Sermon Central
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Core 52
Contributed by Lanny Smith on Feb 17, 2020 (message contributor)
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1. Core 52 Week 1 - Creation: Why Are We Here
Contributed on Feb 17, 2020
Every culture has an "origin story." In fact we all have an origin story. So we ask, "where did I come from?" Genesis 1 answers that question.
Creation - Why Are We Here? (You can listen to this sermon on audio on my podcast at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/2432831) Intro: • [SERMON BUMPER VIDEO] - Apollo 8 astronauts reading from Gen. 1 - found on Youtube. • Noteworthy that humanity’s reaction to being in space was to search ...read more
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2. Core 52 Week 2 - True Identity
Contributed on Mar 2, 2020
What have we based our identity, our self-image on? How do we answer the question, "who am I?"
Identity - Who Am I? Intro: • What is my self-image, self worth, my identity based on? • In short, too often we have to ask: Who Am I? • Christians contend that the fundamental expression of our identity is found in being made as image bearers of God. Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make man ...read more
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3. Core 52 Week 3 - The Fall
Contributed on Mar 2, 2020
What's our problem? At its foundation, it's being lost. Being in a fallen world. Choosing rebellion over faith and obedience. But God has an answer.
You can hear the sermon on my podcast at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/2580706 The Fall - What's My Problem? Intro: • Mrs. Billings yellow cake cover up. (https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon-illustrations/74377/hypocrisy-by-sermoncentral?ref=TextIllustrationSerps) • Yellow cake • What’s ...read more
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4. Core 52 Week 4 - Covenant
Contributed on Mar 2, 2020
What does it look like to be in covenant with God?
To hear the sermon please go to my podcast at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/2610538 Covenant - Being a Part of God's Work Intro: • [VIDEO] Pixar movie Up intro scene. • Hits you right in the “feels.” • Where did we learn to love, commit like that? • Our first three weeks in Core 52 have ...read more
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5. Core 52 Week 5 - Holiness
Contributed on Mar 2, 2020
Some things are set apart for specific uses and specific people. We “get it” instinctively that some things are not common. They’re special because of their purpose or perhaps an emotional attachment. That uniqueness, special regard is the idea behind the biblical concept of holiness.
To hear the sermon, please visit my podcast at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/2691094 Holiness - Living Up to God's Standards Intro: • Finding underwear in used car I just bought. Yuck. • Some things are set apart for specific uses and specific people. o Toothbrushes o Wedding china not ...read more
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6. Core 52 Week 6 - Leadership Of Moses And Jesus
Contributed on Mar 2, 2020
Be careful who you follow!
To hear the sermon, please visit my podcast at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/2891803 Jesus and Moses • Mistaken for a doctor, asked if patient should have catheter inserted. • Be careful who you follow! • Core52 has brought us through Abraham, Moses and, a couple weeks, David. Greatest ...read more
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7. Core 52 Week 7 - The Kingdom Of God
Contributed on Mar 2, 2020
We have many "cultural royalty" in America. Be careful who you make king of your life.
To hear the sermon, please visit my podcast at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/2891872 Kingdom of God - Becoming a Great Leader Intro: • King of Rock N Roll, King of Pop, Queen of Soul, Nascar “The King”, King of Country, Sultain of Swat, “King James,” Sausage King of Chicago (jk). • In the ...read more
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8. Core 52 Week 8 - King Jesus
Contributed on Mar 3, 2020
All of heaven celebrates and all of hell trembles when someone declares in faith that "Jesus is King."
To hear the sermon, please visit my podcast at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/2891872 Core52 - King Jesus Intro: • King Jesus video from SermonCentral - “No Other King.”( ...read more
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9. Core 52 Week 9 - Finding Happiness
Contributed on Mar 3, 2020
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands! Question: How do you know when you're happy? Do we even know what it means to be happy? Psalm 1 makes it all clear.
You can listen to the sermon on my podcast after 3/16 at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/2893594 Finding Happiness Intro: • If you’re happy and you know it… song. o But do we really know when we’re happy? • Happiness is a universal human desire. We’ll do just about anything to feel ...read more
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10. Core 52 Week 10 - Prophecy
Contributed on Mar 10, 2020
Have you ever considered how improbably it is that Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies made about Him in the Old Testament? (He did, of course.) We'll take a look at Psalm 2, as well as other OT passages and discover more reasons to put our faith in Him.
You can listen to the sermon on my podcast after 3/16/20 at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/2972893 Intro: • People are really bad at predictions, estimating the probability of an outcome. o [slideshow of bad predictions made by experts over the past century. o Reasons why: ? Internal ...read more
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11. Core 52 Week 11 - The Good Shepherd
Contributed on Mar 19, 2020
How we handle threats? People tend toward two very different responses to a threat. Our current cultural focus is on the threat of COVID-19. Some want to completely downplay it and ignore it and others are running around with their hair on fire. What is the Christian response to this current event?
