First Irving Sermons

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...

Main Idea. The missionary work of Paul and Baranbas is authored by the Spirit and affirmed by the local church for the purpose of taking the gospel to God's people. 1. The Spirit Sets Apart and the Church Affirms (1–3) 2. The Spirit Sends for the Church to Speak (4–7) 3. The Devil Seeks to Turn People Away from God’s Word (8–11) Application. What are the obstacles that tempt you to keep from...

Main Idea. The conversion of Cornelius is a turning point in salvation history, as God reveals that the time for the Gentiles to receive the Gospel of Christ and the Spirit has come. A. God Draws Near (1–23) 1) The Call of Cornelius (1–8) 2) The Convincing Vision for Peter (9–23) B. Christ is Preached (23b–43) Apply. For the gospel to be presented, you must preach Christ crucified and raised. C. T...

Main Idea. The sovereign Lord Jesus intervenes and he heals, and many lives are changed through it. 1. Jesus changes lives by tending to the weak (32–35) 2. Jesus changes lives because he has authority over death (36–43) Eph 5:26–27 Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might pres...

Main Idea. Behold the glorious grace of the Lord Jesus, who converts hearts for his purposes. The Lord Jesus Confronts Saul (1–5) The Lord Jesus Converts Saul (6–9) The Lord Jesus Commissions Saul (10–19) Takeaways. Salvation is by God’s grace alone. God's grace can save the most zealous sinner. Conversion involves a confrontation with Jesus. (but all look different) Surrender to a new Master...

Main Idea. God’s gospel is for the outsider: he provides messengers to explain it, the Messiah to save, and the means for obedience. God provides messengers to explain God provides a Messiah for saving God provides means for obedience Takeaways. Rejoice that Jesus treats his servants differently than earthly kings treat theirs. Rest in God for he provides and pursues his people. Remember the Spiri...

Main Idea. The gospel expands past boundaries and into the hearts of people from different nations, and yet also exposes those who do not have genuine faith in the name of Jesus. 1. The Gospel Expands (4–8) 2. The Gospel Exposes (9–25) (3 things the gospel exposes from this text) 1. The Gospel exposes real hope (9–13) 2. The Gospel exposes authentic power (14–17) 3. The Gospel exposes sneaky count...

The Christlikeness of Stephen from three angles. 1. Stephen's Christ-like Character (6:8–16) The two specific charges (13, 14): Speaking against the temple Speaking blasphemous words against Moses and changing customs Psalm 34:4–7: I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor...