Sermons by Pastor Matt Erickson (Page 6)
Mistaken for a Gardener
A standalone message for Easter Sunday out of John 20. Sermon Outline “Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.’” (John 20:15) The Gardener? Is Mary mistaken? Does Jesus look different? Is John telling us something? The Garden of Eden and the Resurrection Garden The garden of Eden The ruins of the garden of our world The resurrection garden Jesus’ New Gardening…
The Fruitful Life
This week explores how we are made for fruitfulness and that true fruitfulness comes from God’s life in us and from our obedience to God and love for others. (Psalm 1:3; John 15:1-8, 16-17) Sermon Outline “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear in prayer, asking God to speak to you through this study. fruit—fruit that will last.” (John 15:16) The Way of Fruitfulness In Psalm 1: meditating…
The Pruned Life
This week explores the pruning work of God necessary for fruitfulness in our lives. (John 15:2, 6; Psalm 1:4) Sermon Outline “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:2) Pruning as Cleansing for Fruitfulness The word means cut “clean” and implies healing Jesus’ word is the pruning tool that cuts clean What about the branches that don’t bear…
The Planted Life
This week introduces the series and explores the imagery of Psalm 1 of being planted. We can plant in one way of living or another, but there is a choice before us. (Psalm 1:1-3) Sermon Outline “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water…” (Psalm 1:3a) Introducing this Series The journey of Lent The two passages: Psalm 1 and John 15 Seeing these passages through the lens of Jesus Christ The Happy Person is Not Like This…
What is the Most Important Thing in Life?
Many scholars believe that Ecclesiastes is edited by a narrator, who takes the questions assembled by the Teacher (Qoholet) and reframes them with some qualification. Chapter 12 is often seen as the ultimate reframing of the entire book of Ecclesiastes around the question: what is the most important thing in life? Sermon Outline “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come.” (Ecclesiastes 12:1) Stages of Life and Stages of Faith (Ecclesiastes 12:1-7) Engaging…
The Intersection of Diversity & Discipleship
On Monday, January 29, 2024, Pastor Matt Erickson led a discussion among leaders within our church community about Eastbrook as a multi-ethnic church, the intersectionality of diversity and discipleship, and how these lessons can shape our ministry at Eastbrook for the future.
Are We Stuck in Endless Cycles or Is there Something More?
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). The litany of different seasons the Teacher explores can make it seem like life merely undulates along a path over which we have little control over and in which we may struggle to find meaning. “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun” (1:9). Are we stuck in an endless cycle or…
Is Life Meaningful or Meaningless?
One of the most pervasive themes in Ecclesiastes is what can seem like the apparent meaninglessness of life. The very beginning of the book centers on this theme: “Meaningless! Meaningless!’, says the Teacher. ‘Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless’” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). We can all feel like this sometimes. So, is life meaningless or meaningful? Sermon Outline “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 1:14) Background…
A New Day
Because of the unique timing of Christmas Eve, this is a stand-alone message for Christmas Eve 2023 called “A New Day.”
A New Day
The conclusion of our series on 2 Peter brings us to the final words of this letter, urging us in light of all that has been said, to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). (2 Peter 3:14-18) SERMON OUTLINE “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18) Being and Becoming the Beloved…
Beware of Leaving the Way
Following false guides leads us away from the power and presence of God. Such wandering is not without consequence and may leave us wondering, with our author, if it would be better to have not known the way of righteousness in the first place. 2 Peter 2:10b-22 SERMON OUTLINE “They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness” (2 Peter 2:15) False Guides Pursuing a…
Beware of False Guides
There are dire warnings here about false prophets and false teachers, who seek to exploit others. Their ways deserve condemnation and will be punished with destruction. (2 Peter 2:1-10a) SERMON OUTLINE “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.” (2 Peter 2:1a) The Rebuke of False Guides (2 Peter 2:1-3) False guides deny the authority of Jesus as Lord (2:1, 10a) False guides indulge in sexual desire at odds with…