Brea Center Baptist Church Sermons
Web Site: Brea Center Baptist Church
Total Sermons: 69
Total Amens: 32
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Philippians 1:3-6 - Joyous Thanksgiving
In American Society we are tempted to domesticate the Gospel through secularization, self-indulgence, and pluralism. We don't want to abandon Christianity but we marginalize and privatize it. We are more concerned about being comfortable and secure than with the truth of the Gospel. Paul's thanksgiving was joyful in the fact that the Philippians did not marginalize the Gospel of Christ but in fact participated in it. Gospel Fellowship always exceeds all earthly fellowship because it is rooted in God in an eternal quest. We see Paul’s thanksgiving grounded in 3 things: 1) A Thankful Remembrance, 2) A Thankful Fellowship, and 3) A Thankful Confidence or Assurance. It is not your grip on God that has made the difference or will make the difference in your life, but God's grip on you. In these 3 verses you learn not to be confident in your goodness, character, history, perseverance, but in God. Paul's joy and thanksgiving comes not because he attended a hotdog fellowship with the Philippians but because they suffered for something Greater - the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is God's work in us that is a cause for great thanksgiving. Is God Working in you so that you? If he is you will be participating in the Gospel.
0 Amens
Philippians 1:1-2 - A Captive Joy
We normally think that Philippians is all about joy, and that is of course a major theme when it flashes forth 16 times. But it is sparked by the deeper themes of Paul’s letter. Philippians calls us to a particular kind of joy - a joy that was experience by Paul in Roman captivity facing a capital charge while his leadership was being contested. In this sermon we will look at acts 16 and see the journey Paul took to get to Philippi with his companions (Luke, Timothy, and Silas) including the Macedonia call by the Spirit of God. Secondly we will look at Paul's reception by 3 different people in Acts 16 when he arrives at Philippi. Finally, we will look at the occasion for this letter late in Paul's imprisonment at Rom (probably after 62 AD). My desire and prayer is that you will see the servant heart of Paul in fellowship with the Philippians Christians was based on making Christ the center of the letter and the motivation of His joy.
1 Amens
2 Samuel 24 - Senseless Census
As we come to the final chapter in 2 Samuel we find some of our old nemeses of human strength and human success making us trust in ourselves. The author arranged these chapters so that right after the account of David's mighty men - Israel's strength, we find that David sinfully (even thought God incited him) counting Israel and Judah so that he might trust in the strength of his numbers. We must all remember that according to Hebrew thinking that whatever God permits is part of His plan. By allowing this census, God is viewed as having brought about the act. Let us, like David, not harden our hearts against the Spirit's convicting work. When we seek God's forgiveness from sin, we must not always expect the elimination of the consequences of that sin, nor should we think that forgiveness is without an atonement. David learns that even thought God's wrath is staid, it is not yet satisfied because David must build an alter a make sacrifice to the LORD for his people. It is only then that the famine ceases. You will find that it is only through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross that the mercy of God is available so that his wrath against you is staid and satisfied. Don't be a stranger to the covenants and promises of God by trusting your own strength ... Flee to Christ and trust Him today.
0 Amens
2 Samuel 23:8-39 - Hail to the Cheifs
This passage is all about David's mighty men who with valor and loyalty supported David and his kingdom. We must understand that living in God's Kingdom is a community exercise. The church (the body of Christ) is an essential means of grace that God uses to sactify our hearts to keep on following the Lord. We all can learn the following principles from these men about how to keep our hearts from going astray from our Lord: 1) Give Credit to God for Victory, 2) Worship God in Difficulties, 3) Trust in God's provision, 4) Let sinful memories humble you. It is so easy for our hearts to drift away from Holiness and following the Lord Jesus. Make it your aim to guard your heart by noting the principle examples of these men who were loyal to David as you seek to live out your liife within the body of Christ for the honor of God.
