WeLoveGod RallysPublic Newsletters: sermonseedsSERMON SEEDS K26 FOR 9/10/07

You need to log in to create posts and topics.

SERMON SEEDS K26 FOR 9/10/07

#1 · September 10, 2007, 10:25 am

Quote from Forum Archives on September 10, 2007, 10:25 am
Posted by: jpeters <jpeters@...>
SUBSCRIBE - Send a blank e-mail to: sermonseeds-subscribe@welovegod.org

TO UNSUBSCRIBE - Send a blank e-mail to: sermonseeds-unsubscribe@welovegod.org

SERMON SEEDS FOR SEPTEMBER 10, 2007

www.sermonseeds.org

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

WHAT ABOUT PURGATORY?

#1 of 4 SUNDAY SCHOOL TOPICS

(In order to encourage Sunday School attendance I am delivering a brief series on topics one might be taught in Sunday School.)

As born again Christians we want to understand some of the beliefs of others and be ready to help them to see Biblical truth. One of the beliefs of our Roman Catholic friends is in a place called purgatory. Purgatory is supposedly a place people go after they die before they go to Heaven.

Here is an explanation of purgatory according to the Roman Catholic Website, Catholic Answers:

All Christians agree that we wont be sinning in heaven. Sin and final glorification are utterly incompatible. Therefore, between the sinfulness of this life and the glories of heaven, we must be made pure. Between death and glory there is a purification.

Thus, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: All who die in Gods grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The Church gives the name purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.

Some imagine that the Catholic Church has an elaborate doctrine of purgatory worked out, but there are only three essential components of the doctrine: (1) that a purification after death exists, (2) that it involves some kind of pain, and (3) that the purification can be assisted by the prayers and offerings by the living to God.

Other ideas, such that purgatory is a particular "place" in the afterlife or that it takes time to accomplish, are speculations rather than doctrines. http://www.catholic.com/library/Roots_of_Purgatory.asp

So, what about purgatory? Is there such a place that we need to go after we die before we go to heaven so we can suffer and be purified from some of our sins?

Lets answer the question about purgatory with five other questions:

1. HOW FINISHED IS FINISHED?

John 19:30 - When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Who is the Lord Jesus Christ? He is God the Son! Mark 1:1, John 1:1-2

Why did Jesus ever leave Heaven to come to earth?

He came to earth because every other individual that has ever lived has a problem called sin. Sin is anything that we do that displeases God. We have all sinned and failed God. We are all wicked in the eyes of God. Isaiah 64:6

So we are sinners, so what?

God is righteous and God is just, therefore, He requires that evil doers be punished for their sins.

Ezekiel 18:4, Romans 6:23



God loves us. He wants us to be rescued or saved from the punishment of Hell. Thats why He sent His Son to earth, to do for us what we can not do for ourselves, save ourselves from punishment for our sins. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 2 Corinthians 5:21

So Jesus died on the cross for your sins. You and I dont deserve such love, but it has been extended to us from the cross.



Just before Jesus died on the cross and after asking for and getting a drink he cried, IT IS FINISHED! All the prophecies that needed to be fulfilled concerning his life and death were completed!

But theres more, the word Greek word Jesus used for finished means paid in full! In other words, the debt for our sins on the cross was paid in full! When a persons trust is in the Lord Jesus Christ, his sins are paid for in full! Isaiah 53:5, Hebrews 9:12, 1 Peter 3:18

So, was the sacrifice of Christ for your sins sufficient to pay for all of your sins? Indeed it was!

To say that a person has to add good works to what Christ has done is an insult to Him!

To say that a person has to suffer in purgatory for some sins that Christ didnt die for is an insult to Him.

How finished is finished? When Jesus died for your sins, your sins were paid for in full!

2. HOW FORGIVEN IS FORGIVEN?

When are a persons sins actually forgiven?

When is a person assured that He is going to Heaven?

What must a person do to have His sins forgiven?

Christ paid for our sins in full. Therefore there is only one requirement for forgiveness and eternal life. That requirement is faith! John 3:16-18, Ephesians 2:8-9

When a person sincerely turns away from trying to earn his way to Heaven and puts his or her full trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, some wonderful things happen. We become the children of God. We are indwelt with Gods Holy Spirit. We are declared righteous so that we can go to Heaven. Our sins are forgiven! Ephesians 1:7

But what about the sins we commit after we have put our faith in Christ?

Did Christ die for them too? Of course he did!

When we sin as Christians, not only does it break Gods heart, but it breaks communication between me and God. Psalm 66:18, Isaiah 59:2, 1 John 1:8-2:2

The blood of Jesus Christ that was already shed is the satisfaction for our sins. When I confess my sins as a Christian I am totally forgiven!

But what about sin that is in my life when I die?

Christ died for all of our sins.

There is nothing for us to pay for!

The work of Christ on the cross was sufficient so that all your sins are forgiven!

There is no need for a place called purgatory!



3. HOW HIDEOUS IS HELL?

Please turn to Luke 16:19-31.

There are two places of suffering mentioned in Scripture. One is referred to as Hell. It is a place of immediate suffering for those whose sins are not forgiven. The other is the Lake of Fire, which is the place of final suffering for those who are not in Heaven.

The story of Lazarus and the rich man teaches some very important things about this place called Hell.

There was a rich man who did very well for himself in this life, but when he died, because of his unbelief, he found himself in hell.

There was another man, named Lazarus, who was a beggar. When he died, because of his faith, he went to Heaven.

The man in hell cries out to Abraham who is in Heaven.

Notice some important things about hell from this passage.

·       Vs. 23 tells us that people in hell are aware of what is going on.

·       Vs. 23 tells us that hell is a place of torment or pain.

·       Vs. 24 tells us that hell is a place of extreme heat caused by flames.

·       Vss. 25-26 tells us that there is no relief in hell.

·       Vss. 27-28 tells us that people in hell are very evangelistic. They dont want anyone else to come there!

As I said a moment ago there is a place called the Lake of Fire. Revelation 20:11-15

Why will people go to hell and not Heaven?

Because they did not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior!

Their names are not written in the Book of Life.

That is why we should want to share the Gospel now with people who have not trusted Jesus as Savior!

4. HOW HERE IS HEAVEN?

How close is a true Christian believer to Heaven?

Hes only one breathe away!

His or her last breathe on earth will be his or her first breathe in Heaven!

Psalm 116:15 - Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

How could the death of a believer in Christ, who is a saint, be precious in Gods eyes if that person was headed for a place of suffering?

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 - Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: [7] (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) [8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

This passage is very clear. We are either at home in the body or present with the Lord!

5. HOW PERTINENT IS PURGATORY?

The Word pertinent means relevant.

How pertinent is purgatory?

Its not, because it does not exist.

There is no Scripture that clearly attests to it.

There is no reason for it to exist. A person after he dies is either in Heaven or hell.

If your faith is sincerely in Christ, so that he has given you new life, you need not fear hell.

If your faith is not in Christ as your only way to Heaven, you are in trouble. But through faith in Christ, you can get out of trouble this morning.

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.

WHAT ABOUT PURGATORY?

1.     HOW FINISHED IS FINISHED?

2.     HOW FORGIVEN IS FORGIVEN?

3.     HOW HIDEOUS IS HELL?

4.     HOW HERE IS HEAVEN?

5. HOW PERTINENT IS PURGATORY?

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

1 Kings 3

SOLOMON'S GREATEST MOMENT

Each of us will have moments of greatness. We will say the right thing, think the right way, or do the right thing. When we do what is pleasing to God, that is a great moment!

In my opinion Solomon's greatest moment came in the passage before us. Solomon was the wisest man who ever graced the pages of Scripture, with the exception of our Savior. Solomon also experienced great moments of failure (1 Kings 11).

INTRODUCTION - Vss. 1-4

PROPOSAL FROM GOD - Vs. 5

God invites Solomon to ask

Did you ever stop to think whose idea prayer was in the first place? It was God's idea!

It wasn't man, but God who started prayer.

In Genesis 3:8 we see the Lord walking in the Garden in the cool of the day. This was evidently God's practice. This way he would have had fellowship with Adam and Eve. Other verses which show that God wants us to pray are Job 22:27, Psalms 34:15, 102:17, Isaiah 55:6, Jeremiah 29:12, 33:3, Matthew 7:7, 18:19, 21:19, John 14:13-14, 15:7,16, 16:24, Philippians 4:6, 1 Timothy 2:1, Hebrews 4:16, and 1 John 5:14-15.

There are seventeen references listed above, telling us to pray. And yet many times we do not.

Why do we fail to pray?

