Renaissance Church PGH - Sermons

Outline:1) The Church that Suffers2) The Church that offers Supplication3) The Church that is Skeptical & Surprised 4) The Church that SpreadsResources: Commentaries: Bock, Merida, Schreiner; Stott, Wright. Books: Miracles by Lewis; Jesus and the Eyewitnesses, by Bauckham; The Patient Ferment of the Early Church, by Kreider

Outline:A Spirit-filled Church:1) Shares the Gospel2) Teaches the Gospel3) Identity is the Gospel4) Gives & Goes with the GospelResources: Commentaries: Bock, Merida, Schreiner; Stott, Wright. Books: Jesus and the Eyewitnesses, by Bauckham; How to Reach the West Again, by Keller; The Patient Ferment of the Early Church, by Kreider; What Actually Starts Movements, by Prinz

Outline:1) Internal Opposition2) Historical Explanation3) Communal Celebration

Main Point: The message of salvation is the power of salvation for all peoples.Outline: 1) The Father, the Originator of Salvation2) The Son, the Basis of Salvation3) The Spirit, the Application of SalvationResources: Commentaries: Baker, Pillar; “Exalting Jesus in Acts” by Merida

Outline:1) Gospel Curiosity2) Gospel Hospitality3) Gospel EqualityResources: Commentaries: Bock, Merida, Schreiner; Stott, Wright. Books: Jesus and the Eyewitnesses, by Bauckham; How to Reach the West Again, by Keller; The Patient Ferment of the Early Church, by Kreider; Miracles, by Lewis; What Actually Starts Movements, by Prinz

Outline:1) The Pattern of Jesus2) The Power of Jesus3) The Promise of JesusResources: Commentaries: Bock, Merida, Schreiner; Stott, Wright. Books: Jesus and the Eyewitnesses, by Bauckham;How to Reach the West Again, by Keller; The Patient Ferment of the Early Church, by Kreider; Miracles, by Lewis; What Actually Starts Movements, by Prinz

OUTLINE:1) From persecutor to persecuted2) From avoiding to acceptingCommentaries: Bock, Merida, Schreiner; Stott, Wright. Books: The Patient Ferment of the Early Church, by Kreider; How to Reach the West, by Keller

OUTLINE:1) What Saul is doing2) What the Savior does3) What we’re sent to doRESOURCES: Commentaries: Bock, Merida, Schreiner; Stott, Wright.

Outline:1) We Are Guided2) We Are GuidesMain Point: We are guided to guide others (generally and specifically)Resources: The Reluctant Witness - Everts; Understanding Christian Mission: Participation in Suffering and Glory - Sunquist

Main Point: True belief is paired with true repentanceMain Application: Keep repenting and believing. Have your habits actually changed?Outline:1) BELIEF AND BAPTISM2) BELIEF AND THE SPIRIT3) BELIEF AND REPENTANCERESOURCES: Commentaries: Bock, Merida, Schreiner; Stott, Wright. Books: Dominion, by Holland; The Patient Ferment of the Early Church, by Kreider;

Outline:1) A CHURCH THAT SUFFERS2) A CHURCH THAT SCATTERS3) A CHURCH THAT SPEAKSRESOURCES: Commentaries: Bock, Merida, Schreiner; Stott, Wright. Books: Dominion, by Holland; The Patient Ferment of the Early Church, by Kreider;

OUTLINE:1) HOW IT WILL HAPPEN2) WHAT WILL HAPPEN3) WHY IT WILL HAPPENResources: Commentaries: Ciampa & Rosner, Morris, Prior; Books: Surprised by Hope, N.T. Wright, The Resurrection of the Son of God, N.T. Wright. 

OUTLINE:1) WHO THE CROWD THINK JESUS IS2) WHO THE COMMITTED THINK JESUS IS3) WHO THE CURMUDGEONS THINK JESUS ISMAIN POINT: Jesus hasn’t come to liberate the world politically, but to liberate us spiritually for eternity.RESOURCES: Commentaries - Bruner, Carson, Hamilton, Wright | Books - Jesus & The Eyewitnesses, by R. Bauckham; Gentle & Lowly, by D. Ortlund| Studies - Read, Mark, Learn: John, by St. Helen's Bishopsgate

Main Point: God Preserves His Promise and Expands His PromiseOutline:1) From Adam to Abram2) From Abram to AllRESOURCES: Calvin, Greidanus, Kidner, Sailhamer, Walton | Books: Reading Genesis Well, by Collins; The Unseen Realm, by Heisler; How to Read Genesis, by Longman; Understanding Genesis, by Sarna | Studies: Introduction to the Flood Narrative, by Mackie; God of Creation, by Wilkin.

OUTLINE:1) God Designed You to Build2) How to Know If You’re Building Your Own Babel3) What God Does When We Try to Build Babel4) How the Gospel Changes How We BuildMain Point: God designed you to build, but whenever you try to build Babel, he’s going to put an end to it (if not now, in the end).Resources: Commentaries: Genesis by Wenham

OUTLINE:1) Spreading the seed of the serpent2) Spreading the seed of the SaviorMain Point: Jesus came from the same people he came forRESOURCES: Calvin, Greidanus, Kidner, Sailhamer, Walton | Books: Reading Genesis Well, by Collins; The Unseen Realm, by Heisler; How to Read Genesis, by Longman; Understanding Genesis, by Sarna | Studies: Introduction to the Flood Narrative, by Mackie; God of Creation, by Wilkin.

OUTLINE:1) Pattern2) Problem3) PromiseRESOURCES: Calvin, Greidanus, Kidner, Sailhamer, Walton | Books: Reading Genesis Well, by Collins; The Unseen Realm, by Heisler; How to Read Genesis, by Longman; Understanding Genesis, by Sarna | Studies: Introduction to the Flood Narrative, by Mackie; God of Creation, by Wilkin.

Outline:1) An Altar2) A Blessing3) A CovenantRESOURCES: Calvin, Greidanus, Kidner, Sailhamer, Walton | Books: Reading Genesis Well, by Collins; The Unseen Realm, by Heisler; How to Read Genesis, by Longman; Understanding Genesis, by Sarna | Studies: Introduction to the Flood Narrative, by Mackie; God of Creation, by Wilkin.

OUTLINE:1) God remembers2) God recreatesRESOURCES: Commentaries: Sialhamer, Walton, Brueggeman, Hamilton, Calvin. Studies: Tim Mackie - The Flood Narrative Course.

OUTLINE:1) Extraordinary Judgement2) Extraordinary MercyRESOURCES: Calvin, Greidanus, Kidner, Sailhamer, Walton | Books: Reading Genesis Well, by Collins; The Unseen Realm, by Heisler; How to Read Genesis, by Longman; Understanding Genesis, by Sarna | Studies: Introduction to the Flood Narrative, by Mackie; God of Creation, by Wilkin.

Main Point: Waiting on God’s promises is hardOutline:1) Go and work2) Go and waitRESOURCES: Calvin, Greidanus, Kidner, Sailhamer, Walton | Books: Reading Genesis Well, by Collins; The Unseen Realm, by Heisler; How to Read Genesis, by Longman; Understanding Genesis, by Sarna | Studies: Introduction to the Flood Narrative, by Mackie; God of Creation, by Wilkin.

OUTLINE:1) Wholehearted communion2) Wholehearted corruption3) Wholehearted commitmentRESOURCES: Calvin, Greidanus, Kidner, Sailhamer, Walton | Books: Reading Genesis Well, by Collins; The Unseen Realm, by Heisler; How to Read Genesis, by Longman; Understanding Genesis, by Sarna | Studies: Introduction to the Flood Narrative, by Mackie; God of Creation, by Wilkin.

Main Point: The wickedness of the world can never stop God’s commitment to His Word.OUTLINE:1) What God saw2) What God felt3) What God didRESOURCES: Calvin, Greidanus, Kidner, Sailhamer, Walton | Books: Reading Genesis Well, by Collins; The Unseen Realm, by Heisler; How to Read Genesis, by Longman; Understanding Genesis, by Sarna | Studies: Introduction to the Flood Narrative, by Mackie; God of Creation, by Wilkin.

Outline:1) Death is Universal2) Death is Not UltimateRESOURCES: Commentaries: Calvin, Greidanus, Hamilton, Kidner, Sailhamer, Walton; Books: All the Genealogies of the Bible by Dawson & Merrill, From Eden to Egypt by Duke

Main Point: Nothing can stop God's promise for those who cry out to Him.OUTLINE:1) Two Ways to Come to God2) Two Ways to Create Under God3) Two Ways to Cry Out to GodRESOURCES: Calvin, Greidanus, Kidner, Sailhamer, Walton | Books: Reading Genesis Well, by Collins; How to Read Genesis, by Longman; Understanding Genesis, by Sarna | Studies: God of Creation, by Wilkin.

