First Irving Sermons

Main Point: Jesus is and brings a glorious hope to all nations. I. Jesus is the hope of Israel (v.17-23) II. Jesus is the hope of the Gentiles. (v.24-28) III. Jesus is the hope His disciples proclaim (v.30-31) Takeaways from the book of Acts: Jesus is the Resurrected King There is not neutrality Jesus commissions His disciples to be His witness It’s a mission given to the church It’s a worldwide m...

Main Idea. Holdfast to Christ in the storm, for He not only makes promises but faithfully keeps them. Driving Question. In what ways can God’s word be trusted during difficult storms? 1. He Makes Promises of Passage Through the Storm (13–26) Applications. Hold tight to the Lord’s words and promises despite living in seasons where you succumb to injury or loss. Remember the Lord who rules the sea....

Main Idea. Paul's steadfast faith in Christ’s resurrection sustained him during his final defense. Driving Question. Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ the center of our defense? 1. Because the Risen Christ Completes God’s Promises (4–8) What’s the promise? Psalm 16:9-11 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul...

Main Idea. In life’s trials, God’s providential care enables our faithful living and directs our mission. Driving Question. How can we remain faithful amidst our trials? 1. Remember Christ’s Care (1–5) 2. Reflect Christ’s Character (6–11a) 3. Remain in Christ’s Commission (11b–12) Responses. 1. Repent and believe. 2. Reconsider your trust in God today. Takeaways. 3. Religion is dangerous when disc...

Main Idea: Evil plans will not prevail against the providential purposes of the Lord. 1. An Evil Plot to Thwart God’s Plan (vv. 12-15) 2. Divine Providence & His Fatherly Hand (vv. 16-35) The Heidelberg Catechism - 1563 “Providence is the almighty and ever present power of God by which he upholds, as with his hand, heaven and earth and all creatures, and so rules them that leaf and blade, rain...

Main Idea. God’s grace produces a good conscience, firm convictions, and close companionship with Jesus Christ yielding faithful testimony. Driving Question. What are components of faithful testifying amidst a trial? We will be diligent to look at three things today to build up our faith in trial. 1. A Clear Conscience Before Christ (22:30–23:5) Application: Live in a way that realizes God sees ev...

Main Idea. Jesus Christ is able to save the most unlikely person and make him a preacher of good news. Driving Question. Why does Paul’s defense provide such hope for all peoples? 1. Because Jesus Saves Persecutors (vv. 1–11) 2. Because Jesus Sends Preachers (vv. 12–21) Ananias (12–16) Paul, himself (17–21) Responses: Repent and turn to the righteousness of Christ. Rejoice because, if Jesus can tr...

Main Idea. Willing submission to Jesus Christ. Driving Question. What does a life submitted to Jesus Christ look like? 1. Paul's Humble Submission (Acts 21:17-26) Three Applications From Paul’s Humble Submission: i. Testify to God’s work in our lives. ii. Consider others Spiritual well-being. Phil 2:4 iii. Lay down liberties for unity and discipleship. 1 Cor 9:19, Romans 14:1 13 2. The Jewish...

Main Idea. Following and obeying Jesus Christ is costly. The cost of following Jesus. Luke 14: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does n...

Main Idea. Through his own blood, Christ purchased the Church, and he cares for the Church by providing elders who must be faithful and vigilant in their oversight. Driving Question. What does the church need from her leaders? (let's consider 5 things) 1. The Church Needs Humble Elders (19) 2. The Church Needs Scripture-Centered Elders (20–27) 1. Notice the verbs: declare (20, 27), teach (20)...

Main Point: The ministry of the Gospel is supported and advanced by the ministry of encouragement. 1. Encouragement from the Church (v.1-6) a. In Distress (v.1) b. In Ministry (v.2-3) Different examples of how the church encouraged one another. The church encouraged one another in hope (Rom 15:4) The church encouraged one another in unity of faith and love (Rom 15:5, Col 2:2) The church encouraged...

Planting Ekklesia Matthew 28:16–20 Authorized by the King: Ekklesia Commissioning Service Today’s text unpacks and answers the question: Why do we want to plant churches? Big Idea: Based on Christ's all encompassing authority and the promise of his presence, he commissions his followers to make disciples of all nations. 1. Because a Glorious Announcement Has Been Made (18) 2. Because a Great...

Main Idea. The Gospel of Jesus Christ confronts idol worship, leading people to repent or revolt. We will observe 3 confrontations in this passage: 1. The Gospel Confronts Idol Worshipers (23–27) Two effects when the gospel confronts. 1. The gospel pushes idols deeper into the heart. 2. The gospel also pushes idols out of the heart The Gospel actually changes what we love. 2. The Gospel Confronted...

