First Baptist Church of New Holland PA

SERMON SEEDS

BIBLE OUTLINES FOR PASTORS, TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

T48 – FOR WEEK OF 12/6/21

First Baptist Church of New Holland PA - SERMON SEEDS (fbcnhremembers.com)

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MATTHEW 6:19-24 – FAMILY INVESTMENTS

TALKING CHURCH AS A FAMILY #6

Over the years, family members have invested in our family

(Give your own examples.)

And over the years my wife and I have invested in our family, providing for them as they grew up, helping whenever we could to meet emergency needs, and investing in the grandkids as well.

Let’s face it, every person who receives money has money to invest. It is important that those of us in families invest our money wisely. I have seen conscientious family members invest wisely in their families. I have also seen unwise investments in families, and many parents who should have been responsible to invest in their families, invest little, or not at all!

Over the last several weeks we have been showing you that the Church is a Family made up of every individual who has trusted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Our Lord has given us the responsibilities of being baptized, growing in grace, and bringing others to faith in Christ.

Each member of what we call the universal church should be a member of a local church where there is mutual love, trust, accountability, fellowship, Biblical instruction, and evangelism.

Like any other family, this family is dependent on the investments of family members to exist and to fulfill the Great Commission. If you consider this to be your church, we need your investments. As we will see Jesus taught on investing. If He taught it, we should do it.

Another reason we should invest is because of gratitude. And all the Lord has done for us, should we not be willing to invest in His work!

If you are visiting this morning, we do not expect you to be investing this local church family, but in the one of which you are a part. If you are a born-again Christian, you should belong to specific branch of God’s Family, a local church.

Let’s look at five things concerning investments taught by our Lord Jesus.

Two Important Reminders:

1. No person has ever bought his way into Heaven. John 14:6
2. God has created things for our enjoyment. Genesis 1:31, 1 Timothy 4:4

THERE ARE CORRUPTIBLE INVESTMENTS – Vs. 19

If our treasure is laid up in things alone, all we have at the end of our lives disappear. Corruptible riches mean nothing for eternity.

THERE ARE CERTAIN INVESTMENTS – Vs. 20

1 Corinthians 4:2, Ephesians 2:10, Proverbs 19:17,

1 John 3:16-17, 2 Corinthians 2:9:6-8, Mark 12:43-44

THERE IS A CHALLENGING TRUTH – Vs. 21

The real you is found in how you spend your money.

1 Timothy 6:9-10

THERE IS A CRUCIAL ILLUSTRATION – Vss. 22-23

CONVICTING FACT – Vs. 24

You can’t serve two masters.

You will either love money or you will love God.

 

 

TO LISTEN TO THIS MESSAGE CLICK HERE

SORRY, BUT THIS IS POOR-QUALITY RECORDING.

First Baptist Church of New Holland PA - Sermons (fbcnhremembers.com)

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PRAYING FOR KNOWLEDGE THAT TRANSFORMS

FAMILY PRAYERS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH #5

EPHESIANS 1:15-23

 

• What kind of physical or secular knowledge has transformed your life (For example: learning to read)?
• Why is knowledge important to effective Christian living?
• What’s the difference between head knowledge and experiential knowledge?

As we continue our series, we examine one of Paul’s prayers for the Ephesians.  It was a prayer for experiential knowledge that would transform the Spiritual lives of believers. It is a prayer we can pray today for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

• Vss. 15-16 - Paul begins with a word of thanksgiving for the Ephesians. Why is it important that we be thankful for other believers when we pray?
• In verses 3-14 Paul itemized the riches that believers have in Christ that are found in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
• The Ephesians’ faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and their love for the saints showed them to be “the real thing”.
• Because of their genuine faith, Paul continued to give thanks for and pray for the Ephesians. Paul is a good example for us.
• We should pray that our brothers and sisters in Christ would:

KNOW HIM, THE PERSON OF GOD   Vs. 17

• Vs. 17 - “Spirit” here is either referring to the Holy Spirit or an attitude. Either way you take the word, the Holy Spirit is responsible for working inside of us!  Isaiah 11:2
• Notice what the Spirit of God is called here - the spirit of wisdom and revelation. Isaiah 11:2
• In the knowledge of who? - The God of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Father of glory.
• And this knowledge is to be a full, true, intimate, complete, accurate knowledge of God!  This knowledge is progressive in nature.  Philippians 3:10

KNOW HIS HOPE - THE PROMISES OF GOD   Vs. 18

• This phrase, the "eyes of your understanding”, means the "eyes of your heart". The heart is the inner man, the emotions, the will, the real me. The eyes of the heart must be enlightened.
• Do you know someone who is struggling spiritually right now?                                                    Pray that God will open the eyes of his heart to the things of God.
• As Vs. 18 tells us, as the eyes of their hearts are opened, folks will know the hope of his calling. Hope here involves certainty.
• The ultimate hope of His calling is to be like Christ.  Philippians 3:20-21
• In one sense, He inherits us, and that will be rich because He will pour out blessings for us through all eternity.  Revelation 21:1-4
• In another sense, we inherit Him and rule and reign with Him forever. Revelation 3:21, 22:5

 

THAT THEY WOULD KNOW HIS HELP - THE POWER OF GOD  Vss. 19-23

 

• Vss. 19-20 - God wants us to realize just how much power is available to work in our lives if we'll let Him.
• Why is it so important that we know the power that is there to work inside of us?
• Vs. 21 - See how powerful a position Christ has! Why is this significant?
• Vs. 22 - "All things under His feet."                                                                                                     There is nothing that isn't under His control.

     There is nothing superior to Him.

     Even when He allows us to face trials and difficulties, there is nothing that He can't get us

     through victoriously.  Philippians 4:12-13

• If all things are under Christ’s feet, what does that say about our relationship with Him?
• He is the head over all things to the church. What does that say about decisions made in the church?
• Vs. 23 - The church is His body. The church is His fullness. Based on this verse, what should the church be like?

 

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WELL-ADJUSTED LIGHTS IN A DARK WORLD – PHILIPPIANS 2:12-30

FAMILY TALKS IN PHILIPPIANS #4 of 7

• When you sing the children’s song, “This Little Light of Mine”, what do you think about?
• In Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world and that we should let our light shine. What happens when Christians let their lights shine?
• In Philippians 2:15 Paul is telling the Philippians and us that we need to be well-adjusted “in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation”.

After talking about a well-adjusted commitment that features the example of Jesus in Philippians 2:1-11, Paul gives pointers on being well-adjusted as lights in this dark world. 

ENLISTED TO SHINE – Philippians 2:12, 14-15

• Vs. 12 – Notice that the Philippians had a history of obedience.
• What does the term “work out” imply?
• “Fear and trembling” mean exactly that. Fear here does mean to be afraid.
• Vs. 14 – Grousing and quarreling have put out the light in many a Christian and church.
• Vs. 15 – Notice the qualities we are striving for as we work out our salvation.

ENPOWERED TO SHINE – Philippians 2:13

• We can only work out what we have within.
• In Christ we have all we need to live as light in the world. Consider Galatians 2:20,   Romans 8:1-4, and Philippians 4:13.

ENCOURAGED TO SHINE – Philippians 2:16-30

1. By the Example of Paul – Vss. 16-18

• Vs. 16 – Paul wanted the Philippians to hold fast so he could rejoice in the “Day of Christ” that his labors were not in vain. Paul was not giving up on them. They should not give up on themselves.
• Vs. 17 – A burnt offering was often accompanied by a drink offering that was poured on the altar or in front of it. As the Philippians lived a sacrificial life of service, Paul poured out his life as a sacrifice, adding to theirs. On Paul’s part, this is a statement of humility.
• Vs. 18 – Paul considered suffering for Christ a joy and privilege. Do we?

2. By the Example of Timothy – Vss. 19-24

• Vss. 19-21 – Paul could not go himself, but was sending someone who had the same attitude and care for their Spiritual well-being.
• Vss. 22-24 – Because of Timothy’s proven character as an obedient protégé, Paul was sending his best if he could not come himself.

3. By the Example of Epaphroditus – Vss. 25-30

• Vs. 25 – Epaphroditus was the one who was sent to minister to the needs of Paul. What qualities mentioned here are a good example?
• Vss. 26-27 – Epaphroditus was concerned that the Philippians would not fret over him.
• Vs. 28 – Notice Paul’s unselfishness.
• Vss. 29 – In what ways should we honor faithful servants of Christ?

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Matthew 1:18-25 – JOSEPH’S DILEMMA

It's happened before! It will happen again! An engaged young lady is found to be pregnant by someone other than her intended husband. In this case the young lady is Mary, who was pregnant because of the work of the Spirit of God. You can imagine how hurt Joseph, who appears to be a godly man, must have felt.

JOSEPH'S CONFUSION - Vss. 18-19

Joseph did not realize that God the Holy Spirit was responsible for the pregnancy.

He was considering his options, the key one being that of divorce. In those days engaged people were considered "married" even before they did not yet live together. In the case of adultery there were the possibilities of stoning or a quiet divorce. Joseph, "being a just man" was considering the kinder of his options.

JOSEPH'S COMFORT - Vss. 20-23

Joseph was told not to fear taking Mary as his wife.  The angel that appeared to Joseph explained that the pregnancy was the result of the work of God's Holy Spirit. The child's name was given as "Jesus" because He would the Savior of His people. (Vss. 20-21)

Verses 22-23 tell us that all of these things happened in fulfillment of prophecy.  (Isaiah 7:14)

JOSEPH'S COMPLIANCE - Vss. 24-25

Joseph had the faith to believe the Angel's message.

Joseph acted immediately to do as he was told.

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LUKE 1:5-30 – THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Imagine taking a friend to you favorite restaurant. The waiter brings out the appetizer, and your friend says, "This fruit cup is great!" And you answer, "You haven't seen nothing yet. The best is yet to come!"

Next, out comes the soup, and your friend says, "Why this is the best soup I've ever eaten!"  You answer you friend, "Just wait. The best is still yet to come." 

The same thing happens for the salad and the main course.  In each case you assure the friend that "The best is yet to come!"  And sure enough, when the dessert comes, it turns out to be better than all the good things the man had already tasted at this terrific restaurant. The best was yet to come.

Now imagine a fan of music that has never heard the Messiah. He hears the first few choruses and raves to you how great the music is. You would assure him to "Just wait. The best is yet to come." The best does come at the end with the Hallelujah Chorus.

On a lighter note there's an old story about a preacher who was stealing his messages from a book by Charles Haddon Spurgeon (a great preacher of the past).  Unknown to him one of the church deacons had the same book. After listening to the man preaching Spurgeon's sermons without giving him any credit, the deacon took action.  On one Sunday morning the deacon shook hands with the pastor at the end of the service and said "Great message pastor!" And then the deacon leaned over and whispered, "Wait until you see next week's sermon. It's even better!" The best was yet to come. (I am unaware of the source of this story, but it is not original.)

In keeping with the season, our message is found in Luke 1.  Here we find the announcements of the births of two men. The first announcement was the announcement of the birth of a great man by the name of John The Baptist.  Although John was great, the second birth announcement in this chapter was about the birth of a greater man, The Lord Jesus Christ. Although John was great, THE BEST WAS YET TO COME!

THE ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING JOHN

Background Material - Vss. 5-10

A Great Birth - Vss. 11-13

Although Elizabeth had been barren, she would conceive. The child born to Zacharias and Elizabeth would be named "John"

A Great Life - Vs. 14

John would be great in the sight of the Lord!

He was the equivalent of an Old Testament Nazarite, who drank no alcohol. (Numbers 6:1-8)

He was filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb. (Luke 1:41)

A Great Ministry - Vss. 16-17

He would turn many to the Lord. (Vs. 16)

He was the messenger promised in Malachi 3:1. (Vs. 17)

THE ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING JESUS

In verses 26-31, Gabriel made a great announcement to Mary.

Mary was puzzled how these things could be. Vs. 34

A Greater Birth - Vs. 35

The birth of the Lord Jesus was the work of the Holy Spirit of god within the body of Mary.

This virgin birth was a greater miracle than the birth of John.

A Greater Life - Vs. 32

Jesus would be called "The Son of the Highest" He was God in the flesh. See John 1:14

A Greater Ministry - Vss. 31-33

According to Vs. 31, the child's name would be JESUS. This word means "Jehovah-salvation".

He accomplished His greatest ministry on the cross when He died for your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:21

He would reign as Israel's Messiah according to Vss. 32-33 (This prophecy will be fulfilled in the future! Psalm 89:3-4)

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LUKE 1, MATTHEW 1 – GREETED BY ANGELS

Angels played an important part in the events occurring before the death of Christ.

They delivered specific messages.

A MESSAGE OF PROVISION - Luke 1:5-26

Zacharias and Elizabeth were childless.

The Angel appeared to announce that God would provide a child to this godly couple. This was God's provision for their need, and also God's provision of fulfilled prophecy. Malachi 3:1

 

A MESSAGE OF PROMISE - Luke 2:26-38

The Angel appeared to Mary with a great message of promise.

She would be the mother of God's promised Messiah.

 

A MESSAGE OF PEACE - Matthew 1:18-25

Joseph was troubled over the pregnancy of his promised bride.

The Angel explained the situation to Joseph and gave him peace.

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LUKE 2:1-20 – GOD COMPLETES HIS PLAN

The birth of the Lord Jesus was a completion of God's plan that had been promised in the Old Testament (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6, Micah 5:2).

GOD'S PRODUCTION - Vss. 1-5

God had promised that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. God used Caesar Augustus in order to get Joseph and Mary to the right place at the right time. God's timing is always perfect.

GOD'S PRESENT - Vss. 6-7

God's greatest gift to man was born! Isaiah 9:6, John 3:16

GOD'S PROCLAMATION - Vss. 8-14

Like any proud father, God made sure that the right people knew about the birth of His Son!

He used angels to tell the humble shepherds out on the hillside.

GOD'S PRESENTATION - Vss. 15-20

God presented the shepherds with a look at His baby boy. They spread the word!

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LUKE 2:1-35 – WHEN GOD INTERFERED!

We don't think of God interfering with our plans, but He often does.  And when God interferes with our plans, it means that He has a better plan. So it is was in the lives of certain people involved in the Christmas Story.

AN INCONVENIENCE THAT FULFILLED PROPHECY - Vss. 1-7

I'm reasonably sure that Mary and Joseph were expecting the Baby Jesus to be born at home in Nazareth.  Then the inconvenience took place. Because of a governmental proclamation, Joseph had to register for taxation in Bethlehem.  The couple had the inconvenience of birth in a strange, uncomfortable place away for home. But out of that convenience came the fulfillment of prophecy from Micah 5:2.

AN INTERRUPTION THAT WAS A PRIVILEGE - Vss. 8-20

The shepherds were quietly doing their jobs, when they were interrupted with a scary appearance by an angel, and then a heavenly host of angels. They were interrupted, but had the privilege of being the first to see God's Son.

AN INTERLUDE (WAITING PERIOD) THAT BROUGHT PEACE - Vss. 21-35

Simeon was a godly man who was promised that he wouldn't die until he saw the Lord's Christ. Vss. 25-26

He had to wait. The wait was worth it, as we see in verses 29-35.

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MATTHEW 1-2 – THE MEN OF CHRISTMAS

There are several men who are very much a part of the Christmas story in the Gospel of Matthew.  From some of them we learn negative lessons, and from some we learn positive lessons.

JOSEPH - A TRUSTED MAN

Not just any man could be trusted to be the guardian of the Son of God!  Notice 3 qualities that make Joseph a trusted man.

1. He was just. Vss. 18-19

2. He was compassionate. Vs. 19 - Not willing to publicly expose what he thought was Mary's sin, he would privately divorce her.

3. He was obedient. Matthew 1:20-25, 2:13-15, 2:19-23

HEROD - A TREACHEROUS MAN

Herod wanted the wise men to find the Christ Child, and report back to him. He said he wanted to worship Him, but he wanted to kill Him.

Notice his act towards the children of Bethlehem. 2:1-8, 16-18

THE PEOPLE OF JERUSALEM - TROUBLED MEN

When Herod was troubled, the whole city of Jerusalem was troubled too.  Probably this was because when Herod was troubled, he troubled others.  But being troubled would also be an indication of unbelief.

Where was the joy that Israel's Messiah was born? Matthew 2:1-3

When there is unbelief, there is trouble! Hebrews 11:6

THE WISE MEN - THOUGHTFUL MEN

1. Thoughtful to visit. Matthew 2:1-2

2. Thoughtful to worship.  Matthew 2:11

3. Thoughtful to share. Matthew 2:11

4. Thoughtful to obey. Matthew 2:12

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MATTHEW 2:1-12 – WISDOM AT WORK

They were called "wise" men. Indeed these men showed much wisdom!

(Note that the first letter from each of the points spell "STAR".)

They SOUGHT the King! - Vss. 1-2

They TRAVELED from the East - Vss. 1-10

  To Jerusalem - Vss. 1-8

  To Bethlehem - Vss. 9-10

They ADORED their King. - Vs. 11

They RESPONDED with Obedience - Vs. 12

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CHRISTMASTIME

In most countries Christmastime is a special time. There are all sorts of traditions, parties, presents, music, and good cheer.  It is very easy for people to forget the real meaning of Christmas.  We need to remember that:

CHRISTMASTIME IS A TIME OF VISIONS (PROPHECIES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT)

Isaiah 7:14

Isaiah 9:6

Micah 5:2

CHRISTMASTIME IS A TIME OF VISITS.

By Angels - Luke 1:5-20, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:9-14, Matthew 1:18-23, Matthew 2:13

By Shepherds - Luke 2:15-20

By Wise Men - Matthew 2

CHRISTMASTIME IS A TIME OF VICTORY

Victory Over Sin - Luke 2:11

Victory Over Satan - Matthew 2 - Satan through Herod, could not kill the Messiah.

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