Ccr Sermons

The Gospel of John 15-21                                               Part Four – Speaking Truth to Power By Louie Marsh, 5-7-2023   Intro – last week bad sermon – sorry no refunds! Last slide Sowell quote.   1) Jesus PROTECTED the disciples and suffered the consequences himself.   ·       He REINFORCES his identity.   4Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.   ·       He FREES the disciples from any consequences.    7So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 9This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.”   ·       He protects them from THEMSELVES.   10Then Simon Peter, having a

The Gospel of John 15-21 Part 3: Your World Is Truth By Louie Marsh, 4-30-2023   Graphics – last one Truth Exists – Only Lies are Invented.   1) Jesus prayed Himself FIRST!   "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. John 17:1-5   ·       Jesus wants his imminent death to bring GLORY to God.   ·       This is NOT selfish!   “18praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of th

The Gospel of John 15-21 Pt. 2: I Have Overcome the World By Louie Marsh, 4-23-2023     1) Jesus says be ALERT or I could fall away.   “1“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 2They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me.” (John 16:1–3, ESV)   “17You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.” (2 Peter 3:17, ESV)   2) The Holy Spirit’s Ministry…   ·       To the world: CONVICTION of…   “8And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” (John 16:8–11, ESV)   o   SIN

The Gospel of John 15-21 I Am the Vine By Louie Marsh, 05-19-2023 Intro – Last slide fruit loops   1) I must FOCUS on remaining in Jesus, the only source of spiritual life.   1  “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. John 15:1 (ESV)   2) I must COOPERATE with the Father as He cleanses me.    2  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit…6  If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. John 15:2, 6 (ESV)   ·       Two major sources of spiritual dirt in my life: o   SELF o   SIN   9  For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:9 (ESV)   ·       The Father disciplines me to make me FRUITFUL.   3  Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4  In your struggle against sin you have

Confronting Culture #6 No Stopping God By Louie Marsh, 4-9-2023   Slides – last one the racist one.   1) I must DIE before I can be born again.   “8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:8, ESV)   “24For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9:24, ESV)   ·       To Confront Culture like Christ I must die to what I want the most – LOVE, ACCEPTANCE, APPROVAL   2) The Resurrection of Jesus is a FACT.   “3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles

Confronting Culture #5 No Selfishness (Crucifixion) By Louie Marsh, 4-2-2023 Intro - slides   1) Jesus calls me to live an UNSELFISH life.   “24Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24–26, ESV) 2) Our culture demands I put myself FIRST.   “6In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6, ESV) 21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Claiming to be wise, they became fools,” (Romans 1:21–22, ESV)   The huge modern Christian   3) Selfishness is worshipping MYSELF.   “23Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try

Confronting Culture Part Four: No Distractions By Louie Marsh, 3-19-2023 1) To be a good witness I must be FOCUSED on Jesus.   “1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1–2, ESV)   Looking away from everything which may distract. - Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 4 (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887), 537–538.   ·       To look towards Jesus means looking AWAY from everything else.   2) To stay focused on Jesus I must REJECT all sin.   “1So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salv

Confronting Culture Pt. 3 – No Shame By Louie Marsh, 3-12-2023   4 guilt cartoons   Don’t Be Shamed   1) Shame is the emotion you feel when you know you’re GUILTY.   “29For they shall be ashamed of the oaks that you desired; and you shall blush for the gardens that you have chosen.” (Isaiah 1:29, ESV)   What Guilt Is   1) Guilt is a state of being, an OBJECTIVE REALITY, before God.   10  For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. James 2:10 (ESV)   “The Bible words for guilt mean “criminal responsibility in the eyes of a court of law, whether that court is human or divine...in the OT & NT the concept of guild is personalized and radicalized through its association with Yahweh, the Father of Jesus Christ.”  (DNTT Pg. 137)   2) Guilt is the consequence of my CHOOSING TO SIN.   23  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 (ESV)   3) Guilt is UNIVERSAL.   9  What then? Are we Jews any better off

Confronting Culture Part 2: No Fear By Louie Marsh, 3-5-2023   Chat GPT:   Fear is a natural and normal human emotion that can serve a protective purpose in certain situations. However, if fear becomes excessive or irrational, it can interfere with our ability to lead a fulfilling life. Here are some strategies that may help reduce fear and anxiety:   1) Identify the source of your fear: Try to identify the specific source of your fear. Is it a concrete object or situation, or is it a more abstract worry? Once you identify the source, you can work to address it more directly.   2) Practice relaxation techniques: Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or yoga can help reduce anxiety and promote feelings of calmness.   3) Challenge your negative thoughts: Often, fear is the result of negative or catastrophic thinking patterns. Try to identify and challenge these thoughts with more realistic and balanced thinking.   4) Seek support: Talking to a trusted friend, family mem

Confronting Culture Pt. 1: No Compromise By Louie Marsh, 2-26-2023   Intro.: Cartoons on compromise   How Can I Confront Culture?   1) Don’t Talk About it – NOT BIBLICAL.   “27Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, 28but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these:” (Daniel 2:27–28, ESV)   As Timothy Keller, who pastored in Manhattan for 30 years and reached thousands of secular skeptics, says, “not talking about this” is no longer an option. If anything, it’s counterproductive. At this point in history, it’s better to acknowledge out of the gate that we represent an entirely different kingdom with entirely different values and under an entirely different authority. Becoming a Christian in America means you’re not only going to have to drink a few cups of

