Category: Sermon Notes

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: Courage

TITLE: Lest We Forget

Text:  Joshua 4:1-5:12

I.    AN ARK OF CONNECTION                        
 

The ark symbolized (God’s presence) among the people. Even more. With this incident at the Jordan, they were saying (God Himself went before them).

What did the ark symbolize?

1.      God’s (sovereignty, power, or rule)

2.      God’s (holiness)

3.      God’s (justice)

4.      God’s (unchanging character).

II.   STONES OF REMEMBRANCE                          
 

Three reasons for the memorial:

1)      Because road ahead would be (hard) and sometimes (discouraging).

2)      Children often forget the (faith and instruction) of parents.

3)      Testimony to the (existence and nature) of the one True God.

III.  AN ACT OF CONSECRATION
 

Why put the people through this? (Obedience)

Two acts of consecration:

1.      (Circumcision)

2.      (Passover)

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Uncharted   Series: Courage   Ryan East preaching

Title:

Scripture:

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: Courage

TITLE: Commander-in-Charge

Text:  Joshua 1:10-18; 5:13-16

“It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.”

“True courage is being afraid, and going ahead and doing your job anyhow.”

“I’ve managed to convince my wife that somewhere in the Bible it says, ‘Man cannot have too many shotguns and fishing poles.”

I.    HIS TRACK RECORD                       

Significant event #1: Exodus 17:8-16

Significant event #2: Mount Sinai

Significant event #3: Joshua and Caleb

Significant event #4: Numbers 27:18-23

II.   HIS WILLINGNESS TO SUBMIT                         

In this fifth chapter of Joshua, for once, the people, the leadership, and the God of Israel seem to be functioning in (harmony).

It is at this point Joshua, possibly more than at any other time, realizes he is (not alone).

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Uncharted   Series: Courage

            Title: Lest We Forget

            Scripture: Joshua 4:1-5:12

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: Courage

TITLE: Grace Abounding

Text:  Joshua 2

I.    GRACE APPLIED                      

A very important fact: God is (sovereign).

What does that mean?

1.      God is (Creator of all).

2.      God is not (limited).

3.      He (knows everything).

4.      He is the (ruler of all). He is (Omniscient). He is (Omnipotent). He is (Omnipresent). He is (afraid of nothing).

“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man: I will question you, and you make it known to me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.” Job 38:2-4

II.   GRACE ACCEPTED                        

5 women of questionable reputation and background:

1.      OUTCAST #1: (Tamar)

2.      OUTCAST #2: (Rahab)

3.      OUTCAST #3: (Ruth)

4.      OUTCAST #4: (Bathsheba)

5.      OUTCAST #5: (Mary)

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Uncharted   Series: Courage

Title: Commander-in-Charge

Scripture: Joshua 1: 10-18; 5:13-16

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: Courage

TITLE: Transition

Text:  Joshua 1:1-9

I.   THE CALL TO FILL THE GAP                     

The book of Joshua is not just the story of (a man); it is also the story of (a nation) coming into its own. It’s the story of transition from (nomads) to (permanent citizens).

Deuteronomy 1:2-3 has one great big takeaway: (God’s purposes do not change).

II.   THE CONDITIONS TO FILL THE GAP                       

Four parts to Joshua’s commissioning:

1.      He was (to know) God’s Word.

2.      He was (to talk) about God’s Word.  [Verse 8a]

3.      He was (to meditate) on God’s Word. [Verse 8b]

4.      He was (to obey) God’s Word. [Verse 8c]   See also Psalm 1:1-3

Call to Courage #1: Be strong and courageous because of the (promise of the land).

Call to Courage #2: Be strong and courageous because of the (of God’s Word).

Call to Courage #3: Be strong and courageous because of the (promised presence of the Lord).

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Uncharted   Series: Courage

Title: Grace Abounding

Scripture: Joshua 2

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: True North

TITLE: Finishing Well

Text:  Hebrews 12:1-3

“Don’t throw away your confidence…you have need of endurance.” Heb.10:35

I.   WE ARE CALLED TO FINISH WELL                    

The Greek word for “run” is agon. We get our word agony from it.

There are two differences in our spiritual race from life’s race:

1.      There is an (individual course) laid out for each one of us.

2.      We are not (in competition) with anyone else.

The word endurance means (steady determination).

II.  WE MUST BE DETERMINED TO PREPARE                      

How do we prepare?

1)      We follow the (example) of the heroes of the faith.

2)      Realize this race we run is filled with (distractions).

3)      (Disqualification) is a real possibility.

4)      (Keep your eyes) on Jesus.

NEXT WEEK

Theme: Uncharted Series: Courage

Title: Filling the Gap

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: True North

TITLE: The Anchor

Text:  Hebrews 11: 32-39; Luke 23:46

I.    GOD OFTEN (EMPOWERS) THE WEAK TO BE STRONG                    

There are times we must (turn the other cheek); there are times when we need to (stand up to wrong); and there are times we need (to sell).

The life of faith is NOT one (continual victory) after another.

Gideon’s story is of a man who found it difficult (to trust God).

Barak’s story is one faith (overcoming reluctance).

They both show us is not where we begin our journey but where we allow God (to take us).

Samson shows us it (never too late) to trust God.

Jepthah shows us we can (overcome our past) to be used by God.

II.   GOD OFTEN (SUSTAINS) THE WEAK TO BE STRONG                      

Bible examples of verse 35, 39:

1.      Elijah

2.      Elisha

Bible stories of God sustaining the weak:

1)      Micaiah

2)      Jeremiah

3)      Isaiah

4)      Zedekiah

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Uncharted   Series: True North

Title: Finishing Well

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: True North

TITLE: Homeward Bound

Text:  Hebrews 11:13-16, 32-40

I.    WHAT EXACTLY IS HOPE?                   

Hope is one of those (quests) we all experience as humans, and it may be the most formative one. It forms our (thoughts) and even our (hearts). The thing we place our hope in will influence the way we (interpret and respond) to life.

True statement: if our hope is not connected to (forever), our hope will somehow (die).

II.   HOW DOES HOPE AFFECT OUR FUTURE?                        

For hope to be hope, it must carry with the promise that all which is broken will be repaired, and that it will remain repaired forever.

How are faith and hope intertwined?

1.      Faith enables us to face the (fact of death).

2.      Faith lives in this world with an (eye to the sky).

1)      Faith and hope see the (promise of heaven).

2)      Faith and hope see the (values of heaven).

3)      Faith and hope receive the (approval of God).

3.      Faith and hope will (bring us home) at last.

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Uncharted  Series: True North

Title: The Anchor

Scripture: Hebrews 11:32-39; Luke 23:46

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: True North

TITLE: Stress Test

Text:  Hebrews 11:8-19

I.   THE INCIDENTS OF TESTED FAITH                  

Each of us is faced with one of two ways to live: One is to live by (sight), to base everything on what we can see. The other is to live by (faith), basing life primarily on what we cannot see.

A snapshot version of Abraham’s faith-building life:

1.      His call to go. Verse 8. When called Abraham was a (heathen). Joshua 24:2 tells us he served other gods.

2.      His need to wait. The full story is found in Genesis 14 and following.

II.  THE LESSONS FROM TESTED FAITH                       

The proof of Abraham’s faith was his willingness to (give back to God) everything he had, including (his son), the son of promise.

In his test comes some lessons for us:

1)      Faith is (refined) in the crucible of testing.

2)      Refined faith leaves a (legacy).

Faith does not eliminate (human frailty).

Faith does not eliminate (human weakness).

Faith does not eliminate (hardship).

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Uncharted  Series: True North

Title: Homeward Bound

Scripture: Hebrews 11:13-16, 32-40

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: True North

TITLE: Staying Power

Text:  I Corinthians 15: 12-19

The problem with many of us is we get eternity amnesia and therefore are guilty of forgetting forever.  Here is the truth: without eternity Christianity makes no sense. If all that sin has broken won’t be forever fixed someday, then there is no hope now and no hope in the hereafter. Between the “Now” and the “Not yet.”

I.    IT TELLS US WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN LIFE

The resurrection of Jesus and the hope of forever give us a sense of priority and measurement.

The greatest difficulty we face is not outside of us, it is inside of us.

II.   IT HELPS US APPROACH EVERYDAY EVENTS DIFFERENTLY

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” I Cor.15:58

III.  IT TEACHES US DELAYED GRATIFICATION

“And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls…they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord.” Jer.1:18-19

“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord, for the display of his splendor.” Is.61:3  (NIV)

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Uncharted  Series: True North

Title: Stress Test

Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-25

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: True North

TITLE: Fool or Wise?

Text:  I Corinthians 1:18-2:5

A little bit of history:

·         (Lordship salvation)

·         (Seeker) movement

·         (Emergent) movement

·         (Word of Faith) undermining it all.

·         NAR (New Apostolic Reformation)

I.    I REAFFIRM THE NECESSITY OF THE CROSS

When a man elevates (his own wisdom) he automatically attempts to lower (God’s wisdom). Salvation is case in point:

1)      Man’s = (works-oriented); God’s = (cross-centered).

2)      Man’s = (me-centered); God’s = (Christ-centered).

3)      Christ’s death is (central) to salvation.

II.   I REAFFIRM THE NECESSITY OF GOD’S WISDOM

1.      God’s wisdom is (superior).  [v.18]

2.      God’s wisdom is (permanent). [vv.19-20]

3.      God’s wisdom is (powerful). [vv.21-25]

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Uncharted  Series: True North

Title: Staying Power

Scripture: I Corinthians 15:12-19