Grace Lutheran Church Columbus, Indiana: Recent Episodes
Pastor John W Armstrong
Sermon notes:
A new origin (John 2:23-3:22)
I. Unbelievable believers (2:23-3:6bff. Luke 8:13-14).
A. To call Jesus “a teacher” is to assume that all we need is ____________________ (v.2).
B. If the believer’s faith in Jesus does not graduate from teacher to __________________, there has been no birth from above. There is not yet adequate faith.
C. Life with God requires more than improvement. It requires __________________ (vv.3-8).
II. God at work.
A. We must be “born of water and Spirit” (i.e. __________________; vv.5,22).
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Scripture repeatedly connects the work of the Holy Spirit with water (Genesis 1:2; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Matthew 3:16; Acts 2:38; 11:44-47; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Titus 3:5).
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The “_______________” of the new birth remains a mystery (vv.7-9).
B. We receive not only new birth but a new _____________________, and this is something we manifestly cannot give ourselves (v.3 “born again/from above”; v.6b).
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“I have given them Your Word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (John 17:14).
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“But our ___________________________ is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20).
C. We do “what is true” (v.21).
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We acknowledge the centrality of _______________________ (vv.13-17).
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“To do truth is to confess one’s sins and to receive forgiveness” (St. Augustine; 1 John 1:9; 1 Corinthians 2:16b).
Sermon notes:
Love makes all things easy (John 15:9-17)
The Definition of love: ________________________ (1 John 4:16).
Sin is a turning ____________________ on oneself (St. Augustine; Martin Luther).
Love is a turning ____________________ toward others (1 Corinthians 13:4-9).
The Source of love: ________________________ (v.9; 1 John 4:19).
The Mediator of love: ________________________ (v.9).
The nature of love: ____________________________________________ (v.10; Matthew 22:34-39; Romans 13:10).
The result of love: ________________________ and __________________________ (v.11; 1 Peter 4:8).
The revelation of love: ______________________________ (v.13; John 3:16).
The implication of love: ________________________ (v.16a).
The goal of love: _____________________________________________ (v.16b).
The ease of love (Matthew 11:28-30; 1 John 3:5).
Sermon notes:
The Master Gardener (John 15:1-8)
I. Jesus is the true Vine (as opposed to __________________ Israel) (v.1; Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 2:21, etc.).
II. Our Father (Vinedresser) does two things to produce fruit:
A. He _____________________ fruitless branches (vv.2a,6).
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Jesus arouses our anxiety.
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His goal is our ___________________.
B. He _______________ fruitful branches (v.2b).
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We’ve been ________________ into the Vine (Romans 6:3-5; 11:17).
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Pruning involves both ____________ and ____________ (vv.2b,3,5,7-8).
III. To _____________________ in Christ guarantees:
A. fruitfulness (vv.4-5);
B. effective prayer (v.7).
IV. The true Vine’s gracious invitation: “_____________________” (vv.4-7)!
A. Don’t go wild!
B. Only _________________ can branches live (v.6)!
Sermon notes:
What’s so good about this Shepherd? (John 10:11-18)
I. It is our nature to flee a crisis. It is the nature of Jesus to _______________________________(v.11b; John 18:4).
A. Ordinary shepherds protect their sheep by avoiding death; the Good Shepherd protects the sheep ___________________________ His death.
B. The death of an ordinary shepherd means disaster for the sheep. The death of the Good Shepherd means ________________________ for the sheep (John 10:10).
C. The death of an ordinary shepherd leaves the sheep exposed and scattered (v.13). The Good Shepherd’s death ______________________ the flock and draws it to Himself (v.16; John 12:32).
II. He knows us __________________________ (John 10:3).
A. Knowing is evidence of ______________________ (vv.14-15).
B. Knowing another involves _____________________________ (Exodus 6:7).
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God loves; we are the ones loved.
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God saves; we are the ones saved.
C. The Father loved the Son before the foundation of the world (John 17:24), but His Father loves Him all the more for ____________________________ (vv.17-18).
D. We know Christ (and, therefore, the Father) _________________________ when we believe that He lays down His life for us all (vv.11,16).
Sermon notes:
Living God’s Story (Luke 24:36-49)
I. ____________________ alone is not sufficient to produce faith.
A. It can produce terror (v.37).
B. It can seem “too good to be true” (v.41).
II. Faith comes by _________________________ God’s story [i.e. the Scriptures] (vv.45-47; Romans 10:17).
A. _________________________ is more than entertainment. It is a fundamental part of being human.
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We live inside stories. We ___________________ in stories.
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Stories enable us to make ___________________ of the world.
B. The Old Testament predicts/anticipates Christ’s death and resurrection less in _______________________ and more in _____________________ (vv.44-47; John 5:39).
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Adam (Genesis 2:7).
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Isaac, raised on the third day (Genesis 22:1-4; Hebrews 11: 19).
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Joseph (Genesis 37:33; 45:28).
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Israel, raised on the third day (Hosea 6:1-2).
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Dry bones (Israel) brought to life (Ezekiel 37:1-14).
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Jonah, raised on the third day (Jonah 1:17).
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Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego (Daniel 3:12-27).
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Daniel (Daniel 6:16-22).
III. God’s (Christ’s) story shapes and gives meaning to our own.
A. _____________________ connects us to Christ’s story (Romans 6:3-4).
B. We daily die to self and live a new life (Galatians 2:20).
Sermon notes:
How to hear God speaking to you (John 20:23)
I. Know ______________ Jesus is.
A. Jesus is not bound, but He has bound us to His Word.
B. The church (MaƩhew18:20; John 20:19,26; Ephesians 1:22-23).
II. Know ______________ Jesus speaks.
A. What is “the Office of the Keys?”
- It is theunique authority given to the church on earth to
________________and _______________ sins (v.23).
a.Unknown in the Old Testament.
b. Thisauthority is given to ___________________ (MaƩhew9:8; 18:18).
- The Keys areadministered publicly by the
_________________________(Preaching, BapƟsm, Lord’s Supper,
AbsoluƟon) and privately by the________________________
(AbsoluƟon).
a. “AJesus without grace is unthinkable, but a Jesus without warnings
is alltoo __________________” (Frederick Dale Bruner).
b.“This sentence [v.23] lays down the duty of the church to proclaim
forgivenessto the penitent in heart, and the warn the impenitent
thatthey are __________________ the mercy of God” (William
Barclay).
B. What is confession?
1.First, we confess our sins (Mark 1:5; James 5:16; 1 John 1:9).
2.Second, we receive absoluƟon/forgivenessfrom the pastor as from God
Himself.
a. When someone speaks forgiveness to you, it is the
____________________ speaking to you (v.23; MaƩhew 16:19; 18:18-20;
Luke 10:16).
b. No one should be forced to go to confession. I would rather have
____________choose to come than to have ______________
forced to come.
III. Know ____________ Jesus speaks (John 20:31; Luke 19:10;James 5:19-20)
Sermon notes:
The Crucified One; He has risen! (Mark 16:1-8)
I. Fact (____________________) + meaning (____________________) = the Gospel (v.6; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:7-20).
A. “Seeking” Jesus is not a _________________ in Mark’s Gospel (v.6; cf. 1:32; 3:32; 8:11-12; 11:18; 12:12; 14:1,11; 14:55)
B. Not “who was crucified” but, literally, “the crucified one” (v.6, a perfect passive participle, referring to something that happened in the past and continues in the present; Luke 24:40; 1 Corinthians 2:2).
II. The resurrection does not eclipse the crucifixion, it ___________________ it (Romans 4:25).
A. God raised not just anyone, but the One ____________________ for us all (v.6).
B. The _____________________ gives the cross its power (Romans 1:4; 2 Corinthians 13:4; Colossians 2:13-14).
III. Application: Failure isn’t final!
A. Even if no one else is ___________________, Jesus is (v.7; 2 Timothy 2:13).
B. The first act of His public ministry is to gather disciples (Mark 1:16-20), and the first act of His resurrected life is to __________________ them (v.7).
C. Christ builds His church despite human failure, and it is human failure makes the church, and its ministry of forgiveness, ____________________.
D. For us and our salvation, He remains the _______________________ (v.6; Romans
On Good Friday, the End of the Age and the Day of the Lord have already come. --Matthew 27:45-54 -- Rev. John w. Armstrong
Sermon notes:
“As I have loved you...” (John 13:1-17, 31b-35)
I. In v.34, Jesus commands you to love (circle one):
(a) your neighbor;
(b) your world;
(c) your church.
II. In v.35, your witness to the world consists of your love for ______________________.
A. “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of ___________________________________”(Galatians 6:10).
B. Hear the “one anothers” of Scripture (47x addressed to _____________________; see also 1 John 4:20). Why might this be hard to do?
III. Christ’ love is more than a command. It is a __________________ .
A. Jesus does not ask us to produce this love. Jesus says, in effect, “Keep on loving one another out of the wellspring of ______________________________” (Frederick Bruner, v.34b).
B. The Footwashing illustrates Jesus’ ______________________ (compare v.4 (“laid down” and “taking up”) with John 10:17-18).
C. “Proud man would have perished eternally had he not been found by the ______________ God” (St. Augustine).
D. ____________________ be loved by the Lord (vv.6-7)!
Sermon notes:
A cross-shaped life (John 12:20-43)
I. You cannot know/understand Jesus apart from the cross.
A. The “signs” point to Christ’s ___________________ with the Father.
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They were “_______________” (v.37a).
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They should have been sufficient to produce ______________ (John 3:2; 5:36; 10:38).
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Yet many __________________ to believe (v.37b).
B. Therefore, Jesus the miracle worker hides Himself (v.36b).
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Henceforth, the only Jesus they will “see” is the ____________________ Savior (vv.21,23-24).
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The __________________ will accomplish what the signs could not (vv.24,32-33).
II. You cannot know/understand yourself apart from this Jesus.
A. Christ ____________________ is central to your identity. He is not a supplement or addendum to your life.
B. Whom/What do you live for?
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“Love” of one’s life expresses a preference for this world (v.25a).
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“Hatred” of one’s life expresses a preference for Christ (v.25b).
C. For Christ, His cross was His life’s ____________________ (v.27). So it is with us (v.26; Matthew 16:24).
D. “When a man finds that it is his destiny to suffer, he will have to accept his suffering as his task; his single and unique task. No one can relieve him of his suffering or suffer in his place. His unique opportunity lies in the way in which he bears his burden.” (Viktor Frankl)
E. I would rather be ______________ and within God’s will than to be ______________ and outside it (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Sermon Series: “Unforgivable? How God’s forgiveness transforms lives”
Can there be forgiveness without reconciliation?
I. Forgiveness is the washing away of sin, and never ___________________________ again (Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:12).
A. When I forgive another person, I do so as a person who has also been ___________________ by the work of Christ (Matthew 6:12; Ephesians 4:32).
B. Unforgiveness results in bitterness and ______________________ the faith we have in Christ (Matthew 6:14; 7:2; Ephesians 4:31).
II. Reconciliation is restoration of the _______________________.
A. Forgiveness and reconciliation happen simultaneously with God (2 Corinthians 5:19).
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Your sins are washed away, you are forgiven.
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You are restored as a child of God in His kingdom (Luke 15:22-24; 18:13-14; 19:9).
B. But a forgiven child of God may not always experience reconciliation with the other people involved.
- A relationship may remain unreconciled due to an unwillingness to forgive, an inability to forgive, death, dementia, etc.
a. Anyone who refuses to reconcile ___________________their relationship with God (Matthew 6:14-15).
b. Such a person should not partake of the ______________________, because they can no longer bear witness as someone forgiven in Christ (Matthew 6:15; 1 Corinthians 5:11; Romans 16:17).
c. When someone refuses to reconcile with you, you experience God’s own _______________ (Genesis 6:6; Ephesians 4:30-32).
- At those times, we find __________________ in the forgiveness and reconciliation we have with God through Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).
III. A forgiven and reconciled child of God will desire to be reconciled with others (Matthew 6:12).
A. Worship is the first priority of a believer, and the first priority of a worshipper is _____________________ (Matthew 5:23-24). Why?
B. When a relationship is broken, you are responsible to initiate reconciliation, but you are not responsible for the other person’s __________________ (Romans 12:18).
C. Like us, _____________ does not have a perfect record when it comes to reconciliation (Matthew 25:41ff.; Acts 7:51; 1 Timothy 2:1-4).
IV. Application.
A. Have you forgiven someone, but reconciliation has not taken place?
B. What are some ways you might encourage reconciliation
Sermon Series: “Unforgivable? How God’s forgiveness transforms lives”
What if I can’t forgive myself?
