Christ Pres - Sermons

Scripture Reference: Revelation 8:1-9:21 What John sees in Revelation 8-9 are powerful images to describe world history until Jesus returns from the perspective of the world. God hears the prayers of His people pleading with Him to come in judgment, liberation and cleansing and responds with the trumpets. These trumpets are like tornado sirens, warning all of those who choose to live independently...

Scripture Reference: Revelation 7 John’s encouragement following the dreadful news about the terrible Four Horsemen has to do with the “sealed.” But who are the “sealed” and why do they sing like they do? And why is it important for the Christian to remember that THIS is their standing before the Throne? Sermon Points: The Identity of the Sealed The Meaning of the Sea...

Scripture Reference:  Revelation 6:1-17 As John gets a peek behind the veil into heaven, the scroll is broken, and all are shown the unfolding plan of God in world history. With vivid images, John sees that world history will be characterized by four horseman riding and bringing suffering. This sight is alarming, but also comforting to see that suffering is NOT a sign that the world is out of cont...

Scripture Reference: 1 Kings 18:17-40 Sermon Points: Idols Exposed Idols Extinguished

Scripture Reference: Revelation 5 If Revelation 4 is the setting to the drama, then chapter 5 IS the drama. John is broken by the knowledge of a mysterious scroll, but immediately pointed to a Lion which, to his surprise, appears as a Lamb. In this profound vision is the very heart of the Christian meaning of life. Sermon Points: John Weeps The Lamb Bleeds Heaven Sings

Scripture Reference: Revelation 4 When John steps through the open door of heaven, his vision is dominated (shown in the sheer amount of times he uses the word) by a Throne. He’s fixated and amazed. The entourage surrounding him suggests something deeply profound about human beings proclivity for worship. Sermon Points: How John Sees What John Sees What John Means

Scripture Reference: Revelation 3:14-22 Jesus seeks to bring about changes in his churches he’s confronting in Revelation chapters two and three, but it’s not enough to change the way they are “thinking” about themselves. They must also change their actions, and chapters two through three contain oceans of wisdom for God’s people seeking to pursue Godly change. Sermon...

Scripture Reference: Revelation 2:1-7 Christians live in a world that is being invaded by grace and reconciliation, but a world that still is beset by sin and destruction. We live in the “already and the not yet.” So when the Son of Man in John’s vision comes to speak to the churches, he does so with commendation and condemnation. Sermon Points: Things to Commend Fighting Against...

Scripture Reference: Revelation 1:9-20 Our story opens with John as a political exile on an island prison, likely concerned that his ministry life is ebbing away. But a voice from the heavenly realm speaks to him, and nothing will ever be the same. And the voice that spoke to John still speaks to us today. But will we listen? Sermon Points: John Is In The Spirit Jesus Is Among The Lampstands The C...

Scripture Reference: Revelation 1:1-8 The book of Revelation is written to a group of churches whose lives are getting “worse” as they follow a risen and ascended “unseen” Jesus. This book comes to people struggling to make sense of the world around them and says “LOOK!, things are not as they seem!” What is revealed to the apostle John and then shared with the...

Scripture Reference: Romans 8:18-25 The Apostles Creed ends by confessing what Christians believe about the future. In summary, God will finish what He started. He created a world to dwell with humanity as His image bearers. No matter, how much sin has infected and destroyed the world and humanity, God is going to save and restore it all. This Christian hope is embraced when we confess I believe i...

Scripture Reference: Matthew 18:21-35 Cancel Culture as we knew it in the last decade seems to be fading somewhat, but the questions our society faced throughout still linger in the conscience. But Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness as THE necessity of the Christian life is just as fresh (and challenging) as it ever was and the Creed seeks to keep every generation from forgetting that. Sermon Po...

Scripture Reference: Acts 9:1-19 Much has been said, that doesn’t bear repeating, on the consistent anti-institutional bent of the present age. Talk of “the church” seems quaint to those who long for authenticity. But we believe in “the holy catholic church” which means that believing people find their primary identity in the collection of others who are so united to...

Scripture Reference: John 14:15-26 Some mystery surrounds the person and work of the Holy Spirit, for sure, but that doesn’t mean that He is due any less adoration and worship from God’s people than any other member of the Trinity. Today, we look at the doctrine of the Holy Spirit as THE active agent, the “mover shaker” of the Godhead. Sermon Points: The Importance of the S...

Scripture Reference: Romans 2:3-11 Tim Keller once said, “You’ve accepted Jesus as your savior, but have you accepted him as your judge?” The idea that Jesus will return and execute justice is very much a controversial, and complicated prospect for Christians to think about. But there’s good news in his returning to judge that we’ll look at in the Apostles Creed. Serm...

Scripture Reference: Acts 1:1-11

Scripture Reference: Mark 4:35-41 Sermon Points: It Raises Questions It Exposes Unbelief It Awakens Love

Scripture Reference: Genesis 11:1-9; 12:1-3 Sermon Points: Law of Babel (vv. 11:1-9) Gracious Call of Abram (vv. 12:1-3)

Scripture Reference: Luke 18:9-14 Sermon Points: The Problem of False Justification The Source of True Justification

Scripture Reference: Philippians 1:1-11 Because the Lord is at hand, and through the grace we have in Christ, we can see one another through a different lens than the worlds sees us. We can cultivate these three postures towards each other that our modeled for us here in Paul’s introduction to his letter to the Philippians.

Scripture Reference: Mark 1:40-45 Sermon Points: Our Need for Cleansing The One Who Cleanses Us

Scripture Reference: Matthew 28:16-20 By its nature, good news HAS to be told. We aren’t really enjoying the thing until we spread the news about it. Jesus’ death and resurrection are followed by a powerful commission from him to bring his Lordship to bear on every area of life, and he empowers us to do so by his nearness. Sermon Points: Empowering the Mission Directing the Mission Acc...

Scripture Reference: Matthew 27:62-28:15 Progressive commentators have said that it is unimportant whether or not Jesus actually rose from the dead. Nothing could be further from the truth. The facts surrounding the mountain of hard evidence for Jesus’ bodily resurrection not only establish its importance, but rescues human hope as well. Sermon Points: The Evidence The Verdict

Scripture Reference: Matthew 27:32-54 The most transformative events in our lives are when victory is snatched from the jaws of defeat. The Cross of Jesus is a profoundly ironic twist of fate that has changed the hearts of Jesus’ followers since the day he “yielded up his spirit” and died. “Why?” will be our question this morning. Sermon Points: The Ironic Antagonism...

Scripture Reference: Matthew 27:1-2, 11-26 The hero, Jesus, is accused of treason. Amidst the trial, we see interactions between the hero, Pontius Pilate, a criminal named Barabbas, and the crowds. All of these interactions reveal the character Jesus and the way He will save and restore. Our hero will be a suffering servant, healing the world by taking what He does not deserve. Sermon Points: The...