Category: Sermon Notes

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Branded!

TITLE: Hope

Scripture: I John 2: 18-27

Someone has said, “We can live 40 days without food, eight days without water, four minutes without air, but only a few seconds without hope.”

I.    THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HOPE                         

The concept of spiritual hope is like turning on a blazing light in a dark place. Hope immediately illuminates our outlook, uplifts our soul, and produces joy.

The significance of hope:

1.      It finds its beginning in the (unchanging God), who cannot speak anything but (truth).

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? And why disturbed within? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him.”

“We have this sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.” Heb. 6:19

2.      Hope is a gift of (divine grace).

3.      Hope is (revealed) in Scripture.

4.      Our hope comes from the (resurrection) of Jesus from the dead and the promise of His return.

II.   THE PICTURES OF HOPE                                

“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Mk.13:32

1)      The future hope we have brings us confidence- It is a relationship of (love).

2)      The future hope we have brings us confidence- It is a relationship of (trust).

“Hope is one of the theological virtues. This means that a continual looking forward to the eternal world is not a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is to do.” C.S. Lewis

NEXT WEEK: Series: Branded! (I John)

Sermon: Breaking the Law- I John 3: 4-10

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Branded!

TITLE: Black hats/White hats

Scripture: I John 2: 18-27

I.    THE GUYS IN THE BLACK HATS                        

“John is concerned not simply to challenge the counterfeit but to confirm the genuine.” Alistair Begg

Along with the (real) there will always be the (fake).

Underneath it all we ought to take it as (Looks can be deceiving).

Two things stand out as we begin this section of Scripture:

1.      It is the (last hour).

2.      The second standout is the word (antichrist).

Three identifiable characteristics of the black hats:

1)      They depart from the (fellowship) [v.19]

2)      They (deny) the faith. [Verse 22]

3)      They try to (confuse) the faithful. [Verse 26]

II.   THE GUYS IN THE WHITE HATS                               

Truth: Wherever there is a (fake), there is a (real article), a genuine.

2 John 4: “I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in truth.”

3 John 4: “I have no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in the truth.”

What are some characteristics of the white hats?

1.      They accept (the faith).

2.      They remain (faithful).

If would remain true to (Christ), we must remain true to (His Word).

NEXT WEEK: Series: Branded! (I John)

Sermon: Hope- I John 2: 28-3:3

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Branded!

TITLE: Resisting the Pull

Scripture: I John 2: 12-17

Sin NEVER delivers on its promises! It promises good things, but it delivers destruction, pain and death!

I.         The State of Affairs

We are all in the process of maturing…of growing…of being (sanctified). Here’re five reminders for us about spiritual growth:

1.)    Spiritual growth or a lack of it does NOT affect (God’s love for us).

2.)    Spiritual growth is NOT measured by the (calendar).

3.)    Spiritual growth is NOT only (intellectual).

4.)    Spiritual growth is NOT only (emotional).

5.)    Spiritual growth has NOTHING to do with outwardly successful (ministry activity).

II.       The State of the Heart

“…Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.”    -2 Timothy 4:10

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you to be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”   -1 Corinthians 10:13

The false promises of sin:

1.)    The (Lust of the Flesh)   –  “the cravings of sinful man” (NIV, 1984)

2.)    The (Lust of the Eyes)    –  “a craving for everything we see” (NLT)

3.)    The (Pride of Life)         –  “the boasting of what he has and does” (NIV, 1984)

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Branded!

TITLE: A New Kind of Love

Scripture: I John 2: 7-11

“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 that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

I.   LOVE AS AN OLD COMMANDMENT                       

From last week:

1.      Becoming a follower of Christ produces a desire to obey…There is a (submissive will).

“Real knowledge is not knowing something; it is knowing Someone, a Person.

2.      Becoming a follower of Christ produces an ability to love…There is a (Caring Heart)

Turn to Romans 13:8-10  (p.948)

II.  LOVE AS A NEW COMMANDMENT                              

Love is an (active term). It is the exact opposite of (indifference).

Love should be a (way of life).  Love’s presence is a sure indicator of (transformation), salvation, and the desire to live a (holy life).

The false teachers of that day relied on (intellect) by claiming a higher knowledge only for the enlightened people. But the Christians, who were mostly working class or slaves, demonstrated more love that the so-called enlightened ones. AND (that is the way it should be!).

To obey is (risky) love.

NEXT WEEK: Series: Branded! (I John)

Sermon: Resisting the Pull- I John 2: 12-17

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Branded!

TITLE: Unimpeachable Evidence

Scripture: I John 2: 1-6

Truth: our salvation is the most important thing about us. If we have it, we are wealthy beyond belief. If we don’t, we are most to be pitied.

I.    SPEAKING IN OUR DEFENSE                      

Read 1:9. It is important to remember that God will (secure our future) by forgiving us of our sin because He is (faithful to His promise) and because of the historic event on the (cross).

Verse 10 comments:

1.      No sin? We make Him out to be a (liar).

2.      The NT makes it clear that Christ-followers are no longer (slaves to sin).  Turn to Romans 6:12-14. (p.943)

We have an Advocate. Translates from the Greek word which means “one who comes alongside.”  In his Gospel, John used the same term. Translated (Helper or Comforter).

Propitiation? Means (appeasement) or satisfaction. John is saying Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross satisfied the (demands of God’s justice).  The OT word is (Mercy Seat).

Romans 3:23 says we have all sinned. Verse 25 adds “whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood.”

II.   EVIDENCE IN OUR DEFENSE                             

1.      Becoming a follower of Christ produces a desire to obey…There is a (submissive will).

An unchanged life is a sign of an (unchanged heart).

Real knowledge is not knowing something, it is in knowing Someone, a Person.

2.      Becoming a follower of Christ produces an ability to love…There is a (Caring Heart).

NEXT WEEK: Series: Branded! (I John)

Sermon: A New Kind of Love- I John 2:7-11

 THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: Branded!

TITLE: Mark it Down!

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-10

A brand is “what do people think of when they think of you, your product or your organization?”

I.   CERTAINTIES AND TESTS                     

John wrote this book to raise the bar on orthodox teaching and to counteract the heretical teaching of (Gnosticism). Gnosticism was a conglomeration of (pagan, Jewish, and quasi-Christian) systems thought. They taught our bodies are (evil) and the spirit was (good). They denied the (deity) of Jesus.

John gives his reads truth to combat the error:

1.      The Word of life is (Unchangeable).

2.      The Word of Life is (Historical).

3.      The Word of Life is (Relational).

Two tests of salvation John gives:

1)      Belief in God and the certainty of sin.

2)      Belief in the forgiveness of sins and confession.

II.   MARKS TO CHECK FOR                            

5 marks of authentic Christianity:

1.      Love (Deeply)

2.      Obey (Faithfully)

3.      Live (Authentically).

4.      Know (Completely).

5.      Believe (Confidently).

NEXT WEEK: Series: Branded! (I John)

Sermon: Unimpeachable Evidence- I John 2:1-6

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: I Am Fifth

TITLE: Weak is the New Strong

Scripture: 2 Cor.12: 9-10

I.    THE VALUE OF WEAKNESS                    

Why is knowing we are weak so valuable to God?  Because when we are weak, we (usually know it). That puts us in the position to be (used by God).

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” God is not interested in the high and mighty as much as He is look for men and women who are (sincere and humble).

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Is.40:29-31 (NIV)

God loves pouring His strength into (weak people), “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” 2 Cor.4:7

The (weaker) we become the (greater) God’s power is released in us.

II.   THE VIRTUES OF WEAKNESS                           

What was possibly Paul’s thorn in the flesh?

1.      Physical weakness. The thorn was a (physical limitation). It was designed to keep him (humble).

2.      Emotional weakness.

3.      Relational weakness.

The ultimate lesson is found in verse 9: God’s grace is available (to anyone) who wants it.

God not only wanted to display His grace in Paul’s life, He also wanted to display (His power) in Paul’s weakness.

