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Sermon Quotes Dec. 2001 - March 2002

March 31, 2002 - Morning
Matt 28:1-10  He Has Risen

It is important that we distinguish between the Generic Jesus the world speaks of today and the "REAL JESUS" who has been crucified (for our imputed sin).

God is bringing ensures and works to bring about the spread of the truth concerning the resurrection from heaven above,... and there is NOTHING MAN CAN DO TO STOP IT!

We have no less witness of the resurrection today in the Scripture, the Testimony of the Holy Spirit, and in the lives of those who have been raised to newness of live, than first century believers who saw Christ in his resurrected body.

The COMBINATION of Scripture, the Spirit, and the the Mortification of Sin in Ones Life forms a POWER-FILLED WITNESS!

March 24, 2002 - Morning
Luke 19:28-44 The Peace and Praise of Palm Sunday

At the same time there is reason for you and me as Believers TO REJOICE because Christ is KING & his Reign has been ESTABLISHED, there is also reason for us TO RECOGNIZE and RESPOND to the Truth that there are CONSEQUENCES (REAL Consequences) for ALL those who FAIL to Recognize &
Receive the Redeemer who has come in the name of the Lord.

It is APPROPRIATE to respond to the SAME EVENT by BOTH: PRAISING the Lord or his Reign in ours lives, and LAMENTING the future of those who do not show submission to Christ and are not walking according to his ways.

The praise of those who had reason to praise was (1) Joyful; (2) Total; (3) Vocal; & (4) Sacrificial.

Evening
Luke 19:28-44 The Pity and Pain of Palm Sunday

There is no escaping judgment and ultimate ruin for those who fail to recognize and receive Christ as King.

In the same way we would not give thanks and praise God at Thanksgiving without also considering those less fortunate than ourselves, we should not celebrate Easter without also considering and weeping over those who fail to recognize and receive him.

March 17, 2002 - Morning
Hebrews 3 Such a Great Confession

We must seriously consider and obey Christ because: (1) He WAS faithful; (2)He IS faithful; and (3) in doing so we PROVE OURSELVES TO BE the faithful.

During times of testing, be faithful because he is faithful.

Apostasy (turning away from God, being unfaithful to God) results when we doubt God!

One method of combating apostasy is to encourage one another daily concerning Christ's faithfulness.

Evening
Psalm 87 The Glory of the City of God

Glorious (weighty, great, esteemed) things have been said concerning us, the church.

Three glorious truths spoken concerning the church: (1) The church enjoys unprecedented privilege and promise; (2)The church enjoys unprecedented growth and unity; and (3)The church enjoys unprecedented sustenance and worship.

Though on the surface it may not appear that God loves the church more than all the dwelling of Jacob, the truth is that he does and his might work to prove it is underway in a great way!

March 10, 2002 - Morning
Heb 2:5-18  Such a Great Savior

A deeper understanding of what it means and why it is important for Christ to have shared in our humanity will lead to greater maturity in the faith.

Old Testament writers prophesied that the Messiah would come in the flesh (Ps 22; Isa 8)

Referring to Christ - His Humanity has Led to His Majesty; His Humanity has Led to Our Deliverance; His Humanity has Led to Our Glory.

God's plan from the beginning was that man should exercise dominion over his creation, and though in Adam we have sinned and fallen short in exercising full and righteous dominion, Jesus has come and participated in the flesh that that dominion would be realized.

Even though it does not now appear that all things have been put under Christ, his being crowned with glory and honor means his God work of redemption is "under way" and that the fulfillment will come.

March 3, 2002 - Morning
Heb 1:1-2:4 Such a Great Salvation

"In the past GOD SPOKE...in these last days GOD HAS SPOKEN" - The central truth and subject matter of the book of Hebrews drives at the heart of religion. The ultimate end of this study will be how you and I respond to God and his message.

We are accountable for how we deal with God's word spoken to our forefathers, but there's greater and added responsibility since God has spoken to us directly.

We are called upon to respond not simply to the words of a prophet, or even of angels, but of GOD himself, as he has spoken to us through his son.

Since Jesus Christ is God, it behooves us to pay close attention to such a great salvation.

There is no neutrality when it comes to the faith... either we hold on tightly and advance, or we drift away.

When a person is convinced that the gospel is true, it leads them to fully reject all other religions, to fully commit to Christ, and to pay more careful attention to what God's word says, for it is our life!

Feb. 24, 2002 - Morning
1 Pet 4:1-11    Of Spiritual Use

There’s something about knowing that there is  only so much time left, especially when our performance is going to be graded (judged), that causes a person to get serious, and to give thought to and focus their attention on those things that are most important.

Though is is not for us to know the exact times, the truth that the end is near should motivate us to be sober minded and get our lives in order.

Christ is a type and pattern for our dealing with sin in the flesh.

In the same way that Jesus had 2 goals in the flesh, to bring an end to sin and to do the will of God; so too should we have 2 goals as we live in the flesh, to bring an end to sin and to do the will of God.

If you and I are in union with Christ, and suffered in his flesh, then we are done with sin.

