Raintree Community Church

Text:  Genesis 4:1-26   The Righteous Attitude of Worshipping God (Genesis 4:1-4) God graciously provides Adam and Eve with two sons: Cain and Abel. Abel is portrayed as the one who brought an acceptable offering to the Lord with the right heart attitude. In the New Testament, Abel's offering and his actions toward God are declared as righteous (Hebrews 11:4; 1 John 3:12b).   The Ruinous Outcome o...

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:1-28   The Trustworthy Testimony of Christ's Resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-11) The reliability of the Scriptures The credibility of the eyewitnesses The experience of the Apostle Paul   The Devastating Consequences of No Resurrection (1 Cor. 15:12-19) If Christ has not been raised from the dead, then our faith is meaningless. If Christ has not been raised from the dead, then we...

Texts: Galatians 3:27-28; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Colossians 2:11-13; Romans 6:1-6   Baptism Portrayed in Following Jesus The significance of being baptized into the body of Christ (Galatians 3:27-28; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13). The theology behind being baptized into the body of Christ (Colossians 2:11-14; Romans 6:1-6).   Baptism Practiced Within the Church The Bib...

Texts: Matthew 3:13-17, 28:16-20   Baptism Exemplified in Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17) In Jesus' baptism, God the Father declared His approval of Jesus and the Gospel message He would proclaim. In Jesus' baptism, He identified Himself as the One who would be our substitute and endure God's judgment for us. When we are baptized, it symbolizes our repentance and cleansing from sin.   Baptism Commanded by...

Texts: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Revelation 19:1-9   Communion Practiced by the Church (1 Corinthians 11:17-34) Communion is a time to look beyond ourselves to ensure that we are in a right relationship with one another. Communion is a time to look back in remembrance and thanksgiving of Christ's sacrificial death. Communion is a time to look within through self-examination. Communion is a time to l...

Texts: Exodus 12:1-14; Matthew 26:26-29   Communion Foreshadowed in the Passover (Exodus 12:1-14) Communion's roots can be traced back to Passover, where the Israelites were saved from death and delivered from slavery in Egypt. The Israelites marked their doorframes with the blood of the lamb and God "passed over" His people. The feast of Passover is a celebration of this event.   Communion Fulfil...

Text:  Genesis 3:7-24   The Destructive Outcome of Sin (Gen. 3:7-13) When we choose to sin, we experience guilt and shame. When we choose to sin, we hide from the consequences. When we choose to sin, we blame others. Gospel implication: Christ died in our place and took our punishment.   The Devastating Curse of Sin (Gen. 3:14-19) God pronounces a curse on the snake and the ground because of sin....

Text:  Genesis 3:1-7   Satan's Deceitful Devices (Genesis 3:1-5) Satan is the crafty serpent in the Garden of Eden (Revelation 12:9). Satan strategy involves attacking and distorting God's Word . Satan's goal is for us to doubt and disobey God's Word   Man's Defiant Disobedience (Genesis 3:6-7) Adam and Eve disobeyed God's Word in unbelief, seeking their own moral autonomy. Adam and Eve's sinful p...

Text:  Genesis 2:18-25   God's Providential Design in Creating Us for Relationships God did not create us to be isolated, but for community and relationship. God provided man with a helper that perfectly complemented him. God ordained marriage to be a covenant relationship that is freely enjoyed with one man and one woman for a lifetime of love without shame.

Text:  Genesis 2:4-17   God's Providential Design in Creating All Things (Genesis 2:4-7) The generations of the heaven and the earth refer to the God's creation of man and woman. God's name (Yahweh-Elohim) declares Him as both Creator and Covenant-Redeemer. God created a perfect setting for man to live and breathes His life into him.   God's Providential Design in Creating Us to Work (Genesis 2:8-...

Text:  Genesis 2:1-3   Divine Rest Inaugurated in God's Finished Work of Creation God finished His work of creation. God rested from His work of creation. God blessed and sanctified the seventh day.   Our Eternal Rest Fulfilled in Christ's Finished Work of Redemption The theme of God's rest is seen in the future rest that awaits those who belong to God in salvation. Because of Christ's death and r...

Text:  Genesis 1:26-31   As God's Image-Bearers, We Represent Him on the Earth (1:26-27) God made us after His image and likeness, distinct from the rest of creation. God made us male and female for His glory. Implication: Our value and identity are tied to bearing the image of God. Therefore, we should seek after Him and bear His image in a way that pleases Him.   As God's Image-Bearers, We Fill...

Text:  Genesis 1:1-25   The Creator of All Things (Genesis 1:1) The eternal triune God ("Elohim") created everything. God's glorious attributes are seen in everything He has made (Psalm 19:1-4a; Romans 1:18-20). We are made for His glory and are accountable and dependent upon Him (Romans 11:36; Acts 17:24-28).   The Creation of All Things (Genesis 1:2-25) God's work of creation begins with Him fil...

Text:  Genesis 1:1   Introduction: Why Study Genesis? It sets the foundation for the rest of the Bible. It gives us the purpose of God for mankind. It describes the origin and effects of sin. It anticipates God's answer to our problem of sin, a seed coming through the line of Abraham. It describes the origin of the nation of Israel and the Promised Land. It reveals the character of God to us.   Th...

Text:  James 1:19-25   Listen to the Word Openly (vs. 19-20) Be quick to hear – "I am eager to listen." Be slow to speak – "I will not make excuses." Be slow to anger: "I will not justify my disobedience."   Receive the Word Humbly (vs. 21) Receiving the Word requires putting our sin away. Receiving the Word involves accepting it as salvation for our souls.   Obey the Word Persistently (vs. 22-25)...

Travis Thompson preaches to us from 1 Samuel 17. 

Christmas Eve Service   Text: Titus 3:3-7   Who We Were as Sinners (3:3) Because of our sin, we were entrenched in our rebellion against God and enslaved to our desires. Result: We had no hope to save ourselves from eternal death     (Ephesians 2:12; Romans 6:20-23).   Who We Are in Christ (3:4-7) Because of Christ, we can be saved out of our sin by His mercy, given new life through the Spirit, an...

Texts:  Exodus 34:5-8; John 3:16-17; 1 John 4:7-12   The Steadfast Love of God Declared in His Name (Exodus 34:5-8) This is the first passage where God declares His character to us. He is full of mercy, grace, faithfulness, and love with forgiveness for sinners.   The Stunning Love of God Demonstrated in His Son (John 3:16-17) God's love came down to us in the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. B...

Texts: Isaiah 55; Luke 2:8-12; 1 John 1:1-4   The Invitation of Satisfying Joy in Christ (Isaiah 55) God calls us to be satisfied in Him and seek Him alone. God reveals Himself to His people through His Word. God promises to lead His people into His joy and peace.   The Gospel of Great Joy in Christ (Luke 2:8-12) The Gospel is the good news of great joy for all people who believe it. The Gospel co...

Texts:  Micah 5:1-5; Ephesians 2:11-22; Philippians 4:6-7   Christ Came to Be Our Peace (Micah 5:1-5) Peace is defined in Scripture as "shalom," which means wholeness or completeness. Christ's coming inaugurated a "shalom" that would bring strength to His people and culminate in His eternal reign.   Christ Came to Make Peace With God and Man (Ephesians 2:11-22) Christ broke down the wall of hostil...

Texts: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23; Romans 15:8-13   Christ, the Promised Savior (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23) Christ came as the prophesied Messiah who would bring salvation to sinners walking in despair and darkness. Christ came to be our Emmanuel, "God With Us."   Christ, the Hope of the World (Romans 15:8-13) Christ became a servant for the sake of God's truth and in fulfillment of God's pro...

Text: Colossians 4:7-18   Gospel Gratitude for Faithful Service (4:7-11) Paul was grateful for the Gospel's transformation in the church that prepared them for faithful service. We can be grateful for how the Gospel has transformed us and placed us in ministry together.   Gospel Gain From Fruitful Service (4:12-16) Paul was encouraged to see the sacrificial service of others bearing fruit in the c...

Text: Colossians 4:5-6   Gospel Urgency with Wisdom (4:5) We are called to conduct ourselves in biblical wisdom to those around us. We are called to use our time wisely for the Gospel's sake.   Gospel Fluency with Grace (4:6) We are called to speak grace-filled words that are seasoned with the flavor of Christ. We are called to respond to others with grace-filled answers that point them to Christ...

Text: Colossians 4:2-4   Dependance Upon Christ in Prayer (4:2) Pray with steadfast consistency. Pray with persistent watchfulness. Pray with Godward gratitude.   Devotion to Christ's Mission Through Prayer (4:3-4) Pray for opportunities to declare the Gospel. Pray for obedience to make the Gospel known.