St. Joe Community Church
  • Home
  • Covid
  • Connection Group
  • About
    • Beliefs and Values
    • Our membership covenant
    • Leadership
    • Ministries
    • Who is Jesus?
    • On Mission
    • 8:30 am & 10:30 am Services
    • Resources
  • Kids Connection
  • Give
  • Sermons
  • St. Joe News
  • Contact
  • Beliefs and Values

Sermons

Photo by Caleb Lucas on Unsplash

Worship Service for Sunday,  September 27, 2020

9/27/2020

0 Comments

 

Romans part 6: The Tragedy of Rejecting God, Part III

  • Sermon
  • Resources
  • Kids Connection
<
>

Sermon only

Full worship service

Picture
Click here to download Pastor's Notes in MS Word format.
​The Tragedy of Rejecting God Part 3
Romans 2:1-11
The Righteous Will Live By Faith!
Humankind naturally rejects faith in God    Romans 1:18-32
-Part 1:  We suppress the truth, worship false gods   vs 18-23
-Part 2:  We worship our heart desires and creation   vs 24-32
 
Rejecting God leads to tragic lives
-We violate God’s natural design for our lives
-We destroy human relationships
-CS Lewis “[They] enjoy forever the horrible freedom they have
  demanded, and are therefore self-enslaved.” 
 
Today, The tragedy of trusting GOOD instead of God
-Read Romans 2:1-11
-note: Paul uses a diatribe literary device- “argument with an imaginary critic”
 
The tragedy of trusting Good instead of God!
1. Good blinds us of our bad  vs 1
-self-righteous people judge others without judging themselves
-“you do the same thing!”   the same sins (maybe 1:29-31)
-Matthew 7:1-5  you see their splinter, don’t see your log!
-note:  Jesus DID say evaluate (Matt 7:15-20)- the fruit of
   someone’s life determines if you can trust him/her spiritually
   -judging character is different than judging to gain moral
     superiority over others.
 
2.  God judges good based on truth  vs 2
-No one is good enough to pass as perfect
-Moral standards don’t save us
-No one can escape the truth!
 
3. Good gives false security  vs 3-5
-Good is generally rewarded in this life (see Proverbs!)
-But temporal blessings don’t erase God’s judgment of sin
   -good people mistake God’s patience for approval
   -good people become hard hearted, don’t see their sin
   -They will receive God’s wrath unless they repent
 
God will repay fairly  vs 6-11
Paul uses a chiastic literary arrangement, the main point is at the beginning and then restated at the end (vs 6 and 11)
1.  Eternal life to those who pursue what is right
-vs 7, 10
 
2.  Wrath and destruction for those who pursue evil
-vs 8, 9
 
3.  Those who “knew better” will be judged first!
-Jews, then Gentiles/Greeks   vs 9, 10
 
 
Stop trusting in GOOD!
1.  Agree with God- good isn’t good enough!
-Romans 3:23
 
2.  Believe in Jesus- He died to pay for our sins
-Everyone will be judged by their works!
   -No one can escape the wrath of God
-Putting our faith in Jesus makes us righteous!
   -A Christ follower is judged by Christ’s works
   -We are made perfect in God’s sight!
-Ephesians 2:8-9-  Trust the gift of God’s grace!
    -Good works don’t save us- that would diminish God’s glory
 
3.  Commit your whole life to Jesus Christ
-knowing is not good enough, we must repent and follow
-Matthew 3:8  “Therefore produce fruit consistent with
   repentance. 
-James 2:17  “In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is
  dead by itself”
-Stop using your own standards of good and evil
-Surrender to God’s truth
-Make Jesus your forever boss
Kids Connection
0 Comments

Worship Service for Sunday,  September 20, 2020

9/20/2020

0 Comments

 

Romans part 5: The Tragedy of Rejecting God, Part II

  • Sermon
  • Resources
  • Kids Connection
<
>

Sermon only

Full worship service

Picture
Click to download Pastor's Noes in MS Word format.
The Tragedy of Rejecting God Part 2
Romans 1:24-32
The righteous will live by faith!
This is the theme of the entire letter to the Roman church
-nobody can be come perfect by themselves
We receive righteousness by putting our faith in Jesus
-He came to earth, died for our sins, rose from death
 
Rejecting God has tragic consequences!
-last week- we suppress truth, worship creation instead of the
   Creator, and become foolish in our thinking
-God’s wrath (punishment) is currently displayed in humanity
 
Today:  God gives people what they ask for!
 
Observations from Romans 1:24-32
1.  God gives us what we want!
-“God delivered them over”  vs 24, 26, 28
-illust:  God ceases to hold the boat as it is being dragged by the
   current of the river” 
-CS Lewis:  “[They] enjoy forever the horrible freedom they have
   demanded, and are therefore self-enslaved”
-God permits us to continue in and to plunge more deeply into
   the sin we have chosen, which begins with our rejection of
   God Himself, and the testimony of His existence in nature
 
2.  We worship the “desires of our hearts” vs 24
-Sex and worldly pleasure become our gods- 
-The Roman church and most of the world was a sex saturated
   culture, much like today
-Sex is our god- we measure the identity of people based on
   how they like to have sex, rather than how they were naturally
   born.  Personal heart feelings are the ultimate authority
 
3.  We worship creation instead of the Creator  vs 25
-We worship ourselves, exchange the truth of God for a lie
-Or we worship creation, and then devalue human worth as
   equal, or worse, to less than the value of earth itself.
 
4.  Rejecting God leads to unnatural sexual relations
-vs 26-27 are the clearest NT teachings on human sexuality
-“natural sexual relations” are rejected for unnatural sex
      -sex between people of the same sex
-1 Cor 6:9-10,   vs 11 says some were delivered from this
-Leviticus 18:22-23 condemns homosexuality
-There is no translation of this passage that justifies same sex
   monogamy. 
-God meant for sex to bond a man and woman in marriage for
   life, and to build humanity through procreation.
    -Having sex for only the sake of sex destroys and disfigures
      the natural building blocks of relationships and society
-Paul is not ashamed of the gospel, not ashamed to tell the
   truth, and neither should we today. 
 
5.  Rejecting God destroys human relationships
-vs 28-32 describes a life of self-validation at the expense of
   others
-Note:  this list is no better or worse than sexual sin.  Anyone
   attempting the sexual moral high ground to be righteous will
   quickly be brought low by this list of vices!
-We exchange the authority of God for the authority of the
   individual self- which leads to all kinds of exploitation and
   even murder!
-Cheering on evil behavior is even more tragic!
   Matthew 18:6-  woe to you who offend children!
 
We can escape this human tragedy!
1.  Stop denying the witness of nature and your conscience
-you are suppressing the truth and know that sin deserves death
-Without Christ, we are slaves to our flesh, an enslavement to a
   corrupt nature that is naturally seeking relief, but because of a
   refusal to worship the Creator, will never find it.
-God is letting you see that only He can satisfy your hunger
 
2.   Trust the love of God (Romans 5:8)
-He is trying to get your attention!
 
3.  Place your faith in Jesus Christ now!
​
Kids Connection.
0 Comments

Worship Service for Sunday,  September 13, 2020

9/13/2020

0 Comments

 

Romans part 4: The Tragedy of Rejecting God, Part I

  • Sermon
  • Resources
  • Kid's Connection​
<
>

Sermon only

Full worship service

Picture
Click to download Pastor's Notes in MS Word format.
​The Tragedy Of Rejecting God
Romans 1:18-23
Everyone worships something or someone
Every people group and society creates a religious system
-Actual idols- carved images- are common worldwide
-We have an innate drive to live for something important
-What do we worship today?  Fame, money, talent, sports, sex
 
Today we will see the results of refusing to believe in God
 
Read Romans 1:18-23
 
Why is Life Tragic?  Vs 18-19
The problem of suffering and evil are real
-many attempt to blame God, others, but never themselves
 
God’s wrath is revealed today
-this is not a distant future judgment
 
Everyone is unrighteous (not right)
-Romans 1:17 says “The righteous will live by faith”
 
Humans naturally “suppress the truth” about God
-Theory of Evolution says we didn’t need a creator to exist
-refusal to accept any authority above self
-Christianity is openly mocked today- not popular
-Social Justice and Liberation movements have been formed absent of any “God-driven” mandate
 
Godless lives are tragic
-resulting in a sense of hopelessness, fatalism,
-lack of self worth
-refusal to live for anything eternal or lasting
-human worth boils down to personal choice
   -we can murder babies in the womb if we choose
   -we can euthanize ourselves or others
 -Evolutionary thought has led to dehumanizing of certain races
     -Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, Jewish Holocaust, Genicide
 
There is no excuse!  Vs 20
Nature reveals God   His eternal power and divine nature
-Atoms reveal the Trinity-
-Intelligent design- the details of nature could never have been a
   result of change!
 
