Redeemer Pca Of Overland Park

Returning to the Lord (Hosea 14:1-9)Pastor Tony FelichApril 27, 2008 ----more----The prophet speaks to the people, urging repentance before conveying God’s promise of blessing The promise of healing began to be realized when Israel returned from its sixth-century exile in Babylon. It finds much greater fulfillment in Jesus Christ and His church, and is consummated at His Second Coming This epilogue challenges every generation to consider carefully the ways of the Lord that are presented in the book (cf. Ps. 1; 18:21; Prov. 10:29). Hosea 1414:1 Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.2 Take with you words and return to the LORD; say to him, “Take away all iniquity; accept what is good, and we will pay with bulls the vows of our lips.3 Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride on horses; and we will say no more, ‘Our God,’ to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy.”4 I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from t

The Fall of a Once Godly Culture (Hosea 12:1-13:16)Pastor Tony FelichApril 20, 2008 ----more----As Hosea's prophecy draws to a close, we observe how a culture goes from godliness to godlessness in order to evoke a godly response in us. THERE ARE SOME TELLING CHARACTERISTICS OF A CULTURE IN DECLINE:- Satisfaction is sought apart from God (12:1-2,9, 13:4-6)- Self-Sufficient pride takes root (12:3-8)- Blatant Sin goes unchallenged and eventually denied (12:1,7,8, etc.)- The Word of God is Ignored (12:10-14)- Repentance is feigned when the going gets tough (13:1)- The most heinous of acts are committed as acts of "worship" (13:2)- The threat of divine judgment is seen as a bluff (13:7-16) Hosea 12:1 Ephraim feeds on the wind and pursues the east wind all day long; they multiply falsehood and violence; they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried to Egypt. 2 The LORD has an indictment against Judah and will punish Jacob according to his ways; he will repay him according to his deeds.3 In the womb he took

Unbroken Love (Hosea 11:1-11)Pastor Tony FelichApril 13, 2008 ----more----Against the worst backdrop of sin you can imagine, God's gracious love is revealed.EXPOSITION OF THE TEXT WHILE NOTING THE PATTERN AND PARALLEL IN OUR LIVES:- The Rejection of God's kindness (1-4)- God's discipline (5-6)- God's gracious love revealed (7-9)- God paints a hopeful picture of final restoration (10-11) Hosea 11:1–11 (Listen)11:1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.2 The more they were called, the more they went away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols.3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them.4 I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.5 They shall not return to the land of Egypt, but Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me.6 The sword shall rag

The Challenge of Affluence (Hosea 10:1-15)Pastor Tony FelichApril 6, 2008 ----more----God's Providence has provided more Fruit, Israel's response is:- More altars- Unfaithful heart- Empty oaths The easy yoke of covenant blessings would be replaced by the hard yoke of covenant curses in order to teach them obedience. Hosea 1010:1 Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built; as his country improved, he improved his pillars.2 Their heart is false; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and destroy their pillars.3 For now they will say: “We have no king, for we do not fear the LORD; and a king—what could he do for us?”4 They utter mere words; with empty oaths they make covenants; so judgment springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of the field.5 The inhabitants of Samaria tremble for the calf of Beth-aven. Its people mourn for it, and so do its idolatrous priests— those who rejoiced over it and over its glory— for i

No Guilt in Life, No Fear in Death (Matthew 27:62-28:10)Pastor Tony FelichMarch 23, 2008 ----more---- The resurrection of Christ brings us real victory and attending relief concerning our two greatest earthly burdens - guilt and fear WHY DID CHRIST RISE?- For His own Glory and that of His Father (Jn. 17:1, Rm. 1:4)- To fulfill prophecy (Ps. 16:10, Mt. 12:39-41)- To manifest His Lordship (Jn.11)- To carry on His office of Mediator (Rm. 8:34)- For our Salvation (Rm. 4:25, 1Cor. 15:21,55) WHAT DID CHRIST'S RESURRECTION ACCOMPLISH FOR US?- We are declared righteous before God! (Rm. 4:25)- We are given power for living life now! (Rm. 6:4, Phil. 3:10)- We are guaranteed of our own resurrection (1Cor. 6,15) HOW DOES THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST GIVE US RELIEF AND ENCOURAGEMENT TODAY?- No more guilt in life (Rm. 8:1, Phil. 3:8-9, 2Cor. 5:17)- No more fear in death (Phil. 1:21-24, Jn. 14:2, 2Cor.5:8) Matthew 27:62–28:1062 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered b

