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SERMON SEEDS G38 FOR DECEMBER 1, 2003

#1 · December 2, 2003, 5:10 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on December 2, 2003, 5:10 pm
Posted by: jpeters <jpeters@...>

WELCOME TO SERMON SEEDS FOR DECEMBER 1, 2003

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OUTLINES FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON MAY BE FOUND AT http://www.sermonseeds.org/CHRISTMAS.htm

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1 Samuel 22

PRAYER OF A GRATEFUL KING

DAVIDS RESOURCE Vss. 1-3 God

DAVIDS REQUEST Vss. 4-7 For help in times of trouble

GODS RESPONSE Vss. 8-20 With Almighty power

GODS REWARD Vss. 21-28 According to Davids righteousness

DAVIDS RELIANCE Vss. 29-33 On God

DAVIDS RESULTS Vss. 34-46 Victory

DAVIDS REJOICING Vss. 47-51 In Gods help

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1 Chronicles 17 etc.

FORGOTTEN FACE OF A MAN WHO CARED

Forgotten Faces - #8 0f 10

The Bible tells us Christians that we should be people who care. Philippians 2:4, Colossians 3:23,

1 John 3:17

If anybody should know how to care about the things of others, it is the Man of God. Peter tells the elders of the church in 1 Peter 5:2-3, Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; [3] Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

We reach back into the Old Testament to look at the forgotten face of a man who cared. His name was Nathan the Prophet. Nathan was a man of God who served in the times of David the King. We know little about Him personally, but it is obvious that Nathan was a man who cared. Well see that:

HE CARED ENOUGH TO CORRECT 1Chronicles 17

Have you ever spoken in hast, and then discovered that what you said was the wrong thing?

This is what happened to Nathan.

Vs. 1 - One day, he and King David were visiting.

David had been thinking, The House of the Lord has always been a tent. Its high time to build a temple for the Lord.

Davids intentions were good.

Vs. 2 The plan sounded good to Nathan. So Nathan gave him the go ahead.

The problem was, however that the way we think is certainly not the way God thinks. Many times God has another plan. Isaiah 55:8

Vss. 3-4 - So that Night, Nathan received a visit from the Lord. Nathan was told to go back to David and tell him not to build a house. Nathan had to reverse what he had said.

He was called on to correct himself.

If he was to be obedient, he would have to admit that he was wrong.

He had to speak what God told him to speak. He had to tell the truth.

Vss. 5-15 So Nathan was given this message to take to David. Davids son would build a house. Solomon did. One Davids greater Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, will have a permanent kingdom. Nathan delivered the message as he had been told.



One of the great characteristics of a man or woman of God is the ability to admit when they are wrong and to fix it.

Sometimes it means going back to someone and saying, What I told you was wrong.

Sometimes it means going to God, confessing and forsaking sin. Thats called repentance.

Sometimes it means taking a public stand.



Care enough to correct yourself when you know that something needs to be changed.

HE CARED ENOUGH TO CONFRONT

Read and Comment on 2 Samuel 11:1-17, 26-27

Read and Comment on 2 Samuel 12:1-14

Nathan was risking his own life. In Davids state, he could have punished or killed Nathan.

But what was important to God was important to Nathan.

Because righteousness was important to God, it was important to Nathan. Nathan cared enough about God and about David to do the confronting.

We should do the same. We need to realize that the best thing we can do for a fellow Christian sometimes is to confront them with their wrong. Galatians 6:1, Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5:9-11

HE CARED ENOUGH TO COMFORT

Davids repentance was complete. Psalm 51 was written, and it is probably the best confession of sin ever written. The baby that was born did die as God, through Nathan, had promised.

2 Samuel 12:24-25 - God is righteous, but He also is merciful.

Although David was disciplined for his sin, God did not withhold blessing.

And so, when Solomon is born, God loves him.

Nathan is called to convey to David that the child was loved of God.

And Nathan even gives the boy a nickname, Jedidiah, which means, Beloved of the Lord.

Nathan could have stayed angry at David, even after God forgave him. Weve seen that happen.

Evidently, Nathan realized that if God forgave, blessed, and comforted David, he should to.

