Pastor's Sermon
Outlines
April 2, 2006
“HAVE YOU
FOUND THE PERFECT RESTING PLACE?”
SCRIPTURE READING:
PSALM 55:1-8
SCRIPTURE TEXT:
PSALM 55:6
And I said,
Oh that I had wings like a dove! For then would I
fly away, and be at rest.
INTRO:
There have been
times in people’s lives where they have encountered
storms that have driven them upon the cliffs and
rocks of destruction.
David was facing
such a storm in his life.
This psalm may
have been written during the time David was fleeing
from his son Absalom.
He was physically
exhausted from running for his life.
He was
emotionally drained from having his own son turn
again him.
He was spiritual
fatigued because he remembered that it was his
spiritual failure with Bathsheba that brought this
on him.
It is difficult
enough when we are faced with the need of rest in
one of these areas, but when we are faced, as David
was, with all three at once, we are vulnerable for a
complete destruction.
David longed for
a place to rest, not only for physical rest but also
for emotional and spiritual rest.
Why did David
long for the wings of a dove instead of an eagle.
The eagle wings
would lift David above the storm, he longed for a
hiding place in the storm.
GENESIS 8:9
But the dove found no rest for the sole of her
foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for
the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then
he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her
in unto him into the ark.
There are times
when God will lift us above the storms but there are
other times He will keep us in the storms.
I wish to share
different resting places we have in Christ during
the storms of life.
MATTHEW 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest.
Today we will be
considering the rest we have in just one of God’s
promises.
I. REST IN THE SURENESS OF GOD’S PROMISES
NOTE:
It is our
confidence in the one who makes the promises that
will give us rest.
ILL:
The son waiting by
the fence for the return of his father.
ISAIAH 28:12
To whom he
said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the
weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they
would not hear.
NOTE:
God has offered us
rest in His promises but too often we fail to hear
and accept these promises.
It is our doubt
and unbelief in God’s promises that keep us from
entering into the rest He has provided.
-
God’s
promises are unfailing.
1 KINGS
8:56
Blessed be the
Lord, that hath given rest unto his people Israel,
according to all that he promised: there hath not
failed one word of all his good promise, which he
promised by the hand of Moses his servant.
-
God has the
power to fulfill His promises.
ROMANS 4:21
And being
fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was
able also to perform.
NUMBERS 23:19
God is not a
man, that he should lie; neither the son of man,
that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he
not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make
it good?
ROMANS 3:4
God forbid:
yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is
written, That thou mightest be justified in thy
sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
-
They are of
great value than any other promises.
2 PETER 1:4
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and
precious promises: that by these ye might be
partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the
corruption that is in the world through lust.
NOTE:
One of my greatest
fears is being alone.
I don’t mean
being left by myself but rather being left alone,
being deserted or abandon.
A. THE PROMISE
OF HIS CONTINUAL PRESENCE.
EXODUS 33:14
And he said,
My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee
rest.
NOTE:
On of the greatest
robbers of rest in the midst of turmoil is the
feeling of being all alone.
PSALM 142:4
I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there
was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no
man cared for my soul.
ISAIAH 43:2
When thou
passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and
through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee:
when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not
be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
-
When we feel
overwhelmed.
NOTE:
When we feel
pressured from every side and it seems that we are
being crushed under the load.
DEUTERONOMY 20:1
When
thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and
seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than
thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is
with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of
Egypt.
PSALM 103:13-14
Like
as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord
pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our
frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
NOTE:
There are times in
our lives when each one of us fail God and fail Him
miserably.
PSALM 51:3-4
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin
is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I
sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou
mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be
clear when thou judgest.
During these times
we often feel that because of our sin and failure
that even God abandons us.
ROMANS 8:38-39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor
things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor
depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ
Jesus our Lord.
PSALM 130:3-4
If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord,
who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee,
that thou mayest be feared.
1 JOHN 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
CONCLUSION:
We can find the
perfect resting place in the promise of God’s
presence no matter where we are or what is happening
in our lives.
HEBREWS 13:5
Let your
conversation be without covetousness; and be content
with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I
will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
MATTHEW 28:20
Teaching
them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even
unto the end of the world. Amen.
APRIL 9, 2006
“THE HOURS OF DARKNESS PRECEDED THE DAY OF
LIGHT”
SCRIPTURE READING: ISAIAH 53
SCRIPTURE TEXT: MATTHEW 27:45
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over
all the land unto the ninth hour.
INTRO: There is an old saying, “The darkest hour
is just before the dawn”.
We have all faced dark hours and there may be some
who are now going through dark hours but none like
the hours of darkness Jesus experienced.
