Abraham Looked forward to Easter - Rom. 4:13-25

Introduction  I can imagine what you might have thought as we were reading this passage. "Abraham, really? It's Easter for crying out loud! What has Abraham got to do with Easter? Did he at least own a bunny?" Well, Abraham had a lot to do with Easter if by Easter you mean the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ – the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. As a matter of fact, Abraham looked forward to Easter.  What we are celebrating today, and celebrate every Sunday when we gather together for worship, is the coming back to life of the Savior of the world. Christ is risen from the dead. He has defeated the last enemy, death itself. He was vindicated. God accepted his sacrifice.  Rom. 1:3-4 – concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.  "Life conquered death. Jesus Christ has won it." Keith Green  "The three sad days have quickly sped; he rises glorious from the dead: all glory to our risen Head! Allelulia! He closed the yawning gates of hell; the bars from heavn'n's high portals fell…. Alleluia!" Latin hymn  Abraham believed in the promise of the Messiah (the Christ) that was going to delivering him from his sins through his death and resurrection. Thus, Abraham is the pattern for our faith. Let us learn from good, old Abe!  I. The Faith of Abraham Described, 13-22.  A. God promised to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations and that in him all the nations of the world would be blessed, 13-15.  B. Since no one can do the things that God requires to receive the promise, God does it on their behalf, 16-17.  C. Contrary to his circumstances (contrary to hope), in hope of receiving the promise of God, Abraham believed in whom God was and in what God was going to do, 18-19.  D. Though Abraham did not waver in his faith, he did have his struggles, 20-21.  E. So it was this belief that God was who he said he was and that he was going to do what he said he was going to do that caused Abraham to be accepted by God, 22.  II. The Faith of Abraham Applied, 23-25  A. God saves his people.  B. Why is this necessary? Why salvation?  C. The result of all of this.  Conclusion  Don't leave today without making sure you understand these things. Don't leave without knowing the faith of Abraham and the God of Abraham. http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2013/03/abraham-looked-forward-to-easter-rom.html

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REMINDER: Good Friday Service tonight @ 7:00 PM

Remember our Good Friday Service is tonight at 7:00 PM at the church. http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2013/03/reminder-good-friday-service-tonight.html

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REMINDER: No Fellowship Luncheon or Afternoon Service This Sunday

While we would still encourage you to invite a friend to worship with us this coming Sunday, because of the holiday we will not be having our regular fellowship luncheon or afternoon worship. http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2013/03/reminder-no-fellowship-luncheon-or.html

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SAVE THE DATE: The Paauwes Visit OBPC on April 3rd

Ed and Lehia Paauwe will be here at OBPC with us on Wednesday, April 3rd.  They Paauwes have served the Lord as missionaries for decades and retired just last year. Now, they are saying good-bye to the churches that supported them, before they go back to Australia. http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2013/03/save-date-paauwes-visit-obpc-on-april.html

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When We See, We Shall Be - 1 John 3:1-3 - Mr. Kris Kord

When We See, We Shall Be - 1 John 3:1-3 - Mr. Kris Kord 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. http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2013/03/when-we-see-we-shall-be-1-john-31-3-mr.html

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If Only… - 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If Only… - 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 - Pastor Tito Lyro If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.  http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2013/03/if-only-1-corinthians-717-24-pastor_24.html

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The Active, Invisible Judge - John 16:1-15 - GUEST SPEAKER - Rev. Chris Lensch

The Active, Invisible Judge - John 16:1-15 - GUEST SPEAKER - Rev. Chris Lensch 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. http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-active-invisible-judge-john-161-15_24.html

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If Only… - 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 - Pastor Tito Lyro

If Only… - 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 - Pastor Tito Lyro If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.  http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2013/03/if-only-1-corinthians-717-24-pastor.html

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If Only... - 1 Cor. 7:17-24

Introduction  Have you ever found yourself captured by the tyranny of the If Only? It goes something like this: if only [insert different circumstance in life], I could serve the Lord better.  The possibilities are virtually endless. We can come up with almost anything for our own If Only. That is where the Corinthian Christians were. They found themselves virtually paralyzed in their walk with the Lord because their hope was in a change of circumstances rather than in the Christ who called them to salvation in whatever circumstances they were in. Some who were married wanted to be unmarried in the hope that that would make them "better" Christians. Others thought that being married would make them "better" Christians. Paul insists that it is not the circumstances of life that make one a "better" or "worse" Christian. It is Christ and him alone that makes one thrive in life, independently of circumstances.  In this passage Paul makes two very important points that must be essential elements of our thinking:  Right where you are in your life, you have everything you need to be a fully functioning servant of Christ because Christ is there with you. You are right now where God wants you to be in order for Christ to be magnified in your life.  Why are these two propositions true? They are true because God has called you with the effectual call of the Gospel.  I. The Main Point of This Passage Is the Calling of God in the Life of a Christian.  A. The words call, called, calling are used eight times in these eight verses.  B. In all but one case, these words refer to God's calling us to himself through Jesus Christ as the Spirit works through the Gospel.  II. The Effectual Call of the Gospel  WLC 67 – What is effectual calling? Effectual calling is the work of God's almighty power and grace, whereby (out of his free and especial love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereunto) he does, in his accepted time, invite and draw them to Jesus Christ, by his Word and Spirit; savingly enlightening their minds, renewing and powerfully determining their wills, so as they (although in themselves dead in sin,) are hereby made willing and able freely to answer his call, and to accept and embrace the grace offered and conveyed therein.  A. It is the work of God's almighty power and grace – not ours.  B. God draws us to Jesus Christ by means of his Word and Spirit.  C. God savingly enlightens us and renews and determines our will so that we are made able to embrace his grace.  III. Slavery to Christ Brings True Freedom.  A. Free to be circumcised or uncircumcised, 18-19.  B. Free to be slave or freedman, 21-22.  C. So experience your freedom in Christ and serve him in the circumstance you find yourself in, 20.  D. We do not need to be slaves to the man-made tyranny of the If Only, 23.  Application & Conclusion  Your situation in life does not have to change for you to live out the freedom that you have in Jesus Christ. Things don't have to be different in order for you to live out God's calling in Jesus Christ. In the midst of your messed up family life, you can be a CHRISTian. In your financial struggles Christ can reign supreme. In whatever state you are in, you can love, serve, and glorify Christ.  http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2013/03/if-only-1-cor-717-24.html

