Sermons on Sanctification
Wait For It
This week explores the ways Saul pursues David but also how David chooses to spare Saul’s life when the opportunity for revenge arises. This message also will put this into the context of the end of Saul’s life. (1 Samuel 24, 26, 31) Sermon Outline “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.” (Psalm 40:1) David’s Mercy Over King Saul’s Life David spares Saul’s life when Saul is relieving himself in a cave; David…
Growing and Growing
This week will explore examples of believers who move from initial steps of faith to a life of growing and deepening discipleship. We will look at the believers in Jerusalem (Acts 4:32-37) and Berean (Acts 17:10-15) as examples of growing faith exemplified in learning, praying, sharing, and growing. Then we will examine the life of Barnabas (4:36-37; 9:26-28; 11:22-23; 13:1-3) as an example of someone who centers their life in Christ, faithfully serving and investing in others. Sermon Outline “So…
“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…
Holy Hope
Hope may seem abstract, but it lives in our daily words and actions. Paul urges the believers to let their hope shape the way they live now and we can learn how that is true for us as well. (1 Thessalonians 4:1-12) SERMON OUTLINE “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified” (1 Thessalonians 4:3a) Living with Holy Hope – Aiming to Please God (1 Thessalonians 4:1-2) Paul’s overriding concern is that the Thessalonians live to please God (4:1a)…
Run
The life of faith is like a foot race of endurance that, although we wear down sometimes, brings the greatest joy of living with God. Hebrews 12:1-11 SERMON OUTLINE “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2) Run with the crowd (Hebrews 12:1a) Hebrews 11 Surrounded Run without hindrances (Hebrews 12:1b) throw off everything that hinders get rid of the sin that entangles or distracts Run after the One (Hebrews…
Move to Maturity
It is good to receive a kick in the tail sometimes when you need it. So, too, in our spiritual lives, sometimes we need a good warning and a good push to keep moving toward maturity. Hebrews 5:11-6:12 SERMON OUTLINE “We want each of you to show the same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.” (Hebrews 6:11) Hebrews 5:11-14 Hebrews are challenged to grow deeper in their faith Expectation of where…
A Crash Course in Christlike Living
In this longest section of the series, Paul walks through a depiction of Christlike living – “a life worthy of the calling you have received” (4:1) – framed as putting off the old self and putting on the new self (4:20-24). The old self was marked by darkened understanding and impure living. The new self is marked by renewal of the mind and holiness. Paul applies this to our internal desires, the words we speak toward others, our sexuality, and…
A Crash Course in Church Growth
Pivoting from theological discussion into life application, Paul urges the readers to “live a life worth of the calling you have received” (4:1). This section offers a theological framework for individual spiritual growth that fits within a framework for corporate spiritual growth. The individual parts of the body grow as the entire body grows through focused cultivation of unity, active use of spiritual graces, and formation by God toward maturity in Christ. Ephesians 4:1-16 SERMON OUTLINE “I urge you to…
Rooted in Jesus
In Colossians 2:6-15, Paul builds upon the centrality of Christ with a call toward spiritual growth individually and corporately. This is rooted in the gospel and contrasts with our own abilities and any sort of false spirituality built upon human activity. Sermon Outline “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7)…
Exile Community
(1 Peter 5:1-14) Sermon Outline “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’” (1 Peter 5:5) Exile Leaders (1 Peter 5:1-5) Exile Humility (1 Peter 5:5-7) Exile Conflict (1 Peter 5:8-11) Exile Stance (1 Peter 5:12-14) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS We conclude our series, “Exiles,” on 1 Peter by looking at chapter 5. Begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak into your life, and then read that…
Righteous Relationships
(1 Peter 3:1-12) Sermon Outline “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” (1 Peter 3:8) Exile Wives (1 Peter 3:1-6) Reverence that Submits Reverence that Wins Reverence that Beautifies Reverence that’s Rooted Exile Husbands (1 Peter 3:7) Reverence that’s Considerate Reverence that Respects Reverence that’s Unhindered Relational Character (1 Peter 3:8-12) A different community (vs 8) Like-minded Sympathetic Loving one another Compassionate Humble A different response: blessing…even in the face of evil…