Category: Sermon Notes

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Hills

TITLE: In The Beginning

Scripture: Romans 11: 33-36

“The fundamental question is whether God is real or imaginary. The underlying thinking of Darwinism is the assumption that God is out of the picture.” Philip Johnson

I.    FIVE FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS              

“No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than thoughts of God…But while the subject humbles the mind, it also expands it. He who often thinks of God, will have a larger mind than the man who simply plods around this narrow globe.” Spurgeon

#1: God has (spoken to man), the Bible is (His Word), given to us to make us wise unto salvation.

#2: God is (Lord and King) over the world; He rules all things for (His own glory), displaying His perfections in all that He does.

#3: God is (Savior), active in sovereign love through the Lord Jesus Christ to rescue us from the guilt and power of sin.

#4: God is (Triune); there are within the Godhead three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

#5: Godliness means responding to God’s revelation is trust and obedience, faith and worship, prayer and praise, submission and service.

II.   THREE UNEQUALLED QUALITIES                 

1.      His unparalleled (creativity).  Psalm 8:1-4,8 “The heavens, indeed the highest heavens, belong to the Lord your God, as does the earth and everything in it.” Dt.10:14 (HCSB) “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is sovereign over all, does not cry, ‘Mine!’” Kuyper

2.      His sovereign (knowing).

3.      His perfect (self-sufficiency).

NEXT WEEK: Theme: I am Fifth

Series: Hills

Title: The Invasion- John 1:1-3, 9-18

 THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Grace

TITLE: God is Still Good

Scripture: Romans 8:26-39; John 11

I.    IF YOU BELIEVE YOU WILL SEE             

We spend way too much time in the land of the (“if only’s”).

God’s grace can redeem anything, even the (worst of time).

4 parts to Romans 8:28-29:

1.      The Promise is based on (fact), not (feeling).

2.      The Project is (God’s), not (ours).

3.      God’s Plan is (total), not (partial).

4.      God’s Purpose is (good), not (evil).

II.   THE GLORY OF GOD’S PROMISE                

Two truths to keep in mind:

1)      You can know God’s grace is working in your pain to (draw you closer) to Jesus.

2)      You can know God’s grace is working in your pain to (make you more) like Jesus.

Questions Paul answers from verses 31-35:

1.      The question of (protection). Verse 31

2.      The question of (provision). Verse 32

3.      The two questions about (guilt and grace). Verses 33-34

4.      The question about (endurance). Verse 35.

NEXT WEEK: Theme: I am Fifth

      Series: Hills

                          Title: in the Beginning- Romans 11: 33-36

 THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Grace

TITLE: More Power to Ya!

Scripture: 2 Cor.12:1-10; John 11

“Christians tell me they don’t know what to say, and then they open their mouths to prove it.”

“Hurting people are petty people.”

I.    THE WEAKNESS OF THE THORN            

“It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.” Tozer

“We must first be limited in order to become limitless.” Kyle Idleman

The lesson Paul learned in 2 Cor. 12 was (God’s grace was enough).

II.   THE POWER OF THE THORN               

Important principle to remember: When the (pain) is real, (God’s presence) is just as real.

“The principle that tells us why devoted followers of Christ can’t ignore or explain away the pain of feeling ignored by God works both ways: the deeper the (relationship), the deeper the (hurt).

Jesus isn’t ignoring your pain; He’s feeling it. He’s not ashamed of your tears; He’s weeping with you. He’s not ignoring you or ashamed of you; He’s feeling and weeping right alongside you.

NEXT WEEK: Theme: I am Fifth

Series: Grace

Title: God is Still Good- Romans 8: 28-39

 THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Grace

TITLE: Stop the Bellyaching!

Scripture: Numbers 11: 1-15

Another incident worthy of attention is found in Deuteronomy 1:19-36

I.    WHAT COMPLAINING REVEALS           

Turn to Exodus 16: 2-3

Manna means “What is it?” or “Whatever it is.”

