"church" Tagged Sermons (Page 2)
The Church: A People Called by God
The church is essentially a people who are called by God. We are called out of darkness and into His marvelous light. We are called from death into life. We are called by God, given a new identity in Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:3-14) Sermon Outline “We, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:12) What is the Church? 3 Characteristics of the Church…
Truly Community
This week, we continue in the series “Roots” by exploring what it means to be God’s Community, the Church. Pastor Matt uses Acts 2:42, 46, and 4:32 as an example of how we should format our lives within the body of the church. The early believers, it says, were “one in heart and mind” (Acts 4:32). There was an essential unity within this group of believers, which we refer to with the word ‘community’ today. This theme recurs throughout the…
Activated by the Holy Spirit
This weekend, Pastor Matt kicks off a new series entitled “Roots”, exploring five characteristics of the Church. In today’s message, we look at how the Church is activated by the Holy Spirit by studying Acts 1:11 and 2:1-13. The early church waited upon the Spirit, was filled up by the Spirit, was strengthened in the Spirit, was led by the Spirit, listened to the Spirit, was interrupted by the Spirit, and relied upon the Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, there…
A Crash Course in Church Growth
Pivoting from theological discussion into life application, Paul urges the readers to “live a life worth of the calling you have received” (4:1). This section offers a theological framework for individual spiritual growth that fits within a framework for corporate spiritual growth. The individual parts of the body grow as the entire body grows through focused cultivation of unity, active use of spiritual graces, and formation by God toward maturity in Christ. Ephesians 4:1-16 SERMON OUTLINE “I urge you to…
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…
A Crash Course in Unity in Christ
The “mystery” of God’s work in Christ (3:6) is that Jews and Gentiles both partake together of God’s grace and are built into “one new humanity” (2:15) through the reconciling work of Jesus at the Cross. Hostility is replaced by peace, as God builds this community of Jew and Gentile into a new “dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (2:22). Ephesians 2:11-22 SERMON OUTLINE Everyone wants to belong. What happened? (vss. 11-12) Humanity’s Attempted Solution God’s Solution (vss.…
Community
In Psalm 122, we see the need to be joyful in gathering with God’s people, because this is God’s calling to us in community. We shouldn’t look to the church to see what it can offer us, but rather we should rejoice in simply drawing near to the house of the Lord. We must resist individualism and cynicism; instead, our concern should be to worship the Lord in the place we belong. SERMON OUTLINE Joyful Arrival in Jerusalem (vss 1-2)…
Unity Worth Fighting For
Unity doesn’t just “happen.” The church is made up of sinful people; people who will (at times) step on each other’s toes, offend each other, and hurt each other. Jesus was clear about what we are to do in those situations. Not only is there a personal responsibility to resolving conflict but a community responsibility to resolve our conflict. How can we be one as a church if we know there are two “brothers” (or sisters) in this body that…
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…
Serving Together
Exploring what it means to be together as a community, as seen in the book of acts. (Acts 2:42-47) Sermon Outline ”Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23) Before Christ We Were Prisoners Prisoners to the sinful nature that ruled in us (Galatians 3:22) Prisoners to the law (Galatians 3:23) In Christ We Are Free (Galatians 5:1,13) Four Perspectives We Bring To Galatians 5:13 “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to…
Growing Together
Exploring what it means to be together as a community, as seen in the book of acts. (Acts 2:42-47) Sermon Outline allelon—one another Useful tools use their words to build one another up rather than tear down (Ephesians 4:25, 29-30; Colossians 3:16) unwholesome—rotten fish teaching—instruct one another, share insights, truths, and wisdom with each other admonition—to warn or to caution others about danger or sin First—Check your _________________________________ (1 Corinthians 4) Second—Check your _________________________________ (1 Corinthians 4) Third—Check your _________________________________…
Connecting Together
Exploring what it means to be together as a community, as seen in the book of acts. (Acts 2:42-47) Sermon Outline “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20) Four Core Truths about the Church The Church is Formed by Jesus (Matthew 18:20) The Church is Birthed by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4) The Church is Sustained by God’s Truth (Acts 2:42) The Church is Moving Toward Eternal Community (Revelation 7:9-10) Five…