SERMON SEEDS
R11 – THE WEEK OF APRIL 1, 2019
Sermon Seeds is a generally weekly collection of Sermon and Bible Study Outlines and Full Lessons from the pen of Pastor Jack Peters. Pastor Jack has been pastoring for over 40 years and enjoys sharing what he gleans from God’s Word. He currently serves as Pastor of the First Baptist Church of New Holland, PA.
Feel free to use his material but make it your own by adding your insights, illustrations, and application.
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LUKE 22:66-23:12 – ON TRIAL
What do Joyce Ann Brown, Steve Titus, Clarence Brandley, Claus von Bulow, Thomas Martin Thompson, Raymond Towler, Gloria Killian, Anthony Porter, and Johnny Briscoe have in common?
They were all found guilty in a trial, only to be found innocent later. We live in a great country with a great justice system, and yet, as long as humans are involved in trials, they will not always get it right!
Such is the case with our Lord Jesus Christ. He was tried several times in a few short hours, and nobody got it right! Of course, this was all part of God’s plan. God would punish His own Son on the cross and allow Him to receive the punishment each of us deserve!
Each person who tried Jesus had a purpose or a motive for his actions. In a sense, Jesus is on trial today. Each person must pass a verdict on Jesus. Some people today have some of the same bias displayed by the people in our story.
We continue “The Story of Jesus”, moving from the prayer and arrest in The Garden of Gethsemane and Peter’s betrayal.
TRIED BY EXASPERATION OR ANGER – Luke 22:66-71
The Jewish Leadership had been trying to arrest and kill Jesus for some time. They were angry with Jesus. The Scriptures written below give some of the reasons. Also keep in mind that the trials Jesus went through in the hands of the Jews were all illegal.
There are people today who try Jesus based on their anger. They don’t like Jesus. They don’t believe He is God. They are blaming God for things which have happened in their lives.
Luke 6:6-11, Luke 19:45-47, Matthew 23:23-26, John 11:45-57, Daniel 7:13-14
TRIED BY EXPEDIENCE OR CONVENIENCE – Luke 23:1-5
Pontius Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, yet instead of letting Him go, he “passed the buck” (shifted responsibility) to Herod. He would do what was expedient or convenient to keep the peace.
There are those today who give lip service to Jesus, without really trusting Him as their Lord and Savior. It is expedient or convenient for them to say that they believe, but do not live as believers.
TRIED BY ENTERTAINMENT OR PERFORMANCE – Luke 23:6-12
King Herod was hoping to see a miracle. He wanted to be entertained. When Jesus refused to answer Herod’s questions, he was entertained by he and his soldiers mocking and abusing the Lord Jesus.
There are those today who want to be entertained by Christianity, would like to see miracles, or have Jesus bless them. There are others who entertain themselves by mocking Jesus. These are not true believers.
TRIED BY THE EVIDENCE OR THE FACTS
True believers look at the evidence and believe on Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Nathaniel and The Woman at the well encountered Jesus and based on fact believed on Him.
Nathaniel – John 1:43-48
The Woman at the Well – John 4:16-30
The Word of God – Isaiah 53, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
The Word of God gives evidence that Jesus is God and that Jesus died for our sins and rose again.
THE VERDICT:
I am guilty. – Romans 3:10-20
Christ paid for my sins. – 2 Corinthians 5:21
I must decide. – John 3:16-19
We all need to decide what we will do with Jesus. Either we believe, that is, trust in Him and receive everlasting life, or we do not believe in Him and are eternally under the wrath of God. See John 3:16-19.
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NEHEMIAH 4 – HOW DO I RESPOND WHEN THREATENED?
NEHEMIAH – GOD’S MAN IN TIME OF CRISES
Lesson #5 of 10 – Complete Lesson
- What are some of the types of personal threats we receive?
- What are some of the biggest threats to progress that churches face?
- Why do threats occur?
- What are some of the responses we can have when we feel that we are threatened personally or as a group?
Things were going well for Nehemiah’s wall building efforts, when suddenly there were threats to the well being of the project. These threats came from outsiders who didn’t want Nehemiah and his friends to succeed. Nehemiah teaches us some proper responses for the times when we feel threatened.
WALK – BE PRAYERFUL! – Vss. 1-6
- The “loyal opposition” included several people. Those named were Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian. 2:10, 19.
