Sermons

2 Timothy 2:1-7

Big Idea: Faithful Gospel Application Produces Missional Multiplication

Daily Gospel Applications:

1) Live strengthened by the gospel (v. 1)

“I (Jesus) am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
- John 15:5

2) Multiply disciples and leaders for the gospel (v. 1-3)

Ready for kingdom responsibility?
1) Character (v. 2)
2) Conviction (v. 2)
3) Competent (v. 2)
4) Commitment (v. 3)
5) Chemistry (v. 1)

3) Persevere on mission for the gospel (v. 3-7)

How to persevere in and for the gospel
1) Fight like a soldier (v. 3-4)
2) Train like an athlete (v. 5)
3) Work like a farmer (v. 6-7)

“Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."
- Matthew 9:37-38

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.“
- Galatians 6:9

Acts 2:36-47

Big Idea: Healthy Church Members Commit Themselves To Living As Those Who Have Been Called Out And Called Together By God

1) A church is God’s “called-out ones.” (36-41)

Healthy church members can say, “I have been…"
a. Saved by God’s grace.
b. Baptized in Jesus name.
c. Changed by the Holy Spirit.
d. Located in one place.

2) A church is God’s called-together ones. (42-47)

Healthy church members can say, “So I will…”
a. Receive godly shepherding for the sake of my soul. (42a)
b. Engage in meaningful community for the benefit of others. (42b, 44-46)
c. Participate in awe-filled worship for the glory of God. (43, 46-47a)
d. Live with evangelistic purpose for the advance of the gospel. (47b)

1 Peter 4:10-11

Big Idea: Faithful Stewards Of God’s Grace Are Fervent Servants For God’s Glory

Stewards Of Grace:

1) Are Conduits Of God’s Grace (v. 10)

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
– Romans 12:1-2

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not 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

A Conduit Of God’s Grace:
1) Heart Level: Receives and Remembers God’s Grace
2) Head Level: Rests and Renews Mind In God’s Grace
3) Hands Level: Reflects and Re-centers Priorities Around God’s Grace

2) Are Fueled By God’s Strength (v. 11)

Struggling For Strength To Serve?
1) Where in my heart am I not truly trusting in God’s power, promises, provision, plan, or purposes?
2) Where in my life am I relying on my own strength to serve and not God’s?

“Him (Jesus), we proclaim warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that he powerfully works within me.”
– Colossians 1:28-29

3) Are Motivated By God’s Glory (v. 11)

Ephesians 4:1-16

Big Idea: I Can’t Reach Full Spiritual Maturity Outside Of Biblical Community

In My Walk With Christ:

1) Am I Pursuing Gospel Unity? (v. 1-6)

How to pursue gospel unity daily:
1) Remember the gospel’s impact on me (v. 1)
2) Choose humility (v. 2)
3) Let gentleness define me (v. 2)
4) Live patiently (v. 2)
5) Bear with one another lovingly (v. 2)

2) Am I Stewarding My Spiritual Gifts Faithfully? (v. 7-14)

3) Am I Building God’s Church Daily? (v. 12-16)

3 Ways To Build God’s Church Daily:
1) Grow up (v. 12-15)
2) Speak up (v. 15)
3) Step up (v. 16)

Romans 6:1-11

Big Idea: Living Freely Comes From Choosing To Die Daily

Living Free:

1. Identifying With Christ Completely (v. 1-9)

Aspects Of My Unification With Christ (from Tony Merida):
1. Justification: Freedom From The Penalty of Sin (v. 7)

“But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God.”
– Romans 5:8-9

2. Sanctification: Freedom From the Power Of Sin (v. 6)
3. Glorification: Freedom From The Presence Of Sin (v. 8)

Identity Indicators:
1. I Have Been Crucified With Christ (v. 6)
2. I Am Embracing The Newness Of Life Through Christ (v. 4)

2. Living The Resurrected Life Daily (v. 1-11)

Realities Of The Resurrected Life:
1. Serving Sin An Eviction Notice (v. 6-7)
2. Stop Looking Horizontally For What I Can Only Find Vertically (v. 3, 6, 9, 11)
3. Taking My Next Step (v. 4, 11)

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

Big Idea: God Calls Us Not To A Life Well-Known, But A Life Well-Lived

In order to live well…

1. Love increasingly. (9-10)

How do I learn love from the Triune God?
- I learn that love moves toward the broken by looking at the example of God the Father. (1 John 4:9, Rom. 5:8)
- I learn that love gives sacrificially by listening to the teaching of Jesus. (John 13:34-35, John 15:12-13)
- I learn that love remains patiently by leaning on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 5:5, Gal. 5:22)

2. Live intentionally. (11-12)

How to live intentionally for the glory of God:
- Work hard publicly.
- Handle your business personally.
- Care for your soul privately.

John 1:9-13

Big Idea: Jesus Became Flesh So That We Can Become Family

My Christmas Decision:

1. Reject Christ And Be Rejected For All Eternity (v. 10-11)

“’Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
– Matthew 7:21-23

2. Receive Christ And Become Forever Family (v. 12-13)

“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”
- John 20:30-31

“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoptions as sons by whom we cry, ‘Abba Father!’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.”
– Romans 8:15-17a

The A,B,C’s of Receiving Christ (vs. 12):
1) Admit I’m a sinner in need of a Savior
2) Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son Of God and My Savior
3) Confess Jesus Christ as my Lord

John 1:14-18

Big Idea: God’s Grace Is My Source Of Eternal Life And Enduring Hope

Daily Applications Of The Incarnation:

1. Anchoring my Eternal Hope in Jesus Christ’s Fullness (v. 14-18)

“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

Anchors for My Daily Hope
1. God fulfills all of his promises to me (v. 15)
2. God continually lavishes His grace upon me (v. 16-17)
3. God has revealed Himself and drawn near to me (v. 14, 18)

Living With Hope
1. Fix my mind on God’s promises
2. Fix my heart on God’s presence
3. Fix my hands on God’s purposes

2. Finding my Daily Confidence in God’s Covenant Faithfulness (v. 16-18)

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

John 1:6-8

Big Idea: When Worshipping God Is My Daily Purpose, Witnessing About God is My Daily Practice

As A Gospel Messenger:

1. Know Your Role: Embrace Your Purpose (v. 6)

Marks Of A Purpose-Driven Life:
1. Clarity
2. Simplicity
3. Urgency

2. Know Your Role: Speak The Truth (v. 7)

Critical Components Of A Compelling Gospel Testimony:
1. Authenticity

My Story: I Was ________________ But God And Now _________________________

2. Relatability
3. Christ-exalting & Christ-Centered
4. Conviction
5. Hope-Giving

3. Know Your Role: It’s Not About You (v. 8)

"He must increase, but I must decrease.”
– John 3:30

Am I Making Life All About Me?
1. Am I more focused on my own reputation than Christ’s exaltation?
2. Am I doubting God instead of declaring God?
3. Am I playing God instead of proclaiming God?
4. Am I building my kingdom instead of God’s kingdom?
5. Am I hoarding resources instead of generously investing resources?

Fulfilling My Role As A Faithful Gospel Messenger:
1. Be Interceding
2. Be Intentional
3. Be Interested
4. Be Inconvenienced
5. Be Invested

“’For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
– Romans 10:13-15

John 1:1-5

Big Idea: Who Jesus Is To Me Determines Everything For Me

Jesus Is:

1) The Word (v. 1-3)

The Trinity’s Role In My Salvation:
1) God the Father sends
2) God the Son saves
3) God the Holy Spirit secures and seals

“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

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light’, and there was light. And God saw that the light was good.”
- Genesis 1:1-4a

Because Jesus Is God:
1) Am I currently surrounding and submitting every part of my life under His authority?
2) Am I currently faithfully reading and obeying the Word of God daily?
3) Am I trusting in God’s character and applying God’s promises in each of my current circumstances and situations?
4) Am I looking at every aspect of my life and the world around me with a Gospel heart and perspective?
5) Am I genuinely seeking Jesus in every situation in my life?

2) The Life (v. 4)

2 Types of Life Jesus Offers Me:
1) Eternal Life (John 3:16)

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
-John 3:16

2) Abundant Life (John 10:10)

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

Abundant Life Roadblocks:
1) Stolen joy
2) Killed testimony
3) Destroyed humility

3) The Light (v. 4-5)

"And Jesus spoke to them saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.'”
– John 8:12

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
– Matthew 5:14-16

“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
– 1 Peter 2:9

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. …. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
– Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

“Jesus asked His disciples say the Son of Man is?” … They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But what about you?’ Jesus asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’” …. Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’”’
– Matthew 16:13-16