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Scripture References: Luke 5:15-16; Mark 6:30-56; 1 Kings 19:1-18 Sermon Notes: Intro: Welcome to our "Holy Habits" series on spiritual disciplines. We're training (not just trying) to be like Jesus by adopting His lifestyle practices. These aren't performances but practices creating space to connect with God for transformation. Dallas Willard said, "Hurry is the great ene...

Scripture References: Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18; Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 3:18-25 Sermon Notes: Intro: We're in our "Holy Habits" series, learning spiritual disciplines. We're shifting from trying to act like Jesus in moments to training like Him by adopting His lifestyle. Disciplines are practices Jesus modeled that create space to connect with God's pow...

Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Luke 9:23-25; Titus 2:11-12; 2 Peter 1:3-11; Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 1:27-29 Sermon Notes: Intro: We gather to train to be like Jesus, not just try . Trying often fails (loving enemies, not being anxious). Training builds capacity. Like an athlete, becoming like Jesus requires discipline and sacrifice, not just desire (baseball player analogy)....

Scripture References: Proverbs 16:32; Ephesians 4:11-16; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 3:13-15; Philippians 3:4-14 Intro: This sermon introduces a new series on Spiritual Disciplines. It begins with a personal reflection: the common focus on doing things often overshadows the crucial question of who we are becoming . While we desire change and transformation into Christlikeness (Eph 4...

Scripture References: 1 Timothy 4:1-16, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Ephesians 4:1-16, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Galatians 6:7-10, Romans 8:18-25, Hebrews 12:1-17, 1 Peter 4:12-19, 1 John 2:15-17 Intro: Paul's warning to Timothy about false teachers and deceiving spirits. The importance of sound doctrine and a holy life. The call to be courageous and resist the spirit of the age. Key Points: The Danger of De...

Scripture References: Matthew 25:14-30; John 10:10; Matthew 6:25-34; Ecclesiastes 3:1 Intro: Continuing our discipleship journey towards genuine transformation, especially in our emotional lives, today we explore a crucial, counter-intuitive principle: Receiving the Gift of Limits. We know we are limited beings rescued by an unlimited God, yet we often live pushing against boundaries He sets. Embr...

Scripture References: Matthew 5:3-10; Proverbs 4:23; Genesis 3:16-19; 2 Corinthians 12:9 Intro: Continuing our series on emotional health in discipleship, we address a core, yet counter-cultural, principle: the call to live in brokenness and vulnerability. While we naturally desire strength, certainty, and control, Jesus begins His most famous sermon (Matt 5) by blessing the poor in spirit, those...

Scripture References: Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 5:8; John 2:24-25 Intro: Many of us tick the boxes spiritually, physically, relationally, and mentally, yet still feel a lack of deep, transformative change. Often, we overlook a crucial part of our humanity: our inner world, our heart, especially our emotions. Avoiding extremes of denying or deifying emotions, Jesus invites us to a healthy middle path,...

Scripture References: (Illustrative: Luke 19:41; Luke 10:21; Mark 14:34; Psalm 131; Romans 7:15) Intro: (Podcast Sermon Title Suggestion: Closing the Gap: Why Emotional Health Matters) Addressing the common Christian experience: a frustrating "gap" between our spiritual activities/status and the depth of Christ-like character we long for, especially in private life. Introducing a new ser...

Sermon Notes: 1 Timothy - 2019 Vision (Part 2) Intro: Recap of last week's sermon on 1 Timothy's relevance for 2019. Emphasizing relationship, sound doctrine, spiritual gifts, and the fight of faith. Continuation of the 1 Timothy series. Emphasis 5: Elders and Deacons Importance of godly leaders for a healthy church. 1 Timothy 3: Qualifications for elders and deacons. Elders as pastors,...

Sermon Notes: 1 Timothy - 2019 Vision Intro: Humorous opening about Christmas gifts and remembering outfits. Mention of Glenn Power's New Testament internship. Focus on 1 Timothy as a book of encouragement. Timothy: a young, overwhelmed, and timid pastor. Relatability to church planting and leadership. 1 Timothy as a guide for the church in 2019. Emphasis 1: Relationship Building the church t...

Scripture References: Romans 8:28-39; Ephesians 1:4-6; Deuteronomy 7:7-8 Sermon Notes: Intro: Concluding our study of Romans 8, we "soar over salvation" with verses 28-39. This passage offers a breathtaking view of God's redemptive plan, stretching from eternity past to eternity future. Though much remains unseen, Paul speaks with certainty about God's purpose and unbreakable l...

Scripture References: Romans 8:18-28 (main text); Revelation 21:1-7; Revelation 22:1-5; Isaiah 25:6-9; Isaiah 35 Intro: Good morning. Life often brings suffering and disappointment. A poignant poem like "Good Bones" highlights the world's brokenness and the inadequacy of simply trying harder to "make this place beautiful." Where is real hope found? Romans 8 offers a profou...

