SERMON SEEDS
S17 – THE WEEK OF APRIL 27, 2020
A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR JACK:
Dear Friends:
In light of our current world conditions, and many of us not able to have church, I am carefully selecting my Sermon Seeds outlines. Those of you who preach and teach will hopefully find something you can build upon. Those of you who read these for your personal edification and encouragement, will hopefully find just what you are looking for! Be sure to open your Bible and read the passages I suggest. Please feel free to forward these outlines to anyone you feel they will help. Remember the it is the Lord Jesus who works in us, and any benefit you receive is only because of Him! If you would like these “seeds” to be delivered to your mailbox weekly, just send me an email (pastorjackpeters@gmail.com) from the address you want to receive them and put the word subscribe in the subject line.
Thanks so much,
Your Brother in Christ,
Jack
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1 PETER 3:8-12 – A WONDERFUL LIFE
HOLY LIVING IN A HOSTILE WORLD # 13
Many of you have seen the Frank Capra Movie; It's A Wonderful Life, starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. It is the story of a fictitious hero, George Bailey, who lived the fictitious town of Bedford Falls. All did not always go well for Bailey. He wanted to go to college and didn't. He wanted to travel and didn't. He didn't want to work at the Building and Loan that his father and uncle started and did. He was constantly struggling to keep the Bailey Building and Loan afloat and this caused him much aggravation. His biggest problem turned out to be missing money that could have landed him in jail. The point of the movie was that in spite of all his problems and disappointments, George Bailey was a special person. He saved the life of his brother when they were boys. He married a wonderful girl and had wonderful kids. He helped countless numbers of people by supplying affordable housing, and he was constantly doing good deeds. As an "angel" by the name Clarence showed him, George Bailey had a wonderful life.
Now, It's A Wonderful life was pure fiction, especially the part about the angel named "Clarence." But it is no fiction that countless thousands of Christians have had wonderful lives despite their struggles and hardships. Many are living wonderful lives right now despite this pandemic.
You might ask the question, "How can I be sure of having a wonderful life?" As we study 1 Peter 3:8-12 we will learn how to be sure of having a wonderful life despite frustrations, hardships and trials.
To begin with, I need to remind you that having a wonderful life begins at the cross of Calvary were Jesus paid for you sins. Your wonderful life begins with a faith commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. You can't have a wonderful life without knowing you have eternal life. That's step #1!
For those of us who know Christ 1 Peter 3:8-12 shows us how to have this wonderful life. I have summed up what Peter is saying in three words.
CONDUCT - Vss. 8-9
- BE OF ONE MIND
Philippians 2:1-4
- HAVING COMPASSION FOR ONE ANOTHER
Romans 12:15, James 2:14-16
- LOVE AS BROTHERS
- TENDERHEARTED
- BE COURTEOUS - Matt 23:11-12
- NOT RETURNING EVIL FOR EVIL OR REVILING FOR REVILING – Matthew 7:12
- BUT ON THE CONTRARY, BLESSING – Luke 6:28, Romans 12:14
- knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing – 1 Corinthians 4:5
CONFIRMATION - Vss. 10-11
As a pastor or Bible Teacher confirms one passage Scripture with another, so did Peter.
Remember, “the best commentary on Scripture is Scripture.”
Psalm 34:10-11, James 3:6-10, Psalm 141:3
CONSOLATION - Vs. 12
Psalm 34:12, Psalm 121:1-4
And notice this His ears are open to their prayers, God is there to hear and answer the prayers of the righteous. Romans 5:6-9, 1
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2 KINGS 7 – OUR DEPENDABLE GOD
Samaria was under siege. It was surrounded by the Syrian armies. In the midst of this terrible problem God showed Himself to be dependable.
GOD’S PROMISES ARE PHENOMENAL – Vs. 1
Elisha promised that in a time of famine and high prices that food would be cheap the next day.
Quite a promise when the city is surrounded. God’s promise was phenomenal.
As you read the Bible, you may find many of God’s promises to be phenomenal as well.
MAN’S SKEPTICISM IS PREDICTABLE – Vs. 2
Some people are always skeptical of God’s promises. One of the king’s servants was. Elisha promised that the man would see it, but not partake of it.
Our unbelief of God’s promises hinders his work. Hebrews 3:18-19, 11:6
GOD’S DELIVERANCE IS POWERFUL – Vss. 3-8
God caused the Syrian army to hear noises and panic.
Everyone left. Lepers discovered the spoils.
God will deliver you when you need it.
His deliverance is powerful.
GOD’S PROVISION IS PLENTIFUL – Vss. 9-15
The lepers reported the availability of food and treasure. The citizens of the city would have more than enough.
When God provides for you, you will have more than enough! Philippians 4:9
GOD’S WORD IS PLAUSIBLE – Vss. 16-20
No matter how unrealistic God’s promises may seem, they are always plausible, because God promises to keep His promises.
The prophecies found in verses 1-2 were both fulfilled.
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PSALM 116 – PERSONAL TESTIMONY
You might want to begin your study or sermon (If you are an informal setting.) with the following questions:
What is a personal testimony?
On what occasions are personal testimonies given? (Church, witnessing, encouraging other believers).
Have you ever been helped by another believer's testimony? Can you think of a particular instance?
Are personal testimonies Biblical? (Psalm 107:2, Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Peter 3:15)
Thinking of personal testimonies, I want us to go to Psalm 116 and look at the personal testimony of a psalmist whose identity is hidden. We do know that this man faced great peril and was delivered by the Lord. This is a very personal Psalm, with the writer making reference to himself 37 times in 19 verses. Only in 3 verses, 5, 15, and 19 there is not at least one personal pronoun used.
The exciting thing is that we can relate to this man's testimony. As we study this passage we find that what was true of this man should be true for us as well. Because the Psalmist used the personal pronoun, let's you and I use the personal pronoun as well. In this passage let's consider:
MY DEVOTION - Vss. 1-2
Many Psalms begin with praise. This Psalm alludes to praise, but is actually a statement of the Psalmists devotion. - I LOVE THE LORD!
If someone were to ask us, "Do you love the Lord?" our natural inclination is to say "yes". In this statement of devotion it is something that the Psalmist should have thought about before making the statement. I imagine that he did.
You and I should think about this statement, " I LOVE THE LORD!"
It's very easy to say I love the Lord and a lot more difficult to actually practice that love! Matthew 22:37-39
Next the Psalmist the Psalmist says, I love the Lord BECAUSE...
I think we can sum our Love up with 1 John 4:19, "We love him, because he first loved us."
The Psalmist's expression of love is because the Lord heard and answered his prayer. Read Vss. 1-2
The Psalmist was in grave trouble and the Lord came down and heard so to speak. How many times has God done the same for us? When we've been in great need and cried out, He has been there for us!
Notice something else here. The Psalmist says, "Because the Lord heard me this time, I will continue to pray."
That should be our attitude as well. Because the Lord has answered our prayers, we should continue to pray. He has shown Himself to be my God. I should treat Him as such and continue to call on Him.
MY DILEMMA - Vs. 3
A couple of thoughts here:
1. Before being saved we faced the prospects of a Spiritual death and eternal separation from God. This was a problem that no man could possibly solve for himself. Ephesians 2:1- And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2. We have all faced problems as Christians that were so great and so severe that although we may not have been literally close to death we may have felt like we were.
MY DEPENDENCE - Vs. 4
My dilemma concerning sin and death and eternal punishment was resolved when I called upon the Lord in faith, trusting Him as Savior. I became dependent on Christ for eternal life.
My dilemma concerning my daily problems, large and small is solved through dependence on God in prayer. We say we believe the Bible, let's live like we do! (Philippians 4:6-7, Proverbs 3:5-6)
MY DELIVERANCE - Vss. 5-8
Vs. 5 - Here is a great verse! Why does God deliver?
He's gracious. Salvation is all of grace. God's answers our prayers for deliverance in his grace.
God is also righteous. God will do what is right for those who trust His Son for salvation. He will save them. God will do what is right concerning his promises. He's promised to keep us, and He will. He's promised to answer our prayers and He will! Whatever God says He will do He will do!
God is also merciful, or compassionate. He has compassion on those who trust Him!
Vs. 6 - Remember, this is a personal testimony.
Here is a humble man here. He refers to himself as "simple", or "simple-hearted." The person with child-like faith is the person who is in good standing with God. Mark 10:15
Vs. 7 - The Psalmist is giving himself a little pep talk?
How would you paraphrase this verse into Modern English?
"Relax! God has more than taken care of the problem." Or "Chill out! God has handled it!"
Verse 8 - First think of this verse as pertains to salvation.
My soul has been delivered from eternal death.
I am going to a land where my God will wipe away all tears. (Tears are temporary.)
God will keep my feet from falling. He will get me securely to Heaven!
Now think of this verse concerning your problems.
