Pastor's Sermon Outlines

AUGUST SERMONS 

AUGUST 3, 2008 AM

 “GOD OF ALL”

 SCRIPTURE READING: ISAIAH 54:1-5

 SCRIPTURE TEXT: Revelation 15:4 (NIV) 

     Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy.  All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."

 INTRO: The Jews are facing dark days but God has promised His blessing and deliverance.

   The sixth manifestation He gives of Himself is that He is the God of the whole earth.

 Isaiah 54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

   As we, His Church, are facing difficult days ahead of us, we can be encouraged that the God we serve is the God of the whole earth.

    There is nothing that does not come under His authority.

    The strength of our faith depends largely on our knowledge of God.

    Many people to day have very little knowledge of Who God is and what He can do and even sadder many don’t have any desire to know more about God.

 I. THERE ARE THOSE WHO SAY THERE IS NO GOD.

 Psalm 14:1, 53:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

    “God does not believe in atheists therefore atheists do not exist.”

A.   THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE EXISTENCE OF GOD.

 NOTE: They have been blinded by the eyes of science and human knowledge.

 2 Corinthians 4:4 (GW) The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. As a result, they don't see the light of the Good News about Christ's glory. It is Christ who is God's image.

 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (GW) The man of sin will come with the power of Satan. He will use every kind of power, including miraculous and wonderful signs. But they will be lies. He will use everything that God disapproves of to deceive those who are dying, those who refused to love the truth that would save them. That's why God will send them a powerful delusion so that they will believe a lie. Then everyone who did not believe the truth, but was delighted with what God disapproves of, will be condemned.

    B. THERE ARE THOSE WHO WORSHIP THE WRONG GOD.

 NOTE: There are those who want a god in their lives but worship the wrong god.

·        They worship gods of wood and stone.

·         They worship the creation rather than the creator.

·         They worship the gods of this world.

o   Money

o   Power

o   Fame

o   Recreation

o   Entertainment

o   Religion

    C. THERE ARE THOSE WHO DO NOT WANT A GOD.

 NOTE: It doesn’t matter to these whether there is a God or not, they just don’t want God in their lives.

    They enjoy their life of sin and have no desire to be freed from it.

 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (GW) You must understand this: In the last days there will be violent periods of time.  People will be selfish and love money. They will brag, be arrogant, and use abusive language. They will curse their parents, show no gratitude, have no respect for what is holy, and lack normal affection for their families. They will refuse to make peace with anyone. They will be slanderous, lack self-control, be brutal, and have no love for what is good.  They will be traitors. They will be reckless and conceited. They will love pleasure rather than God.  They will appear to have a godly life, but they will not let its power change them. Stay away from such people.

 II. ALL WILL RECOGNIZE GOD AND ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AS GOD.

 NOTE: There will come a day when everyone, everywhere will bow before God and acknowledge Him as God.

Psalm 22:27 (KJV) All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

 Isaiah 45:23 (KJV) I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

 Romans 14:11 (KJV) For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

 Philippians 2:9-11 (KJV) Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

NOTE: No matter who we are, one day we will all acknowledge that God is God of all.

 III. THE ASSURANCE THIS BRINGS.

 NOTE: Whenever we are facing tough times we need something to give us encouragement and help us hold on until victory is won.

   A. GOD IS IN CONTROL OF EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE WE  FACE.

 NOTE: Those who now worship YHWY as God of All have peace and confidence in Him in spite of what may be going on around them.

 2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

    B. REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCE GOD WILL  MAKE IT RIGHT.

 NOTE: God allows us to go through difficult times to show to us and through us, His power and glory.

 Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

    C. GOD HAS OUR BEST INTEREST AT HEART.

 NOTE: God sends us through difficult time so our faith and trust in Him might be strengthened.

 Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

 CONCLUSION: There are tough days ahead of us.

 Jeremiah 12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?

   People want Jesus as Savior but not as Lord.

   In whom or in what are you putting your trust?

