Identity in Christ

David Easler

Reach out to us via email at: [email protected]

Title: Applied Fruitfulness in the Kingdom

Text: Matthew 7:13-8:1

Chris Hefner

Sermon Theme: Jesus offers us four warnings: 1) the path we are on, 2) the people we listen to, 3) the profession we make, and 4) the payoff of our choices

Make sure to take the Jesus way

Discern the truth that bears good fruit

Profess with your life, not merely your lips

Hear and heed the words of Jesus

Reach out to us via email at: [email protected]

The God of Restoration

Vince Adams

Reach out to us via email at: [email protected]

Title: Applied Relationships in the Kingdom

Text: Matthew 7:1-12

Chris Hefner

In relationship with those around us: Be discerning, not judgmental

In relationship with God: Be prayerful

In relationship with everyone: Be loving

Reach out to us via email at: [email protected]

Josh Geisinger from La Red Ministries shares info about their ministry, and how the partnership with WBC has helped them.

Reach out to us via email at: [email protected]

Title: Applied Pursuit in the Kingdom

Text: Matthew 6:19-34

Chris Hefner

Seek first God’s rule and righteousness

Seek first God’s rule and righteousness because it is too easy to be sidetracked by temporary treasures

Seek first God’s rule and righteousness because it is too common to be paralyzed by all-consuming anxieties

Reach out to us via email at: [email protected]

The Doctrine of Eschatology: Matthew 24

Chris Hefner

Three Reasons to be Encouraged by Mt. 24

Matthew 24 Highlights:·    

Theological Takeaway: Reading Matthew 24 in light of the rest of Matthew (especially the theme of the kingdom) reminds us that the King came and is coming again.
Worship Takeaway: We must worship the King whose prophecies came true meaning that his future promises will come true as well.
Evangelistic Takeaway: It is our job to warn our neighbors and the nations to be ready for the return of Christ.
Relational Takeaway: Let us be the faithful and wise servants who are ready for the Master’s return.

Reach out to us via email at: [email protected]

Title: Applied Worship in the Kingdom

Text: Matthew 6:1-18

Chris Hefner

Our practices in the kingdom are for the glory of the Father, not the praise of people

Our practices in the kingdom are significant because they are relational, not because they are religious

Our practices (prayers) in the kingdom should follow the pattern taught by Jesus

Reach out to us via email at: [email protected]

The Doctrine of Eschatology - The Return of Christ

Chris Hefner

Futurism (associated with premillennialism): views the majority of eschatological references to be fulfilled in and around the second coming of Christ.

Preterism or realized eschatology is the opposite of futurism and sees almost all eschatology as fulfilled in the past, primarily with the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.

Inaugurated eschatology is best described by the phrase “already and not yet.”

Three Encouraging Truths about Christ’s Return

1. Jesus’ return is promised (Acts 1:6-11)

2. Jesus’ return is political. (Revelation 11:15-19)

3. Jesus’ return is powerful. (Mark 14:61-62; Dan. 7:13-14)

Four main views on the rapture:

· Pre-tribulation rapture. Two returns (one secret, the rapture) separated by a tribulation period with the return of Christ.

· Mid-tribulation rapture. Locates rapture at the mid-point of the tribulation prior to God’s primary judgments on the earth.

· Pre-wrath rapture. Rapture occurs toward the end of the tribulation prior to God’s wrath at the bowl judgments.

· Post-tribulation rapture. Rapture and return of Christ are simultaneous at the end of the tribulation.

Key Texts:

Matthew 24; 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:5-6; Daniel 9:24-27.

Theological Takeaway: Eschatology is the most diverse theological doctrine that retains a high view of Scripture across hermeneutical perspectives.

Worship Takeaway: The kingdoms of the world will become the kingdom of our Lord Christ resulting in WORSHIP.

Evangelistic Takeaway: The return of Christ motivates believers to share the gospel of the kingdom and remain assured that the King will be victorious.

Relational Takeaway: We should encourage one another to endure the dissolving morality in culture and the possible coming persecution that we may endure to the end.

Reach out to us via email at: [email protected]

Title: Applied Conduct in the Kingdom

Text: Matthew 5:21-48

Chris Hefner

One Practice: Be perfect as your Father is perfect

One Principle: Jesus’ deepening of the Law in the Sermon on the Mount was not given as the means of entering the kingdom, but to distinguish citizens of his kingdom from the world

Six Pictures:

Anger

Lust

Divorce

Honesty

RetaliationEnemies

Reach out to us via email at: [email protected]