First Irving Sermons

Why does the church need elders? Christ gives elders to order, shape, and protect His church. Today, the text will answer Why Elders in three ways. 1. To bring order (5) 2. To model godliness (6–8) 3. To hold firm to the word (9) Two responsibilities: 1. Teach sound doctrine. 2. Rebuke error. Response. 1. Pastoral Exhortations We must teach the truth of Christ (v.1). We must love Christ’s glory, o...

Main Idea. God delights to relent when sinners repent. In three movements, God’s mercy toward sinners is on full display: 1. The Prophet Preaches (1–4) 2. The City Repents (5–9) 3. The Lord Relents (10) Takeaways about our God: The Lord is patient. (He gives second chances). The Lord is holy. (He confronts our sin). The Lord is merciful. (He saves sinners).

Jonah 2 Hope from the Grave Main Idea. God brings us low, He hears our cry, and He raises us up. 1. He brings us low (1:17, 2:1) 2. He hears our cry (2–9) 3. He raises us up (10) Two Takeaways. 1. Salvation belongs to the Lord (2:9). 2. The Sign of Jonah (1:17). Consider the Biblical declarations and benefits of Jesus' resurrection: Romans 1:4 God “declared him to be the Son of God in power a...

Three acts of God’s sovereign grace toward sinners. 1. God Speaks (1–3) 2. God Seeks (4–16) Three ways God seeks: 1. God seeks with a storm (4–6). 2. God seeks in the casting of lots (7–10). 3. God seeks through a judgment (11–16). 3. God Saves (17) Matthew 12:40–41: “For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three ni...

MI: God accomplishes redemption for His people through the gracious work of His perfect redeemer. 1. Redemption Accomplished (vv. 1-12) 2. Redemption Applied (vv. 13-17) 3. Redemption Anticipated (vv. 18-22) Takeaways from Ruth 1. God’s Promises in Scripture 2. God’s Purposes in Suffering 3. God’s Providence in Salvation

Three movements: 1. Naomi’s Plan (1–5) 2. Ruth’s Proposal (7–12) 3. Boaz’s Promise (13–18) Main Idea. God's people ask for covering under the Redeemer's wings and He vows to provide it. Takeaways. Ruth’s request to rest. Boaz will not rest until redemption is finished.

Main Idea. God graciously provides covering for his destitute people through a worthy redeemer. 1. A destitute woman (Ruth) Three aspects of Ruth’s destitution: - She is a foreigner (vv.2,6,10,21). - She is poor (v.2). - She is a widow (vulnerable). 2. A worthy redeemer (Boaz) Five aspects of “why” Boaz is worthy: - He Loves the Laborers in His Field (v.4). - He Obeys the Law of the Lord (v.8). -...

Why study the Book of Ruth? (from Tony Merida) 1) The Book of Ruth is God’s Word. 2) Ruth helps us see the bigger story of redemption. 3) Ruth teaches us about God’s providence. Four moving parts: 1. Empty House (1–5) 2. Empty Hope (6–18) 3. Empty Homecoming (19–21) 4. Full Harvest (22). Main Idea. Even when God’s hand feels heavy and life empty, He is providentially working for his people's...

Main Idea. Believers can know with certainty that they have eternal life and belong to God. Driving Question. If we believe in the Son of God, what can we know for certain? 1. We know we have eternal life (13) 2. We know God hears us (14–17) Application. Intercede for those caught in sin. Trust that God restores His people. 3. We know God keeps us (18–21) Takeaways from 1 John. Keep trusting Chris...

Main Point: The testimony of Jesus produces new life in us by faith. Driving Question: “What role does faith have in bringing about this life?” The result of faith (v.1-3) The object of faith (v.4-10) The Reward of Faith (v.11-12) Takeaways: If you are born of God, give praise and thanks to God (Father, Son, and Spirit) for His merciful grace to you. If you are born of God, let’s commit to love on...

Main Idea. God’s love in Christ removes our fear of judgment and frees us to love one another. Driving Question. Why don’t Christians need to be afraid anymore? 1. Because God has loved us in Christ (15–16) 2. Because Christ gives us confidence for the judgment (17–18) 3. Because Christ’s assurance frees us to love one another (19–21) Takeaways. 1. Examine whether you are fearful or free in Christ...

Main Idea. The unseen God reveals His love in Christ and through His people. Driving Question. Why ought we to love one another? Three reasons why we should: 1.Because God is love (vv. 7–8) 2. Because God revealed His love by sending His Son (vv. 9–10) Two aspects of God’s love in Christ: A. God manifested His love by sending His Son (9). B. God defined His love by giving His Son as a propitiation...

Main Idea. The Spirit of God is known by the true confession of Jesus Christ. Driving Question. How do we know whether God’s Spirit abides in us? 1. By Our True Confession of Jesus Christ (2–3) And this confession holds together two inseparable truths: A. Who Jesus Is B. Why Jesus Came Two Fruits of Assurance from the Test: A. Assurance of Victory (4). B. Assurance of Discernment (5–6). Takeaways....

Main Idea. God is greater than our condemning hearts, therefore we can have assurance before Him. Driving Question. How can we have assurance before God when our own hearts condemn us? 1. Rest in the truth that God is greater than our hearts (20–22) Application. When your heart condemns you, feed on Christ. What is the result of resting in God’s greater heart? We have confidence before him (vv.21–...

Main Idea. Those in Christ are marked by love for their brothers, not by Cain’s hatred. Driving Question. What is the mark of those alive in Christ? 1. Hatred is the mark of Cain’s people (vv. 11–15) Matthew 5: 21 You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother w...

Main Idea: God has designed for His people to tell the next generation about Himself, so that the next generation might set their hope in Him. Driving Question: How can God’s people commit to telling the next generation? 1) Commit to knowing God’s Word. (v.1-3) Applications: a. Read and study God’s Word individually. b. Read and study God’s Word as a family. c. Read and study God’s Word as a local...

Main Idea. God’s promised King enters the world clothed in humility. Question. Why does God choose humility as the pathway for His King, rather than splendor? 1. Because his promises are rooted in humble means (1–5) Two Humble Means 1. Bethlehem. “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, wh...

Main Idea: Those who dwell in deep darkness have hope in the glorious light of their Savior. ______________ 1. The deep darkness of sin and judgement (v. 2) 2. The glorious light of the Son (vv. 2, 6-7) The light will be: 1. A human being (v. 6a) 2. The righteous, eternal king (6b, 7) 3. The Wonderful Counselor (6b) 4. The Mighty God (6b) 5. An Everlasting Father (6b) 6. The Prince of Peace (6b) R...

MI: Those who are children of God display this by the way they live. DQ: How then do children of God live? 1. Children of God hope in Christ (2:28-3:3) 2. Children of God forsake sin (3:4-10) Four truths about the Spirit dwelling in those who are Children of God… 1. God causes his people to be born again by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. 2. God causes his people to be transformed by the...

Main Idea. Confessing Christ sustains fellowship with God, shields from deception, and secures eternal life. Question. Why must we hold fast to the truth about Christ? 1. Because false teachers try to pull us away (vv.18–19, 26) 2. Because the Spirit enabled us to know the truth (vv.20–21) John 6:37–40: All that the Father gives to me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out....

Main Idea. Because we truly belong to God, we must not love this passing world. Question. Why must God’s children not love the world? 1. Because we already belong to God (12–14) John anchors with 4 gospel truths: 1. You Are Forgiven for His Name’s Sake (v. 12) 2. You Know Him Who Is from the Beginning (vv. 13a, 14a) 3. You Have Overcome the Evil One (vv. 13b, 14b) 4. You Know the Father (v. 13c) A...

Main Idea. Those who truly know God will reflect the obedience and love of Christ. Question. How can we know that we truly know God? 1. Knowing God means walking as Jesus walked. (Obedience) (vv. 3–6) John 8:47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God. John 15:3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. John...

Fellowship With God 1 John 1:8–2:2 The Advocate for Sinners Main Idea. We confess our sins and trust Christ’s atonement and advocacy. Question. Where is our hope when we sin? 1. In Christ our atonement, who cleanses us (1:8–10; 2:2) Agreeing with God (in two ways) reunites the fellowship. Confess the sin (1 John 1:9) Confess the Son (Rom 10:9,10) If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord a...

Main Idea. Only the blood of Jesus brings sinners out of darkness and into fellowship with God. Question. Why do we need the blood of Jesus to have fellowship with God? 1. Because God is holy (v.5) 2. Because sin breaks fellowship (v.6) 3. Because Christ’s blood restores fellowship (v.7) Takeaways (for walking in the light). Cling to Christ. Confess your sin. Live in fellowship.

Main Idea. Jesus Christ is the eternal Word of God made flesh. Question. Why trust the apostles over the apostates? 1. Because They Knew Christ (v.1) Application. Trust the apostles’ testimony because they truly knew Him. 2. Because They Proclaimed God’s Truth (v.2) Application. Hear clearly what the apostles say because it comes from God. 3. Because They Invite Us Into Fellowship (vv.3–4) Applica...