I. “Is ___________________________ not good enough for you?” (1 John 1:7)
II. The _______________ of self-forgiveness.
A. You have made your own _______________________ more important than God’s.
B. You believe in your ____________________________ and not in God’s love and forgiveness.
C. In fact, you are making yourself out to be God, the ultimate _________________ (Exodus 20:3).
III. Forgiveness comes from _____________________ oneself, not from _____________________ oneself.
A. Faith comes by _____________________ (Romans 10:17).
B. ____________________ confession and forgiveness (Matthew 18:18; John 20:22-23).
Sermon notes:
Humanity divided (John 3:14-21)
I. Humanity united under God’s judgment (Genesis 3:17-19,23; Deuteronomy 27:26; Romans 3:23; Galatians 3:10).
II. ______________ response to God’s judgment.
A. Our serpentine Savior (v.14; Genesis 3:14; Deuteronomy 21:22-23).
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He bears our _________________ (Galatians 3:13).
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Eternal life is a __________________ possession (vv.15-16)
B. The Light has come into the world (v.19a).
III. Our response to the Light: no __________________ ground (Matthew 10:34-37).
A. _____________________ by the majority (v.19; Matthew 7:13).
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Condemnation __________________ and is self-chosen (vv.18b,19-20).
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Hatred of the Light (v.20; Psalm 69:4).
B. _____________________ by the minority (v.21; Matthew 7:14).
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______________________ condemnation (v.18a; Romans 8:1).
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Drawn to the Light (v.21).
IV. Application:
A. The world’s hatred is not ___________________ (v.20; John 15:18-25; Psalm 69:4).
B. The world’s self-chosen fate moves us to pity, and God’s amazing love for the world moves us to ____________________________ (Matthew 23:37; Acts 7:60).
Sermon Series: “Unforgivable? How God’s forgiveness transforms lives”
What if they won’t repent?
I. Unrepentance: what does it look like?
A. ______________________ oneself and, therefore, one’s sin (1 Samuel15:15).
B. ______________________ others (1 Samuel 15:20-21).
C. Either we cling to our sin, or we cling to _______________ for mercy.
II. Christians are to forgive as God does (Colossians 3:12-13).
A. Did He withhold forgiveness until you repented?
B. When did God forgive you (Romans 5:8)?
III. When we grant forgiveness, we may or may not announce that forgiveness to the unrepentant person. Speaking that forgiveness depends on the context.
A. The question is not ____________________ you should forgive but ___________________ you should proclaim it to the offender.
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Sometimes, _____________________ forgiveness is enough to break the unrepentant heart (Matthew 18:15).
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At other times, the pronouncement must be ____________________ to assist in their repentance (Matthew 18:17-18a; John 20:23b).
B. The goal is always the offender’s ____________________ to God (2 Timothy 2:24-26).
IV. Therapeutic letter writing.
Sermon notes:
R-E-S-P-E-C-T (John 2:13-22)
I. Respect: acknowledging the _______________ and _______________ of another.
II. location, location, location: the Jerusalem Temple.
A. ______________________ actions: buying and selling.
B. ______________________ space: in the temple! (v.14).
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God’s __________________ dwelt there (1 Kings 9:3).
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It was the ______________ place God was to be worshipped (Deuteronomy 12:5-6).
III. location, location, location: Jesus replaces the temple . . .
A. . . . with __________________________ (vv. 19, 21; Matthew 2:11; 14:33; Luke 17:16; John 4:21-23);
B. . . . with __________________________ (1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 5:25-32; 1 Peter 2:4-5).
C. __________________ is the one place God is to be worshipped (John 4:21-23; 5:23; Philippians 2:10-11).
IV. location, location, location: respecting God today.
A. ______________________ actions (Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 4:22-24).
B. ______________________ space (1 Corinthians 6:9-11,15-20; Hebrews 10:23-25).
Sermon Series: “Unforgivable? How God’s forgiveness transforms lives”
The key to overcoming unforgiveness
I. The ______________________ of unforgiveness.
A. Our sense of justice (Romans 2:15).
B. When justice is denied me, ___________________________ remains the one punishment I can inflict on my offender.
II. The question for each of us: “Where is my ____________________?”
A. “Fixing our eyes on Jesus” means ____________________________ from all others toward Him (Hebrews 12:2).
B. Our many distractions: anger, lust, love of money, trying to _______________________________.
III. Christ __________________________________ is the power for Christian living (Hebrews 12:1-2; 2 Peter 1:5-9).
A. When I minimize my sin, I _______________________ the justifying work of Jesus for me.
B. Do not burden yourself by trying to forgive and forget. Instead, change how you _______________________ (Genesis 50:20; Ephesians 4:31-32; Hebrews 12:3).
Sermon notes:
Stand by Me (Mark 8:27-38)
I. Rabbis teach by asking questions.
A. The “___________________” question (v.27).
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Requires no personal commitment.
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“They” [all] answer (v.28).
B. The “___________________” question (v.29a).
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The risk of a personal confession.
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Peter alone answers (v.29b).
II. The Messiah’s work and our response.
A. Jesus’ job description (v.31).
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Jesus _____________________ the Messiah’s role (cf. v.31, Isaiah 53).
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His _____________________ is the only way to break Satan’s hold on us (Matthew 26:52-56; Mark 1:24; 3:37).
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Peter gives Jesus the correct title (v.29b), but still has the wrong _________________________ (v.32), which is why Jesus commands silence for now (v.30).
B. Our response.
- Confessing Christ.
a. Confession has two meanings:
i. to _____________________________ (2 Samuel 12:13; Luke 18:13);
Ii. to _____________________________ (v.29b; John 1:20; Romans 10:9-10).
b. Even bold confessors can be __________________________ (v.33).
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Jesus made the good confession before Pontius Pilate (Mark 15:2; 1 Timothy 6:13).
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Confessing Christ is ___________________ (1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 John 7ff.).
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Confessing Christ is ___________________ (vv.34-38; Mark’s context: Roman persecution).
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Luther’s great insight: the Christian life is a flight from God the ___________________ to God the ___________________ (John 21:15-17; 2 Timothy 2: 11-13).
Sermon Series: “Unforgivable? How God’s forgiveness transforms lives”
“Am I in the place of God?” (Genesis 50:19)
I. Anger is the new ___________________!
A. Is anger required to produce positive change in society?
B. Human anger, while not necessarily ____________________, is nevertheless __________________________ (Psalm 37:8; Ephesians 4:26-27).
C. What about “righteous” anger (Mark 11:15-19)?
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_______________________ can handle anger (Psalm 30:5; Jonah 4:2).
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_______________________ must repent of it (Ephesians 4:31; James 1:20).
a. To Jesus, being angry with and speaking insults against a fellow disciple is the same as ______________________ (Matthew 5:21-22).
b. Extreme anger is a work of “the flesh” (Galatians 5:19-21).
c. Unresolved anger leads to ______________________ (Hebrews 12:15).
II. Am I in the place of God?
A. Regarding ___________________________, the answer is “_____________” (Genesis 50:19-21; Deuteronomy 32:35).
B. Regarding ___________________________, the answer is “_____________” (Matthew 18:18; John 20:23).
The Test (Mark 1:9-15)
I. The ________________________ of testing.
A. Professional exams (Medical Licensing; Law; CPA, etc.)
B. Indiana BMV written/driving exams.
C. Vetting prospective employees.
D. Product quality.
II. “My son, do not despise _____________________________ of the Lord” (Proverbs 3:11; Hebrews 12:5).
A. “Do you grow more spiritually when life is going well or when life is going not so well?”
B. God chooses to rule creation through us (Genesis 1:26; 2:15). Through tests, He teaches us to _____________________________ (Psalm 119:67,71).
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Abraham (Genesis 12:1; 21:8-14; 22:1-19).
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Israel (Deuteronomy 8:2).
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Job (Job 1:6-12).
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Christ (Mark 1:12-13; 8:11; 14:32-42).
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________________ (James 1:12; 1 Peter 4:12-13).
III. Jesus passes every test ______________________.
A. Adam ______________________ the ministry of Christ (Romans 5:14c).
B. What Adam did affects everyone in a ________________________ way, leading to death, and what Jesus did affects everyone in a ___________________________ way, leading to life (Romans 5:12-21; 1 Corinthians 15:22; 2 Corinthians 5:19,21; Hebrews 4:15b)!
What is unforgiveness? (Ephesians 4:22-32; Matthew 18:21-35)
I. Unforgiveness occurs when we ________________ to forgive, or we feel we are ________________ to forgive (Matthew 18:28).
A. We get stuck in the loop of _______________ the offense over and over.
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As the event repeats in our minds, some details get ________________.
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Our remembrance of the event becomes ______________ in order to justify our anger.
B. Unforgiveness is a ________________ we ingest, hoping the other person will die.
C. Unforgiveness is the work of the “________________” (Ephesians 4:22).
II. Forgiveness is not only release from a debt or obligation (Matthew 18:27). It is a ___________________ in which we no longer view the offender as our enemy but as a _______________________ for whom Christ has died (Matthew 18:33; Ephesians 4:32).
A. Instead of judging and condemning, we freely ________________ the desire to be angry, bitter, full of rage, hateful, slanderous, and murderous (Ephesians 4:31).
B. We _________________ the desire to recall another’s sin and use it against him.
C. We offer the same love God has given us (Ephesian 4:32).
D. Forgiveness is a divine act, the work of the “_________________” (i.e. Christ in you; Ephesians 4:23-24; Galatians 3:27).
The uniqueness of Jesus (Mark 1:21-28)
I. Jesus is unlike anyone else.
A. He is unlike the __________________ (v.22).
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They taught _______________ God.
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Jesus taught ____________ God (Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28).
B. He is unlike other great religious leaders.
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They point you to _______________________.
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Jesus points you to _______________________.
a. His teaching is important but ___________________.
b. His Person is ___________________ (John 6:35; 8:12; 10:7; 10:11,14; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1).
II. The Good News is _______________________.
A. Is Jesus a means to an end (John 6:26,35)?
B. Is Jesus enough (John 14:8-9)?
C. Jesus + nothing > ___________________ (Philippians 3:7-8).
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ . . .
III. Application: speaking with authority today.
A. In the civil realm (John 19:10-11; Romans 13:1-7).
B. In the spiritual/eternal realm.
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In the Divine Service, we don’t just ___________________ Jesus, we ___________ Jesus to you (Matthew 9:8; John 20:23; 2 Corinthians 13:14; etc.).
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Privately (Matthew 18:15,21-22; James 5:16).
Come and Behold Him--Seeing is more than meets the Eye-- John 1:43-51 --Rev. Ben Lorenz
Sermon notes:
Knowing your place (Mark 1:1-11)
I. John knows his place.
A. He is only a ___________________ (v.3; John 1:29).
B. He proclaims not himself but ___________________ (vv.7-8).
II. Vocatio: more than an invitation. It is ______________________________.
A. Each of us has multiple callings:
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Husband/wife.
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Parent/Child.
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Employer/employee.
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Elected official/citizen.
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Teacher/student.
B. We do not choose our vocations. _________________ chooses us for them (Genesis 2:15; John 15:16; Acts 17:26-27).
C. Even the most humble vocations are “__________________ of God” (Martin Luther).
D.. The purpose of your vocation is _____________________________ (v.4; Mark 10:45; Galatians 5:13).
III. Jesus knows His place: __________________________________ (v.9; Isaiah 53:12; Matthew 27:38; Luke 15:1-2; 1 Timothy 1:15).
A. The Father is pleased ___________________________ (v.11; John 8:29).
B. The Father is pleased ___________________________ (vv.9-11; John 3:5; 6:29; 1 John
Sermon notes:
“A sword will pierce your own soul” (Luke 2:22-40)
I. Mary will suffer with her Son.
A. ____________________ is no exemption from suffering (v.34).
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Neither is _________________ (v.39).
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Abraham, Moses, Paul, etc. (Luke 9:23).
B. Mary is called not only to be Christ’s mother but also ___________________!
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Which relationship matters most to Jesus (Luke 8:21; 11:28)? _________________.
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The sword which pierces Mary’s soul will be her Son’s ______________.
II. Parents suffer with their children.
A. Our children will ________________ opposition when they stand with Christ (2 Timothy 2:3).
B. Our children may ________________ the opposition to Christ.
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The stumbling stone of ___________________ (1 Corinthians 1:18,23).
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Families ________________ (Matthew 10:34-39).
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Whom do you love more: _______________________ (v.35b; Genesis 22:12; Matthew 10:37)?
