The Joshua Victor Theory

Sermon Outline: ·          Isaiah’s experience is largely unrelatable to us; feeling of absolute fear for his life, 1) seeing God in His glory, 2) inner sanctuary of the Temple (Holy of Holies). Raw terror of being where no human dares go—don’t have that same sense of fear of authority today to have a close comparison. Not a brush with death (Esther before King Xerxes or Moses and the burning bush are close examples; maybe also ancient Hawaiian kapu about the shadow of an alii falling on a commoner). Different from how people often think of God “ He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see . ” 1Tim. 6:15-16. Unapproachable—so when Moses, or Isaiah or others are brought into God’s presence, the response is fear, retreat, face-down submission. ·          But the surprise ...

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Today marks the Last Sunday of the Church Year, which focuses again on Jesus’ Kingship. And Jesus’ Kingship is shown through the cross. The prayer of the day today states that Jesus reigns among us by the preaching of the cross. Unlike any earthly kings or powers, Jesus’ rule is marked by His self-sacrifice on the cross, His defeat of the grave, and the constant preaching of this good news, that has gone on for 2,000 years, spreading His reign to the ends of the earth. No other king has or ever will rule in this way. This understanding encircles the whole church year—we always watch for and live under the reign of our crucified and risen King. What brought Jesus to this cross? It’s startling to realize that Jesus’ teachings and His love brought Him there. The other two criminals were brought there by their evildoing, as one eventually admitted. But Jesus came innocently and voluntaril...

Guest Preacher at Emmanuel, Rev. Mark Bowditch Sermon Notes for  January 31 st , 2016   Text:  Mark 13: 1-10,  24-37   “Birth Pain & New Birth”   INTRO DUCTION :   Birth   pain   always  comes before  ________ .   T hough  severe , it doesn’ t compare to the joy of a newborn  ( a new mother  “ no longer remember s  her anguish , for the joy that  a baby has been ________ ”  –   J ohn  16:21) !   In Mk 13:8,  Jesus compared the  pain &  tribulation of  the end times to  the  birth   pain that  will  occur before  His promised 2 nd  coming…  which leads to  new heavens ,  a new  earth , and a  new resurrection  body for  believer s  in Jesus !   May the Holy Spirit teach us and lead us to be more prepared  for Christ’s  Second...