Sermons by Pastor Ruth Carver (Page 2)
Real Prayer
Pastor Ruth Carver shares what real prayer looks like in our lives and how to make requests of our good God, sharing from Matthew 7:7-11 Sermon Outline “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you…” (Matthew 7:7) Jesus tells His disciples (and the crowd) that real prayer is simply making requests of God: asking Him for things. (Matthew 7:7-8) Jesus tells a parable to show what…
Messiah, Magi, and the Nations
One of the promises about the Messiah was that the nations would stream toward him. This vividly happens in the story of the magi, or wise men, who came to visit Jesus, setting of the wild fury of Herod Antipas. Matthew 2:1-12 SERMON OUTLINE “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” (Matthew…
Faith
The nature of faith shapes the life of faith. Hebrews 11:1-3 SERMON OUTLINE “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1) Faith and the future – “what we hope for” (Hebrews 11:1a) Faith and the present – “what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1b) The ancients’ faith (Hebrews 11:2) Faith and the past – creation (Hebrews 11:3) Key things to remember about increasing our faith Some faith is better…
Haggai
A contemporary of Zechariah after the exile, Haggai calls the returnees to prioritize rebuilding the Temple of the Lord. The Temple was not only the place of worship but a sign of God’s covenant. As the books closes, the earthly prince Zerubbabel is held up, like David, as a picture of the Messianic Ruler who will come in the future. Sermon OutlinE “Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take…
A Crash Course in the Church
Paul interrupts his train of thought to reflect on the grace God has given him as Apostle to the Gentiles. His reflection on his own ministry leads him to praise of God for fashioning together this new community, known as the church, which exists to display the “manifold wisdom of God…to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (3:10). SERMON OUTLINE His [God’s] intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known…
Faith to Speak God’s Words
Nebuchadnezzar has a troubling dream that for which no interpreter can find meaning. Daniel seeks God in prayer and receives a revelation from God. When he gives a favorable response, all around recognize the power of God. (Daniel 2:1-49) Sermon Outline There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. (Daniel’s words to King Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 2:28a) King Nebuchadnezzar’s Bad Dream: The Crisis (Daniel 2:1-13) Daniel Speaks What God Reveals (Daniel 2:14-45) Daniel Leaves the Results to God (Daniel 2:46-49)…
Blessing and Rescue
Joseph’s story ends in Genesis 47-50 with his family together, his relationships restored, and the hope of a future for himself and God’s people. Our stories are stories of blessing for us and for others, but find their deepest meaning in the story of God’s blessing intended for all the peoples of earth. Sermon Outline You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Joseph’s words…
Good Samaritan: The Back Story
Key Passage: Luke 10:25-37 SERMON OUTLINE I. The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-35) The wounded man (10:30) The priest (10:31) The Levite (10:32) The Samaritan (10:33-35) II. The Back Story First Round of Confrontation Between Lawyer and Jesus Lawyer confronts Jesus with Question #1 about eternal life. (10:25) Jesus responds, not by answering Question #1, but by asking lawyer Question #2. (10:26) Lawyer recites Scripture in answer to Jesus’ Question #2. (10:27) Jesus admonishes lawyer, “Do this and…
Jesus: Healer and Releaser
This week, Pastor Ruth Carver kicks off a new series, “Jesus on the Move,” with a look at a series of healing stories from Luke 5 and 7. SERMON OUTLINE Story #1 – Luke 5:12-14 Jesus’ activity: He heals a man of leprosy Jesus’ heart: to release the man from shame and isolation Story #2 – Luke 5:17-26 Jesus’ activity: He heals a paralyzed man Jesus’ heart: to release the man from sin Story #3 – Luke 7:1-10 Jesus’ activity:…
Oriented to Christ
If we have been set free through the gospel with a new identity through the centrality of Jesus Christ’s work, then our lives should be different. Our thoughts, our words, and our actions should reflect the new beginning won for us in Christ. Pastor Ruth Carver unpacks Paul’s words in Colossians 3:1-17. Sermon Outline Orient your life to Christ by setting your mind on these things (v. 1-4) Your identity is in Christ Your life is hidden in Christ You will…
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