SERMON SEEDS K37 FOR 11/26/07
Posted by: jpeters <jpeters@...>
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SERMON SEEDS FOR NOVEMBER 26, 2007
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A NOTE FROM PASTOR JACK I am in the midst of a very busy time with three funerals in six days, as well as other responsibilities. Please accept these reruns which hopefully give you some thoughts for your own preaching, teaching or devotions during the Christmas season. All of these outlines have been previously shared. For more Christmas material visit http://www.sermonseeds.org/CHRISTMAS.htm.
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JESUS IS COMING A FOUR WEEK SERIES
WEEK #1 - ANTICIPATION - JESUS IS COMING!
TEXT - Old Testament Scriptures
The Old Testament Prophets anticipated the birth of our Lord Jesus. Here are three of their prophecies:
THE VIRGIN - Isaiah 7:14
The virgin, of course, was Mary.
The birth was of "Emmanuel", "God is with us".
THE VISIT - Micah 5:2
The visit is to Bethlehem.
The visitor is the one that will be ruler in Israel. (Isaiah 11:1-10)
The visitor is eternal.
THE VICTORY - Isaiah 9:6
"The government shall be upon his shoulders."
He is:
"Wonderful"
"Counselor"
"Mighty God"
"Everlasting Father
"Prince of Peace"
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WEEK #2 - ANNOUNCEMENT - JESUS IS COMING!
TEXT - Luke 1:26-38
GOD'S FAVOR - Vss. 26-28
MARY'S FUTURE - Vss. 29-37
MARY'S FAITH - Vs. 38
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WEEK #3 - ASSURANCE - JESUS IS COMING!
TEXT - Matthew 1:18-25
To me, Joseph is the forgotten man of Christmas. It took a man of great faith to believe and accept the events surrounding his pregnant wife. God gave Him the assurance that what was happening was indeed of God and in God's perfect will.
CONCEPTION - Vs. 18
Mary was engaged to Joseph. Engagement in that culture, engagement made a couple was considered married, even though the marriage had not been consummated. During this time of engagement, Mary was impregnated by the Holy Spirit.
CONFUSION - Vs. 19
You can imagine Joseph's disappointment. Because he was a just man, he decided to privately divorce Mary. He loved her too much, I feel, to bring her public embarrassment.
COMFORT - Vss. 20-23
Joseph was told that Mary was pregnant by the Holy Spirit.
He received the comfort of God in a dream.
This birth is the fulfillment of prophecy.
COMMITMENT - Vss. 24-25
Joseph, by faith, made a commitment to Mary and to guardianship of the Son of God.
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WEEK #4 - ARRIVAL - JESUS IS HERE!
TEXT - Matthew 2 and Luke 2
THE PLACE OF BIRTH - Luke 2:1-7, Matthew 2:1-6
THE PROCLAMATION BY ANGELS - Luke 2:8-14
THE PEOPLE WHO SAW (WITNESSED)
The arrival of the Messiah was witnessed by:
The Shepherds - Luke 2:15-20
Simeon - Luke 2:25-35
Anna - Luke 2:36-38
The Wise Men - Matthew 2:7-12
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LUKE PREPARES US FOR CHRISTMAS A five week series. You could use the fifth message on Christmas Eve.
WEEK #1 - RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE
Luke 1:5-25
Zacharias and Elizabeth were righteous people (Vs. 6). They teach those of us who are righteous in Christ some very important lessons.
RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE DO NOT LIVE IN IDEAL SITUATIONS - Vss. 5-7
They were righteous, but still suffered from not being able to have children.
RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE ENJOY GOD'S PERFECT TIMING - Vss. 8-10
John the Baptist would arrive in God's perfect time.
Zacharias took his turn in the temple at God's perfect time. It is possible that this was the only time that Zacharias ever had this assignment.
RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED BY GOD - Vss. 11-17
Zacharias was given a tremendous promise of a son who would be the forerunner to the Messiah.
God often surprises us with special blessings and responsibilities.
RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE ARE NOT PERFECT - Vs. 18
Zacharias doubted Gabriel's promise.
RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE ARE DISCIPLINED BY GOD - Vss. 19-22
Zacharias was silenced because of his doubt.
RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE RECEIVE THE FULLNESS OF GOD'S PROMISES - Vss. 23-25
Elizabeth became pregnant.
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WEEK #2 - MESSENGER SERVICE
Luke 1:26-38
GABRIEL'S DESTINATION - Vss. 26-27
GABRIEL'S DECLARATION - Vs. 28-33
Mary would be mother of the Messiah.
GABRIEL'S DESCRIPTION - Vss. 34-37
Gabriel described how Mary could become pregnant without having sexual relationship with a man.
GABRIEL'S DELIGHT - Vs. 38
Gabriel had witnessed Zachariah's unbelief (Vs. 18). He must have been delighted with Mary's simple faith.
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WEEK #3 - MARY'S SONG
Luke 1:39-56
Mary had just been told that she would be the mother of the Messiah.
She decided to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist.
AFFIRMATION THROUGH ELIZABETH - Vss. 39-45
The words of Elizabeth confirmed the message of Gabriel.
APPRECIATION BY MARY - Vss. 46-50
Mary gave a statement of praise.
ACTION BY GOD - Vss. 51-56
Mary talked of God's activity in behalf of Israel.
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WEEK #4 - EXCITEMENT IN THE HILLS
Luke 1:57-79
Zacharias and Elizabeth lived in the hill country of Judah. When John the Baptist was born there was excitement in the hills.
A CELEBRATION - Vss. 57-58
A CONTROVERSY - Vss. 59-63
A CONFIRMATION - Vss. 64-66
A CONCERT - Vss. 67-79
Praise - Vss. 67-69
Promise - Vss. 70-75
Prediction (Prophecy) - Vss. 76-79
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WEEK #5 - BLESSING IN BETHLEHEM
TEXT - Luke 2:1-20
MOVEMENT TO BETHLEHEM - Vss. 1-5
MOMENT OF BIRTH - Vss. 6-7
MARVEL OF ANNOUNCEMENT - Vss. 8-14
METHOD OF CELEBRATION - Vss. 15-20
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Isaiah 9:6
THE MESSIAH
Introduction - "For unto us a son is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called.."
HIS PERSONALITY - "Wonderful"
HIS PROFESSION (JOB) - "Counselor"
HIS POWER - "Mighty God"
HIS PERMANENCE - "Everlasting Father" (Means "Father of eternity")
HIS PREEMINENCE - "Prince of peace"
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Matthew 1:1-17
SPECIAL WOMEN
There are some special women in my life. My wife, Dottie, is of course, special and important to me. My mom is also of special importance, as is my daughter, Donna! The Lord has blessed me with two more daughters by way of marriage to my sons. Carletta and Candace have also become special to me. And now we have two granddaughters, Nicole and Elyssa. I don't think I have to tell you that my granddaughter are special! J (You may want to introduce your message by mentioning those special women in your life.)
In the genealogy of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 1, there are four special women mentioned. They are, of course, special because of their being included in the lineage of our Lord. But they are also special because they remind us of the types of people our Lord receives.
TAMAR (THAMAR) - THE FORGOTTEN WOMAN - Vs. 3
According to custom, Tamar was to have a husband from among her dead husband's family. Although Judah promised Tamar a husband, he did not keep his promise. She was forgotten on purpose! See the story in Genesis 38.
Many people feel like they have forgotten, especially during the holidays. However, the Lord Jesus died for all, forgetting nobody!
In a special way, He has not forgotten or forsaken those who have trusted Him as Savior. Hebrews 13:5
RUTH - THE FOREIGN WOMAN - Vs. 5
The book of Ruth in the Old Testament tells of this woman who was born a foreigner. First of all, she placed her faith in the Lord God of Israel (Ruth 1:16-18). Later, she married Boaz.
Just as God received this foreign woman into the His Son's genealogy, God receives those who are foreign to church and/or Christianity into his family. One does not need to be brought up in the church in order to be received into God's family. It's a matter of faith (John 1:12-13)!
BATH SHEBA - THE FALLEN WOMAN - Vs. 6
David and Bath Sheba committed adultery! Her husband was allowed to die in battle. This was a subtle form of murder. However there was forgiveness for David and Bath Sheba. Their story is found in 2 Samuel 11-12.