- Sanballat was evidently governor of Syria, and Tobiah was governor of Ammon. Geshem appears to be an Arabian king.
- According to Nehemiah 2:10, why were these people opposed to Nehemiah?
- Why do you think these people were specifically opposed to the rebuilding of Jerusalem?
- The basic weapon used in these verses is ridicule and sarcasm.
- We are vulnerable to the attacks of the tongue. Why? How can they slow God’s work? Consider Proverbs 15:1-4 and James 3:1-13.
- We never like being the victims of ridicule and sarcasm. But we must be careful not to “dish it out” as well. Matthew 7:1-5, 12, Romans 12:14, 14:4
- Vss. 4-6 - Nehemiah took the right approach. He prayed and continued the project. Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7
- Why was Nehemiah so harsh against his enemies?
- Vs. 6 – “The people had a mind to work.” Nehemiah prayed, evidently the verbal attacks were ignored, and the project reached half its height.
WATCH – BE PERCEPTIVE – Vss. 7-15
- When is it a legitimate time to cease work on a project?
- Vss. 7-8 – This alliance of opposition against the Jews was formidable. In fact the different groups opposed actually had Jerusalem surrounded!
- Vs. 10 – The opposition was planning to attack at a time when many were discouraged. Why was the timing of an attack crucial to its success?
- Vss. 11-12 – Word came that a surprise attack was planned. Have you ever been “broad-sided” when trying to do ministry? How did the surprise of it hurt you?
- Vss. 9, 13 – Work stopped because there was an imminent threat. Why did Nehemiah group the defense by families?
- Vs. 14 – When is it appropriate to give a “pep talk”? Hebrews 3:13-14, 10:24-25
- Vs. 15 – When the imminent threat had passed then they went back to work.
- Watching is an important part of the Christian Life. Mark 14:35-37, Titus 2:11-13,
1 Peter 4:7
WAR – BE PREPARED! – Vss. 16-23
- How do watches, war, and work go together?
- What did Nehemiah do in this passage that was wise? Why did he do it?
- The parallel to the Christian life is obvious. As we labor in the kingdom, we must be prepared to fight! Ephesians 6:11-18
WORK – BE PRODUCTIVE!
- In spite of the threats, Nehemiah and the people kept working, thus defeating the intentions of the opposition.
- We must remember that threats are never to hinder our work. If we have to shut down temporarily to fix a problem, let’s do so. If we have to take precautions, let’s do so. But, ultimately, let’s continue the work!
- Proverbs 13:4 - The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
- Colossians. 3:23 - And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
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PSALM 119:97 – LOVE AFFAIR
I am not defining a love affair as anything that is seedy or immoral. I am defining a love affair as an ongoing commitment of love, no matter what the circumstances.
People don’t just have love affairs with people.
Some have love affairs, so to speak, with sports, clothes, food, computers, guns and a host of other things.
The Psalmist who wrote Psalm 119 had a love affair.
His love affair was with the Word of God.
Psalm 119:113 - I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
Psalm 119:163 - I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
Psalm 119:165 - Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
Psalm 119:47 - And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
Psalm 119:48 - My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
And our text: Psalm 119:97 - O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
This morning I suggest to you that an ongoing love affair with the Word of God is something every Christian should have. If you profess to know Jesus as your Savior, and to love Him and to love your Heavenly Father, a love for God’s Word should be a characteristic of your life.
I would like us to answer two questions concerning a love affair with the Word of God.
WHY SHOULD I LOVE THE WORD OF GOD?
- I SHOULD LOVE THE WORD OF GOD BECAUSE OF WHAT IT IS.
What is the Word of God?
It is God’s written revelation to man.
It is exactly what we are calling it, THE WORD OF GOD! 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21
God used the personality and circumstances of the man writing to give His Word to us, so that Paul sounds different than Peter who sounds different than Isaiah. But each one of them delivered us the Word of God.
If God didn’t care about us He wouldn’t have bothered to give us His Word. The very fact that a righteous, loving, all powerful God would communicate to us, is one good reason to love the Word of God.
- I SHOULD LOVE THE WORD OF GOD BECAUSE OF WHAT IT DOES.
It is God’s Word that shows us the way of salvation through faith in Christ.
