Sermons on Spiritual Disciplines (Page 5)
Praying One: Learning to Pray for Unity from Jesus’ Prayer
The night before He went to the Cross, Jesus prayed that His followers “may be one as we are one” (John 17:11). If Jesus prayed for this, we can guarantee that it will not be accomplished apart from prayer. We will look at Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17 to learn how prayer is vital for unity. John 17:1-26 SERMON OUTLINE “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their…
Becoming One: the developing unity of the church as the community of Christ
We are one because of Jesus, but we are becoming one through Jesus. In Philippians Paul calls a community in tension, where divisions exist, toward unity by using their advantage to serve one another and move toward unity of mind and heart. This week will explore doctrinal and identity unity, equality of status and standing in Christ, and diversity of gifting and personality in the church. Ephesians 4:1-6; Philippians 2:1-11; 4:1-3; 1 Corinthians 11:18-19; 12 SERMON OUTLINE “In your relationships…
Worship and the Final Word
A series of final exhortations – or words – mark the conclusion of the letter that began with attention to the Final Word that is Jesus. Hebrews 13:1-22 SERMON OUTLINE “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Worship that Responds to God (Hebrews 12:28-29) gratitude awe Worship and Right Love (Hebrews 13:1-6) love of others love in marriage love of money Worship and Right Doctrine (Hebrews 13:7-9) the foundational leaders and doctrine not deviating into…
Deep Worship
Jesus’ high priesthood supersedes any other high priesthood, making His new promises greater than any other covenant before. Hebrews 7:26-8:13 SERMON OUTLINE “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” (Hebrews 9:14) Earthly Tabernacle Worship (Hebrews 9:1-10) The Blood of Jesus (Hebrews 9:11-15) Jesus, the Creator of the New Testament (Hebrews 9:16-22)…
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…
Finding Rest in God
There is a rest for the people of God that comes through the true sabbath in Christ. Hebrews 4:1-13 SERMON OUTLINE “There then remains a Sabbath-rest for the people of God” (Hebrews 4:9) Chaos in the Wilderness God reveals His character and relationship in the wilderness A generation does not receive a promised rest (v. 3) The Promised Eternal Rest “And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world…” (vv. 3b-4) God’s 7th day as a…
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…
Zephaniah
A contemporary of Jeremiah, Zephaniah calls the people of the southern kingdom of Judah to humbly seek God as the day of the Lord approaches. The difficulties that Zephaniah speaks about are also accompanied by future hope of our God who rejoices over us with singing. Sermon OutlinE “The Lord your God is with You, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over…
Joel
The prophet Joel is concerned with the coming of the day of the Lord, which is pictured like a plague of locusts descending upon the land. In the midst of this call to repentance, Joel simultaneously points to the outpouring of God’s Spirit upon His people. Joel 1-3, with focus on 2:12-14, 2:28-32 Sermon OutlinE “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young…
Practices for a New Year from the Psalms
A sermon for the end of the year, rooted in spiritual practices we find in the Psalms. SERMON OUTLINE Spiritual Practices for a New Year from the Psalms: Thanksgiving – Psalm 136 Lament – Psalm 13 Repentance (Confession & Turning Away) – Psalm 51 Focus on God – Psalm 63 An Undivided Heart – Psalm 86 Praise – Psalm 150 Looking Back: What am I most thankful for from the past year (5-10 items)? How have I most seen God…
The Suffering Messiah
Psalm 22 is one of the most powerful descriptions of suffering in the entire psalter. It is often connected with Christ’s suffering upon the Cross. Taken on its own terms, this psalm speaks of praise to God amidst suffering. Within the context of Jesus’ life and crucifixion, the depth of this psalm only increases. SERMON OUTLINE “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1) Lamenting God’s Distance (Psalm 22:1-11) Lamenting Evil Opponents (Psalm 22:12-21) Praising God for…
Worship in the Beauty of Holiness
The church exists to worship God “in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 96:9). The early church of Jerusalem gathered daily in the Temple courts for worship and prayer. They took it for granted that the church lives to bring praise to the Living God. The end of all human history reveals heavenly scenes of worship toward which we are moving. The church on earth lives to God’s glory and gathers as a community in worship to lift up the majesty…