Redeemer Weekend Sermons

Centrality of the Word of God
A Firm Foundation • September 4, 2022
Teacher: Adam Barnett

--

Evangelical Covenant Church

We covenant with each other by cultivating communities of worship committed to prayer, preaching, and study of the word, celebrating the sacraments, and building relationships across gender, ethnicity, age, culture, and socioeconomic status. We equip loving, giving, growing Christians to reach out with the good news of Jesus Christ – evangelizing the lost, ministering to those in need, and seeking justice for the oppressed.

1. Start and Strengthen Churches
2. Develop Leaders
3. Make and Deepen Disciples
4. Love Mercy, Do Justice
5. And Serve Globally

1. We affirm the centrality of the word of God.
2. We affirm the necessity of new birth.
3. We affirm a commitment to the whole mission of the church.
4. We affirm the church as a fellowship of believers.
5. We affirm a conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit.
6. We affirm the reality of freedom in Christ.

We affirm the centrality of the word of God.

We confess that the Holy Scriptures, the Old and New Testament, is the word of God and the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct.

1. The Old Testament is the foundation of the New Testament.

2. Scripture is the perfect foundation for faith.

Phillip Spener

“Thought should be given to a more extensive use of the word of God. We know that by nature, we have no good in us. If there is to be any good in us, it must be brought about by God. To this end, the word of God is the powerful means since faith must be awakened through the gospel. Therefore, the more at home the word of God is among us, the more we shall bring about faith and its fruits.”

3. Scripture is the perfect foundation for doctrine.

4. Scripture is the perfect foundation for conduct.

If we are not shaped by the word, we are shaped by the world.

Scripture is a complete document to awaken faith, form theology, and guide behavior.

Donald C. Frisk

“If we are to be trustworthy, we dare not tame the message, tone it down, or domesticate it. We dare not accommodate it to the spirit of the age or make it acceptable by blunting its cutting edge. Whenever we are lured into proclaiming a comfortable and thereby innocuous Gospel, our sin is visited on the generations to come.”

Romans
Romans • August 28, 2022
Teacher: Dave Brown

--

Romans 16:17-19 NIV

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

John 17:20 NIV

“My prayer is not for them alone.  I pray also for those who will believe in my through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.”

What unites us?

Contemporary culture cannot unite us

John 17:16 NIV

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

1. Comfort
2. Control or Security
3. Money
4. Approval
5. Success
6. Social Approval
7. Political Power
8. Sex and Romantic Love

Selfishness destroys unity

Our conscience cannot unite us

Romans 12:2 NIV

Do not be conformed to the patter of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Genesis 3:5 NIV

For God knows that when you eat from ]the forbidden fruit] your eyes will be open, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.

What can unite us?

1. Submission to Christ
2. The power of the Holy Spirit
3. Actions defined by Scripture

Real Love
Romans • August 21, 2022
Teacher: Adam Barnett

--

To be a living sacrifice isn’t just getting on the altar but staying there.

How is our God-time in comparison with our Screen-time?

Romans 12:9-21 NIV

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

1. Paul was concerned about the interaction between believers and the non-believing society.
2. Paul was concerned about the strife within the Roman church itself.

1. Love others and mean it (v. 9).
2. Be devoted to others (v. 10).
3. Show honor through humility (v. 10).
4. Sustain spiritual passion (v. 11).
5. Bless those who hurt you (v. 14).
εὐλογέω = to speak well of.
6. Live in harmony (v. 16).
7. Don't get even (vv. 17-21).

Deuteronomy 32:35 NIV

“It is mine to avenge; I will repay.”

Love others and mean it. Be devoted to others. Show honor through humility. Sustain spiritual passion. Bless those who hurt you. Live in harmony. Don’t get even.

Living Sacrifices
Romans • August 14, 2022
Teacher: Adam Barnett

--

Romans 12:1 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Oswald Chambers

“We have the idea that we can dedicate our gifts to God. However, you cannot dedicate what is not yours. There is actually only one thing you can dedicate to God, and that is your right to yourself. If you give God your right to yourself, He will make a holy experiment out of you — and His experiments always succeed.”

To be a living sacrifice isn’t just getting on the altar but staying there.

Romans 12:2 NIV

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

“Do not be conformed to this age.”

1. Comfort
2. Control
3. Money
4. Approval
5. Success

Scott McConnell

“It’s easy to think that those in Christian churches have chosen their God and are faithful to Him. However, pastors quickly acknowledge how divided their congregations’ allegiances can be. These gods don’t have a physical shrine, but they compete for the hearts of Christians.”

Brennan Manning

“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians: who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”

Philippians 4:8 NIV

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Ingrafted Branches
Romans • August 7, 2022
Teacher: Dave Brown

--

Romans 11:17-24, 30-32 NIV

If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!

Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

1. Grace
2. Justice
3. Kindness
4. Mission

Romans 11:17 NIV

You…have been grafted in…and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive tree.”

1. Grace

J.I. Packer

The grace of God is love freely shown towards guilty sinners, contrary to their merit and indeed in defiance of their demerit. It is God showing goodness to persons who deserve only severity, and had no reason to expect anything but severity.