As Christians, we often fall into sin. Although God is not pleased, there is always forgiveness available (1 John 1:8 - 2:2)
MARY - THE FAITHFUL WOMAN - Vs. 16
Mary was a sinner just like the rest of us!
However, she was a woman of great faith and sterling character (Luke 1:26-38).
We Christians need to remember that faithfulness is a quality that is pleasing to God (2 Corinthians 4:2).
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Luke 1:5-39
THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
Imagine taking a friend to you favorite restaurant. The waiter brings out the appetizer, and your friend says, "This fruit cup is great!" And you answer, "You haven't seen nothing yet. The best is yet to come!"
Next, out comes the soup, and your friend says, "Why this is the best soup I've ever eaten!" You answer you friend, "Just wait. The best is still yet to come."
The same thing happens for the salad and the main course. In each case you assure the friend that "The best is yet to come!" And sure enough, when the dessert comes, it turns out to be better than all the good things the man had already tasted at this terrific restaurant. The best was yet to come.
Now imagine a fan of music that has never heard the Messiah. He hears the first few choruses and raves to you how great the music is. You would assure him to "Just wait. The best is yet to come." The best does come at the end with the Hallelujah Chorus.
On a lighter note there's an old story about a preacher who was stealing his messages from a book by Charles Haddon Spurgeon (a great preacher of the past). Unknown to him one of the church deacons had the same book. After listening to the man preaching Spurgeon's sermons without giving him any credit, the deacon took action. On one Sunday morning the deacon shook hands with the pastor at the end of the service, and said "Great message pastor!" And then the deacon leaned over and whispered, "Wait until you see next week's sermon. It's even better!" The best was yet to come. (I am unaware of the source of this story, but it is not original.)
In keeping with the season, our message is found in Luke 1. Here we find the announcements of the births of two men. The first announcement was the announcement of the birth of a great man by the name of John The Baptist. Although John was great, the second birth announcement in this chapter was about the birth of a greater man, The Lord Jesus Christ. Although John was great, THE BEST WAS YET TO COME!
THE ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING JOHN
Background Material - Vss. 5-10
A Great Birth - Vss. 11-13
Although Elizabeth had been barren, she would conceive. The child born to Zacharias and Elizabeth would be named "John"
A Great Life - Vs. 14
John would be great in the sight of the Lord!
He was the equivalent of an Old Testament Nazarite, who drank no alcohol. (Numbers 6:1-8)
He was filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb. (Luke 1:41)
A Great Ministry - Vss. 16-17
He would turn many to the Lord. (Vs. 16)
He was the messenger promised in Malachi 3:1. (Vs. 17)
THE ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING JESUS
In verses 26-31, Gabriel made a great announcement to Mary.
Mary was puzzled how these things could be. Vs. 34
A Greater Birth - Vs. 35
The birth of the Lord Jesus was the work of the Holy Spirit of god within the body of Mary.
This virgin birth was a greater miracle than the birth of John.
A Greater Life - Vs. 32
Jesus would be called "The Son of the Highest" He was God in the flesh. See John 1:14
A Greater Ministry - Vss. 31-33
According to Vs. 31, the child's name would be JESUS. This word means "Jehovah-salvation".
He accomplished His greatest ministry on the cross when He died for your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:21
He would reign as Israel's Messiah according to Vss. 32-33 (This prophecy will be fulfilled in the future! Psalm 89:3-4)
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Luke 1:26-38
WHEN NOBODY BECAME SOMEBODY
I want to take you back in time to a little nowhere town to a nobody girl. I want us to examine a time when this nobody became somebody.
CONDITIONS - Vss. 26-27
Vs. 26 - What was the sixth month? It was the sixth month of a miracle pregnancy. Zacharias and Elizabeth were righteous people who were on in years. At an age when Elizabeth should be a grandmother or great-grandmother, she was preparing to have her first child.
