Truth in Love.

This Sunday is no different.

The topic is HELL.

In preparation for the sermon I just plowed through Francis Chan’s new book: ERASING HELL.

My view on the book?

Short, needed, bold, clear, uncomfortable, compelling.

It came out July 5th…perfect timing.

My sermon for Sunday is called TRUTH IN LOVE WINS.

It’s not an attack on Rob Bell’s book.

(Although I’ve blogged about it in the past.)

Rather, it’s meant to present a compelling case for what God’s Word says and then how we should adjust our lives.

It might not be comfortable (I’m not looking forward to it), but we need clarity.

The sermon will be posted online Sunday as well.

Here’s Francis video below:

Normally the devotion lasts around 25 minutes.

This week it lasted more than an hour.

It was lively.

There was tension.

Good tension.

We talked about evil.

The obstacles to God’s attributes.

The outcomes.

And most controversial the origin.

I approach this Sunday’s sermon with much humility.

It will be a tough one.

On Sunday afternoon it will be uploaded here.

And on Sunday night we will offer a live Q and A conference call to weigh in with our questions.

I can’t wait.

Regardless, as I studied John 17 this week some exciting things popped off the page….like why and how we should create a personal life plan.

Needless to say, I can’t wait to preach it.

The outline is below and I must say thanks to Michael Hyatt for offering his free e-book as a follow-up tool so people can apply the sermon.

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Steal you.

Kill you.

Destroy you.

Contrast his character with that of Jesus.

Jesus wants to: give you Life and Life abundantly.

We find this in John 10:10.

I just preached the sermon at Delaware Grace (pastor Gary Underwood) on Sunday. You can listen to it here and my outline is below. May it give you clarity about the strategy of the enemy and how he wants to hold you back. My you instead run into the arms of your Heavenly Father and find freedom in Him.

• We’ve been stolen, against our will. (Jn. 10:1)  
  • The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. (Jn. 10:10, 12)
  • The thief uses and abuses us. (Mt. 16:22-23)
  • We use and abuse others. (Mk. 14:50, 66-70)

• We believe the names (lies) that imprison us.
  • We settle on settling. (Jn. 21:3)
  • We believe all we see is all we are. (Eph. 3:20; 1 Cor. 2:9)
  • We forget who we were born to be. (Eph. 2:10)

• God came to set us free. (Jn. 10:3)
  • God enters our space. (Jn. 10:2; 21:4)
  • God speaks to us and gives us clarity about our names. (Jn. 10:3; 21:5; 6, 10, 12, 15-17)
  • God leads us out. (Jn. 10:4; Jn. 21:17)

• God came to give us life. (Jn. 10:10)
  • His life includes our salvation.  (Jn. 10:9)
  • His life includes an abundant, overflowing, life. (Jn. 10:10)
  • His life includes confidence for our divine destiny. (Acts 1:4-8; 2:14-38)

Questions for further thought:

1. How has the thief tried to steal, kill, and destroy you?
2. How have you used and abused others because you weren’t free?
3. In what areas of your life have you settled on settling?
4. How has God tried to enter your space?
5. Do you have confidence about your divine destiny? If so, what is it? If not, what step(s) will you take in order to get clarity?

Discover strategies, tools, and breakthroughs to embrace your divine destiny:

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Behind all the plastic performance resides a thought that we never voice.

God doesn’t believe in me.

It might not be something we dwell on everyday, but it certainly shapes how we live our life. It affects:

• Our prayers.
• Our relationships.
• Our choices.

This couldn’t be farther from the truth. The reality is that if you are in Christ and He is in you then God is FOR you. He’s not against you. And because the living God is living inside you, then Jesus believes in you.

This Sunday at Grace Church, we’ll open God’s Word (John 1:43-51) and discover that Jesus is a Believer. In fact, the sermon in a sentence says it all:

Jesus knows who I am and where He wants to take me.

How about Listen while you Work.

Here it is. (God is Redeemer)

Here’s Sunday’s Sermon outline for Grace Church. Looking forward to sharing on the 3D target audience. Using a clip from Walk the Line movie as well…Johnny Cash embracing his target audience.

God Is…Redeemer

SERMON IN A SENTENCE: = God wants to redeem you and use your story to redeem others.

