Category: Sermon Notes

THEME: Uncharted

TITLE: Transformed

Text:  Jer. 2:11-13; Ezekiel 36:16-32; 37:1-14

“The world will never starve for want of wonders; but only for want of wonder.” G.K.Chesterton

I.    THE PROBLEM OF AMNESIA     

There is something God has placed in each of us, but something amnesia takes away: (AWE).

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

2.      God created an (awesome world) and us with the capacity to enjoy it.

3.      Where we look for awe will shape the (direction of our life).

4.      Misplaced awe will keep us (dissatisfied).

“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” Mk.8:36

What went wrong? Awe of God is every quickly replace by (awe of self).

Turn to Daniel 4 (p.270)

II.   THE CURE OF AMNESIA      

Turn to Jeremiah 2: 11-13. These verses tell us two evils they committed:

1)      They had (forsaken God).

2)      They pursued (God-substitutes).

Turn to Ezekiel 36 & 37.

The problem with many of us is we have (spiritual amnesia).

The only cure for our awe amnesia is (coming alive in the Spirit). It is the desire to be amazed, to be blown away, to be moved, and ultimately satisfied in our cravings to yearn for God.

NEXT WEEK: THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: Transformed

TITLE: All In- Romans 12: 1-2

THEME: I Am Fifth

TITLE: The Ultimate Trump Card

Text:  Matthew 22: 37-39; John 13:34-35

“Do not waste your time bothering whether you ‘love’ your neighbor: Act as if you did.”  C.S.Lewis

 “By this all people will know you are my disciples if you have love for one another.” Jn.13:35

I.   A MORE EXCELLENT WAY    

“When we are wrapped up in ourselves we make a pretty small package.”

Words mean (nothing) if there is no (action). Having a (powerful faith) is nothing if it does not motivate us (to love).

“They will never care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

II.   HOW CAN THEY KNOW?      

Romans 10: 17: “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”

“Christianity is enshrined in the life, but it is proclaimed by the lips.”

Unless we speak up some people may never know about the hope we have within us.

“Having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.” I Peter 3:16 (NKJV)

By living out the Gospel, we gain (credibility). By verbalizing the Gospel, we provide (clarity).

NEXT WEEK: Welcome to 2018!

THEME: Uncharted

SERIES: Transformed

TITLE: Amnesia- Jer.2:11-13; Ezekiel 36:16-32; 37:1-14

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Familiarity Breeds. . .

TITLE: Familiarity Breeds Answers

In MUSIC!

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Familiarity Breeds. . .

TITLE: Familiarity Breeds One Word

Scripture: Various Scripture

I.   JESUS   

Matthew 1:21: “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”   The name you give your child may not determine his or her destiny, but the name given to our Lord was part of (his destiny).

Without Jesus in the manger there is no (Christianity).

1.      The baby Jesus is not only the (central figure) in our manger scenes, He is also the central figure in our lives.  We struggle. “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincerer and pure devotion to Christ.” 2 Cor. 11:3

2.      Not only is Christ central, he is also (superior) to everything in heaven and on earth.

II.   NAMES

Isaiah 9:6 gives us 4 names:

1)      (Wonderful Counselor). Use of the word “wonderful.”

2)      (Mighty God).  Used in Is.10:21 and Jer.32:18. Use of the word “El.”

3)      (Everlasting Father). A unique description of Jesus.

4)      (Prince of Peace). Christ conquers all.

NEXT WEEK: Series: Familiarity Breeds…

TITLE: Familiarity Breeds Answers (in Music)

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Familiarity Breeds. . .

TITLE: Familiarity Breeds Excitement

Scripture: Micah 5:1-6; Luke 2:8-20

I.    WHAT EXCITED THE PROPHETS?  

A little bit of history for you:

• Martin Luther transformed the look of Christmas forever with lighted candles on trees
• Thomas Edison changed the way people lit their house in 1879
• 1882 Edward Johnson used electric lights on Christmas trees.

There were lights in the darkness long before that:

• Numbers 24:17 finds its fulfillment in Mt.2:1-2
• Isaiah 7:14 finds its fulfillment in Mt.1:18-25
• Micah 5:2 finds its fulfillment in Mt.2 & Lk 2
• Isaiah 11:1-3 finds its fulfillment in Mt.1:1-17; 3:16
• Deut.18:15-19 finds its fulfillment in Jn.7:40

There are more than (300) specific prophecies about the promised Messiah.  [See Heb.1:1-2] The prophecies focused on 3 absolutely essential truths: [Is.9:6]

1)      Messiah was the (Son of man)

2)      Messiah was the (Son of God)

3)      Messiah was the (King of kings)

II.   WHAT EXCITED THE ANGELS AND SHEPHERDS?    

Facts about shepherds:

1.      They were near the bottom of (the social ladder).

2.      Their (character) was questionable.

3.      They were (unclean).

NEXT WEEK: Series: Familiarity Breeds…

TITLE: Familiarity Breeds One Word- Various Scripture

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Familiarity Breeds. . .

TITLE: Familiarity Breeds Willingness

Scripture: Phil. 2: 5-11

I.    THE HEART AND SOUL OF WILLINGNESS

In the beginning there was (God). And, being God, he (created).

Psalm 8:3-9 (p.450-451)

We are told how God would handle the crisis. It is found in Phil.2:6-8. He would come as a (king in disguise). The king in disguise on (human scale). The Creator among (his creatures).

