Sermon Outline, February 23, 2020, “Distracted by Storms”

Distracted by Storms

Matthew 14:22-33

~ Hebrews 6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil,
The Anchor holds through the Intensity of the Storms.
~ Matthew 7:24-27 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 26 Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”
The Anchor holds through the Length of the Storms.
~ Psalm 30:5 For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for a lifetime;
Weeping may last for the night,
But a shout of joy comes in the morning.

~ Revelation 2:10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
The Anchor holds through the Results of the Storms.
~ James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
The Anchor holds through the Frequency of the Storms.
~ II Corinthians 12:9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

~ Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

~ Romans 8:35-39 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written,
“FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG;
WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.”
37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Distracted by Curiosity

Genesis 19:26

~ Luke 9:62      But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

 

Refuse to be Curious about Spiritualism!

Statistic: approximately 70 million people in the world are followers of spiritualism!

 

God forbids Spiritualism.

~ Leviticus 19:31         ‘Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.

 

~ Leviticus 20:6           ‘As for the person who turns to mediums and to spiritists, to play the harlot after them, I will also set My face against that person and will cut him off from among his people.

 

Spiritualism does not honor God.

~ Romans 1:17            For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.”

 

~ II Corinthians 5:7      for we walk by faith, not by sight—

 

 

Refuse to be Curious about Addictive Sins!

Addictive sins are Attractive!

 

Addictive sins provide an Escape!

 

Addictive sins are the Fad!

 

Addictive sins enslave People!

 

Addictive sins lead to Physical Death!

~ Romans 6:23            For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Addictive sins lead to Spiritual Death!

~ Galatians 5:19-21                  Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, ²¹ envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

Refuse to be Curious about Addictive Sins!

~ I Thessalonians 5:22             abstain from every form of evil.

Sermon Outline, February 9, 2020, “Distracted by the Past”

Distracted by the Past

 

Exodus 14:4

 

~ Luke 9:62     But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

 

 

Leave the Past of Success!

~ Philippians 3:7-10     But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, ⁹ and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, ¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;

 

~ Philippians 3:13        Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

 

 

Leave the Past of Tradition!

Exercise wisdom with regard to Tradition!

~ Ephesians 5:15         Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,

 

 

Leave the Past of Sin!

Pursue Repentance!

~ Luke 13:3                  I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

 

~ Romans 6:1-2           What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? ² May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?

 

~ Romans 8:13             for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

 

Embrace Forgiveness!

~ Romans 5:20            The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

 

~ I John 1:7                 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

 

~ Psalm 103:12           As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

 

~ I John 1:9                 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Sermon Outline, February 2, 2020, “Distracted by the Tests”

Distracted by the Tests

Luke 9:57-62

~ Luke 9:62     But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Stats ~

• One out of every four car accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving.
• Nearly 390,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving.
• In 2017 ~ 3,166 people killed due to texting and driving.
• Texting while driving is six times more likely to cause an accident than driving while drunk.

 

The Cost of following Jesus tests our walk with Jesus.

Refuse to be distracted by the Cost of following Jesus!

~ Luke 9:23     And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

~ Luke 13:3     I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

~ John 15:18   “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.

 

The Secular World tests our walk with Jesus.

Refuse to be distracted by the Secular World.

~ I John 2:15- 17         Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. ¹⁷ The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

 

Our Relationships test our walk with Jesus.

Refuse to be distracted by Relationships.

~ II Corinthians 6:14-16         Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? ¹⁵ Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,

“I will dwell in them and walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Sermon Outline, January 26, 2020, “Irresistible Service”

Irresistible Service

Mark 10:45

 

~ Luke 22:27                For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

 

~Philippians 2:5-8       Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. ⁸ Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

 

Vision Statement ~ To be God’s People, transformed by the Gospel of Christ into an Irresistible Community of Love, Discipleship, and Service.

 

 

Irresistible Service requires Humility!

Humility submits to the Purpose of God.

~ Galatians 6:10          So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

 

~Matthew 5:16            Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

 

 

Irresistible Service requires Selflessness!

