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SERMON SEEDS FOR JULY 19, 2009

www.sermonseeds.org

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Rev. Jack Peters is the pastor of Ringwood Baptist Church in Ringwood, NJ. You may visit their website at www.ringwoodbaptist.org. To hear recordings of his messages go to Weekly Message.

 

I APOLOGIZE FOR BEING ERRATIC IN THE SENDING OF SERMON SEEDS. I WILL TRY TO DO BETTER!

 

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Psalm 34:1-9

ALL THIS AND MORE!

 

God has given us so much!  Here is just a brief list of what God has given those who are saved!

All we have to do is accept it!  And this is not an all-inclusive list. There is much more! God has given us:

 

PRAISE THAT'S CONTINUAL - Vs. 1

 

JOY THAT'S CONTAGIOUS - Vs. 2

 

WORSHIP THAT'S INCLUSIVE - Vs. 3 - See Psalm 119:63

 

TRUST THAT'S FEARLESS - Vs. 4

 

SIGHT THAT'S RADIANT - Vs. 5

 

PRAYER THAT'S EFFECTIVE - Vs. 6

 

PROTECTION THAT'S SUPERNATURAL - Vs. 7

 

HAPPINESS THAT'S EXPERIENTIAL - Vs. 8

 

FEAR THAT'S PROVIDENTIAL - Vs. 9

 

This is a previously shared outline.

 

 

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Habakkuk 1:1-2:1

FAITH TESTED

Pilgrimage of a Great Thinker – Studies in Habakkuk #1

 

·        What are some of the issues over which devout Christians who think wrestle with God?

·        How possible is it that the United States of America will not exist in its current form in fifty years?  What is the basis of your answer?

·        Would God be justified in bringing judgment on America and American Christianity?

·        What are some of the possible scenarios that God could use to judge America and its Christians?

·        Would God be justified in using people wickeder than us to judge us?

 

We could call Habakkuk “the thinking prophet”.  He was disturbed over conditions in the Southern Kingdom of Judah and wondered why God wasn’t answering his prayers. When God did answer, Habakkuk went on a pilgrimage of thought and prayer to discover why God was doing what he was doing. Habakkuk’s faith was being tested.

 

INTRODUCTION

 

F We know nothing about Habakkuk. His name means ‘to embrace’.  He embraced God with his problem.  He embraced God’s people with God’s explanation. 

F Some feel that Habakkuk was a Levite or even a priest based on the last line at the end of 3:19.

F Habakkuk’s message was unique. Instead of saying “Thus says the Lord!” he asked, “Why Lord?”

F The Northern Kingdom (Israel) had been defeated and carried away by Assyria.  Revival had taken place in the Southern Kingdom under Josiah. However, the revival was mostly superficial, and Judah went back to its sinful ways under the leadership of those who succeeded Josiah. It seems that Habakkuk wrote his prophecy after the death of Josiah, somewhere around 600 B.C.

 

COMPLAINT - Vss. 1-4

 

ü Vs. 1 – When a prophet had a “burden” it was a heavy, weighty message.

ü Vs. 2 – Have you prayed for a long time, and after seemingly getting no answer wondered if God was listening or actually going to answer?  What do we do in situations like that?

ü Habakkuk was crying or screaming “Violence!”  It was a summation of all the injustice he was seeing in Judah. It seemed that God was doing nothing about it.

ü Habakkuk was probably looking for God to send another revival to Judah.  2 Kings 23:19-27

ü Vs. 3 – Notice the key words in this verse: “iniquity… trouble… plundering… violence… strife… contention”.  How are these words descriptive of America and the “Christian” church?

ü Vs. 4 – We Christians have often had the same complaints about our current government.

ü In light of the current situation Christians should be praying for revival. Psalm 85:6, 2 Chron. 7:14

ü Is God obligated to answer our prayers for revival?

 

CONSOLATION - Vss. 5-11

 

~  Vs. 5 – Has God ever given unexpected answers to your prayers?

~  God is telling Habakkuk that he will not believe the answer that he will get to his prayer. Habakkuk was to be amazed because God was going to do the unbelievable.