You can hear the sermon on my podcast https://pastorlanny.buzzsprout.com/ Intro: • How we handle threats - rather like my paternal grandfather contrasted to my mother during thunderstorms. o Growing up in SW Oklahoma - “tornado alley” in the 60’s. No early warning, no radar on phones. Sirens went ...read more
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12. Core 52 Week 12 - The Messiah
Contributed on Mar 22, 2020
Who is the ultimate authority in your life?
You can listen to this sermon and the rest of the series on my podcast at: https://pastorlanny.buzzsprout.com • Opening illustration: A slightly overzealous D.E.A. officer was driving through Texas when he stopped at a ranch and began talking with the old rancher. The agent told the rancher, “I ...read more
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13. Core 52 Week 13 - The Rejected Jesus
Contributed on Mar 30, 2020
In trying times like these, what is at the foundation of your life? In what have you based your faith? Psa. 118:22 tells us that trusting our lives to any foundation not set by the Cornerstone (Jesus Christ) is foolish.
You can hear the sermon on my podcast at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/3178456 Intro: • T&C reaction to COVID-19 quarantine. o Levels of disruption to our lives. o National polls reflect the same: stress levels are higher than any time since the Great Recession in 2008. 70% report the ...read more
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14. Core 52 Week 14 - Wisdom From Above
Contributed on Apr 5, 2020
Wisdom is being able to skillfully apply our knowledge and experience to life. Where does your wisdom come from?
Core52 Week 14 - Wisdom Intro: • Advice and direction on how to “do life” in the coronavirus age. o Gloves - no gloves, mask - no mask, 6 feet, etc. • These are serious questions that could affect our health, even our lives. • We feel it. You reported it in the 2nd week of our “How are you doing?” ...read more
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15. Core 52 Week 15 - Easter Sunday
Contributed on Apr 14, 2020
Our atonement was won at the cross. Resurrection means that God has made all things new. We have a new leader, we are a new creation, and we have new opportunities.
Core52 - Easter Sunday Intro: • The 1st Easter morning did not begin with crowds of Jesus’ followers crying out in a parade, “He is risen!” • If there was crying, it was among the women who made their way in the early morning light to a tomb to offer love and respect to their master by finishing ...read more
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16. Core 52 Week 16 - A New Covenant
Contributed on Apr 26, 2020
God promised to make everything new through Jeremiah. Even when hope fades, we can hold on to our covenant with God in Christ.
You can hear the sermon on my podcast at: https://pastorlanny.buzzsprout.com/ Core52 Week 16 - New Covenant Intro: • Stopping by friend’s house to drop off some stuff. • Got invited in. Just couldn’t resist. Was wonderful for even 5 minutes of connection with friends. • We’re all sick and tired ...read more
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17. Core 52 Week 17 - Blessed
Contributed on May 4, 2020
Where do we look for happiness? So often, our happiness is temporary, circumstantial. What if we could find a source of happiness that was longer-lasting? Even eternal? Jesus points us to this source in Matthew chapter 5.
You can listen to the sermon on my podcast at: https://pastorlanny.buzzsprout.com/ Core 52 Week 18 - Blessedness Intro: • Happiness - perhaps difficult to experience right now. • My happy/sad day yesterday. • Not very important in the big scheme of things. More about circumstances than truly ...read more
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18. Core 52 Week 18 - Finding True Righteousness
Contributed on May 13, 2020
How do we know the right thing to do? We get lots of advice from family, friends, media, you name it. But what direction do we truly trust to guide us into right thinking and right behaviors? Jesus shows us the way in the Sermon on the Mount.
You can listen to the sermon audio on my podcast at: https://PastorLanny.buzzsprout.com Intro: (Preached on Mother’s Day, 2020) • Good/Bad advice from Mom. • Bad: o “If you see a bear and don’t have time to run away, hug it. Bears cannot scratch their stomachs.” o “Always weave a little, and all ...read more
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19. Core 52 Week 20 - Five Words To Pray By
Contributed on May 19, 2020
Communication is the foundation of every relationship. While God is never confused about our communication, it helps us to be clear in praying about what’s on our minds. Here are five words to remember to help us learn how to talk to God.
To listen to the audio of the sermon, please visit my podcast at: https://pastorlanny.buzzsprout.com/ Intro: • Communication is the foundation of every relationship. o Translation ad blunders (images from Google) • While God is never confused about our communication, it helps us to be clear in ...read more
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20. Core 52 Week 21 - What Do I Do With My Money?
Contributed on May 24, 2020
It's a common complaint about pastors and churches: "All they ever do is talk about money." The reality is we rarely talk specifically about money. Both Old & New Testaments have a LOT to say about money and possessions. Let's hear Jesus' heart for us on the topic of money.
