WELCOME TO
SERMON SEEDS
S44 – WEEK OF NOVEMBER 2, 2020
_______________________________________________
ISAIAH 40:26-31
DON'T YOU KNOW? HAVEN'T YOU HEARD?
Read the text.
In our text, the nation Israel was having trouble, and thought that God had forsaken them. Vs. 27
In the midst of all that we are facing, you may feel like God has forsaken or forgotten us in general and you in particular. You feel alone. You wonder when you are ever going to get some relief from the increasing difficulties in your life. You may be wondering if anything will ever be “normal” again.
In answer to that feeling in Vs. 27, in verse 28, God says to Israel:
“Have you not known? Have you not heard?” or
“Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard.”
In the midst of our troubles when we feel forsake he says, “Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard.”
GOD IS ALIVE! – Isaiah 40:26-28
- He is eternal! – Deuteronomy 33:27
- He is creator. – Genesis 1:1, Isaiah 40:25-26
- He never grows faint or weary. Colossians 3:16-17, Hebrews 7:25, Psalm 75:3
- His understanding is infinite. Romans 11:33-36
GOD ASSISTS – Isaiah 40:29
- He fortifies the faint (weary).
- He makes the might-less mighty! 1 Peter 1:3-4, Colossians 1:11-12
GOD ASSURES – Isaiah 30-31
Those that wait upon the Lord will:
- SOAR like the eagle - "...mount up with wings as eagles."
- Have SPURTS of strength - "...run and not be weary."
- Have STAMINA for the long haul - "…walk and not faint."
Those who wait upon the Lord do it:
- In Precept – Psalm 130:5
- In Prayer – 1 Peter 4:7
- With Patience and Persistence, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Titus 2:11-13
TO HEAR THIS SERMON AS PREACHED BY PASTOR JACK, LISTEN HERE:
https://www.fbcnhremembers.com/dont_you_know_havent_you_heard
_____________________________________________________
DEUTERONOMY 6:4-9
When something is “exclusive”, it means there is no room for anything else. Our text reminds us of some things that should be exclusive in our lives.
EXCLUSIVE GOD
Deuteronomy 6:4 - Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:
EXCUSIVE LOVE
Deuteronomy 6:5 - And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
EXCLUSIVE MEMORY
Deuteronomy 6:6 - And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
EXCLUSIVE EDUCATION
Deuteronomy 6:7-9 - And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. [8] And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. [9] And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
___________________________________________________
PSALM 108 – A WAY OF LIFE
(A COMPLETE LESSON)
- How is your “way of life” similar to your neighbor’s?
- How is your “way of life” different from your unsaved neighbor’s?
- How should our ways of life as Christians be the same?
I see Psalm 108 as a pattern that we can follow as a way of life. As we follow the procedures laid out in this Psalm, we will have a life of joy, peace, productivity, and victory.
Psalm 108 is an interesting psalm. It is actually a compilation of two of David’s psalms. Verses 1-5 are almost identical to Psalm 57:7-11. Verses 6-13 are almost identical to Psalm 60:5-12.
- Why do you think God inspired someone to combine two of David’s psalms together?
DETERMINED TO PRAISE – Vss. 1-3
- Vs. 1 - The word “fixed” means “steadfast”.
- In what way should each Christian have a steadfast heart?
- What are the benefits of a steadfast heart?
- Isaiah 26:3-4 - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. [4] Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:
- Why must singing and giving praise to God be a willful decision on my part?
- What has God done to make that decision to praise God easier? See Ephesians 5:18-19
- Vs. 2 – The instruments of David’s day included the lyre and harp. David would figuratively wake them up so that he could praise God.
- I myself will awake early can mean “I will wake up the dawn.” In other words, David would be busy praising God before the sun came up. Why is praising God in the morning helpful for a good day?
- Vs. 3 – How will a determined life filled with praises to God affect our testimonies?
DELIGHTED IN MERCY AND TRUTH – Vs. 4
- The word mercy has been translated “steadfast love”.
- How have you seen God’s steadfast love in your life lately?
- How does God advertise his steadfast love “above the Heavens”?
