RHCCC DTM Latest Sermon

Sermon Notes

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1. Peter had to undergo a transformation of the heart.
2. The church needed to undergo a transformation to become open to the Gentiles.
3. The inclusion of the Gentiles is central to understanding the gospel.

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What can I personally do?

1. Learn and listen to the stories of others
2. Process your own journey
3. Read difficult books that challenge your heart

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What is the role of prayer?

Through prayer, we feel the pain of God.
Allow your heart to feel pain.

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What can the church be doing?

Open ourselves to what God is doing.
What are we going to do with our power?

Sermon Notes

———
1. Peter had to undergo a transformation of the heart.
2. The church needed to undergo a transformation to become open to the Gentiles.
3. The inclusion of the Gentiles is central to understanding the gospel.

———
What can I personally do?

1. Learn and listen to the stories of others
2. Process your own journey
3. Read difficult books that challenge your heart

———
What is the role of prayer?

Through prayer, we feel the pain of God.
Allow your heart to feel pain.

———
What can the church be doing?

Open ourselves to what God is doing.
What are we going to do with our power?

Sermon Notes

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1. Racism didn’t always exist

God is unity in diversity (ie. God is one and exists in three equal and distinct person)

The First Commission Gen. 1:26-28

God’s people must know and practice unity across increasingly diverse barriers including race and culture
—Ephesians 4:1-6


Much of our physical nature will be brought into the new creation - including our racial differences
—Revelation 7:9


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2. Sin distorts everything including how we relate to each other

Racism is rooted in a particularly grievous form of self-righteousness where a person thinks their skin colour or cultural preferences elevates them above the “other” (Luke 18:11)

a. Ignorance to the Truth (2 Cor 4:4; Ephesians 4:18)
b. Insecurity of oneself (Genesis 11:4)
c. Indifference toward others

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3. God’s plan to restore humankind

a. Choose the Scriptures (counter ignorance)
b. Choose the Spirit (counter insecurity)
c. Choose to Stand in the Gap (counter indifference)


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Conclusion:

The gospel says our righteousness can only found in something else: Jesus Christ.

We can work toward a future with confidence knowing that we are part of God’s plan to restore the world as he originally intended it to be: a place where people from all nations are connected, not by blood or culture, but by their common union in Christ.

What would serving look like if you discovered your spiritual gift?

How would that change your outlook of serving?

In what ways could that deepen your relationship with God?

We’re SHAPE’d to build His church

S.H.A.P.E. is:
• Spiritual gifts
• Heart
• Abilities
• Personality
• Experiences

We’re created by God to play an important role in building one another up

We’re SHAPE’d to care for one another

As every part of the body of Christ matters, and needs one another, we need to care for one another.

We’re each uniquely SHAPE’d to attend the different needs of the people

If you want to know more about serving at the church or are interested in serving opportunities, check out these 3 things from the Ministry Base:
• Essentials 3 Primer (https://rhccc.ca/en/essentials-3-service-primer/)
• WeServe (rhccc.ca/weserve)
• Ministry Expo (Coming soon!)

There’s true joy in serving God and His people!

Sermon Notes

1. Godly friends attract Godly friends…because they have everything in common - I Samuel 18:1-5

2. Godly friends stick with Godly friends - because they recognize God in each other - I Samuel 18: 6-30

3. Godly friends have an eternal perspective - because they are confident in where they will spend eternity - I Samuel 20: 1-42

Sermon Notes

What is Faith?
Common misconception: The more evidence you have, the less faith you require.
Common mindset: Your faith is a product of your feelings.


Truth 1: Remember Jesus’ sacrifice made a new way for us (10:1-18)

A. Law and sacrificial system are (frustratingly) inadequate (v. 1-17)
B. Jesus’ sacrifice is foundational for the new way (v. 16-18)

Application 1: Run to God (10:19-25)

Jesus made a way for you to meet God directly:
(1) Draw near to God (v. 22)
(2) Hold to the hope we profess (v. 23)
(3) Spur each other on (v. 24-25)

Truth 2: Remember those who have gone before you (11)

There is a difference between receiving a revelation and receiving an explanation

Faith is believing your life will make sense the day you see from God’s perspective

Application 2: Run the race (12:1-3)

1. If Jesus endured the cross and gave up everything for you, doesn’t it motivate you to give up everything for him?

2. If Jesus was raised from the dead, doesn’t it motivate you to press on faithfully?
The Resurrection means God can correct us without condemning us.

