Georges Creek Sermons: Recent Episodes
Georges Creek
This podcast features the sermons preached at Georges Creek Baptist Church in Easley, South Carolina.
Haggai 2:10-23
Main Question: How does our heart impact the harvest?
- The health of our hearts impacts the health of the harvest.
- The focus of our hearts impacts the quantity of the harvest.
- A consecrated heart releases the seed and unlocks the harvest.
Scripture References:
Haggai 2:10-23
Haggai 1:3-4
Revelation 3:1-6
Philippians 3:12-13
Titus 1:15-16
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Galation 6:7-9
James 4:1-5
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Jeremiah 23:24-27
Matthew 28:19-20
John 4:34-35
Luke 18:18-27
- Who will be saved?
- What is actually important?
- Time spent with family, not what you get.
- Misunderstanding of Salvation
- Jesus only listed second half of commandments
- First half of commandments refer to relationship with God
- Second half of commandments refers to relationship with others.
- The ruler missed the point, he thought he was "good"
- What we do means nothing for our salvation. No matter how "good" or "bad" we are
- Our Salvation is based on the only "GOOD" person to ever walk this Earth.
- Jesus offered Salvation and the ruler chose Earthly wealth.
- It is not easy to solely focus on Jesus.
- If we are not entirely willing to give all for our discipleship, it is because of our priorities.
- He was sorrowful because of his wealth, which he is not willing to give up.
- We must be dependent on our Lord like a child is dependent on their parents
- Salvation is impossible with us. But through Jesus everything is possible.
- We contribute nothing to our salvation. It's Jesus and nothing else.
- Have we fallen into the misunderstanding that this person did?
Haggi 1
Main Idea: God's people put God first.
Main Question: What keeps us from putting God First in our lives?
- Delayed obedience is disobedience.
- We will never put God first as long as we believe something else can satisfy us more than Him.
Main Idea: Every Christian is either helping or hindering the advance of the gospel.
Main Question: Am I helping or hindering the advance of the gospel?
- You help advance the gospel by leveraging your entire life for the gospel.
- You hinder the gospel when you care more about advancing yourself than you do about advancing the gospel.
Main Idea: We can weather the storm, because we know who reigns.
· We can lower ourselves knowing who builds us up.
· We can keep watch knowing who is watching over us.
· We can fight in our weakness knowing who is our strength.
Scripture References: 1 Peter 5: 6-14, Philippians 4:6, Revelation 12:17, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, Romans 12:20-21, Acts 19:15, John 3:30
1 Peter 5:1-5
Main Idea: Suffering sheep need shepherds who reflect the Good Shepherd.
Truth 1: Suffering sheep need shepherds who are present.
Warning 1: Beware the shepherd who doesn't smell like sheep.
Truth 2: Suffering sheep need shepherds who serve willingly.
Warning 2: Beware the shepherd who only does what's required.
Truth 3: Suffering sheep need shepherds who care more about people than profit.
Warning 3: Beware the shepherd whose care is contingent upon compensation.
Truth 4: Suffering sheep need shepherds worth following.
Warning 4: Beware the shepherd who doesn't practice what he preaches.
Scripture References:
1 Peter 5:1-5
Philippians 1:21-25
1 Corinthians 9:9,11,14
1 Timothy 5:17
1 Corinthians 11:1
James 3:1
Main Idea: God uses the fire of suffering to refine His people and prepare them for glory.
Main Question: How should we understand and respond to God's refining fire?
- Since our God is refiner, we shouldn't be surprised by the fire.
- SInce God is preparing you for Glory, you can sacrifice momentary comfort for Eternal satisfaction.
- Since God is both the Judge and the Refiner, we must learn to discern the fire.
- Since our God is faithful, we can trust Him in the midst of the fire.
Main Idea: When you see the end clearly, you live in the present differently.
Main Question: How does seeing the end clearly affect how we live now?
You stop living for sin and start living for God.
You stop drifting and start living with urgency.
You stop serving yourself and start serving others.
1 Peter 3:13-22
Main Question: How should we respond when we suffer for righteousness sake?
-We must shift our perspective heavenward.
-We must fear dishonoring God more than we fear displeasing man.
-We must hold fast to integrity, even when is cost us.
Main Idea: We can persevere in suffering for righteousness sake because Christ has already secured the victory.
Scripture References:
1 Peter 3:13-22
Matthew 5:11-12
Luke 6:26
Galatians 1:10
Matthew 10:28
Colossians 2:15
Main Idea: Christlike responses don't come from behavior modification, but from gospel transformation.
Main Question: How does the gospel transform our responses when we're wronged?
- The gospel reshapes who you are before it redirects what you do.
- The gospel frees you to release the reflex to retaliate and trust in God instead.
- The gospel reframes our understanding of the good life.
What is the impact should we choose to Omit instead of Commit the commands given to us in scripture?
As believers we have given the ultimate responsibility to carry out the ultimate mission by the ultimate authority.
Jesus did not commit us to the "What" and omit the "How".
Jesus doesn't give us the "What" and the "How" and omit the "Who".
Jesus doesn't give us the "What" and the "How" and the "Who" and omit the metric to measure success.
What best explains the empty tomb?
- The only explanation for the disciples' transformation is the resurrection.
- Stealing Jesus' body would have produced the very thing they were trying to prevent.
- The best explanation for the empty tomb is the bodily resurrection of Jesus
Christ CrucifiedB
Matthew 27:32-56
Main Idea: Jesus endured the agony of the cross to secure our eternal salvation.
*Jesus fully committed to suffering for your sin because He was fully committed to saving you from your sin.
*Jesus was forsaken so that we would never have to be.
*Jesus didn't die to make salvation a possibility for His people, but a certainty for His people.
Scripture References: Matthew 27:32-56, Habakkuk 1:13, 2 Corinthians 5:21
Who is responsible for the death of Christ?
- Christ was condemned due to cowardly compromise.
- Christ was condemned because people preferred to get rid of Him rather than submit to Him.
- Until you accept the blame, you cannot receive the blessings.
What do you think Jesus came into your life to do?
Jesus came to save souls, not systems.
Jesus's teachings are prophetic, not peaceful.
Jesus's authority is eternal, not earthly.
Jesus is not what we expect, but far beyond what we need.
Main Question: If our flesh is weak and God requires perfection, how can anyone be saved?
*God's intentions are an insufficient Savior.
*Overconfidence will often lead to compromise.
Main Idea: Certainty of Salvation does not depend on a willing spirit, but on a willing Savior.
Scripture Reference: Matthew 5:48, Matthew 26:31-46
How can we be sure that our faith is genuine?
Main Idea: Our faith will be sure when we focus on Jesus instead of ourselves
- We can trust in the sovereignty of God
- Truly believe Jesus is who He says He is
- Accept Jesus' sacrifice for us
Main Question: Is Jesus worth our worship and our lives?
- Costly worship will always look wasteful to people who don't see Jesus clearly.
- Nothing is more urgent than rightly responding to Jesus now.
Main Idea:
- Worship is never wasted because Jesus is worthy of it all.
1 Peter 1:22-25
Main Idea: The children of God love like God loves.
Main Question: What does it look like to love like God loves?
*Christian love is not a role we play it's a reality we live.
*Christian love is not casual; it's costly.
*Christian love is not temporary; it's enduring.
We must intentionally discipline ourselves in holiness because no one drifts towards holiness.
How do we discipline ourselves in holiness?
- Discipline in holiness begins by developing a mindset that earnestly desires holiness.
- Discipline in holiness is motivated by a desire to honor our Father.
- Discipline in holiness is sustained by reverent awe for the cost of our redemption.
Main Idea: All trials are temporary and necessary for our growth in Christlikeness.
Main Question: What do we need to know to help us endure the trials of this life?
- Every trial God allows is a trial God intends to use.
- What God gives us in Christ is far greater than anything the world could ever take from us.
Main Question: How can we have hope while
living as exiles in a fallen world?
The world cannot undo what God has
already accomplished.
Worldly hope depends on outcomes, but
living hope depends on an empty tomb.
What God promises, He protects—and He
protects the people to whom He promised it.
Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 1:1-5 Philippians 3:20 John 6 & 16, 1 Corithians 2
Ephesians 2 John 6:39,40 Romans 6:23
Main Question: If all I have is vanity, what should I hold on to?
- In the face of death, we must not hold on to what we are or what we do.
- While the dead have nothing to hold, the living hold onto hope.
Main Idea: While death is certain, so are hope and
joy for the living.
Scripture References: Ecclesiastes 9:1-10, 8:14 Proverbs 10:9,27 Ephesians 2:10
Romans 6:23 1 Timothy 1:1 Colossians 1:27 Romans 5:2-5 Matthew 15:26-27
James 4:17 John 10:28-29
Main Idea: The people of God receive the blessings
of God to use for the purposes of God.
Main Question: What causes people to rob God
today?
We rob God when our trust is based on our
circumstances rather than God’s character.
We rob God when we make obedience
transactional and conditional.
Return to God before you return anything to
God.
Trust God enough to obey Him where it
feels risky.
Live like God sees, remembers, and rewards
your faithfulness.
Before God confronts the sin in the world, He first confronts the sin in us
What should we expect when God confronts our sin?
God confronts our sin by exposing our distorted view of justice
God confronts our sin by subjecting us to the fires of refinement in order to spare us from the fires of judgment
Refining is personal, not mechanical
Refining is purposeful, not random
Refining is protective, not punitive
When bad things happen, how can we respond and thrive because of them?
3 props to lean on:
Assurance of abiding faith in God
Awareness of a purpose being served
Anticipation of a reward waiting for me
Main Idea: If we misrepresent God, we will mislead
people.
Main Question: What causes us to misrepresent
God today?
If we aren’t faithfully following God, we
won’t be able to help others follow Him.
We misrepresent God when we measure
ourselves by the wrong standard.
We misrepresent God when we tell people
what they want to hear rather than what they
need to hear.
Main Idea: God is too great to be given less than our best.
Main Question: What does it look like to give God less than our best?
- A diminished view of God always leads to dishonoring worship of God.
- What we offer to God reveals what we believe about God.
- Half-hearted worship is more burdensome to God than it is to you.
Main Question: What does God want His people to know about His love?
If we base God’s love on our circumstances,
We will never have assurance. God’s love for His people is special.
God’s love for His people is unchanging.
We must be prepared to go at a moment's notice.
You can't borrow someone else's preparation
Be ready to go when He comes and be faithful to serve until He does.
It's not about how much you have but what you do with what you have been given.
The reward for faithful service is greater responsibility.
How do we hold onto our faith until the end?
Remember the faith of Christians before us.
Get rid of whatever slows you down.
Look to Jesus as our ultimate example.
What are the characteristics of Spiritual Blindness?
- Spiritual Blindness prioritizes religious adherence above a personal relationship.
- Spiritual Blindness twists God's Word to serve its own agenda.
- Spiritual Blindness majors in the minors.
Main Idea: Greatness in God's kingdom is measured by humble service, not worldly status.
Main Question: How can we tell the difference between godly service and worldly status?
- Worldly status thrives by bringing others down, but godly servants strive to bring others up.
- Worldly status lives for the approval of others, but godly servants live for an audience of one.
- Worldly status seeks to be exalted, but godly servants choose the path of humility.
Main Idea: If we don’t get the Word right, we won’t get God right.
Main Question: What’s the danger of getting God’s Word wrong?
- When we undervalue the Word, we will underestimate God’s power.
- When we misunderstand the Word, we will misrepresent God’s priorities.
- When we don’t rightly understand God’s Word, we will misrepresent God’s Son.
Main Question: What is a Christian's Responsibility to God and Government?
- We must render submission to Caesar and never compromise obedience to God.
- We must render to God all that we are and have and never compromise our devotion.
Main Idea: True faith isn’t about living a perfect
life but trusting in a perfect God.
Main Question: How can imperfect people deepen
their trust in our perfect God?
Just because God is silent doesn’t mean He
is absent.
True faith can be real and still messy at the
same time.
Just because you’ve fallen doesn’t mean
God can’t use you again.
We must anchor our soul in God because the slow drift of compromise leads to big collapses.
Main Idea: God will disturb your peace to deliver you from your compromise.
Main Question: How does God disturb our peace to deliver us from compromise?
· God delivers us from compromise by exposing what we’ve been excusing.
· God uses our mess to move His mission forward.
Main Idea: Our distrust in the next step exposes doubt in our promised destination.
Main Question: What does trusting God in life’s next step look like?
- God provides assurance through his Word.
- God refines our understanding through His timing.
- God steadies our steps by His light.
- God perfects our faith through His work.
- Our trust comes through faith in God’s promises.
Main Idea: When our zeal for God isn’t grounded in the truth of God, it ends in disaster. Main Question: How does misguided zeal lead to disaster?
A misguided view of God always leads to misguided zeal. When your zeal for God is disconnected from the character of God, it leads to destruction.
Main Idea: God thins the ranks to deepen our faith.
Main Question: How can we trust God when He
thins the ranks in our lives?
God thins the ranks not to punish us with
loss but to position us for growth.
God strengthens our faith not by saying
something new, but by helping us finally
believe what He has already said.
Main Idea: Before God uses you publicly, He first purifies you privately.
Main Question: How does God purify us to be prepared to answer His call?
- Before revival can happen around you, repentance must happen within you.
- God examines private obedience before entrusting public influence.
- When God confirms your purification, He commissions you with a purpose.
Main Idea: God calls unlikely people and equips them with His presence to accomplish His purposes.
Main Question: How can we discern and answer the call of God?
- When God burdens you with a cause, it’s often because He’s already been preparing you to be part of the solution.
- When calls you to a purpose, He sends you with His presence.
True faith depends on only one person: Jesus.
True faith understands that God is sovereign over everything.
True faith will lead us to join in the fight.
Main Idea: God shows us how to choose overwhelming joy over overbearing judgment.
- God's love for His children is stronger than our sin and rebellion.
- God's love for His children is patient enough to let us learn from our choices.
- God's joy for our future exceeds the shame of our past.
- It's possible to be in the house of the Father but not yet in the family of the Father.
- The heart of God is joy in repentance not judgment for past choices.
Main Idea: God calls His people to stop feeding the flesh and, by His strength, put it to death.
Main Question: How do we put the flesh to death?
- In order to kill the flesh, you must use the sword of God’s Word.
- We overcome the flesh through the victory of God’s Savior.
Main Idea: If we don’t learn from the cycle of Judges, we’ll fall into the pattern of Judges.
Main Question: What causes us to fall into the pattern of Judges?
- When we allow small areas of disobedience, it often leads to large areas of disaster.
- One generation’s compromise becomes the next generation’s standard.
Main Question: Who will be at the Son’s wedding feast?
- Being invited isn’t the same as being in.
- Those we expect to be included at the feast might actually be excluded.
- The invitation is radically inclusive, but entrance is distinctly exclusive.
Main Idea: Many are invited into God’s kingdom, but only those clothed in the righteousness of Christ may join the celebration.
Main Idea: Jesus isn’t looking for spiritual subscribers but surrendered followers.
Main Question: What’s the difference between spiritual subscribers and surrendered followers?
- Spiritual subscribers resist Jesus’ authority to the degree that it threatens their own.
- Spiritual subscribers reject truth to the degree that it endangers their image.
Main Pont: To know Jesus correctly we must know scripture correctly.
- The truth of Scripture leads us from hoping in Jesus to trusting in Jesus.
- Every part of Scripture points to Jesus.
- We should study Scripture expecting God to do something amazing.
Main Idea: Because Jesus has been raised, we are invited to live in the fullness of the resurrection life.
Main Question: How do we live in the fullness of the resurrection life?
- Grace is not freedom to sin; grace is freedom from sin.
- None of our past affiliations have any bearing on our new identities.
- Living the resurrection life means leaving the grave behind.
Main Idea: If we fail to see Jesus for who He is, we will fail to follow Him as we ought.
Main Question: How do misunderstandings about Jesus keep us from following Him faithfully?
- Jesus did not come to satisfy our expectations but to fulfill God’s promises.
- Jesus did not come to approve our agendas but to implement God’s agenda.
Main Idea: As God’s people, we must clothe ourselves with the character of Christ.
Main Question: What does it look like to put on the character of Christ?
- Forgiveness is never based on whether or not a person deserves it but on what God has done for us.
- We are called to love people as they are, not as we desire them to be.
- Unless we are guided by peace, we will never be guided to peace.
True disciples are obedient in every aspect of their lives.
How do we live obediently in marriage, parenting, and the workplace?
Healthy Christian marriages point people to Christ.
Godly parenting is the best tool for exposing your kids to the Gospel.
The workplace is the mission field God has called you to today
Main Idea: Because God has raised us up with Christ, we must live out our faith in Christ at all times.
Main Question: What does it look like to live out our faith in Christ at all times?
- You can’t pursue Jesus and something else at the same time.
- If we don’t put sin to death, sin will put us to death.
- If we’re going to claim to have new life, then we actually have to live new lives.
Main Idea: The only way our faith can grow and be nourished is by holding fast to Jesus.
Main Question: How can we hold fast to Jesus in a world of alternate routes?
- A brother’s personal conviction should never be mistaken for the Father’s
command.
- We need to make sure we’re not more focused on seeking spiritual experiences than we are on seeking Jesus.
- Just because you act religious doesn’t mean you’re actually righteous.
Main Idea: We get to enjoy the blessings of new life
in Christ because Jesus paid it all.
Main Question: What are the benefits of new life in
Christ?
- Because Jesus paid it all, He has completely
cleansed us from all our sins.
- Because Jesus paid it all, He has canceled
our debt entirely.
Main Idea: We don’t need to add anything to Jesus because we are complete in Him.
Main Question: How are we complete in Jesus?
Jesus has already done everything that needed to be done for salvation.
Spirituality without Christ is just empty superstition.
Fear the Merciful God and joyfully serve Him in Sincerity and in Faithfulness.
God is Merciful to sinners because of Jesus Christ.
By God's own work He has made a way to serve Him in sincerity and in faithfulness.
Main Idea: Disciples with deep roots aren’t easily plucked.
Main Question: What are the signs that we are deeply rooted disciples?
- Deeply rooted disciples are deeply rooted with other disciples.
- Deeply rooted disciples focus on knowing the real Jesus so that they can easily spotcounterfeits.
- Deeply rooted disciples walk the old, trodden paths, not new, enticing paths.
Main Idea: God equips you so that you will be able to equip others.
Main Question: How does God equip us to equip others?
- God uses your sufferings to equip you to comfort those who suffer in the same way.
- What God gives to you is meant to be used in service to others.
- If we’re not maturing, we won’t be able to present others mature.
Main Question: Why is the message of the cross essential to our faith?
- At the cross, we exchange our sin for Jesus’ righteousness.
- At the cross, we see the death of death in the death of Christ.
- Because of the cross, God now sees sinners as saints.
Main Idea: Everything falls apart without Jesus.
- You were specially made by Jesus, and you were especially made for Jesus.
- If Jesus is not foremost in your life, your life will slowly start to fall apart.
- If you replace Jesus with anything else, the church will start to fall apart.
Main Idea: Unequipped disciples are unpleasing disciples.
- Lord, fill me with spiritual wisdom so that it controls my thoughts, attitudes, motivations, and actions today.
- Lord, draw me closer to Jesus so that my flaws are exposed, and I may walk more in step with Him.
- Lord, remind me to sit with you before I serve you, so that I will depend on you for a fruitful life and ministry.
- Lord, help me to have joy in my walk with Christ and give thanks for becoming more like Christ.
Main Idea: A disciple’s life is characterized by deepening roots and producing fruits.
Main Question: What are the characteristics of a growing disciple?
- Disciples build their faith on the foundation of Jesus alone.
- True disciples don’t pick and choose which members of the church they will love.
- The fruit in our lives bears witness to the roots in our hearts.
Main Idea: We can hope in the good news of Jesus because there is no catch with Christ.
Main Question: How does the good news give us hope?
- The gospel is good news for all people without distinction.
- The gospel is good news for all people because all people need the gospel.
- We will never have true peace until we have peace with God.
Main Idea: When God is with us, He enables us to navigate life’s unexpected circumstances.
Main Question: How does God’s presence enable us to navigate life’s unexpected circumstances?
- God’s presence enables us to show grace when we’ve been disgraced.
- When we’re fearful of the future, the presence of God calms our fears by reminding us of His past faithfulness.
- If you wait to obey until you feel like it, you’ll never get around to it.
Main Idea: The birth of Jesus moves us from gloom to glory.
Main Question: How does Jesus move us from gloom to glory?
- God transforms our reasons for shame into stories of grace.
- No solution is ever found in ourselves.
How Do We Worship with Our Whole Hearts?
- Our comforts become our captors when they keep us from worshipping God.
- We should give our money to God as an act of worship, not duty.
- Humility is accepting that God is in control, not us.
Main Idea: We should give thanks for a Shepherd who protects and provides for His sheep.
Main Question: How does God protect and provide for us?
- Protection of the sheep is directly proportional to proximity to the shepherd.
- The Good Shepherd anoints us with the salve of the Spirit.
Main Idea: We should give thanks for a Shepherd who leads His sheep.
Main Question: How can we begin to appreciate the Shepherd’s leading?
- Stagnation leads to regression; progression leads to righteousness.
- The Good Shepherd never leads His flock where He has not already been before.
Main Idea: The Good Shepherd pursues His sheep and restores His sheep.
Main Question: What does it look like for God to pursue us and restore us?
- You can never be so lost that the Good Shepherd cannot find you.
- You can never outsin the grace of the Good Shepherd.
Main Idea: We should give abundant thanks for an abundant God.
Main Question: How can we have a spirit of thankfulness regardless of our circumstances?
- Thank God for what you have, and trust God for what you need.
- Learn to treasure the presence of the Good
- Shepherd more than the presents of the Good Shepherd.
- Follow the Shepherd to the true source of satisfaction.
Main Question: What does it mean to be a child of God?
- God isn’t comparing you to other Christians, so you shouldn’t be either.
- God calls us to place stepping stones, not stumbling blocks.
- You shouldn’t be concerned about the personal holiness of others if you’re neglecting your own.
Main Idea: God doesn’t give up His children.
Main Idea: Christians must never use their freedom to cause offense.
Main Question: How can we exercise Christian freedom without causing offense?
- Question 1: Does the Bible allow it?
- Question 2: Does my conscience allow it?
- Question 3: Will it offend?
- Question 4: Is it worth it?
Main Idea: A big God deserves big faith.
Main Question: If we truly do have a big God, then why is it that we have such little faith?
- The size of our faith is determined by the object of our faith.
- When we shift from hope to expectation, we move from little faith to big faith.
- God is so big, so strong and so mighty, He can heal the paralyzed. (vv. 32-35)
- God is so big, so strong and so mighty, He can raise the dead.
- God is so big, so strong and so mighty, why are you so worried?
Main Question: Who is Jesus?
- Before we open our mouths, we need to examine our lives.
- Only the person who is prepared to die for this confession is prepared to live out this confession.
Main Idea: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
Main Idea: When we add to or subtract from the true gospel, we create a false gospel.
Main Question: How do we add to and subtract from the true gospel?
- Supernatural signs cannot compare to the wonder of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
- To add to the gospel of Christ is to question the sufficiency of Christ.
- To take away from the gospel of Christ is to diminish the worth of Christ.
Main Question: Who’s invited to join the household of God?
- Societal outcasts are gospel prospects.
- Jesus supplies for those who are lacking.
Main Idea: God’s household is open to all who put their faith in Jesus.
Main Idea: We get in God’s way when we get stuck in our ways.
Main Question: How do we get in God’s way?
- We hinder the work of God when we turn traditions into commandments.
- We hinder the work of God when we sacrifice clean hearts for clean hands.
Main Idea: When we lose focus, we lose faith.
Main Question: How can we remain focused on Jesus in a world of distractions?
- There’s a purpose behind every challenge.
- More than we need our difficulties to go away, we need to find peace in the presence of Jesus.
- Even if you take your eyes off of Jesus, Jesus never takes His eyes off of you.
Main Question: What does this story teach us about Jesus?
- Jesus is always available to His people.
Main Idea: Jesus is the greater Moses, who permanently delivers, sustains, and satisfies His people.
- There’s no hold that Jesus can’t break.
- There’s no situation Jesus can’t see you through.
- There’s no spiritual longing that Jesus can’t satisfy.
Main Idea: Radical reformation requires drastic demolition.
Main Question: What needs to be demolished in our day?
- We must remove everything that takes our focus and devotion away from God.
- We must get rid of syncretism and all who oppose sound doctrine.
Main Idea: A shortsighted ministry is a short-lived ministry.
Main Question: What causes our shortsightedness?
- Today’s compromises become tomorrow’s standards.
- When you focus only on living for today, you make it harder for others to live tomorrow.
How do we leave a legacy of godliness?
We must live a life of obedience to leave a legacy of godliness.
Hearing God's Word must be followed by obedience.
A mature Christian does what is right, no just what is easy.
God takes our worship of Him seriously.
Our actions will affect those who come after us.
Main Idea: God delivers His people through the victory of His chosen one.
- Your first line of defense is the thing you trust in the most.
- God is for God.
- God delivers His people through the victory of the head-crusher.
Main Idea: Since heaven rejoices in the salvation of
the lost, so should we.
Main Question: How can we truly rejoice in the
salvation of sinners?
- We must remember that God loved us at our most unlovable.
- Since God didn’t give you what you deserve, you should rejoice when He doesn’t give others what they deserve.
God's reward system is different than the worldly reward system we have today.
Three things we learn about God with God's reward system:
- God is always good.
- God is always fair.
- God is always generous.
God's generous reward system encourages us to also be generous with our money, belongings and time.
- Forgetting that salvation is by grace alone leads to pride and judgmentalism.
- True Christians do not ask, “Who am I required to love?” but rather, “Who needs love?”
- If God can love and use you, He can love and use your Samaritan.
Main Idea: Stop asking, “Who is my neighbor?”
and start asking, “Who needs a neighbor?”
Main Idea: Since the end is imminent, we must make the most of the time we have left.
Main Question: How can we begin to make the most of what God has given us?
- It’s not about how much you have; it’s about what you do with what God has given you.
- Make sure you’re living for the approval that actually matters.
- Take responsibility for your own passivity.
- God rewards faithful stewards with greater opportunities.
Main Point: We must be prepared for Jesus based on what He did for us, not on what we presume of him.
Jesus will return.
Being prepared for Jesus brings a confident peace in Jesus.
Just presuming that God will save you will lead to destruction
Main Idea: We must not be so focused on the final
product that we fail to treasure the process.
Main Question: How can we begin to treasure the
process?
- Don’t just look ahead to where you want to be; look back and appreciate how far the Lord has already brought you.
- If you want to see change in the future, you have to knead the gospel into every aspect of your life now.
- Pay attention to what you’re investing in.
Main Idea: Since good and evil will coexist until the end, we must patiently persevere until the end.
Main Question: In what ways do Christians need patience today?
Wherever Jesus sows good, expect Satan to sow evil right in its midst.
When we rush to condemn, we risk tearing down the kingdom of God.
The promise of final judgment is a word of comfort to the righteous and a word of warning to the rebellious.
Main Question: Why do some people grow and others don’t?
Main Idea: In order to grow in the faith, we don’t need fresh seed; we need fertile soil.
- You can’t blame the sower for your lack of growth if you never take time to prepare the soil of your heart.
- You can’t blame trials for uprooting your faith if you never took the time to deepen your faith.
- Don’t be surprised by a lack of harvest if you never invested any time or effort in nurturing your faith.
Main Idea: God’s people put God first.
Main Question: What does it look like to put God first in our lives today?
- Don’t just clean your house; fill your house with the things of God.
- Don’t just take care of your house; prioritize God’s family in your life.
The words that we speak show the condition of our hearts.
The sign of Jesus is sufficient.
Main point: the Righteous heart doesn't search for a new sign; it looks to Jesus.
Main Question: What hope is there for people who are broken and hurting?
- Jesus freely gives us the very thing we’re trying to earn.
- Jesus doesn’t withhold His love until we fix our mess; He loves us in the midst of our mess.
Main Idea: Jesus is hope for the hopeless.
Main Idea: We must not let the rules of man prevent
the work of God.
Main Question: How do our rules and traditions
prevent the work of God?
- God doesn’t need us to supplement His silence.
- We must not forsake the spirit of the law in our attempts to uphold the letter of the law.
Main Idea: We won’t go and tell until we come and
see.
- Many are seeking to follow the teachings of a dead teacher instead of seeking a relationship with a living Savior.
- People will oppose the resurrection to the degree that it threatens their lifestyles.
Main Idea: We must own the blame of the cross in
order to receive the blessings of the cross.
Main Question: What is the blame, and what are the
blessings of the cross?
- The severity of Jesus’ suffering shows the seriousness of sin.
- He was forsaken in order to end our separation.
- Death has died in the death of Christ.
Main Idea: We must commit ourselves wholeheartedly to Jesus because indecision leads to
condemnation.
Main Question: What are the main ways we try to avoid a wholehearted commitment to Jesus?
- We cannot transfer a decision God has called us to make.
- Fascination with Jesus must not be confused with faith in Jesus.
- God will not be satisfied with half-measures when He’s called us to make a wholehearted
decision.
Main Idea: Those who are truly connected to Jesus by faith will never walk away from the faith.
Main Question: What are the warning signs that we’re not truly connected to Jesus by faith?
- If you’ve settled for being religiously connected rather than spiritually converted, you’re in danger of deconstructing.
- If you lack the fruit of the Spirit, you lack the Spirit of the fruit.
Main Question: When you encounter Jesus, how will you respond?
- Our worship reveals who our ultimate authority is.
- When we encounter Jesus, we’re expected to submit, not negotiate.
Main Idea: When we encounter Jesus, we will either be drawn in or driven away.
Wisdom comes from knowing our status before the Lord.
Wisdom comes from knowing God's status above us.
Wisdom comes from having a relationship with the almighty God.
Wisdom comes from knowing God's Word.
God's Word is inspired, inerrant, sufficient.
