Sermons on Listening
Born by the Holy Spirit
A message about Pentecost, waiting, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and God’s beginnings of a Revelation 7 type of community. (Acts 1:1-2:41) Sermon Outline “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Introducing Acts What is Acts? Who wrote it and why? What does “Acts” mean? Why would we study it today?…
What We Hear, Say, and Do
James cautions believers to be good listeners and also to be slow to speak. There is a relationship between what we hear and receive in our lives, and how that translates into the way we speak and act. Sometimes our mouths can get ahead of us. (James 1:19-25) Sermon Outline “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…” (James 1:19) Quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:19-21) Human-ness and…
The Nourished Life
This week explores the nourishment we receive through meditating on God’s word and letting the words of Jesus abide in us. (Psalm 1:2; John 15:3-7) Sermon Outline “. . . but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.” (Psalm 1:2) Nourishment In Nature In Humans Nutrients Law of the Lord (Psalm 1:2) Words of Jesus (John 15:7) The Malnourished Life Convenience Disconnectedness The Nourished Life Delights Remains DISCUSSION QUESTIONS…
Praying Outward
This week we will explore the third movement of prayer: praying outward. We will investigate what it means to connect with others and God in prayer. We will develop what it means to pray “out” in terms of praying for others on our own, praying for others in person, and praying with others for others. (John 17:1-15) Sermon Outline “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”…
Praying Inward
This week we will explore the second movement of prayer: praying inward. We will search out what it means to connect with ourselves and God. We will develop what it means to pray “in” in terms of praying from our need (“help!”), praying about our sin (“I’m sorry!”), and praying out of gratitude (“thank You!”). (1 Kings 19:1-15a) Sermon Outline “There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him: ‘What…
Praying Upward
This week will seek to provide a definition of prayer as conversation with God. Then we will explore the first movement of prayer: praying upward. We will explore praying “up” as praying praise, praying God’s character, and praying God’s promises. Silence before the greatness of God may also factor in. (Matthew 16:13-19) Sermon Outline “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15) Conversation with God: Prayer is talking and listening to God about the…
“Praise Be to the Lord” (Benedictus)
Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, finds release from his punishment of muteness with a splendid song of praise to God. Within this beautiful song of praise, Zechariah unfolds the story of salvation, reflecting John the Baptist’s unique role within it. (Luke 1:67-79) SERMON OUTLINE “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.” (Luke 1:68) The Gift of Appropriate Humbling (Luke 1:5-22) The gift of discipline and silence…
Anchored in Hope
When God promises and Christ fulfills, nothing can take the blessings of God away from us. Hebrews 6:13-20 SERMON OUTLINE “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.” (Hebrews 6:19-20) Hope in God’s Promise and God’s Oath God’s promise and oath to Abraham (6:13-15) God’s promise and oath to us (6:16-18) Hope that Anchors the Soul in Jesus…
Soft Hearted
Disobedience hardens us to God, so we are called to obedience, turning from sin, and keeping our hearts soft toward God. SERMON OUTLINE “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” (Hebrews 3:12) Hearing God’s Word Today (Hebrews 3:7a) “as the Holy Spirit says” An Example Not to be Imitated (Hebrews 3:7b-11) Background: Psalm 95; Exodus 17; Numbers 14 Hardening of the heart An aside about…
Prayer that Listens: Elijah
Elijah’s wonderful victory over the prophets of Baal turns into a fearful flight for his life. Running to the mountain of God, Elijah has a powerful encounter with God that transforms him. He speaks and listens, and is sent out by God renewed in 1 Kings 19:1-18. Sermon OutlinE “The word of the Lord came to him: ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’” (1 Kings 19:9) The Exhaustion of Success (1 Kings 18-19) The thrill of success (1 Kings 18:20-46)…
Prayer that Pleads for the Lost: Abraham
In one of the most vivid passages of the Old Testament we see God speaking with Abraham about the wicked towns of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham’s nephew, Lot, lives there with his family, but Abraham focuses on calling God to act justly. It almost seems like Abraham is bargaining with God. What is going on here and what might we learn about pleading with God in prayer on behalf of the lost? Sermon OutlinE “Abraham remained standing before the Lord.…
Hearing God in the Darkness: Job’s Encounter with the Living God
Many times in the midst of suffering we ask God to reveal Himself or His truth into our lives. When God does speak to Job in Job 38:1-42:6, He reminds Job of how small he is in comparison to the greatness of God. How do we learn from Job about appropriate listening to God in the times of suffering? (Job 38-42:6) Sermon Outline “My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you” (Job 42:5) Job’s longing to…
- 1
- 2