Category: Sermon Notes

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

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: Remember…

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8-29

I.  REMEMBER GOD’S CALL TO OBEY

God knew the Israelites would be susceptible to the (pull of idols) and the (culture of the people) around them. Their best defense was (to remember) all God had done for them.
See Proverbs 4:23

II. REMEMBER GOD’S CALL TO WORSHIP

12:2 says “(when) not (if) you drive them out.”

When they approached God in worship, they were to approach with their (best). “We should
never give God what is left over, but rather offer him the first and best of what He has
provided.” (Tripp-3/7)

We must come to God with our spiritual eyes (wide open). It is not enough to see (physically);
we must be able to see (spiritually).

You can (see) and be (blind) at the same time.

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts
Next week: Say Yes!
Scripture: Deuteronomy 30- Joshua 18

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: Beware!

Scripture: Numbers 28-Deuteronomy 7

I.   BEWARE OF INDEPENDENCE (Numbers 28-30; Dt. 1-2)

Independence is (good) unless it is independence (from God).

“When God calls us to himself, he doesn’t put us in a process that moves from dependence to
independence. Christian maturity isn’t about independence, but about a growing willingness to
be wholly dependent on the providing grace of the Savior.” (Tripp-2/23)

II.  BEWARE OF SIN (Number 31-34; Dt. 3-4)

God warned His people that culture (will drag us down). See Num.33:55

III. BEWARE OF DISREGARDING GOD’S LAW (Dt. 5-7)

“God didn’t give His law as a means of gaining His acceptance; His standard is too lofty, too holy.
No, God’s law was a gift to those He had already chosen to love, so that they would know how
to live and, in following His commands, thrive.” (Tripp-3/1)

Verses from Psalm 119: “Oh, how I love your instructions (laws)! I think about them all day
long.” (v. 97) “I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to your
word.” (v.101) “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (v.105)

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts
Next week: Remember…
Scripture: Deuteronomy 8-29

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: Stop Your Griping and Complaining!

Scripture: Numbers 11-27

“Do everything without complaining and arguing (some translations us “disputing”), so that no
one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a
world full of crooked and perverse people.” Phil. 2:14-15

I.   WHEN IT SEEMS THAT’S ALL YOU DO

Why is complaining so bad? “Complaining is always dangerous because it causes us to be willing
to question the goodness and faithfulness of God.” {PDT-February 16)

II. A DECLARATION TO CHANGE

5 Things to Do Instead of Complaining:

1. 1. 1. Practice Gratitude
      2. Praise Others
      3. Focus on Success
      4. Let Go
      5. Pray and Read Scripture

{Source: The No Complaining Rule by Jon Gordon}

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts
Next week: Beware!
Scripture: Numbers 11-28-Deuteronomy 7