Sermon Notes
A LIGHT HAS DAWNED
John 1:1–9 NLT
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light.
The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
THE WORLD IS DARK
Isaiah 9:2 NIV
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
“The world is a dark place, and we will never find our way unless Jesus becomes our Light.”
- Tim Keller
THE LIGHT CAME TO US
John 1:14 NIV
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
God didn’t shout His way into the world. He slipped in quietly, humbly, vulnerably.
Why?
Because God wasn’t coming to crush us — He was coming to rescue us.
CHRISTMAS DEMANDS A RESPONSE
Christmas isn’t sentimental — it’s confrontational.
And that brings us to the three invitations of the Christmas story:
1. RECEIVE THE GIFT WITH HUMILITY
John 1:16 NIV
Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.
2. WALK IN THE LIGHT WITH SURRENDER
John 1:5 NLT
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
Will you surrender your darkness to His light?
3. SHARE THE LIGHT WITH GENEROSITY
Generosity is not something we do — it’s something we become.
Isaiah 9:2 NIV
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
Response:
1. For those who need light:“Jesus, be my Light. I surrender my darkness.”
2. For those giving toward Legacy:“Jesus, use my gift to shine Your Light into the world.”
3. For our church:“Jesus, help us walk in the Light as You are in the Light.”
Sermon Notes
Let gratitude reshape how we see God, how we see the world, and how we see generosity.
INTRODUCTION – The Story That Wakes Us Up
1. GRATITUDE CHANGES HOW WE SEE THE WORLD
The Battle Between Scarcity and Abundance (Matthew 6)
Matthew 6:22–23 NLT“Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
Scarcity says:
Abundance says:
Gratitude shifts our vision.
It teaches us to see the world not through fear, but through faith.
2. GRATITUDE REVEALS WHO GOD REALLY IS
Generosity Begins in the Heart of God
Genesis 1:29 NLT
Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.
John 3:16 NLT
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT
You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by hispoverty he could make you rich.
Generosity isn’t something God does. It is who God is. And gratitude trains us to recognize His generosity in everything.
3. GRATITUDE REMINDS US: GOD OWNS EVERYTHING, WE OWN NOTHING
The Heart of Stewardship (Luke 12)
“Everything we touch belongs to God.” — John Blanchard
Luke 12:42–44 NLT
And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his otherhousehold servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.
Psalm 24:1 NLT
The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. God blesses me with more than I need so I can bless the world around me.
4. GRATITUDE BREAKS GREED — THE QUIET ENEMY OF THE HEART
The Rich Fool & the Danger of More (Luke 12)
Luke 12:13–21 NLT
The antidote Jesus gives…
Luke 11:41 NIV
But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.
Gratitude doesn’t just inspire giving— Gratitude kills greed.
5. GRATITUDE MAKES US GENEROUS TO THE POOR
The Heart of Jesus & the Witness of the Early Church
Luke 12:33 NLT
“Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. need.
Why did the Church do this?
6. GRATITUDE GROWS JOY — THE SECRET OF A HAPPY LIFE
Acts 20:35 — The Happiness Paradox
Acts 20:35 NLT
“…You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Jesus wasn’t giving an obligation. He was giving the pathway to joy.
7. GRATITUDE GUIDES OUR GENEROSITY — PRACTICAL FRAMEWORK
You need to ask yourself three important questions:
A. The Relationship Question:
B. The Difference Question:
C. The God Question:
8. GRATITUDE SHAPES OUR LEGACY — WATERING WHAT WE’VE PLANTED
1 Corinthians 3:6 NLT
I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.
Generosity becomes a way to say: “Lord, we thank You for all You’ve done— and we trust You with what’s next.”
CONCLUSION – START WITH GRATITUDE, END WITH GENEROSITY
MORAL RELATIVISM. • Where God is no longer the moral authority • And “right” & “wrong” are whatever we want them to be.
Judges 17:6 “How Bad Can It Get?”Judges 17-21- In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. NLT
MORAL RELATIVISM.• Where God is no longer the moral authority• And “right” & “wrong” are whatever we want them to be.
Proverbs 14:12- There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
Judges 17:1-3
Judges 19:22-28
Ephesians 5:25 - Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. NLT
Judges 20:26–28 - Then all the Israelites went up to Bethel and wept in the presence of the LORD and fasted until evening. They also brought burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD. 27 The Israelites went up seeking direction from the LORD. …28 …(They) asked the LORD, “Should we fight against our relatives from Benjamin again, or should we stop?” The LORD said, “Go! Tomorrow I will hand them over to you.” NLTJudges 21:25 – In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. NLT
How Can We Fight the Influence Moral Relativism in our own lives?
1. Fill your mind with God’s Word daily.
Psalm 119:10-11 - With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. ESV
2. Stay committed to Christian community.
Hebrews 10:24–25 - And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. ESV
3. Guard against letting IDOLS into your heart or mind.
Galatians 4:8-9 - Formerly when you did not know God, you were enslaved to beings that by nature are not gods at all. 9 But now that you have come to know God (or rather to be known by God), how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless basic forces] Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? NET
4. Keep your eyes on JESUS.
Hebrews12:2 - Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! MES
C.S. Lewis : “I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself the answer.”
Big Idea: We must put our trust in God alone.
Introduction: that God alone is worthy of our ultimate trust.
1. The Cycle of Sin and God’s Faithfulness
Judges 6:1-10
2 Timothy 2:13 NIV - “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”
Trust in the Lord’s faithfulness
2. Gideon’s Fear and God’s Call
Judges 6:11-24
Trust His presence more than your perception of your weakness.
3. Tearing Down Idols
You can’t trust God fully while clinging to idols.
So, ask yourself: what altars need to be torn down in my life for you to trust God completely?
4. Victory Through God’s Power
Trust that God’s power is greater than your weakness. He can do more with your “300” than you could with 32,000.
5. Gideon’s Failure and Israel’s Fall
Judges 8:22-35
Conclusion: Trust in the Unfailing God
Proverbs 3:5-6 - “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Psalm 37:4-6 - Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.”
God is always at work, even in the darkest stories
Judges- The God Who Acts
Judges- one of the R-rated books of the BibleAccounts a long, dark history Israel participated in. Because of compromise and habitual rejection of God. Don’t look away, church, because ancient Israel is a blessing to us.
1 Corinthians 10:1-6
Judges 3- What is expected
Job 40:6-14
Being the same yesterday, today, and forever, God breaks any misconception of formulaic pursuit of Him
Judges 4:1-5
Judges 4:6-8
Judges:9-16
Judges 4:17-24
“God subdued on that day Jabin the King of Canaan before the sons of Israel”
In the accounting of the events, the writer of Judges had no question in their mind God did it, because God Acts. This is the main point I believe God is speaking to us through Judges 4: God is always working, in every and any circumstance.
Consider the reading today!
Difficulty in this truth, I know, but let's let the Spirit speak to us
God is for you! Not against you! He is not eliminating us, but perfecting us! Through things you wouldn’t expect . Tragedy, pain, suffering. Through things that “resist” God. Through things that seem circumstantialDaily life, encounters, and “chance”. We serve an amazing and loving God who is constantly pursuing His people. Can we recognize it? Can we worship Him for it?
Examen: Practice reflection & listening
Surrender: Practice Humility & PeacePraise: Practice Joy & Testimony
Key Takeaway
To avoid getting stuck in a cycle of sin, keep your eyes fixed on the cross.
Judges 2:10-19 - Today's Big Idea - Israel's cycle of sin is a bad habit that Jesus died to end.Key Takeaway - To avoid getting stuck in a cycle of sin, keep your eyes fixed on the cross.
1. The Shape of the Cycle
Picture Israel's pattern like this:
2. When Compromise Creates a Crisis
"After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel."
(Judges 2:10 NIV)
Key Truth: Half-hearted devotion produces children who don't know God.
3. Sin Is Never Private
"Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. They forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors..." (Judges 2:11-13 NIV)
4. The Anger of Love
"In his anger against Israel the Lord gave them into the hands of raiders who plundered them..." (Judges 2:14-15 NIV)
5. The Mystery of the Judge
"Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders."
(Judges 2:16 NIV)
Quote from Dale Ralph Davis: "The One who 'gave them into the hand of the
plunderers' also 'saved them from the hand of the plunderers'; the hand that is against them is nevertheless mysteriously for them. Here is the fundamental miracle of the Bible: that the God who rightly casts us down should—without reason—stoop to lift us up."
