King's Cross Church - Defiance: Recent Episodes
King's Cross Church
The King's Cross Church Podcast features sermons from King's Cross Church located in Defiance, Ohio.
Outline: I. A Church Leader is a Gift to the Church | II. Our Church Leaders' Responsibility is to Equip You to Do the Work of Ministry | III. The Leadership of a Church's Responsibility is to Help You Mature as a Christ Follower
Outline: I. True Freedom, Exodus 1-19 | II. Freedom to Obey, Exodus 20-39 | III. Freedom to Experience God's Glory, Exodus 40
Outline: The presence of God is at the very center of the good life. | I. The Tragedy of Going without God, Ex. 33:1-6 | II. The Necessity of God's Presence, Ex. 33:7-16 | III. The Glory of God Is the Goodness of His Heart, Ex. 34:1-9
Outline: I. Recognize Idols | Diagnostic questions to consider what idols might be controlling you: What do we fear most? What's in our nightmares? | What, if we lost it, would make life seem not worth living? | What do you comfort yourself with? | What makes us uncontrollably angry, anxious, or despondent? | How do you respond to unanswered prayers? | What do you think of with pride when you're doing something mindless? | What do I feel that I MUST have in order for life to feel significant? | What is your precious? | II. Replace Idols with Rejoicing in God
Outline: I. Priestly Garments and the Priestly Ministry of Christ, Ex. 28 | II. Atoning Sacrifices and the Sacrifice of Christ, Ex. 29:1-30:10
Outline: I. The Tabernacle Is a Sacred Space to Meet With YHWH | II. The Tabernacle Construction was a Community Project | III. The Tabernacle Shows Us God Cares How We Worship | IV. The Tabernacle Is a Shadow, Jesus Is the Substance
Outline: I. The Moral Law Reveals God's Ideal World | II. We Are Agents of Love and Justice in the Messy Real World | 1. To Improve the Lives of Those Who Work for Us - Ex. 21:1-5 | 2. To Protect Women - Ex. 21:7-11 | 3. To Make Restitution for Losses - Ex. 21:33-36 | 4. To Protect the Vulnerable | A. The Unborn and Pregnant Women - Ex. 21:22-24 | B. Foreigners, Widows, and Fatherless Children - Ex. 22:21-24; Ex. 23:9
Outline: I. Holy Desires vs. Unholy Desires | II. How to Kill Covetousness | 1. Recognize Triggers for Coveting | 2. Confess Coveting as Sin | III. How to Grow Contentment | 1. Gratitude for God's Gifts to You | 2. Celebrating God's Gifts to Your Neighbor
Outline: I. The Deadly Problem of False Witness | We live by lies when we... 1. twist people's words | 2. gossip | 3. slander | 4. listen to gossip and slander | 5. deceive and don't tell the whole truth | II. The Deep Reasons We Lie | III. How to Cultivate Honest Virtue
Main Idea: The Christian life is one of generous giving, not selfish taking. Therefore, don't steal. | Outline: 3 Reasons Why Stealing is Incompatible with the Christian Life | I. Stealing is not merely unwise, it is morally unacceptable. | II. Stealing violates the Golden Rule and Greatest Commandment. | III. Stealing is contrary to the Christian life of generosity.
Outline: I. Sex in Marriage is a Gift from God | II. Adultery Defiles the Gift of Sex | III. Adultery is an Affair of the Heart
Outline: I. The Masterpiece of Man | II. The Immorality of Murder | III. A Motive for Murder | IV. The Resolution for Murderers
How Do We Obey the Fifth Commandment? | I. Honor Your Father and Mother | What is Honor? | 1. Reverence (Respect) | 2. Obedience | 3. Gratitude | II. Honor Your Authority Figures | III. Honor Your Heavenly Father
Outline:I. What is the Sabbath Commandment? | II. Why Obey the Sabbath Commandment? | 1. Creation Principle | 2. Liberation Principle | 3. Blessing Principle | III. How to Obey the Sabbath Commandment? | 1. Work Hard Six Days | 2. Worship On the Lord's Day | 3. Rest in Jesus Christ
Outline:I. What is the Name of the LORD? Ex. 3:13-15 | II. How Do People Dishonor the LORD's Name? | 1. Carelessness About God's Name | 2. Claiming God's Name for an Agenda | 3. Confessing God's Name Without Obedience | III. How Ought We Honor the LORD's Name?
Outline:I. Worship the LORD Through the Word | II. Reject Idolatrous Images | Why? III. He is Jealous for Our Loyal Love
Why Obey the 10 Commandments? | I. Because of Who God Is | 1. Deliverer, 19:1-4; 20:1-2 | Holy (Scary Holy), 19:7-20 | 3. Only God is God, 20:3 | II. Because of Who We Are, Ex. 19:5-6; 1 Peter 2:9
I. Jesus Is the True Vine, John 15:1 | II. The Father Is the Vinedresser, John 15:1 | III. We Are the Branches, John 15:5 | IV. Our Purpose as Branches: Bear fruit! John 15:5, 8, 16 | V. Abide in the Vine, John 15:4-5 | VI. Welcome the Pruning, John 15:2
Main Idea: In Christ, you are accepted, not condemned. | 3 Reasons Why You Are Not Condemned in Christ: 1) Jesus has freed you from the penalty of sin and death. (vv. 1-2) | 2) Jesus has freed you from the righteous requirement of the Law. (vv. 3-4) | 3) The Spirit frees you from the power of sin. (v. 2, 4)
Outline:I. We Really Are Deeply Loved by God Our Father, 1 John 3:1-2 | II. Being God's Beloved Children is Both Our Present Status and Future Hope, 1 John 3:2-3 | 1. We'll Be Made Like Jesus in His Resurrected and Glorified Body | 2. We'll Be Made Like Jesus in His Character and His Love
Outline:I. The Problem with Confidence in Self-Righteous Identities, Phil 3:1-6 | Self-Righteous Identities: Family, Education, Religious Zeal, Religious Performance | II. Finding Confidence in Our Righteous Identity in Christ is Everything, Phil. 3:7-9
Outline:I. Marks of a Messenger: Converted, Curious, Quiet, Kind, Confident, Contextual | II. Before You Share Your Faith: Walk with God, Know the Faith, Memorize Scripture, Prepare Questions, Find a Friend, Pray for Openings
Outline:I. Daily Set Your Mind on Christ and Who We Are in Christ | II. Daily Put on the New Self and Kill the Old Self
Outline:I. A Model of Evangelism | II. A Model of Servant-Hearted Leadership | III. A Model of Sharing Authority
Outline: I. The Wilderness Requires Warfare | II. Our Warfare Requires Intercessory Prayer | III. Our Warfare Requires One Another | IV. Remember the Lord's Victories
Outline: I. Sing to Celebrate God | II. Sing Theology About God | III. Sing to Learn Our Story | IV. Sing Adoration to God | V. Sing Hope of What God Will Do | VI. Sing Expressively and Bodily
When you see you’re helpless to save yourself, you’re ready to see the Lord’s salvation.
Link to "The Ground of Our Assurance — Don Carson" clip that is referenced during the service:https://youtu.be/sJRz5fLCmM8?si=HWHCjDfd0tvewUy2
Outline: I. Announcement of the Final Plague (11:1-3) | II. Description of the Final Plague (11:4-8) | III. Reception of the Final Plague (11:9-10)
Outline: I. All Counterfeit gods Will Fall | II. All Proud People Will Be Humbled | III. Everyone Will Know There Is None Like the LORD our God
Outline: I. The LORD Has Absolute Power, Ex 7:1-2 | II. The Problem of Hard Hearts, Ex 7:3-4; 13 | III. The Purpose of Hard Hearts, Ex 7:5; Rom 9:14-24 | IV. Proving the LORD’s Power, Ex 7:6-12
Outline: I. We All Need YHWH’s Reassurances, Ex 5:22-23 | II. Reassurance of YHWH’s Power, Ex 6:1 | III. Reassurance of YHWH’s Promises, Ex 6:2-6 | IV. Reassurance of YHWH’s Personal Possession, Ex 6:7-9 | V. Reassurance of YHWH’s Mission, Ex 6:10-13
Outline: I. We Live Between Promise Fulfillment, Exodus 4:27-31 | II. Unexpected Burdens, Exodus 5:1-21 | III. The Promise is Still Good, Exodus 5:22-6:1
Outline: I. God chooses to use the weak of this world to accomplish His will (vs 1-10) | II. God uses the weak of this world to display His power (vs 11-17) | III. God requires obedience to accomplish His will (vs 18-20) | IV. Obedience glorifies God (vs 29-31) | Application: What is God calling you to do?
