Category: Sermon Notes

Truth Matters

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SERIES: Marked

TITLE:   Truth Matters

TEXT: Psalm 19:7-11 (p.456); 2 Peter 1:16-21 (1018)

 

I.    THE IMPORTANCE OF TRUTH                                                                               

 

“Truthiness” defined as “the quality of preferring concepts or facts one wishes to be true, rather than concepts or facts known to be true.”

Without the truth we have (nothing).

 

II.    THE BASIS FOR TRUTH                                                                                   

 

Six statements about Scripture from Psalm 19

Statement #1: Scripture is (Perfect), Restoring the Soul.  [v.7a]

Statement #2: Scripture is (Trustworthy), Imparting Wisdom. [v.7b]

Statement #3: Scripture is (Right), Causing Joy.  [v.8a]

            “This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promises give me life.”  Ps.119:50

Statement #4: Scripture is (Pure), Enlightening the Eyes. [v.8b]

Statement #5: Scripture is (Clean), Enduring Forever. [v.9a]

Statement #6: Scripture is (True), Altogether Righteous. [v.9b]

Final look: Psalm 119: 89, 128, 137-138, 142, 160

 

NEXT WEEK:   Worship Matters- Psalm 95:1-7; 96:1-9

 

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Irresistible

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SERIES: Marked

TITLE:   Irresistible

TEXT: 2 Cor.2:14-17  (p.965)

 

I.    AN IRRESISTIBLE CHARACTER                                                                              

 

There is no such thing as (the perfect church), in (model) or (people).

 

  1. The church is a place of (grace).
  2. The church is a place of (mentoring).
  3. The church is a place of (hardship) and (fellowship).
  4. The church is a place of (selfless endurance).

 

 II.   AN IRRESISTIBLE CHALLENGE                                                                                  

 

What are some challenges the church faces?

  1. To always allow God to be the (sovereign leader).  [v.14]
  2. To have an influence for Jesus Christ (in all things).  [v14c]
  3. To be (pleasing to God). [vv.15-16a]
  4. To give place to the (power of God). [v.16b-17]

 

NEXT WEEK:   Truth Matters- psalm 19:7-11; 2 Peter 2:16-21

 

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We Anticipate Our Future

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SERIES: Identity

TITLE:   We Anticipate Our Future

TEXT: Colossians 4 (p.985)

 

I.   WE ANTICIPATE OUR FUTURE                                                                             

 

Paul says to “continue steadfastly in prayer.”  Others say “devote yourselves.”  But both short-change the real meaning.  It literally means “to be (courageously persistent)” or “to hold fast and not let go.”

There are two thoughts he brings to the church about prayer:

  1. Pray with (earnestness).
  2. Pray with (thanksgiving).

Paul makes a specific request:

  1. He wants to declare the (mystery of Christ).
  2. He wants them to pray for an (open door).

 

II.   WE ANTICIPATE LASTING IMPRESSIONS                                                                                  

 

 

NEXT WEEK:   New Series: Marked

Title: Irresistible- 2 Cor.2:14-17

 

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We Examine Our Lives

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SERIES: Identity

TITLE:   We Examine Our Lives

TEXT: Colossians 3 (p.984)

 

“The unexamined life is not worth living.”  Socrates

I.    WE NEED TO EXAMINE OUR POSITION                                                                           

1. Paul reminds us of our (position).    “I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”  Gal.2:20

Turn to Romans 6:11-19 (p.943)

 2. Paul reminds us to (keep seeking the things above).    Mt.6:33- “(Keep) seeking first the kingdom of God…”

 3. Paul reminds us to (set our minds on things above).

II.   WE NEED TO EXAMINE OUR CLOTHING

This section can be divided into two: [Verses 3-11]

1. Sins of (misplaced affection).

2. Sins of (hate).

Clothes to put on [Verses 12-17]

NEXT WEEK:   New Series: Identity

Title: We Anticipate Our Future- Colossians 4

 

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We Affirm Our Uniqueness

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SERIES: Identity

TITLE:   We Affirm Our Uniqueness

TEXT: Colossians 2 (p.983)

 

I.   WE AFFIRM OUR SEPARATION

 Group called the Essenes.

 “The greatest danger regarding cults…is complacency-considering ourselves and our children to be immune from their attraction.  If Christ is not the center of a Christian’s life, that Christian is ripe for another spirit.”

 “We may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.”  Eph.4:14

 Ephesians 2: 14-19

 

II.   WE AFFIRM OUR SOURCE

 

Who to avoid?

  1. We are to avoid the (intellectuals).
  2. We are to avoid the (legalists).
  3. We are to avoid the (mystics).
  4. We are to avoid the (ascetics).

Comes down to one factor: we are (made alive) in Christ and (forgiven).

NEXT WEEK:   New Series: Identity

Title: We Examine Our Lives- Colossians 3

 

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We Focus Our Attention

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SERIES: Identity

TITLE:   We Focus Our Attention

TEXT: Colossians 1 (p.983)

 

  • Begin with heightened intellectual prowess
  • Add a pinch of mysticism
  • Add a dash of man is inherently good
  • A big dose of denying the deity of Jesus
  • Mix ingredients, bake, and you get (heresy).

 

I.    WE FOCUS ON GOD’S WORK

 

“It is amazing how far a company or organization can go if no one cares who gets the credit.”  Ronald Reagan

“Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth, a stranger and not your own lips.”  Pr.27:2

What does Paul say we ought to pray for? [Verses 9-14]

  1. We ought to pray for (the knowledge of His will).   [v.9]   This group under siege by Gnostics.
  2. We ought to pray about the (conduct) of the Colossian believers.  [10-14]

1)     We ought to walk (worthy).

2)     We ought to walk (fruitfully).

3)     We are to grow in our (faith).

4)     We walk in His (strength).

 

II.   WE FOCUS ON JESUS

 

“I’m going to make Jesus so attractive that men will turn to Him.”  Moody

What does it mean when we say “The Pre-eminent Christ?”

  1. He is supreme in (eternity). [v.15]
  2. He is supreme in (creation). [v.16]
  3. He is supreme in the (church). [18-20]

 

NEXT WEEK:   New Series: Identity

Title: We Affirm Our Uniqueness- Colossians 2

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Drifting

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SERIES: Danger: Toxic!

TITLE:   Drifting

TEXT: Jeremiah 2:1-19 (p.627); I Cor.9:24-27 (p.957)

 

I.   THE DANGER OF DRIFTING

 

  1. God’s first words to Judah were words of (remembrance).  [Vv.2b-3]
  2. God’s second words to Judah were words of (rebuke).  [Vv.5-8]
  3. God’s third words to Judah were words of (revelation).  [Vv.18-19]

 

II.   THE SOLUTION TO DRIFTING

 

1. Drifting does not occur (suddenly).  [2:5,7]

2. Drifting most often takes place in times of (blessing).  [2:7]

3. Drifting flourishes under (loose leadership).   [3 John]

4. Drifting involves two specific (sins).  [v.13]

5. Drifting leads to (consequences).  [Vv.14,15,19]

 

Keep two Bible verses in mind:

1)     I Cor.10:12

2)     I Cor.9:24-27

 

 

NEXT WEEK:   New Series: Identity

Title: We Focus Our Worship- Colossians 1

 

Permanent link to this article: https://www.ovcf.org/ovcf_wp/2013/08/drifting/

Nauseating

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SERIES: Danger: Toxic!

TITLE:   Nauseating

TEXT: Matthew 15:1-9 (p.820); Romans 3:20-22 (p.941)

 

“The tendency to turn human judgments into divine commands makes religion one of the most dangerous forces in the world.”  Craig Groeschel in Soul Detox

 

“We may spend our days in what we call our religious duties, and we may fill our devotions with fervor, and still may be miserable.  Nothing can set our hearts at rest but a real acquaintance with God.”  Andrew Farley in The Naked Gospel

 

  1. THE BAD NEWS

 

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.  I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

 

“I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”  Luke 5:32

 

Christianity is not intended to make us (religious) or to be one of the (world’s major religions).  It is supposed to be a (relationship) with the one, true, living God.

 

Following religion leads to two toxic problems:

  1. Religion leads you to focus on the (external) rather than the (internal).
  2. Rules-following religious people believe their (behavior and beliefs) are right and everyone else is wrong.

 

Being converted to Jesus is not just learning to obey (some rules).  Being converted to Jesus is learning to so (adore God) we would gladly renounce everything we have to follow Him.

 

  1. THE GOOD NEWS

 

Religion can tell you what do; the gospel gives you the (power) to do it.

 

Why is it easy for people to honor God with their lips and not their heart?   Tradition requires no (integrity of heart) and is easily substituted for true (worship and obedience).

 

Turn to Romans 3:20-22.  Some important points:

  1. You cannot earn God’s acceptance by (observing the Law).
  2. The purpose of the Law is to show (you need a Savior).
  3. Righteousness from God comes by (faith) in Christ alone.

 

To sum up: Religion = Christ + anything.  Gospel= Christ + nothing.

Religion is all about what I do.   Gospel is all about what Jesus has done.

Religion is all about me.  Gospel is all about Jesus.

Religion highlights my efforts.  Gospel highlights what Christ has done.

Religion puts the burden on us.  Gospel put the burden on Him & what He did.

 

NEXT WEEK:   Drifting- Jer.2:1-19; I Cor.9:24-27

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Germs

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SERIES: Danger: Toxic!

TITLE:   Germs

TEXT: I Thess. 4:1-8 (p.987)

 

“For the first time, the weird and the stupid and the coarse are becoming our cultural norm, even our cultural ideal.”  Carl Bernstein

 

I.    CONTAMINATION

 

Why has this happened?

  1. “It’s a (sign of the times)
  2. “The (devil) made me do it.”
  3. More Christians now opt for (lower standards) when confronted with the choice of living in (moral purity) as set forth in Scripture or (compromising) the rationalizing away the guilt.

What is “the Judges syndrome?”   Doing what is right (in our own eyes).

Read this recently: “God, how long do I have to cry out for help before you listen?  How many times do I have to yell, ‘Help! Murder! Police!’ before you come to the rescue? Why do you force me to look at evil? Stare trouble in the face day after day? Anarchy and violence break out, quarrels and fights all over the place.  Law and order fall to pieces.  Justice is a joke. The wicked have the righteous hamstrung and stand justice on its head.”

Habakkuk 1:2-4)

 

II.   CLEANSING

 

What is the answer?  I Thess.4:1-8

  1. (Walk and excel)- [1-2]
  2. (Abstain)- [3]
  3. (Holiness)- [7-8]

 

NEXT WEEK:   Nauseating- Mt.15:1-9

 

 

 

 

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Discontent

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SERIES: Danger: Toxic!

TITLE:   Discontent

TEXT: I Timothy 6:6-10 (p.993)

 

I.   THE BANE OF DISCONTENT

“Re-examine all you have been told.  Dismiss whatever insults you own soul.” Whitman

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

 

Let’s establish this: there is nothing wrong with having nice things.  However, there is something wrong with drawing value and worth from those nice things.  Having stuff does not/cannot define us.

 

II. THE BENEFITS TO CONTENTMENT

One of the first questions we must ask: (How much is enough?)

 

Things to keep in mind:

  1. Realize having money is (not wrong) in itself.
  2. Recognize that money is a (gift from God).    “The silver is mine; the gold is mine, says the Lord.”  Haggai 2:6
  3. Remember to (surrender).
  4. Rethink (expectations).
  5. Refuse to (seek security) from money.
  6. Remind yourself (eternal purposes) matter.
  7. Reconsider the (priority) you place on stuff.

 

“When we place our discontented egos on the altar of gratitude, we develop contented altar egos filled with thanksgiving.”  Groeschel

 

We are not (entitled) to anything.  We don’t (deserve anything) we have been given.

NEXT WEEK:   Germs- I Thess.4:1-8

 

 

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