Category: Sermon Notes

THEME: It Is Written

TITLE:  Driven

Scripture: Matthew 28: 19-20

Many churches are driven by what they are against rather than what they are for. They are reactive instead of proactive.

I.   A DRIVEN MESSAGE            

“Without vision, there is rarely direction. Without direction, there are no goals. And without goals, there is not progress.”

“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Prov.11:14 (ESV)  “Where there is not counsel the people fall.” (NKJV) “Where there is no vision the people perish.” (KJV)

Our Message is a simple one: (TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO JESUS)

1.      We are to (Go).

2.      We are told to (make disciples).

3.      We are told to (baptize) people.

4.      We are told to (teach them to observe all) commanded.

II.   A DRIVEN PERSPECTIVE               

1.      We desire to be (passionate pursuers of Jesus).  Our #1 goal is not to build the church. It is not to have a huge nursery or the best youth program. Our first and primary pursuit should be (running fully after Jesus).

2.      We desire to be (models of truth and love).

3.      We desire to be (involved in our community).

SERIES: Captured!

NEXT WEEK:  Captured by God’s Holiness- Isaiah 6: 1-7

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  Seven

TITLE:  The “L” Word

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

I.     THE INDICTMENT OF THE JUDGE       

Laodicea holds the distinction of being the only church which Jesus (has absolutely nothing good to say). Even Sardis, the church on its deathbed, had a few people who were faithful.

Some adjectives used to describe Laodicea: sentimental, skin-deep, flabby, anemic, proud, secular and self-sufficient, mediocre, inoffensive, to name a few.

What made Laodicea the wealthy city it was?

1.      It was a center of (trade).

2.      It was a center of (banking).

3.      It was a center of (fashion).

4.      It was a center of (medicine).

5.      It was a center of a large (Jewish population).

What was wrong with them? They were (lukewarm). The words are vivid. The word used for cold is literally (icy cold). The word used for hot is (boiling). “Would that” is the word “wish” It expresses (fruitless desire).

II.    THE ACTION THE JUDGE REQUIRES     

He tells them three things they needed to “buy”:

1)      They needed to buy gold (refined by fire).

2)      They needed to buy (white garments)

3)      They needed to buy (salve) to anoint their eyes.

If there is anything positive it is this: “Those whom I love, I (reprove and discipline).

SERIES: Seven

NEXT WEEK:  12th Anniversary! “Choose Your Place”

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  Seven

TITLE:  Philadelphia

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

The Land of Opportunity

Insights About the Speaker (Jesus)

“These are the words of him who is (holy and true)…”  -> Testament to Jesus’ Divinity!

 “…who holds the (key) of David…”  -> Symbol of Christ’s Authority!

Commendation

You have kept my (word).  -> Both in Doctrine and in Obedience!

You have not (denied my name).  -> Maintained full Allegiance!

You have endured (patiently).  -> Commitment and Perseverance!

Opportunity and Challenge

An (open door) that no one can shut!

Opportunity of Salvation

Opportunity of Service

Philadelphians have (little strength)

Focus/commitment to the work of the ministry

Room for the strength and power of Christ to do the work!

Opposed by the synagogue of Satan

Church at Smyrna faced same opposition!

Jews (non-Christian) who opposed the work of Christ and the gospel message

In the face of opposition, we must not (flinch)!

Promises from Jesus

I will (humble your enemies) and open their eyes to the truth.

I will keep you from (maximum affliction).

I will make you (strong and secure).

I will give you a whole new (identity).

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  Seven

TITLE:  Deathbed Confession

Scripture: Revelation 3: 1-6

I.    THE PROGNOSIS          

Sardis was actually two cities:

1.      One at the top of Mount Tmolus (1500 feet in elevation)

2.      One in fertile Hermus River Valley

Survived and recovered from Cyrus and Alexander. Greatest enemy was one they could not recover from: (an earthquake) in AD 17.

Three separate spiritual strands lived in Sardis:

1.      (Caesar) cult

2.      Housed major temple devoted to worship of (Artemis)

3.      Worship of (Cybelle), a local nature goddess.

When is a church dead?

