Jesus Is Greater: Week 3 (Hebrews 3:1-16)

Jesus Is Greater: Week 3 (Hebrews 3:1-16)

February 9, 2020 | Kyle Brenon | Hebrews 3:7-19

This week, we continue in our sermon series, Jesus is GREATER, as we walk through the book of Hebrews. In chapter three, the author warns against hardening our hearts to God’s voice. We don’t want to put ourselves at risk of failing to enter God’s rest due to rebellion and unbelief. Instead, we are encouraged to exhort one another and to hold tightly to what we know to be true.

This rest God offers is not some illusive, abstract idea that is just out of reach. It’s not something we cannot know until we get to heaven. It’s something we can experience now—something we are given today. It’s something we grow in as we learn all the more what it means to truly surrender to Christ.

Hebrews 3:7-19

"Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. Therefore, I was provoked with that generation, and said, They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ ’ As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’”

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another everyday, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief."

Jesus Is Greater: Week 2 (Hebrews 2:1-18)

Jesus Is Greater: Week 2 (Hebrews 2:1-18)

February 2, 2020 | Kyle Brenon | Hebrews 2:1-4; 2:16-18

This week we continue in week two of our sermon series “Jesus is Greater” and our study through the book of Hebrews. 

We seem to have quite a short attention span, and that attention span keeps getting shorter and shorter... Oh look, a squirrel! This is true in almost every aspect of our lives, and our spiritual walk is no exception. As chapter two begins, the author of Hebrews warns us that we need to pay closer attention to the message we have been given. This is the message that we have heard from the Lord, because if we don’t, we will certainly drift away from it. Let us continue to pray in faith that God will give us ears to hear this message. Not just once, but every day, clearer and clearer as we grow closer and closer to Him. 

Hebrews 2:1-4

"Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the  message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just  retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was  attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by  gifts of the Holy  Spirit distributed according to his will."

Hebrews 2:16-18

"For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his  brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make  propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those  who are being tempted.”

Jesus Is Greater: Week 1 (Hebrews 1:1-14)

Jesus Is Greater: Week 1 (Hebrews 1:1-14)

January 26, 2020 | Kyle Brenon | Hebrews 1:1-4

This week we begin a new 12-week sermon series that will take us through the New Testament book of Hebrews. We have titled this series “Jesus Is Greater.” (though we are using that cool little > greater than symbol…) Why? Because if the book of Hebrews tells us anything it’s that JESUS is GREATER! 

He is greater than the angels, He is greater than Moses, greater than Joshua and He is greater than any earthy priest. Not only this, but His completed work in ushering in the new and better covenant (Hebrews 7:22) is greater than the old. He is greater than everything we chase after, anything we place our hope, our identity or our value in. As we grasp for these things, it serves us well to remember that compared to everything else, Jesus is always GREATER. 


Hebrews 1:1-4

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs."

Follow Me: A Call To Discipleship - Week 3 (2 Corinthians 5:16-20, John 6:66-69)

Follow Me: A Call To Discipleship - Week 3 (2 Corinthians 5:16-20, John 6:66-69)

January 19, 2020 | Kyle Brenon | 2 Corinthians 5:16-20, John 6:66-69

This week we wrap up our three-part mini-series on the call to discipleship and the invitation Christ has given us to "come and FOLLOW ME.”

The call to follow Christ is not one we should take lightly as it is a call to turn our back on our old self, die to our sin and be made new. There is no greater commitment and no greater submission than that of abandoning ourselves to follow Him. But for those who are willing, there is also no greater reward than to walk with God! To know Him and be known by Him, and to join Him in the eternal work of building His kingdom. To go and make disciples! 

2 Corinthians 5:16-20
“From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

John 6:66-69
“After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 

 

 

 

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Follow Me: A Call To Discipleship - Week 2 (Matthew 4:17-20, Matthew 28:16-20)

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Follow Me: A Call To Discipleship - Week 2 (Matthew 4:17-20, Matthew 28:16-20)

January 12, 2020 | Jim Day | Matthew 4:17-20, Matthew 28:16-20

I will make you fishers of men. 

Matthew 4:17-20

“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. “While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.”

