"The Seekers and the Savior": A Sermon Outline for Sunday, February 27, 2011

“The Seekers and the Savior”

John 6:22-34

Proposition:  First century seekers had the same issues as those who are seeking God in our day.

Transition:  In our text we see how our great loving Savior answers the 4 issues  facing all of God’s seekers.

I.  Their Search is Misdirected. (vv. 22-26)

      A.  They are Determined. (22-25)

 B.  They are Deceived. (26)

II.  Their Work is Misguided. (vv. 27-29) 

          A.  They Labor for Earthly Satisfaction (27)

          B.  They Labor for Heavenly Reward (28)

          C.  Their True Labor is to Believe (29)

III.  Their Faith is Misplaced. (vv. 30-34)

A.  They Do Not Believe Christ (30)

B.  They Did Not Understand Scripture (31-33)

IV.  Their Response is Mistaken. (v. 34)

A.  They Desire Heavenly Manna instead of the Man from Heaven (34)

B.  They Turn from the Only Savior (41, 42, 66)

A Note from the Pastor to Our Members Not Attending

The following is a note I placed in our "Monday's Briefs" dated today.  It is directed at those who are members of our church yet have chosen not to attend our worship services on a persistent basis (other than for health reasons).

The visible church (the local church) is to be an earthly model of the true, invisible church of God (referred to as the universal church).  True believers only and ALL true believers are members of that one universal church.  Obviously, true believers only and ALL living true believers are to be members of a local church.  I will not take the time or space here to support my statements with Scripture but Scripture does support them.

Therefore, I want to share with some of you who read this newsletter, are members of Bethesda Baptist Church, yet regularly do not attend our Sunday morning worship service.  How can that be, my brother or sister?  How can the true follower of Christ refuse to meet with their fellow members and worship together (apart from health issues)?  You certainly will not skip worship services in the universal church!  To be honest and frank with you, your absence causes me to question your relationship with Christ.  I know that may sound harsh but I challenge you to ask yourself:  Does Christ support me in avoiding worshiping with the church in which I am a member?  No, He does not.  So I exhort and encourage you to repent of your lack of commitment and return to our fellowship to worship and serve with us.

As the pastor of this church, I am VERY concerned with your souls.  I will be contacting you in the coming weeks to determine why you, as a church member, refuse to worship with fellow believers and see if I might be able to help in some way.

"The Sea": A Sermon Outline for Sunday, February 20, 2011

“The Sea”

John 6:16-21

Proposition:  When the problems of life come down upon us, let us be certain we have our hope fixed in Jesus Christ.

Transition:  In the episode before us, I will make 2 observations concerning life's problems and our Lord's provision.

I.  First, Let Us Observe the Problems of Our Lives.

    A.  Problems Come Upon the Just and the Unjust.

            B.  Problems Come in Various Degrees

            C.  Problems Come Following Spiritual Success

            D.  Problems Come Upon Us as Painful

            E.  Problems Come and Frighten Us

            F.  Problems Cause Us to Lose Sight of Christ

II.  Lastly, Let Us Observe the Provision of Our Lord

            A.  Our Lord Prays for Us

            B.  Our Lord Watches Over Us

            C.  Our Lord is Patient with Us

            D.  Our Lord Comes to Us

            E.  Our Lord Encourages Us

            F.  Our Lord Glorifies Himself in Our Trials

            G.  Our Lord Assists Us

"The 5000": A Sermon Outline for Sunday, February 13, 2011

“The 5000”

John 6:1-15

Proposition:  The Greatness of Christ is evident in the signs he performs.

Transition:  Christ’s greatness is seen in this 4^th sign which we examine in 3 stages.

I.  See the Greatness of Christ in This Situation (vv. 1-10)

            A.  The Crowd Reveals Christ’s Greatness (vv. 1-2)

            B.  The Boy Reveals Christ’s Greatness (vv. 8-9)

            C.  The Food Reveals Christ’s Greatness (v. 9)

            D.  The Disciples Reveal Christ’s Greatness (vv. 5-9)

            E.  The Lord Reveals His Own Greatness (vv. 5-6)

II.  See the Greatness of Christ in This Sign (v. 11)

            A.  He Takes What is Offered

            B.  He Thanks God for What is Offered

            C.  He Shared What is Offered

            D.  He Multiplied What is Offered

III.  See the Greatness of Christ in the Results (vv. 12-15)

            A.  He Sustains the Lives of the Multitude

            B.  He Satisfies the Lives of the Multitudes

            C.  He Simply Refuses False Honor (vv. 14-15)

"Do Not": A Sermon Outline for Sunday, February 6, 2011

“Do Not”

John 5:39-47

Proposition:  Jesus explains to the Jews the problems with their spiritual life and these problems continue to exist in the lives of many today.

Transition:  As we look at 5 spiritual problems of the religious Jews, let us be certain such problems are not part of our spiritual life.

I.  The Jews DO NOT have God’s Love (v. 42)

            A.  They DO have a love of God

            B.  God’s love is NOT in their heart

            C.  They can NOT fool Christ

II.  The Jews DO NOT receive the Father’s Representative (v. 43)

            A.  The Jews were looking for a Savior

            B.  The Jews were following “Saviors”

            C.  The Jews rejected the Father’s Son

III.  The Jews DO NOT seek God’s Glory (v. 44)

            A.  They seek their own glory

            B.  They seek glory for others

            C.  They should seek glory from God

IV.  The Jews DO NOT believe the Scriptures (vv. 45-47)

            A.  They loved Moses

            B.  They did not believe Moses

V.  The Jews DO NOT want to come to Christ (v. 40)

            A.  All apart from Christ do NOT have life

            B.  Life is found only in Christ

            C.  By nature, man will not come

"Call Your Next Witness": A Sermon Outline for Sunday, January 30, 2011

“Call Your Next Witness”

John 5:30-40

Proposition:  Jesus has made some mighty claims but who is HE to make them?

Transition:  Jesus shares with us 4 such witnesses in our text this morning.

I.  Remember the Testimony of John the Baptist (vv. 33-35)

            A.  His Witness was Authoritative (vv. 33a, 35b)

            B.  His Witness was the Truth (v. 33b)

            C.  His Witness was a Lamp (v. 35a)

            D.  His Witness Serves My Purpose (v. 34)

II.  Review the Testimony of My Works (v. 36)

            A.  My Works are a Greater Testimony

            B.  My Works are Given by the Father

            C.  My Works Confirm My Divine Mission

III.  Receive the Testimony of God the Father (vv. 37-38)

            A.  His Testimony has been Given

            B.  His Testimony stands forever

            C.  His Testimony you have not received.

IV.  Research the Testimony of the Scriptures (vv. 39-40)

            A.  The Scriptures DO Contain Eternal Life

            B.  The Scriptures DO Contain Eternal Life for They Testify of Christ