1. We are lazy.

2. We lack faith.

3. We don't want to trouble God with little things.

4. We are too proud to pray.

5. We haven't learned how to pray.

6. We don't want to pray.

7. We lack discipline.

God's proposal is that we pray!

PETITION TO GOD - Vss. 6-9

In verse 6 Solomon appears to be thanking God. Solomon recognizes the great things that God did for Solomon's father, David. We must remember that praise and thanksgiving are to be part of prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Philippians 4:6

In verses 7-8 we see that Solomon humbled himself before God. Solomon had a great father, and Solomon was in a prominent position. He was already rather wealthy. But Solomon realized his own limitations and the greatness of the task before him. We must remember that our approach to God needs to be a humble one. James 4:10

Solomon's request is found in verse 9. He didn't ask selfishly, but wisely. He asked for wisdom.

God would have us to ask unselfishly, and according to His perfect will. James 4:3, 1 John 5:14-15

PROMISE FROM GOD - Vss. 10-14

"And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing."

Solomon's request made God happy. Imagine how happy God must be when we ask for things that please Him! Some of the things that we can ask for that will please God include:

1. The salvation of souls

2. Unity in the church

3. Wisdom

4. The burdens of other believers

5. Completion of projects dear to His heart!

In verses 11-14 God answered Solomon. Solomon was told that God was pleased, and that God would not only give him the wisdom he asked for, but the wealth and honor that he didn't ask for.

God even promised Solomon long life, as long as he walked in obedience (Vs. 14).

Sermon Seeds C28

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

Psalm 43

A CALL FOR HELP

TROUBLE! A TROUBLED CRY Vss. 1-2

Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. [2] For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

TRUST! A TRUSTING PRAYER Vss. 3-4

O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. [4] Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

TRIUMPH! A TRIUMPHANT REMINDER Vs. 5

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

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

Mark 10:17-27

A WORD WITH THE MASTER

This is the story of the man we call The Rich Young Ruler.

A DETERMINED WORD Vs. 26 What must I do

A DEFINITIVE WORD Vs. 27 There is none good but God.

A DISCERNING WORD Vs. 19-21 One thing thou lackestsell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

A DISCOURAGING WORD Vss. 22-25 how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

A DELIGHTFUL WORD Vss. 26-27 With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

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

Acts 14:6-20

A FICKLE CROWD

A MINISTRY Vss. 6-7

A MIRACLE Vss. 8-10

A MISTAKE Vss. 11-14

A MESSAGE Vss. 15-18

A MAULING Vss. 19-20

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

Galatians 2:20

THE BELIEVER'S CRUCIFIXION

IT'S PERSONAL - "I am crucified... " See Romans 6:1-10

When Christ died on the cross, each believer died with Him.

IT'S A PARTNERSHIP - "...with Christ:..."

He actually took my place on that cross.

IT'S PRECIOUS - "...nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:..."

To think that very Son of God has taken up residence in my life through His Spirit. WOW!

IT'S PRACTICAL - "...and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

Sermon Seeds B25

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

WHOLE-HEARTED!

(These are the complete notes that I used to teach this lesson.)

·       What do you tend to do half-heartedly?

·       What do you tend to do whole-heartedly?

·       Specifically, how does a half-hearted Christian act?

·       Specifically, how does a whole-hearted Christian act?

·       Not to be answered out loud Do you consider yourself to be as whole-hearted a Christian should be? I dont think anyone does.

·       The concept of being whole-hearted is found mostly in the Psalms. Let us consider what being whole hearted involves.

WHOLE-HEARTED WORSHIP

·       How will whole-hearted worship affect your attitude?

·       How will whole-hearted worship affect your behavior?

·       How will whole-hearted worship affect your witness?

Psalm 9:1 - I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

·       What part does desire determination have to do with doing something with the whole heart?

·       Quickly, lets name some of Gods marvelous works.

·       We would praise God much more if we took the to name all of His marvelous works that we can think of.



Psalm 111:1 - Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

·       What does this verse remind us about corporate worship?

·       How will being a whole-hearted worshiper help others?

·       How will being a whole-hearted worshiper annoy others?

·       How can you tell when you and others are not being whole-hearted worshipers?

Psalm 138:1 - I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.

·       Singing whole-hearted praise to our true God shows defiance to any false gods.

·       When I am tempted to sin, there is some other god in my life that wants to be worshipped!

·       When I am tempted to sin, I should sing praise with my whole heart to the one true God before those false gods!

WHOLE-HEARTED SEEKING

Psalm 119:2 - Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

·       Why should I want to seek God?

·       What keeps us from seeking God?

·       How should we seek God?

1.     Willingly Psalm 27:8

2.     Meditate in His Word. Psalm 119:97, 11

3.     Study His Word. 2 Timothy 2:15

4.     Abide in Christ. John 15:7 Colossians 3:16

5.     Pray! Ephesians 6:18

Psalm 119:10 - With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

·       When you seek God with your whole heart nothing else will be more important!

      Luke 14:26-27

·       How will whole-hearted seeking keep me from wandering?

Psalm 119:58 - I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

·       How much time do you think we spend seeking the favor of others?

·       How will whole heartedly seeking Gods favor affect our concern about what others think?

     Galatians 1:10 (NASB - For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I

     striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant

     of Christ.

·       Where in Gods Word has God promised to be merciful to those who seek Him?

Matthew 11:28, Revelation 22:17, Isaiah 55:6-7, John 14:13-14

WHOLE-HEARTED OBEDIENCE

Psalm 119:34 - Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

·       When is the best time to decide to obey Gods word?

·       Why is understanding important if we are going to be truly obedient?

·       What is the difference between obeying and obeying with the whole heart?

Psalm 119:69 - The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.

·       What is this verse saying?

·       Why is deciding to whole-heartedly obey Gods law no matter what others do or say important?

Psalm 119:145 - I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord: I will keep thy statutes.

·       When we find the things God says to do hard to do it is time to pray this prayer.

·       In effect, when we pray this prayer, we are saying, Father what you are asking is hard and I need your help, but I will whole-heartedly obey.

WHOLE-HEARTED REPENTANCE

Jeremiah 24:7 - And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

·       This promise, originally intended for Israel, reminds me that any time a person comes to Christ, or returns to fellowship with Him, that is a work of the Spirit of God. I will not seek God unless I am motivated by God to do so.

·       True repentance means a whole-hearted return to God.

·       What a wonderful relationship there is when we are saved and in fellowship with God. We will know by experience that He is Lord and that we are his people.

***************************************************************************PLEASE VISIT OUR NEW SISTER WEBSITE

WWW.EXPOSITORYECHOES.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

EXPOSITORY ECHOES is a mailing list that includes a full text sermon from Pastor Jack Peters. To subscribe send a blank email to expositoryechoes-subscribe@welovegod.orgHAVE 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!

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 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@associate.com   

Posted by: jpeters <jpeters@...>

SUBSCRIBE - Send a blank e-mail to: sermonseeds-subscribe@welovegod.org

TO UNSUBSCRIBE - Send a blank e-mail to: sermonseeds-unsubscribe@welovegod.org

SERMON SEEDS FOR SEPTEMBER 10, 2007

http://www.sermonseeds.org

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

WHAT ABOUT PURGATORY?

#1 of 4 SUNDAY SCHOOL TOPICS

(In order to encourage Sunday School attendance I am delivering a brief series on topics one might be taught in Sunday School.)

As born again Christians we want to understand some of the beliefs of others and be ready to help them to see Biblical truth. One of the beliefs of our Roman Catholic friends is in a place called purgatory. Purgatory is supposedly a place people go after they die before they go to Heaven.

Here is an explanation of purgatory according to the Roman Catholic Website, Catholic Answers:

All Christians agree that we wont be sinning in heaven. Sin and final glorification are utterly incompatible. Therefore, between the sinfulness of this life and the glories of heaven, we must be made pure. Between death and glory there is a purification.

Thus, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: All who die in Gods grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The Church gives the name purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.

Some imagine that the Catholic Church has an elaborate doctrine of purgatory worked out, but there are only three essential components of the doctrine: (1) that a purification after death exists, (2) that it involves some kind of pain, and (3) that the purification can be assisted by the prayers and offerings by the living to God.

Other ideas, such that purgatory is a particular "place" in the afterlife or that it takes time to accomplish, are speculations rather than doctrines. http://www.catholic.com/library/Roots_of_Purgatory.asp

So, what about purgatory? Is there such a place that we need to go after we die before we go to heaven so we can suffer and be purified from some of our sins?

Lets answer the question about purgatory with five other questions:

1. HOW FINISHED IS FINISHED?

John 19:30 - When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Who is the Lord Jesus Christ? He is God the Son! Mark 1:1, John 1:1-2

Why did Jesus ever leave Heaven to come to earth?

