SERMON NOTES FOR 2005 - October 30, 2005 to December 25, 2005
2005 Sermons
“SEEKING GOD’S COUNSEL”
Scripture: 1Samuel
28:3-8, 1Chronicles 10:13-14
Purpose:
Saul needed
counsel about a crisis, he casually asked God but aggressively sought out a
witch with demonic contact for answers. We as Christians should not seek our
answers through any mean of divination but through the prescribed means in the
Bible.
I.
SAUL’S SEEKING OF A MEDIUM
A. Saul earnestly
searched out a spirit medium but only asked God 1Samuel 28:3-8,
1Chronicles 10:13-14
B.
In 1Samuel the Hebrew word translated “enquire" is “Shoal”,
"to ask" while the
Hebrew word in 1Chronicles is “Dorash” ,
"to search out", "to search after”. Thus
Saul did “ask” (Shoal) of God in an different way and it is true that Saul
did not search out (Dorash) or seek earnestly for an answer from God. It is also
true, that while he did only ask of God, he did earnestly seek of the familiar
spirit, 1Chronicle 10:13
compare 1Samuel 28:7
II.
SEEKING COUNSEL TODAY
A. Divination is the magical art of using objects and or pieces of information to predict the future. It is a magic that is most likely as old as humanity itself. Forms of it exist in every culture. Divination takes on many different forms and almost everything has been used to predict the future.
B.
Three base forms of divination used today –
1. Astrology -
Stars we watch, alignment of planets at birth (horoscopes),
2 . Numerology –
Numerology uses any sequence of numbers that relate to a
person's life (usually birth dates) that are added together to acquire an
individual number. Numerologist
believe
that individuals with the same number all exhibit similar characteristics.
3. Objects
we use (crystal balls, pedals on a flower, qui boards, tarot
cards, animal
organs, urine, fire and smoke,
wind, tea leaves, fortune cookies, pendulums,
etc.),
4. People
we
counsel (Palm readers, Mediums, witches, warlocks, Psychic hot lines)
C.
The Bible condemns divination and those who divine or use them - Leviticus
19:26, Leviticus 19:31, Leviticus 20:1-6, Deuteronomy
18:9-14, Isaiah 8:19-20, Malachi
3:5, Exodus 22:18, Leviticus 20:27
D.
Fortune tellers are actually guided by demons – Acts 16:16-19
III.
SEEKING COUNSEL GOD’S WAY – PRAYERFUL WHILE
A.
Leading by Holy Spirit – Romans 8:14,
Ephesians 5:18 Acts 8:29
B.
Leading by God’s Word – Psalms 119:105, 2Timothy 3:16
C.
Leading by Godly counsel – Proverbs. 11:14
(back to Sermon schedule / top of page)
“ROAD GAMES – MISSIONARIES AWAY”
Scripture: Acts 12:1-4
Purposes: To encourage Christians to appreciate and support the
courageous foreign missions and missionaries and to encourage missionaries who
are away on
the mission field that their work is not in vain no matter the set backs.
I
MISSIONARIES CALLED – Acts 13:1-4a
A
Just Paul and Barnabas are called to be missionaries at Antioch (Syria)
v. 1-4
APPLIC:
Be in prayer to be sure you are called by v.2, be confirmed by those
supporting you in the mission field v.3, and let the Spirit lead your
mission field direction v.4.
II
MISSION WORK ON THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS – Acts 13:4b-13
A Paul and Barnabas are
challenged by a Jewish false prophet and magician named
Bar-Jesus (Elymas) while
sharing the Gospel the proconsul v.6-12
B John Mark abandons the mission work v.13 who was their helper v.5
APPLIC:
1. Expect demon opposition to your mission work and rely on the power of God to
respond to it. v.9-11 and remember that opposition brings opportunity for
the power of God to be shown. 2. Expect some people to fail you in ministry they
are human sometimes weak.
III
MISSION WORK AT PISIDIAN ANTIOCH -
Acts 13:14-52
A First Sabbath message well
received in Antioch –v.14-43
B Second Sabbath message,
jealousy v.45, persecution, driven out of town v.50, Jews close
the door to Paul but it
opens one to the Gentiles v.46-49, 52
APPLIC: Hopes
of a good work can quickly fade but God has an alternative work you can do to
another group who more eager to receive you.
IV
MISSION WORK AT ICONIUM – Acts 14:1-7
A Mixed bag of Jews and
Gentiles believing and not believing, relying on God to speak
and miracles
to confirm v.2, plot to stone them made known and they flee v.5
APPLIC:
1. You say and do all the right things and not all the people still will not
come to Christ. 2. Common sense takes over in preserving one’s life in
knowledge of pending danger.