- Why should I be delighted in God’s truth?
- How does God advertise His truth?
DESIROUS OF GOD’S GLORY – Vss. 5-6
- Vs. 5 – Why should we be desirous that God be exalted and glorified?
- What responsibility do we have in making sure that God is glorified?
- Vs. 6 – How is God glorified when He delivers us?
- What does “save with thy right hand” imply?
- What right do we have to pray for deliverance?
- Psalm 50:15 - And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
DESTINED FOR VICTORY – Vss. 7-9
- Vss. 7-8 – Various parts of Israel are named. There will be a day when all of the territory that God has promised Israel will be under Israel’s jurisdiction. When will that day be?
- Vs. 9 – All of Israel’s enemies will be defeated.
- In what ways can the Christian experience victory now?
- Romans 6:14 - For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
- Romans 8:37-39 - Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. [38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- John 14:13-14 - And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
- In what ways will Christians have victory in the future?
- Romans 8:16-17 - The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: [17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 - For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
DEPENDENT ON GOD – Vss. 10-13
- Vs. 10 – Who was Esau and what was Edom?
- They had a city in the rocks called Petra. It was almost impregnable.
- Vs. 12 – Why is this such an important verse for Christians to remember?
- Vs. 13 – What does this verse prompt us to remember?
____________________________________
MARK 9:1-10 – ZEALOUS FOR GOD
Introduce the sermon by talking about some examples of people who were zealous for the things of God.
True zeal is not manufactured but must come from God.
As we look at the story of the transfiguration, we can find some guidelines for allowing God to give us zeal for Him. The outline is the words from old fashioned railroad crossings, which said "Stop! Look! Listen!"
STOP! Vss. 1-2
The Lord promised that some would of the disciples would see the kingdom. Peter, James and John did get a glimpse of that kingdom.
(2 Peter 1:16-17)
In order for them to have this experience, they needed to stop what they were doing, and spend quiet time with the Lord Jesus. Through history, God isolated his servants, so they could spend time alone with him (Moses, David, Paul, Elijah, Enoch, etc.). In order for us to be zealous, we must get alone with God in the Word and prayer.
LOOK! Vss. 3-8
As Jesus was transfigured before them, the disciples got to look at 3 different things.
1. Look At His Glory Vs. 3
2. Look At His Fulfillment Vs. 4, Luke 9:31-32
The Lord did all He needed to do to fulfill Scripture and to provide for all our Spiritual needs.
3. Look At Him Alone, Vss. 5-8
When all was said and done, the disciples saw Jesus only.
May we keep focused on Him alone! (Hebrews 12:2-3
LISTEN! Vs. 7
The Father told the disciples to "Hear Him".
When we hear Jesus we listen with intense attention.
When we hear Jesus we actually do what he says.
__________________________________
LUKE 18:35-19:10 – TWO PEAS IN A POD
LIFE OF CHRIST #44
There is an expression “like as two peas in a pod” or “They’re two peas in a pod.” What does the term mean?
According to Answers.com the phrase means, “Very similar, bearing a close resemblance. For example, they’re not even sisters, but they're like as two peas in a pod. This expression alludes to the seeds contained in a pea pod, which do indeed look very much alike.” http://www.answers.com/topic/like-as-two-peas-in-a-pod
Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem to fulfill his destiny, but he still had time for the needs of two peas in a pod. Now, when you first observe Bartimaeus and Zacchaeus you might think that they have very little in common.
Bartimaeus was a blind man. He had no fixed means of income. He was a beggar. His name is given to us in Mark.
Zacchaeus was a very wealthy man, probably one of the wealthiest men in Jericho. He was the head tax collector for the Roman government in the Jericho area, a principle area for collecting taxes. All the tax collectors paid Zacchaeus, who in turn paid the Roman government.
THEY BOTH HAD FRUSTRATIONS
18:35 – It is not hard to comprehend or understand Bartimaeus’ frustrations.
HE WAS BLIND
He was probably blind from birth.
He had never seen a sunrise.
He had never seen another person.
He had never seen the beauties of nature.
He had never seen where he was going.
He was dependent on the eyes of others, who could tell him what was going on.
18:36-37 – The only reason Bart knew about Jesus was because he heard the commotion, asked what was going on, and someone told Him.
HE WAS BROKE
Bart was a beggar.
Some of us can remember or have recently experienced times when money was tight. When we were living in our last church, our children thought that we were poor. But none of us are as poor as the beggars were in the days of Jesus. It is likely that he was often hungry and had scanty clothes. It is possible that he may have even been homeless.
Bartimaeus had his frustrations, but so did Zacchaeus.
Although Zacchaeus was a rich man, he would have been an outcast among the Jews.
He would have only been acceptable to other tax collectors or those whose occupations were shady.
The Jews would have considered him to be a traitor because he was working for the Roman government, and tax collectors were known for charging more taxes than they had to pay to Rome. He was probably not welcome in the local synagogue. He was a hated man. Because he was the head tax collector, he would have been considered the head traitor.
Although Zacchaeus was rich, it does not mean that he was happy. Money just can’t buy happiness.
He had another problem, he was short of stature. Most Jews were short, but he was short by their standards. He probably grew up being teased about his height, and when Jesus passed by, he couldn’t see Jesus because of the crowd in front of him.
Both Zach and Bart had their frustrations, for sure.
But they both had another frustration.
It is more obvious in Zach, because he probably did get his position by being entirely honest.
Both men at some point in their lives suffered under the burden of sin. Although we have no hint at Bart’s sins, we know that he had them.
As someone has said, we usually feel guilty because we are. The Bible is very clear that we are all guilty sinners. Isaiah 64:6, Ephesians 2:1-3
You know, we are like Bartimaeus and Zacchaeus. We are another “pea in the pod”. We have our frustrations. We all have had to struggle with the guilt of sin.
THEY BOTH HAD FRUSTRATIONS
THEY BOTH EXERCISED FAITH
18:38 – When Bart was told that it was Jesus passing by, he began to yell to “Jesus, the son of David”. This was a messianic term. It indicates that Bartimaeus had his faith in Jesus as the Messiah.
We would say today, that he was a believer.
Based on what he had been told about the actions and teachings of the Lord Jesus, he had placed his faith in Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:16
18:39 – Bartimaeus’ faith went further than believing on Jesus as His Messiah. He was continually crying out, even though he was told to be quiet. He was uttering a prayer!
Vss. 40-41 – Jesus heard Bartimaeus. Jesus hears the prayers of His saints as well. John 14:13-14
Jesus asked Bartimaeus, “What do you want?”
Do you ever stop to think of Jesus asking you, “What do you want, Bob, Fran, Dave, Jackie?”
Jesus encourages us to keep on asking like Bartimaeus did.
And Jesus encourages us to ask for specific things in persistent, believing prayer. Matthew 7:7-11, John 5:14-15
Bartimaeus showed his faith. So did Zacchaeus. They were two peas in a pod.
19:3-4 – Zacchaeus sought after Jesus. He had hunger in his soul, and some sort of faith that Jesus was the answer to His problems.
It is possible that Zach heard about another tax collector who now followed Jesus, Matthew.
When Zacchaeus couldn’t get close to Jesus because of the crowd, he threw all dignity and caution to the wind and ran ahead and climbed a tree. It was a sycamore tree, a tree with a short stump, but wide branches and easy to climb. The leaves in the tree would have hid him at least somewhat.
19:5-6 – Jesus stopped beneath the tree, saw Zacchaeus and summoned him down. Zacchaeus didn’t know that He had a divine appointment with Jesus, but Jesus did!
Jesus saw a man ready to be saved, ready to trust Him.
19:7 – While the crowd complained, Jesus talked to Zacchaeus. We don’t know what was said but we see the result. Zacchaeus’ faith was not in his money but in Jesus.
He became a believer in Christ. The proof of his salvation is shown in his announcement.
19:8 – To start, half of his wealth would be given to the poor. And then out of the remaining 50% Zacchaeus would pay restitution to anyone that he cheated. That was the maximum payment required by Jewish law. Considering Zach’s business, he had probably cheated lots of people.