He came to earth because every other individual that has ever lived has a problem called sin. Sin is anything that we do that displeases God. We have all sinned and failed God. We are all wicked in the eyes of God. Isaiah 64:6

So we are sinners, so what?

God is righteous and God is just, therefore, He requires that evil doers be punished for their sins.

Ezekiel 18:4, Romans 6:23

God loves us. He wants us to be rescued or saved from the punishment of Hell. Thats why He sent His Son to earth, to do for us what we can not do for ourselves, save ourselves from punishment for our sins. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 2 Corinthians 5:21

So Jesus died on the cross for your sins. You and I dont deserve such love, but it has been extended to us from the cross.

Just before Jesus died on the cross and after asking for and getting a drink he cried, IT IS FINISHED! All the prophecies that needed to be fulfilled concerning his life and death were completed!

But theres more, the word Greek word Jesus used for finished means paid in full! In other words, the debt for our sins on the cross was paid in full! When a persons trust is in the Lord Jesus Christ, his sins are paid for in full! Isaiah 53:5, Hebrews 9:12, 1 Peter 3:18

So, was the sacrifice of Christ for your sins sufficient to pay for all of your sins? Indeed it was!

To say that a person has to add good works to what Christ has done is an insult to Him!

To say that a person has to suffer in purgatory for some sins that Christ didnt die for is an insult to Him.

How finished is finished? When Jesus died for your sins, your sins were paid for in full!

2. HOW FORGIVEN IS FORGIVEN?

When are a persons sins actually forgiven?

When is a person assured that He is going to Heaven?

What must a person do to have His sins forgiven?

Christ paid for our sins in full. Therefore there is only one requirement for forgiveness and eternal life. That requirement is faith! John 3:16-18, Ephesians 2:8-9

When a person sincerely turns away from trying to earn his way to Heaven and puts his or her full trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, some wonderful things happen. We become the children of God. We are indwelt with Gods Holy Spirit. We are declared righteous so that we can go to Heaven. Our sins are forgiven! Ephesians 1:7

But what about the sins we commit after we have put our faith in Christ?

Did Christ die for them too? Of course he did!

When we sin as Christians, not only does it break Gods heart, but it breaks communication between me and God. Psalm 66:18, Isaiah 59:2, 1 John 1:8-2:2

The blood of Jesus Christ that was already shed is the satisfaction for our sins. When I confess my sins as a Christian I am totally forgiven!

But what about sin that is in my life when I die?

Christ died for all of our sins.

There is nothing for us to pay for!

The work of Christ on the cross was sufficient so that all your sins are forgiven!

There is no need for a place called purgatory!

3. HOW HIDEOUS IS HELL?

Please turn to Luke 16:19-31.

There are two places of suffering mentioned in Scripture. One is referred to as Hell. It is a place of immediate suffering for those whose sins are not forgiven. The other is the Lake of Fire, which is the place of final suffering for those who are not in Heaven.

The story of Lazarus and the rich man teaches some very important things about this place called Hell.

There was a rich man who did very well for himself in this life, but when he died, because of his unbelief, he found himself in hell.

There was another man, named Lazarus, who was a beggar. When he died, because of his faith, he went to Heaven.

The man in hell cries out to Abraham who is in Heaven.

Notice some important things about hell from this passage.

· Vs. 23 tells us that people in hell are aware of what is going on.

· Vs. 23 tells us that hell is a place of torment or pain.

· Vs. 24 tells us that hell is a place of extreme heat caused by flames.

· Vss. 25-26 tells us that there is no relief in hell.

· Vss. 27-28 tells us that people in hell are very evangelistic. They dont want anyone else to come there!

As I said a moment ago there is a place called the Lake of Fire. Revelation 20:11-15

Why will people go to hell and not Heaven?

Because they did not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior!

Their names are not written in the Book of Life.

That is why we should want to share the Gospel now with people who have not trusted Jesus as Savior!

4. HOW HERE IS HEAVEN?

How close is a true Christian believer to Heaven?

Hes only one breathe away!

His or her last breathe on earth will be his or her first breathe in Heaven!

Psalm 116:15 - Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

How could the death of a believer in Christ, who is a saint, be precious in Gods eyes if that person was headed for a place of suffering?

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 - Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: [7] (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) [8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

This passage is very clear. We are either at home in the body or present with the Lord!

