Radiant Church Weekend Sermon

In this special sermon from Tom Lane (Radiant Apostolic Overseer and Pastor at Gateway Church), learn about the Father’s true heart toward us.

Focus Scripture // Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV)

“Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

Sermon Highlights

God is our Father

He is loving - John 3:16
He is caring - I Peter 5:7
He is committed - Hebrews 14:5
He is focused - Romans 8:35
He is engaged - Hebrews 12:5–6
He is Approachable - Psalm 138:3
He is Gracious - Psalm 86:5
He is good - Jeremiah 29:11
He is a disciplinarian - Hebrews 12:6
He is generous - Psalm 84:11
He is approachable – Psalm 138:3

We are born again with the nature of our Father

We are God’s Image bearer to the World

Understand that your family model has some flaws that may have impacted you

Reflect God to your children

Fathers reflect God’s Image to their children

Allow God’s nature to be seen in your responses

God’s motive for any response toward us is always loving care for our good

It is our purpose to:

To influence as many people as we can for God and His
Kingdom

To fulfill our marriage vows for a lifetime

To discover, embrace, and fulfill God’s will for our lives

To provide for our families and enjoy the abundance that God liberally
supplies while living a life of generosity

To serve God and people through active involvement in a local
congregation of Christ centered believers

God leads and directs the events of our life

God establishes and works through the authority in my life

God is interested in my concerns and speaks to me about them

In our series, PREEMINENT: Hope For A Confused World From Colossians, we'll uncover how we should see, feel, and think about Jesus.

Paul's letter to the Colossians boldly declares how we should see, feel, and think about Jesus. Jesus is supreme over all! Existence itself was created by Him and for Him. Who He is and what He has done liberates us to live every day by His power and in His presence.

In Part Five of this series, we welcome Lee Cummings back as he uncovers truth about our old self in comparison to our new self.

Focus Scripture // Colossians 1:21-23 (ESV)

“And you, who were once alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul became a minister.”

Sermon Highlights

RECONCILE = to leave one state behind in order to reestablish a relationship that has been broken or severed

1. THE OLD YOU

Alienated = Estranged
no connection any longer to the life of God

Hostile in Mind = Hatred
a disposition to fight against something

Doing Evil Deeds = Behavior that is morally corrupt, wicked and deserving of God’s judgment

2. THE NEW YOU

Holy = Set apart by God for God’s will and purpose

Blameless = Without defect or imperfection. No spots

Above Reproach = Guiltless
without dispute, legally innocent, no standing charges against you

3. Continuing In The Faith

Stable = foundation or “stones” a house is built upon

Steadfast = “settled” or “seated” in an unwavering way

Not Shifting = Moving from one place of “rest”

In our series, PREEMINENT: Hope For A Confused World From Colossians, we'll uncover how we should see, feel, and think about Jesus.

Paul's letter to the Colossians boldly declares how we should see, feel, and think about Jesus. Jesus is supreme over all! Existence itself was created by Him and for Him. Who He is and what He has done liberates us to live every day by His power and in His presence.

In Part Four of this series, special guest speaker David Perkins unpacks who Jesus really is: God, Creator, Center, Head of the Church, and Preeminent one.

Focus Scripture // Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV)

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”


Sermon Highlights

Who Jesus Is:
 
1. Jesus is God


When we look at Jesus, we know what the Father is like


Mercy, Power, Supremacy, Authority, Compassion


The right view of God will cause you to DRAW NEAR


The wrong view of God will cause you to DRAW BACK


Our love for God can’t outrun our view of Him


2. Jesus Is The Creator


We worship because we were made by Him and for Him


The Creator made you for Himself and He’s worthy of our worship no matter our feelings


And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together


3. Jesus Is The Center
 

4. Jesus Is The Head Of The Church
 
5. Jesus Is Preeminent


Jesus is not the best in a list of good options…He is the only option


The war of the ages is who you will worship

In our series, PREEMINENT: Hope For A Confused World From Colossians, we'll uncover how we should see, feel, and think about Jesus.

Paul's letter to the Colossians boldly declares how we should see, feel, and think about Jesus. Jesus is supreme over all! Existence itself was created by Him and for Him. Who He is and what He has done liberates us to live every day by His power and in His presence.

In Week Two of this series, Jon Zondervan identifies the differences between worldly hope and biblical hope, while encouraging us to remain steadfast in the gospel.

Focus Scripture // Colossians 1:1-8 (ESV)

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.”

Sermon Highlights

Faith in Jesus = Love for people

Faith and love spring up from hope

Worldly hope = wishful thinking

Biblical hope = confident expectation of what is to come 

What are Christians hopeful about?

Salvation
Righteousness
Resurrection
A new Kingdom

Hope frees us to love others

The gospel is true and all truth is in Jesus

The gospel is global

PREEMINENT: Hope For A Confused World From Colossians

"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." - A.W. Tozer 

Paul's letter to the Colossians boldly declares how we should see, feel, and think about Jesus. Jesus is supreme over all! Existence itself was created by Him and for Him. Who He is and what He has done liberates us to live every day by His power and in His presence.

