Sermon Seeds is a weekly mailing of brief sermon outlines from Pastor Jack Peters. These outlines are meant to help other pastors and Bible Teachers in their own preparations, as well as students of the Word in their studies.
These outlines are only "seeds". They are not sermons ready for you to
preach. Feel free to improve on these outlines any way the Lord leads
you.
As seeds these outlines need to be:
WRAPPED (planted) in the soil of SUPPLICATION (prayer).
WATERED with the rain of EDUCATION (doctrine).
WARMED by the sun of APPLICATION AND ILLUSTRATION.
These outlines are based on the King James Version of the Bible, but are usually a “fit” with other translations.
In 1 Samuel 3:9 Eli the priest gives the young boy Samuel a piece of great advice that we should take as well. "Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place."
There are several lessons that we learn from this passage and other Scriptures.
GOD SPEAKS AT QUIET TIMES
When God spoke to Samuel, it was at night.
When God spoke to Joseph or Daniel, it was often in a dream.
When God spoke to John, it was at a quiet time. He was "in the Spirit on the Lord's Day." Revelation 1:10
When God spoke to Elijah on Mount Horeb, it was with a still, small voice. 1 Kings 19:12
It seems that it is during the times of solitude and quiet that God likes to speak. Psalm 46:10-11, Isaiah 30:15
GOD WANTS TO SPEAK TO US REGULARLY
Once God started speaking to Samuel, He continued to communicate. 1 Samuel 3:19-21
God wants to communicate with us regularly as we abide in Christ. John 15:4-7
GOD WANTS A WILLING LISTENER
Eli told Samuel to say to the Lord, "Speak."
In other words, Samuel was to be willing to hear from the Lord.
God wants a willing listener.
God wants his servants to listen for His voice.
GOD WANTS A YIELDED LISTENER
Eli told Samuel to say "Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth."
Jesus is Lord and He has every right to instruct and command us.
We also are the Lord's servants. If we are the Lord's servants, we must therefore be yielded to His plans for our lives.
GOD WANTS AN ATTENTIVE LISTENER
Samuel was told to say "Thy servant heareth."
In other words, Samuel was to be alert.
He was to be desirous of hearing what the Lord had to say.
He was to listen with a "ready ear".
We are to listen to God, trying to get as much from Him as we can. So to speak, we are to hang on every word.
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PSALM 1 - CONTRAST
In Psalm 1 the life of the righteous person is contrasted with the life of the wicked. The only way we will live a righteous life is when we have been saved by grace! Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Corinthians 5:17
THE WALK OF THE RIGHTEOUS – Vss. 1-2
Psalm 1:1-2 (KJV) - Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
THE WONDER OF GOD’S BLESSING – Vs. 3
Psalm 1:3 (KJV) - And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
THE WASTEFULNESS OF THE WICKED – Vss. 4-5
Psalm 1:4-5 (KJV) - The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
THE WAYS TO THE END – Vs. 6
Psalm 1:6 (KJV) - For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
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PROVERBS 2:1-6 – THE QUEST FOR WISDOM
RECEIVE AND HIDE – Vs. 1
Proverbs 2:1 (KJV) - My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
INCLINE AND APPLY – Vs. 2
Proverbs 2:2 (KJV) - So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
CRY AND SHOUT – Vs. 3
Proverbs 2:3 (KJV) - Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
SEEK AND SEARCH – Vs. 4
Proverbs 2:4 (KJV) - If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
UNDERSTAND AND FIND – Vs. 5
Proverbs 2:5 (KJV) - Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
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MARK 5:1-20 – LORD JESUS IN CHARGE
The demon-possessed man in this story is a great example of our Lord Jesus in charge of a situation.
IMMEDIATE CONFRONTATION – Vss. 1-2
Satan’s representative did not hesitate to attack.
DEPLORABLE CONDITION – Vss. 3-5
This man was in total bondage.
TREMENDOUS CONFLICT – Vss. 6-8
OBVIOUS COMPLIANCE – Vss. 9-13
The demons obeyed, left the man, and entered the swine.
UNBELIEVABLE CHANGE – Vss. 14-15
The man was a “new creature” in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17
WRONG CONCLUSION – Vss. 16-17
Because they were afraid, they asked Jesus to leave. They concluded that Jesus had to go.
MERCIFUL COMMUNICATION – Vss. 18-20
In spite of their rejection of Jesus, He left them a witness.
