Finding Rest in Jesus
Matthew 11:28-30
I. COME TO JESUS
II. TAKE HIS YOKE
III. LEARN FROM HIM
The Song of the Redeemed
Revelation 5:1-14
I. NO ONE IS WORTHY TO BRING ABOUT GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSES
II. THE LAMB ALONE IS WORTHY
A. The Lamb is worthy because he has conquered through his death
B. The Lamb is worthy because he has all power
C. The Lamb is worthy because he sees all things
D. The Lamb is worthy because he gives the Spirit without measure
E. The Lamb is worthy of the worship of heaven
F. The Lamb is worthy of the prayers of the saints
G. The Lamb is worthy of a new song
H. The Lamb is worthy of the worship of every nation, tribe, & tongue
I. The Lamb is worthy of the worship of everything in all of creation
Simeon and Anna’s Song
Luke 2:8-21
I. JESUS IS BORN TO RIGHTEOUS PARENTS
A. They demonstrate their righteousness by obeying God’s Word to circumcise Jesus
B. They demonstrate their righteousness by obeying God’s Word to name Jesus
C. They demonstrate their righteousness by obeying God’s Word to dedicate Jesus
D. They demonstrate their righteousness by obeying God’s Word for purification after pregnancy
II. JESUS IS MET BY RIGHTEOUS & READY WORSHIPERS
III. JESUS’ DESTINY IS REVEALED
A. Jesus brings peace according to God’s Word
B. Jesus brings salvation for all peoples
C. Jesus is the Light of the world
The Angels’ Song
Luke 2:8-21
I. THE ANGELS BRING THE GOSPEL TO LOWLY SHEPHERDS
A. The gospel is shared first with those that are detested and despised
B. The gospel reveals the glory of God
C. The gospel brings great joy for all people
D. The gospel is about Jesus
II. THE ANGELS REJOICE IN THE GOSPEL
III. THE GOSPEL LEADS TO TRANSFORMATION
A. The shepherds believe the gospel
B. The shepherds share the gospel
C. Mary treasures the gospel
D. The shepherds praise God for the gospel
Mary’s Song
Luke 1:46-56
I. MARY RESPONDS IN FAITH
A. She responds personally
B. She responds from the deepest part of her being
C. She responds in praise to God
II. MARY RESPONDS IN FAITH FOR WHAT GOD HAS DONE
A. God saw her lowly state
B. God has graciously blessed her
C. God has shown His might, holiness, and mercy
D. God’s promises have never failed
III. MARY RESPONDS IN FAITH FOR WHAT GOD WILL DO
A. In Christ’s coming Kingdom, the first will be last.
B. In Christ’s coming Kingdom, the last will be first.
C. In Christ’s coming Kingdom, every wrong will be made right.
D. In Christ’s coming Kingdom, every promise will be fulfilled.
Zechariah’s Song
Luke 1:67-79
I. Zechariah Praises God for His Promises to David
A) God will establish His Kingdom through David’s line
B) This coming ruler will be unlike any before him
II. Zechariah Praises God for His Promises to Abraham
III. Zechariah Praises God for His Promises to John
A) John will be a prophet with a mission
B) John will be a preacher with a message
IV. Zechariah Praises God for Fulfilling All of His Promises in Christ
Giving Thanks in All Circumstances
1 Thessalonians 5:18
I. GIVING THANKS IS COMMANDED
A. God commands it because it is right
B. God commands it because it is true
C. God commands it because it glorifies Him
II. GIVING THANKS IS UNQUALIFIED
A. We should give thanks for God’s good gifts
B. We should give thanks when God allows difficulties and trials
C. We must guard against giving thanks sinfully
III. GIVING THANKS IS GOD’S WILL FOR HIS CHILDREN
Stewardship & Contentment
1 Timothy 6:2b-10 & 17-19
I. CONTENTMENT MUST BE FOUND IN CHRIST ALONE
A. Stewarding our relationship to Christ must be our highest priority.
B. Lack of contentment in Christ leads to discontentment everywhere else
II. CONTENTMENT IS CONNECTED TO GODLINESS, NOT GOODS
A. Spiritual contentment leads to material contentment
B. Contentment understands the limits of life
C. Contentment is not about self-sufficiency, but Christ-sufficiency
III. CONTENTMENT IS AN ONGOING, DAILY BATTLE
IV. CONTENTMENT IS VISIBLE
A. Those who are content set their hope on God and not riches
B. Those who are content are open-handed and generous toward others
C. Those who are content are free to live for eternity
The Glory of God’s Grace
Ephesians 2:1-10
What grace is: Grace is the unmerited, undeserved, free, favor of God.
What grace is not:
Grace never incurs a debt.
Grace is not conditional or contractual.
Grace is not God grading on the curve.
Grace is not a license to sin.
Grace is not cheap.
I. The Requirement of Grace
A. We were dead in our sins
B. We followed the course of this world
C. We were followers of Satan
D. We lived in the passions and desires of the flesh, body, and mind
E. We were by nature under God’s wrath
II. The Reality of Grace
A. Grace Is Given by God through Christ
B. Grace Is Received through Faith as a Gift
III. The Response to Grace
A. Worship
B. Humility
C. Gratitude
D. Good works as God’s workmanship
Are We There Yet?
Revelation 21:1-8
1. Eternity is about God (v.1-3)
a. God is making all things new
b. God is making a place to dwell among his people
2. Eternity is not like and like this current life (v.4-5)
a. The former things have passed away
b. God is redeeming all things
3. There is no alternate ending (v.6-8)
a. God will bless the faithful
b. God will punish the unfaithful
All of Life on Mission
John 20:19-23
I. TWO FOUNDATIONS FOR LIFE ON MISSION - We should live all of life on mission because . .
A. The resurrection of Jesus changes everything
B. We have been sent like Jesus
II. THREE IMPLICATIONS FOR LIFE ON MISSION
A. We have been sent with the peace of Jesus
B. We have been sent with the presence of Jesus
C. We have been sent with the authority of Jesus
III. THREE APPLICATIONS FOR LIFE ON MISSION
A. See yourself as a missionary right now
B. Be gospel fluent
C. Use the bridges in your life for mission
All of Life in Community
1 Corinthians 13:1-8
I. WHAT IS BIBLICAL COMMUNITY?
Biblical community is the intentional practice of living an authentic, transparent life with other disciples.
A. Biblical community reflects God’s triune nature.
B. Biblical community is only experienced through gospel transformation.
C. Biblical community is a foretaste of God’s coming kingdom.
II. HOW DO WE BUILD BIBLICAL COMMUNITY?
A. We act like Jesus towards one another.
B. We don’t reject the messiness that comes with living close to other people.
C. We model the authenticity and transparency necessary for real relationships.
D. We forgive often. We bear burdens. We walk in humility.
E. We realize our need for the Holy Spirit.
All of Life as Worship
John 4:1-26
Important Truths to Remember about Worship:
We are all unceasing worshipers
Everyone is at all times worshiping someone or something
We become like what we worship
I. WORSHIP IS BEING SATISFIED IN JESUS
II. WORSHIP IS THE ROOT ISSUE OF SIN & IDOLATRY
III. WORSHIP IS NOT ABOUT PLACES OR PREFERENCES
IV. WORSHIP MUST BE IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH
All of Life for the Glory of God
Philippians 1:12-26
I. ALL OF MY LIFE SHOULD BE LIVED FOR THE GLORY OF GOD
A. Living for the glory of Christ means living for the advance of the Gospel – v. 12
B. Living for the glory of Christ means living without fear of persecution – v. 13-14
C. Living for the glory of Christ means living without selfish ambitions – v. 15-18
D. Living for the glory of Christ means living courageously without shame – v. 20
E. Living for the glory of Christ means living without fear of death – v. 21
F. Living for the glory of Christ means living to make Christ look glorious to others – v. 22-26
II. EVERY SPHERE OF MY EXISTENCE MUST BE AIMED AT DISPLAYING THE GLORY OF GOD
A. Heart, Soul, & Strength – Deuteronomy 6:5
B. Mind & Emotions – Psalm 19:14
C. Body & Sexuality –1 Cor 6:20
D. Education & Vocation – Col 3:23
E. Money & Possessions – 1 Cor 4:7
F. Gifts I Enjoy – James 1:17
Shepherds after God’s Own Heart
John 10:1-16
I. GOD REVEALS HIMSELF PARTIALLY THROUGH THE METAPHOR OF A SHEPHERD
A. God shepherds his people with his presence and protection
B. God shepherds his people by providing satisfaction, nourishment, rest, and restoration to his people
C. God shepherds his people by giving guidance, protection, comfort, provision, and lovingkindness to his people
D. God shepherds his people with tenderness and compassion
II. GOD HAS CHOSEN TO USE PEOPLE TO DEMONSTRATE HIS SHEPHERD LEADERSHIP
A. Under-shepherds are to exercise a benevolent authority
B. Under-shepherds will be strictly judged by God
III. GOD PROMISES TO PROVIDE SHEPHERDS AFTER HIS OWN HEART
IV. JESUS IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD AND THE FULFILLMENT OF GODS PROMISES
A. Shepherds after God’s own heart recognize that they are stewards of the flock and not owners
B. Shepherds after God’s own heart make sure that the sheep know the voice of Jesus
C. Shepherds after God’s own heart love the sheep and lay down their lives for the sheep
D. Shepherds after God’s own heart share God’s concern for all the lost sheep of the world
Biblical Deacons Pt. 2
1 Timothy 3:11-13
I. DEACONS MUST MODEL THE GOSPEL IN THEIR HOMES
A. Deacons must lead their wives by their own example
B. Deacons must love their wives in light of the gospel
C. Deacons must raise their children in light of the gospel
Deacons model disciple-making in their homes
Deacons model Christian worship in their homes
Deacons model biblical priorities and biblical success in their home
Deacons model the grace of God in their homes
II. DEACONS WILL RECEIVE THE REWARDS OF GOSPEL SERVICE
A. Deacons receive a reward from our congregation
B. Deacons receive assurance of the Gospel’s power in their service
Biblical Deacons Pt. 1
1 Timothy 3:8-10
I. DEACONS MUST BE RESPECTABLE
A. Deacons must be respectable when they speak
B. Deacons must be respectable in how they moderate their lives
C. Deacons must be respectable in how they model honest livelihoods
II. DEACONS MUST KNOW THE GOSPEL, LOVE THE GOSPEL, AND LIVE BY THE GOSPEL
A. Deacons must hold the faith with a clear conscience
B. Deacons must be tested and proven blameless