What does complaining reveal? Calls into being 5 questions:

1.      Is God (good)?

2.      Will God do (what He promised)?

3.      Is God (in control)?

4.      Does God have the (needed power)?

5.      Does God (care about me)?

II.   HOW COMPLAINING IS HEALED             

Philippians 2:14: “Do all things without grumbling or questioning.”

Complaining keeps us focused on what we wish (was different) than being thankful for (what we have).

Gratitude reminds us that God’s grace is (sufficient for all things).

Awe produces (gratitude), gratitude instills (joy), and the harvest of joy is (contentment).

NEXT WEEK: Theme: I am Fifth

  Series: Grace

                      Title: More Power to Ya! 2 Cor.12:1-10; Psalm 46; Gal.6:1-5

 THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Grace

TITLE: Don’t Get Mad. Get Even???

Scripture: I Samuel 25

I.   THE INSULT      

Nietzche- “Revenge is the greatest instinct in the human race.”

This was an insult of the highest order;

1.      It was a (cultural) thing.

2.      It was a (gratitude) thing.

3.      It was a (foolish) thing.

II.  THE INTERCEPTION            

David’s response showed two things:

1)      What kind of man he was

2)      His heart still (beat for God).

Abigail’s wise advice:

1.      David needed to consider the (source of his problem). Nabal was a (fool).

2.      David needed to (count the cost). His God-given destiny was at stake.

3.      David needed to (consider his option). He could leave the revenge up to God or take matters into his own hands.

Wisely he takes Abigail’s advice: Leave (vengeance up to God).   We would do well to learn this truth: the desire for (justice) is not wrong: the desire for (revenge) is.

NEXT WEEK: Theme: I am Fifth

Series: Grace

Title:  Stop the Bellyaching! Numbers 11: 1-15

 THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Grace

TITLE: Kiss It Goodbye!

Scripture: Ephesians 4: 15-16, 26-32

I.   THE CHALLENGE WE FACE         

The challenge we face starts with the idea that we are supposed to (grow up).

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Is.43:18-19

II.  THE CHOICES WE MAKE           

What Forgiveness Isn’t:  (Shelia Walsh- The Storm Inside)

1.      Forgiveness does not say that what the person did was okay.

2.      Forgiveness does not say that you have to continue the hurtful relationship

3.      Forgiveness is not burying your head in the sand and pretending the offense didn’t happen.

4.      Forgiveness is not denying the pain.

5.      Forgiveness does not mean we don’t take the wrong seriously.

Forgiveness is not about removing someone else’s liability, but about (setting our own hearts free).

The words used in Ephesian 4:31:

1)      Bitterness reflects a (smoldering resentment).

2)      Wrath has to do with (wild rage).

3)      Anger is (internal smoldering).

4)      Clamor is a shout or outcry and reflects (loss of control).

5)      Slander is the ongoing (defamation of character).

Three options we have:

1.      Repress them.

2.      Rehearsed them.

3.      Release them.

NEXT WEEK:      Theme: I am Fifth

Series: Grace

Title: Don’t Get Mad; Get Even??? I Samuel 25

 THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Grace

TITLE: A Two-Way Street

Scripture: Matthew 18: 21-35

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.” Eph. 4:31 (NLT)

I.    GRACE RECEIVED        

Sadly, carrying around junk has begun to (identify you), it has begun to (define you).

This incalculable, unpayable debt represents the (debt for sin) every one of us (owes God).

Something greater happening here: the second slave is asking for (the same grace) he received only to a much lesser degree.

II.   GRACE GIVEN          

“See that no one misses the grace of God.” Heb.12:15  The rest of that verses says, “that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many come defiled.”

Grace needs to be the (core value) of any church. Churches are to be marked by grace, flooded by grace, known for grace.”