Zacchaeus was showing that money was not important any more. He found a changed life in Jesus. How has your life changed since you put your faith in Jesus?
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 - Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, [10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. [11] And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Do you remember the rich young ruler? Because money was his God Jesus told him to sell it all, give to the poor and follow Him. He didn’t do it.
Zacchaeus, on the other hand, basically did what the rich young ruler didn’t. He gave the riches up for Christ!
THEY BOTH RECEIVED FAVOR
18:40-42 – Bartimaeus received his sight.
Bartimaeus was also saved because of His faith in Christ
When we trust Christ as Savior we will have eternal life. Acts 16:31
When we pray as Christians in faith believing we will have our prayers answered. Mark 11:24
Salvation also came to Zacchaeus.
19:9 – Why was Zacchaeus saved? Was it because he gave away a fortune? No! The giving away of the fortune was the evidence of his salvation!
Zacchaeus was saved because he showed himself to be a Son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of faith. Those who place their faith in Christ are children of Abraham. Galatians 3:9, 13-14
God exercises favor to those who trust His Son.
Bart and Zach were “two peas in a pod”:
THEY BOTH HAD FRUSTRATIONS
THEY BOTH EXERCISED FAITH
THEY BOTH RECEIVED FAVOR
How about you?
Are you another pea in that pod?
____________________________
2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-21 – WHAT A CHANGE!
There is a dramatic change in our lives when we come to know Christ as Savior.
WE ARE CONSTRAINED BY CHRIST'S LOVE Vs. 14
WE ARE CONVICTED ABOUT GODLY LIVING Vss. 15-16
WE ARE CONVERTED TO NEW LIFE Vss. 17-18
WE ARE COMMISSIONED FOR MINISTRY Vss. 19-21
__________________________________
LESSONS FROM PRISON
- What do prisons do?
- Name some famous prisoners from the 20th Century.
- People are often prisoners without being locked up. What are some of these prisons?
e.g. fear, sickness, opposition
- John 8:31-36 – Jesus came to set us free from these prisons.
- There are some literal prisoners in the Bible who teach us truths about our own prisons.
JOSEPH – PERSEVERANCE – Genesis 39-40
- Indwelling – Genesis 39:1-2, 21, John 15:1-7
- Industry – Genesis 39:3-6, 22-23, Colossians 3:17, 23
- Integrity – Genesis 39:7-20, Titus 2:1-10
- Instruction – Genesis 40, Colossians 3:16, 1 Peter 3:15, Colossians 4:6
DANIEL – PROTECTION – Daniel 6
- Faithful – Daniel 6:1-3, 10, 1 Corinthians 4:2, Revelation 2:10
- Falsely Accused and Condemned – Daniel 6:4-9, 11-17, Matthew 10:17-20
- Forcefully Protected – Daniel 6:18-24, Matthew 28:20, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 18
PAUL – PATIENCE – Philippians 1:12-26, Philippians 4:10-13
PETER – PEACE – Acts 12:1-6, Isaiah 26:3-4, Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7
JOHN – PURPOSE – Revelation 1:1-3,9, Romans 8:28
John was set aside as a prisoner on the Isle of Patmos for a reason. The purpose for which John was set aside was so the He would receive the visions and write the book of Revelation. Often, our Lord uses a “prison” for His servants to accomplish something specific for Him!
John Bunyan, Fanny Crosby, Joni Erickson Toda, and Janet Apgar (Change Janet’s name for someone you knew.).
__________________________
ABOUT SERMON SEEDS:
Sermon Seeds is a weekly mailing and website of Bible sermon and teaching outlines designed to help the pastor, preacher, Bible teacher, and Bible student. Some of these are complete lessons or sermons. You may use these freely and share them freely!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR WEEKLY EMAIL, SEND A BLANK EMAIL TO pastorjackpeters@gmail.com WITH THE SUBJECT “SUBSCRIBE”
OR FROM THE WEBSITE LEAVE A COMMENT WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND THE MESSAGE “SUBSCRIBE”.
PREVIOUS ISSUES OF SERMON SEEDS ARE FOUND AT:
