Sermons on Incarnation
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…
Tears of Trust
This message will explore the second of two types of tearswe see in Jesus as He prays in the Garden of Gethsemane, thetears of trust. With these tears we see God showing thepathway of true humanity through humble trust in Jesus’prayer before His trial and crucifixion. Hebrews 5:7; Luke 22:39-46; Matthew 26:36-44 Sermon Outline “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” (Hebrews 5:7) Jesus’ Tears and a Theology of the Incarnation Jesus as fully God (Colossians 1:15) and fully human (John 1:14; Hebrews 4:15) Jesus shows us what God is like and what true humanity…
Tears of Anguish
This message will explore the first of two types of tears we see in Jesus as He prays in the Garden of Gethsemane, the tears of anguish. In these tears of Jesus, we see God as One who mysteriously enters into the anguish of human experience through Jesus’ incarnation. Hebrews 5:7; Luke 22:39-46 Sermon Outline “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save…
Tears of Anger
This message will explore the second of two types of tears we see in Jesus as He enters Jerusalem, the tears of anger. These tears shows how our God is angered by the ways in which religion at times adds more barriers to those whom God is seeking. Luke 19:28-42; Matthew 23:37-39 Sermon Outline ““It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.” (Luke 19:46)…
Tears of Mercy
This message will explore the first of two types of tears we see in Jesus as He enters Jerusalem, the tears of mercy. In these tears, we see our God moved by mercy over the plight of a world that needs God but often will not turn to God. Luke 19:28-42; Matthew 23:37-39 Sermon Outline “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.” (Luke 19:41) Three Reasons Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem Jesus weeps because God’s invitation…
Tears of Frustration
This message will explore the second of two types of tears we see in Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus, the tears of frustration. Through these tears we see our God’s frustration over the impact of sin and death on human experience that was made for more. John 11:1-44 Sermon Outline “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Jesus said, ‘Your brother will rise again.’” (John 11:21-23) Frustration in John 11 Disciples (John 11:6-16) Mary…
Tears of Compassion
This message will explore the first of two types of tears we see in Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus, the tears of compassion. These tears reveal our God who is moved by compassion over human loss and grief. John 11:1-44 Sermon Outline “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35) Introduction The journey of Lent “Jesus wept” (John 11:35) The variety of Jesus’ tears Seeing Jesus’ Tears through a Theology of the Incarnation Jesus as the revelation of God (Colossians 1:15) Jesus as…
Tame Your Tongue
James has already encouraged us to be quick to listen and slow to speak, but now he investigates more deeply the challenge of controlling our mouths and what we say. (James 3:1-12) Sermon Outline “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” (James 3:10) Teachers should Tame their Tongues (James 3:1-2) Leaders will be judged more strictly for what they say (James 3:1-2) Do not clamor to become a teacher. More…
What We Hear, Say, and Do
James cautions believers to be good listeners and also to be slow to speak. There is a relationship between what we hear and receive in our lives, and how that translates into the way we speak and act. Sometimes our mouths can get ahead of us. (James 1:19-25) Sermon Outline “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…” (James 1:19) Quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:19-21) Human-ness and…
I am the Temple of the Holy Spirit
Our bodies matter. God the Father created our bodies, God the Son redeemed them, and God the Holy Spirit indwells them. If God meant simply to express the idea that the Spirit lives within believers, He could just have used words such as “home,” or “house” But by choosing the word “temple” to describe the Spirit’s dwelling, He conveys the idea that our bodies are sacred places. (1 Corinthians 6:19) Sermon Outline “Do you not know that your bodies are…
A New Day
Because of the unique timing of Christmas Eve, this is a stand-alone message for Christmas Eve 2023 called “A New Day.”