SERMON SEEDS M5 FOR 4/12/09
Posted by: jackpeters <jackpeters@...>
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SERMON SEEDS FOR APRIL 12, 2009
Rev. Jack Peters is the pastor of Ringwood Baptist Church in Ringwood, NJ. You may visit their website at http://www.ringwoodbaptist.org. To hear recordings of his messages go to Weekly Message.
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Joshua 7:1-8:2
ONE MANS SIN
ONE MANS SIN CAN MAKE GOD ANGRY Vss. 1-2
ONE MANS SIN CAN CAUSE SORROW AND DEFEAT Vss. 3-9
ONE MANS SIN CAN WARRANT INVESTIGATION Vss. 10-21
ONE MANS SIN CAN RESULT IN DISCIPLINE Vss. 22-26
ONE MANS SIN CAN BE APPEASED WHEN DEALT WITH PROPERLY 8:1-2
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2 KINGS 2
FROM PROPHET TO PROPHET
It was time for one Prophet (Elijah) to leave for Heave and another (Elisha) to take his place. There was a transfer of authority from Prophet to Prophet.
A STUBBORN FOLLOWER Vss. 1-8 Elisha would not leave his master.
A STUPENDOUS REQUEST Vss. 9-10 - Elisha wanted a double portion of Elijahs spirit.
A SPECTACULAR EXIT Vss. 11-13 Elijah went to Heaven in grand fashion and Elisha saw it!
STUPENDOUS PROOF Vss. 14-25 Elishas activities in these verses show that his request was answered.
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Psalm 42
SOUL TALK
A THIRSTY SOUL Vss. 1-2
A TEARFUL SOUL Vss. 3-4
A TRUSTING SOUL Vss. 5-8
A TROUBLED SOUL Vss. 9-10
A TRIUMPHANT SOUL Vs. 11
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Luke 21:1-4
A SHINING EXAMPLE
The poor widow in this brief story sets a good example concerning our giving to Gods Work. From her we learn that:
JESUS SEES OUR GIFTS Vss. 1-2
JESUS KNOWS OUR FINANCES Vs. 3
JESUS COMMENDS OUR SACRIFICIAL GIVING Vs. 4
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John 1:35-41 etc.
WHAT SHALL I BRING?
Bringing is very much a part of our daily lives. If we are invited to someone's house or to a church event we ask, "What can I bring?" If we are going to a special event, we often think about who we can bring along with us. In fact that's why some of you are here this morning.
Perhaps the most important question we can ask ourselves is, "What can I bring to Jesus?" After all, He is God, and one day every one of us is going to bow before him. Philippians 2:9-11 We will also answer to Jesus as our judge - 2 Timothy 4:1
One of the twelve apostles seemed to be very adept at bringing the right things to Jesus. His name was Andrew, and he is probably best remembered as the brother of Simon Peter. Everyone knows about Peter, not as many know about Andrew. Andrew was one apostle who seemed to have a good grasp of what to bring to the Lord Jesus. He is seen in three different places trying to bring somebody to Jesus.
Now before Andrew could bring anything to Jesus, someone had to bring Him to Jesus. The person responsible for that was a man named John the Baptist. John the Baptist was a mighty prophet who had the job of preparing the Jewish people for the coming of their Messiah, the Lord Jesus. John preached a baptism of repentance. The baptism was testimony that people had confessed their sins and were waiting for their coming King.
John did not claim to be the Messiah. He wasn't. Mark 1:8, John 1:26-27 When Jesus did show up, John made this stunning announcement in John 1:29 - Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John was actually alluding to the reason that Jesus came to earth the first time. He came to be a sacrifice for the sins of the world. Lambs were used as sacrifices in the temple for the sins of the people. God's lamb that would pay for the sins of the world was the sinless Son of God! He died to pay for your sins and mine. Romans 5:6-8,
My friend God loved you so much that He sent His Son to die for you. 1 John 4:10
Of course, Jesus did rise from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
We are told that the next day John again identified Jesus. John 1:35-39
Andrew was one of those two disciples that followed Jesus, talked to Him, and believed on Him. The reason we try to bring people to Jesus is so that they too will believe on him.
