Emmaus Baptist Church Sermons

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 1. God has empowered • Trinity (Spirit, Lord, God) foundation • Everything we have is from God 2. each of us • Joel 2:28-29 • Each member is dependent on the free sharing of the gifts of all the other members. 3. in various ways • Varieties = Distribution (Joshua) • 5 Key Words for Gifts in NT A. Didomi/Doron - 1 Cor. 12:7 General word; offering/sacrifice B. Pneumatikon - 1 Cor. 12:1 Contrast to the “natural” only Rom. 1:11; 15:27; 1 Cor. 2:13-15 C. Charisma - 1 Cor. 12:4 Free; based on word for ‘Grace’ Celibacy (1 Cor. 7:7) Salvation (Rom. 5:15-16) D. Diakonia - 1 Cor. 12:5 Service; Ministry/Calling Acts 11:29; 20:24; Eph. 4:12 E. Energema - 1 Cor. 12:6 Working; Operating; Effect 1 Cor 12:10; Eph. 3:20-21 4. for the manifestation of His Spirit • Manifestation = Display/Show 5. to build up one another and • Common Good = Bear with; profitable • *We are WITH and FOR one another 6. display Jesus to the world. • “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you

1 Corinthians 12:1-3; Romans 10:9 Verse 1 -Now concerning; Uninformed -Spiritual Persons / Spiritual Gifts Verse 2 -Pagans/Gentiles -Led Astray to Mute Idols Verse 3 1. Holy Spirit Proclamation “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord” -Confession is not merely human words (Matt 7:21) -Confession and Faith empowered by the Spirit 2. Holy Spirit Power “and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,” -Spirit-empowered Hope of Victory over Death -Resurrection Power at work in this Life 3. Holy Spirit Purpose “you will be saved.” -Group- Saved to worship alongside other Christians -Public- Saved for good works; Saved to serve; Saved to share WE EXIST TO PROCLAIM AND DISPLAY JESUS A. We Proclaim Jesus by saying, through the Power of the Holy Spirit, “Jesus is Lord” *Is this true of my life? B. We Display Jesus by showing, through the Power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ Lordship *Is this true of my life?

Colossians 3:1-4

Christmas Eve 2017 // Luke 2:10-14 Luke 2:10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” 1. What’s the Good News? A. Born to you (Lk. 2:11) God is FOR Us B. Born among you (Lk. 2:12) God is WITH Us 2. What’s the Great Joy? A. Glory in the Highest (Luke. 2:14a) B. Peace on the Earth (Luke. 2:14b) 3. Who’s All the People? (Lk. 2:14c) A. Available to All B. Experienced among His People This Christmas are you… -Celebrating Christ with Joy? -Searching for Peace? -Rejecting God’s Glory?

Joshua 11 / Hebrews 4 - The God-Who-Saves gives Rest Joshua 11:23 So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had spoken to Moses. And Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal allotments. And the land had rest from war. (see also 21:44 and 22:4) Rest in the Old Testament Creation - Promised Land - Sanctuary/Temple -Sabbath Hebrews 4:8-10 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have Spoken of another day later on. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Rest in Hebrews/New Testament Already (Resting in Christ) - Not Yet (Heavenly Rest) What prevents Rest? A. Fear- what we see overpowers what we believe B. Unbelief- unfaithfulness to God’s promises and power C. Disobedience- failing to heed God’s Word and Good News What empowers Rest? 1. UP (Worship) -Looking to Christ’s Victory and Salvation -Worship of the Creator, Redeemer, and Judge 2. IN

Handout Download: https://emmausokc.ccbchurch.com/get.php?b=co&fn=2017340%2FVPuB0k%2F2017_State_of_the_Church.pdf

JOSHUA 10 First Sunday of Advent -Advent is part of the Church Calendar. -Advent is the slow, purposeful approach to Christmas, in a frantic, often purposeless world. -Advent draws us to watchful hope. 1. Promise of Defeated Enemies. Genesis 3:15- (The Lord God said to the serpent,) “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” 2. Picture of Defeated of Enemies. Joshua 10 - The steady star meant judgment of enemies and salvation of God’s people. - The defeated kings/evil powers are overcome. 3. Defeated Enemies at First Advent. Matthew 2:1-12 - The steady star meant judgment of enemies and salvation of God’s people. - The defeated kings/evil powers are overcome. 4. Defeated Enemies at Second Advent. Mark 13:24-37 (this is one of the Year B, First Sunday of Advent readings in churches around the world) Romans 16:20- The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Chr

11-15-17; Wednesday Night Service by Emmaus Baptist Church

JOSHUA 9 Lack of Spiritual Discernment hinders the mission, but God remains Merciful, Powerful, and Faithful. Key Phrase -Joshua 9:14 “…did not ask counsel from the Lord.” Key Words -Heard (v. 1) -Cunning (v. 3) -Covenant (v. 6-7, 11, 15-16) -Delivered/Saved (v. 26) TWO NEEDS OF GOD’S PEOPLE ON MISSION 1. Need for Spiritual Discernment Areas of Primary Spiritual Discernment: + Does it add anything to God’ Word? - Does it take away from who Jesus is and what he has done? x Does it multiply the requirements for salvation? / Does it divide the Body of Christ? How to Discern: - Elders/Pastors to shepherd, feed, and lead the Church - Members discerning teaching based on Scripture (Acts 17) - Members using the Spiritual Gift of Discernment - Distinguish Heresy, False Teaching, Mistakes, and Disagreements - Evaluate the Person’s Character and Direction of Life - Discern the Discernment Ministries - Learn from Historical, Global, and Theological Voices - Determine the Origin- Inside or Outside the Church - Operat

JOSHUA 8 / 1 SAMUEL 17 “Jesus is coming to wage holy war on Babylon. Holy War is more than an Old Testament phenomenon; it is New Testament hope.” - Joshua Ryan Butler *If God’s Character is Good and His Plan (Gospel) is Victorious, how do passages of “war” impact our lives/church/society? 1. Goliath and Revelation | 1 Samuel 17; Revelation 18-19 | The Empire Strikes Out - Canaan and Goliath represent Empires - Babylon and Rome are Ultimate Evil Empires in Scripture - Empires oppress the weak economically, socially, and politically - Revelation is actually an “anti-violence” book - “Jesus [destroys] the empire to bring in the kingdom.” - Butler - Beware the allure and danger of power/empire/worshiping the state - We pray, “Come, Lord Jesus” 2. Sermon on the Mount and Romans | Matthew 5:38-39; Romans 12:18-13:4 Turn the Cheek & Protect the Weak - We don’t avenge ourselves - We pursue peace by all means/to every extent possible - We seek to protect “shalom” and promote “flourishing” - Just War Theory must uph

JOSHUA 8 / PSALM 46 - What about “Holy” War What’s the Big Deal? • The Divine Command to Joshua/Israelites to Kill the Canaanites • In a world and country full of violence, including religious violence • In a social culture that leaves no room for serious dialogue • In a church culture that often suppresses questions or doubts **We must Erase the Caricatures In order to Embrace God’s Character (Good) and Plan (Gospel) Erase the Caricatures I. The Caricature of Canaan and Israel A. Canaan was an innocent, idyllic paradise Actually was a powerful, violent empire (Gen 15:12-16) Attacked Israel while Israel was vulnerable B. Israel was Powerful and Aggressive They were Oppressed and Relatively Weak II. The Caricature of Holy War A. Holy War is Pervasive in the Bible The phrase “holy war” only found in Joel 3:9 Israel’s attacks were limited in scope and breadth “Drive out” is more common than “kill off” B. Attacked Cities were Filled with Innocent Women/Children Most “cities” in Joshua were Military Outposts

11-1-17; Wednesday Night Service- Jeff Hemphill by Emmaus Baptist Church

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 6:23 I. People in General A. Sin Rejects God’s Glory and Ownership B. Sin Incurs the Anger of God 1.Why might we struggle with Achan’s punishment? a. Don’t take sin seriously b. Don’t live in a group culture c. Don’t know the attitude of his confession d. Don’t see from God’s perspective 2. *The God Who Saves is a God of Holiness C. Sin Leads to Death 1. Genesis 3:1-4, 22-24; James 1:13-15 II. People of God A. Sin Hurts Others 1. Secretive Sin 2. Short-term Pleasure 3. Hurt Biological Family 4. Hurt Faith Family B. Sin Hinders the Mission 1. Acts 5:1-11 C. Sin Defames God and His Gospel III. What won’t “fix” the problem? A. Ritual Worship (verse 10) B. Ritual Confession (verse 20) IV. Where’s the hope? A. Cross and Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:54-57) B. Confession and Repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10) C. Cleansing and Reconciliation (1 Corinthians 5) Response 1. Repent of Sin and Trust in Jesus for

God, give us the city and the nations, and do it in such a way that only you get the credit for it. -Edgewater Baptist Church, New Orleans 1. God’s Victory is Certain (vv. 1-2) “The Gospel is not good advice; it’s good news. It’s not spelled DO or DON’T, but DONE.” - JD Greer. 2. God’s Ways are Surprising -His Methods (vv. 3-16) -His Mercy (vv. 17-25) (We’ll deal with “holy war/destruction” on Nov 12 & 19) -His Messiah (v. 25 / Philippians 2:6-8) 3. God’s Glory is Expansive (vv. 26-27 / Philippians 2:9-11) ***What might God do in and through Emmaus that people would look and say, “Only He could do that”? Response 1. UP/Worship = Celebrating His Victory -Faith, Confidence, Joy, Freedom, Hope, Humility -He is the Focus of our Praise 2. IN/Discipleship = Trusting His Ways -Often a slow process -Learning to discern and obey together 3. OUT/Missions = Spreading His Glory -Are we living for God’s glory or our name/fame? -Are we living as if He’s victorious, active, and worthy?

10-25-17; Wednesday Night Service by Emmaus Baptist Church

Therefore, Go and Make Disciples of All Nations… 1. Baptizing them in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19b) A. Understanding Circumcision in Joshua 5:2-9 B. UP (Worship) C. Ancient = Same Gospel and Holiness D. Future = New Generations 2. Teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you (Matt. 28:20a) A. Understanding Passover in Joshua 5:10-12 B. IN (Discipleship) C. Ancient = Same Word and Church D. Future = New Deliveries 3. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matt. 28:20b) A. Understanding Divine Encounter in Joshua 5:13-15 B. OUT (Mission) C. Ancient = Same Power and Purpose D. Future = New Opportunities *Would we be perfectly fine if everything continued ‘as is’? To those younger than you, can you say: “I am committed to future generations who will live with greater dedication and passion than ever before.” To those older than you, can you say: “I am committed to the Gospel, the Word, and the Church with greater dedication and passion than ever before

10-18-17; Wednesday Night Service by Emmaus Baptist Church

10-11-17; Wednesday Night Service by Emmaus Baptist Church

Big Idea: The God who has been Faithful in the Past will be Faithful in the Future. How Should We Remember? 1. Meditate on God’s Word (Filter & Foundation) 2. Worship Gathering 3. Ceremonies/Key Moments 4. Gospel Conversations What Keeps Us from Remembering? 1. Pride 2. Tyranny of the Now and Next 3. Forgetting is a Coping Mechanism Why Should We Remember? 1. Interpret What Happened in the Past 2. Develop Perspective for the Present 3. Creates Expectancy for the Future 4. Know and Worship God 5. Proclaim and Display God’s Salvation to the Next Generation 6. Proclaim and Display God’s Salvation to the Nations Response 1. Trust in Jesus for Salvation…He is Faithful! 2. Remember the Joy of Salvation by sharing your story with someone this week. 3. Are you gathering with the Church to remember/worship? 4. What are you facing now for which you need to be reminded of God’s faithfulness? 5. How do others see God’s faithfulness and power at work in your life?

10-4-17; Wednesday Night Service by Emmaus Baptist Church