Sermon: Joy in the House of the Lord (June 21, 2026)

Sermon: Joy in the House of the Lord (June 21, 2026)

Scripture Text: Psalm 122 Bryan Buck We apologize that the first few minutes of this sermon replay are missing, where Bryan reads from the Wall Street Journal article, “Young New Yorkers Have a New Hot Spot: Sunday Mass [https://www.wsj.com/us-news/young-new-yorkers-have-a-new-hot-spot-sunday-mass-b96e1449].” Quotes for Reflection Anyee Bhutani, “Young New Yorkers Have a New Hot Spot: Sunday Mass, WSJ May 3, 2026 Gen Z Christians attend church more often than millennials, Gen X and baby boomers, according to the Barna Group, a firm that studies U.S. faith trends. In 2025, the typical Gen Z churchgoer attended nearly two weekends a month, the highest level since the firm began tracking, and up from around one weekend a month in 2020. Young men in particular are more interested in faith. A Gallup poll released in April found that in 2025, 42% of young men said religion is very important to them, up sharply from 28% in 2023, and overtaking young women. C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory He who surrenders himself without reservation to the temporal claims of a nation, or a party, or a class is rendering to Caesar that which, of all things, most emphatically belongs to God: himself. It is for a very different reason that religion cannot occupy the whole of life in the sense of excluding all our natural activities. For, of course, in some sense, it must occupy the whole of life. There is no question of a compromise between the claims of God and the claims of culture, or politics, or anything else. God’s claim is infinite and inexorable. You can refuse it, or you can begin to try to grant it. There is no middle way. Steven Lawson, Holman Old Testament Commentary Jerusalem was the center for justice, equity, and the reinforcement of what is right. It was the place where thrones for judgment stood, where right was rewarded and wrong was punished. It was the place where the innocent were defended and the guilty were prosecuted. Jerusalem was called the house of David because it was the royal city of Israel where David sat enthroned, presiding over the people and dispensing justice. Thus, Jerusalem was not only the central place for worship but also the site where civil judgments and legal decisions were made. It was the seat of government, the place where the king of Israel presided. Not only was the Word of God taught here, but it was reinforced here. Application Questions 1. Consider your own story with the church. What’s been life-giving and what’s been discouraging? How do you explain this mix of experience? 2. Why are people in our day making a return to the church? What do you think God is up to in this movement of renewal? 3. Read Psalm 122 in an unhurried fashion. What’s one aspect that can become your prayer for the church?

Sermon: The Lord Our Keeper (June 14, 2026)

Scripture Text: Psalm 121 Bryan Buck (Series: Psalms of Ascent) Quotes for Reflection Steven Lawson, Holman Old Testament Commentary Making the trip to Jerusalem required making an upward ascent in elevation into the holy city to attend the feasts. There were no paved roads but, for the most part, only well-trodden paths across the valleys, along the side of rivers, and over mountain passes. This psalm recounted the arduous journey and the abundant strength they found in the Lord himself to complete their trip. God himself was their strength, sustainer, supporter, and Savior from all harm. Timothy Keller, Center Church The gospel, if it is truly believed, helps us out of the extreme neediness that is natural to the human heart….without the Spirit, our hearts don’t really believe in God's delight or grace, so they operate in their default mode. But the truths of the gospel, brought home by the Spirit, slowly but surely help us grasp in a new way how safe and secure, how loved and accepted, we are in Christ. Through the gospel, we come to base our identity not on what we have achieved but on what has been achieved for us in Christ. And when the gospel, brought home to our hearts, eats away at this sin-born neediness, it destroys the inner engines that drive sinful behavior. Elizabeth Elliot, Your Suffering is Never for Nothing Where does this idea of a loving God come from? It is not a deduction. It is not man so desperately wanting a god that he manufactures him in his mind. It’s he who was the Word before the foundation of the world, suffering as a lamb slain. And he has a lot up his sleeve that you and I haven’t the slightest idea about now. He’s told us enough so we can know that suffering is never for nothing. Application Questions 1. What ascent are you making right now? What makes you anxious? What are you anticipating? 2. How has your personal story shaped particular patterns of anxiety in the face of need? What self-saving responses do you need to turn away from? 3. Spend a few minutes this week writing down your greatest need right now and how the gospel addresses that need. How would it change your life to find your security in the love of God given to us in Christ?

Sermon: Deliverance from Deceit (June 7, 2026)

Scripture Text: Psalm 120 Series: Psalms of Ascent Bryan Buck Quotes for Reflection Julian of Norwich, The Showings of Julian Norwich As long as we are in this life, whenever we foolishly turn our attention to those we deem not to be on a spiritual path, our Lord God tenderly touches us and blessedly calls to us, speaking to our souls: Let me be the only object of your attention, my beloved child. Focus on me alone, for I am enough for you. Rejoice in your savior and your salvation. John Newton, The Letters of John Newton We judge things by their present appearances, but the Lord sees them in their consequences. J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels We must take our whole heart to the house of God, and worship and hear like those who listen to the reading of a benefactor's will. Steven J Lawson, Holman Old Testament Commentary An incomparable blessing awaits God's people whenever they come to God's house to hear God's Word. True spiritual growth necessitates that believers regularly attend the gathering of worshippers and sit under the Scripture being taught. Wherever the Word of God is proclaimed, the glory of God is manifested, and the grace of God is magnified in the hearts of the saints. Whatever the distance a person must travel to receive the Word, the effort is always eternally rewarding. Singing praises to God with other like-minded believers makes the journey worth the while. Nothing is more important to one's spiritual life than hearing and living God's Word. Application Questions 1. Think back on a challenge you faced this week. How did you initially respond? Did you trust in yourself or God? What does your gut reaction reveal about your heart? 2. Have you ever been the object of slander in your community? Why would the Psalmist recommend that we trust in God’s judgement rather than pursue retribution on our own? 3. Why would traveling to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple be the ultimate solution for dealing with a deceitful world?

Sermon: The Disciples at the Well (May 31, 2026)

Sermon Text: John 4:1-42 Pat Roach

TLFPS Ep 9: The Feast of the Holy Trinity

With Special Guest Jim Byrne Click here [https://drive.google.com/file/d/15j9ZwZ7ZSHnX23LsCE0O-5RH17KOei6j/view?usp=sharing] to download liturgy and celebration ideas for the Feast of the Holy Trinity: Sources and Further Reading on the Feast of the Holy Trinity: 1. Trinity Sunday: A Rookie Anglican Guide [https://anglicancompass.com/trinity-sunday-a-rookie-anglican-guide/] 2. The Liturgical Home: Ordinary Time [https://www.amazon.com/Liturgical-Home-Ordinary-Time/dp/B0FBMNPDBW] by Ashley Tumlin Wallace 3. Sacred Seasons [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0736986170/?bestFormat=true&k=sacred%20seasons%20book&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-ww_k1_1_15_de&crid=2WYDJNBVWWLNY&sprefix=sacred%20seasons%20] by Danielle Hitchen In this podcast series, we have a chance to explore how the historic Christian church has marked time for centuries through special seasons, feasts, and other noteworthy days - and how we can embrace the value and beauty of these liturgical celebrations in our own community. Music: “The Size of Grace” © Courtland Urbano