Sermons

Hebrews 10:19-11:3; 6

Big Idea: A Surrendered Heart To Jesus Is Marked By A Life Of Stepping Out In Faith For Jesus

Biblical Faith: A confident belief in Jesus Christ that produces enduring obedience to God in order to advance the Kingdom of God, no matter our earthly circumstances or consequences

Because Jesus Is Supreme Over All:

Conviction 1: I will anchor my hope in the promises of God (v. 10:23, 39; 11:1)

“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf …”
– Hebrews 6:19-20a

“He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Conviction 2: I will invest my life to accomplish the purposes of God (10:24-25; 11:2)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God, not 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, that we should walk in them.”
- Ephesians 2:8-10

Conviction 3: I will live to please God by wholeheartedly seeking God (10:22; 11:3, 6)

Revelation 3:14-22

Big Idea: Faith In Jesus Christ Is The Only True Remedy For The Sin Sickness That Condemns Me

Jesus’ Diagnosis:

1) I Am the antidote to the sin that ails you (v. 14)

“For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him (Jesus). That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory.”
- 2 Corinthians 1:20

2) Self-sufficiency will be the death of you (v. 15-17)

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
- John 7:37-38

3) Savior-dependency provides eternal life for you (v. 18-22)

Jesus’ Life-Giving Prescription (v. 18-19):
1) Prioritize the correct riches (v. 18)

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”
- Isaiah 55:1

2) Clothe yourself in Christ’s righteousness (v. 18)

“And you who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him (Jesus), having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him.”
- Colossians 2:13-15

3) See your sin situation and Savior rightly (v. 12)

“Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
- Romans 10:9

4) Respond with commitment and repentance (v. 13)

“If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
- 1 John 1:9

My Resurrection Decision (v. 20-22)
1) Receive Christ or reject Christ? (v. 20)
2) Sit and reign with Christ for all eternity or be spit out by Christ and live in misery? (v. 21)

Revelation 3:7-13

“I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.”
- John 17:4

“‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.’” And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven strengthening him. And being in agony He prayed more earnestly; and His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
– Luke 22:42-44

Big Idea: Living Mighty For God Occurs As I Surrender Completely To God

“He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease.”
- John 3:30

Marks Of A Mighty Faith:

1) A heart of full surrender (v. 7-8)

“I (Jesus) am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”
- John 10:9

2) A life of faithful obedience (v. 8-9)

Facets of faithful obedience (v. 8-9):
1) Walking through, not turning from, Jesus’ open doors (v. 8)
2) Focusing on the Overcomer and not the obstacle (v. 8-9)
3) Obeying, not abandoning, God’s Word (v. 8)
4) Exalting and declaring Jesus’ name when tempted to dismiss it or deny it (v. 8)

3) A mindset of fervent endurance (v. 10-13)

My battle plan for enduring victory (v. 10-13):
1) Turning to Jesus dependently (v. 10-11)
2) Trusting the promises of Jesus wholeheartedly (v. 11)
3) Resting in the victory of Jesus confidently (v. 12)
4) Following the leading of the Holy Spirit obediently and joyfully (v. 13)

Revelation 2:19-29

Big Idea: Jesus Will Build His Church His Way With His People

From Jesus’ point of view…

1. A lifelike church ≠ a living church. (1)

2. A dead church ≠ a done church. (2-3)

3. A clean Christian = a kept Christian. (4-6)

Revelation 2:19-29

Big Idea: Hold Fast To Christ Because Our Greatest Reward Is Christ

Hold Fast... :

1) Because I am best for you (v. 18-23)

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”
– 2 Timothy 2:2-4

How to verify the authenticity of a gospel teacher:
1) Does their teaching align with the truth of God’s Word?
2) Does their character genuinely reflect Christ?
3) Is the fruit of their life the fruit of the Holy Spirit?
4) Are they seeking to build their kingdom or God’s kingdom?

“the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
– Romans 6:23

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
– 2 Peter 3:9

2) Because I will fulfill my promises to you (v. 24-28)

Promises Jesus makes to me (v. 25-28):
1) I am coming back for you (v. 25)
2) I have an important role for you (v. 26-27)
3) I am forever with you (v. 28)

Revelation 2:12-17

Big Idea: The Compromising Of My Faith Comes When I Worship Culture Over Christ

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes to whom we must give account.”
– Hebrews 4:12-13

The Daily Decision Of Devotion (Revelation 2:12-17):

1) Compromise My Faith & Reap Christ’s Wrath (v. 14-16)

“You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes Himself an enemy of God.”
– James 4:4

The Process Of Repentance (v. 3)
1) Brokenness over my sin
2) Confession of my sin

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.“
- 1 John 1:9

3) Turning from my sin and to God
4) Making restitution for my sin

2) Hold Fast To My Faith & Receive Eternal Reward (v. 17)

“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 firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”
– Ephesians 6:13-18

Rewards From Christ (v. 17):
1) Daily provision from Christ
2) Victory in Christ
3) A new identity through Christ

Revelation 2:8-11

Big Idea: Because Jesus Is Worthy Of My All I Live Courageously For Jesus In All

Courageous Questions:

1) What if I genuinely believed that Jesus changes everything? (v. 8)

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.”
– Ephesians 3:20-21

2) What if I feared suffering less and trusted my Savior more? (v. 8-10)

Earthly Difficulties:
1) Endure Slander (v. 9)
2) Embrace Suffering (v. 10)
3) Expect Sacrifice (v. 10-11)

3) What if I truly valued eternal crowns over earthly comfort? (v. 9-11)

Living Courageously:
1) Listen Up
2) Look In
3) Lay Down
4) Look Up
5) Look Out

Revelation 2:1-7

Big Idea: Jesus Is Satisfied With Nothing Less Than A Love For Him That Drives Everything We Do

I want you to know…

1) I care about you. (1-2a)

2) I condemn loveless loyalty. (2-4, 6)

3) I correct with grace. (5, 7)

Revelation 1:1-20

Big Idea: My Right Response To The Revelation Of Christ Is The Exaltation Of Christ

My Response To The Revelation Of Christ (Revelation 1:1-20):

1) Elevate God’s Word (v. 1-3)

Elevating God’s Word in my daily life (v. 3)
1) Read it publicly
2) Listen to it intently
3) Obey it faithfully

2) Exalt God’s Son (v. 4-8)

3 Reasons for Jesus’ exaltation:
1) Because of who Jesus is to me (v. 5-6, 8)
2) Because of what Jesus has done for me (v. 5-6)
3) Because of what Jesus will do for me (v. 7-8)

3) Endure Through God’s Strength (v. 9-20)

2 keys to enduring for Christ:
1) Patient Perseverance (v. 9)

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
– James 1:2-4

2) Proper Perspective (v. 12-20)

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
– John 16:33

Acts 13:1-3

Big Idea: Grasping Jesus’ Worthiness Produces Within Me A Joyful Willingness To Live Sent By Jesus In Faithful Obedience

Living Sent:

1) A Worship-Fueled Willingness (v. 1-3)

“Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
- Acts 9:15-16

“For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”
- Acts 11:26

Four Characteristics Of A Missional Culture (v. 1-3)
1) Worship is a 24/7 lifestyle (v. 2)
2) Dependence on God is habitual (v. 2)
3) Discipleship is foundational (v. 1)
4) Living sent is normal (v. 2-3)

2) A Spirit-Led Obedience (v. 2-3)

“If you love me (Jesus), you will keep my commandments.”
- John 14:15

Clarifying My Call:
1) What does God’s word say about it?
2) What does godly wisdom say about it?
3) Why is my heart truly interested in it?
4) What does God the Holy Spirit say about it?

Living Sent In 2023:
1) Pop-Up Food Pantry (Monthly: contact Tyler Atwell & Ellie Nypaver)
2) Dominican Republic Mission Trip (Late July 2023: contact Pastor Dan)
3) Harvest Kids Camp (Evenings of August 7-11: contact Ann Hammer)
* For more information, and/or to express interest, please email: [email protected]
4) Victoria Garris - Missionary to Nicaragua