~  Vs. 6 – The Chaldeans – “History tells us that they were a Semitic people… Of ancient lineage, they sprang from Kesed, the son of Nahor and brother of Abraham. About the time of Habakkuk they came into sudden prominence with the rise of Babylonia.                                                                    As recently as 626 B.C., Nabopolassar had founded the Neo-Babylonian Empire. And with the accession of his son Nebuchadnezzar to the throne in 605 B.C., the Chaldeans became a world power.” Frank E. Gaebelein, Four Minor Prophets, (Chicago, Moody Press, 1970), p. 156

~  The Chaldeans were a “bitter and hasty” “war machine”, taking over land that wasn’t rightfully theirs.  This is reminiscent of Hitler and Japan in World War II, and the U.S.S.R. after the war.

~  Vs. 7 – “Terrible and dreadful”, they were a law unto themselves.

~  Vs. 8 – The speed of their horses was unbelievable.  Their fierceness was a like a wolf that hasn’t eaten all day. Their cavalry was like a hungry eagle (or vulture) ready to strike.

~  Vs. 9 – “The reference in the original to the east as a point of the compass is doubtful; what is probably meant is that the Chaldeans in their attack always faced forward, the picture being of irresistible advance.” Gaebelein p. 157

~  The Chaldeans gathered captives as easily as one can gather sand.

~  Vs. 10 - The Chaldeans were not intimidated, but intimidating.

~  Vs. 11 - Then they sweep by like the wind and go on, “guilty men, whose own might is their god!” (ESV)

~  Although the Chaldeans were instruments of God’s judgment, it did not excuse them of guilt.

 

Vs. 12 - CHARACTER

 

o   Habakkuk’s people were earmarked for destruction, death and captivity. Before expressing his further personal struggles, he stops and reflects on the character of God. Why is this wise for us to do as well?

o   As you look at this verse, what are the characteristics of God that would have encouraged Habakkuk in spite of his confusion and should encourage us?

o   When Habakkuk says “We shall not die”, he meant that God would not totally wipe out his people. Jeremiah 31:19-26

o   Habakkuk’s faith in God was not in question, but His understanding of what God was doing was in question.

 

CONFUSION - Vss. 13-17

 

Ø Vs. 13 - Habakkuk compared Judah and Babylon and concluded Judah more righteous. Was he correct? Habakkuk wondered how God could be silent when wickeder people judge God’s people.

Ø Vss. 14-15 – Using the analogy of fish and fishermen, Habakkuk wonders over the helplessness of Judah at the mercy of the Babylonians.

Ø Vs. 16 – Again the Chaldeans are seen as rebellious, worshipping themselves and their instruments of warfare.

Ø Vs.17 – As Habakkuk had previously wondered about God’s lack of judgment on Judah, now he wonders about His lack of judgment on the Chaldeans.

Ø Towards what nations or people groups might we have the same questions today?

 

CONFIDENCE - 2:1

 

O Perhaps Habakkuk literally retreated to a tower on the wall where he would watch for God’s answer.  Perhaps he was talking figuratively.

O The important thing is that Habakkuk had faith that God would answer and correct Him. He sensed a problem between his understanding and God’s. He also realized that he was the one coming up short, not God.

O Notice that Habakkuk retreated and waited on God for an answer.  When is that procedure appropriate today? Psalm 130:5-6, James 1:5-8

 

This is an elaboration on a previously shared outline.

 

 

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Luke 6:17-36    

SERMON 0N THE PLATEAU

Part 1 – TWO MARKS OF DISCIPLESHIP

IN STEP WITH THE MASTER – LESSON #13

 

 

ü  What are some of the marks or characteristics of a true disciple of Jesus Christ?

ü  Why is timing important to a disciple of the Lord Jesus?

ü  How has the love from another Christian disciple changed your life?

 

Immediately following his choice of the twelve Apostles, Jesus gives all his disciples and the general crowd a message on discipleship. It is the Sermon on the Plain or Plateau. The first half of this sermon emphasizes two important marks of discipleship: timing and love.

