The OBPC Blog

Fasting, Part 2 - Matthew 6:16-18 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2012-01-29T12:21:00.001-08:00

Fasting, Part 2 - Matthew 6:16-18 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

Foundations of the Family - Lesson 5 - Biblical Womanhood - Elder Doug Leaman

2012-01-29T12:16:00.001-08:00

Foundations of the Family - Lesson 5 - Biblical Womanhood - Elder Doug Leaman

Marriage is Made in Heaven - Genesis 2:18-24 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2012-01-22T12:32:00.001-08:00

Marriage is Made in Heaven - Genesis 2:18-24 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

Adult Bible Study Series: Foundations of the Family - Lesson 4 - Biblical Manhood (part 3) - Elder Doug Leaman

2012-01-22T12:20:00.001-08:00

Adult Bible Study Series: Foundations of the Family - Lesson 4 - Biblical Manhood (part 3) - Elder Doug Leaman

Marriage Is Made in Heaven

2012-01-20T15:59:00.001-08:00

Introduction

On Monday some of our state senators will be meeting at 10:00 a.m. for a hearing on a bill that proposes to redefine marriage as being a union between any two people regardless of their gender. If a bill such as this passes, it will affect all of us. It is time for faithful, Bible-believing, blood-bought Christians such as ourselves to leave their comfort zone and act, even if eventually we are thrown in jail.

Marriage is a creation institution. Therefore, it isn’t something for the church only. What God says concerning marriage applies to every time in history and every culture in the world. So, what you believe concerning origins is foundational. In the beginning God or in the beginning matter?

I. It is not good for you to be alone.

A. A shocking evaluation.

B. The wife is designed by God to make her husband complete.

C. Marriage is a lifelong covenant relationship between one woman and one man.

D. God has a gift for everyone in this area.

E. Did God create some people to be homosexuals?

II. God established your roles as husband and wife from creation.

A. The wife is to submit to her husband’s leadership.

B. The husband should love and honor his wife.

III. Concluding applications.

A. Marriage is a divine institution.

B. Marriage is meant by God to be a blessing for mankind.

C. Marriage is designed by God as a picture of our relationship to Him.

Conclusion

Are we convinced that what God says concerning marriage is true and good and a blessing? Are we convinced of the power of the gospel to change the vilest sinner? Are we convinced that Jesus shall reign from sea to sea? If so, let’s stand for it.

GUEST SPEAKER: Christ's Concern for His Family - John 19:17-27 - Dr. Kevin Backus

2012-01-15T12:27:00.001-08:00

GUEST SPEAKER: Christ's Concern for His Family - John 19:17-27 - Dr. Kevin Backus

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

Adult Bible Study Series: Foundations of the Family - Lesson 3 - Biblical Manhood (cont'd) - Elder Doug Leaman

2012-01-15T12:26:00.001-08:00

Adult Bible Study Series: Foundations of the Family - Lesson 3 - Biblical Manhood (cont'd) - Elder Doug Leaman

Fasting - Matthew 6:16-18 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2012-01-08T12:32:00.001-08:00

Fasting - Matthew 6:16-18 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

Adult Bible Study Series: Foundations of the Family - Lesson 2 - Biblical Manhood - Elder Doug Leaman

2012-01-08T12:30:00.001-08:00

Adult Bible Study Series: Foundations of the Family - Lesson 2 - Biblical Manhood - Elder Doug Leaman

Fasting

2012-01-06T15:28:00.001-08:00

Introduction

This is one of those passages that at first glance seem so simple, and yet, upon further study, one realizes that the subject of fasting is much broader than simply not eating.

I. Explanation of the Passage in the Context

A. Jesus is addressing three areas of life that were large elements in the practical life of the righteous.

B. Notice that in all three instances, Jesus assumes that his disciples will practice righteousness and specifically these three acts (when you), 2, 5, 16.

C. The wrong way to fast, 16.

D. The right way to fast, 17-18.

E. By now you may be thinking, “what’s so hard to understand about fasting?”

II. Where Does Fasting Come From?

A. Fasting is not an essentially Jewish or Christian thing – Several religions have practiced it through the centuries – Buddhists and Hindus

B. Fasting is not even essentially a religious thing.

C. Though not essentially Jewish or Christian, fasting was part of the religious experience God’s people in the pages of the Scriptures.

D. But question still remains: are these examples normative for us to follow? In other words, is there such thing as a Christian fast?

III. Two Other Passages That May Muddy the Waters or Clear Our Understanding: Mt. 9:14-17& Isa. 58:1-12

A. Mt. 9:14-17 is the only other place where Jesus teaches on fasting.

B. Is. 58:1-12 is very much like Mt. 6:16-18.

IV. What We Have Learned Today.

A. Not nearly enough – we will come back to this subject next time to talk about the actual practice of fasting from food.

B. We did learn that fasting is part of the Christian life as a voluntary discipline – some may fast and some may not.

C. We have learned that fasting is a private exercise, which you shouldn’t publicize from the roof top.

D. We have learned that fasting points to the fact that this life now and this world now is not all there is.

E. Above all, we learned that fasting goes beyond not eating.

Conclusion

Have you hailed the power of Jesus in your life? Is your life a perpetual fast in the sight of God? Is Jesus reigning in every corner of your heart? If he is not, I beg you to submit to him. Fall before him and he will lift you up.

Are you a follower of King Jesus by faith? Continue to pursue him, to seek him first and “The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”

And His Name is Jesus - Matthew 1:18-25 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2012-01-01T12:43:00.001-08:00

And His Name is Jesus - Matthew 1:18-25 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

Adult Bible Study Series: Foundations of the Family - Lesson 1 - Intro and Presuppositions - Elder Doug Leaman

2012-01-01T12:36:00.001-08:00

Foundations of the Family - Lesson 1 - Intro and Presuppositions - Elder Doug Leaman

And His Name is Jesus - Matthew 1:18-25 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2012-01-01T09:38:00.001-08:00

And His Name is Jesus - Matthew 1:18-25 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

Life in Prayer

2011-12-30T14:47:00.001-08:00

Introduction

“Jesus has already made it clear in Matthew 6 that the single most important influence on the way we live the Christian life is how we think of God. For Jesus, theology (how we think of God) determines practice (how we live our lives)” Ferguson. This is nowhere more evident than in prayer.

Pray reminds us that in our lives, we are never left alone to the resources of our own righteousness, strength, and wisdom. Prayer reminds us that every situation in our lives is not only inhabited by God, but also, and even more encouraging, it is ruled by him. Prayer reminds us that we have been graced with a Father’s love and that love will not let us go until it has changed us in every way that is needed.

I. Praying to the Father.

A. Prayer works because we pray to our Father in heaven.

B. We approach God in the intimacy of children, and yet as the great king in heaven.

II. The Worship of the Father.

A. Prayer is an act of worship and the first petition makes it very clear that we are worshiping God when we are praying to him.

B. God is holy.

C. When we pray that his name be sanctified, we are asking that everything in our lives would declare the holiness of God.

D. This declaration is primarily done by our mortifying sin in our lives.

E. In essence we are saying, “Lord, may everything I do and say show forth your glory as my Father in heaven, and may all my thoughts be focused on what will bring honour to your name” Ferguson.

III. The Kingdom of the Father.

A. The kingdom of the Father is also the kingdom of the Son.

B. We are to live as those who have already experienced the power of Christ’s kingly rule, yet who still long for its completion, and our prayers must show that.

C. Praying that the kingdom of God come and his will be done involves at least four things.

D. Prayer reminds us of a King greater than us and a kingdom better than our own.

IV. The Sustenance of the Father.

A. Notice that in this model prayer, it took till we were halfway through to get to us.

B. The glory of God manifests itself even in the most trivial things as in what we are going to eat today.

C. Prayer requires us to see ourselves as needy.

V. The Grace of the Father.

A. We can come to our Father with the burden and nagging pain of our guilt.

B. But Jesus adds a qualification to this petition: as we forgive our debtors (better: have forgiven), see 14-15.

C. Prayer reminds us of God’s daily call to give the same grace to others as God has given you.

VI. The Protection of the Father.

A. This final petition assumes that the children of God realize their weakness and vulnerability, and, therefore seek the protection of God from evil.

B. This same language is used earlier in chpt 4:1, where Jesus is led by the Spirit to be tempted by the Devil.

C. In essence, we are praying that we do not be put through the same testing as Jesus who suffered the full attack of Satan in which our indwelling sin is stirred up.

D. This petition also reminds us that our biggest struggles happen inside of us, not outside.

Conclusion

This glorious model of prayer led the early church to import to here a doxology originally found in 1 Chronicles 29:11, “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Prayer reminds us that the key to a life of love and grace is rooted in an allegiance to God’s kingdom, not our own. True, heartfelt prayer ends as it begins –with recognition of God’s kingship and his glory. Life is not about us and prayer reminds us that the center of our universe is place reserved for God and God alone.

And His Name Is Jesus!

2011-12-22T13:33:00.001-08:00

Introduction

The Bible deals with real life. What happens in the pages of this book doesn’t take place in an idyllic world, but in the real sin-cursed world among suffering and hurt. What we read here is the real story of teenage woman who was engaged to be married and found herself pregnant.

At the same time, Joseph knows that he didn’t do anything wrong in the relationship and he is convinced that his wife-to-be cheated on him. He is conflicted. “If I marry her, I’ll be admitting that I committed fornication with her. If I make a big deal about it in a public divorce, she will be disgraced. What do I do?”

