Category: Sermon Notes

 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

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Branded!

TITLE: Christian Certainties

Scripture: 1 John 5: 13-21

Christian Certainties

I.         So that you may know:

5 WORDS ABOUT CERTAINTY – God’s Word is…

1.      (Objective): it is NOT relative or subjective. It doesn’t change.

2.      (Rational): it is NOT mystical. You can approach it rationally and gain understanding.

3.      (Accurate): the Bible is God’s divine truth. It doesn’t contain mistakes.

4.      (Authority): the Bible’s authority is ultimate because of the Source. No authority is higher than God.

5.      (Incompatible): should something contradict the divine truth of the Bible, the Bible wins every time.

II.       Five things that genuine Christians can be certain of:

1.      (Eternal Life): “John wrote his gospel so that people might believe and be saved; he wrote his first epistle so that those who believe would know they are saved.” (MacArthur)

2.      (Answered Prayer): “thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” and “not my will but yours be done.”

3.      (Victory Over Sin): Christians do not live in a pattern of unbroken sin. Evidence of true repentance is change when it comes to sin. The Holy Spirit is the power behind the change.

4.      (That We Belong to God): There is no dual citizenship: James 4:4 “Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” There is no middle ground.

5.      (That Christ Is The True God): Jesus is the true God. He is the God-man, one with the Father. He is the one who lived to suffer and die as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. And we can know him and have eternal life because of that sacrifice.

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Branded!

TITLE: Genuine Faith

Scripture: 1 John 5: 1-10

GENUINE FAITH…

I.   IS EVIDENCED BY EXPRESSION

Overcomer comes from the word that means (to conquer), “To gain victory,” or “to defeat.”  Jesus used the word in John 16:33. Paul used it in Romans 8:37 when he wrote we “overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.”

The foundational mark of an overcomer is in verse 1: (believing Jesus is the Christ).

How is faith expressed?

1.      Faith is expressed in (love). [Verse 1b]  “Faith that does not lead to love is meaningless; love that is not based on faith is powerless.”

2.      Faith is expressed in (obedience). [Verses 2-3]

God’s heartbeat of love for us is (sacrifice).

3.      Faith is expressed in (victory). [Verses 4-5]

II.   IS GROUNDED IN TRUTH

The Greek construction of this passage emphasizes the (uniqueness of Jesus).  The incarnation of Jesus (God becoming flesh) is the (central truth) of redemption and the (foundation) of the Christian faith.

Water = Jesus’ (baptism)

Blood = Jesus’ (death)

Spirit = Holy Spirit, who is (the truth)

The Spirit of God takes the Word of God to make children of God.

NEXT WEEK:  Ryan East preaching- I John 5:11-21

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Branded!

TITLE: Mother’s Day

Scripture: Various

If any man is tempted to question the wisdom of God, it is only because that man has never paused long enough to consider God’s remarkable creation called woman. When God saw Adam alone it is the first time He said, “It is not good.” Eve was his crowning achievement. “And it was good.”

There are many, both in the religious world and non-religious world, who want to rip apart the Bible and its Author and authors as being chauvinists. God and His Word, the Bible, give women the highest place of honor. “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Pr.31:30)  That sure doesn’t sound like a putdown to me.

Amy Hamlin

Kim Henson

Diana Markland

Jo Grandi

NEXT WEEK:  Genuine Faith- I John 5:1-10

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Branded!

TITLE: Choosing to Love

Scripture: I John 4: 7-21

I.    BECAUSE LOVE REVEALS GOD’S CHARACTER                                

Beloved means (divinely loved ones). The word used is the same word for “love one another.” It is agape, which is a (self-sacrificing) love.

God by nature is love, and therefore He defines love; it does not define Him. Whatever we may think of love, God transcends it.

His love is manifest in the way He expresses His love and goodness to all. His love is expressed in His (compassion). His compassion is expressed in that He delays His (final judgment) against those who reject Him.

II.   BECAUSE LOVE REVEALS TO WHOM I BELONG                                         

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jn.13:34-35

John uses the word abide here. Check out how he uses it in John 15!!

We have nothing to worry about in the future: See verse 17. Three things result:

1.      We have (confidence).

2.      We have a (motive).

3.      We have a (warning).

Love for God is best expressed not in a song but in (selfless activity).

NEXT WEEK:  Words of Wisdom (Mother’s Day)

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Branded!

TITLE: Testing! Testing!

Scripture: I John 4: 1-6

I.    THE CALL FOR DISCERNMENT                               

“The Spirit has spoken expressly in the latter times some should depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons; speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared a hot iron.” (A.W.Tozer)

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.” 2 Tim.4:3

(Every follower) of Christ has the responsibility to test the spirits.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces in the heavenly places.” Eph.6:12

Psalm 119:11: “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

II.   THE GUIDELINES FOR DISCERNMENT                                        

There are three tests John sets forth for determining the truthfulness of a teaching:

1.      Theological: The confession of the (divine Lord). [2-3]

A rampant teaching in John’s day was known as (dualism).

2.      Behavioral: they possess the (divine life). [4-5]

3.      Professional: they profess the (divine law). [6]

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim.3:16-17 (NKJV)

NEXT WEEK: Series: Branded! (I John)

Sermon: Choosing to Love- I John 4: 7-21

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Branded!

TITLE: Rest Assured

Scripture: I John 3: 19-24

I.   APPROACHING GOD                              

Leave with this assurance today; know beyond a shadow of a doubt (you are saved).

What do I mean by “saved?”

1.      Every sin is (forgiven) and buried in the grave of God’s forgiveness.

2.      JC through the HS (comes alive) in us.

3.      When we die or when Jesus comes again, (heaven) is our home.

The big difference between many people is whether they choose to allow those thoughts to become an (albatross around the neck) or they whether they will rise above them knowing (God is greater) than all of that. That means we can approach God knowing He will not (condemn us).

II.  RESPONDING TO GOD                                       

How does a forgiven, assured follower of Christ respond?

1.      There should be (gratitude) in our hearts for (God’s grace). [v.20]

2.      We have (boldness) in prayer. [v.21]

3.      We willingly (submit) to God’s commands. [v.22b]

4.      We have a (firm faith) and (commitment) to Jesus. [v.23]

NEXT WEEK: Series: Branded! (I John)

Sermon: Testing! Testing!- I John 4: 1-6