Sunday Sermon
February 22, 2009
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Scripture: ESV Ephesians 6:15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
Sermonic Subject: Spiritual Warfare
Sermonic Theme: The Gospel of Peace
Sermonic Sentence: The gospel is our ready defense against the attacks of the devil. (God commands us to stand in the gospel not in our flesh.)
Sermonic Tension: Don't give the devil a foothold in your life. (Since I have peace with God there is no need for me to fear the devil.)
Sermonic Background: From the Anglo-Saxon god-spell, “God-story,” a translation of the Greek “good news.” The Gospel is the good news of the message of salvation offered by God to all who believe in His Son, Jesus, as Lord and Savior. The word also refers to the first four books of the NT because they recount the life and teachings of Jesus.
SOME FALLACIES IN THE PRESENTATION OF THE GOSPEL
A. The Fallacy That the Gospel Concerns Other Than Sin Primarily There can be no Good News for the person who does not sense that he needs Good News. And there can be no sense of need without some realization of sin. Of course, sin has many symptoms which can alert an individual to the basic problem, sin. Therefore, a Gospel presentation can focus on lack of joy or peace or the need to have help in solving problems, but those are symptoms of the sin which alienates from God. Nevertheless, one does not need to be saved in order to have joy or peace or the solution to problems. He needs to be saved in order to have sins forgiven. Lack of joy is not what bars people from heaven. Sin is. The Gospel believed solves the sin problem.
B. The Fallacy That There Are Different Gospels for Different Age-Groups There is not one Gospel for children, another for young people, yet another for adults, and another for unchurched people, while another for those with a church background. There is one Gospel. There may be different ways of explaining the Gospel to different groups, but unless the content is the same, those different ways may create different gospels. Different vocabulary may be indicated, but those different words must convey the same Gospel.
C. The Fallacy That the Truth Is in Other Than the Word of God Experience can confirm or deny truth, but it does not create infallible truth. Neither does archeology. Neither does fulfilled prophecy, for the prophecies of the Bible were true before they were ever fulfilled. Neither does apologetics. These approaches have their place, but only in the Word do we have absolute truth. Like the apostles we must preach the Word (Acts 13:5) and reason out of the Scriptures (17:2).
D. The Fallacy That Cleverness Will Convict If the convicting ministry of the Spirit is to set the truth of the Gospel before the unsaved person in such a light that he must acknowledge it as truth (whether he believes it or not), then this must be done by the Spirit, not by my cleverness. Of course, our presentation should be well prepared and well presented, but these in themselves do not guarantee that anyone will be convinced. God must do that.
E. The Fallacy That Charm Will Assure Results Insofar as we can exercise control, we should not be offensive as to dress, speech, or culture, but the moment we announce the Gospel we take on the offense of the Cross (Gal. 5:11). The message is a stumbling block; the messenger should not be. But even though he is not, this will not guarantee results. Charm does not convert people.
F. The Fallacy That Procedures Produce Conversions Procedures do produce results, but results are not always the same as conversions. Pressure can produce results; music can hypnotize; settings can intoxicate; and stories can move; but none of these necessarily bring conversions. A good test for any Gospel message is this: did the speaker give his listeners something to believe, not did he give them something to do.
Sermonic Cross Reference: ESV Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns."
Sermon Structure:
I. These shoes educate us about our battle against the devil (and, as shoes for your feet)
A. We stand on the veracity of the Gospel
B. We stand with the veracity of the Gospel
C. We stand for the veracity of the Gospel
II. These shoes equip us for our battle against the devil (having put on the readiness,)
A. Spiritually we are ready
B. Mentally we are ready
C. Physically we are ready
III. These shoes emancipate us so that we can win our battle against the devil (given by the gospel of peace.)
A. We have peace with God
B. We have the peace of God
C. We have peace from God
Monday, February 23, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Full Coverage
Sunday Sermon
February 15, 2009
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Scripture: Ephesians 6:14 (ESV) Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Sermonic Subject: Spiritual Warfare
Sermonic Theme: The Righteousness of God
Sermonic Sentence: I am covered fully by the righteousness of Jesus Christ
Sermonic Tension: Since I am fully covered by the righteousness of Jesus Christ, why is it at times I do not live righteously? (I am unrighteous when I refuse to live in the Holy Ghost.) NLT Ephesians 5:18 Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. NLT Ephesians 2:2 You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.
Sermonic Background: The Righteousness of God in general, something is righteous if it agrees with divine or moral law, and is free from guilt or sin. The “righteousness of God,” however, is more than fulfilling an exterior code of what is right: It is an attribute of God’s very nature. God does not arbitrarily decide what is right or wrong, good or bad rightness and goodness flow out of the character of God himself. God’s righteousness as understood in a covenantal context includes God’s right judgment of both God’s own people and those who oppress them, as well as God’s salvation and mercy extended to those to whom the covenanting God has promised to be faithful. Righteousness and salvation are summed up in and provided for all those who believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By extension, righteousness denotes the type of life that ought to characterize Jesus’ disciples. Believers are to “imitate” God and thereby become righteous in life just as God is righteous.
Sermonic Cross Reference: NLT Isaiah 11:5 He will be clothed with fairness and truth. NLT Isaiah 59:17 He put on righteousness as his body armor and placed the helmet of salvation on his head. He clothed himself with the robes of vengeance and godly fury. NIV Isaiah 61:10-11 I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations. NIV Luke 8:27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. NLT Luke 8:35 A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, for they wanted to see for themselves what had happened. And they saw the man who had been possessed by demons sitting quietly at Jesus' feet, clothed and sane. And the whole crowd was afraid. NLT Luke 15:22 "But his father said to the servants, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet. NJB Acts 19:14-17 Among those who did this were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest. 15 The evil spirit replied, 'Jesus I recognise, and Paul I know, but who are you?' 16 and the man with the evil spirit hurled himself at them and overpowered first one and then another, and handled them so violently that they fled from that house stripped of clothing and badly mauled. 17 Everybody in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, heard about this episode; everyone was filled with awe, and the name of the Lord Jesus came to be held in great honour. ESV Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith." NLT John 19:23-24 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. 24 So they said, "Let's not tear it but throw dice to see who gets it." This fulfilled the Scripture that says, "They divided my clothes among themselves and threw dice for my robe."
Sermonic Structure:
I. CHRIST RIGHTEOUSNESS IS A GIFT FROM GOD TO COVER ME
II. CHRIST RIGHTEOUSNESS HAS BEEN GIVEN BY GOD TO COVER ME
III. CHRIST RIGHTEOUSNESS WAS DEMONSTRATED UNTO GOD ON GOLGOTHA TO COVER ME
February 15, 2009
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Scripture: Ephesians 6:14 (ESV) Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Sermonic Subject: Spiritual Warfare
Sermonic Theme: The Righteousness of God
Sermonic Sentence: I am covered fully by the righteousness of Jesus Christ
Sermonic Tension: Since I am fully covered by the righteousness of Jesus Christ, why is it at times I do not live righteously? (I am unrighteous when I refuse to live in the Holy Ghost.) NLT Ephesians 5:18 Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. NLT Ephesians 2:2 You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.
Sermonic Background: The Righteousness of God in general, something is righteous if it agrees with divine or moral law, and is free from guilt or sin. The “righteousness of God,” however, is more than fulfilling an exterior code of what is right: It is an attribute of God’s very nature. God does not arbitrarily decide what is right or wrong, good or bad rightness and goodness flow out of the character of God himself. God’s righteousness as understood in a covenantal context includes God’s right judgment of both God’s own people and those who oppress them, as well as God’s salvation and mercy extended to those to whom the covenanting God has promised to be faithful. Righteousness and salvation are summed up in and provided for all those who believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By extension, righteousness denotes the type of life that ought to characterize Jesus’ disciples. Believers are to “imitate” God and thereby become righteous in life just as God is righteous.
Sermonic Cross Reference: NLT Isaiah 11:5 He will be clothed with fairness and truth. NLT Isaiah 59:17 He put on righteousness as his body armor and placed the helmet of salvation on his head. He clothed himself with the robes of vengeance and godly fury. NIV Isaiah 61:10-11 I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations. NIV Luke 8:27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. NLT Luke 8:35 A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, for they wanted to see for themselves what had happened. And they saw the man who had been possessed by demons sitting quietly at Jesus' feet, clothed and sane. And the whole crowd was afraid. NLT Luke 15:22 "But his father said to the servants, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet. NJB Acts 19:14-17 Among those who did this were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest. 15 The evil spirit replied, 'Jesus I recognise, and Paul I know, but who are you?' 16 and the man with the evil spirit hurled himself at them and overpowered first one and then another, and handled them so violently that they fled from that house stripped of clothing and badly mauled. 17 Everybody in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, heard about this episode; everyone was filled with awe, and the name of the Lord Jesus came to be held in great honour. ESV Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith." NLT John 19:23-24 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. 24 So they said, "Let's not tear it but throw dice to see who gets it." This fulfilled the Scripture that says, "They divided my clothes among themselves and threw dice for my robe."
