Category: Sermon Notes

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Faithful

TITLE: Celebrate!!

Scripture:  Colossians 1:1-8

I.    CELEBRATING THE PAST  

The author of the book: (Paul) with a little bit of help from (Timothy).

More importantly: Why the book?  Jesus Christ is sufficient as our (Lord), our (Life), and our (Leader). It appears the young believers at Colossae still lacked the deep-rooted, mature faith in the (sufficiency of the person and work of Christ) that would enable them to stand against the onslaught of (worldly philosophies) and (man-made religions).

II.   CELEBRATING THE PRESENT         

What does Paul celebrate?

1. There is a celebration of (joy).  He calls them “saints and faithful brothers in Christ.”

2. There is a celebration of (thanksgiving).  He gives us sort of an “apostolic shorthand” for genuine Christianity.

1) He is thankful for their (faith) in verses 3-4a.
2) He is thankful for their (love) in verse 4.
3) He is thankful for this (hope) in verse 5.

3. There is a celebration of (the gospel).

Next week: Theme: Truth/ Series: Supremacy

Title:  A Prayer for the Church/ Colossians 1: 9-14

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Faithful

TITLE: Worth the Wait

Scripture:  2 Cor. 5:1-10

I.    THE UGLINESS OF HELL      

Some contemporary views of hell:

1)     (Deny the existence) of hell.

2)     (Universalism).

What does the Bible say about hell?

1.     Hell is a place of (punishment after judgment). Mt.25:31-46

2.     Hell is described in imagery of (fire and darkness).  Mt.13:30, 40-43. The hell Jesus describes is not a (hell-on-earth) that accompanies bad decisions during this life, nor is it the (never-ending party) that some seem to think it will be.

3.     Hell is a place of (annihilation or never-ending judgment).

4.     Hell is a place of (eternal separation) from God.

II.   THE BEAUTY OF HEAVEN

What are some thoughts we can glean from the Scriptures about heaven?

1.     Heaven is (where God lives). Is.57:15; Ps.103:9; Ps.2: 3-5

2.     Heaven is the home of (departed saints).

3.     Heaven is the home of (reunion)

“For the Christian, heaven is where Jesus is. We do not need to speculate on what heaven will be like. It is enough to know that we will be forever with Him.” Barclay

Next week: Theme: Truth/ Series: Supremacy

Title:  Celebrate! Colossians 1:1-8

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Faithful

TITLE: Suffering Happens

Scripture:  2 Cor. 4: 8-15

I.   THE INEVITABLE     

“When trouble comes, this does not mean that I am a bad Christian. Nor does it mean God is against me, although sometimes I may feel that way. In my trouble, it helped immensely to know that I was going through something that happens to most of God’s beloved children.” (Ryken-p.16)

“For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” Phil.1:29

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” I P.4:12-13

“It is doubtful God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.” Tozer

II.   THE LESSONS      

“Suffering is inevitable; misery is optional.”

What lessons can we learn about trials?

They are (inevitable).
They do have a (purpose).
They show us where our (true strength) lies.

When we die, He lives. When we lose, He wins. When we’re weak, He is strong. When we’re dependent, He is powerful.

Next week: Theme: Truth/ Series: Faithful

Title: Well Worth the Wait- 2 Cor.5:1-10

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Faithful

TITLE: Glorify Whom?

Scripture:  2 Cor. 4:6-7; I Cor. 3:1-9

I.    THE PURPOSE OF WORSHIP     

“When we stop long enough to think about it, we realize that our dilemma goes deeper than the shortage of time; it is basically a problem with priorities…We sense uneasily our failure to do what we really important. The winds of other people’s demands, our own inner compulsions, have driven us onto a reef of frustration.” Charles Hummel-Tyranny of the Urgent

By one author worship is called the (ultimate) priority. Another calls it the (irreplaceable) priority.

Worship is significant because it turn our (full attention to the only One worthy of it).

Worship does not refer to (external) actions.

The purpose of worship is to (honor, revere, magnify, and lift up and praise) God for who He is.

