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SERMON SEEDS I27 FOR 10/3/05

#1 · October 3, 2005, 6:22 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on October 3, 2005, 6:22 pm
Posted by: jpeters <jpeters@...>
SERMON SEEDS FOR OCTOBER 3, 2005

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Numbers 28 - 29

TIME WITH GOD

The list of offerings found in these chapters is a reminder that we are to spend time with God at various times and in various ways.

TIME WITH GOD ON A DAILY BASIS 28:1-8

TIME WITH GOD ON A WEEKLY BASIS 28:9-10

TIME WITH GOD AT SPECIAL TIMES 28:11-15

TIME WITH GOD IN APPRECIATION (PASSOVER) 28:16

TIME WITH GOD IN SEPARATION (UNLEAVENED BREAD) 28:17-25

TIME WITH GOD IN THANKSGIVING (PENTECOST) 28:26-31

TIME WITH GOD IN ANTICIPATION (TRUMPETS) 29:1-6

I think of the coming of our Lord Jesus in the Rapture. The trumpet will sound! 1 Corinthians 15:52,

1 Thessalonians 4:16

TIME WITH GOD IN CONFESSION (DAY OF ATONEMENT) 29:7-10

TIME WITH GOD IN REFLECTIVE REJOICING (TABERNACLES) 29:11-31

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Psalm 3

SUCH IS LIFE

These things should be a part of the life of the Christian.

THERE ARE PROBLEMS Vss. 1-2

THERE IS PROTECTION Vss. 3, 5

THERE IS PRAYER Vss. 4, 7

THERE IS PEACE Vs. 6

THERE IS PROVIDENCE Vs. 8

God, in His providence provides salvation and blessing.

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Jeremiah 29:1-14

ENCOURAGING WORDS

Jerusalem was conquered.

Many were taken into captivity into Babylon. Vss. 1-3

Jeremiah wrote an encouraging letter, which can encourage us today as we face difficulties.

GOD'S PLAN - Vss. 4-7 - BE A BLESSING WHERE YOU ARE!

The difficulty had come from God.

They were to settle in and seek the peace of the city where they were now dwelling. During our difficulties, we should seek the good of those around us, remembering that only what God allows will occur in our lives.

GOD'S PROMISE - Vss. 10, 12-14 - THERE'S A BETTER DAY COMING.

There was a better day coming from Israel, and there's a better day coming for us too. One day we'll be in the presence of the Lord Jesus.

See 1 John 3:1-3.

GOD'S PURPOSE - Vs. 11 - THE GOOD OF HIS CHILDREN

Sermon Seeds B27



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Luke 5:12-32 - PAGE 1

JESUS IS WILLING - PM 10/15/00

Life of Christ #16

Christians should be known for their willingness to help, encourage, witness, forgive, and a host of other things. That's because our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ was a very willing person.

In fact, we want to observe the willingness of our Lord Jesus in Luke 5:12-32 as we continue our chronological study in the Life of Christ. Lets look at four things that the Lord was willing to do back when He walked the earth. The great news is that He is willing to do the same things today.

JESUS IS WILLING TO CHANGE A MAN'S CONDITION - Vss. 12-16

Vs. 12 - Here was a leper. A man who had a terrible disease, perhaps similar to our modern day Hansen's disease. It was a disease that evidently ate away at skin or made nerve endings dead so that there was no feeling. Imagine how easy it would be to burn, cut or break something without even realizing it. No wonder many people with leprosy became disfigured!

God had said that such people were to maintain their distance from other people. Leviticus 13:45-46

This leper probably violated the law of the day by getting close to the Lord Jesus. But this poor man, desperately in need of change, realized something very important. He realized that if anyone was going to change him and make him well it was Jesus! Notice that the man had no doubts that Jesus could heal him. He realized that Jesus needed to be willing to do so! Here was a man of faith!

Vs. 13 - Here is the great news! Jesus was willing and even touched the man, something most people would not do. And immediately the man was healed! A great change took place!

The great news is that Jesus is still willing to change a man's condition. In fact that's why He came to earth in the first place.

We were dead in trespasses and sins but Jesus came so that we would have life! John 10:10-11

Any time a person comes to Christ a great change takes place! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Here's another thought. The day you were saved was not the last day that Jesus worked in your life, nor will it be, if you let him! Jesus is still willing to make changes in your life!

Whatever attitude that needs to be changed, the Lord is willing to change it.

Whatever habit that needs to be changed, the Lord Jesus is willing to change it.

Bring whatever needs to be changed to the Lord Jesus and He will change it. 1 John 5:14-15

1 John 5:14-15 - And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: [15] And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

JESUS IS WILLING TO CLEANSE A MAN'S SIN - Vss. 17-26

Vs. 17 - Jesus was preaching in a house and God's power was obviously present for healing. You might say, "There was electricity in the air."

Evidently there was also a "board of review" present a contingent of scribes and Pharisees who were there to monitor Jesus and find out what He was doing.

Vss. 18-19 - There was a paralytic who desperately needed the healing touch of the Lord Jesus. He had four friends, perhaps even family members, who carted the man to Jesus on his bed. They got to where Jesus was and couldn't get into the house.

Instead of panicking, they simply took the man up on the flat roof of the house and then tore up part of the roof. First they would have dug up about a foot of earth, which might have even had grass growing in it. Then they took out padding of reeds, thistles and twigs. Next they took out sticks laid crosswise on beams that were two to three feet apart from each other. I imagine that he was sent down on ropes through those beams.

Vs. 20 - Of course, I don't know for sure, but I have a feeling that Jesus smiled when he saw this! The homeowner probably saw a mess. The Scribes and Pharisees probably saw some insolent people interrupting the proceedings. Jesus saw faith! He responded to that faith by making a most important statement. He told the man His sins were forgiven!

We don't know the man's heart, but it is obvious that Jesus did!

This reminds me of just how willing Jesus is to forgive!

Jesus is willing to forgive so a person can go to Heaven.

Jesus is willing to forgive us Christians in order to restore a right relationship between God and us.

1 John 1:8-10

Vs. 21 - The Pharisees were thinking right away that Jesus was guilty of blasphemy. Only God could forgive sin. This is true. But they did not make the connection that Jesus is God!

Vss. 22-23 - Jesus asks "What's easier to say? 'Your sins are forgiven', or 'Get up and walk.'" It's easier to say sins are forgiven, because people could not tell if the person was telling the truth.

Vs. 24 - But if Jesus could say to the man "Rise up and walk" after telling the man his sins were forgiven, this would be proof that Jesus had the needed authority to forgive sins.

Vss. 25-26 - Jesus healing this man was proof that He had the authority needed to forgive!

I want to leave you with two thoughts on this section.

1.     Because Jesus has the authority to forgive, let Him forgive you! It's as easy as 1John 1:9.

2.     Because Jesus has the authority to forgive, share the availability of forgiveness with others. If they are unsaved, share the plan of salvation. If they are saved, share 1 John 1:9.

JESUS IS WILLING TO CALL A MAN TO SERVICE - Vss. 27-28

Vs. 27 - Here was a man who was not liked. He was a tax collector.

Tax collectors were considered the worse of sinners and traitors to their country.

The tax collection system made it very possible for men to be crooked and to cheat those that were being taxed.

Levi or Matthew was "in the office" so to speak, when Jesus came by. I think it likely that Matthew had had contact with Jesus before, perhaps socially, but more likely that Matthew had attended some of Jesus' teaching. Perhaps Matthew had already made a decision for Christ.

Now Jesus comes by and very simply says, "Follow me."

This was a call to discipleship. It meant that Matthew would have to give up a very lucrative position.

But it also meant that Matthew would have witnessed many of the great miracles that Jesus did. It meant that he would be a witness of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. It would mean that Matthew would help take the Gospel to the world!

Vs. 28 - Matthew left it all, got up and followed Jesus!

            Matthew simply had to say "Yes."

We need to remember that not all are called to be pastors or missionaries. Some are called to be Christian housewives. Some are called to be witnesses on a secular job. Some are called to be Sunday School teachers and church leaders.

Some are called to ministries of good works. Some are called to sing. All are called to use their Spiritual gifts for the honor and glory of God. 1 Peter 4:10-11

JESUS IS WILLING TO COMMUNICATE WITH MEN IN NEED - Vss. 29-32

Vs. 29 - Matthew had a big dinner, I assume, in Jesus' honor.

             Who did Matthew invite? He invited his friends.

             His friends were publicans and other sinners."

Why did Matthew have this dinner? I think at least one reason was to introduce his friends to Jesus.

Matthew was probably so pleased with the change that Jesus made in his life, that he wanted others to know Jesus too.

Usually people are most enthused about evangelism right after they are saved. Unfortunately, as time goes by we get more settled in with our Christian friends, that we lose, neglect, or forget our non-Christian friends.

Yes, our Christian friends should be our nearest and dearest friends. But Jesus never told us to stick our heads in the sand like an Ostrich and ignore the rest of the world!

It's very easy to avoid the unsaved. But every one of us needs to be developing and maintaining friendships with unsaved people we can strive to bring people to Christ as Savior.

Vs. 30 - The Pharisees were critical. They were separatists who could not understand why Jesus would spend time with sinners. Of course, these people were so self-righteous that they didn't admit to their own sin or need for the Savior.

Vs. 31 - Jesus gave the answer. Well people do not need a

            doctor. Sick people need a doctor.

Sinners are Spiritually sick and they need a doctor.

They need someone to tell them the good news of salvation.

We Christians need to develop friendships with non-Christians for the express purpose of winning them to the Lord Jesus.

A doctor risks exposure to sickness when he comes in contact with sick people, but he goes anyway.

You and I risk exposure to bad language and ideas and habits when we spend time with the unsaved. But we should not do what they do. In some cases Christians can't have relationships with certain unsaved because the unsaved drag them down.

Vs. 32 - Jesus didn't come to call the righteous to repentance.

             He called the sick people to repentance.

Let's develop Christian friendships for Christ's sake!

JESUS IS WILLING TO CHANGE A MAN'S CONDITION - Vss. 12-16

JESUS IS WILLING TO CLEANSE A MAN'S SIN - Vss. 17-26

JESUS IS WILLING TO CALL A MAN TO SERVICE - Vss. 27-28

JESUS IS WILLING TO COMMUNICATE WITH MEN IN NEED - Vss. 29-32

This is also an much expanded version of a previously shared outline.

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John 11:46-53

WHEN PEOPLE JUST DON'T GET IT!

When we use the expression "I don't get it", we mean that we don't understand.

When we say "He (or she) just doesn't get it", we mean that in spite of clear, overwhelming evidence or explanation the person still doesn't understand or grasp something.

The enemies of Jesus did not believe in Him or trust Him.

They just didn't get it! When people don't just don't get it:

THE EVIDENCE BECOMES A PROBLEM Vss. 46-47

In John 11:32-44, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.

This was an undeniable proof of His deity. Some went to the leaders, and instead of believing because of the miracle, they had a problem with the miracle!

THEIR END IS SELF-PRESERVATION - Vs. 48

Those who were in power wanted to stay in power.

They were afraid of losing position if Jesus was believed upon as Messiah.

EVIL IS PLANNED - Vss. 49-53

Because they refused to believe the evidence, they plotted to harm Jesus.

When an unsaved person "just doesn't get it", it is like likely that he will make the evidence a problem, defend himself, and think and plan evil against those who believe in and share the Gospel.

Sermon Seeds A48

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1 Timothy 3:1-7

GODLY LEADERSHIP

(This is a complete lesson done in a prayer meeting session.)

·        What type of leader do you want to follow?

·        Why do you think most churches lack qualified leaders?

·        Should we try to imitate our leaders? Why? To what extent?

·        Notice that Paul expected to be imitated.

1 Corinthians 11:1 - Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

1 John 2:6 - He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

In 1 Timothy 3:1-7 Paul is instructing those who would be bishops. The word "bishop" means "overseer". When we see this term we often think of the pastor and other Godly leaders in the church. The role of leadership in the church is not for everyone, because everyone does not qualify. Even though we might never fully qualify to be leaders, we should still strive to be as Godly as possible. Making the characteristics of leadership our goal will help us live Godly lives.

A Godly leader is:

CONSISTENT IN BEHAVIOR - Vss. 1-3

·        Vs. 2 - The word blameless means beyond reproach.

·        How can a person still be a sinner (1 John 1:8) and yet beyond reproach?

·        In what ways should leaders and congregation members be beyond reproach?

·        To be the husband of one wife is to be a one woman man. To be the wife of one husband is to be a one man woman. This quality should be reflected in our attitudes and our actions.

·        In its strictest sense, the word vigilant means to be sober. Hence in this situation it would refer to being sober spiritually.

A spiritually sober person is always under control. The spiritually sober person is actually under the control of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18-21.

·        To be sober is to be "serious, earnest, sound. If this is the case, what part do joy, joking, and laughter have among us?

·        The words good behavior mean "orderly" or "well ordered".

·        In what ways should pastors and other leaders show orderly behavior? In what ways should all believers show it?

·        In what ways should all believers be apt to teach?

·        Vs. 3 Do you think church leaders should be total abstainers? Why?

·        What is a striker? What about a striker is not under control?

·        What should be the attitude of Christians towards money?

·        Contrast a patient individual with a brawler.

·        Why is it especially dangerous for a leader to be covetous?

CONSCIENTIOUS AT HOME - Vss. 4-5

·        Who is to be the ruler in the home and why?

·        What does it mean to have children in subjection with gravity?

·        The easiest time to bring children in subjection is when they are young.

·        Why is a man disqualified from leadership in the church when he isnt in charge at home?

CONDITIONED BY EXPERIENCE - Vs. 6

·        Why do Christians need experience before they can lead?

·        Why do churches and Christian organizations tend to make novices leaders?

·        Why was the devil condemned?

COMPLIMENTED BY OUTSIDERS - Vs. 7

·        Why is the testimony of leaders and Christians to unbelievers so important?

·        What reproach is there for Christians who have a poor testimony? How is it a snare?

This is an expansion of a previously shared outline.

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JAMES 1:1- 4 - PAGE 1

FAITH WORKS JOYFULLY, PM 3/24/02

FAITH WORKS #1 STUDIES IN JAMES

Faith works!

·        If you have faith in a chair you sit on it.

·        If you have faith in a car you drive it or ride in it.

·        If you have faith in a computer you use it.

·        If you have faith in your parents at a young age you do what they say.

·        If you have faith in a friend you will ask for help.

·        If you have faith in a friend you will follow advice.

·        If you have faith in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit you will do as they say!

·        If you have faith in God you will follow His leading.

     Faith works!

There is a time to have faith and do nothing. When we trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, our salvation is not based on our works but on our faith. Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:8-9

I could do nothing to save myself. Salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone.

Faith is to be maintained after salvation. Hebrews 11:6



Many people have made a profession in Christ as their Savior. They believed in their head that Christ died for their sins, but they did not believe in their heart. They didnt grasp in their heart that Jesus was their only hope for salvation. For when one truly comes to Christ as Savior change takes place.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

The new creature in Christ is a changed person.

The new creature in Christ is working out his own salvation.

He is proving that He is saved by his faith and his works. Philippians 2:12-13

All this brings to a very practical book of the Bible, the Book of James. The theme of James is Faith Works. The theme is best summed up in James 2:17-18.

James 2:17-18 - Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. [18] Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

The Book of James is loaded with things we should be doing by faith. It is a book of activity, a book of works, but these works are never to be done apart from faith.

By the second verse of his Epistle James is telling us of works we should do by faith. In James 1:2-4 we learn that FAITH WORKS JOYFULLY.

Well talk more about that in a minute, but first, some background on the book of James.

Vs. 1 The New Testament epistles were written on scrolls. It made sense that the name of the person writing would appear at the top of the scroll, so one did not have to unroll the whole thing just to see who was writing. So the first thing we see in the Epistle is the name of the human author, James. There are a few named James in Scripture.

There was James, the brother of the Apostle John, one of the two sons of Zebedee. He was the first Apostle to be martyred. He was executed by Herod.

There was James the Son of Alpheus. He was another of the twelve Apostles. But he was relatively obscure. There is no indication that he wrote the letter.

