Messages
Sundays at Calvary
Stay The Course
02/02/2020 - Dave Riddle
Key Passage:
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Living In-Between
Dave Riddle - 1/19/20
Key Passage: Romans 13:11-14
You Know What Time It Is
It’s time to get up.
Romans 13:11
Our salvation is getting close
Romans 13:11
It’s almost daybreak.
Romans 13:12
Therefore…
Dress for battle
Romans 13:12
Live properly.
Romans 13:13
Sink into Jesus.
Romans 13:14
It Really is This Simple…
Dave Riddle - 1/12/20
Key Passage: Romans 13:8-10
Love
It’s the one thing we owe each other
Romans 13:8
It summarizes and completes the law
Romans 13:8-9
It seeks the best for others
Romans 13:9-10
It’s personified in Jesus
Romans - Government Matters
Dave Riddle - 1/05/20
Key Passage: Romans 13:1-7
The Authority of the State
Romans 13:1 - let everyone submit
“Submit” - hypotassō (Greek: ὑποτάσσω) to place; arrange under; to post under; to subject; to be obedient, to carry a burden
Luke 2:51 - Jesus submitted to his parents’ authority.
Ephesians 5:21 - submit yourself to one another
John 19:11 - you would have no authority over me if it had not been given to you from above.
The Function of the State
Romans 13:3-4
We know that this isn’t always true.
Paul is expressing the ideal.
1. The state should exist to restrict and punish evil.
2. The state should promote and reward goodness
Is wrong to speak out against authority? No!
We have a right and a responsibility to do so when the state isn’t living up to these ideals.
Our Relationship with the State
Romans 13:5
Therefore, you must submit.
What about when the will of the state is at direct odds with the will of God?
Acts 5:27-29
We must obey God rather than men.
Romans 12:18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone
Romans 13:6-7
what do we owe?
Tangible - tolls and taxes
Intangible - respect and honor
Dave Riddle - 12/22/19
Key Passage: Isaiah 9:6
sar (Hebrew: שַׂר) - a captain, master, chief, ruler, commander, leader, or prince. A person of nobility or rank.
used over 380x in the Hebrew Bible, to refer to various types of government or religious officials, rulers of cities, etc.
see also: czar, tsar, caesar
Not just a prince over us, but a prince with us.
shalowm (Hebrew: שָׁלוֹם) - a very broad term that means health, security, tranquility, good condition, success, comfort, and more.
it has layers of meaning related to peace.
Widely used in the Hebrew Bible, shalowm clearly depicts a satisfied condition, an unconcerned state of peacefulness.
Peace Brings Confidence
John 16:33
You will have suffering in this world, but be courageous because Jesus has conquered the world!
Peace Brings Rest
Matthew 11:29
...you will find rest for your souls.
Peace Brings Reconciliation
Romans 5:1
Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God.
Peace is a Gift
John 14:27 (HCSB): Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.
Unending
Complete
Above & Beyond
Philippians 4:7 - (ICB) And God’s peace will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. The peace that God gives is so great that we cannot understand it.
Colossians 3:15
Is He the master of your heart?
Is He your sar of shalowm?
Hello my name is: Mighty God
Dave Riddle - 12/08/19
Key Passage: Isaiah 9:6
‘el (Hebrew: אֵל) - god or god-like one; mighty one. Mighty men: men of rank: heroes. Strength, power. God (the one true God)
gibbowr (Hebrew: גִּבּוֹר) - strong, mighty or powerful. A strong, brave and mighty person. By implication a warrior and champion.
Joshua 1:14, 6:2, 8:3
1 Samuel 17:51; 2 Samuel 23
Psalm 24:8
He is divine
Hebrews 1:3 - the exact expression of His nature
John 1:14 -The Word became flesh... the one and only Son from the Father
John 10:30 - I and the Father are One
Matthew 1:23 - God with us
He was promised
Genesis 3:15 - He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.
He was wounded
Isaiah 53:4-5 - Yet He Himself bore our sicknesses, and He carried our pains; but we in turn regarded Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds.
