Category: Sermon Notes

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: An Anchor

TITLE: Grounded

Scripture: Psalm 19:7-11

“If our Rock were not our Redeemer, we would be without hope. If our Redeemer were not our Rock, we might be afraid. Let us never forget that our redemption has in it the strength of the Mighty One.”

G. Campbell Morgan

I.    A LOOK AT MYTHS    

5 Myths about the Bible- Chris Bruno

Myth #1: The text and translation of the Bible is (completely unreliable).

Myth #2: The books of the Bible were (arbitrarily chosen).

Myth #3: The Bible is scientifically (ignorant and unreliable).

Myth #4: The Bible is (misogynistic).

Myth #5: The Bible is a random collection of (disconnected stories) and (inconsistent ideas).

II.   THE SOLID FOUNDATION                  

1.  Scripture is (perfect), reviving the soul.

2. Scripture is (trustworthy), imparting wisdom.

3. Scripture is (right), causing joy.

4. Scripture is (pure), enlightening the eyes.

5. Scripture is (clean), enduring forever.

6. Scripture is (true), altogether righteous.

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: An Anchor

Title: Faith or Feelings? Psalm 13

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: An Anchor

TITLE: Tandem

Scripture: Psalm 27:8-14

I.    THE DELUSION OF DEPENDENCE                                             
 

One of the sad results of sin is that it causes all of us at one time and in some way to buy into the (delusion of independence).

The Bible makes it clear that the quest for independence never leads to independence but to (bondage and slavery).

The key: Running away from (independence) and acknowledging our need for (dependence).

II.   THE PURSUIT OF DEPENDENCE                 
 

People are beings of (purpose). We are moved by (passions and desires).

“There is a way which seems right to man.” Pr.14:12; 16:25)

Waiting on God is not about God (forgetting, forsaking, or being unfaithful) to you and me. Waiting on God is a time for me to (grow stronger).

What are some bad habits we can adopt while waiting?

1.      We give way to (doubt).

2.      We give way to (anger).

3.      We give way to (discouragement).

4.      We give way to (envy).

5.      We give way to (inactivity).

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: An Anchor

Title: Grounded- Psalm 19:7-11

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: An Anchor

TITLE: My One Thing

Scripture: Psalm 27:4-8

I.    ESTABLISHING THE FOUNDATION                                            
 

We all look for it. What is “it?”  A (solid rock) on which to stand.

None of us wants to live a life of (constant upheaval).  David’s life was one of constant upheaval.  What was his secret? He had a (foundation). His greatest desire was to be in (presence of God).

·         Psalm 42 longing was like a (physical thirst).

·         Psalm 50 his presence flashes out in (perfect beauty).

·         Psalm 63 says their souls (were parched) like a waterless countryside.

II.   SURVEYING THE LANDSCAPE                
 

A partial list of “things I can’t live without”:

1)      (Power)

2)      (Approval)

3)      (Image)

4)      (Control)

5)      (Achievement)

6)      (Prosperity)

7)      (Work)

8)      (Children)

9)      (Religion)

10)  (Person)

11)  (Sports)

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: An Anchor

Title: Tandem- Psalm 27: 8-14

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: An Anchor

TITLE: No Fear

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-3

I.    THE RELEVANCY OF PSALM 27   

This is a psalm of:

1.      (Fear)

2.      (Danger)

3.      (Rejection)

4.      (Action)

There are four things which draw us to this psalm:

1)      Its (shock value).

2)      Its (regularity)

3)      Its (focus on Christ)

4)      Its call to (patient hope).

II.   THE REALITY OF PSALM 27       

Verse 1 describes God in three ways:

1.      The Lord is my (light).  See John 1:5

2.      The Lord is my (salvation). See Psalm 28:8

3.      The Lord is the (stronghold of my life).  See Pr.18:10

“It does not matter how great the pressure is. What really matters is where the pressure lies-whether it comes between you and God, or whether it presses you nearer His heart.” Hudson Taylor

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: An Anchor

Title: My One Thing- Psalm 27:4-8

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: Shedding Light on Christmas

TITLE: Keep Shining

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

I.    CHRISTMAS PAST    

A recap of this month: “Shedding Light on Christmas”

1.      “The Light Has Dawned”- Isaiah 9:2-7

2.      “The Unfiltered Light of Christmas”- Matthew 1

3.      “This IS the Light”- John 1:1-14

4.      “Dark Side/Light Side”- Luke 2: 10-11

Jesus was (born to die) in our place so that we who were dead would be (born again) to new life.

II.   CHRISTMAS PRESENT     

Peter reminds the followers of Christ they have (already been given) whatever they need to face (whatever they are facing).

We are who we are, not because someone (has bestowed it upon us), but because of what (God has given us). He gives us our (identity).

What is it that God has given us power to break free from?

1.      (Fear)

2.      (Regret)

3.      (Discouragement)

4.      (Denial)

5.      (Desire for control).

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/  Series: An Anchor

Title: No Fear- Psalm 27:1

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: Shedding Light on Christmas

TITLE: Dark Side/Light Side

Text: John 3:16; Rom.3:23

I.   THE WHAT    

The birth of Jesus was bad news.

The miracle of Jesus’ birth is God gave up everything.  Jesus was fully God and fully man and gave Himself to us in outrageous redemptive love.

