Category: Sermon Notes

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian

Title: Have To or Want To?

Scripture: James 1:13-18

I. A PROPER RECEPTION TO THE WORD

How can we hear and understand the Word?

1. Quick to (listen). See also Pr.17:28 and 29:20
2. Slow to (speak).
3. Slow to (get angry).
4. Pursue a (pure heart).
5. Humbly (accept the Word). See also Gal. 5:23

II. A PROPER REACTION TO THE WORD

The difference:

1. (Doers) involves the whole person
2. (Hearers) speaks of a person who sits passively

How can we tell if we are doer or just a hearer?

1. There is no divorce between the truth and (our tongue).
2. There is no divorce between the truth and (the needs of others).
3. There is no divorce between the truth and (our witness to the world).

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian
Series: Choosing One over Another
Scripture: James 2:1-13

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian

Title: Tripped by Temptation

Scripture: James 1:13-18

I. WHO IS TO BLAME?

4 facts about temptation we need to know:

1. Temptation is always (present in life). (v.13a)
2. Temptation is never (prompted by God) (v.13b)
3. Temptation follows a (consistent process). (vv.14-15)
4. Temptation flourishes on (inconsistent thinking) (v.16)

II. HOW CAN WE WIN?

4 ways to prepare ourselves for handling temptation;

1. (Quick to listen) (v.19a) See also Pr. 29:20
2. (Slow to speak) (v.19b)
3. (Slow to get angry) (v.19c-20)
4. Have a (clean heart) (v.21)

Round off: (Living what we believe) (Vv.22-27)

• Don’t just (look into a mirror).
• Don’t just (claim to be religious).
• Don’t (dismiss) orphans and widows.
• Don’t (compromise) morally or spiritually.

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian
Series: Have To or Want To?
Scripture: James 1:19-27

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian

Title: The “perfect” Woman

Scripture: James 1:4 and varied Scripture

I. PERFECT? WHO’S PERFECT?

The word perfect is better rendered (mature).

II. EXAMPLES OF PERFECTION

Example #1: the mother of Moses (Ex. 1:8-2:10) Name: (Jochebed)
Here is what she showed:

1. (Courage) (2:2)
2. (Creativity) (2:3-9a)
3. (Care) (2:9b-10)

Example #2: the woman who saved her husband’s neck- (Abigail)
Here is what she showed:

1. She saw and responded to David’s (need).
2. She (interceded) for her husband.
3. She expressed her (devotion to the Lord).

Example #3: two women in Jesus’ life- (Mary & Martha)
What can we learn?

1. Sometimes better to set things aside and be in the (presence of Jesus).
2. We need to (balance our priorities).

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
Series: Tripped by Temptation
Scripture: James 1:13-18

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

Title: The “Perfect” Christian

Scripture: James 1:1-12

I. INTRODUCING JAMES

Introducing the book

Introducing James:

1. 5 mentioned. Most believe this is Jesus’ half-brother
2. Did not believe (Jesus was the Messiah)
3. What changed him? (The resurrection)

II. INEVITABIITY OF TRIALS

Two inescapable truths about trials:

1. They are (inevitable). (v.2)
2.They have a (purpose). (vv.3-4)

What James has to say:

1. God is (sovereign) over our trials.
2. We learn to grow in His (likeness). (Rom. 8:28-29)
3. We learn to trust His (wisdom). (v.5)
4. We learn to live for His (reward). (v.12)

“He who has a why to live can bear with almost any how.”

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
Series: The “Perfect” Woman
Scripture: Select Scripture

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

Title: The Satisfying Savior

Scripture: Eccl. 3; 2 Cor. 5:1-10; Ezekiel 1:4-28

I. A SCRIPTURAL VIEW OF DEATH

Ecclesiastes 3 view of death:

1. (Fatalism) (Vv.1-9)
2. (Skepticism) (Vv.10-11)
3. (Hedonism) (Vv.12-13)
4. (Deism) (Vv.14-17)
5. (Evolutionism) (Vv.18-19)
6. (Universalism) (Vv.20-22)

What does the Bible say?

1. Absent from the body, present with the Lord. (2 Cor. 5:8)
2. Fully justified, fully pardoned (Rom.5:1; 8:1)

II. A SCRIPTURAL VIEW OF HEAVEN

Pictures of heaven in the Bible:

1. Ezekiel 1:4-28
2. Pictured by John in Rev. 4 & 5
3. Revelation 21

The best part? Forever in the (presence of God and the Lamb) around His throne.

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
Series: The “Perfect” Christian (Book of James)
Title: Troubled by Trials
Scripture: James 1:1-12

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

Title: The Show-Me Savior

Scripture: I Cor. 12:12-27

I. THE CHURCH AS AN EMPTY FRAME

What is the primary purpose of the church? (to glorify God).

