SERMON SEEDS
BIBLE OUTLINES FOR PASTORS, TEACHERS, AND STUDENTS
V5 – FOR WEEK OF 2/6/23
First Baptist Church of New Holland PA - SERMON SEEDS (fbcnhremembers.com)
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TOGETHER WE BELIEVE IN THE CROSS OF CHRIST
TOGETHER WE BELIEVE #4
SUTTON, W.Va.—"One night in 1984, the Reverend Bernard Coffindaffer had an epiphany. God called him, he explained afterward, to erect sets of three crosses across the land to recall Christ's crucifixion at Calvary. He would raise them wherever he could and start nearby—in the foothills west of the Allegheny Mountains in central West Virginia.
“In less than a decade, thousands of such crosses had sprung up across the eastern U.S., capping knolls and other landmarks along highways from Florida and Texas north into Pennsylvania and beyond.” Lesser-known facts about Coffindaffer's roadside crosses - West Virginia Explorer (wvexplorer.com)
As you know, the most popular symbol for Christianity is the cross. You can find them everywhere it seems, especially in churches, each one of our hymns except the last one that we are singing today talks about the cross in some way.
If we are not careful, we can begin to romanticize or even idolize the cross. Crucifixion was the most horrible way for a person to die under Roman rule. It was a slow, agonizing, death.
Together we believe in the cross, but it’s more than the cross we believe in. We believe in the Christ who hung on that cross as the very Son of God. Let’s talk about what we believe about the Christ on the cross at Calvary.
Together we believe in:
· THE SURRENDER OR SUBMISSION OF CHIRST – Philippians 2:5-11 Together, we must have the same attitude. Philippians 2:1-4
· THE SUFFERING OF CHIRST – Matthew 27:33-50
· THE SUBSTITUTION OF CHRIST – 2 Corinthians 5:21, Peter 2:22-25
· THE SATISFACTION OF CHIRST – Isaiah 53:10-12
· THE SALVATION FROM CHRIST – Romans 5:1, 9, Romans 10:9-10 – If you haven’t believed it in your heart, don’t try to confess with your mouth.
· SANCTIFICATION THROUGH CHRIST – Galatians 2:20
To hear Pastor Jack preach this sermon go to
First Baptist Church of New Holland PA - Sermons (fbcnhremembers.com)
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RAISING THE STANDARDS – PART 1
MATTHEW 5:21-32 – AT THE FEET OF JESUS #3
· In what areas should Christ-followers have higher standards than unbelievers?
· Why are these higher standards important?
· Jesus summed up these higher standards in Matthew 22:37-48
· Why is it easy for us to embrace lower standards, especially for ourselves, and for others?
In the rest of Matthew 5, our Lord Jesus gives us five areas in which we as Christians should have higher standards. We will address the first two of these in verses 21-32.
HIGHER STANDARD FOR ANGER – Vss. 21-26
· Vs. 21 – This is a no-brainer! Premeditated murder is wrong! Exodus 20:13, Genesis 9:5-6
· Vs. 22 – Here we see that the equivalent of murder is unrighteous anger. This is serious! Proverbs 29:22, 25:28, Ephesians 4:26-32
· Vss. 23-24 – Bringing a gift to the altar today would include praying (Psalm 66:8) and participating in the Lord’s Table (1 Corinthians 11:26-32).
· Why is keeping short accounts with people so important? How far should we go to resolve known differences? Romans 12:16-18
· Vss. 25-26 – Sometimes people will take things they have against others to the courts. I think Jesus is thinking of the eternal court and judge. We need to resolve things now!
HIGHER STANDARD FOR MARRIAGE – Vss. 27-32
· Vs. 27 – Two of the ten commandments address adultery. Exodus 20:14, 17
· Vs. 28 – Notice that adultery is committed in the heart before there are any lustful looks or action taken.
· Temptation to sin is not sin when the temptation is resisted. James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8-9, 1 Corinthians 10:12-14
· Vss. 29-30 – How will literally plucking out your right eye or cutting off your right hand not help you resist temptation?
· I believe that Jesus is saying, “Be radical in resisting temptation. Do what it takes!” What are some extreme things we might consider?
· Vs. 31 – Deuteronomy 24:1 – There were two schools of thought among the rabbis. One school said that almost anything qualified for a reason for divorce. The other school thought that it referred to “marital impropriety short of adultery”(which was punishable by death.). “…other types of sexual misconduct such as shameful exposure”. R. Kent Hughes
· Vs. 32 – According to Jesus, unfaithfulness is the only reason for divorce, and then divorce is not mandatory. Reconciliation is better.
· Jesus gives further instructions in Matthew 19:1-10.
· If a person has divorced and remarried wrongfully there is forgiveness available.
- A person can’t go back (Deuteronomy 24:1-4) but should remain faithful to current spouse.
