Sermons

Sermon Notes - Malachi 3:6-12 - Message Five: On GivingMain Point: Faithfulness to God means faithfulness in giving to God.1. A Call to Repent (6-7a)  -Who God Is (6)  -What God's People Need (7a)2. A Call to Give (7b-12)  -The Problem: Greedy Robbing of God (7b-9)  -The Solution: Generous Giving to God (10-11)  -The Result: Global Recognition of God's Glory (12)

Sermon Notes - Malachi 2:17-3:5 - Message Four: On JusticeMain Point: God's justice is displayed in his Messenger.1. Justice in Question (2:17)2. Justice in Action (3:1-5)  -The Lord's Messenger(s) (1)  -The People's Purification (2-4)  -The Wicked's Judgment (5)

Sermon Notes - Malachi 2:10-16 - Message Three: On FaithlessnessMain Point: We are to guard against faithlessness, especially in marriage, for the sake of our relationships with others and the Lord.1. Charges of Faithlessness:  -In the Community  -In Worship2. Examples of Faithlessness:   -Faithless Marriages  -Faithless Divorces

Sermon Notes - Malachi 1:6-2:9 - Message Two: On WorshipMain Point: God deserves and demands our absolute best - anything less is unacceptable to him.1. God's Charge and Israel's Questions: Dishonor (1:6-7)2. God's Answer to the People: Unacceptable Worship (1:8-14)3. God's Answer to the Priests: False Teaching (2:1-9)

Sermon Notes - Malachi 1:1-5 - Message One: On LoveMain Point: God shows his love for his people in his unconditional and glorious salvation of them.1. An Introduction to Malachi (v. 1)2. God's Charge: Love (v. 2a)3. Israel's Question: How (v. 2b)4. God's Answer: Election (v. 2c-5)  -God's Unconditional Choice (v. 2c-3a)  -Edom's Certain Destruction (v. 3b-4)  -God's Limitless Glory (v. 5)

Sermon Notes - Discipleship: In the HomeMain Point: When Jesus is our top priority, we will prioritize discipleship in the home.1. Connections (Titus 2:1-8)  -The Church's Influence  -The Parent's Influence  -Modeling2. Comforts (Matthew 28:18-20)  -You Can Start Today  -You Cannot Save Anyone  -Christ Has Saved You3. Challenges (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)  -Time: Intentional Family Worship  -Moments: Everyday God-Sightings  -Milestones: Significant Commemorations

Main Idea: Commit to following Christ as His disciples—even if it costs us everything—because He is worth it.A disciple is not… (v25) - A disciple is not merely a part of the crowd, but a committed follower.  - A disciple is not a super-Christian, but a Christian. A disciple is… (v26) - A disciple is one who puts Christ over all things. - A disciple is one who follows Christ in all circumstances.Consider the cost of discipleship (v27-33).Consider the cost that Christ paid for us.

Sermon Notes - James 5:13-20 - Faith and SalvationMain Point: We are to live out our faith through prayer and care for one another.1. Prayer (13-18)  -The Prevalence of Prayer (13-15)   -Pray in All Seasons (13)   -Pray in Sickness (14-15)  -The Power of Prayer (16-18)   -Our Powerful Prayer (16)   -Elijah's Powerful Prayer (17-18)2. Care (19-20)  -Those Who Wander   -How They Wander   -The Results of Their Wandering  -Those Who Care   -How They Care   -The Results of Their Care

Sermon Notes - James 5:7-12 - Faith and PatienceMain Point: We are to endure suffering with patience because of what awaits us in Christ.

Sermon Notes - James 4:13-17 - Faith and PresumptionMain Point: In all things we are to trust in God, not ourselves.-The Issue at Hand (13)-Our Uncertainty About Life (14)  -Limited  -Temporary-God's Sovereignty Over Life (15)-Our Presumption About Life (16)-God's Call on Our Lives (17)

Sermon Notes - James 4:1-12 - Faith and FaithfulnessMain Point: God demands complete faithfulness to him, but gives us the grace needed for it, if we have the humility to receive it.1. The Problem of Sinful Passions (1-3)2. The Problem of Sinful People (4-10)  -The Heart of the Matter (4-5)  -The Hope of the World (6)  -The How-To of Humility (7-10)3. The Problem of Sinful Proclamations (11-12)

Sermon Notes - James 3:13-18 - Faith and WisdomMain Point: True wisdom is from above and leads to righteousness - false wisdom is from below and leads to wickedness.-An Introduction to True Wisdom (13)-False Wisdom (14-16)  -Source  -Marks  -Results-True Wisdom (17-18)  -Source  -Marks  -Results