Main Idea. Christ deserves our highest praise, while sin deserves our firmest disdain. Driving Question. "Why should we offer Christ our highest praise? 1) Because of his extraordinary power 2) Because of his exclusive worthiness. 1. The Extraordinary Power of Christ (11–16) A. He is more powerful than diseases and demons. 2. The Exclusive Worthiness of Christ (17–20) A. Worthy to be extolled...

Main Idea. The church is strengthened through continued discipleship that is centered on Christ. Driving Question: Why do we need continued discipleship in the word? First reason we need continued discipleship in the word? Because we need reminder that Christ is our strength Case 1: Strengthening Ministry of Paul (23) Second reason we need continued discipleship in the word? Because we have defici...

Main Idea. God’s provisions strengthen his weary saints to persevere in gospel ministry. Provision 1: Ministry Partners (vv. 1–4) Provision 2: The Word that Occupies (vv. 5–8) Provision 3: The Presence of Christ (vv. 9–11) “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me (Rev 3:20).” Provision 4: Trustworthy...

Main Idea. Idol worshipers are called to take heed of the gospel of the true God and repent. What does Paul see? 1. The Problem of Rampant Idol Worship (vv. 16–21) How does Paul respond to this problem? 2. The Remedy is Preaching the Only God’s Gospel (vv. 22–31) 11 attributes of God’s nature: Attribute: God as Creator (v. 24) Application: Trust in what the Bible says (Gen 1:1; Jn 1:1; Col 1:15, 1...

Main Idea: The disrupting word of God must be eagerly received as our final authority if we are to find life, grow in faith, and please God. 1. The Word is Disruptive -The Lesson from Thessalonica 2. The Word is the Final Authority -the Lesson from Berea Response: 1. Commit to eagerly approach the Scriptures with reverence, humility, and complete submissiveness, even when it disrupts our “familiar...

God alone is worthy to be worshipped by people from all nations for all of eternity. 1) The end of missions (vv. 1-6). 2) The extent of missions (vv. 7-9) 3) The exigency of missions (vv. 10-13) Responses 1) Grow in your knowledge of the glory of God. 2) Pray for God to raise up more laborers. 3) Consider your role in missions. 4) Remember that Christ is coming soon.

Main Idea. As the gospel began to transform lives in Europe, Christ's kingdom advanced and his church was established, demonstrating his power over sin and evil. 1. The Lord Jesus Graciously Open Hearts (11–15) 2. The Lord Jesus Powerfully Displays His Authority Over Evil (16–18) 3. The Lord Jesus Drastically Changes People's Allegiances (23–34) Takeaways. 1. Repent and believe and be ba...

1. God’s Churches Are Strengthened Despite Conflicts (15:36–41) 2. God’s Gospel Drives Our Missional Commitments (16:1–5) 3. God’s Spirit Supervises His Mission (vv. 6–10) Takeaways. 1. We have two responsibilities with the gospel: 1) Strengthening the church. 2) Give to non-believers. 2. We must be willing to accommodate others for the sake of the gospel.

Main Point: Jesus Christ reconciles, creates and unites a new people, the gathered church, to display the manifold wisdom of God. We were a people alienated from Jesus Christ (v.11-12) We are a people reconciled in Jesus Christ. (v.13-15a) We are a people created and united in Jesus Christ. (v.15b-18) We are a new people in Jesus Christ. (v.19-22) Takeways The foundation of our discipleship must b...

Main Idea. Enduring ministry is rooted in speaking the truth of God’s grace and strengthening his church, despite facing tribulations and varied responses from men. 1. Endure by speaking of God’s grace (1–7) 2. Endure through the varied reactions of men (8–20) 3. Endure to disciple and strengthen the local church (21–23) How did they strengthen the churches? 1. Preached (21,22) 2. Pastors (23) 3....

Main Idea. Faithful preaching explains God’s work and promises [in the OT], culminating in the significance of Jesus whose work fulfills all of God’s promises [in the NT]. 1. Preach the Work of God and the Promise of the Savior (16–25) 2. Preach the Good News that the Savior has Come (26–37) 3. Preach the Proposition to be Freed by the Savior (38–41) Response. How do we respond to the Preaching of...

Main Idea: Christ-centered corporate worship is commanded by God as a means of grace to preserve and strengthen the faith of Christians who await their Savior. 1. The Access to Corporate Worship (vv. 19-21) 2. The Goal of Corporate Worship (vv. 22-25) - Communion with God (v. 22 “let us draw near…”) - Endurance of faith (v. 23 “let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering”) - Edifi...