That You May Be Encouraged
Studies in the Letters of John
It was an early sermon in this series the sent my professional career in a direction leading to my future affiliation with The Presbyterian Church in America. It was the the third sermon listed below. Within the old liberal Presbyterian Church, I had unwittingly dared to throw down a biblical gauntlet which challenged those who had oversight over my work. How dare I use any scripture to measure the obligations of members and leaders in Christ's Church? It took a few years, but I was finally hounded out and spent a decade without an opportunity to serve any Church except as a very occasional pulpit supply.
But God is sovereign and within His perfect time, the denomination which was born on the very day I graduated from Seminary (04 December 1973) agreed to take me in and see what they could make of me. That was in 1982 and the rest is part of the history of our little congregation on the east side of Columbus, Ohio: Christ Covenant Reformed (PCA). I have never looked back and wondered "what if ...", because I have learned through such an experience that the Lord's providential plan for those who would serve Him is perfect and in being patient and seeking to honor and serve Him - we may find the work that He has purposed for our labors.
To Him be the glory in the Church and in the world to come.
Max A Forsythe
Text
Sermon Title
Date
3 John 1-13 15 September 02
2 John 1-13 08 September 02
1 John 3: 19-24 01 September 02
1 John 5: 7-21 25 August 02
1 John 4:7 - 5:6 18 August 02
1 John 4: 1-6 11 August 02
1 John 3: 11-18 28 July 02
1 John 2:28 - 3:10 21 July 02 1 John 2: 3-11 & 18-27 14 July 02 1 John 1:5 - 2:2 07 July 02
1 John 2: 12-17 30 June 02
1 John 1: 1-4 16 June 02
Resources Used:
Alexander, William. The Expositor’s Bible: Epistles of St John.
Barnes, Peter. Welwyn Commentary Series: Knowing Where We Stand.
Burnaby, John. Library of Christian Classics – Augustine: Later Works.
Lewis, C.S. Four Loves.
Calvin, John. The Comprehensive John Calvin Collection (Ages Software).
Stott, John. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: Epistles of John.
Good News Publishers. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.
Copyright (C) 2002
Christ Covenant REFORMED (Presbyterian Church in America)