The Mountain Church

Join us as we continue in our Summer in Psalms series as we consider Psalm 13. Psalm 13 is a Psalm of lament. Lament psalms make up one third of the 150 Psalms. Lament is a prayer in pain that leads to trust. We walk through David's very honest emotions and feelings as he shares them with the Lord. We see it is ok to bring our complaints to God, to ask God directly what we want, and to eventually...

This sermon on Psalm 24 explores the glorious reality of the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. We see that Christ is the worthy One who may ascend the hill of the Lord, and that He alone is worthy to stand in the Lord's holy place - because He is the one with clean hands and a pure heart. As a result of His righteousness and holy obedience to the Father, He is granted the blessing of entering...

Join us as we take a closer look at a very familiar Psalm. Psalm 23 is known by most people, believers and non-believers alike. The difference comes in knowing the Psalm vs knowing the Shepherd. We will look at the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep, and how dependent the sheep are on their shepherd. We will also see how Jesus is the shepherd to those who have put their faith in Him. In...

Today we look at what true blessedness looks like by studying Psalm 1. The blessed man or woman does not align themselves with the values of this world, but instead meditates on and delights in God's instruction found in Scripture. They soak up the Word of the Lord and yield good fruit, and that makes them spiritually healthy and whole, fully known and loved by God. We see that the only one who fu...

This morning we start our Summer in Psalms series with an introduction to the Psalms followed by a study in Psalms 150. Psalm 150 is a psalm of praise. We will answer the questions where, why, how and who should worship the Lord. Let us lift our voices in praise to the one who is worthy of all praise.

This morning we conclude our study through the letter of Paul to Titus as we consider Titus 3:12-15. We see in our text that the Apostle Paul gives final instructions to Titus. These closing remarks include instructions to meet him in Nicopolis, to help Zenas and Apollos on their journey, a note about greetings, and finally a benediction. In the middle of these instructions is an echo of the main...

This morning we continue in our study through the letter of Paul to Titus as we consider Titus 3:1-11. After giving instructions to Titus about godly living in the home in chapter two, now in chapter three the Apostle Paul gives instructions to the church in how they relate to the world. The text could be organized into three main sections. First, there’s instructions on Christian living among out...

This morning we continue in our study through the letter of Paul to Titus as we consider Titus 2:1-15. In the text we see that the grace of God trains us to live in a way that makes the beauty of the gospel visible to the world. First, we see what does this way of life, the teaching that accords with sound doctrine, look like? (vv. 1-10). Secondly, we see why we should live this way (vv. 11-14). F...

This morning we continue our study of the letter of Paul to Titus as we consider Titus 1:5-16. Since knowledge of the truth leads to godliness, those who profess and teach this truth must demonstrate it through their lives. The leaders of the church must embody the truth otherwise their very lives undercut, distort, and unsettle the faith of others. Leaders can either adorn, demonstrate, or displa...

This morning we begin a new study through the letter of Paul to Titus as we consider Titus 1:1-4. In typical fashion Paul opens with who the letter is from, who the letter is for, and a blessing. In Titus we have one of the longer and more complex salutations in all of the Pauline letters. In this opening greeting, we find a kind of overture that introduces the key themes of the letter. Paul write...

This morning we conclude our study through the book of Hosea as we consider Hosea 14:1-9. Our text this morning could be grouped into four sections or structured in four parts. First there’s the call to return (vv. 1-2a). Second, there’s a confession given to the people, the words they should say to God (vv. 2b-3). Third, there’s the promise of restoration (vv. 4-8). Four and finally, there’s the...

This morning we continue our study through the book of Hosea as we consider Hosea 13:1-16. In the text we will look at one final warning and judgement that is to come if Ephraim or Israel does not repent and return to the Lord their God. We see God’s patience and loving kindness as He reminds them of their history. We will also see God’s righteous wrath and justice forewarned for those who do not...

