Category: Pastor Matt Tarr

All Things Done Well

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Pastor Matt Tarr – AM Sermon

Scripture: Mark 7:31-37

Jesus is in Decapolis – a region of ten cities established by Pompey a bastion for idolatrous worship. But it would be here that the crowds would react to a particular healing more dramatically expressed than any reaction to miracles performed in Galilee. Very simply, they were superlatively beyond all measure, superlatively astonished, leading them to conclude rightly about Him, “He does all things well.”

Add. Ref.: Romans 8:18-19, 26

Back to Basics: Justification (Part 2)

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Pastor Matt Tarr – PM Sermon

Scripture: Selected Scriptures

The great question before all humanity is this, “How can sinful men be justified before a holy God?” Roman Catholicism adamantly maintain that justification by faith alone was a protestant convention found nowhere in Scripture. Is that true? Furthermore, what do we make of James 2:14-26 which seems to confirm justification by faith plus works? The answer is quite simple, but the text, just as with the rest of all Scripture, must be understood in context.

Feeding Dogs and the Gospel of the World

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Pastor Matt Tarr – AM Sermon

Scripture: Mark 7:24-30

Jesus’ message being completely rejected by those from his own region in Galilee, Jesus moves north to the completely pagan, idolatrous, and wicked region of Tyre and Sidon where He is met by a woman with a desperate plea. Ironically, she demonstrates to have a better understanding of God’s redemptive plan than even the Jews, and because of her great faith, Jesus casts the demon out of her daughter.

Add. Ref.: 1 Kings 11:9-10; Luke 18:1-8; Matthew 8:5-12

Back to Basics: Justification (Part 1)

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Pastor Matt Tarr – PM Sermon

Scripture: Selected Scriptures

Justification is the method by which we are forgiven and reconciled to a holy God. It is a result of the Holy Spirit’s work which gives us a new heart for worship. Although not made righteous, through Justification we are declared righteous. This is a foundational Christian doctrine, and one which every Christian should understand.

Dealing with the Heart

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Pastor Matt Tarr – AM Sermon

Scripture: Mark 7:14-23

As Jesus teaches His disciples, it is not what goes into a man that defiles him, but what comes out of him. In other words, it is what is within his heart that causes him to be defiled, since a person’s outward actions are a result of inward attitudes. There is only one way to resolve this issue, and that is to receive a new heart.

Wrong Doctrine, Wrong Worship

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Pastor Matt Tarr – AM Sermon

Scripture: Mark 7:1-13

There are many who claim to worship the Lord, but without a proper view of Who the Lord actually is and what He has done, a person can fall into the trap of worshipping an idol, a manufactured God of their own creation. We are challenged, therefore, the think rightly about God through a sound doctrine so that we might worship Him rightly and in the way He deserves.

Add. Ref.: John 15:24-25; Philippians 3:4-11

Back to Basics: Inspired Means…

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Pastor Matt Tarr – PM Sermon

Scripture: Selected Scriptures

What does it mean when we say that the Scriptures are “inspired”? A study of the history of the canon of Scripture including what qualifies a book of the Bible as inspired and what doesn’t gives us insight into how we know for sure that the Bible truly is God’s Word.

When You’re Blind, You’re Blind

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Pastor Matt Tarr – AM Sermon

Scripture: Mark 6:45-56

We are each described as being spiritually blind before the intervention of the Holy Spirit during our salvation, meaning we are completely incapable of understanding the things of God. It is this same hardness of heart that prevents the apostles from understanding, even as they are witness to five manifestations of Christ’s divine power on one night.

Back to Basics: Sola Scriptura and the Inspired Word

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Pastor Matt Tarr – PM Sermon

Scripture: Selected Scriptures

When the Reformation occurred, one of the fundamental issues surrounding the Protestant movement was the battle between Scripture and church tradition. The Reformers had a battle cry during this time: “Sola Scriptura” (Scripture Alone). And so, when considering the fundamental tenants and beliefs of the Christian faith, we start at the most crucial doctrine: The inspired, authoritative Word of God.

God’s Plan for Law Enforcement

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Pastor Matt Tarr – AM Sermon

Scripture: Selected Scriptures

Law Enforcement Appreciation Sunday

The Lord has a practical plan for restraining evil in the world. The governing authorities which are established by God are an integral part of this plan, with the men and women of law enforcement having a divinely ordained role to play. With this in mind, we look at the Scriptures to see what is commanded of Christian in relation to law enforcement as we honor them and the sacrifices they make in this law enforcement-centered sermon.