Sermons from First Evangelical Free Church in Sioux City, IA

2:11-12 What we were. Prior to Jesus, Gentiles (i.e. non-Jews) were ridiculed and thought to have no hope for salvation. But that wasn’t God’s plan! Instead, His work was to bless all people through the Jews: most directly, through Jesus Christ! 2:13-18 What we are. Because of Christ’s work, not only can we have salvation because of a right relationship with God, but we also can enjoy the unity that the gospel produces: no longer would the world be divided between Jews and Gentiles. Each is succeeded by one new people of God, unified in their worship of Him. 2:19-22 What we are becoming. This radical change means that Christ’s church is a part of what He has planned since before there was time: God’s truth, Old and New Testament, has Jesus Christ as its cornerstone, and the people that result are Christ’s church, indwelt by God Himself. The Point: The gospel changes everything both individually and corporately so that Jesus Christ would be glorified in us. Prayer: Lord, so often our picture of Your work is too small. Too individual. Or too abstract. Thank you for changing us and calling us to be Christ’s church. Work in us that our unity and love would reflect our Savior to a world who needs the hope that only He can provide – and does provide! Application: Spend time marveling at – and worshipping the Lord for – a gospel that is even bigger than we think! Good news for all the world that changes everyone and everything! Here is how I will apply these truths: ___________________ __________________________________________________

2:8-9 Saved by God’s grace. Paul makes clear that our salvation is – from start to finish – entirely by God’s grace, received through faith. We contribute nothing; He accomplishes everything. Our salvation is not something we ever earn or deserve, but is a gift, given to us by our loving God. We dare not boast. Instead, we dare to respond with worship and by living as testimonies to our wonderful Savior. 2:10 Saved for God’s purpose. This means that our salvation isn’t simply a self-improvement project for our own sake, as if Christians can now do whatever they want. No, we have far more value than that: our salvation has a purpose, a goal. We are to walk in the works that God has provided for us, that which He planned from before there was time! The Point: Works do not save – only God does! Works, instead, are how we now respond to God saving us; they are a part of our worship. Prayer: Father, we are so tempted to think that our own efforts are part of our salvation. When we think that way, we miss Your amazing grace and we get both You and the gospel wrong. Instead, help us to receive Your grace fully and joyfully, and then to see our works as part of Your gracious and perfect calling for our lives. Application: When is the last time you thanked the Lord for saving you? How should your thoughts, actions, attitudes, and goals reflect the salvation that you have been gifted?

2:1-3 From death… Paul describes us as we were without Jesus: dead. Not just sick or needing a bit of help, but dead. We had given in to the ways of the sinful world, we were followers of the devil in our rebellion, and we repeatedly chose our own sinful passions over anything faithful, true, or good. This is what total depravity looks like: everything tainted by our sin, by our fallenness. And we had no way to rescue ourselves. 2:4-7 …to life! But here’s the great news: God rescued us! Through no merit of our own, without deserving it even a little bit, the Lord shows His love for us by giving us mercy and grace in Jesus Christ. Our salvation – and our new life – is wrapped up in Him. His resurrection is ours, His eternal life is ours, too! In Jesus, we have life, now and forevermore. The Point: Only by recognizing how dead we were can we truly enjoy and respond to the life we now have in Christ. Prayer: Lord, thank you for saving us! Thank you even for this picture of how hopeless we were – it’s your love that shows us how much we need Jesus, just as it’s your love that brings us from death to life through the sacrifice and resurrection of our Savior and King. Give us joy in what Christ has done! Application: Do you trust Jesus Christ to give you life? He is our only hope – not ourselves, not anything we can do. Do you agree with Jesus that you need a Rescuer, a Savior, and that He is the One who has done all the work for you? Here is how I will apply these truths: ___________________ __________________________________________________