John 1:1-3, 14 (p.886)  Luke 1:31-33 (p.855)

II.   THE PICTURE OF WILLINGNESS   

There is a dark side to this whole picture.  Jesus knew he had come not to (just preach) the gospel of sacrifice, but also (to be) that sacrifice, yet he was (perfectly willing).

“So, here’s what the Christmas story is all about; a wiling Savior is born to rescue unwilling people from themselves because there is no other way.” Paul David Tripp in “Come Let Us Adore Him”

Jesus was willing to leave the splendor eternity to come to this broken and groaning world. He was willing to take on human flesh with all its frailty. He was willing to be born in an obscure town, in a smelly stable….He was willing to go through the dependency of childhood. He was willing to expose Himself to abuse, rejection, and distrust and a lot of other hardships by coming to this broken world. He was willing to do his Father’s will at every turn…He was willing to go through the pain of His Father’s rejection.

NEXT WEEK: Series: Familiarity Breeds…

TITLE: Familiarity Breeds Excitement – Micah 5:1-6; Luke 2:8-20

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Thanks

TITLE: I’m Thankful for His Plan

Scripture: Psalm 37: 23-24; 25:4-5; Hebrews 11:8-12

“When it comes to biblical examples of a pioneer spirit, there is no better place to start than with Abraham. With that indomitable faith of his, no obstacle loomed too large, no situation seemed too threatening. The man, though up in years, struck out on a journey into new frontiers that was so surprising, so extreme, his peers must have shook their heads in disbelief for months after he and his wife left.”  Chuck Swindoll

I.   THE PROMISE OF GUIDANCE                      

II.  THE PRACTICE OF GUIDANCE  

An interview with a modern-day “nomad.”

NEXT WEEK: Series: Familiarity Breeds…

TITLE: Familiarity Breeds Willingness- Phil. 2: 5-11; Heb. 1:1-3

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Thanks

TITLE: I’m Thankful for His Patience

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-18; Acts 17:22-31

I.    HIS PATIENCE TOWARD OUR SIN                     

To be fair and balanced: I really should say, “His patience toward (my sin).”

What blows me away: (God’s patience) for me. God’s patience makes Him a (merciful) God. Life as a follower of Jesus is not a (religion) but a (relationship).

One of the things Psalm 103 shows us is God’s love for His people (knows no limits). His love for His people is (immeasurable).

II.   HIS PATIENCE TOWARD OUR JUDGEMENT                        

If you were asked to list one characteristic of God you don’t like to hear about or think about it, what would it be?  (His wrath) would be at the top of the list.

God is a god of wrath. But he is also a God of (fairness and justice).

Some truths about God from Acts 17: 24-29:

1.      (Creator) Verse 24a.

2.      (Ruler) Verse 24b

3.      (Giver) Verse 25

4.      (Controller) Verse 26

5.      (Revealer) Verses 27-29

6.      (Patient) Verses 30-31

NEXT WEEK: I’m Thankful for His Plan- Psalm 37: 23-24; 25: 4-5; Heb.11: 8-12

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Thanks

TITLE: I’m Thankful for His Provision

Scripture: Luke 17: 11-19

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

I.   THE COMMAND TO BE THANKFUL                    

“You can successfully live life with an open hand.”

(Ingratitude) is one of the (ugliest) attitudes anyone can possess.

“Give thanks in all circumstance; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

I Thessalonians 5:18

Eph. 5:18-20 (Please turn there)

“For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.” 2 Cor. 4:15

II.  OVERCOMING INGRATITUDE  

1.      An absence of gratitude may well mean that you are (not really saved).

2.      Doubts about God’s (sovereign power).

3.      (Selfishness) and (discontent).

4.      (Critical spirit)

5.      (Impatience)

Breaking down Luke 17: 11-19

1)      1 out of 10 (returned).

2)      The one who did return was a (foreigner).

3)      The word for “made you well” is the word (saved).

One last word: the key to defeating ingratitude is (contentment). “My God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4: 19

NEXT WEEK: I’m Thankful for His Patience- Psalm 103: 1-18; Acts 17: 22-31

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Hills

TITLE: The Value of Who You Are

Scripture: Psalm 78:72; Mt. 25:36-46; Mk. 9:35

I.   WHAT YOU SEE      

“Leadership consists of two ingredients: strategy and character. If you must do one without the other, do without the strategy.” Norman Schwarzkopf

“A leader is not just someone who takes charge. A leader is someone who takes charge and does the right thing. It’s not enough to make a decision; it needs to be the right decision resulting from strong character. It is not enough to take action; it needs to be the right action, prompted by strong character.” Pat Williams in Leadership Excellence

Character is the key to (influence) and if you have a (good character), you can’t help but influence people.

Three false/illegitimate sources of influence:

1.      (Position)

2.      (Power)

3.      (Personality)

II.   WHAT YOU GET          

What, to you, is the single most important characteristic of a leader?

“Leadership is (serving), and (serving) is sacrifice.”

There are several motivations for serving:

1)      (Compassion). Needs to go beyond observation.

2)      (Guilt). Guilt-driven service the opposite of Jesus-driven service.

3)      (Force). “Community service hours”

4)      (Pride). Prideful service is never private service; it’s public service.

NEXT WEEK: I’m Thankful for His Provision- Luke 17:11-19