FATHER FORGETS
W. Livingston Larned
Listen, son: I am saying this as you lie asleep, one little hand crumpled under your cheek and the blond sticky curls wet on you damp forehead. I have stolen into your room alone. Just a few minutes ago, as I sat reading my paper in the library, a stifling wave of remorse swept over me. Guiltily I came to your bedside.
I was thinking these things son I had been cross to you. I scolded you as you were dressing for school because you gave your face merely a dab with a towel. I took you to task for not cleaning your shoes. I called out angrily when you threw some of your things on the floor. At breakfast, I found fault, too. You gulped down your food. You put your elbows on the table. You spread butter too thick on your bread. In addition, as you started to play and I made for my train, you turned and waved a hand and called, “Goodbye, Daddy!” and I frowned, and said in reply, “Hold your shoulders back!”
Then it began all over again in the late afternoon. As I came up the road, I spied you, down on your knees, playing marbles. There were holes in your socks. I humiliated you before your friends by marching you ahead of me to the house. Socks are expensive and if you had to buy them, you would be more careful! Imagine that, son, from a father! Do you remember, later, when I was reading in the library, how you came in timidly, with a sort of hurt look in your eyes? When I glanced up over my paper, impatient at the interruption, you hesitated at the door. “What is it you want?” I snapped. You said nothing, but ran across in one tempestuous plunge, and threw your arms around my neck and kissed me, and your small arms tightened with an affection that God had set blooming in your heart and which even neglect could not wither. Then you were gone, pattering up the stairs.
Well, son, it was shortly afterwards that my paper slipped from my hands and a terrible sickening fear came over me. What has habit been doing to me? The habit of finding fault, of reprimanding this was my reward to you for being a boy. It was not that I did not love you; it was that I expected too much of youth. I was measuring you by the yardstick of my own years.
There was so much that was good and fine and true in your character. The little heart of you was as big as the dawn itself over the wide hills. This was shown by your spontaneous impulse to rush in and kiss me good night. Nothing else matters tonight, son. I have come to your bedside in the darkness, and I have knelt there, ashamed! It is a feeble atonement; I know you would not understand these things if I told them to you during your waking hours.
However, tomorrow I will be a real daddy! I will chum with you, and suffer when you suffer, and laugh when you laugh. I will bite my tongue when impatient words come. I will keep saying as if it were a ritual: “He is nothing but a boy a little boy!” I am afraid I have visualized you as a man. Yet as I see you now, son, crumpled and wary in your cot, I see that you are still a baby. Yesterday you were in your mother’s arms, your head on her shoulder. I have asked too much, too much. (This is one of the classics of American journalism, ‘Father Forgets.’” It originally appeared as an editorial in the People’s Home Journal. Also condensed in the Reader’s Digest.)
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
A Snippet from Spurgeon
October 7, 1857, he preached to the largest crowd ever 23,654 people at "The Crystal Palace" in London.
Spurgeon noted: "In 1857, a day or two before preaching at the Crystal Palace, I went to decide where the platform should be fixed; and, in order to test the acoustic properties of the building, cried in a loud voice, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." In one of the galleries, a workman, who knew nothing of what was being done, heard the words, and they came like a message from heaven to his soul. He was smitten with conviction on account of sin, put down his tools, went home, and there, after a season of spiritual struggling, found peace and life by beholding the Lamb of God. Years after, he told this story to one who visited him on his death-bed."
Spurgeon noted: "In 1857, a day or two before preaching at the Crystal Palace, I went to decide where the platform should be fixed; and, in order to test the acoustic properties of the building, cried in a loud voice, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." In one of the galleries, a workman, who knew nothing of what was being done, heard the words, and they came like a message from heaven to his soul. He was smitten with conviction on account of sin, put down his tools, went home, and there, after a season of spiritual struggling, found peace and life by beholding the Lamb of God. Years after, he told this story to one who visited him on his death-bed."
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
A case for CSI
Sunday Sermon
November 28th 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Pericope: ACTS 5:1-11 1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. 7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much." And she said, "Yes, for so much." 9 But Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
Sermonic Theme: The Power of the Holy Spirit (The Doctrine of Stewardship)
Sermonic Subject: Spiritual Discernment (The Doctrine of Christian Ethics)
Sermonic Tension: You cannot stop people from lying to you however, you can be filled with the Holy Spirit, and He will illuminate your mind and give you the ability to discern. (Satan Attacks the mind...etc.)
Sermonic Sentence: Christianity is a matter of life and death. (Live with integrity)
Sermonic Question: Is your all on the altar? (Ananias and Sapphira were under no obligation to give.)
Sermonic Warning: You cannot afford to give Satan your heart. (Ananias and Sapphira gave Satan their whole heart.)
Sermonic Title: "A CASE FOR CSI" (Contributors Spiritual Investigation)
Sermonic Sub-Title: “Don’t hold back”. (There is a serious spiritual crime perpetrated by Satan against Ananias and Sapphira however; Ananias and Sapphira let Satan do it.)
Sermonic Cross Reference: NLT Hebrews 6:18 So God has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence.
John 8:44 (ESV) You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
ESV Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.
ESV John 13:2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him,
ESV John 13:27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, do quickly."
KJV Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
ESV James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Sermonic Structure: (There are five moves within this pericope.)
I. THINK ABOUT THE MARRIAGE (verse 1 Ananias, with his wife Sapphira,)
II. THINK ABOUT THE MONEY (verse 1, 2 sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge)
III. THINK ABOUT GOD’S MAN (verse 3 But Peter said,)
IV. THINK ABOUT THE MOTIVE (verse 4 you have not lied to men but to God)
V. THINK ABOUT THE EFFECT THIS HAD ON THE MINISTRY (verse 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.)
A. To be an effective Church we need families
B. To be an effective Church we need finances
C. To be an effective Church we need fear
November 28th 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Pericope: ACTS 5:1-11 1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. 7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much." And she said, "Yes, for so much." 9 But Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
Sermonic Theme: The Power of the Holy Spirit (The Doctrine of Stewardship)
Sermonic Subject: Spiritual Discernment (The Doctrine of Christian Ethics)
Sermonic Tension: You cannot stop people from lying to you however, you can be filled with the Holy Spirit, and He will illuminate your mind and give you the ability to discern. (Satan Attacks the mind...etc.)
Sermonic Sentence: Christianity is a matter of life and death. (Live with integrity)
Sermonic Question: Is your all on the altar? (Ananias and Sapphira were under no obligation to give.)
Sermonic Warning: You cannot afford to give Satan your heart. (Ananias and Sapphira gave Satan their whole heart.)
Sermonic Title: "A CASE FOR CSI" (Contributors Spiritual Investigation)
Sermonic Sub-Title: “Don’t hold back”. (There is a serious spiritual crime perpetrated by Satan against Ananias and Sapphira however; Ananias and Sapphira let Satan do it.)
Sermonic Cross Reference: NLT Hebrews 6:18 So God has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence.
John 8:44 (ESV) You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
ESV Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.
ESV John 13:2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him,
ESV John 13:27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, do quickly."
KJV Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
ESV James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Sermonic Structure: (There are five moves within this pericope.)
I. THINK ABOUT THE MARRIAGE (verse 1 Ananias, with his wife Sapphira,)
II. THINK ABOUT THE MONEY (verse 1, 2 sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge)
III. THINK ABOUT GOD’S MAN (verse 3 But Peter said,)
IV. THINK ABOUT THE MOTIVE (verse 4 you have not lied to men but to God)
V. THINK ABOUT THE EFFECT THIS HAD ON THE MINISTRY (verse 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.)
A. To be an effective Church we need families
B. To be an effective Church we need finances
C. To be an effective Church we need fear
Friday, November 26, 2010
Jonathan Edward (1703-1758)
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)
Edwards provides insight into the relation between apologetic evidence and the Holy Spirit. He too saw complementary relation between the two. Edwards say eight functions in reason:
1. Reason must prove the existence of God, the Revealer.
2. Reason anticipates that there will be a revelation.
3. Reason can show that a "pretended" revelation is not from God.
4. Reason demonstrates the rationality of revelation.
5. Reason verifies a true revelation as genuine.
6. Reason argues for the dependability of revelation.
7. Reason anticipates that there will be mysteries in a genuine divine revelation, defends them, and refutes objections to their presence.
8. Reason comprehends what is illumined by revelation.
Edwards provides insight into the relation between apologetic evidence and the Holy Spirit. He too saw complementary relation between the two. Edwards say eight functions in reason:
1. Reason must prove the existence of God, the Revealer.
2. Reason anticipates that there will be a revelation.
3. Reason can show that a "pretended" revelation is not from God.
4. Reason demonstrates the rationality of revelation.
5. Reason verifies a true revelation as genuine.
6. Reason argues for the dependability of revelation.
7. Reason anticipates that there will be mysteries in a genuine divine revelation, defends them, and refutes objections to their presence.
8. Reason comprehends what is illumined by revelation.
Friday, October 1, 2010
The Day the Holy Spirit Arrived
Sunday Sermon
September 26th 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Acts 2:1-13 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians- we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" 13 But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine."
Sermonic Theme: The Day of Pentecost (The Ascension of Jesus Christ)
Sermonic Subject: The Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1.4-5 The Fathers promise)
Sermonic Tension: The Doctrine of Speaking in Tongues (Waiting for the Holy Spirit)
Sermonic Sentence: Hold on to Gods unchanging hand for His promises are true.
Sermonic Point: This is the Birthday of the Christian Church (Historical Fact)
Sermonic Observation: Non-Christians cannot discern moves of God (Acts 2.12-13)
Sermonic Title: “THE DAY THE HOLY SPIRIT ARRIVED”
Sermonic Structure: (There are six moves within this pericope)
I. THE HOLY SPIRIT ARRIVED ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST (verse 1)
II. THE HOLY SPIRIT ARRIVED WHEN THEY ALL WERE IN ONE PLACE (verse 1)
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT ARRIVED AS THE FATHER HAD PROMISED (verse 2)
IV. THE HOLY SPIRIT ARRIVED UNTO ALL WHO WERE PRESENT (verse 3)
V. THE HOLY SPIRIT ARRIVED WITH POWER (verse 4)
A. The Holy Spirit gives them Unity
B. The Holy Spirit gives them Utterance
C. The Holy Spirit gives them Understanding
VI. THE HOLY SPIRIT ARRIVED AND SOME WERE PERPLEXED (verses 5-13)
A. The Holy Spirit is Audible
B. The Holy Spirit is Visible
C. The Holy Spirit is Intelligible
Sermonic Cross Reference:
ESV Mark 7:33 And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue.
