Sunday Sermon Outline: True Security

“True Security”
Isaiah 28:14-17

I. A firm foundation is necessary for true security. Isaiah 28:14-17

“Therefore hear the word of the LORD, you scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem. 15 You boast, "We have entered into a covenant with death, with the grave we have made an agreement. When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by, it cannot touch us, for we have made a lie our refuge and falsehood our hiding place." 16 So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed. 17 I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding place” (28:14-17).

Hebrews 10:28-31, “Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge His people." 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

“built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20). 

Luke 6:46-49, “Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47 I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and puts them into practice. 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears My words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

II. An honorable heart is necessary for true security. Isaiah 29:13-14

“The Lord says: "These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is made up only of rules taught by men. 14 Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish."”

Mark 7:1-8, “The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and 2 saw some of His disciples eating food with hands that were "unclean," that is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.) 5 So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with 'unclean' hands?" 6 He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: "'These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 7 They worship Me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' 8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."”

Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for will shall see God”

Matthew 13:15-16, “this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.”

III. God’s Spirit is necessary for true security. Isaiah 30:1

“"Woe to the obstinate children," declares the LORD, "to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by My Spirit, heaping sin upon sin."”

Zechariah 4:6, “'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts.”

John 6:63, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”

“the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:14). “Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22).

Conclusion:

Isaiah 30:9-15, “These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the Lord's instruction. 10 They say to the seers, "See no more visions!" and to the prophets, "Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. 11 Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!" 12 Therefore, this is what the Holy One of Israel says: "Because you have rejected this message, relied on oppression and depended on deceit, 13 this sin will become for you like a high wall, cracked and bulging, that collapses suddenly, in an instant. 14 It will break in pieces like pottery, shattered so mercilessly that among its pieces not a fragment will be found for taking coals from a hearth or scooping water out of a cistern." 15 This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”

Hebrews 3:18 – 4:2, “And to whom did God swear that they would never enter His rest if not to those who disobeyed ? 19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief. 4:1 Therefore, since the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.”

Psalm 119:40-45, “How I long for Your precepts! Preserve my life in Your righteousness. 41 May Your unfailing love come to me, O LORD, Your salvation according to Your promise; 42 then I will answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in Your word. 43 Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in Your laws. 44 I will always obey your law, forever and ever. 45 I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out Your precepts.”

James 1:21-22, “Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

 

LISTEN TO AUDIO MESSAGE HERE

Sunday Sermon Outline: Recognizing God's Spirit

The Recognizing of God’s Gifts
Recognizing God's Spirit
Acts 2:38-39

Introduction: Acts 2:38-39, “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God shall call to Himself.”

Romans 5:8; James 1:21; Romans 1:17; James 1:17


I.   The Reason for the Gift 

John 14:16-17; John 4:18


II.  The Importance of the Gift

John 3:5; Ezekiel 11:19-20


III. The Extent of God’s Gift

John 3:34; Acts 6:2-3; Romans 5:5


IV. The Purpose of the Gift

2 Peter 1:3-4

     A. Adoption. Romans 8:14-16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; 5:4-5

     B. Instruction. Nehemiah 9:19-20; John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:12-14; 14:33; John 4:24; 1 Corinthians 2:12


V.  The Acceptance of the Gift

Ephesians 1:13-14; James 2:19

     A. Faith. Galatians 3:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

     B. Repentance. Acts 2:38

     C. Confession. 1 John 4:2-3

     D. Baptism. Acts 2:38; Titus 3:5-7; Romans 8:17; 1 Corinthians 12:13

     E. Obedient Christian Living. Acts 5:32; 1 John 3:24


Conclusion: Acts 2:36-41, “"Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ-- this Jesus whom you crucified." 37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" 38 And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God shall call to Himself." 40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!" 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”

James 4:5; Hebrews 10:29; Ephesians 4:30; Galatians 5:5; John 6:63; 1 John 4:13; 2 Corinthians 9:15

 

LISTEN TO AUDIO MESSAGE HERE

Sunday Sermon Outline: Encouragement to Endure Suffering

"Encouragement to Endure Suffering"
Romans 8:18-30


Introduction: Romans 15:4, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”


Romans 8:18-30, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. 26 And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; 30 and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”


I. We should be encouraged by the expectation of future glory. v. 18
     “… the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”


2 Timothy 3:12, "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."


II. We should be encouraged by the redemption of creation. vs. 19-25
     “For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”


III. We should be encouraged by the intercession of the Spirit. vs. 26-27 
     “And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”


IV. We should be encouraged by the cohesion of God's eternal plan. vs. 28-30
     “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; 30 and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”


Conclusion: v. 18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”




LISTEN TO AUDIO MESSAGE HERE

Sunday Sermon Outline: Romans 8

Romans 8

The Victory of Faith

1 John 5:3-4, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

I. Victory Despite a Sinful Body vs. 1-13

      A. The Example of Jesus vs. 1-8

      “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

     B. The Leading of the Spirit vs. 9-11

      “9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

     C. The Promise of God vs. 12-13

      “12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for 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.”

