East Madison Baptist Church » Sermons

Communion with God: Prayer

bstritesky — Sun, 12 May 2013 18:30:22 +0000

Matthew 6:5-8
Too often, we struggle with prayer because we misunderstand the nature of prayer. Prayer isn’t a duty to be performed. Instead, it is communion with God. In this sermon, we’ll see that our prayer life can be transformed when we use it to relate to God as our heavenly Father.

Communion with God: The Word of God (Part 2)

bstritesky — Sun, 05 May 2013 18:30:03 +0000

Various Texts
In this sermon, we continue to understand how to experience fellowship with God through his word. Last time, we looked at the disciplines of hearing and reading God’s word. Now, we’ll turn our attention to memorizing Scripture and biblical meditation. Both are valuable means for feeding our souls on God’s written word.

Communion with God: The Word of God (Part 1)

bstritesky — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 18:30:51 +0000

Various Texts
God designed our souls to function in communion with himself. Just as a car needs gas, or the body needs food, so do our souls need God. In this series, we’ll be studying three ways to experience communion with God: through his word, through prayer, and through fasting. In this first sermon, we look at our soul’s great need for God’s word.

Outside the Camp

bstritesky — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:30:16 +0000

Hebrews 13:9-16
Our study of Hebrews concludes with a look at the underlying theme behind the book: enduring persecution. The letter contains some of the richest teachings about Christ in the Bible, yet it isn’t intended only to be a theological treatise. It’s meant to encourage those who were undergoing persecution. Just as Jesus suffered “outside the camp,” they are encouraged to follow him who sacrificed his life for theirs.

The Church and Her Leaders

bstritesky — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 18:30:15 +0000

Hebrews 13:7-19
After a letter that has detailed the work of Christ, the writer of Hebrews now turns to explain the implications for the gospel and church leadership. In this passage, he describes what church leadership is and the proper relationships between pastors and the church.

The Gospel Among Other Moralities

bstritesky — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 18:30:13 +0000

Hebrews 13:1-6
The main points of morality made in this passage are found, more or less, in most forms of religion, not to mention in most forms of secular philosophy. So what makes our author’s exhortations any different? Are these entailments of the Gospel any different than anyone else’s, flowing as they do from the Cross? The answer is yes, and we’ll look at how and why.

Transformation by the Spirit of God

bstritesky — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 18:30:12 +0000

Acts 2
On Easter morning, we remember Christ risen from the dead. As we celebrate his victory over the grave, we must also stop and answer the question, “What does that mean for the church?” In Acts 2, God provides the answer: total transformation of both the church and the city in which they lived.

A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken

bstritesky — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 18:30:36 +0000

Hebrews 12:18-29
As Hebrews draws to a close, we are reminded of the incredible privilege of access to God. Before Christ, God’s people could approach God in limited fashion, yet still with fear. Now because of Christ’s sacrifice, God’s people can approach him with confidence that their sins have been atoned for.

Run With Endurance (Part 2)

bstritesky — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 18:30:33 +0000

Hebrews 12:3-17
After describing the Christian life as a race that must be endured, the letter of Hebrews tells us how to run this race. There are several things that can keep us out of the race, but none more important than failing to deal properly with sin. The writer directs our attention to two kinds of sin that everyone must struggle with: sin committed against us (an external struggle) and sin the we commit (an internal struggle). In this sermon, we examine how to run the race with endurance.

Run With Endurance (Part 1)

bstritesky — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 18:30:32 +0000

Hebrews 12:1-3
The Christian life is described as a race that must be run with endurance, and even struggle. It’s not a neat picture, but one that is closer to the truth than most of us care to acknowledge. In this chapter, the writer explains this ‘race’ as well as well how we are to run it.

A Peculiar People

bstritesky — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 19:30:44 +0000

Hebrews 10:32-12:2
Those who live by faith are a peculiar people. They think, talk, and live differently than most. This portion of Hebrews is a gallery of people who lived by faith rather than sight. They are listed in order to provoke faith in us–most specifically, faith that endures to the end. The writer tells us, “you have need of endurance” (10:36). Spiritual endurance isn’t a matter of will power, but rather grows from the deep root of faith in God. This passage will explain to us the kind of faith that endures.

