Category: Sermon Notes

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: Not From Concentrate

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 13 – 36

Not From Concentrate

“The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord?’ The judges ignored me, the rulers turned against me, and
the prophets spoke in the name of Baal, WASTING THEIR TIME ON NONSENSE.” (Jer 2:8 NLT)

FIVE TAKEAWAYS:

1. 1. 1. 1. As the (leaders go), so go the people.
         2. When we stray, it’s (time to repent).
         3. Learn to (delight) in the LORD [Sandwiched in the middle of the list because it should be CENTRAL!]
         4. Hope in the LORD, no matter (what the odds). Trust in Him, (not in yourself).
         5. Discerning the Lord’s will is not always easy because he often uses (unlikely and unusual)
            instruments to advance his eternal mission of grace. [PDT]

Where in your life are you concerning yourself with “lesser” things while the most important things suffer
from the lack of your attention? Where are you distracted from what matters most?

Which of these five takeaways was for you today?

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: A Godly Woman!

Scripture: I Chron. 18-2 Chron. 12

I. A GODLY WOMAN…

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. (Prays) Hannah- I Sam. 1:1-18; 2:1-11
               Takeaway: It is easy to quit. Don’t. Don’t get discouraged. Don’t stop praying.
            2. Receives and Gives (Grace)- Samaritan Woman- John 4
               Takeaway: She was shown and given grace and wanted to be the one who gives it. The
               testimony you have to share may be exactly what someone else needs to hear.
            3. (Worships) with Passion- Mary of Bethany- John 12:1-8
               Takeaway: Worship involves two people-you and God. Focus on Him not on what others
               think.
            4. Leaves a (godly legacy)- Rahab/Ruth- Matthew 1:5
               Takeaway: We never know who will cross our path. God leads people into our lives to
               change us so we can a part of the change as well and lead others to Him.
            5. Exhibits (humility)- Abigail- I Sam. 25
               Takeaway: Abigail’s quick thinking averted a tragedy in David’s life. She boldly humbled
               herself and placed herself at the mercy of David.
            6. Stands (hopeful)- Woman caught in adultery- John 8/ woman with illness- Mk. 5
               Takeaway: The one’s hope lies in the forgiveness of Jesus. Nothing you have done is beyond
               His forgiveness. The other’s lies in the promise of Jesus. She held fast to the promise of
               healing and it was granted.
            7. Gives (glory to God)- Deborah- Judges 4-5
               Takeaway: Deflect any glory from yourself and direct it to the One who is truly worthy of it
               all: God.

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts
Next week: Pastor Ryan East preaching

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: Simple Words-Lifetime Lessons

Scripture: 2 Kings 20-I Chronicles 17

“Those who can’t remember the past are doomed to repeat it.” Santayana

I. THERE AND BACK AGAIN

This Scripture depicts a resurgence of spiritual things, then a falling away, and then a
resurgence:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. The resurgence begins with (Hezekiah).
                  2. The falling away begins with (Manasseh), his son.
                  3. The resurgence happens under 8 year old (Josiah).

1. 1. II. DAVID’S DIVINE MISSION

Lessons from I Chronicles 10:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Our hope is not in our (zeal for God), but in God being a (promise-keeping) God.
                  2. We should be thankful that woven into the gospel message is the promise of (fresh starts) and (new beginning).
                  3. God’s plans are not ours; hold yours (loosely).

Three ideas come into play (Chapters 11-17):

• • • • • • 1. God’s plan/David’s men.
               • When God calls you, he supplies (everything you need) to answer his call.
            2. God’s promises/David’s thanks.
               • David gave (credit where credit was due) because he knew there was no way he could take credit for what was accomplished.
            3. God’s judgment/David’s repentance.
               • David refused to give (second best) to a God who had given him the best, in this case, a second chance.

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts
Next week: An Excellent (Godly) Woman! 
Scripture: I Chronicles18-2 Chronicles 12

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: Our God Reigns!

Scripture: 2 Kings 1-19

I. HE IS A GOD OF SURPRISES

A short timeline of Ahab’s trouble:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. I kings 16:29-32- Ahab is evil is an understatement.
                  2. I Kings 17- A famine will strike the land.
                  3. I Kings 18- Elijah defeats the prophets of Baal.
                  4. Elijah proclaims and defends the (presence), (power), and (glory of God).

How was God a God of surprises to Elijah?

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. A famine strikes the land but Elijah is fed by ravens.
                  2. A widow is never without food.
                  3. Elijah raises the widow’s son from the dead.
                  4. Confrontation of Mt. Carmel
                  5. Prophesies Jezebel’s death.
                  6. Chariot to heaven without death.

II. HE IS A GOD OF HIS WORD

4 truths to remember:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. The power of Christianity is in God’s promise and power (to raise the dead).
                  2. (Wake up) to the presence and power of God.
                  3. Remember God has placed (boundaries) for a reason.
                  4. Nothing is more sure, faithful, and hope-giving than the (perfect goodness of God).

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts
Next week: Simple Words-Lifetime Lessons
Scripture: 2 Kings 20 – 1 Chronicles 17

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: This is Our God!

Scripture: I Kings 3-22

I. GOD IS NOT LIMITED

Lesson #1- God is not limited by (buildings).
Lesson #2- God is not limited by (idols).
Lesson #3- God is not limited by our (religion), or by (time and space).

II. GOD WHO IS OUR ONE TRUE HOPE

“While there’s life there’s hope, we say, but the deeper truth is that only while there’s hope is
there life.” Packer (Never Beyond Hope-p.9)

Bluntly and pointedly: Hope can only be found in Jesus, the Savior of the world, and His
resurrection (which we celebrate today).

