SERMON SEEDS J6 FOR APRIL 24, 2006
Posted by: jpeters <jpeters@...>
OUR TENTH YEAR!!
SERMON SEEDS FOR APRIL 24, 2006
***************************************************************************
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
***************************************************************************
Genesis 11:30 etc.
THANKS, SARAH!
Sarah teaches us some very important lessons.
1. BEAUTY DOES NOT BUY HAPPINESS
Genesis 12:11 - She was beautiful.
Genesis 11:30 - She was barren
Genesis 12:10-20, 20:1-16 - She was betrayed (Forced to lie about being married by her husband.).
2. HELPING GOD DOESN'T HELP. Genesis 16
Sarah tried to help by giving Abraham her maid to produce a child.
The descendants of Ishmael have been a challenge to Israel ever since.
3. WHAT GOD SAYS IS NO LAUGHING MATTER Genesis 18:9-15
4. GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES Genesis 21:1-5
Sermon Seeds A9
************************************************************************************
Psalm 3
DAVIDS JOURNAL OR THE DAILY BLOG
One of the newer practices on the World Wide Web is blogging. Blogs are journals written on line so others can read them.
I think of Psalm 3 as a page in Davids Journal or, if they had such things in his day, it would be his daily blog.
PROBLEMS Vss. 1-2
PROTECTION Vs. 3
PRAYER Vs. 4
PEACE Vss. 5-6
POWER Vss. 7-8
***************************************************************************
Matthew 16:13-27 - PAGE 1
THIS IS YOUR LIFE
LIFE OF CHRIST #31
This morning as we return to our study of the Life of Christ, Jesus had been in the Gentile area of Tyre and Sidon. A Gentile woman had begged Jesus to heal her demon possessed daughter, and after testing her faith, He did. Shortly after that Jesus performed another feeding miracle which we call The Feeding of the Four Thousand. This was also done in the Gentile area.
Eventually Jesus came into an area known as Caesarea Philippi. It is here where the Apostle Peter is again in the lime light, and we also see what should be a typical This is Your Life for any Christian. If you are a born again Christian, the things we discuss this morning should be true of you. So, we can ask the question IS THIS YOUR LIFE?
This morning we will want you to think about your Christian life and answer these questions:
IS YOUR LIFE A LIFE OF PROCLAMATION?
Vss. 13-17
Vs. 13 I believe that Jesus knew the answer to this question. After all, He is God!
But He wanted the Apostles to think. He wanted them to get it straight in their own minds. He begins by asking them what is out on the street. What are people saying about me?
Vs. 14 The Apostles gave Jesus the answer.
· Some said that he was John the Baptist. Thats what King Herod said. Thats John the Baptist, who I beheaded, who is risen from the dead.
· Some thought that he was Elijah the Prophet who was to come before the Messiah.
· Others thought that He was the prophet Jeremiah, or another Old Testament prophet.
Is it important what others say about the Lord Jesus? Of course it is! Ones opinion of and response to Jesus will determine whether one ends up in Heaven or in hell!
Vs. 15 - Jesus then asked the most important question of all. He asked But who do you say that I am?
It was important for the Apostles that their mind was made up as to the identity of the Lord Jesus! They couldnt truly serve Jesus or point others to Jesus, until they understood and proclaimed Jesus identity themselves. The most important thing of all is that you know who Jesus is and that you say so!
Vs. 16 Peter had the right answer. You are the Christ, or the Messiah. You are Gods anointed one!
But Peter didnt stop there he added, You are the Son of the living God.
Peter had it right! And I believe that Peter was speaking for all the Apostles with the exception of Judas. This was their core belief.
You need to believe and profess the same thing that Peter did. You need to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the very Son of God. You need to believe that He died to pay for your sins, and that He did. You also need to believe that Christ raised Him from the dead, and you need to say so! Romans 9-10
Vs. 17 Jesus reaction teaches us just how much our salvation is a work of Gods and not our own work.
