Vine & Branch Church Sermons

In  1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 , Paul reveals that the Gospel of God transforms lives when declared with courage and delivered with the nurturing love of a mother and the guiding integrity of a father.

The gospel (good news) transforms us into living proof of Christ’s power through active faith, selfless love, and unshakable hope, fueled/compelled by the joy and gratitude of being rescued from God’s wrath and possessing guaranteed certainty of the return of Christ.

In  Acts 17:1-10 , the birth of the Thessalonian church reveals that Jesus Christ, the suffering and risen KING, demands our joyful allegiance, transforms lives through His gospel, and empowers us to stand firm under internal and external pressure.

The purposeful habit of God centered weekly rest is a command and gift from God, one that is rooted in His creation and redemptive works. It is a rest from our regular labors that exemplifies God’s provision, and this rest is one that is joyous and celebrates God’s works in our lives and history.

No matter what we face, God is faithful. He was faithful to Naomi in her grief, to Ruth in her uncertainty, and He’ll be faithful to us; both present and future – He’s preparing a place for us ( John 14:3 ) and will return to make all things new ( Revelation 21:5 ). Let this history and promise fuel us with purpose, joy, and hope.

Through our study, we have clearly seen that the book of Ruth is not just ancient history, it is a reflection of how God works in the world, all nations, and in our lives today.

Sure victory, is assured through our Redeemer Jesus Christ. In Christ we see God’s steadfast love, the temporary nature of suffering, and are reminded to take joy in our ultimate and sure victory.

By ceasing to strive for self-defined meaning and embracing faithfulness -whether in daily tasks or strategic planing- we participate in subordinate ends that God transforms into His terminating end, brining glory to Himself and accomplishing the redemption of the world.

By ceasing to strive for self-defined meaning and instead pursue faithfulness, we find freedom and peace in trusting that God transforms our ordinary acts of obedience and love into meaningful/purposeful instruments of redemption.

Darkness, tragedy, and suffering are never in the final chapter of God’s story. His great redemptive work continues on the next page, in the ordinary details of our daily obedience.

In times of darkness, it is easy to lose sight of God’s sovereignty, His goodness, and His faithfulness.

Ruth and Naomi’s strengths and weaknesses, difficulties and loyalty, move them within and towards God’s redemptive Story. This demonstrates that we can trust the LORD to fulfill His promises through our everyday relationships, limited sight, and imperfect efforts.

The book of Ruth offers profound truth, beautiful wisdom, and clear direction for living as citizens of God’s Kingdom, even when facing difficulties, or in the flow of ordinary days.

The resurrection exalts Christ, shatters our old ways of thinking/living, calls us to follow Jesus, and equips us with the power to do so.

Every event in history, and here in Mark’s Gospel, points the completed work of atonement of our sins through Jesus’ obedience unto death on the cross. And we, like the rest of history, can organize our lives with Jesus as the central figure. because of his atoning work, we are dead to sin… and we can follow him fearlessly, confidently, and full of hope.

The physical and emotional pain experienced and endured by Jesus Christ – so to accomplish God’s sovereign plan, honor his Father, crush evil, and secure our redemption – irrefutably display Jesus Christ as our worthy Resurrected King! Therefore, we can follow him fearlessly, confidently, and full of hope.  

God the Father installed Christ as King by orchestrating a wide-ranging, complex, and dangerous plan-sacrificing His own Son’s life while saving His people in the process. He used the enemy’s elite forces like puppets to pave the way for the coming Kingdom.

Kingdom minded children who live in-line with God’s design by obeying and honoring their parents; honor God, strengthen their family, invite blessing, and build the Kingdom.

A Husbands is to LOVE his wife in the same way that Christ Jesus loves the church: with sacrifice, and by sanctifying, nourishing, and cherishing her.

A wife should submit to her husband in the same spirit Jesus submitted to His Father, and the same way, the church is to submit to Jesus; joyfully with respect and honor.

Anger is a signal emotion helping us to assess our needs and enlightening us to our true spiritual condition. Anger can be a warning light alerting us to God’s invitation to a grander perspective, and to live and treat others under our experienced reality of God’s steadfast love, compassion, and mercy.

When we hear the Word of God, like the Ninevites did, we must believe, repent of sin, and trust in the mercy and steadfast love of God.

The backdrop of the book of Jonah is about The LORD’s steadfast love, his compassion and mercy.  Psalm 33:5 ,  59:17 ,  Psalm 86:5 ,  103:8 ,  Exodus 34:6 ,  Numbers 14:18 ,  Nehemiah 9:17 ,  Joel 2:13

Main Point: Is the LORD the righteous ruler of the universe, or are you? Does the LORD have the corner of the market on compassion, justice, and mercy or do you? Are you and your thoughts the standard of righteousness or is the LORD? Are you following Him with your life?