Sermons on Jd Vance:

Blind Spots Series

Contributed by Vance Elzinga on Jun 22, 2007

We’ve all got blind spots - how can God help us to overcome them?

WE (intro) Professor poll: How may were… valedictorian, salutatorian, class president, yearbook editor, multiple-letter athletes, youth group leaders…bigger sea. 2 percent below average in leadership ability / YOU Ever realized something about yourself that you seemed to be the last to know? How ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What In The World Is God Doing? Series

Contributed by Vance Elzinga on Jun 22, 2007

How do we get on board when we don’t understand what God is doing (compares Jonah with Pentecost)?

20070527 – What in the world is God doing? (Jonah/Acts 2) INTRO– How many of you like surprises? Think, now… Jonah is full of surprises – or God is… • Tomorrow morning you’re going! • Nineveh • The fish is a surprise – oh no you don’t • And Nineveh holds still more surprises – Jonah is sick of ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Truth About Power Series

Contributed by Vance Elzinga on Jun 22, 2007

We all crave power, admit it or not; so how can we make sure we don’t abuse it?

The Truth About Power – Micah (6.8 key vs) Main Idea: We’re to use power, not usurp it. Like Jesus, our Glorious One! INTRO What’s the truth about power? We all have trouble with power, even when we feel powerless. Motorcycle stuck in sand illustration… freedom, grounded. You [Need] We all ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Two Most Powerful Realities Series

Contributed by Vance Elzinga on Jun 22, 2007

We’ve got to understand the twin realities of God’s wrath against sin and God’s mercy to the sinner.

Zephaniah / Romans 3.23-24 Wrath There are some pretty difficult words in Zephaniah. Listen to a few: “I will sweep away everything… those who turn back from following the Lord and neither seek the Lord or inquire of Him, be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near! … ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Just Tenting Series

Contributed by Vance Elzinga on Jun 22, 2007

Also drawing from 2Cor5.1-5, this Fathers Day sermon challenges us to let others see that we regard this life as "tenting."

HOOK Story of an influential teacher... and the legacy that we all might leave. Post-exile emerging generation… What kind of legacy would they leave? Question for every generation. YOU The desire to leave an impact on kids, have them turn out, etc... Identify with the desire to see kids thrive ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Small Stuff Or Big Deal? Series

Contributed by Vance Elzinga on Jul 5, 2007

This is about the problem of spiritual indifference, and God’s promise, "return to me and I will return to you."

Main Idea: The problem with spiritual indifference. God’s Promise: Return to me, and I’ll return to you. HOOK A quote from David Hansen (The Power of Loving Your Church) about being ’at war’ with God sometimes but at least not ambivalent. (The strong wording of the quote gets one’s attention ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Take Courage! Series

Contributed by Vance Elzinga on Jul 5, 2007

Used the call to courage in Haggai as a framework for calling believers to take courage rooted in Christ against the world’s intimidation and discouragement.

HOOK/WE Used a short "bully" video clip from Bridge to Terebithia to raise issue of intimidation we sometimes feel. Sometimes physical, financial, etc. Sometimes spiritual. YOU Ever been intimidated in expressing your belief? Acting on it? If you have, you’ve got something in common with some ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

One Thing Series

Contributed by Vance Elzinga on Aug 21, 2007

This message focuses on one particular aspect of this passage - that the Lord prunes us to make us more fruitful. Practical application in this message is to consider what the Lord may be calling me to prune from my busy life, in order to do the best thi

Hook/Opening Overcommitted? Many of us feel/are. But here’s a list of busy/committed: Billy Graham and ____. James Dobson and _____. Joni Earikson and _____. Jimmy Carter and _____. Bill Bright and ______. (RCA) Betty Voskuil and _____. Gary Smalley and ______. “Our world has been greatly ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Grace...an Idol? Series

Contributed by Dave Vance on Jan 20, 2019

What is idolatry and how does grace become an idol?

There are times in our lives where God calls us into the tension of life…to go deeper in wrestling with who He is and what He has done for us…These moments can be wonderful moments, but not easy moments. A professor of mine called it “Blessed Despair” (Discovery yet limited). When you get in the ...read more

Messy Grace Series

Contributed by Dave Vance on Jan 20, 2019

When Grace Meets Our Mess

What makes grace unmerited, undeserved, and unearned? Though sin and grace have separate chapters in most systematic theology texts, I’m convinced they are so closely related that we can’t understand one without the other. And because the word sin has fallen out of favor (Sin Is Out of Style), it ...read more

Insecure Grace Series

Contributed by Dave Vance on Jan 20, 2019

The identity crisis that grace can cause

Who do you think you are? That question is identity-shaping, life-altering, eternity-affecting. How would you describe yourself? How do you introduce yourself? How do you perceive yourself? That’s the greatest question you will ever ask yourself? It’s your identity…and the truest of what you think ...read more

Immature Grace Series

Contributed by Dave Vance on Jan 20, 2019

How does grace help you grow?

One of the gifts of God is this progression of life…We all know that there is this progression of life…there is an expectation that when young you are going to grow up… Baby in the womb…infant wanting to walk…child wanting to be a teenager, a teenager wanting to be an adult… Do you remember…Did ...read more

Weak Grace Series

Contributed by Dave Vance on Jan 20, 2019

Does grace cause you to endure?

Grace is the greatest gift…in a world of greatest pain…What is the thing in your life that has hurt you the most? For some it’s a relationship (spouse or parents)…for others it was a sickness…some it was financial…and for many it was an emotional breakdown (depression)…Whatever you answer with…I ...read more

Stifled Grace Series

Contributed by Dave Vance on Jan 20, 2019

Does the grace that has been given to you extend from you?

1 Corinthians 15 God’s grace permeated Paul’s thinking. One scholar writes, “Paul could not think of Christian truth and conduct apart from God’s grace” (D. Edmond Hiebert, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, ed. by Frank Gaebelein [Zondervan], 11:439). vs. 1 – notice the progression of the ...read more

Unfinished Grace Series

Contributed by Dave Vance on Jan 20, 2019

Where is grace leading you?

"See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so ...read more