Category: Sermon Notes

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: Staking Your Claim

TITLE: Jesus, Continued

Text:  John 16: 1-15

I.    THE DILEMMA WE FACE                                     
 

3 possible reasons for the dilemma:

1)      A lack of (learning).

2)      A lack of (leaning).

3)      We can’t understand the (mystery of the Trinity) so we just give up.

II.   THE DETAILS WE NEED TO KNOW        
 

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Is.9:6

One thing I know: the Spirit and the Word are (inseparable).

Two extremes people take:

1.      Some pursue (experience) apart from the Word.

2.      Some seeks to know and obey the (Word) without any interaction with, or real dependence upon, the Spirit.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

1.      The Holy Spirit is a (person).

2.      The Holy Spirit is (God).

3.      The Holy Spirit is (eternal and holy).

4.      The Holy Spirit was never to (draw attention) to Himself.

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Uncharted   Series: Staking Your Claim

Title: Returning to Reclaim- Rev.2:1-6

OVCF’s 14th Anniversary celebration!!

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: Staking Your Claim

TITLE: The Rock

Text:  Matthew 16: 13-18; John 14:6

I.   WHY THE CONFUSION?                                    
 

“All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man on earth as much as that One Solitary Life.”

II.   WHAT DOES JESUS SAY?       
 

“Jesus Christ is the most compelling, interesting, and remarkable person who ever lived. He is exactly who he claimed to be, precisely who the Bible teaches that he is-God in the flesh, the King of kings and Lord of lords.” (Superheroes Can’t Save You-Miles-p.3)

Jesus made a very (exclusive) claim.  He was very, very clear: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

What did Jesus say about Himself?

1.      He (came down) from heaven.

2.      He was (God).

3.      He was (sinless)

4.      He (forgave sin).

5.      He was the (only way) to heaven.

Who do the writers of the NT say He is?

1)      According to Jesus He is the (“I Am”).

2)      According to Matthew He is (the Christ).

3)      According to Mark He is the (Son of God).

4)      According to Luke He is the (Servant of the Lord).

5)      According to John He is the (Word)

6)      According to Paul He is (Lord)

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Uncharted   Series: Staking Your Claim

Title: Jesus, Continued  Text: John 16:1-15

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: Staking Your Claim

TITLE: The Bigness of God

Text:  Is.44:6-8, 21-28; Ex.3:1-15

“A god small enough to be understood is not big enough to be worshipped.” Evelyn Underhill

I.    CONFUSED THINKING

If we (diminish) God in any way, such a God cannot (sustain) faith.

What we (think) about God determines (everything else) in our lives: what we value, what we pursue, and how passionately we pursue it.

UN-BOXY THINKING

Many of us have never grasped that God is a being of (unfathomable) magnitude, wisdom, and goodness.  We have not (rejected) God; we have (reduced) Him.

Please turn to Isaiah 44 (page 604)

If our faith and belief in Him depends on us figuring out (all the answers), we’ll never possess faith. God is (far bigger) than our answers and if we have all the answers He is not God.

“This is the one to whom I will look; he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” Is.66:2

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Uncharted   Series: Staking Your Claim

Title: The Rock  Text: Matthew 16:13-18; john 14:6

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: Got Wisdom?

TITLE: Flying Blind

Text: Proverbs 3:1-12

Setting up the Main Thing:

1.)    A Father’s (Love) for and (Charge) to his Son (with a Promise)

NOT the “prosperity gospel” -> John Piper: “If God’s love for his children is to be measured by our health, wealth and comfort in this life, God hated the apostle Paul.”

2.)    Two Necessary Qualities that Must be Ingrained

a.       (Love) and (Faithfulness) (see Galatians 5:22 and Matthew 22:37-39)

b.       These are uncommon qualities that Paul says are a by-product of our relationship with Jesus – qualities that we can’t help but exhibit if the Holy Spirit lives in us!

Trusting God is the Main Thing:

(God’s Way v. My Way) – Which will I trust?

1.)    The (SADDEST) verse in the Bible – Judges 21:25 “Every man did what was right in his own eyes.”

2.)    The Logic of (Perspective): My way v. God’s way…

Two Examples of What “Trusting” Looks Like:

The first is an action on our part: We initiate it. The second is a reaction: It is a recognition and a response to what God is doing!

