Be who you are

Sunday Sermon
November 16th 2009
Rhema Community Church

Sermonic Skeleton

Sermonic Pericope: ESV Galatians 4:17-31 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. 18 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, 19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! 20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. 21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband." 28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman." 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.

Sermonic Theme: Saved & Set Free (The Doctrine of Justification)

Sermonic Subject: Saved by faith alone not works.

Sermonic Tension: Hagar or Sarah (Slave or Free)

Sermonic Question: Who are you moreover; whose are you? Are you a child of Hagar or Sarah?

Sermonic Objective: The objective of this sermon is to affirm the fact that Christ Jesus has set us free to live genuinely.

Sermonic Help: apologetics from the Greek apologia or apologetikos, “to speak in defense of.” The word is used eight times in the NT: Acts 22.1; 25:16; 1 Corinthians 7.11; Philippians 1.17; 16; 2 Timothy 4.16; & 1 Peter 3.15 the classic text: (Amplified Bible) But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.

Apologetics is the area of Christian theology, or philosophy, which aims to intelligently defend the Christian faith in areas such as the relationship of faith and reason, proofs for the existence of God, miracles, the problem of evil, evidence for the resurrection of Christ, the inspiration of Scripture, prophecy, and the defense of creation. It includes both positive arguments for the truth of Christianity and rebuttals of criticisms leveled against it.

Occasionally called eristics, apologetics is the formal defense of the Christian faith. Historically, Christian theologians have differed as to whether apologetics is appropriate to the presentation of the gospel, and if so, how it should be accomplished. Depending on how they have answered these questions, apologists have appealed to rational argumentation, empirical evidence, fulfilled prophecy, authorities of the church or mystical experience in defending such beliefs as the existence of God, the authority of Scripture, the deity of Christ and the historicity of Jesus’ resurrection.

Sermonic Title: “BE WHO YOU ARE”

Sermonic Structure:

I. WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST JESUS (V. 17-20)

II. WE PROTECT WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST JESUS (V. 21-25)

III. WE PRAISE GOD FOR WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST JESUS (V.26-31)

When we first met

Sunday Sermon
November 1st 2009
Rhema Community Church

Sermonic Skeleton

Sermonic Pericope: ESV Galatians 4:12-16 Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. 13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What then has become of the blessing you felt? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?

Sermonic Theme: Saved & Set Free (The Doctrine of Justification)

Sermonic Subject: The dynamics of Pastoral ministry

Sermonic Tension: The honeymoon is over. (The local church has a moral obligation to live in harmony with her Pastor.)

Sermonic Question: What causes people to relate to you differently than when you first met?

Sermonic Sentence: There’s a fascinating phenomenon associated with first. (First impressions are lasting impressions.)

Sermonic Objective: Let’s get back to the way we were at first. (The church at first is the church at best.)

Sermonic Title: “WHEN WE FIRST MET”

Sermonic Structure:

I. WHEN WE FIRST MET YOU DID ME NO WRONG (V.12)

II. WHEN WE FIRST MET YOU RECEIVED ME & THE WORD (V.13,14)

III. WHEN WE FIRST MET YOU WERE SO WILLING (V.15)

IV. WHEN WE FIRST MET WE WERE AT PEACE NOT WAR (V.16)

Fearing the Worst

Sunday Sermon
October 25th 2009
Rhema Community Church

Sermonic Skeleton

Sermonic Pericope: ESV Galatians 4:8-11 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.

Sermonic Theme: Saved & Set Free (The Doctrine of Justification)

Sermonic Subject: Back Sliding or Sliding Back (Choosing that which is inferior over and against that which is superior.)

Sermonic Tension: Have I labored in vain. (Your Pastor’s greatest fear!)

