Sermon on Acts 2:1-21 for Pentecost, the Festival of the Holy Spirit.

Sermon Talking Points Read past sermons at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.blogspot.com Listen to audio at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.podbean.com

1. How powerful is the Name of God to save? Psalm 106:6-10; Matt. 10:22; Acts 4:12; When and why should we call on Him? Psalm 86:1-7; 116:1-2; 145:18; Rom. 10:12-14

2. Pentecost, the “Feast of Weeks” or “Festival of Harvest” is actually an Old Testament celebration. Ex. 34:22; Deut 16:10; Num 28:26; Ex. 23:16a. Pilgrims would gather in Jerusalem, and on Pentecost morning, a flute player would lead the farmers up Mount Zion as they sang the “Song of Ascents” (Psalm 120-36). When they reached the temple, the farmers would present a basket of grain as an offering while reciting the words from Deuteronomy 26:5-10a in Hebrew. (The Lutheran Study Bible, p. 1835).

3. By the time of this Pentecost, after Jesus’ resurrection, many Jews from foreign lands no longer spoke Hebrew and could participate in the refrains and praises at the Temple. What kind of joy did they experience when they heard the apostles “telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God” (Acts 2:11). How did Peter answer the question: “What does this mean?”

4. How was this day a fulfillment of the prophet Joel? Joel 2:28-32

5. How was the prophecy that “your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams” fulfilled already in the early years of the apostles? Acts 7:55-56; 9:1-16; 10:1-33; 16:6-10; 18:9-10; 23:11. These signs showed that the Messianic age had dawned, and that Jesus was the name on which we can call, to be saved. How had God shown Jesus to be the Messiah? Acts 2:22-24

Sermon on John 17:1-11, for the 7th Sunday of Easter on Jesus' High Priestly Prayer for His disciples.

Sermon Talking Points Read past sermons at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.blogspot.com Listen to audio at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.podbean.com

1. Read all of Jesus’ “High Priestly Prayer” in John 17. It is “priestly” because Jesus prays on behalf of others. How did Jesus pray for His disciples and also for us? What did He ask for?

2. What was the “hour” that Jesus said had come? What was going to happen? See John 2:4; 5:25-28; 7:30; 12:23; 13:1; 16:32

3. Who gave us to Jesus to be His disciples? John 17:2, 6, 9; 15:16

4. What is Jesus’ purpose in the world, as described in John 17:2? How does one get eternal life? See also John 5:24. What did Jesus do to secure eternal life for us?

5. Why do Christians need to be watchful of the devils attacks? 1 Peter 5:6-11. Why did Jesus pray for His disciples? What challenges did He know would face them? John 17:15ff

6. How are we given God’s name? Acts 11:26; Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 6:11. How do we keep and honor God’s name? 2 Thess. 1:12

7. Why don’t we ever want to let go of Jesus and His promises? What has God given and done for us? John 10:28-29. Will He let us go?

Sermon on Acts 1:1-11 for Ascension Day, Jesus' ascension into heaven 40 days after Easter, to be seated at God's Right Hand.

Sermon Outline:

1. Day of Triumph—sublime and awesome mystery—Jesus ascends to the place of honor at God’ right hand. Imagine the celebration at the victor returning home! a. Father is spirit, and so what does “the right hand” mean? Not “displaced” from us by infinite distance, but ruling in God’s power and dominion everywhere. Power, authority exercised. Honor. Place of intercession b. Christ alone can rightfully claim this honor. His humbling Himself, incarnation, death, and resurrection earned Him this rightful honor. Redemption necessary for Jesus to become our intercessor. c. Our confidence of our own ascension into heaven (Where the head is, there the members of the body will be also!), resurrection of the body, forgiveness and Jesus’ intercession. God justifies.

2. Prepare a place for us. God is waiting for you! A restored and perfect heavenly fellowship with God, through Jesus’ blood: access to the heavenly throne of grace.

3. What remains to be done? All powers and authorities are being subjected to Jesus: a. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. (Heb. 10:12-13) b. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all. (1 Cor. 15:24-28) c. When Jesus has finally subdued and destroyed all enemies and authorities, and made them subject to the Father, He will transfer all authority back to Him. Death will be destroyed. Eternal life for us, who have believed in Jesus! d. Jesus continues to intercede for us, and He is eternally seated in that position of authority, so we have the promise of His eternal, righteous & merciful rule. e. He will return to judge the living and the dead, and to bring us home.

