Live That Unique Life – Herb Codington

Posted on October 11, 2020 by Jim Brown
2020-10-11 Main Sermon
Titus 2:1-3
Paul’s appeal – live that unique life you have been called to.
addresses older population in these verses –
• unique challenges, trials and temptations in each stage of life
• our society puts a premium on youth and youthfulness so intentionally remember the wisdom, experiences and knowledge of the older generation
• elders and leaders of the church were selected from this group
Men ages 50-60
called to live a life of dignity and being respectable
If we are made in the image of God, live that way.
Live a life of faith, love and endurance.
women ages 50-60
living in a particular culture with unique problems
be reverent in the way you live – suited to a sacred character, like a priestess as if all life is a sacred assembly
Hebrews 13:16
set apart for holy use, as unto the Lord
To go to God on behalf of the world – intercede
To offer God spiritual sacrifices – doing good for the least fortunate
Paul challenging men and women to live out an honorable life that reflects the teaching of the Christian life.
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A Time Of Transition – Lindy Scott & Philip Codington

Posted on September 27, 2020 by Jim Brown
2020-9-27 Main Sermon
Lindy Scott – 1 Timothy
Transition – a process of changing from one condition or state to another
Choices we can make – cling to the old or embrace what is before us and ask for God’s will (what is best for us)
What is the call of God on our lives now in this transition?
We can remain fruitful if we see God for His vision and His purposes for the body of Bethany Presbyterian Church.
Don’t lose heart – Looking forward while remembering
Proverbs 29:18, Hosea 4:6
Philip Codington – Revelation
What does God have for us?
Revelation – where God speaks to John about the churches. Already the Holy Spirit has found the need to correct and encourage the churches.
Persevere, stay away from sin and false preaching, endure persecution, be useful, seek treasures of God, not of the world, don’t be indifferent – pursue the Lord
How have I wandered away from what God wants for me? Don’t twist what God says to please what I want to happen. Passionately seek God and be open to correction and to seek His direction
Revelation 2:14-16, 3:13-18, 3:19-22
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Wycliffe Bible Translators – Andy & Karen Weaver

Posted on September 20, 2020 by Jim Brown
2020-9-20 Main Sermon
Introduction by Herb Codington
Report by Andy Weaver
Matthew 11:28, Mark 6:3, Romans 8:28

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Forgiveness & Loving Your Enemy – Meg Marley

Posted on September 18, 2020 by Jim Brown
2020-9-13 Main Sermon
Credo of forgiveness
God’s Truth the same when things seem simpler and when they are more difficult.
Committed to love and pray for your enemies – those who persecute you.
Jesus forgives those who are the most cruel to Him.
Recognize God’s sacrificial love and the example He sets in Jesus.
Part of love and forgiveness is attempting to right wrong – both for those who hurt and those who are hurting.
Woman at the well – Jesus saved her and then commanded no more.

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How Then Should We Live? – Herb Codington

Posted on August 30, 2020 by Jim Brown
2020-8-30 Main Sermon
Titus 1:10-12
Paul – vital to say yes to the right thing but essential to say no to the wrong thing.
Leadership is linked to protecting the congregation from heresy. Do we follow the norms of the culture of the Kingdom?
Syncretism
Acts 17:28
What about us? What is our role?
The greatest thing we can do for our country is to renew our commitment to Jesus Christ.
Psalm 51
We need prophetic distance to be the salt and light to the world. Any time the church gets too close to the seats of power, it gets tainted. As a church, we should use the freedom we do have to be the salt of the culture.
3 characteristics of false teachers – rebellious (resisting the teaching and causing confusion), mere talkers and not doers, deceivers of self and others.
Paul knows that the role of a church leader is to be a watchman.
In Crete, they are seeking to plant a church in th midst of a culture not open to Christianity. Paul – they are bad and all know it so go and minister to them – Divine Optimism
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The Parable of the Rich Fool – Meg Marley

