2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Expect the Unexpected

TITLE: The Unexpected Dawn

Scripture:  Matthew 2: 1-12; Isaiah 9: 2-7

I.    THE DARKNESS OF THE WORLD                                                   

The distinction between Ahaz and his successor (Jesus):

1. 1. 1. 1. Darkness vs Light
         2. Distress and unhappiness vs Joy
         3. Defeat vs Victory
         4. Failure vs Success

“Expressive individualism”- “Authenticity to inner feelings, rather than adherence to transcendent truths, becomes the norm.” Trueman

(Truth) no longer matters; only what I (feel).

II.   THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD       

Mt. 2:3- “he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him.”  What does that mean?

The wise men brought three gifts:

1. 1. 1. 1. Gold- a gift fit for a (king).
         2. Frankincense- a gift used for (special occasions).
         3. Myrrh- a gift for a (burial).

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

Sermon Title: Just So You Know- Revelation 1: 1-3

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Expect the Unexpected

TITLE: The Unexpected News

Scripture:  Luke 2: 1-7

I. REACHING THE LITTLE PEOPLE

God turned things upside down when He made David, a shepherd, into a (king); and in Jesus, He
made a king into a (sacrificial lamb). He chose (Bethlehem) not Rome or even Jerusalem. He
chose (Israel) not Greece. He chose (Mary and Joseph), peasants, not a ruler and his wife.

God uses (humble) people.

II. REACHING THE LITTLE PEOPLE WITH GOOD NEWS

Luke includes the shepherds in the Jesus story for a stunning reason. He is reminding us that the
kingdom of God isn’t just for (insiders), but for (outsiders).

When we say “Immanuel, God with us” we are saying God is truly among (all classes of people),
not just the well-connected or well-resourced.

Next Week: Series: Expect the Unexpected
Sermon Title: The Unexpected Dawn- Mt. 2:1-12; Is. 9:2-7

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Expect the Unexpected

TITLE: The Unexpected Child

Scripture:  Isaiah 7:6; John 1:14; Phil.2:8; Col.2:9

    I.        WHAT CHILD IS THIS?                  

What child is this?

1.       John 1:14

2.       Phil.2:6-8- His coming to earth involved three truths:

·         His (Deity)- v.6

·         His (Incarnation)- v.7

·         His (Death)- v. 8

“The light and joy of Christmas are hollow if we sever the link between Bethlehem and Golgotha.” Mathis

3.       Isaiah 7:14

   II.        WHAT TRUTH IS CONVEYED?  

Simply put: (Jesus was born of a virgin).  It wasn’t a (myth). It wasn’t some (pick-me-up) from the Gospels. It wasn’t a (side note) nor was it an (end note).

To question the Virgin Birth forces us to:

1.       Question (biblical authority).

2.       Question (who is Jesus?)

3.       Decide: (what will we do about Jesus?)

Next Week: Series: Expect the Unexpected

Sermon Title: The Unexpected News- Luke 2:1-17

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Expect the Unexpected

TITLE: The Unexpected Birth

Scripture:  Luke 1:26-38, 46-55

I.    AN UNEXPECTED ANNOUNCEMENT                

“Bethlehem was remarkably unremarkable.”

Two important items to bring up:

1. This story tells us something about (Mary).
2. This story tells us something about Mary’s (God).

True statement: “God is not much interested in your ability, but your availability.”

II.   AN UNEXPECTED SONG          

Mary’s song is called the (Magnificat) and divides into 4 sections:

1. Focus: Mary’s (names) (verses 46b-48)
2. Focus: God’s (attributes) (verses 49-50)
3. Focus: God’s view of (us) (verses 51-53)
4. Focus: God’s (promises) (verses 54-55)

Next Week: Series: Expect the Unexpected

Sermon Title: The Unexpected Child- Is.7:6; John 1:14; Phil.2:8; Col.2:9

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Feasts with a Purpose

TITLE: God Delivers His People

Scripture:  Lev.23: 26-44

Christmas is a time of (celebration).

I.   A FEAST OF DEDICATION

Hanukkah was established as a feast of (celebration) to celebrate the liberation from Syria by
the Maccabean revolt. They were to light the (menorah), which was to burn continually,
representing the (eternal light of God). But the Talmud says there was only enough oil to burn
for one day. Tradition says it lasted for 8 days, when the temple was (rededicated). The 8 days
were historically tied to (Sukkot).

What does this have to do with Jesus?

1. It is mentioned in one place- John 10: 22-23.
2. Jesus is (the light of the world).

II. A FEAST OF PRESERVATION

Least known of the feasts- (Purim)

Esther’s position as queen was not her (security), but the opportunity providentially given by
God. God shook her and she (changed history).

Esther’s boldness saved the nation of Israel. Satan’s strategy:

1) Stop Jews from living: (Annihilation)
2) Stop Jews from living as Jews: (Assimilation)

Purim is a celebration of God’s (faithfulness) and (protection) of His people.

Next Week: Series: Expect the Unexpected
Sermon Title: The Unexpected Birth- Luke 1:26-38, 46-55

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Feasts with a Purpose

TITLE: God Reminds His People

Scripture:  Lev.23: 26-44

God has placed in the heart of each of us the (need for others).

 I.    REMINDING US ABOUT FORGIVENESS                                               

Yom Kippur is also the (Day of Atonement), the holiest day of the year.

The desire of every Jew is to be made (right with God) on YK. It is believed that repentance with (fasting, charity, and good works) produce faithfulness.

5 essentials for reconciliation:

1. 1. 1. 1. (Confession): Recognition of our sins.
         2. (Contrition): Remorse over our sins.
         3. (Conversion): Repentance from our sins.
         4. (Compensation): Repayment for our sins.
         5. (Consecration): Dedication beyond our sins.

II.   REMINDING US ABOUT CELEBRATING        

This feast is called (Sukkot), or the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles.

It is a harvest festival, the culmination of all the feasts.  It was a reminder of (God’s faithfulness and protection).

Two ceremonies were part of Sukkot:

1. 1. 1. 1. One was a (water-pouring) ceremony.
         2. The other was a (candlestick) ceremony.

Next Week: Series: Feasts with a Purpose

Sermon Title: God Delivers His People- John 10: 22-30; Esther (selected Scripture)

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Feasts with a Purpose

TITLE: God Separates His People

Scripture:  Lev.23: 9-14, 15-22

A Greek word: hagiadzo means (to separate). It came to mean (to be holy).

I.  A SEPARATION BASED ON FAITH                                              

I Cor. 15: 20-23

Firstfruits could not be celebrated apart from the (Passover); and Jesus’ Resurrection could never be celebrated apart from His Passover (sacrifice) for us.

Biblical faith is based on the (truth), the facts about God: spiritual experience is to be the (result) of that faith not the cause of it.

In the Hebrew the word accepted means (pleased or delighted).

II.   A SEPARATION BASED ON PROMISE                              

Important to remember: while Pentecost is the “birthday celebration” of the church when the Holy Spirit came, we are never to look to the Holy Spirit as the foundation of our faith. The church is not and never should be about the Holy Spirit. It has been and always should be about (Jesus). No church should ever worship (the Holy Spirit).

Two promises fulfilled:

1. What happened on Pentecost was a fulfilment of Joel 2.
2. When Peter took the Gospel to the Gentiles it fulfilled the prophecy of the (gospel for all people).

Next Week: Series: Feasts with a Purpose

Sermon Title: God Reminds His People- Lev. 23: 26-44

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Feasts with a Purpose

TITLE: God Redeems His People

Scripture:  Exodus 12:1-32, 42-51; Lev.23:5-8

I.   WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE PAST?                                             

The word Passover in Hebrew is pesach, which means (to pass over).

The Passover came to be known as the (Feast of Unleavened Bread) and the meal was known as the (seder).

II.  WHAT LESSONS MUST WE LEARN IN THE PRESENT?                             

Why Unleavened Bread?

1. 1. 1. 1. There is a (historical) reason.  Deut. 16:3
         2. There is a (spiritual) reason. Mt. 16:6
            Turn to I Cor. 5: 5-8

There were actually 4 cups of wine used during the meal: The Cup of (Sanctification); The Cup of (Plagues); The Cup of (Redemption); and the Cup of (Praise).

The most important part of the feast: (the Passover Lamb)

Next Week: Series: Feasts with a Purpose

Sermon Title: God Separates His People- Lev. 23:9-14, 15-22

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Wake Up Sleepy Head!

TITLE: As We Live and Breathe

Scripture:  Matthew 28: 19-20

3 affirmations we need to make:

1. Jesus wants His church to (manifest fruit).
2. Fruit-bearing is grounded in (faithfulness) and (obedience).
3. Much of what is considered successful may not be (healthy) or (God-honoring).

I. AS WE LIVE

The Mission of OVCF is simple and concise: (Connecting People to Jesus).

II. AS WE BREATHE

What is vision? While the mission tells us why we exist, the vision tells us (how we hope to accomplish that mission).

4 prongs to our vision:

1. (Pursuing Jesus Passionately)
2. (Demonstrating Jesus Visibly)
3. (Revealing Jesus Clearly).
4. Preparing disciples to (obey Jesus faithfully).

Next Week: Will Reed

Following Week: Feasts with a Purpose
Sermon Title: God Redeems His People- Ex. 12:1-32, 42-51; Lev. 23:5-8

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Wake Up Sleepy Head!

TITLE: On Being Contagious

Scripture:  2 Timothy 2: 1-13

I.   THE CHALLENGE TO BE CONTAGIOUS                                             

What something looks like on the (outside) has nothing to do with its (content within).

II.  THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A CONTAGIOUS CHURCH              

1. A Contagious church is a place of (grace).

1) It will welcome the lost and hurting of any (size, shape, or color).
2) It will have an absence of (legalism).

 2. A contagious church is a place of (mentoring).

3. A contagious church is a place of (fellowship).

Next Week: OVCF’s 18th Anniversary Celebration!!

Sermon Title: As We Live and Breathe  Matthew 28: 19-20 (Other miscellaneous Scripture)