Sermonic Sentence: You can't fix it if you want face it! (Spiritual emancipation is hard work)

Sermonic Help: IDOLATRY/IDOLS: In the OT the word “idol” means “vanity” (Jer. 14.22; 18.15); idols were made of wood, stone and precious metal (Isaiah 40/Jer.10). While such idols continued into NT times, especially in Greek culture, the NT also recognizes that anything treasured more than God is an idol. In Romans 1.22-25; idolatry is a sin against God and idolater is a slave to whatever has taken the place of God. (Acts 17.16/ Corinthians 5.11; 10.7, 14/ Galatians 5.20/ Philippians 3.18-19; Colossians 2.18; 3.5; Titus 3.3.)

IGNORANCE: A state of lack of knowledge or comprehension. In the Bible, ignorance is never honored by God and can even be the basis of sin. (Acts 3.17; 1 Peter 2.15; Heb 9.7; I Co 14.16, 23-24.)

IGNORANCE, ARGUMENT FROM: In Latin, Argumentum ad ignorantiam. An example: there must be ghosts because no one has ever shown that they do not exist. The fallacy of Argument from Ignorance is committed whenever a person asserts that a proposition is true simply because it has not been proven false, or that it is false merely because it has not been proven true. This mistaken logic often occurs is arguments where there is no clear cut evidence either for or against an issue.

Sermonic Title: “FEARING THE WORST”

Sermonic Structure:

I. THEIR FORMER LIFE HAS PAUL FEARING THE WORST (V.8)

A. They were ignorant
B. They were idolatrous

II. THEIR FEET HAS PAUL FEARING THE WORST (V.9)

A. They're turning back to that which is weak
B. They're turning back to that which is worthless
C. They're turning back to that which is worldly

III. THEIR FOCUS HAS PAUL FEARING THE WORST (V.10-11)

A. They're focusing on days
B. They're focusing on months
C. They're focusing on seasons
D. They're focusing on years

An Heir of Salvation

Sunday Sermon
October 11th 2009
Rhema Community Church

Sermonic Skeleton

Sermonic Pericope: ESV Galatians 4:1-7 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Sermonic Theme: Saved & Set Free (The Doctrine of Salvation)

Sermonic Subject: Redemption (The Gospel Explained)

Sermonic Tension: If I am, an heir that means a wealthy friend/relative has died.

Sermonic Question: Since I am an heir, why do I feel so poor?

Sermonic Sentence: I am set for life.

Sermonic Help: REDEMPTION from the Latin redemptio, from redimere, “to redeem,” “to buy back again.” In theology, the idea that Christ “redeemed” or “bought back” humanity by delivering us from sin and its punishment, therefore making salvation possible. Jesus came to redeem all of fallen creation and to pay the price for human sin. ESV Luke 24:21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. ESV Romans 3:24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ESV Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us- for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"- NLT Galatians 4:27 That is what Isaiah meant when he prophesied, "Rejoice, O childless woman! Break forth into loud and joyful song, even though you never gave birth to a child. For the woman who could bear no children now has more than all the other women!"

Sermonic Title: “AN HEIR OF SALVATION”

Sermonic Structure:

I. AN HEIR OF SALVATION LIVES LIKE A SLAVE (V.1-3)

II. AN HEIR OF SALVATION IS AN ADOPTED SON (V.4-5)

III. AN HEIR OF SALVATION HAS SIBLINGS (V.6)

IV. AN HEIR OF SALVATION IS SAVED (V.7)

Promises, Promises, Promises

Sunday Sermon
October 4th 2009
Rhema Community Church

Sermonic Skeleton

Sermonic Pericope: ESV Galatians 3:15-29 To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, "And to offsprings," referring to many, but referring to one, "And to your offspring," who is Christ. 17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. 19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. 20 Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

Sermonic Theme: Saved & Set Free (The Doctrine of Saving Grace)

Sermonic Subject: Saved by Faith alone (The Doctrine of Justification)

Sermonic Tension: The promise is greater than the law however; God gave the law to guide me to genuine living faith in Christ Jesus.

Sermonic Sentence: It is impossible to carry water on both shoulders.