Main Idea: God’s purposes are greater than all our plans.
Main Question: Why should we humbly submit ourselves to God’s purposes?
- Since God’s purposes will come to pass, we must be willing to bend or be ready to be broken.
- God sees through our excuses.
Main Idea: With our words, we will either speak life or spew death.
Main Question: What is it that determines whether or not we speak life or death?
- Those who have life speak life, but those who are spiritually dead speak death.
- Your life will mirror your speech.
Main Idea: Evil gains traction when the church fails to take action.
Main Question: What actions must the church take to prevent wickedness from prospering?
- We must submit ourselves to the standard of the Word or else be conformed to the standard of the world.
- We must go to war against the kingdom of darkness.
Main Idea: Our labor in the Lord brings glory to God, but laziness is an act of rebellion against God.
Main Question: How can we glorify God in our labor and avoid laziness?
- God’s kingdom advances through laborers, not leeches.
- God’s people resemble the ants, not the sloths.
- Holiness doesn’t just happen.
Main Idea: We can entrust ourselves to God completely because He will not fail us.
Main Question: How do we entrust ourselves to Christ completely?
- We must rid ourselves of reservations.
- We must let Him lead our lives.
Main Idea: If we don’t heed the voice of wisdom,
we will hear the laugh of wisdom.
Main Question: What is it that hinders us from
hearing and heeding the voice of wisdom?
- We will listen and respond to the voice we’re most familiar with.
- The promise of immediate pleasure deafens us to the reality of inevitable consequences.
Main Idea: Until we learn to fear the Lord, we will continue to lack wisdom.
Main Question: How does fearing the Lord help us gain wisdom?
- Without God, we can’t know anything.
- Without God, we cannot rightly apply knowledge to our lives.
Main Question: How can we truly know God and gain spiritual understanding?
- We must stop looking inward and begin looking upward.
- We cannot know God apart from God.
Main Idea: In order to know God and gain spiritual understanding, we must know Jesus personally.
Main Idea: The present we need is the presence of Christ.
Main Question: Why is the presence of Christ God’s greatest gift to humanity?
- Jesus frees us from the burden of sin and legalism.
- Jesus places the heaviest burden on Himself.
They understood the prophecies of the Bible.
They looked expectantly waiting for Jesus.
They were excited to believe and see Jesus.
Main Idea: When God is at work in our midst, we must respond quickly and appropriately or else we will miss the moment.
Main Question: What is the appropriate response to God working in our midst?
- When God is at work in our midst, we must get on board even if His ways go against our preferences.
- When God is at work in our midst, we must repent and obey because we will be held accountable for how we respond.
True believers are marked.
God's word can give us assurance.
- Joy (vs 4-8)
- Repentance (vs 9-13)
- a Right Heart (vs 18-21)
Main Idea: Jesus invites us to find our satisfaction in who He is, not who we want Him to be.
Main Question: How does Jesus help us find our satisfaction in Him?
- Jesus tenderly attends to His dissatisfied disciples.
- Jesus speaks truth to us in the midst of our disappointment.
True Faith and Repentance turns the Despised into a Helper.
Loving like Jesus turns a Despiser into a Helper.
Salvations comes through Christ Alone.
Main Idea: Outsiders have a place in God’s family and plan.
Main Question: How does God’s grace extend to outsiders?
- Jesus welcomes outsiders with an outpouring of grace.
- Jesus welcomes backsliders with mercy and forgiveness.
Main Question: How can we obey God's difficult calling on our lives?Main Point: We can Obey God's calling when we surrender ourselves to Him.* Obeying God means looking past our insecurities and looking to God. * Obeying God means trusting despite our inabilities. * Obeying God means following through with our commitments.
Main Idea: We must be willing to sacrifice in order to see Christ’s mission realized.Main Question: What exactly are we going to have to sacrifice?* If we want to be accepted by God, we have to sacrifice our desire to be accepted by man. * We must be willing to sacrifice temporary peace in pursuit of eternal peace. * We must be willing to sacrifice our worldly ambitions in order to achieve Christ’s mission.
Main Idea: When faithfulness to God is our highest priority, we are freed from our fears.
Main Question: What do we need to do to experience this freedom from fear?
- Look forward to the day when God will reveal the truth and vindicate the righteous.
- We must fear God so much that there’s none left for man.
- We must remember that the Sovereign God of all creation loves you more than anything in all of creation.
Main Idea: All who pursue Christ will be persecuted by the world.Main Question: What do we need to be able to endure the hatred and persecution of the world?* We must pursue peace but prepare for persecution. * We must love Christ and His mission more than our lives and the acceptance of man.
John hears 144,000 but he looks and sees a multitude.
He sees people from every tribe and nation. No one is beyond Gods reach.
This vision is Gods fulfillment of the promise to Abraham. Jesus is the fulfillment
Main Idea: Christians won’t get active until they geta heart of compassion.Main Question: What does it look for Christians tohave a heart of compassion?* Those who truly feel compassion are those who actually take action. * Our compassion should direct our course of action. * Go as you are.
Jesus asked, "Do you believe I am able to do this? "According to your faith be it done to you" The blind men believed their faith in Jesus could heal their blindness.
- Ask God to show you a list of who you need to forgive.
- Ask God for the desire and power to forgive
- Ask God to tell you why you are worthy of His forgiveness while the other person is unworthy.
Doing the Godly thing, not only the right thing.We must never forget the amount of forgiveness God gives us. Jesus had a warning; my heavenly father will also do the same to you.
Main Idea: Jesus didn’t come to make people morereligious; He came to make people truly righteous.Main Question: What’s the difference between theold way of religion and the new way of kingdomrighteousness?* The old way of religion is exhausting, but the new way of kingdom righteousness is invigorating. * The old way leads to death, but the new way leads to life.
Main Idea: Jesus came for people just like you.Main Question: How can we know for sure thatJesus came for people just like us?* Jesus’ call bridges the gap between your past and His purposes. * Jesus doesn’t call the perfect; He perfects the called.
First 5 are things that happen in human history.6 seal always marks the end of human history.7 seal always marks the start of the final judgment.
Three Responses to the Miracle of Forgiveness:
- Jesus addresses the root problem first.