ESV Mark 7:35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.
ESV Mark 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
ESV Luke 1:64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.
ESV Luke 16:24 And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.'
ESV Acts 2:3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.
ESV Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
NLT Acts 2:11 Cretans, and Arabians. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!"
ESV Acts 2:26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope.
ESV Acts 10:46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared,
ESV Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
ESV Romans 3:13 "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips."
ESV Romans 14:11 for it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."
ESV 1 Corinthians 12:10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
ESV 1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
ESV 1 Corinthians 12:30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
ESV 1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
ESV 1 Corinthians 13:8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.
ESV 1 Corinthians 14:2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
ESV 1 Corinthians 14:4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
September 26th 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Acts 2:1-13 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians- we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" 13 But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine."
Sermonic Theme: The Day of Pentecost (The Ascension of Jesus Christ)
Sermonic Subject: The Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1.4-5 The Fathers promise)
Sermonic Tension: The Doctrine of Speaking in Tongues (Waiting for the Holy Spirit)
Sermonic Sentence: Hold on to Gods unchanging hand for His promises are true.
Sermonic Point: This is the Birthday of the Christian Church (Historical Fact)
Sermonic Observation: Non-Christians cannot discern moves of God (Acts 2.12-13)
Sermonic Title: “THE DAY THE HOLY SPIRIT ARRIVED”
Sermonic Structure: (There are six moves within this pericope)
I. THE HOLY SPIRIT ARRIVED ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST (verse 1)
II. THE HOLY SPIRIT ARRIVED WHEN THEY ALL WERE IN ONE PLACE (verse 1)
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT ARRIVED AS THE FATHER HAD PROMISED (verse 2)
IV. THE HOLY SPIRIT ARRIVED UNTO ALL WHO WERE PRESENT (verse 3)
V. THE HOLY SPIRIT ARRIVED WITH POWER (verse 4)
A. The Holy Spirit gives them Unity
B. The Holy Spirit gives them Utterance
C. The Holy Spirit gives them Understanding
VI. THE HOLY SPIRIT ARRIVED AND SOME WERE PERPLEXED (verses 5-13)
A. The Holy Spirit is Audible
B. The Holy Spirit is Visible
C. The Holy Spirit is Intelligible
Sermonic Cross Reference:
ESV Mark 7:33 And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue.
ESV Mark 7:35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.
ESV Mark 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
ESV Luke 1:64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.
ESV Luke 16:24 And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.'
ESV Acts 2:3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.
ESV Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
NLT Acts 2:11 Cretans, and Arabians. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!"
ESV Acts 2:26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope.
ESV Acts 10:46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared,
ESV Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
ESV Romans 3:13 "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips."
ESV Romans 14:11 for it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."
ESV 1 Corinthians 12:10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
ESV 1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
ESV 1 Corinthians 12:30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
ESV 1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
ESV 1 Corinthians 13:8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.
ESV 1 Corinthians 14:2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
ESV 1 Corinthians 14:4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Good Choice or Godly Choice
Sunday Sermon
September 12th 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Acts 1:12-26 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. 15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry." 18 (Now this man bought a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 "For it is written in the Book of Psalms, "' May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it'; and "'Let another take his office.' 21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us- one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection." 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Sermonic Theme: The Ascension of Jesus Christ. (The Doctrine of Divine Necessities)
Sermonic Subject: Apostolic Authority (The Necessity of Prayer)
Sermonic Tension: Did the Apostles make the right decision? (Disciples are made not born.)
Sermonic Point: Your ability to make Godly decisions is based upon your willingness to persevere in prayer.
Sermonic Sentence: The goal of every Christian disciple is to persevere in prayer until your decisions become Godly.
Sermonic Goal: Persevere in pray before you decide.
Sermonic Question: Will you persevere in pray over your next decision?
Sermonic Cross Reference: ESV Zechariah 14:4 On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward.
ESV Psalm 69:25 May their camp be a desolation; let no one dwell in their tents.
NLT Proverbs 16:33 We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall.
Sermonic Help: The final day of Christ’s postresurrection ministry did not take place in Galilee. That may have been the site of the largest assembly of His followers, as we have just seen; but His actual departure was from the crest of the Mount of Olives, not far from Bethany. There was something especially fitting that this should be the point of His departure, since from the prophecy in Zechariah 14:4 we know that the Mount of Olives will be the place of His return in the day of Armageddon. As He sets His foot down there, a mighty earthquake will split the hill of Olivet into a broad valley running from west to east.
We have no way of knowing how many of Jesus’ disciples gathered on the summit of Olivet for that last memorable interview with their Lord, on His final day of earthy ministry. Perhaps there were about 120 there, judging from the statement in Acts 1:15. It is conceivable that the “over five hundred brethren at once” (1 Cor. 15:6) were there rather than up in Galilee. Matthew 28:16 only mentions the Eleven as being certainly of that number; yet the Eleven may have simply been a core group, and a great many more may have gathered around them. On the other hand, if there were over 500 assembled at Olivet on Ascension Day, it is unlikely that 380 of them would have disregarded Christ’s solemn instructions and would have failed to tarry for the specified ten days until Pentecost (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4), when the Spirit would descend from heaven on them.
As the disciples gathered about Jesus to take their leave of Him before His departure to heaven, they asked Him one question of pressing importance: Will the kingdom of God very soon be established on earth? They were anxious to know what their Lord’s plan was for the triumph of His cause and establishment of His sovereignty over all the earth. In response to this question, Jesus does not correct their underlying premise—that He some day will establish the kingdom of God on earth—but indicates that there will be intervening times and seasons in phraseology reminiscent of the Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24:5–14), with its clear indication that much would have to happen before the present age would draw to its close. It was unnecessary and inappropriate for them to know about the exact date of the Second Advent; their task was simply to carry out the Great Commission and spread the gospel to the very ends of the earth (Acts 1:7–8).
As His final gesture there on the hilltop near Bethany, our Lord lifted His hands to bless His disciples (Luke 24:50); and in that attitude He was suddenly lifted up from the ground, to disappear from their sight beyond the clouds. As they stood there looking up, transfixed with wonder, two angels suddenly appeared beside them (perhaps the same angels who had greeted the visitors to the empty tomb) and assured them that Jesus would some day return to earth in bodily form—in the same form as they had seen Him ascend to heaven. With this glad assurance ringing in their ears, they made their way down from Olivet in order to spend the next ten days in communion and prayer, until the outpouring of Christ’s Holy Spirit came on them all at Pentecost.
In Acts 1:18 the apostle Peter reminds the other disciples of Judas’s shameful end and the gap he left in the ranks of the Twelve, which called for another disciple to take his place. Peter relates the following: “He therefore acquired a plot of land [chōrion] from the reward of wrongdoing. (This could mean either that Judas had already contracted with the owner of the field that he originally had wanted to buy with the betrayal money; or—as is far more likely in this context—Peter was speaking ironically, stating that Judas acquired a piece of real estate all right, but it was only a burial plot [chōrion could cover either concept], namely, the one on which his lifeless body fell. Acts 1:18 goes on to state: “And he, falling headlong, burst asunder, and all of his inwards gushed out.” This indicates that the tree from which Judas suspended himself overhung a precipice. If the branch from which he had hung himself was dead and dry—and there are many trees that match this description even to this day on the brink of the canyon that tradition identifies as the place where Judas died—it would take only one strong gust of wind to yank the heavy corpse and split the branch to which it was attached and plunge both with great force into the bottom of the chasm below. There is indication that a strong wind arose at the hour Christ died and ripped the great curtain inside the temple from top to bottom (Matt. 27:51). This was accompanied by a rock-splitting earthquake and undoubtedly also by a thunderstorm, which normally follows a prolonged period of cloud gathering and darkness (Matt. 27:45). Conditions were right for what had started out as a mere suicide by hanging to turn into a grisly mutilation of the corpse as the branch gave way to the force of the wind and was hurtled down to the bottom.
Sermonic Title: “GOOD CHOICE or GOD’S CHOICE”
Sermonic Structure: (There are six moves within this pericope)
I. THE APOSTLES ARE IN PRAYER (vrs.12-14 Obeying Christ they return to Jerusalem [hostile territory], entered into the house, and went into the “upper room” attempting to get as close to heaven as humanly possible so that they could talk to God. Acts 1.4)
II. THE APOSTLES ARE LISTENING TO PETER (vrs.15-16)
III. THE APOSTLES HAVE A PROBLEM (vrs.17-20 Jesus has left and the Holy Spirit has not yet come. The apostles are attempting to fill an empty space/ a vacancy, void in their lives and ministry.)
IV. THE APOSTLES WILL CHOOSE ONE OUT OF TWO PEOPLE (vrs.21-23 Listen to the criterion given.)
V. THE APOSTLES PRAY ONE MORE TIME BEFORE THEY PICK (vrs.24-25)
VI. THE APOSTLES PICK MATTHIAS TO TAKE JUDAS PLACE (vrs.26 Just because you are chosen don’t become arrogant and smug remember the last person who had your job was a devil. John 6.70)
September 12th 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Acts 1:12-26 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. 15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry." 18 (Now this man bought a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 "For it is written in the Book of Psalms, "' May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it'; and "'Let another take his office.' 21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us- one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection." 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Sermonic Theme: The Ascension of Jesus Christ. (The Doctrine of Divine Necessities)
Sermonic Subject: Apostolic Authority (The Necessity of Prayer)
Sermonic Tension: Did the Apostles make the right decision? (Disciples are made not born.)
Sermonic Point: Your ability to make Godly decisions is based upon your willingness to persevere in prayer.
Sermonic Sentence: The goal of every Christian disciple is to persevere in prayer until your decisions become Godly.
Sermonic Goal: Persevere in pray before you decide.
Sermonic Question: Will you persevere in pray over your next decision?
Sermonic Cross Reference: ESV Zechariah 14:4 On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward.
