Sermon20121021

Revelation 2:1-7
CHAPTER 2
Message to Ephesus
1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:
2 ‘ I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false;
3 and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary.
4 But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
5 Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.
6 Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God. ’

Introduction

I. The Angel
II. The Pastor
III. The Commendation
IV. The Condemnation
V. The Command
1. Remember
2. Repent
3. Re-Do
VI. The Reward

Conclusion

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Sermon20121014

2 Corinthians 3:7-11

7 But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was,
8 how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory?
9 For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory.
10 For indeed what had glory, in this case has no glory because of the glory that surpasses it.
11 For if that which fades away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.

Introduction:

Review:

Theme: Three features of Moses’ ministry of the old covenant so you can better appreciate the surpassing glory of the new

I. The old covenant was a ministry of death, yet came about with glory vv 7-8

II. The old covenant was a ministry of condemnation, yet had continuing glory vv 9-19.

III. The old covenant was a ministry which progressively fades in glory, yet the glory of the new remains. vs.11

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Sermon20121007

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Sermon20120930

2 Corinthians 3:1-6
CHAPTER 3
Ministers of a New Covenant
1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you?
2 You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men;
3 being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
4 Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.
5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,
6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Introduction:

Theme: Four important insights into the New Covenant Ministry

I. Standard commendation is of minimal value vs.1
Two kinds of commendation:
A. Self commendation
B. Letters of commendation

II. Supernatural

transformation

is a work of the Spirit of God vv. 2-3
Seven features of this letter:
A. A letter written in Paul’s heart
B. A letter of Christ
C. Cared for by us
D. Not written in ink
E. Written in the Spirit
F. Not on tablets of stone
G. Written on hearts

III. Sufficiency for the

servants

of this covenant is granted by God vv.4-6a

IV. Supremacy of the

New Covenant

is evident in that it gives life vs. 6b

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Sermon20120923

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Sermon20120916

2 Corinthians 2:12-13

12 Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord,
13 I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went on to Macedonia.

Introduction:

Theme: Three aspects of Gospel ministry that are always true, so you can prepare for distress in the ministry.

I. Gospel Ministry is always an

adventure

vs.12

II. Gospel Ministry is always

centered on

the gospel vs.12

III. Gospel Ministry is always a

challenge

vs.13

The Gospel is all about Jesus
The Gospel is the daily grace we stand in…
The Gospel is…
The Gospel is what people we love need, other wise they will go to hell.
The Gospel is ….
The Gospel should make us eager to fulfill the Great Commision
The Gospel is ..
The Gospel is all Paul is concerned with.
The Gospel is….

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Sermon20120909

2 Corinthians 2:5-11

5 But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in some degree— in order not to say too much—to all of you.
6 Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority,
7 so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
8 Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.
9 For to this end also I wrote, so that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.
10 But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
11 so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

Introduction:

Theme: Four guidelines governing church discipline so it might be effective.

I. It is conducted in the sphere of the local church vv5-6
A. Church discipline arises from offenses in the church, which are inevitable (cf. Matt. 18:15) vs 5
B. Church discipline may require participation of the whole church (cf. Matt. 18:17) vs 6

II. It is concerned with the good of the offender vv7-8
A. Church discipline requires that we forgive and comfort the repentant offender (cf. Matt 18:15, 35; Luke 17:3-4) vv. 7,10
B. Church discipline moves us to love the repentant offender vs 8

III. It is contingent upon the

fidelity

of the church vs 9
Church discipline tests the obedience of a church
Five steps for confrontation
1 turn to scripture and b
2 prayerfully examine your own heart in the matter
3 prayerfully determine the right place to confront the individual
4 approach the person with the right attitude.
5 be ready for the response

IV. It is cognizant of the

threat

of the enemy vv10-11

Church Discipline leads to forgiveness

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Sermon20120902

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Sermon20121226

2 Corinthians 1:15 – 2:4

15 In this confidence I intended at first to come to you, so that you might twice receive a blessing;
16 that is, to pass your way into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and by you to be helped on my journey to Judea.
17 Therefore, I was not vacillating when I intended to do this, was I? Or what I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, so that with me there will be yes, yes and no, no at the same time?
18 But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no.
19 For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silvanus and Timothy—was not yes and no, but is yes in Him.
20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.
21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God,
22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.
23 But I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you I did not come again to Corinth.
24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.

CHAPTER 2
Reaffirm Your Love
1 But I determined this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again.
2 For if I cause you sorrow, who then makes me glad but the one whom I made sorrowful?
3 This is the very thing I wrote you, so that when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all.
4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.

Introduction:

Theme: Four questions to evaluate your personal integrity so you can minister in love to others.

I. Is your word your bond? 1:15-18

II. Have you experienced the faithfulness of God 1:18-22

A. He is faithful through His Son
B. He is faithful to His promises
C. He is faithful in His saving work

III. Do you consider the good of others when making decisions? 1:23-24

IV. Are you honest with your own struggles in ministry? 2:1-4

Four Indications of Paul’s Struggle

A. He made his decision not to come to them for his own sake.
B. He admits that another visit would inhibit his own gladness.
C. He opted to write the sorrowful letter rather than experience another painful visit.
D. He suffered affliction and anguish of heart in writing the letter to them.

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Sermon20120819

2 Corinthians 1:15 – 2:4

15 In this confidence I intended at first to come to you, so that you might twice receive a blessing;
16 that is, to pass your way into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and by you to be helped on my journey to Judea.
17 Therefore, I was not vacillating when I intended to do this, was I? Or what I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, so that with me there will be yes, yes and no, no at the same time?
18 But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no.
19 For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silvanus and Timothy—was not yes and no, but is yes in Him.
20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.
21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God,
22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.
23 But I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you I did not come again to Corinth.
24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.

CHAPTER 2
Reaffirm Your Love
1 But I determined this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again.
2 For if I cause you sorrow, who then makes me glad but the one whom I made sorrowful?
3 This is the very thing I wrote you, so that when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all.
4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.

Introduction:

Theme: Four questions to evaluate your personal integrity so you can minister in love to others.

I. Is your word your bond? 1:15-18

II. Have you     the faithfulness of God 1:18-22

A. He is faithful through His Son
B. He is faithful to His promises
C. He is faithful in His saving work

III. Do you consider the good of others when making decisions? 1:23-24

IV. Are you

with your own struggles in ministry? 2:1-4

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