Sermon Notes

January 19th

Hebrews: It's All About Jesus


God's Eternal Plan

Hebrews 8:1-13


God's plan was always for Jesus to be our intercessor (v 1-9)

  • 1 Peter 1:18-20
  • Ephesians 1:4-5
  • 2 Timothy 1:9.

God's Plan in Jesus . . .

  1. Provides understanding of God's Word. (v 10) Jeremiah 31:31-34
  2. Offers complete, direct and immediate access to the Father. (v 10)
  3. Establishes complete forgiveness of sin. (v 12) God won't remember them against us any longer.
  4. Offers eternal life in heaven so that we need not fear death. (v 13)

*God has already chosen us.  

We need to chose Him.



January 5th

Hebrews: It's All About Jesus


Why Melchizedek?

Hebrews 7:1-28


Priestly Intercessors

  • Exodus 28:1 and 29:9 - Every high priest is from the line of Aaron.
  • Every previous high priest: died, sinned, offered sacrifices for themselves and everyone else and was flawed.

Why Melchizedek?

Genesis 14:18-20, Psalm 110:4  Who was he?

  • King of Salem (shalom-peace)
  • Priest of the Most High God - He served God with his life.
  • Met Abraham upon his rturn from saving Lot.
  • Abraham gave him a tithe.
  • Without father and mother
  • Without geneology
  • No beginning or end to his days of life.

Why Jesus?

  1. Jesus was ordained by God as our intercessor.  (v 20-21)
  2. Jesus is the only intercessor who has conquered death. (v 23-25)
  3. Jesus is the only sinless intercessor. (v 26)
  4. Jesus did not offer sacrifices; He is the ssacrifice. (v 27)

January 5th

Hebrews: It's All About Jesus


The Promise of Preserverence

Hebrews 6:9-20

  • God made a promise and His promises are bound by the nature of His character. (v 13-15)
  • God desires that we trust in His: Immutable (v 7-18) - unchangeable; Truthfulness (v 18) Proverbs 30:5; Sacrifice (v 20) Romans 8:32.  His best for us when we were at our worst.
  • God promises of better things to come for those who are saved. (v 9)
  • God promises that He sees our efforts and our ministry in His name.  (v 10) * Not works to earn salvation.
  • God promises that He will give the strength to finish that which began in faith. (v 11-12)

Depression Series Notes

October 30th

A Biblical Look at Depression

Part 1


Who gets depressed? Everyone-all ages, races, education and economic status


Do faithful believers gets depressed? YES

Elijah-1 Kings 19:4, 9-10

Jeremiah-Lamentations 3:1-18

Job-Job 10:18-22

David-Psalm 38:6-8

Solomon-Ecclesiastes 1:1-7


Depression-a disturbance of mood that interfers with daily life and normal functioning for a length of time from weeks to years.  Depression is an illness that affects the total person - physically, emotionally & spiritually


Statistics:

  • 1 in 5 Americans live with mental health conditions
  • 1 in 4 women, 1 in 6 men
  • 50% of all lifetime mental health issues by age 14 & 75% by age 24
  • covid triggered a 25% increase in prevalence of mental health issues

Characteristcs:

  • Melancoly mood or sadness most of the time (for no apparent reason)
  • Felling of guilt or worthlessness
  • Withdraw from people who are close to you
  • Lack of energy; feeling tired all the time
  • Become easily angered, anxious or irritable
  • Significant weight loss or gain
  • Pessimism and indifference
  • Significant change in sleep patterns
  • Unable to concentrate
  • Aches and pains that hove no apparent medical cause
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

Some Causes of Depression:

  • Genetic predisposition
  • Lack of intimacy with God and sin
  • The stresses of life
  • Medical changes
  • Giving birth
  • Seasonal changes
  • Alcohol and drugs

*The biggest issue in dealing with depression is getting people to recognize that you might need help.*


God wants us to be well

and whole!

Jeremiah 33:3

James 5:13-14, 16

1 Peter 5:7

Psalm 86:5-7

November 6th

A Biblical Look at Depression

Part 2

No one is immune from depression!


Physical vs Spiritual

Physical - Depression is treated with medicine

Spiritual -  Depression is a made up condition "All in your head/ need to get right with God."


The following words are not found in Scripture: depressed/ depression, cancer, COPD, diabetes or heart disease

Medicine - 4 times in Scripture

Doctor - 3 times

Physician - 12 times (NT-Jesus)


Depression is a medical condition that affects people physically, emotionally and spiritually.


Where to turn:

  • The Lord (Exodus 15:26, Psalm 103:1-3, Psalm 147:3
  • General Practitioner
  • OB/GYN
  • Counselors
  • Pastor
  • Psychiasrist-Diagnosis/ treatment of mental health disorders & gives out prescriptions/medications

Many of the characteristics of depression can be side effects of the medical issues.


The Road to Healing

  1. Admit your need.      (1 Peter 5:6-7) This is the #1 problem that pastors deal with.  Admitting that you may be depressed is not a sign of weakness.  It's a sign of being frail and human.
  2. Seek qualified medical assiatance. (Luke 5:31)
  3. Seek the Lord's guidance. (James 4:8, 10)
  4. Seek Godly counsel (Proverbs 19:20-21)

November 13th

A Biblical Look at Depression

Part 3


Help for the Helpers


Learn about Depression -    2 Timothy 2:15

  • Know the signs
  • Realize the different thought patterns of those with depression. *Positive thinking doesn't work because of chemical changes in their brain.

Encourage treatment  Hebrews 10:24-25

  • Talk to the person about what you've seen and why you are concerned.
  • Emphasize the possible underlying medical condition.
  • Express your willingness to help (but only if you are able).

Warning signs of worsening - Philippians 2:4

  •  Important: Everyone is different.
  • Typical signs of depression in your family member/friend
  • Behaviors/language when they are doing well
  • Changing circumstances that could trigger more severe episodes

If you see signs...

-Encourage contact with a doctor/ psychatrist.

-Encourage/implement self-care steps.


Recognize suicide risks 

1 Peter 5:8

  • Talking about suicide/ death/not being here
  • Withdrawal
  • Increased usage of drugs/alcohol
  • Giving away things/ setting affairs in order/ saying "Goodbye"

If you see signs...

-Call the Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255

-Seek help. DO NOT KEEP SILENT! Call the doctor. Call family/friends. Call 911.


Provide support

  • Listen/be available
  • Give positive reinforcement
  • Encourage to stick with treatment
  • Make plans together
  • Help them stay connected with church family

Finally: BE PATIENT

1 Corinthians 13:4

Galatians 5:22