SERMON SEEDS
BIBLE OUTLINES FOR PASTORS, TEACHERS, AND STUDENTS
FOR WEEK OF 2/27/23
First Baptist Church of New Holland PA - SERMON SEEDS (fbcnhremembers.com)
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RECENTLY PREACHED OR TAUGHT:
PHILIPPIANS 3:1-11
TOGETHER WE HAVE A GOAL Part 2
TOGETHER WE BELIEVE #7
Here are five top reasons why people fail to reach their goals.
- 1. They don’t have time...
- 2. They lack the know-how ...
- 3. They are not committed ...
- 4. They give up way too soon ...
- 5. They procrastinate and do not take action ...
21 Most Common Reasons Why People Fail To Achieve Their Goals (stunningmotivation.com)
As we’ll see in a few minutes, the goal we should have as Christians is unachievable here on earth, but we should die striving to reach the goal. As mature we are as Christians, the closer we will be to reaching it.
I was commenting to our mayor, who is also a bank VP, about the tellers in our bank. They change too much. He reminded me that the teller was an entry level job. Those who do a good job will move up. I’m afraid that too many Christians are entry level Christians. They never grow, they never move up!
As we saw last week, the goal of every Christian should be to be like Jesus.
OUR WORKS-ORIENTED PAST – Philippians 3:2-6
OUR CHRIST-CENTERED PRESENT – Philippians 3:7-9
OUR LIFELONG PASSION – 1 John 3:1-3, Philippians 3:10-11
Our lifelong passion (goal) is summed up in verse 10. To be like Jesus is the goal. Let’s learn more from Paul.
THE GOAL IS TO BE LIKE JESUS:
It’s an important goal. – Vs.12 – Imitating a runner in a race, as John MacArthur says, he strains every Spiritual muscle. You will not strive be like Jesus unless it’s important to you. It will not be important to you unless you appreciate what Christ has done for you. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, Galatians 2:20 It will not be important to you unless you realize this the reason He died for you. Romans 8:29
It’s an impossible goal. – Vss. 12-13 – Paul did not attain his goal. Each day he tried, he would get closer. My website
It’s an immediate goal. – Vss. 13-14 – Something immediate must be worked on now. He stretched forward to reach the finish line. I think of a runner’s final kick or spurt.
It’s a wise goal. – Vs. 15-16 - Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. (ESV)
It’s a walking goal. – Vss. 17-19 – There are two examples here, The good one, which we should follow (Vs. 17) and the bad one, which we should not.
It’s a worthwhile goal. – Vss. 20-21 – If we will be fully like Christ when He returns, we should eagerly await his return because we are “citizens of Heaven”.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HEAR HOW PASTOR JACK PREACHED THIS MESSAGE, VISIT
First Baptist Church of New Holland PA - Sermons (fbcnhremembers.com)
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Matthew 6:7-16
PRAYER PRIMER
AT THE FEET OF JESUS #6
- What is the purpose of a paint primer? How about a reading primer?
- When we think of the purpose of a primer, it is to be something at the base or basic.
- Why would Jesus give a primer on prayer? Matthew 6:5-7
- When we use the Lord’s Prayer as a model, for whom are we praying?
- Let’s check out the basic ingredients of the Lord’s Prayer.
PERSON - Our Father which art in heaven,
- Our relationship to God through Jesus Christ makes us comfortable praying “Our Father”. John 1:12-13
- How are you comforted that God is your Father?
- God is over all! Therefore, He is in total charge. Romans 11:33-36
PRAISE – Hallowed be thy name.
- Because God is Holy, He is to be set apart as Holy in our lives. He is to be worshipped. Psalm 33:1-9, Psalm 100:1-2, Philippians 4:4
PRIORITIES - Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
- My desire should be for Jesus to come back and establish His Kingdom. Matthew 25:31
- My desire should be for God’s Kingdom to come into my life, the lives of believers, and the lives of unbelievers through salvation.
