Christmas Eve Service 2021
December 24, 2021Sermon Notes
Date: 12/24/2021
Description:
Pull up a virtual pew and join us. It’s Christmas Eve… and we’re together again!
Merry Christmas and welcome to our special Scandia Bible Church Christmas Eve Service for 2021, as we gather to celebrate a moment in history that would forever change the course of humanity — the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As is our tradition, this evening’s service will be served up “family style” (you’ll find an Order of Service in the Sermon Notes) in which you’ll experience a mix of scripture readings, congregational hymns, and good ol’ fashioned church family music (plus Pastor Monty has a few words)… to remind and retell the story that everyone must know.
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Order of Service:
To Prepare the Way [Luke 1:1-25]
December 19, 2021
Sermon Notes
Date: 12/19/2021
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Advent
Key Text: Luke 1:1-25
Description:
God had not spoken to His people for over 400 years. It was a long time of silence and in that time, Israel had returned from exile, rebuilt the temple, survived Alexander the Great, and now was occupied by Rome. Many were discouraged and there were a host of ways in which the people responded. It was rough.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao opens the Bible this advent season to tell us of a pivotal moment in all of time:
God was going to break His silence.
And it wouldn’t be to a great prophet or the king, but He would send an angel to an obscure, middle-aged priest named Zecharias.
…For the most important time in history was about to begin.
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intro/outro music attribution
Affliction and The End of Ourselves [2 Corinthians 1:8-11]
December 12, 2021
Sermon Notes
Date: 12/12/2021
Preacher: Josh Peglow, guest preacher
Key Text: 2 Corinthians 1:8-11
Description:
[Writing Vignette]
SBC Host: [writing] Dear family and friends. What a year it has been! Billy is growing up so fast. He started soccer and singing in the choir. Sally — not to be outdone — has taken up ballet, and found that she, too, enjoys singing. Of course, we all felt the bump in the road when our family suffered an affliction that was so great that it caused us the despair of life. We enjoyed our annual family vacation, though, down at the lake this summer….
Avg Guy: Whoah!! Wait! What happened!? “The despair of life”???
You can’t just gloss over something like that. You need to give us details!
SBC Host: Why? In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul didn’t.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Josh Peglow fills in at the pulpit and preaches out of the book of 2 Corinthians to show us that God uses trials to cause his people to stop trusting in themselves and, instead, in Him alone.
It’s not that he doesn’t want us to communicate our needs with others — He does. After all, it’s part of His plan of how we support each other.
But the main thrust of what we’ll learn today is that while we can suffer for all sorts of different reasons — and we will — (even a great apostle, such as Paul, is not immune) it’s when the despair becomes so great, that we humbly face the reality that, in and of ourselves, we have nothing to give.
Our burden is so excessive that we are beyond our strength.
While this can be a disconcerting place to be… It’s a good place to be.
Because as we put our trust and reliance in Him, we see God go to work… to establish His glory.
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Notes:
- SEVERITY of Affliction (8)
- PURPOSE of Affliction (9a)
- DELIVERER of Affliction (9b-10)
- BENEFIT of Corporate PRAYER in Affliction (11)
Looking for a City [Hebrews 11:8-10]
December 5, 2021
Sermon Notes
Date: 12/05/2021
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Hebrews
Key Text: Hebrews 11:8-10
Description:
“The Father of All of Who Believe” — an incredible epitaph for an incredible, faith-filled man.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and shows us that when it comes to faith, we can learn a lot from Abraham.
But can we even relate to this stalwart of faith??
Ironically, while our daily struggles may make us feel far removed from what Father Abraham must have experienced, what we’re likely to find is that we share more in common with him, than not.
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When Faith Goes to Work [Hebrews 11:7]
November 28, 2021
Sermon Notes
Date: 11/28/2021
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Hebrews
Key Text: Hebrews 11:7
Description:
[Telephone Vignette]
Store: Bob’s Lumber.
Customer: Yes. Hello. I need 3.1 million board feet of gopher wood delivered out to my place tomorrow morning please.
Store: Can I get a name on that order?
Customer: Noah.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews where we are learning a lot about faith right now. And Noah is yet another example of one that put action behind his belief.
To the outsider, he would have looked crazy. Everything around Noah said that building a boat — a ship of such enormity — was a ridiculous endeavor. He didn’t even live near a boat launch!
…And yet without a cloud in the sky — BY FAITH — Noah knew that it was about to rain.
