RHCCC Latest Sermon

Sermon Notes ——— 1. Racism didn’t always exist God is unity in diversity (ie. God is one and exists in three equal and distinct person) The First Commission Gen. 1:26-28 God’s people must know and practice unity across increasingly diverse barriers including race and culture —Ephesians 4:1-6 Much of our physical nature will be brought into the new creation - including our racial differences —Revel...

Sermon Notes What would serving look like if you discovered your spiritual gift? How would that change your outlook of serving? In what ways could that deepen your relationship with God? ——— 1. We’re SHAPE’d to build His churchS.H.A.P.E. is: • Spiritual gifts • Heart • Abilities • Personality • Experiences We’re created by God to play an important role in building one another up ——— 2. We’re SHAPE...

Sermon Notes Jesus changed the way the world thought about greatness: If you want to be great, then serve greatly. 1. Humble service comes from deep gratitude (v. 1-16) 2. True greatness comes from humble service (v. 17-28) just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many —Matthew 20:28 a. “Just as” = Pattern to follow when serving b. “Just as” =...

Sermon Notes 1. Godly friends attract Godly friends…because they have everything in common - I Samuel 18:1-5 2. Godly friends stick with Godly friends - because they recognize God in each other - I Samuel 18: 6-30 3. Godly friends have an eternal perspective - because they are confident in where they will spend eternity - I Samuel 20: 1-42

Sermon Notes What is Faith? Common misconception: The more evidence you have, the less faith you require. Common mindset: Your faith is a product of your feelings. Truth 1: Remember Jesus’ sacrifice made a new way for us (10:1-18) A. Law and sacrificial system are (frustratingly) inadequate (v. 1-17) B. Jesus’ sacrifice is foundational for the new way (v. 16-18) Application 1: Run to God (10:19-25...

Sermon Notes It has always been God who took the initiative in blessing and loving us. His greatest blessing and channel of love is His eternal presence in us. This is what heaven is all about – to be in His presence forever. What God seeks: PRESENCE (v. 1-5) • God seeks to establish His presence with his people. From the Garden of Eden to the Tent of Meeting to the Temple in Jerusalem, God has al...

Hebrews 8 NLT Sermon Notes Introduction What is a “Covenant”? (8:6-8) What is the “Old Covenant”? (Gen 12:1-3, Deut 30:15-18, 2 Sam 7) What are the implications of the New Covenant? 1. A new heart (8:10b, Ezekiel 35:26-27) 2. A new, forgiven, spiritually intimate relationship with God (8:10c) 3. A new purpose, a new partnership = a new covenant (8:11, 13:20-21) “The purpose of Jesus’ death was to...

Sermon Notes Who were the priests? (5:1-6) Prophets were messengers; bringing God to the people. Priests were mediators; bringing the people to God Who was Melchizedek? (7:1-28) - Mentioned twice in the Old Testament: Genesis 14:17-20; Psalm 110:4 - His name means “King of Righteousness” (7: 1-2) - Priesthood doesn’t depend on his lineage (7:3-7) Since Jesus is a priest forever in the order of Mel...

Human beings need two things: we need to hear from God and we need to go to God. We need a word from God and we need a way to God. —John Piper Next to man’s need for revelation is his need for restoration. Once we know who God is and what he expects of us, we will need to “walk” according to his will and ways. To do this, we must first be freed from our slavery to sin and death. We need God to res...

Sermon Notes Two Repeated Themes in Hebrews: I. WORD: Jesus is better. Hebrews presents the greatness of Jesus as no other book does. II. WARNING: Look to Jesus. Hebrews demands a response from the reader. ——— 1. Jesus is greater than the prophets (v.1-4) ——— 2. Jesus is greater than the angels (v.5-15) Angels: • Communicate God’s message • Minister to God’s people • Agents in God’s judgment ——— 3...

How is it even possible to celebrate Easter in this difficult season? Easter is a celebration of something that is (1) absolutely true (2) profoundly good. ——— 1. Absolutely True (objective reality) The resurrection was a supernatural — and historical — event. Jesus was telling the truth about everything. Himself. God. The World. The Future. ——— 2. Profoundly Good (subjective enjoyment) Jesus is m...