Main Point: The Lord breaks us to make us to be servants for His glory.Point one:The Lord breaks us…Luke 22:54-62Point two:To make us to be servants…John 21:15-17Point three:For His glory….John 21: 18-19

Sermon Notes - James 2:1-13 - Faith and PartialityMain Point: Show no partiality.1. The What (1)2. The Example (2-4)3. The Why (5-13)  -Spiritual (5-6a)  -Social (6b-7)  -Scriptural (8-13)   -Love over partiality (8-9)    -Consistency over partiality (10-11)   -Mercy over partiality (12-13)

Sermon Notes - James 1:19-27 - Faith and ObedienceMain Point: Faithfulness to God means hearing, doing, and living his word.1. Hear the Word (19-21)2. Do the Word (22-25)3. Live the Word (26-27)  -Bridle the Tongue  -Visit the Afflicted  -Keep Unstained from the World

Sermon Notes - James 1:1-8 - Faith and TrialsMain Point: We can face the trials of life with joy through faith in God who always gives us what we need.1. An Introduction to James (1)2. Trials Through Joy (2-4)  -The Reality of our Trials  -The Response to our Trials  -The Result of our Trials3. Wisdom Through Faith (5-8)  -What Wisdom Is  -How God Gives Wisdom  -The Way We Ask for Wisdom

Sermon Notes - Death Is Not Ours to ChooseMain Point: Death is never ours to choose because we are not our own and our pain has purpose.1. Against Choosing Death (Exodus 20:13)  -God's word is clear  -Our world is unclear2. We Are Not Our Own (Genesis 1:26-28)3. Our Pain Has Purpose (John 11)  -Pain and suffering are not to be avoided at all costs  -God will eliminate all suffering without eliminating the sufferer  -Death is never the answer - the one who overcame it is

Sermon Notes - Matthew 13:44-46 - The Treasure of Infinite WorthMain Point: The Kingdom of Heaven is the treasure of infinite worth that requires all you have. 1. The +Kingdom of Heaven+ is the treasure of infinite worth that requires all you have  -Often Hidden  -Joy Producing  -For Everyone2. The Kingdom of Heaven is the +treasure of infinite worth+ that requires all you have3. The Kingdom of Heaven is the treasure of infinite worth that +requires all you have+  -Giving  -Serving  -Discipling  -Loitering  -Neighboring

Sermon Notes - 1 Timothy 4:1-11 - CatechismsMain Point: We must all be shaped by the teachings of God, not the world - and catechisms can help.1. The World's Teaching (1-5)2. God's Teaching (6-11)3. Catechisms  -What They Are  -How They Work

Sermon Notes - 1 Corinthians 13 - Love Came Down at ChristmasMain Point: Love is to always be our first priority because Love came down at Christmas.1. When love is not our first priority: we are merely noise or nothing (1-3)  -Giftedness without love  -Generosity without love2. When love is not our first priority: we are not like Jesus (4-7)   -Love is patient  -Love is kind  -Love does not envy  -Love does not boast  -Love is not arrogant  -Love is not rude  -Love does not insist on its own way  -Love is not irritable  -Love is not resentful  -Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth  -Love bears all things  -Love believes all things  -Love hopes all things  -Love endures all things3. When love is not our first priority: we are missing the point (8-13)

Sermon Notes: (JOY: John 16:16-24)Main point: In fulfilling his mission, Jesus brings us joy.Outline:(1) A Time of Sorrow(2) An Eternity of Joy

Sermon Notes: Hope – 1 Peter 1:3-16 Our Living HopeMain Point: Set your Hope fully on grace to be given to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.Biblical Hope – A confident expectation that God is ready, willing, able, and faithful to do what he said he's going to do, that God is faithful to keep his promises.1. Living Hope / New Birth 3-62. Suffering with Joy – Vs 6-9               3. Incomparably Privileged V10-124. Be Holy V13-16

Sermon Notes - Psalm 136Main Point: Because God's steadfast love endures forever, we ought to respond in worship and thanksgiving.1) Give thanks to God for who He is (v1-3)2) Give thanks to God who created and sustains the universe (v4-9)3) Give thanks to God who delivers His people (v10-15)4) Give thanks to God who keeps His promises (v16-22)5) Give thanks to God whose steadfast love endures, even today (v23-26)

