Category: Sermon Notes

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: What Does God Want from Me?

Scripture: Isaiah 54-Jeremiah 13

The question is not (if) but (when) you face a challenging situation.

I. HE WANTS ME TO PURSUE HIM

How do I pursue God?

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. With (all I have) for (all He has) to offer. (54-66)
                  2. In (true worship). (57:3-13; 58)

Micah 6:8-“The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is
right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

II. HE WANTS ME TO RELY ON HIM (Jer. 1-13)

Before Jeremiah knew God, God knew Jeremiah.

How does God want me to rely on Him?

1. To accept (His call on my life). (Jer. 1)
2. To live a (genuine life). (Jer. 4-9)
3. To know (Whom to serve). (10-13)

Next week: week: God’s Plans for Us
Scripture: Jeremiah 14-37

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: Destruction to Reconstruction

Scripture: Isaiah 22-53

Sin (destroys); Grace (restores).

I. SIN’S DESTRUCTION

Romans 7:14-25- Sin (destroys). Sin produces (alienation from God) and (punishment in Hell)
without (the blood of Christ) being shed on the cross and (embracing Him) as your Savior.

II. GOD’S RECONSTRUCTION

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. God (tears down) to build up. (25-27)
            2. God sets our (foundation). (28-30)
            3. God continues (rebuilding us). (31-35)
            4. God shows His (greatness). (36-43)
            5. God (finishes) His project. (44-53)

Next week: week: What Does God Want from Me? 
Scripture: Isaiah 54-Jeremiah 13

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: The Danger of Self-Reliance

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9-Isaiah 22

I. A DETERRENT TO SELF-RELIANCE (Eccl. 9-12)

The whole idea: you are the (boss of you). Habakkuk 2:4

4 deterrents to self-reliance:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. (Death) come to us all. (Ch. 9)
                  2. (Wisdom) chooses the right road. (Ch. 10)
                  3. Life is (uncertain). (Ch. 11)
                  4. Do not forget (God)! (Ch. 12)

II. EXAMPLES OF SELF-RELIANCE

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Depending on our (marriage) to make us whole. (SoS)
            2. Depending on (religious ritual) to make us whole. (Is.1-4)
            3. Depending on our (righteousness) to make us whole. (5-8)
            4. Depending on our (strength) to make us whole. (18-22)

Next week: Destruction to Reconstruction
Scripture: Isaiah 23-53

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: What the Heart Wants

Scripture: Proverbs 19-Ecclesiastes 8

I. A LIFE OF EMPTINESS (Eccl. 1-4)

Vanity in Hebrew refers to a (breath) or a (vapor). Solomon is saying (life is elusive).

If there is no God, no afterlife, and no final judgment, then life is (meaningless).

Reading the first four chapters of Ecclesiastes is like reading the journal of someone who sees
life, experiences life, and says, (“What’s the use?).

II. A LIFE OF FULFILLMENT (Pr. 19-31; Eccl. 5-8)

Fulfilled people:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Listen to wise instruction, especially the (Word of God) Pr. 22:17-21
               2. (Fear the Lord). Pr. 19:23
               3. Associate with (wise people). Pr. 13:20; Eccl. 4:9-12
               4. (Flee from sin). Ps. 101
               5. (Bridle their tongue) Pr. 25:18; 26:20, 23, 28
               6. (Contented) people. Eccl. 5:18-20; Pr. 23:4-5
               7. Realize their limitations at (God’s expense). Eccl. 8:16-17
         2. Next week: The Danger of Self-Reliance
            Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9-Isaiah 22

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: Wise Advice

Scripture: Psalm 146-Proverbs 18

“Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in
information? T.S. Eliot (1909-1962)

I. WHERE WISDOM BEGINS (Psalm 146-150; Pr. 1)

“No matter who you are, we are all putting our trust in something.”

“You always put your trust in someone or something. Whoever or whatever holds your trust
also controls the way you live.” (PDT-July 6 th )

Intro to Proverbs 1: “There are many ways to worship God, but only one God to worship.”

You can’t (buy) wisdom. You can’t (earn) a wisdom degree. You can’t take a (wisdom
pilgrimage). Verse 7 tell us where wisdom comes from: (the fear of the Lord).

II. WHAT WISDOM SAYS (2-18)

If wisdom could speak, what would it say?

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Wisdom would say (Work Hard). (5-9)
               2. Wisdom would say (Words Matter). (10-11)
                  One of my favorites (though not in these two chapters) is 17:28- “Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.”
               3. Wisdom would say (Worship Rightly). (14-15)
               4. Wisdom would say have (Well-chosen Responses). (16-18)
                  We may make plans but God is (ultimately in charge). That is called (Sovereignty).

            Next week: What the Heart Wants
            Scripture: Proverbs 19-Ecclesiastes 8

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: Taking God at His Word

Scripture: Psalm 108-145

(169 of the 176) verses make some reference to the Word of God.
It uses words like (laws),(statutes), (commandments), and others.