1:15-17 Why Paul praises. What an encouragement that we have Paul’s prayer recorded for us: he praises God for His work in the Ephesians to make them both faithful in the Lord and also loving toward one another. 1:18-19 What Paul prays for. Because of the Lord’s work in the Ephesians, Paul prays that they would gain a deeper and wider understanding of all that they already have in Jesus: He has already done the work; they (and we!) get the opportunity to more fully realize what all it means to be saved in Jesus and to have life in Him. 1:20-23 Christ over all. Christ’s work is a blessing rooted in eternity past, and it’s what we will enjoy forever. Yet, it’s also what we have right now, in this life – and we need it! Christ’s rule and authority are our blessing and guarantee that He will see us safely from this day through to our heavenly home. The Point: In Christ, we are more blessed that we realize. Prayer: Lord, give us a deeper understanding, and a more joyful response to, all that You have planned and will accomplish and are – right now – at work to bring about in Your church. Give us encouragement by seeing the bigger picture of Your grace given to us and working in us. Application: In this case, simply knowing is how we respond. Know and believe and cherish the Lord who cares for His church past, present, and future. Trust Him all the more and rejoice in Him that His plans are for our blessing forever! Here is how I will apply these truths: ___________________ __________________________________________________

1:11-12 We have an inheritance. In Christ, we have been predestined to obtain an inheritance. All our blessing is found in Jesus and He is everything that we need. God’s plan is being accomplished through Jesus to take people who are sinful yet chosen and to turn them into living examples and testimonies to God’s glory. 1:13-14 We have the Spirit. What is our proof of such a blessing, of such an inheritance? It is the Holy Spirit – the downpayment, the promise, that all of God’s plans not only are true, but also that they will hold and never fail. Everyone who hears of Jesus and responds to Him in genuine belief has the promised Holy Spirit. The Point: When we realize, embrace, and rehearse the fact that all our blessings are in and by Jesus (and only found in Jesus!), then we respond with the praise that God deserves and that we were made to give. God is glorified in us as we take joy in Him. Prayer: Father, transform our thinking and our desires so that we would realize the amazing inheritance that we have been given in Christ. Have that eternal blessing drive us toward faithful praise and worship in this life so that all around us would see – and by grace, respond to – your glory. Application: Keep your eyes fixed upon your Savior: keep praising Him, trusting Him, and waiting for your inheritance in Him. Jesus is where all our blessing and purpose are found. Here is how I will apply these truths: ___________________ __________________________________________________

1:1-2 Grace and peace. Paul’s letter begins with a theme that will unfold throughout the coming chapters: God’s grace and peace for His people. 1:3-6 Past blessing. The Lord’s sovereign decisions, His predestining of us, is not something to fear or to see as restrictive. Instead, it is His blessing! It is because He chose us that we enjoy Christ today. It is because He chose us that we have purpose and meaning for our identity. 1:7-10 Present blessing. The blessings of the Lord matter every bit as much today: God gives to us all the grace we could need and tells us of what is amazingly true: we are a part of what Jesus will do to unite all things in Himself! The Point: God’s love for His people didn’t just start the day that you or I trusted Him. Instead, Paul writes that God has loved us since before the foundation of the world, and that love led to Him choosing us, bringing us to salvation in Jesus, so that we would live in the joy of Christ now and forever. Prayer: Lord, what an amazing reality – that we have been blessed, just as we are right now blessed, in Jesus! Thank you for your sovereign grace, for choosing us, for loving us. Thank you that, right now, your care is for us and your promises sustain us as we await the return of our King! Application: Believe and respond in worship to the God who is described in these verses. Not the God re-defined by critics or skeptics. Trust the living God and enjoy His blessing. Here is how I will apply these truths: ___________________ __________________________________________________

2:1-3 In those days. Luke tells us the historical details of the setting for Christ’s birth: Caesar had ordered a tax census that required folks to go to their hometowns in order to register. 2:4-5 In David’s line. Yet, Caesar is not the center of this story! Instead, we rapidly switch to Joseph and Mary who were heading to Bethlehem. Why? Because Joseph was of the line of David. Luke reminds us that Mary was with child (1:26-38), which is crucial to the story. 2:6-7 In a manger. While in Bethlehem, Mary gives birth to Jesus in the humblest of circumstances. The prophesied Messiah has come – but not in earthly power or wealth! The Point: God’s promised Messiah came exactly as He had said, and in a way that uniquely displays both God’s sovereignty and Christ’s humility. Prayer: Lord – we usually give our attention to whatever seems most flashy, loudest, or most lavish. What a challenge to us that our Savior was brought into this world through very “ordinary” circumstances, each a miracle worked by you! Teach us to trust you in all things and to believe that your will and plans are perfect and for the joy of your people forever. Application: trust the Lord who is in charge of all things, large and small – from government decrees to genealogies! Believe and share with others how this wonder-working God has done the miracle of saving us from our sins, and that all came into focus with the life of Jesus, starting here with His birth. Here is how I will apply these truths: ___________________ __________________________________________________