There was James, the father of Judas. This was not Judas Iscariot, but another one of the twelve.

Then there was James, the Brother of our Lord, the son of Mary and Joseph. When we say he was the Lords brother, of course, we mean half-brother. Jesus, of course, was the son of Mary, but conceived by the Holy Spirit.

During the early ministry of our Lord James was evidently not a believer. But after the resurrection of Christ, we know that he was a believer. 1 Corinthians 15 tells us that one of the appearances of the risen Lord was to James.

Paul called James a pillar in the early church in Jerusalem.

Evidently he was the leader of that early church.

We believe that it was this James, this prominent man in the early church, who had to but use his first name to be recognized.

James goes on in his introduction to describe himself. If you or I were writing we might say, James, brother of our Lord. We might want to rub it in a little. We might want to give ourselves a little credit. We might want to make it so others are more willing to listen because they are impressed with our identity.

But this is not what James did. James calls himself a servant.

To James there was no higher honor than being a servant to the one who purchased for him eternal life. Do you feel this way?

The word servant was the common Greek term for slave, or bondservant, one who is in a permanent servitude to another.

Someone has said that this term servant emphasizes The supreme and absolute authority of the master and the entire submission of the slave.

Next James says that He is the servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. We hear a lot of references to just Jesus today. But when we are addressing Him, we should recognize Him for who he is:

LORD Master

JESUS Saviour

CHRIST Messiah, the anointed one, the King of Kings and

                  Lord of Lords.

Who is James writing to? He is writing to the twelve tribes scattered abroad. Another term is the dispersion. There were Jewish people living all over the Roman Empire who would have been considered part of this dispersion.

But James must have in mind those of the twelve tribes who knew Jesus Christ as Savior. James was writing to the Jewish Christians of His day. James was probably the first epistle to be written.

Obviously these Jewish believers were having troubles, probably being persecuted for their faith. If there is one thing we can count on its that we are going to have troubles as well.

Job 5:7 - Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

Trouble is unavoidable. No matter who you are, what position you have in life, or how wealthy you are, you will still face trouble in many ways, shapes, and forms.



Being a Christian does not excuse us from trouble, but being a Christian means that my way of handling trouble should be different from the way those who dont know the Lord handle trouble.

In James 1:2-4 James tells us how faith works in trials or troubles.

ATTITUDE TOWARD TRIALS Vs. 2

My brethren This is a reminder that James is talking to fellow believers. He is talking to those who had the same faith as he, the same salvation that he had through His faith in Christ.

James then says Count it all joy.

This should be my response to the difficulties I face.

I am to count it, or command it joy.

Note that I will not necessarily see my troubles as something nice, or enjoyable, but I am to coat that trial with a joy which only the Lord can give.

And further, I am to count it all joy.

Most of us take some things better than others.

Perhaps you can take poverty better than others.

Perhaps you can take family problems better than others.

Perhaps you can take illness better than others.

But James is saying to take it all with joy.

Command it all joy!

The next word here is when.

Unfortunately Christian, the word is not if.

There is nothing uncertain about trouble in the Christian life.

You are going to face it.

You are going to fall into troubles. In other words, they will come to you. You wont have to look for them.

King James says that we are going to fall into diverse temptations. In the original language the word temptation has two meanings. The first meaning is trials, the second meaning is to be tempted to sin. Right here the word means trials.

This teaches us another lesson. Our troubles are going to be varied. There will be many different types of trouble to face. You will get variety in your trials.

So James is saying in this verse, Christian Brother when you run into trouble, or trouble runs into you, decide to command it as joy.

OUR ASSESSMENT OF TRIALS Vs. 3

In order to count something joy, we must be able to determine of assess the reason for counting it joy. The fact that God tells us to us to count it joy should be good enough reason to do so, but God tells us why anyway.

James says we should know something. I think James means knowing it in your heart and not just your head.

We are to know that the trying or testing of our faith worketh patience.

The Christian Life is a life of faith.

It is faith which saves us, and it is by faith we should life. Hebrews 10:38



When a trial comes my way, it is an opportunity to trust God through the trial.

It is my privilege to live by faith, especially when I do not know how God is going to solve my problem.

And as my faith is tested, this produces endurance or patience in my life.

As my faith is tested, and I patiently endure in my faith instead of panicking, or complaining or trying to run away, my endurance, my patience, my staying power increases.

The attitude toward trials is to be joy!

When we assess the trials to realize that they are there to produce patience or endurance, then we can be joyful in the trial.

OUR ACTION IN TRIALS Vs. 4

The word Let means to be submissive, to yield, to give our consent.

Dont buck the trials.

Dont gripe and moan and get the poor mes.

But allow God to build your patience through the trials.

Does this mean that we do nothing while being tried?

If there is nothing we can do, we do nothing, but let God have his way.

Often during trials we can gain ground. It might mean fighting the wind, but we can progress.

Have you ever had to go somewhere in a snowstorm?

There are times when you cant just stay put.

You must go forward. Its slower, its tougher, and its riskier. But go forward you must!

We are to move forward in our trials, always allowing God to have his way, and thus letting patience have her perfect work.

As we do we become perfect, but that doesnt mean sinless.

We become perfect, or mature.

We grow up to be mature believers.

We become entire, or complete.

We lack nothing spiritually because we have learned to trust.

Trials are Gods way of bringing you to maturity.

Are you willing to let Him do that in your life?

Trials will make you bitter or better.

Which will it be?