To believe on Jesus is trust in Him, to put all our dependence on Him as the one who died for our sins and gives us eternal life. John 3:16
When someone truly believes in Jesus from the heart their life is changed forever. They become what the Bible calls "born again", and because of the presence of God, the Holy Spirit in the life, they are different. Bringing things to Jesus begins by bringing yourself. Have you trusted Him as your Savior?
ANDREW BROUGHT A RELATIVE John 1:40-42
Have you ever discovered something you wanted someone else to know about? Sometimes we find a great restaurant or a great bargain, and we can't wait to tell people. Andrew found the Messiah and he couldn't wait to tell Brother Peter. Right away he went out and found his brother, and let it be known that he had found the Messiah!
What motivated Andrew to be so aggressive?
A. He was convinced.
Andrew was convinced that he had found the one that was promised in Old Testament Scriptures. If we are going to bring relatives and friends to Jesus as Andrew did, we too need to be convinced. We need to be so convinced that we ourselves have trusted the Lord Jesus as Savior. And we need to be convinced that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. John 14:6, Acts 4:12
B. He was concerned.
Andrew was concerned that Peter knew whom he knew. Andrew wanted Peter to be part of the family of God.
If we are going to be good about bringing people to Jesus, we need to be concerned about their Spiritual wellbeing.
Why should we be so concerned as to whether someone trusts Christ or not? John 3:36
Are you convinced and concerned that someone you know is without Christ? How will you go about sharing the Gospel with that person?
1. Pray for the person's salvation.
2. Ask God for opportunity to share.
3. Share the Gospel, telling the person what Christ has done for you.
4. Give them a tract, ask them to read it, and then discuss it with them.
5. Bring the person to a church where the Gospel is preached.
Andrew brought a relative to Christ. Who will you bring?
ANDREW BROUGHT A RESOURCE - John 6:1-12
This is a great story, and we like to think of a little boy who came to see Jesus. His mother might have packed him a lunch, and in the end Jesus used his lunch to feed thousands of people. While Philip was doing the math to figure out how much it would take to feed such a crowd, Andrew had found the boy with his lunch. Andrew knew the resources that were available, although he didn't think they were very many. What Andrew didn't think as much, "what are they among so many," it was enough for Jesus to work.
Have you ever done recruiting for Jesus? You might see a job that needs to be done around this church. And you might see just the person who could do the job. You could quietly suggest to them that it is something they might want to do. Recruit these people to use their resources.
And while I'm at it, Andrew found resources and you could do some finding of resources in others. But the most important resource you can bring to Jesus is yourself and your abilities.
Begin by surrendering yourself to the Lord, to do whatever He wants you to do. Romans 12:1 After surrendering yourself to the Lord Jesus, ask yourself, "What abilities has God given me?"
Our job in this dark world without Christ is to let our lights shine for Him. Mark 5:14-16
So, what abilities has God given you?
Can you sing? Jesus can use you!
Can you do plumbing, carpentry, or electrical work? Jesus can use you!
Can you bake? Jesus can use you!
Can you cook? Jesus can use you!
Can you organize? Jesus can use you!
Can you show compassion?
Jesus can use you!
Can you watch children? Jesus can use you!
Can you teach? Jesus can use you!
Can you drive? Jesus can use you!
There is at least one thing you can do for the Lord. Are you doing it?
There was once a young pastor named Timothy. He was told by the apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 1:14, That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. Whatever ability, job, or talent you have received from God use it with the help of God's Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 4:10-11
ANDREW BROUGHT A REPORT John 12:21-22
Somebody wanted to see Jesus. Phillip told Andrew, who was probably known for bringing people to Jesus. Somebody had a need, had a desire, and Andrew reported it to Jesus.
How much reporting do you do to the Lord?
Do you report it to God when someone has a Spiritual need?
Do you report it to God when someone has an emotional need?
Do you report it to God when someone has a physical need?
