Sermons by Pastor Matt Erickson (Page 2)
Faith-Shaped Pursuits and Priorities
This message sets up the series by making a case for the fact that our faith in God should connect with our ordinary lives, then gives focus to it by drawing attention to our pursuits and priorities as we start the year. (Matthew 6:33 and Various Others) Sermon Outline “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) Introduction 2026 and new year’s resolutions This series on everyday…
Jesus, King of Love
This message focuses on Paul’s voyage toward Rome and his service in love of people along the way, during the shipwreck, and the resulting visit to Malta. Paul proclaims and embodies the Gospel. (Acts 27-28) Sermon Outline “For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!” (Acts 28:30-31) Love Under Arrest…
Jesus, King of Peace
This message focuses on Paul’s ministry in Athens, including his contextualized evangelism, his connection with philosophers and artists, and the peace brought by Christ into the God-shaped hole of the altar to an unknown God. (Acts 17:16-34) Sermon Outline “For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going…
Jesus, King of Hope
This message focuses on Paul and Silas’ ministry in Philippi, including God’s deliverance of them from prison and the hope that is brought to the Philippians jailer and his family through Christ. (Acts 16) Sermon Outline “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken.” (Acts 16:25-26a) Introduction Advent Our series, “Jesus, King of…
Barnabas: The Son of Encouragement
This message looks at Barnabas, the son of encouragement, giving particular attention to his ministry to the church in Jerusalem, his ministry to Saul who becomes the Apostle Paul, and his ministry in and from the church in Antioch. (Acts 4:36-37; 9:26-28; 11:22-30; 12:25-13:3) Sermon Outline “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.” (Acts 4:36-37) Who…
Peter: God’s Good News Vision
This message looks at Peter’s unique paradigm shift through a vision from God that leads toward the inclusion of the Gentiles in God’s new community. His vision on the rooftop in Joppa, his visit to the centurion Cornelius, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, his explanation of his actions, and perhaps a reference to the Jerusalem Council. (Acts 10:1-11:18) Sermon Outline “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the…
Stephen: A Heart for God
This message looks at Stephen as an example of someone who has a unique heart or passion for God. His witness, his persecution and martyrdom, his vision of Jesus. (Acts 6:8-7:60; Psalm 139:13-14; Various) Sermon Outline “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.” (Acts 6:8) What’s Worth Dying For? The background of persecution for the early church (Acts 4:1-31) The situation confronting Stephen (Acts 6:8-15) The events that follow…
Raised and Released
This message will explore the selection of the deacons in response to the needs of the church in Jerusalem, enabling the apostles to stay focused on their ministry but also releasing others into ministry. (Acts 6:1-8) Sermon Outline “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.” (Acts 6:1) Family Tensions (Acts 6:1) With all the good…
Radically Generous
This message will explore the life of the Jerusalem Church, whose generosity was shocking and surprising, even in the face of persecution. (Acts 4:32-5:16) Sermon Outline “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.” (Acts 4:32) The Radical Generosity of the Early Jesus Movement (Acts 4:32-37) Generosity as the overflow of God’s radical generosity to us in Jesus A movement devoted to…
Living Family
This message will focus on the way God formed His life into the early Jerusalem church. (Acts 2:42-47) Sermon Outline “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.” (Acts 2:46-47) The Rule and Reign of God in the Family of God God’s rule and reign in a renewed covenant, focused in Jesus, and…
Born by the Holy Spirit
A message about Pentecost, waiting, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and God’s beginnings of a Revelation 7 type of community. (Acts 1:1-2:41) Sermon Outline “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Introducing Acts What is Acts? Who wrote it and why? What does “Acts” mean? Why would we study it today?…
A Song to the God of My Life
Near the end of 2 Samuel, we come to the conclusion of David’s life. What does he sing to God and say to others as he concludes his life? (2 Samuel 22) Sermon Outline “Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.” (2 Samuel 22:50) The Focus of Worship (2 Samuel 22—first take) Appropriate perspective on God and us Paying attention to God Paying attention to God amidst our life circumstances…