Sermons by Pastor Matt Erickson (Page 21)
The Hunger to Know
There is an insatiable desire built within humanity to understand what’s going on in the world and in our lives. We scramble to be “in the know” or “on the inside track,” and we hate feeling “out of the loop.” This hunger for understanding is built into us by God and leads us toward an encounter with that which is beyond us. Key passage: Exodus 33:7-34:9 Sermon OutlinE “He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one…
The Hunger for Greatness
Someone once told me that what they wanted most in life was to be seen and acknowledged for who they were. Some describe that as a hunger for greatness or, at least, a desire to be necessary. We want someone to see who we are and what we can offer. That desire connects with the way that God has made us, views, and relates to us. Key Texts: Jeremiah 29:11; Matthew 18:1-5; 20:25-28; 1 Peter 5:7 Sermon OutlinE “You know that…
The Hunger for Love
All of us want to feel loved, and like we belong somewhere with someone. We want this within intimate relationships and within a sense of finding community. We will explore this hunger for love as it relates to human love and divine love. Key Passage: John 4:1-43 Sermon OutlinE “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep…
Word of God
What does it mean that Jesus is the Word of God, with God in the beginning, and reigning with God at the end? Key Texts: John 1:1, 14; Colossians 1:19; 2:9; Hebrews 1:1-4; Revelation 19:13 SERMON OUTLINE “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) Jesus the Word of God that Exists and Creates (John 1:1-4; Genesis 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17) Jesus the Word of God that Enlightens Humanity (John…
Son of God
This weekend we will explore the significance of what it means that Jesus is the ‘Son of God’ by drawing together the messianic, royal, and divine aspects of this title. Texts: Matthew 4:6; 14:33; 16:16; Romans 1:4; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:15; 1 John 5:20 SERMON OUTLINE “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses…
Son of Man
Why did Jesus refer to Himself most often as ‘the Son of Man’? Does this phrase merely mean that Jesus is human, or is there something more to this? Texts: Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 8:20; 9:6; 10:23; 12:8, 40; 16:27; John 6:53f; Acts 7:56; Revelation 1:13; 14:14 SERMON OUTLINE “Jesus said, ‘And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’” (Mark 14:62) Jesus the Son of Man:…
Prince of Peace
This weekend we will explore what it means that Isaiah speaks about the Messiah as “the Prince of peace” and that Jesus says that He bestows peace upon His disciples after the resurrection. Passages: Isaiah 9:6; John 14:27; Matthew 11:28-30; Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:14-18 SERMON OUTLINE “And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6b) Messiah as the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) Jesus as the Messiah Who Brings Another Kind of Peace (Luke…
Promised Lamb of God
This weekend we will explore what it means that Jesus fulfills the promises of God in the Old Testament, ultimately as the Lamb of God who reveals the full meaning of the Passover and salvation. This significance of the Lamb of God. Texts: John 1:29-36; Genesis 22:8; Exodus 12:1-3; John 19:14; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Leviticus 1:4; Romans 8:3; Hebrews 10:10-14; Isaiah 53:7; Revelation 5:6-8, 7:17, 17:14 SERMON OUTLINE “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look,…
Friend of Sinners
This weekend we will explore what it means that Jesus was described as “a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Luke 7:34). SERMON OUTLINE “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’” (Luke 7:34) Jesus as a Cause of Stumbling (Luke 7:18-23) Jesus and a New Kind of Greatness (Luke 7:24-30) Jesus and the Abundance of God (Luke…
Light of the World
The prophet Isaiah spoke of the Messiah bringing light into the midst of darkness of this earth. Jesus described Himself in that way as well, saying, “I am the light of the world.” We explore this title in our Christmas Eve services to begin this new series.
Faith at the End of All Things
The last chapter of Daniel looks toward the ultimate end of all things. The final words of Daniel speak of the ultimate end, peace, and one of the only glimpses on the Old Testament of the hope of the resurrection. Sermon OutlinE “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.” (Daniel 12:13) Faith in Difficult Times (Daniel 12:5-7) Faith Until…
Faith and the Final Vision
The last two chapters of Daniel look toward the ultimate end of all things. There are king and kingdoms, difficulties and challenges that come, in Daniel’s vision. In light of the New Testament teaching, we have a hope that endures through the end to a better future. How does Daniel’s teaching enliven our faith? Sermon OutlinE “In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and…