Longview Heights Sermons

- Questions about rankings of commands

- Love God and love your neighbor

- Value of these commands

God’s call to obedience of His people is one seen throughout all of Scripture.

Challenging Authority Part 2

Mark 12:13-27

March 5, 2023

On Taxation

·      Assumption: Caesar rules the secular, God rules the religious

·      Reality: God’s rule is sovereign over all

·      Encouragements:

o   Submit to government as long as you can

o   Surrender to God as long as you are alive

On the Resurrection

·      Assumption: Life in heaven continues as it is on earth, with a little more splendor

·      Reality: Heaven remains a mystery known fully only to God

·      Encouragements:

o   Heaven remains a promise of perfect fellowship

o   Heaven is based on God’s covenantal commitment to us

God’s covenantal love towards me, secured by Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross, gives me hope for eternity and enables me to serve Him fully in my daily life.

Sermon

Title:                Love the Church!

Text:                1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

The church isn’t:

·      A holy shrine

·      A spectator sport for a superstar personality

·      An avenue for experiential spirituality

·      A club for holy people

The church is a new community that is:

·      United together by the Gospel (2:17-20)

·      Challenged under many afflictions (3:1-4)

·      Strengthened by faith in Christ alone (3:5)

·      Standing firm in the victory of Christ (3:6-8)

·      Bound by love for one another (3:9-13)

The Bible unapologetically calls each follower of Jesus to be lovingly and fully committed to the local body 

Challenging Authority

February 26, 2023

Rejection of authority 

· To reject the authority of Jesus is to promote my own control

Rejection of repentance 

· To reject the need for repentance is to promote my own righteousness

Rejection of purpose 

· To reject the sacrifice of Jesus is to reject God’s redemptive purposes

· God is patient with sinners

· God is persistent with sinners

· God is purposeful despite sinners 

As the cornerstone, Jesus has sovereign authority over my life, fulfills Scripture, and is the culmination of God’s redemptive purposes

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

· When Scripture tells us that Jesus has authority, what does He have authority over? 

· Why is it difficult to give up authority and control in our own lives?

· The religious leaders didn’t see their need for repentance. Why is the need for repentance a daily element in the Christian life?

· In this parable, we see God’s patience and persistence in salvation. How have you seen God’s patience and persistence in your life?

· What does it mean that Jesus is referred to as a cornerstone?  

February 22, 2023

Wednesday Evening Bible Study

Title:                The Word that Speaks

Text:                1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 (also Hebrews 1:1-3, 2 Peter 1:16-21)

The Word of God must be proclaimed (preached)

·      Central theme of God’s revelation is Jesus

·      Revelation – God’s word to biblical authors

·      Inspiration – God’s word from the biblical authors to the written page

·      Illumination – God’s word from the written page applied to my world

The Word of God demands a response

·      Rejection of the Word leads to judgment

·      Acceptance of the Word leads to union with Christ

The Word of God shapes my worldview

·      Suffering takes on a new meaning

·      My affections take on a new focus – Christ 

Cherish the Bible deeply. Study the Bible faithfully. Conform to the Bible completely

February 15, 2023

Wednesday Evening Bible Study

Title:                Avoiding a Vain Ministry

Text:                1 Thessalonians 2:1-20

When the gospel flourishes… 

·      There is boldness in the midst of adversity

·      There are pure motives in ministry

·      There is freedom from the love of human acceptance

·      Gentleness among the body is evident

·      There is a sharing of souls

·      The word of God is the transforming work

True Gospel ministry flourishes under the bold proclamation of God’s Word, transforming affections of the body of Christ to live intentionally with one another and among unbelievers.

· Jesus curses the fig tree for having the appearance of fruit,

but lacking true substance

· Jesus condemns the temple for having the appearance of worship,

but lacking devotion to the purposes of God 

· Jesus compares the fig tree and the temple for having the appearance of faith,

but lacking in complete dependence on God 

Jesus desires worship that springs from a heart changed by Him,                                                                          devoted to His purposes, and depends on Him for everything.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

No discussion questions this week. Spend time with your family praying for our church and the Senior Pastor candidate that will be with us next weekend.

February 8, 2023

Wednesday Evening Bible Study

Title:                A Gospel that Works

Text:                1 Thessalonians 1:2-10

Genuine conversion begins with the Gospel (1:4-6, 9-10)

·      The gospel reveals my idols

·      The gospel satisfies my heart

Genuine discipleship endures because of the Gospel (1:2-3, 8-9)

·      Thankfulness for the church

·      Faith that works

·      Love that labors

·      Confidence that endures

·      Growth that was evident

A Declaration of Kingship

Mark 11:1-11

February 5, 2023

Jesus is the…

• Intentional King who has all knowledge and is all sovereign 

• Prophesied King who is fulfilling Scripture 

• Peaceful King who is coming humbly 

• Sacrificial King who will lay His life down

• Global King who rules over all nations

• Coming King who will come again in full power 

• Personal King who beckons me to respond

Jesus declares His Kingship by coming the first time in humility and sacrifice; He will come again as exalted King to reign in complete power and authority.

Love God, Love People

II Timothy 2:8-10

January 29, 2023

Paul reminded Timothy to: 

·      Remember his Lord

Remember that Jesus is: 

·      The conquering One

·      The prophesied One

·      The preached One

Remember people