Consider One Another

bstritesky — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 19:30:33 +0000

Hebrews 10
The author of Hebrews has taken pains to expound the all-surpassing superiority of Christ, culminating in how He is the very focal point to which the Law and the Prophets pointed all along. In light of His work on our behalf, the author now turns to the issue of “So what?” Here we begin to see the ramifications for the household of God, purchased and redeemed through Christ’s death, as our author begins to explain how his audience ought to live in the the light of the all-surpassing glory of God as revealed in the Gospel of Christ.

Rendering the Old Obsolete

bstritesky — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 19:30:22 +0000

Hebrews 9:1-14
Things become obsolete when they are replaced by something better. The Bible says that Jesus has rendered the old system of approaching God obsolete. A better way has arrived. Hebrews 9 explains why Jesus surpasses the former way God’s people approached God.

A Better Covenant

bstritesky — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 19:30:31 +0000

Hebrews 8
It’s difficult to capture the idea of a covenant in contemporary society. The biblical concept describes a relationship that involves both a legal agreement and a loving relationship. The closest such relationship is marriage, but even then it is between two imperfect people. In the Bible, however, God enters into a relationship with his people and calls it a covenant. In this sermon, we’ll explore the idea of a covenant, and seek to understand why Jesus guarantees this relationship between God and his people.

Fighting for Faith

bstritesky — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 19:30:33 +0000

Ephesians 6:10-20
In this final sermon in a series, we examine the work of God’s word in his church. The Bible describes a great war that is being waged. The battles are spiritual in nature, and require spiritual strength. This strength isn’t something we muster up on our own, but rather comes from God himself. It is a fight for faith–a battle against unbelief. Today we examine the struggle, and the primary role of God’s word in strengthening our souls.

When Revival Comes

bstritesky — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 19:30:37 +0000

Acts 2
Special guest Dr. Donald Whitney shares what happens when revival comes. When we see what the early church experienced through the Holy Spirit’s incredible power and presence at Pentecost, we are reminded that God can and has shown his power through revival throughout the generations. As we see what God did then, so we should long for and pray for God to do it again in our generation.

Making Disciples

bstritesky — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 19:30:52 +0000

Matthew 28:18-20
Jesus commands his church to make disciples. How should we do this? And what does this look like at East Madison? In this sermon, we’ll answer these questions as we understand Jesus’ great commission to the church.

Speaking the Word to One Another

bstritesky — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 19:30:55 +0000

Hebrews 3:7-4:1
We were created to live in community with one another. So we enjoy fellowship, friendship, and companionship with others. The Bible describes a type of relationship that goes deeper than mere friendship. It describes relationships that are good for our souls. In these relationships, we care for each other spiritually by discussing God’s word with one another, sharing our struggles, and praying for each other. God has given his children the responsibility to care for one another’s souls. In this sermon, we’ll examine what these kind of Christ-centered relationships look like.

The Authority of the Word in the Church

bstritesky — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 19:30:37 +0000

2 Tim. 3:16-4:2
Jesus declared, “I will build my church.” How does he do that? Today we look at a foundational passage for understanding how Christ builds his church. This begins a four week study of what God is doing in and through the church at East Madison.

The Prince of Peace

bstritesky — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 19:30:30 +0000

Isaiah 9:1-7
War and conflict is all around us. It occurs everyday–around our world and within our hearts. The Bible says, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you” (James 4:1)? There is war in our world because there is a war within every soul. It ravages nations, people, and relationships. Our only hope is in One the Bible calls “The Prince of Peace.” This passage from Isaiah explains who he is and what he has come to do.

Darkness, Then Light

bstritesky — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 19:30:54 +0000

Isaiah 8
In Isaiah, darkness can be symbolic of sin and hopelessness. We see the dark clouds approaching, and they are upon us before we know it. As our nation reels from the horrific murder of innocent little children, the clouds appear more ominous than ever. How shall we make sense of what occurred? It is God alone who can shine into the dark. This morning, we try to understand why there is hope for those who walk in darkness.