You can hear the audio of this sermon on my podcast at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/3897275 Core 52 Week 21 - What About My Money? • Common complaint in churches: All they talk about is money. Truth is the average N. American church generally has a short series on money/giving about 1/year. ...read more
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21. Core 52 Week 23 - The Cross Before Me
Contributed on Jun 7, 2020
Jesus turns our cultural ideas of "the good life" upside down by affirming a radical shift in our thinking and actions away from our own agenda and living for Him will bring us true happiness and contentment.
You can listen to the audio of the sermon at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/4078034 Intro: • Yale course on happiness. Taken by over 2 million people. • Professor Laurie Santos - demand is a “bit surreal but understandable given that people are looking for evidenced-based ways of ...read more
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22. Core 52 Week 24 - Our Calling And Election
Contributed on Jun 14, 2020
Predestination. Election. Free will. These are some of the most hotly debated doctrines in the church. We think we have to be in one camp or the other. But is that true? Let's find out together.
You can listen to the audio of the sermon on my podcast at: https://pastorlanny.buzzsprout.com/ Core 52 Week 24 - Our Calling • Threw away the rent check. Before you judge me, how many gift cards got thrown out at Christmas time in the wrapping paper at your house? • So easy to overlook or lose ...read more
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23. Core 52 Week 25 - Supernatural Protectors
Contributed on Jun 21, 2020
We may not always notice, but a supernatural world that influences us for good or ill. How do we remain alert to its influence and power? How do we engage the supernatural and protect ourselves from its potential evils? Let's follow a man's story in Mark 9 to see.
You can hear the audio of the sermon on my podcast at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/4261040 Being A Supernatural Protector Intro: • Father’s Day, but the topic is the supernatural. • Kind of a difficult transition. • But oddly appropriate. • Spirit world is real, active and we’re in a war ...read more
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24. Staying On The Mission
Contributed on Jun 29, 2020
Everyone's circumstances have been drastically altered by Covid-19 and quarantines. This has been especially true for the church. Even as we have change and adapted so many of our practices, we must remember that our mission has not changed.
You can listen to the audio of the sermon at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/4355999 Intro: • It’s been a crazy, busy time trying to figure out how to adapt to our circumstances these past months. • Normal routine shattered. Changing nearly everything we do while still trying to fulfill our ...read more
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25. Core 52 Week 27 - Really Good News
Contributed on Jul 7, 2020
We could all use some good news in these difficult times. What's the best news you could hear right now? Let's find out.
If you'd like to hear the audio of the sermon, please visit my podcast at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/4459412 Intro: • SGN - John Krasinski (The Office, Jack Ryan) o Why no news show dedicated to good news? o Invited Twitter followers to share good news stories with him. Started YT ...read more
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26. Core 52 Week 28 - A Deeper Faith
Contributed on Jul 15, 2020
Semper Fidelis - Always faithful. We can learn a lot about following Jesus faithfully in this motto.
You can listen to the sermon at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/4537889 • One of the most recognizable Latin phrases in America is Semper Fidelis. • [IMAGE] It means “always faithful” or “always loyal.” Motto of the USMC since 1883. o Inherent in this motto is a commitment to be loyal to the ...read more
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27. Core 52 Week 29 - Finding True Rest
Contributed on Jul 19, 2020
The Sabbath was made for us, not the other way around. Finding true rest in Christ alone.
You can hear the audio of this sermon at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/4632668 Intro: • Lana asked on FB last week (w/o any idea this was coming up) what heaven would be like. Answers tell us a lot about ourselves. Nearly all of them appealed to our sense of gaining peace and rest in some ...read more
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28. Core 52 Week 30 - Dirty Hands Leadership
Contributed on Aug 4, 2020
Leading like Jesus means we're going to get our hands dirty.
You can hear the sermon on my podcast here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/4722329 • stopping to help woman with tire. • Son Jay’s insight about dirty hands. "I guess that's what a Christian's hands are supposed to look like. • likely we’ve all done similar things without much deep ...read more
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29. Core 52 Week 31 - All You Need Is Love
Contributed on Aug 4, 2020
Maybe the Beatles were right. In a world that shifts constantly, what principle do we rely on to guide us? A classic question with a timeless response. Love God and love one another.
You can hear the sermon on my podcast here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/4831982 • Our world is full of contradictory direction giving. Particularly now. o Mask, no mask? o Go out in public, stay home? o Kids go to school or not? o The problem with this situation is that deciding which ...read more
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30. Core 52 Week 32 - What If God Were One Of Us?
Contributed on Aug 9, 2020
Incarnation is a foundational doctrine of the New Testament: that Jesus of Nazareth was born to be fully human and, at the same time, fully God. This message elaborates on what it's so important for us to understand the implications of this wonderful mystery.
Core 52 Week 32 - God With Us You can listen to the audio of the sermon here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/4925408 Intro: • It’s been a consequential week. o Int’l - bombing in Lebanon - horrific damage and loss of life. o Nat’l - Ongoing fight against coronavirus and a nat’l election that’s ...read more