0 Amens
2 Samuel 23:1-7 - Last Words Looking Forward
Last words are funny things. Not everyone gets a chance to give them, but David's last words (whether they are what he spoke or his last will and testament, I do not know) are recorded in Chapter 23 for us. The unique thing that differs from other last words in the Old Testament is that David was trying to anticipate the future. It is not a blessing about a person but a prophecy about a kingdom. Chapter 22 looks back upon how Yahweh established the kingdom and chapter 23 looks forward to how Yahweh will consummate the kingdom. David's last words help all of us over come a confidence problem we have with the future and especially Biblical prophecy. Verses 1-7 center around a just ruler that perfectly fears the Lord, which is none other than Jesus Christ Himself, as the Writer gives you 3 characteristics of His final kingdom: Certainty, Attractiveness, and Exclusiveness. As you listen to the sermon I pray that you will start or recommit yourself to see Christ as the center of your confidence in Scripture. May you see Christ as the preeminent figure in your understanding of the future kingdom of God.
1 Amens
2 Samuel 21:15-22 - Courage for Insurmountable Enemies
In the last half 2 Samuel 21 we find david gaining victory over 4 giant enemies. There is debate on whether the word "giant" is to be taken in its regualr sense as a big person, or as a god, but the evidence of the context would favor the first viewpoint. Another issue here is the identification of Goliath. Some see a corruption of the original text, but it is better to see this as a copies error which 1 Chronicles 20:5 correst and itentifies the giant as the "brother of Goliath." During battles David has grown weary and is not as stong physically as he use to be. His loyal leaders come to his aid and fight for him defeating all 4 giants. What we learn is that no what the physical ability of a man, he better not trash talk God people, because he will be silenced. We see the benefits of realistic humility, steadfast perseverance, proper praise, and developed character. The purpose of the passage is to elicit in you courage against insurmountable enemies as you live a persistent godly life that sustains you in the direction of God and his will.
0 Amens
2 Samuel 21:1-14 - The Cost of Covenant Breaking
Chapter 21 starts a new section (21-24) in closing the book of 2 Samuel. Some thing think that this secion is an intrusion to our the them of transition (David to Soloman). But I believe that the author is making a conclding point on how God's kingdom is to be goverend. In our passage in 2 Samuel 21, David's kingdom is experiencing a famine which causes David to pray to find out its cause. God says it is because the bloodguilt on Saul because he put the Gibeonites (who had made a Covenant with Israel in the name of the Lord (see Joshuah 9)) to death. David Doesn't pray for a solution but seeks atonement with the Gibeonites who want 7 men to pay with their lives. The difference between David and Saul is show by David loyality to the covenant he made with Jonathan to protect Mephibosheth (Jonathan's son). it ends with showing Rispah love for her son in protecting the bodyas and David giving Saul, Jonathan and the other that were hanged to bury them. We learn how misplaced zeal can cause us not to rely on our covenant with God and his mercy.
1 Amens
2 Samuel 20 - No Suprises
King David had crossed over the Jordan with the help of the people from Judah. This created anger in the men of Israel because they felt belittled or believed that they are being igorned in David's kingdom. Sheba, an Israelite, led a new revolt against the Davidic kingdom by leading the Israelites into a civil war. the narraitve has david, firing Joab and appointing Amasa to be Military general, until he is unable to round up the men. David then appoints Abishai to lead a group of men into battle - one of them being Joab. Joab take charge and kills Amasa when they meet and chases Sheba all the way north to Abel of Beth-maacah. One the wisdom of a women from Abel save this town by throwing Sheba's head over the wall. We can all learn from this narative that only God can hold a kingdom together and that those who oppose Israel's king (or Messiah) will lead miserable lives now and die horrable deaths.
1 Amens
2 Samuel 19:9-43 - Welcome Home
As King David begins his return to Jerusalem after the defeat and death of Absalom, he encounters four men. each of these he had met previously under different circumstances. This passage reveals much about those who will one day encounter Jesus as He returns to usher in the New Kingdom. In the text David meets a man who is presumptuous, one who is fearful, one who is humble, and finally one who is joyful. The question for us is how will we greet Jesus if He were to return today.
0 Amens