Sermonic Structure:
I. CHRIST RIGHTEOUSNESS IS A GIFT FROM GOD TO COVER ME
II. CHRIST RIGHTEOUSNESS HAS BEEN GIVEN BY GOD TO COVER ME
III. CHRIST RIGHTEOUSNESS WAS DEMONSTRATED UNTO GOD ON GOLGOTHA TO COVER ME
Monday, February 9, 2009
Tightening the Belt
Sunday Sermon
February 8, 2009
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Scripture: ESV Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Sermonic Subject: Spiritual Warfare
Sermonic Point: Tightening the belt of truth is essential for spiritual warfare.
Sermonic Tension: How can I know the truth from error? (If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything)
Sermonic Sentence: Buckle up and stay ready for spiritual warfare. (Whenever the truth of God is being attacked, you are in spiritual warfare.) God wants me to draw closer to the truth/Christ Jesus.
Sermonic Cross Reference: NIV Isaiah 11:1-5 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD-- 3 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; 4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. 5 Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.
Sermonic Structure:
I. TIGHTEN YOUR BELT SO GOD CAN ESTABLISH YOU TRUTHFULLY (Stand therefore,)
A. God wants us to stand against the devil with truth
B. God wants us to stay against the devil with truth
C. God wants us to stop the devil with truth
II. TIGHTEN YOUR BELT SO GOD CAN EQUIP YOU TRUTHFULLY (having fastened on the belt)
A. I am supported by the truth
B. I am surrounded by the truth
C. I am saved by the truth
III. TIGHTEN YOUR BELT SO GOD CAN EMPOWER YOU TRUTHFULLY (truth,)
February 8, 2009
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Scripture: ESV Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Sermonic Subject: Spiritual Warfare
Sermonic Point: Tightening the belt of truth is essential for spiritual warfare.
Sermonic Tension: How can I know the truth from error? (If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything)
Sermonic Sentence: Buckle up and stay ready for spiritual warfare. (Whenever the truth of God is being attacked, you are in spiritual warfare.) God wants me to draw closer to the truth/Christ Jesus.
Sermonic Cross Reference: NIV Isaiah 11:1-5 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD-- 3 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; 4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. 5 Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.
Sermonic Structure:
I. TIGHTEN YOUR BELT SO GOD CAN ESTABLISH YOU TRUTHFULLY (Stand therefore,)
A. God wants us to stand against the devil with truth
B. God wants us to stay against the devil with truth
C. God wants us to stop the devil with truth
II. TIGHTEN YOUR BELT SO GOD CAN EQUIP YOU TRUTHFULLY (having fastened on the belt)
A. I am supported by the truth
B. I am surrounded by the truth
C. I am saved by the truth
III. TIGHTEN YOUR BELT SO GOD CAN EMPOWER YOU TRUTHFULLY (truth,)
Monday, February 2, 2009
When all Hell Breaks Loose
Sunday Sermon
February 1, 2009
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton:
Sermonic Scripture: ESV Ephesians 6:10-13 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Sermonic Subject: Spiritual Warfare
Sermonic Sentence: When all hell breaks loose in your life, do not panic for you have heavens help.
Sermonic Tension: The devil attacks (There is no room for idleness, laziness or passiveness in the life of God’s people.)
Sermonic Point: Fight back!
Sermonic Structure:
I. WHEN ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE LET THE LORD STRENGTHEN YOU
(Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.)
II. WHEN ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE LET THE LORD SPIRITUALLY CLOTHE YOU
(Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.)
III. WHEN ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE LET THE LORDS STRATEGY WORK FOR YOU
(For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places)
IV. WHEN ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE LET THE LORD STAND YOU STILL
(Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.)
February 1, 2009
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton:
Sermonic Scripture: ESV Ephesians 6:10-13 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Sermonic Subject: Spiritual Warfare
Sermonic Sentence: When all hell breaks loose in your life, do not panic for you have heavens help.
Sermonic Tension: The devil attacks (There is no room for idleness, laziness or passiveness in the life of God’s people.)
Sermonic Point: Fight back!
Sermonic Structure:
I. WHEN ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE LET THE LORD STRENGTHEN YOU
(Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.)
II. WHEN ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE LET THE LORD SPIRITUALLY CLOTHE YOU
(Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.)
III. WHEN ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE LET THE LORDS STRATEGY WORK FOR YOU
(For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places)
IV. WHEN ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE LET THE LORD STAND YOU STILL
(Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.)
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