Recent Sermons

Sermon20130915

2 Corinthians 10:7-18 (NASB)
7 You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we.
8 For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame,
9 for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.
10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.”
11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.
12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.
13 But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.
14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ;
15 not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you,
16 so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another.
17 But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD.
18 For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.

Introduction:

Review:

Theme:Two aspects of a gospel ministry to acknowledge so you can serve Christ in greater humility

I. Understand the leverage of a Gospel Ministry vv. 7-11

leverage –
1. the exertion of force by means of a lever
2. the power to influence. Concise Oxford English Dictionary

A. He’s confident he belongs to Christ vs.7

B. He’s proud of his authority in Christ vs. 8

C. He’s effective in both his public and personal ministry for Christ vs.9-11

II. Accept the limitations of a Gospel Ministry vv.12-18

A. He avoids human in the gospel ministry vs. 12

B. He brags within the of his gospel ministry vv. 13-17

C. He receives from Christ alone to approve his gospel ministry vs.18

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Sermon20130908

2 Corinthians 10:1-6 (NASB)

1 Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ — I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent!
2 I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,
4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

Introduction:

Theme: Five areas in which spiritual leaders lead so you won’t lose sight of where the war is fought

I. They lead with Christ – like character vs 1

II. They lead with candor vs. 2

III. They lead with conviction vv3-4

IV. They lead with concerted focus vs.5

V. They lead with calculation vs.6

How is the Gospel under attack
Attributes of God are misrepresented
Deity of Christ is denied
Sinfulness of man misrepresented
The Bible is under attack.

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Sermon20130901

2 Corinthians 10:1-6 (NASB)

1 Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ — I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent!
2 I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,
4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

Introduction:

Theme: Five areas in which spiritual leaders lead so you won’t lose sight of where the war is fought

I. They lead with Christ – like character vs 1

II. They lead with candor vs. 2

III. They lead with vv3-4

IV. They lead with focus vs.5

V. They lead with vs.6

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Sermon20130825

Theme: Three reasons why Christ instituted His church so we will renew our devotion to His purposes for our existence in this world.

I. Looking up – refers to our worship of God
II. Looking in – refers to our work in the body
III. Looking out – refers to our witness in the world

Application:

A. Two Areas for Special Consideration:
1. Developing church leaders
2. Reaching our community

a. What the Bible teaches

b. Where we are struggling

c. What we can do about it

B. A Hopeful Future
Where are we heading? How will we get there?

1. Carefully identify the target group to aim at.
a. College Students
b. Children

2. Prayerfully implement a strategic outreach plan

a. College Outreach – CSUN
b. Consistent and aggressive in outreach to children
c. Sustained ministry to youth group age.
d. Developing members to sustain these ministries
e. Curtail traditional ministries.

3. Faithfully inquire as to every members role in contributing to is plan

a. Spiritual Gifts
b. Stretching Individuals

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Sermon20130818

Theme: Three reasons why Christ instituted His church so we will renew our devotion to His purposes for our existence in this world.

I. Looking up – refers to our worship of God
II. Looking in – refers to our work in the body
III. Looking out – refers to our witness in the world

A. A local or community focus
B. A global or missions focus

Application: Two Areas for Special Consideration:
A. Developing leaders
1. What the Bible teaches

2. Where we are struggling

3. What we can do about it

B. Reaching our community
1. What the Bible teaches

2. Where we are struggling

3. What we can do about it

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Sermon20130811

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Sermon20130804

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Sermon20130728

Theme : Three roles a faithful ministry partner fills so you will understand his importance in ministry.

Acts 9:27 (NASB)
27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.

I. He has your back

Acts 11:22-30 (NASB)
22 The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch.
23 Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;
24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.
25 And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul;
26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
27 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28 One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius.
29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea.
30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.
Acts 12:25 (NASB)
12 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission, taking along with them John, who was also called Mark.

II. He serves at your side
A. The Ministry of Discipleship
B. The Ministry of

Acts 13-15

III. He goes out before you
A. He accepts the role he has been called to.
B. He defers to the role he must come in to.

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Sermon20130721

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Sermon20130714

2 Corinthians 8:16-24 (NASB)
16 But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus.
17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest, he has gone to you of his own accord.
18 We have sent along with him the brother whose fame in the things of the gospel has spread through all the churches;
19 and not only this, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work, which is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our readiness,
20 taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift;
21 for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
22 We have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found diligent in many things, but now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you.
23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ.
24 Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.

Theme: Three stages in the proper administration of Christian contributions so you will have confidence in the stewardship of your gifts.

I. Commencing the gift vv. 16-17
A. God is the primary initiator
B. God works through men to commence the giving

II. Collecting and delivering the gift vv. 18-23
A. Accountability
B. Integrity
C. Reputations matter

III. Completing the gift v.24

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