The Doctrine of the Trinity

Love Is Not Jealous

As Shakespeare famously wrote in Othello, Envy is the green eyed monster. Envy or jealousy is not the way of true love. Quotes: O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on – William Shakespeare, Othello III.iii All of life is gift. – Alexander Schmeman, For the Life of the World What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. – James 4:1-3 But I like not these great successes of yours; for I know how jealous are the gods. – Herodotus One of the tortures of jealousy is, that it can never turn away its eyes from the thing that pains it. – George Eliot Scripture text: 1 Corinthians 13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Sermon Transcript [https://newlifeithaca.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/6-28-26-Love-Is-Not-Jealous-Steve-Froehlich.pdf] Liturgy Bulletin [https://newlifeithaca.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-6-28-Pentecost-5.pdf] “Love Is Not Jealous” preached by Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. Steve Froehlich, Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 10:00AM at New Life Presbyterian Church in Ithaca, NY. Come see the beautiful Finger Lakes region, and worship God with us. www.newlifeithaca.org [https://newlifeithaca.org/]. Sermon music is from “We Will Feast in the House of Zion” provided by Sandra McCracken and with her permission. www.sandramccracken.com [http://www.sandramccracken.com/]. The post Love Is Not Jealous [https://newlifeithaca.org/sermons/love-is-not-jealous/] first appeared on New Life Ithaca Presbyterian Church [https://newlifeithaca.org].

3. The Spirit of Christ

What if the Creator of the universe came to live in our own bodies? That’s exactly the claim of Christianity, and the Holy Spirit empowers each Christian believer. A sermon on the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Sermon outline: I. The miracle of the Spirit II. The moment of the Spirit III. The meaning of the Spiri Sermon text: Acts 2:1-16, 36-41 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel. 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. Sermon Transcript [https://newlifeithaca.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/6-21-26-The-Spirit-of-Christ-Acts-2-1-41.pdf] Liturgy Bulletin [https://newlifeithaca.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-6-21-Pentecost-4.pdf] “The Spirit of Christ” preached by Rev. Dr. Timothy R. LeCroy, Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 10:00AM at New Life Presbyterian Church in Ithaca, NY. Come see the beautiful Finger Lakes region, and worship God with us. www.newlifeithaca.org [https://newlifeithaca.org/]. Sermon music is from “We Will Feast in the House of Zion” provided by Sandra McCracken and with her permission. www.sandramccracken.com [http://www.sandramccracken.com/]. The post 3. The Spirit of Christ [https://newlifeithaca.org/sermons/3-the-spirit-of-christ/] first appeared on New Life Ithaca Presbyterian Church [https://newlifeithaca.org].

2. The Ministry of Christ

Church leaders often sin and harm those they lead. But this does not invalidate Christ’s design for the church. A sermon on Acts 1:12-26, the calling of Mathaias. Sermon outline:  I. The source of Church hurt is not Christ’s design, but sinful humans II. God himself will deal with bad pastors III. The church is to continue to appoint godly leaders IV. All of this is brought about by prayer Quotes:  Many are numbered with the saints in this world that will not be found among them in the day of separation between the precious and the vile. What will it avail us to be added to the number of Christians, if we partake not of the spirit and nature of Christians? Judas’s having obtained part of this ministry was but an aggravation of his sin and ruin, as it will be of theirs who prophesied in Christ’s name, and yet were workers of iniquity. -Matthew Henry, 18th c. Luke expresses two things that are proper to true prayer, namely, that they did persist, and that they were all of one mind. This was an exercise of their patience, in that Christ did make them wait awhile, when he could have sent the Holy Spirit right away; so God oftentimes delays, and, as it were, suffer us to languish, that he may accustom us to persevere. The hastiness of our petitions is corrupt, indeed a hurtful plague; wherefore it is no marvel if God do sometimes correct the same. In the meantime, as I have said, he exercises us to be constant in prayer. Therefore, if we will not pray in vain, let us not be wearied by the passing of time. -John Calvin, 16th c. Scripture text: Acts 1:12-26 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. 15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “‘Let another take his office.’ 21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Sermon Transcript [https://newlifeithaca.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/6-14-26-The-Ministry-of-Christ-Acts-1-12-26.pdf] Liturgy Bulletin [https://newlifeithaca.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-6-14-Pentecost-3.pdf] “The Ministry of Christ” preached by Rev. Dr. Timothy R. LeCroy, Sunday, June 14, 2026 at 10:00AM at New Life Presbyterian Church in Ithaca, NY. Come see the beautiful Finger Lakes region, and worship God with us. www.newlifeithaca.org [https://newlifeithaca.org/]. Sermon music is from “We Will Feast in the House of Zion” provided by Sandra McCracken and with her permission. www.sandramccracken.com [http://www.sandramccracken.com/]. The post 2. The Ministry of Christ [https://newlifeithaca.org/sermons/2-the-ministry-of-christ/] first appeared on New Life Ithaca Presbyterian Church [https://newlifeithaca.org].

