Sermons on Relationships (Page 5)
Promise
This week, Pastor Matt kicks off a 10-month exploration on the Gospel of Luke by looking at the promise of miracle children in Luke 1:1-25 who portend the promise of God. SERMON OUTLINE “But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.’” (Luke 1:13) Hungering for the Promise (Amos 8:11-12) Preparing for the Promise (Luke 1:5-17) Shocked by the Promise (Luke…
Relationships with Jesus at the Center
Even our relationships should be transformed with Christ at the center. Jesus changes everything, including the way we relate with our family, friends, co-workers, and more. In Colossians 3:18-4:1, Paul takes us into these intimate places of our lives so that nothing is left untouched by Messiah Jesus. Sermon Outline We Have Been Changed in ________________________: Four Images of Who We Are Now (Colossians 1:2, 18) The ________________________ – new identity The ________________________ – new belonging The ________________________ – new…
Jesus the Revelation of God
Paul’s strong statement in Colossians 1:15-23 sets the tone of this whole section: “the Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” With a summary of the gospel and a deepened Christology than almost any other place in the New Testament canon, we encounter a powerful teaching on Jesus. Sermon Outline The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” (Colossians 1:15) Christ and Creation (Colossians 1:15-18a) The image The…
Wrestling in the Darkness: Job and His Friends’ Quest for Meaning in Suffering
In Job 3-27, Job enters into a deep dialogue with his friends about the nature and meaning of suffering. They offer counsel that is, in one way, true, but is divorced from the context of Job’s life and God’s permission. We will talk about when to speak and when to be silent, how we comfort one another in suffering and also how we search out meaning together before God in suffering. (Job 3-27) Sermon Outline “I know that my redeemer lives,…
Exile Community
(1 Peter 5:1-14) Sermon Outline “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’” (1 Peter 5:5) Exile Leaders (1 Peter 5:1-5) Exile Humility (1 Peter 5:5-7) Exile Conflict (1 Peter 5:8-11) Exile Stance (1 Peter 5:12-14) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS We conclude our series, “Exiles,” on 1 Peter by looking at chapter 5. Begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak into your life, and then read that…
Righteous Relationships
(1 Peter 3:1-12) Sermon Outline “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” (1 Peter 3:8) Exile Wives (1 Peter 3:1-6) Reverence that Submits Reverence that Wins Reverence that Beautifies Reverence that’s Rooted Exile Husbands (1 Peter 3:7) Reverence that’s Considerate Reverence that Respects Reverence that’s Unhindered Relational Character (1 Peter 3:8-12) A different community (vs 8) Like-minded Sympathetic Loving one another Compassionate Humble A different response: blessing…even in the face of evil…
Love at Work
This week explores the need to reorient our lives around Christ and to submit everything to him, including our work. We will specifically explore topics of the way in which we do our work and how Jesus shows us the way to work. This includes ethics, the way we treat others, and learning to appropriately love our coworkers. Key passage: Mark 12:28-34. SERMON OUTLINE “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all…
Difficulties at Work
This week focuses on the difficulties we develop with work, including fruitlessness, selfishness, meaninglessness, and idolatry from Genesis 3, Ecclesiastes, Genesis 11, and Exodus 34. SERMON OUTLINE Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” (John 5:17) The Fall: Unclothed (Genesis 3:7, 17-19) Jesus: The Messiah Who Works (Luke 22:39-23:49) Yielded to God in work (Luke 22:39-46) Disappointed by others at work (Luke 22:47-62) Accused by others at work…
Sex and Marriage
Key passages: Genesis 2:20-25; Song of Songs 8:4-14; Proverbs 5:1-23; Ephesians 5:1-2, 21-33 SERMON OUTLINE “Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.” (Song of Songs 8:7) Sexuality and the Covenant of Marriage (Genesis 2:20-25) Powerful partners in the world Covenant relationship and sexuality The Joy of Married Sexuality (Song of Songs 8:4-14) Timeliness Verbal intimacy Physical intimacy Emotional intimacy…
Unity Worth Fighting For
Unity doesn’t just “happen.” The church is made up of sinful people; people who will (at times) step on each other’s toes, offend each other, and hurt each other. Jesus was clear about what we are to do in those situations. Not only is there a personal responsibility to resolving conflict but a community responsibility to resolve our conflict. How can we be one as a church if we know there are two “brothers” (or sisters) in this body that…
Jumping the Broom
Jumping the Broom is a wedding custom among African American couples. Those who seek to reach across race and cultural lines could learn much from the institution of marriage. Both efforts often fail because of a seed of selfishness. This message from Mark 10:2-9 uses marriage to unveil ways that Christians can live out the reconciliation Christ has given to His church. Sermon Outline I. What women know about men II. What men understand about women III. Marriage compared to…
Trouble
Jesus’ journey through trouble leads to salvation and a future place of peace for His followers. The disciples’ betrayal (Judas), forthcoming denials (Peter), and fear gather around them but Jesus offers hope. (John 13:18-14:4) SERMON OUTLINE “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1) The Trouble of Betrayal (John 13:18-30) Judas and divided loyalties Judas and spiritual conflict The Trouble of Failure (John 13:31-38) Peter and confusion Peter and brash declarations…