If Mary had gotten pregnant today, she would have faced tremendous pressure to abort this baby. Maybe that was part of the fullness of time being back then instead of now.

When we understand what sin has done to us, and how sin separates us from God, we become very thankful and excited about Christ’s mission: “For he will save his people from their sins” (21).

I. Now the birth of Jesus was as follows:

A. The history of the world had been moving for thousands of years to this point, to this place, in this little piece of dry land, in the little towns of Nazareth and Bethlehem.

B. From the day Adam and Eve fell into sin, history was all about preparing the world and a particular people for the coming of the one who was going to crush Satan’s head and redeem his people from their sins.

II. What we read here is the story of Jesus’ birth from Joseph’s perspective.

A. The longer narrative in Luke (120 verses) describes the story from Mary’s perspective.

B. The genealogy that preceded our text traces Joseph’s lineage back to David, a point that the angel emphasizes when talking with Joseph.

III. Joseph as the father of God.

A. God picked a righteous, kind, compassionate, gracious, and merciful man to be his Son’s legal father on earth.

B. In his mind, he couldn’t marry Mary because she was unfaithful to him, and to marry her would be to admit his own guilt in the matter of the baby.

C. Righteousness demanded that the law be kept, but would be the most gracious application of the law?

D. Now, you may be asking yourselves what it means to be betrothed to somebody.

E. Joseph was obedient to the Word of God.

IV. The main feature of this story is the message of the angel of the Lord.

A. Unlike the Lukan narrative, the angel is not named here, but Matthew makes sure that we know that the angel’s message is from God by calling him the angel of the Lord.

B. The baby in Mary’s womb is not the fruit of adultery; rather, the baby was conceived by God the Holy Spirit.

C. The baby is Mary’s womb is the Savior of God’s people.

D. The baby in Mary’s womb is God in the flesh.

Conclusion

This is who he is. And his name is Jesus for he came to save his people from their sins.

The Entire Christmas Story - Galatians 4:4-5 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-12-18T12:36:00.001-08:00

The Entire Christmas Story - Galatians 4:4-5 - Pastor Tito Lyro

NOTE: Due to technical difficulties a few minutes of audio are missing after minute 15

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

The Christmas Story

2011-12-16T12:10:00.001-08:00

Introduction

The Christmas narrative in the Gospel of Matthew runs a hefty 48 verses and in Luke it is longer still at 120 verses. Yet this one sentence combines all 168 verses in a powerful way. Though it does not mention shepherds or wise-men or inns or stables, it is nonetheless profound and compelling.

I’d like to “unpack” these two verses, as they see in the business, section by section as we look forward to Christmas next Lord’s Day.

I. When the fullness of time had come…

A. Why did Jesus come just when he did?

B. Why, then, did Jesus come precisely when he did?

C. The time is precisely right for every thing that God does.

II. God sent forth his Son…

A. Who is Jesus Christ?

B. He was sent by the Father with a specific errand, a specific mission.

III. Born of a woman…

A. Protestant Christians tend to neglect the person of Mary.

B. But there is something more we can say under this heading.

C. There is at least one more thing we can say under this heading.

IV. Born under the law…

A. Nobody wants to talk about law and guilt these days, but if we don’t we might miss something essential.

B. Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans that all human beings are in one sense or another “under the law.”

C. Before we move on, we must acknowledge one wonderful exception to the human experience of failure before “the law.”

D. To say that Jesus was born under the law means that he was born under the demands of the law, he was obliged to keep the law.

V. To redeem those who were under the law…

A. Many non-Christians today are happy to acknowledge that Jesus of Nazareth was a great ethical teacher, and some are even willing to allow that he was a miracle-worker.

B. But did you know that Jesus’ primary mission was neither to teach nor to perform miracles?

C. Jesus describes his mission in Mark 10:45-46.

D. Here, referring to himself by his favorite term “the Son of Man,” he says:

E. Did you catch that last phrase? He came…to give his life as a ransom for many.

VI. … that we might receive the adoption as sons.

A. With this concluding phrase the true purpose of the Christmas story has become clear.

B. Why was the Son sent? Why did Jesus come?

Conclusion

So, there it is: the entire story of Christmas in one sentence – when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

The Life of the Kingdom in the Prayer of the Kingdom - Matthew 6:9-15 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-12-11T12:08:00.001-08:00

The Life of the Kingdom in the Prayer of the Kingdom - Matthew 6:9-15 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

Sincere Prayer - Matthew 6:5-8 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-12-04T12:29:00.001-08:00

Sincere Prayer - Matthew 6:5-8 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

Sincere Prayer

2011-12-03T09:32:00.001-08:00

Introduction

The English word sincere comes from two Latin words: sine (without) and cera (wax). In the ancient world merchants would use wax to hide defects, such as cracks, in their pottery so that they could sell their merchandise at a higher price. More reputable would hang a sign over their pottery – sine cera (without wax) – to inform customers that their merchandise was genuine.

In this passage, our Lord calls us to genuine prayer, sincere prayer, sine cera prayer. He calls us to prayer that is a reflection of our hearts (not impress men and not to impress God).

I. Prayer Itself

A. What it is (WSC 98 & WLC 178).

B. What it does.

II. Two Emphases in the Text

A. God as Father, 6, 8.

B. Praying citizens of the kingdom of Christ.

III. Praying to Men, 5-6

A. Again the hypocrite seems to be a description of the Pharisee, 5.

B. Notice that the issue that Jesus is pointing out is not necessarily that there are people around him, 5.

C. The issue is that he is praying in public because he loves the recognition that he gets from those who hear him, 5.

D. This passage demonstrates God’s aversion to any type of phony Christianity that has as its objective to be well thought of by people.

E. This passage also teaches the necessity of private and personal prayer, 6.

IV. Repetitious Prayer, 7-8

A. There seems to have been a belief among the Pharisees that long prayers that repeated certain phrases were more effective, 7.

B. What would be examples of repetitious prayers?

C. The reason why we don’t need to try to trick God into answering our prayers is because he already knows what we need even before we ask, 8.

D. This passage also teaches us of the necessity of thought in prayer.

Conclusion

Are your prayers sine cera, without wax? Your God listens to you and he desires that you come to him. There is no magic formula, just a sincere heart that has been changed by the Holy Spirit.

Humble Generosity - Matthew 6:1-4 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-11-27T12:02:00.001-08:00

Humble Generosity - Matthew 6:1-4 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

Humble Generosity

2011-11-26T16:11:00.001-08:00

Introduction

Jesus has gone from preaching to meddling. He wants to tell us what do to with our money? That’s absurd! But that is exactly what he is doing here. Jesus changes from a plural you to a singular you to point out the specificity of what he is about to say. “Jesus’ disciples must themselves be so given to God… that their giving is prompted by obeying and having compassion on men” (D.A. Carson). Christ is speaking of all giving, not just the money we put in the offering plate.

I. Generosity Is not a Choice, 2a.

A. Generosity is called an act of righteousness in v. 1.

B. Christ says that a citizen of his kingdom will be generous.

C. Giving of oneself, be it one’s possessions, time, skills, is foundational to kingdom living, to gospel living.

II. Hypocritical Generosity, 2.

A. God is concerned with the motives of our hearts for everything we do, including giving.

B. In our passage, the hypocrite hires a trumpeter, not to ostensively announce his giving, but to gather the poor.

C. The hypocrite couldn’t care less for God’s opinion of him as long as he is glorified by men.

III. Godly Generosity, 3-4.

A. Notice that the difference between hypocritical generosity and godly generosity is not in the giving – both are called charitable deeds.

B. Notice also that the difference is not necessarily in how many people see the charitable deed.

C. The real difference is in the attitude of the heart.

D. Christ himself gives us an example of how this generosity look like.

E. This godly generosity is a spiritual discipline every Christian is called to do.

IV. Christ-Centered Generosity.

A. Christ-centered generosity is based on the grace of our Lord Jesus.

B. All we have belong to Jesus because of the cross.

C. The life we now live is Christ living in us and Christ is all about giving.

D. Christ gave his all in order to make us rich with a treasure that is not of this world: HIMSELF.

Conclusion

John Calvin said, “It frequently happens, that men sacrifice to themselves rather than to God.” Our giving cannot be a sacrifice to the God of self. It must be a response to the cross and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ on our behalf.

AUDIO: Life with the Father - Matthew 6:1-18 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-11-20T12:26:00.001-08:00

Life with the Father - Matthew 6:1-18 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

Life with the Father - Matthew 6:1-18 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-11-20T12:25:00.001-08:00

Life with the Father - Matthew 6:1-18 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

Life with the Father

2011-11-17T19:02:00.001-08:00

Introduction

Chapter 6 marks a shift in Jesus’s teaching. He spent most of chpt. 5 correcting false belief concerning his Law. He went hard after heart belief. Now in chpt. 6 he goes after heart obedience. He is after outward obedience that flows from a heart who knows God as Father through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is overthrowing outward religion that seeks the praise of men and elevating heart-driven obedience that seeks the glory of God.

I. Christ calls his disciples to do righteousness, 6:1.

A. The word in verse 1 translated charitable deeds is different from the word translated charitable deeds in vv. 2, 3, 4.

B. The particular deeds of righteousness that Christ is addressing are charitable giving (2-4), prayer (5-15), and fasting (16-18).

C. The issue at stake here is not doing or not doing these three things, nor doing or not doing them in the presence of men, but the attitude in which they are done: to be seen by them, 4, 6, 18.

D. By warning of his disciples about the necessity of living out their faith in Christ for the glory of God, Jesus implies that it is not natural for us to do that.