We often hear, “If God is a God of Love, why is He
allowing this to happen to me”?
Yet it was His Love for us that He allowed His only
Son to suffer great atrocities for our Salvation.
The
darkest hour in history was just before the Day of
Light.
The darkness that Jesus faced was far more than just
physical darkness.
There are three kinds of darkness:
-
Physical Darkness
-
Emotional Darkness
-
Spiritual Darkness
Jesus experienced all three.
I. THE HOURS OF DARKNESS CAUSE BY THOSE WHO HATED
HIM. (physical darkness)
A.
THEIR REJECTION OF HIM AS THE MESSIAH
JOHN 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own
received him not.
B.
THEIR MOCKING
C.
THEIR BRUTALITY
·
The mockery of a trial
i.
Before the High Priest
MARK 14:53 And they led Jesus away to the
high priest: and with him were assembled all the
chief priests and the elders and the scribes.
MARK
14:55-56 And the chief priests and all the
council sought for witness against Jesus to put him
to death; and found none. For many bare false
witness against him, but their witness agreed not
together.
ii.
Before Pilate
MATTHEW 27:1-2 When the morning was come, all
the chief priests and elders of the people took
counsel against Jesus to put him to death: And when
they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered
him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
iii.
Before Herod
LUKE 23:8-11 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was
exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a
long season, because he had heard many things of
him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by
him. Then he questioned with him in many words; but
he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and
scribes stood and vehemently accused him. And Herod
with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked
him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent
him again to Pilate.
·
The beating of the fist & spitting
in the face
MARK 15:16-20 And the soldiers led him away
into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call
together the whole band. And they clothed him with
purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it
about his head, [18] And began to salute him, Hail,
King of the Jews! And they smote him on the head
with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their
knees worshipped him. And when they had mocked him,
they took off the purple from him, and put his own
clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
·
The plucking of the beard
ISAIAH 50:6 I gave my back to the smiters,
and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I
hid not my face from shame and spitting.
·
The whipping with the whip
MARK 15:15 And so Pilate, willing to content
the people, released Barabbas unto them, and
delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be
crucified.
·
The humiliation of carry the cross
·
The nailing to the cross
·
The humiliation of being between
two thieves
·
The ridicule while on the cross
II. THE HOURS OF DARKNESS CAUSE BY HIS FOLLOWERS.
(emotional darkness)
NOTE: Some of our darkest hours are caused by
those who are closest to us.
PSALM 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in
whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath
lifted up his heel against me.
A.
INABILITY OF HIS DISCIPLES TO PRAY WITH HIM.
MATTHEW 26:37-41 And he took with him Peter
and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be
sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them,
My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death:
tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a
little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed,
saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup
pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as
thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and
findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What,
could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and
pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit
indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
B.
THE BETRAYAL OF JUDAS.
LUKE 22:47-48 And while he yet spake,
behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas,
one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near
unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him,
Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
C.
THE ABANDONMENT OF ALL BUT JOHN AND THE
WOMEN.
MARK 14:50 And they all forsook him, and
fled.
D.
THE DENIAL OF PETER.
MATTHEW 26:73-75 And after a while came unto
him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely
thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth
thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I
know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And
Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which
said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny
me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
III. THE HOURS OF DARKNESS FROM GOD HIMSELF.
(The darkest of all hours, spiritual
darkness, separation from God)
NOTE: There were three hours of physical
darkness between noon and 3:00 pm that speak to us
of the spiritual darkness of eternal death.
MATTHEW 27:45-46 Now from the sixth hour
there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth
hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a
loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That
is to say, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken
me?
HABAKKUK 1:13 Thou art of purer eyes than to
behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity…
ISAIAH 59:1-2 Behold, the Lord's hand is not
shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear
heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have
separated between you and your God, and your sins
have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
CONCLUSION: Jesus suffered the hours of
darkness so we do not have to live in darkness but
can walk in the light of God’s Grace.
JOHN 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them,
saying, I am the light of the world: he that
followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall
have the light of life.
April 16, 2006
“HAVE YOU BEEN TO THE EMPTY TOMB?
SCRIPTURE READING: JOHN 20:1-18
SCRIPTURE TEXT: JOHN 20:8
Then went in also that other disciple, which came
first to the sepulcher, and he saw, and believed.
INTRO:
Easter is a time of celebration.
Yet many, including Christian, fail to understand
the true meaning and ramifications of Resurrection
Sunday.
Too many of us fail to understand and appreciate
Easter because we take a shallow view of what the
empty tomb represents.
It’s easier to grasp the meaning of the cross than
to comprehend the significances of the empty
tomb.
We understand the cross as a symbol of God’s hatred
for sin and His love for sinners.
The empty tomb is a symbol of God’s power over sin,
death and Hell.
Jesus’ death paid the penalty for our sin but it was
His resurrection that gave us the power to possess
His salvation and to live a victorious Christian
life.
ROMANS 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that
raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that
raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken
your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in
you.
The more we neglect the empty tomb the more we will
need to come to the cross.
There are three lessons I wish us to learn from
these Scriptures.
-
WE MUST COME TO THE EMPTY TOMB OURSELVES
-
WE MUST BELIEVE WHAT THE EMPTY TOMB
REPRESENTS
-
WE MUST GO AND TELL OTHERS OF THE EMPTY TOMB
I. WE MUST COME THE TO EMPTY TOMB OURSELVES
MATTHEW 28:5-6 And the angel answered and
said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye
seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here:
for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place
where the Lord lay.
NOTE: There have been many who have come to the
cross to accept Jesus as Savior but have failed to
come to the empty tomb and accept Him as Lord.
Our relationship with Christ is based on our
individual relationship not one of family or
church.
In order for us to live in the Resurrection Power of
Jesus Christ we must come to and experience the
empty tomb.
A. THE EMPTY TOMB SPEAKS OF POWER.
PHILIPPIANS 3:10 That I may know him, and the
power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his
sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
B.
THE EMPTY TOMB SPEAKS OF VICTORY.
NOTE: The empty tomb speaks of victory over sin,
death and hell.
·
Sin
ROMANS 6:3-6 Know ye not, that so many of us
as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized
into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by
baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised
up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so
we also should walk in newness of life. For if we
have been planted together in the likeness of his
death, we shall be also in the likeness of his
resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is
crucified with him, that the body of sin might be
destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
·
Death
NOTE: The empty tomb has robbed death of it
sting.
1
CORINTHIANS 15:51-58 Behold, I shew you a
mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be
changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at
the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the
dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be
changed. For this corruptible must put on
incorruption, and this mortal must put on
immortality. So when this corruptible shall have
put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put
on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the
saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in
victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave,
where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin;
and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be
to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye
stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of
the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is
not in vain in the Lord.
·
Hell
REVELATION 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was
dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen;
and have the keys of hell and of death.
II. WE MUST BELIEVE WHAT THE EMPTY TOMB REPRESENTS.
JOHN 20:8 Then went in also that other
disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, and he
saw, and believed.
NOTE: There were those who were well aware of
the empty tomb but refused to believe.
MATTHEW 28:11-15 Now when they were going,
behold, some of the watch came into the city, and
shewed unto the chief priests all the things that
were done. And when they were assembled with the
elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money
unto the soldiers, “Saying, Say ye, His disciples
came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
And if this come to the governor's ears, we will
persuade him, and secure you.” So they took the
money, and did as they were taught: and this saying
is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
There are many who are call Christians who lack the
faith to live the victorious Christian because the
fail to believe or understand what the empty tomb
represents.
MATTHEW 13:58 And he did not many mighty
works there because of their unbelief.
HEBREWS 11:6 But without faith it is
impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God
must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder
of them that diligently seek him.
NOTE:
Our entire Christian walk is a walk of faith not
sight.
JOHN 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the
resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me,
though he were dead, yet shall he live:
ROMANS 5:1 Therefore being justified by
faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ:
ROMANS 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing,
and hearing by the word of God.
III. WE MUST GO AND TELL OTHERS OF THE EMPTY TOMB.
MARK 16:5-7 And entering into the sepulchre,
they saw a young man sitting on the right side,
clothed in a long white garment; and they were
affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not
affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which
was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold
the place where they laid him. But go your way,
tell his disciples and Peter that he
goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see
him, as he said unto you.
NOTE: We are to speak words of encouragement one
to another and to those who have strayed away.
MATTHEW
28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them,
saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in
earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe
all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo,
I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
Amen.
CONCLUSION: Go from here and tell all those you
know how you have been to the empty tomb and the
Jesus is risen, He is risen indeed.
April 23, 2006
AN INVITATION TO
RECONCILIATION
SCRIPTURE READING:
JEREMIAH 31:1-9
SCRIPTURE TEXT:
JEREMIAH 31:18-20
I have heard
Israel
saying, `You disciplined me severely, but I deserved
it. I was like a calf that needed to be trained for
the yoke and plow. Turn me again to you and restore
me, for you alone are the LORD my God. I turned
away from God, but then I was sorry. I kicked myself
for my stupidity! I was thoroughly ashamed of all I
did in my younger days.'
