SERMON SEEDS
S3 – THE WEEK OF JANUARY 20, 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 44 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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PSALM 93 – THE LORD REIGNS
Psalm 93 begins with the saying, ‘THE LORD REIGNS”
- No matter what the sickness
- No matter what the family problem
- No matter what the political scandal
- No matter who is in political power
- No matter what the national or international disaster
- No matter how you feel
- No matter what you think
- No matter what the opposition you face
THE LORD REIGNS!
THE CLOTHING OF GOD’S REIGN – Vs. 1
Majesty – Isaiah 6:1-8, Revelation 1:12-17
Strength -
- Strong enough to create – Psalm 33:6-9
- Strong enough to control – Psalm 33:10-11
- Strong enough to save – Romans 5:6-9, 1
- Strong enough to keep – Psalm 23:6
- Strong enough to empower – Galatians 2:20, Romans 8:1-4, Philippians 4:13
- Strong enough to answer prayer – Matthew 7:7-8
THE CONCRETENESS OF GOD’S REIGN – Vs. 1
The earth is immoveable unless God moves it. Psalm 75:3
There will be a day when the earth is destroyed and will be replaced with an even grander universe. Revelation 21:1-2
Until then, no matter what happens nothing is going to happen to the earth.
The only way anything can ever change is when God allows it.
What, besides the world, is unmovable?
His Word
His Promises
His Presence
His Power
His Plans
His Permanent Reign.
THE CONTINUATION OF GOD’S REIGN – Vs. 2
Revelation 11:15
He has reigned through every problem.
He will reign through all of your problems.
From everlasting – Psalm 90:1-2, Revelation 1:8
THE COMFORT OF GOD’S REIGN – Vss. 3-4
Think of the floods as the nations in rebellion raising their voices.
Think of the floods as your troubles.
The nations scream. Your troubles scream.
Vs. 4 – The Lord is mightier than all those voices.
Luke 8:22-25, John 14:27
THE CHARACTER OF GOD’S REIGN – Vs. 5
- He rules by His sure word
Psalm 119:89, Numbers 23:19, Isaiah 46:11
- He rules in holiness
1 Samuel 2:2, Leviticus 20:26, 1 Peter 1:13-16
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JOSHUA 14:6-14 – HE FINISHED WELL!
HOLY LIVING IN A HOSTILE WORLD (1 PETER) #9
Here are some thoughts on aging:
- Psalm 90:10, 12, 14
- Psalm 39:14
- Isaiah 46:4, 8-10
- Psalm 71:17-18 – Lord, help me finish well!
At the end of his life, Caleb was still going!
Caleb finished well and he comes to claim a promised inheritance.
CALEB REMEMBERED GOD’S PROMISE – Vss. 6-9
- Notice that the Lord refers to God’s promises 3 times in verses 6, 10, and 12.
- What are some of the promises of God to which you like to refer?
- Vs. 6 – Caleb remembered the events of the spying mission into the Promised Land. Numbers 13:1-25
- Vs. 7 – Caleb remembered bringing a “minority report” on the land because his words were consistent with what his heart knew. Numbers 13:30-33 – 14:10
- Vs. 8 – “But I wholly followed the Lord my God”. Matthew 22:37-40, Matthew 16:24-27
- Vs. 9 – The promise Moses made to Caleb, made in Numbers 14:22-24, was made 45 years before. What does that tell you about Caleb? Hebrews 11:6, Matthew 21:22, 2 Peter 1:5-6
CALEB REVIEWED GOD’S GOODNESS – Vss. 10-11
- In these verses Caleb reviews the goodness of God. This is something we should do often as individuals and as a church.
- Vs. 10 – The Lord had kept Caleb alive for 45 years and he was then 85 years old.
- Vs. 11 – He was strong and ready to take on the challenge of conquering his inheritance.
- While we may not have the physical stamina we once had, let us remember that God may have new challenges prepared for us. We should not shrink away from them using old age or retirement, or the grandchildren as an excuse!
