Indestructible Life

Sermon on Psalm 110 and Hebrews 7, about Jesus' role as our great high priest in the order of Melchizedek, in fulfillment of Psalm 110:4. How His "indestructible life" was put to the test and verified.

Self-preservation or self-sacrifice?

Sermon on Luke 13:31-35, for the 2nd Sunday in Lent, about Jesus' weeping over Jerusalem, and comparing Himself to a hen. The picture of God's love for us, and Jesus' sacrificing all for our safety.

Sermon Talking Points

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

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

1. Why is Jesus’ behavior toward those who warn Him of danger puzzling? What was this King Herod capable of? Luke 3:19-20; 9:7-9. How did Jesus stand His ground?

1. What kept Jesus so committed to His course, despite the danger, which turned into betrayal, great pain, suffering, and death? Luke 22:39-46; John 10:7-18

1. How are we saved by Jesus’ focused self-sacrifice? From what danger and harm are we spared? Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:56-57; 1 Peter 5:8-9.

1. Why is Jesus so saddened that the people did not listen to His voice, or the voice of the prophets, and repent, and turn back to God? Luke 13:34; Ezekiel 18:23. Can you describe the pain of a loved one turning away from your voice?

1. What dangers do we face in this world? Why is danger often hidden to the young? Why are we often equally naïve about the danger of sin, that God is able to see?

1. Why are we prone to wander, to leave the God who loves us? How does He sacrifice Himself to protect us? 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

1. How did Jesus’ self-sacrifice end with glorious victory? Acts 2:24

God’s Anointed

Sermon on Psalm 89, for Lent 2 midweek. A Psalm about God's steadfast love and faithfulness, and his covenant with David, and then the distress of wondering if God's promises have failed. Looking forward to God's fulfillment of those promises in the Anointed One, the Messiah.

Victor on the Battlefield

Sermon on Luke 4:1-13, for the 1st Sunday in Lent, about Jesus' temptation in the desert, and our temptations.

Sermon Talking Points

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

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

1. Why might the Bible’s “coverage” of spiritual warfare be unexpected for us? What does this hidden “camera angle” reveal to us about life in general? 1 Peter 5:8-9; Ephesians 6:10ff. How does this prepare us to face life and temptation with a new perspective?

2. To earthly eyes, Jesus appeared unarmed and weakened in His contest with the devil. But what powerful weapon did He wield against temptation? Can we use the same?

3. Jesus success over each of the three temptations was matched by a similar failure of the Israelites to the same. Read Deuteronomy 8:3. How did this temptation echo the Israelites longing to be fed apart from the Lord? Exodus 16. Read Deuteronomy 6:13. How did the episode of the Golden Calf and other examples of idolatry show their wavering commitment to the Lord? Read Deuteronomy 6:16. How did they test the Lord at Massah? Exodus 17. In their rebellion and doubt, what accusation did they level? Ex. 17:7

4. Greater than any step by step plan for us to defeat temptation, what does Jesus’ temptation in the desert give us? How does His victory become ours as well? Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Ephesians 6:10. Why is His victory our final and only hope to deliver us from evil? How did His climactic battle against sin, death, and the devil go? Read the end of all four Gospels

The Supremacy and Sonship of Jesus

Sermon on Hebrews 3:1-6 & Luke 9:28-36 for Transfiguration Sunday, about how Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God, and what glorified Him.

Sermon Talking Points

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

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

1. Transfiguration Sunday is the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday when the somber season of Lent begins. How is Lent an annual spiritual journey to the cross?

1. Read Hebrews 3:1-6. Look over the first 10 chapters of Hebrews. They argue for Christ’s supremacy over a variety of Old Testament figures and systems. What implications does Jesus’ supremacy and Sonship hold for us and our salvation?

1. Read Hebrews 1:1-4. What is different about the way that God revealed Himself in ancient times, to the way He has now revealed Himself to us? Which is superior? John 1:18; Colossians 1:15-20

1. Why is it dangerous/foolish to neglect the message of Christ? Hebrews 2:1-4; 4:1-13.

1. What kind of false spiritualities do people often create to “seek God?” Why are they bound to failure? Acts 4:12; Romans 3:10-12

1. Read Hebrews 11. Although the ancients are commended here, note that they are not commended particularly for their works, but rather for what? Hebrews 11:2, 39; 12:2.

1. What else, in addition to His Sonship, made Jesus distinctly worthy of all glory and honor, above all else? Hebrews 2:9-10; 12:2. Why did He do it all for us?

Responding to Jesus

Sermon on Luke 4:31-44 for the 4th Sunday after Epiphany, about Jesus' miracles and teaching in Capernaum, and various responses to Jesus Christ that illuminate our own response to Him and His Word.

Sermon Talking Points

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

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

1. Read Luke 4:31-44. Why was Jesus such a compelling, and even polarizing figure? Describe the variety of responses to Jesus that you find in this passage, as well as in other places in the Gospels. How do they compare to peoples’ responses to Jesus today?

1. Describe how Jesus and His Word searches the heart. Why was Jesus interested in seeing that inward intentions and outward actions be in harmony? How did He always drive people to the Gospel, His message as the key purpose for His ministry? What did many seek from Him instead?

1. How is faith in Christ a total life reorientation? How does Christ guide and direct that? John 14:6; Matthew 28:19-20. What is necessary when we get off-track, and wander from His path?

1. What amazed people about Jesus’ knowledge? Matthew 7:28-29; John 7:15, 40-48; cf. Acts 4:13.

1. What is profoundly reassuring about Jesus’ power over evil? Why did Jesus not allow the demons to speak of Him? How do we see the spiritual forces of evil at work today?

1. How should we imitate the response of the crowds in Luke 4:37 & 40? Who needs to hear about Jesus? Who do you know who needs God as their refuge and strength? What single purpose drove and oriented all of Jesus’ earthly ministry? 4:43; John 5:29, 40; 18:37.