ARCC Sermons

Jesus taught about life with original rather than derived authority. He didn't just clarify something that they already knew, or simply interpret the scriptures in the way the teachers of the law did. His listeners sensed somehow that he was explaining the story of their lives as the "author".

Additional Scripture References:

Acts 2:37, 1 Corinthians 2:1-4, 1 Thessalonians 1:5, Galatians 3:10, Galatians 3:13-14, 1 Timothy 6:12

Follow me. Those words sum up the true life of a Christian. To be "saved" is to follow Christ whole-heartedly, to obey Him, and to desire to become just like Him. The good news of the gospel of God is that forgiveness of sins, redemption, and eternal life are a gracious gift from God with a call to turn and follow Him.

Additional Scripture References:

Isaiah 53:6, Luke 17:20-21, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Matthew 10:25, John 14:12, Romans 8:17, 1 Timothy 6:12, Matthew 11:12

Even the Son of God was fair game to the prince of this world. We have our righteousness from Jesus because He proved to be the perfect righteous lamb. He couldn’t just die. He had to “be” the spotless lamb. Because Jesus conquered we can conquer also!!

Additional Scripture References:

1 John 2:16; Matthew 4:1-11; John 4:32; Titus 2:1; 1 Tim. 4:1-2; Matthew 12:38-39; James 4:7; 1 Cor. 10:13; Hebrews 1:6; Hebrews 12:1-2

Jesus comes onto the scene in a less than impressive fashion. Mark introduces us to Jesus, the servant king. We begin to see that Jesus was not concerned about His reputation with man as much as He was concerned about inviting us into and showing us the reality of what life was supposed to be like.

Additional Scripture References:

John 1:46; Matthew 3:14-15; 2 Kings 5:10-12; John 6:38; Isaiah 52:13-53:3; John 17:1, 4-5, 24; John 16:13-14; 1 John 3:1; Matthew 3:15; 2 Cor. 5:21; Isaiah 53:11; 1 Peter 3:18

One of the great dividers in the church today is the role and ministry of the Holy Spirit. John was clearly trying to make a point in distinguishing his baptism from the baptism of Christ with the Holy Spirit. To know what that means is to know that we should greatly desire it!

Additional Scripture References:

Romans 8:6-14; 1 Cor. 12:13; Titus 3:4-5; 1 Cor. 12:3; Eph. 1:13-14; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; 1 Cor. 12:8-10; Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:6-8; Rom. 5:5; Rom. 8:26; Rom. 15:13; Rom. 15:16; 2 Thes. 2:13; 1 Cor. 3:16; Ezekiel 36:27; 2 Cor. 3:17; Gal. 5:16; Gal. 5:22; Phil. 1:19; Eph. 6:18; 1 Cor. 14:1; 1 Cor. 14:4; John 7:37-39; Acts 19:1-7

John the Baptist confronts the Jewish people about their dependence upon their outward ethnic “calling” for forgiveness of sins and right standing before God. What a radical notion that an individual inward repentance was necessary for forgiveness of sins!

Additional Scripture References:

Acts 11:18, 2 Timothy 2:24-25, Jeremiah 13:23, 2 Corinthians 7:11, 1 John 1:7-9, 2 Kings 1:8, Luke 1:15, John 3:28-30

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus is John the Baptist. His sole purpose was to make the world ready for the king. What was he crying from the wilderness?

Additional Scripture References:

Mark 2:17, Mark 10:45, Psalm 5:4-5, Psalm 11:5, Psalm 45:7, Habakkuk 1:13, Luke 3:7-8, Malachi 2:17-3:4

The Good Shepherd has given us His under-shepherds and we are blessed...

Additional Scripture References:

Ezekiel 34:23-24, Psalm 78:70-72, Psalm 23:4

Right before Christ would call His disciples to go into all the world making disciples, He would let them know that He now had all authority in heaven and on earth. What was the purpose for Christ telling His disciples this? As a disciple, what should run through our minds as we think of the "authority" that Christ has over everything as we take on the greatest calling in the world? Christ is calling His disciples to have the correct view of their resurrected Messiah. What did He accomplish by His death and resurrection? What is He going to continue to accomplish? Christ's redemptive work for our salvation on the cross is finished, but the story isn't over.

Additional Scripture References:

Matt 9:6, Phil 2:8-11, Rom 8:18-25, Rom 8:1-4, Psalm 51:5, Eph 1:3-10, Rom 8:28-30, Heb 2:17-18, Rom 8:31-35

God's will is what brings value to our accomplishments. If we should have any part in accomplishing the perfect will and pleasure of God (which is His glory) this would bring the greatest value to the time we spend here on earth. I believe what we will find from scripture is that God's will was not meant for the "criss-road" in our lives, but rather, it is God's will that leads us to the "cross-road". In other words, the concept of "His will" was not something to be decided upon (like some multiple choice test), but that which we confidently rely upon when we walk in obedience to Him! God's will in the life of the believer is just another picture of His grace and mercy.

Additional Scripture References:

Psalm 119:11, Psalm 40:8, Colossians 2:2-3, Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 16:3, Psalm 37:3-5,Psalm 37:23-25, Romans 8:28, Psalm 119:45