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Text: Genesis 1:26-27
Does this new covenant we've been talking so much about address cultural norms for men and women? Does it uphold or repudiate ancient practices? Does one's gender bring freedom or restriction in matters of worship, leadership and family? Without question, God's intent is for each of us individually - and corporately - to thrive in every season of life. This Sundaywe'll discuss important truths relating to gender study.
Hebrews series message 28
Text: Hebrews 12:3-17
By God's grace we can view our sorrows, griefs, persecutions, temptations, and various trials as God's discipline. Not as punitive or even corrective action on His part, but His ongoing development of us as He conforms us to the image of His Son. This perspective brings such freedom as we lean on Him in our trials and difficulties. As we press in, we can find healing even though (to use a physical analogy) our bones and joints are actually broken and lame! But we've got a part to play in this process. A key theme will be the sovereignty of God in our sufferings and heartaches.
Hebrews series message 27
Text:Hebrews 12:1-2
Chapter 11 informs and provides rich context for the focus of chapter 12. Actually, the initial therefore is the hinge the entire letter turns on when moving from doctrinal teaching/exhortation to practical application. The first application is overarching and hugely important!
What: fix your eyes
On Whom: Jesus
When: all the time
How: by laying aside all weights and sin
Why: that great cloud of witnesses!
Hebrews series message 26
Text: Hebrews 11:32-40
Our final section in the Hall of Fame of Faith underscores the fact that our heroes did not receive what had been promised. Yet the weight of what was promised compelled them to do one of two things: GO BIG, and, in some cases, suffer greatly. The beauty of what God had promised, even if distant and unclear, compelled them to do great things and get out of their comfort zone. They also did not shrink back from suffering for their faith. All of which are great concepts for our discipleship ministry.
Supplemental
Text Genesis 1:27
We're going to step aside from Hebrews 11 (kind of) to talk about racism. I don't view this as a one-off just because everyone's talking about it. It's more of a focused sermon because it's important and because we've committed ourselves to proactively being a part of the conversation and solution within our county. We're in it for the long haul. We'll affirm some basic biblical theology regarding the Imago Dei, and the sea of colored faces which will surround the throne in worship, and identify racism as a Gospel (heart) issue.
Hebrews series message 25
Text: Hebrews 11:30-31
The subject matter is grace! If we're intimidated by the 'big guns' in Hebrews 11, surely we can all identify with Rahab on some level - a Canaanite prostitute who believed Israel's God and backed it up through her actions. Don't disqualify yourself from serving God because of where you've been. God delights in using broken vessels for His glory so He gets the praise. Rahab is a wonderful example of this. Also, the author skips over the Israelites' desert drama for good reason - most didn't make it in to the promised land - but for those foolish enough to believe God at his word, sometimes city walls came crashing down in the most unconventional ways.
Hebrews series message 24
Text: Hebrews 11:23-29
I'm not good enough!
How many times have we heard this or felt it ourselves? I believe God used Moses to teach us both the truth and the fallacy of this trap. No, we're never good enough to do what God requires of us. How on earth can we truly be a godly spouse or parent, or take on a task He's given? But God equips the called and uses us despite our weaknesses and past. It's His work, anyway. So God picked one who stuttered to be His mouthpiece to the king in a pivotal time in history as He fulfilled His promise to Abraham. Moses shows us so much about godly living: he refused status, chose suffering and turned away from sin. His secret? He saw Him who is invisible. Such a rich passage.
Hebrews series message 23
Text: Hebrews 11:8-22
Abraham demonstrated his faith by following God even when he did not really know where he was going. And even when he got there, he was looking for something more, a heavenly city. His faith was demonstrated in so many ways that speak so clearly to the early Christian Jews (and us).
Hebrews series message 22
Text: Hebrews 11:1-7
Hebrews 11 is a perfect continuation of the warning passage in Hebrews 10. A working definition of faith is given, along with specific examples of how genuine faith looks. We'll note various nuances of living faith as cited in saints of old. Hebrews 11 begins not only the practical application of ten chapters in Hebrews, but the perfect bridge to our next sermon series on discipleship.
Hebrews series message 21
Text: Hebrews 10:35-39
This chapter gives a stunning overview of the work of Christ on our behalf, followed by a warning passage and a call to live possessed by the Spirit (not fear). The final word in this section is a call to persevere as a continuation of everything that's been written up to this point.
Hebrews series message 21
Text: Hebrews 10:32-34
If we are honest, we all have certain things that cause us to fear. Who hasn't made a decision based on fear? This Sunday, we will see that the church addressed in the book of Hebrews had reason to be possessed by fear but instead was possessed by the Spirit of God. God calls us to live fearlessly - possessed by Him alone.
Hebrews series message 20
Text: Hebrews 10-26-31
A final warning is given before he gives the Hall of Fame of faith. The warnings are serious and dire, encompassing judgement and raging fire for those who trample underfoot the Son of God and insult the Spirit of grace. This is admittedly a controversial and difficult passage to exegete. But as he is speaking to a congregation of believers, if the shoe fits we must respond to the Holy Spirit's conviction.
Hebrews series message 19
Text: Hebrews 10:19-25
This week we celebrate our graduates, high school and beyond. All schoolwork begins with a set of fundamentals, a foundation on which everything else builds. Once the foundation is established then more advanced topics can be introduced leading the student to greater maturity until they graduate. This week the writer of Hebrews wraps up the foundation and moves his audience into some more advanced coursework, except instead of books and papers we will be dealing with our relationships with God and one another.
The Foundational Studies – Jesus, the New and Living Way, Our Great High Priest
Advanced Lab 1 – Drawing Near in Faith
Advanced Lab 2 – Holding Fast to Hope
Advanced Lab 3 – Stirring One Another Up to Love Well
Salt Sunday is a church-wide community service event. There is no sermon for this day.
Hebrews series message 18
Text: Hebrews 10:1-18
It is finished! We'll spend eternity in gratitude for Jesus' work on the cross. The implications of His last words sum up nicely the thrust of this passage. Forgiveness is free, final and forever. The old way of doing things only served as a reminder of our fallenness, the new way actually solves the problem. Our Savior is glorious and the salvation He brings is great. This is such an encouraging passage.
Hebrews series message 17
Text: Hebrews 9
In this message and the next, we'll cover ground in Hebrews 9 & 10. A big theme for this installment is God's holiness - under the law (and under grace) most everything is cleansed with blood, for without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. God's holiness and my sin are that serious - the Son of God offered Himself. What flows from His sacrifice for me is that He purchases eternal redemption for us and also cleanses our conscience so we can (joyfully) serve Him. That's amazing!
Hebrews series message 16
Text: Hebrews 8
I had a brother talk to me after the sermon last week, he just can't believe it's really true that he's forgiven. He's waiting for God to punish him for his misdeeds and mistakes. He's not alone. Grace is overwhelming and hard to fully embrace. Yet it's true. It's real. And it's ridiculously freeing. Hebrews 8 is the hinge upon which most all of the NT turns. It's the New Covenant: not just a new high priest but a whole new construct that blows the other one away. And replaces it. It's rooted in the Old Testament. It's promised. Now it's come. It explains the Gospel and John 3:16 makes complete sense because of it. Please pray with me that that many will gain a renewed sense of freedom and live in the power and simplicity that the Gospel brings, not to mention develop an enthusiasm for engaging others with the truth.
Text: II Corinthians 10:3-5
Fear. Anxiety. Worry. Past trauma. Family of origin. It is so easy to be a pit dweller, wallow in sin, live in defeat. God calls us to more, Jesus didn't die so we could live as if nothing's happened. The Gospel writes a different script for our lives that is fueled by all the powerful truths we've been learning in Hebrews; the Son of God bleeding and interceding for us are no small items. God's called us to victory and constantly reminds us in the NT of who we are in Christ and to live accordingly, we are to renew our minds daily with His truth and walk in the newness of life. In this message we'll define what a stronghold is, and how we overcome them. It's a way of applying what we're learning in Hebrews and is helpful for us as we parent (Mother's Day) because strongholds affect how we minister to others.
Hebrews series message 15
Text: Hebrews 7:11-28
Last week we gave an overview of Hebrews 7, this week we'll drill deeper on some key truths. Such rich, fertile soil of Gospel basics and comfort. Key truths we'll cover: Jesus' indestructible life, Jesus intercession for believers, and the attainment of perfection. We'll also trace the Lion's roar from Judah, as presented in the Hebrew Scriptures. All of this, in the context of "draw near to God". So, same text as last week, just drilling deeper on some key (AWESOME) truths.