Main Point: God is glorified as Jesus brings life and resurrection because he is the resurrection and the life.

-The Surprising Love of Jesus (1-16)

-The Hope-Giving Identity of Jesus (17-27)

-The Compassionate Sorrow of Jesus (28-38)

-The Resurrecting Power of Jesus (38-44)

Main Point: All of Christ's sheep are secure in him because he and the Father are one.

-Building to the Truth: Jesus and the Father are One (22-30)

-Responding to the Truth: Jesus and the Father are One (31-42)

  -Jesus' Curious Quote

  -Jesus' Crucial Claim

  -Jesus' Compassionate Invitation

Main Point: As the Good Shepherd, Jesus perfectly protects and provides for his sheep.

-The Figure of Speech (1-6)

  -The Shepherd

   -Knows His Sheep

   -Calls His Sheep

   -Leads His Sheep

  -The Sheep

   -Need Their Shepherd

   -Hear Their Shepherd

   -Follow Their Shepherd

-The Door (7-10)

  -Jesus Protects Us from Every Danger

  -Jesus Provides for Our Every Need

-The Good Shepherd (11-18)

  -Jesus Protects Us Every Time

  -Jesus Provides for Us by Dying (and Rising) for Us

-The Responses (19-21)

Main Point: Our Good Shepherd is good all the time and all the time our Good Shepherd is good.

1. David tells us about our Good Shepherd (2-3)

2. David tells us of our Good Shepherd (4-5)

3. David tells us we can trust in our Good Shepherd (6)

Main Point: As he gave physical sight to the man born blind, Jesus will give spiritual sight to anyone who admits their need for it.

-Physical Sight (1-7)

-Decreasing/Increasing Sight (8-34)

  -The People (8-12)

  -The Pharisees: Round 1 (13-17)

  -The Parents (18-23)

  -The Pharisees: Round 2 (24-34)

-Spiritual Sight (35-41)

Main Point: Because Jesus is God, we are to abide in his word and so be free.

-The Disciples' True Freedom (31-36)

-The People's True Father (37-47)

-Jesus' True Identity (48-59)

Main Point: Jesus is the light of the world, and so is the only way to life for the world.

-Be aware of the brackets (7:53-8:11)

-Jesus is the light of the world (8:12-20)

  -The Context

  -The Claim

  -The Calling

-Jesus is the way to life for the world (8:21-30)

Main Point: Everyone is invited to come to Jesus, drink, and live.

-Confusion: (25-36)

  -Jesus' Origin (25-31)

  -Jesus' Destination (32-36)

-Clarity: Jesus' Mission (37-39)

-Confusion: (40-52)

  -The People (40-44)

  -The Leaders (45-52)

Main Point: Jesus calls us to judge him with right judgment and so conform to him, rather than try to make him conform to us.

-The Brothers' Wrong Judgment (1-13)

-The Jewish Leaders' Wrong Judgment (14-24)

Main Point: As the church is faithful to the ordinary means of grace which God provides, He responds in extraordinary ways in the lives of His people.

-The Church's Extraordinary Origins

-The Church's Ordinary, Everyday Obedience

-- Apostles' teaching

-- Fellowship

-- Breaking of bread

-- Prayers

-God's Extraordinary Outcomes

Main Point: Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

-Bear One Another’s Burdens

  -The Need for Burden-Bearing

   -You are burdened

   -You are a burden

  -The Practice of Burden-Bearing

   -Let others bear your burdens

   -Bear the burdens of others

-Fulfill the Law of Christ

  -Love in Action (Jesus’ Model)

  -Love in Action (Our Application)

Main Point: The gospel completely changes how we live.

-What is the gospel?

1. Let love be genuine

2. Abhor what is evil

3. Hold fast to what is good

4. Love one another with brotherly affection

5. Outdo one another in showing honor

6. Do not be slothful in zeal

7. Be fervent in spirit

8. Serve the Lord

9. Rejoice in hope

10. Be patient in tribulation

11. Be constant in prayer

12. Contribute to the needs of the saints

13. Seek to show hospitality

Main Point: Our suffering can advance the gospel as a witness to the world and a catalyst to the church.

