Sermon from November 30

Advent Week One -- Hope

Isaiah 9: 1 - 7

1. Life without Christ is comprised of gloom, darkness, humility, death, yoke of burden, oppression, warfare and slavery.
2. Jesus brings light and life into our lives. He uplifts the humble and shatters the rod of oppression that enslaves us.
3. The hope that Jesus brings extends even beyond the grave because the life He gives is everlasting.
4. Jesus didn’t just appear one day, he was born as one of us.
5. He is without peer as a comforter; He is God in the flesh; He will love us as a father forever; He brings the only true peace.
6. We are still waiting for much of this prophecy to be fulfilled.

John 1:9, John 8:12, John 8:36, Revelation 19: 11 - 16, Revelation 21: 3

Sermon from November 23

Contentment in Thanksgiving

Philippians 4: 4 - 13

1. Peace is not the absence of conflict, it is the presence of God.
2. Paul had learned to be content in all circumstances because he realized that having Christ is the secret to everything.
3. God has given us the ability to control our minds. We can deliberately rejoice no matter what. And we can concentrate on good things. 2 Corinthians 10:5
4. When we approach God with confidence and thanksgiving, it opens God’s storehouse of goodness (vs. 19)
5. The more we worry, the more we should pray.

Sermon from November 16

Contend for the Faith

Jude 1 - 10

1. It might seem pleasant to drink milk and stay in basic teaching, but we must learn correct doctrine so we can mature in the faith.
2. Gnostics distorted the grace of God by believing their behavior didn’t matter and that Jesus was never flesh and blood.
3. God freed the Israelites, but later destroyed them because of their rebellion of unbelief. God is punishing angels because they followed Satan. God burned Sodom and Gomorrah to the ground because of immorality.
4. Spiritual warfare is not to be taken lightly. We must understand that it is real and we must live by the Spirit to be protected from it.

Sermon from November 9

What You Say and What You Do

Luke 6: 43 - 49

1. A tree’s fruit tells you what kind of tree it really is.
2. A man’s attitude reveals what kind of person he really is.
3. Your attitude is shown mostly by what you say.
4. Do your words build others up or tear them down? Ephesians 4:29
5. The real you is shown by what you say and what you do.
6. It does no good to hear Jesus’ words unless you put them into practice.
7. Whether or not you accept Christ, storms will come into your life.

Sermon from October 26

Gird Up the Loins of Your Mind

1 Peter 1: 13 – 25

1. We should be mentally alert, self-controlled, and focused on Jesus’ will for our lives.
2. Christians are not just God’s children, we are God’s obedient children.
3. To be holy means we are set apart from everyone else.
4. This pleases God, builds the church, and shows the world that we are different.
5. Our salvation is the most expensive gift ever given. It was always God’s plan to redeem us.
6. We have sincere love for each other because we will be together forever. A bond stronger than any other.

Sermon from Oct 19

Tested and Purified by Fire

1 Peter 1: 1 - 9

1. God knew that you would be a Christian before you were born. God knows everything you will ever do before it happens. Psalm 139: 16
2. A Christian is obedient to God and made holy by Jesus’ blood.
3. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we can be born again. We can rest assured that God has a plan for our lives and that He loves us like children.
4. Our inheritance is guaranteed and kept secure by God’s power.
5. Before we receive our inheritance, we are tested by fire. These tests prove to us that our faith is genuine and keep us pure.
6. Our trials also bring glory to God because they make us more like Jesus. Romans 8:29

Sermon from October 12

Esther
Or Cross God and Hang Higher than Haman

Esther 4: 12 - 5: 8

1. Esther was in a difficult spot. She was an exile in a foreign land, without parents.
2. God gave her the gift of beauty for a reason. The gifts God blesses us with are for Him, not just us.
3. When she was given the royal position, she might have been concerned with her own safety, but she risked her life to save her people.
4. She didn’t rush in to beg the king. She called for fasting and praying first.
5. Then she carefully orchestrated her request.
6. Because of this terrible ordeal, the Jews received blessings and victory.