Sermons – Novation Church

Hebrews Chapter 1

“God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, to the extent that He has inherited a more excellent name than they.” Hebrews 1:1-4 NASB

“This is My beloved Son with Whom I am well pleased…Listen to Him!” Matthew 3:17, 17:5 NASB

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” Colossians 1:15-20 NASB

“For to which of the angels did He ever say, “You are My Son, Today I have fathered You”? And again, “I will be a Father to Him And He will be a Son to Me”? And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, “And let all the angels of God worship Him.” And regarding the angels He says, “He makes His angels winds, And His ministers a flame of fire.” Hebrews 1:5-7 NASB

Types Of Heavenly Beings

The Elohim (Exodus 20:3, Psalm 97:7, Psalm 82)

Seraphim (Isaiah 6:1-7)

Cherubim (Genesis 3:24)

Angels (Hebrews 13:2)

Archangels (Jude 1:9, Daniel 10:13, Luke 1:19)

Watchers (Daniel 4:13)

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:10-13 NKJV

“Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to provide service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:14 NASB

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:23-27 NIV

Boundary #1 Guard your heart and mind (Proverbs 7:25, 14:30, 15:13, 16:21, 18:12, 20:25)

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

HEART = Leb (Hebrew). “The whole spectrum of human emotions. The center of humanities’ inner life. Your spiritual heart: the inner storehouse of our beliefs and the seat of our emotions.”

Boundary #2 Guard your mouth  (James 3:1-2, Proverbs 10:19, 12:18, 21:23, 18:21)

“keep corrupt talk far from your lips.”

“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3 NIV

Boundary #3 Guard your eyes  (1 John 2:16, Proverbs 17:24, 27:20)

“Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.”

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” Hebrews 12:2 NLT 

Boundary #4 Guard your path (Psalm 23:3, Proverbs 1:15, 2:13, 3:6, 4:11, 10:9)

“Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”

“One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And one who rules his spirit, than one who captures a city.” Proverbs 16:32 NASB

 “If you are angry, be sure that it is not out of wounded pride or bad temper. Never go to bed angry—don’t give the devil that sort of foothold.” Ephesians 4:26 JBP

Unwise Ways To Handle Anger

To handle anger wisely I need to

“An angry person stirs up strife, And a hot-tempered person abounds in wrongdoing.” Proverbs 29:22 NASB

Three Stages Of Anger

Basic Anger

“Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.” Proverbs 19:11 NLT

Name-Calling

“Stirring milk causes butter to form. Hitting someone’s nose causes blood to flow. And making people angry causes trouble.” Proverbs 30:33 ERV

Pronouncing Judgement

“An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.” Proverbs 29:22 NIV

“People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.” Proverbs 14:29 NLT

“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.” Proverbs 29:11 NIV

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 NIV

“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2:23 NIV

“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Psalm 86:15 NIV

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight…Blessed is a person who finds wisdom, And one who obtains understanding. For her profit is better than the profit of silver, And her produce better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, And nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, And all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are those who hold on to her.” Proverbs 3:5-6, 13-18 NASB

Why Do We Need Wisdom Concerning Our Emotions?

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 14:12 ESV

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” Proverbs 25:28 NLT

How Can I Learn To Manage My Emotions?

“Why, my soul, are you downcast…? Psalm 42:5a NIV

“Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:5b NIV

Into worship: “Rejoice always.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Into action: (See 2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

“For we walk by faith not sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 NASB

“How precious is Your mercy, God!

And the sons of mankind take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.” Psalm 36:7 NASB

“Hatred stirs up conflicts, but love covers all offenses.” Proverbs 10:12 CSB

“A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but one slow to anger calms strife.” Proverbs 15:18 CSB

“A contrary person spreads conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” Proverbs 16:28 CSB

“To start a conflict is to release a flood; stop the dispute before it breaks out.” Proverbs 17:24 CSB

“Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict dies down.” Proverbs 26:20 CSB

“If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 CSB

The Cause Of Conflict

“Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.” James 3:13-18 CSB

The Consequences Of Conflict

The Cure For Conflict

“Hatred stirs up conflicts, but love covers all offenses.” Proverbs 10:12 CSB

“So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24 CSB

2. Own up

“But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 NASB (Proverbs 3:23)

