“By faith Abraham obeyed…” (Hebrews 11:8). Abraham, the father of faith, is the subject of focus for the greater part of Hebrews 11. Observing his faith provides great insight into what pleases God. Ppt: Outline: To download, right-click on the title in the track list and select “Save link as…”
Continue reading Sermon: By Faith (3) – Abraham and SarahFaith
The first three characters the Hebrew writer utilizes to display the faith that pleases God are Abel, Enoch, and Noah (Hebrews 11:4-7). Faith acts on God’s word, leads to right standing with God, is willing to change, is outspoken, affects others for good, and provides an example for all to follow. Ppt: Outline: To download, …
Continue reading Sermon: By Faith (2) – Abel, Enoch, and NoahThe epistle to the Hebrews warned the brethren of apostasy. As they were suffering persecution, the writer explained, “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise…Now the just shall live by faith”(Hebrews 10:36, 38). An active and enduring faith is essential to pleasing God. …
Continue reading Sermon: By Faith (1) – The Nature and Necessity of FaithOften, circumstances arise which lead to reminiscence concerning loved ones who have passed. These moments also often times lead to meditations on what those passsed loved ones may think about current matters if they were around to express those thoughts. Usually, these conversations center around temporal matters which lack spiritual substance. The account of the …
Continue reading Sermon: If they were here, what would they say?As Joseph approached his brothers who hated him, they mocked him saying, “Look, this dreamer is coming!” (Genesis 37:19) (“Lit. master of dreams,” NKJV fn) As the account progresses, it becomes apparent that Joseph only ever revealed what God had revealed to him. Yet, despite his honest actions he was rejected and assaulted. Those who reveal the truth …
Continue reading Sermon: Master of DreamsIn the first chapter of Colossians, Paul establishes the preeminence of Christ – “so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” (Colossians 1:18, NASB) What does it mean that Jesus has first place in everything? What does this look like in the daily life of discipleship? Ppt: Outline: To download, right-click on the …
Continue reading Sermon: He Has First Place in Everything – The Comprehensive Nature of DiscipleshipOn two occasions, Jesus responded to the Pharasaic oppostions He faced by quoting Hosea 6:6. On one occasion He instructed them to “go and learn what this means”(Matthew 9:13). After this, He exposed their negligence, saying, “if you had known what this means…you would not have condemned the guiltless” (Matthew 12:7). “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the …
Continue reading Sermon: Go and Learn What This Means – “I desire mercy and not sacrifice”In her bitter trial of barrenness and persecution, Hannah poured her heart out to the Lord in faith. When God blessed her with a son, whom she called Samuel, noting that God had heard her, she turned to God in fervent praise. Her prayer-song in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 is filled with wonderful reflections on God and His …
Continue reading Sermon: The Prayer of Hannah – The Lord is a Rock Like No OtherFollowing his exhortation for the Philippians to work out their salvation, Paul noted the Divine activity adjoining their efforts – “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13) How does God work in us? What does it mean that He works in us to will? …
Continue reading Sermon: God Works in You to Will and to DoAmidst the rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees by Jesus in Matthew 23, He addressed a problem concerning their intense attention to small matters of the law, while failing to adhere to the weightier matters (v. 23). He likened this to straining out a gnat, but swallowing a camel (v. 24). This failure in proportion …
Continue reading Sermon: Gnats and Camels – Failure in Proportion and Priority