“Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.”
On Sunday, December 11, 2016, Pastor Joe Troutman preached “A Testimony True” from John 21:20-25.
Whoever trusts that Jesus Christ is Life Incarnate will have life in his name.
1. What About Him?—Who are we to complain about God’s dealings with his people?
2. A True But Partial Testimony—The Jesus of whom John writes is the Word who created all things and dwelt among us.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN to “A Testimony True” (John 21:20-25) at mcopc.org.
On Sunday, December 4, 2016, Pastor Joe Troutman preached “Feed My Lambs” from John 21:7, 12-19.
Christ loves the church enough to die for her and ensure she is nurtured and fed in his absence.
1. It is the Lord (v. 7)—The risen Lord feeds his disciples.
2. The Three Loves (vs. 12-17)—He who is forgiven much loves much.
3. Follow Me (vs. 18-19)—“Take up your cross and follow me.”
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN to “Feed My Lambs” (John 21:7, 12-19) at mcopc.org.
On Sunday, November 6, 2016, Rev. Joe Troutman preached “The King Fisher” from John 21:1-6, 8-11.
As a net draws fish from the sea, so God uses the proclamation of the gospel to draw sinners to Jesus Christ.
1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ—All revelation brings glory to God’s name and sinners to repentance.
2. Cast the Net—The church is to cast the net as her Lord commands, and totrust him for the results.
3. Feeding His Sheep—God has chosen to use the church as the ordinary means by which he calls sinners to faith. The faith of the church is built up by the preaching of the word and the administration of the sacraments.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN to “The King Fisher” (John 21:1-6,8-11) at mcopc.org.
On Sunday, October 23, 2016, Pastor Joe Troutman preached “A Not-So-Secret Agenda” from John 20:30-31.
Faith in Jesus Christ is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen.
1. Seeing Is Not Believing—rather, it is by the hearing of the gospel preached.
2. These Are Written—that unbelievers might believe, and that believers might continue to believe.
3. Life In His Name—Believers bear the name of Christ.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO “A Not-So-Secret Agenda” (John 20:30-31) at mcopc.org.
On Sunday, October 16, 2016, Pastor Joe Troutman preached, “Trusted Friend or Suspect?” from John 20:19-29:
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Listen to “Trusted Friend or Suspect?” (John 20:19-29) at mcopc.org
On Sunday, October 2, 2016, Pastor Joe Troutman preached “Proof Positive” from John 20:11-18.
Just as Mary testified to the resurrection of Jesus, we the church must also testify, and God will use us as he used her and others in the early church, to draw sinners to himself.
1. Messengers of Hope—The presence of the angels hints at the fact that Jesus’s tomb is empty because he rose from death and walked out.
2. Whom Are You Seeking?—Do you seek one to take away your earthly problems, or a Savior and Lord who saves you from the wrath of his Father for your sins?
3. I Have Seen the Lord—If God can use Mary and the early church to testify to Christ’s resurrection and ascension, then he can use you, too.
Listen to “Proof Positive” (John 20:11-18) at mcopc.org.
On September 11, 2016, Pastor Joe Troutman preached “He is Risen; He is Risen Indeed!” from John 20:1-10.
Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. If we believe in him, we have already been raised spiritually, and will be raised physically when he returns.
1. On the First Day—Christ’s resurrection was so significant to the early Christians, that they began observing the Sabbath on the first day of the week. Everything has shifted with the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
2. Seeing the Signs—The resurrection is the greatest sign that Jesus Christ is God. The signs of Jesus’ resurrection lead John to believe.
3. That He Must Rise—Christ’s resurrection is the new creation. Your rising in him makes you a new creation. You have been changed, and you will be changed.
Listen to “He is Risen; He is Risen Indeed!” (John 20:1-10) at mcopc.org
On September 4, 2016, Pastor Joe Troutman preached “Him Whom They Have Pierced” from John 19:31-42.
A thousand years and more before the Son of God became man, God promised that a Savior would atone for his peoples’ sins.
1. Not a Bone Broken—Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs (John 19:31-33).
2. Pierced for Our Transgressions—But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced” (John 19:34-37).
3. Lo, in the Grave He Lay—After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there (John 19:38-42).
Listen to “Him Whom They Have Pierced” (John 19:31-42) at mcopc.org.
On Sunday, August 28, 2016, Pastor Joe Troutman preached “It Is Finished” from John 19:16b-30.
Our Great High King Jesus Christ gave up his life on our behalf so we wouldn’t suffer the excruciating wrath for our sins.
1. What Is Written—Jesus Christ was indeed the King of the Jews, and the High King of Heaven.
2. Jesus’s Mother, Brothers and Sisters—Jesus loves his mother to the end and obeys the Law to honor her. He died to enable us to likewise obey his commands.
3. Authority To Lay It Down—Throughout his life and even in his death, Jesus proved he was the long-awaited Messiah, the King–not just of the Jews—but the true King of Heaven to whom we all will bow the knee, whether we believe in him or not, when he returns. This High King humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death on an accursed cross through which he suffered his Father’s wrath for sins that were not his own.
Listen to “It Is Finished” (John 19:16b-30) at mcopc.org.
On Sunday, August 21, 2016, Pastor Joe Troutman preached, “Who Is Your King?” from John 19:7-16a.
Jesus Christ, the God-Man, sits enthroned as King of heaven and earth, and our salvation comes from him alone.
1. He Has Made Himself—Leaders think he’s a man trying to make himself God, but he was really God who made himself man.
2. Whose Authority?—By submitting to Pilate’s authority to be crucified, Jesus submitted to his Father’s authority.
3. Behold, Your King—We look to earthly leaders to deliver us from our deepest fears, but Jesus is the true King who alone can save those who repent and believe.
Listen to Who Is Your King? (John 19:7-16a) at mcopc.org.
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