Sermon Outline, February 24, 2019, “Radical Relinquishment”

Radical Relinquishment

Jeremiah 41:17 – 42:22

 

God’s Judgment on Judah

 

A Fearful Remnant

Jeremiah 41:17-18              And they went and stayed at Geruth Chimham near Bethlehem, intending to go to Egypt ¹⁸ because of the Chaldeans. For they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.

  

A Desire to Seek the Will of God

Jeremiah 42:1-6                  Then all the commanders of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest, came near ² and said to Jeremiah the prophet, “Let our plea for mercy come before you, and pray to the Lord your God for us, for all this remnant—because we are left with but a few, as your eyes see us— ³ that the Lord your God may show us the way we should go, and the thing that we should do.” ⁴ Jeremiah the prophet said to them, “I have heard you. Behold, I will pray to the Lord your God according to your request, and whatever the Lord answers you I will tell you. I will keep nothing back from you.” ⁵ Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the Lord be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act according to all the word with which the Lord your God sends you to us. ⁶ Whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God to whom we are sending you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the Lord our God.”

 

God Answers Those Who Seek Him

 The Choice: God’s Will or My Desires

Jeremiah 43:1-4      When Jeremiah finished speaking to all the people all these words of the Lord their God, with which the Lord their God had sent him to them, ² Azariah the son of Hoshaiah and Johanan the son of Kareah and all the insolent men said to Jeremiah, “You are telling a lie. The Lord our God did not send you to say, ‘Do not go to Egypt to live there,’ ³ but Baruch the son of Neriah has set you against us, to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they may kill us or take us into exile in Babylon.” ⁴ So Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces and all the people did not obey the voice of the Lord, to remain in the land of Judah.

 

Why Don’t We Trust God?

Jeremiah 41:17-18               And they went and stayed at Geruth Chimham near Bethlehem, intending to go to Egypt ¹⁸ because of the Chaldeans. For they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.

 

God’s teaching so often conflicts with our desires.

 

 God’s teaching so often counters our commonsense.

 

Matthew 5:43–44              “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

 

Matthew 18:21–22           Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” ²² Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

 

Matthew 6:15                    but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 

 

God’s teaching so often creates risk.

 

No man is worth his salt who is not ready at all times to risk his well-being, to risk his body, to risk his life in a great cause. Theodore Roosevelt

 

Are You on Your Way to Egypt?

 

 

Sermon Outline, February 17, 2019, “Interpretation”

Interpretation

Psalm 119:34

~ II Timothy 2:15       Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

 

Consider the Don’ts of Bible Interpretation!

Don’t Misread the Text.

~ I Timothy 6:10          For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

 

~ John 10:30               I and the Father are one.

 

~ John 20:31                but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

 

~ I Timothy 6:17         Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

 

~ Acts 4:12                  And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.

 

~ Psalm 37:4               Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.

 

Don’t Distort the Text!

~ II Timothy 4:3-4      For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, ⁴ and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

 

Don’t Contradict the Text!

~ James 2:24               You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

 

~ Mark 16:16              He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

 

~ Acts 2:38                   Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

~ Acts 22:16                Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.

 

~ I Peter 3:21              Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

 

Don’t Ignore the Text!

~ Hebrews 6:4-6         For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, ⁶ and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

 

Don’t use Feelings.

~ John 8:32                 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.

 

Don’t use Relativism!

~ Matthew 25:41         Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;

 

~ Mark 9:43-44            If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire, ⁴⁴ [where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.]

 

~ Luke 16:23-24         In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. ²⁴ And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’

 

~ Revelation 14:11       And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”

 

Don’t be Overconfident!

~ Proverbs 16:18         Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

 

 

Consider the Do’s of Bible Interpretation!

Pray for Correct Understanding!

~ Matthew 7:7             Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

 

~ I John 5:14-15           This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

 

Look for the Common Sense Meaning!

~ I John 5:13                These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

 

Use all the Helps available!

~ Proverbs 1:5             A wise man will hear and increase in learning,
And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,

 

Recognize the Particular Literary Form!

~ Proverbs 1:7             The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

 

~ Proverbs 3:5-6         Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.

 

~ Proverbs 6:16-19     There are six things which the Lord hates,
Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
¹⁷ Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,
¹⁸ A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that run rapidly to evil,
¹⁹ A false witness who utters lies,
And one who spreads strife among brothers.

 

~ Proverbs 22:6           Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

 

~ Proverbs 22:15         Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.

 

Use Context!

~ II Timothy 2:15       Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

Sermon Outline, February 10, 2019, “Observational Study”

Observational Study

Psalm 119:18

Read Carefully!

Read Purposefully!

Question 1:  Who?

Question 2:  What?

Question 3:  Where?

Question 4:  When?

Question 5:  Why?

Question 6:  Wherefore?

~ James 1:22   But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

Read Pointedly!

~ Galatians 5:22-23     But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

 

~ Mark 16:16              He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

 

~ Acts 2:38                   Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

~ Romans 12:1             Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

 

Read Prayerfully!