- The Scribes are silent, suppressing the truth.
- The crowds are awestruck but miss the point.
What is our response? Will we suppress the truth or trust in who Jesus is?
Main Idea: When you encounter Jesus, you’ll either cleave or beg Him to leave.Main Question: What factors contribute to how we respond?* Liberation results in transformation. * If deliverance isn’t worth the disruption, you’ll turn Jesus away.
Main Idea: No situation in our lives is too much forJesus to handle.Main Question: What do we do when troubles anddifficulties come our way?* Before we look for relief, we need to look for the lesson. * We remind ourselves of who God is, not who our circumstances make us think He is. * We must remember Who’s in the storm with us.
Why The Lamb of God is Worthy 1. He was Slain. His blood covered our sins - Passover 2. He Ransomed the people from God, for God 3. He Restored Humanity to our original purpose
Main Idea: In order to follow Jesus, we must follow Him on His terms.Main Question: What are the terms for following Jesus?* Following Jesus requires real sacrifice. * Following Jesus requires prioritizing Jesus above all else.
Before God created anything he planned redemption. Only he is worthy to open the scroll. His Triumph came through his death, not destruction.
Main Idea: We should seek to reach and welcomeall kinds of people because Jesus calls all kinds of people.Main Question: What do Jesus’ actions teach us about the kinds of people He calls and welcomes?* Jesus welcomes those whom the world rejects. * Jesus welcomes people who aren’t like us. * Jesus welcomes those whom society neglects.
Main Question: How can we have abundant life in this evil world?* For abundant life in an evil world, patience is essential, no accidental * Abundant life is found in God, not your worldly wish list. * A lifestyle of death doesn't lead to abundant life.
Main Idea: Abundant life comes through a living faith in God.
- Worship that is dishonoring and disrespectful comes from a heart that has lost sight of who God is.
- When we offer God less than our best in worship, we’re indicating that God is less than the best.
- Worship is not just a responsibility; it’s a response to the goodness of God.
- An Overflowing Kingdom 2. A Kingdom of Refuge 3. A Kingdom of Nations Flee from the wicked city. Sing for joy. Be still, listen to what God is doing.
Main Idea: When God gives us a vision of what wecan be, we’re empowered to persevere in Hisservice.Main Question: How can we avoid being derailedby discouragement and press forward to accomplishGod’s vision?* Look back with appreciation but also look forward with anticipation. * Every church member must be involved in the work. * When God is with us, nothing is impossible.
Main Idea: Every Christian must be prepared tostand firm in the ways of the Lord or else we willfall to the ways of the world.Main Question: How do we stand firm amidstcultural pressure to conform?* Isolated Christians are susceptible Christians. * If we’re not filling ourselves with the things of God, we will be filled with the things of the world. * We must resolve to be reflections of God, not the world.
Main Question: What is it that keeps us fromhaving compassion on others?* When we adopt an us vs them mentality, we forget that we’re all sinners in need of mercy and grace. * When our priorities aren’t in order, we’ll be upset by the wrong things. * When we don’t desire for others what God has done for us, we’ve strayed from the gospel.
Main Idea: We will only have compassion on otherswhen our hearts are in line with God’s own heart.
Main Question: What does God want from us?* Religious activities are meaningless without a heart of sincerity. * There is no goodness apart from God.
Main Idea: God wants us to be united to Himthrough faith in Christ.
Main Idea: We must live our lives in light of the Day of the Lord because it is near.Main Question: What does it look like to live in light of the Day of the Lord?
- If we’re more focused on making sure others receive retribution than we are on paying attention to how we’re living, we’re headed for disaster.
- No amount of present defeats can take away from our future victory.
- Enemies are conquered through conversion, not conquests.
Main Idea: We must prioritize and treasure theWord of God while we have the chance.Main Question: What’s the harm in neglecting theWord?* When we neglect the Word, we reject life and invite death. * When we neglect the Word, we doom the future of the church. * When we neglect the Word, we wind up lost.
God is a kind judge who longs to show mercy to His people. * Repentance takes the whole heart. * Repentance takes the whole body. * Repentance seeks God's Glory.
Main Question: How does God address and dealwith our unfaithfulness?Main Idea: God pursues us with relentless love andredeems us with the Savior’s blood.* Those who are far off are brought near through the blood of Christ. * The love of God is proven by the sacrifice of Christ. * Strangers become citizens through faith in Christ.
Main Idea: Because we will face many temptations to leave the Kingdom Path, we must resolve to stay the course.Main Question: How do we resolve to stay the course?* In order to stay the course, we must resolve to use godly discernment. * In order to stay the course, we must resolve to cling to Christ. * In order to stay the course, we must resolve to keep pressing forward.
Main Question: How can I know if I’m on theKingdom path?* Being on the Kingdom path means living out the Kingdom’s vision. * Being on the Kingdom path has more to do with motives than behavior.
Main Idea: Being on the Kingdom path is notprimarily about what you do but rather who you are.
Main Idea: We should pray with expectancybecause God is a Father who gives generously.Main Question: What keeps us from being a peopleof persistent prayer?* God wants us to pray ambitiously, not selfishly. * Our dedication to prayer is equivalent to our desire for the request. * We have a tendency to settle for less than God’s best.
Main Question: What causes people to go fromunbelief to belief?* There’s a big difference between doubt and determined unbelief. * Evidence can captivate the mind, but it cannot change the heart.
Main Idea: Unless you have a personal encounter with Jesus, you will never believe.
The crowd that was ready to crown Jesus on Sunday was ready to crucify Jesus by Friday. It took one week to go from joy to jeers. If it happened to them and so many others, it can happen to you too. So, what is it that causes our joy to turn to jeers?
Main Idea: Just judgment requires careful consideration.Main Question: What do we need to consider before we judge?* Christian judgment involves evaluation, not condemnation. * We shouldn’t give what we’re not prepared to receive. * If our aim is to highlight rather than help, we need to be silent.
Joseph Bryant discusses the importance of the Lord's Prayer and how praying to a caring God is different than the Gentile gods.
Main Question: What distinguishes righteous
citizens from religious actors?
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Religious actors give in order to get.
