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
Sermon Notes The Christian and Fasting Matthew 6:16-18 Pastor Scott Williams Introduction: Once again, Jesus takes aim at the sin of hypocrisy; doing acts of righteousness in order to gain the approval of others rather than for the approval of the Lord. Like he did with charitable giving and prayer, Jesus exposes the smug self-righteousness… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Experiencing Forgiveness Matthew 6:12, 14-15 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: The unwavering witness of Scripture is that forgiveness from God—the pardon for sin—is a free gift, not a reward for anything we do or don’t do. It’s not based on our goodness, church attendance, offerings, rule keeping, baptism, or anything else. The good news… Continue Reading