Category: Eastbrook

“Waiting for the Holy Spirit”: a message on Pentecost

Matt EricksonLeave a comment

This past weekend at Eastbrook, we celebrated Pentecost as I preached a message entitled, “Waiting for the Holy Spirit.” This message was based on Acts 2:1-12.

You can find the message outline and video below. You can access the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:1-4)

What Is Pentecost?

God’s Promise Fulfilled (Joel 2:28; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 7-8; 2:4)

The Gift of God’s Presence Signified in Wind and Fire (Exodus 19:16-19; Acts 2:2-3)

An Echo of Jesus’ Commissioning (Luke 3:21-22; Acts 1:14; 2:1)

A Picture of God Gathering in the Nations (Leviticus 23:15-16; Acts 2:1, 5-12)

What Does Pentecost Mean for Us Today?

Presence of God

Power of God

Purpose of God

Waiting for the Holy Spirit

Baptism

Prayer

Surrender

Dig Deeper

This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:

  • Memorize Acts 2:1-4 or John 14:26
  • Draw, ink, or paint the dramatic Pentecost day recorded in Acts 2:1-13. As you do that, let God speak to you about who the Holy Spirit is and what that means for you. When you finish, consider sharing your prayer reflections and/or artistry with a friend.
  • Watch The Bible Project video “Pentecost: Acts 1-7”
  • Read a book about the Holy Spirit, such as I Believe in the Holy Spirit by Michael Green or Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala

Eastbrook at Home – May 28, 2023

Matt EricksonLeave a comment
Eastbrook-At-Home-Series-GFX_16x9-Title

Join us for worship with Eastbrook Church through Eastbrook at Home at 8, 9:30, and 11 AM. This weekend we celebrate Pentecost, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon God’s people, with a message about waiting on the Holy Spirit.

Here is a prayer for Pentecost Sunday from The Book of Common Prayer:

Almighty God, on this day, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, you revealed the way of eternal life to every race and nation: Pour out this gift anew, that by the preaching of the Gospel your salvation may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

If you are able to do so, let me encourage you to join us for in-person services at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 AM this weekend at the Eastbrook Campus.

If you are new to Eastbrook, we want to welcome you to worship and would ask you to text EBCnew to 94000 as a first step into community here at Eastbrook.

Each Sunday at 8, 9:30, and 11 AM, you can participate with our weekly worship service at home with your small group, family, or friends. This service will then be available during the week until the next Sunday’s service starts. You can also access the service directly via Vimeo, the Eastbrook app, or Facebook.

If you are not signed up for our church emailing list, please sign up here. Also, please remember that during this time financial support for the church is critical as we continue minister within our congregation and reach out to our neighborhood, city, and the world at this challenging time. Please give online or send in your tithes and offerings to support the ministry of Eastbrook Church.

Bibliography for “I AM: Seven Identity Markers for Jesus”

Matt EricksonLeave a comment

When I conclude a sermon series, I usually share resources I utilized in my study and preparation for sermons. Here is the bibliography for our recent series, “I AM: Seven Identity Markers for Jesus.”

Bibliography for “I AM: Seven Identity Markers for Jesus”

Kenneth E. Bailey. The Good Shepherd: A Thousand-Year Journey from Psalm 23 to the New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2014.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Christ the Center. New York: Harper & Row, 1960.

Raymond E. Brown. The Gospel According to John. ABD. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1966. Particularly Appendix IV: EGO EIMI “I AM,” pp. 533-538.

F. F. Bruce. The Gospel of John: Introduction, Exposition and Notes. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1983.

G. M. Burge. “‘Glory.” In Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, pp. 268-270. Edited by Joel B. Green, Scot McKnight, and I Howard Marshall. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992.

________. “‘I AM’ Sayings.” In Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, pp. 354-356. Edited by Joel B. Green, Scot McKnight, and I Howard Marshall. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992.

John Calvin. John. The Crossway Classic Commentaries. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1994.

D. A. Carson. The Gospel According to John. PNTC. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1990.

J. Ramsay Michaels. The Gospel of John. NICNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2010.

Eugene H. Peterson. Christ Plays In Ten Thousand Places. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2005.

________. The Jesus Way: A Conversation on the Ways that Jesus is the Way. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2007.

G. F. Shirbroun. “‘Light.” In Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, pp. 472-473. Edited by Joel B. Green, Scot McKnight, and I Howard Marshall. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992.

Francis Spufford. Unapologetic. New York: HarperCollins, 2013.

M. M. Thompson. “John, Gospel of.” In Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, pp. 368-383. Edited by Joel B. Green, Scot McKnight, and I. Howard Marshall. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992.

N. T. Wright. “The Story of John.” In The New Testament and the People of God, pp. 410-417. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1992.

________. Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters. New York: HarperCollins, 2011. 

Resources from the Bible Project:

“I am the True Vine”

Matt EricksonLeave a comment

This past weekend at Eastbrook, we concluded our preaching series, “I AM: Seven Identity Markers of Jesus,” drawn from the Gospel of John, with Gabriel Douglas exploring Jesus’ statement, “I am the true vine” (John 15:1).

You can find the message outline and video below. You can access the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” (John 15:1)

  1. Summary of John 15:1-11

a. God the Father is the gardener of our spiritual lives

b. Jesus is the true vine

c. Holy Spirit reveals to us ways we need to be pruned

  1. Jesus is the true vine
  2. Jesus wants us to remain in Him
  3. Jesus is pointing us to God the Father
  4. Jesus wants our joy to be made complete

Dig Deeper

This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:

  • Memorize John 15:1
  • Both this week and last week’s messages are drawn from the Upper Room discourse (John 13-16). Take time to read and ponder this entire teaching of Jesus in one sitting. What stands out to you from this passage? What do you learn about the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit? How would you describe the Jesus way from what you read here?

Eastbrook at Home – May 21, 2023

Matt EricksonLeave a comment
Eastbrook-At-Home-Series-GFX_16x9-Title

Join us for worship with Eastbrook Church through Eastbrook at Home at 8, 9:30, and 11 AM. This weekend we conclude our preaching series entitled “I Am: Seven Identity Markers of Jesus” based out of the Gospel of John. This week we look at Jesus’ powerful statement: “I am the vine” (John 15:1).

Here is a prayer for Sunday after Ascension Day from The Book of Common Prayer:

O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.  Amen.

If you are able to do so, let me encourage you to join us for in-person services at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 AM this weekend at the Eastbrook Campus.

If you are new to Eastbrook, we want to welcome you to worship and would ask you to text EBCnew to 94000 as a first step into community here at Eastbrook.

Each Sunday at 8, 9:30, and 11 AM, you can participate with our weekly worship service at home with your small group, family, or friends. This service will then be available during the week until the next Sunday’s service starts. You can also access the service directly via Vimeo, the Eastbrook app, or Facebook.

If you are not signed up for our church emailing list, please sign up here. Also, please remember that during this time financial support for the church is critical as we continue minister within our congregation and reach out to our neighborhood, city, and the world at this challenging time. Please give online or send in your tithes and offerings to support the ministry of Eastbrook Church.