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Deuteronomy 34 – THE DEATH OF A GREAT MAN
MOSES WAS SHOWN THE PROMISED LAND – Vss. 1-4
MOSES SUCCUMBED TO DEATH – Vss. 5-7
MOSES’ SADDENED THE PEOPLE THROUGH HIS DEATH – Vs. 8
MOSES WAS SUCCEEDED BY JOSHUA – Vs. 9
MOSES STOOD OUT AS A TESTIMONY – Vss. 10-12
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2 SAMUEL 11-12 – DAVID AND BATHSHEBA – SURVIVORS!
“Many couples are united in wedlock in a rosy fog of optimism. Blinded to the shortcomings, each sees only the other’s good points. But as the excitement of the new marriage wears off, they drift to the opposite extreme and view these same traits as faults. Someone has called this “reverse reasoning,” giving the following examples:
“She married him because he was ‘strong and masculine’
She divorced him because he was a very ‘dominating male.’
He married her because she was so ‘fragile and petite’
He divorced her because she was so ‘weak and helpless.’
She chose him because ‘he knew how to provide a good living’
She left him because ‘all he thought about was the business.’
He married her because she was ‘steady and sensible’
He divorced her because she was ‘boring and dull.'” (H.G.B. – Our Daily Bread, June 3
Okay, let’s face it! Many marriages have had their troubles, and many marriages have ended in divorce. But there are also those who have made it through some rocky times in their current marriage, and have even had successful second marriages in spite of failed first marriages. What do you call people who have a successful marriage in spite of some difficult times?
I call them survivors!
Long before the problems many marriages face today, there were marriages that had their tough moments in the days of the Bible. One such marriage with problems was that of David and Bathsheba. They ended up being survivors. This encourages me that even marriages in trouble have hope!
ROCKY (REGRETFUL) START – 2 Samuel 11
David was a great king, and at this point in his life, fairly mature. He was about 50 years old.
He was a man “after God’s own heart”.
It was David who slew Goliath.
It was David who ran from King Saul who wanted to kill him.
It was David who wrote the 23rd Psalm.
It was David who committed the sins listed in this chapter!
What does this teach us? There is not a Christian man or woman who is beyond the realm of temptation. No matter how godly a person may be, he or she must always realize that “Save by the grace of God, there go I.”
David set himself up for the temptation he faced. First, he had multiplied wives and concubines (Deuteronomy 17:15-17). This made him used to having almost any woman he wanted. This would have fed on his lusts. When we disobey God’s rules we will also run the risk of further temptation.
Another thing that David did that helped lead to temptation was that he wasn’t doing his job. He had gotten lazy!
Vs. 1 – This laziness placed David in the wrong place at the wrong time.
My friend, physical and spiritual laziness will lead us to temptation as well. Laziness is really a lack of self-control. Proverbs 25:28, Proverbs 4:23,2 Peter 1:5-7
Many a Christian marriage has failed because a husband or a wife has gotten lazy either physically or Spiritually.
Vs, 2 – David and Bathsheba’s rocky start was a result of David being home, and after an afternoon siesta, taking a walk on the roof of his house, a common thing in that day. Bathsheba was bathing perhaps on the roof of her own house. It was coolest there. The Bible places the blame of the sin upon David, but Bathsheba did not help, bathing where she could be seen.
David, for his part, should have turned away instead of continuing to look upon and inquiring about the identity of this lady. Remember what Joseph did when a lady tried to seduce him? He ran! We must learn to take the “way of escape”. 1 Corinthians 10:13 David did not take the way of escape.
Vs. 3-4 – David inquired as to the identity of Bathsheba, and found out that he was the wife of one of his best and most trusted warriors, Uriah. He committed adultery with Bathsheba.
Vs. 5 – The woman conceived and sent word to David. She was pregnant!
Vss. 6-13 – What does David do? Admit his sin? No, the sweet-psalm singer of Israel tried the cover-up. He sent for Uriah to come home, hoping that Uriah would sleep with his wife, and that it would be assumed that the baby was Uriah’s. Uriah did come home. But he was nobler than the king himself. He would not allow himself the luxury of sleeping with his wife. David, of course, asked why. David even got Uriah drunk, but that didn’t even send him home to his wife.
The rest of the chapter tells us about the terribly wicked thing that David did. He sent a letter back with Uriah to Joab. Joab was told to put Uriah in the fiercest part of the battle and then retreat from him so that he would die. David was guilty of murder.
Vss. 26-27 – Notice this – our sins displease the Lord! David’s did, and
ours will too. Think of this, most of us do not like to have people upset
with us. That’s why so much sin is covered up. But, worse than having
people displeased with us is having God displeased with us.
This marriage was off to a rocky start.
At least the husband, and perhaps the wife was out of fellowship with God.
Both had to live with their guilt.
It is not likely that there would not be good relationships or fellowship
between them.
REPENTANT ADMISSION – 1 Samuel 12:1-9,13
The best things to do with covered up sin are deal with it and bear the consequences.
