Sunday Sermon Outline: Moving Forward into a New Year

“Moving Forward into a New Year”
Joshua 1

      Joshua 1:1-2, “Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, [2] “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.””
     Joshua 1:6-9, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. [7] Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. [8] This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. [9] Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”


I.  The Past is Behind Us  v. 2
     "Moses My servant is dead."

Philippians 3:13-14


II. The Lord is With Us  v. 9
     “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 2:9-11; Romans 8:31-32


III. God's Providence is Following Us  v. 8
     "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success."

Joshua 6:20; Matthew 6:31-33


Conclusion: Hebrews 13:5-6


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Sunday Sermon Outline: The Second Serpent

“The Second Serpent”

Numbers 21:4-9

 

Introduction:

Numbers 21:4-9, “Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient because of the journey. [5] The people spoke against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food.” [6] The LORD sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. [7] So the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD and you; intercede with the LORD, that He may remove the serpents from us.” And Moses interceded for the people. [8] Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he will live.” [9] And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived.”
 

I. The bronze serpent demonstrates God's grace. vs. 4-5

“Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient because of the journey. [5] The people spoke against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food.””
 

A. Grace despite impatience v. 4

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

“now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, [22] even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:21-24).
 

B. Grace despite complaints v. 5

Philippians 2:14-16, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; [15] so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, [16] holding fast the word of life ...”

“Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! [8] Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. [9] And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. [10] Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

“we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. [16] Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16).

“You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin” (Hebrews 12:4).
 

II. The bronze serpent defines people's need. vs. 6-7a

“The LORD sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. [7] So the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD and you; ...”
 

A. The need of people dying in sin v. 6

James 1:14-15, “each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. [15] Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death."

“the wages of sin is death, ... the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

B. The need of people helpless to sin v. 7a

1 Corinthians 15:56-57, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; [57] but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
 

III. The bronze serpent demands action. vs. 7-9

“So the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD and you; intercede with the LORD, that He may remove the serpents from us.” And Moses interceded for the people. [8] Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he will live.” [9] And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived.”
 

A. The act of repentance v. 7b

Luke 13:3, 5, “… unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

“when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! [18] I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight”'” (Luke 15:17-18).

“Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).

“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” (Hebrews 7:25-27).

B. The act of obedience vs. 8-9

Matthew 7:21-24, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. [22] Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ [23] And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ [24] Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

Hebrews 5:8-9, “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. [9] And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.”
Conclusion: John 3:14-15 says, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; [15] so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.”

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “let us lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, [2] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith ….”


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Sunday Sermon Outline: New Opportunities

“these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31).
 

I. Whatever He Commands, We Do John 21:1-8

“After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way. [2] Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. [3] Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing. [4] But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. [5] So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.” [6] And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. [7] Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea. [8] But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.”

“For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them” (2 Peter 2:21).

II. However He Provides, We Accept John 21:9-14

“So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread. [10] Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.” [11] Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. [12] Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord. [13] Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. [14] This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.”

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. [38] He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water'” (John 7:37-38).

III. Whatever He Demands, We Give John 21:15-17

“So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” [16] He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” [17] He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.””

John 10:12-13, “He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. [13] He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.”

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. [9] But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

Titus 1:9, “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”

IV. Wherever He Leads, We Follow John 21:18-19

““Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” [19] Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me!””

1 Peter 2:20-21, “… if, when you do what is right and suffer for it, you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. 21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.”
 

V. However It Ends, We Remain Faithful John 21:20-23

“Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” [21] So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” [22] Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” [23] Therefore this saying went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?””

1 Peter 4:19, “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” 

 

Revelation 2:10, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
 

Conclusion, John 21:24-25: “This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. [25] And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.” 

 

 

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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

 

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Sunday Sermon Outline: Recognizing God's Mercy

The Recognition of God's Gifts
Recognizing God’s Mercy
Luke 17:11-19

Introduction: Matthew 6:31-33; Colossians 3:2-3


I.    The Request of the Lepers  vs. 12-13
      “12 As [Jesus] entered a certain village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; 13 and they raised their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"


II.  The Requirement of Jesus  v. 14a
      “when [Jesus] saw them, He said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests."