This morning we continue in our study through the book of Hosea as we consider Hosea 12:2-14. In the text we see that the nation of Israel has been deceitful like Jacob. They love to oppress to get what they want. They’ve gotten rich through dishonest means, but they believe in all their labors, they will find in them no wrongdoing, which would be sin. In response to God’s kindness, provision, and...

This morning we continue in our study through Hosea as we consider Hosea 11-12:1. The passage shows the depth of God’s grace and His tender compassion that doesn’t give up on those bent against him. In the end, the last word is not destruction, but restoration. God roars like a Lion not to destroy those bent against him, but to gather them back to their home. Our text could be grouped into the fol...

This morning we continue in our study through the book of Hosea as we consider Hosea 10:1-15. The prophet writes, "Their heart is false; now they must bear their guilt" (Hosea 10:2a). Israel is compared to a luxuriant vine and a well-trained calf. The more Israel grew, the more his fruit increased, the more idolatry and wickedness they committed. While Israel was given freedom, they abused God's k...

This morning we continue in our study through the book of Hosea as we consider Hosea 9:1-17. In the text Hosea describes how the Lord will punish Israel. The people have forsaken their God therefore they will be exiled to Assyria. Israel has deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah. Their glory shall fly away like a bird. Hosea concludes, "My God will reject them because they have not...

This morning we continue in our study through the book of Hosea as we consider Hosea 8:1-14. In the text we see that while the Israelites claim to know God, in reality their actions prove otherwise. They say, “My God, we Israel, know you,” but they have transgressed the covenant, rebelled against God’s law, and spurned the good. Since the Israelites have pursued evil they have become as a useless...

This morning we continue in our study through the book of Hosea as we consider Hosea 7:1-16. In the text we see how the people have rebelled against God. There are four similes that describe what the people of God are like. They are like an unchecked oven, a half-baked cake, a silly dove, and a crooked bow. They have been unfaithful, foolish, and rebellious. While they were to have hearts aflame f...

This morning we continue in our study through the book of Hosea as we consider Hosea 6:1-11. God tells his people, "Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away" (Hosea 6:4b). He later says, "For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings" (Hosea 6:6). God desires steadfast love and the knowledge of God, but the people don’t...

This morning we continue in our study through the book of Hosea as we consider Hosea 5:1-15. In the text we see that God withdraws from his people who are proud and unfaithful so that in their distress they would acknowledge their guilt and earnestly seek Him. God calls the people to pay attention and describes what the people have done that is bringing about the promised judgement. Next, God desc...

This morning we continue in our study through the book of Hosea as we consider Hosea 4:1-19. In the text the Lord accuses Israel of having no knowledge of God. Hosea writes, "There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land" (Hosea 4:1b). Later he says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). This lack of knowledge reveals itself in the people sw...

This morning we continue in our study through the book of Hosea as we consider Hosea 3:1-5. We see in Hosea 3, what the love of God is like. We’re confronted with a love that seems unreasonable, emotionally risky, and intellectually scandalous. We learn about the love of God that's reflected in Hosea. Through Hosea, we see a love that pursues the unlovely, pays the costly price of redemption, and...

We continue in our study through the book of Hosea this morning as we consider Hosea 2:14-23. According to His great mercy God woos and speaks tenderly to restore his people. The place where God brought cursing is reversed to a place of hope. According to His great mercy, God redeems His people. He pays the bride price in everything we lack. Righteousness and justice, steadfast love and mercy. Acc...

This morning we continue our study through the book of Hosea as we consider Hosea 2:1–13. In this passage, we see God pleading with His people as a husband confronts a wayward wife. God calls His people to return to Him and warns of discipline if they refuse. His purpose in this discipline is not destruction but redemption—so that Israel would come to say, “I will go and return to my first husband...

This morning we begin a new study through the book of Hosea. In our text today we consider Hosea 1:1-11 as both an introduction and a summary for the rest of the book. We see in the first chapter of Hosea that the people of God will be punished for their spiritual adultery. God pronounced judgement on His people because of their unfaithfulness, yet He promised a future restoration. God reveals the...