2023 THEME: Victory!

Series: To and From the Cross

TITLE: The Boast of the Cross

Scripture:  Gal. 6:14-18

I.    THE CROSS FREES PEOPLE FROM BONDAGE                                                             

Read Jeremiah 9:23-25

Why should we boast in the cross of Christ? It is the only way to be free from the (bondage of sin). The cross means (death to sin).

The crucifixion of Jesus struck a mortal blow to the (enemy), to (sin’s grasp) on our lives.  See Col. 2:13-15

II.   THE CROSS FREES PEOPLE FROM THE POWER OF SIN                                           

Why can we boast in the cross?

1. 1. 1. 1. The cross means the (death of sin).
         2. The cross is the greatest demonstration of (God’s love).

Ephesians 3:17-19

Next Week: Theme: Victory! Series: To and From the Cross

Speaker: Pastor Ryan East- “My Emmaus”

TITLE: Killing the Beast

Guest Speaker – Will Reed

2023 THEME: Victory!

Series: To and From the Cross

TITLE: Alive!

Scripture:  John 11:25-26

“If Jesus rose, you have an intellectually feasible argument that everything Jesus said could be true. If he didn’t, all of Christianity falls….The defining and distinguishing characteristic of true Christianity is accepting the Resurrection really did happen.” Atheist Antony Flew

I.    LET’S TALK ABOUT WHAT IS NEEDED                                                            

The events of the 1900’s brought the demise of (hope).  Anxiety and fear gave way to (desperation). Disillusionment gave way to (hopelessness). (Pessimism) became the dominant attitude.

“Many Christians, while believing in the resurrection and rehearsing that belief every Easter Sunday, effectively stick it back in the drawer for the rest of the year because they are at a loss of what to do with it.” Allberry

II.   LET’S TALK ABOUT WHAT IS PROVIDED                                          

The heart of the Christian faith is (the gospel).  Romans 1:16; I Cor. 15:3-8

Christianity is rightly seen as a (life-changing experience), but it will only do that if you accept as facts certain events in history.

To borrow Paul’s words, our faith is built on 3 truths: the (death, burial, and resurrection) of Jesus. The resurrection is built on 3 more pieces of evidence: the (empty tomb), the (eyewitness testimony), and the ongoing existence of the Christian movement.

“It is impossible to account for the early Christian belief in Jesus as Messiah without the resurrection.” N.T. Wright

Next Week: Theme: Victory! Series: To and From the Cross

Guest speaker: Will Reed on “Religion”

2023 THEME: Victory!

Series: To and From the Cross

TITLE: It is Finished

Scripture:  John 19:28-37

I. THE PATTERN OF JESUS’ WORDS

Three Scripture passages we will look at:

1. John 4:34
2. John 5:36
3. John 17:4

(achievement). The mind of Jesus is filled, not with (hopeless despair), but with a sense of
(accomplishment).

II. THE POINT OF JESUS’ WORDS

Three key phrases in John 19:28

1) Phrase #1: “Knowing that all was finished”
2) Phrase #2: “To fulfill all Scripture”
3) Phrase #3: “It is finished”

What was finished?

1. The (atonement)
2. The (Scriptures)
3. The (Law)
4. The (Devil)

The work of salvation was, and remains, (totally and completely finished).

Next Week: Theme: Victory! Series: To and From the Cross
Sermon Title: Alive! John 11: 25-26

2023 THEME: Victory!

Series: To and From the Cross

TITLE: From Darkness to Light

Scripture:  Mark 15:33-39

I. THE NECESSITY OF DARKNESS

Christianity is not about (creation). It is all about the (cross).

Yielding to the cover of darkness:

1. (Humiliation)
2. (Creation)
3. (Past events)
4. (Intimate relationship)

II. THE NEWNESS OF LIGHT

First, the light (came out)!

Second, the light (brought victory)! Six events show this:

1. Mark 15:34
2. Mark 15:37
3. Mark 15:38
4. Mt. 27:51
5. Mt. 27:52
6. Mt. 27:54

Next Week: Theme: Victory! Series: To and From the Cross
Sermon Title: It is Finished- John 19: 28-37

2023 THEME: Victory!

Series: To and From the Cross

TITLE: Insults and Paradise

Scripture:  Luke 23:26-43

I.    SCENES THROUGH THE LENS OF SCRIPTURE                 

4 scenes full of meaning:

Scene #1- the weeping women
Scene #2- the heartless soldiers
Scene #3- the mocking bystanders

Scripture shows us (all is not lost). There is (hope), God is (still in charge), and we will still have reason to (praise Him).