 Leviticus 13-14; Luke 5:12-14


III. The Result of Obedience  v. 14b
     “And as they were going, they were cleansed.”


IV. The Recognition of One Leper  vs. 15-16
      “Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, [16] and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan.”

 2 Kings 5:13-15


V.   The Response of Jesus  vs. 17-19
      “Then Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they? [18] “Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?” [19] And He said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.”””

John 5:36-40


Conclusion: Ephesians 2:1-7; 5:26; Hebrews 4:15-16; 10:21-22; Colossians 1:11-14; 1 Corinthians 15:57; 2 Corinthians 9:15; 1 Peter 1:3


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Sunday Sermon Outline: When Pressing On Means Staying Put

“When Pressing on Means Staying Put”

1 Corinthians 16:2-9

 

Introduction:

    Exodus 14:13, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.”

    2 Chronicles 20 (vs. 15, 17), “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. … 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you …”

    Ephesians 6:13 (NAS), “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”

 

    1 Corinthians 16:2-9, “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me. 5 After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you--for I will be going through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.”

 

    1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 

 

I. Our Desires Concede To His Direction v. 7

    “I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.”

 

    1 Corinthians 11:1 (NAS), “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” 

    John 14:31, “I do exactly what my Father has commanded Me.” 

    John 7:6, “The right time for Me has not yet come ...” 

    James 4:13-15, “Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."”

    Psalm 37:23 (NAS), “The steps of a man are established by the LORD; And He delights in his way.”

II. Our Effectiveness Depends on His Endowment vs. 8-9
    “But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.”

 

    Acts 13:4, “The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit” 

    Acts 14:27, “they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.” 

    Acts 20:22-24, “compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.”

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

    1 Corinthians 2:12-14, “We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

    “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:14, NAS).

 

III. Our Obstacles Convert to His Opportunities v. 9

    “a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” 

    

     Acts 20:22-24, “compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.”

    “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12, NAS).

    “when the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord” (Acts 13:12).

    Acts 13:44, “On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.” 

    Acts 13:46-48, “Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.' 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.” 

    “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).

 

Conclusion:

    “God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13, NAS).

    “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” “Most gladly, therefore,” says Paul, “I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NAS).

    “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires. 19 These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life” (Jude 18-21). 

    “Stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you” (2 Chronicles 20:17, NAS).

 

 

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Sunday Sermon Outline: The Right Response

"The Right Response"


I. Adam ignored God.
     Genesis 1:28-29; 2:16-17; 3:16-19, 24


II. Abraham believed God.
     Genesis 12:1-3; 13:14-17; 15:5-6; 17:1-5


III. Moses obeyed God.
     Exodus 3:12


IV. Jesus revealed God.


Conclusion:
     Hebrews 11:8-10; 11:24-26; 12:1-2




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Sunday Sermon Outline: Faith Basics

"Faith Basics"

I. The Importance of Faith 
     Hebrews 11:6, “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
     Romans 1:16-17, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."” 
     Romans 3:20, 28

II. The Biblical Concept of Faith
     2 Thessalonians 1:8, God “will punish those who do not know [Him] and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”
     Hebrews 3:18‑19, “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.” 
     James 2:17, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

III. The Many Faces of Faith
     Luke 12:28; John 12:42; Matthew 8:10
     Ephesians 2:8, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” 
     James 2:26, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” 
     Matthew 23:27

IV. The Saving Power of Faith
     Luke 19:10; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Hebrews 9:12; Romans 6:16‑18; 6:3‑7

V. The Fellowship of Faithfulness
     Matthew 24:45‑51; 25:31‑46

Conclusion:
     Matthew 25:26, “You wicked, lazy servant;”  Matthew 25:30, “throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness.” 
     Matthew 25:21,  “Well done, good and faithful servant ... Come and share your Master’s happiness.”


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Sunday Sermon Outline: God's Conditional Love

“God’s Conditional Love”
John 14:21

Introduction: 2 Thessalonians 2:10; John 8:44

I. Avoid Worldly Definitions of Love
     John 3:1-3, “Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Him by night, and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."” 
     John 3:14-18, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 that whoever believes may in Him have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” 
     Numbers 21:5-9, “the people spoke against God and Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food." 6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. 7 So the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD and you; intercede with the LORD, that He may remove the serpents from us." And Moses interceded for the people. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he shall live." 9 And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived.”

II. Notice the Godly Distinctions in Love
     Genesis 13:13, “the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD.” 
     “Go and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are exterminated” (1 Samuel 15:8).
     Exodus 20:3-6, “3 You shall have no other gods before Me. 4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” 
     Psalm 1, “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.”
     Psalm 11:5-7, “The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, And the one who loves violence His soul hates. 6 Upon the wicked He will rain snares; Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup. 7 For the LORD is righteous; He loves righteousness; The upright will behold His face.” 
     Proverbs 15:9, “The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But [God] loves [the one] who pursues righteousness.”
     Isaiah 1:27-28, “Zion will be redeemed with justice, And her repentant ones with righteousness. 28 But transgressors and sinners will be crushed together, And those who forsake the LORD shall come to an end.” 
     Hosea 9:15-17, “"All their evil is at Gilgal; Indeed, I came to hate them there! Because of the wickedness of their deeds I will drive them out of My house! I will love them no more; All their princes are rebels. 16 Ephraim is stricken, their root is dried up, They will bear no fruit. Even though they bear children, I will slay the precious ones of their womb." 17 My God will cast them away Because they have not listened to Him; And they will be wanderers among the nations.”
     John 3:36, “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
     John 15:9-10, “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love.” 
     John 17:8-9 (NIV), “For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.”
     John 17:25-26, “O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; 26 and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known; that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
     Hebrews 1:9, God “LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS.” 
     Romans 10:12-13, “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon Him; 13 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."” 
     Revelation 3:9, “Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews, and are not, but lie-- behold, I will make them to come and bow down at your feet, and to know that I have loved you.” 

III. Recognize the Divine Demonstration of Love
     Romans 5:8-9, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.” 
     Romans 8:38-39, “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, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 
     John 14:21, “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.” 
     John 16:27, “the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from the Father.” 
     Ephesians 2:1-7, “you were dead in your trespasses and sins, … 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” 
     Luke 15:10, “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” 
     Romans 3:23-26, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 [but we are] justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”

Conclusion: 1 Peter 2:16
     Jeremiah 23:1, “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” 
     Jeremiah 23:16-18 (NIV), “This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. 17 They keep saying to those who despise Me, 'The LORD says: You will have peace.' And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts they say, 'No harm will come to you.' 18 But which of them has stood in the council of the LORD to see or to hear His word? Who has listened and heard His word? "” 
     Jeremiah 23:21-22 (NIV), “I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. 22 But if they had stood in My council, they would have proclaimed My words to My people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds.”
     2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, “the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, …” 
     God “is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
     John 14:23, “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."


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Sunday Sermon Outline: Fellowship vs. Relationship

Fellowship vs Relationship
1 Corinthians 1:9-31


Introduction: 1 Corinthians 1:9, “God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”


I. Fellowship is about being baptized into Christ. vs. 10-16
     “10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. 16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other.”


     Galatians 3:26-29, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.”


II. Fellowship is about accepting the word of Christ. vs. 17-21
     “17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void. 18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.” 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.”


     Matthew 28:18, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”


     Acts 10:36, “The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all).”


III. Fellowship is about honoring the work of Christ. vs. 22-31
     “22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ (is) the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.””