6. Breaking Free from Our Cycles
Jesus Christ is the Judge who never dies. He's the Deliverer who doesn't just rescue us from the consequences of our sin—He destroys the power of sin itself.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8 NIV)
7. Fixing Our Eyes on the Cross
Will we keep running in circles, or will we fix our eyes on the One who broke thecycle forever?
Small Group Discussion Questions
1. What does the cycle of sin in Judges teach us about human nature and our tendency to forget God's faithfulness?
2. The text says "another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor
what he had done for Israel." How can we ensure that the next generation knows God? What practical steps can we take?
3. How does compromise in our spiritual lives lead to crisis? Can you share an example from your own life or observation?
4. The sermon mentions that "sin is never private." How do our personal choices affect those around us, especially our families?
5. How do we reconcile God's anger with His love? What does this passage teach us about God's character?
6. Dale Ralph Davis describes God as the One who "rightly casts us down" yet "stoops to lift us up." How have you experienced this paradox in your own faith journey?
7. How is Jesus different from the judges in the Old Testament? Why is it significant that He is "the Judge who never dies"?
Sermon Notes
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." - George Santayana
This morning we begin our journey through the book of Judges—a mirror held up to both ancient Israel and our modern world. Judges describes a time of chaos, violence, political disorder, and moral confusion. It was a time when, as the final verse says, “There was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Sound familiar?
The book exposes what happens when people abandon truth and live by personal preference instead of God’s direction.
As we study Judges, we’ll see a repeating pattern of compromise—how God’s people drifted from obedience to rebellion, from blessing to bondage, from repentance to renewal. And in seeing their pattern, we’ll be challenged to recognize our own tendencies and to rediscover what it means to live under God’s rule, not our own.
Backdrop:
Israel has just lost Joshua. They’re leaderless, standing at the edge of the Promised Land, with the opportunity to live out God’s promises. But without strong leadership and faithful obedience, they begin to compromise—and that’s where the story begins. Israel shows us a pattern of life that leads to compromise with the world. And if we can recognize that pattern, we can avoid repeating their mistakes.
Look at their response in…
Judges 1:3–4 NIV
The men of Judah then said to the Simeonites their fellow Israelites, “Come up with us into the territory allotted to us, to fight against the Canaanites. We in turn will go with you into yours.” So the Simeonites went with them. When Judah attacked, the Lord gave the Canaanites and Perizzites into their hands, and they struck down ten thousand men at Bezek.
THE TURNING POINT: ENCOUNTERING RESISTANCE
This is exactly what happens to Israel in…
Judges 1:19–20 NIV
The Lord was with the men of Judah. They took possession of the hill country, but they were unable to drive the people from the plains, because they had chariots fitted with iron. As Moses had promised, Hebron was given to Caleb, who drove from it the three sons of Anak.
Judges 1:21 NIV
The Benjamites, however, did not drive out the Jebusites, who were living in Jerusalem; to this day the Jebusites live there with the Benjamites.
Judges 1:27 NIV
But Manasseh did not drive out the people of Beth Shan or Taanach or Dor or Ibleam or Megiddo and their surrounding settlements, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that land.
Judges 1:29 NIV
Nor did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer, but the Canaanites continued to live there among them.
THE CONFRONTATION: GOD'S QUESTION
In chapter 2, God sends an angel to confront them. And the angel asks a devastating question…
Judges 2:1–2 NIV
The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land I swore to give to your ancestors. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you, and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.’ Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this?
“I can't do it.”
“You won't do it.”
THE PATTERN: TWO BIG LOSSES
First, we lose sight of what matters most.
Second, we lose our distinction.
"God wanted Israel to take the entire land of Canaan, but instead they only cleared out some areas and they learned to live with idols in their midst. In other words, they neither wholly rejected God nor wholly accepted him. This halfway discipleship and compromise is depicted by the book of Judges as an impossible, unstable compound. God wants all of our lives, not
just part." Timothy Keller
THE HOPE: GOD'S UNCHANGING COVENANT
God is a God of grace.
