Category: Sermon Notes

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: Icebergs

TITLE: Prison Life

Scripture: Genesis 39:21-40:23

I.    LIFE IN PRISON           

What are some things that keep people in prison?

1)     (Circumstances)

2)     (Others’ expectations)

3)     (Guilt)

4)     (Pessimism)

II.   RISING ABOVE PRISON LIFE  

Cupbearer’s main responsibility? (Protect Pharaoh).

In many ways he was the (most trusted) man in the kingdom.

Baker’s main responsibility? (Bake), of course.

Joseph’s ability to minister to these two was because he was free from (bitterness).

Joseph’s response to the invitation from Pharaoh:

1.     (Dignity).

2.     (Humility).

3.     (Faith).

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: Icebergs

Title: His Hardest Task: Genesis 42-45:15

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: Icebergs

TITLE: False Accusations

Scripture: Genesis 39

 “I can resist anything except temptation.” Oscar Wilde

I.    THE REALITY OF HIS SITUATION

With greater success comes greater measures of trust.

With a greater measure of trust also comes a greater measure of (vulnerability).

II.   THE REFUSAL OF HIS SUITOR   

She was shamelessly aggressive but Joseph made it clear he was not interested. He tells her way:

1)     His loyalty to (his master).

2)     His loyalty to (God).

4 requirements to resist temptation:

1.     Don’t be weakened by the (situation).

2.     Don’t be deceived by the (persuasion).

3.     Don’t be gentle with your (emotions).

4.     Don’t be confused by the (immediate results).

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: Icebergs

Title: Prison Life- Genesis 39:21-40:23

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: Icebergs

TITLE: A Marked Man!

Scripture: Genesis 39

“To be falsely accused and retaliate is natural; to be accused and remain in control is supernatural.”

I.    JOSEPH’S CULTURE SHOCK        

Previous two sermons have shown his life:

1)     (Family dysfunction)

2)     Dinah’s (rape)

3)     Jacob’s (favoritism)

4)     Joseph’s (arrogance)

5)     The brothers’ (betrayal)

Joseph and life in Egypt:

1.     Egypt shaped by the (Nile River)

2.     Started life as a (slave).

3.     Joseph’s (learning curve) unprecedented!

4.     Exposure to the (gods) of Egypt.

II.   JOSEPH’S LIVING TRUTH    

Absence of two things in verse 1:

1)     (Time)

2)     (Adjustments) he had to make

Edersheim, a Jewish historian, says, “In the house of Potiphar it went with Joseph as formerly in his own home. For it is not in the power of circumstances-prosperous or adverse-to alter our characters. He that is faithful in little shall also be faithful in much…Joseph was faithful, honest, upright, and conscientious.”

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive an inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Col.3:23-24

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: Icebergs

Title: False Accusations- Genesis 39

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: Icebergs

TITLE: Betrayed!

Scripture: Genesis 37

I.    THE SEEDBED FOR BETRAYAL          

The first seed for betrayal is Dinah being raped by (Shechem). When that happened Jacob (did nothing). Her two brothers,  (Simeon and Levi) took matters into their own hands.

The second seed for betrayal is Jacob’s (favoritism) of Joseph.

The third seed for betrayal is Joseph had a (big mouth).

Joseph’s critical errors in judgement:

1)     He lacked (discernment).

2)     He lacked (sensitivity).

3)     He lacked (maturity).

II.   THE CONSEQUENCES OF PLANTED SEEDS   

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” [Galatians 6:7]  That is an (unequivocally, irrevocable) law.

Their original plan was?

Their backup plan (thanks to Reuben) was?

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: Icebergs

Title: A Marked Man- Genesis 39

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: Icebergs

TITLE: Family Dysfunction

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-4

I.    THE ROOTS OF HIS FAMILY TREE                       

Abraham & Sarah

Isaac & Rebekah

Jacob & Leah and Rachel

Dinah, Simeon and Levi

II.   THE RUTS IN HIS FAMILY TREE  

Three primary issues between Joseph & his brothers:

1)     Joseph brings a bad report. We call that (tattle-telling).

2)     Joseph treated differently by Jacob. We call that (favoritism).

3)     Joseph shares his dreams. We call that (arrogance or brashness).

The roots for their feelings about Joseph began with Jacob loving (Rachel) more than (Leah).

Jacob made two serious errors:

1.     He sent the (wrong signals) to Joseph and his brothers.

2.     Jacob inflicted the (pain of rejection) on his other sons.

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: Icebergs

Title: Faithlessness- Genesis 37

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: Heroes

TITLE: For Such a Time

Scripture: Judges 4-5

I.    THE SITUATION OF THE PEOPLE   

“Leadership is the ability to get men to do what they don’t want to do and to like it.” Harry Truman

Jabin was king. His army was led by (Sisera). He had (900) chariots.

