Category: Sermon Notes

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  Life is an Adventure!

TITLE:  Cutting the Trail

Scripture: Psalm 16

I.   TAKE TIME FOR A BACKWARD GLANCE

What to do about your past:

1.  Look back and be stifled, almost paralyzed

2. Use as a stepping stone

3. Lesson to be learned and share it with others

When you boil it all down this is what you’ve got:

You can live a (wasted) life

You can live a (wise) life.

Every trail, every life, has three things: a (past), a (present), and a (future).

Turn to Psalm 71:5-7, 9, 18, 20. (p.484)

II.  TAKE TIME FOR A FORWARD LOOK

Lessons we can learn from Psalm 16:

1.  We are to remember (who God is). [Verses 1-2] This is the look (backward). An interesting phenomena occurs in these verses: Elohim, Jehovah and Adonai are all used.

Elohim represents (power)

Jehovah speaks of His (personal interest).

Adonai speaks of His (presence).

2. We are rehearsing what (God is doing). [Verses 5-8]

God is our (Completeness).

God is our (Certainty).

God is our (Contentment).

God is our (Confidence).

3. We rejoice is what God (will do). [Verse 10]

SERIES: Life is an Adventure!

NEXT WEEK:  A Well-Marked Trail- Psalm 37:1-11

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  Family Matters

TITLE:  The Alternative-Part 2

Scripture: Romans 8:12-17

A brief recap from last week’s sermon:

1. We were meant to enjoy an intimate relationship with God. That was ruined at the Fall.
2. God has adopted us into His family. According the Romans 8: 17 that adoption makes us children of God, and if children then heirs. We are called sons of God.
3. All the right, all the privileges, all the benefits of being an heir are ours.

Welcome special guests Chad and Terri Dow.

SERIES: Family Matters

NEXT WEEK:  Ryan East preaching

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  Family Matters

TITLE:  The Alternative-Part 1

Scripture: Romans 8:12-17; Esther

I.    THE THEOLOGY OF ADOPTION                                                               

We were meant to enjoy (intimate relationship) with Jesus.

The restored relationship with God is called (adoption).

(Regeneration)-Spiritually dead person is made alive

(Justification)- God declares a sinner righteous

(Sanctification)- Act of being set aside for a specific purpose

(Redemption)- Act of being bought back.

(Propitiation)- Work of Christ in purchasing our salvation. Advocate

(sons of God)- a phrase which communicates our privileged position in God’s family.

II.   THE BIOGRAPHY OF ADOPTION                             

Several examples in the Bible of adoption:

1.      Moses

2.      Mephibosheth

3.      Esther

Jewish name Hadassah means “fragrance.”

Persian name Esther means “star.”

Key verse is Esther 4:14

SERIES: Family Matters

NEXT WEEK:  The Alternative (Part 2) An interview

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  Family Matters

TITLE:  A Unique Design

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1: 3-7

I.   UNIQUE IN STATUS                                                              

Women are (equal) in value to men but unique in (design).

What examples does the Bible give?

1.      Gen.1:27

2.      Women played an important role in the ministry of Jesus

3.      Gal.3:28

II.  UNIQUE IN STATURE                            

5 qualities a woman of unique design will exhibit:

1.      (Tenderness)- [v.4]

2.      (Authenticity)- [v.5]

3.      (Confidence)- [v.6-7a]

4.      (Unselfish Love)- [v.7]

5.      (Self-control)- [v.7]

SERIES: Family Matters

NEXT WEEK:  The Alternative (Part 1)- Rom.8: 12-17; Esther

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  Family Matters

TITLE:  Man Up!

Scripture: I Thessalonians 2:7-12

Influence is a process.

Influence is costly.

Influence is never neutral.

Influence is powerful.

Influence is about people.

Influence is demanding.

Influence is hard won.

Influence is easily lost.

Influence is to be desired.

Influence is everyone’s privilege.

Influence is everyone’s responsibility.

Influence is affected by relationships.

Influence is attainable by anyone.

I.    THE STARTING POINT

Initials which describe many men:

1.      POW

2.      MIA

3.      PDY

The starting point for a true man is his (relationship with Jesus Christ).

II.   THE STRAIGHT LINE

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

1.      A (fond affection). [v.8a]

2.      A (transparent) life [v.8b]

3.      (Unselfish) diligence [v.9]

4.      Spiritual (authenticity). [9-10]

5.      A (positive) influence. [11-12]

SERIES: Family Matters

NEXT WEEK:  A Unique Design –  2 Timothy 1:3-7

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  Family Matters

TITLE:  Making It Last

Scripture: Genesis 2:15-25

I.    SOME UNCHANGING TRUTHS                                                             

The world has changed, and it’s (going to keep changing).

4 truths which haven’t and won’t change:

1.      The (heart of humanity) hasn’t changed.

2.      God’s desire for His people hasn’t changed.

3.      God continues to be (faithful and compassionate), and He wants us to be (faithful and compassionate).

4.      God’s (truth) remains unchanged, as revealed in the Scriptures.

II.   SOME IRREFUTABLE ACTIONS                           

Some irrefutable actions which have ongoing ripples from Genesis 2:12-25:

1)      First the good.