-Suffering advances the gospel (12)

  -As a witness to the world (13)

  -As a catalyst to the church (14)

-God's Sovereignty

-Paul's Suffering

-Our Suffering

Main Point: Just as Jesus forgave our sins so we should forgive others.

-Greeting (1-2)

-Establishing Rapport (3-7)

-Persuading Acceptance (8-16)

-Forgiving Actions (17-22)

Main Point: God's plan to judge and save the world leads to our sanctification and his satisfaction.

-God's Plan of Judgment and Salvation (8-10)

  -We are to wait for the Lord for: (8a)

  -He will judge the nations (8b)

  -He will save the nations (9-10)

-Salvation Means Our Sanctification (11-13)

-Interlude of Praise (14-15)

-Salvation Means God's Satisfaction (16-20)

Main Point: The whole world is to sing praise to the Lord!

-Sing to the Lord for he has saved us (1-3)

-Sing to the Lord for he is the King (4-6)

-Sing to the Lord for he judges in righteousness (7-9)

-Other Reasons to Sing to the Lord:

  -God created us to sing

  -God commands us to sing

  -God compels us to sing

  -God's community needs us to sing

Main Point: God's deliverance comes from an unexpected source in the midst of unexpected circumstances

-The Desperate Need for Deliverance (1)

-The Unexpected Promise of Deliverance (2)

-The Difficult Wait for Deliverance (3a)

-The Glorious Deliverer (3b-5a)

  -He Unites (3b)

  -He Shepherds (4a)

  -He Secures (4b)

  -He is Peace (5a)

Main Point: God invites everyone to come to him and receive his salvation.

-Everyone is Invited (1-3a)

-God's Promise is Certain (3b-5)

-Repentance is Required (6-9)

-God's Word is Unfailing (10-11)

-Salvation is Everlasting (12-13)

Main Point: Who Jesus is and what he has done divides true disciples from false disciples.

-False disciples reject Jesus because of what he says (59-66)

  -They followed the crowds, not Jesus

  -They wanted what Jesus could do more than Jesus himself

  -They were unwilling to give up control of their lives to Jesus

  -They did not really believe in Jesus

-True disciples remain with Jesus because of who he is (67-71)

  -Jesus has the words of eternal life

  -Jesus is the Holy One of God

Main Point: Jesus is the bread of life - when we believe in him and come to him, we will live in him.

-Believe (22-35)

-Come (36-48)

  -The Father gives his people to the Son

  -His people come to the Son because the Father draws them

  -The Son keeps his people and will raise them on the last day

-Live (49-58)

Main Point: Jesus is God, so let us believe in him and have eternal life.

-The Claim (16-18)

-The Explanation (19-30)

  -Jesus is the Son of God

  -Jesus gives life

  -Jesus judges

  -Jesus is the Son of Man

-The Witnesses (31-47).

  -John the Baptist

  -The Father

   -The Works

   -The Word

  -Indictment

Main Point: Because of who he is, Jesus can heal us - and his healing, especially of our souls from sin, is always by grace alone.

-The Setting: We can trust the Bible (1-3)

-The Sign: Jesus can heal the sick (5-9a)

-The Sabbath: True rest can be found in Christ alone (9b-15

Main Point: Jesus gives new life to those who truly believe in him.

-An Unexpected “Welcome” (43-45)

-An Unexpected Answer (46-48)

-An Unexpected Response (49-50)

-An Unexpected Result (51-54)

  -Healing in Christ is because of God, not us

  -Healing in Christ is a matter of when, not if

  -Healing in Christ is for God's glory through our belief

Main Point: Jesus calls us to join him in his work: bringing eternal life to the world.

-Act I: The Woman's Testimony (27-30)

-Interlude: The Disciples' Call (31-38)

-Act II: The Savior's Word (39-42)

Main Point: In Christ alone, all people can receive the living water that leads to eternal life.

-Jesus meets her where she is (1-9)

-Jesus offers her what she needs (10-15)

-Jesus confronts her on her sin (16-18)

-Jesus centers her worship on him (19-26)

  -Where to worship (19-22)

  -How to worship (23-24)

  -Who to worship (25-26)

2. Heed the Words of the Watchman (vv. 33:7-9)

3. Fulfill the Calling God Has Given You:

a. Be the Profit

b. Be the Watchman

c. Turn from your sinfulness and turn to Christ

Main Point: Because of who Jesus is, he must increase - because of who we are, we must decrease.

-Jesus Must Increase (22-30)

  -The Setting (22-24)

  -The Debate (25-26)

  -The Response of John (27-30)

   -The Perspective of John (27)

   -The Witness of John (28)

   -The Joy of John (29)

   -The Conclusion of John (30)

 -Why Jesus Must Increase (31-36)

  -The Supremacy of Christ (31)

  -The Testimony of Christ (32-34)

  -The Authority of Christ (35)

  -The Necessity of Christ (36)

Main Point: As the true temple, Jesus is where we meet God and have our sins forgiven.

-Jesus Cleanses the Temple (12-17)

-Jesus Is the Temple (18-22)

-Jesus Knows All People (23-25)

Main Point: Anticipating the ultimate wedding, Jesus turns water into wine to manifest his glory and draw us into belief in him.

-No Wine: Jesus and His Mother (1-5)

-New Wine: Jesus and His Servants (6-10)

-True New Wine: Jesus and His Followers (11)

Main Point: John the Baptist bears witness to Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

-The Identity of John the Baptist (19-28)

  -Not the Christ

  -Not Elijah

  -Not the Prophet

  -The Voice.

  -The Humble Baptizer

-The Identity of Jesus (29-34)

  -The Lamb of God Who Takes Away the Sin of the World

  -The One on Whom the Spirit Remains

  -The Son of God

Main Point: As the Word, Jesus has come to reveal God and give life to His children.

-The Word is God (1-2)

-The Word is Creator (3-5)

-The Word is Revealed (6-15)

-The Word Reveals God (16-18)

1) Because God is sovereign, He can be trusted in the day by day. (1-2)

2) Because God is sovereign, He can be trusted with our family. (3-5)

Main Point: Long to be where God is, because that is the only place of true satisfaction and blessing. 

- What is your happy place and why?

- The Superscript

- Blessed are those who Dwell in God's Presence (v1-4)

- Blessed are those whose Strength is in God (v5-8)

- Blessed are those who trust in God (v9-12)

Main Point: We can magnify God no matter what, because Jesus saves us no matter what.

1. Prayers of Rescue (1-21)

  -Deep Waters (1-4, 13-18)

  -Zealous Reproach (5-12, 19-21)

2. Prayers of Imprecation (22-28)

  -Judgment

  -Justice

3. Prayers of Praise (29-36)

  -Commitment to Praise (29-33)

  -Call to Praise (34-36)

Main Point: In the end, God will judge the wicked and bless the righteous - there are no other options.

1. The Futility of Serving God? (3:13-15)

  -"What We Do Doesn't Matter"

  -"What Evildoers Do Doesn't Matter"

2. The Faithfulness of the God-Fearers (3:16-18)

3. The Future Judgment/Blessing of God (4:1-3)

  -The Judgment of the Wicked

  -The Blessing of the Righteous

4. The Foremost Question About God (4:4-6)

  -Look Back to the Law of Moses

  -Look Forward to the Ministry of Elijah

  -Look to the Salvation of God

Main 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)

Main 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)

Main 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 Worship

2. Examples of Faithlessness: 

  -Faithless Marriages

  -Faithless Divorces

Main 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)

Main 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)

Main 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

  -Modeling

2. Comforts (Matthew 28:18-20)

  -You Can Start Today

  -You Cannot Save Anyone

  -Christ Has Saved You

3. Challenges (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

  -Time: Intentional Family Worship

  -Moments: Everyday God-Sightings

  -Milestones: Significant Commemorations

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.

Main 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

Main Point: We are to endure suffering with patience because of what awaits us in Christ.

Main 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)

Main 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)

Main 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

Point one:

The Lord breaks us…

Luke 22:54-62

Point two:

To make us to be servants…

John 21:15-17

Point three:

For His glory….