INTRODUCTION – Vss. 17-19

·        Vs. 17 – It was appropriate that a major teaching time occur right after the choosing of the twelve.

·        Although the Apostles were the highest ranking disciples, the basic teachings they were to adhere to were to be followed by all disciples.

·        The general crowd of sick and spiritually hungry people, and even “thrill seekers” needed Jesus’ message.

·        The teaching took place on a plateau on a mountain. This is one of the reasons some feel that this sermon and the Sermon on the Mount are different accounts of the same sermon. This is possible.

·        I tend to believe that, like most teachers and preachers, Jesus repeated Himself.  He would have adapted his teachings to his audience.  I believe that, although there are many similarities in the two sermons, there are also many differences. I feel that, most likely, they are two different sermons.

·        Vss. 17-19 – Before the sermon Jesus healed and cast out demons as needed. Why did that help the crowd’s attention span?

 

TIMING – Vss. 20-26

Ú Jesus begins the sermon with a series of beatitudes and woes that contrast each other. Jesus is teaching that the timing of blessings and woes is important. It is better to have most of our woes now than in the future.

 

CURRENT OR FUTURE POVERTY – Vss. 20, 24

Ú Vs. 20 – When is poverty a virtue? Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 9:58, 2 Corinthians 8:9, James 2:5

Ú Matthew 5:3 – How is being “poor in spirit” the most important type of poverty?

Ú How does the Kingdom of God belong to the “poor in spirit” now and in the future?

Ú Vs. 24 – To what type of rich person was Jesus talking? Mark 10:17-27, James 5:1-6

Ú How have they received their consolation? What is their long-range outlook for happiness? Luke 16:19-31

 

CURRENT OR FUTURE HUNGER – Vss. 21a, 25a

w The type of hunger that we should have is a hunger and thirst for God and His righteousness. Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 63:1-8, Matthew 5:6

w How is hunger and thirst for righteousness a continuous cycle?

w Vs. 25a – Describe those who are “full now”. How will they be hungry later?

 

CURRENT OR FUTURE TEARS – Vss. 21b, 25b

; When will a Christian mourn? Matthew 5:4, James 4:7-10, Romans 9:1-5

; Vs. 25b – When is laughter appropriate? When is it inappropriate?

; Mourning and weeping is an inevitable end for the unsaved. Revelation 20:15, Matthew 8:11-12

 

CURRENT OR FUTURE PERSECUTION – Vss. 22-23, 26

Ì What is the qualifier that makes suffering especially worthy of reward?

Ì Vs. 23 – Imagine how great our reward for suffering must be if we are to be this happy when we suffer!

Ì What happens to Godly men and women, according to this verse?

Ì What is the implication of verse 26? 2 Timothy 3:12

 

LOVE – Vss. 27-36

·        Why is it so difficult to love those who have hurt us, our friends, or our family?  What is the price we pay if we become bitter?

 

INVOLVEMENT – Vss. 27-31

é Vss. 27-28 - Why does it take personal involvement to love anyone, let alone our enemies?

é List all the ways found in these two verses that require our involvement.

é Colossians 3:14 (ESV) - And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

é Vs. 29a – When do we need to “turn the other cheek” literally and figuratively?

é Vss. 29b-30 – What do these verses teach us about our attitude toward physical possessions.               Matthew 6:19, 25-34

é Vs. 31 - What are some of the mistaken theories that people have concerning the “Golden Rule”?

é How will strict obedience to this verse transform our church?  With God’s help, will you live by it?

 

IMPROVEMENT – Vss. 32-35a

ë Name some groups of people who are basically not nice that live out their love for those of their own kind.

ë How is the love that the Lord Jesus wants us to extend an improvement over the love described here?

ë In your heart name someone to whom you need to extend the type of “over and above” type love.

ë Why does God reward us for extending this type of supernatural love?

IMITATION – Vss. 35b-36

ï How has God shown you His kindness and mercy? Romans 5:6-8, Ephesians 2:1, 1 John 1:9, Jeremiah 33:3

ï How has God shown the unjust his kindness and mercy?