The Steps toward personal tragedy   vs 21-23
Refuse to glorify or show gratitude towards God
-Reject God as your creator
-Refuse to believe you were made in His image
-see the natural world as a right, not a gift
-refuse to thank God for revealing Himself to you
-deny your inner conscience that naturally convicts you
   -suppress your guilt, explain it way, blame others for it
 
Claim to be wise on your own
 
Worship anything other than God
-Reality:  you are controlled by whatever you worship
   -anything other than God is abusive, a prison, never satisfied
-Isaiah 44:9-20- the folly of worshipping idols
 
We can escape this tragedy!  Vs 21
-depression, fatalistic attitudes, destruction of relationships,
  devaluing of human life, eternal separation from God
Glorify God
-See the God of creation instead of making creation a god!
-Acknowledge that God exists and is worthy of worship
-Seek the Lord while He may be found
 
Give Thanks to God
-for making us in His image
-for the wonder and beauty of his creation
-for letting us know who He is!  God could have hidden from us!
 
Place your faith in the Good News of Jesus Christ!
-Stop trying to manufacture your own righteousness
-Accept God’s unconditional love and forgiveness
-Surrender your life to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord
Kid's Connection.
0 Comments

Worship Service for Sunday,  September 6, 2020

9/6/2020

0 Comments

 

Romans part 3: What is the Gospel?

  • Sermon
  • Resources​
  • Kids Connection
<
>

Sermon only

Full worship service

​Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
​

Sermon: What is the Gospel? Romans 1:16-17

​16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith,[e] as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”[f]
​

Pastor's Notes

Picture
Click to download this resource in MS Word format.
​What is the Gospel?
Romans 1:16-17
Romans 1:3-4 explains the gospel
God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for your sins
Jesus physically resurrected from death
You must believe/trust in Jesus Christ to receive salvation
-forgiveness of sin, reconciliation with God, eternal life
Live by faith today to be declared righteous by God!

Romans 10:9-10 explains how to respond to the gospel
Believe/Trust in what Jesus did for you
Openly confess that you have surrendered to Jesus

Romans 1:16-17 explains why the gospel changes lives
The Gospel is the power of God for salvation
--Following the ethics of Jesus can reform us temporarily
-Placing our faith in Jesus for salvation transforms us forever!
-our problem- we are trusting in ourselves to change us
-this is prideful, disrespectful to God
-this isn’t working- world is still in chaos
-Next week- we will see how rejecting God destroys society
The Gospel saves everyone who believes
-all people groups are invited to be reconciled to God!
-first for the Jew, then the Gentile- God’s progression
-Israel is God’s chosen people- as an example for us!
-Everyone who believes in Jesus is Chosen too!
-We are all part of the Human Race- from Adam, then Noah
-God wants us to enjoy depend on others unlike us
-complete one another, don’t compete with one another!

The Gospel reveals God’s righteousness vs 17
-The rightness and perfection of God
-The gospel shows God’s is a perfect promise keeper
-The gospel empowers us to reflect God’s righteousness
-We have victory over sin
-We are the “aroma” of life or death to people- 2 Cor 2:14-16

The Gospel must be received by faith alone
-This letter will provide evidence to back this up!
-stop offending God by trying to be good enough on your own
-stop trying to earn God’s love!
-this behavior is destroying relationships

The Gospel must be lived out by faith alone
-We depend on Christ’s saving power every moment!
-The righteous will live by faith see also Hab 2:4; Gal 3:11
-draw “Gospel Centered Life” diagram
Have you placed your faith in the Gospel?
We must not be ashamed of this Good News! vs 16
-Why someone might be ashamed to publicly share Jesus
-Intimidated by the culture
-Not convinced Jesus is the Savior for everyone
-Living in disobedience- too convicting personally
-Hasn’t really repented and trusted in Jesus for salvation

Final Thoughts
Are you ashamed of the gospel?
Have you placed your faith in the

Picture
Diagram from https://cccdaytona.wordpress.com/2012/02/18/the-walk-week-5-day-3-an-inspiring-example/

Picture
Diagram from https://www.seekrefuge.net/what-we-believe
Kids Connection
0 Comments


    Picture

    Listen to St Joe sermons via your favorite podcast platform.
    Listen on Google Play Music
    Picture
    Picture

    RSS Feed


    Archives

    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    September 2014
    February 2013
    January 2013
    February 2009
    January 2009

