Sermon20121230

Acts 2:42-47
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;
45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Introduction:

Theme: Five elementary steps for greater unity so people will be drawn to faith in Christ

Acclimate yourself to partaking the public means of grace – vs. 42

Four Commitments:

1. Commitment to the apostles teaching
2. Commitment to fellowship
3. Commitment to breaking bread together
4. Commitment to prayer

Be in awe of what God is doing among us -vs. 43

Cultivate community – vs. 44

Demonstrate generosity -vs. 45

Enjoy the fellowship of other believers – vs. 46

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Sermon20121223

Introduction:

Theme: Two results that arise from God’s gift of His Son so we might rejoice in becoming a part of His family.

Galatians 4:4-7
4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,
5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “ Abba! Father!”
7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

What God did: Four important aspects of sending His Son
1. The Timing
Royalty
Religiously
Culturally
Politically

2. The Person

3. The Manner

4. The Dispensation

I. Result: The redemption of His people vs.5a

II. Result: The adoption of His Sons vv.5b-7

Conclusion :

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Sermon20121216

Introduction:

Theme: Three aspects of His first coming to appreciate so you will eagerly anticipate His second.

I. His first coming commenced our initial salvation and enriched us for service, His second will confirm us to the end.

1 Corinthians 1:4-8

4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,
5 that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge,
6 even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you,
7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
8 who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

II. His first coming provided for us a new citizenship, His second will provide for a new and glorified body.

Philippians 3:20-21
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

III. His first coming secured the sacrifice for our sins, His second will secure our final salvation.

Hebrews 9:28
so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.

Conclusion:

1. Titus 2:12-13

12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,

2. John 3:2-3

2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “ Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

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Sermon20121209

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Introduction:

Theme: Three transcendent principles for your Christian life so you won’t live in the now.

I. The body that’s passing is not the person who’s lasting …..so accept the inevitable and focus on the inconceivable vs.16

II. The trials you face are only for a season but the reward is forever. …..so learn to weigh your temporal trials in light of eternity vs.17

III. The things that you see are not the things that will last……so quit looking at what you see and start looking at what you can’t vs.18

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Sermon20121202

2 Corinthians 4:7-15
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;
8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12 So death works in us, but life in you.
13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “ I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak,
14 knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

Introduction:

Theme: Three observations of God placing His treasure in clay pots so you will gain a greater appreciation for your purpose on earth.

Two Preliminary Questions:
1.

2.

Observation #1 The reason why God does this is so He can display His power vv. 7b-12

Observation #2 The consequence of this is we display our faith in this treasure and tell others vv. 13-14

Observation #3 The benefit”
of this is an abundance of thanks given to God vs. 15

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Sermon20121125

2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Paul’s Apostolic Ministry
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart,
2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond- servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who said, “ Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Introduction:

Theme: Ten characteristics of the gospel ministry so you will understand its grace and glory.

I. Five Characteristics of the Gospel Ministers 4:1-2
A. They embrace the gospel ministry as their own.
B. They acknowledge being recipients of mercy
C. They do not grow discouraged
D. They renounce dishonest ministry practices
E. They appeal to the conscience of others.

II. Five Characteristics of the Gospel Message 4:3-6
A. It is good news
B. It is hidden to the perishing
C. It is about Christ, not the messengers
D. It is given by God
E. It shines the Light of God’s glory.

Questions for Application:

Read 2Corinthians 4:1-6

1. Do you ever grow discouraged in your own ministry in the church? How can remembering you are a recipient of God’s mercy help you overcome your discouragement?
2. How important is honesty in ministry? Have you ever observed dishonesty? What were the results?
3. Read vv.3-4. How can recognizing the helpless state of unbelievers as blinded by Satan, help us have compassion in witnessing to them?
4. Why is it important to keep the content of the gospel message w/Jesus as Lord, our constant theme?

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Sermon20121118

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Sermon20121111

2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Paul’s Apostolic Ministry
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart,
2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond- servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who said, “ Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Introduction:

Theme: Ten characteristics of the gospel ministry so you will understand its grace and glory.

I. Five Characteristics of the Gospel Ministers 4:1-2
A. They embrace the gospel ministry as their own.
B. They acknowledge being recipients of mercy
C. They do not grow discouraged
D. They renounce dishonest ministry practices
E. They appeal to the conscience of others.

II. Five Characteristics of the Gospel Message 4:3-6
A. It is good news
B. It is hidden to the perishing
C. It is about Christ, not the messengers
D. It is given by __________
E. It shines the __________ of God’s glory.

Questions for Application:

Read 2Corinthians 4:1-6

1. Do you ever grow discouraged in your own ministry in the church? How can remembering you are a recipient of God’s mercy help you overcome your discouragement?
2. How important is honesty in ministry? Have you ever observed dishonesty? What were the results?
3. Read vv.3-4. How can recognizing the helpless state of unbelievers as blinded by Satan, help us have compassion in witnessing to them?
4. Why is it important to keep the content of the gospel message w/Jesus as Lord, our constant theme?

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Sermon20121104

2 Corinthians 3:12-18
12 Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech,
13 and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away.
14 But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.
15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart;
16 but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Introduction:

Theme: four key provisions of the Spirit’s ministry so you will recognize the great transformation taking place in your life.

I. The ministry of the Spirit provides a basis for bold speech vv.12
II. The ministry of the Spirit provides for the removal of spiritual blindness vv.13-16
III. The ministry of the Spirit provides freedom vs. 17
IV. The ministry of the Spirit provides the fundamental transformation into Christlikeness vs.18

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Sermon20121027

2 Corinthians 3:12-18
12 Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech,
13 and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away.
14 But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.
15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart;
16 but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Introduction:

Theme: four key provisions of the Spirit’s ministry so you will recognize the great transformation taking place in your life.

I. The ministry of the Spirit provides a basis for bold speech vv.12
II. The ministry of the Spirit provides for the removal of spiritual blindness vv.13-16
III. The ministry of the Spirit provides

from the laws vs. 17
IV. The ministry of the Spirit provides the fundamental into Christlikeness vs.18

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