Category: Sermon Notes

From Uncertainty to Assurance

greatbaner960wSERIES: The Great Adventure: Transformation (John)

TITLE:  From Uncertainty to Assurance

Scripture: John 10: 1 – 21

 

I.    THE LESSONS FROM HISTORY

What is a sheepfold?

1. An enclosure
2. A term for managing sheep.

A sheepfold conveys the idea of a (special relationship) a sheep had to the ownership and care of a (certain) shepherd.

II.    THE LESSONS FOR TODAY

1. Anyone who forces a way into the sheepfold other than by the proper doorway or entrance may be a (thief or a robber). [V.1-2] Look up Psalm 139:1-12 (pp521-522)
2. The sheep know the shepherd’s (voice). [3-6]
3. There is only (ONE) door to the sheepfold. [7-14]
• Paul says, “They are preaching another gospel and are to be accursed.” Gal.1:7-8

NEXT WEEK: From Trouble to Peace
Scripture: John 14:1-14

 

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From Old To New

greatbaner960wSERIES: The Great Adventure: Transformation (John)

TITLE:  From Old To New

Scripture: John 3: 1 – 21

 

I.    THE DISCUSSION

If there was any one group clinging to religion it was the (Pharisees). Steeped in (traditions and rules) they saw themselves as the last bastion of defense against the liberalism of the (Sadducees).

Pharisees were an off-shoot of Hasidim, which means (pious ones). They opposed (Hellenization) of Jewish culture.

Jesus went straight to the heart of the issue: the (transformation) of Nic’s heart by the new birth.

God’s salvation is not a matter of adding something to all his efforts, not topping off his religious devotion with whipped cream, but rather (cancelling) everything and (starting over).

Water and spirit are often referred symbolically in the OT to spiritual renewal and cleansing. [See Ezekiel 36:24-27 for an example]

II.   THE DECLARATION

They were not told to fight the serpents…make an offering…pray…or even look to Moses. All that was required was a simple look of faith to the raised serpent.

The numbers of Hope: John 3:16. “If you know nothing of the Bible, start here. If you know everything in the Bible, return here.” Max Lucado

Since he has no needs, you cannot tire Him. Since He is without age, you cannot lose Him. Since He has no sin, you cannot corrupt Him.

Scripture abounds in verses backing up John 3:16. Check out Deut.10:15: “The Lord chose your ancestors as the objects of His love.” (NLT)

NEXT WEEK: From Uncertainty to Assurance
Scripture: John 10:1-21

 

 

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From Thirsty To Satisfied

greatbaner960wSERIES: The Great Adventure: Transformation (John)

TITLE:  From Thirsty To Satisfied

Scripture: John 4: 1 – 42

 

I.    THE BARRIERS OF FALSE WORSHIP

Several significant thoughts about this story:

1. Verse 4: “He had to pass through Samaria”
2. Verses 4-5: the city of Sychar
3. Verses 7-9: A Jewish man talking to a Samaritan woman

Three barriers to worship:

1) The (Wrong Wells).
2) (Unconfessed) Sin
3) (Ignorance)

II.    THE BEAUTY OF REAL WORSHIP

[Read verses 23-24} What kind of people is God looking for? Those who will worship Him in (spirit and truth). It has been expressed another way: (inflamed) hearts and (informed) minds.

Need to understand worship is not just relegated to an hour or so on Sunday morning. Worship is 24/7.

“He is not just the God of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles.” Rom.3:29

NEXT WEEK: From Old to New
Scripture: John 3:1-21

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From Water To Wine

greatbaner960wSERIES: The Great Adventure

TITLE:  From Water To Wine

Scripture: John 2: 1 – 12

 

I.    FROM WATER TO WINE

 

A wedding was not only the (celebration of marriage); it was also a display of (honor and hospitality).

John makes special mention of Jesus’ mother being here. Several things stand out;

  1. He calls her (the mother of Jesus).
  2. She & Jesus both being here suggests a relative or friend was getting married.
  3. She was more than an (observer).

Suggested dual purpose for Jesus being at wedding:

1)     Sanctified (institution of marriage).

2)     Ceremony was a (public declaration) to remain faithful to each other.

 

II.   FROM ORDINARY TO EXTRAORDINARY    

 

What can we learn as we look for the ordinary and find the extraordinary?

  1. The People God (Uses).
  2. Obedience is (Necessary).
  3. Abundant (Excellence).

 

NEXT WEEK: From Thirsty to Satisfied

Scripture: John 4: 1-42

 

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Ready For Love

greatbaner960wSERIES: The Great Adventure

TITLE:  Ready For Love

Scripture: Luke 15

 

Bible Reading Plan (from “Papa” Don Finto)

Use five bookmarks so you can read through the Bible in sections at your own pace:

Genesis- Esther

Job- Song of Solomon

Isaiah- Malachi

Matthew- Acts

Romans- Revelation

 

Parables- “A parable is   ___________________________________________________”

Heavenly things are available now  (John 3:12, Matthew 6:10, 2 Corinthians 4:18)

What ____________________ are keeping us from experiencing God’s love?

 

Three stories in Luke 15- God is searching for us- we are valuable to Him!

Prodigal:  “Extravagant, lavish, unrestrained, even to the point of being

_________________________.”

Roadblock #1:  ___________________________________

The LIE is that it tells us we are ______________________________.

Roadblock #2:  ___________________________________

Avoid the “______________________________________”

Help yourself to a ____________ from the fridge!

