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SERMON SEEDS FOR DECEMBER 9, 2009

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FOR CHRISTMAS SERMONS CLICK HERE

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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.

 

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Matthew 2

LESSONS FOR CHRISTMAS

 

The Christmas story is full of truths which we can apply to our own lives. Consider these four truths from Matthew 2:

 

1. GOD'S TIMING IS PERFECT Vss. 1-2

Jesus was born at just the right time and in just the right place (Micah 5:2)

The wise men came at just the right time to just the right place.

 

2. GOD'S ENEMIES ARE TREACHEROUS Vss. 3-8

Satan, through Herod, would do all that he could to destroy the Lord Jesus, including trying to deceive the wise men.

 

3. GOD'S SERVANTS ARE FAITHFUL Vss. 9-14

a. To go. Vss. 9-10

b. To share. Vs. 11

c. To obey. Vss. 12-14 (The wise men and Joseph obeyed God's directions.)

 

4. GOD'S PROTECTION IS POWERFUL Vss. 15-23

Satan through Herod tried to destroy Jesus, but God protected His Son.

 

This is a previously shared outline.

 

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Luke 2:25-35

ONE MAN'S CHRISTMAS

 

People celebrate Christmas in various ways. (Elaborate on the different ways people celebrate the holiday.)  There was one man who celebrated the first Christmas in a very fitting way. His name was Simeon.

 

HE WAS A GODLY MAN Vs. 25

HE HAD A GODLY MOTIVATION Vss. 26-27

The Spirit had told him he would not die until he had seen the Messiah.  Also, the Spirit guided him to the baby Jesus in the temple.

HE HAD A GODLY MESSAGE Vss. 28-35

 

This is a previously shared outline.

 

 

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PREPARED TO PRAY

 

There are times when we will especially want our prayers answered.  This is when we need to examine ourselves before God so that we are prepared to pray.

PROBLEM

Isaiah 59:1-2

Unanswered prayer is never the result of God’s inability to answer or hear. It is often the result of our sin, which includes asking for the wrong things and/or with the wrong motives.

How willing are we to forsake our sins to receive God’s blessings from answered prayer?

God is consistent; therefore He withholds His blessings when we are disobedient. God wants to bless us!

PROCESS AND PROMISE

Isaiah 55:6-9

Process – Seek, Call, Forsake, Return

Promise – Mercy, Pardon

Isaiah 1:16-18

Process – Wash, make clean, put away evil from God’s eyes, cease to do evil, learn to well, seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

 

Promise – sins white as snow and as wool

2 Chronicles 7:14

Process – Humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, turn from wicked ways

 

Promise – God will hear from Heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land.

 

 

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Luke 10

MINISTRY DISCOVERIES

IN STEP WITH THE MASTER – LESSON #18 - Studies in Luke

 

·        What discoveries have you made while trying to serve in ministry for the Lord Jesus Christ?

·        The disciples and we never stop making discoveries as we serve. Why?

In Luke 10 the disciples made many discoveries concerning ministry. Let’s consider them.

 

DISCOVERING PRAYER FOR MINISTRY – Vss. 1-2

·        Why should the lack of “laborers for the harvest” trouble us? John 4:34-38

·        How has a lack of prayer for laborers hurt the Harvest?

·        How can believing prayer in this area help our church? James 5:16-18

 

DISCOVERING PRINCIPLES IN MINISTRY – Vss. 3-9

1.     Go as Lambs – Vs. 3

2.     Go Light! – Vss. 4-8

3.     Go Large! – Vs. 9

4.     Considering these verses, how do we as Christians fail to live out these principles?

 

DISCOVERING PROBLEMS IN MINISTRY – Vss. 10-16

1.     Handling Rejection – Vss. 9-12

2.     Hearing the Warnings – Vss. 13-15

3.     Honoring the Master – Vs. 16

4.     Why should rejection in ministry sorrow us instead of anger us?

 

DISCOVERING POWER IN MINISTRY – Vss. 17-20

·        Vss. 17-19 - Why were the disciples so excited at the results of their ministry?

·        Should we expect the same results?

·        Vs. 20 – Why should citizenship in Heaven be our true source of joy instead of our accomplishments?

 

DISCOVERING PRIVILEGE IN MINISTRY – Vss. 21-24

·        Vs. 21 - Why does God hide things from the wise and prudent and reveal them to “babes”?

·        Vs. 22 – What does this verse teach us about understanding God’s truth?

·        Vss. 23 -24 – How do we as present day disciples enjoy this same privilege of “seeing and hearing”?

 

DISCOVERING MY NEIGHBOR IN MINISTRY – Vss. 25-37

1.     My neighbor is someone that God brings to my attention – Vss. 30-34

The priest, Levite and Samaritan all saw the wounded man.

