Colossians 1:28: Healthy Churches Have Gospel-Grounded Identity: Part One
Outline Introduction Election Justification Adoption Introduction Healthy Churches have a Gospel-grounded identity. What we are hoping to show today is that in order for a church to be healthy, it must be grounded in the gospel, and in particular to see its identity grounded in the gospel. To try and get at this topic I would like us to read Colossians 1:28-29 together, ‘Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.’
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Matthew 5:38-48: Selflessness
Outline Turning the other cheek Going the second mile Giving to those who ask Loving the unlovely Introduction This portion of the Sermon on the mount is probably the most famous, besides the Lord’s prayer. However, it is probably the most misunderstood, and misinterpreted. Many a Christian has bound their consciences with a hyperliteral interpretation of this portion ending up as pacifists, refusing to sign up for military service, as radical pacifists not allowing for any army, police force, or other means of resisting evil, as victims of professional beggars who know some Christians cant say no to anyone...
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Ephesians 6:17: The Sword of the Spirit: Part One
Outline The sword that gives life The sword that transforms character Introduction In Pilgrim’s Progress in the Valley of Humiliation on Christian’s journey to the Heavenly City he encounters Apollyon, i.e. the devil. Here is how it went: Apollyon: Whence come you, and whither are you bound? Christian: I am come from the city of Destruction, which is the place of all evil, and am going to the City of Zion. Apollyon: By this I perceive thou art one of my subjects; for all that country is mine, and I am the prince and god of it. How is...
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Ephesians 6:17: The Helmet of Salvation
Outline The certainty of hope The fight for hope The effect of hope Introduction The typical picture of hopelessness is one taken from WWII. In the concentration camps the soldiers would give the prisoners menial tasks. In one camp the prisoners were told to move a huge pile of dirt from one side of the prison camp to the other. Once this was completed they were then commanded to move it back again. This endless cycle of meaninglessness with no light at the end of the tunnel caused many to deliberately throw themselves upon the electric fences to end...
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Ephesians 4:1-16: Vertical and Horizontal Unity for Christians
Thanks to Ryan Vinten for preaching this afternoon. Ryan is an Associate Pastor at Gracenet Community Church in Wellington. Ephesians 4:1-16: Unity in the Body of Christ 1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5...
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Ephesians 6:14b: Justification and the Breastplate of Righteousness
Outline Interpreting accusations Interpreting circumstances Introduction At different times, with different audiences I have had to adjust how I have preached the gospel. When I was involved in high school ministry I usually started with my testimony sharing something of my background to gain come common ground with the kids and then move towards the gospel usually stating evidences for Christianity. When I did street evangelism I would encounter those who had no knowledge of Christianity and so not only have to preach Christ as Saviour but God as Creator as well covering the story line of the bible....
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Ephesians 6:14b: Sanctification and the Breastplate of Righteousness
Outline Counterfeit holiness True holiness Introduction Western Christianity, of which we are a part, can best be described by Christ’s words to the churches of Sardis and Laodicea, Rev. 3:1b-5, ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not...
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The Spirit Filled Marriage 9: The Priority of Holiness
Outline Holiness in marriage Holiness by marriage Introduction When Lynn and I got married, we asked our pastor to not skimp on the preaching of God’s word and give us a full sermon. We still remember the points of that sermon. He spoke about the purpose of marriage and had 4 ‘P’s to answer. Marriage is for procreation, partnership, pleasure and perfection. It is this last purpose of marriage, perfection that we will be considering this morning. Paul has commanded husbands to love their wives, v25. This action is not self-determined and defined but Paul tells us Christ’s self-giving...
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The Spirit Filled Marriage 8: The Power of Words
Outline Words of Christ Words of the heart Words of power Introduction Words have power! With words Martin Luther King could persuade many to turn from racism. With words Winston Churchill gave courage to a nation being ravaged by war. With words a child’s self-image can be shaped for life. With words husbands and wives can build one another up. With words we can make people feel worthless and drive them towards suicide. With words we can undermine and trivialise a person’s life work. Words start wars, order executions, define perceptions, convey love, can be weapons of hate, and...
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The Spirit Filled Marriage 6: Headship
Outline What it isn’t What it is Introduction ‘I hate him. I hate him because he made me feel worthless, inadequate—like a nonperson, a slave. I could never do anything that made him happy. I always came short of the mark. I was always desperately working to win his approval. I hate him for the crummy way he made me feel about myself. I don’t know whether I will ever get over the hurt he caused in my life.’ These are the words of a wife whose husband has failed to be the loving head of the home. Today...
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Colossians 3:1-4: Our fight against sin: 3 truths that will help us
Outline: The reality of a new relationship to sin; The reality of a new citizenship; Assured reality of final victory
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