Faith Bible Church: Recent Episodes
Faith Bible Church
Sermon Theme: What you truly believe regarding Jesus’s claims about Himself will determine where you will spend Eternity.Jesus said:1) I AM the Bread of life (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51)2) I AM the Light of the world (John 8:12)3) I AM the Door of the sheep (John 10:7, 9)4) I AM the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14)5) I AM the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25)6) I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)7) I AM the true Vine (John 15:1, 5)
Inauguration – What is the New Covenant?3) Why the New Covenant is Glorious for Sinners Today,4) Why the New Covenant is Glorious for Believers Today,
Theme: The Sabbath is a gift from God that points us to rest, worship, and trust, ultimately pointing us to Christ.1) The Sabbath at Creation (Gen. 2:1-3)2) The Sabbath became a covenant sign for Israel (Exod. 20:8-11; 31:12-17)3) Jesus restored the true meaning of the Sabbath (Mk. 2:23-28)4) Jesus is our ultimate Sabbath rest (Heb. 4:1-11; Matt. 11:28-30)
All verse are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB)Genesis 2:1-31 And so the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their heavenly lights. 2 By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.Exodus 20:8-11; 31:12-178 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 For six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath of the Lord your God; on it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male slave or your female slave, or your cattle, or your resident who stays with you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and everything that is in them, and He rested on the seventh day; for that reason the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.12 Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 13 “Now as for you, speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘You must keep My Sabbaths; for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, so that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you. 14 Therefore you are to keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it must be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people. 15 For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the Lord; whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. 16 So the sons of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to celebrate the Sabbath throughout their generations as a permanent covenant.’ 17 It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed.”Mark 2:23-2823 And it happened that He was passing through the grain fields on the Sabbath, and His disciples began to make their way along while picking the heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees were saying to Him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25 And He *said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions became hungry; 26 how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests, and he also gave it to those who were with him?” 27 Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord, even of the Sabbath.”Hebrews 4:1-114 Therefore, we must fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also did; but the word they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united with those who listened with faith. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said,“As I swore in My anger,They certainly shall not enter My rest,”although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; 5 and again in this passage, “They certainly shall not enter My rest.” 6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who previously had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 He again sets a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before,“Today if you hear His voice,Do not harden your hearts.”8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. 9 Consequently, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. 11 Therefore let’s make every effort to enter that rest,
We must know and understand what God’s purpose is for our church, and together strive to excel in fulfilling that purpose for the glory of Christ.The Fantastic 4-fold Purpose of the Local Church:1) Be a Worshiping Body – Exalt the Lord2) Be a Witnessing Body – Evangelize the Lost3) Be a Walking Body – Edify the Saints4) Be a Working Body – Equip the Saints
s identity as a new man in Christ, you and I must put on the God-given garments of that new man.Outline:The Outer Garments of the New Man:Garment of Love (v.14)Garment of Peace (v.15a)Garment of Thankfulness (v. 15b)
James 5:19-20 (NASB)19 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you strays from the truth and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that the one who has turned a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.Theme: It is the whole church’s responsibility to help restore straying sinners back to the truth.
James 5:16-18 (NASB)16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.Theme: Since the prayer of the righteous is very powerful, we as Christians should be motivated to pray.1) A Motivation to pray (5:16b)2) An Illustration of the power of prayer (5:17-18)
James 5:13-16 (NASB)13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer of faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much.Theme: Prayer is an expression of our dependence on God in all of life’s circumstances.1) Times of suffering should lead us to prayer (5:13a)2) Times of blessing should lead us to praise (5:13b)3) In extreme sickness, we should call on the elders to pray (5:14-15)4) In struggles with sin, we should confess to one another and pray (5:16a)
James 5:12 (NASB)12 But above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you do not fall under judgment.Theme: Christians are called to be people who speak the truth and are faithful to keep their word.Outline:1) Don’t swear or take oaths to authenticate the truth (5:12a)2) Make swearing/oaths unnecessary by always speaking the truth (5:12b)
James 5:10-11 (NASB)10 As an example, brothers and sisters, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.Theme: In times of suffering, look to the prophets and Job for spiritual encouragement.
nearness.How to respond rightly when you are wronged in life:1) Be Patient (5:7-8a)2) Be Steadfast (5:8b)3) Don’t Turn Against Each Other (5:9)https://www.faithbiblechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Sermon20260524.mp3
Colossians 3:12-13 (NASB)12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also.Theme: Because God has made believers to be His chosen, holy, and beloved people, they must clothe themselves with Christlike virtues and forgive one another as the Lord has forgiven them.Outline: 4 Garments of the New Man:IdentityVirtueForbearanceForgiveness
John 1:10; 12-13 (NASB)10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, and yet the world did not know Him.12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God.1 Samuel 2:1-3 (NASB)1 Then Hannah prayed and said,“My heart rejoices in the Lord;My horn is exalted in the Lord,My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies,Because I rejoice in Your salvation.2 There is no one holy like the Lord,Indeed, there is no one besides You,Nor is there any rock like our God.3 Do not go on boasting so very proudly,Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth;For the Lord is a God of knowledge,And with Him actions are weighed.Romans 8:14-23 (NASB)14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the eagerly awaiting creation waits for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only that, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, the redemption of our body.
Numbers 21:1-9 (NASB)1 When the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming by the way of Atharim, he fought against Israel and took some of them captive. 2 So Israel made a vow to the Lord and said, “If You will indeed hand over this people to me, then I will utterly destroy their cities.” 3 The Lord heard the voice of Israel and turned over the Canaanites; then they utterly destroyed them and their cities. And the place was named Hormah.4 Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient because of the journey. 5 So the people spoke against God and Moses: “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we are disgusted with this miserable food.”6 Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. 7 So the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord and against you; intercede with the Lord, that He will remove the serpents from us.” And Moses interceded for the people. 8 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and put it on a flag pole; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, and looks at it, will live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent and put it on the flag pole; and it came about, that if a serpent bit someone, and he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.John 3:14-17 (NASB)14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes will have eternal life in Him.16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.
James 5:1-6 (NASB)1 Come now, you rich people, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and your silver have corroded, and their corrosion will serve as a testimony against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! 4 Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of armies. 5 You have lived for pleasure on the earth and lived luxuriously; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and put to death the righteous person; he offers you no resistance.Eternal judgment is coming upon those who store up riches for themselves while abusing the needy on earth.1) Pronouncement of God’s Judgment (5:1)2) Description of God’s Judgment (5:2-3)3) Charges for God’s Judgment (5:4-6)
John 14:19 (NASB)19 After a little while, the world no longer is going to see Me, but you are going to see Me; because I live, you also will live.Psalm 16 (NASB)1 Protect me, God, for I take refuge in You.2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord;I have nothing good besides You.”3 As for the saints who are on the earth,They are the majestic ones; all my delight is in them.4 The pains of those who have acquired another god will be multiplied;I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood,Nor will I take their names upon my lips.5 The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;You support my lot.6 The measuring lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;Indeed, my inheritance is beautiful to me.7 I will bless the Lord who has advised me;Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.8 I have set the Lord continually before me;Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;My flesh also will dwell securely.10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol;You will not allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.11 You will make known to me the way of life;In Your presence is fullness of joy;In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.Acts 13:35 (NASB)35 Therefore, He also says in another Psalm: ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.’
James 4:7-10 (NASB)7 Submit therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God and He will come close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be miserable, and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.Being in close(r) relationship with God involves dealing with your pride and sin in much humility.1) Some Pointers for closer closeness to God (4:7)2) The Importance of real repentance (4:8-9)3) A Promise to the wholly humble (4:10)
Romans 8:18-27 (NASB)18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the eagerly awaiting creation waits for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only that, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, through perseverance we wait eagerly for it.26 Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.I. Believers are called to suffer and struggle (8:18)II. Creation suffers (8:19-22)III. The believer longs for deliverance (8:23-27)
James 4:4-6 (NASB)4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose, “He jealously desires the Spirit whom He has made to dwell in us”? 6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”God calls us to be faithful to follow Him and His Word above the ways of the world.1) The Rebuke of Worldliness (4:4)2) The Reference to the Word (4:5)3) The Reminder of the Way Forward (4:6)
James 4:1-3 (NASB)1 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is the source not your pleasures that wage war in your body’s parts? 2 You lust and do not have, so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request on your pleasures.
James 3:13-18 (NASB)13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.To foster harmonious relationships in life, put on true godly wisdom and put off false earthly wisdom.1) You must behave with godly wisdom for peaceful relationships (3:13, 17)2) If you act with worldly “wisdom”, conflict will be the result (3:14-16)3) Peaceful relationships require hard/heart work (3:18)
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NASB)24 and let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, 25 not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.Ephesians 4:3 (NASB)3 being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.1 Timothy 4:13 (NASB) 13 Until I come, give your attention to the public reading, to exhortation, and teaching.__+__
James 3:1-12 (NASB)1 Do not become teachers in large numbers, my brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to rein in the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their whole body as well. 4 Look at the ships too: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are nevertheless directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot determines. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our body’s parts as that which defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. 11 Does a spring send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a figure tree, my brothers and sisters, bear olives, or a vine bear figures? Nor cans salt water produce fresh.Four Helps in controlling our tongues to honor Christ1) Realize that God holds you accountable for your tongue (3:1-2)2) Recognize the potentially destructive power of your tongue (3:3-5)3) Acknowledge that your tongue is (humanly) untamable (3:6-8)4) Know the source of your tongue’s inconsistencies (3:9-12)
James 3:1-12 (NASB)1 Do not become teachers in large numbers, my brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to rein in the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their whole body as well. 4 Look at the ships too: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are nevertheless directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot determines. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our body’s parts as that which defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. 11 Does a spring send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a figure tree, my brothers and sisters, bear olives, or a vine bear figures? Nor cans salt water produce fresh.Four Helps in controlling our tongues to honor Christ1) Realize that God holds you accountable for your tongue (3:1-2)2) Recognize the potentially destructive power of your tongue (3:3-5)(To be continued next week.)
James 2:20-26 (NASB)20 But are you willing to acknowledge, you foolish person, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was our father Abraham not justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was Rahab the prostitute not justified by works also when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.The genuineness of your faith in Jesus Christ is proven by your works.1) It is foolish to believe that a faith without works is saving faith (2:20-25)Real Faith Example #1 – AbrahamReal Faith Example #2 – Rahab2) Faith without works is dead faith (2:26)
James 2:14-20 (NASB)14 What use is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to acknowledge, you foolish person, that faith without works is useless?God wants you to evaluate whether your faith in Jesus Christ is genuine or not.1) Faith without good works is not true, saving faith (2:14-18)2) Faith with only head knowledge about God is not true, saving faith (2:19-20)
Psalm 127: 3-4 (NASB)3 Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,The fruit of the womb is a reward.4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,So are the children of one’s youth.
Luke 22:17-20 (NASB)17 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, which is being given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup, which is poured out for you, is the new covenant in My blood.1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (NASB)16 Is the cup of blessing which we bless not a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is the bread which we break not a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Since there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.
guest speaker: Cyril FloritaRomans 1:16–17 (NASB)16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyonewho believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of Godis revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.”We must grasp two (2) life-changing truths about the gospel so that we would faithfullyembrace it for ourselves and boldly proclaim it to others.2 Reasons to Embrace and Proclaim the Gospel:1) It Is God’s Power to Save (v.16)2) It Is God’s Righteousness Revealed (v.17)Explanation:Paul’s epistle to the Romans served as an introduction to his apostleship and as ademonstration of his gospel-ministry (1:1–6). Paul wanted to forge a relationship withthem by edifying them and strengthening their faith so they would partner with him in hismissionary plans for Spain (1:8–13; 15:28). Because of his God-given call and obligationto preach Christ to all people, he expressed how he was eager to preach the gospel tothem (1:14–15).And so, with our passage, at the beginning of verse 16, Paul uses the conjunction “for” togive a reason as to why he was so eager to preach—he was not ashamed of the gospel andhad complete confidence in it. Then, for the rest of verses 16 and 17, he again uses theconjunction “for” twice to further explain why he had such confidence in the gospel. Forreason #1, he presents how the gospel is the very power of God to save everyone whobelieves. And for reason #2, he presents how the gospel reveals the righteousness of God,which is received through faith, from beginning to end.
2 Timothy 4 (NASB)1 I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.9 Make every effort to come to me soon; 10 for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Take along Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. 12 But I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the overcoat which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15 Be on guard against him yourself too, for he vigorously opposed our teaching.16 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus sick at Miletus. 21 Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you. 1. Your number one priority 1-42. Fulfill your ministry 5-83. Final thoughts 9-22
Hebrews 2:14-18 (NASB)14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, so that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. 16 For clearly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brothers so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
Be encouraged and awed by the amazing ministry of “The Angel of the LORD”!1) Compassionate Comforter2) Mighty Redeemer/Deliverer3) Revealer of God4) Terrifying Judge5) Great Commissioner
1 Timothy 1:18-20 (NASB)18 This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, 19 keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. 20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.1) Fight the Good Fight (v. 18)2) Keep the Faith (v. 19)3) Correcting Error (v. 20)
Psalm 23:6 (NASB)6 Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life, And my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord forever.Happy Thanksgiving from Faith Bible Church!
James 2:1-13 (NASB)1 My brothers and sisters, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. 2 For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and is dressed in bright clothes, and a poor man in dirty clothes also comes in, 3 and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the bright clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters: did God not choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? 7 Do they not blaspheme the good name by which you have been called?8 If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the Law as violators. 10 For whoever keeps the whole Law, yet stumbles in one point, has become guilty of all. 11 For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do murder, you have become a violator of the Law. 12 So speak, and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom. 13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.Six Aspects of Christ-like Impartiality:1) The Prohibitive Principle (2:1, 9)2) A Poor Picture (2:2-4)3) The Paradox (2:5-7)4) The Positive Practice (2:8)
James 1:26-27 (NASB)26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.Principles of True Christianity:I. Existence of worthless religion (1:26)II. Elements of worthwhile religion (1:26-27)1) Control over Speech (1:26)2) Care for the Needy (1:27)3) Cleanliness from the World (1:27)
James 1:21-25 (NASB)21 Therefore, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who has looked intently at the perfect law, the law of freedom, and has continued in it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an active doer, this person will be blessed in what he does.How Christians should respond to the Word of God:1) Proactively get rid of your sin (1:21)2) Humbly receive the Word (1:21)3) Persistently do what God’s Word says (1:22-25)4) Wholly believe God’s Promise to the obedient (1:25)
James 1:19-20 (NASB)19 You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; 20 for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God.Theme: Growing in godly communication/speech is an integral part of every Christian’s spiritual maturity.Three Keys to Godly Communication1) Open your ears (1:19)2) Control your tongue (1:19)3) Control your emotions (1:19-20)
John 21:15-25 (NASB)15 Now when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” 16 He said to him again, a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was hurt because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.18 Truly, truly I tell you, when you were younger, you used to put on your belt and walk wherever you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will put your belt on you, and bring you where you do not want to go.” 19 Now He said this, indicating by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had said this, He said to him, “Follow Me!”20 Peter turned around and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them—the one who also had leaned back on His chest at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who is betraying You?” 21 So Peter, upon seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” 23 Therefore this account went out among the brothers, that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”24 This is the disciple who is testifying about these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true.25 But there are also many other things which Jesus did, which, if they were written in detail, I expect that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.I. Fulfill you ministry (15-17)II. Be prepared to suffer (18-19)III. Mind your own business (20-25)
James 1:17-18 (NASB)17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of His will He gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.Theme: God, who is the wonderful, wondrous Giver of physical and spiritual life, should receive continuous gratitude from us as His new creations.1) Who God is >> His Wonderful Character (1:17)2) What God does >> His Wondrous Works (1:18)
James 1:12-16 (NASB)12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 No one is to say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters.Theme: To progress in the path to spiritual maturity, Christians must continually overcome temptations of the flesh.Intro – Believe God’s Promises for Perseverance (1:12)Body – Helps for You to Overcome Temptations (1:13-15)1) Know the Source of Temptations (1:13-14)2) Know the Strength of Temptations (1:14-15)3) Know the Sequence of Temptations (1:15)Conclusion – Don’t be fooled (1:16)
James 1:12-16 (NASB)12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 No one is to say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters.Theme: To progress in the path to spiritual maturity, Christians must continually overcome temptations of the flesh.
James 1:9-11 (NASB)9 Now the brother or sister of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; 10 but the rich person is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so also the rich person, in the midst of his pursuits, will die out.Theme: Believers, whether rich or poor, should find their true satisfaction in Jesus Christ above all else.1) The poor Christian’s boast (1:9)2) The rich Christian’s boast (1:10-11)
James 1:5-8 (NASB)5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.Theme: Christians should seek spiritual maturity by asking God for wisdom and praying with a believing heart.Some “How-tos” of gaining wisdom and making petitions to God1) Acknowledge your need for wisdom (1:5)2) Ask God for wisdom (1:5)3) Ask God in faith, for everything (1:6-8)
James 1:2-4 (NASB)2 Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.Theme: We as Christians can take joy in our trials because we know that God is using them to grow us to spiritual maturity.Three Encouragements to help us deal with life’s trials:1) Put on the Right Attitude in our Trials (1:2)2) Have Accurate Knowledge about our Trials (1:3)3) Understand the Intended Outcome of our Trials (1:4)
Colossians 3:23-24 (NASB)23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, 24 knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.1 Corinthians 15:58 (NASB)58 Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.Colossians 3:17 (NASB)17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.1) The Christian’s Pattern2) The Christian’s Prescription3) The Christian’s Priority
James 1:1 (NASB)1 James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.
Theme: Remember the responsibilities & privileges of Church Membership!Four Biblical Bases for Local Church Membership:1) The Example of the Early Church2) The Exercise of Church Discipline3) The Existence of Church Gov’t4) The Exhortation of the One-Another Commands FBC “I Will” Statements:· I will always be willing to both give and receive admonition and instruction with meekness and in love, and humbly submit to the practice of church discipline.· I will be subject to spiritually gifted elders and their biblical teachings for the edification of Christ’s church.· I will commit to praying for the ministry here in this church, for my brothers and sisters in Christ, and for the lost who need the Savior.
Theme: Remember the responsibilities & privileges of Church Membership!1) I will take seriously my relationship to others in the body of Christ, striving to maintain unity, and doing all I can to stimulate others to love and good deeds for the glory of God.2) I will consistently serve and contribute, as a good steward of God’s blessings, such time, talent, and money, in the measure that God prospers me, so that our ministry of spreading the Gospel locally & worldwide may continue.3) I will teach biblical truth to my family and acquaintances, as God gives me opportunity, with a desire to see them come to trust in Jesus Christ and be saved.
2 Kings 13 (NASB)1 In the twenty-third year of Joash the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, Jehoahaz the son of Jehu became king over Israel at Samaria, and he reigned for seventeen years. 2 He did evil in the sight of the Lord, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, into which he misled Israel; he did not turn from them. 3 So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and He continually handed them over to Hazael king of Aram, and to Ben-hadad, the son of Hazael. 4 Then Jehoahaz appeased the Lord, and the Lord listened to him; for He saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Aram oppressed them.5 And the Lord gave Israel a savior, so that they escaped from under the hand of the Arameans; and the sons of Israel lived in their tents as previously. 6 Nevertheless they did not abandon the sins of the house of Jeroboam, into which he misled Israel; rather, they walked in them; and the Asherah also remained standing in Samaria. 7 For he left to Jehoahaz no more of the army than fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand infantry, because the king of Aram had eliminated them and made them like the dust at threshing. 8 Now as for the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, and all that he did and his might, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 9 And Jehoahaz lay down with his fathers, and they buried him in Samaria; and his son Joash became king in his place.10 In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz became king over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned for sixteen years. 11 He did evil in the sight of the Lord; he did not turn away from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, into which he misled Israel; rather, he walked in them. 12 Now as for the rest of the acts of Joash and all that he did, and his might with which he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 13 So Joash lay down with his fathers, and Jeroboam sat on his throne; and Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.14 When Elisha became sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over him and said, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” 15 And Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows. 16 Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Lay your hand on the bow.” And he laid his hand on it, then Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. 17 And he said, “Open the window toward the east,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” So he shot. And he said, “The Lord’s arrow of victory, and the arrow of victory over Aram; for you will defeat the Arameans at Aphek until you have put an end to them.”18 Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground,” and he struck it three times and stopped. 19 Then the man of God became angry at him and said, “You should have struck five or six times, then you would have struck Aram until you put an end to it. But now you shall strike Aram only three times.”20 And Elisha died, and they buried him. Now the marauding bands of the Moabites would invade the land in the spring of the year. 21 And as they were burying a man, behold, they saw a marauding band; and they threw the man into the grave of Elisha. And when the man touched the bones of Elisha he revived and stood up on his feet.22 Now Hazael king of Aram had oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. 23 But the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion on them and turned to them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and He was unwilling to eliminate them or cast them away from His presence until now.24 When Hazael king of Aram died, his son Ben-hadad became king in his place. 25 Then Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz again took from the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities which he had taken in war from the hand of his fath...
