Category: Selected Scriptures

Back to Basics: The Sovereignty of God

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Pastor Matt Tarr – PM Sermon

Scripture: Selected Scriptures

The sovereignty of God is one of the most comforting and freeing aspects of God’s character, but it also happens to be the character many people struggle with the most. It is not because God’s sovereignty isn’t clearly taught however. Rather, the fact that most have no problem accepting God’s absolute sovereignty over creation, but only as it relates to salvation, ultimately reveals that the real struggle is with our fleshly desire for independence.

The Wisdom of Ecclesiastes

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HPBC Elder: Greg Lynch – PM Sermon

Scripture: Selected Scriptures

This sermon traces the themes of enjoying God-given gifts and using fully life’s opportunities through an examination of the contexts of three summary statements in Ecclesiastes (2:24; 3:12-13; 9:9). Those who attempt to understand “life” from a humanistic and rationalistic world-and-life view find only meaninglessness. Only those who both recognize and submit to God as the Sovereign Lord and the highest value discover eternal meaning and purpose in their lives.

Back to Basics: The Holiness of God

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Pastor Matt Tarr – PM Sermon

Scripture: Selected Scriptures

God commands all people, “Be holy as I am holy.” But what exactly does that mean? He is holy in all his attributes, and infinitely set apart in all His ways. Not only that, but understanding the holiness of God causes us to realize the complete impossibility of that command without obtaining the righteousness of Christ.

Back to Basics: One Perfect Word

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Pastor Matt Tarr – PM Sermon

Scripture: Selected Scriptures

When we speak of inspiration, we mean that the Bible is wholly correct and completely without error on all matters about which it speaks and in all its assertions. While that might seem like a basic truth, the term “inspiration” has been twisted and modified from its historical use, even among major leaders of evangelicalism. The Bible’s revelation about its own words is quite clear though. If the Bible is not absolutely pure, then it isn’t the Word of God.

Back to Basics: One Authority

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Pastor Matt Tarr – PM Sermon

Scripture: Selected Scriptures

As Christians, we readily give lip-service to the authority of the Scriptures, but often we fail to live like we believe the Scriptures are authoritative. This begs the question, “Are they authoritative, or are they not?” The clear testimony of the Bible is that because they are the very words of God, they are absolute in their authority, and must be obeyed and conformed to.

Back to Basics: How We Got the Bible

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Pastor Matt Tarr – PM Sermon

Scripture: Selected Scriptures

In this message, Pastor Matt Tarr explains how we received the canon of the Bible. How do we know there aren’t “lost” books that belong in the canon, or how do we know that books that are known shouldn’t be included? Before answering this though, the question must first be answered, “Is the Bible even necessary?” If it isn’t, then there is no need for divine superintendence over its purity and preservation. But if it is necessary, then it would be rational to conclude that the same God who gave it, would also protect it.

Back to Basics: How to Study the Bible

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Pastor Matt Tarr – PM Sermon

Scripture: Selected Scriptures

If God inspired His revelation, and the very nature of the term “revelation” indicates that something is intended to be known and understood, then that means that God’s Word is written in such a way that is intended to be known and understood. Furthermore, because God is the author, then the meaning of the text must be derived from God’s intent, not man’s. How should these principles govern our method of interpreting the Bible? This special seminar explains a biblical philosophy of studying the Scripture.

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Back to Basics: The Self-Authentication of the Scriptures (Part 2)

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Pastor Matt Tarr – PM Sermon

Scripture: Selected Scriptures

God’s Word bears witness to its own truthfulness, and just one of many ways it does that is by the fulfillment of prophecies that are so precise and specific, there can be no explanation other than the Divine superintendence of the inspired Word of God. God’s proven testimony therefore reveals the reason why men reject the truth, just as the Scriptures say. It is not a matter of evidence, but the sin of unbelief.

Back to Basics: The Self Authentication of the Scriptures (Part 1)

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Pastor Matt Tarr – PM Sermon

Scripture: Selected Scriptures

It is important to understand that we cannot speak of the authenticity of the Scriptures in “probable” terms, no matter the degree of probability. Because the Bible speaks of itself in the absolute, proof of the Bible’s truthfulness must also be in the absolute? Is that possible? Can we absolutely prove the Bible? Or can we only probably prove the Bible? In this message, Pastor Matt Tarr explains the absolute trustworthiness of the Bible by its own self authentication.

Back to Basics: Can We Trust the Bible?

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Pastor Matt Tarr – PM Sermon

Scripture: Selected Scriptures

The Word of God is the absolute authority about God, salvation, and life. But why? How do we know God’s Word is true? While there have been many attempts to show the truthfulness of the Scriptures, there is one reason that we can trust the Bible that transcends all other reasons: the character of God.