5. HOW PERTINENT IS PURGATORY?

The Word pertinent means relevant.

How pertinent is purgatory?

Its not, because it does not exist.

There is no Scripture that clearly attests to it.

There is no reason for it to exist. A person after he dies is either in Heaven or hell.

If your faith is sincerely in Christ, so that he has given you new life, you need not fear hell.

If your faith is not in Christ as your only way to Heaven, you are in trouble. But through faith in Christ, you can get out of trouble this morning.

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.

WHAT ABOUT PURGATORY?

1. HOW FINISHED IS FINISHED?

2. HOW FORGIVEN IS FORGIVEN?

3. HOW HIDEOUS IS HELL?

4. HOW HERE IS HEAVEN?

5. HOW PERTINENT IS PURGATORY?

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

1 Kings 3

SOLOMON'S GREATEST MOMENT

Each of us will have moments of greatness. We will say the right thing, think the right way, or do the right thing. When we do what is pleasing to God, that is a great moment!

In my opinion Solomon's greatest moment came in the passage before us. Solomon was the wisest man who ever graced the pages of Scripture, with the exception of our Savior. Solomon also experienced great moments of failure (1 Kings 11).

INTRODUCTION - Vss. 1-4

PROPOSAL FROM GOD - Vs. 5

God invites Solomon to ask

Did you ever stop to think whose idea prayer was in the first place? It was God's idea!

It wasn't man, but God who started prayer.

In Genesis 3:8 we see the Lord walking in the Garden in the cool of the day. This was evidently God's practice. This way he would have had fellowship with Adam and Eve. Other verses which show that God wants us to pray are Job 22:27, Psalms 34:15, 102:17, Isaiah 55:6, Jeremiah 29:12, 33:3, Matthew 7:7, 18:19, 21:19, John 14:13-14, 15:7,16, 16:24, Philippians 4:6, 1 Timothy 2:1, Hebrews 4:16, and 1 John 5:14-15.

There are seventeen references listed above, telling us to pray. And yet many times we do not.

Why do we fail to pray?

1. We are lazy.

2. We lack faith.

3. We don't want to trouble God with little things.

4. We are too proud to pray.

5. We haven't learned how to pray.

6. We don't want to pray.

7. We lack discipline.

God's proposal is that we pray!

PETITION TO GOD - Vss. 6-9

In verse 6 Solomon appears to be thanking God. Solomon recognizes the great things that God did for Solomon's father, David. We must remember that praise and thanksgiving are to be part of prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Philippians 4:6

In verses 7-8 we see that Solomon humbled himself before God. Solomon had a great father, and Solomon was in a prominent position. He was already rather wealthy. But Solomon realized his own limitations and the greatness of the task before him. We must remember that our approach to God needs to be a humble one. James 4:10

Solomon's request is found in verse 9. He didn't ask selfishly, but wisely. He asked for wisdom.

God would have us to ask unselfishly, and according to His perfect will. James 4:3, 1 John 5:14-15

PROMISE FROM GOD - Vss. 10-14

"And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing."

Solomon's request made God happy. Imagine how happy God must be when we ask for things that please Him! Some of the things that we can ask for that will please God include:

1. The salvation of souls

2. Unity in the church

3. Wisdom

4. The burdens of other believers

5. Completion of projects dear to His heart!

In verses 11-14 God answered Solomon. Solomon was told that God was pleased, and that God would not only give him the wisdom he asked for, but the wealth and honor that he didn't ask for.

God even promised Solomon long life, as long as he walked in obedience (Vs. 14).

Sermon Seeds C28

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

Psalm 43

A CALL FOR HELP

TROUBLE! A TROUBLED CRY Vss. 1-2

Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. [2] For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

TRUST! A TRUSTING PRAYER Vss. 3-4

O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. [4] Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

TRIUMPH! A TRIUMPHANT REMINDER Vs. 5

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

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

Mark 10:17-27

A WORD WITH THE MASTER

This is the story of the man we call The Rich Young Ruler.

A DETERMINED WORD Vs. 26 What must I do

A DEFINITIVE WORD Vs. 27 There is none good but God.

A DISCERNING WORD Vs. 19-21 One thing thou lackestsell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

A DISCOURAGING WORD Vss. 22-25 how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

A DELIGHTFUL WORD Vss. 26-27 With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

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

Acts 14:6-20

A FICKLE CROWD

A MINISTRY Vss. 6-7

A MIRACLE Vss. 8-10

A MISTAKE Vss. 11-14

A MESSAGE Vss. 15-18

A MAULING Vss. 19-20

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

Galatians 2:20

THE BELIEVER'S CRUCIFIXION

IT'S PERSONAL - "I am crucified... " See Romans 6:1-10

When Christ died on the cross, each believer died with Him.

IT'S A PARTNERSHIP - "...with Christ:..."

He actually took my place on that cross.

IT'S PRECIOUS - "...nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:..."

To think that very Son of God has taken up residence in my life through His Spirit. WOW!

IT'S PRACTICAL - "...and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

Sermon Seeds B25

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

WHOLE-HEARTED!

(These are the complete notes that I used to teach this lesson.)

· What do you tend to do half-heartedly?

· What do you tend to do whole-heartedly?

· Specifically, how does a half-hearted Christian act?

· Specifically, how does a whole-hearted Christian act?

· Not to be answered out loud Do you consider yourself to be as whole-hearted a Christian should be? I dont think anyone does.

· The concept of being whole-hearted is found mostly in the Psalms. Let us consider what being whole hearted involves.

WHOLE-HEARTED WORSHIP

· How will whole-hearted worship affect your attitude?

· How will whole-hearted worship affect your behavior?

· How will whole-hearted worship affect your witness?

Psalm 9:1 - I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

· What part does desire determination have to do with doing something with the whole heart?

· Quickly, lets name some of Gods marvelous works.

· We would praise God much more if we took the to name all of His marvelous works that we can think of.

Psalm 111:1 - Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

· What does this verse remind us about corporate worship?

· How will being a whole-hearted worshiper help others?

· How will being a whole-hearted worshiper annoy others?

· How can you tell when you and others are not being whole-hearted worshipers?

Psalm 138:1 - I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.

· Singing whole-hearted praise to our true God shows defiance to any false gods.

· When I am tempted to sin, there is some other god in my life that wants to be worshipped!

· When I am tempted to sin, I should sing praise with my whole heart to the one true God before those false gods!

WHOLE-HEARTED SEEKING

Psalm 119:2 - Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

· Why should I want to seek God?

· What keeps us from seeking God?

· How should we seek God?

1. Willingly Psalm 27:8

2. Meditate in His Word. Psalm 119:97, 11

3. Study His Word. 2 Timothy 2:15

4. Abide in Christ. John 15:7 Colossians 3:16

5. Pray! Ephesians 6:18

Psalm 119:10 - With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

· When you seek God with your whole heart nothing else will be more important!

Luke 14:26-27

· How will whole-hearted seeking keep me from wandering?

Psalm 119:58 - I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

· How much time do you think we spend seeking the favor of others?

· How will whole heartedly seeking Gods favor affect our concern about what others think?

Galatians 1:10 (NASB - For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I

striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant

of Christ.

· Where in Gods Word has God promised to be merciful to those who seek Him?

Matthew 11:28, Revelation 22:17, Isaiah 55:6-7, John 14:13-14

WHOLE-HEARTED OBEDIENCE

Psalm 119:34 - Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

· When is the best time to decide to obey Gods word?

· Why is understanding important if we are going to be truly obedient?

· What is the difference between obeying and obeying with the whole heart?

Psalm 119:69 - The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.

· What is this verse saying?

· Why is deciding to whole-heartedly obey Gods law no matter what others do or say important?

Psalm 119:145 - I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord: I will keep thy statutes.

· When we find the things God says to do hard to do it is time to pray this prayer.

· In effect, when we pray this prayer, we are saying, Father what you are asking is hard and I need your help, but I will whole-heartedly obey.

WHOLE-HEARTED REPENTANCE

Jeremiah 24:7 - And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

· This promise, originally intended for Israel, reminds me that any time a person comes to Christ, or returns to fellowship with Him, that is a work of the Spirit of God. I will not seek God unless I am motivated by God to do so.

· True repentance means a whole-hearted return to God.

· What a wonderful relationship there is when we are saved and in fellowship with God. We will know by experience that He is Lord and that we are his people.

***************************************************************************PLEASE VISIT OUR NEW SISTER WEBSITE

http://WWW.EXPOSITORYECHOES.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

EXPOSITORY ECHOES is a mailing list that includes a full text sermon from Pastor Jack Peters. To subscribe send a blank email to expositoryechoes-subscribe@welovegod.orgHAVE 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@associate.com