Quote from Forum Archives on November 24, 2008, 6:46 pm

Posted by: jpeters <jpeters@...>

SUBSCRIBE - Send a blank e-mail saying “subscribe” to: jpeters@alltel.net

 

TO UNSUBSCRIBE - Send a blank e-mail to: sermonseeds-unsubscribe@welovegod.org

 

SERMON SEEDS FOR NOVEMBER 16, 2008

www.sermonseeds.org

­­­­­­­­­­­­

***************************************************************************

TWO MESSAGES FROM PASTOR JACK PETERS:

 

1.  Due to getting ready to move, this week’s Sermon Seeds are previously shared series and one outline on Christmas.

2.  There will be no Sermon Seeds for a week or two due to our move to New Jersey. I have accepted the pastorate of The Ringwood Baptist Church in Ringwood.  You may check out our new location at www.ringwoodbaptist.org. Our first Sunday there is December 7. If you live in Northern New Jersey and do not have a regular church home, I invite you to visit us.

 

***************************************************************************

Here is a five part series that will take you right up through a Christmas Eve Service, if you develop the outlines for yourself.

 

Isaiah 7:14 etc.

WE WANT A BABY!

Countdown To Christmas #1

 

The Old Testament Prophets, particularly Isaiah, looked forward with anxious anticipation to the birth of Israel's Messiah. Here are some Old Testament Prophecies which tell us about the baby that they were waiting for.

 

THE BABY WOULD BE BORN TO SPECIAL PARENTS

Isaiah 7:14 - Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Luke 1:34-35 - Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? [35] And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

This Baby would be born of a virgin and fathered by the Holy Spirit. He would be "Emmanuel", God with us.

 

THE BABY WOULD BE BORN IN A SPECIAL PLACE

Micah 5:2 - But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

 

THE BABY WOULD BE BORN A SPECIAL PERSON

Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

 

THIS BABY WOULD BE BORN FOR A SPECIAL PURPOSE

Isaiah 53:1-6 - Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? [2] For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. [3] He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. [4] Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. [5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. [6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

 

********************************************************

Luke 1:26-38

BABY IS ON THE WAY

Countdown to Christmas #2

 

GOD'S MESSENGER - Vss. 26-27

The messenger, was the Angel Gabriel

 

GOD'S MESSAGE - Vss. 28-33

Mary was highly favored - Vs. 28

Mary was not to fear - Vss.29-30

Mary would give birth to the Messiah - Vss. 31-33

 

GOD'S METHOD - Vss. 34-38

To cause a virgin birth - Vss. 34-35

To give a child to a barren woman - Vs. 36

To do the impossible - Vs. 37

To bless people of faith - Vs. 38

 

********************************************************

Matthew 1:18-25

COMPLICATIONS!

Countdown to Christmas #3

 

Sometimes when a person is pregnant, they run into "complications". Mary also ran into complications, but the complications were caused by the misunderstanding of Joseph, to whom Mary was betrothed.

 

A SURPRISE PREGNANCY - Vs. 18

Joseph was the one that was surprised, not Mary.

 

A SERIOUS PROBLEM - Vs. 19

Joseph loved Mary, and would quietly divorce her, rather than publicly harm her.

 

A SPECIAL PROCLAMATION - Vss. 20-21

Joseph was told that the conception was the work of Holy Ghost, that this child would be named Jesus, because He would save his people.

 

A SURE PROPHECY - Vss. 22-23

This birth would be the fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14.

 

A SUBMISSIVE PERFORMANCE - Vss. 24-25

Joseph did as he was told.

 

*******

Luke 2:1-14

BABY IS HERE!

Countdown to Christmas #4

 

ADVANCE TO BETHLEHEM - Vss. 1-5

God worked through Caesar Augustus so that Mary was in Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus. Micah 5:2 was fulfilled.

 

ARRIVAL OF JESUS - Vss. 6-7

 

ANNOUNCEMENT BY ANGELS - Vss. 8-14

 

*******

Luke 2:15-20 etc.

THE JOY THAT BABY BRINGS

Countdown to Christmas #5

 

THE JOY OF PRIVILEGE - The Shepherds - Luke 2:15-20

The shepherds had the privilege of being the first ones to hear the birth announcement and the first ones to see the newborn.

 

THE JOY OF PROMISE - Simeon and Anna - Luke 2:25-38

Simeon and Anna were both waiting for the promise of the coming Messiah. Simeon was promised that he would not die until he saw Him.

 

THE JOY OF PRESENTATION - The Wise Men - Matthew 2:11

The Wise Men presented themselves for worship.

The Wise Men presented their gifts.

 

 

***************************************************************************

Isaiah 9:6

WONDERFUL!

#1 of 4 - OUR WONDERFUL LORD

 

Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

 

As we approach another Christmas we turn to the prophecy concerning the Lord Jesus, and the five qualities that refer to Him found in our text.  In this message we consider two of the qualities, Wonderful, and "The everlasting Father".

