IBCD Sermon Weekly

In the Order of Melchizedek

Melchizedek in the Old Testament is only mentioned two times, but over time there had been a lot of ideas around him taught by various Rabbi’s. What is said about him in the scripture, and what is not said, both hold meaning. In chapter 7 the author of Hebrews finally clarifies what he means by saying Jesus is a High Priest in the “order of Melchizedek”. Psalm 110:4 4 The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." Hebrews 7:23-28 23 Now ...

God's Promises

Promises are a part of our everyday lives. Unfortunately, however, even though the very idea of promises is to guarantee something, they are not always kept and therefore we often have to deal with broken promises. This is different with God, by His very nature He cannot lie, and therefore all His promises will be fulfilled. So, let us have a look at God's promises for us and take refuge in them. Hebrews 6:17-18 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchan...

Predestined or Perseverance?

One of the oldest questions in Christianity is the question of is it possible to lose one’s salvation after becoming a Christian? It is a more complicated question than it might seem to be because it brings up the very nature of God and humanity. It has been the source of much heated debate over the years. So, let’s see what the Scripture says and the journey this issue has taken through church history. Hebrews 6:4-6 4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted th...

Elementary Things

In the passage today, the author of Hebrews takes a sudden turn to tell the readers (or hearers) of this sermon that they are not as spiritually mature as they should be. He mentions some “elementary teachings” and lists them. Interestingly, over the centuries, some of the “elementary” teachings have led to many disputes. So, let’s visit these teachings today. Hebrews 6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repent...

The Perfect Priest

Do you consider yourself as a person with the title “Priest”? Not only “Priest” but “Holy” and “Royal Priest”? What do we do with this title? Why does Peter call those who make up the church, the followers of Jesus Christ, this title of “Holy” and “Royal” Priesthood? How are we to live this? To understand it, we need to understand Jesus as our “High Priest”. 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10 4 As you come to him, the living Stone-- rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you also, like livin...

Entering God’s Rest

This week the author circles back around to the idea of entering into God’s rest. He calls the guidance of Moses to the Hebrews a “gospel” or “good news” which the people had been told, but which they had refused to act upon. He compares that to us hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and warns that to reject to Gospel of Christ is to reject the entering into the rest for one’s soul now and for eternity.

Lessons From the Desert

Anytime we try to approach Jesus Christ as an accessory to our life, or a means to an end, our faith will eventually come to a failing point because Jesus Christ is not the foundation of our life. In the passage today the author compares the rebellious hearts of the Hebrew people during the time in the desert to the people in the church. Hebrews 3:7-9 7 So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing ...

Consider Jesus

Human history has brought forth many great people. Some of them were Old Testament prophets such as David and Moses. However, none of them were as great and humble at the same time as Jesus. He exemplifies what true excellence looks like in person. So in all circumstances, let us consider Him. Hebrews 3:1-6 1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also...

Jesus Our Leader in Life and Death

One of the big questions of our faith is the question of the “incarnation”, the question of “the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us. Why was this necessary for “the Christ”, the Messiah, to leave the glory of heaven and walk upon the dirt? How does it affect our lives today? What does it mean when we say in our theology that Jesus was fully God and fully man? Hebrews 2:17 17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and fait...

Cultural Sunday 2024

Something we see in the Bible is a constant reference to the nations. Even though the Bible follows the history of the Jewish people and Israel, from Abraham to Jesus to Revelation there is an emphasis that God’s work through the Jews is ultimately for all humanity. At IBCD we have a unique foretaste of what it means to have several nations gathered to worship the Lord. This Sunday we celebrate our “Cultural Sunday” where we take the day to express our appreciation to God for allowing us to be p...

Jesus the Man

This sermon unpacks the essential doctrine of Christ's full humanity. We examine why Jesus becoming man is crucial for our salvation, discussing His role as our perfect representative and merciful high priest. Join us to discover how Christ's humanity bridges the gap between our sinful state and God's holiness, deepening our understanding of the Gospel and inspiring a fresh appreciation for the incarnation.

Jesus the Highest

Satan often tries to keep people from relating to Christ, and receiving salvation, by misrepresenting Christ. He gives a little bit of truth than smears that truth with lies to deceive people into hell. Should you run into people who want to insist Jesus is an angel in the order of Michael or other distinct beings created by God, take them to the first chapter of Hebrews and walk them through it. The answers we need to know our God, in a way which allows our lives to be changed now and for etern...

Qualified to Save

We might not know who exactly the author of Hebrews is, but the writer knows who Jesus is in a personal, historical, and Biblical sense. This is something to appreciate because misunderstanding Jesus has been, and still is, an issue people claiming to be his followers deal with to this day. The Book of Hebrews gives a very deep look into Jesus as our High Priest and sacrifice. Hebrews 1:3 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by...

