Sermons by Brad Mills (Page 29)
No Ordinary People (Titus 3:9-15)
Introduction It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare… It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe…
Justified by Grace (Titus 3:1-8)
Introduction WCF 9.3 Man, by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation… Accepting this “bondage of the will” is prerequisite for understanding Effectual Calling (WCF 10) and Justification (WCF 11). The Cretans had a reputation for being morally corrupt (1:11). Paul has instructed Titus to establish elders to teach sound doctrine that accords with sound living. In the previous passage we learned that Jesus Christ, not Caesar,…
The Forgiveness of Jesus (Luke 5:17-26)
Introduction Jesus experienced acceptance and rejection. He has performed miracles, called disciples, and brought physical healing to many. HC Q.2 Q: How many things are necessary for thee to know, that thou, enjoying this comfort, mayest live and die happy? A: Three; the first, how great my sins and miseries are; the second, how I may be delivered from all my sins and miseries; the third, how I shall express my gratitude to God for such deliverance. Read Luke 5:17-26…
Adorn the Doctrine of God (Titus 2:9-10)
Introduction Goldingay A slave has no rights and slave owners may assume they are free to do with the slave as they wish and to require of the slave whatever they wish. We have this definition in the back of our minds clouding our interpretation of passages like this. That’s typically unhelpful, because in addition to there being contextual differences, it makes the focus too narrow. Although the institution of slavery is no longer applicable, much of the instruction here…
Trained by Grace (Titus 2:11-15)
Introduction The first episode of Planet Earth 2 contains an intense chase scene. Baby iguanas hatch on a beach to everyone’s delight. They slowly open their eyes for the first time and find themselves surrounded by rocks and empty beach…except for the gigantic snakes! These iguanas literally begin their lives on the run. Only the fast and brave survive. Our lives can often feel like that little naïve hatchling. We have no idea what lurks inside the rocks, just beyond…
The Will of Jesus (Luke 5:12-16)
Introduction “No shirt, no shoes, no service” signs came about in the 60s as a combination of southern Jim Crow laws (legal segregation) and an attempt to ban hippies. In order to receive service one had to clean up! Old Testament ritual laws worked in a similar fashion. In order to worship, one needed to be clean. Jesus experienced ups and downs, acceptance and rejection. Last week, his miraculous provision of fish > the calling of disciples. Here we see…
Sound Living (Titus 2:1-10)
Introduction About ten years ago the White Horse Inn interviewed pastors at a conference. The pastors were asked to explain a few basic Christian doctrines: What is the gospel? What is justification? What is sanctification? Their answers were consistently depressing. The typical rebuttal goes something like this: People are tired of hearing divisive doctrine. What they really need is something relevant and instructive about loving others. Rick Warren said it like this: The first Reformation was about doctrine; the second…
The Compassion of Jesus (Luke 4:38-44)
Introduction Jesus began his ministry being accepted and praised by many who heard him teach, but also rejected and run off by people in his hometown of Nazareth. Having returned to Capernaum, he has just finished casting out a demon from a man in the synagogue. Read Luke 4:38-44 Why did Jesus heal anyone? Why didn’t he heal everyone? His healing ministry supported his purpose, namely to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God. We must keep this…
The Call of Jesus (Luke 5:1-11)
Introduction Previously, Jesus revealed his personal, physical, and verbal compassion for the people in Capernaum. He delighted to make them whole, not just healed. And that meant that he was committed to the proclamation of the good news of the kingdom of God (4:43-44). Read Luke 5:1-11 Jesus often utilized the scenery to illustrate his message. That doesn’t mean he always had a prop in his hand, or put on some distracting costume, but he valued relating truth to everyday…
Dealing with False Teachers (Titus 1:10-16)
Introduction Paul is writing to fledgling churches scattered across the island of Crete. He’s left Titus there to appoint elders. And this letter serves to assist him in accomplishing that task. He needs to help the church identify qualified men who will lead the church. But why is this so urgent? Read Titus 1:10-16 False teachers don’t destroy churches, they defile them with their influence until the whole place is rotten. Establishing elders was the most pressing need because there…