Category: Sermon Notes

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: From Start to Finish

TITLE: The Early Promise of Christmas

Scripture: Genesis 1:1; 3:15; John 1:1-3

I.  CHRISTMAS IN THE BEGINNING

The hinge of history is (Christmas). Why? Because Christmas (changed and changes)
everything.

Let’s start at the beginning. (Christ) changes everything.

Col. 1:15- Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was
created and is supreme over all creation.”

A little lesson worth learning: John 1 uses the imperfect tense indicating ongoing action:
“He was with God, and…was God.” Then he switches to aorist tense (a decisive moment
in time) when he writes, “The Word became flesh.”

II.  CHRISTMAS IN THE WAITING

Why does God do what He does?

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Matthew 1
               2. Genesis 3:15
               3. Genesis 22

Don’t forget: God remembers (His promises). God remembers (His people).

THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: From Start to Finish

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: I’m Thankful…

TITLE: I’m Thankful for What Jesus has Done

Scripture: Matthew 13:44-46

A Hidden Treasure and a Pearl of Great Value

Parable – A word picture, metaphor or story that carries a nugget of spiritual truth. It uses what is
familiar and tangible to illuminate a spiritual reality that is hard to grasp on its own.

You must be ready to surrender all

“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose” – Jim Elliot

Let’s Count it – What has Jesus Done?

What has Jesus done in YOUR life? Take time to reflect on God’s faithfulness to you personally.

Feel free to write it down!

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: I’m Thankful…

TITLE: I’m Thankful that Joy isn’t Circumstantial

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Three Holy Habits:

1. JOY
   Partly God’s work in us, partly our participation with what God is doing and wants to keep doing to transform our lives – Rooted in the promises of God and predicated on God’s power to complete those promises
2. Prayer
   A way in which we enter God’s presence to listen and speak with God – Seeks God’s will to be done and helps us align our will to His
3. Thanksgiving
   A form of praise to God in recognizing his blessings to us – A way to cherish those blessings and the blessing-giver

When do I deploy them? Always, continually and in all circumstances

Three Joy Killers:

1. ENVY – Puts the focus on what others have that you don’t
2. DISCONTENTMENT – Refuses to appreciate what you do have’
3. COMPLAINING – Focuses on the negative and says noting is good enough

The HARD part of ALL in “all circumstances”

The greater the pain is turned up – the harder it can be to hold on to joy – Psalm 13

“Yes, I pray that my pain might be removed, that it might cease; but more so, I pray for the strength to
bear it, the grace to benefit from it, and the devotion to offer it up to God as a sacrifice of praise.”
-Joni Eareckson Tada

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: I’m Thankful…

TITLE: God’s Got a Body!

Scripture: Rom. 12:3-18; I Cor. 12:12-27

I. THE NATURE OF THE GIFTS

There are 3 types of gifts:

1. 1. 1. 1. (Support) gifts
         2. (Service) gifts
         3. (Sign) gifts

Summary so far:

1. 1. 1. 1. Spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of (building up) the body of Christ-the church.
         2. (Each person) has a gift to share
         3. Spiritual gifts are found in three types.

II. THE PURPOSE OF THE GIFTS

• • • • • Support gifts are found in Eph. 4:11
        • Service gifts are found in I Cor. 12:4-7

Why this topic today?

1. 1. 1. 1. Thanks
         2. Succession
         3. Honor

THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: I’m Thankful…
NEXT WEEK: Pastor Ryan preaching

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: I’m Grateful…

TITLE: God’s Got This

Scripture: Psalm 2

I. THE REALITY OF FEAR

Why all the doomsday talk?

1. 1. 1. 1. The (upcoming election)
         2. (Social media) will not change
         3. (Petty people) vying for dominance and power
         4. Spike in (lawlessness)

II. THE RESONANCE OF FAITH

What does Psalm 2 teach us?

1. 1. 1. 1. Puts (God’s sovereignty) on display.
         2. Challenges me to pray for the (world leaders).
         3. Motivates me to find my (refuge in Christ).

Other Scriptures to consider today and forever:

1. 1. 1. 1. Psalm 40:1-5 (p.267)
         2. Psalm 46:1-3, 6-7, 11

One more to live with! Psalm 91

THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: I’m Thankful…
NEXT WEEK: God’s Got a Body! 
SCRIPTURE: Romans 12:3-18; I Cor. 12:12-27

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: Feels Like Home

TITLE: Home has a Purpose

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

“WELCOME HOME WHERE…”

• • • • • The Gospel is Preached
        • Jesus is Honored
        • Grace is Offered
        • Lives are Changed
        • Obedience is Encouraged

I. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE OVCF?