III. Parents rejoice with their children.
A. The stumbling stone becomes the ______________________ (v.34; Psalm 118:22).
B. Those who wander He ____________________________ (Genesis 3:9; Luke 15:1-32).
C. Those who stumble He _________________ (Matthew 28:10; Luke 24:36; John 21:15-19).
Greetings, favored one(s)! The Lord is with you -- Luke 1: 26-38 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
Sermon notes:
“Who is Melchizedek?” (The most important biblical character you know little or nothing about)
I. Melchizedek: what do we know?
A. He was a Canaanite _________________/________________ (7:1; Genesis 14:18).
B. In an increasingly polytheistic world, He preserved the original ______________________ of humanity.
C. Why does he symbolize the eternal priesthood of Christ (7:3)?
II. The Book of Hebrews argues for the superiority of Christ to:
A. Angels;
B. Moses;
C. The Levitical priesthood;
D. All of the above.
III. A change in the priesthood was needed, based on the Melchizedekian model (7:11ff.)
A. The _______________________ (Levitical) priesthood:
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was constantly interrupted by death;
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could not “______________________” or complete the worshipper (7:11,15; 10:4, 11);
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provided _____________________ access to the earthly tabernacle only (Hebrews 8:5).
B. The ________________________ (Melchizedekian) priesthood of Christ:
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provides permanence and continuity in administration;
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provides a clean conscience and saves to the uttermost (7:25; 10:4,22);
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provides __________________________ access to God in heaven (7:25; 10:19, 22, 25);
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makes all of us _____________________________ through our Baptism into Christ (1 Peter 2:4-5, 9).
Sermon notes:
“Who is Melchizedek?” (The most important biblical character you know little or nothing about)
I. Psalm 110 is quoted or alluded to __________ times in the New Testament!
A. Jesus quotes it to play “Stump the scribes” (Matthew 22:41-46).
B. Jesus affirms that although the Messiah comes from David, He further maintains that the Messiah _______________________ David (Psalm 110:1; cf. Romans 1:3; 2Timothy 2:8; Revelation 22:16).
II. Psalm 110: David overhears a conversation between the LORD (Yahweh) and David’s Lord (Adonai).
A. The LORD works through _________________________ (vv.1-7; Genesis 1:26-28; Isaiah 52:13-53:12), but the battle is the LORD’s.
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“Sit” suggests a ____________________ task.
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“right hand” = the seat of _____________________ power.
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“scepter” = the gospel ministry.
B. David’s Lord is also a __________________/___________________ (v.4).
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A Mediator ________________________ those previously estranged (2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 Timothy 2:5).
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His priesthood is not that of Aaron (limited by death), but that of Melchizedek (____________________). Why does this matter? (e.g. John 14:1-3.)
C. For David, Psalm 110 is like Saul’s armor (1 Samuel 17:38-39).
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The combined office (Priest-King) is too big for any mere __________________ to fill.
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The Messiah has a higher status than some Jews were prepared to admit (Matthew 22:41-46).
Sermon notes:
The believer’s guide to everyday etiquette (Mark 1:1-8)
I. Etiquette is simply ___________________ behavior.
A. It is thinking of and __________________________ others (Genesis 18:1-5; Luke 15:2).
B. Why is it necessary?
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All relationships are governed by rules.
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Relationships require _________________.
II. [You all] “Prepare the way of the Lord,” (v.3).
A. The Lord comes to us not because we are ready. Because He comes, we must _______________ ready.
B. The Lord _______________________ us for His coming (v.4).
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We all come to Jesus through John (John 1:7).
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John proclaimed ______________________ (vv. 4,5,8)!
C. The ______________________ of those in Jerusalem and in all Judea:
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They were baptized and confessed their sins (v.5);
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To confess (homologeo) means to speak the same as someone else.
D. The etiquette of John:
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He ______________________ attention away from self and toward Christ (v.7).
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He rightly ___________________________, not Christian baptism, but his preparatory baptism to Christian baptism (v.8).
III. Etiquette for believers today:
A. [You all] “make His paths straight” (v.3c);
B. _____________________ yourself before the Lord (v.7; James 4:10).
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Baptism.
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Confession of sin.
Sermon notes:
“Who is Melchizedek?” (The most important biblical character you know little or nothing about)
I. Will the real Melchizedek please stand up? Circle the best answer(s).
A. An angelic redeemer, judge and warrior (Dead Sea Scrolls).
B. One of several Messiahs (various rabbinic sources).
C. The pre-incarnate Christ (some early Christians).
D. A manifestation of the Holy Spirit (some early Christians).
E. A Canaanite King/Priest (Genesis 14:18-20; Psalm 110; Hebrews 7).
II. The significance of Melchizedek in Genesis 14.
A. In a polytheistic world, he was one of the few who preserved the original ______________________ of the human race.
B. Even _________________was an idolator until God “took” him from his family (Joshua 24:2-3).
C. His name means “King of _________________________.”
D. Contrast his character with that of the King of Sodom:
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The first word from Melchizedek’s mouth is “_________________” (v.19);
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The first word from the King of Sodom’s mouth is “______________” (v.21).
E. Melchizedek appears in the context of the __________________________ of captives (vv. 13-16). Abram’s rescue of his nephew becomes the pattern for God’s ___________________________ throughout history (Exodus 6:6-8; Ruth 2:20; 3:9; Isaiah 43:1; Galatians 3:13; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:17-19).
F. Melchizedek is a _________________________ of the coming Christ (Hebrews 7:3; cf. John 5:39).
Sermon notes:
The cross: a victimless murder (Mark 11:1-11)
I. “No one takes it [My life] from Me” (John 10:18).
A. _____________________ are those forcibly deprived of their rights, their possessions, or their lives.
B. _____________________ are those who voluntarily relinquish their rights, possessions, or lives for the good of others (John 10:17-18).
1. Jesus exercises ______________________________ in the face of hostility.
a. He is in control (vv.2-6).
b. For the first time, He “comes out” publicly as ____________________ (vv.7-10).
c. He engineers His own ____________________ (vv.11, 15-18; Luke 22:69; John 18:4-9).
2. He transforms tragedy into _______________________ (Luke 23:34, 42-43; Ephesians 2:13; Revelation 5:9-10).
II. The ________________________ of victimhood.
III. Living and leading like Jesus.
A. Christ gives ______________________ to us (Matthew 28:18-20).
B. When we voluntarily relinquish our rights, possessions, or lives for the good of others, we reject _________________________ (Matthew 5:38-48).
C. ____________________ transforms our tragedies into triumphs (Matthew 5:16).
Sermon notes:
Sheep, Goats and the Brothers of Jesus: where are you in this picture?
I. The brothers of Jesus: Who are they?
A. The social ministry interpretation.
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Jesus’ “brothers” are __________________.
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A 20th century phenomenon (Mother Teresa, etc.).
B. The contextual (Matthean) interpretation.
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Jesus’ “brothers” are __________________.
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The dominant interpretation throughout history.
C. The evidence:
- “Brothers” is a termed reserved for ___________________________ (12:48-50; 28:10), and especially His _____________________________________________.
a. Indeed, they are the audience to whom He is speaking throughout Matthew 24-25!
b. They are the ones who will experience hunger, thirst, imprisonment, etc. (2 Corinthians 11:23-27).
c. Jesus identifies with them (Acts 9:4-5) rather than with ___________________ or with men in general.
d. “Whoever receives you receives Me. The one who receives a prophet because He is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward…And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because He is my disciple, he will by no means lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:40-42, the missionary discourse of Jesus.)
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Jesus calls us to ________________ all nations rather than to ______________________ them (Matthew 28:19-20).
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The social ministry interpretation focuses on who are the least in your community and encourages you to serve them, while Christ’s concern in this passage is not for the least per se, but for His brothers, even those who are least among them.
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The social ministry interpretation assumes that we, the church, will be judged on how we respond to the world’s physical needs. The contextual interpretation assumes that the world will be judged on how it responds to the church’s ___________________ and therefore to the church’s __________________.
II. Christ’s comfort for you!
A. To welcome the messenger is to welcome ____________________________ (Matthew 10:11-13a).
B. To refuse the messenger is to refuse ____________________________ (Matthew 10:13b-15).
C. Christ’s comfort for His messengers: Christ thinks so highly of you that He will judge the world by _________________________________ (v.40)!
D. Christ’s comfort for His sheep: Christ thinks so highly of you that your welcome of His messengers and, therefore, of Him and His message, testifies to your _____________________ and blessedness (vv.34-40).
Sermon notes:
“Created to praise” (Luke 17:11-19)
I. An almost thankless job (vv.17-18).
A. Nine people of God (cleansed).
B. A foreigner (cleansed + “he saw” (v.15); he “turned back” (v.15), he is “praising God” (v.15), he is “giving thanks” (v.16), he is “found” (v.18), he is “saved” (v.19)).
C. Why the difference?
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Nine are likely looking ______________.
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One is definitely looking ______________ (vv.15, 18).
II. The goal of God’s grace is ____________________ (vv.15-16).
A. God loves to give. He has created us to _________________ (Psalm 51:2; 145:15-16; John 13:8; 1 Corinthians 10:31) and to _____________________ (Isaiah 43:21; Psalm 66:2; 83:18) .
B. Gratitude toward God is _________________________ (v.16; Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11).
C. God does not need our praise, but ________________!
D. We experience gratitude by _________________________ what Jesus has done (vv.15-16).
Sermon notes:
No second chance! (Matthew 25:1-13)
I. How you welcome Him does not determine your salvation, it ________________ it (vv.2-12; Luke 8:17).
A. The bridegroom represents Jesus (v.1; Mark 2:18-20; John 3:29; Ephesians 5:25-32).
B. The __________________________ represent all those who claim Christ as Lord (2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 14:4).
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Not everyone called to the wedding feast will share in it (vv.10-12).
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The bridegroom’s __________________ will reveal the foolishness of some and the wisdom of others (v.5).
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Among the _________________ company of Christ’s disciples, not all will be found to be true followers when He returns (v.11; Matthew 7:21-23).
C. His return is so sudden, you cannot get ready; you just need to ____________ ready (v.10).
II. The ______________________ of Christ’s return is essential to Christian living.
A. Hypocrites _______________ it; believers ____________________it.
B. In Scripture, Christ’s return is always a ______________________ to action, never a reason to cease action (v.4; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 1 Thessalonians 5:6).
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His _________________ do what they say (v.13a; Mark 1:15-17, 22-27).
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Some things we are better off not knowing (v.13b; John 16:12).
C. “As Christians, we profess, not only to believe and look for, but to live and long for, the _______________________ of Christ, and to act in our whole conversation with a regard to it” (Matthew Henry).
Sermon notes:
Speaking like Jesus (Matthew 23:1-12)
I. The _____________________ were highly regarded as influencers in Jesus’ day (vv.2-3, 6-7; Matthew 5:20; 16:12; Luke 12:1).
A. They went far beyond God’s Law, and often neglected ________________ (v.4; Matthew 27:4; Luke 18:9-14).
B. They had come to ________________ the attention their piety had brought them (vv.5-7).
II. If pride is the problem, Christ is the prescription.
A. “________________” respect (vv.8-10).
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No disciple should be placed on a pedestal (Romans 3:10,23).
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Such admiration is spiritually _____________________ (John 12:43).
B. Speaking like Jesus.
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We have __________Teacher, __________ Father, __________ Leader (vv.9-10).
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Just as we learn to place God at the center when we speak of salvation, so we should place God at the center of all our conversation (James 4:13-15).
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Paul never thanks _______________________. He thanks God for other disciples (Romans 1:8; Philippians 1:3; Colossians 1:3, etc.).
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Pride _____________; humility builds _____________ (vv.8-12).
C. Jesus makes humility ______________________ (vv.11-12; Philippians 2:5-11).
Sermon notes:
Christ has you covered! (Revelation 7:9-17)
I. Clothing ____________________:
A. who you are;
B. how you see yourself.
II. Clothing was invented ________________.
A. Nakedness and guiltiness require the same solution: __________________.
B. We cannot _______________ ourselves nor _______________ ourselves (Genesis 3:7, 21; Deuteronomy 29:5; Isaiah 61:10; Matthew 6:25-33).
III. Our clothing in heaven communicates _______________ (v.14).
A. We are clothed with ________________ (v.14; Galatians 3:27).
B. Washing our robes in Christ’s blood is not a meritorious work but a picture of ______________.
C. White is the color of _____________________: the complete absence of sin and presence of righteousness (Daniel 7:9; Mark 9:3; Revelation 1:14).
Sermon notes:
Truth truly frees (John 8:31-32)
I. Verse 32 has been called the most __________ verse in the Bible.
II. Christ’s audience heard verse 32 as an ____________.
A. Martin Luther defined sin as _______________________.
B. _____________, not Caesar, is the most despotic master.
III. Freedom is not liberty to do _____________________________, but the liberty to do ___________________________.
A. Freedom results from knowing _______________ (v.32; John 14:6).
B. Baptism unites you to Christ’s death and His resurrection life (Romans 6:1-4).
IV. Jesus emancipates you from ____________ tyranny. “Anything that is not ______________ will not set me free.” (Martin Luther on verse 36.)
