Category: Sermon Notes

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  Life is an Adventure!

TITLE:  Cover Your Back!

Scripture: Psalm 32

I.    A GREAT BEATITUDE

David quotes this psalm in Romans 4:1-2. He uses it to add David’s testimony to his own proof that justification is (by grace through faith alone).

In the first two verses David does something interesting. He uses three different words for sin.

1.      (Transgression)- Verse 1a. Literally means “a going away” or “departure.”

2.      (Sin)- Verse 1b. “falling short of the mark”

3.      (Iniquity)- Verse 2. Literally means “corrupt,” “twisted,” or “crooked.”

How it rounds out: The first describes sin in view of our (relationship with God). The second pictures us as being in (rebellion) against Him. The third describes sin in relationship (to ourselves).

II.   A GREAT TESTIMONY  

“A man’s very highest moment is when he kneels in the dust and beats his breast and tells the sins of his life.” Oscar Wilde

Three words of what God does with sin:

1)      (Forgiven). [V.1a] Literally means having our sins lifted off.

2)      (Covered). [v.1b] Describes what God does with our sin.

3)      (Does not count) our iniquity against us. [V.2a]

David’s testimony:

1.      He recounts the (effect of his sin). [3-4]

2.      He explains (God’s forgiveness) once he confessed it. [v.5]

3.      All three words for sin show up in verse 5.

4.      Why his testimony? Psalm 51 are also echoed in verses 6-7.

SERIES: Life is an Adventure!

NEXT WEEK:  Survival Guide- Psalm 130

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  Life is an Adventure!

TITLE:  The Wonder Of It All

Scripture: Psalm 139

I.   THE WONDER OF GOD

“The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. He who know it not, can no longer wonder, no longer feel amazements, is as good as dead, a snuffed-out candle.” Einstein

One of the key components of these verses is God’s (omniscience). So what does God know about us?

1.      He knows what we (do)

2.      He knows what we (think).

3.      He knows where (we go).

4.      He knows what we (say)

5.      He knows what we (need).

God is either No Where or God is Now Here.  This is called God’s (omnipresence).

II.  THE WONDER OF HIS CREATION    

God is also (omnipotent). See verses 13-18. None is profound as the (miracle of birth).

God is seen as the (Author of life).  See also Jeremiah 1:5

In verses 17-18 David reflects on the abundance of (God’s thoughts).

What should this cause in us?

1.      It should (humble) us.

2.      It should (comfort) us.

3.      It should (encourage) us to live for God.

SERIES: Life is an Adventure!

NEXT WEEK:  Cover Your Back! Psalm 32

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  Life is an Adventure!

TITLE:  Taking Shortcuts

Scripture: Psalm 19:7-11; Mt.4:1-11

I.    THE PROBLEM OF SHORTCUTS   

“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”  Pr.16:25

There are, in reality, three trails for us to choose:

1.      The (Broad) Trail

2.      The (Narrow) Trail

3.      The (Shortcut)

II.   THE SOLUTION TO SHORTCUTS   

In Matthew 4 we are given two things to know:

1)      The adversary is identified. Satan is not our (friend).

2)      The adversary is named.

Psalm 19:7-11

1.      We are given six terms for the written revelation

2.      We are given six statements about Scripture being God-breathed

3.      We are given the benefits of following in verse 11

1)      The one who knows is warned against (taking shortcuts).

2)      In keeping the law is (great reward).

SERIES: Life is an Adventure!

NEXT WEEK:  The Wonder of it All- Psalm 139

THEME: It Is Written

SERIES:  Life is an Adventure!

TITLE:  A Well-Marked Trail

Scripture: Psalm 37: 1 – 11

I.   CONFUSION AT THE TRAILHEAD  

We are a nation of worriers. (40%) of what we worry about never happens. (30%) of worry is about events which have already taken place. (12%) has to do with health concerns. (10%) deals with small trifles. Only (8%) is legitimate.

“Fret not”- “Do not be agitated by evildoers.” (HCSB)  Webster defines fret as “to cause to suffer emotional strain, or to eat or gnaw into, to become uneasy, vexed, or worries.”

II.   FOLLOWING THE SIGNS  

Two identifying marks of many followers of Jesus:

1)      We tend to want the easy way

2)      We have an inability to wait on God.

Five tasks in waiting:

1.      (Trust) in the Lord, and do good. [V.3]

2.      (Delight) yourself in the Lord. [V.4]

3.      (Commit) your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act. [V.5]

4.      (Be still) before the Lord. [V.7]   “What is wrong with the world is that man does not know how to stay quietly in his own room” (Pascal)

5.      (Refrain) from anger. [V.8]

SERIES: Life is an Adventure!

NEXT WEEK:  Taking Shortcuts- Psalm 19:7-14; Mt.4:1-11

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