V
MISSION WORK AT LYSTRA – Acts 14:8-20
A Paul heals a cripple
and the crowd wants to hail them as Gods v.8-18,
enemies from Antioch
and Iconium stone Paul and leave for dead v.19-20
APPLIC: 1.
There is a temptation to take the glory for God’s work. 2. Mission work can
cost you your heal, safety and maybe even your life sometimes.
IV
MISSION WORK AT DERBE HEADED HOME – Acts 14:21-28
A Paul and Barnabas head
to Derbe and back track to Lystra, Iconium, Antioch v.21 headed
home
strengthening and encouraging the new disciples and appointing elders v.22-23,
and reporting how
God opened door for the Gentiles v.27
APPLIC:
Missionaries go back into previous works to encourage the works to continue as
you model courage in adversity in God’s work.
(back to Sermon schedule / top of page)
“WE ARE SOMETIMES DOWN, BUT NOT OUT”
Scripture: 2Corinthians
4:7
Purposes: To encourage mentally, physically and spiritually worn
down Christians to regroup their strength in their earthen vessels (human
bodies) with a look at their eternal future and glory.
I.
EARTHEN VESSELS ENTRUSTED WITH TREASURE – 2Cor. 4:7
A God entrusted the glorious
gospel to faulty humans that the power may seen is of God
Applic: God chooses the least humanly able to serve that God
it may clearly be seen that it is God alone doing it.
II.
EARTHEN VESSELS WITH DIVINE ENDURANCE – 2Cor. 4:8-12
A.
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;
We are
perplexed, but not despairing; v.8
We are
persecuted, but not forsaken;
We are struck
down, but not destroyed v.9
Applic: God
allows us to come to our imitations of human endurance but He then divinely
enables us to endure and come through it.
III. EARTHEN
VESSELS WITH ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES – 2Cor. 4:13-18
A. Earthen Vessels Will Be Raised - v.
13-15
B. Earthen Vessels with Light and Momentary
Afflictions v.16-18
Applic:
If you compare our service to eternity we serve a short time for an eternal
reward
IV.
EARTHEN VESSELS ANTICIPATING ETERNAL BODIES – 2Cor. 5:1-8
A. Our human bodies await a
change to a gloried body
Applic: Anticipation
of something
good is a strong motivator to continue on.
V.
EARTHEN VESSELS REWARDED – 2Cor. 5:9-10
A All the service done in our
human bodies will be reward whether good or bad v. 9-10
Applic.
Our labors will not be overlooked or forgotten by God in the life to come, so
continue so you may receive a full reward.
(back to Sermon schedule / top of page)
“GOD LOVES, MUSIC, DANCE AND SONG – SO GIVE IT TO HIM”
Scripture: Psalm 150:1-6
Purposes: To show that Music is such a large part of our
relationship with God. God wants us to worship Him with musical instruments,
song and dance. Worship and praise music brings us into God's presence like
nothing else. Music is one of the greatest gifts that God has given to us for
our spiritual, mental, and emotional well being and we should use it daily.
Psalms 150
1
Praise the LORD! Praise God in His
sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
2
Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise
Him according to His excellent greatness.
3
Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre.
4
Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and
pipe.
5
Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
6
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!
NAS
I
GOD AND MUSIC & MUSICIANS– Psalm 150:1-3, 4b-5
A.
Musical instruments psalmist says used to praise God – Wind
Instruments (blown)
trumpet
and pipe, String Instruments (plucked, strummed, rubbed) harp, lyre
stringed
instruments, Percussion Instruments
(beat or shaken) Cymbals loud and
resounding
Psa 150:3-5, 2Sam 6:5 (Note:
There were musical instruments before
the
flood in Genesis 4:21)
Applic.
God wants music from all type of instruments used to praise and worship him.
B. God’s musicians were organized and appointed - 1Chron 15:16
Applic.
Not everybody is talented or gifted to lead or be in organized choirs or be
musicians and some who are fail to exercise their special musical gifts and
abilities for God.
C. Music is have a purpose and be in unison – 2Chron. 5:13-14, Psa
33:1-3
Applic.
The purpose of our music should be to praise, worship, thank, glorify, adore and
exalt God and not the person or performers.
II
GOD AND DANCE – Psalm 150:4a
A.
Dance – Body movements in rhythm with beat or music - Psa 150:4a
B.
