Sermon Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott Strickman Sermon Series: Redemptive StoriesLuke 19:1-10 (ESV)  1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”Sermon Outline God’s redemptive work in the life of Zacchaeus displays what it means that Jesus came to seek and save the lost (v10).1. What does it mean to be lost?v2 “he was a chief tax collector and he was rich”v3 “he was small in stature… he… climbed up into a sycamore tree”2. Why did Jesus come? (to seek)v5 “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today”v6 “received him joyfully”; v7 “they all grumbled, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.’”3. How does Jesus save?v9 “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.”v8 “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give… I restore it fourfold.”Prayer of Confession Almighty God, you have sent your only Son to seek and save the lost.  We are prone to wandering, and rarely recognize it is happening.  We can be more upset by the wanderings of others than by our own worrisome state.  Forgive us for the ways we prop ourselves up, and for how we put others down.  Forgive us for every small step away from you.  Forgive us for ways we grumble in regards to your grace and generosity.  Forgive our unrighteous deeds and self-righteous attitudes.  Lord, we thank you that you pursue us, you call us, and you restore us.  We rejoice that we are found by you, and commit to seeking fruit consistent with repentance.  Amen.Questions for ReflectionHow does the word “lost” or the imagery it evokes help you understand God’s perspective on humanity?   What are some ways people wander?  What are some implications of being lost?If our lives are a series of impressions, decisions and actions, how do we set trajectories and what can we do moment by moment to stay on course?  Think of concrete examples of goals, and reflect on whether or not you consistently act towards those goals.  In the midst of unfair situations, or interactions that hit on areas where you are sensitive, what are ways you respond that make things worse, are unwise, or contrary to the ways of Jesus?  Why are those your responses?Do you have any desire to limit God’s generosity?  Is there anyone who shouldn’t receive it?  Does the idea of grace bother you in any way?  Is there any joy in your story with God?  What moments, specific actions of God in your life, theological principles, etc. have brought you joy?What has Jesus saved you from?  What would your life be like if Jesus had never come?When should repentance in your heart towards God also compel action towards others?  What are examples of ways or situations where we need to make things right and perform actions that repair?Is there any wrong you have not fully dealt with?  Is there anything you owe anyone?  What steps should you take to make progress in your situation?  What role will Jesus play in it?

Sermon Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott Strickman Sermon Series: Redemptive StoriesMark 10:46-52 (ESV)  46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.Sermon Outline1. God’s Redemptive Storyv47 “Jesus, son of David”2. Bartimaeus’s Redemptive Storyv51 “what do you want me to do for you?”v52 “he recovered his sight and followed him on the way”3. Our Redemptive Storyv48 “have mercy on me”v49 “take heart. Get up; he is calling you”v52 “your faith has made you well”Prayer of Confession Merciful and gracious God, you have shown grace and favor by sending Jesus as you promised, to open blind eyes, soften hard hearts, and raise spiritually dead people.  We confess our weak faith.  We know corruption has been at work in us.  We see it in how we misunderstand you, and how we judge and mistreat others.  We have not lived within your redemptive story, but having sought our own ways, we have brought confusion and difficulty to ourselves.  Forgive us.  Jesus, son of David, have mercy on us.  Open our eyes that we would see you as our healer and redeemer.  Give us ears to hear your call that we may follow your way.  Amen.Questions for ReflectionIn what ways do you experience spiritual blindness?  How are God and His ways hard to see and discern?If Jesus asked you “what do you want me to do for you?” what would you answer?  What do you think you should answer?  What would you want to answer?Where does the story of your life connect with the story of the Bible, a story that culminates in the ministry of Jesus?  Where are you disconnected?Is your future hopeful?  Why or why not?  As you reflect on the story of your life, what gives any sense of whether or not your future is good?What can you do when you can’t make sense of your current situation?  What does it look like (practically) to have faith?  How is faith a way of seeing and understanding?Why is prayer for mercy an ordinary part of the Christian life?  Do you truly believe God is merciful?

Sermon Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Charles Drew Sermon Series: Suffering2 Corinthians 11:30 – 12:10 (ESV)  11:30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, 33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands. 12:1 I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— 6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.Sermon OutlineI)     God wants us to boast about the things that show our weakness•  11:30-- If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.    •  12:5b-- On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses.  •  12:9b-10-- Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.Meaning of “boast” Often a negative word •  Proverbs 25:14--  Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. •  Psalm 52.1-2:  Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The steadfast love of God endures all the day.  2 Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit. •  Psalm 94.4:  They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast. •  Jeremiah 9.23-24:  Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,  24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD." Positive for Paul •  By all means, boast… Just be sure that what you revel in are the things that undermine your self-importance and your independence—II)   Boasting in fish baskets and thornsA)   Fish baskets: vv.32-33:  At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me,  33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands. Getting knocked down a peg. The way “up” was “down”B)   Thorns So to keep me f

Sermon Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Charles Drew Sermon Series: SufferingIsaiah 58:1-12 (ESV)   1 "Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins.  2 Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God.  3 'Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?' Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers.  4 Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high.  5 Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the LORD?  6 "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?  7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?  8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.  9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.' If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,  10 if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.  11 And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.  12 And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.Sermon OutlineI)     God hates heartless faith v. 1 "Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins. A)   Worshipping God without “getting” him v. 3c—On the day of your fasting you do as you please v. 4—Behold …you fast only to quarrel) v. 3c—Behold in the day of your fast…you oppress all your workers) v. 9—“pointing  the finger” B)   The church’s complicity in slavery.  Thomas Affleck’s “Plantation Record and Account Book” Affleck increased the productivity of the average slave by 400% over the 60 years between 1801 and 1861.C)   Not treating people the way God treats them II)   God loves faith that cares. vv. 6-7: "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?  7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? A)   Illustration and applications. •  “Why should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham (a person, not a beast!) whom Satan has kept bound for 18 long years, be set free on the Sabbath Day from what bound her” (Luke 13:15-16).  •  William Wilberforce’s 46 year-long assault on slavery: •  Safe workplaces.  •  Safe ch

Sermon Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Charles Drew Sermon Series: SufferingHebrews 2:5-18 (ESV)   5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere,“What is man, that you are mindful of him,     or the son of man, that you care for him? 7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels;     you have crowned him with glory and honor, 8     putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying,“I will tell of your name to my brothers;     in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.”And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.” 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.Sermon Outline Introduction: God does not give us an explanation for suffering.  He gives us himself.I)     The story begins with bad newsWe have lost control of our lives, despite God’s loving intentionsA)   God’s loving intention for us:  vv. 6-8 6 It has been testified somewhere, "What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him?  7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, 8 putting everything in subjection under his feet. Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. "   God is mindful of us…he cares for us) God has crowned with glory and honor,  putting everything in subjection under [our] feet.B)   Squandered calling: v. 8b: …at present we do not see everything subject to him [that is, to the human race].1)    Rude awakening2)    Why do we treat each other and our planet the way we do? Hebrews 2:15: Through fear of death [we are] subject to lifelong slavery. Haunted and afraid: greedy, negligent and cruelII)   God’s good newsA)   God chose to become our brother.v. 14:  Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things v. 17:  Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect•  Rather than leave us in our mess… •  Great kindnessB)   God became our brother to the bitter end.v. 10: …he was made perfect through suffering v. 9: …he tasted death for everyone•  Starving in the wilderness. •  Gethsemane: “Do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and he

