CALL TO PRAYER - JUNE 4, 2012

CALL TO PRAYER - JUNE 4, 2012 Pray for the work and witness of the Bible Presbyterian Church. Please take time today to pray for the following: 1. BP Churches and Presbyteries 2. BP Missionaries and military chaplains 3. BP Agencies (IBPFM, PMU, WRS, FPP) 4. A vision to plant new churches 5. Our BP Youth

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Holiness and Unity - 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 - Pastor Tito Lyro

Holiness and Unity - 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 - Pastor Tito Lyro If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

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Holiness, Unity, and the Glory of God - 1 Cor. 1:1-3

Introduction Starting a new series is exciting and dreadful at the same because of the amount of work that goes into it. But I trust that the rewards and the blessings that will come out of this series on 1 Corinthians will be indescribable. I pray that by the time we are done with this book, we will be more united to each other, we will be more focused on the glory of God, and we will be striving toward holiness.  Unlike today's letters in which the writer waits till the end of the letter to identify himself, ancient letter writing started with the writer stating who he is, which makes more sense.  I. Paul's greeting sets up the three major themes of his letter: holiness, unity and the glory of God. A. God's people are called to be holy, 2.  1. Paul identifies the people to whom he is writing as "those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus."  2. These same people who have been sanctified are also called to be saints, that is, to live holy lives.  3. Our series through 1 Corinthians will be rather uncomfortable because it will force us to choose between the sins we love and the holiness God loves, without which no one can see him.  B. God's people are called to be united, 2. 1. Did you notice the unusual way that Paul referred to the Corinthian church? "To the church of God which is at Corinth… with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  2. That's a mouth full and when you are writing on papyrus you do not use mouth full expressions unless you are making a point.  3. The point is that the Corinthian Christians and every Christian in history are united in Jesus Christ.  4. How does this identity impact the Corinthian church?  C. God's people are called to do all to his glory, 3.  1. This verse hints at something that is going to become much clearer later on in the letter – everything we do, we do for the glory of God, 1:31; 10:31.  2. Why does this verse hint at that? Because Paul takes what is the standard way of starting a letter in the ancient world and infuses it with Christ.  II. Why did Paul write this letter? A. Because he loved them. 1. God had specifically told Paul, "I want you here because I have a lot of people in this city," Acts 18:10. 2. He had spent a year and a half with them. 3. He writes not just as Paul, but as the messenger of Christ and of Christ's love to them – apostle called by the will of Christ 4. It is never easy for a pastor to point out the sins of the congregation the Lord has entrusted to him. 5. But love for the brethren requires that a pastor never shy away from preaching and counseling the flock about everything pertaining to faith and practice. 6. If you believe that your pastor is preaching concerning your problem because he loves you, you will be much more likely to hear the words he has for you with faith. B. Because the Corinthians had asked him to settle some questions they were having. 1. The church sent Paul a letter seeking Paul's clarification on six questions. 2. The six questions: It is ok for a wife to deny herself to her own husband, right? 7:1  There is nothing wrong with a father arranging a marriage for his older-than-usual daughter, is there? 7:25  Surely we can eat meat offered to idols, can't we? 8:1  Tell them how speaking in tongues is the true sign of the Spirit, 12:1-3  How long must we put money aside for this collection for the poor in the Jerusalem church? 16:1-2  Can Apollos come back soon? He is a nice preacher! 16:12  3. Even in these questions, the lack of unity and the selfishness that is driving that church are very apparent. 4. You can see that also by the way Paul answers the questions – he doesn't disregard their concerns, but he does realign their hearts. C. Not only had Paul received a letter from the church, he had also heard reports of how things were going in Corinth. "The Church was in the world, as it had to be, but the world was in the Church, as it ought not to be." Moffatt 1. Notice that he doesn't start answering their questions till he has laid down a foundation for six chapters. 2. This teaches us that we may get so focused on particular issues that we lose track of what the Bible says is very important. 3. Paul had heard from Chloe and Stephanas that some very serious things were going on at church and they were not doing anything to fix them, 1:11; 5:1; 16:15-16. 4. These reports told of factions and divisions in the church, adultery, disregard for the worship of God, selfish actions in the Lord's Supper, and doubts about the future resurrection. 5. And as a pastor Paul's heart was broken, 1:10. III. Paul deals with them in a pastoral way. A. Instead of just dealing the reports and questions, Paul teaches them to think Christianly about the issues that they are dealing with.  B. He categorizes the questions that the church asked and the issues that were reported to him into five broad topics.  C. And he presents these five topics as a sequence of pastoral sermons for the building up of the church in Corinth and elsewhere.  1. He teaches them about holiness, unity, and the glory of Christ in wisdom and the power of the Gospel, chpts. 1-4  2. He teaches them about holiness, unity, and the glory of Christ in sexuality, chpts. 5-7.  3. He teaches them about holiness, unity, and the glory of Christ in selfless love for the brethren, chpts. 8-10  4. He teaches them about holiness, unity, and the glory of Christ in the gathered church, chpts. 11-14.  5. He teaches them about holiness, unity, and the glory of Christ in the hope of the resurrection, chpt. 16.  D. Paul's approach to dealing with the Corinthians teaches us that we are to be patient with our brethren.  Conclusion Holiness, unity in the body of Christ, and the glory of God – all brought together in these three short verses.

