Sermons from 2014
We Have a Shepherd for the Years Ahead! Jesus Christ, God’s Son
To date there is no working theory of human history that can predict the future. What we have, though, is much better. We have the written and incarnate promises of God. God hasn’t given us “when” but he has given us “soon!” Soon, evil will cease with the ending of this age. Soon the living will be gathered to God’s bosom and the rebellious to their second death. Soon the redeemed will look and live like their Redeemer. (Psalm 23;…
All I Want for Christmas is Someone to Believe In
David wants to build a house for the Lord, but God promises that David’s descendants will sit on his throne forever (2 Samuel 7:1-16). What does this mean? How does this tap into our longing for a just, righteous ruler as revealed in Jesus? (2 SAMUEL 7:1-16) Sermon Outline “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16) David: a Picture of the One Worth Believing In Anointed by Samuel…
All I Want for Christmas is a New Beginning
The Prophet Isaiah speaks of a time of restoration that will come, both of the return from exile and the ultimate restoration through the Messiah yet to come (Isaiah 61:1-11). Jesus picks up these words and uses them as the outline of His ministry in Luke’s gospel. (Isaiah 61:1-11; Luke 4:16-21) Sermon Outline “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news.” (Isaiah 61:1) The Chosen One Bringing New Beginnings…
All I Want for Christmas is Some Good News
The Prophet Isaiah speaks comfort from God to his people who are broken and in exile (Isaiah 40:1-11). These are some of the most beautiful words that we encounter in Scripture about true comfort and light breaking into a dark world. (ISAIAH 40:1-11) Sermon Outline “You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid.” (Isaiah 40:9) The Good News of God’s Comfort in Our Suffering (Isaiah 40:1-2)) The…
All I Want for Christmas is for God to Show Up
The Prophet Isaiah steps forward in longing and pleading for God to show up and bring ultimate healing and deliverance for a people stranded in the midst of terrorizing enemies (Isaiah 64:1-9). This message is relevant for our community today, especially in the season of Advent. (ISAIAH 64:1-9) Sermon Outline “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.” (Genesis 12:2) This Christmas Season, We…
The Legacy of Faith
This series concludes with the death of Abraham. We will explore the legacy of Abraham’s faith through the lenses of Genesis and Hebrews 11:8-19, with some slight reflections on the multi-generational aspect of God’s promises and the beginnings of Isaac’s life story in Genesis 24. (Genesis 25:7-11; Hebrews 11:8-19) Sermon Outline “Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people.” (Genesis 25:8) Faith…
The Faith of Sarah
Genesis 23:1-20 recounts the death of Sarah and Abraham’s honoring of her by acquiring a special burial place and grieving. Oftentimes, Sarah is remembered for her mistreatment of Hagar & Ishmael and for laughing at God’s promise of a child. But what truly is Sarah’s legacy of faith, and how might we all learn from her about developing a stronger faith life? (Genesis 23:1-20) Sermon Outline Sarah lived 127 years. She was married for over 100 years The Lord is…
Abraham Tested: The Request, The Response, The Result
God provides the promise-child, Isaac in Genesis 22:1-19. Then, he asks Abraham to sacrifice that promise-child. This is one of the most important and powerful passages in the entire Bible. God is faithful to His promises more than we understand and God is faithful in sacrifice more than we can imagine. What does this mean to us and how should we read this passage Christologically (Hebrews 11:17-19)? (Genesis 22:1-19) Sermon Outline ’Do not lay a hand on the boy,’ he…
Two Children, a Family and the Interweaving Promises of God
The promise-child is born and named Isaac, which means laughter. The son of the servant woman is sent away. In the midst of these amazing and confusing relationships, God reveals Himself as faithful to both parents and both children. As we talk about orphan Sunday, we will explore themes of God’s faithfulness to children, regardless of the brokenness of parents, as well as how we step forward with God. (Genesis 21:1-21) Sermon Outline “Sarah became pregnant and bore a son…
Praying in the Midst of Promises and Problems
Abraham and Sarah extend hospitality to three divine visitors, where the promise is reaffirmed again. Sarah thinks it’s funny. At the same time, judgment is coming down on Sodom, where Lot lives, and Abraham bargains with God about these things. This will not include much reflection on the final chapter of Lot’s story, which ends with all the typical messiness of those whose lives are turned upside down by loss and grief. How do we live, like Abraham, as a…
Tangible Signs
Here we encounter a third and more specific outline of both God’s covenant promises and the demands laid upon Abram. The reality of the promise will be physically signified in the arrival of the much-anticipated child (‘seed’) of promise. The acceptance of the covenant is tangibly signified through the human activity of circumcision. In the midst of this, God gives new names to this couple: Abraham and Sarah. Woah. What’s up with this? What is God doing here and what…
Human Means for Divine Ends
When Abram and Sarai grow old (Genesis 16:1-18), they begin to think it’s time to take measures into their own hands. This move was culturally appropriate, but God had different plans for achieving his purposes. In the midst of this, God reveals Himself as “The God who sees” to the servant Hagar. What does it mean to wait on the Lord to accomplish His purposes as opposed to living out “God helps those who help themselves”? (Genesis 16:1-18) Sermon Outline…