II.   THE PRIORITY OF WORSHIP        

Someone has suggested we actually worship in three dimensions:

1 .  There is an (outward) dimension.
2.   There is an (inward) dimension.  Ephesians 5:8-10
3.   There is an (upward) dimension. Hebrews 13:15-“Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips that acknowledge His name.”

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Truth / Series: Faithful

Title: Suffering Happens- 2 Cor.4:8-15

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Faithful

TITLE: You Can Trust It!!

Scripture:  2 Cor. 4:2b; I Cor. 2:1-5

I.    WHY CAN I TRUST THE BIBLE?    

We don’t have good answers to that question:

1.     We appeal to our (upbringing).

2.     We appeal to our (personal transformation).

Bare bones reasons why we can trust the Bible:

1)     Because of its (reliable history).  2 Peter 1:16: “For we did not follow cleverly disguised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our LJC, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.”

2)     Because it was written by (eyewitnesses).  I John 1:1-3

3)     Because of its (verifiable claims).

4)     Because of its (fulfilled prophecies).

II.  WHAT CAN I DO WITH THE BIBLE?    

Turn to 1 Cor.4:11-13

Turn to 2 Cor.11:24-28

“The most urgent need of the Christian Church today is true preaching; and as it is the greatest and most urgent need in the church, it is the greatest need of the world also.” Lloyd-Jones

“Our problem in this country is not a lack of Bibles; it is a lack of people who carefully handle the Word of God, both privately and publicly.”

4 ideas of what the Bible can do for us:

1.     It is our source of (truth and freedom).

2.     It is a guide to (His will).

3.     It is our (way to grow).

4.     It is a (pruning knife).

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Truth / Series: Faithful

Title: Glorify Whom?- 2 Cor.4: 6-7; I Cor.3:1-9

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Faithful

TITLE: Setting the Standard

Scripture:  2 Cor. 4:2; MT. 5:8; 23:25-28

I.    WHAT BATTLE DO WE ALL FACE?    

“What I want to do right, evil lies close at hand…Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?”  Rom.7:21,24

The word renounced speaks of “a permanent, persistent, continuous, and habitual action.”

What is the issue we all struggle with? (Sanctification).

It literally means “to be set aside for a specific purpose.”

II.   HOW CAN WE SET THE STANDARD FOR BATTLE?   

Three uses of the word for holy: (Positional)-refers to who we are

1)     Sanctify- used more than 100+ times in the OT/30+ in NT

2)     Holy- Used 400+ in OT/12 in NT

3)     Saint-62 times in NT

(Experiential) –this refers to the way we act

How can we define holiness in the experiential realm?

1.     Loving one another as (He loved us).

2.     When it is against (our best interests).

3.     Sharing His love even when it is (inconvenient).

4.     Finding ways to (help those in need).

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Truth / Series: Faithful

Title: You Can Trust It!!- 2 Cor.4: 2b; I Cor.2:1-5

THEME: TRUTH

TITLE: Mercy

Scripture:  2 Cor. 4:1

I.    THE MERCY OF GOD EXPLAINED   

We are real good at (complaining); not so hot on (gratitude).

Grace is getting (what I don’t deserve); mercy is not getting (what I do deserve).

We are not in this thing called faith or the Christian life because (we are good). We aren’t in it because of our (proficiency) or our (wit) or our (aptitude). We aren’t in it because we are (more righteous) than someone else. We have been shown incredible mercy by a merciful God.

Please turn to I Timothy 1:12-16

II.   THE MERCY OF GOD EXTENDED

We are not meant to control our (Christianity); Christianity is meant (to control us).

Hebrew word for mercy-“to give help to the wretched, to rescue the miserable.”  The Greek word comes from the word which means benefactor.

What does God’s mercy do for us?

1.     God’s mercy (brings us peace).

2.     God’s mercy means (He has compassion for us).  Is.49:13: “For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.”

3.     God’s mercy is (displayed through us).

4.     God’s mercy has (an end).

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Truth / Series: Faithful

Title: Setting the Standard- 2 Cor. 4:2; Mt. 5:8; 23:25-28

THEME: TRUTH

TITLE: Why Settle for Second?