The Psalmist may have faced a life and death situation, but didn't die. There are times when we could have suffered terrible injury or death, but God has protected us. We won't die until God is ready for us in Heaven. That doesn't mean we shouldn't take care of ourselves, by the way.
MY DECISION - Vss. 9-14
The Psalmist makes several statements here that show that he has decided to walk in such a way that he will please God!
MY DELIGHT - Vss. 15-19
Vs. 15 - What a great promise here we have here.
What a great verse this is. It is a verse to delight in.
Vs. 16 - What a delight and a privilege to say "Lord, I'm your servant!" There is no greater privilege that to be a Servant of God.
Vss. 17-18 - The Psalmist repeats himself, and for him as God's servant, it was a delight for Him,
To give thanks
To pray
To keep his promises
And to do it publicly so everyone knew where he stood.
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MARK 3:3-19 – LIKE THE TWELVE
Life of Christ #19
Now I have a question for you. How much are you like the twelve?
Now I don’t mean, are you impetuous like Peter, or fiery like James and John, or a soul-winner like Andrew.
But there were characteristics true of the twelve who Jesus called Apostles. The exception, of course, was Judas, but he was replaced with a faithful man named Matthias. These same characteristics should be true of you and of me.
THEY WERE CHOSEN
Luke 6:12-13 - And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. [13] And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
While on earth, Jesus as a man limited his own abilities as God. He did not exercise all of His qualities all the time as God. Instead he acted as the perfect man who was in total submission to His Heavenly Father.
I believe that Jesus spent the whole night in prayer because He was going to chose twelve men who would impact the world. He needed to make the right choice, and therefore prayed it through.
When we have important choices to make, we should spend protracted times in prayer.
Every one of these twelve men was chosen of God, even Judas.
For Scripture to be fulfilled there needed to be a Judas.
Every true Christian is chosen.
Before I explain that statement, let me explain what a true Christian is.
A true Christian is one who understands that he or she is a sinner not worthy or Heaven but worthy of punishment. Romans 3:10-12, 23, Ezekiel 18:4
A true Christian is one who realizes that somebody had to bear our punishment for sin in order for us to have forgiveness and eternal life in Heaven.
That someone is Jesus, the sinless Son of God. He “took the rap” for us. He died in our place.
Colossians 2:13-14
A true Christian, at a specific moment in time, has put their trust in Christ alone for salvation in Christ.
Ephesians 2:8-9
A true Christian has had his life changed by Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Are you a true Christian because your faith is in Christ alone? Every true Christian is chosen.
Ephesians 1:3-4
Imagine yourself walking on the road of life. Over to the side you see a gate saying, “Whosoever will may come.” You come through the gate placing your faith in Christ.
On the other side of the gate, you see something else written, “Chosen in Him before the foundation of the world.”
The twelve were chosen, for the 11 that were truly Christ’s, they were chosen in him before the foundation of the world, and so were you if you have trusted Christ as Savior.
The twelve were also chosen to a life of good works. The Lord Jesus had a plan for their lives that involved doing good for the honor and glory of God.
He has that same plan for you. Ephesians 2:10
Jesus plan for the twelve was the doing of good works.
In their case the good works included healing the sick and casting out demons.
I believe that Jesus’ plan for us includes some of the following as good works:
- Helping those with financial needs - James 2:15-16
- Doing good works also involves Visiting in hospitals and prisons. Matthew 25:34-40
- Doing good works involves encouraging others.
Hebrews 10:24-25Doing good works involves helping others. Titus 2:13-14
Another thing that I want you to note about being chosen is that God had chosen The Twelve to a specific job, that of Apostle.
God has a specific job for each of us.
He has chosen you to do certain things at certain times in your life.
THEY WERE CALLED
Vs. 14 – All the disciples were called together by Jesus and He appointed or ordained twelve. The ones who were chosen were called and appointed. Jesus had chosen The Twelve He revealed it to them.
We are called as well. Whatever God has chosen you to do; He will call you to do it. He will let you know what it is.
Some calls from God are obvious.
You are called to be a loving husband or an obedient wife.
You are called to be a responsible parent or a dutiful child.
You are called to be an honest employer or a reliable employee.
You are called to love your neighbor as yourself.
Some calls are less obvious, but God will lead you to them.
He will guide you from within by the Holy Spirit.
He will guide you from above with the reading and preaching of the Word.
He will guide you from without with the encouragement and suggestions of others.
Sometimes, when God calls you do to something, you will wonder how you will ever accomplish this. But if God calls you, he will enable you.
