SERMON SEEDS
BIBLE OUTLINES FOR PASTORS, TEACHERS, AND STUDENTS
V2 – FOR WEEK OF 1/9/23
First Baptist Church of New Holland PA - SERMON SEEDS (fbcnhremembers.com)
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ACTS 2:37-47 – TOGETHER IN CHRIST!
“TOGETHER WE BELIEVE” #1
Although Christians have individual responsibilities to believe in Christ and live the Christian life, God never designed Christians to function on their own. From the beginning, Christians were expected to exist together as “the church”.
From the very beginning, which we just read about, the church was made up of believers who met together. As the church was launching, there were three things they did together! These are the same three things, we, as a local Church, must do together!
TOGETHER WE BELIEVE – Acts 2:37-41
- Holy Spirit Promised – John 14:15-18, Acts 1:8
- Holy Spirit Fills, first witness. Acts 2:1-4
- Peter’s Sermon – Acts 2:22-24, 29-36
- Repent, Believe, Baptism – Acts 2:37-39
- Together, they believed. Together, we believe!
TOGETHER WE GROW – Acts 2:42-47
- Acts 2:42 – “Continued steadfastly”
- Doctrine – 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Timothy 3:2
- Fellowship – having in common, sharing, meals, meeting needs of others, interacting with others.
- Breaking of bread – Probably the Lord’s Table, binds us together in our mutual faith in Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
- Prayer – Power in prayer. Acts 4:31, Acts 12:5
- Vss. 44-46 – They looked out for needs of others. This was not a form of communism.
- Vs. 47 – They were unified! There was joy!
TOGETHER WE WITNESS – Acts 2:43, 47
- Vs. 43 – Miracles were happening. The greatest witness we have is the miracle of a changed life controlled by the Holy Spirit.
- Vs. 47 – Good testimony. People coming to Christ regularly.
To hear Pastor Jack preach this sermon go to
First Baptist Church of New Holland PA - Sermons (fbcnhremembers.com)
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Psalm 19:7-14, Nehemiah 8:1-12 TOGETHER IN GOD’S WORD!
“TOGETHER WE BELIEVE” #2
INTRODUCTION:
· I could have done better with the title. Let me make it a little longer. Together We Believe in God’s Word.
· We claim to be and are known as a Bible-believing church. That’s a good thing.
· You might say, isn’t every church a Bible-believing church? Sadly, many churches do not believe that the Bible is the Word of God, inerrant in its original writing and preserved by God for us.
· We hold to verses like, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:19-21, Romans 15:4, 1 Peter 1:23-25
· Psalm 119:89 - For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.
· So, we say we are a Bible-believing church! Like anything else, it’s one thing to say you are something, and it’s quite another to live it out!
· How can we be sure we are Bible believers as individuals, and as a church?
· For us to believe God’s Word together, we need to practice:
- The Impact of God’s Word
- Internalization of God’s Word
- Interaction in God’s Word
IMPACT OF GOD’S WORD – Psalm 19:7-10
· Salvation Vs. 7
INTERNALIZATION OF GOD’S WORD – Psalm 19:11-14
· Vs. 11 – A cough drop must be internalized.
· “The eyes of God are the only eyes that matter.” Exalting Jesus in Psalms 1-50, p 143
INTERACTION IN GOD’S WORD – Nehemiah 8:1-12
· Congregation – Nehemiah 8:1-2 – Feast of Trumpets
Water Gate – Water for washing a symbol for the Word of God. Ephesians 5:26
Vs. 1 – Desire for the Word of God
Vs. 2 – All who could understand were there.
· Declaration – Nehemiah 8:3-4
Vs. 3 – They paid attention.
Vs. 4 – Ezra read 13 priests (?) stood with him.
· Exaltation – Nehemiah 8:5-6 – Worship
· Explanation – Nehemiah 8:7-8
Expository Preaching, Small Groups
· Consolation – Nehemiah 8:9-11 – Conviction, Comfort – Sin would be dealt with later. Day of joy.
· Celebration – Nehemiah 8:12
To hear Pastor Jack preach this sermon go to
First Baptist Church of New Holland PA - Sermons (fbcnhremembers.com)
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IN PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
MATTHEW 5:3-8 – AT THE FEET OF JESUS #1
· What are some of the things people in general will do to be happy?
