https://www.sermonaudio.com The newest sermons from Sovereign Grace Community Church on SermonAudio. Religion & Spirituality Sovereign Grace Community Church http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification https://vps.sermonaudio.com/resize_image/sources/podcast/1440/1440/sgccdenver.jpg https://www.sermonaudio.com en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 07:21:09 +0000 30 Kit Culver no The newest sermons from Sovereign Grace Community Church on SermonAudio. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/412615235376 Paul realized that he was singling out himself and his gospel when he condemned anyone and everyone who differed from the message he was proclaiming. And by insisting that he obtained his gospel without any input from the other apostles, he was allowing room for the charge that he had innovated his own message alongside - and perhaps even in contradiction of - the gospel being proclaimed by Jesus' other representatives. He could expect that this charge was being leveled against him by those who were "troubling" the Galatian believers and challenging his gospel. And so Paul knew that he needed to show that the other apostles affirmed both his apostleship and his message. If he couldn't, then he had no right to make the claims he was making. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/412615235376 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 29 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:46:21 no Kit Culver - The Epistle to the Galatians https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/3426185052464 The new creation God has inaugurated in Jesus is the lens through which Paul penned his Galatian epistle (as all of his epistles), and he notably set his own biographical presentation within this "once-but-now" perspective. In reminding the Galatians of the divine source of his gospel and his apostolic calling, Paul described his own journey in terms of his former life as a zealous Israelite and who he had now become: a citizen and promoter of God's new-creational kingdom and an ardent servant of the messianic King he had formerly sought to destroy. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/3426185052464 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 01 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:58:52 no Kit Culver - The Epistle to the Galatians https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/226262023555495 Paul insisted to the Galatians that any gospel other than his own was a deviation from the truth and amounted to departure from God Himself. This was an astonishing claim, which Paul knew he would have to defend. After confronting the charge that he was a man-pleaser, Paul began his defense of his gospel by identifying its source and showing how it was utterly alien to his former pharisaic understanding and convictions. So much so that what he now insisted on and proclaimed to all men, Jew and Gentile alike, he had formerly sought to eradicate. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/226262023555495 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 22 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:50:58 no Kit Culver - The Epistle to the Galatians https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/21726204658052 Paul left no doubt regarding the seriousness of his letter by immediately following his greeting with a pointed rebuke. There was no "catching up" with the Galatian believers or gradual transition into the reason for penning this correspondence. No, he was writing with great concern and a compelling sense of urgency, having learned that they were already moving away from the gospel he had only recently brought to them. And to move away from his gospel was to forsake the God who had called them and to whom they had responded in faith. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/21726204658052 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 15 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:45:25 no Kit Culver - The Epistle to the Galatians https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/213262252326962 More than a sterile greeting in which he simply identified himself and his original readers, Paul's salutation provides an important window into his perspective, concerns and intentions in penning this epistle. This message seeks to open up that window and lay a solid foundation for interpreting the balance of this marvelous and crucial important letter. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/213262252326962 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 08 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:46:25 no Kit Culver - The Epistle to the Galatians https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/121262138531617 Many believe that Galatians' primary contribution to the Church is its treatment of justification by faith. While the epistle does interact with this doctrine, it does so with a perspective and intent that are often missed by its readers. Paul wasn't addressing the issue of how sinners obtain the righteousness they need to be saved; rather his focus was on the new creation inaugurated by Jesus' death and resurrection and what that means for the Church's faith and practice. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/121262138531617 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 18 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:47:31 no Kit Culver - The Epistle to the Galatians https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/11226215034065 This second introductory message examines the two primary theories regarding the epistle's audience, and also discusses important historical circumstances that lie behind the epistle's concerns and Paul's intent in writing it. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/11226215034065 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 11 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:57:25 no Kit Culver - The Epistle to the Galatians https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1726181667901 This first message in our Galatians series considers some of the important historical and theological factors that have driven the general Protestant interpretation of Paul's Galatian epistle and his concerns and instruction in it. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1726181667901 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 04 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:46:38 no Kit Culver - The Epistle to the Galatians https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1217251737504047 This message addresses some further summary considerations and concludes this series on the biblical covenants. In particular it shows how the covenants provided the basic structure of the salvation history, and are the vehicle that carried it forward to its climax in the person and work of Jesus the Messiah. And since the Old Testament scriptures are the record of the salvation history, and the New Testament writings address that history's fulfillment in Jesus, it follows that the covenants are absolutely critical to interpreting both the Scriptures and the "Christ event" (i.e., everything pertaining to the person and work of Jesus). https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1217251737504047 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 14 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:42:24 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1212251829206824 This message is the first of two that provide a summary review of the biblical covenants, their particular features, their place and role in the salvation history, and the way they relate to one another, culminating with the person and work of Jesus the Messiah. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1212251829206824 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 07 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:40:37 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1120251727535669 This message examines the role of covenant - and particularly the new covenant - in the consummation of God's purposes for His creation. Different theological traditions and perspectives view the matter of consummation differently, but the eternal destiny of individual human beings is the focus of many Christians' understanding when it comes to the final consummation. But the Scriptures, and the scriptural covenants themselves, have a different focus and ultimate concern - one that is corporate and cosmic rather than individual and human. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1120251727535669 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 16 Nov 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:53:14 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1112251756346446 This message concludes this examination of the Hebrews writer's treatment of the new covenant. Given his Jewish audience and the reason for his letter, he focused his treatment on a broad comparison and contrast of the old (Israelite) and new covenants, particularly with respect to their corresponding priesthoods and priestly ministration. In this way he showed how the impermanence and inadequacy of the Israelite covenant was both unfortunate and by design, thereby necessitating and laying the foundation for the new covenant and its priest and priestly ministration. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1112251756346446 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 09 Nov 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:42:43 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1028252222401311 Outside of two instances in Paul's epistles, only the Hebrews writer in the balance of the New Testament addressed the New Covenant directly. And his treatment is the most thorough, which is not surprising given his audience and purpose for writing. In general terms, the writer's approach was to show the superiority of the New Covenant over the Old (Israelite) Covenant, and he began his argument by examining each covenant's respective priesthood and the superiority of the one associated with the New Covenant. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1028252222401311 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 26 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:42:31 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1015251657584015 This message examines Paul's treatment of the New Covenant in his second Corinthian epistle. This is his only explicit interaction with the New Covenant outside of his mention of it in his first letter to the Corinthians. But most significantly, Paul approached this topic, not as an abstract theological concept, but as the appropriate way to address the relational difficulties that had emerged between him and the Corinthian believers. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1015251657584015 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 12 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:52:18 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/106251931551820 Christians are sometimes surprised to discover that the term "new covenant" only appears once in the gospel accounts, though all four focus on the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth. In fact, the word "covenant" is virtually absent from these texts. Outside of the Upper Room accounts in the synoptic gospels, it occurs only once in Luke's gospel, and then in reference to the Abrahamic Covenant. However, the concept of the new covenant is woven into the fabric of the four gospel accounts, but as it is understood in terms of God's interactions with and promises to His covenant people as recorded in the Old Testament scriptures. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/106251931551820 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 05 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:50:26 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/929252212427503 https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/929252212427503 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 21 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:25:47 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/91625151826340 This message examines the particulars of Gabriel's revelation to Daniel and the meaning of his message in the light of Daniel's circumstance, prayer, and burden for his people, the city of Jerusalem, and Yahweh's sanctuary. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/91625151826340 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 14 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 1:03:23 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/982520174345 This message examines the historical and contextual background of Daniel's "seventy weeks" prophecy. This passage is commonly viewed as focusing on the "end-times" and God's "time clock" for Israel culminating with Jesus' second coming at the end of this age. But a different understanding emerges when it is examined closely and carefully in its historical setting according to its contextual concerns. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/982520174345 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 07 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:43:34 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/827251755597415 This first message on the New Covenant examines its Old Testament and Israelite foundation. This is critically important, not only for understanding the nature of the New Covenant itself, but also for rightly interacting with the New Testament's treatment of the New Covenant and its relevance to the Jewish people and Christ's Church. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/827251755597415 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 24 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:54:17 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/85252045507015 This final message on the Davidic Covenant examines the particulars of the covenant and its promises, how they were fulfilled in David's life and experience, and their ultimate reference to and fulfillment in the messianic "Son of David." https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/85252045507015 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 03 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:52:12 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/81251825376787 Like each of the biblical covenants, the Davidic covenant served a crucial role in the progress of the salvation history culminating with the coming and work of the Messiah. This message considers the Davidic covenant in that light, particularly its relationship with the Israelite (Sinai) covenant and God's covenant with Abraham. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/81251825376787 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 27 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:48:14 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/722251929161854 The biblical covenants are often considered and interpreted through the lens of particular doctrinal concerns and premises, rather than in terms of the scriptural storyline and its orientation and development. Each of the covenants finds its meaning and significance in relation to the others, but as they are situated and function in the developing salvation history that culminated with the person and work of Jesus the Messiah. This is the perspective from which this message examines the background of God's covenant with David. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/722251929161854 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 20 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:43:34 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/6302515612397 God's covenant with the Levites is often overlooked in treatments of the biblical covenants. Studies will often jump from the Sinai Covenant to the Davidic Covenant, but the truth is that the Levitical and Davidic covenants are inseparable and mutually interpreting in terms of their prophetic contribution to the Old Testament's messianic revelation and its fulfillment in Jesus. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/6302515612397 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 22 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:44:11 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/610252039171525 This message completes the treatment of the Sinai Covenant. It examines the gold calf episode as Israel's foundational act of covenant-breaking, and it considers the process, under Moses' mediation, by which the covenant was renewed and the covenant relationship between God and Israel was restored. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/610252039171525 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 08 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:50:40 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/610251527285677 This message introduces the Sinai Covenant. It examines Israel's preparation to receive it, the two parts of the covenant (the "ten words" and the "ordinances"), the covenant's ratification, and the fellowship meal that celebrated it. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/610251527285677 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 01 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:50:55 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/52225161576949 The Sinai Covenant has been a focal point in Christian theology since the medieval period, Protestant and Roman Catholic alike. This is because matters of "law" were central in the theological and soteriological formulations that developed through the Middle Ages and were formalized during the Reformation period. This focus on the role of "law" in salvation and sanctification continues to this day, and not surprisingly the "Law of Moses" is a key aspect of it. But far too often the Law of Moses (the Sinai Covenant) isn't treated in its historical, Israelite and covenantal contexts, which is the goal of this consideration. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/52225161576949 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 18 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:46:32 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/57251611386133 This message examines the circumstances and particulars of God's covenant with Abraham, but especially as that covenant served His designs for His creation and functioned within the Israelite history that culminated with Jesus the Messiah. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/57251611386133 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 04 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:56:22 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/4302517644213 Noah was God's chosen man to inaugurate His "new" post-diluvian world, and He chose Abram out of that world - still groaning under the curse - to be His instrument for ushering in the actual new creation that the post-flood world prefigured. This message examines the human and historical context for God's covenant with Abram, which is crucial for understanding the covenant's purpose in its own time, in the life of Israel, and in God's larger purpose for His creation fulfilled in the Messiah. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/4302517644213 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 27 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:36:53 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/41625160454294 Most Christians agree that Jesus' resurrection is crucial to the truth and significance of the Christian faith. But perhaps most associate that event with simply God's affirmation that the death of His Son had met His just demand against human sin. This message considers the broader, more comprehensive issues in the resurrection and how it determines and informs the Christian's ethics and mission in the world. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/41625160454294 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 13 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:42:05 no Kit Culver - Easter Sermons https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/41125212233276 This message examines Noah, the Noahic Covenant, and the flood as they function within the progress of the Genesis narrative and help build the case for God's day of purging and renewal that was to come in the offspring promised to Eve. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/41125212233276 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 06 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:42:52 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/42251947453333 The Noahic Covenant was unique in the Old Testament history in that it was a covenant God made with the earth and all of its creatures, including all of mankind. This covenant is characteristically associated with the Flood event, but all too often the creational and circumstantial context of the covenant is overlooked. This message examines that context and its crucial importance to the meaning and purpose of the Noahic Covenant. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/42251947453333 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 30 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:40:42 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/318252130545438 This message examines the question of a creation covenant, but from a scriptural and redemptive-historical vantage point rather than in terms of systematic or philosophical considerations. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/318252130545438 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 16 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:50:19 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/313251938495786 This message examines the dynamic of promise and fulfillment as a fundamental structural and functional feature of the scriptural storyline, its message, and its progress culminating with the messianic person and work. As such, the promise/fulfillment dynamic is critical to rightly understanding the biblical covenants and their function and interrelationships. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/313251938495786 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 09 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:39:51 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/22725151456208 Covenant is a core theme in the Scriptures, even as God's actions and interactions in the world are most often set within explicit covenant arrangements. Both of the major theological systems (Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism) recognize the importance of covenant (and the individual covenants) in the redemptive history, yet they fall short precisely because they are organized systems, and the Scripture doesn't present a system, but a storyline culminating with the Messiah and messianic work. The scriptural text itself, on its own terms and according to its own concerns, is the only valid lens for examining the concept of covenant and the various expressions of it in the Bible. This is the task of Biblical Theology. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/22725151456208 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:58:18 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/212251930177214 This message briefly considers the concept of covenant in relation to Dispensationalism, which is the second predominant evangelical theological system. Like Covenant Theology, Dispensationalism is structured around the concept of covenant, but the two systems approach this concept and its biblical manifestations from different perspectives leading to different interpretations. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/212251930177214 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 09 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:49:05 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/11325195628209 This message introduces a new series addressing the topic of covenant and its significance as a key structural, organizing and interpretive feature of the Scriptures. The first task is to provide basic definitions and consider how the two predominant theological systems interact with and color our understanding of the theme of covenant, the various biblical covenants themselves, their interrelationships, and their role in God's purposes and work in accomplishing them. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/11325195628209 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 12 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:52:45 no Kit Culver - Creation, Covenant and Kingdom https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/16252064694 Many think of God's final judgment in terms of human destiny in either heaven or hell, but a careful examination of the scriptures shows that this judgment is ultimately concerned with God's intent for His creation to be sacred space - His dwelling place in which He is present and rules through His human image-children, just as He indicated when He ordered and filled the creation in the beginning. Judgment, then, is about vindicating truth by seeing to it that all things are made to fully conform to their created design and purpose. This is why John's final judgment vision in the Revelation is followed by his vision of the "new heavens and new earth," which vision completes the scriptural record even as it depicts the consummation of God's design for His creation - "Behold, I am making all things new." https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/16252064694 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:44:59 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/121224166264079 The concept of final judgment is one that most people, Christians included, aren't eager to give a lot of thought to. In general, people hope that, if there is to be a final reckoning, their good will outweigh their bad and things will work out well for them. For Christians, many puzzle over the idea that they, too, will be judged according to their works since they are saved by their faith in Jesus. But the final judgment associated with Christ's appearing has a much broader scope and purpose whose goal is the consummation of God's new creation such that all things will be "summed up" in the Messiah and God will finally and forever be "all in all." https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/121224166264079 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 08 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:46:25 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1242416496040 For many Christians, the idea of a future resurrection has little significance in their thinking, expectation and hope. Instead, the focus is often on the destination of one's soul after death. And where some thought is given to the future resurrection, it usually focuses on a new body free from mortality, disease and dysfunction. But the Scriptures insist that the resurrection at Christ's return, not the soul's destiny at death, is the focal matter in Christian hope. And yet not in the individualistic sense of getting a new body, but as this general resurrection event will initiate the creation's renewal and "summing up" in Christ so that the Creator-God will at last be "all in all." https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1242416496040 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 01 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:43:42 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1126241559384269 The Parousia is often understood as referring to Jesus' "second coming," but it actually designates Jesus' one appearing - His presence in the world - that occurred with the incarnation, continues through the present age, and will be consummated when He is openly and bodily revealed at the last day. This reality of Jesus' abiding presence as Lord over all has profound impact on the nature and orientation of Christian hope and how Christ's people perceive and carry out their mission in the world. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1126241559384269 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 24 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:49:02 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1119241849344954 The New Testament writings speak to the internal life of the Christian community and its mission in the world, but another crucial aspect of the Christian life and testimony is enduring, manifest hope. Few would deny that hope is an important Christian virtue, but many fail to understand the concept of hope according to its biblical meaning and orientation. This message examines that topic and considers the doctrine of the Parousia as the immediate object of the Christian's hope. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1119241849344954 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 17 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:48:29 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/115242120407627 Many Christians associate the king-priest concept with Jesus, as He is enthroned at God's right hand and interceding for His people. This isn't incorrect, but Jesus is the singular King-Priest precisely as God's true Image-Son - as True Man. For the regal-priestly function is the human vocation, as God created man to administer His rule in His creation and mediate the creation's relationship with Him. Thus Jesus' role as King-Priest is the role of all who share in His consummate human life by His Spirit, and so is fundamental to the Church's vocation in the world. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/115242120407627 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 03 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:50:51 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/114241739334600 The gospel is the good news of the kingdom of God - the kingdom of God's new creation that He inaugurated through Jesus' triumph in death and resurrection. And so the crucial element in proclaiming the gospel is manifesting the new creation that has its substance in the resurrected Messiah and is present in the world in those who share in His resurrection life through the Spirit. This gospel of new creation in Christ must be the focus of the Church's witness in the world, and the very marrow of this testimony is cruciform sonship - lives that bear living witness to the meaning, purpose, and fruit of Jesus' cross. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/114241739334600 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 27 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:57:39 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1021242340333368 The Church's mission is often framed in terms of "soul winning" or "kingdom building." The former focuses on the matter of personal salvation - leading people to faith in Christ, while the latter commonly emphasizes social action and improving the lives of people and communities. But the New Testament understands the gospel as the good news that God, in Christ, has inaugurated His promised kingdom and is now, through the Spirit, enlarging that kingdom. But this is the kingdom of God's rule over His redeemed and renewed creation, so that the proclamation of the "gospel of the kingdom" is the Church's witness to new creation. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1021242340333368 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 20 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:49:28 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1014242017425424 Christians have long debated the Church's role and mission in the world, and in the modern era, the tendency has been to stress either the work of "soul-winning" or social action. But as commonly understood and implemented, both approaches to "mission" fall short of the Church's biblical mandate. This message examines some foundational considerations that Christians must come to grips with if they are to faithfully carry out their ordained mission in the world. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1014242017425424 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 13 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:48:57 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/10724215946384 Holiness and unity are the primary qualities of Christ's Church, and they are two sides of the same coin, reflecting the truth that Christians are members of one another because they are members of Christ by His indwelling and transforming Spirit. The Spirit is the crucial focal point in any consideration of Christ's Church and its life and function in the world. And the Spirit's "gifts" - His sovereign, wise, and manifold distribution of spiritual endowments - stand at the center of His relationship with the Church and His work within its members. This message examines the matter of spiritual gifts, not in abstraction or as a distinct doctrinal topic, but as the way in which the Spirit accomplishes His work of creational renewal. That renewal presently involves human conformity to the New Adam, but with a view toward the Spirit's ultimate accomplishment of summing up everything in the created order in Jesus the Messiah. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/10724215946384 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 06 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:50:31 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/924241832134755 The most obvious unity problem in the early church involved the relationship between Jewish and Gentile believers, but the New Testament writings show that unity in the church was a challenge across the board. Whether their view of their leaders, their use of spiritual gifts, their worship, their understanding of differences, or their daily practices, the early Christians struggled to live into the reality of their unity in the Messiah. This message examines a few of those challenges, even as they continue to the present day. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/924241832134755 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 22 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:52:27 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/9162421991967 The problem of Jew-Gentile unity wasn't unique to Galatia and Syria, but emerged everywhere that Gentiles were coming to faith in Israel's Messiah and entering God's covenant household - the household that had always been defined in terms of Abraham and the Hebrew people. For various reasons, the unity problem among the Roman believers was distinctive, if not unique, yet Paul addressed it in the same way as he did with the Galatian churches. The remedy for Jew-Gentile divisions among Christ's people - as indeed all expressions of Christian disunity - is rightly understanding and owning the truth of justification by faith in Him. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/9162421991967 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 15 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:53:17 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/911241743267958 This message concludes the examination of Paul's Galatian epistle as it addresses the problem of Jew-Gentile unity in the fledgling community of Jesus' disciples. In particular, this message interacts with Paul's understanding of the role of Israel's Torah (Law) in Israel's history, and what it means to be faithful to the Torah as disciples of Messiah Jesus. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/911241743267958 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 08 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:55:02 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/91241712291672 Justification by faith was Paul's answer to the problem of Jew-Gentile unity, and he explained this to the Galatian believers by turning to Israel's scriptures and their story of Abraham as God's chosen instrument for realizing His intent to have a human family drawn from all nations and peoples. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/91241712291672 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 25 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:58:31 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/821241512231242 The unity problem in the Galatian churches focused on the relationship between Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus the Messiah. Paul addressed this issue by reminding the disciples of what Jesus had accomplished and inaugurated by His death and resurrection and how this abolished the historical separation between Jews and Gentiles that Israel's covenant had established. In a word, Paul's answer to the Jew-Gentile divisions in the churches was justification by faith. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/821241512231242 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 18 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:58:09 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/815241348225649 The Galatian and Roman churches provide two important case studies in Christian unity. Both struggled with Jew-Gentile issues, but from different perspectives and with different dynamics. This message examines the historical and cultural circumstances in Galatia and Rome that influenced the Jew-Gentile relations in the churches there, and also summarizes how those relations were similar and different. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/815241348225649 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 11 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:48:41 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/730242113311123 The struggle to understand and achieve true unity was at the heart of the early Church's internal challenges. That struggle was exacerbated by the increasing number of Gentiles coming to faith in Israel's Messiah, until finally it seemed necessary to have the Church's leadership in Jerusalem issue a formal decision on what was required of Gentiles to become part of the restored covenant household the Spirit was building on the foundation of Jesus Himself. This message examines that episode, the specific issues the council was addressing, and the decision they reached. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/730242113311123 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 28 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:57:09 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/72524182674408 The reality of a new community sharing in the life of the resurrected Messiah, while yet existing within the old order, initiated and insured conflict between Jesus' disciples and the unbelieving world, both Jewish and Gentile. But it also insured internal conflicts and challenges, not only between believers, but within the minds and hearts of individual Christians. And the marrow of that conflict, whatever particular form it might take, is the failure of unity - the unity in Christ that the Spirit initiated at Pentecost and that binds believers to their Lord and to one another. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/72524182674408 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 21 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:50:15 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/716241420431701 Pentecost initiated a new community of followers of Israel's God, identified by their living union with Him through sharing in the life of His Son by His indwelling Spirit. As the beginning of God's renewed human race, this community was set in contradistinction to the rest of mankind - the people of Israel as much as the pagan Gentile world. This contradistinction couldn't go unnoticed, and it provoked confusion, fear, and derision in some, and hostility and open opposition in others. Until the consummation, Messiah's kingdom and rule would exist within the dominion and power of human kingdoms, and it was precisely this dynamic that God ordained to testify of His triumph and build His kingdom in the world. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/716241420431701 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 14 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:49:12 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/71024141506949 Pentecost was the climax of the Christ event, for the outpouring and renewing work of the Spirit was the goal of Jesus' death, resurrection and enthronement. The Spirit was to be Jesus' abiding presence in the world and the power behind His kingdom and its fruitfulness. So also the Spirit would demarcate the kingdom's subjects, as Jesus, through His Spirit, was reconstituting the Abrahamic covenant household - the sons of the kingdom - around Himself. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/71024141506949 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 07 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:49:29 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/611242113416982 Pentecost brought the Christ event to its completion, even as the corresponding Feast of Weeks closed out the festal season that began with Passover. And it did so as initiating mankind's actual experience of the reconciliation that Jesus secured by His atoning death. Put differently, Pentecost answered the question of the relation between Jesus' status as Man of the Spirit and His status as Last Adam; He was raised and glorified as True Man unto the end that He should become the firstborn among many brethren - the fountainhead of a new human race that shares His relationship with the Spirit, and so with the Father. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/611242113416982 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 09 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:52:49 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/65241441112114 Jesus' resurrection is often viewed only in terms of demonstrating His satisfaction for the guilt of sin, but it actually has profound significance that vastly transcends this narrow consideration. The incarnation, which achieved in essence the eternal intent of perfect Creator-creature intimacy, was fully realized in Jesus' resurrection. Thus the Scriptures identify the resurrected Messiah as the first fruits of God's reconciled and renewed creation, and so also the source and first fruits of God's promised kingdom, as well as its sovereign king. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/65241441112114 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 02 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:50:07 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/52124151188189 Though many limit God's work of atonement to Jesus' crucifixion, it actually had its substantial fulfillment in the phenomenon of incarnation, which was then worked out through Jesus' life of faithful sonship. His death on Calvary simply brought God's atoning work to its climax, universalizing it as His promised redemption by which He would end the creation's captivity and exile and reconcile all things to Himself. This is the scriptural context for interpreting Jesus' cross and its work, underscored by His choice of Passover as the setting for His self-offering. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/52124151188189 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 19 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:50:09 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/516241511445124 Christians commonly associate Jesus' work of atonement with His crucifixion, but a truly scriptural understanding of atonement shows that the phenomenon of incarnation was actually the essential substance of God's atoning work in His Son. For it was there, in the intimate being-to-being union of God and man in Mary's womb, that divine-human reconciliation was achieved in essence. That reconciliation was then worked out and perfected in the living communion of Father and Son, finally being universalized in Jesus' substitutionary death at Calvary. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/516241511445124 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 12 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:45:49 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/5624204826952 Jesus' ministry was directed toward announcing and manifesting the kingdom of God - the kingdom promised by Israel's prophets and long awaited by the Israelite people. But the ultimate goal of His coming was the inauguration of this kingdom, and that would come through His cross. Kingdom and cross are inseparable and mutually interpreting, and the doctrine of atonement stands at the center of this relationship. Therefore, a biblical understanding of atonement is vital to understanding the work of the cross and how it pertained to Yahweh's kingdom. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/5624204826952 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 05 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 1:02:03 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/51241342462190 Jesus' ministry was directed toward announcing the in-breaking kingdom that Yahweh had promised through His prophets and Israel had eagerly awaited through long centuries of exile underscored by an empty sanctuary. But many in Israel would fall short of this kingdom and miss the day of their visitation - the day when Yahweh returned to Zion in the person of the incarnate Son. Thus the climactic aspect of Jesus' kingdom announcement was His warning of what awaited the Israelite nation if they refused Him, their King, and so also the kingdom He'd come to inaugurate. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/51241342462190 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 28 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:55:40 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/41724213555683 Jesus' mission was to announce, manifest and inaugurate Yahweh's long-promised kingdom, and that work involved proclamation, depiction, invitation, and challenge. But conflict was also central to Jesus' work, because the kingdom He was bringing contradicts and disallows every existing human expression of kingdom and rule. Thus He drew the fierce and unrelenting opposition of the world powers - human and supra-human - the moment He began proclaiming and manifesting His Father's kingdom. But that was the battle He'd come to fight, and He would achieve the victory. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/41724213555683 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 14 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:54:47 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/412241538217878 The goal of incarnation is the kingdom of God - i.e., God becoming "all in all" through "summing up" everything in His creation in Jesus the Messiah. The Father had sent the Son to usher in His everlasting kingdom as He'd promised through His prophets, and all of the gospel writers constructed their accounts around this work and its completion. Thus they record that, following His baptism and testing, Jesus began proclaiming the good news of this kingdom and challenging Israel to embrace it by embracing Him and the way of being Israel (son, servant, disciple and witness) that He was disclosing to them. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/412241538217878 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 07 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:55:55 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/4524202882137 The resurrection of Jesus is a core tenet of the Christian faith, but many Christians have little understanding of what it signifies, why it matters, or how it determines and orients Christian life and mission in the world. This message considers those issues and attempts to provide a framework for living authentically as resurrection people in the risen Messiah. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/4524202882137 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 31 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:46:57 no Kit Culver - Easter Sermons https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/3252418537790 The Spirit who anointed Jesus as Messiah and led Him through His wilderness testing now brought Him into Galilee where He began proclaiming the good news of Yahweh's kingdom. That ministration led Jesus to His home town of Nazareth where He confronted the people's understanding and expectation of His work on Yahweh's behalf. All three synoptic writers mentioned Jesus' rejection in Nazareth, but Luke provided the best insight into it, showing that it was a microcosm and harbinger of what He would experience from the nation as a whole. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/3252418537790 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 24 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:46:05 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/31824205696861 This message examines the third of Jesus' tests during His forty-day wilderness ordeal. Like the other two, this test was part of His Father's proving out of His own assertion concerning Jesus that He was His beloved and well-pleasing son. And because Jesus was being tested as Son of God in solidarity with Israel, His testing was as human son of God - God's True Israel in whom Israel was to be renewed and reconciled. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/31824205696861 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 17 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:53:45 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/313242054267108 This message examines the second of three tests Jesus underwent during His forty-day wilderness ordeal. Like the other two, this test was ordained by Jesus' God and Father to prove out His human sonship as True Israel as affirmed at His baptism. Specifically, it involved a temptation to "put God to the test" by seeing if He would honor His promise to protect His faithful children. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/313242054267108 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 10 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:50:25 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/34242023375670 The Scripture understands the incarnation as Israel's God taking up Israel's life and lot in order to renew Israel for the sake of its election and mission on behalf of the world. Jesus, then, was God's true Israel as true son, servant, disciple and witness. But in order to restore Israel in Himself, Jesus needed to fulfill Israel's sonship, even as the nation had failed to do. The forty-day wilderness ordeal was the fundamental proving out of Jesus' faithfulness as Yahweh's elect son, and this message is the first of three that examine that episode. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/34242023375670 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 03 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:49:08 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/22624225985364 The Incarnation involved the God of Israel embodying Himself within Israel in order to redeem and restore Israel so that it should fulfill its election and calling in the world. Thus the incarnation's work was directed toward Israel becoming Israel indeed, and the gospels show this first through Jesus' genealogy, and then by His baptism by John, the forerunner promised by Isaiah. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/22624225985364 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 25 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:58:12 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/220241746211152 Having examined the nature and implications of the Incarnation, it is necessary to consider its work - i.e., God's purpose in it and its functional significance in terms of Jesus' life and ministration. This first message in that consideration examines the images of light and life, both of which are central themes in John's understanding and treatment of Jesus the Messiah. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/220241746211152 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 18 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:50:39 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/21224228326284 This message considers some of the crucial practical implications of the incarnation, including how it determines our understanding of God's purposes and work, the gospel and its proclamation, and the matters of personal salvation, progress in sanctification, and Christian mission. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/21224228326284 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 11 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:55:20 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/130242047512327 Traditional formulations and controversies regarding incarnation have tended to focus on issues surrounding the conjoining of divinity and humanity conceived in existential and philosophical terms rather than biblical ones. Put differently, the Scriptures aren't concerned with philosophical notions of natures, persons, hypostases, etc., but with incarnation as fulfilling God's long-standing promise to arise in His world and put all things right, so that His eternal intentions for His creation could be fully realized. In biblical parlance, incarnation is about Yahweh returning to Zion to end the exile of the Abrahamic people and restore them to covenant fellowship so that they should fulfill their own election and calling to mediate His blessing to all the earth's families. This message considers that perspective and what it means for a truly biblical doctrine of incarnation. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/130242047512327 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 28 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:51:06 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/12224195123716 John the Baptist was the prophesied forerunner who heralded Yahweh's return to Zion to liberate His people and inaugurate His kingdom. So also, Yahweh's prophets had linked His return with the emergence and work of His messianic servant who would embody faithful Israel, and this background provides the context for the incarnation, its meaning, its purpose, and its outcome. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/12224195123716 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 21 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:49:56 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/19241923314937 The desolation of Jerusalem by the Babylonians saw the end of the Israelite kingdom and the final fracture of the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel. Many would return to Judea and the temple and city would be rebuilt, but the Israelite people recognized that their exile continued so long as their God remained absent. Incessant covenant unfaithfulness had moved Him to depart and scatter His people in exile, and only forgiveness and reconciliation would bring that alienation to an end. It was in view of that hope and longing that John the Baptist emerged in Israel and undertook his mission of preparing his countrymen for Yahweh's return to cleanse and restore His people and establish the kingdom He'd pledged to David. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/19241923314937 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 07 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:47:26 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1219231612305288 Many point to Cyrus' decree and the subsequent return of Judean exiles to rebuild the temple and city of Jerusalem as ending Israel's exile. But this physical recovery didn't address the underlying and essential exile, namely the relational alienation between God and His covenant people. That relational exile would end when Yahweh returned to Zion to redeem His captive children, cleanse them from their guilt and defilement, renew the covenant, and gather them to Himself as true sons and daughters. In that great day, the Lord's oath to Abraham would at last be realized: "I will be your God and you will be My people." This message examines the prophets' depiction of this promised deliverance and renewal, and how it finds its focal point in the messianic servant and branch of David. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1219231612305288 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 17 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:48:29 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/121123211594241 Jewish exiles returning to Judea to rebuild the temple and restore Jerusalem was a significant episode of prophetic fulfillment, yet these astonishing feats of divine providence didn't fulfill the Lord's covenant promises to Abraham and David or His word through His prophets. Indeed, the exile of His covenant people wouldn't end until He returned and restored His relationship with them through the person and work of His messianic servant, the son promised to David. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/121123211594241 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 10 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:40:22 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/125231910353730 Desolation, exile and captivity were the inevitable destiny of the Abrahamic covenant household. God had warned of this outcome through Moses and His prophets, and now it had come upon both houses of Israel. And yet this wasn't to be the Lord's final word; His covenant oaths to Abraham and David would stand, however impossible their fulfillment seemed in the context of such horrific desolation and despondency. Yahweh would one day end Israel's exile, not as a matter of geography, but realized sonship. This message takes a closer look at the scriptural theme of exile, as that which conjoins and carries along the salvation history that reached its climax in Jesus the Messiah. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/125231910353730 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 03 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:48:25 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/112723202287997 The Lord brought His sword against David's house, and after dividing and devastating his household, it cleaved David's kingdom into two parts. Only the southern kingdom of Judah remained under Davidic rule, with Israel in the north forming its own distinct kingdom. But both kingdoms followed the same trajectory of idolatry and apostasy culminating with destruction and exile. Israel fell to the Assyrians in 722 B.C., while Yahweh gave Judah and David's royal house a reprieve. But not for long; Judah, too, would fall a century and a half later when the Babylonian forces burned Jerusalem and its temple to the ground and dragged the survivors into exile. Thus the Lord's sword had made a complete end of David's house, throne and kingdom, and yet His promise stood fast - one day, He would raise up a faithful son of David in whom He would build David's house and establish his throne and kingdom forever. Abraham's children were to hold onto this promise in faith, even in the face of seeming impossibility and crushing circumstance; their God would prove faithful. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/112723202287997 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 26 Nov 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:51:34 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1121231524212706 The sword that Yahweh brought against David's house moved from his immediate household to the kingdom he ruled. The Lord revealed to Solomon His intent to cleave the kingdom, but this division occurred during the reign of Solomon's son Rehoboam. This message examines that episode and the history of the northern kingdom of Israel culminating with its destruction at the hand of the Assyrians. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1121231524212706 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 19 Nov 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:45:09 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1113231949343965 Solomon was the Lord's chosen successor to David, and he was the king who brought the Israelite kingdom to the pinnacle of its glory. And the focal point of that glory was the Jerusalem temple that Solomon built according to Yahweh's covenant with David. But the Lord had also pledged to David to build a house for him, and yet David's failure provoked Yahweh to bring a sword upon his house, which sword escalated its decimating work because of Solomon's own failures as king. Solomon, too, would fall short of the kingship idealized in the covenant with David, but the Lord would yet fulfill what He had pledged. One day, He would raise up a son of David who would build an everlasting house for Him, a son in whom David's own house, throne and kingdom would be established forever. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1113231949343965 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 12 Nov 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:45:27 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/118231720191950 The writer of Samuel chose to conclude his account of David's reign with the strange story of David's census that brought a devastating plague on Israel and led to the purchase of the site where the temple would be built by his son Solomon. This sermon considers that episode in the light of the Mosaic census law, which gives to it a profound significance and helps explain why the Samuel writer viewed it as the fitting way to end his account. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/118231720191950 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 05 Nov 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:54:08 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/10252320284385 The Bathsheba episode is a well-known story from the Old Testament, but it's typically treated in isolation as a lesson in moral failure and the consequences that result from it. But this episode must be interpreted in terms of David's unique kingship and God's covenant with him, and the text itself emphasizes the massive covenantal significance of David's failure more than its moral importance. David was guilty of abuse of power, adultery, deception, conspiracy and murder, but all of that served his greatest offense, which was despising his covenant obligation to testify of Yahweh to the surrounding nations by faithfully exercising his kingship as the Lord's regal image-son. Thus David's failure with Bathsheba was the turning point in his reign and Israel's covenant life; it marked the beginning of the end of the Israelite kingdom, and so brought into jeopardy God's covenant with Abraham. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/10252320284385 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 22 Oct 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:45:53 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/10323151402011 The covenant with David pertained to his regal house and kingdom and didn't directly implicate the priesthood. But Yahweh's approval of David's priestly actions in installing His ark in Jerusalem hinted at some sort of relation between the regal and priestly functions in connection with David. Later, Psalm 110, penned by David, showed that he understood that Yahweh was going to formally conjoin the kingship and the priesthood in the son promised to him in the covenant. This son was to be a priest-king, but of a different and enduring priestly order, indicating a new, everlasting covenant relationship between Yahweh and His people. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/10323151402011 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 01 Oct 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:55:37 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/926231420567414 This message examines the context and particulars of the Davidic Covenant and its significance in Israel's history. Most especially, it considers the central place of the Davidic Covenant in the progress of the salvation history that reached its climax in the Son of David promised in the covenant. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/926231420567414 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 24 Sep 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:49:02 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/918232219148030 This message examines David's ascent to the throne - first as king over Judah, and then over the whole house of Israel - and the early features of his reign. The most notable of those were his conquest of Jerusalem and subsequent act of bringing Yahweh's ark to Jerusalem to enthrone Him there in the new capital city. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/918232219148030 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 17 Sep 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:49:36 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/911232142513871 This message considers the account of David's preparation for the kingship as recorded in the second half of 1 Samuel. Though identified by Yahweh as His chosen king and anointed with His Spirit, David spent many years suffering under the threat of death at Saul's hand as Saul fought to hold onto the throne of Israel, though fully aware that Yahweh had rejected him. Thus the Lord prepared David for the kingship by nurturing his submission and dependent faithfulness in the face of unjust suffering. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/911232142513871 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 10 Sep 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:38:52 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/82923192587331 This message considers the transition in Israel's history from the period of the Judges to the monarchy. The emergence of the Israelite monarchy was the fitting climax to an era defined by the summary truth that "in those days there was no king in Israel," but every man was his own king. And so Israel's call for a human king put the exclamation point on the fact that the nation had long since rejected Yahweh as their rightful King. They sought a man, not to exercise Yahweh's rule over His covenant kingdom, but in denial of that kingdom and their own uniqueness as His people. Israel sought a king to make them like the other nations. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/82923192587331 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 27 Aug 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:53:21 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/816231922513783 This message examines the concluding period during the era of Israel's Judges. In particular, it considers Samuel's birth and early life in the sanctuary at Shiloh through which the Lord exposed and addressed the corruption of Israel's priesthood. That period also saw Yahweh exiled from His sanctuary, which exile continued until David was enthroned as king in Israel. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/816231922513783 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 13 Aug 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:36:14 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/8823179276132 After the Lord renewed the covenant, Israel spent nearly a year at Mount Sinai preparing to depart for Canaan. The climax of that preparation was Yahweh's glory filling His newly-constructed sanctuary, and thus He led Israel away from the mountain toward Canaan. Though His glory went before them, the people immediately began grumbling and rebelling against Him, and this intractable pattern resulted in 40 years of wandering in the desert and great calamity after inheriting the promised land. This message presents a summary of that era of Israel's history from the nation's departure from Sinai until it arrived at the threshold of its new monarchy. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/8823179276132 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 06 Aug 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:45:29 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/731232256328000 This message examines the aftermath of the gold calf episode, which saw God's judgment of Israel in slaughter and alienation, climaxing with His renewal of the covenant through Moses' mediation. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/731232256328000 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 30 Jul 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:41:46 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/7252317651427 This message examines the episode of the gold calf and its significance for Israel's relationship with God, but in terms of the nation's role in God's purposes for the world bound up in Abraham and the covenant with him. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/7252317651427 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 23 Jul 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:43:57 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/7172322510767 Following the ratification of the covenant and the fellowship meal of Father and son, Yahweh called Moses to return alone to the mountain to receive another record of the covenant that He Himself would write. He would give Moses the two tablets of the covenant, but also instruction for His dwelling place among His covenant people and His provision of a mediating priesthood. This message examines the relationship of the sanctuary and priestly system to the covenant and their role in its administration. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/7172322510767 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 16 Jul 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:46:14 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/7523153865083 This message examines the circumstances surrounding the formal institution of God's covenant with Israel, including the recording of the covenant charter, the people's stated commitment to it, the covenant's ritual ratification in blood, and Israel's fellowship meal with Yahweh on His holy mountain. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/7523153865083 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 02 Jul 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:35:46 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/62623222592285 This message examines the making of the covenant at Sinai and its various features and components. But it does so particularly in terms of the covenant's function in Israel's life as the Abrahamic people, chosen by God to be His instrument for achieving His restorative purpose for the world. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/62623222592285 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 25 Jun 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:52:29 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/621231618185076 This message examines God's preparation of Israel for entering into covenant relationship with Him after the redeemed nation arrived at Mount Sinai. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/621231618185076 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 18 Jun 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:44:22 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/612232041441115 This message considers the series of tests - by which God tested Israel and Israel tested God - that transpired during the three months between Israel's deliverance at the Red Sea and their arrival at Mount Sinai. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/612232041441115 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 11 Jun 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:56:25 no Kit Culver https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/524231554443340 This message examines Israel's Exodus from Egypt, both in terms of its historical significance and its importance in the unfolding salvation history as a prototype that portrayed and anticipated a future counterpart. In that second and final Exodus event, God would liberate the entire creation from its bondage and regather it to Himself in His Son, thereby fulfilling His own destiny to become "all in all." https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/524231554443340 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 21 May 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:52:23 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/5162314215623 This message examines the circumstances surrounding Jacob's exile in Egypt. Jacob was now Israel, and so it was that his exile was to be the exile of the entire covenant household - the household that would become the nation of Israel. God had disclosed to Abraham years earlier that a long season of exile was ordained for his descendants, and Joseph and his story were the primary instrument for this circumstance coming about. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/5162314215623 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 14 May 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:44:07 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/58232113546437 This message examines the account of Jacob's return to Canaan after twenty years in Haran, and particularly the episodes associated with Mahanaim/Peniel and Shechem. https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/58232113546437 Religion & Spirituality Sun, 07 May 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kit Culver 0:47:13 no Kit Culver - Journey Through the Scriptures