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Mike Anderson

Congregational Pastor (Center City)

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Every good organization has a mission statement. So, does Jesus have one? Today, we’ll learn about Jesus’ mission statement: Jesus went public to preach the good news of the kingdom of God. We’ll see in this passage the good news announced, the good news rejected, the good news displayed, and finally, the good news exported.

Resources:

Luke 4:14-44

Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)

Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke

Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)

J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1

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A book we like to give away at our church is titled, Who is Jesus?. Our answer to that question will determine what we do with the rest of our lives. If Jesus wasn’t who he said he was, he can be relegated to the realm of history. But if he really is who he says he is, it changes everything. Pastor Mike argues from Luke 3:21-38 that Jesus is the ultimate Son of God. He was anointed with God’s Spirit, he was declared to be God’s Son, and he was like God’s first son.

Resources:

Luke 3:21-38

Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)

Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke

Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)

J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1

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Terminology, accents, sports teams—these things characterize true Philadelphians. What characterizes true Christians, though? Who are God’s people, really? We’ll see from Luke 3:1-20 that God’s people are repentant people. God’s people are not characterized by terminology, accents, or sports teams. God’s people are characterized by repentance. And we’ll see that in this passage as we see that repentant people are ready, repentant people are fruitful, Jesus will only save repentant people, and unrepentance only gets worse.

Resources:

Luke 3:1-20

Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)

Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke

Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)

J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1

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Where does your ultimate allegiance lie? We’ll see from Luke 2:41-52 that Jesus’ ultimate allegiance is to his Father. In fact, Jesus has a relationship with his Father like no other. It gives him a wisdom like no other, it gives him a mission like no other, and it doesn’t exempt him from the humanity common to others.

Resources:

Luke 2:41-52

Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)

Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke

Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)

J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1

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The Gospel of Luke does not end with the Christmas story! Even as the cold, dark, post-holiday period of winter sets in for us, the joy of the coming of Jesus remains. In fact, we’ll see from Luke 2:22-40 that Jesus is the joy of every longing heart. He consoles the longing heart, he reveals the longings of the heart, and he redeems the longing heart.

Resources:

Luke 2:22-40

Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)

Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke

Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)

J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1

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What does it look like to be “great”? How does someone get to be “great”? Is it even something that we should want? This week, Pastor Mike teaches us that God has made his people great through the greatness of Jesus. We’ll see that Jesus is great, Jesus is the greatest, and Jesus has made the lowly great.

Resources:

Luke 1:26-56

Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)

Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke

Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)

J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1

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Many times, we feel hopeless about the things we wait for the most: children, good health, a job, deep friendship. Luke 1:5-25 is good news to those who wait for God: God gives real hope to his people when things look hopeless. To see that we’ll talk about when things look hopeless, how to live anyway, the hope God promises, how not to respond to it, and then finally at the hope God provides.

Resources:

Luke 1:5-25

Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)

Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke

Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)

J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1

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What is the Lord’s Supper, and what is its relationship to church membership? Pastor Mike will examine that question in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 and encourage us to take the Lord’s Supper like it’s the Lord’s supper. How do you do that? Take it when you come together as a church, take it while remembering and proclaiming the Lord’s death, and take it with self-examination.

Resources:

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Going Public: Why Baptism is Required for Church Membership by Bobby Jamieson

Understanding the Lord’s Supper by Bobby Jamieson

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What in the world does baptism have to do with church membership? Should churches baptize believers who don’t intend to be members of their church? Should churches admit members they don’t believe have been baptized? Pastor Mike addresses these questions, and others, in Galatians 3:26-29. We’ll see that faith, baptism, and church membership belong together because all church members are treated as sons of God through faith, as baptized, as unified, and as children of Abraham.

Resources:

Galatians 3:26-29

Bobby Jamieson – Going Public: Why Baptism is Required for Church Membership

 

 

 

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A common observation of those who have lived a long time is that many things are cyclical: one generation dies and another takes their place, one leader steps down and another steps up. Will these same patterns, and the patterns that we’ve seen repeating in the book of Daniel, continue forever? In Daniel 10-12, we’ll see that they will not: though wars will come, our God will deliver us. Therefore, be strengthened in his love, stand firm and act, and wait for the final deliverance

Resources:

Daniel 10-12

Joe Sprinkle – Daniel: Evangelical Bible Commentary Series

John Goldingay – Daniel

Jerome – Commentary on Daniel

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Daniel grew up during a time when God’s people were together in the land God had given to them, but we’ve seen that the book of Daniel begins when he is being forcibly removed from the promised land and God’s people are scattered from their land, their friends, and in some sense, even from God. Christians today, too, live in this world as sojourners and exiles. We’ll see from Daniel 9 that our God will restore his people to his place…but not yet. We’ll look first at how God’s people pray for restoration, and then at how our God will restore his people.

Resources:

Daniel 9

Joe Sprinkle – Daniel: Evangelical Bible Commentary Series

John Goldingay – Daniel

Jerome – Commentary on Daniel

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Do you believe there is real evil? If evil is real, how can we have real hope for the future that isn’t just wishful thinking? Daniel shows us that our God will end whatever evil he allows against his people. To see that we’ll look first at evil’s prosperity, and then at evil’s end.

Resources:

Daniel 8

Joe Sprinkle – Daniel: Evangelical Bible Commentary Series

John Goldingay – Daniel

Jerome – Commentary on Daniel

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As you look ahead to an uncertain future, who will you trust to save you? In Daniel 6 we’ll see that the one Daniel trusted is the one whom we also can trust, because our God saves the one who trusts in him. We’ll look at the character of the one who trusts in him, then why we can’t ultimately trust in anyone else, then we’ll look at the salvation our God gives, and finally we’ll consider the application to us.

Resources:

Daniel 6

Joe Sprinkle – Daniel: Evangelical Bible Commentary Series

John Goldingay – Daniel

Jerome – Commentary on Daniel

John Calvin – Commentary on Daniel, Vol 1

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When the authorities over us are wicked, what should we do? Should we give in to them to protect our safety? Or should we try to overthrow them and create a new order? For Christians, knowing that our God judges the proud changes everything. Pastor Mike Anderson shows us from Daniel 5 that the proud mock our God, our God convicts the proud, our God sentences the proud, and finally, our God executes the proud.

Resources:

Daniel 5

Joe Sprinkle – Daniel: Evangelical Bible Commentary Series

John Goldingay – Daniel

Jerome – Commentary on Daniel

John Calvin – Commentary on Daniel, Vol 1

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This year marks 1700 years since the Council of Nicaea, at which the foundation for the Nicene Creed was laid. In this seminar Pastor Mike explains why creeds are a wise way for churches to contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints, and why the elders of Citylight Center City believe this particular creed would be a wise creed for our church to adopt as one of our official doctrinal standards.

Resources:

The Nicene Creed:

We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who, for us humans and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and he shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one, holy, universal, and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.

The Nicene Creed: What You Need to Know about the Most Important Creed Ever Written, Kevin DeYoung

The Nicene Creed: The nature of Christian unity and the meaning of gospel words, Mark Gilbert and Leonardo De Chirico

Delighting in the Trinity, Michael Reeves

Friendship with God, Mike McKinley

The Trinity, Scott Swain

Crisis of Confidence, Carl Trueman

 

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Who, or what, do you expect will deliver you from life’s hardest trials? This week, we’ll see that our God is able to deliver us from whatever the world throws at us, and we’ll see that in Daniel 3 by looking first at what the world throws at us, then our faithful response, and then our God’s deliverance.

Resources:

Daniel 3

Joe Sprinkle – Daniel: Evangelical Bible Commentary Series

John Goldingay – Daniel

Jerome – Commentary on Daniel

John Calvin – Commentary on Daniel, Vol 1

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Spoiling the end of a book or TV series for someone is a major frustration. But when God tells Daniel what happens next in the story of his people, it gives him not frustration, but wisdom for how to live in the present. Pastor Mike encourages us that our God has revealed the mystery of his plan. First we’ll look more at why we need his revelation, then more at the God who makes the revelation, and then finally at what it is that he reveals.

Resources:

Daniel 2

Joe Sprinkle – Daniel: Evangelical Bible Commentary Series

John Goldingay – Daniel

Jerome – Commentary on Daniel

John Calvin – Commentary on Daniel, Vol 1

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The world puts an overwhelming pressure on believers in Christ to adopt its language, literature, pleasures, and identity. The prophet Daniel has much to teach us today about how to live in a world of pressure, and Pastor Mike shows us in this sermon that our God will exalt those who refuse to be defiled in the world. We’ll look at the pressure we face in the world, the purity we must pursue in the world, and the promotion of those who refuse to be defiled in the world.

Resources:

Daniel 1

Vern Poythress – Artificially Intelligent

Joe Sprinkle – Daniel: Evangelical Bible Commentary Series

John Goldingay – Daniel

Jerome – Commentary on Daniel

John Calvin – Commentary on Daniel, Vol 1

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Last week, we looked at what it looks like for Christians to put faith into action. This week, Pastor Mike appeals for us to receive one another as is fitting in the Lord. We’ll see the heart behind the appeal, the appeal, and then the confidence behind the appeal.

Resources:

Philemon 8-25

The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon, 2nd ed. (PNTC), Douglas Moo

Colossians and Philemon (BECNT), G.K. Beale

Commentary on Galatians-Philemon (Ancient Christian Texts), Ambrosiaster

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How can you put your faith into action to build up others around you and encourage their faith? Pastor Mike encourages us to share our faith effectively by embracing our identity in Christ and loving our people in Christ.

Resources:

Philemon 1-7

The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon, 2nd ed. (PNTC), Douglas Moo

Colossians and Philemon (BECNT), G.K. Beale

Commentary on Galatians-Philemon (Ancient Christian Texts), Ambrosiaster

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What do you believe will bring you joy? The answer from Psalm 32 is a surprising one: Confession of sin is the doorway to joy. Pastor Mike teaches on the blessing of forgiveness, the urgency of confession, the importance of humility, and the response of joy.

Resources:

Psalm 32

Psalms 1-50 (WBC), Peter Craigie and Marvin Tate

Psalms 1-72 (Kidner Classic Commentaries), Derek Kidner

Psalms (EBTC), Jim Hamilton

The Psalms: A Christ-Centered Commentary, Christopher Ash

The Treasury of David, Charles Spurgeon

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Where do you go when times get tough? No matter how bad your situation gets, keep running to the Lord. Psalm 31 gives us four reasons to do that: because he is your rock and fortress, because he can handle whatever you’re going through, because he hears your prayers, and because he has enough goodness for you. Therefore, press on, knowing that he is your mighty fortress!

Resources:

Psalm 31

Psalms 1-50 (WBC), Peter Craigie and Marvin Tate

Psalms 1-72 (Kidner Classic Commentaries), Derek Kidner

Psalms (EBTC), Jim Hamilton

The Psalms: A Christ-Centered Commentary, Christopher Ash

The Treasury of David, Charles Spurgeon

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Do you believe in happy endings? God is writing a story with a happy ending for his people, even when life now seems hard. Pastor Mike calls us to praise the Lord who brings us from death to dancing, and we’ll see in this psalm a choice to praise, a call to praise, and a path to praise.

Resources:

Psalm 30

Psalms 1-50 (WBC), Peter Craigie and Marvin Tate

Psalms 1-72 (Kidner Classic Commentaries), Derek Kidner

Psalms (EBTC), Jim Hamilton

The Psalms: A Christ-Centered Commentary, Christopher Ash

The Treasury of David, Charles Spurgeon

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What does the really spiritual life look like? It may surprise you to find that it consists in how husbands and wives, children and fathers, and bosses and employees relate to one another.

