Category: Sermon Notes

SERIES: FREEDOM! 2015 theme

TITLE: Story

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-3, 11-24

I.   HIS INTRODUCTION (BILL)

Paul calls himself an “apostle.” What is that? An apostle was an ambassador or messenger (chosen and trained) by Jesus Christ as His special emissary. Two criteria were given in Acts 1:21-22:

1.  Had to have seen the (Risen Lord).

2.  Had to have been (taught) by Jesus.

Brief history of Saul’s/Paul’s life change. His story.

II.   Paul’s Commission (Ryan)

The key of Paul’s Commission: He was (called by God). (vs 11-24, esp. v. 15)

What does it mean to say that Paul was ‘called by God’?

It does NOT mean: Paul was perfect.

It does NOT mean: Paul was elevated above everyone else.

It DOES mean: Paul abandoned his past purpose.

It DOES mean: Paul embraced the mission God had assigned him.

What I’ve learned about one who is called…

1) A person who is called must (encounter) the LORD.

2) A person who is called must begin with (surrender).

3) A person who is called must be willing to (obey).

NEXT WEEK: Freedom!

Title: Paul’s Message

Scripture: Galatians 1:3-10

SERIES: FREEDOM! 2015 theme

TITLE: Set Me Free!

Scripture: Galatians (overview)

I.   WHAT CAN WE SEE?

It is easy to get off on a (tangent) as a church, to lose sight of our (primary purpose), to lose sight of our (message).

Our message is not “we are for this” or “we are against that.” Our message is the (Good News) of Jesus Christ offered to ALL sinners.

Galatians has been called the (Magna Carta) of liberty, the Christian’s (declaration of independence).

What can we see?

• The Message is one of (spiritual freedom). The message of Galatians is the same for Jew and Gentile-(salvation by faith) and not by observing the Law.
• The Emphasis- Counteract false teaching of the (Judaizers).
• The Letter- this letter was a “circuit letter.”

II.  WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT?      

1. Structure of the book- Chapters 1-4 are doctrinal in nature; 5-6 are practical.
2. Theme of the book- “justification by faith through faith in Christ.” We must get this right! The heart of the Gospel message, the whole reason the church exists, is that every one of us has sinned and separated ourselves from God. But God, in His tremendous and incredible love, has taken on flesh in Christ, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross in our place.
3. A by-product of that teaching: we will see the function of the Mosaic Law. We will see the law (does not) and (cannot) save us.
4. We will see the importance of the balanced Christian life-avoiding both legalism and libertinism.

Three changes it will make in us:

• It changes our relationship with (God).
• It changes our relationship with our (teachers). “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” I John 4:1
• It changes our relationship with (each other).

NEXT WEEK: Freedom!

Title: Story

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-3, 11-24

SERIES: FREEDOM! 2015 theme

TITLE: Extension

Scripture: Romans 6:1-18

I.    GRACE COMES TO ME

“Before it can happen through me, it must happen to me.”   Rephrased: Before I can show (grace) to others, grace must happen (in me).

Read again verses 7-14. Now start with verse 15. There are a couple of lessons we can learn:

1. How we live depends on the (master we choose). [v.16]

 (Submission) = (slavery) = (submission)

 J.B. Phillips- “You belong to the one you choose to obey.”

2. Grace has freed us to (obey Christ). [17-18]   “For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths.” Pr.5:21 (NIV)

II.   GRACE COMES FROM ME      

Paul uses a metaphor the people would understand but also balk at: (slavery).

2 Corinthians 5:11 (p.966)

Why does the church exist?

• We don’t exist to (make you happy).
• We don’t exist to push for (social and political) change.
• We don’t exist to be (offensive, upbeat and inclusive) of all beliefs and people.
• We don’t exist to defend a (doctrinal position).

Read 2 Cor.5:18-19 – We exist to tell people how to (know Jesus). Our main purpose is to be agents of (reconciliation).

Our purpose is (reconciliation), not (condemnation).

How are we to approach others?

1.  Matthew 18:21-35 (p.823)

2.  John 8:1-11 (p.894)

 NEXT WEEK: Freedom!

Title: Set me Free!

Scripture: Galatians (An Overview)

SERIES: FREEDOM! 2015 theme

TITLE: Rebels

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

“Forbid it, Almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.” Patrick Henry

“Where slavery is, there liberty cannot be; and where liberty is, there slavery cannot be.” Charles Sumner

“One of the most serious problems facing the Christian church today is the problem of legalism. One of the most serious problems facing the church in Paul’s day was the problem of legalism…Legalism wrenches the joy of the Lord from the Christian believer, and with his joy goes his power for vital worship and vital service.” S. Lewis Johnson

I.   REBELS WHO TAKE AWAY FREEDOM

Two terms you must know:

1.  Liberty is (freedom)

2.  Legalism- An attitude that is law-like in nature. It uses (guilt) as a motivation.

Nothing you can ever do can cause Him to love you (less); nothing you can do can ever cause Him to love you (more).

Can grace be taken advantage of? Yes. But the key is not to add legalism to grace-not to impose stricter rules or laws. Rather, the solution is to be so gripped by the (magnificence) and (boundless generosity) of God’s grace that we respond out of gratitude rather than a sense of duty.

II.  THE REBEL WHO FOUGHT BACK FOR FREEDOM    

Jesus fought back against those who would take freedom. Freedom threatened their (leverage) and (control).

Jesus did not come to modify (The Law) or the modify (Pharisaism); he came to be bring a whole new way of thinking, believing, and living.

NEXT WEEK: Freedom!

Title: Extension

Scripture: Romans 6:1-18

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