Sermons on Advent
Jesus, King of Love
This message focuses on Paul’s voyage toward Rome and his service in love of people along the way, during the shipwreck, and the resulting visit to Malta. Paul proclaims and embodies the Gospel. (Acts 27-28) Sermon Outline “For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!” (Acts 28:30-31) Love Under Arrest…
Jesus, King of Joy
This message focuses on Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, including the confrontation with evil and idolatry, as well as the riot in Ephesus because the gospel was disrupting both spiritual and economic forces. (Acts 19:1-41) Sermon Outline “John’s Baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the coming after him, that is, in Jesus. On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 19:4-5) Power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7)…
Jesus, King of Peace
This message focuses on Paul’s ministry in Athens, including his contextualized evangelism, his connection with philosophers and artists, and the peace brought by Christ into the God-shaped hole of the altar to an unknown God. (Acts 17:16-34) Sermon Outline “For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going…
Jesus, King of Hope
This message focuses on Paul and Silas’ ministry in Philippi, including God’s deliverance of them from prison and the hope that is brought to the Philippians jailer and his family through Christ. (Acts 16) Sermon Outline “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken.” (Acts 16:25-26a) Introduction Advent Our series, “Jesus, King of…
The One Who Restores
Jesus the Messiah is the One who can truly restore. “To restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:1-7) Sermon Outline “To restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach…
The One Who Brings Justice
Jesus the Messiah is the One who brings justice to the nations. “Here is my servant…I will put my Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.” (Isaiah 42:1-9) Sermon Outline “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.” (Isaiah 42:1) The Servant of the LORD (Isaiah 42:1) The chosen people as a servant who falters…
The One Who Comforts
Jesus is the Messiah sent to bring comfort to a world that is hurting. “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” (ISAIAH 40:1-5, MATTHEW 3:1-3, MARK 1:1-3, LUKE 3:4-6) Sermon Outline “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” (Isaiah 40:1) God’s Comfort Spoken (Isaiah 40:1-2a) The God who speaks The God who speaks tenderly to His people in exile God’s Comfort in Difficulty’s Resolution and Restoration (Isaiah 40:2) The difficulty of the exile will reach conclusion The future hope brought…
The One Who Rules
Jesus is the Messiah sent by God to rule in a way that reflects who God is. “And He will be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, the everlasting father, the prince of peace.” (Isaiah 9:1-7) Sermon Outline “Of the greatness of his government and peace, there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will…
Living in Light of the Day
We want to watch for that day of the Lord, but we also want to live in light of it. Peter’s question should ring through our minds and hearts as well, “What kind of people ought you to be?” (3:11). (2 Peter 3:10-13) SERMON OUTLINE “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be…
Looking for the Day
Peter reminds his readers of the reason he is writing: “to stimulate you to wholesome thinking” (3:1-2). This spurring on is vitally important as we enter days that are confusing and may wonder if there will ever be a day when Jesus returns. As we begin Advent, the words of 2 Peter 3 coincide with the Advent longing for the parousia of Christ. (2 Peter 3:1-9) SERMON OUTLINE The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand…
“Glory to God in the Highest” (Gloria)
Jesus is born to Mary and Joseph and the angels erupt in praise. The shepherds don’t linger long after this nighttime divine interruption. They high-tail it to Bethlehem to see what God has done. (Luke 2:8-20) SERMON OUTLINE “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14) God’s Glory Arrives to Ordinary People (Luke 2:8-9) The angelic appearance and God’s glory The ordinary shepherds and their appropriate awe The…
“Praise Be to the Lord” (Benedictus)
Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, finds release from his punishment of muteness with a splendid song of praise to God. Within this beautiful song of praise, Zechariah unfolds the story of salvation, reflecting John the Baptist’s unique role within it. (Luke 1:67-79) SERMON OUTLINE “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.” (Luke 1:68) The Gift of Appropriate Humbling (Luke 1:5-22) The gift of discipline and silence…