Sermon Text: Luke 6:20-26 Sermon Title: Introducing the “Backwards” Kingdom *The Big Question: How does Jesus, the Messiah/King, expect his subjects to live? *The Central Point: He Expects His Subjects to Live with “Backwards” Expectations: 1.) JOYFUL SUFFERING (vv. 20-23) – (Take-Away: The world expects that if you live “right” you’ll end up “righ…

The Main Idea: God wants us to show Christ-likeness to the world by truly loving our eternal family. *The Big Question: How do we we TRULY LOVE our eternal family? *The Central Point: By Godly WISDOM we REFLECT the GOSPEL by: 1.) LIVING UNTO THE LORD BY FAITH (vv. 1-12) – (Application: Love means we live in light of the Lord’s love to us in the GOS…

The Main Idea: God wants us to show Christ-likeness to the world by truly loving others. *The Big Question: How do we know we TRULY LOVE others? *The Central Point: By STARTING with a RIGHT relationship to God’s Law: 1.) LOVE AND LAW COOPERATE (vv. 8-10) – (Application: Love means nothing unless it’s measured by the standard of God’s law.) 2.) LAW …

The Main Idea: God is leading us into Christ-likeness in the context of the world to show his reign. *The Big Question: What does SANCTIFICATION look like in the world? *The Central Point: SANCTIFICATION looks like SUBMITTING: 1.) TO AUTHORITIES (vv. 1-3) – (Application: The authorities serve because of God’s designation, so submitting to them is i…

The Main Idea: God is leading us into Christ-likeness in the context of the world to show his reign. *The Big Question: What does SANCTIFICATION look like in the world? *The Central Point: SANCTIFICATION looks like SUBMITTING: 1.) TO AUTHORITIES (vv. 1-3) – (Application: The authorities serve because of God’s designation, so submitting to them is i…

The Main Idea: God is leading us unto Christ-likeness in the context of the church to show his glory to the world. *The Big Question: What does SANCTIFICATION look like? *The Central Point: SANCTIFICATION looks like LOVE: 1. LOVE ONE ANOTHER (vv. 9-13) (Application: Sanctification looks like a deep affection full of love for all the saints.) (Last …

The Main Idea: God is leading us into Christ-likeness in the context of the church to show his glory to the world. *The Big Question: What does SANCTIFICATION look like? *The Central Point: SANCTIFICATION looks like LOVE: 1.) LOVE ONE ANOTHER (vv. 9-13) – (Application: Sanctification likes like a deep affection full of love for the saints.) (THIS W…

The Main Idea: God is leading us into Christ-likeness in the context of his body, the church. *The Big Question: Why is the church SANCTIFICATION’S PRIMARY context? *The Central Point: Because SANCTIFICATION is not merely a “me” thing, but a “we” thing: 1.) IT STARTS IN YOUR MIND (v. 3) – (Application: In order to be Christ-like, seek God for SOBER…

The Main Idea: God doesn’t merely save us from hell—he saves us unto life. *The Big Question: If SANCTIFICATION is simple, then why isn’t it easy? *The Central Point: Because Sanctification Aims at Total Transformation by: 1.) EXTENDING GOD’S MERCY (v. 1a) – (Application: God’s TRANSFORMING GRACE flows from his heart of compassionate mercy to us —s…

The Main Idea: God Reveals the Mystery of Salvation in Christ to Cure Conceit. *The Big Question: What’s the cure for conceit? *The Central Point: Understand the Mystery of How God Works to Save in Christ: 1.) ELECTION AND REPROBATION (vv. 25-27) – (Application: God only sees two kinds of people: MAKE SURE YOU’RE “IN ISRAEL” [in other words: IN CHR…

The Main Idea: God Reveals the Mystery of Salvation in Christ to Cure Conceit. *The Big Question: What’s the cure for conceit? *The Central Point: Understand the Mystery of How God Works to Save in Christ: 1.) ELECTION AND REPROBATION (vv. 25-27) – (Application: God only sees two kinds of people: MAKE SURE YOU’RE “IN ISRAEL” [in other words: IN CHR…

