- Jul 10, 2016Two Lights
- Jul 3, 2016I Am the Bread of Life
- Jun 26, 2016I Am
- Jun 19, 2016A Father’s HeartJun 19, 2016A Father’s HeartSeries: Father's DayMalachi 4:2-6 • sermon notes belowThe day of the Lord is a time when our Heavenly Father will make all things right.
- The day of the Lord has already come in Christ, and will fully come when Christ returns.When earthly fathers are filled with the Spirit of the Heavenly Father, they will experience His Fatherhood and express His Fatherhood.Children long for and need fathers who express the nature of our Heavenly Father.
- Children need a father’s unconditional love.
- Children need a father’s blessing.
- Children need a father’s presence.
- Children need a father’s protection.
- Children need a father’s provision.
- Children need a father’s guidance.
- Children need a father’s discipline.Our Response: God is the perfect Father for whom we long; receive his fatherly love, and trust him to empower you to express his life-giving love to others.Life Application Questions
- What traits of our Heavenly Father’s love do you need to receive today?
- Are there areas where your earthly father fell short where you need to receive healing from your Heavenly Father?
- If you are a Father, which traits of your Heavenly Father’s love do you most need to show to your children this week?Today's Songs
My One Comfort
Build Your Kingdom Here
Grace Alone
Jesus Paid It All
How Deep The Father’s Love For Us - Jun 12, 2016The Reformed View of BaptismJun 12, 2016The Reformed View of BaptismSeries: The SacramentsActs 2:38-39 and others • sermon notes belowShould infants be baptized? The Bible implies, and history confirms, that children were baptized as an expression of God’s Covenant Promises.
- God’s covenant is not with individuals in isolation, but with families.
- The practice of infant baptism was nearly universal in the early church.
Does baptism save us? No, we are saved as we trust in Jesus to forgive us and give us new birth by the Spirit; baptism is a sign and seal of Christ’s saving work.
Are those who die in infancy saved? We believe that children who have not rejected Christ are saved.
What responsibility does infant baptism place upon parents? We must embrace God’s promise for our children, raising them in homes full of faith and truth.
What response does infant baptism call for from our children? Baptism testifies that the Spirit is at work in our children; they must respond to God’s work by putting their trust in Jesus as their Savior and Lord.
Our Response: Let us embrace the promised work of the Holy Spirit proclaimed in our children’s baptism, and together raise them in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Life Application Questions
- Do you believe that the Holy Spirit is working in your children right now, and do you watch for and encourage what God is doing in their lives?
- How is God prompting you to express your faith to your children? (Bible reading, family prayers, talking about the sermon, asking about Sunday school)
- How might God be prompting you to participate in raising the children of our congregation in the training and instruction of the Lord?
Today’s Songs
My One Comfort
10,000 Reasons
How He Loves
It Is Well
RejoiceBe Thou My Vision - Jun 5, 2016BaptismJun 5, 2016BaptismSeries: The SacramentsActs 2:38-39 and others • sermon notes belowWhy do we baptize? Because the Bible commands us to baptize as an expression of our faith in Christ. What is baptism? Baptism is an outward expression of inward grace – the saving and transforming work of the Holy Spirit. - Baptism proclaims that our sins have been washed away. - Baptism proclaims that we have been raised to new life in Christ. - Baptism proclaims that we are included in Christ and in his New Covenant Community. Our Response: Embrace the biblical truths proclaimed in baptism: your sins are washed away, you are a new creation in Christ, and you are enfolded into God’s family! Life Application Questions - Have you put your faith in Jesus to wash your sins away and give you new life? If in doubt, make that decision today! - Have you professed your faith through baptism and through public testimony? If not, talk to me or an Elder or mature believer. - Who do you know that needs to receive the saving work of Jesus in his or her life? What is God challenging you to do to help them take a step closer to God? - Which of God’s promises expressed in your baptism do you need to embrace today? Today’s Songs Blessed Be Your Name How Great Is Our God How Great Thou Art You Never Let Go Lead Me To The Cross
- May 29, 2016The Lord’s Supper
May 29, 2016The Lord’s SupperSeries: The Sacraments1 Corinthians 11:17-34 • sermon notes belowJesus himself instituted the Lord’s Supper
- Jesus commanded us to celebrate the Lord’s Supper.
- The early church celebrated the Lord’s Supper weekly as a full meal.
- Christ is spiritually present in the bread and cup.The Lord’s Supper looks to the past, the present, and the future.
- Contemplate the Past - Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension.
- Celebrate the Present - Christ’s presence, people, and power.
- Anticipate the Future - the wedding feast.We come to the Lord’s Supper as one body.
The Lord is present and nourishes us at the Table.
The Lord’s Supper is for all who believe in Jesus.
- Imperfect people can come!
- Young children can come!Our Response: Our Lord invites all who trust in him to come to his Table so that he might nourish our souls, strengthen our faith, and remind us of his amazing grace.
Life Application Questions
- Do you come to the Lord’s Table in faith, expecting to be nourished and strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit?
- As you partake, do you discern and honor the people who belong to the body of Christ? What person or group of people might you exclude in your heart?
- What can you do this week to help your children come to a deeper understanding of the Lord’s Table? How can you prepare your own heart this week to receive next week?Today’s Songs
Rejoice
This Is Amazing Grace
Before the Throne of God Above
Rock of Ages
How Deep the Father’s Love For Us- May 22, 2016Spirit-Filled Living
May 22, 2016Spirit-Filled LivingSeries: Life TogetherEphesians 5:18-21 • sermon notes belowThe Bible exhorts us to not waste our lives.
Rather we are to be filled with the Spirit.
- We need to be continuously filled with the Spirit. We have all of the Spirit, but does the Spirit have all of us?
- Being filled with the Spirit is our responsibility but God’s work.
So that we might walk by the Spirit.
- Those filled with the Spirit are a singing people.
- Those filled with the Spirit are a thankful people.
- Those filled with the Spirit are a submitting people.
Our Response: The Lord wants us to yield fully to him so that he might continuously fill us with His Spirit, resulting in lives overflowing with singing, thankfulness, and healthy service.
Life Application Questions
- What is holding you back from giving the Lord full control of your life? What do you need to surrender or change to make your life fully available to God?
- How can you express joy and thankfulness in your life? Where in your life can you express honor and submission this week?
Today’s Songs
Grace Alone
Jesus Messiah
How MarvelousArms Open Wide- May 15, 2016The Promise of the Father
May 15, 2016The Promise of the FatherSeries: PentecostActs 2:1-12 • sermon notes belowThe Promise of the Father - The promise of the Father was the baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire. - The fire of the Spirit reveals, purifies, empowers, warms, illuminates, and spreads. The Feast of Pentecost - The purpose of the Feast of Pentecost: to celebrate the blessings of the harvest, to celebrate God’s giving the 10 Commandments to Moses The Outpouring of the Spirit - Different terms are used to express this mighty outpouring of the Spirit. - All who believe in Jesus receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. - The Baptism with the Holy Spirit is a definite experience! How can you personally experience this fullness in the Holy Spirit? - Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. - Renounce sin. - Thirst for more of God. - Humble yourself. - Ask for the fullness of the Spirit. - Believe that God will answer your prayer. Our Response: The Bible makes clear that we desperately need to experience the work of the Holy Spirit to have vibrant spiritual lives. In obedience to God’s Word, humble yourself, turn from sin, thirst for God, and ask in faith for the fullness of the Holy Spirit. You will receive. Life Application questions - What does the fire of the Spirit accomplish in our lives? Which of these works are you in need of today? - What things in your life might be barriers to you experiencing the fullness of the Holy Spirit? - What is the Lord leading you to do to increase the fullness of the Spirit in your life? Today’s Songs Indescribable Mighty To Save The Stand Nothing But The BloodGod Is Able- May 8, 2016Living in the Light
May 8, 2016Living in the LightSeries: Life TogetherEphesians 5:1-17 • sermon notes belowThe Bible teaches that you are light! (5:8-9)
Paul exhorts us to live as light! (5:1-13)
- Love like Jesus.
- Be pure in word, action, and heart.
- Be a God-pleaser.
- Shine light on the darkness.
Paul challenges us to wake up! (5:14)
Paul reminds us to live wisely! (5:15-17)
- Watch your step.
- Use your time well.
- Discern God’s will.
Our Response: The Bible teaches that you are light in the Lord. So you must live as light, watching your step and using your time well in ways pleasing to the Lord.
Life Application Questions
- What does Paul mean when he says that “you are light in the Lord.” How should that impact how you live?
- Is there a place in your life where the Lord is challenging you to be pure in word, action, or thought?
- How can you use your time wisely today? This week?
- Where do you most need to watch your step?
- What do you need to bring into the light?
Today’s Songs
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
Savior King
Holy Spirit
There is a FountainSing to the King - May 29, 2016The Lord’s Supper