“A New Hope” Sermon Series

February 10:  Bridging the Gap // John 1:9-10 [wp-svg-icons icon=”file-3″ wrap=”span” size=”30px” color=”#4C4C4C”]  [wp-svg-icons icon=”bubbles” wrap=”span” size=”30px” color=”#4C4C4C”]
Jesus didn’t come to extend an old religion. He didn’t come to just clarify old truths. He didn’t come to just preach sermons and offer wise teachings. From the angel’s announcement to Mary that she would give birth to a son whose “kingdom would never end,” it was clear: Jesus would do something new for the world.

February 17:  An Upside Down Kingdom // Matthew 4:1-10 [wp-svg-icons icon=”file-3″ wrap=”span” size=”30px” color=”#4C4C4C”]  [wp-svg-icons icon=”bubbles” wrap=”span” size=”30px” color=”#4C4C4C”]
“Might makes right” is the default setting for the world. Those with wealth and power write the rules, and they usually write them to favor themselves. That was true in Jesus’ time as well. But that is not how it is in the Kingdom of God.  So Jesus came to turn everything upside down.

February 24:  Next Steps // Luke 5:1-7 [wp-svg-icons icon=”file-3″ wrap=”span” size=”30px” color=”#4C4C4C”]  [wp-svg-icons icon=”bubbles” wrap=”span” size=”30px” color=”#4C4C4C”]
When you read the Gospels, two things are abundantly clear. Being a sinner doesn’t disqualify you from following Jesus. And being an unbeliever doesn’t disqualify you from following Jesus. So, what does that mean for you?

March 3:  Brand New // Matthew 5:13-18 [wp-svg-icons icon=”file-3″ wrap=”span” size=”30px” color=”#4C4C4C”]  [wp-svg-icons icon=”bubbles” wrap=”span” size=”30px” color=”#4C4C4C”]
If you aren’t religious or you gave up religion, you probably had good reason to walk away or stay away. You’re a reasonable person, and there are plenty of good reasons to reject religion. But reconsider Jesus. He wasn’t an extension of the old religion. He came to introduce something brand new.

March 10:  Follow Me // Mark 13:1-4 [wp-svg-icons icon=”file-3″ wrap=”span” size=”30px” color=”#4C4C4C”]  [wp-svg-icons icon=”bubbles” wrap=”span” size=”30px” color=”#4C4C4C”]
Something in us is tempted to believe God loves his law more than his people. We’re tempted to prioritize rules over people. Maybe you left church because somebody prioritized the Bible over your divorced mother or gay brother. But Jesus came to offer us a life greater than keeping religious rules.

March 17:  Nic at Night // John 3:16-17 [wp-svg-icons icon=”file-3″ wrap=”span” size=”30px” color=”#4C4C4C”]  [wp-svg-icons icon=”bubbles” wrap=”span” size=”30px” color=”#4C4C4C”]
Jesus claimed to be greater than the temple. He made the temple obsolete. Most of his followers assumed his end game was to declare himself king. The more discerning among them sensed something else was going on. Jesus spoke with authority but refused to take charge. He wielded extraordinary power, but never for himself. What was he up to?

March 24:  Leading Great // Mark 10:42-43 [wp-svg-icons icon=”file-3″ wrap=”span” size=”30px” color=”#4C4C4C”]  [wp-svg-icons icon=”bubbles” wrap=”span” size=”30px” color=”#4C4C4C”]
We all have a working definition of what it means to be great. It probably includes power, prosperity, or popularity. As we journey through the life of Jesus, we can’t help but stop and look at how he redefined greatness.

March 31:  A New Covenant // Luke 22:19-20 [wp-svg-icons icon=”file-3″ wrap=”span” size=”30px” color=”#4C4C4C”]  [wp-svg-icons icon=”bubbles” wrap=”span” size=”30px” color=”#4C4C4C”]
The words “unlimited” and “unconditional” make us suspicious. Whether those words describe an insurance policy, cellphone agreement, or meal plan for a college student, we assume unlimited is really limited and unconditional has some conditions. That suspicion extends to our relationship with God. Unconditional love? Unlimited forgiveness? There must be a catch. But what if there isn’t?

April 7:  A New Commandment // John 13:34-35 [wp-svg-icons icon=”file-3″ wrap=”span” size=”30px” color=”#4C4C4C”]  [wp-svg-icons icon=”bubbles” wrap=”span” size=”30px” color=”#4C4C4C”]
Jesus didn’t come to initiate Judaism 2.0. He came to offer something entirely new to the world: a new covenant that would forever change humankind’s relationship with God. And with that new covenant came a new ethic—one that insisted that the greatest choose the back of the line.

April 14:  Black Friday // Luke 23-14-18  [wp-svg-icons icon=”file-3″ wrap=”span” size=”30px” link=”http://new.asburylv.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/SermonNotes/Sermon-Notes-041419.pdf” new_tab=”1″ color=”#4C4C4C”]  [wp-svg-icons icon=”bubbles” wrap=”span” size=”30px” link=”http://new.asburylv.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/SmallGroupQuestions/SermonQuestionsForSmallGroups_041419.pdf” new_tab=”1″ color=”#4C4C4C”]

At Passover, Jesus gathered his followers and spelled out a new relational arrangement between God and humankind: “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” But Jesus wasn’t celebratory. He seemed troubled. Initiating this new covenant with God would require sacrifice. What came next would confuse his followers and send them scattering.