Desert Springs Bible Church Sermons

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Growing In Christ Sep 03, 2017

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Scripture
Ephesians 1:15-23
[15] For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, [16] I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, [17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, [18] having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, [19] and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might [20] that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, [21] far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. [22] And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, [23] which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
The Big Picture
Jesus’ body, the Church, is made up of people who have experienced God for themselves. We cannot adopt the faith of others, rather we must grow in our personal relationship with Christ in order to truly flourish.
Reflection
1. How have you experienced (‘tasted’) God’s goodness firsthand?
2. What are some of the ways that you grow in your relationship with Jesus?
3. What are some ways you can help others grow in their relationship with Christ?
4. How do you respond to the question “What is the Church?”
Songs
Don’t Ever Stop
Shout Hosanna
Crown Him
Agnus Dei

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Authentic Relationships Aug 27, 2017

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Scripture
Ephesians 2:11-22
[11] Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—[12] remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. [13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. [14] For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility [15] by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, [16] and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. [17] And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. [18] For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. [19] So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, [20] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, [21] in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. [22] In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
The Big Picture
Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has torn down the walls that separate us, and has made a way for peace between those that view each other with suspicion, distrust and disdain. Jesus has brought all peoples into His body, the church.
Reflection
1. Dr. David Dark asks “Isn’t openness to the dangers of feeling offended a prerequisite to an actual relationship?” How is this true in your life?
2. What are some of the ‘walls’ that separate and divide people today? How does the Gospel overcome these divisions?
3. What are the ‘risks’ of authentic relationships? How does Jesus give us strength to overcome them?
4. How do you live out the call to ‘speak the truth in love’ (Ephesians 4:15)?
Songs
Don’t Ever Stop
Shout Hosanna
We Believe

Resources

Exalting Christ Aug 20, 2017

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Scripture
Ephesians 1:2-14
[2] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, [4] even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love [5] he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, [8] which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight [9] making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ [10] as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
[11] In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, [12] so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. [13] In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
The Big Picture
We are a part of a great big God-authored story of creation, fall, redemption and restoration. The story is ultimately about God, His glory and our joy. As the Westminster Short Catechism states, we exist to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Reflection
1. How do you answer the questions “Who am I” and “Why am I here”?
2. What created things do you tend to elevate and worship?
3. Thinking back on previous experiences, what things have you elevated or worshiped that crumbled under the weight of your expectations?
4. Pastor John Piper writes “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” How do you see that play out in your life?
5. What are ways that you can exalt Christ this week in your life?
Songs
Run Devil Run
Soul On Fire
We Believe
Sons and Daughters
Book Recommendations

Giving: Donations, Tithes, Offerings & Alms Aug 13, 2017

Show notes

Scripture
Luke 12:22-34
[22] And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. [23] For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. [24] Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! [25] And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? [26] If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? [27] Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [28] But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! [29] And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. [30] For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. [31] Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
[32] “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. [33] Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. [34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Songs
Run Devil Run
Love Come Down
Soul on Fire
Sons and Daughters
We Believe

The Big Picture
As a normal rhythm in our lives, exercising generosity through consistent financial giving impacts us in these ways:

It confronts our idol(s)
It blesses others in tangible ways (see also James 2:16)
It safeguards against greed (see also Psalm 10:3)
It is a diagnostic tool for our heart
It is a physical expression of our reliance on God (See also Psalm 24:1)

Reflection
1. What are some of the ways that you guard against greed?
2. How do you engage with anxiety related to money?
3. How do the Lord’s words in Luke 12:22-34 impact you?
Book Recommendations

Singing Together Aug 06, 2017

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Scripture
Matthew 26:26-30 – Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Psalm 33:3 – Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
Psalm 144:9 – I will sing a new song to you, O God; upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you,
1 Chronicles 16:9 – Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!
Ephesians 5:19 – addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,
Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Worship Songs:
The Lion and the Lamb
Salvation’s Tide
Chain Breaker
How Great Thou Art

The Big Picture
As a normal rhythm in our lives, singing with a local church family provides us with an opportunity to

Recallibrate our hearts towards God
Remind ourselves of who God is
Reinforce the truths of God
Rejoice – Express our enjoyment of and delight in our God.

Jesus Sang with His disciples
It is highly likely that the ‘hymn’ referred to in Matthew 26:30 was The Hallel, a Jewish prayer/song found in Psalms 113-118. The Hallel is often recited during Jewish feasts and holidays (like Passover). Click here to learn more.

Reflection
1. What priority do you place on congregational singing in your life?
2. Are there things that hinder you from fully participating in congregational singing? If so, how will you go about working and praying through those issues?
3.Why do you think God calls us to sing together?
Quotes
“In each of my friends there is something that only some other friend can fully bring out. By myself, I am not large enough to call any person completely into activity. I want other lights of my own to show all the facets. Now that Charles is dead, I shall never see Ronald’s reaction to a specifically Charles joke. Far from having more of Ronald, far from having him all to myself now that Charles is away, I have less of Ronald.”
“In this, friendship exhibits a glorious nearness by resemblance to heaven itself where the very multitude of the blessed, which no man can number, increase the fruition which each has of God for every soul in heaven seeing Him in her own way communicates the unique vision to all the rest. That, says an old author, is why the Seraphim in Isaiah’s vision are crying out Holy, Holy, Holy, to one another.”
– C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

“In the day-to-day trenches of adult life, there is actually no such thing as atheism. There is no such thing as not worshiping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship.”
– David Foster Wallace, 2005 Kenyon College Commencement Speech

“God glorifies Himself toward the creatures also in two ways: 1. By appearing to . . . their understanding. 2. In communicating Himself to their hearts, and in their rejoicing and delighting in, and enjoying, the manifestations which He makes of Himself. . . . God is glorified not only by His glory’s being seen, but by its being rejoiced in.”
– Jonathan Edwards

Book Recommendations

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Discipleship Jul 30, 2017

Show notes

Scripture
John 8:31
The Truth Will Set You Free
[31] So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, (ESV)

Prayer & Fasting Jul 23, 2017

Show notes

Scripture
Matthew 6:5-18
The Lord’s Prayer
[5] “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. [6] But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
[7] “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. [8] Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. [9] Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
[10] Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
[11] Give us this day our daily bread,
[12] and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
[13] And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
[14] For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, [15] but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Fasting
[16] “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. [17] But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, [18] that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (ESV)

Community Jul 16, 2017

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Scripture
Philippians 2:1-11
Christ’s Example of Humility
[1] So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, [2] complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. [3] Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [4] Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. [5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (ESV)
Psalm 133:1
When Brothers Dwell in Unity
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
[1] Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity! (ESV)
John 13:35
[35] By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (ESV)

Sabbath Rest Jul 09, 2017

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Scripture
Luke 5:15-16
[15] But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. [16] But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. (ESV)
Exodus 20:8-11
[8] “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. [9] Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, [10] but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. [11] For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (ESV)
Matthew 12:1-8
Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath
[1] At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. [2] But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” [3] He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: [4] how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? [5] Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? [6] I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. [7] And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. [8] For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.” (ESV)

Serving Others Jul 02, 2017

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Scripture
Matthew 25:34-40
[34] Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. [35] For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, [36] I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ [37] Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? [38] And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? [39] And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ [40] And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (ESV)
John 13:1-5
Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet
[1] Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. [2] During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, [3] Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, [4] rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. [5] Then 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. (ESV)

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