Sermons by the Rev. David C. Judge, pastor of First Baptist Church of Cornelius, NC.

David Judge

The Word of God, the Bible, is the supreme authority and no word of man can supersede it. Therefore, we must obey the Word of God over the word of man. 
 
Some have used this passage as an argument against tradition. Especially during the Reformation, the attack on Roman Catholic tradition as being the word of man rather than the word of God was used to nullify many of the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. 
 
But we know from Scripture that traditions and doctrines are not to be thrown out. In fact, Paul tells the churches in 1 Corinthians 11:2 and 2 Thessalonians 2:15 to hold on to the traditions that they were taught. However, this can only be understood in the sense that the tradition doesn’t violate the Word of God. This is also made clear in Scripture in Acts 5:29 when Peter says, “We must obey God and not men.” 
 
Call to Action: 
• Submit yourself to the authority of Scripture 
• Study and learn the Scripture so that you can obey it, teach it and quote it.

The Word of God, the Bible, is the supreme authority and no word of man can supersede it.  Therefore, we must obey the Word of God over the word of man.

Some have used this passage as an argument against tradition.  Especially during the Reformation, the attack on Roman Catholic tradition as being the word of man rather than the word of God was used to nullify many of the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church.

But we know from Scripture that traditions and doctrines are not to be thrown out.  In fact, Paul tells the churches in 1 Corinthians 11:2 and 2 Thessalonians 2:15 to hold on to the traditions that they were taught.  However, this can only be understood in the sense that the tradition doesn’t violate the Word of God.  This is also made clear in Scripture in Acts 5:29 when Peter says, “We must obey God and not men.”

Call to Action:
• Submit yourself to the authority of Scripture
• Study and learn the Scripture so that you can obey it, teach it and quote it.

“Man’s Word vs. God’s Word” - Matthew 15:1-9

Deacon Gene McKinney shares his thoughts on Seeking Wisdom in the Proverbs.

"Seeking Wisdom in the Proverbs" - Proverbs 3:13-15

To build a church you need a leader who preaches the Gospel, disciples who commit themselves to the church, and ministries that preach, teach, and serve a wide cross-section of the community. 
 
Geography plays an important role in today’s reading. Verses 4:24-25 tell us that Jesus attracted crowds from Syria, Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and the Jordan. The first three areas are Gentile (non-Jews). The last three are Jewish areas. 
 
Now, compare those areas to 3:5, the areas from where John was attracting crowds. It lists only Jerusalem, Judea, and the Jordan. 
 
John’s message was only reaching the Jews. Jesus’ message is reaching both Jew and Gentile. This is a point Matthew is making. The Gospel is for all people. 
 
Call to Action: 
1. Find a church where the Bible is authoritative and the Gospel is preached. 
2. Commit to the mission and ministry of that church. Be “all in.” 
3. Commit to a ministry of the church and find a way to serve all people.

To build a church you need a leader who preaches the Gospel, disciples who commit themselves to the church, and ministries that preach, teach, and serve a wide cross-section of the community.

Geography plays an important role in today’s reading.   Verses 4:24-25 tell us that Jesus attracted crowds from Syria, Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and the Jordan.  The first three areas are Gentile (non-Jews).  The last three are Jewish areas.

Now, compare those areas to 3:5, the areas from where John was attracting crowds.  It lists only Jerusalem, Judea, and the Jordan.

John’s message was only reaching the Jews.  Jesus’ message is reaching both Jew and Gentile.  This is a point Matthew is making.  The Gospel is for all people.

Call to Action:
1. Find a church where the Bible is authoritative and the Gospel is preached.
2. Commit to the mission and ministry of that church.  Be “all in.”
3. Commit to a ministry of the church and find a way to serve all people.

“How To Build A Church” - Matthew 4:12-25

Musical praises have been a part of the worship of God since the Old Testament days. Those who perform are a model for us in preparation, positioning and rejoicing in worship as we all lift up our voices in a Chorus of Thanksgiving to God.

"A Chorus Thanksgiving" - Nehemiah 12:27-43

Throughout history God's people have been threatened with annihilation, yet by God's grace they have always been and always will be rescued to the glory of God. 
 
Like the Jewish leaders who wanted to kill Jesus, Haman does not have the authority to carry out his evil plot. While the Jewish leaders went to Pontius Pilate, Haman goes to Xerxes. 
 
