Sermons on Purpose, Mission, & Ministry (Page 3)
Neighboring
What is neighboring? How can we be genuinely loving agents of change for our neighbors and culture? In a hurting world filled with hurting people, what can Christians do to help our neighbors around us? We can point them to justice. We can assure them of peace. And we can show them love. Christ’s death and resurrection is for all of us, and so we can see our neighbors as forgiven sinners just like us. Sermon Text: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21
Using the Word to Reach The One
The Bible is the true word of God. How can we partner with God and reach “the one” God has placed in our lives? We cannot trick people into the Kingdom or sell them on Jesus. He tells the story of The Rich Man and Poor Lazarus to show us that if a person will not listen to the Word of God, they will not listen to anything else we have to say. Jesus says that it is the Word…
Whatever It Takes to Reach the One
God did whatever it took to reach us when he sent Jesus. The Parable of the Shrewd Manager is one of Jesus’ strangest stories. He tells a story about a corrupt manager, but yet he tells us we can learn something from this wicked man. He says that Christians should be just as zealous about reaching the lost as criminals are about their selfish gain. Jesus wants us to be completely committed to reaching “the one” lost person in our…
Jesus Seeks The One
After the Pharisees accuse Jesus of associating with sinners, Jesus tells the Parable of the Lost Sheep. He uses this story about a shepherd who left his flock to find a stray sheep to explain the importance of every single person. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Every life is important to God, which is exactly why it’s important for Christians to share the Good News of Jesus with the world. Sermon Text: Luke 15:1-10
Joy in Unity
It is a beautiful thing when people unite in harmony and love. Selfish desires, personal preferences, and status become unimportant when people come together. Unity isn’t easy to achieve, but it can happen when a group of believers join in Jesus’ name. There is joy in unity. Sermon Text: Philippians 2:1-4
Love One Another (Maundy Thursday)
On Maundy Thursday, we are reminded of the reconciliation we have because of Christ’s body and blood given for the forgiveness of our sin. We are also reminded of the example of self-giving love shown by our Lord as he washed the feet of his disciples. Sermon Text: John 13:1-17, 34-35
High Anxiety: Find Purpose in Suffering
When you’re suffering and in the middle of a tough time, it’s often difficult to find joy. The people to whom Peter was writing were being persecuted for sharing Jesus with their culture. Peter encourages them to “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” We can learn from this advice too; when we focus on the promises of God and His love for us, rather than our earthly suffering, our perspective changes and we find purpose…
Hope Under Pressure
It’s a challenge to remain hopeful and not bitter when we’re under pressure. Let’s face it: we’re not going to always agree with the people around us. But that shouldn’t prevent us from serving them and caring for them. Peter calls his readers to “submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority” and “repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” Do good in the world for Christ while…
Thriving in Exile
It’s hard to think about thriving while in a tough situation. It would be easier to hide our faith, worship God in private, and keep Him to ourselves. But that’s not what faith calls us to do. Peter tells us that we are a “chosen people … that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Our identity is in Christ, so the Holy Spirit is the governor of our hearts.…
Hope is Real
There is real transforming power in realizing that hope is not merely a concept that glosses over the pain of life. Hope is real. When hope becomes real to us, we can see and experience its benefits. It provides a substance to that which is not seen. Often, life can feel dull and empty. However, as hope becomes real, our lives take on a new meaning, new concept, and quite a new purpose. Sermon Text: Luke 1:26-38
Victory Core Values: Generosity
In the early church, when the people experienced a famine, Barnabas and Paul demonstrated generosity. They gathered an offering to help the people affected by the famine. They gave the little they had to help their brothers and sisters in Christ. At Victory, we have a culture of generosity that allows us to meet our needs as a church but also reach out into our community to share the love of Christ through acts of service and financial giving. Sermon…
Core Values: Pursuing Excellence
The Apostle Paul pursued excellence. As best he could, he preached the truth in a way that everyone in his audience could understand. He knew that Jesus was the only one who could achieve perfection. Yet, Paul worked tirelessly to reach people with Jesus. We give God our first and our best, pursuing excellence in all we do to be positive representatives of His Kingdom. Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 9:19-27