Sermons on Kingdom of God (Page 7)
The Beloved Anointed of God
Psalm 2 brings us into the conflict between raging nations and God and His people. The Messiah – literally, ‘the anointed one’ – is named as God’s own son and chosen king upon earth. This is a call to God’s people to serve him and the nations to revere him. The New Testament writers connect this psalm directly with Christ the king. SERMON OUTLINE “Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? The…
Activated by the Holy Spirit
This weekend, Pastor Matt kicks off a new series entitled “Roots”, exploring five characteristics of the Church. In today’s message, we look at how the Church is activated by the Holy Spirit by studying Acts 1:11 and 2:1-13. The early church waited upon the Spirit, was filled up by the Spirit, was strengthened in the Spirit, was led by the Spirit, listened to the Spirit, was interrupted by the Spirit, and relied upon the Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, there…
Prayer as Power for Mission with God
Most everyone is familiar with the Apostle Paul’s passion to proclaim Christ and plant churches around the Mediterranean. Near the end of his letter to the Roman church, Paul shares his plans to head to Spain to continue his mission. However, he doesn’t stop with his plans, but with the request that the church join him in the ministry prayer. Key Passage: Romans 15:23-33 SERMON OUTLINE “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the…
Prayer as Living Within God’s Power and Love
We begin our journey into living prayer by examining Paul’s powerful prayer about the love of God in Ephesians 3. Prayer is essentially our link into the face-to-face relationship with the Living God, who is ultimate love. Key Passage: Ephesians 3:14-21 SERMON OUTLINE “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power…And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how…
A Crash Course in the Gospel
This week, Pastor Matt examines Ephesians 2:1-10. and contrasts receiving bad news with receiving the good news of the Gospel. Ephesians 2:1-10 SERMON OUTLINE “But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.” (Ephesians 2:4-5) Bad News: Walking Dead (Ephesians 2:1-3) “dead in your transgressions and sins” (v 1) “the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air”…
The Hunger for Greatness
Someone once told me that what they wanted most in life was to be seen and acknowledged for who they were. Some describe that as a hunger for greatness or, at least, a desire to be necessary. We want someone to see who we are and what we can offer. That desire connects with the way that God has made us, views, and relates to us. Key Texts: Jeremiah 29:11; Matthew 18:1-5; 20:25-28; 1 Peter 5:7 Sermon OutlinE “You know that…
Son of God
This weekend we will explore the significance of what it means that Jesus is the ‘Son of God’ by drawing together the messianic, royal, and divine aspects of this title. Texts: Matthew 4:6; 14:33; 16:16; Romans 1:4; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:15; 1 John 5:20 SERMON OUTLINE “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses…
Son of Man
Why did Jesus refer to Himself most often as ‘the Son of Man’? Does this phrase merely mean that Jesus is human, or is there something more to this? Texts: Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 8:20; 9:6; 10:23; 12:8, 40; 16:27; John 6:53f; Acts 7:56; Revelation 1:13; 14:14 SERMON OUTLINE “Jesus said, ‘And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’” (Mark 14:62) Jesus the Son of Man:…
Promised Lamb of God
This weekend we will explore what it means that Jesus fulfills the promises of God in the Old Testament, ultimately as the Lamb of God who reveals the full meaning of the Passover and salvation. This significance of the Lamb of God. Texts: John 1:29-36; Genesis 22:8; Exodus 12:1-3; John 19:14; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Leviticus 1:4; Romans 8:3; Hebrews 10:10-14; Isaiah 53:7; Revelation 5:6-8, 7:17, 17:14 SERMON OUTLINE “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look,…
The Gate
What does Jesus mean when He says that He is “…the gate for the sheep…whoever enters through me will be saved” (John 10:7,9). SERMON OUTLINE “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” (John 10:9) Context—John 9 The Thieves and Robbers News vs. Good News The Gate and The Shepherd Reflection Points DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Read John 10:7-10 again. What are your first impressions? Read John 9 for context. Each person is wrestling with how to respond to…
Friend of Sinners
This weekend we will explore what it means that Jesus was described as “a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Luke 7:34). SERMON OUTLINE “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’” (Luke 7:34) Jesus as a Cause of Stumbling (Luke 7:18-23) Jesus and a New Kind of Greatness (Luke 7:24-30) Jesus and the Abundance of God (Luke…
I Am Filled with God’s Power.
If we move forward with God the Father by faith in Jesus the Messiah, we are filled with the Holy Spirit. If this great power and presence of God is in us, then our identity with God is transformed tremendously. But how specifically does the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives shape our identity? Join us this week as we explore that reality. Key Passages: John 14:15-18; Acts 2:1-41; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Galatians 5:22-26 SERMON OUTLINE “Do you not know…