2:41-42 Faithful worship. Just as we have consistently seen from Joseph and Mary, Jesus, too, is faithful to the Lord. 2:43-45 Where’s Jesus? After celebrating the Passover, Jesus’ parents head back to Nazareth. Yet, on the way, they discover that Jesus isn’t with them. Where had He gone? 2:46-47 Here He is! After an extensive search, Jesus is located in the temple. He’s not there simply to listen, but is actually the one asking the questions and giving wise responses! 2:48-51 Did you not know? When asked why He had stayed behind, Christ’s response is to say that He had to be in His Father’s house – which means that Jesus is the Son of God! 2:52 Favored. Just as we’ve seen before (2:40), and had parallel examples of in the Old Testament, Jesus grew. He is fully God, yet He is also – amazingly – fully human! The Point: Jesus is God in the flesh; He is the Son of God. Prayer: Heavenly Father, how jaw-droppingly amazed we are to read that Your Son is our Savior! As many questions as we have, in all of our lack of understanding, work in our hearts and minds to believe what is true: that Jesus is God with us. Application: Believe that Jesus is God – and respond with joy and worship. Be willing to trust the Lord to help your own doubts and questions as you wait on Him. Keep looking to Jesus in faith – and keep enjoying the adventure of knowing Him more each day. Here is how I will apply these truths: ___________________ __________________________________________________

2:36-37 Her past. Anna’s words are recorded by Luke as coming from somebody with integrity and uprightness. She had a difficult life, yet her response was continual worship. She spent her time not in complaining or bitterness, but instead in fasting and calling on the Lord in prayer. 2:38 Her hope. At exactly the right time, Anna comes onto the scene when Jesus and his parents are at the temple. Anna’s response is to give thanks to God. Why? Because she recognizes Jesus as the One whom everyone had been waiting for: He would redeem His people! 2:39-40 His growth. Anna’s story completes what we’ve seen from Joseph and Mary at the temple with Jesus. Their own faithfulness matters, it honors the Lord. And we find Jesus growing and having the favor of God. The Point: God’s blessing in Jesus matters more than our circumstances – it gives us joy now and forever. Prayer: Lord, it is tempting to measure our lives by what we see and experience here and now. Or by comparison to others. Or by the things we do or don’t have. Thank you for Anna’s example of faithfulness and worship instead. Use her testimony to cause us to have great joy in Jesus, our Savior! Application: Doggedly choose to have joy in the Lord – look to Jesus instead of your circumstances. Who in your circles needs the encouragement of Jesus today? How will you be intentional about sharing the hope of Christ with them? Here is how I will apply these truths: ___________________ __________________________________________________

10:1-2 Purpose. The plagues have a meaning that differs depending upon whether a person was an Egyptian rebelling against God or whether a person was a Hebrew in need of God’s rescue. God’s rescue of the Hebrews would end up being the origin story that gave identity and purpose to the people of Israel. 10:3-11 Hardness. Yet, that same rescue and blessing from God looked like – and ended up as – judgment for Pharaoh and Egypt. His absolute unwillingness to let God’s people go, his refusal to bend the knee and obey God, continues. 10:12-20 Repeat. What comes is exactly what God had warned Pharaoh against: utter devastation of the nation’s crops. Pharaoh made a half-hearted and deceitful effort at claiming to be repentant, but he would not truly turn from his sinful ways. The Point: The God we trust is the God who uses all things for the good of His people – events which may be seen as hardships, even plagues, upon those who will not trust Him. Prayer: Lord, so often we don’t know the answers to our questions. So often, we ask “why?” In our asking and wondering, let us not trust our own ideas, our own selves, more than Jesus. Instead, work in us to trust Him most of all. Application: The temptations of Egypt are with us today. Is your life marked by obedience to what God has said and joy in Christ? Or by a pattern of life leading to God’s judgment? Here is how I will apply these truths: ___________________ __________________________________________________