Shear-Jashub: Judgment and Grace

bstritesky — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 19:30:04 +0000

Isaiah 7
In chapter 6, Isaiah received his commission, to harden the hearts of his people, yet with hope of a tiny remnant being made holy. In chapter 7, we see the beginning of this, as he is sent by God to speak words of assurance, and an offer of faith to a king who will refuse, and will lead his people down the road to ruin. It is in this context that we find one of our dearest Christmas prophesies, which would bear fruit ultimately in the birth of none other than Jesus, a sign for our faith today and forever.

Before a Holy God

bstritesky — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 19:30:34 +0000

Isaiah 6
Living among a corrupt people, the prophet Isaiah’s job was to point out their sin and call them to repentance. But one day, God revealed himself in a unique way to the prophet, causing him to realize his own sin. At the beginning of this Advent season, we’re reminded of our sin and our great need for a Savior.

Able to Save

bstritesky — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 19:30:32 +0000

Hebrews 7:23-25
The purpose of Jesus’ role as high priest was to save. What does it mean to be ‘saved’ by Jesus? And what are we being saved from?

Gospel Change

bstritesky — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 19:30:39 +0000

Various Texts
For different reasons, we don’t like change. But there is a change that is good. It comes about as God works upon our souls to transform us into the likeness of his Son. As he does this in one life after another, the church as a whole will be transformed. That’s because the church isn’t an institution; it’s the people of God. For example, not only will I have a distaste for pride in my own life, but also I’ll begin to humbly serve others in the church. As God transforms one, two, or three of the people in a church, then the whole church begins to change. God works this transformation within the Body by his Spirit through his Word.

Draw Near to God

bstritesky — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 19:30:03 +0000

Hebrews 7:11-28
How do you become acceptable to God? Many people would answer that question by saying, “doing good things” or “obeying his commands.” Each of these ways are flawed because they’re performed by flawed people. Is there any way that we can approach a God who is perfect and demands us to be perfect? This passage teaches us that there is, and God has provided the way through his Son.

A High Priest

bstritesky — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 19:30:02 +0000

Hebrews 7:1-10
Our lives are filled with religious devotion. Whether we consider ourselves to be religious or not, we’re all devoted to something. The Bible says that this is because God created us for worshipping him, and when we reject him as the object of our devotion, that desire for worship doesn’t disappear. Instead, it’s transferred to something else. And so we find ourselves trapped in a cycle of trying to satisfy our need for worship. It is ultimately a cycle that is destructive because it can never truly satisfy our deepest need for worshipping God. Only God can break that cycle, and he does so by giving us a high priest who offers the final sacrifice.

God Made a Promise

bstritesky — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 18:30:59 +0000

Hebrews 6:13-20
We’ve all made promises before and not been able to fulfill them. Furthermore, we’ve all been on the receiving end of an unfulfilled promise. There are many reasons why promises aren’t always honored, but most of them have to do with our humanity. So what should we make of the statement in Hebrews, “God made a promise”? Perhaps many of us will still adopt the wait-and-see attitude even towards God. But the writer of Hebrews explains why God’s promises aren’t like human promises. Instead, God is completely trustworthy.

God’s Warnings: Danger and Security

bstritesky — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 18:30:28 +0000

Hebrews 5:11-6:12
This section of Hebrews has likely challenged people from the very beginning. It speaks of dire peril for professing
believers, and raises the terror of falling away from the faith that saves. We’ll look at the passage, in an attempt to hear what it says to us about apostasy and faith, and how to respond to the very challenges it raises, as we see the role of God’s own warnings in the lives of believers.

Those Who Have Once Been Enlightened

bstritesky — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 18:30:07 +0000

Hebrews 6:1-12
The writer describes two spiritual conditions, neither of which are desirable. The first is spiritual immaturity. The second is rejecting the gospel of Christ. In this passage, we read of a severe warning to the church who is in the former group. Unless you move on towards Christian maturity, you are walking on a thin line that one day may lead to rejecting Christ. We explore this warning, trying to answer several questions that it raises.

