Sermons About Arp
What's the Reason for Free Will?
Who is really free? If you are free to choose something you want, are you capable of achieving it? Simply wanting something is not the same as having the freedom to achieve it. In this sense, everyone is limited by some boundary. Most of us are bound by our natures and what it wants naturally. Would it ever naturally want to choose to do what God commands? This message explores the notion of Free Will and the arenas in which it is discussed. It concludes with the theological point that Christians have a restored nature that may not freely choose everything they ought; but is more free than ever as they anticipate the freedom of eternity with God.
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Who Really Rules (Trial # 2)
Why doesn't John talk about the kingdom? Did John conclude that Christ's Kingdom would become something completely different for the land of Israel? Was The Kingdom going to be ruled from a different location than Israel? Israel is still important to the New Testament story -- especially because she is an archaeological trove!! Prominent in this message is the evidence of Pontius Pilate and the John Ryland's Fragment, P52.
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You Know Abraham?
Jesus dialogues with a group of religious leaders who, by their questions, just don't understand who Jesus is and what he plans to do!
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O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Much of John 7 is a difficult conversation with Jesus extended family, disciples, and religious leaders. They wanted Jesus to "Show himself to the world," but was the world prepared to see the incarnation (God in the flesh)? This section of scripture asks us to struggle along!
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Walk On or Walk Away (The Savior meets grumblers of God's grace)
Jesus not only says that he is the Bread of Life, but he also says that he is the Son of Man -- both have eternal significance! "Eternal significance" is also the description of God's grace! Grace begins there and ends there -- why do people grumble about this?
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Fed and Filled (Jesus meets the crowds)
Is the lesson of the feeding of the 5000 that Jesus can really do a lot with a little? Or is it a message to what kind of followers he would have? Jesus will show us over what kind of kingdom he will preside! Over followers who, when tested, will lift up their eyes and see God at work. Over followers who will even suggest embarrassing options if they know it can serve others. Over followers convinced that Jesus will have enough for them even after serving crowds. Over followers convinced that if they don’t have Jesus, they won’t survive!
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Let's Get Wholly! (Jesus meets the religious leaders)
The religious leaders will meet the Savior in John 5 and learn that he brings healing (wholeness). Jesus demonstrates how God Himself worked. The problem is: Jesus shows us how God works on a day devoted to "rest." Are we OK with Jesus breaking the Law in order to heal? Then again, wasn't this the very reason for the Sabbath -- for God's people to become whole?! (Apologies for the poor recording this week!)
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Vintage Wedding (What Jesus' mission would accomplish)
Jesus' first sign is at a wedding. Why? Because there was some mismanagement of the celebration, or of something else? How does this seemingly innocuous miracle become the best description for what Jesus will do for Israel and the Church?
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From the Fire (The restoration of Peter)
John concludes his Gospel with another post-resurrection appearance. This time, it is specifically for Peter. For John, it is important for Peter to be reconciled to Jesus. Peter's name has something to do with "unshakeable faith," but could Peter continue as a church leader, announcing freedom from sin and death through Christ, if he had no intimate knowledge of what that was? Jesus brings Peter back to some past experiences to point him to a future mission.
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