Sermons on Spiritual Disciplines
Faith-Shaped Finances
This message will look specifically at our finances and how our faith shapes our financial lives. We will talk about tithing, saving, honoring God with our finances, and the place of faith and wisdom. Sermon Outline “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17) A Faith-Shaped Perspective on Finances God owns everything (Psalm 24:1; 50:10-12) Our finance resources are a gift from…
Radically Generous
This message will explore the life of the Jerusalem Church, whose generosity was shocking and surprising, even in the face of persecution. (Acts 4:32-5:16) Sermon Outline “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.” (Acts 4:32) The Radical Generosity of the Early Jesus Movement (Acts 4:32-37) Generosity as the overflow of God’s radical generosity to us in Jesus A movement devoted to…
Living Family
This message will focus on the way God formed His life into the early Jerusalem church. (Acts 2:42-47) Sermon Outline “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.” (Acts 2:46-47) The Rule and Reign of God in the Family of God God’s rule and reign in a renewed covenant, focused in Jesus, and…
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?…
A Song to the God of My Life
Near the end of 2 Samuel, we come to the conclusion of David’s life. What does he sing to God and say to others as he concludes his life? (2 Samuel 22) Sermon Outline “Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.” (2 Samuel 22:50) The Focus of Worship (2 Samuel 22—first take) Appropriate perspective on God and us Paying attention to God Paying attention to God amidst our life circumstances…
Generous God, Generous King
(1 Chronicles 28 and 29 and various Scripture passages) Sermon Outline “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generous as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” (1 Chronicles 29:14) God was Generous to David (1 Chronicles 28) God chose King David from a humble beginning (1 Chronicles 28:4-7) Gave him His Holy Spirit to guide him with the plan of…
Invited to the Table
David extends mercy to the household of Saul through Saul’s grandson (and Jonathan’s son), Mephibosheth. Why does David do this and what does it mean to show mercy to the undeserving? (2 Samuel 9) Sermon Outline “David asked, ‘Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’” (2 Samuel 9:1) Remembered Promises David seeks to be faithful to his friendship to Jonathan David seeks to show lovingkindness to Jonathan’s descendants…
The ‘No’ of God and the ‘Yes’ of God
In chapter 7 of 2 Samuel, David wants to build a house for God but, after the prophet Nathan’s initial excitement, God says “no” to David’s plans. What do we do when God says “no”? Note that God does say “yes” to building David’s house, which is a “yes” David didn’t expect. (2 Samuel 7) Sermon Outline The LORD said to David through Nathan the prophet: “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be…
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…
Worshiping God in the Wilderness
This message explores David’s wanderings while running away from Saul and also how he expresses a heart of trust and worship even in challenging times in caves and the wilderness spaces. (1 Samuel 21-23; Psalm 63) Sermon Outline “David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.” (1 Samuel 23:14) David’s Flight to Elude King Saul David’s flight…
Seeing Jesus Here
The story of the disciples encountering the resurrected Jesus on the road to Emmaus and sharing a meal with them is one of the most insightful glimpses into the presence of Jesus with His people, while also emphasizing the power of the eucharistic meal. (Luke 24:13-35) Sermon Outline “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” (Luke…
Jesus, the Jubilee
In Leviticus 25, God speaks about the sabbath year and the Jubilee. These rhythms of freedom and liberation reflect who God is and are intended to mark the life of God’s people. When Jesus began His public ministry, He spoke of the freedom that had come through Him, referencing Isaiah 61, which is a Jubilee sort of proclamation. What does it mean that Jesus has come to bring freedom? (Leviticus 25, 27; Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 4:14-21) Sermon Outline “Consecrate the…