ï Why should I want to imitate my Heavenly Father’s kindness and mercy? Ephesians 5:1-2

 

 

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John 12:23-26

IN THE SERVICE OF THE KING

 

A PRINCIPLE – Vs. 24 – Death produces fruitfulness

A PROCLAMATION – Vs. 25 – Love your life and lose it or hate your life and keep it.

A PROCEDURE – Vs. 26 – Serve Jesus by following Him and be honored by the Father

 

 

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James 2:1-7

WELCOMING CHURCH VISITORS

 

TWO VISITORS – Vss. 1-2 – The rich and the poor

TWO VENUES – Vs. 3 – The rich gets a good seat and the poor does not

ONE VERDICT – Vss. 4-7 – Guilty!

 

 

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1 JOHN 2:7-11

TWO POSSIBILITIES,                                

Live the Truth #7 – Studies in 1 John

 

In the passage before us, 1 John 2:7-11 we are faced with two possibilities, hatred or love.  Paraphrasing from an old saying about a wedding bride’s attire (“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.), I have outlined this passage as,

 

SOMETHING OLD – Vs. 7

SOMETHING NEW – Vs. 8

SOMETHING BLINDING – Vss. 9, 11

SOMETHING TRUE – Vs. 10

 

SOMETHING OLD – Vs. 7

 

The old commandment to love referred to here had been around for a long time.  It began as an Old Testament truth.

Leviticus 19:18

 

The commandment to love was also old in the sense that anyone hearing the Gospel message over any length of time would have been confronted with his command to love. Matthew 22:37-40

 

From the beginning the disciples were confronted with this command to love on a higher level.  They were called upon to love each other as much as Jesus had loved them.  John 13:34-35

   

We are called upon to love one another as much as Jesus loved us.   

How much did Jesus love us?

V  He loved us enough to leave the splendors of Heaven where He reigned with the Father to come to earth and become a man like us.

V  He loved us enough to endure 33 years of life among them that were vastly inferior to Him.

V  He loved us enough to die on the cross of Calvary, paying for the sins that you and I have committed. This love not only came from God the Son, but from God the Father as well. 1 John 4:10

V  He loves us enough to offer forgiveness and eternal life to all who will believe on Him. John 3:16

V  He loves us enough to continue to intercede for us at the right hand of God.

 

Jesus says to you and me, “I want you to love each other as much as I have loved you.  If you do this, the world will know that you are my disciples.”   

   

Jesus calls it a “new commandment”.  John called it an old commandment, but only in the sense that those John was writing to those who had heard it since the beginning of their contact with the Gospel of Christ. It was old in time but new in vitality.  

 

SOMETHING NEW – Vs. 8

 

The commandment to love on a higher level was true in the Lord Jesus.  Although the Old Testament Law demanded that we love, Christ manifested that love on the highest possible level. Christ’s love was new in intensity.

 

He left the splendors of Heaven for us.

He left a righteous, sinless life for us.

He went to the cross for us, taking our places.

But even now, He still loves us. The extent of his love continues to increase. The intensity of his love continues to increase.

His love is new in extent and intensity every time He saves a soul.   

His love is new in extent and intensity every time He extends forgiveness to a believer.

His love is new in extent and intensity every time He answers a prayer.

 

His love is new in extent and intensity every time He talks to God in our behalf.

The new commandment to love is true in Him.

 

And the new commandment to love is true in us as well if we are truly born again. 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

There is new extent and intensity each time we help someone out of love for Christ.

There is new extent and intensity as we forgive someone out of love for Christ.

There is new extent and intensity as we bond together in fellowship with other Christians.   

There is a new extent and intensity when we win someone to Christ.

 

Now why is this new commandment to love possible?

Because the darkness is passed! Ephesians 2:1

 

Why is this new commandment to love possible?

Because the darkness is passed and the true light is now shining!   

 

The true light is now shining in our hearts. John 8:12

 

And my friend the light of life is a light of love. The more we allow Jesus’ light to shine through us, the more our love increases in joy and intensity.

