Monday, March 30, 2009

My Secret Weapon

Sunday Sermon
March 29, 2009
Rhema Community Church

Sermonic Skeleton

Sermonic Scripture: ESV Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Sermonic Subject: Spiritual Warfare

Sermonic Theme: Prayer

Sermonic Sentence: I’m alive today because someone is praying for me!

NIV Exodus 17:12 When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up-- one on one side, one on the other-- so that his hands remained steady till sunset.

ESV Luke 22:31-32 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."

NLT Acts 12:5 But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.

Sermonic Tension: What do I do when the saints forget to pray for me?
(I pray for myself.) Prayer goes down in warfare, goes up in worship and goes out in works.

ESV Luke 22:42 saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."

NIV Acts 16:25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

NIV 2 Corinthians 12:7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

Sermonic Background: PRAYER for the Christian, prayer is a lifestyle (1 Thessalonians 5.15-18 “pray without ceasing”). Prayer should involve the whole person: mind, will and emotion. Prayer is not a magical way of grabbing goodies, for it is more a way of asking God to give you what He wants than demanding from Him what you want. God uses prayer to teach us to depend on Him and to tune our desires and wishes to His will Christians should pray in Christ Jesus name (Matthew 7.7-11; John 16.23-24; 15.7,16). There are two kinds of prayers “my will be done” or “thy will be done”.

Sermonic Structure:

I. PRAYING SAINTS ARE MY SECRET WEAPON
a. They are praying at all times in the Spirit
b. They are praying with all prayer and supplication
c. They are praying for all the saints

II. PRAYING STRATEGICALLY IS MY SECRET WEAPON
a. Pray for me to use God's word with precision
b. Pray for me to proclaim the gospel with power
c. Pray for me while I'm in prison
d. Pray for me to speak politically

Monday, March 16, 2009

Armed & Dangerous

Sunday Sermon
March 15, 2009
Rhema Community Church

Sermonic Skeleton

Sermonic Scripture: ESV Ephesians 6:17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Sermonic Subject: Spiritual Warfare

Sermonic Theme: The Word of God (The sword is a symbol of faith, strength, charity and justice.) Biblical knowledge is power.

Sermonic Sentence: The word of God is a weapon to the saint who rages war against the devil. (Receive the Spirits Sword which is the word of God)

Sermonic Tension: Live by the sword; Die by the sword. NLT Matthew 26:52 "Put away your sword," Jesus told him. "Those who use the sword will be killed by the sword.

Sermonic Cross Reference: NJB Matthew 4:4 But he replied, 'Scripture says: Human beings live not on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'

ESV Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

ESV Isaiah 65:12 I will destine you to the sword, and all of you shall bow down to the slaughter, because, when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not listen, but you did what was evil in my eyes and chose what I did not delight in."

ESV Ephesians 1:13-14 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

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.

NIV Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

Sermonic Structure:

I. I am armed and dangerous when I receive God’s word
a. Receive God’s word by hearing doctrinally sound sermons
b. Receive God’s word by a personal study of the scriptures
c. Receive God’s word by intentionally sharing it with someone


II. I am armed and dangerous when I retain God’s word
a. Retain God’s word by setting it to memory
b. Retain God’s word by scriptural meditation


III. I am armed and dangerous when I respond in obedience to God’s word
a. Obey God’s word with your lips
b. Obey God’s word with your life
c. Obey God’s word with your legacy


Unfortunately, I was unable to finish my sermon on yesterday all God allowed me to do was give the title, the introduction and the general outline. I was only able to complete the first principle and sub-point a. in section one. If God’s grace allows I’ll complete it this coming Lord’s DayArmed & Dangerous pt. IIWhat a joy to Preach at Rhema Community Church.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Shoring up your Mind

Sunday Sermon
March 8, 2009
Rhema Community Church

Sermonic Skeleton

Sermonic Scripture: ESV Ephesians 6:17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Sermonic Theme: Spiritual Warfare

Sermonic Subject: Salvation (True Deliverance & Rescue)

Sermonic Tension: For “the helmet” to do what it is designed to do you must put it on.

Sermonic Sentence: Receive the salvation that The Lord has provided. (Salvation is a Gift)

Sermonic Cross Reference: 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.

NLT 1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us who live in the light think clearly, protected by the body armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

Sermonic Background: Salvation the general meaning of the several Hebrew and Greek words translated into English as “salvation” is “safety” and “deliverance.” In the OT salvation refers to deliverance, both physically and spiritually. OT prophecies focus on the complete salvation of God’s people by the coming Messiah; the NT teaches that these prophecies are fulfilled by Jesus Christ. Jesus brought salvation through forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life. Salvation is a Christian term for God’s work in delivering human beings from the power of sin and the devil through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. In a broader sense, salvation may refer to God’s restoration of the whole of the created order to its intended purposes. (The intricately designed Roman helmet protected the soldier’s head and made him look taller and more impressive.)

Sermonic Structure:

I. SHORE UP YOUR MIND BY KNOWING YOU ARE SAVED

II. SHORE UP YOUR MIND BY KNOWING YOU ARE BEING SAVED

III. SHORE UP YOUR MIND BY KNOWING YOU WILL BE SAVED

Monday, March 2, 2009

Who's Shielding You

Sunday Sermon
March 1, 2009
Rhema Community Church

Sermonic Scripture: ESV Ephesians 6:16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

Sermonic Subject: Faith (Faith in Christ Jesus)

Sermonic Theme: Spiritual Warfare (Our shield is not an IT!... it’s a WHO.)

Sermonic Sentence: I believe that Christ Jesus is shielding me.

Sermonic Tension: With or without faith in Christ Jesus the evil one still attacks.


Sermonic Cross Reference: ESV Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great."

ESV Psalm 5:11-12 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. 12 For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.

ESV Psalm 84:11-12 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!


Sermonic Structure:

I. FAITH GIVES US A SHIELD FOR DIVERSITY (In all circumstances take up the shield of faith,)

II. FAITH GIVES US A SHIELD FOR FLAMING DARTS (with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts)

III. FAITH GIVES US A SHIELD FOR THE EVIL ONE WHO IS THE DEVIL (of the evil one;)