SERMON SEEDS
S12 – THE WEEK OF MARCH 23, 202O
ANOTHER SPECIAL EDITION!
A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR JACK:
Dear Friends:
In light of our current world conditions, and many of us not able to have church, I am carefully selecting my Sermon Seeds outlines. Those of you who preach and teach will hopefully find something you can build upon. Those of you who read these for your personal edification and encouragement, will hopefully find just what you are looking for! Be sure to open your Bible and read the passages I suggest. Please feel free to forward these outlines to anyone you feel they will help. Remember the it is the Lord Jesus who works in us, and any benefit you receive is only because of Him! If you would like these “seeds” to be delivered to your mailbox weekly, just send me an email (pastorjackpeters@gmail.com) from the address you want to receive them and put the word subscribe in the subject line.
Thanks so much,
Your Brother in Christ,
Jack
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ISAIAH 41:8-13 - THINGS TO REMEMBER
This message was recorded in an almost empty church sanctuary and placed on our church website. Because of Corona Virus we did not have church. The link for this sermon is at the end of these notes.
There have been many significant events in my lifetime. Here are the four that stick out in my mind:
I was a Junior in High School when J.F.K. was assassinated
I was in the prime of my career when the Challenger Disaster hit (January 1986. I was going to a Kiwanis Club meeting.).
I was looking at midlife and beyond when 911 hit. (Dottie called me from our church, saying that one of our ladies said I need to turn on the television, and I sat in front of the TV for the next couple of days in unbelief processing this.)
Now I am a senior citizen, and in my opinion, we are facing the greatest challenge of our lifetime, because this affects all of us!
Here are some things for us to remember and we face this latest crisis.
The following things to remember are for those who know Jesus as their Savior. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 2 Corinthians 15:3-4, John 3:16
REMEMBER YOU ARE SPECIAL - Vss. 8-9
- You Are God’s Servant – Vs. 8, 1 Peter 2:15-16, Romans 6:22, Romans 8:28, 1 John 3:1, Romans 8:16-17,
- You Are Chosen by God – Ephesians 1:3-6, John 10:27-31
- You Are Abraham’s Seed - Galatians 3:7-9, John 15:13-15, Proverbs 17:17, 18:24,
- You Are Part of a Large Family – Psalm 119:63, Hebrews 13:5-6
REMEMBER YOU ARE STRENGTHENED - Vs. 10
Psalm 139:7-10, Psalm 48:14
- “I Will Strengthen Thee”
Philippians 4:13, Luke 1:37
- “I Will Help Thee”
James 1:2-8, Romans 5:1-5,
- “I Will Uphold Thee with the Right Hand of My Righteousness”
REMEMBER YOU ARE SECURE - Vss. 11-13
1 Peter 5:8, 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, Revelation 20:10, Romans 8:35-39
TO LISTEN TO THIS MESSAGE PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW:
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PSALM 91
GOD’S CARE
Here is Biblical Proof that God takes for his own. He provides
PLACE OF SHELTER – Vss. 1-2
PROMISE OF DELIVERANCE – Vs. 3
PEACE THROUGH FAITH – Vss. 4-6
PROTECTION DURING ADVERSITY – Vss. 7-14
PRESERVATION BY GOD – Vss. 15-16
Are you one of God’s Children, one of his own? 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, John 3:16, John 1:12-13
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Jeremiah 29:1-14 – ENCOURAGING WORDS
Jerusalem was conquered.
Many were taken into captivity into Babylon. Vss. 1-3
Jeremiah wrote an encouraging letter, which can encourage us today as we face difficulties.
GOD'S PLAN - Vss. 4-7 - BE A BLESSING WHERE YOU ARE!
The difficulty had come from God.
They were to settle in and seek the peace of the city where they were now dwelling. During our difficulties, we should seek the good of those around us, remembering that only what God allows will occur in our lives.
GOD'S PROMISE - Vss. 10, 12-14 - THERE'S A BETTER DAY COMING.
There was a better day coming from Israel, and there's a better day coming for us too. One day we'll be in the presence of the Lord Jesus.
See 1 John 3:1-3.
GOD'S PURPOSE - Vs. 11 - THE GOOD OF HIS CHILDREN
Jeremiah 31:3, Romans 8:28
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MATTHEW 6:33-34 – WELL, IT’S ABOUT TIME!
Now, if there's anything that I'm expert at doing, it's worrying. I have been a chronic worrier.
I'm not proud to admit that I've been a chronic worrier.
Worry and fear go together. Often we are afraid because we worry, or we worry because we are afraid!
Worry and most kinds of fear are sin! Matthew 6:34
Jesus said in John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
If I allow my heart to be troubled I am guilty of sin!
