Sermons on Church (Page 2)
The Church as Body: Unity and Diversity
Building from his exploration of spiritual gifts and God’s role in shaping and assembling the body of Christ (the church), Paul talks about how we live into that unity within diversity together. (1 Corinthians 12:12-31) Sermon Outline “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12) The Metaphor of the Body of Christ and Spirit-Gifts (12:12-14) Paul’s purpose with this metaphor Baptism and the…
Spiritual Gifts and the Church
Paul talks about the significance of spiritual gifts and God’s role in shaping and assembling the body of Christ (the church). (1 Corinthians 12:1-11) Sermon Outline “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6) What Does It Mean to Be Spiritual? (12:1-3)…
Worship That Centers in the Lord
Paul explores the nature of true worship, giving attention to the celebration of communion as well. (1 Corinthians 11:1-34) Sermon Outline “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you…” (1 Corinthians 11:23) Basics of Interpreting the Bible Exegesis — what did the biblical text mean ‘then and there’? Three areas to explore: history, literary genre, and biblical context/canon Hermeneutics — what does the biblical text mean ‘here and now’? Paul, Creation, Culture, the Gospel, and…
Living Alive and Free in Christ
Using the startling example of sexual incest occurring within the Corinthian church, Paul calls the believing community into discernment about what holiness means in our sexuality, as well as how to live holy as God’s chosen people in every area of our lives. Sermon Outline “Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1 Corinthians 5:8) Living as a Community of Christ’s Life…
Leaders in the Church
Leaders have a place in the church but what is that place? What happens when we get too attached to a leader or teacher? (1 Corinthians 3:1-23) Sermon Outline “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11) The mark of the “worldly” Church (1 Corinthians 3:1-4) Not living by the Spirit of God. Worldly. Mere infants. Not growing in faith. Not accepting the spiritual food/milk given to them.…
A Unified Church in Divided Days
This sermon gives background on 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul, the Corinthian community, and why this letter might be what we need to look at right now. We also explore what happens when the church is only unified by being divided against itself, and what it means to truly stand in unity. (1 Corinthians 1:1-17) Sermon Outline “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all…
The Intersection of Diversity & Discipleship
On Monday, January 29, 2024, Pastor Matt Erickson led a discussion among leaders within our church community about Eastbrook as a multi-ethnic church, the intersectionality of diversity and discipleship, and how these lessons can shape our ministry at Eastbrook for the future.
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…
Praying Outward
This week we will explore the third movement of prayer: praying outward. We will investigate what it means to connect with others and God in prayer. We will develop what it means to pray “out” in terms of praying for others on our own, praying for others in person, and praying with others for others. (John 17:1-15) Sermon Outline “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”…
Revival in the Ruins
Last week we explored the centrality of God’s Word in the identity and project of rebuilding and repair. The people not only hear God’s word but respond to it. This is a powerful example of humble confession and a community turning toward God. (Nehemiah 9:1-38) SERMON OUTLINE “In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly.” (Nehemiah 9:33) What is Revival? Asbury College Revival Fulton Street Revival Nehemiah 9 Revival…
The Community of Repair
The list of builders by section seems sort of odd to us but is also an important recognition of the workers who apply themselves to the task. This is really not about Nehemiah but about the people. (Nehemiah 3:1-32) SERMON OUTLINE What Reason Did They Have to Rebuild the Wall? The Voice of Reason: We need Walls Nehemiah’s Reason: We are Disgraced (Nehemiah 2:17) The Best Reason: For His Name & on His Heart (Nehemiah 1:9,11; 2:12) What Did It…
Approaching Authority with Need
Nehemiah has to approach King Artaxerxes about the need and his own sense of calling to help with the repair. (Nehemiah 2:1-10) SERMON OUTLINE “I said to the king, ‘May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?’” (Nehemiah 2:3) Living at the Intersection of Prayer and Action (Nehemiah 2:1) Time delay between the report and Nehemiah’s action…