Category: Sermon Notes

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

THEME: I Am Fifth

Series: I Am Fifth

TITLE: “I Am Fifth. Say What?”

Scripture: Acts 17:22-34

I.   THE REOCCURENCE OF BAD IDEAS     

“Where one man reads the Bible, a hundred read you and me.” D.L. Moody

“Preach the Gospel; when in doubt, use words.”

“Jesus said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.’ We often forget that Christianity is not a philosophy to be argued but a Person to be known. To be sure, our values stand in stark contrast to many in our culture…The real challenge is to build bridges, not walls.” Bobby Conway (P.17)

We live in an age of what is called (religious pluralism). That says no one religion (especially Christianity) holds the exclusive title to “absolute truth” (if there is such a thing).

You hear that is phrases like:

• It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere.
• As long as it works for you and makes you happy
• There is no such thing as ultimate (or absolute) truth.
• I believe there are many ways to God.

We used to live in an age of (creedal faith), meaning our beliefs direct and influence our attitudes and actions. Not today. Our beliefs are more influenced by (media).

The “family tree”:

1.      Deism says the only role God played was to (kickstart the universe). The after creating it, he (abandoned) it.

2.      Deism gave way to Darwinism and (natural selection).  A natural end of Darwinism is (eugenics), which concludes there are some inferior people.

3.      Marxism, Communism. Nihilism followed.

4.      Postmodernism which says, “You decide what is right and wrong.” There are (no absolutes).

II.   THE REVIVAL OF TRUTH                         

Paul’s approach is seen in verse 23. He started where they were. He makes the unknown known.

1.      As Creator, He can’t be contained. [v.24]

2.      As Origjnator, He has no needs. [v.25]

3.      Being Intelligent, He has a definite plan. [vv.26-27]

4.      Being the Sustainer, He is not dependent. [v.28a]

NEXT WEEK: Through the Looking Glass- 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

 THEME: It Is Written

Series: God’s Gift of Christmas

TITLE:  What the Birth Tells Us

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

I.    THE GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS, NOT GOOD ADVICE                 

Matthew begins with the words “This is the genealogy of Jesus Christ.”  He is grounding what Jesus is and does in history. He is not a metaphor. He is real.

Christianity is not about (self-improvement). It is not just a place to get some inspiration and guidance for life. It is a message you need to be saved, and you are not saved by what you can do but by (what has been done).

II.   THE GOSPEL TURNS THE WORLD’S VALUES UPSIDE DOWN                        

Matthew did not start with “Once upon a time.” The genealogy is saying, “This is who Jesus is.”

Five women are included in Jesus’ resume:

1)      Tamar, a Canaanite and a trickster

2)      Rahab, a Gentile and a harlot

3)      Ruth, a Moabitess (Gentile)

4)      Bathsheba, an adulteress

5)      Mary, a virgin who conceives out of wedlock.

III.  GOD MAY TAKE HIS TIME, BUT HE KEEPS HIS WORD

You cannot judge God by (our calendar).

“Thought the mills of God grind slowly…they grind exceedingly fine.”

THEME: 2017 theme: “I Am Fifth”

SERIES: I Am Fifth

NEXT WEEK:  “I Am Fifth. Say What? Acts 17:22-34

 THEME: It Is Written

Series: God’s Gift of Christmas

TITLE:  The Essential Gift

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14; Lk.1:26-38

I.    WHY SO IMPORTANT?                

“No other fact in the Christmas story is more important than the virgin birth. The virgin birth must have happened exactly the way Scripture says. Otherwise, Christmas has no point at all. If Jesus is simply the illegitimate child of Mary’s infidelity, or even if He is the child of Joseph’s natural marital union with Mary, He is not God. If He is not God, His claims are lies. If His claims are lies, His salvation is a hoax. And if His salvation is a hoax, we are all doomed.”

“The supreme mystery the gospel confronts us with is not the Good Friday message of atonement, nor in the Easter message of resurrection, but in the Christmas message of incarnation.” J.I.Packer

The virgin birth is an underlying assumption in everything the Bible says (about Jesus).

