Caught Up In The Glory of God

Happy Birthday Aurelius!

JT Holderman — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:40:25 +0000

Yesterday was the birthday of the most influential theologian this world has known besides the Apostle Paul: Augustine of Hippo. Western Christianity, and Eastern, are indebted to God’s calling on his life. He truly was one with a heart set on fire for God alone. If you have not read his Confessions, it is a must read, especially book eight. Few books have had an impact in my own life as this wonderful exaltation of God. His words, in all his writings, have a tendency to catch you up in the glory and majesty of the one who created us. His words are potent because he was a man who truly knew His God deeply. May we as the people of God return often to the great works of people like Augustine, may we remember those whose shoulders we stand upon in the faith. Thank you Lord for St. Augustine. If you are looking to understand a bit of the man whose heart was set on flame for God, might I suggest John Piper’s Legacy of Sovereign Joy. It is a great introduction to the man and his passion for the truth of God. We are better Christians in the world today because of this man’s ardent search for truth. Happy birthday.

Filed under: Augustine, Christianity, Saints

Jesus and Peace

JT Holderman — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 20:20:26 +0000

Here’s the final sermon in series of five on Paul’s letter to the Philippians. The sermon series is titled: “Getting the Gospel Right.” This sermon revolves around Paul’s encouragement that we find peace from anxiety in prayer. This peace is a gift from God in Jesus Christ. We are an anxious people who worry and fret like none other. As such, Paul’s word to us is very pertinent in our world. This text is good news for us that we can find peace in a benevolent loving God who orders our steps so that we might know Him more intimately. The text for the sermon is taken from Philippians 4:4-7. This sermon was given at Grace EPC. Soli Deo Gloria.

Filed under: Philippians, Prayer, Sermons

Jesus and Faith

JT Holderman — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:22:09 +0000

Here’s the fourth sermon in series of five on Paul’s letter to the Philippians. The sermon series is titled: “Getting the Gospel Right.” This sermon revolves around Paul’s exhortation to “Get the Gospel Right” by not striving for our own salvation. Paul encourages us that we can never merit our salvation, our reconciliation to God. It’s wholly a gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. As the reformer Martin Luther emphasized so vehemently, we are “Justified by Faith Alone,” Sola Fide. So this text is good news for us in a world that loves to be in control, in a world that wants to earn their way to heaven. We can simply sit in faith and receive the grace of God. The text for the sermon is taken from Philippians 3:3-11. This sermon was given at Grace EPC. Sola Fide. Soli Deo Gloria.

Filed under: Paul, Philippians, Sermons

Reformation Day

JT Holderman — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:34:22 +0000

Today we celebrate the Protestant Reformation. 494 years ago Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany, thus marking the public beginning of the Protestant Reformation. We are indebted to Luther’s conviction and God’s calling on his life to be a reformer. We know God truer today in many ways because of Luther’s zeal for Scripture above tradition. Today could also be national “hug a Lutheran day.” Let’s not forget what we owe to the reformers today. Justin Taylor has composed a wonderful set of resources surrounding Reformation day over here. One of the more poignant things to look at on this historic day would be the 95 theses themselves, take a gander and see what it was that Luther was opposing first hand. Wishing you all a blessed Reformation day.

Filed under: Recommended Reading, Theology

Jesus and Humility

JT Holderman — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 17:51:32 +0000

Here’s the third sermon in series of five on Paul’s letter to the Philippians. The sermon series is titled: “Getting the Gospel Right.” This sermon revolves around Paul’s exhortation to be a humble people, to fight pride and pursue humility in our lives. It is a call to seek humility and follow the example of Jesus as we show love to the world. The text for the sermon is taken from Philippians 2:1-11. This sermon was given at Grace EPC. Soli Deo Gloria.

Filed under: Paul, Philippians, Sermons

Jesus and Joy

JT Holderman — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:16:51 +0000

Here’s the second sermon in series of five on Paul’s letter to the Philippians. The sermon series is titled: “Getting the Gospel Right.” This sermon revolves around understanding “joy” differently from how the world defines it. Christian joy is counter-cultural in that it doesn’t depend upon our circumstances. Instead Christian joy rests in Jesus Christ alone. The text for the sermon is taken from Philippians 1:18b-26. This sermon was given at Grace EPC. Soli Deo Gloria.

Filed under: Joy, Paul, Philippians, Sermons

Jesus and the Meaning of Life

JT Holderman — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 16:30:31 +0000

Here’s the first sermon in series of five on Paul’s letter to the Philippians. The sermon series is titled: “Getting the Gospel Right.” This sermon revolves around understanding the meaning of life in relationship to who Jesus is and what He has done for us. The text for the sermon is taken from Philippians 1:1-11. This sermon was given at Grace EPC. Soli Deo Gloria.

Filed under: Paul, Philippians, Sermons

David’s Testimony of Prayer

JT Holderman — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 14:11:35 +0000

Second sermon at Grace EPC. From Psalm 34:1-8.

Filed under: Prayer, Psalms, Sermons

Living in Grace

JT Holderman — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 20:49:23 +0000

Glad to be a part of the preaching team at Grace Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Here’s my first sermon as a member of the EPC! Soli Deo Gloria!

Filed under: Ephesians, Paul, Sermons

Good Friday

JT Holderman — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 13:07:50 +0000

My Good Friday sermon titled “Living a Life Worthy of the Cross” as preached at Thompson Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Filed under: Uncategorized