Sermons on Vance Havner:

Is Justice Blindfolded? Series

Contributed by Vance Elzinga on Jun 22, 2007

God’s passion for justice and mercy was a big part of our evangelical heritage, and ought to be part of the way we live our faith as well.

Is Justice Blindfolded? - Amos Intro Amazing Grace movie looks great to us – but Wilberforce at the time… People with burdens sometimes seems to BE burdens! You People ever bother you about what you ought to do? Some things you would honestly rather not think about? Imported problems? You’re ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Truth About Judgment Series

Contributed by Vance Elzinga on Jun 22, 2007

How is seeing God as judge good and life-giving, and what does it mean for us to "rend our hearts"?

20070506a – Joel – The Truth About Judgment Opener Humorous story of piled-up disappointments (good news/bad news, etc) You Been mowed down ever? Disappointments piled up? Where’s abundance? How do you feel with that kind of storm hits? God Joel’s people wave after wave of ‘locust ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Because. Series

Contributed by Vance Elzinga on Jun 22, 2007

Faith is not unquestioning - it is rooted in who God is.

Main idea: Got questions? (for God) Faith is not unquestioning - it is rooted in who God is. (Relate to parenting and our kids questions, trust) ME/WE (Intro) Child and dad - " because." Answer: "because I said so" - place for that, but it doesn’t get much mileage Commanded a respect due, but ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

Awake O Sword!

Contributed by Doug Vance on Sep 1, 2017

A sermon declaring why the Father raised the sword of justice and brought it down on His Son. ZECHARIAH 13:7

ZECHARIAH-JUDAH IS ONLY A REMNANT…JERUSALEM LIES IN RUINS. ZECHARIAH WAS A YOUNG PROPHET WHO STOOD ALONGSIDE THE AGED PROPHET HAGGAI TO ENCOURAGE ISRAEL TO BUILD THE TEMPLE… ZECHARIAH FORETELLS THE SAVIOR MORE THAN ANY OTHER PROPHET EXCEPT ISAIAH. CHRIST’S ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM ON DONKEY. THE GOOD ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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