Scripture:  2 Cor. 3:6-18

I.    DEFINING THE OLD COVENANT

What Paul learned is that a truly perfect, spotless righteousness-the perfect obedience demanded by the law- (was not possible). It isn’t that the law was (evil); it wasn’t. The problem lies with the (sinner), not the law.

The old covenant was the law given to Abraham and ultimately to Moses on Mount Sinai. It was the (rules and regulations) the people were required to fulfill and live by.

II.  DETERMINING THE SUPERIORITY OF THE NEW COVENANT

A comparison for you to see:

1.     Old=hundreds of detailed and demanding commandments. New=Christ.

2.     Old=Law of Moses. New=Promise of life in Christ.

3.     Old=could not provide righteousness. New=Christ provided it.

4.     Old=temporary.  New=permanent.

5.     Old=death and doom on sinners. New=life.

6.     Old=ministry of condemnation. New=ministry of righteousness.

7.     Old=what was coming to an end. New=what is permanent.

8 distinctive qualities of the new covenant:

1)     It gives (life).  (v.6)

2)     It produces (righteousness). (7a,8-9)

3)     It is (permanent). (7b,10-11)

4)     It brings (hope). (12)

5)     It is (clear). (13-14a)

6)     It is (Christ-centered). (14b-16,18a)

7)     It is energized by the (Spirit). (17)

8)     It is (transforming). (18b)

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Truth / Series: Faithful

Title: Mercy- 2 Cor. 4:1

THEME: TRUTH

TITLE: What is Truth?

Scripture:  Romans 1:16-17

I.   IS TRUTH REALLY THAT IMPORTANT?

Philosophy which made its way into American culture: (postmodernism).  The basic premise for postmodernism is there is (no absolute truth).  In effect it is saying we can (trust our feelings).

In Romans 1:16-17 Paul tells us what truth is. The truth is (the Gospel of Jesus Christ).  What is chilling is the effect of verse 18: whenever the truth of God is (suppressed), it always leads to (believing a lie).

When absolute truth departs, everything is up for grabs!!

“We (liberals) champion tolerance, except for conservatives and evangelical Christians. We want to be inclusive of people who don’t look like us-so long as they think like us.” Quote by liberal journalist Nicolas Kristof.  (Quoted in Confronting Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin)

II.  IS TRUTH A REALITY?   

Greek word for truth means “a reality that is firm, solid, binding.”  Represents the certainty upon which we can rely.

4 distinguishing marks of truth:

1.     Truth comes (from God).  Truth is (divine).

2.     Truth reigns (supreme).  Truth is (absolute).

3.     Truth is (a fact). Truth is (objective).

4.     Truth stands as (truth).  Truth never (contradicts) itself.

The Gospel is above all. If it isn’t, then it loses its ability to change lives. In fact, if it isn’t, it isn’t the gospel anymore.

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Truth / Series: Faithful

Title: Why Settle for Second? 2 Cor.3:6-18

THEME: Unsinkable

TITLE: I Challenge You!

Scripture:  Various Scripture

I.    GOD AT A DISTANCE

Here’s a question for you: How religious do you want to be?

The background to the Scripture in Exodus 33:

·       God met Moses on the mountain

·       Moses comes down and breaks the tablets

·       Melts down idol and makes them drink it.

·       Issues a challenge.

II.   GOD IN THE PRESENT  

God says He can’t live in their midst. Why? (It was too dangerous for them).  Why? Because He would destroy them. His (holiness and justice for righteousness) would obliterate them.

The Tabernacle was a mobile tent. It contained several items vital to worship:

1.     An outer court where the Brazen Altar and Laver were located.

2.     There were 2 rooms in the Tabernacle itself:

3.     The Holy Place

1)     The Candlestick

2)     Table of Shewbread

3)     Altar of Incense

4.     Holy of Holies

1)     Ark of the Covenant

5.     These two rooms were separated by a veil which we are told was torn from top to bottom at the crucifixion.

Moses recognizes his own need for God’s presence. Exodus 33: 13-21

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Truth / Series: Faithful

Title: What is Truth?  Romans 1:16-17