Sermons

Christian has a of ups and downs in sanctification, but a lot of downs. Pastor Jared tells a story of one such a believer whom the Lord blessed not because of his sanctification but because of God meeting the conditions of the conditional covenant.

Sinners are not those outside, unbelievers. The sinners are the people in the church. Believers, lie, gossip, and violate the ninth commandment, sometimes even under the pretense of keeping it.

Christian life is a life of trouble, trials and temptations, yet throughout history people are tempted to comfort suffering believers by telling them to pray more, repent, believe, etc. In Psalm 88 we see a proper approach to deal with suffering.

If all people are totally depraved, why are there many wise and good unbelieving great neighbors, fair judges, smart philosophers? Rev. Jeff Karel explains that these occurrences are totally consistent with the doctrine of total depravity; law of God written on the hearts of all people is often enough to produce civic righteousness. This is, however, not a salvific righteousness before God.

To Christians, it is not necessary to get involved in a ministry. Therefore, Calvinistic work ethic is about doing one's best and working hard.

Moses did not receive the promises of God because he obeyed the law of Moses. He received the blessings and favor of God because of Christ. If it is ever appropriate to "how to be like Moses", then it is in this: just like Moses, look to Christ and away from your own deeds, misdeeds, feelings, circumstances, etc.

What does Scripture mean when it calls sinners as "dead in sin"? Does total depravity mean people are unable to freely choose good or bad? Rev Karel explains that total depravity choose to do everything freely, but always do evil by necessity.

Only two chapters in to the First Book of Kings, which is supposed to describe the kingdom of God, and we see nothing but deceit, malice, murders and other worst sins--at the very top! The son of David who is supposed to be leading and strengthening this kingdom is walking in the steps of his fathers David and Adam, following the example of brother-murdering Cain. The promise of God to David are k...

What does it mean to be a Godly man, a man after God's heart like David? David was a man after God's own heart and even on his deathbed, in one breath he displays his reverence for the love of God AND his sinful scheming and covenant breaking. David's life shows that, as the Heidelberg says, "even the holiest have only a small beginning of this obedience." To be a man after God's own heart is to l...

What is the secret to overcoming suffering and enjoying life? Some teachings claim that all life is meaningless and we should just live our life as please, getting what we can out of it before we die. Others claim that suffering of loss can be overcome by connecting with God via lengthy prayers, and other spiritual exercises or keeping ourselves from enjoying worldly pleasures and goods. Are any o...

What is the secret to Christians redeeming their community, churches, the world? Is there a secret to having wealthy, health, victory over our struggles? The Ecclesiastes says that wisdom is what will bring better outcomes in these areas. Does it?

According to Rev. Jared Beaird, the passage from today shows that the creation is good and can be enjoyed. However, the creation must not be worshipped. This passage shows us how to enjoy creation without worshipping it.

People continually come up with new ideas for creating utopianism by techoology, philosophy, education, etc. The Christian do have a cultural mandate to raise families, bless their communities, etc. We must, however, remember the words of Ecclesiastes.

Reformed soteriology--teachings about salvation and justification--can be summarized with "simul justus et pecator", a Latin phrase meaning "simultaneously just and sinner". How does this view of salvation stand up to the scrutiny of the Scripture texts like 2 Samuel, where David says that God rewarded him for being righteous?

The grave stone has two dates on it, with the dash between them summarizing our life. That is how meaningless and miserable our life is because of the course. While we still have cultural mandates to work, have children and build families, that is done in pain and--often--with no satisfaction. Our only comfort is that because of Jesus's work, the dash is not permanent.

Pastor Jared says that the Scriptures should be read as theological history, not history written in contemporary style. This theology can be told as an old story of the Gospel or the new self-help story.

It is good to follow the wisdom found in the Scriptures. It is good to do what is right in life, word hard and receive the fruits of our labors. However, does it always follow that good actions lead to good results? What do we do when things do not work out in our life or the life of others? What advice can give? The truth is absolute, but the context of life is messy. When a person has troubles i...

Jeff Karel explains that Gospel should be delivered to everyone, promiscuously.

Belief in the wrath of God has been lost on the moderns. The moderns also see themselves as individual, not represented by anyone. In this passage, however, Jared Beaird shows that Scripture believes that not only is God angry for our actual sins, but also for the original one. When representative of the Israelites sinned, God's wrath turned against all those he represented. Likewise, God's is ter...

Does Christian need sanctification? Do Christians care about following the law of God? Pastor Jared preaches that sanctification is still about the Gospel. The Gospel gives us sanctification and justification.

Pastor Jared goes through the Golden Chain explaining how the Gospel takes all the way to heaven, always taking care of us on the way there. The common myths about God loving those who help themselves fly in the face of this passage in the Bible. Similarly, this passage makes it clear that those that Christianity is not a religion that relies on the good works of the believers. Instead, it is abou...

Is it true that "God helps those who help themselves"? According to Jeff Karel, that is terrible theology.

Jeff Karel explains the dangers facing the author of the song of ascent. According to Jeff, this psalm shows that the hill is not where God is and one might get help if he just musters enough strength to climb the hill. Rather, the hill is where the danger, uncertainty, death and devil lurks and God is the keeper and protector as we face those dangers. He is with us, even in the valley.