Getting the Gospel Right (1 Peter 3:13-22)

The gospel is the good news that, though we are sinners who deserve hell, Jesus Christ has lived a perfect life and suffered the curse we deserve so that all who put their trust fully in him will be saved.

I.       Man’s Need (v. 18)
         A.     Unrighteous (Not by Design)
         B.     Sin and Its Consequences

II.     Jesus’s Provision (v. 18)
         A.     A Perfect Life (v. 18)
         B.     A Perfect Death (v. 18)
         C.     Redemption (v. 18)

III.    Making It Yours
         A.     Received by Faith Alone (Acts 16:31)
         B.     The Gospel Made Visible (vv. 19-20)
         C.     What Happens if We get it Wrong?
         D.     The Gospel Made Visible (Again)

God's Heart for the Lost (Ezekiel 33:1-20; 1 Timothy 2:1-7)

God’s heart takes no delight in the death of the wicked, but rejoices when one turns to him and finds mercy and grace—it is this heart that must drive us in evangelism.

I.       The God of Justice (vv. 1-9)
         A.      Goodness Requires Justice
         B.      The Ugly Temptation (of Self-Righteousness) (Jonah 4)
         C.      God’s Warning to His Watchmen (vv. 1-9)

II.      The God of Mercy (vv. 10-16)
         A.      No Pleasure in the Death of the Wicked (vv. 10-11; Exodus 34:5-7; Luke 15)
         B.      The Demonstration of Love (vv. 12-16; Romans 5:8; 1 Timothy 2:5-7)

III.     After God’s Own Heart
         A.      Seeking the Heart of God
         B.      Seeking the Salvation of the Lost (1 Timothy 2:1-7)
         C.      A Gracious (and Visible) Warning (vv. 12-16; 1 Corinthians 11:17-20)

Making Disciples (Matthew 22:34-40; 28:18-20)

The church has been called to make disciples—those who are conformed to the image of Christ in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, exercising dominion over sin.

I.       When All Else Fails (Go Back to the Beginning)
         A.      Cosmic Fullness (Adam’s Goal in Creation) (Genesis 1:26-28)
         B.      Image Bearing (Adam’s Job in Creation) (Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:24; Genesis 1:26)
         C.      Heavenly Glory (Adam’s Would-be Reward in Creation) (1 Corinthians 15:44-53)

II.      Identifying a Disciple
         A.      The Great Commandment (Matthew 22:34-40)
         B.      The Finished Disciple (v. 20; Luke 6:40)

III.     Making Disciples (Not Just Converts)
         A.      Disciples or Converts?
         B.      The Tools of Discipleship
         C.      A Disciple is not Above His Master

Ascending Zion (Hebrews 12:18-29)

As a worshipping community, the church is most clearly the church when she is in worship—possessing heaven, feasting with angels and communing with the saints throughout the ages in the presence of God.

Death, Resurrection, and the Church (John 2:13-22; Matthew 16:16-27)

The church of God will never be destroyed, but because it is the body of Christ, it will triumph only through death and resurrection.

The Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-31)

As a body, Jesus has made the church one and given gifts to each member for the service of the common good.

The Resurrection of Joseph (Genesis 42:1-25; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

As Joseph’s life is restored to him, it is not just he who benefits, but his brothers as well—the very ones who took his life from him in the first place.

The Family of God (Matthew 12:46-50; John 19:25-27)

To be a Christian is to be brought into God’s family where his love and care is shown to one another.

The Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-33)

By calling the church “bride,” Jesus is not only revealing how he has sacrificially loved us, but how we are to mirror that love to others.

The Pillar and Buttress of the Truth (1 Timothy 3:14-16)

God uses his church to boldly proclaim and humbly defend the truth of the Gospel which he has revealed to us in Scripture.

The House of God (1 Peter 2:1-12)

The Church is where Jesus’ presence is manifested on earth while he brings his plans for creation to completion.

The Kingdom of God (Matthew 16:16-20; 18:15-20)

Until the Last Day, God administers his eternal, heavenly kingdom through membership in the visible church.

The Visible Church (Ephesians 4:11-14; Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)

Though always imperfect in this world, the visible church is given to God’s people as the place in which to be fed, nurtured, and disciplined that they might grow in the image of Christ.

The Invisible Church (Ephesians 2:11-22; 5:22-32)

We must learn to look past superficial sources of unity to the person and sacrificial work of Jesus Christ if we are to know true peace with others.

Praise the King (Psalm 47)

As we will see today, joyous and reverent worship is the natural and appropriate response to knowing that Jesus reigns as king.

Be Still (Psalm 46)

It is important, in the Christian life, to slow down and remember who our God is and to find comfort and peace in him.

Three Valleys (Joel 3:1-21)

God warns the nations of a coming judgment, calling them to decide whether they will stand in judgment or turn and be saved, and dwell forever in his land of abundant blessing.

The Savior (Joel 2:28-32)

Jesus’ first coming will be to save his people from judgment and it will be marked out with signs and wonders, the giving of the Holy Spirit and the long-awaited inclusion of the Gentiles so that it cannot be missed.

Blessing is Coming (Joel 2:18-27)

God met the repentance of Israel with the restoration of earthly blessing as an anticipation of greater eternal blessing to come.

Repentance (Joel 2:12-17)

True repentance admits guilt and responsibility, yielding all rights, hoping only for grace which is not deserved.