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SAVE THE DATE: Vacation Bible School, June 25-27

Our annual Vacation Bible School will be taking place June 25-27, from 9am-11:40am each day.  This year's theme: The Olympion: Running the Race.

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Pentecost - Acts 2:1-39 - Pastor Tito Lyro

Pentecost - Acts 2:1-39 - Pastor Tito Lyro If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

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Received on High - Acts 1:1-12 - Pastor Tito Lyro

Received on High - Acts 1:1-12 - Pastor Tito Lyro If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

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SAVE THE DATE: Dennis Leaman Lecture Series June 16-17

Please save the date and plan on joining us for the Annual Dennis Leaman Lecture Series June 16-17.

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Received on High

Introduction  We don't put much stock today in thinking and celebrating the bodily ascension of Christ to heaven, but the Early Church did. The Apostles Creed, which is a very early and simple confession of faith, includes the ascension among the few things the Church believes: He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty…  The celebration of the ascension of Christ has also been an important date in the ecclesiastical calendar. It is always celebrated on a Thursday, 40 days after the resurrection (v. 3) and 10 days before Pentecost. It is also common to postpone the celebration till the following Sunday, like we have done.  The ascension of Christ is his literal, bodily going up to heaven to be with the Father. I. The Historical Ascension, Acts 1:9-11; Lk. 24:49-53  A. After that glorious Sunday when our Lord Jesus came back to life, he met with his disciples off and on for a period of 40 days, 3.  B. Yet even at the end of those 40 days the disciples were still not 100% sure about the nature of the kingdom of God, 6.  C. He was taken up  D. A cloud received Him out of their sight  E. While they looked steadfastly  F. Two men in white apparel  G. This same Jesus will come back in the same manner.  H. All this took place on the Mount of Olives, just outside Jerusalem, 12.  II. What the Ascension Accomplished (Why It Is Important)  A. The ascension is Christ's enthronement and his victory parade.  B. The ascension is the triumphant king returning home, Ps. 24:7-10.  C. The ascension was the final declaration of the lordship of Christ.  D. Christ ascended to prepare a place for his people.  E. The ascension resulted in intercession for us.  F. The ascended Christ gives gifts to the Church.  G. Ultimately, the ascension shows that Christ's work is done.

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REMINDER: Church Work Day Tomorrow at 9:00am

Just a reminder that the church work day is happening tomorrow at 9:00am.

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REMINDER: Mother/Daughter Banquet Tonight at 6:00PM

Just a reminder that the annual Mother/Daughter Banquet is tonight at 6:00pm at the Lacey Community Center [MAP].

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Mothers, the Power of the Gospel, and the Sovereignty of Christ - Revelation 5 - Pastor Tito Lyro

Mothers, the Power of the Gospel, and the Sovereignty of Christ - Revelation 5 - Pastor Tito Lyro If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

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A Day in the Lord's House - Psalm 84 - Pastor Tito Lyro

A Day in the Lord's House - Psalm 84 - Pastor Tito Lyro         If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

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A Day in the Lord's House - Psalm 84