Resources:

Colossians 3:18-4:1

The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon, 2nd ed. (PNTC), Douglas Moo

Colossians and Philemon (BECNT), G.K. Beale

Commentary on Galatians-Philemon (Ancient Christian Texts), Ambrosiaster

Colossians (Geneva Commentaries), John Davenant

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There are always voices around us telling us we need more than Christ, and in this passage we learn why we shouldn’t let any of them convince us.

Resources:

Colossians 2:16-23

The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon, 2nd ed. (PNTC), Douglas Moo

Colossians and Philemon (BECNT), G.K. Beale

Commentary on Galatians-Philemon (Ancient Christian Texts), Ambrosiaster

Colossians (Geneva Commentaries), John Davenant

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When we don’t feel fulfilled in our Christian lives, it’s tempting to look elsewhere. But here we see that we continue with Christ just as we began with Christ.

Resources:

Colossians 2:6-15

The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon, 2nd ed. (PNTC), Douglas Moo

Colossians and Philemon (BECNT), G.K. Beale

Commentary on Galatians-Philemon (Ancient Christian Texts), Ambrosiaster

Colossians (Geneva Commentaries), John Davenant

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Who would listen to a guy writing from prison, whose life was marked by so much suffering? In this passage we see that we can trust the proclamation of Christ that comes to us from the apostles.

Resources:

Colossians 1:24-2:5

Colossians and Philemon (BECNT), G.K. Beale

Commentary on Galatians-Philemon (Ancient Christian Texts), Ambrosiaster

Colossians (Geneva Commentaries), John Davenant

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As Paul begins his letter to the Colossians, he knows they’re being tempted to think that living by faith in Christ “isn’t working”. But here he shows them how God is at work in them through the gospel, and how there is still more for God to do.

Resources:

Colossians 1:1-14

Colossians and Philemon (BECNT), G.K. Beale

Commentary on Galatians-Philemon (Ancient Christian Texts), Ambrosiaster

Colossians (Geneva Commentaries), John Davenant

 

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Christians typically focus on the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday, but the Gospels never narrate for us in real time Jesus rising from the dead. Instead, they give us the news of his resurrection from the perspective of those who first heard it, and in this account, we see the necessity of that news continuing to be shared.

Resources:

Matthew 28

Matthew and Mark (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary), D.A. Carson

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In this seminar, Pastor Mike Anderson addresses what makes a church truly “Christian”, and why even true, gospel-preaching Christian churches may choose to worship in separate congregations and denominations based on issues of secondary, but real, importance. He also traces the history of denominations beginning with the early church councils, through the reformation, and culminating in many of the common denominations we see today.

Resources:

Timeline of major events

Summary of major denominations

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Conflict occurs anytime you put different people with different ideas and preferences together. But how can we handle conflict wisely so that it doesn’t lead to strife and quarreling? These proverbs show us a path.

Resources:

Proverbs 10:12, 12:16, 13:10, 15:1, 15:17, 16:28, 17:1, 17:9, 17:14, 18:18, 19:11, 20:22, 21:9, 21:19, 22:10, 25:7-10, 26:17, 27:5, 27:6

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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We all tend to admire generosity, but can struggle to be generous ourselves. These proverbs chart out the path of generosity that has its foundation in the generosity of the God who made the world in wisdom.

Resources:

Proverbs 11:24, 11:26, 12:10, 14:21, 14:31, 19:6, 19:17, 21:26, 22:9, 24:11, 28:27

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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Americans typically value hard work while admitting that part of us resists it. In this set of proverbs on work, we see that a slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Resources:

Proverbs 10:5, 12:11, 12:24, 14:4, 14:23, 15:19, 19:24, 20:13, 21:25, 22:13, 22:29, 24:27, 27:23-24, 28:20

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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In this seminar, we consider how we can help others in their friendship with God and likeness to him in the various types of relationships we have with others.

Resources:

Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands, Paul David Tripp

Discipling, Mark Dever

The Company We Keep, Jonathan Holmes

The Gospel Comes with a House Key, Rosaria Butterfield

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Proverbs is all about wisdom, but how does God intend to pass that wisdom down to future generations? In these proverbs we look at how God uses diligent parents to pass down his wisdom to respectful children.

