SERMON SEEDS I35 FOR 12-5-05 - SORRY THIS IS LATE!
Posted by: jpeters <jpeters@...>
SERMON SEEDS FOR DECEMBER 5, 2005
ITS BEEN A BUSY WEEK SORRY FO THE LATENESS!!!!!!
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A CORINTHIAN CHRISTMAS
2 Corinthians 9:15
Christmas With Paul #1 A COMPLETE LESSON
¯ What is the best or most surprising Christmas present you have ever received?
¯ In what ways does the giving of Christmas gifts become a problem?
¯ Why do we give gifts at Christmas?
¯ How has God set the example for giving gifts at Christmastime?
Although the Apostle Paul does not tell us the Christmas Story in his epistles, he does share with us many Christmas Truths. Because of this we would like to consider Christmas with Paul. He shares with us a tremendous truth in 2 Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 9:15 - Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
ù Every once in a while something that happens in our lives leaves us speechless. Can you think of such a time in your life?
ù Here, Paul reminds us of the unspeakable gift of the Lord Jesus. We should stand in awe, speechless, when we consider the wonderful gift that came to earth the first Christmas.
THE UNSPEAKABLE PRESENCE
· In His Birth
Luke 1:35 - And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
2 Corinthians 8:9 - For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
· In His Miracles
1. He calmed the sea.
2. He fed the multitudes.
3. He made the lame to walk and the blind to see.
4. He cast out demons.
5. He raised people from the dead.
· In His Teaching
1. The Golden Rule Matthew 22:27-40
2. The Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5-7
3. The Olivet Discourse Matthew 24-25
4. The Upper Room Discourse John 13-16
5. The Way, the Truth, and the Life John 14:6
THE UNSPEAKABLE PRICE
Isaiah 53:3-6 - He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. [4] Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. [5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. [6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
THE UNSPEAKABLE POWER
· He Arose From the Dead
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
· He Saves
Acts 4:12 - Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
· He Intercedes
Hebrews 7:24-25 - But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. [25] Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
· He Answers Prayer
John 14:13-14 - And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
· He's Coming Again
Acts 1:10-11 - And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; [11] Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
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Luke 1:5-25
BEFORE JESUS
BEFORE JESUS THERE WAS A RIGHTEOUS PAIR Vss. 5-6
BEFORE JESUS THERE WAS An EMBARRASSING PROBLEM Vs. 7
BEFORE JESUS THERE WAS A MARVELOUS PROMISE Vss. 8-17
BEFORE JESUS THERE WAS A JUSTIFIED PENALTY Vss. 18-22
BEFORE JESUS THERE WAS A MIRACULOUS PERFORMANCE Vss. 23-25
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Luke 1:26-38
SOMETHING SPECIAL
SPECIAL LADY Vss. 26-27
SPECIAL BLESSING Vss. 28-30
SPECIAL PROMISES Vss. 31-37
SPECIAL FAITH Vs. 38
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Luke 1:46-55
MARYS PSALM
MARY ASCRIBED GLORY TO THE LORD Vss. 46-47
MARY APPRECIATED GODS KINDNESS TOWARDS HER Vss. 48-49
MARY WAS ASSURED OF GODS:
Mercy Vs. 50
Strength Vss. 51-52
Provision Vs. 53
Faithfulness Vss. 54-55
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LUKE 7:36-50
MAKE A CHOICE
LIFE OF CHRIST #22
PLEASE NOTE THIS WILL BE THE LAST OUTLINE ON THE LIFE OF CHRIST UNTIL THE JANUARY 9 ISSUE OF SERMON SEEDS
Life is full of choices. Every day you are invited to pick. You pick what you are going to eat, what you are going to wear, how you are going to act, what you are going to do, and where you are going to go.
In this mornings message you also have a choice.
You chose who you are like in this Bible story, the Pharisee or the woman. It is your pick. The good news is, if you want to change your choice at the end, you can.
Vs. 36 After the incident involving John the Baptist, a Pharisee, one of a strict sect that was very legalistic, invited Jesus to dinner. As the story unfolds, we will see that he did not invite Him out of belief in or love for Jesus.