THEY WERE COMPANIONS
Vs. 14 – I doubt that the Apostles fully appreciated this, but they were to learn from Jesus being with Jesus.
They were to be His companions.
- They walked with the Son of God.
- They talked with the Son of God.
- They were taught by the Son of God.
- They witnessed the Son of God at work.
- They were protégés to the Son of God
THEY WERE COMMANDED
Vs. 14 – Jesus was going to send them forth to preach. He would command them.
Jesus’ position before The Twelve was Lord and Master.
Jesus’ position before you and I is Lord and Master. John 13:13
Jesus had authority over the Apostles and expected them to obey.
Jesus has authority over you and me if we have claimed Jesus as Savior.
If you have claimed Him to be Savior, He is to be your Lord.
Obeying the Lord Jesus is more important than obeying anyone else. John 14:15, Luke 6:46
THEY WERE COMMISSIONED
When Jesus rose from the dead he gave the twelve the ultimate commission: Matthew 28:19-20
This commission was not only for the Twelve but it is for the Church.
- The Twelve have started the work, but you and I must continue.
- Who in your family needs to hear the Gospel?
- Who in your neighborhood needs to hear the Gospel?
- Who on your job needs to hear the Gospel?
- Who in your state and in this country needs to hear the Gospel?
- Who in the world needs to hear the Gospel?
Jesus commissioned us to go to someone with the Gospel.
Who has He commissioned you to go to?
If you are a true Christian, you are like the twelve:
YOU ARE CHOSEN
YOU ARE CALLED
YOU ARE COMPANIONS
YOU ARE COMMANDED
YOU ARE COMMISSIONED
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JOHN 5:39-40 – THIS SAYS IT ALL!
THE SEARCH – Vs. 39a - Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life:
THE SAVIOR – Vs. 39b - …and they are they which testify of me.
THE SORROW – Vs. 40 - And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
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PHELEMON 1:1-7 – TALKING TO A FRIEND
Paul was talking to his old friend, Philemon (Vss. 1-2). The things he said to Philemon should be things that we are able to honestly say to our Christian friends.
GOOD WISHES - Vs. 3
Grace
Peace
GOOD WORDS - Vss. 4-6
Thanking God for our friends in prayer - Vs. 4
Being encouraged by our friend's love and faith - Vs. 5
Asking God for Spiritual development in the lives of our friends - Vs. 6
GOOD WORKS - Vs. 7
We should rejoice in the good works of our friends, and encourage them to do more!
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PHILEMON 1:8-21 – TALKING TO A FRIEND FOR A FRIEND
Onesimus was a runaway slave belonging to a friend of Paul's named Philemon. Evidently their paths crossed in a Roman jail. He was gloriously saved, but needed to make things right with his master. Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon, but intervened in Onesimus' behalf.
THE PRINCIPLE - Vss. 8-9 - FOR LOVE'S SAKE
Paul could have ordered Philemon to do what was right, but instead made a request based on love.
THE PERSON- Vss. 10-12 - ONESIMUS
His name means "profitable", but he was unprofitable.
He became Paul's son in the faith. Paul led him to Christ.
He was now profitable.
He was now to be received back by Philemon
THE PREFERENCE - Vss. 13-14 - TO KEEP ONESIMUS
Paul would have like to have kept Onesimus with him.
However he would do nothing like that without Philemon's approval.
THE POSSIBILITY - Vss. 15-16 - A PERMANENT SERVANT AND BROTHER
THE PETITION - Vs. 17 - RECEIVE ONESIMUS AS HE WOULD PAUL
THE PRICE - Vss. 18-21 - PAUL WOULD PAY WHATEVER WAS OWED BY ONESIMUS
However Paul reminded Philemon how much Philemon owed Paul.
PRESCRIPTION FOR DAILY LIVING
DAILY PRIORITY
Romans 12:1-2 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Luke 9:23-24 - And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. [24] For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
DAILY POWER
Ephesians 3:16 - That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Ephesians 5:18 - And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Galatians 5:16 - This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
DAILY PRECEPTS
Psalm 119:97 - O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
Jeremiah 15:16 - Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.
DAILY PURITY
1 Peter 1:15-16 - But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Matthew 5:8 - Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
DAILY PRAISE
1 Thessalonians 5:16 - Rejoice evermore.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 - In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
DAILY PRAYER
Colossians 4:2 - Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray without ceasing.
Ephesians 6:18 - Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
DAILY PROCLAMATION
Matthew 28:19-20 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:2 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
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