Sermons on The Gospel
Bearing Witness
A look at the life of John the Baptist and what it means to ‘bear witness’ to Jesus the Word and the Light. (John 1:6-8) Sermon Outline “There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.” (John 1:6-7) John the Baptist Knew Who He Was: Sent from God (John 1:6) John the Baptist’s identity –John “is” from God; sent from God…
The First Word
An exploration of the concepts in the first 5 verses of John 1, with particular attention to Jesus as the Word, plus some mention of themes in John. (John 1:1-5) Sermon Outline “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) Jesus the Divine and Preexistent Word (John 1:1-2) Jesus at the beginning: echoes of beginning of all things in Genesis 1:1-2 and the ancient wisdom of God in Proverbs…
Seeing Jesus Ascended
The Gospel account of Luke concludes with Jesus’ ascension to the Father. What happened here and what does it mean for us to know and see that Jesus ascended to the Father’s right hand? (Luke 24:50-53 & Acts 1:1-12) Sermon Outline “While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.” (Luke 24:51) What Happened at the Ascension? (Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:1-12) The accounts in Luke and Acts The action of Jesus The biblical background on…
Seeing Jesus as True
After Jesus’ word of peace, He teaches them about Himself from the Scriptures and then encourages them to live as witnesses to who He is. What does this mean for us as well? (Luke 24:44-49) Sermon Outline He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”(Luke 24:44-49) This is what I told you… Often…
Seeing Jesus as Peace
Jesus’ word of peace to His disciples after His crucifixion and resurrection speaks about more than a peaceful easy feeling. What is it that Jesus means by peace and why must we see this to live the full life? (Luke 24:36-43) Sermon Outline “While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.” (Luke 24:36) Jesus, the Peace Bringer (Luke 24:36-43, John 20:19) Jesus appears to silence the disciples’ doubt.…
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…
Seeing Jesus as the Fulfillment
The story of the disciples encountering the resurrected Jesus on the road to Emmaus begins with a powerful exploration by Jesus of the ways He fulfills all the Scriptures. (Luke 24:13-35) Sermon Outline “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” (Luke 24:26) Seeing But Not Seeing: a report about these days (Luke 24:13-18) The two disciples on the road to Emmaus Their perception of “these days”…
Seeing Jesus Resurrected
Luke’s accounts of Jesus’ resurrection with reflections on whether resurrection is possible and what it means if it is. (Luke 24:1-12) Sermon Outline “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” (Luke 24:5-6) The Women at the Tomb: The Closed Door of Death Is Open Dark dawn, moving toward the tomb for anointing Jesus’ body The tomb’s stone is rolled away Jesus has opened death’s door; His body is not in…
Jesus, the Atoning One and Scapegoat
Since sin’s entry into human experience in the Garden of Eden, a great separation has existed between God and humanity. Such a gulf could not be crossed by human effort, but only through the gracious gift of the Creator God. The day of atonement reflected that only the offering of an animal’s life could communicate the gravity of human evil. When Jesus offered His life and His death in our place on the Cross, He became what we are—destined for…
Jesus, the Perfect Offering
The first seven chapters of Leviticus describe five ritual offerings for God’s people: burnt offering, grain offering, peace offering, sin offering, and trespass offering. Each of these represent ways in which relationship with God is restored. However, these sacrifices must be repeated day after day. Jesus, however, is the perfect offering made once for all. As the writer of Hebrews says: “we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10).…
The One Who Restores
Jesus the Messiah is the One who can truly restore. “To restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:1-7) Sermon Outline “To restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach…
I am a New Creation in Christ
Becoming a follower of Christ means the end of one life and the beginning of a new one. We see things from a new perspective, we do things with a new power, i have a new mind, spirit and heart driving my actions. We no longer live as slaves to human desires but with the freedom to live Holy lives – set apart for Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:16-21) Sermon Outline Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new…