First Irving Sermons

Main Point: Good and faithful servants are cultivated by Christ’s perfect character. Driving Question: What aspects of God’s character cultivates in us goodness and faithfulness in our lives? Good and faithful servants know the rule and reign of Christ (v.14) Good and faithful servants know the generosity and goodness of Christ (v.15-21) Good and faithful servants know the grace and mercy of Chris...

Question. Does Jesus really care about the spiritual health of His church? Main Idea. Jesus cares about His church’s health, especially her heart. Five ways Jesus cares for the spiritual health of His church. 1. Jesus is close (1) 2. Jesus compliments (2–3, 6) Jesus compliments the church in Ephesus for three things: Hard work and endurance (2-3) Rejecting false teaching (2) Rejection of sin (6) 3...

Main Idea: The church is the countercultural community that grows together into the fullness of Christ for the glory of God. ___________________ 1. The goal of countercultural community (4:15-16) -To conform us into the image of Jesus _________________ “those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…” (Rom. 8:29a) _________________ "may the Lord make you in...

Main Idea. When God’s people reject their King’s rule, moral chaos rules and the weak have no refuge. Question. How do people live when they reject God as their king? 1. The Depths of Depravity (19:1–21:24) A. Corruption in Gibeah (19:1–30) B. Civil War in Israel (20:1–25) C. Condemnation of Benjamin (20:26–48) D. Compromise in Benjamin’s Restoration (21:1–24) 2. The Desperation for a King (21:25)...

Main Idea. God crushes the mighty through the humiliation of his servant. 1. The donkey-slayer becomes a donkey (1–21) Three specific sins that lead Samson into slavery: 1. Pride (1–3) 2. Pleasure (1, 4–19) 3. Presumption (20) Spurgeon said, see what sin will do. That shaved man made slave is the picture of many who were the once avowed servants of God and were valiant for the truth of God. They h...

Main Idea. God continues to grant His great deliverance by the hand of a flawed servant. Four moving parts to this narrative: 1. The Cycle of Revenge (1–8) 2. The Compromise of God’s People (9–13) 3. The Conquering of God’s Spirit (14–17) 4. The Cry of God’s Servant (18–20) Takeaways. God works through broken people. God wins through weakness. God wants to provide life to the thirsty.

Main Idea. The Lord works through even bitter circumstances to bring about sweet deliverance for His people. Sermon Question. How did God work through Samson to begin the deliverance of His people? 4 ways God begins deliverance… 1. A Bride for His Purpose (1–4) 2. Strength by His Spirit (5–9) “If that roaring lion that goes about seeking whom he may devour finds us alone among the vineyards of the...

Main Idea. God graciously begins our deliverance by providing his own Deliverer. Sermon Question. How does God bring hope to the helpless? 1. God’s Provides a Savior (1–7) Two Observations. God’s redemptive plan unfolds through miraculous births. God works before we even ask. 2. God Receives a Sacrifice (8–25) Two Responses. Manoah trembles before God’s holiness (22). His wife reasons with gospel...

Main Idea: Unchecked pride among God’s people will produce devastating results. 1. The Dangerous Pride of Ephraim (vv. 1-3) Examination: a. Do you enjoy finding faults in others? b. Do you care more about your public sins than your private sins? c. Do you struggle with saying no? 2. The Devastating Fall of Ephraim (vv. 4-6) Observations: a. Pride makes us look more like the world than God’s people...

Main Idea: We suffer misery when we forsake the Lord to do what’s right in our own eyes. ____________________ 1. The misery of idolatry (10:6-16) - Idols chosen and cherished _____________________ Apply: 1. There is no spiritual neutrality when we choose to walk in sin. 2. Understand the difference between godly grief and worldly grief. _____________________ 2. The misery of self-sufficiency (10:1...

Sermon Question: What happens when we reject God’s rule and crown our own king? Main Idea: When we reject God's rule and crown a false king, we invite God's judgment. 1. The Rise of a False King (1–6) Application. We need to examine our hearts in two ways. What false kings are we tempted to crown? What ways do we seek our own glory? Beware of pragmatism dressed up as wisdom. 2. The Warni...

Main Point. Victory turns into pride when we lose sight of the God who gave it. Driving Question: What happens to our hearts when we forget that victory comes from God? 1. Our Pride Resists God’s Glory (1–21) Two Faces of Pride in Gideon: 1. People Pleasing Pride (1–3) “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” – Prov 29:25 2. Controlling Pride (4–21) 2. Our Success Ca...

Main Point. God saves by His power alone, not our strength, so that all the glory is His. Driving Question: Why does God lead us into weakness before He acts? 1. God Weakens Us to Display His Strength (1–8) 2. God Reassures Us to Strengthen Our Faith (9–15a) Two Observations. A. God’s compassionate reassurance. B. Gideon’s response. How does God reassure us of his promises today? Through Christ –...

