4/21/24 Worship Service & Sermon: The Rise of Ahab & Elijah - 1 Kings 16:29-17:1

4/21/2024 Worship Service from Brick Lane Community Church in Elverson, PA.

Sermon: Senior Pastor, Steve Estes
Worship Leader: Luke Stoltzfus
Scripture: 1 Kings 16:29-17:1
Title: The Rise of Ahab & Elijah

In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria over Israel twenty-two years. Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him. He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him. He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria. Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than did all the kings of Israel before him.

In Ahab's time, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. He laid its foundations at the cost of his firstborn son Abiram, and he set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, in accordance with the word of the LORD spoken by Joshua son of Nun. Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word."

Notes:

1. Ahab's day didn't seem evil

2. Alliance with Sidon
A. King Ethbaal
B. Princess Jezebel
C. Canaanite religion
D. Jezebel's unholy mission

3. Two brief episodes
A. The sons of Hiel at Jericho
B. The prophet Elijah at Samaria

4. Lessons
A. Sin usually presents itself as "no big deal"
B. Sin always progresses
C. God is always working even while evil rages

#1kings #Ahab #Elijah

1/28/24 Worship Service &. Sermon: Our Unity is His Priority - John 17:20-23

1/28/2024 Worship Service and Sermon from Brick Lane Community Church in Elverson, PA.

Worship Leader: Luke Stoltzfus
Speaker: Matt Carter
Scripture: John 17:20-23
Title: Our Unity is His Priority

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Notes:

1. Who is Jesus praying for?
A. Jesus is praying for those who will believe
B. What did Jesus want for us?

2. In what sense is Jesus in the Father, and vice versa?
A. The Word was with God and the Word was God
B. The Father was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Christ

3. Why does Jesus pray so fervently about our unity in Him?
A. Unity in such a diverse group of people testifies that Jesus is in our midst
B. Unity in the midst of diversity is messy and costly

Benediction: May you be found hidden in Christ and in God the Father by the power of the Holy Spirit living in you. And may the unity that comes from having been hidden there well up in expressions of love for God and for the diverse body of believers around you. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

#John #unity

11/19/2023 Worship Service & Sermon: Faith at the Walls of Jericho

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11/19/2023 Worship Service and Sermon from Brick Lane Community Church in Elverson, PA.

Worship Leader: Luke Stoltzfus
Speaker: Steve Estes, Senior Pastor
Scripture: Hebrews 11:30-31
Title: Faith at the Walls of Jericho

By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

Notes:

1. The setting

2. Several days earlier...
A.Spies are inside the city
B. In Rahab's house

3. Jericho vs. Jehovah
A. Day one
B. Days two through seven

4. Lessons
A. True faith overcomes insurmountable odds
B. True faith results in doing
C. True faith saves even the most unworthy

#Hebrews #faith #jericho

10/1/2023 Worship Service and Sermon: Faith for the Generations to Follow - Hebrews 11:20-22

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NOTE: Congregation audio was lost during the worship service. We apologize and are working to fix it!

10/1/2023 Worship Service and Sermon from Brick Lane Community Church in Elverson, PA.

Worship Leader: Luke Stoltzfus
Speaker: Steve Estes
Scripture: Hebrews 11:20-22
Title: Faith for the Generations to Follow

NIV: By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.

ESV: By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions concerning his bones.

Notes:

1. Isaac's faith on his deathbed
A. His wife and the birth of his twin sons
B. Jacob and Esau's early life
C. Esau exchanges his birthright for stew
D. Jacob steals the blessing of the firstborn
E. The blessing given to Jacob
F. The blessing given to Esau
G. How Isaac showed faith

2. Jacob's faith on his deathbed
A. Why Jacob fled
B. Jacob in Haran
C. Trials in Canaan
D. How did Jacob have faith?
E. What we learn

3. Joseph's faith on his deathbed
A. Joseph spoke about the exodus
B. Joseph gave instructions about his bones

6/18/2023 Worship Service & Sermon

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6/18/2023 Worship Service and Sermon from Brick Lane Community Church in Elverson, PA.

