Him We Proclaim: Recent Episodes
The Mount Church, Clemson, SC
Audio messages from The Mount Church in Clemson, South Carolina. Visit us online https://www.themountchurch.com
John 8:12-30: Summary: At the apex of the feast, a feast of lights featuring Messianic hope, Jesus declares that He is the Light of the world. He invites the crowds to follow Him, to partake in the Light of Life. The Pharisees, standing opposed to this Light, state their opinion and, by it, their obstinance to the truth of God they claim to singularly uphold. They begin by calling Him errant (and arrogant), question things (again) He's already made plain, avoid the subject of their sin altogether, and prove (per usual) to be darkened in their understanding, devoid of spiritual Light and Life. Jesus, perfectly patient, alights their darkness all along the way, reasserting the truth of His testimony, the reasons they cannot receive it, the eternal danger in which they find themselves and, yet, the Way of escape. God comes into focus in Christ, and Christ comes into focus at the cross. He shines most radiantly in that darkest hour as the divine Christ, the Savior of sinners. Many heard this and believed, but is it authentic faith? Pausing there, are we, like John, burning and shining lamps for Jesus? Are we walking in the light? Are we His stars in the darkened firmament of this world? Are we visible followers of Jesus?
Sermon Outline: Jesus as the Light of the world. (8:12) The Light of the world addressing manifest darkness in people. (8:13-29) His testimony is divine truth. (8:13-18) Our problem is blind unbelief. (8:19-24) God's solution is the cross of Christ. (8:25-29) People believing in Jesus. (8:30)
John 7:37-52: Summary:As the festival reaches its conclusion, Jesus offers living water to the weary. This reminder of God's care for his people, and his repeated promises of restoration, is met with mixed reaction. All seem to see it for the claim that it is. But it will take more than the word of God to convince some that they are in the presence of their judge and king.
Sermon Outline: The nation's hope, vv.37-39 Longing, v.37 Living, v.38 Looking, v.39
The people's hope, vv.40-44 A Pharisee's hope, vv.45-52
John 7:25-36: Sermon Outline:
Ignorance of God (7:25-27)
Revelation of God (7:28-29)
Persecution of God’s Messiah (7:30-32)
Prophecy of Messiah’s Victory (7:33-36)
Benediction: Hebrews 1:1-3
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18: Summary:In a world full of grief and discouragement, it's critical that we who believe that Jesus died and rose again never lose sight of that fact. Paul never did, and never wanted the church to either. As a matter of true hope and sure anchorage, in life and death, Jesus did rise and will return to save His people in full. It's information full of encouragement---encouragement we need for living that differentially Christian life together. As the years roll by, and His own are laid to rest, and the certain patterns of life seem to accentuate only the sure of victory of death and, perhaps, the world mocks (even as it mourns), we're to be a people nonetheless marked by resurrection life and, thus, a proven hope in our risen Lord. Sermon Outline: The need for resurrection encouragement. (4:13, 18) The supply of resurrection encouragement. (4:14-17) Jesus died and rose again. (4:14) Jesus will descend again. (4:16a-c) God will raise the dead in Christ. (4:14b, 16b) God will change the living in Christ. (4:17a-b) And together, we will always be with the Lord. (4:17c) The ministry of resurrection encouragement. (4:18)
John 7:1-24: Summary: Half a year has passed since 'the hard saying.' Jesus has ministered in Galilee. Acknowledging His claims, His siblings tell Him what they would do if they were Him. 'Go big, or go home. Put up, or shut up, brother.' It's unbelieving counsel. They were, at this time, part of the evil world. Jesus makes this explicit. They may be from the same womb, but they need to be born again. He doesn't operate by their opinions, methods, aims, but by the Father's plan. He is God's Messiah. Apparently then, the Father's will comes clear: Jesus should go up, only not in a way that would expedite the cross before the appointed hour. Jerusalem is all up in arms about Him. All need to be willing to submit to Him as the definitive revelation of God. If any has a heart to take God at His Word, they will recognize Jesus to be the Truth. Therefore, the reason one might not is because, despite their claim to love God, they don't. They're yet sinners who hate exposure to the Savior. Sin makes one spiritually irrational, unwilling to come to terms with the divine truth, to judge of Jesus with right judgment: He is the Holy One of God. Sermon Outline: Wrong judgment #1: God's Christ should be about popularity with worldly people. (7:1-9) The strategy of Jesus' siblings. (7:2-5) The obedience of God's Christ. (7:1, 6-9). Wrong judgment #2: God's Christ will be obvious to worldly people. (7:10-24) Opinion and revelation. (7:10-14) Sinners and the Holy One. (7:15-20) Criminal or Christ?: Judging with right judgment. (7:21-24)