ATTITUDE TOWARDS TRIALS

ASSESSMENT OF TRIALS

ACTION IN TRIALS

WORK JOYFULLY!

This is a much elaborated upon outline that has been previously shared.

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Posted by: jpeters <jpeters@...>

SERMON SEEDS FOR OCTOBER 3, 2005

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Numbers 28 - 29

TIME WITH GOD

The list of offerings found in these chapters is a reminder that we are to spend time with God at various times and in various ways.

TIME WITH GOD ON A DAILY BASIS 28:1-8

TIME WITH GOD ON A WEEKLY BASIS 28:9-10

TIME WITH GOD AT SPECIAL TIMES 28:11-15

TIME WITH GOD IN APPRECIATION (PASSOVER) 28:16

TIME WITH GOD IN SEPARATION (UNLEAVENED BREAD) 28:17-25

TIME WITH GOD IN THANKSGIVING (PENTECOST) 28:26-31

TIME WITH GOD IN ANTICIPATION (TRUMPETS) 29:1-6

I think of the coming of our Lord Jesus in the Rapture. The trumpet will sound! 1 Corinthians 15:52,

1 Thessalonians 4:16

TIME WITH GOD IN CONFESSION (DAY OF ATONEMENT) 29:7-10

TIME WITH GOD IN REFLECTIVE REJOICING (TABERNACLES) 29:11-31

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Psalm 3

SUCH IS LIFE

These things should be a part of the life of the Christian.

THERE ARE PROBLEMS Vss. 1-2

THERE IS PROTECTION Vss. 3, 5

THERE IS PRAYER Vss. 4, 7

THERE IS PEACE Vs. 6

THERE IS PROVIDENCE Vs. 8

God, in His providence provides salvation and blessing.

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Jeremiah 29:1-14

ENCOURAGING WORDS

Jerusalem was conquered.

Many were taken into captivity into Babylon. Vss. 1-3

Jeremiah wrote an encouraging letter, which can encourage us today as we face difficulties.

GOD'S PLAN - Vss. 4-7 - BE A BLESSING WHERE YOU ARE!

The difficulty had come from God.

They were to settle in and seek the peace of the city where they were now dwelling. During our difficulties, we should seek the good of those around us, remembering that only what God allows will occur in our lives.

GOD'S PROMISE - Vss. 10, 12-14 - THERE'S A BETTER DAY COMING.

There was a better day coming from Israel, and there's a better day coming for us too. One day we'll be in the presence of the Lord Jesus.

See 1 John 3:1-3.

GOD'S PURPOSE - Vs. 11 - THE GOOD OF HIS CHILDREN

Sermon Seeds B27

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Luke 5:12-32 - PAGE 1

JESUS IS WILLING - PM 10/15/00

Life of Christ #16

Christians should be known for their willingness to help, encourage, witness, forgive, and a host of other things. That's because our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ was a very willing person.

In fact, we want to observe the willingness of our Lord Jesus in Luke 5:12-32 as we continue our chronological study in the Life of Christ. Lets look at four things that the Lord was willing to do back when He walked the earth. The great news is that He is willing to do the same things today.

JESUS IS WILLING TO CHANGE A MAN'S CONDITION - Vss. 12-16

Vs. 12 - Here was a leper. A man who had a terrible disease, perhaps similar to our modern day Hansen's disease. It was a disease that evidently ate away at skin or made nerve endings dead so that there was no feeling. Imagine how easy it would be to burn, cut or break something without even realizing it. No wonder many people with leprosy became disfigured!

God had said that such people were to maintain their distance from other people. Leviticus 13:45-46

This leper probably violated the law of the day by getting close to the Lord Jesus. But this poor man, desperately in need of change, realized something very important. He realized that if anyone was going to change him and make him well it was Jesus! Notice that the man had no doubts that Jesus could heal him. He realized that Jesus needed to be willing to do so! Here was a man of faith!

Vs. 13 - Here is the great news! Jesus was willing and even touched the man, something most people would not do. And immediately the man was healed! A great change took place!

The great news is that Jesus is still willing to change a man's condition. In fact that's why He came to earth in the first place.

We were dead in trespasses and sins but Jesus came so that we would have life! John 10:10-11

Any time a person comes to Christ a great change takes place! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Here's another thought. The day you were saved was not the last day that Jesus worked in your life, nor will it be, if you let him! Jesus is still willing to make changes in your life!

Whatever attitude that needs to be changed, the Lord is willing to change it.

Whatever habit that needs to be changed, the Lord Jesus is willing to change it.

Bring whatever needs to be changed to the Lord Jesus and He will change it. 1 John 5:14-15

1 John 5:14-15 - And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: [15] And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

JESUS IS WILLING TO CLEANSE A MAN'S SIN - Vss. 17-26

Vs. 17 - Jesus was preaching in a house and God's power was obviously present for healing. You might say, "There was electricity in the air."

Evidently there was also a "board of review" present a contingent of scribes and Pharisees who were there to monitor Jesus and find out what He was doing.

Vss. 18-19 - There was a paralytic who desperately needed the healing touch of the Lord Jesus. He had four friends, perhaps even family members, who carted the man to Jesus on his bed. They got to where Jesus was and couldn't get into the house.

Instead of panicking, they simply took the man up on the flat roof of the house and then tore up part of the roof. First they would have dug up about a foot of earth, which might have even had grass growing in it. Then they took out padding of reeds, thistles and twigs. Next they took out sticks laid crosswise on beams that were two to three feet apart from each other. I imagine that he was sent down on ropes through those beams.

