"The Angelic Message of Christmas - Part 4: The Promising Proclamation"; A Sermon Outline for Sunday, December 25, 2011

“The Angelic Message of Christmas – Part 4: The Promising Proclamation”

Luke 2:8-15

Proposition:  On that first Christmas evening, the proclamation was given of the fulfillment of God’s promise throughout the Old Testament.  That announcement continues to echo throughout the world today.  This morning we ponder the message of that evening.

Transition:  We briefly examine 5 aspects of the promising proclamation of Christmas.

I.  Consider the Moment the Message Was Given. (v. 8)  

A.  Physically, It Was Night.

B.  Spiritually, It Was Night.

II.  Consider the Messenger Who Delivered the Message. (vv. 9, 13)

A.  The Messenger was an Angel. (9)

B.  The Messenger was an Angel of the Lord. (9)

C.  The Messenger was Joined by Others from Heaven. (13)

III.  Consider the Men to Whom the Message was Given. (vv. 8-10)

A.  It was intended for Shepherds. (vv. 8-9)

B.  It was intended for All People. (v. 10)

IV.  Consider the Message Itself. (vv. 10-12)

A.  See It’s Characteristics. (v. 10)

 1.  It is Good News.

 2.  It is Great Joy.

B.  See It’s Content. (v. 11)

 1.  The Message tells of the Birth of  a Man.

 2.  The Message tells of the Coming of a Savior.

 3.  The Message tells of the Arrival of the Messiah.

 4.  The Message tells of the Presence of the Lord.

V.  Consider the Mark Left by the Message. (vv. 13-15)

A.  See the Mark Left on the Angels. (vv. 13-14)

B.  See the Mark Left on the Shepherds. (v. 15)

"The Angelic Message of Christmas - Part 3: The Promised Purchase" - A Sermon Outline for Sunday, December 18, 2011

“The Angelic Message of Christmas – Part 3: The Promised Purchase”

Matthew 1:18-25

Proposition:  Salvation was and is the focus of the Lord’s ministry.  It is the promise of His purchase of salvation which explains why he came.

Transition:  From the angel’s mesage to Joseph, I share with you this morning 4 thoughts for your consideration on the matter of salvation.

I.  Let Us Think of the Nature of Salvation.  

A.  Salvation Concerns Sin.

B.  Salvation Is Personal.

C.  Salvation Is Total.

II.  Let Us Think on the Object of Salvation.

A.  The Object of Salvation is People.

B.  The Object of Salvation is HIS PEOPLE.

III.  Let Us Think on the Certainty of Salvation.

A.  Salvation is Certain in its Accomplishment.

B.  Salvation is Certain in its Application.

IV.  Let Us Think on the Provider of Salvation.

A.  The Provider of Salvation is Jesus.

 1.  It is the meaning of His name.

 2.  It is why He is human.

 3.  It is why He is sinless.

 4.  It is why He is divine.

B.  The Provider of Salvation is ONLY Jesus.

“The Angelic Message of Christmas – Part 2: The Promised Person”; A Sermon Outline for Sunday, December 11, 2011

“The Angelic Message of Christmas – Part 2: The Promised Person”

Luke 1:26-38

Proposition:  At this time of year we often focus on many things:  family, food, decorations, gifts, and music.  But often we fail to consider, to reflect, and to ponder the most important thing:  God’s promised person.

Transition:  This morning we examine the message of the angel Gabriel to Mary and note 5 promises of God about this promised person.

