by designdesign | Dec 1, 2019
A message from the series “He Shall Be Called.” In the year 730 B.C., King Ahaz is in distress upon learning that Assyria plans to conquer Jerusalem. The prophet Isaiah addresses the king, speaking in Isaiah 9:6 of one who will come to help. His first royal title is “Wonderful Counselor.” The title implies that he will be a king like Solomon with both the wisdom and power to guide and lead all in His kingdom. Jesus Christ perfectly lives up to this royal title in two respects. First, He brought words of WISDOM and truth that consistently “astonished” his hearers. Second, Christ’s EXPERIENCE on earth validates his counsel to mankind. Jesus experienced the same challenges and emotions that we do. God sent Jesus, the Messiah, to meet us in our felt needs and to provide for our ultimate need — a Savior. Where do we seek our help: the Wonderful Counselor or a counterfeit?
by designdesign | Nov 24, 2019
A message from the series “Romans Part 1: The Problem.” In Romans 3:1-8 the apostle Paul responds to objections about religion, morality, God’s justice, righteousness and faithfulness. In verses 9-20, Paul explains that all people are under sin’s power and held accountable to God. Specifically, he concludes that sin makes us equals. That is, both Jews and Gentiles (non Jews) are equally lost. Our failure to perfectly love God and perfectly love people convicts us of our inability to live out God’s key commandments. Paul also concludes that our sin problem brings us to silence. The good news is that the power of the gospel transforms the heart. The gospel speaks to inclusion and equality, not marginalization. All are equal at the foot of the cross. When we realize that we aren’t seeking God, but He is seeking us, it changes everything!
by designdesign | Nov 17, 2019
A message from the series “Romans Part 1: The Problem.” This sermon is based on Roman 3:1-8. Prior to this passage, the apostle Paul has addressed Jewish Christians who insisted that Gentile Christians needed to follow Old Testament practices. Paul asks and answers the questions that he knows the Jewish believers have in mind regarding the purpose of the law, sin and judgment. Ultimately the Old Testament law reveals mankind’s sin and God’s holiness. In this scripture passage, Paul affirms three truths.
First, God’s words are a gift. Second, God is reliable. Third, rationalizing sin is a trap.
by designdesign | Nov 10, 2019
A message from the series “Church Matters.” Based on the scripture passage Psalm 52:8-9, Pastor Nate reflects on the history and future of Brandywine Valley Baptist Church. This message looks at God’s past faithfulness to our congregation, our present flourishing and our hope for the future. Church leaders present updates for various ministries, and the congregation learns the results of the matching gift campaign to raise funds to pay down the building fund debt.
by designdesign | Nov 3, 2019
A message from the series “Romans Part 1: The Problem.” In Romans 2:12-29, the apostle Paul illustrates that all of humanity – those without the “law” and those with the “law” – are judged by God. The “law” is God’s divine standard of righteousness, first revealed to the Jewish people and found in the Old Testament scriptures. People who reject God’s law, choosing instead to determine for themselves standards of right and wrong, practice relativism. Those who claim to be righteous because of their security in God’s law practice a form of moralism. Ultimately, both systems of ethics will fail us on judgment day because we cannot live up to our own standards, let alone God’s law. Humanity’s only hope is found in the person of Jesus Christ.
