Christ Church of Livingston County Sermons

Sermon Notes for: June 7, 2020

Psalms for Challenging Times: Prayer in Threatening Times

Psalm 74

Pastor Steve Hemmeke

Sermon Theme:

Even when we are brought low as a church or a culture, God will restore and keep His people in covenant with Himself.

Sermon Outline:

1. Our hurt and the depravity of man

2. Our cry and the power of God

3. Our confidence and the purpose of God

Sermon Notes for: 5/31/2020

Psalms for Challenging Times: Sing! Psalm 33:1-5; 34:1-7

Pastor Steve Hemmeke

Sermon theme: We should praise God, in song, in response for His grace to us.

Psalm 33:

Joyful (1)

Instrumental (2)

Creative (3)

Creational (4-5)

Psalm 34 Heading, Occasional, Purposeful

Continual (1)

Glorifying (2)

Uplifting (2)

Invitational (3)

Strengthening (4-5)

Responsive (6-7)

Sermon Notes for: 5/24/2020

The Need and Delight of Worshiping God

Psalm 84

Pastor Steve Hemmeke

Sermon Theme:

We were made to dwell and worship in God’s house, so we long for it, even in hard times.

Sermon outline:

I. God’s beauty (1-2)

II. Our desire (2-5)

III. Our hardship (6-7)

IV. God’s protection (8-9)

V. Our privilege (10)

VI. God’s goodness (11)

VII. Our faith (12)

Sermon Notes for: 5/17/2020

Psalm 112

Pastor Steve Hemmeke

Those who fear God have an unshakeable foundation from which to face adversity and enemies.

Text outline:

Theme (1)

Examples (2-5)

Theme (6)

Examples (7-9)

Not so the wicked (10)

Sermon outline:

I. The foundation of the righteous – physical and spiritual

II. The heart’s response to bad news

III. The enemies we face

IV. The supremely blessed Man

Sermon Notes for: 5/10/2020

Rejecting Jesus

John 12:37-50

Pastor Steve Hemmeke

Sermon Theme:

Rejecting Jesus is natural for us, but it is rejecting God, and judgment will come for it.

Sermon outline:

Unbelief, due to prophecy (Isaiah 6:9-10)(37-41)

Hidden belief (42-43)

Jesus sent from the Father – ambassador (44-45, 49-50)

Jesus brought light to a dark world (46)

Judgment for unbelief in the end (47-48)

Sermon Notes for: 5/3/2020

The J-Curve

John 12:20-36

Pastor Steve Hemmeke

Sermon Theme:

Jesus came to glorify the Father by His death, which casts out Satan, and restores light to a dark world.

Sermon outline:

The Greeks’ request passed on (20-22)

Jesus: It’s time – need to die to bear fruit – others should follow (23-26)

Father, glorify Your name, and response (27-30)

Devil’s defeat/prediction of cross (31-33)

An objection unanswered (34)

Light and dark, like John 1:1-5 (35-36)

Sermon Notes for: 4/26/2020

An Expensive Anointing for an Invaluable Death

John 12:1-8

Pastor Steve Hemmeke

Sermon Theme:

Moments of uniquely costly sacrifice for Jesus arise. When done out of gratitude for His saving death, He honors them.

Sermon outline:

The anointing – Lazarus and Mary

The embezzler - Judas

The real pearl of great price – Jesus

Sermon Notes for: 4/19/2020

Christ or Caiaphas?

John 11:45-57

Pastor Steve Hemmeke

Sermon Theme: Sinful people reject Jesus Christ and protect themselves, instead of believing in Him.

Sermon outline

John 11:45-46 – two responses to Jesus

1. Taking counsel together against Yahweh and His anointed (47-48)

2. Caiaphas and his prophecy (49-52)

Decision of death (53)

Strategic retreat (54)

Passover near (55)

People pondering (56)

An arrest warrant (57)

Two responses to Jesus

Sermon Notes for: 4/12/2020

Resurrection Power and Personal Peace John 11:20-44

Pastor Steve Hemmeke

Sermon Theme:

The powerful and personal resurrection of life in Christ brings peace to those who believe.

Sermon outline

I. Seven signs

II. Resurrection power (41-44)

III. Personal resurrection (23-27, 38-40)

Chiasm

A – anointing Jesus (2)

B – Son of God glorified (4)

C – that you may believe (14)

D – four days in the grave (17)

E – Martha: if you had been here (21)

F – I AM the resurrection & the life (26)

E’ - Mary: if you had been here (32)

D’ – four days in the grave (39)

C’ – that you may believe (40)

B’ – see the glory of God (40)

A’ - loosing Lazarus’ clothes (44)

Sermon Notes for: 4/5/2020

Comfort in Grief

John 11:1-44

Pastor Steve Hemmeke

Sermon Theme:

The resurrection and presence of Christ comforts His followers in their trials and griefs.

Sermon outline

I. His anointing; our loosing (2, 44)

II. Lazarus’ sickness, for God’s glory (2-3) III. Where is Jesus? (5-15)

IV. Jesus is moved (16, 28-37)

V. Mourn with those who mourn

Chiasm

A – Anointing Jesus (2)

B – Son of God glorified (4)

C – That you may believe (14)

D – Four days in the grave (17)

E – Martha: if you had been here (21)

F – I am the resurrection and the life (26)

E’ – Mary: if you had been here (32)

D’ – Four days in the grave (39)

C’ – That you may believe (40)

B’ – See the glory of God (40)

A’ – Loosing Lazarus’ clothes (44)