"Is not Israel
still my son, my darling child?" asks the LORD. "I
had to punish him, but I still love him. I long for
him and surely will have mercy on him.
INTRO:
When we first come
to accept Christ as our Savior we often think our
Christian walk will be a steady growth until we
reach spiritual maturity.
This is not
reality. At best we may take three steps forward
and one step back. Yet hopefully it is a steady
growth of coming closer to Christ.
But there are
those who begin their walk with Christ but something
happens and they begin to gradually side back into
the old way of living. We often call this
backsliding.
What happens to a
person when this occurs, does God give up and just
let them go or does He begin to seek ways to turn
them back to Him?
That is what this
31 chapter of Jeremiah is all about.
The promise of
reconciliation to backslidden Israel and this same
promise are to those who find themselves in a
backslidden condition.
God loves us and
does not abandon us just because we abandon Him.
JEREMIAH 31:3
The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying,
Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love:
therefore with lovingkindness.
Because He loves
us and wants us to return to Him, He will begin to
seek us.
EZEKIEL 34:16
I will seek
that which was lost, and bring again that which was
driven away, and will bind up that which was broken,
and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will
destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them
with judgment.
The Lord does not give up on us just because we give
up on Him.
ILL: The Ninety and Nine LUKE 15:4-7
But what happens when we fail to heed His gentle
urging.
I. GOD DISCIPLINES THOSE HE LOVES.
REVELATION 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke
and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
God does not
discipline us because He hates us but rather because
He loves us and longs for us to return to Him.
We often think of
God as being a God love and kindness but we often
fail to understand that sometimes
His love and
kindness come in the form of discipline.
HEBREWS 12:5-6 (NLT)
And
have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words
God spoke to you, his children? He said,
"My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines
you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you.
For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he
punishes those he accepts as his children."
We should not
look at God’s discipline as punishment but rather as
a blessing.
PSALM 94:12
Blessed is
the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest
him out of thy law;
God does not
discipline us to punish us but rather to teach and
to train us.
We should not
consider the chastening of the Lord as a sign of His
anger, but rather as an expression of His love.
PROVERBS 3:11-12
My
son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither
be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth
he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he
delighteth.
II.
GOD’S DISCIPLINE MAY COME IN MANY FORMS.
NOTE:
Not all problems and
tragedies we experience are forms of chastening from
God.
JOHN 9:1-3
And as Jesus
passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his
birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master,
who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was
born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man
sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God
should be made manifest in him.
Sometimes these
things that come into our lives are strength
building so we can be more fruitful.
JOHN
15:2
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh
away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he
purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
But we must
understand that when we stray from God He will
chasten us with the desire for us to return to
fellowship with Him.
In LEVITICUS
26:14-46 God warns of the discipline He will
send to those who turn away from Him.
We must remember
that the discipline of God is always for our
restoration.
JOB 5:17-19 (NLT)
But
consider the joy of those corrected by God! Do not
despise the chastening of the Almighty when you sin.
For though he wounds, he also bandages. He strikes,
but his hands also heal. He will rescue you again
and again so that no evil can touch you.
III. THE PURPOSE OF
GOD’S DISCIPLINE IS TO BRING RECONCILIATION.
PSALM 119:67
Before I was
afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy
word.
ILL:
The Prodigal Son.
LUKE 15:11-32
JEREMIAH 31:18-20
I have
heard Israel saying, `You disciplined me severely,
but I deserved it. I was like a calf that needed to
be trained for the yoke and plow. Turn me again to
you and restore me, for you alone are the LORD my
God. I turned away from God, but then I was sorry.
I kicked myself for my stupidity! I was thoroughly
ashamed of all I did in my younger days.' "Is not
Israel still my son, my darling child?" asks the
LORD. "I had to punish him, but I still love him. I
long for him and surely will have mercy on him.
When we return to
God with a repentive heart He will receive us with
joy and restore to us the joy of His Salvation.
PSALM 51:12 (GW)
Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and provide me with a spirit of
willing obedience.
JEREMIAH 3:22 -23 (NLT)
"My
wayward children," says the LORD, "come back to me,
and I will heal your wayward hearts."
"Yes, we will come," the people reply, "for you are
the LORD our God. Our worship of idols and our
religious orgies on the hills and mountains are
completely false. Only in the LORD our God will
Israel ever find salvation.
CONCLUSION:
If we find that we have grown away from God, He
invites us to return and renew our fellowship with
Him.
REVELATION 3:19-20 (GW)
I
correct and discipline everyone I love. Take this
seriously, and change the way you think and act.
Look, I'm standing at the door and knocking. If
anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I'll
come in and we'll eat together.