2)      The “not good” followed by a “very good.”

3)      All was fine until they decided to test God’s words of “Don’t eat.”

Some irrefutable actions from Deuteronomy 6:4-15:

1)      The (Love) challenge.

2)      The (Pass along) challenge.

3)      The (don’t do it) challenge.

SERIES: Family Matters

NEXT WEEK:  Man Up! I Thessalonians 2:7-12

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  SOLID!

TITLE:  The Adversary

Scripture: 2 Peter 5:8-9

I.    UNDERSTAND HIS BACKGROUND                                                            

September 2013 survey: (57%) of Americans said they believed in Satan.  (40%) of Christians agreed that Satan “is not a living being but a symbol of evil.”

“There are two dangers about Satan and demons. One is to disbelieve they exist and the other is to have an unhealthy interest in them.” C.S.Lewis

What about his origin?

1.      Satan has not always existed. Psalm 148: 2,5 and Col.1:16. Turn to Ezekiel 28:12-15 (p.715)

2.      What sin did he commit?  Ezekiel 28:15  See also Isaiah 14:12-14 (p.578)

3.      What was his punishment?

4.      What names does he use?

II.   UNDERSTAND HIS APPROACH                          

Satan, or whatever you want to call him is (not) your friend!

According to Jesus in John 10:10 his mission is to (steal, kill and destroy).

In John 8:44 Jesus calls him (the father of lies).

He is a master at (destruction by distraction).

How do I/you defeat the enemy? (FOCUS ON JESUS)

SERIES: Family Matters

NEXT WEEK:  Making it Last- Gen.2:15-25

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  SOLID!

TITLE:  Start and Finish

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:4

I.   THE WAR BEING WAGED                                                           

Emotional/experiential war:

1.      (Escapism)-

2.      (Cynicism)

3.      (Humanism)

4.      (Supernaturalism)

II.   Cultural war:

1)      (Modernism)- “belief that truth exists and that scientific method is the only reliable way to determine that truth.”

2)      (Postmodernism)- No objective truth.

3)      (Emergent)- Blurs line between certainty and omniscience

III.   THE WEAPON OF OUR WARFARE                         

“…knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20-21

Characteristics and qualities which make Bible extremely important to us:

1.      The Bible is (infallible).  Psalm 19:7

2.      The Bible is (inerrant).

1)      Revelation- occurred when God gave His truth.

2)      Inspiration- occurred when the writers of Scripture received and recorded it.

3)      Illumination- occurs each time we open the Word to read or study.

4)      Proverbs 30:5: “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”

3.      The Bible is (Reliable).  God’s Word is (authoritative).

Benefits of relying on the Bible:

1.      (Stability)

2.      (Insight)

3.      (Maturity). Psalm 119:99-100

SERIES: Solid!

NEXT WEEK:  The Adversary- 2 Peter 5:8-9

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  SOLID!

TITLE:  The Forgotten One

Scripture: John 16:4b-15

“We all see problems in the church. We don’t need another book to point those out. We need the faith to believe that the solution is really quite simple: the Holy Spirit.”  Francis Chan

I.   THE DILEMMA WE FACE                                                          

“Religion is what happens when the Spirit has left the building.” Bono

Our statement of faith: “We believe that the Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son and is present in the world to make men aware of their need for salvation in Jesus Christ; is given to the believer at the time of His salvation, and then provides the Christ-follower with guidance and power for living.”

Jesus told His disciples His presence (in) them would be greater than His presence (beside) them.

The HS was never given to operate of His own volition. It was, and never is, the purpose of the HS to draw attention to Himself. His purpose has always been to draw attention to Jesus.

“The work of the Spirit is a “floodlight ministry, quietly turning everyone’s attention from Himself to the Savior.” J.I.Packer

II.  THE ANSWER WE FIND                        

Who is the Holy Spirit?

1.      The Holy Spirit is a (person).

2.      The Holy Spirit is (God).

3.      The Holy Spirit is (eternal and holy).

4.      The Holy Spirit has His own (mind), and He (prays) for us.

5.      The Holy Spirit has (emotions).

6.      The Holy Spirit has His own (desires and will).

7.      The Holy Spirit is (omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent).

“So apart from Him (the HS), not only will there be no lively believers and no lively congregations, there will be no believers and no congregations at all.” Packer

SERIES: Solid!

NEXT WEEK:  Start and Finish- 2 Timothy 3:14- 4:4

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  SOLID!

TITLE:  Turn off the Dark!

Scripture: I Corinthians 15:12-19, 42-49

I.   THE FACTS       

Jesus turned the darkness of on four things:

1.      (Loneliness).

2.      (Fear)

3.      (Despair)

4.      (Guilt)

II.  THE FAITH                       

There is actually a fifth one: (Death).

(Death) is our (greatest enemy). It is also our (last) enemy.

“…who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” 2 Timothy 1:9-10

The original Greek word for “abolished” literally means (to render inoperative).

The cross brought death; the resurrection brought life. The cross brought death to sin; the resurrection brought death to an end.

“Jesus made a public spectacle of the enemy’s army and stripped them of their power.” Col.2:15

SERIES: Solid!

NEXT WEEK:  The Forgotten One- John 16: 4b-15