Resources:

Proverbs 10:5, 13:24, 15:5, 15:20, 19:18, 20:20, 22:6, 22:15, 23:22-23, 23:26, 29:15, 29:17

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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Many Proverbs address the subject of how a king should rule and how subjects should respond to a king. How do we apply such Proverbs today? In this sermon we consider the use of authority God has given humans over other humans, and how we can wisely respond to it.

Resources:

Proverbs 14:35, 16:12-14, 19:10, 19:12, 20:8, 20:26, 20:28, 21:1, 25:15, 28:15, 29:4, 29:26, 30:21-23, 31:8-9

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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In 2025 Philadelphia, many of us place a plethora of decisions on a regular basis. In this sermon, we look at how Proverbs teaches us to make them wisely.

Resources:

Proverbs 12:26, 14:12, 15:22, 16:3, 16:9, 18:1, 19:2, 19:21, 21:29

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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While God had made his wisdom known in the things he’s made and in scripture, in this passage we see there was some of his wisdom he kept secret until the coming of Christ, and it has now been revealed.

Resources:

1 Corinthians 2:6-16

The First Epistle to the Corinthians (NIGTC), Anthony Thiselton

1 & 2 Corinthians (Geneva Commentaries), Charles Hodge

ESV Expository Commentary (Romans-Galatians), Andy Naselli

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Not only did God choose to save those who were not wise in the eyes of the world (1 Cor 1:26-31), but here we see that Paul did not come to them with the wisdom of the world.

Resources:

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

The First Epistle to the Corinthians (NIGTC), Anthony Thiselton

1 & 2 Corinthians (Geneva Commentaries), Charles Hodge

ESV Expository Commentary (Romans-Galatians), Andy Naselli

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In this and the following two sermons we take a brief break from the book of Proverbs to learn what we can about wisdom from 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16, where we see there is a good kind of folly, and a bad kind of wisdom.

Resources:

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

The First Epistle to the Corinthians (NIGTC), Anthony Thiselton

1 & 2 Corinthians (Geneva Commentaries), Charles Hodge

ESV Expository Commentary (Romans-Galatians), Andy Naselli

 

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As the first major section of Proverbs draws to a close, we all face a decision: Will we accept the invitation of wisdom, or the invitation of folly?

Resources:

Proverbs 9

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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Proverbs is all about wisdom, and God is wise, but we cannot see God. So how can we walk by his wisdom? We must follow the voice of wisdom.

Resources:

Proverbs 8

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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Throughout Proverbs 1-9, Solomon has called us to receive his wisdom because it will protect us from danger. Here we see once again how it protects us from the danger of the forbidden woman.

Resources:

Proverbs 7

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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In this Sunday seminar, we look at the practices that scripture suggests we should commit to and do regularly to cultivate greater friendship with God and greater likeness to him.

Resources:

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Donald Whitney

Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines, David Mathis

The Discipline of Grace, Jerry Bridges

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Part of wisdom’s value is that it protects us from danger. In this passage, Solomon acquaints us with three dangerous situations and tells us how to deal with them.

Resources:

Proverbs 6:1-19

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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God created humans with a desire for sex that in this passage is compared to our thirst for water. Therefore, God doesn’t tell us to kill that desire; he tells us to aim it.

Resources:

Proverbs 5

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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What you listen to shapes your heart, and your heart sets the course of your life. So listen attentively to the words of wisdom.

Resources:

Proverbs 4

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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The word blessing gets thrown around a lot, but in this passage we see that wisdom is the way to a truly blessed life.

Resources:

Proverbs 3:13-35

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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Do you believe your life can really get better? Proverbs 3:1-12 holds out to us the hope of better life as we live by God’s wisdom.

Resources:

Proverbs 3:1-12

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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We seek what we value, and in this passage, we see the promise held out to those who value wisdom enough to fervently seek it.