You Have Become Dull of Hearing

bstritesky — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 18:30:17 +0000

Hebrews 5:11-6:3
Before warning the church that they are in danger of “falling away,” the writer explains why. He tells them that they have become “dull of hearing.” What does this mean? And how does it contribute to spiritual immaturity?

No One Has Ever Seen God

bstritesky — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 18:30:27 +0000

1 John 4:12
No one has ever seen God, but God makes his love known to us through his people. The church acts as his hands, feet, and voice on earth. As we love one another, the world sees the love of God in action.

God’s Glory

bstritesky — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 18:30:19 +0000

1 Timothy 1:12-17
Paul said that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” We are all sinners and He came into the world to save us, we have done nothing that he won’t forgive us for, all we have to do is ask, then He will receive the glory for saving us. In all things that we do, God should receive the glory.

For the LORD is Great and Greatly to Be Praised

bstritesky — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 18:30:44 +0000

Psalm 96
Throughout Scripture, there is an unbreakable relationship between worship and missions. In this sermon, we’ll see how worship is both the beginning and goal of missionary work.

Jesus Prayed

bstritesky — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 18:30:06 +0000

Hebrews 5:7
This verse gives us a glimpse into Jesus’ prayer life. As a man, Jesus prayed. What does this teach us about prayer? How can it inform our own prayer life?

We Have a Great High Priest

mitch — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 19:30:10 +0000

Hebrews 4:14-5:10
We don’t talk much about priests offering sacrifices these days. That seems outdated at best, and even barbaric to some. But Scripture teaches us that we need a priest and a sacrifice. Jesus is both. He is both the high priest who intercedes before God on our behalf and the sacrifice that was offered to atone for our sin.

He Put All Things Under His Feet

mitch — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 19:30:37 +0000

Ephesians 1:20-23
God is glorified in many ways, but he gains the most glory when Christ is exalted. In this passage, we see how God has exalted his Son. Jesus has been raised from the dead, gone into heaven, and now reigns from a heavenly throne.

God’s Unrelenting Love Towards Sinful People

mitch — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 19:30:01 +0000

Hosea
Hosea gives us a picture of God’s incredible love for His people. In this overview of the entire book of Hosea, we see that sin against God is compared with the sin of adultery. And we see that though we have been deceived by sin and rebelled against a good and holy God, God still loved us and came to us so that we could be restored back into relationship with Him and be called “Children of the Living God.”

The Theme of Rest

mitch — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 19:30:19 +0000

Hebrews 3:7-4:11
While the theme of rest is central to this passage in Hebrews, it is by no means a new innovation of the writer, nor is it confined to this text. In fact, the idea of rest is one of the themes that appears in creation, arises again in the fall, and continues through the subsequent strands of redemption, all the way to its fulfillment in the consummation of the age. This section of Hebrews expounds on the subject of rest, taking us through all four of these phases, and pointing us to eternity, where those who trust in Christ will receive the fullness of the glory of the rest purchased by Christ on our behalf.

A Friend of Sinners

mitch — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 19:30:47 +0000

Luke 5:27-32
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day excelled at erecting barriers for people to get to God–especially those they considered undesirable. Jesus, however, broke down those barriers. In this passage, we see how he went to those who were social and religious outcasts.

That None of You May Be Hardened

mitch — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 19:30:24 +0000

Hebrews 3:12-14
We are easily tempted by sin. And if left unchecked, sin will lead us away from God. Hebrews 3 gives us a deterrent to sin, unbelief, and disobedience. It tells us to “exhort one another.” Faith-building relationships are key to battling sin in our own lives.

Hold Our Original Confidence Firm to the End

mitch — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 19:30:50 +0000

Hebrews 3:6-4:2
In the Old Testament, God’s people saw him do great and mighty works, yet many failed to trust him. The writer of Hebrews uses their example to emphasize our own need to trust him to the end. Jesus himself said, “the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matt. 10:22; 24:13). Why must faith persevere? This passage answers the question for us.

Greater Than Moses

mitch — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 19:30:40 +0000

Hebrews 3:1-6
Continuing to expound the supremacy of Christ, the author of Hebrews turns now to address some of the ways that Christ is superior to Moses.

Do You Believe This?

mitch — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 19:30:16 +0000

John 11:17-27
The words Jesus spoke to Martha on the road outside Bethany were audacious and revolutionary. They called her to a radical trust in a unique person. Examining what Jesus said that day forces us to examine the overall biblical framework of the verb commonly translated “to believe”, in gradations of meaning ranging from simple acceptance of a statement to total trust. Thereby, these words of Jesus call us today to a radical trust and obedience, and address each of us anew: Do you believe this?

Why Are We Going?

mitch — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 19:30:22 +0000

Matthew 28:16-20
The first disciples faced many barriers to obeying Christ’s command to “go and make disciples.” Those barriers still exist today. Jesus, however, anticipated every barrier, fear, and objection. He answered them with two powerful statements.

For Us and For Our Salvation

mitch — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 19:30:06 +0000

Hebrews 2:9-3:1
The writer of Hebrews has been taking pains to expound the supremacy of Christ, and will continue to do so as the overarching theme to his letter. At this point, the question needs to be addressed: if Christ is supreme in every way, why did he undergo such a supreme humiliation, taking on flesh specifically to die? This passage explains, in dense, rich, multifaceted language, why Jesus took on flesh, leading us to consider why such a thing was necessary to accomplish the gracious purpose of God.

Everything in Subjection to Him

bstritesky — Sun, 27 May 2012 19:30:07 +0000

Hebrews 2:5-9

Our world is not as it should be. God originally designed it and us for more, but we have turned to our own way. The effect of our rebellion is seen in the state of our world. God, however, is working to undo the damage caused by our sin. One day, this will be fully realized “in the world to come.”

We Must Pay Much Closer Attention

bstritesky — Sun, 20 May 2012 19:30:41 +0000

Hebrews 2:1-4

The writer is concerned for the spiritual condition of this church, so he gives the first of five warnings in the letter to Hebrews. By telling them not to neglect the gospel, he suggests that they could subtly and gradually move away from what Jesus has accomplished on their behalf. Such neglect is not a deliberate rejection of the gospel, but rather an undetected movement away from truth. He warns them to keep the gospel firmly in their minds so they don’t “drift away” from Jesus.

Much Superior to Angels

bstritesky — Sun, 13 May 2012 19:30:51 +0000

Hebrews 1:4-2:4

After demonstrating Christ’s superiority to God’s human messengers (the prophets), the writer of Hebrews now turns to God’s heavenly messengers (the angels). Using seven quotations from the Old Testament, he proves that Jesus is the greatest Word from God. In doing so, the writer also demonstrates how Jesus is the point of the Bible.

He Has Spoken by His Son

bstritesky — Sun, 06 May 2012 19:30:46 +0000

Hebrews 1:1-4

God has revealed himself to his people in many different ways throughout history. This revelation is treasured and studied. But each of these different ways of speaking to his people is superseded by his final word: Jesus. In fact, the writer teaches us that all that God said beforehand pointed toward its fulfillment in his Son, who is the greatest treasure. What can we learn about God through his Son? And what are the implications of hearing God speak?

An Overview of Hebrews

bstritesky — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:30:43 +0000

Hebrews 1-13

In Hebrews, we read about a church that faced many difficulties. They suffered persecution from those outside the church. And they dealt with spiritual weariness, unbelief, and spiritual immaturity within their own community. The writer of the letter addresses each of these problems with one resounding message: Jesus. He sought to strengthen their souls by reminding them over and again of what God has accomplished through his Son. We begin this study of the letter to the Hebrews by surveying the overall message.

Love One Another

bstritesky — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 19:30:45 +0000

1 John 4:7-21

Love is central to the Christian life. But what is love? The word itself is one of the most overused and ill-defined words in the English language. In this passage, John explains what love is by tracing it to its source, namely God. Then he gives us a very uncomfortable command: “If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”