Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church

In our last text two delegates came to Zechariah to ask him if they should continue their four fasts surrounding the destruction of the Temple, especially in light of the Second Temple being rebuilt.  Zechariah’s answer was that the fasts were always will-worship feasts that made no improvement in religion.  Christ turns the question back on them to show them that their feasts never honored God.  The question fired back at Israel is ‘are you going to continue to mock true religion like your forefathers and return to exile, or are you going to reform’?

Zechariah 8: 1 – 23 The Future Conversion of the Jews

In our last text the prophet Zechariah began his prophetic ministry with a stern warning.  The exiles were to be careful that they did not follow the sinful example of their fathers. Zechariah warned the exiles that their fathers had been given the Word of God through the prophets Jeremiah, Isaiah and Hosea, yet their fathers refused to listen.  Their disobedience was followed by the Babylonian Captivity and decades of silence from God.  Now, after many years God is going to speak to His people again through the prophets Haggai and Zechariah.  The people must be prepared to hear God’s voice when He speaks through these prophets and obey.

Zechariah 1:7-21 The First Two Dream Visions of Zechariah

Haggai 2:1-10 The Second Prophecy of Haggai

Haggai 1:1-14 The First Prophecy of Haggai (Part 1 of 4)

Acts 5: 17-33 God's Authority Over Man's Courts

Acts 6: 8-15 The Trial of Stephen (Part 1)

Acts 20:16-38 Paul Bids Farewell to the Ephesian Church

Acts 21:31-40 Paul Attacked and Arrested in Jerusalem

Mark 15:29-33 Six Events from the Cross (Part 1)

So far we have covered the six seals which prophesied the terrible persecution the Christian Church would have to endure during the days of the pagan Roman Empire.  The six seals covered the time period between AD 95 and 325. The gospel triumphed over the Roman Empire finally in 325 when God made Constantine the Emperor over all of Rome.  After the seventh seal was opened God began to destroy the Roman Empire for their crimes against Christianity.  This would be done over a course of seven trumpets. The first four trumpets describe the destruction of the Western Roman Empire and the last two trumpets describe the destruction of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Revelation 8: 10 – 13 The Third and Fourth Trumpet

In last week’s text we read of Christ’s evaluation of four of the seven Asian churches.  The Church of Ephesus was warned to root out all antinomians and prove they had a love for the truth.  Smyrna loved the truth and suffered for it, therefore they are encouraged to persevere.  Pergamos was warned against the practice of Balaam and antinomianism which showed they loved new philosophy more than sound doctrine.  Finally, Thyatira was willing to show love for false doctrine and was easily seduced by charismatic teachers. They are warned to separate from the spirit of Jezebel and the teachings of the Nicolaitans.

Revelation 3: 1 – 22 Letters to the Final Three Churches in Asia

Each narrative in the Bible is designed to show us one whole truth, and also many other small truths but in a secondary sense.  Here we have Abraham committing the identical sin he committed when he first arrived in Canaan.  Genesis is not telling us the same story of Abraham’s sin twice just for repetition’s sake.  We the reader are expected to discover a different and deeper meaning from the second offense than we did from the first.

Genesis 20: 1 – 18 Abraham and Abimelech

n last week’s text three visitors came to the land of Abraham. Abraham gave them a great feast. After the 
feast the men were revealed to be the LORD and two angels. They came to do two things; first to bring a message to 
Sarah that she would give birth within the year. Second, they had come to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. The three 
visitors decided to bring Abraham in on their plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah and that is where we start this 
morning.

n last week’s text three visitors came to the land of Abraham.  Abraham gave them a great feast.  After the 
feast the men were revealed to be the LORD and two angels.  They came to do two things; first to bring a message to 
Sarah that she would give birth within the year.  Second, they had come to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.  The three 
visitors decided to bring Abraham in on their plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah and that is where we start this 
morning.

Genesis 18: 22 – 19: 13 The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Part 2 of 3)

In last week’s text we read of the first murder.  Cain had brought an offering to God that was not found to be acceptable by God.  Rather than repent, Cain grew angry, first at God and then at his brother Abel.  Cain was jealous of Abel because his sacrifice was acceptable.  Cain represents the ungodly line of the wicked who not only refuse to submit to God, but hate those who do.