I.  The Promised Person Would be Human. (v31)  

A.  He Would Be Conceived as a Human.

B.  He Would Be Born as a Human.

C.  He Would Be Named as a Human.

II.  The Promised Person Would be Highly Exalted.  (vv. 32-33)

A.  He Would Be Great.

B.  He Would Be the Son of the Most High.

C.  He Would Be Given the Throne.

D.  He Would Reign Forever.

III.  The Promised Person Would Be Heavenly.  (v. 35)

A.  His Birth is the Result of God the Spirit.

B.  His Birth is the Result of God the Father.

C.  He is the Son of God.

IV.  The Promised Person Would Be Holy.  (v. 35)

A.  He is Holy at His Conception and Birth.

B.  He is Holy Throughout His Life.

V.  The Promised Person Would be Hope.

"The Angelic Message of Christmas - Part 1: The Promised Preparer"; A Sermon Outline for Sunday, December 4, 2011

“The Angelic Message of Christmas – Part 1: The Promised Preparer”

Luke 1:11-17

Proposition:  In John the Baptist, we see the man chosen by God as the man who would prepare the way for the Christ.

Transition:  Today I want us to examine this announcement of the promised preparer and glean from this angelic message 5 truths which are for our benefit.

I.  John is the Answer to His Father’s Cries. (v. 13)  

A.  These are Cries of a Parent for a Son.

B.  These are Cries of a People for a Savior.

II.  John Brings to All Cheer. (v. 14)

A.  His Parents will Experience Joy and Gladness.

B.  His People will Rejoice.

III.  John Has Great Character. (v. 15)

A.  His Greatness is Evidenced by His Life. (v. 15a)

B.  His Greatness is Evidence of the Indwelling Spirit. (v. 15b)

IV.  John Has a Calling. (v. 17a)

V.  John’s Life Has Consequence. (v. 17)

"Those are Fighting Words": A Sermon Outline for Sunday, November 27, 2011

“Those are Fighting Words”

John 10:19-21

Proposition:  When we share the words of Jesus with unbelievers, there will be a response.

Transition:  From our text this morning I make 3 observations on the responses of unbelievers to the words of Jesus.

I.  His Words Will Provoke Division. (v. 19)  

A.  This Division is Two-Fold.

  1.  His Words naturally divide believers and unbelievers.

  2.  His Words also divides unbelievers.

B.  This Division is Persistent.

C.  This Division is the Result of His Words.

II.  His Words Will Bring Rejection. (v. 20)

A.  This Rejection is by the Majority.

B.  This Rejection is Manifested as a Character Attack.

  1.  Some will attack His existence.

  2.  They attack His Spirit.

  3.  They attack His Person.

C.  This Rejection is a Refusal to Listen.

III.  His Words Will Raise Questions. (v. 21)

A.  Some Will Wonder.

B.  Some Words Attract Them.

C.  His Work Impresses Them.

"Thinking on Thanksgiving": A Sermon Outline for Sunday, November 20, 2011

“Thinking on Thanksgiving”

Ezra 3:10-13

Proposition:  On this Sunday before our national Thanksgiving holiday, we direct our attention to the subject of Thanksgiving.

Transition:  From the laying of the foundation of the 2^nd Temple, I want to share with you 3 thoughts on Thanksgiving.

I.  Think About the Object of our Thanksgiving.  (v. 11a)  

II.  Think About the Character of Thanksgiving. (v. 11)

A.  Thanksgiving includes confession.

B.  Thanksgiving includes gratitude.

C.  Thanksgiving includes Praise.

III.  Think About the Reasons for Thanksgiving.  (vv. 10-13)

A.  We Thank God Because of Who He Is. (v. 11)

  1.  Think on Some of His Attributes.

     a.  He is Omnipotent.

     b.  He is Omniscient.

     c.  He is Omnipresent.

     d.  He is Eternal.

  2.  Think on Two Specific Attributes. (v. 11)

     a.  The Goodness of God.

     b.  The Love of God.

B.  We Thank God Because of What He Has Done. (vv. 10-13)

  1.  He has Forgiven Them.

  2.  He has Delivered Them.

  3.  He has Been Faithful to Them.

  4.  He has Blessed Them.

"The Good Shepherd - Part 3": A Sermon Outline for Sunday, November 13, 2011

“The Good Shepherd – Part 3”

John 10:14-18

Proposition:  We persist in the work of missions because Christ’s work demands it.

Transition:  This morning we examine 6 aspects of this work of the Good Shepherd:  missions.

I.  Note the Reason for Missions. (v. 16a)  

A.  They are Sheep of Other Backgrounds.

B.  They are Sheep of Other Locations.

C.  They are Sheep of Other Times.

II.  Note the Foundation for Missions.  (vv. 15, 17)

III.  Note the Hope of Missions.  (v. 16a)

IV.  Note the Necessity for Missions.  (v. 16b)

V.  Note the Approach to Missions.  (v. 16c)

A.  Christ will call to them.

B.  The sheep will obey.

VI.  Note the Results of Missions.  (v. 16d)

"The Good Shepherd - Part 2": A Sermon Outline for Sunday, November 6, 2011

“The Good Shepherd – Part 2”

John 10:11-18

Proposition:  Our Good Shepherd so loves and cares for His sheep that He lays down His life for them.

Transition:  Today we examine 6 characteristics of this act based on our text.

I.  It is a Committed Act. (v. 11)  

II.  It is a Sacrificial Act. (v. 11)

 A.  A Sacrifice was needed because of sin.

 B.  A Sacrifice was needed because of wrath. 

III.  It is a Substitutionary Act. (vv. 11,15)

IV.  It is a Definitive Act. (vv. 11,15)

V.  It is a Voluntary Act. (v. 18)

VI.  It is a Commanded Act. (v. 18)

"The Good Shepherd - Part 1": A Sermon Outline for Sunday, October 30,2011

“The Good Shepherd – Part 1”

John 10:1-18

Proposition:  Jesus is our Good Shepherd.

Transition:  I give to you 2 reasons why Jesus is our Good Shepherd.

I.  He is Our Good Shepherd because of the Calling Involved. (vv. 1-5)  

 A.  It is an Explicit Calling. (3-4)

  1.  The Call is to Sheep.

  2.  The Call is to His Sheep.

  3.  The Call is a Personal Call.

 B.  It is an Effectual Calling. (3-4)

  1.  The Sheep Hear His Voice.

  2.  The Sheep Obey His Voice.

 C.  It is an Everlasting Calling. (4-5)

  1.  The Sheep Follow the Shepherd.

  2.  The Sheep Flee from Strangers.

II.  He is Our Good Shepherd because of the Character Involved.  (v. 11)

 A.  He is a Shepherd.

  1.  He Protects His Sheep.

  2.  He Provides for His Sheep.

  3.  He Prizes His Sheep.

 B.  He is the Good Shepherd.

  1.  He is the Good Shepherd: He is Perfect.

  2. He is the Good Shepherd: He is Blameless.

  3. He is the Good Shepherd: He is Praiseworthy.

  4. He is the Good Shepherd: He is Beautiful.

 C.  He is THE Good Shepherd.

  1.  He is the Supreme Shepherd.

  2.  He is the Sovereign Shepherd. 

"The Door": A Sermon Outline for Sunday, October 23, 2011

“The Door”

John 10:1-10

Proposition:  Jesus is the way into the presence of God.

Transition:  I want to share with you 4 thoughts about this door.

I.  Think About the Nature of the Door. (v. 7)  

 A.  A Door is Simple.

 B.  A Door is Required.

 C.  The Door is Singular.

 D.  The Door has Character.

 E.  The Door is Personal.

II.  Think About the Users of the Door.  (vv. 7,9)

 A.  The Door is for the Sheep. (v. 7)

 B.  The Door is for Anyone. (v. 9)

III.  Think About the Use of the Door. (v. 9)

 A.  Here are some ways NOT to use the Door.

   1.  Admire it.

   2.  Knock on it.

   3.  Proclaim it.

   4.  Guard it.

 B.  Here is how you SHOULD use the Door:  ENTER IT!

   1.  Entering a Door is a Simple Act.

   2.  Entering a Door is a Fast Act.

IV.  Think About the Privileges of the Door.  (v. 9)

 A.  They Will Be Saved.

   1.  Note the Need of this Privilege.

   2.  Note the Certainty of this Privilege.

   3.  Note our Action in this Privilege.

 B.  They Will Have Freedom.

   1.  Their Freedom is to Go into God’s Presence.

   2.  Their Freedom is to Go Out into the World.

 C.  They Will Have Nourishment.

"The Most Important Question You Will Ever Be Asked": A Sermon Outline for Sunday, October 16, 2011

“The Most Important Question You Will Ever Be Asked”

John 9:35-41

Proposition:  The most important question YOU will ever be asked is this:  “Do you believe in the Son of Man”?