E. By bringing these spiritual disciplines up, Jesus is indicating that his disciples are called to sacrifice, self-discipline, and self-denial.

II. Jesus makes his teaching more accessible to us by using three illustrations of righteous living.

A. He brings up our relationship to others in our giving, our relationship to our ness in our praying, and our relationship to ourselves in our private fasting.

B. Jesus describes the man who is the essence of charity – or so he would like others to think, 2-4.

C. Jesus next describes a person who is not ashamed to pray; in fact he is never more excited than when he can pray in a prayer meeting, 6:5.

D. The third is illustration is of a man known for his enormous self-discipline, 6:16.

III. Jesus wants to point out with these illustrations that there are dangers in the spiritual life when sinners undertake it.

A. When we are saved, when God changed our hearts and declares us righteous in his sight, these acts do not remove the presence of sin in our hearts.

B. Even though sin is dethroned as the master of our lives, it continues to work its deceit in our minds.

C. Jesus had the Pharisees in mind when he used these word pictures.

D. Jesus’s view of the Pharisees should act as a warning light for evangelical Christians.

E. Jesus calls these Christians by a special name: Hypocrites, 6:2, 5, 16.

IV. Jesus gives a remedy to desiring the praise of men.

A. Why do people become like this? Why do we become like this

B. We fail to understand and deal with our own hearts.

C. Second and even more serious, the heart of the hypocrite does not know God as his heavenly Father.

Conclusion

The hypocrite looks for a reward that comes from men. He finds security in the knowledge that men think highly of him and that’s all he will get. The Christian desires to be thought well of by his Father. When he/she gives because he loves his Father, or prays because he trusts his Father’s care about his needs, or fasts because he longs to submit his whole being to his Father’s will, he has his reward (6:4, 6, 18).

Creation After Its Own Kind - Genesis 1 - Tim Prussic

2011-11-13T13:00:00.001-08:00

Creation After Its Own Kind - Genesis 1 - Tim Prussic

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

Creation after Its Own Kind

2011-11-10T14:50:00.001-08:00

I. The Intimacy of the Creation of Humanity

II. The Community of the Creation of Humanity

III. The Nuptials of the Creation of Humanity

From Believing to Acting - Matthew 5:48-6:18 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-11-06T12:22:00.001-08:00

From Believing to Acting - Matthew 5:48-6:18 - Pastor Tito Lyro

NOTE: Due to technical difficulties only the first 10 minutes of the sermon audio is available

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

From Believing to Acting

2011-11-03T16:51:00.001-07:00

Introduction

Chapter 6 marks a shift in Jesus’s teaching. For most of chapter 5 Jesus addressed misunderstanding and misapplication of the Law. Now he goes on to calibrate the practice of righteousness and spiritual disciplines. Through verse 18, Jesus emphasizes generosity and humility, prayer, and fasting. This transition provides a good place for us to review what we have learned so far from our Lord Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (19 sermons so far).

I. Review of Chapter 5

A. The Beatitudes: a description of the Christian as he is, 5:3-12.

B. This Christian person, renewed in Jesus Christ, interacts with the world and the world reacts to him, 5:13-16.

C. Man, in the sinfulness of his heart, corrupted the Law of God and made it a matter of external bondage rather than obedience that flows from a heart that is overflowing with the presence of Christ, 5:17-47.

II. A Call to Perfection, 5:48.

A. Chapter 5 ends in an unexpected way with a call to be perfect as our Father in heaven in perfect.

B. In essence Jesus is saying, “Don’t look at the Pharisees and scribes for a model of whom you should be. Look to your Father in heaven and learn of him concerning perfection.”

C. Christ says that God is the perfect one and we are to be like him.

D. But that is a tall order. To be perfect like God? How is that possible?

E. The primary answer to that is that you are already perfect in Christ.

F. This concept of being perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect humbles us.

G. This concept also makes the Christian life always purposeful and always moving forward.

H. Four Reasons We Must Go Hard after God

Conclusion

Your Father in heaven commands you to become what he has declared you to be in Jesus Christ.

Restless Hearts - Genesis 1:26-31 - Tim Prussic

2011-10-30T12:32:00.001-07:00

Restless Hearts - Genesis 1:26-31 - Tim Prussic

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

Restless Hearts

2011-10-27T10:11:00.001-07:00

Restless Hearts

I. You have made us for yourself, O Lord... (Gen 1:26-31)

II. ...and our heart is restless... (Gen 3:14-24)

III. ...until it rests in you. (Rom 5:18-21)

Lex Talionis and Love for People - Matthew 5:38-47 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-10-23T12:35:00.001-07:00

Lex Talionis and Love for People - Matthew 5:38-47 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

Lex Talionis and Love for People

2011-10-20T13:32:00.001-07:00

Introduction – God’s radical love requires our kind treatment of those who mistreat us because God is our Father in heaven.

I. Guidelines for Interpretation of This Passage

A. Many people have misunderstood Jesus’ words here and thus have headed toward the wrong conclusion.

B. So we must follow sound principles of interpretation and application as we come to these difficult commands.

C. I offer four guidelines for properly understanding Jesus’ words here:

1. Look at the totality of Scripture.

2. Look at the context of this passage.

3. Look at Jesus’ life to interpret his words.

4. Look at your heart and apply the spirit of Jesus’ teaching to yourself, not to others.

II. Jesus’ teaching falls under four points:

A. Radical love requires responding to wrongs with positive ministry toward the wrongdoer, not with retaliation.

B. Radical love requires treating others as God treats us.

C. Radical love exceeds the world’s standards of love.

D. Radical love shows the nature of God to people who desperately need Him.

Conclusion

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8). That’s the radical love of Jesus, that he would offer himself in the place of sinners who ignored him, broke his commandments, and refused to let him be the rightful Lord of their lives. The only way you can begin to live a life of loving others with Jesus’ radical love is to respond to his love by trusting him as your Savior and Lord. Then the Holy Spirit will give you the power to love others as Jesus loves you. If you know Christ, take a few move deeper into loving others this week. Think of someone who has wronged you. Pray for an opportunity to do something kind for him or her. Let God’s radical love that found you as a sinner flow through you to those who have mistreated you because of the love your Father in heaven has for you.

The Strength of Your Word - Matthew 5:33-37 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-10-16T15:27:00.001-07:00

The Strength of Your Word - Matthew 5:33-37 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

The Strength of Your Word

2011-10-14T11:49:00.003-07:00

Introduction

Our Lord Jesus Christ came to establish his kingdom. His message was, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt. 4:17). In the Sermon on the Mount, he seizes the opportunity to explain who the citizens of the kingdom of heaven are and what they do. They are the ones who are poor spirit and mourn over their sins, turning to Christ for forgiveness. They are the meek and merciful. They are the ones whose hearts have been purified by Jesus Christ. These kingdom citizens who have been brought into the kingdom of heaven by faith alone in the person and work of Christ alone are called to live kingdom lives by the grace of God.

We often wonder why the church seems so dead, why we seem so dead. We want the powerful stuff. Where is it? It is right here in kingdom living. It is in being poor, and humble, and hungry, and thirsty, and persecuted. It is in obeying God and serving others. It is in being astonished by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. It is by knowing, trusting, and loving King Jesus.

I. Christ Came to Fulfill the Law, 5:17.

A. As the fulfiller and the law-give, he calls his people back to the law’s original intent. This portion of the Sermon on the Mount is not an exhaustive commentary on the law of God. Rather, it is a large enough sample of how the citizens of the kingdom of heaven should understand the law of God. It is very important that we keep in mind that when Jesus says “You have heard it said,” he is not referring to a particular portion of the OT, but to the way that the scribes and Pharisees interpreted and applied a particular teaching of the OT. As we look at how Jesus redirects the understanding of God and his law back to the original intent, we clearly see that Jesus is after the heart.

II. Defining Terms

A. Oath – a promise made to other people that what you saying is true in which you call God as a witness to that truth.

B. Vow – a promise made to God.

III. The Specific Misinterpretation and Misapplication That Jesus is Dealing With.

Jesus is referring to a misinterpretation on the part of the Pharisees concerning what it means to make a binding oath. The Pharisees looked at passages like Lev. 19:12 and concluded that it only forbade false oaths in the name of the Lord. Jesus explains that the exercise in mincing words that the Pharisees had gone through does not change the fact that they are swearing falsely. He shows that swearing by anything is swearing in God’s name because he is the Maker of all things and all things were made for him.

IV. Instead of Trying to Strengthen Your Word with Oaths That You Have no Intention of Keeping, just Be Truthful.

A. Jesus wants the citizens of his kingdom to be truthful people.

B. A person who cannot be trusted is acting as a child of Satan.

C. So Jesus says, “Be the type of person whose simple yes or no suffices in establishing what you are saying.”

D. Why do we lie?

V. Is This an Absolute Prohibition?

A. We look at v. 35 where Jesus says, “do not swear at all,” and at v. 37 where he says, “For whatever is more than these is from the evil one,” we might conclude that any swearing is forbidden.

B. When we bring in the rest of the Scriptures, we see that Jesus did not mean that swearing was always prohibited.

C. So, what is Jesus forbidding then? William Hendriksen explains it well.

“What we have here in Matt. 5:33-37… is the condemnation of the flippant, profane, uncalled for, often hypocritical oath, used in order to make an impression and to spice daily conversation. Over against that evil Jesus commends simple truthfulness in thought, word, and deed.” William Hendriksen

Conclusion

Christ calls us to be people of our word. He calls us to be people whose word demands respect because of the track record of truthfulness. He wants us to be people who, when we promise to our own hurt, will keep our word.

But we often fail. We lie. We behave as if we are children of Satan instead of citizens of the kingdom of heaven. Even our lies should point us to Christ. We lie, but he always true. We break our promises, but all God’s promises are yes and amen in Jesus Christ. Our word is weak, but God’s Word is powerful. We fail. Christ has succeeded for us.

The Strength of Your Word

2011-10-14T11:49:00.001-07:00

Introduction

I. Christ Came to Fulfill the Law, 5:17.

II. Defining Terms

A. Oath – a promise made to other people that what you saying is true in which you call God as a witness to that truth.

B. Vow – a promise made to God.

III. The Specific Misinterpretation and Misapplication That Jesus is Dealing With.

IV. Instead of Trying to Strengthen Your Word with Oaths That You Have no Intention of Keeping, just Be Truthful.

A. Jesus wants the citizens of his kingdom to be truthful people.

B. A person who cannot be trusted is acting as a child of Satan.

C. So Jesus says, “Be the type of person whose simple yes or no suffices in establishing what you are saying.”

D. Why do we lie?

V. Is This an Absolute Prohibition?

B. When we bring in the rest of the Scriptures, we see that Jesus did not mean that swearing was always prohibited.

C. So, what is Jesus forbidding then? William Hendriksen explains it well.

Conclusion

AUDIO: Dividing the Indivisible - Matthew 5:27-32 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-10-09T12:18:00.003-07:00

Dividing the Indivisible - Matthew 5:27-32 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

Dividing the Indivisible - Matthew 5:27-32 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-10-09T12:18:00.001-07:00

Dividing the Indivisible - Matthew 5:27-32 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

Dividing the Indivisible

2011-10-07T13:08:00.001-07:00

Introduction

Human nature is such that it grabs things that God gave to us to be blessings to us, or to protect us, and turns them into curses that satisfy the idol of selfishness that often rules our hearts. We have done that we the glorious institution of marriage.

I. The Glorious Institution of Marriage

A. A marriage is God’s bringing together a man and a woman and making them one.

B. Marriage is a covenant.

C. Marriage is a glorious picture of the relationship of Christ and his Church.

II. The Scribes and Pharisees Took What God Gave His People as a Restraint to Sin and Made It into a Silence to Sin, 31.

A. Jesus is probably referring to the Pharisaic understanding of Dt. 24:1-4.

B. This is more specifically referred to in Mt. 19.

C. Notice that the actual goal of the Dt. passage is to discourage hasty divorce.

III. Despite the Bad Testimony of the OT Saints and the Wrong Understanding of the Scribes and Pharisees, Marriage Is, and Has Always Been, an indissoluble Bond between One Man and One Woman, 32.

“…the bond of marriage is too sacred to be dissolved at the will, or rather at the licentious pleasure, of men. Though the husband and the wife are united by mutual consent, yet God binds them by an indissoluble tie, so that they are not afterwards at liberty to separate.” John Calvin

A. Notice first that Jesus says that divorce must be the rarest of options, not the norm – he lists one reason for it.

B. Notice second that, although here he casts his teaching in terms of the effect divorce has on the woman, in Mark he equally applies to men and women.

C. Notice third that by casting his teaching in terms of the consequence on the woman, Jesus is elevating the place of the woman in society.

D. Notice fourth that divorce for any other reason than sexual immorality places both the husband and wife in a potentially adulterous situation.

IV. Divorce Always Involves Sin.

A. According to this passage, either the divorce itself is a sin, or there was sin that led to the divorce.

B. In this passage the sin is sexual immorality.

C. If a spouse is unfaithful in this area, the other spouse may justly sue for divorce.

V. Words of Application

A. To those who have been divorced.

B. To those who are thinking about divorce for unbiblical reasons.

C. To those who are thinking about being unfaithful.

D. To the married ones

E. To the single.

F. To everybody

Conclusion

“Who can read such teaching without trembling? May God help us to be faithful – to our spouse (if we are married), for our spouse (if we are to be married in the future) – or simply to God himself (if we remain single).” Sinclair Ferguson

A Lustful Heart - Matthew 5:27-30 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-10-02T12:25:00.001-07:00

A Lustful Heart - Matthew 5:27-30 - Pastor Tito Lyro

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A Lustful Heart

2011-09-28T12:14:00.000-07:00

Introduction

Regarding this passage, Matthew Henry says, “We have here an exposition of the seventh commandment, given us by the same hand that made the law, and therefore was the fittest to be the interpreter of it.” He is exactly right! Jesus continues to bring people back to the original intent of the law of God. Sinclair Ferguson says that “…the scribes reduced the law to, ‘You shall not be found guilty of committing adultery.’” Jesus wants his people to know that adultery does not start with a physical act, but with a lustful heart.

I. The Seriousness of the Matter, 29b, 30b.

A. Christ says that lust leads to hell.

B. Sure, we could qualify this statement with the forgiveness of God, but I want us just to take it a face value because I think we don’t take lust seriously – lust leads to hell.

“The lust that leads to adultery will also lead a man to hell. Better to deal with the lust now – to deny oneself now – than to live with eternal self-recrimination.” Sinclair Ferguson

C. Lust can reduce a person to a crust of bread with nothing inside.

Pro. 6:25-29 – Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, nor let her allure you with her eyelids. For by means of a harlot a man is reduced to a crust of bread; and an adulteress will prey upon his precious life. Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be seared? So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; whoever touches her shall not be innocent.

II. Defining Lust, 28.

A. The desire to do with someone who is not your spouse what is reserved by God for your spouse only.

B. To look at somebody with that desire is to commit adultery in your heart.

C. Now, don’t let the fact that Jesus says “looks at woman” make you think that only man struggles with this issue.

D. As we will see in moment, both men and women struggle with lust even if in different ways.

E. The man in v. 28 is looking, gazing, staring at a woman in order to lust after her, to possess her, to use her for his own selfish desires.

1. This is not a just a matter of seeing a woman.

2. It is a matter of looking and thinking and lingering.

F. To do that Jesus says, “STOP!”, 29-30.

1. “Do whatever it takes to deal with your heart to get rid of whatever it is that is causing you to stumble.”

2. Notice that he doesn’t say, “Get everybody to cater to you and blame everybody else for your problem.”

3. Job didn’t blame the young women; rather, he made a covenant with his eyes because he was more interested in seeing what God had for him, than seeing young women.

Job 31:1-4 – I have made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I look upon a young woman? For what is the allotment of God from above, and the inheritance of the Almighty from on high? Is it not destruction for the wicked, and disaster for the workers of iniquity? Does He not see my ways, and count all my steps?

“Far from simply forbidding some acts of immorality, Jesus says God’s law demands purity and integrity in our hearts and in our thoughts about others.” Sinclair Ferguson

III. Jesus Is Making Sure That We Have the Best.

A. God made men and women to be attracted to each other, to need each other, and to enter into relationships with each other that have physical, spiritual, and mental dimensions.

1. We have, by God’s goodness, the ability to share in the reproduction of other human beings, in a context of the closest imaginable human relationship – both physically and spiritually.

2. The gift of sexual relationship is good because it is God’s gift!

B. But the supreme reason for that gift is companionship.

1. God brought Eve to Adam in the Garden of Eden because it was not good for man to be alone.

2. It is within the bond of committed fellowship that family life is to be established, and our sexual instincts are to find their fulfillment.

C. In order to become one flesh, “a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife.”

1. At the heart of the relationship lies the element of commitment – leaving parents and uniting to one’s wife or husband.

2. This is God’s order, and we breach it at our own peril.

IV. Adultery Involves Breaking Several of God’s Commands

A. It involves disobedience of the specific command that forbids it.

B. It involves disobedience to the Lord whom we are to worship.

C. It involves theft – another person’s companion – as the result of coveting what belongs to another.

D. This why adultery is such a serious thing.

Lv. 20:10 – The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death.

V. In Order to Remain Faithful to the Lord and Experience His Good Gift, We Must Guard Our Hearts.

A. As men we will join Job in making a covenant with our eyes.

B. As women we will make a similar covenant with the Lord – we will not play with our own emotions, and we will be very careful not to play with the emotions of others.

1. From what I understand, it is not the looking that is the sinful pleasure that tempts women, but the being looked upon with desire.

2. She night crave the attention that the lustful desires of men bring upon her, the power her body has over men.

3. So, she might cater to those lustful desires, she encourages those desires by the way she dresses, moves, talks, and generally relates to men.

C. A good illustration of these two concepts is the account of David’s sin with Bathsheba.

2 Sam. 11:1-4 – It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house.

D. As men and women, we will vow to treat other Christians as brothers and sisters in complete purity.

1 Tim. 5:1-2 – Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

VI. How Should We React to This Teaching?

A. Some regard it as the end of all fun and excitement in life – what of the joy Christian life is supposed to exhibit?

B. That is exactly the point!

C. Jesus recognizes that sinners can never know true and lasting joy as long as they indulge themselves.

D. True joy, resurrection joy, always lies for the Christian on the other side of sharing in Jesus’s death to sin – that is as applicable to sexual purity as to anything else.

1. Sexual infidelity is a sure way to ruin marital joy, whether it takes place before or during marriage.

2. It either hardens our heart and scars a truly Christian marriage, or it marks our conscience and creates a guilt that God may indeed forgive, but that WE may never forget.

3. Beware of the deceitfulness of a momentary gratification that will lead to life-long recrimination.

VII. General Principles on Purity from Verses 29-30.

A. In the history of the church, there are accounts of men who understood this passage as a literal command to mutilate oneself as a remedy for lust.