II. Victory Despite a Sinful World vs. 14-39

     A. The Provision of a Home vs. 14-17

      “14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”

     B. The Provision of a Hope vs. 18-25

      “18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”

     C. The Provision of an Intercessor vs. 26-27

      “26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

     D. The Provision of a Purpose vs. 28-30

      “28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”

Conclusion, vs. 31-39: “31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.””

Next week, Romans 9, The People of Faith

LISTEN TO AUDIO MESSAGE HERE

Sunday Sermon Outline: John 16:1-15

“Eternal Courage”
John 16:1-15

I. Courage Despite Persecution vs. 1-4
     “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. [2] “They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. [3] “These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me. [4] “But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them. These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.”

Acts 23:1


II. Courage Despite Sorrow vs. 5-7
     “[5] “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ [6] “But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. [7] “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”

Genesis 1:2; 2:7; John 20:22; Job 33:4; 2 Samuel 23:2; Micah 3:8; Isaiah 11:2; Matthew 1:20; Mark 1:10; Luke 4:18; Hebrews 9:14; Romans 8:11


III. Courage Despite Falsehood vs. 8-15
     “[8] “And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; [9] concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; [10] and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; [11] and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. [12] “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. [13] “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. [14] “He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. [15] “All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.”

Galatians 3:22; Romans 8:10; 5:18-19; 1 Timothy 3:6; 2 Peter 1:20-21


Conclusion: Psalm 119:160; 1 Corinthians 2:14, 2:12; Zechariah 4:6


LISTEN TO AUDIO MESSAGE HERE

Sunday Sermon Outline: John 14

“Eternal Comfort”
John 14

I. Assurance by Promise vs. 1-6
     “"Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way where I am going." 5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me."”


II. Assurance by Instruction vs. 7-15
     “"If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him." 8 Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how do you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me; otherwise believe on account of the works themselves. 12 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. 15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."”

Hebrews 1:1-3; Matthew 4:17; Acts 1:8; 1 John 5:14; 3:22


III. Assurance by Assistance vs. 16-27
     “"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 After a little while the world will behold Me no more; but you will behold Me; because I live, you shall live also. 20 In that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me; and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him, and will disclose Myself to him." 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, what then has happened that You are going to disclose Yourself to us, and not to the world?" 23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me. 25 These things I have spoken to you, while abiding with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."”

Romans 6:8; James 4:4; Matthew 10:36-38


IV. Assurance by Example vs. 28-31
     “"You heard that I said to you, 'I go away, and I will come to you.' If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it comes to pass, that when it comes to pass, you may believe. 30 I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me; 31 but that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go from here."”


Conclusion: Hebrews 12:2


LISTEN TO AUDIO MESSAGE HERE

Sunday Sermon Outline: Jeremiah 31

Jeremiah 31
The Benefits of Redemption

I.  Grace vs. 1-6
     ““At that time,” declares the LORD, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people.” [2] Thus says the LORD, “The people who survived the sword Found grace in the wilderness— Israel, when it went to find its rest.” [3] The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness. [4] “Again I will build you and you will be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! Again you will take up your tambourines, And go forth to the dances of the merrymakers. [5] “Again you will plant vineyards On the hills of Samaria; The planters will plant And will enjoy them. [6] “For there will be a day when watchmen On the hills of Ephraim call out, ‘Arise, and let us go up to Zion, To the LORD our God.’””

1 Peter 1:10-12; Hebrews 12:22


II. Joy vs. 7-20

     A. Salvation vs. 7-11 
     “[7] For thus says the LORD, “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, And shout among the chief of the nations; Proclaim, give praise and say, ‘O LORD, save Your people, The remnant of Israel.’ [8] “Behold, I am bringing them from the north country, And I will gather them from the remote parts of the earth, Among them the blind and the lame, The woman with child and she who is in labor with child, together; A great company, they will return here. [9] “With weeping they will come, And by supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk by streams of waters, On a straight path in which they will not stumble; For I am a father to Israel, And Ephraim is My firstborn.” [10] Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, And declare in the coastlands afar off, And say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him And keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.” [11] For the LORD has ransomed Jacob And redeemed him from the hand of him who was stronger than he.”