Amos 9 (NASB)9 I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and He said,“Strike the pillar capitals so that the thresholds will shake,And break them on the heads of them all!Then I will put to death the rest of them with the sword;They will not have a fugitive who will flee,Nor a survivor who will escape.2 Though they dig into Sheol,From there My hand will take them;And though they ascend to heaven,From there I will bring them down.3 And though they hide on the summit of Carmel,I will track them down and take them from there;And though they hide themselves from My sight on the bottom of the sea,I will command the serpent from there, and it will bite them.4 And though they go into captivity before their enemies,From there I will command the sword and it will kill them,And I will set My eyes against them for harm and not for good.”5 The Lord God of armies,The One who touches the land so that it quakes,And all those who live in it mourn,And all of it rises up like the NileAnd subsides like the Nile of Egypt;6 The One who builds His upper chambers in the heavensAnd has founded His vaulted dome over the earth,He who calls for the waters of the seaAnd pours them out on the face of the earth,The Lord is His name.7 “Are you not as the sons of Ethiopia to Me,You sons of Israel?” declares the Lord.“Have I not brought up Israel from the land of Egypt,And the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir?8 Behold, the eyes of the Lord God are on the sinful kingdom,And I will eliminate it from the face of the earth;Nevertheless, I will not totally eliminate the house of Jacob,”Declares the Lord.9 “For behold, I am commanding,And I will shake the house of Israel among all nationsAs grain is shaken in a sieve,But not a pebble will fall to the ground.10 All the sinners of My people will die by the sword,Those who say, ‘The catastrophe will not overtake or confront us.’The Restoration of Israel11 “On that day I will raise up the fallen shelter of David,And wall up its gaps;I will also raise up its ruinsAnd rebuild it as in the days of old;12 So that they may possess the remnant of EdomAnd all the nations who are called by My name,”Declares the Lord who does this.13 “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord,“When the plowman will overtake the reaper,And the one who treads grapes will overtake him who sows the seed;When the mountains will drip grape juice,And all the hills will come apart.14 I will also restore the fortunes of My people Israel,And they will rebuild the desolated cities and live in them;They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine,And make gardens and eat their fruit.15 I will also plant them on their land,And they will not be uprooted again from their landWhich I have given them,”Says the Lord your God.Theme: Behold & Believe the Almighty God, Who will make good on His promises to punish and to bless.1) Behold God’s Dreadful Power – The Passing of a kingdom (9:1-10)2) Believe God’s Faithful Promises – The Coming of The Kingdom (9:11-15)
Theme: No one can serve 2 masters.Intro – Serving Self & Money (6:4-6, 12; also 8:4-6)Amos 6:4-6 (NASB)4 Those who lie on beds of ivory,And lounge around on their couches,And eat lambs from the flock,And calves from the midst of the fattened cattle,5 Who improvise to the sound of the harp,And like David have composed songs for themselves,6 Who drink wine from sacred bowlsWhile they anoint themselves with the finest of oils—Yet they have not grieved over the collapse of Joseph.Amos 6:12 (NASB)12 Do horses run on rocks?Or does one plow them with oxen?Yet you have turned justice into poison,And the fruit of righteousness into wormwood.Amos 8:4-6 (NASB)4 Hear this, you who trample the needy, to put an end to the humble of the land, 5 saying, “When will the new moon be over, So that we may sell grain;And the Sabbath, so that we may open the wheat market,To make the ephah smaller and the shekel bigger,And to cheat with dishonest scales,6 So as to buy the helpless for money,And the needy for a pair of sandals,And that we may sell the refuse of the wheat?”God’s Attributes in Judgment:1. Mercy (7:1-3)Amos 7:1-3 (NASB)1 This is what the Lord God showed me, and behold, He was forming a swarm of locusts when the spring crop began to sprout. And behold, the spring crop was after the king’s mowing. 2 And it came about, when it had finished eating the vegetation of the land, that I said, “Lord God, please pardon! How can Jacob stand? For he is small.”3 The Lord relented of this. “It shall not be,” said the Lord.2. Patience (7:4-6)Amos 7:4-6 (NASB)4 So the Lord God showed me, and behold, the Lord God was calling to contend with them by fire, and it consumed the great deep and began to consume the farmland. 5 Then I said, “Lord God, please stop! How can Jacob stand? For he is small.”6 The Lord relented of this. “This too shall not be,” said the Lord God.3. Righteousness (7:7-17)Amos 7:7-17 (NASB)7 So He showed me, and behold, the Lord was standing by a vertical wall with a plumb line in His hand. 8 And the Lord said to me, “What do you see, Amos?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said, “Behold I am about to put a plumb line In the midst of My people Israel. I will not spare them any longer.9 The high places of Isaac will become deserted, and the sanctuaries of Israel will be in ruins.Then I will rise up against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.”10 Then Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent word to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel; the land is unable to endure all his words. 11 For this is what Amos says: ‘Jeroboam will die by the sword, and Israel will certainly go from its land into exile.’” 12 Then Amaziah said to Amos, “Go, you seer, flee to the land of Judah; and eat bread there and do your prophesying there! 13 But do not prophesy at Bethel any longer, for it is a sanctuary of the king and a royal residence.”14 Then Amos replied to Amaziah, “I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet; for I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs. 15 But the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go prophesy to My people Israel.’ 16 So now hear the word of the Lord: you are saying, ‘You shall not prophesy against Israel nor shall you prophesy against the house of Isaac.’ 17 Therefore, this is what the Lord says: ‘Your wife will become a prostitute in the city, your sons and your daughters will fall by the sword, your land will be parceled up by a measuring line, and you yourself will die upon unclean soil. Furthermore Israel will certainly go from its land into exile.’”4. Justice (8:1-14)Amos 8 (NASB)8 This is what the Lord God showed me, and behold, there was a basket of summer fruit. 2 And He said, “What do you see, Amos?” And I said, “A basket of summer fruit.” Then the Lord said to me, “The end has come for My people Israel. I will not spare them any longer. 3 The songs of the palace will turn to wailing on that...
Amos 5 (NASB)1 Hear this word which I am taking up for you as a song of mourning, house of Israel:2 She has fallen, she will not rise again—The virgin Israel.She lies unnoticed on her land;There is no one to raise her up.3 For this is what the Lord God says:“The city which goes forth a thousand strongWill have a hundred left,And the one which goes forth a hundred strongWill have ten left to the house of Israel.”4 For this is what the Lord says to the house of Israel:“Seek Me so that you may live.5 But do not resort to BethelAnd do not come to Gilgal,Nor cross over to Beersheba;For Gilgal will certainly go into captivityAnd Bethel will come to nothing.6 Seek the Lord so that you may live,Or He will break through like a fire, house of Joseph,And it will consume with no one to extinguish it for Bethel,7 For those who turn justice into wormwood,And throw righteousness to the earth.”8 He who made the Pleiades and Orion,And changes deep darkness into morning,Who also darkens day into night,Who calls for the waters of the seaAnd pours them out on the surface of the earth,The Lord is His name.9 It is He who makes destruction flash upon the strong,So that destruction comes upon the fortress.10 They hate him who rebukes in the gate,And they despise him who speaks with integrity.11 Therefore because you impose heavy rent on the poorAnd take a tribute of grain from them,Though you have built houses of cut stone,Yet you will not live in them;You have planted beautiful vineyards, yet you will not drink their wine.12 For I know your offenses are many and your sins are great,You who are hostile to the righteous and accept bribes,And turn away the poor from justice at the gate.13 Therefore at such a time the prudent person keeps quiet, because it is an evil time.14 Seek good and not evil, so that you may live;And so may the Lord God of armies be with you,Just as you have said!15 Hate evil, love good,And establish justice in the gate!Perhaps the Lord God of armiesWill be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.16 Therefore this is what the Lord God of armies, the Lord says:“There is mourning in all the public squares,And in all the streets they say, ‘Oh no! Oh no!’They also call the farmer to mourningAnd professional mourners to mourning rites.17 And in all the vineyards there is mourning,Because I will pass through the midst of you,” says the Lord.18 Woe to you who are longing for the day of the Lord,For what purpose will the day of the Lord be to you?It will be darkness and not light;19 As when a man flees from a lionAnd a bear confronts him,Or he goes home, leans with his hand against the wall,And a snake bites him.20 Will the day of the Lord not be darkness instead of light,Even gloom with no brightness in it?21 “I hate, I reject your festivals,Nor do I delight in your festive assemblies.22 Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings,I will not accept them;And I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fattened oxen.23 Take away from Me the noise of your songs;I will not even listen to the sound of your harps.24 But let justice roll out like waters,And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.25 “Did you present Me with sacrifices and grain offerings in the wilderness for forty years, house of Israel? 26 You also carried along Sikkuth your king and Kiyyun, your images, the star of your gods which you made for yourselves. 27 Therefore I will make you go into exile beyond Damascus,” says the Lord, whose name is the God of armies.
Colossians 3:5-14 [NASB]5 Therefore, treat the parts of your earthly body as dead to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, rid yourselves of all of them: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you stripped off the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created it— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, and free, but Christ is all, and in all.12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. 14 In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.i. Why is it necessary? (5-7)II. Laying aside the old life (8-11)III. Putting on the new self (12-14)
Amos 4:1-13 (NASB)1 Hear this word, you cows of Bashan who are on the mountain of Samaria,Who exploit the poor, who oppress the needy,And say to their husbands, “Bring now, that we may drink!”2 The Lord God has sworn by His holiness,“For behold, the days are coming upon youWhen they will take you away with meat hooks,And the last of you with fish hooks.3 You will go out through holes in the walls,One in front of the other,And you will be hurled to Harmon,” declares the Lord.4 “Enter Bethel and do wrong;In Gilgal multiply wrongdoing!Bring your sacrifices every morning,Your tithes every three days.5 Offer a thanksgiving offering also from that which is leavened,And proclaim voluntary offerings, make them known.For so you love to do, you sons of Israel,”Declares the Lord God.6 “But I gave you also cleanness of teeth in all your cities,And lack of bread in all your places;Yet you have not returned to Me,” declares the Lord.7 “Furthermore, I withheld the rain from youWhile there were still three months until harvest.Then I would send rain on one city,But on another city I would not send rain;One part would be rained on,While the part not rained on would dry up.8 So the people of two or three cities would stagger to another city to drink water,But would not be satisfied;Yet you have not returned to Me,” declares the Lord.9 “I struck you with scorching wind and mildew;The caterpillar was devouringYour many gardens and vineyards, fig trees and olive trees;Yet you have not returned to Me,” declares the Lord.10 “I sent a plague among you as in Egypt;I killed your young men with the sword, along with your captured horses,And I made the stench of your camp rise up in your nostrils;Yet you have not returned to Me,” declares the Lord.11 “I overthrew you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah,And you were like a log snatched from a fire;Yet you have not returned to Me,” declares the Lord.12 “Therefore so I will do to you, Israel;Because I will do this to you,Prepare to meet your God, Israel.”13 For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind,And declares to a person what are His thoughts,He who makes dawn into darknessAnd treads on the high places of the earth,The Lord God of armies is His name.Theme: The God who cares loves His people enough to call out their sins and warn them of impending judgment.1) God’s current call-outs & warning (4:1-5)2) God’s past warnings ignored (4:6-11)3) Results of disregarding God’s warnings (4:12-13)
Amos 3:1-15 (NASB)1 Hear this word which the Lord has spoken against you, sons of Israel, against the entire family which He brought up from the land of Egypt:2 “You only have I known among all the families of the earth;Therefore I will punish you for all your wrongdoing.”3 Do two people walk together unless they have agreed to meet?4 Does a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey?Does a young lion growl from his den unless he has captured something?5 Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no device in it?Does a trap spring up from the earth when it captures nothing at all?6 If a trumpet is blown in a city, will the people not tremble?If a disaster occurs in a city, has the Lord not brought it about?7 Certainly the Lord God does nothingUnless He reveals His secret planTo His servants the prophets.8 A lion has roared! Who will not fear?The Lord God has spoken! Who can do anything but prophesy?9 Proclaim on the citadels in Ashdod and on the citadels in the land of Egypt and say, “Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria and see the great panic within her and the oppressions in her midst. 10 But they do not know how to do what is right,” declares the Lord, “these who store up violence and devastation in their citadels.”11 Therefore, this is what the Lord God says:“An enemy, one surrounding the land,Will take down your fortifications from you,And your citadels will be looted.”12 This is what the Lord says:“Just as the shepherd snatches from the lion’s mouth a couple of legs or a piece of an ear,So will the sons of Israel living in Samaria be snatched away—With the corner of a bed and the cover of a couch!13 Hear and testify against the house of Jacob,”Declares the Lord God, the God of armies.14 “For on the day that I punish Israel’s offenses,I will also punish the altars of Bethel;The horns of the altar will be cut off,And will fall to the ground.15 I will also strike the winter house together with the summer house;The houses of ivory will also perish,And the great houses will come to an end,”Declares the Lord.Theme: God’s people must be and do what God has called them to, lest they face disastrous consequences.Two Privileges & Two Consequences for God’s People2 Privileges1) God’s Calling of His People (3:1-2a)2) God Calls His Prophets to Warn (3:3-8)2 Consequences1) God’s Calling of Witnesses (3:9-10)2) God’s Call for Judgment (3:2b, 11-15)
Amos 2:4-16 (NASB)4 This is what the Lord says:“For three offenses of Judah, and for four,I will not revoke its punishment,Because they rejected the Law of the LordAnd have not kept His statutes;Their lies also have led them astray,Those which their fathers followed.5 So I will send fire upon Judah,And it will consume the citadels of Jerusalem.”6 This is what the Lord says:“For three offenses of Israel, and for four,I will not revoke its punishment,Because they sell the righteous for money,And the needy for a pair of sandals.7 These who trample the head of the helpless to the dust of the earthAlso divert the way of the humble;And a man and his father resort to the same girlSo as to profane My holy name.8 And on garments seized as pledges they stretch out beside every altar,And in the house of their God they drink the wine of those who have been fined.9 “Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorite before them,Though his height was like the height of cedarsAnd he was as strong as the oaks;I also destroyed his fruit above and his roots below.10 And it was I who brought you up from the land of Egypt,And led you in the wilderness for forty yearsSo that you might take possession of the land of the Amorite.11 Then I raised up some of your sons to be prophets,And some of your young men to be Nazirites.Is this not so, you sons of Israel?” declares the Lord.12 “But you made the Nazirites drink wine,And you commanded the prophets, saying, ‘You shall not prophesy!’13 Behold, I am making a rut in the ground beneath you,Just as a wagon makes a rut when filled with sheaves.14 Refuge will be lost from the swift,And the strong will not strengthen his power,Nor the warrior save his life.15 The one who grasps the bow will not stand his ground,The swift of foot will not escape,Nor will the one who rides the horse save his [h]life.16 Even the bravest among the warriors will flee naked on that day,” declares the Lord.
Amos 1:1-2:3 (NASB)1 The words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders from Tekoa, which he saw in visions concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.2 And he said,“The Lord roars from Zion,And from Jerusalem He utters His voice;And the shepherds’ pasture grounds mourn,And the summit of Carmel dries up.”3 This is what the Lord says:“For three offenses of Damascus, and for four,I will not revoke its punishment,Because they threshed Gilead with iron sledges.4 So I will send fire upon the house of Hazael,And it will consume the citadels of Ben-hadad.5 I will also break the gate bar of Damascus,And eliminate every inhabitant from the Valley of Aven,As well as him who holds the scepter, from Beth-eden;So the people of Aram will be exiled to Kir,”Says the Lord.6 This is what the Lord says:“For three offenses of Gaza, and for four,I will not revoke its punishment,Because they led into exile an entire populationTo turn them over to Edom.7 So I will send fire on the wall of GazaAnd it will consume her citadels.8 I will also eliminate every inhabitant from Ashdod,As well as him who holds the scepter, from Ashkelon;And I will direct My power against Ekron,And the remnant of the Philistines will perish,”Says the Lord God.9 This is what the Lord says:“For three offenses of Tyre, and for four,I will not revoke its punishment,Because they turned an entire population over to EdomAnd did not remember the covenant of brotherhood.10 So I will send fire on the wall of Tyre,And it will consume her citadels.”11 This is what the Lord says:“For three offenses of Edom, and for four,I will not revoke its punishment,Because he pursued his brother with the swordAnd stifled his compassion;His anger also tore continually,And he maintained his fury forever.12 So I will send fire upon TemanAnd it will consume the citadels of Bozrah.”13 This is what the Lord says:“For three offenses of the sons of Ammon, and for four,I will not revoke its punishment,Because they ripped open the pregnant women of GileadIn order to enlarge their borders.14 So I will kindle a fire on the wall of Rabbah,And it will consume her citadelsAmid war cries on the day of battle,And amid a storm on the day of tempest.15 Their king will go into exile,He and his princes together,” says the Lord.Chapter 21 This is what the Lord says:“For three offenses of Moab, and for four,I will not revoke its punishment,Because he burned the bones of the king of Edom to lime.2 So I will send fire upon MoabAnd it will consume the citadels of Kerioth;And Moab will die amid the panic of battle,Amid war cries and the sound of a trumpet.3 I will also eliminate the judge from her midstAnd slay all her leaders with him,” says the Lord.
Titus 2:6 (NASB)6 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible;Titus 2:12 (NASB)12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner in the present age,1 Peter 4:7 (NASB)7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.1 Timothy 3:2 (NASB)2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, skillful in teaching,1 Timothy 4:7 (NASB)7 But stay away from worthless stories that are typical of old women. Rather, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;Proverbs 14:17 (NASB)17 A quick-tempered person acts foolishly, And a person of evil devices is hated.Proverbs 16:32 (NASB)32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and one who rules his spirit, than one who captures a city.Proverbs 19:11 (NASB)11 A person’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
John 6:60-71 (NASB)60 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this said, "This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?" 61 But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, "Does this cause you to stumble? 62 "What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before? 63 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. 64 "But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. 65 And He was saying, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father." 66 As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" 68 Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. 69 "We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God." 70 Jesus answered them, "Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?" 71 Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him.Outline:1) False Disciples (6:60-66)2) True Disciples (6:67-71)
Obadiah 10-21 (NASB)10 "Because of violence to your brother Jacob, You will be covered with shame, And you will be cut off forever.11 "On the day that you stood aloof, On the day that strangers carried off his wealth, And foreigners entered his gate And cast lots for Jerusalem - You too were as one of them.12 "Do not gloat over your brother's day, The day of his misfortune. And do not rejoice over the sons of Judah In the day of their destruction; Yes, do not boast In the day of their distress.13 "Do not enter the gate of My people In the day of their disaster. Yes, you, do not gloat over their calamity In the day of their disaster. And do not loot their wealth In the day of their disaster.14 "Do not stand at the fork of the road To cut down their fugitives; And do not imprison their survivors In the day of their distress.The Day of the LORD and the Future15 "For the day of the LORD draws near on all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you. Your dealings will return on your own head.16 "Because just as you drank on My holy mountain, All the nations will drink continually. They will drink and swallow And become as if they had never existed.17 "But on Mount Zion there will be those who escape, And it will be holy. And the house of Jacob will possess their possessions.18 "Then the house of Jacob will be a fire And the house of Joseph a flame; But the house of Esau will be as stubble. And they will set them on fire and consume them, So that there will be no survivor of the house of Esau," For the LORD has spoken.19 Then those of the Negev will possess the mountain of Esau, And those of the Shephelah the Philistine plain; Also, possess the territory of Ephraim and the territory of Samaria, And Benjamin will possess Gilead.20 And the exiles of this host of the sons of Israel, Who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, And the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad Will possess the cities of the Negev.21 The deliverers will ascend Mount Zion To judge the mountain of Esau, And the kingdom will be the LORD'S.Outline of Part 1 (2 weeks ago):- Intro/background: A long family feud- God's assessment of Edom (Pride comes before a fall) (vv. 1:1‑9)This week's outline:- Gods indictment of Edom (You are your brothers keeper) (vv. 1:10‑14)- God's judgment on all haters (Those who curse Israel will be cursed) (vv. 1:15‑21
Ephesians 6:1-3 (NASB)1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise ), 3 SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.
