INTRODUCTION:

A. Philippians 3:12-14

B. This is the last of a series of sermons on the church moving forward into the future

1. The fact is that we will move into the future regardless of how we prepare for it

2. The question is actually one of what we will be able to do with the future when it arrives

3. So far we have looked at:

a. Challenges we must accept

b. Enemies we must defeat

c. Dangers we must avoid

d. Opportunities to take

4. There is one more essential ingredient in Moving the Church Forward – ATTITUDE

EXERCISING GODLINESS

Date written: December 3rd, 2005

Scripture ref: 1 Timothy 4:6-8

SUBJECT: Perseverance, Steadfastness, Christian Growth

TITLE: Exercising Godliness

PROPOSITION: What do we need to properly exercise? The truths that apply to physical exercise apply to spiritual exercise as well. What are those truths? 1) Readiness, 2) Repetition, 3) Resistance, 4) Resolution.

Objectives: Each ought to understand what is involved in exercise so that we can exercise godliness.

Aim: To encourage everyone to apply themselves to the Christian life through spiritual exercise.

INTRODUCTION:

A. The concept of spiritual shepherds over the flock of God did not originate in the New Testament

1. That was a role the priests and prophets played in the Mosaic age, and some of them did not take their work seriously

2. Jeremiah 23:1-4

3. Ezekiel 34:1-10

4. Jesus alluded to this work and its abuse during His earthly ministry, when, in speaking of the shepherd, He said – John 10:3-5, 11-12

5. From these passages, we learn that the Lord expected His shepherds to do the following:

Introduction: Psa. 119:11 1. Memory work is hard work. 2. Bible study is hard work. 3. So why invest our time in it? THAT WE MIGHT NOT SIN AGAINST GOD. DISCUSSION: I.   God’s Word Informs Us 1. 1 John 3:4, Sin is transgression of the law. 2. Isa. 54:1-2 II.  God’s Word Warns Us 1. Rom. 6:23, […]

Sermon on Adoption SUBJECT: Salvation TITLE: Adoption Into The Family PROPOSITION: Adoption into God’s family involves 1) acceptance into the family, 2) responsibilities as a family member, and 3) blessings of being a member of the family. OBJECTIVES: The hearer should be able to state what adoption into God’s family involves, outlining briefly what has […]

Sermon outline by Tom Moore on all that the vicious nails of the Cross of Calvary accomplished. From John 20:24-29 INTRODUCTION: A. John 20:24-29 B. While nails are mentioned at least nine times in the Bible, John 20:25 is the only reference to them in the life of Christ 1. Growing up around a carpenter’s […]

INTRODUCTION

A. The spiritual heart is widely misunderstood in our day, and of our major problem with regard to being sound and faithful has to do with heart problems.

1. Many are dying spiritually each day because of moral heart disease.

2. Great process, though, has been made in understanding the disorders of the physical heart

3. Yet while great leaps and bounds have brought us to a point to where bypass surgery has about the same risk as an appendectomy, the moral center of man’s being has been shrouded in myth and fiction.

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.)

Date written: August 11th, 2007 Scripture ref: Acts 17:22-31 SUBJECT: Religion TITLE: Why Should I Change My Religion? PROPOSITION: I should change my religion if my religion 1) Preaches a different morality than the Bible, 2) Practices a different worship than the church of the New Testament, 3) Presents a different plan of salvation than […]

SUBJECT: Church: Organization

TITLE: Deacons-God’s Servants

PROPOSITION: In this lesson we will study deacons duties, responsibilities and qualifications.

OBJECTIVE: Everyone should be able to know from the scriptures deacons duties, responsibilities and qualification.

AIM: I hope to be able to help the congregation work toward appointing deacons and to encourage prospective deacons.

INTRODUCTION:

1. Read: Philippians 1:1 “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons”

INTRODUCTION:

A. Every day should be a day of thanksgiving on the Christian’s calendar.

1. The Bible teaches us by direct command to be grateful

a. “Giving thanks always for all things to God” (Eph 5:20)

b. Paul said, “abound with thanksgiving” (Col. 2:7)

c. It is God’s will that we be thankful – “in everything give thanks” (1 The. 5:18), and we must do the will of God to go to heaven (Mat. 7:21).

