Listen to the latest sermons from our Lead Pastor and Guest Speakers.
Expectations (Some great, some not so great.) John 8:12-30 Expect war with the world. Those shaping culture opposed God. People will see through them. Expect God to: Reveal Himself Lead us Give the light that is needed Expect emptiness without Jesus Without him: You can't know God. You can't enter heaven. You will die in your sins Expect Jesus to; (Note the word “unless”) Open the door Make the Father known Always please the Father God treated Jesus like we deserve to be treated, so that He can treat us like Jesus deserved to be treated.
Amazing Grace (How's that for an original title?) John 8:2- 11 Grace Described Key attribute of God Psalm 145:8 Personified in Jesus John 1:14,17 Basis of salvation Ephesians 2:7-9 Grace Absent Total setup Testing Verses 4,6 Trapping Jewish law Roman law Accusation and condemnation The crowd disgraced her; Jesus graced her. We disgrace ourselves when we walk in shame. We disgrace others when we remind them of their past sin We disgrace ________, when we _____________. Grace Displayed Brilliant response Mind your elders The more grace you know the more grace you show. How can she be let off? He bore her sin 1 Peter 2:24 His mission John 3:17 Mercy trumps judgment James 2:13 Sin is a big deal. Grace is a bigger deal.
Three pastors with BIEM shared about the ministry in Ukraine.
Intercession Father Gives Desire Son Gives Confidence Always making intercession (Hebrew 7:25) What he accomplished through death, He continues through life. (Roms. 5:10) See the Old Testament picture. (Exodus 28:1) See the heavenly picture. (Revelation 8:1-5) Spirit Gives Ability (Romans 8:26-27) Why? We are weak. We are ignorant. How? Intercedes according to His will. With groanings too deep for words (Psalms 77:4)
Luke 11:1-13 Sweatshirt – Essentials The only ask of disciples Tops the job description for elders AWOL from most ministry training Dirty Glasses How you see God, determines how much you pray. Stranger? Higher Power? Tyrant? Father? His Priority His Joy (remember fridge art) His Gifts Grumpy Neighbor Contrast, not Comparison See His Heart
Priorities in Prayer Matthew 6:9-16 Provision Why? Recognize dependency. How? Appreciate and never despise God's gifts. Number 11:4-10 Forgiveness Why? We have debt and debtors. How? Follow his example. I Peter 2:23 Deliverance Why? There's a battle on two fronts (II Corinthians 7:5) How? Appealed to Grace (enabling power) Common Special (Philippians 4:13) Restoring (Micah 7:8) Saving (Ephesians 2:8-9)
His Name, His Kingdom, His Will Matthew 6:9-13 Name Honored in Heaven Profaned on Earth Glorified in Faith (Isa. 52:5, Roms. 2:23,24, John 12:27-28) Kingdom Future – the whole earth Now – in our hearts (Psm. 47:7, Luke 17:20,21) Will Secret – leads us to faith Discerned – leads us to wisdom Revealed – leads us to obedience (Deut. 29:29, Roms. 12:2) Prayer is not a way to get God to do our will, but a way to get us to do His.
A Sword, A Slave, and A Savior Matthew 26:46-56 John 18:3-11 The Sword *Remember the Kingdom principal of James 1:20. *The sword does have a place in God's plan, but not in spreading the gospel. *We are to proclaim the gospel not defend His honor. The Slave *Tale of two high priests *Jesus has the ability to heal any wound, even those inflicted by His disciples The Savior *Is there a rebuke from the Savior and need for confession? *Is there a wound that needs the Savior's touch?
The Garden Prayer Mathew 26:36-46 The Anguish Becoming Sin Being Forsaken of God Bearing Wrath The Encouragement Jesus knows what it is like to be troubled. Jesus knows what it is like to be torn. “The will of the father is greater than every Impulse of His sinless nature and so much Greater than my sinful nature.” The Declaration Only way possible. Only thing needed.
And in Conclusion…. II Peter 3:14-18 Guard Against legalism (Colossians 3:21-23) Against following personalities (I Corinthians 1) Against worshipping traditions (Colossians 2:8) Against worldliness (Colossians 2:8) Grow Grace and Truth are always lockstep in Scripture. Are you more gracious? Glorify Truth believing Grace Displaying Christ Exalting Waiting Room Survey Am I a Christian? On what am I basing my eternity? Am I growing? What commitment is God challenging me to make? Oh yeah, TODAY!