CALEB REQUESTED GOD’S BEST – Vs. 12
- Caleb had been dreaming of the land for 45 years.
- He would not settle for anything less than that which God promised.
- Let us be careful not to settle for anything less than God has promised. John 14:12-13, Galatians 5:16, Isaiah 41:10 and Acts 1:8 are just some of the promises we should claim and wait for God to fulfill them.
CALEB RECEIVED GOD’S REWARD – Vss. 13-15
- Very simply, Joshua gave Caleb what he wanted. Why? It was promised.
- Caleb claimed the promise. It was His!
- Caleb could have lived in comfort and ease as a "grand old man of Israel." Instead he was going forward to conquer land that perhaps no one else would tackle.
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MATTHEW 14:22-33 – HOW TO FAITH WALK
Although, “…we walk by faith and not by sight (1 Corinthians 15:7)” there are some principles for walking by faith. Peter discovered this when he walked on water towards Jesus. As a storm raged and the disciples struggled, Jesus came walking on the waves. Here is what we learn:
- Listen for the voice of Jesus. He especially speaks in His Word. Vs. 27
- Make bold requests. Vs. 28, John 14:13-14
- Wait for approval. Vs. 29, 1 John 5:14-15
- Get out of the boat. Vs. 29, James 2:17-26
- Look straight ahead (at Jesus). Don’t let winds swirling around you distract you. Vs. 30
- Cry for help. If you begin to sink, ask Jesus to rescue you. Vs. 30
- Don’t doubt. Vs. 31, James 1:5-8
- Worship Him! Vss. 32-33
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JOHN 2:1-11 – INTERACTIVE MINISTRY
LIFE OF CHRIST #9 of 60
This morning we want to look at the first miracle that the Lord performed and we find that He had an interactive ministry between Himself, guests at a wedding, his mother, and the servants at the wedding. This miracle of turning the water into wine is also a reminder that Jesus interacts in our lives still today. This is an interaction that we greatly need.
This morning we resume our study of the Life of Christ. Jesus had been baptized and then spent forty days in the wilderness being tempted by the Devil and successfully refusing that temptation. After that he returned and was identified by John the Baptist as “the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the World.” Jesus was followed by Andrew and John, who became disciples. Andrew and probably John as well, brought their brothers to Jesus, Peter and James.
Jesus recruited Phillip. Phillip brought Nathaniel to Jesus, who is probably the man called Bartholomew in the other Gospels.
With six disciples in tow, Jesus interacts at a wedding.
There are three things that I want you to understand about the interactive ministry of the Lord Jesus then and now.
HE WAS INTERESTED – Vss. 1-5
Vs. 1 – This would have been two days after the calling of Nathaniel. There was a marriage in Cana, of Galilee. The exact location of Cana is not known, but it was probably just a few miles from Nazareth.
Mary, the mother of Jesus was there, but in his Gospel John never calls her by name. From her intimate understanding of the wine supply and the willingness of the servants to listen to her, it is possible that Mary was involved with the managing of the festivities in some way.
Weddings in those days were big deals, and the celebration usually went on for about a week. It was an important social event in a community and the bride and groom were treated like royalty.
Vs. 2 – Jesus and his disciples were invited to the wedding. The significant thing to note here is that Jesus went.
Jesus’ ministry was an interactive ministry. He went to where the people were so He could interact with them.
He was interested in what they were doing.
You might think that for all the important things that the Lord Jesus had to do, that He might not have time to attend weddings or to accept invitations to people’s houses for meals.
Why was Jesus so interested in spending time with people?
When He was criticized for eating at Matthew’s house with tax collectors and sinners, he responded by saying in Luke 5:31-32 …They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. [32] I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
And it wasn’t just at meals that Jesus was interested in people and their needs.
- A little girl, a widow’s son and Lazarus all died and Jesus was interested.
- Parents brought little children to Jesus and Jesus was interested.
- A Gentile woman came begging that Jesus heal her sick daughter, Jesus was interested.