Dance because of praise, worship, celebration or joyous occasion with
full expression
–
Exodus 15:20-21, 1 Sam 18:6-7, 2Sam 6:12-16, Psa 149:2-3, Luke 15:24-25
Applic.
Body movement to music is a natural response to the beat of music, and dance for
right reasons is acceptable before God.
III
GOD AND SONG & SINGERS– Psalm 150:6
A.
Song – Vocal expressions in harmony and rhythm and beat
B.
Trained temple singers - 1Chron 25:6-7, 2Chron. 23:13
Applic. It
takes practice and training to lead the church in singing worthy of our
great God and the singer’s personal life should be worthy to sing those songs
to God.
IV
GOD, MUSIC AND THE WORSHIPPER
A. Singing and praising in the
Spirit – Eph 5:18-20
B. Sing with joy and enthusiasm – 1Chron.
15:16
C. Music used to calm a troubled person (evil spirit) – 1Sam
16:14-18, 23
D. Music used to get a person in tune to hear God – 2Kings 3:14-15
F. Praise the Lord daily with music and song – 2Chron 30:21
E. Instruments and singing will be in
heaven – Rev 5:8-10, 14:2, 15:2-4
Applic.
Music and singing will always be a part of the believer’s relationship with
God as expression of praise and worship now and in eternity to come.
(back to Sermon schedule / top of page)
“OBEDIENCE BRINGS BLESSINGS”
Scripture: 1Samuel
15:17-23
Purposes: Every command
given by God to us, whether for our individual lives or the believer in general
has a purpose for God’s ultimate plan and our individual blessing. The purpose
of this message is to show the blessing in obedience and the misfortunes of
disobedience to God.
I.
RELAYER OF THE COMMAND – 1Samuel 15:1
A.
Samuel a proven prophet of God directs Saul on God’s command to him
Applic. The source of our commands come from the
Bible first, then the Holy Spirit and then people who walk close to God. What we
think we hear the Spirit say and people say must be in agreement with God’s
written Word otherwise it is of Satan, or human flesh and spirit.
II.
REASONS FOR COMMAND – 1Samuel 15:2-3
A. Amalekites and
all possessions to be wiped out completely because they attacked Israel in the
wilderness and God swore their destruction Exo 17:8-16, Deut 25:17-19
Applic. God has legitimate reasons and purposes for
every individual and collective command He gives us. God does nothing without a
purposeful out come, blessing for us and glory and honor for Himself.
III.
RATIONALE FOR COMMAND DEVIATION – 1Samuel 15:4-9
A.
Saul keeps alive a trophy king, the best livestock and destroy what they
did not like
Applic. We find excellent human reasons that make
sense to us for not keeping God’s command exactly the way he told us to do it,
we find a lot of ways right in our own eyes but the outcome is a disaster. Proverbs
14:12, 16:25
IV.
REGRET FOR COMMAND REJECTION – 1Samuel 15:10-11
A. God
regrets Saul’s disobedience and Samuel cries out to God for him
Applic. God is grieved when he calls us to a task
and we disobey him and the prayers of the most righteous saints at a certain
point cannot get us out of some conflicts with God
- 1John 5:15-17
V.
REASONING COMMAND IS COMPLETE – 1Samuel 15:12-15
A.
Saul builds a monument to himself on Carmel, brings back the best animals
for supposedly sacrifice to God
Applic. Self glory with the supposedly doing it for
the glory of God will be exposed by God to our shame.
VI. REBUKE
FOR COMMAND DISOBEDIENCE – 1Samuel 15:16-19
A. God
promoted Saul to king and Saul did evil by not obeying God to the letter
Applic. God may call you to high position in life,
but God will clearly and openly rebuke us if we disobey Him. Open rebukes causes
others to fear disobedience – 1Tim. 5:19-20
VII.
REWRITING THE COMMAND – 1Sam. 15:20-21
A.
Saul who was in charge blames the army for the animals being brought back
to
Applic: We do not have to go along with the
disobedience of others and others disobedience does not make our disobedience
right. If you let someone rationalize your disobedience and you know what God
told you, only bear the punishment. See prophet fooled in 1Kings
13:1-32
VIII. RELATIONSHIPS
OF COMMAND DISOBEDIENCE – 1Samuel 15:22-24
A.
God desires our obedience over stuff we do and give v.22
B.
Disobedience is the same rebellion, divination, insubordination,
iniquity, idolatry v.23
Applic. Disobedience to God’s commands is an act
of rebellion, seeking direction of the demon spirits, disregard to God chain of
command, sin and allegiance to another other than God.
IX.
REGRETS OF COMMAND DISOBEDIENCE – 1Samuel 15:25-35
A. Saul loses position as king v.26,
position given to another v.28, Saul’s disobedience rectified by Samuel in front of others v.32-33, fellowship
with God broken v.34-35
Applic: Total and instant obedience brings
blessings. Obedience to God brings our positions with God being kept, our
obstacles in life being removed, God pleased with us and God receiving honor and
glory in our act of obedience. (Israel’s
blessings and curses were based on their obedience and disobedience to God’s
commands – Deut. 28:1-68)
(back to Sermon schedule / top of page)
“In Remembrance”
Scripture: 1Corinthians
11:17-33
Purposes: To
teach the believer to reverence the Holy Communion (Lord’s Supper, Eucharist
– give thanks), and realize the great price paid for their redemption, and
their value to God and God’s love for man.
I
MAN’S MISUNDERSTANDING OF LORD’S SUPPER – 1 Cor 11:17-22
A. Coming to together for worse
not better, divisions and factions v.17-19
Applic. God uses even these times of division to
expose who is of God or not
B.
Social class systems in the Corinthian church of poor versus rich, the haves
versus the have nots, the
Lord’s Supper and Love (Agape) Feast turned into a every man for himself v.20-22
Applic. People can turn something sacred into something sleazy and embarrass and dishonor God, sometimes those who do this are pretending to be saved Jude 1:4, 12
II
MESSIAH’S INTENT IN LORD’S SUPPER – 1Cor 11:23-26
A. Back drop of Lord’s Supper
being instituted, in the night of his betrayal and Passover v.23
Applic.In the most horrible of situations God finds
a good to come out of it even in our lives.
B. Jesus gave thanks to God for the
provision of bread and wine v.24
Applic. Always find something to give God thanks
for in the midst of crisis
C. Jesus give his Body for sacrifice and
His Blood for establishing the New Covenant
Applic. No great love cannot we show anyone than to
lay down our very body and life for someone else who does not deserve it.
D This observance is to be done in a
constant memorial of the sacrifice paid and the
Applic. God want us to focus on the price paid for
us, Christ’s death, that is the value he placed on you – John 3:16
III MAN’S
MANNERS IN THE LORD’S SUPPER – 1Cor 11:27-33
A The Corinthians were eating the
Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner, out of greed, division, social class, drunkness, selfishness, conflict
v.27 cf. 18-22
Applic. Did you bring your sins to church to take
them back home today or will you leave them at the altar today.
B. The Corinthians are asked to examine and judge themselves before
God does v.28-29
Applic. Each time we take Communion it should be a
time of soul self-examination.
C.
Many in the Corinthian
church were all ready under God’s judgment and did not make
Applic. Some people’s problems in their lives is
a direct response to their sins and they have not yet made the connection.
D. The Lord’s Supper should be done in
church body fellowship as one body united not divided
v.33
Applic. The Communion should inspire a time of
bonding and thanksgiving among the Church body.
(back to Sermon schedule / top of page)
“Hearts In Egypt And Trying To Move To The Promise Land”
Scripture: Acts 7:35-43
Purposes: To show for a Church to move toward a blessing of a
better place the members must break completely with divided hearts of trying to
serving God and sin, complacency and Satan at the same time. Having
simultaneously allegiances will never bring blessing to a church and it did not
for the children of Israel whose heart was in while going to the promise land (Acts
7:39-40) and worshipped God and idols at same time
(Acts 7:41-43).
I
THE LEADER OF GOD’S PEOPLE
A
Moses had a desire to deliver his people the first forty year of his life
but was rejected – Acts
7:22-29
Applic:
God’s leaders have passion to help God’s people but they misunderstand his
intent and run off the one who was sent to help them. Pastors are run away from
churches that they just want to help.
B
Moses is sent back 40 years later by God to deliver them, the same one
they rejected before – Acts 7:35
Applic:
Moses who had the right passion for his people but had the wrong timing in his
life to accomplish it. If God placed a passion in your life to serve then in
God’s time it will come to be.
C
Moses was confirmed as a man sent from God by his miracles, prophecy, and his
receiving the Law of God and still was rejected – Acts 7:36-40
Applic: Any
God called leader will have trouble leading a people who have double
allegiances. These type of people quickly forget your pasted leadership and
help.
II
THE PEOPLE OF GOD
A The people of God raised
in Egypt with idols cried out to God for deliverance (Exodus 3:7,9), but
when delivered from suffering and Egypt had their hearts back in Egypt - Acts
7:39
Applic: Sin
is like crack, people get addicted to it and like but suffer from it, but once
delivered from it they want to go back to it once the suffering has stopped.
