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SERMON SEEDS FOR JANUARY 4, 2009

www.sermonseeds.org

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WE HAVE MOVED!  Rev. Jack Peters is now the pastor of Ringwood Baptist Church in Ringwood, NJ. You may visit their website at www.ringwoodbaptist.org.

 

PLEASE FORGIVE OUR SPORADIC SCHEDULE LATELY.

WE EXPECT TO BE MORE REGULAR FROM NOW ON!

 

 

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Genesis 13:5-14:24

GODLINESS IN SHOE LEATHER

 

You have probably heard the expression; "He's so Heavenly minded, that he's no earthly good!"

There are people who never make their professed Christianity practical. They talk like saints, but they don't act like saints.  Abraham however demonstrated his Godliness in everyday life.  He lived out his Godliness in a practical way. To use an American expression, "He put it into shoe leather."

 

ABRAHAM WAS A GRACIOUS MAN - 13:5-13

Abraham and his nephew, Lot, were living in the same area.

They traveled together, but were two large, wealthy, individual family units.

Because they were so large, the land could not support the needs of both families' flocks and herds. (Vs. 6)

Strife developed between the herdsmen of the two families. (Vs. 7)

As the senior member of the family, Abraham decided to settle the dispute. He wanted no strife in the family. (Vs. 8)

Abraham very graciously gave Lot the choice of where he wanted to settle.  This was really a choice Abraham could have reserved for himself. Instead, he was gracious about it.  Lot chose the best area for himself, in spite of the wickedness that abounded in Sodom. (Vss. 9-13)

 

ABRAHAM WAS A BLESSED MAN - 13:14-18

Abraham made the right choice.

It was Abraham who received God's encouragement and blessing, not Lot.

Let us remember that God blesses us when we do what is right.

 

ABRAHAM WAS A RESPONSIBLE MAN - 14:1-16

"Am I my brother's keeper?"  Abraham was. When Lot got into trouble, Abraham didn't give him a lecture. He gave him help!

 

ABRAHAM WAS A GENEROUS MAN - 14:17-20

Abraham gave tithes to "the priest of the most high God", Melchizedek.

Today we'd say that he gave to the Lord's work.

 

ABRAHAM WAS A CONVICTED MAN - 14:21-24

Abraham was a man of conviction.  He would not take what didn't belong to him, although he could have. He was convicted to do what was right.

 

Sermon Seeds B47, 1/25/99

 

 

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Psalm 119:1-8

THE UNDEFILED IN THE WAY

 

THEY WALK - Vss. 1, 3

THEY KEEP - Vss. 2, 4, 5, 8

THEY SEEK - Vs. 2

THEY RESPECT - Vs. 6

THEY PRAISE - Vs. 7

THEY LEARN - Vs. 8

 

 

 

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Isaiah 1:16-20

Starting Fresh

 

INSTRUCTIONS – Vss. 16-17

Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

 

INVITATION – Vs. 18

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

 

INCENTIVE – Vss. 19-20

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

 

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Matthew 9:1-9

WHAT’S HERE?

 

In this passage (here) we find:

 

A HELPLESS INDIVIDUAL – Vss. 1-2

HELPING FRIENDS – Vs. 2 They brought him to Jesus.

A HOPEFUL MAN (His sins are forgiven.) – Vs. 2

HAPLESS CRITICS – Vs. 3

HEALING SAVIOR – vss. 4-7 – The Lord Jesus healed Spiritually and physically.

HAPPY CROWD – Vs. 8 – They glorified God.

 

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Mark 9:1-8

GOD’S GLORY REVEALED

 

PREDICTION OF GOD’S GLORY – Vs. 1

PRESENTATION OF GOD’S GLORY – Vss. 2-3

PARTICIPATION IN GOD’S GLORY (Moses and Elijah) – Vs. 4

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S GLORY – Vss. 5-7

PERSON OF GOD’S GLORY – Vs. 8

 

 

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2 Corinthians 9:6-15

GIVING THAT GOD LIKES

 

THE MEANING OF GIVING - Vs. 6 - AN INVESTMENT

Giving to the Lord's work is our investment in what God wants to accomplish. The more we "sow" the more we reap in Spiritual harvest.

