May 20

Old Testament: Joshua 1:1-9

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: ² “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them —to the Israelites. ³ I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. ⁴ Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates —all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. ⁵ No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. ⁶ Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.⁷

 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

New Testament: Hebrews 6:13-20

¹³ When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, ¹⁴ saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”^{[a] 15} And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

¹⁶ People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. ¹⁷ Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. ¹⁸ God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. ¹⁹ We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, ²⁰ where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Sermon Title: “The Certainty of God’s Promises” 

Notice that God gives every encouragement to Joshua: (1) the promise of the land, vv. 2–4; (2) the promise of His presence, v. 5; and (3) the assurance that God would keep His word, vv. 6–9.

It is interesting to study the verbs God uses: “the land which I do give...” (v. 2); “...that have I given” (v. 3); “...to this people you shall divide...” (nkjv, v. 6). He had already given them the land; all they had to do was step out by faith and claim it! God has already given us “every blessing of the Spirit” in Christ (Eph. 1:3). All we need do is step out by faith and possess our possessions.

As God was with Moses, so He would be with Joshua: “I will not leave you nor forsake you” (v. 5). This promise was repeated to Solomon (1 Chron. 28:20), and is given to us in Heb. 13:5–6. Leaders change, and times change, but God changes not. Notice that courage is demanded in the Christian life (vv. 6–7, 9), but this courage is supplied by the Word of God (v. 8). Moses had been writing “the Book of the Law” (Ex. 17:14; 24:4–7; Num. 33:2; Deut. 31:9–13), and this Book was now given to Joshua. He was to read the Book, meditate upon it night and day, and obey its commands. See Pss. 1:1–3 and 119:15. If Joshua was able to conquer Canaan having only the first five books of the Bible, how much more ought we to overcome now that we have a complete Bible!

The meaning of Promise: an assurance of some future act. Although absent as a specific term in the ot, the concept of promise runs throughout its narrative. The prediction of innumerable offspring to childless Abraham and Sarah (Gen. 15:5; 17:6-7; 22:17-18), of a land for Israel (Gen. 15:18-21; 50:22-25), of the perpetual rule of David’s descendants (2 Sam. 7:16), and of a future world to God’s liking (e.g., Isa. 11:1-9) all function implicitly as promise. Later Jewish traditions explicitly link God’s promises to the future world, giving it an eschatological character.

In the nt, the word ‘promise,’ both as noun and verb, is used extensively. Paul found scriptural authority for his Gentile mission in God’s promise to Abraham through whom all nations (i.e., Gentiles) would be blessed (Rom. 4:9-25; Gal. 3:6-29). Through faith in Christ, God’s promise was being fulfilled, and Gentiles were becoming Abraham’s offspring (Rom. 4:16), members of the children of promise (Rom. 15:8-12) without reference to the law. The inclusion of the Gentiles, however, does not nullify God’s promises to the Jews (Rom. 9:4). Ultimately, Jews and Gentiles will gather as one people of God (Rom. 11:25-26).

May 13

Sermon Title:  A Life Changing Conversation – Part Two

Your Personal Testimony

It is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"—Roman 10:15b (Isaiah 52:7)

Helpful Hints:

• Write the way you speak—make the testimony yours.
• Choose one main point and carry it throughout the testimony.
• Be truthful. Don’t be overly negative or positive..
• Don’t criticize or name any church, denomination, organization, etc.
• Time limit should be 3 minutes.

Practice it over and over until it becomes natural.

The breastplate of righteousness protects us from the feeling that we are not good enough to be saved.

1. Before I Accepted Christ (or gave Him complete control of my life):

1. What was my life like that will relate most to the non-Christian?
2. What did my life revolve around? From what did I get my happiness or security? (Remember, the non-Christian is relying on something external to give him /her happiness and meaning.)
3. Explain how material things let you down?

 2. How I Received Christ (or gave Him complete control):

1. When was the first time I heard the gospel? (Or when was I first exposed to Christianity?)
2. What were my initial reactions?
3. When did my attitude begin to change? Why?
4. What were the doubts or struggles that went through my mind just before I accepted Christ?
5. Why did I accept Christ?

3. After I Accepted Christ (or gave Him complete control):

1. What are the specific changes Christ has made in my life?
2. Are there any illustrations that would be helpful?

May 6

Old Testament: Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³ he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,^[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

New Testament: Matthew 25:31-40

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’  

Sermon Title: “Is Jesus Your Shepherd?” 

In this life there will be separations that take place, but the most important will be the one where Jesus determines if you are a sheep or a goat. You are a sheep if he is your shepherd.

Five important points about Jesus being your Shepherd

1.      For Jesus to be your shepherd you must be in relationship with Him.

2.      There are great benefits to being in relationship with Jesus.

3.      There are responsibilities you have if you are in relationship with Jesus.

4.      If you have left the relationship with Jesus you can return.

5.      The eternal rewards of relationship with Jesus are awesome.

April 29

Old Testament: Psalm 4

 ¹ Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. ² How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods^[b]?^{[c] 3} Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. ⁴ Tremble and^[d] do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. ⁵ Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the LORD. ⁶ Many, LORD, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us. ⁷ Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. ⁸ In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.

New Testament: Luke 24:13-27

The Road to Emmaus…¹³ Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles^a from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶ but they were kept from recognizing him. ¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. ¹⁸ One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?” ¹⁹ “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ²⁰ The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹ but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. ²² In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³ but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴ Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” ²⁵ He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Did not the Christ^b have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.  

Sermon Title: “A Life Changing Conversation”

 Emmaus was a town in Judea which appears only once in Scripture (Lk 24:13). It was the destination of two disciples to whom Jesus appeared after the crucifixion. Following the resurrection, Cleopas and a friend were going to Emmaus when they encountered another traveler. They walked the road and talked together, but the disciples did not recognize that the stranger was Jesus. Jesus asked them the nature of their conversation, and was told of the crucifixion, the empty tomb, and their discouragement that things had not worked out as they hoped. Jesus then rebuked them (v 25), and “beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (v 27). When they reached their destination, Jesus accepted an invitation to spend the night. As they ate the evening meal, he blessed the bread, broke it, and gave it to them to eat. At that moment they recognized him. After Jesus vanished from their sight, they returned to Jerusalem to report the event to the apostles. 

Five important steps to take on your road to Emmaus:
 1. Know what His word says. Know the Bible. Jesus spoke to the disciples from the Old Testament scriptures. I.e. Psalm 22
 2. Spend time with Him, quiet, meditation with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
 3. Gather with other believers-- Jesus took time to meet with followers. He made 17 different visits to over 500 people in the 40 day period after the resurrection.
4. Live with a sense of expectancy; Expect Jesus to show up in your situation.
5. Make room for Jesus to act in your situation. Invite Him in as the two followers did.

April 22

Old Testament: Ezekiel 37:1-14…..¹ The hand of the LORD was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. ² He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. ³ He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign LORD, you alone know.” ⁴ Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! ⁵ This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath^[a] enter you, and you will come to life. ⁶ I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’” ⁷ So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. ⁸ I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. ⁹ Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” ¹⁰ So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army. ¹¹ Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ ¹² Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. ¹³ Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. ¹⁴ I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.’”

New Testament: John 16:7-14….⁷ But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. ⁸ When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: ⁹ about sin, because people do not believe in me; ¹⁰ about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; ¹¹ and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. ¹² “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. ¹³ But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.

Sermon Title: “Tweets from Heaven” 

For three years, Jesus had been with them to protect them from attack; but now He was about to leave them. It was necessary for Jesus to explain why it was important for them that He return to the Father. The major reason, of course, is that the Holy Spirit might come to empower the church for life and witness. Also, the ascended Savior would be able to intercede for His people at the heavenly throne of grace. With all of their faults, the disciples dearly loved their Master; and it was difficult for them to grasp these new truths.  

It is important to note that the Spirit comes to the church and not to the world. This means that He works in and through the church. The Holy Spirit does not minister in a vacuum. Just as the Son of God had to have a body in order to do His work on earth, so the Spirit of God needs a body to accomplish His ministries; and that body is the church. Our bodies are His tools and temples, and He wants to use us to glorify Christ and to witness to a lost world.