Sermon notes:
The whole world in His hands (Matthew 22:15-22)
I. God is _____________________________ (v.21).
A. “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (v.21).
-
Caesar’s things = God’s ______________________ authority (civil government/enforce laws/maintain order).
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God’s things = God’s _______________________ authority (church/forgiveness of sins/restoration/eternal life).
B. Neither obligation interferes with the other! They __________________ (Romans 13:1-7).
II. The Pharisees employ _____________________, which ironically expresses the truth about Jesus (v.16; cf. John 11:49-51).
A. Jesus is the __________________ of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).
B. He is the firstborn of many brethren (Romans 8:29).
III. “Render” means to “_________________________,” implying that taxes are a _________________ that is owed.
A. “If we avail ourselves of the lawful protection [of Caesar], we cannot complain if we are required to render” (Hilary of Poitiers).
B. The Lord _________________, and the Lord ________________ (Job 1:21; cf. Luke 12:20).
IV. God is _______________________ dominant (Psalm 98:1; 118:15-16; 138:7; Isaiah 41:10; Acts 7:56; Romans 8:34).
The Power of a Sent Life in the Solitude of Faith! -- Ester 4:12-14 -- Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz
Sermon notes:
Equal pay for unequal work: God’s stewardship examined (Matthew 19:29-20:16)
I. Would God’s “payroll practice” be illegal today?
A. The Equal Pay Act (1963).
B. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964).
C. Answer: _____________, but . . . .
II. The problem is __________________ treatment (v.12).
A. The default/natural religion of humanity: you receive what you __________________.
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This law is written on our hearts (Romans 2:15).
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It takes an ____________________ parable for the Lord to reveal how gracious He is (vv.1-15)!
B. The religion of the gospel: you receive what God ___________________________ through faith alone in Christ (Romans 3:28).
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“God wants to deal with us not according to our works but according to His __________________” (Luther).
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The last become first through no merit of their own. The first become last by their ____________________ to grace (vv.9-12).
C. God is not only steward; He is __________________ (v.15).
D. God’s goal of _____________________ (vv.39,16; Exodus 16:18; Acts 4:34-35; Luke 1:52,53).
III. Application.
A. Pledge Sunday.
B. The _______________________ of good works.
Sermon notes:
Managing God’s mercy (Matthew 18:21-35)
I. Background.
A. ___________ is the refusal to give what one owes (v.30; Matthew 6:12; Romans 13:7; 15:27; Ephesians 5:22,25; 6:1-2).
B. To forgive is to _______________ someone from the retribution and retaliation they deserve (v.27).
C. The immediate context: forgiving personal offenses (Matthew 18:15-20).
II. What limits should we place on love/forgiveness (v.21; Matthew 18:15-18)?
A. The rabbis: you should forgive up to _____________ times.
B. Peter: up to seven times?
C. Jesus: _________________ forgiveness (v.22).
III. Why?
A. Our debts are so immense that they are humanly _________________ (v.24).
B. God’s heart is moved by our need (v.27).
IV. The parable teaches the _____________________ of the forgiven (v.33).
A. Brotherly love is not the cause of salvation, but it should be a ____________________ of it (Ephesians 2:8-10).
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The less we appreciate God’s forgiveness, the less we will forgive (vv.28-30).
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The threat of judgment reminds us of our continual need for _________________ (vv.32-35; Matthew 6:15; Galatians 3:24).
B. We are __________________ of God’s mercy/money/resources.
V. The practicalities of forgiveness.
A. Face your pain (Matthew 5:4).
B. Understand the truth: see yourself as the offender (v.33; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:10).
C. Verbalize/write down your choice to forgive (Matthew 18:15).
Sermon notes:
God’s strange work (Matthew 16:21-28)
I. Any kingdom without a cross comes from the devil.
A. Saints can become ________________ (v.23a).
B. “Rocks” can become _______________________ (v.23a).
C. The two sources of opposition to God are Satan and ____________ (vv.23-24)!
D. We impose our own ___________________ onto God (v.23b; Psalm 50:21; John 16:2; Galatians 1:13-14).
II. If Christ’s mission is death and resurrection, He expects no less from us.
A. We must distinguish between God’s “strange” work and God’s “proper” work (Martin Luther).
B. The _____________ is God’s strange work.
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Christ’s.
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Ours.
C. “God must ________________ our sinful nature in order that we might be saved.” “Punishments, crosses and death are the most precious treasury” (Martin Luther; cf. Hebrews 12:5-11; 1 Peter 4:17-19).
III. Jesus is worth any price a disciple must pay to follow Him.
A. His _____________ are incompatible with those of the world (v.23b; Isaiah 55:8-9).
B. The only way to find one’s life is to lose it (v.25b), _________________ that Christ will come to execute judgment by vindicating His own (v.27).
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We may lose our lives through martyrdom.
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We lose our lives daily by denial of __________________ (v.24).
C. We are saved by the grace of God ____________, and the grace of God will result in good works (Ephesians 2:8-10; James 2:14-26)
D. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose” (Jim Elliot).
What do you think of Jesus? (The question on which everything else in life depends (Matthew 16:13-20))
I. His identity must be _____________________________ (v.17; John 6:44; Small Catechism, Apostles’ Creed, Art. III).
II. His identity _______________________________.
A. Peter’s (v.18; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 3:10-11; Revelation 21:14).
B. Ours (John 10:11; 15:5; Romans 9:21; Revelation 21:2; 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10).
III. His identity as the Son of the living God (v.16, __________________________) means that He has a claim on you (Matthew 4:4,19; John 5:18; Romans 9:5; Colossians 1:16).
IV. His identity as the ________________________ Christ (v.21) means that you, like Him, will find your life by ____________________ (vv.24-25).
Faith sees past God's "No" all the way to God's "Yes" -- Matthew 15:21-28 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
Sermon notes:
Jesus + nothing = everything (Matthew 14:13-21)
I. The Context:
A. __________________ foreshadows Christ’s passion (v.13a; Matthew 2:1-18),
B. In Matthew, miracles occur only after there is a reference to people __________________ Jesus (v.13b; Matthew 4:25; 8:1,10,23; 9:27; 12:15; 19:2; 20:29,34).
C. Jesus is moved (v.14).
II. The disciples overlook Jesus (v.15).
A. They seem ________________, telling Him: (1) where they are, (2) what time it is, and (3) what He should do (v.15)!
B. What they do have, they consider as “_________________” (v.17).
III. Jesus responds (vv.16, 18-19).
A. “_____________ give them something to eat” (vv.16, 19c).
B. “Bring them here to Me” (v.18).
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Jesus does not create _________________.
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He _______________________ what the disciples already had (v.19; 1 Kings 17:8-16; 2 Kings 4:1-7, 42-44).
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God employs _________________ things to do extraordinary things (2 Samuel 7:18; Matthew 26:26-28; Luke 1:26-38; Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 Corinthians 1:21-28).
C. The Lord is not intimidated by ______________________________.
Sermon notes:
“Treasured!” (Matthew 13:44-46)
I. Your purchases reveal your ______________.
II. _________ purchases reveal _______ priorities!
A. ______________ (Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:6-9; Isaiah 43:3-4).
B. The Lord reveals Himself as our _____________-redeemer (Genesis 14:1-16; Ruth 3:9; Romans 8:29).
C. The entire ministry of Jesus was an extravagant act of ___________________ (vv.44-46; Philippians 2:7; 1 Peter 1:18-20).
III. Application.
A. Your value is not inherent (Romans 3:10ff.; 7:24), it is _________________ by others (Psalm 142:4).
B. Your value to men is based on __________________________________ (John 6:1-15).
C. Your value to God is based on __________________________________ (Deuteronomy 7:6-9; John 3:16; 1 Peter 1:18-20).
D. Christ purchases a community, but the community is incomplete without _________!
Sermon notes:
Life is like an unweeded field (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)
I. Why the opposition to Jesus?
A. Not all ______________ is good (Matthew 13:4-7).
B. Not all ______________ is good (v.25).
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Darnel is poisonous and resembles wheat.
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In literature, it symbolizes subversion and treachery.
C. “Wherever the Lord plants His church, the devil builds a _________________” (Martin Luther)
II. The response of the church.
A. Our vocation is not: ___________________ those who commit lawlessness (vv.28b-29a; John 18:11).
B. Our vocation is: _______________________________ (v.30; 1 Samuel 17:47).
III. The response of the Master.
A. He ________________ the wheat (v.29).
B. He ________________ the darnel (vv.30; 2 Peter 3:9).
IV. Takeaways:
A. The inevitable question: _________________________________________?
B. We are sons of the kingdom, not _________________ (v.38).
C. We will outlast this unweeded world because we have ______________________________ (v.41; Jeremiah 23:5; 29:11).
Sermon notes:
God’s “questionable” kingdom (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23)
I. The Lord’s illogical generosity (vv.3-7).
II. Why are so many rejecting the Word of God?
A. Christ comes in a Word that is _______________________, in a Word that men can contradict and shout down.
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The Word became flesh (John 1:14).
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We have been _____________ of imperishable seed (1 Peter 1:23-25; Matthew 10:16).
B. The Kingdom comes in _________________, which offends human pride (1 Kings 19:11-12).
C. The Parable of the Sower is not primarily exhortation but __________________.
III. The Lord’s ways are not ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).
A. The Lord’s __________________ is more powerful than man’s strength (v.8; John 12:24; 1 Corinthians 1:25).
B. Through the ______________________ Word, God unites people to Himself (Romans 10:17).
C. Your most important responsibility in life is to _____________ the Word (v.9).
Sermon notes:
Rumblings of Judgment Day (Matthew 11:25-30)
I. The Father’s “gracious” will (v.26):
A. Christ is ______________ from the “wise” (v.25; 1 Corinthians 1:27);
B. Christ is ______________ to “little children” (v.25; 1 Corinthians 1:28-29).
II. How do we know this is the Father’s will?
A. Jesus alone ______________ the Father (v.27b).
B. Jesus alone ______________ the Father to whomever He chooses (v.27b).
C. This scandal of particularity is a cross we bear (John 14:6)!
III. Living under the Father’s care.
A. Jesus invites _______________ to _______________ (v.28a).
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In Jesus, God gets a face (v.28a; 2 Corinthians 4:6).
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Those who are burdened receive ____________; those who burden others receive ______________ (Psalm 75:7; 147:6; Luke 1:52; Matthew 23:4).
B. Christ’s yoke is ________________: His Father’s will (v.29; Isaiah 53:7; John 3:35; 4:34; 15:13; Philippians 2:5-8).
C. “Love makes all things ____________” (D.L. Moody; v.30; Matthew 22:35-39; Romans 13:8-10; 1 John 3:16).
Sermon notes:
Seize the cross (Matthew 10:34-42)
I. Christ divides us from _____________ (vv.34-37)
A. Charity begins at home. So does ________________ for the sake of Christ.
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Jesus invades our family space, claiming to be the most important ____________ in our lives!
-
Jesus brings peace with God, but not all receive His peace. Opposition results.
-
“A good war is sent [into each home] to break a bad peace” (St. Jerome).
B. Compromise never involves wholesale capitulation to worldly ways. Rather, it __________________ them.
C. Disciples walk the narrow way between family ________________ and family neglect (vv.35-37; 1 Timothy 5:8).
II. Christ divides you from _______________ (i.e. from your old way of life; vv.38-39).
A. “take” (v.38; Greek: lambano) = (1) To take on one’s own initiative, or (2) to passively receive. In v. 38, its meaning is __________________.
B. The cross is not something we grudgingly accept but ________________ take up/embrace (Isaiah 50:5-7; Luke 9:51).
C. To take up the cross is the daily decision to give fearless ______________ to Christ (vv.32-33).
III. Your absolute importance to others (vv.40-42)!
A. In __________, Jesus Himself confronts others, and in Jesus, God Himself confronts them!
B. “You are the latest _____________ in a venerable chain of missioners extending from the missionary God Himself” (F. Dale Bruner).
C. We scatter blessings wherever we go (Martin Franzmann)!
Sermon notes:
It’s dangerous to believe (Matthew 10:5a, 21-33)
I. Jesus defines success as ___________________, even in His suffering (v.25).
II. Your fears have no foundation.
A. ___________ will not remain hidden (v.26; Luke 8:17).
B. Men are not worthy of your fear; __________ alone is (v.28; Proverbs 29:25).
-
Fear of God _________________ the fear of men (Genesis 39:9; Daniel 3:16-18).
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“Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).
A. Servile fear (v.28; 1 John 4:18).
B. Filial (childlike) fear (Ephesians 4:30).
C. You are never without _______________ (v.29).
III. A heart that ___________ and ___________ God cannot help but to confess publicly what Jesus has done and said (vv.27,32; Matthew 12:34b).
