Sermons on Life with God (Page 4)
The Message of the Cross
Paul explores the apparent foolishness and weakness of the Cross as a revelation of the wisdom and power of God. It shaped his life and ministry, and it should shape the life of all Christians, both individually and as a community. (1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5) Sermon Outline “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18) The Cross Proclaimed (1 Corinthians…
Mistaken for a Gardener
A standalone message for Easter Sunday out of John 20. Sermon Outline “Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.’” (John 20:15) The Gardener? Is Mary mistaken? Does Jesus look different? Is John telling us something? The Garden of Eden and the Resurrection Garden The garden of Eden The ruins of the garden of our world The resurrection garden Jesus’ New Gardening…
The Fruitful Life
This week explores how we are made for fruitfulness and that true fruitfulness comes from God’s life in us and from our obedience to God and love for others. (Psalm 1:3; John 15:1-8, 16-17) Sermon Outline “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear in prayer, asking God to speak to you through this study. fruit—fruit that will last.” (John 15:16) The Way of Fruitfulness In Psalm 1: meditating…
The Pruned Life
This week explores the pruning work of God necessary for fruitfulness in our lives. (John 15:2, 6; Psalm 1:4) Sermon Outline “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:2) Pruning as Cleansing for Fruitfulness The word means cut “clean” and implies healing Jesus’ word is the pruning tool that cuts clean What about the branches that don’t bear…
Are We Stuck in Endless Cycles or Is there Something More?
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). The litany of different seasons the Teacher explores can make it seem like life merely undulates along a path over which we have little control over and in which we may struggle to find meaning. “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun” (1:9). Are we stuck in an endless cycle or…
Keep Yourselves in God’s Love as You Wait
Following on our series on 2 Peter we spend one week looking at the book of Jude, one of the most interesting and short books in the Bible. Jude is interrelated with 2 Peter, so this is a good time to explore it. Sermon Outline But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ…
A New Day
The conclusion of our series on 2 Peter brings us to the final words of this letter, urging us in light of all that has been said, to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). (2 Peter 3:14-18) SERMON OUTLINE “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18) Being and Becoming the Beloved…
Make Every Effort
The life of faith is built on the grace and power of God. Yet we are twice invited to “make every effort” in growing with God in character and confirmation of our calling and election. (2 Peter 1:5-11) SERMON OUTLINE “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith…” (2 Peter 1:4a) Background of the passage: A review A farewell discourse Feed my sheep (John 21:15-17) Stay on course Motivation for ethical behavior: For this very reason……
Grace and Peace in Jesus
This first week of the series will enable us to introduce the series and the book of 2 Peter. It will focus on the simple phrase opening the letter: “grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord”(2 Peter 1:2). SERMON OUTLINE “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” (2 Peter 1:2) The Story Behind 2 Peter The story of Peter The…
I am the True Vine
Exploring the seven “I am” statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John, this Easter season we want to encounter Jesus again for the first time. Drawing upon the Gospel context and Old Testament history, we want to step more deeply into what Jesus was saying then and what it means for our life with God today. (John 15:1-11) SERMON OUTLINE “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will…
I am the Light of the World
Exploring the seven “I am” statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John, this Easter season we want to encounter Jesus again for the first time. Drawing upon the Gospel context and Old Testament history, we want to step more deeply into what Jesus was saying then and what it means for our life with God today. (John 6:26-36) Sermon Outline “Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will…
I am the Bread of Life
Exploring the seven “I am” statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John, this Easter season we want to encounter Jesus again for the first time. Drawing upon the Gospel context and Old Testament history, we want to step more deeply into what Jesus was saying then and what it means for our life with God today. (John 6:26-36) Sermon Outline Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever…