Sermon Notes A Greater Feat Matthew 9:1-8 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: Imagine how you’d feel if you went to the doctor’s office for a severely sprained ankle and he (or she) said to you, with no explanation, “I’m giving you some beta blockers to slow down your cardiac output and some anticoagulants to thin your… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes What Demons Fear Matthew 8:28-34 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: After sailing from the scenic coastline of Capernaum to the rough, craggy cliffs of the eastern shore, Jesus meets two men who are possessed by evil spirits. Oddly enough, as they tend to do throughout the Gospels, these demons approach Jesus, using the men… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Powerful Connection Mark 9:14-29 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: From the moment we enter the world we are cajoled by caring parents and well-meaning teachers that there’s nothing we can’t do if we just try hard enough and never give up. It sounds good, and makes for great motivational books but, sadly, it’s not… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Redemptive Community Hebrews 10:24-25 Pastor Scott Williams Introduction: We all know that as Christians, being part of a church is important, but does that mean an impeccable attendance record will lead us to truly experiencing the type of community that the Bible describes? What is the essence of biblical community? What is lost… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes A (More Than) Reasonable Response Romans 12:1-2 & 1 Corinthians 10:31 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: “The Bible tells the story of what God does to save His people, not only from their enemies, but from their sins” (Edmund Clowney). Thus, the primary focus of every biblical sermon should be on what God has… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Would-Be Disciples Matthew 8:18-22 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: Among those who spurn the invitation to follow Jesus, there are typically three types of objections: Intellectual (“It’s narrow-minded to suggest that Jesus is the only way to God”), Emotional (“How could Jesus condemn anyone to hell?”), and Volitional (“Too many of his commands… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Unworthy Matthew 8:1-13 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: The world’s greatest sermon has ended. Jesus has wrapped up his instructions with some hard words. But his controversial conclusion doesn’t cause anyone to say, “That’s all I can take of this guy.” Instead, the crowd continues to hang on his every word, even following him… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Judging People Matthew 7:1-11 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: “It’s not my place, or yours, to tell someone else what is right or wrong! Hey, we’re all sinners.” So goes the claim often marshaled against anyone who offers correction. It sounds good … but is it true? Well, yes, we’re all sinners. But, despite… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Sent Selected Scriptures Pastor John Sloan Introduction: In one of the most moving prayers of the Bible, Jesus pleads with God to watch over those who belong to him. To his Father, as he reflects on his looming death, Jesus says: “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world.… Continue Reading
The Opposite of Faith Matthew 6:25-34 Pastor Brent Whitefield Introduction: Today we consider the least heeded of Christ’s admonitions: Not to be anxious about your life. Our anxiety level as Christians tells us more than we like about our faith, yet our willingness to embrace the priority of the kingdom can have a transformative effect… Continue Reading