Indian Creek Sermons (from Village Bible Church)

There are spiritual realities that regulate how we do ministry:1. God has entrusted it to us.2. God empowers it to be effective. Therefore, we refuse to…1. Cave.2. Compromise.3. Credit ourselves.

1. Effective ministry IS NOT measured by leaders’ credentials or charisma. 2. Effective ministry IS measured by lives that are continually being changed into Christlikeness.          This kind of ministry...       • Radiates Christ.       • Reveals...

The ministry of the gospel of Christ is…1. Pastoral (vv. 12–13).2. Purposeful (v. 14).3. Polarizing (vv. 15–16).4. Pure (v. 17).

When ministry gets messy, be mindful of. . .1. Credibility.2. Calling.3. Clarity.

The Christ-centered life doesn’t evade suffering, but endures it because as…1. We share in Christ’s suffering…       •  Difficulty       •  Despair       •  Death 2.  We share in Christ's comfort.       •  Sustains       • ...

Wonder Worship Welcoming Wisdom

The shepherds show us that God’s people get to…1. Receive the gospel.2. Repeat the gospel.3. Rejoice in the gospel.

Find joy in Jesus this Christmas by… 1.  Seeking Jesus with…       •  Purpose.       •  Persistence. 2.  Surrendering to Jesus with your…       •  Posture.       •  Praise.       •  Possessions.

You're always obeying someone! 1.  Obeying self is concerned with...       •  Curiosity.       •  Condition.       •  Control.       •  Clarity.       •  Cost. 2.  Obeying God is concerned with...       •  Relying on God's Word.       • ...

1. Jonah’s problem is that he’s indignant, irrational, and ignorant.2. But God patiently pursues asking: Will you embody His character     and concern for the lost?

God’s message to Nineveh shows that God’s mercy…1. Confronts the rebellious.      Will you see your sin? 2. Calls for a response.      Will you receive or reject it? 3. Changes those who receive it.      Where do you need to course correct?   4. Is...

Jonah's second chance presented the...1.  Gift of God's grace. 2.  Opportunity to obey.       •  Hear God's Word.       •  Heed God's Word.       •  Honor God's Word. 3.  Lessons to be learned.       •  Scope of God's...

From the belly of the fish, Jonah…1. Reflected on his distress.2. Recognized God’s discipline.3. Repented of disobedience.4. Rejoiced in God’s deliverance.

God’s discipline is seen in Jonah’s...1. Circumstance (vv. 4–6).2. Conviction (vv. 7–12).3. Consequence (vv. 13–17).

1.  God's command exposed Jonah's spiritual condition. 2.  Jonah's response exposed his own rebellion.

Your influence is shaped by your...1.  Character.2.  Conduct.3.  Calling.4.  Care.

Biblical discipleship means the body…1. Shouldn’t be ignored.2. Shouldn’t be idolized.3. Should be involved.      •  Care for your body.      •  Control your body.      •  Consecrate your body.

Acts 17:10-12“They were more noble than those in Thessalonica…” (11a) “…they received the word…” (v. 11b) “…with all eagerness…” (v. 11b) “…examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (11c). “Many of them therefore...

Philippians 2:1-8 (Collaboration in Theory) 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 (Collaboration in Practice)1.  The Phase of a "work of faith"2.  The Phase of a "labor of love"3.  The Phase of a "steadfastness of hope"

1.  God gave us emtions.     Avoid living in the extremes of...       •  Dismissing emotions.       •  Deifying emotions. 2.  We need to govern our emotions.       •  Recognize       •  Regulate       •  Respond