February 2, 2025
Series: Courageous Faith

Sermon: Trusting God's Plan: Life Lessons from Abraham

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-2

“Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭22‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

INTRODUCTION: Life is full of lessons that must be learned.

Life Lessons:

1. Answer the Call...

“Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭22‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

1. Act in Faith...

“On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭22‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

1. Avoid the temptation to try to figure it all out...

“Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭22‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

CONCLUSION: Trusting God's plan ultimately leads us to the place of provision.

“So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭22‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV

January 26, 2025
Series: Courageous Faith

Sermon: The Great Commission

Scripture: Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

‭‭

INTRODUCTION: The church has been empowered by the Holy Spirit to go make disciples of all nations.

1. Jesus has all authority...

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

-Matthew 28:18

1. Jesus has given us authority...

What is authority (Exousia)?

Authority is the right or privilege to exercise influence or control. It implies a recognized position or role that grants ability to influence or direct others.

“He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”

-‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.”

-‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

1. Jesus has given us power...

What is power (Dunamis)?

Power is the ability or capacity to do something, often emphasizing strength, might, or miraculous abilities. It is the ability to enact authority or to perform actions.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Conclusion: Not only has Jesus given us power but he has given us the authority to function in the power of the Holy Spirit.

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.””

-‭‭Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

January 19, 2025
Series: Courageous Faith

Sermon: The Samaritan's Kindness

Scripture: Luke 10:33-37

“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.””

‭

INTRODUCTION: Like the Good Samaritan, we must all find time to kind.

The Man...

A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.

-Luke 10:30

For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

-Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Who is the man in the story?

The Religious...

“A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.”

-‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Without Jesus, all religious activity is powerless to change our lives and to help others!

The Good Samaritan...

Who is the Good Samaritan in the story?

1. He came to where the man was.
2. He took compassion on the man.
3. He oil and wine on his wounds and bandage them.
4. He picked him up.
5. He took him to a safe place to heal.
6. He paid for it all.

CONCLUSION: Our Savior Jesus is the GOOD SAMARITAN and like Him we are called to extend kindness to those we meet.