John 6:41-71: Summary: 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.' Is that our stance also? Well, it is the stance of every true disciple, that every word of Christ is life-giving to our souls, and worthy then of all our devotion. In this section of John 6, that stance is put to the test. Jesus says hard things, yes, to unbelievers, but no less to his 'disciples,' including the sovereign initiative of God in salvation and the outrageous notion that such salvation somehow involves the death of Christ. In it, we learn just how incapable and, therefore, dependent we are on the divine and crucified Christ for eternal life. Many 'disciples' show their true colors by taking on the grumbling response of the world to the things of God and, in truth, we're led to see that the only thing that distinguishes us from any unbeliever, however styled, is the mere and amazing grace of Jesus. Sermon Outline: A hard saying. (6:41-59) No one can believe in Christ crucified apart from God's effectual grace. (6:41-51) You must believe in Christ crucified to have eternal life. (6:52-59)
An authenticating resolution. (6:60-71) 'Who can listen to it?' (6:60-65) 'You have the words of eternal life.' (6:66-71)
John 6:22-40: Summary:It's the day after Jesus has fed the crowds and saved His disciples at sea. The crowds search for and find Him, but is He what they really want? Jesus reproves the motive in their search and aims to redirect them to the things of eternal salvation. It is a gift of God by Christ, but unbelievers have no ear to hear of grace. Their instinct is faith in self, and in their ability to earn God's gift. Jesus calls them to believe in Him. Only by faith in Him will sinners know eternal life. In their spiritual obstinacy, they discount the sign He's just performed by asking for another. We vastly underestimate the extent of our problem, unbelief. Jesus corrects their misunderstanding of Scripture, introducing typology. The manna was but a type of what Jesus truly is. His teaching goes over their hearts again, so He speaks plainly. He's the Bread of Life. Whoever believes in Him will have their souls forever satisfied. That they do not believe in Him does not impugn His mission. God has a people He's given to the Son. They will believe in Him---and He will never cast them out. As it's His Father's will, Christ will keep them to the end. Death itself will not loosen His grip on them, for He will raise them at the last Day. So the life He gives is truly eternal. Sermon Outline: Jesus pointedly reproving unbelievers. (6:22-27) Jesus patiently correcting unbelievers. (6:28-34) Jesus plainly instructing unbelievers. (6:35-40)
John 6:1-21: Summary: Given opportunity to expand upon the Father's testimony to His divinity, Jesus takes occasion by a great crowd near Passover to do, perhaps, His greatest work prior to His death and resurrection. All four Gospels record it and, again, it will serve as an object lesson, an attention-grabber for the identity of Jesus and the word of His cross. As the disciples find themselves confronted by an impossible task, given the resources at their disposal, Jesus displays the sufficiency of His power and grace for every deed by this great one. As it's accomplished, He further demonstrates His mission by refusing to be taken king and captain by the people. His Kingdom is not of this world. While He distances Himself and His disciples from the hysteria, they head to Capernaum without Him. A storm assaults them on the sea. In their trouble, so often the gift after great works, Jesus comes to them, walking on the sea. He comforts them and brings them safely to shore. Another miracle has occurred and, in the process, we're taught that for every deed and time of need, Jesus is all-sufficient. May we lay it lastingly to heart. Sermon Outline:
The setting of Christ's divine sufficiency. (6:1-4) The question of Christ's divine sufficiency. (6:5-9) The exercise of Christ's divine sufficiency. (6:10-13) The misapprehension of Christ's divine sufficiency. (6:14-15) The reaffirmation of Christ's divine sufficiency. (6:16-21)
John 5:30-47: Summary:Jesus continues to explain His equality with God. Seeking only the Father's will, He judges all in perfect accord with the Father's judgment. His judgment is the judgment of God. He is God the Son incarnate. But in a legal sense, though He is the Word, His word alone is insufficient to establish His identity as the divine Christ. He has four further primary witnesses: John the Baptist, His own works, the Father, and the Scriptures. It is a divine testimony. What will people believe if not that? And if not that, why not that? Along with His proofs, Jesus gives several pointed reproofs: spiritual fickleness, blindness, unwillingness, fear of man, pride. Whatever it is, it's not a failure of the truth, or of the will of Christ to save, but something terribly intrinsic to the sinful heart. He cannot have a better group of witnesses! May we have hearts to hear them and believe. Sermon Outline:
Christ's testimony about Himself. (5:30-31) The Father's multifaceted testimony to Jesus. (5:32-40)
By John the Baptist. (5:33-35) By Jesus' works. (5:36) By His own attestation. (5:37-38) By the Scriptures. (5:39-40)
Christ's further reproof of His unbelieving audience. (5:41-47)
How can you believe?: the fear of Man. How will you believe?: misreading Moses.