· Although people want to be happy, often they are not. Why not?
· How do you know that God wants us to be happy?
· The Sermon on the Mount begins with some verses known as “the Beatitudes”. We often think of the word “blessed” as meaning “happy”. “The Greek word for blessed is makarios, and it is used to describe a person who is especially favored by God and who is therefore in some sense happy or fortunate because of it.” James Montgomery Boice, The Gospel of Matthew, Volume 1, (Grand Rapids Michigan, Baker Books, 2001) p. 74
· True happiness is not based on “happenings” but on the favor of God on our lives.
In Matthew 5:3-8, the Lord Jesus shows us the qualities that lead to true happiness.
SADNESS THAT LEADS TO HAPPINESS
Matthew 5:3-4 - Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
· Is verse 3 commending a bad attitude? I know a lot of “poor-spirited” people!
· Poor in spirit refers to one’s attitude about oneself. He or she understands the spiritual poverty of his own soul.
· How does one need to be poor in Spirit to be saved? Isaiah 64:6, Titus 3:5, Ephesians 2:8-9
· How does being poor in spirit help someone appreciate salvation?
· How does being poor in spirit help us to please God as Christians? 1 Peter 5:5-9
· When and why should a person mourn over sin?
· What does God see as the purpose of mourning? James 4:8-10, Psalm 32:5
SUBMISSION (SOFTNESS?) THAT LEADS TO HAPPINESS
Matthew 5:5 - Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
· How is the word meek often misconstrued?
· A better word for meek is gentle.
· In Matthew 11:29 Jesus tells us that He is meek and lowly of heart. How was Jesus gentle?
· Many commentators say that meekness is power under control. How did the Lord Jesus demonstrate that?
· Why must a person be submissive to be meek?
· In what way might a gentle person inherit the earth today?
SANCTIFICATION THAT LEADS TO HAPPINESS
Matthew 5:6, 8 - Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled…. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
· What is sanctification?
· Why should Christians pursue sanctification? 1 Peter 1:15-16
· Think of righteousness as always doing the right thing. How should that make us proactive?
· What keeps my heart from being pure?
· What part does the Holy Spirit have in keeping my heart pure? Galatians 5:22-23
· How does a Christian, who is pure in heart, see God?
SHARING THAT LEADS TO HAPPINESS
Matthew 5:7, 9 - Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
· How can a Christian show mercy every day?
· Why should we be merciful in our judgments of others? Matthew 7:1-2
· What part does forgiveness have to do with mercy?
· Why must a peacemaker have peace himself?
· How does a peacemaker help make peace between God and man?
· How does a peacemaker help make peace between man and man?
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REALITIES OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
MATTHEW 5:10-20 – AT THE FEET OF JESUS #2
THE REALITY OF SUFFERING – Matthew 5:10-12
· We will be rejected. Why? Vss. 10-11
· We are to rejoice. Why? Vs. 13
THE REALITY OF SALTINESS – Matthew 5:13
· Salt is a preservative. Keeps meat from rotting. Our world is rotting in moral decay.
· How do we Christians act as a preservative? 1 Peter 3:15, Mark 16:15, 2 Corinthians 5:17
· Salt is a spice. Salt added to food adds flavor.
· The world needs salt to spice it up, to give it the flavor of hope, the flavor of forgiveness, the flavor of righteousness. We are that salt. How should we go about being “spicey”?
· Salt will make you thirsty. How can we go about being thirsty for God?
· What does it mean for a Christian to lose saltiness? How are we different from salt when we lose our saltiness? Revelation 2:1-5
THE REALITY OF SHINING – Matthew 5:14-16
· God is light. 1 John 1:5, John 8:12
· As the moon reflects the light of the sun, we as believers should reflect the light of Jesus!
· Vs. 14 – How are we “the light of the world”? In what ways should we not want to be hidden?
· Vs. 15 – How do Christians “hide” their light under a bushel sometimes?
· Vs. 16 – Remember, our good works should cause people to glorify God. That means our good words must accompany the good works. Colossians 3:17
THE REALITY OF SCRIPTURE – Matthew 5:17-18
· Vss. 17-18 – Why might Jesus’ hearers have thought he was destroying God’s word?
· There were three aspects to the law:
- Moral law – Behavior
- Ceremonial – Sacrifices for sin
- Judicial – Government – Israel was to be a theocracy under God.
