Category: Sermon Notes

 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

 THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Grace

TITLE: Wake Up!

Scripture: I Cor.15:10; Gal.2:15-21

“I must always understand the grace I am daily given and extend that grace to the people in my life.” Tripp

WAKE UP…

I.   TO FANTASY    

“I do not at all understand the mystery of grace-only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.” Anne Lamott

“What left a mark no longer stings, because grace makes beauty out of ugly things.” U2

I have had fantasies about (God). Put Him in a (bubble).

We need to wake up from the delusion that (it all depends on us).

“The gospel is only good news if it announces what God has done to save sinners.” Boice & Ryken

THE GRACE OF GOD HAS NEVER WAITED FOR US TO MAKE THE FIRST MOVE!

II.  TO FACT      

Human wisdom is empty and dull. Human (religion) is also.

1.      Grace is (not approval).

2.      Grace is (not earned).

3.      Grace is (God’s acceptance of us at Christ’s expense).

G(od’s) R(iches) A(t) C(hrist’s) E(xpense)

NEXT WEEK: Theme: I am Fifth

Series: Grace

Title: Freedom!! John 8:31-38; I Cor.7:21-23

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Branded!

TITLE: The Man God Uses

Scripture: I Cor.1:27-28; Pr. 10:9; Ps.78:72

I.    START WITH A CHECKUP

“God is not so much concerned about your ability, but your availability.”

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Ps.139:23-24

The development of a strong Christian character is the development of a man (after God’s own heart).  Your character is who you are (when no one is looking) and what you are (willing to stand for) when someone is looking.

II.   SYMPTOMS TO LOOK FOR

1.      (Holiness).  The man of God needs to be free of sinful thoughts, destructive emotions, impure motives, unclean images, and questionable activities.  Can’t be done by our own efforts! It can only come through (the work of the Holy Spirit) in our lives.

2.      (Pure Heart).  Means to be sincere.

3.      (Contrite Heart). A contrite heart is one that is (humble and repentant) before God. “For you will not delight in sacrifices, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Ps.51:16-17

4.      (Reverence and awe) toward God.

5.      (Faithfulness).  “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, looking for men who are fully committed to Him.” 2 Chron.16:9

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: I am Fifth

 Series: Grace

                         Title: Wake Up! I Cor. 15:10; Gal. 2:15-21

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Branded!

TITLE: Candid Truth

Scripture: 3 John

I.   ABOUT GAIUS’ FAITHFULNESS  

The word truth appears 5 times in the opening section.

The word beloved appears 4 times.

John’s prayer for Gaius is he will prosper (physically) just as he is prospering (spiritually).

Psalm 119:71: “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.”

II.   ABOUT DIOTREPHES’ PREEMINENCE   

This section could be better titled Diotrephes’ (DESIRE FOR) Preeminence.

One of the defining characteristics of every sinful human heart is (pride). Pr. 21:4: “Arrogance and pride-distinguishing marks in the wicked-are just plain sin.’

What could cause a leader to act as Diotrephes is acting? (personal ambition).

III.  ABOUT DEMETRIUS’ TESTIMONY

Demetrius had three impressive references:

1.      Everyone who knew him (vouched for him).

2.      His life lined up with (the truth), which testified on his behalf.

3.      John gave him his (personal stamp) of approval.

“Having a good conscience so that, when you are slandered those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” I Peter 3:16

NEXT WEEK:  The Man God Uses- I Cor. 1:27-28; Ps.78:72; Pr.10:9

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Branded!

TITLE: Living With Limits

Scripture: 2 John

I.    THE LIMITS OF TRUTH

These two brief letters of John emphasize the priority of (truth). Jude, although not written by John, speaks about the need to (contend for the truth).

1.      Truth limits (love).

The reference to elder was not so much age but (spiritual oversight) of the church.

It is important to realize love is good, real good. But truth should never (be compromised) for the sake of love.

2.      Truth controls our (walk).

II.    THE LIMITS OF LOVE  

In verse 7 John removes the imposter’s white fleece and reveals their true identity: (deceiver and antichrist).  They are part of the Gnostic heresy. Matter was evil and spirit was good. Therefore, they accepted some form of Christ’s deity, but denied his humanity.

WE BELIEVE section on our website. {Please check it out}

Two applications:

1)      Love and truth can (coexist).  “Our love grows soft it is not strengthened by truth, and our truth grows hard if not softened by love.” John Stott

2)      We need both (discernment) and (discrimination) to capture life and happiness.

NEXT WEEK:  Candid Truth- 3 John