4. Confidence built on Christ at God’s Right hand for us

Sermon on the work of the Holy Spirit, John 14:15-21 for the 6th Sunday of Easter

Sermon Talking Points Read past sermons at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.blogspot.com Listen to audio at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.podbean.com

1. Why does a Christian desire to keep Jesus’ commandments? John 14:15, 21; 15:9-12; 1 John 5:1-5. Obedience shows our love of God—John 14:21; 1 John 5:2-3. Reflect on how Adam and Eve first showed their lack of love through disobedience to God. How does our disobedience show lack of love?

2. What enables the keeping of the commandments not to be burdensome to the Christian? Colossians 2:14; Romans 7:4-6; 21-25; John 14:16.

3. What is the significance of the new identity that is given to us when we are born of water and the Spirit in baptism? How does that new identity affect how we are able to live our lives and love God and neighbor?

4. What “departure(s)” was Jesus speaking of to His disciples? John 16:28. How would He comfort and provide for them? Would He be absent? Cf. Matt. 28:20; John 14:20-21; 15:4-6. When would He return? Acts 1:11; Matt. 24:27

5. What does the Holy Spirit do to preserve us in faith until that day? Calls us to faith in Jesus; gathers us into the Christian church as believes, teaches us everything that Jesus taught, leading us into repentance and faith and a holy life, gives us a new identity and spiritual gifts to enable our obedience, keeps us in the true faith.

Sermon on John 14:1-14, for the 5th Sunday of Easter, about Jesus' exclusive claim to be the only way to the Father.

Sermon Talking Points Read past sermons at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.blogspot.com Listen to audio at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.podbean.com

1. Why does believing in God, that is, believing in Jesus, bring peace to the troubled heart? John 16:22-23; Phil. 4:7; 1 Tim. 1:5

2. For what reason did Jesus ascend into heaven after rising from the dead? John 13:36; 14:2-3; 16:7. When will He bring us with Him?

3. Rather than give “directions” or a checklist to get into heaven, Jesus points Thomas to Himself (Jesus), as the Way. What is significant about the fact that the Way is a person? What does it mean that “without the Way, there is no going?”

4. How does Jesus’ message that He is the only Way to the Father run against the grain of our human thinking? How do people today try to change these words of Jesus? Why is it so important that we be able to turn people away from “dead-end paths?” cf. Acts 4:12

5. What does it mean that “without the Truth, there is no knowing?” How is Jesus the source of Truth? John 1:1-2; 17; 8:32; 16:13; 17:17; Ephesians 1:13; 1 Timothy 2:4.

6. How does human knowledge set itself against God’s truth? 1 Corinthians 2 (esp. v. 14); 2 Peter 2:1-2; 2 Tim. 4:3-5; Rom. 1:25

7. What does it mean that “without the Life, there is no living?” Mark 8:35; John 1:4; 3:15; 5:24-29; 10:10.

8. What does our sinful nature often propose is the “real life?” Eph. 2:3; 2 Tim. 2:22; Titus 2:12;

9. How is knowing Jesus to know and see the Father as well? John 5:18-29; 8:12ff. What does such faith in God bring us in eternity?

Sermon on Acts 2:42-47 for the 4th Sunday of Easter, about the joy of community as it was seen in the earliest Christian church.

Sermon Talking Points Read past sermons at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.blogspot.com Listen to audio at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.podbean.com

1. What was the earliest pattern of Christian worship, identified in Acts 2:42? How does our Lutheran Service of Word and Sacrament compare to this early outline? What was the foundation of their unity?

2. How did the signs and wonders performed by the apostles provide confirmation of their message? Hebrews 2:3-4; John 3:2; 6:30; 11:47; Acts 14:3; 1 Cor. 1:22; 2 Cor. 12:12. Why are miracles no longer needed as confirmation of the apostolic message?

3. What prompted the early Christians to adopt the pattern of communal living? What made it work in their case? What made it fail under other circumstances? (cf. Acts 5:1-11; 6:1-2)

4. To whom was their generosity turned? Acts 2:45; Matt. 5:42; 6:3-4; 2 Cor. 9:6ff. What is the joy found in giving? (2 Cor. 9:7)

5. How is joy found in the community of believers? What is it about carrying our sorrows and burdens to fellow Christians? In sharing times of rejoicing and thanksgiving? Gal. 6:2; Rom. 15:1

6. How is repentance and forgiveness between one another a source of joy in the community? How does this flow from the knowledge and joy found in the forgiveness of sins from Jesus Christ?