When we see needs, we are to report them to God. It isn't that God doesn't know about them, but He wants us to be asking Him for His help.
There's another word used for reporting to God. The word is prayer. Psalm 81:10 If God has delivered you from the bondage of Satan and translated you into the Kingdom of Christ, GET YOUR MOUTH OPEN so He can fill it!
What's the best gift that you can give a friend or a loved one? The best gift you can give a friend or a loved one is to mention their names before the throne of Heaven, and bring their specific needs before God. 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Matthew 7:7-8
So, who needs your report before the Throne of Grace? Make sure that you bring it.
This is a previously shared outline.
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2 Corinthians 10:3-6
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: [4] (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) [5] Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; [6] And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
OUR WARFARE NOT AFTER THE FLESH Vs. 3
OUR WEAPONS MIGHTY THROUGH GOD Vs. 4a
OUR WORK PULLING DOWN STRONGHOLDS AND MAKING EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE Vss. 4b-6
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1 Thessalonians 3:1-10
FAITH FACTOR
There was a show on television called "Fear Factor". I only watched part of it once. Evidently the idea of the show was to measure how much bravery a person has and at one point fear takes over. In our text, Paul is not measuring bravery, but he is measuring the faith of the Thessalonians.
The Apostle Paul once spent about 3 weeks establishing a church in a city called Thessalonica. After three weeks he was run out of town by persecution. Acts 17:1-10
Because he loved the new Thessalonian Christians, and knowing of the persecution that they would receive about their faith, Paul dispatched young Pastor Timothy to Thessalonica to check on the new church. We have the story of Timothy's visit in
1 Thessalonians 3. And in talking about Timothy's visit, we find that Paul's greatest concern was over the faith of the Thessalonians. The word faith is mentioned five times, and we learn that:
FAITH IS TO BE ENCOURAGED - Vss. 1-4
Timothy was dispatched to encourage the believers in their newfound faith.
FAITH IS TO BE EVALUATED - Vs. 5
Paul realized that because of the tough times that the Thessalonians were facing, it would be easier for Satan to come in and rob them of their faith.
So, Paul wanted to make sure that the faith of the Thessalonians was still strong.
God has appointed church leaders, particularly pastors and elders, with the duty of watching you faith. They aren't to judge your ministry, only the Lord can do that, but they should check to make sure your faith is strong, and then help strengthen that faith.
Proverbs 27:23, Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 5:2-3
FAITH IS TO BE EXPRESSED - Vs. 6
Timothy brought good news back to Paul. In spite of the persecution and hardship being dished out by Satan, the Thessalonians were strong in their faith. And not only were they strong in faith but in love as well. And they also had a fond appreciation for their mentor, the Apostle Paul. Faith should show.
We should certainly express our faith verbally. Romans 12:9-10, Psalm 107:2
But our faith must go deeper than talk. People need to see that what we are saying is real in our lives.
People need to see us leaning on God alone, when we face the trials and troubles of life.
People need to see us trusting God for the strength to obey Him.
Think about this. We will only be obedient to God if we believe Him!
We will only be obedient to God when we have faith that He will give us the strength to do as He says.
FAITH IS TO BE ENCOURAGING - Vs. 7
Have you ever tried to comfort somebody and ended up being comforted yourself? Some people have so much faith during their tough times, that they encourage others.
The Apostle Paul was having his own problems with affliction and persecution. And when He heard about the faith of the Thessalonians, he was encouraged.
There are certainly examples in Scripture of people who encouraged others. When David was running from King Saul, Saul's son, Jonathan went out of his way to encourage David.
1 Samuel 23:16 - And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
When the Apostle Paul was a prisoner headed for Rome he was on a ship in the middle of a terrible storm. He encouraged those with him that God had promised that all lives would be saved.
He encouraged them with these words found in Acts 27:25
Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
FAITH IS TO BE ENLARGED - Vs. 10
Paul prayed that he might have another opportunity to visit the Thessalonians and help to increase their faith. Faith is something that should grow in our lives as we mature in the things of Christ.
This is a previously shared outline.
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