Zacharias, a priest, had been burning incense when all of a sudden the Angel Gabriel appeared before him. Zecharias was told that he and Elizabeth would be parents of the prophet who was scheduled to appear before the coming of Israel's Messiah. His name was to be called John. Isaiah 40:3
Because Zacharias did not believe Gabriel, he was disciplined by being made deaf and dumb.
This was a temporary ailment, but it was effective. Zacharias went home to the hill country of Judah and before long, Elizabeth was expecting.
Vs. 26 - Gabriel is on the move again. This time he is bringing a message to what I would call a "nowhere town". He was going to Galilee, an area of Judah that was despised by many Jews because of its mixed population. He was going to the city of Nazareth.
Vs. 27 - Not only did Gabriel go to a nowhere town, but he went to see a "nobody" person. Mary was one of thousands of Jewish peasant girls, who at probably between the ages of 12-14 would get married raise a family in relative poverty and eventually die! Mary was a virgin who was engaged to be married to a descendant of King David. Joseph was his name. He was the village carpenter.
The conditions were simply this; Mary was a nobody who lived in a nowhere town.
CONFRONTATION - Vss. 28-33
Vs. 28 - The angel appeared to Mary. We don't know where and we don't now how. We do know from her response that Mary knew she was talking to a supernatural being.
Here is a very interesting greeting. Mary is told that she is "highly favored", "blessed among women" and that "the Lord is with you."
In an instant, Mary, who very well could have thought of herself as a "nobody" is told that she is a "somebody"! Mary was given a glorious piece of great news.
Vs. 29 - Mary, of course, was a special person. One of the special qualities of Mary was that she was very contemplative. This is shown in other instances of Luke's Gospel. It was Mary who would think about things that she was told and things that happened. Here, although she is troubled, Mary tries to reason out or understand what is going on. Oh that more of us were like that!
Vs. 30 - Now, if you met a messenger from God, you might think you were in some sort of trouble. You would probably also be afraid. Gabriel calms her, by telling her to fear not. She was one who was highly favored in God's eyes.
Vs. 31 - Mary was going to have a baby! The baby's name would be "Jesus", or "Salvation"! Mary would be the mother of Israel's long awaited Savior. Mary would be the mother of the one who came to earth to die on the cross for our sins. She was the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Vs. 32 - Jesus would be great. And notice that Jesus would be called "Son of the Highest". Jesus would be the Son of God! He was to be both God and man.
Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
"A child is born," means that Jesus was human.
"A son is given," means that Jesus existed before he came to earth. He is God!
Israel had been promised that a Messiah would come who would sit on David's throne. Gabriel tells Mary that Jesus will be this ruler.
Vs. 33 - His kingdom will be permanent. We need to remind ourselves of something here. All that Gabriel said is true. When Jesus came the first time he came to give His life to save sinners like us. When Jesus comes again he will set up his permanent kingdom! At that time His rule will be eternal.
THE CONCEPTION - Vss. 34-37
Vs. 34 - Mary was not like Zacharias who just didn't believe Gabriel. Mary was simply trying to understand how she could have a baby without having a sexual relationship with a man. Mary, the one known for her contemplation, was striving to grasp what she had been told.
Vs. 35 - Mary is told here that the birth of Jesus would be a miracle! It would be a virgin birth.
She would do nothing except believe! The Holy Spirit would do the work of impregnating Mary. And the baby that was born would be the Son of God!
Vs. 36 - To show Mary that God was capable of such a thing she is now told that her cousin, Elizabeth would have a baby. Elizabeth, who was known as "barren", Elizabeth who was old had conceived! This too was a miracle.
Vs. 37 - Elizabeth conceived when she shouldn't have. The impossible happened because nothing is impossible with God.
Mary, a virgin, would conceive and have a baby, because nothing is impossible with God.
THE CONFIDENCE - Vs. 38
Mary was given a tremendous amount of information and responsibility. Not only would she be mother of our Lord Jesus, but she would have to bear the brunt of people thinking that she had been unfaithful to Joseph. She had to bear the brunt of some thinking that she was an adulteress. And to think that she was going to have to raise such a child!
Mary's response is classic, "Be it unto me according to thy word."
In essence she is saying, "I accept and believe what you have said."
