Sermons About The-gospel
Suffering for the Sake of the Gospel
Acts 14:1-28 A powerful example of what it means to suffer for the sake of the gospel was lived out during WWII by a man named Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor and theologian who participated in the German Resistance movement against Nazism and was a founding member of the Confessing Church. His involvement in plans by members of the German Military Intelligence Office to assassinate Adolf Hitler resulted in his arrest in April 1943 and his subsequent execution by hanging in April 1945, shortly before the war's end. Bonhoeffer's willingness to die in the service of the Lord was exhibited by the peacefulness he extolled during his suffering in the concentration camps and his fervent and expectant prayer to God as he was taken to be executed. He died as a bold and brave servant to the Lord. This is a powerful example of discipleship, which is to joyfully suffer for the gospel of Christ. Like the story of Bonhoeffer, the passage in Acts 14:1-28 should encourage and motivate us to courageously share the gospel everywhere we go no matter what opposition, rejection, or persecution we may face. From the verses in this passage, we learn about four stopping points for Paul and Barnabas as they finished up their first missionary journey. They 1. Relied and Retreated from Iconium (vv. 1-7) 2. Were Revered and Rejected in Lystra (vv. 8-20) 3. Revisited and Refreshed the Churches (vv. 21-23) 4. Reported and Recuperated in Antioch (vv. 24-28) We have been called to suffer for Christ and to suffer for the gospel. If we are being faithful to share the gospel, it is not a question of "if", but "when" persecution will come. We may never be stoned for the gospel's sake as the apostle Paul was, but no matter what form our persecution comes in, the suffering will be worth it because we know that our lives are in the hands of a loving God, who promises His protection. We should take joy in the privilege and honor of serving our Lord. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer said about his suffering: "It is a badge of discipleship".
0 Amens
Gospel Compelled Evangelism
Evangelism is not only sharing the gospel verbally but living out the gospel before a watching and cynical world. What is the gospel message? This message is chiefly about the person and finished work of Jesus Christ. Compelled by this great truth, disciples of Jesus Christ will gladly and humbly pick up the baton and carry on the task of evangelism using the message, means and manner prescribed by God.
0 Amens
Religion vs. Gospel
Religion teaches that we must keep to a strict high standard in order to please, appease and win the right to be blessed by God. It virtually has the same framework as atheism in that our own efforts achieve a higher purpose and enlightenment, but rather than reaching God we become our own God. The gospel is utterly different than these forms of self-righteousness. Instead, Jesus came down to live a perfect life and freely gives it to us. What a scandal!
0 Amens
Burning, Flying, Basket, Horses - Zechariah 4, 5, 6
The conclusion of Zechariah's 8 visions reveals the importance of two Messianic figures as the highlight of the Jewish Eschatological Hope and the call to live mindful of God's impending judgment upon the world. This is also an important reminder of the Gospel of the true Messiah.
0 Amens
Jesus vs. Peanut Butter and Jelly Progressivism
The Athenians were hard-core progressivists who needed to hear that God is not served with human hands as though He needed anything, since He gives life, and breath, and everything to all things. In fact God even sets up boundaries for nations and appoints leaders over these nations so that the people might feel their way to God after they realize their progressivism is like spending your whole life figuring out how to make a better peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
0 Amens
Let's Grow!
In this sermon, Pastor Phil exhorts us to growth based on the core truth of the Gospel. One of the ways we pursue growth is through involvement in the lives of others.
0 Amens
Born to Die
Sometimes you have to look backward to move forward. Believe it or not, Christmas originally did not revolve around heightened stress levels, maxed out credit cards, and a big man in a furry suit. This year, we invite you to step back in time. The true story behind Christmas is a historical event filled with people a lot like us. Like us, they often struggled to make ends meet. Like us, they battled tall odds to keep their families intact. And like us, as Christmas arrived on the scene, they had no idea what was coming. Come explore the story of Vintage Christmas. If you listen closely it will change your life.
0 Amens
Unstoppable: The Legacy Of Stephen
Stephen's martyrdom advances The Gospel and grows The Church.
0 Amens