John 5:19-29: Summary:Rather than shying away from the conflict with Israel's religious elite, Jesus doubles down. They feel affronted that Jesus considers himself to be intimate with the heart of God? Jesus lets them know that insofar as they dishonor him, they show that they hold no real honor for the Father, either. By rejecting the word and work of Christ, they bring judgement upon themselves. The Father himself has turned everything over to Jesus - eternal life is found in believing his message. Jesus suggests nothing less than understanding Scripture in light of his own ministry. And in so doing, Jesus, through John calls his disciples to truly see Jesus as Lord, as the creator, as the judge, as the rewarder of the righteous. He is not just a powerful teacher or miracle worker, but God fleshed out, demonstrating his love for his people and his desire for their repentance. Outline:
Like Father, Like Son Life Eternal Listen Up
John 5:1-18: Summary: Upon His return to Jerusalem, Jesus sees a man in need of Almighty mercy. He's been an invalid for 38 years. His hope has lain in the pool nearby, but he's not able to enter it, and he has no one to help him. After inquiring whether he wants to be healed, Jesus heals him with a Word. As this was done on the Sabbath, the guardians of the Law take issue with the man's 'labor', who then seeks to excuse himself by placing the blame on his Healer. Later, Jesus comes to the man and charges him, by mercy received, to sin no more, lest something worse (than 38-years of paralysis) befall him. The man then reports to his accusers that his Healer was Jesus. On account of this, the Jewish leaders' persecution intensifies; and all the more as Jesus gives the reason for His activity on the day of rest: He's equal with God. He does only what God does, and cannot do otherwise! The text confronts us with the depth of Man's real problem, the lengths of God's mercy, the main purpose of Christ's mission, and the necessity of believing upon Him as the divine Christ. Sermon Outline:
See God doing work. (5:1-9a)
Jesus hunting. (5:1-6) Jesus healing. (5:7-9a)
See God deepening His work. (5:9b-15)
The blindness of these guides. (5:9b-10, 12) The blame-shifting of this man. (5:11) The burden and beauty of Jesus. (5:13-15)
See God defending His working. (5:16-18)
Their accusation. (5:16) Jesus' answer. (5:17) What it all means. (5:18)
John 4:43-54: Summary: Jesus takes leave of Sychar for his homeland of Galilee. In contrast to His reception in Jerusalem, the Samaritans believed His Word. Will the people of Galilee? They too have seen His signs, but will there faith be only sign-deep, or sin and Savior-deep? It is an apparent irony in that they 'welcome' Jesus. John preempts this welcome with a note, how Jesus had taught that a prophet has no honor in his hometown. The welcome is rooted in His wonders, not (as it must be) in His Word. As a test case, an official has a son on the brink of death. In desperation, hearing Jesus was nearby, he asks Him to heal the child. Jesus calls out the spiritual issue afoot in Galilee, as elsewhere. Is this man any different? Well, he asks Jesus to come and help. Extraordinarily, Jesus needn't be near to accomplish the task. Underscoring His grace and power, He but wills and speaks it from where He stands, and the child is healed. Death is turned back! Importantly, before the father knows this, he's content to take Jesus at His Word, and the healing then only strengthens the faith he'd expressed. His whole household also believes in Jesus as Christ. Let us learn from it to put off the hardening effects of Christian familiarity and flash, and settle it in our hearts to honor Jesus by elevating and believing His Word. Sermon Outline
Consider Jesus in His prophetic office. (4:44) Consider two ways to dishonor Him. (4:44-45)
Rejecting His Word on account of familiarity. (4:44) Rejecting His Word in favor of flash. (4:45)
Consider a test case on true faith. (4:46-54)
The circumstances. (4:46-47) The test. (4:48-50) The result. (4:51-54) The message: true faith ventures all on the Word of Christ.
John 4:31-42: SummaryThe Lord's most recent convert, the woman of Samaria, has become a model disciple for 'the disciples.' All her concern is to bring her people to Jesus. All their concern seems to be refreshment. Granted, Jesus is weary, thirsty, and hungry but, even then, something else owns the place of priority with Him: the salvation of souls. That's His 'food.' His food is the work the Father sent Him to accomplish. That work is a harvest of souls, and it's not to be delayed by anything. The time to reap is now. So we sow with great expectation and humble, joyful collaboration. Again, the new-born instinct of the Samaritan woman serves as the example for evangelistic urgency, while Jesus further models evangelistic constancy. And as He labors among them, indeed, many more Samaritans believe upon Him, in truth, as the Savior, not just of the Jews, but of the world. Her testimony laid a lofty expectation for Him that He, in flesh and blood, does not disappoint.
Sermon Outline: The food that's work. (4:31-34) Christ's. And ours. The work that's 'harvesting' souls. (4:35-38) See the immediacy. Be moved by the motivation. Be joyfully collaborative. The harvest that's global. (4:39-42) The woman of Samaria. The Savior of the world.
Luke 14:1-24: Summary: Jesus is at table with Pharisees. They're watching Him. He's perceiving them. He takes opportunity by the table to address their hearts and practices, to confront them on 'the weightier matters of the Law,' like spiritual sincerity, humility, and charity. These are the things that ought to mark the people of God. But will these Pharisees profitably hear the Lord? Unfortunately, it doesn't seem so. One in particular hears His lessons, and remarks how blessed everyone will be who eats in the Kingdom of God. Presumably, that includes all of them as they are. They've missed the point, and Jesus let's them know it. By a parable, He speaks to those who've been invited to God's banquet, only to make excuses when the Servant comes to bring them into it. They treasure the things of this world over the things of God, over the call of Christ. So they miss out. But that doesn't mean all miss out. No. God's house will be filled. His invitation goes out to all the world, even to those you'd least expect---and they come and enter His glory by the grace of Jesus. Even while we take care to ourselves, then, we're to compel as many as possible to enter while there's room. Sermon Outline: Cultivate Christ's community---3 marks. (14:1-14) Spiritual sincerity. (14:1-6) Spiritual humility. (14:7-11) Spiritual charity. (14:12-14) Embrace Christ's commission---compel all to come in. (14:15-24) Hearing, but not hearing. (14:15) Invited, but indifferent. (14:16-20) Angered, but abounding. (14:21-23) Excuses, and exclusion. (14:24)
Proverbs 24:10-11: Summary: The divinely-inspired sage exhorts the wise, the God-fearing, to stand up against injustice. The day of adversity, i.e., when the rather innocent are being violently oppressed, even to death---that day is our time to come up big. We may feel like fainting, but we cannot. The wise will prepare themselves to buoy righteousness, to do what's right, particularly when it is costly. Having been rescued, we'll do what we can to rescue the helpless from oppression and slaughter. As it relates to abortion, we may be innocently ignorant, but we cannot afford to be. And whether we are or aren't, God will not allow us to claim ignorance as an excuse. We have a responsibility as His people to be about 'true religion,' to stop making excuses for inactivity, to stop leaving truth with the tongue, and to give it real-time hands and feet. He weighs our hearts. He knows our souls. And He will repay us according to our work. Are we working for the abolition of abortion? Are we standing up for the weakest yet most oppressed part of humanity in the world---the preborn child? Is our strength small for them, or are we going to come up big for them and their parents? Sermon Outline: Foresee the day of adversity---and prepare for it. (24:10) Fear God in the day of adversity---and rescue the oppressed. (24:11) Flee excuse in the day of adversity---and come up big instead. (24:12)
2 Kings 5:1-18: Summary:Naaman is a great man with a terrible problem. He's a Gentile with leprosy. He has a skin-problem. His ethnicity and disease cast him as unclean in the eyes of observant Israelites. Thing is, the only cure for his skin (and ultimately, his sin) resides in Israel. The story then is one of unexpected compassion. Beginning with a remarkable little girl and ending with the great prophet, Elisha, this great but troubled Syrian discovers grace across ethnic and religious divides---grace that manifests the very heart of the God of Israel to him. He is no tribal god. He is the God of all the earth, the only true God and, in his eventual discovery of a cure, Naaman comes to make the great confession that, it seems, binds him to God and to the company of God's redeemed humanity. Elisha sends him home with a word of peace---a peace they little know will draw out the very blood of Jesus Christ, the Jewish Messiah and Savior of the world. Knowing Him helps in matters of skin.
Sermon Outline: The skin-problem of a great man, 5:1. The great grace of a little girl, 5:2-5a. The sin-problem of an evil king, 5:5b-7. The lowly cure of a godly man, 5:8-10. The sin-problem of the great man, 5:11-12. The needed counsel of clear-sighted friends, 5:13-14. The desired result of grace received, 5:15-18.
Deuteronomy 10:12-21: Summary:A little pride is a dangerous thing. It makes us buy into the lies of the world, that we can make it on our own, that we control our surroundings, that we don't need one another. It makes us hard-hearted towards God, and hard-hearted towards one another. As Israel is reminded of their failures in the wilderness, Moses gives the people an image of the glorious God, creator and ruler of all creation, compassionate and merciful, just and good. This is the God to whom we speak, and the God who responds. Sermon Outline: For your good, vv12-13 The great, the mighty, and the awesome God, vv14-17 You were sojourners, vv18-19 By his name you shall swear, vv20-21
Deuteronomy 6:1-9: Summary:The Israelites are poised, after a long delay due to their sinful disobedience and hard-hearts, to enter the promised land. God calls for covenant faithfulness, a life built around communicating God's faithfulness and how to worship and serve him as his chosen people. As Christians we find ourselves party to a new and better covenant, and called to faithfully know and communicate the message of salvation procured by the Word of God. The Scripture gives us everything we need in order to know God and please him. And with it he invites us to invite others to know Him. Sermon Outline: This is the commandment, vv1-3 Hear, O Israel, vv4-5 You shall teach them, vv6-9
1 Timothy 6:11-16: Summary:Against a prideful brand of teaching and teachers marked and giving license to various sins contrary to the doctrine of Christ and His Gospel, Paul exhorts Timothy, the man of God, (a) to pursue holiness, (b) to endure in believing, and (c) to be above reproach until, at the proper time, Christ appears. This appearance is in the hands of God and, as such, is a gift He's most happy to give (the Blessed), and is most sure to give (the only Sovereign), and is most able to give (alone immortal). The immortality implicit in Christ's appearing is God's to give us. By it---that is, through Jesus, we're enabled to approach and see Him Who is unapproachably holy and invisible. That is the gift. May He have all the glory for it. And in the meantime, may it be our aim to honor Him by a life that's worthy of the Gospel. Sermon Outline: The man of God defined, 6:11a. The man of God's charge, 6:11b-14. Flee and pursue, 6:11b-c. Fight and take hold, 6:12. Keep and preserve, 6:13-14a. The man of God's hope: the God-Man's appearing, 6:14b-16.