1. Primarily in the early church, they would poke their eyes out, burn their hand, even emasculate themselves.

2. But our Lord Jesus tells us that the locus of sin is not our eyes and hands, but our hearts.

Mt. 15:19 – For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

3. So we must deal with the heart and what the heart thinks of Jesus.

B. Realize where yielding to sinful lusts will lead you.

1. Jesus says that hell is the direction in which that path leads and if you don’t get off that path, that’s where you are going to end.

2. So, fix that on your mind.

C. Deal with the real cause of your sin.

1. If it is the right eye that causes you sin, gouge it out!

2. Could you substitute something else? A thousand times no, says Jesus.

AUDIO: Be Reconciled - Matthew 5:21-26 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-09-25T12:25:00.001-07:00

Be Reconciled - Matthew 5:21-26 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

Be Reconciled - Matthew 5:21-26 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-09-25T12:24:00.001-07:00

Be Reconciled - Matthew 5:21-26 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

Be Reconciled

2011-09-21T11:48:00.001-07:00

Introduction – Jesus is restoring the original intent of the law.

I. Reconciliation Is the Opposite of Murderous Anger.

A. Anger is murder in the heart and that needs to be gotten rid of.

B. But it is not sufficient to stop there, we must pursue reconciliation with those who we are estranged because of anger and bitterness.

II. Jesus Gives Us Two Examples of Dealing with Strained Relationships That Have Been Strained by Anger.

A. One is the example of a brother who is upset with you (23-24), and the other is of an adversary who is taking you to court because of some financial debt (25-26).

B. These two examples are here to make it very clear the necessity and the urgency of dealing with estranged relationships, not to give us detailed information on how to go about doing them.

III. Our Relationship with Those around Us Will Affect Our Relationship with God.

A. Again Jesus puts it in terms of going to hell, 26.

B. He also says that gets in the way of our worshipping him, 23-24.

C. Peter says it gets in the way of God’s hearing your prayers.

D. This is the case because we are united to Christ and to be unwilling to be reconciled to one who is united to Christ is to be unwilling to be reconciled with Christ.

E. This is also the case because we commanded to love our neighbor primarily because our neighbor bears the image of God and not loving him is not loving God.

IV. Not a Choice!

A. Jesus says leave, go, and be reconciled, 23.

B. These are command words, not general guidelines to be considered.

V. The Nitty-Gritty of Reconciliation, 23-24.

A. It seems to be our natural conclusion that somebody is upset with us for something we didn’t do, then he must come to us.

B. This conclusion is as false as it is common.

C. If we learn that someone has something against us, God tells us to take the initiative.

D. Notice that the commands in vv. 23-24 are not limited to situations where the other person has something justifiable against you.

E. There are several reasons for us to initiate reconciliation even if we don’t believe we are at fault.

F. We cannot force someone to change his mind about us, but we can make every effort to “live at peace” by clearing up misunderstandings and removing obstacles to reconciliation.

G. If you are wrong and you have wronged the other person go to them ask them to forgive you and change your attitude and behavior, 25.

VI. Three Special Considerations

A. Going to non-believers

B. Going to a person in authority

C. Dealing with abuse

VII. Go repeatedly

A. It is possible that the first time you approach somebody about his sin will not result on reconciliation.

B. If that is the case keep on trying.

C. Try to discern what may have gone wrong the first time around and go back to him/her.

D. Seek to resolve the matter privately till it becomes obvious that further private conversations are truly pointless.

Conclusion – Whatever the reason, your Lord Jesus tells you that as citizens of his kingdom you will put off anger and you will pursue reconciliation. And he promises the grace for you to do so.

The House the Lord Built - Psalm 127 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-09-18T12:24:00.001-07:00

The House the Lord Built - Psalm 127 - Pastor Tito Lyro

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The House the Lord Built

2011-09-15T09:31:00.001-07:00

Introduction

Psalm 127 is a fitting psalm for the occasion of Grady’s baptism. Though it is naturally divided into portions (1-2 and 3-5), there is an underlying theme that unites both parts: whether you are building a house, protecting a city, or raising a family, unless the Lord is doing it through you, you are wasting your time. Dependence on the Lord and the futility of life without him is the main message of this psalm.

I. A Few Initial Comments

A. This is a song of ascents (or degrees) that was sung during the pilgrim feasts.

B. It is one of the few psalms of Solomon.

II. Dependence on the Lord in All Things

A. The first portrait of dependence on the Lord: building a house, 1a.

B. The second portrait of dependence on the Lord: guarding a city, 1b.

C. The third portrait of dependence on the Lord: working hard to provide for your family, 2.

III. That Dependence Specifically Applied to Raising Children

A. Children are an inheritance from God, 3a.

B. Children are a gift (reward) from the Lord.

C. Children, as arrows, must be built properly so they can reach the target, 4.

D. Children who are raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord will be a blessing to their parents, 5

Conclusion

All of life must be centered on God in Christ, including the raising of our children, because unless the Lord does it, those that do it do it in vain.

Murder in the Heart - Matthew 5:21-26 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-09-11T12:29:00.001-07:00

Murder in the Heart - Matthew 5:21-26 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

Murder in the Heart

2011-09-09T11:09:00.001-07:00

Introduction – The events of 9/11 and the seriousness of anger toward one another.

I. A proper definition of murder, 21-22

A. In saying, “You have heard it said,” Jesus is not referring to the Law of God revealed in the OT; rather, he is referring to the Pharisaical interpretation of the Law, 21.

B. In essence, Jesus is saying, “Those who claim to be teachers of the law have taught you that you shouldn’t kill somebody and if you do, you might get in trouble. Today I want to tell you what I the lawgiver actually meant by the 6^th commandment when I gave it to you.” 22a

C. Murder doesn’t only happen when we take somebody’s life; rather, it happens when we get angry with somebody, 22a.

D. What about the without a cause clause?

II. The consequence of anger – death and hellfire, 22.

A. Do we really understand the seriousness of anger?

B. The punishment for that is judgment and hellfire forever.

III. Examples of angry behavior, 22b.

A. The two examples that Jesus gives of acting angrily toward a brother have to do with the use of words.

B. These are not exhaustive examples that exclude any other words or expressions.

C. When you relate to another human being in anger, you are violating the kind of relationship God wants us to have with one another.

Conclusion – Jesus Christ died to give you life. As a follower of Jesus Christ, you too are an agent of life.

Fulfilling the Law

2011-09-01T12:01:00.001-07:00

Introduction – An emotionally charged subject

I. Why Is This Passage Here?

A. To correct false notions about Jesus’s mission.

B. To correct false notions about the nature and the place of the law of God.

II. What Does It Mean and How Has Christ Fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, 17?

A. This is the million-dollar question.

B. Starting with the obvious, Jesus did not come to destroy the law or the prophets, that is, the OT.

C. He came to fulfill it and he casts his fulfilling of the law and the prophets in opposition to throwing out or putting an end to them.

D. However, as we look at the whole of Scriptures, we realize that fulfilling the law and the prophets may not be uniform, that is, categories of law will have different relationships to us today.

III. What Should Be Our Attitude toward the Law and the Prophets, 18-19?

A. We must be delighted that they are here to stay, 18.

B. We must obey the law of God, 19a.

C. We must encourage others to obey the law of God – implied in teaches men so in v. 19b.

D. Doesn’t it sound like the Great Commission?

E. I do want you to notice that those who assume that Christ came to do away with the law and the prophets and those who understand that he came to fulfill them are both in the kingdom of heaven, 19.

IV. How Should the Law of God, Particularly Its Moral Character, Be Used and How Is It Beneficial for Us?

A. The civil use.

B. The pedagogical use.

C. The normative use.

V. How Is Our Righteousness Related to the Law, 20?

A. For the audience of Jesus’s sermon, the scribes and the Pharisees were the people who kept the “law” perfectly.

B. A second application of what Jesus is saying here is that you can exceed the righteous of the Pharisees in practice.

Conclusion – We are often afraid of the burden of following Christ, but the burden of not following him is much greater.

Salt and Light - Matthew 5:13-16 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-08-28T15:36:00.001-07:00

Salt and Light - Matthew 5:13-16 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

Salty Life

2011-08-25T17:09:00.001-07:00

Introduction

Our passage divides itself nicely into two sections regarding who the citizens of the kingdom of God are.

I. Your Redemption Makes You Salt and Light.

A. Notice that Jesus is not commanding us to become salt and light; he simply states that we are salt and light, 13, 14.

B. By virtue of your redemption, you are salt and light.

C. You may or may not be functioning as salt and light, but if you have been saved by Jesus Christ you are salt and light, 13b, 15.

D. Being salt and light is the corporate identity of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven.

II. The Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven Are the Salt of the Earth, 13.

A. From the last Beatitude we get the idea that there is great conflict between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world.

B. In Jesus’s day, salt was a vital preservative.

C. Another image that salt would elicit in the Jewish mind was the image of hygiene.

D. A third variation of this same analogy is brought out by Judges 9:45.

E. Another thing that we need to see here is that salt is small, cheap, and usually not a lot of time is spent thinking about it.

F. One last and familiar property of salt is that it not only preserves, but it also seasons.

G. When salt loses its saltiness, it is worthless.

III. Salty Life Illustrated by the Sermon on the Mount.

A. How do you live a salty life? By preaching to thousands? By doing something big? Perhaps.

B. But primarily we live a salty life by exhibiting the characteristics that are already ours in Jesus Christ that we saw in the Beatitudes.

