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Abiding in Christ Jesus for the renewal of all things.
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- 1 weeks ago29 min
Sermon: A Liturgical Life (September 13, 2026)
Scripture Text: Psalm 1Bryan BuckQuotes for ReflectionByung-Chul Han, The Disappearance of Rituals Rituals stabilize life. To paraphrase Antoine Saint Exupéry, we may say: rituals are in life what things are in space…They ‘have the function of stabilizing human life.’ Their ‘objectivity lies in the fact that…men, their ever-changing nature notwithstanding, can retrieve their sameness, that is, their identity, by being related to the same chair the same table.’ In life, serve as stabilizing resting points. Rituals serve the same purpose. Through their self-sameness, their repetitiveness, they stabilize life. They make life last. Søren Kierkegaard, Repetition and Philosophical CrumbsRepetition’s love is in truth the only happy love…Hope is new attire, stiff and starched and splendid. Still, since it has not yet been tried on, one does not know whether it will suit one, or whether it will fit. Recollection is discarded clothing which, however lovely it might be, no longer suits one because one has outgrown it. Repetition is clothing that never becomes worn, that fits snugly and comfortably, that neither pulls nor hangs too loosely….repetition is the daily bread that satisfies through blessing.Péter Nádas, A Careful Definition of the Locale: Walking Around and Around a Solitary Wild Pear TreeEver since I have lived near this gigantic wild pear tree, I have not needed to go yonder when I want to look into the distance or back in time. Willem A. VanGemeren, PsalmsIn the Wisdom literature, the way of torah signifies adherence to God’s will in everyday life and enjoying this application of his will. The delight of the godly in doing God’s will on earth is the result of a special relationship with the Lord.Application Questions1. Consider two examples from your life. First, consider the joy of possessing something new. Second, consider the joy of possessing the same thing over many years. What do you notice about the difference between those two joys?2. Of all the metaphors the psalmist could have chosen in Psalm 1 to represent life with God, he chose a tree. Why a tree, and what stands out to you about this image?3. What sort of impact has the sameness of the liturgy had on your life during the week?
- 2 weeks ago27 min
Sermon: The Lord is Righteous (September 6, 2026)
Scripture Text: Psalm 129Bryan BuckQuotes for ReflectionGeorge Herbert, The SacrificeWith clubs and staves they seek me, as a thief,Who am the Way and Truth, the true relief;Most true to those, who are my greatest grief: Was ever grief like mine?Steven Lawson, The Holman Old Testament Commentary In the face of defeat, God gave them the victory. In fact, such God-given victory marked the entire history of his people, Israel. God's people sinned, and God saved them; Israel disobeyed, and God delivered them; Israel rebelled, and God rescued them. This is the undeserved grace of God poured out upon his people. Failure is never final as long as there is the grace of God.Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same DirectionThe reason my childhood was one enthusiasm after another was that I hadn’t yet found an organizing center for my life and a goal that would demand my all and my best. The Christian faith is the discovery of that center in the God who sticks with us, the righteous God. Christian discipleship is a decision to walk in his ways, steadily and firmly, and then finding that the way integrates all our interests, passions and gifts, our human needs and our eternal aspirations. It is the way of life we were created for. There are endless challenges in it to keep us on the growing edge of faith; there is always the God who sticks with us to make it possible for us to persevere.Application Questions1. Psalm 129 describes God as the one who rescues us from oppression. What does it say about God that he even rescues us from ourselves?2. The prayer of the psalmist in verse five is one of anger. How is God speaking to you through your anger in this season? 3. The story of Scripture tells of a God who always sticks with us. How have you experienced this in your own story and how can this give you a sense of renewed hope for whatever you might facing now?
- 3 weeks ago26 min
Sermon: Have Mercy On Us (August 30, 2026)
Scripture Text: Psalm 123Bryan BuckQuotes for ReflectionPaul Goodman, Little Prayers and Finite ExperiencePatience is drawing on underlying forces; it is powerfully positive, though to a natural view it looks like just sitting it out. How would I persist against positive eroding forces if I were not drawing on invisible forces? And patience has a positive tonic effect on others; because of the presence of the patient person, they revive and go on, as if he were the gyroscope of the ship providing a stable ground. But the patient person himself does not enjoy it.Steven Lawson, Psalms 76-150Herein is found the encouragement every believer needs. In this psalm is the needed motivation to look beyond all one's present circumstances to the Lord himself. Every Christian needs to be peering beyond an overbearing boss, beyond a dying parent, beyond an unfaithful friend to the Lord himself. He must be looking beyond an unexpected expense, beyond a rebellious child, beyond a stagnant ministry, and beyond a passed-over promotion to the Lord himself. This is the upward vision of faith, a focusing on God for all our needs. The eyes of faith are always looking up to God for life, direction, protection, and provision. Such an upward gaze requires a lowly submission before God, a humble reliance upon him, and a ready obedience to keep his Word.Tim & Kathy Keller, The Songs of JesusBelievers feel the pain of the world’s contempt. How do we keep from either adopting its views or becoming resentful and withdrawn? We must lift our eyes to God. This is more than simply to “take a look.” It denotes a steady, reflective, adoring gaze filled with longing and desire. The psalmist focuses both his attention and the yearnings of his heart on God in prayer. He became like a domestic servant, trained to respond to every indication of his master’s will. In short, the psalmist overcomes all distractions and makes knowing God experientially and serving God obediently the main business of his life. Application Questions1. Why is it so tempting to use worldly tactics to deal with the pain points of life? How has this impacted the credibility of Christian faith in our time? 2. Why is gathered worship so central to seeing beyond the veil of circumstance? 3. How does the gospel naturally cultivate patience in all things? How does the gospel inspire hope in particular way for your life at the present moment?
