First Irving Sermons

Main Idea. Paul's steadfast faith in Christ’s resurrection sustained him during his final defense.

Driving Question. Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ the center of our defense?

1. Because the Risen Christ Completes God’s Promises (4–8)

What’s the promise?

Psalm 16:9-11 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Isaiah 53:10-11 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.

Hosea 6:1-2 Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.

How was the promise fulfilled?

Luke 24:46 Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead.

John 11:25–26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.

John 10:17–18 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.

Heb 2:14–15 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.

Application: Rest in, and report, how the promises of God have been fulfilled.

2. Because the Risen Christ Changes People (9–15)

Application: Share with others how Christ changed you.

3. Because The Risen Christ Commissions His People (16–18)

For what purpose was Paul sent to preach? SO THAT (V18)

1. Illumination. (18)

2. Conversion. (18)

3. A New Government [A face turned from Satan to God]. (18)

4. Forgiveness. (18)

5. A place (a share) among those sanctified by faith in Christ. (18)

Application: Your boldness in proclaiming Christ is rooted in your confidence in the resurrection of the Lord.

4. Because The Risen Christ Cares For All Peoples (19–23)

The Reality of the Resurrection (takeaways).

1. Christ is the personal reality of the gospel (26:15).

2. Christ has the authority over all of history (6–8; 22–23).

3. Christ has granted salvation to both Jews and Gentiles, and he demands repentance (17–18; 20– 23).

4. Christ is the Risen Lord of Glory (12–18; 23).

5. The Risen Christ is ‘The Cause’ For Calling All Men to Repent (24–32)

Application: Call all men to faith and repentance.

Responses.

Repent and turn to God.

Repent and keep with it (20).

Root gospel conversations in Christ’s resurrection.

Relate your personal testimony and Christ’s work in you.

Readily invite people to respond in faith and repentance.

Main Idea. In life’s trials, God’s providential care enables our faithful living and directs our mission.

Driving Question. How can we remain faithful amidst our trials?

1. Remember Christ’s Care (1–5)

2. Reflect Christ’s Character (6–11a)

3. Remain in Christ’s Commission (11b–12)

Responses.

1. Repent and believe.

2. Reconsider your trust in God today.

Takeaways.

3. Religion is dangerous when disconnected from Jesus Christ.

4. Richness of our Union with Jesus Christ.

Main Idea:

Evil plans will not prevail against the providential purposes of the Lord.

1. An Evil Plot to Thwart God’s Plan (vv. 12-15)

2. Divine Providence & His Fatherly Hand (vv. 16-35)

The Heidelberg Catechism - 1563

“Providence is the almighty and ever present power of God by which he upholds, as with his hand, heaven and earth and all creatures, and so rules them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and lean years, food and drink, health and sickness, prosperity and poverty—all things, in fact, come to us not by chance but from his fatherly hand.”

2. Divine Providence & His Fatherly Hand (vv. 16-35)

Providence over ordinary, seemingly random events

Providence carried out through human agency

Response:

1. Repent - you do not live under God’s “Fatherly hand” if you have not been reconciled through Christ.

Jn. 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

2. Resolve

To Trust Completely in the One who upholds your life

To Live Faithfully (obediently). God’s providential work in our lives must never lead us to passivity

To Walk Humbly. God’s providential hand over our lives should make us humble

Main Idea. God’s grace produces a good conscience, firm convictions, and close companionship with Jesus Christ yielding faithful testimony.

Driving Question. What are components of faithful testifying amidst a trial?

We will be diligent to look at three things today to build up our faith in trial.

1. A Clear Conscience Before Christ (22:30–23:5)

Application:

Live in a way that realizes God sees everything (Coram Deo).

Cultivate a clear conscience. But how?

a. Christ's grace cleanses the conscience.

b. Christ’s approval is our aim, not mans.

c. Christ is what we speak all the time.

2. A Commitment to Convictions About Christ (23:6–10)

3. A Close Companionship with Christ (11)

How does Jesus strengthen Paul?

Jesus stands with him.

Jesus points to Paul’s faithful testimony in Jerusalem (11).

Jesus points to Paul's future testimony in Rome (11).

Takeaways. [for faithfully testifying this week]

Delight that Christ stands with you in this life, because he stood for you on the cross.

Examine your conscience and confess any sin to Christ.

Preach Christ and the good news of the empty tomb.

Main Idea. Jesus Christ is able to save the most unlikely person and make him a preacher of good news.

Driving Question. Why does Paul’s defense provide such hope for all peoples?

1. Because Jesus Saves Persecutors (vv. 1–11)

2. Because Jesus Sends Preachers (vv. 12–21)

Ananias (12–16)

Paul, himself (17–21)

Responses:

Repent and turn to the righteousness of Christ.

Rejoice because, if Jesus can transform Paul, he can transform anyone.

Reflect on your own conversion tonight and see if you can remember who you were apart from Jesus Christ.

Main Idea. Willing submission to Jesus Christ.