The Holy Spirit works through the people in whom He lives. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of one particular sin, the sin of unbelief. The law of God and the conscience of man will convict the sinner of his sins (plural) specifically; but it is the work of the Spirit, through the witness of the believers, to expose the unbelief of the lost world.

The Spirit also convicts the sinner of righteousness, not unrighteousness. Whose righteousness? The righteousness of Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb of God. The world would not receive the Son of God (John 1:10), so He has returned to the Father. The Spirit of God reveals the Savior in the Word and in this way glorifies Him (John 16:13–14). The Spirit also reveals Christ in the lives of believers. The world cannot receive or see the Spirit of God, but they can see what He does as they watch the lives of dedicated believers.

April 15

Old Testament – Proverbs 22: 6 15-21

 Proverbs 22: 6, 15-21

⁶Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

¹⁵Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

¹⁶He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich--both come to poverty.

¹⁷Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach,

¹⁸for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.

¹⁹So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you.

²⁰Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,

²¹teaching you true and reliable words, so that you can give sound answers to him who sent you?

 New Testament - Ephesians 6: 1-4

Ephesians 6: 1-4 

¹Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

²Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise—

³that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.

⁴Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

 Sermon Title:  Are You Training a Fan or a Follower?

        When Jesus gave us the Great Commission in the 28^th chapter of Matthew, he said, “¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”. Implied in these instructions are that we should start at home first. Therefore, from our homes, we should go out to all nations making disciples. Our family and especially our children should be our first converts. If we cannot teach and train our child to follow Jesus then we are not likely to convert strangers either.

Most parents, relatives, guardians, and mentors are training their children according to Proverbs 22: 6 and Ephesians 6:4. However, too many of our children are moving away from the church and Christ at an alarming rate.  In Kyle Idleman’s book, Not A Fan, he asks the question; “Are we a fan or a follower?” The question that needs to be asked however is; “Are we training our children to be fans or followers of Jesus Christ?” There are 3 important questions to ask ourselves as we explore this idea of training a fan or a follower.

1.      What is the difference between a fan and a follower and which one are you?

a.     Examples of fans:

                                          i.    Luke 9:57-62

                                         ii.    Matt 15:8

b.     Examples of followers

                                          i.    Matthew 9:8

                                         ii.    2 Timothy 1:5

2.     What does Proverbs 22:6 actually mean when it says train up?

a.     To develop a thirst for

b.     To develop a strong desire for

3.     Do you have the right kind of relationship with your children in order to train them?

a.     Are you a friend?

b.     Are you a tyrant?

c.     Are you a real parent?

       In the end, training will lead to one of two places. Improper training will lead to what Jesus said in Matthew 7:23--- “And the will I declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness”. Proper training will lead to what Jesus said in Matthew 25:34---"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world’”.

April 8 - Easter Sunday

Old Testament……Isaiah 25: 6-9

⁶ On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines.

 ⁷ On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations;

⁸ he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.

⁹ In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

New Testament……Mark 16:1-8

¹ When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. ² Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb ³ and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

⁴ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. ⁵ As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

⁶ “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷ But go; tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

⁸ Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.^[a]  

Sermon Title:  “He Has Risen, Alleluia! ”

I.  Resurrection in the Old Testament – There is little about resurrection in the OT.  That is not to say that it is not there.  It is.  But it is not prominent.  The men of the OT were very practical men, concentrating on the task of living out the present life in the service of God, and they had little time to spare for speculation about the next.  Moreover, it must not be forgotten that they lived on the other side of Christ’s resurrection, and it is this which gives the doctrine its basis.  Sometimes they used the idea of resurrection to express the national hope of the re-birth of the nation (e.g. Ezk.37).  The plainest statement on the resurrection of the individual is undoubtedly that in Dn. 12:2 ‘many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt’.  This clearly envisages a resurrection both of the righteous and of the wicked, and it sees also eternal consequences of men’s actions.  There are other passages which look for resurrection, chiefly some in the Psalms (e.g. Pss. 16:10f,;49:14f.).  Sometimes the prophets also give utterance to this thought (e.g. Is. 26:19).  But on the whole the OT says little about it.