Vs. 20 - Of course, I don't know for sure, but I have a feeling that Jesus smiled when he saw this! The homeowner probably saw a mess. The Scribes and Pharisees probably saw some insolent people interrupting the proceedings. Jesus saw faith! He responded to that faith by making a most important statement. He told the man His sins were forgiven!

We don't know the man's heart, but it is obvious that Jesus did!

This reminds me of just how willing Jesus is to forgive!

Jesus is willing to forgive so a person can go to Heaven.

Jesus is willing to forgive us Christians in order to restore a right relationship between God and us.

1 John 1:8-10

Vs. 21 - The Pharisees were thinking right away that Jesus was guilty of blasphemy. Only God could forgive sin. This is true. But they did not make the connection that Jesus is God!

Vss. 22-23 - Jesus asks "What's easier to say? 'Your sins are forgiven', or 'Get up and walk.'" It's easier to say sins are forgiven, because people could not tell if the person was telling the truth.

Vs. 24 - But if Jesus could say to the man "Rise up and walk" after telling the man his sins were forgiven, this would be proof that Jesus had the needed authority to forgive sins.

Vss. 25-26 - Jesus healing this man was proof that He had the authority needed to forgive!

I want to leave you with two thoughts on this section.

1. Because Jesus has the authority to forgive, let Him forgive you! It's as easy as 1John 1:9.

2. Because Jesus has the authority to forgive, share the availability of forgiveness with others. If they are unsaved, share the plan of salvation. If they are saved, share 1 John 1:9.

JESUS IS WILLING TO CALL A MAN TO SERVICE - Vss. 27-28

Vs. 27 - Here was a man who was not liked. He was a tax collector.

Tax collectors were considered the worse of sinners and traitors to their country.

The tax collection system made it very possible for men to be crooked and to cheat those that were being taxed.

Levi or Matthew was "in the office" so to speak, when Jesus came by. I think it likely that Matthew had had contact with Jesus before, perhaps socially, but more likely that Matthew had attended some of Jesus' teaching. Perhaps Matthew had already made a decision for Christ.

Now Jesus comes by and very simply says, "Follow me."

This was a call to discipleship. It meant that Matthew would have to give up a very lucrative position.

But it also meant that Matthew would have witnessed many of the great miracles that Jesus did. It meant that he would be a witness of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. It would mean that Matthew would help take the Gospel to the world!

Vs. 28 - Matthew left it all, got up and followed Jesus!

Matthew simply had to say "Yes."

We need to remember that not all are called to be pastors or missionaries. Some are called to be Christian housewives. Some are called to be witnesses on a secular job. Some are called to be Sunday School teachers and church leaders.

Some are called to ministries of good works. Some are called to sing. All are called to use their Spiritual gifts for the honor and glory of God. 1 Peter 4:10-11

JESUS IS WILLING TO COMMUNICATE WITH MEN IN NEED - Vss. 29-32

Vs. 29 - Matthew had a big dinner, I assume, in Jesus' honor.

Who did Matthew invite? He invited his friends.

His friends were publicans and other sinners."

Why did Matthew have this dinner? I think at least one reason was to introduce his friends to Jesus.

Matthew was probably so pleased with the change that Jesus made in his life, that he wanted others to know Jesus too.

Usually people are most enthused about evangelism right after they are saved. Unfortunately, as time goes by we get more settled in with our Christian friends, that we lose, neglect, or forget our non-Christian friends.

Yes, our Christian friends should be our nearest and dearest friends. But Jesus never told us to stick our heads in the sand like an Ostrich and ignore the rest of the world!

It's very easy to avoid the unsaved. But every one of us needs to be developing and maintaining friendships with unsaved people we can strive to bring people to Christ as Savior.

Vs. 30 - The Pharisees were critical. They were separatists who could not understand why Jesus would spend time with sinners. Of course, these people were so self-righteous that they didn't admit to their own sin or need for the Savior.

Vs. 31 - Jesus gave the answer. Well people do not need a

doctor. Sick people need a doctor.

Sinners are Spiritually sick and they need a doctor.

They need someone to tell them the good news of salvation.

We Christians need to develop friendships with non-Christians for the express purpose of winning them to the Lord Jesus.

A doctor risks exposure to sickness when he comes in contact with sick people, but he goes anyway.

You and I risk exposure to bad language and ideas and habits when we spend time with the unsaved. But we should not do what they do. In some cases Christians can't have relationships with certain unsaved because the unsaved drag them down.

Vs. 32 - Jesus didn't come to call the righteous to repentance.

He called the sick people to repentance.

Let's develop Christian friendships for Christ's sake!

JESUS IS WILLING TO CHANGE A MAN'S CONDITION - Vss. 12-16

JESUS IS WILLING TO CLEANSE A MAN'S SIN - Vss. 17-26

JESUS IS WILLING TO CALL A MAN TO SERVICE - Vss. 27-28

JESUS IS WILLING TO COMMUNICATE WITH MEN IN NEED - Vss. 29-32

This is also an much expanded version of a previously shared outline.

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John 11:46-53

WHEN PEOPLE JUST DON'T GET IT!

When we use the expression "I don't get it", we mean that we don't understand.

When we say "He (or she) just doesn't get it", we mean that in spite of clear, overwhelming evidence or explanation the person still doesn't understand or grasp something.

The enemies of Jesus did not believe in Him or trust Him.

They just didn't get it! When people don't just don't get it:

THE EVIDENCE BECOMES A PROBLEM Vss. 46-47

In John 11:32-44, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.

