“Trust in the Lord”

Proverbs 3:5-7

INTRODUCTION

Two Sundays ago, we began a series in the book of Proverbs. Today as we continue, we come to the most famous verses of the book. Here in these verses, God has given us straightforward words of wisdom for navigating our lives

LEAN ON THE LORD (v.5)

LEARN FROM THE LORD (v.6) 

LIVE FOR THE LORD (v.7)

· Don’t be conceited about your own wisdom

· Fear the Lord

· Turn away from evil

APPLICATION

· Trust in the Lord with all your heart

· Lean on the Lord for understanding

· Listen to the Lord’s voice in everything you do

CONCLUSION

Beloved, these verses are teaching us that our trust is not in some impersonal ethic (belief) but in the Lord Jesus Christ himself. He requires wholehearted trust. Are you trusting Him with all your heart? Or are you being wise in your own eyes? 

“the preeminence of the beloved son”

Colossians 1:15-23

INTRODUCTION

This week in our VBS we learned that God is Creator, that God knows everything, that God is our safe place, that God is love, and that God is forever. Today, we will see that Jesus is the beloved Son of God who occupies first place in everything.   

PREEMINENT AS CREATOR (vv.15-16)

· Supreme by virtue of His deity

· Supreme as the unique Son of God

· Supreme over all things

· Supreme as the goal of creation

PREEMINENT AS SUSTAINER (vv.17-18)

· Supreme as sustainer of creation

· Supreme as head over His body, the Church

· Supreme as the precursor of Creation

PREEMINENT AS RECONCILER (19-23)

CONCLUSION

Beloved, Jesus is God and is our Creator, Sustainer, and Savior. Therefore, turn to Him and believe in Him. If you are a believer, “continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven…” (Colossians 1:23).

“The Beginning of wisdom”

Proverbs 1:1-7

Today we begin a short summer series in the Old Testament wisdom book of Proverbs. A proverb is a short, pithy, poetic, thought-provoking saying. It is neither an absolute command, nor an absolute promise. It is a general observation about how life works.  

THE PURPOSE OF THE BOOK (vv.2-6)

• To know wisdom, instruction, understanding, and insight

• To receive instruction in wise dealings, righteousness, justice, and equity

• To give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth

• To give the wise man increased learning and guidance

• To help solve difficult problems and some of the riddles of life

THE FOUNDATION OF WISDOM (v.7)

APPLICATION

• How do you get wisdom?

a) Personal experience

b) Others’ experience

c) Artificial Intelligence (AI)

d) God’s Word 

CONCLUSION

Beloved, the height of wisdom is to fear God, and to know Him through His Son, Jesus, who is Wisdom itself. Without Jesus in your life, there is no way to be truly wise. Have you been saved by confessing your sins and believing in Jesus?

 “on observing days and drinking wine”

Romans 14:5-8;20-22

INTRODUCTION

Today I would like to go back to Romans chapter 14, and address two things listed there as matters of Christian freedom. The matter of observing certain days as special, including the Sabbath, and the matter of drinking alcohol. One sermon, two huge topics.

ON OBSERVING DAYS

ON DRINKING ALCOHOL

· What is condemned in the Bible

· What is permitted in the Bible

APPLICATION

· Do not just ask yourself “What am I allowed to do?” but "What will the effects of my actions be on the church, myself, and others?”

CONCLUSION

Beloved, as Christians we are to live in such a way as to glorify and honor God in our observation of the Lord’s Day, and in our eating and drinking.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

1 Corinthians 10:31

“The God Who is able to strengthen you”

Romans 16:25-27

INTRODUCTION

Paul brings his epistle to an end by rightly giving glory to God through Jesus Christ. The word doxology means glory. This doxology sums up all the great ideas of the Epistle. The power of the Gospel which Paul was commissioned to preach; the revelation in it of the eternal purpose of God; its contents, faith; its sphere, all the nations of the earth; its author, the one wise God.

THE POWER OF GOD TO STRENGTHEN US (v. 25a)

THE PLAN OF GOD FOR THE NATIONS (vv.25b-26)

THE PRAISE OF GOD (v.27)

APPLICATION

• The God who is able

• The God who is all-wise

• The God who is to be glorified forever

CONCLUSION

Beloved, praise God for He has the power to make you strong in your faith. He is all-wise. To Him be glory alone.

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

1 Timothy 1:17, NKJV

“Words of warning”

Romans 16:17-23

INTRODUCTION

Last Sunday, we saw Paul send greetings to a list of men and women who were dear coworkers in Christ. Today, he has a final warning to the Roman church not to be deceived by anyone who advocates for a form of the gospel that takes the focus off serving Christ and puts it instead on serving evil human desires.

HIS ENTREATY – WATCH OUT (v.17)

HIS EXPLANATION – DON’T BE DECEIVED (v.18)

HIS ENCOURAGEMENT – BE WISE (v.19)

HIS EXPECTATION – HOLD ON (v.20)

APPLICATION

• Watch out   

• Discern

• Sit tight and watch God work 

CONCLUSION

Beloved, let us love God’s Word and unite around the truths that it teaches. Let us also watch out for false teachers who use their smooth talk to deceive believers.

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8

“Greetings to Fellow Workers in Christ”

Romans 16:1-16

INTRODUCTION

In this chapter, we have a list of people who were greeted by Paul as he finished the letter to the Romans. These are people who Paul knew and loved, and who were fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. We do not know much about these people, who might be considered by most to be a list of nobodies. However, each one of these people was somebody special to Paul, and even more importantly, in the eyes of God.

GREETINGS TO WOMEN COWORKERS IN CHRIST

GREETINGS TO LOVED ONES IN CHRIST

APPLICATION

• Not just a mere list of names

• Not just a mere list of acquaintances

CONCLUSION

Beloved, let us learn from Paul to thank God for all those who serve diligently among us. Let us also be open in our show of appreciation and love.

“I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,”

Philemon 1:4-5

“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!