Sermons from 2015 (Page 5)
Trouble
Jesus’ journey through trouble leads to salvation and a future place of peace for His followers. The disciples’ betrayal (Judas), forthcoming denials (Peter), and fear gather around them but Jesus offers hope. (John 13:18-14:4) SERMON OUTLINE “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1) The Trouble of Betrayal (John 13:18-30) Judas and divided loyalties Judas and spiritual conflict The Trouble of Failure (John 13:31-38) Peter and confusion Peter and brash declarations…
Servant
In John 13:1-17, Jesus washes His disciples’ feet as an example of servant love. Jesus says love serves and calls them to serve one another; Jesus calls His followers friends. SERMON OUTLINE “After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet.” (John 13:5) Servant Identity (John 13:1-3) Jesus knew the hour (13:1a) Jesus loved His own (13:1b) Jesus knew His power (13:3) Servant Action (John 13:4-11) Foot washing as a foretelling of the Cross (13:4-6)…
Free to Live
Does freedom mean we are careless about how we live with God? No, in fact Paul draws upon Old Testament teaching to say that our daily lives are to be a reflection of the grace of God that frees us from slavery to sin and into a new creation way of life. He boasts in the cross of Christ (6:14) and summarizes it all with the grace of Jesus (6:18). (Galatians 6:18) Sermon Outline “May I never boast except in…
Spiritual Freedom
What does it really look like to live with freedom? Paul describes the freedom in Christ that comes by the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence. Here is the famous fruit of the Spirit discussion. (Galatians 5:1, 13) Sermon Outline “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” (Galatians 5:13) Spiritual Freedom and Religious Slavery (Galatians 5:1, 13) “Do not let yourselves be…
Together in Christ: Race, the Gospel and God’s People
On Monday, January 26, 2015, Eastbrook Church was honored to host Bishop Walter Harvey of Parklawn Assembly of God for a conversation and time of prayer on the topic of race and the Gospel here in the city of Milwaukee. Four times a year we gather as a church to discuss key topics to help us move forward together. This year, we begin our Eastbrook Forum series with by addressing the challenging topic of how the gospel transforms racial divisions…
Becoming Children
Paul calls the Galatians to a new life of freedom in God. He uses an allegory about Hagar and Sarah in order to illustrate the radical new beginning and life we have as children of grace and not children of law. (Galatians 4:7) Sermon Outline “So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” (Galatians 4:7) Adoption (Galatians 4:1-7) Identity of the adopted (4:1-3) Adoption made…
Receiving the Promise
Paul explores the relationship between the law and faith, righteousness and grace. Drawing upon the life of Abraham and the revelation of the Law to Moses after the Exodus, Paul makes a case that there is a justification before God that comes from faith apart from the law, and he begins to move into what life looks like under the grace of God. (Galatians 3:28) Sermon Outline “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there…
The Real Gospel
Paul continues to reflect on his own story and how the unique revelation of the Gospel came to him and what it meant within the early church and his authority. This is a key historical piece that gives us understanding of the ministry of Paul and why we should take him seriously as the ‘Apostle to the Gentiles’. He presents the basic issue at stake in Galatians: “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could…
The Only Message
The real message of the Gospel is at stake in Paul’s writing to the churches in Galatia. He is wrestling with his listeners on their approach to life with God. Here is strong statement about how we approach life and what we think about the good news is important. He begins to reflect on his calling and the radical nature of the gospel to the Gentiles. (Galatians 1:10) Sermon Outline Am I now trying to win the approval of human…