Sermons on Presence
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…
Confusion Among the Nations: The Tower of Babel
This message will focus primarily on the story of the Tower of Babel and how it sets the stage for the confusion of the nations and separation of peoples based in the vain pride of humanity. The message will point toward God’s intervention in Abraham and through that toward the need for Christ. (Genesis 11:1-32) Sermon Outline “Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” (Genesis 11:7) The God-displacing Efforts of Disordered…
“Glory to God in the Highest” (Gloria)
Jesus is born to Mary and Joseph and the angels erupt in praise. The shepherds don’t linger long after this nighttime divine interruption. They high-tail it to Bethlehem to see what God has done. (Luke 2:8-20) SERMON OUTLINE “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14) God’s Glory Arrives to Ordinary People (Luke 2:8-9) The angelic appearance and God’s glory The ordinary shepherds and their appropriate awe The…
Hope Together
In these two chapters Paul describes the history of his ministry and relationship with the church of Thessalonica from its founding up till now. We gain insight into the importance of the gospel but also how hope is sustained by relationships. (1 Thessalonians 2:1-3:13) SERMON OUTLINE “For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 3:8) Paul’s circumstances were not good, but he was still “really alive” (1 Thessalonians 3:7) The reason he is…
“I believe in the Holy Spirit.”
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, “I believe in 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…
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…
Abide
Perhaps the most-quoted words from Jesus’ final teaching are found in John 15:1-17, this passage about abiding in the vine as branches that bear fruit. But what does that really mean? What was Jesus trying to tell us about our life hidden in God? SERMON OUTLINE “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Jesus as the…