ESV Psalm 69:25 May their camp be a desolation; let no one dwell in their tents.
NLT Proverbs 16:33 We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall.
Sermonic Help: The final day of Christ’s postresurrection ministry did not take place in Galilee. That may have been the site of the largest assembly of His followers, as we have just seen; but His actual departure was from the crest of the Mount of Olives, not far from Bethany. There was something especially fitting that this should be the point of His departure, since from the prophecy in Zechariah 14:4 we know that the Mount of Olives will be the place of His return in the day of Armageddon. As He sets His foot down there, a mighty earthquake will split the hill of Olivet into a broad valley running from west to east.
We have no way of knowing how many of Jesus’ disciples gathered on the summit of Olivet for that last memorable interview with their Lord, on His final day of earthy ministry. Perhaps there were about 120 there, judging from the statement in Acts 1:15. It is conceivable that the “over five hundred brethren at once” (1 Cor. 15:6) were there rather than up in Galilee. Matthew 28:16 only mentions the Eleven as being certainly of that number; yet the Eleven may have simply been a core group, and a great many more may have gathered around them. On the other hand, if there were over 500 assembled at Olivet on Ascension Day, it is unlikely that 380 of them would have disregarded Christ’s solemn instructions and would have failed to tarry for the specified ten days until Pentecost (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4), when the Spirit would descend from heaven on them.
As the disciples gathered about Jesus to take their leave of Him before His departure to heaven, they asked Him one question of pressing importance: Will the kingdom of God very soon be established on earth? They were anxious to know what their Lord’s plan was for the triumph of His cause and establishment of His sovereignty over all the earth. In response to this question, Jesus does not correct their underlying premise—that He some day will establish the kingdom of God on earth—but indicates that there will be intervening times and seasons in phraseology reminiscent of the Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24:5–14), with its clear indication that much would have to happen before the present age would draw to its close. It was unnecessary and inappropriate for them to know about the exact date of the Second Advent; their task was simply to carry out the Great Commission and spread the gospel to the very ends of the earth (Acts 1:7–8).
As His final gesture there on the hilltop near Bethany, our Lord lifted His hands to bless His disciples (Luke 24:50); and in that attitude He was suddenly lifted up from the ground, to disappear from their sight beyond the clouds. As they stood there looking up, transfixed with wonder, two angels suddenly appeared beside them (perhaps the same angels who had greeted the visitors to the empty tomb) and assured them that Jesus would some day return to earth in bodily form—in the same form as they had seen Him ascend to heaven. With this glad assurance ringing in their ears, they made their way down from Olivet in order to spend the next ten days in communion and prayer, until the outpouring of Christ’s Holy Spirit came on them all at Pentecost.
In Acts 1:18 the apostle Peter reminds the other disciples of Judas’s shameful end and the gap he left in the ranks of the Twelve, which called for another disciple to take his place. Peter relates the following: “He therefore acquired a plot of land [chōrion] from the reward of wrongdoing. (This could mean either that Judas had already contracted with the owner of the field that he originally had wanted to buy with the betrayal money; or—as is far more likely in this context—Peter was speaking ironically, stating that Judas acquired a piece of real estate all right, but it was only a burial plot [chōrion could cover either concept], namely, the one on which his lifeless body fell. Acts 1:18 goes on to state: “And he, falling headlong, burst asunder, and all of his inwards gushed out.” This indicates that the tree from which Judas suspended himself overhung a precipice. If the branch from which he had hung himself was dead and dry—and there are many trees that match this description even to this day on the brink of the canyon that tradition identifies as the place where Judas died—it would take only one strong gust of wind to yank the heavy corpse and split the branch to which it was attached and plunge both with great force into the bottom of the chasm below. There is indication that a strong wind arose at the hour Christ died and ripped the great curtain inside the temple from top to bottom (Matt. 27:51). This was accompanied by a rock-splitting earthquake and undoubtedly also by a thunderstorm, which normally follows a prolonged period of cloud gathering and darkness (Matt. 27:45). Conditions were right for what had started out as a mere suicide by hanging to turn into a grisly mutilation of the corpse as the branch gave way to the force of the wind and was hurtled down to the bottom.
Sermonic Title: “GOOD CHOICE or GOD’S CHOICE”
Sermonic Structure: (There are six moves within this pericope)
I. THE APOSTLES ARE IN PRAYER (vrs.12-14 Obeying Christ they return to Jerusalem [hostile territory], entered into the house, and went into the “upper room” attempting to get as close to heaven as humanly possible so that they could talk to God. Acts 1.4)
II. THE APOSTLES ARE LISTENING TO PETER (vrs.15-16)
III. THE APOSTLES HAVE A PROBLEM (vrs.17-20 Jesus has left and the Holy Spirit has not yet come. The apostles are attempting to fill an empty space/ a vacancy, void in their lives and ministry.)
IV. THE APOSTLES WILL CHOOSE ONE OUT OF TWO PEOPLE (vrs.21-23 Listen to the criterion given.)
V. THE APOSTLES PRAY ONE MORE TIME BEFORE THEY PICK (vrs.24-25)
VI. THE APOSTLES PICK MATTHIAS TO TAKE JUDAS PLACE (vrs.26 Just because you are chosen don’t become arrogant and smug remember the last person who had your job was a devil. John 6.70)
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
The Spirit of the Lord
Sunday Sermon
June 13th 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
Sermonic Theme: The Spirit of the Lord. (The ministry of Jehovah)
Sermonic Subject: Rejection (The first rejection at Nazareth)
Sermonic Tension: People are poor, captive, blind, and oppressed. (Sin and Satan causes people to reject the message and the messenger of Good news.)
Sermonic Sentence: The proclamation of good news is the Lord’s solution for humanities sin. (The life, death, burial, resurrection, ascension and soon return of Jesus Christ.)
Sermonic Question: Are you sharing the good news with people as you go? (Evangelism)
Sermonic Point: People need to hear good news. (The spiritual and physical needs of people both matter to the Lord. Is this liberation theology?)
Sermonic Refrain: You can do nothing without the Spirit of the Lord. (People may reject you however, the Lord has already accepted you.)
Sermonic Title: “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD”
Sermonic Sub-title: Preaching ain’t easy
Sermonic Structure:
I. THE LORD AFFIRMS JESUS PUBLICALLY (The Spirit of the Lord is upon me)
II. THE LORD ANOINTS JESUS FOR PREACHING (Good news)
III. THE LORD ASSIGNS JESUS TO PEOPLE (Poor, captives, blind, and oppressed…etc.)
June 13th 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
Sermonic Theme: The Spirit of the Lord. (The ministry of Jehovah)
Sermonic Subject: Rejection (The first rejection at Nazareth)
Sermonic Tension: People are poor, captive, blind, and oppressed. (Sin and Satan causes people to reject the message and the messenger of Good news.)
Sermonic Sentence: The proclamation of good news is the Lord’s solution for humanities sin. (The life, death, burial, resurrection, ascension and soon return of Jesus Christ.)
Sermonic Question: Are you sharing the good news with people as you go? (Evangelism)
Sermonic Point: People need to hear good news. (The spiritual and physical needs of people both matter to the Lord. Is this liberation theology?)
Sermonic Refrain: You can do nothing without the Spirit of the Lord. (People may reject you however, the Lord has already accepted you.)
Sermonic Title: “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD”
Sermonic Sub-title: Preaching ain’t easy
Sermonic Structure:
I. THE LORD AFFIRMS JESUS PUBLICALLY (The Spirit of the Lord is upon me)
II. THE LORD ANOINTS JESUS FOR PREACHING (Good news)
III. THE LORD ASSIGNS JESUS TO PEOPLE (Poor, captives, blind, and oppressed…etc.)
Saturday, May 22, 2010
The Kind of Giver God Loves
Sunday Sermon
May 16th 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Pericope: ESV 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all contentment in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Sermonic Theme: Give (Giving money is a spiritual act.)
Sermonic Subject: Stewardship (The Ministry of Generosity)
Sermonic Tension: Your mind must be made up in order for you to sow generously into people. (You need a generous spirit.)
Sermonic Sentence: Generously sow into people knowing that God is able to make all grace abound toward you.
Sermonic Question: God is so generous toward you why aren’t you generous toward others?
(A stingy Christian is an oxymoron and a disgrace to grace.)
Sermonic Help: GRACE: New Testament Noun: charis (charis), GK G5921 (S 5485), 155x. charis is “grace, favor”—the acceptance of and goodness toward those who cannot earn or do not deserve such gain. As in the OT, “finding favor in the presence of God” (Lk. 1:30) means that God has an attitude of kindness toward someone, wishing to prosper them. Being “highly favored” highlights God’s decision to bless and use that person for his good purpose (of Mary, Lk. 1:28; even of Jesus, 2:52; cf. also Stephen, Acts 6:8). Paul acknowledges that God’s “grace” has called and equipped him to be the authoritative apostle of Christ’s gospel (Rom. 15:15).
Jesus’ mission to the world is seen as the appearance of “grace and truth” (Jn. 1:14, 17), even “grace upon grace” (1:16). The gospel of Jesus Christ can rightfully be called “the word of his grace” (Acts 14:3; 20:32) and “the gospel of the grace of God” (20:24), and being sent out to preach the gospel is seen as “being handed over to the grace of God” (14:26; 15:40).
In the NT, God’s grace manifests itself most clearly in the sacrificial, substitutionary death of Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:24–26; Heb. 2:9). By nature gifts of grace cannot be earned (Rom. 11:6), for a gift earned is the opposite of a gift of grace (4:4). Grace, Christ, and salvation are so connected that those who attempt to earn righteousness have “fallen away from the grace” (Gal. 5:4; cf. 2:21). Salvation is “by grace through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8).
The undeserved blessings of grace are numerous. Jesus gave up the riches of heaven, making himself poor so as to make sinful humans rich—that is “grace” (2 Cor. 8:9)! Every step of God’s salvation (from eternity past to the everlasting future) is accomplished through grace: his precreational choosing of the elect in Christ (Eph. 1:4–6), his inner call to the gospel (2 Tim. 1:9), his regeneration of dead sinners (Eph. 2:5), his gift of saving faith (Acts 18:27), his redemption of sinners (including justification, Tit. 3:7; forgiveness of sins, Eph. 1:7), his sanctification of believers (2 Cor. 9:8; 2 Thess. 2:16–17), his preservation of the saints (1 Cor. 1:4, 8), and his glorification of believers (1 Cor. 15:57; 2 Thess. 1:12). God saves “in order that in the coming ages he might show the surpassing richness of his grace in kindness on us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:7).