 

“Man’s _____________________   will end the moment he has an encounter

with ________________________.”  (Leif Hetland)

 

Go deeper:

(THIS IS FANTASTIC!)  >>”Healing the Orphaned Spirit” (video on YouTube) by Leif Hetland

Book: Baptism of Love by Leif Hetland

Book: The Supernatural Ways of Royalty by Kris Vallotton & Bill Johnson

 

 

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The Cost of Discipleship

greatbaner960wSERIES: The Great Adventure

TITLE:  Ready To Follow

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

 

The Cost of Discipleship

 

Marks of a True Disciple: A true disciple…

1.)   (Abandons) Past Priorities

A disciple must prefer God over (his possessions)

A disciple must prefer God over (his own family)

A disciple must prefer God over (his own self)

2.)   (Assesses) Present Powers

The common theme of Jesus’ examples: (count the cost of discipleship)

What has following Christ cost you? What are you willing to give?

3.)   (Endures) in Commitment

Jesus is not looking for (mediocre) disciples

Being a disciple of Jesus is a lifetime pursuit

G. K. Chesterton: “Jesus promised his disciples three things—that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy and in constant trouble.”

 

 

JULY 27TH– Ready to Love- Peter Bales preaching

Scripture: Luke 15

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Ready for His Coming

greatbaner960wSERIES: The Great Adventure

TITLE:  Ready for His Coming

Scripture: Luke 12:35-48

 

I.     BE READY!

 

There are several extremes when it comes to the Second Coming:

  1. (Deny) it will happen.
  2. (Predict) when it is going to happen.
  3. (Indifferent) to it happening.

“In this manner you shall eat it; with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste.” Ex.12:11

Jesus moves on and uses two illustrations:

  1. A wedding.
  2. A theft

II.   BE RESPONSIBLE!  

 

We are called to be (stewards) and a steward is always ready for his master (to return).

With privilege comes (responsibility). Three things we need to do:

1)     (Occupy). Some wise advice in 2 Thess.3:10: “If anyone will not work, neither let him eat.”

2)     (Purify)- We are live godly, holy lives.

3)     (Watch)- Keep your feet on the ground but your eyes to the sky.

 

NEXT WEEK: Ready to Follow- Ryan East preaching

Scripture: Luke 14:28-35

 

JULY 27TH– Ready to Love- Peter Bales preaching

Scripture: Luke 15

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Ready to Do Battle

greatbaner960wSERIES: The Great Adventure: Ready (Luke)

TITLE:  Ready to Do Battle

Scripture:  Luke 11:14-26

I.    KNOW THE ENEMY

 

The Kingdom of Light

The Kingdom of Darkness

Ultimate Authority

The Living God (God the Father)

The Devil (Satan, Lucifer, Son of the Morning, Angel of Light, Beelzebub)

Ultimate Destination

Heaven, the place of eternal bliss with God

Hell, the place of unending torment and everlasting punishment

Strategy

Redemption through the grace of the Cross

Deception through hidden, wicked schemes

Ultimate Outcome

Wins

Loses

 *Sindoll, Chuck. The Declaration of Something Mysterious – Study Guide (p18)

 

They were not implying but stating unequivocally that Jesus’ miracle came from (the pit of hell).

The purpose of the Enemy is (enslave) people not (free) them.

The strongman is the (enemy). He lays claim to a person’s life but when someone stronger comes along, he loses (control).

 

 

II.   KNOWING OUR STRATEGY    

 

Several lessons come from verses 24-26:

  1. Unclean spirits prefer to inhabit (human bodies) rather than wander aimlessly.
  2. A life that is clean but without Christ is still (helpless) against the Adversary.
  3. A subsequent demonic encounter can be (worse) than the original one.

If you take away something, you better (fill it) with something worthwhile.

We can’t trifle with demons. What is our strategy?

  1. We need to (know our enemy).
  2. We need the (armor of God).
  3. We need (salvation).

 

NEXT WEEK: Ready for His Coming

Scripture: Luke 12:35-48

 

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The Trapped and the Free

greatbaner960wSERIES: The Great Adventure

TITLE:  The Trapped and the Free

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

 

I.    TRAPPED BY LAW

 

Going to see the story unfold in three parts;

1)     The false economy of human (achievement)

2)     The sad truth about human (pursuits)

3)     The great reversal of human (values).

 

II.   FREED BY TRUTH    

 

Jesus speaks about the futility of trying achieve eternal life by (earning it). In Jewish culture, the greater the wealth; the greater the (spirituality).

Death is the great equalizer. It is not what we have in our (wallets) or our bank of (good works) that matters. It is (WHO) we know and our willingness to be His that matters.

 

NEXT WEEK: Ready to Do Battle

Luke 11:14-26

 

 

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The Mountain and the Valley

greatbaner960wSERIES: The Great Adventure

TITLE:  The Mountain and the Valley

Scripture: Mark 9:2-29

 

I.    THE HEIGHT OF THE MOUNTAIN

 

(Affirmation) is always good.

“Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb.12:2

Why these three? Why not the whole group?

  1. They would be (reliable witnesses).
  2. They were chosen probably because of their (intimacy) with Jesus.
  3. They were the acknowledged (spokesmen) for the group.
  4. They were (chosen).

Transfigured is the word (transformed). It is an affirmation of (Who He truly was). This scene stuck with Peter. “For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to Him by Majestic Glory, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,’ we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the mountain.” 2 Peter 1:17-18

II.   THE DEPTH OF THE VALLEY

 

 The Setting: Verses 15-18

 Mark uses an interesting word: “he has a spirit what makes him mute” is the word “robbed.” The spirit robs his boy.

 Check out the exchange between the father and Jesus.

 Jesus is in the (life change) business.

 

NEXT WEEK: The Trapped and the Free

Mark 10:17-31

 

 

 

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