Sermon notes:
Compassion in action (Matthew 9:35-10:20)
I. Israel’s suffering (9:35-38).
A. “harassed”= ________________ (v.36).
B. “helpless” = ________________ (v.36).
II. Jesus responds (9:36ff.; Ezekiel 34:1-16).
A. He __________ (v.36; Genesis 16:13; Exodus 3:7).
B. He was ____________ (“compassion,” splanchnizo: a tug at the heart, an inward, visceral distress).
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Compassion is _____________________ of Christ (14:14; 15:32; 18:27; 20:34; Philippians 2:1; Isaiah 63:9).
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His compassion is ____________________ (Matthew 1:21; Romans 5:8; 1 John 2:2).
-
His compassion is the ______________ of all mission.
C. He ____________ of Israel’s need (v.37).
D. He commands ____________ (v.38).
E. He ____________ (vv.5,16; Exodus 3:10; Matthew 28:18-20; Isaiah 6:8).
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Acceptance of the messenger = acceptance of the message (vv.12-13a; Matthew 25:34-40).
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Rejection of the messenger = rejection of the message (vv.13b-15; Matthew 25:41-46).
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This division of humanity is already underway.
Sermon notes:
Sinners need a physician also (Matthew 9:9-13)
I. The healing ministry of Jesus (Matthew 9:1-8) is an illustration of His most important mission—healing ____________ broken by sin (vv.10-12).
A. Forgiveness matters because of what it accomplishes—the restoration of _________________ (vv.9-12; Luke 15:11-24).
B. It is often those who are _____________ physically, emotionally, and relationally who recognize their need for God’s help (Matthew 11:5).
C. It is the socially and morally ______________ who often humble themselves more readily than religious people.
II. Jesus is not ashamed to be associated with those most _____________ by their peers (vv.10-12; Luke 19:5-7).
A. Nor is He ashamed to be associated with __________ and ____________________.
-
Like the best schools, Jesus is very ______________, but not in the way we expect.
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Jesus came to lift the _____________ (Luke 4:18-19; 1 Corinthians 1:26ff.).
B. The good physician goes where He is ____________, yet He reaches out to those who assume they are “well” (v.13).
Sermon notes:
The whole world in His hands (Matthew 28:16-20)
I. Christians live between ____________ and doubt (v.17; Matthew 14:31).
A. Jesus ________________our doubts (v.18).
B. Our doubts do not disqualify us from __________________ (v.19).
II. “________________” is Matthew’s favorite noun to describe Jesus (v.18; Matthew 7:29; 8:9; 9:6, 8; 10:1; 21:23,24,27).
A. “_______” authority means there is simply no other power to speak of (Deuteronomy 32:39; John 19:10-11).
B. “one like a son of man . . . was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14).
III. Universal authority enables universal mission (vv.19-20).
A. We have been saved to _______________ (Exodus 7:16; 8:1; Ephesians 2:8-10).
B. “Make disciples.”
-
_________________ in the Trinitarian name (v.19).
-
_________________ all that He has commanded (v.20).
-
Through these means, God is restoring His ___________ in us (Genesis 1:26-27; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10).
C. Jesus is “________________” (v.20; Matthew 1:23
Festival and fulfillment (John 7:37-39)
I. Promises made.
A. The Lord will make rivers flow out of ________________ (Isaiah 43:19-20)
B. The Lord will pour out His Spirit on all Israel’s offspring (Isaiah 44:3-4; Joel 2:28-29).
C. The Lord Himself is the __________ of living waters (Jeremiah 2:13; Isaiah 55:1) and living waters will flow out from Jerusalem and the Lord’s Temple (Ezekiel 47:1-12; Joel 3:18; Zechariah 14:8-9; John 2:21).
D. Festivals traditionally look backward, but God’s festivals also look _____________.
II. Promises fulfilled.
A. Jesus invites to Himself all who ____________ (v.37; Matthew 5:3-4,6; Luke 4:18-19; 5:31-32; 18:13)
B. “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (v.38) may refer both to the ___________ and to the ______________. Either way, Jesus is the source of the living water/Holy Spirit (v.37; John 4:10-14).
- Punctuation and meaning.
a. Let’s eat, Grandpa!
b. CANYOUREADTHIS
- Throughout Scripture, ____________ and the Holy Spirit are inseparably bound together (vv.37-39; Genesis 1:2; Isaiah 44:3-4; Ezekiel 36:25-27; John 3:5; Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Revelation 22:17).
C. The Holy Spirit comes only by means of _______________ (v.39; Exodus 17:6 and 1 Corinthians 10:4; John 19:31; 1 John 5:7-8).
D. The Spirit flows __________ Jesus and ____________ us to others (Galatians 5:22; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; 1 John 4:19).
Sermon notes:
Familiarity and the Fatherhood of God (John 17:1-11)
I. Christ’s High Priestly Prayer (John 17:1-26).
A. It’s context:
-
Christ’s Farewell Discourse (i.e. His Word; John 14-16);
-
Christ’s Prayer (John 17:1-26)
B. It’s structure:
-
Jesus prays for ________________ (vv.1-5).
-
Jesus prays for ________________ (vv.6-19).
-
Jesus prays for ________________ (vv.20-26).
C. Its importance: by His Word and prayer, Christ sanctifies ___________ (“Everything is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer,” 1 Timothy 4:4-5; John 15:3).
II. The forms of address you employ reveal your ____________________ with others.
A. Humanity and a growing intimacy with God.
-
“God Almighty” (El Shaddai) (Exodus 6:3a).
-
“LORD” (Yahweh) (Exodus 6:3b).
-
“Father” (vv.1,5,11).
B. Jesus addresses God as Father because He is the one and only____________.
-
Fathers _____________.
-
Sons _____________.
C. Christ’s work is to reveal God as Father so that we might be sanctified as God’s ____________ (Luke 15:11-32; Galatians 3:26).
Sermon notes:
Satan’s pink slip: what Christ’s ascension means (Revelation 12:1-2)
I. A “great” sign appeared in heaven (vv.1-2).
A. The Lord’s people are often symbolized by a _____________ (v.1; Isaiah 54:1; 62:1-5; Galatians 4:26; Ephesians 5:25-32; Revelation 21:2).
B. Twelve and multiples of twelve are associated with God’s _____________ (v.1; Genesis 35:22; Mark 3:14; Acts 1:26; Revelation 7:4-8).
II. Another sign appeared (vv.3-6).
A. The dragon symbolizes ______________ (vv.3-9).
B. Diadems were worn by kings claiming ______________.
C. He seeks to destroy the woman’s Child, but the Child ascends to God’s throne (v.5; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9).
D. The dragon vents his wrath against ___________________ (vv.6,12b).
III. War arose in heaven (vv.7-12a).
A. “Devil” means _________________; “Satan” means _________________(v.9).
B. He is defeated and cast out of heaven by the blood of the Lamb (vv.8-9).
C. Christ’s death has turned all of Satan’s true accusations into ____________!
IV. Heaven determines ______________ (v.12b).
Sermon notes:
Life in the age of the Spirit (John 14:1, 15-23)
I. Christ ______________, He does not question, His disciples love for Him (v.15).
A. Christ’s disciples are those who let themselves be loved by Him (John 13:1-8).
B. Faith makes love possible, and love expresses itself in __________________ (vv.1,14; Galatians 5:6; 1 John 4:19).
II. Christ’s departure inaugurates the coming of the Spirit (John 7:39; 16:5-7).
A. The Son ________________ the Spirit’s presence (v.16).
B. “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you ________________ Helper (v.16).
III. Our need of the Spirit (John 16:7).
A. The time for our God-given _________________ guidance system is past (i.e. the Law; Galatians 3:24-27).
B. The time for our God-given _________________ guidance system has come (i.e. the Spirit; vv.17,23; Galatians 4:1-6; 5:18-25).
-
The world _______________ truth (v.17; John 2:23-25; 3:19-20; 18:38).
-
Believers are ___________________ to respond to truth (v.17; John 10:27; 16:13; 18:37).
C. Jesus will reveal Himself to the world through ______________ (vv.17,22-23).
Sermon notes:
Heavenly homesickness (John 14:1-14)
I. Why are the disciples so troubled (anxious/fearful) (v.1a)?
A. “Yet a little while I am with you . . . Where I am going you cannot come” (John 13:33).
B. “Truly, truly, I say to you [Peter], the rooster will not crow until you have denied Me three times” (John 13:38).
C. Pre-emptive homesickness: anxiety over an anticipated _________________.
-
Christ has become the disciples’ surrogate ________________(Matthew 12:46-50).
-
They have ____________ everything for Him (Matthew 19:27).
II. ____________ is the antidote to anxiety.
A. “Believe in God; believe also in Me” (v.1b).
B. Heaven is the ultimate _________________ (v.2).
C. Jesus departs temporarily only to return ________________ _ (vv.2-3).
- ______________ has no place in God’s house until Christ’s work of preparation (Genesis 3:22-24).
a. Jesus is the Father’s ____________________ of Himself (vv.7-11).
b. Jesus is the __________________ of the Father (vv.10-11; John 5:23).
c. What the prophets looked forward to, we experience firsthand (v. 7; Isaiah 11:9; 40:5; Jeremiah 31:34; Habakkuk 2:14).
-
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man” (Revelation 21:3-4; 22:1-5).
-
Our destination is _______________ (v.6; Luke 23:43; Philippians 1:23).
Sermon notes:
If Jesus is our shepherd, we are His ___________? (John 10:1-10)
I. ________________ are vulnerable (Matthew 9:36-38; 10:16-18).
A. Anti-Christian bigotry (It’s Dangerous to Believe, by Mary Eberstadt; etc.).
B. Thieves, robbers, and other strangers (vv.1,5,8,10a).
C. A sheep’s greatest enemy is _______________ (Isaiah 53:6a; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10).
II. Jesus is the ____________ Shepherd (v.11; Isaiah 53:6b).
A. He calls us into His _______________ (v.1; Matthew 18:20; Malachi 3:16; “The mutual conversation and consolation of the brethren” Martin Luther).
B. Jesus is ___________ Door (vv.7,9; John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
C. Voice-recognition spirituality (v.3; the man born blind—John 9:1-41).
Sermon notes:
Welcome to Emmaus! (Luke 24:13-35)
I. What did Jesus teach the Emmaus disciples about the Old Testament while on the road?
A. The _______________ of the righteous (vv.26-27; Luke 11:51).
B. God’s _______________ of the righteous (Genesis 3:15; Deuteronomy 32:36; Job 19:25; Psalm 37:6-7; Isaiah 54:17; etc.).
C. What should the disciples have expected concerning Christ, and what should we expect (v.26; John 15:18; 2 Timothy 3:12; Luke 18:7)?
II. Christ’s teaching alone was not sufficient for recognition of His presence (v.16).
A. _____________ becomes the place where Jesus is recognized (vv.30-31,35).
B. However, Christ’s teaching is a necessary _________________ for recognizing Jesus in the meal (vv.25-27; 1 Corinthians 11:27-30).
C. The importance of meals in Scripture: Eden; Passover; Temple meals; Sabbath meals; Christ’s table fellowship; Lord’s Supper; *Emmaus meal.
(*teaching accompanies the meal).
III. The Emmaus meal inaugurates the meal fellowship of the Christian community.
A. It signals the _______________ of the kingdom of God (Luke 22:14-18).
B. It signals the _______________ of the Kingdom.
-
It takes place ____________ Jerusalem (v.28; Acts 1:8).
-
The Emmaus disciples are not among the eleven (Acts 2:42; 20:7).
C. It signals our _______________ in the Kingdom (1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:23-32).
-
Divine Service = the Lord’s Teaching + the Lord’s Table.
-
The church, with the opened eyes of faith, knows that until His return, our Lord will be _____________ and yet _____________ in His Divine Service (Matthew 28:20).
Sermon notes:
The Lord takes the disciples to school: the education of the eleven
(Matthew 28:1-10, 16-20)
I. The resurrection of Jesus is His vindication primarily in the eyes of:
A. Pontius Pilate and the Romans government;
B. the Sanhedrin (the council that condemned Jesus);
C. those who mocked Him;
D. the disciples.
II. The passion narrative is the disciples’ ____________________________.
A. They were slow ________________ (17:3-4, 14-17) and weak (26:38-43).
B. They were ___________________ with Jesus over the nature of His mission (16:21-23; 17:22-23; 19:13-15; 20:20-21; 26:14-16, 30-35, 56).
III. The resurrection reveals God’s _________________ of Jesus and His mission (Romans 1:4).
IV. The resurrection is the disciples’ ____________________ (Romans 4:25).
A. God, who cannot tolerate sin, relates to sinners through ____________________.
-
“Go…tell His disciples” vs “Go and tell My brothers…” (vv.7,10).