 

THE METHOD OF GIVING - Vs. 7 - AN ENJOYMENT

God wants willing, joyful, givers.

 

THE MARVELS OF GIVING - Vss. 8-15 - AN ENCOURAGEMENT

God will cause us to abound to every good work. Vss. 8-10

God will be thanked. Vs. 11-13

The giver will be prayed for. Vs. 14

God has given more than we could ever give (His Son). Vs. 15

 

Sermon Seeds B29 – 9/21/98

 

 

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REVELATION 2:1-7

FIRST LOVE

 

We are looking at a passage of Scripture which confronts a church with the problem of denying the Lord Jesus Christ of love while being very busy in the Lord’s work.

The church is one of seven churches to whom the Lord gives specific instructions in Revelation 2-3. Although these churches may be prophetic pictures of various stages in church history, I do feel that you can find all 7 different types of churches in existence today. And remember, churches are made up of people. If these churches have certain characteristics, it means that people have these characteristics. In studying this passage this morning, we just might find ourselves!

Vs. 1 – This letter is written to the “angel” of the church of    Ephesus.

The word “angel” means “messenger”, and is used in Scripture for both a Heavenly being and a human being. I personally believe that the word angel refers to the pastor and that’s how we’ll use this word.

Vs. 1 – Each one of the towns had their own local church. This message is to the church in Ephesus.

The church in Ephesus had a great foundation laid by the Apostle Paul, who ministered in Ephesus for about 2 ½ years, during his third missionary journey.

Paul described his own ministry in Acts 20:18-21. It was this church with a strong foundation, and evidently strong testimony, our Lord Jesus was addressing in verses 1-7.

Vs. 1 – Our Lord Jesus, who is talking, reminds the people that he holds the 7 stars in his hand. Revelation 1:20 tells us that these 7 stars are the “angels” or pastors.

 

The fact that He holds them gives the pastors authority to carry out His instructions. They are responsible to see that His orders are followed.

Not only does He hold the pastors in His hand, but according to this verse, He also walks among the 7 candle sticks. According to Revelation 1:20, the candlesticks or lamp stands, refer to the 7 churches.

Our Lord walks among the churches, so He knows all that is going on. Matthew 18:20

So, this message was to the pastor of the church so he could convey it to the people. In reality, this was a message to the individual members of the congregation.

Remember, the character of congregations are determined by the characters of the specific members of the church. Don’t expect the church to rise to a higher level of Spirituality than what you are willing to rise to yourself.

THE COMMENDATION – Vss. 2,3, 6

There is much for which to commend the church in Ephesus. Reading about this church in verses 2-3 could easily make you wish that you were a member of such a great church!

Vs. 2 – Each message to each of the seven churches in Asia begins with the words, “I Know your works”.

Consider this- Whatever we do; wherever we go, whatever we think, and whatever we are, the Lord can say to you, “I know!"

 

The Lord says, “I know they works!”, and indeed, this was a working church. This was no “Sunday morning only congregation.

The word “labor” in this verse means “diligent labor”, or labor unto weariness, or “strenuous and exhausting labor”.

That is quite a commendation, especially when you add patience or endurance to works and labor. The people at Ephesus kept at it. They just didn’t work for a while and quit. Many of you have worked patiently. Keep at it!

And there are more good things about this church. It says, you cannot bear those who are evil. This church was a holy church. It was separated from sin!

And false teachers, who claimed to be apostles, ones sent by Jesus Christ, were examined and found to be liars.

Vs. 3 – Life hadn’t been easy for the Christians at Ephesus. There was persecution for the sake of Christ. But the people labored faithfully during times of opposition without fainting.

Vs. 6 – There were false teachers called the “Nicolatians”, whose teaching the Lord hated, and the Ephesians hated as well. They had no tolerance for false teachers whatsoever. They strived to remain doctrinally pure.

So, here is the commendation of a great church. If we found a church like this, as I said earlier, we’d want to join it. They appear to have it all together. THE COMMENDATION

 

THE CONDEMNATION – Vs. 4

Our Lord cuts this church to the quick with one short sentence: Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Greek scholars tell us that wording in the original language is even more devastating. The order of the words in Greek is “You your first love have left!”