Simon Peter was blessed because flesh and blood had not convinced Him of the truth about Jesus. God, through His Spirit had revealed the truth.
And although you and I are required to proclaim our faith to others, it is the Spirit of God that makes the identity of Christ real in the hearts of others. Anytime a person truly believes in Jesus Christ as Savior it is a work of the Spirit of God. John 3:5-7
IS YOUR LIFE A LIFE OF PROMISES? - Vss. 18-19
Vs. 18 The name Peter means rock or stone.
When Jesus said and upon this rock I will build my church, He uses a work that would refer to bedrock or a massive stone. I think of the Rock of Gibraltar.
Peter was a rock or a stone. He showed that by his profession of faith. But it is on the massive rock, bedrock, Himself, that Jesus would build his church.
Peter gave testimony that Jesus is the rock in 1 Peter 2:6-8.
Jesus says, Upon this rock (meaning Himself), I will build my church.
The word church means assembly. It means a group that is called out.
The church is a group of people who have saved by Jesus Christ, and called out as His special people.
Every person who has truly trusted Christ as Savior is a part of Jesus church.
Jesus said, I will build my church. Are you letting Him build you? Are you letting Him develop you as part of the universal church and the local church? 2 Peter 3:18
2 Peter 3:18 - But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
Jesus also promised that and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
The word hell here is Hades is the Greek. It is the realm of the dead. Jesus is saying that death can not overcome the church.
Death can not overcome the church because the rock on which the church is built has overcome death! He rose from the dead and gives us the promise of resurrection. John 11:25-16
If death can not overcome the church, death can not overcome you! Are you resting in that promise?
Vs. 19 Peter, I believe, received the keys of the Kingdom for the Apostles and all believers to follow.
Keys open and lock.
Based on the Word of God Peter could say, if you believe on Jesus Christ, you are saved, and if you dont believe on Jesus Christ you wont be saved.
He opened the door to those who believed.
He shut the door to those who didnt believe.
Most notably he did this on the Day of Pentecost before a Jewish audience, and later before a man named Cornelius and a Gentile audience.
You and I have the same keys.
We can say on the authority of the Word of God to any person who trusts Christ as Savior that the Kingdom of Heaven theirs.
We can say on that same authority to a person who has not trusted Christ as Savior, that the Kingdom of Heaven is not theirs. John 3:36
John 3:36 - He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Are you using the keys that Jesus has given you?
Are you sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
We have promises.
The promise that Jesus will build his church
The promise that death will not be victorious over us
The promise that we have the keys to the Kingdom
Are you enjoying your promises?
Are you resting in them?
IS YOUR LIFE A LIFE OF PRIORITIES? - Vss. 20-26
Vs. 20 It was not yet time for public proclamation that Jesus is the Christ. That came later for them, which is now for us!
Vs. 21 Jesus taught the disciples Gods plan. The plan was that Jesus would die for sins, be buried and rise again.
Vs. 22 Peter did not like Gods plan. In fact Peter thought that the person he had just proclaimed to be Gods Son was wrong!
How often do we do this?
We see suffering, inconvenience, and personal sacrifice ahead for us, and say This has got to be wrong! Why would God allow this?
Vs. 23 Jesus rebuked Peter, evidently didnt even let him finish.
Peter was letting Satan influence him.
Satan was tempting Jesus to give up the cross through Peter.
Therefore Jesus said to Peter, Get thee behind me Satan.
Peter was an offense, a stumbling block.
At this moment Peter wasnt helping Jesus, He was hindering his work.
Peters problem was that he was not seeking Gods interests but mans.
Peter had his priorities mixed up.
Man seeks enjoyment and pleasure and self importance.
God seeks us to be submissive to his will.
When we seek our own enjoyment and pleasure we become a stumbling block to Gods plan.
When we are submissive to Gods will we become part of Gods plan.
Vs. 24 The person who has experienced forgiveness and eternal life, the person who is part of Jesus church, the person who has the Keys to the kingdom, is to make Jesus his priority.
Making the Lord Jesus your priority is summed up in three words:
· DENIAL let him deny himself
· DEATH - and take up his cross
· DIRECTION - and follow me
Vs. 25 Do you want a worthless life? Try and protect, preserve and keep your life. Hang on to it!
Do you want a profitable life? Lose it for Jesus sake!
Vs. 26 If you are not a Christian, you have lost your soul!
You will spend eternity in hell.
If you are a Christian, you should prove your Christianity by being sold out to the one who died for you.
Your discipleship proves that you are truly saved. Galatians 2:20
Christian, are your priorities in order?
IS YOUR LIFE A LIFE OF PRIZES? - Vs. 27
We as Christians will be rewarded according to our works.
Salvation is free.
Prizes or rewards are earned. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15
IS YOUR LIFE A LIFE OF PROCLAMATION? - Vss. 13-17
IS YOUR LIFE A LIFE OF PROMISES? - Vss. 18-19
IS YOUR LIFE A LIFE OF PRIORITIES? - Vss. 20-26
IS YOUR LIFE A LIFE OF PRIZES? - Vs. 27
***************************************************************************
Acts 2:37-47
A LIVING CHURCH
The Model Church Lesson #6
(I ACCIDENTALLY SENT LESSON #7 FIRST. THIS WEEK I AM SENDING LESSONS # 6 AND #8. If you need #7, email me and I will send it to you.)
This week we continue to look at the living church. Many churches are dead today. If we are not careful we could join their number. So, we want to make sure that we imitate the early church which was indeed a living church!
REVIEW -
The Day of Pentecost had arrived. The church was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit.
A crowd gathered.
The people began to speak in other languages.
Peter gave a sermon explaining what happened.
He talked about the Lord Jesus. He was their Messiah. They had crucified their Messiah.
He had risen from the dead.
Vs. 36 Peter proclaims Jesus to be Lord and Christ at the conclusion of the sermon.
CONVERSION - Vss. 37-41
Vs. 37 - Notice the conviction here! Where does that kind of conviction come from?
Yes, the Holy Spirit! Unless the Holy Spirit convicts, there will be no true turning to Christ. Let us ask God to pour out His Spirit when any preacher preaches!
Is this passage teaching that a person must be baptized in order to be saved?
How would you answer such a claim?
Repent - They needed to change their attitude about Christ. They needed to see Him as their Messiah.
They needed to be sorry for the sin of rejecting Him.
Today people need to repent and have a change of attitude about Christ.
They must turn from their sin and trust Christ.
They must turn from any other method of salvation and trust Christ exclusively.
Be Baptized - In the early church Baptism immediately followed salvation.
When a person was publicly baptized, he was making a life-changing stand.
Opposition would often follow. In my opinion, Baptism was a test to see if a professing believer was for real.
"for the remission of sins" - I hold that it was the belief in Christ that gave the remission of sins.
The vast majority of salvation verses talk about faith in Christ alone as the way to Heaven.
Baptism is never emphasized.
And if Baptism was so important, why did Paul usually have someone else do the baptizing instead of him?
CONTINUATION - Vss. 42
When a person has been truly born again, he or she will continue in the faith.
And notice how these new believers continued - steadfastly!
If there is anything that we believers, old and new, need it's steadfastness.
1 Corinthians 4:2 - Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
It's so easy to give up! It's so easy to let down. What we need to do is to continue or "hang in there" in these four areas.
· Doctrine
Doctrine is teaching.
There is so much that we need to learn.
General Bible knowledge is important, but we need to take what the Bible teaches us to do and to actually do it. We need to be Bible Students like the Bereans. Acts 17:11, 2 Timothy 3:16, 4:2
· Fellowship
Fellowship is sharing. Check out the one anothers in the New Testament to see what fellowship entails.
· Breaking of Bread
This is the Lord's Table.
· Prayers
Now I believe the reference here includes praying together.
From Scripture and through experience, God has shown that He answers corporate prayers.
We should be a people who pray together even if not everyone feels they want to pray out loud.
CONDUCT - Vss. 43-47
· Fear, Vs. 43
· Miracles, Vs. 43
· Sharing - Vss. 44-45
1 John 3:17-18 - But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? [18] My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
· Unity - Vs. 46
· Gladness - Vs. 46
· Praise - Vs. 47
· Testimony - Vs. 47
· Salvation - Vs. 47
*************************************************************************
ACTS 4:1-22
HANDLING THE PRESSURE
The Model Church Lesson #8
(I ACCIDENTALLY SENT LESSON #7 FIRST. THIS WEEK I AM SENDING LESSONS # 6 AND #8. If you need #7, email me and I will send it to you.)
Since the beginning of the church true believers have faced persecution in one form or another.
It has been as simple as being poked fun it for one's faith and as harrowing as facing death because of commitment to Christ.
John 16:2-3 - They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
2 Timothy 3:12 - Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
From the beginning, Christians have had to learn to handle pressure because of their faith.
The last time we came together, we saw that Peter and John had healed a man who had been handicapped for over 40 years. This resulted in another evangelistic message from Peter. In the passage before us, Peter and John are forced to handle the pressure that followed this healing and message.
OPPOSITION BY THE LEADERSHIP - Vss. 1-3
Vs. 1 - There is a rule of thumb in ministry. If Satan tries to oppose what you are doing, chances are you are having an impact for God.
Vs. 1 - This message took place in the temple area. The temple officers showed up. Included in the crowd were the priests. They were probably the priests on duty at the time.
Also there was the captain of the temple. He was the head of the temple guard and second only in rank to the high priest. Third in the group were the Sadducees. They were a sect within Judaism that included the high priest and his family. They were the religious liberals of their days, only believing in the first five books of the Bible and not believing in angels, the resurrection or future punishments or rewards.
Vs. 2 - These people were grieved with Peter and John. First, they were grieved that they taught in the first place. These apostles were no more approved to preach by the authorities than John Bunyan was. They were not official teachers. They didn't want the Jewish people influenced by the Christians. They were also grieved because they preached through Jesus the resurrection of the dead.
There are people today who don't want the Gospel preached. They are unhappy when it is preached and often call those who preach salvation in Christ "narrow-minded".
Vs. 3 - They did what they could to stop the apostles. They arrested them and placed them in jail for the night. The hour was late.
In our country today it seems like everyone except the Christian has rights. Christians are discouraged from sharing their faith at work, and Christians are now restricted in the classroom and at graduation exercises for public schools. They have kicked God out of the classroom and off the job.
OPERATION OF GOD'S SPIRIT - Vs. 4
In spite of the opposition, God's Spirit went to work. Over 5,000 people since the beginning were now believers. Over 1000 probably came to Christ as a result of this sermon.
Of course those opposed to Christ are going to oppose the preaching of God's Word.
But God's Spirit will use God's Word in order to bring others to Christ.
Sometimes, when things are going their worse, God is at work. We once had a Daily Vacation Bible School, which included my car breaking down, David got sick and Mark put his hand through the storm door and required 19 stitches. The end result of the Bible School though was three new families coming to the church.
OPPORTUNITY FOR PETER - Vss. 5-12
Vss. 5-6 - The official ruling body of the Jews was the Sanhedran. It was like a supreme court. It was they who gathered together. There were the rulers, probably heads of the 24 courses of priests, elders who were family heads and heads of tribes, and scribes who were the religious scholars.
In Verse 6 we are told that the family of the high priest was present.
Annas was called the high priest, but in reality at this point it was his son-in-law, Caiaphas.