1)      When it is content to rest on its (past laurels).

2)      When it is more concerned with form than (spiritual reality).

3)      When it focuses more on social ills and politics than (changing people’s hearts).

4)      When it is more concerned with (material things) than spiritual things.

II.   THE PRESCRIPTION              

He tells them 5 things they need to do:

1.      (Wake up!)

2.      (Strengthen) what remains and is about to die.

3.      (Remember) what they had received and heard.

4.      “Keep it” or (obey it).

5.      (Repent)

III.  THE PROMISES

He makes three promises:

1)      The promise of (eternal righteousness)

2)      The promise of (a place in heaven).

3)      The promise of (Jesus Himself).

SERIES: Seven

NEXT WEEK:  Ryan preaching

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  Seven

TITLE:  Cancer

Scripture: Revelation 2: 18-29

I.    THE X-RAY OF THE CHURCH         

The description of Jesus:

1.      He first changes (His name).  The term He uses emphasizes His (deity).  The change is significant because He is not wanting to be seen here as the sympathetic (High Priest) but the divine (Judge).

2.      He has eyes like a (flame of fire).

3.      Eyes like flames of fire and feet like (burnished bronze).

Why such a shock to read this description, especially when He commends them:

1)      They were (showing love).

2)      They were commended for their (faith).

3)      They were commended for their (service) and (perseverance).

II.   THE TREATMENT FOR THE CHURCH              

What is the cancer ripping at the heart of the church of Thyatira?  {v.20]  There is an attitude of (tolerance) which has been allowed to spread like a malignant cancer.

For those who repent He offers something much more pleasant:

1.      He says (no more burdens).

2.      He promises a (right future).

SERIES: Seven

NEXT WEEK:  Deathbed Confession- Rev. 3:1-6

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  Seven

TITLE:  That Ugly Word

Scripture: Revelation 2: 12-17

I .    COMMENDATION    

Pergamum known as Asia’s greatest city. Why?

1.      A huge library of 200,000 handwritten volumes.

2.      Official center of (Caesar worship).

There were 4 main deities of Greco-Roman world:

1)      Athena- goddess of (wisdom)

2)      Asklepios- god of (healing)

3)      Dionysius or Bacchus- god of (wine and revelry)

4)      Zeus- (king) of all gods

II.    CRITICISM             

Two groups were mentioned:

1.      Those who hold to the teachings of Balaam. Find his story in Numbers 22-25.

“Yet they are the ones who, at Balaam’s advice, incited the Israelites to unfaithfulness against the Lord in the Peor incident, so that the plague came against the Lord’s community. Num.31:16 (HCSB)  The Peor incident is found in Numbers 25 where the Israelites “began to whore with the daughters of Moab. These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods.”

2.      Those who hold to the teachings of the Nicolaitans.

III.  CORRECTION

“Your flip and callous arrogance in these things bothers me. You pass if off as a small thing, but it’s anything but that. Yeast, too, is a small thing, but it works its way through a whole batch of bread dough pretty fast.” I Cor.5:6-7

4 Lessons to learn:

1)      Compromise never (occurs quickly).

2)      Compromise always lowers (the standard).

3)      Compromise is seldom (offensive).

4)      Compromise is often the (first step) toward total disobedience.

SERIES: Seven

NEXT WEEK:  Cancer- Rev.2: 18-29

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  Seven

TITLE:  Hang in There!

Scripture: Revelation 2: 8-11

“Dance with the one that brung ya’”

“You don’t change horses in midstream.”

“You stay with that got you here in the first place.”

I.    THE COUNSEL        

Smyrna was a hotbed of (emperor) worship.

It was located on the gulf of the Aegean Sea, which gave it a good harbor. It even had what was the called “The Street of Gold.”

Christians in Smyrna paying high price for their faith:

1.      He commends them for their (tribulation).

2.      He commends them for their (poverty).

3.      He commends them for their (steadfastness).

“Discipleship means allegiance to the suffering Christ, and it is therefore not at all surprising that Christians should be called upon to suffer.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer

II.   THE CHALLENGE            

After all this He warns them (more is coming).