Grace is a new domain in which and by which Christians live (Rom. 15:15; 16:20). In this realm sin no longer rules (6:14). By his grace, God affects Christians’ personal lives, giving them the ability to obey the gospel from the heart (Rom. 6:17), the ability to work hard (1 Cor. 15:10), and an increase of joy in severe trials (2 Cor. 8:1–2). God graciously affects Christians’ interpersonal relations, giving them care in their hearts for others (2 Cor. 8:16) and different spiritual gifts that cause the body of Christ to function together (Rom. 12:6).
The believer is motivated to show practical grace to others. Jesus applies charis (translated “credit,” “benefit,” or “thanks”) to the act of doing something kind for someone who has not earned and does not deserve it (Lk. 6:32–34). The Christian knows that no matter the level of suffering or weakness in life, Christ’s grace toward them is sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9), allowing them to “approach the throne of grace with confidence in order that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb. 4:16). Dependence on Christ’s power and grace causes an overflow of thanksgiving (2 Cor. 4:15).
Sermonic Title: “THE KIND OF GIVER GOD LOVES”
Sermonic Structure:
I. God generously loves people who cheerfully sow (Verses 6-7)
II. God generously supplies seed to the cheerful sower (Verses 8-11)
III. God generously graces us for service (Verses 12-14)
IV. God generously gave us His son (Verse 15)
May 16th 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Pericope: ESV 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all contentment in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Sermonic Theme: Give (Giving money is a spiritual act.)
Sermonic Subject: Stewardship (The Ministry of Generosity)
Sermonic Tension: Your mind must be made up in order for you to sow generously into people. (You need a generous spirit.)
Sermonic Sentence: Generously sow into people knowing that God is able to make all grace abound toward you.
Sermonic Question: God is so generous toward you why aren’t you generous toward others?
(A stingy Christian is an oxymoron and a disgrace to grace.)
Sermonic Help: GRACE: New Testament Noun: charis (charis), GK G5921 (S 5485), 155x. charis is “grace, favor”—the acceptance of and goodness toward those who cannot earn or do not deserve such gain. As in the OT, “finding favor in the presence of God” (Lk. 1:30) means that God has an attitude of kindness toward someone, wishing to prosper them. Being “highly favored” highlights God’s decision to bless and use that person for his good purpose (of Mary, Lk. 1:28; even of Jesus, 2:52; cf. also Stephen, Acts 6:8). Paul acknowledges that God’s “grace” has called and equipped him to be the authoritative apostle of Christ’s gospel (Rom. 15:15).
Jesus’ mission to the world is seen as the appearance of “grace and truth” (Jn. 1:14, 17), even “grace upon grace” (1:16). The gospel of Jesus Christ can rightfully be called “the word of his grace” (Acts 14:3; 20:32) and “the gospel of the grace of God” (20:24), and being sent out to preach the gospel is seen as “being handed over to the grace of God” (14:26; 15:40).
In the NT, God’s grace manifests itself most clearly in the sacrificial, substitutionary death of Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:24–26; Heb. 2:9). By nature gifts of grace cannot be earned (Rom. 11:6), for a gift earned is the opposite of a gift of grace (4:4). Grace, Christ, and salvation are so connected that those who attempt to earn righteousness have “fallen away from the grace” (Gal. 5:4; cf. 2:21). Salvation is “by grace through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8).
The undeserved blessings of grace are numerous. Jesus gave up the riches of heaven, making himself poor so as to make sinful humans rich—that is “grace” (2 Cor. 8:9)! Every step of God’s salvation (from eternity past to the everlasting future) is accomplished through grace: his precreational choosing of the elect in Christ (Eph. 1:4–6), his inner call to the gospel (2 Tim. 1:9), his regeneration of dead sinners (Eph. 2:5), his gift of saving faith (Acts 18:27), his redemption of sinners (including justification, Tit. 3:7; forgiveness of sins, Eph. 1:7), his sanctification of believers (2 Cor. 9:8; 2 Thess. 2:16–17), his preservation of the saints (1 Cor. 1:4, 8), and his glorification of believers (1 Cor. 15:57; 2 Thess. 1:12). God saves “in order that in the coming ages he might show the surpassing richness of his grace in kindness on us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:7).
Grace is a new domain in which and by which Christians live (Rom. 15:15; 16:20). In this realm sin no longer rules (6:14). By his grace, God affects Christians’ personal lives, giving them the ability to obey the gospel from the heart (Rom. 6:17), the ability to work hard (1 Cor. 15:10), and an increase of joy in severe trials (2 Cor. 8:1–2). God graciously affects Christians’ interpersonal relations, giving them care in their hearts for others (2 Cor. 8:16) and different spiritual gifts that cause the body of Christ to function together (Rom. 12:6).
The believer is motivated to show practical grace to others. Jesus applies charis (translated “credit,” “benefit,” or “thanks”) to the act of doing something kind for someone who has not earned and does not deserve it (Lk. 6:32–34). The Christian knows that no matter the level of suffering or weakness in life, Christ’s grace toward them is sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9), allowing them to “approach the throne of grace with confidence in order that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb. 4:16). Dependence on Christ’s power and grace causes an overflow of thanksgiving (2 Cor. 4:15).
Sermonic Title: “THE KIND OF GIVER GOD LOVES”
Sermonic Structure:
I. God generously loves people who cheerfully sow (Verses 6-7)
II. God generously supplies seed to the cheerful sower (Verses 8-11)
III. God generously graces us for service (Verses 12-14)
IV. God generously gave us His son (Verse 15)
Monday, May 10, 2010
She Gave More than all of Them
Sunday Sermon
May 9th 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Luke 21:1-4 Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3 And he said, "Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
Sermonic Theme: Money (Do Not Be Deceived: Notice the generosity of this poor widow woman’s volition.)
Sermonic Subject: Stewardship (Divine Judgment: True value is not what you have it is in what you give.)
Sermonic Tension: If I give my all to God who will take care of me? (This poor widow woman shows no anxiety for her life.)
Sermonic Sentence: Give your all to God today. (She gave all she had while Jesus in a few chapters will give all He has, His life.)
Sermonic Question: Why did this poor widow woman do it? (I argue that she could not resist)
Sermonic Help: Stewardship. The principle of stewardship is closely linked to the concept of grace: everything comes from God as a gift and is to be administered faithfully on his behalf. There is thus both stewardship of the earth and stewardship of the gospel (cf. J. Goetzmann, TDNT II, pp. 253–256); stewardship of personal resources of time, money and talents, and stewardship of the resources of church and society. Along with questions of mission strategy and support there are issues of personal and corporate lifestyle, just wages and fair prices, poverty and wealth all related to explicit or implicit theologies of the kingdom of God, work and nature.
The theme of stewardship as a recognition of the unity of creation and the consequent need to care for the whole earth can be traced in Eastern Orthodoxy and in Western theology down to Calvin. Nevertheless it can be argued that in practice a more prevalent understanding of ‘dominion’ (Gn. 1:28) as domination rather than stewardship has been a justification, if not a cause, of much exploitation. However, international consciousness of the relationship between ecological and political exploitation and the need to seek what the World Council of Churches has called a ‘just, participatory and sustainable society’ has grown steadily since the publication of Only One Earth by Barbara Ward and René Dubois (London, 1972) and the Brandt Commission report North-South: A Programme for Survival (London, 1980), with much attention inside and outside the churches paid to the arms race and nuclear disarmament.
More recently, at least in Western Europe, the stewardship of human resources has become a major concern as churches seek to respond at a personal, community or national level to the social consequences of unemployment and technological change in industry. From the Greek oikonomos, which refers to the manager of a household or estate. Stewardship is management of all God has entrusted. God bestows many things, yet the most important gift a Christian must invest wisely is his own life his abilities to think and to love: A Christian’s body and mind are to be a “living sacrifice” dedicated to God (Romans 12.1-2). A Christian should invest his time in study and service to God, seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6.33). Once a Christian learns to be a good steward of mind and body then he will use all other gifts from God wisely. See: Luke 12.42; 16.1-8; I Corinthians 4.2; Galatians 4.2; Romans 16.23. 1 Corinthians 4.1, of preachers of the Gospel and teachers of the Word of God; Titus 1.7, of elders in churches; 1Peter 4.10, of believers generally.
Sermonic Title: “She Gave More than All of Them”
Sermonic Subtitle: “Going broke for God”
Sermonic Structure:
I. JESUS SEE’S
A. Jesus saw the rich people putting in their gifts
B. Jesus saw this poor widow woman putting in two small copper coins
II. JESUS SPEAKS
A. Jesus speaks about how much she gave (more than all of them)
B. Jesus speaks about where their offering came from (out of their abundance)
C. Jesus speaks about where her offering came from (out of her poverty)
May 9th 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Luke 21:1-4 Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3 And he said, "Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
Sermonic Theme: Money (Do Not Be Deceived: Notice the generosity of this poor widow woman’s volition.)
Sermonic Subject: Stewardship (Divine Judgment: True value is not what you have it is in what you give.)
Sermonic Tension: If I give my all to God who will take care of me? (This poor widow woman shows no anxiety for her life.)
Sermonic Sentence: Give your all to God today. (She gave all she had while Jesus in a few chapters will give all He has, His life.)
Sermonic Question: Why did this poor widow woman do it? (I argue that she could not resist)
Sermonic Help: Stewardship. The principle of stewardship is closely linked to the concept of grace: everything comes from God as a gift and is to be administered faithfully on his behalf. There is thus both stewardship of the earth and stewardship of the gospel (cf. J. Goetzmann, TDNT II, pp. 253–256); stewardship of personal resources of time, money and talents, and stewardship of the resources of church and society. Along with questions of mission strategy and support there are issues of personal and corporate lifestyle, just wages and fair prices, poverty and wealth all related to explicit or implicit theologies of the kingdom of God, work and nature.
The theme of stewardship as a recognition of the unity of creation and the consequent need to care for the whole earth can be traced in Eastern Orthodoxy and in Western theology down to Calvin. Nevertheless it can be argued that in practice a more prevalent understanding of ‘dominion’ (Gn. 1:28) as domination rather than stewardship has been a justification, if not a cause, of much exploitation. However, international consciousness of the relationship between ecological and political exploitation and the need to seek what the World Council of Churches has called a ‘just, participatory and sustainable society’ has grown steadily since the publication of Only One Earth by Barbara Ward and René Dubois (London, 1972) and the Brandt Commission report North-South: A Programme for Survival (London, 1980), with much attention inside and outside the churches paid to the arms race and nuclear disarmament.
More recently, at least in Western Europe, the stewardship of human resources has become a major concern as churches seek to respond at a personal, community or national level to the social consequences of unemployment and technological change in industry. From the Greek oikonomos, which refers to the manager of a household or estate. Stewardship is management of all God has entrusted. God bestows many things, yet the most important gift a Christian must invest wisely is his own life his abilities to think and to love: A Christian’s body and mind are to be a “living sacrifice” dedicated to God (Romans 12.1-2). A Christian should invest his time in study and service to God, seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6.33). Once a Christian learns to be a good steward of mind and body then he will use all other gifts from God wisely. See: Luke 12.42; 16.1-8; I Corinthians 4.2; Galatians 4.2; Romans 16.23. 1 Corinthians 4.1, of preachers of the Gospel and teachers of the Word of God; Titus 1.7, of elders in churches; 1Peter 4.10, of believers generally.
Sermonic Title: “She Gave More than All of Them”
Sermonic Subtitle: “Going broke for God”
Sermonic Structure:
I. JESUS SEE’S
A. Jesus saw the rich people putting in their gifts
B. Jesus saw this poor widow woman putting in two small copper coins
II. JESUS SPEAKS
A. Jesus speaks about how much she gave (more than all of them)
B. Jesus speaks about where their offering came from (out of their abundance)
C. Jesus speaks about where her offering came from (out of her poverty)
Monday, April 12, 2010
A Portrait of Christian Worship
Sunday Sermon
April 11th 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Sermonic Theme: Christian Worship (Christian living is an act of perpetual worship.)
Sermonic Subject: Practical Christianity (God wants all of us Jew & Gentile.)
Sermonic Tension: Living Sacrifice (This is the quintessential image, illustration, idea of Christian worship.)
Sermonic Sentence: “Worship is more than an event it’s a lifestyle.” (Worship God for the rest of your life.)
Sermonic Footnote: My life is being transformed by the power of the gospel. (There can be no real worship without sacrifice.)
Sermonic Help: I scarcely like this word sacrifice, because it involves nothing more than a reasonable service. If we gave up all we had and became beggars for Christ, it would display no such chivalrous spirit or magnanimous conduct after all. We would be gainers by the surrender.
Nothing worse can happen to a church than to be conformed to this world. Charles H. Spurgeon at his best
Stewardship: From the Greek oikonomos, which refers to the manager of a household or estate. Stewardship is management of all God has entrusted. God bestows many things, yet the most important gift a Christian must invest wisely is his own life his abilities to think and to love: A Christian’s body and mind are to be a “living sacrifice” dedicated to God (Romans 12.1-2). A Christian should invest his time in study and service to God, seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6.33). Once a Christian learns to be a good steward of mind and body then he will use all other gifts from God wisely. Luke 12.42; 16.1-8; I Corinthians 4.2; Galatians 4.2; Romans 16.23. 1 Corinthians 4.1, of preachers of the Gospel and teachers of the Word of God; Titus 1.7, of elders in churches; 1 Peter 4.10, of believers generally.
Worship: Several Greek words used in the NT are translated “worship.” They involve acknowledgement, praise, thanksgiving, and service. Only God is worthy of worship (Matthew 4.10). He is to be worshiped in spirit and truth, for He is Spirit and Truth (John 4.23-24). The essence of worship consists not of practices and rituals, but of giving one’s life in attitude and action as “living sacrifice” (Romans 12.1-2). Worship is not just being in church on Sunday, but doing all things to God’s glory (1 Corinthians 10.31).
Sermonic Title: "A Portrait of Christian Worship"
Sermonic Structure:
I. The Christians Behavior is a portrait of Worship
II. The Christians Body is a portrait of Worship
III. The Christians Brain is a portrait of Worship
April 11th 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Sermonic Theme: Christian Worship (Christian living is an act of perpetual worship.)
Sermonic Subject: Practical Christianity (God wants all of us Jew & Gentile.)
Sermonic Tension: Living Sacrifice (This is the quintessential image, illustration, idea of Christian worship.)
Sermonic Sentence: “Worship is more than an event it’s a lifestyle.” (Worship God for the rest of your life.)
Sermonic Footnote: My life is being transformed by the power of the gospel. (There can be no real worship without sacrifice.)
Sermonic Help: I scarcely like this word sacrifice, because it involves nothing more than a reasonable service. If we gave up all we had and became beggars for Christ, it would display no such chivalrous spirit or magnanimous conduct after all. We would be gainers by the surrender.
Nothing worse can happen to a church than to be conformed to this world. Charles H. Spurgeon at his best
Stewardship: From the Greek oikonomos, which refers to the manager of a household or estate. Stewardship is management of all God has entrusted. God bestows many things, yet the most important gift a Christian must invest wisely is his own life his abilities to think and to love: A Christian’s body and mind are to be a “living sacrifice” dedicated to God (Romans 12.1-2). A Christian should invest his time in study and service to God, seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6.33). Once a Christian learns to be a good steward of mind and body then he will use all other gifts from God wisely. Luke 12.42; 16.1-8; I Corinthians 4.2; Galatians 4.2; Romans 16.23. 1 Corinthians 4.1, of preachers of the Gospel and teachers of the Word of God; Titus 1.7, of elders in churches; 1 Peter 4.10, of believers generally.
Worship: Several Greek words used in the NT are translated “worship.” They involve acknowledgement, praise, thanksgiving, and service. Only God is worthy of worship (Matthew 4.10). He is to be worshiped in spirit and truth, for He is Spirit and Truth (John 4.23-24). The essence of worship consists not of practices and rituals, but of giving one’s life in attitude and action as “living sacrifice” (Romans 12.1-2). Worship is not just being in church on Sunday, but doing all things to God’s glory (1 Corinthians 10.31).
Sermonic Title: "A Portrait of Christian Worship"
Sermonic Structure:
I. The Christians Behavior is a portrait of Worship
II. The Christians Body is a portrait of Worship
III. The Christians Brain is a portrait of Worship
Monday, April 5, 2010
Jesus Gives us Hope
Sunday Sermon
April 4th 20X
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Pericope: ESV 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Sermonic Theme: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ (Fact)
Sermonic Subject: Living Hope (Optimism, Sanguinity, Confidence, Expectancy)
Sermonic Tension: Fiery Trials (Diaspora, Suffering, Persecution, Agony, Anguish, Affliction)
Sermonic Sentence: There’s a resurrection coming for you. (Literally & metaphorically)
Sermonic Help: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important doctrine of the Christian faith. Christians since the NT have argued for the centrality of the doctrine, convinced that it proved Jesus’ deity and the efficacy of His death for our sins. Paul, for example, considered the resurrection to be the cornerstone of the Christian faith: If Jesus did not rise from the dead, the whole structure of Christianity collapses. Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 15.14-17: “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile.” The Christian faith and its claim to be Truth exist only if Jesus rose from the dead, because the heart of Christianity is a living Christ. Phil 3.20-21; II Cor. 5.1-5; 1 Thess. 4.16-17. The fact that Jesus rose bodily (in a real physical body) from the grave has been fundamental to Christian teaching from the beginning. In the NT Jesus’ appearance is depicted as spiritual in the sense of being independent of the ordinary laws of nature but also as material or physical. He invited them to touch His hands and feet” for a spirit does not have flesh and bones” (Luke 24.39-40; Matthew 27.61-66; 28.1-20; Mark 16.1-20; Luke 24.1-53; John 20.10-31).
Resurrection of the Dead: From the Latin resurrection, from resurgere, “to rise again,” from re, “again,” and surgere, “to rise.” Both the OT and NT teach that the dead will come back to life. For the Christian the resurrection will be a complete redemption, with a new body that will be immortal and incorruptible. Isaiah 25.6-8; 26.19; Daniel 12.1-4; 1 Cor. 15; I Thess. 4.14-17.
Sermonic Title: “JESUS GIVES US HOPE”
Sermonic Structure:
I. Jesus gives us a Living Hope
II. Jesus gives us a Liberating Hope
III. Jesus gives us a Legitimate Hope
IV. Jesus gives us a Lasting Hope
April 4th 20X
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Pericope: ESV 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Sermonic Theme: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ (Fact)
Sermonic Subject: Living Hope (Optimism, Sanguinity, Confidence, Expectancy)
Sermonic Tension: Fiery Trials (Diaspora, Suffering, Persecution, Agony, Anguish, Affliction)
Sermonic Sentence: There’s a resurrection coming for you. (Literally & metaphorically)
Sermonic Help: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important doctrine of the Christian faith. Christians since the NT have argued for the centrality of the doctrine, convinced that it proved Jesus’ deity and the efficacy of His death for our sins. Paul, for example, considered the resurrection to be the cornerstone of the Christian faith: If Jesus did not rise from the dead, the whole structure of Christianity collapses. Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 15.14-17: “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile.” The Christian faith and its claim to be Truth exist only if Jesus rose from the dead, because the heart of Christianity is a living Christ. Phil 3.20-21; II Cor. 5.1-5; 1 Thess. 4.16-17. The fact that Jesus rose bodily (in a real physical body) from the grave has been fundamental to Christian teaching from the beginning. In the NT Jesus’ appearance is depicted as spiritual in the sense of being independent of the ordinary laws of nature but also as material or physical. He invited them to touch His hands and feet” for a spirit does not have flesh and bones” (Luke 24.39-40; Matthew 27.61-66; 28.1-20; Mark 16.1-20; Luke 24.1-53; John 20.10-31).
Resurrection of the Dead: From the Latin resurrection, from resurgere, “to rise again,” from re, “again,” and surgere, “to rise.” Both the OT and NT teach that the dead will come back to life. For the Christian the resurrection will be a complete redemption, with a new body that will be immortal and incorruptible. Isaiah 25.6-8; 26.19; Daniel 12.1-4; 1 Cor. 15; I Thess. 4.14-17.