7. How does the love of Christ and the love of serving our neighbor find its joy in people? How can you find your joy in other people?

Sermon on Luke 24:13-35, about the Road to Emmaus, and Jesus' unexpected companionship that brought joy in their grief, and how Jesus also is our unexpected companion.

Sermon Talking Points Read past sermons at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.blogspot.com Listen to audio at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.podbean.com

1. How were the disciples on the road to Emmaus an example of people whose joy had been stolen? Under what circumstances? What had their hopes been (Luke 24:21)? What was so disorienting about the grief they were experiencing?

2. What griefs have you endured? Think of a time when your joy was stolen or overshadowed by a loss. What was disorienting about your experience with grief?

3. How did the unexpected companionship of Jesus on their way begin to reorient them back to hope and joy? What was it about His presence and conversation that made their hearts “burn within them?” Luke 24:27, 30-35.

4. How is coming to the understanding of Jesus being the heart and center of all the Bible (Old and New Testament), like seeing the picture on the top of a puzzle box? John 5:39; Luke 24:27, 45-47.

5. How is the unexpected companionship of Jesus a comfort and joy to us amidst sorrow and suffering? How does it reorient us toward hope and joy? 1 Thess. 4:13; Romans 5:4-5; 1 Peter 1:3-5

6. In what ways is Jesus such a present companion in life, even now? Matthew 28:20; 18:20; John 14:1-6; 1 Cor. 10:16; Romans 6:5-11

7. How can you be an “unexpected companion” to someone experiencing grief, or joylessness? What message can you bring to them to encourage and lift their spirits?

Sermon on John 20:19-31 for the 2nd Sunday of Easter, on Christian joy.

Sermon Talking Points: Read past sermons at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.blogspot.com Listen to audio at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.podbean.com

1. Friedrich Nietzche, the German philosopher said, “You Christians lost the world when you lost your joy.” What did he mean? How does (or would) Christian joy be magnetic to those who don’t believe? What are reasons for losing our joy?

2. Look for examples of joy in each of the three readings. Can you create joy by seeking it? Does it work to be told that you should be joyful? Can it be manufactured? Why or why not? Where does true joy come from? How is it discovered or found?

3. Explain the difference between joy and happiness. How can joy exist, even in dark times of life? Read Acts 5:41; 1 Peter 1:6-8

4. What are the things that specifically make Easter joyous? What is the joy of the resurrection? How does it make a difference that the resurrection is of the body? Luke 24:36-43 How was the presence of Jesus of great comfort and joy to them? How is the presence of God itself a source of joy? Psalm 16, esp. v. 11

5. How does the forgiveness of sins always give us cause for rejoicing? What does it mean for you to know that God will not keep a record of your sins, but has set them apart as far as the East is from the West? Psalm 103

6. How does Jesus break into our sadness with joy? How does He encounter us through Word and Sacrament? How does this bring joy?

Sermon on Colossians 3:1-4 for Easter Sunday, the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Easter News is Life-changing News!

Sermon Talking Points: Read past sermons at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.blogspot.com Listen to audio at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.podbean.com

1. Were the lives of the women and the disciples who were eyewitnesses to Jesus’ resurrection changed by it? Matt. 28:8-10; John 20:11-23; Acts 4:7-21. Though resurrection was certainly not a regular human experience, how was it completely understandable and recognizable within human experience? (i.e., how did they know He was really alive?) Luke 24:36-43; John 20:24-29

2. Has your life been changed by Jesus’ death and resurrection? Where would you be, or what would be different if you hadn’t believed?

3. How have we been raised with Christ? Colossians 2:11-12. How did we die with Him? Galatians 5:24 How do we continue to die to sin?

4. How do we grasp our new life? Colossians 3:2; Phil. 4:8; Matt. 16:23. How does “elevating” our thoughts help us to focus on living the new life? Who is our new life? Colossians 3:4 How does hope take hold of our lives?

5. What are the signs of a life set on earthly things? Why will such a life remain unchanged? What’s the danger of setting our mind on earthly things? Who wins the war of sin going on inside us?

6. How does the example of the palm leaf warn or help you about what happens when we remove ourselves from Christ the living Vine?

7. Our changed and new life in Christ will be fully seen when? How?

Sermon on Psalm 22 and Mark 15:34, for Good Friday. The cry of Jesus from the cross, and how Psalm 22 was fulfilled in Jesus' crucifixion. Reflections on how Good Friday is not a funeral, but praise to the best life ever lived, and how Jesus accomplished our salvation and will be living and with us to enjoy it one day.