"community" Tagged Sermons (Page 2)

Jesus on Sin and Forgiveness

Jesus addresses how we deal with sin and conflict in the church, pairing it with a parable on forgiveness and showing mercy to others. (Matthew 18:15-35) Sermon Outline “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” (Matthew 18:15) Sin, Confrontation, and Community Life (Matthew 18:15-17) Sin and pointing it out A pathway for pointing sin out The goal of pointing…

Sacrificial Generosity

The New Testament church was sacrificially generous to the point that some sold their property to give to those in need. They were watchful of the needs of others, and it was astounding to all who saw them. They suffered with those who suffered, and were encouraged by those who were full of joy. From our early days, Eastbrook has been a sacrificially generous church in terms of hospitality, service, and giving. We want to continue in these ways. Key…

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…

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.…

Joy that Gives

This week focuses on God’s people as the community of joy under Christ, the ultimate bringer of joy as Messiah. Key text: Philippians 1:27-2:11 Sermon Outline “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5) Our New Citizenship: The Joyful City (1:27-30) Citizens of a new kingdom Living that citizenship Our New Mindset: Joyful Service (2:1-4) True joy in the God who gives True joy in serving one another Our New Example: Jesus the…

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)…

Exile Community

(1 Peter 5:1-14) Sermon Outline “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’” (1 Peter 5:5) Exile Leaders (1 Peter 5:1-5) Exile Humility (1 Peter 5:5-7) Exile Conflict (1 Peter 5:8-11) Exile Stance (1 Peter 5:12-14) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS We conclude our series, “Exiles,” on 1 Peter by looking at chapter 5. Begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak into your life, and then read that…

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…

Called

(Acts 1:1-11) SERMON OUTLINE “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Called to Jesus: Living with the Resurrected Jesus (Acts 1:1-3) Jesus in-between events Jesus alive in the flesh Jesus at the table Called into God’s Kingdom: Facing Confusion and Time Delays (Acts 1:3-7) Jesus and the kingdom The kingdom of God…

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 _________________________________…