Category: Sermon Notes

SERIES:  The Church Alive!

TITLE:  It’s Who We Are

Scripture:  Matthew 28:19-20; various other Scriptures

I.    OUR MISSION                          

“Without vision, there is rarely direction. Without direction, there are no goals. And without goals, there is no progress.”

Our mission is TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO JESUS.

Lessons from Matthew 28:19-20:

1. The word (Go).

2. We are told to (make disciples).

3. The expectation of baptism.

4. Teaching them to observe. Not just (convert) but to (teach).

II.   OUR VISION

Three markers we need to fulfill:

1. To be (passionate pursuers) of Jesus. Phil.3:7-10

2. To be models of (truth and love). John 8

3. To be involved in (our community).

NEXT WEEK: The Church Alive!

Chooses to Serve- Matthew 20:20-28

SERIES:  Freedom!   The Church Alive!

TITLE:  Vertical Vision

Scripture:  Exodus 34:5-14; Psalm 96:1-9

“Most middle class Americans tend to worship their work, to work at their play, and to play at their worship. As a result, their meanings and values are distorted. Their relationships disintegrate faster than they can keep them in repair, and their lifestyles resemble a cast of characters in search of a plot.” Gordon Dahl

I.   THE ESSENCE OF WORSHIP                                           

What is worship? “Worship is honor and adoration directed to God.”

Ephesians 1:16-19

The highest and most powerful human experience is to express our love to the (most worthy object) of that affection. When we (elevate Christ), our joy is magnified. When we settle for less, when we take our adoration elsewhere, we are not just insulting God, we are losing out on delighting in God.

II.   THE EXPRESSION OF WORSHIP           

Several things to notice about Exodus 34:

1.     Moses is worshiping in (the beholding of all that God is).

2.     Authentic worship always begins (with God).

We become (what we behold). Authentic worship is not about me, it is about Him. It is acknowledging our unworthiness but His worth. It acknowledges our sinfulness, but His sinlessness. It acknowledges our destitution without Him, but His sufficiency.

“We are not producing worshipers in this country. Rather, we are producing a generation of spectators, religious onlookers lacking, in many cases, any memory of a true encounter with God, deprived of both the tangible sense of God’s presence and the supernatural relationship their inmost spirits crave.”

To keep in mind:

1)     Worship is internal, not simply external.

2)     Worship must be in spirit and truth. It is not just a matter of sincerity.

3)     Worship is not all mind. There must be spirit.

4)     Worship must be genuine, not fake or hyped.

5)     It must always and only be about Jesus.

NEXT WEEK:  The Church Alive!

It’s Who We Are! Matthew 28:19-20; various others

SERIES:  Freedom!   The Church Alive!

TITLE:  Seeing God’s Glory

Scripture:  Exodus 3; 33:12-23

Voltaire

Betelgeuse

Napoleon

I.   AN EXPLANATION OF TERMS                                          

Romans 1:20-23 (p.939) is very clear how we should view God.

Couple of terms we need to be familiar with:

1.     (Transcendence)- Acknowledge God as “wholly other.”

2.     Manifest presence- Literally means “He is always with us.”

“What have you done recently where if God is not in it you are sure to fail?

II.   AN EXPERIENCE OF GLORY          

God’s manifest presence should be the (consuming passion) of every weekly service from planning it to executing it.

Investigate Exodus 33.  Points of interest:

1)     Verse 12- Moses upset with God for such a divine responsibility with (so little help).

2)     Verse 14- The Hebrew word for presence is also used in Genesis 3:8 where Adam & Eve hid themselves from the presence of God.

3)     Moses wanted more than just a passing glance at God; he wants to see Him in depth. His desperate cry was “(Show me your glory!)”

4)     The result can be seen in Exodus 34:29

NEXT WEEK:  The Church Alive!

Vertical Vision- Exodus 34:5-14; Psalm 96:1-9

SERIES:  Freedom!   The Church Alive!

TITLE:  On Your Mark. . . Go!

Scripture:  Matthew 16:13-19; Acts 2:42

GI Generation (1904-1924)

Silent Generation (1925-1945)

Boomers (1946-1964)

Gen X (1965-1979)

Millennials (1980-2000)

The new kid in town are the (Plurals). Sometimes called (The Homeland Generation)

I.   ON YOUR MARK                                         

One of the things which can happen to a church is (erosion).

Matthew 16 significant points:

1.     Jesus us “I” which means He will be the (architect).

2.     There is a look of the future with (will).

3.     The word build suggests an (ongoing process).

4.     The word “My” suggests (ownership and authority).

5.     Jesus spoke about the (invincibility) of the church.

II.   GO!!!     

Three words need to see and grasp:

1)     (Dependence)- Find identity, security, or worth in someone else.

2)     (Independence)- Tries to live an isolated faith.

3)     (Interdependence)- Occurs when rely on each other.

4 essentials for gathering:

1.     Apostle’s teaching

2.     Fellowship

3.     Breaking of Bread

4.     Prayer.

“If the church is doing what it is supposed to be doing, people couldn’t stay out.” Ray Stedman

“The world is waiting to hear an authentic voice, a voice from God-not an echo of what other are doing and saying, but an authentic voice.” A.W.Tozer

NEXT WEEK:  Series: The Church Alive!

Seeing God’s Glory- Exodus 3: 33:12-23

SERIES:  Freedom

TITLE:  Deeper

Scripture:  Psalm 42:1-2; 63:1; 119 (various)

“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Gal.6:14

I.    FACING THE CHALLENGE       

“I saw Him, and I sought Him, and I had Him, and I wanted Him.”  Hudson Taylor

What is the challenge? Have a (desire for God). It is having a (passion) for Him.

Psalm 42:1-2- “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for the living God.”

Psalm 63:1- “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”

II.   FULFILLING THE CHALLENGE         

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be satisfied.” Mt.5:6

How do we face this challenge?

1.     There has to be a hunger within us for a (deeper walk).

2.     A (lack of hunger) stands behind our failure to grow.

What are some practical things we can do to make this happen?

1)     Make a commitment to spend time (in the Bible).

2)     Make a commitment to worship with a (whole heart).

3)     Make a commitment to (prayer).

4)     Make a commitment to pass the (ultimate test).  Pr.8:13: “To fear the Lord is to hate evil.”

NEXT WEEK:  Series: The Church Alive!

“On your Mark…Go!  Matthew 16:13-19; Acts 2:42

SERIES:  Freedom

TITLE:  Paying the Piper

Scripture:  Galatians 6:6-16

I.    LESSONS FROM THE LAW OF THE HARVEST                                       

Down through the years people have tried to discount the Bible, especially the (moral law).

4 Laws of the harvest: (Chuck Swindoll)

Law #1: We Sow and Reap in (Like Kind).

Law #2: We Reap in a (Different Season) than We Sow.

Law #3: We Reap (More) than We Sow.

Law #4: We can Do (Nothing) about Past Harvest, but We Can Do (Something) about Future Harvests.

II.   LESSONS FROM THE LAW OF LEGALISM        

He exposes the Judaizers for they are: (pretenders). They were motivated by (spiritual pride).

How were they motivated by spiritual pride?

1.     They desired to make a (good impression).

2.     They wanted to avoid taking a (stand for the cross).

The word used in verse 14 carries the idea of (virtual impossibility).

“Boast” here carries the idea of “good glorying” or “rejoicing.”

Verse 16: The word “rule” in the Greek is (measuring rod)

NEXT WEEK:  Deeper- Psalm 42:1; 63:1; various from Psalm 119

SERIES:  The Fruitful Life

TITLE:  Living With Others

Scripture:  Galatians 5:26-6:5

“It is easy to talk about the fruit of the Spirit while doing very little about it. So Christians need to learn that it is in concrete situations, rather than emotional highs, that the reality of the Holy Spirit in their lives is demonstrated.” James Montgomery Boice

I.   THE WRONG WAY TO TREAT OTHERS                                      

One of the worst things a follower of Christ can do is (gloat).

In verse 26 Paul says, “Let us not become conceited.”  The Greek word means (to become boastful).

Another wrong way to treat others is (to stop provoking one another).

Arrogance or Pride. Boasting. One more: (Envying) one another.  Arrogance and boasting flow out of a feeling of superiority. Envy flows out a feeling of (inferiority).

I.  THE RIGHT WAY TO TREAT OTHERS       

#1: (Restore) one another.

#2: (Bear) one another’s burdens.

NEXT WEEK:  Paying the Piper- Galatians 6:6-16

SERIES:  The Fruitful Life

TITLE:  God-designed Walls

Scripture:  Galatians 5: 23; Proverbs 25:28

“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” Pr.25:28

I.   THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF-CONTROL                          

Self-control is (the governing of one’s desires).

James 1:14-15”But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”

Temptation is not dangerous because it in (external). It is dangerous because of the desire (within our heart).

The Greek word for self-control refers to (restraining passions and appetites).

II.  THE INCLUSION OF SELF-CONTROL

“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret, whether good or evil.” Eccl.12:13-14

1.  We need to honor God with our (body). “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful.” “Everything is permissible for me-but I will not be mastered by anything.” (NIV) I Cor.6:12 (both)

2. We need to honor God with our (thoughts). 2 Cor.10:3-5 (p.969)

3. We need to honor God with our (emotions). “A controlled temper is to be more sought than a decisive victory in war.” Pr.16:32

What do we need to do?

• Be honest about the areas where you need self-control
• Face the issue of whether you are really willing to change
• Realize the battle begins and stays in the mind

NEXT WEEK: Living With Others- Galatians 5:26-6:5

SERIES:  The Fruitful Life

TITLE:  The Unasked-For Fruit

Scripture:  Galatians 5:22, Col 3:12

I.   THE PROBLEM WITH GENTLENESS                                     

Somewhat difficult to define. It is often interchanged with (meekness).

“Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.” Mt.5:5

Twice Jesus described as meek in Mt.11:29 and 21:5

Paul uses it in 2 Cor.10:1

A good way to define this is (power under control).  One author put it this way; “Yielded to God we are able to harness the natural powers of our personality. We subject self-gratification to self-denial. Self-exaltation to humility; selfishness to selflessness.”

It is a (humble and gentle) attitude that is patiently submissive, while being free of any desire for revenge or retribution.

II.  THE PROOF OF GENTLENESS      

Example #1: Turn to Isaiah 40. (p.600). One interesting item: as Isaiah is writing about God’s power and majesty, he is also writing about God’s (tenderness).  Further reference: Psalm 18:35

Example #2: 2 Corinthians 10:1. Paul uses (Jesus) as an example.

Example #3: (Treating others) with gentleness

1)     Do people find me a safe place?

2)     How do I present myself to others?

3)     Do I degrade or belittle or gossip about others?

NEXT WEEK:  God-designed Walls- Galatians 5:23; Pr.25:28

SERIES:  The Fruitful Life

TITLE:  Semper Fi

Scripture:  Galatians 5:22, Psalm 62

I.   THE TOUCHSTONE FOR FAITHFULNESS           

Webster defines touchstone as “a fundamental or quintessential part or feature.” Synonyms are “standard, gauge, yardstick.”

There is one attribute of God which stands above all others: God is (faithful).

Lamentations 3:22-24- “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new ever morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’”

Turn to Psalm 89:1-2 (p.498)

II.  THE TRAITS OF FAITHFULNESS     

3 traits from Daniel’s life which exhibit faithfulness:

1.     (Absolute Honesty).   “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.” Pr.12:22

2.     (Unequalled Dependability).  “Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.” Pr.10:26   [Turn to Psalm 15]

3.     (Unswerving Loyalty).  “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” Pr.27:6

NEXT WEEK:  The Unasked For Fruit- Gal.5:23