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Our Great Reward [Hebrews 11:5-6]
November 21, 2021
Sermon Notes
Date: 11/21/2021
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Hebrews
Key Text: Hebrews 11:5-6
Description:
[Voice Compilation]
So all the days that Adam lived were…
So all the days of Seth were…
So all the days of Enosh were…
So all the days of Kenan were…
So all the days of Mahalalel were…
So all the days of Jared were…
So all the days of Methuselah were…
So all the days of Lamech were…
So all the days of Noah were…
…AND HE DIED.
They ALL died — except two: Elijah and Enoch… the two men in all of history who have not tasted the pains of death. Why?
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and explains that the Bible records much about Elijah; but about Enoch…not so much.
Consequently, throughout church history, Enoch’s sparse record has been a source of speculation.
The author of Hebrews, however, helps us decipher what it was about the life of Enoch that was so pleasing to God — so pleasing that he spared him death.
…And the answer may not be what we think.
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Acceptable Through Faith [Hebrews 11:4]
November 14, 2021
Sermon Notes
Date: 11/14/2021
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Hebrews
Key Text: Hebrews 11:4
Description:
Two brothers went before the Lord to offer a sacrifice. One was accepted…the other, rejected.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews in which we examine this perplexing situation.
After all, as brothers, Cain and Abel had the same parents and were likely raised the same way. They both believed in God. And they both offered sacrifices from their labor and toil.
But the end of the story leaves one brother dead and the other exiled.
Why??
…The very question the author of Hebrews seeks to answer.
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Faith in Action [Hebrews 11:1-3]
November 7, 2021
Sermon Notes
Date: 11/07/2021
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Hebrews
Key Text: Hebrews 11:1-3
Description:
SBC Host: To live by faith — what does it mean??
Avg Guy: …It means, mustering the courage and taking a leaping step into the dark.
Avg Gal: …It’s channeling the power that comes from positive thinking to bring about what you want.
SBC Host: These are NOT Biblical views of faith.
Avg Guy/Gal: Oh.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and shows how the author not only defines faith for us, but gives us example after example of those that went before, who knew what it meant to live by faith: the saints of the Old Testament.
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The Scope of Scripture [Luke 24:13-27; John 2:13-22, 5:39-47]
October 31, 2021
Sermon Notes
Date: 10/31/2021
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Reformation Sunday
Key Text: Luke 24:13-27; John 2:13-22, 5:39-47
Description:
“Christ-Centered.”
It’s an adjective that has become more and more popular in recent years when describing any number of activities either in the church or in the lives of God’s people. And while this descriptor is helpful and often a necessary reminder, we usually don’t give credit where credit is due for this perspective in the Christian life.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, on this Reformation Sunday, Pastor Monty Simao takes some time to reflect on this term, because it’s one that involves the Reformers.
For as the Reformers returned to the authority of Scripture, they, also, began to see that Jesus, Himself, revealed Himself as the “scope” of all the Scriptures.
What this means is that the credit goes to Christ: for all of Scripture is “Christ-Centered” — it all points to Him, and therefore, Jesus is the target and the end of all revelation from God.
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The Righteous Shall Live by Faith [Hebrews 10:35-39]
October 24, 2021
Sermon Notes
Date: 10/24/2021
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Hebrews
Key Text: Hebrews 10:35-39
Description:
What does it mean that the righteous shall live by faith?
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and explains that we often hear this phrase and immediately think it’s about the doctrine of justification… because Paul uses that expression to teach that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
But there is another part to it: Not only are we justified by faith, but we live and hope by faith as well.
In the darkest of days, the believer should live by faith, meaning that the people of God continue to trust in Him and cling to His promises even when distress and disaster have come to them.
Knowing not only that God is faithful and will not let their soul come to destruction, but also that Christ is coming to bring an end to all calamity in a final judgment that is so complete, it will right every wrong.
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Remember the Former Days [Hebrews 10:32-35]
October 17, 2021
Sermon Notes
Date: 10/17/2021
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Hebrews
Key Text: Hebrews 10:32-35
Description:
Remember the “Good Ol’ Days”?
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and explains that when we encounter difficult times, it’s natural for us to remind ourselves of former days that were better — probably because we feel that doing so will give us the needed courage to face our current challenge.
The writer of Hebrews takes the opposite approach, though. Instead of recalling former times of ease, he tells his readers to recall former times of hardship! … times of affliction and persecution.
Why?
Because when we remember God’s past faithfulness during trying times, we are encouraged to persevere…in the hope of our eternal reward.
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Classic Edition – Mark 16:14-18
October 13, 2021
Sermon Notes
Date: 01/14/2001
Preacher: James Allen, pastor
Series: Mark
Key Text: Mark 16:14-18
Description:
Join us as we turn the back the clock to 2001 to listen to a Scandia Bible Church “Classic.” In this Classic Sermon Pastor James Allen continues our study of the Gospel according to Mark.
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theme music attribution
Warning Against Apostasy [Hebrews 10:26-31]
October 10, 2021
Sermon Notes
Date: 10/10/2021
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Hebrews
Key Text: Hebrews 10:26-31
Description:
WARNING: The only plan of salvation is hinged upon Jesus Christ.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and reminds us that it is Christ’s perfect righteousness — and only His righteousness — that makes us acceptable to God.
Christ offered the perfect sacrifice of His own blood and it was through His blood that the New Covenant was established. There is no salvation in any other covenant nor is there any other way to God.
Therefore, the one who repudiates the New Covenant has no sacrifice that can be offered to God to make himself acceptable. He has repudiated the only basis of receiving forgiveness, mercy, and grace and will only find wrath apart from Christ, and it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the Living God.
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Classic Edition – Mark 16:12-13
October 6, 2021
Sermon Notes
Date: 01/07/2001
Preacher: James Allen, pastor
Series: Mark
Key Text: Mark 16:12-13
Description:
Join us as we turn the back the clock to 2001 to listen to a Scandia Bible Church “Classic.” In this Classic Sermon Pastor James Allen continues our study of the Gospel according to Mark.
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theme music attribution
Draw Near, Hold Fast, and Consider [Hebrews 10:19-25]
October 3, 2021
Sermon Notes
Date: 10/03/2021
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Hebrews
Key Text: Hebrews 10:19-25
Description:
While the Gospel is good news about what Christ has done and not good news about what we have done, it does have ramifications on what we do.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and explains that these changes in our life are the fruit of regeneration — brought about by God.
…And yet in a practical way we are encouraged to pursue this fruit by pursuing Christ and asking ourselves:
“How then shall I live in light of what Christ has done for me?”
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Classic Edition – Mark 16:9-11
September 26, 2021
Sermon Notes
Date: 12/31/2000
Preacher: James Allen, pastor
Series: Mark
Key Text: Mark 16:9-11
Description:
Join us as we turn the back the clock to 2000 to listen to a Scandia Bible Church “Classic.” In this Classic Sermon Pastor James Allen continues our study of the Gospel according to Mark.
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theme music attribution
Classic Edition – Mark 16:1-8
September 19, 2021
Sermon Notes
Date: 12/24/2000
Preacher: James Allen, pastor
Series: Mark
Key Text: Mark 16:1-8
Description:
Join us as we turn the back the clock to 2000 to listen to a Scandia Bible Church “Classic.” In this Classic Sermon Pastor James Allen continues our study of the Gospel according to Mark.
Listen Now
theme music attribution
I Remember Their Sins No More [Hebrews 10:11-18]
September 12, 2021
Sermon Notes
Date: 09/12/2021
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Hebrews
Key Text: Hebrews 10:11-18
Description:
GOD: “I REMEMBER YOUR SINS NO MORE.”
SBC Host: You heard Him. The finality and decisiveness of the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins is such that God declares that, in Christ, our sins are as good as forgotten.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and explains that because of this, there will never be a need for another sin atoning sacrifice.
Christ has done it all! …His words spoken at the cross, proven true: “It is finished.”
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Obedience and Sacrifice [Hebrews 10:1-10]
September 5, 2021
Sermon Notes
Date: 09/05/2021
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Hebrews
Key Text: Hebrews 10:1-10
Description:
SBC Host: Pretend you’re an Israelite, and I ask you to make a drawing of “the law,” what would you draw? …What image would best represent it?
Avg Guy: I have no idea.
SBC Host: Exactly.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and explains that while we — being in possession of the New Testament — certainly have a richer, more complete idea of what the shadows of the law of the Old Testament pointed toward… we would struggle knowing what to draw too!
For even with this additional knowledge, we can’t fully grasp the expanse of the multiple facets of what the law actually entails — until we begin to see the lines of the sketch take shape: revealing an image of obedience and sacrifice that foreshadows the fullness of the reality of the law which we will one day completely see and experience in all of its glory.
For the sketch is Christ.
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