Sermon Notes - Psalms 100Main Point: Because of who God is and what he has done, does, and will do, we should respond to him in thankfulness and praise.1) How we praise: Verses 1 - 22) Who we praise: Verses 3 - 43) Why we praise: Verse 5

Sermon Notes - Genesis 49:29-50:26 - The End of the BeginningMain Point: God will sustain us through everything, even life and death, to the end.1. The End of Jacob (49:29-50:14)2. The End of Joseph (50:15-26) -Acknowledge God's Role -Accept God's Perspective -Apply God's Love3. The End of Genesis

Sermon Notes - Genesis 49:1-28 - Salvation and BlessingsMain Point: God's salvation and blessings are sure in his Messiah - the Lion of Judah.1. The Future of the Other Brothers2. The Salvation from Judah  -Authority  -Might  -Rule  -Prosperity  -Christ3. The Blessings of Joseph

Sermon Notes - Genesis 46-47 - Israel in Egypt...For NowMain Point: We are to trust God every step of the way, even when we don't see the fruit of that trust, because God has always been and will always be faithful to us.1. Israel's Blessed Journey (46:1-7)2. Israel's Awaited Genealogy (46:8-27)3. Israel's Joyful Reunion (46:28-30)4. Israel's Blessing of Pharaoh (46:31-47:12)5. Israel's Flourishing (Contra Egypt) (47:13-27)6. Israel's Faithful Perspective (47:28-31)

Sermon Notes - Genesis 44 - True Repentance at LastMain Point: True repentance means acknowledging our sin and then turning from it and towards God.-Joseph's Test (v. 1-17)-Excursion: A Question Dodged   1. 3:13 - Shifting the Blame   2. 4:10 - Complaining   3. 12:18 - Leaving   4. 20:9 - Rationalizing   5. 26:10 - Silence   6. 29:25 - Making Excuses   7. 31:26 - Accusing Others   8. 44:15 - True Repentance-Judah's Speech (v. 18-34)

Sermon Notes - Genesis 43 - Mercy Overcomes JealousyMain Point: The jealousy in our hearts can only be overcome by the mercy of God.1. The Mercy Jacob Prays For (v. 1-15)2. The Mercy the Steward Recognizes (v. 16-25)3. The Mercy Joseph Displays (v. 26-34)

Sermon Notes - Genesis 42 - Awakening Our ConsciencesMain Point: God awakening our consciences to our guilt is a blessing, even if it is painful.1. Trouble in Canaan (v. 1-5)2. Testing in Egypt (v. 6-25)3. Tension in Canaan (v. 26-38)

Sermon Notes - Genesis 41 - God is Sovereign Over EverythingMain Point: Our sovereign God directs everything for our good and his glory.1. God Directs the Timing (1-13)2. God Directs the Details (14-36)3. God Directs the Good (37-52)4. God Directs the Bad (53-57)

Sermon Notes - Genesis 40 - Not ForgottenMain Point: God never forgets us, so we are to remember him in all we do.1. The Structure of the Passage  -A. The Meeting (1-4)    -B. The Inquiry (5-8)       -C. The First Dream Interpretation (9-13)          -D. Joseph's Request (14-15)       -C'. The Second Dream Interpretation (16-19)     -B'. The Fulfillment (20-22)  -A'. The Forgetting (23)2. The Character of Joseph  -Service  -Patience  -Faith

Sermon Notes - Genesis 38 - Grace in Unexpected PlacesMain Point: God's grace overcomes all our sin and leads to our salvation.1. Fall to Sin  -Judah (1-5)  -Tamar (6-11)  -Judah and Tamar (12-23)2. Rise to Salvation  -Judah and Tamar (24-26)  -The People of God (27-30)

Sermon Notes - Genesis 37 - The Providence of GodMain Point: God's providence cannot be stopped; therefore we are to be faithful to him in everything.1. The Favorite Son (2-11)2. The Obedient Son (12-17)3. The Sinful Sons (18-28)4. The Deceitful Sons (29-35)5. The Living Son (36)

Sermon Notes - Psalm 27 - The Beauty of the LordMain Point: The beauty of the Lord deserves all our praise and dispels all our fear.1. David's Situation2. David's Hope  -Gaze  -Beauty  -Worship3. Our Hope

Sermon Notes - Psalm 99 - The Divine Authority of Our Holy GodMain Point: Let us worship the Lord, for he is holy.1. Our Holy God Reigns (1-3)2. Our Holy God is Just (4-5)3. Our Holy God Comes to Us (6-9)

Jesus died for you (verse 1) -brokenness -God's design -Sin -Jesus -Turn and trust -Recover God's designLive for God: Wholeheartedly (verse 1)Live for God: Not for the world (verse 2)Live for God: His way (verse 2)

Sermon Notes - Matthew 6:19-24 - Serve God, Not MoneyMain Point: You will serve either God or money - choose God every time.1. Why serve money when it won't last? (19-21)2. Why serve money when it pollutes your heart? (22-23)  -Time  -Talents  -Treasure3. Why serve money when you can serve God? (24)

Sermon Notes - Genesis 36:1-37:1 - All Scripture is God-BreathedMain Point: Because all of God's word is inspired, we can stand firm on his promises.1. The Doctrine of Scripture:  -1st List:   -Revelation   -Inspiration   -Inerrancy  -2nd List:   -Sufficiency   -Clarity   -Authority   -Necessity2. God Has Fulfilled His Promises to Esau (36:1-43)3. God Will Fulfill His Promises to Us (37:1)

Sermon Notes - Genesis 35 - Faithful to the EndMain Point: Because God is faithful to the end to us, we are to be faithful to the end to him.1. God calls us to be faithful to him alone (1-4)2. God brings his people safely home (5-7)3. God remembers the "little" people (8)4. God's plan of salvation will not fail (9-15)5. God provides for us in our sorrows (16-21)6. God's promises are not nullified by our sin (22-26)7. God is faithful to his word (27-29)

Sermon Notes - Genesis 34 - The Damaging Effects of SinMain Point: When faced with evil, we are not to respond with fear or fury, but with full trust that God will make all things right.1. The Damaging Effects of Lust (1-4)2. The Damaging Effects of Deceit (5-24)3. The Damaging Effects of Violence (25-31)When faced with evil, we are not to respond with fear or fury, but with full trust that God will make all things right.

Sermon Notes - Genesis 33 - Grace-Filled ReconciliationMain Point: Reconciliation is to mark those who have received God's grace.1. Jacob and Esau Come Together (1-11)  -Jacob's Humiliation Before Esau (1-3)  -Esau's Acceptance of Jacob (4-7)  -Jacob and Esau's Reconciliation (8-11)2. Jacob and Esau Separate (12-20)  -Jacob Rebuffs Esau's Requests (12-15)  -Jacob and Esau Go Their Own Ways (16-17)  -Jacob Settles in Shechem (18-20)

Sermon Notes - Genesis 32 - WrestlemaniaMain Point: God allows us to wrestle in life, even with him, for our good and his glory.1. Jacob Wrestles With Fear (1-21)  -Jacob is assured of God's presence (1-2)  -Jacob is afraid of Esau's arrival (3-8)  -Jacob prays for God's deliverance (9-12)  -Jacob prepares for Esau's arrival (13-21)2. Jacob Wrestles With God (22-32)  -Jacob is alone (22-24a)  -Jacob wrestles with God (24b-25)  -Jacob receives God's blessing (26-29)  -Jacob is forever changed (30-32)

Sermon Notes - Genesis 31 - God Brings Jacob HomeMain Point: God protects his people and always brings them home.1. Jacob's Obedient Departure (1-21)2. Laban's Selfish Anger (22-35)3. Jacob's Righteous Anger (36-42)4. Laban's Defeated Departure (43-55)

Sermon Notes - Genesis 30:25-43 - God's Unstoppable BlessingsMain Point: God works through human efforts to accomplish his will and administer his blessings.1. God's Blessings Discussed (25-34)2. God's Blessings Displayed (36-43)  -Superstitious Traditions  -Wise Practices  -Trust in God

Main Point: God blesses according to his sovereign plan.1. God blesses the downcast (29:31-35)2. God blesses the desperate (30:1-21)  -Surrogates (30:3-13)  -Supplements (30:14-21)2. God blesses the desperate (30:1-21)3. God blesses the dependent (30:22-24)

Sermon Notes - 1 Samuel 1:1-2:10 - Hannah's PrayersMain Point: We can always take our problems to God in prayer.1. Problem: Hannah's Suffering (1:1-8)2. Prayer: Hannah's Solution (1:9-28)3. Providence: Hannah's Savior (2:1-10)

Sermon Notes - John 17:1-26 - The High Priestly PrayerMain Point: Jesus' prayer reveals the triune God's plan of salvation for his people.1. Jesus prays that he be glorified (1-5)2. Jesus prays that his apostles be fortified (6-19)3. Jesus prays that his church be unified (20-26)