Category: Sermon Notes

SERIES:  It is Written

TITLE:  After Falling

Scripture: Judges 13-16

I.   HIS PROMISING BEGINNING                                                    

Cycle of Judges: downward spiral-> captivity -> crying out to God -> judge -> serving God until judge dies -> downward spiral

Manoah’s wife given special instructions:

1.      To her:  [v.4]

2.      For her son: [v.7]

The NT word for Samson’s vow is called (sanctification).

II.  HIS TROUBLING CHARACTER                    

What is the problem with 14:1?

What is the problem with 14: 8-9?

What is Samson’s fatal flaw? Hint: see chapter 16  (lust)

“When you play with fire you either get burnt or smell like smoke.”

III. HIS FINAL SECOND CHANCE

Key verse: 16:22

God rejoices in restoring people to Him. While forgiveness is immediate, restoration is gradual.

There is nothing you have done which is too far beyond God’s (sight) and (grace).

SERIES: Second Chance

NEXT WEEK:  After Fear- Judges 6:1-25

SERIES:  It is Written

TITLE:  After Failure

Scripture: John 21

I.   EXAMPLES OF FAILURE                                                    

Peter was sort of a nickname. It means (rock). The Greek word literally means “a piece of rock, a stone.”  See John 1:42

Jesus often calls him Simon. That is a signal Peter needs (rebuked or corrected).

Several incidents show Peter to be “a rock or a stone.”

1.      Matthew 5

2.      Luke 9

3.      Matthew 16

4.      Matthew 26:30-35

II.   ENCOUNTERING RESTORATION    

What does it mean when a person loves God?

1.      It means we will love Him more than (anything else).

2.      It means we must be willing to sacrifice everything to (follow Him).

SERIES: Second Chance

NEXT WEEK:  After Falling- Judges 13-16

SERIES:  It is Written

TITLE:  After Running

Scripture: Jonah

I.    THE DIARY OF A RUNNER                                                    

“To know Jonah is to love him. And the reason we loe him is because he is so much like us in our response to God’s guidance.”

Jonah is also found in 2 Kings 14.

God wants Jonah to go to Ninevah. It is one thing to (pronounce judgement) against a city; it is another to go to that city and preach (repentance).

Old African minstrel song: “Jonah was a fool and as stubborn as a mule.”

II.   THE DELIVERANCE OF A RUNNER                  

Interesting observation about Jonah’s prayer:

1.      In desperation, he prays like David: “I called out to the Lord.” Ps.34:6

2.      In desperation, he prays like Hannah: “Out of my distress.” I Sam.1:10

3.      In desperation, he prays like Jeremiah: “I am driven away from your sight.” Lam.3:54-56

4.      In desperation, he prays like Jesus: “In agony he prayed.” Lk.22:44

Jonah reluctant to do what God wanted. Why? (prejudiced).

Glimpse into God’s amazing grace:

1.      God doesn’t hold (grudges).

2.      God doesn’t (budge).

3.      God doesn’t (give up).

SERIES: Second Chance

NEXT WEEK:  After Failure- John 21

SERIES:  It is Written

TITLE:  After Shame

Scripture: John 8:1-11

I.   THE SCENE UNFOLDING                        

While Jesus was communing with (heaven), the Pharisees were communing with (hell).

The Pharisees seem to have Jesus over a barrel.

1.      If He says, “Stone her” He goes against His (words of love).

2.      If He says, “Let her go” He goes against the (Law of Moses).

II.   THE SCENARIO UNENDING

Here is a truth to hang your hat on: God does not look at us the way the world looks at us or the way I see myself.

What is wrapped up Jesus’ words?

1.      He wouldn’t (condemn) her because her condemnation would be faced by Him.

2.      His words said, “I love you. I accept you. I forgive you.” But He also told her (to stop) living the life she was.

We don’t live godly lives to win God’s (approval). God already loves us. He will (accept) you no matter what you have done. He will throw His arms around and (receive) you. But then He wants to (change) you.

The feeling of shame is about our very selves-not about some bad thing we did or said but about what we are.

SERIES: Second Chance

NEXT WEEK:  After Running- Jonah 1-4

SERIES:  It is Written

TITLE:  God of the Second Chance

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

I.   A SNAPSHOT OF ME/YOU/US                                                  

This parable revolves around three characters: the (younger) son, the (father), and the (older) son.

The younger son is cast as a scoundrel but the ending is a twist. The main idea behind the word prodigal is wastefulness, immoderation, excess, and debauchery.

What did this younger son do?

1.     He had a (disregard) for his inheritance.

2.     He (dishonored) his father.

3.     He (demanded) his birthright.

II.   A SNAPSHOT OF GOD                
 

What the son found- what the Pharisees found was two-fold:

1.     An (approachable) father.

2.     The (reaction) of the father.

1)     He (ran) and (embraced) him.

2)     He (kissed) him.

3)     He gave him a (robe).

4)     He gave him a (ring).

5)     He gave him (sandals).

6)     He threw a (feast).

Something really important happened here: (adoption).  “To be right with God the Judge is a great thing, but to be loved and cared for by God the Father is greater.” J.I.Packer in Knowing God.

SERIES: Second Chance

NEXT WEEK:  After Shame- John 8:1-11

SERIES:  It is Written

TITLE:  Below The Waterline

Scripture: Exodus 33:12-23

I.    VIRTUES TO DEVELOP                                                 

“Character is not something you have; it is something you are that shows itself in what you do.”

“Leadership is not about style or technique as much as it is about character.” John MacArthur

Five virtues we need to navigate this coming year:

1.     (Humility)

2.     (Compassion)

3.     (Steadfastness), not Stubbornness

4.     (Faith) beyond sight.

5.     (Self-control).

II.   VISION TO SUCCEED               

Three things needed to “get” those virtues:

1)     “Lord, teach me Your ways.” [33:12-12]

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hand.” Ps.138:7-8

2)     “Lord, guarantee to me Your presence.”  [33:14-15]

3)     “Lord, show me Your glory.”  [33:18]

NEXT WEEK:  2016 Theme: “It is Written”

SERIES & TITLE: God of the Second Chance- Luke 15: 11-32

SERIES:  Deck the Halls

TITLE:  Life After Christmas

Scripture: Lk.1:11-15 (Joy); Matt.1:18-21 (Love); Lk.1:30-33 (Hope); Lk.2:13-14 (Peace)

I.   EXPERIENCE JOY                                                

1.     We can have joy when (God’s presence) is revealed.

2.     We can have joy when (God’s comfort) is experienced.

3.     We can have joy when (God’s provision) is realized.

4.     We can have joy when (God’s grace) is embraced.

II.   OVERFLOW WITH LOVE              

1.     Love (covers sin).

2.     Love (listens to God).

3.     Love (believes God).

FIND HOPE

1.     Hope (meets us) where we are.

2.     Hope (overcomes) obstacles.

3.     Hope (brings a plan).

4.     Hope is received (by faith).

EXUDE PEACE

“Don’t be anxious about anything…And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”  Phil.4:6

NEXT WEEK:  2016 Theme: “It is Written”

“Below the Waterline”- Exodus 33:12-33

SERIES:  Deck the Halls

TITLE:  Don’t Miss Christmas

Scripture: Various

I.   MODERN DAY REASONS/EXCUSES PEOPLE USE                                               

Take off from the video:

1.     Christmas means (family).

2.     Christmas means (eating a lot).

3.     Christmas means pure (commercialism) to some.

4.     Christmas means pure (humanism) to some.

5.     Christmas means (crassness) to some.

If we take our cue from these, Christmas is a (mess)!

II.  BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE MISSING CHRISTMAS             

1.     Our first witness is (The Innkeeper).  Luke 2:7. He missed Christmas because he was (preoccupied).

2.     Our second witness is (Herod). Mt.2. He missed Christmas because of (jealous fear).

3.     Our third witness is the (Religious leaders). They missed Christmas because of (pride).

4.     Our fourth witness is the people of (Jerusalem). Luke 2. They missed Christmas because of their (religion).

NEXT WEEK:  Series: Deck the Halls!

Title: Life After Christmas- Mt.1:18-21; Lk.1:11-15, 30-33; 2: 13-14

SERIES:  Deck the Halls

TITLE:  The Highlight of Christmas

Scripture: Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:35-38

I.   THE MIRACLE OF FULFILLED PROPHECY                                              

A few of the prophecies fulfilled:

1.     A star and scepter came out of Israel. Numbers 24:17/Mt.2:1-2

2.     Born of the seed of a woman. Gen.3:15/Gal.4:4 (also Mt.1:20)

3.     Born of a virgin. Is.7:14/Mt.1:18-25

4.     He was the Son of God. Ps.2:7/Mt.3:17

5.     He was the seed of Abraham. Gen.22:18/Mt.1:1

6.     From the family line of Jesse (David’s father). Is.11:1/Lk.3:23,32

II.  THE MIRACLE OF HIS BIRTH            

The centerpiece of all Christmas prophecy, Isaiah 9:6 was written nearly (600) years before He was here.

Isaiah foretold His name would be Emmanuel which means (God with us).

“The really staggering Christian claim is that Jesus of Nazareth was God made man…he took humanity without loss of deity, so that Jesus of Nazareth was as truly and fully divine as He was human.” J.I.Packer in “Knowing God”

The point does not lie in the circumstances surrounding His birth, but rather the identity of the baby. A couple things stand out:

1)     The baby born at Bethlehem was (God).  See John 1:1

2)     The baby born at Bethlehem was (God made man).

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” 2 Cor.8:9

“I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart.” Ps.119:32

NEXT WEEK:  Series: Deck the Halls!

Title: Don’t Miss Christmas!- various Scripture

SERIES:  Deck the Halls

TITLE:  The Excitement of Christmas

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38

I.   THE COURTSHIP                                             

The Players: Joseph and Mary

The Town: Nazareth was (Jewish) by birthright, (Roman) by claim, and (Greek) by influence.

The Situation:  Two stages of a relationship:

1.     (Kiddushin)- We would call this the engagement stage. All legally binding except no sexual.

2.     (Huppa)- Officially married stage.

The Problem: Mary’s pregnancy during Kiddushin stage

II.  THE MIRACLE            

“No other fact in the Christmas story is more important than the Virgin Birth. The VB must have happened exactly the way Scripture say. 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.” MacArthur in God With Us.

What does the Virgin Birth mean?

1.     Jesus was born by direct action of God. Lk.1:35a

2.     No man was involved in the process. Lk. 1:34

3.     Jesus had a human mother and no human father. Lk.1:35b

4.     Jesus is fully human and fully divine. Lk.1:31-32; Jn.1:14

5.     He is without sin. He has no inherited sin from Adam. Heb.1:1-3

Through the Virgin Birth, God became (man) without ceasing to be (God).

NEXT WEEK:  Series: Deck the Halls!

Title: The Highlight of Christmas- Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:35-38