     1 Corinthians 2:14, “A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.”


Conclusion: Philippians 3:10-11, “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”


     1 John 1:3-7, “What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete. 5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”




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Sunday Sermon Outline: Seven Blunders of the World

“Seven Blunders of the World”

I. “It doesn’t matter which religion you choose – all paths lead to God.”
     John 8:24, “Unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins.”
     John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.”
     Acts 4:12, “There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved."

II. “As long as I live a good life, God will save me.” 
     Hebrews 9:22, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” 
     1 Peter 1:18-19, “You were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” 
     Romans 10:1-3, “Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.”
     1 Timothy 1:15, “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.” 

III. “How can I think about God when I’m so busy trying to make ends meet?”\
     2 Corinthians 4:18, “We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 
     Matthew 6:19-20, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on the earth ... lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” 
     Matthew 6:33, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” 
     1 Timothy 6:7, “For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.” 
     Mark 8:35-36, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

IV. “I’m saved by my faith alone!”
     James 2:17-20, 24, “17 Faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. 18 But someone may well say, "You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? … 24 You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone.” 
     Mark 16:16, “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved.” 

V. “I can worship God any way I please.”
     John 4:23, “True worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.”
     2 Peter 1:3, “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness.”
     Leviticus 10:1-2, “Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.”
     Mark 7:5-9, "‘Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?’ 6 And He said to them, ‘Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. 7 BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.' 8 Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.’ 9 He was also saying to them, ‘You nicely set aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.'” 
     Acts 2:42,  “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
     Acts 20:7, “on the first day of the week, [they] were gathered together to break bread.”
     Romans 12:1, “by the mercies of God, present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” 

VI. “God can’t save me … I’ve done too many bad things.”
     Romans 1:16, “the gospel … is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”
     James 1:21, “In humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.” 
     Hebrews 7:25, “He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
     1 Corinthians 6:9-11, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.”

VII. “I’ve still got plenty of time to make a decision!”
     Hebrews 3:13, “Encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."
     2 Corinthians 6:1-2,  “... not to receive the grace of God in vain -- 2 for He says, ‘AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU;’ behold, now is ‘THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,’ behold, now is ‘THE DAY OF SALVATION.’”
     Acts 24:25, “and as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for the present, and when I find time, I will summon you.”" 


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Sunday Sermon Outline: Nullifying the Grace of God

"Nullifying the Grace of God"
Galatians 2:21


     “I died to the Law, that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly” (Galatians 2:19-21).


Acts 13:10


I. Disobedience nullifies the grace of God.  Zechariah 7:5-12
     “When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months these seventy years, was it actually for Me that you fasted?” (Zechariah 7:5).
     “dispense true justice, and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother” (Zechariah 7:9). “But they refused to pay attention, and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing. 12 And they made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit” (Zechariah 7:11-12).


Mark 7:7-8




II. Selfishness nullifies the grace of God.  Luke 9:23


John 1:17


     “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).


Luke 9:62; Acts 22:16; Philippians 3:8-9; Romans 5:17




III. Obedience establishes the grace of God.  1 Corinthians 15:9-10


John 14:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22; Galatians 1:6-7; Mark 1:4; Luke 7:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8; Galatians 3:2-3; Hebrews 10:28-29


1 Corinthians 15:9-10, “I am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain.”


Acts 26:14, 19-20; Romans 1:1; Hebrews 11:35-40




IV. Faith establishes the grace of God.  Galatians 2:20


2 Corinthians 4:8-10; Matthew 13:20-21; Philippians 3:13-15; Hebrews 10:35


     “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20).


1 Corinthians 15:10; 6:11




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Sunday Sermon Outline: What Is Normal?

“What Is Normal?”
2 Samuel 5:17-25


     2 Samuel 5:17-25, “When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek out David; and when David heard of it, he went down to the stronghold. [18] Now the Philistines came and spread themselves out in the valley of Rephaim. [19] Then David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” [20] So David came to Baal-perazim and defeated them there; and he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like the breakthrough of waters.” Therefore he named that place Baal-perazim. [21] They abandoned their idols there, so David and his men carried them away.
     [22] Now the Philistines came up once again and spread themselves out in the valley of Rephaim. [23] When David inquired of the LORD, He said, “You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees. [24] It shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall act promptly, for then the LORD will have gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.” [25] Then David did so, just as the LORD had commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.”