The Main Idea: God Reveals the Mystery of Salvation in Christ to Cure Conceit. *The Big Question: What’s the cure for conceit? *The Central Point: Understand the Mystery of How God Works to Save in Christ: 1.) ELECTION AND REPROBATION (vv. 25-27) – (Application: God only sees two kinds of people: MAKE SURE YOU’RE “IN ISRAEL” [in other words: IN CHR…

The Main Idea: God’s WRATH will catch up with “his people” if they continue in UNBELIEF. *The Big Question: Why should we seek to rid ourselves from a PRESUMPTIVE FAITH? *The Central Point: Because of three VALUES the elect should cultivate: 1.) FEEDING (v. 16) – (Application: Your identity is with the HOLINESS of Christ, so seek NOURISHMENT from t…

The Main Idea: God’s FAITHFULNESS Drives the Strategies He Uses to Save His People. *The Big Question: What strategies does God use to save his people? *The Central Point: God Brings the Gospel to Them and Then: 1.) USES ISRAEL’S REJECTION TO GATHER ELECT GENTILES (vv. 11a, 12a, 15a) – (Application: God’s plan IN ACTION is meant to fill you with GR…

The Main Idea: Don’t Worry… God Saves His People. *The Big Question: Is God true to his word about SAVING his people? *The Central Point: YES! GOD’S GOT A REMNANT: 1.) PAUL: PRESENT LIVING PROOF (v. 1) – (Application: God can save you or ANYONE ELSE you’re concerned about!) 2.) ELIJAH: PAST LIVING PROOF (vv. 2-6) – (Application: God SAVES you no ma…

The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace provides clear revelation of SAVING faith in Christ vs. DECEPTIVE faith. *The Big Question: How do we receive righteousness from God? *The Central Point: BY SAVING FAITH IN THE GOSPEL which is: 1.) NOT BASED ON THE LAW OF GOD (vv. 5-13) – (Application: Make sure that what you CONFESS with YOUR MOUTH about Christ …

The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace provides clear revelation of SAVING faith in Christ vs. DECEPTIVE faith. *The Big Question: How do we receive righteousness from God? *The Central Point: BY SAVING FAITH IN THE GOSPEL which is: 1.) NOT BASED ON THE LAW OF GOD (vv. 5-13) – (Application: Make sure that what you CONFESS with YOUR MOUTH about Christ …

The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace provides clear revelation of SAVING faith in Christ vs. DECEPTIVE faith. *The Big Question: How do we receive righteousness from God? *The Central Point: BY SAVING FAITH IN THE GOSPEL which is: 1.) NOT BASED ON THE LAW OF GOD (vv. 5-13) – (Application: Make sure that what you CONFESS with YOUR MOUTH about Christ …

The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace provides a secret to attaining successful righteousness with him. *The Big Question: How do we attain righteousness in God’s eyes? *The Central Point: AS A GIFT FROM HIM, not by works, but by: 1.) NOT PURSUING IT (vv. 30-31) – (Application: Be SURPRISED by God’s KINDNESS to you in Christ!) 2.) PURSUING IT (vv. 32…

The Main Idea: God enacts his SOVEREIGN covenant grace in Christ WITHOUT FAIL. *The Big Question: What is one thing that God CANNOT do? *The Central Point: GOD CANNOT FAIL. The Apostle Paul gives us three reasons why GOD CANNOT FAIL to save HIS people in Christ: 1.) BECAUSE OF HIS ULTIMATE AUTHORITY (vv. 6-13) – (Application: God’s got a record ult…

The Main Idea: God’s been communicating his covenant grace in Christ from the beginning to the end of biblical revelation. *The Big Question: What has God been doing as the pages of Scripture unfold? *The Central Point: Lessons Large & Small Establish Christ As THE Savior. The APOSTLE Paul Teaches That the POINT of Bible History is SALVATION IN CHR…

