SERMON SEEDS I38 FOR 12/26/05
Posted by: jpeters <jpeters@...>
SERMON SEEDS FOR DECEMBER 26, 2005
This weeks Sermon Seeds is straight from my website. Here are previously shared outlines for the New Year. I hope that they are still helpful.
***************************************************************************
TO SUBSCRIBE - Send a blank e-mail to: sermonseeds-subscribe@welovegod.org
TO UNSUBSCRIBE - Send a blank e-mail to: sermonseeds-unsubscribe@welovegod.org
***************************************************************************
PASTOR MAIL is a mailing list for male pastors. The purpose of the list is to share sermons, outlines, illustrations and prayer requests. To subscribe send a blank email to pastormail-subscribe@associate.com
MOUNT UNION ECHOES is a mailing list that includes a full text sermon from Pastor Jack Peters. To subscribe send a blank email to mountunionechoes-subscribe@welovegod.org
***************************************************************************
Mark 13:32-37
THE WORD FOR A NEW YEAR
The old year is over. The New Year is here.
I feel that you and I need a word for the New Year
We need a word to live by as Christians that will help us and keep us focused no matter what happens in this current year.
The word that God has led me to for this new year is a word that Jesus Himself used. It is a word, a command that Jesus used. It is the word, watch!
Mark 13:32-37 - But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. [33] Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. [34] For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. [35] Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: [36] Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. [37] And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Jesus makes it very clear. He is speaking to all, especially all of His followers or disciples. And He says watch!
When Jesus gives these words He is completing what is known as The Olivet Discourse. Jesus was answering the disciples questions about future events, and in light of these future events he is telling them to watch.
The event that Christians, including you and I, should watch for is the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and the resurrection of all believers from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18:
In Mark 13:32 Jesus tells us that no man knows the day or the hour when the events described in the Olivet Discourse will be fulfilled. This means that no man knows the day or the hour when Jesus is returning for us. It could be anytime.
The word Jesus gives us in light of His coming is WATCH!
Using this passage and a couple of others, I want to suggest to you that there are at least three ways that we should be watching for the coming of the Lord Jesus.
WATCH PERSISTENTLY
Vs. 34 Jesus gives an illustration.
A man is taking a long journey.
He gives to various members of the household different responsibilities. He tells them what to do while he is gone.
He tells the porter to watch.
The porter was the door keeper. While the other members of the household were also to watch for the return of their master by going about their business, it was the job of the porter to be awake and looking for the return of the Master, so He could alert the others.
The church today is like the household in the story.
Our Master is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Before He left to go on His long journey to Heaven he gave instructions to the church. Matthew 28:18-20.
The Epistles give us even further instruction. God has intended that each Christian, after coming to Christ, live a life patterned in good works. Ephesians 2:10
God also has given each of us abilities or spiritual gifts that are to be used to further His kingdom.
1 Peter 4:10-11
So Jesus has gone away. He has given us jobs to do.
And as we do the jobs Hes given us to do, we are to do them as if Jesus were coming back soon, even today!
Vs. 35 Jesus says, You watch, for you dont know when Im coming.
The watch Jesus talks about is to be a persistent one.
We dont know when He is coming, but we should be about His business, doing what Jesus has told us to do.
Vs. 36 It will be a tragedy if Jesus catches us napping when he comes.
This napping or sleeping neednt be thought of as literal.
· If we are caught up in our own pleasures when Jesus comes we will be napping.
· If we are worrying about our own well being when Jesus comes we will be napping.
· If we are delaying serving the Lord Jesus when He comes, thinking we have plenty of time, we will be napping.
· If we are concentrating on our business, our families, our comforts when Jesus comes, we will be napping.
When Jesus comes, I shouldnt really be surprised. I should be expecting Him!
I should be expecting Him, because He told me to watch for His coming!
Mark 13:37 - And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
So, what you do today should be based on the fact that you believe that Jesus could come today. And because Jesus could come today, you should be about His business.
Actually, thats why God delays the coming of Jesus, so that we can accomplish more of His work.
2 Peter 3:8-9
WATCH PERCEPTIVELY
Turn please to Titus 2:11-13.
When someone is perceptive they know whats going on.
They sense things. They understand things.
As we watch for the coming of the Lord Jesus in 2005, we are to watch perceptively.
Titus 2:11 - For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
The grace of God has appeared unto all men, to all types of people.
The grace of God is Gods unmerited favor.
You dont deserve forgiveness for your sins or a place in Heaven.
You dont deserve to be a child of God.
But if you have turned to Jesus Christ, believing that He died for your sins, and trusting Him for forgiveness and eternal life, the grace of God has touched you.
Ephesians 2:8-9
If you have put your faith in Christ then the grace of God is at work in your life.
Among other things, the grace of God teaches us to be perceptive.
Titus 2:12 - Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Gods grace not only saves us, but it teaches us.
First of all, it teaches us to deny ungodliness.
What is ungodliness?
Ungodliness is anything that God wouldnt do Himself.
It is anything that is not fitting or true of God.
Ungodliness is also anything that we do without God.
If what I am doing is not dependent upon God or approved by God, it is ungodly!
How do I go about denying ungodliness?
I deny ungodliness by staying close to Jesus!
John 15:4-5 - Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. [5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
I am not only to deny ungodliness, but I am to deny worldly lusts or desires. These are basically anything that I do to excess.
How do I deny worldly lusts?
I deny worldly lusts by allowing Gods Holy Spirit to control me.
Galatians 5:16 - This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
The grace of God not only teaches us to deny ungodliness and world lusts. It also teaches us to live soberly.
To be sober is to be serious.
If we live soberly we will live seriously. That doesnt mean that we cant have a sense of humor.
It means that we will take our commitment to God seriously.
The serious Christian lives seriously practicing the things of God on a continual basis.
Sunday Morning attendance is only one part of the bigger commitment to Christ that includes a daily walk with Him!
Not only are we to live soberly, but righteously and Godly.
Our activities should be right in the eyes of God.
Our activities should be the things that God would do if he were in our situation!
So why does the grace of God teach us the way it does?
Titus 2:12-13 - Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; [13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
If we truly live lives that deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and that are serious, righteous and godly, we will also be perceptive enough to be looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ!
The blessed hope and the glorious appearing are one and the same!
The one who is looking for the wonderful coming of the Lord Jesus will be perceptive to live as if He is coming back at any moment.
If you expect company, you clean up the house.
If you expect Jesus, you clean up your life and keep it clean on a daily basis. You look forward to His coming, so you live as if he is coming.
WATCH PRAYERFULLY
Lets go back to Mark 13 for a moment.
Mark 13:32-33 - But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. [33] Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
Watching and praying go together!
Jesus commanded it here. It is also commanded in the Epistles.
Colossians 4:2 - Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
1 Peter 4:7 - But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
Why do watching and praying go together?
· Praying helps us have victory over temptation.
· Praying keeps us Spiritually sharp.
· Praying accomplishes Gods purposes before Jesus returns. John 14:13-14 says, 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.
· God doesnt want anyone to perish, so we are instructed to pray. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 says, I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; [2] For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
The Word for 2005 is watch!
WATCH PERSISTENTLY
WATCH PERCEPTIVELY
WATCH PRAYERFULLY
***************************************************************************
2 Chronicles 7:14
COMPATIBLE WITH GOD - NEW YEARS
There was much concern expressed about the world's computers being compatible with the year 2000. In the New Year our biggest concern should be that we as Christians are compatible with God.
GOD'S PEOPLE
God's people for today are the ones who know Christ as Savior
FOLLOWING GOD'S PLAN
Humility
Prayer
Seek God's Face
Turn from Wicked Ways
RECEIVE GOD'S PROMISES
Of Hearing
Of Forgiveness
Of Healing
***************************************************************************
Psalm 90:10, 12, 14
"ABOUT TIME" OR "ON TIME" NEW YEAR
There is at least one thing you and I have in common. God has given us each the same amount of time each day! We each have 24 hours. Each hour has 60 minutes. Each minute has 60 seconds.
One of the hardest things we need to do each day is to use God's gift of time wisely! Moses makes some interesting observations in Vss. 10, 12 and 14 of Psalm 90. He speaks about time.
RECOGNIZING THE TIME - Vs. 10
According to the Bible, the average life span is 70 years. Sometimes, especially in America today, a person may even receive a few more years. Nevertheless, no matter how long we live it is not long at all, and our time will be up.
REDEEMING THE TIME - Vs. 12
Moses recognized the need for proper use of time. Our time should be spent acknowledging the brevity of time and the need to use our time wisely. The most important thing we can do with our time is please God. See Ephesians 5:15-17.
