Sermons on Kingdom of God
The Fifth Sign: Walking on Water
This message explores the fifth sign in John’s Gospel, where Jesus walks on water across the Sea of Galilee. (John 6:16-21) Sermon Outline “When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened.” (John 6:19) Assailed by Storms: the disciples Alone in the night (6:16-17) Fierce storms (6:18-19a) Stormy fears (6:19b) Walking on Water: Jesus Approaching the boat, walking on water (6:19)→ authority; greater than Moses; God…
The Fourth Sign: Feeding the Great Crowd
This message explores the fourth sign, Jesus’ feeding of the great crowd near the shores of the Sea of Galilee. (John 6:1-15) Sermon Outline The Fourth Sign shows us Jesus is more than enough for our deepest hunger. When we surrender our “little” to Him, He multiplies it to bring more than enough to all. 1. The Setting (John 6:1-4; 5:13) The crowd “kept following” because they “continually saw” the signs Jesus “habitually did.” They were drawn to His power,…
The Second Sign: Healing the Son
This message explores Jesus’ second sign, which also takes place at Cana in Galilee, a healing of a noble official’s son, who was sick unto death. (John 4:43-54) Sermon Outline “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed. (John 4:50) I. The Problem of Familiarity (vv. 43–45) The Samaritans entered into who Jesus was because they carried fewer assumptions. The outsiders found what the insiders missed. Familiarity can produce blindness that masquerades…
Living Water
This message explores Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well, followed by the confession of the Samaritans that Jesus is “the Savior of the world.” (John 4:1-42) Sermon Outline “Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’” (John 4:13-14) Jesus Crosses Dividing Lines Socio-ethnic: Jews/Samaritans…
Grace and Truth
Here we savor the grace upon grace given in Jesus, the grace and truth revealed in Him that exceeds the law given through Moses. (John 1:15-17) Sermon Outline For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ..” (John 1:17) Pointing to Who is Greater: John the Baptist (John 1:15) The Fullness of Jesus (John 1:16) Grace and Truth Exceeding the Law (John 1:17) Living into the Fullness DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: DIG DEEPER Exploring Faith Growing in…
Faith-Shaped Engagement
This message will explore how our commitment to the gospel and the kingdom leads us to engage with the world around us in a unique way as Christians. It will touch on themes like evangelism, influence, leadership, and engaging with the public square. Matthew 6:33; Acts 1:8; Jeremiah 29:4-7 Sermon Outline “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will…
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…
When the Respected Fall
This message explores the failure of David and Bathsheba, evaluating what happens and what could have gone differently. This will explore the nature of sin and temptation but also grapple with the apparent failures of those we might respect. This message is paired with the following week. (2 Samuel 11) Sermon Outline “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the…
The ‘No’ of God and the ‘Yes’ of God
In chapter 7 of 2 Samuel, David wants to build a house for God but, after the prophet Nathan’s initial excitement, God says “no” to David’s plans. What do we do when God says “no”? Note that God does say “yes” to building David’s house, which is a “yes” David didn’t expect. (2 Samuel 7) Sermon Outline The LORD said to David through Nathan the prophet: “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be…
The King’s Honor
This week we look at the curious episode of the entrance of the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem, accompanied by great fanfare. The fanfare includes a great host of singers and dancers, and King David becoming undignified in his worship and celebration, much to the shock of his wife (and Saul’s daughter), Michal. What does it mean to show honor to the King of all kings with our lives, no matter who we are? (2 Samuel 6) Sermon Outline David…
Jesus, Holy God With Us
One of the central themes of Leviticus is the presence of God with God’s people. God is the One who delivered His people from enslavement in Egypt and now stands at the center of their identity and direction. God is with them. So, too, in Jesus, God is with us. In fact, one of Jesus’ most memorable titles is Emmanuel, which means “God with us.”. (Leviticus 1:1; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; 1 Corinthians 3:16) Sermon Outline “The LORD called to…
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…