2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Snapshots

TITLE: Look Out for Spies!

Scripture: Jude 1-16

    I.        THE CALL TO FOLLOW      

Jude is the half-brother of (Jesus) and the full brother of (James) mentioned in Gal. 1:19. He introduces himself as a (bondservant) of Jesus Christ.

Why did he write this book? Originally to write a positive letter: making every effort to write you about our (common salvation).  But he was hit with some alarming news: (false teachers) had wormed their way into the churches he was writing to.

   II.        THE CREEP WE MUST AVOID                

What creep were they to avoid? (Apostates) who lived corrupt lives and distorted the truth.

Why should we fight against false teachers?  (Main thoughts from Chuck Swindoll)

1.      Because their (doom is certain).  [Verses 5-7]

2.      Because their (tongues are blasphemous). [Verses 8-10]

3.      Because their (religion was empty).  [V.11]

4.      Because their (ways are godless). [14-16]

Series: Snapshots

Next Week: Get Your Act Together- Jude 17-25

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Snapshots

TITLE: Picture of Transparent Truth

Scripture: 3 John

“The eagle-eyed world acts as a policeman for the church…It becomes a watchdog over the sheep, barking furiously as soon as one goes astray…Be careful, be careful of your private lives…and I believe public lives will be sure to be right. Remember that it is upon our public life that the verdict of the world will very much depend.”  Spurgeon

   I.        A REPUTATION OF ENCOURAGEMENT                                  

What does he say about Gaius?

1.      He is praying for his (health)

2.      He was thrilled about the report.

  II.        A REPUTATION OF HARM               

What does he say about Diotrephes?

1.      His (personal ambition) is evident.

2.      His actions were (distorted).

   III.        A REPUTATION OF GOOD TESTIMONY 

What does he say about Demetrius?

1.      Everyone who knew him (vouched for him).

2.      His life (lined up) with the truth.

3.      He received John’s personal (stamp of approval).

Series: Snapshots

Next Week: Look Out for Spies! Jude 1-16

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Snapshots

TITLE: Picture of Tension Revealed

Scripture: 2 John

 I.        IMPORTANT ITEMS                                  

“Truth is so obscure in these times, and falsehood so established, that unless we love the truth, we cannot know it.” Pascal

Some important items:

1. 1. 1. 1.   There are some key words: truth, love, command, walk
         2. The letter is linked by 3 commands: (love each other): be on the lookout for (false teachers); and the command to (reject) false teachers.
         3. Several contrasts tie the book together.

John drives home important ideas about truth:

1. 1. 1. 1. Love is to be expressed in the (context of truth).
         2. Truth can be (experienced and known).
         3. Truth is (eternal).

II.        VITAL ELEMENTS               

1. 1. 1. God commands us (to love)
      2. God commands us to (hold to the truth).

Next Week: A Picture of Transparency- 3 John

A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE MOTHER’S DAY PANEL

Question: what woman or women in the Bible would you consider your hero?

Becca Anderson (via video)- Leah

Jill Curry (via video)- Esther & Lydia

Tami Grandi-Esther, Ruth or Hannah

Heather Keith- Ruth & Esther

Stephanie Nally- Esther

Erin Pendleton- Rahab

Kris Samick – Ruth

Thanks to the following ladies who also took part in the survey:

Amy Hamlin- Hannah

Janet Jones- Esther and Sarah

Cara King- Hannah, Sarah & Elizabeth

We all have had women who have touched our lives. Have you thanked them?

Happy Mother’s Day to all

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Snapshots

TITLE: Picture of True Forgiveness

Scripture: Philemon

One of the hardest struggled many, if not most, followers of Christ have is the issue of (forgiveness).

     I.        PAUL’S PRECEDENTS                     

(Slavery) was a given in Roman times. It is estimated there were about (60 million) slaves who shouldered the Roman workload.  They were (auctioned off). They were considered the (property) of the slave owner.

Paul’s precedents for forgiveness:

1.      Jesus’ story of the (prodigal son).

2.      The story of (Stephen).

3.      The story of (Jesus) Himself.

4.      (Paul)

   II.        PAUL’S PERSPECTIVE           

The love Paul had for Philemon is shown:

1)     Continued (prayers) for him.

2)     Prayer for a (spreading faith).

3)     Relishing the (friendship) they have.

Let’s take a look at forgiveness:

1.      Failure to forgive (imprisons) believers in their past.

2.      Failure to forgive produces (bitterness).

3.      Failure to forgive gives an (open door) to the enemy.

4.      Failure to forgive hinders (fellowship) with God.

Next Week: Mother’s Day

Title: Lessons Learned

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Truth Decay

TITLE: Eternity is Still Eternity

Scripture: Mt. 7:24-27

“There is one serious defect to my mind in Christ’s moral character, and that is that He believed in hell.” Russell

     I.        ETERNITY-THE UNDESIRED REALITY                                

How the NT describes hell:

·        A fiery lake of burning sulfur (Rev.21:8)

·        Everlasting destruction (2 Thess. 1:9)

·        Banishment from the presence of the Lord (2 Thess. 1:9)

·        The punishment of eternal fire (Jude 7)

·        A lake of fire (Rev.20: 13-15)

·        The wine of God’s wrath; torment with fire and sulfur (Rev.14: 9-10)

How did Jesus describe hell?

