Christ Pres - Sermons

Scripture Reference: Psalm 1 Psalm 1 and 2 have been called the opening pillars of entrance into the world of the Psalms. Psalm 1 is the powerfully clarifying contrast between two ways of living life: a life of blessing OR the life of a scoffer. It begs us to look for THE Blessed One to come. Sermon Points: The Blessed and the Scoffer The Tree and the Chaff  

Scripture Reference: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 When it comes to pain and loss in this life, Christians can put their hope in the second coming of the Lord and we must be diligent to keep that day on our hearts and minds as we live in this broken world. Sermon Points: Hoping in the Day of the Lord Preparing for the Day of the Lord

Scripture Reference: Matthew 6:11, Leviticus 23:37-43, Matthew 6:16-18 The New Year typically brings renewed goals!  The Scriptures give us numerous practices that help form us individually and communally into the likeness of Jesus.  What would it look like for our practices around food this year to point us to what God is doing and shape us into the likeness of Jesus.  Scripture points us to the...

Scripture Reference: Isaiah 40:1-11 Sermon Points: Words of Payment Words of Provision Words of Proclamation

Scripture Reference: Luke 2:8-20 When the angels appear to the shepherds in the countryside fields outside Bethlehem, they do so because they are finally being granted permission to sing about what they LOVE to contemplate: the scope of the Christian Gospel. Can we learn what the angels learn so we can sing like they? Sermon Points: The Angels The Shepherds The Mother

Scripture Reference: Revelation 19:1-9, 21:1-8, 22:14-21 Revelation gives us an astounding picture of what Christians are looking forward to at King Jesus return. John sees that Jesus return brings everlasting life and joy as He makes all things new! Could St. Augustine be right when he said, “In God’s home, there is an everlasting party?” Sermon Points: Your future self says “Come&#82...

Scripture Reference: Revelation 20 We don’t like to hear the ending of books before we’re read them, but Christian need to know their own “ending” so that we don’t give in to despair. So much has been written in Rev. 20 and so much disagreement about what it teaches, but perhaps the message is simpler than we know? Sermon Points: A Snapshot of History A Thousand Year...

Scripture Reference: Revelation 19:1-9 The surprising culmination of John’s vision of Jesus’ dealing with his people culminates in the great Wedding Supper of the Lamb, where Jesus will take his Bride to himself. Turns out, the whole of Scripture can be summed up in this story: the Husband-Heart of God pursing his people. Sermon Points: The Wedding Event The Wedding Story The Wedding B...

Scripture Reference: Revelation 17 John unpacks a second, albeit disturbing, image in Rev. 17-18 of a disgusting Prostitute who has corrupted the nations of the world. Far more than just a sexual image, John is talking about whoredom in the very seats of the powerful, and what God has in store for those in bed with her. Sermon Points: The Identity of the Prostitute The Character of the Prostitute...

Scripture Reference: Revelation 16 In the third and final recapitulation of seven-fold judgements that God’s people will have to face, we see God putting an end to all excuses, and, by implication, all mercy. All that’s left is punishment. How does a Christian view the ultimate end of evil and how does it inform how we live today? Sermon Points: The Perspectives on the End The Inevitab...

Scripture Reference: Revelation 12:17-14:5 The dragon calls forth two beasts to assist him in waging war against followers of Jesus. These two beastly images paint a vivid picture of world history. The church must know that Satan will try to conquer the church through intimidation and false teaching. However, the good news of the complete salvation of the Slain Lamb means His people will endure. S...

Scripture Reference: Revelation 12 How do you account for the outrageous evil that we’ve seen inflicted on the church in the last 100 years of human history? Revelation 12’s answer is that it is due to the rage of the Devil, the mighty dragon. But the chapter includes the powerful ways in which God’d people ultimately prevail. Sermon Points: THAT the Devil is Working WHY the Devi...

Scripture Reference: Romans 4:1-8 Sermon Points: Abraham Was Not Justified by Works Abraham Received Justification by Faith God Is the One Who Justifies Abraham

Scripture Reference: Revelation 8:1-9:21 What John sees in Revelation 8-9 are powerful images to describe world history until Jesus returns from the perspective of the world. God hears the prayers of His people pleading with Him to come in judgment, liberation and cleansing and responds with the trumpets. These trumpets are like tornado sirens, warning all of those who choose to live independently...

Scripture Reference: Revelation 7 John’s encouragement following the dreadful news about the terrible Four Horsemen has to do with the “sealed.” But who are the “sealed” and why do they sing like they do? And why is it important for the Christian to remember that THIS is their standing before the Throne? Sermon Points: The Identity of the Sealed The Meaning of the Sea...

Scripture Reference:  Revelation 6:1-17 As John gets a peek behind the veil into heaven, the scroll is broken, and all are shown the unfolding plan of God in world history. With vivid images, John sees that world history will be characterized by four horseman riding and bringing suffering. This sight is alarming, but also comforting to see that suffering is NOT a sign that the world is out of cont...

Scripture Reference: 1 Kings 18:17-40 Sermon Points: Idols Exposed Idols Extinguished

Scripture Reference: Revelation 5 If Revelation 4 is the setting to the drama, then chapter 5 IS the drama. John is broken by the knowledge of a mysterious scroll, but immediately pointed to a Lion which, to his surprise, appears as a Lamb. In this profound vision is the very heart of the Christian meaning of life. Sermon Points: John Weeps The Lamb Bleeds Heaven Sings

Scripture Reference: Revelation 4 When John steps through the open door of heaven, his vision is dominated (shown in the sheer amount of times he uses the word) by a Throne. He’s fixated and amazed. The entourage surrounding him suggests something deeply profound about human beings proclivity for worship. Sermon Points: How John Sees What John Sees What John Means

Scripture Reference: Revelation 3:14-22 Jesus seeks to bring about changes in his churches he’s confronting in Revelation chapters two and three, but it’s not enough to change the way they are “thinking” about themselves. They must also change their actions, and chapters two through three contain oceans of wisdom for God’s people seeking to pursue Godly change. Sermon...

Scripture Reference: Revelation 2:1-7 Christians live in a world that is being invaded by grace and reconciliation, but a world that still is beset by sin and destruction. We live in the “already and the not yet.” So when the Son of Man in John’s vision comes to speak to the churches, he does so with commendation and condemnation. Sermon Points: Things to Commend Fighting Against...

Scripture Reference: Revelation 1:9-20 Our story opens with John as a political exile on an island prison, likely concerned that his ministry life is ebbing away. But a voice from the heavenly realm speaks to him, and nothing will ever be the same. And the voice that spoke to John still speaks to us today. But will we listen? Sermon Points: John Is In The Spirit Jesus Is Among The Lampstands The C...

Scripture Reference: Revelation 1:1-8 The book of Revelation is written to a group of churches whose lives are getting “worse” as they follow a risen and ascended “unseen” Jesus. This book comes to people struggling to make sense of the world around them and says “LOOK!, things are not as they seem!” What is revealed to the apostle John and then shared with the...

Scripture Reference: Romans 8:18-25 The Apostles Creed ends by confessing what Christians believe about the future. In summary, God will finish what He started. He created a world to dwell with humanity as His image bearers. No matter, how much sin has infected and destroyed the world and humanity, God is going to save and restore it all. This Christian hope is embraced when we confess I believe i...

Scripture Reference: Matthew 18:21-35 Cancel Culture as we knew it in the last decade seems to be fading somewhat, but the questions our society faced throughout still linger in the conscience. But Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness as THE necessity of the Christian life is just as fresh (and challenging) as it ever was and the Creed seeks to keep every generation from forgetting that. Sermon Po...