Focus Scripture // Colossians 1:1-20 (ESV)

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”

Sermon Highlights

Paul is writing to encourage this young church living in very confusing times – to keep their hope centered on Christ alone

Paul begins by recognizing and defining three distinct identities:

“Apostle” = one who is sent as an emissary of Christ Jesus

“Saints” = the positional identity of believers in Christ

“Faithful brothers” = the behavioral identity of believers in Colossae

Our public witness in our city must reflect our devotion to Christ in our hearts (beliefs/convictions)

We must be people that embody faith, hope, and love

We exist to lead people to become Radiant Disciples. All of us have a responsibility to pass on the faith to the next generation. In this sermon, Student Zach Dillon shares that student ministry needs to become a discipleship machine, not an attractional event – and it all starts in the family.

Focus Scriptures

MATTHEW 22:34-38 (ESV)
“But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment.”

DEUTERONOMY 6:4-9 (ESV)
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Sermon Highlights

We exist to lead people to become Radiant Disciples

God entrusted the greatest commandment to parents and the family


God ordained the HOME to be A source of Authority for Godly Truth and Righteousness. The DNA for Revival isn’t just found in a Pastor - it’s found in a Parent

The Great Commission is NOT the Great Suggestion

We are called to make Disciples in the post-Christian landscape of Gen Z

The Church needs to return to its multigenerational mission

All of us have a responsibility to pass on the Faith to the Next Generation

Student Ministry needs to become a discipleship machine, not an attractional event

Our Families need to become alters of prayer and discipleship

“We deeply want a revival of domestic religion... The Christian family was the bulwark of godliness in the days of the Puritans, but in these evil times hundreds of families of so-called Christians have no family worship, no restraint upon growing sons, and no wholesome
instruction or discipline. How can we hope to see the Kingdom of our Lord advance when his own disciples do not teach his gospel to their own sons and daughters?
- Charles Spurgeon

Set everyday rhythms of prayer, worship, and spiritual formation

Invest intentional time to build relationship & trust that foster meaningful conversation

Develop a culture of hospitality and mission that rejects apathy and self-focused religion

In this sermon from Lee Cummings, we uncover the significance of water baptisms for every believer! When we go down in the water, we are responding to obedience to what Jesus called us to do. He doesn’t want to be an add-on accessory to your current identity—He wants to be EVERYTHING, ALL THINGS, and the ONLY THING.

Sermon Highlights

Water Baptisms are SIGNIFICANT for every believer

When we go down in the water, we are responding to obedience to what Jesus called us to do

He doesn’t want to be an add-on accessory to your current identity—He wants to be EVERYTHING, ALL THINGS, and the ONLY THING

Water Baptisms are our first act of obedience as a disciple

Water Baptisms are our burial of old identities and allegiances

Water Baptisms are our uprising against sin, death, and the devil – in newness of life

In this special Easter sermon from Lee Cummings, we unpack the story of Jesus' resurrection and learn about who He really is.

Focus Scripture // John 20:1-19 (ESV)

"Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

Sermon Highlights

Don’t mistake Jesus for someone He isn’t.

When Mary first saw Jesus after He had risen, she did not recognize Him. It took one word, one moment, and Mary knew who she was talking to.

Jesus was on earth to do the will of His father.

Jesus appeared to 500 people at one time after he rose from the dead.

Jesus is more than a man - He’s the Son of God.

He took on human flesh to show us who God was.

Jesus is the only way.

Jesus is more than an influencer - He’s our savior.

Welcome to our Good Friday service at Radiant Church as we remember the ultimate sacrifice that was made on the cross.

At the end of Pastor Jon's sermon, we take communion together. We invite you to gather the elements so you can participate with us from home.

Focus Scripture // Matthew 26:36-46 (ESV)

“Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

Sermon Highlights

THE WEIGHT OF THE CROSS

THE OBEDIENCE OF THE CROSS

THE VICTORY OF THE CROSS

Matthew 27:45-51 (ESV)
“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. 51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.”

In this stand-alone sermon from Lee Cummings titled "The Sword and The Trowel", we dive into Nehemiah 4 and dig into the tactics of the enemy and our response to serve and glorify God.

Focus Scripture

Nehemiah 4:1-20 (ESV)
“Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. 2 And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?” 3 Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!” 4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised.Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. 5 Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders.

6 So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. 7 But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. 8 And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. 9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.

10 In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” 11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” 12 At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.” 13 So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”

Sermon Highlights

WEAPONS OF THE ENEMY:
A. DISCOURAGEMENT AND DOUBT
B. CONFUSION AND DISUNITY
C. DISTRACTION AND IGNORANCE
D. FEAR

GOD’S SOLUTION: REMEMBER

SWORD = SPIRITUAL SOLUTION (THE WORD OF GOD)
A. STUDY THE WORD
B. BELIEVE THE WORD
C. PRAY THE WORD
D. PREACH THE WORD

TROWEL = PRACTICAL WORK

A. SERVE THE VISION (TEAM RADIANT)
B. UNIFY TOGETHER (GROUPS)
C. GIVE TO THE VISION
D. PRAY (AT THE RADIANT CITY CENTER)
E. COME TO CHURCH