Ruling by Serving (Matthew 21:1-11)Pastor Tony FelichMarch 16, 2008 ----more---- Palm Sunday offers a vivid picture of Christ as a humble king HOW DO PEOPLE GENERALLY VIEW LEADERSHIP?- Possession of power- Biblical examples: Eve, some of the Kings, James and John in the New Testament, etc.- Modern examples JESUS AS LEADER- He possessed all power, yet served- He turns the "power scale" upside down- He commissions us to be servant leaders HOW WILL YOU PRACTICE SERVANT LEADERSHIP IN YOUR LIFE? Matthew 21:1–11 (Listen)21:1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is co

The Consequences of Corporate Sin (Hosea 9:1-17)Pastor Tony FelichMarch 9, 2008 ----more----I. God threatens to deprive this degenerate seed of Israel of all their worldly enjoyments because by sin they had forfeited their title to them; so that they should have no comfort either in receiving them themselves or in offering them to God, (1-5)II. He dooms them to utter ruin, for their own sins and the sins of their prophets, (6-8)III. He upbraids them with the wickedness of their fathers before them, whose steps they trod in, (9, 10)IV. He threatens them with the destruction of their children and the rooting out of their posterity (11-17) Hosea 99:1 Rejoice not, O Israel! Exult not like the peoples; for you have played the whore, forsaking your God. You have loved a prostitute's wages on all threshing floors.2 Threshing floor and wine vat shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail them.3 They shall not remain in the land of the LORD, but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean food in As

The Danger of Being Assimilated (Hosea 6:11-7:16) Pastor Tony Felich February 10, 2008 ----more----The advance of Christ's Kingdom on earth has always included the great struggle of the Church against cultural assimilation THE EXAMPLES OF THE DRIFT TOWARD ASSIMILATION IN BIBLICAL HISTORY- Lot and Sodom (Genesis)- Israel and Egypt (Exodus)- The conquest of Canaan (Joshua)- The people's demand for a King (Judges)- Israel's Fall (Hosea)- Judah's Fall (Jeremiah)- During the time of Christ and the Apostles (James addresses)- Ongoing struggle right up to present NOTICE THE FEATURE OF CULTURAL ASSIMILATION IN HOSEA'S DAY- Unfaithful Leadership- Lack of the true knowledge of God- Lack of repentance when confronted by God- Mixture with the world HOW MIGHT WE (THE CHURCH/CHRISTIANS) RESIST CULTURAL ASSIMILATION? Hosea 6:11–7:16 (Listen)11 For you also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed. When I restore the fortunes of my people,7:1 when I would heal Israel, the iniquity of Ephraim is revealed, and the evil deeds of Samari

Knowing God (Hosea 6:4-10)Pastor Tony FelichFebruary 3, 2008 ----more----Knowing God is the greatest human experience there is- Knowing God doesn't come from obedience (4-6)- Knowing God doesn't mean mere mental assent (6)- Knowing God isn't based on a warm feeling (6)- Knowing God has to do with loving comprehension of YOUR God (6)- Truly Knowing God will produce obedience (6-10) Hosea 6:4–104 What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away.5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light.6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.7 But like Adam they transgressed the covenant; there they dealt faithlessly with me.8 Gilead is a city of evildoers, tracked with blood.9 As robbers lie in wait for a man, so the priests band together; they murder on the way to Shechem; they commit villain

Are You Really Sorry (Hosea 5:1-6:3)Pastor Tony FelichJanuary 20, 2008 ----more----GOD'S REDEEMING LOVE We see hope that God and his Israel, notwithstanding their sins and his wrath, might yet be happily brought together again- That they would seek him and he would be found of them;- Though some did repent and reform, the greater part continued obstinate Hosea 5–6:35:1 Hear this, O priests! Pay attention, O house of Israel! Give ear, O house of the king! For the judgment is for you; for you have been a snare at Mizpah and a net spread upon Tabor.2 And the revolters have gone deep into slaughter, but I will discipline all of them.3 I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from me; for now, O Ephraim, you have played the whore; Israel is defiled.4 Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God. For the spirit of whoredom is within them, and they know not the LORD.5 The pride of Israel testifies to his face; Israel and Ephraim shall stumble in his guilt; Judah also shall stumble with them.6 With their flo

The Compounding Negative Effect of Bad Teaching (Hosea 4:1-19)Pastor Tony FelichJanuary 13, 2008 ----more----- Unfaithful Leadership- Lack of the true knowledge of God- Lack of repentance when confronted by God- Mixture with the world Hosea is here, as counsel for the King of kings, opening an indictment against the people of Israel, and laboring to- Convince them of sin, and of their misery- Danger because of sin,That he might prevail with them to repent and reform Hosea 44:1 Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land;2 there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.3 Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it languish, and also the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens, and even the fish of the sea are taken away.4 Yet let no one contend, and let none accuse, for w

Introduction to Hosea: You Want Me to Do What? (Hosea 1:1-3:5)Pastor Tony FelichJanuary 6, 2008 ----more----Hosea's is a vivid picture of God's redeeming love for His people.I. Guidance for interpreting and applying the message of HoseaADDRESSED TO OUR SPIRITUAL FOREFATHERSCONTAINS PARTICULAR BENEFITS FOR BELIEVERS NOW ALSO:- Shares something of God's heart toward spiritual adultery- Reminds us how we can also fall in to spiritual adultery (nothing new under the sun)- Shows God's gracious plan to redeem a people for Himself- Gives a sense of the difficult price God paid for us- Reveals Gentiles added to the Church is key fulfillment of Hosea's prophecy (and covenant with Abraham) II. Hosea's difficult calling and message (1)- Marriage- Children- A gut-wrenching mess ...for a purpose III. Hosea's marriage as a analogy (2-3)- God's people were unfaithful to God (syncretistic worship)- God would discipline His people- God would redeem and restore, ultimately through Christ and the addition of the gentiles to the

The Advent of Christ Declared in Handel's Messiah (Part 2 and 3) Pastor Tony Felich December 23, 2007

The Advent of Christ Declared in Handel's Messiah (Part 1) (Isaiah 40:1-3) Pastor Tony Felich December 16, 2007

Beware of Distractions from Grace (Titus 3:8-15)Pastor Tony FelichDecember 9, 2007 ----more----God's grace to us has given us great purpose now and hope for the future, we must not become distracted by ultimately worthless things. IN LIGHT OF GOD'S GRACE TO US, FOCUS ON PROFITABLE THINGS (8,12-15)- God's Grace to us in Christ is the foundation for our lives- Pursue Good works, for the right reason (gratitude) IN LIGHT OF GOD'S GRACE TO US, AVOID UNPROFITABLE THINGS (9-11)- Foolish, time consuming arguments- Divisive people Titus 3:8–158 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a

The Heirs of Grace (Titus 3:5-7)Pastor Tony FelichDecember 2, 2007 ----more----Here is the procuring cause of all, namely, Christ: - Through Jesus Christ our Saviour. whose undertaking and work it is to bring to grace and glory - He is our righteousness and peace, and our head, from whom we have all spiritual life and influences Titus 3:5–75 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

The Effect of Grace Lived Out (Titus 3:1-3)Pastor Tony FelichNovember 25, 2007 ----more----Having been transformed by God's grace, we can live graciously and purposefully GRACIOUS CIVIC CONDUCT BEFITTING THE HEIRS OF GRACE (1-2)- Submissive to governing authority- Ready for every good work- Speaking evil of no one- Not quarrelsome- Gentle- Courteous BECAUSE OF GOD'S GRACE TO US, WE LEAVE FUTILITY BEHIND (3)- No more foolishness- No more rebelliousness- Slaves to various passions no longer!- We are done living maliciously, enviously and hatefully Titus 3:1–33:1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

The Transforming Power of Grace (Titus 2:11-15)Pastor Tony FelichNovember 4, 2007 ----more---- The free, unmerited favor of God (GRACE) is what transforms our lives for the glory of God. THE EPIPHANY OF GRACE (1)- The appearance of grace- For all people THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF GRACE (12-13)- Grace trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions- Grace trains us to be self-controlled, upright, and godly- Grace gives us hope and expectation for the future- Grace give us proper focus on God's Glory- Grace constantly points us to Christ THE NECESSITY OF PREACHING GRACE (14-15)- There is only one method for the transformation of lives for the glory of God - Grace- There will be continuous opposition to Grace Titus 2:11–1511 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and

Employees for the Glory of God (Titus 2:9-10)Pastor Tony FelichOctober 21, 2007 ----more----The conduct of Christian employees is one of the greatest ways to show Christ to the world, for the glory of God. WHAT DO ANCIENT SLAVES HAVE TO DO WITH MODERN EMPLOYEES? THE CONDUCT OF CHRISTIAN EMPLOYEES OUGHT TO BE MARKED BY:- Politeness and respect (9)- Honest (10a)- Dependable (10a) THE ACTIONS OF GODLY WORKERS WILL SHOW THE BEAUTY OF GOD TO THE WATCHING WORLD (10b) Titus 2:9–10 (Listen)9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

Instruction to Younger People in the Church (Titus 2:5-8)Pastor Tony FelichOctober 14, 2007 ----more----The young should be solid in their deportment and manners, joining the seriousness of age with the liveliness and vigour of youth. THIS WILL MAKE EVEN THOSE YOUNGER YEARS TO:- Pass to good purpose- Yield matter of comfortable reflection when the evil days come IT WILL BE PREVENTIVE OF:- Much sin and sorrow- Lay the foundation for doing and enjoying much good. SUCH SHALL NOT MOURN AT THE LAST BUT:- Have peace and comfort in death, and after it a glorious crown of life. Titus 2:5–85 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.