Redemption Church in Tosa: Recent Episodes
redemptiontosa
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Matthew 5:31-32
Primary Claim: Only God has the authority to decide when a marriage can end.
Questions To Consider:
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Do you realize the spiritual stakes of marriage?
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When does God allow for divorce?
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What if I've divorced my spouse without God's permission?
Pastor: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Matthew 5:27-30
Primary Claim: Our outward sexual "purity" only matters if it flow from a sexually pure heart.
Questions:
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Do you realize the spiritual stakes of your sexuality?
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Are you willing to take seemingly extreme measures to guard you inner-purity?
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Has God purified your heart from sexual sin?
Pastor: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Matthew 5:13-16
Primary Claim: If we try to blend into this world, we will be of no use to it.
Takeaways:
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King Jesus is calling us to do this world good.
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We do this world good by living differently.
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Joyful persistence will make all the difference
Pastor: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Matthew 5:1-12
Primary Claim: It is best to live for the Kingdom of Heaven, no matter how it goes on Earth.
The Blessed Tension of this Heavenly Way of Life:
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It may seem futile, but will prove to be fruitful.
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It may seem naive, but will prove to be wise.
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It may seem risky, but the reward will be worth it.
Passage: Matthew 4:12-25
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Primary Claim:
Jesus came to lead ordinary people into his heavenly kingdom.
Application:
If we want to follow Jesus into His heavenly Kingdom, then we need to.....
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Leave our former "earthly" life behind.
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Bring our needs and sorrows to Him.
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Join Him in fishing for men.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Matthew 4:1-11
Primary Claim: Jesus is faithful to God in all ways we fail.
Application:
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Let's admit our infidelity to God the Father.
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Let's rejoice in the complete fidelity of His beloved Son.
Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Matthew 3
Big Idea: Those who belong to the kingdom of heaven show evidence of repentance and a Spirit-led life.Sermon Points:1. The Positive Initial Response (vs 1-6) 2. The Jarring Confrontation (vs 7-12) 3. The Divine Revelation (vs 13-17)
Application Points:1. Don’t try to hide or excuse your sin - Confess it and repent of it. 2. Don’t settle for anything less than Spiritual Fruit. 3. Ask, Seek, and Knock
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Matthew 2:13-23
Primary Claim: King Jesus may not seem very powerful …. but he is.
Application Question:What kind of power are you looking for?
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Matthew 2:1-12
Primary Question: What does King Jesus’s birth mean for outsiders?
Primary Claim: God wants all people to worship King Jesus.
Application Points:
- He draws those who are far from King Jesus.
- He will stop those who oppose King Jesus.
- He is with King Jesus & all who worship him.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Matthew 1:18-25
Primary Focus: From Seeing Jesus as a Crisis, to seeing Jesus as His King
Primary Claim: King Jesus’s birth is much bigger and more spiritual than it may first appear.
Application Points:
- Let’s look further back than just our lifetime.
- Let’s think bigger than just our circumstances.
- Let’s embrace the rescue of “God with us.”
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Matthew 1:1-17
Primary Claim: This man, Jesus, is the Messiah-King we’ve all been waiting for.
Sermon Points:
Three Groups in Matthew:
- Jerusalem Elites
- Galilean Commoners
- Gentile Outsiders
Three Groups for Today:
- Religious Elites
- Less-Religious Commoners
- Irreligious Outsiders
Application Points:
- Do you need a King?
- What kind of King do you want?
- What does it mean to submit to this one?
Preacher: Jon Hanes
Passage: Psalm 17
Primary Claim: We must look to Jesus Christ, God incarnate, for rescue from our enemies because he is our ultimate hope and confidence.
Sermon Points:
- Why is David so concerned about his enemies?
- Why is God the ultimate hope and confidence of David?
- How does David call for God’s rescue?
Preacher: Dave Cartwright
Passage: Luke 24:36-53
Primary Claim: To live faithfully, we need certainty.
Sermon Points:
- The Resurrection
- Redemption
- His Reign
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Romans 3:21-31
Primary Claim: Awe-struck delight in this God is what empowers our new spiritual life.
Sermon Points:
This Gospel-Awe must empower:
- Our Obedience
- Our Fellowship
- Our Mission
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Romans 3:21-31
Primary Claim: God must get all the credit for making us righteous.
Application Points:
- This God sees all of our unrighteousness.
- He still offers us His righteousness, as a gift.
- There are only two ways to respond.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Romans 3:21-31
Questions:
- What is faith?
- How does faith in Christ make us righteous?
- Is faith in Christ really enough to make us righteous?
Primary Claim: Rely on Christ alone to make you righteous.
Application Points:
- Let go of all self-reliance.
- Rely on the finished work of Christ.
- Live all of life by this faith.
Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Psalm 16
Big Idea: The greatest human flourishing is found when we live in God's presence.
Sermon Points:
- A Prayer
- A Lord
- A Flourishing Life
Application Points:
- Biblical and secular flourishing are fundamentally different.
- There is no ultimate human flourishing apart from Jesus.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Romans 3:21-31
Main Focus: Redemption by Propitiation
Primary Claim: God's righteous Son was condemned for us, so that we can be made righteous like Him.
Application Points:
Three Reasons Jesus was Crucified for You:
- Wto absorb the just condemnation you deserve.
- To show you just how righteous God truly is.
- To make your righteous obedience possible.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Romans 3:21-31
Primary Claim: We are all unrighteous.
Takeaways:
- We all deserve God's just condemnation.
- Righteousness will never come from us.
- None of us has any reason to boast.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Esther 8:1 - 10:3
Primary Claim: We are still God's people, even in exile.
Application Points:
This is how we never forget:
- Let's keep reminding one another.
- Let's keep seeking the welfare of all.
- Let's keep longing for a better Kingdom.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Esther 5:9 - 7:10
Sermon Points:
- Pride: Haman's grandiose longing for power.
- Providence: God's quiet-but-powerful control.
- Protection: Haman & Mordecai trade places.
Primary Claim: The quiet providence of God is more powerful than the grandiose pride of our enemies.
Application Points:
- Don't fear the grandiose pride of our enemies.
- Have faith in the quiet providence of our God.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Esther 4:1 - 5:8
Primary Claim: It may seem dangerous to stand with God & his people, but we must.
Sermon Points:
Three Reasons We Must Stand with God & His People:
- He will deliver his people, with or without us.
- We cannot escape the risk of pershing.
- God may use us in powerful ways.
Application Points:
Three Ways to Stand with God & His People:
- Courageously
- Winsomely
- Patiently
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Esther 2:19-3:15
Primary Claim: It may not seem like our God will deliver us...but He will.
Application Points:
- Expect opposition from an unjust world.
- Count on the deliverance of a sovereign God.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Esther 1:1 - 2:18
Sermon Points:
- The Grandiose Power of King Ahasuerus
- The Under-stated Power of our God
Primary Claim: God’s power may not seem grandiose, but it is great nonetheless.
Application Questions
Two questions about power:
- Do we believe that God is still powerful?
- Will we rely on His power, or another kind?
Preacher: Craig Legel
Passage: 1 Peter 4:12-19
Sermon Points:
- Don't be surprised or fearful OF IT.
- Rejoice with Jesus IN IT.
- Do good while trusting & glorifying God THROUGH IT.
Preacher: Mike Bullmore
Passage: Romans 5:1-11
Sermon Points:
- We have peace with God.
- We have access to Grace.
- We have Hope.
- We have Joy in suffering.
- Assurance of absolute safety on judgement day.
- We rejoice in God.
Application Points:
- Treasure this Gospel.
- Express your Gratitude to God, express your Joy.
Preacher: Kirk Miller (CrossWay Milwaukee)
Passage: Mark 2:13-17
Primary Claim: Jesus has come, not for those who think they are well, but for those who know they are sick with sin.
Preacher: Mike Matheson
Passage: Daniel 7:1-28
Primary Claim: The nations rage, Jesus rules, and his people will reign with him.
Sermon Points:
- The Nations Rage - The Vision of Four Beasts (vs 1-8)
- Jesus Rules - The Son of Man before the Ancient of Days (vs 9-14)
- His People Will Reign With Him - The Saints of the Most High (vs 15-28)
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Philippians 4:10-23
Primary Claim: It is God above who provides all we need for contentment below.
Sermon Points:
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When we’re blessed with abundance & plenty:
- Let’s be truly thankful for the gifts we receive “below.”
- When we’re faced with hunger & need:
- Let’s find true contentment in the strength of God above.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Philippians 4:2-9
Claim: The heavenly King Jesus wants to help us through earthly conflict.
Sermon Point: The peace we need: The Peace of God in heaven.
Application Points:
We pursue this peace from above by:
- By rejoicing in the Lord always
- By relating to one another reasonably
- By bringing our anxiety to God
- By dwelling on what is good
- By practicing the way of the Gospel
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Philippians 3:12 - 4:1
Claim: We need a heavenly mindset to press on through our earthly trials.
Sermon Points:
Those with a resurrection mindset:
- Keep their eyes on the resurrection-minded.
- See earthly suffering as a heavenly friend.
- Are longing and waiting for resurrected life.
Application Questions:
- Who are you "watching" and trying to imitate?
- How do you tend to think about suffering for Christ?
- How often do you reflect on the life to come?
