Jason Donaldson

God’s Warnings: Danger and Security

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

God’s Warnings: Danger and Security Read More »

The Theme of Rest

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

The Theme of Rest Read More »

Do You Believe This?

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?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Do You Believe This? Read More »

For Us and For Our Salvation

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

For Us and For Our Salvation Read More »

The Grace of Futility

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

The observable facts about the world, and our desires concerning it, open up questions about the meaning of life – is there meaning? Why is there pain? Why can we not make pleasure and goodness last? What, ultimately, is the point of it all? While many schools of thought have arisen to attempt to address it, the outlook of Ecclesiastes (and, ultimately of all of God’s word) stands uniquely in the face of evil, the attractiveness of good, and the ultimate futility of it all. The outlook given here points past the futility to the very purpose it serves in the awesome, gracious plans of God for our good and His glory.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

The Grace of Futility Read More »

Mary and Elizabeth: Confirming Faith and Proclaiming Christ

Luke 1:39-56

Mary and Elizabeth had both received divine revelation about their respective miraculous pregnancies. When Mary went to visit Elizabeth, we see how God acted in them to further strengthen each other’s faith, and, by extension, ours today.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Mary and Elizabeth: Confirming Faith and Proclaiming Christ Read More »

Pray Then Like This… (Part 2)

Matthew 6:9-13

In the second half of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus turns our attention from God (how he makes himself known, his moral rule, and his purposes) to our own needs, material, moral, and spiritual. This continuing pattern for our own prayer remind us regularly of the extent to which we depend upon the Lord for every aspect of our life, and the extent of his grace in those whom he holds as his children

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Pray Then Like This… (Part 2) Read More »

Baptism

1 Corinthians 1:10-18

The Bible makes is clear that baptism is important, and a right view on baptism is also important. This raises, therefore several pertinent questions. Why do Christians baptize? Why do Christians get baptized? And why baptism specifically? Why, of all things, did the Lord mandate this particular activity as his chosen way for Christians to welcome new Christians into the church? In this sermon, given for a baptismal service, we examine the answers to these questions, and draw out the impact and implications of this basic practice of Christ’s people.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Baptism Read More »

Gospel Goodbyes

Acts 20:17-38

Saying goodbye is a sad and painful part of life for everyone. In fact, the only way to avoid having to say goodbye to anyone is to die very young yourself. Looking at Paul’s third and final goodbye to the believers in Ephesus, we see how, while believers are not exempt from the same sorrows of saying goodbye as everyone else, nevertheless the Gospel radically changes even this aspect of life, reflecting the glory of the gospel of God’s grace.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Gospel Goodbyes Read More »