The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace in Christ gives us the beginning and the end of salvation. *The Big Question: What is the Christian SECRET to living life? *The Central Point: Because of Christ You Can SEE God LOVES You. God wants you to envision Himself as: 1.) THE CHEERFUL GIVER: HE DELIVERS ALL THINGS TO YOU IN CHRIST (vv. 31-32) – (Applicati…

The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace shows us that as we SUFFER we can KNOW he loves us. *The Big Question: What is the Christian SECRET to getting through suffering? *The Central Point: Because of Christ You Can KNOW God LOVES You. God gives you two KEYS to UNLOCK this secret: 1.) WHAT YOU CAN KNOW (v. 28) – (Application: Your SUFFERING is in God’s…

The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace shows us how to relate with Christ through the Spirit as we SUFFER. *The Big Question: What MUST you UNDERSTAND CLEARLY to live a righteous Christian life? *The Central Point: Fifth: How to Handle Your Suffering with Christ. Christ, by the Spirit, Wants You to Have Three Evaluation Points to Deal with Your Suffer…

The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace shows us how to relate with Christ through the Spirit. *The Big Question: What MUST you UNDERSTAND CLEARLY to live a righteous Christian life? *The Central Point: Fourth: How You Gain a Sense of Christ’s Activity in Your Life. Christ, by the Spirit, Gives You Three Senses for Living a Righteous Christian Life: 1.…

The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace changes our relationship with Christ through the Spirit. *The Big Question: What MUST you UNDERSTAND CLEARLY to live a righteous Christian life? *The Central Point: Third: Your Relationship with Christ Through the Spirit. Christ, through the Spirit, Gives You Three Keys to Living a Righteous Christian Life: 1.) A…

The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace changes our relationship to ourselves under God’s law. *The Big Question: What MUST you UNDERSTAND CLEARLY to live a righteous Christian life? *The Central Point: Second: Your Relationship to Yourself Under God’s Law. Christ Does Three Things to CHANGE Your Relationship to YOURSELF Under God’s Law: 1.) (Last Time…

The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace changes our relationship to ourselves under God’s law. *The Big Question: What MUST you UNDERSTAND CLEARLY to live a righteous Christian life? *The Central Point: Second: Your Relationship to Yourself Under God’s Law. Christ Does Three Things to CHANGE Your Relationship to YOURSELF Under God’s Law: 1.) CHRIST DIA…

The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace changes our relationship to God’s law. *The Big Question: What MUST you UNDERSTAND CLEARLY to live a righteous Christian life? *The Central Point: First: Your Relationship to God’s Law. Christ Does Three Things to CHANGE Your Relationship to God’s Law: 1.) CHRIST DEFINES YOU APART FROM THE LAW (vv. 1-3) – (Applic…

The Main Idea: God’s grace frees us to live a righteous life! *The Big Question: How do we live a righteous life? *The Central Point: Bound to Him We’re Bound to Change! God’s Grace Makes Three Fundamental Changes in Us: 1.) A CHANGE IN DIRECTION (vv. 15-16) – (Application: God’s grace redirects our steps from sin to righteousness.) 2.) A CHANGE IN…

The Main Idea: Our union with Christ gives us His RESURRECTION POWER to live unto righteousness. *The Big Question: What does Christ’s RESURRECTION do for us? *The Central Point: Christ’s RESURRECTION gives us NEW POWER… FOR three NEW CONSIDERATIONS: 1.) NEW WALKING (vv. 1-4) – (Application: Christ’s RESURRECTION is the PLATFORM for walking in newn…