“Those who have done the most for the present world have been those who thought most of
the next.” C.S. Lewis

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts
Next week: Our God Reigns!
Scripture: 2 Kings 1-19

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: Hero and Zero

Scripture: 2 Samuel 4-I Kings 2

I. SEEING OURSELVES FOR WHO WE ARE (Ps.139)

This Psalm is filled with powerful teaching about God and His (Omnipresence), that wherever
(we go) God (is there).

Who are we? We are a (delicately made), wonderfully (complex), perfectly (designed)-warts and
all-creature, formed by an amazing, wonderful God who knows us from (beginning to end).

II. DAVID-HERO AND ZERO

David- The Hero (Chapter 5)- He (consults) God before going to war
David- The Zero (Chapter 6)- He (gets angry) with God
David- The Hero (Chapter 9)- He keeps his promise to (Jonathan)
David- The Zero (Chapter 11)- (Adultery and murder)
David- The Hero (Chapter 12)- His (repentance). See Psalm 51
David- The Zero (Chapter 13)- His failure to defend (Tamar’s rape)
David- The Hero (Chapter 16)- His refusal to strike out at (Shimei).
David-The Hero (Chapter 19)- His (mercy) to Shimei and (kindness) to Mephibosheth
David- The Zero to Hero (Chapter 24)- His (pride) and (taking responsibility).

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts
Next week: This is Our God!
Scripture: I Kings 3-22

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: A Contrast of Two Men

Scripture: I Samuel 13-2 Samuel 3

I. THE ARROGANCE OF SAUL

“Pride is the only disease known to man that makes everyone sick except the person who has
it.”

“When you sin, you have only two choices: either you confess your sin to God or you create
excuses that make sin acceptable to your conscience.” (Tripp-3/30)

Saul’s big blunders:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Offering a (sacrifice) out of fear
                  2. Blaming the people for his (disobedience)
                  3. Grabbing (Samuel’s cloak)

II. THE HUMILITY OF DAVID

David’s story in a nutshell:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. (Anointed) by Samuel
                  2. His service to (King Saul) as a musician
                  3. His battle against (Goliath)
                  4. His (avoidance) of Saul’s hit against him
                  5. His rescue from a foolish act by (Abigail)
                  6. His (forgiveness) of Abner

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts
Next week: Hero and Zero
Scripture: 2 Samuel 4-I Kings 2

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: Who Rules Your Roost?

Scripture: Judges 13-I Samuel 12

I. SAMSON-RULED BY (LUST)

His weakness was (his lust of the flesh). I John 2 also talks about the (lust of the eyes) and the
(pride of life).

Samson had a lust problem, but he also had a (disregard) problem.

II. RUTH-RULED BY (SUBMISSION)

How did Ruth show her submission?

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Willingness to (stay with) and (follow) Naomi.
               2. How to catch (Boaz’s eye).
               3. (Marry Boaz), (carry his child) and find self in lineage of Jesus.

III. SAMUEL- RULED BY (CHOICE)

Brief background of Samuel’s birth (I Sam. 1)

The difference between Eli’s two sons (2:22-25) and Eli were stark (2:26)

Samuel’s entire life was ruled by God’s (call) and his (response).

IV. SAUL-RULED BY SMALL THINKING (Next week)

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts
Next week: A Contrast of Two Men
Scripture: I Samuel 13-2 Samuel 3

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: Coming to Terms with the Truth

Scripture: Joshua 19-Judges 12

“Too much of contemporary Christianity is borrowed from the philosophies of the world and
even other religions-phrases and mottos that on the surface look great but
are not rooted in Scripture or that mostly bolster one’s self-image.”
A.W. Tozer

I. WHAT IS TRUTH?

Today: Truth is (subjective), totally dependent on what you (think or feel) at the moment.

Truth is a thought, statement, or opinion that (lines up with reality). It is true for (all people) for all places and times. Truth is not altered by whether (you believe it or not), or how it (makes you feel).

Christianity is a belief system which stand or falls on (objective truth).

II. WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH THE TRUTH?

Each day’s reading from Everyday Gospel:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. The truth about (God’s promises). March 16
               2. The truth about (idols). March 17
               3. The truth about (obedience). March 18
               4. The truth about (worship). March 19
               5. The truth about (fear). March 20
               6. The truth about (God). March 21
               7. The truth about (troubles). March 22

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts
Next week: Who Rules Your Roost?
Scripture: Judges 13-I Samuel 12

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: Say Yes!

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30 – Joshua 18

“For you made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.”
Augustine

I. SAY YES TO RENEWING OUR VOWS

Moses’ two-fold challenge:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Verses 4-6: Don’t (be afraid).
               2. Verses 9-13: Carefully (obey).

Backtrack to chapter 30. Moses issues two ultimatums:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. (Obey God’s voice)-30:10
               2. Choice between (life and death). 30:15-16

II. SAY YES TO RENEWING OUR SPIRITUAL PASSION

How can we get our passion back? (Renewal) is God working (in action), working in and through
us. Our love is (rekindled).

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. (Examine our hearts). Psalm 139:23-24
               2. Pinpoint (unconfessed sin). Psalm 119:9, 11
               3. (Clean the slate). Psalm 51
               4. Find (your joy). Psalm 51:8a, 12

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts
Next week: Coming to Terms with the Truth
Scripture: Joshua 19 – Judges 12