Obadiah 1-9 (NASB)1 The vision of Obadiah.Thus says the Lord God concerning Edom--We have heard a report from the Lord,And an envoy has been sent among the nations saying,“Arise and let us go against her for battle”--2 “Behold, I will make you small among the nations;You are greatly despised.3 “The arrogance of your heart has deceived you,You who live in the clefts of the rock,In the loftiness of your dwelling place,Who say in your heart,‘Who will bring me down to earth?’4 “Though you build high like the eagle,Though you set your nest among the stars,From there I will bring you down,” declares the Lord.5 “If thieves came to you,If robbers by night--O how you will be ruined!--Would they not steal only until they had enough?If grape gatherers came to you,Would they not leave some gleanings?6 “O how Esau will be ransacked,And his hidden treasures searched out!7 “All the men allied with youWill send you forth to the border,And the men at peace with youWill deceive you and overpower you.They who eat your breadWill set an ambush for you.(There is no understanding in him.)8 “Will I not on that day,” declares the Lord,“Destroy wise men from EdomAnd understanding from the mountain of Esau?9 “Then your mighty men will be dismayed, O Teman,So that everyone may be cut off from the mountain of Esau by slaughter.Themes:- If you go against God's people, you go against God, and you will lose- If you take pride in your own power to secure yourself and your life you are going to be more than disappointed.- Israel has troubles with God right now, but that is only temporary.Outline this week:- Intro/background: A long family feud (v. 1)- God's assessment of Edom (pride comes before a fall (vv. 1-9)Coming in two weeks after Mother's Day:- God's indictment of Edom (you are your brother's keeper (vv. 10-14)- God's judgement on all haters (those who curse Israel will be cursed (vv. 15-21)
Ephesians 1:18-23 (NASB)18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and made Him head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Ephesians 1:18-23 (NASB)18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and made Him head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Joel 2:18-3:21 (NASB)18 Then the Lord will be zealous for His land,And will have compassion for His people.19 The Lord will answer and say to His people,“Behold, I am going to send you grain, new wine, and oil,And you will be satisfied in full with them;And I will never again make you a disgrace among the nations.20 But I will remove the northern army far from you,And I will drive it into a dry and desolate land,Its advance guard into the eastern sea,And its rear guard into the western sea.And its stench will ascend and its odor of decay will come up,Because it has done great things.”21 Do not fear, land; shout for joy and rejoice,For the Lord has done great things.22 Do not fear, animals of the field,For the pastures of the wilderness have turned green,For the tree has produced its fruit,The fig tree and the vine have yielded in full.23 So shout for joy, you sons of Zion,And rejoice in the Lord your God;For He has given you the early rain for your vindication.And He has brought down for you the rain,The early and latter rain as before.24 The threshing floors will be full of grain,And the vats will overflow with the new wine and oil.25 “Then I will compensate you for the yearsThat the swarming locust has eaten,The creeping locust, the stripping locust, and the gnawing locust—My great army which I sent among you.26 You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied,And you will praise the name of the Lord your God,Who has dealt wondrously with you;Then My people will never be put to shame.27 So you will know that I am in the midst of Israel,And that I am the Lord your GodAnd there is no other;And My people will never be put to shame.28 “It will come about after thisThat I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind;And your sons and your daughters will prophesy,Your old men will have dreams,Your young men will see visions.29 And even on the male and female servantsI will pour out My Spirit in those days.30 I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth,Blood, fire, and columns of smoke.31 The sun will be turned into darkness,And the moon into blood,Before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.32 And it will come about that everyone who calls on the name of the LordWill be saved;For on Mount Zion and in JerusalemThere will be those who escape,Just as the Lord has said,Even among the survivors whom the Lord calls.Chapter 31 “For behold, in those days and at that time,When I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,2 I will gather all the nationsAnd bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.Then I will enter into judgment with them thereOn behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel,Whom they have scattered among the nations;And they have divided up My land.3 They have also cast lots for My people,Traded a boy for a prostitute,And sold a girl for wine so that they may drink.4 Moreover, what are you to Me, Tyre, Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Are you repaying Me with retribution? But if you are showing Me retribution, swiftly and speedily I will return your retribution on your head! 5 Since you have taken My silver and My gold, brought My precious treasures to your temples, 6 and sold the sons of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks in order to remove them far from their territory, 7 behold, I am going to stir them up from the place where you have sold them, and return your retribution on your head. 8 I will also sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the sons of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans, to a distant nation,” for the Lord has spoken.9 Proclaim this among the nations:Prepare for holy war; stir up the warriors!Have all the soldiers come forward, have them come up!10 Beat your plowshares into swords,And your pruning hooks into spears;Let the weak man say, “I am a warrior.”11 Hurry and come, all you surrounding nations,And gather yourselves there.Bring down, Lord, Your warriors.12 Let the nations be awakenedAnd come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat,
Joel 1:1-2:17 (NASB)Chapter One1 The word of the Lord that came to Joel, the son of Pethuel:2 Hear this, you elders,And listen, all inhabitants of the land.Has anything like this happened in your days,Or in your fathers’ days?3 Tell your sons about it,And have your sons tell their sons,And their sons the next generation.4 What the gnawing locust has left, the swarming locust has eaten;And what the swarming locust has left, the creeping locust has eaten;And what the creeping locust has left, the stripping locust has eaten.5 Awake, you heavy drinkers, and weep;And wail, all you wine drinkers,Because of the sweet wine,For it has been eliminated from your mouth.6 For a nation has invaded my land,Mighty and without number;Its teeth are the teeth of a lion,And it has the jaws of a lioness.7 It has made my vine a wasteAnd my fig tree a stump.It has stripped them bare and hurled them away;Their branches have become white.8 Wail like a virgin clothed with sackclothFor the groom of her youth.9 The grain offering and the drink offering have been cut offFrom the house of the Lord.The priests mourn,The ministers of the Lord.10 The field is ruined,The land mourns;For the grain is ruined,The new wine has dried up,Fresh oil has failed.11 Be ashamed, you farm workers,Wail, you vinedressers,For the wheat and the barley;Because the harvest of the field is destroyed.12 The vine has dried upAnd the fig tree has withered;The pomegranate, the palm also, and the apple tree,All the trees of the field have dried up.Indeed, joy has dried upFrom the sons of mankind.13 Put on sackclothAnd mourn, you priests;Wail, you ministers of the altar!Come, spend the night in sackcloth,You ministers of my God,For the grain offering and the drink offeringHave been withheld from the house of your God.14 Consecrate a fast,Proclaim a solemn assembly;Gather the eldersAnd all the inhabitants of the landTo the house of the Lord your God,And cry out to the Lord.15 Woe for the day!For the day of the Lord is near,And it will come as destruction from the Almighty.16 Has food not been cut off before our eyes, andJoy and rejoicing from the house of our God?17 The seeds have dried up under their shovels;The storehouses have become desolate,The grain silos are ruined,Because the grain has dried up.18 How the animals have groaned!The herds of cattle have wandered aimlesslyBecause there is no pasture for them;Even the flocks of sheep have suffered.19 To You, Lord, I cry out;For fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness,And the flame has burned up all the trees of the field.20 Even the animals of the field pant for You;For the stream beds of water are dried up,And fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness.Chapter Two1 Blow a trumpet in Zion,And sound an alarm on My holy mountain!Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,For the day of the Lord is coming;Indeed, it is near,2 A day of darkness and gloom,A day of clouds and thick darkness.As dawn is spread over the mountains,So there is a great and mighty people;There has never been anything like it,Nor will there be again after itTo the years of many generations.3 A fire consumes before them,And behind them a flame devours.The land is like the Garden of Eden before them,But a desolate wilderness behind them,And nothing at all escapes them.4 Their appearance is like the appearance of horses;And like war horses, so they run.5 With a noise as of chariotsThey leap about on the tops of the mountains,Like the crackling of a flame of fire consuming the stubble,Like a mighty people drawn up for battle.6 Before them the people are in anguish;All faces turn pale.7 They run like warriors,They climb the wall like soldiers;And each of them marches in line,Nor do they lose their way.8 They do not crowd each other,Every warrior of them marches in his path;When they burst through the defenses,They do not break ranks.9 They storm the city,They run on the wall;They climb into the houses,
Luke 18:9-17 (NASB)9 "And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: 10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 "The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 'I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.' 13 "But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' 14 "I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." 15 And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. 16 But Jesus called for them, saying, "Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.""Outline:1) In Prayer (18:9-14)2) In Salvation (18:15-17)
Nahum 2-3 (NASB)Chapter 21 The one who scatters has come up against you. Man the fortress, watch the road; Strengthen your back, summon all your strength. 2 For the Lord will restore the splendor of Jacob Like the splendor of Israel, Even though devastators have devastated them And destroyed their vine branches. 3 The shields of his mighty men are colored red, The warriors are dressed in scarlet, The chariots are enveloped in flashing steel When he is prepared to march, And the cypress spears are brandished. 4 The chariots race madly in the streets, They rush wildly in the squares, Their appearance is like torches, They dash to and fro like lightning flashes. 5 He remembers his nobles; They stumble in their march, They hurry to her wall, And the mantelet is set up. 6 The gates of the rivers are opened And the palace is dissolved. 7 It is fixed: She is stripped, she is carried away, And her handmaids are moaning like the sound of doves, Beating on their breasts. 8 Though Nineveh was like a pool of water throughout her days, Now they are fleeing; "Stop, stop," But no one turns back. 9 Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold! For there is no limit to the treasure-- Wealth from every kind of desirable object. 10 She is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and waste! Hearts are melting and knees knocking! Also anguish is in the whole body And all their faces are grown pale! 11 Where is the den of the lions And the feeding place of the young lions, Where the lion, lioness and lion's cub prowled, With nothing to disturb them? 12 The lion tore enough for his cubs, Killed enough for his lionesses, And filled his lairs with prey And his dens with torn flesh. 13 "Behold, I am against you," declares the Lord of hosts. "I will burn up her chariots in smoke, a sword will devour your young lions; I will cut off your prey from the land, and no longer will the voice of your messengers be heard."Chapter 31 Woe to the bloody city, completely full of lies and pillage; Her prey never departs. 2 The noise of the whip, The noise of the rattling of the wheel, Galloping horses And bounding chariots! 3 Horsemen charging, Swords flashing, spears gleaming, Many slain, a mass of corpses, And countless dead bodies-- They stumble over the dead bodies! 4 All because of the many harlotries of the harlot, The charming one, the mistress of sorceries, Who sells nations by her harlotries And families by her sorceries. 5 "Behold, I am against you," declares the Lord of hosts; "And I will lift up your skirts over your face, And show to the nations your nakedness And to the kingdoms your disgrace. 6 "I will throw filth on you And make you vile, And set you up as a spectacle. 7 "And it will come about that all who see you Will shrink from you and say, 'Nineveh is devastated! Who will grieve for her?' Where will I seek comforters for you?" 8 Are you better than No-amon, Which was situated by the waters of the Nile, With water surrounding her, Whose rampart was the sea, Whose wall consisted of the sea? 9 Ethiopia was her might, And Egypt too, without limits. Put and Lubim were among her helpers. 10 Yet she became an exile, She went into captivity; Also her small children were dashed to pieces At the head of every street; They cast lots for her honorable men, And all her great men were bound with fetters. 11 You too will become drunk, You will be hidden. You too will search for a refuge from the enemy. 12 All your fortifications are fig trees with ripe fruit-- When shaken, they fall into the eater's mouth. 13 Behold, your people are women in your midst! The gates of your land are opened wide to your enemies; Fire consumes your gate bars. 14 Draw for yourself water for the siege! Strengthen your fortifications! Go into the clay and tread the mortar! Take hold of the brick mold! 15 There fire will consume you, The sword will cut you down; It will consume you as the locust does. Multiply yourself like the creeping locust, Multiply yourself like the swarming locust.
Nahum 1 (NASB)1 The oracle of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. 2 A jealous and avenging God is the Lord; The Lord is avenging and wrathful. The Lord takes vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies. 3 The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, And the Lord will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. In whirlwind and storm is His way, And clouds are the dust beneath His feet. 4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; He dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither; The blossoms of Lebanon wither. 5 Mountains quake because of Him And the hills dissolve; Indeed the earth is upheaved by His presence, The world and all the inhabitants in it. 6 Who can stand before His indignation? Who can endure the burning of His anger? His wrath is poured out like fire And the rocks are broken up by Him. 7 The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him. 8 But with an overflowing flood He will make a complete end of its site, And will pursue His enemies into darkness. 9 Whatever you devise against the Lord, He will make a complete end of it. Distress will not rise up twice. 10 Like tangled thorns, And like those who are drunken with their drink, They are consumed As stubble completely withered. 11 From you has gone forth One who plotted evil against the Lord, A wicked counselor. 12 Thus says the Lord, "Though they are at full strength and likewise many, Even so, they will be cut off and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no longer. 13 "So now, I will break his yoke bar from upon you, And I will tear off your shackles." 14 The Lord has issued a command concerning you: "Your name will no longer be perpetuated. I will cut off idol and image From the house of your gods. I will prepare your grave, For you are contemptible." 15 Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace! Celebrate your feasts, O Judah; Pay your vows. For never again will the wicked one pass through you; He is cut off completely.Theme: God specially protects and cares for His peopleOutline:1) A Dreadful Warning to God's Enemies (1:1-8) - God is vengeful and jealous for His people (1:2) - The Wrath of God is Incomparable (1:3-5) - None Can Stand Before God's Anger (1:6) - Great Comfort for God's People (1:7-8)2) A Prophetic Message of Destruction & Protection (1:9-15) - God Will Protect His Own (1:9-13) - God Will Destroy His Enemy (1:14) - God Gives a Promise to His People (1:15)
Jonah 4:1-11 (NASB)1 But it greatly displeased Jonah and he became angry. 2 He prayed to the Lord and said, "Please Lord, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity. 3 "Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for death is better to me than life." 4 The Lord said, "Do you have good reason to be angry?" 5 Then Jonah went out from the city and sat east of it. There he made a shelter for himself and sat under it in the shade until he could see what would happen in the city. 6 So the Lord God appointed a plant and it grew up over Jonah to be a shade over his head to deliver him from his discomfort. And Jonah was extremely happy about the plant. 7 But God appointed a worm when dawn came the next day and it attacked the plant and it withered. 8 When the sun came up God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah's head so that he became faint and begged with all his soul to die, saying, "Death is better to me than life." 9 Then God said to Jonah, "Do you have good reason to be angry about the plant?" And he said, "I have good reason to be angry, even to death." 10 Then the Lord said, "You had compassion on the plant for which you did not work and which you did not cause to grow, which came up overnight and perished overnight. 11 "Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?"Outline: 1) The Prophet's Unrepentance (4:1-4) 2) God's Patient Rebuke (4:5-8) 3) God's Gracious Dealings with Sinners (4:9-11)
Jonah 3:1-10 (NASB)1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 "Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and proclaim to it the proclamation which I am going to tell you." 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three days' walk. 4 Then Jonah began to go through the city one day's walk; and he cried out and said, "Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown." 5 Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them. 6 When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth and sat on the ashes. 7 He issued a proclamation and it said, "In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water. 8 "But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands. 9 "Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish." 10 When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it.Three pictures that reveal God's Grace 1) The Prophet's Obedience (3:1-4) 2) The City's Repentance (3:4-9) 3) The God who Forgives (3:10)
Jonah 1:17-2:10 (NASB)17 And the Lord designated a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish for three days and three nights.Jonah’s Prayer1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the stomach of the fish, 2 and he said,“I called out of my distress to the Lord,And He answered me.I called for help from the depth of Sheol;You heard my voice.3 For You threw me into the deep,Into the heart of the seas,And the current flowed around me.All Your breakers and waves passed over me.4 So I said, ‘I have been cast out of Your sight.Nevertheless I will look again toward Your holy temple.’5 Water encompassed me to the point of death.The deep flowed around me,Seaweed was wrapped around my head.6 I descended to the base of the mountains.The earth with its bars was around me forever,But You have brought up my life from the pit, Lord my God.7 While I was fainting away,I remembered the Lord,And my prayer came to You,Into Your holy temple.8 Those who are followers of worthless idolsAbandon their faithfulness,9 But I will sacrifice to YouWith a voice of thanksgiving.That which I have vowed I will pay.Salvation is from the Lord.”10 Then the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land.1) God’s Rescue (1:17)2) Jonah’s Prayer to God (2:1-9)3) God’s Answer (2:10)
Jonah 1:1-16 (NASB)1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city, and cry out against it, because their wickedness has come up before Me.” 3 But Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship that was going to Tarshish, paid the fare, and boarded it to go with them to Tarshish away from the presence of the Lord.4 However, the Lord hurled a great wind on the sea and there was a great storm on the sea, so that the ship was about to break up. 5 Then the sailors became afraid and every man cried out to his god, and they hurled the cargo which was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone below into the stern of the ship, had lain down, and fallen sound asleep. 6 So the captain approached him and said, “How is it that you are sleeping? Get up, call on your god! Perhaps your god will be concerned about us so that we will not perish.”7 And each man said to his mate, “Come, let’s cast lots so that we may find out on whose account this catastrophe has struck us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 Then they said to him, “Tell us, now! On whose account has this catastrophe struck us? What is your occupation, and where do you come from? What is your country, and from what people are you?” 9 So he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land.”10 Then the men became extremely afraid, and they said to him, “How could you do this?” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them. 11 So they said to him, “What should we do to you so that the sea will become calm for us?”—for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy. 12 And he said to them, “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, because I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you.” 13 However, the men rowed desperately to return to land, but they could not, because the sea was becoming even stormier against them. 14 Then they cried out to the Lord and said, “We earnestly pray, O Lord, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life, and do not put innocent blood on us; for You, Lord, have done as You pleased.”15 So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging. 16 Then the men became extremely afraid of the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows.Pt. 1 – “The Merciful Hound of Heaven”1) The Divine Command = GO! (1:1-2)2) The Disobedient Prophet = Run! (1:3)3) The Deity’s Pursuit (1:4-16)
1 Timothy 3:15 (NASB)15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.Outline:1) Household of God A) God's dwelling place B) God's family2) The church of the Living God3) Pillar of the truth A) By handling it rightly B) By holding it highly C) By hearing and heeding it D) By hiding it in your heart4) Support of the truth
Outline:1) Abortion offends God.2) Abortion destroys the most defenseless of all people.3) Abortion harms women.4) Abortion curses nations.5) Abortion is not the unforgivable sin.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NASB)23 Thus says the Lord, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; 24 but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the Lord.
Romans 6:14-23 (NASB)14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! 16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. 22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.I. No longer a slave to sin (15-17a)II. Now a slave to righteousness (17b-19)III. The Benefits (20-23)
Hebrew 2:5-9 (NASB)5 For He did not subject to angels the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But someone has testified somewhere, saying,“What is man, that You think of him?Or a son of man, that You are concerned about him?7 You have made him for a little while lower than angels;You have crowned him with glory and honor;8 You have put everything in subjection under his feet.”For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him.9 But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of His suffering death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.I. Man's Insignificance (5-6)II. Man's greatness (7-8)III. Man's hope (9)
Matthew 1:1-17 (NASB)1 The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham:2 Abraham fathered Isaac, Isaac fathered Jacob, and Jacob fathered Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez fathered Hezron, and Hezron fathered Ram. 4 Ram fathered Amminadab, Amminadab fathered Nahshon, and Nahshon fathered Salmon. 5 Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab, Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth, and Obed fathered Jesse. 6 Jesse fathered David the king.David fathered Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. 7 Solomon fathered Rehoboam, Rehoboam fathered Abijah, and Abijah fathered Asa. 8 Asa fathered Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat fathered Joram, and Joram fathered Uzziah. 9 Uzziah fathered Jotham, Jotham fathered Ahaz, and Ahaz fathered Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah fathered Manasseh, Manasseh fathered Amon, and Amon fathered Josiah. 11 Josiah fathered Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.12 After the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah fathered Shealtiel, and Shealtiel fathered Zerubbabel. 13 Zerubbabel fathered Abihud, Abihud fathered Eliakim, and Eliakim fathered Azor. 14 Azor fathered Zadok, Zadok fathered Achim, and Achim fathered Eliud. 15 Eliud fathered Eleazar, Eleazar fathered Matthan, and Matthan fathered Jacob. 16 Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.
2 Thessalonians 3:16-18 (NASB)16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.Three prayer petitions to encourage the church’s continued spiritual growth together1) All-encompassing peace from the Lord (3:16a)2) All-inclusive presence of the Lord (3:16b)[*] All-authoritative truth from the Lord (via Paul; 3:17)3) All-sufficient grace of the Lord (3:18)
2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 (NASB)6 Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother or sister who leads a disorderly life and not one in accordance with the tradition which you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined way among you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; 9 not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a role model for you, so that you would follow our example. 10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. 11 For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. 12 Now we command and exhort such persons in the Lord Jesus Christ to work peacefully and eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary of doing good.14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person so as not to associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. 15 And yet do not regard that person as an enemy, but admonish that one as a brother or sister.Six Motivating Forces to help slay sloth and labor for the Lord!1) Feeble Fellowship (3:6)2) Exemplary Examples (3:7-9)3) Sustenance for Survival (3:10)4) Purposeful Productivity (3:11-12)5) Sense of Shame (3:13-14)6) Compassionate Correction (3:15)
1 Timothy 4:1-5 (NASB)1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, 3 who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; 5 for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.I. What does it mean to fall away? (1:1a)II. What cause them to fall away? (1:1b-3a)III. What keeps you from falling away? (1:3b-5)
Psalm 100 (NASB)1 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. 3 Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. 5 faith For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.Theme: Because we personally know who God is, believers should be people whose lives display much joy and thanksgiving.Outline:1) We are called to joyful worship (100:1‑3)2) We are called to grateful thanks and praise to God (100:4‑5)
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 (NASB)1 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; 2 and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.Theme: Faithful intercession to God in prayer is required for the spiritual fruit of salvation and sanctification in ministry.Outline:1) We must pray for effective and protected Gospel ministry (3:1‑2)2) Our confidence must be in Christ as we prayerfully minister (3:3‑4)3) We should pray for spiritual fruit to grow in each other (3:5)
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 (NASB)13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.Theme: Believers (the Church) need continued spiritual encouragement regarding salvation, exhortation to abide in truth, and prayer for strength to carry on.Outline:1) A Pastoral Encouragement (2:13-14)2) A Personal Exhortation (2:15)3) A Prayerful Supplication (2:16-17)
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (NASB)1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. 5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? 6 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. 8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.Theme: Learning and trusting in God's Word regarding the end-times is needed to calm our hearts as we observe and experience evil in this world.1) Don't be easily shaken or deceived - Believers should be discerning about end-times prophecies (2:1-3)2) Remember to trust God's Word - The Day of the Lord with come after the Antichrist is revealed (2:3-8)3) Have eschatological hope - The Lord Jesus will conquer the Antichrist and those who fall for him will be judged (2:8-12)
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (NASB)2 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit, or a message, or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 No one is to deceive you in any way! For it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. 5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? 6 And you know what restrains him now, so that he will be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is removed. 8 Then that lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will eliminate with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not accept the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. Theme: Learning and trusting in God’s Word regarding the end-times is needed to calm our hearts as we observe and experience evil in this world.1) Don’t be easily shaken or deceived – Believers should be discerning about end-times prophecies (2:1-3)2) Remember to trust God’s Word – The Day of the Lord will come after the Antichrist is revealed (2:3-8)3) Have eschatological hope – The Lord Jesus will conquer the Antichrist and those who fall for him will be judged (2:8-12)
2 Thessalonians 1:6-12 (NASB) 6 For after all it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us, when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God, and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These people will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified among His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—because our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will consider you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, in accordance with the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.When the Lord Jesus returns, He will bring true justice upon all mankind.1) The God of Justice will punish willfully ignorant, disobedient unbelievers with their future penalty (1:6-9)2) The God of Justice will bless faithful, suffering believers with their future reward (1:7, 10)3) The God of Grace does hear prayers for believers to be fully sanctified so that the Lord Jesus will be glorified (1:11-12)
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NASB)23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.Theme: God promises true believers that He will keep and sanctify us completely, all the way to the end until we are with the Lord.Outline:1) The Bold and Beautiful Benediction (v. 23)2) The Faithful Finisher (v. 24)
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 (NASB)19 Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.Outline:1) Don't stifle the Holy Spirit's work and words (vv. 19-20) - By not being in the Word - By being disobedient to the Word - By not dealing with our sins - By relying on our routine and ritual rather than the Holy Spirit Himself - By despising prophetic utterances2) Be discerning about what you hear and act on it (vv. 21-22) - Compare to other Scriptures - Look at the character of the messenger
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NASB)16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.Theme: Three practices which God commands Christians in the Church to continuously carry out together.Outline:1) Always Rejoice (v. 5:16)2) Continually pray (v. 5:17)3) In Everything give thanks (v. 5:38
Acts 27 (NASB)1 When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, they proceeded to deliver Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan cohort named Julius. 2 And embarking in an Adramyttian ship, which was about to sail to the regions along the coast of Asia, we put out to sea accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica. 3 The next day we put in at Sidon; and Julius treated Paul with consideration and allowed him to go to his friends and receive care. 4 From there we put out to sea and sailed under the shelter of Cyprus because the winds were contrary. 5 When we had sailed through the sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy, and he put us aboard it. 7 When we had sailed slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty had arrived off Cnidus, since the wind did not permit us to go farther, we sailed under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone; 8 and with difficulty sailing past it we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea. 9 When considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the fast was already over, Paul began to admonish them, 10 and said to them, "Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives." 11 But the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul. 12 Because the harbor was not suitable for wintering, the majority reached a decision to put out to sea from there, if somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there. 13 When a moderate south wind came up, supposing that they had attained their purpose, they weighed anchor and began sailing along Crete, close inshore. 14 But before very long there rushed down from the land a violent wind, called Euraquilo; 15 and when the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along. 16 Running under the shelter of a small island called Clauda, we were scarcely able to get the ship's boat under control. 17 After they had hoisted it up, they used supporting cables in undergirding the ship; and fearing that they might run aground on the shallows of Syrtis, they let down the sea anchor and in this way let themselves be driven along. 18 The next day as we were being violently storm-tossed, they began to jettison the cargo; 19 and on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned. 21 When they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, "Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, 24 saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.' 25 Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told. 26 "But we must run aground on a certain island." 27 But when the fourteenth night came, as we were being driven about in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors began to surmise that they were approaching some land. 28 They took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and a little farther on they took another sounding and found it to be fifteen fathoms. 29 Fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and wished for daybreak. 30 But as the sailors were trying to escape from the ...
1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 (NASB)12 But we ask you, brothers and sisters, to recognize those who diligently labor among you and are in leadership over you in the Lord, and give you instruction, 13 and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 14 We urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek what is good for one another and for all people.Instructions for how the Church should treat its leaders and each other based on the promises of the Gospel1) Proper attitude towards leaders (5:12-13a)2) Proper behavior within the church body (5:13b-15)
1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 (NASB)12 But we ask you, brothers and sisters, to recognize those who diligently labor among you and are in leadership over you in the Lord, and give you instruction, 13 and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 14 We urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek what is good for one another and for all people.Instructions for how the Church should treat its leaders and each other based on the promises of the Gospel1) Proper attitude towards leaders (5:12-13a)2) Proper behavior within the church body (5:13b-15)
Revelation 21:1-4 (NASB)21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”John 14:1-4 (NASB)1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be. 4 And you know the way where I am going.”Psalm 16:11 (NASB)11 You will make known to me the way of life;In Your presence is fullness of joy;In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.Isaiah 25:6-9 (NASB)6 Now the Lord of armies will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain;A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow,And refined, aged wine.7 And on this mountain He will destroy the covering which is over all peoples,The veil which is stretched over all nations.8 He will swallow up death for all time,And the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces,And He will remove the disgrace of His people from all the earth;For the Lord has spoken.9 And it will be said on that day,“Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us.This is the Lord for whom we have waited;Let’s rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”
2 Peter 3:10-11 (NASB)10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be discovered.11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,Revelation 21:1-4 (NASB)21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
2 Corinthians 10:1-6 (NASB)1 Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ -- I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent! 2 I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.Outline:1) Your attitude (10:1-2)2) Your Weapons (10:3-5)3) Your Warning (10:6)
9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.Theme: Remembering the eternal life-saving, life-giving power of the Gospel motivates believers to live worthily for Christ in this fallen world.Outline:1) The nature of salvation2) The mediator of salvation3) The goal of salvation
1 Thessalonians 5:4-8 (NASB)4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. 7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.Theme: As sons of light, we as Christians are commanded to be ever attentive and aware in our spiritual battle against sin's darkness, anticipating our Lord's return.Outline:1) Contrasts between believers and unbelievers. a) Light vs. darkness b) Day vs. night c) Alert vs. asleep d) Sober vs. drunk2) Commands for believers
1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 (NASB)1 Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.An Overview of EschatologyThe Timing of the RaptureSeven Features of the Day of the Lord:1) The Day of the Lord arrives uninvited and unannounced.2) The Day of the Lord arrives unexpectedly.3) The Day of the Lord arrives rapidly.4) The Day of the Lord comes destructively.5) The Day of the Lord arrives inevitably.6) The Day of the Lord is irreversible.7) The Day of the Lord's outcome is inescapable.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NASB)13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. 15 For we say this to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore, comfort one another with these words.Words of hope that Christians can take great comfort in regarding our Resurrection and Rapture1) The Certainty of Resurrection Life (4:13-14)2) The Order of Events (4:15-17a)3) The Expectation of Reunion (4:17a)4) The Eternality of Being with Jesus (4:17b)
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 (NASB)9 Now as to the love of the brothers and sisters, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 for indeed you practice it toward all the brothers and sisters who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to excel even more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we instructed you, 12 so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.Christians are commanded to excel in loving each other and to live respectably among non-believers as testimonies for Christ.1) Abounding love for fellow Christians (4:9-10)2) Respectable lives among non-Christians (4:11-12)
1 Timothy 2:5 (NASB)5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the man Christ JesusJohn 1:4 (NASB)4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 (NASB)3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 and that no one violate the rights and take advantage of his brother or sister in the matter, because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you previously and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in sanctification. 8 Therefore, the one who rejects this is not rejecting man, but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.Theme: God’s explicit will for us as Christians is to live a sanctified life of sexual purity.Outline: Three aspects of personal purity that God requires of you and desires for you.1) Stop any sexually immoral behavior (4:3)2) Steward your body honorably (4:4-5)3) Steer clear of cheating others (4:6)
Philippians 2:12-13 (NASB)12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.1. Man's discipline (2:12)2. God's power (2:13)
1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 (NSAB)1 Finally then, brothers and sisters, we request and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel even more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.Big Idea: Excel more than you think you need to in your spiritual walk and obedience to Jesus’s commands.1) What (Mandate)2) Why (Motivation/s)
1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 (NASB)11 Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you; 12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; 13 so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.Four questions to ask yourselves regarding your prayer lives:1) Do you pray?2) If and when you do pray, who are you praying to?3) When you're praying for others, what makes up most of your prayer requests?4) To what end do you make those requests?Three elements if a pastoral prayer which informs how the church ought to pray for each other:1) Its address (3:11a)2) Its request (3:11b-12)3) Its purpose (3:13)
1) He valued women as persons2) He showed His view of women by ministering to them3) He gives women dignity in His ministry: a) By teaching theological truth to women b) By having women participate in His ministry
1 Thess. 3:1-10 (NASB)1 Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith, 3 so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. 4 For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain. 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, 7 for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; 8 for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord. 9 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, 10 as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?Four Characteristics of the Earnest Pastor/Shepherd1) Burden for the souls of the people (3:1‑2,5)2) Readiness to suffer for Gospel ministry (3:3‑4)3) Comfort from the flock's spiritual well-being (3:6‑8)4) Continual care for the flock's spiritual progress (3:9‑10)
1 Thess. 2:17-20 (NASB)17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while - in person, not in spirit - were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. 18 For we wanted to come to you - I, Paul, more than once - and yet Satan hindered us. 19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.Big Idea: Gospel ministry involves a heart of affection for people, the reality of Satan's presence, and the hope of a rewarding reunion upon Christ's return.1) Heart of Gospel Ministry: Genuine affection for people (2:17‑18a)2) Opposition to Gospel ministry: Satan's hatred of people (2:18b)3) Joy of Gospel ministry: Jesus' gathering of His people (2:19‑20)
1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 (NASB)13 For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of mere men, but as what it really is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, 15 who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all people, 16 hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always reach the limit of their sins. But wrath has come upon them fully.Theme: There is a right way and a wrong way to respond to God’s Word/Gospel, which has supernatural, life-giving power for all who will believe.1) Right Response to the Word of God (v. 13(a))2) Power of the Word of God (v. 13b-15a)3) Wrong Response to the Word of God (v. 15b-16)
1 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (NASB)9 For you recall, brothers and sisters, our labor and hardship: it was by working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, that we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly and rightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; 11 just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, 12 so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.Theme: The privilege of proclaiming the Gospel and making disciples comes with the God-graced responsibility of personal investment and godly conduct.A “To-Do” List for the Christian Discipler:1) Persist in sacrificial service (v. 9)2) Practice exemplary behavior (v. 10)3) Provide father-like care ((v. 11)4) Have a clear purpose (v. 12)
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 (NASB)1 For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our reception among you was not in vain, 2 but after we had already suffered and been treated abusively in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition. 3 For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not intending to please people, but to please God, who examines our hearts. 5 For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is our witness— 6 nor did we seek honor from people, either from you or from others, though we could have asserted our authority as apostles of Christ. 7 But we proved to be gentle among you. As a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children, 8 in the same way we had a fond affection for you and were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.Theme: The privilege of proclaiming the Gospel and making disciples comes with the God-pleasing responsibility of personal integrity and godly character.1) The Christian discipler’s message must be the true Gospel of God (2:1-2, 4, 8)2) The Christian discipler’s manner must be godly love for others (2:7-8)3) The Christian discipler’s motivation must be to sincerely please God (2:3-4, 5-6)
John 11:25-26 (NASB)25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"Two assertions from Jesus concerning life after death which give all who trust in Him the hope of soul salvation and physical resurrection forever1) Jesus' extraordinary claim (11:25a)2) Jesus' precious promise (11:25b-26a)
1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 (NASB)6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. 9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.Theme: The Gospel message received and believed will change your life on earth and guarantees eternal life in heaven.Three implications about the Gospel which speak to its power to save the souls of sinners and change their lives forever:The Gospel is often received with difficulty, but with supernatural joy (1:6)The Gospel compels believers (Christians) to spread the Good News to others who don't know Jesus (1:6‑8)The Gospel radically transforms what sinners used to believe (and do/say) (1:9‑10)
1 Thessalonians 1:2-5 (NASB)2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, 4 knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; 5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.Theme: Christians are spiritually encouraged when the know that other Christians are thankful for them.Outline:1) Continual prayer for them (1:2)2) Constant remembrance of them (1:3) A) Their work of faith B) Their labor of love C) Their steadfastness of hope3) Confidence of their election (1:4-5)
Matthew 9:35-38 (NASB)35 Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. 36 Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He *said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”Big Idea: Jesus looked upon a people who were lost, lonely and misguided, and his heart broke for them. So broken that it moved Him to action, to lay down His life to save the souls of men, and raise up those who would do the same as workers who proclaim His message among His harvest.Outline:1) Saver of Lost Souls (9:36)2) His Rescue Crew (9:37a)3) And the Call to Be Life Savers (9:37b-38)
1 Thessalonians 1:1-101 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.2 We always give thanks to God for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 constantly keeping in mind your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, 4 knowing, brothers and sisters, beloved by God, His choice of you; 5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sakes. 6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word during great affliction with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place the news of your faith toward God has gone out, so that we have no need to say anything. 9 For they themselves report about us 2as to the kind of reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is, Jesus who rescues us from the wrath to come.1) The Birth of the Thessalonian Church (1 Thess. 1:1; Acts 17)2) The Purpose(s) of this Letter (Overview of 1 Thess.)3) The Theme(s) of this Letter (Overview)
Four biblical bases which clearly imply & instruct Christians to become members of a local church.1) The Example of the Early Church (Acts; NT Epistles)2) The Existence of Church Government(1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:1-5)3) The Exercise of Church Discipline (Matt. 18:15-19; 1 Cor. 5)4) The Exhortations to Mutual Edification (NT Epistles)
Sermon Theme: We must know and understand what God’s purpose is for the local church, and together strive to excel in fulfilling that purpose for His glory.The “Fantastic 4” of God’s purpose(s) for the local church:1) Exaltation – A Worshiping Body2) Edification – A Walking Body3) Equipment-ation – A Working Body4) Evangelization – A Witnessing Body
Sermon Theme: We must know and understand what God's purpose is for the local church, and together strive to excel in fulfilling that purpose for His Glory.Sermon Outline - The "Fantastic 4" of God's purpose(s) for the local church(Part 1 covered this week)1) Exaltation - A Worshipping Body2) Edification - A Walking Body3) Equipment-ation - A Working Body4) Evangelization - A Witnessing Body
Big Idea: God will cause all things in the universe to work together for the good of His people in order to bring glory to His own Name.
Genesis 11:1-9 (NASB)1 Now the whole earth used the same language and the same words. 2 It came about as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3 They said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and burn them thoroughly." And they used brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar. 4 They said, "Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth." 5 The LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 The LORD said, "Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them. 7 "Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another's speech." 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of the whole earth; and they stopped building the city. 9 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of the whole earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of the whole earth.Theme: Although sinful man seeks to glorify himself, God mercifully intervenes so that He will receive all the glory.Outline:1) Man's prideful rebellion against God (11:1-4)2) God's merciful response to man (11:5-9)
Outline:1) All babies are created by and precious to God2) Nations that sacrifice their children were judged by God3) God calls Christians to have compassion on the defenseless
Acts 20:24 (NASB)But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.Outline:1) Understand that your life is not just for yourself (v. 24a)2) Know that Jesus gave you a mission to accomplish for Him (v. 24b)3) [Accept that] You are called to proclaim the Gospel (v. 24c)
Philemon 8-17(NASB)8 Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I fathered in my imprisonment, 11 who previously was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. 12 I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, 13 whom I wanted to keep with me, so that in your behalf he might be at my service in my imprisonment for the gospel; 14 but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion, but of your own free will. 15 For perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17 If then you regard me as a partner, accept him as you would me.Outline:1. For the sake of love (v. 8-9)2. For the sake of the church (v. 10-14)3. For the sake of Christ (v. 15-17)
1 Peter 3:18 (NASB)18For Christ also suffered for sins once for all time, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
Genesis 9:18-29 (NASB)18 Now the sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth; and Ham was the father of Canaan. 19 These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated.20 Then Noah began farming and planted a vineyard. 21 He drank some of the wine and became drunk, and uncovered himself inside his tent. 22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. 23 But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it on both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were turned away, so that they did not see their father’s nakedness. 24 When Noah awoke from his wine, he knew what his youngest son had done to him. 25 So he said,“Cursed be Canaan;A servant of servantsHe shall be to his brothers.”26 He also said,“Blessed be the Lord,The God of Shem;And may Canaan be his servant.27 May God enlarge Japheth,And may he live in the tents of Shem;And may Canaan be his servant.”28 Noah lived 350 years after the flood. 29 So all the days of Noah were 950 years, and he died.As shameful sin rears its ugly head in ourselves and in others, we must battle against it and look to Christ to cover us.1) God’s people must deal with shameful sin honorably (9:20-23)2) God sovereignty brings cursing on unrighteousness {and blessing on righteousness} (9:24-27)
Genesis 9:8-17 (NASB)8 Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying, 9 “Now behold, I Myself am establishing My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you; 10 and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the livestock, and every animal of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, every animal of the earth. 11 I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be eliminated by the waters of a flood, nor shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations; 13 I have set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall serve as a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. 14 It shall come about, when I make a cloud appear over the earth, that the rainbow will be seen in the cloud, 15 and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 When the rainbow is in the cloud, then I will look at it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”Theme: God promises to preserve His creation.1) God’s Covenant (9:8-11)2) God’s Sign of the Covenant (9:12-17)
Genesis 9:1-7 (NASB)1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. 2 The fear of you and the terror of you will be on every animal of the earth and on every bird of the sky; on everything that crawls on the ground, and on all the fish of the sea. They are handed over to you. 3 Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I have given everything to you, as I gave the green plant. 4 But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. 5 I certainly will require your lifeblood; from every animal I will require it. And from every person, from every man as his brother I will require the life of a person.6 Whoever sheds human blood,By man his blood shall be shed,For in the image of GodHe made mankind.7 As for you, be fruitful and multiply;Populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it.”God blesses mankind with provision and protection in the new world where sin and corruption will soon abound again.God’s Blessing: The Creation Mandate (9:1, 7)1) Provision: Animals given for food (9:2-3)2) Prohibition: Don’t eat the blood (9:4)3) Protection: Sanctity of human life (9:5-6)
Hebrews 2:1-4 (NASB)1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.Outline:1) We must pay attention (2:12) We must not neglect Christ (2:2-4)
Genesis 8:15-22 (NASB)15 Then God spoke to Noah, saying, 16 "Go out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and your sons' wives with you. 17 "Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you, birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, that they may breed abundantly on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth." 18 So Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him. 19 Every beast, every creeping thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, went out by their families from the ark. 20 Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 21 The LORD smelled the soothing aroma; and the LORD said to Himself, "I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done. 22 "While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, And cold and heat, And summer and winter, And day and night Shall not cease."Sermon Theme: God in gracious provision will sustain life on Earth, giving us opportunity for eternal life in Heaven.Outline: Three reasons we can give thanks to God this season (and any season)1) God fulfils His promises to us (8:15‑192) God accepts our devoted worship (8:20‑21)3) God pledges His (un)common grace upon sinful mankind (8:21b‑22)
Genesis 8:1-14 (NASB)1 But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the cattle that were with him in the ark; and God caused a wind to pass over the earth, and the water subsided. 2 Also the fountains of the deep and the floodgates of the sky were closed, and the rain from the sky was restrained; 3 and the water receded steadily from the earth, and at the end of one hundred and fifty days the water decreased. 4 In the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark rested upon the mountains of Ararat. 5 The water decreased steadily until the tenth month; in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains became visible. 6 Then it came about at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made; 7 and he sent out a raven, and it flew here and there until the water was dried up from the earth. 8 Then he sent out a dove from him, to see if the water was abated from the face of the land; 9 but the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, so she returned to him into the ark, for the water was on the surface of all the earth. Then he put out his hand and took her, and brought her into the ark to himself. 10 So he waited yet another seven days; and again he sent out the dove from the ark. 11 The dove came to him toward evening, and behold, in her beak was a freshly picked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the water was abated from the earth. 12 Then he waited yet another seven days, and sent out the dove; but she did not return to him again. 13 Now it came about in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, on the first of the month, the water was dried up from the earth. Then Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and behold, the surface of the ground was dried up. 14 In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry.Sermon Theme: As God faithfully keeps His Word to rescue, His people respond in steadfast faithOutline:1) God's faithful remembrance (8:1-5) a) God remembered (8:1a) b) God moved (8:1b-5)2) The faithful's righteous response (8:4-14) a) Faith patiently rests in God's promises (8:4-6) b) Faith actively waits on God (8:6-12) c) Faith assuredly affirms God's will (8:13-14)
Genesis 7:17-8:1 (NASB)Genesis 717 Then the flood came upon the earth for forty days, and the water increased and lifted up the ark, so that it rose above the earth. 18 The water prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. 19 And the water prevailed more and more upon the earth, so that all the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered. 20 The water prevailed fifteen cubits higher, and the mountains were covered. 21 So all creatures that moved on the earth perished: birds, livestock, animals, and every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth, and all mankind; 22 of all that was on the dry land, all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, died. 23 So He wiped out every living thing that was upon the face of the land, from mankind to animals, to crawling things, and the birds of the sky, and they were wiped out from the earth; and only Noah was left, together with those that were with him in the ark. 24 The water prevailed upon the earth for 150 days.Genesis 81 But God remembered Noah and all the animals and all the livestock that were with him in the ark; and God caused a wind to pass over the earth, and the water subsided.Big Idea: God delivers on His promises to destroy and to saveOutline:1) God's demonstration of justice and wrath is utterly devastating/terrifying2) God's display of grace and faithfulness is supremely comforting/reassuring
Genesis 7:1-16 (NASB)1 Then the Lord said to Noah, “Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this generation. 2 You shall take with you seven pairs of every clean animal, a male and his female; and two of the animals that are not clean, a male and his female; 3 also of the birds of the sky, seven pairs, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of all the earth. 4 For after seven more days, I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights; and I will wipe out from the face of the land every living thing that I have made.” 5 So Noah acted in accordance with everything that the Lord had commanded him.6 Now Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of water came upon the earth. 7 Then Noah and his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives with him entered the ark because of the waters of the flood. 8 Of clean animals and animals that are not clean and birds and everything that crawls on the ground, 9 they all went into the ark to Noah by twos, male and female, as God had commanded Noah. 10 Now it came about after the seven days, that the waters of the flood came upon the earth. 11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates of the sky were opened. 12 The rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights.13 On this very same day Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark, 14 they and every animal according to its kind, and all the livestock according to their kind, and every crawling thing that crawls on the earth according to its kind, and every bird according to its kind, all sorts of birds. 15 So they went into the ark to Noah, by twos of all flesh in which there was the breath of life. 16 Those that entered, male and female of all flesh, entered as God had commanded him; and the Lord closed the door behind him.
