Foundations: Scripture - SERMON NOTES
Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. To listen to the sermon, click the link above.
Intro: (1) fall series (2) sword -- only offensive weapon, close combat (3) cash prize in syllabus
Scripture and the Spirit
1. Scripture is true: (1) 2 Tim. 3:14-17 (2) “Scripture” = OT/NT (3) inspired by God, written by
humans (4) primary goal -- beginning, maturing, and completing faith in Christ (5) complements first piece (i.e. truth) -- key role of Spirit (6) key doctrines -- inerrancy, clarity, sufficiency
2. Scripture is surgical: (1) Hebrews 4:12-13 (2) HS brings life to the Bible’s written words (3) sword image -- scalpel for realigning motivations (cf. Prov. 16:2-3, 1 Cor. 2:1-16) (4) information vs. transformation (cf. John 15) (5) mirrors at self-checkouts
Scripture as a Sword
1. Scripture presents Christ: (1) Is. 49:1-2 -- the servant a sword used to defeat spiritual enemies (3) this victory looks like defeat but is actually the method for defeat (4) communion passage -- defeat of enemies, cutting away of sin for (4) final sword of judgment in Rev. (5) Pharisees in Jn. 5
2. Scripture disarms temptation: (1) Matthew 4:1-11 (2) three temptations -- rocks to bread,
testing God, false worship (3) each one answered with OT scripture (4) what sins are you
vulnerable to -- seven deadly sins series (pride, anger, gluttony, envy, greed, lust, sloth (5)
Orpheus vs. Odysseus
Scripture for the Taking
1. Personal: Karen testimony (see below)
2. Corporate: (1) importance of learning together (2) Spirit’s gift of teachers to the church (3) role of SS at Grace vs. corporate worship, shep groups (4) class categories -- books, living,
foundation (5) Jeremy’s upcoming experimental sermon
Conclusion: history of “solo time”
Intro: (1) fall series (2) sword -- only offensive weapon, close combat (3) cash prize in syllabus
Scripture and the Spirit
1. Scripture is true: (1) 2 Tim. 3:14-17 (2) “Scripture” = OT/NT (3) inspired by God, written by
humans (4) primary goal -- beginning, maturing, and completing faith in Christ (5) complements first piece (i.e. truth) -- key role of Spirit (6) key doctrines -- inerrancy, clarity, sufficiency
2. Scripture is surgical: (1) Hebrews 4:12-13 (2) HS brings life to the Bible’s written words (3) sword image -- scalpel for realigning motivations (cf. Prov. 16:2-3, 1 Cor. 2:1-16) (4) information vs. transformation (cf. John 15) (5) mirrors at self-checkouts
Scripture as a Sword
1. Scripture presents Christ: (1) Is. 49:1-2 -- the servant a sword used to defeat spiritual enemies (3) this victory looks like defeat but is actually the method for defeat (4) communion passage -- defeat of enemies, cutting away of sin for (4) final sword of judgment in Rev. (5) Pharisees in Jn. 5
2. Scripture disarms temptation: (1) Matthew 4:1-11 (2) three temptations -- rocks to bread,
testing God, false worship (3) each one answered with OT scripture (4) what sins are you
vulnerable to -- seven deadly sins series (pride, anger, gluttony, envy, greed, lust, sloth (5)
Orpheus vs. Odysseus
Scripture for the Taking
1. Personal: Karen testimony (see below)
2. Corporate: (1) importance of learning together (2) Spirit’s gift of teachers to the church (3) role of SS at Grace vs. corporate worship, shep groups (4) class categories -- books, living,
foundation (5) Jeremy’s upcoming experimental sermon
Conclusion: history of “solo time”
Recent
Archive
2025
January
February
March
2024
July
Being Smart with Smart PhonesFighting for Joy During the HolidaysThe Patriarch of PeaceMe and MaxChrist our ShepherdPromises of PeaceGrief and the HolidaysWhy the Old Testament is ImportantWalking Through PainBiblical Sexuality: Further ResourcesThe Sin of SodomSexuality ResourcesWhy a Fall FestivalSexuality and the GospelPlanning for PeopleThreat or Opportunity20 Traits of Biblical CommunityPeace Through Scripture MemoryThe Rat Race RiskWho I Am In ChristChild-like HumilityDiscovering Spiritual GiftsLife TogetherShould I Forgive an Unrepentant Person?Advent Booklet: Devotions for the Advent SeasonPractical PrayerAdvent | Comfort in SalvationComfort in AfflictionRemember That God RemembersA Theology of Racial ReconciliationA Practice of Racial ReconciliationQualifications of an ElderLook UpChasing EternityChasing Eternity: WisdomThe Season of LentChasing Eternity: WorkChasing Eternity: TimeChasing Eternity: Life and DeathChasing Eternity: Wise WordsAn Animated Tour of PhilippiansPsalm 33Living the Dream: Repurposing SinLiving the Dream: ProsperityPancake DelightLiving the Dream: GuiltLiving the Dream: Cultivating FaithfulnessLiving the Dream: Forgotten?Faithfulness in Times of PlentyLiving the Dream: TestingLiving the Dream: CourageLiving the Dream: The Joseph StoryPreparing to ShareWhy a Spring Fling?Conversations With ChristPiano LessonsInternal Battles/External CommunityBible Reading ResourcesPraying with NehemiahDrawing Your Self-PortraitJesus Style CommunityEncouraging EldersA "One Another" LifeLearning from Physical StrugglesParents Being ParentedWhat We Know About End TimesI Love Youth RetreatsDoes God Hear My Prayer?Humility: The Key to the KingdomBlessing OthersHow the Cross Changes UsThe Cure for LonelinessThe Loneliest Time of the YearSpending the Day with GodCreation Points us to ChristChrist's Offer of EternityIn EverythingRemembering God in the MessBeing Real About our StrugglesYou FailedUnderstanding GloryA Great Big Thank YouThe Treasure of LightBeing the Church Through RegatheringGod's Wilderness Lessons