SERMON SEEDS G33 FOR 10/27/03
Posted by: jpeters <jpeters@...>
WELCOME TO SERMON SEEDS FOR OCTOBER 27, 2003
TO SUBSCRIBE - Send a blank e-mail to: sermonseeds-subscribe@welovegod.org
TO UNSUBSCRIBE - Send a blank e-mail to: sermonseeds-unsubscribe@welovegod.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@associate.com
MOUNT UNION ECHOES is a mailing list that includes a full text sermon from Pastor Jack Peters. To subscribe send a blank email to mountunionechoes-subscribe@welovegod.org
***************************************************************************
Psalm 124
ON OUR SIDE
Because the Lord is on our side (Vss. 1-2):
WE ARE NOT SWALLOWED Vss. 3-5
WE HAVE ESCAPED THE SNARE Vss. 6-7
WE ARE SAFE Vs. 8
***************************************************************************
Proverbs 10:27-32
FOUR GREAT THINGS
THE FEAR OF THE LORD Vs. 27
THE HOPE OF THE RIGHTEOUS Vss. 28, 30
THE WAY OF THE LORD Vs. 29
THE MOUTH OF THE JUST Vss. 31-32
***************************************************************************
JONAH
FORGOTTEN FACE OF A MAN WITH ATTITUDE PM 10/26/03
Forgotten Faces - #6 of 10
We have all met people with good attitudes.
We have all met people with bad attitudes.
Have you noticed that good attitudes are contagious?
Have you noticed that bad attitudes are contagious and that there are people who always have an attitude? Those are the people that we try to avoid.
The truth is, however, that we always have some sort of attitude.
It might be good or bad, active or passive, but we approach life with an attitude every day. And our attitudes are changeable.
If there was ever a man with attitude in general and changeable attitudes in particular it is the Prophet Jonah.
Jonah was a prophet of God who was called to go Nineveh and to prophesy against it. As you know, Jonah didnt go at first.
I believe that the little book of Jonah shows us at least four different attitudes that the prophet had. We can learn some lessons from Jonah about our own attitudes.
A REBELLIOUS ATTITUDE Chapter 1
Vs. 1-2 Jonah is a very honest prophet. He might not always have a good attitude, but Jonah does tell us the truth about his attitude through Gods inspiration of His Word. Jonahs name means dove.
Jonah is called to Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria.
God called Jonah to go and preach against the city.
As a prophet he had Gods message and was to deliver it.
Vs. 3 - Jonah makes his first mistake. Nobody can flee from the presence of the Lord, but he certainly tried. Jonah was rebelling against the clear will of God.
We who have tasted the grace of God, should not rebel against the perfect will of God.
Yet, we as Christians do it in big ways and small ways.
Vs. 4 God does not let us get away with rebellion. He loves us too much. Proverbs 13:15
God makes the way of transgressors hard because He loves the transgressor. Proverbs 3:11-12
Vs. 5 The storm was obviously the worst that any of these mariners had seen. They desperately called on their Gods. There was only one person who was sleep. That was the prophet of God who had a hardened heart and become insensitive. When we rebel against God, we are likely also to develop a hard heart which is not longer sensitive to or cares about the things of God.
Vs. 6 The shipmaster was incensed that Jonah would be sleeping at such a time.
He should have been seeking God like the others.
Vs. 7 There is no doubt that God is in the situation. He caused the lot to fall on Jonah.
Vss. 8-10 They asked Jonah for a confession and he gave one.
He told them who he served and that he was running from his God.
The mariners were shocked. People are usually shocked when we do something they perceive as dumb. They arent as shocked if they do it themselves.
Vss. 11-12 Although Jonah was running away from God, he didnt seem to want to hurt others. He understood that God disciplining him, and that he was the one to be punished. He didnt try to jeopardize everyone else because of his folly.
Vss. 13-14 Give the mariners credit. They still tried to save Jonah. It was only when they realized that there was no other way that they threw Jonah overboard. And before they did, they prayed
Vss. 15-16 - You can imagine the shock of the mariners when they saw how quickly the sea settled down. This caused them to fear and to offer sacrifices and to vow vows.
Vs. 17 It is interesting to note that the great fish was prepared by God for Jonah. I am reminded that even when we rebel, God is in charge of taking care of us, and he lays out just the right amount of discipline for us.
A REPENTANT ATTITUDE Chapter 2
Vs. 1 Jonah did not pray when he ran from God. It does not appear that Jonah prayed in the midst of the storm. But in the bottom of the fishs belly, Jonah prayed.
Vss. 2-6 We learn something important from Jonah.
Most of the words of Jonahs prayer were not Jonahs words. They were quotes from the Psalms. Jonah knew the Word of God. Jonah was evidently saturated with the Word of God. When Jonah started thinking on God and Gods Word, thats when he began to pray.
He acknowledged that God was there, and that God was responsible for his care.
Vs. 7 Jonah remembered the Lord. Jonah cried out to the Lord. When we have rebelled against the Lord and the Lord spanks us, this is what we need to do as well.
Vs. 8 Jonah is showing repentance in this verse. He is admitting that he had rebelled against God, and that rebelling against means forsaking our own good.
Repentance is very important.
Jonah would not have been spared unless he had repented.
We must realize that although we may pay a high price for rebelling against God, it is better to repent than to remain stubborn.
Vs. 9 Notice Jonahs faith. He believed that God heard him. He also promised to pay his vows, and true deliverance came from the Lord.
Vs. 10 God delivered Jonah
A RESPONSIVE ATTITUDE Chapter 3
The biggest miracle in this book is not Jonah being swallowed by the whale. The biggest miracle in this book is not huge gourd that grew in a day.
The biggest miracle in this book is the greatest revival in the history of mankind.
Vss. 1-3 God again called Jonah to go to Nineveh.
This time Jonah did not hesitate to do as he was told.
Nineveh was a huge city, perhaps numbering as high as a million people.
Of course it would have nice if Jonah had gone to Nineveh the first. But the important thing is that he went. The important thing for us to remember is that the most important thing we can be to God is readily, and joyfully obedient.
We know according to Romans 12:2 that the word of God is good and acceptable and perfect.
Vss. 4-9 Although Jonah was finally responsive to God, the people of Nineveh were more so. The repentance started even before the King called for repentance.
I think the key is Vs. 5 in all of this. The people of Nineveh believed God. Can you imagine what changes would be made in America if Americans started to believe God?
Vs. 10 Because the people responded to the preaching of Jonah, God did not bring judgment at that time.
Gods warning of destruction was conditional.
They would have been destroyed if they hadnt repented.
They chose to repent.
At a later date, Nineveh was destroyed because it went back to its old ways.
A REPULSIVE ATTITUDE Chapter 4
Vs. 1 - I know if a whole city turned back to God under my preaching, I would have been delighted.
Jonah was not delighted.
Some people would rather see them destroyed than saved.
Such was the case of Jonah.
Vs. 2 Jonah was a loyal Jew. He was very nationalistic The Assyrians had been very cruel to the Jewish people. Jonah, knowing God, as He did, was afraid that Nineveh would repent and that God would spare them. Thats why he didnt want to go to Nineveh to preach.
Vss. 3-4 Jonah became angry with God.
That doesnt make sense, but so often people, including Christians, get angry with God because God doesnt do what they want Him to do.
In Vs. 4 we are reminded that it is never good to be angry with God.
In verses 3-8 Jonah goes out of town, setting up a watch to see if just maybe God might destroy Nineveh anyway.
He builds a shack and God miraculously provides a gourd that provides shade.
Jonah is very happy.
Then God destroys the gourd.
Jonah again wished that he could die. He was upset about the gourd.
Vs. 9 Jonah even thinks that he has a right to be angry.
Vs. 10 God makes his point.
Jonah was concerned for the gourd for which he did not labor or make grow. It came and went in two days.
Vs. 11 How much more should God care for Nineveh, a city that had 120,000 small children, and much cattle.
God had more right to compassionate on Nineveh than Jonah did on the gourd.
***************************************************************************
Luke 10:38-42
MARY AND MARTHA - A COMPARISON
TWO GOOD SISTERS - Vss. 38-39
Martha was a doer! She got things done!
Martha was a dreamer! She had time for Spiritual things.
We call these girls good because they had trusted Christ as their Savior.
TWO GOOD PRIORITIES - Vss. 39-40
Martha's priority was serving. Luke 9:23
Martha's priority was sitting. She sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.
ONE GREAT CHOICE - Vss. 41-42
Martha's choice to serve brought her frustration.
Mary's choice brought her favor. Time spent with Jesus is valuable for all eternity.
It's important to serve the Lord, but only after we have spent time with the Lord!
Sermon Seeds C22
************************************************************************************
Acts 8:5-24
A MISSIONARY OUTREACH
A MARVELOUS MINISTRY Vss. 5-8
A MEAN MAN Vss. 9-11
A MIGHTY MANIFESTATION Vss. 12-17
A MISERABLE MOMENT Vss. 18-23
************************************************************************************
Romans 8:9-27
GROANING TO GLORY
Groaning is something that will take place all through our lives and until such time as Jesus establishes His rule here on earth. When glory comes the groaning will cease. Until then, there are three things mentioned in our text that will cause Groaning To Glory.
GROANING CREATION Vss. 19-22
In the future there will be a new Heaven and a new earth. Revelation 22:1-5
Vs. 19 - The creation is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. This manifestation will take place when we appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:4, Revelation 19:14
Vs. 20 The creation became subject to vanity when Adam and Eve sinned Genesis 3:15-19, Vs. 20
Vs. 21 - The glorious liberty of the children of God is described in 1 John 3:1-3.
GROANING CONVERTS Vss. 23-25
Vs. 23 We are the firstfruits of the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 4:30
We will groan until the adoption process is fully completed.
Vss. 24 -25 Though we groan, we have hope.
GROANING COMFORTER Vss. 26-27
On earth, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings which can not be uttered.
In Heaven the Son of God intercedes for us at the Fathers Throne. Romans 8:34
Note The alliteration in this outline is mine, however the original thought of the three groanings came for John MacArthur. John MacArthur, The MacArthur Commentary, Romans, Volume 1, Chapter 33, (Moody Press, Chicago, 1991), pp.451-460
***************************************************************************
1Timothy 2:1-8 PAGE 1
WORSHIP IN PUBLIC PRAYER
(Lead in Prayer)
I just prayed.
What were you thinking about as I prayed?
Chances are you werent thinking about what I was praying and chances are you were not praying along with me.
Most of us, and Ive been guilty of this all too often, leave the praying in a worship service up to the person praying. We just let ourselves be distracted with our own interests, worries and pleasures.
Now Im not here to ball you out, to scold you, or to embarrass you. But one of the most important things we have as born again Christians is the gift of answered prayer. Matthew 7:7-8
And one of the most important things that we are told to do as Christians is to pray! Ephesians 6:18
When we think of prayer, we think of it as a private matter between us and God. Indeed that is true for our personal prayers. When we are talking to God privately, we are to be private about it!
Matthew 6:6
Our text is 1Timothy 2:1-8. It is in this text that we receive instruction for public prayer.
THE PRACTICE OF PUBLIC PRAYER
1 Timothy 2:1 - I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
Paul is urging us to pray as a group. Did I say Paul is urging us to pray? This is Scripture. This is Gods Word. God is urging us to pray!
And notice the priority of prayer.
Paul says, first of all.
How often in our services is prayer a brief tag line?
How absent mindedly and lightly do we treat prayer!
Paul says, first of all.
The early church was built on prayer. Acts 2:42
Have you ever wondered why more people dont come to church?
Have you wondered why more people dont get saved?
Have you wondered why more people to not respond to the invitation?
Could it be because our lack of real prayer at home?
And could it be because of our lack of real prayer in the church?
What should you do when an usher prays for the offering?
You should pray with him, agreeing with him in prayer.
What should you do when the pastor prays?
You should pray with him, giving your amens and yes Lords quietly. They can even be out loud.
Has it ever occurred to you that God does not move in this church the way we would like him to because we are not united in our prayers for God to work?
Dont get me wrong, God does answer individual prayers.
But how much more will God do when we unite, agreeing in corporate prayer!
THE PRACTICE OF PUBLIC PRAYER
THE PARTICULARS OF PUBLIC PRAYER
1 Timothy 2:1-2 - I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; [2] For kings, and for all that are in authority;
Notice there are four words dealing with prayer here.
· Supplications
This word means to ask for what is needed.
If people need conviction, we can ask for it.
If people need for forgiveness we can ask for it.
If we need food, clothing, housing, we can ask for it.
If people need Spiritual growth, we can ask for it. Thats what we do when we pray the prayers of Paul in Ephesians 1 and 3 and in Philippians 1 and Colossians 1.
If people need to be saved we can ask for it.
If people need strength or protection we can ask for it.
Supplications
· Prayers
This is a general word for prayer expressed to deity.
Our prayers not only include requests but also praise and adoration.
As we have seen before our prayers should include worship to God before we go asking for things. Psalm 99:5, 107:1, 149:1, Hebrews 13:15
Supplications
Prayers
· Intercessions
When we think of the word intercession, we think of praying in anothers behalf. And indeed prayerful intercession is called for in this passage of Scripture.
According to William Hendriksen, however, the meaning of the word intercession here is rather that of falling in with, meeting with in order to converse freely, hence, freedom of access. A person finds himself in the very audience-chamber of God, the Father. William Hendriksen, New Testament Commentary Thessalonians, Timothy and Titus, (Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1957), p. 92
Think of this. Every time we come properly into the presence of God in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we come for an intimate, personal interview with God. And if we have an intimate interview with the God of the universe, we can certainly speak to God on the behalf of others.
Supplications
Prayers
Intercessions
· Giving of thanks
We are to be thankful to God for all his blessings, yes.
In this verse we are told that our supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving are to be made for all men.
Now thats a long list!
And we certainly dont know everyone by name.
We know that we can pray for the Christians we know. I do that by mentioning several pastors and churches, and missionaries, and then pray those four prayers of Paul.
We know how to pray for the unsaved people we know personally and for backslidden Christians.
They either need to be saved or to get right with God.
How do we pray for all men? For their salvation! And we can pray for people in cities and countries all over the world.
And these prayers, besides being for all men are to be in particular for kings and others who rule over us. We need to be praying for the rulers of the United States and other countries as well.
THE PURPOSES OF PUBLIC PRAYER
1 Timothy 2:2-4 - For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
The results of such prayer leads to a peaceful environment so that we lead quiet and peaceable lives. That sounds selfish doesnt it?
However, we want the quiet and peaceable life so we can live godly and honest lives.
How often we forget that the Christian life is to be a godly life, a holy life. This should be the goal of each of us. Leviticus 20:26
Now why would we want such a quiet lives of holy living?
1 Timothy 2:3-4 - For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Quiet holy living pleases God!
Quiet holy living leads people to Jesus Christ.
It is not only a testimony of word that brings people to Christ. It is a testimony of life! The way we live is to be a testimony for Him. Matthew 5:14-16, John 13:34-35, 1 Peter 3:15
Look at verse 4 God wants all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.
That doesnt mean everyone will be saved.
People must decide if they will accept Christs free gift of salvation.
But this does open the door for us to pray for the salvation of all men, as we mentioned earlier.
The more we pray for the unsaved, the more we will see people coming to Christ. 1 Timothy 2:5-6
Why is it important that people be saved?
There is one God.
There is only one go between God and man.
Sin separates us from God.
Sin condemns us to the judgment of hell.
Sin made us the enemies of God.
Someone had to intervene.
Someone had to mediate between us and God.
In order to mediate with God, Gods own Son became a sinless man and died in our place.
Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for all.
When a ransom is paid it is so someone can be set free.
Jesus paid the ransom for your sins so that you can be set free.
Jesus paid the ransom for the sins of the world so that the world can be set free.
The price has been paid for the sins of all. All a person must do is trust Christ as Savior.
Romans 10:9-10
Who is that you know that needs to be saved? Are you praying for them?
So, we are to pray so well quiet and peaceable lives, in all godliness and honesty.
We are to pray because God wants men to be saved.
THE PREREQUISITES TO PUBLIC PRAYER
1 Timothy 2:8 - I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
In verse 8 Paul is talking to men. He tells the women to do likewise in the following verses.
Prayer is for everyone. But there are some perquisites.
First of all, holy hands must be lifted.
There are various positions for prayer mentioned in prayer.
One such position is to lift our hands to God in prayer.
So, it is not wrong, if you feel so led, to lift your hands to God.
Holy hands belong to people that are saved.
Holy hands belong to people that have confessed all known sin to God. Psalm 66:18, 1 John 1:9
Holy hands belong to people that hold no grudges. There is no wrath.
Holy hands belong to people who are not argumentative. That appears to be the meaning of the word doubting.
If you come to church having issues with your brothers and sisters, dont be surprised when your prayers and the prayers of others are not answered. And Ive been here long enough to know that some appear to still have grudges and dissensions with each other.
THE POWER OF PUBLIC PRAYER
God answers the public prayers of His saints. Acts 4:31, Acts 12
***************************************************************************
HAVE 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.
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!
http://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.
JACKS 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 - http://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.