Genesis 6:9-22 (NASB)9 These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. 10 And Noah fathered three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.11 Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for humanity had corrupted its way upon the earth.13 Then God said to Noah, “The end of humanity has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of people; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth. 14 Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; you shall make the ark with compartments, and cover it inside and out with pitch. 15 This is how you shall make it: the length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. 16 You shall make a window for the ark, and finish it to a cubit from the top; and put the door of the ark on the side; you shall make it with lower, second, and third decks. 17 Now behold, I Myself am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which there is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall perish. 18 But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. 20 Of the birds according to their kind, and of the animals according to their kind, of every crawling thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. 21 As for you, take for yourself some of every food that is edible, and gather it to yourself; and it shall be food for you and them.” 22 So Noah did these things; according to everything that God had commanded him, so he did.Theme: The righteous live by faith in God and prepare accordingly, believing God’s warnings that He will judge the wicked.1) Righteous Character (6:9-10)2) Corruption of Man / Character of God (6:11-13)3) Commands of God (6:14-21)4) Obedient Faith (6:22)
Genesis 6:1-8 (NASB) 1 Now it came about, when mankind began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, 2 that the sons of God saw that the daughters of mankind were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not remain with man forever, because he is also flesh; nevertheless his days shall be 120 years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of mankind, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. 6 So the Lord was sorry that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 Then the Lord said, “I will wipe out mankind whom I have created from the face of the land; mankind, and animals as well, and crawling things, and the birds of the sky. For I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.Theme: The widespread wickedness of man causes God to grieve and to bring judgement, which can only be escaped by His gracious favor.1) Earth’s Conditions regarding Mankind (6:1-4)2) Man’s Sin Grieves & Offends God (6:5-7)3) God’s Amazing Grace toward Sinners (6:8)
Genesis 5 (NASB)5 This is the book of the generations of Adam. On the day when God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female, and He blessed them and named them “mankind” on the day when they were created.3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth. 4 Then the days of Adam after he fathered Seth were eight hundred years, and he fathered other sons and daughters. 5 So all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died.6 Now Seth lived 105 years, and fathered Enosh. 7 Then Seth lived 807 years after he fathered Enosh, and he fathered other sons and daughters. 8 So all the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died.9 Now Enosh lived ninety years, and fathered Kenan. 10 Then Enosh lived 815 years after he fathered Kenan, and he fathered other sons and daughters. 11 So all the days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died.12 Now Kenan lived seventy years, and fathered Mahalalel. 13 Then Kenan lived 840 years after he fathered Mahalalel, and he fathered other sons and daughters. 14 So all the days of Kenan were 910 years, and he died.15 Now Mahalalel lived sixty-five years, and fathered Jared. 16 Then Mahalalel lived 830 years after he fathered Jared, and he fathered other sons and daughters. 17 So all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died.18 Now Jared lived 162 years, and fathered Enoch. 19 Then Jared lived eight hundred years after he fathered Enoch, and he fathered other sons and daughters. 20 So all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died.21 Now Enoch lived sixty-five years, and fathered Methuselah. 22 Then Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he fathered Methuselah, and he fathered other sons and daughters. 23 So all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.25 Now Methuselah lived 187 years, and fathered Lamech. 26 Then Methuselah lived 782 years after he fathered Lamech, and he fathered other sons and daughters. 27 So all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died.28 Now Lamech lived 182 years, and fathered a son. 29 And he named him Noah, saying, “This one will give us comfort from our work and from the hard labor of our hands caused by the ground which the Lord has cursed.” 30 Then Lamech lived 595 years after he fathered Noah, and he fathered other sons and daughters. 31 So all the days of Lamech were 777 years, and he died.32 Now after Noah was five hundred years old, Noah fathered Shem, Ham, and Japheth.Theme/Outline: Sinners who answer the call of God in faith have hope of victory over death as they walk with the Lord.1) The Curse of Sin and *Death (5:1-32)2) Walking with God (5:21-24)3) A Glimmer of Hope (5:28-32)
Genesis 4:16-26 (NASB)16 Then Cain left the presence of the Lord, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.17 Cain had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to Enoch; and Cain built a city, and named the city Enoch, after the name of his son. 18 Now to Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. 19 Lamech took two wives for himself: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other, Zillah. 20 Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and have livestock. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and flute. 22 As for Zillah, she also gave birth to Tubal-cain, the forger of all implements of bronze and iron; and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.23 Lamech said to his wives,“Adah and Zillah,Listen to my voice,You wives of Lamech,Pay attention to my words,For I have killed a man for wounding me;And a boy for striking me!24 If Cain is avenged seven times,Then Lamech seventy-seven times!”25 Adam had relations with his wife again; and she gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, for, she said, “God has appointed me another child in place of Abel, because Cain killed him.” 26 To Seth also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then people began to call upon the name of the Lord.Theme/Outline: Godless culture may accomplish many impressive earthly feats, but sinful mankind’s only real hope is to call upon the name of the LORD.1) The offspring of ungodly men producing Godless achievements (4:16-24)2) The seed of God-fearing men establishing worship of the LORD (4:25-26)
Genesis 4:1-16 (NASB)1 Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, "I have gotten a manchild with the help of the LORD." 2 Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground. 4 Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering; 5 but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. 6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." 8 Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. 9 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" And he said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" 10 He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to Me from the ground. 11 "Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. 12 "When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth." 13 Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is too great to bear! 14 "Behold, You have driven me this day from the face of the ground; and from Your face I will be hidden, and I will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me." 15 So the LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold." And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him. 16 Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.Sermon Theme: As God cares deeply about our faith and attitude in worship, we must be vigilant in dealing with our sins, not taking God's mercy for granted.Outline:1) Careless worship displeases God (4:1‑5a)2) Uncurbed sin can led to extreme sin (4:5b‑10)3) Compassion and mercy mark God's righteous judgments (4:11‑16)
Genesis 3:20-24 (NASB)20 Now the man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all the living. 21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them. 22 Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever "- 23 therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. 24 So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.Sermon Theme: Even amidst judgment and discipline, God's gracious provision of salvation is offered to sinners.Outline:1) Faith - Man names the woman (3:20)2) Grace - Covering for the couple (3:21)3) Mercy - Blessed banishment (3:22-24)
Genesis 3:17-19 (NASB)17 Then to Adam He said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat from it'; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life. 18 "Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you will eat the plants of the field; 19 By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return."Corruption -- Grave Consequences from a gracious, holy GodLast Time: (Sunday, August 27)1) The Serpent - Satan (3:14-15)2) The Woman (3:16)Today:3) The Man (3:17-19)
John 10:11-18 (NASB)11 "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 "He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 "He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. 14 "I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 "I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. 17 "For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 "No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father."1) He lays down His life for the sheep (vv. 11‑13)2) He knows His sheep (vv. 14‑16)3) He has authority over death and resurrection (vv. 17‑18)
Genesis 3:14-16 (NASB) 14 Then the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this,Cursed are you more than all the livestock,And more than any animal of the field;On your belly you shall go,And dust you shall eatAll the days of your life;15 And I will make enemiesOf you and the woman,And of your offspring and her Descendant;He shall bruise you on the head,And you shall bruise Him on the heel.” 16 To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiplyYour pain in childbirth,In pain you shall deliver children;Yet your desire will be for your husband,And he shall rule over you.” Corruption --- Grave consequences from a gracious, holy God 1) The Serpent-Satan (3:14-15) 2) The Woman (3:16)
Genesis 3:8-13 (NASB)
8 Now they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.9 Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”10 He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”11 And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree from which I commanded you not to eat?”12 The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me some of the fruit of the tree, and I ate.”13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
Corruption – Colossal changes following the original sin of man 1) Shame & Fear (3:7-10) 2) Shifting of Blame (3:11-13)
Genesis 3:1-7 (NASB)
3 Now the serpent was more cunning than any animal of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; 3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’” 4 The serpent said to the woman, “You certainly will not die! 5 For God knows that on the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will become like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves waist coverings. Corruption – How sin entered into the world: 1) The clarity and authority of God’s Word is attacked (3:1-3) 2) The truth of God’s Word and God’s goodness is denied (3:4-5) 3) The true vision of God is clouded by our senses (3:6)
Sermon Theme: God's blueprint for marriage is sacred, right and beautiful because He is the One who planned and purposed it from beginning to end. Outline:1) God's Revelation of Marriage as One Man & One Woman for Life - Rooted in Scripture (Gen 2:22‑24) - Reiterated by Jesus & throughout the Bible (Mark 10:6) - Reflects Christ's Relationship to the Church (Eph 5:22‑33)2) God's Meaning for Marriage - Covenant of Companionship (Gen 2:18) - Co-laborer (Gen 1:28) - Children (Gen 1:22) - Exalt Christ & the Cross (Eph 5:22‑33)3) God's Picture/Metaphor of Marriage (Eph 5:22‑33; Rev 19:7‑9)
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 (NASB) 1 Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk ), that you excel still more. 2 For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. 8 So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you. 9 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, 12 so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need. Excel Still More:1) In your walk with Christ (4:1-2)2) In your purity (4:3-8)3) In your love (4:9-12)
Genesis 2:4-25 (NASB)
4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made earth and heaven. 5 Now no shrub of the field was yet on the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the Lord God had not sent rain upon the earth, and there was no man to cultivate the ground. 6 But a mist used to rise from the earth and water the whole surface of the ground. 7 Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living person. 8 The Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. 9 Out of the ground the Lord God caused every tree to grow that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 10 Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four rivers. 11 The name of the first is Pishon; it flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 The gold of that land is good; the bdellium and the onyx stone are there as well. 13 The name of the second river is Gibbon; it flows around the whole land of Cush. 14 The name of the third river is Tigris; it flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. 15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and tend it. 16 The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for on the day that you eat from it you will certainly die.” 18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” 19 And out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all the livestock, and to the birds of the sky, and to every animal of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. 22 And the Lord God [q]fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said,
“At last this is bone of my bones,And flesh of my flesh;She shall be called ‘woman,’Because she was taken out of man.”
24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked, but they were not ashamed. Sermon Theme: God has prepared human beings with all the spiritual and physical resources needed in order to glorify and enjoy Him.
Last week: 1)Mankind was made with the capacity to serve and worship God (2:4-8; 15) 2) Mankind was given the responsibility to obey God in order to flourish in life (2:8-17) This week: 3) Mankind was blessed with complementary help to serve, worship, and obey God together (2:18-25)
Genesis 2:4-17 (NASB) 4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made earth and heaven. 5 Now no shrub of the field was yet in the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the LORD God had not sent rain upon the earth, and there was no man to cultivate the ground. 6 But a mist used to rise from the earth and water the whole surface of the ground. 7 Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. 8 The LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. 9 Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 10 Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four rivers. 11 The name of the first is Pishon; it flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 The gold of that land is good; the bdellium and the onyx stone are there. 13 The name of the second river is Gihon; it flows around the whole land of Cush. 14 The name of the third river is Tigris; it flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. 15 Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. 16 The LORD God commanded the man, saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die." Sermon Theme: God has prepared human beings with all the spiritual and physical resources needed in order to glorify and enjoy Him. Outline:1) Mankind was made with the capacity to serve and worship God (2:4‑8; 15)2) Mankind was given the responsibility to obey God in order to fourish in life (2:8‑17)
Psalm 42 (NASB) 1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, While they say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" 4 These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go along with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God, With the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival. 5 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence. 6 O my God, my soul is in despair within me; Therefore I remember You from the land of the Jordan And the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. 7 Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls; All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me. 8 The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night, A prayer to the God of my life. 9 I will say to God my rock, "Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?" 10 As a shattering of my bones, my adversaries revile me, While they say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" 11 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 43 (NASB) 1 Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man! 2 For You are the God of my strength; why have You rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 3 O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your dwelling places. 4 Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God. 5 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. Outline:1) Don't live in the past (42:1-4)2) Don't fear man/people (42:5-10)3) Don't lose hope in God (42:11-43:5)
Genesis 2:1-3 (NASB) 1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts. 2 By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. Sermon Theme: The Seventh Day of Creation is a glorious memorial and reminder that God created the entire universe in six days and sets the pattern and rhythm for human life to flourish. Outline: The Uniqueness of Day Seven1) God completed His work (2:1-2)2) God ceased His work (2:2-3)3) God blessed and sanctified Day Seven (2:3)
Genesis 1:26-31 (NASB) 26 Then God said, “Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; 30 and to every animal of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to everything that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so. 31 And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Genesis 1:20-31 (NASB) 20 Then God said, “Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens.” 21 And God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind; and God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 And there was evening and there was morning, a fifth day. 24 Then God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures according to their kind: livestock and crawling things and animals of the earth according to their kind”; and it was so. 25 God made the animals of the earth according to their kind, and the livestock according to their kind, and everything that crawls on the ground according to its kind; and God saw that it was good. 26 Then God said, “Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; 30 and to every animal of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to everything that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so. 31 And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Genesis 1:6-19 (NASB) 6 Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7 God made the expanse, and separated the waters that were below the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse; and it was so. 8 God called the expanse “heaven.” And there was evening and there was morning, a second day. 9 Then God said, “Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. 10 And God called the dry land “earth,” and the gathering of the waters He called “seas”; and God saw that it was good. 11 Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit according to their kind with seed in them”; and it was so. 12 The earth produced vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, according to their kind; and God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, a third day. 14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and they shall serve as signs and for seasons, and for days and years; 15 and they shall serve as lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. 16 God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; He made the stars also. 17 God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 and to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.
Genesis 1 (NASB)1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness He called “night.” And there was evening and there was morning, one day.6 Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7 God made the expanse, and separated the waters that were below the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse; and it was so. 8 God called the expanse “heaven.” And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.9 Then God said, “Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. 10 And God called the dry land “earth,” and the gathering of the waters He called “seas”; and God saw that it was good. 11 Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit according to their kind with seed in them”; and it was so. 12 The earth produced vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, according to their kind; and God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, a third day.14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and they shall serve as signs and for seasons, and for days and years; 15 and they shall serve as lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. 16 God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; He made the stars also. 17 God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 and to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.20 Then God said, “Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens.” 21 And God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind; and God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 And there was evening and there was morning, a fifth day.24 Then God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures according to their kind: livestock and crawling things and animals of the earth according to their kind”; and it was so. 25 God made the animals of the earth according to their kind, and the livestock according to their kind, and everything that crawls on the ground according to its kind; and God saw that it was good.26 Then God said, “Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; 30 and to every animal of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to everything that moves on the earth which...
Introduction: History is all about God and His glory.The 9 C's of History:1) Creation2) Corruption3) Catastrophe4) Confusion5) Covenant6) Christ7) Cross8) Church9) Consummation
Three Reasons Jesus' Ascension matters to our spiritual lives:1) Because Jesus is now interceding for us as our Advocate in Heaven2) Because Jesus sends the Holy Spirit down to indwell/empower us3) Because it anticipates Jesus' return to earth to reign
Acts 1:9-11 (NASB)9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were watching, and a cloud took Him up, out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, then behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them, 11 and they said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”1 Timothy 3:16 (NASB)16 Beyond question, great is the mystery of godliness:He who was revealed in the flesh,Was vindicated in the Spirit,Seen by angels,Proclaimed among the nations,Believed on in the world,Taken up in glory.1 Peter 3:22 (NASB)22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.Ephesians 4:10 (NASB)10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)Hebrews 4:14 (NASB)14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let’s hold firmly to our confession.John 20:17 (NASB)17 Jesus *said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’”Luke 24:51-53 (NASB)51 While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising God.The truth of Christ's Ascension gives believers further reason to rejoice in worship of Him.1) The Truth of Jesus' Ascension2) The Triumph of Jesus' Ascension
Mark16: 9-20 (NASB)9 [[Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and reported to those who had been with Him, while they were mourning and weeping. 11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it.12 Now after that, He appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking along on their way to the country. 13 And they went away and reported it to the rest, but they did not believe them, either.14 Later He appeared to the eleven disciples themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reprimanded them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen from the dead. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 The one who has believed and has been baptized will be saved; but the one who has not believed will be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”19 So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.]][[And they promptly reported all these instructions to Peter and his companions. And after that, Jesus Himself also sent out through them from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation.]]
Mark 15:42-16:8 (NASB)42 When evening had already come, since it was the preparation day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself also waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Now Pilate wondered if He was dead by this time, and summoning the centurion, he questioned him as to whether He was already dead. 45 And after learning this from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 Joseph bought a linen cloth, took Him down, wrapped Him in the linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb which had been cut out in the rock; and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were watching to see where He was laid.16 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might come and anoint Him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb for us?” 4 And looking up, they noticed that the stone had been rolled away; for it was extremely large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; see, here is the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Mark 28: 1-7 (NASB)1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb. 2 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it. 3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 The guards shook from fear of him and became like dead men. 5 And the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6 He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see Him; behold, I have told you.”Mark 16: 1-7 (NASB)1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might come and anoint Him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb for us?” 4 And looking up, they noticed that the stone had been rolled away; for it was extremely large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; see, here is the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’”Luke 24: 10-12 (NASB)10 Now these women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles. 11 But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe the women. 12 Nevertheless, Peter got up and ran to the tomb; and when he stooped and looked in, he saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.John 20: 19-20 (NASB)19 Now when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were together due to fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them, “Peace be to you.” 20 And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord.Acts 2: 22-24 (NASB)22 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a Man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— 23 this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. 24 But God raised Him from the dead, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!!
Mark 15:33-41 (NASB)34 At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" which is translated, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?" 35 When some of the bystanders heard it, they began saying, "Behold, He is calling for Elijah." 36 Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink, saying, "Let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down." 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last. 38 And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" 40 There were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome. 41 When He was in Galilee, they used to follow Him and minister to Him; and there were many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.Six Events Highlighted by Mark:1) A Supernatural Darkness (15:33)2) The Father Forsaking (15:34-36)3) The Savior's Death (15:37)4) The Tearing of the Temple Curtain (15:38)5) The Confession of the Centurion (15:39)6) The Witness of the Women (15:40-41)
Mark 15:16-32 (NASB)16 The soldiers took Him away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium), and they called together the whole Roman cohort. 17 They dressed Him up in purple, and after twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on Him; 18 and they began to acclaim Him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 19 They kept beating His head with a reed, and spitting on Him, and kneeling and bowing before Him. 20 After they had mocked Him, they took the purple robe off Him and put His own garments on Him. And they led Him out to crucify Him. 21 They pressed into service a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus ), to bear His cross. 22 Then they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. 23 They tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh; but He did not take it. 24 And they crucified Him, and divided up His garments among themselves, casting lots for them to decide what each man should take. 25 It was the third hour when they crucified Him. 26 The inscription of the charge against Him read, "THE KING OF THE JEWS." 27 They crucified two robbers with Him, one on His right and one on His left. 28 [And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "And He was numbered with transgressors."] 29 Those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, "Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save Yourself, and come down from the cross!" 31 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, "He saved others; He cannot save Himself. 32 "Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!" Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him.Outline:1) The Deep, Dark Sinfulness of Man2) The Sinless Suffering and Submission of the Son of Man
Mark 15:1-15 (NASB)1 Early in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes and the whole Council, immediately held a consultation; and binding Jesus, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate. 2 Pilate questioned Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" And He answered him, "It is as you say." 3 The chief priests began to accuse Him harshly. 4 Then Pilate questioned Him again, saying, "Do You not answer? See how many charges they bring against You!" 5 But Jesus made no further answer; so Pilate was amazed. 6 Now at the feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested. 7 The man named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the insurrection. 8 The crowd went up and began asking him to do as he had been accustomed to do for them. 9 Pilate answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?" 10 For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead. 12 Answering again, Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?" 13 They shouted back, "Crucify Him!" 14 But Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they shouted all the more, "Crucify Him!" 15 Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.
