Sermons by Pastor Matt Erickson (Page 26)
Bread for the Journey
Jesus ate with His disciples in the upper room, offering a new Passover meal reflective of His sacrifice in His body and blood. The early Christian community continued to celebrate that meal, remembering the gift of Christ, encountering the Risen Lord in the meal, celebrating the new community formed, and looking forward to the final day. Key passages: Matthew 26:17-30; 1 Corinthians 10:14-22; 11:23-32 SERMON OUTLINE “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never…
Washed with Water
Jesus went to the Jordan River to be baptized by John, His cousin, as a sign of obedience and purification before God. His disciples repeated that, both during His ministry and after His ascension. Baptism initiates us into the new community as we step forward by faith in response to God’s gracious gift of new life and forgiveness in Christ. Key passages: Matthew 3:13-17; Romans 6:1-14; 1 Peter 3:20-21 SERMON OUTLINE “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death…
Show Whose You Are
Pastor Matt returns from a 3-month sabbatical to bring a message from Luke 18:9-14 on the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.Maurice Ross brings a message from Luke 16:1-15 as we continue our “Stories Worth Living” sermon series on the parables of Luke’s Gospel. SERMON OUTLINE “So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’” (Luke 19:13) The Situation (Luke 19:11-14) The real-life situation…
Proper Confidence
Pastor Matt returns from a 3-month sabbatical to bring a message from Luke 18:9-14 on the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.Maurice Ross brings a message from Luke 16:1-15 as we continue our “Stories Worth Living” sermon series on the parables of Luke’s Gospel. SERMON OUTLINE “All those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14) The Situation (Luke 18:9-10) The real-life situation for Jesus’ teaching The story’s situation for…
Worry and Faith
What?! Me, worry?! Sure we do. Jesus gives us a picture of the kingdom life in relation to worry. The resurrection changes the meaning of this earlier teaching of Jesus. Pastor Matt Erickson delivers a message from Luke 12:22-34. SERMON OUTLINE “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” (Luke 12:31) Don’t Worry (Luke 12:22-31) Food & clothes The ravens The flowers Pagans versus disciples The Father and His Kingdom Don’t Fear (Luke 12:32-34) The…
The Cost of Discipleship
In light of the resurrection, there is greater meaning to the pathway of discipleship and its cost for us. We look at two passages from earlier in Luke’s Gospel to get a sense of the life of discipleship: 13:22-30 (teaching on the narrow door) and 14:25-35 (teaching on the cost of being a disciple). SERMON OUTLINE “In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” (Luke 14:33) The Costly Doorway…
Confusion to Understanding
Two disciples encounter Jesus on the road to Emmaus and their lives are turned upside down. That is what the kingdom does to us, after all. Pastor Matt brings a message from Luke 24:13-35. SERMON OUTLINE “Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.” (Luke 24:31) Jesus’ Questions (Luke 24:13-24) Jesus’ Explanation (Luke 24:25-27) Recognition (Luke 24:28-35) Living with Burning Hearts DISCUSSION QUESTIONS When did you have a spiritual breakthrough in your life of…
A King and His Kingdom
Resurrection is here! On Easter Sunday, Pastor Matt kicks off our new series, “The Kingdom Life,” with a message from Luke 24:1-12. SERMON OUTLINE “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” (Luke 24:5-6) Four Views of the Empty Tomb The women The angels The disciples Peter Three Stage of Faith From grief to belief: “it has happened!” [the women] From no hope to nonsense: “it can’t happen.” [the disciples] From doubt…
The Final Move
The triumphal entry actually speaks to the end of all things that is to come. We are drawn into the end game with Jesus as Pastor Matt brings the message from Luke 12:54-59; 21:5-38. SERMON OUTLINE “Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” (Luke 21:31) The Time and the End (Luke 21:5-11) The time of destruction The end of all things Persecution and Perseverance (Luke 21:12-19) Persecution Testimony Perseverance Two…
Lord of the Cast-Off
Jesus is Lord and King; He is Messiah and Savior…but His kingdom is unexpectedly filled with the least likely people: the cast offs. Until we realize who we are and who we are not we will never enter into the Lord’s kingdom. SERMON OUTLINE “Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” (Luke 7:42) Measuring the Insignificant (Luke 21:1-4) Giving much out of…
The Sent Son
Jesus comes as the anticipated Son of God. This causes quite a stir, but why is it important? We will explore two passages to get our minds around this: Luke 20:1-8 (the authority of Jesus questioned) and Luke 20:9-19 (parable of the tenants). SERMON OUTLINE Then the owner of the vineyard said, “What should I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.” (Luke 20:13) The Sent Son and the Rejection of Authority (Luke…
The New Temple
Jesus offers strong words against the temple once He has entered into Jerusalem. Let’s try to grasp what it means that there is a new temple arriving as Jesus comes to Jerusalem as king, from Luke 19:45-48. SERMON OUTLINE “It is written,” Jesus said to them, “’My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” (Luke 19:46) The Final King (Luke 19:28-38) Mount of Olives and the end of the age The…