REJOICING THROUGH TIME - Vs. 14
The sooner we find the mercy of God in Christ, and are satisfied with that mercy all our days, the happier we will be! The word mercy here refers to God's love! Let us always remember that nothing can separate us from that love! Romans 8:35-39.
***************************************************************************
Jeremiah 6:16-17
LET'S DO WHAT ISRAEL DIDN'T DO!
A POSSIBLE NEW YEARS MESSAGE
Israel was often a disobedient nation.
God sent prophets, such as Jeremiah to bring Israel back to Himself.
Israel would not listen.
Right now, God is calling us as Christians back to Himself.
To have revival, we need to do what Israel didn't do.
Can be used for a New Year message. Let's do better than Israel in 1998!)
ASK - "...ask for the old paths, where is the good way..."
ACT - "...and walk therein...Hearken to the sound of the trumpet"
(God's preachers are the watchmen, sounding the trumpet.)
ACCOMPLISH - "...and ye shall find rest for your souls."
AVOID (ignoring God like Israel did.) - "But they said, we will not walk therein." "But they said, we will not hearken."
***************************************************************************
Ezra 7:10
A NEW YEAR'S EXAMPLE
As we approach another New Year, it is always good to have an example follow. Consider Ezra the Scribe.
EZRA'S PURPOSE - "For Ezra had prepared his heart"
EZRA'S PURSUIT - " to seek the law of the LORD,"
EZRA'S PRACTICE - "... and to do it,"
EZRA'S PROCLAMATION - "... and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments."
***************************************************************************
Psalm 84:10-12
LOOKING GREAT IN THE NEW YEAR
For a great New Year,
MAKE GOD YOUR HOME Vs. 10
MAKE GOD YOUR HELP Vs. 11
MAKE GOD YOUR HAPPINESS Vs. 12
( The word "blessed" means happy.)
***************************************************************************
Proverbs 22:6 etc.
IN TRAINING
As another year approaches, we must be aware that a church that is going to amount to anything for Christ must be a church that is well trained in the things of God.
TRAIN THE CHILDREN - Proverbs 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
The best time to train people is when they are young. We should take diligent heed to win children to Christ and to train them early in the things of God.
TRAIN THE CHURCH - 2 Timothy 4:2 - "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."
The church as a whole needs to be trained in the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16
TRAIN THE COMMITTED - 2 Timothy 2:2 - "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also."
Pastors tend to spend most of their time with problem people who show little interest in Spiritual maturity. Paul instructed Timothy to invest his time and teaching talents in "faithful men". We should follow this instruction as well.
***************************************************************************
Luke 12:35-40 NEW YEAR
ON THE WATCH
(Can be used any time, but would make a nice possibility for a New Year sermon, especially at a watch-night service.)
THE ACTIVE WATCH Vss. 35-36
THE AWARDED WATCH Vs. 37
THE ALERT WATCH Vss. 38-40
***************************************************************************
Luke 13:35-40
ON THE WATCH
(Can be used any time, but would make a nice possibility for a New Year sermon, especially at a watch-night service.)
THE ACTIVE WATCH Vss. 35-36
THE AWARDED WATCH Vs. 37
THE ALERT WATCH Vss. 38-40
***************************************************************************
1 Corinthians 1:4-9
OUR FAITHFUL GOD NEW YEAR Preached before Y2K
It is dark most mornings when I get up. Imagine how surprised I would be if I got up one morning and switched on the light and nothing happened! And imagine how disturbed I would be if there was no electric so my coffee maker could make my morning coffee. And imagine how uncomfortable I'd feel if there was no heat. It is electricity that makes the heater work. Someone is faithful at the electric company!
We are dependent on faithful people. We get in our cars and in our travels expect to find faithful gas stations, food stores, clothing stores, department stores, hardware stores, and restaurants, all providing the goods and services which we want or need.
We also expect to find faithful schools. Whether they be public schools or Christians schools, we expect them to provide education, guidance, and protection for our children. We assume that someone has been faithful to open the door of the school, faithful to see everyone has a teacher, faithful to take attendance, and faithful to see that all the supplies are provided.
We expect police departments, fire departments, and first aid squads to do their assigned jobs faithfully. We also expect that our friends and loved ones will be faithful in loving, in caring and being available when needed.
We live in a society in which faithfulness is assumed many times a day. We simply act if someone has done the job that needed to be done to keep us comfortable.
By now you know that there is some question about how faithful everything is going to be after the New Year. You have heard some of the problems that people think we may have because of the Y2K computer glitch! Perhaps the electric will go off. Perhaps the banks will have a problem. Perhaps there will be a food shortage. Companies have worked very hard, and spent a lot of money. Hopefully everything is going to be fine on January 1st.
As Christians we need to remind ourselves that no matter what happens on January 1st, or any time during the coming millennium, one truth will remain true. OUR GOD IS FAITHFUL!
Lamentations 3:22-23 - "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
Consider that God is faithful to maintain the right orbit of this planet around the sun, so that it is consistent. Therefore we can depend, more or less, on the weather.
Consider that God is faithful to provide summer, winter, seedtime and harvest.
Consider that God is faithful to provide the rain, the snow, the sun and the moon.
God is indeed faithful! We, as Christians, however often fail to realize just how far this faithfulness extends. We know that God was faithful to send his Son to die for our sins. We know that God is faithful to give eternal life to anyone who asks, and we know that God is faithful in giving us His Holy Spirit when we come to Christ.
We are also aware that God has promised to take care of our needs.
But, beyond what we have just shared, most of us do not always see the faithfulness of God at work in our lives, even though it's there!
In this message we want to see OUR FAITHFUL GOD and the way he is working in our lives through His grace. No matter what happens come January 1st, God will remain faithful in these ways.
In verse 9 we read, "God is faithful..."
I personally believe that these verses show us at least 5 ways that God is faithful to us who know Christ as Savior.
Vs. 4 - Introduces this passage. Paul gives us a good reminder.
He tells us that he continually gave thanks for the Corinthians. The Corinthians, questioned Paul's apostleship, permitted immorality in the church, were split their allegiances, and were Spiritually immature. And yet Paul was still able to give thanks to God for them. He gave thanks, not because he was happy with their problems, but because of what God had done, was doing, and would do in the lives of the Corinthians.
Specifically, Paul was thankful for the grace of God that was at work in the Corinthians' hearts and lives.
You and I will not agree with everything other Christians do, but we can be thankful when we see God's grace at work in the hearts and lives of others.
WE ARE ENRICHED BY HIS GRACE - Vs. 5
When someone is enriched, he is given riches. He is made wealthy.
Here, we are told that we are enriched by Him! We are made wealthy.
Notice how all-inclusive this is - in all things.
Not one aspect of your life is left untouched.
You've already heard the classic stories about people who were rich, but never claimed their riches.
All Christians are rich in Christ. Many have just not taken the time to discover and claim all their riches. 2 Peter 1:3, Colossians 1:10
In this verse we find ourselves enriched in two ways. We are enriched in utterance and knowledge. Both of these help us be the witnesses we need to be for the Lord Jesus. Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, 1 Peter 3:15
WE ARE CONFIRMED BY HIS GRACE - Vs. 6
I have been confirmed twice in my lifetime.
When I was twelve years old, I took a course in the church I attended, and then a bishop came and laid his hands on me.
This meant that I was confirming the faith which someone else, my parents and Godparents, spoke for me when I was a baby.
There was only one catch. Although I had been christened and confirmed, I was still lost. I did not have the right idea of how to get saved and go to Heaven.
Then came my second confirmation. One night while listening to Billy Graham on the radio, I came to trust Christ as my Savior. At that moment I knew I was saved, and God began to bring about change in my life. Later I was Scripturally baptized by immersion.
The first time I was confirmed by man.
The second time I was confirmed by the grace of God!
The word confirmed means "settled, steadfast, solid".
And although some may doubt their salvation for a brief period, the one who is truly saved has assurance of knowing they have eternal life. Romans 8:16
WE ARE GIFTED BY HIS GRACE - Vs. 7
We are waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We do not know when He is coming back.
We do know, that He is coming, and He will come first for us, His church.
What are we to be doing until He comes?
We are to love one another.
We are to be meeting together.
We are to be celebrating the Lord's Table.
We are to be living Godly lives.
We are to are to be reaching out to a lost and dying world with the message of salvation.
All of these things require talent and ability that we don't naturally have. We couldn't save ourselves and we can't live the Christian Life without help.
Verse 7 is telling us that we are lacking no gift that we need in order to live for Christ. You might not have the same gift as someone else, or ability, but when it comes to Godly living, you have all you need. Ephesians 1:3
As you know God has provided many Spiritual Gifts and gifted people to the church. We find lists of these gifts in such passages as Ephesians 4, Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12.