AUGUST 3 PM

“WALKING IN THE LIGHT”

SCRIPTURE READING: JOHN 9:1-7

 SCRIPTURE TEXT: 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.

 JOHN 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

 INTRO: Too often we fail to truly appreciate light and take it for granted. 

   We live in a darkened world.

Genesis 1:1-3 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”

    There are many types of darkness in this world:

v  Physical darkness

v  Darkness of ignorance

v  Emotional darkness

v  Spiritual darkness

   It is very dangerous and foolish to walk about in darkness when there is light available.

John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

    Making decisions in the dark can lead to some regrettable consequences.

ILL:  Back in the days before electricity, a tightfisted old farmer was taking his hired man to task for carrying a lighted lantern when he went to call on his best girl. “Why,” he exclaimed, “when I went a-courting’ I never carried one of them things, I always went in the dark.” “Yes,” the hired man said,” and look at what you got!”

I.  JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

 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.

 NOTE:  Jesus has come to bring us LIGHT so that we no longer need to stumble about in darkness.

 ISAIAH 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

 1 JOHN 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

A.  HIS LIGHT REMOVES THE FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY OF DARKNESS.

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

B.   HIS LIGHT GIVES US DIRECTION AND COMFORT IN  OUR DAILY WALK.

 Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

 Psalm 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

 PROVERBS 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

C.   HIS LIGHT IS AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO WOULD BELIEVE.

John 1:1-12 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.   He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.   He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

II. JESUS HAS CALLED US TO BE LIGHTS IN A DARKENED WORLD.

 MATTHEW 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 

    A.  WE ARE NO LONGER CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

    B.  WE ARE TO LIVE AS CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT.

 EPHESIANS 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

    C.  WE ARE TO LIGHTEN THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE.

 MATTHEW 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

 D.   THE LIGHT WE BRING MUST REVEAL JESUS AND NOT OURSELVES.

 MATTHEW 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

 CONCLUSION: The darker our surroundings the brighter our light.

AUGUST 10 AM

“OUR VICTORY IS ASSURED”

 SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 54:11-17

 SCRIPTURE TEXT: Isaiah 54:17

     No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

INTRO: University of Washington against USC.

    Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you knew for sure the winning numbers of the Lottery?

   Every true Born Again Believer has the promise that they can live in victory through Jesus Christ our Lord.

    But do we take advantage of this promise?

   There are far too many Christians who stagger about in defeat when victory has been assured.

 I.  IT IS UNBELIEF THE KEEPS US IN DEFEAT.

 NOTE: As long as we allow unbelief to rule our hearts and minds we will live outside the victory God had for us.

 2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

    A. WE MAY SEE OTHERS LIVING IN VICTORY BUT WE WILL NOT EXPERIENCE IT FOR OURSELVES. 

• The man who refused to believe God promise of plenty.

 2 Kings 7:1-2 Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.  Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.

   B. OUR UNBELIEF DOES NOT ONLY AFFECT US, IT ALSO AFFECT THOSE AROUND US.

• The ten unbelieving spies.

 Numbers 13 & 14

    The question we must ask ourselves is this: “Do we believe in the promises of God, or don’t we?”

 II. GOD HAS PROMISED US VICTORY.

 NOTE: In spite of whatever circumstance we find ourselves in, God has promised us the victory.

    A. GOD PROMISED THAT THEY WOULD BE BLESSED.

 NOTE: They were facing defeat but God promised that they would be fruitful in the face of defeat.

    When we are in the midst of negative circumstances do we believe that God will turn these negative circumstances into a blessing?

 Proverbs 14:26 (NIV) He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.

   B. GOD PROMISED HE WOULD BRING THEM BACK.

NOTE: When we find that we have stayed away from God we have the assurance the He will restore to us our relationship with Him.

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.

Joel 2:12-13, 21, 23-25    Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil … Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things … Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.  And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.  And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

 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.

 III. THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN DEFEAT US.

 NOTE: When we in difficult situations let us remember that God has promised us the victory.

 Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

 2 Kings 6:16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

   There is no circumstance beyond God’s ability to turn from defeat into victory.

ILL. Third Crusade Richard the Lion Heart and his battle ax.

 Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

   Our victory does not come through our strength but rather through our faith in the power and deliverance of God.

 Philip. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

CONCLUSION: Let us put our trust in God and rely on His promise of the assurance of victory.

Romans 8:37-39 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 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.

AUGUST 10, 2008 PM

“WHO WILL STAND IN THE GAP FOR YOU?”

 SCRIPTURE READING: Job 33:14-30

 SCRIPTURE TEXT: Job 33:24

      Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.

 INTRO: The truth we must all face and the truth we must convey unto others is that we are all facing eternity and if we do not have the right person standing in the gap for us we are bound for Hell.

   At Christmas time we celebrate the coming of Jesus into this world, at Easter we celebrate the purpose of His coming and there will come a day when we shall celebrate His return.

 Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

    This Scripture asks two questions.

v  “Who hath believed our report?”

v  “And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?”

    There are two very important questions that we all must consider. 

    The answer to the second question lies in the answering of the first question.

 I.  WHO HATH BELIEVED OUR REPORT?

 NOTE: The report the prophet Isaiah is talking about is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

    The word Gospel means “Good News”.

    The Gospel can be divided into three sections:

1. We are all sinners.

2. We are unable to cleanse ourselves from sin.

3. Jesus is the only one who can cleanse us from sin.

    A.  WE ARE ALL SINNERS.

 Isaiah 53:6a All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;

 v  There are those who do not believe that is such a thing as sin.

 NOTE: To believe that there is sin you must first believe that there is a God or a law that forbids sin.

Romans 4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

Romans 7:7-8 (GW) What should we say, then? Are Moses' laws sinful? That's unthinkable! In fact, I wouldn't have recognized sin if those laws hadn't shown it to me. For example, I wouldn't have known that some desires are sinful if Moses' Teachings hadn't said, "Never have wrong desires."  But sin took the opportunity provided by this commandment and made me have all kinds of wrong desires. Clearly, without laws sin is dead.

v  There are those who believe there is sin but that they are not sinners.

Luke 18:11-12 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

 NOTE: The judge themselves by others.

    B.  WE ARE UNABLE TO CLEANSE OURSELVES FROM SIN.

 Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

 v  Those who do not believe in sin do not think they need to be cleansed from sin.

 Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

v  Those who believe that there is sin but that they are not sinners also fail to believe they need to be cleansed from sin.

1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

 v  Those who believe they are sinner but that they can cleanse themselves from their sins.

 Job 14:4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.

 Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

    C.  GOD HAS PROVIDE US THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN STAND IN THE GAP FOR U; JESUS CHRIST.

 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

NOTE:  There is a place where we can intercede for needs others, but only Christ can intercede for sins of others.

 II. TO WHOM IS THE ARM OF THE LORD REVEALED?

 NOTE: The second question is answered by how we answer the first question.

   If we do not believe the Gospel, the arm of the Lord will never be revealed unto us.

    If we believe the Gospel, than the arm of the Lord will be revealed unto us.

    The arm of the Lord speaks of His power and authority.

    The prophet is speaking of Jesus power and authority to be our intercessor.

   What gives Jesus the sole right to be our intercessor?

 ILL:  The Roman soldier on behalf of his brother guilty of a crime.

   “He is guilty.” “Yes if he was innocent I would have asked for justice but because he is guilty I am asking for mercy.”

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

 NOTE:  When Jesus stands before His Father making intercession for us, the Fathers sees the scars that Jesus bears for our sins.

Zechariah 3:1-10 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?  Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.  And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.  And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by.  And the angel of the Lord protested unto Joshua, saying,  Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.  Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.  For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.  In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.

 Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

 Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

CONCLUSION: Who is standing in the gap for you?

AUGUST 17, 2008

“FINDING COMFORT IN THE MIDST OF TURMOIL”

SCRIPTURE READING: ISAIAH 55:1-13

SCRIPTURE TEXT: Isaiah 55:12

     For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

 INTRO: It is not a question of whether or not we will face turmoil in our life but rather how will we deal with it when it comes?

   This portion of Scripture begins with an open invitation to three groups of people are facing turmoil.

1. Those who are too poor to help themselves.

 Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  

2. Those who are seeking comfort outside of God.

 Isaiah 55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

3. The sinner under conviction of the Holy Spirit.

 Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

 NOTE: From the time of the Fall, God has sought to bring man back into fellowship with Him.

   Throughout the Scriptures we can see where God as invited us to come and find what we need in Him.

    Peace and comfort has been the results for those who have responded to God’s invitation positively.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

    This does not mean that we won’t face day of hardship and trials.

    Nor does it mean that we won’t struggle during these difficult times.

    But when we release it to God, His peace and comfort will be ours.

I. FINDING COMFORT WHEN WE ARE BROKEN.

 Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

 NOTE: God seeks to provide comfort for those who are unable to help themselves.

 Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

    It is only when we come to the end our abilities and we release everything to God we find true comfort.

Luke 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

 Psalm 34:18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

 Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

 Psalm 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

 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.

 Acts 27:44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

 Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

II. FINDING COMFORT WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS.

 Isaiah 55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

 NOTE: The temptation is very strong when we are facing difficult situations to consider two ways to address our problems.

 1.  To turn to someone or something other than God.

Jeremiah 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

 Jeremiah 17:5, 7-8 Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.  Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

 2.  To give up.

NOTE: People, places, and things were never meant to give us life.  God alone is the Author of a fulfilled life.

 Psalm 27:14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

    One of the most difficult things to do is to wait on God and trust Him for the solution to our situation.

 Psalm 33:18-22 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.  Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.  For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.  Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

Psalm 42:11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

 Psalm 146:5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:

 III. FINDING COMFORT THROUGH REPENTANCE.

 NOTE: The most miserable person in the world is a sinner under conviction of the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 1:18-20 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.  If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

    There is tremendous joy when the burden of sin is lifted from the heart of a repentant sinner.

    Out of our turmoil of the conviction of the sin in our lives we cry out to God for forgiveness.

 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.

    As a Christian we know that we would be used of God for His purpose we must keep ourselves from sin.

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

 CONCLUSION: Peace is the deepest desire and need of the human heart.  When we find ourselves wondering where is the peace that is lacking in our lives?  We must turn back to Jehovah Shalom for it is only through the Prince of Peace that we can find the comfort we desire.

AUGUST 24, 2008 AM

“WHO’S DWELLING IN THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD?”

 SCRIPTURE READING: I CORINTHIANS 3:10-17

SCRIPTURE TEXT: 1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

INTRO: Story of the Three Little Pigs.

    We are all building a spiritual structure and this is far more important than any physical structure we might ever build.

    God longs to live and dwell in the hearts and lives of His people.

    God created us that we might be a dwelling place for Him.

 Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

   There are many buildings that were built at the beginning to be a church but today they are something else.

    What brought about the change that turned the Church from a place of worship into something totally different?

    It had a change in purpose.

    It was built to worship and glorify God now its purpose is something else.

    Paul warns us against defiling the Temple of God.

1 Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

    We defile the Temple of God when our purpose changes from glorify Him to doing our own thing.

    Remember, Paul is talking to the Church not to unbelievers.

I. THE FOUNDATION OF EVERY TRUE BELIEVER IS JESUS

   CHRIST.

1 Corinthians 3:10-11 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

NOTE: In order for us to be the Temple of the Living God we must be rooted and built upon Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:20-22 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

   When we come to Christ and accept Him as our Savior, we are given the proper foundation on which we can build the spiritual building in which God will dwell.

    It is up to us as individuals on how we build the Temple of our lives that God dwells in.

II. THE MATERIAL WE USE TO BUILD GOD’S TEMPLE.

 NOTE: A person may be built on the foundation of Jesus Christ but how they build on that foundation determines what kind of Temple they are building.

 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

 NOTE: Paul talks about two kinds of material:

 A.   GOD, SILVER AND PRECIOUS STONES.

·         Love for God

·         Faith

·         Obedience

·         Faithfulness

·         Compassion

·         Humility

·         Holiness

    If we build with these materials our lives will bring honor and glory to God.

 NOTE: A life that brings glory and honor to God will receive God’s approval

 B.   WOOD, HAY & STUBBLE.

 ·         Pride

                                   i.    Of position

                                   ii.    Of talent

                                   iii.    Religion

·         Unbelief

·         Unfaithfulness

·         Hatred

·         Envy

·         Strife & divisions

·         Personal ambition

·         Self-glory

·         Recognition of man

 NOTE: When we build the Temple with these materials they will be destroyed by the fire of God’s judgment.

 III. THE DANGER OF DEFILING THE TEMPLE.

1 Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

 NOTE: What is it that defiles the Temple of God?

Matthew 15:16-20 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: these are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

 NOTE: We must remember it is the spiritual part of man that both Jesus and Paul are talking about, not the physical part of man.

    We need to be careful what we put into the physical man so that we are in the best physical shape we can be, but what is more important is the spiritual person that dwell within us.

 NOTE: It is sin that defiles the Temple of God.

    Sin can be divided into two parts:

 A.   SINS OF COMMISSION.

 NOTE: These are sins we commit knowingly and are in direct disobedience to God and His Word.

 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

NOTE: When we sin we are defiling the Temple of God.

    If we continue to sin and fail to repent and seek God’s forgiveness there will come a day when we will face God’s judgment.

 1 Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

B.   SINS OF OMISSION

NOTE: The sins of omission are often grounded in the sin of idolatry, when we put things between us and God.

    Throughout the Scriptures God refers to Israel’s sin of idolatry as adultery.

    The longer we allow something or someone to come between us and God the further from God we will be.

Hosea 10:1-2 (NLT) How prosperous Israel is—a luxuriant vine loaded with fruit! But the more wealth the people got, the more they poured it on the altars of their foreign gods. The richer the harvests they brought in, the more beautiful the statues and idols they built.  The hearts of the people are fickle; they are guilty and must be punished. The Lord will break down their foreign altars and smash their many idols.

 Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Rev. 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

 NOTE: At one time they had a love for God but now their love has grown cold.

   This is caused when something comes a takes the place of the love they use to have.

 CONCLUSION: To keep from defiling the Temple of the Living God we must guard against sin and allowing idols into our hearts.

 Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT) Search me, O God, and know my heart;          test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

 Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

AUGUST 31, 2008 AM

“THE SECRET OF FINDING PEACE”

 SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 57:15-21

 SCRIPTURE TEXT: Psalm 4:8

     I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

 INTRO: What do you think of when you hear the word Peace?

    The world is looking for someone to bring peace.

    There are those who claim to have the answer for peace.

 Ezekiel 13:10 Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter:

    There are many things that rob us of peace.

• War

• Sickness

• Personal conflicts

• Financial trouble

    The greatest robber of peace is sin.

   There can be no peace for those who practice sin.

 Isaiah 57:20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.

 Isaiah 48:22 There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.

 Isaiah 57:21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

 I. WE MUST RECOGNIZE WHO IS THE AUTHOR OF PEACE.

Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Isaiah 53:5 (GW) He was wounded for our rebellious acts.  He was crushed for our sins.  He was punished so that we could have peace, and we received healing from his wounds.

NOTE: True peace comes through Jesus Christ.

    Until we accept Jesus as our Savior there can be no peace from the guilt of sin.

   Until we accept Jesus as Lord of our live we will fail to find the full peace of trusting in Him.

NOTE: The foundation of our peace is Jesus Christ and his Word.

