Category: Sermon Notes

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

TITLE: Two Recipes

Scripture: Genesis 16-34

I.  A RECIPE FOR DISASTER

Genesis 16: Abram’s recipe for disaster

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1.  God’s promise- Genesis 15:4-5
               2. Abram’s decision- Genesis 16
               3.  A house divided (even today)- Isaac (Jewish nation)/Ishmael (Arab nation)

Another bad decision: Genesis 20

There is (nothing) God cannot do when He has made a (promise).

II.  THE RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

“So much of our fear, discouragement, anxiety, and worry is the result of underestimating what God is willing and able to do.” PDT (January 6)

Genesis 21:1 is loaded. See also Eccl. 3:11 and Gal. 4:4

Abraham’s supreme test: Genesis 22

For your information: The name Jacob means (supplanter or deceiver).

Closing verse to consider: Isaiah 55:8-9

THEME: Burning Hearts
NEXT WEEK: Overcoming Life’s Challenges
Scripture: Genesis 35-Exodus 3

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

TITLE: Just the Facts

Scripture: Genesis 1-15

I. JUST THE FACTS

“God doesn’t wait long to reveal the biblical narrative. The whole story is in compressed from in the first three chapters of Genesis.” Tripp (January 1)

Three foundational themes:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. There is a God of (incalculable glory).
               2. (Sin) is the ultimate human tragedy.
               3. A (Savior) will come, crush the power of evil, and provide (redemption) for His people.

II. RANDOM TRUTHS TO EMBRACE

Three random truths we must believe:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. (Redemption) is possible. Simply put redemption means (to buy back).
               2. (Idol worship) is not a thing of the past. The greatest idol we face is the idol of (self). (Human pride) always stands in opposition to God’s standard of humility.
               3. (God’s covenant) makes all the difference. A covenant is an agreement (between two parties). In chapter 8 He makes a covenant with (Noah). In chapter 12 He makes one with (Abraham).

Hope comes from having a (covenant relationship) with God.

THEME: Burning Hearts
NEXT WEEK: Two Recipes
Scripture: Genesis 16-34

Jo & Vicki: Final slide (instead of Numbers) No matter how much we know the Bible, no matter how long we have known the Lord, no matter how intelligent you are in spiritual matters, no matter how many facts you know, no matter how spiritually mature you may think you are, WE ALL RELY ON GOD’S TRANSFORMING GRACE. Be grateful you were included in that grace and accepted His offer. If you haven’t, why wait?

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

TITLE: A Heart on Fire

Scripture: Luke 24:13-24; 2 Peter 1:16-21

I.  THE SETTING

The setting for this morning and the series is Luke 24: the appearance of Jesus to the two men on (the road to Emmaus).

II. THE BASIS FOR BURNING HEARTS

To have our heart burn within us, it starts with (trusting and loving) not only Jesus, but also the
(words) about Him.

Turn to 2 Peter 1:16-21. What must we stand on?

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. The Bible is a (reliable collection) of (historical documents).
                  2. God’s Word is (infallible).
                  3. God’s Word is (inerrant). Pr. 30:5
                  4. God’s Word is (authoritative). Is. 1:2
                  5. God’s Word is (effective). Is. 55:10-11

THEME: Burning Hearts
NEXT WEEK: Just the Facts
Scripture: Genesis 1-15

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: From Start to Finish

TITLE: See and Tell

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20; Mt. 2:1-12

I.   SURPRISED AND HUNGRY

The leader of the Roman world was Caesar Augustus. Augustus meant (of the gods) or
the (holy and revered one).

Christmas reminds us that what is important in heaven is often (unimportant) on earth.

Three thoughts to wrap up their reaction:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. They (believed)
               2. They were (awed)
               3. They (announced).

II.  SURPRISED AND HUMBLED

Verse 3 tells us Herod was deeply disturbed, as was everyone else. Why? Because Herod was a
(ruthless killer) when angry.

A distinct difference between these wise men and Herod. The wise men (searched); Herod was
(hostile).

Scholars have said the gifts were important. Gold fit for a (king); frankincense for (worship); and
myrrh for a (burial).

Christmas is all about (worship). How is it seen in the players of this story?

THEME: Burning Hearts
NEXT WEEK: A Heart on Fire 
Scripture: Luke 23:13-34; 2 Peter 1:16-21

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: From Start to Finish

TITLE: Live Life on Purpose

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25, 26-38, 46-55, 67-79

I.  BRINGING HOPE TO THE BROKEN

Some facts to know:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Israel was in a downward spiral of (400 years).
               2. (Herod) was the ruler.
               3. Both Zechariah and Elizabeth were from (priestly families).

The lineage of Jesus tells us the story of (grace).

“The message of Christmas is not about manufacturing sentimental feelings in vain
hopes of a miracle. It’s about believing the reality that God has birthed something new
in Jesus and because of this, God will birth something new in you and me.” Dan Darling

Factor in Zechariah’s song which stand out:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. His praise and remembrance of the (covenant of David).
               2. His praise continues with reference to the (covenant with Abraham).
               3. Verses 76-79 focuses on (John).

II. BRINGING LOVE TO THE LEAST

Mary was a godly woman living in a (godless place).
Mary was willing to (surrender), even though it was scary & unknown

Mary’s song shows us:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. The (attitude) needed for worship.
               2. The (object) of worship.
               3. The (reasons) for worship.

THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: From Start to Finish
NEXT WEEK: See and Tell 
Scripture: Luke 2:8-20; Matt. 2:1-12

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: From Start to Finish

TITLE: Say it is So!

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14; 9:2-7

I. A TWISTED FAMILY TREE

Matthew is cramming (2000 years) of Bible history into 16 verses!

Family trees did not include women. Jesus’ includes 5:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. (Tamar)- pretended to be a prostitute
               2. (Rahab)- a harlot in Jericho
               3. (Ruth)- a Moabitess (hated enemy of the Jewish nation
               4. (Bathsheba)- an adulteress
               5. (Mary)- a pregnant teenage girl

The lineage of Jesus tells us the story of (grace).

II.  SAY IT IS SO!

The names of Isaiah 9:6:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Wonderful- Takes care of the (dullness of life).
               2. Counselor- Takes care of the (decisions of life).
               3. Mighty God- Takes care of the (demands of life).
               4. Everlasting Father- Takes care of the (future of life).
               5. Prince of Peace- Takes care of the (disturbances of life).

THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: From Start to Finish
NEXT WEEK: Live Life on Purpose
Scripture: Luke 1:5-25, 26-38, 46-55, 67-79

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