SERIES:  Family Values Under Construction

TITLE:  Becoming Men of Values

TEXT:   I Tim.3:1-7 (p.992)

I. THE SWORDS WE WIELD

“Every man has a battle to fight; an adventure to live; and a beauty to rescue.”  John Eldredge in Wild at Heart

• Men who will live with (passion)
• Men who will live by (faith).
• Men who will not accept the (status quo) about women.

There is a question that haunts every man: (Do I have what it takes?)

Two swords of value for every man:

1. The silver-handled sword is a man’s (positional power).
2. The gold-handled sword is a man’s (personal power).

II. THE SPECIFICS WE HOLD

“A man has total control over his household and a good wife will obey him, as will the children.”   Say what?

Eph.5:21: “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

Key thoughts from I Timothy 3;

1. Above (reproach).  Means “not able to be held.”
2. Husband of one wife.  Phrase literally means “one woman man.”
3. Sober-minded.  “temperate” Means having (clarity of mind)
4. Self-controlled.  “Prudent”
5. Respectable.  “to be well-ordered and balanced” and came to mean “well-mannered and honorable.
6. Hospitable. “to love strangers”
7. Able to teach.  We need to “man up” in this area.
8. Some negatives to avoid.

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him.”  2 Chron.16:9

NEXT WEEK:   Sermon Series: Family Values Under Construction

Sermon: Becoming Women of Values- Prov.31:10-31

SERIES:  Family Values Under Construction

TITLE:   A Family of Values

TEXT:  Deut. 6:4-9 (various others)

I.   THE VALUES OF THE ANCIENTS

“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding is it established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”  Pr.24:3-4

Story of Eli & his sons in I Samuel 2: 12-36

1. Eli was preoccupied with his (profession) to the exclusion of his family’s needs.
2. He refused to face the severity of his son’s (lifestyle).
3. He refused to respond correctly to the (warnings) of others.
4. He became (part of the problem).

II.  THE VALUES NEEDED FOR TODAY

Verse 4 was known as the (Shema).  This became the basic statement of faith in Judaism.

Four words come into play:

1. (Hear) the truth (continually).  V.4
2. (Love) the Lord (fervently).  Vv.5-6
3. (Teach) the young (diligently).  Vv.7-9
4. (Fear) the Lord (greatly).  Vv.10-15

NEXT WEEK:   Sermon Series: Family Values Under Construction

Sermon: Being a Man of Values- I Tim.3:1-7

SERIES:  Reclaimed

TITLE:   Turnaround

TEXT:  Acts 8:1-3 (p.916); 2 Timothy 4:1-8

I. A ROUGH BEGINNING

First picture we have of Saul is not a baby in his mother’s arms, or a Jewish lad running through the streets with his buddies seeing what kind of mischief they can get into.  It is as one giving consent to a (murder).

Turn to Acts 22:2-3

Saul was a (Pharisee), the party most tied to (Jewish nationalism) and strictness to the law of Moses. He sat under the teaching of (Gamaliel).

Turn to Philippians 3:2-6 (p.981)

II. A SMOOTH ENDING

Paul’s life not smooth sailing:

1. 2 Cor.6:3-10 [Read from Phillips paraphrase]
2. 2 Cor.11:23-33.

In Acts 26 Paul uses an interesting phrase: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?  It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”   What is a goad?

God had been working on Saul for years.  Why did he continue kicking back?

Any final words Paul?  [2 Tim.4:6-7]

NEXT WEEK:   New Sermon Series: Family Values Under Construction

Sermon: A Family of Values-  Deut.6:4-9; various others

SERIES:  Reclaimed

TITLE:   Awakened

TEXT:  John 11:1-16, 14:1-6 and 20:24-28

I. Thomas’ Pessimism:

Winston Churchill: “A pessimist see the difficulty in every opportunity; the optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

John 11:1-16

When Jesus suggests they return to Bethany, Thomas expects the   (_______________).

Thomas and the other disciples return with Jesus to Bethany, in spite of his pessimistic forecast. This shows that Thomas was both (___________________)   and deeply (__________________) to Jesus.