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Proverbs 2

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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When you get access to valuable wisdom, you work hard to hear it and hold on to it. God’s wisdom is available to us, and so this passage exhorts us to hear it and hold on to it.

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Proverbs 1:8-33

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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Wisdom is the art of perceiving reality and living in accordance with it, and in Proverbs 1:1-7 we see where it begins.

Resources:

Proverbs 1:1-7

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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At the time of Jesus’ death, the debate was brewing: Is He truly the Son of God? By the way He died, God cast His vote.

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Matthew 27:51-54

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Dear downhearted,

In writing to you about discontentment, I am writing about a familiar foe of my own, and it usually shows itself in the form of envy or covetousness. I see good things someone else has, especially if they have more of it than I, and my heart sinks. However discontentment shows itself in your life, I thought for this final letter on it I’d focus on one passage on contentment that has not yet been directly referenced.

In 1 Timothy 6:6-8, Paul writes, “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” Discontentment obviously reveals what we consider “great gain.” To desire great gain is to be human. We all want to be happy, and there is nothing wrong with that. What Paul does here, however, is he shows us what truly is great gain: Godliness with contentment.

Why? Earlier in 1 Timothy 4:7-8, Paul explained the great value of godliness: “Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” Godliness is of great value because it is the one thing you can train yourself for now that will actually still benefit you in the life to come. What about contentment? Again, Paul broadens our horizons: “for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.” It is simple, isn’t it? Yet how often do we lose sight of the relative impermanence of the things we wish we had?

The best way to live in this world is with contentment with the things genuinely necessary in this world, which Paul mentions next in our passage: food and clothing (which many take to include shelter). When you really think about it, what else do you need in this life? Maybe you say, “Ok fine; I don’t need the things I’m discontent about, but it sure would be nice to have them.” Maybe, but for how long? Will you take them out of this world with you? Do they hold hope for the life to come? How great then is the gain that comes with them?

It is small in comparison to the gain that comes from godliness, which holds promise for the life to come, and contentment, which enables us to live happily in the present life with only the things necessary for the present life. We have a Savior in Jesus Christ who contented Himself with the loss of even His food and clothing for us, and He has gained for us eternal life in the world to come. Fix your eyes there, and it will reorient what you call “gain.”

Mike

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Dear downhearted,

Did you know that in the beginning of the Bible, after God created light and darkness, sun and moon, water, sky, land, plants, animals, and the first human being, there was still something about His creation that was not good? Genesis 2:18 begins by saying, “Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone.’” Think about that for a moment. At that point in the story, one man existed and that man knew God. Yet it was not good for that man to be alone.

God’s design for humans is that we live in relationship not only with Him but with other human beings. Nonetheless, the COVID-19 pandemic and the concomitant stay-at-home orders have made this much more difficult. If you feel lonely then and you don’t like that feeling, it’s not necessarily because there is anything wrong with you. You simply weren’t made to live in these conditions. 

Nonetheless, here we are. That’s the sad truth. But it’s not the whole truth. In Isaiah 43:2, God says to His people: 

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.”

Humans were not created to pass through stormy waters and flames anymore than they were created to be alone, and yet even as we now go through such things, God says: “I will be with you.” And indeed, in Christ Jesus He is with us. One of Jesus’ names is Immanuel, God with us (Matt 1:23), and on the cross, He was truly with us in our loneliness. Not only did His friends and family leave Him all alone, but He even cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt 27:46)

Because He did this, you need not ever ultimately be alone. Repent and believe in Him, and He will be with you always. Not only that, if you are a Christian, you are also part of a new human family called the church, which, though presently scattered, remains and will prevail against all the forces arrayed against it (Matt 16:19). Do you know you still have a church family like that right now if you are a member at Citylight? And if you aren’t a member, why not join us? 

God will sustain you through this season of loneliness. It almost definitely will get better when we can actually be around each other again. It will certainly get better when Jesus comes again. In that day He will not come alone but “with all his saints” (1 Thess 3:13), and we (not you or I alone) will always be with the Lord (1 Thess 4:17).