1. The Kingdom of Christ

Everyone longs for lasting change in this world. But who is able to bring it about? A sermon on Acts 1:1-11 Sermon Outline: I. The kingdom of Christ is the answer- The kingdom of Christ is the answer to every human misery , and problem and desire that has ever been The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single most important fact for the church and even human history The Kingdom of Christ is of great interest to all of humanity.But especially the church II. The kingdom of Christ is not of this world– The kingdom of Christ will not come through military power or politics or any other human effort other than by being witnesses to the historical fact of Christ’s resurrection III. The kingdom of Christ is built by his church– We are not even to look for the return of christ to solve our problems , but instead to bear witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and to his gospel The church will be led by the apostles through the power of the holy spirit Quotes: If the Scriptures are credible, should not I believe most readily in these Acts, which have the strongest testimony in their support, and which have had the advantage of becoming generally known, and of being handed down and of being publicly taught along with the gospel itself, which contains the promise of the Holy Spirit, which also we believe? On reading, then, these Acts of the Apostles stand, as regards authority, on a level with the gospel. -St. Augustine, 5th c. Nothing is more frigid than a teacher who shows his philosophy only in words: this is to act the part not of a teacher, but of a hypocrite. Therefore the Apostles first taught by their conduct, and then by their words; nay rather they had no need of words, when their deeds spoke so loud. Nor is it wrong to speak of Christ’s Passion as action, for in suffering all He performed that great and wonderful act, by which He destroyed death, and effected all else that He did for us. -St. John Chrysostom, 4th c. They ask him as concerning a kingdom; but they dream of an earthly kingdom, which should flow with riches, with dainties, with external peace, and with such like good things; and while they assign the present time to the restoring of the same, they desire to triumph before the battle; for before such time as they begin to work they will have their wages. -John Calvin, 16th c. Christ’s kingdom, while not incompatible with patriotism, tolerates no narrow nationalisms. -John Stott, 20th c. Scripture text: Acts 1:1-11 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Sermon Transcript [https://newlifeithaca.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/6-7-26-The-Kingdom-of-Christ-Acts-1-1-11.pdf] Liturgy Bulletin [https://newlifeithaca.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-6-7-Pentecost-2.pdf] “The Kingdom of Christ” preached by Rev. Dr. Timothy R. LeCroy, Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 10:00AM at New Life Presbyterian Church in Ithaca, NY. Come see the beautiful Finger Lakes region, and worship God with us. www.newlifeithaca.org [https://newlifeithaca.org/]. Sermon music is from “We Will Feast in the House of Zion” provided by Sandra McCracken and with her permission. www.sandramccracken.com [http://www.sandramccracken.com/]. The post 1. The Kingdom of Christ [https://newlifeithaca.org/sermons/1-the-kingdom-of-christ/] first appeared on New Life Ithaca Presbyterian Church [https://newlifeithaca.org].

The Doctrine of the Trinity

How is it that God is Three and God is one? Does it make any sense? Maybe not but there’s plenty we can say about what the Bible says about the Trinity. A sermon for Trinity Sunday Sermon Outline: I. God Is One: He alone is to be worshiped Dt 6:4 II. God Is Three: His love saves us Gen 1:1-3 Luke 3:22 2 Thess 2:13-17 III. God Is Triune: He never changes. Rom 1:20 Col 1:15 James1:17 Sermon Transcript [https://newlifeithaca.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/5-31-26-The-Doctrine-of-the-Trinity.pdf] Liturgy Bulletin [https://newlifeithaca.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-5-31-Pentecost-1-Trinity-Sunday.pdf] “The Doctrine of the Trinity” preached by Rev. Dr. Timothy R. LeCroy, Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 10:00AM at New Life Presbyterian Church in Ithaca, NY. Come see the beautiful Finger Lakes region, and worship God with us. www.newlifeithaca.org [https://newlifeithaca.org/]. Sermon music is from “We Will Feast in the House of Zion” provided by Sandra McCracken and with her permission. www.sandramccracken.com [http://www.sandramccracken.com/]. The post The Doctrine of the Trinity [https://newlifeithaca.org/sermons/the-doctrine-of-the-trinity/] first appeared on New Life Ithaca Presbyterian Church [https://newlifeithaca.org].