2.     My neighbor is someone that God gives me the ability to help.

Anyone of the men who passed by could have helped in some way.

3.     My neighbor is someone to whom I make myself available. – Vss. 33-37

4.     Who are the specific neighbors of Ringwood Baptist Church and why?

 

DISCOVERING PRIORITIES IN MINISTRY – Vss. 38-42

1.     DECISION Vs. 38                                                                                                                  Mary and Martha made the right one. They received Jesus into their house. The most important decision we can make is to receive Jesus as our Savior.

2.     DEVOTION Vs. 39 - Mary had her priorities right. She sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.

3.     DISTRACTION Vs. 40 - Martha let her service for Jesus get her upset. She was distracted by much serving. She got angry with her sister, and demanded that Jesus make her help.

4.     DISTINCTION Vs. 41 - Jesus explains the difference between Martha and Mary.  Martha was anxious and troubled about many things. Mary chose the one thing that was necessary.

5.     Why is it easier to be like Martha than Mary? How can we fix that problem?

6.     Although Martha was rebuked, what good qualities did Martha have that we should imitate?

 

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JOHN 12:1-8

MARY UNDERSTOOD

 

Three accounts of the same event: Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:1-9, John 12:1-8

 

MARY UNDERSTOOD THE VALUE OF THE LORD JESUS

Vss. 3, 4-6, 8

 

Vs. 3 – Nard was a perfume made from the root and spike of a plant found in India. Because the perfume was imported from India, it was all the more expensive. Little less than a Coke can.

Alabaster – “This stone was usually crystalline stalagmitic rock or carbonate of lime…” The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

 

Vss. 5-6 – Judas complained. The value of the Spikenard was about 300 days’ wages, about $17,000 in our economy.

 

Vs. 8 – Jesus reminded the disciples. “The poor you’ll always have, but you won’t always have me.

 

Mary’s gift had extreme value. Mary understood that Jesus was worth every penny.

Mary understood Jesus’ deity and as we’ll see in a moment, the great sacrifice He was about to make.

How valuable is the Lord Jesus to you?

 

MARY UNDERSTOOD THE PLAN OF THE LORD JESUS

Vs. 7

Mark 10:32-34 - The disciples were told but didn’t understand.

Luke 10:39 – Mary understood because she sat and listened.

 

MARY UNDERSTOOD WORSHIP OF THE LORD JESUS

Vs. 3 – Mark 14:8 – whole body was probably anointed.

John 4:23-24 describes true worship.

 

 

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ONE CHAPTER WONDERS – A Bible Study Series on the One Chapter Books of the Bible: Obadiah, Philemon, 2 John,

3 John, and Jude

 

#3 – PHILEMON 1:8-25

THAT’S FORGIVENESS! - Part 2

FORGIVING CONDUCT

 

·        How can the “dust” of unforgiveness affect our lives?

·        Why do we need to deal with unforgiveness as soon as possible?

REVIEW

Last week we saw the ingredients of a “Forgiving Character” as we looked at the first seven verses of this little Epistle.

PHILEMON’S POSITION IN CHRIST – Vss. 1-2

PHILEMON’S PRIVILEGES IN CHRIST – Vs. 3

PHILEMON’S PRINCIPLES IN CHRIST – Vss. 4-5, 7

PHILEMON’S POTENTIAL IN CHRIST – Vs. 6

 

This week we return to Philemon to examine verses 8-21 where we want to find out exactly what “Forgiving Conduct” is.

 

WHEN WE FORGIVE, WE RESPOND – Vss. 8-10, 21

·        Usually, when we choose to forgive we are responding to an appeal. From where do those appeals come?

·        When we receive an appeal to forgive it is then our duty to respond. Why?

·        Vs. 8 – In the case of Philemon, it was his friend, Paul, the one who led him to the Lord and an Apostle that was calling on him to forgive Onesimus.

·        Notice how gentle Paul was. Why did he not play “hard-ball” with Philemon? Galatians 6:1

·        Vs. 9 – The appeal that Paul gave to Philemon was based on love.  Love is the best reason for us to do what is right.

·        Out of love for an old friend who had fallen on difficult times, Philemon was to forgive. I am reminded of another friend, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Based on my love for Him, I need to forgive. Ephesians 4:32

·        Vs. 10 – Paul makes a specific appeal to which Philemon had to respond.  It was for someone Philemon knew well. It was his run-away slave by the name of Onesimus. 

·        Why would it be a “stretch” for Philemon to forgive Onesimus?

·        Paul referred to Onesimus as his “son”. Why is there a special bond between those we lead to the Lord and us, and/or a bond between the one who led us to the Lord and us?