Main Point. God sustains trembling faith that tears down idols and trusts His Word. Driving Question. What does real faith look like? 1. Faith tears down idols (25–32) 3 truths : 1. God starts reformation in the heart and home (25–26). 2. Faith obeys even when it trembles (27). 3. Bold faith can stir others to follow (28–32). Application. Faith starts at home by confronting hidden idols. Faith obe...

Main Point: God meets us in our weakness with His Word, presence, and peace—and invites us to trust and obey. Why trust God when we feel weak, afraid, or unworthy? 1. God is able to disrupt our idolatry (1–6) 2. God’s word confronts our disobedience (7–10) 3. God’s presence strengthens our weak hearts (11-18) Three Promises from the Angel of the Lord: 1. He Promises His Presence (vv. 12–13) 2. He...

Though we rebel, God remains faithful—redeeming us by crushing the enemy. Why do we rebel against God? 1. Rebellion is in our hearts (1–3) 2. Redemption is in God’s heart (4–24) a. Deborah [the unique leader] b. Barak [the faithful warrior] c. Jael [the courageous agent of deliverance] Applications from these servants. a. God works through weakness. b. God’s Word is sufficient. c. God delights in...

Main Point. God graciously delivers His people through unexpected means. 1. Undeserved Grace (7–11) 2. Unexpected Savior (12–30) 3. Unlikely Means (31) Responses. Repent, for when we cry out to the Lord, he quickly gives us the Deliver he raised Recognize that God uses the foolish things in the world to shame the strong. Remember the ordinary means of God’s grace.

Main Point. The God we forget is also the God who faithfully delivers us. Driving Question. What happens when God is forgotten? (3 lessons from this text): Drifting from Truth – (vv. 6–10). Devotion to Counterfeits – (vv. 11–15). Delivered by God – (vv. 16–19). 1. Drifting from Truth (6–10) "All it takes is one generation to forget the gospel, and we are always one generation away from losing...

Main Idea: Local churches must support missionaries for the sake of gospel advancement. What does missionary support look like? Three characteristics of missionary support 1. We must support missionaries faithfully (vv. 5-6). What does it look like for us to faithfully support our missionaries? a) Financial support b) Prayer (Colossians 4:2-4) c) Short-term Trips d) Stateside ministry 2. We must s...

Main Point. God demands His people's complete and unwavering obedience, for half-hearted obedience invites spiritual decay and divine judgement. Driving Question. What are the results of half-hearted obedience? 1. Deception of short-lived prosperity (1–20) 2. Downward spiral of faithlessness (21–36) Application. Do you think you have ever been guilty of half-hearted obedience? 3. Divine judgm...

Driving Question. Where is true life found? Main Idea. By His grace, true life is found by hoping in God and guarding His gospel. 1. By hoping in God, not earthly wealth (17–19) Two warnings of wealth. i. (17) Danger of haughtiness. ii. (17) Danger of false hope. Helpful and hopeful reminder. "but [set your hope] on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy." Matt 6:19–21 Jn 1...

Main Idea: The good fight of the faith is waged in a godly life that is taking hold of eternal life, with eyes set on the God of life. 1. Fight the good fight… in godly conduct (vv. 11-12) The components of godliness in the good fight: Flee worldly pursuits - v. 11a Pursue godliness - v. 11b Guard the faith - v. 12a Take hold of eternal life - v. 12b Hebrews 10:32-34 Hebrews 11:13-16 2. Fight the...

Main Point. A corrupt heart uses God to get gain; a content heart finds God is the gain. Driving Question. How can we recognize when our hearts are using God instead of being content in Him? 1. The Marks of Corrupt Hearts (3–5) Three heart issues from the text: 1. Conceited (4). 2. Controversial and Combative (5). 3. Corrupt (5). 2. The Marks of Content Hearts (6–10) 3 motivations for contentment:...

Main Point. Our faithful service to earthly masters reflects Christ and honors His name. Driving Question. Why should we be faithful to honor earthly masters? 1. Christ’s Name is Protected (v. 1) 2. Christ’s Church is Strengthened (2) Gospel Application. 1. Your identity is not your role—it's your union with Christ. 2. Christ redeems and dignifies humble service. 3. We serve not to earn, but...

Question. To what extent do you actually believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Main Idea. The risen Christ provides us peace, fulfilling all Scripture, and sends witnesses to proclaim this truth. Jesus makes clear 3 things that bring his disciples peace: 1. His presence in risen flesh (vv. 36–43) 2. His purpose to fulfill all Scriptures (vv. 44–46) 3. His proclamation is for all nations (vv...