Hebrews 5:1-10 (NASB)1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of people in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; 2 he can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is clothed in weakness; 3 and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins for himself, as well as for the people. 4 And no one takes the honor for himself, but receives it when he is called by God, just as Aaron also was.5 So too Christ did not glorify Himself in becoming a high priest, but it was He who said to Him,“You are My Son,Today I have fathered You”;6 just as He also says in another passage,“You are a priest foreverAccording to the order of Melchizedek.”7 In the days of His humanity, He offered up both prayers and pleas with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His devout behavior. 8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him, 10 being designated by God as High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek.Outline:I. Better than Aaron (5:1-4)II. In the order of Melchizedek (5:5-10)
Mark 14:66-72 (NASB)66 As Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came, 67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You also were with Jesus the Nazarene." 68 But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are talking about." And he went out onto the porch. and a rooster crowed. 69 The servant-girl saw him, and began once more to say to the bystanders, "This is one of them!" 70 But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders were again saying to Peter, "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean too." 71 But he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this man you are talking about!" 72 Immediately a rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had made the remark to him, "Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times." And he began to weep.Outline: A few pitfalls to avoid if you want to follow Christ faithfully1) Don't follow from afar (14:54)2) Don't forget Jesus' Word (14:66-68)3) Don't fear man (14:69-70a) - Confess your fear of man - Consider and question your fear of man - Confront your fear of man4) Don't fall asleep spiritually (14:70b-72)
Mark 14:53-65 (NASB)53 They led Jesus away to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes gathered together. 54 And Peter had followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers and warming himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and the entire Council were trying to obtain testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, and they were not finding any. 56 For many people were giving false testimony against Him, and so their testimonies were not consistent. 57 And then some stood up and began giving false testimony against Him, saying, 58 “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that was made by hands, and in three days I will build another, made without hands.’” 59 And not even in this respect was their testimony consistent. 60 And then the high priest stood up and came forward and questioned Jesus, saying, “Do You not offer any answer for what these men are testifying against You?” 61 But He kept silent and did not offer any answer. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and *said to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” 63 Tearing his clothes, the high priest said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? 64 You have heard the blasphemy; how does it seem to you?” And they all condemned Him as deserving of death. 65 And some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists and say to Him, “Prophesy!” Then the officers took custody of Him and slapped Him in the face.Sermon Theme: The truth of Who Jesus is will cause sinners to either hate Him to death or repent and follow Him to eternal life.Outline:1) The False Accusations (14:55-59)2) The Truth Spoken (14:60-62)3) The Hateful Reaction (14:63-65)
Mark 14:43-52 (NASB)43 And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came up, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs who were from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44 Now he who was betraying Him had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; arrest Him and lead Him away under guard.” 45 And after coming, Judas immediately went to Him and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 46 And they laid hands on Him and arrested Him. 47 But one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. 48 And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me, as you would against a man inciting a revolt? 49 Every day I was with you within the temple grounds teaching, and you did not arrest Me; but this has taken place so that the Scriptures will be fulfilled.” 50 And His disciples all left Him and fled.51 A young man was following Him, wearing nothing but a linen sheet over his naked body; and they seized him. 52 But he pulled free of the linen sheet and escaped naked.Outline:1) The Betrayal (14:43-45)2) The Arrest (14:46-49)3) The Abandonment (14:50-52)
Mark 14:32-42 (NASB)32 They came to a place named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here until I have prayed.” 33 And He took with Him Peter, James, and John, and began to be very distressed and troubled. 34 And He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.” 35 And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began praying that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. 36 And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” 37 And He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38 Keep watching and praying, so that you will not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again He went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to say in reply to Him. 41 And He came the third time, and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? That is enough. The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Get up, let’s go; behold, the one who is betraying Me is near!”Sermon Theme: Jesus prayed in agony for God’s will to be done as He prepared to receive God’s wrath against sinners on the Cross.Outline:1. Mounting Pressure (v. 32-35)2. Multiplied Prayers (v. 35-36; 39, 41)3. Misplaced Priorities (v. 34; 37-42)
Mark 14:22-31 (NASB)22 While they were eating, He took some bread, and after a blessing He broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is My body.” 23 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many. 25 Truly I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine again, until that day when I drink it, new, in the kingdom of God.”26 And after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.27 And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, because it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 29 But Peter said to Him, “Even if they all fall away, yet I will not!” 30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you, that this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you yourself will deny Me three times.” 31 But Peter repeatedly said insistently, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all were saying the same thing as well.Big Idea: The Lord institutes Communion so that believers would continually remember Him, and to bring us into deeper spiritual unity with Him and with one another.Last Sunday:1) The Preparations for the Supper (14:12-16)2) The Predicament at the Supper (14:17-21)Today:3) The Picture in the Supper (14:22-25)4) The Prediction(s) after the Supper (14:26-31)
Mark 14:12-21 (NASB)12 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed, His disciples said to Him, "Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?" 13 And He sent two of His disciples and said to them, "Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him; 14 and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?"' 15 "And he himself will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; prepare for us there." 16 The disciples went out and came to the city, and found it just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover. 17 When it was evening He came with the twelve. 18 As they were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus said, "Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me-one who is eating with Me." 19 They began to be grieved and to say to Him one by one, "Surely not I?" 20 And He said to them, "It is one of the twelve, one who dips with Me in the bowl. 21 "For the Son of Man is to go just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born."Big Idea: God, who is in sovereign control over every detail of life and death, calls us to believe in His Son and to make choices accordingly in our lives.Outline:1) The preparation for the supper (14:12-16) a) The purpose (14:12) b) The plan (14:13-16)2) The predicament (14:17-21)
Mark 14:1-11 (NASB)1 Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread were two days away; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize Him by stealth and kill Him; 2 for they were saying, "Not during the festival, otherwise there might be a riot of the people." 3 While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. 4 But some were indignantly remarking to one another, "Why has this perfume been wasted? 5 "For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor." And they were scolding her. 6 But Jesus said, "Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. 7 "For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. 8 "She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. 9 "Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her." 10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. 11 They were glad when they heard this, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time.Sermon Theme: Jesus is worthy of our wholly devoted faith, worship, and love, far over and above other things of great value.Sermon Outline:1) His foes — Jesus is worthy of murderous scheming (14:1‑2; 10‑11)2) The faker — Jesus is worthy of ultimate betrayal (14:10‑11)3) The faithful — Jesus is worthy of extravagant worship (14:3‑9) a) The display (14:3) b) The disapproval (14:4‑5) c) The defense (14:6-9)
Genesis 9:1-7 (NASB)1 And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. 2 "The fear of you and the terror of you will be on every beast of the earth and on every bird of the sky; with everything that creeps on the ground, and all the fish of the sea, into your hand they are given. 3 "Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I give all to you, as I gave the green plant. 4 "Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. 5 "Surely I will require your lifeblood; from every beast I will require it. And from every man, from every man's brother I will require the life of man. 6 "Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man. 7 "As for you, be fruitful and multiply; Populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it."Sermon Outline:1) God ordained the propagation of human life (9:1, 7)2) God ordained the prioritization of human life (9:2‑4)3) God ordained the protection of human life (9:5‑6)
Philippians 3:12-16 (NASB)12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; 16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.Sermon Outline:1) Enter the Race (3:12,14)2) Embrace the Right Attitudes (3:12-16) a) Humility of Heart (3:12-13) b) Persistence and Perseverance (3:13-14) c) Unity in Community (3:15-16)3) Exert the Required Effort (3:12-14)
Romans 13:11-14 (NASB)11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.Outline:1) Be Alert (13:11)2) Repent (13:12-13)3) Put on the Lord Jesus ChristNote: We apologize that there is a short section toward the beginning of the sermon where the sound quality is degraded.
Isaiah 9:6-7 (NASB) 6 For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us;And the government will rest on His shoulders;And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peaceOn the throne of David and over his kingdom,To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousnessFrom then on and forevermore.The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this.
Series Principle: Believers are exhorted to always be prepared for the Lord’s return, persevering in faith and faithfulness to the end.Outline:1) The Millennial Kingdom2) The Eternal State
Mark 13:28-37 (NASB)28 “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: as soon as its branch has become tender and sprouts its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 32 But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.33 “Watch out, stay alert; for you do not know when the appointed time is. 34 It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay alert. 35 Therefore, stay alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 so that he does not come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 What I say to you I say to all: ‘Stay alert!’”Outline:1) Concluding Explanations (13:28-32)2) Commands to be Watchful (13:33-37)
Mark 13:24-27 (NASB)24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of heaven.Intro – The Rapture to HeavenBody – The Glorious Return to Earth (13:24-27)
Colossians 3:18-21 (NASB)18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. 20 Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.Outline:1) Husbands and Wives (3:18‑19)2) Fathers and Children (3:20‑21)
Romans 5:1-5 (NASB) 1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Definition of Justification: Being declared righteous Outline: Three amazing blessings we can be thankful for: 1) We have peace with God (5:1)2) We have access to God's grace (5:2a)3) We have reason for joy and hope in the Lord a) We have joy in future glory (5:2b) b) We have joy in our present tribulations (5:3‑5)
Mark 13:14-23 (NASB) 14 "But when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION standing where it should not be (let the reader understand ), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 15 "The one who is on the housetop must not go down, or go in to get anything out of his house; 16 and the one who is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. 17 "But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 "But pray that it may not happen in the winter. 19 "For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will. 20 "Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days. 21 "And then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ '; or, 'Behold, He is there '; do not believe him; 22 for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 "But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance. Part 2 (This Sermon): The Awfully Great Tribulation Sermon Theme: Believers are exhorted to always be prepared for the Lord's return, preserving in faith and faithfulness to the end. Outline: 1) The Awfully Great Tribulation2) The Abomination of Desolation Future Sermons in this Series:Parts 3a & 3b: The Second Coming is ComingPart 5: Eschatology Excursive
Mark 13:1-13 (NASB) 1 As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, "Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!" 2 And Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down." 3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately, 4 "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?" 5 And Jesus began to say to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. 6 "Many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He!' and will mislead many. 7 "When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. 8 "For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. 9 "But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. 10 "The gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 "When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit. 12 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 13 "You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. Part 1 (This Sermon): The Beginning of the End (13:1-13) Sermon Theme: Believers are Exhorted to be Prepared Outline:1) The Destruction of the Temple (13:1-3)2) The Disciples' Questions (13:3-5)3) The King Foretells the Future (13:6-13 Future Sermons in this Series:Part 2: The Awfully Great Tribulation (13:14-23)Parts3a & 3b: The Second Coming is Coming (13:24-27)Part 4: Eschatology Excursive
Daniel 3:8-18 (NASB) 8 For this reason at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought charges against the Jews. 9 They began to speak and said to Nebuchadnezzar the king: “O king, live forever! 10 You, O king, have made a decree that every person who hears the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe, and all kinds of musical instruments, is to fall down and worship the golden statue. 11 But whoever does not fall down and worship shall be thrown into the middle of a furnace of blazing fire. 12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. These men, O king, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods, nor do they worship the golden statue which you have set up.” 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and anger gave orders to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; then these men were brought before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar began speaking and said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, that you do not serve my gods, nor worship the golden statue that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe, and all kinds of musical instruments, to fall down and worship the statue that I have made, very well. But if you do not worship, you will immediately be thrown into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can rescue you from my hands?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we are not in need of an answer to give you concerning this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods nor worship the golden statue that you have set up.” 1. You must live for God (vv. 8-12)2. You must worship only God (vv. 13-15)3. You must trust God (vv. 16-18)
Mark 12:41-44 (NASB) 41 And Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and began watching how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large amounts. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two lepta coins, which amount to a quadrans. 43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”
Mark 12:35-40 (NASB) 35 And Jesus responded and began saying, as He taught in the temple area, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? 36 David himself said in the Holy Spirit, ‘The Lord said to my Lord,“Sit at My right hand,Until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’ 37 David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; so in what sense is He his son?” And the large crowd enjoyed listening to Him. 38 And in His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like personal greetings in the marketplaces, 39 and seats of honor in the synagogues, and places of honor at banquets, 40 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive all the more condemnation.” Sermon Theme/Outline: Christians must heed Jesus’ correction of false theology and His warning about false teachers. 1. Be careful of false theology (12:35-37) 2. Beware of faulty character (12:38-40)
Mark 12:28-34 (NASB) 28 One of the scribes came up and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one; 30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 And the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher; You have truly stated that He is One, and there is no other besides Him; 33 and to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And then, no one dared any longer to question Him.
Mark 12:18-27 (NASB)
18 Some Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection) came to Jesus, and began questioning Him, saying, 19 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves behind a wife and does not leave a child, his brother is to marry the wife and raise up children for his brother. 20 There were seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and died leaving no children. 21 The second one married her, and died leaving behind no children; and the third likewise; 22 and so the seven together left no children. Last of all the woman also died. 23 In the resurrection, which one’s wife will she be? For each of the seven had her as his wife.” 24 Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures nor the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26 But regarding the fact that the dead rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him, saying,‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken.”
Mark 12:13-17 (NASB) 13 Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Him in order to trap Him in a statement. 14 They came and said to Him, "Teacher, we know that You are truthful and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not? 15 "Shall we pay or shall we not pay?" But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, "Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to look at." 16 They brought one. And He said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" And they said to Him, "Caesar's." 17 And Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they were amazed at Him. Sermon Theme/Outline: Believers in Jesus Christ must avoid hypocrisy, yield to government's authority and yield to God above all. 1) Believers must avoid the wicked sin of religious hypocrisy (12:13‑15)2) Believers must submit to Government (12:16‑17)3) Believers must submit to God above all (12:17)
Mark 12:1-12 (NASB) 1 And He began to speak to them in parables: "A man PLANTED A VINEYARD AND PUT A WALL AROUND IT, AND DUG A VAT UNDER THE WINE PRESS AND BUILT A TOWER, and rented it out to vine-growers and went on a journey. 2 "At the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, in order to receive some of the produce of the vineyard from the vine-growers. 3 "They took him, and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 "Again he sent them another slave, and they wounded him in the head, and treated him shamefully. 5 "And he sent another, and that one they killed; and so with many others, beating some and killing others. 6 "He had one more to send, a beloved son; he sent him last of all to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 7 "But those vine-growers said to one another, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!' 8 "They took him, and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. 9 "What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vine-growers, and will give the vineyard to others. 10 "Have you not even read this Scripture: 'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone; 11 THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES '?" 12 And they were seeking to seize Him, and yet they feared the people, for they understood that He spoke the parable against them. And so they left Him and went away. Sermon Theme: Those who refuse to acknowledge and embrace Jesus' authority over their lives will be silenced, exposed and put to shame. Outline: Rejecters of Jesus' Authority are Exposed and Put to Shame 1) Through God's goodness (12:1)2) Through God's grace (12:2-8)3) Through God's justice (12:9)4) Through God's glory (12:10-12)
Mark 11:27-33) NASB 27 They came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to Him, 28 and began saying to Him, "By what authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority to do these things?" 29 And Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one question, and you answer Me, and then I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 "Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer Me." 31 They began reasoning among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Then why * did you not believe him?' 32 "But shall we say, 'From men '?"-they were afraid of the people, for everyone considered John to have been a real prophet. 33 Answering Jesus, they said, "We do not know." And Jesus said to them, "Nor will I tell you by what authority I do these things." Theme: Those who refuse to acknowledge and embrace Jesus' authority over their lives will be silenced, exposed, and put to shame. Outline: Rejecters of Jesus' Authority are Silenced 1) Unbelievers challenge the Lord's authority (27-28)2) The Lord asserts His authority (29, 30b)3) The Lord challenges unbelievers' beliefs (30a-33a)4) The Lord is the final authority (33b) Due to technical problems the audio quality of this sermon is not up to standard. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Mark 11:22-26 (NASB) 22 And Jesus answered saying to them, "Have faith in God. 23 "Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. 24 "Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. 25 "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. 26 ["But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions."] Theme: Jesus wants us to truly trust in God, coming clean to Him as we pray for our many needs in life. Outline: Three Essential Elements of Effective Prayer 1) True Belief in the one true God (11:22)2) A trusting, believing heart (11:23-24)3) A truly forgiving heart attitude (11:25-26)
Mark 11:11-21 (NASB) 11 And Jesus entered Jerusalem and came into the temple area; and after looking around at everything, He left for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late. 12 On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He became hungry. 13 Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening. 15 Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple area and began to drive out those who were selling and buying on the temple grounds, and He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; 16 and He would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple grounds. 17 And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard this, and they began seeking how to put Him to death; for they were afraid of Him, because all the crowd was astonished at His teaching. 19 And whenever evening came, they would leave the city. 20 As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. 21 And being reminded, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree that You cursed has withered.”
Mark 11:1-10 (NASB) 1 And as they approached Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples, 2 and said to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat; untie it and bring it here. 3 And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it’; and immediately he will send it back here.” 4 They went away and found a colt tied at the door, outside in the street; and they untied it. 5 And some of the bystanders were saying to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 And they told them just as Jesus had said, and they gave them permission. 7 They brought the colt to Jesus and put their cloaks on it; and He sat on it. 8 And many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields. 9 And those who went in front and those who followed were shouting: Hosanna!Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord;10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David;Hosanna in the highest!” Outline: Three reasons why you should follow & keep following Jesus through all of life's triumphs & trails:
Because He is The Sovereign Lord. Because He is The Promised Messiah. Because He is The Only Savior in the world.
Mark 10:46-52 (NASB) 46 Then they came to Jericho. And later, as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a beggar who was blind named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.” So they called the man who was blind, saying to him, “Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. 51 And replying to him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the man who was blind said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road. Sermon Theme: When Jesus comes across your life/path, you should call out to Him in faith, and He will give you mercy.
Acts 15:36-41 36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return and visit the brothers and sisters in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. 38 But Paul was of the opinion that they should not take along with them this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Now it turned into such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas, and left after being entrusted by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Acts 16:1-10 1 Now Paul also came to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, 2 and he was well spoken of by the brothers and sisters who were in Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted this man to leave with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 Now while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering the ordinances for them to follow which had been determined by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily. 6 They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, after being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; 7 and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; 8 and passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and pleading with him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 When he had seen the vision, we immediately sought to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. I. Through conflict (15:36-41) II. Through others (16:1-5) III. Through the Holy Spirit (16:6-10)
Hebrews 10:32-39 (NASB) 32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. 34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. 35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. 37 FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. 38 BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. 39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.
Mark 10:32-45 (NASB) 32 They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, 33 saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles. 34 "They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again." 35 James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You." 36 And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?" 37 They said to Him, "Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory." 38 But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" 39 They said to Him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. 40 "But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." 41 Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John. 42 Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. 43 "But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Sermon Theme: Jesus' suffering and sacrifice for sinners is the greatest act of humble service and leads to the greatest glory. Outline: 1) Remember the price of Jesus' Great Suffering (10:32‑34)2) Battle the problem of Recurring Pride (10:35‑40)3) Embrace the principle of True Greatness (10:41‑45)
Mark 10:32-45 (NASB) 32 They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, 33 saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles. 34 "They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again." 35 James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You." 36 And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?" 37 They said to Him, "Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory." 38 But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" 39 They said to Him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. 40 "But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." 41 Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John. 42 Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. 43 "But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Sermon Theme: Jesus' suffering and sacrifice for sinners is the greatest act of humble service and leads to the greatest glory. Outline: 1) Remember the price of Jesus' Great Suffering (10:32‑34)2) Battle the problem of Recurring Pride (10:35‑40)3) Embrace the principle of True Greatness (10:41‑45)
Mark 10:28-31 (NASB) 28 Peter began to say to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You." 29 Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake, 30 but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 "But many who are first will be last, and the last, first." Sermon Theme: Sacrifice for the sake of Christ and the Gospel comes with Jesus' promise of blessings both now and in eternity. Outline: 1) The provision of Spiritual Family and Ultimate Security (10:30a)2) The Privilege of persecution (10:30b)3) The Promise of Eternal Life (10:30c)
Acts 4:32-37 (NASB) 32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need. 36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement ), 37 and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. Outline: 1) The Priority of Unity (4:32)2) The Priority of Evangelism (4:33)3) The Priority of Sharing (4:34-37)
Mark 10:23-27 (NASB) 23 And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus responded again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were even more astonished, and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”
(All verse are from the New American Standard Bible) Hebrews 12:9 - Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?
Ephesians 1:17 - that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.
James 1:17 - Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
2 Corinthians 1:3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.
Main Theme: God is our unchanging heavenly Father who overflows with mercy on His dear children.
Mark 10:17-22 (NASB) 17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do so that I may inherit eternal life?” 18 But Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not give false testimony, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth.” 21 Looking at him, Jesus showed love to him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But he was deeply dismayed by these words, and he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. Sermon Theme: Jesus with love for sinners calls us to complete submission to Him as part of receiving eternal life. How to miss out on the treasure of eternal life: 1) Be sincere, but mistaken about who Jesus is (10:17-18) 2) Be sincerely mistaken about your goodness (10:19-20) 3) Be unwilling to surrender your earthly treasures to follow Jesus as your Savior/Lord (10:21-22)
Mark 10:13-16 (NASB) 13 And they were bringing children to Him so that He would touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Allow the children to come to Me; do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” 16 And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them. Sermon Theme: Jesus’ blessing of children teaches us important lessons about service, salvation, and our Savior.
