Preacher: Pastor Brian Lowe

Summary:

This sermon, "Prepared for You," explores Ephesians 2:1-10, highlighting humanity's former state of spiritual death and God's miraculous intervention. It delves into the "bad news" of our natural condition, the "good news" of God's rich mercy and love that brings us to life in Christ, and the "great news" that we are God's masterpieces, created for good works He prepared beforehand. The message emphasizes that God uses ordinary, faithful individuals living intentional lives to make an extraordinary impact on the world, all for His glory.

Pastor Brian Lowe, the Lead Pastor at Exodus Church in Belmont, NC, with over a decade of faithful ministry leadership, delivered this sermon. Beyond his pastoral role, Brian also spearheads the 23Project foundation, an organization dedicated to the advancement of the gospel by partnering with church planters and providing vital resources, including sabbatical funding and coaching, for pastors.

Key Points:

• Bad News: We were dead in trespasses and sins, following the world and the evil one, driven by our sinful passions and deserving of wrath.
• Good News: God, rich in mercy and great in love, made us alive with Christ, saving us by grace through faith—a gift, not by works.
• Great News: We are God's workmanship, His masterpiece, recreated in Christ Jesus for good works He prepared for us to walk in.
• God uses regular, redeemed people living intentional lives to change the world, ensuring all glory goes to Him.

Reflect & Discuss:

• How does understanding our past state of "deadness" in sin deepen your appreciation for God's mercy and grace?
• In what ways have you seen the "play" of the evil one (doubting God's Word, doubting God's character, desiring forbidden things) at work in your own life or in the world around you?
• Considering that you are God's "masterpiece," how does this truth influence your self-perception and purpose?
• What "good works" do you believe God has prepared for you, individually and as part of your church community, to walk in?

Main Passage:

Ephesians 2:1-10

Supporting Passages:

• Lamentations 3:22-23
• Genesis 3:1-6
• 2 Corinthians 5:17
• 1 Peter 4:10-11

Keywords:

Ephesians 2, grace, salvation, good works, mercy, dead in sin, God's workmanship, prepared works, Edward Kimball, Billy Graham, D.L. Moody, spiritual death, purpose, God's love, masterpiece, church, faith, Exodus Church, Belmont NC, 23Project.

Series: 1 John: That You May Know

Preacher: Pastor Mike Moore

In a world where it's hard to tell what's real, how can we discern what is from God? This message explores 1 John 4, revealing that the ultimate test of any spiritual teaching is its confession of Jesus Christ—fully God and fully man. We are commanded to test every spirit, not out of fear, but with the bold confidence that the Spirit in us is greater than the spirit of the world.

Key Points

• Discernment isn’t optional.
• Our enemy is real and seeks to deceive.
• Know who Jesus truly is through Scripture.
• Evaluate every influence.
• Don’t be afraid—Jesus wins.

Reflect & Discuss

1. In what areas of your life (media, teaching, etc.) do you need more spiritual discernment?
2. Why is the confession that “Jesus Christ has come in the flesh” the critical test for what is from God?
3. How does the truth, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world,” empower you to face spiritual opposition without fear?

Main Passage: 1 John 4:1-6

Supporting Passages

• John 10:10
• Ephesians 2:19-22
• 2 Kings 6:16-17
• Revelation 19:11-16

Keywords

Spiritual Discernment, 1 John, Jesus Christ, False Prophets, Spirit of Truth, Spirit of Error, Antichrist, Fear, Authority of Scripture

Series: 1 John: That You May Know

Preacher: Pastor Brian Bone

When our hearts condemn us, how can we find assurance? This sermon explores 1 John 3:19-24, addressing the doubt that arises when we don't see the spiritual fruit we expect in our lives. Discover why doubt is a common but dangerous part of the Christian walk, as it creates distance from God. Learn the powerful antidote: looking away from our condemning hearts to a God who is greater, preaching the gospel to ourselves, and remembering the incredible privileges we have as His children, including confidence, answered prayer, and the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Key Points

• Doubt is a normal part of the Christian experience, but it's dangerous because it creates distance between us and God.
• When your heart condemns you, remember that God is greater than your heart and knows everything.
• Actively preach the gospel to yourself, recalling that your salvation rests on Christ's work, not your own.
• As a child of God, you have privileges: confidence before God, power in prayer, and the presence of the Holy Spirit to help you live a fruitful life.
• The Lord's Supper is a way to preach the gospel to yourself, remembering Christ's sacrifice.

Reflect & Discuss

1. In what areas of your life does your heart condemn you, leading to doubt?
2. How does the truth that "God is greater than our heart" change how you view your weaknesses and sins?
3. What is one practical way you can "preach the gospel to yourself" this week?
4. Which reward of being a child of God (confidence, power in prayer, or the Holy Spirit's presence) resonates most with you right now? Why?

Main Passage: 1 John 3:19-24

Supporting Passages:

• Mark 4:38
• Matthew 14:31
• John 21:3-6
• John 20:25-27
• Ephesians 3:11-12
• Hebrews 10:19-22
• Psalm 42:11

Keywords: Doubt, assurance, condemnation, faith, gospel, 1 John, salvation, confidence, prayer, Holy Spirit