INTRODUCTION: Read Gal. 6:10 1. Many in the world and in the church are confused by how the Bible authorizes actions. 2. Because of this confusion many: 1) loose where God has not loosed. 2) bind where God has not bound. 3. God is not pleased by either of these options. Deuteronomy 4:2 is representative […]
Introduction: Read Psa. 69:7-12; John 2:13-25. 1. We understand in action what we cannot in abstract. 2. What was His level of dedication to His cause? Jesus began to answer that question here. 3. What does this say of His zeal for the house of God today?
INTRODUCTION: Numbers 13:26 – Numbers 14:10
1. A short time after they had received the Law at Mt. Sinai the children of Israel were commanded to go into the land of Canaan and possess it.
2. Twelve spies were sent in to view the land and report.
3. Ten of the men balked at going in and led most of Israel with them.
4. Two believed that Israel was ready and able.
Sermon on the Power of Prayer – Sermon outline by G. E. Watkins on the very basic things that prayer is designed to do.
Introduction: Read Matt. 4:4.
1. Jesus refers Satan to God’s Word. To be preferred over physical bread.
2. What is it about God’s Word that makes it more sufficient than bread?
Discussion
INTRODUCTION: Acts 9:31
1. The persecution that Saul was a part of wreaked havoc on the churches of Palestine.
2. The Jews waged war against the church that resulted in death or imprisonment for many. Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-2; 22:4, 19; 26:10, 11
3. One can well imagine the relief that came upon the churches when their greatest antagonist suddenly stopped his attack. 9:21; see also 9:2-6
4. Peace brings blessings, responsibilities, and lasting results.
Introduction:
1. Recently I received a note in the suggestion box that reads: “A sermon on Are We Doing God’s Will? Or Are We Lukewarm or Have We Left Our First Love? We should find a work no matter how small or great and do it with all our might. Yes we hear this over and over and over but do we think the Lord is not talking to each and every one of us? It seems that we think and act as if we think someone else will do that task hence it usually doesn’t get done.”
2. My apologies to the author if you didn’t want the note read. However:
1) It reveals this concern in a way that I cannot.
2) It is a powerful call to Christian service.
INTRODUCTION: Read Genesis 4:9
1. This question was raised in response to God’s earlier question.
2. The right kind of questions may cause us to think soberly.
DISCUSSION: (Discussion of this sermon on selfishness.)
Introduction: Read 2 Tim. 1:13
ASV Hold the pattern of sound words
ESV Follow the pattern of the sound words
NAS Retain the standard of sound words
NKJ Hold fast the pattern of sound words
NRS Hold to the standard of sound teaching
INTRODUCTION:
1. A mother comes to worship with deep concern for her baby. She can’t bear the thought of her child being lost. She wants him to be baptized.
2. This morning we are going to assure that mother and be instructed ourselves as to why we don’t practice infant baptism on those precious little ones.
1) It’s not because we don’t value them.
2) It’s not because of lack of concern for their souls.
Introduction: Matt. 11:28-30
1. An invitation from the Son of God, the Messiah, should certainly capture our attention.
1) One whose word is true.
2) Whose intent is pure.
2. This invitation compels us to make a choice.
1) We can reject it but where will we go for blessing?
2) We can accept it and receive the promised rest.
3. Jesus is specific in His invitation. His call is for those who labor under a heavy load.
Introduction: Matt. 5:13
1. It is impurities that cause salt to lose its taste.
2. Clay, sand, etc., might make the salt useless.
3. Impurities cause men to be useless or good for nothing.
4. Jesus is speaking of sin.
5. What makes us impure? 1 John 2:16.
DISCUSSION:
I. Lust of the Flesh
Introduction:
1. We are concerned with the genuine. Ask any Coke drinker if “New” Coke will do. We want the Real Thing, the genuine article.
2. Of all the religions on the earth one is real, approved by the Almighty.
3. How do we weed out the pretenders and the counterfeits?
4. If we want to know whether something is authorized, commended or approved by God we should look for an event. Something that happened in space and time that shows that God approves.
INTRODUCTION: Read Matthew 2:1-12
1. There are events in a town, city or region’s history that cannot be forgotten.
1) In Austin it’s the Tower shooting, August 1, 1966.
2) Texas City remembers when the ship exploded in Galveston Bay in 1947.
3) Killeen will never forget the Luby’s shooting.
4) New Orleans will never forget Hurricane Katrina.
2. An unusual star guided the magi to Jerusalem and then to the exact spot in Bethlehem (6 miles south) where the new King of Israel lay.
Introduction: Rom. 2:7
1. We see in our text the importance of patience. It is a must.
2. We also see times in our lives when we fail to exhibit patience.
1) Stopped praying, 1 Thess. 5:17.
2) Grew weary in well-doing, Gal. 6:9.
3) Some even fail to remain faithful, Heb. 6:11.
3. We know we don’t always have patience, so how do we develop it? How do we acquire patience?
Love, when properly applied, governs our behavior for, “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” One’s interactions would wholly benefit from a generous application. The trick is, of course, to take the list and apply it to every thought, word, and deed. Why do we not do this?
Introduction: Read Acts 8:12
1. Pentecost (Acts 2) gives us a great example as to what to preach.
1) Every word designed to awaken faith in Jesus.
2) Then to motivate the audience to faithful obedience.
2. But did the next evangelists follow the same pattern? It is good to notice what the next evangelists preached because THAT’S what WE need to preach.
3. About the text:
1) Christians were scattered because of the persecution in Jerusalem (Stephen, Acts 7).
2) They didn’t scatter and hide, they scattered and preached (Acts 8:4), and so we find Philip in Samaria.
3) The Lord worked miracles through him so that the people would believe, John 20:30-31, Mark 16:20; Heb. 2:3-4.
4. The content of his preaching is critical
1) The things concerning the Kingdom of God.
2) The name of Jesus Christ.
5. When they heard these things they believed and obeyed.
6. Because we have been given the job of world evangelism (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47), just like Philip we ought to examine what the New testament has to say about the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ.
Jesus emphasizes that it is the servants who know the Bridegroom, Lord, and King, and are faithfully serving and expecting Him who will ultimately inherit the glorified kingdom of heaven (Matt. 25:1, 14, 34). Are you in the kingdom and ready for the King to come?
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).
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).