday in covenant history. 1. Joseph’s coronation (Gen 41:38-44) as a symbol and type of divine kingdom c...

The book of Genesis is separated by two major historical context divisions. The 1st includes chapters 1-11 involving the state of all the world before and after both the fall of man and the great flood. The 2nd includes chapters 12-50 which follow the family line and promises of Abraham in the interest of a saving hope for humanity. The book of Genesis is further subdivided by literary context mar...

Psalm 126 features a hope of ascent sufficient to endure trials of destitution and exile.  This is a song fitting for the covenantal terms prophetically revealed by Moses in Dt 4: 25-31. Here the prophet, declares before witnesses that the consequences of apostasy for Israel would include defeat, exile, & persecution…yet God would not utterly banish His covenant people forever.  There was hope...

As Paul prepares to address more issues at the church in Corinth, he testifies to Jesus Christ as the wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption of the universal church (1:30). Paul will go on to expand upon these themes in the context of present trials facing the church as the letter progresses.  Beginning with the concept of wisdom in our text today, he calls for repentance of the wor...

An overview of Joseph’s life reveals striking parallels in his calling & ministry to the person and work of Jesus. Jesus was the ultimate Messiah stooping low to save His people.  Joseph is an early messianic prototype joining the testimony of Melchizedek as an early king, so to speak, prefiguring the King of Kings Jesus Christ.  A unique aspect of the record of Joseph’s life in scripture is t...