Sermon Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Charles Drew Sermon Series: SufferingGenesis 1:1-5, 26-31, John 1:1-5 (ESV)   1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.  2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.  3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.  4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.  5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day… 26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."  27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.  28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth."  29 And God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.  30 And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food." And it was so.  31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  2 He was in the beginning with God.  3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.  4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.  5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.Sermon Outline Introduction: Suffering is woven into everything.  How are we supposed to understand and cope with it? I)     We tell ourselves that God is good.God made a “very good” cosmos because he himself is good. •  Psalm 100:4-5:  Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!  5 For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.Why should we believe it, especially at a time like this?A)  God’s goodness, though real, is not always easily discernible.“Were you there when I laid the foundations of the earth?...Have you commanded the morning since your days began?...Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, or loose the belt of Orion?...Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given understanding to the heart” (Job 38:4, 12, 31, 36)God moves in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm. Dark in unfathomable mines of never failing skill He treasures up his bright designs, and works his sovereign will. Blind unbelief is sure to err, and scan his work in vain. God is his own interpreter, and he will make it plain. (William Cowper)Embrace our limits. Don’t be glib.B)  God’s goodness is committed to our long-term transformation.Genesis 1.26: Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Made for him, we tend to “worship the creature rather than the Creator” (Romans 1)What the corona virus teaches us: C)  God’s goodness is always richly present.Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness

Sermon Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott Strickman Sermon Series: Faith, Hope & LoveGalatians 5:1-15 (ESV)  1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. 7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.Sermon Outline Grace is the only way to get and maintain freedom, and we stand firm when faith is working through love (v6).1. Opportunityv13 “do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh”v15 “watch out that you are not consumed by one another”2.  Obligationv3 “who accepts circumcision… is obligated to keep the whole law”v6 “in Christ, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love”3.  Callingv8 “this persuasion is not from him who calls you”; v13 “you were called to freedom”2:20 “the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”v4 “severed from Christ… fallen away from grace”; v5 “through the Spirit, by faith”obligation: v7 “obeying the truth”opportunity: vv13-14 “through love serve one another” (whole law fulfilled)Prayer of Confession Our gracious God, you owe us nothing but have given us everything.  We cut ourselves off from you through sin, but you have joined yourself with us through Christ.  Forgive our lack of faith.  Who are we to question the one who loved us?  Forgive our hopelessness.  Should we accuse you in our misery while we hope in the wrong things?  Forgive our insufficient love.  Have you not warned us that giving in to sinful desires forfeits our freedom?  We need grace.  We call on the name of Christ, the one who calls us by name and gave himself for us, trusting that through faith in him alone we are justified in your sight.  Amen.Questions for ReflectionIf you were free to do anything you like, what would you do?What role should discipline play in dealing with problematic desires?  Why is discipline needed?  Why is it not enough?What do strict religious systems offer?  Why are they appealing to some?  What do you find appealing in them?  What do you find off-putting?Does Christian freedom mean you can do whatever you want?  Are there no consequences for our actions?  How is grace challenging?  What do you feel you need that grace doesn’t provide?  Are there ways that grace make you feel vulnerable (and vulnerable to what)?Why is it important to understand God’s sacrificial generosity to us?  How does this change us?What counts is “faith working through love”. 

Sermon Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott Strickman Sermon Series: Faith, Hope & LoveEphesians 1:15-2:10 (ESV)  15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.Sermon Outline The love of God (2:4) repurposes us for a life devoted to good works (2:10).1.  The foundation for good works2:10  “for we are his workmanship”2:9  “so that no one may boast”2.  The challenge of good works2:1-3 “we all once lived in the passions of our flesh”2:4 “God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love…”1:19-20 “the working of his great might that he worked in Christ”2:10 “created in Christ Jesus” (2:1 “you were dead”, 2:5 “made us alive together with Christ”)3.  The possibility of good works2:8-9 “the gift of God, not a result of works”2:10 “for good works”Prayer of Confession Merciful and loving Father, we need your grace.  We have continually acted in ways that are sinful, and even our best deeds are not pure.  Our good actions often have their roots in pride and a desire for personal gain.  When we have opportunities to do good, we make excuses, do them half-heartedly, or with resentment.  Good works have not been a source of joy.  We have not loved the world as you have graciously and generously loved us.  Thank you for your mercy.  By faith we take hold of your grace, asking for your on-going care and help, through Jesus Christ. Amen.Questions for ReflectionWhy do good?What are some wrong reasons for doing good things?What does the work of God in creation tell us about God?  If you read Genesis 1:1-2:3, what can you learn about God’s character and ways?What are some implications of your being God’s workmanship?Why is it hard to continually do good?  When do you succeed?  When do you fail?How does God’s work of grace to mak

Sermon Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott Strickman Sermon Series: Faith, Hope & Love1 John 2:15-17; 3:11-24 (ESV)  15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 3:11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.Sermon Outline When you love the world rightly (with God’s ‘agape’) then your actions will reveal a charitable disposition.1.  A Corrupted ProcessWhat do you have?  “the world’s goods”What do you see?  “his brother in need”What do you do? “yet closes his heart against him”2. A Productive Processv16 “by this we know love”God’s love (v17) —> he laid down his life for us (v16) —> love in deed and in truth (v18)3. A Process Towards Being Charitablev17 “how does God’s love abide in him?”v16 “we ought to lay down our lives”Prayer of Confession Merciful God, we admit we love as the world loves: out of the desires of our flesh, the desires of our eyes and the pride of life.  Our corrupted love has inspired actions that have served ourselves and harmed others, and inaction where we have closed our hearts towards others.  We have settled for a form of love that requires no sacrifice of us, because we have been content to be takers.  We have your love, however, because Jesus laid down his life for us.  Help us to see and abide in your love, so that our lives conform to the glorious pattern of Christ.   We confess we are a needy people who humbly receive grace, and we long to be a charitable people who show forth your love in deed and in truth.Questions for ReflectionAre you more prone to thinking and reflecting, or acting/doing?  Why?  What advantages are there to how you do things?  What needs growth?What keeps you from being generous?  Are you consistently generous?  Are you sacrificially generous?What kinds of things do people in need do that provokes you to close your heart towards them?  What are your sensitivities?  What do you deeply want and desire?  How do some of your deepest desires set you up to turn against people?  What does it mean to have God’s l

Sermon Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott Strickman Sermon Series: Faith, Hope & Love2 Corinthians 5:11-21 (ESV)  11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.Sermon Outline With the love of Christ controlling us (v14) the evangelistic task of God’s reconciled community is to extend God’s invitation to all.1.  The messagev14-15 “we have concluded that this: that one has died for all… who for their sake died and was raised”v19 “in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespass against them”2.  The messengerv11 “what we are is known to God… known also to your conscience”v12 “those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart”3.  The methodv11 “we persuade others”v20 “making his appeal… we implore you…”4.  The modelv20 “we are ambassadors for Christ”v21 “made him to be sin… so that in him we might become the righteousness of God”5.  The ministryv18 “reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation”Prayer of Confession Merciful and loving Father, thank you for making reconciliation possible.  We recognize it is we who had turned from you.  We are guilty of rebellion, of thinking ourselves a greater power or authority than you, of foolishly believing the cynical and divisive voices that turn us against you and against one another.  We have lived too long in the old way, trying to take life from others so that we could have life.  We are worn down by the brokenness, corruptions and divisions of our world.  Thank you for the offer of forgiveness, and the means with which you have provided it.  Help us to live in the new way, where the life of Jesus given for us grants us a righteousness that was not our own, but is now ours by your grace.  May we live as a new creation, ambassadors for Christ, who died and was raised so that we may no longer live for ourselves, but for him who loved us.  May the love of Christ control us.  Grant us the grace to live as faithful witnesses to you in word and in deed.  Amen.Questions for ReflectionWhat thoughts or feelings does the word “evangelism” produce in you?  What is good or exciting about evangelism?  What bothers you?What does it mean to have the love of Christ control us (2 Cor 5:14)?  What other things control us?  Is it possible to not be controlled by anything?What is the gospel?  What is essential in the message of Christianity?  Wh