Covenant – The Bonded Promise of God

We are going to be starting a sermon series through the book of Hebrews next week, but before we do so, we need to explore the idea of “covenant” in the scripture. Why? Because the book of Hebrews makes many references to the covenants of the Old Testament and compares it to the new covenant found in Christ.

Whom Have I in Heaven but You?

Have you ever thought about alternatives to the Christian God? Looking at the world and the injustice that is prevailing, we might question our faith sometimes. Psalm 73 shows us that while it is normal to go through these phases, at the end of the day no alternative can ever be better than our God of mercy. He is the solution to all evil.

Show me Your ways, O Lord

In life, we have to make a lot of decisions. As Christians, we want to make them according to God's will. But how can we find out God's will? How can we find out His ways? That is the same prayer that David expressed in Psalm 25. Psalm 25:4-5 4 Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. 5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation;

The Believer's Union with Christ

We shall be looking at the significance of the new covenant we have in Christ and the blessings of this covenant. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22-23, NASB)

Meditating on God's Law

The Christian faith holds the Bible very high. We believe that it is God's authoritative word breathed out by Him. Therefore, it is important to engage regularly with it. However, it is not always clear what the best way is to engage with the Bible. Psalm 1 tells us to meditate on it day and night. If we do so we will be like a tree planted by streams of water. Psalm 1:2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Resolved Faith.

Unresolved issues in our life can cause a lot of long-term pain. We think something is over but it’s not. Maybe it is not over for you, maybe it is not over for someone else. The theme of unresolved understanding when it comes to how God seeks to love, forgive, and guide people is a theme found in the Bible. When these things are unresolved, they cause a lot of pain. Genesis 50:18-19 18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. "We are your slaves," they said. 19 But Joseph sa...

Forgiveness

As we consider forgiveness, the goal of forgiveness is to restore a healthy relationship between estranged parties. It is not to just feel good or not feel awkward about being in the same room with a person you are at odds with. Forgiveness is not the goal; it is the necessary means to the goal of restored relationship. 1 Peter 3:18 18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

True Repentance

Today we are looking at the story of Joseph and how it compares to the life of Jesus. The theme is repentance. There is a lot to the big reveal, which we will look at next week, but for this week it is important to understand that Judah’s genuine repentance leads to the revelation of Joseph and sets into place the actions which will be the salvation of his family. Genesis 45:1 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, "Have everyone leave my presenc...

Too Good to Be True? The Fear of Grace.

I think Grace really throws people. Grace is the idea that someone, in our faith we are usually talking about God, would do something kind, often sacrificial, with no expectation of repayment or returning the action in kind. Over the years I have realized that some people can accept a graceful act from another person with a simple “thank you, that’s very kind of you” and go on with life in a better place emotionally and mentally. Others either become suspicious about motives, or feel like they a...

When Life Turns You Upside Down, God is Still Right Side Up

In today's sermon, Joseph has made peace with his life and is even grateful for his situation and at true peace. Then God turns his life upside down. In the process, Joseph is set upon the destiny he had thought was lost forever.

Missionary Mandate - Kingdom of Priests

Sunday Sermon by Avi Snyder

From the Bottom to the Top (Biblical Success)

Joseph makes it from the bottom to the top, several times. He achieves great success. But what if I tell you that his even greater success lies elsewhere? The Bible talks about success very differently than the world does. Biblical success is all about knowing God, glorifying God, and being known by God. Joseph pursued that kind of success, as did Jesus.

God’s Great Work In the Dark.

It seems that in the darkest of times the light of God shines most brightly. For many this light changes the course of their life. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard people, and I am sure you have as well, who say that the most painful time of their life was also the time of the most impact when God took hold of them and changed their course forever. Joseph experienced this, as did Jesus.

Moving Forward, Staying Righteous, Trusting God.

When we allow bitterness to control our lives, then we have become a pathetic creature. We are pushed around by our feelings because of the actions of others. As a pastor I have seen people be emotionally stuck, airing out the same grievances for years, finding any sympathetic ear to listen (which is usually someone they have recently met) until this new person also tires of hearing the bitterness pour out and they distance themselves. So, what is the remedy for this bitterness which can fill us...

Sent, Resented, and Sold. The Pain of Betrayal.

There are many parallels in the life of Joseph of the Old Testament and the life of Jesus. One of the parallels is that they both experienced betrayals. Betrayal is one of the hardest pains to deal with. It leads to bitterness, resentment, and anger within our soul. So how do Joseph and Jesus deal with betrayal? We begin to answer that (but do not finish it) today.

Two Lives, One Story

Today we are starting a series on the lives of Jesus and Joseph. The Joseph we are talking about is not the one from the New Testament, but rather one found at the end of the book of Genesis. I don’t think it was just happy coincidence that the adoptive father of Jesus Christ was also named Joseph (who also dreamed important dreams) because in many ways the life of the Old Testament Joseph and the life of Jesus have a familial similarity. Joseph’s life has one of the longest accounts in the Bibl...

Seeing The Risen Christ