Sermon outlines

The King

Here is one I preached in prison:
The King

Illust: A King has ultimate authority. He can grant riches, squalor, life or death. Toady we have trouble thinking in terms of a King. We elect our president, but it was not long ago a King was King until he died. He could sentence you to death and it was immediate. Or he could sentence you to life in prison and it was in a dungeon like cell until you died. You usually died quickly because the food and conditions were very poor. He could grant you land and riches if you found favour in his eyes. Or he could take everything you own and leave you to starve and die in poverty. He could make war or keep peace at a moments notice. A King's word was final.


You and I have lived our lives as if there is no King. The children of Israel did too.
Jg 21:25
In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Every man doing what is right in his own eyes is anarchy. Nobody is safe. Men, women, children are all in danger. When we live our lives as if there is no king, we endanger those whom we love and who loves us. How many of you have brought shame and pain to your mother? Father? Wife? Children? You have done what is right in your OWN eyes. And you think no one got hurt? No one pays for it but you? How selfish of you to think like that. what about your kids who are living with no dad to guide them? Or your wife with no husband to provide for and protect her? Or your employer who had to find and train someone else to replace you? Do you think that didn't cause him trouble? You say, I got my rights! You living like that cost you all your rights. You have no rights but to live right now. They tell you when to eat, sleep, go to work, make your bed, stand down for count. Doing what you thought was right in your own eyes has destroyed the lives and livelyhood of everyone who you love and who loves you.


When a King used to enter a city, the whole town came out to see him and praise him. They knew that here was authority. Here was judgment. Here was safety. Here was their leader. People without a leader will ultimately harm themselves or others. One day, long ago, a King appeared on this earth.
Matthew 21:5-9 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

This is the King of Glory. The King of kings. This King has the final word. It is to Him that each one of us will bow one day. We can be believers or not but the Bible says we WILL bow the knee and proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord and King. But the picture of this King is incomplete. They killed their King. They hung Him on a cross to die. He died for each one of you sitting here today. All of your life you have done your own thing until now your own thing has gotten you where you are now. You are lost and you do not know it. You think you are still in control of your self and your destiny. But you are not. This King paid for all of your crimes. You think you got a raw deal? How much did you get away with before they caught you? You got a good deal. Be thankful and fear God for His mercy that you did not get everything you have coming to you. After this life, you will pay for everything in hell. But you do not need to. Go to Jesus and get freedom. Get your sins forgiven today. Why? Because this King, though He let them kill Him, is coming back soon. And when He does He will look like this:

Revelation 19:11-18 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

This KING will be most fearful if you do not meet the King of Matt.21. I tell you guys...He IS coming. Just like they said He would come the first time, He IS coming a second time. The first time was to cleanse you of your sin. The second time will be to take vengeance on His enemies. Unless you are born again today, you are His enemy. And if you are His enemy when this day comes, you can expect no mercy, no forgiveness, no second chances, no plea bargains. You will be destroyed and it will last for all eternity.

So you can live like there is no King. You can do what is right in your own eyes. But if you do, you WILL be destroyed. And you will spend eternity in hell.
Or you can come to Jesus right now.

 

The Mountain of the Lord

This is another one I preached in prison. (Just the rough outline this time)

In the Mount of the Lord it shall be Seen:

Genesis 22:14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.

Abraham called this place Jehovahjireh. Why and what is it that we need to see here?
Let's read the whole passage and find out.

(Read Gen 22:1-20)

We find the following

1. Abrahma is called to give his only son.
1a. God gave his Only Son. (John 3:16)
2. Abraham saddles an ass to go to the hill.
2a. Jesus rides the foal of an ass a few days before on his way to Calvary. (Matt 21:5)
3. Abraham and Isaac went up the hill alone.
3a. Jesus went up that hill with only His Father with him.
4. Abraham declared that he and Isaac would return.
4a. Jesus declared that if He went away He would return. (John 14:2-3)
5. Abraham found the place after three days.
5a. Jesus was in the earth three days and three nights. (Matt. 12:40)
6. Abraham laid the wood on his son.
6a. God laid the wood on His Son. (Isa 53:6)
7. Abraham said God would provide HIMSELF a lamb for the burnt offering.
7a. Jesus was God's Lamb. (John 1:29)
8. Abraham bound Isaac. Isaac was willing. He could have fought his dad but did not. He trusted him.
8a. God put Jesus on that cross. Jesus could have resisted but did not. (not my will but thine be done) (Isa 53:4 and Luk 22:42)
9. God gave Abraham a full grown ram instead of a lamb.
9a. Jesus was a full grown man, not a baby in a manger.
10. The ram was caught in a thicket by his horns.
10a. Jesus wore a crown of thorns. (Mr 15:17)
11. Abraham, the father, offered the sacrifice, not Isaac.
11a. Again, it was God who offered Jesus as a sacrifice. (2 Cor 5:21)
12. After the sacrifice of the ram, we do not see Isaac again until he is taking his bride Rebekkah.
12a. After Calvary, we do not see Jesus again until he is returning to get His bride.

