Stuart Presbyterian’s Podcast

Salvation is a gift we do not deserve and cannot earn. The response to such a gift is deep gratitude!

Traditional teaching of religious leaders had missed what the Old Testament actually taught about loving neighbors and the implications of texts like Proverbs 25:21 for our interaction with "enemies." Jesus teaching is radical; Jesus is calling us to a love that is far beyond what is common.  Therefore, we cannot demonstrate such love apart from the reliance upon the Holy Spirit and prayer.  

Jesus shares the traditional teaching of "The Law of Retaliation" but then adds his shocking teaching, telling us "Do not resist the one who is evil." Is Jesus teaching absolute pacifism or is he teaching something else? Looking at the four illustrations Jesus gives, this message seeks to understand the context of Jesus' day and how the principle Jesus teaches applies today.

Jesus gives another illustration of how his followers' righteousness should exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. In this segment he reminds us to be radical truth tellers and truth keepers! Oaths really are not necessary for Christ followers for our "yes" should be yes and our "no" should be no.

God is serious about His holiness; therefore, God is serious about our holiness. But regardless of our sin, God does not hate us.  God hates what our sin does to us, but God does not hate us. Jesus teaches us the great importance of guarding our lives and protecting ourselves from sin. But no one is righteous, not even one; therefore, no one should be self-righteous. We are all in need of God's gr...

Jesus makes it clear that murder is not just an external action. The sin begins in our hearts as unrighteous anger and harsh words and insults. Our calling is to be reconciled to our brothers and sisters.  Reconciliation is both necessary and urgent!

This message introduces a series on Jesus teaching in the Sermon on the Mount where he begins each teaching with a variation of:  "You have heard it was said .... but I say ..."   In this introduction we see Jesus' relationship with the Law and the Prophets.  We also see that though we're saved by grace, Jesus calls his followers to a life of "radical righteousness."

We all struggle; we all wonder sometimes if God is listening. David encourages us in Psalm 28 to be honest with the Lord and keep calling out. He also gives us encouragement to keep meeting together for corporate worship.

The Story of Jonah reveals God's great mercy to at least three people or groups of people: Jonah, the sailors, and the Ninevites. God's mercy is related to his grace and patience and all three flow out of God's goodness and love. Mercy is not just what God possesses; it is who God is. God has mercy on all in a general way by providing food to eat and air to breathe.  But God provides special mercy...

We see from the story of the revival of Ninevah that several things are present when revival takes place: The Word of God is preached. People believe God's Word and believe in God who gave His Word. Action accompanies that belief - particularly the act of repentance. Prayer  

Could a great fish possibly swallow a human?  Is the story real? The opening of the message seeks briefly to explain the answer to both questions is: "Yes!" This message then turns to focus on the characteristics of Jonah's prayer: 1. Honest 2. Repentant 3. Thankful

This introductory message considers why Jonah ran.  Was the call too difficult?  Was it too dangerous?  Or was there another reason? Then the message looks at how the sovereign will of God played out in Jonah's life. "God will do whatever God needs to do to fulfill His sovereign will in our lives!"

This message is a review or summation of some of the key points of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church's 45th General Assembly.   We seek to build on a firm foundation of Jesus Christ, the cornerstone.   And as we build on that foundation we focus on Faith, Family, and Future.

This message is a paraphrasing of what our Youth learned at their mission camp with Mfuge in Ridgecrest, NC.   It is about walking in the light of Jesus and owning our Faith.   It is a reminder that Jesus is the Source of Faith. We are called to help Spark Faith in others. We must Fuel our Faith. And we are called to Shine the light of Faith.

Psalm 147 is all about God.  In the opening eleven verses "Lord" or "God" is used eight times.  And the pronouns "He, His, and Him" are used fourteen times to refer to God. The opening eleven verses give us at least three reasons we should praise God: God cares for His people God cares for the least significant. God cares for all of creation.

God is all Loving.   God's Love is: Sacrificial Jealous Unconditional Chastening God-Initiated Steadfast and Everlasting

God is all-merciful and God has demonstrated His great mercy in Jesus. Our response to God's mercy is to: remember it; delight in it; demonstrate it; and declare it!

God is all-knowing and all-wise. God's knowledge is exhaustive and perfect; whereas, our knowledge is partial and imperfect. God is also all-wise. We see God's wisdom in creation, God's plan of redemption, in the Church, and most of all in Jesus. God's knowledge and wisdom is a call to humility. It's a call to Scripture and to prayer.  It's a call to seek the mind and will of God.

God is All-Sufficient. We can not add anything to God.  God does not need anything or ultimately anyone beyond himself. But the good news is that though God does not need us; God wants us; God chose us. God chose to create us; God chose to redeem us; God chose us for service. And because God is all-sufficient we can depend upon God!

Two "secret disciples" buried Jesus along with two women. Really no such think as a secret disciple.  We must stand with Jesus. Four people at his burial, but oh what a difference the empty tomb made. Transformed the disciples and the early church and it transforms us.

Jesus was mocked and forsaken upon the cross to take away our shame and guilt. He was forsaken so that we might be accepted!  Forsaken so that we might not ever be forsaken by God!

Look and remember the humiliation Jesus endured.  Remember he endured it for our salvation; he endured it because he loves us. Look and see yourself in this scene. Repent, obey, and worship the King of kings and Lord of lords.