Category: Sermon Notes

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

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