The foundation of this series will be the hope that we have in Christ: His complete victory over darkness at Calvary, and the joy and expectation of celebrating both His advent. A little baby, bringing so much hope and joy: "Immanuel",God with us.
November 25, 2011: Give Thanks!
In I John, love is referenced 44 times! It has certainly played a major part in our recent series. God's Word tells us to Give thanks to the LORD for a very compelling reason: for He is good; for His steadfast loves endures forever! No matter what time of year or season of life, God's goodness is a constant and His love is inexhaustible. We will develop this theme from I Chronicles 16:34.
November 18, 2011: John's Top Five
Text: 1 John
1 John Series message 23
We will conclude our series on I John this Sunday by linking the key themes in his letter: John's Top Five. God's amazing love for us is the capstone of his thoughts, as expressed in giving His Son Jesus Christ. We know what a true Christian looks like and we can enjoy absolute assurance and JOY in our Christian walk. Why would we ever want to settle for anything short of His presence and purpose in our lives?
November 11, 2012: Jesus Christ: The Way, the Truth, and the Life
Text: 1 John 5:20-21
1 John Series message 22
In the last two verses in I John, we are reminded of the sure knowledge that Christ has come: He has completed His mission (to DESTROY the works of the devil) and we stand secure in the Truth and in eternal life. John's parting shot is to exhort us not to live in the shadows, but in the reality of our calling in Christ Jesus.
November 4, 2012: Life in the Victorious One
1 John Series message 21
Text: 1 John 5:18-19
We celebrate Communion this week after examining three truths from I John 5:18-19: our lives are transformed, we are kept by Christ, and we are out of the evil one's reach! Praise God!
October 28, 2012: Loving a Brother in Sin
1 John Series message 20
Text: 1 John 5:16-17
As the apostle wraps up I John, he mentions a most practical and powerful way to come alongside those who are straying. Praying for such people is a perfect fulfillment of the love others theme in I John. In this message, we examine not only our need to be faithfully praying for others, but practical ways to do this from Scripture.
October 14, 2012: Confidence!
1 John Series message 19
Text: 1 John 5:13-15
This week our passage addresses the confidence that we have as Christians. This is because we can know that we are born again and have assurance of our salvation. As we walk with the Lord and pray according to His will, He hears us. Having heard the testimony regarding Jesus Christ and our salvation, what an encouragement to be assured of our salvation!
October 7, 2012: The Testimony About You!
1 John Series message 18
Text: 1 John 5:11-12
Last week we looked at God’s testimony about His Son Jesus: born of a virgin, He suffered for sinners, and reigns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! This week, we'll look at God's testimony about us as we are, in Christ, by focusing on four specific phrases from I John 5:11-12. Reflecting on so great salvation brings a refreshing and encouraging perspective through the trials in life. What a comfort to know we are deeply loved and eternally secure in the One who spun the cosmos into existence and upholds all things by the word of His power!
September 30, 2012: This is the Testimony
1 John Series message 17
Text:1 John 5:6-10
This message centers around the word TESTIMONY. John references God's testimony about Jesus Christ, especially in regards to salvation. This week we'll focus on the testimony about Jesus in Scripture and next week we'll key in on God's testimony about us, now that we are born again.
September 23, 2012: This is What Love Looks Like
1 John Series message 16
Text: 1 John 4:20-5:5
This will be our final week focusing on the love of God in our lives and how it impacts our relationship with others. A key truth from our passage is that we have OVERCOME through our faith in Christ. Your past does not define you, nor do your circumstances; you are victorious because you are in Christ. This perspective and indwelling power changes everything!
September 16, 2012: No Fear in Love!
1 John Series message 15
Text: I John 4:17-19
To abide in God and to abide in love are synonymous. As we grow in Christ and walk with Him, we become mature in "agape" love. His perfect love casts out fear, and we stand ready to meet our Lord on Judgement Day without trepidation. We are assured of this as we see His own work of sanctification in our lives. So once again, love and obedience take center stage in John's thoughts.
September 9, 2012 DBC Retreat
Dan Bryant's Sunday morning message.
September 2, 2012: Groundbreaking!
DBC Groundbreaking Celebration - Marking the start of construction of the new church building.
August 26, 2012: AGAPE!
1 John Series message 14
Text: 1 John 4:13-16
John emphasizes the heart of the Gospel: love. Agape is a Greek word love, the kind of love which God shows us. We will do a parallel examination of Ephesians 3:14-19, which is a powerful prayer for believers in regards to comprehending the wonderful love of Christ.
August 19, 2012: Love!
1 John Series message 13
Text:1 John 4:7-12
Our passage for Sunday is one of the most sublime and majestic in the entire Bible. In one brief phrase, John paints a picture of how amazing God is. I John 4:7-12 shows us how the love of God ought to be visible in our own lives as we relate to others.
August 12, 2012: Drawing a Line in the Sand
1 John Series message 12
Text: I John 4:1-6
This week John gets into why it is necessity to be discerning regarding the messages we pay attention to. There are many false teachers, who might be well-meaning and sincere, but ultimately don't know the truth. Others may intend to shake our faith. It can be intimidating when we think of what is against us. John provides us with direction to distinguish the truth from the lie and encouragement to stand strong. It all comes back to Christ.
August 5, 2012: Assurance of Salvation
1 John Series message 11
Text: 1 John 3:19-24
A key Biblical teaching on salvation is that we can know we are saved, forgiven, and going to heaven when we die. Not "I hope I make it", or "I hope my good outweighs my bad"... but, I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded... as Paul said. Many Christians have doubts about their salvation, or struggle to put their hearts at rest in His presence. 1 John is a wonderful book which addresses this very struggle with absolute authority. We will unpack what John has to say on this very important issue.
July 29, 2012 Love, Love, Love
1 John series message 10
Text: 1 John 3:11-18
The apostle will remind us of the greatest act of love EVER: the Son of God laying down His life for us. It is impossible to minimize this profound act. What matters here is not just what He did, but WHO HE IS: the Son of God who appeared for the purpose of reconciling sinners like you and me to our Creator. It is this, the heart of Christianity, which inspires and compels us to live a life of love.
July 22, 2012: Straight Talk on Sin, Jesus, and the Christian
1 John series message 9
Text: I John 3:4-10
We saw previously that the expectation of Christ's return motivates us to walk in purity. Now John takes us back to His first advent - walking us through the core elements of the Gospel: what sin is, why Jesus came, and how His victory is manifest in our very lives. The content is rich and very much needed these days!
July 15, 2012: Endurance
Text: 2 Corinthians 6:3-10
When I started our studies in I John, I was honing in on LOVE and OBEDIENCE. God's love for us and through us. Obedience to the truth and how that marks us as believers. As we've journeyed through together, I've been impressed with another theme: perseverance. God's Word is always perfect for His people at just the right time. We, corporately and as individuals, need to gain God's strength and perspective as we persevere through some challenging times. This Sunday we're going to park on that theme a bit and see what Paul has to say about endurance with the challenges he faced as he ministered the Gospel. Timeless phrases such as "dying, yet alive... sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" punctuate his personal testimony.