SUBJECT: CHURCH

TITLE: WHEN WAS THE CHURCH ESTABLISHED?

PROPOSITION: To set forth “WHEN” the church of Christ was established.

OBJECTIVE: That by knowing “WHEN” the church of Christ was established we can know the church of Christ.

INTRODUCTION:

1. Read: Daniel 2:44.

INTRODUCTION:

A. Psalm 96:8-9

B. It should be the desire of every child of God to want to know the whole truth on any subject.

1. What is important to realize in this regard is that “the reception of any truth depends upon the attitude that one has toward it.”

2. We often tell our friends and neighbors that they do not understand God’s truth on baptism or grace because they do not manifest the right attitude toward God’s word of these subjects.

3. Sadly, there are thousands upon thousands of Christians who have closed their ears to what God has said on the subject of giving.

INTRODUCTION:

A. Hebrews 12:18-22, 27-28

1. Inspiration says:

a. You have not come to Mount Sinai (or to any other similar mountain), but you have come to Mount Zion

b. The “Mount Zion” is the Lord’s church

c. The church is a kingdom which cannot be shaken

2. “Cannot be moved” (shaken – ASV) is translated from asaleutos (asaleutos)

a. It means not liable to disorder or overthrow; firm, stable.

b. Luke 6:48

INTRODUCTION:

A. Why are you a member of the church of Christ?

1. If you are not a member of the church of Christ, why are you a member of the religious organization that you are?

2. Is it because that was the one your Dad and Mom were members of?

3. Is it because that is the one closest to your home?

4. Is it because it has the nicest building in town?

B. If our neighbor were to ask us why we were a member of the church of Christ, could we give them a sound reason?

INTRODUCTION: 1 Corinthians 15:58

1. In light of the fact that we are to be motivated in the pursuit of pleasing God, we are provided with reasons to be motivated, both positive and negative.

2. One of the most effective things God has done for us is to provide examples of commitment in the Scriptures to motivate us.

INTRODUCTION

A. Hate is a sin that has caused many atrocities in our world in the past, and in our present time.

B. Hate is a heart ailment forbidden by the Lord in the Old and New Testament

1. “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine hear …” (Leviticus 19:17)

2. Matthew 5:43-44

DISCUSSION:

A. WE ARE TO HATE SIN; BUT WE ARE TO LOVE THE SINNER

1. God hates sin

a. “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19).

b. Hebrews 1:9

INTRODUCTION: 2 Kings 6:8-17

1. Through the prophet the king learned what he could not see.

2. Through the prophet Gahazi learned what he could not see.

3. Through Jesus Christ we learn things we cannot see. Hebrews 1:1-2

INTRODUCTION:

A. Romans 2:11-16

B. Now and then we hear of someone falling heir to some priceless treasure without having any concept of the importance or value of what he has, and then proceeding to be irresponsible in his custodianship of the thing.

C. Or, we may be in someone’s home who beams with pride as he shows off his expensive library of books — all of which are evidently unused! Acts 19:35

D. The people of Ephesus apparently were proud of their custodianship of the temple and the image of Diana.

E. The Jews were proud of their “custodianship” of the oracles of God.

1. Romans 3:1-2

2. Deuteronomy 4:5-8

3. Romans 9:4-5

4. The Jews did not do with the word of God what they should have … Romans 2:17-24

F. Do we have this same problem of seeing ourselves as “the custodians of the truth” without acceptance of the attendant responsibilities?

Introduction:

1. The work of the church involves 3 things:

1) Evangelism. Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Timothy 2:2

2) Benevolence. Gal. 6:10; James 1:27

3) Edification. Hebrews 10:24.

2. Many have placed the importance of benevolence and edification higher than they ought.

1) The main goal of many churches is to battle poverty and disease. Laudable in its place but was never the main goal of our Lord.