II.  The resurrection of Christ – On three occasions Christ brought back people from the dead (the daughter of Jairus, the son of the widow of Nain, and Lazarus).  These, however, are not to be thought of as resurrection so much as resuscitation.  There is no indication that any of these people did other than come back to the life that they had left.  And Paul tells us explicitly that Christ is ‘the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep’ (1 Cor. 15:20).  But these miracles show us Christ as the master of death.  This comes out again in the fact that he prophesied that he would rise 3 days after he was crucified (Mk. 8:31; 9:31; 10:34, etc).  This point is important.  It shows Christ as supremely the master of the situation.  And it also means that the resurrection is of the very first importance, for the veracity of our Lord is involved.

III. The resurrection of Believers – Not only did Jesus rise, but one day all men too will rise.  Jesus refuted the scepticism of the Sadducees on this point with an interesting argument from Scripture (Mt. 22:31-32).  The general NT position is that the resurrection of Christ carries with it the resurrection of believers.  Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live’ (Jn. 11:25).  Several times he spoke of raising believers up at the last day (Jn. 6:39-40, 44, 54).  The Sadducees were grieved because the apostles were ‘proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead’ (Acts 4:2).  Paul tells us that ‘as by a man came death, by a man came also the resurrection from the dead’.  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive’ (1Cor. 15:21f.; cf. 1 Thes. 4:14).

April 1

Isaiah 50:4-9a   Israel’s Sin and the Servant’s Obedience

⁴ The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. ⁵ The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away. ⁶ I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. ⁷ Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. ⁸ He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! ⁹ It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who will condemn me?

Philippians 2:5-11    Imitating Christ’s Humility

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: ⁶ Who, being in very nature^[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; ⁷ rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature^[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  

Sermon Title:     “The Heart of a Servant”

In the nt servants frequently appear in the Gospels, especially in the parables (Matt. 18:23-35; 21:33-44). For Jesus the concept becomes a way of expressing humankind’s relationship to God. God is the Lord to whom the believer owes unreserved service. ‘No one can serve two masters’ (Matt. 6:24). Nor is a servant above the master (Matt. 10:24). Rather, the faithful servant does the master’s will (Matt. 24:45-46) and realizes that in the presence of God even the best disciple is only an unprofitable servant (Luke 17:10).  Jesus presents himself as a servant when he washes his disciples’ feet at the Last Supper (John 13:1-20). He tells his disciples that he came ‘not to be served but to serve’ (Mark 10:45), and Matthew (12:18-21) quotes from the first servant song (Isa. 42:1-4) to describe Jesus. Likewise, Paul, quoting from an early Christian hymn, says that although Jesus was in the form of God, he ‘emptied himself, taking the form of a servant’ (Phil. 2:7). On the basis of his own example, then, Jesus encourages his disciples to be servants to each other (Mark 10:44; John 13:14). Obedient to this exhortation, Christians refer to themselves as ‘servants of God’ (1 Pet. 2:16) and ‘servants of Christ’ (1 Cor. 7:22; Eph. 6:6). The latter, however, is the most frequent. Paul describes himself as a ‘servant of Jesus Christ’ (Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:10; Phil. 1:1), as do the authors of James (1:1), 2 Peter (1:1), and Jude (1). Service to God and Jesus Christ, however, implies a change of allegiance from one lord to another. Paul makes this clear when he writes that Christians were once enslaved to other masters such as sin (Rom. 6:16-19) and the elemental spirits of the universe (Gal. 4:3). But with the coming of Christ this servitude is ended (Gal. 4:4-7). A similar idea is expressed in John when Jesus says ‘everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin’ (8:34).  

In this regard, the nt is dramatically different from its milieu. For the Greek the highest ideal was self-determination expressed in freedom. Thus the Greek looked upon the slave as an inferior kind of person. It would have been contradictory to the Greek ideal to speak of becoming a servant to another, even to God. Christianity stood this ideal upon its head, but did not challenge the institution of slavery as such. Paul encourages slaves to be obedient (Eph. 6:5; Col. 3:22) and he sends the runaway slave Onesimus back to his master (Philem.). Nonetheless the nt undermines the institution of slavery inasmuch as it proclaims a radical equality in Christ (1 Cor. 7:21-22; Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11). See also Isaiah, The Book of; Jesus Christ; Prophet.  Bibliography

March 25

Psalm 116:1-9

¹ I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy. ² Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live. ³ The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. ⁴ Then I called on the name of the LORD:
“LORD, save me!” ⁵ The LORD is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion. ⁶ The LORD protects the unwary;
when I was brought low, he saved me. ⁷ Return to your rest, my soul,
for the LORD has been good to you. ⁸ For you, LORD, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears,  my feet from stumbling,
⁹ that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

Mark 8: 27-30 Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

²⁷ Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

²⁸ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”

²⁹ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”

³⁰ Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.  

Sermon Title: What are you saying about Jesus?

In each of the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) one question Jesus asked His disciples marks a turning point. That question is, “Who do people say I am?” (Mark 8:27: see also Matt. 16:13; Luke 9:18)

The disciples reported what the people were saying, people who had seen Jesus’ miracles, listened to His teaching, been restored by His healing power, and eaten of the bread and fishes He had multiplied. Everywhere people were convinced that Jesus was among the greatest of the prophets, and might even be one of the ancients restored to life!

And then the synoptic Gospel writers each tell us that Jesus asked His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?”

Peter answered for them all.

“You are the Christ.”

What is so significant about this incident is that three Gospels tell us that from this point there was a shift in Jesus’ ministry. Only then did Jesus begin to teach His disciples about His coming death. In fact, from this point on Jesus focused His ministry more and more on instructing the Twelve.

Why? Because these men acknowledged Jesus for who He is: the Christ, the Son of God. The compliments of the crowds who linked Jesus with the greatest of Old Testament saints fell far short, for they failed to acknowledge Him for who He is. Those compliments in fact constituted a rejection of Jesus, a damning with faint praise.

There is no way that people who will not believe in Jesus can really profit from His instruction. Without the personal relationship with God which is established by faith, what a person does is completely irrelevant. It is only as we believe and obey that Jesus can fill our lives with newness. It is only faith and obedience that can transform. 

March 18

Old Testament …………..Psalm 27:1, 4-9

New Testament………….Matthew 4:17-22 (Main Text)

Psalm 27: 1, 4-9

¹ The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

⁴ One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
⁵ For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.

⁶ Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.

⁷ Hear my voice when I call, LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.
⁸ My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek.
⁹ Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.

Matthew 4: 18-22………….Jesus Calls His First Disciples

¹⁸ As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁹ “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” ²⁰ At once they left their nets and followed him.

²¹ Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, ²² and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Sermon Title:  “Immediately”

ü  A Disciple is one who both identifies with and learns from his master. The Teacher is a model of Truth that is being shared demonstrating how to integrate Faith with life and learning, and modeling the Spirit and Character the student is to achieve. (quote from Myron S. Augsburger).

ü    The Discipleship Process……Salvation + Intentionality + Training + Community = Life Change

ü  There are two main points about the ministry of Jesus: 1) the context of His Ministry…Jesus moved from Nazareth to Capernaum by the sea with more of a focus on the Gentiles ,and away from the Jewish community. 2) the content of His Ministry is stated briefly in verse #17…Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand”. The word from the Master is to repent. Repenting or converting is always a change of direction. It is not first a moralistic change, but is first of all a change in the orientation of self. If we are to be participants in the Kingdom of heaven, then we are to live by the rule of the King!

ü  In Isaiah 61:1-3 there is a brief description of the Messiah’s Mission…

The Year of the LORD’s Favor

¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,^[a]2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, ³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

ü    As  Disciples of Jesus Christ it is our responsibility to invite others to become fellow-disciples in the expansion of the Kingdom of God…

March 11

Old Testament – Psalm 34:1-8

¹ I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
² I will glory in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
³ Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.

⁴ I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
⁵ Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
⁶ This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.

⁸ Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

New Testament – 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here! ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. ²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin^[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Sermon Title:  “Fire Yourself”

Perhaps there is nothing more disconcerting to the Lord then when we replace him in our life by our own ego, we "edge God out", and we become our own higher power. It is something that we, either live that way or something that we often just do. Through His grace we have been given the free will to believe in Jesus Christ and follow him, or to not. The choice we make though, has eternal significance. 

When we are not in the Lord we get wrapped-up in the trappings of this world.  We get wrapped-up in improving our position, our possessions, our power. But is clearly written in the Word:

1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For everything in the world---the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does---comes not from the Father but from the world. [17] The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”  

So, first and foremost, we must accept Christ as our savior and believe with all of our being that He is the path to salvation. When we do this, when we fire ourselves as our own higher power, "we are a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come!" We then have to stop relying on our own understanding and reach out for his direction and guidance. And we have to live a life that is Christ-like and embrace the Fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." 

When we are in Christ, we are being watched; with many just waiting to point when we stumble. So as witnesses of the Lord we must remain connected, we must pray daily and serve Him in all that we do. Why? Because: 

Proverbs 21:21 (NIV)

He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. 

It is a good thing!

March 4

Old Testament – Psalm 51:1-8

New Testament – Luke 15:11-24

 ¹¹ Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. ¹³ “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

   ¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.  “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. ²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

   ²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Sermon Title: “It’s Okay, Talk to Yourself”

The importance of Repentance…

     Repentance requires the right attitude towards sin. This is Godly sorrow. Repentance is the right attitude toward God; it is a return to God. Repentance is the right attitude toward self. The Prodigal Son came to himself. Repentance is the right attitude toward others. The Phillipian jailer took Paul and Silas the same hour of the night and washed their stripes.

     Repentance is not just Godly sorrow. Paul told the Corinthians in II Corinthians, Chapter 7, verse 10, that Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of. Repentance is not gloomy despair. When Judas sold his Master for thirty pieces of silver, he was filled with gloom and despair, so much that he committed suicide, but he did not repent.

     Repentance is not quitting a sin for a season, it is totally turning from that act of sin. It is a complete one hundred-eighty degree turn. Repentance is not concealing sin. David tried to conceal his sin, but God exposed it. Concealing sin is like trying to cover up spilled seed in order to hide it, eventually the seed comes up and is exposed.

     Jesus focused on the lost as a priority. In Luke Chapter 15, Jesus talks about the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son.

ü  The sheep got lost naturally

ü  The Coin got lost accidentally

ü  The Son got lost willingly

     By this beautiful parable our Blessed Lord teaches us how willing Almighty God is to receive the penitent sinner, and how rejoiced He is at his return. Our Lord describes: 1. the falling away of a sinner from God; 2. the return of the sinner to God; and 3. God’s reception of the penitent sinner.

February 26

Old Testament Scripture – Psalm 23

¹The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

⁴Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

⁵Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

New Testament Scripture (Acts 2:42-47) (Main text for sermon)

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Sermon Title: The Church Jesus Built

For the Christian community, fellowship and unity of purpose are valuable only when rooted in fellowship with Christ and in the unity of his Spirit. The unity of the Christian community derives from and is guided by the gift of the Spirit that lies at the heart of its life together.  The Jerusalem Church was one which had all things in common. In our benedictions we speak of the communion of the Holy Spirit. The word “communion,” koinönia, means having in common, it also means fellowship. There is no true fellowship without Christ’s Spirit in us and between us. He is what we have in common. The Church is the fellowship of those given by Christ to be to each other what he has been to them, so that together they can be to the world a demonstration of the new humanity He died and lives to make possible.

Qualities of the New Jerusalem Church

ü  Joint Study

ü  Sharing Food and Fellowship

ü  Praying Together

ü  Caring for each other’s needs

ü  Joyful Celebration

The first Christians were “regular” Christians

ü  Regular in church going –“All the believers were together” (verse 44)

ü  Regular in church giving – “Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need” (verse 45).

