Sermon Notes Life in the Household of God An Invitation into a Story Matthew 1:1-17 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: Every living person wants to believe that his story matters. That her life counts for something. But how can we make sure? How can we guarantee that our lives will actually be significant? There’s one way,… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Life in the Household of God 1 Timothy 5:1-8 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: There’s an old saying that reminds: “You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family.” Well, the same is true in the household of God. When the Lord saves us, He places us into a family of believers,… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes When Progress Seems Impossible Select Scriptures Pastor John Sloan Introduction: In the final three chapters of 1 Timothy, the Apostle Paul issues a number of imperatives to the Church. In keeping with his pattern, he uses athletic imagery to describe the Christian’s approach to life: “train yourself for godliness,” “fight the good fight,”… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Training Days 1 Timothy 4:6-10 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: We all know people who have professed Jesus as Savior, prayed the so-called sinner’s prayer, and then ultimately turned from the faith. In fact, some of the earliest Christians at Ephesus, who had determined to follow Jesus at great cost, even “departed from the… Continue Reading
Misguided Notions about God 1 Timothy 4:1-5 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: The world is full of bad theology. Wrong views about God. And while no one is immune to these misguided notions about our Creator—because we are broken people whose hearts, wills, and minds have been tainted by sin, none of us has perfect understanding… Continue Reading
Christ’s Heart for the Lost Matthew 9:35-38 Pastor Brent Whitefield Introduction: Christ’s compassion for the ignorant and overburdened masses compelled Him both to heal and to teach. He addressed Himself to their physical and spiritual needs in His concern for the whole person. As Christ’s representatives, if we want to do His work, we must… Continue Reading
10.11.2015 The Mystery of Godliness 1 Timothy 3:14-16 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: That notion that true Christianity boils down to doing (and not doing) certain things has turned plenty away from the faith. Others, of all ages (from Boomers to Millennials), have sought to preserve the purity of the gospel by utilizing pen and (blog)… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Called by God 1 Timothy 3:1-7 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: There’s no doubting the importance of solid leadership. It’s why we frequent some restaurants and establishments and carefully avoid others. Good leaders set the tone. It’s the same way in the church: those who shepherd God’s people in a strong yet humble way… Continue Reading
Women and Men (Part 2) 1 Timothy 2:11-15 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: Men and women are equal. The Scriptures never equivocate on this: men are neither better, smarter, nor more valuable than women. Nor, as so many sitcoms and greeting cards would have us believe, are women superior to the bumbling men they’re saddled with.… Continue Reading
Women and Men (Part 1) 1 Timothy 2:8-10 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: The Bible contains some curious commands. Consider this one in Leviticus 19:19: “Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.” (So much for those polyester pants you’ve been wearing!) Of course, few imperatives incite controversy like one in the passage at… Continue Reading