Transition:  I call your attention to 4 actions relative to this question.

I.  I Want to make You Aware of the Question.  (vv. 35-37)  

 A.  It Concerns the Son of Man.

 B.  It Concerns Faith.

II.  I Want to Alert You to the Question. (v. 35)

 A.  It is a Simple Question.

 B.  It is a Personal Question.

 C.  It is an Important Question.

 D.  It is a Necessary Question.

 E.  It is a Direct Question.

 F.  It is a Demanding Question.

III.  I Want to Alarm You with the Question. (vv. 39-41)

 A.  The Question Results in Arbitration.

 B.  The Question has Wrong Answers.

   1.  Some Answer Noting Their Position.

   2.  Some Answer Noting Their Performance.

IV.  I Want You to Answer the Question. (v. 38)

 A.  You Must Believe.

 B.  You Must Believe Jesus is Lord.

 C.  Your Faith Must Result in Worship.

"Stand Your Ground": A Sermon Outline for Sunday, October 9, 2011

“Stand Your Ground”

John 9:13-34

Proposition:  We must stand on our testimony of Christ no matter what our opponents may say or do to us.

Transition:  The inquisition unfolding in our text provides 5 situations which call for us to stand firm in our testimony for Jesus.

I.  Stand for Jesus When Authorities Challenge You. (vv. 13-17)

 A.  Note the Response of the Pharisees to the Man’s Healing. (13-15a)

 B.  Note the Response of the Healed Man. (15b, 17b)

II.  Stand for Jesus When Family Deserts You.  (18-23)

 A.  The Pharisees Do Not Believe. (18-19)

 B.  The Parents Respond in Fear. (20-23)

III.  Stand for Jesus When Your Integrity is Attacked. (24-25)

 A.  The Pharisees Appeal to the Man. (24)

 B.  The Man Stands Firm. (25)

IV.  Stand for Jesus When You are Reviled. (26-33)

 A.  The Pharisees Curse Him. (28)

 B.  The Man Grows in Christ. (28, 30-33)

V.  Stand for Jesus When You are Threatened. (22, 34)

"The Works of God Might Be Displayed in Him": A Sermon Outline for Sunday, October 2, 2011

“The Works of God Might Be Displayed in Him”

John 9:6-12

Proposition:  Jesus Christ is the only one who is able to give spiritual sight to those who are spiritually blind.

Transition:  This great truth is illustrated by the healing of the blind man so we consider this truth by looking at 3 aspects of our text. 

I.  Consider the Men Involved.

 A.  Look at the Sovereign One.

1.  Recall His Claim. (8:58)

2.  Recall His Actions. (9:1)

3.  Recall His Mission. (9:4-5)

4.  Recall His Plan. (9:3)

 B.  Look at the Sightless One.

     1.  He is Blind. (9:1)

2.  He is a Beggar. (9:8)

3.  He looks for help, not for sight.

II.  Consider the Means Employed.

 A.  The Master Uses Means.

1.  His Means are Simple.

2.  His Means are Strange.

3.  His Means are Sickening.

4.  His Means are Contradictory.

5.  His Means are Personal.

6.  His Means include Commands.

  B.  The Man Responds to the Means.

     1.  He went.

2.  He went immediately.

3.  He went to the pool.

4.  He washed.

III.  Consider the Manifestations Revealed.

 A.  Note the Changes with the Man.

1.  He Sees.

2.  He Sees Now.

3.  He Knows He Sees.

4.  He Forever Sees.

5.  He Testifies of His Sight.

  a.  His Testimony is Personal. (9)

  b.  His Testimony is Precise. (11)

  c.  His Testimony is of Christ. (11)

  d.  His Testimony recognizes Limited

       Knowledge.  (12)

  B.  Note the Interest of the Neighbors.

1.  They Recognize a Change.

2.  They want to know the Cause.

3.  They want to meet the Christ.

"Work": A Sermon Outline for Sunday, September 18, 2011

“Work”

John 9:4-5

Proposition:  All followers of Christ are to be busy doing the works of God.

Transition:  The incident with the man born blind provides us with an exhortation to do the works of God as well as an example from Jesus. 

I.  Listen to the Exhortation of Christ (4).

 A.  There is a Need to Work (4a).

1.  There is work to do.

2.  It is necessary we work.

 B.  There are Works to Work (4b).

            1.  It is important work since it comes from God.

            2.  It is important work because of the needs of others.

            3.  It is important work because it is given to us.

 C.  There is a Time to Work (4c).

II.  Look at the Example of Christ (5).

 A.  He is the Light of the World.

            1.  He provides spiritual illumination to those in darkness.

            2.  He provides spiritual heat to those needing change.

            3.  He provides spiritual light for those on the path to glory.

 B.  We, too, are to be Lights of the World.

"Who Sinned?": A Sermon Outline for Sunday, September 11, 2011

“Who Sinned?”

John 9:1-3

Proposition:  In every situation, good or bad, God has a purpose and that ultimate purpose is that He be glorified.

Transition:  Christ explains this truth to us in 3 phases, of our text. 

I.  There is an Encounter (1).

 A.  It was a Sad Encounter.

1.  He was a Man.

2.  He was a Blind Man.

3.  He was a Responsible Man.

4.  He was a Dependent Man.

5.  He was a Well-Known Man.

6.  He was an Ignored Man.

 B.  It was a Providential Encounter.

 C.  It was an Opportunistic Encounter.

 D.  It was a Bold Encounter.

II.  The Disciples have an Enquiry (2).

 A.  They Correctly Understood Suffering is the Result of Sin.

 B.  They Incorrectly Searched for the Cause of the Suffering.

1.  They wonder if the cause is the man.

2.  They wonder if the cause is the parents.

III.  Jesus Provides an Explanation (3).

 A.  The Specific Cause of a Particular Sin is not always Revealed.

 B.  The Specific Purpose of Suffering is Clearly Revealed.

"Two Persons, Two Destinies": A Sermon Outline for Sunday, September 4, 2011

“Two Persons, Two Destinies”

Psalm 1:1-6

Proposition:  Everyone belongs to one of only two classes of humanity and the destinies of those two classes differ radically.

Transition:  This morning we consider these 2 classes, character and destiny. 

I.  Let Us Consider the Righteous.

 A.  Consider the Character of the Righteous.

1.  He is a Man.

2.  He is a Man Who Does not Join with the Wicked.

     3.  He is a Man Who Loves the Word of God.

 B.  Consider the Condition of the Righteous.

     1.  He is a Tree Planted.

     2.  He Yields His Fruit.

     3.  He Does not Wither.

 C.  Consider the Destiny of the Righteous.

     1.  He Will Prosper.

     2.  He Will be in the Congregation of the Righteous.

     3.  He is Known by the Lord.

II.  Let Us Consider the Wicked.

 A.  Consider the Character of the Wicked.

     1.  Their Counsel is Depraved.

2.  They Live in Sin.

3.  The Scoff at the Things of God.

4.  They Disregard His Word.

 B.  Consider the Condition of the Wicked.

1.  They are Chaff.

2.  They are Unsettled.

 C.  Consider the Destiny of the Wicked.

1.  They will not stand at the judgment.

2.  They will be separated from the righteous.

3.  They will perish.