Sermon notes 3 Common Questions Concerning Judas ––– Question 1: Was Judas a Christian? Lesson 1: It’s entirely possible to follow Jesus on the outside, but betray him on the inside. Is your doing for Jesus flowing out of your being with him? True believers persevere (1) under pressure and (2) over time. ––– Question 2: Did Jesus make a mistake? Lesson 2: Jesus truly loves everyone. 1. Jesus’ love...

Sermon notes ——— Who was Simon Peter? 1. One of the closest Disciples of Christ 2. Fishermen 3. Loud, quick-to-speak, impulsive person Fishermen are like farmers, they’re completely dependent on the providence of God. We can buy the best nets that we can find, we can keep them mended, we can know where to put our nets, we can have all this human knowledge, but unless God sends the fish, we’re not...

Sermon notes ——— God has given each of us a purpose for living. And only in fulfilling God’s purpose for us will we be truly satisfied and live a significant life that God approves. Doing what God desires and living how God designed us is the greatest possible life investment. When we study the life of John the Baptist, we discover that there are four steps we must take to fulfill God’s purpose fo...

Review - Grow 1 A disciple of Jesus Christ commits to: i) Him who gives all authority ii) to spend personal time with God ii) grow alongside your church family Introduction … We must grow at all costs. Discipleship to Christ is NOT OPTIONAL Are you intentionally seeking to grow? If so, how? If not, what’s stopping you? –—— 1. Discipleship is COSTLY Are you loving God transactionally? Jesus doesn’t...

Sermon notes Review - Essentials 1 i) Making a commitment to the local church ii) Making a commitment to a small group in that church Introduction … We can always still grow Disciples of Christ grow in Spiritual maturity by: 1. Committing oneself to the One who has been given all authority. 2. Committing to spending personal time with God. 3. Committing to growing alongside your Church Family. ———...

Sermon Notes Question: How can our marriages become more resilient in the face of overwhelming pressures? 3 Questions Every Couple Needs to Ask in Difficult Times: ——— 1. What limitations do we need to embrace? (v. 15-18) What are your limits today? a. Consider the Season b. Consider your Situation c. Consider you Soul When you are under pressure (when your limitations are exposed), it is a time t...

Sermon Notes 4 Ways to Engage Politics as a Christian: 1. Trust in His sovereignty (v. 10a) 2. Be humble (v. 10b) Examples of Engaging Humbly: a. Remember the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) b. Pray for those with whom you disagree (1 Timothy 2:1-4) c. Don’t sin because someone else does (Matthew 7:3) 3. Remember your allegiance (v. 11-16) • No one political party fully aligns with God’s will. •...

Sermon Notes ”A study of the world’s largest churches reveals three common fundamentals: prayer, cells, and missions. Prayer is the root, cells are the trunk, and missions is the fruit. And where does the Word come in? It should inform and direct all these three. Yet these are the three weakest areas in many churches! Of these three, infrastructuring (sic) the disciple making church through small...

Sermon Notes The Focus of 2021: Launching the Intentional Discipleship Pathway (IDP) The Challenge Today: 1. We are a commitment-fearing culture 2. We are a convenience-loving culture Four Reasons Why Committing to a Church is Important 1. It’s an act of spiritual obedience to God (v. 14-19) The core concept of membership is having a COVENANT community where you belong What is the difference betwe...

Sermon Notes 1. You have to choose joy Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!—Psalm 32:11 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.—Romans 12:12 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.—James 1:2-3 2. Ther...

Sermon Notes What kind of worshipper you’ll be in 2021 will be determined by what you’ve learned and what you’re willing to let go of from 2020. …I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. —Philippians 3:13-14 Letting Go and Choosing...

Sermon Notes A tender heart is made tenderly by him that made it. For no creature can soften and turn the heart. Only God can alter and change it. —Richard Sibbles When things fall apart: 1. Shatters assumptive world 2. Grief and loss 3. Facing the 4 Fs of Kryptonite - Fear - Failure - Fatigue - Futility 4. Reveals the ATSO Problem - Attachment to Specific Outcomes - Matter of the heart When we ge...

Sermon Notes 1. REMEMBER God has promised Jesus will return to bring judgement and new creation. 2. UNDERSTAND God has delayed the fulfillment of his promise to give everyone the opportunity of eternal life. 3. LOOK FORWARD To the fulfilment of God’s promise. 4. LIVE This year in the light of God’s promise.