Sermons on Conflict (Page 2)
Jesus on Divorce and Marriage
Jesus speaks to the reality and pain of divorce and also the nature of marriage in the eternal kingdom. (Matthew 19:1-12; 22:23-33) Sermon Outline “Haven’t you read,” Jesus replied, that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?” (Matthew 19:4-5) The First Test (Matthew 19:1-12) The hostile question from the Pharisees (19:3)…
Jesus on Sin and Forgiveness
Jesus addresses how we deal with sin and conflict in the church, pairing it with a parable on forgiveness and showing mercy to others. (Matthew 18:15-35) Sermon Outline “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” (Matthew 18:15) Sin, Confrontation, and Community Life (Matthew 18:15-17) Sin and pointing it out A pathway for pointing sin out The goal of pointing…
Missing Jesus
Jesus is rejected in His own hometown, so He begins to go elsewhere. Why would anyone reject Jesus? (Matthew 13:53-58) Sermon Outline “Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.’” (Matthew 13:57) Amazed by Jesus (Matthew 13:53-54) The power of Jesus’ teaching Echoes of the Sermon on the Mount Different kinds of amazement Misunderstanding Jesus (Matthew 13:55-57) Different types of questions: rhetorical questions probing questions Knowing what we…
A Unified Church in Divided Days
A standalone sermon from Pastor Matt Erickson of Eastbrook Church on the divisions in our world, culture, and church today and an exhortation from Ephesians on how to regain and remain in unity. Ephesians 4:1-6 SERMON OUTLINE “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3) A Prisoner for the Lord (Ephesians 4:1) The situation and calling of Paul the Apostle The calling of every Christian It’s all about Jesus Learning to…
Real Perspective
We’re often told not to be judgmental but how do we approach others and ourselves with appropriate perspective and right judgment? Matthew 7:1-6 Sermon Outline “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”(Matthew 7:1-2) Don’t Judge (7:1-2) What does it mean to “judge”? Don’t condemn The principle of reciprocity How this relates to our view…
A Crash Course in Spiritual Conflict
This well-known passage on the armor of God fits within living worthy of our calling in Christ by putting off the old self and putting on the new self. Spiritual conflict in the Christian life is a reality that cannot be ignored. Our victory comes through Christ, who clothes us in God’s armor and equips us with the power of prayer for living and ministry. Paul concludes with some final words of greeting and peace. Ephesians 6:10-24 SERMON OUTLINE “Finally,…
The Hunger for Peace
No one wants to live feeling depleted and empty. We all want to live out of a place of abundance, satisfaction and peace. We hunger to feel like our lives are on the right track and that everything is ‘right’. The biblical word for this is peace, which Scripture tells us is ultimately found in God through Jesus Christ. Key passages: John 14:25-31; 16:33; 20:19-20; Luke 1:68-79; Isaiah 52:7; Romans 10:15; 12:18; Matthew 5:9; James 3:18 Sermon OutlinE “Peace I leave…
Blessing and Rescue
Joseph’s story ends in Genesis 47-50 with his family together, his relationships restored, and the hope of a future for himself and God’s people. Our stories are stories of blessing for us and for others, but find their deepest meaning in the story of God’s blessing intended for all the peoples of earth. Sermon Outline You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Joseph’s words…
Reconciliation
After a series tensions, Joseph is overcome by emotion and reveals himself to his brothers. Joseph and his brothers experience a reconciliation of relationship with one another and their father. How might our suffering lead into life, healing and reconciliation? Text: Genesis 45:1-46:34 Sermon Outline He said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!” (Genesis 45:4) The Story in Summary Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers (45:1-15) The brothers return to Jacob with good news…
Open Wounds
The climax of Joseph’s story in Genesis 42-44 is his encounter with his brothers in their hour of need. Walking into their lost brother’s world, the brothers do not recognize Joseph. It is only after a series of challenges that they realize what is happening. How do we deal with our wounds, particularly when past hurts are opened by those who inflicted them? Sermon Outline “As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be…
Caught
In Genesis 39:1-20, Joseph works as a slave in the household of an Egyptian official, Potiphar, whose wife accuses him of misusing her after Joseph rebuffs her entreaties. Joseph is wrongly imprisoned because of the false accusation. How do we respond to temptation? And what do we do with wrongful accusations? Sermon Outline “The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.” (Genesis 39:2) Joseph Caught by Potiphar (39:1-6a) From…
Descending
Joseph’s story begins in Genesis 37:1-36 with dreams, parental favoritism, and family tensions. His father’s favorite son, Joseph, quickly finds his disagreements with his brothers boiling over into his faked murder and sale into slavery. What do you do when everyone seems to turn against you? Sermon Outline “But his brothers saw Joseph in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.” (Genesis 37:17-18) God’s Blessing Descends to Humanity (37:1-4) Abraham & Sarah → Isaac &…