B
With the absent leadership of Moses the people quickly, openly reverted to open
idol worship to lead them – Acts 7:40-41
Applic:
Without strong leadership constantly being present the people of God will
quickly go astray.
C
The people tried to worship both God and idols in the wilderness so God lead
them over to serve their idol Gods of Egypt and lead them eventually into
captivity – Acts 7:42-43
Applic:
It is impossible to serve sin and idols and God
when it is convenient and be blessed of God, only exposure of sin and
judgment will occur.
D
The people who came out of Egypt were a mixed multitude of Jews and
Gentiles Exodus 12:38 cf. Nehemiah 13:1-3
Applic: People in the church who really are not saved will always cause a problem.
III
THE PLAN OF GOD FOR HIS PEOPLE
A
Deliver them from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 3:7-8a), take them to a
different land with blessings (v.8b), a land with an enemy they would
have to overcome to posse the land (v.8c)
Applic: To
occupy some blessings of God it will take a struggle and hard work and sacrifice
but the victory is guaranteed if obedient.
B The
plan for possessing the land was delayed 40 years because a majority vote of
fearful and unbelieving of God commands to posse the land when told to do so –
Numbers 13-14
Applic:
God’s blessings and plans for an individual’s life can be cut off completely
or delayed because of disobedience or double allegiance to God and sin.
(back to Sermon schedule / top of page)
“GIVING SOMETHING THAT DOES NOT COME IN A BOX”
Scripture: Luke 2:7-20
Purposes: All tangible gifts given this Christmas day to people
are subject to breakage, wearing out, theft, rust, becoming out dated, being
lost, or lack of interest in any more, out growing the size, and being borrowed
and not returned. Luke 2:11 says,
“there
has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” God on
Christmas day gave us not a thing in a box, bag, envelop, or gift card but
instead He gave us a person who met the intangible needs people of the world
such as forgiveness, hope, comfort, friendship, and love and eternal and
spiritual needs of the world to come. My purpose today is to teach you start
giving people the things that don’t fit in a box, bag, or envelop and cannot
be stolen, break, rust or become out dated.
I
GOD GAVE GIFTS NOT IN A BOX
A
All God’s gifts are Good and
Perfect – James 1:17
Applic.
God is careful not to give us just
anything but the best for us.
B
God gave His Son - God gave the world a savior, born just for them –
Lk 2:11
Applic.
God gives us someone in our life to
help get us out of the mess we have made of out lives.
C
God gives us Eternal Life – Gift of God is eternal life through Christ
– Rom 6:23
Applic.
Things you give may have life time
warranties but it is only for the lifetime of the person giving the warranty and
your life time, God gift goes beyond this life time.
D
God gives Salvation Faith – God gives us the faith we need to believe - Eph 2:8-9
Applic.
We lack the capacity to believe in
Jesus, even that is a gracious gift from God.
II
JESUS GAVE GIFTS NOT IN A BOX
A
Gift of Forgiveness to Woman caught in adultery John 8:7-11, Paralytic
Mark 2:3-11
Applic.
Jesus relieved people of their past
guilt and wrong doing, He is the born Savior.
B
Gift of Hope to Widow of Nain, your son is not dead – Luke 7:11-15
C
Gift of Comfort to Mary don’t cry – John 20:11-16
D
Gift of Encouragement to Peter come walk on water – Matthew 14:25-32
E
Gift of Friendship with Disciples, know deep secrets of Jesus and the
Father talk plain
– John 15:15
F
Gift of Intercession for Peter, faith not fail - Luke 21:32-33
G
Gift of Love to disciple who failed him so frequently – John 15:13
III
YOU GO GIVE GIFTS NOT IN A BOX
A Gift of Forgiveness – I
have released your wrong done to me
B
Gift of Hope – Tomorrow is another day, God makes ways out of no ways
C Gift of Comfort – Let me cry or
rejoice with you, I am here with you –
Romans 12:15
D Gift of Encouragement – You can
do the difficult, Don’t stop, Don’t give up, Try again
E Gift of Friendship – We can share
the intimate things of your life
F Gift of Counselor – Here is what
you should do and how to do it
G Gift of Listening – I can be your
sounding board just to verbalize your thoughts
H Gift of Love – I can accept you as a person for who you are and not
what you do
I
Gift of Guardian – I got your
back, I watching out for your best interest
J Gift of Intercession – I am
constantly praying for you
K Gift of Time Spent with the Lonely
– Come hang out with us and you not be alone
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