“Why do you notice the small piece of dust that is in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the big piece of wood that is in your own? Why do you say to your friend, ‘Let me take that piece of dust out of your eye’? Look at yourself first! You still have that big piece of wood in your own eye. You are a hypocrite! First, take the wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to get the dust out of your friend’s eye.” Matthew 7:3-5 ERV

3. Hush up

“Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.” Proverbs 11:12 NIV

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” James 1:19 NIV

4. Grow up

“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” Proverbs 19:11 NIV

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:12-14 NLT

5. Bear up

“Love is patient…love bears all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:4, 7

“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” Proverbs 17:9 NIV

6. Speak up

“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18 NIV

“…speak the truth in love…” Ephesians 4:15

7. Look up

“Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that make war inside you. You want things, but you don’t get them. So you kill and are jealous of others. But you still cannot get what you want. So you argue and fight. You don’t get what you want because you don’t ask God.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:1-2, 7 ERV/NIV

What Are The Proverbs?

“Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding.
For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.” Proverbs 3:13-18 NLT

Who Wrote The Proverbs?

“These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.” Proverbs 1:1 NLT

What Is The Purpose Of The Proverbs?

“Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.” Proverbs 1:2-4 NLT

“The Psalms teach us how to get along with God, the Proverbs teach us how to get along with each other.” Billy Graham

Who Is Wise?

How To Get Wisdom

“Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you.” Proverbs 4:7-8 NLT

“The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” Psalms 19:7 NLT

“You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17 NLT

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5 NLT

“Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.” Proverbs 13:20 NLT

“Surely you know that you become the slaves of whatever you give yourselves to. Anything or anyone you follow will be your master. You can follow sin, or you can obey God. Following sin brings spiritual death, but obeying God makes you right with him.” Romans 6:16 ERV

“He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44 NASB

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’” The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.” Genesis 3:1-6 NASB

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”  John 10:10 NASB

“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” Ephesians 2:1-3 NASB

Remember that you were dead

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),  and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7 NASB

Recognize that you have been made alive

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10 NASB

Respond by walking in the riches of His grace and doing the good works prepared for you

Matthew 24

What are the signs of His return?

False versions of Jesus Vs.5

Wars and Rumors of war/Nations against nations Vs. 6-7

Famines and earthquakes Vs. 7

Persecution of the Church Vs. 9

Betrayal and hatred Vs. 10

False Prophets Vs. 11

Lawlessness and Cold hearts Vs. 12

Why Has He Not Returned?

“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14 NASB

“But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:8-9 NASB

How To Prepare For His Return

“And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Matthew 24:3 NASB

“And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many people. And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains. “Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people… For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will provide great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.”  Matthew 24:4-11, 24 NASB

“But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Matthew 24:36 NASB 

“For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matthew 24:37-39 NASB

“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.” Matthew 24:42 NASB

“For this reason you must be ready as well; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.” Matthew 24:44 NASB

“The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had given orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen.  To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of things regarding the kingdom of God. Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”  So, when they had come together, they began asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time that You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?”  But He said to them, “It is not for you to know periods of time or appointed times which the Father has set by His own authority;  but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.” And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were watching, and a cloud took Him up, out of their sight.  And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, then behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them, and they said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:1-11 NASB

Where Is Jesus Now?

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet and made Him head over all things to the church,which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:18-22 NASB

What Is He Doing?

“I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” Matthew 16:18 NLT

“There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” John 14:2-3 NLT

“We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8 NKJV

Three Things Jesus Left Behind

1.) An unmatchable presence

“you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” 1:8a

This Brings:

Passion

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25 NIV

Purity

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 NIV

Power

“…be filled with the Spirit” Ephesians 5:18 NIV

Promptings

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” Romans 8:14 NIV

2.) An unfinished task

“and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.” 1:8b

The work of Jesus is finished (John 19:30, Hebrews 1:3)

The work of the church is unfinished

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14 NIV

3.) An unshakable promise

“This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” 1:11

“So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.” John 8:36 NASB 

“Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.” Galatians 5:1 MSG

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NASB

“He who was delivered over because of our wrongdoings, and was raised because of our justification.” Romans 4:35 NASB

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was previously a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost sinner Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:12-17 NASB

“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” Romans 8:11 NLT

 “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27 NIV

“I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.” John 11:25-26 NASB

“Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, so that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.” Hebrews 2:14-15 NASB

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. For we say this to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NASB