Main point: Despite all uncertainty, God will certainly restore all thingsOutline: Despite all uncertainty and suffering we are promised:1) Restored Creation2) Reestablished Order3) Undisputed Transformation

Outline:1) A Spirit-filled Church shares the gospel2) A Spirit-filled Church teaches the Gospel3) A Spirit-filled Church is identified with the Gospel4) A Spirit-filled Church gives and goes with the GospelResources: Commentaries: Isaiah — Alec Motyer (The Prophecy of Isaiah); Books: They Found the Secret — V. Raymond Edman, Center Church — Timothy Keller, Dynamics of Spiritual Life — Richard Lovelace, Revival — D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, A God-Sized Vision — Collin Hansen & John Woodbridge, Revival & Revivalism — Iain Murray, When God Comes to Church — Ray Ortlund Sr., Why Revival Tarries — Leonard Ravenhill, Facing Leviathan — Mark Sayers, Disappearing Church — Mark Sayers, Reappearing Church — Mark Sayers, A History of Christianity in Pittsburgh — Smith

Outline:1) Why we pray2) Who we pray to3) What we pray for4) How prayer worksResources: Commentaries: Isaiah — Alec Motyer (The Prophecy of Isaiah); Books: They Found the Secret — V. Raymond Edman, Center Church — Timothy Keller, Dynamics of Spiritual Life — Richard Lovelace, Revival — D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, A God-Sized Vision — Collin Hansen & John Woodbridge, Revival & Revivalism — Iain Murray, When God Comes to Church — Ray Ortlund Sr., Why Revival Tarries — Leonard Ravenhill, Facing Leviathan — Mark Sayers, Disappearing Church — Mark Sayers, Reappearing Church — Mark Sayers, A History of Christianity in Pittsburgh — Smith

Outline:1) Forsaken2) Futile3) FaithlessMain Point: In Order to be revived by God, we must return to GodRESOURCES: Commentaries: The Message of Jeremiah - Wright, The Book of Jeremiah - Thompson, Jeremiah & Lamentations - Lalleman; Books: Dynamics of Spiritual Life — Richard Lovelace, A God-Sized Vision — Collin Hansen & John Woodbridge

OUTLINE:1) Look Up2) Look In3) Look OutResources:Commentaries: Isaiah — Alec Motyer (The Prophecy of Isaiah); Books: They Found the Secret — V. Raymond Edman, Center Church — Timothy Keller, Dynamics of Spiritual Life — Richard Lovelace, Revival — D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, A God-Sized Vision — Collin Hansen & John Woodbridge, Revival & Revivalism — Iain Murray, When God Comes to Church — Ray Ortlund Sr., Why Revival Tarries — Leonard Ravenhill, Facing Leviathan — Mark Sayers, Disappearing Church — Mark Sayers, Reappearing Church — Mark Sayers, A History of Christianity in Pittsburgh — Smith

OUTLINE: 1) Our Problem2) God’s Promise3) Our Posture

Main Point: Before we find comfort in the remedy, we must accept the uncomfortable diagnosis.Outline:1. The Act that Infects Us2. The Effects that Plague Us3. The God who Meets Us

OUTLINE:1) Temptation involves questioning God's words2) Temptation involves questioning God's goodness3) Temptation involves warped desires

Outline:1) Why the trees?2) Who is the Tempter?

Outline:1) SEX IS ROOTED IN CREATION (PROCREATION, PLEASURE, PRAISE)2) SEX IS RUINED BY CORRUPTION3) SEX IS REDEMEED IN CHRISTMain Point: What you think about sex, reveals what you think about God

OUTLINE: 1) ROOTED IN CREATION2) REVEALED IN CHRISTRESOURCES: Commentaries: Calvin, Kidner, Sailhamer, Walton | Books: The Meaning of Marriage, by Keller & Keller; Marriage, by Tripp; Reading Genesis Well, by Collins; Love Thy Body, by N. Pearcy; How to Read Genesis, by Longman; Understanding Genesis, Sarna | Articles: God's Place in Your Marriage, Jones; What My Father Has Joined, Sironi.

OUTLINE: 1) A WOMAN IS FEMALE & THE SOURCE OF MANKIND2) A WOMAN IS FROM THE SIDE OF MAN3) A WOMAN IS FIT FOR STRENGTHENING MANRESOURCES: Commentaries: Calvin, Kidner, Sailhamer, Walton | Books: Complementarity, by Allison; Embodied, by Allison; Reading Genesis Well, by Collins; God, Marriage, Family, by Köstenberger; Love Thy Body, by N. Pearcy; How to Read Genesis, by Longman; Understanding Genesis, Sarna; In His Image, by Wilkin | Studies: God of Creation, by Wilkin.

OUTLINE:1) A MAN IS CREATED MALE2) A MAN IS A COMMISSIONED WORKER3) A MAN IS A COMMANDED PROTECTOR4) A MAN IS A COLLABORATIVE INNOVATOR5) A MAN IS IN NEED OF A COMPATIBLE HELPERRESOURCES: Commentaries: Calvin, Kidner, Sailhamer, Walton | Books: Love Thy Body, by Nancy Percy; Complementarity, by Allison; Embodied, by Allison; Reading Genesis Well, by Collins; God, Marriage, Family, by Köstenberger; How to Read Genesis, by Longman; Manhood Restored, by Mason; Understanding Genesis, Sarna; In His Image, by Wilkin | Studies: God of Creation, by Wilkin.

