G. E. Watkins Sermon Outlines, Articles, Lessons, etc.

“The Wise Man Built His House…”

The wise man looks anxiously for “a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (II Cor. 5:1-ff) knowing this is the place that the Savior has prepared for him and is far better than any dwelling here on this earth (John 14:1-4).

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Five Tools to Improve Your Prayer Life

We are commanded to pray (1 Thess. 5:17; Phil. 4:6). If it is something Christians are expected to do, then getting in and doing it is important! A prayer does not have to be long or eloquent to be effective (Neh. 5:19; Matt. 6:7-8; Luke 18:9-14). Maturing in prayer life will find us developing the discipline of prayer so that we turn to God first in our lives when joys or sorrows or anything prevails (Jas. 5:13; 1 Pet. 5:6-7).

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Sermon on Tragedy: God Is Trying To Tell Us Something

PROPOSITION: To teach the things God is trying to tell us in tragedy.

OBJECTIVE:To inform the hearer of God’s message to be found in tragedy.

INTRODUCTION:

1. Many things about this world make it a place in which tragedy can happen.

1) Human selfishness. Freedom of choice.

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Lessons Learned the Hard Way

INTRODUCTION: 1. This morning (1/2/05) my grandfather, Louis Green died. 2. This was a man who was a child during the First World War, and survived the death of both parents at an early age. 3. He made it though the Great Depression by sheer determination and hard work. 4. He was about 30 years […]

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Persistence

Christian Persistence INTRODUCTION: 1. Often the difference between heaven and hell is persistence. 2. The value of persistence was highlighted recently in the news. 3. If you fail to learn persistence you will fail to get to heaven. DISCUSSION: I.   Focus on Possibilities, Not Circumstances 1. Remember the power of God. 2. Rom. 4:17-21 II. […]

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“We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise”

When we offer songs of praise and thanks to God, thanksgiving must be a part of our worship. The songs we sing should always tell of His excellent greatness and let Him know specifically how thankful to Him that we are to be His people and to call Him our Father. Such will keep Him near to our hearts and keep us near to His.

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Character of the Golden Rule

In essence: do you want a summary verse that teaches how we should treat our neighbors, our friends, our enemies, our spouses, our children, our acquaintances in every situation imaginable? Practice the Golden Rule and you’ll seldom go wrong.

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Jesus, The Master of the Law

Introduction: John 8:1-11 1. The Jewish leaders felt that Jesus was vulnerable regarding the finer points of the law. He was “unlearned.” 2. So they tried to make Him stumble at a point where Jewish law and Roman law clashed, i.e., capital punishment. 3. They didn’t count on Jesus knowing the law better than they […]

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Alcohol, Good for Your Health?

PROPOSITION: To counter the current influence of the medical community with regard to alcohol.

INTRODUCTION:

1. Regarding the text…

1) Aaron and his sons had just been consecrated for their duties.

2) Offerings, according to the instructions of God, are prepared and God consumes them to show His approval and to confirm the priesthood in the eyes of the people.

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Sermon on Alcohol | The Sin of Using Strong Drink

INTRODUCTION:

1. Proverbs 20:1, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”

2. The society you live in wants you to drink alcohol.

1) Drink it when you’re happy.

2) Drink it when you’re sad.

3) Drink it when you’re sociable.

4) Drink it when you’re eating.

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Refusing to Bow to the King

There was a mighty king in a faraway land. He was an uncommonly good king. He was good to his people. One might even say that he sacrificed for their well-being. The citizens of that land bowed to the king and felt themselves fortunate to have such a good man to rule over them. It […]

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Thou Shalt Not Follow A Multitude To Do Evil…

SUBJECT: Sin

TITLE: Thou Shalt Not Follow A Multitude To Do Evil…

INTRODUCTION: Read Exo. 23:2

1. The history of Israel is rife with incidences where individuals followed the wrong leader.

1) The murmuring of the spies, Nu. 13-14

2) Korah, Dathan and Abiram, Nu. 16.

3) The Injustice of Naboth, 1 Ki. 21

4) The Insurrection of Absalom, 2 Sam. 15

2. New Testament accounts are not immune…

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Fathers and Their Daughters

INTRODUCTION:

1. What can be more precious in the eyes of a father than his daughter?

1) Daughters are indeed a blessing from the Father.

2) They are a mirror of the beauty of the mother.

2. To watch a daughter grow is a rare privilege.

1) A father can have an effect on many generations through that daughter. “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.”

2) She can bring you a lifetime of joy.

3. On the other hand…

1) She can make choices that may bring you and your house to utter ruin.

2) Many runaways run from good families.

3) If she makes the wrong choices she may ruin generation in the future. “The hand…”

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What Happened When Jesus Died on the Cross?

Introduction: John 19:16-30

1. 2000 years ago an event occurred shocking to the sensibilities…

2. An innocent man allowed Himself to be put to death.

3. That event and subsequent resurrection raises questions that demand answers.

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Sermon on Abraham | Abraham Commanded His Children

SUBJECT: Family – Fathers

TITLE: Sermon on Abraham | Abraham Commanded His Children

PROPOSITION: To teach about the characteristics of Abraham as a father.

OBJECTIVE: That fathers might improve their fatherhood.

TEXT: Genesis 18:17-19

INTRODUCTION:

1. Two things come to mind as we look at the background of this passage.

1) The cities of the plain were set for destruction. Their sin was egregious, vv. 20-21.

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Death and Judgment

TITLE: Sermon on Death | Death and Judgment

PROPOSITION: To teach on the certainty of death and judgment and to remind the hearer of how men ought to live with this in view.

OBJECTIVE:That the hearer might be informed of the certainty of death and judgment and prepare for them by means of obedience to God, forgiveness of sins, and patience in tribulation.

INTRODUCTION: Read Hebrews 9:27

1. Concerning the text.

1) The Hebrews writer is in the midst of a discussion about the tabernacle being a shadow of things to come.

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Lying Lips are Abomination to the Lord

INTRODUCTION:

1. Men may have trouble finding the truth as Pilate did. John 18:38

2. Everything God says is truth.

1) “Thy word is truth.” John 17:17

2) It is impossible for God to lie. Hebrews 6:18

3. Knowing this, not surprising to find that God hates a lying tongue. Proverbs 12:22. A lying tongue is opposed to truth.

4. We should shun lying, no matter its apparent advantage.

5. NOTE: What lying is not. 1 Samuel 16:2.

1) Concealment is not lying.

2) Some would have us believe that their every question must be answered fully or we must be liars.

3) Withholding information is not lying.

4) Having two purposes and only revealing one is not lying.

6. QUESTION: Why shouldn’t we lie if it’s to our advantage?

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The Support and Encouragement of Preachers

Introduction:

1. A few weeks ago I preached a sermon to Those Who Would Be Preachers. I encouraged them to:

1) Count the Cost of taking on the challenge of Gospel preaching.

a. 2 Timothy 4:5

b. 2 Corinthians 11:23-26. see also: Rev. 1:9; Hebrews 11:32-40.

c. You will pay for the privilege of being a preacher. The currency will be:

a) Sleep, wages, family.

b) Friends, wives, persecution.

c) Labor, watching family pay, pride.

d) Illusions of ‘saintly’ brethren.

2) Consider Your Qualifications for Gospel preaching (other than character, aptitude, voice.)

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The Absolute Necessity of Hearing God’s Word to be Saved

PROPOSITION: To teach the necessity of hearing God’s Word in order to salvation.

OBJECTIVE: That the hearer might understand that it is necessary to hear God’s Word for salvation.

INTRODUCTION: Read Romans 10:17 and Hebrews 11:6

1. Romans 10:17 stresses that faith comes through hearing God’s Word.

2. Hebrews 11:6 notes that faith is necessary in coming to God.

3. Proposition is settled right here.

4. Subject is important to counteract so-called “spirituality” today.

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Can the Church Assist Non-Saints From the Treasury

INTRODUCTION:

1. The example of Christ with regard to giving.

1) His miracles a matter of giving. Matthew 10:8

2) He gave His blood. Romans 5:8

2. The teaching of Jesus on giving.

1) The good Samaritan. Luke 10:25ff

2) Give even to your enemies. Matthew 5:43-48

3) The giver serves Jesus. Matthew 25:31ff

4) Give to the poor. Matthew 19:21

5) The return of giving. Luke 6:38

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