Sermonic Title: “JESUS GIVES US HOPE”
Sermonic Structure:
I. Jesus gives us a Living Hope
II. Jesus gives us a Liberating Hope
III. Jesus gives us a Legitimate Hope
IV. Jesus gives us a Lasting Hope
Monday, March 29, 2010
Give it to the Lord
Sunday Sermon
March 28, 20X
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Luke 19:28-40 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, "Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' you shall say this: 'The Lord has need of it.'" 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying the colt?" 34 And they said, "The Lord has need of it." 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near- already on the way down the Mount of Olives- the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." 40 He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out."
Sermonic Theme: Triumphal Entry (Peace & Humility)
Sermonic Subject: Prophetic Ministry (Zechariah 9.9)
Sermonic Tension: The colt is tied. (The Lord has need of it.)
Sermonic Sentence: If the Lord can use a donkey, surely He can use you.
Sermonic Footnote: When true disciples rejoice and praise the Lord with a loud voice, Pharisees will always get upset.
Sermonic Refrain: It’s not only what you do that counts, it’s also how you do it.
Sermonic Help: While the praise was multitudinous, it was quite select. It was the whole multitude of the disciples. The Pharisees did not praise him; they were murmuring. All true praise must come from true hearts. (Spurgeon at his best)
Hosanna: The Greek equivalent of a Hebrew greeting that means, “save us we pray” (see Psalm 118.25). This greeting occurs only six times in the NT, all with regard to Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 27.9, 15; John 12.13). This word subsequently came to be used at an early date as an expression in Christian worship of joy and praise.
Sermonic Title: “GIVE IT TO THE LORD”
Sermonic Structure:
I. Give The Lord your Commitment (v29 He sent two disciples…)
II. Give The Lord your Confidence (v32 Those who were sent went…)
III. Give The Lord your Colt (v35 They brought it to Jesus…)
IV. Give The Lord your Cloak (v35 Throwing their cloaks on the colt…)
V. Give The Lord your Celebration (v40 If these were silent…)
March 28, 20X
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Luke 19:28-40 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, "Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' you shall say this: 'The Lord has need of it.'" 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying the colt?" 34 And they said, "The Lord has need of it." 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near- already on the way down the Mount of Olives- the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." 40 He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out."
Sermonic Theme: Triumphal Entry (Peace & Humility)
Sermonic Subject: Prophetic Ministry (Zechariah 9.9)
Sermonic Tension: The colt is tied. (The Lord has need of it.)
Sermonic Sentence: If the Lord can use a donkey, surely He can use you.
Sermonic Footnote: When true disciples rejoice and praise the Lord with a loud voice, Pharisees will always get upset.
Sermonic Refrain: It’s not only what you do that counts, it’s also how you do it.
Sermonic Help: While the praise was multitudinous, it was quite select. It was the whole multitude of the disciples. The Pharisees did not praise him; they were murmuring. All true praise must come from true hearts. (Spurgeon at his best)
Hosanna: The Greek equivalent of a Hebrew greeting that means, “save us we pray” (see Psalm 118.25). This greeting occurs only six times in the NT, all with regard to Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 27.9, 15; John 12.13). This word subsequently came to be used at an early date as an expression in Christian worship of joy and praise.
Sermonic Title: “GIVE IT TO THE LORD”
Sermonic Structure:
I. Give The Lord your Commitment (v29 He sent two disciples…)
II. Give The Lord your Confidence (v32 Those who were sent went…)
III. Give The Lord your Colt (v35 They brought it to Jesus…)
IV. Give The Lord your Cloak (v35 Throwing their cloaks on the colt…)
V. Give The Lord your Celebration (v40 If these were silent…)
Monday, March 22, 2010
GIVE
Sunday Sermon
March 21, 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton:
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Luke 6:38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."
Sermonic Theme: Judgment (Jesus forbade his followers from indulging in hypocritical judging of other people. This is not the same as exercising discernment between right and wrong, which Jesus did encourage.)
Sermonic Subject: The Doctrine of Stewardship (Generosity)
Sermonic Tension: Measure (You get what you give.)
Sermonic Sentence: Give today from the abundance God keeps given you. (Abraham, Hannah, the widow of Zarephath, The boy who gave up his lunch, Christ Jesus our Lord…etc.)
Sermonic Footnote: You cannot afford not to give. (Life’s fulfillment is in the act of giving.)
Sermonic Question: Do you desire goodness in abundance? (Well …etc. GIVE!)
Sermonic Help: We may so give for God as to get in the giving, so spend as to increase in the spending, so die for God as to live more than ever. (Spurgeon at his best)
The events at the end of the world at which Jesus will judge the living and the dead. This will be the final triumph of God’s will and justice. See: Matthew 10.15; 18.23-35; 24.43-51; 25.31-46; Mark 14.62; Luke 17.20-31; John 5.24-35; 1 Thessalonians 5.3; Galatians 5.5; Colossians 3.4; 1 Corinthians 6.1-5; Romans 8.31-39; 1 Peter 1.5-9
Sermonic Title: Give
Sermonic Structure:
I. We are Commanded to Give (give,)
II. We are Compensated for what we Give (and it will be given to you…etc.)
III. We are in Control of the amount we Give (for with the measure you use…etc.)
March 21, 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton:
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Luke 6:38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."
Sermonic Theme: Judgment (Jesus forbade his followers from indulging in hypocritical judging of other people. This is not the same as exercising discernment between right and wrong, which Jesus did encourage.)
Sermonic Subject: The Doctrine of Stewardship (Generosity)
Sermonic Tension: Measure (You get what you give.)
Sermonic Sentence: Give today from the abundance God keeps given you. (Abraham, Hannah, the widow of Zarephath, The boy who gave up his lunch, Christ Jesus our Lord…etc.)
Sermonic Footnote: You cannot afford not to give. (Life’s fulfillment is in the act of giving.)
Sermonic Question: Do you desire goodness in abundance? (Well …etc. GIVE!)
Sermonic Help: We may so give for God as to get in the giving, so spend as to increase in the spending, so die for God as to live more than ever. (Spurgeon at his best)
The events at the end of the world at which Jesus will judge the living and the dead. This will be the final triumph of God’s will and justice. See: Matthew 10.15; 18.23-35; 24.43-51; 25.31-46; Mark 14.62; Luke 17.20-31; John 5.24-35; 1 Thessalonians 5.3; Galatians 5.5; Colossians 3.4; 1 Corinthians 6.1-5; Romans 8.31-39; 1 Peter 1.5-9
Sermonic Title: Give
Sermonic Structure:
I. We are Commanded to Give (give,)
II. We are Compensated for what we Give (and it will be given to you…etc.)
III. We are in Control of the amount we Give (for with the measure you use…etc.)
Monday, March 8, 2010
If I ask you will you do it?
Sunday Sermon
March 7th 20x
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Pericope: ESV 1 Kings 17:8-16 Then the word of the LORD came to him, 9 "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you." 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, "Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink." 11 And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, "Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand." 12 And she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die." 13 And Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the LORD the God of Israel, 'The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'" 15 And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by Elijah.
Sermonic Theme: The Word of the LORD (The sustaining power of God.)
Sermonic Subject: The Doctrine of Faith (The Lord is able to sustain you in a drought.)
Sermonic Tension: A non-Israelite was prepared to risk her life for Elijah. (This widow is a Phoenician/Gentile believer.) 1 Kings 17.24
Sermonic Literary Device: Hypallage; or, Interchange (Interchange of Construction)
Hy-pal´-la-gee, ὑπαλλαγή, from ὑπό (hypo), under, and ἀλλάσσειν (allassein), to change.
An underchange or interchange.
Sermonic Sentence: Life’s fulfillment is obeying the word of the Lord. (Consider the generosity, hospitality, and compassion demonstrated by this widow from Zarephath.)
Sermonic Question: Will you obey? (Obedience gives birth to miracles.)
Sermonic Help: FAITH from the Greek pistis, “firm persuasion,” The word “faith” appears only 2 times in the OT ESV Deuteronomy 32:20 And he said, 'I will hide my face from them; I will see what their end will be, For they are a perverse generation, children in whom is no faithfulness. NLT Habakkuk 2:4 "Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked; but the righteous will live by their faith.
It appears 307 times in the NT. Biblical faith has two essential components: (1) trust or acceptance, belief that Jesus is Lord with acknowledgement of His resurrection, and (2) intellectual content, the revealed truth that is firmly believed and is reflected in the life of the believer.
John Stott explains faith as “a reasoning trust, a trust which reckons thoughtfully and confidently upon the trustworthiness of God.” The NT in no way teaches we should have a blind faith.
NLT Hebrews 11:1 What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.
The Greek word translated as “evidence” in the KJV literally means “proof,” or “proving.” The NIV brings out this meaning when it says: NIV Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Even the aspect of trust in faith is not blind; there is proof, evidence for belief. In the Christian sense, faith may be defined as a conscious mental desire to do the will of the God of Scripture.
Sermonic Title: “IF I ASK YOU, WILL YOU DO IT?”
Sermonic Structure:
I. Consider the Word (Verses 8-9)
II. Consider the Widow (Verses 10-14)
III. Consider the Will (Verse 15)
IV. Consider the Witness (Verse 16)
A. The jar
B. The jug
March 7th 20x
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Pericope: ESV 1 Kings 17:8-16 Then the word of the LORD came to him, 9 "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you." 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, "Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink." 11 And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, "Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand." 12 And she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die." 13 And Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the LORD the God of Israel, 'The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'" 15 And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by Elijah.
Sermonic Theme: The Word of the LORD (The sustaining power of God.)
Sermonic Subject: The Doctrine of Faith (The Lord is able to sustain you in a drought.)
Sermonic Tension: A non-Israelite was prepared to risk her life for Elijah. (This widow is a Phoenician/Gentile believer.) 1 Kings 17.24
Sermonic Literary Device: Hypallage; or, Interchange (Interchange of Construction)
Hy-pal´-la-gee, ὑπαλλαγή, from ὑπό (hypo), under, and ἀλλάσσειν (allassein), to change.
An underchange or interchange.