 I.  God is Redeemer

     A. God created us free (Genesis 2:16*). 

     B. We chose to be slaves. (Genesis 3:6-7*; Ezekiel 16:1-26*; Hosea 3:1-2)

     C. As Redeemer God acted on our behalf buy us back. (Gen. 3:15*; Exodus 6:6; Isa. 44:22-23*; Galatians 5:1)

          1.  He initiated a rescue plan–purchasing us with His own blood. (Ps. 74:2; Acts 20:28*; Rev. 5:9*; 14:3-4)

         2.  He’s committed to communicate that plan to those who are willing to listen. (Luke 4:18-19*; 19:10)

 II.  God wants to use your story to redeem others.

        A.  A flawless message doesn’t demand a flawless messenger. (John 1:40-45; 4:28-29*; 9:25-27*)

        B.  Our story of redemption overcomes the Enemy. (Revelation 12:9-11*)

        C.  God has a unique audience for us. (3D—Acts 9:15*)

 Application:

1. What are some specific ways God has redeemed your life?
2. Are you comfortable sharing your story with others? Why or why not?
3. Who are some people in the 3D Target Audience (Disillusioned, Disengaged, Dechurched) that you know?
4. Will you share your story of God’s redemption with them?
5. What was the significance of Jesus’ Target Audience in Luke 4:18-19?

 Extra Verses on Redeemer:

Ruth 4:14; Job 19:25; Ps. 19:14; Ps. 78:35; Prov. 23:11; Isa. 41:14; Isa. 43:14; Isa. 44:6; Isa. 44:24; Isa. 47:4; Isa. 48:17; Isa. 49:7; Isa. 49:26; Isa. 54:5; Isa. 54:8; Isa. 59:20; Isa. 60:16; Isa. 63:16; Jer. 50:34

It’s the same reason why I grumbled and complained.

Because I don’t believe:

• that God knows what He’s doing
• that God is in control
• that God cares
• that God has my best interest in mind
• that God is a good Father who gives me what I need, and not just what I want
• that GOD IS WISE

I get the opportunity to share this message Sunday in the context of the life of Joseph. 

Here’s the outline:

God Is…Wise

SERMON IN A SENTENCE: God is wise…I don’t need to grumble or complain.

 6.13.10 :: Grace Church :: Kary Oberbrunner

I.                 God is Wise…

                    A. His understanding is infinite (Psalm 147:5*).

                    B. He is greater than our hearts (1 John 3:20).

                    C. He knows all things (Hebrews 4:13).

                    D. His knowledge includes all possibilities (Matthew 11:21, 23*).

                    E. Evidenced by His plan of salvation (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).

                    F. Evidenced by the mystery of the Church (Ephesians 3:20).

                   G. His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9;* Romans 11:33-36;*).

 II.            I don’t need to grumble or complain…

                  A.  God has a destiny for each of us within His story(Ephesians 2:10*).

                  B.  God gives His children dreams (Genesis 37:5, 8*).

                  C.  As a good Father, God gives us what we need, though it may not always be what we want

                        (Matthew 7:7-11; Romans 8:32; James 1:17).

                 D.  Our response to trials reveals what we really believe about God.

                       1. Pit = (Genesis 37:18-36; 39:1-6) 

                       2. Prison = (Genesis 39:7-40:23)

                       3. Palace =  (Genesis 41:1-37 {16, 25, 28, 32})

                       4. Promotion = (Genesis 41:38-57; 50:14-21)

 Application:

1. When’s the last time you grumbled and complained? Why?
2. When you grumble and complain what does this reveal     regarding your thoughts about God?
3. Do you believe that God has your best interest in mind? Why or why not?
4. Read Genesis 41. What does Joseph’s reply to Pharaoh reveal regarding his thoughts about God?
5. What’s one situation in your life that you need to release into God’s wisdom?

Title = God Is…Unchanging

SERMON IN A SENTENCE = Because God is Unchanging, I can stand securely.

6.6.10 :: Grace Church :: Kary Oberbrunner

I. Because God is Unchanging…
    A. He will exist forever (Psalm 102:27).
    B. His name is “I AM.” (Exodus 3:14*). 
    C. He gives us good & perfect gifts (James 1:17).
    D. He doesn’t lie (1 Samuel 15:29).
    E. I can count on Him (Numbers 23:19*).
    F. He is merciful (Malachi 3:6).
    G. His purpose doesn’t change (Ephesians 1:11)
    H. His Son doesn’t change (Hebrews 13:8). 
     I.  His counsel stands forever (Psalm 33:9-11).
    J.  His Word stands forever (Psalm 119:89*, 151-152; 
         Isaiah 40:8*).

A question I leave with you?

Where is one area you are going to let the Unchanging God change you? 

I walked away with a startling question, “Do I really want to hear what God has to say when He speaks?”

• Jeremiah did and it meant a life-time of ministry without any positive results.
• Ruth did and it meant leaving everything she knew.
• Jesus did and it meant being nailed to a cross.
• Jonah did…or at least the second time he did…and it meant seeing his enemies repent.
• Mary did and it meant seeing her son’s blood spilt out for the world to see.

God does speak.

Do we want to listen?

Check out an amazing sermon on this subject.

And post your comment to these questions:

Do you really want to hear God speak?

What did God tell you the last time He spoke?

I’ll be posting more very shortly on what God told us when He spoke…