Sermons - HAMPTON ROADS CHURCH

Zacchaeus was a picture of shame and an object of scorn as he perched from the tree to see Jesus. But he was able to come down from that tree in acceptance and honor. Why? Because Jesus was on his way to go up the tree for Zacchaeus. Jesus went up the tree to bear his (and our) scorn, shame, sin and rejection. He likewise leaves us with honor, dignity, purpose, and peace.

Final class in the Empty Nesters Generational Lift series

Fifth in a series of lessons on 2Peter 1:1-15. Empty Nesters Class 5 Notes

The Comfort ZoneEmpty Nester's Class 4: "Godliness"The Comfort Zone: A Radical Faith That Lifts This Generation[Slide 2] As a class review, what we have constructed thus far is having more closely examined our own God-ness, wisdom, discipline and attention to parenting as a means of growing our "pyramid of faith." Tonight we will be adding the next tier [Click]: godliness.[Slide 3] What is godliness? [Click] A dictionary definition might go something like this:[Slide 4] Godliness: a careful observance of the laws of God and performance of religious duties, proceeding from love and reverence for the divine character and commands; Christian obedience.But [Click], here is my personal definition or description of what godliness is: [Slide 5] "God Awareness." I usually go about gauging my level of "God Awareness" by simply asking myself:"How often each day do my thoughts drift back toward who God is, what He has said, where He is present, why I am here and how He desires I respond to His grace?"And what I am suggesting is that this is a radical faith - to simply be more and more aware of God in each and every situation of your daily life. Have some fun with your spiritual imagination. For instance, here is what I imagine the expression will be for every Christian when they finally see God face to face [Slide 6] - courtesy of my grandson Cameron. The Bible also has a lot to say about what godliness is. However, for the sake of brevity I would like to center our discussion on just one Scripture citation - Titus 1:1-3 [Slide 7]. Which reads,Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness - in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior.Since our last class, I trust all of you have enjoyed your study of the Apostle Paul's method of training the young evangelist Timothy. In this letter to his other protege, Titus the Evangelist, the Apostle Paul described three key elements [Slide 8] that would be helpful for promoting godliness in the lives of those Titus ministered to. They are as follows:[Click] Furthering your faith.[Click] Furthering your knowledge of the truth.[Click] The hope of eternal life.These three elements - faith, truth and hope - form what I refer to as the [Slide 9] Titusian Triangle of Godliness. For the remainder of our time together this evening I would like you to share with the entire group your own impression about these fundamental elements. To facilitate this being a more interactive discussion time, I would like to ask everyone to turn their chairs so that they face the center of the room.Here are the questions I would like you to consider:What feedback do you have regarding how these breakout classes have benefited you in furthering your faith?What do you suggest would be beneficial for promoting further knowledge of the truth in the Empty Nester's Group?What are you personally hoping to get from eternal life?[Slide 10, Click] For your homework assignment [Slide 11], I would like to encourage you all to be more conscientious about how you can further one another's faith, knowledge of the truth, and hope of eternal life - i.e., what it may take to get you out of your Comfort Zone! Download Class Notes

Generational Lift class for empty nesters on "The End Zone"

In both Colossians 4:2-6 and Ephesians 5:16-20, Paul charges us to go all in on godly golden opportunities to redeem the times for Him who redeemed us. 

At a churchwide leaders meeting, we embraced the charge to provide personal example, worthy of imitation, as a people who really love as Jesus loved. 

A lesson from the 2017 SPA (South Pacific & Australia) Region's Campus Retreat in Sydney.

After considering the steep challenge of the greatest commandment to love God and love others, we turn to the source of all our love: God's love for us as seen in 1John 3:1-2

A study of Mark 12 where Jesus gives us the greatest commandment to love God and love others. What is the opposite of love? What is the greatest sin? These questions are considered. 

Initial midweek sermon on the Hampton Roads Church Summer of Love series. We begin a study of Mark 12, the greatest commandment to love God and love others.

A Biblical look at motherhood and its spiritual implications

A midweek class for the young families of the Hampton Roads Church to promote Generational Lift. This is the second in the series.

A Generational Lift class with a continuing study of 2nd Peter 1:1-15

Easter 2017 sermon at Hampton Roads Church's Coastal Region Service. See 1 Peter 1:3-11

All Scripture is useful for CORRECTING so that the servant of God may thoroughly equipped for every good work. This lesson builds on the series of lessons on Deliberate Discipleship and a study of 2Timothy 3:16-17. 

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for reproving and correcting. This midweek worship on exposing sin's deceitful via a "Hand-Heart-Head approach" provides practical and powerful hope for those ensnared by sin. 2nd Timothy 3:16-17

Quality Quiet Times That Lead To Generational Lift.

2Cor 3:18 provides a wondrous principle that we who are filled with the Spirit are being shaped into the very image of Christ by that Spirit. In Ephesians 5:18, the apostle Paul also exhorts Spirit-filled Christians to get our fleshly inhibitions out of the way so that the Spirit may accomplish the work of our transformation and for our service to the Lord.

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul exhorts him to "Be diligent in these matters, give yourself wholeheartedly to them, so everyone may see your progress." 1Tim 4:15 We discuss this training principle as we consider training (paideia) from 2Tim 3:16-17 Hebrews 12. Most importantly, we seek to change a culture of training on weaknesses rather than on strengths for the common good of the body. 

During a congregational teaching event in Denver, Ed Anton delivered four messages on "Undaunted Discipleship" including: The Rabbi's Call to Follow The Messiah's Charge to Take Up the Cross The Spirit's Reproof to Convict and Convert The Savior's Assurance of Salvation

During a congregational teaching event in Denver, Ed Anton delivered four messages on "Undaunted Discipleship" including: The Rabbi's Call to Follow The Messiah's Charge to Take Up the Cross The Spirit's Reproof to Convict and Convert The Savior's Assurance of Salvation

During a congregational teaching event in Denver, Ed Anton delivered four messages on "Undaunted Discipleship" including: The Rabbi's Call to Follow The Messiah's Charge to Take Up the Cross The Spirit's Reproof to Convict and Convert The Savior's Assurance of Salvation

During a congregational teaching event in Denver, Ed Anton delivered four messages on "Undaunted Discipleship" including: The Rabbi's Call to Follow The Messiah's Charge to Take Up the Cross The Spirit's Reproof to Convict and Convert The Savior's Assurance of Salvation

Philippi is commended in Paul's Second Letter the Corinthian Church for their honorable response to the grace given them in Christ. They then responded from a deep well of gratitude with radical generosity (despite intense poverty and persecution).

God Prospers You to Increase Your Standard of Giving Rather Than Your Standard of Living. Download Notes

Store up treasure where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal

Tim Rees carefully considers Jesus' call in Luke 12 to seek first righteousness and His Kingdom - even through our stewardship of money and resources. Luke 12:22–34 (NIV) Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

A call to drop our inhibitions and live Spirit filled, unrestrained lives as we walk in Christ