Christ Our Redeemer Community Church

All hope is grounded in the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and it all began with the scandalous challenge Joseph faced when his betrothed wife was found pregnant. Providing us a lesson in how we are to mercifully respond to challenges and hurts, Joseph exemplified faith in God and obedience to his word as God continued to work out his redemptive plan by sending his Son as our Lord and Savior. Outline:·     A Model of Righteous Mercy·     Mysteries Revealed·     A Living Faith

In a letter that could be written to much of the Western church today, Jesus addresses a congregation that has measured its standing before God by their experience of material blessing, safety, and acceptance by the world. Like all the letters, Jesus offers mercy and grace before judgment for all churches (and people) who “have ears to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Outline:·     The Glorious Son Speaks·     A Disgusted Assessment·     Amazing Grace

We arrive at the letter to the church in Philadelphia, a church for which Jesus offers only words of encouragement and comfort. His rebuke is reserved for and directed toward those who reject Jesus as Lord and Savior. The message to the first century Christians is the same as the message to us: rest in the glorious promise of salvation and eternal life by holding fast to the faith once for all delivered to the saints; and share the gospel and pray that all will turn to Jesus in true saving faith.Outline:·     The Omnipotent Key Holder·     Ignore the Opposition·     Our Refuge and Strength·     Wonderful PromisesVerses Read or Referenced inSermon:·      Introductiono  Acts 14:22o  2 Timothy 1:12·      The Omnipotent Key Holdero  Job 6:10o  Isaiah 6:3; 43:15o  Mark 1:24o  John 6:69o  1 Peter 1:15o  2 Corinthians 1:20o  Isaiah 22:22o  Luke 24:47o  John 10:9; 14:6o  Matthew 25:11-12o  2 Corinthians 6:2o  John 3:36; 1:12o  Galatians 3:28-29o  John 8:39-44o  Isaiah 46:11o  Job 23:12o  1 John 1:9o  Revelation 14:12·      Ignore the Oppositiono   Romans11:4-5o   Philippians2:10-11o   Romans2:28-29; 10:1-2o   Isaiah49:23; 60:14; 45:14·      Our Refuge and Strengtho   Psalm46:1-2, 7o   John17:15o   Romans5:3-5       Wonderful Promiseso   Revelation14:1; 13:17-18o   1Corinthians 6:19-20o   Philippians3:20-21o   Revelation19:6

Lulled to spiritual complacency by an appearance of vibrancy and peace, the church at Sardis presents us with the grave dangers of Nominal Christianity. Jesus provides warnings and the remedy, which are as applicable to the church today as they were almost 2,000 years ago. Outline:·     An Encouraging Introduction·     The Walking Dead·     Reviving a Dead Church·     Comforting Truth

The issues Jesus addressed in his messages to the first centurychurches are no different than the issues faced by the Christian church today. We only pray for ears to hear “what the Spirit says to the churches.” The church at Thyatira was inviting and had much to commend; however, Jesus gave very direct warnings about its choice to permit a false teacher and to embrace sin as a cultural accommodation. In doing so, Jesus also provides us a model to follow in how issues within the church family should be approached.Outline:·      A Significant Church·      The Divine Judge·      Great Works·      The Condemning Issue·      The Glorious Promise

Jesus addresses his bride, calling her to faithful application of Scripture as believers assemble to worship Christ and provide a witness of his power and grace to the unbelieving world. He offers no quarter to false teachers or those who choose to sit under and follow their teaching; rather, he generously offers grace to those who will repent and the promise of a new andeternal life.Outline:·     A Difficult Place·     The Judge Speaks·     The Real Threat·     Assurance of Victory

The message to the church at Smyrna challenges the concept of faith so often taught and loosely practiced in the West. To these Christians suffering for their faith, Jesus promised eternal glory but commanded them to be faithful, even if it resulted in death.Outline:·     The Speaking Sovereign Lord·     The Church and the City·     The Persecuted Church·     The Command and the Promise

If your love of Jesus, his church, or fellow believers has grown cold, Jesus provides a strong warning and a loving remedy in the message given to the church at Ephesus. The letter to the church reminds us that while we must strive for holiness, stand for truth, and be uncompromising when it comes to biblical fidelity, we must never forget our first love and blessed hope, the Lord Jesus Christ.Outline:·     The Church and the City·     Meeting the Challenge·     The Primacy of Love·     The Promise

As Jesus closed his High Priestly Prayer, his words are a cause for every believer's hope and the great assurance of Christ's never-ending love for those who belong to him by faith.Outline:The Glorious ReunionThe Grand InvitationThe Mark of His People

