Sermons from 2018 (Page 2)
Multiply
The opening weekend of our 2018 MissionsFest with Dr. Paul “Bobby” Gupta from the Hindustan Bible Institute in Chennai, India.
Faith Speaking Truth to Power
In Daniel 4:1-37, Nebuchadnezzar has a dream and Daniel interprets it truthfully. Nebuchadnezzar’s pride threatens to undo him, and Daniel speaks of that reality. When it comes to pass, even Nebuchadnezzar humbles himself before God. Sermon Outline “How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.” (Daniel 4:3) A Terrifying Ruler Left Terrified (Daniel 4:1-7) A Confusing Dream with a Confounding Interpretation (Daniel 4:8-27) A Self-Centered King…
Faith in the Fire
In Daniel 3:1-30, Daniel’s three friends find their faith tested with the threat of idolatry and resulting punishment. What does it mean to have faith in a foreign land when the fire comes? Sermon Outline “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it…But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you…
Faith to Speak God’s Words
Nebuchadnezzar has a troubling dream that for which no interpreter can find meaning. Daniel seeks God in prayer and receives a revelation from God. When he gives a favorable response, all around recognize the power of God. (Daniel 2:1-49) Sermon Outline There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. (Daniel’s words to King Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 2:28a) King Nebuchadnezzar’s Bad Dream: The Crisis (Daniel 2:1-13) Daniel Speaks What God Reveals (Daniel 2:14-45) Daniel Leaves the Results to God (Daniel 2:46-49)…
Faith in Exile
The story of Daniel begins with the exile from Jerusalem. What does it mean for the exiles to live out their faith in this place? Daniel and his friends provide us with an example of how to live our faith as exiles. We are in the world but not of it. We seek the peace of the city in which we are planted but it is not truly our home. (Daniel 1:1-21) Sermon Outline “Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief…
A Multi-Ethnic, Kingdom-Oriented Community
The church as a multi-ethnic, Kingdom-oriented community is central to the gospel of Jesus Christ. What does it mean to move beyond the frameworks of divisive thinking, and rather to call us into a deeper grasp of Jesus’ prayer for unity and call to love? Key Passages: Ephesians 2:11-22; Revelation 7:9-10; Philippians 1:27, 3:20; Jeremiah 29:4-7 SERMON OUTLINE “In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith… There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor…
An Intergenerational Family
The church is an intergenerational family, where we are all equally children of God by simple faith, yet also embracing the entire church, young and old, as having a place of belonging and value. What does it mean to move beyond the frameworks of generational thinking, and rather to call us into a deeper grasp of Jesus’ prayer for unity and call to love? SERMON OUTLINE “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be…
Prayer as Worship: Revelation
Within the book of Revelation we have numerous examples of heavenly worship. We may not think of them as prayer, but that is truly what they are. How might we better learn how to pray now by learning from the heavenly examples of prayer? Key Verses: Revelation 11:15-19; 15:1-4; 16:5-7 Sermon OutlinE “After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: ‘Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true…
Prayer as Mission: The Early Church
The early church spent a lot of time in prayer. Prayer was the fuel and guide for their outward mission in Jerusalem, Judea, and the further parts of the known world. Looking at their examples of prayer throughout Acts, we can learn how to let prayer shape our life on mission as a church. Sermon OutlinE “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” (Acts 2:14) Prayer…
Prayer in Weakness: a Father of an Afflicted Boy
Throughout his ministry, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray. It is in the midst of an ordinary exchange with an ordinary father, however, that we learn what it looks like to come to God in total weakness to find Him more than sufficient in Mark 9:22-25. Sermon OutlinE “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. . . “ (2 Corinthians 12:9a) Our Weakness (Mark 9:14-22a) God’s Strength (Mark…
Prayer of Surrender: Mary
Mary’s prayer stands out as one of the strongest expressions of faith in the entire Bible. She is humble yet bold, meek yet strong. Her words become a model for all of us on how to live a life surrendered to God. Main passage: Luke 1:26-38; 46-55 Sermon OutlinE “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38) Surrendering to God’s Word (Luke 1:26-38) Mary receives the angel Gabriel (1:26-28) Mary receives God’s…
Prayer of Dedication: Nehemiah
After the exile of God’s people from the Promised Land to Canaan, God raises up Nehemiah as a great leader to establish the people back in their land. What we often forget is that Nehemiah’s great leadership began in prayer. All of us may not feel we are leaders, but all of us can be used by God wherever we are. The key to that work of God in and through us comes by dedicating ourselves to Him in prayer.…