Romans 11:20-21 NIV

…[branches] were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith.  Do not be arrogant, but tremble. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

2. Justice

Romans 11:22 NIV

Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you provided that you continue in his kindness…

3. Kindness

James 2:14-17 NIV

What good is it my brothers and sisters if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such a faith save them?  Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to them. “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Romans 11:31 NIV

So they too have become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy.

4. Mission

1. Care Well
2. Teach Well
3. Lead Well

Beautiful Feet
Romans • July 31, 2022
Teacher: Adam Barnett

--

Romans 10:14-15 NIV

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Eugene Peterson

But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it?

Romans 9:30-31 NIV

What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal.

1. How can they call on the one they have not believed in?
2. How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
3. How can they hear without someone preaching to them?
4. How can anyone preach unless they are sent?

We are sent as messengers -> people hear -> people believe -> people call upon the Lord.

Do I care more about my present than my neighbor’s eternity?

Romans 10:9-13 NIV

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Romans 10:9 FGT (False Gospel Translation)

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, pray three hours per day, fast once per week, study your Bible daily, tithe 10%, serve the church, and live in perfect purity, you will be saved.

Romans 10:11-13 NIV

As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lordwill  be saved.”

We are sent as messengers -> people hear -> people believe -> people call upon the Lord.

More Than Conquerors
Romans • July 24, 2022
Teacher: Adam Barnett

--

Romans 8:31 NIV

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 

Romans 8:32 NIV

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Kenneth Boa

“It is illogical to conceive that God would give his most treasured ‘possession’ – His only Son – to secure the salvation of sinners, and then not also give all else that is necessary to bring that salvation to completion.”

Romans 8:33-34 NIV

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Col. 2:14 NLT

He cancelled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.

1 John 2:1b NIV

But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Romans 8:35-39 NIV

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:37 NIV

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

1. In Christ, I am free from any condemnation.
2. In Christ, I am obligated to be led by the Spirit.
3. In Christ, I am a child of God and a coheir with Christ.
4. In Christ, I will be redeemed from this cursed creation.
5. In Christ, I am certain of my eternal glorification.

Privileges of Sonship
Romans • July 17, 2022
Teacher: Dave Brown

--

Romans 8:12-17 NIV

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Romans 8:2 NIV

Through Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:15 NIV

The spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.

Demands of Slavery:

1. Compulsion
2. Fear
3. Perfection
4. Brokenness
5. Ownership

Privileges of Sonship:
1. Security
2. Authority
3. Intimacy
4. Assurance
5. Inheritance
6. Discipline
7. Family Likeness

Timothy Keller

If you, by faith, belong to Christ, you are a son of God, and have his Spirit.  The three are inseparable—either all are true of us, or none are.

No Condemnation
Romans • July 10, 2022
Teacher: Leanne Benton

--

Romans 8:1-4 NIV

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

Romans 7:14-20 NIV

“We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I was to do, I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.”

Romans 8:1-2 NIV

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

Condemnation = declaration of guilt and the sentence for it... both pronouncement AND punishment.

NO condemnation. NO declaration of guilt and NO eternal punishment.

John 8:36 NIV

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Romans 8:1 NIV

"...for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Romans 8:3-4 ESV

“For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

Galatians 4:4 NLT

“But when the right time came, God sent his son, born of a woman, subject to the law, so that he could adopt us (redeem those under the law) as his very own children.”

The law in condemning sin can only and always get a verdict of GUILTY.

David Wells

"God's HOLY love rescues us from God's HOLY wrath."

Holy Spirit = Conviction, not condemnation.

1. Self-Condemnation

Craig Groschel

“Most of life’s battles are won or lost in the mind.”

2 Corinthians 12:9-11 NIV

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

2. Condemnation from OTHERS

Adam Barnett

“We often focus on other people’s sanctification process instead of focusing on our own.”

Luke 6:42 NIV

“How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

Gossips, slanderers, wickedness, evil, greedy, and depravity.

Romans 2:1-4 NIV

“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”

John 8:5-11 NIV

"In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" "...But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground." "At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there." "Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "No one sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

3. The ACCUSER

1 Peter 5:8-9 MSG

“Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on your faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ — eternal and glorious plans they are! —will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, He does.”

Revelation 12:10 ESV

“And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.”

John 3:18 NIV

"Whoever believes in him is not condemned..."

Psalm 103:8-12 AMP

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in compassion and loving kindness. He will not always strive with us. Nor will he keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins [as we deserve], nor rewarded us [with punishment] according to our wickedness. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear and worship Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

Psalm 34:22 NIV

“The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.”

Romans 8:1-2 ESV

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”

Breaking Out of the Doom Loop
Romans • July 3, 2022
Teacher: Dave Brown

--

Romans 7:15-25 NIV

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Acts 15:7-11 NIV

Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.

Galatians 2:21 NIV

I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!

1. God's grace is not a cheap grace
2. The gospel is about grace, not legalism
3. Grace leads us to an obedience that comes from faith

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Grace is represented as the Church's inexhaustible treasury, from which she showers blessings with generous hands, without asking questions or fixing limits. Grace without price; grace without cost! The essence of grace, we suppose, is that the account has been paid in advance; and, because it has been paid, everything can be had for nothing. Since the cost was infinite, the possibilities of using and spending it are infinite...

Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.