20
May
2013
Sermon on John 14:23-31 for Pentecost Sunday, at the confirmation of several of our youth. A sermon about the Holy Spirit and His significance to the life of a Christian disciple.
Sermon Talking Points
Read past sermons at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.blogspot.com
Listen to audio at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.podbean.com
- What does the believer’s keeping of God’s Word and commandments show about their attitude toward God? What does God do in return? John 14:15, 21; 8:51; 15:10; 1 John 2:3-4. Does this love for God and obedience toward His commandments begin with us and then receive His response, or the other way around? 1 John 4:10, 19.
- How does God make His dwelling or “room” with us? Ezekiel 37:24-28; Leviticus 26:11-12; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 3:16-17. What must we avoid lest we grieve the Holy Spirit? Eph. 4:30
- Jesus said in John 14:26, that the Holy Spirit’s teaching traces back to Him (cf. 15:26; 16:13-14). Jesus’ own teaching traces back to whom? John 7:16; 8:28; 12:49, etc. How does this show the perfect unity of the Trinity?
- How is the Spirit’s wisdom different from that of the world? 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; 1 John 2:20, 27.
- What is different between the peace Jesus gives, and the peace that the world gives? John 14:27; 16:33. How does it give us comfort and courage?
- Read John 14:30-31. Jesus’ cross would show the world that He loves the Father, and it shows that the devil (the ruler of this world) has no claim or power over Jesus.
thejoshuavictortheory 
John 
Comments |
13
May
2013
Sermon on John 17:20-26, the conclusion of Jesus' High Priestly prayer, seeking for unity among His followers. What are the implications for the unity of the church today?
thejoshuavictortheory John Comments |
6
May
2013
Sermon on John 16:23-33, for the 6th Sunday of Easter, about a section of Jesus' farewell discourse to His disciples, speaking about the joy and the peace that will be theirs.
thejoshuavictortheory John Comments |
22
April
2013
Sermon on Acts 20:17-35 for the 4th Sunday of Easter, about Paul's farewell speech and commission to the elders (pastors) of the churches of Ephesus. A reflection on the pastor's duties toward the congregation.
Sermon Talking Points
Read past sermons at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.blogspot.com
Listen to audio at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.podbean.com
1. What instructions does Acts 20:17-35 contain for pastors? What worthy example did St. Paul set in his own conduct of his ministry among the Ephesians? The New Testament uses a variety of descriptive terms for the one preaching office, without any sense of hierarchy or rank in power: Presbyters (elders); shepherds (pastor); bishop (overseer); evangelist; teacher; apostles; prophets; etc.
2. Read Acts 20:26-27. What does it mean to declare the “whole counsel of God?” What is the danger of false teaching, and why is it vital that sound teaching be maintained? 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 6:3-10; 2 Timothy 3:12-17.
3. What gave Paul the confidence that his work in the church didn’t ultimately depend on him, and that the church would “survive” without him, under the ministry of other pastors? What “weapon” did they have against false teaching? 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Ephesians 6:10-20.
4. What are some of the reasons a pastor might teach or visit from house to house? Do you have a need, or would you be open to a visit from your pastor(s)?
5. Whose blood was the purchase price of the church? Acts 20:28. What does that say about the identity of Jesus? How does that supply the forgiveness and salvation by which the church lives?
**Note: although the exact wording of the quotation of Jesus in Acts 20:35 is found nowhere in the Gospels, the theme is expressed in many places: Matthew 10:8; Luke 6:38; 11:9-13; John 13:34. Why is there greater blessing in giving than receiving?
thejoshuavictortheory Acts Comments |
15
April
2013
Sermon on John 21:1-14, for the 3rd Sunday of Easter, about Jesus' third recorded appearance to the disciples, where He met them on the Sea of Galilee (Tiberias) and they experienced a miraculous catch of fish.
Sermon Talking Points
Read past sermons at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.blogspot.com
Listen to audio at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.podbean.com
1. What reasons might the disciples have had for going back to an old, familiar activity?
2. As the episode unfolds, what “trademark” or “signature action” gave Jesus away, before they first recognized Him and came ashore? Luke 5:1-11. What commission had He given them on that day when He first called them to be His disciples?
3. How would this sort of déjà vu episode give them encouragement as they were preparing to set out on the Great Commission Jesus prepared them for? (cf. Matthew 28:16-20. Did the Great Commission happen close to this fishing scene in Galilee??)
4. How does the call of discipleship and the good news of Jesus’ resurrection, call us to “forsake old, familiar ways for ventures bold and new” and “send us on ways where faith transcends timidity”? (LSB 856 “O Christ, Who Called the Twelve”) How can we venture boldly for Christ?
