Category: Sermon Notes

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

THEME: It Is Written

Series: Captured!

TITLE:  Captured by God’s Worth

Scripture: Isaiah 58: 1-11

I.   GETTING CAPTURED BY HIS WORTH             

Jesus pointed out that God the Father is to be the object of our worship in John 4: “True worshipers shall worship the Father.”

God the Son is to be worshiped. From the earliest years of the church, Christ was professed as Lord in (baptism) (Rom.6:3-4), confessed as Lord in the (church) (Eph.3:10-12); and confessed as Lord in anticipation of the day when (every knee will bow) before Him (Phil.2:9-11).

Proclaiming God’s worth, lifting Him up in adoration, is the (goal of worship). Worship is not about (feeling good). It is not about “this is what I want” unless it is craving the presence of God so you can (adore Him).

God shows up powerfully when our worship is (sincere) and acknowledges who He is, honors Him, glorifies Him, magnifies Him, and gives Him praise.

II.  HOW WE CELEBRATE HIS WORTH                   

1.      Let worship not be (about you).

2.      Let worship be with an attitude of (peace).

3.      Let worship be more than a (surface act).

4.      Let worship be all about (freedom).

5.      Let worship be (focused on Christ).

6.      Let worship bring (results).

God doesn’t want us to long for (works) more than we long (for Him).

SERIES: Captured!

NEXT WEEK:  Captured by God’s Assurance- Isaiah 43: 1-7

THEME: It Is Written

Series: Captured!

TITLE:  Captured by God’s Sovereignty

Scripture: Isaiah 45: 1-13

I.   INVESTIGATING GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY             

“Who is this King of glory, the LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle!…Who is this king of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the king of glory!” Psalm 24:8,10

The word sovereign means “independent.” That means:

1.      God is ruler of all.

2.      God answers to no one.

3.      God can accomplish whatever he wants.

4.      God sees history from beginning to end. No obstacle or adversary can hinder His plan.

5.      God is afraid of nothing. Ignorant of nothing. Needing nothing.

6.      God always knows what is best, and never makes a mistake.

Sovereign means God is (in control of it all). He’s over things (we see) and (don’t see).

II.    ENJOYING GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY                  

Two questions which always come up:

1)      Question #1: Am I just a puppet/?

2)      Question #2: If God is sovereign, if God is in complete control, how come there is so much evil and so much suffering in the world?

“If today you are broken, feeling crushed by the weight of a trial, you have a choice. You can harden your heart and refuse the sovereign purposes of God that will one day prove good, or you can run to Him and participate in the blessing God has planned.” James MacDonald

How can we rejoice in God’s sovereignty?

1.      I will be (obedient) when told.

2.      I will be (righteous) when tempted.

3.      I will be (submissive) when tried.

SERIES: Captured!

NEXT WEEK:  Captured by God’s Worth- Isaiah 58:1-11

THEME: It Is Written

Series: Captured!

TITLE:  Captured by God’s Awesomeness

Scripture: Isaiah 40: 12-31

I.   GOD IS AWESOME IN HIS CREATION             

Truthfully, none of can grasp the (width, depth, height and length) of God’s love.

“God’s awesomeness take you to your knees in total reverence, to worship without self-consciousness and to walk in glad surrender.” James MacDonald

Our creative God:

1.      There are (912,500) cubic miles of water.

2.      The earth is (25,326) miles all the way around.

“Who has counted the handfuls of water in the sea, measured off the sky with a ruler, gauged how much dust there is on the earth, weighted the mountains on a scale, or the hills in balance?” Is.40:12 (Jewish Study Bible)

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” Ps.19:1

II.   GOD IS AWESOME IN HIS COMPARISON                 

Word used in verse 13 is all capitals which means LORD = (Yahweh).

Points of comparison:

1.      God is (infinite). Vv. 13-14

2.      God is (self-existent). Vv.18-23

3.      God is (self-sufficient). Vv.25-31

III.  GOD IS AWESOME IN HIS CHALLENGE

The people of Israel were expressing what we often feel: (God has forgotten us).

They also forgot what we often forget: They forgot (who God was).

SERIES: Captured!

NEXT WEEK:  Captured by God’s Sovereignty- Isaiah 45: 1-13

THEME: It Is Written

Series: Captured!

TITLE:  Captured by God’s Holiness

Scripture: Isaiah 6 1-7

“Holiness is the everyday business of every Christian. It evidences itself in the decisions we make and the things we do, hour by hour, day by day.” Chuck Colson

I.   THE REALITY OF HIS HOLINESS             

“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?” Exodus 15:11

“…the aspect of His character on which God laid most stress in the OT was His holiness.” J.I.Packer in Knowing God

Of all God’s attributes, nothing compares to the splendor and beauty of His holiness.

What does it mean when it speaks of God’s holiness? It is chief among His attributes. His character is perfect in every way. He is totally pure. His moral excellence is the absolute standard of integrity and ethical purity for all in the universe. His holiness sets Him apart from His creation. His holiness never diminishes.

The light of God’s holiness reveals the (darkness of our sin).

II.   THE RESPONSE TO HIS HOLINESS                

5 things happen when Isaiah comes into God’s presence:

1.      He sees the Lord sitting upon His throne

2.      The train of His robe fills the temple

3.      The seraphim cover their faces.

4.      The foundations shake

5.      The house is filled with smoke.

Prior to his vision, Isaiah was focused upon (the sins of others). Now he becomes dramatically aware of (his own sin and unrighteousness).

Pretty powerful lesson: We are only prepared to receive and comprehend the grace of God when we have understood His infinite (holiness) and (our sinfulness).

SERIES: Captured!

NEXT WEEK:  Captured by God’s Awesomeness- Isaiah 40:12-31