Sermons by Dr. Craig Dale
Navigating Life’s Storms
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Acts 27:1-44 Sermon #41 from the series: Acts: The Advance of the Gospel SERMON IN A SENTENCE When navigating life’s storms, we behave most like Christians when we honestly acknowledge the storms and actively, boldly, and confidently trust God in the midst of them.
The Worldly vs. the Wise View of the Resurrection
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Acts 25:13 – 26:32 Sermon #40 from the series: Acts: The Advance of the Gospel SERMON IN A SENTENCE While the prideful and foolish world views the resurrection of Jesus as crazy and inconsequential, the humble and wise Christian recognizes it as the most important event in history SERMON OUTLINE Tricky Problem Turning Point Tragic Pride
Does God Really Know What He’s Doing?
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Acts 24:27 – 25:12 Sermon #39 from the series: Acts: The Advance of the Gospel SERMON IN A SENTENCE God knows what He’s doing, so trust in His plan, His power, and His promises. SERMON OUTLINE Though God’s plan may be puzzling, it is still perfect. Though God’s sovereignty may be shrouded, it is still supreme. Though God’s decrees may be delayed, they are still dependable.
Paul and the Procrastinator
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Acts 24:1-27 Sermon #38 from the series: Acts: The Advance of the Gospel SERMON IN A SENTENCE The gospel of Christ must be fearlessly proclaimed and never foolishly postponed. SERMON OUTLINE The Flattering and Falsifying Prosecutor The Forthright and Factual Prisoner The Flagrant and Foolish Procrastinator The Faithful and Fearless Preacher
He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Acts 23:12-35 Sermon #37 from the series: Acts: The Advance of the Gospel SERMON IN A SENTENCE Our circumstances may be difficult and our burdens heavy, but we can rest the full weight of our every concern on the One who holds the whole world in His hands. SERMON OUTLINE Nefarious Conspiracy Necessary Conjunction Nephew’s Confession Numerous Chaperones
Coming Home pt.2
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Acts 21:37 – 22:29 Sermon #35 from the series: Acts: The Advance of the Gospel SERMON IN A SENTENCE Those who have been converted are called to confess their faith with calmness and courage to a culture that needs to be changed by Christ. SERMON OUTLINE His Credentials His Conversion His Commission Application Points Calmness Courage Calling Change
The Significance of the Empty Tomb
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Matthew 28:1-10 Easter 2023 SERMON IN A SENTENCE The empty tomb signifies hope, forgiveness, victory, eternal life, and the universal authority of Jesus Christ as both Savior and Lord. SERMON OUTLINE 1. The empty tomb means that there is hope for empty lives. 2. The empty tomb means that God’s grace is greater than your past. 3. The empty tomb means that you no longer have to live in fear. 4. The empty tomb means that there is…
What’s So “Good” about Good Friday?
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Luke 23:13-25; 44-49 Palm Sunday – 2023 SERMON IN A SENTENCE Jesus the Innocent suffered inhumane treatment and the injustice of the cross so that iniquitous sinners who rightly deserve to die can be set free and saved. SERMON OUTLINE Inhumanity Innocence Iniquity Injustice
Coming Home pt.1
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Acts 21:15-36 Sermon #34 from the series: Acts: The Advance of the Gospel SERMON IN A SENTENCE We must never compromise the gospel, nor willfully participate in sin, but we must passionately pursue the glory of God, the unity of the church, and the evangelization of all people while standing firmly on the truth of God’s Word…even if it costs us everything. SERMON OUTLINE Affectionate Reception Allegations and Rumors Attempted Resolution Anger and Retaliation
The Painful Pleasure of Pursuing Christ’s Plan
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Acts 21:1-14 Sermon #33 from the series: Acts: The Advance of the Gospel SERMON IN A SENTENCE You may pay a steep price to pursue Christ’s plan for your life with courage and conviction, but you will never regret the cost. SERMON OUTLINE Differing Perspectives Disobedience vs. Devotion Prohibition vs. Prediction Determined Plan The Spirit’s Direction Christ’s Pattern Discipleship’s Price Painful Deadly Pleasurable
A Final Firewell
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Acts 20:13-38 Sermon #32 from the series: Acts: The Advance of the Gospel SERMON IN A SENTENCE As a pastor, I must live a surrendered life of selfless and sacrificial service, shepherding God’s flock and safeguarding it from the attacks of heresy and apostasy. SERMON OUTLINE Pastoral Conduct Pastoral Concerns Pastoral Command
The Ministry of Encouragement
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Acts 20:1-12 Sermon #31 from the series: Acts: The Advance of the Gospel SERMON IN A SENTENCE As a community of believers, we must encourage one another by gathering together for worship, uniting together in service, declaring the truth of the gospel, and clinging to the hope of the resurrection. SERMON OUTLINE 1. Presence2. Partnerships3. Proclamation4. Power of the Resurrection
When the Word of the Lord Grows
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Acts 19:8-41 Sermon #30 from the series: Acts: The Advance of the Gospel SERMON IN A SENTENCE When the word of the Lord grows, God’s power will be displayed, Jesus Christ will be exalted, confession and repentance will occur, and society will be impacted. SERMON OUTLINE 1. Revelation2. Reverence3. Repentance4. Reform
Effective Disciple-Making
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Acts 18:18 – 19:10 Sermon #29 from the series: Acts: The Advance of the Gospel SERMON IN A SENTENCE Effective disciple-making occurs when Christ’s disciples enter into relationships, share the gospel, and provide gospel-centered instruction to help people trust and follow Christ. SERMON OUTLINE 1. Education2. Engagement3. Evangelism
Engaging Culture
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Acts 17:16-34 Sermon #27 from the series: Acts: The Advance of the Gospel SERMON IN A SENTENCE Out of zeal for the Lord and compassion for the lost, we must engageour culture and point them to their only hope – the Lord Jesus Christ. SERMON OUTLINE 1. Paul’s Motive2. Paul’s Method3. Paul’s Message
How to Turn the Word Upside Down (Right Side Up)
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Acts 17:1-15 Sermon #26 from the series: Acts: The Advance of the Gospel SERMON IN A SENTENCE The only hope for an upside-down world to be turned right side up is for the truth of God’s Word to be proclaimed, believed, and obeyed. SERMON OUTLINE Fearlessly declare the truth. Ground it in Scripture. Give it strategically. Guide our hearers to the Savior Faithfully devote ourselves to the truth. Receive it passionately. Research it prudently. Respond to it properly.
What Do These Stones Mean?
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Joshua 4:20-24 SERMON IN A SENTENCE May we always remember what the Lord has done and reveal His glory to our children and to the nations so that all may revere Him and rejoice in His salvation. SERMON OUTLINE Remembrance Revelation Reverence Rejoicing
Living as Children of God
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: 1 John 2:28-3:3 SERMON IN A SENTENCE As children of God who have been born of Him, belong to Him, and will one day be like Him, we must abide in Him and seek to live holy lives free from fear and shame. SERMON OUTLINE Confidence Identity Expectation
The Miraculous Birth of the Believer
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: John 3:1-9 SERMON IN A SENTENCE The miraculous birth of the believer is a work of God’s grace wherebynsinners gain eternal life by becoming new creatures through the convicting work of the Holy Spirit who leads them to repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. SERMON OUTLINE The Meaning The Method The Magnitude
The Miraculous Birth of Jesus
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-7 SERMON IN A SENTENCE Jesus Christ is the most wonderful, life-changing, and marvelous gift of Christmas because He makes our salvation possible. SERMON OUTLINE Jesus’ miraculous conception makes the inconceivable possible Jesus’ physical birth makes our spiritual birth possible Jesus being divested of His splendor makes our deliverance from sin possible.