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Religious actors perform prayer rather than
offer prayer.
- Religious actors direct attention away from
God and toward themselves.
Main Idea: Righteous citizens live for an audience
of one.
True righteousness starts in the heart and becomes our actions.
Disciples of Jesus are called to a higher standard.
Spiritual maturity comes with a humble heart.
The only way to follow Jesus’ commands is to be more like Jesus.
Main Question: How can truly righteous people
avoid being lured by lust?
-Inward desires lead to outward actions.
-If you obsess over possibilities, you’ll begin to look for opportunities.
Main Idea: In order to avoid being lured by lust, we
must listen to a sweeter song.
Main Question: What do truly righteous people do
about anger?
- Religious activities cannot atone for our sins.
-The solution for anger is reconciliation, not retaliation.
Main Idea: The truly righteous relinquish their
anger in light of God’s mercy.
Main Idea: Christians are called to be useful by
combating the effects of sin in this world.
Main Question: How do we combat the effects of
sin in this world?
-As the salt of the earth, Christians are to be
reformers, purifying the world of sin.
-As the salt of the earth, Christians are to be
restrainers, preventing further moral and
spiritual decay.
-As the light of the world, Christians are to
be revealers, bringing illumination about
God and His kingdom.
Main Idea: The Beatitudes are not a list of things we must do in order to be blessed but a description of the one who is blessed.
Main Question: Who is blessed according to God?
- Blessedness begins with barrenness.
- Blessedness is finding our ultimate satisfaction in God alone.
- Blessedness is dying to self and living for Christ.
The Six Purposes of the 70 "Weeks"
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to finish transgression
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to put and end to sin
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to atone for iniquity
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to bring in everlasting righteousness
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to seal vision and prophet
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to anoint a most holy place
Main Idea: We have hope even in a world of darkness because Jesus is the true light Who purges the darkness.
Main Question: What exactly is the hope Jesus gives us today?
Jesus gives ordinary people the hope of living eternally significant lives.
Jesus gives the excluded of the world the hope of being included in the Kingdom.
Jesus gives the enslaved the hope of freedom.
This is the first part of our discussion about the end times from our Revelation series.
How can we resist the temptations of the enemy? We must have a wartime mentality. We resist the enemy's temptations by knowing the Word and trusting the Lord.
Main Idea: Entry into the kingdom of God requires sincere repentance
and faith in Jesus.
Main Question: What is sincere repentance?
Sincere repentance is a determination to align our lives with
God's will.
Sincere repentance is motivated by sorrow.
Sincere repentance leads to a new direction.
Jesus is the promised Son who defeats the serpent and gives us the victory.
How does the serpent still work in our world today and what hope do we have?
In the final chapter of Genesis, Joseph's interaction with his brothers teaches us about the nature of forgiveness and how God works in our world.
The announcement of Jesus' birth was met with many different responses. Why are there so many responses to the news that the King has come, and what is the response of your heart?
Like Joseph, we all experience times when our lives are turned upside down and do not go how we expected. What do we do in those time? How can we live faithfully obedient lives for God in an uncertain and troubling world?
The New Testament begins by listing names of Jesus’ ancestors, including pagans, Israelites, Gentiles, kings, sinners, outcasts, and average Joe’s. It’s not just a history lesson. It’s a message: since Jesus came FROM people such as these, He came FOR people such as these. There’s a place for you in the family of God! You won’t wanna miss this! Don’t let a little rain stop you from coming to worship the Savior.
If we walk in darkness, we can't fellowship with God. If we walk in the Light of God, we can fellowship with God. Jesus cleans us and corrects us lovingly. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. If we confess our sins, God forgives us and cleans us. If we say we have not sinned, we make God a liar and his word is not in us
As Jacob pronounces blessings over his children, they discover that not all of these "blessings" are what they anticipated. What does it mean to be blessed of God?
Even though we've been blessed with so much, we're not a very thankful people. So why do we fail to give thanks and appreciate all we've received?
Main Question: How can we be sure that the salvation we have now is a permanent salvation? The Father will not allow the Son’s blood to be shed in vain. The Savior who died in your place now lives to plead your case. Main Idea: We can be sure that our salvation is secure and permanent because it depends entirely on Christ and His work.
Main Question: How can we be certain of God's love in all circumstances?
God's love for you is greater than the sorrows of suffering.
If God loved us then, He loves us now.
Main Idea: When we want to be certain of God's love, we look to the cross of Christ.
Suffering and hardships are inevitable. They are promised to all Christians. And yet, the Bible says we are to rejoice in our sufferings. How is that possible? Why should we rejoice in the midst of suffering?
The Conversion of Naaman - Jordan Massey
Repentance starts with letting go of Pride.
True salvation will bring change. True change comes from obeying God's Word, letting go, humble yourself.
Because of Jesus, we now have access to God. However, most of us don't actually utilize the access He's given us, why is that? What keeps us from the throne of grace?
Our lives have a story. We all have a testimony. When we evaluate our lives, is our testimony one of grief or grace?
Being a Christian is about so much more than just heaven and hell. Salvation comes with countless benefits that God wants us to embrace and enjoy. God has more for you, so God wants more for you.
Everyone wants to be blessed and receive the promises of God, but who receives God's promises? How do we obtain God's promises?
Does God only save good people? Does God refuse to save bad people? Paul's answer is surprising: no one is good enough to earn it and no one is bad enough to miss out on it. It's because salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
The major themes of Genesis come to a head in the final chapters of Genesis pointing us back to the beginning and pointing us forward to Christ, showing that God undoes sin's curse by fulfilling His promises in Christ.
Nothing will divide a church quicker than pride, and a divided church is a doomed church. Thankfully, the gospel is the great equalizer: it knocks us down in humility and draws us together in unity. The gospel of Jesus is the hope for a divided church!
Just as God used the sinful actions of Joseph's wicked brothers in their betrayal of Joseph to accomplish His purposes and preserve a remnant, so too God used the sinful actions of wicked people in the crucifixion of Jesus to accomplish His purposes and preserve a faithful remnant.
God justifies the ungodly. He declares sinners to be righteous. He withholds His wrath from them. How is that fair? How is God just in setting sinners free?