Once a person was high priest, he was still referred to as such. Annas evidently was the real power. Five sons, a son-in-law, and a grandson all served in that capacity.
Vs. 7 - The council asks by what power or in whose name did the apostles work the miracle.
Now think about it, they were placed in a position of giving a testimony for the Lord.
A lot of times when we are asked why we do the things the way we do, we will have
opportunity to share our faith. Sometimes persecution turns out to be an excellent
preaching opportunity. 1 Peter 3:15
1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Vs. 8 - The Holy Spirit took over! This is exactly what Jesus promised! Luke 12:11-12, Acts 1:8
OPPRESSION FROM THE SANHEDRAN - Vss. 13-18
OBSTINACY OF PETER AND JOHN - Vss. 19-22
*********************************************************************
THE EARLY CHURCH IN PRAYER
ON OUR KNEES - LEARNING FROM MEN OF PRAYER LESSON #8
(A COMPLETE LESSON)
INTERACTION
V Have you ever seen God answer corporate prayers?
V What are some positive things to be said for corporate prayer?
V Why are corporate prayers sometimes ineffective?
V Why do our minds wander when someone else is praying?
V What are some of the things we should be praying for corporately?
Our study of men of prayer takes us to the Book of Acts. We want to see prayers that were made corporately, that is, as a group, which often included the ladies as well. These examples give us good examples of what we should ask for when we pray as a group.
PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE
Acts 1:24-25 - And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, [25] That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
· The Apostles were choosing a replacement for Judas. They asked God for guidance as they cast lots. This was the last record of casting lots in the Scripture.
· When are some of the times when corporate prayer should be made for guidance in a local church?
· What are some decisions that churches have made without truly seeking the Lords guidance?
· Why is it a travesty when churches make decisions without seeking guidance from the Lord?
PRAYER OF POWER
Acts 4:31 - And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
· Peter and John had been threatened not to preach the Gospel. Acts 4: 18-21
· Prayer was made, not for deliverance, but for boldness and power. Acts 4:23-30
· Preaching and teaching Gods Word are arguably the most important activities that take place in this church.
1 Corinthians 1:18 - For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:21 - For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
2 Timothy 4:2 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
· Exactly what should be prayed for before any service?
· What part should the Holy Spirit have in preaching and teaching?
PRAYER OF LEADERS
Acts 6:4 - But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
· Why should leaders especially pray?
· How can leaders, such as a pastor or elders, be freed up to pray?
· How would allowing leaders more time to pray change a church?
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Acts 6:6 - Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
Acts 14:23 - And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Acts 13:3 - And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
· Deacons, elders, and missionaries were prayed over when their ministry began.
· What value are prayers of dedication to the one receiving them?
· What value are prayers of dedication to God?
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
Acts 12:5 - Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
· Why should persecuted Christians be of concern to us?
Hebrews 13:3 - Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
· How can we better remember to pray for persecuted Christians?
PRAYER OF DELIVERANCE
Acts 16:25 - And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
· Why were Paul and Silas in jail and what was their physical condition?
· Why do you think praising God was a key to their deliverance?
· How will prayerful and joyful reaction to adversity affect others?
· Consider what great things God might do if we handled adversity the way Paul and Silas did!
PRAYER OF COMMITMENT
Acts 20:36 - And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
· Paul was leaving the Ephesian leaders, not to see them again.
· He had given them instruction and warning.
· Then he prayed with them. I believe that he was committing their well-being and ministry to God.
· What are some times when we need to stop what were doing and have prayer with someone?
***************************************************************************
Romans 1:14-17
RESOLVED
The Apostle Paul was resolved to win souls to Christ. We should have the same attitude he had when he said:
I AM DEBTOR Vs. 14
I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
I AM READY Vs. 15
So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
I AM NOT ASHAMED Vss. 16-17
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. [17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Sermon Seeds A1
***************************************************************************
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