Sermons by Pastor Matt Erickson (Page 23)
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…
Prayer of Surrender: Mary
Mary’s prayer stands out as one of the strongest expressions of faith in the entire Bible. She is humble yet bold, meek yet strong. Her words become a model for all of us on how to live a life surrendered to God. Main passage: Luke 1:26-38; 46-55 Sermon OutlinE “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38) Surrendering to God’s Word (Luke 1:26-38) Mary receives the angel Gabriel (1:26-28) Mary receives God’s…
Prayer of Dedication: Nehemiah
After the exile of God’s people from the Promised Land to Canaan, God raises up Nehemiah as a great leader to establish the people back in their land. What we often forget is that Nehemiah’s great leadership began in prayer. All of us may not feel we are leaders, but all of us can be used by God wherever we are. The key to that work of God in and through us comes by dedicating ourselves to Him in prayer.…
Prayer of Dependence: Habakkuk
The prophet Habakkuk concludes his bleak book with a powerful and rich declaration of faith in the face of pending suffering in Habakkuk 3:1-21. Regardless of our circumstances, how might we learn to be people of faith through prayer like Habakkuk? Sermon OutlinE “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (Habakkuk 3:18) Seeking God’s Renewal in Fearful Times (Habakkuk 3:1-2) Promise of Punishment for the People of God (chs. 1-2) What has…
Prayer for Deliverance: Hezekiah
King Hezekiah faces tremendous threats at the hands of the Assyrian armies. In this dire situation, Hezekiah turns to God with a prayer for deliverance in 2 Kings 19:14-20; 20:1-7. When we face pressures, how might Hezekiah’s example help us, whether individually or corporately, turn to God for deliverance? Sermon OutlinE “Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, Lord,…
Prayer that Listens: Elijah
Elijah’s wonderful victory over the prophets of Baal turns into a fearful flight for his life. Running to the mountain of God, Elijah has a powerful encounter with God that transforms him. He speaks and listens, and is sent out by God renewed in 1 Kings 19:1-18. Sermon OutlinE “The word of the Lord came to him: ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’” (1 Kings 19:9) The Exhaustion of Success (1 Kings 18-19) The thrill of success (1 Kings 18:20-46)…
Prayer that Intercedes for God’s People: Moses
In one of the most vivid passages of the Old Testament we see God speaking with Abraham about the wicked towns of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham’s nephew, Lot, lives there with his family, but Abraham focuses on calling God to act justly. It almost seems like Abraham is bargaining with God. What is going on here and what might we learn about pleading with God in prayer on behalf of the lost? Sermon OutlinE “In accordance with your great love,…
Prayer that Pleads for the Lost: Abraham
In one of the most vivid passages of the Old Testament we see God speaking with Abraham about the wicked towns of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham’s nephew, Lot, lives there with his family, but Abraham focuses on calling God to act justly. It almost seems like Abraham is bargaining with God. What is going on here and what might we learn about pleading with God in prayer on behalf of the lost? Sermon OutlinE “Abraham remained standing before the Lord.…