And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him.
~ Mark 12:13-17
The Lord Jesus used this opportunity to teach us more about Himself and the Gospel. As the coin had the inscription of Caeser on it, and therefore it ultimately belonged to Caeser, God has placed His image upon us, and ultimately we belong to God.
Pastor Austin Britton
Click the pastor’s picture to listen to The Gospel According To Taxes.
As our Lord entered the Temple, witnessed the sinful conduct of the people, and then drove out those who were selling and buying, His intent was not only to cleanse the Temple as is often understood but to provide and bring in a new way of worship.
Please click the Sermonaudio icon below for the preaching of God’s Word.
Click above icon to listen to: The Temple and Prayer
I did not create this video; it comes from someone under the username BiblicalThought on YouTube. It is an extremely well made audio clip of the former Pastor of Calvary OPC in La Mirada, Ca. I did not want it to go unnoticed so I am including it here.
Thank You!…to all who joined in witnessing the Installation and Ordination Service of Pastor Austin Britton. The Lord was glorified and His people were edified as His under-shepherds charged and exhorted both Pastor Britton and the members of Calvary OPC.
Pastors and Teachers
Pastor Britton and the Session of Calvary OPC would like to also give a very special thank you to those chosen men of God who participated in the service:
Dr. John Fesko – Academic Dean and Professor of Systematic/Historical Theology at Westminster Seminary California
Please join us on Sunday, November 11, 2012, at 3:30 P.M. for the Ordination and Installation of the new Pastor of Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in La Mirada, CA -
Austin Britton
Pastor Austin Britton
I was born in Birmingham, AL in 1981 to Christian parents. My dad was a choir director for various Baptist churches and my mom stayed home and home-schooled me and my two older brothers. Thankfully then, there is not a day I can remember in which Jesus Christ was not mentioned in the home. I grew up hearing that Jesus died for my sins, and that he alone was my savior. Although I am not one who can pinpoint an exact date and time for conversion, I pinpoint my whole life as being one of repentance and faith in Christ. I can say my faith became very personal to me in college. As I moved out of the home and began to walk down my own path I wrestled greatly with the things of the faith. God was faithful however not only to convince me of the gospel as I wrestled, but to strengthen my faith in the gospel immensely by providentially allowing me to be introduced to the reformed witness to the faith. God brought several people into my life to disciple me in reformed teaching. I also became an avid reader in college and attribute much of my growth in Christ at that time to the Holy Spirit using authors such as John Piper, RC Sproul, and J. Gresham Machen.
When I was still quite young my dad took a call to be the choir director of a church in Omaha, NE. Omaha is still considered home by Rebecca and myself. My mom and Rebecca’s parents still reside there (though retirement may move them both in the next few years). Rebecca and I both graduated high school and finished college in Nebraska.
Rebecca and I were married in 2005. I imagine most if not all of you have met our two children Isaiah and Alethea. Our great collective hobby is spending time with one another by taking hikes, going to children’s museums, playing at parks, and having craft times. My own personal hobbies include playing basketball, golf, and music (I play the saxophone and guitar a little).
What excites and humbles me about pastoral ministry is that it is life and death for people. Although the ultimate work of salvation is to be attributed to God alone and for his glory, he has been pleased to use fallible men as his mouthpieces for his truth. Thus, I get excited about proclaiming Christ and him crucified week in and week out and seeing God’s people grow in grace together and to grow in number as the Spirit works.
”This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. ”Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” JOSHUA 1:8-9
Calvary OPC family celebrated a milestone in our history when Pastor Don Buchanan officially stepped down as Stated Supply on October 7, 2012. Pastor Don had served Calvary as Pastor for thirteen years, retiring in December of 2011. He was willing to continue to serve as Stated Supply until a new Pastor would be installed. He continued with us for ten months stepping down as we looked forward to the Ordination and Installation of our new Pastor, Austin Britton on November 11, 2012. Many thanks to Don and Anne Buchanan for their years of service to Calvary OPC.
My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me… Psalm 101:6a
On June 10, 2012, Pastor Don Buchanan conducted the monthly Communion Service. If you would like to hear and experience a God-glorifying, Biblical-based example on how the Lord would have us participate in this sanctifying commandment, please click below.
Although our hearts are enlarged to the lost, we will not compromise. We publicly profess Jesus Christ as Savior, and the only means for salvation for all people everywhere.
And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12
The gospel of salvation is not a suggestion, opinion, or for your consideration; but a command to repent and believe.
God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent…Acts 17:30
