“Turning the tables on faith“

John 2:13-25

Jesus Declared His Divine Authority (vv. 16-17)

• With Actions

• With Words

Jesus Declared His Divine Purpose (vv. 18-20)

• He is “The Temple”

• He would be raised from the dead

The Disciples (eventually) Declared Their Belief (vv. 21-22)

• They believed because of what Jesus said

• They believed because of what Jesus did

The People Declared a False Belief (vv. 23-25)

Do I have faith the way Jesus intended?

“Where the Gospel has not been preached“

Romans 15:22-33

Introduction

Last Sunday, Paul shared with the Roman church what distinguishes his ministry. Today, he shares his future plans mentioning three destinations to visit: Jerusalem, Rome, and Spain. He wants to take the gospel to Spain, where the name of Christ has not yet been preached. However, a stop in Rome is necessary for the apostle to secure prayer and financial support for this new outreach.

PAUL’S PLANS FOR PASSAGE TO SPAIN (vv.22-29)

• Jerusalem

• Rome

• Spain

PAUL’S PLEA FOR PRAYER (vv.30-33)

• Strive with me in prayer

• To be refreshed in your company

APPLICATION

• Pray that God will give you a caring and loving heart for the poor.

• Pray for your pastor and missionaries. They are sustained by your prayer support.

• Pray for more churches to be willing to send, support, and go.

CONCLUSION

Beloved, there is still a great need for Christian workers who will preach the gospel to those who have never heard the name of Christ. Pray for the advance of the gospel. “May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”

“In the Service of the gospel”

Romans 15:814-22 

Introduction

Last Sunday, Paul concluded his main teaching in Romans with a prayer of hope (15:13). Today, as he begins his conclusion to the letter, he gets very personal and shares his heart with them.

PAUL’S PRIESTLY MINISTRY (14-16)

· “… to be a minister of Christ Jesus … in the priestly service of the gospel of God…”

PAUL’S POWERFUL MINISTRY (17-19)

· “For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me…”

PAUL’S PIONEER MINISTRY (20-22)

· “To preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named…”

APPLICATION

· An offering of a sanctified people

· An offering of an obedient people

CONCLUSION

Beloved, Jesus commended us to: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV). Pray that our church ministry be like Paul’s – to see baptized disciples who live lives of radical obedience to Jesus. 

“joy, peace, and Hope in the Holy Spirit“

Romans 15:8-13

Today, Paul concludes his exhortation started in 14:1 with a prayer of hope. This hope is the outcome of his unwavering faith in God, and His Son Jesus Christ. This is the kind of hope we need because we are living in a world that is filled more with fear, anxiety, and uncertainty than it is with hope. The hope Paul is talking about is an eternal hope because it finds its source in the God of hope.

THE NATURE OF CHRIST’S MINISTRY - SERVANTHOOD (vv.8-9a)

THE GOAL OF CHRIST’S MINISTRY - UNIFIED WORSHIP (vv.9b-12)

THE RESULT OF CHRIST’S MINISTRY – ABUNDANT HOPE  (v.13)

APPLICATION

• God’s promises

• God’s Word

• God’s Spirit

CONCLUSION

Beloved, in today’s passage you are encouraged to step across ethnic boundaries and worship God together. God’s desire to receive praise from “all nations” and “all the peoples.” This unified worship is part of His plan to bring peace and hope to the earth.

“When I Am Lifted Up“

John 12:27-36a

On Friday in the first part of this sermon, Jesus said that His death and resurrection will: 1) bring glory to God the Father; 2) bring judgment on the world and its ruler. Today, in the second part of our message started on Good Friday, Jesus mentions two more purposes: His death and glorious resurrection accomplish. 

JESUS’ DEATH AND RESURRECTION SECURE HIS INHERITANCE (vv.32-33) 

JESUS’ DEATH AND RESURRECTION INVITE US TO BELIEVE IN HIM (vv.34-36)

APPLICATION

a) There is an invitation here to come to Jesus, the Light, to believe in him, and become a child of light. Will you do that?

b) There is a challenge for you to learn from Jesus to glorify God in everything you do.

c) There is a reminder that Satan, your enemy is defeated. Therefore, live victoriously in the power of God’s Spirit.

CONCLUSION

Beloved, Jesus through His death and victorious resurrection brings glory to God, the world’s ruler, Satan, is cast out, and the resurrection of all believers is secured. That is Jesus’ word and promise to you this Easter. Christ is risen; He is risen indeed. Hallelujah!

Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you

romans 15:1-7

Introduction

Last Sunday, Paul exhorted us to show grace-filled sensitivity towards other Christians. Today as he begins to conclude his argument started in 14:1, he sets Jesus as an example of unselfish and welcoming unity in the church. 

ABOUT OUR GOAL (vv.1-2)

• Endure

• Edification

ABOUT OUR SCRIPTURES (vv.3-4)

• Example of Christ

• Education

• Encouragement

ABOUT OUR UNITY IN WORSHIP (vv.5-6)

• One Mind

• One Mouth

• One Mission

ABOUT OUR ACCEPTANCE IN CHRIST (v.7)

APPLICATION

• Worship God in unity.

• Welcome one another for the glory of God. 

CONCLUSION

Beloved, have you received Christ in faith and baptism? “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13) 

Weak and strong must learn to get along

romans 14:14-23

Introduction

Last Sunday, Paul warned us against having a judgmental attitude towards those with whom we disagree over nonessential matters in the church. Today, he continues to exhort us to show grace-filled sensitivity towards other Christians.    

SEEK LOVE (vv.13-15)

SEEK PEACE AND HARMONY (vv.16-19)

SEEK SELF RESTRAINT (vv.20-23)

APPLICATION

· Do not judge or despise each other.

· In all things make sure your conscience is clear. 

· Honor and give thanks to God in all your ways.

· Do not cause your brother or sister in Christ to stumble.

CONCLUSION

Beloved, as we practice our Christian liberty, let us be like-minded toward one another that we might glorify God with one mind and one mouth, and let us receive one another as Christ received us.

The Harvest is Plentiful

Matthew 9:35-38

Introduction

In our passage today, Jesus reminds us of the urgent need to continue to reach out to our neighbors and to send missionaries to the nations to spread the good news of the kingdom of God. Jesus Himself demonstrated a pattern of passionate commitment to this task. Jesus urges us to pray to God for laborers because the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

JESUS’ CONDUCT (v.35)  

JESUS’ COMPASSION (v.36)

• See Clearly

• Care Deeply

JESUS’ COMMAND (vv.37-38)

• Pray Earnestly

• Go Trustingly

APPLICATION

• See

• Care

• Pray

• Be ready 

CONCLUSION 

Beloved, the harvest is indeed plentiful. It is the workers that are few. Pray to the “Lord of the harvest” to raise more workers. Be willing and ready to obey as He speaks to you.  

Do not judge one another

Romans 14:1-12

INTRODUCTION

Last Sunday, Paul reminded us that we need to be aware of what time it is, and to wake up, clean up, and put on Christ. Today, he addresses the issue of disagreements over nonessential matters in the church. He warns us against having a judgmental attitude towards those with whom we disagree.

WELCOME ONE ANOTHER BECAUSE YOU ARE FAMILY (vv.1-4)

· Receive the one who is weak in the faith.

· Do not judge your brother because you are not their master.

· The Lord is able to make them and you stand.

WELCOME ONE ANOTHER BECAUSE YOU ARE THE LORD’S (vv.5-12)

· Judging your brother is inappropriate because God has accepted them.

· Christ died and rose to be the Lord, both theirs and yours.

· All of us will stand before God’s judgment seat to give account to God.

APPLICATION

· God has accepted you in Christ, therefore you should accept one another.

· God will be your judge, therefore do not judge one another.

· God will make you stand in the last day, therefore do not despise one another.

CONCLUSION

Beloved, our passage teaches us that we must always warmly receive each other as brothers and sisters in Christ despite matters of secondary personal convictions in which we differ. We must be careful to keep the main things the main things in the church, and remember that we will all stand before the judgment seat of God to give account.  

Put On The Lord Jesus Christ

Romans 13:11-14

Introduction

One feature of our modern society and the age we live in is that we are slaves of time. We all keep careful track of time, but we tend to forget that God is also keeping time. He is working up to a time when He will end this age in which we live, and move on to the age to come. Today, Paul reminds us that we need to be aware of this fact and to do certain things.

IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP (v.11)

IT IS TIME TO CLEAN UP (vv.12-13)

IT IS TIME TO SUIT UP (v.14)

APPLICATION

• Being and living.

CONCLUSION

Beloved, it is time to wake up, clean up, and suit up. The time to change and grow will soon be gone! The day of eternity will arrive - will you be ready! Put on the Lord Jesus, and walk properly as a child of the light.