Sermons by Pastor Matt Erickson (Page 22)
Exile Faith at Prayer
Daniel’s prayer in chapter 9 is one of the most heart-felt and powerful prayers of Scripture. It is part of Daniel’s hope-filled pleading with God to bring an end to the exile. In the midst of this, Daniel again encounter Gabriel the angelic messenger who instructs him about the end of the exile and future hope. Sermon OutlinE “So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.”…
Faith Looking Forward
This chapter takes us deeper into the apocalyptic visions with a Ram and a Goat appearing in a vision to Daniel. Gabriel, the angelic messenger, appears to Daniel to help him understand it and becomes a helpful instructor of us as well through this passage. What is the significance of this vision that “concerns the distant future” (8:26)? Sermon OutlinE “The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for…
Faith in God Amidst the Beasts
The first step in Daniel’s apocalyptic vision (Daniel 7) takes him into the midst of four beasts and an encounter with the Ancient of Days and one like a Son of Man. How does our faith shape the way we relate to the raging of the nations and God’s sovereignty? Sermon Outline “I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me. I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning…
Faith When the Writing is on the Wall
In the well-known story of Belshazzar’s feast from Daniel 5:1-31, a mysterious hand appears with writing on the wall. No one can discern the message, until Daniel is brought forth with a response from God. Daniel lives out his faith even when he has been largely forgotten, and the one moment his message is heard is now one of judgment. Sermon Outline “Daniel answered the king, ‘You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless,…
Multiply: The ‘Factors’ of the ‘Product’
The closing weekend of MissionsFest with a message from Senior Pastor Matt Erickson SERMON OUTLINE “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14) The ‘Product’ earth filled knowledge of God’s glory An Aside on Being “Witnesses” Three Key ‘Factors’ of the ‘Product’ ____________________________ to Christ (Seed) One-time Daily ____________________________ like Christ (Roots) Christ’s character in us Christ’s character from us ____________________________ with Christ (Fruits) Proclaiming…
Faith Speaking Truth to Power
In Daniel 4:1-37, Nebuchadnezzar has a dream and Daniel interprets it truthfully. Nebuchadnezzar’s pride threatens to undo him, and Daniel speaks of that reality. When it comes to pass, even Nebuchadnezzar humbles himself before God. Sermon Outline “How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.” (Daniel 4:3) A Terrifying Ruler Left Terrified (Daniel 4:1-7) A Confusing Dream with a Confounding Interpretation (Daniel 4:8-27) A Self-Centered King…
Faith in the Fire
In Daniel 3:1-30, Daniel’s three friends find their faith tested with the threat of idolatry and resulting punishment. What does it mean to have faith in a foreign land when the fire comes? Sermon Outline “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it…But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you…
Faith in Exile
The story of Daniel begins with the exile from Jerusalem. What does it mean for the exiles to live out their faith in this place? Daniel and his friends provide us with an example of how to live our faith as exiles. We are in the world but not of it. We seek the peace of the city in which we are planted but it is not truly our home. (Daniel 1:1-21) Sermon Outline “Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief…
A Multi-Ethnic, Kingdom-Oriented Community
The church as a multi-ethnic, Kingdom-oriented community is central to the gospel of Jesus Christ. What does it mean to move beyond the frameworks of divisive thinking, and rather to call us into a deeper grasp of Jesus’ prayer for unity and call to love? Key Passages: Ephesians 2:11-22; Revelation 7:9-10; Philippians 1:27, 3:20; Jeremiah 29:4-7 SERMON OUTLINE “In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith… There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor…
An Intergenerational Family
The church is an intergenerational family, where we are all equally children of God by simple faith, yet also embracing the entire church, young and old, as having a place of belonging and value. What does it mean to move beyond the frameworks of generational thinking, and rather to call us into a deeper grasp of Jesus’ prayer for unity and call to love? SERMON OUTLINE “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be…
Prayer as Worship: Revelation
Within the book of Revelation we have numerous examples of heavenly worship. We may not think of them as prayer, but that is truly what they are. How might we better learn how to pray now by learning from the heavenly examples of prayer? Key Verses: Revelation 11:15-19; 15:1-4; 16:5-7 Sermon OutlinE “After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: ‘Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true…
Prayer as Mission: The Early Church
The early church spent a lot of time in prayer. Prayer was the fuel and guide for their outward mission in Jerusalem, Judea, and the further parts of the known world. Looking at their examples of prayer throughout Acts, we can learn how to let prayer shape our life on mission as a church. Sermon OutlinE “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” (Acts 2:14) Prayer…