In fact he probably either invited Jesus out of curiosity, or in an effort to find a way to find fault with Jesus either in word of deed.
Vs. 37 - We need to understand something. Dinners in those days were different from dinners today. The guests would have reclined, leaning on their left arms and reaching for the food and eating with their right hand. Everyone would recline facing the table. That's why the woman in our story could reach Jesus' feet.
There is another thing you must realize. Banquets like this were "open" in the sense that anyone who wanted to could walk in. Uninvited guest could come in and sit along the wall, listen to conversation, and even speak to the guests.
This woman could enter into the banquet, and although certainly not welcome, could not be stopped from being there.
To make matters worse, this woman was a known sinner. Most people seem to think that she was what we might call a woman of ill repute or a prostitute. She did not have a good reputation.
It is evident that this lady had already had an encounter with the Lord Jesus. Her life had been changed. Earlier in this chapter Jesus talked to a crowd about John the Baptist. According to Matthew, after He talked about John, Jesus said more, including this great invitation:
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
Perhaps it was at that time that she placed her faith in Christ. This time she came to show her appreciation. She brought with her an "alabaster box of ointment". This was a bottle or jar that contained precious perfume! This was the good stuff! It was expensive! Her show of appreciation was to anoint Jesus with this perfume.
Vs. 38 - This woman was evidently overcome with the reality of our sin. She probably realized how much Jesus had forgiven her. She was overwhelmed with the greatness of her sin and the greatness of her forgiveness. She began to cry, and the tears fell on the feet of Jesus. She dried his feet by loosening the tresses in her hair and using her hair as a towel. And out of love she kissed his feet, and anointed Jesus feet with the perfume.
Vs. 39 - Simon, the Pharisee, is scandalized. Here was a woman with a terrible reputation, and Jesus was allowing this terrible sinner, to wash, kiss, and anoint his feet.
The Pharisee's conclusion is, "This man is no prophet! If he were a prophet he would know about this sinful woman! He would turn her away, if he knew the type of woman she is!
Vs. 40 - Jesus tells Simon that he has something to say.
And whether Simon wants to hear it or not, he's polite enough to give Jesus permission to say what was on His heart.
Vss. 41-42 - Jesus tells a story of a moneylender who has two clients who owe him money. One owed him the equivalent of 50 days wages for the common laborer. The other owed Him the equivalent of 500 days wages.
Neither of them could pay the moneylender, and he freely forgave both of them.
This story reminds me that in man's way of thinking, some are not as big sinners as others.
Looking at the woman in the story, it is clear that she was a great sinner, and owed a debt for her sin that she could not pay.
There are other people, like this Simon, who especially in front of others, do not appear to be very big sinners at all. They appear to be good, moral people. Their sins are not as great or as obvious.
But before God, whether a person is a moral sinner, or an immoral sinner, he or she is a sinner who owes a debt for their sin to God. Isaiah 64:6, Ezekiel 18:4
My dear friend, no matter how little or how great a sinner you consider yourself to be, you are bankrupt! You can not pay for your sin!
Only Jesus could pay for your sin, and He did! 2 Corinthians 5:21
2 Corinthians 5:21 - For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Jesus already paid the debt for your sin.
All you had to do is apply it to your account! Romans 6:23, John 3:16
What gave this woman in our story her forgiveness? Was it the tears? Was it the foot washing? Was it the expensive perfume?
NO! IT WAS HER FAITH!
Luke 7:50 - And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
It is not our actions that save us. It is our faith that saves us.
Our actions are a reflection of our faith. Our actions show that we have faith!
The difference between the Simon the Pharisee and this woman was, she knew she was a sinner who needed a Savior. Simon did not consider himself a bad enough sinner to need a Savior! He was wrong, along with any who might have the same attitude.
Vss. 42-43 - Jesus asks Simon "Which one of these two, the man who was forgiven for 500 pence, or the one that was forgiven for 50 pence, would love the moneylender most?"
