Sunday sermons from the pastors of First Baptist Church of Irving. First Irving exists to make disciples locally and globally for the glory of God.
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Main Idea. God judges those who deny Christ. Question. How do those who deny Christ live? 1. They Reject Authority (6–10) 2. They Use People (11–13) 3. They Are Ungodly (14–16) Takeaways. 1. Recognize Christ’s authority. 2. Receive correction humbly. 3. Rest in Christ’s keeping grace.
Main Idea. Kept for Christ, contend for Christ. 1. Kept (1–2) Rom 8:30: And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Thomas Manton, “Jesus Christ is the cabinet in which God’s jewels are kept; so that if we would stand, we must get out of ourselves and get into him, in whom alone there is safety.” 2. Contend (3–4) Jude gives us two defining errors. A. They pervert grace. B. They deny Christ. Mark 2:4–7: 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and whe
Driving question: Why should we praise the Lord in the assembled congregation from the depths of our souls? Main Idea: Our Lord is worthy of whole-hearted praise for all that He is and for all that He’s done. 1. Because He is Blessed (vv. 1, 8-9) 2. Because we are blessed (vv. 2-22) For God is... - Our Merciful & Gracious Savior - Our Full & Complete Healer - Our All-Satisfying Sustainer - Our All-Powerful, Eternal King ____________________ Takeaways: Resist half-hearted praise in the assembly of God’s people. May all that is within you bless His holy name! Remember the glorious deeds & benefi
MI: Our response in distress should be to trust in the satisfying love of our covenant-keeping God. Q: How should we respond during times of distress? 1. We should seek the God our soul needs (vv. 1-2). 2. We should savor the steadfast love that truly satisfies (vv. 3-8). 3. We should stand secure in the king’s victory (vv. 9-11). Takeaways 1. Trust that God is using your distress to conform you to Christ. 2. Take your soul to task during times of distress. 3. Turn to Christ in times of distress.
Main Point: When we truly know God and delight in Him, we encounter full and endless joy. Driving Question: “Who is God and what is He for His people?” God, our Sovereign King (v. 2-4) God, our Inheritance (v.5-6) Jonathan Edwards: “God is the highest good of the reasonable creature. The enjoyment of him is our proper happiness, and is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here: better than fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of any or all earthly fr
Lament Definition: A prayer in pain that leads to trust (Mark Vroegop, “Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy”) _______________________ Driving Question: How will suffering saints renew their trust in God in the midst of sorrow and pain? _______________________ Main Idea: The Lord who deals bountifully with his saints is worthy of our trust in sorrow and in pain. _______________________ 1. God-Directed Pain (vv. 1-2) ________________________ 2. God-Directed Petition (vv. 3-4) _________________________ 3. God-Directed Perspective (vv. 5-6) ____________________________ Takeaways: Walk with God’s people in the
Main Idea. The Lord hears our distress and delivers according to his steadfast love. 1. Our Distress (1–7) 2. His Deliverance (8–10) Psalm 6 finds its fulfillment in Christ: 1. Christ bore the wrath David dreaded. 2. Christ entered the suffering David experienced. 3. Christ conquered the death David feared.
Main Idea. God will surely sanctify his church. Driving Question. How does God sanctify his church? 1. Through Faithful Shepherds (12–13) Heb. 13:17: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.” 2. Through a Faithful Church (14–22) 3. Through His Own Faithful Keeping (23–24) Phil. 2:12–13: "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you." Takeaways. Our sanctification rests not on our faithfulness to God, but on God's faithfulness to us.
Main Idea. We belong to Christ, so stay awake for the Day. Driving Question. How do we stay awake for the Day of the Lord? 3 encouragements for staying awake: 1. Don't focus on the timing (1–3) 2. Remember who we are (4–10) 1. Our Identity: Not of the night, but of the Day (vv. 4–5): 2. Our Routine: So live awake, sober, and alert (vv. 6–8a) 3. Our Equipment: Put on faith, love, and hope (v. 8b) 4. Our Destiny: Destined for salvation, to live with Him (vv. 9–10) 3. Keep one another awake (11) Takeaway. On the Day of the Lord, what matters most is whether you belong to Christ.
Main Point: Be encouraged, there is hope amidst our grief in the Gospel of our Lord and in the promises of His Word. Driving Question: “What produces hope in us for the return of Christ?” The surety of the gospel (v.13-14) The security of Christ’s promises (v.15-17) The support of the saints (v.18) Takeaways In your grief, allow for the ministry of the Word to bring you hope. In their grief, minister the Word of hope to those in grief.
1 Thess 4:1–12 A God Pleasing Church Main Point. Characteristics of a church that pleases God. Driving Question. How does a church live in a way that pleases God? Three characteristics: 1. Holiness before God (2–8) 2. Love for one another (9–10) 3. Witness before the world (11–12)
Main Point. Faithful churches help one another persevere until Christ comes. Driving Question. How do faithful churches help one another persevere? Three ways faithful churches help one another persevere: 1. Love that pursues (2:17–3:5) 2. Faith that comforts (3:6–10) 3. Prayer that establishes (3:11–13) Takeaways. Love is Evident. Faith is Exercised. Hope is Eternal.
Main Point. The Word of God at work in his people. Driving Question. How does God’s Word work in His people? 1. Accepted as God’s Word (13) 2. Afflicted for God’s Word (14–15) 3. Assured by God’s Word (16) Takeaways. 1. Receive God’s Word as God’s Word. 2. Resolve to suffer for God’s Word. 3. Remember God’s judgment is coming.