Feb. 24, 2002 - Evening
Rom 7:14-8:4    The Hope of Spiritual Awareness

The law cannot save you, only God can!

Returning to the law as a means of determining our relationship with God will do one of two things, either lead us to pride (like the Pharisees), or lead us to despair (since on our own we do not measure up).

For those who are in union with Christ, there is NOW no condemnation!

Feb 17, 2202 - Morning
Matt 6:19-24 Where is the Eye of Your Heart?

That which you treasure most will determine (control) your thoughts, your attitudes and your actions.

You and I can't love the world and love God too.

The reason Jesus gives for laying up treasures in heaven is not found in the phrase dealing with destruction and theft, but in the statement that says "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Jesus is not saying we are to lay up treasures in heaven rather that on
earth because the gifts and possessions of heaven are better than those on earth (though that's true); rather he says we are to store up heavenly treasure instead of earthly treasures because the treasures you and value most will determine our whole life... i.e., the way we think, feel, and act!

Because the mature disciple of Christ treasures God most, we will have great
thoughts, affections, and service for the Lord.

You can't have your cake and eat it too; you cannot serve both God and
money!

Feb 17, 2202 - Evening
Ps 119:33-40 Turning to Jesus

There is more to keeping God's standard of righteousness than simply
possessing a knowledge of the law.

God has promised to engrave his law upon our heart, to move us to follow his
decrees, and to be careful to keep his laws. We must petition him for this
grace remembering his glory, his promise, and his faithfulness.

God must change our heart and cause our eyes to turn from worthless thins.

Feb. 10, 2002 - Morning
1 Tim 6:3-16 What Has Happened To Our Men

Future leadership in the church is a concern because there is a lack of
spiritual mindedness particularly among men in the church.

Many today have bought into the lie that the pursuit of riches, wealth, and all that is associated with them is what life is all about.

Our pursuits in life ought to be spiritual.  We should pursue contentment along with godliness.

One of the reasons we don't have the time, resources, or desire for
spiritual things, in that we've bought into the lie and we're chasing our
tail trying to acquire and pay for the things of this world.

The man of god should not buy into the lie, but should order his life in accord with that which is truly profitable.

Men of God are to be different!

Feb. 10, 2002 - Evening
Eccl 5:8-20  Elusive Wealth

Because God alone can provide one's ultimate satisfaction in this life, we must not look to wealth, riches, etc, to provide it.

Don't buy into the lie that if you can only get to the next level, the next promotion, etc., that life will forever be much better.

Increased responsibility and wealth do not always equate to a more peaceful or productive life.

Look to God for satisfaction in this life, and enjoy that which he provides for you.

Feb. 3, 2002 - Morning
John 10:1-21 The Shepherd of Our Souls

Three tests for determining the True Shepherd (and undershepherds) of God's flock: (1) The true shepherd comes to the sheep through legitimate means; (2) The true shepherd does not attempt to take sheep from others, but comes to his own; (3) The true shepherd cares for the sheep.

The Old Testament (Ps 23; Isa 40:10-11; Jer 23:1-4; Ezek 34:1-31) provide us with truth concerning the true shepherd who was to come.

Jesus Christ proved he was the true shepherd by gathering the flock (blind man of John 9) as well as by laying down his life for us on the cross.

Feb. 3, 2002 - Evening
John 10:1-10 Heaven's Gate

Jesus is both the shepherd and the gate! (Ancient near eastern shepherds would lay across the entrance to the sheepfold)

If you want to be saved and enter God's flock, outward membership in the visible church in not enough, you must first come to Christ Jesus!

If you want to serve as an undershepherd of God's flock, you must also first come to Christ Jesus!

Jan. 27, 2002 Morning
1 Cor 15 The Ministry of First Things

Salvation is by grace through faith alone, but ongoing assurance is found as we embrace, hold on to, and act upon the truths of the gospel.

Salvation is dependent not on any man's or denomination's belief systems, but in one's holding firmly to God's gospel as presented in his word.

Receiving and holding firmly to the gospel will transform your whole world and life view.

Holding firm to the gospel means that it must be foundational to our lives, that we never leave it, never replace it, but we live by it, depend on it, and do not just add it to our lives. It should not be without effect in our lives.

Jan. 20, 2002
1 John 4:7-21 A Heart to Heart Talk

You and I need to express and exercise biblical love if we expect to
experience biblical blessings associated with love.

In the same way there is difference between worldly sorrow and biblical repentance, there is a difference between what the world calls love and biblical love.

Holding correct doctrine is important, but one of the best indicators of
salvation is the love of God being manifest and exercised in one's own life.

No one has seen God, but the world can see God as his love is made complete in us.

The reason many of us do not inwardly anticipate and look forward to the coming of Christ is because we fail to exercise the love of God in our lives. Love cast away fear.

Prov. 15:24 The Upward Way

The instructions of Scripture are no more difficult than the instruction of a parent to a child, but the question is: Does the child listen, respond, follow the instruction, and benefit from it, or does the child shake his head yes, but in the end live as though he has the answers, live not at all different from others and fail to achieve the higher ideal.

