Second Presbyterian Church Sermons

Acts 10:9-24 shows us that we must value all humanity. Through prayer and listening to God, we are able to have our hearts and minds restored to God’s view of humanity.   I. Prayer Prayer helps us relinquish control to God; it slows our busy minds; and it shows us a transcendental reality beyond our comprehension.   II. Listening Prayer also puts us in a place where we can listen a...

Hebrews 11:8-16 | Seeking a Better Country Sermon Recap & Discussion Questions We are all longing for a better homeland than the one we know. God calls his people to the homeland they were made for. I. Call This passage is commenting on God’s call to Abraham in Genesis 12. God called Abraham to a new place, made promises to him, and showed him his purpose for his life. II. Journey Throug...

Matthew 6:9-15 | Connect with God's People Sermon Recap & Discussion Questions The Lord’s Prayer implies an organic, a directional, and a relational connection between God’s people. I. Organic (v. 9) As God’s people, we are not simply a collection of individuals; we are a connected body of believers. We must relate to one another based on the righteous character of God. II. D...

Exodue 2:1-10 | The Marks of a Mediator Sermon Recap & Discussion Questions   When God’s people are in distress, God hears, cares, remembers, and acts to redeem them through Jesus Christ our mediator. I. Timeless Problem This passage, and the Bible as a whole, show us that no matter how much Egypt is oppressing, God is blessing. We too are oppressed by our own Pharaohs: success, mat...

Exodus 12:14-28 | What Do You Mean By This Service? Sermon Recap & Discussion Questions We must remind one another of the best news: celebrating liberation, loving the lamb, and committing to liturgy. I. Liberation (vv. 14-20) Unlike other sacred observances that would pass away as God progressed in his redemptive plan to the final provision of Jesus Christ, the Passover is established as...

Luke 2:8-20 | The Ordinary People of Christmas: The Shepherds Sermon Recap & Discussion Questions God chooses nobodies, makes them somebodies, and gives them a message for everybody.   I. Nobody (vv. 8-9) Shepherds were outcasts in their society. They were denied all civil rights, not allowed to fulfill judicial offices, and forbidden to testify as witnesses. Furthermore, they were labele...

If you want to live the way God wants you to live, and if you want to live forever, you must ask Christ to move into your heart and make you righteous and accept the substitution of his sinless record for yours. I. Uncommonly Kind (Matthew 1:18-20) The righteousness the Holy Spirit had worked in Joseph enabled him to be uncommonly kind toward Mary. II. Unquestioningly Obedient (Matthew 1:20-25) Jo...

Luke 1:46-55 | The Ordinary People of Christmas: Mary Sermon Recap & Discussion Questions Mary magnified God, because she saw her and her people’s needs so clearly and thus recognized how God’s attributes of mercy and might would meet them all.       1. God is Merciful (Luke 1:46-48, 50, 53-55) Before any of the disciples wrote their Gospels, Mary announced to her wo...

Exodus 12:1-14 | Starting Over Sermon Recap & Discussion Questions In discussing how we properly take the Lord’s Supper, the Westminster Shorter Catechism says we must examine ourselves for “repentance, love and new obedience” (Q.97). Those three themes are anticipated in God’s institution of the Passover, one of his ways of convincing us over and over again that we are...

The Exodus of the Son Exodus 11:1-10 | Sermon Recap & Discussion Questions   Through God’s Son, we become God’s sons. If you commit your life to Christ, he will not merely raise your body to life, he will openly acknowledge you as a son of God as genuinely as Jesus is.       I. From Slaves to Son When God originally commissioned Moses to liberate his people from...

Plague of Darkness Exodus 10:21-29 | Sermon Recap & Discussion Questions   We must look up to God for light, because we need it desperately and Jesus supplied it sacrificially.    I. Our Need for Light Most striking is the statement that the darkness could be “felt.” This palpable darkness in Egypt was absolute, oppressive, and claustrophobic. The miraculous nature o...

Your Arm's Too Short Exodus 9:8-12 | Sermon Recap & Discussion Questions   The plague of Boils reminds us that God is sovereign, so nothing seen or unseen is any match for him. To persist in rebellion against him will eventually result in God’s punishment. However, to surrender your heart to him will result in comprehensive renewal and spiritual victory even over the powers of darkn...

The Investigation Exodus 9:1-7 | Sermon Recap & Discussion Questions   We must trust in God alone, because he always disciplines out of mercy and protects out of love. I. God is Judge: disciplines out of mercy (vv. 1-3) Even in this fifth plague, God demonstrates his mercy. This is only the fifth plague, but it is the seventh time God has warned Pharaoh, giving him a chance to repent. Fur...

Take Your Stand Exodus 8:20-32 | Sermon Recap & Discussion Questions   We must live without compromising our commitment to Jesus Christ, because he promises flourishing life, provokes courageous worship, and provides redemptive grace.    I. Promises Flourishing Life (vv. 20-24) Our text clearly states that God spared the Israelites of this plague of flies. Later he saves his chi...

Our Primary Purpose Exodus 7:25-8:15 | Sermon Recap & Discussion Questions   The second plague is a graphic and tragic portrayal of what it looks like for human beings to dedicate their lives to anyone or anything besides God revealed so graciously through Jesus Christ.    I. Glorify God On the one hand, God struck a severe blow against Pharaoh and the Egyptians because they wer...

Nothing Before Me Exodus 7:14-24 | Sermon Recap & Discussion Questions   The first plague demonstrates the tragic consequences of disregarding God’s commandments and celebrates the blessings of obeying them as a gift of grace.     I. The Lord (Exodus 7:14-19) God eventually forces every person to acknowledge that he alone is the Lord. Lord is that name that conveys God&rsq...

What If I Can't Believe? Exodus 6:1-12 | Sermon Recap & Discussion Questions This passage gives us hope for the times when it seems impossible to believe.  I. I Will (Exodus 6:1-8) Between verses 1-8, God says “I will” seven times. Altogether these declarations convey three promises by God to his people: redemption, possession, and liberation.   A. Redemption God promises...

I. Speak the Truth (Exodus 5:1-3) By Moses’ spoken word on behalf of God - “let my people go” - Pharaoh is eventually defeated and the people eventually believe. We have been given this same gospel word. a. Presuppose the Truth Moses and Aaron relayed what God said - “thus says the Lord” - to Pharaoh, demonstrating to us that we must begin with God’s Word when s...

The Mouth of God Exodus 4:27-31 | Sermon Recap & Discussion Questions In order to save us, Jesus had to enter into our world. In response, we must enter into the lives of those around us and speak words of hope, peace, and love found in the gospel.  I. The Word of Hope In order for Moses to deliver a word of hope to the Israelites, he had to be among them and begin to understand them, jus...