Main Point. God uses faithful gospel ministry to build his church. Driving Question. So what does a faithful gospel ministry look like? Paul gives three vivid pictures of faithful gospel the minister. 1. The Courageous Steward (1–6) Two Tests of Gospel Stewardship: A. Speaking to please God, not man (vv.4–5). B. Seeking God’s glory, not yours (v.6). 2. The Caring Mother (7–8) 3. The Consistent Father (9–12) Takeaways. (Ordinary Gospel minister must): Accept Conflict (v.2). Live Sacrificially (vv.5–8). Proclaim Christ Clearly (vv.4, 9).
Main Point: God powerfully creates a new people through his Word. Driving Question: How does God create a new people? 1. God’s Work In Us (1–5) 2. God’s Word In Us (6–10) THE EVIDENCE OF GOD’S WORK 1. The Word received (6). 2. The Word imitated (6, 7). 3. The Word proclaimed (8, 9). 4. The Word obeyed (9, 10). a. They turned from idols b. They served the living and true God. c.They waited for the Son.
Pete Stewart is a pastor at Hope Community Church Barlanark in Glasgow, Scotland. He also heads up our church-planting efforts in Glasgow and the West of Scotland
Why does the church need elders? Christ gives elders to order, shape, and protect His church. Today, the text will answer Why Elders in three ways. 1. To bring order (5) 2. To model godliness (6–8) 3. To hold firm to the word (9) Two responsibilities: 1. Teach sound doctrine. 2. Rebuke error. Response. 1. Pastoral Exhortations We must teach the truth of Christ (v.1). We must love Christ’s glory, or we will be weak shepherds. We must steward authority well. Our union with Christ must be visible. We must be bold and courageous to guard the flock. 2. Church Exhortations Be a church that receives
Main Idea. God delights to relent when sinners repent. In three movements, God’s mercy toward sinners is on full display: 1. The Prophet Preaches (1–4) 2. The City Repents (5–9) 3. The Lord Relents (10) Takeaways about our God: The Lord is patient. (He gives second chances). The Lord is holy. (He confronts our sin). The Lord is merciful. (He saves sinners).
Jonah 2 Hope from the Grave Main Idea. God brings us low, He hears our cry, and He raises us up. 1. He brings us low (1:17, 2:1) 2. He hears our cry (2–9) 3. He raises us up (10) Two Takeaways. 1. Salvation belongs to the Lord (2:9). 2. The Sign of Jonah (1:17). Consider the Biblical declarations and benefits of Jesus' resurrection: Romans 1:4 God “declared him to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead.” Romans 4:25 Jesus was “delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” Hebrews 2:14–15 Jesus “destroyed the one who
Three acts of God’s sovereign grace toward sinners. 1. God Speaks (1–3) 2. God Seeks (4–16) Three ways God seeks: 1. God seeks with a storm (4–6). 2. God seeks in the casting of lots (7–10). 3. God seeks through a judgment (11–16). 3. God Saves (17) Matthew 12:40–41: “For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth… and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.” Main Idea. God pursues his rebellious people with unstoppable grace. 3 Responses from Jonah 1. 1. Cry out to the Grea
MI: God accomplishes redemption for His people through the gracious work of His perfect redeemer. 1. Redemption Accomplished (vv. 1-12) 2. Redemption Applied (vv. 13-17) 3. Redemption Anticipated (vv. 18-22) Takeaways from Ruth 1. God’s Promises in Scripture 2. God’s Purposes in Suffering 3. God’s Providence in Salvation
Three movements: 1. Naomi’s Plan (1–5) 2. Ruth’s Proposal (7–12) 3. Boaz’s Promise (13–18) Main Idea. God's people ask for covering under the Redeemer's wings and He vows to provide it. Takeaways. Ruth’s request to rest. Boaz will not rest until redemption is finished.
Main Idea. God graciously provides covering for his destitute people through a worthy redeemer. 1. A destitute woman (Ruth) Three aspects of Ruth’s destitution: - She is a foreigner (vv.2,6,10,21). - She is poor (v.2). - She is a widow (vulnerable). 2. A worthy redeemer (Boaz) Five aspects of “why” Boaz is worthy: - He Loves the Laborers in His Field (v.4). - He Obeys the Law of the Lord (v.8). - He Provides Protective Covering (vv.9,15). - He Shows Abundant Generosity (vv.9, 14–16). - He Is a Redeemer (v.20). Takeaways. We need more men like Boaz. We need humble responses like Ruth’s (v.10).
Why study the Book of Ruth? (from Tony Merida) 1) The Book of Ruth is God’s Word. 2) Ruth helps us see the bigger story of redemption. 3) Ruth teaches us about God’s providence. Four moving parts: 1. Empty House (1–5) 2. Empty Hope (6–18) 3. Empty Homecoming (19–21) 4. Full Harvest (22). Main Idea. Even when God’s hand feels heavy and life empty, He is providentially working for his people's good. Takeaways. In God’s providence, even our failures are woven into His redeeming plan. In God’s providence, emptiness points us back to the Bread of Life. In God’s providence, He visits and provides fo
Main Idea. Believers can know with certainty that they have eternal life and belong to God. Driving Question. If we believe in the Son of God, what can we know for certain? 1. We know we have eternal life (13) 2. We know God hears us (14–17) Application. Intercede for those caught in sin. Trust that God restores His people. 3. We know God keeps us (18–21) Takeaways from 1 John. Keep trusting Christ. Keep pursuing holiness. Keep confessing sin. Keep loving one another. Keep away from idols. God keeps you; remember that.