· How did Jesus fulfill the first two aspects of the law? When will He fulfill the third? Isaiah 11
THE REALITY OF SANCTIFICATION (BEING SET APART) – Matthew 5:19-20
· Vs. 19 – Jesus is teaching against hypocrisy. We are to be doers of the word. James 2:22-25
· Vs. 20 – Why might Jesus’ hearers be shocked over his comments about the Scribes and Pharisees?
· Because Jesus has fulfilled the ceremonial law and will fulfill the judicial law, we are required to trust Him.
· Because Jesus has fulfilled the moral law, we are to allow him to live His righteous life through us as believers. We must be Spirit-controlled. Galatians 2:20, Galatians 5:16-26
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DEUTERONOMY 6:10-19 – INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PROMISED LAND
Israel was about to enter the Promised Land. Here are some instructions from God:
A DELIGHTFUL PLACE - Vss. 10-11
The Promised Land would be a terrific place to live.
A DANGEROUS POSSIBILITY - Vs. 12, 14-15
The dangerous possibility was forgetting and/or forsaking the Lord and receiving His Judgment.
A DEVOTED PEOPLE - Vss. 13, 16-18
They were to fear the Lord. Vs. 13
They were not to tempt the Lord. Vs. 16
They were not to obey. Vs. 17
They were to do what was right and good.
A DELIGHTED PEOPLE - Vss. 18b-19
It would go well with them.
They would possess the Land.
They would cast out the enemies.
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SELECTED PSALMS – IT’S BETTER
Here are some better things found in the Book of Psalms.
BETTER WEALTH
Psalm 37:16 - A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
Psalm 119:72 - The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
BETTER CARE
Psalm 63:3 - Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
BETTER FELLOWSHIP
Psalm 84:10 - For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
BETTER TRUST
Psalm 118:8-9 - It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. [9] It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
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ISAIAH 40:28-31 – NEED TO KNOW!
There are things which we need to know. Some of them have to do with personal hygiene (Take showers or baths, use deodorant, brush your teeth etc.). Some have to do with education (How to read, write, do simple math.) Some have to do with getting along with others (How to explain things, listen, and be understanding.). When it comes to problems, Isaiah shows us three things which we need to know:
ABOUT GOD - HE IS AWESOME - Vss. 28, 29
ABOUT MYSELF - I AM ANEMIC (WEAK) - Vs. 30
ABOUT GOD'S ASSISTANCE - HE IS AVAILABLE - Vs. 31
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THE STATE OF YOUR SOUL
Each year the President of the United States gives an annual “State of the Union” Address.
Of course messages and written documents similar to the State of the Union message are often presented. Messages are given on the “State of the State” in many places, or “the state of the city”. In fact, pastors, including myself, have spoken on the “State of the Church”.
Such messages usually sum up how things are now and what the plans are for the future. This is the type of message I usually give in the Pastor’s report as part of our Annual Report.
Let me suggest to you that the most important thing you have to report on is “THE STATE OF YOUR SOUL”,
Your soul, of course, is the part of you that will live forever. It is the real you. And the status of your soul is of extreme importance. Mark 8:34-37
The state of your soul is so important that Pastors like me have been assigned to watch for it, and to take active part in helping you take care of your soul. Hebrews 13:17
So I want you to give a report on the State of your Soul. I’m not asking you to do it out loud. I’m asking you to do it within, reporting to yourself, and to God. Such a report will help you to review the state of your soul right now, and what you need to do this year by way of making improvements.
IS MY SOUL REDEEMED?
2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Most of you know the Gospel.
You know that all of us are sinners.
You know that we are not righteous enough to earn our ways into Heaven. Isaiah 64:6
You know that Christ redeemed us, purchasing our souls out of condemnation. Ephesians 1:7
You know that Christ has risen from the dead.
You know that faith in Christ makes us righteous before God and makes us citizens in Heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9
So examine yourself!
Have you placed your faith in Christ as Savior?
Do you have the assurance of Christ dwelling in you?
Can you say with the Apostle Paul in Galatians 2:20, Christ liveth in me?
Paul expected them to examine themselves and indeed find that Christ was present!
You should be able to examine and find that you have had fellowship with the Lord Jesus. That He has changed your life! You realize that since making a profession of faith in Him, you are different and now interested in the things of God.