I. An Abnormal Battle 2 Samuel 5:17-25


1 Chronicles 14:14; Acts 13:22




II. An Abnormal Bible  
     Exodus 14:21-27, “Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided. [22] The sons of Israel went through the midst of the sea on the dry land, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. [23] Then the Egyptians took up the pursuit, and all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots and his horsemen went in after them into the midst of the sea. [24] At the morning watch, the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud and brought the army of the Egyptians into confusion. [25] He caused their chariot wheels to swerve, and He made them drive with difficulty; so the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from Israel, for the LORD is fighting for them against the Egyptians.” [26] Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may come back over the Egyptians, over their chariots and their horsemen.” [27] So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal state at daybreak, while the Egyptians were fleeing right into it; then the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.”
     Matthew 12:9-14, “[Jesus] went into their synagogue. [10] And a man was there whose hand was withered. And [the religious leaders] questioned Jesus, asking, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse Him. [11] And He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? [12] “How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” [13] Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand!” He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. [14] But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.”


Isaiah 55:8-9




Conclusion: Proverbs 3:5; 16:2-3




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Sunday Sermon Outline: Colossians 2

Colossians 2
Fighting Against the Flesh

I. Believe Christ vs. 1-7
     “For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. 5 For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. 6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. “


II. Obey Christ vs. 8-15
     “8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. 9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; 11 and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.”


III. Trust Christ vs. 16-23
     “16 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— 17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. 20 If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? 23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.”


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Sunday Sermon Outline: Romans 10

Romans 10
The Word of Faith

I. The Failure vs. 1-3
     “Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.”


II. The Formula vs. 4-10
     “4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. 6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”


III. The Fullness vs. 11-13
     “11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.””


IV. The Form vs. 14-21
     “14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” 16 However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. 18 But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.” 19 But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous by that which is not a nation, By a nation without understanding will I anger you.” 20 And Isaiah is very bold and says, “I was found by those who did not seek Me, I became manifest to those who did not ask for Me.” 21 But as for Israel He says, “All the day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

Romans 6:16-18, “Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”


NEXT WEEK: Romans 11, The Persistence of Faith


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Sunday Sermon Outline: Romans 6

Romans 6
The Freedom of Faith

I. Baptism vs. 1-11
     “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be]in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Acts 2:38, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”


II. Righteousness vs. 12-14
     “12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”

James 2:20-23, “But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.”


III. Obedience vs. 15-20
     “15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! 16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.”

Hebrews 5:8-9, “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.”


Conclusion: vs. 21-23, “21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. 22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 


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Sunday Sermon Outline: Romans 1:1-17

Romans 1:1-17
The Obedience of Faith

I.   Faith and the Will of God vs. 1-7
     “[Ro 1:1] Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, [2] which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, [3] concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, [4] who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, [5] through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name's sake, [6] among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; [7] to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

     a. God’s plan for Paul v. 1 
     “Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God”

     b. God’s plan for the gospel vs. 2-3a
     “which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, [3] concerning His Son”

     c. God’s plan for the Messiah vs. 3-4 
     “[3] concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, [4] who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord”

     d. God’s plan for the church vs. 5-7 
     “through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name's sake, [6] among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; [7] to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”


II. Faith and the Work of the Church vs. 8-15

     a. Faith proclaimed vs. 8-10, 14-15
     “[8] First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. [9] For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, [10] always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you.” 
     “[14] I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. [15] So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.”

     b. Faith established vs. 11-13
     “[11] For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; [12] that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine. [13] I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.”