Driving Question. What does a life submitted to Jesus Christ look like?

1. Paul's Humble Submission (Acts 21:17-26)

Three Applications From Paul’s Humble Submission:

i. Testify to God’s work in our lives.

ii. Consider others Spiritual well-being.Phil 2:4

iii. Lay down liberties for unity and discipleship. 1 Cor 9:19, Romans 14:1 13

2. The Jewish Mob's Hostile Reaction (Acts 21:27-36)

Takeaways.:

1. Submission to Jesus Christ considering the needs of others (1 Cor 9:19–23; Rom 14:13–19).

2. Submission to Jesus Christ often invites hardships (2 Tim 3:12).

Main Idea. Following and obeying Jesus Christ is costly.

The cost of following Jesus. Luke 14: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’

Driving Question. What are costly challenges in being obedient to Jesus Christ?

Three challenges we face.

1. Persuasion of Friends (1–6)

2. Warnings of Suffering (7–12)

The Prophetic Word tells us the same.

Acts 14:22: “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God”

2 Tim 3:12: “All that live a godly life in Jesus Christ will suffer persecution”

Jn 16:33: I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

3. Submission of Our Wills (13–14)

Matt 16:24–26 If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

Responses.

The name of Jesus Christ is worth giving your life for.

The Church is to spur obedience, not squash it.

Main Idea. Through his own blood, Christ purchased the Church, and he cares for the Church by providing elders who must be faithful and vigilant in their oversight.

Driving Question. What does the church need from her leaders? (let's consider 5 things)

1. The Church Needs Humble Elders (19)

2. The Church Needs Scripture-Centered Elders (20–27)

1. Notice the verbs: declare (20, 27), teach (20), testify (21, 24, 26), proclaiming (25).

2. And what did Paul declare, teach, proclaim, and testify to?

Anything profitable (20)

Repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ (21)

The gospel and the grace of God (24)

The kingdom (25)

The whole counsel of God (27)

What can we learn from Paul and his ministry of the word?

He drew near to minister the word (20).

He taught the gospel (21).

He treasured Christ more than his life (24).

His conscience was clear (25–27).

3. The Church Needs Careful Elders (28–31)

1. We are to pay attention to ourselves (28).

2. We must pay attention to the whole flock (28).

There are two places of threats.

Outside the flock (29)

Inside the flock (30).

4. The Church Needs Confident Elders (32)

5. The Church Needs Considerate Elders (33–38)

Responses.

Would you pray for your elders daily?

Would you trust the Lord in his provision for this Church?

Main Point: The ministry of the Gospel is supported and advanced by the ministry of encouragement.

1. Encouragement from the Church (v.1-6)

a. In Distress (v.1)

b. In Ministry (v.2-3)

Different examples of how the church encouraged one another.

The church encouraged one another in hope (Rom 15:4)

The church encouraged one another in unity of faith and love (Rom 15:5, Col 2:2)

The church encouraged one another in joy (Rom 15:31)

The church encouraged one another towards fruitfulness and perseverance (Heb 10:24-25)

The church encouraged one another towards faithfulness (I Thess. 2:12)

The church encouraged one another in anticipating the return of Christ (I Thess 4:8)

c. Through Support (v.3b-5)

Encouragement for the Church. (v.7-12)

a. Through the preaching of God’s Word (v.7)

b. Through the Gospel and the ordinances (v.8-12)

Application and Takeaways

Pray and Encourage

Grow and Encourage

Come and Be Encouraged

Planting Ekklesia

Matthew 28:16–20

Authorized by the King:

Ekklesia Commissioning Service

Today’s text unpacks and answers the question: Why do we want to plant churches?

Big Idea: Based on Christ's all encompassing authority and the promise of his presence, he commissions his followers to make disciples of all nations.

1. Because a Glorious Announcement Has Been Made (18)

2. Because a Great Assignment Has Been Given (19–20a)

3. Because a Guaranteed Assurance Has Been Promised (20)

Takeaways.

Christ has all authority.

Christ has commanded us to make disciples by going, baptizing, and teaching.

Christ has promised to be with us.

Personal Words to Ekklesia (As you Go)

Be reminded that Jesus Christ is worthy of all praise

Be convinced of the gospel of Jesus Christ as the only truth

Be courageous knowing that Christ is with you

Be eager to grow in your obedience to whatever Christ has commanded

Be diligent in your discipleship of one another

Be humble and desire to be discipled into someone more mature in the faith

Be intentional to reach the nations in this community

Be prayerful as you rely upon God for everything

Be ready for something extraordinary because God is doing a new thing

Personal Words to Moises and to the Elders (the Shepherds).

Keep preaching the whole counsel of God

Keep administering the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s supper

Keep sending churches out from you

Keep being a faithful example to the flock

Keep watch on yourself and the doctrine

Personal Words to FBC Irving (the Senders).

Rejoice for we are participating in a good work.

Embrace this model of ministry.

Abide in Jesus and his authority in the days ahead.

Devote yourselves to one another.