I. THE CHALLENGE PRESENTED

II. THE CHALLENGE ENABLED

Until you know the (importance of God’s Word) and unless you are willing to (take God at His
Word) all the rest won’t matter.

First question: What should I believe about the Word of God?

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. God’s Word is (true). (vv.42, 142)
               2. God’s Word demands what is (right). (v.75)
               3. God’s Word provides what is (good). (vv.98-100)

Second question: What should I feel about the Word of God?

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. He (delights) in it.
               2. He (desires) it.
               3. He (depends) on it.

Third question: What should I do with the Word of God?

Various Scriptures to read and remember: Ps. 119: 9, 11, 18, 37, 105, 89

Next week: Wise Advice
Scripture: Psalm 146-Proverbs 18

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: We are Being Watched!

Scripture: Psalm 78-107

I. BY OUTSIDERS (78-79, 96-102)

Two things we can learn from Psalm 78:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. We must learn (from the past)
               2. We must instruct (our children).

Asaph echoes Deut. 6:4-6

Psalm 101:1-4- Integrity is when there is no gap between (what we say we believe) and our
(actions, reactions, and responses).

II. BY AN INSIDER (80-95, 103-107)

Psalm 80:14-19 shows God uses (different means) to (get our attention), (change our focus),
(change our lives), and to turn us in the (right direction).

God will not (stop pursuing) us. We can run but we can’t hide. Ps. 84:1-4, 10-12

Want to know what God thinks of you? Ps. 89:1-2, 6-8, 13-18

“For many of us, a dangerous gap lies between what we say we believe and how we live.” (PDT-
June 26-p.222)

A person cannot recognize the awesome, magnificent, expansive, unending greatness of God
without seeing nothing compares to it.

Next week: Taking God at His Word
Scripture: Psalm 108-145

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: What to Pray For

Scripture: Psalm 40-77

I. A HEART THAT LONGS FOR GOD (42,66-69)

What is Psalm 42 about? A (longing for God) to fill us; to (erase the vacuum) that lives there.

“There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any
created thing but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.” Pascal

II. A HEART THAT SEEKS PURITY (51)

Several thoughts stand out to me:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. The (raw exposure) of David’s heart and soul
               2. He gives (no excuses) for his actions.
               3. He asks God (to do a work in his heart).
               4. Notice what was missing: (JOY).

III. A HEART THAT TRUSTS (62,73)

No matter who you are, we are all putting (our trust in something).

“To hear God’s voice, turn down the world’s volume.”

Psalm 62→ making God our (only object) of trust.

Psalm 73 concludes with two thoughts:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. A new awareness of (God’s presence) flowed into him.
               2. The wicked will (perish), but the righteous will (flourish).

Next week: We are Being Watched!
Scripture: Psalm 78-107

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: A Godly Man

Scripture: Job 21-42

I. A GODLY MAN LISTENS (Elijah)

Takeaway: Listening to God is often complicated, sometime easy. Stop to listen.

II. A GODLY MAN SEEKS JUSTICE (Amos)

Takeaway: Life seems unfair. Real men don’t seek revenge. Let God be the Judge.

III. A GODLY MAN PRAYS (Elisha)

Takeaway: Pray for a hedge around your family.

IV. A GODLY MAN TRUSTS (Jehoshaphat)

Takeaway: Trust God for direction and wisdom in times of indecision.

V. A GODLY MAN HAS A REAL FAITH (S, M, A)

Takeaway: Real faith stands its ground-it won’t bend, bow, or break.

VI. A GODLY MAN EXPERIENCES FORGIVENESS (Peter)

Takeaway: Forgiveness is for all, but for the godly man it is essential.

VII. A GODLY MAN LEARNS PATIENCE (Psalm 37:1-9)

Takeaway: Following Jesus is a challenge. Take the commitment seriously.

Next week: What to Pray For
Scripture: Psalm 40-77

2025 THEME: Burning Hearts

Title: Why?

Scripture: Job 21-42

There are three kinds of people:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Those facing problems now.
               2. Those who have just faced problems
               3. Those about to face problems

I. AN EARTHLY PERSPECTIVE

Zophar’s cockeyed logic:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. The wicked don’t (live long) (20:4-11)
                  2. The wicked always (suffer calamity) (20:12-19)
                  3. (Death) falls hard on the wicked (20:20-29)

Earthly attempts to understand fall short:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Eliphaz claims (special revelation).
                  2. Bildad uses (history and tradition).
                  3. Zophar uses his (“wisdom”).

II. A HEAVENLY PERSPECTIVE

Elihu reminds Job of God’s (justice). He reminds Job of God’s (power).

Four applications:

• • • • • • • We never know what God (planned for us).
            • Having a (vertical perspective) is must better than a horizontal one.
            • Take your cue (from God not man).
            • Trust the God who is (always in charge).

Next week: week: A Godly Man
Scripture: Psalm 1-39