YOUR ROCK SOLID CONFIDENCE OF HIS GOODNESS

In this treasure of a text, the song we've been singing all along in Habakkuk reaches its crescendo. How can we be confident beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is good and always working good? Because of Romans chapter 8. Reasoning from the gospel, Paul tells believers that if God saved you ("he did not spare his Son") then God will surely sustain you ("how will he not freely with him give us all things?") through anything and everything. If the cross, then the grace to live for God's glory and our joy in and through every situation, circumstance, and EVEN suffering of life as we press on toward glory. 

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

WE CAN REJOICE BECAUSE GOD DELIVERS ON HIS PROMISES

As the book of Habakkuk comes to a close, complaining gives way to rejoicing. Lament is transformed into praise as the prophet who once saw only bad, perceives his good God by faith. He looks backward so that he can move forward. In the midst of his present trouble, he recounts God's mighty works of old, and resolves to wait upon the Lord to bring justice and salvation once again. Like Habakukk, when we look out on our lives and all seems lost, we're faced with lack, and things aren't as they should be, we need behold the God who saves. 

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

BECAUSE IT REVEALS THE GOOD GOD TO US

The past few Sundays, we've been reflecting on the goodness of God. Even when it doesn't seem like it, he's always good & always working good. And if God is good, then his word is most certainly good as well. In the midst of the valleys of life, we need God's word because it reveals the good God to us. We turn to Psalm 119 because it holds God out to us declaring, "You are good and do good" (119:66). Because of this, the Scriptures are a possession greater "than thousands of gold and silver pieces," (119:72). As we meditate upon the treasures God has laid up for us in his word, our faith and joy in the God who spoke the word is strengthened and deepened. 

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

FAITH WAITS FOR GOD’S PROMISES TO COME TO PASS

Habakkuk 1:1-11 taught us to believe that even when we can't see it, God is always working good. We believe he is up to something but his help never seems to come fast enough. God can do good, so why isn't he doing it now? This takes us into the tension of Habakkuk's second complaint. The prophet can’t fathom that God would use a nation as evil as the Chaldeans to bring forth justice and has a very limited sight of God’s work. God tells him that he is indeed working to bring justice, it’s just not as quickly as Habakkuk would like. It seems slow, but it will surely come, so he - and us - must wait for it, by faith. Faith not only believes when it cannot see, but it waits for God's promises to come to pass. 

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

GOD IS GOOD

We begin our mini-series in the Book of Habakkuk. A book designed to encourage us when all we see is bad and it's hard to believe God is up to anything good. The book begins with the first of 2 cycles of Habakkuk’s complaint and God’s response. The prophet complains that God is not doing anything while injustice pervades the land of Judah. He sits idly by, and his law brings no benefit. God responds that he is doing something, though it’s hard to believe. He is sovereignly governing the nations, and will use the most evil among them to bring about his justice. 

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

THE KING WHO WAS CRUCIFIED FOR SIN NOW LIVES

As Mark places the finishing touches upon his written portrait of Jesus, what does he want us to see? That Jesus is the Crucified and Risen King who goes before us to build his Kingdom. The King who was crucified for sin now lives and calls sinners to receive him. He’s welcoming former rebels into the Kingdom that he's building through what he's just accomplished on the cross. And we, to whom the answer to the question, "Who is Jesus?" has come, are sent out to "Go, tell" our neighbors the answer we've received (16:7). 

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

ALL GOD REQUIRES IS THAT YOU BELIEVE

How do we respond to what Jesus did upon the cross? What must we do in order for everything he accomplished there to become ours? On Sunday, Senior Pastor, Eric Turbedsky from our sister church, Sovereign Grace Church of Orange, reminded us of the astonishing answer: nothing! Galatians 2:15-21 teaches us that Jesus has done everything we needed to do in order to be saved. In utter grace, he gives everything to those who don't deserve anything for nothing in return! We simply receive all he’s done by faith and faith alone.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

IN MY PLACE CONDEMNED HE STOOD

The night has passed and morning has come. Now, in the clear light of day, on that first Good Friday, we behold the awful sinfulness of man set side by side with the amazing love of the Savior. Jesus has already stood condemned before the Jewish Council, and now they bring him to stand trial before the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, in order for his execution to be achieved. At every turn, Jesus is shown to be innocent. So why did he stand trial? Why will he be sentenced to die? Because, Jesus stands trial for us, and as us. Listen to this past Sunday’s sermon and be amazed by the love of Jesus for you.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

ANSWERING THE BIGGEST QUESTION OF THE ENTIRE BOOK

In this text, Jesus is on trial...and so is everyone else. All the characters in the story are bearing witness to the reader, responding to the attorney’s question - as it were - “Now, in your own words, could you tell us just who this Jesus is?”

As we come to the end of the Gospel of Mark, this central question - the big question of the entire Book - is being answered. The Sanhedrin offers their answer. Peter offers his answer driven by fear. But Jesus answers truly and faithfully - for love of those He came to save. What’s your answer?

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

HE REMAINS FAITHFUL EVEN WHEN WE ARE FAITHLESS

"The hour has come," (Mark 14:41). Judas the betrayer is at hand, and the Son of Man is seized by sinful hands. Every moment that follows is one that leads unalterably toward the cross. The cross which is simultaneously the greatest expression of God's faithfulness to his people and promises and the awful height of man's utter unfaithfulness to God. Every human character in this scene falls woefully short. Each person is either a horrific traitor, a coward, a false accuser or just bent on unjust violence. But Jesus? He remains in complete control. And He remains faithful.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE