Sermons by Pastor Matt Erickson (Page 31)
Opportunities at Work
This week ranges through the ways that the Gospel transforms our aim with work. We will look at our sense of calling and vocation, our understanding of how all work joins with God’s work, the sense of common grace, and how we can live out our faith in word and deed in our different types of work. Key passage: Colossians 3:23-24. SERMON OUTLINE “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human…
Difficulties at Work
This week focuses on the difficulties we develop with work, including fruitlessness, selfishness, meaninglessness, and idolatry from Genesis 3, Ecclesiastes, Genesis 11, and Exodus 34. SERMON OUTLINE Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” (John 5:17) The Fall: Unclothed (Genesis 3:7, 17-19) Jesus: The Messiah Who Works (Luke 22:39-23:49) Yielded to God in work (Luke 22:39-46) Disappointed by others at work (Luke 22:47-62) Accused by others at work…
God at Work
This week explores work from the perspective of God’s plan from creation for work (Genesis 1-3; 1 Corinthians 7:17). It will address God’s overall intent in work, the dignity of work, then work as dominion and cultivation and service. SERMON OUTLINE “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves…
Deep | Wide | Multiplied
Vision Weekend, 2015. Key passage: Psalm 1. SERMON OUTLINE “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.” (Psalm 1:3) The Good and Happy Life Deep: Growing in Christ Wide: Reaching People Multiplied: Reproducing Disciples DISCUSSION QUESTIONS What are you looking forward to most in your life as you move from Summer into Fall? This weekend we are focusing our attention…
Sex and Marriage
Key passages: Genesis 2:20-25; Song of Songs 8:4-14; Proverbs 5:1-23; Ephesians 5:1-2, 21-33 SERMON OUTLINE “Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.” (Song of Songs 8:7) Sexuality and the Covenant of Marriage (Genesis 2:20-25) Powerful partners in the world Covenant relationship and sexuality The Joy of Married Sexuality (Song of Songs 8:4-14) Timeliness Verbal intimacy Physical intimacy Emotional intimacy…
God’s View of Sexuality
This week we will explore the essential nature of our sexuality as created by God, and how that fits into our understanding of discipleship and being human before God in a broken world. SERMON OUTLINE “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them.” (Genesis 1:27) 4 Failures of the Church: _________________________: failure to speak adequately on these issues _________________________: failure to move beyond the “Culture War” mentality _________________________________: failure to convey a…
Prayer as the Pathway to Unity
In John 17:20-26, Jesus prayed for the unity of the church and if Jesus prayed for it, then we know that prayer is essential to unity. How does prayer serve as this focus? What do we do practically to weave prayer into the work of seeking unity and togetherness? Sermon Outline “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I…
Singing the Songs of God’s Salvation
The third chapter of Habakkuk is one of the most beautiful and heart-felt declarations of worship before a mighty God in a confusing world. Some see this final prayer as a psalm amended to the end of the prophet’s words to bring us deeper into worship in light of the painful realities recorded before. (Habakkuk 3:1-19) SERMON OUTLINE “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (Habakkuk 3:18) Sometimes it Causes Me to…
Faithfulness in a Confusing World
God’s second response to Habakkuk includes a vision that gives him perspective on what’s happening and five woes about the sort of person who will experience the judgment of God. It is a sobering reality, but also an encouragement to those of us trying to gain God’s perspective. The end of the chapter is appropriate humility and worship before God. (Habakkuk 2:2-20) SERMON OUTLINE “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright – but the righteous person…
Talking with God When Pain Looms Large
Habakkuk lifts his voice to God in lament again but this time calls God’s attention to the unending pain that His people are suffering at the hand of their oppressors. How do we respond to God when it seems that our suffering is larger than we ever thought possible? What do we do? (Habakkuk 1:12-2:1) SERMON OUTLINE “I will stand at my watch…I will look to see what He will say to me.” (Habakkuk 2:1) Eyes on God (Habakkuk 1:12-13)…
Suffering and the Surprising Plans of God
God’s first response to Habakkuk is surprising at numerous levels. God will respond to Habakkuk’s call for punishment of wicked but it will come in a surprising way. The punishment of wickedness will come at the hands of an even-more wicked people. The oft-quoted phrase here, “I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told” (Habakkuk 1:5), is actually a message of surprising judgment on the nations. (Habakkuk 1:5-11) SERMON…
Crying Out when God Seems Absent
The first of Habakkuk’s two laments begins with the prophet’s agonizing question about how long God will let violence and wickedness continue unpunished. What do we do when wrong seems to carry forward in the face of a righteous God? What does it look like to cry out to God in these times? (Habakkuk 1:1-4) SERMON OUTLINE “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” (Habakkuk 1:2) Habakkuk’s Burden (Habakkuk 1:1) The context of Habakkuk…