Genesis 4: 13 – 26 The Crime and Punishment of Cain (Part 2)

Last week we learned that God began His Creation week by creating a mass of dust and gas.  He immediately began to organize this mass of particles.  On the first day God created a light that was not the sun or moon.  It was a light that came from God and it separated the light from the darkness. On the second day, God separated the water in the ocean and seas, from the sky. In doing so, God separated the oceans from our sky, our sky from space, and space from the heaven where God is said to reside.

Genesis 1: 9 – 23 The Third, Fourth and Fifth Day of Creation

Throughout the book of John, Jesus has presented many parables, analogies and riddles to help the crowds to understand His mission. He has described Himself by saying I am the bread of life (John 6: 35, 48); I am the light of the world (John 8: 12, 9:5); Before Abraham was, I am (John 8: 58); I am the door (John 10:9); and I am the good shepherd (John 10: 11). Before the end of the gospel he will also say; I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25); I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6); and I am the true vine (John 15:1). 
In our text this morning there are four groups that make up the audience that Jesus is speaking with, the formerly blind beggar, the Pharisees, the disciples and other Jews still trying to decide who Jesus is. In last week’s text Jesus had told the Pharisees that their willful blindness towards seeing Jesus as the Savior makes them false teachers and false leaders. Now Jesus will describe how He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep.

Throughout the book of John, Jesus has presented many parables, analogies and riddles to help the crowds to understand His mission.  He has described Himself by saying I am the bread of life (John 6: 35, 48); I am the light of the world (John 8: 12, 9:5); Before Abraham was, I am (John 8: 58); I am the door (John 10:9); and I am the good shepherd (John 10: 11).  Before the end of the gospel he will also say; I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25); I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6); and I am the true vine (John 15:1).
In our text this morning there are four groups that make up the audience that Jesus is speaking with, the formerly blind beggar, the Pharisees, the disciples and other Jews still trying to decide who Jesus is. In last week’s text Jesus had told the Pharisees that their willful blindness towards seeing Jesus as the Savior makes them false teachers and false leaders. Now Jesus will describe how He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His s

John 10: 1 – 21 “I am the Good Shepherd” Sermon

We now come to the final verses of chapter eight.  Within this chapter Jesus has done many things that have offended the Jews.  He forgave the sins of a woman caught in adultery, rather than having her stoned (vv. 1 – 11).  He called Himself the “Light of the World”, referred to God as His Father, told them that He descended from heaven; proved that He pre-existed; prophesied of His crucifixion; proved that He was superior to Moses and Abraham, then called the Jews ‘liars’ and “children of the devil”. He concluded by saying that anyone who keeps His word would escape eternal spiritual death. When Jesus required the Jews to have faith in Him alone, they were ready to stone Him immediately.

John 8: 52 – 59 The Glorification of the Son by the Father

In last week’s text Jesus encountered a number of Jews that believed that being a physical descendant of Abraham was the same as being a spiritual descendant of Abraham.  Jesus explained that those who imitate the works and beliefs of Abraham are the real spiritual descendants.  Abraham looked forward to the coming of the Messiah, and believed God’s messengers, and so should anyone calling themselves his descendants. Since many Jews would rather have killed the Messiah (God’s messenger) than listen to Him, it demonstrated that they were not really spiritual descendants of Abraham at all.

John 8: 43 – 51 The Elect and Spiritual Hearing

Here we have the third and final speech by Eliphaz. The third cycle does not follow the typical pattern as that of the first two cycles in which each of the three friends give lengthy speeches, and then Job responds. The second half of the book begins with a speech by Eliphaz (22), then a long response from Job (23 – 24). This is followed by a very short speech by Bildad (25), then a very long final speech by Job (26 – 31). There is no third speech by Zophar; instead a mysterious fourth comforter appears named Elihu who makes one very long speech (32 – 37). The book of Job ends with 
God giving correction to all the speakers (38 – 42).

Here we have the third and final speech by Eliphaz. The third cycle does not follow the typical pattern as that of the first two cycles in which each of the three friends give lengthy speeches, and then Job responds. The second half of the book begins with a speech by Eliphaz (22), then a long response from Job (23 – 24). This is followed by a very short speech by Bildad (25), then a very long final speech by Job (26 – 31). There is no third speech by Zophar; instead a mysterious fourth comforter appears named Elihu who makes one very long speech (32 – 37). The book of Job ends with
God giving correction to all the speakers (38 – 42).

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