First Irving Sermons

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...

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...