You should be able to examine yourself and find the assurance from God that you are His child. Romans 8:15-16
If you examine and find no real evidence that you have trusted Christ, do so.
If you examine yourself and find evidence that Christ is in your life, that you are indeed a child of God, then you have reason to rejoice.
You also have reason to encourage yourself to a deeper, more intimate walk with Him, seeing that He is present!
IS MY SOUL RELIANT?
There are times when we have all failed to be trustworthy. Sometimes, we have not been worthy of being trusted because of our actions, because of our sinful nature.
And yet how much it hurts when someone does not trust us, especially when we’ve done nothing wrong, when there’s no reason not to trust us!
Imagine how God must feel when we are not reliant on Him!
He is perfect.
He has done all things well!
He is almighty!
If He can’t be trusted who can!
And all through Scripture we are encouraged to put our trust in Him and His Son! We need to be reminded of these Scriptures. Psalm 62:5-6,8, Deuteronomy 33:27, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 41:10, John 15:5, Hebrews 11:6,
You know in your head that God can be trusted.
But do you know in your heart that God can be trusted?
Has it ever occurred to you, that as a Christian that the biggest insult to God is to live in a continual state of worry and unbelief; to be out of sorts and anxious about the past, present or the future?
God makes it clear that everything is to be committed to Him in prayer so that we can have peace of mind. Psalm 55:22, 1 Peter 5:7, Philippians 4:6-7
So how reliant has your soul been?
Have you lived in a state of trust or anxious worry?
To please your God and for your soul to right with God there MUST be reliance on Him!
IS MY SOUL REMISS?
Some of the hardest words for anyone to hear are, “I don’t love you anymore.”
It’s said often, but actually practiced even more frequently.
Often our actions, and even more so, our attitudes say to someone, “I don’t love you anymore.”
Is that what you are saying to God, “I don’t love you anymore”?
Revelation 2:4-5 - Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. [5] Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
These words were spoken to the Christian church in Ephesus. This was a church that was very active and doctrinally sound. And yet Jesus had a problem with them.
The fervent love which they once had for the Lord Jesus was no longer there.
The things they did were only a going “through the motions.”
They left their “first love”, which implies they loved something or someone else more than they loved the Lord.
It’s very easy to do, because there are so many things around to “love”.
The Lord tells us what to do.
He tells us to remember what it was like when we were most in love with Jesus.
He tells us to repent, to turn around.
He tells us to go back do the first works.
Think like you thought when you most loved Jesus.
Act like you acted when you most loved Jesus.
Love like you loved when you most loved Jesus.
IS MY SOUL RESPONSIBLE?
How responsible a Christian are you?
Check out the New Testament.
In the Book of Acts, when a person believed he was baptized.
Jesus’ command was very simple. Matthew 28:19-20
Baptism is to follow belief. Have you been baptized?
How responsible a Christian are you?
Do you attend this church regularly?
Are you a member?
You’re not?
In most cases that’s irresponsible.
You want to receive but you don’t want to give.
You can find all sorts of excuses not to join.
But joining requires commitment.
Commitment means responsibility.
And if you don’t join, you never have to worry about responsibility.
Does Jesus love his church?
Did Jesus make a commitment to His church? Ephesians 5:25
Christ loves His Church.
Do you love His church?
How about his local church?
- love it, enough to make a commitment to membership.
One more thing in the way of commitment:
Hebrews 10:24-25 - And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: [25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
You need to be here more than once a week or once every couple of weeks.
You need to be in Sunday School and Church.
We need you in the Evening Service to be encouraged and to be an encouragement.
We need you to be part of our Prayer Team on Wednesday nights.
Some are concerned about our lack of growth, and the need for new blood.
Let’s get out and pray for these things.
How is the State of your Soul?
Ask yourself:
IS MY SOUL READY?
Are you ready for Jesus to come back?
What if He had appeared last week?
Would you have been ready?
Luke 12:40 - Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
Here’s how to be ready:
Titus 2:11-13 - For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, [12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; [13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
What is the State of your Soul?
Ask yourself:
1. IS MY SOUL REDEEMED?
2. IS MY SOUL RELIANT?
3. IS MY SOUL REMISS?
4. IS MY SOUL RESPONSIBLE?
5. IS MY SOUL READY?
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