Sermons on Faith
Tears of Trust
This message will explore the second of two types of tearswe see in Jesus as He prays in the Garden of Gethsemane, thetears of trust. With these tears we see God showing thepathway of true humanity through humble trust in Jesus’prayer before His trial and crucifixion. Hebrews 5:7; Luke 22:39-46; Matthew 26:36-44 Sermon Outline “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” (Hebrews 5:7) Jesus’ Tears and a Theology of the Incarnation Jesus as fully God (Colossians 1:15) and fully human (John 1:14; Hebrews 4:15) Jesus shows us what God is like and what true humanity…
Faith-Shaped Work
This message will explore the ways in which our faith shapes how we live each day with our work, establishing godly habits, entering into rhythms of work and rest, and letting God shape our use of time. Matthew 28:18-20 Sermon Outline Which word best describes your work situation: demanding, wonderful, meaningless, frustrating, satisfying, non-existent, stressful, joyful or other? Now, what word would Jesus use to describe your work? Our work becomes most disoriented when we forget who has ultimate authority,…
Faith-Shaped Pursuits and Priorities
This message sets up the series by making a case for the fact that our faith in God should connect with our ordinary lives, then gives focus to it by drawing attention to our pursuits and priorities as we start the year. (Matthew 6:33 and Various Others) Sermon Outline “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) Introduction 2026 and new year’s resolutions This series on everyday…
Radically Generous
This message will explore the life of the Jerusalem Church, whose generosity was shocking and surprising, even in the face of persecution. (Acts 4:32-5:16) Sermon Outline “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.” (Acts 4:32) The Radical Generosity of the Early Jesus Movement (Acts 4:32-37) Generosity as the overflow of God’s radical generosity to us in Jesus A movement devoted to…
A Message on the Move
This message will focus on the Gospel proclamation and healing by Peter and John at the beautiful gate in Jerusalem, and the resulting pressure that came on the early Christians. This reflects our mission to “proclaim and embody the love of Jesus Christ.” (Acts 3:1-4:31) Sermon Outline Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When…
Born by the Holy Spirit
A message about Pentecost, waiting, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and God’s beginnings of a Revelation 7 type of community. (Acts 1:1-2:41) Sermon Outline “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Introducing Acts What is Acts? Who wrote it and why? What does “Acts” mean? Why would we study it today?…
Wait For It
This week explores the ways Saul pursues David but also how David chooses to spare Saul’s life when the opportunity for revenge arises. This message also will put this into the context of the end of Saul’s life. (1 Samuel 24, 26, 31) Sermon Outline “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.” (Psalm 40:1) David’s Mercy Over King Saul’s Life David spares Saul’s life when Saul is relieving himself in a cave; David…
Fleeing From Idols
Paul looks back at the history of God’s people to grapple with the temptation to turn toward idols. How do we live in relation to the created world for God’s glory above all else? (1 Corinthians 10:1-11:1) Sermon Outline Part One: Fleeing from Idols 1 Corinthians 10:1-14 A temptation universal to man What is at the heart of chasing idols? Pulling back from our trust in God Part Two: Freedom to Love Others 1 Corinthians 10:15–11:1 An inserted heading The…
Run Like You Want to Win
Paul explores the way that discipline factors into life with God. A great chance to focus on spiritual formation and discipleship. (1 Corinthians 11:1-34) Sermon Outline Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24) I. The Race to Run (v. 24) One Race One Winner One Way II. The Way to Run (v. 26 – 27) Don’t Run Aimless Don’t Fight the Air…
What is the Most Important Thing in Life?
Many scholars believe that Ecclesiastes is edited by a narrator, who takes the questions assembled by the Teacher (Qoholet) and reframes them with some qualification. Chapter 12 is often seen as the ultimate reframing of the entire book of Ecclesiastes around the question: what is the most important thing in life? Sermon Outline “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come.” (Ecclesiastes 12:1) Stages of Life and Stages of Faith (Ecclesiastes 12:1-7) Engaging…
The Gift of Doubt
The first few chapters of Ecclesiastes explore various pursuits in life, showing how any of them might become meaningless for us. Whether it’s the pursuit of pleasure, hard work, knowledge, or riches, any of these things apart from God can become sources of dissatisfaction. So, what can truly satisfy us? (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11) Sermon Outline The Path of Ecclesiastes What is life about? Chapter 2 – seeking the meaning of life Existential wrestling, crisis, or angst – a unique form of…
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…