The second letter to the churches in Revelation: To Smyrna...
An introduction to the Book of Revelation...
In our series in Esther, this week we see how God's sovereignty and human responsibility work together....
2/16/20 Sermon Title: The Grace of Giving Ron Boomsma 2 Corinthians 8:1-15; 9:6-15 Introduction: Many of the 18 million Angelenos live for self-interest and pleasure. Yet God's good news sets us free from self-consumption, puts us right with Him, and places us into a church family that supports and helps us grow. The church is God's plan to redeem and to help ...
Keep ReadingThe Christian Work Ethic Sunday Message February 9, 2020 Bill Fisher 2 Thessalonians chapter 3:1-15 Proposition statement: "We each need to understand that the Christian work ethic is to "work quietly and to earn your own living." Paul is writing to the Thessalonians to answer the question: What do we do while we wait for the return of the Lord? His answer is: do...
Keep Reading2/2/20 Sermon Series: The Affectionate Gospel Sermon Title: Jesus is Still Coming Ron Boomsma 2 Thessalonians 2:1-15 Proposition Statement: Jesus is still coming back, so stand firm. Introduction: False teaching about the future takes away hope, thus crippling the church. The apostle Paul addresses this challenge in today's passage. He prompts the chur...
Keep Reading
1/19/20 Sermon Series: The Affectionate Gospel Sermon Title: Responding to the Spirit's Work Lynn Baird 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 Proposition Statement: We are dependent on the Holy Spirit; we should always put a high value on His work and influence on our lives; and we should never disregard His active presence among us. Introduction: At the end of his ...
Keep Reading
1/12/20 Sermon Series: The Affectionate Gospel Sermon Title: Dressed for the Journey, Part 2 Ron Boomsma 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Proposition Statement: We need the Lord, so we need to pray. Introduction: As a continuation of last week's sermon, today's focus rests on the aspect of God's will for us that involves praying. The suitcase metaphor (being "d...
Keep Reading
1/5/20 Sermon Series: The Affectionate Gospel Sermon Title: Dressed for the Journey Ron Boomsma 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Proposition Statement: God has packed a suitcase for us that has precisely what we need for the journey, no matter where we are going. Introduction: Seeking God's will for our lives is a common query by believers. We desire to know th...
Keep Reading12/01/19 Christmas Sermon Series: Arise, Shine, For Your Light Has Come! Sermon Title: Arise, Shine! Ron Boomsma Isaiah 60:1-3 Proposition Statement There will be a day when the people of God will be lit up with the glory of God in a way that the entire world is drawn to. Introduction: We all have our "rise and shine" moments when God gives us a wake-...
Keep ReadingProposition Statement: Pastors are a gift from God to God's people for the good of God's people, the church. Introduction: In a prophecy that continues to be fulfilled today, the prophet Jeremiah speaks of God's provision of shepherds to His people. We see what it means personally and corporately to receive a pastor. God gives shepherds to the church for the purpose of ...
Keep Reading 11/10/19 Sermon Series: The Affectionate Gospel Sermon Title: A Grave Consideration of Hell: How an All-Loving God Will Send People There, and the Depths He Went to Keep People Out Gordy Cucullu 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 Introduction: Although often comically portrayed, hell from a biblical perspective is a place of eternal, constant torment for those who rejec...
Keep Reading 11//3/19 Sermon Series: The Affectionate Gospel Sermon Title: Counseling in the Church Ron Boomsma 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Proposition Statement: When a member is in trouble, every member is called upon to help. Introduction: As he closes his letter, Paul provides final instructions to the Thessalonian church. He urges them to counsel one another. All Chr...
Keep ReadingSermon Series: The Affectionate Gospel Sermon Title: The Culture of Peace Lynn Baird 1 Thessalonians 5:13b Proposition Statement: Peace in the church reflects the God of peace who alone makes peace possible. Introduction: The term peace, utilized 361 times in the Bible, is a Greek present imperative in today's passage. This gospel-informed continuous co...
Keep Reading 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 Introduction: In today's passage, the apostle Paul encourages the fainthearted to recognize God's encouragement of a future hope for all believers. This hope causes us to stay awake now because we have been made ready by Him. Point 1: Faint Hearts Paul specifically addresses the fainthearted ("small-souled" in Greek) in 1 Thessalonians 5...
Keep Reading
10/6/19 Sermon Series: The Affectionate Gospel Sermon Title: A Theology of Work Ron Boomsma 1 Thessalonians 4:4:9-12 Proposition Statement: Every Christian needs to know what God thinks about work. Introduction: Knowing Jesus changes how we live, including our perspective on work. Some changes occur seemingly without much effort; some require instruction. The...