• Correction: God taking the pain in our lives to make our faith stronger and take deeper roots in our lives
• Condemnation: God pronouncing someone to be guilty, to sentence to punishment
• Consequences: Natural results from poor, unwise and sinful decisions

God isn’t paying you back; He’s bringing you back

Sermon Notes

What is Faith?
Common misconception: The more evidence you have, the less faith you require.
Common mindset: Your faith is a product of your feelings.


Truth 1: Remember Jesus’ sacrifice made a new way for us (10:1-18)

A. Law and sacrificial system are (frustratingly) inadequate (v. 1-17)
B. Jesus’ sacrifice is foundational for the new way (v. 16-18)

Application 1: Run to God (10:19-25)

Jesus made a way for you to meet God directly:
(1) Draw near to God (v. 22)
(2) Hold to the hope we profess (v. 23)
(3) Spur each other on (v. 24-25)

Truth 2: Remember those who have gone before you (11)

There is a difference between receiving a revelation and receiving an explanation

Faith is believing your life will make sense the day you see from God’s perspective

Application 2: Run the race (12:1-3)

1. If Jesus endured the cross and gave up everything for you, doesn’t it motivate you to give up everything for him?

2. If Jesus was raised from the dead, doesn’t it motivate you to press on faithfully?
The Resurrection means God can correct us without condemning us.

• Correction: God taking the pain in our lives to make our faith stronger and take deeper roots in our lives
• Condemnation: God pronouncing someone to be guilty, to sentence to punishment
• Consequences: Natural results from poor, unwise and sinful decisions

God isn’t paying you back; He’s bringing you back

Sermon Notes

It has always been God who took the initiative in blessing and loving us. His greatest blessing and channel of love is His eternal presence in us. This is what heaven is all about – to be in His presence forever.

What God seeks: PRESENCE (v. 1-5)

• God seeks to establish His presence with his people. From the Garden of Eden to the Tent of Meeting to the Temple in Jerusalem, God has always sought to be with His people.

• God wants to meet you!

What man needs: ACCESS (v. 6-10)

• Man needs access to approach the Holy God. His sins however hinder him from entering God’s presence. God provided a temporary solution through the earthly man-made sanctuary with strict external regulations for worship.

• God wants to be with you!

What God gives: INTIMACY (v. 11-28)

• God gives the highest possible level of intimacy to His people. This was made possible by completely and permanently removing sin in man through the perfect sacrifice by a perfect High Priest in a perfect tabernacle.

• God wants to be close to you!

Hebrews 8 NLT

Sermon Notes

Introduction

What is a “Covenant”? (8:6-8)

What is the “Old Covenant”? (Gen 12:1-3, Deut 30:15-18, 2 Sam 7)

What are the implications of the New Covenant?

1. A new heart (8:10b, Ezekiel 35:26-27)
2. A new, forgiven, spiritually intimate relationship with God (8:10c)
3. A new purpose, a new partnership = a new covenant (8:11, 13:20-21)

“The purpose of Jesus’ death was to effect, or give birth to, the new covenant, the covenant of peace; that is, to create a new-covenant community of Spirit-filled disciples of Jesus who would fulfill the inseparable covenantal requirements of faithfulness to God and love for others through participation in the death of Jesus, expressed in such practices as faithful witness and suffering (cruciform faith), hospitality to the weak and servant-love for all (cruciform love), and peacemaking (cruciform hope).”- Michael Gorman – The Death of the Messiah and the Birth of the New Covenant

Questions:
1. Where do you find yourselves in this participation/partnership today?
2. Would you consider putting your faith in Christ and being part of His New Covenant family?

Hebrews 8 NLT

Sermon Notes

Introduction

What is a “Covenant”? (8:6-8)

What is the “Old Covenant”? (Gen 12:1-3, Deut 30:15-18, 2 Sam 7)

What are the implications of the New Covenant?

1. A new heart (8:10b, Ezekiel 35:26-27)
2. A new, forgiven, spiritually intimate relationship with God (8:10c)
3. A new purpose, a new partnership = a new covenant (8:11, 13:20-21)

“The purpose of Jesus’ death was to effect, or give birth to, the new covenant, the covenant of peace; that is, to create a new-covenant community of Spirit-filled disciples of Jesus who would fulfill the inseparable covenantal requirements of faithfulness to God and love for others through participation in the death of Jesus, expressed in such practices as faithful witness and suffering (cruciform faith), hospitality to the weak and servant-love for all (cruciform love), and peacemaking (cruciform hope).”- Michael Gorman – The Death of the Messiah and the Birth of the New Covenant

Questions:
1. Where do you find yourselves in this participation/partnership today?
2. Would you consider putting your faith in Christ and being part of His New Covenant family?