God does not give all his Spiritual gifts to one individual, but He spreads them out. He may give the gift of preaching to one, and the gift administration to another. Also He might give still others gifts of helping, evangelism and giving. I believe that God gives the individual church all the gifts necessary to get the job done.
WE ARE ESTABLISHED BY HIS GRACE - Vs. 8
The same God who confirmed your testimony within you, when you first came to Christ, will continue to confirm or establish you to the end. Here the word confirm means establish. One day we are going to stand blameless before God, not because we did something but because God was faithful in establishing us that way.
WE ARE INCLUDED BY HIS GRACE - Vs. 9
Notice that God has called us into fellowship with Him.
Fellowship here means partnership.
There is a oneness that takes place that joins us together,.
Have you ever thought of the Lord Jesus as your partner?
He would be senior partner for sure!
That where you go, He's there.
What say, He's there.
What you try to accomplish for His glory, He's there.
When you hurt, He hurts.
When you love the right things, He loves.
So, if Jesus is here, why not let the senior partner have control.
May it be that where you go, Jesus has taken you.
And what you say, Jesus is saying through you.
And what you try to accomplish for His glory, He has done through you.
And when you love, He is loving through you.
I do not know what is going to happen in Y2K, but I do know that my God is faithful!
***************************************************************************
Philippians 3:17-21
FOR THE NEW YEAR! NEW YEAR
As we face another year, these words of Paul are a good reminder for us to follow.
OUR CHALLENGE FOR THE NEW YEAR - Vs. 17 - Follow the example of Paul in Godly living and those who are also following his example. Paul and others were not perfect, but still excellent role models.
OUR CAUTION FOR THE NEW YEAR - Vss. 18-19 - Avoid following the example of those who are ungodly.
OUR CITIZENSHIP FOR ETERNITY - Vss. 20-21 - Our citizenship (conversation) is in Heaven right now. We are away from home temporarily. We should be looking for the coming of our Savior, who will transform our bodies to be like His.
***************************************************************************
Hebrews 13:5-6
4 C'S FOR THE NEW YEAR NEW YEARS!
As a New Year approaches this passage gives us some positive encouragement.
CONDUCT - "Let your conversation (manner of life) be without covetousness;"
CONTENTMENT - "... and be content with such things as ye have:"
COMPANION - "... for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
CONFIDENCE - "So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my
helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
***************************************************************************
Hebrews 12:1-2
FOR THE NEW YEAR
REMEMBER THE WITNESSES - "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses," (I believe that the witnesses are the men and women of faith found in Hebrews 11)
REMOVE THE HINDRANCES - "...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us," (The book of Hebrews stresses belief. I believe that the sin that easily besets us is unbelief. See Hebrews 3:12-13.)
RUN THE RACE - "...and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,"
REFLECT ON JESUS - "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
***************************************************************************
HAVE THESE SERMON SEEDS BLESSED YOU? THEN, PLEASE PASS THEM ALONG!
ABOUT SERMON SEEDS:
Sermon Seeds is a weekly e-mailing of free brief sermon outlines from Pastor Jack Peters. These outlines are meant to help other pastors and Bible Teachers in their own preparations.
These outlines are only "seeds". They are not sermons ready for you to preach. Feel free to improve on these outlines anyway the Lord leads you.
TO SUBSCRIBE - Send a blank e-mail to: sermonseeds-subscribe@welovegod.org
TO UNSUBSCRIBE - Send a blank e-mail to: sermonseeds-unsubscribe@welovegod.org
PLEASE VISIT OUR WEB SITE!
http://www.sermonseeds.org is the location for the Sermon Seeds Archives. You will find most of the outlines from these e-mail editions, plus links to other helpful web pages. Be sure to sign the guest book, and tell me a little about yourself.
JACKS EMAIL ADDRESS jpeters@alltel.net
TALK TO JACK THROUGH INSTANT MESSAGING
I welcome live correspondence with those on the Sermon Seeds list. To put me on your "buddy list" here is the information you need.
AOL AIM JackPeters1947
MSN (Microsoft) - johnwpeters@hotmail.com
VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://www.sermonseeds.org
This ministry has grown over the years because people like you have told others about Sermon Seeds. Always feel free to forward the weekly Sermon Seeds email to those who you think might be interested in these outlines. Also, please share our website address with others as well. Thank you for your support.
-- To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: sermonseeds-unsubscribe@welovegod.org