Category: Sermon Notes

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

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: Feels Like Home

TITLE: The Gospel is Preached

Scripture: Col. 1:3-14; I Cor. 1:18-25

“The right kind of fame arises from a life well lived, not a brand well cultivated.” Beaty

I. WHAT IS OUR MANDATE?

Turn to Acts 20 (p.542). Three challenges Paul gives the elders:

1. (Guard yourselves)
2. (Watch out!)
3. (I entrust you)

Two Scriptures to consider:

1. I Cor. 1:18-25 (p.554)
2. Romans 1:16-17 (p.547)

II. WHAT IS THE RESULT?

What does this mandate do?

1. Gives us someone and something to be (thankful for).
2. Gives us something to (shout about).
3. Gives us something to (celebrate).

What is evidence of maturity?

1. Our desire is to (please Christ). [v.10]
2. Our desire is to do (God’s will). [v.10-12]
3. Our desire is to experience (God’s freedom).

THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: Feels Like Home
NEXT WEEK: Jesus is Honored
SCRIPTURE: Colossians 1:15-22

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: Feels Like Home

TITLE: Love is Found Here

Scripture: Ruth

I. THE HOUSE DISOBEDIENCE BUILT

Who you read about in the book:

1. 1. 1. 1. A woman who felt (abandoned).
         2. A widow who found (love).
         3. A man who became a (kinsman redeemer).

Who were the Moabites? Descendants of (Lot) and his (eldest daughter). They enticed the
Israelite men into idol worship, particularly of a god named (Chemosh).

II. THE HOME THAT LOVE BUILT

Naomi was as good as dead in her heart. The book of Ruth is an (adoption) story.

Ruth gleaned in the fields. Gleaning is (picking up what was left) in order to eke out an
existence. God, in His providence, brought her to the fields of (Boaz).

The most important word in Ruth is (hesed) which means (kindness). It is used in Ruth 1:8 and
also in 2:20. Words that come close in our language are love, loyalty, compassion and covenant.
Hesed is the distinguishing quality of our relationships. It is the kind of relationship found in
Jesus’ words (“Love one another”).

(Love) is the defining mark of a follower of Jesus.

THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: Feels Like Home
NEXT WEEK: The Gospel is Preached
SCRIPTURE: Col. 1:3-14; I Cor. 1:18-25

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: Feels Like Home

TITLE: What is a Home?

Scripture: Eph. 2:19-22

I. WHAT IS A HOME?

What is a home? (Your thoughts expressed)

Some contemporary ideas:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Run like a (business)
            2. Definitely not a (house)
            3. An (organization)

II. WHEN DOES A CHURCH FEEL LIKE A HOME?

“You are members of God’s family.” (Eph. 2:19) “You are fellow citizens with the saints and a
member of the household of God.” (ESV)

• • • • • The Christian life cannot be lived properly as a (loner).

When does a church feel like home?

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Important: this does not happen on our own. The (Holy Spirit) is the motivator.
            2. Must see beyond (blurred vision).
            3. Retains the (simplicity of worship).
            4. People are (welcomed).
            5. (Names) over (numbers).

Two final thoughts:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. (Getting bigger) is not the goal of a church family.
            2. God called me to be a (pastor/shepherd) not a project manager.

THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: Feels Like Home
NEXT WEEK: Love is Found Here
SCRIPTURE: Ruth

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

TITLE: OVCF’s Mission and Vision – Part 2

Passages: Various
Ps. 63, James 2, John 15, Eph. 4, Matthew 25

Mission is the (destination). OVCF’s Mission: (Connecting People to Jesus)
Vision is the (route). It’s how we hope to achieve the mission.

OVCF’s Vision

1. 1. 1. Pursing Jesus Passionately: (Tend your heart) [Psalm 63:1-8]
      2. Demonstrating Jesus Visibly: God’s (power is on display) in his people’s lives [James 2 and John 15:12]
      3. Revealing Jesus Clearly: (Truth in Scripture) is revealed and embraced
      4. Preparing Disciples to (Obey Jesus Faithfully) [Eph 4:11-12; Mt 7 and 25; John 15]

NEXT WEEK: THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: Feels Like Home
TITLE: What is a Home?
SCRIPTURE: Eph. 2:19-22