   

JESUS WAS WONDERFUL IN HEAVEN WHERE HE WAS ACTIVE

Before He came to earth he was "The everlasting Father" or "Father of Eternity".

He is eternal, having always existed. Consider John 1:1-5, Hebrews 1:1-4, Colossians 1:15-18

 

JESUS WAS WONDERFUL IN BETHLEHEM WHERE HE ARRIVED

Luke 2:1-20

 

JESUS WAS WONDERFUL ON EARTH WHERE HE ASSOCIATED WITH MEN

John 1:14

 

JESUS WAS WONDERFUL WHERE HE ATONED FOR OUR SINS

Romans 5:6-9, 1 Peter 1:18-19

 

JESUS WAS WONDERFUL AT THE TOMB WHERE HE AROSE FROM THE DEAD

1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 20, Luke 24

 

JESUS IS WONDERFUL IN HEAVEN WHERE HE ANTICIPATES HIS RETURN

Psalm 110:1, Acts 1:10-11

 

***********

Isaiah 9:6

COUNSELLOR!

#2 of 4 of OUR WONDERFUL LORD     

 

Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

 

Jesus showed himself to be the "counselor" as he walked this earth. He spoke with authority on many things, including:

 

JESUS COUNSELS US CONCERNING THE NEW BIRTH - JOHN 3:1-8 - RELATIONSHIP

In order to spend eternity in we must be born into the family of God.

This gives us a Father-son relationship with God. John 1:12-13

 

JESUS COUNSELS US CONCERNING THE BREAD OF LIFE - JOHN 6:35- 47-48, 53-58 - RECEPTION

When we receive Jesus as our Savior we eat His flesh and drink His blood. John 6:53

 

JESUS COUNSELS US CONCERNING THE LIVING WATER - John 7:37-40 - RESOURCE

The resource that we receive when we are saved is the Holy Spirit. John 14:16-18, 16:8-15

 

JESUS COUNSELS US CONCERNING THE SHEEP AND THE SHEPHERD - John 10:9-11, 27-29 - RESPONSIBILITIES

Jesus is responsible to take of us as the Good Shepherd.

We are responsible to believe on Him and to follow Him.

 

JESUS COUNSELS US CONCERNING THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES - John 15:1-16 - RECIPROCITY

He will abide in us as we abide in Him

 

******

Isaiah 9:6

MIGHTY GOD!

#3 of 4 of OUR WONDERFUL LORD

 

Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

 

JESUS WAS MIGHTY IN SUPPLY

He supplied food for the hungry. Mark 6:35-44, 8:1-9

He supplied fish for the fishermen. Luke 5:4-11, John 21:1-11

He supplies rest for the weary. Matthew 11:28-30

 

JESUS WAS MIGHTY IN STRENGTH

He calmed the sea. Mark 4:35-41

He cast out demons. Mark 5:1-20

He raised the dead. Mark 5:35-43, John 11:33-44

 

JESUS WAS MIGHTY IN SACRIFICE

Isaiah 53, Philippians 2:5-11

 

JESUS WAS MIGHTY IN SUPERIORITY

The Transfiguration - Mark 9:1-8

The Resurrection - Matthew 28

 

******

Isaiah 9:6

PRINCE OF PEACE

#4 of 4 of OUR WONDERFUL LORD

 

Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

 

JESUS GIVES US THE PEACE OF SALVATION - Luke 2:10-14, Romans 5:1

 

JESUS GIVES US THE PEACE OF SECURITY - Hebrews 7:24-25

 

JESUS GIVES US THE PEACE OF SUPPLICATION

He prays for us. 1 John 2:1-2

We are to pray to Him. Philippians 4:6-7

 

 

***************************************************************************

MATTHEW 1-2

THE MEN OF CHRISTMAS

 

There are several men who are very much a part of the Christmas story in the Gospel of Matthew.  From some of them we learn negative lessons, and from some we learn positive lessons.

 

JOSEPH - A TRUSTED MAN

Not just any man could be trusted to be the guardian of the Son of God!  Notice 3 qualities that make Joseph a trusted man.

1. He was just. Vss. 18-19

2. He was compassionate. Vs. 19 - Not willing to publicly expose what he thought was Mary's sin, he would privately divorce her.

3. He was obedient. Matthew 1:20-25, 2:13-15, 2:19-23

 

HEROD - A TREACHEROUS MAN

Herod wanted the wise men to find the Christ Child, and report back to him. He said he wanted to worship Him, but he wanted to kill Him.

Notice his act towards the children of Bethlehem. 2:1-8, 16-18

 

THE PEOPLE OF JERUSALEM - TROUBLED MEN

When Herod was troubled, the whole city of Jerusalem was troubled too.  Probably this was because when Herod was troubled, he troubled others.  But being troubled would also be an indication of unbelief.

