Sermons on Spiritual Disciplines (Page 10)
New Hope
(1 Peter 1:13-2:3) Sermon Outline “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” (1 Peter 1:13) Hope and grace (1 Peter 1:13) Grace now Grace to come Hope and holiness (1 Peter 1:14-21) Holiness that reflects God’s character Holiness that reflects God’s gift Hope and love (1 Peter 1:22-25) Love overflowing from holiness Love going deep with others Hope and…
Prayer as the Pathway to Unity
In John 17:20-26, Jesus prayed for the unity of the church and if Jesus prayed for it, then we know that prayer is essential to unity. How does prayer serve as this focus? What do we do practically to weave prayer into the work of seeking unity and togetherness? Sermon Outline “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I…
Singing the Songs of God’s Salvation
The third chapter of Habakkuk is one of the most beautiful and heart-felt declarations of worship before a mighty God in a confusing world. Some see this final prayer as a psalm amended to the end of the prophet’s words to bring us deeper into worship in light of the painful realities recorded before. (Habakkuk 3:1-19) SERMON OUTLINE “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (Habakkuk 3:18) Sometimes it Causes Me to…
Faithfulness in a Confusing World
God’s second response to Habakkuk includes a vision that gives him perspective on what’s happening and five woes about the sort of person who will experience the judgment of God. It is a sobering reality, but also an encouragement to those of us trying to gain God’s perspective. The end of the chapter is appropriate humility and worship before God. (Habakkuk 2:2-20) SERMON OUTLINE “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright – but the righteous person…
Talking with God When Pain Looms Large
Habakkuk lifts his voice to God in lament again but this time calls God’s attention to the unending pain that His people are suffering at the hand of their oppressors. How do we respond to God when it seems that our suffering is larger than we ever thought possible? What do we do? (Habakkuk 1:12-2:1) SERMON OUTLINE “I will stand at my watch…I will look to see what He will say to me.” (Habakkuk 2:1) Eyes on God (Habakkuk 1:12-13)…
Crying Out when God Seems Absent
The first of Habakkuk’s two laments begins with the prophet’s agonizing question about how long God will let violence and wickedness continue unpunished. What do we do when wrong seems to carry forward in the face of a righteous God? What does it look like to cry out to God in these times? (Habakkuk 1:1-4) SERMON OUTLINE “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” (Habakkuk 1:2) Habakkuk’s Burden (Habakkuk 1:1) The context of Habakkuk…
Praying
(Acts 1:12-26) SERMON OUTLINE “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. (Acts 1:14) Response of Disciples to Being Called (Acts 1:10-14) Response embraces the calling (encouragement from God) Response is unified (scattered when arrested) Response indicates growth of disciples (pride to humility) Prayer is Always Step #1 (Acts 1:14) To being close to Jesus Does not come naturally Recognition of where power resides In times of…
Glorify
John’s account (John 17:1-26) of Jesus’ final hours is crowned with prayer. The prayer is perhaps one of the most beautiful views into Jesus’ interior life with the Father and is even more powerful in light of the pending suffering to come. Jesus asks His Father that glory would stream from His suffering path to the Cross, through His disciples, and through His future followers in ages to come. SERMON OUTLINE After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and…
Servant
In John 13:1-17, Jesus washes His disciples’ feet as an example of servant love. Jesus says love serves and calls them to serve one another; Jesus calls His followers friends. SERMON OUTLINE “After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet.” (John 13:5) Servant Identity (John 13:1-3) Jesus knew the hour (13:1a) Jesus loved His own (13:1b) Jesus knew His power (13:3) Servant Action (John 13:4-11) Foot washing as a foretelling of the Cross (13:4-6)…
Praying in the Midst of Promises and Problems
Abraham and Sarah extend hospitality to three divine visitors, where the promise is reaffirmed again. Sarah thinks it’s funny. At the same time, judgment is coming down on Sodom, where Lot lives, and Abraham bargains with God about these things. This will not include much reflection on the final chapter of Lot’s story, which ends with all the typical messiness of those whose lives are turned upside down by loss and grief. How do we live, like Abraham, as a…
Generous Faith
In Genesis 13:1-14:24, Abram and Lot separate, with Abram blessing Lot as he trusts YHWH’s promises to be fulfilled with him regardless of what land he takes. Then, Abram doubles that blessing by rescuing Lot as neighboring forces capture Lot and his family. This message will talk about how God is at work in Abram’s family and how Abram grasped the call that he was blessed in order to be a blessing. This will include some reflection on Melchizedek as…
God Calling
Abram and his family step away from their homeland and in the midst of their everyday nomadic existence, God appears and calls Abram to a particular role in God’s grand story. This message will provide an overview of the story of God, exploration of God’s calling, and the response of faith. (Genesis 11:27-12:9) Sermon Outline “The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and you father’s house- hold to the land I will show you.’” (Genesis…