Simon supposed the one who had been forgiven the most.
Jesus assures Simon that He has answered correctly.
Now Jesus applies the story to Simon and this woman.
Vs. 44 - It was a common courtesy of that day to have a servant wash the feet of a guest. They wore open sandals, and though every other body part might have been clean, feet very easily got dirty. A servant was sent around to wash the feet. Simon failed to do this for Jesus.
The woman, on the other hand, not only washed Jesus feet, but used her own tears, and dried the feet with her own hair.
I believe this action of the woman speaks of acknowledgement.
This woman looked back at her past life.
This woman looked back at her failures.
This woman looked back at the forgiveness which Jesus gave her and shed tears of sorrow and gratitude.
You have met ungrateful, forgetful people who have not remembered the kindness shown to them. Eventually they might even turn on the people who had been so kind to them.
I wonder how many of us have been forgetful about how much the Lord Jesus has done for us.
We need to remind ourselves of what we were before we were saved.
We need to remind ourselves that we had past failures, many of them, but Jesus has forgiven every last one of them.
We need to remind ourselves that even today, when we sin we have a Savior who forgives us, and restores us to fellowship as we confess. 1 John 1:9
It wouldn't hurt us to shed some tears of sorrow and gratitude for what he has done.
This morning we will celebrate what is called the Lord's Table, or communion. Jesus says to us, "Do this in remembrance of me".
We are to acknowledge before God and others just what sinners we were and what a Savior we have!
Acknowledgement
Vs. 45 - Another custom of that day was to greet a guest with a kiss on the cheek. Simon did not offer that kiss.
The woman however covered Jesus feet with kisses! Now I don't know about you, but I'd far rather kiss somebody on the cheek than the feet!
This woman not only acknowledged her sin, but she showed her affection for the Lord Jesus. She loved Him for what He had done for her! The kisses were the sign of her affection.
How do your loved ones know you love them?
You tell them.
You thank them for the things they do for you.
You are loyal to them.
You are there when needed.
You will do whatever you can to help!
How does your Lord Jesus know that you love Him?
Do you tell Him that you love Him?
Do you sing songs of praise and worship from the heart?
Do you thank Him for all that He's done?
How does your Lord Jesus know that you love Him?
Are you loyal to Him?
Do you spend time with Him?
Do you speak up for Him?
How does your Lord Jesus know that you love Him?
Are you there when needed?
Will you do anything that He asks?
Before you say, "Yes". Let me ask you another question. Have you been baptized since you were saved? How can you say you are loyal, if you haven't taken the first step of obedience?
How does your Lord Jesus know that you love Him?
Will you do whatever you can to help?
What if He wants you to join this church?
What if He wants you to teach for Him?
What if He wants you to help with the young people?
What if He wants you to serve on council?
What if He wants you sing in the choir?
What if He wants you to be a pastor or go to the mission field?
This woman acknowledged her sin.
This woman showed affection.
Vs. 46 - Another custom was for a host to anoint his guest's hair with oil. Simon had offered no oil!
The woman took a flask of expensive perfume and anointed Jesus' feet. She showed her appreciation for all that Jesus had done for her.
Has it occurred to you that what we give to the Lord is an indication of how much we appreciate Him.
When we give our tithe to the local church, we are showing our appreciation.
When we give to missions we are showing our appreciation.
When we give to those in need, we are showing our appreciation.
2 Corinthians 9:7 - Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Vs. 47 - The woman's love for Jesus was a reflection of how much she had been forgiven.
She realized just how great a sin debt had been paid!
Oh, may we realize the great debt of sin that has been paid for us, and may we love Him accordingly!
Have you been forgiven much?
Do you love the Lord Jesus accordingly?
Vss. 48-50 - The woman was reassured, and those who didn't believe didn't understand that Jesus could forgive sin.
But now it's time for you to Pick One!
Right now are you like the Pharisee who:
Shows no acknowledgement of sin
Shows no affection for Jesus
Shows no appreciation for Jesus?
Or are you like this woman who
Acknowledges sin.
Shows affection.
Shows appreciation.
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Matthew 2
LESSONS FOR CHRISTMAS
The Christmas story is full of truths which we can apply to our own lives. Consider these four truths from Matthew 2:
1. GOD'S TIMING IS PERFECT Vss. 1-2
Jesus was born at just the right time and in just the right place (Micah 5:2)
The wise men came at just the right time to just the right place.
2. GOD'S ENEMIES ARE TREACHEROUS Vss. 3-8
Satan, through Herod, would do all that he could to destroy the Lord Jesus, including trying to deceive the wise men.
3. GOD'S SERVANTS ARE FAITHFUL Vss. 9-14
a. To go. Vss. 9-10
b. To share. Vs. 11
c. To obey. Vss. 12-14 (The wise men and Joseph obeyed God's directions.)
4. GOD'S PROTECTION IS POWERFUL Vss. 15-23
Satan through Herod tried to destroy Jesus, but God protected His Son.
Sermon Seeds A40
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JAMES 2:1-13 - PAGE 1
FAITH WORKS IMPARTIALLY, PM 12/4/05
FAITH WORKS #8, This series will continue in the January 9, 2006 edition of Sermon Seeds.
We live in a world of partiality and prejudice. Usually when we meet someone for the first time we decide some things about that person. We decide what kind of person he or she is and whether we are going to like them or not.
Often people are partial when it comes to whether a person is rich or poor; white, black, yellow, or red; smart or not so smart; male or female.
If there is a place where there should not be prejudice it is in the true church of our Lord Jesus Christ. However, since Bible times there have been prejudices and partialities in the church. In Bible days there were probably prejudices against tax collectors, gentiles, Jews, the rich and the poor.
Faith Works Impartially. We all come to Christ in the same way, and that is through faith in His death on the cross for our sins. No matter what a persons background, color, status in life, or financial position, trusting the work of Christ alone for salvation is the only way to Heaven. Therefore one is not greater than the other in the local church.
Tonight, borrowing three points from Ron Blue and adding a fourth point, we want to see that Faith Works Impartially. (THE FIRST THREE POINTS ARE FROM RON BLUE, BUT I DO NOT KNOW WHAT PUBLICATION)
When faith is impartial there will be:
COURTESY TO ALL Vss. 1-4
There will be all sorts of people who have walked through the doors of this church and will walk through. All people who enter into our church should be treated equally.
Vs. 1 James is saying that you are not to have your faith in Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory, and be partial at the same time. You are not to be a respecter of persons.
To be the servant of the Son of God who impartially gave His life on the cross for everyone, and then to be partial is terribly inconsistent.
It is very easy for a clique concept to develop in a church. Only certain people belong with other certain people, and there is always a danger that the church might start forming little groups or cliques. Being cliquish or exclusive is a hard charge to live down.
Vs. 2 James illustrates the point that he is making.
A man comes into the assembly, a church.
The usher greets him, and evidently this man is an unbeliever, perhaps a stranger to the congregation.
He is wearing a gold ring, probably an abundance of gold rings on the left hand, an indication of wealth. He is dressed well.
Another man enters.
He is not well dressed.
He probably has only one set of clothes to his name, work clothes, and theyre filthy.
Vs. 3 The head usher is probably thinking about the first man, My, this is the type of person we need to give this congregation some class. Here is someone who can really give to our building fund.
So, he says, Come on down sir, we have seat for you in this good location.
Then the usher comes back for the other man, and hes probably thinking, Where did this vagabond come from.
So he rather coldly says to the man, Here. Sit next to me on the floor, or, Youll have to stand, we cant seat you.
Now we might not treat people this exact way when we seat them, but the way we talk to them and listen to them might indicate a partiality either for or against an individual.
Vs. 4 James reminds us that when we are partial we are judging others.
Clothes do not make the man.
Finances do not say what the individual is like on the inside.
To judge base on appearance is to judge being motivated for the wrong reasons, trying to better ones own position.
Although we all have friends in church that will become closer to others, it is our responsibility to treat everyone equally, with respect, love, and common courtesy.
