SERIES:  Come to the Feast!

TITLE:   Fill Up On Love

TEXT:  Matthew 1:18-25

I. THE REASON FOR THE FEELINGS

 Three words ring out to me: (Joseph felt betrayed).

 How we choose to respond at the moment of betrayal and the days that follow is (everything).

 4 things tend to do instead of focusing on love;

1. (Deny)

2. (Withdraw)

3. (Duplicate)

4. (Expose)

II. THE RESPONSE TO THE FEELINGS

 1. Love (covers sin).

 Kiddushin- engagement period

Huppah- marriage

2. Love (listens to God).

What does God bring to the table?

1) He brings a different (perspective).

2) He brings His (plan).

3) He brings His (presence).

3. Love (believes God). Love believes and embraces God’s promises and His character and acts upon them even when fulfillment (is not immediate).

4. Love (obeys God).

NEXT: Series: Come to the Feast!

Sermon: Fill Up on Hope- Luke 1:26-36

SERIES:  Come to the Feast!

TITLE:   Fill Up On Joy

TEXT:  Luke 1: 5-14

I. FILLING IN THE BACKGROUND

Turn to Malachi 3:1 (p.802)

1. Righteousness seems to go (un-regarded).

2. Sometimes we feel our best (is behind us).

3. Sometimes prayers seem to go (unanswered)

 II. FEELING JOY

 1. We can fill up on joy when God’s (presence) is (revealed). “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Ps.16:11

2. We can fill up on joy when God’s (comfort) is (experienced).

3. We can fill up on joy when God’s (provision) is (detailed).

 1) Zechariah means “God remembers”

2) Elizabeth means “God keeps His promises.”

 4. We can fill up on joy when God’s (grace) is (embraced).

 John means “God is gracious.”

NEXT: Series: Come to the Feast!

Sermon: Fill Up on Love- Matthew 1: 18-25

SERIES:  Come to the Feast!

TITLE:   Don’t Miss the Feast!

TEXT:  Selected Scripture

I. THE PREOCCUPIED

 Scripture: Luke 2: 4-7

Why the decree?

1. To (tax) the people

2. To see who could (serve in the military).

 The Innkeeper was guilty of (ignorant preoccupation). It is safe to say he was (too busy).

II. THE FEARFUL

 Scripture: Matthew 2:1-8

 Why did Herod miss the feast? (Fear).

III. THE RELIGIOUS

 Scripture: Matthew 2:6

 Deut.18:15- “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers-it is to him you will listen.”

 Why did they miss the Feast? (Prideful Indifference)

 Why did another group of religious people miss the feast? (Religious ritual)

NEXT: Series: Come to the Feast!

Sermon: Fill Up on Joy- Luke 1:5-14

SERIES:  Signs

TITLE:   They Reflect God’s Spirit

TEXT:  John 15:1-5 (p.901); Gal.5:22-23 (p.975); Eph.5:18 (p.978)

When an idea enters our head, it’s called information.

When it touches our heart, it’s called inspiration.

But when it bleeds out our toes and fingernails, it’s called incarnation.

I. (FILLED) AND (EMPOWERED) BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

 Eph.5:18 (p.978)

 The Holy Spirit is a divine (pledge) and (guarantee) given to everyone who acknowledges Christ as their Savior.

II. (SENSITIVE) TO THE (LEADING) OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

 Turn to John 15:1-5 (p.901)

III. (PRODUCING) THE (FRUIT) OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Focus on Galatians 5:22-23 (p.975)

1. (Love)- supreme virtue of the Christian life.

2. (Joy)- more than happiness

3. (Peace)- refers to peace of mind

4. (Patience)- longsuffering and tolerance

5. (Kindness)- tender concern for others

6. (Goodness)- moral and spiritual excellence

7. (Faithfulness)- loyalty and trustworthiness

8. (Gentleness)- meekness

9. (Self-control)- restraining passions and appetites

 “For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:8

NEXT: Series: Come to the Feast!

Sermon: Don’t Miss the Feast! Selected Scripture

SERIES:  Signs

TITLE:   They Have Open Eyes

TEXT:  Jn.3:16-17 (p.888); Acts 1:8 (p.909); Eph.4:3-6 (p.977)

(138,000) more lost people this morning than yesterday morning

(1 million) more lost people next Sunday than this Sunday

(146,000) will die within the next 24 hours

(345,000) babies will be born in the next 24 hours who will live, die and go to hell as adults without ever being presented the gospel.

I. (AFFIRMING) GOD’S LOVE FOR ALL PEOPLE

 The truth, plain and simple, is that all people (matter to God).

II. TAKING THE GOSPEL ACROSS ALL (BOUNDARIES)

 The Great Commandment is found in Matthew 22:37-39

 The Great Commission is found in Matthew 28:19-20

 Acts 1:8 says, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth.”

 Why is Christianity different?

1. Christianity begins with an accurate diagnosis of the human dilemma: (sin)

2. Christianity provides the (only answer) to the problem of sin.

3. Christianity’s offer of salvation is based on (historical truth).

III. STRIVING TO SUPPORT AND ACHIEVE (UNITY)

 Jesus was the example of acceptance of others:

1) Mark 7:24- a (Greek woman)

2) Matthew 8- a (Roman centurion)

 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Gal.3:28

 All believers, without exception, are (all one in Christ). Turn to James 2.

NEXT: They Reflect God’s Spirit- Jn.16:13; Gal.5:22-23; Eph.5:18

SERIES:  Signs

TITLE:   They Are Team Players

TEXT:  I Cor.12:12-13 (p.959); Eph.4:1-16 (p.977)

1.  A DESIRE TO LEARN

Pictures that develop when a church talks about ministering:

1. The coach (plays alone).
2. The players run onto the field, but stay in the (huddle).
3. The team breaks out of the huddle, but then stand around and (argue).
4. The team lines up, but they have no (equipment).
5. The team (teams around).

How does a turnaround happen?  Eph.4:1-6

1.  (Humility)

2.  (Gentleness)

3.  (Patience)

4.  (Bearing with one another)

5.  (Unity)

2.  A DESIRE TO COOPERATE

Why are the different gifts important?

1)      They keep the body (balanced).

2)      They keep the body (healthy).

3)      They keep the body’s (focus clear).

A church gone wrong. Why?

1. The Corinthian team was made up of those who would (divide) into camps based on personalities.
2. They cared more about their own (individual rights) than they did about the reputation of Jesus.
3. A team that fights with another discredits the Prince of Peace, and no one will (believe our message).
4. So few are willing to step out of their comfort zone to see people come to know Jesus.
5. A failure to see people as (God sees them).
6. Some of the teams have decided not to use the Head Coach’s (playbook).

NEXT:  They Have Open Eyes- Acts 1:8; John 3:16-17; Eph.4:3-6

SERIES: Signs
TITLE: They Exhibit Generosity
TEXT: 2 Cor.9:6-15 (p.968); I Cor.16:1-2 (p.962)

1. WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?                                                                

 “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.”  Ps.24:1 (NASB)

 “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts.”  Haggai 2:8

 5 things characteristic of our giving:

1.      It should be done (systematically).

2.      It should be done (individually).

3.      It should be done (consistently).

4.      It should be done (proportionately).

5.      It should be done (privately). 

2. HOW DOES IT WORK?                                 

According to 2 Cor. 9 we are to:

1)      Sow (bountifully).  [v.6]

2)      Give (cheerfully).  [v.7]

3)      Give (liberally).  [vv.8-11]

4)      Give (joyfully).  [vv.12-14]

NEXT:  They Are Team Players- Eph.4:1-16; I Cor.12:12-13

SERIES:  Signs
TITLE:   They Invest in Others                  
TEXT:  Luke 9:23-25 (p.867); John 1:35-51 (p.886); I Cor.11:1 

I. IT INVOLVES A COMMITMENT TO (JESUS CHRIST)                                                              

“It is possible to be…a camp-follower without being a solider of the king; to be a hanger-on in some great work without pulling one’s weight…It is one of the supreme handicaps of the church that in the church there are so many distant followers of Jesus Christ and so few real disciples.”  William Barclay in Luke

3 essentials to being a disciple in Luke 9

1. A disciple must (deny himself). 
2. A disciple must take up his (cross daily).
3. A disciple must (follow Him). 

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”  Jim Elliott

II. IT INVOLVES A COMMITMENT TO (TIME)                              

How did Jesus foster His inner circle?

1) His approach was (personal). 
2) His approach was (individual). 

III. IT INVOLVES A COMMITMENT TO THE (BENEFITS)    

I Cor.11:1 (p.958)

Two quotes worthy of learning:

“God is not so much interested in our ability, as He is our availability.”

“The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in a man who is fully and wholly committed to Him.”  Words said to D.L. Moody

NEXT:  They Exhibit Generosity- I Cor.16:1-2; 2 Cor.9:6-15

SERIES: Signs

TITLE: They Live Godly Lives

TEXT: Eph.4:25-5:4 (p.978)

I. SPEECH THAT IS (WHOLESOME)

“Put aside all anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from their mouth.” Col.3:8

“Lord, help me control my tongue; help me be careful about what I say.” Ps.141:3 (NCV)

“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Ps.141:3 (ESV & NIV)

What kind of speech should that be?

1. Words that (build up).

2. According to (needs)

3. Words that are (gracious). “Let you speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt.” Col.4:6

II. ATTITUDES THAT ARE (WELCOME)

1. (Bitterness)- a smoldering resentment

2. (Wrath)- passion of the moment

3. (Anger)- more of an internal smoldering

4. (Clamor)- brawling, loss of control

5. (Slander)- defamation of one’s character

6. (Malice)- general term for evil

Two attitudes that are welcome:

1. Tenderhearted

2. Forgiving one another

III. CHARACTER THAT IS (WITNESSED)

These must be dealt with:

1) Immorality- porneia

2) Impurity- anything that is unclean and filthy

3) Covetousness (Greed)-a desire for more

4) Filthiness- obscenity. Paul used the phrase “dirty speech”

5) Foolish talk- gutter mouth

6) Crude joking- something turned obscene or suggestive

NEXT: They Invest in Others- Luke 9:232-25; John 1:35-51; I Cor.11:1

SERIES:  Signs

TITLE:   They Have a Heart for Seekers

TEXT:  Luke 15 (p.874); 19:1-10 (p.878)

“God is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”  2 Peter3:9

1. THEY “SEE” THEMSELVES

Turn to Eph.5:27.  3 lessons from this verse:

1. The purpose of Christ’s love is to call forth (beauty).
2. The product of Christ’s love is to be (holy and blameless).
3. The process by which He accomplishes that is by (His love) for the church.

It is all about (credibility).  We must (BE) good news  before we can share good news.

“And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect.”  Ezek.16:14 (NIV)

2. THEY “SEE” OTHERS

Point to ponder: We must (really matter) to God.

Three common threads run through Luke 15 parables;

1)      Something of (great value) was missing.

2)      That which was missing was (important enough) to warrant an all-out search.

3)      (Retrievals) result in (rejoicing).

3. THEY “SEE” THEIR MISSION

“I have not come to call the righteous but the sinners to repentance.”  Mk.2:27

“The church is a hospital for sinners, not a rest home for saints.”

NEXT:  They Live Godly Lives- Eph.4:25-5:4