Sermons
Practicing Our Faith
This sermon explores the concept of devotion and abiding in Christ, emphasizing the importance of practicing faith through dedication to God’s word, fellowship, communion, and prayer. I draw parallels between devotion in daily life and spiritual commitment, and urge you to examine your priorities and deepen your relationship with Christ. The message underscores the transformative power of abiding in Christ’s love and the fruitfulness that results from this connection.
The Words Of My Mouth
Words have power. And I think they have the most power when they are words of prayer. Powerful prayers don’t have to be long and filled with Christianese. A prayer can simply be speaking the name of Jesus.
Be Humbled. Be On Guard. Trust The Process.
Peter’s life was radically changed by Jesus Christ.
All of Peter’s letter should be looked at under the lens of the sovereignty of God, especially 1 Peter 5:6-11.
The God of all grace is sovereign over salvation, suffering, life, death, and everything in between.
Peter exhorts the older in faith to shepherd the younger ones in the flock.
God rewards those who shepherd others in accordance with His will.
Younger Christians ought to submit to the wisdom of their elders.
Humility is not natural. We have to put it on.
Pride leaves no room for grace.
Allowing worry to captivate you is a form of submitting to pride.
Humility is a gift to be applied under the sovereignty of God’s mighty hand.
Be humbled.
Be on guard.
Trust the process.
The Way, The Truth, And The Life
Every book in the Bible reveals and points towards Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the center of time and sovereign over it.
We are all drawn to God because it is our created nature to be drawn to Him.
We were not created to be separated from God; separation is a result of sin.
Death and condemnation are our default settings because of sin.
It has always been God’s plan to save His people from their sins.
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
The penalty of sin has been paid (Romans 5:8-11).
The power of sin has been disconnected (Romans 6:20-23).
The presence of sin will ultimately be removed (2 Peter 3:1-13).
We cannot walk two different directions at once; we are either walking towards sin or walking towards Jesus.
It is by God’s grace that we can repent and be reoriented towards Jesus.
God’s grace frees us from the penalty, power, and presence of sin.
It is by God’s grace that we are saved.
Body Building
Love must be the foundation that we build from. Spiritual gifts without love are worthless.
When love for each other is pursued, the Holy Spirit acts freely in our lives and spiritual gifts abound.
Love enables us to fully receive edification (even correction) from others.
Spiritual gifts are given by God to whom He chooses when He chooses.
The gifts are given to us to:
– equip each other for ministry
– build up the Body
– mature our faith
– grow us in the likeness of Christ
– serve others
– speak God’s words
– glorify God through Jesus Christ in everything
The spiritual growth and health of the Church is dependent on the whole Body, not just the pastors, elders, and ministry leaders.
Some spiritual gifts seem common among all believers but are given in extra measure to some (e.g. evangelism, faith, giving, hospitality, mercy, discernment).