Union Chapel Sermon Library

Luke 2:1-16 I. An Unlikely Crib It is rather startling that the completely omniscient, self-sufficient God that owns everything and needs nothing would seek for something, and that something would be us! He left His Father’s throne above (so free, so infinite his grace!) emptied himself of all but love, and bled for Adam’s helpless race. ‘Tis mercy all, immense and free; for, O my God, it found ou...

Union Chapel's 2022 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 I. A promise you receive. (You are never alone) II. A promise you share. Matthew 1:23 Why were confused, hurting and lost people drawn to Jesus? Because when everyone looked down and pushed such people away, Jesus pulled them close to Himself. He wanted to be...

Matthew 1:18-25 I. A Special Name The combination of Jehovah and Hoshea made the name Joshua, translated means Jesus (The Lord of Salvation or God saves!) II. A Name that Saves You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in...

Matthew 2:1-12 I. The Eyes to See Psalm 8:4; Matthew 8:2; Ecclesiastes 3:11; Matthew 2:2 Deep calls to deep. Psalm 42:7 The wise men were wise because they did not allow their souls to be anesthetized by possessions and success. II. The Courage to Follow Matthew 2:3 For to us a child is born, To us a child is given, And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince...

They were devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayers. Reverential awe came on everyone, and many wonders and miraculous signs came about by the apostles. All who believed were together and held everything in common, and they began selling their property and possessions and distributing the proceeds to everyone, as anyone had need. Every...

As they make music they will sing, all my fountains are in you. Psalms 87:7 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I John 5:12 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. Romans 15:20 What voices are you listening to? What addictions are part of your strug...

“All I could see was the fog. I think if I could have seen the shore, I would have made it.” Florence Chadwick We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us! I Corinthians 13:12 MSG Prolo...

Future expectations determine present behavior. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. II Corinthians 4:8-9 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the o...

Saul to Paul: Acts 9 What excuses do you use to disqualify yourself from being used by God? What excuses do you use to disqualify others? The enemy doesn’t need to disqualify you if you have already disqualified yourself. The enemy doesn’t need to disqualify others if we do it for him. Paul and Silas in Prison: Acts 16:16-40 Following Jesus should be disruptive to our past life. -2 Corinthians 5:1...

I. The Church is supernatural in origin and function. The Church is a supernatural invention that runs on supernatural power. II. The Church is a community of authentic love. It is better to be loving than to be right. It is better to be merciful than to be mean-spirited and judgmental. The unresolved gap between what we say and how we live is the crevice into which people fall. You cannot make yo...

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46 How deep the Father's love for us, How vast beyond all measure That He should give His only Son To make a wretch His treasure How great the pain of searing loss, The Father turns His face away As wounds which mar the chosen One, Bring many sons to glory My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Psalm 22:1 Why are you so far from saving me,...

1. There is truth – truth that everyone should believe. “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:37 2. Jesus came to testify to that truth – he is the key witness. “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You sa...

What is most important? Luke 10:38-42 If the enemy can’t destroy you, he will distract you. The American dream is about distraction, not security. You might retire from your earthly work but never retire from Kingdom work. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I wi...

Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:38-40 | THE STORY Pg. 343 If Jesus is in your boat, you don’t need...

4 Pictures of Jesus’ life and ministry: 1. The Baptism of Jesus Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water....

5 Movements in The Story: Creation (Eden, Fall, Flood, Tower of Babel) Israel (Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Judges, Kings, Prophets) Jesus The Church Paradise/Heaven In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the lig...

1. The Bible is the most powerful book. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my Word will never pass away.” Matthew 24:35 2. The Bible is power for your life. The Bible is power for when you’ve been hurt. (Ephesians 4:31-32) The Bible is power for family relationships (Ephesians 6:1-4) The Bible is power over anxiety (Philippians 4:6-7) The Bible is power for your job/school (Colossians 3:23-24)...

Recent headlines and statistics are not encouraging. There are more than 72 Million Millennials in America, almost one-quarter of our population. An increasingly large portion of the Millennials are walking away from a faith of any kind, choosing to identify themselves as religious ‘nones.’ Researchers in 2008 noted that one third of all Millennials describe themselves as religiously unaffiliated....

Jeremiah 1:4-9, 17-19 1. The Task is Too Demanding The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:4-5 2. My Talent is Inadequate “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” Jeremiah 1:6 "Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched m...

Matthew 28:18-20 OUR MISSION: (Why we exist) Know Jesus Grow in relationship with Jesus Go making Jesus known to others OUR VISION: (What we are going to do together) Win the lost Outreach to each unique generation Relevant worship Strategic missions Home groups Impacting the Church Practical ministry 1. The Gospel is to be shared. John 3:16; Mathew 28:18-20 2. Tell someone: Close the deal. Be pre...

II Corinthians 11:24-29 “Faith ought not be a puny thing. If you believe, have faith like a giant. And may God not grant you peace, but glory.” Mary Bethune Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds…Now my soul is troubled,...

John 15:5-17 1. Complete your joy: remain in Jesus Something in us dies when we disconnect from Jesus. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 2. Complete your joy: love like Jesus Jesus invites you to care about what He cares about. Expect His compassion for people who don’t know Him to grow in...

Luke 6:20-22; 36-38 “MAKARIOS” = Happy, fortunate, to be envied True happiness happens when I realize that God is more concerned with my holiness, than my happiness. Take the focus off yourself. Listen to the Holy Spirit. True happiness happens when I live an open-handed and generous life. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be po...

Nehemiah 8:1-12 1. The joy of the Lord is your strength / Happy isn’t enough Happy is something that happens to you. Joy is something that comes out of you. 2. The joy of the Lord is your strength / Force your focus on God 3. The joy of the Lord is your strength / Your passion determines your power The purpose of spiritual disciplines (prayer, Bible reading, meditation, fasting, fellowship, servic...