I.   Introduction A.  Surprise Gift 1.    Have you ever received one, only to be told that another gift came with it? It’s kind of like a Russian doll. 2.    In Acts 2:38, we often emphasize that when we are baptized, we receive forgiveness, but this verse also promises another gift: the gift of the …

I.    Introduction A.  The American Pioneer 1.    There are few more romanticized things in the history of our country than the movement to settle the West. 2.    Novels, movies, etc., all paint a picture of open lands, new beginnings, and legacies being established, but the truth can be much uglier …

I.    Introduction A.  Children Describing God[1] 1.    Children have a very concrete and literal view of God. 2.    But the reality is that most of what they think about Him is caught, not taught. B.  Background of Text 1.    As Moses ascends Mt Sinai to receive the commandments again from God, God …

I.    Introduction A.  Mystery of Angels 1.    Angels are like a mystery to us. 2.    We often think of them as human-like beings with wings, a glow about them, and a halo for good measure. 3.    There is more in the Bible about angels than we might first think. B.  What are Angels? 1.    Definition …

I.    Introduction A.  Amazing Facts about the Human Voice 1.    The unique size and shape of your nose, mouth, and throat create your distinctive voice. 2.    As we age, our voices can change.[1] 3.    Humans have the unique ability to flexibly control pitch, tied to specific brain regions, to inte …

I.    Introduction A.  Breathing 1.    When we think of breathing, we don’t just think of the physical conscious and subconscious function that exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide in our bodies. a.    We talk about things taking our breath away (breathtaking) when they are beautiful or captivating. …

I.  Introduction A.         A. Better B.          B. Better Theme 1.    This year on Sunday nights, we will examine the book of Hebrews a.    Quarter 1: The Supremacy of Christ b.    Quarter 2: The Priesthood of Christ c.    Quarter 3: The Covenant and the Cross d.    Quarter 4: The Life of Faith an …

I.   Introduction A.             A. Focusing B.             B. Refocus Theme 1.    Over the last few years, our congregation has changed. 2.    God has blessed us with new families, ministries, and leaders. 3.    When growth like this happens, it is important to revisit the fundamentals. That’s what …

I.    Introduction A.  Equipped 1.    I hope that we have learned, or simply been reminded of, things that have equipped us for living life as a Christian every day, not just on Sunday. 2.    We have examined Ephesians 4 thoroughly this year, learning how to be equipped for unity, growth, and spirit …

I.    Introduction A.  Adoption in America 1.    According to the National Council for Adoption, there are over 100,000 children in the US foster care system who are awaiting adoption. 2.    The total adoptions in the US in 2022 were 80,598 children, 53,579 of whom were adopted out of foster care.[1 …