IBCD Sermon Weekly

When I read this passage while preparing to write this sermon, I was struck by the phrase, "Remember those earlier days after you had received the light…"

I remember those days. I remember when I didn’t care at all how I lived, as long as I was living for Jesus. Remembering those early days can sometimes help us get through the difficult days.

For the last two weeks, as we have been going through Hebrews chapter 10, we have been looking at the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

We have looked at the supremacy of Christ’s sacrifice which means no other sacrifice for sin is necessary, and last week we have looked at how this sacrifice affects the person who has “faith” in the sacrifice (the Cross) of Christ.

Today we are going to be looking at how we express this in our day-to-day lives.

Hebrews 10:24-25 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

As we have been journeying through the book of Hebrews, last week we looked at the supremacy of Jesus’ sacrifice and saw that the reason there is no need for continuing sacrifice to take place is because the sacrifice of Christ was for the forgiveness of sin, once and for all, and there was no need for repeated sacrifice to be made.

This week we are going to be looking at the effect of that sacrifice in the lives of those who place their faith and hope in Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 10:14 Because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Many Christians start their journey with Jesus by reading the New Testament. This is great, but it can leave some questions about the need for Jesus’ sacrifice and what it means in the bigger picture. In the passage we are looking at today, the sacrifice of Jesus is compared to the sacrifice in the Old Testament.

Hebrews 10:1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming-- not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.

"We dream of being a Christ-Centered, life transforming church where people of all nations and generations feel like they belong and are joyfully engaged in Kingdom work."

In the past two weeks, we looked at what we mean by being a “Christ-Centered church” and a “Life transforming church”. This week we want to focus on for whom (people of all nations and generations) and why (kingdom work) the church exists.

Ephesians 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.

"We dream of being a Christ-Centered, life transforming church where people of all nations and generations feel like they belong and are joyfully engaged in Kingdom work."

Last week we looked at what we mean by being a “Christ-Centered church” and this week we are going to look at the phrase “Life transforming church” and put some understanding and context around this so that we can live out the vision as individuals and together as a church community.

John 3:6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

As we head into the New Year we are going to walk through our vision statement:

"We dream of being a Christ-Centered, life transforming church where people of all nations and generations feel like they belong and are joyfully engaged in Kingdom work."

Today we are going to look at what it means to be a Christ-Centered Church.

Matthew 7:18-20 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Sometimes it feels like we go through spiritual ups and downs. It is really easy to get discouraged with these cycles, be they personal cycles or national cycles but while God sometimes has to discipline his people, he does not give up on them. In the book of Isaiah, there is a chapter which the author gives a pep talk to a downtrodden nation and in the process gives some good advice for all of us to follow, particularly in our spiritual walk, but also life in general.

Isaiah 52:12 But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.

Sunday Sermon by Christopher Uchegbuo

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Happiness is the ultimate goal of most people. The Bible often tells us to rejoice. But is joy and happiness the same? And how can we actively pursue it, is it not connected to external circumstances? And what does Jesus' birth have to do with all of that? Let us find out together what the Bible tells us about all of that.

Luke 2:10

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people..."