When Jesus prayed for all people, past, present, and future, who are and will be saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, he did not pray for health, wealth, and prosperity. Jesus prayed for unity. Unity initiated by the Holy Spirit. Unity in truth and unity that witnesses the power and love of God and his redeeming work to the world.Outline:·     Foundations of Christian Faith·     Christian Unity Understood·     Christian Unity Essential

Jesus prayed that those who follow him savingly be sanctified by the truth, which is all of Scripture. As he sends us into the world with the amazing message of God’s saving grace, we are to do so always living for the glory of Christ in accordance with his perfect word. Outline:·     The Danger·     The Mission·     The Source of Strength

How comforting it should be that no matter what comes our way in life, the risen Son intercedes always for his people! As we return to John 17, we read how the Lord Jesus prayed on the night of his arrest for those who belong to him by faith, giving all believers great assurance of being kept and united by the Father. With this comes inexplicable joy that is not a result of circumstances. Instead, it is divine joy that rests in Christ alone.Outline:·     The Marks of Disciples·     Kept and United·     Divine Joy

For the glory of God, he displayed his amazing attributes to all humanity in the outworking of the eternal plan to redeem sinners through faith in Jesus Christ. As Jesus begins to pray on the evening of his arrest, we are reminded of the love of God and the outworking of salvation for his glory.·     Redemption Planned·     Redemption Power·     Redeemed Relationship·     Redemptive Reverence

Jesus concludes his teaching on the night of his arrest with words of great encouragement that point to the finished work on the cross and the gift of the Holy Spirit. He reminds us that no matter what we may face in the world for holding fast to the faith once-for-all delivered to the saints, we must take heart. Our life is in Christ, and Jesus has overcome the world. Our joy and peace is founded upon the very love of the Father for all who follow Jesus as Lord.Outline:·     Just a Little While·     The Fountainhead of Joy·     A Loving Father·     More Than Conquerors

How do you know when the Holy Spirit is present and active? When Jesus Christ is glorified and proclaimed! In the Farewell Discourse, Jesus teaches us about the Holy Spirit’s ministry to the world and to the church, assuring his disciples that it is better that he ascended to the Father so that the Holy Spirit could come.

Jesus continues teaching his disciples in preparation for alife lived in faith and without the physical presence of Jesus among them. In a teaching pertinent to all Christians today, Jesus encourages his disciples to not lose heart when they become the focal point for the unbelieving world’s hatred.Just as light hurts the eyes of those who have been sitting in a dark room, the light of Christ seen in followers of Jesus will often receive a stern reaction.

Jesus makes a most amazing declaration—he calls those whotrust and follow him “friends”! How can sinners who are alienated from God be reconciled to him and be his friends? Only by the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. Jesus not only grants this wonderful privilege, he explains the characteristics of his friends. Outline:·       Friends of Jesus Love Each Other·       Friends of Jesus Obey Him·       Friends of Jesus Receive Truth·       Friends are Chosen by Jesus

Throughout the New Testament, those who possess saving faith in Jesus are referred to people who are “in Christ.” Jesus illustrates what it means not just to profess faith but to possess the faith that saves in the Parable of the Vine. The resultant experience of God’s love and the fulness of joy in Christ is available to all who will heed the command to abide in Jesus.Outline:·     Fruit of Saving Faith·     Abiding in Christ·     Love and Joy

In the last of his “I Am” statements, Jesus proclaims the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan in sending the Son to seek and to save the lost. Using the imagery of a grape vine, we learn that God loves his children and never ceases to work in our lives as we are drawn to Jesus and prepared for a glorious eternity.

The only way to understand love is to look to God. God is love, and he has called us to love as Jesus loves us. This week, we finish our exploration of the exposition of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

Jesus said the world will know who are his by how they love one another. Love is commanded and mentioned throughout Scripture. This week and next, we consider a popular passage that helps us understand what it means to love.

Peace is not possible without following Jesus as Lord, but for those who follow Jesus as Lord, peace is promised and freely given. The peace that surpasses all understanding is the peace in Christ Jesus that characterizes Christians, even Christians navigating through perilous storms. Outline:·     Peace from God·     Peace of the World·     Receiving the Gift of Peace

God’s greatest gift entails the giving of himself. In love he sent the Son to fulfill all righteousness and make the once-for-allsacrifice for the sins of all who will believe and follow Jesus as Lord. In Part 1, we considered what it means to love Jesus savingly. In Part 2, we learn how this is possible as we rest in the comfort and assurance that God dwells with and in those who belong to him. How? He sent “Another Helper.”