    Categories

    All
    A Bill Wallace
    A Chris Kern
    A Chris Mann
    A David Mitchell
    A Donnevin Wolfe
    A Donovan Coley
    A Greg Byman
    A Greg Minick
    A James Thomas
    A Jerry Jones
    A Jon Moody
    A Julie VonGuten
    A Michael Griffin
    A Rick Hillard
    A Sara Fritz
    B01 Genesis 01
    B01 Genesis 02
    B01 Genesis 03
    B01 Genesis 05
    B01 Genesis 09
    B01 Genesis 15
    B01 Genesis 16
    B01 Genesis 21
    B01 Genesis 22
    B01 Genesis 31
    B02 Exodus 03
    B02 Exodus 04
    B02 Exodus 20
    B03 Leviticus 18
    B03 Leviticus 27
    B05 Deuteronomy 06
    B05 Deuteronomy 14
    B05 Deuteronomy 17
    B05 Deuteronomy 31
    B06 Joshua 24
    B09 1 Samuel 25
    B10 2 Samuel 07
    B10 2 Samuel 11
    B10 2 Samuel 16
    B11 1 Kings 02
    B11 1 Kings 19
    B12 2 Kings 05
    B13 1 Chronicles 28
    B13 1 Chronicles 29
    B18 Job 28
    B19 Psalm 022
    B19 Psalm 024
    B19 Psalm 030
    B19 Psalm 032
    B19 Psalm 037
    B19 Psalm 051
    B19 Psalm 063
    B19 Psalm 112
    B19 Psalm 119
    B19 Psalm 128
    B19 Psalm 139
    B20 Proverbs 03
    B20 Proverbs 04
    B20 Proverbs 08
    B20 Proverbs 09
    B20 Proverbs 12
    B20 Proverbs 14
    B20 Proverbs 22
    B20 Proverbs 27
    B21 Ecclesiastes 12
    B21 Jeremiah 31
    B23 Isaiah 40
    B23 Isaiah 44
    B23 Isaiah 53
    B23 Isaiah 58
    B23 Isaiah 64
    B26 Ezekiel 18
    B27 Daniel 01
    B27 Daniel 03
    B27 Daniel 04
    B27 Daniel 07
    B28 Hosea 03
    B28 Hosea 11
    B32 Jonah 01
    B32 Jonah 02
    B33 Micah 05
    B38 Zechariah 12
    B39 Malachi 02
    B39 Malachi 03
    B40 Matthew 01
    B40 Matthew 02
    B40 Matthew 03
    B40 Matthew 04
    B40 Matthew 05
    B40 Matthew 06
    B40 Matthew 07
    B40 Matthew 08
    B40 Matthew 09
    B40 Matthew 13
    B40 Matthew 15
    B40 Matthew 16
    B40 Matthew 18
    B40 Matthew 19
    B40 Matthew 20
    B40 Matthew 22
    B40 Matthew 23
    B40 Matthew 25
    B40 Matthew 26
    B40 Matthew 28
    B41 Mark 01
    B41 Mark 04
    B41 Mark 07
    B41 Mark 12
    B41 Mark 16
    B42 Luke 01
    B42 Luke 02
    B42 Luke 04
    B42 Luke 05
    B42 Luke 07
    B42 Luke 09
    B42 Luke 10
    B42 Luke 12
    B42 Luke 13
    B42 Luke 14
    B42 Luke 18
    B42 Luke 22
    B42 Luke 24
    B43 John 01
    B43 John 02
    B43 John 03
    B43 John 04
    B43 John 05
    B43 John 06
    B43 John 09
    B43 John 10
    B43 John 13
    B43 John 14
    B43 John 15
    B43 John 16
    B43 John 17
    B43 John 20
    B44 Acts 01
    B44 Acts 02
    B44 Acts 04
    B44 Acts 05
    B44 Acts 08
    B44 Acts 09
    B44 Acts 10
    B44 Acts 11
    B44 Acts 13
    B44 Acts 17
    B44 Acts 18
    B44 Acts 19
    B44 Acts 24
    B44 Acts 26
    B44 Acts 27
    B45 Romans
    B45 Romans 01
    B45 Romans 02
    B45 Romans 03
    B45 Romans 04
    B45 Romans 05
    B45 Romans 06
    B45 Romans 07
    B45 Romans 08
    B45 Romans 10
    B45 Romans 12
    B45 Romans 14
    B45 Romans 15
    B45 Romans 8
    B46 1 Corinthians
    B46 1 Corinthians 01
    B46 1 Corinthians 02
    B46 1 Corinthians 03
    B46 1 Corinthians 04
    B46 1 Corinthians 05
    B46 1 Corinthians 06
    B46 1 Corinthians 09
    B46 1 Corinthians 10
    B46 1 Corinthians 11
    B46 1 Corinthians 11
    B46 1 Corinthians 12
    B46 1 Corinthians 15
    B46 1 Corinthians 16
    B47 2 Corinthians 02
    B47 2 Corinthians 04
    B47 2 Corinthians 05
    B47 2 Corinthians 06
    B47 2 Corinthians 08
    B47 2 Corinthians 09
    B47 2 Corinthians 12
    B48 Galatians 03
    B48 Galatians 06
    B49 Ephesians 02
    B49 Ephesians 04
    B49 Ephesians 05
    B49 Ephesians 06
    B50 Philippians 01
    B50 Philippians 02
    B50 Philippians 03
    B50 Philippians 04
    B51 Colossians 01
    B51 Colossians 02
    B51 Colossians 03
    B51 Colossians 04
    B52 1 Thessalonians 01
    B52 1 Thessalonians 02
    B52 1 Thessalonians 03
    B52 1 Thessalonians 05
    B54 1 Timothy 03
    B54 1 Timothy 04
    B54 1 Timothy 05
    B54 1 Timothy 06
    B55 2 Timothy 01
    B55 2 Timothy 03
    B55 2 Timothy 04
    B56 Titus 1
    B56 Titus 2
    B57 Philemon
    B58 Hebrews 01
    B58 Hebrews 03
    B58 Hebrews 04
    B58 Hebrews 10
    B58 Hebrews 11
    B58 Hebrews 12
    B58 Hebrews 13
    B59 James 01
    B59 James 02
    B60 1 Peter 01
    B60 1 Peter 03
    B60 1 Peter 04
    B60 1 Peter 05
    B61 2 Peter 01
    B62 01 John 04
    B62 01 John 05
    B66 Revelations 02
    B66 Revelations 03
    I Abortion
    I Beatitudes
    I Bible Study
    I Celebrate Recovery
    I Christmas
    I Coronavirus
    I Easter
    I Elders
    I Fellowship
    I First Baptist Church Violence
    I Lord's Supper
    I New Year
    I Prayer
    I Service
    I SJCC 15th Anniversary
    I Testimony
    I Tithing
    M Big Brothers Big Sisters
    M SJCC Children's Ministry
    M SJCC Youth Ministry
    M Young Lives
    S 2009 Difficult People
    S 2017 Game Changer
    S 2017 Hope Begins Now
    S 2017 Spiritual Disciplines
    S 2018 Family Elephant
    S 2018 How To Talk With God
    S 2018 Keys To Contentment
    S 2018 Lord's Supper
    S 2018 Reasons To Believe
    S 2018 Reasons Xmas
    S 2018 What On Earth?
    S 2019 Best Relationships Ever
    S 2019 Colossians
    S 2019 Faith Fitness
    S 2019 Philemon
    S 2019 Stand Up
    S 2019 Storm Strong
    S 2020 Boast In The Lord
    S 2020 Easter Best News Ever
    S 2020 How To Walk Through Chaos
    S 2020 Hunker Down
    S 2020 Romans
    S 2020 Who's Your One?
    S 2021 Church Covenant
    S Lottie Moon
    S One Verse Evangelism
    S One-Verse Evangelism
    S The Lord's Supper
    St Joe Q&A Podcast
    W Needs Work
    Y 2020 Humility
    Z Morning Sermon
    Z Transcription Human