Look at what the angel declares about the character of God in verse 1:
Judges 2:1 NIV
Are you in the enthusiasm phase?
Are you in the resistance phase?
Are you in the compromise phase?
God wants all of your life, not just part.
Join Pastor Josh, Jaiyla LelaCheur and Clement Lye as they explore thew Holy Moment of Worship
This service features three speakers, Pastor Josh, Worship Director, Jaiyla LelaCheur and one of our worship leaders and a leader in our church, Clement Lye.
Clement Lye - A Testimony
Psalm 27:13 NASB1995
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Pastor Josh Stelly - Worship in Spirit: The Heart of the Matter
Matthew 19:14 NLT - But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”
Psalm 127:3 NLT - Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.
1) Worship in Spirit
Isaiah 2:3 NLT - People from many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of Jacob’s God. There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem.
1 Corinthians 3:16–17 NLT - Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
2) Worship in Truth - The Foundation of Faith
Psalm 95:6–7 NLT - Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today!
Jaiyla LelaCheur - Worship as a Response
Revelation 4:8-11 - Amplified Version
And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes all over and within [underneath their wings]; and day and night they never stop saying, “Holy, holy, holy [is the] Lord God, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all], who was and who is and who is to come [the unchanging, eternal God].” [Is 6:1-3; Rev 1:4]
Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanksgiving to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever,the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever; and they throw down their crowns before the throne, saying,
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they exist, and were created and brought into being.”
Isaiah 6:3 - Amplified Version
And one called out to another, saying, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is filled with His glory.”
Pastor Josh Stelly - Worship as Lifestyle
1) Living Sacrifice - The Daily Offering
Romans 12:1 NLTAnd so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
2) The Transformation Process
Romans 12:2 NLT - Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Psalm 95:1–2 NLT - Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him.
This message is being shared in a season where many people are carrying heavy hearts — wrestling with fear, anger, anxiety,and grief over what’s happening in our nation and in the world. The goal of this sermon is not to give political commentary or quick answers, but to help us recenter our hearts on God’s character and presence in the middle of confusion and uncertainty.Through the prophet Habakkuk, we learn that God invites our honest questions — that real faith is not silent, but seeking. Habakkuk lived in a time of moral decline, violence, and national instability, and yet through his dialogue with God he discovered that the righteous live by faith not by sight Through the story of Jesus in the boat with His disciples, we learn that even when God seems silent, He is not absent. The One who calmed the storm still reigns over every wave of fear, division, and doubt we face today. Drawing from Scripture and from spiritual discernment practices (as outlined by Ruth Haley Barton in Pursuing God’s Will Together), this message invites the church to become a discerning people — a people who listen for God’s voice, wait for His direction, and respond with trust instead of panic. We will ask reflective questions that move us from reaction to revelation, from anxiety to awareness of God’s presence. The heart of this sermon is simple but powerful: Even when we don’t understand God’s plan, we can trust His character.This is a call to spiritual steadiness, unity, and worship — to fix our eyes on Jesus in a world that feels adrift. May this message help our community grow in faithful discernment, courage, and peace as we seek God’s will together.
Introduction — When the World Shakes
“God, what are You doing—and how do we live faithfully in times like these?”
1. When God Seems Silent
Habakkuk 1:2–4
Habakkuk 1:5
Habakkuk 2:4
Habakkuk 3:17–18
2. Peace in the Middle of the Storm
Mark 4:37–38
A. The moment in the disciples’ journey
B. The power and purpose of the storm
Mark 4:40
C. What this means for discernment today
3. A Biblical Response When Our Nation Faces Troubling Times
A. When you feel fear — Remember Who is in control
Psalm 56:3
Psalm 46:1
B. When you feel anger — Let it move you to righteous action, not sinful reaction
Ephesians 4:26
James 1:20
C. When you feel anxiety — Anchor your mind in the peace of God
Philippians 4:6–7
D. When you feel grief — Lament with hope
Matthew 5:4
E. When you don’t know what to do — Fix your eyes on Jesus
Hebrews 12:2
The Questions We Need to Bring Before God
If we truly want to discern God’s will in these times, here are some questions we might consider bringing before Him:
Living This Out — Discerning God’s Will in Troubling Times
So how do we live this out when times are troubling?It begins by living those questions daily — and by learning what Ruth Haley Barton calls “the practice of discernment.” Barton reminds us that discernment is not decision-making — it’s attention. It’s the ever-increasing capacity to notice and respond to the activity of God in every situation, rather than react in fear or control.
Here are key lessons drawn from her wisdom and Scripture:
1. Slow down to see clearly.
2. Begin with transformation, not information.
3. Cultivate indifference — wanting God’s will, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.
4. Practice listening — to God, to each other, and to your own soul.
5. Trust unity and peace as fruit of the Spirit’s leading.
Sermon Notes
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Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist, is not just a church tradition.
It is a sacred command given by Jesus Himself on the night He was betrayed.
Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist, is not just a church tradition.
It is a sacred command given by Jesus Himself on the night He was betrayed.
What is Communion?
1. Communion is a Sacred Act of Remembrance
Luke 22:14-20
“When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
Jesus established communion as a tangible way to remember His sacrifice.
Isaiah 53:5-10
2. Communion Declares the Gospel
1 Corinthians 11:26
“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”
When you hold the bread and cup, you are bearing witness to the greatest truth in history—that Jesus saves
Communion is a visible sermon:
When you hold the bread and cup, you are bearing witness to the greatest truth in history—that Jesus saves.
3. Communion Unites Us as the Body of Christ
1 Corinthians 10:16 -17
“Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.”
Ephesians 4:4-9 NIV“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
4. Communion Calls Us to Examine Ourselves
1 Corinthians 11:28 29 NLT
“So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself.”
Jesus Himself taught us how to pray by saying, “forgive us our sins, as we also forgive those who have sinned against us...”
Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins.”
Before receiving the bread and cup, ask: “Am I walking in repentance and faith? Am I reconciled with my brothers and sisters?” “Am I forgiving those in my life, so that I, too, may be forgiven?”
5. Communion Points Us Forward in Hope
Matthew 26:29
“I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
Communion is sacred. It is not simply bread and juice—it is a holy encounter with the living Christ.
Let us approach the table today not as spectators, but as participants in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Sermon Notes
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When was the last time you seriously considered the revolutionary implicationsof your own baptism — not just for your personal salvation, but for how youengage a broken world?
#1 - What the Early Church Knew About Baptism
#2 - The Significance of Jesus’ Baptism
Matthew 3:13–17 NIV- Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”Jesus replied “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
1. Identification with Sinners
2. Affirmation of Sonship
3. Anointing for Mission
4. Foreshadowing Death and Resurrection
#3 - Baptism as Death: The End of the Old Self
Romans 6:3–4 NIV- Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead throughthe glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Application for Kingdom Impact: Instead of focusing on what’s wrong with others, baptism calls us to examine what old patterns and attitudes need to die in us.
#4 - Baptism as Resurrection: The Birth of the New Self
Romans 6:4–5 NIV- We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.
#5 - Baptism as Declaration: Public Commitment to the Mission
Matthew 28:19–20 NLT- Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teachthese new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
#6 - A Modern Catechumenate: What We Need to Recover
#7 - Living Out Our Baptism: The Three Questions
1. Who is your neighbor that you are loving towards Jesus?2. Who are you discipling right now?3. Who is discipling you?
“When we emerge from those sacred waters, we shine like the sun, having put off the old person and put on Christ himself.”John Chrysostom
Holy Moments: The Holy Moment of Confession
Where Heaven Touches Earth
Encountering God's Grace Through Honest Confession
Four important ways for you to embrace confession as a way of life with Jesus:
1) The Reality of Our Need
1 John 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
2) The Promise of Forgiveness
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
3) The Power of Confession
Psalm 51:10–12 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
First, confession creates a clean heart.
Second, confession restores joy.
Third, confession renews our spirit and relationship with God.
Third, confession renews our spirit and relationship with God.
4) The Practice of Confession
First, private confession to God.
Second, confession within community.
James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Third, the humility modeled by the tax collector.
Application: Living in the Freedom of Confession
Three practical ways you can apply confession to your way of life with Jesus
First, make confession a regular spiritual discipline.
Second, create space for corporate confession in our worship.
Third, embrace the freedom that comes from living transparently before God.