We are saved by faith alone in Christ alone; however, the evidence of saving faith is a transformed heart that eagerly seeks to please God and abides by his Word. Contrary to many claims today, obedience and love are not enemies. They are close friends who always walk hand in hand in the life of a believer. We turn to the Word of God and read the clarity with which Jesus speaks, leaving no room for error on this topic.Outline:·     Evidence of Love·     How Do You Know You Love Jesus?·     Assurance for the Redeemed Sinner

“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible” (1 Peter 1:8). This reflects the experience of all Christians today, but the 11 Apostles needed to be preparedfor life and ministry without the physical presence of Jesus. As people who live by faith not sight, our encouragement comes from knowing God by knowing Jesus and living in constant fellowship with him through prayer. We return to the evening of the last supper and the teaching and promises of our Lord. Outline:Seeing GodThe Gift of Greater WorksAsk and Receive

All people begin the spiritual journey from the same starting place: alienation from God due to sin. In a tremendous display of mercy, grace, and love, God provided one means of reconciliation, forgiveness, and eternal life. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life, and while the offer of salvation is open to all people, no one will enter heaven apart from faith in Jesus (John 14:6).

A realistic view of life, the view presented by the Bible andexperienced by all people, recognizes that everyone faces some challenges in this world. Though not immune from living in a world marred by sin, Christians are marked by the comfort and assurance that draw strength from deeply rooted faith in Jesus and unwavering confidence in the promises of God. Outline:·       Trust in theEver-Present God·       Heaven: The Glorious Destination

To his great glory, God’s powerful and eternal love has been shown to the world in the crucifixion of Jesus. This display of love is the new standard by which we are to live and by which the world is to see the beauty of our Savior. Outline:·       Love Glorified·       Love Proclaimed·       Love Affirmed

In a familiar but unimaginable scene of betrayal, the Lord Jesus suffered immensely. While assuring his followers and commissioning them for gospel missions, Jesus provides an example of how we should live a faithful Christ-honoring life through the toughest of circumstances. Outline:·       The Prophesy and Prophet·       The Gospel Mission Affirmed·       The Betrayer Exposed

No one is immune to the disease of pride. Jesus, in sinlessperfection, not only teaches God-honoring humility but models it for his followers. He promises blessedness to the faithful, but what constitutes a “blessed life?” The answer depends on whether one focuses on God or the world—on eternityor the here and now. Jesus models for us the life that honors him, that recognizes to whom we belong, and that will be eternally blessed by God. Outline:Humility: A Christ-Focused AttitudeNo ExceptionsThe Key to Blessedness

On the final night of Jesus’s earthly ministry, he began histeaching with an object lesson in love. The humble love Jesus modeled in the shadow of the cross came with a promise: God will wash away the sins of all who turn to Jesus in faith. Outline:·       The Enduring Love of God·       Pride, Humility, and Love·       The Gospel for Believers Too

With the curtains closing on the public ministry of Jesus, hemade one last call to the unbelieving people in Jerusalem to believe—to avail themselves of God’s grace by placing their faith in Jesus. Because there is only one way to forgiveness, reconciliation to God, and eternal life, the impassioned offer of our Lord came coupled with a warning. The message is as unchanging as God himself, and we do well to listen when Jesus “cries out.” Outline:·       A Matter of Belief·       A Word of Judgment

In a world so often focused on nuance and manufacturedcontroversy, the beauty and simplicity of the gospel is often pushed to the side. The resurrection affirms the truth of Scripture and evidences the unbreakable and unfailing assurance of every promise of God. All that is left for everyone is to come to Jesus, see his beauty and the finality of his saving work, and then to go and tell others.

The Gospel is an urgent message! The public ministry ofJesus concludes with great promise as he pleads with all people to turn from sin and be saved by faithfully submitting to the Lord. However, the promise came with a dire warning for those who reject the saving gospel offered freely by the Sovereign God.Outline:•       Believe and Follow Without Delay•       Gospel Danger•       Motivated by Glory

The sinfulness of sin and the true cost of salvation is not fully appreciated today. We can begin to understand it as the sinless Christ faced the prospect of bearing our guilt on the cross. We can also learn from the Master how to calm a suffering and troubled soul.Outline:•       A Troubled Soul•       Conquering the Troubled Soul•    A Powerful Testimony•       Certain Victory

Unlike anything experienced in life on earth, the offer of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone is made to everyone without regard to their past, present, status, ethnicity, etc. Yet what does it mean to savingly come to Jesus Christ?Outline:•       The Question: Who Can Be Saved?•       The Answer: One Death is Sufficient for All•       Decision Time: Choose Life

