Category: Sermon Notes

SERIES: The Great Adventure

TITLE:  The Servant

Scripture: Various Scriptures from Mark

I.    AN INTRODUCTION        

Who is this guy named Mark?

1. Probably an eyewitness to some of Jesus’ life.  Close companion to the (Apostle Peter).
2. A cousin to (Barnabas).
3. See Mark 14:50-52.
4. Mark matured in his (faith and strength) and became useful to Paul.

Mark’s gospel is pretty (straightforward). One of his favorite words is “immediately” or “straightway.”

While Matthew wrote primarily to a (Jewish) population to prove Jesus was Messiah, Mark’s approach was geared toward the (Romans).

Mark 10:45 is key verse: “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many.”   Point well taken: Leadership best leads by (being a servant).

II.   AN ANALYSIS         

Mark develops three major themes in his gospel:

1. (Discipleship). “Come follow me…”
2. Contrast between (belief and unbelief).
3. (Crucifixion and Resurrection).

What is the watershed issue of the Gospel?  Mark 8:27.

Wide outline for Mark;

1)     The Servant introduced- 1:1-13

2)     The Servant at work- 1:14-8:30

3)     The Servant Resisted and Rejected- 8:31-15:47

4)     The Servant Triumphant and Exalted- 16

NEXT WEEK:   TGA: Love Speaks

Title: Love Speaks Through Friendship

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

SERIES: The Great Adventure

TITLE:  Looking Straight Ahead

Scripture: Matthew 4: 1-11

“I can resist anything…except temptation.”

I.    THE FACTS ABOUT TEMPTATION   

Please turn to James 1 (p.1011)  Four facts about temptation:

1. Temptation is (inevitable).
2. Temptation is never (directed by God).   “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”  I John 1:5
3. Temptation is an (individual matter).
4. Temptation that leads to sin always follows the (same pattern).

II.    THE FOCUS OF TEMPTATION        

A couple of things to recognize:

1)     After every (victory) comes temptation.

2)     These three temptations were not the first time the enemy came to Him.

Temptation #1: (Serving Self).  [v.3]

Temptation #2: (Testing God)  [v.6]

Temptation #3: (Worshipping Satan)  [Vv.8-9]

NEXT WEEK:   TGA: Love Speaks

Title: The Servant (An Overview of Mark)

Scripture: Various Scriptures in Mark

SERIES: The Great Adventure

TITLE:  Getting Your Head on Straight

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40

“Your greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important.” Hummel.

I.   THE QUESTION      

Test #1: Chapter 21-22:21

Test #2: Sadducees and marriage trap

Test #3:  This passage in Matthew 22:34-40

“silenced” [v.34} means “(to muzzle), to forcefully restrict the opening of the mouth”

Perspective: (365) negative laws + (248) positive= (613) laws/commandments

II.   THE ANSWER       

Jesus’ answer is found in Deut.6:4-9; 11:13-21 and Numbers 15:37-41.  It is known as the (Sh’ma).  The word means “Hear” and “listen” and the Hebrew word “obey.”   The Hebrew is LORD (all caps) which is identified as the name (YHWH).  In all caps it refers to God’s personal identity.  He is revealed as the (ONE and ONLY).

His first words are “You shall love.”    How are we supposed to love?

1. With all our (heart).  This is not about brains or neurons.  It is more about (intention) and (emotion) than mind and intelligence.
2. With all our (soul).  Hebrew word is living being, self, desire, appetite, emotion, passion.
3. With all our (strength).  The word is actually an adverb, not a noun, and means (exceedingly).  No physical strength is needed.

So what is Sh’ma saying?  We are invited to love with the (completeness) of our heart; with (everything) that is within us; and to love Him with (abundant love).

We are to love our neighbor as (ourselves).

NEXT WEEK:   TGA: Sound Advice

Title: Looking Straight Ahead

Scripture: Matthew 4: 1-11

SERIES: The Great Adventure

TITLE:  A Look Ahead (Overview of Matthew)

Scripture: Various Scriptures in Matthew

I.    THE PARTICULARS ABOUT MATTHEW     

The silent years following the writing of Malachi:

Persian Empire-> Alexander the Great-> Antiochus IV Epiphanes -> Maccabean Revolt -> Pompey -> Julius Caesar -> Gaius Octavius  (Caesar Augustus)

During this time the Septuigant (Greek translation of the OT) was written, as was the Apocrypha and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Several social and religious developments also took place: synagogues. Religious sects (Pharisees) and (Essenes) were born.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke called (Synoptic gospels) because similar to each other in viewpoint, content, narrative flow and style.  Matthew wrote his book with a (Jewish flavor). His purpose was to show the Jews was (Messiah).