-
_______________ gather in the forgiving presence of the Lord (vv.16-20; Luke 15:1; John 21:15-17).
B. Christ builds His church despite _______________________________, by His triumph alone.
Sermon notes:
“A quiet majesty: Jesus rules” (John 18-19)
I. All four Passion Narratives, especially John’s, focus on Jesus’ ___________ bearing.
A. Foot-washing (John 13).
B. Judas (John 13).
C. His arrest (John 18).
D. His trials (John 18).
E. His coronation, investiture, enthronement, Pilate’s proclamation of Christ’s reign (John 19).
F. His last word (John 19).
G. His authority to die (John 19).
H. His burial (John 19).
II. Jesus transforms His own crucifixion and burial into __________________.
A. Jesus’ death was the most sovereign and mysterious _______________ of His life.
B. In Jesus, we see that God rules the universe through _________________.
Sermon notes:
The cross alone is our theology
I. A King without any _________________ (Matthew 24:46).
A. None are _________________ (Matthew 26:56, 69-75; 27:5).
B. The human heart is an __________________ (Calvin).
C. God will ____________________________ through the circumstances of life.
II. The power of His death.
A. The ______________ of Christ awakens the dead and sinners’ souls (Matthew 27:52, 54).
B. Faith grows in unexpected places (John 12:20-33; see also Matthew 2:10-12; 8:5-13; 15:21-28).
C. _________ responsibility is to proclaim Christ crucified; _____________ responsibility is the conversion of the world.
Sermon notes:
That all people may know we are His (John 13:1-17, 31b-35)
I. Christ’s new commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you” (v.34).
A. Christ’s love for us (disciples) _______________ our love for other disciples (v.34; 1 John 4:19).
B. “As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you” (John 15:9).
C.
D. “Let us do good to everyone, especially those of the __________________________” (Galatians 6:10).
II. How well do we keep His commandment?
A. Disputes among disciples:
-
James and John (Mark 10:35-45).
-
Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42)
-
Greek versus Hebrew disciples (Acts 6:1-6).
-
Divisions in the Corinthian Church (1 Corinthians 1:10-11; 3:1-3).
-
Euodia and Syntyche (Philippians 4:2-3).
-
______________ and you (Matthew 7:5).
B. “No one can love the Head and hate the _____________” (St. Cyprian; cf. 1 John 4:20).
C. Whoever refuses to forgive _______________ his own forgiveness (Matthew 6:15; 18:21-35).
III. Our witness to the world is not a life that is ______________, but a life that is forgiven and forgiving (John 17:20-21; Ephesians 4:32).
A. We model not perfection but __________________ (Matthew 5:23-24; 18:15).
B. As long as we reconcile, the world is still encountering _____________ (v.35).
Sermon notes:
Where God “hides” Himself (John 12:20-43)
I. Why does Jesus “hide” Himself (v.36; Isaiah 45:15)?
A. His _________________ fail to produce faith among the people (v.37).
-
His miracles are attributed to the devil (Mark 3:22; Matthew 12:24; Luke 11:15).
-
His miracles make Him a national security risk (John 11:47-50).
B. Human wisdom (i.e., common sense) fails to comprehend God and His ways (vv.32-34; Isaiah 55:8; 1 Corinthians 1:21a; 2:14).
-
Common sense seeks God in the wrong places: success, political power, prosperity, popularity, etc. (v.43).
-
Common sense _____________ man’s approval with God’s approval.
II. Christ “hides” Himself to _____________ Himself.
A. God ______________ any association with human power, strength, or prestige (1 Corinthians 1:26-31).
B. Therefore, it pleased God to reveal Himself through another way—the way of ________________, the way of “foolishness,” contrary to common sense (1 Corinthians 1:21-24).
-
Through His own __________________ He will accomplish our salvation (Matthew 27:46).
-
Christ will accomplish more through His _______________ than through His strength (v.32).
-
Through the ____________ He suffers for us, He manifests His glory.
-
Through His ____________ He gives us His life (v.24).
III. Christ’s suffering explains ours (vv.25-26).
A. “Whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (v.25).
B. Christ’s _____________ will be displayed through our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Sermon notes:
“He said WHAT? Hard sayings of Jesus”
“Marriage & divorce”
I. Jesus will not play the “Lawful Divorce” game.
A. The Pharisees assume divorce has God’s approval (Deuteronomy 24:1-4). The only debate regards the ____________________.
-
The Pharisees want to _________________ themselves.
-
Are we any different?
B. Jesus reaches back to God’s original design for marriage (Genesis 2:18,21-24).
-
Marriage is a _________________ institution (v.6).
-
Jesus will not debate “__________________” (Luke 12:13-14).
II. The Pharisees will not go down without a fight (vv.7-9).
A. “Why then did Moses command . . . divorce” (v. 7)?
B. “Because of your hardness of heart Moses ________________” (he did not command) “you to divorce your wives” (v. 8a)
C. Jesus ______________________ on God’s original design for marriage (v. 8b; James 4:10; 1 John 1:8-10).
-
He seeks our _____________________________ (Matthew 4:17).
-
Our response: Hebrews 4:7b or James 4:10?
III. God’s (Christ’s) faithfulness endures.
A. God does not _________________ His people (Hosea 2:14-23; John 3:17; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:24-32; Romans 8:1).
B. His ability to forgive ________________ our ability to offend (Psalm 103:10-12; Matthew 18:22).
C. God gives gifts to the church, including being ___________________ (vv.11,12d; 1 Corinthians 7:25-35).
“Living in the Spirit” Romans 8:1-11 Rev. Lou Vician
( ______________________ , ________________________ )
Sermon notes:
“He said WHAT? Hard sayings of Jesus”
Eternal punishment (Matthew 25:46)
I. The nature of hell.
A. _________________ from Christ’s presence (Matthew 25:41).
B. _________________ (doomed, damned). They doom themselves—cf. Matthew 25:34.
C. Eternal fire/punishment (Matthew 25:41, 46).
D. Prepared, not for_______________, but for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).
II. The necessity of hell.
A. The nature of God: holy, righteous.
-
He cannot commit sin (James 1:13).
-
He cannot ignore sin (Exodus 34:7; Numbers 14:18).
B. The enormity of sin has been lost upon us. We ________________ it.
-
We sin against an _____________ Being.
-
Sin is not just individual actions, but a _________________ irreversibly opposed to God (Genesis 8:21; Psalm 51:5).
C. Retribution vs rehabilitation
-
Rehabilitation seeks to _________________ the offender.
-
Retribution seeks to _______________ the offender of any gain from his offenses. That is justice.
D. Ceaseless _______________ demands ceaseless punishment (Revelation 22:10-11, 15; 16:10-11).
E. For many today, hell creates a moral problem, but for the biblical writers, hell is God’s _______________ to a moral problem (God’s slowness to avenge wickedness) (Romans 3:23-26; Revelation 6:10).
f. Hell was not a moral problem for ____________ (Matthew 5:22, 29; 10:28; 11:23; 18:9; 23:33; Mark 9:43, 45, 47; Luke 16:23; John 15:6, et al.)
Sermon notes:
From darkness to Light, from blindness to sight (John 9:1-41)
I. God’s diagnosis of humanity: darkness (Isaiah 9:2; Ephesians 5:8)
A. Darkness results in spiritual ______________________.
B. Darkness = powers that oppose God: sin and evil.
-
Sin is _____________________ against God (v.24).
-
Evil is _____________________ that seeks to thwart God’s will (John 8:44-45).
II. God’s prescription for humanity: Light (v.5; John 1:4).
A. Darkness is Light’s ________________, but the Light holds the darkness at bay (John 1:5).
B. The mere presence of the Light results in a judgment or division among men (v.39; cf. John 3:17):
-
The man born blind acknowledges his _______________________ and gradually “sees” and worships (vv. 12, 17, 25, 36, 38).
-
Others claim to “see” _______________ Christ and remain in their sin (vv.27, 31-34, 40-41).
C. The _______________ is passing away and will be no more (1 John 2:8; Revelation 21:23-25).
Sermon notes:
“He said WHAT? Hard sayings of Jesus”
Hate your family and your life (Luke 14:25-33)
I. Hate, in some contexts, is not an emotion but an ______________.
A. It denotes disowning, renouncing, separating oneself from previous attachments (Exodus 32:25-29).
B. It may involve preferring one over another (Genesis 29:31-33; Malachi 1:2-3; Romans 9:13).
II. Christ’s ______________ and ours.
A. Jesus is journeying to Jerusalem (Luke 14:25).
B. It involves the renunciation of ___________________ (Luke 14:26-27).
C. It is a _______________________ to our old way of life (Luke 14:26b; John 2:4; 12:25).
D. We are to place _______________________________ in subordination to discipleship (Luke 14:33).
III. Hatred, in some contexts, is a ______________ (Deuteronomy 33:9; Proverbs 6:16-19; Luke 14:26).
A. Love, in some contexts, is a ______________ (1 Samuel 2:29; Matthew 10:37).
B. Love of family can be another form of _________________ (Matthew 5:46-47).
C. Each of us needs not only to be loved but “_______________” in an appropriate way (John 2:4; Luke 18:28-30).
Sermon notes:
“Ignoring boundaries” (John 4:5-42)
I. Humanity is _____________________. We divide ourselves based on race, gender, geography, religion, language, social status, political views, etc. (v.9).
II. Jesus doesn’t celebrate ____________________. He ignores it (vv.7, 10, 20-23).
A. Jesus ignores ___________________________ (John 4:27; Acts 1:8).
B. So do His followers (Acts 8:5; 26ff.; 10:34ff.; ESL; IFC; Lego Club, VBS, etc.).
III. Jesus identifies ________________ as common to all people (vv.16-18; Proverbs 14:34; Romans 3:22b, 23).
IV. Saving faith identifies ________________ as common to all people (v.42; 1:29; 20:31).
Sermon notes:
“He said WHAT? Hard sayings of Jesus”
I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)
I. Christ’s claim is _______________ (v.6).
A. “Truth by definition is exclusive. If truth were all-inclusive, nothing would be false” (Walter Martin).
B. Truth exists and has a name: ___________ (v.6).
C. Christianity is the world’s most testable religion.
II. Christ’s invitation is ________________ (Matthew 11:28; John 3:14-15; 7:37).
A. ___________________ has been forgiven (Romans 5:18; 2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 John 2:2).
B. _____________ personally receives this forgiveness (John 3:16; Romans 3:22; 4:5; Ephesians 2:8-9).
III. _________________: a confident or forceful statement of fact or belief. (In Christianity, our beliefs rest upon facts).
A. ______________ delighted in them (John 3:3-16; 6:35; 8:12; 10:7, 11; 11:25; 14:6).
B. ____________________ should delight in them (Acts 4:12; Galatians 1:8-9; 1 Timothy 2:5).
C. “Take away assertions and you take away __________________” (Martin Luther).
Sermon notes:
The world-wideness of God’s love (John 3:1-17)
I. “The Light shines in the darkness” (John 1:5).
A. Darkness is the result of one man’s sin (v.6a; Genesis 3:6b; Romans 5:19a).
B. In John’s Gospel, darkness/night is synonymous with ignorance and opposition to God (v.2; John 9:4; 11:10; 13:30).
-
Only when the Light arrives is the darkness exposed as darkness.
-
Evil is aware of its own shame. Therefore, it loves darkness and does not want to be exposed (Genesis 3:7-8; John 3:19-20).
C. Even the most spiritually privileged people on earth (i.e. Israel) are ___________ and __________________ (v.10; Matthew 10:6; John 8:40; 11:45-53).
D. Even the world’s most privileged people need, not reform, but ______________ (vv.5-7)!
II. “and the darkness is passing away” (1 John 2:8).
A. God hated both sin and its result, darkness, but God loved the world, and so He resolved to deal with sin through the revelation of His love: “agape” (ah-GAH-pay; v.16).
B. “Agape” is more than a feeling (v.16a).
-
It is a ____________________ that expressed itself in action at the cross (v.16b).
-
It is not passive, it is _________________ (vv.16c, 17).
-
It did not depend on how ________________ the object of love is; it acted in the interest of its object (i.e. the world).
-
All the world’s __________ could not deter it (Romans 5:8).
C. Through ______________ the love of God reached the world of men. It was released into the world by His death.
D. It signals a new relationship of God to man, and of _________________ (Luke 7:47-48; Romans 5:19; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
Sermon notes:
“He said WHAT? Hard sayings of Jesus”
What God will not forgive (Matthew 12:22-37)
I. Words matter to God because God does everything by _______________ (Genesis 1:3; Matthew 9:2,6; John 11:43).
A. His word is how God ___________________________________ us.
B. Our _____________ reveal who we are (vv.34b-35).
C. Our “careless words” undermine the importance of all words, including ____________ (Romans 2:24; 2 Peter 2:2).
D. If the devil can get us to diminish the importance of words generally, he can get us to diminish the importance of God’s word specifically.
