Sunday’s Sermon: “Ode to the Father”

Ode to the Father
June 16, 2024
Sermon by Pastor Dave Buckley
6.16.24

Scripture Reading: Luke 11:11-13, Proverbs 3:11-12

Now [a]suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a [b]fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your[c]heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

Proverbs 3:11-12

My son, do not reject the [a]discipline of the Lord
Or loathe His reproof,
12 For whom the Lord loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

Sunday’s Sermon: “His Precious Blood”

His Precious Blood
June 2, 2024
Sermon by Dr. Austin Brinkerhoff
6.2.24

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 9:11-15

But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things [a]to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect [b]tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; 12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, [c]having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the [d]cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through [e]the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse [f]your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

Sunday’s Sermon: “A Call to Remember and a Call to Follow”

A Call to Remember and a Call to Follow
May 26, 2024
Dr. Austin Brinkerhoff
5.26.24

Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 2:1-13

You therefore, my [a]son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he [b]does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, [c]for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. 10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. 11 It is a trustworthy statement:

For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
If we [d]deny Him, He also will deny us;
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

Sunday’s Sermon: “Pentecost Power”

Pentecost Power
May 19, 2024
Sermon by Dr. Austin Brinkerhoff
5.19.24

Scripture Reading: Acts 2:1-13

When the day of Pentecost [a]had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire [b]distributing themselves, and [c]they [d]rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other [e]tongues, as the Spirit was giving them [f]utterance.

Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own [g]language. They were amazed and astonished, saying, “[h]Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we each hear them in our own [i]language [j]to which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and [k]Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and [l]visitors from Rome, both Jews and [m]proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.” 12 And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others were mocking and saying, “They are full of [n]sweet wine.”

Sunday’s Sermon: “A Salute to Our Female Saints”

A Salute to Our Female Saints
May 12, 2024
Sermon by Dr. Austin Brinkerhoff
5.12.24

Scripture Reading: Romans 16:1-16

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a [a]servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the [b]saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, [c]and of myself as well.

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from [d]Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and [e]Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also [f]were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10 Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. 12 Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the [g]saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Sunday’s Sermon: “A Little Known, but Extraordinary Female Disciple”

A Little Known, but Extraordinary Female Disciple
May 5, 2024
Sermon by Dr. Austin Brinkerhoff
5.5.24

Scripture Reading: Acts 9:32-43

Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he came down also to the [a]saints who lived at [b]Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years, for he was paralyzed. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed.” Immediately he got up. 35 And all who lived at [c]Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called [d]Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did. 37 And it happened [e]at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” 39 So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the [f]tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. 40 But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the [g]saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.

Sunday’s Sermon: “Our Storm Home”

Our Storm Home
April 28, 2024
Sermon by Dr. Austin Brinkerhoff
4.28.24

Scripture Reading: Acts 27:13-29

13 [a]When a moderate south wind came up, supposing that they had attained their purpose, they weighed anchor and began sailing along Crete, close inshore.

Shipwreck

14 But before very long there rushed down from [b]the land a violent wind, called [c]Euraquilo; 15 and when the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along. 16 Running under the shelter of a small island called Clauda, we were scarcely able to get the ship’s [d]boat under control. 17 After they had hoisted it up, they used [e]supporting cables in undergirding the ship; and fearing that they might run aground on the shallows of Syrtis, they let down the [f]sea anchor and in this way let themselves be driven along. 18 The next day as we were being violently storm-tossed, [g]they began to jettison the cargo; 19 and on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned.

21 [h]When they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, “Men, you ought to have [i]followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and [j]incurred this damage and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’ 25 Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that [k]it will turn out exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on a certain island.”

27 But when the fourteenth night came, as we were being driven about in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors began to surmise that [l]they were approaching some land. 28 They took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and a little farther on they took another sounding and found it to be fifteen fathoms. 29 Fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the [m]rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and [n]wished for daybreak.

Sunday’s Sermon: “Solomon’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Days”

Solomon’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Days
April 21, 2024
Sermon by Dr. Austin Brinkerhoff
4.21.24

Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

I said [a]to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So [b]enjoy yourself.” And behold, it too was futility. I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?” I explored with my [c]mind how to stimulate my body with wine while my [d]mind was guiding me wisely, and how to take hold of folly, until I could see what good there is for the sons of men [e]to do under heaven the few [f]years of their lives. I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself; I made gardens and parks for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees; I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees. I bought male and female slaves and I had [g]homeborn slaves. Also I possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. Also, I collected for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male and female singers and the pleasures of men—many concubines.

Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me. 10 All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor. 11 Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had [h]exerted, and behold all was [i]vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.

Sunday’s Sermon: “Are You Sure You Are the Real Deal?”

Are You Sure You Are the Real Deal?
April 14, 2024
Sermon by Dr. Austin Brinkerhoff
4.14.24

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:6, James 2:14-19 & 26

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

James 2:14-19 & 26

What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can [a]that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, [b]be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is [c]dead, being by itself.

18 But someone [d]may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that [e]God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

Sunday’s Sermon: “Where is God?”

Where is God?
April 7, 2024
Sermon by Pastor Dave Buckley
4.7.24

Scripture Reading: Psalm 13:1-4

How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;
Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,
And my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.