Category: Speakers

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.

Ashamed

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Pastor Matt Tarr – AM Sermon

Scripture: Mark 8:38-9:1

In Mark 8:38-9:1, Jesus concludes His counsel to His disciples with a stern warning: whoever is ashamed of Him, He will be ashamed of in the day of His return. That is not a sorrowful shame as though He wishes we could have been more faithful. It is an eternal shame that results in His rejection. That is a Divine guarantee, and Jesus makes a prophecy that will be shortly fulfilled as proof.

Add. Ref.: Jeremiah 6:6-15; 2 Thess. 1:3-12

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.

The Cost of Following Christ (Part 2)

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Pastor Matt Tarr – AM Sermon

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Christ has called all who wish to follow Him to abandon their lives and their living for His sake. That isn’t possible in today’s gospel of “self-esteem” and “self-love.” A life of sacrifice for the King cannot come from a heart that thinks too highly of itself, since that heart will think itself too valuable to give itself up. It will be  a heart committed to self-preservation. Sadly, it is a high view of self that is propagated today to the destruction of souls and the church.

Add. Ref.: Mark 10:17-31; Psalm 141:5

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.

The Cost of Following Christ (Part 1)

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Pastor Matt Tarr – AM Sermon

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

A necessary question for anyone who professes to be a Christian is, “Is Christ Lord of your life, or are you still lord of your life?” In this passage, Jesus makes it very clear that if you are still lord of your own life, you are not a follower of His. His disciples are called to a life of self-denial, suffer for the sake of the Gospel, and follow after Him.

Back to Basics: To God be the Glory

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Pastor Matt Tarr – PM Sermon

Scripture: Selected Scriptures

In Isaiah 42:8, God said, “I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, nor My praise to graven images.” The glory of God is the very reason that He offers salvation. It is all to the praise of His name and is His complete work, from beginning to end. In contrast to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, men have no part in earning their salvation, nor can any praise be offered to the saints, Mary, Popes, or priests for the forgiveness of sins.

Good Confession, Bad Profession (Part 2)

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Pastor Matt Tarr – AM Sermon

Scripture: Mark 8:27-33

After making the most supreme confession, that Jesus is the Christ, Jesus begins teaching His disciples what that means and how He would accomplish God’s plan for His Christ. That stood in the way of Peter’s plan for the Messiah though, and his rebuke of Christ demonstrated that he was ultimately interfering with the eternal decree of God. That was inexcusable, and so seriously offensive to Christ that Peter’s plan made him God’s adversary.

Add. Ref.: Ephesians 3:11

Back to Basics: In Christ Alone (Part 2)

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Pastor Matt Tarr – PM Sermon

Scripture: Selected Scriptures

In a recent article by Christianity Today, “diversity” is now understood to be the distinguishing characteristic of Evangelicalism. Historically though, the term was used as a synonym for the Protestant Reformers. How did a term that once articulated a precise message of salvation in Christ alone become so ecumenical? And what’s more, is that the real message of the Gospel?

Good Confession, Bad Profession (Part 1)

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Pastor Matt Tarr – AM Sermon

Scripture: Mark 8:27-33

In one of the most pinnacle confessions in the Gospel of Mark is also the greatest blunder. Peter, speaking on behalf of Jesus’ disciples, makes a supreme confession, recognizing for the first time by any person in Mark’s Gospel that Jesus is the Christ. The finally understood the Person, though they still didn’t get the plan.

Add. Ref.: John 9:4-41