When somebody mentions “Christmas” what is the first image that pops into your head? Decorated trees? Presents? Food? Football? As Christians, we know that the incarnation, the miraculous birth of Jesus the second person of the Trinity, is the...

Main idea: Trust God for grace as we live in a painful, sin-cursed world.  In the midst of conflict and hostility, trust in Jesus who crushes the head of the serpent. (v. 14-15)Revelation 12:1-121 Corinthians 15:...

As a teenager growing up in a Lutheran church in Iowa, I enjoyed serving as an acolyte, which is a person who lights the candles at the front of the church as the service begins and extinguishes them at the end. It was a formal proces...

Renounce sinful responses to guilt and humbly turn to God who pursues you. Luke 19:10 Jesus says “The son of man came to seek and save the lost.” Renounce the sinful responses to guilt: Pretending it doesn’t exist, Hidi...

Main idea: Falling for Satan’s lies leaves us guilty, ashamed and condemned and only God’s grace can restore us. Be watchful for the cunning of Satan John 8:44 Revelation 12:9 Ephesians 6:1...

At this Equipping Night we talked about the storyline of the Bible ...

Introduction Main idea: Trust God’s good plan and Christ’s redeeming work to be faithful and flourish as male or female. Trust your Creator-King’s good plan. “Have you not read that he who created them from the be...

Introduction Trusting God’s Grace in a Fallen World We saw in Genesis 1-2 the glory of God at creation. He created a very good heavens and earth where he chose to dwell with the man and woman he cr...

Our total depravity makes it impossible for us to seek God and walk in his ways. We need God to make us alive spiritually through his grace. God chooses to make people alive, calling them to salvation in an effectual way....

Main idea: Four pursuits of a God-honoring marriage. Couples must cultivate companionship (2:18a)Wives must complement their husband’s service to God (2:18b)Husbands must exercise ...

Introduction Main idea: Obediently accept the mission of your generous Creator King. The Description of the Garden (10-14) Psalm 145:9 Psalm 100:3–4 The Commission in the Garden (1...

Sin has infected every single human being. It is important to know how our sin has broken a relationship with our sovereign God. No one seeks him, and as a result we make a mess of our lives. Only when we understand this bad news can the good news...

Main idea: Turn to the Lord your creator to find (refresh) your purpose and place in His new creation work. Recount your noble purpose (4-6)Genesis 4:17-22Return to your Lord ...

Main idea: God’s work in creating and sustaining all things calls for constant thanksgiving Romans 1:21 Thank you Lord, for __________  you made. (Thankful) Submission(Thankful) StewardshipSati...

We often forget how transcendent God is, and try to think of him and related him as if he was on our level. We need to see God as high and lifted up and our hopelessness before him, unless he makes a way for our salvation. ...

Main idea: Get your thinking straight about God’s creation of His Kingdom Chance Pleasure Examine God’s creationImage and likenessThe Creation MandateExercise dominion...

One of my favorite things about doing home projects or repairing a car is when I have a good excuse to go buy a tool. There is great joy in procuring the tool, learning how to use it, and then having that tool and the acquired skills for the futur...

Main idea: Get your thinking straight about God’s creation of His Kingdom Examine God’s Creation Exalt the glory of the King Establish your life under His kingship Automated ...