May he bless you and keep you,

Mike

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I’ve lived in the United States of America my entire life. As a result, every year of my life, on the last Thursday of November, I’ve gathered with at least some family or friends and celebrated the holiday we call Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving isn’t a holiday in the Bible; you’re free to do nothing at all for it if you’d like. I’ve generally liked to do something for it, but, as we’ve now gotten used to saying, 2020 is different.

Due to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Philadelphia, I assume many of you have significantly modified Thanksgiving plans, if not totally cancelled them. That is cause for lamentation, as many things this year have been. Nonetheless, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” To refuse to give thanks in every circumstance is to live under the lie that we have nothing for which to be genuinely thankful, and that’s simply never true for a Christian (see Eph 1:3-14 or Hebrews 12:28, for examples). Though the holiday may be different this year, and whether you choose to celebrate it at all or not, don’t miss the opportunity for thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving as we know it today was instituted by President Abraham Lincoln, and every year around this time I like to share his words about it, not because there’s anything magical about him, but because there seems to be some wisdom in them, and every year, they seem to still apply to the situation we are in:

“I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”

That’s the “what” of the holiday, and here is President Lincoln’s recommendation on how we should observe it:

“And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil [war] in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.”

There’s a lot there, but just a few things I want to commend to you whether you observe the holiday or not:

1. Offer up “ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings” – Take time to tell God how great He is and to recount what He’s done for you and for those around you. Maybe meditate on a passage like Ephesians 1:3-14 and offer to God thanks for such singular deliverances and blessings.

2. Do so “with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience” – Thanksgiving is not a time to whitewash America’s past or present so we can all enjoy a meal and some football. It is a time to give thanks to God precisely because He’s been so good to us in spite of us, in spite of our national perverseness and disobedience, still alive today, which we all contribute to in some way. Let us not give thanks without an accompanying humble repentance. Consider using 1 Corinthians 13, which we’ve just finished preaching on, to confess the ways you fall short of the love it describes.

3. Commend widows, orphans, mourners, and sufferers to “his tender care” – Lincoln, of course, in his words, referred to “those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil [war] in which we are unavoidably engaged…” We aren’t in a Civil War today, but there are people who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable COVID-19 pandemic in which we are unavoidably engaged. Commend them to God’s tender care in prayer. Ask Him to heal, comfort, and sustain. “Fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation…” – The nation had its wounds and divisions in Lincoln’s time. We saw ample evidence this year that the racial wounds of Lincoln’s day have still not been healed in 2020. And we’ve gotten some new wounds this year. But God is a God who heals. Let’s pray for Him to do so.

In closing, in the time we are in, the final words of Lincoln’s prayer still fit so well:

“Father, heal the wounds of this nation and restore it as soon as may be consistent with your purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and Union.”

Happy Thanksgiving!

Resources:

1 Corinthians 13:4c-5a

Mere Christianity, Book 3, Chapter 8, C.S. Lewis

Respectable Sins, Chapter 11, Jerry Bridges

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Mark 15:33-41

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Genesis 22

Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham

Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner

Counterfeit Gods, Timothy Keller (Chapter 1)

 

Note: Due to power outage, the sermon recording does not include the first 10 minutes of the service

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Ephesians 6:10-24

The Letter to the Ephesians, Commentary by Peter T. O’Brien

Ephesians For You, Richard Coekin

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Living a truly thankful life is difficult, and when you’re commanded to be thankful it often feels like it’s even harder. Yet here we will see that God commands not only thanksgiving, but joyful thanksgiving. At the same time, He gives us all the support we need to make it possible.

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In Psalm 51, David instructs us to seek God’s mercy through prayer by saying the same thing about our sin that God does and seeking renewed joy in God.

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1 Peter 3:8-22

New American Commentary, 1 Peter, by Tom Schreiner

Baker Exegetical Commentary, 1 Peter, by Karen Jobes

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1 Peter 1:13-2:3

1 Peter, Baker Exegetical Commentary by Karen Jobes

1 Peter, New American Commentary by Tom Schreiner

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