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:16-20

“Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Follow Me: A Call To Discipleship - Week 1 (Luke 9:23-26)

Follow Me: A Call To Discipleship - Week 1 (Luke 9:23-26)

January 5, 2020 | Kyle Brenon | Luke 9:23-26

This week we begin the new year with a new sermon series and a look at what it means to be a disciple. What did Jesus mean when He said, “FOLLOW me?“ And what does He really expect of us when we answer that call? 

We may not think about it that much, but there is a difference between simply being a “church goer” and being a “disciple,” and there is a difference between knowing who Jesus is and following Him wherever He leads. 

Following is something that requires action, attention, and focus. If we are to follow Christ closely, it also requires us to abandon the road we know and go down streets we would never have chosen on our own. It can be scary, difficult, and uncomfortable, but for those willing to die to themselves, the reward is indescribable. 

Luke 9:23-26
“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”

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What Preview Are You Watching? (Revelation 5:8-13)

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What Preview Are You Watching? (Revelation 5:8-13)

December 29, 2019 | Jake Mitchell | Revelation 5:8-13

What causes someone to lay down their lives in sacrificial obedience to a cause? What causes someone to move forward in giving up their rights to themselves, their futures, and their dreams? Specifically for us, Church, what causes someone to live a life of total surrender and pursuit of Jesus? The answer to that question lies in another question: What preview are you watching? In Revelation 5, God, in His kindness, speaks a preview of hope to people who are struggling to hang on in faithful obedience amidst suffering, persecution, and temptations to compromise in their faith. This preview of hope to them is also a preview of hope to us. And if we allow this reality to grab hold of us, it won’t just transform us for the new year, but it will transform us for every year to come.

8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice,

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

Unto Us A Child Is Born: Week 2 (Luke 2:22-33)

Unto Us A Child Is Born: Week 2 (Luke 2:22-33)

December 22, 2019 | Kyle Brenon | Luke 2:22-35

I have never been able to sleep on Christmas Eve and I fully expect this year will be no different. As a child, it was always the excitement of waking up Christmas morning anxious to see what would be under the tree. The anticipation usually began a few days after Thanksgiving when the Sears catalog came to the door (Yes… I am THAT many years old). Each day the excitement would build until finally, it was Christmas Day. As an adult, the excitement is still there though the reason for it is quite different. The anticipation still builds but it’s not the gifts under the tree that fuels it. 

There is great value in building towards Christmas with a season of celebration. Each year the faithful looking forward, eagerly waiting to celebrate the arrival of the promised King, just as the faithful did that first Christmas morning. Although their wait was MUCH longer! This week we look at Christ’s arrival through the eyes of a faithful man named Simeon. One who eagerly waited with anticipation, one to whom the Lord had said… Christmas is finally coming!

Luke 2:22-35

“And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought (Jesus) up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord), … and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” There was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

 

Unto Us A Child Is Born (Isaiah 9:2-6)

Unto Us A Child Is Born (Isaiah 9:2-6)

December 15, 2019 | Kyle Brenon | Isaiah 9:2-6

For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given!

Christmas season is now in full swing and my prayer is that we are all ready for it! I don’t mean ready for the big morning, or ready for the parties and events that surround it all. I mean ready for our hearts to be quiet and our minds to be focused on truly celebrating the arrival of the promised King.

With all the activities and expectations surrounding the season, not to mention the memories and difficulties it can often bring, there is no time of year that we are more in need of this focus. To know what Christ’s arrival truly means, and by faith to be able to call Him our “Wonderful Counselor, our Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and our Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:2-6

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Things Jesus Never Said: Wk 9 (John 15:10-11, 1 Corinthians 1:28-31, Romans 3:21-24)

Things Jesus Never Said: Wk 9 (John 15:10-11, 1 Corinthians 1:28-31, Romans 3:21-24)

December 8, 2019 | Kyle Brenon | John 15:10-11, 1 Corinthians 1:28-31, Romans 3:21-24

This week we wrap up our sermon series, “Things Jesus Never Said,” with a look at a few things that tie them all together. With each subtle lie that sneaks its way into our minds, the truth we know begins to erode. With each twist of the truth, a false gospel is formed in our hearts, and they all proclaim the same thing. That is that Jesus, is not quite enough…

Oh, but He is! He is our wisdom, He is our Joy and He is all we need to make us right before a perfect and Holy God.

John 15:10-11

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

1 Corinthians 1:28-31

“God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Romans 3:21-24

“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus"