Sermon Central
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Pentecost B
Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 30, 2012 (message contributor)
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1. An Inside Job
Contributed on May 30, 2012
The Spirit anoints our witness, guides us in truth, and glorifies God the Father through us.
John 15:26-27, 16:4-15 INTRODUCTION Today is the day of Pentecost. We celebrate today as the birthday of the Church, when Jesus sent his Spirit upon his followers. In Luke’s account the Spirit came with the roar of a mighty wind, flames of fire, and the gift of language. John has ...read more
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2. Turning The Tables
Contributed on Jun 14, 2012
By his resurrection, Jesus has turned the tables. Rather than be consumed with the present and the temporary, we are able to turn our attention to the hope and eternity. The change in perspective can tyurn our lives up-side-down, or right-side-up.
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 “Turning the Tables” INTRODUCTION I heard a story recently about a young man who had trouble one Sunday getting up for worship. His mother knocked on his bedroom door and called to him that it was time to get up. The young man rolled over and pulled ...read more
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3. Faith Walk
Contributed on Jun 29, 2012
Paul challenges his readers to "walk by faith. What does Paul mean when he uses this phrase. How does walking by faith affect our daily lives.
2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17 "Faith Walk" INTRODUCTION This past week I posted on Desert Streams' Facebook page the question, "What does it mean to you to walk by faith?" I didn't get any responses, but I hope that I at least started people thinking about this perspective of Christian ...read more
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4. Heirs Of Grace
Contributed on Jul 24, 2012
As God's adopted children, we have an interitance of God's abundant grace--every spiritual blessing. We do not need to wait in order to receive our inheritance. It is ours now.
Ephesians 1:3-14 “Heirs of Grace” INTRODUCTION Good news comes in many forms and each of us has specific desires of what we want to hear. • “Congratulations! You’ve won the Lottery!” • “You’re cancer free and you are cured. You ...read more
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5. Strongter Than Glue
Contributed on Jul 24, 2012
Through the cross we have peace--peace with God, ourselves, and most significantly with each other. The cross of Christ breaks through the barriers we erect between ourselves and makes us members of God's family.
Ephesians 2:11-22 “Stronger than Glue” INTRODUCTION Name calling, character assassination, innuendos, lying and deception—it sounds like presidential politics in the United States. This is not what I am referring to, however. I’m talking about the first official ...read more
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6. Team Work
Contributed on Aug 7, 2012
Blessed by God and anointed by the Holy Spirit the Church--the Body of Christ--is called to develop its strength, coordination and endurance in order to lovingly and boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 4:1-16 “Team Work” INTRODUCTION Once we got past the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics, with the Queen skydiving out of a helicopter and Mr. Bean playing with the London Symphony, our focus has been on the athletes. We had been awed by their strength, ...read more
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7. Full Of God
Contributed on Aug 7, 2012
Paul shares his prayer with the Ephesian Christians and reveals to them what he believes is absolutely vital in living out the Christian life
Ephesians 3:14-21 “Full of God” INTRODUCTION Have you ever inadvertently overheard another person’s prayer? It can be an eye opening experience. Hearing what someone prayer for enables us to grasp what is important and of value to the person. A couple of months ago ...read more
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8. Transformed
Contributed on Aug 30, 2012
Christian lives are not modified, nor updated they are changed and transformed. Paul celebrates this transformation in his letter to the Ephesians
Ephesians 4:26-5:2 “Transformed” INTRODUCTION Enjoying the fall day, a man sat down on a park bench and reflected on the past several years of his life. Just two years ago he didn’t think he would live another day. His heart was giving out on him and his only hope ...read more
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9. Secrets Of A Happy Life
Contributed on Aug 30, 2012
Christians live lives contrary to the world. We are filled with the spirit. We live in community. We have purpose in our lives, and we celebrate God's abundance.
Ephesians 5:15-20 “Secrets of a Happy Life” INTRODUCTION Warren Buffet is one of the richest men in the United States and in the world. He is known as the oracle of Omaha, because of his ability to read the economic tea leaves, predict the future, and offer advice on what to ...read more
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10. Whitewashed
Contributed on Aug 30, 2012
Christians can't settle for lives whitewashed on the outside--looking good. Our lives need to be inwardly transformed.
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 “Whitewashed” INTRODUCTION Most of us spend a fair amount of time making ourselves look good on the outside. Here, in Arizona, we may not be into suits and ties for men, or business attire for women. We may not live the credo, “dress for ...read more