St. Paul's UMC - Brick, NJ Podcast: Recent Episodes
Pastor Alan Darby
Sermon in a sentence: “God is the standard and source of all wisdom - wisdom we need for life”
Intro
Decisions, Decisions The Wisdom of God
God Only Wise
Definitions of God’s Wisdom
Wisdom and Knowledge (James 3:17, Proverbs 1: 1-7) God’s Wisdom and the World’s Wisdom (I Corinthians 1: 18-25)
Displays of God’s Wisdom
Through Creation (Psalms 104:24) Through Providence (Psalms 33: 10-11) Through Redemption (I Corinthians 2: 6-10) Through His Son (I Corinthians 1:30)
Developing Wisdom Within Us
Begins with Fear of His Ways (Proverbs 9:10, Job 28:28) Grows with Receiving His Word (Psalms 119:97-100, II Timothy 3: 16-17) Requires asking for it directly (James 1: 5, Colossians 1:9) Involves trusting God Completely (Proverbs 3: 5,6)
Conclusion
Sermon in a sentence: “God is the sovereign ruler of all and in control of all things we face today”Intro“Who’s in Control?”God is SovereignKnowing GodOur God ReignsWhat does it mean?God is Lord and King (Psalm 93:1, Isaiah 44: 6-8)God Rules and Over-RulesOver Creation (Colossians 1: 18-20)Over Nature (Matthew 8: 23-27)Over Super Nature (Matthew 8: 28-34)What does it matter?We bow before His Lordshipabsolute surrender (Philippians 2: 9-11)obedience to His willWe Believe in His ProvidenceNo worries (Romans 8:28)Look for His care (Genesis 50:20)We Behold His MajestyWorship at His Throne (Revelation 19: 11-16)Wonder at His works (Romans 11: 33-36)Conclusion “Trust and Obey
Sermon in a sentence: “The goodness of god is that which disposes Him to be kind, cordial, benevolent, and full of good will.”IntroTo Know and Be Known“God is good…. all the time.”“The Goodness of God”God’s Goodness DefinedGoodness and glory (Exodus 33:19, 34:5-)Goodness and generosity (Matthew 5:45)God’s Goodness RevealedThrough Natural Blessings (Psalm 145:7-9, 15-17)Through Specific Deliverance (Psalm 107)Through God’s Son - JesusOur Response to God’s GoodnessRepentance of ingratitude (Romans 2:4)Rest in His Love (Psalm 31:19-20)Risk in His ProvidenceConclusion
Sermon in a sentence: “When those whose lives are in danger need our prayers, it would be a sin to fail them.”Intro Memorial DayWe RememberRemember and Pray The Model of Samuel PrayingRevival in Israel (1 Samuel 7:2-6)Rejection of Divine Rule (1 Samuel 8:7)Retirement Speech (1 Samuel 12:1-15)Repentance and Admonition (1 Samuel 12:17-25)The Meaning for Believers TodayWe need to humble ourselves.We need to remember and prayPractical and Tactical PrayerStrategic PrayersSpecific PrayersConclusion
Sermon in a sentence: “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step”Intro “I’ve Got Rhythm”Pentecost Implications"Keep in Step”Be Aware of the Conflict The External Enemy (I John 2:15)The Infernal Enemy (I Peter 5:8)The Internal Enemy (Galatians 5: 16 & 17)Consider the Contrast The Acts of the Sinless NatureSensual SinSpiritual SinSocial SinThe Fruit of the SpiritMount the Conquest The Historical Aspect (Romans 6: 2-7)The Mental Aspect (Romans 6:11)The Practical Aspect (Romans 6: 12 & 13)Conclusion
Thesis: When we experience Christ’s presence, we delight in introducing Him to others.IntroductionPalm Sunday!“Seeing the Unseen Christ – How His Presence transforms life!”Ambassadors for ChristThe Motive of our WitnessThe Compulsion of our love for ChristThe Compulsion of Christ’s love for the lostThe Conviction of the Gospel of ChristThe Mission of our WitnessThe ministry of ReconciliationEffective AmbassadorsA Lighthouse lifestyleOur Mission fieldOur Mission field The message of ReconciliationNaturally God’s EnemiesPeace with GodToday’s the Day!Conclusion
Thesis: “Hearts renewed awaken us to love one another withIntroductionLavish His Love A Love which is Dutiful in its ministry (5:44)We must treat our enemies PleasantlyWe must treat our enemies ProfitabilityWe must treat our enemies PrayerfullyA love which is Distinctive in its quality (5:45-47)Spiritual love (5:45)Impartial love (5:45-47)A love which is Developed in its constancyObedience to the Word of GodDependence on the Son of GodAllegiance to the Church of God )Conclusion
Thesis: “Hearts renewed awaken us to love one another withIntroductionLavish His Love A Love which is Dutiful in its ministry (5:44)We must treat our enemies PleasantlyWe must treat our enemies ProfitabilityWe must treat our enemies PrayerfullyA love which is Distinctive in its quality (5:45-47)Spiritual love (5:45)Impartial love (5:45-47)A love which is Developed in its constancyObedience to the Word of GodDependence on the Son of GodAllegiance to the Church of GodConclusion
IntroductionThesis: “God’s forgiveness is the model and mandate for ours”“Four Questions Regarding Forgiveness”“How many times must I forgive someone?”Peter’s Question: “seven times?”Jesus’ Answer: “seventy times seven!”Four Powerful MotivatorsGod commands itOur fellowship with God depends it!Real fellowship with other requires it.Our personal peace presupposes it.“Do I have to forgive someone who hasn’t asked?”Answer: “No… not necessarily…”Our model is God’s forgiveness of usEphesians 4:31 & 32; Colossians 3: 12 & 13God’s condition is our confessionDistinction #1: Unconditional Love and Conditional ForgivenessGod’s love has no conditionsTherefore we must love.… even enemies!Qualifying Clarification #1Only legitimate condition is being asked!No license to add, “if you make it up by….”Qualifying Clarification #2You may choose to forgive unconditionallyQualifying Clarification #3Forgiveness doesn’t wait for other to comeGod longs for reconciliation and restoration“If I forgive, do we still have to be best friends?”Answers: “No….. not necessarily…”We are commanded to “love” one another…. Not “Like”To love we must always be (1 Corinthians 13)Distinction #2: Forgiveness & RestorationForgiveness = pardonForgiveness – conscious decision of the willDegrees of Reconciliation and RestorationSimple ceasing hostilityRestored communicationRestored relation/guarded trustFull restoration/intimacyQualifying Clarification– Fine line between processing hurt feelings and harboring resentment“If I forgive, do I have to cancel their debt?”Answer: “no…. not necessarily…”Distinction #3; forgiveness and ConsequencesConsequences IllustratedConclusion
Introduction Thesis: “God’s forgiveness is the model and mandate for ours”“Four Questions Regarding Forgiveness”“How many times must I forgive someone?”Peter’s Question: “seven times?”Jesus’ Answer: “seventy times seven!”Four Powerful MotivatorsGod commands itOur fellowship with God depends it!Real fellowship with other requires it.Our personal peace presupposes it.“Do I have to forgive someone who hasn’t asked?”Answer: “No… not necessarily…”Our model is God’s forgiveness of usEphesians 4:31 & 32; Colossians 3: 12 & 13God’s condition is our confessionDistinction #1: Unconditional Love and Conditional ForgivenessGod’s love has no conditionsTherefore we must love.… even enemies!Qualifying Clarification #1Only legitimate condition is being asked!No license to add, “if you make it up by….”Qualifying Clarification #2 You may choose to forgive unconditionallyQualifying Clarification #3Forgiveness doesn’t wait for other to comeGod longs for reconciliation and restoration“If I forgive, do we still have to be best friends?”Answers: “No….. not necessarily…”We are commanded to “love” one another…. Not “Like”To love we must always be (1 Corinthians 13)Distinction #2: Forgiveness & RestorationForgiveness = pardon”Forgiveness – conscious decision of the willDegrees of Reconciliation and RestorationSimple ceasing hostilityRestored communicationRestored relation/guarded trustFull restoration/intimacyQualifying Clarification – Fine line between processing hurt feelings and harboring resentment“If I forgive, do I have to cancel their debt?”Answer: “no…. not necessarily…”Distinction #3; forgiveness and Consequences…”Consequences IllustratedConclusion