Covenant Naples

We have these two desires woven deep into us as fallen humans: the desire to be rescued, and the desire for another person to understand our struggles. We’re looking for a hero that can close the gap between us and them. John introduces us to that hero in these verses. Sermon Outline: I. Jesus Moves In. II. Jesus Makes God Known. III. Jesus Pours Out Grace. Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. How does...

While many do not receive Jesus, those who do receive him and believe in his name receive the most extraordinary gift: the right to be called children of God. Sermon Outline: I. The Witness II. The Light III. The Gift Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. Before you came to faith, or perhaps in a season when your faith was distant, what were you trusting in as your source of light and meaning? How did t...

The Word who is God, who made all things, and who carries life and light into darkness is inviting us to know him personally. Sermon Outline: I. We Must Know Jesus as the Eternal Son. II. We Must Know Jesus as the Creator. III. We Must Know Jesus as Life and Light. Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. How much do you relate to the distinction between knowing about Jesus versus actually knowing him? Wha...

Why did Jesus leave? It’s a question many of us feel but rarely ask out loud. Psalm 110 reveals that, despite our perception, Jesus isn’t distant or absent. He is actively reigning, interceding, and tirelessly fighting our enemies. He will crush the enemies we face in the world and those that dwell inside of us.     Sermon Outline:  I.   Priestly Kingship  II.   His Purpose and Power III.   His Pe...

What if the most extraordinary Person in the universe stepped into your everyday life…and you missed Him? In Luke 10, Martha welcomes Jesus, serves Him, and believes in Him...and still misses what matters most. This Sunday, we’ll see how easy it is to miss Jesus…even with good things...and what it looks like to be truly captivated by Him. Don’t just be near Him. Don’t just stay busy for Him. Fix y...

We have an enemy in our midst. Behind our trials, our frustrations, our confusion, our despair, our wanting to quit is not only our own sinful tendencies, but a personal enemy bent on destroying us. But in Christ we don’t have to be victims anymore.  Sermon Outline: I. Our Adversary II. Our Responsibility III. Our Assurance Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. Where do you most often fail to recognize...

That we must humble ourselves is the major point of this passage, and we see this theme repeatedly in both the Old and New Testaments. But just because it is common in Scripture does not mean it is common in our faith and practice. We are proud and we are inclined to exalt ourselves even when it means God opposes us. Yet grace is promised to the humble. So what does it look like for Christians to...

Shepherding was hard and generally thankless work. And that is exactly the image the Bible uses for spiritual leadership. Consequently, shepherds can be prone to shepherd selfishly rather than sacrificially. How do we overcome this?  Sermon Outline: I. The Shepherd’s Perspective. II. The Shepherd’s Calling. III. The Shepherd’s Reward. Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. Think of a leader in your life...

Peter is writing to people who are suffering because of persecution. He walks them through gospel truths that will sustain them in the sea of affliction. For nothing is sweeter than entrusting yourself to the God who is faithful. Small group questions 1) Why do you think Peter warns them to not be surprised by the fiery trial? Why do you think we are still surprised when suffering comes? 2) What d...

Peter reminds us here that we are living in the last stage of God’s plan to bring all things to their culmination in his glorification through Jesus Christ and the victory he has already accomplished. Nothing and no one will be exempt from this process that will bring salvation to some and condemnation to others. Because this is the end toward which all history is moving, Christians should live to...

What we expect when we go into suffering greatly impacts how we experience it. If we expect that following Jesus is going to be an easy journey, we will be unprepared for the suffering which is a normal part of the Christian life. Sermon Outline: I. Arm Yourself with the Mindset of Christ. II. Leave the Past Behind. III. Live in Light of the Future. Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. What would it lo...

In this passage, Peter tells us the outcome of the great battle of world history. Christ triumphs! Believers who know the outcome of history can take heart in the face of our suffering so that we do not back down or resort to our old ways of life. Instead, we can continue to follow the example of Jesus who also suffered for doing good.  Sermon Outline: I. Take heart, Christ has died and triumphs o...

Spiritual battles are won by prayer warriors. So, how can we support one another and our mission partners as prayer warriors amid the spiritual conflict that rages for the soul of the nations?  Sermon Outline: I. We Must Pray Broadly. II. We Must Pray Perseveringly. III. We Must Pray Missionally. Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. Which metaphor more accurately describes your current prayer life wart...

The Bible teaches us that a good life is a godly life. Here we find not only the importance of relationships, but how to be godly in relationships, how to be godly in our speech, and how to be godly even when we suffer for it, and how to become the kind of people who have healthy relationships, even amid circumstances like suffering and persecution.  Sermon outline: I. How Godly People Live in Chr...

While modern society may be engaged in a war on men, the Bible is not. We recognize that God created humanity male and female and that they are not the same. When God made woman, it was good. When God made man, it was good. When he brought them into a relationship of headship and submission, it was good. Of course, like everything else, being a man has been complicated by the fact that we are all...

Many women and wives go through life hearing the message that they’re not good enough or somehow always doing it wrong. Is 1 Peter 3:1-6 more of the same or is there incredibly good news in this passage? Join us to find out. Sermon Outline: I. Holy wives practice submission rather than manipulation. II. Holy wives focus on character over appearance. III. Holy wives are marked by courage more than...

Waiting for answers. Waiting for healing. Waiting for hope. In Luke 2, two ordinary yet faithful saints encounter the extraordinary faithfulness of God. This Sunday, we’ll see how Simeon and Anna point us to Christ, the true Consolation and Redeemer, and teach us how to wait with peace, gratitude, and confidence. Outline: I. Look to Christ, Your Consoler i. Wait Expectantly  Ii. Be satisfied in Go...

Christians who wish to live a godly life and maintain a clear witness in this world will be persecuted. While the pursuit of comfort and safety is wholly incompatible with the righteous suffering exemplified for us by Jesus Christ, the perseverance of believers under persecution has an enormous impact on a watching world. Earthly safety and comfort are not Christ’s goals for your life, they are Sa...

Peter teaches us in this passage that Christians have been set free from the tyranny of sin and self so that we may freely submit to human authorities as servants of God. Sermon Outline: I. The Christian’s Call to Submission. II. The Divine Purpose of Government. III. The Witness of True Freedom Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. Why is it important that our submission to authority be “for the Lord’s...

“We’re used to thinking of ourselves in terms of natural citizenship. But what does it mean to be a supernatural citizen of heaven, chosen and set apart by the King of the universe? In this message, we will explore three blessings of our citizenship: special privileges, duties, and (most of all) final vindication.” Outline: The blessings of our citizenship include three things: special privileges,...