John 14:1-6

Thomas is (___________________) because he fears the WORST:           (___________________) from Jesus.

A deep and profound (________________) is evident in Thomas’ anxiety over    their separation from Jesus.

II. Thomas’ AHA! Moment:

John 20:24-28

Thomas’ pessimism and doubt were NOT the real problem. They were symptoms of the (_____________) issue: A too-small view of God’s (_______________)!

Thomas’ pessimistic outlook on life created a worldview in which God’s power was (________________).

Is your view of God’s power too small? What do you believe God cannot do?

Are you holding back because you don’t believe he can? Give your doubts and fears to Jesus, and see if He doesn’t shatter your view of reality!

SERIES:  Reclaimed

TITLE:   Restored

TEXT:  John 21: 15-25 (p.907)

I.   A PICTURE OF REFLECTION

Turn to Matthew 28:16.

It appears Peter had grown (impatient) with waiting for the Lord to show up.  Peter was not suggesting some recreational fishing.  3 lines of evidence:

1. Jesus predicted they would (abandon) Him.  John 16:32

2. Definite article suggests a (specific) boat.

3. The challenge seen in verse 15.  “These”= (boats, nets, fishing business).

II.   A PICTURE OF RESTORATION

Two things stand out first:

1. Peter hauled it in himself and nets weren’t torn

2. Specific number indicates John was an (eyewitness).

Several significant points stand out in this exchange:

1. “These” refers to fishing business
2. The use of the word love.
3. The number of times Jesus asks Peter the question.

Important to remember: our failures and hurts don’t (disqualify) us from serving Jesus. They don’t put us on the (sidelines).  Jesus is not our (accuser), but our restorer, healer, forgiver, and Savior.

NEXT WEEK:   Sermon: Ryan East preaching

SERIES:  Reclaimed

TITLE:   Victory!

TEXT:  John 11 (p. 897)

I.   THE REACTIONS OF SILENCE

Lazarus means “God has helped” or “helped by God.”   He is further defined as Lazarus of Bethany.

Mary is one who (anointed) Jesus in John 12.

Martha is older sister.  Familiar story in Luke 10.

What does Jesus mean by John 11:4?  Death will not be (ultimate outcome).  His response indicates that even (death) may sometimes be God’s will for His people. In this case, Lazarus’ death will bring (glory to God).

II.   THE REJOICING OF RESURRECTION

Death was no (obstacle) for Jesus-current situation or future.

I Cor.15:55: “O death, where is your sting; O grave, where is your victory?”  Death is (not the end).

Why did He shout?

NEXT WEEK:   Sermon: Restored- John 21:25-25

SERIES:  Reclaimed

TITLE:   Secretive

TEXT:  John 19:38-42 (p.906); John 3: 1-21

I.   THE PROBLEM WITH SECRECY

“When Jesus calls a man, He bids him come and die.”  Bonhoeffer

Turn to John 6

Turn to Luke 14:28-33

Too many followers of Jesus want to go into (stealth mode).  The confess means “to affirm, acknowledge, to agree.”

II.   THE DEATH OF SECRECY

“And they made his grace with the wicked and with a rich man in his death.”  Is.53:9

What we know about Joseph:

1)     He was (rich).  Matthew 27:57

2)     He was a prominent member of the (Sanhedrin).  Mk.15:43

3)     He did not agree with the decision to (condemn Jesus).  Lk.23:51

What do we know about Nicodemus?

1)     He was a (Pharisee).

2)     He was a ruler of the Jews, a member of the (Sanhedrin).

3)     Nic came to Jesus (at night).

NEXT WEEK:   Sermon: Victory! John 11

SERIES:  Reclaimed

TITLE:   Hardened

TEXT:  Luke 23:32-43 (p.884); Mk.15:32b; Matthew 27:61-65

Don’t be fooled by seemingly small (misdeeds).   (Everything) that happens plays into our way of looking at life.

I.   NEVER TOO LATE

It is believe the (Persians) were the first to develop (crucifixion) as a means of death.

The Phoenicians carried it further.  They were looking for a death that would make a (lasting impression) on their people.

