Category: Sermon Notes

SERIES: FREEDOM! 2015 theme

TITLE: Lost and Found

Scripture: Romans 5:12-21

I.    OUR RUIN

Charles Dickens: “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.”

Paul interjects a key word in his writing: (but). It is found in three different places:

1. Romans 3:21

2. Ephesians 2:4

3. Titus 3:3-5 (p.998)

God’s grace doesn’t supplement our good works. Instead, His grace overcomes our bad works, which are our sins.

II.   OUR REMEDY          

Picture #1: Psalm 103:12 (p.502)

-This is a description of the (extent) of His forgiveness.

Picture #2: Isaiah 38:17 (p.599)

-This is a description of the (hiddenness) of His forgiveness.

Picture #3: Micah 7:19 (p.781)

-This is a description of the (depth) of His forgiveness.

Picture #4: Isaiah 43:25 (p.604)

-This is a description of the (completeness) of His forgiveness.

–“There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” Rom.8:1

One more “but” found in Colossians 1:21-22 (p.983)

NEXT WEEK: Freedom!

Title: Rebels

Scripture: Matthew 9:1-8, 14-17

SERIES: FREEDOM! 2015 theme

TITLE:  Free! (An overview of Grace)

Scripture: Exodus 33:12-19; John 1:17

I.   UNDERSTANDING GRACE

With the law came (bondage), but with grace comes (freedom).

What does grace mean?

The Hebrew term means (to bend or stoop). It came to mean (condescending favor).

“Love that goes upward is worship; love that goes outward is affection; love that stoops is grace.”

One very important thing to remember about grace is this: it is absolutely and totally (free). You will never be asked to (pay it back). So to put it simply: Grace is (unmerited favor.)

II.   UNQUESTIONABLE EXPECTATIONS    

What can you expect over the next 12 months? What do you have to look forward to?

1.  I believe you can expect to gain a greater appreciation for (God’s gifts) to you and others.

2.  I believe you can expect to spend less time and energy (critical of) and (concerned about) other peoples’ choices.

3.  I believe you can expect to become (less judgmental) and (more tolerant).

4.  I believe you expect a giant step toward (spiritual maturity).

5.  I believe you can expect God’s Word to be peeled back like an onion, and along with that, you own life.

NEXT WEEK: Freedom!

Title: Lost and Found

Scripture: Romans 5:12-21

SERIES: The Great Adventure: I AM

TITLE:  Vine

Scripture: John 15:1-11

“What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has the eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.” Augustine

I.   THE ILLUSTRATION FROM GARDENING

The Seven I AM statements Jesus made about Himself:

1. I AM the Bread of Life
2. I AM the Light of the World
3. I AM the Door/Gate
4. I AM the Good Shepherd
5. I AM the Resurrection and the Life
6. I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life
7. I AM the True Vine

The Greek word for “gardener” is the word (farmer).

II.   THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENT FOR FRUIT  

If we lack the (connection) to the Father, the (Source of strength) for those who follow Jesus, we will not bear fruit. The plain and hard truth is the Christian life is neither hard nor difficult; it is (impossible) to live without (abiding) in Christ.

The word “abide” literally means “to have a permanent union with.” To abide in Christ means to have a (desperate dependence) and (restful residence) in the Lord.

The call here is not for us to (bear fruit); it is to (abide).

NEXT WEEK: Freedom! (2015 theme)

Title: Free!

Scripture: Ex.33:12-19; John 1:17

SERIES: The Great Adventure: I AM

TITLE:  One

Scripture: John 14:6; 1:1-18

I.    THE EXAMINATION OF HIS CLAIM

James 4:4 says, “Don’t you know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?”

Modernism-based on the notion that only (science can explain reality). Postmodernism-based on the notion there are no (absolutes). There is no objective or universal truth.

“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we can be saved.” Acts 4:12

 “Whoever believe in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” John 3:36

 “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” I Tim.2:5

 Also check out I John 5:11-12

 This is the message of Christianity: Jesus is the One and only way to the Father. Buddha, Mohammed, Joseph Smith, or any other head of a religion will not lead you to God. The Bible is crystal clear: only Jesus!

