Use the navigation links above to sort through Eastbrook’s sermon archive by book of the Bible, series, topic, or speaker.
Dying to Live
In Colossians 2:16-23, Paul addresses the tendency to be deceived by human rules or pseudo-spirituality, calling believers toward the heart of spiritual formation, which is about growing in Christ through the gospel. Sermon Outline “Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules?” (Colossians 2:20) Don’t Let Anyone Judge You (2:16-17) Rules based in religious observance Shadows of realities found in…
Rooted in Jesus
In Colossians 2:6-15, Paul builds upon the centrality of Christ with a call toward spiritual growth individually and corporately. This is rooted in the gospel and contrasts with our own abilities and any sort of false spirituality built upon human activity. Sermon Outline “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7)…
Jesus, God’s Secret Revealed
Continuing with deep exploration of Christ as the revelation of God’s mystery and the gospel in Colossians 1:24-2:5, Paul talks about his defense of the gospel. This hints that there may be something within the Colossian setting threatening their faith in the pure gospel. For Paul it is all about Christ and the gospel. Sermon Outline “God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”…
Jesus the Revelation of God
Paul’s strong statement in Colossians 1:15-23 sets the tone of this whole section: “the Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” With a summary of the gospel and a deepened Christology than almost any other place in the New Testament canon, we encounter a powerful teaching on Jesus. Sermon Outline The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” (Colossians 1:15) Christ and Creation (Colossians 1:15-18a) The image The…
Praying to the Center
Prayer is the environment in which we connect deeply with God and one another through the gospel. In the beginning of his letter to the Colossians, Paul doesn’t merely talk about prayer, but prays into the presence of God as he opens the letter (Colossians 1:1-14). This shows us the priority and place of prayer in our lives. Sermon Outline “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you” (Colossians 1:3) Starting with…
Living in the Light
Jesus is the light that “shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). He is the victor who brings us out of darkness and into the marvelous light of God. This is a new beginning, a new hope, a new way, and more. God is good and we celebrate His goodness found in Jesus our Savior, Messiah, and Friend. Key Passages: John 1; 20; Colossians 1:13-14; 1 Peter 2:9; Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 4:16
Lost in the Dark
When Jesus entered into human experience, He was entering into our world and lives where the power of darkness, sin, and evil reign. As He went to the Cross this became only more clear, as Jesus submitted to the pathway that led through death’s darkness. He said at His arrest, “this is your hour – when darkness reigns” (Luke 22:53). He became lost in the darkness of death and burial so that we, who are truly lost in the dark,…
Redemption in the Darkness: Job’s Return to Joy through Suffering
When Job walks with God, even obeys God, in the midst of his suffering, redeeming grace breaks in ( Job 42:7-17). How can we also experience greater blessing in our lives through and beyond the seasons of suffering we face? (Job 42:7-17) Sermon Outline “The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former.” (Job 42:12) God’s Grace in Loss (Job 42:7-17) God’s grace in restored friendships (42:7-9) God’s grace in relationships (42:10-11) God’s grace with possessions (42:12)…
Hearing God in the Darkness: Job’s Encounter with the Living God
Many times in the midst of suffering we ask God to reveal Himself or His truth into our lives. When God does speak to Job in Job 38:1-42:6, He reminds Job of how small he is in comparison to the greatness of God. How do we learn from Job about appropriate listening to God in the times of suffering? (Job 38-42:6) Sermon Outline “My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you” (Job 42:5) Job’s longing to…
Humility in the Darkness: Job Rebuked Regarding God’s Greatness
In Job 29-37, Job argues with his friends and verges on self-justification or pride at times. Elihu rebukes Job in order to bring him back to see his own heart-attitude before God. Sometimes our suffering actually leads us into a strong self-protective attitude with God and others, and we too must return to the place of humility in our suffering. (Job 29-37) Sermon Outline How great is God—beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out. (Job…
Wisdom in the Darkness: Clinging to God in the Face of Confusion and Adversity
In the midst of the dialogue of Job and his friends, an interlude in Job 28 on the way of wisdom catches the reader by surprise at the center of the book. Wisdom is not easily found, but is readily available. God is the beginning of wisdom and the advocate of wisdom. (Job 28) Sermon Outline “But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?…God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells” (Job 28:12,…
Wrestling in the Darkness: Job and His Friends’ Quest for Meaning in Suffering
In Job 3-27, Job enters into a deep dialogue with his friends about the nature and meaning of suffering. They offer counsel that is, in one way, true, but is divorced from the context of Job’s life and God’s permission. We will talk about when to speak and when to be silent, how we comfort one another in suffering and also how we search out meaning together before God in suffering. (Job 3-27) Sermon Outline “I know that my redeemer lives,…