- A prominent religious teacher came to Jesus at night, and Jesus was interested.
And on and on we could go.
The most important way Jesus showed His interest was leaving the splendors of Heaven to come to earth. Why did He come?
Luke 19:10 - For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Jesus was interested in the eternal and spiritual wellbeing of all mankind, so He came to die for their sins.
- Jesus is interested in you.
He died for your sins and rose again.
- Jesus is interested in you. He wants to be your Savior, if He isn’t already. He wants you to trust Him by faith. John 3:16
- Jesus is interested in you.
He promises to always be with you. Matthew 28:20
- Jesus is interested in you.
He hears and answers prayer. John 14:13-14
Vs. 3-4 - Jesus was interested even though it may not seem so here.
They were out of wine. No big tragedy by our standards. But it would have been a social disgrace that would have been remembered by friends and families all the days of that marriage.
Wine was the staple drink of the day, often diluted so that it was not as strong as the wines today.
The way that Mary told Jesus they were out of wine seems to indicate that she was trying to tell Jesus what to do, as a parent would a child. To me, it also seems that Mary may have thought this a good time for him to show who He really was.
Jesus’ response was not disrespectful. The word woman was a respectable way to address His mother. He was telling her that she could no longer tell Him what to do. He had come to do the will of His Heavenly Father. It was not yet His hour to reveal himself.
Vs. 5 – Jesus was interested in something as mundane as a lack of wine. Wine in the Old Testament is a symbol of joy.
I would love to have been there to hear Jesus’ tone of voice and see his facial expression. He left his mother confident that He would do something, probably not in the way she wanted, or because she thought He should help. He acted because his Heavenly Father wanted Him to act.
Mary gives great advice in this verse, “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” We should follow that same advice.
When Jesus tells us to do something, we need to do it.
He is God. He knows what is best.
Jesus has and has had an interactive ministry.
HE WAS INVOLVED – Vss. 6-9
With the Lord Jesus interest is always followed with involvement.
- Jesus was interested in the salvation of your soul. He involved Himself by dying for your sins.
- Jesus is interested in your everyday problems. That’s why He said to pray in his name. He’ll do something about it. He also said to come boldly to the throne of grace and he will involve Himself in helping. Hebrews 4:15-16
- Jesus is interested in world evangelism. That’s why He promises to be with us as we fulfill the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20.
Vs. 6 – The Jews involved themselves in a lot of ceremonial washings. Therefore the water pots were there. These six water pots of stone held the equivalent of 20-30 gallons.
Vss. 7-8 – Jesus told the servants to fill the water pots with water and then to take the water to the governor of the feast. The governor was the equivalent of a head waiter.
Vs. 9 – Somewhere along the line, the water was made wine
by the Lord Jesus. His involvement was the key to
this miracle.
HE MADE IMPROVEMENTS – Vss. 10-11
Vs. 9b-10 – I venture to say that the wine was the best that the governor of the feast ever tasted.
It was the best because it was made by the one who created the grapes in the first place!
When Jesus involves himself in something, the results are always an improvement. When Jesus was on earth He involved himself and there was improvement.
- The sick were healed.
- The dead were raised.
- The possessed were set free.
- The ignorant were taught.
- Lives were changed.
- Sin and death were defeated on the cross.
Today, when Jesus involves Himself in a life, there is improvement.
- The spiritually dead are given eternal life. Ephesians 2:1
- Those who trust Christ are given a new life now. 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Those who are given abundant life. John 10:10
- Those who filled with His Spirit bear fruit. Galatians 5:22-23
Vs. 11 – This was the first “sign” that Jesus gave. That’s what the word “miracle” means here. The end result was that Jesus showed His glory and it strengthened the belief of His disciples. These things were also improvements.
Jesus’ ministry was and is an interactive ministry.
HE WAS INTERESTED – Vss. 1-5
HE WAS INVOLVED – Vss. 6-9
HE MADE IMPROVEMENTS – Vss. 10-11
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ROMANS 13:8-10 – LOVE LIFE
MY GREATEST OBLIGATION – Vs. 8 – I am to love others
MY GREATEST OMISSION – Vs. 9 – Everyone has broken the Ten Commandments. By failing to keep the Ten Commandments I have omitted loving others.
MY GREATEST OPPORTUNITY – Vs. 10 – When I truly love my neighbor I do not hurt him. When I truly love my neighbor I fulfill God’s Law.
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TITUS 2:11-14 – GRACE
THE APPEARANCE OF GRACE – Vs. 11 – For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
THE APPLICATION OF GRACE – Vs. 12 – Titus – Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
THE ASPIRATION OF GRACE – Vs. 13 – Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
THE ACTIVITY (OR ACTION) OF GRACE – Vs. 14 - Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
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REAL MEN HAVE A HEART FOR GOD – THE STORY OF DAVUD
Real Men - Lesson #4 of 7
(Here are the outline and questions I used to teach this men’s Bible Study.)
Acts 13:22 - …I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart…
- What do we mean today when we say someone has heart?
- What did God mean when He said that David was a man after His heart?
- Why is this one of the best compliments anyone can receive?
- What events in David’s life indicated that he really was a man after God’s heart?
David’s psalms are one of the best ways to see just how David had a heart for God. As “real men” we will want to imitate his walk with God.
CLEANSING BY GOD’S GRACE
Psalm 32:1-2 - Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. [2] Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
- Paul attests that David was relying on the grace of God by faith in order to be declared righteous. Romans 4:6-8
- What did David admit about himself that each one of us has to admit about ourselves?
- How was sin covered?
- How is sin removed from our Heavenly account?
- Colossians 2:13-14
- Why is it important that real men come to God the same way David did as described in Psalm 32:1-2?
CELEBRATION OF GOD’S PRAISE
Psalm 34:1-3 - I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. [2] My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. [3] O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
- How does praise to God change a man’s attitude?
- Why is praise to be a continuous thing?
- What are some of the things men “boast” about?
- Why is it harder to boast in the Lord before men?
- What are the benefits to praising the Lord with other believers?
COMMITMENT TO GOD’S WORD
Psalm 19:7-11 - The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. [8] The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. [9] The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. [10] More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. [11] Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
- According to this passage what things will the Word of God do for you if you let it?
- How valuable should the Word of God be to the Christian? Why is it often overlooked or ignored?
Psalm 1:2-3 – But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. [3] 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.
- What does it mean to delight in the law of the Lord?
- How does one meditate in God’s Word?
- What are the benefits of meditation in God’s Word?
CRY FOR GOD’S HELP
Psalm 3:1-8 - Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. [2] Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. [3] But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. [4] I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. [5] I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. [6] I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. [7] Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. [8] Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
- Vss. 1-3 - Is God glad when we have no recourse for our problems but Him? Why?
- Vs. 4 – Do you think David was specific with God about his problems? Why? Psalm 55:22
- There are two results of casting all your care on God mentioned in Vss. 5-6. What are they and why are they important?
CONFESSION OF HIS SIN
Psalm 51:1-3 - Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. [2] Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. [3] For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Psalm 51 was written as acknowledgement of David’s most legendary sins. What were they?
Will such confessions of sin take place after a person has been saved? Why?
Why is it best to be honest with God about our sins? What happens if we are not?
Why is 1 John 1:9 such a significant Scripture?
1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S ABILITY
Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
- What three things are mentioned here that should give us confidence?
- How does confidence in our own ability relate to confidence in God’s ability? Are the two compatible?
Psalm 27:13-14 - I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. [14] Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
How does believing in God’s goodness keep us from giving up?
Why does it take courage to wait on God?
COMMUNION WITH GOD’S SON
John 10:27-28 - My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: [28] And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Psalm 23 - The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. [2] He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. [3] He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. [4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. [5] Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. [6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
- Review the Psalm.
- How are the shepherd and the sheep in communication with each other?
- How responsible is the shepherd for the sheep?
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