II.   ANSWERING THE CALL OF GOD

Not told much about Deborah. What we do know:

1.     She was a (prophetess).

2.     She was a (judge).

The highlights of chapters 4-5:

1)     There (was a need); Deborah filled it. [4:6-7]

2)     She filled the need; she (sought help). [4:6a]

3)     She sought help and got it; she had to (motivate the help). [4:6-9]

4)     She sought help; motivated it; then (developed a plan). [4:6b-7a]

“The Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army before Barak by the edge of the sword.” [4:15]  There is (no impossible) with God!!

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: Heroes

Title: Family Dysfunction- Genesis 37:1-4

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: Heroes

TITLE: No Little People

Scripture: Judges 3: 7-31

I.    OTHNIEL

If you were to sit down and read Judges all the way through you would say there is one unmistakable characteristic: (Second verse same as the first).

Several things about Othniel we can see:

1.     He had a solid (family background).

2.     He was a man of (proven ability).

3.     He was a man of (demonstrated courage).

4.     He was a man of (personal faith).

II.   EHUD

Details about Ehud:

1)     He was a (prominent) man.

2)     He was a man with a (limitation).

3)     He was a (courageous) man.

4)     He was a (careful, organized) man.

5)     He was a (spiritually committed) man.

III.   SHAMGAR

What do we know?

1.     His family was (messed up).

2.     He was a (peasant).

3.     He was a man of (courage).

LESSONS WE CAN LEARN:

            #1- God uses completely different kind of men/women.

            #2- God uses people who draw their strength from Him.

            #3- God uses people who step out in faith and trust Him.

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: Heroes

Title: For Such a Time- Judges 4-5

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: Heroes

TITLE: In The Pit With Lions

Scripture: Daniel 6 16-28

I.    THE LOOK OF INJUSTICE

When Daniel heard the edict of Darius he got down on his knees three times a day. Notice the words used: (As he had done previously).

“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.” John 17:14-15

“For this is a gracious thing, when mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly? For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.” I Peter 2:19-20

II.   THE LOOK OF VICTORY

Several issues come into play;

1.     Daniel’s refusal to compromise his integrity. (Just talked about)

2.     Daniel’s refusal to compromise his (walk with God).  Point to remember: When the crisis hit it did not (create) his disciplined lifestyle, it (revealed) it.

3.     Why didn’t God protect him?  “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Ps.34:19

“A greedy (some say arrogant) man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched (will prosper).” Pr.28:25

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: Heroes

Title: No Little People- Judges 3:7-31

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: Heroes

TITLE: Integrity Matters

Scripture: Daniel 6 1-17

I.    DANIEL’S LIFE EXPERIENCES

Chapter 1- The “test” of worth

Chapter 2- The interpretation of a dream

Chapter 3- The test of the furnace

Chapter 4- The truth of a prophecy

Chapter 5- The downfall of a kingdom

II.   DANIEL’S LIFE OF INTEGRITY    

Integrity defined as (who you are when no one’s looking)

Mark #1 of integrity: his (attitude).

Mark #2 of integrity: (faithful in work) See Proverbs 20:6-7

Mark #3 of integrity: (Personal purity)

Mark #4 of integrity: (consistent walk) with God.

What can we learn?

1.      Don’t expect to be (treated fairly), especially if you follow Jesus.

2.      Even though men will knock us, we will always have (God’s best).

3.      A consistent walk with God helps us (handle things much better).

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: Heroes

                            Title: In the Pit with Lions – Daniel 6: 16-28

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: Heroes

TITLE: We Won’t Bow Down

Scripture: Daniel 3

I.   THE KING’S IMAGE                                                           
 

History: the image was 60 cubits (90 feet) tall and 6 cubits (9 feet) wide.  The LXX (Septuagint) says Neb built this the 18th year of his reign…16 years after Daniel’s interpretation of his dream.

The fact they were not only commanded to bow down before the image but also to worship indicates more to this than worship. It indicates Neb now saw himself as a (god).

II.  THE FIERY TEST  

The charge against the 3 Hebrew boys was (treason).

The response of Neb was fast and furious:

1.      (Furious rage)- v.13

2.      Gives them (another chance) but then challenges any other god.

Their response is classic. It is one thing to believe God is able to come through, but they went even further with 4 words: (but even if not).

What can we learn from this event?

1)      God is (sovereign), whether the result of our obedience is triumph or tragedy.

2)      Suffering is (necessary), whether it seems fair or not.

3)      (Deliverance) makes an impression on both the righteous and unrighteous.

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: Heroes

Title: Integrity Matters – Daniel 6:1-17