Category: Sermon Notes

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

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Branded!

TITLE: The Future of Love

Scripture: I Cor. 15:12-19, 50-57

I.   THE MAIN EVENT                             

“After more than 700 hours studying this subject and thoroughly investigating its foundation, I have come to the conclusion that the resurrection of JC is one of the most wicked, vicious, heartless hoaxes ever foisted on the mind of men, OR it is the most fantastic fact of history.”

“Why couldn’t I refute Christianity? For a very simple reason: I am not able to explain away an event in history-the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Both from Josh McDowell

Consequences if not physical resurrection:

1.      Christ would not be (risen). Verse 13

2.      Preaching would be (meaningless). Verse 14a

3.      Faith in Christ would be (worthless). Verse 14b

4.      All those who represent Christ or witness of Him would considered (liars).

II.  THE GRAND FINALE                                     

What do we know about heaven?

1)      Heaven will be a place of pure and endless (pleasures).  “In His presence is fullness of joy; at His right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Ps.16:11

2)      Heaven will be a place of unbridled (joy and fulfillment).  “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Is.35:10

Rev. 21:4-5

            More of what we know about heaven:

1.      The (Father) is there.

2.      (Jesus Himself) will be seated at the right hand of the Father

3.      Many (brothers and sisters) in Christ will be there too.

4.      Our names are (recorded there).

5.      Our (citizenship) is in heaven.

To sum it up: everything of (eternal worth) is in heaven.

NEXT WEEK: Series: Branded! (I John)

Sermon: Rest Assured- I John 3:19-24

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Branded!

TITLE: The Act of Love

Scripture: Isaiah 52: 13-53: 12

I.    “I DID THIS FOR YOU”                            

Isaiah has what are called (Servant Songs). These Servant Songs are prophecies about Messiah who is coming. Here Messiah is called (God’s Servant)-the Savior who rescues us from sin’s death grip and gives us a new, blessed life.

52:13-15 show us what Messiah came for: it was His (mission).

II.   “I KNEW THIS WAS COMING”                                    

Jesus told His disciples what was going to happen:

1)      Matthew 16: 21-23

2)      Matthew 17: 22-23

3)      Matthew 20: 17-19a

4)      Matthew 26: 1-2

5)      Matthew 26: 6-13

III.  “I DID ALL THAT WAS NEEDED”

The principle behind those words (John 19:30) is Christ died to (complete the work) God gave Him to do.

“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” 2 Cor.5:21 (NLT)

NEXT WEEK: Series: Branded! (I John)

Sermon: The Future of Love- I Cor.15:12-19, 50-57

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Branded!

TITLE: The Book of Love

Scripture: I John 3: 11-18

I.    THE UNDENIABLE EVIDENCE OF LIFE                           

What was the difference between Abel’s sacrifice and Cain’s?

(Faith) is always the response to God’s Word of promise and command. God revealed His will to the brothers. Abel responded in faith and Cain did not.

Proverbs 21:3: “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”

“For you will not delight in sacrifice, 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

II.   THE UNDENIABLE EVIDENCE OF LOVE                                  

Verse 16 affirms and confirms for us that (genuine love) is the outstanding mark of the Christian life.

“Greater love has no man than this, than a man would lay down his life for his brother.’

This gives way to something we try to avoid but need to give serious thought to: the whole issue of (surrender).

“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” I Sam.15:22

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.” Jim Elliott

NEXT WEEK: Series: Branded! (I John)

Sermon: The Act of Love- Isaiah 52:13-53:12

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Branded!

TITLE: Breaking the Law

Scripture: I John 3: 4-10

I.   A UNIVERSAL FACT                          

John cuts to the chase. His rule? NO (excuses) and NO (exceptions)!!

Two primary biblical definitions of hope. One is “missing the mark” and the other is “without righteousness.” Weaving its way into the fabric of both is a basic truth: sin is a (transgression of God’s law).

II.  A FUNDAMENTAL TRUTH                                 

The primary reason for Jesus’ coming was in order to take away (sin) and its (punishment).

Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross provided forgiveness for all sin for all time, how inconsistent it is then to keep on sinning as though it is unimportant.

III. A LOGICAL DEDUCTION

“Keeps on sinning” and “continues to sin.” John is not talking about people who fail. The one who goes on sinning is the one who sins (with a stiff neck).

It is not that people who become Christians never sin again, but they will not live as they did, because no one who sins habitually or consistently in the pattern of the unsaved person has seen Him or knows Him.

Verse 9 is clear: no one who is born of God makes a (practice of sinning).

NEXT WEEK: Series: Branded! (I John)

Sermon: The Look of Love- I John 3: 11-18