3/31/2024 Easter Service & Sermon: Adam, Christ, Easter & You - 1 Corinthians 15:20-23

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3/31/2024 Easter Service from Brick Lane Community Church in Elverson, PA.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:20-23
Title: Adam, Christ, Easter, and You
Worship Leader: Matt Griffith
Speaker: Steve Estes

NIV: If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

ESV: If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as all die in Adam, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

Notes:

1. The Bible acknowledges: When viewed a certain way, Christians appear pathetic
A. Not many early Christians were high-achievers
B. Many Christians appear to miss out
C. Jesus' followers sometimes lack the skills that seem to matter in this life
D. If this life is all there is, Christians are to be pitied

2. The resurrection of Jesus is what guarantees the resurrection of His followers

3. Our link to Christ's resurrection is illustrated by our link with Adam
A. All human beings have moral weaknesses
B. We are morally flawed because we are all descended from Adam

4. A defense of the doctrine of original sin: "My fate is affected by others"
A. Everyone agrees with this principle when it works in our favor
B. Everyone agrees with this principle in situations where we must often be represented by others
C. It makes sense that the same principle applies in spiritual matters

5. Death through Adam, life through Christ

6. One final thought

Benediction May the God of life who raised our Lord Jesus raise you on that great day because you believe in His Son. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Amen.

#Adam #Christ #Easter

1/21/2024 Worship Service & Sermon: God will build a house for David - 1 Kings 11:9-13, 2 Samuel 7:1-17

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1/21/2024 Worship Service and Sermon from Brick Lane Community Church in Elverson, PA.

Worship Leader: Matt Griffith
Speaker: Steve Estes
Scripture: 1 Kings 11:9-13, 2 Samuel 7:1-17
Title: God will build a house for David

Notes:

1. Human reason can lead godly leaders down the wrong path

2. God is surprisingly humble
A. God has gladly gone without a temple for a long time
B. In this sense, God is not like other "gods"

3. God is kind and full of grace
A. He reminds David of His past grace and kindness
B. He promises David future grace and kindness
C. He promises David a dynasty
D. Why is God kind to David and his dynasty?

4. God promises that David's dynasty will be unending
A. Death will not annul this promise
B. Sin cannot destroy the promise
C. Time will not exhaust the promise

7/23/2023 Worship Service and Sermon: Persevere - Hebrews 10:32-39

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7/23/2023 Worship Service and Sermon from Brick Lane Community Church in Elverson, PA.

Worship Leader: Matt Griffith
Speaker: Steve Estes
Scripture: Hebrews 10:32-39
Title: Christian: Persevere

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathised with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.*" But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

Notes:

1. What the readers experienced in the past
A. Pressure from fellow Jews
B. Pressure from Gentiles
C. Result of pressure

2. Argument #1: You've already come so far
A. Regarding loss of property
B. For those who escaped ill treatment...
C. Now...persecution seems to have returned
D. The point

3. Argument #2: Great rewards for perseverance; awful consequences for abandonment
A. Perseverance
B. Abandonment

4. All this takes reasonable faith

5. Closing exhortation

*Habakkuk 2:3-4

#perseverance #Hebrews #persecution