Scene #4- the thief on the cross

II.   WORDS THROUGH THE LENS OF EXPERIENCE                 

Three lessons we can learn:

1. No one is (ever too far gone) to become a Christ-follower.
2. All God wants from any individual is (simple faith).
3. Never doubt that He (accepts you).

Next Week: Theme: Victory! Series: To and From the Cross

Sermon Title: From Darkness to Light- Mark 15:33-39 (and others)

2023 THEME: Victory!

Series: To and From the Cross

TITLE: The Sting of Failure

Scripture:  Matthew 26:69-75

I.    FAILURE IS A FACT

Let’s talk about failure:

1. Failure is a fact in (the Bible).
2. Failure is a fact of (experience).

II. FAILURE IS FORGIVEN

Jesus predicted both (Judas’ betrayal) and (Peter’s denial).

Not only is failure a (fact), not only is failure (foreseen), failure is also (forgiven).

1. Jesus prayed for Peter’s (faith).
2. Jesus probed for Peter’s (love).

There is a little bit of Peter (in all of us). We brim over with (pride). We think (we are better)
than someone else. We tell ourselves that we haven’t really (done anything) that bad.

Next Week: Theme: Victory! Series: To and From the Cross
Sermon Title: Insults and Paradise- Luke 23:26-43

2023 THEME: Victory!

Series: To and From the Cross

TITLE: Don’t Forget to Remember

Scripture:  Matthew 26:17-30

I.    THE EVENTS SURROUNDING THE MEAL                                                         

Setting the scene in verses 17-19

1. 1. 1. 1. It is the first day of (Unleavened Bread).
         2. Jerusalem was (packed) and the Roman army on (high alert).
         3. The week began with Jesus entering (riding on a donkey).

II.   THE ELEMENTS SURROUNDING THE MEAL                                       

What is the significance of the meal?

1. 1. 1. 1. The meal was celebrating (Jesus).
         2. The meal was celebrating the (blood of the Lamb).
         3. The meal was celebrating (hope for the future).

The Passover meal (looked back) to what God had done in their history, and (looked forward) with hope and expectation to what God (would do) when God truly became king.

We are not to be (takers of) but those who are (taken by) communion.

A couple thoughts to ponder:

1. 1. 1. 1. Communion is a (celebration).
         2. Communion is not meant to be a (secondary occasion). It is mean to be (central).
         3. Communion is a life-giving time for (renewal of our faith).

Next Week: Theme: Victory! Series: To and From the Cross

Sermon Title: The Sting of Failure- Matthew 26: 69-75

2023 THEME: Victory!

Series: The Lamb Wins!!

TITLE: The Lamb is Worthy!!

Scripture:  Revelation 5:9-14

I.   WHAT IS WORSHIP?            

The Lamb has 7 horns and 7 eyes. What does it mean?

1. First, remember this is (symbolized revelation).
2. Jesus is (Omnipotent).
3. Jesus is (Omniscient).

What is worship?

1. Worship is (honor and adoration) directed to God.
2. Worship is not (me-focused).
3. Worship is (24/7/365).

II.   WHAT IS THE SONG OF WORSHIP?                                      

The song celebrates:

1. (He was slain).
2. Jesus (ransomed people for God).
3. We have been made a (kingdom and priests).

The closing in verse 13: This list is (comprehensive), meaning that all honor and praise belong to Jesus and none of it to us, for salvation has been accomplished by the (work of Christ alone).

Next Week: Theme: Victory! Series: To and From the Cross

Sermon Title: Remember Not to Forget- Matthew 26: 17-30

2023 THEME: Victory!

Series: The Lamb Wins!!

TITLE: The Lion Who is a Lamb

Scripture:  Revelation 5:1-8

I.    THE SCROLL                      

To worship is to let the (worth and wonder) of God sink so deeply into our soul that we respond in a (wholehearted reorientation) of our life.

What is the scroll? It represents God’s plans for (judgment and salvation).

Ideas to consider:

1. 1. 1. 1. Contains (all sacred history) from the cross to the new creation.
         2. The decrees of God are (comprehensive and extensive).
         3. What is written is (precise). Sealed to let us know it is complete and cannot be altered.

Why did John weep?

1. 1. 1. 1. History is (unfathomable) apart from the person and redeeming work of Christ.
         2. History would be (unknown and unaccomplished).

II.   THE SEARCH             

The One who can open the scroll is given two names:

1. 1. 1. 1. (The Lion of the tribe of Judah)
         2. (The Root of David)

Next Week: Theme: Victory! Series: The Lamb Wins!!

Sermon Title: The Lamb is Worthy!!- Revelation 5:9-14