Category: Sermon Notes

SERIES:  Freedom!

TITLE:  Chosen

Scripture:  Romans 8:14-17, Galatians 4:1-7, Ephesians 1:3-6

I.   THE MEANING OF ADOPTION                              

Justification a legal term meaning “to be found not guilty.”

Sanctification means “to be set apart for a specific purpose.”

Redemption means “to be bought from the auction block.”

Reconciliation means “to be made friends again.”

Propitiation means “all which needed to be done Christ accomplished.”

Redemption is (sinward); Reconciliation is (manward); Propitiation is (Godward).

We receive all the right and privileges of being part of God’s family. One huge difference: Unlike earthly fathers, who are sometimes prone to anger and harshness, God is a perfect Father.  God’s design for us can be seen in Romans 8:28-29.

Two truths underscored by Galatians 4 and Romans 8:

1.     We have been permanently (liberated) through the adoption in God’s family.

2.     We enjoy the privilege of an (intimate relationship) with the Father.

II.   THE MESSAGE OF ADOPTION                

“I will welcome you, and I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Cor.6:17b-18

Adoption gives us several important thoughts:

1)     It is the highest privilege that the gospel offers.

2)     The entire Christian life must be understood in terms of it.

A few thoughts to consider:  (Knowing God by J.I.Packer)

1.     Our adoption shows the greatness of (God’s grace).

2.     Our adoption shows us the glory of the (Christian hope).

3.     Our adoption gives us the key to under the ministry of the (Holy Spirit).

4.     Our adoption shows us the meaning and motives for (holiness).

NEXT WEEK:  Theme: Freedom!

Title: Tell the Truth-Anyone Can Lie

Scripture: Galatians 4:12-31

SERIES:  Freedom!

TITLE:  Adopted

Scripture:  Galatians 4:1-11

I.   SLAVERY

In ancient times, much was made of a boy becoming a man. Not so for a slave. He had no (rights); no (privileges); no (freedom); no (voice) in anything. Even those given responsibility for taking care of the child/children was still a slave.

As long as the heir is a child, he is no different than a slave though he is the owner of everything. Until he comes of age, he is treated no differently than a (slave).

Paul’s point all along: The Law is (bondage); it is slavery.

II.   SONSHIP     

What does it mean “fullness of time?”

1.     The time was right (religiously).

2.     The time was right (culturally).

3.     The time was right (politically).

“Born of a woman”- God in flesh came to live among us.

“Born under the Law”- born into Jewish family and subject to the Law

“Adopted”- combination of two words: “son” and “a placing.”  Our relationship to God is more than positional: it is also experiential.

NEXT WEEK:  Theme: Freedom!

Title: Tell the Truth-Anyone Can Lie

Scripture: Galatians 4:12-31

SERIES:  Freedom!

TITLE:  Before/After

Scripture:  Galatians 3:23-29

I.   BEFORE CHRIST                            

This section signifies a shift in Paul’s thinking. In previous verses he had been concerned with (the law’s true purpose), which is to lead men to Christ. In this section he moves on to the idea of (change of status).

Paul uses two figures: a prison and a guardian.

1.     Verse 23: “held captive” or “kept in custody”  means “protect by military guards.”  The word “imprisoned” means “hemmed in” or “cooped up.”

“What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet’…I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died.” Rom.7:7,9

2.     Verse 24: guardian or tutor. Literally means “child leader.”

II.  AFTER CHRIST              

There was a (moral) law and there was a (ceremonial) law.

The Law was never intended to be anything more than a temporary means of showing (men their sin) and leading them (to the Savior).

Roman coming of age was called (toga virilis). This was similar to Jewish (Bar Mitsvah).

NEXT WEEK:  Theme: Freedom!

Title: Adopted

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-11

SERIES:  Freedom!

TITLE:  Promises

Scripture:  Galatians 3:7-22

I.   PROMISE #1- REDEEMED FROM THE (CURSE)                           

Paul’s message in this letter unrelenting: “A man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus.” [2:16]

The order of things:

1. Abram called by God to leave his homeland and journey to Canaan.
2. Command of circumcision. According to several passages, it was an illustration of the need to (cut away sin) from the heart.
3. Judaizers combined the command and the act to require circumcision for (salvation).

The word “redeemed” means “(to buy out of slavery).

PROMISE #2- REDEEMED BY A (COVENANT)       

A covenant is a general term for a (binding agreement).

God made a covenant with Abraham.

When Jesus went to the cross the (Old Covenant) went with Him. We now live under a (New Covenant).

Important to remember: (Keeping the Law) and (trusting by faith) are mutually exclusive in terms of salvation.

The Law and Gospel are both part of God’s plan. The Law shows us (our sin); the Gospel shows us (the way to escape) from sin’s penalty, but from which it could not save us.

NEXT WEEK:        Theme: Freedom!

   Title: Before/After

   Scripture: Galatians 3:23-29

SERIES:  Freedom!

TITLE:  On Being Extraordinary!

Scripture:  Joshua 2:3-14,17-21; 6:25; I Samuel 1; 2:18-20

I.   RAHAB- LIFE REDEEMED

Rahab’s scarlet letter was not an “A” but an (“H”) or (“P”)

Judges 2:3-14, 17-21

Rahab asked for protection and deliverance; they promised it on one condition: there was a (scarlet thread) hanging from the window.

Rahab’s life did not end with Jericho. She married Salmon; became the mother of Boaz; who married Ruth, who became the grandmother of (David), the king of Israel.

She is a testimony to the transforming power of (faith).

II.   HANNAH- LIFE REARRANGED

Rahab’s letter was “H.” Hannah’s scarlet letter was a “C” for (Childless).

Hannah had vowed if given a son, she would (dedicate him to God) and after weaning him, she would bring him to the temple to serve the Lord all his days.

Her (prayer of faith) was answered in an unusual way. She loved her husband. She loved her son. She love her home. But most of all (she loved her God).

NEXT WEEK:      Theme: Freedom!

Title: Promises

Scripture: Galatians 3:7-22

SERIES:  Freedom!

TITLE:  Bewitched

Scripture:  Galations 3:1-5

“The role of the law is to show us the diseases in such a way that it shows us on hope of cure; whereas the role of the gospel is to bring a remedy to those who are past hope.” John Calvin

I.   DEFINING THE GOSPEL                         

Sad truth: we base a lot of our evaluation on our (feelings).

The Gospel is that Christ has suffered the (full wrath) of God for my sins. Jesus Christ traded places with me, living the perfect life which I should have (but could not), and dying the death I had been condemned to die.

Repeat: In Christ, there is nothing I can do to make God (love me more); there is nothing I can do to make Him (love me less).

Problem: our hearts are hard-wired for (works righteousness).  “Satan starts with what you did, and tears down who you are. The Holy Spirit starts with what Christ has declared over you, and helps you rebuild what you did.” Louie Giglio

II.  DEFECTION FROM THE GOSPEL          

Two words jump out at us from verse one:

1.     (Foolish)

2.     (Bewitched)

Paul asks 4 questions:

1.     Question #1: “Did you receive…?” [v.2]

2.     Question #2: “Are you so foolish? [v.3]

3.     Question #3: “What about all the suffering?” [v.4]

4.     Question #4: A question about miracles [v.5]

NEXT WEEK:  Theme: Mother’s Day

      Title: On Being Extraordinary

                         Scripture: Joshua 2:3-14,17-21; I Samuel 1:4-5; 2:18-20

SERIES:  Freedom!

TITLE:  I Can See Clearly Now

Scripture:  Various

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

I. OUR MISSION

My definition of a mission statement is simple: It is what we are supposed to be doing.

Jesus gave us our Mission in Matthew 28:19-20. (p.835) Take a closer look:

1.     Notice the first word: (Go).

2.     The main verb and central thought is not “God” but (make disicples).

3.     The expectation of (baptism).

4.     We are not just to convert but to (teach).

What is the mission of OVCF?  “To win the HEART of Owen County.”

The new mission statement of OVCF? “To connect people to Jesus.”

II. OUR VISION

 If our mission is “To connect people to Jesus” how do we do that?

1.     To be (passionate pursuers) of Jesus.  Philippians 3:7-10 (p.981)

The Greek word for “know” means “to know intimately.”

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

3.     To be involved in (our community). Luke 10

NEXT WEEK:

Theme: Freedom!

Title: Bewitched

Scripture: Galatians 3: 1-5

SERIES:  Freedom!

TITLE:  Two 7-Letter Words Which Change Everything

Scripture:  Galatians 2:20; Isaiah 43:16-21; Hosea 14

I.   A SEVEN-LETTER WORD WHICH DEMOLISHES- (CONTROL)

“There are people who prefer to say ‘Yes,’ and there are people who prefer to say ‘No.’ Those who say ‘Yes’ are rewarded by the adventures they have, and those who say ‘No’ are rewarded by the safety they attain.” Keith Johnstone in “Living a Life on Loan”

“Man wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages. Bitter cold. Long months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in the case of success.”

Ad placed by Ernest Shackleton for Endurance

To be crucified means you give up (control) of your life to Jesus. It means we live in the (“Now”) and in the (“I AM”) not in the (“I was”).

There are two words which seem to rule peoples’ lives: (shame) and (regret).

Turn to Isaiah 43:16-21 (p.604)

II.   A SEVEN-LETTER WORD WHICH LIVENS- (ABANDON)

Two things control does to us:

1. Control (hurts our growth).

2. Control (blinds us).

“Jesus Christ identified with us in our death in order that we might be identified with Him in His resurrection. We give Christ all that we were-spiritually dead, guilty sinners-and Christ gives us all that He is- resurrected life, forgiveness, righteousness, acceptance…Christians are continually trying to change their lives; but God calls us to experience the exchanged life. Christianity is not a self-improvement program. It isn’t a reformation project. It is resurrection! It is new life! And it is expressed in terms of a total exchange of identity.” Bob George quoted in Everything by Mary DeMuth-p.78 (Note for Jo only: start PP with “Christians are continually trying…”)

It is not about self-improvement! It is about relinquishing control. It is about (abandon).

Hosea 14 (p.759)

NEXT WEEK: Title: I Can See Clearly Now

Scripture: Various

SERIES:  Freedom!

TITLE:  The Great Exchange

Scripture:  Galatians 2: 15 – 21

I.   THE FOUNDATION OF THE GREAT EXCHANGE                     

The heart of man’s spiritual dilemma is that we are incapable of overcoming the (sinfulness) which separates us from a (holy God).  The common misconception is the man is inherently (good) and able to pull himself up by his own bootstraps.

Here is the essence of what Paul is saying in verses 15-17: with our without the Law, no one is saved who has (not believed in Jesus Christ).

Verse 16 is about the clearest and most pointed reference to justification by faith in the Bible.

II.   THE EXPLANATION OF THE GREAT EXCHANGE       

Paul uses the Law as a stepping stone. It was actually an agent which showed him his (sin) and led him to the gospel. He died to the Law and stopped trying (to please God) by keeping the Law. He exchanged his damning pursuit of (self-righteousness) for the (life-giving grace) of Jesus.

What does it mean to be “crucified with Christ?” Paul is actually using very vivid language to describe our (union with Christ). All who place their faith in Christ (die to self).

Growing in Christ isn’t about making (ourselves new); it’s about realizing that we have been made new (in Christ); it’s about living out who we are.

NEXT WEEK:  Theme: Freedom!

Title: Two 7-Letter Words Which Change Everything

Scripture: Galatians 2: 20; Isaiah 43:16-21; Hosea 14

SERIES:  Famous Last Words

TITLE:  Trust and Triumph

Scripture:  Luke 23:44-46;  24:1-2

I.   TRUST IN DEATH                    

Major question: What will be your final words?

John 10:17-18 records Jesus saying, “I lay down my life.”  Make no mistake! This was not a (surprise). This was not a (defeat).

When Jesus died on the cross, it was not a wrenching struggle against His killers. He didn’t display any frenzied death throes. His death was a deliberate act of His own sovereign will.

The saying, “Father, into your hands…” is lifted from Psalm 31:5. There are several differences though:

1.     He adds something to it: (Father).

2.     He omits something at the end: He omits the reference to (ransom).  Why? Because He had no need for it.

II.  TRIUMPH IN RESURRECTION      

There have been theories advanced to dismiss the resurrection:

1.     The swoon theory- Our faith is based on a (mistake).

2.     The kidnap theory- Our faith is based on a (lie).

3.     The hallucination theory- Our faith is based on a (fairy tale).

Purpose not to defend event. Present to you why so important:

1)     Absolutely essential to believe in the resurrection.  “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins…If for this life only we had hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied.” [I Cor.15:17,19]

2)     It has been called “the center of the center, the real heart of Christianity.”

3)     Real hard truth: if Jesus did not raise from the dead, Christianity is not worth the paper it is written on.

Anyone who has truly, with an open heart, investigated the facts, cannot deny the resurrection.

NEXT WEEK:  Theme: Freedom!

Title: The Great Exchange

Scripture: Galatians 2: 15-21