Introduction This psalm is likely the experience of David (anointed in v. 9) while running away from Absalom.  This makes sense because the ark and the tabernacle would have been in Jerusalem by then and the temple had not yet been built (thus tabernacle in v.1).  David may have recounted his longing for the worship of God to the sons of Korah who put it to music. One thing we know for sure: this psalm is the testimony a person who knows God personally and loves to worship him with his brothers and sisters in Christ. It seems to be part of human nature not to miss something good till we no longer have access to it.  That is in a sense what is happening here.  David doesn't have access to the tabernacle and his hear is aching because of that.  We see in this psalm a deep longing for the presence of God in worship. Right way, let me say something about the word selah. In our translation, it appears in vv. 4 and 8.  As far as we can tell, selah is a musical notation equivalent to a rest.  It is inserted in the text, not to be read aloud, but to remind the reader/singer to take a contemplative pause because what he just read/sang is important. I would like us to see three things from this psalm this morning: the loveliness of the tabernacle and the longing of the soul (1-4, 8-11), those who love the tabernacle will enliven the earth (5-7), and a person who loves the tabernacle is blessed (12). The Loveliness of the Tabernacle and the Longing of the Soul, 1-4, 8-11. Why is the tabernacle lovely? There are at least two reasons.  One is because there, God meets with mankind.  There was no other place where God met with men with assurance of forgiveness because of the sacrifice of another.  The tabernacle is still the only place God meets with men and accepts them (Heb. 9:6-9, 11-14).  Unless you meet with God through Jesus by faith in the heavenly tabernacle, you'll never meet him as a gracious, loving, merciful, kind God because the basis of that relationship is the offering that Jesus Christ made of himself on behalf of his people.  The second reason is because there, God's people met with each other.  Three times a year they got to come to the tabernacle and adore their God together. It didn't matter their social status, financial status, or where they lived.  They came in equal footing with everybody else and they got to be with them in God's house (or tent).  The local church now carries that significance (1 Tim. 3:15). Now not just three times a year, but every week on the Lord's Day! We meet with our Lord in a way that we are not able to do anywhere else. We meet with each other and become one as we ascend the holy hill of Zion – that's what pilgrims did (Psalms of ascent).  David looks at these two aspects of the tabernacle and says, "Oh, how lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts." Because the tabernacle is lovely David longs for it, 2.  He wants to be there so badly that he almost faints with desire – that was often David's experience (Ps. 42:1-2; Ps. 63:1-2). Notice again how he equates being in the tabernacle with being with God and his heart is crying out to be there.  Remember David is out in the desert running away from his son who is sitting on the throne in Jerusalem.  He can't go to the tabernacle and his heart is breaking. Is that where you are?  You can only be there if you are convinced that the God you are meeting is worth meeting even if that costs all you have, including your life. David was convinced that being in the house of God was better than anything else he could be doing at that moment, including gaining the riches of this world, 8-10.  Look at David's prayer, 8-9. He says, "Look upon your anointed," that is, "Remember your promises to me as the one who you anointed to be on your throne." We do the same. When we are in a dry and thirsty land, when being in the house of the Lord means nothing, when we are at the end of our rope, we pray, "Lord, look at the face of your anointed."  But we don't mean for God to look at David, but to look at his ultimate anointed one, the Messiah, the Christ, the Lord Jesus.  We want him to remember his promise to be our God and to never leave us or forsake us.  And we do that because we want to be with him. Are you convinced that a moment in the worship of God at the house of God is better than a thousand days elsewhere?  If you are, you will organize your Sunday and Saturday and your entire weekly schedule to reflect this belief. Worship on the Lord's Day will not be an after thought for you.  It will be in the forefront of everything you do. You are not going to allow things to get in the way.  You will say no to certain things. It is sad that often the only adjustment that Christians are willing to make to their busy schedule is their church attendance and the corporate worship of God.  The only thing that is negotiable and can go is being in church for the most glorious activity they can be involved in.  Are you convinced that what God has to offer in worship is better than anything the world has to offer?  Then even the most menial activity in the house of God will be a blessing to you (doorkeeper). Why is David so convinced that being is God's house is so good?  After all, look at the people we have to worship with, look at the pastor, look at the lame sermons, look at the music, look at the ugly building, listen to the noise, feel the kids squirming around.  How can this be so good?  Yes, all of that is true, yet God appointed the here and the now for us to with him for his glory and for our good.  Look at the God whom David goes to his house to meet, 11.  He is a God who is a sun – the source of all life and the conqueror of darkness.  He is the God who is a shield – the protector.  He is a God who is the giver of grace and glory.  He is the God who will not withhold anything good from those who follow him.  One of the good things that he gives to us is the opportunity to worship him as a body every Lord's Day.  If you don't see that as good, then you must adjust your definition of good. David gives one more comparison to help us understand the greatness of a day in the house of the Lord, 3-4.  If it is a blessing for little birds who don't have souls, who cannot relate to God, to be in the house of God, how much more will it be a blessing for the blood-bought, sin-forgiven members of God's family to be in his house?  It is a blessing to be in the house of God and we must believe that. This Is Important Because Those Who Love the Tabernacle Will Enliven the Earth, 5-7. Do you think this is a big claim?  It is, but we serve a big God!  The person who loves the tabernacle is on a pilgrimage from Sunday to Sunday, from Lord's Day to Lord's Day, 5.  Look at what he/she does as they pilgrimage during the days of the week, 6-7.  As the pilgrims walk through he valley of Baca (dry or weeping), the valley is transformed and become full of life.  As Moses face shone with the glory of God after his was in God's presence and he didn't even know it, our faces will shine with God's glory and bring life through the transforming power of the gospel to every area of our existence.  The pilgrims go from strength to strength because they are always going to Mt. Zion, 7.  One Sunday ends and the pilgrimage to the next one begins. This goes on till our last pilgrimage to eternal life.  As imperfect as it might be, the worship of God is the only time that we are at home.  The rest of our time we are on a pilgrimage. This is a big claim because we worship a big God who will do great things through his Church that flows from worshipping him in his house. "Ambitions for God, if they are to be worthy, can never be modest. There is something inherently inappropriate about cherishing small ambitions for God. How can we ever be content that he should acquire just a little more honour in the world? Christians should be eager to develop their gifts, widen their opportunities, extend their influence and be given promotion in their work — not now to boost their own ego or build their own empire, but rather through everything they do to bring glory to God."  John Stott A Person Who Loves the Tabernacle Is Blessed, 12. David puts the love for the worship of God in terms of trust.  At the end of the day, that is exactly what it is: trust that what God says is good IS indeed good.  God blesses those who trust him, including the trust that his tabernacle is lovely. Conclusion God in his goodness and mercy has called us to gather in his house once every week on his appointed day, so that he can bless us and strengthen us to enliven the earth.  This is a big claim, but it is a true claim because we worship a big God who is the Lord of hosts.