COMPASSION TO ALL Vss. 5-9
Vs. 5 - God loves all His creatures.
God loves all us in this room.
But God in His master plan deemed it easier for a poor humble person to be rich in faith.
I think this is because in order to be saved a person must realize that he is a sinner, that he needs help and cant save himself.
Because of their poverty poor people are often already humble. Therefore it is easier for them to humble themselves before God and trust Christ by faith. Matthew 5:3, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
We can be courteous and compassionate when we realize how precious the poor of this life are to God. There is no intrinsic merit in being poor, other than one is more likely to come to Christ.
Vss. 6-7 James now reminds these people who would show preference to the rich of what the rich have done. Hes not talking about all rich people, of course.
· It is the rich who socially and economically oppress the poor.
· It is the rich who will bring the poor into court and oppress them.
· And making matters worse, the rich would actually blaspheme the name of Christ.
If you doubt this is true, consider the Hollywood stars, many of whom are very rich. Consider the attitude that most of them have towards Christ.
The rich are very independent because of their wealth and just not as likely to humble themselves and trust Christ.
I, as a Christian, am not to be partial but to have compassion on all people, whether they are rich or poor.
Vs. 8 The royal or supreme law in my treatment of other human beings is to love my neighbor as myself. That means that I must treat my neighbor in the proper way.
You are probably familiar with Jesus story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 25-37.
It was the Samaritan who helped a man who been robbed, beaten, and left to die. The Samaritans were hated by the Jews. But it was this Samaritan that saved the mans life, showing compassion.
It is obvious from this parable that my neighbor is anyone in need that I am able to help.
1 John 3:16-18
Vs. 9 James informs us that us that if we fail to show compassion to all we have committed a violation of Gods law.
Some might not consider being prejudiced as a serious problem, but God does. The one who is prejudiced is convicted by the law as a transgressor.
CONSISTENCY IN ALL Vss. 10-12
In our effort to obey God we can not pick in chose what laws we chose to obey. We need to be consistent.
Vs. 10 If we break one law, the law is broken.
If you break one of the Ten Commandments, you cant say, Well, Ive kept the other 9 in tact.
No, the law is broken!
Vs. 11 James illustrates by say, There are two laws, Thou shalt not kill and Thou shalt not commit adultery.
You may never commit adultery, but if you kill someone, you have certainly broken the law.
So, James is showing that we must be consistent in our Christian living. We cant chose to be prejudiced and still think that we are doing okay with God.
What James is saying not only applies to being prejudiced.
You may be writing off a whole area of your life, saying, Well, Im sinning there, but at least Im not sinning in a lot of other areas.
That attitude does not work with God.
Instead he wants to give you victory.
Galatians 5:16 - This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
THERE WILL BE CONSIDERATION OF ALL Vss. 12-13
Vs. 12 As you know, each Christian will come before the Judgment Seat of Christ. We will be judged not for salvation but for rewards.
Let me ask you:
Who has made you free from the punishment of hell?
Who has made you free from the power of sin in your life?
Who has made you free to serve Him?
Who has made you free, not to do what you want, but so you can conscientiously live for God?
The one who has made you free is Jesus Christ.
John 8:36 - If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
The law of liberty, then, is the law of the one who has set you free. The law of liberty is the law of Christ.
We will be judged according to His law.
We will be judged to see if we have followed His law. He has made us free to do so.
Vs. 13 Because we will be judged by His law which is full of mercy and compassion, we must careful to show mercy to others.
· Mercy to rich and poor alike
· Mercy to the widow
· Mercy to the fatherless
· Mercy to the orphan
· Mercy to black, white, red, and yellow
The one who lives without mercy is judged without mercy.
The one who has shown mercy can expect mercy.
FAITH WORKS IMPARTIALLY
Let us show:
COURTESY TO ALL
COMPASSION FOR ALL
CONSISTENCY IN ALL
For at the Judgment Seat of Christ there will be
CONSIDERATION OF ALL
FIRST THREE POINTS BY RON BLUE
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