This was an undeniable proof of His deity. Some went to the leaders, and instead of believing because of the miracle, they had a problem with the miracle!

THEIR END IS SELF-PRESERVATION - Vs. 48

Those who were in power wanted to stay in power.

They were afraid of losing position if Jesus was believed upon as Messiah.

EVIL IS PLANNED - Vss. 49-53

Because they refused to believe the evidence, they plotted to harm Jesus.

When an unsaved person "just doesn't get it", it is like likely that he will make the evidence a problem, defend himself, and think and plan evil against those who believe in and share the Gospel.

Sermon Seeds A48

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1 Timothy 3:1-7

GODLY LEADERSHIP

(This is a complete lesson done in a prayer meeting session.)

· What type of leader do you want to follow?

· Why do you think most churches lack qualified leaders?

· Should we try to imitate our leaders? Why? To what extent?

· Notice that Paul expected to be imitated.

1 Corinthians 11:1 - Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

1 John 2:6 - He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

In 1 Timothy 3:1-7 Paul is instructing those who would be bishops. The word "bishop" means "overseer". When we see this term we often think of the pastor and other Godly leaders in the church. The role of leadership in the church is not for everyone, because everyone does not qualify. Even though we might never fully qualify to be leaders, we should still strive to be as Godly as possible. Making the characteristics of leadership our goal will help us live Godly lives.

A Godly leader is:

CONSISTENT IN BEHAVIOR - Vss. 1-3

· Vs. 2 - The word blameless means beyond reproach.

· How can a person still be a sinner (1 John 1:8) and yet beyond reproach?

· In what ways should leaders and congregation members be beyond reproach?

· To be the husband of one wife is to be a one woman man. To be the wife of one husband is to be a one man woman. This quality should be reflected in our attitudes and our actions.

· In its strictest sense, the word vigilant means to be sober. Hence in this situation it would refer to being sober spiritually.

A spiritually sober person is always under control. The spiritually sober person is actually under the control of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18-21.

· To be sober is to be "serious, earnest, sound. If this is the case, what part do joy, joking, and laughter have among us?

· The words good behavior mean "orderly" or "well ordered".

· In what ways should pastors and other leaders show orderly behavior? In what ways should all believers show it?

· In what ways should all believers be apt to teach?

· Vs. 3 Do you think church leaders should be total abstainers? Why?

· What is a striker? What about a striker is not under control?

· What should be the attitude of Christians towards money?

· Contrast a patient individual with a brawler.

· Why is it especially dangerous for a leader to be covetous?

CONSCIENTIOUS AT HOME - Vss. 4-5

· Who is to be the ruler in the home and why?

· What does it mean to have children in subjection with gravity?

· The easiest time to bring children in subjection is when they are young.

· Why is a man disqualified from leadership in the church when he isnt in charge at home?

CONDITIONED BY EXPERIENCE - Vs. 6

· Why do Christians need experience before they can lead?

· Why do churches and Christian organizations tend to make novices leaders?

· Why was the devil condemned?

COMPLIMENTED BY OUTSIDERS - Vs. 7

· Why is the testimony of leaders and Christians to unbelievers so important?

· What reproach is there for Christians who have a poor testimony? How is it a snare?

This is an expansion of a previously shared outline.

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JAMES 1:1- 4 - PAGE 1

FAITH WORKS JOYFULLY, PM 3/24/02

FAITH WORKS #1 STUDIES IN JAMES

Faith works!

· If you have faith in a chair you sit on it.

· If you have faith in a car you drive it or ride in it.

· If you have faith in a computer you use it.

· If you have faith in your parents at a young age you do what they say.

· If you have faith in a friend you will ask for help.

· If you have faith in a friend you will follow advice.

· If you have faith in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit you will do as they say!

· If you have faith in God you will follow His leading.

Faith works!

There is a time to have faith and do nothing. When we trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, our salvation is not based on our works but on our faith. Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:8-9

I could do nothing to save myself. Salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone.

Faith is to be maintained after salvation. Hebrews 11:6

Many people have made a profession in Christ as their Savior. They believed in their head that Christ died for their sins, but they did not believe in their heart. They didnt grasp in their heart that Jesus was their only hope for salvation. For when one truly comes to Christ as Savior change takes place.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

The new creature in Christ is a changed person.

The new creature in Christ is working out his own salvation.

He is proving that He is saved by his faith and his works. Philippians 2:12-13

All this brings to a very practical book of the Bible, the Book of James. The theme of James is Faith Works. The theme is best summed up in James 2:17-18.

James 2:17-18 - Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. [18] Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

The Book of James is loaded with things we should be doing by faith. It is a book of activity, a book of works, but these works are never to be done apart from faith.

By the second verse of his Epistle James is telling us of works we should do by faith. In James 1:2-4 we learn that FAITH WORKS JOYFULLY.

Well talk more about that in a minute, but first, some background on the book of James.

Vs. 1 The New Testament epistles were written on scrolls. It made sense that the name of the person writing would appear at the top of the scroll, so one did not have to unroll the whole thing just to see who was writing. So the first thing we see in the Epistle is the name of the human author, James. There are a few named James in Scripture.

There was James, the brother of the Apostle John, one of the two sons of Zebedee. He was the first Apostle to be martyred. He was executed by Herod.

There was James the Son of Alpheus. He was another of the twelve Apostles. But he was relatively obscure. There is no indication that he wrote the letter.

There was James, the father of Judas. This was not Judas Iscariot, but another one of the twelve.