OUTLINE: 1) THE DIVINE IMAGE2) THE DISTINCT IMAGE3) THE DEPENDENT IMAGERESOURCES: Commentaries: Calvin, Kidner, Sailhamer, Walton | Books: Complementarity, by Allison; Reading Genesis Well, by Collins; How to Read Genesis, by Longman; Understanding Genesis, Sarna; In His Image, by Wilkin | Studies: God of Creation, by Wilkin.

OUTLINE: 1) NOTHING TO SOMETHING2) SOMETHING TO EVERYTHING3) EVERYTHING TO SABBATHINGRESOURCES: Commentaries: Calvin, Kidner, Sailhamer, Walton; Books: Reading Genesis Well, by Collins; How to Read Genesis, by Longman; Understanding Genesis, Sarna; Studies: God of Creation, by Wilkin.

OUTLINE:1) THE AUTHOR(S) & THE AUDIENCE2) THE BACKGROUND & THE BEGINNING(S)3) THE CREATOR & THE CREATIONRESOURCES - Commentaries: Calvin, Kidner, Sailhamer, Walton; Books: Reading Genesis Well, by Collins; How to Read Genesis, by Longman; Understanding Genesis, Sarna; Studies: God of Creation, by Wilkin.

OUTLINE: 1) Reveling in Jesus2) Rejected Like Jesus3) Resembling JesusRESOURCES: Commentaries: Bock, Schreiner, Stott, Wright, Witherington. Books: Practicing The Way, by Comer; Exclusion & Embrace, by Volf.

OUTLINE: 1) Continual Resistance 2) Covenantal PursuitRESOURCES: Commentaries: Bock, Stott, Wright.

OUTLINE: 1) DIVISION IN THE CHURCH2) DELEGATION IN THE CHURCH3) DEPENDABLE MEN IN THE CHURCH4) DISCIPLES MULTIPLYING IN THE CHURCHRESOURCES: Commentaries: Bock, Merida, Schreiner, Stott, Wright. Books: Imperfect Pastor, by Z. Eswine; Talking about Race: Gospel Hope for Hard Conversations, I. Adams; Finding Faithful Elders & Deacons, by T. Anyabwile; Divided by Faith, by Emerson & Smith; The Trellis & The Vine, by Marshall & Payne; Deacons, by M. Smethurst

OUTLINE: 1) THE GOSPEL IS OFFENSIVE2) THE GOSPEL COMPELS OBEDIENCE3) THE GOSPEL EMPOWERS US TO OVERCOMERESOURCES: Commentaries: Bock, Merida, Schreiner, Stott, Wright. Books: Here I Stand, by Bainton; Compassion & Conviction, by Gibboney, Wear, & Butler; Bonhoeffer, by. E. Metaxas; Onward, by R. Moore; More to be Desired than Gold, by C. Wilson. 

OUTLINE: 1) RELIGIOUS JEALOUSY 2) RESILIENT MINISTRY3) REARRESTED FEARFULLYRESOURCES: Commentaries: Bock, Merida, Schreiner, Stott, Wright. Books: Try Softer, by Aundi Kolber; Tempered Resilience, by T. Bolsinger; Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis; Onward, by R. Moore; More to be Desired than Gold, by C. Wilson

OUTLINE:1) DEMONSTRATING THE KINGDOM OF GOD2) DEVOTED TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD3) DECLARING THE KINGDOM OF GODRESOURCES: Commentaries: Bock, Merida, Schreiner, Stott, Wright. Books: When Helping Hurts, M. Corbett & S. Fikkert; Devoted to God, by S. Ferguson; Ministries of Mercy, by Keller; Sermon on the Mount & Human Flourishing, J. Pennington.

OUTLINE:1) JUDGEMENT FOR PLAY ACTING 2) JUDGEMENT FOR ABDICATING ACCOUNTABILITY3) JUDGEMENT IS ALWAYS AVOIDABLERESOURCES: Commentaries: Bock, Merida, Schreiner, Stott, Wright. Books: Life Together, by D. Bonhoeffer; When Helping Hurts, M. Corbett & S. Fikkert; Ministries of Mercy, Sermon on the Mount & Human Flourishing, J. Pennington.

Main Point: God’s power and kindness is the answer to Jonah’s flight and problem.Main Application: Only when we see the depth of God's love and the height of God’s power will we truly stop running from our problems.Outline:1) Jonah’s Calling2) Jonah’s Flight3) Jonah’s Sacrifice

Main Point: Gospel belief creates bonds in benevolenceMain Application: Open your hands - extend to give AND extend to receive