The Abuser as Esau — A Sobering and Freeing Truth for Victims

~ Jeff Crippen ~ 3 Comments

This is a sermon delivered by Jeff Crippen at Christ Reformation Church.  It presents a realistic view of the abuser who has persisted in abuse without repentance for many years all the while claiming to be a Christian.

           “The Perilous Danger of Hypocrisy – the Path of the Reprobate”
October 26, 2014
Sermon Text:  Psalm 115
Scripture Reading:  Isaiah 44:6-20
Introduction–

“Hebrews 12:14-17  Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.  (15)  See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;  (16)  that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.  (17)  For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.”

This morning I want to speak to you about a very sobering topic which everyone who professes Christ must be warned about. Let’s state the thesis this way:

If a person persists in walking the path of hypocrisy long enough, if a person who professes Christ is in fact professing a lie, following a “Christ” of his or her own imagination, that person (like Esau) will end as a reprobate, their eternal destiny sealed, and repentance no longer possible for them.

Psalms 115:1-8  Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!  (2)  Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”  (3)  Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.  (4)  Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.  (5)  They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.  (6)  They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.  (7)  They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat.  (8)  Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.

This past weekend as you know I was in Indianapolis for a conference on domestic violence in the church.  When we deal with this subject, we necessarily deal with hypocrites. With people who wear a façade and masquerade as Christians when in fact they are children of the devil. They honor Christ with their lips, with their outward actions, with their mannerisms and glances. But their heart is far, far from Him.

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Forgiveness in Christ’s Kingdom – CRC Sunday Sermon

~ Jeff Crippen ~ Leave a comment

September 1, 2019
(links to hymns and the sermon are in blue font)

Responsive Reading
Psalm 5 (Trinity Hymnal #786)
Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing.
Listen to my cry for help, my King
and my God, for to you I pray.
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my
voice; in the morning I lay my requests
before you and wait in expectation.
You are not a God who takes pleasure
in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell.
The arrogant cannot stand in your
presence; you hate all who do wrong.
You destroy those who tell lies; blood-
thirsty and deceitful men the Lord abhors.
But I, by your great mercy, will come 
into your house; in reverence will I bow
down toward your holy temple.
Lead me, O Lord, in your righteous-
ness because of my enemies – make
straight your way before me.
Not a word from their mouth can be 
trusted; their heart is filled with
destruction.
Their throat is an open grave; with
their tongue they speak deceit.
Declare them guilty, O God! Let their
intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins, for
they have rebelled against you.
But let all who take refuge in you be
glad; let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may 
rejoice in you.
For surely, O Lord, you bless the
righteous;
you surround them with your favor
as with a shield.

Opening Hymn
Heaven’s Gift (CRC Hymnal #3)

Prayer
Focus this week: Grant Christensen

Congregational Hymns
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need (CRC Hymnal #31)
In Christ Alone (CRC Hymnal #64)

Offering Hymn
Whate’er My God Ordains is Right

Scripture Reading
Colossians 3

The Lord’s Table
Christ Our Righteousness

Preaching the Word
Forgiveness in Christ’s Kingdom – Getting it Right, Matthew 18:21-35
YouTube link

Closing Hymn
How Blest is He Whose Trespass, Trinity Hymnal #551

God Curses the Wicked

~ Jeff Crippen ~ 1 Comment

Galatians 1:8-9 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. (9) As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

Deuteronomy 27:15-19 “‘Cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the LORD, a thing made by the hands of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’ (16) “‘Cursed be anyone who dishonors his father or his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ (17) “‘Cursed be anyone who moves his neighbor’s landmark.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ (18) “‘Cursed be anyone who misleads a blind man on the road.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ (19) “‘Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

God does a whole lot of cursing.  Read Deuteronomy 27 if you don’t believe it.  In fact, God started cursing right off the get-go of creation when Adam and Eve sinned.  Of course, He does a whole lot of blessing too.  And it’s a good thing for us.  He has called us blessed in Christ.  Poured out every blessing heaven has to offer, in Christ (Ephesians 1).  But He still curses. The Apostle Paul knew this and that is why he pronounced preachers of false gospels “anathema.”  Set apart for God’s destruction.  Damned by God.

Peter knew it too.  We recently considered the reprobate in 2 Peter 2.  Listen to these curse words again:

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