The (Law) is prevalent, in particular, as Jesus clashes with the religious rulers. Matthew shows the rejection of the Jews, and the acceptance of the Gentiles.

II.   THE KEY POINTS ABOUT MATTHEW      

2 prominent issues rise to the top;

1. The (Kingdom of Heaven)
2. (Hypocrisy) & (Self-Righteousness)

How does Matthew present Jesus?

1. The King who was (revealed).
2. The King who was (rejected).
3. The King who will return to (judge and rule).

NEXT WEEK:   TGA: Sound Advice

Title: Getting Your Head on Straight

Scripture: Matthew 22L34-40

SERIES: God In Control

TITLE:  Sovereign Purpose

Scripture: John 1:1-18; Luke 2:8-20

“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.”  Thoraeu

“Passion costs me too much to spend it on trifle.”  Thomas Adams

“It’s not about you.  The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness…You were born by His purpose, and for His purpose.”  Warren

I. THROUGH THE EYES OF ETERNITY

Lights are a symbol of hope.  The entrance of Christ into the world as a baby was a sign of (hope).  It was also a sign of (love) and (joy) and (peace).

The essence: The eternal, infinite God became a (man) in the person of Jesus Christ.  It stuns us with its (power). It overwhelms us in its (scope).  It humbles us in its (humility).

To receive Christ means more than mere intellectual acknowledgment of His claims.  The word “receive” means “to take hold of,” “to grasp.”

II.  THROUGH THE EYES OF HUMANS

About 50 days after Jesus’ birth, Mary & Joseph fulfilled the OT law of (consecration), dedicating their first born son to the Lord.

Mary & Joseph offered two turtledoves or two pigeons which shows how (poor) they were.

Two visitors they saw:

1. (Simeon)-
2. (Anna)

The lesson from them?  (faithfulness matters)

NEXT WEEK:   The Great Adventure begins!!

Title: A Look Ahead (Matthew)   Various Scriptures in Matthew

SERIES: God In Control

TITLE:  Sovereign Visitors

Scripture: Matthew 2: 1-12; Luke 2:8-21

I.   THE WISE GUYS   

When seen in conjunction with Matthew 1, telling this event is a continuing thrust to establish Jesus’ right to Israel’s (true) and final (kingship).

This event would have taken place after Jesus’ (circumcision) found in Luke 2.

Matthew confirms the birthplace of Jesus as (Bethlehem).

This Herod was known as Herod (the Great).

Who were the magi, or wise men?

They brought three gifts to Jesus:

1. Gold- a gift fit for a (king).
2. Frankincense- a gift fit for a (priest)
3. Myrrh- a gift fit for a (burial).

The magi teach many lessons but the greatest of all is their (devotion).

II.   The Sky People

What about the shepherds?

1. Their occupation was needed but (undesirable).
2. They had problems with (cleanliness)
3. They also had problems with (honesty).

Message of “Good News”: Not one of (judgment), but good news

Name of Jesus is significant:

1)     Savior- encompasses Jesus which means (the Lord is salvation).

2)     Christ- means (anointed One).   OT counterpart is (Messiah).

3)     Lord- term of respect and esteem given to someone in (authority).

NEXT WEEK:   Sovereign Purpose- John 1:1-18; Lk.2:22-38

SERIES: God In Control

TITLE:  Sovereign Birth

Scripture: Matthew 1: 18-25; Luke 2:1-17

“A virgin will conceive and bring forth a son and you shall call his name Emmanuel.”  “He shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

I.   THE PREAMBLE TO THE MAIN EVENT   

Matthew emphasizes the (Jewish) record, specifically how Jesus fulfilled the ancient (prophecies).

What we know about Joseph;

1.  He was a carpenter.  The Greek word can be translated “woodworker” or “mason.”
2.  He was a (godly man). V.19

Two stages to the Jewish wedding;

1.  Kiddushin- (betrothal) period.  Legally binding but without (sexual relations)

2.  Huppa- Wedding on much grander scale.  Marriage with all benefits.

“God still looks for Joseph’s today.  Men and women who believe that God is not through with this world.  Common people who serve an uncommon God.”  Max Lucado

II.   THE REALITY OF THE MAIN EVENT

Events taking place:

1.  It happened during the time of Caesar Augustus.  Caesar means (emperor), while Augustus means (honored, revered, or esteemed).

2. A census was for one of two reasons:

1) (Taxation)
2) Register for (army).

3. Go to city of birth, which for Joseph was Bethlehem.  The name means (house of bread).

NEXT WEEK:   Sovereign Visitors- Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 2:8-20

SERIES: God In Control

TITLE:  Sovereign Plan

Scripture: Luke 1:5-24, 26-38

“To leave this world a bit better.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson

I.  A SPECIAL CALLING  

An introduction to Zechariah:

1)     He was a (priest) in the division of Abijah.

2)     It was a (sacred) and (respected) position.

3)     He and Elizabeth were (childless).

4)     While performing his priestly duties he was struck (speechless).

5)     The child’s name would be John, which means (God is gracious).

II.  A SPECIAL CHILD  

John’s sole mission in life?  To (prepare the way) for the One to come.

A closer look at this story:

1. The town of Nazareth was (unremarkable).
2. It meant nothing but (contempt) towards those who lived there.
3. The word used to describe Mary means “one who has never had (sexual relations).
4. The name given-Jesus- is the Greek form of Joshua, which means (Yahweh saves).
5. The name “Son of the Most High” is the OT word (El Elyon), which is a title that refers to His position as (supreme sovereign ruler).
6. This amazing child would be God (incarnate).
7. Take away the (Virgin Birth) and you take away a foundational rock upon which Christianity stands.

NEXT WEEK:   Sovereign Birth- Matthew 1: 18-25; Luke 2:1-7

SERIES: God In Control

TITLE:  Sovereign Grace

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the Law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive the adoption as sons.”  Gal.4:4

I.  SOVEREIGN

We need to acknowledge one thing about God:  He is the (Creator).  That means God is (not limited) like you and me.  There is nothing (confining) God.

How deep is the wisdom and knowledge of God?  He knows (everything).

God is sovereign. What does that mean?

1. God is the (ruler of all).
2. God answers to (no one).
3. God can accomplish (whatever) He wants, (any time) He wants, in (any way) he wants.
4. God sees history from (beginning to end).  He is not (surprised) by any event.
5. God is afraid of (nothing).
6. God always knows (what is best) and He never (makes a mistake).
7. God is (incomprehensible) and eternally (powerful).

Check out Job 38:2-4 (p.443)

II.  GRACE

OUTCAST #1: (Tamar)

OUTCASE #2: (Rahab)

OUTCAST #3: (Ruth)

OUTCAST #4: (Bathsheba)

Two other names worth looking at:

1)     Mannaseh

2)     Jeconiah

Important truth to remember: It is not the people of the Messianic line who are on display; (God’s grace) is.

NEXT WEEK:   Series: God in Control

Title:  Sovereign Plan- Luke 1; 5-24; 26-38

TITLE:  Thanksgiving In Spite Of…

TEXT:  Daniel 2:20-23

Bill: Introduction

Ryan

What does Daniel praise?

-God is the ultimate (possessor) of all wisdom, knowledge and power.

-God has sovereign power to (accomplish all things).

-God is the (revealer) of hidden things.

-Nothing is (outside) of God’s sight.

What does Daniel give thanks for?

-YOU have given (wisdom and power) to me

-YOU have (revealed) the king’s matter

-YOU have answered us!

Christian Reger, Nazi prison camp survivor and Christ-follower

“Nietzsche said a man can undergo torture if he knows the why of his life. But, here at Dachau, I learned something far greater. I learned the Who of my life. He was enough to sustain me then, and is enough to sustain me still.”

The message of Daniel’s story…

God is in complete control

Charles Swindoll: “Praise reminds us how capable and gracious our God is. It reminds us that, without Him, we can do nothing.”

Bill Closing:

A few things to remember:

1. Remember (who ) and (whose) you are.
2. Remember your (purpose).    Col.3;17 says, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
3. Remember to live (in the presence) of God.

NEXT WEEK:   Series: God in Control

Title:  Sovereign Grace- Matthew 1:1-18