David did not deal with his sin until he was confronted with it. David was miserable however. Psalm 32:3-4
God had Nathan the prophet expose the sin. Nathan had done a great thing. He confronted David with his sin. Sometimes the best thing we can do to help a person is to confront them. They will not always respond as graciously as David did, but we still have the responsibility. Galatians 6:1
David’s response is classic. 2 Sam 12:13, Psalm 51, Psalm 32:5
When a marriage has a rocky start the best thing to do is to confess.
Confess to the offended party after confessing to God. It does not mean
trouble will go away. Sometimes, like David, the trouble has just begun.
However it is better to face the consequences with God’s help than to face
God’s judgment.
REASONABLE CONSEQUENCES – 2 Samuel 12:10-12, 14-23
God promises discipline for sin. Hebrews 12:5-6
Vss. 10-12 – And God kept His promise. There was bloodshed in David’s household, brother killing brother. There the rebellion of Absalom and the commitment of adultery of Absalom with some of David’s wives. It was done publicly.
Vss. 13-14 – Because of David’s confession, God did not make the punishment worse. He did not die. But, because, David gave the opportunity for the enemies of God to blaspheme, the child did die. Remember this. David was forgiven, but he still paid the consequences for his sins. A marriage in trouble can have the healing touch of God’s forgiveness, but there are often consequences.
Vss. 15-23 – It is important to note that David prayed for the sick child.
Perhaps God would change His mind. But when God said “no”, David stopped fasting and praying, and worshiped and ate. David accepted the consequences with grace.
REMARKABLE BLESSING – 2 Samuel 12:24-25
David and Bathsheba were survivors.
And although they experienced God’s chastisement, they also experienced God’s blessing.
Vss. 24-25 – It is important to note that David was a supportive husband. He comforted his wife. Something us men need to do, especially in times of tragedy. And then God blessed! Another child was born. The child born was Solomon. And it is interesting to note that God loved Solomon and called him, “Beloved of the Lord”, or Jedidiah.
My friends, here is some big encouragement. When we fail God and are chastened, it does not mean the end of the world. God in his grace not only forgives us, even though we live with consequences, but he also will continue to bless us.
A marriage that got a rocky start can end up being a real blessing. But there needs to be open dealing with sin before God and those offended.
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Psalm 44:1-8 - TRUSTING GOD
PAST CONQUESTS - Vss. 1-3
PERSONAL CONSECRATION - Vs. 4
PRESENT CONFIDENCE - Vss. 5-8
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Matthew 11:1-15 - AN INQUIRY FROM JOHN (THE BAPTIST)
John the Baptist was in prison.
A WORD OF CONCERN - Vss. 1-3
A WORD OF CHALLENGE - Vss. 4-6
A WORD OF COMMENDATION - Vss. 7-11
A WORD OF COMMENTARY - Vss. 12-15
A WORD OF CONDEMNATION - Vss. 16-20
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Mark 10:46-52 – HAPPY ENDING!
We all like happy endings to stories. This is a Bible Story with a Happy Ending.
A VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCE – Vs. 46
Bartimaeus was blind.
A VOICE IN THE CROWD – Vss. 47-51
Bartimaeus persistently cried out to Jesus for help.
A VICTORY THROUGH FAITH – Vs. 52
Bartimaeus was healed according to his faith.
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1 Corinthians 10:5-14 - VICTORY!
Victory in the Christian Life is essential for happiness.
BAD EXAMPLES – Vss. 5-11
The Lustful – Vs. 6
The Idolaters – Vs. 7
The Fornicators – Vs. 8
The Tempters – Vs. 9
The Murmurers – Vs. 10
BLESSED RELIEF – Vss. 12-14
Be Alert – Vs. 12
Be Assured – Vs. 13
Be Aggressive – Vs. 14
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Hebrews 12:1-3 - PLAYING TO WIN
Some people play games for the joy of playing. Other people, like myself, enjoy playing but we play to win. Playing is fun, but winning is best! When it comes to living the Christian life, each and every one of us who knows the Lord should strive to win. We should be able to say with Paul "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)
This passage before us shows us how we should play to win.
THE ENCOURAGEMENT - The Cloud of Witnesses - Vs. 1
We are encouraged to play to win by the examples of God's Hall of Fame of Faith found in Hebrews 11.
THE ENEMIES - Weights and Sin - Vs. 1
Weights hold us down. A good runner doesn't run with weights attached to his body. Instead he wears as little as possible so that he can run effectively. I believe a weight is any thing that keeps us from running a good race for the Lord. I believe the sin that hinders us is unbelief. Chapter 11 tells us that we can't please Him without faith. Not to live by faith is a sin! (Hebrews 11:6)
THE ENDEAVOR - Run With Patience the Race Set before Us - Vs. 1
THE EYES - Looking unto Jesus - Vs. 2
THE ENLIGHTENMENT - "Consider Him" - Vs. 3
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