Pierced, crushed, punished, and wounded for us.
He is Triumphant
Jesus is the victorious one!
Hebrews 2:14-15
By his death he destroyed death... and freed those held in slavery by the fear of death.
Romans 8:31-35
if God is for us, who can be against us?
Who can separate us from the love of Christ?
Hello my name is: Wonderful Counselor
Dave Riddle - 12/01/19
Key Passage: Isaiah 9:6
Counselor
ya’ats (Hebrew: יָעַץ) - to advise, counsel, admonish, direct, resolve, decide, plan and/or purpose. To counsel together; to be advised.
Isaiah 9:6 - “counselor”
First usage: Exodus - Moses meets with his father-in-law to seek advice.
Wonderful
pele’ (Hebrew: פֶּלֶא) - a miracle, a wonder; a wonderful thing or deed.
Isaiah 9:6 - “Wonderful”
Other than a single time in the book of Lamentations, it always appears in the context of God’s acts or words. 37 of the 84 occurrences of pele’ are found in the Psalms.
What kind of Wonderful Counselor?
Other-worldly
John 12:49 - He came with divine wisdom from Heaven itself
John 14:10 - He spoke with authority of God
Authoritative
Mark 1:21-22 - He taught with an authority unlike anything the world had seen.
Luke 4:32 - The people were amazed... slack-jawed
ekplēssō (Greek: ἐκπλήσσω) - to be struck with amazement, astonished, amazed
Piercing & Gentle
Piercing
Matthew 16:23
Matthew 23:27
Gentle
John 8:7-11
Inviting & Challenging
Mark 1:17 - “come, follow me”
Not just a call, but a purpose.
“And I’ll show you how to fish for people”
Mark 3:13-14
With Him, and Sent Out
Truth
John 14:6 - “I am... the truth”
John 1:14 - truth in the flesh
Life-giving
John 14:6- The truth AND the life.
John 4:4-14 - living water!
Infinite
Luke 21:33 - His words will never pass away.
1 Peter 1:24-25 - the Good News remains forever.
Called to Give Thanks
Dave Riddle - 11/24/19
Key Passage: Psalm 100:4 - Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! (ESV)
Called to Give Thanks For:
His Love
His Provision
His Gift of Jesus
His Creation
His Word
His Family
His Presence
Being Thankful When Life Gets Messy, Rough, and Ugly:
Refine your focus
Enlarge your perspective
Direct your thoughts
Pour out your heart
Remember His faithfulness
The Lord’s Table
Dave Riddle - 11/24/19
Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 11:23-30
Directive
1 Corinthians 11:23 - received from God, passed on to us
Reminder
1 Corinthians 11:24 - do this in remembrance of me
Covenant
1 Corinthians 11:25 - the new covenant in my blood
Declaration & Anticipation
1 Corinthians 11:26 - proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
Unity
1 Corinthians 11:27
koinōnia (Greek: κοινωνία) - fellowship, association or communion with something. A community. The share with which one has in anything - joint participation.
Caution
1 Corinthians 11:27 - whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup in an unworthy manner...
Self-Analysis
1 Corinthians 11:28 - let a person examine himself
Dave Riddle - 11/10/19
Key Passage: John 3:14-17
God is both Sent and Sender
John 17:18 - “As you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world”
Jesus Followers are “Sent Ones”
Matthew 4:19 - follow me and I will make you fish for people.
Not, “I will make you perfect people”
Mark 3:13-14 - apostles (sent ones)
They were with him
They were sent out
Salt & Light
Matthew 5:13-16
Useful
Representatives of Christ
Philippians 2:15
Ambassadors
2 Corinthians 5:20
Representing Jesus in everything we do.
He is making his appeal through us
Witnesses
Acts 1:8
As witnesses, the only thing we’re called to be is truth tellers.
Not the judge, jury, prosecution, or defense.
We are witnesses that Jesus is alive and that he has changed our lives.
Disciple-Makers
Matthew 28:19 - therefore go and make disciples of all nations...