Hebrews 13:1-16: Summary: In Christ, we've come, as it were, to Mt. Zion---and yet, we are not yet Home. The author of Hebrews speaks to the Christian life in the in-between. We might call it City-life. He speaks quickly but broadly to specific manifestations of Christian conduct: love, hospitality, compassion, marital-honor, contentment, and considerate discipleship. And as in this world, that may lead to persecution, so that some teach Christ in order to avoid the offense of His cross, the church needs to be rooted in the immutability of Christ's Person and Work. Our teachers, good or poor, will come and go, and things may change all around us, but Christ is ever the same. So we're to avoid teaching that's strange to Scripture, while sticking with the word of His grace. That will strengthen our hearts to remain faithful to Jesus when it is hard to be so---and it will be hard. Christ suffered outside the gate, and so too must we. Solidarity with Him may very well separate us from life in this world. What will hold us fast, if not that we're seeking a lasting City to come? Where we establish permanence will determine our path in this world. As the King increases in us, so too will His forever City and, consequently, we'll find all the stability we need to live on Calvary.
Sermon Outline:
City-life for City-folk, 13:1-7. City-prep for City-life, 13:8-16.
The immutable Christ, 13:8-9. The altar of Christ, 13:10-13. The City of Christ, 13:14.
Titus 2:10b-15: Summary: The Cretan churches are being infiltrated and disturbed by Judaizers and their own Cretan culture. Paul writes to Titus to put things that have fallen out of order back into good order. He says that the very truth of the Gospel is on the line in the conduct of the churches, for it evinces the reality of God's grace in Christ. Some want to make grace a license for sin. Paul says such do not understand the purpose of God's grace. It's epiphany or manifestation in Christ's incarnation, return, and death (Paul's arrangement in the text) regenerates, trains, and motivates all Christ's own to be godly and zealous for good works as a testimony to the doctrine of salvation. Godliness is the product of keeping eyes on Jesus, back upon His cross, ahead to His appearing, always in His school of grace. Titus is to declare these things with the authority of Christ; and so, the churches are to give the word of godliness, whether exhortation or rebuke, their most attentive and appreciative ear. Where the King increases in us, so too will space for godliness and good deeds.
Sermon Outline: Adorn the doctrine of God our Savior: the churches' situation, 2:10b. Adorn godliness because Christ has appeared, 2:11-12. Adorn godliness because Christ will appear, 2:13. Adorn godliness because Christ has atoned, 2:14. Adorn the doctrine of God our Savior: the delegate's commission, 2:15.
Acts 2:42-47: Jesus has come, lived, died, been raised, ascended and, by the Spirit, descended into our very hearts. By Him, He's taken up residence within His people---and it is evident. Peter preaches the first official Christian sermon, and Christ saves many. He is building His Church. Our text explores the earliest version of us, what marked us at our most infant and purest and, thus, what should be prescriptive for us today. That mark is devotion to the Word, table fellowship, prayer, care, praise, and outreach as a unified Gospel community. Such a new creation community is supernaturally compelling. It begets awe, generosity, favor, affirmation and, Lord willing, the saving of many souls. As God does His extraordinary work through the ordinary means of grace, it is incumbent upon us to take up and/or keep up that to which the Holy Spirit says this first church devoted themselves. We will make space for it where Christ increases in us. Sermon Outline: Be devoted to the formal means of grace, 2:42-43. Be devoted to familial displays of grace, 2:44-47a. Be driven to devotion by its general effect: the Lord's application of grace, 2:47b.
Matthew 11:25-30: Summary: Jesus has just declared the condemnation of those cities that have not repented in light of His revelation. Far from discouragement, He looks to His Father, the Lord of Heaven and earth, and thanks Him for the inscrutable wisdom of His eternal decree as it relates to the saving efficacy of the truth about Jesus. He hides from those who think they see and reveals to those who, by common grace, know they're rather blind. Still, that is not a merit. The revelation of Christ in the soul is according to sheer grace. It is completely cut off from Man's ability to know. Only God knows God---but Christ chooses to reveal Him to His people. It is His to give. To that end, He gives a rather general call to all who, having a sense of their spiritual death, destitution, and despair, would come to Him for grace and rest. A yoke, a classroom, even a burden abides for any who do, but the Master has changed, and that is all the difference. He is gentle and lowly in heart. He relieves the burden of the yoke, finally, by exchanging our sin and shame for His saving grace. Where Christ, then, takes up more room in our hearts, our hearts will find more space for Rest. Sermon Outline: Jesus thanking: the Father's pleasure, 11:25-26 Jesus revealing: the Son's grace, 11:27 Jesus calling: the soul's rest, 11:28-30
John 4:1-30: Sermon Outline:
The setting: Jesus wearied, 4:1-6. The Savior of sinners, 4:7-26.
Engaging, 4:7-9. Relating, 4:10-15. Convicting, 4:16-18. Clarifying, 4:19-24. Revealing, 4:25-26. The sinner saved, 4:27-30.
John 3:22-36: Summary: Jesus and His disciples are baptizing. So are John the Baptist's. Spurned on by a discussion about purification, John's disciples alert John that all the people are going to Jesus to be baptized. They are, we might say, losing their share in the baptism business. John ensures them that this is what is supposed to happen. He teaches them that their ministry is a gift of God. It's all from Him. And it's about Christ. But John's not Christ. Jesus is. This is what John taught. Heaven forbid he steal the Bride away from the Groom! The friend of the Groom rejoices in His Voice. Hearing Jesus, John's joy is now complete. His ministry is fulfilled and vanishing---and he's glad about it. 'He must increase, but I must decrease.' It's his task to make way for more of Jesus. John the evangelist then gives an extended meditation on the glory of Jesus Christ, further clarifying the key to a joyful and fruitful ministry from above: a steadfast focus on the preeminence of Jesus. He unpacks this preeminence as Jesus being the Heaven-down Expositor of God, supremely manifest in His role as the Beloved and Sovereign Savior of sinners.
Sermon Outline: Taking from John the Baptist?: Jesus increasing, 3:22-26. Learning from John the Baptist: Jesus must increase, 3:27-30. Building on John the Baptist: Jesus cannot increase enough, 3:31-36.
John 3:9-21: Summary The all-critical conversation continues between Nicodemus and Jesus. Jesus has told him about the necessity of the new birth for entering the Kingdom of God, as well as the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit in bringing it, mysteriously but visibly, about. The teaching, however biblical, befuddles this great teacher of Israel. How can this happen?, he asks. Jesus finds his response incredible---and unbelieving. If he can't get the new birth, how can he believe in the crucifixion of the divine Christ for the salvation of the world? As only Jesus can, as One from Heaven, He reveals the redemptive plan of Heaven, historically prefigured in the account of the brazen serpent. Christ escalates the story, and John goes still further in his meditation upon it for us. The atonement is the gracious manifestation of the love of God for a dreadfully evil world. It has no greater expression than the saving death of His Son for sinners. The responsibility is laid upon us to believe in Him. His salvation implies judgment for all who do not believe in Him. The root of unbelief is a love of sin and, ironically, a fear of judgment. The text exists to counteract that fear. The Judge is first the Savior. In contrast to the habit of the unbeliever, the born again, the believer in Christ, will make a habit of living in the light. They fear no judgment. Love has won in their hearts, and they long only for God to be displayed and *glorified in their lives.
Sermon Outline The dark fruit: an object lesson in unbelief, 3:9-12. Heaven opened upon it: divine love chiefly manifest in saving grace, 3:13-18. Man's self-judgment: hating this Light for the blinded-love of sin, 3:19-20. The fruit of new Life: openly glued to Jesus for God's glory, 3:21.
John 2:23-3:8: Summary: Still Passover. Jesus has done a lot of signs, and a lot of people have believed in Him. We expect this to be a joyful note. It's not. This 'belief' is met with skepticism by Jesus Himself. Jesus knows all people. Jesus knew what was 'in Man,' and it's not at all flattering. It's the deceptive effects of the Fall. John gives us a 'case in point.' Nicodemus was 'a man' with a lot of good things going for him in the eyes of Man. But Jesus tells this 'man' that he needs to be born again. Proving his spiritual blindness, he doesn't get it. Jesus clarifies. He needs to be born of water and the Spirit. Flesh can only produce flesh. Only the Spirit can produce spirit, i.e., divine life in the soul of 'a man.' The new birth is not something we can bring about for ourselves. Only God can do this. Still, we 'must be born again.' This is a sovereign, gracious, and evident work of the Holy Spirit. Like the wind, He comes and goes and blows wherever He wishes---and where He does, the newly born person becomes proof positive of it. It shows---first and foremost in urgent repentance and true faith in Jesus Christ (which we'll emphasize next week).
Sermon Outline: John's alarm: the reality of an unbelieving 'faith,' 2:23-3:2. This reality narrated, 2:23-25. This reality exhibited, 3:1-2. Jesus' answer to it: 'You must be born again,' 3:3-8. The eternal necessity of the new birth, 3:3-7. Seeing and entering, 3:3-5. Flesh and Spirit, 3:6-7. The Spirit's sovereignty in the new birth, 3:8. The personal visibility of the born again, 3:8.
John 2:13-22: Summary: It's Passover. An obedient Jewish man, Jesus goes up to Jerusalem to celebrate the historical deliverance typified in the Exodus and fulfilled in Him, the Lamb of God. He enters the temple. He doesn't like what He finds. His Father's house, a direct allusion to His Sonship, has been made a convenience store. Worship as it's supposed to be has been (literally and spiritually) muddied by religious-trading. The purpose of the temple is obviously not being fulfilled. We know that by the response of the owner of that 'house.' He drives out all that's contrary to the biblical worship of God. His disciples see the fulfillment of Psalm 69:9 in it. It confirms that He is the Christ. But the religious leaders are not sold. Ironically, in asking for a sign, they admit the sight of something different about Jesus. Still, their question presupposes an unwillingness to believe. They feel their authority threatened. It has been. They want to know where Jesus comes by such an action. He speaks of the sign of signs: His death and resurrection. Their dull hearts find nothing but supposed arrogance in this. They don't understand Him. He's speaking about His body. His disciples understand this only after He has been raised from the dead. By it, their true faith is strengthened in Jesus as the Christ of Scripture. He has all authority to govern the worship of God. Indeed, He is the fulfillment of the temple and all that it stood for in the Scriptures. In Him, we come to God, meet with God, worship God, become a living stone in the new-age house of God.
Sermon Outline: Jesus can cleanse this temple (2:13-17). The Lamb to Jerusalem, 2:13. The Son in the temple, 2:14-16. Jesus to His disciples, 2:17. Because Jesus will raise the Temple: Himself (2:18-22). Authority challenged: seeking a sign, 2:18. Authority declared: giving the Sign of signs, 2:19. Authority dismissed: sign criticized, 2:20-21. Authority confirmed: sign achieved and activated, 2:22.
John 2:1-12: Sermon Outline: We have found the Messiah… Cana of Galilee (vv1-2) Distance in the relationship (vv3-4) Exemplar (v5) We have all received, grace upon grace… Water (vv6-7) Wine (vv8-10) We have seen his glory… First place (v11) Glory revealed (v11) Heading to Jerusalem (v12)
John 1:35-51: Sermon Outline:
Discipleship: helping people to Jesus, 1:35-46. From John to Jesus, 1:35-39. From Andrew to Jesus, 1:40-42. From Philip to Jesus, 1:43-46. Discipleship: Jesus helping His people, 1:47-51. His welcoming grace. His convincing knowledge. His assuring word. His surpassing glory.
John 1:1-18: Sermon Outline:
The Word and His glorious Person, 1:1-5. The Word and His greatest prophet, 1:6-8.
The Word and His gracious purpose, 1:9-18. To bear and bring a family to God, 1:9-13. By becoming flesh and manifesting God to us, 1:14-18.
Acts 1:1-11: This sermon was preached by Tyler Miller as part of TMC's annual missions week. Tyler and his wife, Brooke, are missionaries with Cru. They serve in Charlotte, NC and internationally in East Asia. Their desire is to help the church make disciples through evangelism and discipleship by sharing the gospel and teaching others how to do this in their everyday life. Summary: Luke, having recorded his Gospel, now embarks on the continued work of the ascended Jesus through His people by the power of the Holy Spirit. He begins by speaking of the proof Christ gave to His apostles, and the directive Christ gave them to wait for the Gift of His ascension for ministry, along with its local and global commission. The section closes with Christ's ascension and the promise of His return as fuel for the church's mission in the in-between.
Sermon Outline: A Surprising Promise, 1:4-5 A Surpassing Purpose, 1:6-8 A Simple Push, 1:9-11
Esther 9:23-10:3: Sermon Outline:
Recounting redemption (and the God behind it), 9:23-25. Resolving to celebrate it (and the God behind it), 9:26-29. Recognizing the redeemers (and the God behind them), 9:30-32. Rejoicing in the Redeemer (and the God behind Him), 10:1-3.
Esther 9:1-22: There is no suspense. The author tells us the end of the ensuing battle from the beginning. The enemies of God's people, hard-hearted as they proved to be, could not stand against them on account of an exalted Jewish man, Mordecai. They make a complete end of their enemies. Ironically, were it not for this book, their memory would've been cut off. Judgment is certain. By grace, so too is victory for God's people. Having gained it, Mordecai records it and obligates God's people to observe the feast of Purim. At its heart is the theme of redemptive reversal. As with all the feasts in the OT, this too points to Christ crucified and raised as the apex of redemptive reversal; and thus, it typifies and enriches the Day we gather to celebrate the Gospel, in all its fullness, together which, itself, is a foretaste of *the assembly in Heaven. Sermon Outline: The great reversal completed: God's people win, 9:1-16 Their great rest and rejoicing: Mordecai institutes Purim, 9:17-22 The great Redeemer: our celebration of Jesus
Esther 8: Sermon Outline:
Esther's winning intercession, 8:1-8. Mordecai's life-giving edict, 8:9-14. The world's initial response to it, 8:15-17.
Esther 7: Sermon Outline:
Getting our providential footing, 7:1-2. Going public in faith, 7:3-4. Haman revealed: your sin will find you out, 7:5-7. Haman condemned: your sin will take you out, 7:8-10.
Esther 6: Sermon Outline: A seed flowered, 6:1-3 A switch of fortunes, 6:4-11 A sure fall, 6:12-14
Esther 5: Sermon Outline: Life, 5:1-8. The support of prayer. The exercise of faith. The experience of grace. And death, 5:9-14. The god of self. The gods we make. The misery of idolatry. The counsel of the wicked. The irony of retribution. And God at work.
Esther 4: Sermon Outline:
Mourning in light of the truth: seeking God's mediation, 4:1-3. Coming to the light: making the case to Esther, 4:4-14. The moment of truth: deciding Who to serve, 4:15-17. You, me, and our cross-bearing Mediator.
Esther 2:19-3:15: Sermon Outline: Standing for God... A fortuitous seed, 2:19-23. A final straw, 3:1-4. A fiery snowball, 3:5-11. A frightening scheme, 3:12-15. ...Who sits on the Throne.
Esther 2:1-18: Sermon Outline: The ungodly help, 2:1-4. The unexpected hope, 2:5-18. An old Jewish man in Susa, 2:5-6. A young Jewish woman in conflict, 2:7 Willful compromises, his and hers, 2:8-17. Ends and means, 2:18. The unseen Hero. God, infinite in wisdom and grace. The King in His beauty. Beauty for ashes.
Esther 1: Sermon Outline: The exposing of the world's most powerful man. Ahasuerus' front of glory and might, 1:1-8. Ahasuerus' exposing sin and plight, 1:9-22.
The stage-setting of the world's true Sovereign. This thing called Providence. The One we call King Jesus.
Psalm 133: Sermon Outline: Christian unity is delightfully good (vs1). Unity is like… Sacred oil (vs 2). Mountain dew (vs 3a).
Unified worship is a taste of eternity (vs 3b).
Psalm 126: Sermon Outline:
Hope realized gratitude, vv1-2a glory, vv2b-3
Faith engaged expectation, v4 investment, vv5-6
Psalm 122: Sermon Outline: Corporate worship and heeding the King's heart, 122:1-2. Corporate worship and reflecting the King's rule, 122:3-5. Corporate worship and participating in the King's prayer, 122:6-9.
1 Peter 5:12-14: Sermon Outline: Peter's closing exhortation: stand firm in the true grace of God, 5:12. Stand firm in the one Gospel message. Stand firm as the collective Gospel messenger.
Peter's supporting pillars for this: Steadfast Silas, 5:12a-b. Messed-up Mark, 5:13d. The chosen 'she' at Babylon, 5:13a-c. Your loving local church, 5:14a. Peter's prayer for the peace we share in Christ, 5:14b.
1 Peter 5:6-11: Sermon Outline: Cast your anxieties on Him---because God cares for you, 5:6-7. Resist the devil---as one of God's many soldiers, 5:8-9. Endure to the end---for the God of all grace will deliver on eternal glory, 5:10-11.
1 Peter 5:1-5: Sermon Outline: 1. The elders' concern, 5:1a. The elders' companion, 5:1b-c. The elders' calling, 5:2-3. The elders' crown, 5:4. The congregation's clothing, 5:5.
1 Peter 4:12-19: Sermon Outline:
That we must endure as Christians: we can expect fiery trial for Jesus, 4:12 In what manner we must endure as Christians: with joy and resolve, 4:13-16 Why we must endure as Christians: sifting and salvation, 4:17-18 How we will endure as Christians: entrusting our souls to a faithful Creator, 4:19
1 Peter 4:7-11: Sermon Outline: God's historical reality: the imminent end of all things, 4:7a. Our practical response: for God's eternal glory in everything, 4:7b-11c. How the church is to live as heirs of grace on the edge of eternity: Live to pray, 4:7b. Pray to love, 4:8. Love to serve, 4:9. Serve to glorify God, 4:10-11c. Our practical response then goes through 4:11c.
Peter’s doxological reaffirmation, 4:11d.
1 Peter 4:1-6: Outline: A Christ-honoring resolve to... suffer (4:1) treasure (4:2-3) A self-condemning... orientation (4:4) response (4:4) A Gospel-based... accounting (4:5) posture (4:6)
1 Peter 3:18-22: Sermon Outline:
The unique purpose of Christ's suffering, 3:18. The unusual proclamation of it's achievement, 3:19-20a. The unexpected prefigurement of its achievement, 3:20b-d. The undeniable picture of its achievement, 3:21. The unrivaled power of Christ's sovereignty, 3:22. Putting it all together.
1 Peter 3:8-17: Sermon Outline: The content of the good life, 3:8-12. Prioritizing gracious relations in the church, 3:8. Pursuing gracious relations with opponents, 3:9. Persevering by faith in the gracious relations of God, 3:10-12.
The contours of it's grand stage, 3:13-17. The trial: suffering for righteousness, 3:13-14. The topic: our enduring hope in Christ, 3:15. The tone: a trusting, irreproachable gentleness, 3:16-17.