IBCD Sermon Weekly

One of the things we take for granted in our time is the idea that Jesus came for the salvation of all people, be they Jew or Gentile. In fact, as the church became more and more dominated by non-Jewish believers, which happened fairly early in the church’s history, we sometimes forget how radical an idea it was that a Jewish Messiah would also be extending hope and salvation to non-Jewish people. In general, this was an idea that neither the Jews or the Gentiles embraced! It is a good thing God sees things differently than we do.

1 Corinthians 12:13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body– whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free– and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 

In the Bible there are several stories which are embarrassing to the character involved. I like that the Bible has kept these potentially embarrassing stories in the scripture because it lends it an air of authenticity. It is the stories told of people who are obviously not perfect still being used by God which gives us the sense that these stories are not only true, but that we could be used by God for good despite ourselves.

Jesus is the exception. Jesus, being the very word of God made flesh, who nature and character is that of God, is in a different category. So, when Jesus seems to step out of the character of wise, kind, and caring to all people – it is uncomfortable.

Matthew 15:25-27 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”  “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”

One of the places people seem to come back to time and time again is finding a way to measure one’s spiritual “rightness”. We have a hard time with simply being righteous and, instead, look for ways to perform righteousness. We attach rituals to faith thinking that it makes it more “real” somehow. Jesus often addressed this with the Pharisees, and we are still challenged with it today. 

Matthew 15:17-18  “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?  But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’

Are you superstitious? What I mean by that is, do you believe there are forces which control your life other than Christ? Forces which you fear or believe are real which are outside a Biblical context? When the disciples see Jesus walking on the water, where do their thoughts immediately go? They go into their superstitious fears and think they are seeing a ghost! Why? How do our superstitions affect our faith?

Matthew 14:28“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

All the stories in 2 Kings chapter 4 are about God’s provision in desperate times. The situations in all the stories are dire, but when God provides a way out, he provides in abundance. Children are set free from slavery by an abundance of oil. A child dies, but out of an abundance of effort by the prophet, he is given life. In a time of famine, that which used to bring death in the form of a poison plant, now gives life and nourishment, and a few loaves of bread are able to feed a hundred men with much left over.

Jesus reflects this in one of the most well known stories in the Bible. Jesus feeding the five thousand.

Matthew 14:19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 

How do you feel about battles? Some think of victory, others of defeat. Some are afraid of battle, while others are excited about something to fight for. We all go through battles and trials in life. In this sermon, Rene shares some battle strategies we can apply, using his missionary work in South Africa as a lens from which we can gain a new perspective. 

2 Samuel 22:31As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him

“Freedom is generally defined as the ability to act or change without constraint. This sounds positive, but like many things can be used to justify a lot of unpleasant/sinful behavior. What does freedom really mean for Christians? How do we experience freedom from bondage or enslavement to sinful behavior? In this sermon, Andre shares some biblical truths for living in the freedom of Christ.”

This is the final part in our series on Judgment, Mercy and Forgiveness. Forgiveness often tends to be the most difficult of these three because it is also often the most personal. Forgiving offenses can be hard sometimes! In this sermon, we will look at some of the reasons why we sometimes find it so hard to forgive, and some practical things we can do to help us along the way. As we gain a better appreciation of how much Christ has forgiven us, the more realize that we have more than a duty, we have the privilege to forgive others.

Matthew 6:14-15For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

This is the second part in our series on Judgment, Mercy & Forgiveness, three areas where Scripture tells us that we only get as much as we give. The Bible teaches us that mercy will be shown only to those who are merciful. But what exactly is mercy, and how can we receive God’s mercy and demonstrate it practically in our everyday lives.

Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

God’s love is unconditional – he loved us even while we were still sinners. But there are 3 areas where are told that we get only as much as we give – judgment, mercy and forgiveness. However, we sometimes act as if these conditions do not apply to us, giving one thing while expecting another in return. Today we examine what the Bible has to say about judgment, both in view of God’s judgment toward us and our judgment of others.

Matthew 7:1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”