Mark 10:1-12 (NASB) 1 Getting up, He went from there to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan; crowds gathered around Him again, and, according to His custom, He once more began to teach them. 2 Some Pharisees came up to Jesus, testing Him, and began to question Him whether it was lawful for a man to divorce a wife. 3 And He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, “Moses permitted a man TO WRITE A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND her AWAY.” 5 But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 “But from the beginning of creation, God MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE. 7 “FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, 8 AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; so they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 “What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” 10 In the house the disciples began questioning Him about this again. 11 And He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her; 12 and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery.” Sermon Theme: The Lord teaches about the preciousness of the marriage relationship and explains the sinfulness of divorce. Outline: 1) The trap/test (10:1-2) 2) The proof text (10:3-5) 3) The truth about marriage (10:6-9) 4) The teaching about divorce (10:10-12)
Mark 10:1-12 (NASB) 1 Getting up, He went from there to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan; crowds gathered around Him again, and, according to His custom, He once more began to teach them. 2 Some Pharisees came up to Jesus, testing Him, and began to question Him whether it was lawful for a man to divorce a wife. 3 And He answered and said to them, "What did Moses command you?" 4 They said, "Moses permitted a man TO WRITE A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND her AWAY." 5 But Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 "But from the beginning of creation, God MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE. 7 "FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, 8 AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; so they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 "What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." 10 In the house the disciples began questioning Him about this again. 11 And He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her; 12 and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery." Sermon Theme: The Lord teaches about the preciousness of the marriage relationship and explains the sinfulness of divorce. Biblical Marriage: 1) Is Rooted in Creation 2) Is Reiterated by Jesus 3) Reflects Christ's relationship with the Church
Mark 9:42-50 (NASB) 42 "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea. 43 "If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire, 44 [ where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.] 45 "If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell, 46 [ where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.] 47 "If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell, 48 where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED. 49 "For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 "Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another." Sermon Theme: Jesus exhorts us to deal drastically with our sins and includes warnings about the reality of Hell. 1) Stern Warning: Don't be jeopardizing other believers (9:42) 2) Sharp Exhortations: Be killing your sin as believers in Christ (9:43‑48) 3) Sound Reasoning: Be a purifying and preserving influence (9:49-50)
1 Samuel 1:1 - 2:10 (NASB) Chapter 11 Now there was a certain man from Ramathaim-zophim from the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2 He had two wives: the name of one was Hannah and the name of the other Peninnah; and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 3 Now this man would go up from his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the LORD there. 4 When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and her daughters; 5 but to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, but the LORD had closed her womb. 6 Her rival, however, would provoke her bitterly to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb. 7 It happened year after year, as often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she would provoke her; so she wept and would not eat. 8 Then Elkanah her husband said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep and why do you not eat and why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?" 9 Then Hannah rose after eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. 10 She, greatly distressed, prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. 11 She made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head." 12 Now it came about, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli was watching her mouth. 13 As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk. 14 Then Eli said to her, "How long will you make yourself drunk? Put away your wine from you." 15 But Hannah replied, "No, my lord, I am a woman oppressed in spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD. 16 "Do not consider your maidservant as a worthless woman, for I have spoken until now out of my great concern and provocation." 17 Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of Him." 18 She said, "Let your maidservant find favor in your sight." So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. 19 Then they arose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD, and returned again to their house in Ramah. And Elkanah had relations with Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her. 20 It came about in due time, after Hannah had conceived, that she gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked him of the LORD." 21 Then the man Elkanah went up with all his household to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and pay his vow. 22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, "I will not go up until the child is weaned; then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD and stay there forever." 23 Elkanah her husband said to her, "Do what seems best to you. Remain until you have weaned him; only may the LORD confirm His word." So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him. 24 Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with a three-year-old bull and one ephah of flour and a jug of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD in Shiloh, although the child was young. 25 Then they slaughtered the bull, and brought the boy to Eli. 26 She said, "Oh, my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you, praying to the LORD. 27 "For this boy I prayed, and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of Him. 28 "So I have also dedicated him to the LORD; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the LORD.
Mark 9:38-41 (NASB) 38 John said to Him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us." 39 But Jesus said, "Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. 40 "For he who is not against us is for us. 41 "For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward. Sermon Theme: Jesus teaches that a person's works (and words) will testify as to whether they are truly with Him or not. 1) John's ambiguous report (9:38) 2) Jesus' generous retort (9:39-41)
Mark 9:30-37 (NASB) 30 And from there they went out and began to go through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know about it. 31 For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.” 32 But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him. 33 They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them: “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. 35 And sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And He took a child and placed him among them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.” Sermon Theme/Outline: Jesus teaches us that true greatness comes with humbling ourselves in service to others. 1) The Greatest Act of All-Time (9:30-32) 2) The Debate about Greatness (9:33-34) 3) Jesus’ Definition/Description of Greatness (9:35-37)
(All verses from the New American Standard Bible) Matthew 11:1919 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a heavy drinker, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ And yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” John 16:2727 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. John 15:13-1513 Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, because all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. Revelation 3:1919 Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.
Mark 9:14-29 (NASB)
14And when they came back to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them.15 Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Him, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him.16 And He asked them, “What are you disputing with them?”17 And one person from the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, because he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak;18 and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground, and he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes stiff. And I told Your disciples so that they would cast it out, but they could not do it.”19And He answered them and *said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!”20 And they brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, the spirit immediately threw him into convulsions, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth.21 And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.22 It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to kill him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!”23But Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.”24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again!”26 And after crying out and throwing him into terrible convulsions, it came out; and the boy became so much like a corpse that most of them said, “He is dead!”27 But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him, and he got up.28 When He came into the house, His disciples began asking Him privately, “Why is it that we could not cast it out?”29 And He said to them, “This kind cannot come out by anything except prayer.”
Sermon Theme/Outline: Jesus teaches a critical lesson about the necessity of faith to access God’s power and accomplish what seems impossible.
I. The Lack of Faith and Spiritual Power (9:14-19) II. The Lord’s Demonstration of Spiritual Power (9:20-27) III. The Lesson about Prayer and Spiritual Power (9:28-29)
Mark 9:9-13 (NASB) 9 As they were coming down from the mountain, He gave them orders not to relate to anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man rose from the dead. 10 They seized upon that statement, discussing with one another what rising from the dead meant. 11 And they asked Him, saying, “Why is it that the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 12 And He said to them, “Elijah does come first and he restores all things. And yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 But I say to you that Elijah has indeed come, and they did to him whatever they wanted, just as it is written of him.” Sermon Theme/Outline: Jesus reminds believers that suffering must come before glory, for Himself and for all who follow Him. 1) A Major Perplexing Question Answered (9:9-12a; 13) 2) The More Prominent Prophecy Addressed (9:12b)
Mark 9:1-8 (NASB) 1 And Jesus was saying to them, "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power." 2 Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; 3 and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 6 For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified. 7 Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!" 8 All at once they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone. Sermon Theme: The significance of the Transfiguration was that it unveiled the true nature of Who Jesus is -- the magnificence of His glory and majesty in a brief preview of the kingdom of God. Outline: Three facets of Christ's Transfiguration which enlighten our view of His glorious nature and encourage us to trust, listen to, and follow Him. 1) The promise of the Kingdom (9:1)2) A preview of the King's Glory (9:2-6)3) A pronouncement from the King's Father (9:7-8)
Mark 8:34-38 (NASB) 34 And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 35 "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. 36 "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37 "For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." Sermon Theme/Outline: Being a disciple of Jesus Christ costs you everything, and He alone is worth it. Outline: Three implications of following Jesus that all who follow, claim to follow, or are thinking of following need to weigh. 1) Jesus' precautionary warnings are to be heeded (35a; 38)2) Jesus' probing questions should be contemplated (36-37)3) Jesus' precious assurance must be trusted (35b)
1 Timothy 4:6-16 (NASB) 6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. 7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. 10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. 11 Prescribe and teach these things. 12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. 13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. 15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. 1) Nourished on the words of grace (6-10)2) Exercising your gifts (11-14)3) Be absorbed in these things (15-16)
Acts 8:1-3 (NASB) 1 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. 3 But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison. Sermon Theme/Outline: Three ways which persecution can have a positive impact upon the church 1) It promotes the spreading of the Gospel (8:1a-b, 3)2) It proves the fortitude of the leaders (8:1c)3) It purifies the church (8:2-3)
Mark 8:34-38 (NASB) 34 And He summoned the crowd together with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it benefit a person to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37 For what could a person give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Mark 8:27-33 (NASB) 27 Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 They told Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And He continued questioning them: “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And He warned them to tell no one about Him. 31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise from the dead. 32 And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s purposes, but on man’s.” Sermon Theme/Outline: Jesus leads us to clearly see Who He is, and teaches us what He as the Messiah/Son of Man must endure in the will of God. I. Who Jesus Is (8:27-30) II. What Jesus Must Undergo (8:31-33)
Mark 8:11-26 (NASB)11 And the Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, demanding from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. 12 Sighing deeply in His spirit, He said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation!” 13 And leaving them, He again embarked and went away to the other side. 14 And the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and did not have more than one loaf in the boat with them. 15 And He was giving orders to them, saying, “Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and the leaven of Herod.” 16 And they began to discuss with one another the fact that they had no bread. 17 And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet comprehend or understand? Do you still have your heart hardened? 18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember, 19 when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces you picked up?” They said to Him, “Twelve.” 20 “When I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?” And they said to Him, “Seven.” 21 And He was saying to them, “Do you not yet understand?” 22 And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought a man who was blind to Jesus and begged Him to touch him. 23 Taking the man who was blind by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting in his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see people, for I see them like trees, walking around.” 25 Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly. 26 And He sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.” Sermon Theme/Outline: Jesus addresses the problem of spiritual blindness in ways that appropriately reveal Who He is as the Son of God. 1) Stubborn Denial of Who He is – Spiritual Darkness (8:11-13) 2) Shallow Depth of Perceiving Who He is – Spiritual Dimness (8:14-21) 3) Illustration/Illumination of Who He is – Physical Demonstration (8:22-26)
Mark 8:1-10 (NASB) 1 In those days, when there was again a large crowd and they had nothing to eat, Jesus summoned His disciples and said to them, 2 “I feel compassion for the people because they have remained with Me for three days already and have nothing to eat. 3 And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come from a great distance.” 4 And His disciples replied to Him, “Where will anyone be able to find enough bread here in this desolate place to satisfy these people?” 5 And He was asking them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven.” 6 And He directed the people to recline on the ground; and taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks and broke them, and started giving them to His disciples to serve, and they served them to the people. 7 They also had a few small fish; and after He had blessed them, He told the disciples to serve these as well. 8 And they ate and were satisfied; and they picked up seven large baskets full of what was left over of the broken pieces. 9 About four thousand men were there; and He dismissed them. 10 And immediately He got into the boat with His disciples and came to the region of Dalmanutha. Sermon Theme/Outline: Certain qualities of Jesus (and the disciples) that we should perceive more clearly so we can grow in our knowledge and likeness of Him 1) Jesus’ Compassionate Character (8:1-3) 2) The Disciples’ Dullness (8:4-5) 3) Jesus’ Demonstration of Deity (8:6-10)
Mark 7:31-37 (NASB) 31 Again He went out from the region of Tyre, and came through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, within the region of Decapolis. 32 They brought to Him one who was deaf and spoke with difficulty, and they implored Him to lay His hand on him. 33 Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue with the saliva; 34 and looking up to heaven with a deep sigh, He said to him, "Ephphatha!" that is, "Be opened!" 35 And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly. 36 And He gave them orders not to tell anyone; but the more He ordered them, the more widely they continued to proclaim it. 37 They were utterly astonished, saying, "He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak." Sermon Theme/Outline: Jesus' phenomenal physical healings should cause us much amazement and wonder about who He is and point us to the supernatural spiritual healing He offers.
1) The Incredible Request (7:32)2) The Intimate Remedy (7:33-34)3) The Instantaneous Release (7:35)4) The Incorrigible Reaction (7:36-37
Mark 7:24-30 (NASB) 24 Jesus got up and went away from there to the region of Tyre . And when He had entered a house, He wanted no one to know of it; yet He could not escape notice. 25 But after hearing of Him, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately came and fell at His feet. 26 Now the woman was a Gentile, of the Syrophoenician race. And she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 And He was saying to her, "Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." 28 But she answered and said to Him, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table feed on the children's crumbs." 29 And He said to her, "Because of this answer go; the demon has gone out of your daughter." 30 And going back to her home, she found the child lying on the bed, the demon having left. Sermon Theme/Outline: Jesus is the object of faith who draws out the genuineness of faith in all who come to Him in truth. Five features of faith in Christ which illustrate what genuine trust in Him looks like. Setting the Scene (7:24) 1) The Person of Genuine Faith (7:25-26a)2) The Persistence of Genuine Faith (7:26b)3) The Testing of Genuine Faith (7:27)4) The Response of Genuine Faith (7:28)5) The Result of Genuine Faith (7:29-30)
How the New Testament vice lists (highlighting the sins sexual immorality and murder) connect to truths of the Gospel we as Christians must speak in love to the world. Mark 7:20-22Rom 1:26-32Rom 13:131 Cor 6:9-11Gal 5:19-21Col 3:5-81 Tim 1:9-10Rev 21:8
Sermon Outline: Five Ways to Glorify God 1) Trust God Completely (Prov 3:5‑8, Psalm 62:5‑8, Rom 4:20, Dan 3:16‑18) 2) Pray to God Confidently (John 14:13‑14, Heb 4:16) 3) Confess and Repent of Sin Continually (1 John 1:9, James 4:6b‑10, Psalm 19:12‑14) 4) Be Bearing Fruit for Christ (Col 1:10, Philip 1:10‑11, John 15:8, Psalm 92:12‑15) 5) Be True Ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:17‑20, 2 Thes 3:1, Acts 13:47‑49)
1 Timothy 1:1-18 (NASB) 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. 13 Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. 15 You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains; 17 but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me- 18 the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day -and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus. Sermon Outline: How do we do that? 1) Identify with Christ (1:8-12) 2) Guard the Gospel (1:13-14) 3) Refresh those suffering with Christ (1:15-18)
Mark 7:14-23 (NASB) 14 After He called the crowd to Him again, He began saying to them, “Listen to Me, all of you, and understand: 15 there is nothing outside the person which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which come out of the person are what defile the person.” 16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. 17 And when He later entered a house, away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him about the parable. 18 And He *said to them, “Are you so lacking in understanding as well? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the person from outside cannot defile him, 19 because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?” (Thereby He declared all foods clean.) 20 And He was saying, “That which comes out of the person, that is what defiles the person. 21 For from within, out of the hearts of people, come the evil thoughts, acts of sexual immorality, thefts, murders, acts of adultery, 22 deeds of greed, wickedness, deceit, indecent behavior, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile the person.” Sermon Theme/Outline: Our Lord teaches that the heart of our problem is that our hearts are the problem. 1) Listen to Jesus! (7:14-16) 2) Learn from Jesus! (7:17-23)
Luke 2:25-32 (NASB)
25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus,to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 “Now, Lord, You are letting Your bond-servant depart in peace,According to Your word;30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation,31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all the peoples:32 A light for revelation for the Gentiles,And the glory of Your people Israel.”
Mark 7:1-13 (NASB) 1 The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered to Him after they came from Jerusalem, 2 and saw that some of His disciples were eating their bread with unholy hands, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the other Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thereby holding firmly to the tradition of the elders; 4 and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they completely cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received as traditions to firmly hold, such as the washing of cups, pitchers, and copper pots.) 5 And the Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk in accordance with the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unholy hands?” 6 But He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips,But their heart is far away from Me.7 And in vain do they worship Me,Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8 Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” 9 He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘The one who speaks evil of father or mother, is certainly to be put to death’; 11 but you say, ‘If a person says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is, given to God),’ 12 you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or his mother; 13 thereby invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that. Sermon Theme/Outline: Jesus sternly corrects false teaching which places man-made rules and outward rituals above the truth of God’s Word. I. The Pharisees/Scribes confront Jesus (7:1-5) II. Jesus refutes the Pharisees/Scribes (7:6-13)
Mark 6:45-56 (NASB) 45 And immediately Jesus had His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He Himself dismissed the crowd. 46 And after saying goodbye to them, He left for the mountain to pray.
47 When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. 48 Seeing them straining at the oars—for the wind was against them—at about the fourth watch of the night, He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. 49 But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they thought that it was a ghost, and they cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” 51 Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, 52 for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.53 When they had crossed over they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored at the shore. 54 And when they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, 55 and ran about that entire country and began carrying here and there on their pallets those who were sick, to wherever they heard He was. 56 And wherever He entered villages, or cities, or a countryside, they were laying the sick in the marketplaces and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and all who touched it were being healed. Sermon Theme/Outline: No religious leader (or anyone else) in the history of the world compares to the God-Man Jesus Christ. 3 Aspects of Jesus’s identity which reveal the amazing uniqueness of Who He is and His exclusive worthiness to be followed 1) He is the Good Shepherd, in continual communion with the Father (6:45-46) 2) He is the Great I AM, sovereign Lord over nature (6:47-52) 3) He is the Gracious Physician, a mighty & compassionate healer (6:53-56)
Outline: 1) The Reasoned Mind Abhors Truth (Romans 1:18‑21; 1 Corinthians 2:14‑16) 2) The Reborn Mind Accepts Truth (John 1:12; John 14:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 2:3‑16) 3) The Renewed Mind Adopts Truth (Romans 12:1‑2; John 17:17) a) Thought matters to God (Hebrews 4:12) b) Evil thought leads to judgment (Matthew 15:19; Genesis 6:5‑7) c) Sober thought looks to the return of Christ (1 Peter 1:13)
1 Peter 1:3-9 (NASB) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. Outline: 1) Hope Depends on Assurance of Salvation (1 Peter 1:3-5) 2) Hope Depends on Appreciation of Salvation (1Peter 1:6-9)
John 8:21 -24 (NASB) 21 Then He said again to them, "I go away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin; where I am going, you cannot come." 22 So the Jews were saying, "Surely He will not kill Himself, will He, since He says, 'Where I am going, you cannot come'?" 23 And He was saying to them, "You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. 24 "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." Outline: 1) The awful pronouncement (8:21) 2) The Jews' affront (8:22) 3) The Savior's origin (8:23) 4) The awful judgement (8:24)
Mark 6:30-44 (NASB) 30 The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. 31 And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while." (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) 32 They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves. 33 The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things. 35 When it was already quite late, His disciples came to Him and said, "This place is desolate and it is already quite late; 36 send them away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat." 37 But He answered them, "You give them something to eat!" And they said to Him, "Shall we go and spend two hundred denarii on bread and give them something to eat?" 38 And He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go look!" And when they found out, they said, "Five, and two fish." 39 And He commanded them all to sit down by groups on the green grass. 40 They sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. 41 And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food and broke the loaves and He kept giving them to the disciples to set before them; and He divided up the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and they picked up twelve full baskets of the broken pieces, and also of the fish. 44 There were five thousand men who ate the loaves. Sermon Theme/Outline: Jesus demonstrates His compassionate care and divine power in providing for the spiritual and physical needs of people. Our Lord gives: 1) Rest for Weary Servants (6:30-32) 2) Truth for Wandering Souls (6:33-34) 3) Food for Wanting Stomachs (6:35-44)
Galatians 1: 6-10 (NASB) 6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel, 7 which is not just another account; but there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! 10 For am I now seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:29-30 (NASB)
29 so that no human may boast before God. 30 But it is due to Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, Outline: 1) Sola Scriptura2) Sola Fide3) Sola Gratia4) Solus Christus5) Soli Deo Gloria
Mark 6:14-29N (NASB) 14 And King Herod heard about it, for His name had become well known; and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him.” 15 But others were saying, “He is Elijah.” And others were saying, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard about it, he kept saying, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen!” 17 For Herod himself had sent men and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 And Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death, and could not do so; 20 for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he had been protecting him. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; and yet he used to enjoy listening to him. 21 An opportune day came when Herod, on his birthday, held a banquet for his nobles and military commanders, and the leading people of Galilee; 22 and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” 23 And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you, up to half of my kingdom.” 24 And she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 Immediately she came in a hurry to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 And although the king was very sorry, because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he was unwilling to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about this, they came and carried away his body, and laid it in a tomb.