What is our frame to be like?

1. Side #1- A (worshiping) community.
2. Side #2- A place to (receive instruction).
3. Side #3- A (fellowship).
4. Side #4- (True expression).

II. THE CHURCH AS A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE

Some humorous descriptions of a church:

1. The (donkey) church.
2. The (racehorse) church.
3. The (mule) church.

How are we to look?

1. We use our gifts (properly). (Verse 1-11)
2. We seek (unity) not (division). (Verses 12-13)
3. We see to (work together) without (judgment). (Verse 14-27)
4. We have (compassion and care) for each other. (Verses 25-26)

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
Sermon: The Satisfying Savior
Scripture: 2 Cor. 5:1-10; Ezekiel 1:4-28

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

Title: The Sending Savior

Scripture: Mt. 28:16-20; Acts 1-2

I. COMMISSION TO A MISSION (Mt. 28:16-20)

5 essential elements to fulfilling the mission:

1. (Availability)- (V.16)
2. (Worship)- (V.17)
3. (Submission)- (V.18)
4. (Submission)- (V.19-20a)
5. (Power)- (V.20b)

II. CONFIRMATION OF THAT MISSION (Acts 1:1-11; 2)

Two words to note:

1. Baptize- Passive voice indicates entirely a (divine action).
2. Power- not in speaking in a foreign language but in the (resurrected Christ).

What happens in Acts 2?

1. The followers of Jesus were (one-minded).
2. The Spirit came. Proof came in three ways: It was (audible). It was (visible). It was (oral).

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
Sermon: The Show-me Savior
Scripture: 1 Cor. 12:12-27

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

Title: The Surprising Savior

Scripture: John 19:38-20:10

I. THE MIRACLE OF MIRACLES

The Easter message has been distilled into one sentence: Jesus came back to life after he died.

What others religions say about hope:

1. 1. 1. 1. Judaism- Abraham died at a “ripe old age.”
         2. Buddhism- “When he died, nothing whatever remains behind.”
         3. Islam- Mohammed died at 61 and no one has seen him since.
         4. Christianity-Founded by Jesus, who is alive and well. The resurrection is the (central tenet) of the church today.

II. THE POWER OF BELIEF

“Faith is belief in testimony of credible witnesses.” A belief not based on facts is just a (wish).

What do we have to stand on?

1. 1. 1. 1. The witness of those who saw (Jesus alive).
         2. Affirmation of those who (penned the record) of the eyewitnesses.
         3. Those whom the eyewitnesses (convinced).

The resurrection is a crucial belief. See I Cor. 15:17-19. The resurrection is the (anchor point) for the cables that hold the Christian faith together. And that is why, when anyone wants to destroy Christianity they must first start with dismantling the truth of the resurrection.

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
Sermon: The Sending Savior
Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

Title: The Sin-Laden Savior

Scripture: Various Scripture for each thought

I. WHY IS IT CALLED THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST?

What is passion? Why was His passion unique?

1. More than a mere (human).
2. He was (innocent).

What is not important is who killed Jesus. What IS IMPORTANT is that He (chose to die).
The death of Jesus is the doorway to most fantastic part of the story: (the resurrection).

II. WHAT DID IT ACCOMPLISH?

6 reasons for the death of Jesus:

1. To absorb the (wrath of God). Romans 3:23-25
2. For the (forgiveness of sin). Eph. 1:7
3. To become a (ransom for many). Mk. 10:45
4. To (reconcile us) to God. 2 Cor. 5:17-19
5. To take away our (condemnation). Rom. 8:34
6. To free us from the (slavery of sin). Heb.13:12 and Rev. 1:5-6

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
Sermon: The Surprising Savior
Scripture: John 19:38-20:10

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

Title: The Sold-Out Savior

Scripture: Various Scripture

Two Failures, Two Roads — Peter’s Denial and Judas’s Betrayal Text:
Matthew 26:69–75; Matthew 27:1–5; Luke 22:31–32

“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, Was blind but now I see… Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ‘Tis grace has
brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”~ John Newton (1725-1807)

1. 1. Peter’s Denial: Failure Out of Fear (Matthew 26:33)
   2. Judas’s Betrayal: Failure Out of a Hardened Heart (Matthew 27:1-5)
   3. Both Men Felt Remorse (Luke 22:26, Matthew 27:5)
   4. Peter Turned Toward Jesus (Luke 22:31–32)
   5. Judas Turned Away in Despair (Matthew 27:3-5)
   6. The Danger of Despair (Romans 5:20)
   7. Warning and Hope

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
Sermon: The Sin-Laden Savior
Scripture: Various Scripture for each thought