     B. The Spirit vs. 12-14
     "[12] “They will come and shout for joy on the height of Zion, And they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD — Over the grain and the new wine and the oil, And over the young of the flock and the herd; And their life will be like a watered garden, And they will never languish again. [13] “Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance, And the young men and the old, together, For I will turn their mourning into joy And will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow. [14] “I will fill the soul of the priests with abundance, And My people will be satisfied with My goodness,” declares the LORD.”

     C. Hope vs. 15-17
     “[15] Thus says the LORD, “A voice is heard in Ramah, Lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; She refuses to be comforted for her children, Because they are no more.” [16] Thus says the LORD, “Restrain your voice from weeping And your eyes from tears; For your work will be rewarded,” declares the LORD, “And they will return from the land of the enemy. [17] “There is hope for your future,” declares the LORD, “And your children will return to their own territory.”

Romans 15:13

     D. Mercy vs. 18-20
     “[18] “I have surely heard Ephraim grieving, ‘You have chastised me, and I was chastised, Like an untrained calf; Bring me back that I may be restored, For You are the LORD my God. [19] ‘For after I turned back, I repented; And after I was instructed, I smote on my thigh; I was ashamed and also humiliated Because I bore the reproach of my youth.’ [20] “Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a delightful child? Indeed, as often as I have spoken against him, I certainly still remember him; Therefore My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him,” declares the LORD.”

Luke 1:57-58 (NIV)


III. Blessings vs. 21-40

     A. A Savior vs. 21-22
     “[21] “Set up for yourself roadmarks, Place for yourself guideposts; Direct your mind to the highway, The way by which you went. Return, O virgin of Israel, Return to these your cities. [22] “How long will you go here and there, O faithless daughter? For the LORD has created a new thing in the earth— A woman will encompass a man.””

     B. A City vs. 23-28
     “[23] Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, “Once again they will speak this word in the land of Judah and in its cities when I restore their fortunes, ‘The LORD bless you, O abode of righteousness, O holy hill!’ [24] “Judah and all its cities will dwell together in it, the farmer and they who go about with flocks. [25] “For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes.”
     [26] At this I awoke and looked, and my sleep was pleasant to me.”
     “[27] “Behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and with the seed of beast. [28] “As I have watched over them to pluck up, to break down, to overthrow, to destroy and to bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,” declares the LORD.”

     C. A Covenant vs. 29-34
     “[29] “In those days they will not say again, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the children's teeth are set on edge.’ [30] “But everyone will die for his own iniquity; each man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth will be set on edge. [31] “Behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, [32] not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. [33] “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the LORD, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. [34] “They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the LORD, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

     D. A Future vs. 35-40
     “[35] Thus says the LORD, Who gives the sun for light by day And the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The LORD of hosts is His name: [36] “If this fixed order departs From before Me,” declares the LORD, “Then the offspring of Israel also will cease From being a nation before Me forever.” [37] Thus says the LORD, “If the heavens above can be measured And the foundations of the earth searched out below, Then I will also cast off all the offspring of Israel For all that they have done,” declares the LORD. [38] “Behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when the city will be rebuilt for the LORD from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate. [39] “The measuring line will go out farther straight ahead to the hill Gareb; then it will turn to Goah. [40] “And the whole valley of the dead bodies and of the ashes, and all the fields as far as the brook Kidron, to the corner of the Horse Gate toward the east, shall be holy to the LORD; it will not be plucked up or overthrown anymore forever.”” 


LISTEN TO AUDIO MESSAGE HERE

Sunday Sermon Outline: James 4

“Doing the Right Thing”
James 4

Introduction: 2 Timothy 4:3; 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 4:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17


I.  The Pleasure of Man vs. 1-4
     “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? [2] You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. [3] You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. [4] You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

1 John 2:16; Genesis 3:17-19; Titus 2:12; Revelation 3:1


II. The Presence of God vs. 5-10
     “[5] Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? [6] But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” [7] Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. [8] Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [9] Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. [10] Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”

Ephesians 1:13-14


III. The Presumption of Man vs. 11-14
     “[11] Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. [12] There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?”

Matthew 16:24; James 1:22, 26; John 16:8; 2 Corinthians 10:12

     “[13] Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” [14] Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.”

2 Peter 3:10


IV. The Purpose of God vs. 15-17
     “[15] Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” [16] But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. [17] Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 3:10; Romans 8:5


LISTEN TO AUDIO MESSAGE HERE