New Life Church Sermons

Ruth 3- A Scheme in the Dark: Naomi's Plot and the Redeemer's Test

In Ruth 3, Rev. Christian Dove preaches on the matter of Naomi's plot to "help" Boaz redeem her and the test it presents for Ruth and Boaz. Being so distanced from the foreign cultural context of these events today, it can be easy for us to whitewash or slide over Naomi's plot without much thought (and with plenty of assumptions). But the context reveals a dark sinfulness to Naomi's plan, but God is faithful to overcome that darkness.

Ruth 2B - The Kinsman Redeemer: God's Law and Boaz' Duty

Completing the 2nd chapter of Ruth, Rev. Christian Dove takes us back to Leviticus 25 and Deuteronomy 25 to explain the significance of the revelation that Boaz is Naomi's "kinsman redeemer" or next-of-kin. What does this mean for Naomi, and what is Boaz required to do under God's law? God is revealing His plan to restore what Naomi has lost: land and seed.

Ruth 2A - A Providential Meeting: Ruth's Labor and Boaz' Charity

Continuing through Ruth, Rev. Christian Dove preaches through Ruth 2:1-18. God continues to work in mysterious ways for the sake of Naomi. As Ruth seeks to provide for her elderly mother-in-law, she just so "happens" to glean in a field of an older man named Boaz, who just "happens" to be visiting his fields that day. This Boaz also just "happens" to know exactly who Ruth is.

Ruth 1 - In the Face of Calamity: Ruth's Faith and Naomi's Bitterness

Beginning through the Book of Ruth, Rev. Christian Dove teaches on the genre of Hebrew Narrative and preaches through the account in Ruth 1. Naomi is the real central character of the book, because the whole story centers around God's providence in redeeming her life. Naomi experiences great calamity in the loss of her family and shows bitterness toward God and others, yet God continues to lovingly care and provide for her future to bring about an ultimate greater good for her and the rest of His people. We see Him do this through the most unlikely of people: Ruth, a gentile woman.

Holy Baptism: On Earth As It Is In Heaven #07

Rev. Christian Dove preaches on Holy Baptism. What is baptism? What does it do (if anything)? Why do we receive it? Who ought to receive it? Who does the work in baptism? These questions are addressed in this expositional survey through the New Testament to better understand what our Lord intended when He instituted baptism.

Holy Songs: On Earth As It Is In Heaven #06

Rev. Christian Dove preaches on the role of Song in corporate worship by expositing four of the most notable worship songs in the New Testament: the Song of Mary, the Song of Simeon, the Blessing of Zechariah, and the Gloria of the Angels. While song and music is ubiquitous in worship today, how much of it is informed by Scriptural principles and patterns?

Holy Communion: On Earth As It Is In Heaven #05

Rev. Christian Dove preaches through John 6 to better understand Holy Communion and its role in corporate worship. What did Jesus mean when He said, "I am the bread of life"? Why did the thousands He fed at Capernaum reject Him when He said this?

The Law: On Earth As It Is In Heaven #04

Rev. Christian Dove preaches on the role the Law of God plays in corporate worship by teaching upon the Threefold Use of the Law. To give our attention to God's Law is to worship the Lord our God, and to do so as He has required of His people.

Prayer: On Earth As It Is In Heaven Series #03

As we continue to survey Biblical teaching on worship, today we review what our Lord Jesus teaches regarding prayer during His Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 6:1-15. Here He teaches us about the importance of our heart's motivation in worship, how we ought not to pray, and then how we ought to pray through the lesson of the Lord's Prayer.

Repentance & Confession: On Earth as it is In Heaven #02

On Earth as it is In Heaven 02: Repentance & Confession
 
In this sermon, Rev. Christian Dove preaches through the parables of Luke 15 to instruct upon the critical importance of Repentance and Confession as an essential component of all worship: both public and private.
 
In these parables given to the Scribes and Pharisees, Jesus is answering their question and complain as to why “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”
 
Through the Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin we learn that God loves a repentant heart, and He actively pursues after those who are lost in order that they may be found. God doesn't receive repentant sinners coldly or begrudgingly, but with resounding joy!
 
In the Parable of the Lost Prodigal Son we learn what repentance looks like: it is a return to the Father. Prodigal means "lavish or extravagant" and this son left his Father and squandered his inheritance on lavish (sinful) living. But when he resolves to return to his Father, not only does his Father forgive him but he lavishly and extravagantly pours out His love and grace upon the son—fully restoring his status in the household. We likewise return to our Father every time we approach Him in worship, prayer, and devotion. The resolve to return to God is indicative that we understand our need for Him. 
 
Finally, we see how repentance calls us to confession: to recognize and admit our sins and fault before the Throne of Grace and seek His mercy. Confession demonstrates that we recognize and respect the holiness of God, and the perfect demands of His righteousness. The Good News is that we have a guarantee of that grace, love, and mercy in our Lord Jesus Christ who is the perfect Son in our stead. Psalm 32 teaches us "he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him." And I John 1:9 teaches us that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
 
Whenever we sin—and we will sin—we are called to return to God with a humble heart in confession. God has promised, through the work of Christ, to forgive those sins every single time. Let us remember to confess our sins whenever we approach God Almighty—in humility for our sin, but also in joyful hope for our sure forgiveness!