Eternal Patience and Mercy II Peter 3:1-9 How can I live in Christian authenticity in a world that despises my faith? God is eternal. 1 1/2 hours Destroys Self-importance Establishes priorities Reduces stress 25 million years All the time in the world God is patient. With YOU. So, you can be patient with others. God is merciful. God's love is his nature God's wrath is a response to sin and evil God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. (Ezekiel 18:23; 33:11) God takes pleasure when sinners repent. (Luke 15:7)
Confronting the Counterfeits II Peter 2 7 Obvious Differences Sources 1:16 - 2:3 Message 1:3 - 2:1 Position 1:4 - 2:19 Character 1:5 - 2:16 Appeal 1:19 - 2:18 Fruit 1:8 - 2:17 End 1:11 - 2:1 2 Opposite Directions Every time the gospel is preached, it effects Your life. It draws you closer to or pushes you further away from God. Hebrews 4:7 “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” God knows how to deliver the godly. God knows how to hold the unrighteousness for judgment.
Repetition is the Key to Christianity II Peter 1:12-21 What the prophets spoke and the apostles witnessed 4 crucial truths about scripture - Wayne Grudem Authority – Word of God Sufficiency – All I need Clarity – for all Necessity – to know Jesus What we remember Biblical remembering is: not simply recalling what happened. when what happened becomes real, alive, and fresh. life-changing. The purpose of communion, preaching, and Bible reading is to bring the reality of Christ to freshly impress my soul.
In Light of the Power and Presence of Christ II Peter 1:5-11 We have 7 things to pursue Goodness What good can I do? Knowledge How am I learning God's Word Self-control Where do I need to improve? Perseverance Where do I want to quit but shouldn't? Godliness How is my love life with Jesus? Brotherly Kindness Where can I be more generous? Love Where can I demonstrate compassion? We have 1 thing to avoid Stagnation We have 2 things to enjoy A productive, effective life A rich reward
Christianity 101 II Peter 1:1-4 Believing – A personal apostolic faith Jesus is God Jesus is Savior Jesus is Lord Partaking Forgiveness through the cross Power and presence of God in my life Heaven through the resurrection John 14:15-17 Romans 8:9 I Corinthians 3:16 I Corinthians 6:19 Escaping The bondage of sinful desire Romans 6:14 Sin is my enemy, not my master.
Avoiding the Sad Sequel John 6 From Disciples Side Note: The patience of Jesus when He's talking about spiritual things and we're clueless. To Disgruntles Side Note: Jesus keeps pointing to eternity. To Disputers To Dissenters Side note: You'll never know that Jesus is all you need, until Jesus is all you have. - Corrie Ten Boom So, Ask: Is Jesus still Lord of all to me, even when He doesn't do what I want? Am I pursuing Jesus for who He is or what He can give me?
Because He Loves John 5:30-47 He shares difficult truths, like: You don't know God. His truth is not in you. You are unwilling to come to God. You seek the wrong kind of glory. You have misplaced your hope. You must be wary of: A diminished doctrine of the Scriptures A critical approach to the Scriptures.
Perfect God John 5:16-29 Perfect Union One in Work (17) One in Will (19) One in Love (20) One in Authority (21) One in Trust (22) One in Honor (23) One in Life (26) Perfect Future Understanding Death - entering into the judgment and condemnation of God. TO Understand Life - Absent from the body and present with the Lord.
Our Condition, His Power John 5 Seeing our condition Powerless (5) Can't Get There Hopeless (6) Clinging to a false hope Focused on his problems Faithless (13) Didn't know who Jesus was Faith doesn't make what Jesus does possible, what Jesus does makes faith possible. Witnessing His power He gives what is needed so we can do what He commands. The law gives us a view of a blessed life. Only Jesus can take you in. The law tells you what to do. Only Jesus can give you the power to do it. Stop looking within yourself to find what is only available in Jesus.
Make Sure We're Starting in the Right Direction Psalm 73 The Wrong Road (1-14) Life Makes No Sense My Life Makes No Sense Why Bother? The Wrong Destination (15) Ruined Testimony Ministry Family 5-Point Turn Refocus (15) Invite (16-17) Think (18-20) Confess (21-22) Pray (23-28)
Luke 2:1-15 The part about who's calling the shots. God, not Caesar The part about the manger Stone, not wood – humble and accessible The part about the Inn No room The part about the shepherds Rejected by man, valued by God The part about the glad tidings Savior, Christ, Lord The part about peace on earth For whom? Those who believe The other part about the shepherds They obeyed
Get the Picture John 4:43-54 Picture of Faith Infant Don't know much Just our need Growing Trusting His Word with us sufficient grace no condemnation in Him preparing a place Realized Big Picture John 20:31, 1:17 Moses's Signs of Judgment Water to Blood Death in Life's Prime Jesus' Signs of Grace Water to Wine Life at the Point of Death
True Worship John 4:1-26 In the Way Race (culture) – No one beyond the reach of grace Religion – Inoculated by formal and empty religion Record – A broken life defined On the Path Hope – Speaks to thirst before sin Reality – Open heart/Open life At the Goal Worship is: Submission of our nature to God Quickening of our conscience by His holiness Nourishment of our mind by His truth Purifying of our imagination by His beauty Opening of our heart by His love Surrender of our will to His purpose
Complete Joy John 3:22-36 Being the Best Man Send out the invitations Care for the Needs of the Bride Knowing the Real Jesus Comes from above Bears witness Speaks the Word of God Gives the Spirit without measure Loved by the Father Holds all in His hand Having a Life of Faith It's Elementary It's Essential It's Eternal
Are you Pick'n Up What I'm Lay'n Down ? John 3:1-15 What Nic Picked Up Jesus had truths for life. Jesus was from God. Part of what he needed. What Jesus laid down Need an infusion of life Don't act surprised. Jesus gives what he demands Who was lifted up Serpent – Sin Bronze – Judgement Pole – Cross God gives one remedy Jesus came not just so you can learn life but so that you can have life.
Decluttering John 2: 13-25 Obvious Observations Jesus is a manly man. Jesus protects His own. Jesus had a rightful claim on the House of God Painful Purging Jesus didn't destroy their businesses, but he put them in their proper place. Jesus' power was not in physical force but in His mere presence. Righteous Restoration Place of prayer Place of atonement Place of His presence Quite the Question Zeal for what consumes me?
Following John 1 Identities Established God is eternal, personal, life-giving creator. I am created for His glory and nobody's Savior. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and giver of His Spirit. Faithful Following Start Clear Presentation Continual Invitation Prayerful Intervention Steps Growing relationship Cultivation of gifts Ministry assigned Stability All about desire which is determined by the answer to one question. “Why are you following me?” Supernatural Power to produce change Jesus knows who we are and who will be.
Give-and-take John 1 He Takes Lamb (Gen 22) Substitute, sacrifice, sin-bearer Sin In totality Take away Leviticus 16 – scapegoat World The Ever-Widening mercy Abraham, Passover, Day of Atonement, Jesus He Gives Holy Spirit What you are immersed in is destined to impart its very nature in you. Meet the new you Ezekiel 36:25-27
Knowing Thyself John 1 Who I'm not Wonder-worker – the channel of divine power Law-giver – the custodian of morality Savior – deliverance comes from me Who I am? Unworthy, on my best day, to do the littlest thing. I am about someone else. Consider: *I am a creation of God, who belongs to Him and exists for His glory. *I am a sinner, who deserves nothing from God, and looks to Him for mercy. *I am a new creation, redeemed at inestimable cost, despite all the struggles that remain in my life. *I am a child of God, destined for eternal joy through Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.
Meeting Jesus John 1 The Issue No one has seen God, so, people talk about elephants. The Responses Agnosticism - No one knows Mysticism - Everyone knows Jesusism - Thank God for a talking Elephant Eternal Personal Divine Creator Life-giving
Lasting Influence II Kings 2 Elijah's Strong Finish Useful Fruitful Peaceful Elisha's Smart Start Burn the Boats 19:19-21 Shred the Clothes, Shed the Tears Pick up the cloak The right response after grief is to carry on the work. One Final Picture Elijah was given safe passage. Elisha was safe too. Death is a safe passage because of Jesus.
Been There…….You're Not Alone I Kings 19:1-18 Elijah is broken Exhausted Withdrawn Restless Defeated Disappointed Elijah is renewed Strength Presence Purpose
Melee on the Mountain I Kings 18:20-40 In this corner: 450 prophets of Baal Early round confidence Growing desperation Ultimate disaster In this corner: Elijah and…….. well, just Elijah Power of God not numbers Confident prayer, not constant activity In the crowd: Convinced, but perhaps not converted Not changed by judgement Not changed by miracles I Corinthians 1 And the winner is: THE LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD
Grace and Truth I Kings 18:1-21 1, Different Strokes for Different Folks (1-18) Insights for Inside Influencers Expect Trouble Expect to be misunderstood Remember the God who calls, Is the God who sustains. Caution for Cultural Warriors Be slow to judge Carefully choose the hill to die on 2. Forget point number 1. (19-21) Lose the Limp Identify the Real Issue Note the Urgency
The Journey Continues I Kings 17:17-24 The Journey in Faith Begins when you trust the promise of God enough to obey. Tested when you don't understand what God is doing. Triumphs on resurrection day. The Journey in Love Begins in Humility Grows in Tenderness Ends in Life Everlasting (John 6:40) The Journey in Grace “Give Me Your Son” “See, Your Son Lives”
Great Sacrifice, Greater Joy I Kings 17:8-16 God does what he always does. His means will change. His provision will not. Elijah did what Jesus did. Came to people in great need. Called them to great sacrifice. Promised great reward. I need to do what Elijah did. Challenge to serve. Challenge to give. Challenge to pray.
Closed Doors and Dirty Birds I Kings 17:1-7 God Hiding Elijah The Cherith Experience – God closes a door on what you want most to do. God hides you to work on you, before He works through you. God Leading Elijah Obedience precedes leading Choose the wisest means to the noblest end. God Feeding Elijah A brook, not a river (just enough) God used ravens Unclean birds often fly high in the service of God. Service is never a substitute for holiness.
I Kings 17:1,2 Review Ahab's Influence Took God Lightly Redefined god Nobody from Nowhere A Living Personal God Ahab believed religion was a part of Sociology to be manipulated by a politician. Stand in His Presence My main job is to live in deep contentment, joy, and confidence in my everyday experience with God. Everything else is job #2. Prioritize the Eternal It is better to endure any suffering in this world and turn to God, then to enjoy the comfort of this world and live without him. Obeyed God's Word Elijah spoke judgment so people would seek mercy. Jesus spoke mercy to people who deserve judgment.
James 1: 19 - 27 Be __________ to hear Be __________ to speak Be slow to __________ Put off ___________________ and _________________ Receive the ____________ Word Prove yourselves ____________ of the Word Evidence of our faith: Bridle our _____________ Care for ____________ and ___________ Keep yourself _______________ from the _____________.
Influencers I Kings 16 “Leaders are people who set out on a journey and take others with them.” Ahab (29,30) None worse. Here's why. Broke God's Command (31) “Makes sense to me.” Invented god (32) “We all worship the same God but we do it our own way in our own place” Provoked God to anger (33) “Not how I like to think about God” Ignored God's Word (34) “Just an old story – Not reality.”
Get Your Head in the Game I Corinthians 11 Be Mindful of the Past We Remember and Proclaim Be Mindful of Others Resolution Precedes Worship Be Mindful of Yourself Repentant Sinners Don't let success or failures keep you away Be Mindful of Jesus The Lord's Supper is the Lord's. The Lord's Supper is a supper. Bread – Body - Perfect Obedience Juice – Blood - Perfect Forgiveness
Baffling Battle Plan Judges 7 Let It Grow, Let It Grow Gideon went from cowering to the Hall of Fame. God considers our humanity. Calculate the Odds The degree of difficulty is relative to the capacity of the one doing the work. With God, one is a majority. – M Luther Quarantine Fear 2/3 walked Standard Operating Procedure Deploy Worship Reorients Courage is Contagious too.
Fleshly Weapons - our own thinking - methodology - anger - vengeance - escape Divine Weapons - truth - prayer - Word - faith - fruit Strongholds - worry - lust - negative - temporal
STAND Ephesians 6 3 Basics The battle is spiritual. The battle intensity varies. The battle's objective is to stand. 7 Tools Truth Righteousness Gospel of Peace Faith Hope Word Lord
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
