The Unshakable Title: The Unshakable! Text: Heb. 12:25-28 and others Tracing: Preached November 18, 1990 A.M. at SDCC. Topic: Theme:
Nutshell:
Objectives:
Prim Goal:
Intnd Aud.:
Intro.: We ÿare ÿnot ÿtoo good at determining the durability ÿof ÿthings ÿ– Illus. ÿÿ- ÿthis hammer appears to be more durable than this plastic pop bottle ÿbut ÿin fact the plastic will last virtually forever ÿwhile ÿthe metal will rust and the wood will rot. Likewise, the church often seems to be much more flimsy than other institutions of this world — ÿbut not so! Imagine the perspective of the sanhedrin in the first century ÿ(Acts 5:33-39) ÿ– so confident that within a few weeks, months, ÿor years the apostles ÿwould ÿlose their zeal and the church would fail, ÿÿyet ÿtheir nation ÿfell and did not exist for many centuries while the church ÿwent on. ÿLikewise, ÿcompare the apparent solidity of the Roman Empire ÿwith that of the church: ÿRoman Empire had lasted for hundreds of years, had built ÿa ÿpeace that extended over practically the whole world ÿ– ÿÿthe church was, ÿby contrast, a ÿmere handful of men and women hiding in the catacombs ÿunder ÿthe city. ÿYet Rome fell, ÿdue in large part ÿto ÿthe influence of the church, and the church went on. Today, ÿÿin a nation which seems to be growing more corrupt ÿby ÿthe day, ÿthe church seems flimsy. ÿYet consider: 20,50,100 ÿyears ago on a Sunday morning, ÿyou would have found people assembling together in much the same way we do today — you could join them in their worship and not be too out of place. 350 years ago, before our nation, ÿsuch assemblies took place on this continent. ÿ1,000 years ago in Europe you would have found believers worshiping as we do. Through out history, ÿcontinuously since the day of Pentecost, the church has been a constant! This seems an unlikely state of affairs! But see Heb. 12:25-28! The church is Unshakable! Permanent! The permanence of the Church is based upon: Body: I. An Unbreakable Promise. Heb. 6:16-20 The Promise to Abraham!, and godly men ever since, of an unending nation. Doubly unbreakable: God has given His promise which he could not break anyway, and added to that His oath, which is also binding! The hope that this gives us is like an anchor! Gives us stability! II. An Unending Reward. John 11:25-26, Rev. 21:1-4,22-27; 22:1-5 Eternal ÿLife ÿ(John ÿ11:25-26) ÿÿand ÿa ÿlife ÿbeyond ÿall ÿpresent imagination (Rev.). It will continue forever and it will be blissful! In comparison with that — no present suffering is worth considering! III. An Undying Priest. Heb.7:16,23-25 It is this that makes all the rest possible! Jesus’ Indestructible Life allows Him to intercede for us forever!
OUR RESPONSE? Reason for choosing this topic — the possibility of an earthquake. Our understanding of the permanence of the church will make a difference in our actions in the aftermath. The permanence of the church should cause us to: 1) Be Stable in the Storm — counting all things as loss Phil. 3:7ö11. 2) Be Ready to Share it! 3) Seek our own participation! Conc.: Heb. 12:25 Don’t refuse Him!
Comments: Prepared by Scott L. Purcell Minister of Stokelan Drive Christian Church 1501 Stokelan Drive Malden, MO 63863 (314) 276-2343 Reproduce, modify, and use freely for the glory of God and the Growth of the Kingdom! If these outlines are of some benefit to you, a note, postcard, or phone-call would be most welcome!