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:
Tag: Bible
Sermons: Why Doctrine Matters
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:
Classic Quote
Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive, myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
– Jonathan Edwards
Introducing OT Journey 2.0
I am excited to introduce you to OT Journey 2.0 this summer. Bible Journey studies and reflections have been on this site for quite a while. This summer I am launching OT Journey 2.0 which is a reworking and revising of that earlier material. It is designed to help you take a group through the entire Old Testament (except Psalms) chapter by chapter in three years (150 lessons). You can find all the details for this new study (as well as the older one) on the Bible Journey page here. I plan to start posting studies next week. It would make a great study to start this Fall with your Sunday School class or small group Bible study.
Sermon Songs: Hebrews 4:12-14
Dear Christian, hear the Word of the Lord
Living and active to transform you
Sharper than any two edg-ed sword
Piercing to the very core of you
Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son
The Word discerns what is in your heart
Reveals your sin – on your own you’re lost
Points to your hope, from Him ne’er depart
For you He paid the horrible cost
(Repeat Chorus)
© 2022 Brian J. Mikul
(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)
Our Declaration
In the LORD I take refuge.
– Psalm 11:1a
David knows where to turn in his trial. He turns to the LORD.
This isn’t a prayer; it is a declaration.
David declares what we should declare:
In the LORD I take refuge.
What about us?
When faced with trials, suffering, struggles, do you declare?
In the LORD I take refuge.
When you have struggles with your health, do you declare?
In the LORD I take refuge.
When there are struggles in your family, do you declare?
In the LORD I take refuge.
When there are problems at work, do you declare?
In the LORD I take refuge.
When you read or watch the news and see mess our world is in, do you declare?
In the LORD I take refuge.
When you are afraid, anxious, or worried about something, do you declare?
In the LORD I take refuge.
When you are weary, exhausted, feeling overwhelmed, do you declare?
In the LORD I take refuge.
Whatever the trial, whatever the trouble that springs up in our lives, let us boldly declare with David:
In the LORD I take refuge.
Psalms Feed 26-30
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord. – Psalm 27:14
Your face, Lord, do I seek. – Psalm 27:8c
This psalm gives three very relevant instructions for us today:
First, wait for the Lord. There are things want to do. Place we want to go. People we want to see. But we can’t. Wait on the Lord. Don’t be impatient. Don’t be anxious. Don’t grumble and complain. Just wait on the Lord. Wait on his timing. Wait on his plan. Wait on his goodness. Wait on the Lord.
Second, be strong and courageous. There is a virus out there and financial concerns and questions about the future. Be strong and courageous. Do not fear. Do not worry. Do not freak out. Just be strong and courageous. He is our stronghold. He is our shelter. He is our salvation. Be strong and courageous.
Third, seek his face. There are distractions aplenty. Lots of things we could do. Lots of online media to engage. Seek his face. Don’t waste your time. Don’t live for something else. Don’t place your trust somewhere else. Just seek his face. He is gracious. He is beautiful. He is trustworthy. Seek his face.
Wait for the Lord. Be strong and courageous. Seek his face.
Psalms Feed 11-15
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.
– Psalm 13:1-2a, 5-6
We are living in “How long, O Lord” days. How long will we face this virus? And where is God in this situation? Why would he allow it? We wrestle in our souls and in our hearts with questions, uncertainties, anxieties, disappointments, and sorrows. The wrestling is real, and cry of “how long?” is real.
But in the midst of our wrestling, let us trust in God’s steadfast love. God loves us even now. He does.
And we will rejoice one day in his salvation. We will sing one day of his bountiful care through this situation and of his future blessings. We will.
Psalms Feed 1-5
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked…
Whose advice are we following?
…nor stands in the way of sinners…
Whose actions are we following?
…nor sits in the seat of scoffers…
Whose attitude are we following?
…but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night…
Do we delight in the Word? Meditate on it? Ponder it? Are we following the advice, actions, and attitudes taught in God’s Word?
…he is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season….
If we are meditating on God’s Word, we are like well-watered trees.
To bear good fruit, we must be planted in God’s Word. Are we?
(From Psalm 1)
Q&A#11: God’s Special Creation
Q/A#11
Q: Who are people?
A: People are God’s special creation, created either male or female, each with body and soul joined together.
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him,
male and female he created them.
– Genesis 1:27 (ESV)
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. – Matthew 10:28 (ESV)
For Further Reflection
Psalm 139:13-18, Genesis 1-2
Our Response
Realize you are special!
Praise God!
Brian J. Mikul 