Mark 6:7-13 (NASB) 7 And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; 8 and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff -no bread, no bag, no money in their belt - 9 but to wear sandals; and He added, "Do not put on two tunics." 10 And He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town. 11 "Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them." 12 They went out and preached that men should repent. 13 And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them. Sermon Theme: Jesus takes ordinary people, gives them extraordinary gifts, and sends them on the out-of-the-ordinary mission of spreading the Gospel to the lost. Outline: Four principles of Evangelism to encourage you to keep faithful and obedient to our Lord's Great Commission. Principle #1: Know that you are summoned and sent by the Lord to witness for Him (6:7a-b) Principle #2: Understand that your are supernaturally equipped by the Lord to witness for Him (6:7c, 13) Principle #3: Remember that you are to be spiritually dependent and discerning unto the Lord in witnessing for Him (6:8-11) Principle #4: Acknowledge that you are called to simply obey and trust the Lord, witnessing for Him (6:12 [-13; 30-32])
Mark 6:1-6 (NASB) 1 Jesus went out from there and came into His hometown; and His disciples followed Him. 2 And when the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, “Where did this man learn these things, and what is this wisdom that has been given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands? 3 Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are His sisters not here with us?” And they took offense at Him. 4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not dishonored except in his hometown and among his own relatives, and in his own household.” 5 And He could not do any miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And He was amazed at their unbelief. And He was going around the villages, teaching. Big Idea: The unbelief of Jesus’ hometown people who were most familiar with Him can serve as a heart-check for us who are in the church today, and especially for those who don’t truly know Him. Outline: 3 Warnings about the nature of unbelief for you to consider in your relationship with Jesus. 1. Amazement towards Jesus can be negative (6:1-2) 2. Familiarity with Jesus can breed contempt (6:3-4) 3. Unbelief in Jesus can bring no relief (6:5-6)
Mark 5:21-43 (NASB) 21 When Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him; and He stayed by the seashore. 22 And one of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came, and upon seeing Him, fell at His feet 23 and pleaded with Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.” 24 And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him. 25 A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, 26 and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but instead had become worse— 27 after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. 28 For she had been saying to herself, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.” 29 And immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that power from Him had gone out, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?” 31 And His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” 32 And He looked around to see the woman who had done this. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be cured of your disease.” 35 While He was still speaking, people came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; why bother the Teacher further?” 36 But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid, only believe.” 37 And He allowed no one to accompany Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the synagogue official, and He saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing. 39 And after entering, He said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child has not died, but is asleep.” 40 And they began laughing at Him. But putting them all outside, He took along the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and entered the room where the child was in bed. 41 And taking the child by the hand, He said to her, “Talitha, kum!” (which translated means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 And immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astonished. 43 And He gave them strict orders that no one was to know about this, and He told them to have something given her to eat. Big Idea: Jesus continues to demonstrate that He is Lord, even over disease and death, and that His compassion extends to all who are suffering. “Hope for the Hopeless”Appeal of Jairus, the Synagogue Official (5:21-24) Miracle for the Unnamed Bleeding Woman (5:25-34) Miracle of Resurrecting Jairus’ Daughter (5:35-43)
Mark 5:21-43 (NASB) 21 When Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him; and so He stayed by the seashore. 22 One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up, and on seeing Him, fell at His feet 23 and implored Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live." 24 And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him. 25 A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, 26 and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse - 27 after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. 28 For she thought, "If I just touch His garments, I will get well." 29 Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. 30 Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My garments?" 31 And His disciples said to Him, "You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?' " 32 And He looked around to see the woman who had done this. 33 But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction." 35 While He was still speaking, they came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, "Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?" 36 But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid any longer, only believe." 37 And He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the synagogue official; and He saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing. 39 And entering in, He said to them, "Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep." 40 They began laughing at Him. But putting them all out, He took along the child's father and mother and His own companions, and entered the room where the child was. 41 Taking the child by the hand, He said to her, "Talitha kum!" (which translated means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!"). 42 Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded. 43 And He gave them strict orders that no one should know about this, and He said that something should be given her to eat. Big Idea: Jesus continues to demonstrate that He is Lord, even over disease and death, and that His compassion extends to all who are suffering. "Hope for the Hopeless"
Appeal of Jairus, the Synagogue Official (5:21-24) Miracle for the Unnamed Bleeding Woman (5:25-34) Miracle of Resurrecting Jairus' Daughter (5:35-43) - (Will be covered next week)
Mark 5:1-20 (NASB) 1 They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes. 2 When He got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him, 3 and he had his dwelling among the tombs. And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain; 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Constantly, night and day, he was screaming among the tombs and in the mountains, and gashing himself with stones. 6 Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him; 7 and shouting with a loud voice, he said, "What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!" 8 For He had been saying to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!" 9 And He was asking him, "What is your name?" And he said to Him, "My name is Legion; for we are many." 10 And he began to implore Him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now there was a large herd of swine feeding nearby on the mountain. 12 The demons implored Him, saying, "Send us into the swine so that we may enter them." 13 Jesus gave them permission. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about two thousand of them; and they were drowned in the sea. 14 Their herdsmen ran away and reported it in the city and in the country. And the people came to see what it was that had happened. 15 They came to Jesus and observed the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the "legion "; and they became frightened. 16 Those who had seen it described to them how it had happened to the demon-possessed man, and all about the swine. 17 And they began to implore Him to leave their region. 18 As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him. 19 And He did not let him, but He said to him, "Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you." 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed. Big Idea: Seeing Jesus' authority over supernatural powers should compel people to fear Him, follow Him, and spread His fame. Scenes from "Frightening Encounters Across the Sea": Scene 1) The Demon-Possessed Man (5:1-5) Scene 2) The Demon Called "Legion" (5:6-10) Scene 3) The Herd of Swine (5:11-13) Scene 4) The Swine Herdsmen (5:14-17) Scene 5) The Lord of them All (5:18-20)
Mark 4:35-41 (NASB) 35 On that day, when evening came, He said to them, "Let us go over to the other side." 36 Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. 37 And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. 38 Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" 39 And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Hush, be still." And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. 40 And He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" 41 They became very much afraid and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" Sermon Theme/Outline: Jesus the God-Man has complete control over all nature and perils, and is therefore worthy of our total trust through all of life's trials. 1) Entering the Storm (4:35-36) 2) Experiencing the Storm (4:37-38) 3) Easing the Storm (4:39-40) 4) Uneasiness after the Storm (4:41)
Mark 4:26-34 (NASB) Parable of the Seed26 And He was saying, “The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; 27 and he goes to bed at night and gets up daily, and the seed sprouts and grows—how, he himself does not know. 28 The soil produces crops by itself; first the stalk, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. 29 Now when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” Parable of the Mustard Seed30 And He was saying, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is the smallest of all the seeds that are upon the soil, 32 yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants, and forms large branches, with the result that the birds of the sky can nest under its shade.” 33 And with many such parables He was speaking the word to them, so far as they were able to understand it; 34 and He did not speak to them without a parable; but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples. Big Idea: God is in charge of the growth and breadth of His Kingdom, and He uses faithful believers to bring the lost into it. Outline: Two descriptions of the Kingdom of God which help us grasp its mystery and its magnitude, and also encourage us to faithfully spread the Gospel. Description #1 (Parable of the Seed): God’s sovereign power over the KOG’s growth Description #2 (Parable of the Mustard Seed): God’s sovereign plan through humble means for the KOG’s breadth
Guest Speaker : Mark Borsuk Introduction For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 1 Corinthians 7:10 Genuine repentance trusts in the character of God. (V.1-2; 7-10) a. God’s Grace - “Be Gracious” - A plea for underserved favor from God b. Steadfast Love - speaks not so much of God’s mercy, but of his loyalty to His covenant. Psalm 25:7; Psalm 130:7; Ps 136; Psalm 138:2 Isaiah 54:10 It is at the cross where we see God’s lovingkindness, His steadfast love, His New Covenant promise that Christ’s perfect life has been imputed (applied) to us. This is the gospel, but it is the gospel that we need to remember and apply every day of our lives. (cf. 2Cor 5:17-21)
Compassion -A deep awareness and sympathy for our need. Forgiveness - God can do what no human priest can Blot Out 2) Wash 3) Cleanse
Isaiah 44:21-23 “Shout for joy…for the LORD has done it!” I. Genuine repentance does not minimize sin. a. Transgression (vv. 1,3) rebellion, revolt Those who reject God’s authority and therefore cause a breach of relationship. b. Iniquity (vv. 2, 5, 9) – crooked, twisted, or perverse behavior. c. Sin (vv. 2, 4, 9) – miss the mark or fall short. d. Evil (v. 4) – As Defined by God. e. Blood guiltiness (v. 14) – shedding of innocent blood often through violence. II. Genuine repentance expresses the justification of God. (v. 4) David does not vindicate himself, he vindicates God. III. Genuine repentance renews Joy in salvation (vv. 8, 12, 14) Guilt keeps us in a pattern of joylessness (cf. Ps 32:3-4) David’s joy was not lost because he sinned, David sinned because he had already lost his joy in God.“The enjoyment of God is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied.” Jonathan Edwards IV. Genuine repentance leads to a focus on evangelism. (v. 13) People are not looking for perfect lives, they are looking for how God has met us through Christ in our sin, in our brokenness, in the same struggles of daily life that they are experiencing. Genuine repentance produces genuine worship from a broken humble heart (vv. 15-17) … as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things. 2 Corinthians 6:10
Mark 4:21-25 (NASB) 21 And He was saying to them, “A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, or under a bed, is it? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand? 22 For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 24 And He was saying to them, “Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides. 25 For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” Sermon Theme/Outline: Our Lord illustrates the blessed responsibility and privilege believers have in receiving the light of God’s Word. 1) The Purpose of having the Light (4:21-22) 2) The Preciousness of the Light (4:23-24a) 3) The Promise to those with the Light (4:24b-25)
Mark 4:1-20 (NASB)1 Again He began to teach by the sea. And such a very large crowd gathered to Him that He got into a boat on the sea and sat down; and the whole crowd was by the sea on the land. 2 And He was teaching them many things in parables, and was saying to them in His teaching, 3 “Listen to this! Behold, the sower went out to sow; 4 as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil. 6 And when the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7 Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. 8 Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundred times as much.” 9 And He was saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 10 As soon as He was alone, His followers, along with the twelve disciples, began asking Him about the parables. 11 And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but for those who are outside, everything comes in parables, 12 so that while seeing they may see, and not perceive, and while hearing, they may hear, and not understand, otherwise they might return and it would be forgiven them.” 13 And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand all the parables? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 These are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them. 16 And in a similar way these are the ones sown with seed on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; 17 and yet they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution occurs because of the word, immediately they fall away. 18 And others are the ones sown with seed among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, 19 but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things enter and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 And those are the ones sown with seed on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundred times as much.”
Mark 4:1-20 (NASB)
1 Again He began to teach by the sea. And such a very large crowd gathered to Him that He got into a boat on the sea and sat down; and the whole crowd was by the sea on the land. 2 And He was teaching them many things in parables, and was saying to them in His teaching, 3 “Listen to this! Behold, the sower went out to sow; 4 as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil. 6 And when the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7 Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. 8 Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundred times as much.” 9 And He was saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
10 As soon as He was alone, His followers, along with the twelve disciples, began asking Him about the parables. 11 And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but for those who are outside, everything comes in parables, 12 so that while seeing they may see, and not perceive, and while hearing, they may hear, and not understand, otherwise they might return and it would be forgiven them.” 13 And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand all the parables? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 These are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them. 16 And in a similar way these are the ones sown with seed on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; 17 and yet they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution occurs because of the word, immediately they fall away. 18 And others are the ones sown with seed among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, 19 but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things enter and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 And those are the ones sown with seed on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundred times as much.” Sermon Theme: The receptivity and preparedness of our hearts to receive God’s Word is critical for our spiritual growth. Outline: Four heart responses to the preaching of God’s Word to help you evaluate your own heart’s readiness for His Word. I. The Setting (4:1) II. The Situation (4:2; 10-12) III. The Soils (4:3-9; 13-20)
Mark 3:31-35 (NASB) 31 Then His mother and His brothers arrived, and standing outside they sent word to Him and called Him. 32 A crowd was sitting around Him, and they said to Him, "Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You." 33 Answering them, He said, "Who are My mother and My brothers?" 34 Looking about at those who were sitting around Him, He said, "Behold My mother and My brothers! 35 "For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother." Sermon Theme/Outline: Two revealing moments with the Lord to help you understand and embrace the priority and privilege of your adoption into God's family. 1) An Intense Moment of Interruption {addressing His Earthly Family} (3:31‑33) 2) An Intentional Moment of Instruction {about His Eternal Family} (3:34‑35)
Subject: The Holy Spirit's Role in the Spiritual Life Outline:1) The Spirit Enlightens us by Scripture (John 16:13‑15; 2 Timothy 3:16) 2) The Spirit Equips us for Service (Romans 12:6‑8; Ephesians 4:11‑13) 3) The Spirit Enlivens us to be Spiritual (Romans 8:11; Galatians 5:22)
Mark 3:20-30 (NASB) 20 And He came home, and the crowd gathered again, to such an extent that they could not even eat a meal. 21 When His own people heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, "He has lost His senses." 22 The scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, "He is possessed by Beelzebul," and "He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons." 23 And He called them to Himself and began speaking to them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 "If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 "If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but he is finished! 27 "But no one can enter the strong man's house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house. 28 "Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin "- 30 because they were saying, "He has an unclean spirit." Sermon Theme/Outline: Jesus meets opposition to Himself and His authoritative instruction and admonition, which clarifies our understanding of Who He is. 1) The Family's Misguided Intervention (3:20-21) 2) The Pharisees/Scribes' Malicious Accusation (3:22) 3) The Lord's Calm Reasongin (3:23-27) 4) The Lord's Clear Warning (3:28-30)
Mark 3:13-19 (NASB) 13 And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. 14 And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, 15 and to have authority to cast out the demons. 16 And He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter ), 17 and James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means, "Sons of Thunder "); 18 and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot; 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him.
Mark 3:13-19 (NASB) 13 And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. 14 And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, 15 and to have authority to cast out the demons. 16 And He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter), 17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means, “Sons of Thunder”); 18 and Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot; 19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
Ephesians 1:3-14 (NASB) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He set forth in Him, 10 regarding His plan of the fullness of the times, to bring all things together in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. 11 In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in the Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, 14 who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.
Mark 3:13-19 (NASB) 13 And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. 14 And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, 15 and to have authority to cast out the demons. 16 And He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter), 17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means, “Sons of Thunder”); 18 and Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot; 19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. Sermon Theme/Outline: The Lord Jesus personally called and discipled very ordinary men to do the extraordinary work of Gospel ministry in the world. 1) The Lord’s Call 2) The Lord’s Cultivation 3) The Lord’s Commission
Mark 3:7-12 (NASB) 7 Jesus withdrew to the sea with His disciples; and a large multitude from Galilee followed, and also from Judea, 8 and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and beyond the Jordan, and the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon, a great number of people heard about everything that He was doing and came to Him. 9 And He told His disciples to see that a boat would be ready for Him because of the masses, so that they would not crowd Him; 10 for He had healed many, with the result that all those who had diseases pushed in around Him in order to touch Him. 11 And whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they would fall down before Him and shout, “You are the Son of God!” 12 And He strongly warned them not to reveal who He was. Sermon Theme/Outline: Three Aspects of the Messiah’s ministry that testify to His identity as the One all people must worship and follow. 1) The Magnitude of His Popularity (3:7-9) 2) The Magnificence of His Power (3:10) 3) The Majesty of His Person (3:11-12)
Mark 3:1-6) NASB 1 He entered again into a synagogue; and a man was there whose hand was withered. 2 They were watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3 He said to the man with the withered hand, "Get up and come forward!" 4 And He said to them, "Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?" But they kept silent. 5 After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees went out and immediately began conspiring with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might destroy Him. Sermon Theme/Outline: Jesus demonstrates His lordship over the sabbath and teaches what God's laws are all about 1) Where the Lord of the Sabbath went (3:1a) 2) Who the Lord of the Sabbath met (3:1b-2) 3) What the Lord of the Sabbath said (3:3-4) 4) How the Lord of the Sabbath felt and what He did (3:5) 5) The pharisees' reaction (3:6)
Mark 2:23-28 (NASB) 23 And it happened that He was passing through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples began to make their way along while picking the heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees were saying to Him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" 25 And He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions became hungry; 26 how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests, and he also gave it to those who were with him?" 27 Jesus said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28 "So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." Sermon Theme/Outline: Jesus teaches on and claims to be the authority of the Sabbath 1) The Sabbath-breaking charge (2:23-24) 2) The Scriptural correction (2:25-26) 3) The Sabbath's purpose (2:27) 4) The Sabbath's Lord (2:28)
Mark 2:18-22 NASB 18 John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and they came and said to Him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?" 19 And Jesus said to them, "While the bridegroom is with them, the attendants of the bridegroom cannot fast, can they? So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 "But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. 21 "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; otherwise the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear results. 22 "No one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins as well; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins." Big Idea: The Lord Jesus teaches that His arrival is a time for rejoicing and that His gospel of grace has come to replace the old system of external rule keeping. 1) The accusing question. (2:18) 2) Jesus' explanatory answer. (2:19-20) 3) Two clarifying illustrations. (2:21-22)
1 John 4:7-11 (NASB) 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. Sermon Outline: 1) We must love each other because God is love. (4:7-8) 2) God's love was made public by sending His Son into the World for the purpose that we might live through Him. (4:9-10)
Mark 2:13-17 (NASB) 13 And He went out again by the seashore; and all the people were coming to Him, and He was teaching them. Levi (Matthew) Called 14 As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, "Follow Me!" And he got up and followed Him. 15 And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him. 16 When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, "Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?" 17 And hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Sermon Theme/Outline: The Lord Jesus Christ was singularly focused on the mission of making disciples, befriending spiritually sinners who needed God's grace. 1) Jesus Teaches (2:13) 2) Jesus Leads (2:14) 3) Jesus Connects (2:15) 4) Jesus Corrects (2:17)
Hebrews 10:32-34 (NASB) 32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being made a public spectacle through insults and distress, and partly by becoming companions with those who were so treated. 34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better and lasting possession. Guest Speaker: AlexMorice
Mark 2:1-12 (NASB) 1 When Jesus came back to Capernaum a few days later, it was heard that He was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer space, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. 3 And some people came, bringing to Him a man who was paralyzed, carried by four men. 4 And when they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and after digging an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralyzed man was lying. 5 And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 But some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking it over in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except God alone?” 8 Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were thinking that way within themselves, said to them, “Why are you thinking about these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralyzed man, 11 “I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet, and go home.” 12 And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Sermon Theme/Outline: Jesus demonstrates that He has the authority to forgive man’s sins by His powerful healing of a paralytic 1) The Curious Crowd (2:1-2) 2) The Faithful Five (2:3-4) 3) The Greatest Gift & Giver (2:5) 4) The Suspicious Scribes (2:6-7) 5) The Overpowering Proof (2:8-12)
Mark 1:40-45 (NASB) 40 And a man with leprosy came to Jesus, imploring Him and kneeling down, and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out with His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. 43 And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, 44 and He said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45 But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere.
Galatians 2:20 (NASB) 20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Revelation 1:5-6 (NASB) 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— 6 and He made us into a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Romans 8:31-39 (NASB) 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring charges against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, but rather, was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or trouble, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 Just as it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long;We were regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Mark 1:29-39 (NASB) 29 And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her. 31 And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them. 32 When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city had gathered at the door. 34 And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was. 35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. 36 Simon and his companions searched for Him; 37 they found Him, and said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You." 38 He said to them, "Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for." 39 And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons. Three main elements of Jesus' ministry:
The proof of who Jesus is - miracles. (1:29-34) The power behind His ministry - prayer. (1:35-37) The purpose of His coming - reaching the world with spiritual healing (1:38-39)
Mark 1:21-28 (NASB) 21 They went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach. 22 They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 saying, "What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are-the Holy One of God!" 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" 26 Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him." 28 Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee. Sermon Theme/Outline: Two aspects of Jesus' authority that should stir up your affections for Him ad stoke your allegiance to Him as His disciples/followers.
His Authority show in teaching spiritual matters. (1:21-22) His Authority displayed in power over spiritual beings. (1:23-28)
Mark 1:16-20 (NASB) 16 As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 19 Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him. Sermon Theme/Outline: Jesus has the authority to command people to follow Him and the power to transform people who do. Two ways of life that Jesus calls you to as His disciples, in the new life He has given to you:
Following after Him (1:16-17a; 18-20) Becoming fishers of men by Him and for Him (1:17b)
Mark 1:14-15 (NASB) 14 Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." What is the Gospel?
It is offensive. It is the Truth.
Other NT Scriptures expanding/expounding on the Gospel:
John 3:16 Rom 8:3, 32a 2 Cor 5:21 Gal 4:4-5 Eph 2:8-9 Titus 3:4-5
Mark 1:12-13 (NASB)
12 And immediately the Spirit *brought Him out into the wilderness. 13 And He was in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving Him. Sermon Theme: As Jesus perfectly withstood all of Satan’s attacks, He showed Himself prepared to be the suffering Servant who fully understands temptation, and to be the One who will bear the sins of man.
Mark 1:9-11 (NASB) 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon Him; 11 and a voice came from the heavens: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” Sermon Theme/Outline: Three unique features of Jesus’s baptism that should heighten your appreciation for His righteous character and deepen your conviction to follow Him. The Son’s Humble Submission (1:9) The Spirit’s Anointing Empowerment (1:10) The Father’s Loving Delight (1:11)
Mark 1: 2-8 (NASB) 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
“Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You,Who will prepare Your way;3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness,‘Make ready the way of the Lord,Make His paths straight.’”
4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6 John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey. 7 And he was preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. 8 I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Sermon Theme: The forerunner was sent by God to prepare people for the arrival of the Messiah, the only One who could bring ultimate forgiveness and salvation. Outline: 3 fundamental aspects of the forerunner’s life that funnel our attention to Christ and the Gospel. Prologue (1:1) 1) The Anticipation of the Forerunner (1:2-3)2) The Appearance of the Forerunner (1:4-6)3) The Announcement of the Forerunner (1:7-8)