When you forgive, two things happen:

1.      You become free

2.      They no longer (control you)

Stop thinking about what’s been done (to) you, and start thinking about what’s been done (for) you.

NEXT WEEK: Theme: I am Fifth

Series: Grace

Title: Kiss It Goodbye! Ephesians 4:15-16, 26-32

 THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Grace

TITLE: Let It Go!

Scripture: Psalm 51: 1-2, 7-12

I.     NAME THAT PRISON       

Difference between shame and guilt. We feel guilty for (what we do). We feel shame for (what we are).  A person feel guilty because he did something wrong. A person feels shame because he is something wrong.

How do we get ourselves into this prison of shame?  (Repeat from last week)

1.      We (compare ourselves) to others.

2.      We weigh (the good with the bad).

“If the biggest sinner you know isn’t you, then you don’t know yourself very well.”  “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (I Tim.1:15)

II.    BEING RELEASED FROM PRISON         

We experience the grace of God on one of four levels:

1)      We experience grace as (pardon).

2)      We experience grace as (acceptance).

3)      We experience grace as (power).

4)      We experience grace as (gratitude).

Dangerous lies we tell ourselves: (From Born Free by Steve Brown)

1.      “I’m not in any pain.”

2.      “I must accept it.”

3.      “I deserve this pain.”

4.      “I can’t get out of here!”

5.      “I’m all alone in this pain.”

NEXT WEEK:  Theme: I am Fifth

Series: Grace

Title: A Two-Way Street- Matthew 18: 21-35

 THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Grace

TITLE: Who Needs It Anyway?

Scripture: John 4: 1-26; Romans 3: 21-31

I.    THE UGLY TRUTH      

Heb.12:15- “See that no one misses the grace of God.”

“When we miss grace things become toxic. Religion without grace is poisonous. A relationship without grace is poisonous. A church without grace is poisonous. A heart without grace is poisonous.” (p.15)  “When we miss grace, the poison of bitterness and anger will eventually become too much to keep buried. The poison of guilt and shame will eventually destroy your soul.” (p.16)  Idleman-“Grace is Greater”

“God’s grace is compelling when explained but irresistible when experienced.”

II.   THE BEAUTIFUL COLLISION        

What we do to deny our need for grace:

1.      We (compare ourselves) to others.

2.      We weigh (the bad against the good).

The woman at the well had some false assumptions about Jesus:

1.      She assumed Jesus (wanted nothing) to do with her.

2.      She assumed Jesus is more interested in (religion) than her.

3.      She assumed Jesus was making an offer (too good to be true).

NEXT WEEK: Theme: I am Fifth

Series: Grace

             Title: Let it Go! Psalm 51: 1-2, 7-12

 THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Grace

TITLE: Freedom!

Scripture: John 8: 31-38; I Cor. 7:21-23

I.   THE SOURCE OF THAT FREEDOM     

Here is what I know: God is (preeminent). God is (ultimate). God is the (main subject) of Genesis 1-2.

The word which comes to mind about God is (transcendent). That word means “surpassing, beyond comprehension, to exceed usual limits. That word insists God is not part of this creation but (sovereign over it).

“To whom will you compare me, that I should be like Him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who bring out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing.” Is.40:25-26

See Psalm 8: 3-4

II.  FREEDOM FROM THE SOURCE       

Genesis 1 emphasizes the transcendence of God. Genesis 2 the intimacy of God.  Moses changes the names of God.

·         In chapter 1 he uses (Elohim). The English word for God.

·         In chapter 2 he uses (Yahweh).

“Grace frees you from the dissatisfying claustrophobia of your individualism to enjoy the fulfillment of loving and serving God.” (Tripp in NMM-May 29)

Why have you been freed from burden of finding your own way? Because you don’t belong to you anymore.

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zeph. 3:17

NEXT WEEK:     Theme: I am Fifth

  Series: Grace

                          Title: Who Needs it Anyway? John 4:1-26; Romans 3:21-31