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SAVE THE DATE: Spring Work Day, May 19 at 9:00am

Please save Saturday, May 19th at 9:00am to join us in working at the church.

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The King and His Bride - Psalm 45 - Pastor Tito Lyro

The King and His Bride - Psalm 45 - Pastor Tito Lyro If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.

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The King and His Bride - Psalm 45

Introduction The psalm we just read is a love song written specifically to be sung at a wedding. But it is a love song for a very special wedding: the wedding of the king to his beautiful bride. I.               A Psalm about the Davidic King, But Really about Christ. ·      This psalm is a royal psalm likely written for the wedding of a Davidic king, perhaps Solomon. ·      Yet, the NT tells us that this king is ultimately the Lord Jesus Christ, which means that this bride is his Church. ·      The psalmist was looking forward to the day of his Messiah-King and he could not contain himself, v. 1. ·      So, though this psalm refers to the wedding ceremony of the sons of David who inherit the throne by way of covenant, it ultimately speaks of THE Son of David who married his covenant bride, the Church, by way of the cross and resurrection. ·      This is a love song – a song about the love of Jesus Christ for his bride, and of his bride for him. II.             The Glory of the King as the Bridegroom, vv. 2-9. ·      The King of kings and Lord of lords is the most beautiful, the most handsome, the most attractive of all humanity, v. 2a. ·      Our Bridegroom-King is gracious, v. 2b. ·      Our Bridegroom-King has the favor of God upon him, v. 2c. ·      Our Bridegroom-King is mighty to protect his bride, vv. 3, 5. ·      The bridegroom's majesty is based on truth, humility, and righteousness, v. 4. ·      Lastly, the Bridegroom's kingdom is forever and ever, vv. 6-9 ·      This is the King of glory who is your bridegroom, and he sees you as glorious in his sight. III.           The Glory of the Bride, vv. 10-15. ·      At the end of verse 9, the bride is described as the queen dressed in gold of Ophir, that is, the best gold. ·      The King desires his bride, the Church, and he thinks she is beautiful, v. 11. ·      He thinks we are beautiful, not because he thinks sin is beautiful (see v. 7a), but because he has clothed his bride with his righteousness, vv. 13-14. ·      The bride, instead of missing where she came from, focuses on her bridegroom, v. 10. ·      So the bride's attention is no longer on the things that were, but on her bridegroom, v. 11b. ·      And the bride is glad, happy, and delighted in her Bridegroom, v. 15. ·      As a result of this union, the bride will produce fruit, v. 16. Conclusion This is the mystery of the union between Christ and his Church.  He loves her.  He loves us.  Let me finish with two last passages that speak clearly of Christ's marriage to his Church. Eph. 5:25-27, 32 – Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish….  This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. He will accomplish this, and at his second coming the marriage will be clearly displayed for all to see. Rev. 19:6-9 – And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!  Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready."  And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.  Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God." These are the true sayings of God:  Christ is the Bridegroom-King and the Church is his bride.

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