Selflessness places the Needs of Others above our own.

~ Philippians 2:3-4       Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; ⁴ do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

 

 

Irresistible Service requires Willingness!

Willingness steps up to do Whatever!

~ Colossians 3:17         Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

 

~ Colossians 3:23        Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,

Sermon Outline, January 19, 2020, “Irresistible Discipleship”

Irresistible Discipleship

 Matthew 28:19

 

Vision Statement ~ To be God’s People transformed by the Gospel of Christ into an Irresistible Community of Love, Discipleship, and Service.

 

Mission Statement ~ To make disciples of all people for Christ.

 

First Step: Teach Disciples!

Disciples teach Disciples.

~ II Timothy 2:2          The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

 

 

Second Step: Train Disciples!

Disciples train Disciples.

~ Proverbs 11:14         Where there is no guidance the people fall,
But in abundance of counselors there is victory.

 

 

Third Step: Trust Disciples!

Disciples trust Disciples.

~ John 20:21               So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

 

~ II Timothy 2:2         The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

 

Sermon Outline, January 12, 2020, “Irresistible Love”

Irresistible Love

John 13:35

~ John 13:34     A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

 

Vision Statement ~ To be God’s People, transformed by the Gospel of Christ into an Irresistible Community of Love, Discipleship, and Service.

 

The Irresistible Love of Jesus Focuses on others!

~ Philippians 2:3-4                   Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; ⁴ do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

 

~ I Corinthians 13:4-5               Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, ⁵ does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,

 

 

The Irresistible Love of Jesus Forgives others!

~ Luke 23:34                But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.

 

~ Ephesians 4:32          Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

 

Forgiving Love makes four promises:

~ promises never to think about the incident again.

 

~ promises never to talk to anyone else about the incident.

 

~ promises never to bring the incident up and use it against you.

 

~ promises never to allow the incident to hinder our personal relationship.

 

 

The Irresistible Love of Jesus remains Faithful.

~ Luke 17:4                              And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

 

~ II Timothy 2:13                     If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

 

~ I Corinthians 13:7-8a bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ⁸ Love never fails;

Sermon Outline, January 5, 2020 “Irresistible Transformation”

Irresistible Transformation

Luke 8:26-39

Hebrews 12:2

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Presence of Jesus Christ values People!

Romans 16:16             Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

I Corinthians 16:20     All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

II Corinthians 13:12    Greet one another with a holy kiss.

The Power of Jesus Christ changes people!

II Corinthians 5:17      Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

The Authority of Jesus Christ charges His followers!

Matthew 20:19-20       ¹⁹ and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up. ²⁰ Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him.

Acts 1:8           but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Sermon Outline, December 22, 2019 “Christmas Glory”

Christmas Glory

Luke 2:25-35

            ²⁵ And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. ²⁶ And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ²⁷ And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, ²⁸ then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, ²⁹ “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word;
³⁰ For my eyes have seen Your salvation, ³¹ Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, ³² A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” ³³ And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. ³⁴ And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— ³⁵ and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Anticipate the Difference that Jesus makes!

II Corinthians 5:17     Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Embrace the Prepared Difference!

Romans 5:5     and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Share the Difference with Hope!

Romans 6:4     Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

 

Sermon Outline, December 15, 2019, “Christmas Light”

Christmas Light

Matthew 2:1-18

 

Wisdom seeks Jesus.

Wisdom seeks the Person of Jesus.

~ John 8:12      Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

 

Wisdom seeks the Word of Jesus.

~ John 5:39     You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;

 

 

Wisdom worships Jesus.

Worship Jesus with the Will.

~ Matthew 16:24         Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

 

Worship Jesus with the Strength.

~ Mark 12:30              and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’

 

Worship Jesus with the Heart.

~ Matthew 6:21           for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 

 

Wisdom conquers with Jesus.

Jesus conquers evil.

~ Romans 12:21           Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

~ Luke 6:35-38            But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. ³⁶ Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. ³⁷ Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. ³⁸ Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

 

 

Jesus conquers death.

~ John 11:25-26          Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, ²⁶ and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”