Sermons by Pastor Matt Erickson
Come and See
This message explores the first calling of the disciples, who leave John the Baptist to follow Jesus. They may not know what they are getting into but they still follow. (John 1:35-51) Sermon Outline “They said, ‘Rabbi’ (which means ‘Teacher’), ‘where are you staying?’ ‘Come,” he replied, ‘and you will see.’” (John 1:38b-39a) Seeing John the Baptist sees Jesus Andrew and another disciple see Jesus, and Jesus sees them Andrew leads Simon Peter to see Jesus, and Jesus sees Peter…
Look Over There
This message explores the witness of John the Baptist, who knows he is not the Messiah, but the one running ahead of and pointing to the Messiah, who is the Lamb of God. (John 1:19-34) Sermon Outline “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29) John the Baptist Knew Who He Was Not and Who He Was (John 1:19-23) Not the Messiah…
Grace and Truth
Here we savor the grace upon grace given in Jesus, the grace and truth revealed in Him that exceeds the law given through Moses. (John 1:15-17) Sermon Outline For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ..” (John 1:17) Pointing to Who is Greater: John the Baptist (John 1:15) The Fullness of Jesus (John 1:16) Grace and Truth Exceeding the Law (John 1:17) Living into the Fullness DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: DIG DEEPER Exploring Faith Growing in…
We Serve Because He Served
Sermon Outline “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:15) Jesus Served Us (John 1:12-14; Matthew 20:28) Jesus came to make us members of God’s family Jesus came to serve us We Serve Because Jesus Served Us (John 13:1-17) Jesus’ humble service in the upper room (John 13:1-16) Our invitation to humble service in the way of Jesus (John 13:12-17) The motivation of mutual, self-giving love (John 13:34-35) We Serve…
Bearing Witness
A look at the life of John the Baptist and what it means to ‘bear witness’ to Jesus the Word and the Light. (John 1:6-8) Sermon Outline “There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.” (John 1:6-7) John the Baptist Knew Who He Was: Sent from God (John 1:6) John the Baptist’s identity –John “is” from God; sent from God…
The First Word
An exploration of the concepts in the first 5 verses of John 1, with particular attention to Jesus as the Word, plus some mention of themes in John. (John 1:1-5) Sermon Outline “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) Jesus the Divine and Preexistent Word (John 1:1-2) Jesus at the beginning: echoes of beginning of all things in Genesis 1:1-2 and the ancient wisdom of God in Proverbs…
A New Day Coming
Sermon Outline “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.” (Mark 16:6) Jesus’ Resurrection Signals the Defeat of Death Death is the great enemy now overcome (1 Corinthians 15:26) The place of sin in human experience (Genesis 3, esp. vs 15) Jesus’ life and death are vindicated by resurrection ➯ Faith in Jesus being alive Jesus’ Resurrection Signals a New World is Beginning Jesus as the firstfruits of new creation (1…
Tears of Trust
This message will explore the second of two types of tearswe see in Jesus as He prays in the Garden of Gethsemane, thetears of trust. With these tears we see God showing thepathway of true humanity through humble trust in Jesus’prayer before His trial and crucifixion. Hebrews 5:7; Luke 22:39-46; Matthew 26:36-44 Sermon Outline “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” (Hebrews 5:7) Jesus’ Tears and a Theology of the Incarnation Jesus as fully God (Colossians 1:15) and fully human (John 1:14; Hebrews 4:15) Jesus shows us what God is like and what true humanity…
Tears of Mercy
This message will explore the first of two types of tears we see in Jesus as He enters Jerusalem, the tears of mercy. In these tears, we see our God moved by mercy over the plight of a world that needs God but often will not turn to God. Luke 19:28-42; Matthew 23:37-39 Sermon Outline “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.” (Luke 19:41) Three Reasons Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem Jesus weeps because God’s invitation…
Tears of Compassion
This message will explore the first of two types of tears we see in Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus, the tears of compassion. These tears reveal our God who is moved by compassion over human loss and grief. John 11:1-44 Sermon Outline “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35) Introduction The journey of Lent “Jesus wept” (John 11:35) The variety of Jesus’ tears Seeing Jesus’ Tears through a Theology of the Incarnation Jesus as the revelation of God (Colossians 1:15) Jesus as…
Faith-Shaped Marriage
This message will specifically address marriage relationships from a biblical point of view. How does our faith work its way into our everyday decisions in marriage? Genesis 1:27-28; 2:20-25; Ephesians 5:21-33 Sermon Outline “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number.’” (Genesis 1:27-28a) The Genesis of Marriage God makes human beings (Genesis 1:27-28)…
Faith-Shaped Parenting
In connection with child dedication, we want to do some discussion of how our faith shapes our everyday parenting. We also want to address how this is important for the non-parents in the room as well (e.g., “it takes a village”). An opportunity to encourage others to pour into the next generation more broadly. Matthew 6:33; Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21 Sermon Outline “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on…