9:13-21 None like Him. The Lord pulls back the curtain, revealing His own mercy in being patient with Pharaoh and Egypt, even warning them of the coming plague of hail. Yet, Pharaoh’s heart is also revealed: heavy and rebellious toward the Lord, unwilling to even protect his own people and livestock. 9:22-26 Protecting His people. Once the plague of hail arrives, the Lord’s power is shown in that He protects all who trust Him – the Hebrews in Goshen specifically, but also any Egyptians who listened to His warning (v20). 9:27-35 That all may know. Pharaoh wants the hail to stop and will say anything to get to that point, but his heart isn’t genuinely repentant. Pharaoh will not bend to the Lord, just as God had told Moses beforehand. The Point: The sovereign God of the all the Universe is the only one who can rescue and save from sins. He alone is to be rightly feared and worshipped – no other. Prayer: Father, it is so easy for us to place our trust elsewhere – in ourselves, our skills, our money or technology. Anywhere else but you. But you are the only one who saves, you are the only one who can rescue us. Give us soft hearts, not heavy ones: hearts that delight in Christ alone. Application: Who do you trust? If anyone or anything other than the one true God, you are setting yourself up for devastating loss. Trust in the Lord, call upon Him in faith.

9:1-7 Death arrives. The reality is that sin leads to death (Romans 6:23), and that truth is held out as a warning to Pharaoh in these verses. Sadly, even when the judgment is carried out upon the livestock of Egypt – even when Pharaoh has undeniable proof that the God of Israel has the power to both bring plagues and distinguish between His people and the Egyptians – Pharaoh continues to rebel against God. 9:8-12 Sickness comes. For the first time in the plagues, sickness comes and affects the Egyptians. Even Pharaoh’s magicians are afflicted by this plague and are unable to counter it in any way. Yet, Pharaoh continues in his rebellion. His hardness of heart has become such that he is unwilling to let the Hebrews free; he has become enslaved to his sin. The Point: Sin leads to death. There is no getting around this simple fact – and it would be the end that every one of us receives had it not been for the Lord’s grace and mercy, offered to us through trusting Jesus Christ for salvation. Prayer: Lord, thank you for rescuing us from ourselves. Teach us to trust you even as we suffer at the hands of those who embrace sin. Give us a faith and a hope that is larger than our circumstances, knowing and believing that you are the God who saves His people. Application: Our world denies that sin leads to death, yet the God of the Universe says that it most definitely does. Who will you believe? Who will you trust and follow? Here is how I will apply these truths: ___________________ __________________________________________________

8:16-19 Unique acts. Unlike the previous two plagues, we find that this one cannot be duplicated by Pharaoh’s magicians. The Lord is showing His unique power over and above Pharoah because He alone is the God of the universe. 8:20-24 Unique words. As the plagues progress, a further distinction appears: God’s people will not always suffer on account of Pharaoh’s rebellion and wickedness. The Lord has the power to distinguish between His people and the Egyptians and to limit and direct the effects of the plague. 8:25-32 Common hardness. Ultimately, despite clear and undeniable signs of God’s power which is greater than Pharaoh’s, the king of Egypt remains in his sin, he and his nation suffering on account of his rebellion. The Point: But for the grace of God, each of us is every bit as sinful as Pharaoh and every bit as in need of the Savior. Praise God that Jesus Christ has given His heart in place of our sin-hardened one! Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus – thank you for His heart toward sinners like us, rescuing us from ourselves and from the sinful world around us. Form us so that we would treasure Jesus and respond to Him in ongoing faith from this day until the wonderful day when He returns. Application: Sin is worse than we think, yet God is better than we think. Do you trust Jesus? How will you live in response to Him? Who will you tell of this Savior? Here is how I will apply these truths: ___________________ __________________________________________________