ü  Regular in church mission – Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

February 19

Old Testament Scripture –Joel 3: 9-14 (Background Scripture)

Joel 3:14 (NIV)

 ¹⁴ Multitudes, multitudes
   in the valley of decision!
For the day of the LORD is near
   in the valley of decision.

New Testament Scripture – James 1: 21-27 (Main text for sermon)

James 1:21-27 (NIV)

²¹ Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

 ²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

 ²⁶ Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Sermon Title:  “The Valley of Indecision”

James tells us in Chapter 1: 22, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

The prevailing thought of the day is that if we “know” God, we have fulfilled our obligations to be Christians. But the bible tells us that we are to “obey” God, if we are to be true followers of His Son Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to “obey” God?

1. Make The Decision: Accept the gift of salvation and hold fast the profession of your faith (Hebrews 10:23)

²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

2. Give God Control: Recognize that you cannot live for Him on your own strength. (Proverbs 16:25)

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

3. Keep the Faith: Faith in God and His plan for you life will lead you to a successful outcome. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

February 12

Old Testament Scripture – Psalm 16 (Background Scripture)

New Testament Scripture – Acts 2:29-39 (Main text for sermon)

 ²⁹ “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. ³⁰ But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. ³¹ Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. ³² God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. ³³ Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. ³⁴ For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

   “‘The Lord said to my Lord:
   “Sit at my right hand
³⁵ until I make your enemies
   a footstool for your feet.”’^[f]

 ³⁶ “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this:  God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

 ³⁷ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

 ³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Sermon Title:  “When a Coward stands up”!

The basic thrust of Peter’s sermon is a clear declaration that life in Christ is God’s will for his people and all creation. Peter preached with such courage because he was convinced that the Messiah’s life, death, and resurrection were the manifestation of God’s immutable, irrevocable will for the salvation of the world.

The first Christian sermon preached by Peter was (Christ-centered). Peter preached Christ, His incarnate life, death, crucifixion, resurrection and immanent presence.

Peter was saying to the crowd in Jerusalem that God’s will for the atonement and reconciliation  could not be stopped  or altered. It was God’s plan and He did it.

They cried out, “what shall we do?” Peter was ready with an answer and the first Christian invitation to a congregation: “Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized  in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (v.38).

The Greek meaning of Repent:

The word translated repent in English New Testaments is the Greek word metanoeo.

Bullinger's Dictionary² says metanoeo means, "to perceive afterwards, hence, to change one's mind and purpose. This change is always for the better, and denotes a change of moral thought and reflection; not merely to repent of, nor to forsake sin, but to change one's mind and apprehensions regarding it. Metanoeo denotes to reform, to have a genuine change of heart and life from worse to better."

Peter recommends three things  we should do:

1. Repent of our sins
2. Return to God
3. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit
 

February 5th

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a
violent wind came from Heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to
be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:1-4

Sermon Title: "The Fire in Jerusalem"

The promise from Jesus is found in John 15:26-27.....26 "When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you
from the Father--the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father -- he will testify about me. 27 And you also must
testify, for you have been with me form the beginning.

The promise is fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) when the power of the Holy Spirit was poured upon
the disciples.

The term "filled with the Holy Spirit" is used five times in Acts 2:4; 4:8; 4:31; 9:17; 13:9....

Question : What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?

January 29th

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be by witnesses in Jerusalem, and in
all Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (NIV) Acts 1:8

Sermon Title: "A Prescription for Spiritual Power"
A Christ filled witness is marked by his or her:

Accountability to Christ and People
Approachability as a receptive, relaxed, responsive, human being
Adaptability in presenting the essential message for particular needs
Accountability in taking responsibility for following through

There are three relationships Jesus talked about that a person can and should have with the Holy Spirit!
1. He is with us when we are convicted of our need to be born again (John 14:17)........7 If you had known of Me,
you would have known My Father also; from now on you (J) know Him, and have (K) seen Him.

2. He comes in us the moment we open our heart to the Savior (John 20:22)....." 22 And when He had said this He
breathed on them and * said to them Receive the Holy Spirit.

3. He comes upon us when He empowers us for service (Acts 1:5)...... 5 For John baptized with (c) water, but in a
few days you will be baptized with (b) the Holy Spirit.