III. Faith and the Word of God vs. 16-17
     “[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. [17] For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.””

     a. The glory of the gospel v. 16a
     “I am not ashamed of the gospel ...” 

     b. The power of the gospel v. 16b
     “for it is the power of God for salvation”

     c. The scope of the gospel v. 16c
     “to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

     d. The heart of the gospel v. 17
     “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”” 


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Sunday Sermon Outline: John 21

New Love
John 21

Introduction: Matthew 4:18-20; 26:35; Mark 14:29; Luke 22:33; John 13:37; Mark 14:30-31, 66-72

John 21:1-14, “[21:1] After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way. [2] Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. [3] Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing. 
     [4] But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. [5] So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.” [6] And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. [7] Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea. [8] But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish. 
     [9] So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread. [10] Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.” [11] Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. 
     [12] Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord. [13] Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. [14] This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.”


I. To love the Lord is to do what He commands. vs. 15-17
     “[15] So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” [16] He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” [17] He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

1 Peter 1:6-9, 22-23


II. To love the Lord is to follow where He leads. vs. 18-23
     “[18] “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” [19] Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me!”
     [20] Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” [21] So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” [22] Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” [23] Therefore this saying went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?””

 John 13:36-38


Conclusion: Mark 12:30; 1 Peter 1:8-9; 3:15; Acts 5:40-42; 1 Peter 4:12, 16; 5:1-3; 1:6-7; 5:8-11


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Sunday Sermon Outline: John 12:20-50

“Becoming Sons of Light”
John 12:20-50

Introduction: John 11:7-8, 16; 20:31


I. Becoming sons of light requires death. vs. 20-26
     “Now there were certain Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast; 21 these therefore came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." 22 Philip came and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip came, and they told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall My servant also be; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him."”

Matthew 10:5-6; John 10:10; 11:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:31


II. Becoming sons of light requires submission. vs. 27-30
     “27 "Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 "Father, glorify Thy name." There came therefore a voice out of heaven: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." 29 The multitude therefore, who stood by and heard it, were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, "An angel has spoken to Him." 30 Jesus answered and said, "This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sakes.”

Matthew 3:17; 17:5; James 4:6-10; Matthew 7:21


III. Becoming sons of light requires belief. vs. 31-46
     “31 Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world shall be cast out. 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." 33 But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die. 34 The multitude therefore answered Him, "We have heard out of the Law that the Christ is to remain forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?" 35 Jesus therefore said to them, "For a little while longer the light is among you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness may not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, in order that you may become sons of light." These things Jesus spoke, and He departed and hid Himself from them.”
     “37 But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him; 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF THE LORD BEEN REVEALED?" 39 For this cause they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, 40 "HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES, AND HE HARDENED THEIR HEART; LEST THEY SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND PERCEIVE WITH THEIR HEART, AND BE CONVERTED, AND I HEAL THEM." 41 These things Isaiah said, because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him.”
     “42 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God. 44 And Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me does not believe in Me, but in Him who sent Me. 45 And he who beholds Me beholds the One who sent Me. 46 I have come as light into the world, that everyone who believes in Me may not remain in darkness.”

Matthew 10:33


IV. Becoming sons of light requires obedience. vs. 47-50
     “47 And if anyone hears My sayings, and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me commandment, what to say, and what to speak. 50 And I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me."”

Luke 13:3, 5; John 3:36


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Sunday Sermon Outline: John 8:31-59

John 8:31-59

Two Paths

Introduction: Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” 

I. One True Freedom vs. 31-36

      “So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

      33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?”

      34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”” 

II. One True Father vs. 37-47

      “37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants; yet you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. 38 I speak the things which I have seen with My Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father.”

      39 They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.”

      Jesus said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. 40 But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. 41 You are doing the deeds of your father.”

      They said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God.”

      42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.”” 

III. One True Future vs. 48-59

      “48 The Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?”

      49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. 50 But I do not seek My glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death.”

      52 The Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets also; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word, he will never taste of death.’ 53 Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?”

      54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’; 55 and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”

      57 So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?”

      58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” 59 Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple.”

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