Mary was in a situation that made faith an absolute necessity. And I dare to say that if Mary had not believed, had not had faith, Mary would not have been the mother of Jesus.
Mary had no credentials for being the mother of Jesus.
She was a nobody from nowhere.
Mary had little training for being the mother of Jesus.
Mary would have limited human support for being the mother of Jesus. Why an angel even had to appear to Joseph in order for him to consent to marry Mary.
Mary had to be one who would simply trust God no matter what!
So there you have it. Mary the nobody became a somebody. Today we are to still respect Mary and call her "blessed". She was human. She was a sinner like us. But God gave her a very special position.
"All of this is great Pastor, but how does this relate to us?"
Glad you asked! Let's think about it.
THE CONDITIONS
Guess what? We're nobodies! Psalm 51:5, Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:10-12
Not one of us is righteous in God's eyes. We are nobodies who deserve to go to hell!
Ezekiel 18:4, Romans 6:23
THE CONFRONTATION
Just as Mary was confronted with good news from God, through an angel, in this day and age you and I are confronted with good news from God from various sources.
· We discover this good news either through an individual sharing with us "one on one". Sometimes that individual is a parent or a Sunday School teacher.
· We also discover this good news when we go to church and hear a pastor or a guest speaker present it.
· And some have discovered this good news by reading books or pamphlets that we call tracts.
· Many have also have been confronted with this good news as they have read God's Word the Bible.
In verse 28 Mary was told that she was "highly favored".
There is a sense in which each one of you is highly favored.
God loves each one of you.
God showed his love for you by sending His Son, the Lord Jesus to earth.
God showed His love for you by sending His sinless Son to the cross to die for your sins.
1 John 4:10, Isaiah 53:3-6,
Right now through me God is confronting you with His love. It was His love that Jesus, a real somebody, the Son of God, to die on the cross for you, a nobody. John 3:16
THE CONVERSION
In verse 35 Mary was told that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and there was conception.
God, the Holy Spirit will also come upon you and I. We can call it conversion, but it is also called the new birth!
Jesus told Nicodemus - "Ye must be born again." John 3:5-7
What is going on here? God wants to forgive your sins, give you new life, and make you his child. He does it through the work of His Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 5:17,
So how does one experience this new birth that brings conversion?
THE CONFIDENCE
The new birth requires confidence or faith. At a specific moment in time you, a nobody, become a child of God through the working of the Spirit of God. A nobody becomes somebody.
John 1:12-13
You place confidence in the fact that you are a "nobody", a sinner who deserves the punishment of hell.
You place confidence in the love of God, believing that Jesus Christ His Son died for your sins.
By faith you place confidence in the Lord Jesus as your Savior, as your way to Heaven!
It is by faith that you become somebody, a child of God and a citizen of Heaven!
If you have not already, will you chose to become somebody this morning?
And those of you who have already made this decision need to remember that,
· Without Christ you'd be nobody. That's your condition.
· You are still loved by the Savior who has made you "accepted in the beloved". That's your confrontation from God's Word.
· You not only were born again by the Spirit of God, but the Spirit of God continues to live inside you to help you, guide you, teach you, and comfort you. That's a result of your conversion.
· The new life you began by expressing faith in Christ as Savior is to continue to be a life of faith. That's confidence.
Christian, you are still a nobody who became a somebody!
CONCLUSION:
For Mary, the nobody who became somebody.
THE CONDITIONS - Mary was a nobody who lived in a nowhere town.
THE CONFRONTATION - Mary became a somebody, who would be the mother of God's Son.
THE CONCEPTION - Vss. 34-37 - The Holy Spirit would do the work of making Mary pregnant.
THE CONFIDENCE - Vs. 38 - She believed what God had told her through the message of the angel.
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JOHN'S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
John 1:1-5, 14
In the Gospel of John you will find no account of a Bethlehem birth, Herod, shepherds, wise men, Mary and Joseph, or even angels making a birth announcement. However, there is a Christmas message about the Lord Jesus found in His Gospel.
HIS ETERNAL IDENTITY Vss. 1-2
HIS EARTHLY IMPORTANCE Vss. 3-5
HIS EXTRAORDINARY INVOLVEMENT Vs. 14
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