Sermons on Adversity (Page 2)
Faith to Face the Giant
This week we explore the work of God in David’s encounter with Goliath. Sermon Outline “David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.’” (1 Samuel 17:45) The Structure of the Story From anointing to service of Saul to battle (16:14-23) Conflict in the Valley of Elah (17:1-11) David’s Arrival at…
Seeing Jesus as Peace
Jesus’ word of peace to His disciples after His crucifixion and resurrection speaks about more than a peaceful easy feeling. What is it that Jesus means by peace and why must we see this to live the full life? (Luke 24:36-43) Sermon Outline “While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.” (Luke 24:36) Jesus, the Peace Bringer (Luke 24:36-43, John 20:19) Jesus appears to silence the disciples’ doubt.…
The Hidden Power of Patience and Prayer
James’ final exhortations call the believers to deeper patience in suffering and persevering prayer amidst sickness. Why might these be the final words he wants to offer to them? (James 5:7-20) Sermon Outline “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.” (James 5:13) Persevering with Patience (James 5:7-11) Patience with long-term perspective (5:7) Patience with the end in sight (5:8-9) Patience with good examples (5:10-11a) Patience with God’s character (5:11b)…
Fighting the Right Enemy
The church is often known as a place where people fight with one another. But there is only one enemy worth fighting and that is the devil. And there is only one way to resist the devil successfully and that is by submitting to God. (James 4:1-12) Sermon Outline “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) Dangers of being led by our desires (James 4:1-5) People of James desired a lot…
When Trouble Comes
This week we will set up the book of James, offering helpful background, and plunging into James’ exploration of how to respond to trials and temptations. (James 1:1-18) Sermon Outline “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4) Introducing James (James 1:1) Who is…
Resurrection Matters, Part 2
Chapter 15 explores the resurrection of Jesus. This second part of that chapter focuses on the reality of resurrection bodies through faith in Jesus. (1 Corinthians 15:35-58) Sermon Outline For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. (1 Corinthians 52b-53) How Could Our Bodies Possibly Be Resurrected? (1 Corinthians 15:35-44) God can manipulate matter. Learn from the analogy…
Resurrection Matters, Part 1
Chapter 15 explores the resurrection of Jesus. This first part of that chapter focuses on the Jesus’ resurrection and the possibility of resurrection from death. (1 Corinthians 15:1-34) Sermon Outline “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins accord- ing to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) The Gospel of the Resurrection (1 Corinthians…
The Pruned Life
This week explores the pruning work of God necessary for fruitfulness in our lives. (John 15:2, 6; Psalm 1:4) Sermon Outline “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:2) Pruning as Cleansing for Fruitfulness The word means cut “clean” and implies healing Jesus’ word is the pruning tool that cuts clean What about the branches that don’t bear…
Why do Bad Things Happen to Good People?
We all at one time wrestle with the question, “why do bad things happen to good people?” The writer of Ecclesiastes is no different: “There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve. This too, I say, is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 8:14). Is there meaning in all this, or is life just random? Sermon Outline “There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: the…
Keep Yourselves in God’s Love as You Wait
Following on our series on 2 Peter we spend one week looking at the book of Jude, one of the most interesting and short books in the Bible. Jude is interrelated with 2 Peter, so this is a good time to explore it. Sermon Outline But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ…
Prison Walls Falling
We explore the ministry of Paul and Silas in the Macedonian city of Philippi, particularly their interactions with the jailer where they are imprisoned. When an earthquake strikes, the jailer’s traumatic experience captures his attention and leads him to become a Jesus follower. Paul and Silas were present in his life, ready to respond as “God opens a door.” (Acts 16:11-40) Sermon Outline “The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought…
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…