Sermons by Andy Bratton (Page 2)
What do I do if My Candidate Loses?
We might think we know how things are supposed to happen, but always be ready for God to do something we don’t expect. Adonijah was presumptuous. (1 Kings 1:5-10) Bathsheba was preserving self. (1 Kings 1:11-14,16-17,20-21) God had a plan. (1 Chronicles 28:3,5-6) David was giving praise. (1 Kings 1:48) Present fulfillment (2 Samuel 23:5) Future fulfillment (Acts 2:30-31) Eternal fulfillment (Psalm 39:5,7) We praise God on Wednesday for what He has done today, will do in the future, and…
How to Tackle the Issues
Matthew 25:31-46Matthew 28:18-20James 1:26-27Matthew 22:34-40 Sanctity of Life Abortion – Psalm 139:13-16, Luke 1:41 Capital punishment – Numbers 35:30-31; John 8:7; Matthew 5:38-39 LGBTQ – Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27; Gun rights – Luke 22:36; Ecclesiastes 9:18; Matthew 26:52 The Environment – Psalm 89:11 “The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.” What about the “me” issues? Social Security Healthcare Taxes Our litmus test for the issues are:…
The Disliked Leader
We may disagree on policy and issues related to our world, but that doesn’t mean we are exempt from loving others. We don’t get to pick and choose which verses we follow. Romans 13:1-2 1 Peter 2:13-14 God uses unlikely people to accomplish His will. Samson Nebuchadnezzar God teaches us to honor and love those we disagree with. Saul and David 1 Samuel 24:5-6 1 Samuel 26:9 2 Samuel 1:16 Be careful how you speak about the Lord’s anointed.
A Hillbilly’s Guide to Politics
Sermon Scripture: Exodus 18 Sermon Big Idea: When we put God’s will first, the result is peace Moses gave God credit (v. 1-9) Moses and Jethro praised and worshiped God (v. 10-12) Moses settled disputes according to God’s decrees (v. 13-16) Jethro had a more comprehensive plan (v. 17-27) Keep taking disputes to God (v. 19-20) Select leaders (v. 21-23) Capable Honest Fear God Hate bribes Break into smaller groups (v. 21-23) And the result was PEACE
Jesus in Between
Jesus in between Sermon Scripture: John 8:1-11Sermon Big Idea: Jesus stands between us and death Suicide statistics: On average there are 132 suicides per day The rate of suicide is highest in middle-aged white men In 2018 there were 1.4 million suicide attempts During the COVID crisis, over 40% of Americans claimed to have one adverse mental or behavioral health condition. Second leading cause of death among 10-34 year olds 11% of 18-25 year olds have had suicidal thoughts Things…
How Have We Robbed You?
Malachi 3:8-12 Big Idea: Robbing God is stunting growth The Israelite’s giving responsibility was multiple tithes. A tenth was God’s – Leviticus 27:30 The tenth was given to Levites – Numbers 18:21-24 A tenth for the festival tithe – Deuteronomy 14:22-23 A tenth every third year for those in need – Deuteronomy 14:28-29 The tithe was to show love for God and love to others. The tithe, like all of God’s laws, were met with His blessing. The Heavens open…
“How Have we Worried Him?”
Malachi 2:17-3:5 God is wearied by his creation challenging his justice. (2:17) Why do good things happen to bad people? (Jonah 4:1-4) Our confusion about good and bad The perspective of Job and Jonah (Job 42:3) God is wearied by constant refining. (3:1-4) Christian amnesia (Isaiah 51:13) Christian refining (Isaiah 48:10, Proverbs 27:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17) God is wearied by being in conflict with his creation. (3:5) The sin of seeking other guidance (1 Samuel 28:6-7) The sin of seeking…
Why do you not accept our worship?
Sermon Scripture: Malachi 2:10-16 Our life is an offering to God. (Malachi 2:10) Presented to Him – Romans 12:1 Presented to others – 2 Corinthians 3:2 Presented to each other – John 13:35 Marriage is an offering to God. (Malachi 2:11) God gave woman to man – Genesis 2 Evenly yoked – 2 Corinthians 6:14 Man is to love her – Ephesians 5:25 Woman is to submit and respect him – Ephesians 5:22,33b Man leaves mother/father and unites with wife…
How have we Despised Your Name?
Sermon Scripture: Malachi 1:6-2:9 The first offering in the Bible was rejected. (Genesis 4:1-5) Cain’s was rejected Abel’s was accepted What was the difference? The third offering was a pleasing aroma. (Genesis 8:20-21) Noah and his sons The fourth offering was to the wrong god. (Genesis 11:4) The tower of Babel was honoring man The offering God desires is… Given with honor (Malachi 1:6a) Given in fear (Malachi 1:6b) Given from the best (Malachi 1:7-14) Led by example (Malachi 2:1-9)…
How Have you Loved Us?
Malachi 1:1-5 Questions I have Questions we all may have The book of Malachi is the only time we hear of Malachi Malachi may have followed Nehemiah in Jerusalem Written about post-exilic time for Israelites God loved Israel by choosing them to be his people. The calling of Abraham – Genesis 12 What does it mean that he “hated” Esau? Judah the son of promise – Revelation 5:5 God loved Israel by protecting them from enemy nations. Ishmael – Genesis…