It is God’s law that shows us that we are sinners in need of a Savior. Galatians 3:24
It is God’s Word that is used in bringing people to faith in Christ. The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to bring about the new birth. 1 Peter 1:23
2 Timothy 3:16 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
God’s Word teaches us.
God’s Word rebukes us.
God’s Word corrects us.
God’s Word shows us how to live righteously
Psalm 19:7-11.
Notice what the Word of God does according to these verses.
Vs. 7 – It converts, changes, or as the NASB says, it “restores” the soul and it makes simple people wise.
Vs. 8 – God’s Word makes the heart to rejoice and also enlightens the eyes. And I believe it is the Spiritual eyes that are enlightened. We will see Spiritual things more clearly.
Vs. 9 – God’s Word endures forever and God’s Word is true and right.
Vs. 10 – God’s Word is more valuable than gold and sweeter than honey.
Vs. 11 – God’s Word warns us. God rewards those who are obedient to His Word.
- I SHOULD LOVE THE WORD OF GOD BECAUSE I KNOW THE AUTHOR PERSONALLY
This is not a salvation message per se, but what happens when a person realizes that He is a sinner, that Jesus died for His sins, and that faith alone brings forgiveness and eternal life? What happens when that person is “saved”?
The person is changed.
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
The person becomes a child of God. Romans 8:15-16, John 1:12-13
Because we are His children, we, of course, should love Him. And if we love Him, we should also love His Word.
I have sincere doubts if a person professes to be a born again Christian and has no interest in hearing the Word of preached and has no interest in reading it for himself, or if he can read, having it read to him.
- I SHOULD LOVE THE WORD OF GOD BECAUSE OF IT’S IMPORTANCE TO GOD
My Heavenly has made his Word to be extremely important to Himself.
Psalm 138:2 - I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
Do you see what it says here?
for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
There is nothing more important to God than His Word.
James Montgomery Boice – “It is as if God is saying, ‘I value my integrity above everything else. Above everything else I want to be believed.’ The verse does not have to mean that God’s other qualities are moved to second place.”
James Montgomery Boice, Psalms Volume 3, (Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Book House, 1998), p.1196
Psalm 119:97 - O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
HOW SHOULD I LOVE THE WORD OF GOD?
Psalm 119:97 says, O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
Obviously this means that the one who truly loves the Word of God will meditate on it. That is, he or she will reflect on God’s Word continually, trying to understand it and trying to apply it to his or her life.
There will be no greater delight that to learn God’s Word and make it personal.
This learning is academic, but it goes further.
This learning is Spiritual!
It gives Spiritual understanding. Psalm 119:99
Meditating on God’s Word also leads to obedience! Psalm 119:11, Joshua 1:8
How important to is obedience to God?
1 Samuel 15:22-23 - ...Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. [23] For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry...
Not only does meditating in God’s Word lead to learning and obedience, but it leads to faith.
Romans 10:17
The more I meditate in God’s Word, the stronger my faith will become. And the stronger my faith becomes, the more I will be at peace. Psalm 119:165
So how are we going to go about meditating on Scripture?
Hopefully, you have been doing so this morning, as you have been interacting with the teaching of the Word of God!
Jesus has ordained that His Word be taught. Matthew 28:19-20
Jesus says, “teach”, and learning requires meditation on what is taught. You don’t do much learning if what the teacher says goes “in one ear and out the other”.
Ephesians 4:11-13 - And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
If you really love God’s Word, you need to set aside your excuses and get under the sound of the teaching of the word of God.
Another way we meditate on Scripture is by reading it for ourselves. I personally have changed my reading habits.
I’m reading less and getting it more.
I read a verse and then think about, and apply it to my own life.
Spend time each day with your Bible reading it, and asking God to show you the truth of it. I suggest you start with the Book of Matthew and meander through the New Testament.
Set no preconceived goal but read enough each day to get something out of it.
It is also a good idea to think about what you’ve read later in the day. Turn off the car radio and give thought to the Scriptures.
A great way to start your reading is with the “Bible Reader’s Prayer”.
Psalm 119:18 - Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Another way of meditating on God’s Word is through memorization.
We already mentioned Psalm 119:11 - Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Before we can hide God’s Word in our hearts, we need to hide it in our heads.