Notice words “do not fear.”

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” John 16:33 (HCSB)

“In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?” David in Psalm 56:11

What was coming?

1.      Some would be (thrown into prison).

2.      Some would be (tested).

SERIES: Seven

NEXT WEEK:  The Ugly Word- Rev.2: 12-17

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  Seven

TITLE:  Split Personality

Scripture: Revelation 2: 1-7

I.   THE COMMENDATION          

The city of Ephesus was wealthy, politically influential, and pagan. Paul, with the help of Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos’ help, planted a church here.

They are commended for three things:

1.      He commends them for their (works and toil). The word toil is better translated (diligent labor).

2.      He commends them for their (endurance).  Not just endurance but (patient) endurance.

3.      He commends them for their (spiritual discernment).

II.   THE COMPLAINT           

Our greatest (strengths) can become our greatest (weaknesses).

They stood strong against doctrinal drift and guarded the truth and worked hard in loving others. BUT they forgot (WHO) the doctrines pointed to. They forgot (Jesus), the first love.  All that was left in their lifestyle was truth without (grace), law without (love).

2 Corinthians 5:14: “For the love of Christ controls me.”

III.   THE COMMAND

Jesus offers them three way to make a turnaround:

1)      (Remember) from where you have fallen. [v.5a]

2)      (Repent) [v.5b]

3)      (Do the works) you did at first. [v.5c]

“In this letter, Jesus is generous in His praise, direct in His rebuke, helpful with a remedy, and completely no-nonsense about consequences if the Ephesians ignored His advice.” Swindoll

SERIES: Seven

NEXT WEEK:  Hang in There! Rev.2: 8-11

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  Life is an Adventure!

TITLE:  Rock Steady

Scripture: Psalm 112

I.    THE CHOICE OF A STEADY PERSON         

The psalmist makes the point that the person who truly loves and worships God will be like Him. We become like the God/god (we worship).

Psalm 11 & 112 are a like in many ways but there is one significant difference: Psalm 111 celebrates (Jehovah) while Psalm 112 celebrates the life of (the righteous person).

What is a godly man/woman like?

1.      He (fears the Lord).  Acts 17:28 says, “In Him we live, and move, and have our being.”

2.      He (delights in God’s commands).  “God made me fast and when I run I feel His pleasure.” Eric Liddell

II.   THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A STEADY PERSON          

What are the characteristics of a steady person?

1.      He (passes on his strength). [Verses 2-4]

2.      He (practices justice). [Verses 5,9]

3.      He (stands rock solid). [Verses 6-8]

“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” 2 Cor. 9:6

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” Gal.6:7

SERIES: Seven

NEXT WEEK:  Split Personality- Rev.2:1-7

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  Life is an Adventure!

TITLE:  Keeping It Real

Scripture: Psalm 101

This psalm is not a (tongue-lashing) but a commitment to an honest, holy way of life. The struggle we all face is to stop (wearing masks) and give up our (facades) and be real. To put it bluntly: to stop (pretending).

I.    A COMMITMENT TO MYSELF         

It is one thing to believe something; it is another to be (convicted) on it.

Conviction gives belief (backbone).

4 convictions every follower of Christ must possess:

1)      (Consistency) [V.1] Justice checks love which might be wrongly indulgent and mercy checks judgment which might tend to be harsh.

2)      (Integrity). [V.2]

3)      (Humility). [v.3]

4)      (Purity). [V.4]

II.   A COMMITMENT TO OTHERS          

The 7 types of people David mentions:

1.      (Slanderer). [V.5a] ”The action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person’s reputation.”

2.      (Proud). [V.5b] Pr.21:4: “Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.”

3.      (Faithful). [V.6a]

4.      (Blameless). [V.6b]  People who are not perfect but are people of integrity.

5.      (Deceiver). [V.7a]

6.      (Liar). [V.7b]

7.      (Wicked). [V.8]

SERIES: Life is an Adventure!

NEXT WEEK:  Rock Steady- Psalm 112