"growing disciple" Tagged Sermons
Make Every Effort
The life of faith is built on the grace and power of God. Yet we are twice invited to “make every effort” in growing with God in character and confirmation of our calling and election. (2 Peter 1:5-11) SERMON OUTLINE “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith…” (2 Peter 1:4a) Background of the passage: A review A farewell discourse Feed my sheep (John 21:15-17) Stay on course Motivation for ethical behavior: For this very reason……
The State of Discipleship at Eastbrook
This mission to grow disciples is too important for us to simply guess at how we’re doing or hope we’re being effective. To help bring clarity to our current state of disciple-making and to identify where we can improve in our efforts, in the fall of 2023, we asked the entire Eastbrook congregation to take an anonymous assessment. On Monday, October 30, 2023, Pastors Matt Erickson and Jim Caler presented the survey results and key takeaways to a group of…
Growing and Growing
This week will explore examples of believers who move from initial steps of faith to a life of growing and deepening discipleship. We will look at the believers in Jerusalem (Acts 4:32-37) and Berean (Acts 17:10-15) as examples of growing faith exemplified in learning, praying, sharing, and growing. Then we will examine the life of Barnabas (4:36-37; 9:26-28; 11:22-23; 13:1-3) as an example of someone who centers their life in Christ, faithfully serving and investing in others. Sermon Outline “So…
Beginnings of Transformation
When Peter preaches sermon to a crowd of Jews and God-fearing Gentiles gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost, there is a dramatic response. We are told that about three thousand became disciples of Jesus that very day. Perhaps the story of Cornelius (Acts 10) could be referenced as well. This week we explore the beginnings of life change that leads us into the pathway of discipleship to Jesus. (Acts 2:1-47) Sermon Outline “When the people heard this, they were cut to…
Run
The life of faith is like a foot race of endurance that, although we wear down sometimes, brings the greatest joy of living with God. Hebrews 12:1-11 SERMON OUTLINE “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2) Run with the crowd (Hebrews 12:1a) Hebrews 11 Surrounded Run without hindrances (Hebrews 12:1b) throw off everything that hinders get rid of the sin that entangles or distracts Run after the One (Hebrews…
Consider Jesus
Jesus is not only the High Priest that brings us to God, but is also our example for faith-filled discipleship. Hebrews 12:1-3 SERMON OUTLINE “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:3) Fix our eyes on Jesus to fix our eyes Peter and the water The pioneer and perfecter of faith pioneer – originator – initiator perfecter – best expression – one who brings to completeness The Suffering…
Living Faith
Examples of faith scattered through the Scriptures and through our experience encourage us to continue in our own life of faith. Hebrews 11:4-40 SERMON OUTLINE “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1) True Christian faith is taking God at His word and building your life on it. Four aspects of the life of Faith that are exemplified by these stories: The life of faith serves as encouragement for…
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…
Let Us Draw Near and Persevere
In light of the cost of Jesus’ sacrifice, we must step forward with perseverance in our life of faith. Hebrews 10:19-39 SERMON OUTLINE Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings. A Look Back at Hebrews so Far Hebrews 10 is the Book’s Pivot Point towards Application What is the “therefore” there for? The Source: Drawing Near to God (Hebrews 10:19-23) Our approach vs God’s approach Religion vs Gospel The…
Move to Maturity
It is good to receive a kick in the tail sometimes when you need it. So, too, in our spiritual lives, sometimes we need a good warning and a good push to keep moving toward maturity. Hebrews 5:11-6:12 SERMON OUTLINE “We want each of you to show the same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.” (Hebrews 6:11) Hebrews 5:11-14 Hebrews are challenged to grow deeper in their faith Expectation of where…
Multiplied: Kingdom Perspective
Key Passages: Mark 4:1-20, 10:17-22, Matthew 28:18-20 Sermon Outline “Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” (Mark 4:8) The Kingdom of God and Multiplication (Mark 4:1-20) Multiplication in the Old Testament Multiplication in the New Testament Priesthood in the Old Testament Priesthood in the New Testament Challenges to Multiplication Demands of the __________________________ (Matthew 4:16-19) People can be __________________________ (Mark 10:17-22) Unseen __________________________ We have…