Sermons from 2022

“Glory to God in the Highest” (Gloria)

Jesus is born to Mary and Joseph and the angels erupt in praise. The shepherds don’t linger long after this nighttime divine interruption. They high-tail it to Bethlehem to see what God has done. (Luke 2:8-20) SERMON OUTLINE “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14) God’s Glory Arrives to Ordinary People (Luke 2:8-9) The angelic appearance and God’s glory The ordinary shepherds and their appropriate awe The…

“Praise Be to the Lord” (Benedictus)

Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, finds release from his punishment of muteness with a splendid song of praise to God. Within this beautiful song of praise, Zechariah unfolds the story of salvation, reflecting John the Baptist’s unique role within it. (Luke 1:67-79) SERMON OUTLINE “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.” (Luke 1:68) The Gift of Appropriate Humbling (Luke 1:5-22) The gift of discipline and silence…

“My Soul Glorifies the Lord” (Magnificat)

Mary praises God for His plans and her part within it. This beautiful prayer expounds the way in which God is doing a new thing in Jesus, but also speaks prophetically about the upside-down kingdom coming with this new humble king. (Luke 1:46-55) SERMON OUTLINE “And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.’” (Luke 1:46-48) Mary Visits Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-45)…

“May It Be Unto Me As You Have Said” (Fiat Mihi)

Mary’s simple statement of surrender opens wide to us the wonders of the incarnation. Mary is a reassured and revered figure in the story of salvation, but also serves as an example of humble responsiveness and receptivity to God in our lives. (Luke 1:38) SERMON OUTLINE “’I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’” (Luke 1:38) The Miracle of God’s Plan for the World (Luke 1:26-33) The gift of a greeting from God’s messenger…

Living Hope

Along with some final greetings, Paul’s last segment of this letter gives us some basic exhortations to living our hope out in everyday life as God’s new community, the church. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-28) SERMON OUTLINE “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Living as the Good Community of God (1 Thessalonians 5:12-15) Acknowledge those who serve Warn those who are idle Encourage those who are…

Future Hope

At the heart of this epistle is Paul’s unpacking of the return of Christ. More than almost any other letter of Paul, 1 Thessalonians reveals what our future hope is all about. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11) SERMON OUTLINE “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13) Grieving, but with Future Hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13)…

Holy Hope

Hope may seem abstract, but it lives in our daily words and actions. Paul urges the believers to let their hope shape the way they live now and we can learn how that is true for us as well. (1 Thessalonians 4:1-12) SERMON OUTLINE “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified” (1 Thessalonians 4:3a) Living with Holy Hope – Aiming to Please God (1 Thessalonians 4:1-2) Paul’s overriding concern is that the Thessalonians live to please God (4:1a)…

Hope Together

In these two chapters Paul describes the history of his ministry and relationship with the church of Thessalonica from its founding up till now. We gain insight into the importance of the gospel but also how hope is sustained by relationships. (1 Thessalonians 2:1-3:13) SERMON OUTLINE “For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 3:8) Paul’s circumstances were not good, but he was still “really alive” (1 Thessalonians 3:7) The reason he is…

Beginning with Hope

This first messages sets up the series, describing the founding of the church and looking at why Paul is so grateful for this group of believers and the way they live their faith out. (1 Thessalonians 1:1-10) SERMON OUTLINE “Paul, Silas and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.” (1 Thessalonians 1:1) An Introduction to 1 Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 1:1) Timing, authorship, and provenance of the…

Local Outreach through the Lens of Luke 10

Missions Pastor Dan Ryan unpacks Luke 10 in light of Local Missions. Sermon Outline Jesus Sends out the 72 Three Key words: Peace (verse 5) Stay (verse 7) Heal (verse 9) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS What parts of your faith have you seen God challenge through Scripture or Christians from other cultures to deepen your understanding of His truth? Share what the process was of pulling down past assumptions and letting God’s word and Spirit shape your viewpoint? Take time to read…

God Opening the Door of Faith

Jesus opened the “door of faith” (Acts 14.27) for the first sending church in history, Antioch Church, which commissioned Paul and Barnabus, the first cross-cultural missionaries in New Testament history! Let us learn from Antioch Church about being a dynamic sending church that sends out workers as “sheep among wolves.” (Luke 10.1-3) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Why do you think Jesus sends His workers ahead of Him to EVERY place and town He went? How is that relevant to modern missions? (Luke…