2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Expect the Unexpected

TITLE: The Unexpected Birth

Scripture:  Luke 1:26-38, 46-55

I.    AN UNEXPECTED ANNOUNCEMENT                

“Bethlehem was remarkably unremarkable.”

Two important items to bring up:

1. This story tells us something about (Mary).
2. This story tells us something about Mary’s (God).

True statement: “God is not much interested in your ability, but your availability.”

II.   AN UNEXPECTED SONG          

Mary’s song is called the (Magnificat) and divides into 4 sections:

1. Focus: Mary’s (names) (verses 46b-48)
2. Focus: God’s (attributes) (verses 49-50)
3. Focus: God’s view of (us) (verses 51-53)
4. Focus: God’s (promises) (verses 54-55)

Next Week: Series: Expect the Unexpected

Sermon Title: The Unexpected Child- Is.7:6; John 1:14; Phil.2:8; Col.2:9

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Feasts with a Purpose

TITLE: God Delivers His People

Scripture:  Lev.23: 26-44

Christmas is a time of (celebration).

I.   A FEAST OF DEDICATION

Hanukkah was established as a feast of (celebration) to celebrate the liberation from Syria by
the Maccabean revolt. They were to light the (menorah), which was to burn continually,
representing the (eternal light of God). But the Talmud says there was only enough oil to burn
for one day. Tradition says it lasted for 8 days, when the temple was (rededicated). The 8 days
were historically tied to (Sukkot).

What does this have to do with Jesus?

1. It is mentioned in one place- John 10: 22-23.
2. Jesus is (the light of the world).

II. A FEAST OF PRESERVATION

Least known of the feasts- (Purim)

Esther’s position as queen was not her (security), but the opportunity providentially given by
God. God shook her and she (changed history).

Esther’s boldness saved the nation of Israel. Satan’s strategy:

1) Stop Jews from living: (Annihilation)
2) Stop Jews from living as Jews: (Assimilation)

Purim is a celebration of God’s (faithfulness) and (protection) of His people.

Next Week: Series: Expect the Unexpected
Sermon Title: The Unexpected Birth- Luke 1:26-38, 46-55

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Feasts with a Purpose

TITLE: God Reminds His People

Scripture:  Lev.23: 26-44

God has placed in the heart of each of us the (need for others).

 I.    REMINDING US ABOUT FORGIVENESS                                               

Yom Kippur is also the (Day of Atonement), the holiest day of the year.

The desire of every Jew is to be made (right with God) on YK. It is believed that repentance with (fasting, charity, and good works) produce faithfulness.

5 essentials for reconciliation:

1. 1. 1. 1. (Confession): Recognition of our sins.
         2. (Contrition): Remorse over our sins.
         3. (Conversion): Repentance from our sins.
         4. (Compensation): Repayment for our sins.
         5. (Consecration): Dedication beyond our sins.

II.   REMINDING US ABOUT CELEBRATING        

This feast is called (Sukkot), or the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles.

It is a harvest festival, the culmination of all the feasts.  It was a reminder of (God’s faithfulness and protection).

Two ceremonies were part of Sukkot:

1. 1. 1. 1. One was a (water-pouring) ceremony.
         2. The other was a (candlestick) ceremony.

Next Week: Series: Feasts with a Purpose

Sermon Title: God Delivers His People- John 10: 22-30; Esther (selected Scripture)

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Feasts with a Purpose

TITLE: God Separates His People

Scripture:  Lev.23: 9-14, 15-22

A Greek word: hagiadzo means (to separate). It came to mean (to be holy).

I.  A SEPARATION BASED ON FAITH                                              

I Cor. 15: 20-23

Firstfruits could not be celebrated apart from the (Passover); and Jesus’ Resurrection could never be celebrated apart from His Passover (sacrifice) for us.

Biblical faith is based on the (truth), the facts about God: spiritual experience is to be the (result) of that faith not the cause of it.

In the Hebrew the word accepted means (pleased or delighted).

II.   A SEPARATION BASED ON PROMISE                              

Important to remember: while Pentecost is the “birthday celebration” of the church when the Holy Spirit came, we are never to look to the Holy Spirit as the foundation of our faith. The church is not and never should be about the Holy Spirit. It has been and always should be about (Jesus). No church should ever worship (the Holy Spirit).

Two promises fulfilled:

1. What happened on Pentecost was a fulfilment of Joel 2.
2. When Peter took the Gospel to the Gentiles it fulfilled the prophecy of the (gospel for all people).

Next Week: Series: Feasts with a Purpose

Sermon Title: God Reminds His People- Lev. 23: 26-44

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Feasts with a Purpose

TITLE: God Redeems His People

Scripture:  Exodus 12:1-32, 42-51; Lev.23:5-8

I.   WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE PAST?                                             

The word Passover in Hebrew is pesach, which means (to pass over).

The Passover came to be known as the (Feast of Unleavened Bread) and the meal was known as the (seder).

II.  WHAT LESSONS MUST WE LEARN IN THE PRESENT?                             

Why Unleavened Bread?

1. 1. 1. 1. There is a (historical) reason.  Deut. 16:3
         2. There is a (spiritual) reason. Mt. 16:6
            Turn to I Cor. 5: 5-8

There were actually 4 cups of wine used during the meal: The Cup of (Sanctification); The Cup of (Plagues); The Cup of (Redemption); and the Cup of (Praise).

The most important part of the feast: (the Passover Lamb)

Next Week: Series: Feasts with a Purpose

Sermon Title: God Separates His People- Lev. 23:9-14, 15-22

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Wake Up Sleepy Head!

TITLE: As We Live and Breathe

Scripture:  Matthew 28: 19-20

3 affirmations we need to make:

1. Jesus wants His church to (manifest fruit).
2. Fruit-bearing is grounded in (faithfulness) and (obedience).
3. Much of what is considered successful may not be (healthy) or (God-honoring).