1.)    (Generosity) and Offering – Honor the Lord with your wealth

2.)    Cherish the Father’s (Discipline)

If we are to trust in the Lord with all our hearts, leaning not on our own understanding, we need look no further than the example Jesus left for us.

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: Got Wisdom?

TITLE: Stay Away!

Text:  Proverbs 6:12-19

“Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.” Gen. George C. Marshall

I.   STAY AWAY FROM THE INSINCERE                                  
 

Two things worth realizing:

1.      God sees through our (feigned sacrifice).  (Pr.15:8,29 and 21:3,27)  “he has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

2.      The wise person sees the danger of (duplicity).

II.  STAY AWAY FROM FRAUDS    
 

“When we ‘get even’ with someone, that is literally what we are doing-becoming even with them, that is, descending to their level of vengeance and losing whatever moral advantage we may have had.” Sydney J. Harris

What does God hate?

1.      Haughty eyes.

2.      A lying tongue.

3.      Hands that shed innocent blood.

4.      A heart that devises wicked plans.

5.      Feet that makes haste to run to evil.

6.      A false witness.

7.      One who sows discord.

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Uncharted   Series: Got Wisdom?

Ryan East preaching

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: Got Wisdom?

TITLE: Don’t Lose Control

Text:  Proverbs 14: 16-17, 29; 15:18; 16:32

I.    KNOW HOW TO RECOGNIZE ANGER                                  

5 Different degrees of anger:

1.      (Mild irritation).

2.      (Indignation)

3.      (Wrath)

4.      (Fury)

5.      (Rage)

II.   KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT ANGER   

A few negatives to consider:

1)      A quick temper ignites conflict even in situations that could have been easily reconciled.  “Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly; the prudent (wise) quietly shrug off insults.” 12:16 (MSG)  “Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.” 12:18 (NLT) “Short-tempered people must pay their own penalty. If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again.” 19:19 (NLT)

2)      A person without patience misses many opportunities if he had cooled off.

What does the Bible say about anger? See Ephesians 4: 26-27

1.      Anger is a (God-given) emotion.

2.      Anger is not necessarily (sinful).

3.      Anger must have (safeguards).

III.  KNOW HOW TO CONTROL YOUR ANGER

Here’s a catch-phrase to remember: DON’T NURSE; REVERSE.

1)      Anger always (alienates).

2)      Anger always (creates anger).

How can we manage our anger?

1.      (Resolve) to manage it.

2.      (Remember) the cost.

3.      (Reflect) before reacting.

4.      (Renew) your mind by focusing on Jesus.

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Uncharted   Series: Got Wisdom?

Title: Stay Away!

Scripture: Proverbs 6:12-19

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: Got Wisdom?

TITLE: Say What?

Text:  Proverbs 18:21

“I tell you, on the Day of Judgement people will give an account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned.”

Mt. 12:36-37

I.    THE POWER OF WORDS-USED WRONGLY                                  
 

“A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.”

Ben Franklin

Pr.12: 17-19.  “Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.” (NLT)

Some wrongful ways we use our words:

1.      (Deceitful flattery). “A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.” 26:28

2.      (Slander and gossip). “A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.” 11:13 (NLT)

3.      (Arguments, strife and angry words). 18: 6-7

4.      (Boasting and foolish talk). 17:27-28   “It is better to keep your mouth shut and thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.” Lincoln

5.      (Profanity and vulgarity).

II.   THE POWER OF WORDS-USED CORRECTLY  

“Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.” Pr.12:18 (NLT)

What kind of words bring a positive message?

1)      Our words should be (honest). “Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.” 12:19 (NLT)

2)      Our words should be (wise and sound). “The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom …The lips of the wise spread knowledge…A wise man is he who listens to counsel.” (10:31a; 15:7a; 12:15b)

3)      Our words should be (faithful). “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” 27:6 (NIV)

4)      Our words should be (encouraging).  “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” 16:24 (ESV)

5)      Our words should be (under control).

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Uncharted   Series: Got Wisdom?

Title: Don’t Lose Control!

Scripture: Proverbs 14:16-17, 29; 15:18; 16:32 & more

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: Got Wisdom?

TITLE: Pull Up a Chair

Text:  Proverbs 6:1-15

I.    DON’T GET ENTANGLED                                 
 

The basic story of wisdom: (Don’t cosign a loan).

“Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into own mold, but let God re-make you so that your whole attitude of mind is changed.” Rom.12:2 (Philipps)

How do we engage? In Jesus’ day there were 4 possibilities:

1.      Pharisees- (legalists)

2.      Sadducees- (liberals)

3.      Zealots- (rebels)

4.      Essenes- (withdraw)

II.   DON’T BE LAZY  

Webster’s definition:  1) a tough skinned mollusk that has no shell and secretes a mucous for protection; 2) a slow, lazy person, a sluggard.

What Proverbs says about a sluggard:

1)      The sluggard will not (make up his mind).

2)      The sluggard will not (finish things).

3)      The sluggard will (face things) as they are.

III.  DON’T BE DIVISIVE

“Sincerity has an openness of heart; we find it in very few people.”

ESV uses the word “worthless” to describe a sneaky, disruptive person. In the NT it is the same word used for (Belial).

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Uncharted   Series: Got Wisdom?

Title: Say What?

Scripture: Proverbs 18:21

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: Got Wisdom?

TITLE: The Wise and the Otherwise

Text:  Assorted texts from Proverbs

I.   THE WISE                                
 

1.      Wise people (listen to wise instruction).

“Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.” 1:5 (NLT)

2.      Wise people (fear the Lord).

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” 1:7

 “Be not wise in your own eyes.” 3:7

“Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.” 15:16

3.      Wise people (choose good company).

“Walk with the wise and become wise, associate with fools and get in trouble.” 13:20 (NLT)

“A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” 12:26 (NIV)

4.      Wise people are (“not edgy”).

5.      Wise people (watch their words).

“A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.” 16:23 (NIV)

“Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.” 10:19 (NLT)

6.      Wise people seek to influence others to (trust God).

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise. 11:30

“The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends.” (NLT)

II.  THE OTHERWISE
 

Words used to describe the one who chooses the wrong path:

1)      (Wicked)

2)      (Simple)  “A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his

steps.” 14:15 (NIV)

3)      (Scorner) “Scoffer is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with

arrogant pride.”   21:24

1.      Fools won’t learn from (God’s Word).

2.      Fools can’t (control their speech).

“The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.” 15:2 (NKJV)

3.      Fools can’t (control their temper).

“A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.” 12:16 (NLT)

“A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.” 29:11 (NKJV)

4.      Fools are (proud and self-confident).

“Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” 28:26

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can know it?” Jer.17:9

5.      Fools (create problems) not solve them.

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Uncharted   Series: Got Wisdom?

Title: Pull Up a Chair

Scripture: Proverbs 6:1-19

All Scripture is English Standard Version (ESV) unless otherwise indicated

NLT- New Living Translation

NIV- New International Version

NKJV- New King James Version

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: Got Wisdom?

TITLE: The Case for Purity

Text:  Proverbs 5; 6:20-35

“Do not bite at the bait of pleasure ‘til you know there is no hook beneath it.” Thomas Jefferson

“Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed, they did not know how to blush.” Jer.6:15

I.    THE WARNING AGAINST SEXUAL SIN                                
 

The Gospel calls us to both (form and freedom), both (structure and liberation).

The father warns his son of two specific ways we can be tempted to fall:

1)      (Words)

2)      (Looks)

II.   THE BATTLE AGAINST SEXUAL SIN
 

To summarize chapters 5-7:

1.      Chapter 5 tells us sexual sin is eventually (disappointing).

2.      Chapter 6 tells us sexual sin is gradually (destructive).

3.      Chapter 7 tells us sexual sin is ultimately (deadly).

Lessons to learn about battle against sexual sin:

1)      Lesson #1: See the (end) not just the (beginning).

2)      Lesson #2: The Father’s love and the woman’s “love” is (different).

3)      Lesson #3: The enemy loves to play on our (vulnerability).

How do we fight it?

1.      If married, be satisfied with your spouse. (5:15-20)

2.      Be in a saving relationship with Jesus.

·         Claim God’s (forgiveness)

·         Make every thought (obedient to Christ).

·         Form a (new way of thinking).

·         Get by with (help from friends).  “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Eccl.4:12 (NLT)

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Uncharted   Series: Got Wisdom?

Title: The Wise and the Otherwise

Scripture: Assorted Scripture from Proverbs