- I should ask for the Lord’s will to be done in every situation. When I know what it is, I can ask specifically. Matthew 26:39, 1 John 5:14-15
PROVISION – Give us this day our daily bread.
- We are dependent on God for all our daily needs. How should this affect our attitude?
- Philippians 4:19 is a great encouragement. What is the “catch” in Philippians 4:14-18?
PENITENCE - And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
- This promise of forgiveness is a great promise. 1 John 1:9, Psalm 32:5, Matthew 6:14
- The danger is not forgiving others as God has forgiven us. Matthew 6:15, Colossians 3:13
PRESERVATION – And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
- Our desire should be to be as far away from temptation as possible. 1 Corinthians 10:12-14
- Our desire should be to be as far away from evil and the evil one as possible. 1 Peter 5:8-9
PREEMINENCE – For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
- Recognize God’s ownership in your life! His is the kingdom!
- Recognize God’s strength in your life! His is the power!
- Give God the credit in every part of your life! His is the glory!
- Recognize God’s permanence in your life! “Forever!”
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SERMON, DEVOTIONAL, AND/OR LESSON STARTERS:
Ezra 1
THE RETURN
After 70 years of captivity the children Israel were permitted to return and rebuild the temple. Here’s how it started!
FULFILLED PROPHECY – God Keeps His Word – Vss. 1-4, Isaiah 44:28, Jeremiah 25:11-12, 10-14
FAITHFUL PARTICIPANTS – God Raises His Workers – Vs. 5
FULL PROVISION – God Supplies the Wealth (to get the job done!) – Vss. 6-11
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Psalm 11
WHEN CONFRONTED
There will be those who oppose me from time to time. When they do I can turn to this Psalm.
My Confidence – 1a - In the Lord put I my trust:
My Critics – 1b-3 - How say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, They make ready their arrow upon the string, That they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, What can the righteous do?
My Comfort – 4-5 - The Lord is in his holy temple, The Lord’s throne is in heaven: His eyes behold, His eyelids try, the children of men. The Lord trieth the righteous: But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
My Conclusions – 6-7
The wicked are in trouble. Vs. 6 - Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, And an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
The righteous are safe. Vs. 7 - For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; His countenance doth behold the upright.
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Isaiah 32:15-18
RESTORED!
As Israel will one day be restored in the land during Millennium, the believer in Christ has been restored from a life of sin to a life of victory. 2 Corinthians 5:17
RESTORED TO PRODUCTIVITY – Vs. 15 – John 14:12-14, Galatians 5:16, 18, 22-26
RESTORED TO PROPRIETY (Justice and Righteousness) – Vs. 16 – Romans 5:16-19, Philippians 3:7-9
RESTORED TO PEACE – Vss. 17-18 – Romans 5:1, John 14:27, Philippians 4:6-7
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Matthew 9:36-38
THE HEART OF JESUS
The heart of the Triune God is for the lost, those who do not trust the Lord Jesus for forgiveness and eternal life. We see the heart of God, the Son in these verses.
Jesus Saw the CROWDS – Vs. 36a
Jesus Had COMPASSION – Vs. 36
Jesus Gave a COMMENTARY – Vs. 37
Jesus Issued a COMMAND – Vs. 38
May This Be My COMMITMENT:
Let me see the crowds.
Let me have compassion.
Let me pray earnestly.
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Mark 9:1-8
GOD’S GLORY REVEALED
During the Transfiguration the glory of God, the Son was revealed to three of the Apostles.
PREDICTION OF GOD’S GLORY – Vs. 1
PRESENTATION OF GOD’S GLORY – Vss. 2-3
PARTICIPANTS IN GOD’S GLORY (Moses and Elijah) – Vs. 4
PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S GLORY (“This is my beloved Son…”) – Vss. 5-7
PERSON OF GOD’S GLORY (The Lord Jesus Christ) – Vs. 8
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FROM THE SERMON SEEDS ARCHIVES:
Deuteronomy 27:11-26
CURSES!
