Gracehill Church (PCA)

Matthew 6:1-4 - Sound No Trumpet

Series: Sermon on the Mount 
Preacher: Ben Seneker

Matthew 5:43-48 - To Love Our Enemies

Matthew 5:38-42 - What Right Do We Have?

Matthew 5:33-37 - Our Unadorned Word

This is a curious passage, but at its core, Jesus is teaching on the need for simple, yet radical, truthfulness in our dealings with others, instead of showy, artificial oaths.  Once again, he focuses in on the integrity of the heart.  Thankfully, though our words fail, his never does.  God's promises are 'yes' in Jesus.

Matthew 5:31-32 - On Marriage and Divorce

This passage, like last week's, speaks of the marriage covenant.  Jesus has a high view of marriage, in the sense that it pictures Christ and his Bride, the church.  Though redeemed, sin remains in the people, and divorce is permissible due to sexual immorality.  Marriage is a covenant, not simply a contract.  And we give thanks that Jesus' marriage to his Bride is eternal.

Matthew 5:27-30 - Pure Heart, Pure Eyes

The supremacy of the heart over mere outward behavior; Jesus - in a forceful and hyperbolic way - speaks of the aggressive posture we must take against sin.  Sex and beauty are good things, but have been distorted and abused by sin.  The gospel restores, and also grants the power to fight against these sinful tendencies within us all.

Isaiah 51:9-16 - God's Help In Fear and Confusion

John 1:14-18 - A Tent of Glory

This week and next, we will be looking at vv14-18.  This week, we will pay particular attention to v14, focusing in on these themes:  the Incarnation (the Word became flesh), emanating the glory of the Father in his Son, who is full (lacking nothing) of grace and truth.  Glory = light/shining (think of the transfiguration and Moses meeting with YHWH in Exodus)

John 1:9-13 - The Power To Become A Child

In this passage, we see a focus on the sovereignty of God in our salvation; adoption/new birth and receiving the "right" to become children of God; a new status in the sight of God.  There is also seen here the rejection of the Light by those in the dark.

John 1:1-8 - Shining In The Darkness

This is all about bearing witness (pointing) to the Light himself; John’s role was not of his own making, but was divinely ordained.  This shows God’s initiative in salvation, orchestrating events and sending his messengers to prepare the way for his Son; another central theme is that it does not ‘point to themselves’ but in our words and actions, we’re constantly ‘pointing to Another’, that is, Christ.