    Category key:
    A: author
    ​B: Bible book
    I: Issue
    S: Series
    Many sermons in the St. Joe archive are machine-transcribed. St. Joe is presently transcribing its entire sermon library to render its content more easily accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing, those who speak English as a second language, and to make the sermon content searchable for everybody. While machine transcription makes this logistically and financially more viable, accuracy is sometimes sacrificed. St. Joe is gradually replacing machine transcription with human transcription as time and financial resources allow. Each sermon costs between $30 to $60 to transcribe. If you would like to help see the preached Word of God become accessible to more people, please consider an investment in the St. Joe ministry through the PayPal platform by sending funds to StJoeOnlineGiving@gmail.com, or click here.  ​

    RSS Feed

Picture
St Joe Email List
Home
About
​> About Our Beliefs and Values
> About Our Member Covenant
> About Leadership
> About Ministries
St Joe Podcast
2900 North Anthony Blvd.
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805
(260) 471-4704 www.StJoeCommunityChurch.org
Sunday Worship: 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM
Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study:  6:30 PM
Picture
Photo used under Creative Commons from romanboed
  • Home
  • Covid
  • Connection Group
  • About
    • Beliefs and Values
    • Our membership covenant
    • Leadership
    • Ministries
    • Who is Jesus?
    • On Mission
    • 8:30 am & 10:30 am Services
    • Resources
  • Kids Connection
  • Give
  • Sermons
  • St. Joe News
  • Contact
  • Beliefs and Values