From start to finish, the Bible reveals the outworking of God’s redemptive plan, always pointing us toward Jesus. In fulfillment of prophesy and according to God’s perfect design, Jesus made a startling entry into Jerusalem at Passover, provoking the events that led to our salvation.Outline:•       The Right Time•       The People’s King•       God’s King•       The King Must Die

As Jesus prepared to enter Jerusalem and make the once-for-all sacrifice for the sins of all who will believe, he was honoredwith a dinner hosted by faithful disciples. The dinner serves as a prelude to Passion Week, also revealing the hearts of people in the presence of Jesus, the Christ and Son of God.Outline:•       True Disciples•       The Disenchanted•       The Entertained•       The Hateful

Everyone makes a decision about Jesus. Either they believe,submit to Christ as Lord, and humble themselves to God’s Word, or they remain condemned in unbelief. Too often, a third way is embraced, religious unbelief, which is only a masked rejection of the gift God graciously sent in Christ. All threeresponses appear in the text that catalogues the responses to Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.Outline:•       Belief•       Rejection•       Religion

Sovereign over all creation, the Lord our God reigns and rules, his providence guiding all things. Does he care about you—individually? Jesus, the image of the invisible God, reveals not only the power of God over life and death but his steadfast love and willingness to enter our pains as we live for him!Outline:•       Answering the Call•       Our Compassionate Savior•       Believing Is Seeing

Suffering may expose the weakness of our faith and thelimitations we place on God, but weak faith is still faith. Through his revelation to Martha, Jesus draws us back to truth in the good confession of faith. Outline:•       Faith in Challenging Times•       The Comforting Truth•       The Right Answer

With the great privilege of worshiping the Lord Jesus byopening with baptism at the church today, we took this opportunity to consider baptism through a biblical and historical lens.Outline:•       The Biblical Warrant for Baptism•       Faith Precedes Baptism•       The Spiritual Significance of Baptism

Circumstances of life or comparisons with others can make us question whether we are in the place God wants us. We can only know by trusting in the word of Christ and following him. He has given us work to do and the time to do it. While we live for Christ in this life, we should do so without fear and look eagerly toward a glorious eternity with him.Outline:•       A Time to Go•       A Time to Work•       A Time to Sleep

Christians are not sparred the trials and pains of life that all people experience in a world groaning under the weight of sin. Yet, the hope and promise of the Lord Jesus fills sorrowful hearts with peace and joy as we pray to him and wait with eyes fixed on his glory and our eternal destiny. Why can we have such confidence in prayer? The sisters’ simple prayer provides an answer in this text. Outline: •       Bring Your Cares to Jesus •       The Christian Hope •      All for His Glory •       Waiting on the Lord

Who is Jesus? That is the most important question for all people to get right. As eternal God, from, through and to whom all things were created, and as the Son who became man to purchase and secure the salvation of all who will trust and follow him, Jesus is worthy of our highest affections, worship, and obedience. There is no denying the amazing truth revealed in the text this week and the implications for all of life. Outline: •       God the Son Incarnate •       Authority of Scripture •       Affirmation of Works •       Salvation in the Word of Truth

God not only saves, he keeps for all eternity those who belong to him by their repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. What a joyous truth that salvation and our eternal security is not dependent on our strength or ability, but rests entirely in the hands of the all-powerful God. Outline: •   Never Enough •   God’s Grace •   Blessed Assurance o  The Gift o   The Promise o  The Promise-Keeper

A comforting fact to all Christians is that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, caring for and protecting his flock now and for all eternity. The imagery reminds us that we have a personal relationship with our Lord and are known individually by him. Additionally, it means we have community as part of the flock, his church. All is due to the saving work of the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep. Outline: •       The Good Shepherd •       The Life-Giving Sacrifice •       One Flock, One Shepherd

Humanity’s greatest predicament lies in how sinful people can be forgiven and enter the eternal presence of a Holy God who will let no sin pass his judgement. In love, God provided the means of salvation. There is only one way, one truth, and one life, and that is to walk through the only door by faith in Jesus Christ. Outline: •       Heaven’s Gate •       The Other Side of the Door •       Abundant Life

Through a beautiful illustration of saving truth, Jesus presents his gracious work to seek and to save the lost. From a pen full of sheep, the Good Shepherd sent by God to save the lost, calls his sheep by name and leads them to green pastures. The love and sovereign power of God is unlimited. Outline: •       Setting the Stage •       The Danger of False Shepherds •       Discerning Flight •       The True Shepherd

Experiencing the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ should fill believers with a new song, as life becomes an expression of our worship. As we approach Christmas, we remember that God acts in miraculous ways to save, and we eagerly await the day when Christ will return to judge and rule, making all things new. Outline: •       The Lord Saves •       The Lord Reigns •       The Lord Will Rule