Listen to the latest sermons from our Lead Pastor and Guest Speakers.
A B I D E John 15 The True Vine (1-3) “I am going to do for you, what you have failed to do for yourself.” Our position in His presence is because of who He is, not what we have done. Purging or Pruning (2) Lifting up or cutting back Difficulty grows us Abide (4,5) Christians will bear fruit. I'm not where I was, nor where I want to be It means remain. We wander away Consider the context Peter with his brash claims passionate denial and ultimate pursuit. What things in your life stir your affections for Jesus? Psalm 91 Love and Joy come to you. (9-11)
Philippians 4:10 -23 3 Elements of ____________________ Trusting God's ________________ Having the Right ________________ Relying on Christ's __________________ Providence: Contentment comes from trusting God's _______________ ______. A humble heart doesn't ___________ more from God - it _______ in what God has already ______. Perspective: Contentment comes from _____________ above our ______________. Power: Contentment comes through _____________ ___________, freeing us from _____-________. You learn contentment when your __________ ________ fails and the strength of Christ __________ ___________. Christ's strength ______________ the heart toward ___________. Generosity is loved expressed: ______________, ____________, ____________.
Right Thinking, Right Living 1. Rejoice In The Lord Always 2. Renowned Reasonableness 3. Remove Anxiousness 4. Restock Our Thinking 5. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat True: o John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” o What truths do we have from God's word? Honorable o That which is worthy of respect. Not trivial, mundane, temporal, common, earthly, but eternal, worthy of praise or worship. Just o Righteous. That which is in perfect harmony with God Pure o Holy, morally clean, or undefiled. Free of sin Lovely o Acceptable or worthy of affection. “Lovely to God” Commendable o Good repute, highly thought of
The Power of the Resurrection Philippians 3:1-10 *Gives Assurance Act 13:29-33 The claims of the apostles The change in the apostles The courage of the apostles *Gives Peace His life is an example of perfect righteousness, however that righteousness is only ours because of the resurrection. We are as righteous as if we had kept every law, because he did it for us *Gives Life 87 times Paul writes, “In Him.” Live like the risen Jesus - a stranger waiting to depart *Gives Comfort Isaiah 26:19 Must be buried with Him to rise with Him. He's worth it.
Working Out Philippians 2:12 -18 A crucial “THEREFORE” Duty rests on a foundation of doctrine. A constant conflict We don't do good works for salvation, but we are saved for good works. Human responsibility and divine empowerment coexist. A higher Calling Cheerful living in a grumpy world Straight living in a crooked world Radiant living in a dark world Share the gospel with your life and with your words.
Fulfill Joy with Unity Philippians 2:1-11 Here's why: We have enough opposition from outside of the church. You are loved. You are united in the Spirit. Here's what: Fight selfish instincts. Fight puffiness. Get low. “Humility is the grease needed for the gears of every relationship.” Here's how: Look to Jesus Always God Form - Essential nature Emptied himself Glory Independent authority Sacrificed So now what? In a word Bow Jesus is Lord Eventually, why not now?
To Live is Christ Philippians 1:12-30 The Purpose in Pain Opportunity to Witness Embolden believers The Message not the Messenger It was brothers who had the wrong motives. Attack “another” Gospel The Choosing of Joy Coveting prayer Magnifying Christ Telescopic, not microscopic The Conduct of the Kingdom Representing the Gospel Striving together Expect Opposition Accept God's gift
The Advent of Joy Psalm 126 Joy through Remembering God is all about celebrations and memorials Ask: What has God used to bring me close To Him? Who has God used to bring me close to Him? Where would I be without Him? Joy through Requesting Come as you are. Ask what you want, with an open hand. Joy through wRestling (OK , difficulty) Say with Job 19:25 Say with David Psalm 27:13-14 Say with Paul Romans 8:18 Hear from Jesus John 15:11 Joy through Reaping
The Advent of Peace Ephesians 2: 11-17 Upward Peace No longer enemies Romans 5:10 No longer without mercy I Peter 2:10 No longer lost sheep I Peter 2:25 No longer alone II Thessalonians 3:16 Inward Peace Philippians 4:7 Walk in the peace that comes from knowing: He knew what He was buying on the cross. I am who He says I am. Outward Peace Peace between the near (those who have grown up in the church and the far (those who have made a mess of ruling their own lives.) Through the cross
The Thrill of Hope Luke 2 3 Basic needs Someone to trust Faith Peace I have a future Hope Hope I am loved Love Love Will produce Joy 2 People that you need to meet Simeon 25-32 Anna 36-38 3 Truths about Hope It is for the godly. It is based on a guarantee. It brings gladness. 1 more thing that didn't really fit into the outline but could not be ignored in the text Jesus is the Great Divider 33-35
Who is like our God? Micah 7:18-20 Love and Justice meet in God. Anger - God's personal, holy response to evil Response Scripture tells us that God is love, never that God is anger. Holy never overcome by evil just and measured Personal He cares about you, so the way you live matters to Him Past sins will be hurled. The sins from which you have been saved, will pursue you. God will break the power of canceled sin. Future temptations are trodden under foot. They will come. God walks with you. Past sins will not master you, and future temptations will not overcome.
What Does God Want? Micah 6,7 Solution Live justly Love mercy Walk humbly with God. Symptoms No godly living Self interest Destruction of families Substitutes Sacrifice Offering Religion Strategy Watch and wait. Put your hope in the gospel.
The Shepherd King Micah 5 What they heard A great enemy will come against you. God will give another David. You will overcome. The Great Shepherd Saves and keeps There is a lion in that lamb. Today There is a great enemy against me. There is a lion inside me. He is setting a table. There's a place for me. No room for you – fear Do you think that you deserve this? – failure Are you sure there's a banquet? – doubt How could you fit in? – guilt You'll never be free of me – Old Wounds
What a Day! Micah 4 What is coming? Peace Security How is it coming? God will judge God will gather God will rule God will redeem When is it coming? In the past 70 years after captivity In the future Millennium New earth In the present Evidence of God's presence Gathering of God's people Snapshot of God's kingdom
Why am I reading this? Micah 2,3 So that I learn: To trust revelation and not speculation. Speculation always leads to idolatry. Revelation always demands obedience. To trust those with courage to speak the truth. False prophets comfort those in sin. False prophets seek popularity and money. To recognize the responsibility of leadership. To value repentance in my walk with God. To become a difference maker. Speak truth Live right Pray Persevere Jeremiah 28:18,19
Dealing with Disaster Micah 1 Affirm Sovereignty Prefer unanswered questions to having a wimpy god. Satan's best efforts to destroy God's work, always end up contributing to its growth' - Martin Luther Reserve Judgment Deuteronomy 29:29 Have humility in the secret things and confidence in the revealed. If we pretend to know the secret things, we lose credibility concerning the revealed. Near to God Shave your head or shake your fist. Let Him speak through every disaster.
John 5:11,12 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
These Three Kings Micah 1:1 Jotham Apathy Loved God, but let idols stand Had faith, but lacked conviction Ahaz Apostasy II King 16 Brought economic, territorial, and moral disaster Presided over paganism Hezekiah Revival II Kings 18 None like him Presided over revival Three takeaways: God can bring revival out of the worst disasters. God can raise a great son from the worst father. God can give a great ministry to the most ordinary person.
John 14:27 Needed More than 45 current conflicts The disciples were stressed out People today are stressed out Constant At all times Peace is not found in the absence of trouble, but in the presence of God Multidimensional With God Romans 5:1 With self Psalm 116:7 With others Romans 12:8 Unique It's His It's real Obtainable It's left or given It's commanded With command comes capacity It's grounded In His presence In His promise In His grace
Getting Us Ready John 14:8-26 Do you not believe? Three words - Jesus is God Greater works? Because I go Holy Spirit comes The greatest miracle – salvation Ask anything? Must Glorify In His will Right motives Why just us? Obedience to Christ opens the door to intimacy with Christ and satisfaction in Christ Should you join in? Not the Bread of affliction but my broken body Not the blood spread on a door post but the blood shed on the cross Never take lightly
serve like I serve love like I love Go Where I'm Going John 13:36 – 14:7 Where are you going? Psalm 103:19 II Corinthians 5:6-8 Revelation 21:27 II Corinthians 12:1,2 Psalm 14 :2 Revelation 21:15-21 Revelation 22:1 Revelation 21:23 Revelation 21:4 Why can't I come? Wait You're only engaged (betrothed) How do I get there? One Way One Truth One Life
Lots to Learn John 13:18-38 About Jesus Bible anchor Never surprised Fully man From Judas You can fool everybody, except God From Peter How you identify is very important. About love What's new? “As you love yourself” is replaced by “As God loves us.” What's agape? Sacrificial, selfless, unconditional, eternal, not convenient, costly, I John 4:7-11, I Corinthians 13: 4-7.
