Dear Church | Ordered Worship Revisited | 1 Corinthians 14:1-25 by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

The concept of baptism precedes the New Testament church. If we told someone from the promised land generation of Israelites about our baptism here today, they would, no doubt, liken it to the events at Gilgal upon crossing the Jordan river into the promised land of Canaan. Likewise, we can greater appreciate their experience in light of our servic…

Dear Church | The Greatest Gift | 1 Corinthians 13 by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

Today's sermon title is derived from several verses in Proverbs chapter 4 which reveal the connection between the wellbeing of the student of wisdom and what the wise father endeavors to teach him. (4) “Keep my commandments and live”. (10) “...Accept my words that the years of your life may be many”. (13) Instruction is to be guarded, Solomon says …

The final three songs of this division in the Psalter introduced by Psalm 132 all include references to the apex of the songs of the ascent. The destination and desire of every faithful pilgrim is poetically proclaimed in these songs. “May the Lord grant us entry to the place of his dwelling and the fullness of covenant promises fulfilled”, the aut…

Dear Church | Spiritual Gifts pt. 2 | 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

Dear Church | Spiritual Gifts | 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

The next pressing issue Paul addresses after concluding his exhortation on therelationship between the congregation and their leaders and influences is one of blatant immorality exceedingthe sexual misconduct of the unbelievers. There were reports of incest tolerated among members of theCorinthian church. Recent lectures from our church family camp…

Dear Church | Ordered Worship pt. 2 | 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

Dear Church | Ordered Worship pt. 1 | 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

Depending how you mark them, we have in our text today, the 5th extended “My son” oracle of Proverbs. The parallels between the book of Proverbs and the 10 commandments (Ex 20:1-17) abound and this passage is no exception. Like the Law of Moses, Solomon's instructions here contain 8 prohibition statements. The corrigible son is exhorted in the 5th …

Dear Church | The Litmus Test | 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1 by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

As an ascent of David, Ps 131 is remarkably and appropriately brief. The length serves as a poetic device to emphasize the psalmist's main idea. If David were to go on and on expressing lengthy lamentations or desperate appeals, the form would contradict the theme. As it stands in its beautiful simplicity, the tone of Ps 131 breathes a sigh of peac…

The occasion of Paul's opening remarks in I Cor chapters 1-4 came by way of distorted views of the nature of the church and her leadership. Many in Corinth had a corrupted view of the identity of church influencers and the relationship between these men and the church generally speaking. In writing to correct these errors, Paul is provided opportun…

Dear Church | Dining with Demons | 1 Corinthians 10:14-22 by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

Once again calling the attention of the student of wisdom in verse 11 with the adjuration "my son·: Solomon continues with an exposition of the virtues of wisdom in verses 11-20 of chapter 3. We find here, in the light of her great benefits, that wisdom is rejected at an infinite cost of our souls. On the other hand ... Would you have great stores …

Dear Church | Spiritual Israel | 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

The Third “My Son” oracle of Proverbs opens in chapter 3. Verses (1-10) comprise a set of 5 of condition/benefit couplets…followed by an exposition of the virtues of wisdom (11-26)…closing with a list of prohibitions and warnings (27-35). Conditions, virtues, & warnings are key categories of Proverbs chapter 3. The genre of wisdom literature classi…

Dear Church | Divine Power of Laying Down Rights | 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

Stand Alone | Christian Disposition | Psalm 46 by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

We are quite familiar with the term 'existential threat' these days. This term is appropriate with respect to our guilt before a holy God. The existential hope published & heralded in Ps 130 is indeed our only prayer and this hope is unto eternity. In terms of this song, ‘forever’ is not hyperbole. The weight of anguish the author associates with h…

Dear Church | Rights & Responsibilities | 1 Corinthians 9:1-18 by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

The "temple vantage point" of Paul's instruction to the church in Corinth in chapter 3extends to his applications in chapter four. In our text today, Paul writes to correct the view of the Corinthianstoward apostolic ministry and authority. Once again, he addresses a primary theme and purpose in writingthat has surfaced several times early in his l…

Dear Church | Remembrance & Impartation | Joshua 4:1-9 by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

