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Victory Sermon Series: A Contrarian's Guide

DIRECTIONS to Victory of the Lamb Sunday Morning Worship.

the big idea:

A contrarian is a person with a preference for taking a position opposed to that of the majority. Jesus was a contrarian. Again and again he opposed the religious majority of his day, because the religious majority had forsaken the clear teaching of Scripture and had allowed themselves to be misguided instead by their own natural reason.

We are in constant danger of being led astray by our own natural reason. Our natural reason clouds and twists the truth that God’s Spirit has revealed to us. We’re going to start out 2012 by taking 7 weeks to explore several of the ways our natural thinking leads us away from the truth.

the breakdown:

January 8: A Contrarian’s Guide to Culture (Epiphany)

While our natural way of thinking leads us to want to exclude those who are different from us, God loves everyone the same and longs to bring us all together into his family.
Scriptures: Ruth 4:13-17; Ephesians 3:2-12; Matthew 2:1-12; Psalm 72
Sermon Text: Ephesians 3:2-12

January 15: A Contrarian’s Guide to Sharing the Faith

While naturally we think that sharing the faith requires gifts and skills beyond our ability, it’s God’s Spirit who calls people to faith through the simple retelling of what Jesus has done for you, me and all people.
Scriptures: Isaiah 6:1-8; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17; John 1:43-51; Psalm 2
Sermon Text: John 1:43-51

January 22: A Contrarian’s Guide to Serving in the Church

While naturally we believe that God chooses only certain individuals to serve in his church, the Scriptures show us that God chooses all kinds of people from all walks of life, gifting each of them for their special call to serve.
Scriptures: 1 Kings 19:19-21; Acts 13:1-5; Matthew 1:14-20; Psalm 37
Sermon Text: Mark 1:14-20

January 29: A Contrarian’s Guide to Authority

The world looks at Jesus and naturally thinks: “Yet another great religious teacher in a line of so many.” But these lessons show that Jesus was greater than any teacher or prophet who walked this earth. Jesus spoke with divine authority because he was God himself.
Scriptures: Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Hebrews 3:1-6; Mark 1:21-28; Psalm 1
Sermon Text: Mark 1:21-28

February 5: A Contrarian’s Guide to Contentment

Naturally we think that we need to save, hoard, and invest to ensure a secure future. But God promises, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” It is in this promise of God alone that we find true security.
Scriptures: 2 Kings 20:12-17; Hebrews 13:5-6; Matthew 6:19-24; Psalm 62
Sermon Text: Hebrews 13:5-6

February 12: A Contrarian’s Guide to Giving

It just naturally makes sense to us that more we give the less we have. But God turns our thinking upside down showing us that the more we give, the richer we become.
Scriptures: Proverbs 11:24; 2 Corinthians 9:6-9; John 12:20-26; Psalm 65
Sermon Text: Proverbs 11:24

February 19: A Contrarian’s Guide to Glory

Naturally we think that greatness comes through great accomplishments. But God tells us that no man has greater love than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. In God’s kingdom true greatness and glory come through sacrifice.
Scriptures: Exodus 24:12,15-18; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Mark 9:2-9; Psalm 148
Sermon Text: Mark 9:2-9