This will be a time of testimony

II. IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS

Luke 15 is the home of 3 parables:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. The Lost Sheep
            2. The Lost Coin
            3. The Lost Son

Why did the father run to his son?

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Determined to reach son first
            2. Willing to absorb the shame

One final word: Home is a place of (acceptance).

THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: I’m Thankful…
NEXT WEEK: God’s Got This!
SCRIPTURE: Psalms 2

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: Feels Like Home

TITLE: What Care Looks Like (Obedience is Encouraged)

Scripture: Col. 2:16-3:4

I. WHAT CARE DOES NOT LOOK LIKE

Two words conflict and collide: always. They are (legalism) and (grace).

1. 1. 1. 1. (Legalism)- Fleshly attitude which conforms to a code.
         2. (Grace)- God’s unmerited favor.

What does Colossians 2:15-23 teach us?

1. 1. 1. 1. Our sins were nailed to the Cross, not (a deed we do).
         2. Freedom comes through Christ, not (rules and regulations).
         3. We are free from the (bondage of religion).
         4. (Religion) does not save us.
         5. We are not left (powerless and chained).

II. WHAT DOES CARE LOOK LIKE?

1. 1. 1. 1. People leave if we don’t take care of them in (times of trouble).
         2. Caring for people is (hard work).
         3. The purpose of caring is to point people not to (the church), but to the (true Shepherd).
         4. No sorrow should ever be carried or suffered (alone).
         5. The family that (prays together) stays together.
         6. A caring church (rejoices and weeps) together.

THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: Feels Like Home
NEXT WEEK: Home Has a Purpose
SCRIPTURE: Luke 15:11-32

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: Feels Like Home

TITLE: Lives are Changed

Scripture: Col. 2:6-15

I. CHANGE COMES FROM DEEPENING OUR ROOTS

In verse 5 Paul commends them for two things:

1. 1. 1. 1. (Discipline)- living as they should
         2. (Stability)- faith was strong

Living lives as they should:

1. 1. 1. 1. It starts with the (new birth).
         2. It continues with (you must continue to follow).
         3. We sink our roots (down) and become (stable).
         4. (Gratitude) overflows.

II. CHANGE COMES FROM DEFINING OUR IDENTITY

What leads to transformation?

1. 1. 1. 1. There is a (death). (v.11)
         2. There is a (burial). (v.12)
         3. There is a (resurrection). (v.13)

THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: Feels Like Home
NEXT WEEK: What Care Looks Like (Obedience is Encouraged)
SCRIPTURE: Col. 2:16-3:4

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: Feels Like Home

TITLE: Fresh Start

Scripture: Philemon

I.  PAUL’S APPEAL TO PHILEMON

This is a book filled with forgiveness and grace-not necessarily of (God’s) forgiveness and
grace but more so of (our) forgiveness and grace toward others.

Three main characters:

1. 1. 1. 1. Paul-the (writer)
         2. Philemon- the (slave owner)
         3. Onesimus- the (runaway slave)

II. JESUS IS THE HEAD (1:18)

(Love) is a defining mark of all Christ-followers

“When Onesimus comes to OVCF”:

1. 1. 1. 1. Are we a (friendly church)?
         2. Do people feel (safe and welcome)?
         3. Are we (forgiving people)? See I John 4:20 (p.593)
         4. Are we (givers of grace)?

You are not good enough for the cross, but the cross is good enough for you.

THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: Feels Like Home
NEXT WEEK: Lives are Changed
SCRIPTURE: Col. 2:6-15

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: Feels Like Home

TITLE: Jesus is Honored

Scripture: Col. 1:15-22

I. JESUS IS SUPREME (1:15-17)

When we say Jesus is preeminent what do we mean? He is (first in everything).

What does it mean that He is supreme?

1. 1. 1. 1. He is the (authority over all creation). [v.16]
         2. He is (before all things). [v.17a]
         3. He holds (all things together). [v.17b]

II. JESUS IS THE HEAD (1:18)

As head Jesus controls every part of the church and gives it (life and direction).

III. JESUS IS THE FUTURE (1:19-22)

“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we
must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Verse 21: We were (enemies).
Verse 22: We have been made (holy and blameless).
Verses 23-24: (Stand firm) (Don’t drift).

Two things to conclude:

1. 1. 1. 1. Make Christ (first in everything).
         2. (Refocus) our attention on Christ

THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: Feels Like Home
NEXT WEEK: Fresh Start (Grace is Offered)
SCRIPTURE: Philemon