Sermons on Discipleship (Page 6)

A Crash Course in Christ-Centered Relationships

Paul now applies the calling to live worthy of Christ by putting of the old self and putting on the new self to the sphere of relationships. Drawing upon the common household codes of his time, Paul reframes the basic social unit of the household with the Gospel calling of selfless love and consideration of the other. Thus, husband-wife, parent-child, and master-servant relationships are transformed through Christ as His people live by the Holy Spirit in the attitude of mutual…

A Crash Course in Christlike Living

In this longest section of the series, Paul walks through a depiction of Christlike living – “a life worthy of the calling you have received” (4:1) – framed as putting off the old self and putting on the new self (4:20-24). The old self was marked by darkened understanding and impure living. The new self is marked by renewal of the mind and holiness. Paul applies this to our internal desires, the words we speak toward others, our sexuality, and…

A Crash Course in Church Growth

Pivoting from theological discussion into life application, Paul urges the readers to “live a life worth of the calling you have received” (4:1). This section offers a theological framework for individual spiritual growth that fits within a framework for corporate spiritual growth. The individual parts of the body grow as the entire body grows through focused cultivation of unity, active use of spiritual graces, and formation by God toward maturity in Christ. Ephesians 4:1-16 SERMON OUTLINE “I urge you to…

Lost and Found

In Genesis 40, we find Joseph languishing in prison, where he is put in charge of the prison because of his diligence. He interprets dreams of Pharaoh’s imprisoned cupbearer and baker. When Pharaoh himself has inexplicable dreams, the cupbearer remembers Joseph’s abilities. After interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams and suggesting plans for good stewardship, Pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of Egypt’s action plan for the season of famine. Sermon Outline “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give…

Show Whose You Are

Pastor Matt returns from a 3-month sabbatical to bring a message from Luke 18:9-14 on the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.Maurice Ross brings a message from Luke 16:1-15 as we continue our “Stories Worth Living” sermon series on the parables of Luke’s Gospel. SERMON OUTLINE “So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’” (Luke 19:13) The Situation (Luke 19:11-14) The real-life situation…

Seed and Soil

Pastor J.C. Heiden kicks off the final part of our 10-month exploration on the Gospel of Luke with a new series called “Stories Worth Living: Parables of the Kingdom.” This first message is the parable of the sower from Luke 8:1-15. SERMON OUTLINE “Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.” (Luke 8:1) “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who…

The Cost of Discipleship

In light of the resurrection, there is greater meaning to the pathway of discipleship and its cost for us. We look at two passages from earlier in Luke’s Gospel to get a sense of the life of discipleship: 13:22-30 (teaching on the narrow door) and 14:25-35 (teaching on the cost of being a disciple). SERMON OUTLINE “In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” (Luke 14:33) The Costly Doorway…

The New Moses

Building from Jesus’ great Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17-49) we begin to understand that Jesus comes in the tradition of the great teachers of Israel, even becoming a new Moses. He answers the questions of the religious leaders and pushes them into territory they do not understand from Luke 20. SERMON OUTLINE He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Luke 20:25) Pharisees vs. Jesus Showdown (Luke 20:20-26) Pharisees…

Rebuking

There are not many who receive harsh words from Jesus in direct interaction, but those who universally receive such harsh words are the religious leaders. In this week we will explore the rationale for Jesus’ harsh words in Luke 11 and 12. SERMON OUTLINE Luke 11:37-54 Jesus’ testing of the leaders / ceremony and tradition -vs- the Word of God The leaders’ hypocrisy / we all have a realm of influence—what example are we living before others Luke 12:1-12 Warnings…

Teaching

This week we look at Jesus’ famous sermon from Luke 6:17-49, known in Luke as the Sermon on the Plain (or Plateau) but paralleled in Matthew’s Gospel as the Sermon on the Mount. SERMON OUTLINE “Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice… they are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock.” (Luke 6:47-48) The Great Reversal (Luke 6:20-26) “Blessed” Contrasts of blessing and woe The…

Calling

This week we look at a series of stories of Jesus calling individuals to faith and following from Luke 5 and 6. SERMON OUTLINE Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:31-32) Caught and Catching (Luke 5:1-11) The ignorant authority The ordinary extraordinary The commission Healed and Healing (Luke 5:27-32) The abrupt appointment A banquet of outcasts The declaration…