Category: Sermon Notes

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: Yes or No-You Choose

Scripture: Mark 8-Luke 3

I.  SAY NO!

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Following Jesus is saying NO (to self). Mk 8:34-38
            2. The (self-centered) life must be put to death.
            3. The (safe) life must be put to death.
            4. The (self-serving) life must be put to death.
            5. Following Jesus is saying NO to (false satisfaction) Mk. 9:33-37; 10:41-45
            6. Following Jesus is saying NO to (falling asleep). Mk. 13:32-37

II. SAY YES!

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Following Jesus is saying YES to (surrender). Mk.9:14-24
            2. Following Jesus is saying YES to (humility). Mk.12:41-44
            3. Following Jesus is saying YES to (Jesus) Lk.1-3

Next week: Jesus the Radical
Scripture: Luke 4-18

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: Keeping Things in Order

Scripture: Matthew 22-Mark 7

I.  FIGURING OUT PRIORITIES

Sometimes we allow the (urgent) to take the place of the (important).

What are to be our priorities?

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. To establish a correct an ordered (relationship with Jesus)
               2. To love (our neighbor) correctly.

II. FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECY

Matthew 24-28 Jesus is speaking about the future and events:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Future events pertaining to (His coming).
               2. Future events pertaining to His (death, burial & resurrection).

III. FOLLOWING THE PROMISED ONE

“He who thinks he leads and has no one following is only taking a walk.” –Leadership saying

A quick recap of Mark 1-7

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. • Chapter 1- Introduction of John, Jesus’ baptism and the first disciples
               • Chapter 2-Healing and the call of Matthew
               • Chapter 3- Listing of the disciples
               • Chapter 4-7- Like a highlight reel of Jesus’ work and teachings

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though
they stumble, they will never fail, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” Psalm 37:23

Next week:  Yes or No-You Choose
Scripture: Mark 8-Luke 3

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: In the Right Place

Scripture: Matthew 5-21

Most common question: What is your (motive)? Put another way: What is your (focus)?

I. ON OUR HEART

Proverbs 4:23-“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

The heart is the seat of our (thoughts, emotions, desires, and will).

II. ON THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST

“It is spiritually dangerous to be more concerned about the sin of others than you are about your own.” (Tripp-Sept. 29-p.347)

What happens when we put the microscope on others?

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Stop being aware of (our shortcomings).
               2. We become (self-righteous).

Being in the presence of Christ means (He is all there).

III. ON THE SAME MISSION AS JESUS

Jesus was a man on (a mission). He knew (why He came). Luke 19:10

Our culture is enamored. Greatness = power. Power = greatness. Not so with Jesus.

Next week: week: Things in Order
Scripture: Matthew 22-Mark 7

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: The End and the Beginning

Scripture: Habakkuk 1-Matthew 4

I. HOW LONG, LORD, HOW LONG?

3 perspectives:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. How long, Lord, how long will we suffer? (Habakkuk)“The little book of Habakkuk is about waiting on and trusting in the Lord, even when you are confused by what He is doing, and it ends with one of the clearest statements in all of Scripture about where true, sturdy, and lasting joy is to be found.” (9/21-PDT)
               2. How long, Lord, how long will we wait? (Zephaniah & Haggai)
               3. How long, Lord, how long will we hope? (Zechariah & Malachi)Zechariah writes to the (remnant in (Jerusalem).
                  Malachi focuses on (multiple) subjects. Malachi tells them (Elijah) will return. Elijah is
                  (John the Baptist) who will usher in the (Messiah).

II. THE WAITING IS OVER!

We are now entering the Golden Age-the age when the Messiah comes to earth in the form of a baby (to die for the sins of the world).

A brief summary:
Matthew 1- the crib and Bethlehem
Matthew 2- Herod’s jealousy
Matthew 3- Introduced to John the Baptizer
Matthew 4- Jesus’ victory over Satan in the wilderness

Next week: week: In the Right Place
Scripture: Matthew 5-21

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: God’s Unfailing Love

Scripture: Hosea 1-Nahum 3

I. AS A FATHER TO HIS CHILDREN (Hosea)

God’s judgment against Israel is to (draw them back to Himself) and to show how much (He
loves) them.

II. AS A PROMISE KEEPER TO HIS CHILDREN (Joel)

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. As a loving Father, He keeps His promise to His children about (restoration).
               2. As a loving Father, He makes a promise about the (future).

III. AS THE SHEPHERD TO HIS SHEEP (Amos)

Sin (breaks) our world; God’s (grace) restores it. Sin breaks us; God’s grace restores us.

IV. AS THE ESCAPE FOR HIS CAPTIVES (Obadiah)

Sin has held us (captive), but some day the chain and power of sin will be (broken).

V. AS RESCUER FOR HIS REBELS (Jonah)

VI. AS THE RENEWER OF HIS WORLD (Micah)

The real jewel in Micah is 6:8

VII. AS THE BRINGER OF JUDGMENT (Nahum)

Those who think they have won now will find out they are simply losers in the end. God will not
(be toyed with or mocked).