II.   THE ESSENTIAL THREAD TO HIS CLAIM

“No other fact in the Christmas story is more important than the Virgin Birth. The virgin birth must have happened exactly the way Scripture says. 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.”

John MaArthur in “God With Us-The Miracle of Christmas

Read Phil.2:5-8

NEXT WEEK: TGA: I AM

Title: Vine

Scripture: John 15:1-11

SERIES: The Great Adventure: I AM

TITLE:  Light

Scripture: John 8:12-20

     Light always defeats darkness. 

I.    THE LIGHT OF HISTORY

Jesus and His disciples had just finished celebrating the (Feast of Tabernacles). That feast was to commemorate the (faithfulness of God) to the Israelites during their 40 year trek in the wilderness. Reference in Exodus 13:21-22.

Lights were lit at the feat to represent the (pillar of cloud) and the (pillar of fire) during their journey.

Jesus is the fulfillment of (all the lights) used in the history of Judaism.

II.   THE LIGHT OF HIS STORY

Saying I AM the Light of the world Jesus making some pretty strong claims:

1. He was (claiming to be God). “The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light, but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your Glory.” Is.60:19

2. He is claiming to be (Israel’s Messiah), sent by God as the “light to the nations.” Is.42:6

 “To the darkness of falsehood He is the light of truth; to the darkness of ignorance He is the light of wisdom; to the darkness of sin He is the light of holiness; to the darkness of sorrow He is the light of joy; and to the darkness of death He is the light of life.” John MacArthur

         He is the “Light of the World.” What does that mean/

1. Following the Light of the World brings (obedience).

2. Following the Light of the World brings (clarity).

3. Following the Light of the World means (believing). “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me many not remain in darkness.” John 12:46

NEXT WEEK: TGA: I AM

SERIES: The Great Adventure: I AM

TITLE:  Bread

Scripture: John 6:22-40

“Faith is believing that Christ is what He is said to be, that He will do what He has promised to do, and expecting this of Him.” Charles Spurgeon

“He was either a liar, a lunatic, or who He said He was.” C.S.Lewis

I.    INTRODUCING “I AM”

There are 7 I AM statements in John:

1)  I AM the Bread of Life

2)   I AM the Light of the World

3)   I AM the Door/Gate

4)   I AM the Good Shepherd

5)   I AM the Resurrection and the Life

6)   I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life

7)   I AM the True Vine

In today’s culture a person’s credibility comes from (action) rather than just (talking).

Turn to Exodus 3-4. I Am is the present tense name of God, (YAHWEH).

YAHWEH translates into (I AM WHO I AM) in the LXX (Septuagint).

II.   INTRODUCING “HE IS ENOUGH”    

“They were seeking Jesus.” What can we learn from this statement and the surrounding events?

1.  (Satisfaction)

2.  (Check your motives).

3.  Jesus is the (Bread of Life). Jesus had been making His point by His actions. He switches gears and talks about who He is. It is His (identity).

Jesus says, “I AM the Bread of life.” Bethlehem means (house of bread).

NEXT WEEK: TGA: I AM

Title: Light

Scripture: John 8:12-20

SERIES: The Great Adventure: Miracles (Luke)

TITLE:  The Miracle of Hope

Scripture: Luke 7: 1-17

“A man can live 40 days without food, about 3 days without water, about 8 minutes without air…but only for one second without hope.”

I.    HOPE LOST

 A centurion was the backbone of the Roman army. He was so named because he was in charge of approximately 100 soldiers. A centurion is described “not so much as venturesome daredevils as natural leaders of a steady and sedate spirit, not so much men who will initiate attacks and open the battle as men who will hold their ground when worsted and hard pressed and be ready to die at their posts.”

 II.   HOPE FOUND    

Luke’s use of a two word phrase gives us some insight into the centurion: (highly valued).

 Also appears this centurion was a true (God-fearer).

 The word for “troubled” means “to be (bothered, annoyed, or agitated).

Contrasts between two stories:

1. Sick vs. dead

2. Request vs. no request

3. Never meeting centurion vs. meeting widow

4. Expression of faith vs. can’t speak at all

Jesus touched the casket. What was wrong with that?

 Romans 8:26-27

NEXT WEEK: TGA: I AM

Title: Bread

Scripture: John 6:22-40

SERIES: The Great Adventure: Miracles (Luke)

TITLE:  The Miracle of Thanksgiving

Scripture: Luke 17: 11-19

I.    THE ACT OF KINDNESS

 “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thess.5:18 (NKJV)

 “Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks.” Phil.4:6 (NCV)

 Turn to Colossians 3:15-17 (p.984)

II.   THE WORDS OF GRATITUDE

 3 points worth pondering:

1. How could anyone be cured as they were and (be ungrateful)?

2. Notice who does come back: a (foreigner).

3. It took (an effort) to come back.

5 kernels of thanksgiving:

1) Being thankful motivates us to look for (His purpose) in our circumstances.

2) A grateful heart reminds us of our (constant dependence) upon God.

3) A thankful spirit teaches us to (rejoice in every situation).

4) Gratitude increases our (trust in God).

5) Thankfulness transforms our (anxiety) into the (peace) of God.

NEXT WEEK: TGA: Miracles

Title: The Miracle of Hope

Scripture: Luke 7:1-17

SERIES: The Great Adventure: Miracles (Luke)

TITLE:  The Miracle of Peace

Scripture: Luke 8: 22-27 (Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41)

I.    ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL

The difference between the Truman movie and Jesus: In the movie the director, Christoff, manipulates with buttons and levers; in the movie Jesus is (in the boat).

The Sea of Galilee is a 13 miles wide and 7 miles long freshwater lake.

Luke uses the word “windstorm.” The word literally means (fierce gale).

Turn to Psalm 65:5-7 (p.480) and Psalm 89:9. Another worthy of mention is Psalm 107: 23-31

If Jesus needs time to (recharge His batteries), what does that say about us?

II.   MASTER AND COMMANDER    

Mark has the disciples saying, “Master, do you not care that we are perishing?” Even though Jesus is in the boat, (fear) trumped His presence.

(Worry) and (concern) are not the same thing.

Whenever we are going through a tough time, we tend to assume a loving God (has abandoned us). There is, perhaps, no line of thinking (more damaging) or (more undermining) to the Christian faith than this one. The enemy wants you to fall prey to the idea (God does not care about your or what you are going through).

Remember Romans 8:31-39 (p. 844-845)

NEXT WEEK: TGA: Miracles

Title: The Miracle of Thanksgiving

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

SERIES: The Great Adventure: Miracles (Luke)

TITLE:  The Miracle of Sight

Scripture: Luke 18: 1-17, 35-42

 I.   THE BLESSING OF SIGHT

3 lessons on prayer in first 17 verses. They can be summed up like this: “Prayer is the permanent occupation of the believer, done in persistence but done knowing that we who pray are undeserving sinners dependent no God’s grace. We are trusting, helpless children looking to our Father for help beyond our abilities.”

1. Lesson #1: Teaching on the persistent widow. [Verses 1-8]

Point of sight: See that God cares for us much more than any human can. There is value in (persistence in praying) and not (quitting).

2. Lesson #2: Teaching of the Pharisee and the publican (tax collector). [9-14]

We can come as a (self-righteous hypocrite) like the Pharisee or we can come with (humility and repentance) like the tax collector.

Point of sight: there is something to be said for (humility) in prayers. We need to see ourselves as sinners in desperate need of God’s (forgiveness and grace).

3. Lesson #3: Seen in Jesus’ response to the children. [15-17]

Point of sight: being childlike is an (absolute necessity) for seeing the kingdom of God.

II.   THE BLESSING OF SEEING    

Connection between Mark 10 and Luke 18.

Historically there were two Jerichos:

1) The ancient city taken captive by Joshua in Joshua 6

2) The one built by Herod the Great. Located between Jordan River and Jerusalem.

The difference between James and John’s request in Mark 10 and the blind man’s. J & J say, “Do for us whatever we want” vs. “Have mercy on me!” In other words, (“Do whatever YOU want”) See the difference?

NEXT WEEK: TGA: Miracles

Title: The Miracle of Peace

Scripture: Luke 8: 22-27 (Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41)