C. These are not flashy, but they are the stuff that a salty life is made of.

D. And the rest of the Sermon on the Mount gives us many more examples of what it means to live a salty life.

Conclusion

Salty lives, that’s what we are called to live. And as we live salty lives, we are used by God to bring his kingdom and his rule throughout the world. So be salty and let the kingdom of God come through you.

Blessed are the Persecuted - Matthew 5:10-12 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-08-21T12:14:00.001-07:00

Blessed are the Persecuted - Matthew 5:10-12 - Pastor Tito Lyro

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Blessed Are the Persecuted

2011-08-19T11:44:00.001-07:00

Introduction

For centuries people from all sorts have said that the Sermon on the Mount is a good set of principles to live by. When Thomas Jefferson prepared his Bible by cutting our all the parts that he didn’t agree with, he left in it the Sermon on the Mount. “I don’t need all this cross and salvation thing,” some say, “just the Sermon on the Mount.” However, this liberal and humanist love for the Sermon on the Mount is completely without basis.

The Sermon on the Mount is not a feel good sermon. As a matter of fact, the things that this sermon speaks about are unattainable apart from the work of regeneration by the Spirit in one’s heart. The beatitude before us is proof of that. Blessed are those who are persecuted? Rejoice and be exceedingly glad when you are attacked, and slandered, and hurt? No, thank you. My natural tendency is not toward liking that.

The Sermon on the Mount can only be lived by the one who has been saved by the Lord Jesus Christ. Otherwise, it is impossible to follow it.

I. This Beatitude Is Different than the Other Ones

A. It describes a circumstance instead of a characteristic – persecuted.

B. It changes from the third person to second person.

C. It repeats the blessing – possession of the kingdom of God.

D. As far as the original audience is concerned, the last beatitude brings an anti-climatic conclusion to this section of the Sermon on the Mount.

II. What Are the Actions in This Beatitude That Mark the Blessing?

A. Persecution for righteousness’ sake, 10.

B. Reviling – reproach, insult, mock, 11a.

C. Slander, 11b.

D. It is important to note that the persecution itself is not the blessing.

III. How Is It Possible to Rejoice in Persecution?

A. This is not just rejoicing.

B. But how is it possible? I think the key is in verse 12.

IV. Does This Beatitude Fit with a Wealth and Health Gospel?

A. This is not speaking about all kinds of suffering, just a specific one – persecution.

B. But it does give us the gist of the Christian life.

C. There is great enmity between the children of God and this world.

V. Why Am I not Experiencing This Persecution?

A. Because I would disgrace the cause of Christ if I were persecuted.

B. Because I am not hungering and thirsting after righteousness.

C. Because I am not poor in spirit and meek – pride.

D. Because I am not a peacemaker.

Conclusion

Do you know the blessing that comes through persecution? Do you know what it is to meet opposition for the sake of Christ? Perhaps the reason that we find so little of this in our own experience is that we are not enough for righteousness the world can tell a difference between us and itself.

God as Investor - Matthew 25:14-30 - GUEST SPEAKER: Pastor Patrick Hines

2011-08-14T12:26:00.001-07:00

God as Investor - Matthew 25:14-30 - GUEST SPEAKER: Pastor Patrick Hines

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

The Peacemakers - Matthew 5:8-10 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-08-07T12:19:00.001-07:00

The Peacemakers - Matthew 5:8-10 - Pastor Tito Lyro

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The Peacemakers

2011-08-04T12:15:00.001-07:00

Introduction

In 2004 the Rolling Stone magazine ranked the 1971 John Lennon hit, Imagine, as the number 3 greatest song of all times. In it Lennon says:

“Imagine there's no countries/It isn't hard to do/Nothing to kill or die for/And no religion too/Imagine all the people/Living life in peace.”

When asked exactly what he meant by the song, Lennon answered:

“It's not a new message: "Give Peace a Chance"—we're not being unreasonable. Just saying "give it a chance." With "Imagine" we're asking, "can you imagine a world without countries or religions?" It's the same message over and over. And it's positive.”

According to John Lennon peace comes to humanity by the abolition of national identities and religion. That seems to be the prevalent view of our times as exemplified by the United Nations and the European Union.

Yet, peace cannot be made or achieve through global efforts to destroy nationalistic ideology and religious convictions. Peace can only be made or achieve through the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Jesus is not speaking about the mere cessation of hostilities among the nations. He is speaking about the cessation of hostilities between man and God. This is the peace he came to establish.” Sinclair Ferguson

“Our hearts are restless till they find rest in you.” Augustine in Confessions

Isa. 26:3 – You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

See, our problem isn’t that we don’t get along with one another and we need to work on it. Our problem is that we have sinned against God and he is in enmity with us.

I. Who Is the Peacemaker?

A. In our passage, the peacemaker is described as the ones called sons of God – sons here is a generic expression for children of God.

B. So, the peacemaker is the one who has been adopted by God and brought into his family.

C. How can God adopt sinful people who are his enemies into his family? He has made peace with us through Jesus Christ.

1. Apart from faith in Jesus Christ God is your enemy.

2. But through Christ he has reconciled those who were his enemies to himself.

3. In Jesus Christ, God is reconciled to us and we are reconciled to him, 2 Cor. 5:18-21.

II. Our Adoption into God’s Family Makes Us Peacemakers.

A. God is described throughout the NT as the God of peace.

B. As children of the God of peace, we must resemble our heavenly Father.

C. We have found peace with God through Jesus Christ, now we become messengers and practitioners of that peace.

D. We are called to bring peace to the world.

1. The primary means to bring peace to the world is not through treaties and UN resolutions.

2. The primary means to bring peace to the world is the evangelizing of the nations.

3. The peacemaker is first and foremost the evangelist because evangelism is the way of peace.

4. It is Christ who is the Prince of peace who rules the nation through his church.

E. We are called to be peacemaker among ourselves.

1. The Holy Spirit tells us that the wisdom that comes from above is peacemaking, Jam. 3:17-18.

2. So the children of God will seek peace among themselves, in the fellowship of the family of God, the church.

F. Two wonderful word pictures that underline Jesus’ teaching.

1. Peace is the referee who blows the whistle on any action that is out of line, Col. 3:15.

2. Peace is the bond, the cord, that ties us all together, Eph. 4:1-3.

Conclusion

So it is with the church. We are a varied bunch. How will Christ carry us home? He ties us together with the bond of peace! Cut that bond, and you cut the cord that Christ himself tied. Let me challenge you to examine your heart and consider where you have been guilty of peace breaking instead of peacemaking. If there is a fellow child of God, a brother or a sister, that you must make peace with, go to him, go to her. Gain a brother or a sister back. May we all seek the peace of Christ’s church.

Pure in Heart - Matthew 5:8-10 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-07-31T12:10:00.001-07:00

Pure in Heart - Matthew 5:8-10 - Pastor Tito Lyro

Due to technical difficulties only the first 19 minutes are available

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Pure in Heart

2011-07-28T14:00:00.001-07:00

Introduction

Do you remember Juan Valdez from the coffee commercials? 100% pure Colombian coffee, the richest coffee in the world. When I saw that commercial for the first time and saw the posters at the grocery store, I was very puzzled. What was the virtue of 100% pure Colombian coffee? I grew up with Colombian coffee being the cheapest coffee you could get because it had no taste. So, 100% pure Colombian coffee was the same as 100% pure tasteless coffee. Yet, the idea that it was 100% pure was very alluring, though it was just a marketing ploy.

What Jesus says here, however, is no marketing ploy. The happy person is the one who is pure in heart because he/she will see God.

Ps. 24:3-5 – Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

If this is the case, who is able to see God? Who is able to come into God’s presence? I know my heart and I know what the Scriptures say about my heart.

Jer. 17:9 – The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?

Mt. 15:19 – For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

To answer these questions we must think of the beatitudes as already and not yet statements at the same time. Since the resurrection and ascension of our Lord Jesus, we live in a period when he has already established his kingdom, he has already defeated Satan, he has already delivered us from sin and death. But some aspects of the work and reign of Christ are not yet fully manifested and will not be fully manifested till his coming again.

Each beatitude includes both aspects. They tell us what we already are in Christ and what we are becoming through the work of the Spirit in our hearts as we are sanctified by the grace of God in Christ. If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ, you are the pure in heart and you will see God because of your union with Christ. At the same time, you are becoming in yourself the pure heart as you are conformed more and more to the image of Christ.

I. The Already: You are Pure in Heart.

A. Let’s start by taking a look at the words blessed, pure, and heart themselves.

1. Blessed – happy, full of joy.

2. Pure

a. Cleansed.

b. Similar to holy.

c. Word from which we get the English word catharsis.

d. It carries the idea of purging.

Mt. 23:26 – Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.

Jn. 13:10-11 – Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”

Jn. 15:3 – You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

e. This purity is necessary in order to see God.

Heb. 12:14 – Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord…

3. Heart

a. The heart is who the person truly is – when there is no pretense, no barriers, no walls, no make up, who we really are.

b. It is often called the nature.

c. It is the wellspring of life, the control center for life.

Pro. 4:23 – Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.

d. It is what pushes and controls our will.

Mt. 12:34-35 – For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

“The heart, the very mainspring of dispositions as well as of feelings and thoughts…” William Hendriksen

B. You are already pure in heart because of the promise of the New Covenant.

Ez. 36:25-26 – Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

1. God has reached down and reached into you and taken away your heart of stone and given you a pure heart.

2. This is the new birth that Christ speaks about in John 3.

3. This is the regenerative work of the Spirit of God in which he grabs people who are dead in their trespasses and sins and makes them alive through Jesus Christ.

