June 14, 2023
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
Sermon
Title: Called Out For A Purpose
Text: Exodus 19
• God alone is awesome in holiness but is also amazing in His grace
• The rescue of God’s people compels them to obedience
• The unique identity of God’s people leads them to a unique role in the purposes of God
Biblical Encouragements
• Worship of God must not be casual or presumptuous
• Jesus is our great High Priest and mediator
• My identity in Christ leads me to be an ambassador for Christ
Positional & Practical Righteousness
May 24, 2023 • Romans 16
Love the Church
March 1, 2023 • Vlad Baraniuk • 1 Thessalonians 2:17—3:13
Sermon
Title: Love the Church!
Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13
The church isn’t:
· A holy shrine
· A spectator sport for a superstar personality
· An avenue for experiential spirituality
· A club for holy people
The church is a new community that is:
· United together by the Gospel (2:17-20)
· Challenged under many afflictions (3:1-4)
· Strengthened by faith in Christ alone (3:5)
· Standing firm in the victory of Christ (3:6-8)
· Bound by love for one another (3:9-13)
The Bible unapologetically calls each follower of Jesus to be lovingly and fully committed to the local body
The Word That Speaks
February 22, 2023 • Vlad Baraniuk • 1 Thessalonians 2:13–16, Hebrews 1:1–3, 2 Peter 1:16–21
February 22, 2023
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
Title: The Word that Speaks
Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 (also Hebrews 1:1-3, 2 Peter 1:16-21)
The Word of God must be proclaimed (preached)
· Central theme of God’s revelation is Jesus
· Revelation – God’s word to biblical authors
· Inspiration – God’s word from the biblical authors to the written page
· Illumination – God’s word from the written page applied to my world
The Word of God demands a response
· Rejection of the Word leads to judgment
· Acceptance of the Word leads to union with Christ
The Word of God shapes my worldview
· Suffering takes on a new meaning
· My affections take on a new focus – Christ
Cherish the Bible deeply. Study the Bible faithfully. Conform to the Bible completely
Avoiding A Vain Ministry
February 15, 2023 • Vlad Baraniuk • 1 Thessalonians 2
February 15, 2023
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
Title: Avoiding a Vain Ministry
Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20
When the gospel flourishes…
· There is boldness in the midst of adversity
· There are pure motives in ministry
· There is freedom from the love of human acceptance
· Gentleness among the body is evident
· There is a sharing of souls
· The word of God is the transforming work
True Gospel ministry flourishes under the bold proclamation of God’s Word, transforming affections of the body of Christ to live intentionally with one another and among unbelievers.
A Gospel That Works
February 8, 2023 • Vlad Baraniuk • 1 Thessalonians 1:2–10
February 8, 2023
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
Title: A Gospel that Works
Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
Genuine conversion begins with the Gospel (1:4-6, 9-10)
· The gospel reveals my idols
· The gospel satisfies my heart
Genuine discipleship endures because of the Gospel (1:2-3, 8-9)
· Thankfulness for the church
· Faith that works
· Love that labors
· Confidence that endures
· Growth that was evident
January 25, 2023
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
Title: Grace and Peace
Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:1, Acts 17:1-9
Acts 17
· Gospel proclamation requires a context
· Gospel proclamation centers on Gospel speech
· Gospel proclamation will bring about worldly persecution
The church is a people that are… (1 Thess. 1:1)
· Part of a larger community
· Plugged into a certain context
· Secure in God as Father
· Enabled by grace in Christ
· Transformed by peace to Christ and to each other
The Cosmic Role of the Church
November 30, 2022 • Vlad Baraniuk • Ephesians 3
November 30, 2022
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
Sermon
Title: The Cosmic Role of the Church
Text: Ephesians 3
The church exists to display the manifold wisdom of God through the revelation of the Gospel
and the power of reconciliation, strengthened by the love of God
The church is shaped by the Word of God (v. 1-6)
● God’s revelation stands as the foundation
● Church’s reconciliation stands as the witness
The church is sharing in the Work of God (v. 7-13)
● We are active stewards of God’s grace
● We are active participants in displaying the Gospel
The church is strengthened by the power of God (v. 14-21)
● Access to God involves confidence and humility
● God’s love enables stability and depth in relationships
● Comprehending the extent of God’s love builds unity, godliness, and Christlikeness
November 9, 2022
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
Sermon
Title: God’s Heart for the Nations (Pt 2)
Text: Revelation 5, 7:9-17
• God’s desire is to bless His people so that He will be praised by all peoples everywhere
• God’s gracious purpose is to show His loving and just nature on the cross in order to
redeem a people from every tribe, tongue, language, and nation for the sake of His
ultimate glory in worldwide worship.
• By His power, God holds the destiny of the all nations in His hand
• Apart from Christ, every nation is utterly hopeless
• As the Conquering Lion and Lamb, Jesus alone is worthy of praise from all peoples
• If death could not thwart the Shepherd of the church, then nothing will stop the mission
of the church
• Key texts from the NT:
o Matthew 1:1
o Matthew 2:1
o Mark 1:14-15
o Mark 3:13-14
o Matthew 28:18-20
o Acts 1:8
o Acts 10:45
o Acts 11:18
o Acts 19:10
o Romans 15:19-20
o Ephesians 3:10
o Matthew 24:14
God's Heart for the Nations
November 2, 2022 • Vlad Baraniuk • Psalm 67
November 2, 2022
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
Sermon
Title: God’s Heart for the Nations
Text: Psalm 67
• God’s desire is to bless His people so that He will be praised by all peoples everywhere
• It is tempting to disconnect God’s purpose from God’s blessings in my life
• Significance in my life is found in devoting myself to a purpose that is larger than my
own life
• God’s gracious purpose is to show His loving and just nature on the cross in order to
redeem a people from every tribe, tongue, language, and nation for the sake of His
ultimate glory in worldwide worship.
• Key texts from the OT:
o Genesis 1:28
o Genesis 3:15
o Genesis 12:1-3
o Exodus 19:5-6
o 2 Samuel 7:12-13
o Psalm 2:8
o Psalm 47
o Psalm 96
o Isaiah 19:21-23
o Isaiah 49:1-6
o Habakkuk 2:14
o Haggai 2:6-7
After the Credits Roll
October 19, 2022 • Vlad Baraniuk • Esther 9—10
October 19, 2022
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
Sermon
Title: After the Credits Roll
Text: Esther 9-10
The Story
· A great reversal
· A unified nation
· A defensive front
· A victorious celebration
· A national remembrance
· An annual festival
Reflections
· God specializes in using evil for His good purposes
· Left to ourselves, we are all enemies of God
· How we disciple others matters, both in faith and practice
· We are tempted to forget God’s continued goodness
· God accomplishes his perfect plans through greatly imperfect people
· Greatest hero of the book of Esther: Jesus
Finally, Some Good News
October 12, 2022 • Vlad Baraniuk • Esther 8
Title: Finally, Some Good News
Text: Esther 8
The Story
• Reward in the palace
• Plea in the throne
• Defense in the homes
• Victory in the streets
Reflections
• Safety in our own salvation should not lead us to a lack of compassion for others
• The Gospel calls me to stand in the gap for others
• We fight sin from a victorious position
• Discipleship cannot only be in profession, but must be in practice
• Through His perfect obedience, Jesus is worthy to be our great Mediator
• On this earth, we are not guaranteed a happy ending, but we are guaranteed Jesus
