Southpointe Community Church Sermons

Easter sermon by Matt Ballard on April 17th. Why is the cross the central symbol of Christianity? 1.The cross of Christ was central to the mission of Jesus 2.The cross is the center of Biblical history 3.The Cross is the Center of Christianity 4.The Effects of the Cross -justification= the pressure is off -adoption= a love that will not let me go -propitiation= God’s not angry -sanctification= power to live

7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Confession: Holy and gracious Father, we are gathered before you, the maker of heaven and earth, whose chosen dwelling place is with the broken and contrite, to confess that we have sinned in thought and word and deed. We have not loved you with all our hearts and souls, we have not loved you with all our minds and strength; we have not even loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy, deepen our sorrow for the wrong we have done and for the good we have left undone, so that we may hate our sin with a holy hatred. But, please Father, do not leave us in sorrow. With you, O Lord, there is forgiveness. In your mercy, restore the joy of our salvation, so that we may love you with a holy love. Amen. Assurance of Pardon: “Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains tha

It is in vain, O men, that you seek within yourself the cure for all your miseries” -Blaise Pascal “I wonder what would happen to most churches and Christian work if we awoke tomorrow and everything concerning the reality and work of the Holy Spirit and everything concerning prayer were removed from the Bible.... actually cut out- disappeared. I wonder how much difference it would make? I honestly don’t think it would make much difference in many board meetings, decisions, activities, or even individual lives” Francis Schaeffer My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. Isaiah 5 I asked God for strength, that I might achieve; I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health, that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity, that I might do better things. I

1 John 1:5-2:2 Last week Christ’s heavenly PRIESTLY activity: INTERCESSION This week we consider another of Christ’s heavenly PRIESTLY activities: ADVOCACY 2 Dangers: - Complacency - Hopelessness 2 Warnings: -God is light and we are not - 1.5b that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. - 1.8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. - 1.9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Dangers Sin presents: - Deceptive - Minimize - Excuse Rebellious: - Disobedience to God’s revealed law; anything condemned in the Bible - Disobeying the conscience - Governed by desires, not truth Two Provisions: - Finished work of Christ: Taking (removing) the wrath - The present work of Christ - taking the case - yours 3 Voices: - John Piper - Dane Ortlund - John Bunyon

Hebrews 6:19-20; 7:23-25 3 major offices among the people of Israel in OT Prophet spoke God’s word to the people Priest offered sacrifices prayers and praises to God on behalf of the people King ruled over the people as God’s representative All 3 foreshadowed Christ’s own work in different ways; he fulfills these offices: 1. As a PROPHET Jesus reveals God to us He speaks God’s words to us to you through faithful preaching "How are they to believe in him [of] whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?" – Romans 10:14 2. As a KING: Jesus rules over the church Jesus rules over the universe. "[God] raised [Christ] from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion. . . . And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church." Ephesians 1:20-22 3. As a PRIEST The heavenly, priestly activity of Christ is FOREVER The heavenly, priestly activity of Chris

1 Chronicles 29:1-17 1. DAVID’S LEADERSHIP (v. 1-5) with his own giving and his challenge to the people. 2. THE PEOPLE’S RESPONSE (v. 6-9) 3. WHAT IT MEANS (v.10-17) 1. DAVID’S LEADERSHIP (v. 1-5) ”I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord (Phil 3:8). Vs. 2: "With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God." Vs. 3: "Besides... I now give my personal treasures." Vs. 3: "Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God." Vs. 5: "Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the Lord?" 2. THE PEOPLE’S RESPONSE (v. 6-9) 3. WHAT IT MEANS (v. 10-17) "Everything in heaven and on earth is yours" (11). "Wealth and honor come from you" (12). "Everything comes from you” (14). "It comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.” (16) Confession: "O great and everlasting God, who searches and knows the thoughts and intentions of the heart; we confess that we have not loved you with all our heart, nor with all our soul, nor wit

Luke 18:18-30 MONEY: 1. How it’s dangerous 2. Why we want it 3. How to master it 1. How it’s dangerous “How difficult it is for the rich to enter kingdom of God. It is easier for camel to go through the eye of a needle then for rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” v. 25 Proverbs 11:4 “Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.” Proverbs 30:8-9: "Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, Who is the LORD?" 2. Why we want it 3. How to master it v. 24 “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.” a. ASSUME you’re in denial b. Follow the "Rich Young Ruler" = Jesus "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9 c. Have a plan "You will very rarely meet a Christian family that gives faithfully that is not obviously being blessed for it: ei

Generosity- Love compelling me to live sacrificially for the betterment of others. 1. The danger of not forgiving Luke 17:3-4 "So watch yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him." Hebrews 12:15, “See to it no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” 2. The practice of forgiveness “Forgiveness is impossible when you exclude your enemy from the community of humans and exclude yourself from the community of sinners.” -Misoslav Volf “Forgiveness is to deal with our emotions by denying ourselves the dark pleasures of venting them or fondling them in our minds.” "There is such a big difference between forgiveness and reconciliation. It takes two to reconcile, so it is not always possible to be reconciled. But it takes only one to forgive. So if people do you wrong, forgive them, whether or not they ask for forgiveness. You cannot cancel thei

Luke 10:25-37 | The Good Samaritan Generosity is Love compelling me to live sacrificially for the betterment of others. 1 The ways we try to limit loving our neighbor a.) We limit the WHO b.) We limit the WHEN Objection: "I don’t have to help when they have brought it on themselves." Edwards: "Christ loved you, pitied you, and greatly laid himself out to relieve you from all that want and misery you brought on yourself by your own folly. Should we not love others as Christ loved us? If Jesus had looked own from heaven and said: I only want to help deserving sinners with my blood he could have saved a trip. Because none of us deserve it and we’ve brought it on ourselves." c.) We limit the HOW MUCH Objections: “I can’t afford to help.” Edwards: Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens.” "The Gospel obliges us to give to others when by doing so we suffer ourselves. How else is that rule of bearing one another’s burdens fulfilled? If we never are obliged to relieve other’s burdens except when we can do it wi

Jude 1 1) Jude disregarded his earthly identity 2) Jude understood his inheritance as a slave to Jesus Christ and that his authority came from his submission William Barclay states, “The only title of honor which Jude would allow himself was the servant of Jesus Christ. The Greek is doulos, and it means more than servant - it means slave. That is to say, Jude regarded himself as having only one purpose and one distinction in life - to be forever at the disposal of Jesus for service in his cause. The greatest glory which any Christian can attain is to be of use to Jesus Christ.” (Barclay, 200-201) “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking on the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross! Therefore

2 Samuel 24:2-25 1. What’s the Big Deal in a Census? 2. Why did God Judge? 3. Why did God Give Grace? 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 "Violence thrives today secretly nourished by the idea that God is too loving to judge or to take the sword. If you have ever experienced violence yourself and have been wounded by it; if you are the victim you will do whatever it takes to get justice and if you don’t think you will it is only because your life has been too comfortable. My thesis that the practice of non-violence can only take place as the result of a deep conviction in divine vengeance will never go over well in the United States but it takes the quiet of the suburbs to birth the thesis that human non violence can result from belief in an all loving God who refuses to judge. If God were not angry at injustice and would not make a final end to violence that God

*Content Warning: This sermon contains content about abuse/sexual abuse. 2 Samuel 13:1-22 “If you are neutral in situations of injustice you have sided with the oppressor.” - Desmond Tutu What is sexual abuse? Where an older or more powerful person uses a less powerful person for their sexual pleasure...

Book Referrals: "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" by Martyn Lloyd-Jones "The Sermon on the Mount" by Sinclair Ferguson Matthew 5:2-12 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Acts 11.19-26 “Encouragement = The act of inspiring others with renewed courage, a renewed spirit, or renewed hope” 1. Encouragement is celebrating others, 2. Encouragement is challenging others, and 3. Encouragement is clearing the way for others 1. Encouragement is Celebrating others (v. 23) When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, (Hebrews 10.24-25) And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 2. Encouragement is Challenging others (v. 23) and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose. (Hebrews 3.12-13) “See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.” 3.Encouragement is Clearing the way for Others (v 25

Luke 2:39-52 Jesus Obeyed and Fulfilled the Law Jesus Grew as Fully Human Jesus Must be in the Things of His Father And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. Luke 2:40 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:52 1. Are you seeking to grow spiritually, mentally and physically, like Jesus? 2. Are you being a diligent learner in God’s Word, like Jesus? 3. Is being with your Heavenly Father your number 1 priority, like Jesus? 4. Is following God’s purpose and will for your life above all other things, like Jesus? Applications: 1. Read and Study the Word 2. Get involved in a SP Group 3. Pursue time with mentors, asking questions 4. Read books about Biblical Truth 5. Pray

Confession: Eternal God, our judge and redeemer, we confess that we have tried to hide from you, for we have done wrong. We have lived for ourselves and apart from you. We have turned from our neighbors and refused to bear the burdens of others. We have ignored the pain of the world and passed by the hungry, the poor, and the oppressed. We have allowed good intentions and high sounding words to be substitutes for loving others in costly ways. In your great mercy, forgive our sins and free us from selfishness, that we may choose your will and love as you would love; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Assurance of Pardoning Grace If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. Ps. 130.4-5, 7-8 Psalm 1: Blessed is the man[a] who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, no

Confession: Jesus our Savior, help us. We are slow to learn and prone to forget; we are pained by our graceless hearts, our prayerless days, our wasted hours, our unspent opportunities. We repent of holding onto your precious Gospel and not giving it away to others. We are blind while the light shines around us: take the scales from our eyes, grind to dust our hearts of unbelief. Make it our highest joy, Jesus, to study You, meditate on You, gaze on You, sit like Mary at Your feet, appeal like Peter to Your love, consider like Paul all things but rubbish for the sake of knowing You, and to count the cost of making and multiplying disciples. Amen. Assurance of Pardon: As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12 Matthew 2:1-12 - Unlikely Converts: The story of the Three Magi “Many times those who are nearest to the means of grace are furthest from the ends of grace”. -Matthew Henry “He came to his own, but His own received Him not, but to all w

Confession: Almighty and gracious Father in Heaven, You are a Holy God, and yet my life abounds with apologies not made, forgiveness not offered, appetites not restrained, parents not honored, spouses not cherished, children not trained, hungry not fed, envy unchecked, tongues unbridled, eyes unguarded, time wasted, talents wasted, treasure wasted. Lord Jesus, deliver me from these chains, from the rebellion of my old ways that still hang on, from the sugar of sin as well as its poison, so that I may come to you, cast myself on you, trust in you, and be delivered by you. Assurance of Pardon: “Yet this I call to mind and therefore have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed for his compassions never fail; they are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-22 Psalm 51: The Message - Generous in love—God, give grace! Huge in mercy—blot out my bad record. Scrub away my guilt, soak out my sins in your laundry. I know how bad I’ve been; my sins are starin