John 21: 18-19

Main 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)

Main 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

Main 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 Trials

3. Wisdom Through Faith (5-8)

  -What Wisdom Is

  -How God Gives Wisdom

  -The Way We Ask for Wisdom

Main 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 unclear

2. 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

Main 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 Everyone

2. The Kingdom of Heaven is the +treasure of infinite worth+ that requires all you have

3. The Kingdom of Heaven is the treasure of infinite worth that +requires all you have+

  -Giving

  -Serving

  -Discipling

  -Loitering

  -Neighboring

Main 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

Main point: In fulfilling his mission, Jesus brings us joy.

Outline:

(1) A Time of Sorrow

(2) An Eternity of Joy

Main 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 3-6

2. Suffering with Joy – Vs 6-9               

3. Incomparably Privileged V10-12

4. Be Holy V13-16

Main 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)

Main 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 - 2

2) Who we praise: Verses 3 - 4

3) Why we praise: Verse 5

Main 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 Love

3. The End of Genesis

Main Point: God's salvation and blessings are sure in his Messiah - the Lion of Judah.

1. The Future of the Other Brothers

2. The Salvation from Judah

  -Authority

  -Might

  -Rule

  -Prosperity

  -Christ

3. The Blessings of Joseph

Main 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)

Main 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)

Main 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)

Main 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)

Main 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)

Main 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

Main 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)

Main 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)

Main Point: The beauty of the Lord deserves all our praise and dispels all our fear.

1. David's Situation

2. David's Hope

  -Gaze

  -Beauty

  -Worship

3. Our Hope

Main 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)

-brokenness

-God's design

-Sin

-Jesus

-Turn and trust

-Recover God's design

Live for God: Wholeheartedly (verse 1)

Live for God: Not for the world (verse 2)

Live for God: His way (verse 2)

Main 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

  -Treasure

3. Why serve money when you can serve God? (24)

Main 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

   -Necessity

2. God Has Fulfilled His Promises to Esau (36:1-43)

3. God Will Fulfill His Promises to Us (37:1)

Main 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)

Main 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.

Main 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)

Main 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)

Main 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)

Main 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

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)

Main 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)

Main 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)

God’s Revelation (10-15)

 The Setting (10-11)

 The Vision (12-13a)

 The Promise (13b-15)

Jacob’s Response (16-22)

 At Midnight (16-17)

 At Morning (18-22)

  2. Isaac and the "Son of Blessing" (27:1-4)

   3. Rebekah Sends Jacob Forward (27:5-17)

     4.Jacob Receives the Blessing (27:18-29)

     4. Esau Receives the "Blessing" (27:30-40)

   3. Rebekah Sends Jacob Away (27:41-45)

  2. Isaac and the Son of Blessing (27:46-28:5)

1. Esau's Obedient Marriage (28:6-9)

1. Leaving Ishmael (v. 12-18)

2. Following Isaac (v. 19-26)

3. Meeting Jacob & Esau (v. 27-34)

  -Avoid Spiritual Short-Sightedness

  -Avoid Spiritual Utilitarianism

  -Pursue the Better Brother: Jesus

Main Point: The identity we all desire is found in Christ alone.

-Paul's Identity - An Ambassador for Christ

-Our Culture's Identity - Expressive Individualism

-The Transgender Moment

  -What It Is

  -Why It Falls Short

  -How We Should Respond to It

   -Sincerely

   -Clearly

   -Comprehensively

-Our New Identity - Gospel Hope

Main Point: God is sovereign over every aspect of our lives and gives our lives worth.

1. God Knows

-You are not an accident

-You are valuable

-You are wanted

2. God Forms

-The unborn

-The elderly

-The foreigner

3. God Consecrates

4. God Appoints

Main Point: The good news of Jesus Christ is the only hope for every person.

1. Acknowledge the Reality of Deconstruction

2. Understand the Reasons for Deconstruction

  -Abuse

  -Hurt

  -Politics

  -Isolation

3. Hope in the Face of Deconstruction

  -Hope for the Church

  -Hope for the Deconstructing

  -Hope for Everyone

Main Point: Only the gospel can enter, challenge, and fulfill every person's story.

1. Studying the Message

2. Applying the Methods

  A. Intentionality

   -Enter

   -Challenge

   -Fulfill

  B. Community

  C. Hospitality

Title

1 Peter 3:13–22 “Honor Christ the Lord as Holy ”

Main Point

Since Jesus Christ is the exalted king of creation, we should honor him with our lives and hope in him in all circumstances

Sermon Points

Honor Christ by being zealous for good works

Honor Christ by enduring suffering

Honor Christ by being like him

Honor Christ by putting your faith in him

Main Point: Jesus' humble birth reveals God's great glory

1. The Sovereign Plan (1-5)

2. The Humble Birth (6-7)

3. The Glorious Announcement (8-14)

Main Point: Let us respond to the gospel with sobriety, sincerity, and surrender.

Part I - The Message: God's Gracious Favor (26-28)

Part I - The Response: Sobriety (29)

Part II - The Message: God's Glorious Announcement (30-33)

Part II - The Response: Sincerity (34)

Part III - The Message: God's Sovereign Plan (35-37)

Part III - The Response: Surrender (38)

Main Point: Because the congregation has heaven's authority on earth, we must hold one another accountable in the church.

1. Authority: The Keys of the Kingdom

2. Accountability: Meaningful Membership

3. Application: Formative and Corrective Discipline

Main Point: God gives us elders as shepherds for his church.

1. What Elders Do

  -Shepherding as Authority

  -Shepherding as Teaching

  -Shepherding as Sheepdogs

2. Who Elders Are

  -Men

  -Qualified Men

  -A Plurality of Qualified Men

3. Why Elders Matter

  -We are Called to Submit to Elders

  -Elders are for Our Good

  -Elders Point to the Good Shepherd

Main Point: God gives us deacons as lead servants in his church.

1. What Deacons Do

2. Who Deacons Are

3. Why Deacons Matter

Main Point: God's promises remain true, even after death.

1. Sarah's Death (1-2)

2. Abraham's Negotiation (3-18)

3. Sarah's Burial (19-20)

Main Point:

How we live with one another will bear witness to the power of the Gospel to change lives.

Sermon Points

1. Instructions for Wives

2. Instructions for Husbands

3. Instructions for Everyone

Main Point: Because God has fully provided for us, we are to fully live for him.

1. The Test of Faith (1-2)

2. The Response of Obedience (3-10)

3. The Substitute of the Lamb (11-14)

4. The Confirmation of God's Promises (15-19)

5. The Preparation of Isaac's Future (20-24)

Main Point: God's blessings enable us to be agents of peace in the world, as we live by faith.

1. Peace and Blessings (22-24)

  A. Abimelech's request is based on God's blessings.

  B. Abimelech's request is needed because of Abraham's checkered past.

  C. Abimelech's request is marked by lovingkindness.

2. Peace and Truth (25-30)

3. Peace and Worship (31-34)

  A. Abraham worships God because God started this peace.

  B. Abraham worships God because he expects God to uphold this peace for generations to come.

  C. Abraham worships God because God has proven himself faithful to his promises.

Main Point: When God fulfills his promise, we are to respond to it in faith.

1. Isaac's Arrival (1-7)

2. Ishmael's Departure (8-21)

Main Point: God is perfectly just and perfectly merciful, so we can come to him with anything.

1. God Informs Abraham (16-21)

2. Abraham Intercedes Before God (22-33)

Main Point: The God who is faithful to his word calls us to obedience.

1. Covenant Assurance (v. 1-8)

2. Covenant Sign (v. 9-14)

3. Covenant Fulfillment (v. 15-22)

4. Covenant Obedience (v. 23-27)

Psalm 2: Who will be the King in your life? 

Main Point

The Lord’s Anointed will rule the nations as the sovereign King, blessed are those who submit to his rule, and cursed are those who oppose it.

Sermon Points

The Rebellion (v1-3)

The Reality (v4-6)

The Reign (v7-9)

The Response (v10-12)

Main Point: The goodness of God calls for a response from us all.

1. Praise God (1-3)

2. Seek God (4-7)

3. Fear God (8-14)

4. Trust God (15-22)

Main Point: The true words of God will prevail over the lying words of man.

1. The Lying Words of Man (1-4)

2. The True Words of God (5-8)

Main Point: God makes his ways known to us through the redeemer.

-Lament is prayer *based on God's past faithfulness*, in light of present suffering, with hope for future deliverance.

-Lament is prayer based on God's past faithfulness, *in light of present suffering*, with hope for future deliverance.

-Lament is prayer based on God's past faithfulness, in light of present suffering, *with hope for future deliverance.*

Main Point: God's covenant faithfulness proves his trustworthiness

1. Faithfulness by Word (1-6)

2. Faithfulness by Covenant (7-21)

Main Point: True blessing comes from God alone.

1. The Battles (1-16)

  -The Land's Violence (1-7)

  -Lot's Capture (8-12)

  -Abram's Rescue (13-16)

2. The Blessings (17-24)

  -Two Kings (17-18)

  -Two Blessings (19-24)

  -One Savior

Main Point: Faith, based on grace, is demonstrated by obedience

-The Introduction to the Man of Faith (11:27-32)

-The Calling to Faith (12:1-3)

-The Obedience to Faith (12:4-9)

Main Point: Because of who Jesus is and what he has done for us, we are to draw near to him, hold fast to our hope, and consider how to encourage one another.

1. What We Have in the Person and Work of Christ (19-21)

2. How We Respond to the Person and Work of Christ (22-25)

  -Draw Near to God (22)

  -Hold Fast to Our Hope (23)

  -Consider How to Encourage One Another (24-25)

Main Point: The Church is Christ's embassy in the world, given his authority to determine the who and what of the gospel.

-The Who and What of Jesus and His Office

-The Who and What of Peter and His Confession

-The Who and What of the Church and the Keys

Main Point: Following Jesus costs everything - but the reward is infinitely more.

-The Relational Cost (26)

-The Physical Cost (27)

-Interlude: Count the Cost (28-32)

-The Comprehensive Cost (33)

-The Alternative Cost and the Invitation to the Reward (34-35)

Main Point:

Because all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Jesus, we should live in submission to any earthly authority.

Sermon Points:

Submit the authority of our Government (v13-17)

Submit the authority of our Employer (v18-20)

Submit to Christ as Christ submits to the Father (v21-25)

Main Point: We live for God because of what he has done and will do for us

1. Past: God gave himself for us in grace (v. 11, 14)

2. Present: We live for God today (v. 12)

3. Future: God will return to us in glory (v. 13)

Jesus is the True Israel

The Love of God is shown in the Coming of Jesus.

Joy of the Lord

Joy to the Lord

Main Point: We find peace in the blessing of God's presence, through Christ

1. What the blessing is

2. Where the blessing comes from

3. What the blessing means

Jeremiah 29:1-14 - Finding Hope in Suffering

Main Point: Even in the midst of suffering, hope is found in the Lord

1. Where Not to Find Hope in Suffering

  A. Avoiding Suffering by Assimilation

  B. Avoiding Suffering by Exclusion

2. Where to Find Hope in Suffering

  A. Trusting God's Sovereignty

  B. Trusting God's Promises

3. How to Live Out That Hope

  A. Seeking the Welfare of Our City

  B. Seeking God with All Our Hearts

Ephesians 6:10-24 - Stand Firm

Main Point: In light of the person and work of Christ, stand firm in him to the end.

1. Stand firm in battle (10-13)

2. Stand firm in the armor of God (14-17)

3. Stand firm in prayer (18-20)

4. Stand firm in love to the end (21-24)

Main Point: Recognizing who Jesus is leads us to joyful humility.

1. The Joyful Humility of Elizabeth (39-45)

2. The Joyful Humility of Mary (46-56)

  -Looking In (46-49)

  -Looking Forward (50-53)

  -Looking Back (54-55)

Main Point: God providentially provides his blessings through our faithful obedience

1. Abraham knows God will provide (24:1-9)

2. The servant asks God to provide (24:10-27)

3. Rebekah trusts God will provide (24:28-60)

4. Isaac receives God's provision (24:61-67)

5. God provides blessings for his people (25:1-11)