Sermonic Sentence: Life’s fulfillment is obeying the word of the Lord. (Consider the generosity, hospitality, and compassion demonstrated by this widow from Zarephath.)
Sermonic Question: Will you obey? (Obedience gives birth to miracles.)
Sermonic Help: FAITH from the Greek pistis, “firm persuasion,” The word “faith” appears only 2 times in the OT ESV Deuteronomy 32:20 And he said, 'I will hide my face from them; I will see what their end will be, For they are a perverse generation, children in whom is no faithfulness. NLT Habakkuk 2:4 "Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked; but the righteous will live by their faith.
It appears 307 times in the NT. Biblical faith has two essential components: (1) trust or acceptance, belief that Jesus is Lord with acknowledgement of His resurrection, and (2) intellectual content, the revealed truth that is firmly believed and is reflected in the life of the believer.
John Stott explains faith as “a reasoning trust, a trust which reckons thoughtfully and confidently upon the trustworthiness of God.” The NT in no way teaches we should have a blind faith.
NLT Hebrews 11:1 What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.
The Greek word translated as “evidence” in the KJV literally means “proof,” or “proving.” The NIV brings out this meaning when it says: NIV Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Even the aspect of trust in faith is not blind; there is proof, evidence for belief. In the Christian sense, faith may be defined as a conscious mental desire to do the will of the God of Scripture.
Sermonic Title: “IF I ASK YOU, WILL YOU DO IT?”
Sermonic Structure:
I. Consider the Word (Verses 8-9)
II. Consider the Widow (Verses 10-14)
III. Consider the Will (Verse 15)
IV. Consider the Witness (Verse 16)
A. The jar
B. The jug
Monday, February 15, 2010
Love Undeserved
Sunday Sermon
February 14th 20x
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton:
(1) The Israelites have sinned against their covenant partner and therefore will suffer Gods judgment. (2)God loves his covenant people dearly and will forgive their sins and bring in a new age of blessing.
Israel worshiped Baal. North America worships the god of possessions today which is materialism. North America also worships the god of pleasure which is hedonism.
Sermonic Objective: The 21st Century North American Church must change the way she thinks and behaves toward God.
Sermonic Question: Has the culture of North America twisted your theology?
Sermonic Sentence: God loves you. (Usually people learn a great deal about the love of God through the trials of life.)
The prophet Hosea, like God irrationally loved someone who was not very lovely.
Sermonic Help: (Spurgeon at his best) When God says, “I will love them freely,” he means that no prayers, no tears, no good works, no alms are an inducement to him to love men. Nothing in not only them, but nothing anywhere else was the cause of his love to them, not even the blood of Christ. Not even the groans and tears of his beloved Son; these are the fruits of his love, not the cause of it. He does not love because Christ died, but Christ died because the Father loved. Remember that this fountain of love has its spring itself, not in you, nor in me, but only in the Father’s own gracious, infinite heart of goodness.
Sermonic Title: “LOVE UNDESERVED”
Sermonic Structure:
I. The Message from the Lord
II. The Messenger of the Lord
III. The Marriage arraigned by the Lord
IV. The Mercy extended by the Lord
February 14th 20x
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton:
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Hosea 1:1-2 The word of the LORD that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel. 2 When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, "Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the LORD."
ESV Hosea 3:1-3 And the LORD said to me, "Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the LORD loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins." 2 So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley. 3 And I said to her, "You must dwell as mine for many days. You shall not play the whore, or belong to another man; so will I also be to you."
Sermonic Theme: God’s Love (The Doctrine of Grace)
God’s redemption of the nation of Israel from Egyptian bondage is one of the greatest OT examples of God’s love and Christ death on the cross is the prime NT illustration.
Sermonic Subject: God’s Forgiveness (The Doctrine of Mercy)
Sermonic Tension: Idolatry (The sin of syncretism)
(1) The Israelites have sinned against their covenant partner and therefore will suffer Gods judgment. (2)God loves his covenant people dearly and will forgive their sins and bring in a new age of blessing.
Israel worshiped Baal. North America worships the god of possessions today which is materialism. North America also worships the god of pleasure which is hedonism.
Sermonic Objective: The 21st Century North American Church must change the way she thinks and behaves toward God.
Sermonic Question: Has the culture of North America twisted your theology?
Sermonic Sentence: God loves you. (Usually people learn a great deal about the love of God through the trials of life.)
The prophet Hosea, like God irrationally loved someone who was not very lovely.
Sermonic Help: (Spurgeon at his best) When God says, “I will love them freely,” he means that no prayers, no tears, no good works, no alms are an inducement to him to love men. Nothing in not only them, but nothing anywhere else was the cause of his love to them, not even the blood of Christ. Not even the groans and tears of his beloved Son; these are the fruits of his love, not the cause of it. He does not love because Christ died, but Christ died because the Father loved. Remember that this fountain of love has its spring itself, not in you, nor in me, but only in the Father’s own gracious, infinite heart of goodness.
Sermonic Title: “LOVE UNDESERVED”
Sermonic Structure:
I. The Message from the Lord
II. The Messenger of the Lord
III. The Marriage arraigned by the Lord
IV. The Mercy extended by the Lord
Monday, February 8, 2010
A Hand Written Letter
Sunday Sermon
February 7th 20X
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton:
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Galatians 6:11-18 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Sermonic Theme: Saved & Set Free (The Doctrine of Justification)
Sermonic Subject: Saved by faith alone not works.
Sermonic Tension: Those who want to make a good showing in the flesh. (Circumcision or the Cross)
Sermonic Literary Device: Metalepsis; or, Double Metonymy (Two Metonymies, one contained in the other but only one expressed.)
Sermonic Question: What causes you to boast? (Notice apostle Paul is not boasting in the event of the cross or the emblem of the cross moreover Paul is boasting in the effects of the cross.)
Sermonic Sentence: Have you read the letter God has preserved for you?
Sermonic Title: “A Hand Written Letter”
Sermonic Structure:
I. This Letter is Personal (V.11)
A. It shows Paul’s Commitment
B. It shows Paul’s Congregation
C. It shows Paul’s Character
II. This Letter is Purposeful (V.12-13)
A. Christians are being persecuted
III. This Letter is Preserved (V.14-18)
A. For its message
B. For its meaning
C. For mankind
February 7th 20X
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton:
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Galatians 6:11-18 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Sermonic Theme: Saved & Set Free (The Doctrine of Justification)
Sermonic Subject: Saved by faith alone not works.
Sermonic Tension: Those who want to make a good showing in the flesh. (Circumcision or the Cross)
Sermonic Literary Device: Metalepsis; or, Double Metonymy (Two Metonymies, one contained in the other but only one expressed.)
Sermonic Question: What causes you to boast? (Notice apostle Paul is not boasting in the event of the cross or the emblem of the cross moreover Paul is boasting in the effects of the cross.)
Sermonic Sentence: Have you read the letter God has preserved for you?
Sermonic Title: “A Hand Written Letter”
Sermonic Structure:
I. This Letter is Personal (V.11)
A. It shows Paul’s Commitment
B. It shows Paul’s Congregation
C. It shows Paul’s Character
II. This Letter is Purposeful (V.12-13)
A. Christians are being persecuted
III. This Letter is Preserved (V.14-18)
A. For its message
B. For its meaning
C. For mankind
Monday, February 1, 2010
Divine Reciprocity part II
Sunday Sermon
January 31st 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton:
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Galatians 6:7-10 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Sermonic Theme: Christian Ethics (Accountability)
Sermonic Subject: Christian Service (Responsibility)
Sermonic Literary Device: Hypocatastasis (Allegory & Continued Metaphor)
Sermonic Tension: Harvest is near. (Pay day someday)
Sermonic Sentence: You will harvest what you’ve sown. (God will make sure you get what’s coming to you. Keep in mind that this is an agricultural society) Good news/Bad news
Sermonic Question: Are you sowing to the flesh or the Spirit? (I’m accountable for the seeds I sow and I’m responsible for the harvest I reap.)
Sermonic Title: “DIVINE RECIPROCITY part II”
Sermonic Structure:
I. YOU WILL HARVEST WHAT YOU SOW
II. YOU WILL HARVEST LATER THAN YOU SOW
III. YOU WILL HARVEST MORE THAN YOU SOW
January 31st 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton:
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Galatians 6:7-10 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Sermonic Theme: Christian Ethics (Accountability)
Sermonic Subject: Christian Service (Responsibility)
Sermonic Literary Device: Hypocatastasis (Allegory & Continued Metaphor)
Sermonic Tension: Harvest is near. (Pay day someday)
Sermonic Sentence: You will harvest what you’ve sown. (God will make sure you get what’s coming to you. Keep in mind that this is an agricultural society) Good news/Bad news
Sermonic Question: Are you sowing to the flesh or the Spirit? (I’m accountable for the seeds I sow and I’m responsible for the harvest I reap.)
Sermonic Title: “DIVINE RECIPROCITY part II”
Sermonic Structure:
I. YOU WILL HARVEST WHAT YOU SOW
II. YOU WILL HARVEST LATER THAN YOU SOW
III. YOU WILL HARVEST MORE THAN YOU SOW
Monday, January 25, 2010
Divine Reciprocity
Sunday Sermon
January 24th 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton:
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Galatians 6:6 One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.
Sermonic Theme: Christian Ethics (Accountability)
Sermonic Subject: Christian Service (Responsibility)
Sermonic Tension: It takes money to do ministry.
Sermonic Sentence: You are accountable for the word you’ve been taught and you have the responsibility to bless your teacher.
Sermonic Question: Is the Word of God valuable to you? (This lesson deals with ones attitude, aptitude, and appreciation for the word of God.)
Sermonic Help: EXEGESIS from the Greek meaning “interpretation,” from ex, “out,” and hegeisthai, “to guide.” Exegesis is a method of attempting to understand a Bible passage. The reader of Scripture studies the word meaning and grammar of the text to discern what the Holy Spirit was communicating, drawing the meaning out of the text rather than reading what he wants into the text. It attempts to elicit the true teaching of a biblical text for spiritual growth in Christian living. PREACHING declaring the truth of God from the Word of God to an audience. However, there are many different methods of preaching and numerous types of sermons, preaching should primarily be exegetical: a careful study of the grammar, words, and context of a particular passage of Scripture. Preaching should answer three questions about a text: (1) What does the text say? (2) Why does it say it, or what did the Holy Spirit want the passage to communicate? (3) How does this truth apply to life at home, work, or play? Any sermon or lesson should be aimed at the heart, intended to motivate people to take action as well as at the mind, able to persuade.
Sermonic Title: “DIVINE RECIPROCITY”
Sermonic Structure:
I. ONE IS TAUGHT THE WORD OF GOD (are you teachable?)
II. ONE IS TEACHING THE WORD OF GOD (are you teaching the word?)
January 24th 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton:
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Galatians 6:6 One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.
Sermonic Theme: Christian Ethics (Accountability)
Sermonic Subject: Christian Service (Responsibility)
Sermonic Tension: It takes money to do ministry.
Sermonic Sentence: You are accountable for the word you’ve been taught and you have the responsibility to bless your teacher.
Sermonic Question: Is the Word of God valuable to you? (This lesson deals with ones attitude, aptitude, and appreciation for the word of God.)
Sermonic Help: EXEGESIS from the Greek meaning “interpretation,” from ex, “out,” and hegeisthai, “to guide.” Exegesis is a method of attempting to understand a Bible passage. The reader of Scripture studies the word meaning and grammar of the text to discern what the Holy Spirit was communicating, drawing the meaning out of the text rather than reading what he wants into the text. It attempts to elicit the true teaching of a biblical text for spiritual growth in Christian living. PREACHING declaring the truth of God from the Word of God to an audience. However, there are many different methods of preaching and numerous types of sermons, preaching should primarily be exegetical: a careful study of the grammar, words, and context of a particular passage of Scripture. Preaching should answer three questions about a text: (1) What does the text say? (2) Why does it say it, or what did the Holy Spirit want the passage to communicate? (3) How does this truth apply to life at home, work, or play? Any sermon or lesson should be aimed at the heart, intended to motivate people to take action as well as at the mind, able to persuade.
Sermonic Title: “DIVINE RECIPROCITY”
Sermonic Structure:
I. ONE IS TAUGHT THE WORD OF GOD (are you teachable?)
II. ONE IS TEACHING THE WORD OF GOD (are you teaching the word?)
Monday, January 18, 2010
A Burden Bearer
Sunday Sermon
January 17, 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton:
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Galatians 6:2-5 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.
Sermonic Theme: Christian Ethics (Accountability)
Sermonic Subject: Christian Service (Responsibility)
Sermonic Tension: Christians have burdens. (Must Jesus bear the cross alone and all the world go free? No there’s a cross for everyone and there’s a cross for me.) Written by Thomas Shepherd & George N. Allen
Sermonic Sentence: God will give you no more than you can bear.
Sermonic Objective: God wants us to be for others what Christ Jesus has been for us.
NLT Matthew 25:40 And the King will tell them, 'I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' NIV Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Sermonic Help: CHRISTIAN ETHICS, a practical science that investigates the personal and social rules or laws of human conduct. It is the discipline that deals with what is good and bad, with moral duty and obligation. Christian ethics is a system of right and wrong based on principles drawn from the Bible. The foundation of ethics for the believer is found in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Many in today’s diverse theological world argue that everything is relative. Discussions of conflicting ethical choices are seldom rooted in objective ethical norms, rights or wrongs that are right or wrong in every situation. Instead, actions are based on changing human understanding of what would be the most loving thing to do in the situation in which one is found. This “situation ethics” and ethical relativism that suggests that any action, including murder or adultery, could be righteous in a given situation is a total denial of Christian ethics. Ultimately, for the Christian, ethics must be based on the absolute nature and character of God. Our “choosing” and “doing” must be based on our understanding of His character as revealed to us in His Word.
Sermonic Title: “A BURDEN BEARER”
Sermonic Structure:
I. A Burden Bearer is Spiritually Mature (V.2)
II. A Burden Bearer has a Servants Mentality (V.3)
III. A Burden Bearer has a Standard for Ministry (V.4)
IV. A Burden Bearer is Strengthened by God & his own Muscles (V.5)
January 17, 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton:
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Galatians 6:2-5 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.
Sermonic Theme: Christian Ethics (Accountability)
Sermonic Subject: Christian Service (Responsibility)
Sermonic Tension: Christians have burdens. (Must Jesus bear the cross alone and all the world go free? No there’s a cross for everyone and there’s a cross for me.) Written by Thomas Shepherd & George N. Allen
Sermonic Sentence: God will give you no more than you can bear.
Sermonic Objective: God wants us to be for others what Christ Jesus has been for us.
NLT Matthew 25:40 And the King will tell them, 'I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' NIV Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Sermonic Help: CHRISTIAN ETHICS, a practical science that investigates the personal and social rules or laws of human conduct. It is the discipline that deals with what is good and bad, with moral duty and obligation. Christian ethics is a system of right and wrong based on principles drawn from the Bible. The foundation of ethics for the believer is found in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Many in today’s diverse theological world argue that everything is relative. Discussions of conflicting ethical choices are seldom rooted in objective ethical norms, rights or wrongs that are right or wrong in every situation. Instead, actions are based on changing human understanding of what would be the most loving thing to do in the situation in which one is found. This “situation ethics” and ethical relativism that suggests that any action, including murder or adultery, could be righteous in a given situation is a total denial of Christian ethics. Ultimately, for the Christian, ethics must be based on the absolute nature and character of God. Our “choosing” and “doing” must be based on our understanding of His character as revealed to us in His Word.
Sermonic Title: “A BURDEN BEARER”
Sermonic Structure:
I. A Burden Bearer is Spiritually Mature (V.2)
II. A Burden Bearer has a Servants Mentality (V.3)
III. A Burden Bearer has a Standard for Ministry (V.4)
IV. A Burden Bearer is Strengthened by God & his own Muscles (V.5)
Monday, January 4, 2010
How I Got Over
Sunday Sermon
January 3rd 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Exodus 15:1-21 Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying, "I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. 2 The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. 3 The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is his name. 4 "Pharaoh's chariots and his host he cast into the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea. 5 The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone. 6 Your right hand, O LORD, glorious in power, your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy. 7 In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries; you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble. 8 At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up; the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea. 9 The enemy said, 'I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.' 10 You blew with your wind; the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters. 11 "Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? 12 You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them. 13 "You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode. 14 The peoples have heard; they tremble; pangs have seized the inhabitants of Philistia. 15 Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed; trembling seizes the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away. 16 Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone, till your people, O LORD, pass by, till the people pass by whom you have purchased. 17 You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain, the place, O LORD, which you have made for your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established. 18 The LORD will reign forever and ever." 19 For when the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his horsemen went into the sea, the LORD brought back the waters of the sea upon them, but the people of Israel walked on dry ground in the midst of the sea. 20 Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. 21 And Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea."
Sermonic Theme: The Doctrine of Salvation (The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name.)
Sermonic Subject: The Doctrine of Thanksgiving (Sing praises unto God for His mighty acts.)
Sermonic Tension: You have adversaries and an enemy. (God will deliver.)
Sermonic Goal: The goal of life is to see God.
Sermonic Sentence: He took me through to get me over. (A song of deliverance)
Sermonic Help: The Doctrine of Thanksgiving, a basic vital element of successful Christian living. Christians should give thanks to God for all things (Ephesians 5.20; Colossians 3.15-17; 1 Thessalonians 5.18). Prayer and petition ought always be combined with thanksgiving (Philippians 4.6; Colossians 2.7; 4.2; I Timothy 2.1). The mark of a Christian should be his thankful attitude toward God in the midst of all circumstances (Ephesians 5.4).
Sermonic Disclaimer: Before you sing the Lord’s song, you need to know the Lord of the song.
Sermonic Title: “HOW I GOT OVER”
Sermonic Structure:
I. I GOT OVER BY LOOKING UP & SEEING GOD (V.1-3)
II. I GOT OVER BY LOOKING BACK & SEEING GOD (V.4-10)
III. I GOT OVER BY LOOKING AHEAD & SEEING GOD (V.11-21)
January 3rd 2010
Rhema Community Church
Sermonic Skeleton
Sermonic Pericope: ESV Exodus 15:1-21 Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying, "I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. 2 The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. 3 The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is his name. 4 "Pharaoh's chariots and his host he cast into the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea. 5 The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone. 6 Your right hand, O LORD, glorious in power, your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy. 7 In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries; you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble. 8 At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up; the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea. 9 The enemy said, 'I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.' 10 You blew with your wind; the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters. 11 "Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? 12 You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them. 13 "You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode. 14 The peoples have heard; they tremble; pangs have seized the inhabitants of Philistia. 15 Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed; trembling seizes the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away. 16 Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone, till your people, O LORD, pass by, till the people pass by whom you have purchased. 17 You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain, the place, O LORD, which you have made for your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established. 18 The LORD will reign forever and ever." 19 For when the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his horsemen went into the sea, the LORD brought back the waters of the sea upon them, but the people of Israel walked on dry ground in the midst of the sea. 20 Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. 21 And Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea."
Sermonic Theme: The Doctrine of Salvation (The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name.)
Sermonic Subject: The Doctrine of Thanksgiving (Sing praises unto God for His mighty acts.)
Sermonic Tension: You have adversaries and an enemy. (God will deliver.)
Sermonic Goal: The goal of life is to see God.
Sermonic Sentence: He took me through to get me over. (A song of deliverance)
Sermonic Help: The Doctrine of Thanksgiving, a basic vital element of successful Christian living. Christians should give thanks to God for all things (Ephesians 5.20; Colossians 3.15-17; 1 Thessalonians 5.18). Prayer and petition ought always be combined with thanksgiving (Philippians 4.6; Colossians 2.7; 4.2; I Timothy 2.1). The mark of a Christian should be his thankful attitude toward God in the midst of all circumstances (Ephesians 5.4).
Sermonic Disclaimer: Before you sing the Lord’s song, you need to know the Lord of the song.
Sermonic Title: “HOW I GOT OVER”
Sermonic Structure:
I. I GOT OVER BY LOOKING UP & SEEING GOD (V.1-3)
II. I GOT OVER BY LOOKING BACK & SEEING GOD (V.4-10)
III. I GOT OVER BY LOOKING AHEAD & SEEING GOD (V.11-21)
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