NEXT WEEK: Series: Branded! (I John)

Sermon: Mark it Down! I John 1: 1-10

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: I Am Fifth

TITLE: Crazy People

Scripture: I Cor.4: 9-21

I.    THE DEFINITION OF A FOOL                    

The Greek word for fool is the word which translates into dull, sluggish, stupid or silly. The correct word we would and could us is (moron).

Four words Paul uses:

1.      In verse 9 we are (spectacles).

2.      In verse 10 we are (fools).

3.      In verse 11 we are (sufferers).

4.      In verse 13 we are (scum).

God is embracing the ridiculous!

II.   THE DESCRIPTION OF A FOOL                           

Some people in the Bible who would seem crazy:

1.      Abraham.

(Obedience) is easy when it fits into our plan or scheme. Abraham was willing to obey even though it was (crazy).

2.      Joshua.

3.      Namaan. 2 Kings 5.

Sometimes we are asked to take steps of (wild obedience) where we have no clue where it will end. Stop too soon and we miss out on God’s (phenomenal blessings).

4.      Gideon. Judges 6-7

It doesn’t matter the size of the army or the enemy coming against you when God is fighting the battle for you.

“And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land…they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.” Jer.1:18-19

5.      Isaiah. Isaiah 20.

We find one of the most bizarre requests recorded in the Bible. Isaiah is commanded to (strip naked) and walk through the city.

6.      Hosea.

Though we fail; we are (failures). Though we are unfaithful; God is (faithful).

NEXT WEEK: Weak is the New Strong- 2 Cor.12:9-10

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: I Am Fifth

TITLE: Who’s Your Daddy?

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-10, 15-29

“He (King Hezekiah) removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (and it was called Nehushtan).” 2 Kings 18:4

I.  DEFINING IDOLS           

An idol is representation of what we (honor, esteem, pay allegiance to) or worship. They are the things we live for apart from God-the things that motivate us. They are what we desire more than anything else, the things we replace God with. It’s the things we do or want to find significance, happiness and a feeling of worth.

Idols tell us we (can’t live without them). They demand our time, attention, effort, energy, and resources.

II.  REDEFINING IDOLS           

An idol is a (God-supplanter).

Christ-followers are to be (trend-setters) not (trend-followers).

What are the idols we struggle with?

1.      (Stuff). Matthew 6:19-21

2.      (Money). Matthew 6:24

3.      (Sex). 2 Tim.2:2

4.      (Technology).

5.      (Beauty).

6.      (Entertainment).

So what we are to do with them?

1)      The secret to crushing the idols of our hearts is (to crave God).

2)      It deflects our attention to that which is (truly important) and to Whom it really matters.

3)      We tend to become like the (things we worship).

NEXT WEEK: Crazy People I Cor. 4:9-21

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: I Am Fifth

TITLE: Through the Looking Glass

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

“I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Ghandi

I.   HOW ARE WE PERCEIVED?                   

Peoples’ views about Jesus matter because they tell us how clearly we are (representing God) and communicating His (message).

A word we would do well to learn: (sanctification). It means “to be set apart.”

What are people saying about us?

1.      “You Christians are so divisive. Why can’t you guys get along?”

2.      “Christians are no fun.”

3.      “Christians like to live in their own little bubbles.”

4.      “Christians are mean and hateful people.”

5.      “Christians are hypocrites. They’re two-faced.”

6.      “Christians don’t really care about me. They are in it for themselves.”

II.  HOW ARE WE TO PROJECT?                          

Three thoughts which are important:

1.      We need to train ourselves to think (Biblically).

2.      We need to understand what the world (believes).

3.      We need to (Love) God and people.

Paul’s thoughts for us from 2 Cor.2:14-17:

1)      We need to (follow the leader), not take the lead.

2)      We need to emit a (pleasant fragrance) of His influence in our lives.

3)      We need to (model the truth) no matter how inadequate; nor corrupt the message no matter how adequate we may appear.

Questions to ask:

·   Am I really depending on God to lead me? Am I sensitive to Him?

·   Am I living a triumphant life in Christ? Is He my focus?

·   How’s my smell?

·   How am I doing as a model these days? Am I being authentic?

NEXT WEEK: Who’s Your Daddy? Exodus 32:1-10, 15-29