II. Threatening words: what does Jesus mean (vv.31-32)?
A. “Perhaps there is not in all holy Scripture a more important or more difficult question” [than what blasphemy against the Spirit is and who is—and who is not--guilty of this] (St. Augustine).
B. “__________________ speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven” (v.32).
C. Let the words of Jesus do their work. Let them make you ____________________ (Psalm 119:67; 141:5)
D. You cannot appreciate __________________ until yours is threatened.
E. The threat of ___________________ reveals how completely vulnerable we are before God (Isaiah 66:2b).
III. God’s _________________________ is our only refuge.
A. “Set a watch before my mouth O Lord and guard the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).
B. “__________________ comes to Me I will never cast out” (John 6:37).
Sermon notes:
Death in Adam, Life in Christ (Romans 5:12-21)
I. God relates to humanity through ___________________ whom He has chosen.
A. Adam.
B. Christ.
II. Adam and the reign of death (vv.12-14).
A. Death __________________ follows sin.
B. “death spread to all men because _________ sinned” (in Adam, vv.12,18-19; Job 14:4; Psalm 51:5; John 3:6; Ephesians 2:1,5).
C. Adam is the negative _________________ of Christ (v.14).
III. Christ’s reign of grace and life (vv.15-19).
A. Death automatically follows sin. ______________ is never automatic. It is gift.
B. Adam destroyed _______________________, Christ died only for others. Condemnation is deserved, grace is not.
C. One trespass automatically brought condemnation; yet God’s free gift brought ____________________ in spite of many trespasses (v.16; Isaiah 53:11).
D. “Where sin increased, _______________ abounded all the more” (v.20).
E. God’s ______________ in Christ for all sinners far exceeds His wrath (1 John 4:8,16).
Sermon notes:
Who is your audience? (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18)
I. Theatrical righteousness
A. theathenai (“theater”) = “to be seen” (v.1).
B. audience: _________________.
C. glorifies you, rather than God, and robs God of His _______________.
D. hypocritai (“hypocrites”) = “performers” (v.2).
E. Your reward is _______________________.
II. Anonymous righteousness
A. en krypto (“crypt,” “cryptography”) = “in secret” (vv.4,6,18).
B. audience: ________________.
C. glorifies God alone because ______________________________!
D. The Father’s rewards are based on ___________, not merit.
-
The reward is promised to those already saved (Matthew 5:13-14)
-
The reward far exceeds what we could merit (Matthew 5:12; 19:29; 20:1-16; Hebrews 10:35).
-
The promise of reward consoles us in our affliction (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
E. There is no contradiction between Matthew 5:16 and 6:1.
III. Jesus assigns little or no value to the opinion of others. Only such a Man could ______________________.
A. The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ description of ______________.
B. “I always do those things that are pleasing to Him” (John 8:29; 4:34; Matthew 3:15).
C. Christ is our _________________ (Jeremiah 23:6; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 5:21).
Sermon notes:
God unclothed and God fully-clothed (Matthew 17:1-9)
Peter seems to _________________ the three men (v.4).
God’s prophets are God’s messengers. God’s Son is ___________________ (John 1:1; Romans 9:5; Hebrews 1:8).
The Father hands over all things ________________ (John 3:35; 5:22; Hebrews 3:5-6; et al.).
The Father dwells in _________________________ (1 Timothy 6:16; Exodus 33:20).
The voice from the cloud is _______________________ (vv.5-6).
Luther: this is the “nude” God (Deus nudus), the _______________ voice from heaven (Exodus 20:18-19).
The Father will reveal Himself ________________________ (v.5; John 1:18; 14:9; Colossians 1:15).
The voice of Jesus is ________________________ (v.7).
Luther: Jesus is God “fully-clothed” (Deus revelatus). It is the voice _______________.
Application:
Beware the Deus nudus!
This distinction (Deus nudus vs Deus revelatus) explains Christ’s odd behavior.
Privately Publicly
Jesus is glorifed/majestic He is humiliated/rejected
His garments are glistening His garments are taken from Him
He stands on a high mountain He is lifted up on a cross
He is flanked by two heroes He is flanked by two criminals
All is light All is darkness
Sermon notes:
Irreplaceable! (Matthew 5:13-16)
I. You are ________________________ (vv.13a; 14, 15b-16)! (Gospel)
A. You are the salt of the earth/light of the world.
B. You are the salt of the earth/light of the world.
C. You are the salt of the earth/light of the world.
D. You are the salt of the earth/light of the world.
-
Salt exists for the sake of food, and disciples exist for the sake of __________________________ (v. 13a; Matthew 28:18-20).
-
After loyalty to Jesus, the disciple’s greatest desire is to _______________________________ (v.16; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 2:10).
II. You can become _______________________! (Law)
A. Tasteless salt (v.13b).
-
We are not challenged to become, but to ___________________, salty.
-
Don’t let the world ___________________ your effectiveness.
B. Invisible light (v.15a).
III. Your ___________________: to glorify God.
A. The glory of God is the goal of the church (v.16; John 15:8; Colossians 3:10; 1 Peter 2:12).
B. God’s glory is made visible through ________________________ (v.16; John 1:14; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; 12:27).
Sermon notes:
Privilege and the reign of God (Matthew 5:1-12)
“Privilege” is unearned access or advantages granted to specific groups of people because of their membership in a social group. Privilege can be based on a variety of social identities such as race, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, ability status, sexuality, age, education level and more.
I. “Blessed” refers to those who are ____________ (vv.3-12).
A. “Blessed” describes the _______________________ we find ourselves in as recipients of Christ’s saving work.
B. “Blessedness” (privilege) describes man in relation to Christ (Matthew 11:6; 13:16-17; 16:17).
-
The privilege of being _______________ in Christ (vv.3-6).
-
The privilege of being _______________ in Christ (vv.7-9).
-
The privilege of being _______________ for Christ (vv.10-12; 2 Timothy 3:12).
II. Blessedness is not without _____________ (vv.3a-10a,11).
III. Blessedness ___________________ the cost (vv.3b-10b,12; Romans 8:18).
Sermon notes:
“Follow Me” (Matthew 4:12-25)
I. Matthew emphasizes the absolute initiative of God in establishing communion with man (Martin Franzmann).
A. Calling is an act of God (Genesis 1:3ff.; 12:1-3; Exodus 3:10; Proverbs 8:1-4; 1 Samuel 3:4; Hosea 11:1-2; Micah 1:1, etc.; Mark 3:13; Acts 9:1-6).
-
The Word of the Lord comes without our asking and often against our ___________ (e.g. Moses, Jeremiah, Jonah, etc.).
-
Jesus is no ordinary rabbi. He is ____________, who “confiscates” us for His own purposes (vv.19, 21; John 15:16; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Corinthians 7:15; Colossians 3:15; Galatians 5:13).
B. Jesus does not seek ____________________ (Matthew 8:18-22; Luke 9:61-62).
II. Christ’s call involves complete committal and relentless devotion.
A. His call __________________ the claim of wife, family and home (v.22; 10:37).
B. His call _______________ what it demands (v.19).
-
We love whatever we find _______________________.
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God’s love does not find, but _______________, what is attractive or desirable.
C. Jesus is an ___________________, not a legislator. His call is an _______________________ (Matthew 13:44; John 10:10; Galatians 1:15; Ephesians 3:2).
Sermon notes:
“Who has God’s approval?” (Matthew 3:13-17)
v.13: God works through people.
v.14: We often think we know better than God (Matthew 16:22).
v.15: In the Old Testament, God’s righteousness often refers to His mighty acts of _________________ (Psalm 71:2; Isaiah 51:5-8).
v.16: Christ/Messiah means “anointed one.”
a) The ____________ anoints, the ____________ is anointed, and the ____________ is the anointing. Christian Baptism is Trinitarian Baptism (Matthew 28:19-20).
b) The Baptism of Jesus—in water—is __________-Baptism. Christian Baptism—in water—is __________ -Baptism (John 3:5; Acts 2:38-39; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Titus 3:5).
v.17: God approves of Jesus.
a) “Jesus says, ‘Allow it now, John, for this is how God’s righteous act of __________________ is enacted—the mighty one becomes lowly, the righteous one steps into the water where sinners have stood.’ And God says, ‘This makes Me really happy. This is the kind of Son I have sent into the world. It’s fitting. Why? Because it looks like a _____________. It looks like what Jesus will ultimately do at the _____________.’” (Quote from Dr. Jeff Gibbs, “Issues, Etc.” podcast, November 29, 2016)
b) Christian baptism is baptism “into Christ” (Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27).
c) You are baptized into His _____________ (1 Corinthians 12:13).
d) Approval is really about Christ, and God approves of you _________________ (Romans 3:21-24; 6:23; 8:1; 1 Corinthians 15:22; 2 Corinthians 5:17,21; Ephesians 2:13; Philippians 4:19).
Sermon notes:
Overcoming apathy
I. The Magi may not know God’s Word, but God can speak their language.
A. Scripture forbids _________________. It brings God’s judgment, and it is inadequate for knowing God (v.2; Deuteronomy 4:19; 18:10-14; Isaiah 47:13-14).
B. Those who seek Jesus must submit themselves to God’s _____________ (vv. 3-6).
II. God’s people know God’s Word but may ignore it.
A. The pagan astrologers seek Jesus; Israel’s leaders _______________ Jesus and fail to act on what they know (vv.5-6).
B. Akedia (acedia) = apathy/indifference (lit. “a lack of care”). It is a sin of __________________, not commission.
-
We become dull of hearing (Hebrews 5:11).
-
“The last shall be first and the first shall be last” (Matthew 20:16).
III. “The one who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Luke 21:19; James 1:12).
A. God’s _______________ is our foundation for daily life, not our feelings or lack thereof (Matthew 4:4).
B. We may stop ________________ God, but He does not stop ________________ us (Luke 15:4).
Sermon notes:
Watchfulness is a way of life (Luke 12:35-40)
I. Watchfulness (readiness): it nature.
A. “Stay dressed for action” means the Lord’s _________________ is near (Exodus 12:11; 1 Kings 18:46).
B. “lamps burning” suggests readiness is ____________.
C. Servants “waiting” and “awake” are those who _________________________ (vv.36-37).
II. Watchfulness: its need.
A. We are tempted to “_________________” (a euphemism for spiritual death; Mark 13:36; Romans 13:11; Ephesians 5:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:6).
B. ______________ results from weariness, laziness, or self-indulgence.
III. Watchfulness: it’s motivation.
A. “He who watches over Israel will neither ________________ nor ______________” (Psalm 121:4).
B. We believe in a Master who __________________ (v.37; Luke 22:27; John 13:3-5).
C. Devotion to duty is ultimately ________________ (Philippians 3:8-9).
Sermon notes:
“. . . on earth as it is in heaven.” (Luke 2:1-20)
I. Heaven’s __________________ (vv.9-14).
A. The glory of the Lord ________________ the darkness (v.9).
B. The heavenly host (_____________) praise and glorify God for the birth of Christ (vv.10-14).
C. Heaven’s praise always includes ______________ (Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 5:11-14).
II. Earth’s ________________ (vv.15-20).
A. The shepherds glorify and praise God for the birth of Christ (v.20).
B. Contrast Earth’s “________________” (Genesis 4:10; 18:21; Isaiah 5:7).
C. Christ’s birth and death _______________ heaven and earth in peace and praise (v.14; cf. Luke 19:38,42).
Sermon notes:
Becoming Jesus (John 1:1-18)
I. The Word is the Divine Person destined to speak to men.
A. He is God’s ______________________ (v. 1a, Genesis 1:1ff.; ).
B. He is ________________ from God (v.1b).
C. Yet He is ______________ (v.1c).
II. The Word, remaining what He was, becomes what He was not (v.14a).
A. God becomes _______________ (1 Peter 1:24-25).
B. God becomes what God _________________.
For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, (Romans 8:3).
III. His _______________ is the localization of God’s presence on earth.
A. He replaces both ____________________ and __________________ (v.14a; 2:19-22).
B. He reveals God’s glory in a way we can see and not be blinded (vv. 14b, 18; cf. Exodus 33:18-23; 1 Kings 8:11).
C. God’s unique Son becomes human so that humans might become God’s ___________ (vv.12-14).
Sermon notes:
“The power of names” (Matthew 1:18-25)
I. Names _____________________________.
II. Jesus: what His name means (v.21).
A. He Himself will save His people from their sins.
B. He Himself will save His people from their sins.
C. He Himself will save His people from their sins.
D. He Himself will save His people from their sins.
III. Jesus: why His name matters (v.23).
A. It creates our ________________________, “God with us.”
B. The presence of Jesus is God’s saving presence with ________________________________ (Matthew 18:20; 28:20).
C. His names __________________________ us.
Sermon notes: The Fathers of Jesus
Joseph: “Price Paid” (Matthew 1:18-25)
I. Joseph values God’s will above his own ___________________ (vv.24-25).
A. Joseph never ________________. He believes the angels’ words and _____________________ God’s will (vv.20-25; 2:13-15, 19-21).
