Eben Ice Caves in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
– Psalm 19:1
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,
have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,
in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
– Romans 1:20
Faith is assurance of things hoped for
The conviction of real unseen things
Live by faith in God’s promised reward
And in God’s unseen daily workings
Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son
We believe God made the world and us
Show it by how you treat each person
By faith we’re commended as righteous
Through the saving work of God’s own Son
(Repeat Chorus)
Faith is the means of walking with God
Draw near to Him and please Him each hour
There is reward for those who seek God
And hope in death through God’s greater power!
(Repeat Chorus)
© 2023 Brian J. Mikul
(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)
I am currently preaching a series called “The Truths We Hold Dear.” We are looking at core Biblical doctrines that the church believes. Here are the four sermons on the doctrine of God:
The Old Testament was filled with promises in great detail about the coming of Jesus, and He came just as was promised. The New Testament is filled with promises of the return of Jesus, and we believe that Jesus is coming again just as was promised. We are “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
And Jesus is coming again to bring forth the final fulfillment of God’s Kingdom. In the Gospels, Jesus declared that the kingdom of God was at hand. Jesus the King has come, and He cast out demons and healed the sick and raised the dead and multiplied food and calmed the storm to show what His kingdom would one day be like. Satan will be defeated, and there will be no more sickness or death or lack or destructive chaos. And He died on the cross for our sins and rose again to make for Himself a people, His subjects, who will turn from their sin & believe in Him, and begin to follow Him.
One day the King is coming again, and He will bring about the final fulfillment of the Kingdom. He will bring peace and justice and righteousness forever (Isaiah 9:7). He will set up His throne on the New Earth, and He will bring forth His kingdom filled with life and healing and light. There will be no more darkness, and nothing accursed. And His people will be forever in presence of the Lord (Revelation 22:1-6).
So let us carefully prepare for His return. Too many people don’t prepare, don’t even think about being ready for His return. They have no interest in Jesus, no interest in the salvation He offers. But if there is even a chance that what we are saying is true, shouldn’t you carefully explore it? If your eternal destiny rests on what you do with Jesus, shouldn’t you consider it? Jesus might return today. You could die today. Turn from your sin and trust in Him today. Carefully prepare for His return.
He is coming. Are you ready?
And if you are, rest in the amazing certain hope that you have in Him!
Be careful that you don’t turn away
How could you treat Christ with such disdain?
Vengeance is the Lord’s, He will repay
Without Christ, only judgment remains
Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son
Now call to mind how far you have come
All the trials you had to endure
Don’t quit now for your reward will come
Look to your hope, glorious and sure
(Repeat Chorus)
© 2023 Brian J. Mikul
(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)
There are 7 studies for the book of Numbers, which you can find below. You can use them to continue leading a study through the Old Testament or to just lead a study on Numbers. Be sure to read the introduction to OT Journey 2.0 at the bottom of the page here for more information. You are encouraged to use the Bible Project overview video to introduce the study.
Study 1: Numbers 1-5
Study 2: Numbers 6-10
Study 3: Numbers 11-15
Study 4: Numbers 16-20
Study 5: Numbers 21-25
Study 6: Numbers 26-30
Study 7: Numbers 31-36
May God bless you as you study His Word!
– Adam Mabry in The Art of Rest
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are designed to picture and so remind us of Christ’s saving work for us.
Baptism pictures and reminds us of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, and how in Him we have spiritually died and been buried to our old sinful way of life and been raised to a new life with Him (Romans 6:3-4). Baptism also pictures and reminds us that in Christ our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16).
The Lord’s Supper pictures the broken body and shed blood of our Savior, which we are specifically told to remember (I Corinthians 11:23-25). The same passage also reminds us that the cup is the New Covenant in His blood – it pictures our new relationship with God made possible through Christ in which are sins are forgiven and His Word is written on our hearts (Hebrews 8:10-12).
And so both baptism and the Lord’s Supper picture and remind us of Christ’s sacrifice, and how in Him our sins are forgiven and we are now able to follow Him.
So let us remember and rejoice. I tell people when I prepare them for baptism, that it is a celebration.
Sometimes we talk about celebrating Lord’s Supper, because it should be a celebration. As we remember Christ’s saving work for us, how could we not celebrate? As we consider forgiveness of sins and a new life in Christ, how could we not rejoice? Remember and rejoice!
Let us also remember and rest. And in two ways: rest in Christ’s love and rest in His finished work.
First, rest in Christ’s love that brought Him to the cross to die for your salvation. Everyone is looking for love, and as Christians we have found an undying, unselfish, unending, amazing love. No matter what others think of you, no matter how they may reject you or mistreat you or ignore you, the God of universe, your Creator and Savior, loves you and will not reject or mistreat or ignore you. As we witness a baptism or gather for the Lord’s Supper, we remember His saving work for us and rest in His love.
Second, rest in Christ’s finished work. Jesus died and rose again to cleanse you of all your sins. In Christ, you are clean. There is nothing you have to do but believe. It is not of works, so no one can boast. No penance, no earning, no striving – just rest in His finished work. Again, He died and rose again to change you, to give you a new life – something you could not do on your own. You cannot fix yourself. He has already done it – just rest in His finished work. As we witness a baptism or gather for Lord’s Supper, we remember His saving work for us. It is finished, so we can rest.
As you witness a baptism or gather around Christ’s table, remember His saving work for you. And as you remember, rejoice and rest.
To God we have confident access
Through Christ our priest, His death made the way
So draw near, come into God’s presence
With true faith, fully cleansed, come today
Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son
Hold fast your hope without wavering
God’s promises never throw away
Commit to the church’s gathering
Stir up to love and good works today
(Repeat Chorus)
© 2023 Brian J. Mikul
(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)
I am currently preaching a series called “The Truths We Hold Dear.” We are looking at core Biblical doctrines that the church believes. I started with two sermons on why doctrine matters, which you can watch here:
Brian J. Mikul 