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Philippians 3:1-11
Sermon Points:
- Worthless Confidence:
- In our bodily religious lives, down here .
- Priceless Confidence:
- In the righteous King of heaven, up there.
Primary Claim: Nothing can sustain our joy quite like knowing King Jesus.
Application Points:
Knowing Jesus is far more valuable than:
- Being an Insider
- Keeping the Law
- Religious Zeal
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Philippians 2:19-30
Primary Claim: We are called to lift up leaders who have been made low, like King Jesus.
Takeaways:
- How to spot humble leaders:
- They seek Christ's interests, not their own.
- Their worth is proven over time.
- Why we should honor humble leaders:
- There aren't many of them.
- They are worth trusting.
Preacher: Carl Dernell
Passage: Philippians 2:12-18
Primary Claim: The Victory of the Gospel defines and empowers our work as children of God.
Application Points:
- The Victory of the Gospel is the aim of our joyful sacrifice of faith.
- The Victory of the Gospel is incompatible with grumbling or disputing.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Philippians 2:1-11
Main Question: What will it take for us to press on together toward victory in the upward life?
Key Concept: Jesus was lifted up as King because he was humble enough to be brought low.
Primary Claim: All of us must be brought low, like King Jesus was.
Application Points:
How to Fight like our Crucified King:
- Humble minds: Brought low in our thought lives
- Humble love: Brought low in our relationships
- Humble obedience: Trusting the God who brings us low
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Philippians 1:27-30
Sermon Points:
- How our Gospel-worthy life should work.
- Standing firm in one spirit, with one mind.
- Striving, side-by-side, for the faith of the Gospel.
- Not being frightened, in anything, by our opponents.
- Why our Gospel-worthy life really matters.
The Claim: God uses our earthly suffering to advance his Heavenly purposes.
Application Points:
- It is God who appoints - and uses - our suffering.
- Our perseverance together is crucial to God's "battle plan".
- King Jesus is in charge, and we can always trust Him.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Philippians 1:12-26
Sermon Points:
How can Paul rejoice in his suffering as if it's a good thing?
- Proclaiming Christ > Being Free
- Honoring Christ > Staying Alive
Claim: That Christ's Life matters more than ours.
Application Points:
We will struggle to rejoice in our suffering if...
- Our lives matter too much to us.
- Christ's Life matters too little to us.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Philippians 1:1-11
Sermon Points:
- The upward life we share.
- Takeaway: We are engaged in a cosmic war together.
- The temptation to "look down".
- Takeaway: At times, it may seem like we're losing.
- Takeaway: We're not.
Claim: Let's keep sharing in Christ's upward life, even when it gets really hard down here.
Preacher: Pastor Nathan
Passage: 1 Timothy 6:2b-10
Sermon Points:
- The Believer's Action against False Teachers:
- The act of teaching doctrine.
- The act of encouraging the practice of doctrine.
- The Believer's Awareness about False Teachers:
- Being aware about the teachings of false teachers.
- Being aware about the fruit of false teachers.
- The Believer's Attitude:
- Believer's love Jesus.
- Believer's live for Jesus.
Take Home Truth: Commit to loving, encouraging, and supporting the believers and leaders in your local church and around the world that are laboring for the Gospel of Christ for His Glory.
Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
Sermon Points:
The Man:
- Wise
- Effective Teacher
The Message:
The Message Is...
- Convicting
- Stabilizing
- Inspired
- Fear God and Keep His Commandments
Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Ecclesiastes 11:1 - 12:8
Sermon Points:
- Where We Are: Under The Sun
- What We Experience: Vanity, Evil, Trouble
- Who God Is: 1 - Vanity, Evil, Trouble 2 - Joy
- How Do We Respond?
Four Final Quiet Words of the Wise:
- Be Generous
- Be a Sower
- Be Joyful
- Be Godly
Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Ecclesiastes 9:13 - 10:20
Big Idea: Saving Wisdom is Despised and Ignored Under the Sun
Sermon Points:
The Fear of God/Wisdom in Ecclesiastes:
- To trust God is doing a beautiful work in time, and humbly submit to His correction rather than resist Him.
- To carefully listen to God rather than talk a lot.
- To have a right self-assessment before God that is not overly righteous or too wise.
- To not be corrupted by evil power when the wicked prosper.
- To keep God's commandments knowing judgement is coming.
Four Quiet Words of the Wise:
- Beware of Folly in High Places
- Be Wise at Work
- Be Wise with Words
- Be Wise About Money
Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Ecclesiastes 9:1-12
Big Idea: In the midst of death and judgement there can be joy.
Sermon Points:
Four Truths About Death -
- We all are under the judgement of death.
- Death is the just judgement for evil human hearts.
- Death ends the opportunities of life.
- Death is unpredictable and sometimes sudden.
The Love of God -
- The living have hope.
- God has good gifts that can be enjoyed.
Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Ecclesiastes 8:2-17
Big Idea: God fearers joyfully submit to governing authority and refuse to be corrupted by power.
Sermon Points:
- Power Commands
- Power Corrupts
Application Points:
4 Responses to Power and Corruption
- Subject yourself to governing authorities.
- Fear God
- Be joyful
- Don't think you can figure it all out - trust God.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Revelation 5
Sermon Points:
- Question: Why did Jesus rise again and ascend into heaven?
- Answer: To rule over all of creation as our heavenly King.
Application Points:
Because Jesus is ruling over all of creation today…
- Let’s bow down before him.
- Let’s tell all nations the good news.
- Let’s tap into his power.
Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Ecclesiastes 6:10-8:1
Sermon Points:
- Whatever has come to be
- What is Man?
- How to get this Wisdom
- Through Wise Conduct
- Through mourning not parties and laughter.
- Through wise rebuke not songs of fools.
- Avoid corrupting activities.
- Avoid danger and be patient.
- Don't think life was better in the past.
- Through Wise Conduct
- Consider God's Work and Fear God
- God's Work
- God makes days of prosperity and adversity - and we have no control or pre-knowledge of what our days will be like.
- God allows good things to happen to "bad people", and bad things to happen to "good people".
- The Wise Responses to God's Work
- Don't be Overly Righteous.
- Don't be Too Wise.
- Don't be Overly Wicked or a Fool.
- God's Work
Goads & Nails:
- We Need a Humble Self-Evaluation before God.
- Hope in God Alone.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Ecclesiastes 5:10-6:9
Sermon Points:
- Love of money does not satisfy (5:10-12)
- 2 Things Money Can't Buy
- Enough Stuff
- Sleep
- 2 Things Money Can't Buy
- Grievous Evil #1: Riches Guarded and Lost (5:13-17)
- The Good Life: God Gives Satisfaction (5:18-20)
- 3 Fold Gift of God (5:19)
- The "power to enjoy" wealth and possessions.
- Accept one's lot.
- Rejoice in one's work.
- 3 Fold Gift of God (5:19)
- Grievous Evil #2: Riches Gained but Not Enjoyed (6:1-6)
- Having wealth does not equal enjoying wealth.
- Working to Feed Desire Does Not Satisfy (6:7-9)
- The Better Way: Want What You Have
Application Points:
Goads & Nails
- Don't Love Money - Love God
- 4 Questions
- Are you enjoying life?
- Are you anxious?
- Are you content with what you have?
- Are you humble and generous?
- 4 Questions
Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Ecclesiastes 4:4-5:9
Sermon Points:
- The Success of Envy
- The Lonely Workaholic
- Continual Disappointment with Leaders
- Evil in Religion
- The Oppression and Injustice of Bureaucracy
Application Points:
The Better Way:
- A Balanced Life of Rest and Work
- Prioritize Relationships Over Career and Wealth
- Choose Wise Leaders over Fools if you can, but don't except too much
- Carefully Listen to God
- The Best Leaders are Ordinary People Who Serve
Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Ecclesiastes 3:1 - 4:3
Sermon Points:
- Good and Evil Under the Sun (1-10)
- Faith, Not Sight (11-15)
- Observation: In our experience of good and evil under the sun, we cannot understand what God is doing.
- 2 Insights:
- Joy and Goodness (3:12-13)
- Fear and Reconciliation (3:14-15)
- Goad: It is better to admit you don't understand, than to think you know better than God.
- What We See - Vanity and Evil Under the Sun (3:16-22, 4:1-3)
- 10 Vanities that Challenge Faith in God's Goodness.
- Wickedness Everywhere (16-17)
- Death Like the Animals (18-22)
- Oppression and Evil (1-3)
- 10 Vanities that Challenge Faith in God's Goodness.
Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Ecclesiastes 1:16-2:26
Observation of Vanity #2 - More Wisdom and Knowledge = More Sorrow and Vexation.
Sermon Points:
- The Great Search (1-11)
- No Gain (12-23)
- Evil #1: The wise die and are forgotten just like the fool.
- Evil #2: Who gets all my stuff?
- The Gift (24-26)
Big Idea: The Good Life is not a human achievement to be gained, it is a gift that only comes from God.
Goads and Nails:
- The Good Life is not a Human Accomplishment.
- The Good Life is a Gift that only Comes from God.
Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Ecclesiastes 1:1-15
Observations of Vanity:
- All Work, No Gain
- 2 Results of Toil
- Weariness
- No Satisfaction in Life
- 2 Results of Toil
- This "Evil Business" is given by God
Goads & Nails:
- Give up any and all hope or trust in fallen humanity.