Philippians 4:6 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
If I am careful, anxious I am guilty of sin.
I, for one, have decided that it is about time that I kick the worry habit! How about you?
The question is, "How?" How do I go about kicking this habit that is as addictive as any other bad habit?
How do I go about kicking this habit that is as bad as any other bad habit?
Matthew 6:33-34 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [34] Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
OUR TROUBLES ARE MEASURED
Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Every person, especially the Christian is going to deal with troubles that could cause us to worry.
Some trouble will come because you are a Christian. Psalm 34:19, 2 Timothy 3:12,
Some trouble will come to help you mature. James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5
Some trouble comes so that we'll repent of our sin. Proverbs 3:11-12
Although we will face troubles, we must bear in mind that God has them measured. He will not give you any more trouble in one day than what you can handle with His help. 1 Corinthians 10:13
God knows how much trouble we can take and He has only given us one day's worth, no more, no less! And Christian, with that trouble comes God's grace. The Apostle Paul made that discovery. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9
OUR TROUBLES CAN BE MULTIPLIED
As Jim Cymbala pointed out in his book, Fresh Faith, Satan is a thief! And what does a thief do, among other things? HE STEALS! John 10:10
Fresh Faith by Jim Cymbala with Dean Merill, ©1999 by Jim Cymbala, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Pages 10-11
What does Satan want to steal from you?
He wants to steal your joy and peace in Christ.
He wants to steal your ability to serve Christ effectively.
He wants to steal your walk with God.
He wants to steal your mind.
After he steals, he wants to kill and destroy as much of you as he possibly can.
One way he steals is by making you worry.
God has given you all the trouble you can handle in one day.
God will give you all the grace you need to handle the trouble for one day.
Satan wants you to worry about tomorrow's troubles.
Satan wants you to worry about yesterday's troubles.
God will give you grace for today's troubles.
God will give you grace tomorrow for tomorrow's troubles.
God gave you grace to deal with yesterday's troubles.
However, God will not give you grace for tomorrow's troubles today.
When we worry we are borrowing trouble from the past and from the future. When we worry we are using our imaginations to conjure up all sorts of lies about the past and the future.
Matthew 6:34 - Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself…
Please note that Jesus does not say, "Don't plan for tomorrow." There is nothing wrong with planning as long as your plans are guided by and submitted to the will of God
God will give you grace for each tomorrow as tomorrow comes. Deuteronomy 33:25
I want you to see something else. When Jesus says "take no thought", "Don't worry", He's repeating himself. It's the third time He's said it in 10 verses. Matthew 6:25, 31, 34
Matthew 6:27, Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
Worry changes nothing for the good.
Worry does lengthen you life, although it sure can help shorten it!
OUR TROUBLES CAN BE MINIMIZED
So, how do we minimize our troubles?
By only having those God wants us to have
Sin maximizes our trouble.
Confession and forsaking minimizes our trouble.
In our text Jesus shows us how to minimize the trouble caused by worry so that we don't worry.
According to Warren Wiersbe, three words lead us to victory over worry.
FATHER
FAITH
FIRST
(PLEASE, IF YOU USE DR. WIERSBE'S OUTLINE HERE, GIVE HIM CREDIT! YOU DON'T NEED TO GIVE ME CREDIT, MY MATERIAL IS NOT COPYRIGHTED. BUT HIS IS!)
(Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, Volume 1, ©1989 by SP Publications Inc. Victor Books, Wheaton Illonois, Page 28)
Applying these three words to our lives will cause our troubles to be minimized because we won't be adding to our troubles.
- FATHER
John 1:12 - But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
If you have trusted Christ as Savior, then God is your Father.
Just think, the God of the universe calls you his child.
That means He is taking personal responsibility for you. Matthew 6:31-32
- FAITH
More than anything else worry is a lack of faith.
How do I know this? Jesus says so! Matthew 6:30,
Also see Hebrews 11:6 and Philippians 4:6-7
- FIRST
Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
As children of God we are to seek the good of His Kingdom, the family business.
As children of God we are to seek His righteousness that's part of the business.
And God says to us, "You seek my business and I'll take care of your needs."
WELL IT'S ABOUT TIME YOU STOPPED WORRYING! WILL YOU?
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John 14:27 – THE PEACE THAT JESUS GIVES
My grandfather was in France in World War I and my dad in Europe in World War II. I went to Viet Nam. Although my boys have not been in the military, the Gulf War and Bosnia took place during the time of their military eligibility. There is no peace.
There has been all sorts of unrest in our country and around the world over the last few years. Now we are facing a plague that is affecting all of us! There are many who lack peace.