Plainly put: if we deny Jesus is God, we have denied the very essence of Christianity.

II.   WHY SO IMPACTFUL?                       

Why does it matter that Jesus was born of a virgin?

1.      The (identity and mission) of Jesus is very clear.

2.      Only (someone perfect) would be able to offer his life as a sacrifice; any other life would be just another human one.

3.      The virgin birth shows the (master plan) of God from the very beginning.

4.      The virgin birth is a (miracle).

The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity-hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory…”  Packer

SERIES: God’s Gift of Christmas

NEXT WEEK:  What the Birth Tells Us-Matthew 1: 1-17

 THEME: It Is Written

Series: God’s Gift of Christmas

TITLE:  No Longer an “It”

Scripture: Isaiah 9: 1-7

I.   THE ANTICIPATION OF A CHILD               

To the Jewish nation, Isaiah’s prophecy was news of a (coming King).

The names He is given are absolutely incredible. But there are three at the very beginning that clue us into who He really is:

1)      (Son of man)- “For to us a child is born” is a statement about His (humanity).

2)      (Son of God)- “To us a son is given” testifies to His (preexistent deity).  “Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Phil.2:6-7

3)      (King of kings)- “And the government shall be on His shoulders.” He would reign (forever).

II.   THE UNVEILING OF THE CHILD                      

1.      He is called the Wonderful Counselor- No (Confusion).   As a side: the word Wonderful is also the word (Beautiful).

2.      He is called the Mighty God- No (Chaos).  “God is not a God of confusion, but of peace.” I Cor.14:33

3.      He is called the Everlasting Father- No (Complexity).  As a side: the words Everlasting Father also means (Creator).  See Hebrew 1: 10-12

4.      He is called the Prince of Peace- No (Conflicts).  He offers three kinds of peace:

1)      He offers (peace from God).  This peace is offered to all who are recipients of (His grace).

2)      He makes (peace with God).  This peace is offered to all who are (surrender) to Him in faith.

3)      He brings the (peace of God).  “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hears and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil.4:7  This peace is offered to all who (walk with Him).

SERIES: God’s Gift of Christmas

NEXT WEEK:  The Essential Gift- Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:26-38

 THEME: It Is Written

Series: God’s Gift of Christmas

TITLE:  No Longer Home Alone

Scripture: Isaiah 7: 14

I.   THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY               

Immanuel (God with us) explains one of the great reasons for Christmas in the first place.

Immanuel says God did not make a cameo role. He actually, physically, lived among us for 33 years. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt (lived) among us, and we have seen His glory…” John 1:14. Two things stand out to me:

1.      “Dwelt” or (lived among us)

2.      “We have seen” is proof positive he was (seen by men).

II.  THE STORY WITHIN THE STORY                     

The glory of Christmas is the precious truth that God desired to (draw near to us).  It is not a glory we watch; it is something we participate in. We are the (primary characters) in this drama:

1.      The glory of Christmas means we are (far more precious to God) than we could ever imagine.

2.      The glory of Christmas means there is (far more to celebrate) than we thought.

3.      The glory of Christmas means we will (never be alone). Ever again.

SERIES: God’s Gift of Christmas

NEXT WEEK:  No Longer an “It”- Isaiah 9:6-7

THEME: It Is Written

Series: Captured!

TITLE:  Captured by God’s Assurance

Scripture: Isaiah 43: 1-7

I.   THE THINGS WE DO         

“To be gripped by God’s greatness is to understand not only who He is but who I am because of Him” James MacDonald

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Pr. 23:7

The Gold coin of human worth: (Beauty).

The Silver coin of human worth: (Intelligence).

Reality: it is not what we think or don’t think which is important. It is (what God thinks of us) that is.

II.  THE THINGS GOD SAYS     

What does God say or think about to give us our identity?

1.      God is (personal).

2.      God is (present).

3.      God is (loving).

4.      God is (faithful).

5.      God is (patient).

“For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.” Ps.86:5

SERIES: God’s Gift of Christmas

NEXT WEEK:  No Longer Home Alone- Isaiah 7:14