The Main Idea: God’s Covenant BLESSING brings RECONCILIATION which deepens our appreciation of our true condition. *The Big Question: How GOOD is THE GOSPEL? *The Central Point: The GOSPEL is so GOOD that God GIVES us… 1.) LIFE FOR DEATH (vv. 12-14) – (Application: We deserve no less than capital punishment due to Adam’s sin, so appreciate the gift…

The Main Idea: God’s Covenant BLESSING brings RECONCILIATION with him causing us to rejoice while suffering. *The Big Question: What GOOD is THE GOSPEL? *The Central Point: In the Gospel God GIVES us… 1.) PRESENT HOPE FOR PRESENT SUFFERINGS (vv. 1-5) – (Application: Jesus’ justifying us gives us the Holy Spirit RIGHT NOW!) (2 WEEKS AGO) 2.) FUTURE …

The Main Idea: God’s Covenant BLESSING brings RECONCILIATION with him causing us to rejoice while suffering. *The Big Question: What GOOD is THE GOSPEL? *The Central Point: In the Gospel God GIVES us… 1.) PRESENT HOPE FOR PRESENT SUFFERINGS (vv. 1-5) – (Application: Jesus’ justifying us gives us the Holy Spirit RIGHT NOW!) 2.) (NEXT EPISODE) FUTURE…

The Main Idea: God’s Covenant BLESSING has been around since near the beginning of time. *The Big Question: What KIND of GOSPEL is THE GOSPEL? *The Central Point: Since the beginning it’s been the HEART of the… 1.) HISTORY OF REDEMPTION (vv. 1-8) – (Application: God’s NEVER given up on his promise, so rest assured he won’t… EVER!) 2.) SIGN OF REDEM…

The Main Idea: God’s Covenant BLESSING will leave us with our ONLY HOPE… and it’s ETERNAL! *The Big Question: What KIND of God is the God of the GOSPEL? *The Central Point: He’s a GIVING God who GIVES… 1.) RIGHTEOUSNESS APART FROM THE LAW (vv. 21-22a) – (Application: BLESS GOD for the GIFT of his “alien” righteousness…) 2.) REDEMPTION TOGETHER WITH…

The Main Idea: God’s Covenant curse will leave us UTTERLY HOPELESS. *The Big Question: Why do we NEED the God of the GOSPEL (part 3)? *The Central Point: Because WE HAVE NOTHING TO HELP US… 1.) NO ADVANTAGES (vv. 1-8) – (Application: GOD is GOD and you are not, so put down your REBELLION and accept his judgment…) 2.) NO RIGHTEOUSNESS (vv. 9-18) – (…

The Main Idea: God’s Covenant curse exposes our internal sense of his law which condemns us. *The Big Question: Why do we NEED the God of the GOSPEL (part 2)? *The Central Point: Because WE LIKE TO HIDE in… 1.) CONDESCENDING CONDUCT (vv. 1-11) – (Application: We become COMFORTABLY NUMB in our own righteousness…) 2.) CONSCIENCE CONFLICTS (vv. 12-24)…

The Main Idea: God’s Covenant curse shows how far he’ll go to show us how far we’ve gone. *The Big Question: Why do we NEED the God of the GOSPEL? *The Central Point: Because God GIVES US OVER TO OURSELVES by giving us up to… 1.) DELUSIONAL LUSTS (vv. 24-25) – (Application: We become INCAPABLE of thinking through our choices…) 2.) DISHONORABLE PASS…

The Main Idea: God’s Covenant curse clarifies why we NEED the GOSPEL. *The Big Question: Why do we NEED the GOSPEL? *The Central Point: Because God’s WRATH is REVEALED in… 1.) HIS REVELATORY CREATION (vv. 19-20) – (Application: We have NO EXCUSES…) 2.) OUR UNRIGHTEOUS SUPPRESSION (vv. 18, 21-22) – (Application: We HATE God by NATURE…) 3.) OUR UNGOD…