Worship Leader: Luke Stoltzfus
Speaker: Steve Estes
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11-17
Title: The Life of a Genuine Christian

Notes:

1. The life of a genuine Christian--particularly of a genuine minister--is fueled by the fear of God

2. The life of a genuine Christian--particularly of a genuine minister--is fueled by a sense of Christ's love
A. Text speaks of Christ's death as a substitutionary one
B. Result of Christ's death: We sense his love and change how we live

3. The life of a genuine Christian--particularly of a genuine minister--will sometimes be attacked
A. Said directly elsewhere in 2 Corinthians
B. Hinted at in this passage
C. Paul's goal in defending himself

4. A genuine Christian--particularly a minister--should be defended by other Christians who know him well
A. It's right for a minister to defend/explain himself
B. It's right for Christians to defend other Christians--particularly ministers--when those Christians are slandered
C. Only a change in the heart by Christ will give Christians the insight and courage to act this way

4/9/2023 Easter Sunday Worship Service and Sermon: Avoiding the Resurrection - Matthew 28:11-19

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4/9/2023 Easter Worship Service and Sermon from Brick Lane Community Church in Elverson, PA.

Scripture: Matthew 28:11-19
Title: Avoiding the Resurrection
Worship Leader: Luke Stoltzfus
Sermon: Steve Estes

Order of Worship:

Call to Worship

- Genesis 3:13-15, John 2:18-21; John 20
- Prayer of Adoration
- Congregational Hymn: "Worship Christ, the Risen King!" #286

Call to Confession

- 1 John 2:15, 16 - Prayer of Confession Assurance of Pardon
- John 20:30; 1 Timothy 3:16
- Congregational Hymn: "Up from the Grave He Arose" #276
- Congregational Music: "See What a Morning"
- Prayer of Thanksgiving & Supplication
- Acts 2:22-24
- Special Choir Music: “No More the Grave”
- Congregational Hymn: “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” #277

Sermon

- Congregational Hymn: "Thine Be the Glory" #274

Sermon: While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, 'You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Notes:

1. Background of this passage
A. The burial of Christ
B. The next day
C. The Resurrection

2. The actions of those for whom the Resurrection was something to avoid
A. The guards
B. The Jewish leaders

3. We learn things that tempt people to avoid Christ's resurrection
A. Reputation and luxury
B. Fear of the supernatural
C. These things feel safe

4. Avoiding Christ's resurrection is not safe
A. The Jewish leaders weren't safe
B. Pontius Pilate and Rome weren't safe
C. No unrepentant sinner is safe

5. Believing in Jesus Christ is the only true safe place

6. What Jesus told His disciples
A. "All authority on earth has been given to me."
B. "Therefore, go!"

Benediction:

All honor to Him who was delivered over to death for our sins, and was raised to life for our justification. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.

#Matthew #Easter

10/9/22 Worship Service and Sermon: A Life Transformed by Forgiveness - Luke 7:36-50

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10/9/2022 Worship Service and Sermon from Brick Lane Community Church in Elverson, PA.

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50
Title: A Life Transformed by Forgiveness
Worship Leader: Luke Stoltzfus Speaker:
Andrew Hageman

Notes:

1. The characters
A. The woman
a. Woman of ill repute
b. Genuinely repentant

B. Simon the Pharisee
a. Man of high standing
b. Silently judgemental

2. The interactions
A. Simon: interested, but not committed
a. "interviews" Jesus
b. sacrifices an evening and the cost of a dinner

B. The woman: completely sold out for Jesus
a. places her entire hope on Jesus
b. sacrifices her expensive perfume and her livelihood

3. The parable
A. Simon: no perception of his need for forgiveness
B. The woman: sees her need for forgiveness
C. Both owe a debt they have no hope of paying

4. Application
A. Who do we judge like Simon judges?
B. Do we have this type of embarrassing, overwhelming love through repentance?
C. If you are born again, rejoice in the repayment of your debt by Christ on the cross.

#Luke #Forgiveness

12/12/2021 Worship Service and Sermon: Always Through Faith - Romans 4:1-12

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12/12/2021 Worship Service and Sermon from Brick Lane Community Church in Elverson, PA.

Worship leader: Luke Stoltzfus
Speaker: David Royes
Title: Always Through Faith
Scripture: Romans 4:1-12

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." Now to the one who works, his wages are ot counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

"Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin." (Psalm 32:1-2)

Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

Title: Always Through Faith

Paul's teaching style is to anticipate the Q+A; for example, "What about Abraham?"

The Old Testament does not offer a different means of salvation; the entire Bible offers one single means of salvation: By grace through faith in Christ.

Paul looks at Abraham as a test case: "If Abraham was justified by works, then you could expect boasting and entitlement.

This is problematic because God is indebted to nobody." Abraham was justified by trusting God, who owns everything. Abraham's faith was counted as righteousness.