Sermons from 2014 (Page 3)

How to Pray Effectively

A standalone message on prayer from 1 Kings 18. Sermon Outline “Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” (James 5: 17-18) What is prayer? Prayer is simply two-way communication with God Prayer is not made so that God can find out what we need…

God’s Plan for Your Neighborhood

(Nehemiah 3-4) Sermon Outline “So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.” (Nehemiah 4:6) God has a plan for my neighborhood and we all have an important role to play. (Nehemiah 3) “Kingdom progress” is made as God’s people turn to the Lord. “Kingdom progress” is made as God’s people work together in unity. “Kingdom progress” is made when there is local ownership. “Kingdom progress” is made…

Celebrate!

(Luke 19:1-10) DISCUSSION GUIDE When was a time that you wanted to uncontrollably celebrate something? What happened? How did people respond? This week, we are celebrating God’s grace and truth in the Big Block Bash. We will look at Luke 19:1-10. Before you read that passage aloud, take a moment to pray, asking God to guide and speak to you in this study. Jesus is on his way from Galilee to Jerusalem in his final weeks. What is significant about…

Rebuilding Our Neighborhood and City

(Nehemiah 1-2) SERMON OUTLINE “Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” (Nehemiah 2:17) Loving our neighborhood & city starts with turning to the Lord (1:1-11) The Report: It’s not supposed to be like this! (Nehemiah 1:1-4) The State of Jerusalem The State of Milwaukee Nehemiah’s Response: Heartbroken,…

Living at the Intersection

(Matthew 22:34-40; 28:18-20) SERMON OUTLINE “Love the Lord your God…Love your neighbor as yourself…Go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 22:37, 39; 28:19) Two Major Thoroughfares in Life with God The Great Commandment (Matthew 22:34-40) “Love God” “Love your neighbor as yourself” The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) “as you go” “make disciples” Jesus at the Intersection The prophetic message: salvation and incarnation (Matthew 1:20-23)The beginnings of ministry: proclaiming and healing (Matthew 4:17, 23-25) The interspersed message and action of…

Resurrection Victory

1 Corinthians 15:50-58 Sermon Outline “Then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’” (1 Corinthians 15:54) Looking for a Serious Change (1 Corinthians 15:50-53) The nature of human bodies intersecting with the kingdom of God Those alive…those sleeping Monumental moments that flash suddenly alive The nature of our promised change in Jesus Christ Enjoying the Ultimate Victory (1 Corinthians 15:54-57) Clothed imperishable and immortal Death’s day is done and its sting through…

Resurrection Bodies

1 Corinthians 15:35-49 Sermon Outline “But someone will ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?’” (1 Corinthians 15:35) Resurrection Bodies: Look at Seed Plants (1 Corinthians 15:36-38) Seed sown produces a different plant Our earthy bodies are like seeds Resurrection Bodies: Look at the Glory of Diverse Materials (1 Corinthians 15:39-41) There is a diverse, glorious splendor in the diverse materials of creation Our earthy bodies are one type of material Resurrection Bodies:…

Resurrection Timing

1 Corinthians 15:20-34 Sermon Outline “For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.” (1 Corinthians 15:21) Jesus Christ the New Beginning of Resurrection Life (1 Corinthians 15:20-23) Adam the first fruits of death Jesus the first fruits of life Jesus Christ the New Beginning of God’s Victory (1 Corinthians 15:24-28) The victory of the Cross and Resurrection The ultimate resolution at the end Living like the New Beginning is True (1…

Resurrection Matters

1 Corinthians 15:12-19 Sermon Outline “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.” (1 Corinthians 15:13) The Importance of Good Thinking in Our Faith 7 Reasons Why the Resurrection Matters—“If there is no resurrection of the dead, then…” Jesus Christ did not rise (vv 13, 16) The message of the gospel is useless (v 14a) Our faith is useless and futile (vv 14b, 17) The apostles are liars about God (v 15) We…

Resurrection Grace

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Sermon Outline “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) The Inescapable Condition of Humanity Traces of the divine presence in creation and beauty (Psalm 19:1) Traces of eternity in the human heart and our longings (Ecclesiastes 3:11) The Resurrection Story (1 Corinthians…

The Neighbor

(Exodus 20:16-17; Mark 12:31) SERMON OUTLINE “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. You shall not covet…anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16-17) Lying and our Neighbor (Exodus 20:16; Ephesians 4:15) What is ‘false testimony’? (Exodus 20:16) The triangle of truth assessment: what we take in, what we think, what we speak out What lying does to us and our neighbor The remedy: “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) Envy and our Neighbor (Exodus 20:17; 1…