5. How does the fact that the great haul of fish was “The Lord’s Catch”—not theirs, assure us that the Lord will also provide the “catch” when we go out as “fishers of men?” Matthew 13:47-50; 2 Corinthians 2:14-17; 3:5; John 6:44; 1 Corinthians 3:5-9
6. Read the first lesson for today, Acts 9:1-22. How was Saul (later Paul), an unexpected “big catch” in God’s fishing net? How did Ananias first react? What would Paul become? Acts 9:15-16. How does this again illustrate God’s power?
7. How, like Peter, should we have the same exuberance and eagerness to seek out the presence of Jesus? And where has He promised His presence among us? Matthew 28:20; 26:26-29
thejoshuavictortheory John Comments |
8
April
2013
Sermon on John 20:19-31 for the 2nd Sunday of Easter, about Jesus' resurrection appearance to Thomas, and who and what our faith is directed to.
Sermon Talking Points
Read past sermons at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.blogspot.com
Listen to audio at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.podbean.com
- Who was Thomas? What notable things did he say or do in the Gospels? John 11:16; 14:5-6; 21:1-3.
- The other 10 disciples had seen the risen Jesus and believed after His first appearance among them, while Thomas was absent. How did Thomas express his skepticism about Jesus’ resurrection, and what it would take to prove it to him? How does Thomas speak to our modern-day skepticism? What was it about the marks and the wounds that would convince him?
- How do the enduring scars of Jesus, on His hands, feet, and sides, testify to us and to God the Father? Isaiah 49:15-16; Revelation 1:5; 5:6; Hebrews 10:19-22
- How do the wounds of God, wounds endured for us, give us grace and healing? Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24.
- How did Thomas’ doubt turn to faith? How did he express (or better: confess) his faith? John 20:28. Why was this confirmation of Jesus’ resurrection so powerful in identifying who Jesus was, as the Christ, the Messiah and true God? Cf. Matthew 12:38-42; 17:9.
- What is the blessing of believing, even though we have not seen? 1 Peter 1:8-9; Hebrews 11:1-3.
- Why did John write his Gospel? What is the intention of how these teachings and records of Jesus’ life would affect the reader? John 20:30-31
thejoshuavictortheory John Comments |
3
April
2013
Sermon on Luke 24:1-12, for Easter Sunday, the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus. A sermon about Jesus' faithfulness to His Word and His defeat of death.
thejoshuavictortheory Luke Comments |
3
April
2013
Sermon on Psalm 41 for Maundy Thursday, the night Jesus was betrayed and instituted the Lord's Supper.
thejoshuavictortheory Psalms Comments |
25
March
2013
Sermon on Luke 23, for Palm Sunday (Sunday of the Passion), about Jesus' suffering on the cross, and its transformative power on the thief on the cross, and also for us. How to see the matter aright, of our sins and Jesus' self-sacrifice.
Sermon Talking Points
Read past sermons at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.blogspot.com
Listen to audio at: http://thejoshuavictortheory.podbean.com
- Palm Sunday (Sunday of the Passion) begins Holy Week, and a strange tension or mix of attitudes and emotions. How did Jesus respond to these various forces that pushed or pulled on Him? How does His suffering on the cross have a unique gravity or magnetism that moves us to respond?
- Read verse 2 of “Jesus, Refuge of the Weary” (LSB 423). When have you passed by the cross of Jesus, without repentance? What sin still clings to you that you are reluctant to give up in confession? How does Jesus silently plead with us to lay it down?
- Why is it a harmful reaction to simply condemn the mob, but not see our sin at the cross? 1 Timothy 1:15-16; Matthew 7:1-5. What parallel is there from the thief on the cross’ confession, to Paul’s words in 1 Tim. 1:15? How does the cross of Jesus expose our sin?
- What about Jesus’ words and actions changed the thief? How did Jesus’ words cut right to his heart? Prov. 27:6. Why was Jesus’ friendship and love so unexpected? What would have fed the mockers’ fury instead?
- How does God “kill and make alive”; “wound and heal”? Deuteronomy 32:39; Galatians 5:24-25.
- How does Hebrews 12:2-4 remind us that Jesus has endured everything for us? What moved Him to do so?
thejoshuavictortheory Luke Comments |
21
March
2013
Sermon on Psalm 118 for Lent 6 midweek, a reflection on the Messianic Psalm, and how it relates to Jesus' triumphal entry, passion, death and resurrection.
thejoshuavictortheory Psalms Comments |
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