~ Psalm 51:1               Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.

 

Read Patiently!

~ Psalm 119:18           Open my eyes, that I may behold
Wonderful things from Your law.

 

 

Look Closely!

First Clue ~ Things that are Emphasized!

~ John 20:30-31          Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; ³¹ but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

 

Second Clue ~ Things that are Repeated!

~ Mark 9:43-48            If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire, ⁴⁴ [where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.] ⁴⁵ If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell, ⁴⁶ [where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.] ⁴⁷ If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell, ⁴⁸ where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.

 

Third Clue ~ Things that are Related!

~ 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?

 

Fourth Clue ~ Things that are Alike!

~ I Peter 2:2                like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,

 

Fifth Clue ~ Things that are Unlike!

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

 

Sixth Clue ~ Things that are True to Life!

~ Romans 12:2            And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Sermon Outline, February 3, 2019, “Radical Study”

Radical Study

II Timothy 2:15

 

Consider the Purposes for Bible Study!

One Reason for studying the Bible is Salvation.

~ II Timothy 3:15       and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 

A Second Reason for studying the Bible is a Strong Faith.

~ Romans 10:17          So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

 

A Third Reason for studying the Bible is Sensitive Conscience.

~ Psalm 119:11           Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.

 

A Fourth Reason for studying the Bible is Direction.

~ Psalm 119:105         Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.

 

A Fifth Reason for studying the Bible is Truth.

~ John 8:32                 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

 

A Sixth Reason for studying the Bible is Correct Interpretation.

~ II Timothy 2:15        Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

 

A Seventh Reason for studying the Bible is Transformation.

~ Romans 12:2            And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

 

 

Consider the Motive for Study!

Avoid Pride as a Motive for Study!

~ Proverbs 1:7             The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

 

~ II Timothy 3:7         always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

 

Embrace Humility as the Motive for Study!

~ I Peter 2:2    like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,

 

Consider the Process of Study!

The First Step of Study is Repetition.

~ Deuteronomy 6:4-9  “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! ⁵ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. ⁶ These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. ⁸ You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. ⁹ You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

 

The Second Step of Study is Concentration.

~ Proverbs 7:24           Now therefore, my sons, listen to me,
And pay attention to the words of my mouth.

 

The Third Step of Study is Comprehension.

~ Proverbs 2:2             Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;

 

The Fourth Step of Study is Reflection.

~ Philippians 1:8         For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

 

~ James 1:22                But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

Sermon Outline, January 27, 2019, “Jesus’ Perspective of the Bible”

Jesus’ Perspective of the Bible

Mark 7:6-13

 

The Bible is the Word of God!

God is the Author of the Bible!

~ Mark 12:36              David himself said in the Holy Spirit,

‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Until I put Your enemies beneath Your feet.”’

 

~ John 14:26               But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

 

~ II Peter 2:20-21        For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. ²¹ For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them.

 

The Bible reveals the Words of God!

~ Matthew 15:3-4                   And He answered and said to them, “Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? ⁴ For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother is to be put to death.’

 

~ Matthew 19:4-5                   And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, ⁵ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?

 

~ I Thessalonians 2:13             For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.

 

 

The Bible is Reliable!

The Bible is Historically Accurate!

~ John 17:17   Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

 

~ John 10:35    If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

 

The Bible is Prophetically Accurate!

~ Luke 18:31                Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.

 

 

The Bible is our Final Authority!

The Bible is our Authority over Temptation!

~ Hebrews 4:12           For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

 

The Bible is our Authority over Tradition!

~ Mark 7:8      Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”

 

The Bible is our Authority in Doctrine!

Doctrine of Marriage

~ Genesis 2:24           For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

 

Doctrine of Baptism

~ Mark 16:16              He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

 

~ Acts 2:38                   Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

~ Acts 22:16                Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’

 

~ Colossians 2:12-13  having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. ¹³ When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,

 

~ I Peter 3:21              Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

 

Doctrine of Falling Away

~ Matthew 24:3          As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

 

~ I Corinthians 9:27    but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

 

~ Galatians 5:4            You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

 

~ I Timothy 4:1           But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,

 

~ Hebrews 3:12            Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.

 

~ II Peter 2:20-21         For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. ²¹ For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them.

Sermon Outline, January 20, 2019, “The Bible is Solid ~ Part II”

The Bible is Solid ~ Part II

John 10:35

 

God’s Nature testifies to the Inerrancy of Scripture!

God in His very nature is Truth!

~ Titus 1:2                    in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,

 

~ Hebrews 6:18            so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.

 

~ Numbers 23:19        God is not a man, that He should lie,
Nor a son of man, that He should repent;
Has He said, and will He not do it?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

 

~ I Samuel 15:29         Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind.”

 

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

 

God is the Author of the Bible!

~ II Timothy 3:16        All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

 

~ II Peter 1:20-21        But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, ²¹ for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

 

~ John 17:17               Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

 

~ II Timothy 2:15        Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

 

 

Scripture’s Nature testifies to the Inerrancy of Scripture!

Scripture declares it is Truth!

~ James 1:18               In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

 

~ II Timothy 2:15       Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

 

Geographical Accuracy points to the inerrancy of Scripture!

~ John 10:35               If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

 

Historical Accuracy points to the inerrancy of Scripture!

~ John 10:35               If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

 

Internal Consistency points to the inerrancy of Scripture!

~ John 10:35               If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

 

The Unity of the Bible points to the inerrancy of Scripture!

~ John 10:35               If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

 

Fulfilled Prophecies point to the inerrancy of Scripture!

~ John 10:35               If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

 

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ points to the inerrancy of Scripture!

~ John 10:35               If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

Sermon Outline, January 13, 2019, “The Bible is Solid”

The Bible is Solid

II Timothy 3:16-17

 

The Bible is Inspired!

The Bible is God-breathed!

~ II Peter 1:20-21        But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, ²¹ for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

 

The Entire Bible is God-breathed!

~ II Timothy 3:16       All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

 

The Entire Bible is the Word of God!

~ II Peter 1:20-21        But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, ²¹ for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

 

 

The Bible is Eternal!

The Bible is Everlasting!

~ Isaiah 40:8               The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.

 

The Bible is Indestructible!

~ Matthew 5:18           For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

 

~ John 10:35               If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

Sermon Outline, January 6, 2019, “Radical Mindset”

Radical Mindset

Romans 12:2

Refuse to Conform!

Refuse to go along with this world!

~ Psalm 1:1     How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

 

Refusers just say, “No!”

~ II Corinthians 6:14 – 7:1      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.
¹⁷ “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.
“And do not touch what is unclean;
And I will welcome you.
¹⁸ “And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.

7 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

 

 

Reach for Change!

Reach for a Changed Life in the Power of the Holy Spirit!

~ Romans 6:3-4           Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 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.

 

~ Titus 3:5                   He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

 

~ Philippians 1:6         For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

 

~ Philippians 2:13        for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

 

~ Romans 8:5-8            For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, ⁷ because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, ⁸ and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

 

Reach for a Changed Life in the Power of the Word of God!

~ Proverbs 23:7           For as he thinks within himself, so he is.
He says to you, “Eat and drink!”
But his heart is not with you.

 

~ Philippians 4:8         Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

 

~ Proverbs 4:23           Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.

 

 

Construct a Biblical Mindset!

Saturate your mind with the Word of God.

~ Acts 2:42                  They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

 

~ Colossians 3:16         Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

 

A Biblical Mindset is Controlled by the Word of God.

~ 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.”

Sermon Outline, December 30, 2018, “Finding Contentment”

Finding Contentment

Philippians 4:11-13

A.  Paul learned the secret of being content.

1. He didn’t always have it.
2. He wasn’t instantly granted it by God.
3. He had to go through seasons of testing.

 

B.  Seasons of Comfort

1. In Christ I have the only thing that will truly satisfy the desires of my heart.
2. Proverbs 30:8-9 (ESV)Remove far from me falsehood and lying;
    give me neither poverty nor riches;
    feed me with the food that is needful for me,
      ⁹ lest I be full and deny you
      and say, “Who is the Lord?”
      or lest I be poor and steal
      and profane the name of my God.
3. We must fight to stay needy and continue to depend on God.

 

C.  Seasons of Suffering

1. In Christ I have something that can never be taken away.
2. Phil. 4:13 could be restated as follows:    I can be content in any situation through him who strengthens me.

 

D.  Seasons of Waiting

1. In Christ I have everything I need right now.
2. Matthew 6:34 (NIV) Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Sermon Outline, December 23, 2018, “Christmas Reveals God’s Provision”

Christmas Reveals God’s Provision

Luke 2:1-20

 

Christmas reveals God’s Greatest Provision.

The Greatest Need of Mankind is Forgiveness!

~ Isaiah 53:5-6            But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.
⁶ All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him.

 

~ Matthew 1:21           She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

 

~ John 1:29                  The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

 

~ Acts 4:12                   And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

 

~ John 14:6                 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

 

The Greatest Provision of God is Salvation!

~ Luke 19:10               For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

 

~ John 3:16-17            “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

 

 

Christmas reveals God’s Abundant Provision.

God’s Abundant Provision brings Peace!

~ Romans 5:1              Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

~ Romans 12:18          If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

 

 

God’s Abundant Provision brings Joy!

~ Philippians 4:4         Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

 

~ Nehemiah 4:10        Thus in Judah it was said,

“The strength of the burden bearers is failing,
Yet there is much rubbish;
And we ourselves are unable
To rebuild the wall.”

 

 

 

Christmas reveals God’s Universal Provision.

God’s Universal Provision includes All People!

~ I Timothy 2:3-4        This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

 

~ Titus 2:11     For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

 

~ II Peter 3:9   The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

 

God’s Universal Provision proclaims Good News!

~ Romans 1:16             For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.