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SAVE THE DATE: Good Friday Service, March 29 @ 7:00PM

Be sure to add our Good Friday Service (March 29 @ 7:00PM) to your calendar. http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2013/03/save-date-good-friday-service-march-29_12.html

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REMINDER: Women's Fellowship tonight @ 6:30PM

Just a reminder that Women's Fellowship is tonight at 6:30PM. http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2013/03/reminder-womens-fellowship-tonight-630pm.html

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The Active, Invisible Judge - John 16:1-15 - GUEST SPEAKER - Rev. Chris Lensch

The Active, Invisible Judge - John 16:1-15 - GUEST SPEAKER - Rev. Chris Lensch 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. http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-active-invisible-judge-john-161-15.html

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Daylight Savings Begins Tomorrow, March 10th

Remember to spring forward tonight--Daylight Savings begins tomorrow, March 10th. http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2013/03/daylight-savings-begins-tomorrow-march.html

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Just Let Them Go - 1 Corinthians 7:12-16 - Pastor Tito Lyro

Just Let Them Go - 1 Corinthians 7:12-16 - Pastor Tito Lyro If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.  http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2013/03/just-let-them-go-1-corinthians-712-16.html

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Marriage and Divorce Between Christians - 1 Corinthians 7:8-16 - Pastor Tito Lyro

Marriage and Divorce Between Christians - 1 Corinthians 7:8-16 - Pastor Tito Lyro If you find these lessons helpful, or if you have questions please write to us at contact@olympiabp.net. We would love to hear from you and learn how we can serve you.  http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2013/03/marriage-and-divorce-between-christians.html

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Marriage - 1 Corinthians 7:1-7 - Pastor Tito Lyro

Marriage - 1 Corinthians 7:1-7 - 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.  http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2013/03/marriage-1-corinthians-71-7-pastor-tito.html

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Marriage - 1 Corinthians 7:1-7 - Pastor Tito Lyro

Marriage - 1 Corinthians 7:1-7 - 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. 

SAVE THE DATE: Women's Fellowship March 11 @ 6:30PM

Ladies, be sure to put Women's Fellowship on your calendar: Monday, March 11 @ 6:30PM. http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2013/03/save-date-womens-fellowship-march-11.html

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Marriage & Divorce between Christians - 1 Cor. 7:8-11

Introduction Things often do not always turn out the way we planed them to turn out.  Is your life now what you envisioned it being when you were growing up?  The Scriptures acknowledge the fact that stuff happens and that the ideal doesn't always take place.  Yet, even then we are called to follow Christ.  This passage before us today speaks of divorce: between Christians (10-11) and between a Christian and a non-Christian (12-16).  But before we go into this passage, I would like briefly to present a theology of marriage to help us see the importance of this institution. I.             A Brief Theology of Marriage A.   Marriage is not a human invention. B.   God established, instituted, and ordained marriage at the beginning of human history. C.   Marriage was instituted before civil government and visible church; it is the oldest of God's institutions D.  Since marriage was instituted by God, instead of man, he gets to make the rules. E.   Marriage is foundational for society and for the church because the family (basic unit in Bible) is built around marriage. F.   Therefore, an attack on marriage is an attack on the basic unit that forms the Church and society. G.  Marriage is more than a sexual union H.   A marriage is established when a man and a woman exchange vows before God and each other. I.     Marriage is the best illustration of the Gospel truth of Christ's love for his Church II.          Divorce among Christians, 7-11 A.   In these verses Paul is considering divorce among Christians. B.   Divorce is always the result of sin, 10. C.   Divorce is sin because Christ commands us not to divorce, 10. D.  Paul is also a realist, knowing that some people will go ahead and divorce each other, 11a. E.   Don't complicate the issue even more by marrying again, 11b. Conclusion God calls us to be faithful to him by being faithful to one another in our marriages.  He gives us the grace to be so as the Spirit works in us.

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