The Romans used it as a form of (torture) since it allowed for a lingering death.

The major lesson is not in the thief, it is in (God).  The pardon this thief received reveals (God’s grace).  It is seen in the salvation offered at the last hour of his life.  It is seen in the fact that (no one is too far gone).

II.    NEVER TOO POWERFUL

Rome not only conquered men, it (captured) them.  It was the goal of Rome not just to take a nation captive, but to also bring them (into subjection).

There are 4 mentions of centurions in the Bible.  One was spoken of warmly by the Jews to Jesus. One was Cornelius. One was Julius, Paul’s escort to Rome.  And this one.

Turn to Matthew 27.

This centurion likely was Jesus’ personal escort through whole proceeding of night before. He would have witnessed the (majesty) with which Jesus carried Himself.

This crucifixion unlike any other. He prayed for His killers.  He loved His mother.  He suffered but never cried out. And then the supernatural disaster at His death.

“Well, then I will tell you.  Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I myself have founded great empires; but upon what did these creations of our genius depend?  Upon force. Jesus alone founded his empire upon love, and to this very day millions would die for Him…I think I understand something of human nature; and I will tell you, all these were men, and I am a man; none else is like Him: Jesus Christ was more than a man…this is which proves to me quite convincingly the Divinity of Jesus Christ.”  Napolean Bonaparte

NEXT WEEK:   New Series: Reclaimed

Sermon: Secretive- John 19:38-42; John 3:1-21

SERIES:  Reclaimed

TITLE:   Possessed

TEXT:  Luke 8:1-2 (p.864); Mt.27:55-61; John 20:11-18

“When we sin and mess up our lives, we find that God doesn’t go off and leave us- He enters into our trouble and saves us.”  Eugene Peterson quoted in Messy Spirituality- p.21

I.    FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

Lots of speculation surround Mary Magdalene.  What we do know is found in Mark 16:9 “Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.”

Magdalene tells us she was from Magdala, a tiny fishing village about 5 ½ miles SW from Capernaum.  It seems to be a hotbed of (demon activity).

Demon possession involves bondage to an (evil spirit).  It is portrayed as an (affliction) not a sin.  In the NT they were always portrayed as (tormented people).  They were regarded as (outcasts).

II.    FROM DISASTER TO DAYBREAK

Demon-possessed people never came to Christ to be delivered.   Reason: they knew they were (defeated) or would be defeated by Jesus.

Luke 11:24-26 is a key passage when dealing with this issue.

Turn to John 20: 11-18.

NEXT WEEK:   Hardened- Luke 22:32-43; Mk.15:32b; Matthew 27:61-65

SERIES:  Reclaimed

TITLE:   Rebels

TEXT:  Luke 15:11-32 (p.874)

I.    A BLATANT REBEL AND HIS LOVING FATHER

Don’t use the word prodigal very much these days.  The NKJV says, “He wasted his possessions with prodigal living.”

Greek word carries more than wastefulness.  Very strong overtones of promiscuity and moral debauchery.

His disrespect for his father is evident:

1. His disregard for his inheritance was (extremely inappropriate).
2. His (dishonor) for his father was the most disturbing of all.
3. The demand for his birthright was (calloused and cold).

The father’s actions show he was a (loving father), not a (tyrant).

II.   THE HIDDEN REBEL AND HIS INSIGHTFUL FATHER

Basically, there are two types of sinners:

1)     The straightforward kind who don’t really care who sees and knows

2)     The silent type who prefer to sin when they think no one is looking.

 Both are a form of (pride).  The first is pride in (self) and the other is pride in a form of (hypocrisy).

 Most obvious characteristic is (resentment) for his younger brother.  But underneath that, and even more telling, is his (smoldering hatred) for his father.

 How is this hitting the Pharisees? They thought they (had it all together), when in reality they were as far off as the (younger brother).  They were fooling no one, except (themselves).

NEXT WEEK:   New Series: Reclaimed

Sermon: Possessed- Mark 16:9; Luke 8: 1-2; 11:24-26; John 20:11-18