II.  THE WHY   

God had to invade our world in the person of Jesus because there simply was no other way.

Why? Because our biggest problem is not our family or upbringing, nor is it historical or society or political or relational or financial or genetics. Our biggest problem is not what is outside us; but what is inside us.

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Uncharted / Series: Shedding Light on Christmas

Title: Keep Shining- I Peter 1:3-9

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: Shedding Light on Christmas

TITLE: This IS The Light!

Text: John 1:1-14

I.    THE REALITY OF ATTACKS                                          
 

Challenges to the Virgin Birth come from all angles:

1)      A prominent TV preacher: “I can neither deny nor affirm the VB. When I have something I can’t comprehend I just don’t deal with it.”

2)      Illegitimate son of a Roman soldier and Mary

3)      Natural born son of Joseph and Mary.

4)      Theology professor- no difference if really happened or not.

Here is the major question: What are they so afraid of?

II.   THE REASON FOR THE ATTACKS              
 

The VB is the line of (demarcation). It separates those who believe in a (supernatural Christ) from those who believe he was just a (good man), a (moral teacher), a revolutionary, or a prophet.

The claim: His life did not begin with his (birth or conception) but that He was in the beginning.

What does the VB mean?

1.      Jesus was born by (direct action) of God. Mt.1:20; John 1:1-3

2.      (No man) was involved in the process.

3.      Jesus had an (earthly mother) but no (human father).

4.      Jesus was fully (human) and fully (divine).

5.      Jesus was (without sin).

Three conditions must be met for Christ to be our Savior:

1)      He must be a (man).

2)      He must be an (infinite) man.

3)      He must be an (innocent) man.

Jesus (was) and (is) and (always will be) the Son of God.

NEXT WEEK:   Christmas at Abram Farm

Title: Dark Side/Light Side

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: Shedding Light on Christmas

TITLE: The Unfiltered Light of Christmas

Text: Matthew 1:1-17

I.    THE BEAUTY OF THE LIGHT                                         

“Christmas is not simply about a birth but about a coming.” Tim Keller

The Gospel is (Good News), not (Good advice).

There is a difference between advice and news. Advice is (counsel) about what you must do. News is a (report) about what has already been done. Advice urges us to (make something happen). News urges us to (recognize something has already happened). Advice says it is (up to us). News says (someone else) has acted.

Christianity is not primarily about (self-improvement). It is not just a place to get (inspiration and guidance) for life. It is a (message of salvation).

II.   THE TRUTH THE LIGHT REVEALS             

The Gospel turns the world’s values (upside down).  Five women:

1. (Tamar)

2. (Rahab)

3. (Ruth)

4. (Bathsheba)

5. (Mary)

What does this teach us?

God takes and accepts (outsiders).

God may (take his time) but he (keeps his word).

NEXT WEEK:   Series: Shedding Light on Christmas

Title: This IS the Light!  John 1:1-14

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: Shedding Light on Christmas

TITLE: The Light Has Dawned

Text: Isaiah 9:2-7

I.    THE NEED FOR LIGHT                                         
 

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who well in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.” Matt. 4:16

How is the world a dark place?

1)      “Darkness” refers to both (evil) and (ignorance).

2)      No one know enough to (cure the evil and suffering) in it.

II.   THE LIGHT HAS DAWNED            
 

How does Isaiah describe the light?

“The government will rest on His shoulders.” Jesus came to liberate us from the (bondage of the enemy) and the drag of living as a (slave to this world).

The NAMES OF MESSIAH given by Isaiah:

1.      Wonderful Counselor. Sin reduces us all to (fools).  As the Wonderful Counselor, Jesus comes to rescue fools (from themselves).

2.      Mighty God.  Sin doesn’t just render us fools; it also renders us (unable).  “Greater is he who is in me than He who is in the world.” I Jn.4:4

3.      Everlasting Father. Jesus lavishes His love on us in (fathering care). We are no longer homeless, unloved vagrants. We are, instead, loved (sons and daughters).

4.      Prince of Peace.   Peace on earth starts with (our relationship to God).

NEXT WEEK:   Series: Shedding Light on Christmas

Title: The Unfiltered Light of Christmas- Matthew 1:1-17

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: Staking Your Claim

TITLE: Awe

Text:  Deut.6:4-15

We are hard-wired for (worship).

I.    THE BIG PICTURE                                        

Mark 12:29-30: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”

A helicopter view of awe:  (Paul David Tripp)

1.      Awe is everyone’s (lifelong pursuit).

2.      God created an (awesome) world.

3.      God has created us with awe in our (sights).

4.      Where you look for awe will shape the (direction of your life).

5.      Every created awe is meant to point us to the (Creator).

6.      Awesome stuff (never satisfies).

II.   THE FOCUSED PICTURE

Worship is (honor and adoration) to God.

Worship is a lifestyle involving three dimensions:

1)      The outward dimension.  Reflected in how we (behave toward each other).

2)      The inward dimension. This involves our (personal behavior).

3)      The upward dimension. Is our focus (Godward)?  Heb.13:15: “Through him then let us  continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God; that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”

“He…who can no longer pause to wander and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.”  Albert Einstein

We have not been saved to (stay out of hell); we have been saved to (worship the One) who saved us.

NEXT WEEK:   Series: Shedding Light on Christmas

Title: The Light Has Dawned- Isaiah 9:2-7