Sermons from 2018 (Page 4)

I Am Made Uniquely.

Every person has a unique fingerprint that identifies us distinctly from other people. The Scripture tells us that each one of us was made uniquely by the hand of God. Some of us love how we are made, while others hate how we are made. The majority of us find ourselves somewhere in-between: liking some aspects and disliking other aspects of ourselves. How do we understand the unique shaping of our lives by the hand of God, before our birth…

I Am More Than My Image.

An old advertisement claimed, “Image is everything.” That claim seems to have only become stronger in the social media age. However, the concept of image is not the same as identity. Image is all about what we display to people and who we wish that we were. Identity travels much deeper than that. This week aims to directly address the false call to live by image, instead inviting us to live out our identity in Christ. Key Passages: Exodus 20:3-5; Psalm…

I Am Known by Faith.

If we want to begin to live and have a sense of our identity, we must reach out to God by faith in Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can truly make us human again and gives us a sense of identity. This week we explore what it means to believe in God and how that transforms our sense of identity. Key Passages: Genesis 15:1-6; Mark 1:15; John 1:12; 3:16-18; Romans 10:9 SERMON OUTLINE “Yet to all who did…

I Am Not Stuck.

Why do we experience a lack of personal identity? What is it in our selves or our world that makes us feel disconnected or fractured? Without taking a look at Scripture’s understanding of human personality and identity in light of creation and fall, we will never be able to begin the journey toward finding ourselves in God. Key Scripture: Genesis 3:1-24; 2 Samuel 11-12; Ephesians 2:1-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 7:1; Philippians 2:12 SERMON OUTLINE “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the…

He Is.

As we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, we must ask ourselves what Jesus’ life, death and resurrection really means for us. Does it mean anything or was it merely a historical event? To get at this, we will return to the creation account of the first Adam in Genesis in order to then explore the meaning of the arrival of the second Adam in Jesus Messiah.

Blessing and Rescue

Joseph’s story ends in Genesis 47-50 with his family together, his relationships restored, and the hope of a future for himself and God’s people. Our stories are stories of blessing for us and for others, but find their deepest meaning in the story of God’s blessing intended for all the peoples of earth. Sermon Outline You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Joseph’s words…

Reconciliation

After a series tensions, Joseph is overcome by emotion and reveals himself to his brothers. Joseph and his brothers experience a reconciliation of relationship with one another and their father. How might our suffering lead into life, healing and reconciliation? Text: Genesis 45:1-46:34 Sermon Outline He said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!” (Genesis 45:4) The Story in Summary Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers (45:1-15) The brothers return to Jacob with good news…

Open Wounds

The climax of Joseph’s story in Genesis 42-44 is his encounter with his brothers in their hour of need. Walking into their lost brother’s world, the brothers do not recognize Joseph. It is only after a series of challenges that they realize what is happening. How do we deal with our wounds, particularly when past hurts are opened by those who inflicted them? Sermon Outline “As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be…

Lost and Found

In Genesis 40, we find Joseph languishing in prison, where he is put in charge of the prison because of his diligence. He interprets dreams of Pharaoh’s imprisoned cupbearer and baker. When Pharaoh himself has inexplicable dreams, the cupbearer remembers Joseph’s abilities. After interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams and suggesting plans for good stewardship, Pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of Egypt’s action plan for the season of famine. Sermon Outline “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give…

Caught

In Genesis 39:1-20, Joseph works as a slave in the household of an Egyptian official, Potiphar, whose wife accuses him of misusing her after Joseph rebuffs her entreaties. Joseph is wrongly imprisoned because of the false accusation. How do we respond to temptation? And what do we do with wrongful accusations? Sermon Outline “The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.” (Genesis 39:2) Joseph Caught by Potiphar (39:1-6a) From…

Descending

Joseph’s story begins in Genesis 37:1-36 with dreams, parental favoritism, and family tensions. His father’s favorite son, Joseph, quickly finds his disagreements with his brothers boiling over into his faked murder and sale into slavery. What do you do when everyone seems to turn against you? Sermon Outline “But his brothers saw Joseph in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.” (Genesis 37:17-18) God’s Blessing Descends to Humanity (37:1-4) Abraham & Sarah → Isaac &…