Next week: week: The End and the Beginning
Scripture: Habakkuk 1-Matthew 4

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: In His Presence

Scripture: Ezekiel 43-Hosea 7

I. GOD’S PRESENCE IS IN HIS TEMPLE (Ezekiel 43-48)

Purpose emphasized in Ezekiel: (God’s holiness) matters.

What was God expecting?

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. To put everything away that was (unholy).
               2. Closeness to God comes with a (cost).
               3. Diligently seek to obey God’s (statutes and laws).

II. GOD’S PRESENCE IS IN HIS PEOPLE (Daniel)

Three stories in Daniel:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. The Hebrew boys in Nebuchadnezzar’s court
               2. The 3 Hebrew boys and the statue
               3. Daniel defying the king’s order

III. HE IS A SHEPHERDING GOD

Hear about this NEXT WEEK!

Next week: week: God’s Unfailing Love
Scripture: Hosea 1-Nahum 3

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: A Picture of God

Scripture: Ezekiel 23-42

I. HE IS A GOD OF JUDGMENT

God’s judgment is never (without cause).

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. His judgment is (certain).
               2. His judgment is (irrevocable).
               3. His judgment is (intense)
               4. His judgment is (deserved).
               5. His judgment can be (avoided).

II. HE IS A SOVEREIGN GOD

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. God has (no equal).
               2. God has authority over (everyone and everything).
               3. God’s standards (do not change).
               4. God keeps His (promises).
               5. God’s (judgment and justice) is the same.

III. HE IS A SHEPHERDING GOD

Why does God care this much? Because He (cares about His sheep).

There is no greater leader for God’s people than God Himself.

He is the God of (new life).

Next week: week: In His Presence
Scripture: Ezekiel 43-Hosea 7

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: The Calamity and the Cure

Scripture: Ezekiel 1-22

“Pride is the only disease known to man that makes everyone sick
except the person who has it.”

I. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF PRIDE

5 characteristics of pride to avoid:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Pride rejects God’s (clear warnings). (5-8)
               2. Pride sets up (false idols). (13-15)
               3. Pride has a clouded view of (sin). (16-17)
               4. Pride rejoices in an evil person’s (death). (18-20)
               5. Pride fails to see a (drift). (21-22)

II. THE ANTIDOTE TO PRIDE

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Humility sees (God’s work). (1-4)

               God reassured Ezekiel several times of His strength: “he felt the hand of the Lord take hold of him” (1:3); “the Spirit came into me” (2:2); “Then the Lord took hold of me” (3:22); “Then the Spirit came into me and set me on my feet” (3:24); “But when I give you a message, I will loosen your tongue” (3:27).

            2. Humility finds its source in (God’s presence). (8-12)

               God’s presence and glory are not focused in this building as in the OT. God’s presence and glory are present in every child of God’s life.

Next week: week: A Picture of God
Scripture: Ezekiel 23-42

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: Profound Truths to Live By

Scripture: Jeremiah 38-Lamentations 5

I. GOD REIGNS- NO JOKE (38-41)

We will soon learn two things: Earthly kings have (limited power) for a little time, while God has
(unlimited power) for all time.

God is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. He will not be (thwarted). His plans will not be (undercut).
He is Lord over all (kings and kingdoms).

II. GOD IS TO BE WORSHIPED-NO SUBSTITUTES (42-45)

“Our Lord hates when we give the worship that is due him to something in creation.” (PDT)

God’s anger is the (product of His love). True love is (rightfully jealous). God has chosen us as His
own, and He will not (share our heart) with other lovers.

III. GOD IS ALL-POWERFUL-NO LIMITS (46-52)

One of the most common mistakes we make is thinking God (is too small).
As we bring Jeremiah to a close, we are struck by (Who God is) and (how powerful) He really is.

IV. GOD IS MERCIFUL- NO FAILING (Lamentations)

Even in our darkest moments, even in our weakest moments, we have a promise from God’s
own Word that He (never fails) and he (never leaves us). 3:22-24

Next week: week: The Calamity and the Cure
Scripture: Ezekiel 1-22

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: God’s Plans for Us

Scripture: Jeremiah 14-37

I. GOD HAS PLANS TO RENEW US

God sometimes works in our (slow or Sabbath times)

God sometimes works (directly on us)- Jeremiah 18

II. GOD HAS PLANS TO BLESS US (23:1-34:22)

What do I mean by saying He will bless us?

1. We cannot brag about (our righteousness); it is best to brag (in Christ alone).
2. God’s plans for His children are (never evil). (29:10-14)
3. Our hope in this life is not based on (what this earth offers), but (what is coming).
4. Every hard thing that God brings upon us is designed to bring about a more (powerful
conclusion). God never intended to (leave us as we are).

“Hardship, in the hands of the Lord, is a tool of His grace. He doesn’t lead His children through
difficulty just because He has the power to do so. His intentions are gracious; he desires that we
turn to Him and find forgiveness in Him.” (PDT- August 16th )

Next week: week: Profound Truths to Live By-
Scripture: Jeremiah 38-Lamentations 5