   

The commandment to love is new in another sense.

Each day Jesus shows us His love in new ways. 

Each day we should find new ways to love each other. Love is not to be stagnant.  It is to grow.

 

SOMETHING BLINDING – Vss. 9, 11

 

1 John 2:9 - He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

 

There are people who claim to be saved, to have been born again.  And yet these people’s lives are filled with hatred.

 

Sometimes they hate people of another race.

Sometimes they hate people of another nationality.

Sometimes they hate people who have hurt them.

Sometimes they hate people who have hurt those they love.

Sometimes they hate other Christians because they have hurt them, or a loved one, or because they have become jealous of that other Christian.

Sometimes they hate practically everyone. 

The person who hates his brother is in darkness.

The person who hates his brother may claim to be walking in the light of the Lord, but the facts convict Him.

 

1 John 2:11 - But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

 

Now we can rationalize this hatred.  We can call it something other than hatred.

   

·        “Oh I don’t hate him. I just don’t want to be around him.”

·        “Oh I don’t hate him. I just can’t listen to him teach knowing what he has done to me.”

·        “Oh I don’t hate her. I just can’t forget how she’s hurt me.

 

Do you know the biggest cause of strife in the local church? I feel that’s it is unforgiveness.

This person remembers what that person did to hurt them and won’t let go.

This person remembers what that person did to a loved one and won’t let it go.

 

We don’t want to call it hatred, but what else can you call it? There is animosity there that doesn’t quit and sours fellowship.

If we fail to forgive someone outside the church, for example in our family, the bitterness from that will effect your behavior in the church. Ephesians 4:30032

 

SOMETHING TRUE – Vs. 10

 

We already saw that Jesus is the light of the world.

If we abide in that light, we will allow Jesus to shine through us.   

When we abide in the light, Jesus controls us through His Spirit.

When we abide in the light, we allow Jesus to cleanse us from all sin.

When we abide in the light Jesus loves others through us.

 

And we love others we will not stumble in darkness.

But more important than that, others will not stumble over us! We will not cause others to trip over us.

If Christians only realized how their own bitterness makes others to stumble!  They’d be more willing to let Jesus change them.

 

Who is it that needs your forgiveness?

Who is it that you need to seek forgiveness from?

Don’t be a stumbling block.

Walk in the light!

Love instead of hate!

This is truth!

 

The two possibilities are love and hate.

 

SOMETHING OLD – Vs. 7

SOMETHING NEW – Vs. 8

SOMETHING BLINDING – Vss. 9, 11

SOMETHING TRUE – Vs. 10

 

 

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1 JOHN 2:12-14

Pause to Encourage

Live the Truth # 8 – Studies in 1 John

 

We all need those who will pause and encourage us. This is what John does in our text.

Tough words concerning false teachers are found before our text in 1 John 2:12-14 – More tough words follow in 2:15-18

1 John 2:12-14 are words of encouragement

 

THOSE WHO ARE FAMILY – Vss. 12, 13c

 

Vs. 12 - Teknia = “Born Ones” – All Christians

John 1:12-13 – Flesh = “natural appetites” (emotions)

Sins forgiven! Colossians 2:13-14

For His Name’s Sake! – Psalm 8:1 – His mercy, love, grace and forgiveness bring glory to His name.

Vs. 13c - Paidia = Young children still needing parental training – New Christians

You have known (know!) the Father.

Still growing, still progressing, but experience is real.

 

THOSE WHO ARE FINISHING – Vss. 13a, 14a

Intimate knowledge – seasoned saints spritiually

Jeremiah 9:23-24

 

THOSE WHO ARE FIGHTING – Vss. 13b, 14b

 

Vs. 13b – wicked or evil in nature, evil in practice - Hitler

Evil in nature because he wants to overthrow God, God’s people and God’s kingdom – He wants dominion and praise for himself!

Colossians 1:12-13

Vs. 14b – Strong - Ephesians 1:19-23, Ephesians 6:10-18, Matthew 4:1-11

 

 

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