Sermons About Irvine
I Became the Shepherd - Zechariah 11
God loves His sheep; but do His sheep love Him? Will they ever love Him? Zechariah is charged with a task of shepherding the flock of the returning remnant. He has plans to prosper them and to defend them -- but the sheep rebel, and the other shepherds don't appreciate him. Will there ever be a day when Israel follows the voice of their true shepherd? Yes! But the true shepherd must first lay down his life for them. Not simply to protect the sheep from wolves; but also from the just judgment of God that they so deserve!
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How Do You See It Now? (pt 2) - Haggai 2
The 3rd oracle of Haggai aims at convicting a people thought to be faithful in their building a place for God; but who ignored His place in every other arena of life. This persistent sin of Israel is also a matter for our own life too. Haggai's final oracle will again express the Jewish eschatological hope -- a Messiah will come! For Haggai, Zerubabbel (a descendant of King David) prominently pre-figures the choice of God to deliver God's chosen on the Day of Judgment. (a mini-review of the main points of Haggai 2 concludes this message).
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The Spirit Stirs Again - Haggai 1
Haggai is considered a, "minor prophet." But his short ministry brought about a major revival for the Old Testament remnant who had returned from captivity. Haggai is exactly the prophetic word the church needs to hear today! The political, social, and economic landscape of our day can tempt the church to ignore the call to seek God's kingdom first. Haggai will remind us about the importance of truth, God's reputation, the importance of leadership, and the power of the Spirit to stir the hearts of God's people. (Message given on Pentecost Sunday).
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Is Jesus a Trader?
The scriptures teach from the beginning that the Savior will strike a serpent's head; yet he would take it on the heal! Why did the Savior leave all of glory to be so humiliated? How does he take what is rightfully ours and make it his? How does he take that which is rightfully his, and make it ours? Is this a fair trade?
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Prophecy Clock
Daniel chapter 9 is a key text for many eschatological constructions. Found therein is a "timeline" of activity that brings to Israel another episode of salvation and judgment. How should we understand the details of this chapter? First of all, by not divorcing it from the other visions of Daniel which communicate similar truths, and remaining consistent with the promises God makes with His covenant people.
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You Know Abraham?
Jesus dialogues with a group of religious leaders who, by their questions, just don't understand who Jesus is and what he plans to do!
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O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Much of John 7 is a difficult conversation with Jesus extended family, disciples, and religious leaders. They wanted Jesus to "Show himself to the world," but was the world prepared to see the incarnation (God in the flesh)? This section of scripture asks us to struggle along!
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Walk On or Walk Away (The Savior meets grumblers of God's grace)
Jesus not only says that he is the Bread of Life, but he also says that he is the Son of Man -- both have eternal significance! "Eternal significance" is also the description of God's grace! Grace begins there and ends there -- why do people grumble about this?
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Fed and Filled (Jesus meets the crowds)
Is the lesson of the feeding of the 5000 that Jesus can really do a lot with a little? Or is it a message to what kind of followers he would have? Jesus will show us over what kind of kingdom he will preside! Over followers who, when tested, will lift up their eyes and see God at work. Over followers who will even suggest embarrassing options if they know it can serve others. Over followers convinced that Jesus will have enough for them even after serving crowds. Over followers convinced that if they don’t have Jesus, they won’t survive!
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Let's Get Wholly! (Jesus meets the religious leaders)
The religious leaders will meet the Savior in John 5 and learn that he brings healing (wholeness). Jesus demonstrates how God Himself worked. The problem is: Jesus shows us how God works on a day devoted to "rest." Are we OK with Jesus breaking the Law in order to heal? Then again, wasn't this the very reason for the Sabbath -- for God's people to become whole?! (Apologies for the poor recording this week!)
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