I. AS WE LIVE

The Mission of OVCF is simple and concise: (Connecting People to Jesus).

II. AS WE BREATHE

What is vision? While the mission tells us why we exist, the vision tells us (how we hope to accomplish that mission).

4 prongs to our vision:

1. (Pursuing Jesus Passionately)
2. (Demonstrating Jesus Visibly)
3. (Revealing Jesus Clearly).
4. Preparing disciples to (obey Jesus faithfully).

Next Week: Will Reed

Following Week: Feasts with a Purpose
Sermon Title: God Redeems His People- Ex. 12:1-32, 42-51; Lev. 23:5-8

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Wake Up Sleepy Head!

TITLE: On Being Contagious

Scripture:  2 Timothy 2: 1-13

I.   THE CHALLENGE TO BE CONTAGIOUS                                             

What something looks like on the (outside) has nothing to do with its (content within).

II.  THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A CONTAGIOUS CHURCH              

1. A Contagious church is a place of (grace).

1) It will welcome the lost and hurting of any (size, shape, or color).
2) It will have an absence of (legalism).

 2. A contagious church is a place of (mentoring).

3. A contagious church is a place of (fellowship).

Next Week: OVCF’s 18th Anniversary Celebration!!

Sermon Title: As We Live and Breathe  Matthew 28: 19-20 (Other miscellaneous Scripture)

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Wake Up Sleepy Head!

TITLE: Standing Strong

Scripture:  Acts 6: 1-7

I. INGREDIENTS FOR STANDING STRONG

A short list of what can cause a church to lose its “edge”:

1. 1. 1. 1. Not knowing (why it exists).
         2. Fuzzy (essentials).
         3. Compromised (values).
         4. Leaving things up to the (professionals).

What the ingredients for standing strong?

1. 1. 1. 1. Think (spiritually)
         2. Stay (biblical)
         3. Be (flexible)

II. INVASION OF THE STRENGTH SNATCHERS

An important item to remember: Satan (hates the church).

The struggle in Acts 6 is an issue of (priorities).

One of the most insidious and most vicious attacks on the church is getting caught up with the
(urgent) and forgetting what is (important).

2 truths to close with (and remember):

1. 1. 1. 1. The enemy will stop at nothing to (disrupt), and if possible, (destroy) the church.
         2. The Lord will honor and bless any plan that upholds (prayer) and (promotes His Word).

Next Week: On Being Contagious- 2 Tim. 2: 1-13

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Wake Up Sleepy Head!

TITLE: The Starting Point

Scripture:  Matthew 16: 13-20; Acts 2: 42-47

“Change is inevitable; misery is optional.”

I.   THE PLAN MADE KNOWN                                          

In Matthew 16 Jesus commends Peter for his insight about (who Jesus was), but He also unveiled even more truth about (what He would do).

Plans for starting the church (from The Church Awakening by Swindoll)

1. 1. 1. 1. I- Jesus would be the (architect).
         2. Will- this look to the (future).
         3. Build- Not only a (beginning) but a (process).
         4. My- this affirms (authority and ownership).
         5. Church- a (body of people).

II.  THE PLANS MADE PRACTICAL

4 elements from Acts 2:42

1. 1. 1. 1. (Apostle’s teaching)
         2. (Fellowship)
         3. (Breaking of bread)
         4. (Prayer)

3 thoughts to remember:

1. 1. 1. 1. It is more important to be (biblical) than (successful).
         2. God’s Word must take preeminence in making decisions, not (human opinion).
         3. Changes are a must to counteract any sign of (erosion).

Next Week: Standing Strong- Acts 4: 1-20

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: 8 Cures

TITLE: No Pain, No Gain

Scripture:  Matthew 5:10-12

Persecuted BECAUSE…

1. 10  –  persecuted BECAUSE of (righteousness)
2. 11  –  persecuted BECAUSE of (me – Jesus)

Persecution is (malicious treatment) for following Jesus, for ascribing to Jesus’s teachings and leading other to do the same.

Three ways Christians are supposed to respond to persecution…

(Rejoice) – Ref. Hebrews 10:34 and Acts 5:41

(Love your enemies) and (pray for them) – Ref. Matthew 5:44-45

(Grow) in faith – Ref. 2 Corinthians 12:10

If persecution produces joy-filled, continuously-praying, radically-loving, completely-dependent-on-the Holy Spirit, growing, obedient believers in Jesus who are becoming like deep wells of faith, then we’d best not fear it, but rather welcome it as a tool of our refinement – even thanking God for it when it comes because He will cause us to endure and will use it for our maturity and the completion of the Great Commission – to make His Name great among all peoples in all nations.

An Honest Appraisal of our Blind Spots

(Distraction) – Is our focus even close to what God wants us to focus on? Are we using our energies in line with God’s priorities?

(Division) – Are we playing as a team, everyone with their role working together toward the same goal? Or are we too busy squabbling over mole-hills while the mission sits incomplete?

(Consumer-mindedness) – Are we chasing after stuff that doesn’t matter? Are we more concerned about bigger buildings/better programs than greater obedience to Jesus in things like sending missionaries, making disciples, or emptying our wallets to care for the poor?

(Comfortable) – Content with the status quo. An unhealthy comfort produces contentment with unhealthy things and apathy toward them.

(Off-Mission) – Does the way you live match the mission statement of Jesus? Are you personally concerned with making disciples, baptizing them and teaching them to obey Jesus? Do you devote yourself to this relentlessly? Does OVCF do everything with this mission in the cross-hairs?

Praying for the Persecuted

My prayer assignment for the persecuted church is: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This week I can pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ by… _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________