There is peace available that will allow us to face and all circumstances. It is the peace that Jesus gives.
THE BEQUEST OF PEACE - "Peace I leave with you."
This peace is peace with God. The Lord Jesus left peace for us at the
cross. Psalm 85:10, Isaiah 53:5, Colossians 1:20
THE GIFT OF PEACE - "My peace I give unto you..."
This is the peace of God. It is His peace. It is a peace that the world
cannot give.
THE APPROPRIATION OF PEACE - "Let not your heart be troubled..."
How do we make this peace ours?
1. Stop and Hear. Follow the example of Mary. Luke 10:39
2. Stop and Stare. Isaiah 26:3-4 - A mind focused on Him in trust.
3. Stop and Share. Philippians 4:6-7
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PHILIPPIANS 4:6-9 – HELP LINES
You might be familiar with help lines or help desks where you can call for assistance.
Philippians 4:6-8 are lines written in the Bible that help us. Therefore, they are “help lines”.
HELP FOR THE HEART – Vss. 6-7 – PRAY!
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
HELP FOR THE MIND – Vs. 8 – THINK!
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
HELP FOR THE LIFE – Vs. 9 – IMITATE!
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
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SELECTED SCRIPTURES – I’D RATHER SING
I preached this sermon on a Sunday night. We stopped the message and sang several of the hymns mentioned here. Of course, you need to adapt this sermon so it mentions songs or choruses that your people know.
Some of the darkest days in our nation's history were the days when we practiced slavery.
The African American people showed remarkable spirit and faith. Their attitude was, "I'd rather sing."
Out of their pain came some great Spirituals:
Nobody Knows the Trouble of I've Seen
There is a balm in Gilead
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder
He Never Said a Mumbling Word
"I'd rather sing" is a good philosophy.
Most of us would rather sing than cry.
Most of us would rather sing than complain.
Most of us would rather sing than think evil thoughts.
Most of us would rather sing than be angry.
Most of us would rather sing than do evil.
"I'd rather sing" is a Biblical attitude. The Book of Psalms mentions singing on many occasions. Three of these occasions are Psalms 47:6-7, 89:1, 49:1,3
Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:18-19 - And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; [19] Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
As a result of the Word of Christ and the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, our attitude should be I'd rather sing.
Using our hymnbooks, let's consider songs that we can sing that will minister to our hearts not just on Sundays, but all through the week.
I'D RATHER SING HIS PRAISE
Our praise is to be continual - Philippians 4:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Hebrews 13:15
Our praise is an act of worship - Psalm 100:2
Some of the songs in our hymnbooks that encourage us to praise include:
Holy, Holy, Holy
O Worship The King
How Great Thou Art
Blessed Assurance
I'D RATHER SING OF HIS PEACE
Romans 5:1 tells us that a saved person has peace with God.
Not only do we need peace with God, but the peace of God is also promised. John 14:27, Isaiah 26:3, Philippians 4:6-7
When we become disturbed at the world situation or our own situation, we can focus on the peace of God by singing about it.
Abide With Me
Tell It to Jesus
The Haven of Rest
I'd Rather Have Jesus
It is Well With My Soul
The Solid Rock
Blessed Quietness
I'D RATHER SING A PRAYER
We are called to pray. Jeremiah 33:3, Matthew 7:7-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Sometimes we wonder how to pray. Sometimes hymns that are prayers will help us express ourselves.
Breathe on me Breath of God
Send the Old Time Power
Showers of Blessing
Have Thine Own Way, Lord
King of My Life I Crown Thee Now
Take My Life and Let It Be
I'D RATHER SING OF HIS PRESENCE
In John 15:4-5 Jesus tells us to abide in Him. Singing of His presence will help us abide in His presence.
Some hymns that help us abide:
Turn You Eyes Upon Jesus
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
Near the Cross
Face To Face
Saved By Grace
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
In The Garden
I'D RATHER SING OF PERFORMANCE (OBEDIENCE)
Obedience is an essential to our lives. We will perform well as we obey the admonitions of some of our favorite hymns.
Trust and Obey
Onward Christian Soldiers
Joy in Serving Jesus
Take Time To Be Holy
Are Ye Able Said the Master
Who is on the Lord's Side?
Make Me A Blessing
I'D RATHER SING A PERSONAL TESTIMONY
Psalm 107:2 reminds us that we are to testify of our salvation.
We can sing our personal testimonies with hymns like:
The Old Rugged Cross
At The Cross
Standing On The Promises
O Happy Day
At Calvary
I Love To Tell The Story
Amazing Grace
As for me, I'D RATHER SING! How about you?
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