Keep Reading Sermon Series: The Affectionate Gospel Ron Boomsma I Thessalonians 1:1-10 Proposition Statement: The gospel contains God's affection, and so we must know, enjoy, and maintain this affection in order to succeed as a church. Introduction: We now begin a series on the letters of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. There is a significant theme of affection in these lettersa heartfe...
Keep Reading8/25/19 Sermon Series: Praying the Psalms Sermon Title: A Cry for Mercy Lynn Baird Psalm 6 Proposition Statement: Even in the face of our failure, God's mercy never fails. Introduction: When we sin, we sense its effect on our relationship with God. How do we respond? Psalm 6, the first of seven penitential psalms of David, shows us his cry for God's mercy...
Keep Reading
Sermon Series: The Divine Perspective Sermon Title: Worship God and Witness for Jesus Lynn Baird Revelation 19 Proposition Statement: Worship and witness are the primary responses to all that God is doing in these last days. Introduction: The book of Revelation shows us God's divine perspective. Although tempted to escape the troubles of the world, we are called t...
Keep Reading
Sermon Series: The Divine Perspective Sermon Title: The Seventh Seal: A Time to Pray Ron Boomsma Revelation 8:1-5 Introduction: The Seventh Seal, opened by the Lamb in Revelation 8:1-5, shows us that our present efforts come into play at the end of time. Specifically, the Seventh Seal brings us to the end, surprises us with silence, and draws our attention to our ...
Keep Reading
Derek Overstreet Mark 4:35-41 Listen to the sermon Proposition Statement: Resting in the storms of life is the fruit of resting in the Lord of life. Introduction:Life can change quickly. Whether in the past, present, or future, we all have "storm stories." By knowing Christ, we know thatduring these inevitable storms of lifeHis divine power is at work in us, making us ...
Keep ReadingThe Trustworthiness of Scripture Josh Blount Proverbs 30:1-6 Introduction:Scripture is trustworthy because it is God speaking to save His people. To look at Scripture properly, we must investigate what it says about itself.In doing so, we increase our confidence in it. Point 1: What is Scripture? Scripture is the infinite, limitless God speaking to man who is both fin...
Keep Reading
Title "The Divine Perspective: the Throne of God" (Revelation 4) Introduction In Revelation 4, John takes us on a tour of the place where the universe is, always has been, and forever will be governed. Everything began from this throne; everything will culminate before this thorne. This is the place of God's ultimate and complete sovereign authority over all things. ...
Keep Reading
Sermon Title: The Seventh Letter to the Church in Laodicea: Seeing Ourselves Clearly Lynn Baird Revelation 3:14-22 Proposition Statement: We need to see ourselves clearly so that our lives accurately reflect a life of faith and trust. Introduction:At the crossroads of commerce, the city of Laodicea is bustling, rich commercial center. The Laodicean church reflects th...
Keep Reading
Sermon Title: The Sixth Letter to the Church in Philadelphia: The Faithful Church Revelation 3:7-13 Introduction:Every local congregation, possessing a unique corporate identity, is a missionary church that may experience fear and reservation when faced with opposition to God's Gospel mission. Even though they were unsafe, unwelcomed, and without respect, the church in...
Keep Reading
3/17/19 Series: The Divine Perspective Sermon Title: The Church and Tolerance Ron Boomsma Revelation 2:18-29 Introduction:Like a marriage, the bond between Jesus and the Church places His people in a secure and loving commitment which culminates with a future wedding when all will be made right in eternity. At the end of Revelation 2, the Son of God commends, correc...
Keep Reading
3/03/19 Sermon Title: What Everyone Needs to Know about Jesus Ron Boomsma John 4:1-34 Introduction: In John 4:1-34, Jesus encounters the Samaritan woman at the well. It is through this encounter that we learn three things that everyone must know and never forget about Jesus: that He has time for us, that He overcomes all barriers, and that He gives living water. Everyt...
Keep Reading
2/17/19 Series: The Divine Perspective Sermon Title: The First Letter Ron Boomsma Revelation 2:1-7 Introduction: In Revelation 2:1-7, a letter to the church in Ephesus, the writer John delivers Jesus' assessment of the health of that congregation. As the Founder and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus uses this letter to establish the criteria for a healthy church, both enc...
Keep Reading Series: The Divine Perspective Sermon 2/10/19: The Real Jesus Revelation 4:1-20 LISTEN TO SERMON HERE Proposition Statement: The more you see of Jesus, the stronger you will be. Introduction: The seven churches of Asia, facing increasing persecution, receive encouragement from John's Revelation to see the real Jesus. In doing so, they receive grace and peace to endu...
Keep Reading
