Redemption Church in Brookfield, WI

The Surprising Power of God’s Providence

Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto

Passage: Esther 5:9 - 7:10

Sermon Points: 

1. Pride: Haman's grandiose longing for power.
2. Providence: God's quiet-but-powerful control.
3. Protection: Haman & Mordecai trade places.

Primary Claim: The quiet providence of God is more powerful than the grandiose pride of our enemies.

Application Points:

1. Don't fear the grandiose pride of our enemies.
2. Have faith in the quiet providence of our God.

Standing with God & His People

Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto

Passage: Esther 4:1 - 5:8

Primary Claim: It may seem dangerous to stand with God & his people, but we must.

Sermon Points:

Three Reasons We Must Stand with God & His People:

1. He will deliver his people, with or without us.

2. We cannot escape the risk of pershing.

3. God may use us in powerful ways.

Application Points:

Three Ways to Stand with God & His People:

1. Courageously
2. Winsomely
3. Patiently

Will He Still Deliver Us?

Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto

Passage: Esther 2:19-3:15

Primary Claim: It may not seem like our God will deliver us...but He will.

Application Points:

1. Expect opposition from an unjust world.
2. Count on the deliverance of a sovereign God.

Two Kinds of Power

Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto

Passage: Esther 1:1 - 2:18

Sermon Points:

 

1. The Grandiose Power of King Ahasuerus

2. The Under-stated Power of our God

Primary Claim: God’s power may not seem grandiose, but it is great nonetheless.

Application Questions

Two questions about power:

 

1. Do we believe that God is still powerful?
2. Will we rely on His power, or another kind?

Contentment Below

Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto

Passage: Philippians 4:10-23

Primary Claim: It is God above who provides all we need for contentment below.

Sermon Points: 

1. When we’re blessed with abundance & plenty:

   • Let’s be truly thankful for the gifts we receive “below.”
2. When we’re faced with hunger & need:
   
   • Let’s find true contentment in the strength of God above.

Peace From Above

Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto

Passage: Philippians 4:2-9

Claim: The heavenly King Jesus wants to help us through earthly conflict.

Sermon Point: The peace we need: The Peace of God in heaven.

Application Points:

We pursue this peace from above by:

1. By rejoicing in the Lord always
2. By relating to one another reasonably
3. By bringing our anxiety to God
4. By dwelling on what is good
5. By practicing the way of the Gospel

The Upward Mindset

Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto

Passage: Philippians 3:12 - 4:1

Claim: We need a heavenly mindset to press on through our earthly trials.

Sermon Points:

Those with a resurrection mindset:

1. Keep their eyes on the resurrection-minded.
2. See earthly suffering as a heavenly friend.
3. Are longing and waiting for resurrected life.

Application Questions:

1. Who are you "watching" and trying to imitate?
2. How do you tend to think about suffering for Christ?
3. How often do you reflect on the life to come?

The Source of our Heavenly Joy

Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto

Passage: Philippians 3:1-11

Sermon Points: 

1. Worthless Confidence:
   • In our bodily religious lives, down here .
2. Priceless Confidence:

   • In the righteous King of heaven, up there.

Primary Claim: Nothing can sustain our joy quite like knowing King Jesus.

Application Points:

Knowing Jesus is far more valuable than:

1. Being an Insider
2. Keeping the Law
3. Religious Zeal

Leaders Worth Lifting Up

Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto

Passage: Philippians 2:19-30

Primary Claim: We are called to lift up leaders who have been made low, like King Jesus.

Takeaways:

1. How to spot humble leaders:
   • They seek Christ's interests, not their own.
   • Their worth is proven over time.
2. Why we should honor humble leaders:
   • There aren't many of them.
   • They are worth trusting.

Victory by Crucifixion

Preacher: Danny D'Acquisto

Passage: Philippians 2:1-11

Main Question: What will it take for us to press on together toward victory in the upward life?

Key Concept: Jesus was lifted up as King because he was humble enough to be brought low.

Primary Claim: All of us must be brought low, like King Jesus was.

Application Points:

How to Fight like our Crucified King:

1. Humble minds: Brought low in our thought lives
2. Humble love: Brought low in our relationships
3. Humble obedience: Trusting the God who brings us low