Sermonic Help: Galatians 3.24 “The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ.” The law is meant to lead the sinner to faith in Christ by showing the impossibility of any other way. It is the black dog to fetch the sheep to the shepherd, the burning heat which drives the traveler to the shadow of the great rock in a weary land. (Spurgeon at his best)

Sermonic Title: “PROMISES, PROMISES, PROMISES”

Sermonic Structure:

I. THIS PROMISE IS MADE BY GOD (V. 15-18)

II. THIS PROMISE IS AN ACT OF GRACE (V. 19-25)

III. THIS PROMISE IS FOR JEWS & GENTILES (V. 26-29)

Living by Faith

Sunday Sermon
September 20th 2009
Rhema Community Church

Sermonic Skeleton

Sermonic Pericope: ESV Galatians 3:10-14 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them." 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith." 12 But the law is not of faith, rather "The one who does them shall live by them." 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us- for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"- 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

Sermonic Theme: Saved & Set Free (The Doctrine of Saving Grace)

Sermonic Subject: Justification by Faith alone not works (The Doctrine of Justification)

Sermonic Tension: Without Christ Jesus, there is no cure for the curse. (Living has consequences.)

Sermonic Sentence: Our church teaches people to put their entire trust in Jesus Christ.

Sermonic Question: Are you convinced that faith in Christ Jesus alone is sufficient for salvation?

Sermonic Help: Galatians 3.13 “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse…being made a curse for us.” You must either be cursed by God or else you must accept Christ as bearing the curse instead of you. This is the truth which the apostles preached, and suffered and died to maintain. The Reformers struggled for this. The martyrs burned at Smithfield for this. It is the grand basic doctrine of the Reformation, and the very truth of God. (Spurgeon at his Best)

Sermonic Title: “LIVING by FAITH”

Sermonic Structure:

I. LIVING BY FAITH DESTROYS THE CURSE (V. 10)
a. Faith Destroys the Curse of Sin
b. Faith Destroys the Curse of Separation
c. Faith Destroys the Curse of Self Reliance

II. LIVING BY FAITH DEVELOPS CHRISTIANS (V. 11,12)
a. We place no confidence in the Flesh
b. We live Faithfully
c. We are Free

III. LIVING BY FAITH DRAWS US CLOSER TO CHRIST (V. 13,14)
a. Because of Christ we are Redeemed
b. Because of Christ we are Righteous
c. Because of Christ we are Regenerated

Foolishness or Faith

Sunday Sermon
September 13, 2009
Rhema Community Church

Sermonic Skeleton

Sermonic Pericope: ESV Galatians 3:1-9 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain- if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith- 6 just as Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"? 7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed." 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Sermonic Theme: Saved & Set Free (The Doctrine of Saving Grace)

Sermonic Subject: Justification by faith alone not works. (The Doctrine of Justification)

Sermonic Tension: There’s a thin line between foolishness and faith. (Our Church must put an end to Biblical illiteracy.)

Sermonic Question: Is your relationship with God based on foolishness or faith? (The good news is God saves the foolish.)

Sermonic Sentence: There is so much foolishness being proclaimed from American pulpits today. (The depravity of humanity)

Sermonic Title: "FOOLISHNESS or FAITH"

Sermonic Structure:

I. ADDRESS THE FOOLISH (V. 1-3)
a. Paul is filled with indignation because of them. (O foolish Galatians!)
b. Paul interrogates them. (Who has bewitched you?)
c. Paul corrects the ill-advised teaching received by them. (Are you now being perfected by the flesh?)

II. ARTICULATE THE FACTS (V. 4-6)
a. Remember the pain (Did you suffer so many things in vain?)
b. Remember the process (by hearing with faith)
c. Remember the principle (believe God)

III. AFFIRM THE FAITH (V.7-9)
a. Examine the family of faith (the sons of Abraham)
b. Examine the foundation of faith (the Scriptures)
c. Examine the father of faith (Abraham, the man of faith)