1 John 1:9 NIV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
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Revelation 21:1-8
Big Idea: God's ultimate plan is not destruction, but re-creation—making all things new and beautiful.
This is a key insight that changes everything: God's plan is renewal, not replacement. He's not looking to scrap everything and start over. He's looking to take what exists—what he declared "very good" in Genesis—and make it new again.
Revelation 21:1-8
Big Idea: God's ultimate plan is not destruction, but re-creation—making all things new and beautiful.
This is a key insight that changes everything: God's plan is renewal, not replacement. He's not looking to scrap everything and start over. He's looking to take what exists—what he declared "very good" in Genesis—and make it new again.
Point #1: God renovates creation rather than replacing it.
Revelation 21:1 NIV
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.What does this mean for us today?
Several things:
• First, the physical world matters to God.
• Second, our bodies matter
.• Third, social justice matters.
Point #2: The goal of all history is God dwelling with his people.
Revelation 21:2 NIV
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.Revelation 21:3 NIVAnd I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.Revelation 21:4 NIV‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Point #3: God renews what exists rather than creating something entirely different.
Revelation 21:5 NIV
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Point #4: God offers renewal as a gift, but the choice is ours.
Revelation 21:6 NIV
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.
Revelation 21:7 NIV
Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
Revelation 21:8 NIV
But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.
Point #5: The new creation vision transforms present living.
Final Challenge: What broken area of your life do you need to entrust to God's promise to make all things new?
Sermon Notes
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Central Idea Today: The church is called to be faithful witnesses even when it leads to suffering—and God’s glory will be known. We live in a time of increasing cultural tensions around Christian witness. Our beliefs about truth, morality, and the gospel are increasingly at odds with the prevailing cultural narrative. Speaking biblical truth about marriage, sexuality, the sanctity of life, or the exclusivity of Christ can cost us relationships, opportunities, even employment. Many Christians are asking: How do we remain faithful witnesses in such an environment? This morning we turn to Revelation 11, which gives us perhaps the most vivid picture in all of Scripture of witness, suffering, and vindication. In this passage, John describes two witnesses who prophesy, suffer persecution, are killed, and then are vindicated by God through resurrection and ascension.
I. The Calling: Prophetic Witness (Revelation 11:1-6)
Let's begin by looking at verses 1-6, where we see that the church is called to prophetic witness in a hostile world.
I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. But excludethe outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” They are “the two olive trees” and the two lampstands, and “they stand before the Lord of the earth.” If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.
II. The Cost: Suffering and Death (Revelation 11:7-10)
Looking at verses 7-10, we see that faithful witness often leads to rejection and persecution.
Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.
III. The Vindication: Resurrection and Ascension (Revelation 11:11-13)
Verses 11-13 show us that God will vindicate his faithful witnesses for His glory.
But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on. At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
The Hope for Today
Here is the hope: God has ultimate victory From this passage, we learn four crucial truths for faithful witnesses:
1. Faithful Witness Will Be Costly
Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave isnot greater than the master.’ Since theypersecuted me, naturally they will persecuteyou. And if they had listened to me, theywould listen to you.
2. God's Protection Has Limits and Purposes
3. Truth May Be Rejected But Won't Be Defeated
4. Vindication May Be Delayed But Is Certain
What truth is God calling you to speakfaithfully, regardless of the cost?
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Theodicy- the vindication of divine goodness and providence in view of the existence of evil
“Theology cannot always deliver. It cannot answer where the revelation does not.”- Marty, Martin E. “Introduction.” in A Little Exercise for Young Theologians. Thielicke, Helmut. 1959, 1962. Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Clarifying Evil in Scripture
1. Sin- falling short of the glory of God
Luke 6:45
2. Satan- the literal enemy of our souls
Genesis 3:1&5
Isaiah 14:12-15
John 8:44
3. Babylon- the literal and figurative anti-Christ kingdom
Systematic approach to the existence of evil
Since humanity sins in their hearts and minds, our enemy attempts to persuade us in rebellion against God’s reign. As more are persuaded, wickedness grows into a kingdom that is anti-Christ.
God and Evil
Ezekiel 36:26-27
Romans 8:2
Luke 10:18-19
1 John 4:4
Matthew 16:18
John 16:33
Evil still exists because:
1. People return to it
1 Peter 2:20
2. Satan is persistent
1 Peter 5:8
Evil Submits to God’s will
1. Evil is given boundaries
Job 1:12
Luke 22:31-32
Revelation 20:2-3
2. Evil advances the Will of God
Jeremiah 32:28-29
John 13:26-27
3. Evil reveals what is in the hearts of mankind
God’s edict against evil
Revelation 5
I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. 4 Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it; 5 and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.”
6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. 7 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8 When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” 13 And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” 14 And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped
The “Problem” with Evil isn’t a problem for God
Evil is an ant at God’s picnic
Takeaways:
Don’t play with the anthill
Make ready the table
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Psalm 91:1–2 NIV
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
1. Prayer: A Lifeline, Not a Tool
Psalm 91:15 NIV
He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
Philippians 4:6–7 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Psalm 145:18 NLT
The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.
2. Treasuring the Moments We Have
Psalm 91:16 NIV
With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.
Psalm 39:4 NIV
“Show me, LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.
Ephesians 5:15–16 NIV
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil
3. The Sacred Art of Slowing Down
Psalm 91:1 NIV
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 46:10 NIV
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Matthew 11:28–29 NLT
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you.
Mark 1:35 NIV
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went up to a solitary place, where he prayed.
4. Sovereignty and Surrender
Psalm 91:3–4 NIV
Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Isaiah 55:8–9 NIV
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 46:9–10 NIV
Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’
5. Everyone Has a Story
Psalm 91:11 NIV
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
Galatians 6:2 NIV
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Isaiah 61:1 NIV
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
Hebrews 13:2 NIV
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
Psalm 91:14–16 NIV
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Psalm 46:1–2 NIV
God is our refuge and strength, an ever- present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea
Pray as if your life depends on it - because it does.
Love the people in your life like every day might be your last together - because it might be.
Surrender control to the One who actually has it.
And remember that in your darkest valley, you are surrounded by His presence and His people.
Psalm 23:4 NIV
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Philippians 4:7 NIV
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Follow Along with the Message
Revelation 1:4-6- John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
The Letter to Ephesus- Revelation 2:1-7
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary.
The Letter to Smyrna- Revelation 2:8-11
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Continue to study:
The Letter to Pergamum- Revelation 2:12-17
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
The Letter to Thyatira- Revelation 2:18-29
“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this: ‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
The Letter to Sardis- Revelation 3:1-6
“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.
The Letter to Philadelphia- Revelation 3:7-13
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: ‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
The Letter to Laodicea- Revelation 3:14-22
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
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The Book of Revelation: “Hope in the Storm”
Revelation 1:1-2 - This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, 2 who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
“REVELATION” literally means “unveiling ”!
Knowing that JESUS WINS is our source of our HOPE !
Rev. 1:1b - which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John.
Rev. 1:1b-2 - He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, 2 who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
1) REVELATION BRINGS BLESSING
Revelation 1:3 God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.
A blessing for the Reader
A blessing for the Hearers
A blessing for the Obedient
REVELATION OFFERS US GRACE & PEACE
Revelation 1:4-6 - This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; 5 and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. 6 He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
John’s desire is for everyone who reads this letter to filled with GRACE & PEACE.
2) THE FULL REVELATION OF GOD’S POWER
A. The power of God the Father
(v. 4) "the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come"
B. The power of the Holy Spirit
(v. 4b ) "The seven spirits who are before his throne"
C. The power of Jesus Christ
(v. 5a) "The faithful witness" … "The firstborn of the dead" … "The ruler of kings on earth"
3) REVELATION PROMISES HIS COMING
Revelation 1:7-8 - Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him—even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen! 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.”
A. The Certainty of His Coming (v. 7a)
Rev. 1:7a - "Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven"
Acts 1:9-11 - After saying this, he [Jesus] was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” NLT
Hebrews 12:11 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. NLT
B. The Visibility of His Coming
Rev. 1:7b - And everyone will see him—even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him."
C. The Lord’s Declaration of Authority
Revelation 1:8 - “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.” NLT
Throughout the Book of Revelation the main character is JESUS !
Sermon Notes Coming Soon!