Content and Conduct
We have something to tell
euaggelizō (Greek: εὐαγγελίζω) - to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel.
The way we live should show evidence of the Holy Spirit working in our lives.
The life of a Jesus follower should be aligned with the truth of God’s word.
Redeem and Restore
Has the Kingdom been fully realized? No. But we’re called, as members of the Kingdom, to play a role in that restoration.
Revelation 21:5 - “Look, I am making everything new”
What does it look like to live life as a Sent One?
That’s going to look different in each of our lives. One thing is certain though, for followers of Jesus, it isn’t optional.
Romans 12 - A Loving Koinōnia
Dave Riddle - 10/6/19
Key Passage: Romans 12:9-16
koinōnia (Greek: κοινωνία) - fellowship, association, community, intimacy, joint participation (the share which one has in anything), communion.
Sincerity
Romans 12:9
Let love be without hypocrisy
anypokritos (Greek: ἀνυπόκριτος) - originally used to refer to actors or one playing a part: unfeigned, undisguised, sincere.
Spiritual Sensitivity
Romans 12:9
Detest evil
Cling to what is good
Affection
Romans 12:10
Love one another deeply.
Be devoted to one another
As brothers and sisters
Esteem
Romans 12:10
Outdo one another in showing honor.
Honor one another above yourselves.
Passion
Romans 12:11
Don’t be lazy, don’t lack zeal.
Be fervent - zeō (Greek: ζέω) - to be hot (boil, of liquids; or glow, of solids), i.e. (figuratively) be fervid (earnest):—be fervent.
Resolute
Romans 12:12
The picture of someone who is determined.
Hopefulness rather than hopelessness
Big Hearts
Romans 12:13
Share with the saints in their needs
Emotionally, spiritually, and practically!
Open Arms
Romans 12:13
Pursue hospitality
philoxenia (Greek: φιλοξενία) - love to strangers, hospitality
Not just waiting but actively looking for opportunities to show hospitality to strangers.
Unnatural and Unexpected
Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse
Empathy
Romans 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.
Not just sympathetic but empathic.
One Accord
Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with one another.
Of one mind.
Down to Earth
Romans 12:16
Associate with the humble.
Which one or two of these areas is the Holy Spirit highlighting in your own life?
Baptism
Dave Riddle - 09/29/19
Key Passage: Matthew 28:19
Why Immersion?
Seems to be the regular practice of the New Testament Church.
baptizo (Greek: βαπτίζω) - to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of sunken vessels); to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one's self, bathe.
ancient pickle recipe
Identification
immersed into Christ
Romans 6:3-4
Declaration
1 Peter 3:18
A new identity!
2 Corinthians 5:17
Phillip and the Ethiopian
Acts 8:36
Reminder
A reminder of the call to obedience
Romans 6:6-7
Galatians 2:20
A reminder of Jesus’ great commission for us as believers.
Romans 12 - Intro to Koinōnia
Dave Riddle - 09/22/19
Key Passage: Romans 12:3-8
koinōnia (Greek: κοινωνία) - fellowship, association, community, intimacy, joint participation (the share which one has in anything), communion.
Humble, wise self-assessment
Romans 12:3
we need to have an accurate assessment of ourselves.
See ourselves as God sees us.
A single body; many pieces and roles
Romans 12:4
Unity! One body.
Diversity! Many roles.
Romans 12:5
Individually members of one another.
Romans 12:6
Different than talent
Gifts of the spirit
Speaking gifts
didaskō - teaching for transformation.
Service gifts
Grace and Faith are indispensable
Romans 12:3
Romans 12 - The Surrendered Life
Dave Riddle - 09/15/19
Key Passage: Romans 12:1-2
“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you:” - Romans 12:1 (Message)
An Impassioned Plea
I urge you (Romans 12:1)
parakaleō (Greek: παρακαλέω) - to admonish, exhort. to beg, entreat, beseech...
To whom? All the family of God.
Romans 12:1 - “therefore brothers and sisters...”
On what grounds? God’s mercies.
Mercies plural
Not because of anything we’ve done, but because the mercy he shows us again and again.
This call has two facets
A Living Sacrifice (12:1)
Our bodies
A shocking statement for Paul’s Roman audience who saw the body as a grave.
Our worship
Our body is not a tomb, but a tool to worship God in everything we do!
Our physical bodies become a spiritual act of worship.
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (12:2)
Don’t just be like everyone else. (Conformity)
Allow yourself to be transformed.
Daily and continually, not a one time event.
metamorphoō (Greek: μεταμορφόω) - to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure.
The world’s standards and God’s will are so far apart that you cannot just take a little bit of each.
The First Followers
Dave Riddle - 09/08/19
Key Passage: Acts 2:38-47
koinōnia (Greek: κοινωνία): fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation
Dedicated
Learning
Relational
Worshipping
Supernatural
Unified
Generous
Enjoyable
Gospelling
The Servant
Dave Riddle - 09/01/19
Key Passages: Colossians 3:22-25, Ephesians 6:5-8
doulos (Greek: δοῦλος): a slave, bondman, man of servile condition
The Command? Obey
hypakouō (Greek: ὑπακούω) - listen, used of one who, at a knock on the door, comes to listen for who is there (duty of a porter). To listen to a command, to obey, be obedient to, submit to.
The Way of Obedience
In All Ways
Colossians 3:22 - ...obey your masters in all things.
With the proper attitude
Ephesians 6:5 - ...obey ...with respect and fear
At All Times
Ephesians 6:6 - obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you.
Emphasized again in Colossians 3:22
With the Right Heart
Ephesians 6:6-7 - ...doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly.
Committed to Excellence
Colossians 3:23 - In all the work you are doing, work the best you can.
Having a Spiritual Focus
Colossians 3:24 - you are serving the Lord Christ.
Maintaining a Kingdom Perspective
Colossians 3:24 - Remember that you will receive your reward from the Lord.
Vitals - Generosity Pt. 2
Dave Riddle - 08/25/19
Key Passage: Mark 12:41-44
Generous: the readiness to give more of something than is strictly necessary or expected.
Scripture: at the core it’s about God giving to us.
Embracing a lifestyle of generosity...
A Reflection of God
John 13:34 - Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.
Jesus is the perfect picture of generosity for us to emulate.
A Display of Gratitude
Mark 12:44
Even though she had very little, she realized that she was blessed.
Hebrews 12:28
We’ve received a kingdom that can’t be shaken. Our response should be an outpouring of gratitude.
An Assertion of Trust
Mark 12:44
She gave everything and, trusted that God would provide for her.
Not a suggestion that we are all prescribed to do the same.
But a challenge for us to examine the way we give.
Do we give out of our surplus, or do we give sacrificially?
An Attack on the “King”
We are our own biggest enemies: our selfishness, our self-centeredness, our greed. We are the kings of our own lives.
Matthew 6:24 - ...you cant worship God and money both.
Vitals - Generosity Part 1
Dave Riddle - 08/11/19
Key Passage: Romans 8:32
Definition: Showing a readiness to give more of something than is strictly necessary or expected.
Scripture: At the core, it’s all about God
Jesus: Perfect example of generosity
He gave willingly
John 10:18
He gave joyfully
John 15:13
He gave purposefully
1 Peter 3:18
He gave sacrificially
Ephesians 5:25
Philippians 2:5-8
Vitals - Authenticity Part 2
Dave Riddle - 08/11/19
Key Passage: Romans 12:9
Key Aspects of a “Being Real” Culture
Honesty
Simplicity
Clarity
Sincerity
Humility
God’s Grace & Power
Four Areas to Consider
Identity
Emotional Health
Spiritual Failure
Convictions
Vitals - Authenticity Part 1
Dave Riddle - 08/04/19
Key Passage: 1 John 1:5-10. 2:1-2
Honesty
Simplicity
Clarity
Sincerity
Humility
God’s Grace & Power
We know who we are
We know what we’ve done
We know the necessity of confession
We know Jesus
Advocate
Holy
Answer
