Sunday Sermon | The Ministry of Reconciliation | 2 Corinthians | Part 9

Sunday Sermon | The Inner Life of a Disciple: The Heart God Blesses | The Beatitudes | Part 1

Please join us as Pastor Preston Hoffman discusses the Beatitudes. Matthew 5:1-6. At the beginning of His sermon, Jesus answers the question: What kind of heart does God bless? The kingdom of God and the role you play in it does not begin with what you do but begins with what you are. The Sermon on the Mount is a portrait of those who have been transformed by the true gospel. The kingdom life begins with a transformed heart - humbled, broken, surrendered, and hungry for God. These qualities are not natural; they are the spirit-wrought foundations of true discipleship. The Sermon on the Mount is not a path to earn salvation, it is the life of those already saved by the King. In His portrait, Jesus describes the inner posture of every true citizen of His kingdom. This sermon explores the first four Beatitudes - poverty of spirit, mourning over sin, meekness, and hunger for righteousness - as the inner life of a true disciple. It is a call to examine the heart, embrace Christ’s sufficiency, and pursue the righteousness only He can give.

Sunday Sermon | The Authority of Apostolic Ministry | 2 Corinthians | Part 10

Please join us as Pastor Patrick Joyner continues the series on 2 Corinthians. 2 Corinthians 6:1-13. Paul has been defending his apostleship and is drawing attention to the unique connection between apostle and the authority of the apostle as he proclaims the gospel. It’s the nature of mankind that necessitates continuous authoritative preaching and ministry. We require a continual proclamation of the gospel. We need the encouragement, the revelation of truth, the urgency by the power of the Holy Spirit to probe oneself such that we can see and repent of our sinfulness and truly enjoy this life God has given us. Redemption doesn’t make ministry unnecessary or optional. One of the themes in these verses is the concept of authority. Every molecule in creation works within the paradigm of authority. The same is true of sin; it’s commanded in a way that it’s removed by the power and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our sinful flesh is resistant to authoritative biblical ministry. Paul has to contend not just for his authority but for authority itself.

Sunday Sermon | The Ministry of Reconciliation | 2 Corinthians | Part 9

Please join us as Pastor Patrick Joyner continues the series on 2 Corinthians. 2 Corinthians 5:11-21. Our attention may be drawn to three primary themes in this passage. First is the fear of the Lord; the centerpiece of what compels Paul to confidently go forward in Christ. The fear of God must have more to do with God’s people than simply that He doesn’t care what we do and loves us no matter what. The reality is that redemption in Christ results in a new creation, a noticeable change. Are we concerned about the Father’s displeasure of our own sinfulness even though we are redeemed? If we feel a sense of freedom in our sinfulness, then we have misunderstood and diminished the love of Christ and the fear of the Lord because it is not acting as a counterbalance for a holy life. Second, Christ’s love for the redeemed. Paul’s understanding of Christ’s love for him enables Paul to holdfast, stay on task, and to endure all things. The Lord’s joy in His people is our strength. Paul recognized that the Lord Jesus died for him. He died for you. We become inclined to diminish the gift and life of Christ if we think of our redemption in unbiblical terms, as an abstract mass of people; but redemption is very personal. If we don’t view the love of Christ in a personal way, it could never counterbalance a life of faithfulness. The love of Christ compels us. It changes us. We are a new creation. We no longer look at people according to the flesh and a right understanding of this will change the way we act. Thirdly, the glory of new life through being reconciled to Christ. When one becomes a new creation in Christ, everything around them will also change. A life in Christ is a constant source of blessing and encouragement. God is pleading for us to come to Christ and freely receive new life.

Sunday Sermon | Why the Apostle had Good Courage: A Confident Longing for His Heavenly Home | 2 Corinthians | Part 8

Please join us as Pastor Patrick Joyner continues the series on 2 Corinthians. 2 Corinthians 5:1-11. Heaven is a place of holiness, happiness, and humility. If we would be ready for heaven, these are the things the apostle Paul would encourage us to recognize. Light, momentary afflictions are integrated into our lives by God’s design for spiritual growth in ourselves and for encouraging others. The Christian life isn’t about avoiding difficulty, the Christian life is shaped by difficulty. In our temporal bodies, we groan as we drag along remnants of our sinful flesh. The point isn’t a discouraging look at redemption but to see there is a profound difference between our earthly tent and the building in heaven. One of the challenges of our lives is spiritual self awareness. What is it that you are really hoping? Paul is helping us to understand the importance of continually having our affections shaped. If we have a wrong perception of the Christian life then we will not realize that we should be encouraged at the way the Spirit is working, that our experiences can be explained spiritually and we can press on and be joyful, not being hampered by temporal, fleeting hindrances to faithfulness. The weight of the normal, Christian life has as its only counterbalance the day of the lord. The redeemed should be fanatically joyful about a future in heaven, but the urgency of the last day should absolutely impact every moment of our lives as we aim to please the Lord.

Sunday Sermon | God’s Method in Ministry | 2 Corinthians | Part 7

Please join us as Pastor Patrick Joyner continues the series on 2 Corinthians. 2 Corinthians 4:7-15. In verses 7-15, we see the challenge of being depleted as the Corinthians give their lives to Christ and the challenges that occur in a normal gospel ministry. In gospel ministry, the minister is in the background as the servant, proclaiming Jesus Christ. The point isn’t simply that humanity is diminished in the glory of Christ but that the gospel not only does in fact glorify Christ but also simultaneously intentionally deals with the pride and conceit of man. The gospel is accentuated in this sinful earth by placing it in something so mundane - a common earthen vessel. The treasure inside is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God. Why clay pots? Because the surpassing value belongs to God, not to us. He is the one with power and glory. Humans have trouble wholly exalting another but the reality is that biblical servanthood is about directing attention to God. We are not to accentuate the clay pot; we are to accentuate Christ. Giving faithfully, in gospel labor, will always physically deplete the giver to some extent. Gospel ministry is not about personal gain but His glory.