Sadly, due to a tech malfunction the audio for the later portion of the sermon is missing. We hope that you will still find the first half edifying in the Lord.Outline: I. God Sees, Ex. 2:23-25II. God Speaks, Ex. 3:1-6III. God Saves, Ex 3:7-9IV. God Sends, Ex. 3:10-12
I. Faith sometimes chooses risk over safety. Exodus 2:1-10, Hebrews 11:23 | II. Faith chooses to identity with God’s people over power and comfort. Exodus 2:11-22; Hebrews 11:24-25
I. We live in a kingdom of wicked darkness. | II. As believers, we are a people of courageous fear. | III. You can only serve one kingdom.
I. Exodus Is About God’s Multiplication Mission | II. Exodus Is About Opposition to God’s Mission | III. Exodus Is About Your Story Because Exodus Is About Jesus
Outline: I. God created marriage, so He owns the copyright. | II. God created marriage to be a good gift, not a curse. | III. God created marriage for the good of human flourishing. | IV. God created marriage to be a picture of His love for sinners.
- PONDER God - Think intentionally and deeply about God - Psalm 107:43, 111:2 - What does this text reveal about God’s nature, character and ways? | 2. POUR OUT - Identify and write out your thoughts, desires and feelings - Ps. 62:8, Lam. 2:19 - What does this text reveal about what’s in my heart? | 3. PETITION - Ask for what you need from the Holy Spirit - Jn. 7:37-39, 1 Cor. 12:13, Eph. 5:18 - What does this text compel me to ask for and receive from the Spirit of Jesus? | 4. PRAISE - Express honor and appreciation to God - Psalm 63:5, 92:1 - What about God does this text compel me to praise?
Abraham - Max B. | Ruth - Garrett A. | David - Chad B. | Zerubbabel - Matthew P. | Jesus, who is called the Christ - Samuel A.
Outline: I. The Birth of Love in the Flesh (John 4:8-9) | II. The Purpose of Love in the Flesh (1 John 4:9-10) | III. The Ripple Affect of Love in the Flesh (1 John 4:7, 11-12)
Outline: I. Find Joy in the True Christmas Miracles | II. Find Joy in the Presence of Other Believers | III. Find Joy in the Holy Spirit’s Presence | IV. Find Joy in Singing God’s Praise | V. Find Joy in God’s Mercy Given to Ourselves and to Others
I. Many times we don’t see ourselves as God see’s us. | II. We often don’t count the Heavenly possibilities of our Earthly Circumstances. | III. Never underestimate the value of your support.
I. Renewed Hope out of Disappointment, Luke 1:5-17 | II. Renewed Faith out of Skepticism, Luke 1:18-23
Outline: I. Call to Grateful Worship. Ps 33:1-3 | II. Causes for Grateful Worship. Ps 33:4-17 | The Trustworthy Word of God. Ps 33:4 | The Creative Work of God. Ps 33:5-9 | The Sovereign Will of God. Ps 33:10-17 | The Loving Watchfulness of God. Ps 33:18-19 | III. Confidence from Grateful Worship. Ps 33:20-22
Main idea: Whether we’re in green pastures or dark valleys, our Good Shepherd provides everything we need, protects us from distress, and promises eternal approval. | Outline: 1. Our Shepherd provides us with everything we need, not everything we want. (23:1-3a) | 2. Our Shepherd protects us from distress, not discomfort. (23:3b-4) | 3. Our Shepherd promises eternal approval, not abandonment. (23:5-6)
I. Abortion is an Injustice | 1. God made people in His image, therefore all life is worthy of protection. Genesis 9:5-6 | 2. God views pregnant women as carrying a life worthy of protection. Exodus 21:22-23 | 3. God is intimately involved in the formation of pre-born children. Psalm 139:13-16 | 4. God hates child sacrifice. Lev 20:1-3 | 5. God became an unborn child, in Christ. Luke 1:39-44 | II. Lament honestly about injustice. Psalm 10:1-11 | III. Plead for the LORD to bring justice to injustice. Psalm 10:12-15 | IV. Remember the long view on injustice. Psalm 10:16-18
I. In church, come ready to use your gifts for the good of others. 1 Cor 14:26 | II. In church, it’d be chaos and confusion without organization. 1 Cor 14:27-33 | III. In the church, the roles of men and women are relevant. 1 Cor 14:34-35 | IV. In the church, New Testament teaching is our authority. 1 Cor 14:36-40
I. What is the gift of languages and is it for today? | II. If the gift of languages is for today, what’s it’s purpose? | 1. It’s for prayer and praise in a language that is unknown to the speaker but known to God. 1 Cor 14:2, 14-16 | 2. It’s for building up yourself in private prayer, not for the public church gathering. 1 Cor 14:4-10 | It functions like prophecy in the church when there’s interpretation, 1 Cor 14:13 | It is a sign of judgment for those who do not believe the gospel.
Outline: I. What is prophecy in the New Testament and today? | II. What is the purpose of prophecy?
I. Love > impressiveness. 1 Cor 13:1-3 | II. Love is action. 1 Cor 13:4-7 | III. Love is eternal. 1 Cor 13:8-13
I. Unity in the Spirit, Not Uniformity. 1 Cor 12:12-14 | II. Interdependence, Not Independence. 1 Cor 12:15-20 | III. Indispensable Members, Not Super-Members. 1 Cor 12:21-26
Outline: I. The abuse of spiritual gifts 1 Cor 12:1-3 | II. The proper use of spiritual gifts, 1 Cor 12:4-7 | III. Examples of spiritual gifts, 1 Cor 12:8-10 | a. Word gifts: the utterance of wisdom, the utterance of knowledge, prophecy, teaching, (v8, v28) | b. Wonder gifts: faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, the ability to distinguish between spirits, tongues, the interpretation of tongues, (v9-10, v28) | c. Worker gifts: helping, administrating (v28), serving, contributing generously, leading, acts of mercy (Romans 12:7-8) | IV. Desiring spiritual gifts, 1 Cor 12:27-31
I. The Problem: Selfishness at the Lord’s Supper | II. The Solution: Fixating on Jesus’ Selfless Sacrifice
Outline: I. Paul’s Teaching: Men ought not cover their heads, and woman ought to, in the church. Why? | 1. Character of God, v3 | 2. Culture, v4-6 | 3. Creation, v7-12 | 4. Common Observation, v13-15 | 5. Custom, v16 | II. What about this passage matters today? | 1. Honor Marriage | 2. Honor the differences between men and women in appearance | 3. Honor God Our Creator and Authority
Outline: Our Consciences Need Calibrated According to... | I. God’s clear standards. 1 Cor 10:14-15 | II. Our fellowship with Christ. 1 Cor 10:16-22 | III. What is good for others, not just ourselves. 1 Cor 10:23-30 | IV. What glorifies God. 1 Cor 10:31 | V. What could lead to salvation and closer fellowship. 1 Cor 10
I. Remember this when you’re tempted: Israel’s Example in the Wilderness 1 Cor 10:1-11 | II. Remember this when you’re tempted: You are not above falling. 1 Cor 10:12 | III. Remember this when you’re tempted: Your temptations are not special. 1 Cor 10:13 | IV. Remember this when you’re tempted: God is faithful to you. 1 Cor 10:13 | V. Remember this when you’re tempted: There’s always a way of escape. 1 Cor 10:13
I. The Gospel Spreads as the Spirit Fills Ordinary Christians. (Acts 2:1–4; 4:31) | II. The Gospel Spreads as Scattered Believers Explain the Good News (Acts 8:1–4) | III. The Gospel Spreads as Churches Send More Witnesses. (Acts 13:1–3)
I. Love people over claiming our rights. (1 Cor 9:1-18) | II. Meet unsaved people where they are over expecting people to come to us. (1 Cor 9:19-23) | III. Be purposeful and and disciplined in your witness. (1 Cor 9:24-27)
I. Knowledge tends to build you up, but love tends to build others up. (8:1-6) | II. Use your knowledge to build others up above building yourself up. (8:7-13) | CONCLUSION: Use your knowledge of God and the Christian life to build others up in love.
I. The Destruction of Evil, Job 40:6-41:34 | II. The Affirmation of the Believer, Job 42:1-9 | III. The Restoration of Blessing, Job 42:10-17
I. Yahweh Speech - Q: Can you explain the grandeur and goodness of this world? Job 38:1-40:2 II. Job - A: I’ll be closing my mouth now. Job 40:3-5
We had a technical failure this week which resulted in about 5 minutes of audio missing. Visit out Youtube page for part 2 of the video or listen to the MP3 audio. | I. Elihu’s Rebukes, Job 32-33 | II. Elihu’s Worship. Job 34-37 | 1. God is always good and works His greatness for our good. Job 36 | 2. God is always sovereign, which is seen in his mighty power in nature. Job 37
Main Idea: Don’t look to your past glory or present misery but to God to be justified. | I. Job’s Former Glory (29:1-25) | II. Job’s Current Misery (30:1-31) | III. Job’s Pending Justification (31:1-40)
When traveling the dark valley of grief... | I. You can be honest. | II. You can be confused. | III. You can express doubt. | IV. You can trust God and maintain integrity.
I. Eliphaz - “You reap what you sow, bro.” | II. Bildad - “How can a maggot claim to be right before a righteous God?” | III. Zophar - “You probably deserve to suffer worse than this.”
I. The Loneliness of Grief. Job 2:11-13 | II. The Laments of Grief. Job 3:1-10 | III. The Questions of Grief. Job 3:11-23 | IV. The Despair of Grief. Job 3:24-26
I. When life is full of good gifts, God is worthy of our worship. Job 1:1-5 | II. When life is empty with devastating loss, God is worthy of our worship. Job 1:6-22 | III. When life is cruel, and God is confusing, God is worthy of our worship. Job 2:1-10
I. Service is what God requires from us, no matter what you’re going thru. | II. No One Who Serves The Lord Is Ever Laboring In Vain.
I. Our Father in heaven desires to reward us in the secret place of prayer. Matthew 6:5-6 | II. Our Father knows what we need before we ask, but He wants us to ask because He wants us. Matthew 6:7-8 | Putting it into Practice: | 1. Choose a focused time for solitude and prayer. | 2. Choose a focused place for solitude and prayer. | 3. Choose a structure for your solitude and prayer, and change it from time-to-time.
Outline: 1. Since our current bodies will face death, we’ll need new bodies (v. 50-54) | 2. Jesus defeated death and will return to finish what He started (v. 55-57) | 3. Therefore, we can live without fear in the face of death (v. 58) | APPLICATION: 1. Talk about death with sadness and celebration. | 2. Fight the fear of death by dwelling on heaven. | 3. Whether in death or life, live in victory, not defeat.
1 Corinthians 15:35–49 | To imagine the glory of your future resurrection body... | 1. Think of your current body like a seed. v36-38 | 2. Think of the diversity of the created world. v39-41 | 3. Think of your body going from destructible to indestructible. v42 | 4. Think of your body going from a source of shame to a source of glory. v43 | 5. Think of your body going from weakness to power. v43 | 6. Think of your body going from natural to supernatural. v44 | 7. Think of your body going from earthly and Adam-like, to heavenly and Christ-like. v45-49
1 Corinthians 15:12–34 | I. The existential dread of doubting our future resurrection, 1 Cor 15:12-19 | II. The existential hope of believing in our future resurrection, 1 Cor 15:20-28
1 Corinthians 15:1–11 | I. How to Have Certainty in Jesus’ resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:4-9 | 1. Jesus was buried, and the tomb was empty. | 2. The Old Testament Scriptures hint at the resurrection. | 3. There were hundreds of eyewitnesses who saw Jesus alive after death. | II. How to Get Hope from Jesus’ resurrection. | 1. Your greatest problem can be solved. 1 Cor 15:1-3 | 2. Your greatest enemy can be defeated. 1 Cor 15:6; 26, 54-57 | 3. God’s greatest gift can be yours. 1 Cor 15:9-10
1 Corinthians 15:1–4 | I. The gospel is of first importance and is worth hearing and telling again and again. 1 Cor 15:1, 3 | II. The gospel is about being saved from our worst problem. 1 Cor 15:2 | III. The gospel is about what Christ did for us. 1 Cor 15:3-4
Text: 2 Corinthians 2:5–11 | Outline: I. Forgiveness is needed because people hurt people. 2 Cor 2:5 | II. Forgiveness withheld is punishment. 2 Cor 2:6 | III. Forgiveness turns away from grudging and towards loving. 2 Cor 2:7-8 | IV. Forgiveness is a willful act of obedience to Jesus. 2 Cor 2:9 | V. Forgiveness is always personal and sometimes communal. 2 Cor 2:10 | VI. Forgiveness withheld plays into Satan’s plans. 2 Cor 2:11
Text: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 | Main Idea: Being content in the Lord is a posture of your heart, not a product of your circumstances. | Outline: Be content in all circumstances within your control. (v. 17-19) | Be content in all circumstances outside your control. (v. 20-23) | Be content in all circumstances for God is in control. (v. 24)
Text: 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 | Outline: I. The sacred permanence of marriage, v10-11 | II. The gospel ideal of reconciliation, v11 | III. The missional opportunity of marriage to a non-believer, v12-16 | 1. The family is sanctified through the believer’s influence. | 2. You may lead your spouse to salvation. | IV. The exception when divorce is permitted, v15
1 Corinthians 7:8–9 | I. Celibacy in singleness is a good gift from the Lord. 1 Cor 7:7-8 | II. Sex in marriage is a good gift from the Lord. 1 Cor 7:9, 1-5 | III. Paul’s points in favor of singleness: | 1. Single people have fewer worldly troubles. 1 Cor 7:25-28 | 2. Your fundamental identity is in heaven, and in this passing world we are guests. 1 Cor 7:29-31 | 3. Single people have more freedom for undivided devotion to the Lord. 1 Cor 7:32-35
1 Corinthians 6:12-20 | Main idea: Flee from sexual temptation, don’t flirt with it. Run after glorying God with your body, and run away from dishonoring Him. | Outline: I. The Need to Flee from Sexual Immorality - 1. Sexual immorality will become your master. - 2. Sexual immorality is giving part of yourself away. - 3. Sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. | II. How to Flee from Sexual Immorality - 1. Be convinced about the seriousness of sexual sin. - 2. Be convinced that your new self is your true self. - 3. Be committed to saying “Yes” to the Spirit and “No” to the flesh. - 4. Be committed to brutally honest community.