- Put all hope and trust completely in God through Jesus Christ.
- Live the "Better" Way.
Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
Sermon Points:
- Unique Characteristics of Ecclesiastes:
- Shocking
- Puzzling
- Authorship
- Ecclesiastes is inspired by God and useful for us today.
- Keys to Unlocking Ecclesiastes
- “Under the Sun”
- “Vanity, Evil, Trouble”
- God
Takeaways:
- We must understand and accept the truth about Where We Are - we are “under the sun.”
- We must understand and accept the truth about What We Experience - we experience “vanity, evil, and trouble.”
- We must understand and accept Who God Is and how we should respond to Him - We should fear God.
How to get the most from Ecclesiastes:
1. Read next week’s reading every day
2. Memorize Romans 8:18-26 in the next 12 weeks
3. Identify the “Goads and Nails” (12:11)
Preacher: Carl Dernell
Passage: Psalm 127
Claim: God is at Work in Everyday Family Life to Bless and Bring Himself Glory.
Sermon Points:
- Part 1 - Where is God at work?
- Part 2 - God is at work in family life to bless and bring Himself Glory.
Application Points:
- Don't live your life in vain.
- Slow down, look up, and let God work through family.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Psalm 15
Question: What question is the Psalmist really asking?
Claim: Those who love Godly lives will not be moved.
Application Points:
We need to ask the Lord to help us live Godly lives that are marked by:
- Justice
- Inner-integrity
- Merciful Speech
- Moral Clarity
- Commitment
- Contentment
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Psalm 14
Claim: There is none who does good, not even one.
Application Points:
- Let's take an honest look at our hearts before God.
- Let's come to grips with God's spiritual diagnosis of us.
- Let's call upon the name of His Son for salvation.
Preacher: Brett Wendle
Passage: Luke 19:1-10
Sermon Points:
Why Jesus came from heaven to earth:
- Jesus came for the lost.
- Jesus came to seek.
- Jesus came to save.
The Claim: Jesus came to bring sinners to Himself.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: 2 Corinthians 4:1-7
Main Point: Let’s put God’s power on display — not ours.
Application Points:
- Let’s showcase the treasure of the gospel.
- Let’s downplay the “jars” we keep it in.
- Let’s press on with humility and gratitude.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Matthew 28:16-20
Sermon Points:
- We exist to worship God.
- We exist to make disciples.
- We exist to multiply churches.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: 1 Peter 2:9-19
Statement: We are a gospel-centered family of disciples.
Sermon Points:
- Gospel-centered: Our identity revolves around “the gospel.”
- Disciples: We are followers of this resurrected King Jesus.
- Family: We are a spiritual family, not just individuals.
Application Questions:
- What message is at the center of your life?
- Who are you following?
- How is your relationship with God’s family?
Preacher: Ron Sanchez
Passage: John 1:18
Claim: When we see Jesus, we see the face of God.\
Sermon Points:
- What did God say about Jesus?
- What did Jesus say about himself?
Application Points:
What did Jesus say about himself?
- Jesus said he is God
- Jesus said he is the Messiah
- Jesus said when we see Jesus, we see God.
- Jesus said he was born to bear witness to the truth.
- Jesus said he is the truth
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: John 1:14
Application Question:
- Have you really seen his glory?
- Have you received the fullness his grace?
Preacher: Carl Dernell
Passage: John 1:14
Claim: God dwells among us through this newborn baby.
Sermon Points:
- Man no longer dwells with God.
- God comes to dwell with man.
Application Points:
Because God dwells among us:
- We are never truly alone.
- Let's pursue dwelling with God.
Preacher: Jon Hanes
Passage: John 1:4
The Claim: The life in this newborn child is an eternal fellowship with God.
Sermon Points:
- Apart from Jesus Christ and his incarnation, we have no fellowship with God.
- Fellowship with God ensures a future resurrection from the dead.
- Fellowship with God establishes fellowship with each other.
- Fellowship with God can bring us comfort when we are distressed.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: John 1:9-13
Big Idea: This newborn child gives us the power to become children of God.
Sermon Points:
- Those Without Power (vs 9-11)
- The World (vs 9-10)
- His Own People (vs 11)
- Those Given Power (vs 12-13)
- Those Who Receive and Believe (vs 12)
- Those Born of God (vs 13)
Application Points:
4 Marks of a Child of God
- Belief in Jesus
- An Honest Confession of Sin
- Freedom from continual/habitual Sin
- Love
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: John 1:2
Claim: This newborn child has always existed.
Sermon Points:
Because the eternal God was born a child:
- We can stop searching.
- We can slow down.
- We can hope for eternity.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Sermon Points:
How we should approach:
- Our Leaders: Genuine Respect
- The Poor: Just Compassion
- Our Neighbors: Sincere Care
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Sermon Points:
- We cannot trust our self-understanding.
- We should not ignore our self-understanding.
- God is sovereign over our self-understanding.
Application Point: To truly understand ourselves we need to know and fear the Lord.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Sermon Points:
- Looking Inward: Honest Reflection
- Looking Outward: Wise Counsel
- Looking Upward: Faith-filled Surrender
Application Points:
Things wise friends do.
- Point one another to the truth of God’s word.
- Extend grace and call one another to repent.
- Encourage one another.
- Give sound spiritual guidance.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
The Claim: How we handle money reveals what we truly value.
Sermon Points:
- Earn it with integrity.
- Save it for the future.
- Spend it with self-control.
- Give it away generously.
- Never trust in money.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
The Claim: Let’s work for the good of others and the glory of God!
Sermon Points:
Wise work is marked by:
- Skill
- Integrity
- Diligence
- Contentment
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
The Claim: No one is above either giving or receiving correction.
Sermon Points:
- It is always wise to receive correction.
- It is often wise to give correction.
When should we avoid giving correction?
- If the person in need of correction is a fool.
- If anger is what is driving us to correct.
- If our correction turns into quarreling.
How can we give wise correction?
- Let’s correct one another directly.
- Let’s correct one another gently.
- Let’s correct one another restoratively.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Proverbs
Sermon Points:
- Choose your words very carefully.
- Use your words for the good of others.
- Always respect the power of words.
Preacher: Ron Sanchez
Passage: Psalm 13
The Claim: The steadfast love of God carries us through the darkest of days, no matter how long those days may be.
Sermon Points:
- Trust in God's steadfast Love
- Rejoice in your salvation
- Sing to the Lord
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Ruth 4
Claim: God uses ordinary life circumstances to redeem us in surprisingly sweet ways.
Application Points:
How can we deepen our confidence in God's plan of Redemption?
- Look back on His faithfulness in the past.
- Rest in His Sovereign Rule in the present.
- Long for His Glory throughout all eternity.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Ruth 3
Claim: We can rest while God works out the details of our redemption.
Application Points:
Three Things to Remember When We’re Anticipating Rest & Redemption:
- We don’t have to make our rest happen.
- It matters how we seek after our rest.
- God is never resting; He’s always working.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Ruth 2
Primary Claim: God shows favor to his people through the kindness of His people.
Application Points:
- Go: God will guide us to His worthy people.
- Trust: God will care for us through His people.
- Share: God can use us to show favor to others.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Ruth 1
Primary Claim: We can’t always see or understand how God will redeem our life.
Sermon Points:
Three things to remember when God deals bitterly with us.
- It’s hard to see God clearly when we suffer.
- We can always turn to God & his people.
- We may not be as “empty” as we feel.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Galatians 6:11-18
Claim: Let’s boast in God’s crucified Son, and nothing else!
Sermon Points:
Two very different kind of boasting:
- Corrupt Boasting
- Cross Boasting
Application Points:
Those who boast in the cross of Christ will become:
- Self-forgetful
- Other-worldly
- Family-oriented
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Galatians 6:1-10
Sermon Points:
Sowing the Spirit:
-
- Call to action: Take responsibility. * For one another’s spiritual well-being * For our own spiritual well-being * For the Church’s spiritual mission
- Clarification: We can't fool God.
Big Idea: The way we live today has real consequences — both now and for all of eternity.
Application Points:
Am I really sowing the Spirit?
- Am I taking responsibility for my own spiritual well-being?
- Am I taking responsibility for the spiritual well-being of my brothers & sisters?
- When I grow weary, will I press on and keep doing good, or give up?
Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Psalm 12
Big Idea: In a world of competing narratives, it is the LORD’s narrative that is true and can be trusted to keep us from being deceived.
Sermon Ideas:
- A Prayer for Salvation (vs 1-2)
- A Prayer to End Ungodly Speech (vs 3-4)
- The Lord’s Salvation (vs 5-7)
- The Continuing Ungodly Triumph (vs 8)
Application Points:
- The Gospel is not the controlling narrative, but it will continue
to spread.
- Matthew 24:14
- God’s word is not the controlling narrative, but it is the truth
about reality.
- John 8:31-32
- John 18:37-38
- As the church, we are called to know, live, and proclaim the
truth of God’s word.
- John 17:14-17
- Romans 12:2
- Ephesians 4:14
Closing Questions:
- How central are God’s pure words in your life?
- Are You Considering the Sources?
- Who or What is Being Exalted?
Preacher: Carl Dernell
Passage: Psalm 11
Claim: There is no better refuge than the Righteous King in heaven.
Sermon Points:
- Bad News
- Good News
Application Points:
- We will be tempted to Flee
- There is a Righteous King in Heaven
- Take refuge in the Righteous King
Preacher: Carl Dernell
Passage: Psalm 11
Claim: There is no better refuge than the Righteous King in heaven.
Sermon Points:
- Bad News
- Good News
Application Points:
- We will be tempted to Flee
- There is a Righteous King in Heaven
- Take refuge in the Righteous King
Preacher: Carl Dernell
Passage: Psalm 11
Claim: There is no better refuge than the Righteous King in heaven.
Sermon Points:
- Bad News
- Good News
Application Points:
- We will be tempted to Flee
- There is a Righteous King in Heaven
- Take refuge in the Righteous King
Preacher: Carl Dernell
Passage: Psalm 11
Claim: There is no better refuge than the Righteous King in heaven.
Sermon Points:
- Bad News
- Good News
Application Points:
- We will be tempted to Flee
- There is a Righteous King in Heaven
- Take refuge in the Righteous King
Preacher: Carl Dernell
Passage: Psalm 11
Claim: There is no better refuge than the Righteous King in heaven.
Sermon Points:
- Bad News
- Good News
Application Points:
- We will be tempted to Flee
- There is a Righteous King in Heaven
- Take refuge in the Righteous King
Preacher: Carl Dernell
Passage: Psalm 11
Claim: There is no better refuge than the Righteous King in heaven.
Sermon Points:
- Bad News
- Good News
Application Points:
- We will be tempted to Flee
- There is a Righteous King in Heaven
- Take refuge in the Righteous King
Preacher: Ron Sanchez
Passage: Psalm 10
Claim: God has a plan.
Sermon Points:
- God Is King, Forever and Ever
- God Hears the Desires of The Afflicted
- God Strengthens the Heart of The Afflicted
- God Will Do Justice to the Afflicted
- God Will Bring a Permanent End to the Terror
Application Points:
- Be Still
- Hold Fast
Preacher: DAnny D'Acquisto
Passage: Galatians 5:16-26
Claim: Let's allow God's desires to determine our behavior.
Sermon Points:
How we should walk:
- Our Desires: Why we walk the way we do.
- Our Discernment: How we walk.
Application Points:
If we want to keep in step with God's Spirit:
- We need to pay very close attention to our desires.
- We will never be controlled by God's desires, until we crucify our own.
- If we truly belong to Christ we will keep in step with God's Spirit.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Galatians 5:1-15
Primary Claim: Let’s stand firm in the freedom of our Father’s grace.
Sermon Points:
How do we “stand firm” in our Father’s grace?
- By rejecting ministry practices that lead us to rely on our flesh.
- By rejecting leaders and the views they use to justify them.
- By committing to love the brothers we are standing firm with.
Takeaways:
- Our spiritual freedom can be at stake in the way we “do church.
- Some professing Christian leaders and their views must be rejected.
- We will never stand firm on our own.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Galatians 4:21-31
The Claim: We need a heavenly perspective about God's promised family.
Sermon Points:
- Paul's Argument: We are God's heavenly children, not just his earthly children.
- Paul's Appeal: We have to be very clear about which family we're a part of.
Application Points:
- Not everyone who thinks they're a son of God really is a son of God.
- It really matters that God's heavenly sons are gathered together in local churches.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Galatians 4:12-20
Sermon Points:
Paul's relationship with the Galatians:
- How it used to work - When the Galatians had no regard for their flesh, they received Paul as if he was Christ.
- Why that changed - When the Galatians started relying on their flesh, Paul became their enemy.
- What can fix that - When Christ is formed in the Galatians, their family relationship can be repaired.
The Claim: Let's get back to treating one another as if Christ is living in us.
Application Points:
If Christ is living in us:
- We will care for our brothers, even when our flesh is weak.
- We will receive our brothers, even when they tell us hard truths.
- We will make much of our brothers, rather than ourselves.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Galatians 4:1-11
Preface: The Flesh & The Elementary Principles of This World
Sermon Points:
What we gained when we were adopted in christ:
- Total freedom from our slavery to this fallen world.
- All authority over everything in heaven and on earth.
- An intimate spiritual knowledge of God the Father.
Application Points:
- Relying on our flesh will never set us free from our sin.
- We will never inherit all things by relying on our flesh.
- We will never make God our Father by relying on our flesh.
The Claim: We will never gain more than God the Father.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Galatians 3:23-29
Primary Question: What has changed about God's family - now that he's sent His promised Son?
Sermon Points:
- Before God's Son came: Israel's law was a guardian leading us to Christ.
- Now that God's Son has been revealed: Faith is how God unites all people in Christ.
Primary Claim: God is now uniting all nations into one spiritual family by faith in His Son.
Application Points:
Now that God's Son has come...
- Faith in God's Son sets us free from the law.
- Faith in God's Son unites us to one another.
- Faith in God's Son supersedes our earthly identities.
Preacher: Ron Sanchez
Passage: Galatians 3:15-22
The Claim: It is only through faith God's Son that we become part of the promised family.
Sermon Points:
- The Certainty of a Promise
- God's Promise to Abraham
- The Relationship between the Law & the Promise.
Application Points:
- The Law is Good
- God's Promise is Certain
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Galatians 3:1-14
Primary Claim: Only God’s Son can keep us in God’s family by the power of God’s Spirit.
Sermon Points:
If we go back to relying on our flesh:
- We are neglecting God’s spiritual power.
- We are excluded from God’s spiritual family.
- We are still under God’s spiritual curse.
If we keep relying on Christ's crucified flesh:
- We have access to God’s own Spirit.
- We are included in God’s spiritual family.
- We will receive God’s spiritual blessing.
Application Points:
- We have no spiritual power in and of ourselves.
- God’s crucified Son has all the spiritual power you will ever need.
- God’s Son was crucified to get you into His spiritual family.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Galatians 2:15-21
Primary Claim: God justifies all of us into his family the same way - by faith in his crucified Son.
Sermon Points:
- Faith in Christ demands we be crucified with Him.
- Faith in Christ leads to Him living through us.
- Faith in anything else nullifies the grace of God's Son.
Application POints:
- We can't just sin less, we need to die with God's sinless Son.
- We can't just obey more, we need the life of God's obedient Son.
- We can't help God justify us, we have to let His Son do it all.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Galatians 1:11 - 2:14
Problem: By gathering Gentiles into the wrong family in the wrong way.
Sermon Points:
- New Family: The Father is using his Son to gather all nations into a new kind of family.
- New People: Gentiles don't have to join God's old covenant family to get in the new one.
- New Problem: Some people will be very upset about this new family God is creating.
The Claim: The Gospel that pleases God often displeases many people.
Application Points:
- The Father does not need our permission to create this new kind of family.
- There is no person on earth who deserves to be a part of this family.
- The Father is redeeming all of us into his family by the grace of His Son.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Galatians 1:6-10
Primary Claim: Never contradict God's gospel to gain the approval of men.
Sermon Points:
Why we should never contradict God's Gospel
- God only has one true gospel.
- God curses anyone who contradicts it.
- God is the one we must please, not men.
Takeaways:
- We can get the gospel wrong.
- We must keep the gospel clear.
- We have to decide whose approval we're after.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Galatians 1:1-5
The Problem: They were gathering Gentiles into the wrong family in the wrong way.
Primary Claim: God is creating this family we’re all a part of — not us.
Sermon Points:
Who does what for the family:
- God is the one who empowers our ministry.
- God is the one who gives grace and peace.
- God is the one who delivered us from this evil age.
- God is the one who deserves glory forever & ever.
Takeaways:
- We will be tempted to think we have the power we need.
- We will be tempted to take credit for God’s redemptive work.
- We will be tempted to blend in to this present evil age.
- We will be tempted to steal the glory that only God deserves.
Preacher: Brett Wendle
Passage: Psalm 86
Sermon Points:
- Call upon God constantly, remembering His Goodness.
- Submit to God thankfully, remembering HIs Greatness.
- Wait for God perseveringly, remembering His Faithfulness.
Proposition: Knowing a God of steadfast love enables confident, thankful, persevering prayer in the day of trouble.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Acts 2:22-24
Questions to consider:
What is death?
- Death is the penalty for sin.
- Death is a natural consequence of separation from God.
- Death is the inevitable fate of all people.
Who is Christ?
- He is sinless.
- He is the Spirit-filled God-man.
- He chose to die anyway.
The Claim: Jesus is the source of life itself.
Application Questions:
- Do you really believe that Jesus is the source of your life?
- Will rely on him to defeat the power of death for you?
Preacher: Ron Sanchez
Passage: Genesis 25
The Claim: No matter how things look, there will be one promised family.
Application Points:
When we find ourselves asking "Why is this happening to me?"
- Accept that tension is part of life this side of Heaven.
- Pray
- Take refuge in God's design for His One Promised Family.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 24
The Claim: In every generation, God always shows steadfast love to his people.
Application Points:
When You Don’t Know the Details of the Promise…
- Let the Lord guide you to steadfast people who love him.
- Rely on his steadfast love together … without delay.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 23
The Claim: Even after we die, God will keep keeping His promise.
Application Points:
- We will probably die before the promise is fulfilled.
- But we can die fully confident that it will be fulfilled.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 22
The Claim: This God is far greater than the blessings He has promised us.
Application Points:
True Faith-Filled Worshipers:
- Do not withhold anything from God.
- Stay obediently devoted to Christ.
- Receive everything through God's Son.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 21
The Claim: This God will give us life, just as He said.
Application Points:
Three things to remember while we wait for the life that God has promised us:
- It may take much longer than we like.
- It may be more painful than we'd prefer.
- We will get the life God promised us, just as He said!
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 20
The Claim: To fear the Lord - not this world - because our lives belong to Him.
Application Points:
How do we live differently when we fear the Lord most of all?
- We trust in his promise, not our plans.
- We live with integrity, not deceit.
- We will be a blessing to the world, not a curse.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 18-19
The Claim: It is incredibly merciful of God to rescue anyone.
Application Points:
- Humans are far less righteous than we think.
- Our punishment is far more just than we admit.
- This God is far more merciful than we deserve.
Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Genesis 17:1-27
Big Idea: God has a very specific plan to bless us and the world, and we must align ourselves with Him to be a part of it.
Sermon Points:
- A New Command (1-2)
- A New Name (3-8)
- A New Sign (9-14)
- Another New Name (15-22)
- A Renewed Obedience (23-27)
Application Points:
- God’s specific plan for us is to live in covenant with Him.
- God has solemnly promised Himself to us, and invites us to solemnly promise ourselves to Him.
- God makes us fruitful.
2. To experience God’s blessing, we must humbly align ourselves with Him.
1. Change God
2. Reject God
3. God’s Plan - Humbly Align
Preacher: Ron Sanchez
Passage: Genesis 16:1-16
The Central Point: When we deviate from God's promise we will have problems, some of which can last a lifetime.
Sermon Points:
Abram & Sarai:
- The Problem, in Their Eyes
- The Solution, in Their Mind
- The Consequences of Their Actions
Hagar & God
- The God Who Sees
Application:
- In our marriages there will be an inherent tension.
- We mustn’t let the culture influence our response to God’s promises.
- Our God sees and listens to our afflictions, even when they are self-imposed.
Preacher: Carl Dernell
Passage: Genesis 15:1-21
Claim: The success of covenant relationship with God is TOTALLY dependent on Him.
Application:
- Question: What makes you uncertain?
- Application: Believe God
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 14:1-24
Claim: Our victory has always belonged to the LORD.
Application:
Three truths to remember when there is “war” in the land:
- We are fighting a very different battle.
- We need to fight it in very different ways.
- We never need to fear the outcome.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 13:2-18
Big Idea: God will make His people flourish in His time.
Application Points:
- Blessing those who cause us strife.
- Waiting for God to bless us forever.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 12:10-13:1
Big Idea: God can protect his promise far better than we can.
Application Points:
- The world will pose threats to God’s promise.
- Those threats will tempt us to compromise.
- We may even fail miserably, but God will not.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 12:1-9
Big Idea: That this God has always been faithful to his promise, and He always will be.
Sermon Points:
- God's Promise
- Abram's Response
Application Points:
- This God can still be trusted.
- This God must still be trusted.
- This God is still worthy of all praise.
Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Acts 20:17-38
Big Idea: Faithful Elders are given by God to protect and build up the church.
Sermon Points:
- Paul's Example (vs 18-27)
- Serving the Lord.
- Faithful Communication of God’s Word.
- Paul's Exhortation (vs 28-38)
- Guard Yourselves.
- Guard the Church.
- Build up the Church.
Application Points:
- This Biblical teaching on elders is rarely seen in American churches today.
- Our desire at Redemption Church is to follow this teaching.
- Receive and value the pastoral care of faithful elders into your life.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: John 1:4
Big Idea: Christ's life is the light of ours.
Application:
- By His life We Can See.
- By His life We Can Live.
- By His life We Will Overcome.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Numbers 21:4-9 & John 3:1-15
Big Idea: Jesus was born so that we can be born again.
Sermon Points:
- The Life-Giving, Lifted-Up Child: Foreshadowed
- The Life-Giving, Lifted-Up Child: Fulfilled
Application Points:
- Why don’t we have eternal life?
- Answer: In our sin, we don’t believe in God.
- Where does eternal life come from?
- Answer: The one who descended from heaven.
-
How do we gain eternal life?
- Answer: By looking to Christ in faith.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Isaiah 53:2-6 & Luke 4:22-30
Sermon Points:
- The Despised-And-Rejected Child: Promised
- The Despised-And-Rejected Child: Provided
Big Idea: Jesus was born to be rejected so that we can be accepted.
Application Points:
Why do we despise this child?
- He has become familiar to us.
- He is not what we were expecting.
- God knew that we would.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Isaiah 61:1-4 & Luke 4:16-22
Sermon Points:
- The Bad-News-Reversing Child: Promised
- The Bad-News-Reversing Child: Provided
Big Idea: Jesus was born to bring us good news in a world full of bad news.
Application Points:
- Jesus cares deeply about our bad news.
- He was born to reverse it into good news.
- We should join him in reversing bad news.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Micah 5:1-5 & Matthew 2:1-12
Sermon Points:
- The Bethlehem-Born Child: Promised
- The Bethlehem-Born Child: Provided
Big Idea: Jesus was born in obscurity to rescue us from all corruption.
Application Points:
- We will be subject to corrupt leaders.
- God has not forgotten us.
- Jesus is our pure and perfect rescuer.
Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Psalm 112
Big Idea: We Praise God for the Treasure of His Righteousness made available to mankind.
Sermon Points:
The Righteous
- Fear the Lord 1) Power Over Eternal Death 2) Impartial Judge 3) Forgiver
- Greatly Delights in His Commands
- Gracious, Merciful, and Generous
- Trusts in the Lord
The Righteous 1. Fear the Lord 2. Greatly Delights in His Commands 3. Gracious, Merciful, and Generous 4. Trusts in the Lord Application Points:
1). Righteousness is not always positively rewarded in our passing, fallen world.
2). The church is where God's righteousness is to be seen today 3). Desire Righteousness, not Riches or Power
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Colossians 4:2-18
Big Idea: There are many laboring with us to declare Christ in a ll the world.
Sermon Points:
- How to pray: For the word to keep advancing in all the world.
- How to walk: Being wise with our time and words.
- Why to take courage: We are not alone in any of this.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Colossians 3:22 - 4:1
Big Idea: Let's let Christ be all in our work.
Sermon Points:
When Christ is all in our work:
- We work as if working for Christ Himself
- We work heartily, with sincere hearts
- We work with HIs reward in mind
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Colossians 3:18-21
Big Idea: Let’s let Christ be all in our families.
Sermon Points:
- Wives & Husbands
Wives: Submit to your husbands
Husbands: Love your wives, do not be harsh
- Children & Fathers
Children: Obey your parents in everything
Fathers: Do not provoke your children
Preacher: Dan Allen
Passage: Colossians 3:12-17
Big Idea: The church must display and declare Christ to one another.
Sermon Points:
- The Command: Declare and Display Christ to one another.
- The Fuel: Living out of our identity.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Colossians 3:5-11
Big Idea: Let's live as if JESUS is the point of our life in the body.
Sermon Points:
- A Necessary Change: Put to death what is earthly in you.
- A Heavenly Reason: Christ is all, and in all - including us.
Application Points:
Three Heavenly Truths to remember and live by:
- Christ has already delivered us from God's wrath.
- We are being renewed after Christ's image.
- We have been made one in Christ's body.
Preacher: Patrick Tetzlaff
Passage: Colossians 3:1-4
Big Idea: As we seek to set our minds on Christ, we are greatly helped by remembering Christs current location, our current location, and our final destination. Location, location, destination all to help us set our minds on Christ.
Sermon Points:
- Christs Current Location - Col 3:1
- Our Current Location - Col 3:2
- Our Destination - Col 3:4
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Colossians 2:16-23
Big Idea: We cannot so anything to make ourselves less sinful...but Jesus can.
Sermon Points:
- Resist: Christless worship practices
- Realize: Only Christ can overcome our sinful flesh
Application Points:
Christ Filled Spirituality:
- Brings us to an end of our life in the flesh
- Helps us to walk by faith in Christ
- Knits us together with His Body
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Colossians 2:6-15
Big Question: Why is it so important for us to “stay rooted” in Christ?
Sermon Points:
- Do this: Stay rooted in Christ
- Not this: Don’t be taken captive
- For this reason: We’ve been filled in him
Big Idea: We have been filled with the fullness of God in the body of Christ.
Application Points:
- Keep living by faith in his body.
- Keep living by faith...in his body.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Colossians 1:24 - 2:5
Big Idea: God is reconciling all things in Christ, by maturing us in Christ.
Sermon Points:
- Why Paul Joyfully Suffered
- So that Jesus can present the entire Church mature in him
-
Why Paul’s Suffering Should Encourage us
- We are part of this Church that Jesus in maturing in himself
Application Points:
How does God mature us in Christ?
- By the proclamation of Christ’s message
- By our life together in Christ’s body
- By keeping us from “plausible messages” that delude our faith in Christ
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Colossians 1:15-23
Big Idea: This Jesus always deserves all of our hope.
Sermon Points:
- This Jesus is the greatest possible hope.
- He only redeems those who keep hoping in Him.
Application Points:
- Our view of Jesus may be far too small.
- Our view of everything else may be far too big.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Colssians 1:9-14
Big Idea: All of our spiritual flourishing depends on God.
Sermon Points:
If we want to continue flourishing we need...
- To know God's Will
- To walk in God's Power
- To give thank for God's Son
Application Points:
- We do not have what it takes to flourish.
- The Father has given us His beloved Son.
- We should be very thankful family members.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Colossians 1:1-8
Sermon Points:
- Paul Rejoices
- Paul Reminds
Big Idea: We can easily drift from the hope of the Gospel.
Application Points:
- Our hope is laid up for us in Heaven.
- This hope has bound us together in love.
- It is easy to forget these things.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Philemon 1:8-25
Big Question: What if we don't feel like receiving a "lesser" Christian as our brother?
Sermon Points:
- A very awkward "opportunity" - I am sending your servant back to you!
- A very personal "request" - Receive him as you would receive me.
- A very loaded "farewell" = Thank so much, brother! See you soon.
Big Idea: Our hearts need to be changed.
Application Points:
Three reasons for us to change our hearts.
- We are required to love them as brothers and sisters.
- Because the are far from "useless".
- Our brothers and sisters are expecting us to.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Philemon 1:1-7
Sermon Points:
- A Subtle Reminder
- We are part of a new spiritual family.
- An Encouraging Prayer
- I pray that your love would work
Big Idea: Loving our brothers and Christ should help us to love like Christ.
Application Points:
How do we know if our love for one another is working?
- Are we known for loving our fellow church members?
- Do we strive to love one another better?
- Do we love one another, even when it's really hard to?
Preacher: Jon Hanes
Passage: Psalm 8
Questions:
- How is God glorified throughout the earth?
- Why is God concerned with lowly humans?
Big Idea: God is glorified on earth through the praise of lowly people created in his image.
Application Points:
- God made you in his image to glorify himself on earth through your praise.
- Jesus Christ, the holy son of God, glorified God on earth by becoming a human and fixing our problem.
- God is glorified on earth through the praise of his church, who Jesus Christ died to redeem.
Preacher: Carl Dernell
Passage: Psalm 7
Big Question: How should we seek deliverance from the enemy who would tear our souls apart?
Sermon Points:
- Who he turns to
- What he asks for
- Who the judge is
- What he does
Application Points:
- Turn to God
- Ask for the righteousness of God’s judgment
Big Answer: Thankfully take refuge in the righteousness of God’s judgement.
Preacher: Ron Sanchez
Passage: Psalm 36
Big Question: Where does our protection from wickedness come from?
Sermon Points:
- God's Steadfast Love is Immeasurable
- God's Steadfast Love is Precious
- God's Steadfast Love Endures Forever
Application Points:
- It will never run out
- We must protect it at all costs
- We do not have to worry
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Ephesians 3:4-10
Big Question: How does God use the Church to advance his Kingdom on earth?
Sermon Points:
- To proclaim the Gospel
- To make disciples
- To multiply local churches
Big Idea: Missions is about taking the mission of the Church to unreached nations.
Application Points:
- By developing, sending, and partnering with missionaries
- By partnering with native pastors & churches
- By thinking and praying together for the nations
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Matthew 16:13-20
Big Idea: Jesus has entrusted His Kingdom to local churches.
Sermon Points:
- Jesus gave His Church the Keys to His Kingdom
- Jesus told us how to use the Keys to His Kingdom
- Local Churches represent Christ's Kingdom on Earth.
Application Points:
- Local Churches are way more important than you think
- The Nations are being gathered into Local Churches
- The Great Commission belongs to local churches, not individuals
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: 2 Samuel 7:12-14a
Big Question: What do the nations really need to stop their raging?
Sermon Points:
- Old Testament: God's nation wants a King.
- New Testament: God sends a King for all Nations.
Big Idea: JESUS is the only King who can rule all the nations.
Application Points:
What do the nations need?
- The Nations need a Gracious King.
- The Nations also need a Righteous King.
- The Nations need an Eternal King.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Psalm 67
Big Question: Why should we care about "the nations"?
Sermon Points:
- Where "the nations" came from
- Why the nations rage
- Who the nations belong to
Big Idea: All nations belong to our God.
Application Points:
- God has redeemed us from among the nations.
- We need to share God's heart for God's nations.
- Or God deserves the praise of all nations.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Jonah 4:1-10
Big Question: Why is Jonah's anger so problematic?
Sermon Points:
- Jonah's Anger: If Nineveh lives, I’d rather die.
- God's Question: Do you do well to be angry?
- God's Reason: He sees great potential in sinful people.
Big Idea: God can redeem any life, because he is the source of every life.
Application Points:
We need to believe that:
- God values all of the human life he’s made
- We deserve death, just like everyone else
- God has mercy for sinners … who repent
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Jonah 3:1-10
Big Question: What does God want to show Jonah in Nineveh?
Sermon Points:
- Jonah: Barely takes God's word to Nineveh
- Nineveh: Totally receives God's word & repents
- God: Lavishes grace on Jonah's enemies
Big Idea: God has far more grace for this world than we do.
Application Points:
- God's word is shockingly powerful
- God's grace knows no boundaries
- We tend to lack both power & grace
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Jonah 1:17 - 2:10
Big Idea: If we really know God, we will extend His grace to those who don't.
Sermon Points:
- God sends a fish to swallow Jonah: "No, no. Not so fast!"
- Jonah cries out to God: "I knew you'd save me, LORD!"
- God has the fish puke Jonah up: "Cute prayer, buddy. Now go!"
Application Points:
- God doesn't want our religious pride.
- God doesn't want our self-centered spirituality.
- God wants us to humbly share the grace we've received.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Jonah 1:1-16
Big Idea: If we really fear God, then we will follow him to the people we'd rather avoid.
Sermon Points:
- God: Insists on getting his way with terrifying force.
- Jonah: Claims to fear God, but foolishly runs from him.
- Pagans: Actually do fear God, and wind up worshipping him.
Application Points:
- God sends us to people we'd rather avoid.
- If we run away, we don't really fear Him.
- We can run, but we can't hide.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Jonah 1:1-3
Big Question: What is the book of Jonah really about?
Sermon Points/Application
- The Surprising Power of God's Mercy
- Do we really believe in the surprising power of God's mercy?
- The Incredible Foolishness of our Hypocrisy
- Do we really want others to experience God's mercy, or just us?
Big Idea: God is surprisingly merciful, and we can be incredibly hypocritical.
Preacher: Carl Dernell
Passage: Psalm 16
Big Question: How do we preserve ‘the good life’?
Sermon Points:
- The King's Request and Reason
- The King's Good Relationships
- The King's Chosen Portion
- The King's Unshakeable Confidence
Big Idea: We preserve the good life by making God, the source of all good, our chosen portion and seek to be in His presence.
Application:
What is your chosen portion and the source of all your good?
- Examine the heart of your relationships
- Examine your estimation of life circumstances
Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Psalm 121
Sermon Points:
- A personal confession of faith (vs 1-2)
- The Need for help
- The Helper
- The Community affirmation in faith of Yahweh the Keeper (vs 3-8)
- Always Alert
- Always Present
- All Powerful
- Forever Committed
Big Idea: We can make it through this life by humbly trusting in Yahweh to be our Helper.
Application Points:
- Jesus is Yahweh
- God only helps the week and helpless
- Get lost in awe and wonder
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Psalm 113
Big Question: Why can’t we exhaust the praise-worthiness of God?
Sermon Points:
Why praise Him forever?
- He looks down on all Creation.
Application Points:
Is your God this big?
- But He also lifts up lowly people.
Big Idea: An exalted God who lifts up lowly people is always worthy of praise.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: 3 John
Big Question: How should we relate to other churches and their leaders?
Sermon Points:
- GAIUS: A good example of both truth & love in ministry
- DIOTREPHES: A bad example of unloving self-importance
- DEMETRIUS: The reason we need to love those who walk in truth
Big Idea: Let's not get in God's way.
Application Points:
- Gospel truth trumps everything else.
- Gospel love trumps our “position” or “status.”
- God’s gospel mission must trump our agenda.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: 2 John
Big Question: What is the relationship between truth & love?
Sermon Points:
- The Church
- The Deceivers
- Our Response
Big Idea: The truth of the gospel is what binds us together in love.
Application Points:
- Our love sets us apart, together.
- Some truths are worth dividing over.
- God's truth & God's love are never at odds.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: 1 John 5:13-21
Big Question: Are there any conditions to this confidence?
Sermon Points:
- Part 1 - The Confidence We Have Toward God
- God hears our prayers.
- God restores us when we sin.
- God protects us from the evil one.
- God will deliver us from this world.
- God has made us one with his Son.
- Part 2 - The One Condition of our Confidence
Big Idea: We can know we have eternal life if we remain in God's eternal Son.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: 1 John 5:6-12
Big Question: Why is it so important for us to understand who Jesus is?
Sermon Points:
- Jesus really died
- God has really spoken
- Eternal Life is at stake
Big Idea: Because our eternal life depends on the eternal human life of Jesus.
Application Points:
- God has told us his plan of redemption
- God has given us his life
- God has offered us his precious Son
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: 1 John 5:1-5
Big Question: Do we really need this kind of spiritual confidence?
Sermon Points:
- How to have the confidence of a child.
- Why we need the confidence of a child.
Big Idea: Because our confidence in Christ is the only way to overcome the world.
Application Points:
- This confidence is a joy, not a burden.
- We do need this confidence to overcome the world.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: 1 John 4:7-21
Big Question: Why is it so important for us to love one another?
Sermon Points:
- God's Invisible Love, Made Visible
- The Recipients of God's Love, Made Fearless
Big Idea: God has shown us his invisible love in order to make our visible love possible.
Application Points:
- God's visible love has removed our fear of punishment.
- God's visible love is redeeming the world through us.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: 1 John 4:1-6
Big Question: How can you tell who has God's Spirit within them?
Sermon Points:
- The need for spiritual discernment
- Takeaway: We can't trust every spirit
- Our hope in spiritual discernment
- We don't have to fear any spirit
- The key to spiritual discernment
- Who do these spirits listen to?
Big Idea: When God's Son is confessed, those with God's Spirit will listen.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: 1 John 3:11-28
Big Question: Why can we be so confident that God’s children will love one another?
Sermon Points:
- God's Son has shown us True Love.
- His love is in us, overcoming our lack of love.
Big Idea: God loves his children through his children.
Application Points:
Our Love for One Another Should Be:
- Righteous
- Tangible
- More than just a feeling
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: 1 John 2:28 - 3:10
Big Question: Why can we be so confident that God's children will practice righteousness?
Sermon Points:
- God's Son is real & righteous.
- He makes us God's righteous children
Big Idea: God's only righteous Son makes us righteous children, like him.
Application Points:
How can we know if we're children of God?
- Is your Jesus real & righteous?
- Is your Jesus really making you righteous?
Preacher: Mark Lindstrom
Passage: Psalm 6
Sermon Points:
- Troubled Believers call out for grace and healing. (Verses 1-3)
- Principle: A humbled believer understands the need for grace and healing and cries out for them by name.
- Troubled Believers pray fervently to the God of steadfast love. (Verses 4-7)
- Principle: Fervent prayer flows out of a humble heart and is based on a particular aspect of the holy character of God.
- Troubled Believers are heard by God and delivered. (Verses 8-10)
- Principle: God hears a believer’s prayer and acts powerfully to heal and deliver them.
Big idea: A humbled believer's fervent reliance on God’s steadfast love leads to deliverance of the whole man.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: 1 John 2:18-27
Big Question: How can we endure the chaos & confusion all around us?
Sermon Points:
- Warning: There will be antichrists who abandon the truth.
- They deny - or distort - the truth of the Gospel.
- The are not spiritually "of us".
- They will not continue with us.
- Call To Action: God's anointed will abide in the truth.
Big Idea: We must abide in the truth of Christ together.
Application Points:
- We must Contend for the truth of the gospel.
- We must Confront the lies that distort it.
- We also need to Continue with the rest of God's anointed.
Preacher: Pastor Ryan Boyer
Passage: 1 John 2:15-17
Sermon Points:
- Who has your heart?
- How can you know the difference?
- Where will this leave you?
Application Points:
- Examine your life for dangerous desires.
- Engage those who are walking dangerously.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: 1 John 2:7-14
Big Idea: We can love like Jesus, because he is alive in us.
Sermon Points:
Our love for one another is:
- Enlightened
- Essential
- Empowered
Application Points:
People who love one another:
- Spend Time Together
- Help One Another
- Encourage One Another
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: 1 John 2:1-6
Big Idea: Those who truly know Jesus will walk like Jesus.
Sermon Points:
- Our Aim: To Avoid Sin
- Our Advocate: Jesus Christ the Righteous
- Our Assurance
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: 1 John 1:5-10
Big Idea: Our fellowship will reveal who truly walks in the light.
Sermon Points:
Three marks of those who walk in the light:
- They live in the light of fellowship
- Their sin has been exposed by the light
- They’ve found forgiveness in the light
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: 1 John 1:1-4
Sermon Points:
- His Message
- His Motivation
Big Idea: We preach the Living Word to enjoy life together with God.
Application Points:
- Our message is alive.
- Our fellowship is with God.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Psalm 139
Big Idea: God knows our ways far better than we do.
Sermon Points:
- God knows all of our ways.
- His knowledge cannot be escaped.
- It's best if it is embraced.
Preacher: Carl Dernell
Passage: Psalm 5
Big Question: Why is it so hard for us to relate to God?
Sermon Points:
- Part 1: A Deep Desire to Relate to God
- Part 2: A Big Barrier to Relationship with God
- Part 3: A Desperate Need for Righteousness
- Part 4: The Only Possible Solution
Big Idea: Only God-given righteousness can make you right with God.
Conclusion:
Because Jesus gives you His Righteousness, you can actually...
- Organize your life around relationship with God
- Reflect on the character of God
- Depend on God's righteousness alone
- Become righteous
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Matthew 2:1-12
Big Question: How have we responded to Jesus' birth?
Sermon Points:
- Worry: What about me & my kingdom?
- Wonder: Where can I find this King & His Kingdom?
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Exodus 12:1-13, John 1:29
Sermon Points:
- The Sacrificial Lamb: Prescribed
- The Sacrificial Lamb: Provided
Big Idea: Jesus was born to die in our place.
Application Points:
The Birth of this sacrificial-lamb Child means:
- Judgment is coming, and we all deserve it.
- We have a Lamb, so we can be "passed over".
- Soon He will deliver us, we must be ready to go.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passages: Isaiah 11:1-9, Revelation 22:16-17
Sermon Points:
- A Tiny-little-branch Child Promised
- A Tiny-little-branch Child Provided
Big Idea: Jesus was born to be the only King we really need.
Application Points:
- Earthly "Kings" will devastate and disappoint us.
- King Jesus was born to undo that devastation and disappointment.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 14:17-20 & Hebrews 5:1-10
Sermon Points:
- Part 1 - A Strange High Priest: Presented
- Part 2 - The Ultimate High Priest: Provided
Big Idea: Jesus was born to approach God for us, once & for all.
Application Points:
Because Jesus was born:
- We have the ultimate, heavenly advocate.
- We can enjoy peace with God forever.
- We don't need another priest.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 12:1-9 & Galatians 3:15-29
Sermon Points:
- The Offspring Promised
- The Ultimate Offspring Provided
Big Idea: Jesus was born to deliver on God’s promise of redemption.
Application Points:
Because Jesus was born:
- We can be set free from the Law.
- We can be children & heirs of God.
Preacher: Jon Hanes
Passage: Psalm 4
Sermon Points:
- David appeals to God with confidence.
- David appeals to God instead of responding sinfully.
- God blesses David with joy and peace.
Big Idea: We can appeal to God with confidence when we are slandered.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Acts 6:1-7 & 1 Timothy 3:8-13
Big Idea: God has called deacons to be lead servants in His blood-bought family
Sermon Points:
- The Need for Deacons
- The Qualifications for Deacons
- A Recommendation of Deacons
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passages: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 & 1 Peter 5:1-5
Big Idea: God has called elders to shepherd his family on his behalf.
Sermon Points:
- Who Elders Are
- What Elders Do
- Why Elders Serve
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Big Idea: God is using the Lord's Supper to bring us together as his blood-bought family.
Sermon Points:
Two Problems:
- Personalizing the Lord's Supper
- Provoking the Lord's Judgement
Two Solutions:
- Discerning the Lord's body
- Eating with the Lord's family
Application Points:
- I am one member of Jesus' body
- We all desperately need his blood
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
Big Idea: God is gathering us together, like different parts of the same body.
Sermon Points:
- What the body is
- Why we belong to it
- Who is most important
- How it all fits together
Application Points:
- Are you a member of Jesus' body?
- Do you truly love the whole body?
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: 1 Peter 3:18-22
Big Idea: God is using baptism to identify us as his blood-bought family.
Sermon Points:
- Part 1: The Sanctity of Suffering
- Part 2: The Symbol Of Salvation
Application Points:
Who should we baptize?
- Those who have died to this world.
- Those who are spiritually alive in Christ.
- Those who are part of Jesus' family.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Ephesians 2:11-22
Big Idea: God Is using the Gospel to gather us Into His blood-bought family.
Sermon Points:
- Part 1: There was a barrier between us and God.
- Part 2: Jesus broke down this barrier on the Cross.
- Part 3: God is building us into His spiritual temple.
Application Points:
- The Church is a tangible family
- The Church is a spiritual family
- The Church is the most essential family on earth.
Preacher: Brett Wendle
Passage: Psalm 130
Sermon Points:
- A Desperate Situation
- A Dependable Lifeline
- A Durable Hope
Big Idea: Knowing God as our Redeemer replaces desperation with Hope.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 11:10 - 12:3
Big Question: Who will prevail over the chaos of sin?
Sermon Points:
- Patriarch - The next chosen one emerges in the line of Seth
- Problem - Abram & his wife cannot be fruitful or multiply
- Promise - God will make them fruitful & use their offspring to bless his creation
Big Idea: God has promised to prevail over the chaos of sin.
Application Points:
- He has promised to bless us
- He has promised to bless the world through us
- All of his promises are fulfilled in Jesus Christ
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 10
Big Idea: This God has dominion over every nation.
Sermon Points:
- God's Vision is taking shape.
- God's Reign is all-encompassing.
- God's stage is set for redemption.
Application Points:
- Nothing is more important than this God & this story.
- This God is not worried right now.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 9
Sermon Points:
- God re-blesses life on earth.
- Noah re-introduces sin on earth.
Big Idea: God is committed to giving us life, even in spite of our sin and death.
Application Points:
- God wants to give us life.
- We choose death instead.
- Jesus died to share his life with us.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 7:24 - 8:22
Big Question: When will God deliver us?
Sermon Points:
- Noah's first hint of deliverance.
- Noah's long wait for deliverance.
- Noah worships his deliverer.
Big Idea: God delivers His people in His timing for His glory.
Application Points:
- God has not forgotten us.
- God is worth the wait.
- God is the goal of our deliverance.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 7
Big Question: What will it take to escape God's judgement?
Sermon Points:
- God displays his total sovereignty over creation.
- God preserves his created order.
- He prevails over his creation.
- Noah demonstrates his total faith inGod.
Big Idea: We need total faith in this totally sovereign God.
Application Points:
- Is your God this sovereign?
- Are you totally trusting in him?
Preacher: Carl Dernell
Passage: Psalm 2
Big Idea: Submit To The Rule Of God’s Anointed One, His Son Jesus, For He Is King.
Sermon Points:
- The Human Condition is Revealed: The Nations of the World Rage Against God.
- God's Response to the Rage of the Nations: He Creates the Kingdom of His Son.
- The only Wise Response to the Kingdom of the Son: Submit to the Rule of His Son.
Application Points:
- Listen very carefully to David's warning, and choose to submit to the Rule of Jesus.
- When your own nation rages around you, take refuge in the Kingdom of the Son.
Preacher: Bobby Salb
Passage: Psalm 3
Big Idea: Faith may be all you have, but God is all you need.
Sermon Points:
- Through faith, David made a complaint to God.
- In Faith, we can bring our complaints known to God.
- Through faith, David had confidence in God.
- In Faith, we can have confidence in God.
- Through faith, David was consoled by God.
- In Faith, we can have consolation in God.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Big Idea: God uses our words to reveal the Glory of His Gospel.
Sermon Points:
- We must proclaim the Gospel plainly.
- God must unveil the Gospel's Glory.
Preacher: Ryan Boyer
Passage: Psalm 1
Big Idea: The Direction we go makes a Difference in how we get to our Destination.
Sermon Points:
- Direction - Who are you following?
- Difference - What are you experiencing?
- Destination - Where are you finishing?
Final Point: In Christ, the Lord blesses those who delight in Him both now and forevermore.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 6:9-22
Big Question: Who will God deliver, and how?
Sermon Points:
- A Violent World and its Destruction.
- A Gracious God and His Covenant.
- A Faith-filled Man and his Obedience.
Big Idea: God is delivering a covenant people by His Grace.
Application Points:
- God's covenant people Trust in His Grace.
- God's covenant people Obey His Commands.
- God's covenant people are Promised Deliverance.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 6:1-8
Big Question: Will this God be just, or will He be merciful?
Sermon Points:
- The Ultimate Spiritual Chaos
- The Perfect Divine Response
- He puts a limit on human life.
- He is burdened by grief & regret.
- He promises to blot out life on earth.
- He preserves the line of his redeemer.
Big Idea: This God is totally just and truly merciful.
Application Points:
- We cannot overestimate our spiritual corruption.
- We should not underestimate God's justice.
- We must not take for granted God's mercy.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 5
Big Question: How does God feel about death?
Sermon Points:
- God's image-bearers are broken.
- Death reigns as a result.
- God makes a strange exception.
Big Idea: God is at work to conquer death and restore His people to eternal life.
Application Points:
- We need a God-exalting view of death.
- We need to long for eternal life with God.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 4:17-26
Big Question: How can God use a human to redeem sin, when they are all corrupted by it?
Sermon Points:
- Cain's Line: A Zealous Family of Self-exalting Sinners.
- Seth's Line: A Humble Family of God-exalting Worshippers.
Big Idea: That in a world full of proud sinners, God is raising up humble worshippers.
Application Points:
- No amount of darkness can stop God's redemption.
- God gets all the credit for our redemption.
- We exist to humbly worship God.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Hebrews 10:19-25
Big Question: Why are these gatherings so sacred?
Sermon Points:
- Why we can gather for worship.
- Why we should gather for worship.
Big Idea: Jesus shed his very own blood to make our worship gatherings possible.
Application Points:
- Our worship is confident.
- Our worship is collective.
- Our worship is commanded.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 4:1-16
Big Question: Why is murder such a wicked & evil act?
Sermon Points:
- Two offerings & an internal struggle.
- One murder & an external judgement.
Big Idea: God detests murder because it's the exact opposite of his plan for creation.
Application Points:
- Murder is the ultimate injustice
- Murder - like all sin - comes from the heart.
- All of us are capable of murder.
Conclusion: Christ was murdered - to justify murderers.
Preacher: Isaac Miller
Passage: 2 Corinthians 1:8-11
Sermon Points:
- A Description of Affliction
- A Purpose of Affliction
- Certainty in Affliction
- Pray through Affliction
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 3:8-24
Big Question: How does God respond to our sin?
Sermon Points:
- Bad News: The Chaotic Consequences of Sin
- Good News: The First Foretastes of Redemption
Big Idea: God has every right to condemn all people, but He will redeem some people.
Application Points:
- Sin destroys everything
- Christ redeems everything
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 3:1-7
Big Question: What went wrong?
Sermon Points:
- Confusion: God's Word gets twisted.
- Deception: God-like freedom is promised.
- Corruption: Adam & Eve are thrown into chaos.
Big Idea: We tried to put ourselves in the place of God, and it corrupted us.
Application Points:
- Sin starts by twisting God's Word.
- Sin always promises us God-like freedom.
- Sin always delivers death.
- Let Jesus bear the wight of your sin and shame.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 2:18-25
Big Question: What does it mean to be a man, or a woman?
Sermon Points:
- The Problem: God says the man is insufficient.
- The Solution: God creates the woman as his helper.
- The Result: God begins the pattern of marriage & family.
Big Idea: God designed men & women differently, for a very good spiritual purpose.
Application Points:
- Men & women are not interchangeable.
- Men & women must flourish together.
Final Point: God's glory is at stake in gender & marriage.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 2:4-17
Big Question: What makes life good?
Sermon Points:
- The God who gave us life
- The God who made life good
- The only way to die
Big Idea: Trusting in God's word is the key to this good life with God.
Application Points:
- God's word is the only true standard of good & evil.
- God's word is always good for us.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 1:3-2:3
Big Question: What is the meaning of life?
Sermon Points:
- A God who speaks
- A couple who bear His image
- A mission to fill the Earth
- A pattern of work & rest
Big Idea: God created all things so that he would be glorified through us.
Application Points:
- By cherishing & protecting all human life
- By getting married & having children
- By working hard to fill & subdue the earth
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Genesis 1:1-2
Big Idea: If we want to make sense of life, then we need to know this God.
Sermon Points:
- The God Who created all things
- The chaos He started with
Application Points:
- This God is infinitely greater than we are
- This God is the source of everything else we need
- Life without this God is chaos
Preacher: Carl Dernell
Passage: Philippians 4:4-9
Big Idea: It is possible to rejoice always because the God of peace is with you.
Sermon Points:
- It is possible to rejoice always.
- It is possible to deny anxiety.
- It is possible to think spiritually.
Application Points:
- Take an inventory of your thought life.
- After filtering our ungodly thoughts, what is left?
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Mark 15:40 - 16:8
Big Question: What will it be like to follow a resurrected King?
Sermon Points:
Portraits of:
- Faithfulness: A group of women witness King Jesus' death.
- Courage: Joseph asks to bury Jesus' body.
- Fear: The women tremble at King Jesus' resurrection.
Big Idea: It still takes courage to follow a resurrected King.
Application Points:
3 Fears:
- The world still rejects His authority.
- I'm not very influential.
- This is way more than I bargained for.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Mark 15:16-41
Big Idea: We need to decide who we think Jesus is.
Sermon Points:
When the King was killed
- Some people mocked Him.
- Same marveled.
Application Points:
- Is He the Son of God - or not?
- Is He the solution to your sin - or not?
- Is He the hope of all the world - or not?
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Mark 15:1-15
Big Question? Why didn't Jesus justify Himself?
Sermon Points:
- An Innocent King Stays Silent
- A Convicted Murderer Goes Free
Big Idea: Jesus endured the ultimate injustice so that He could justify us.
Application Points:
Because He endured our injustice:
- We can be honest about our sin.
- We can stay silent when we are accused.
- We can be certain we are justified.
Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto
Passage: Mark 14:53-72
Big Question: How will we testify about Jesus?
Sermon Points:
- Confusion
- Clarity
- Chaos
Big Idea: The Gospel is worth being rejected for.
Application Points:
We can testify about Jesus by:
- Following Him from a distance.
- Denying Him in public.
- By speaking up & joining in His rejection.