Sermons by Pastor Matt Erickson (Page 8)
Jesus Rebuilds and Repairs
A message at our annual Eastbrook Outdoors service on how Jesus is the ultimate rebuilder and repairer of all that is broken in our selves, our city, and our world. (Luke 4:1-21) SERMON OUTLINE “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year…
From Exiles to Residents
There are many listings of names in Nehemiah, but it is particularly important to see the transformation that begins to happen amidst repair and rebuilding. Exiles and outcasts become residents with a place. This should give some attention to God’s covenant promises about the land. (Nehemiah 6:15-7:73; 11:1-12:47) SERMON OUTLINE “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13) From Exiles to Wanderers to Slaves to Residents…
Facing Opposition in a Good Work
There are opponents from the very beginning and all throughout Nehemiah’s efforts. It shouldn’t be surprising when troubles arise as we pursue the work of repair and rebuilding. (Nehemiah 2:10, 19-20; 4:1-23; 5:1-19; 6:1-14) SERMON OUTLINE “But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. ‘What is this you are doing?’ they asked. ‘Are you rebelling against the king?’” (Nehemiah 2:19) The Reality of Opposition There will be…
Approaching Authority with Need
Nehemiah has to approach King Artaxerxes about the need and his own sense of calling to help with the repair. (Nehemiah 2:1-10) SERMON OUTLINE “I said to the king, ‘May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?’” (Nehemiah 2:3) Living at the Intersection of Prayer and Action (Nehemiah 2:1) Time delay between the report and Nehemiah’s action…
Praying with a Broken Heart
Nehemiah’s response to the brokenness of Jerusalem is a deep prayer. (Nehemiah 1:5-11) SERMON OUTLINE “Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night.” (Nehemiah 1:5-6) Beginning with the Greatness of God (Nehemiah 1:5-6a) The greatness of God’s being The greatness of…
Encountering a Broken World
This week will introduce the summer series and Nehemiah’s encounter with the news of Jerusalem’s disrepair. (Nehemiah 1:1-4) SERMON OUTLINE “When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.” (Nehemiah 1:4) Introducing Nehemiah The place of Nehemiah in biblical history An overview of the book The two key words for our series: Rebuild Repair The Realities for Nehemiah Exile Jerusalem in Ruins Heartbreak Responding to…
Waiting for the Holy Spirit
A standalone message on Pentecost Sunday from Acts 1-2. Sermon Outline “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other…
I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life
Exploring the seven “I am” statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John, this Easter season we want to encounter Jesus again for the first time. Drawing upon the Gospel context and Old Testament history, we want to step more deeply into what Jesus was saying then and what it means for our life with God today. (John 14:6) SERMON OUTLINE “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except…
I am the Light of the World
Exploring the seven “I am” statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John, this Easter season we want to encounter Jesus again for the first time. Drawing upon the Gospel context and Old Testament history, we want to step more deeply into what Jesus was saying then and what it means for our life with God today. (John 6:26-36) Sermon Outline “Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will…
I am the Resurrection and the Life
Exploring the seven “I am” statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John, this Easter season we want to encounter Jesus again for the first time. Drawing upon the Gospel context and Old Testament history, we want to step more deeply into what Jesus was saying then and what it means for our life with God today. (John 11:25) Sermon Outline “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live,…
Confusion Among the Nations: The Tower of Babel
This message will focus primarily on the story of the Tower of Babel and how it sets the stage for the confusion of the nations and separation of peoples based in the vain pride of humanity. The message will point toward God’s intervention in Abraham and through that toward the need for Christ. (Genesis 11:1-32) Sermon Outline “Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” (Genesis 11:7) The God-displacing Efforts of Disordered…
Faltering at the Finish Line: After the Flood
This message explores Noah’s inglorious end and the expanding table of nations in Genesis 10. What does this tell us about who we are? (Genesis 9:18-10:32) Sermon Outline “Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard.” (Genesis 9:20) A New Beginning and the Table of Nations (9:18-19; 10:1-32) A new beginning in light of God’s covenant blessing (9:18-19) God works with the generations and all peoples Noah’s Vineyard (9:20-21) Noah is the new man of the soil,…