Sermons on Isaac And Rebekah:

The Gift

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Jun 1, 2015

What God gives in love, we receive by faith, so that we may live in hope.

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS with religion is: You can believe all the right things – that is, you can be orthodox in your faith – but it can be a dead orthodoxy. You know what I mean? It can appear lifeless, certainly not vital and contagious. Same thing with our conduct. We may behave ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Word On The Street

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Jun 2, 2015

Our true vocation in life is to bear witness to the light, to reflect the glory of God, to mirror His majesty, to glorify Him.

Jesus is called many things in Scripture. In the Gospel of John alone, he is called the Lamb of God, the light of the world, the bread of life, the gate of the sheep. He is even called a Vine. But here in chapter 1 he is called “the Word.” And there’s a reason for that. In Jesus, ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Soil Samples

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Jun 2, 2015

There’s a condition of the heart that is necessary if the Word of God is to have a lasting effect on any of us.

This little parable of Jesus got me thinking about taking soil samples. You know, with all its talk about different kinds of soil. So, what I did is: I logged on to YouTube and did a search. And, sure enough, there was a video on how to do it, how to take a soil sample. As you might guess, as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Beyond Our Strength Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Jun 16, 2015

When you undergo afflictions, go over your convictions.

JOSEPH BAYLY ONCE SAID, “Never doubt in the dark what you learned in the light.” But we do, don’t we? When we go through times of trial, we lose sight of what we believe. We have a tendency to see only the bad our afflictions. For example, when the heat’s on, we may assume ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God Is Near Us Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Jan 29, 2015

God has good cause to be angry with us, but, because of his grace, he is not.

Dr. Richard Cutter was my Greek professor at Baylor. One day, during class, he was lecturing along, and I was having a hard time keeping up. I glanced over at the notes of the student sitting next to me, hoping to get from him something that I had missed. That’s okay, isn’t it? I mean, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 57:14-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Judged By Whose Righteousness?

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Feb 7, 2015

The claim to innocence can be rightly made only by the Savior, but, instead of seeking to escape judgment, He submitted Himself to wrath for my sake.

If you're like me when you read Psalm 7, you may find your heart resonating with the opening verses: [1] O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me, [2] lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, rending it in pieces, with none to deliver” ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 7:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus Gives Us Comfort Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Feb 16, 2015

Jesus turns trouble into triumph.

You know how it is when you hear a song for the first time? You know, a song that really grabs you? The first time I ever heard “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” I was in seminary. I wasn’t married, so I was living in the men’s dorm. I recall that it was a spring afternoon. ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus Gives Us Peace Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Feb 23, 2015

Jesus' answer to your fears is the presence of the triune God in your life -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

I always like to go on record as saying, “I don’t believe in luck; I believe in providence.” And, as it turns out, by God’s providence, I have been very lucky in love! I am married to the woman of my dreams, the heart of my heart, and the love of my life. Jan is beautiful ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus Gives Us Love Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Mar 6, 2015

How is God glorified? By the fruit we bear. And how do we bear fruit? By abiding in Jesus. He is the vine; we are the branches. Apart from him we can do nothing. No root, no fruit.

THERE IS A STORY told about a young pastor, fresh out of seminary, who was to give his first sermon to his new congregation. He had graduated with honors, and everybody who knew him was sure that he was on a fast track to notoriety as a great preacher. His congregation watched as he entered the ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus Gives Us Truth Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Mar 9, 2015

The Holy Spirit tells us the truth. He tells us the truth about sin (the sin of unbelief), about righteousness (in Jesus), and about judgment.

WHAT JESUS IS DOING here is: He is consoling his disciples. This is the last night before his death, and he tells them that he is gong away. And, of course, they are sad. But he reassures them. He tells them that his departure is for their good. “It is to your advantage that I go ...read more

Scripture: John 16:4-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus Gives Us Joy Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Mar 16, 2015

Whatever you're going through, Jesus will get you through.

“HOW LONG CAN YOU STAY under water without coming up for air?” That was the challenge my boyhood friend made to me. He boasted himself a full minute-and-a-half. “No contest!” I said. “Three minutes! Watch this.” I sucked in as much air as I could, and I plunged ...read more

Scripture: John 16:16-24

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus Gives Us His Word Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Mar 23, 2015

Make Jesus' passion your passion, his aims your aims, and pray for these things every day.

THIS PAST TUESDAY, I took a day away from my desk, and Jan and I made a trip to Frisco, which is one of the places we like to go when we can. We ate at a favorite restaurant, relaxed and talked a bit, and then, as we almost always do, we went our separate ways – Jan to shop, and what I always ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The End In Mind Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Mar 23, 2015

The work God does in you and me has three phases: a beginning, a middle, and an end. God began His “good work” in us, He “will carry it on,” and, in time, He will bring it to completion.

Recently, our daughter Catherine completed a refinishing project. Se took an old chest, worn and marred by the years and transformed it into an elegant piece of furniture, which she is pleased to display in her home. She took an object that was ruined and unsightly and restored it in such a way ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Advancing The Gospel Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Mar 23, 2015

Can we look at this or that circumstance in our lives and say, “As bad as my situation is, I can see a way to press it into the service of the gospel. I can bear witness to Christ even in the midst of this”?

Patsy Bonner shared with our Friday Bible study group a spoof news story that had been sent to her recently. The dateline is ostensibly Dallas, and the brief that follows says: Dallas Cowboys football practice was delayed nearly two hours today after a player reported finding an unknown white ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Embodying The Gospel Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Mar 23, 2015

Living in a manner that is worthy of the gospel has three conditions.

If you don’t mind, let’s go back to the beginning of this passage. We read there – in chapter 1, verse 27 – that we are to live our lives “in a manner [that is] worthy of the gospel.” This is a simple but urgent appeal to us, and if we are to respond to it, if ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed