Sunday’s message in The Greatest Chapter in the Bible series was called The Hope of Future Glory, taken from Romans 8:18-27. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Our hope for a new creation (18-21)
   A. The creation waits for God’s glory to be revealed in us (18-19)
      – 2 Corinthians 4:17
   B. The creation was subjected to frustration at the fall (20)
      – Genesis 3:17
   C. The creation will be freed from its present bondage to decay (21)
      – Isaiah 65:17-19; 2 Peter 3:13

II. Our hope for the resurrection of the body (22-25)
   A. We who have the Spirit groan along with creation (22-23)
      – John 16:21,33
   B. We wait eagerly for the redemption of our bodies (23)
      – Philippians 3:20-21
   C. We wait patiently for what we do not yet have (24-25)
      – 2 Corinthians 4:18

III. Our hope for God’s help in the present (26-27)
   A. The Spirit helps us in our weakness (26)
      – James 5:13
   B. The Spirit helps us pray (26-27)
      – 1 John 5:14-15
      1) intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express
      2) intercedes for us in accordance with God’s will

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.
 

Sunday’s message in The Greatest Chapter in the Bible series was called Children of God and Heirs with Christ, taken from Romans 8:12-17. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. You have a new obligation (12-14)
   A. You have no obligation to the sinful nature (12)
      – Romans 6:20-21
   B. You are called to put sinful deeds to death by the Spirit (13)
      – Colossians 3:5
   C. You are called to follow the Spirit (14)
      – Galatians 5:16

II. You have a new family (15-16)
   A. You did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear (15a)
      – Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 John 4:18
   B. You received the Spirit of sonship and call on God as your Father (15b)
      – Matthew 6:9; Mark 14:36
   C. God’s Spirit testifies with your spirit that you are God’s child (16)
      – Galatians 4:6

III. You have a new future (17)
   A. You are an heir of God and co-heir with Christ (17a)
      – Galatians 4:7; Ephesians 1:13-14; Hebrews 1:2
   B. You share in Christ’s sufferings that you may also share in his glory (17b)
      – Matthew 5:11-12; 1 Peter 1:6-7

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.
 

Sunday’s message in The Greatest Chapter in the Bible series was called Living according to the Spirit, taken from Romans 8:5-11. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Your life follows your mind (5-6)
   A. You live according to what your mind is set on (5)
      – Romans 12:2
   B. The mind set on sinful things results in death; the mind set on the Spirit results in life and peace (6)
      – Galatians 5:19-23

II. When you live according to the sinful nature (7-8)
   A. Your mind is hostile to God (7a)
   B. Your mind does not and cannot submit to God’s law (7b)
   C. Therefore, you cannot please God (8)

III. When the Spirit of God lives in you (9-11)
   A. You are controlled by the Spirit (9)
      – John 14:16-17
   B. Your spirit is alive because of righteousness (10)
      – Ephesians 2:4-5
   C. The Spirit will also give life to your body (11)
      – Ezekiel 36:26-27

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.
 

Sunday was the first message in our new The Greatest Chapter in the Bible series. The message was called Set Free from Sin by the Spirit of God, taken from Romans 8:1-4. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (verse 1)
   – John 3:16-18
 
II. Why is there no condemnation? Because the law of the Spirit set us free from the law of sin (verse 2)
   – Romans 7:12

   Three different types of law in Romans 8:
      1) the law of Moses (has righteousness, but no power)
      2) the law of sin (has power, but no righteousness)
      3) the law of the Spirit (has both righteousness and power)
 
III. Why do we need the law of the Spirit? Because the Law of Moses was powerless to help, so God sent his Son and condemned sin (verse 3)
   – Luke 18:27

God sent his Son in the likeness of sinful man: “not ‘as a sinful person,’ for Jesus was sinless; not ‘in the likeness of humanity,’ for Jesus was fully human; but ‘in the likeness of sinful humanity’ for Jesus was both completely sinless and fully human.” (John Stott)
 
IV. What was God’s purpose in condemning sin? That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who live by the Spirit. (verse 4)

The law of the Spirit does it all! It fulfills the righteous requirement of Moses’ law, and it sets us free from the power of sin’s law. Through Christ we have been set free from sin by the Spirit of God.
 
Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.
 

Sunday was the last message in the Challenge and Power of One series. The message was called Small Group or Bible Study, taken from Hebrews 10:24-25. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Spiritual Food Group #1 – Prayer
   – Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
 

II. Spiritual Food Group #2 – The Bible
   – Psalm 19:10; Matthew 4:4; Hebrews 5:12-14; 1 Peter 2:2

   – examples >
      – milk (1 Peter 2:2)
      – bread (Matthew 4:4)
      – meat (Hebrews 5:12-14)
      – honey (Psalm 19:10)

III. Spiritual Food Group #3 – Fellowship
   – Hebrews 3:13, 10:25

   – “one another” commands >
      – love one another (John 13:34)
      – be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10)
      – honor one another (Romans 12:10)
      – serve one another (Galatians 5:13)
      – live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16)
      – have fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7)

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.
 

Sunday was the fourth message in the Challenge and Power of One series. The message was called Giving, taken from 1 Corinthians 16:2. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Fulfilling God’s mandate for world missions (Matthew 28:18-19)
   A. Jesus’ authority extends over all the world. (18)
      – 1 Peter 3:22
   B. Therefore, our commission extends to all the world. (19)
      – Genesis 12:2-3; Isaiah 49:6; John 3:16

II. Giving regularly and proportionately to God’s work (1 Corinthians 16:2)
   A. Each one should give (2b)
   B. Each one should give regularly (2a)
   C. Each one should give in keeping with his income (2c)
      – Genesis 4:4; 2 Corinthians 9:7

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.
 

Sunday was the third message in the Challenge and Power of One series. The message was called Friendship for Christ, taken from 1 Thessalonians 2:8. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Develop a genuine friendship (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
   A. Two extremes to avoid
      – friendship with no evangelism
      – evangelism with no friendship
   B. The marks of genuine friendship
      – love, loyalty, sharing, fun, sacrifice, encouragement, stimulation, spiritual challenge
   C. People who come to faith gradually
      – 69% of respondents described their coming to faith as gradual rather than as the result of a sudden decision

II. Pray for your friend (Acts 16:14)
   A. Pray for the various needs in their life
   B. Pray for spiritual interest
   C. Pray for their salvation

III. Share Christ naturally as God gives you opportunity
   A. Be wise in looking for opportunities (Prov 11:30; Col 4:5)
   B. Be ready when God brings the opportunities along (1 Pet 3:15)
      – share what you know and keep on learning
      – share the gospel (Jesus; cross; death; resurrection; forgiveness)
      – share with gentleness and respect

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.
 

Sunday was the second message in the new Challenge and Power of One series. The message was called Service, taken from Ephesians 4:7-13. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Jesus came to serve, not to be served (Mark 10:45)
   A. He set aside his rights as God (Philippians 2:5-7)
   B. He set an example for us to follow (John 13:5-15)

II. God has given you gifts for service (Ephesians 4:7-13)
   A. God has given each one of us gifts for service (Eph 4:7)
   B. God gave pastors to prepare God’s people for works of service (Eph 4:12)

III. Everyone needs to do their part (Ephesians 4:16)
   A. So that the church can fulfill its potential
   B. So that people don’t get burned out

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.
 

Sunday was the first message in the new Challenge and Power of One series. The message was called Weekly Worship, taken from Ephesians 4:16. Here is a brief outline of the message:

“From Christ the whole body … grows and builds itself up in love as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:16)

I. You can and should worship God anywhere and everywhere
   A. God cannot be contained
      – 1 Kings 8:13,27
   B. We must worship God in spirit and in truth
      – John 4:19-24

II. You should also worship God together with your church family
   A. Jesus did not just die for people, but for “a people,” his church
      – Ephesians 5:25; Titus 2:13; Revelation 5:9
   B. The church is called to worship God together
      – Hebrews 10:25; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Revelation 7:9-12
      – Psalms 22:25, 26:12, 35:18, 107:32, 111:1; 149:1
   C. God calls you to a weekly rhythm of worship and rest
      – Genesis 2:2-3; Isaiah 40:28

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.
 

Sunday’s message was called Rest for Your Soul, taken from Psalm 62. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. God’s nature is such that we find rest in him (1-2, 11-12)
   A. Think worthy thoughts of God
      – Matthew 11:28-30; John 3:17
   B. Receive God’s salvation by faith
      – Ephesians 2:8-9
   C. Understand God’s power to protect and preserve
      – Psalm 38:16; Isaiah 40:20, 41:17

II. You cannot find true rest apart from God
   A. Repetition of the word “alone” (vv. 1,2,5,6)
   B. Three things that will not bring you rest for your soul
      1) Trusting in self (v. 3)
      2) Trusting in other people (vv. 4, 9)
      3) Trusting in power or wealth v. 10)
   C. The structure of the Psalm (“chiasm”)
      – God / man / God / man / God  (1-2 / 3-4 / 5-8 / 9-10 / 11-12)

III. Knowing these truths is not enough – you must continually apply yourself to finding your true rest in God alone (5-12)
   A. Claim God’s promises for yourself (5-6)
   B. Place your honor in God’s hands (7)
   C. Trust in God at all times (8a)
   D. Pour out your heart to the Lord (8b)
   E. Rely on God’s Word (11)
   F. Look forward to your eternal rest (12)

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.
 

Sunday’s message was called Encouraged by the Holy Spirit, taken from Acts 9:31. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. The Holy Spirit is a Person
   – examples of personal encouragement
      – Jonathan and David (1 Samuel 23:16)
      – Barnabas (Acts 4:36, 11:22-26)

II. What does it mean to be encouraged by the Holy Spirit?
   A. The Holy Spirit comes alongside you to help (John 14:16)
   B. The Holy Spirit dwells within you (John 14:17)
   C. The Holy Spirit will never leave you (John 14:16)

III. How does the Holy Spirit encourage you?
   A. He teaches you God’s truth (John 14:26)
   B. He gives you God’s peace (John 14:27)
   C. He fills you with God’s love (Romans 5:5)
   D. He assures you that God is your Father (Romans 8:15-17)
   E. He gives gifts of encouragement (Romans 12:8)

IV. What are the results? (Acts 9:31)
   A. We are strengthened in the Lord
   B. We draw closer to God
   C. We reach out to others

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.
 

Sunday was the last message in the Samson: Strong Man Gone Wrong series. The message was called God’s Purposes Fulfilled, taken from Judges 16:23-31. Here is a brief outline of the message:

1) God will not allow his name to be mocked (23-24)
  – Psalm 96:4-5; Isaiah 48:11

2) God will not allow his people to be mocked (25-27)
  – Exodus 3:7-8; Psalm 17:8-9, 89:50-51

3) God will fulfill his purposes despite our sin and the enemy’s attacks (28-30)
  – Psalm 33:10-11, 138:8; Proverbs 13:15, 19:21

4) We all leave a legacy in life. What will be yours? (31)
  – Psalm 112:1,6; 2 Timothy 2:13; Hebrews 11:32-33

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.