Scripture References: Romans 8:1-17; Romans 7:24-25; Galatians 4:4-7; Colossians 2:13-15; Ephesians 1:4-5; 1 John 3:1 Intro: Welcome to Romans 8 - the "Mount Everest" of Scripture, addressing guilt, sin, prayer, distance from God, and more. It's impossible to cover fully, but today we focus on verses 1-17, starting with the life-changing declaration: "There is therefore now no...

Scripture References: Romans 7:7-25 (Main) Romans 1:16; Romans 3:20-21; Romans 6; John 15 Intro: Continuing our series in Romans, we arrive at the complex territory of chapter 7. After establishing justification by faith (Rom 1-4) and the reign of grace (Rom 5-6), Paul now addresses the role and function of the Law, particularly in relation to sin and the believer's experience. Key Points: Th...

Scripture References: Romans 6:15-23; Romans 7:1-6; Romans 5:1; Galatians 5:13; Galatians 6:7-8 Intro: Continuing our journey through Romans, having celebrated the amazing good news of justification by faith and peace with God (Rom 5:1), we hit a critical question Paul addresses in Romans 6:15: "Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace?" Does God's free grace gi...

Scripture References: John 4:4-26; John 16:28; Hosea 6:1 Intro: Welcome to this sermon exploring a simple, profound truth: "Fatherhood is at the core of the universe." Jesus walked in confidence knowing He came from the Father and returned to Him (Jn 16:28). Often, our deepest struggles trace back to our view of God the Father and our grasp of His love for us as His children. Key Points:...

Scripture References: Romans 6:1-14; Romans 5; John 15:1-17 Sermon Notes: Intro: We're transitioning in Romans from chapters 1-5 (what we're saved from – God's wrath, sin's reign through justification by faith) to chapter 6 onwards (what we're saved for – living a new life through sanctification). Now that we're declared righteous ("justified"), how do we ac...

Scripture References: Romans 5:6-21; Genesis 3; 1 John 2:16 Intro: Welcome to this sermon, continuing our Romans series, "Rediscovering Our Reason to Dance." Today focuses on Romans 5:11-21. After exploring the fruit of justification (peace, access, hope) last week, Paul now explains how Christ's righteousness becomes ours, contrasting the impact of Adam and Jesus. Key Points: It&ap...

Scripture References: Romans 5:1-11 (Context: Romans 1-4) Intro: Welcome to this sermon on Romans 5. This chapter begins with "Therefore," signaling it builds directly on Romans 1-4. Those chapters establish our universal predicament: no one is righteous, all are guilty before God, and the Law only reveals our sin. But God provided His righteousness through faith in Jesus – this is justi...

Scripture References: Romans 1:18-3:26; Matthew 13; Matthew 25; Hebrews 9:27; 1 Corinthians 4:3-5; Romans 5:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:21 Intro: Continuing our study in Romans, we explore why the Gospel is good news . It's not just good advice, but news of God's achievement. However, the good news only makes sense against the backdrop of the bad news presented in Romans 1-3: God's just wr...

Scripture References: Romans 1:16-32 (Main); Psalm 2; John 3:16-21, 36; Ephesians 2:1-5; Exodus 34:6-7; 2 Peter 3:8-10 Intro: Continuing our "And 5,6,7,8" series through Romans, this sermon tackles the challenging passage of Romans 1:18-32, focusing on the revelation of God's wrath. While Paul begins with the glorious Good News (v. 16-17), he immediately follows with this difficult...

Scripture References: Romans 1:1-17; Romans 5-8 (series focus); Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 3:7-9; Titus 2:11-14 Intro: Welcome. Today begins a new sermon series focusing on Romans 5-8, exploring the glorious Gospel of Grace . The Gospel isn't good advice ("try harder"), but good news ("It is finished!"). It's an announcement of what God has done for us in Christ. Y...

Scripture References: Romans 4:18-25; Genesis 12-21 (Context); James 1:6-8 Intro: Concluding our mini-series on faith, primarily looking at Abraham in Genesis, we now turn to Romans 4. Paul uses Abraham to illustrate foundational truths vital for understanding Romans 5-8. If Abraham's story isn't alive to us, the rest lacks power. We've explored seeing, hearing, and walking by faith...

Scripture References: Genesis 12:10-20; Genesis 13:1-12; Hebrews 11:6; Hebrews 12:2 Sermon Notes: Intro: Continuing our series on faith, today we explore "Seeing by Faith." This isn't blind optimism, but the crucial ability to believe and internally visualize God's promises before they happen externally, even when circumstances look bleak. It's seeing with the heart what t...