Messy Work, Part 1 - SERMON NOTES

Messy Work, Part 1 | Listen to Sermon Audio

Messy Work, Part 1 - SERMON NOTES

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. To listen to the sermon, click the link above.

Intro: (1) series recap (2) master/servant (3) Chappell book (4) five biblical perspectives on work

Dignity of Work: (1) occupation vs. vocation (2) Gen. 2:15 — sustaining, flourishing (3) work preceded by identity (cf. Gen. 1:26) — picture of the gospel (3) work comes before fall (cf. 3:15) — not evil but purpose-giving (cf. retirees) (4) variety of work — no calling/job more important than any other (cf. pastor plumber)

Purpose of Work: (1) Col. 3:17, 23-24— work as profession (i.e. professing Christ) (2) “George Bailey” test — tire plant (3) true even in jobs we don’t like — job are not our fulfillment (4) Jesus is our boss —flight attendant’s quote of Col. 3:17 (5) additional purpose of provision (cf. 1 Tim. 5:8)

Integrity at Work: (1) “how would Christ do my job?” — Psalm 25:8, 21 (2) v.19 — witness to others (3) v.4-5 — shapes our souls (cf. managers/college students) (4) v.16-18 — may be tested through waiting (cf. Bae’s prayer) (5) may lead to God moments (cf. raising food)

Success at Work: (1) Deut. 8:7-10 — “living from God’s provision, blessing him for his provision” (2) stewarding our talents (cf. Mt. 25) — bus driver, cardiologist (3) ability to work comes from God — produces gratitude and perseverance (4) world’s values/expectations vs. God’s (cf. Sheffler, Paul Norton)

Witness at Work: (1) 1 Thess. 4:11-12 (p.129) who we work with (cf. 8 th graders, maintenance workers) (2) how we work (cf. p.141-142) (3) witnessing in small ways (cf. devo book gift) (4) expect pushback but remember eternal perspective (cf. Mt. 5:11-16) (5) think creatively (cf. Phil’s ministry)

Conclusion: burger king employee

“Battery researchers believe they are solving fuel issues and helping the environment. Politicians believe they are advancing justice, national security, and a prosperous future for our nation. Salespeople believe they are taking care of their families and contributing to our economy because no business prospers until somebody sells something. Doctors see beyond the pressures and repetitiveness of clinical practice to the lives, families, and communities made healthy by their labors. Highway workers understand that without their labors, every trip becomes dangerous, the nation comes to a halt, the economy collapses, and suffering becomes universal. Preschooler moms are not simply changing diapers, building Lego sets, and enduring exhausting days, but are shaping the joy, health, and faith of little bodies inhabited by eternal souls. And bricklayers can believe that they are not merely stacking bricks, but rather building cathedrals and homes and research centers and police stations and art museums.”

Messy Parenting, Part 2 - SERMON NOTES

Messy Parenting, Part 2 | Listen to Sermon Audio

Messy Parenting, Part 2 - SERMON NOTES

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. To listen to the sermon, click the link above.

Intro: (1) God shapes our kids through us and vice versa (cf. Steve Young)

Obedience for Children (1-3)

1. Nature: (1) “children” here denotes those being “brought up” (v.4) — “obey” stronger than “submit” (2) universal truth (cf. Romans 1:28-30, 2 Tim. 3:2) — nature shows (3) evidence in other ancient cultures, modern therapy examples (4) not free to express yourself however you want

2. Law: (1) OT quote (Ex. 20, Deut. 5) — continued use of law (2) obedience a command from God — “honor” denotes all seasons of life (4) promise of well-being — protection, habits and friends, character development (5) examples of Proverbs (4:10, 30:17) — transition within decalogue

3. Gospel: (1) “in the Lord” a reference to Christ (cf. 5:22-23, 6:5) (2) obedience key to discipleship — apply to teens (3) right relationships within families a gospel witness — friend in high school (3) obedience shift from begrudging to joyful — external compliance to internal softness of heart

Wisdom for Parents (4)

1. Encouragement: (1) “fathers” — cultural background, general reference to parents (2) spectrum of misusing authority — favoritism/over-indulgence vs. harshness/cruelty (3) children possess their own unique personalities/interests (4) “bring them up” — nourish/cherish (cf. my journey)

2. Discipline: (1) corrective action against wrong behavior (2) necessary but in controlled ways (cf. Prov. 19:18) (3) can take a number of forms, including corporal punishment — needs to fit the crime/age and include explanation (4) goal of maturity maturity (cf. Heb. 12:11) — speeding ticket

3. Instruction: (1) presenting wise considerations/warnings (cf. Eli in 1 Sam.3:11-13) (2) requires time and thought — praying for opportunities to speak to kids’ hearts (3) the passing along of certain information —importance of Scripture (cf. 4:14) (4) goal of transformation (5) role of church

Conclusion: (1) exhortation to serve the purposes of the Lord in our generation (cf. Acts 13:36) (2) exercise — go home and look at your belly button (3) asking Christ to heal pain of no parents or bad parents

Messy Parenting, Part 1 - SERMON NOTES

Messy Parenting, Part 1 | Listen to Sermon Audio

Messy Parenting, Part 1 - SERMON NOTES

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. To listen to the sermon, click the link above.

Intro: (1) intro to parenting (2) ownership vs. stewardship (3) Tripp book

God

1. God offers grace: (1) past vs. present vs. future (2) calling not based in ability (3) 2 Cor. 12:9 —ability = pride (4) God calls us to that which exposes our hearts — more like children than unlike them (cf. responding to their shortcomings) (5) God parents us as we parent

2. God offers rest: (1) burden of parenting (p.180) — goal is NOT academics, athletics, future career, popularity, religious activity (3) Mt. 28:18-20 — lifelong followers of Christ (4) no control over this — dependent on authority and presence of Christ (cf. Mt. 11:28-29) (5) faithfulness vs. results

Parents

1. Parenting is a process: (1) “I’ve tried everything” — how do you know? (cf. p.86) (2) 1 Tim. 1:14-16 — model for parenting (3) communication principle — many small conversations for few big ones (cf. fried egg Sundays) (4) children leave home unfinished (cf. John 16:12-13)

2. Parenting is NOT our identity: (1) all looking for purpose — horizontal or vertical (2) Galatians 2:20 — our pre-Christ selves are crucified, no longer defined horizontally (4) parenting as identity both natural and miserable (5) symptoms — reputation, control, activity, personal

Children

1. Children are spiritually lost: (1) behavior vs. condition (2) sin as being lost — parables in Luke 15 (sheep, coin, son) (3) we get lost, God goes out of his way to find us — application to parenting (4) reacting to behaviors vs. responding to hearts (toddlers, teens) (5) Eph. 4:15 — truth and love

2. Children need authority: (1) “self-appointed sovereigns” — we are all naturally at the center of our own worlds (2) 2 Cor. 5:15 — only the gospel can free us from living for ourselves — not possible through tone, force of personality, physical size, threats (3) God parents us as we parent

Conclusion: the need for community

The Resurrection and Exaltation of Jesus - SERMON NOTES

The Resurrection and Exaltation of Jesus | Listen to Sermon Audio

The Resurrection and Exaltation of Jesus - SERMON NOTES

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. To listen to the sermon, click the link above.

Introduction: (1) recap of Acts 2 (2) pick sermon up with next two events in Jesus’ life/ministry

Resurrection (24-32)

1. Jesus is real (24): (1) resurrection the next event in Jesus’ life — historical (2) “raised up” — opposite of “crucified/killed” (cf. Luke 24:5) (3) death couldn’t hold Christ — picture of childbirth (cf. Rev. 1:17-18) (4) he now brings spiritually dead people to life (cf. 2 Tim. 1:10) — Peter

2. Jesus is working (25-31): (1) further confirmation — resurrection anticipated by David in Psalm 16:8-11 (2) v.29 — v.27 a reference to one not succumbing to death, but not David (3) v.30-31 — David prophesying about a descendant (4) God is at work even if we can’t see it (cf. platypus)

3. Jesus is personal (32): (1) restatement of God raising up (2) “witnesses” — prophets’ prediction = apostles’ experience (3) Bible comes from eyewitnesses of resurrection (cf. 1:3) (4) eternal destiny determined by acceptance/rejection of resurrection (cf. 17:30-34) (5) “most irritating religion”

Exaltation (33-36)

1. Jesus is King (33): (1) ascension the next historical event (2) coming of HS connected to Jesus leaving/returning (cf. John 14) (3) “right hand” = power/authority (cf. Philipp. 2:8-11) (4) experience of HS confirms Jesus’ power/authority (cf. easter eggs) — good gifts/blessings

2. Jesus is Lord (34-35): (1) Psalm 110 references God, another individual — understood as Messiah by religious leaders (cf. Mt. 22) (3) Jesus applies to himself, ensuring his death sentence (cf. Luke 22) (4) tendency to view Jesus too small, be dismissive, fit him inside our expectations (cf. Mulan)

3. Jesus is Savior (36): (1) Jesus here referred to as Lord — reference back to v.21 as one who saves (cf. “Yahweh” in Joel) (2) Jesus uses power to save (4) fireman’s rope (5) resurrection/exaltation definitive proof of Jesus’ abundant ability to save and keep

Conclusion: sermon evokes the need to respond (cf. 2:38-39)

The Death of Jesus - SERMON NOTES

The Death of Jesus | Listen to Sermon Audio

The Death of Jesus - SERMON NOTES

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. To listen to the sermon, click the link above.

Intro: (1) intro to PS/Easter (2) set up Acts 2

Jesus’ death is for all kinds of people (2:1-8): (1) Pentecost = harvest — spiritual “harvest of souls” marked by diversity (2) “regular folks” speaking in non-native languages (cf. Canfields) — opposite of Tower of Babel (3) God desires all people from all backgrounds to experience him (cf. 1 Tim. 2:4) —cultural, racial, religious, socioeconomic, moral (4) atheist turned theologian

Jesus’ death brings salvation (2:16-21): (1) Peter’s response — reference to Joel 2 (2) three emphases —fulfilled prophecy, “last days”, opportunity for anyone to know God (3) creation’s “groaning” between Pentecost/Christ’s return — opp to be saved (cf. 2 Peter 3:9) (4) God has placed beauty in the midst of our sin-filled world (cf. violinist in subway) — application to unbelievers and believers

Jesus’ death was divinely planned (2:22-23): (1) fully man — humanity’s sub before God (2) fully God —supernatural miracles (2) death based in God’s sovereignty and human responsibility (3) Jesus submitted to the divine judgment intended for us (cf. Is. 53:4-6, 10) (4) God is active even in evil circumstances (cf. Gen. 50:20) (5) forgiveness always comes at a cost (i.e. having car stolen)

Jesus’ death creates boldness (4:27-29): (1) Peter/John threatened — church remembers God’s sovereignty over Christ’s death (2) because God is sovereign even over their opposition, they pray for boldness rather than removal of it (3) God’s sovereignty over Christ’s death comforts us in what intimidates us — physical, relational, financial, vocational, mental/emotional (cf. 2 Kings 6:15-18)

Conclusion: set up time of confession and communion