Where was the joy that Israel's Messiah was born? Matthew 2:1-3

When there is unbelief, there is trouble! Hebrews 11:6

 

THE WISE MEN - THOUGHTFUL MEN

1. Thoughtful to visit. Matthew 2:1-2

2. Thoughtful to worship.  Matthew 2:11

3. Thoughtful to share. Matthew 2:11

4. Thoughtful to obey. Matthew 2:12

 

 

***************************************************************************

A CORINTHIAN CHRISTMAS

2 Corinthians 9:15                       

Christmas With Paul #1 – A COMPLETE LESSON

 

·        What is the best or most surprising Christmas present you have ever received?

·        In what ways does the giving of Christmas gifts become a problem?

·        Why do we give gifts at Christmas?

·        How has God set the example for giving gifts at Christmastime?

Although the Apostle Paul does not tell us the Christmas Story in his epistles, he does share with us many Christmas Truths.  Because of this we would like to consider “Christmas with Paul”.  He shares with us a tremendous truth in 2 Corinthians.

 

2 Corinthians 9:15 - Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

 

·        Every once in a while something that happens in our lives leaves us speechless.  Can you think of such a time in your life?

·        Here, Paul reminds us of the “unspeakable” gift of the Lord Jesus.  We should stand in awe, speechless, when we consider the wonderful gift that came to earth the first Christmas.

THE UNSPEAKABLE PRESENCE

 

·        In His Birth

Luke 1:35 - And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

 

John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

 

2 Corinthians 8:9 - For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

 

·        In His Miracles

1.     He calmed the sea.

2.     He fed the multitudes.

3.     He made the lame to walk and the blind to see.

4.     He cast out demons.

5.     He raised people from the dead.

·        In His Teaching

1.     The Golden Rule – Matthew 22:27-40

2.     The Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 5-7

3.     The Olivet Discourse – Matthew 24-25

4.     The Upper Room Discourse – John 13-16

5.     The “Way, the Truth, and the Life” – John 14:6

THE UNSPEAKABLE PRICE 

 

Isaiah 53:3-6 - He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. [4] Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. [5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. [6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

THE UNSPEAKABLE POWER

·         He Arose From the Dead

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

 

·        He Saves

Acts 4:12 - Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

 

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

·        He Intercedes

Hebrews 7:24-25 - But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. [25] Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

 

·        He Answers Prayer

John 14:13-14 - And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

 

·        He's Coming Again

Acts 1:10-11 - And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; [11] Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

 

 

*************************************************************************

A Philippian Christmas

Philippians 2:5-11                        

Christmas With Paul #2

A Complete Lesson

 

·        At Christmastime we think of Jesus as a baby.  What are some of the things about Jesus that folks tend to forget, especially at Christmas?

·        To you, what were the three or four most significant events in the life of the Lord Jesus?

·        At this time of year, how can we help others see Jesus as more than just a babe born in Bethlehem?

 

We are considering Christmas with Paul.  In this study we are looking at what Paul had to say about the whole life of Jesus from before He was born through to now.  Paul certainly shows us that Christmas is more than just a baby.

 

Vs. 5 - The context of what Paul is talking about here is unity.  Paul wanted the Philippians to stop petty bickering, and to be unified. Philippians 2:1-4 explains Paul's appeal nicely. Based on this appeal, in Verse 5 Paul gives the challenge that the person who believes on Christ should have the mind of Christ, or the attitude of Christ. 

In talking about the mind or attitude of Christ we find the message of Christmas.

THE HOME OF THE SON OF GOD – Vs. 6

·        When did Jesus begin to exist? John 1:1-2

·        What significant thing(s) did Jesus do before coming to earth? Colossians 1:16

·        This word "form” refers to the "inner, essential, and abiding nature of a person or thing."  What does this tell you about the identity of Jesus?

·        What are some things we can be selfish about?

·        According to this verse, how was Jesus not selfish?

·        What do you think it was like for Jesus to live in Heaven?

THE HUMILITY OF THE SON OF GOD – Vss. 7-8a

·        But made himself of no reputation... means that he “emptied himself”. What did He empty Himself of?

·        In His lifetime, how did Jesus show Himself to be a servant?

·        How did becoming a man automatically make Jesus a servant?

THE HUMILIATION OF THE SON OF GOD – Vs. 8b

·        How do we know that obedience to God was important to the Lord Jesus?

·        In what ways was the Lord Jesus humiliated when He died for our sins? Isaiah 53:3-6

·        Why was the cross such a terrible thing? 

THE HONOR OF THE SON OF GOD – Vss. 9-11

·        Why has God exalted the Lord Jesus? Isaiah 53:11-12

·        How has God exalted the Lord Jesus right now?  Hebrews 4:14        

·        Name some of the specific people who are going to bow the knee to Jesus, who probably thought that they never would.

·        How will the confession by every person that ever lived that Jesus Christ is Lord bring glory to God the Father?

·        How should this future bowing and confession affect my attitude this Christmas?

·        How should this future bowing and confession affect my lifestyle?

·        How should this future bowing and confession affect my witnessing?

 

 

 

*************************************************************************

A COLOSSIAN CHRISTMAS

Colossians 1:14-19                       

Christmas With Paul #3 of 3

 

·        Why is Christ the “star of Christmas”?

·        What are some of the different things that take Christ out of Christmas?

·        How do Christians inadvertently take Christ out of Christmas?

·        What can we do to make sure that Christ gets the attention He deserves this Christmas in our families and personal lives?

 

We are considering Christmas with Paul.  In this study we want to see that Christ should be revered as the “star of Christmas” because of who he is and what he has done.

JESUS IS REDEEMER – Vs. 14

·        What is redemption?

·        Why is redemption necessary?

·        Why is the shedding of Christ’s blood necessary?

·        Why was the shedding of Christ’s blood so precious?

 

1 Peter 1:18-19 - Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

JESUS IS REFLECTOR – Vs. 15a

·        Why should we want to know what God is like?

·        How does Jesus show us what God is like?

 

John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

 

Jesus said in John 14:9 …He that hath seen me hath seen the Father;   

JESUS HAS RANK – Vs. 15b

·        Why is it a privilege to be the “first born”?

Charles Erdman - "'Firstborn' here means two things: priority in time and supremacy in place or position. Christ existed before the Creation, but He held the rank commonly assigned to the 'firstborn,' the rank of eminence and dominion.  Christ is thus declared to be the universal sovereign." Charles Erdman, The Epistles of Paul to the Colossians and to Philemon, © 1966 by W.L. Jenkins, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Page 52   

·        How should Jesus’ rank affect us?

·        Why do we often forget about Jesus’ rank?

JESUS IS RESPONSIBLE – Vss. 15-16

·        What two things is Jesus responsible for in these two verses?

·        Why should each of these two things be a comfort to us?

·        What are some specific visible things that Jesus has created?

·        What are some of the invisible things that Jesus created?

·        If Jesus holds the universe together, He can certainly hold your life together.  When have you felt Jesus doing this?

JESUS IS RULER – Vss. 18-19

·        What does Jesus have that others often want? Why does Jesus deserve it?

·        How should Jesus be the head of the church here at Mt. Union?

·        What does “firstborn from the dead” mean?

·        What is the fullness that dwells in Jesus and why is it important?

 

 

 

************************************************************************************

 

PLEASE VISIT OUR NEW SISTER WEBSITE

WWW.EXPOSITORYECHOES.ORG

 

***************************************************************************

 

PASTOR MAIL is a mailing list for male pastors.  The purpose of the list is to share sermons, outlines, illustrations and prayer requests.  To subscribe send a blank email to pastormail-subscribe@welovegod.org

 

EXPOSITORY ECHOES is a mailing list that includes a full text sermon from Pastor Jack Peters.  To subscribe send a blank email to expositoryechoes-subscribe@welovegod.orgHAVE THESE SERMON SEEDS BLESSED YOU? THEN, PLEASE PASS THEM ALONG!

 

ABOUT SERMON SEEDS:

 

Sermon Seeds is a weekly e-mailing of free brief sermon outlines from Pastor Jack Peters. These outlines are meant to help other pastors and Bible Teachers in their own preparations.

 

In most cases these outlines are only "seeds". They are not sermons ready for you to preach. Feel free to improve on these outlines anyway the Lord leads you.

 

TO SUBSCRIBE - Send a blank e-mail to: sermonseeds-subscribe@welovegod.org    

 

TO UNSUBSCRIBE - Send a blank e-mail to: sermonseeds-unsubscribe@welovegod.org

 

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEB SITE!

www.sermonseeds.org is the location for the Sermon Seeds Archives. You will find most of the outlines from these e-mail editions, plus links to other helpful web pages. Be sure to sign the guest book, and tell me a little about yourself.

 

JACK’S EMAIL ADDRESS – jpeters@alltel.net

 

TALK TO JACK THROUGH INSTANT MESSAGING

I welcome live correspondence with those on the Sermon Seeds list. To put me on your "buddy list" here is the information you need.

 

AOL AIM – JackPeters1947

MSN (Microsoft) - johnwpeters@hotmail.com

 

VISIT OUR WEBSITE – www.sermonseeds.org 

 

This ministry has grown over the years because people like you have told others about Sermon Seeds.  Always feel free to forward the weekly Sermon Seeds email to those who you think might be interested in these outlines. Also, please share our website address with others as well. Thank you for your support.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-- To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: sermonseeds-unsubscribe@associate.com