There was to be a ceremony once the Children of Israel entered the Promised Land. During this ceremony curses were pronounced upon people who did things that displeased God. We must remember that when we Christians sin against God, we are under the "curses" of God not hearing our prayers (Psalm 66:18) and of our grieving and quenching the Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30, 1 Thessalonians 5:19). Here is a list of sins that will bring on these curses.
THE CURSE OF IDOLATRY - Vss. 15
THE CURSE OF DISRESPECT - Vs. 16
THE CURSE OF DISHONESTY - Vss. 17-19
THE CURSE OF SEXUAL IMPURITY - Vss. 20-23
THE CURSE OF VIOLENCE - Vss. 24-25
THE CURSE OF DISOBEDIENCE - Vs. 26
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Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
FUTILITY
The Lord Jesus Christ is the only answer for futility.
FUTILITY OF LABOR - Vss. 3-4, 8
Answer - 1 Corinthians 15:58 - Labor in the Lord is not in vain.
FUTILITY IN NATURE - Vss. 5-7
Answer - Revelation 21:1-2 - There will be a new heaven, a new earth, and a New Jerusalem.
FUTILITY OF SAMENESS - Vss. 9-10
Answer - Hebrews 13:8 - Find hope in the unchangeable Christ
FUTILITY OF BEING FORGOTTEN - Vs. 11
Answer - 1 John 3:1-2 - We shall appear before Him forever! We shall be like Him!
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1 Corinthians 1:4-9
OUR FAITHFUL GOD
It is dark most mornings when I get up. Imagine how surprised I would be if I got up one morning and switched on the light and nothing happened! And imagine how disturbed I would be if there was no electric so my coffee maker could make my morning coffee. And imagine how uncomfortable I’d feel if there was no heat. It is electricity that makes the heater work. Someone is faithful at the electric company!
We are dependent on faithful people. We get in our cars and in our travels expect to find faithful gas stations, food stores, clothing stores, department stores, hardware stores, and restaurants, all providing the goods and services which we want or need.
We also expect to find faithful schools. Whether they be public schools or Christians schools, we expect them to provide education, guidance, and protection for our children. We assume that someone has been faithful to open the door of the school, faithful to see everyone has a teacher, faithful to take attendance, and faithful to see that all the supplies are provided.
We expect police departments, fire departments, and first aid squads to do their assigned jobs faithfully. We also expect that our friends and loved ones will be faithful in loving, in caring and being available when needed.
We live in a society in which faithfulness is assumed many times a day. We simply act if someone has done the job that needed to be done to keep us comfortable.
As Christians we need to remind ourselves that OUR GOD IS FAITHFUL!
Lamentations 3:22-23 – “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
Consider that God is faithful to maintain the right orbit of this planet around the sun, so that it is consistent. Therefore we can depend, more or less, on the weather.
Consider that God is faithful to provide summer, winter, seedtime and harvest.
Consider that God is faithful to provide the rain, the snow, the sun and the moon.
God is indeed faithful! We, as Christians, however often fail to realize just how far this faithfulness extends. We know that God was faithful to send his Son to die for our sins. We know that God is faithful to give eternal life to anyone who asks, and we know that God is faithful in giving us His Holy Spirit when we come to Christ.
We are also aware that God has promised to take care of our needs.
But beyond what we have just shared, most of us do not always see the faithfulness of God at work in our lives, even though it’s there!
In this message we want to see OUR FAITHFUL GOD and the way he is working in our lives through His grace. No matter what happens in our lives, God will remains faithful in these ways.
In verse 9 we read, “God is faithful…”
I personally believe that these verses show us at least 5 ways that God is faithful to us who know Christ as Savior.
Vs. 4 – Introduces this passage. Paul gives us a good reminder.
He tells us that he continually gave thanks for the Corinthians. The Corinthians, questioned Paul’s apostleship, permitted immorality in the church, were split their allegiances, and were spiritually immature. And yet Paul was still able to give thanks to God for them. He gave thanks, not because he was happy with their problems, but because of what God had done, was doing, and would do in the lives of the Corinthians.
