An Expected Unexpected Entry

Pastor Matt Tarr – AM Sermon

Scripture: Mark 10:32-34

In this account, Jesus again tells of His upcoming death, burial, and resurrection. Here He gives even further and possibly surprising detail, but it is not so much Jesus’ message that strikes fear into the heart of His followers, but His resolve.

Add. Ref.: Psalm 22:6-8; Matthew 27:39-43; Isaiah 50:5-6; 50:4, 7, 10-11

Back to Basics: Eschatology

Pastor Matt Tarr – PM Sermon

Scripture: Selected Scriptures

While many may think eschatology is too obscure and difficult to understand to make it appropriate for authoritative preaching, much of the difficulty is accounted for if we simply allow the Bible to speak for itself.

Confronting the Heart

Pastor Matt Tarr – AM Sermon

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

A contemporary approach to evangelism often pushes an unbeliever to “make a decision” for Christ without ever confronting the unbeliever’s wicked heart. But in this passage, Jesus confronts a man who might appear “good” by all external accounts, but who cannot come to Christ because of the one thing he values more than Him.

Back to Basics: The Worship of the Church (Part 2)

Pastor Matt Tarr – PM Sermon

Scripture: Selected Scriptures

Reformed churches have historically maintained the “regulative principle” in evaluating the appropriateness of conduct in the corporate worship service, but is their biblical justification for regulation? In this message, Pastor Matt shows that there is not only justification for it in Scripture, it is actually commanded.

They Who Enter the Kingdom

Pastor Matt Tarr – AM Sermon

Scripture: Mark 10:13-16

What is the heart that is necessary to receive salvation? In this message, Pastor Matt Tarr explains who can come to Christ and how to come to Christ, but it must always be with a spirit of absolute dependence on God’s unmerited favor.

Back to Basics: The Worship of the Church (Part 1)

Pastor Matt Tarr – PM Sermon

Scripture: Selected Scriptures

If the purpose of the church is to worship God, then it would certainly be important to have a biblical understanding of what “worship” is. We often think of worship in the context of a certain emotion or music, but is that all that worship is? Furthermore, what are the considerations we need to make in evaluating what is appropriate worship for the corporate assembly, and what is not?

When Union Divides (Part 2)

Pastor Matt Tarr – AM Sermon

Scripture: Mark 10:1-12

After directly exposing the hypocritical interpretation of Scripture by the Rabbis to support the widespread divorce in the first century world, Jesus’ disciples are both surprised and bewildered by God’s expectations for marriage. In this message, Pastor Matt explains the three provisions in Scripture for remarriage, but is the Christian really expected to live by that marital code?

Add. Ref.: 1 Peter 3:1, 7

Back to Basics: What is the Church?

Pastor Matt Tarr – PM Sermon

Scripture: Selected Scriptures

What is the church? That is among the most basic questions we can ask in theology, but the implications are far reaching in developing a biblical philosophy of ministry. We must answer questions such as, “Why do we exist?” “What is our purpose?” And, “What are our priorities?”

When Union Divides (Part 1)

Pastor Matt Tarr – AM Sermon

Scripture: Mark 10:1-12

In many ways, our society’s view of marriage is much the same as it was perceived in first century Israel. It was easily dissolvable and far from permanent. However, in this passage, Jesus reveals just how seriously God views the marital covenant. His design is intended to be permanent and He hates divorce, even though this position is commonly held as extreme.

Add. Ref.: Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Malachi 2:2-6, 9, 13-16

Back to Basics: The Deity of the Son

Pastor Matt Tarr – PM Sermon

Scripture: Selected Scriptures

The assault against the Deity of Christ is a critical issue in Christianity. But are accusations such as “the Old Testament never teaches the Deity of the Messiah,” or “Jesus Himself never claimed to be God” true? Answering these questions is crucial. This is the very bedrock of our faith.