The Main Idea: God’s Covenant blessing is to give his children clarity with the heart GOSPEL. *The Big Question: What is the HEART of the GOSPEL? *The Central Point: The HEART of the GOSPEL is God’s POWER… 1.) IN ME FOR YOU (vv. 8-15) – (Application: The GOSPEL will compel you to LOVE others) 2.) FROM HIM TO YOU (vv. 16-17) – (Application: The GOSP…

The Main Idea: God’s Covenant blessing is the GOSPEL of his HEART for his children. *The Big Question: What is the GOSPEL from God’s Perspective? 1.) IN HIS GRACE TO YOU (v. 7) – (Application: Your salvation is totally in God’s hands) 2.) IN HIS PEACE TO YOU (v. 7) – (Application: Your salvation is totally worked out by God) 3.) IN HIS LOVE TO YOU …

The Main Idea: God’s Covenant blessing SETS APART the GOSPEL and its recipients. *The Big Question: What is the SET-APARTNESS of the GOSPEL? *The Central Point: The SET-APARTNESS of the GOSPEL is the SPIRIT: 1.) OF GOSPEL PAST (vv. 2-4) – (Application: When troubled, walk the timeline backwards) 2.) OF GOSPEL PRESENT (vv.1, 5a, 6-7) – (Application:…

The Main Idea: God’s Covenant blessing means he LEADS his people to LIFE from Death. *The Big Question: How do we follow God’s path to LIFE from Death? *The Central Point: We FOLLOW God’s PATH to LIFE from Death by: 1.) CONFESSING & LISTENING (50:15-21) – (Application: Focus on God’ Covenant of Grace and Take Note[s]!) 2.) COUNTING & LOOKING (50:22…

The Main Idea: God’s Covenant blessing means he grants his people LIFE from Death. *The Big Question: How does God’s Covenant blessing bring about LIFE after Death? *The Central Point: COVENANT BLESSING brings about LIFE after Death by: 1.) MOURNING (40:29-50:3) – (Application: Death makes us FEEL the WEIGHT of Life.) 2.) MAJESTY (50:4-14) – (Appli…

The Main Idea: God Covenant means he claims his people by giving them the blessing of REDEMPTION *The Big Question: What’s so SPECIAL about COVENANT BLESSING? *The Central Point: COVENANT BLESSING is SPECIAL because it’s REDEMPTION: 1.) REDEMPTION’S CALL (vv. 1-2; 18; 28) – (Application: THE FAITH is meant to CARRY ON.) 2.) REDEMPTION’S CANDIDATES …

The Main Idea: God’s merciful Covenant with his people comes in real world gifts called “the blessing.” *The Big Question: What is COVENANT BLESSING all about? *The Central Point: COVENANT BLESSING is all about: 1.) GENERATIONAL GIFTS (vv. 1-7) – (Application: God’s Plan in Christ is to RECLAIM and RESTORE a people for himself, therefore CHILDREN a…

The Main Idea: God’s merciful Covenant with his people comes in real world gifts called “the blessing.” *The Big Question: What do God’s Covenant people get for trusting his Covenant mercy? *The Central Point: God’s Covenant people get COVENANT BLESSING: 1.) THE PROMISE OF COVENANT BLESSING (vv. 1-12) – (Application: When the Greater One comes in i…

The Main Idea: God’s Covenant with his people is merciful which causes them to trust in his faithfulness. *The Big Question: What does FAITH in God’s Covenant MERCY look like? *The Central Point: FAITH in God’s Covenant MERCY is a JOURNEY to: 1.) CONFIDENCE (vv. 1-27) – (Application: God’s FAITHFULNESS in Christ should cause us to TRUST him with ou…

The Main Idea: God’s Covenant with his people is emblematic of his mercy poured out through Christ. *The Big Question: What does God want us to do with his MERCY? *The Central Point: God wants us to give ourselves to three MOVEMENTS: 1.) COME NEAR (vv. 1-8) – (Application: We should be STUNNED enough to have to be COMMANDED to move in closeness to …