Raintree Community Church

Text:  Genesis 1:1-25   The Creator of All Things (Genesis 1:1) The eternal triune God ("Elohim") created everything. God's glorious attributes are seen in everything He has made (Psalm 19:1-4a; Romans 1:18-20). We are made for His glory and are accountable and dependent upon Him (Romans 11:36; Acts 17:24-28).   The Creation of All Things (Genesis 1:2-25) God's work of creation begins with Him fil...

Text:  Genesis 1:1   Introduction: Why Study Genesis? It sets the foundation for the rest of the Bible. It gives us the purpose of God for mankind. It describes the origin and effects of sin. It anticipates God's answer to our problem of sin, a seed coming through the line of Abraham. It describes the origin of the nation of Israel and the Promised Land. It reveals the character of God to us.   Th...

Text:  James 1:19-25   Listen to the Word Openly (vs. 19-20) Be quick to hear – "I am eager to listen." Be slow to speak – "I will not make excuses." Be slow to anger: "I will not justify my disobedience."   Receive the Word Humbly (vs. 21) Receiving the Word requires putting our sin away. Receiving the Word involves accepting it as salvation for our souls.   Obey the Word Persistently (vs. 22-25)...

Travis Thompson preaches to us from 1 Samuel 17. 

Christmas Eve Service   Text: Titus 3:3-7   Who We Were as Sinners (3:3) Because of our sin, we were entrenched in our rebellion against God and enslaved to our desires. Result: We had no hope to save ourselves from eternal death     (Ephesians 2:12; Romans 6:20-23).   Who We Are in Christ (3:4-7) Because of Christ, we can be saved out of our sin by His mercy, given new life through the Spirit, an...

Texts:  Exodus 34:5-8; John 3:16-17; 1 John 4:7-12   The Steadfast Love of God Declared in His Name (Exodus 34:5-8) This is the first passage where God declares His character to us. He is full of mercy, grace, faithfulness, and love with forgiveness for sinners.   The Stunning Love of God Demonstrated in His Son (John 3:16-17) God's love came down to us in the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. B...

Texts: Isaiah 55; Luke 2:8-12; 1 John 1:1-4   The Invitation of Satisfying Joy in Christ (Isaiah 55) God calls us to be satisfied in Him and seek Him alone. God reveals Himself to His people through His Word. God promises to lead His people into His joy and peace.   The Gospel of Great Joy in Christ (Luke 2:8-12) The Gospel is the good news of great joy for all people who believe it. The Gospel co...

Texts:  Micah 5:1-5; Ephesians 2:11-22; Philippians 4:6-7   Christ Came to Be Our Peace (Micah 5:1-5) Peace is defined in Scripture as "shalom," which means wholeness or completeness. Christ's coming inaugurated a "shalom" that would bring strength to His people and culminate in His eternal reign.   Christ Came to Make Peace With God and Man (Ephesians 2:11-22) Christ broke down the wall of hostil...

Texts: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23; Romans 15:8-13   Christ, the Promised Savior (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23) Christ came as the prophesied Messiah who would bring salvation to sinners walking in despair and darkness. Christ came to be our Emmanuel, "God With Us."   Christ, the Hope of the World (Romans 15:8-13) Christ became a servant for the sake of God's truth and in fulfillment of God's pro...

Text: Colossians 4:7-18   Gospel Gratitude for Faithful Service (4:7-11) Paul was grateful for the Gospel's transformation in the church that prepared them for faithful service. We can be grateful for how the Gospel has transformed us and placed us in ministry together.   Gospel Gain From Fruitful Service (4:12-16) Paul was encouraged to see the sacrificial service of others bearing fruit in the c...

Text: Colossians 4:5-6   Gospel Urgency with Wisdom (4:5) We are called to conduct ourselves in biblical wisdom to those around us. We are called to use our time wisely for the Gospel's sake.   Gospel Fluency with Grace (4:6) We are called to speak grace-filled words that are seasoned with the flavor of Christ. We are called to respond to others with grace-filled answers that point them to Christ...

Text: Colossians 4:2-4   Dependance Upon Christ in Prayer (4:2) Pray with steadfast consistency. Pray with persistent watchfulness. Pray with Godward gratitude.   Devotion to Christ's Mission Through Prayer (4:3-4) Pray for opportunities to declare the Gospel. Pray for obedience to make the Gospel known.

Text: Acts 1:1-11 Jeff Fitzgerald preaches to us about how Christ's last command to His disciples as He ascended into heaven must be our first commitment as we live out our discipleship here on earth.