Eph. 2:1-7 – And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

4. When we read Psalm 24, we see Jesus as the righteous one.

a. Jesus ascended into God’s holy hill.

b. He stood before the Lord with clean hands and a pure heart.

c. And because of our union with him, the Father sees us as he sees his Son – pure and holy.

5. Not only that, but he has cleansed us and freed us from the power of sin.

1 Cor. 6:9-11 – Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

2 Cor. 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Rom. 6:11, 14 – Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord…. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

C. As a result of this change of heart we get to see God, now with the eyes of faith, but there will come a day that we will see him as he is.

1 Jn. 3:1-2 – Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

“The pure in heart will see God – now with the eyes of faith and finally in the dazzling brilliance of the beatific vision in whose light no deceit can exist.” D.A. Carson

II. The Not Yet: You are Becoming Pure in Heart.

A. One of the results of a new, pure heart is that we will pursue purity.

2 Tim. 2:22 – Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

“Inward sham, deceit, and moral filth cannot coexist with sincere devotion to Christ.” D. A. Carson

B. As matter of fact, you cannot pursue purity in life without a new heart (this has been the case from the beginning).

Mt. 15:7-9 – Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. and in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”

Dt. 10:16 – Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.

Dt. 30:6 – And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.

C. How do I keep my heart pure and how do I pursue purity?

1. By reading, hearing, memorizing, and meditating on the Word of God.

Jn. 17:17 – Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Ps. 119:9, 11 – How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word…. Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

Heb. 4:12-13 – For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

2. By obeying God’s Word

1 Pt. 1:22-25 – Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

3. By praying

Ps. 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Ps. 19:12-13 – Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression.

4. By being involved in each others’ lives

Gal. 6:1 – Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

2 Cor. 7:1 – Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

5. By attending to the sacraments

WLC 162 – What is a Sacrament? Sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ in his Church, to signify, seal, and exhibit unto those that are within the covenant of grace, the benefits of his mediation; to strengthen and increase their, faith and all other gra

Understanding Romans 7 - Romans 7 - Rev. Dennis Leaman

2011-07-24T12:31:00.001-07:00

Understanding Romans 7 - Romans 7 - Rev. Dennis Leaman

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Where are the Nine? - Luke 17:11-19 - Dr. Len Pine

2011-07-17T12:30:00.001-07:00

Where are the Nine? - Luke 17:11-19 - Dr. Len Pine

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Test the Spirits - 1 John 4:1-6 - Tim Prussic

2011-07-10T12:34:00.001-07:00

Test the Spirits - 1 John 4:1-6 - Tim Prussic

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Giving and Receiving Mercy - Matthew 5:6-7 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-07-03T12:23:00.001-07:00

Giving and Receiving Mercy - Matthew 5:6-7 - Pastor Tito Lyro

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Giving and Receiving Mercy

2011-06-29T17:23:00.001-07:00

Introduction

As we read the Bible and as we hear the Bible faithfully preached, the Spirit of God opens our eyes to see whom we really are. We see that we dead in our trespasses and sins. We see that in us, that is, in our flesh dwells no good thing. When that happens we become poor in spirit, mourn for our sins, and become meek before God.

After driving us into ourselves, the Spirit of Jesus drives us out of ourselves and we are enabled to hunger and thirst after God’s righteous fully assured that we will be satisfied. Once we discover that we have no resources to save ourselves, we learn to look to Christ for everything. God wants us to turn away from ourselves and turn to his righteousness, and finding his righteousness, turn to others in their need of mercy.

I. The Merciful Are Blessed Because They Will Receive Mercy?

A. Does Jesus mean that we will receive mercy only if we ourselves are merciful?

B. Being merciful is the natural result of receiving Christ and experiencing the grace of God.

II. Do You Know the Mercy of God?

A. The letter to the Hebrews describes Jesus as “a merciful high priest” (2:17).

B. God’s mercy in Christ helps us to our feet when we have fallen, and defends and protects us when we are weak and helpless.

C. The mercy of the Lord is inexhaustible

III. Because We Have Experienced God’s Mercy, We Must Be Merciful

A. We often speak of showing mercy, but what is mercy?

B. The best illustration of the meaning of mercy is found in the parable of the Good Samaritan – Lk.

C. Two things should be highlighted about the Samaritan as an example of mercy.

1. Mercy relieves the consequences of sin in the lives of others – both sinners and those sinned against.

2. Mercy does not hide behind unbiblical reservations in order to protect itself from costly service.

IV. The Importance of Mercy in the Bible

A. Mercy is not brought to light only by the NT.

B. I wonder if the priest and the Levite knew God’s Word through Hosea: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hos. 6:6.

C. Surely they knew Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”

D. Perhaps the most illuminating passage of all is to be found in Psalm 109.

E. Showing mercy to the broken and needy is a hallmark of a true conversion to Christ.

F. Without mercy, we are not Christ’s, and he shall say to us on the last day (no matter what else we may have accomplished), “I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers!” (Mt. 7:23)

Conclusion

How is it that we claim to be Christians, yet show so little mercy? Why are we so self-seeking, choosing a lifestyle of convenience rather than a self-sacrificing lifestyle of showing mercy? Is it because we have felt our own need of mercy far too little? Is it because we have only a superficial understanding of the riches of God’s kindness to us? Those who have been forgiven much, love much. Those who know they have received mercy, show mercy. And the merciful are greatly blessed, because they will receive mercy from God himself.

Hungry and Thirsty - Matthew 5:1-10 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-06-26T12:13:00.001-07:00

Hungry and Thirsty - Matthew 5:1-10 - Pastor Tito Lyro

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As a Father to His Children - 1 Thessalonians 2:8-12 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-06-26T09:52:00.001-07:00

As a Father to His Children - 1 Thessalonians 2:8-12 - Pastor Tito Lyro

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Hunger and Thirst

2011-06-23T15:51:00.001-07:00

Introduction

The Beatitudes, and the entire Sermon on the Mount for that matter, are given to those who have entered into a covenantal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, those are citizens of the kingdom of heaven. In essence, they are covenantal blessing poured upon God’s people – the church. These are not requirements for entrance into the kingdom, but a description of those who belong to the king. The beatitudes help us see a couple things about ourselves.

I. We Have Two Basic Spiritual Needs

A. The first is to understand who we really are in the presence of God.

B. We must look to Christ to meet our needs and the needs of the world in which we live.

C. This change from a heart dominated by and absorbed with itself, to a heart that reaches out for God and others marks the turning from immaturity to maturity in spiritual experience.

II. Hungry and Thirsty

A. We all can relate to hunger and thirst because they are fundamental physical needs.

B. The idea of righteousness is a major theme in the Sermon on the Mount.

C. Yet the question remains: what is the righteousness of God?

D. With this definition in mind, we see that to hunger and thirst for righteousness includes three aspects

III. You Will Be Satisfied

A. The word filled in our translation means satisfied.

B. God will satisfy those who hunger and thirst after his righteousness.

C. This is not something that has to wait till some time in the future – it can be now

Conclusion

More than anything else, righteousness involves right relationships – between ourselves and God, between ourselves and others, and in the world at large. The quest for righteousness is born out of a sense of personal need and expands because of our sense of the world’s need.

As a Father

2011-06-16T12:24:00.001-07:00

Introduction

Father’s Day in the US came into existence almost as an afterthought. A year or two after Mother’s Day had become a national holiday, Sonora Dodd, from Spokane, decided that it wasn’t fair that fathers didn’t have their own day. So, she started celebrating Father’s Day in honor of her father. Though she wanted it to be celebrated on the first Sunday of June because of her father’s birthday on June 5, the other organizers chose to do it on the third Sunday of June. In 1972, President Nixon signed the law that made Father’s Day a national holiday to be celebrated on the third Sunday of June. Besides being created after Mother’s Day, Father’s Day is also a less profitable holiday. Families spend, on average, $50 less on dad’s present than they do on mom’s present.

Father’s Day gives us the opportunity to pause for a moment and consider what the Scriptures teach concerning fatherhood and I think 1 Thessalonians 2:8-12 will help us do that.

I. Fatherhood Is not the Main Point of the Passage

II. The Goal of Godly Fatherhood Is That Our Children Walk Worthy of God, 12.

III. Godly Fathers Give Their Children not only the Gospel, but also Their Own Lives, 8.

IV. Godly Fathers Work Hard to Remove Any Obstacle That Might Get Between Them and Their Children’s Faith in Christ, 9.

V. Godly Fathers Have a Clear Conscience before God and Man, 10.

VI. Godly Fathers Will Exhort, Comfort, and Bear Solemn Witness for Gospel of Jesus Christ to Their Children, 11.

VII. Application of These Truths to Those Who Are not Fathers.

A. Wife and mothers.

B. Single people

C. Single mothers

D. Older couples

E. Older women

F. Kids

G. Fathers who are trying to figure this out, but who did not have an example growing up.

Conclusion

Our God is so good and so great. He is the ultimate Father and he will enable us to be fathers that bring honor to him and good to our children.

Lecture 4 - Hope: Its Practical Uses - Rev. G.W. Fisher

2011-06-12T13:25:00.001-07:00

Lecture 4 - Hope: Its Practical Uses - Rev. G.W. Fisher

5th Annual Dennis Leaman Lecture Series with Guest Speaker Pastor G.W. Fisher - Lecture 4 - Hope: Its Practical Uses

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Lecture 3 - Hope: The Great Bond of the Church - Rev. G.W. Fisher

2011-06-12T13:12:00.001-07:00

Lecture 3 - Hope: The Great Bond of the Church - Rev. G.W. Fisher

5th Annual Dennis Leaman Lecture Series with Guest Speaker Pastor G.W. Fisher - Lecture 3 - Hope: The Great Bond of the Church

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Lecture 2 - Faith: Its Practical Uses - Rev. G.W. Fisher

2011-06-12T13:09:00.001-07:00

Lecture 2 - Faith: Its Practical Uses - Rev. G.W. Fisher

5th Annual Dennis Leaman Lecture Series with Guest Speaker Pastor G.W. Fisher - Lecture 1 - Faith: What the Bible Insists Upon

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Lecture 1 - Faith: What the Bible Insists Upon - Rev. G.W. Fisher

2011-06-12T13:05:00.001-07:00

Lecture 1 - Faith: What the Bible Insists Upon - Rev. G.W. Fisher

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Youth Camp Application - July 7-14 Bitterroot Lake, Montana

2011-06-05T12:36:00.001-07:00

Remember, to get the reduced rate you need to pay BEFORE Wednesday, June 15, 2011. Click here to view/download the camp application.

Meekness - Matthew 5:3-5 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-06-05T12:27:00.001-07:00

Meekness - Matthew 5:3-5 - Pastor Tito Lyro

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Meekness

2011-06-02T09:42:00.001-07:00

Introduction

As we look at the Beatitudes for just a moment, let me ask you to do some self-examination. Ask yourself: “On what is my heart set? What is vital for my life? What is vital for my character?” If you could list eight qualities, when no one was looking, that you would have worked in your heart, what would they be? Would they be the Beatitudes set before you by Christ? And let me ask another question: “Have you known what it is to be blessed? To be truly happy? To be truly satisfied?” Christ opens for us the way of blessedness in these Beatitudes.

I. Christians Are Humble, and Are Called to a Life of Humility , Mt. 5:3.

Christ is describing those who are part of His kingdom, and the character quality that He says which first characterizes His people is poverty of spirit, spiritual humility, a sense of our sin, a sense of our needs, a sense of our helplessness. This is the most shocking thing that Jesus could possibly say. When God leads us to see that this is our real spiritual condition, then poverty of spirit is born in our hearts. At this point we can say with the Canaanite woman that even if all we get are the crumbs from our Lord’s table, we will be satisfied.

II. Christians Are Grieved by Their Sin, and Are Called to a Life of Repentance , Mt. 5:4.

When we see God as presented to us in the Bible, we react with Isaiah, “Woe is me for I am undone. I am a creature of unclean lips.” The sight of God causes a sinner with sight to mourn his sin. And the sight of God causes the sinner who has mourned his sin to be comforted.

III. Christians Are Considerate, and are Called to a Life of Kindness – looking out for the interest of others , Mt. 5:5.

Christians are meek. Meekness is difficult to define. Meekness is exemplified in the life of our Lord, and in the life of His servant Moses. The meek will inherit the earth. This type of meekness, my friends, is not the stuff for weaklings.

Conclusion

Oh, my friends, these graces are graces that only God could implant. We can’t do these things on our own. And I want you to understand today, that Christ is not giving you a list of things to do. The Lord is saying, “This is what my children are like. They are poor in spirit, and in that poverty I give them the kingdom of heaven. They mourn over sin, and in that mourning they are comforted. They are meek. And in that meekness I give them the world.” If you will seek him, all these things will be added unto you. May the Lord bless His word.

Poverty and Grief - Matthew 5:3-5 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-05-29T12:23:00.001-07:00

Poverty and Grief - Matthew 5:3-5 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

Poverty and Grief as Gracious Gifts from God

2011-05-27T09:47:00.001-07:00

Introduction

The idea of blessing somebody is not part of the American culture. Sure, we might talk about being a blessing to somebody else, but we rarely speak a blessing to someone. In Brazilian culture, it is very common to see a younger person going to an older relative and asking for his/her blessing. But for us here, we are not used to it. We often become uncomfortable with pronouncements of blessings such as we have at the end of our services.

Well, it is not so in biblical culture. I don’t mean the cultures that were around in Bible times, but the culture of the biblical record itself. The whole Bible is structured in terms of blessings and curses because it is structured in terms of the covenants that God made with himself and with his people.

I. Covenantal Structure of God’s Dealing with His People.

Adam was to receive the blessing of eternal life and communion with God, but he failed to obey God and received the curse of death. As God develops his covenantal relationship with his people, he calls Abraham and promises to him that all the nations will be blessed through him and he identifies his people now by the sign of circumcision. In preparation for the coming of the Redeemer, God gives his people the Covenant at Sinai, which is structured all around blessings and curses. The OT prophets kept on calling the people of God back to the terms of the covenant – they reminded God’s people of the blessings and curses. Then God finished revealing his Covenant of Grace in the institution of the New Covenant.

II. Christ as the Covenant Blessing – Gen. 22:18 & Gal. 3:16, 29

The OT ends in a gloomy note, Mal. 4:4-6. It is no coincidence that the settled cannon of the OT ends up with a curse and the cannon of the NT starts with the first public word that comes from Christ’s mouth being BLESSED. Christ himself is the blessing of the Covenant – the parables of the treasure in the field and the pearl of great price illustrate this idea. But he is also the one who blesses the church as we see here.

III. Understanding the Beatitudes in a Covenantal Context

IV. Poverty and Grief and Blessings from God.

The Christian is poor in spirit and mourns over his sins.

Conclusion

Do you think Jesus is serious about this? Listen to what the prophet Isaiah says concerning the ministry of Jesus and Jesus claims for himself.

Isa. 61:1-3 – The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

The Whole Sermon at Once - Matthew 5:1-12 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-05-22T12:29:00.001-07:00

The Whole Sermon at Once - Matthew 5:1-12 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

The Whole Sermon at Once

2011-05-20T10:04:00.001-07:00

Introduction

The kingdom of heaven is the kingdom of God and it has been inaugurated by the king himself, the Lord Jesus. His perfect life, his death on the cross, and his resurrection established the kingdom.

The Father has given the Son the kingdom of heaven, which is made up of all his people. As with any kingdom worth anything, the kingdom of heaven is a constitutional monarchy and the king has given us, the citizens of the kingdom and his subjects, a summary of the constitution in the Sermon on the Mount.

I. The Setting on Which the Sermon Was Delivered

II. The Power of the Sermon Seen in the Impact It Had on the People

III. The Content of the Whole Sermon

A. We see the power, the pre-conceived notions shattering power, the challenging power of Jesus’s teaching right from the get go in the Beatitudes.

B. Those who are kingdom citizens, the blessed ones will relate to the world in redeeming and changing way.

Conclusion

The Kingdom of Heaven - Matthew 4:23-5:2 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-05-15T12:24:00.001-07:00

The Kingdom of Heaven - Matthew 4:23-5:2 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

The Kingdom of Heaven

2011-05-15T10:46:00.001-07:00

Introduction

Something to live by. Good morals for society. These are ways that people have referred to The Sermon on the Mount. Thomas Jefferson, who didn’t like the miracly stuff of the Bible, made sure that The Sermon on the Mount was part of his Bible. But to think about The Sermon on the Mount in these terms only is to miss the point of it utterly. It is safe to say that this is the best-known sermon ever preached and, as we are going to see, in it Jesus gives us instruction for kingdom living.

I. The Purpose of the Sermon on the Mount

A. This portion of Matthew was first called The Sermon on the Mount by Augustine, who lived A.D. 354-430.

B. Matthews describes Jesus’s ministry as “preaching the gospel of the kingdom.”

C. He defines the content of that preaching as “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

D. The Sermon on the Mount is the working out of what it means to repent and to belong to the kingdom of heaven.

E. Thus, The Sermon on the Mount is a lesson on kingdom living.

II. The Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew

1. The kingdom of heaven is the kingdom of God.

2. The kingdom of heaven belongs to the Son.

3. The kingdom of heaven is drawing near.

4. The kingdom of heaven has a gospel of repentance.

5. The kingdom of heaven has a word.

6. The kingdom of heaven is coming and it has come.

7. The kingdom of heaven is not a secret – its mysteries have been revealed.

8. The kingdom of heaven is to be desired and pursued more than anything else in life.

9. The kingdom of heaven penetrates every area of existence.

III. Citizenship in the kingdom

A. The kingdom of heaven is for tax collectors and prostitutes.

B. It is impossible for those who have another God to enter the kingdom of heaven.

C. The citizens of the kingdom are forgiving people because they have been forgiven much.

D. The kingdom of heaven belongs to children of believing parents.

E. Not every one who performs miracles will enter the kingdom of heaven.

F. The kingdom of heaven is for more than Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants.

G. The great ones in the kingdom of heaven are those who obey God and teach others to do the same.

H. The greatest one in the kingdom of heaven is the humble.

I. Only those who are more righteous than the Pharisees will enter the kingdom of heaven.

J. The kingdom of heaven is a mixed bag till Christ comes back and purifies it completely by throwing the pretenders out.

K. The kingdom of God belongs to the poor in spirit and to those who are persecuted for righteousness’s sake.

Conclusion

Here we have Jesus’s direction to kingdom living. May we make it our own.

God's Covenant Mercies - Psalm 103 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-05-08T12:21:00.001-07:00

God's Covenant Mercies - Psalm 103 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

Church Officers: Gifts from God - Ephesians 4:11-16 - Pastor Tito Lyro

2011-05-01T12:29:00.001-07:00

Church Officers: Gifts from God - Ephesians 4:11-16 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.