The Scriptures teach that the church is the “bride of Christ”. As part of this bride, you are to love the “bridegroom” who gave His very life for you.

There should be no other love more important than your love for your Savior!

Do you know what a person is called if he cheats on His wife? He is called an adulterer!

Do you know what a person is called who cheats on her husband? She is called an adulteress!

Do you know what the Lord calls us who put our own pleasures and plans ahead of Him?

James 4:4 - Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

There should be no other love more important than your love for the Lord Jesus.

Please note the words of our text very carefully.

We think of losing our first love. The word is “left”. If we don’t have first love for the Lord Jesus it is either because we left it, or we never had it!

The church had works, but loved something or someone more than it loved Christ.

The church labored hard, but loved something or someone more than Christ.

The church was patient, but loved something or someone more than Christ.

They hated evil. They had doctrinal purity and exposed heretics. They hated false teachers, and were patient during persecution.

BUT THEY LOVED SOMEONE OR SOMETHING MORE THAN THEY LOVED CHRIST!

 

Love for our Lord is to be so strong that love for others and other things is, relatively speaking, hatred. Luke 14:26-27

Let me remind you that our love for Christ begins with our salvation. He loved us enough to die for us! 1 John 4:10

Our salvation is by faith in what Christ has done for us. 1 John 5:13-15

If you are saved, who or what is the first love of your life?

 

Don’t just say, “I love Jesus first” without examining your lifestyle. If you love Jesus best, it will show.

 

COUNSEL – Vs. 5

I’m glad that our Lord didn’t stop at verse 4!

He goes on to give us words of counsel.

First, He says “REMEMBER”

Remember what life was like when you were first saved, or most on fire for the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember when you loved Him so!

Anything less than total devotion is what you have fallen from, or perhaps never achieved.

·        Remember when you couldn’t wait for Sunday to come?

·        Remember when you so loved the Lord, you attended every service possible?

·        Remember when fellowship with God’s people was so precious, and you loved them so?

·        Remember when it was no chore to read the Word?

·        Remember when sharing your faith was a top priority?

·        Remember when singing the hymns and choruses was a true outpouring of your heart?

Jesus says, “REMEMBER”, then He says “REPENT!”

Have a change of mind!

Be totally honest with God about your leaving your first love. Confess to God what has taken first place, name it as sin. Confess it and forsake it!

Jesus says “REMEMBER”.

Jesus says “REPENT!”

Next, Jesus says “REPEAT”

He says, “Do the first works”.

 

How were first works different from the ones the Ephesians were currently doing?

The first three things mentioned in verse 2 are works, labor and patience.

Now turn back to 1 Thessalonians 1:3

1 Thessalonians 1:3 - Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

Here was another church being commended, the church at Thessalonica. They too had worked. They too, had labored. They too, had patience.

BUT THEIR WORKS WERE WORKS OF FAITH.

They just weren’t doing things for the sake of doing them in their own strength. Instead, they were doing what they had to do, trusting God for the results.

THEIR LABOR WAS A LABOR OF LOVE.

They toiled to a point of weariness, because of sheer love for the Lord Jesus Christ!

THEIR PATIENCE WAS A PATIENCE OF HOPE.

They weren’t just enduring because they had to endure.

They were hoping for the Lord’s return.

They were hoping for better things to happen.

They were patient, hoping in the One who could and would deliver them!

Hope is anxious anticipation, and they had it!

When our Lord tells us in Revelation 2:5 to do the first works, He wants us to repeat what we were like, or should have been like before!

 

When our works are done by faith!

When our labor is a labor of love!

When our patience is seasoned with hope!

Our Lord’s counsel is Remember, Repent, Repeat. And if we don’t do these things, there is REMOVAL!

Look at the ending at the end of verse 5.

Revelation 2:5 - … or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

The removing of the candlestick was symbolic for removing the church’s testimony.

No church is guaranteed permanent success or existence.

The church that does not obey has a removed testimony. The church of Ephesus no longer exists. It’s gone!

COMMENDATION

CONDEMNATION

COUNSEL

·        REMEMBER

·        REPENT

·        REPEAT

·        OR REMOVAL

 

This is an elaboration on a previously shared outline.

 

 

 

 

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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.

 

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