Text: Colossians 3:22-4:1   Christ-Centered Servanthood (3:22-25) We are called to obey our superiors as unto the Lord for His glory. We are called to serve wholeheartedly in all things for the Lord and His reward and reckoning.   Christ-Centered Supervision (4:1) We are called to treat those we lead with respect and equality, knowing that Jesus is Lord and supreme over all.

Text: Colossians 3:18-21   Christ-Centered Submission (3:18) Christ calls and empowers wives to submit to their husbands in a way that brings glory to Him.   Christ-Centered Love (3:19) Christ calls and empowers husbands to love their wives in a way that treasures them with gentleness.   Christ-Centered Obedience (3:20) Christ calls and empowers children to obey their parents in every way that ple...

Texts:  Philippians 1:3-11, 27-30; Romans 15:1-7; Romans 12:3-8   We Serve in a Gospel-centered Partnership (Philippians 1:3-11, 27-30) We are saved into a partnership with one another through the Gospel. This partnership manifests itself in a life worthy of the Gospel that strives side by side together.   We Serve in a Gospel-centered Culture (Romans 15:1-7) We are called to a unity and harmony b...

Texts: Colossians 2:6-10; Ephesians 4:11-16   We are Rooted in Christ Together for Gospel Growth (Col. 2:6-10) We are established in Christ. We are steadfast in Christ. We are fulfilled in Christ   We are Equipped in Christ Together for Gospel Ministry (Eph. 4:11-16) We are equipped by the Word through gifted shepherds. We are matured by the Word through the Christ's working. We are discipled by t...

Texts: Psalm 95:1-7a; 2 Corinthians 3:18-4:7   Worship: The Attitude of the Heart (Psalm 95:1-7a) Worshipping God is about an internal attitude before it is an external activity. Worshipping God reframes our reality around God's Word.   Worship: The Transformation of the Life (2 Corinthians 3:18) Worshipping God leads to a life that beholds the glory of Christ. Worshipping God leads to a life that...

Text: Ecclesiastes 12:9-14   Consider the Weighty Words of Wisdom (12:9-12) God's wisdom is like a goad that spurs us onward. God's wisdom is like well-driven nails that fix our hearts to truth. God's wisdom comes to us from the Shepherd of our souls.   Consider the Whole Duty of Man (12:13-14) We are called to walk in the fear of God. We are called to obey the Word of God. We are energized and eq...

Text: Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:8   Live Every Day With Faith in God's Plan (11:1-6) We must live surrendered lives before the face of God, trusting in God's sovereign plan. The future may seem uncertain to us, but we can trust in the certainty of God's faithfulness.   Live Every Day With Gratitude for God's Gifts (11:7-10) We must celebrate our days before the face of God, rejoicing in all He has give...

Text: Ecclesiastes 10   Foolishness Will Lead You Astray (10:1-4) A little bit of foolishness goes a long way to lead your heart astray from God's wisdom. A little bit of foolishness leads to a life that lacks any sense.   Foolishness Will Lead You to Ruin (10:5-14) Foolishness will inevitably cause your downfall into destruction. Foolishness will inevitably consume you through your reckless words...

Text: Ecclesiastes 9   The Unfailing Hand of God's Providence (9:1) As we consider our lives, the future often seems uncertain and unpredictable. Therefore, we must rest our lives in God's sovereignty and trust in His promises.   The Inescapable Reality of Our Death (9:2-6) Death is the great leveler and the inevitable event for all mankind. Therefore, we still have hope while we live if we will t...

Text: Ecclesiastes 8   Be Submissive to Earthly Authorities (8:1-9) We must wisely align ourselves under earthly authorities because they are set up by God. Our submission and obedience ultimately rests in God.   Fear God as the Ultimate Authority (8:10-13) We must walk in the fear of the Lord despite the evil we experience around us. We know that God is the final authority and judge of all.   Loo...

Text: Ecclesiastes 7   Consider God's Lessons on Death (7:1-6) God presents death to us as a teacher who instructs us on what is most important in life.   Consider God's Wisdom on Life (7:7-12) God calls us to be self-controlled, eternity-focused, and to prize wisdom over wealth.   Consider God's Work of Providence (7:13-18) We must trust in the sovereignty of God and walk in the fear of God.   Co...

Text: Ecclesiastes 6   The Pointless Pursuit of All Earthly Things (6:1-6) Satisfaction cannot be found in wealth, possessions, and honor. Satisfaction cannot be achieved in a full bank account, a thriving family, and a long life. Satisfaction can only be found in an eternal God who put eternity in our hearts.   The Limitless Longing in All People (6:7-9) We all have an insatiable desire that cann...