 Matthew 7:24-25 (NIV) "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

    The strength of our peace in Jesus Christ is dependent on two things:

 1.    Relationship

2.    Faith

   A. OUR RELATIONSHIP.

NOTE: Our relationship is like the skeleton of body, this is what holds everything together.

    The deeper our relationship the greater our peace.

   Our relationship is dependent on several things:

 1.    Knowledge of God’s Word.

 Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

 Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

   The lack of knowing God’s Word will rob us of the peace that God has for us.

 Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

 2.    Prayer

 NOTE: It is through prayer that we have intimacy with God.

 ILL: Shut in With God.

 3.    Worship & Fellowship

 NOTE: Many fail to have peace because they fail to see the need to gather with others to offer worship and service to God.

 Hebrews 10:24-25 (GW) We must also consider how to encourage each other to show love and to do good things.  We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming.

    The deeper our relationship with God the strong our faith will be.

   B.  FAITH.

 NOTE: As our relationship with God is like our skeleton, Faith is like the muscles that give our body the ability to do things.

   The peace we experience is largely dependent on the faith we possess.

    The stronger our faith the greater will be our peace.

 Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

    It is our faith in God that allows us to trust Him in times of difficulties.

ILL: Job

 Job 1:20-22 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,  And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.  In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

 Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

 Job 23:8-10 Behold, I go forward, but He is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive Him: on the left hand, where He doth work, but I cannot behold Him: He hideth Himself on the right hand, that I cannot see Him: but He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

ILL: David on his return to Ziklag.

 1 Samuel 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

 CONCLUSION: Jesus never promised us a life free from trials and troubles but He did promise that we could have peace while experiencing difficult times.

 John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

   Our peace is found in Jesus Christ.

AUGUST 31, 2008 PM

“WHEN GOD DOESN’T SEEM TO CARE”

 INTRO: There are times when we may feel that God doesn’t care about what is happening to us.

 I.  WHEN GOD SEEMS TO BE ASLEEP.   MARK 4:35-41

 NOTE:  All of us have had to face storms in our lives but what happens when we are in the midst of a storm and God is fast asleep?

    A.  THEY WERE IN THE WILL OF GOD.

     B.   JESUS WAS WITH THEM

    C.   THEY WERE AT THE POINT OF SINKING.

    D.   HE DIDN’T SEEM TO CARE ABOUT THE STORM.

    E.   HE STILLED THE STORM.

     F.   HE REBUKED THEM FOR THEIR LACK OF FAITH.

 NOTE:  When we are in the midst of a storm and all seems lost, we are still to trust God and not to fear.

II.  WHEN GOD DOES NOT ANSWER OR SEEMS TO PLAY FAVORITES.  MATTHEW 15:21-28

 NOTE:  How do we react towards God when he fails to answer our prayers (the way we want) but answers someone else’s?

     A.   THIS WOMAN WAS DIFFERENT FOR OTHERS.

     B.    JESUS DID NOT ANSWER HER PLEA.

     C.   THE FOLLOWER OF JESUS SOUGHT TO TURN HER AWAY.

     D.   JESUS SAID SHE DIDN’T DESERVE HIS HELP.

 NOTE: Her story reveals the truth that Salvation was opened to the Gentiles.

III.  WHEN GOD DOESN’T ANSWER WHEN WE CALL AND

      MATTERS ONLY BECOME WORSE.  JOHN 11:1-46

NOTE:  There are times the more we pray the worse things become.

    A.   JESUS LOVED LAZARUS.

    B.   WHEN THEY ASKED HIM TO COME, JESUS DELAYED

           TWO DAYS.

    C.  LAZARUS DIED BEFORE JESUS GOT THERE.

D.   WHEN JESUS FINALLY CAME ALL HOPE SEEMED TO

       BE GONE.

NOTE:  Have you prayed so long for something that you have finally lost hope that God was going to meet the need?

The more hopeless the situation the more glory goes to God.

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