Discovering Jesus in the New Testament #7 Jesus My Lord By Louie Marsh, 2-19-2023   1) Jesus didn’t come to take sides but to TAKE OVER.   “11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11, ESV)   “36Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”” (Acts 2:36, ESV)   “9Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9–11, ESV)   2) The Lordship of Jesus is intensely PRACTICAL.   “21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and

Discovering Jesus in the New Testament #6 Jesus My Advocate By Louie Marsh, 2-12-2023   Last slide – cheap divorce.   1) The New Covenant of Jesus was PROPHESIED.   “60yet I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish for you an everlasting covenant.” (Ezekiel 16:60, ESV)   ·       God saw the NEED for a new covenant.   “31“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 31:31–32, ESV)   ·       It was to be an INDIVIDUAL not a national covenant.   33For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my peopl

Discovering Jesus in the New Testament #5 Jesus My Savior By Louie Marsh, 2-5-2023     There is something wrong with the human race,   A Century of Holocausts:   Armenian genocide in Turkey (1915-1917) 1.5 million   Japanese slaughter of civilians in China (1939-1945) 3.9 million   Stalin’s Holodomor (1932-1933) 5 million   Hitler’s Holocaust (1940-1945) 14 million   Mao’s killing millions in China (1949-1976) 40-80 million   Bangladesh Genocide (3-26-71 – 12/1971) 300,000 – 3 million   Killing Grounds in Cambodia (1975-1979) 1.5 – 3 million killed   Rwanda (7 April – 15 July 1994) 500,000-800,000     1) I need a SAVIOR whether I want one or not.   “11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11, ESV)   “10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”” (Luke 19:10, ESV)   Savior is one of the FIRST THINGS we’re told about Jesus.   “21She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”” (Matthew 1:2

Discovering Jesus in the New Testament #4 Jesus My Example By Louie Marsh, 1-29-2023   Intro slides – last one Jesus hero, example…   1) Jesus is my iconoclastic EXAMPLE.   “3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13:3–5, ESV)   There’s no way we can understand just how SHOCKING this was.     2) Jesus is both SERVANT & LORD   “6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands

Discovering Jesus in the New Testament #03 Jesus My Iconoclast By Louie Marsh, 1-22-2023   iconoclast   noun a person who attacks cherished beliefs, traditional institutions, etc., as being based on error or superstition. a breaker or destroyer of images, especially those set up for religious veneration.   The term originates from the Byzantine Iconoclasm, the struggles between proponents and opponents of religious icons in the Byzantine Empire from 726 to 842 AD. Degrees of iconoclasm vary greatly among religions and their branches, but are strongest in religions which oppose idolatry, including the Abrahamic religions. Outside of the religious context, iconoclasm can refer to movements for widespread destruction in symbols of an ideology or cause, such as the destruction of monarchist symbols during the French Revolution.   Pictures of Jesus   1) Jesus always spoke to the HEART of the matter.   He tore things down to EXPOSE the idols of our hearts.   “1Then certain of the elders of Israel came to me and s

Discovering Jesus In the New Testament #02 – Jesus Is My Teacher By Louie Marsh, 1-15-2023         1) Jesus is my TEACHER.   “13You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.” (John 13:13, ESV)   Of the 90 times Jesus is directly addressed in the Gospels, 60 of them use the title teacher.   “2This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”” (John 3:2, ESV)   He wasn’t educated, had no degrees, and never stepped foot into a classroom.   Yet his teachings are revered and followed to this day.   “15The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” 16So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 17If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.” (John 7:15–17, ESV)   2) Jesus’ teachings are RADICAL.   “36“Teacher, whic

Discovering Jesus in the New Testament #01 Jesus My Redeemer By Louie Marsh, 1-8-2023 Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions   10) Spend More Time with family 9) Fall in love 8) Help others fulfill their dreams 7) Quit smoking 6) Learn Something exciting 5) Stay fit and healthy 4) Enjoy life to the fullest 3) Spend less, save more 2) Get organized 1) Lose weight!   1) Jesus came to BUY ME BACK out of slavery to sin.   Redemption =  "a ransom or price of release," and was used of buying or setting free slaves.   “45For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”” (Mark 10:45, ESV)   The word “ransom” is lutron (λυτρον) “the price for redeeming, the ransom paid for slaves - Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader   This means apart from Jesus we are ALL SLAVES!   2) What am I redeemed from?   Spiritual DEATH.   “4But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were

Discovering Jesus in the New Testament #00 The Eternal Christ By Louie Marsh, 1-1-2023   Last cartoon Eden – then book, Spiritual Growth Campaign Promo.   1) Jesus the CREATOR   “26Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over… the earth.” 27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:26–27, ESV)   2) Jesus the DELIVERER.   “7The angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. 8And he said, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai.” 9The angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her.”” (Genesis 16:7–9, ESV)   The Pre-incarnate Christ kept God’s Plan of Redemption on    10 The angel of the LORD also said to her, “I will surely multiply your offspring so that they