- 4 weeks ago23 min
Sermon: Rich Toward God (August 23, 2026)
Scripture Text: Luke 12:13-21David Bast
- Aug 18, 202629 min
Sermon: Good & Pleasant (August 16, 2026)
Psalm 133Josh HillQuotes for ReflectionMichael Reeves, Delighting in the TrinitySince God is, before all things, a Father, and not primarily Creator or Ruler, all his ways are beautifully fatherly. It is not that this God "does" being Father as a day job, only to kick back in the evenings as plain old "God". It is not that he has a nice blob of fatherly icing on top. He is Father. All the way down. Thus all that he does he does as Father. That is who he is. He creates as a Father and he rules as a Father; and that means the way he rules over creation is most unlike the way any other God would rule over creation...Have you ever known someone so magnetically kind and gracious, so warm and generous of spirit that just a little time spent with them affects how you think, feel and behave? Someone whose very presence makes you better--even if only for a while, when you are with them? I know people like that, and they seem to be little pictures of how God is, according to John [Calvin]. This God, he says, is love in such a profound and potent way that you simply cannot know him without yourself becoming loving.
- Aug 10, 202626 min
Sermon: A Child with its Mother (August 9, 2026)
Sermon Text: Psalm 131Bryan BuckQuotes for ReflectionTim & Kathy Keller, The Songs of Jesus We so often approach God only for what he can give, rather than simply to rest in his presence.John of the Cross, The Ascent to Mount CarmelWhere your hope goes, there too will go your joy, fear, and sorrow; and if it turns back, they too will turn back. Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same DirectionWe are always, it seems, reeling from one side of the road to the other as we travel in the way of faith. At one turning of the road we are presented with awesome problems and terrifying emergencies. We rise to the challenge, take things into our own hands to become master of the situation, telling God, “Thank you, but get lost. We’ll take care of this one ourselves.” At the next turning we are overwhelmed and run in a panic to some kind of infantile religion that will solve all our problems for us, freeing us of the burden of thinking and the difficulty of choosing. We are, alternately, rebellious runaways and whining babies. Worse, we have numerous experts, so-called, encouraging us to pursue one or the other of these ways.Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David To the weaned child his mother is his comfort though she has denied him comfort. It is a blessed mark of growth out of spiritual infancy when we can forgo the joys which once appeared to be essential, and can find our solace in him who denies them to us.Application Questions1. What feels too high, too great, and too marvelous right now? What is your typical response, fight or flight, and what happens as a result? 2. The pursuit of control often leads to chaos and loss of meaning. How have you had this experience? 3. What practice can you embrace this week that will allow you to approach God not only for what he can give, but for the rest found in his presence?
- Jul 27, 202624 min
Sermon: Blessing in Fear (July 26, 2026)
Sermon Text: Psalm 128Jim ByrneQuotes for ReflectionDavid Dickson (1583-1663) The scope of this psalm is to show the blessedness of the one who fears God, which appears first in the temporal blessing of that person in their calling, second in their family, and third, in pouring spiritual blessings on them.James Luther Mays Because Zion is the place of the Presence, the pilgrims bring the needs and hopes of everyday life with them.Willem VanGemeren To sit under one’s vine and fig tree was an expression of a state of tranquility, peace and prosperity. Even when the country faces adversity, the man who fears the Lord is insulated against adversity by wife and children as blessings of the Lord are found under the roof of his house.Cassiodorus (490-585) Those who are apprehensive of the world’s dangers in loss of temporal possessions are not blessed. These dangers make people wretched, torturing them with empty fear, so that they do not experience growth but a diminution, no ascent but a headlong fall. By contrast, fear of the Lord is offspring of love, is born of charity.Application Questions1. How have you experienced happiness from God's blessing in your work, family or community that calls for special gratitude?2. How have you experienced lack of blessing when not walking in the ways of the Lord Jesus that needs acknowledgment in God's presence?3. How do you hope to see God's blessing on your life, family or community that invites prayer for yourself or others?
- Jul 22, 202630 min
Sermon: Unless the Lord Builds the House (July 19, 2026)
Scripture Text: Psalm 127Bryan BuckQuotes for ReflectionEugene Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same DirectionThe first people to sing this psalm had expended much effort to get to Jerusalem. Some came great distances and overcame formidable difficulties. Would there be a tendency among the pilgrims to congratulate one another on their successful journey, to swell with pride in their accomplishment, to trade stories of their experiences? Would there be comparisons on who made the longest pilgrimage, the fastest pilgrimage, who had brought the most neighbors, who had come the most times? Then, through the noise of the crowd, someone would strike up the tune: “If GOD doesn’t build. . . guard. . .” The pilgrimage is not at the center; the Lord is at the center. No matter how hard they had struggled to get there, no matter what they did in the way of heroics—fending off bandits, clubbing lions, crushing wolves—that is not what is to be sung. Psalm 127 insists on a perspective in which our effort is at the periphery and God’s work is at the center.Derek Kidner, PsalmsOne of the most telling features of this short poem is that it singles out three of our most universal preoccupations – building, security, raising a family – and makes us ask what they all amount to, and to whom we owe them.Timothy & Kathy Keller, The Songs of Jesus“Helicopter” parenting and over involvement in our children’s lives, cannot ensure their health and happiness. Unless the Lord enters their lives, all our watching is in vain. Giving our children to God is the only way we get to keep them.Application Questions1. What signals do you experience personally that reveal you are working in your own strength rather than the Lord’s?2. How does the gospel of grace provide a third way between negligence and toil?3. The psalmist describes activities that are central to human purpose: building, protecting, laboring, and parenting. In which of these areas are you experiencing anxious toil right now? Write down how the gospel can be applied specifically and transformatively, allowing it to reorient your approach.
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