Once the decision is made to execute Jesus in the first case and the Jewish people in the second, it is done with the authority of the government. 
 
It says that the people of the City of Susa are bewildered, perplexed by this decree. How often do we see legislation that is inherently evil and contrary to the word of God passed? “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” 
 
We should expect that the enemies of God are not just other religions, but the very governments that Christians live under. Pray fervently for our country to return to Christ.

Throughout history God's people have been threatened with annihilation, yet by God's grace they have always been and always will be rescued to the glory of God.

Like the Jewish leaders who wanted to kill Jesus, Haman does not have the authority to carry out his evil plot.  While the Jewish leaders went to Pontius Pilate, Haman goes to Xerxes.

Once the decision is made to execute Jesus in the first case and the Jewish people in the second, it is done with the authority of the government.

It says that the people of the City of Susa are bewildered, perplexed by this decree.  How often do we see legislation that is inherently evil and contrary to the word of God passed?  “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

We should expect that the enemies of God are not just other religions, but the very governments that Christians live under.  Pray fervently for our country to return to Christ.

"A Plot to Destroy God's People" - Esther 3:7-15

Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity, is the eternal Son of God, unique in His relationship with the Father, and of the same being. This is the orthodox teaching that we profess and is articulated in the Nicene Creed.

"The Nicene Creed - The Word Was God" - John 1:1-3, 3:16

The prophecies of Christ’s Second Coming will be fulfilled as are all Biblical prophecies, and we must be watchful and in prayer for our eternal lives and the eternal lives of all people. 
 
From the time of the Fall until the Second Coming, there will be man-made and natural disasters – these are not the signs the end is near, but rather evidence of the sinful and fallen world in which we live (Vv. 8-11). 
 
Prior to the destruction of the Temple, the Apostles will be persecuted, yet their persecution will result in their ability to share the Gospel (Vv. 12-19). This occurred during A.D. 33 – 70. 
 
The Temple would be destroyed (Vv. 20-24). This occurred in A.D. 70. 
 
The Second Coming will come on a future date when the wrath of God is poured out on this world. It will be as the prophets described, a great and dreadful Day of the Lord. Yet, those who trust in the Lord are to rejoice in that Day for it is the Day of our redemption.

The prophecies of Christ’s Second Coming will be fulfilled as are all Biblical prophecies, and we must be watchful and in prayer for our eternal lives and the eternal lives of all people.

From the time of the Fall until the Second Coming, there will be man-made and natural disasters – these are not the signs the end is near, but rather evidence of the sinful and fallen world in which we live (Vv. 8-11).

Prior to the destruction of the Temple, the Apostles will be persecuted, yet their persecution will result in their ability to share the Gospel (Vv. 12-19).  This occurred during A.D. 33 – 70.

The Temple would be destroyed (Vv. 20-24).  This occurred in A.D. 70.

The Second Coming will come on a future date when the wrath of God is poured out on this world.  It will be as the prophets described, a great and dreadful Day of the Lord.  Yet, those who trust in the Lord are to rejoice in that Day for it is the Day of our redemption.

"The End is Near...Again" - Luke 21:12-38

Scripture teaches that from the beginning and until the end, Christians will be considered criminals by the world. Yet, we must not fall down to the lows of criminals but rise up to the heights of Christ. 
 
When we are faced with difficult passages in Scripture, we must first begin with the presupposition of the inerrancy and non-contradiction of Scripture. 
 
Given that staring point, for Jesus to suggest that they are going to begin an armed revolt against the Roman authorities is contrary to His teachings. 
 
With that, we must then meticulously exam the Scripture passage to understand exactly what Jesus is saying to the disciples and what it means for us today.

Scripture teaches that from the beginning and until the end, Christians will be considered criminals by the world.  Yet, we must not fall down to the lows of criminals but rise up to the heights of Christ.

When we are faced with difficult passages in Scripture, we must first begin with the presupposition of the inerrancy and non-contradiction of Scripture.

Given that staring point, for Jesus to suggest that they are going to begin an armed revolt against the Roman authorities is contrary to His teachings.

With that, we must then meticulously exam the Scripture passage to understand exactly what Jesus is saying to the disciples and what it means for us today.

David Judge Videos