·        Philemon was forced to respond to Paul’s appeal. What were the possible responses?

 

WHEN WE FORGIVE, WE RECEIVE – Vss. 12, 17

·        Vs. 12 – In what ways are we “receiving” someone when we forgive them?

·        Paul wanted Philemon to receive Onesimus who was “his own bowels”.  Today we would say, “He is on my heart”, “He is dear or precious to me.”

·        Has it ever occurred to you, that when the Lord Jesus asks you to forgive a fellow Christian, that Christian is as precious to the Lord Jesus as you are!  He is just as loved, and just as cared for as you are.

·        When Jesus asks you to forgive a fellow Christian, it is as if He is saying, “My child I want you to forgive this person because, he like you, is on my heart.”

·        Vs. 17 – Paul is saying, “If you consider me your partner in the cause of Christ, then receive him as you would receive me.”

·        Picture the Lord Jesus saying this to us about someone that we need to forgive, “If you are partnered with me, then receive this person as you would me.”

 

WHEN WE FORGIVE, WE RESPECT - Vss. 11, 13, 14

·        Onesimus could have avoided coming back to Philemon.

·        Philemon needed to respect Onesimus for his humble return, realizing that he could receive severe punishment.

·        Vs. 11 – A person who is truly repentant is a changed person. 2 Corinthians 5:17

·        Onesimus’ name meant “useful”.  Paul was playing on words. “Useful, who had shown himself useless, is now truly useful.”

·        Vs. 13 – Onesimus was so useful to Paul that Paul would have liked to have kept him around.  He could have been a kind of substitute for the help that Philemon might have given Paul. What a testimony of a changed life!

·        Vs. 14 – Paul could have kept Onesimus with him. There would have been nothing that Philemon could have done about it.  If Onesimus was going to serve Paul, it was going to be with Philemon’s blessing.

·        Why did Onesimus have to make things right with Philemon before he would be truly useful to Paul? Matthew 5:23-24

·        Paul understood what it was to have someone intervene after sinning. Acts 9:26-28

 

WHEN WE FORGIVE, WE RECLAIM – Vss. 15-16

·        Vs. 15 – Paul is suggesting that Onesimus might have had to leave, had to be a runaway, so that Philemon could have him back forever.  In fact right now they are together forever!

·        Vs. 16 – Paul’s request was that a slave be restored to his master’s good graces. When forgiveness occurs, that’s exactly where we need to put the person who is forgiven – back in our good graces! 1 Peter 3:8

 

WHEN WE FORGIVE, WE RELEASE – Vss. 18-19

·        Vs. 18 – This is a great statement on Paul’s part.  If Onesimus owed anything to Philemon because he had stolen, Paul says “Put that on my account”. How does that remind us of the Lord Jesus?

·        Vs. 19 - Paul is asking Philemon to release Onesimus from any obligation that Onesimus has.  If necessary, Paul would pay Onesimus’ debt.  But, Paul also reminded Philemon how much he owed Paul.

·        What does the parable in Matthew 18:23-35 teach us about unforgiveness?

 

WHEN WE FORGIVE, WE REFRESH – Vs. 20

·        Vs. 20 – Paul is saying, “Refresh my heart. Let me have joy.”

·        Paul would have been refreshed and joyful as Philemon forgave Onesimus.

·        You will make many a person refreshed and joyful when you forgive those who have wronged you.

·        Whose heart do you need to refresh?

 

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1 JOHN 3:4-10 –

IT’S THE LOVE!                 

Live the Truth #14 – Studies in 1 John

 

Last time – “It’s the lifestyle” that showed us to be true believers. This time “It’s the love!” that indicates this.

 

THE PRIORITY OF LOVE – Vs. 11

The beginning – John 13:34-35

Agape love is undeserved love – loving the unlovely

Love is not optional – It is an obligation!

THE PERVERSION OF LOVE – Vss. 12-13, 14b-15

Vs. 12 - Love perverted is hatred. Genesis 4:3-8

Vs. 13 – John 15:18-19

Vs. 15 – Matthew 5:21-22

THE PASSAGE TO LOVE – Vs. 14a

“have passed” – “transfer from one realm to another”,

Transfer from death to life and hatred to love.

THE PATTERN OF LOVE – Vs. 16a

Usually when the New Testament speaks of agape love it speaks of the cross. John 3:16, Galatians 2:20, 1 John 4:10

 

THE PRACTICE OF LOVE – Vs. 16b-18

Laying down our lives for the brethren is more than being willing to die for them. It is being willing to live for them.

Vs. 17 – One example of sacrificial love

Vs. 18 – Saying I love you is one thing. Acting is another. Philippians 2:5-8 - If you love your brother join him in fellowship, membership, ministry and prayer.

 

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