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LUKE 3:21-22, 4:1-13 – THE PINNACLE TO THE PITS
Joseph, Job, Moses, Samson, David, and Peter all had early successes, or “highs”. They were at a pinnacle. But each one of them experienced failures, or “lows”. All went from the pinnacle to the pits. Yet all of them went on to greater success.
Our Lord Jesus also took a trip from the “pinnacle” of Baptism to the “pits” of temptation. However, through all of it, He was sinless.
THE PINNACLE – Luke 3:21-22
1. A Step of Obedience – Matthew 3:13-15
2. A Time of Prayer
3. The Presence of the Holy Spirit
4. The Voice of the Father’s Approval
THE PITS – Luke 4:1-12
1. The Guidance of the Spirit – Luke 4:1, Psalm 32:8
2. The Reality of Temptation – Luke 4:2, James 1:2-4
3. The Three Enticements
· The Lust of the Flesh – Luke 4:3
· The Lust of the Eyes – Luke 4:5-7
· The Pride of Life – Luke 4:9-11
4. The Three Rebuttals
· It Is Written – Luke 4:4
· It is Written – Luke 4:8
· It Has Been Said – Luke 4:12
THE POINTERS
1. Temptation is not constant, but will return. Luke 4:13
2. Jesus succeeded where Adam and Eve failed. Genesis 3:1-6
3. Jesus is qualified to be our Savior. 1 Peter 2:21-25
4. We are responsible to shun temptation. 1 John 2:15-17
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ROMANS 5:1-9 – THE BLESSINGS OF FAITH
In Romans 5:1-9 we have a summary of some of the many blessings that we have through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
PEACE WITH GOD – Vs. 1
· A person who is not saved is at war with God. Ephesians 2:2-3, Romans 1:18-19, Psalm 7:11, John 8:44
· When a person trusts Christ as his Savior, the war is over. God declares us righteous because the price for our sins has been paid. Colossians 1:20-22
ACCESS BY FAITH – Vs. 2
· We have access by faith into the very presence of God. Mark 15:38, Romans 8:15-16, Hebrews 4:15-16, Hebrews 10:19-22
REJOICING IN HOPE – Vs. 2
· You and I should be looking forward to the Resurrection of the Dead. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58
· The “hope of the glory of God” is described in Romans 8:29, 1 Peter 1:13, and 1 John 3:2-3.
REJOICING IN SUFFERING – Vss. 3-4
CONFIDENCE THROUGH LOVE – Vs. 5
· The secret to rejoicing and confidence is the love of God “poured into our hearts”.
· The secret to having the love of God “poured into our hearts” is the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Galatians 5:22-23
· The Holy Spirit is the gift of God to all believers. John 14:15-18, Romans 8:9
OVERWHELMED BY GRACE – Vss. 6-9
· Vs. 6 – God acted in love towards us before we ever sinned by sending Christ to die for us.
· Vs. 7 – Although it does happen, it is unusual when a person will die for another.
· Vs. 8 – God showed us how much he loves us by dying for us.
· Vs. 9 – Yes, we are declared righteous by faith (Vs. 1), but we are justified by faith based on the shed blood of Christ.
· We need not fear the wrath of God to come. John 3:36, Revelation 20:15
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1 PETER 2:9-12 – QUITE REMARKABLE!
What God has done for us as Christians is indeed quite remarkable!
GOD'S IDENTIFICATION – Vs. 9a
God identifies us as:
1. A Chosen Generation
Ephesians 1:4-6, Ephesians 2:8-9
2. A Royal Priesthood
We are called “kings and priests” in Revelation 1:6
We will reign with Christ. Revelation 20:6
A priest represents man before God and God before man. A priest must totally belong to God.
Before God he intercedes for men. 1Tim.2:1-4, 8, Eph. 6:18
Before men he speaks for God – Malachi 2:7, 1 Peter 3:15
3. A Holy Nation
Holy = set apart for God – Position and practice. 2 Peter 3:10-13 – In church each Christian, if asked, should be able to report his or her behavior for the past week and not be ashamed before God or man. That’s holiness!
4. A Peculiar People
We are God’s people.
We have been purchased. 1 Peter 1:18-19
He is responsible for our care. Psalm 23
GOD'S INTENT – Vs. 9b
Shew forth the praises of Him - Brag on God and the Lord Jesus as you would your favorite restaurant or sports team if they are winning.
From darkness into His marvelous light - Colossians 1:13
