Use the navigation links above to sort through Eastbrook’s sermon archive by book of the Bible, series, topic, or speaker.
The Outcast: Jephthah
Jephthah (Judges 10:6-12:7) was a gritty deliverer from a gritty background. The son of a prostitute, Jephthah was called by God and the people as deliverer almost reluctantly. Empowered by the Spirit, however, Jephthah brings a mighty victory over the Ammonites, but inflicts a terrible justice afterwards. SERMON OUTLINE What are the Israelites continuing to do? What is evil in the sight of the Lord Worshiping the gods of the people they had conquered Forsaking what God has done for them…
The Bramble King: Abimelek
Abimelek (Judges 9:1-57) follows the way in which his father, Gideon, lived the latter part of his life, setting himself up as king by murdering his brothers and oppressing the people. Abimelek’s story is in one sense the conclusion of Gideon’s story, but it also shows us what happens when a ruler walks away from God. SERMON OUTLINE “Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come and reign over us.’” (Judges 9:14 ESV) The Beginnings of the Bramble…
All’s Well that Ends Well?: Gideon, Part 2
Gideon starts well (last week), but ends his life with bloodshed and idolatry, losing sight of the most important matters of serving God. It is easy as men and women of God to start well, but it is much harder to end well. What can we learn from Gideon (Judges 8:1-35) about beginning and ending well with God? SERMON OUTLINE “Now there was no king in the land, and everyone did what was right in his own opinion.” (Judges 21:25)…
Strength in Weakness: Gideon, Part 1
Gideon’s story in Judges 6:1-7:25 tracks an unexpected leader with plenty of doubts who moves to surprising victory. God tells Gideon to cut his army down from thousands to a hundred to remove the opportunity of boasting “my own strength has saved me” (7:2). What happens from there is the lore of great stories that show the power of God bringing strength in weakness. SERMON OUTLINE “Follow me Gideon and I will make you a kinsman redeemer of your people.”…
The Right Woman for the Job: Deborah
Deborah (Judges 4:1-5:31) is a prophet who receives the word from God and calls on Barak to rise up as the deliverer. Barak is unwilling to do the task unless Deborah is with him. What does this tell us about how God uses women and men for His purposes, even when we falter? SERMON OUTLINE “Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time.” (Judges 4:4) Unlikely Deborah Prophet (Judges 4:4) Leader (Judges 4:5, 6,…
Lead with the Left: Ehud
The story of Ehud in Judges 3:12-30, “a left-handed man,” captures our imagination, but is striking culturally because left-handedness was a sign of weakness, possibly even physical defect. He does what is unexpected to win the day for God’s people under their oppression by Eglon, king of Moab. What does it look like to lead out of what is seen as weakness for unexpected victory? SERMON OUTLINE “Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he gave them a…
Where Are We?
The result was that the people turned from the covenant and worshiped idols. This is the natural consequence of the beginning of the book, yet it is the decision of the generation to turn from God. What can we learn from the generation hooked on idols for our own day from Judges 2:6-3:6? SERMON OUTLINE But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9) The place of meeting with God…a garden of gracious trees e.g. the…
Incomplete
Judges begins in Judges 1:1-2:5 with Joshua’s death and the sense of incomplete conquest of the Promised Land. It is a picture of incomplete obedience and response to God, but also the sense of incompleteness we all have in life in terms of our accomplishment, abilities, and more. How do we recognize our incompleteness—sin, brokenness, disobedience—and what do we do about it? SERMON OUTLINE “The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, ‘I brought you…
Remember
On this Family Worship Weekend, Pastor Matt brings a message for all ages from Joshua 4, with a message of remembering what God has done in the past. (Joshua 4) SERMON OUTLINE “And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan.” (Joshua 4:20) God is Doing Something We’re Joining in with God Remember in the Middle Remember on the Other Side DISCUSSION GUIDE What are some of your strongest memories from childhood? Why…
Devoted to Christ
Everything in Paul’s letter to the Colossians winds up with some final words about living a devoted life to Christ in Colossians 4:2-18. Sermon Outline “I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.” (Colossians 4:18) Devoted with Words (Colossians 4:2-6) Words with God Words of gratitude Words about others Words with Others Words that are right on-time Words that connect Devoted with People (Colossians 4:7-18) Companions in service Companions in the journey DISCUSSION…
Relationships with Jesus at the Center
Even our relationships should be transformed with Christ at the center. Jesus changes everything, including the way we relate with our family, friends, co-workers, and more. In Colossians 3:18-4:1, Paul takes us into these intimate places of our lives so that nothing is left untouched by Messiah Jesus. Sermon Outline We Have Been Changed in ________________________: Four Images of Who We Are Now (Colossians 1:2, 18) The ________________________ – new identity The ________________________ – new belonging The ________________________ – new…
Oriented to Christ
If we have been set free through the gospel with a new identity through the centrality of Jesus Christ’s work, then our lives should be different. Our thoughts, our words, and our actions should reflect the new beginning won for us in Christ. Pastor Ruth Carver unpacks Paul’s words in Colossians 3:1-17. Sermon Outline Orient your life to Christ by setting your mind on these things (v. 1-4) Your identity is in Christ Your life is hidden in Christ You will…