Ephesians 4:32

Part of being a Christian is comforting or encouraging each other. Hebrews 10:24-35, Romans 12:15



HE CARED ENOUGH TO COOPERATE 1 KINGS 1



We now jump ahead several years. David is about 70 and Nathan might have been around the same age.

The time is come for a change in kings.

Solomon had been designated by David and by God as Davids successor.

A brother plots to take over. Read 1 Kings 1:5-10

Vss. 11-14 Nathan realizes that there needs to be cooperation if the right thing is going to happen.

Vss. 15-21 David is informed by Bathsheba and as promised in verses 22-27, Nathan confirms what has been said.

Vss. 32-35 Again Nathan was called on to cooperate with others.

Vss. 38-40

Nathan was not a one man show.

He knew how to cooperate with others to do Gods will.

Cooperation is a key to success in any church.

We are a body that has different members.

As each member cooperates with each other the Lords work will be accomplished.

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Psalm 21

GOD IS IN CONTROL

GODS PROVISION Vss. 1-6

GODS PROTECTION Vss. 7-12

GODS PRAISE Vs. 13

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Matthew 1:1-17

SPECIAL WOMEN

There are some special women in my life. My wife, Dottie, is of course, special and important to me. My mom is also of special importance, as is my daughter, Donna! The Lord has blessed me with two more daughters by way of marriage to my sons. Carletta and Candace have also become special to me. And now we have two granddaughters, Nicole and Elyssa. I don't think I have to tell you that my granddaughter are special! J (You may want to introduce your message by mentioning those special women in your life.)

In the genealogy of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 1, there are four special women mentioned. They are, of course, special because of their being included in the lineage of our Lord. But they are also special because they remind us of the types of people our Lord receives.

TAMAR (THAMAR) - THE FORGOTTEN WOMAN - Vs. 3

According to custom, Tamar was to have a husband from among her dead husband's family. Although Judah promised Tamar a husband, he did not keep his promise. She was forgotten on purpose! See the story in Genesis 38.

Many people feel like they have forgotten, especially during the holidays. However, the Lord Jesus died for all, forgetting nobody!

In a special way, He has not forgotten or forsaken those who have trusted Him as Savior. Hebrews 13:5

RUTH - THE FOREIGN WOMAN - Vs. 5

The book of Ruth in the Old Testament tells of this woman who was born a foreigner. First of all, she placed her faith in the Lord God of Israel (Ruth 1:16-18). Later, she married Boaz.

Just as God received this foreign woman into the His Son's genealogy, God receives those who are foreign to church and/or Christianity into his family. One does not need to be brought up in the church in order to be received into God's family. It's a matter of faith (John 1:12-13)!

BATH SHEBA - THE FALLEN WOMAN - Vs. 6

David and Bath Sheba committed adultery! Her husband was allowed to die in battle. This was a subtle form of murder. However there was forgiveness for David and Bath Sheba. Their story is found in 2 Samuel 11-12.

As Christians, we often fall into sin. Although God is not pleased, there is always forgiveness available (1 John 1:8 - 2:2)

MARY - THE FAITHFUL WOMAN - Vs. 16

Mary was a sinner just like the rest of us!

However, she was a woman of great faith and sterling character (Luke 1:26-38).

We Christians need to remember that faithfulness is a quality that is pleasing to God (2 Corinthians 4:2).

Sermon Seeds B38

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Matthew 1:18-25

INTERVENTION!

MARYS DILEMMA Vss. 18-19

She was pregnant because of the work of the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:26-38

Joseph was ready to quietly divorce her. Mary was innocent of any wrong doing, but could not prove it.

GODS DEFENSE Vss. 20-23

Gods angel intervened to explain Marys pregnancy to Joseph.

JOSEPHS DEPENDABILITY Vss. 24-25

Joseph did as he was told by God.

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

Hebrews 2:1-4

ANCHORED?

Hebrews #3

A NOTE TO PASTORS I do appreciate the fact that many pastors use the Sermon Seeds Outlines. If you feel led to follow along with me and do a series in Hebrews at your church, I suggest that you give me a few weeks lead time. There will be weeks when the sermon will not be on Hebrews because of the holidays and other events happening here at Mount Union. If you wait, say until after Christmas, you will then have a few outlines ahead, so if I dont send one you wont be caught without an outline for that week.