As we select and memorize specific Scriptures and then meditate on them, that will help us get the Scriptures from our heads to our hearts.
I suggest that you memorize at least a verse a week, and then continue to review the verses.
How valuable is Scripture Meditation? Psalm 1:1-3
Why Scripture Meditation? It is to be part of the love affair that exists between each of us and the Word of God.
Psalm 119:97 - O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
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JONAH 3 – RUNNING FOR GOD
#3 of 4 – PROPHET ON THE RUN – JONAH
Jonah was the "Prophet on the run"! After running from God in Chapter 1, and back to God in Chapter 2, he now runs for God.
CHANGED SERVANT - Vss. 1-3
Jonah's attitude and willingness to obey had changed.
He was now ready to do as God had instructed.
CLEAR SERMON - Vs. 4
His message short, simple, and powerful. Ninevah would be destroyed in 40 days.
CONVICTED SINNERS - Vss. 5-9
Everyone from the king down repented.
CORRECTED SITUATION - Vs. 10
Ninevah repented, God spared the city.
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MATTHEW 21:1-12 – FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS
The disciples followed the Lord's directions for "Palm Sunday".
We should follow the Lord's directions because:
THE LORD'S DIRECTIONS ARE SPECIFIC - Vss. 1-3
Jesus told the disciples where to go, what to do, and what to say.
Through the Word of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we too will receive specific instructions. Romans 12:2, John 16:12-14, Psalm 32:8
THE LORD'S DIRECTIONS ARE SCRIPTURAL - Vss. 4-5
Jesus was out to fulfill Scripture and to do God's will. John 4:34, 9:4, Matthew 5:18
We should do the same! Mark 13:31
THE LORD'S DIRECTIONS ARE SURE - Vss. 6-7
The disciples found things to be just as Jesus told them. We count on God's directions as accurate. Mark 11:1-6
THE LORD'S DIRECTIONS ARE SPECIAL - Vss. 8-11
Because Jesus directions were followed the disciples were part of a great day and a day when God's word was fulfilled. Whenever we follow God's directions, the results will be special. Sinners will be challenged and saved. Saints will be edified.
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MARK 11:1-11 – THE ROYAL PROCESSION
THE AUTHORITY OF THE KING Vss. 1-6
THE ARRIVAL OF THE KING Vss. 7-8
THE ACCLAMATION OF THE KING Vss. 9-10
THE ASSESSMENT BY THE KING Vs. 11
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2 PETER 1:5-7 – INTIMATELY HIS - KNOWLEDGE
CHRISTIAN CHARACTER CLINIC #4
CHRISTIAN CHARACTER CLINIC
WEEK #5 – UNDER HIS CONTROL - TEMPERANCE
2 Peter 1:5-6a - And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; [6] And to knowledge temperance;
Proverbs 25:28 - He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
- What are some of the areas Christians and non-Christians lack self-control?
- Do you think that some ways people lack self-control are more serious than others?
- According to Proverbs 25:28, why is a lack of self-control dangerous?
- What causes the lack of self-control?
Peter continues to show us areas of Christian Character that should flow one out of the other. Flowing out of knowledge is temperance, or self-control. The more intimately I know God, the more I should allow Him to have control of my life.
A CLASSIC STRUGGLE
Romans 7:18-19 - For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. [19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
- Can you relate to what Paul is saying in these verses?
- Is self-control impossible?
A CRITICAL ISSUE
Ephesians 3:16-17 - That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; [17] That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
- What do these verses suggest to you about self-control?
Ephesians 5:18 - And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
- Why is being filled with the Spirit our responsibility?
- Why is being filled with the Spirit a critical issue?
Galatians 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
- According to these verses, why do Christians lack self-control?
- Do you think Christians take their lack of fruit seriously enough? Why or why not?
A COURSE OF ACTION
Galatians 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Luke 9:23 - And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Romans 6:11-14 - Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. [12] Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. [13] Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. [14] For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Romans 8:11-14 - But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. [12] Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. [13] For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. [14] For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
- DEATH – Realizing that I am crucified with Christ and dead to self and sin.
- DEPENDENCE – Being dead, I am dependent on God’s Holy Spirit to control me.
A CONTINUOUS PROCESS
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. [25] And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. [26] I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: [27] But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
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