The Case for Christ John 12 The prosecution's case He's going to die He's from Nazareth He hung out with sinners He's just a man The defender's case God is glorified in Jesus' death This is why he came Now is your chance What led to the Pharisees' verdict? Refuse to see the miracles in front of them Fear of man, not God What led to the disciples' verdict? See the big picture of God unfolding Fear God, not man
Following John 12:12-19 General observations The appeal of Jesus The authority of scripture The amount of commitment What do we do when God doesn't do what we want him to do? Specific applications Focus on what he is doing not on what he's not doing. Fall forward (not away). Realized that you only see a fragment.
Lessons from Lazarus II John 11 and 12 Lessons from the path of unbelief Don't confuse me with facts. Enemy of my enemy is my friend. I cannot believe, if it means I'm not in charge anymore. A donkey speaks again. Lessons from the path of belief Work follows belief. Martha used perspiration. Worship trumps all. Mary used perfume. Lazarus was a silent witness. It comes with great power and great price.
Lessons from Lazarus John 11 About the Lord *His pace The more we commune with God the more we're immune from anxiety. *His provocation He was never driven by emotion but by devotion to God. *His purpose His delay is for his display. *His premise We need to interpret our circumstances through the lens of His love, rather than interpreting His love through the lens of our circumstances. About life after death Not a destination but a transition Not a separation but a reunion Not an end but a beginning
Divinity Wrapped in Humanity John 10 The Significant Question To believe or not to believe Hebrews 11:6 Doubts are not the problem; unbelief is. We have His Word and His Works The Secure Provision Given, not earned His grip don't slip The Divine Certainty No doubt what they heard No doubt what He said Colossians 11:5-20 A little déjà vu for you Not just a prophet, teacher, or miracle worker, but the God who came to save those who believe and receive. John 1:12
I am the Door and the Good Shepherd John 10 Door Singular Other options Circumvent Jesus Climb the Fence Thieves and Robbers Deception and violence Imposters Intend Harm Good Shepherd Voice is known Gives Liberty Gives Life Gives Himself
DANIEL 4 The Correction: Examples of Correction: Prophets and ______________ Through ___________ and judgement Through the _________________ of the __________ ____________ Through ____________ and ____________ The Response: _______________ _____ _______________
A Chapter with Issues John 9 The issue of Theodicy Is all suffering related to sin? Is my suffering related to my sin? The issue of Sovereignty Are you willing to suffer it if it will draw you closer to God? Can you trust God to do things on His terms in His time? The issue of Urgency Are you willing to alleviate the suffering of others to drive others to God? The issue of Backlash Disbelief and disowning The issue of Evidence Can you testify of your experience with Jesus? The issue of Salvation Have you recognized your blindness so that you may receive sight?
The Truth John 8:31-58 “Thems fightin' words.” Just to grab your attention. 8:41 We were not born of fornication. 8:44 You are of your father, the devil. Slave makers Sin Always addictive Lies Always been around Genesis 3 Isaiah 59:14-15 There is power in controlling the “truth.” If enough ‘smart” people say it must be true. Champions of Freedom Son Abiding in his word. Experiencing the freedom of family. Truth Examine the source (Malachi 3:6) Objective Universal Like John 3:16 Absolute Psalm 119:89 Eternal Psalm 119:160 Freeing Want more freedom? Need more truth.
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.
© 2020-2026 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