1 Corinthians 6:12–20 | I. Your body is a God-given part of what makes you, you. 1 Cor 6:12-13 | II. Your body will be resurrected with Christ. 1 Cor 6:14 | III. Your bodies are the limbs and organs of Christ on earth. 1 Cor 6:15 | IV. Your body is a holy place where God’s Spirit dwells. 1 Cor 6:19 | V. You have been purchased by God, so glorify Him in your body. 1 Cor 6:20
1 Corinthians 6:9–11 | I. Sexuality and Identity, 1 Cor 6:9-10 | II. The Gospel and Identity, 1 Cor 6:11
1 Corinthians 6:9–11 | I. The Law of God Defines Wrongdoing, 1 Cor 6:9-10 | II. In Christ We Are Redefined, 1 Cor 6:11
1 Corinthians 6:1–11 | When it comes to our witness before the watching world, it's better to suffer loss for the sake of Christ than to suffer Christ for the sake of gain. | I. Take it to the church before you take it to the courts (v. 1-4) | II. Prioritize loving action over legal action (v. 5-8) | III. Your standing before the Judge of the world is more important than your standing before the judge of the land (v. 9-11) |
1 Corinthians 5:6–13 | I. The Pervasive Influence of Unrepentant Sin, v6-8 | II. The Purity of the Church is a Witness to a Broken World, v9-11 | III. The Purging of Evil in Pursuit of Purity, v12-13
1 Corinthians 5:1–8 | I. The goal for the church is holy sexuality, and the reality is immoral sexuality, 1 Cor. 5:1-2 | II. The goal of church discipline is restoration and salvation, and the reality seems harsh. 1 Cor. 5:2b-5 | III. The goal is that we put sin to death, and the reality is we can and must because Christ was put to death as our sacrificial Lamb. 1 Cor. 5:6-8
Matthew 6:33 | I. We exist to seek first Christ and His kingdom, | II. for the glory of God, | III. and the joy of all nations and generations.
Text: Matthew 1:18–2:12 | I. Jesus was given as the supernatural Son of God and Mary. Matthew 1:18-20 | II. Jesus was given to deliver us from our deepest problem. Matthew 1:21 | III. Jesus was given to fulfill God’s ancient promises. Matthew 1:22-23 | IV. Jesus was given as the King for the whole world. Matthew 2:1-2 | V. Jesus was given for our exceedingly great joy in generous worship. Matthew 2:10-11
Christmas Eve 2022 | Luke 2:8-20 | I. The Announcement | II. The Celebration | III. The Invitation
Matthew 6:19–24 | I. How is your vision? | II. Where is your affection fixed? | You can’t serve God and money, but if your vision and affection is fixed on God, you can serve Him with money.
I. How is your vision? | II. Where is your affection fixed? | You can’t serve God and money, but if your vision and affection is fixed on God, you can serve Him with money.
Matthew 6:19–21 | I. Generosity is trusting Jesus’ financial advice. Matthew 6:19 | II. Generosity is investment in an eternal future. Matthew 6:20 | III. Generosity forms our hearts for heaven. Matthew 6:21 | “Jesus declares that our heart always follows our treasure, whether down to earth or up to heaven.” - John Stott
I. Learning from Leaders as Sufferers, 1 Cor 4:8-13 | II. Learning from Leaders as Fathers, 1 Cor 4:8:14-21
1 Corinthians 3:18–4:7 | When we step back to evaluate how we evaluate ourselves, we can see that it's Christ's evaluation that matters most. | I. A self-deceived worldly evaluation, 1 Cor. 3:18-23 | II. A self-forgetting eschatological evaluation, 1 Cor 4:1-5 | III. A self-aware grateful evaluation, 1 Cor 4:6-7
1 Corinthians 3:9–17 | I. Take care to build right 1Cor 3:9-10 | II. Take care to build on the right foundation. 1 Cor 3:11 | III. Take care to build with the right materials. 1 Cor 3:12-15 | IV. Take care to build toward the right end, 1 Cor 3:16-17 | “Missions is not the ultimate goal of the Church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever. Worship, therefore, is the fuel and goal of missions.” -John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad
1 Corinthians 3:1–9 | I. Grow up! A spirit of competition is unspiritual. 1 Cor 3:1-4 | II. Grow up! Ministers are ministers and God is the Grower. 1 Cor 3:5-9
1 Corinthians 2:6-16 | Prayer of Illumination from George Herbert: O, make your Word a swift Word, passing from the ear to the heart, from the heart to the life and conversation; that, as the rain returns not empty, so neither may your Word, but accomplish that for which it is given. Amen. | We don’t come by God’s wisdom naturally but spiritually. | I. Wisdom Revealed (1 Cor. 2:6-11) | II. Wisdom Received (1 Cor. 2:12-16) | APPLICATION: 1. If you have God's Spirit, you can know God through His Word. | 2. Since the Spirit helps us comprehend God's Word, pray before reading it. | 3. Read and study the Bible, not merely books about the Bible. | 4. Proclaim the gospel and let the Spirit apply the gospel.
What you win people with is what you win people to. I. What you win people with, 1 Cor 2:1, 3-4 II. What you win people to, 1 Cor 2:2, 5
Sermon Text: 1 Cor 1:18-31 Outline: I. God’s “folly:” His King was killed on a cross. 1 Cor 1:18-24 II. God’s “folly:” He saves the likes of you. 1 Cor 1:26 III. God’s reasoning in such “folly.” 1 Cor 1:27-31
I. You can’t spell community without unity, 1 Cor 1:10 II. You can’t spell division without “I,” 1 Cor 1:11-13 III. The issues that divide us, 1 Cor 1:14-16 IV. The person who unites us, 1 Cor 1:17 “For [Paul] baptism comes after the hearing of the gospel, but it does so as the God-ordained mode of faith’s response to the gospel.” - Gordon Fee, The First Epistle to the Corinthians.
What matters most is that we are called together into a new identity in Jesus Christ. Our Identity in Jesus Christ: 1. We Are Saints in Christ 2. We Are Family because of Christ 3. We Are Products of Grace in Christ 4. We are gifted to serve in Christ, 5. We have Guiltless Status and Fellowship with Christ.
Our mission is to multiply gospel-centered disciples and churches to be worshipers who delight in Christ, witnesses who declare His cross, and servants and family who display His love.
Mark 2:23-28 I. Restlessness (vs 23): Our hearts are restless until they rest in God II. Religion (vs 24) : A division of the world into good and bad seeps into us in the form of judgmentalism III. Realism (vs 25 - 26): Behind shabbath is the true and better sabbath IV. Revelation (vs 27): Jesus reveals a new revelation of gospel to sabbath
Romans 12:1-21 | Main idea: By the mercies of God, we’ve been saved for community, not for quarantine.
Psalm 95 What is worship? Worship is giving attention to God’s worth, and responding in joyful, humble adoration and thanksgiving.
God Is: An Invitation to Wonder / Psalm 34
Main idea: We don’t bless the Lord always because life is good always. We bless the Lord always because the Lord is good always.
I. Understanding God’s Goodness, Psalm 34:8
The goodness of God is His overflowing moral excellence and innate inclination to show kindness to all of His creatures.
II. Trusting God’s Goodness When Life is Not Good, Psalm 56:1-11
“God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be mistaken. And so when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.” -C.H. Spurgeon
III. Tasting God’s Goodness, Psalm 34:8-10
“…There is a difference between having an opinion that God is holy and gracious, and having a sense of the loveliness and beauty of that holiness and grace. There is a difference between having a rational judgment that honey is sweet, and having a sense of its sweetness. A man may have the former, that knows not how honey tastes; but a man can’t have the latter unless he has an idea of the taste of honey in his mind. So there is a difference between believing that a person is beautiful, and having a sense of his beauty.” - Jonathan Edwards, “A Divine and Supernatural Light”
“The goodness of God is seen in the variety of natural pleasures which He has provided for His creatures. God might have been pleased to satisfy your hunger without the food being pleasing to our palates—how His benevolence appears in the varied flavors He has given to meats, vegetables, and fruits! God has not only given us senses, but also that which gratifies them; this too reveals His goodness. The earth might have been as fertile as it is without being so delightfully variegated. Our physical lives could have been sustained without beautiful flowers to regale our eyes, and exhale sweet perfumes. We might have walked the fields without our ears being saluted by the music of the birds.” - A.W. Pink
IV. Imitating God’s Goodness, Psalm 34:13-14
1 John 4:7-21 I. God's love is unique (4:7-11); II. God desires us to experience his love (4:13-18); III. God desires to live out his love (4:19-21).
I. What is God like, at His very center? | II. How does God express His mercy and grace? | III. How should we respond to what God is like?
- Missional Church does Holistic Ministry (9:35) | 2. Missional Church is Compassionate (9:36) | 3. Missional Church Depends on God (9: 37-38)
I. God is holy, holy, holy. (Isaiah 6:1-4) II. The holy, holy, holy God has made you holy (if you follow Jesus). (Isaiah 6:5-6) III. Because God is holy, His children must be holy. (1 Peter 1:13-19) How do we be holy in all our conduct? 1) Store the Bible in your heart. 2) Put sin to death and leave it behind. 3) Prepare your mind to choose holiness.
I. Jesus will come to judge the world in righteousness (Rev. 19:11-16). II. Jesus will come to judge without favoritism (Rev. 19:17-18). III. Jesus will come to judge the beast and all who follow him (Rev.19:19-21).
I. God is present in your mind. Ps. 139:1,4 II. God is present in your bed. Ps. 139:2 III. God is present all around you. Ps. 139:5-6 IV. God is present even when you want to run from Him. Ps. 139:7 V. God is present in heaven and in the grave. Ps. 139:8 VI. God is present in the depths of the sea. Ps. 139:9-10 VII. God was and is present in your darkness moments. Ps. 139:11-12 VIII. God was present with you before you were born. Ps. 139:13-15 IX. God will be present with with you when you die. Ps. 139:16 X. God thinks about you more than you can fathom. Ps. 139:17-18
I) God is Unchangeable in His Character (Mal. 3:6; Jas. 1:17) II) God is Unchangeable in His Word (Num. 23:19; Ps. 119:89; Isa. 46:10-11) III) God is Unchangeable in His Plans (Job 23:13; Isa. 14:24) 1. We have the hope of redemption. 2. We have the assurance of salvation. 3. We have the promise of sanctification.
I) What is the Trinity? 1. God is three persons (or personalities) 2. Each person is fully God 3. There is one God II) Why does the Trinity matter? 1. All of the Christian life is trinitarian. 2. Without the Trinity, there would be no salvation 3. If you are in Christ, the Father is already pleased with you.
Main Idea: Rejoice that the infinite, eternal God, has invited finite, time-stuck sinners to dwell in Him eternally! I. God is timeless and infinite. (Psalm 90:1-4) II. We are time-stuck and finite. (Psalm 90:5-11) III. How then should we spend this mist of a life? (Psalm 90:12-17) 1. Learn to number your days. 2. Rejoice in God Himself. 3. Live in dependence on God’s favor. (Psalm 90:16-17)
Main Idea: God in no way needs us, but we in every way need God.
I) God created everything and owns everything (Gen. 1:1) II) God is completely independent of anything outside Himself (Ex. 3:13-14) III) Therefore, God doesn’t need us, but we need Him.
I. God Is Incomprehensible and That Is Wonderful II. God Is Knowable, and That Is Wonderful
“Sow a thought, Reap an action; Sow an action, Reap a habit; Sow a habit, reap a character; Sow a character, Reap a destiny.” Jesus modeled good and godly habits. Luke 5:15–16 Paul modeled and encouraged good and godly habits. 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 2 Corinthians 3:17–18 KCC’s 10 Spiritual Practices 1. Scripture Reading and Meditation 2. Prayer and Worship 3. Community 4. Fighting the Flesh 5. Feasting and Sabbath 6. Learning and Wonder 7. Sacrificial Giving 8. Fasting and Moderation 9. Spiritual Direction 10. Preaching the Gospel and Serving Others Psalm 119:9–16 Meditate in Hebrew - “muse on, consider, think on, i.e., ponder and so give serious consideration to information, or a situation” - Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains Meditation is deep thinking and musing on scripture for the purpose of understanding, application, and prayerful communion with God. Psalm 1:1–2 Psalm 119:97 Psalm 119:148 Joshua 1:7–8 How to Meditate on Scripture John 5:39–40 17 ways to meditate on Scripture: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/17-ways-to-meditate-on-scripture/
I. Christ ascended to the Father to reign as the Supreme King II. Christ ascended to intercede for us as our eternal high priest. III. Christ ascended to prepare a place for us in His Father’s house.
I. Jesus Arose from the Grave, so Believe Him! Luke 24:36-42 II. Jesus Fulfilled the Scriptures, so Study Him! Luke 24:44-45 III. Jesus Sent the Spirit for His mission, so Obey Him Luke 24:46-49
Main Idea: The resurrection proves that God's plan of redemption was always the person of Jesus. I. The Plan of Redemption Revealed (Luke 24:13-27) II. The Person of Redemption Revealed (Luke 24:28-35)
I. The Jolting Finality of Death, II. The Unexpected Reality of the Empty Tomb III. The Journeys to Embrace a Miraculous Reality, Luke 24:9-12
Q: Who was responsible for the death of Christ? I. The Mockers who Shamed Jesus, Luke 22:63-65 II. The Jewish Leaders Who Do Not Believe, Luke 22:66-71 III & IV. The Politicians who Clung to Power , Luke 23:1-5, 13-25, Luke 23:6-12 V. The Mobs who Clamored for Crucifixion, Luke 23:18-25 VI. The Guilty One who Received Grace, Luke 23:25 VII. God Himself
I. We are weaker than we want to admit. Luke 22:31-34 II. Jesus is stronger than we realize. Luke 22:35-46 III. Some who seem to follow Jesus will betray Him. Luke 22:47-53 IV. Some who seem to follow Jesus will deny Him yet return. Luke 22:54-62
Main Idea: Worldly troubles are a sign to be awake and a witness to Jesus. I) In this world you will have trouble (21:5-24). II) Jesus has overcome the world (21:25-36). III) Therefore, be awake and a witness to Jesus.
Main Idea: The more we remember what Jesus has done for us, the greater our response will be to his mission. 1. Remember that the enemy is always at work. (22:1-6) 2. Remember that Jesus is always in control. (22:7-13) 3. Remember that Christ has already accomplished salvation. (22:14-20) 4. Remember that Christ has left us a mission to carry out (22:21-30)
I. Questioning Jesus on Politics, Luke 20:19-26 II. Questioning Jesus on Speculative Theology, Luke 20:27-40 1. The resurrection is for real. 2. The resurrection body will be invincible. 3. Marriage, as we know it, is momentary. 4. Resurrection life will be of a more glorified order. III. Jesus’ Question about His Supremacy, Luke 20:41-44
I. The Reception of King Jesus, Luke 19:28-40 II. The Grief of King Jesus, Luke 19:41-48 III. The Authority of King Jesus, Luke 20:1-19
I. One Life and One Gospel II. The Two Judgements 1. Judgment of Commendation 2. Judgment of Condemnation
Main Idea: Jesus came to seek and to save lost people, not people who think their religion has saved them. 1. Jesus loves the unlovable. 2. Jesus saves the unsavable. 3. When Jesus brings salvation to your house, your life will be changed forever.
I. Pray like a sinner not like a saint. Luke 18:9-14 II. Depend on God like a baby. Luke 18:15-17 III. Follow Jesus into the impossible. Luke 18:18-30 IV. How Jesus met our greatest need. Luke 18:31-34
I. A Story of Two Sad Lives, Luke 16:19-21 II. A Conversation in the Afterlife, Luke 16:22-31 Implications of this parable for your life and afterlife: 1. There is regret in hell, but there is no repentance. 2. What we do with our wealth shows where we’re placing our faith. 3. Wealth can be dangerous because it can blind us to needs. 4. The witness of Scripture is sufficient to save you.
Main Idea: In God's Kingdom, investing in people yields a greater return than a personal expense account. I. The Parable (Luke 16:1-8a) II. The Point (Luke 16:8b-13)
Parable 1: A Lost and Found Sheep, Luke 15:3-7 Parable 2: A Lost and Found Coin, Luke 15:8-10 Parable 3: Two Lost Sons, Only One Found, Luke 15:11-32 I. Two ways to be lost: irreligious and irresponsible or religious and responsible. II. Two ways to view God: Ready to make us pay, or ready to receive us with joy. III. Two ways to respond to God’s love: Accept it knowing you don’t deserve it, or reject it thinking you’ve earned it.
I. Three challenges for disciples and would-be disciples Challenge #1: Jesus must be our preeminent relationship. Luke 14:26 Challenge #2: Jesus’ mission is the way of the Cross. Luke 14:27 Challenge #3: Jesus’ claim to our possessions is total. Luke 14:33 II. Three illustrations to drive the challenge home 1. building a tower, Luke 14:28-30 2. waging a war, Luke 14:31-32 3. unsalty salt, Luke 14:34-35
I. The Kingdom of God is Expanding II. The Kingdom of God is Exclusive III. The Kingdom of God is Inclusive
I. God’s Legitimate Grievances, (AKA Festivus) Zephaniah 1:1-3:8 II. God’s Extravagant Promises, (AKA Christmas) Zephaniah 3:9-20
I. A Word of Blunt Rebuke II. A Word of Reminder of What God Wants III. A Word of Future Restoration
I) God is faithful in our dark days of distress. II) God is faithful in our dark days of disobedience. III) God is faithful in our dark days of desperation.
I. God Cares Enough to Warn of Judgment, Amos 1-2 II. God Expects More of Those Who Know More, Amos 3-6 III. God Shines Bright Hope out of Dark Judgment, Amos 7-9
I. If you're ready, it's going to be good (Luke 12:35-44) II. If you're not ready, it's going to be bad. III. So live ready. How?
I. Fear God, not People, Luke 12:4-12 II. Fear Eternal Poverty, not Material Poverty, Luke 12:13-21 III. Seek the Kingdom, not Stuff, Luke 12:22-34
Stop playing a religious part, and tend to your heart! 7 Pitfalls to Avoid in the Pursuit of Spiritual Maturity 1. Checking the Box Instead of Checking Your Heart 2. Calculated Generosity while Neglecting Justice and Love 3. Basking in the Limelight of Your Own Halo 4. Making Purity about Avoidance, not Inner Life 5. Using Scripture to Burden People, without Carrying the Load 6. Excusing and Walking in the Sins of your Family, or Tribe 7. Don’t Make Complex the Truths God has Made Clear
I. The Tender-Hearted Toughness of Jesus II. The Greatness of Jesus, Luke 11:29-32 III. In this Clash of Kingdoms, Side with the Stronger Man. Luke 11:24-28
I) How to Pray: Consciously relying on the Father II) How to Keep Praying: Persistently relying on His Goodness
Main idea: In our anxious busyness, the one thing necessary is to enjoy the presence and teaching of Jesus. I. The tension between the good and the better. II. Enjoying Jesus is the better portion. III. How to sit at the feet of Jesus when Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father.
The way of self-justification looks for a list to do, but the way of Jesus finds a person to love.
I. The Way of Self-Justification, Luke 10:25-29 II. The Way of Jesus, Luke 10:30-37
The Kingdom of God is advancing through word and power, and we are sent on the offensive. I. We are sent. II. We are sent to proclaim the Kingdom of God. III. We are sent with more urgency than we realize. IV. We are sent with more authority than we realize. V. Do it because you’re sent...and do it for joy!
I. Who do you say Jesus is? (Luke 9:18-20) II. What's the cost of following Jesus? (Luke 9:21-27) III. What's to gain from following Jesus? (Luke 9:27-36)
Main idea: Christ is building his church, and one way we join Him is by following His blueprint for leaders. I. Pastors/elders/overseers are to be recognized as the spiritual shepherds of the church. II. Deacons are servant-leaders recognized as those who serve willingly and facilitate ministry as leaders of teams.
Main Idea: Pray in Faith, not Fatalism I. When to pray in faith? (5:13-14) a. Pray when you're suffering b. Pray when you're satisfied c. Pray when you're sick 2. How to pray in faith? (5:15-16a; 19-20) a. Pray with confidence b. Pray with confession c. Pray with community 3. Why pray in faith? (5:16b-18)
Main Idea: Being patient is God's strength training program; the more we endure the weight of suffering, the stronger we become. I. Be patient for the sake of future expectation (5:7-8) II. Be patient for the sake of present relationships (5:9) III. Be patient for the sake of past examples (5:10-11)
A Message for Christians What does the Bible say about money? 1. Wealth is a gift from God 2. We are to be content with what we have 3. Be generous with what we've been given 4. Avoid the pursuit of ill-gotten gain
I. Praying for Missionaries (2 Cor 1:11) II. Speaking the Gospel (2 Cor 4:13-15) III. Giving to the Church (2 Cor 8:6; 9:10-15)
Main Idea: We do what we do because we want what we want. I. There is a war on the outside because there's a war on the inside (4:1-5) II. The war is won through resistance and repentance (4:6-10) III. A ceasefire before God results in a ceasefire before others (4:11-12)
Main Idea: Word are where the heart is I. Words reveal the direction of our hearts (3:1-5) II. Words reveal the destructiveness of our hearts (3:6-8) III. Words reveal the deceitfulness of our hearts (3:9-12)
Main Idea: True faith proves itself through action. I. Expression of True Faith (2:14-17) II. Evidence of True Faith (2:18-19) III. Examples of True Faith (2:20-26)
Main Idea: Avoid Favoritism for the gospel levels everything. I. Avoid Favoritism II. The Levelers: Image Bearers and Depraved III. The Great Leveler: Jesus
Main Idea: Listen with your behavior, not only your ears. 1. Listen with acceptance, not anger (1:19-21) 2. Listen with doing, not deceiving (yourself) (1:22-27)
I. God gives wisdom to those who ask prayerfully (1:5) II. God gives wisdom to those who ask wholeheartedly (1:6-8) III. God gives wisdom to those who ask humbly (1:9-11)
Main Idea: Trials are an opportunity for joy and growth in the Christian life. I. Trials are an opportunity for joy (v1-2) II. Trials are an opportunity for growth (v3-4)
I. Unity in the Spirit arises from the unity of the Trinity. Ephesians 4:4-6 II. Unity in the Spirit is obscured by our own immaturity. Ephesians 4:1-2 III. Unity in the Spirit is maintained with humility. Ephesians 3:1-3
Main idea: Because of the Spirit, your potential to produce the fruit of Christlike character is beyond your own ability. I. What is the fruit of the Spirit? Gal 5:22-23 II. The way to bear fruit is through crucifixion. Galatians 5:24 III. The way to bear fruit is to keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25
Main Idea: Within us is a civil war of desire, won by the Spirit when we walk with Him rather than follow our hearts. I. The Civil War of Desires, Galatians 5:16-17 II. Two Ways to Wage War: By the Spirit or the Law, Galatians 5:18 III. Assessing the Enemy Within, Galatians 5:19-21
I. Children of God are led by the Spirit to kill sin. 8:14
II. Children of God, by the Spirit, have an inner assurance to cry “Abba, Father!” 8:15-16
No day is neutral. Be busy killing sin by the Spirit, or sin will be busy killing you. I. The penalty for sin has been paid and we owe the flesh nothing (Romans 8:12) II. The power of sin must be slayed and the Spirit comes with a sword (Romans 8:13)
I. What is praying in the Spirit? 1. Praying in the Spirit is not praying in the flesh. 2. Praying in the Spirit is not praying intellectually or doctrinally. 3. Praying in the Spirit is not merely praying our lists. II. What is the value of praying in the Spirit?
1.Praying in the Spirit builds us up in faith and in God’s love 2. Prayer in the Spirit helps us when we don’t know what to pray III. How do we pray in the Spirit? 1. We pray in the Spirit by setting aside time to pray. 2. We can pray in the Spirit by praying scripture. 3. We can pray in the Spirit by following the impulse to pray. 4. We can pray in the Spirit by asking the Spirit to prompt us to pray. 5. We pray in the Spirit by glorifying Jesus.
I. As a church, together, we ought to pursue being filled with the Spirit. II. We cannot manipulate the Spirit, but we can caught up in Him. III. We can be “not-full” of the Spirit, so we must seek to be filled. IV. The Spirit’s influence overflows in joyful praise and gratitude. V. Be grateful for the ordinary work of the Spirit, but long for the extra-ordinary.
I. The inevitability of troubled times. Daniel 12:1 II. A better hope for troubled times. Daniel 12:2-4 III. Questions that remain in troubled times. Daniel 12:5-13 IV. The hope that changes everything.
I. As Christians, we are exiles. Jeremiah 29:4 II. As exiles we are present, yet distinct. Jeremiah 29:4-6 III. We make the Kingdom of God visible by blessing and praying. Jeremiah 29:7 IV. Discern who you trust, and reject lying prophets. Jeremiah 29:8-9 V. Seek the Lord with our whole hearts, and reject cynicism. Jeremiah 29:10-14
I. Fasting and prayer sharpen our spiritual senses (Daniel 10:1-3) II. Visions are windows into the unseen spiritual realm (Daniel 10:4-10) III. Angels are messenger-warriors in the unseen realm (Daniel 10:11-14) IV. Earthly conflicts of kingdoms reflect heavenly conflicts of kingdoms (Daniel 10:12-14, 20-21)
I. What does repentance look like? 1. Repentance looks like lament and sorrow over sin. 2. Repentance looks like confessing sin as wickedness, not explaining it away. 3. Repentance looks like trusting the Lord’s love and mercy. II. What does God’s response to repentance look like? 1. God moves in mercy before we even get the words out. 2. God loves sinners. 3. God promises a restoration beyond our ability to ask.
I. Optimism is not always in order (Daniel 8:1-8, 15-22) II. God's people have been and will be oppressed (Daniel 8:9-14, 23-25) III. Yet, there is no shortage of hope for God's people
I. Real Problems with Beasts, Daniel 7:1-8 II. Real Victory through the Son of Man, Daniel 7:9-14
- Daniel's rise to rank (6:1-3)
- Conspirators plot against Daniel (6:4-9)
- Darius sentenced Daniel to death (6:10-18)
- God's deliverance and exaltation (6:19-28)
I. The Pride Before the Fall, Daniel 5:1-4 II. The Writing on the Wall, Daniel 5:5-12 III. The Meaning of it All, Daniel 5:13-31
I. God Seeks After Proud People, Dan 4:1-18 II. God Calls Proud People to Repent, Dan 4:19-27 III. God Will Sooner or Later Humble All Proud People, Dan 4:28-37
I. The Situation (Dan 3:1-7) II. The Accusation (Dan 3:8-12) III. The Interrogation (Dan 3:13-15) IV. The Execution (Dan 3:16-18) V. The Salvation (Dan 3:19-25)
I. God alone can reveal history’s mysteries. Daniel 2:1-23 II. God’s kingdom alone will endure forever. Daniel 2:24-45 III. So seek His Kingdom alone. Daniel 2:46-49
I. Nobody Wants to Live in Exile. Daniel 1:1-7 II. It Takes Courage and Wisdom to Live by Conviction in Exile. Daniel 1:8-16 III. It’s God who gives the courage and wisdom to live faithfully as exiles. Daniel 1:17-21
I. We have interdependent gifts, empowered by one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 II. We are interdependent parts, harmonized by one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 III. Every gift and part is indispensable and important. 1 Corinthians 12:14-24 VI. Christ’s body works by Divine design. 3 reasons 1) that there be no divisions in Christ’s body v25 2) that members may care for one another. v25 3) that we might have companionship in suffering and rejoicing. v26
I) A heart of belonging in the Spirit (Rom. 8:8-10) II) A heart of battling in the Spirit (Rom. 8:11-13)
I. Christmas is about Christ’s courageous solidarity with our humanity. Hebrews 2:14 II. Christmas is about Christ’s courageous victory over fear and the devil’s tyranny. Hebrews 2:14-15 III. This Christmas, may we learn not to fear death.
I. Hold fast to Confessing Jesus as the Son of God. Hebrews 4:14 II. Take comfort that because Christ became man, He has sympathy. Hebrews 4:15 III. Draw near to Christ with confidence. Hebrews 4:16
I. Jesus’ Soul Rest, Matthew 11:25-27 II. Jesus’ Invitation to Soul Rest, Matthew 11:28-29 III. Jesus’ Promise of Soul Rest, Mt 11:29-30
Idleness is a serious distraction, so let’s take serious the things of God.
1) The Seriousness of Idleness (3:6, 14-15) it disobeys Scripture (3:6) It ignores God’s good design for work (3:6, Genesis 1-2) it distracts us from loving and providing for oneself and others (3:11-12) And it wastes time without reference to God (3:11, 2 Thess 1:11-12) 2) The Witness against Idleness (3:7-9) Paul's hard work (3:7-8) Paul's loving motivation (3:7-9) Paul's Gospel Conduct (3:6,8 - 1 Thess 2:9-12) 3) The Weariness caused by Idleness (3:13)
I. What might move us from standing firm? 1. the devil’s deception, 2 Thess 2:9, 3:3 2. not loving truth, 2 Thess 2:10-11 3. enjoying sin, 2 Thess 2:12 II. What keeps us standing firm? 1. Stand firm in Gratitude for the Gospel. 2 Thess 2:13-15 2. Stand firm in missional urgency. 2 Thess 3:1 3. Stand firm against all forms of evil. 2 Thess 3:2-3 4. Stand firm in the steadfast steadfast love of Christ 2 Thess 3:4-5
Main idea: Do not be deceived about the day of the Lord, but rather discern and love the truth. I. Don’t be deceived about the date of the Day. 2 Thess 2:1-3a II. Don’t be deceived into joining the rebellion. v3 III. Don’t be deceived by the man of lawlessness. 2 Thess 2:3-9 1. he will be a man. v3 2. he will be antinomian. v3 3. he will be next level arrogant. v4 4. he will (probably) arise out of the church. v4 5. he will he revealed to the world, but is now restrained. v6-7 6. he will be a puppet of Satan. v9 7. he will do supernatural signs. v9 8. he will be killed by Jesus’ breath. v8 IV. How do we avoid being among the deceived? 2 Thess 2:10-12 1. Love true truth. v10-11 2. Take no pleasure in unrighteousness. v12
Everything that is not right in this world will be set right by the God who is right. If that sounds good to you, then you see the need for hell.
Hell and the just judgment of God...
I. Why is it necessary? 2 Thess 1:4-6
II. When will God’s judgment happen? 2 Thess 1:7
III. Who will be judged? 2 Thess 1:8
IV. How severe will it be? 2 Thess 1:9
V. What is the alternative? 2 Thess 1:10-12
I. Positional Sanctification: We Have Been Sanctified II. Progressive Sanctification: We Are Being Sanctified III. Perfect Sanctification: We Will Be Sanctified
I. Speaking to God in Non-Stop Prayer, Celebration and Thanksgiving, 1 Thess 5:16-18 2. Hearing from God by the Spirit through Prophecy, 1 Thess 5:19-22
I. How to thrive at peace with church leaders, 1 Thess 5:12-13 1. Recognize the authority of your leaders 2. Love your leaders for their labor II. How to thrive at peace with other brothers and sisters, 1 Thess 5:13b-15 III. How to pursue peace with your enemies.
I. What is the Day of the Lord? II. Why should we be prepared for the Day of the Lord? 1 Thess 5:1-3 III. How Should we be prepared for the Day of the Lord? 1. Be daytime people in a nighttime world. 1 Thess 5:4-7 2. Battle with gospel faith, love, and hope. 1 Thess 5:8-11
Main idea: There is no downside to death for those who hope in Christ.
I. How can there be no downside to death? 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15 1. the dead in Christ are only sleeping. 2. The dead in Christ will be raised when Christ returns. 3. The dead in Christ will meet the Lord before those left alive.
II. What will happen when Jesus returns? 1 Thess 4:16-17 1. The Return: Jesus Himself will come down from heaven 2. The Resurrection: The dead in Christ will rise first. 3. The Rapture: We who are alive will be caught up together with them 4. The Reunion: We will always be with the Lord
III. What is the purpose of teaching on end times? 1 Thess 4:18
I. In the church we’re family so let’s love with extraordinary fraternal love. 1 Thess 4:9-10 II. In the world we’re witnesses so let’s work with ordinary, diligent, dignified independence. 1 Thess 4:11-12 and 2 Thess 3:6-15
I . Foster a loving anxiety for the spiritual well-being of others, 1 Thess. 3:1-8 II. Praying scripture helps us pray in line with God’s priorities. 1 Thess. 3:9-13 1. The Tone of Paul’s prayer, 1 Thess. 3:9 2. The Intensity of Paul’s Prayer, 1 Thess. 3:10 3. The God of Paul’s Prayer, 1 Thess. 3:11 4. The Content of Paul’s Prayer, 1 Thess. 3:11-13
I. The Bible’s instruction on sexuality is not rules taught by men II. The Bible’s instruction on sexuality is given to lead us in the will of God III. The Bible’s instruction on sexuality is meant to prepare us for the return of Christ
When we accept the gospel as the Word of God, we must also accept that rejection and affliction is inevitable, yet the reward will be worth it. I. Accepting the Gospel as the Word of God, 2:13 II. Rejecting the Gospel as the Word of God, 2:14-16 III. People Are the Point, 2:17-19
I. Living to Please God Grows Thick Skin, 2:1-7 II. Living to Please God Grows Tender Hearts, 2:7-12
I. Gospel-Centered and Spirit-Filled, 1:4-5 II. Imitators of Jesus and Examples to others, 1:6-8 III. Serving in the Present and Waiting for the Future, 1:9-10
I. If you want something to complain about, you can always find it in your circumstances. The background to this letter to Thessalonica. Acts 17:1-10 II. If you want something to be hopeful about, there is no end to hope in Jesus. Overview of the letter. III. If you want something to be thankful for, learn to pray like Paul. 1 Thess 1:1-3
Prioritize God's kingdom over personal comfort (1:1-11) Prioritize God's strength over personal difficulties (1:12-2:9) Prioritize God's holiness over personal standards (2:10-23)
Big idea: God’s manifold wisdom is best displayed through the (local) church. Q1: What Does the Gospel do? Q2: Who is the Gospel for? Q3: What’s the church for? Q4: Where should the church be? Q5: How do we get gospel-centered churches everywhere?
I. Life Is Full of Grief, Gen 49:28-50:1-14 II. We Are Culpable for Our Evil Decisions , Gen 50:15-21 III. God is Absolutely Sovereign and Means for Good What Men Mean for Evil, Gen 50:18-26.
I. We’re all seeking after blessing from others, and from God, Gen 48:1-4 II. Blessings are by grace, not merit, Gen 48:5-20 III. Through faith, we have the blessing of Abraham and can pass on a legacy of blessing.
Main Idea: God can truly restore us because God is truly for us. Outline: God’s Promise Reaffirmed (46:1-4) Jacob’s Family Relocated (46:5-27) Joseph’s Father Reunited (46:28-34) God’s People Restored (47:1-12)
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I) Pharaoh’s Dream (41:1-8) II) The Cupbearer’s Solution (41:9-24) III) Joseph’s Interpretation (41:25-37) Application: God is sovereign over our dreams and the events of this world. God’s sovereignty and His goodness cannot be separated. We respond to God’s goodness by showing goodness to others. We show goodness to others because God has given us the greatest good: Himself.
- Joseph serves from the love of the Lord (not for it)
- Joseph credits God as the giver of interpretation for dreams Three ways to test a dream (or other spiritual revelation or word) Test it against all of Scripture. Pray about it, but don’t force it. Tell the dream to trusted Christian friends.
- Joseph’s message only declared what would happen; Jesus’s message has the power to change what will happen.
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.......................Yahweh is with His people in prosperity, in tests of integrity, and in adversity. I. Yahweh is with Joseph in success. Gen 39:1-6 II. Yahweh is with Joseph in the seduction of sin. Gen 39:6b-12 III. Yahweh is with Joseph in injustice and adversity. Gen 39:13-23 IV. Yahweh is with His people in Christ.
I. Fatherly Favoritism and Brotherly Hatred, Gen 37:1-11 II.Brotherly Hatred Is Given an Opportunity, Gen 37:12-28 III. A Father Grieved and Deceived, Gen 37:29-36
- On issues of conscience, accepting your brother is better than arguing because God has accepted us all. Rom 14:1-2
- On issues of conscience, don’t despise or judge the motives of your brother. Rom 14:3-4
- On issue of conscience, develop an informed, thoughtful opinion and be convinced. Rom 14:5
- On issues of conscience, assume God-glorifying motives in those with whom you differ. Rom 14:6-9
- On issues of conscience, if you despise or judge others, remember you too will be judged by God. Rom 14:10-12
- On issues of conscience, don’t hinder the conscience of your brother or sister. Rom 14:13-14
- On issues of conscience, you don’t have to withhold from stating your viewpoint. Rom 14:14, 16
- On issues of conscience, ask “What is most loving toward others for whom Christ died?” Rom 14:15
- On issues of conscience, make the priorities of God’s kingdom your priorities. Rom 14:17
- On issues of conscience, work hard to live at peace, and build up. Rom 14:19
- God's kingdom is open to those who realize that Jesus is the King (7:18-28).
- God's kingdom is open to those who respond to Jesus as the King (7:29-35).
I. Everyone can hear, but not everyone has ears to hear. Luke 8:4-15 II. Take care how your hear the Word of God, Luke 8:16-18
I. Peace in our Fears, 24:36 II. Certainty in our Doubts, 24:37-43 III. Sense of the Scriptures, 24:44-47 IV. Reason to Live that’s Worth Dying For, 24:48-49 V. Power for Be Transformed and Testify, 24:49
I. Jesus leads us into uncertainty. II. Jesus is a non-anxious person in uncertainty. Luke 8:23-24 III. Jesus is in Sovereign Control. Luke 8:23-24 IV. Jesus wants to toughen our trust in Him. Luke 8:25 V. Jesus reveals more of His glory to us. Luke 8:25
Main Idea: Jesus is dismissing judgmentalism, not discernment. I. Do away with a judgmental disposition, Lk 6:37 II. Why do away with judgmentalism? 1. We want God’s generosity, not His judgment, Lk 6:38 2. We all have blind spots, Lk 6:39 3. We want to be like our Teacher, Lk 6:40 III. Do away with judgmentalism, not discernment, Lk 6:41-44
I . A nice idea, but what does loving enemies actually look like? ( Lk 6:28-31) 1. do good to those who hate you (Luke 6:27) 2. bless those who curse you (Luke 6:28) 3. pray for those who abuse you (Luke 6:28) 4. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also (Luke 6:29) 5. from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either (Luke 6:29) 6. give to everyone who begs from you (Luke 6:30) 7. from the one who takes away your goods do not demand them back (Luke 6:30) 8. As you wish others would do to you, do so to them (Luke 6:31) II. That sounds hard...why is it worth it? (Lk 6:32-35) III. How is loving like this possible? (Lk 6:35-36)