1. The Kingdom of Christ

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 Ministryof 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].

The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

What changed a group of people huddled in fear into the powerhouse leaders of the Christian faith, who testified before rulers and confessed faith in the face of torture and death? A sermon for Pentecost Sermon Outline: I. The Spirit enlivens and empowers all things II. All of the Christian life is by the Spirit III. The Spirit regenerates us IV. The Spirit unites us V. The Spirit empowers us VI. The Spirit sanctifies us VII. The Spirit will raise us from the dead Scripture texts: Psalm 104 Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, 2 covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent. 3 He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind; 4 he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire. 5 He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved. 6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. 7 At your rebuke they fled; at the sound of your thunder they took to flight. 8 The mountains rose, the valleys sank down to the place that you appointed for them. 9 You set a boundary that they may not pass, so that they might not again cover the earth. 10 You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills; 11 they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. 12 Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches. 13 From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work. 14 You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth 15 and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart. 16 The trees of the LORD are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. 17 In them the birds build their nests; the stork has her home in the fir trees. 18 The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers. 19 He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting. 20 You make darkness, and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep about. 21 The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God. 22 When the sun rises, they steal away and lie down in their dens. 23 Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening. 24 O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. 25 Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great. 26 There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it. 27 These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. 28 When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. 29 When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. 30 When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground. 31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works, 32 who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke! 33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. 34 May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD. 35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD! Acts 2 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: 17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20 the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know– 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ 29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”‘ 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. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.  Sermon Transcript [https://newlifeithaca.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/5-24-26-The-Ministry-of-the-Holy-Spirit-Acts-2-1-21.pdf] Liturgy Bulletin [https://newlifeithaca.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-5-24-Pentecost.pdf] “The Ministry of the Holy Spirit” preached by Rev. Dr. Timothy R. LeCroy, Sunday, May 24, 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 Ministry of the Holy Spirit [https://newlifeithaca.org/sermons/the-ministry-of-the-holy-spirit-2/] first appeared on New Life Ithaca Presbyterian Church [https://newlifeithaca.org].

Rocket Man

Major human achievements like the recent trip to the Moon unite people together and transcend differences. But what if we had something far greater and permanent to raise our humanity? A sermon on the Ascension of Jesus Christ Sermon quotes: But to go to Him and withdraw from us was this: to change and make immortal the mortal that he took from us and to lift into heaven that by which he was on earth for our sake. Who would not rejoice at this? -St. Augustine, 5th c. That is why The days of this life are prolonged for us As a reprieve to reform our evil ways. -St. Benedict of Nursia, 6th c. “The Ascension means that heaven is not merely a hope, but a present possession for the Church in [Jesus Christ].” -John Calvin, 16th c. “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine!” -Abraham Kuyper, 19th c. Sermon text: Luke 24:44-53  Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” 50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.* 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God. Sermon Transcript [https://newlifeithaca.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/5-17-26-Rocket-Man-Luke-24.pdf] Liturgy Bulletin [https://newlifeithaca.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-5-17-Easter-7-Ascension-Sunday.pdf] “Rocket Man” preached by Rev. Dr. Timothy R. LeCroy, Sunday, May 17, 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 Rocket Man [https://newlifeithaca.org/sermons/rocket-man/] first appeared on New Life Ithaca Presbyterian Church [https://newlifeithaca.org].