B. _____________________ will cost Joseph his reputation.
II. Joseph formally _________________ Jesus (vv.24-25).
A. The most important thing a father can do for his children is ________________________ (v.19).
B. Joseph shows _________________ to Mary.
-
“Mercy” = “_____________________” (Luke 10:25-37).
-
Like father, like ______________ (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 1:7).
C. Like His legal father, Jesus will ___________________ fulfill God’s will (Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 26:62-63; 27:12-14).
Sermon notes:
“Dealing with doubt” (Matthew 11:2-15)
I. Doubt/conflict arises when there is a gap between our ___________________ and our ____________________.
A. Doubt vs. unbelief.
-
Doubt = ________________________ (vv.3; James 1:8).
-
Unbelief = __________________________ (John 20:25).
B. Doubt arises from a _______________ view of God, from a faith malformed or malnourished.
-
So far, Jesus has fulfilled none of John’s predictions (Matthew 3:7-12).
-
God routinely acts in ways we do not _________________ (v.12; Matthew 5:3-12; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Isaiah 55:8-9).
II. Don’t be ashamed of your doubts/questions.
A. Share them with someone more experienced.
B. John took his doubts to ___________ (v.2-3).
-
Seeing what Jesus ___________ and hearing what He ___________ is the only way to create faith (vv.4-5; Romans 10:17).
-
Jesus does not malign John; He ______________ the disciples (v.11b).
-
Jesus exalts _______________ despite his doubts (vv.7-15; Isaiah 42:3).
" Are you tuned to the Lord's frequency? " -- Matthew 3: 1-12 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
" The Ascension of our Lord: what it is and why it matters to you " -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
" Never was there a grief like Thine, nor a joy like ours " -- Mark 15: 13 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
" Death and Life are in the Power of the Tongue " -- Proverbs 18:21 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
" This day of grace is brought to you by Jesus Christ " -- Luke 12: 1-9 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
" Acceptance vs Approval: Is there a difference? " -- 2 Corinthians 5: 19-28 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
" God's gifts freely given -- or not at all! " -- Luke 4: 14-30 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
" Power, powerlessness, and the power that decides " -- Matthew 2: 1-23 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
" What Child is this, and why does it matter? " -- Luke 2: 1-20 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
“Ruth: dying into life” -- (Ruth 1:1-22; 4:13-17; Matthew 1:1-6a) --Rev. John W. Armstrong
" Rahab: harlot turned heroine of faith " -- (Joshua 2:1-21; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25-26; Matthew 1:1-5a) -- Rev. John W .Armstrong
“Tamar: a wronged woman righted” -- Genesis 38; Matthew 1:1-3 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
" Provocative street theater: Jesus enters Jerusalem " -- Luke 19: 28-40 -- Rev, John W. Armstrong
“How (and how not) to give thanks to God” -- Luke 17: 11 - 19 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
" Jesus on marriage: clarity in an age of confusion " -- Mark 10: 2-16 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
" We are stewards of freedom " -- 2 Corinthians 9: 6-8; Galatians 5:13 - 14 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
" The Gospel is the true tradition of the Church " -- Mark 7:1-13 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
05/23/2021 -- The Spirit of Truth confronts the world -- John 15:26-27, 16:4b- 15 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
05/16/2021 -- " We need prayer. so Jesus steps up! " -- John 17: 11-19 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
11/08/2020 -- What you don't know can save you! --Matthew 25: 1-13 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
11/01/2020 -- " Christ's fullness into our emptiness " -- Matthew 5:1 - 12 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
10/25/2020 -- " Free at last and free indeed!" -- John 8:31-36 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
10/11/2020 -- " The Kingdom of God is a Party! " -- Matthew 22: 1-14 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
09/13/2020 -- " Are you forgiven much, or are you forgiven little? " -- Matthew 18:21-35 Luke 7:47 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
09/06/2020 -- " When children become people " -- Matthew 18: 1-20 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
08/30/2020 -- " A procession of crosses: Christ conforms us to Himself " -- Matthew 16: 21-27 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
08/16/2020 -- " A FAITH THAT WILL NOT LET GO " -- Matthew 15: 21-28 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
08/16/2020 -- " A FAITH THAT WILL NOT LET GO " -- Matthew 15: 21-28 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
08/02/2020 -- " When you have Jesus, you have everything: Jesus takes the church to school" -- Matthew 14: 13-21 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
07/19/2020 -- Reaction versus response -- Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
06/21/2020 -- " The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the end of cowardice " Matthew 10: 5a 21-33 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
06/14/2020 -- "A heart for the hurting " -- Matthew 9:35- 10:8 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
06/07/2020 -- ""ALL authority" -- really?!" -- Matthew 28: 16-20 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
05/24/2020 -- " Under the guardian care of the Father " -- John 17: 1-11 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
05/21/2020 -- The Ascension: Christ's pivot point " -- Luke 24: 44-53 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
05/17/2020 -- " God settles the solitary in a home " -- Psalm 68: 5-6; John 14: 15-21 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
05/10/2020 -- " The living, beating heart of God -- John 14: 1-14 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
05/03/2020 -- " The familiar voice: the Shepherd makes His sheep secure" -- John 10: 1-10-- Rev. John W. Armstrong
04/26/2020 -- " Re-knowing Jesus / re-knowing the Scriptures " -- Luke 24 : 13-35 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
04/12/2020 -- " The Lord takes the disciples to school: the education of the eleven " -- Matthew 28: 1-10, 16-20 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
03/29/2020 -- " Facing the unknown faithfully " -- John 11: 1-53 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
03/29/2020 -- " Facing the unknown faithfully " -- John 11: 1-53 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
03/22/2020 -- " Our dis-ability and Christ's a-bility-- John 9 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
03/11/2020 -- "Christ, the Passover and the birth of a nation" -- Rev John W. Armstrong
03/08/2020 -- "Does life begin at 75?" -- Genesis 12:1-9, John 3: 1-17 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
02/26/2020 -- Ash Wednesday-- "Faith at work!" -- Matthew 6:1-18 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
02/23/2020 -- " God unclothed and God fully-clothed" -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
02/16/2020 -- " The Myth of Righteous Anger" -- Matthew 5:23-37 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
02/02/2020 -- " It's not what you look at that counts, it's what you see!" -- Luke 2: 22-33 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
01/26/2020 -- " Jesus plunders Capernaum" -- Matthew 4: 12-25 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
01/05/20 -- "A Higher Loyality: Friction in the Holy Family" -- Luke 2: 40-52 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
12/31/19 -- " God's wonderful will for you in 2020" -- Romans 8:28-39 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
12/29/19 -- " Humanity at its worst and at its best ' -- Matthew 2: 13-23 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
12/15/19 -- " The doubts of a man of God" -- Matthew 11: 2-19 -- Rev, John W. Armstrong
11/24/19-- " What does it mean to have Christ as King" -- Luke 23: 36-43 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
11/10/19 -- " Planned obsolescence" or "Resurrection is for children only" -- Luke 20:27-40 -- "Rev. John W. Armstrong"
09/22/19 -- " Man and woman: equal and different" -- 1 Timothy 2: 1-16 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
08/25/19 -- " Following Christ is a Struggle, Not a Stroll" -- Luke 13: 22-30 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
08/11/19 -- " The hardest thing you'll ever 'do'" -- Luke 12: 22-34 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
07/14/19 --- " Life's a ditch: help needed!" -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
02/26/19-- "Christ overcomes the world (and our worldliness)" -- John 16:33 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
05/12/19 -- "The Shepherd calls, Do you hear?" -- John 10: 22-31 -- Rev. John W . Armstrong
05/05/19 -- " Jesus reveals Himself to His disciples and to us" John 21: 1 - 19--- Rev. John W. Armstrong
04/21/19 -- " The Story that explains all others" -- Luke 24:1 - 12-- Rev. John W. Armstrong
04/19/19 -- Chief Service-- " Man at Work" -- John 19: 28-30, 38-42 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
04/18/19 -- The Most Amazing Supper You've Ever had: what it is and what it does" --- 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
04/19/19- Noon -- “Heaven and Hell Break Loose” -- Matthew 27:46-53 --- Rev. John W. Armstrong
04/14/19 -- "God's job description" -- Deuteronomy 32: 36-39 -- Rev. John. W. Armstrong
04/07/19 - " Your innermost thoughts revealed" --- Luke 20: 9-20 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
03/31/19--- " Two lost sons and the amazingly gracious father" --- Luke 15:1-3, 11-32-- Rev. John W. Armstrong
03/17/19 -- "Jesus, you're fired! How Christ responds to rejection" -- Luke 13: 31-35 --- Rev. John W. Armstrong
03/10/19 -- "Christ the Conqueror; God's 'rest' for humanity" --- Luke 4: 1-13 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
03/06/19-- Ash Wednesday -- "Toxic Righteousness" -- Rev. John W. Armstrong -- Mattthew 6:1-6, 16-18
03/03/19 -- "The 'Son of God' makes us 'sons of God'" Luke9: 28 -36 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
02/24/19 -- "Unnatural acts: the transforming power of grace" -- Rev. John W . Armstrong -- Luke 6: 27-38
02/03/2019 -- "The Word at Work: the Gospel is an Event" -- Luke 4:31-44 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
1/27/19--- "Confronting rejection: the experience of Christ and His followers" - Luke 4: 14-30 --- Rev. John W. Armstrong
12/12/18 -- "We wait for: completion" --- (Romans 7:14-8:4; Romans 8:18-23; Philippians 1:6) -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
12/9/18 -- "Bloom where you are palnted: how God makes your life fruitful" -- Luke 3:1-14 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
12/5/18 -- “We wait for: provision” (Psalm 145:15-16; Matthew 5:43-45; John 6:32-36) -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
12/02/18 -- " Blessed is he Who Comes in the Name of the Lord" -- Rev. John W. Armstrong-- The Sanctus LSB p208
11/25/18 -- "When Trutch stares you in the face"-- John 18: 33-40 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
11/18/18 - Endurance: why you need it and where to find it. -- Rev. John W. Armstrong -- Mark 13: 1-13
11/04/18 -- God’s all-saints’ mission victory—every nation worshipping around the throne of the Lamb,” (Revelation 7:9-11)-- Rev. Greg Seltz
11/01/18 -- "Making 'sense' of God: experiencing God through the senses" --- 1 John 3:1-3 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
10/21/18 -- "What's mine is ours: ownership and sharing in the New Testament" -- Mark 10:23-31, Acts 4:32-37--- Rev. John W Armstrong
10/7/18 --- "Travelling Light: learning to let goin an age of consumption" -- Luke 12: 13-21 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
09/30/18 -- "When should you say 'no' to giving, and when will you say 'yes'?" -- 2 Corinthians 9: 6-10 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
09/23/18 -- The 'Man for others' is the Man for you -- Mark 9:30-37 --- Rev. John W Armstrong
09/16/18 -- "Living between belief and unbeief" Mark 9: 14-29 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
9/9/18 - "Is a sigh 'just a sigh' ? The emotion of Jesus and why it matters" Mark 7:31 - 37 -- Rev. John W Armstrong
09/02/18 -- " Jesus declares all foods clean, and you also" - Mark 7:14- 23 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
07/29/18 --- " Jesus, the lonely, who removes our aloneness" Mark 6:45-52 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
07/08/18 -- "Your perception of Jesus is a reflection of you" -- Mark 6: 1-13 -- Rev. John W. Armstrong
07/01/18 -- "Touching Jesus" -- Mark 5:21-43 (Part of the 3-Year Lectionary B series).
Rev John W. Armstrong
| 06/03/18 Jars of Clay | | 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 (Part of the 3-Year Lectionary B series).Seminarian Alex Harris |
05/20/18 Pentecost Then and Now (Acts 2: 1-21)
Rev. Gene Ernst preached at Grace Lutheran Church
Location, Location, Location: you are where you live. (John 15:9-17)
Pastor Armstrong's sermon is based on John 15:9-17
Part of the 3-Year Lectionary B series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Pastor Armstrong's sermon is based on John 10:11-18.
4/15/2018 -- " Connecting the Dots in the Old Testament" Luke 24: 36-49
Pastor John W. Armstrong
4/8/2018 -- Putting your resurrection faith to work -- John 20:19-31
by Pastor John W Armstrong
"On Good Friday, the End of the Age and the Day of the Lord have come” Matthew 27:45-54