Sermons on Kingdom of God (Page 7)
Hosea, Part 2
After the story of Hosea’s wife, the remaining portion of Hosea’s prophecy is an extended charge against Israel for failing the covenant, God’s just judgment against them, and God’s promise of restoration through His faithful love. Sermon OutlinE “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6) God’s Faithful Love for His People (Hosea 2:19-20) God’s Case Against His People (Hosea 4:1ff.) God’s Desire for His People (Hosea 6:4, 6) God’s Encouragement to…
Hosea, Part 1
God commanded Hosea to marry a prostitute named Gomer. Their three children and the resulting family difficulties become an enacted parable of God’s relationship with his straying people, specifically the northern kingdom of Israel. In the midst of this we see a picture of God’s unchanging love for His people. Hosea 1-3 Sermon OutlinE “I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion.” (Hosea 2:19) Introducing Hosea Hosea’s Family as…
Seeing Jesus in the Ruins
This message will be an introduction to the Minor Prophets, including chronological and geographical background, overview of the message, and how they fit into our faith as Christians today. Sermon OutlinE “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16) Who Are the Minor Prophets? Nabi—“Prophet” (literally = “to bubble up”) “In the past God spoke to…
The Perfect King
Psalm 72 brings us into direct address of God on behalf of the king, who is described both as powerful to rule the nations and to bring justice and mercy. The king is blessed in order to be a blessing to the nations and ultimately to bless God through his reign. SERMON OUTLINE “Then all the nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed.” (Psalm 72:17b) Praying for a Just and Right Ruler (Psalm 72:1-4, 12-14)…
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:…