Sermons on Judgment
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…
Beware of Leaving the Way
Following false guides leads us away from the power and presence of God. Such wandering is not without consequence and may leave us wondering, with our author, if it would be better to have not known the way of righteousness in the first place. 2 Peter 2:10b-22 SERMON OUTLINE “They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness” (2 Peter 2:15) False Guides Pursuing a…
Beware of False Guides
There are dire warnings here about false prophets and false teachers, who seek to exploit others. Their ways deserve condemnation and will be punished with destruction. (2 Peter 2:1-10a) SERMON OUTLINE “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.” (2 Peter 2:1a) The Rebuke of False Guides (2 Peter 2:1-3) False guides deny the authority of Jesus as Lord (2:1, 10a) False guides indulge in sexual desire at odds with…
“From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.”
This series walks through the Apostles Creed as a basic summary of our faith but also as a way to live our faith out with God in the world. Each weekend of this series will explore the biblical and theological roots of the Apostles Creed, while also providing specific spiritual practices and approaches to living out what we know as we ‘proclaim and embody’ the Creed in our daily lives. This week focuses on the phrase, “From there He will…
Sheep and Goats
This message explores the parable of the sheep and the goats from Matthew 25:31-46. SERMON OUTLINE “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:40) The Meaning of Maranatha Watchword of Early Christians Jesus’ 2nd Coming and Last Judgment Jesus’ Parable of the Sheep and Goats Who are the sheep and the goats? On what basis are people sent to heaven or hell? The “Big…
The Woes of the Religiously Misguided
We explore the seven woes that Jesus speaks against the religious establishment and Jerusalem itself. (Matthew 23:1-38) Sermon Outline “So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” (Matthew 23:3) Three Critiques of Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees (23:1-6) They are inconsistent (23:3) They burden people (23:4) They are concerned with appearances and reputation (23:5-6) A Contrast for Jesus’ Disciples (23:8-12)…
Questioning Jesus
The religious leaders ask Jesus three forceful questions, based on their own religious perspective. Jesus answers their questions and responds with another question. (Matthew 22:15-46) Sermon Outline “One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’” (Matthew 22:35-36) Questions and Jesus The context of the questions: “the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words” (Matthew 22:15) Question 1: Pharisees – “should we…
The Wheat and the Weeds
Jesus tells a parable about weeds in a wheat field, then explains it later to His disciples. Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 SERMON OUTLINE “Jesus told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat.’” (Matthew 13:24-25) Elements of the Parable (Matthew 13:37-39) The Present: Wheat and Weeds Together in the Field (Matthew 13:28-30a) The reality of good and…
Real Perspective
We’re often told not to be judgmental but how do we approach others and ourselves with appropriate perspective and right judgment? Matthew 7:1-6 Sermon Outline “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”(Matthew 7:1-2) Don’t Judge (7:1-2) What does it mean to “judge”? Don’t condemn The principle of reciprocity How this relates to our view…
Malachi
Malachi addresses God’s people after the return from exile, calling them to right living, ending of easy divorce, justice in the public square, and a return to the covenant with God. Malachi points to an Elijah-like figure who will announce the day of the Lord, as God comes to bring forth His righteousness and justice upon the earth. Sermon OutlinE “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you…
Zechariah
Prophesying at the same time as Haggai, and during the return from exile recorded in the book of Ezra, Zechariah rebukes the people for breaking the covenant and calls them to repent and turn to God. There is a strong message about justice in the public square in Zechariah. There are also many references to the coming Messiah, one of which directly connects with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Scripture: Zechariah 1-14, with focus on 6:12; 9:9; 11:12; 12:10; 13:7…