Posted on August 23, 2020 by Jim Brown
2020-8-23 Main Sermon
Storing up riches for yourself and not being “rich”: toward God.
Bringing God’s perspective to the haves and the have nots.
God provides for our needs and we are to respond to God’s needs in the world.
In dealing with greed, the parable is not just for wealthy or poor. It’s a warning for all of us – warning of the futility of valuing things above valuing God.
The rich fool with abundance thinks of himself instead of offering it in God’s service.
Doing things that profit him alone.
Get your focus off today and on to eternity.
2 Corinthians 4:7
Seek the spiritual benefits of God’s kingdom rather than the material goods of the world.
Focus on working for God’s kingdom – time gifts and money used in responsible ways to glorify God
What is God calling us to do? Different things for different people.
Use possessions to have a lasting effect. God wants to free us from the worries of this life.
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Four Priorities of a Spiritual Leader – Herb Codington

Posted on August 23, 2020 by Jim Brown
2020-8-16 Main Sermon
Titus 1:5-9
Puritan strengths – industry, faithfulness and order
as versus world’s drive for money, sex and power
The Idiot by Dostoevsky
Two things that are most difficult to get people to do –
1.) to think
2.) to do things in the order of their importance
Four priorities/loves of a spiritual leader –
1.) love of family – 1 Timothy 3:5 – give energy, attention and time to it
2.) love of holiness
3.) love/passion for the Word – embracing and living out the Truth and using it to encourage and exhort others. Also using the Truth to refute those whose oppose it.
4.) love of God’s people – the church seen as a privilege, not an odious responsibility, while not caring who gets the credit
Maintain these four loves and leave the results/fruit to God
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Godly leadership – Herb Codington

Posted on August 9, 2020 by Jim Brown
2020-8-9 Main Sermon
Titus 1:5-9
Leadership vacuum – first thing Paul addresses – solid, dependable, godly leadership in churches being established.
Life fluid at this position in church history.
Leadership –
1.) elder – someone with maturity and experience, respected
2.) overseer – to watch over, look after, to care for
Why two similar terms?
1.) different things about the same office
2.) addressing a mixed population
Neither elder or overseer terms express that they have leadership training and great skills
Key qualities emphasized in the text –
1.) blameless (not liable to have charges brought against) – integrity
2.) husband of but one wife – marital fidelity
We reflect something of God’s nature. The fragrance of Christ is to go out from us.
Critical to get the foundations right.
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The Motivation of Paul & Titus – Herb Codington

Posted on August 4, 2020 by Jim Brown
2020-8-2 Main Sermon
Conviction is contagious. Apostle Paul is fully persuaded about what he is talking about – that he is a servant of God and the Church is God’s elect.
Titus – a non-Jew, Greek. Became an effective minister and capable administrator in some of the most difficult places.
Paul call Titus a true son in their common faith.
Malachi 4:6
God’s passion is for a society where children honor their parents and parents love and care for their children.
Luke 3:22, 2 Corinthians 8:23
Stages of Maturity –
1.) Help me
2.) Tell me
3.) Show me
4.) Follow me
God has designed each one of us for ministry. Our understanding of Titus gives us insight into how God wants us to be.
The hope of eternal life motivates Paul and Titus – a strong, vibrant, sure hope rooted in God’s promises and fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus Christ.
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Judgment Begins with the Family of God – Herb Codington

Posted on July 31, 2020 by Jim Brown
2020-7-26 Main Sermon
Psalm 91:1&2, 9&10, 14
We choose to dwell in the refuge of the Most High. Dwell in unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Psalm 133, I Peter 4:17, Ezekiel 9, Malachi 3
It is time for judgment to begin with the family of God. Purification and readying for the next task at hand. We are recipients of His grace and spirit.
Puritans displayed a spiritual maturity – wisdom, good will, resilience, creativity.
What is God saying to us individually and corporately in this season? What needs attention?
Luke 6:36
Compassion – to suffer with full immersion in the condition of being human. Jesus in His servanthood.
Qualities of a good waiter. They are …
1.) available
2.) attentive to call of God and cry of the world. Listen to all elements of the Body of Christ. Truth is the truth, no matter who says it.
3.) anticipate what God is about to do. 1 Chronicle 12:32
4.) adapt
5.) appreciation – center of Pauline theology
6.) agape Matthew 25 – to the least of these – brotherly love – a sacrificial act toward the undeserving. A response not of emotion but of the will.
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