If you and I want to be delivered from sheol, then our orientation,
attitude, and pursuits must be UPWARD!

As believers, we are NOT to be NOMINAL CHRISTIANS; rather, we are to constantly be doing all we can to grow in our relationship with the Lord, to make gains in our personal wisdom, knowledge and righteousness, and to get our lives in order so that our service before the Lord and to others is fruitful.  If you and I are not progressing upward, then we will find ourselves participating in the flesh.

The direction and focus of our lives affects everything!

2 Chr 9:1-12 Satisfaction and His Sufficiency

Because Christ's wisdom far exceeds our greatest expectations, our leaders should not doubt, but be prepared to be overwhelmed in his presence.

(1)God's wisdom is sufficient to satisfy all the concerns of our heart (vv. 1-4; (2)God's wisdom is superior to all that we imagine (vv. 5-8); (3)God's wisdom is supreme such that it surpasses all we can give. (vv. 9ff) There is no problem too great for Christ's wisdom to handle.

As you serve the Lord, be prepared to be amazed by the Lord.

January 6, 2002 - Sunday Evening

Gal 5:16-26  Keeping in Step with the Spirit

In many circles, it has become unpopular to talk about the Holy Spirit and
his operation in the believer's life, but Paul did not avoid this subject.

Prescription for Dealing with Sin:  (1)  Recognize the difference between
the acts of the sin nature and the character traits & behavior patterns of
the godly  (2)  Recognize the conflict that takes place in a believer between
the flesh and the Spirit (3)  Recognize the way to not give in to the flesh
is by serving the Spirit

Breaking sinful habits begins not with a set of rules (law) but with
submission to the spirit.  If you are simply trying to live by a set of
rules (law), you're playing on sin's home court!


The believer's hope in found in the fact that Jesus has crucified the sinful
nature as will as it's passions and desires.  Though we do not see this
completely worked out in our practice at this time, our hope is found in the
Spirit's reign and dominion over our flesh!

December 16, 2001 - Sunday Morning  
Luke 1:26-38
The Birth of Jesus was NO ORDINARY EVENT!

The Birth of Jesus was NO ORDINARY EVENT because (1) The Announcement of of His Birth Came From Heaven, (2) The Conception Leading to Jesus' Birth was Accomplished from Heaven, and (3) The Purpose for Jesus' Birth was the Fulfillment of the Promise Kept in Heaven.

A birth announcement was sent to the world from Jesus' home - HEAVEN! ... and from his father - GOD! This points to Christ's divine nature as well as to the significance of the event of his birth.

Though you & I may not have audibly heard the announcement of Jesus' birth from Gabriel, God had indelibly printed the words of that announcement on the pages of Scripture that you & I might hear the news as well!

At the same time Luke makes it a point to provide details concerning the historicity of Jesus' birth, Luke also makes it a point to testify to the heavenly witness and testimony.

Mary's question in v. 34 is: "How [will I conceive a son without an earthly father, a son who will reign forever] since I am a virgin?

December 9, 2001 - Sunday Morning

Psalm 110
Christ's Kingdom is a Sure Thing ... Make No Bones About It!

Christ's kingdom is established by God himself, is exercised thru the
church, and will not delay.

God's plan is not to immediately wipe out all Christ's enemies but to
establish his rule in the midst of them, therefore we should not be
discouraged when we do not at this time see all things under Christ's rule.

Because God extends the scepter of Christ thru the church, the things you & I do as believers MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

December 9, 2001 - Sunday Evening

2 Thes 3:6-14
Three forms of Idleness we should avoid are being Inactive, Inclined to
Mooch Off Others, & Intrusive (Busy-bodies/Meddlers)

Idleness is not in accord with Christian teaching and doctrine nor Christian
example and witness.

Even great churches may have "some" who are idle, but those who are
productive should not be drawn into their sin.

December 2, 2001:  Rom 13:8-14

Not all attention given to clothing is bad. We are to be clothed with
Christ.

We not only need the righteousness of Christ for Justification,
We need to be clothed in the righteousness of Christ in Sanctification.

As believers, we have a new relationship with the Law such that thru God's grace the law is fulfilled for us thru Christ, but that does not relieve us of the obligation in Sanctification to live according to the righteousness communicated and demanded in the law.

If the law has no place in your life, you will fail to understand your need to be clothed with Christ, you will fail to progress in sanctification, and you will miss out on the wholeness that Christ provides.
Many today are deceived in believing they can AT THE SAME TIME violate God's law (commit adultery, murder, covet, etc.) and fulfill the law (love those they commit these acts against). When a person believes they fulfill God's righteous requirements when they are actually failing to fulfill them, the result is they also fail to look to Christ for the righteousness he requires of them and is willing to clothe them with.

December 2, 2001: Rev 21

We have hope in that things will not always be as they are now, but God is
going to make all things new such that things will be as we know they ought
to be.

If you can't trust God, who can you trust? HE says "I am making everything
new! ... It is done!"

There's something about setting a solution to a person's deepest needs that
causes them to long for that solution to come about.

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