In our passage today, 11 mentions of path, way, or walk, highlight the through linemetaphor of Solomon's 2nd "my son" oracle. The concern of wisdom applied has much to do with our way oflife. The scriptures and wisdom demand an entirely new direction for the godly son. The pathway of ourhopes, ambitions, decisions, destinations, covenants, vocation…

Dear Church | Loving Your Neighbor | 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

Our working definition for Biblical Wisdom is: "The communicable attribute of God equipping His people with skills for the art of Godly living". Proverbs Chapter 2 contains the second “My Son” oracle in the book of wisdom literature. Here Solomon makes great use of the 'father to son' literary device in disclosing the virtues of legitimate wisdom. …

Dear Church | Singleness | 1 Cor. 7:25-40 by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

Proverbs 1:20 introduces wisdom as a woman whose voice offers an appeal & invitation to live according to the ways of God. This passage is the first of four ‘Lady Wisdom’ oracles in Proverbs. In the first oracle (our text today) we are issued a warning given the high stakes she commands. Oracle two (3:14-18) expounds the great wealth of blessing fo…

Dear Church | Contentment | 1 Cor. 7:17-24 by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

Psalm 129 addresses 2 groups of people: Israel and those who hate Zion. What ofthose who stand in the way of ascent? What should the nation do If Israel's enemies assail the peace andlivelihood of the land thereby disrupting temple worship? Ps 129 acknowledges the weakness and hardshipthe nation has endured and lifts a rallying cry of worship inspi…

Writing to a church in peril, Paul expounds the implications of the indwelling Spirit for believers. If you are God's temple, what does that mean with reference to your relationship with the Lord? Furthermore, as the temple of God, how is your relationship to the fellowship and forces of this world affected? The tangled web of sinful motivations th…

Dear Church | Principles for Marriage | 1 Corinthians 7:1-16 by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

Dear Church | Sexual Immorality | 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

In chapter 5, Paul transitions in the book of Romans from a calling of repentance and delivering the Gospel, to encouragements, and a deeper understanding of justification. We see the fruits of justification, and the blessings we can expect if indeed we have been born again.Af Gene Engisch

Dear Church | Settling Disputes by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

The first “my son” oracle in Proverbs serves as a warning against the self destructive and deceptive nature of sin. Solomon takes as his example of wickedness, the plundering of innocent people. This scenario serves additionally to illustrate the anti-virtue character at the root of all transgression. Protection & care for the vulnerable innocent i…

Dear Church | Church Discipline II by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

The poetic context of Psalm 128 parallels passages from the prophets. Two examplesmight be Micah 4 and Zechariah 8. Our song today is a personalized confession and invocation of theredemption and hope found in Old Testament prophecies. Shining forth in the midst of judgment oracles andwarnings in prophetic literature, is the language of restoration…

Dear Church | Church Discipline by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

Similar to a medical diagnosis of a hospitalized patient, Paul's synopsis of the church at Corinth includes a description of their condition as well as an explanation of how a healthy body is designed to operate. He uses three analogies in our text today to illustrate his point. First he describes the members of the church at Corinth in general ter…

If Biblical wisdom can be defined as the communicable attribute of God equipping his people with skills for the art of godly living, then the book of Proverbs reveals this aspect of God’s nature according to a 4-part structure. Chapters 1-7 open the book with extended admonitions and teachings to the classic student of wisdom. These addresses often…

Dear Church | Fatherly Instruction by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

Dear Church | Humility by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

Dear Church | Identity of Ministers by Providence Community ChurchAf Providence Community Church

I Kings 3:9-12 documents Solomon’s famous request from God for wisdom to rule the kingdom of Israel after the death of his father David. Recognizing the weight of his calling: “your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or accounted for multitude.” ...and recognizing his own inadequacy:…

Solomon proclaims in Psalm 127 that ascending in any area of life is conditional upon “vigilant providence” (Elicotts commentary). That is the providence of God, not as a set of impersonal systems, but the proactive favor of the Lord. Consider this song in light of the calling of its author, Solomon, a man appointed to build the house of the Lord a…

Our recent resurrection themed sermon began with Ezekiel's vision of dry bones. Here in chapter 37:9-10, it was the breath of God picturing the power and means of His Holy Spirit that infused life into the human remains. The prophecy provides a fitting image to illustrate the difference the Spirit makes in every aspect of the believer's life. In II…