Woodland Presbyterian Church Memphis

ANCIENT GRACE: Water Rising

Rev. Matt Miller (Genesis 7) In chapter 7 of Genesis, the tension of the flood narrative escalates as the rains come down and the waters come up. God’s cleansing flood has come and the waters are prevailing. This challenging picture of judgment calls us to consider what has flooded our own culture. As a godless generation pursues the glorification of self, the Church has been swept up as well. Have we sought to advance our own purposes or are we laying aside our own needs. Only in trusting in God’s deliverance can we hope to bring glory to him.

ANCIENT GRACE: God's Deliverance

Rev. Matt Miller (Genesis 6:9-22) The earth was exceedingly wicked and God told Noah he would destroy all living things. But God established a covenant with Noah. While the world destroyed itself, Noah walked blamelessly. While we might look to Noah to see how to live we actually want to look through Noah to our great deliverer, Jesus Christ. God has a story he is telling and you are in it (but its not about you).

ANCIENT GRACE: But Noah...

Rev. Matt Miller (Genesis 6:1-8) In just ten generations, the world had become corrupt. The evil of the human heart had broken the beautiful world that God had created. All was lost… but Noah. In spite of the of the brokenness of the world, God made a way through his chosen person, Noah. Noah’s life points us to Jesus, in whom we are to live, in both humility and obedience. 

ANCIENT GRACE: God's Work of Atonement

Rev. Matt Miller (Leviticus 23:26-32) The Book of Leviticus seems like a long collection of laws and strange feasts. Sometimes it is hard to access since we don't do things the same way. Yet God's word speaks grace to us even through this ancient text.

ANCIENT GRACE: Grace Appears

Rev. Matt Miller (Genesis 3:1-15) The Old Testament is sometimes confusing because it seems so distant geographically, historically and culturally. Some Christians rarely dip into its waters and some avoid it all together. But if God is One and there is one story, then there is great continuity between the New Testament and the Old. In this sermon series, Pastor Matt teaches that Grace appeared in the very beginning and is at work throughout all of history. We can experience it if we are ready.

CHRISTMAS EVE: Silent Night, Holy Night

Rev. Matt Miller (Matthew 1:18-25) Exactly two hundred years ago a pastor in Austria had a problem. His church’s organ had broken just before their celebration of the birth of Jesus on Christmas Eve. He gave some words he had penned to his musician friend who wrote some beautiful music to go along. That night they sang Stille Nacht (Silent Night) for the first time. Often life happens in ways we don’t expect, but God meets us where we are. 

HONEST ANSWERS: Who Is Your King?

Rev. Matt Miller (Luke 2:1-7) Jesus came into a world with political tension and struggle. The ruler of the day, Caesar Augustus, claimed to be born of god and demanded people worship him and also sought revenge for the murder of his father. The world was up in arms… but a new King had come, not born with fanfare in a palace, but in humility. The question for people ‘in those days’ and for us is: Who is Your King?

HONEST ANSWERS: Was Jesus Really Born of a Virgin?

Rev. Matt Miller (Luke 1:26-38) During the Advent and Christmas season, we sing songs celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ to a virgin. But aren’t there good objections to this idea? Is it really true or just a myth like other claims to virgin birth in history? What does the Bible say about this and what difference does it really make in our lives today? 

HONEST ANSWERS: Did God Really Become a Person?

Rev. Matt Miller (Luke 2:1-14) Jesus stands out as unique from all others in human history as the greatest teacher, prophet and leader in human history, but was he really the son of God? In this sermon Pastor Matt considers whether or not God actually became a human being and what the meaning of the Incarnation is for people today.

HONEST ANSWERS: Can We Really Trust the Bible?

Rev. Matt Miller (2 Timothy 3:10-17) So often in our culture, the Bible can tell us things that seem contradictory to what we hear from everything else.  How do we know that we can trust what the Bible says?  We can trust the Bible because it’s inspired by God, infallible, inerrant, and authoritative. So what does this mean for us as God’s people? 1. We must study the Bible. 2. View all issues through the lens of the Bible, first. 3. Treat the Bible as a meal to fully devour, not a buffet to pick and choose from.