Saturday, February 22, 2014

Sunday Sermon Outline: Hebrews 8

"A New Covenant"
Hebrews 8

Introduction: Philippians 2:12-13


I.   A Superior Covenant  vs. 1-9  
     “Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, [2] a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. [3] For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. [4] Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; [5] who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “SEE,” He says, “THAT YOU MAKE all things ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN WHICH WAS SHOWN YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN.” [6] But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. [7] For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second. [8] For finding fault with them, He says, “BEHOLD, DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD, WHEN I WILL EFFECT A NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH; [9] NOT LIKE THE COVENANT WHICH I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS ON THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT; FOR THEY DID NOT CONTINUE IN MY COVENANT, AND I DID NOT CARE FOR THEM, SAYS THE LORD.""

Hebrews 2:10, 12; 3:6; 4:14-16; 7:25, 27; 9:12; 10:10; John 3:17; Hebrews 10:14


II.  A Spiritual Covenant  v. 10
     “FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS, AND I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS. AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.”

1 Corinthians 2:14; John 8:32; 16:13; Romans 8:7-9; Romans 10:21; Mark 7:6; Jeremiah 4:22; 1 Corinthians 2:8


III. A Saving Covenant  vs. 11-13
      "[11] AND THEY SHALL NOT TEACH EVERYONE HIS FELLOW CITIZEN AND EVERYONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING, ‘KNOW THE LORD,’ FOR ALL WILL KNOW ME, FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST OF THEM. [12] FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES, AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE.” [13] When He said, “A new covenant ,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.”

Ephesians 6:16; Colossians 2:13-14


Conclusion: Hebrews 10:22; 1 John 5:4; Hebrews 10:37-39


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Thursday, February 20, 2014

Examine your congregational priorities



If “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4), then why is that which is being produced by the churches – sermons, lessons, members, music and youth – focused more on the flesh and less on the Spirit? Prayer times are spent listing out physical concerns rather than spiritual ones. Sermons and lessons are preferred which are 'relevant to real life,' rather than relevant to “the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8). Any shepherding of the flock that is actually accomplished seems to be focused on feeding the ego more than nourishing the soul. Music is selected because of its ability to tug at the heartstrings or cause the toe to tap rather than for doctrinal words which teach and admonish (Colossians 3:16). And our youth are submersed in 'activities' rather than taught that which will cause them to grow “in favor with God and men” (1 Samuel 2:26; Luke 2:52).

The warning has been given on so many occasions. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). “Do not be worried about your life” (Matthew 6:25). “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Paul taught, “If you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13). Peter taught, “Fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13). “I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11). John taught, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

If the body of Christ is to grow … if it is to achieve “the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13) … then there must be less attention given to the world, and more attention given to Christ. It should be every Christian leader's first priority to weed out that which is worldly and temporary within their congregations and replace it with that which is heavenly and eternal. If those who lead us follow a Biblical pattern - “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30) – then that which is of man should never outweigh or obscure that which is of God.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Sunday Sermon Outline: Hebrews 7:18-28

“Our Savior and Intercessor”
Hebrews 7:18-28

"For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness [19] (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. [20] And inasmuch as it was not without an oath [21] (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, “THE LORD HAS SWORN AND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND, ‘YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER’”); [22] so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. [23] The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, [24] but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. [25] Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. [26] For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; [27] who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. [28] For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever"

Introduction: Hebrews 5:11-12; Romans 3:23; 6:23


I.   “He is able”

Mark 9:22-23; Hebrews 2:18; Ephesians 3:20


II.  “to save forever”

1 Peter 1:3-5; Matthew 1:21; Galatians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; Psalm 89:19; Matthew 28:19 


III. “those who draw near to God through Him”

Romans 8:38-39; Acts 27:31; Romans 8:1; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 3:29; John 14:6;
Matthew 22:14; 2 Timothy 4:10; Luke 9:23


IV.  “since He always lives”

Revelation 1:17-18; Acts 2:27; Romans 1:4; 6:11


V.   “to make intercession for them”

Romans 8; Isaiah 53:12; Colossians 1:19-20; 1 Timothy 2:5; John 14:19; Hebrews 7:28; 1 Corinthians 2:2; Hebrews 8:1; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 9:12; Job 38:4, 7; Revelation 5:11-13; Galatians 1:4; John 14:3; Jude 1:24; 1 Timothy 1:14


Conclusion: Hebrews 11:13; Numbers 21:4-9; John 1:17; 3:14-15; 2 Timothy 4:18


LISTEN TO AUDIO SERMON HERE!

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Sunday Sermon Outline: Hebrews 7:1-17

“A Unique High Priest”
Hebrews 7:1-17

Introduction: Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 5:9-11


I.   Melchizedek, Honored by Abraham  vs. 1-4

“For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, [2] to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. [3] Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually. [4] Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils.”

Psalm 110:4; Genesis 14:18-20; John 5:39; Psalm 85:10


II.  Melchizedek, Honored by Levi  vs. 5-10

“[5] And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest's office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham. [6] But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. [7] But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. [8] In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. [9] And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, [10] for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.”

Numbers 18:20-21, 26-28; Acts 3:26


III. Jesus, Honored by All  vs. 11-17

“[11] Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? [12] For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. [13] For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. [14] For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. [15] And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, [16] who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. [17] For it is attested of Him, “YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.””

Matthew 9:16-17; 2 Corinthians 5:17


Conclusion: James 2:23; Acts 3:26; Philippians 2:9-11 


LISTEN TO AUDIO MESSAGE HERE

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Sunday Sermon Outline: Hebrews 6:9-20

“The Certainty of God's Promise”
Hebrews 6:9-20

Introduction: Hebrews 6:1

      "But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. [10] For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. [11] And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, [12] so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 1:9; Revelation 2:10; Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 2:22; Hebrews 12:1;
1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 2:11-12


I.   A Divine Commitment  vs. 13-14
     "For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, [14] saying, “I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU.”"

Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:16


II.  A Divine Blessing  vs. 14-15
     "For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, [14] saying, “I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU.” [15] And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise."

Mark 9:23-24; Romans 4:20-21


III. A Divine Oath  vs. 16-18
     "For men swear by one greater than themselves , and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute. [17] In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, [18] so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us."

Hebrews 12:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4


IV.  A Divine Hope  vs. 19-20
      "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, [20] where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."

1 Peter 2:9; 3:9; Ephesians 2:1; John 3:18; Ephesians 2:12; 1 John 5:19; Hebrews 2:3


Conclusion: Matthew 6:11, 33; 1 Peter 1:4; 1 John 5:4; 4:4


LISTEN TO AUDIO SERMON HERE