1.      Eternal punishment (Mt. 25: 46)

2.      A blazing furnace where “there will weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Mt. 13:50)

3.      A place where the fire never goes out (Mk. 9: 43)

4.      A place where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched (Mk. 9:48)

5.      Outer darkness (Mt. 8: 12 and others)

   II.        ETERNITY-THE DESIRED DESTINY              

Truth #1: At death, every person’s soul enters immediately and consciously into an (eternal existence).

Truth #2- That destination (cannot be changed).

Truth #3- Every person will one day be (resurrected) and live (forever) in a changed and indestructible body.

Next Week: Series:  Snapshots

Title: A Picture of Forgiveness- Philemon

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Truth Decay

TITLE: Alive is Still Alive

Scripture: 1 Cor.15: 50-58

 I.        SERIOUSLY? HE ROSE?                               

Most recent survey: 66% say they believe the biblical accounts of the physical resurrection of Jesus are completely accurate, 20% disagree, 14% not sure.

One thing very good atheists and very good Christians have in common: the central issue for these diametrically opposed groups is the (resurrection of Jesus Christ).

Arguments against the resurrection:

1.      The (swoon) theory.

2.      The (fraud) theory.

3.      The (wrong tomb) theory.

4.      The (dogs ate it) theory.

II.        SERIOUSLY. HE ROSE!             

If you and I are to have any hope for the future, it must rest in the truth that Jesus rose from the dead.  {See 1 Cor. 14, 17, and 19}

The resurrection is a (crucial belief) of the church.

One of the major themes of the NT is (eternal life for the Christ-follower).

Next Week: Series:  “Truth Decay”

Title: Eternity is Still Eternity- Mt. 7: 24-27

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Truth Decay

TITLE: The Cross is Still the Cross

Scripture: Is. 52: 13-53:12; 2 Cor.5: 13-21; Heb.9:11-22

     I.        THE DELUSION OF DENIAL                               

The progressives are taking a different approach to denial than simply saying, “(He didn’t die on a cross).”  The overwhelming belief about the crucifixion is that it was (cosmic child abuse).  Another says God didn’t set up the sacrificial system. (Man did). One says nothing need be done to appease a (hostile God).

   II.        THE CERTAINTY OF CLAIM

Key term: (penal substitutionary atonement).

1.      Atonement- (payment) must be made.

2.      Penal substitution- someone was (substituted) to pay the price.

Why is this wrong?

1.      (Sin) must be dealt with.

2.      God (hates sin) and (what it has done).

God’s holiness demanded what sin demands-(the just punishment), the death penalty.

Next Week: Series:  “Truth Decay”

Title: Alive is Still Alive- I Cor. 15: 50-58

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Truth Decay

TITLE: Sin is Still Sin

Scripture: Rom 3: 1-20; Gen. 3:1; I Cor. 15: 21-22

I.        COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SIN      

Salvation is designed to take us back to our original state- (without sin).

According to the Bible, sin is a lot more than just the violation of some impersonal, arbitrary, heavenly traffic regulation with a heavenly cop monitoring it.  It is a (breaking of a relationship), and even more, it is a (rejection of God Himself)-a push back against God’s rule, care, authority and right to run our lives.

According to progressives (affirming people’s potential) is more important than reminding them of their (brokenness).

Lurking in the background is a much more insidious false teaching: the denial of the (substitutionary atonement of Christ).

II.        UNCOMMON TRUTHS ABOUT SIN           

Rom. 3:23 -> Rom. 6:23 -> Rom. 7: 14-20

A simple definition of sin is (missing the mark).

There has and always will be a struggle between the (old and new) nature.

I Timothy 1: 15 should be our (daily battle cry).

Next Week: Series:  “Truth Decay”

Title: The Cross is Still the Cross- Is. 52: 13-53: 12; 2 Cor. 5: 13-21; Heb. 9:11-22

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Truth Decay

TITLE: Jesus is Still Jesus

Scripture: Mt.16: 13-17; John 1: 1-5, 14 

    I.        WHO JESUS IS…SO THEY SAY        

To a progressive, essential Christian doctrines are (always up for grab). They are open to (reinterpretation).

What are some popular ideas about Jesus?

1.      An (angry social justice advocate).

2.      A (model for living) rather than an (object of worship).

3.      He is (not divine). He is not the same as (Christ), but even Christ is only as old as the universe.  Rohr

4.      See the end of this sermon for a series of questions in which I will give a brief “taste” of how modern religions see Jesus.

A short recap: Jesus is only a (created being). He died because of (his life and teachings), not for the (sin of the world).

   II.        WHO JESUS IS…SO THE BIBLE SAYS             

A quick survey of John’s words:

1.      Jesus was with God (in the beginning).

2.      Jesus was (with God).

3.      Jesus was (God).

Two important Scriptures to consider:

1)     John 1: 4-5

2)     John 8: 23-24

Next Week: Series:  “Truth Decay”

Title: Sin is Still Sin- Romans 3: 1-20; Gen. 3; I Cor. 15:21-22