We who are Christians, or who think we are Christians have a problem. We figure that we know Christ as our Savior. We have the truth of Christianity and all that it provides. We consider ourselves to be anchored. But we dont practice our Christianity the way we should. We dont work at our relationship with Christ. We start to drift away, and we often dont realize it, until adverse winds and tides move us right towards some personal disaster. We then become alert and find that we have drifted far away from the Lord! We dont have the closeness to Him that we once had.

As we continue our study of the Book of Hebrews this morning, we find the first of five warnings that the author of Hebrews gives us. The author of Hebrews suddenly stops teaching for a moment in order to apply to our lives what he has just said. It is as if he is saying in Hebrews 2:1-4, You say that you are anchored in your salvation. You had better make sure that you actually are. In these verses I find:

A CHALLENGE

Hebrews 2:1 - Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

You probably know by now that when you see the word therefore you need to see What its there for!

In chapter 1 we are told that God has spoken to us through His Son. (Review what Christ is according to chapter 1.) Because all these things are true of the Son we are challenged Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard,

To give more earnest heed to the things which weve heard is to Pay Attention earnestly or closely.

How pleased do you think God is with His children when they dont pay close attention to the one who is Almighty?

·        He tells us not to fear but do we pay attention?

·        He tells us to witness but do we pay attention?

·        He tells us to be baptized but do we pay attention?

·        He tells us to attend church regularly but do we pay attention?

·        He tells us to read and memorize Scripture but do we pay attention?

·        He tells us to anxiously wait for the coming of His Son, but do we pay attention?

·        He tells us to live Godly lives, but do we pay attention?

·        He tells us that we must make a personal, heart commitment to Christ if we want to be saved, but do we pay attention?

What happens if we dont pay close attention?

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

To let them slip carries the idea of drifting away. It is like thinking that you are anchored, when in reality, you are not. It is being adrift away from God.

So whats the point?

We must not simply believe that the Bible is Gods Word. We must pay close attention to obey it.

We must not simply believe that the preacher is preaching Gods Word. We must pay close attention to obey it.

We must not simply believe in Jesus in our heads, we must have a heart to heart relationship with Him by abiding in Him!

The challenge is to pay attention lest we let the things which we have heard slip.

A CAUTION

Hebrews 2:2 - For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

In some way the angels were involved with the giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai. They were involved with the giving of the Ten Commandments and other laws. Galatians 3:19, Acts 7:53

Now, according to Hebrews 2:2 this word communicated through angels was steadfast.

The word was final! It stood as the law!

And as the Law every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward.

If a person stole, he was to be punished.

If a person murdered, he was to be punished.

If a person blasphemed against God, he was to be punished.

And often, as in the case of blasphemy and murder, it was punishable by death!

Now if the words communicated by angels from God were so important that stiff judgment was meted out to violators, the author of Hebrews goes on to say in verse 3, How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;



I see the big word here as neglect.

We are surprised when we see someone neglect the care of their home.

We are saddened when a student neglects to apply himself to his schoolwork.

We are distraught when a husband neglects his wife, or a wife her husband.

We are appalled when parents neglect their children, or when children neglect their parents.

It is even worse however when a person has heard the Gospel of salvation time after time, and even believes it to be true, but has never personally committed himself or herself to Christ as Savior. That is neglect with a capital N.

The author of Hebrews asks, How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation.

Why is salvation great?

·        Salvation is great because of Gods great love. John 3:16

·        Salvation is great because of the price Jesus paid to secure forgiveness. 2 Corinthians 5:21

·        Salvation is great because of Jesus resurrection from the dead which assures our resurrection from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:20

·        Salvation is great because of the change it brings to the lives of true believers.

2 Corinthians 5:17

There are many other ways salvation is great, but these are some of them. And we will not escape if we neglect them.

If you have heard the Gospel, but have never made a heart commitment to Christ by faith, you will not escape. John 3:18, Revelation 20:15

If you have been born again and have drifted away from Christ, not doing what you should, you will not escape. 2 Corinthians 5:10-11a

Every Christian must stand before His Lord and give account. As the Lord reviews our lives and points out the neglect that we never repented of, I dont believe that well weep. I believe that well ball or wail. We will not be condemned to Hell, but we will suffer embarrassment and the loss of rewards.

Thankfully, the Lord will have something good to say about every Christian. 1 Corinthians 4:5

But there is such a high price to pay, Christian, for neglect.

We need to heed the caution found here.

Hebrews 2:2-3 - For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; [3] How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;



A COMMUNICATION



Hebrews 2:3 - How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord,

Who communicated the Gospel to man?

·        The very Son of God left the splendors of Heaven to communicate to us.

·        The very Son of God walked this earth teaching the way of salvation.

·        The very Son of God walked this earth and taught us how to live.

He is the one we call Lord.

He is the one we call Master.

He is the one who deserves to be called these things. John 13:13

And Jesus miracles actually proved that what He was saying was true. The miracles proved Him to be the Son of God!

Oh my friend, if the very Son of God has communicated to us, should we not listen, and strive to obey with all our hearts?

A CONFIRMATION

Hebrews 2:3 - How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

Not only did Jesus come and speak, but there were those who heard Him, who confirmed that He had spoken them.

We know these people to be the Apostles.

On the Day of Pentecost, Peter and the other Apostles boldly confirmed the message of Salvation. Then they eventually took the Gospel to the world.

They also wrote what they were confirming down so that we have the Gospels, Epistles, and Book of Revelation.

And God got involved in the confirmation process.

Hebrews 2:4 - God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

It was important that the world knew that what the Apostles were saying was true. Therefore He confirmed that their message confirming Jesus message was true. He confirmed their message by allowing them to do signs, wonders, divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His will.

These miracles are no longer needed because we now have a completed Scripture. But until the Scripture was complete, God often confirmed the authenticity of the Apostles words with miracles.

So, how anchored are you?

Have you been paying attention to the things youve heard, or are they slipping and you are drifting?

Are you pretending to be something youre not?

Have you been neglectful?

Matthew 23:28 - Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Is it time to come back and make things right with the Lord and to start paying attention?

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Jude 20-23

END-TIMES BEHAVIOR

BUILDING ON FAITH Vs. 20a

PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT Vs. 20b

KEEPING IN GOD'S LOVE Vs. 21a

LOOKING FOR JESUS' COMING Vs. 21b

RESCUING OTHERS Vss. 22-23

Sermon Seeds A15

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Posted by: jpeters <jpeters@...>

WELCOME TO SERMON SEEDS FOR DECEMBER 1, 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

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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

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

OUTLINES FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON MAY BE FOUND AT http://www.sermonseeds.org/CHRISTMAS.htm

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

1 Samuel 22

PRAYER OF A GRATEFUL KING

DAVIDS RESOURCE Vss. 1-3 God

DAVIDS REQUEST Vss. 4-7 For help in times of trouble

GODS RESPONSE Vss. 8-20 With Almighty power

GODS REWARD Vss. 21-28 According to Davids righteousness

DAVIDS RELIANCE Vss. 29-33 On God

DAVIDS RESULTS Vss. 34-46 Victory

DAVIDS REJOICING Vss. 47-51 In Gods help

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

1 Chronicles 17 etc.

FORGOTTEN FACE OF A MAN WHO CARED

Forgotten Faces - #8 0f 10

The Bible tells us Christians that we should be people who care. Philippians 2:4, Colossians 3:23,

1 John 3:17

If anybody should know how to care about the things of others, it is the Man of God. Peter tells the elders of the church in 1 Peter 5:2-3, Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; [3] Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

We reach back into the Old Testament to look at the forgotten face of a man who cared. His name was Nathan the Prophet. Nathan was a man of God who served in the times of David the King. We know little about Him personally, but it is obvious that Nathan was a man who cared. Well see that:

HE CARED ENOUGH TO CORRECT 1Chronicles 17

Have you ever spoken in hast, and then discovered that what you said was the wrong thing?

This is what happened to Nathan.

Vs. 1 - One day, he and King David were visiting.

David had been thinking, The House of the Lord has always been a tent. Its high time to build a temple for the Lord.

Davids intentions were good.

Vs. 2 The plan sounded good to Nathan. So Nathan gave him the go ahead.

The problem was, however that the way we think is certainly not the way God thinks. Many times God has another plan. Isaiah 55:8

Vss. 3-4 - So that Night, Nathan received a visit from the Lord. Nathan was told to go back to David and tell him not to build a house. Nathan had to reverse what he had said.

He was called on to correct himself.

If he was to be obedient, he would have to admit that he was wrong.

He had to speak what God told him to speak. He had to tell the truth.

Vss. 5-15 So Nathan was given this message to take to David. Davids son would build a house. Solomon did. One Davids greater Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, will have a permanent kingdom. Nathan delivered the message as he had been told.

One of the great characteristics of a man or woman of God is the ability to admit when they are wrong and to fix it.

Sometimes it means going back to someone and saying, What I told you was wrong.

Sometimes it means going to God, confessing and forsaking sin. Thats called repentance.

Sometimes it means taking a public stand.

Care enough to correct yourself when you know that something needs to be changed.

HE CARED ENOUGH TO CONFRONT

Read and Comment on 2 Samuel 11:1-17, 26-27

Read and Comment on 2 Samuel 12:1-14

Nathan was risking his own life. In Davids state, he could have punished or killed Nathan.

But what was important to God was important to Nathan.

Because righteousness was important to God, it was important to Nathan. Nathan cared enough about God and about David to do the confronting.

We should do the same. We need to realize that the best thing we can do for a fellow Christian sometimes is to confront them with their wrong. Galatians 6:1, Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5:9-11

HE CARED ENOUGH TO COMFORT

Davids repentance was complete. Psalm 51 was written, and it is probably the best confession of sin ever written. The baby that was born did die as God, through Nathan, had promised.

2 Samuel 12:24-25 - God is righteous, but He also is merciful.

Although David was disciplined for his sin, God did not withhold blessing.

And so, when Solomon is born, God loves him.

Nathan is called to convey to David that the child was loved of God.

And Nathan even gives the boy a nickname, Jedidiah, which means, Beloved of the Lord.

Nathan could have stayed angry at David, even after God forgave him. Weve seen that happen.

Evidently, Nathan realized that if God forgave, blessed, and comforted David, he should to.

Ephesians 4:32

Part of being a Christian is comforting or encouraging each other. Hebrews 10:24-35, Romans 12:15

HE CARED ENOUGH TO COOPERATE 1 KINGS 1

We now jump ahead several years. David is about 70 and Nathan might have been around the same age.

The time is come for a change in kings.

Solomon had been designated by David and by God as Davids successor.

A brother plots to take over. Read 1 Kings 1:5-10

Vss. 11-14 Nathan realizes that there needs to be cooperation if the right thing is going to happen.

Vss. 15-21 David is informed by Bathsheba and as promised in verses 22-27, Nathan confirms what has been said.

Vss. 32-35 Again Nathan was called on to cooperate with others.

Vss. 38-40

Nathan was not a one man show.

He knew how to cooperate with others to do Gods will.

Cooperation is a key to success in any church.

We are a body that has different members.

As each member cooperates with each other the Lords work will be accomplished.

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

Psalm 21

GOD IS IN CONTROL

GODS PROVISION Vss. 1-6

GODS PROTECTION Vss. 7-12

GODS PRAISE Vs. 13

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

Matthew 1:1-17

SPECIAL WOMEN

There are some special women in my life. My wife, Dottie, is of course, special and important to me. My mom is also of special importance, as is my daughter, Donna! The Lord has blessed me with two more daughters by way of marriage to my sons. Carletta and Candace have also become special to me. And now we have two granddaughters, Nicole and Elyssa. I don't think I have to tell you that my granddaughter are special! J (You may want to introduce your message by mentioning those special women in your life.)

In the genealogy of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 1, there are four special women mentioned. They are, of course, special because of their being included in the lineage of our Lord. But they are also special because they remind us of the types of people our Lord receives.

TAMAR (THAMAR) - THE FORGOTTEN WOMAN - Vs. 3

According to custom, Tamar was to have a husband from among her dead husband's family. Although Judah promised Tamar a husband, he did not keep his promise. She was forgotten on purpose! See the story in Genesis 38.

Many people feel like they have forgotten, especially during the holidays. However, the Lord Jesus died for all, forgetting nobody!

In a special way, He has not forgotten or forsaken those who have trusted Him as Savior. Hebrews 13:5

RUTH - THE FOREIGN WOMAN - Vs. 5

The book of Ruth in the Old Testament tells of this woman who was born a foreigner. First of all, she placed her faith in the Lord God of Israel (Ruth 1:16-18). Later, she married Boaz.

Just as God received this foreign woman into the His Son's genealogy, God receives those who are foreign to church and/or Christianity into his family. One does not need to be brought up in the church in order to be received into God's family. It's a matter of faith (John 1:12-13)!

BATH SHEBA - THE FALLEN WOMAN - Vs. 6

David and Bath Sheba committed adultery! Her husband was allowed to die in battle. This was a subtle form of murder. However there was forgiveness for David and Bath Sheba. Their story is found in 2 Samuel 11-12.

As Christians, we often fall into sin. Although God is not pleased, there is always forgiveness available (1 John 1:8 - 2:2)

MARY - THE FAITHFUL WOMAN - Vs. 16

Mary was a sinner just like the rest of us!

However, she was a woman of great faith and sterling character (Luke 1:26-38).

We Christians need to remember that faithfulness is a quality that is pleasing to God (2 Corinthians 4:2).

Sermon Seeds B38

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

Matthew 1:18-25

INTERVENTION!

MARYS DILEMMA Vss. 18-19

She was pregnant because of the work of the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:26-38

Joseph was ready to quietly divorce her. Mary was innocent of any wrong doing, but could not prove it.

GODS DEFENSE Vss. 20-23

Gods angel intervened to explain Marys pregnancy to Joseph.

JOSEPHS DEPENDABILITY Vss. 24-25

Joseph did as he was told by God.

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

Hebrews 2:1-4

ANCHORED?

Hebrews #3

A NOTE TO PASTORS I do appreciate the fact that many pastors use the Sermon Seeds Outlines. If you feel led to follow along with me and do a series in Hebrews at your church, I suggest that you give me a few weeks lead time. There will be weeks when the sermon will not be on Hebrews because of the holidays and other events happening here at Mount Union. If you wait, say until after Christmas, you will then have a few outlines ahead, so if I dont send one you wont be caught without an outline for that week.

We who are Christians, or who think we are Christians have a problem. We figure that we know Christ as our Savior. We have the truth of Christianity and all that it provides. We consider ourselves to be anchored. But we dont practice our Christianity the way we should. We dont work at our relationship with Christ. We start to drift away, and we often dont realize it, until adverse winds and tides move us right towards some personal disaster. We then become alert and find that we have drifted far away from the Lord! We dont have the closeness to Him that we once had.

As we continue our study of the Book of Hebrews this morning, we find the first of five warnings that the author of Hebrews gives us. The author of Hebrews suddenly stops teaching for a moment in order to apply to our lives what he has just said. It is as if he is saying in Hebrews 2:1-4, You say that you are anchored in your salvation. You had better make sure that you actually are. In these verses I find:

A CHALLENGE

Hebrews 2:1 - Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

You probably know by now that when you see the word therefore you need to see What its there for!

In chapter 1 we are told that God has spoken to us through His Son. (Review what Christ is according to chapter 1.) Because all these things are true of the Son we are challenged Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard,

To give more earnest heed to the things which weve heard is to Pay Attention earnestly or closely.

How pleased do you think God is with His children when they dont pay close attention to the one who is Almighty?

· He tells us not to fear but do we pay attention?

· He tells us to witness but do we pay attention?

· He tells us to be baptized but do we pay attention?

· He tells us to attend church regularly but do we pay attention?

· He tells us to read and memorize Scripture but do we pay attention?

· He tells us to anxiously wait for the coming of His Son, but do we pay attention?

· He tells us to live Godly lives, but do we pay attention?

· He tells us that we must make a personal, heart commitment to Christ if we want to be saved, but do we pay attention?

What happens if we dont pay close attention?

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

To let them slip carries the idea of drifting away. It is like thinking that you are anchored, when in reality, you are not. It is being adrift away from God.

So whats the point?

We must not simply believe that the Bible is Gods Word. We must pay close attention to obey it.

We must not simply believe that the preacher is preaching Gods Word. We must pay close attention to obey it.

We must not simply believe in Jesus in our heads, we must have a heart to heart relationship with Him by abiding in Him!

The challenge is to pay attention lest we let the things which we have heard slip.

A CAUTION

Hebrews 2:2 - For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

In some way the angels were involved with the giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai. They were involved with the giving of the Ten Commandments and other laws. Galatians 3:19, Acts 7:53

Now, according to Hebrews 2:2 this word communicated through angels was steadfast.

The word was final! It stood as the law!

And as the Law every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward.

If a person stole, he was to be punished.

If a person murdered, he was to be punished.

If a person blasphemed against God, he was to be punished.

And often, as in the case of blasphemy and murder, it was punishable by death!

Now if the words communicated by angels from God were so important that stiff judgment was meted out to violators, the author of Hebrews goes on to say in verse 3, How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;

I see the big word here as neglect.

We are surprised when we see someone neglect the care of their home.

We are saddened when a student neglects to apply himself to his schoolwork.

We are distraught when a husband neglects his wife, or a wife her husband.

We are appalled when parents neglect their children, or when children neglect their parents.

It is even worse however when a person has heard the Gospel of salvation time after time, and even believes it to be true, but has never personally committed himself or herself to Christ as Savior. That is neglect with a capital N.

The author of Hebrews asks, How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation.

Why is salvation great?

· Salvation is great because of Gods great love. John 3:16

· Salvation is great because of the price Jesus paid to secure forgiveness. 2 Corinthians 5:21

· Salvation is great because of Jesus resurrection from the dead which assures our resurrection from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:20

· Salvation is great because of the change it brings to the lives of true believers.

2 Corinthians 5:17

There are many other ways salvation is great, but these are some of them. And we will not escape if we neglect them.

If you have heard the Gospel, but have never made a heart commitment to Christ by faith, you will not escape. John 3:18, Revelation 20:15

If you have been born again and have drifted away from Christ, not doing what you should, you will not escape. 2 Corinthians 5:10-11a

Every Christian must stand before His Lord and give account. As the Lord reviews our lives and points out the neglect that we never repented of, I dont believe that well weep. I believe that well ball or wail. We will not be condemned to Hell, but we will suffer embarrassment and the loss of rewards.

Thankfully, the Lord will have something good to say about every Christian. 1 Corinthians 4:5

But there is such a high price to pay, Christian, for neglect.

We need to heed the caution found here.

Hebrews 2:2-3 - For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; [3] How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;

A COMMUNICATION

Hebrews 2:3 - How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord,

Who communicated the Gospel to man?

· The very Son of God left the splendors of Heaven to communicate to us.

· The very Son of God walked this earth teaching the way of salvation.

· The very Son of God walked this earth and taught us how to live.

He is the one we call Lord.

He is the one we call Master.

He is the one who deserves to be called these things. John 13:13

And Jesus miracles actually proved that what He was saying was true. The miracles proved Him to be the Son of God!

Oh my friend, if the very Son of God has communicated to us, should we not listen, and strive to obey with all our hearts?

A CONFIRMATION

Hebrews 2:3 - How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

Not only did Jesus come and speak, but there were those who heard Him, who confirmed that He had spoken them.

We know these people to be the Apostles.

On the Day of Pentecost, Peter and the other Apostles boldly confirmed the message of Salvation. Then they eventually took the Gospel to the world.

They also wrote what they were confirming down so that we have the Gospels, Epistles, and Book of Revelation.

And God got involved in the confirmation process.

Hebrews 2:4 - God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

It was important that the world knew that what the Apostles were saying was true. Therefore He confirmed that their message confirming Jesus message was true. He confirmed their message by allowing them to do signs, wonders, divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His will.

These miracles are no longer needed because we now have a completed Scripture. But until the Scripture was complete, God often confirmed the authenticity of the Apostles words with miracles.

So, how anchored are you?

Have you been paying attention to the things youve heard, or are they slipping and you are drifting?

Are you pretending to be something youre not?

Have you been neglectful?

Matthew 23:28 - Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Is it time to come back and make things right with the Lord and to start paying attention?

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Jude 20-23

END-TIMES BEHAVIOR

BUILDING ON FAITH Vs. 20a

PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT Vs. 20b

KEEPING IN GOD'S LOVE Vs. 21a

LOOKING FOR JESUS' COMING Vs. 21b

RESCUING OTHERS Vss. 22-23

Sermon Seeds A15

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