This is what we see when we approach the mount of God. We see a Father who gave his Only son. We see a willing Son to die trusting his Father. We see a Son who after worshipping with His Father, He is given a bride.

We see the love of God and His great Love for His Son, yet He smote Him for us and laid our sins on Him, that we might be made the righteousness of Christ.

What a Father! What a Saviour! What great love!

 

Yesterday's message text was Luke 2:1-20, "The Gift of Love"
I. The Gift of Love was Prepared
II. The Gift of Love was Personal
III. The Gift of Love was Perfect

 

My "sugar stick"

SIGNS OF A DISCIPLE​

Thayer's basic definition of the Greek word mathetes is: “a learner, pupil, disciple: universally, opposed to didaskalos; one who follows one's teaching-- in a wide sense, in the Gospels, those among the Jews who favored him, joined his party, became his adherents. The word is not found in the O. T, nor in the Epistles of the N. T., nor in the Apocalypse; in Greek writings from (Herodotus), Aristophanes, Xenophon, Plato down.”

BAGD's basic definition (minus all the historical references) of the Greek word mathetes is: “learner, a pupil, a disciple.
1. gener. Pupil, apprentice (in contrast to the teacher)
2. disciple, adherent”

Luke in Acts usually uses the word as a synonym for "believer" or "Christian," notably in Acts 11:26.

Christ gave it additional meaning in the form of four signs that you are a disciple.

1. Complete Commitment (Luke 14:26-33)
2. Continuing in His Word (John 8:31)
3. Compassion (love) for Other Believers (John 13:35)
4. Fruit bearing--Converting the Lost (John 15:8)

 

Pre-eminence of Christ

The Pre-eminence of Christ
Colossians 1:9-19

The Pre-eminence of Christ in Christians (verses 9-14)
The Pre-eminence of Christ in Creation (verses 15-17)
The Pre-eminence of Christ in the Church (verses 18-19)

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BTW, there is a good chance I am going to get stuck in verse 9. Studying this verse has been one of those silencing, humbling moments. You know the moments when you feel the Lord has given you something just for you, something that will dramatically impact your life.

I don't expect others to grasp it the way I have because, as these moments tend to be, they are very personal from the Lord. The verse speaks of spiritual wisdom and spiritual understanding

1. God wants us to know wisdom – spiritual principles
2. God wants us to know understanding – the practical application in varying circumstances of the above mentioned wisdom, spiritual principles.

 

Here is my sermon for the new year. I plan to preach this, Lord willing, this coming Sunday morning.​

A Biblical New Year’s Wish
I Thess 5:23-24
​

I. May God Sanctify You Completely

The parallel passage in 3:12, reveals that the content of complete sanctification is “increasing in love for one another
​

II. May you, in your entire being, be ready for Jesus’ return

The parallel passage in 3:13 reveals that readiness in our entire being equates to God establishing our hearts blameless and holy before God at the time that Jesus returns
​

III. God, who has called you to salvation, is faithful and he certainly will do this.

A. God sanctifies us as we obey him
“as you received from us how you should live” (4:1)
“you have been taught by God to love one another (4:9)

B. God sanctifies us in love
“love for one another and for all”

C. God sanctifies us in purity
“This is God’s will, even your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual sin.”
D. God sanctifies us in witness

We are to be quiet
We are to be private
We are to be diligent

So that we have a good testimony to the unsaved
So that we are independent
​

 

Yes I do know, I also know what it's like to have one of those moments while preaching.

God Bless you and His Word Brother...

 

BobRyan and the thread on Jews and Christians gave me my message for 8AM service tomorrow.

Subject; Ain't nothing like the real thing

TEXT Hebrews 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

I don't see this as a 3 pointer but I plan to discuss the "types" of Christ in the OT but will finish with "the Christ" of the NT.

 

I just finished up a 3-week series I named "hottie." It was about self-esteem, beauty, and "what does God think is beautiful?" It ended up being a pretty good series--lots of discussions...and there were a couple of kids that made some great steps in their walks with God.

I used THIS video to springboard into the study.

Hottie:
Week 1: The Skinny on Beauty
Tonight we played a game: "Hotties unmade." I gathered a bunch of photos of stars without makeup, and the kids had to guess who they were. Some were not easy. Some looked rough without their war paint!

• Your body...like a "church" (1 Cor 6:19-20)
• Beauty's a moving target (Prov 31:30)
• Beauty's expiration date (Eccl. 12)
• Which side matters most: inside (Matt. 23:25-26)
• Chasing hotties is pointless (Eccl. 2:8-11)
• an Unfading beauty (1 Peter 3:3-4)

Week 2: Seeing You the Right Way
I used a mirror...with a picture of a very ugly person (photoshopped...really hideous) taped in the center. I discussed how I might try to fix "the man in the mirror" up...only I was fixing up someone who wasn't really there.

• Intro: The prison of a wrong view: pride, self-hate, chaos
• Have the right person in the mirror (Psalm 36 and 32)
• Have the right perspective (not pride, self-hate,chaos--Psalm 139)
• Have the right person in charge (Matt. 8:5-13; Jesus & Centurion's faith)
  • conclusion: "Looking glass self" principle...and how Jesus makes it work right.

Week 3: Becoming the Hottie You're Supposed to Be
We used a nasty car as a "prop" for this week...

• Fix it up. Get the right heart. Let God overhaul your "engine" before you do "detail" work. (1 Samuel 16:7)
• Tune it up. Get the right performance. Get yourself "running rightly." Adjustments now avoid disasters later. (Ephesians 4:14-16)
• Clean it up. Get the right look. What a "healthy countenance" can do for you. (Psalm 43:5)
  • Get out the junk (1 John 1:9)
  • Clean up the "small stuff" (James 1:21)
  • Get a protective cover--Godly friends (Prov. 27:17)
  • Fix what you can (1 Cor. 6:19-20)
  • Accept and thank God for what you can't fix (Romans 12:1)
• Conclusion: show 1955 penny (value: $0.20-$0.30), and 1955 "double-die" penny (stamped twice in error; value: $750). The "ugly penny" was worth far more than its more perfect cousin! I compared it to how our 'imperfections' are God's marks of ownership and actually make us more valuable to Him, unique, and useful for His purpose.

To end the week, I had a commitment time in which each student came forward and took a penny. They had 2 minutes to look at it, memorizing each imperfection. We talked about the unique journey each penny had taken to get to where it was that night. I then asked each kid, "If I took your penny back up, could you find it in the pile? Why?" The penny is theirs--to remind them that even when they feel less than beautiful, they are God's unique masterpiece. We ended with commitments and prayer--to allow God to remove sin, improve "flaws" that need it, and we thanked God for those "flaws" He chooses to leave in our lives and use for His glory.

 

If you';ve heard this outline preached, then praise the Lord, if not, may it be a blessing.



BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD

John 1:29

# 1. Genesis 22:1-12 - The Lamb of God Prophisied.

a. A Father ready to sacrifice His son. (John 3:16)
b. A Son ready to give his life. (John 10:17,18)
c. The wood. (1 Peter 2:24)
d. The fire.
e. The knife.
f. The third day.

# 2. Exodus 12:1 - The Lamb of God Symbolized
(vs. 13 - cf with Hebrews 9:22; Col. 1:14)

# 3. Isaiah 53 - The Lamb of God - Crucified.
a. The Saviour described. (vs. 3,4)
b. His vicarious daeth. (vs. 5)
c. The Lamb. (vs. 7 - Mat. 26:59-63; 27:12-14)

(Acts 8:27-35 - The eunich preached Is. 53)

# 4. John 1:29 - The Lamb Identified.
Let there be no doubt as to the identity of the sin bearer.
Though the Jews were confused, we need not be. (John 1:19-29)

# 5. Revelation 5:1-7 - The Lamb Magnified.


# 6. Revelation 5:12 - The Lamb Glorified.
Worthy - Power - Wisdom - Strength - Honor - Glory - Praise

# 7 Revelation 19:7; 21:9 - The Lamb Satisfied.
(1 Corinthians 15:26-28)

 

Josh 6:1-20, "When you run into a wall"
When you run into a wall you need:
1. Vision from God
2. Faith in God
3. Action for God

 

Surviving Our Trials

Week 1 - Psalm 4:1 – Praying Through Tribulation
Week 2 - Psalm 4:2 – Purpose Through Tribulation
Week 3 - Psalm 4:3 – Protection Through Tribulation


1. The Psalmist’s Declaration – Testimony in Tribulation

Our character in tribulation can encourage and convict others. The confidence of God’s hand on our life should serve to encourage others. Seeing others protected by the Lord should encourage us. To those who do not know Christ it should show something is missing in their life.

2. The Psalmist’s Defender – Our Great God

An anchor is only as strong as the rock to which it is anchored. Considering who God is should remove all fear! Our God who is all-mighty and all-knowing is on our side! True enough, some other religions may have more faithful adherents, but we alone have a faithful God!

3. The Psalmist’s Devotion – Exclusive Promises

Not every one can claim protection or purpose in trials. The protection a believer enjoys is exclusively for believers. God is gracious and gives a measure of protection to all, but ultimately God’s protection is removed and they lose eternally.

4. The Psalmist’s Designer – Providence

If we are in difficulty it is only because God has allowed it. God has designed all things and He has designed our lives. He has designed the trials into which we walk and He has designed a way out and a purpose for them all!


5. The Psalmist’s Decision – Making the choice

Each believer in each situation must make a choice, calm assurance in God or panic and instability. All believers, ultimately, must make a choice to accept or reject God’s protection.

 

Psalm 4 Series

Psalm 4:1 – Praying Through Tribulation
David looked up and saw the greatness of God, he looked back and saw past answers to prayer and he looked around with confidence that God would deliver him again.

Psalm 4:2 – Purpose Through Tribulation
David's Glory was God's purpose for him. Assurance of being in God's place for us will anchor us whatever storms come our way.

Psalm 4:3 – Protected Through Tribulation
We are set apart into God. We are protected.

Psalm 4:4 – Perspectives in Tribulation
Recognition of sinful self and a realisation of a righteous, Holy God will awe us. To get a proper glimpse of God takes time and devotion. It is not necessarily how much time we have, but how much of it we choose to give to God. Very often it is our perspective that hinders or helps us through trials.

Psalm 4:5 – Propitiation Through Tribulation
If vs. 4 had been obeyed then the natural result of a sinner will be to question, “What must I do to be saved?” Verse 5 answers that question by referring to the righteous sacrifices and putting our trust in the Lord, our propitiation.

Psalm 4:6 – Providence in Tribulation
With Almighty God on our side we can have hope and look for good in every event that comes into our life. The Providence of God is for us, not against us.

Providence is described as the “manifestation of God's foresightful care for his creatures” and “God working all things to the purpose of his will.”

Psalm 4: 7 – Prosperity in Tribulation
Believers can prosper through hardship – material prosperity is not the goal or promise for the New Testament saint. We look for the true wealth, such wealth that does not rust, cannot be stolen and lasts eternally.

Psalm 4:8 – Peace Through Tribulation

During tribulation we need to pray, we need to see God’s ultimate purpose for our lives, we can know we are protected, we need to keep the right perspective, we must remember our Propitiation, we can hope because of God’s Providence, we can expect an element of Prosperity and most of all, we can know Peace!

 

For what reason?

 

Here is a sermon I preached two Sunday nights ago.

Guard Your Heart
Proverbs 4:20-27
​

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life--Prov 4:23

The Godly man must guard his heart.

How do we do this?

The author does not answer this in detail, but the answer is
Listen to what the father says
Retain what the father says (vs. 20,21)

Why do we need to do this?

Because guarding your heart establishes your eternal destiny (vs. 22)
also see I Tim 4:8

Because guarding your heart establishes the trajectory of your
earthly life (22b, 23b)

It is the remedy for the entire body (22b)

Everything you do is determined by the heart (23b)

Consider the outflow of the pure heart as given in the
later verses:
Pure words (vs. 24)
Correct focus (25)
Right actions (26)
Resulting in staying on the path that pleases God (27)​

 

Well done, Swaim. I'd be curious to see how much time you spent exegeting / defining the notion of "guarding the heart." In other words, a "What is it" section.

I've done that. Define it, prove it, apply it. What is the "matter", why should we do it, how do we do it. Sound familiar? Explanation, argumentation, application. BROADUS, BABY!!!! :thumbs: