Like a Shepherd

Sermon on Isaiah 40:10-11 for Christmas Eve, on how Jesus is our Good Shepherd, whom the shepherds came to greet at His birth. Merry Christmas!

Finding Favor

Sermon on Luke 1:26-38 for the 4th Sunday in Advent, about the Announcement of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she would become the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. How Mary and we find favor in God's eyes, and what it means for Jesus to reign in our lives.

Sermon Talking Points

Read past sermons at:   http://thejoshuavictortheory.blogspot.com

Listen to audio at:   http://thejoshuavictortheory.podbean.com

1. What was the angel Gabriel’s comforting response to Mary, when she was startled and troubled by his unexpected greeting? Luke 1:30. How does this compare to other angels bearing good news to humans about Christ? Luke 1:13; 2:10; Matt. 28:5

1. What did it mean that she had “found favor” with God? How was God’s favor shown to her? Cf. Acts 7:45-46; Heb. 4:16; Gen. 6:8. Favor is found in God’s eyes/sight. The favor of God is extended to us as well through the birth and the life of Jesus, our Savior. It is through Jesus that we are found innocent in God’s eyes. Luke 2:14

1. Mary’s virgin conception by the power of the Holy Spirit was in fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14, a prophecy made 7 centuries earlier, to the Jews. How would the fulfilling of this prophecy mean that “God is with us” (Emmanuel)? How was it also a fulfillment of the prophecy to David, made about 1,000 B.C. (before Christ) that God would make his house and kingdom sure forever before God? 2 Samuel 7:12-13, 16

1. What would be the characteristics of Jesus’ rule as the King on the throne of David? Isaiah 9:6-7; Psalm 9:7-8; 89:14. What peace and hope does this give us, in contrast to the rule of earthly kings and authorities? What disappointment are we spared from because of the fact that Jesus is our “Forever-King?”

1. How did Mary submit to Jesus’ reign in her life? How do we likewise submit to God, and find His reign and favor extended over all of our life?

Lift Up Your Heads Ye Mighty Gates

Sermon on Isaiah 40:6-9 for midweek Advent 3. Based on the Sermon Series "Savior of the Nations Come" by Dr. Reed Lessing of Concordia Seminary St. Louis. A sermon about the idolatry of our hearts and the exile of sin, and how God returns us with joy to our home, through the promises of His eternal Word.

God’s Anointed

Sermon on Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, for the 3rd Sunday in Advent. About what happens when Jesus, God's Anointed, arrives on the scene of human history and the scene of our lives.

Sermon Talking Points

Read past sermons at:   http://thejoshuavictortheory.blogspot.com

Listen to audio at:   http://thejoshuavictortheory.podbean.com

1. Who directly fulfills this prophecy from Isaiah 61? See Luke 4:16-30; How did Jesus’ ministry carry out these promises? How does He continue to perform this work today?

2. “Anointed” (v. 1) is the translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah” (“Christ” in Greek). “Anointing” typically took place when a prophet, priest, or king took office (see 1 Samuel 10:1; 16:13; 2 Sam. 2:4; Exodus 29:7-9; 1 Chron. 16:22). Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One. He is Prophet, Priest and King par excellence.

3. What was Jesus anointed to do? How are the poor and the downtrodden comforted? Matthew 5:3-4. How are the brokenhearted given hope? 2 Cor. 1:3-7. In what way are all of us prisoners? Who sets us free?

4. How does salvation strengthen and establish Christians to be “oaks of righteousness”? How is the peace that Jesus gives different from the peace that the world gives? John 14:27

5. Read Psalm 30. How does the promised and the blessing of Jesus as our Messiah, God’s Anointed Savior of His people, turn our mourning and sadness into joy? What is the Christian’s hope and confidence in the face of all despair, evil, and even death? 1 Corinthians 15

Prepare the Royal Highway

Sermon on Isaiah 40:3-5, about preparing the Way for the Lord in our hearts by repentance, for the 2nd midweek Advent service. Based on a sermon series for Advent, "Savior of the Nations Come" by Dr. Reed Lessing.

Eagerly Waiting

Sermon on 2 Peter 3:8-14 for the Second Sunday in Advent. About Jesus' promised second coming, and how we are to learn patience, understand God's gracious "delay", learning attachment to God's Word and not the world, and leading lives of holiness and godliness as we wait for His coming.

Sermon Talking Points

Read past sermons at:   http://thejoshuavictortheory.blogspot.com

Listen to audio at:   http://thejoshuavictortheory.podbean.com

1. Since God is outside time, what does that mean for the charge of scoffers, who mock that God is slow, or delaying, or just doesn’t exist? What is God’s reason for “delaying” (from our perspective) in His return? 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:4; cf. Ps. 90:4

1. What does the suddenness of Jesus’ return mean for those who would try to predict a date for His return or the end of the world? Matt. 24:36; 1 Thess. 5:2; What will happen to the universe (heavens and earth) on the day of the Lord? 2 Pet. 3:12; Rev. 6:14; Matt. 24:35; Heb. 1:10-12

1. How are we to be prepared and ready for this day of Jesus’ coming? Matt. 24:44; 25:1-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

1. Holiness means to be “set apart for God.” Holiness is not only a matter of our mind, but also of our body, and how we use it to glorify God. In what way is our body a “holy temple?” 1 Cor. 6:19 What does this mean for how we use our bodies in holiness? 1 Cor. 6:15-20; Eph. 4:17-32; 1 Thess. 4:3-12; 1 Tim. 2:8-10

1. What will the “new heavens and new earth” be like? Isaiah 65:17-25; Rev. 21-22. What does Peter mean in v. 13 by saying that it is where “righteousness dwells?” How does the hope of heaven lift you up in times of darkness or discouragement? How does it encourage you to strive to follow after Christ in holiness and godliness?

Comfort, Comfort Ye My People

Sermon on Isaiah 40:1-2,  for the first Wednesday in Advent, from the sermon series "Savior of the Nations Come" by Dr. Reed Lessing of Concordia Seminary St. Louis, MO.

A sermon about how God comes to us in the pit or tomb of our despair, at our lowest, and speaks comfort to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.