Then there was James, the Brother of our Lord, the son of Mary and Joseph. When we say he was the Lords brother, of course, we mean half-brother. Jesus, of course, was the son of Mary, but conceived by the Holy Spirit.

During the early ministry of our Lord James was evidently not a believer. But after the resurrection of Christ, we know that he was a believer. 1 Corinthians 15 tells us that one of the appearances of the risen Lord was to James.

Paul called James a pillar in the early church in Jerusalem.

Evidently he was the leader of that early church.

We believe that it was this James, this prominent man in the early church, who had to but use his first name to be recognized.

James goes on in his introduction to describe himself. If you or I were writing we might say, James, brother of our Lord. We might want to rub it in a little. We might want to give ourselves a little credit. We might want to make it so others are more willing to listen because they are impressed with our identity.

But this is not what James did. James calls himself a servant.

To James there was no higher honor than being a servant to the one who purchased for him eternal life. Do you feel this way?

The word servant was the common Greek term for slave, or bondservant, one who is in a permanent servitude to another.

Someone has said that this term servant emphasizes The supreme and absolute authority of the master and the entire submission of the slave.

Next James says that He is the servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. We hear a lot of references to just Jesus today. But when we are addressing Him, we should recognize Him for who he is:

LORD Master

JESUS Saviour

CHRIST Messiah, the anointed one, the King of Kings and

Lord of Lords.

Who is James writing to? He is writing to the twelve tribes scattered abroad. Another term is the dispersion. There were Jewish people living all over the Roman Empire who would have been considered part of this dispersion.

But James must have in mind those of the twelve tribes who knew Jesus Christ as Savior. James was writing to the Jewish Christians of His day. James was probably the first epistle to be written.

Obviously these Jewish believers were having troubles, probably being persecuted for their faith. If there is one thing we can count on its that we are going to have troubles as well.

Job 5:7 - Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

Trouble is unavoidable. No matter who you are, what position you have in life, or how wealthy you are, you will still face trouble in many ways, shapes, and forms.

Being a Christian does not excuse us from trouble, but being a Christian means that my way of handling trouble should be different from the way those who dont know the Lord handle trouble.

In James 1:2-4 James tells us how faith works in trials or troubles.

ATTITUDE TOWARD TRIALS Vs. 2

My brethren This is a reminder that James is talking to fellow believers. He is talking to those who had the same faith as he, the same salvation that he had through His faith in Christ.

James then says Count it all joy.

This should be my response to the difficulties I face.

I am to count it, or command it joy.

Note that I will not necessarily see my troubles as something nice, or enjoyable, but I am to coat that trial with a joy which only the Lord can give.

And further, I am to count it all joy.

Most of us take some things better than others.

Perhaps you can take poverty better than others.

Perhaps you can take family problems better than others.

Perhaps you can take illness better than others.

But James is saying to take it all with joy.

Command it all joy!

The next word here is when.

Unfortunately Christian, the word is not if.

There is nothing uncertain about trouble in the Christian life.

You are going to face it.

You are going to fall into troubles. In other words, they will come to you. You wont have to look for them.

King James says that we are going to fall into diverse temptations. In the original language the word temptation has two meanings. The first meaning is trials, the second meaning is to be tempted to sin. Right here the word means trials.

This teaches us another lesson. Our troubles are going to be varied. There will be many different types of trouble to face. You will get variety in your trials.

So James is saying in this verse, Christian Brother when you run into trouble, or trouble runs into you, decide to command it as joy.

OUR ASSESSMENT OF TRIALS Vs. 3

In order to count something joy, we must be able to determine of assess the reason for counting it joy. The fact that God tells us to us to count it joy should be good enough reason to do so, but God tells us why anyway.

James says we should know something. I think James means knowing it in your heart and not just your head.

We are to know that the trying or testing of our faith worketh patience.

The Christian Life is a life of faith.

It is faith which saves us, and it is by faith we should life. Hebrews 10:38

When a trial comes my way, it is an opportunity to trust God through the trial.

It is my privilege to live by faith, especially when I do not know how God is going to solve my problem.

And as my faith is tested, this produces endurance or patience in my life.

As my faith is tested, and I patiently endure in my faith instead of panicking, or complaining or trying to run away, my endurance, my patience, my staying power increases.

The attitude toward trials is to be joy!

When we assess the trials to realize that they are there to produce patience or endurance, then we can be joyful in the trial.

OUR ACTION IN TRIALS Vs. 4

The word Let means to be submissive, to yield, to give our consent.

Dont buck the trials.

Dont gripe and moan and get the poor mes.

But allow God to build your patience through the trials.

Does this mean that we do nothing while being tried?

If there is nothing we can do, we do nothing, but let God have his way.

Often during trials we can gain ground. It might mean fighting the wind, but we can progress.

Have you ever had to go somewhere in a snowstorm?

There are times when you cant just stay put.

You must go forward. Its slower, its tougher, and its riskier. But go forward you must!

We are to move forward in our trials, always allowing God to have his way, and thus letting patience have her perfect work.

As we do we become perfect, but that doesnt mean sinless.

We become perfect, or mature.

We grow up to be mature believers.

We become entire, or complete.

We lack nothing spiritually because we have learned to trust.

Trials are Gods way of bringing you to maturity.

Are you willing to let Him do that in your life?

Trials will make you bitter or better.

Which will it be?

ATTITUDE TOWARDS TRIALS

ASSESSMENT OF TRIALS

ACTION IN TRIALS

WORK JOYFULLY!

This is a much elaborated upon outline that has been previously shared.

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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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