Specifically, Paul was thankful for the grace of God that was at work in the Corinthians’ hearts and lives.
You and I will not agree with everything other Christians do, but we can be thankful when we see God’s grace at work in the hearts and lives of others.
WE ARE ENRICHED BY HIS GRACE – Vs. 5
When someone is enriched, he is given riches. He is made wealthy.
Here, we are told that we are enriched by Him! We are made wealthy.
Notice how all-inclusive this is – in all things.
Not one aspect of your life is left untouched.
You’ve already heard the classic stories about people who were rich, but never claimed their riches.
All Christians are rich in Christ. Many have just not taken the time to discover and claim all their riches. 2 Peter 1:3, Colossians 1:10
In this verse we find ourselves enriched in two ways. We are enriched in utterance and knowledge. Both of these help us be the witnesses we need to be for the Lord Jesus. Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, 1 Peter 3:15
WE ARE CONFIRMED BY HIS GRACE – Vs. 6
I have been confirmed twice in my lifetime.
When I was twelve years old, I took a course in the church I attended, and then a bishop came and laid his hands on me.
This meant that I was confirming the faith which someone else, my parents and Godparents, spoke for me when I was a baby.
There was only one catch. Although I had been christened and confirmed, I was still lost. I did not have the right idea of how to get saved and go to Heaven.
Then came my second confirmation. One night while listening to Billy Graham on the radio, I came to trust Christ as my Savior. At that moment I knew I was saved, and God began to bring about change in my life. Later I was Scripturally baptized by immersion.
The first time I was confirmed by man.
The second time I was confirmed by the grace of God!
The word confirmed means “settled, steadfast, solid”.
And although some may doubt their salvation for a brief period, the one who is truly saved has assurance of knowing they have eternal life. Romans 8:16
WE ARE GIFTED BY HIS GRACE – Vs. 7
We are waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We do not know when He is coming back.
We do know, that He is coming, and He will come first for us, His church.
What are we to be doing until He comes?
We are to love one another.
We are to be meeting together.
We are to be celebrating the Lord’s Table.
We are to be living Godly lives.
We are to are to be reaching out to a lost and dying world with the message of salvation.
All of these things require talent and ability that we don’t naturally have. We couldn’t save ourselves and we can’t live the Christian Life without help.
Verse 7 is telling us that we are lacking no gift that we need in order to live for Christ. You might not have the same gift as someone else, or ability, but when it comes to Godly living, you have all you need. Ephesians 1:3
As you know God has provided many Spiritual Gifts and gifted people to the church. We find lists of these gifts in such passages as Ephesians 4, Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12.
God does not give all his Spiritual gifts to one individual, but He spreads them out. He may give the gift of preaching to one, and the gift administration to another. Also He might give still others gifts of helping, evangelism and giving. I believe that God gives the individual church all the gifts necessary to get the job done.
WE ARE ESTABLISHED BY HIS GRACE – Vs. 8
The same God who confirmed your testimony within you, when you first came to Christ, will continue to confirm or establish you to the end. Here the word confirm means establish. One day we are going to stand blameless before God, not because we did something but because God was faithful in establishing us that way.
WE ARE INCLUDED BY HIS GRACE – Vs. 9
Notice that God has called us into fellowship with Him.
Fellowship here means partnership.
There is a oneness that takes place that joins us together.
Have you ever thought of the Lord Jesus as your partner?
He would be senior partner for sure!
Wherever you go He is there.
Whatever you say, He’s there.
Whatever you try to accomplish for His glory, He’s there.
Whenever you hurt, He hurts.
Whenever you love the right things, He loves.
So, if Jesus is here, why not let the senior partner have control.
May it be that wherever you go Jesus takes you.
And whatever you say, Jesus is saying through you.
And whatever you try to accomplish for His glory, He is doing through you.
And whenever you love, He loves through you.
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