Sermons on Spiritual Disciplines (Page 6)
Sacrificial Generosity
The New Testament church was sacrificially generous to the point that some sold their property to give to those in need. They were watchful of the needs of others, and it was astounding to all who saw them. They suffered with those who suffered, and were encouraged by those who were full of joy. From our early days, Eastbrook has been a sacrificially generous church in terms of hospitality, service, and giving. We want to continue in these ways. Key…
Prayer as Power for Mission with God
Most everyone is familiar with the Apostle Paul’s passion to proclaim Christ and plant churches around the Mediterranean. Near the end of his letter to the Roman church, Paul shares his plans to head to Spain to continue his mission. However, he doesn’t stop with his plans, but with the request that the church join him in the ministry prayer. Key Passage: Romans 15:23-33 SERMON OUTLINE “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the…
Prayer as Living Within God’s Power and Love
We begin our journey into living prayer by examining Paul’s powerful prayer about the love of God in Ephesians 3. Prayer is essentially our link into the face-to-face relationship with the Living God, who is ultimate love. Key Passage: Ephesians 3:14-21 SERMON OUTLINE “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power…And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how…
Prayer as Soul-Shaping with God
This week we continue our series, “Power in Prayer,” by looking at Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1:9-14. Prayer is essentially our link into the face-to-face relationship with the Living God, who is ultimate love. SERMON OUTLINE “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.” (Colossians 1:9) Shaped by Praying Regularly for Others (Colossians 1:9) Shaped by Praying for Knowledge of God’s Will (Colossians 1:9b) Shaped by Praying to Live Worthy of…
Exile Faith at Prayer
Daniel’s prayer in chapter 9 is one of the most heart-felt and powerful prayers of Scripture. It is part of Daniel’s hope-filled pleading with God to bring an end to the exile. In the midst of this, Daniel again encounter Gabriel the angelic messenger who instructs him about the end of the exile and future hope. Sermon OutlinE “So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.”…
Continue in Thanksgiving
Thankfulness is not something that we only practice on Thanksgiving, it is something that we are called to do at all times. This standalone message focuses on Colossians 3:15-17 and how thankfulness comes by letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, by letting the word of Christ dwell among us, and comes when we honor Christ in our lives. SERMON OUTLINE 1. Thankfulness Comes by Letting the Peace of Christ Rule in Our Hearts (Colossians 3:15; John 14:1-3,…
Prayer as Worship: Revelation
Within the book of Revelation we have numerous examples of heavenly worship. We may not think of them as prayer, but that is truly what they are. How might we better learn how to pray now by learning from the heavenly examples of prayer? Key Verses: Revelation 11:15-19; 15:1-4; 16:5-7 Sermon OutlinE “After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: ‘Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true…
Prayer as Mission: The Early Church
The early church spent a lot of time in prayer. Prayer was the fuel and guide for their outward mission in Jerusalem, Judea, and the further parts of the known world. Looking at their examples of prayer throughout Acts, we can learn how to let prayer shape our life on mission as a church. Sermon OutlinE “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” (Acts 2:14) Prayer…
Prayer in Weakness: a Father of an Afflicted Boy
Throughout his ministry, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray. It is in the midst of an ordinary exchange with an ordinary father, however, that we learn what it looks like to come to God in total weakness to find Him more than sufficient in Mark 9:22-25. Sermon OutlinE “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. . . “ (2 Corinthians 12:9a) Our Weakness (Mark 9:14-22a) God’s Strength (Mark…
Prayer of Surrender: Mary
Mary’s prayer stands out as one of the strongest expressions of faith in the entire Bible. She is humble yet bold, meek yet strong. Her words become a model for all of us on how to live a life surrendered to God. Main passage: Luke 1:26-38; 46-55 Sermon OutlinE “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38) Surrendering to God’s Word (Luke 1:26-38) Mary receives the angel Gabriel (1:26-28) Mary receives God’s…
Prayer of Dedication: Nehemiah
After the exile of God’s people from the Promised Land to Canaan, God raises up Nehemiah as a great leader to establish the people back in their land. What we often forget is that Nehemiah’s great leadership began in prayer. All of us may not feel we are leaders, but all of us can be used by God wherever we are. The key to that work of God in and through us comes by dedicating ourselves to Him in prayer.…
Prayer of Renewal: Daniel
Daniel lives in exile in the land of Babylon. He serves in the upper echelons of society while also maintaining his faith through regular prayer. In Daniel 9:3-19, in the midst of his regular prayer, he offers one of the most powerful expressions of corporate repentance and renewal in the entire Bible. Sermon OutlinE Daniel lives in exile in the land of Babylon. He serves in the upper echelons of society while also maintaining his faith through regular prayer. In…