Radiant Church Weekend Sermon

Jesus wins, and because of that, we win! In this stand-alone sermon from Tim Matthews, we dive into how Jesus defeated the enemy and how we can remember all He did for us during this Christmas season.

Focus Scripture // Matthew 1:18 (ESV)
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.”

Sermon Highlights

Christmas is about love, joy, and peace.


He came from heaven and His children should have joy knowing that He, Jesus, will destroy the devil’s works, crush Satan under our feet and have peace knowing that the day is coming when the devil, death, and hades will be thrown into the lake of fire.


Christmas is a missional moment.


Let’s remind ourselves of how God accomplished this mission for our good and His glory.

If you ever wonder or question if God is still in control when confronted with the evil of this world, remember Jesus wins.

The devil did not the control the death of Jesus. 

The devil could not stop the resurrection of Jesus.

The devil is now defeated and will be obliterated by Jesus.

Jesus wins so much so that even demons tremble in His presence and obeys His commands because they know they are no match for the One who was promised.
 

Jesus wins in every way, at all times, for all time, and has never once bowed the knee to Satan.
 

Jesus on his “worst day” is stronger than Satan on his best day.
 

JESUS WINS and because of that, WE WIN.

God is shaking us up so that He can send us out – but it all starts with us resetting our hearts. Press in to Part Two of this brand new sermon from Lee Cummings about the reset that must take place as we seek after the Lord.

Focus Scripture // Hosea 10:12-13 (ESV)

“Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. You have plowed iniquity; you have reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your own way”

Sermon Highlights

We determine who presses the “reset” on our lives.

It’s time to seek the Lord.

God is calling the Church to evaluate and ready ourselves for a “Divine
Reset”

We need a reset from doing things our way.
Sowing the seed today will not reap a harvest today. You won’t see the results from what you reap until a long while from now.

There is no expiration date on the Word of God.

We were saved by an imperishable seed.

We’ve become too familiar and indifferent to who Jesus is and what He has done.
You were created for multiplication.
God’s ability to keep you is so much stronger than your ability to run from Him.

We must reset our priorities.

We must deepen our root system.

We must plow up competing loyalties.

We must reset our expectations.

God is shaking us up so that He can send us out – but it all starts with us resetting our hearts. Press in to this brand new sermon from Lee Cummings about the reset that must take place as we seek after the Lord.

Focus Scripture // Acts 11:19-26 (ESV)

“Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”

Sermon Highlights

The pressure of persecution and difficulty upon the Church gathered, caused
Christians to begin taking the gospel into new frontiers, engaging in the Great Commission.

What the enemy meant to destroy actually served to deploy.

We are not going backwards – God is calling us upward and onward.

We determine who presses the “reset” on our lives.

It’s time to seek the Lord.

God is calling the Church to evaluate and ready ourselves for a “Divine
Reset”

We must reset our priorities.

We must deepen our root system.

We must plow up competing loyalties.

We must reset our expectations.

In this stand-alone sermon from Jon Zondervan, we learn about the parable of the prodigal son and what it takes to get the Father’s heart.

Focus Scripture // Luke 15:11-32 (ESV)

“11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

Sermon Highlights

The spirit of this age is not as strong as the spirit of our God.

The Pharisees did not have a heart of Jesus for people.

Jesus was a friend of sinners.

There’s 8 billion people in the world. The Father’s heart breaks if even 1 doesn’t know Him.

Can you bless people who persecute you?

How do you see people who are far away from God?

The pleasure of sin is fleeing.

Sin is like a misleading movie trailer.

How do we pray for prodigals?

1. Pray that when they experience famine, they’ll remember there is food back at Father’s house.

2. Pray that they will have a moment where they come to themselves.

3. Pray about what part you play in pointing them back to the Father.

Today as we look across the landscape of Western culture, is it possible that we have an incomplete view of what it means to truly “follow Jesus?” DISCIPLE will define and distinguish the difference what it means to be a disciple of Jesus vs. a casual Christian and help each of us find the road forward as a disciple.

In the final week of DISCIPLE, Lee Cummings speaks on how we, as followers of Jesus, are a representative of Jesus’ kingdom and are the hands and feet of Jesus.

Focus Scripture // Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Sermon Highlights

“All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.”
Ephesians 1:20-23 (MSG)

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV)

"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,"
Ephesians 4:15 (ESV)

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)

Today as we look across the landscape of Western culture, is it possible that we have an incomplete view of what it means to truly “follow Jesus?” DISCIPLE will define and distinguish the difference what it means to be a disciple of Jesus vs. a casual Christian and help each of us find the road forward as a disciple.

In Week 8 of DISCIPLE, Lee Cummings delivers a timely sermon sharing the important things we must remember surrounding the election. We must never forget what our mission is here on earth.

Focus Scripture // Isaiah 6:1-13 (ESV)

“In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”
4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”
8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” 9 And he said, “Go, and say to this people:
“Keep on hearing, but do not understand;
keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’
10 Make the heart of this people dull,
and their ears heavy,
and blind their eyes;
lest they see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears,
and understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed.”
11 Then I said, “How long, O Lord?”
And he said:
“Until cities lie waste
without inhabitant,
and houses without people,
and the land is a desolate waste,
12 and the Lord removes people far away,
and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land.
13 And though a tenth remain in it,
it will be burned again,
like a terebinth or an oak,
whose stump remains
when it is felled.”
The holy seed is its stump.”

Sermon Highlights

This era is strikingly similar to the time of Isaiah.

No matter what happens in the election, we must remember:

1. Who is on the throne
2. What our unity is built around
3. How broken this world’s system is
4. What our mission is

Jesus came to unite us.

Our job is to declare the nearness of the kingdom of God.

Jesus didn’t die to win 270 people, He came for 8 billion.

We must FIGHT for unity in Christ.

If we come through this election cycle bitter, divided, gloating, offended, or angry – it will show that our truest allegiance is to the politics of man and not the politics of Jesus.

But, if we can forgive, believe the best, pray for and with one another, unite around Jesus, speak grace, demonstrate faith, and work side by side – we can point the world to Jesus and show them our king high and lifted up.

Today as we look across the landscape of Western culture, is it possible that we have an incomplete view of what it means to truly “follow Jesus?” DISCIPLE will define and distinguish the difference what it means to be a disciple of Jesus vs. a casual Christian and help each of us find the road forward as a disciple.

In Week 7 of DISCIPLE, Lee Cummings teaches from John and discusses the importance of following the Lord over the things of this earth.

Focus Scripture // John 10:22-30 (ESV)

"At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

Today as we look across the landscape of Western culture, is it possible that we have an incomplete view of what it means to truly “follow Jesus?” DISCIPLE will define and distinguish the difference what it means to be a disciple of Jesus vs. a casual Christian and help each of us find the road forward as a disciple.

In Week 6 of DISCIPLE, Jon Zondervan speaks from Luke about the prayer life of Jesus and what stood out about Him to everyone he was around.

Focus Scripture // Luke 11:1-13 (ESV)

“Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”  2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread,
4 and forgive us our sins,
    for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”

5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Sermon Highlights

A disciple is someone who finds, follows, and is becoming fully formed to be like Jesus.

3 things we learn about prayer from this passage:

Something stood out about the prayer life of Jesus.

The disciples weren’t afraid to ask questions.

Jesus loves that you’re asking the question.

Today as we look across the landscape of Western culture, is it possible that we have an incomplete view of what it means to truly “follow Jesus?” DISCIPLE will define and distinguish the difference what it means to be a disciple of Jesus vs. a casual Christian and help each of us find the road forward as a disciple.

In Week 5 of DISCIPLE, Pastor Lee speaks from John 3 and reveals to us transformation that will occur in our lives when we center our lives around God’s presence and word.

Focus Scripture // John 3:3, 5-6 (ESV)

“Jesus answered him, “truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
“Jesus answered, “truly truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Sermon Highlights

A disciple is someone who finds, follows, and is becoming fully formed to be like Jesus.

We find Jesus in our salvation experience.

We follow Jesus in our daily direction.

It’s not your intention, but your determination that dictates your direction.

Give Him your “yes” every single day.

We are formed to be like Jesus – by aligning our habits with our hope – which transforms our inner man.

Spirit formation is the collision at the intersection of us practicing God’s presence and God’s spirit changing us.

Doing this isn’t the result of working harder, sin management techniques, or self-willed/self-help programs. It’s the humbling of ourselves daily and yielding to God our perspectives,
practices, passions, and pursuits.

Centering our lives in God’s presence and God’s word becomes the foundation for all transformation.

Today as we look across the landscape of Western culture, is it possible that we have an incomplete view of what it means to truly "follow Jesus?" DISCIPLE will define and distinguish the difference what it means to be a disciple of Jesus vs. a casual Christian and help each of us find the road forward as a disciple.

In Week 4 of DISCIPLE, Lee Cummings speaks from John 14 and uncovers the ways God designed us to follow Him.

Focus Scripture // John 14:1-6 (ESV)

"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.""

Sermon Highlights

When it comes to finding the way to live your life, there is only one way.

Jesus said, "I am the way."

The earliest description of Christians was actually "followers of the way."

Jesus Identified TWO WAYS of living life:

The Wide Way = the way of this world, the way in which everyone naturally goes.

The Narrow Way = The countercultural way of living that only Jesus can show
you.

Jesus Is the Way In, and the Way On.

He's the way of our salvation.

He’s the way on, in our spiritual transformation.

Before you took your first breath, Jesus wrote the story of your life.

He wants to work on you from the inside out.

When we pray, our Father hears us.

The goal of following Jesus is to become more like Him.