“Jesus is Alive!” John 20:1-18 Purpose: To believe in, and follow, the resurrected Savior Jesus Christ I. Jesus is Alive! Do you understand the Scriptures? (20:1-10) Psalm 16:8-11 & Acts 2:27, 31 Psalm 49:15 Psalm 86:13 II. Jesus is Alive! Has He called you by name? (20:11-18) Isaiah 40:26 Isaiah 43:1 John 10:3 If you now understand the Scriptures, and if you now know Jesus and He knows you, then how will you follow Him the all the days of your life?
“Palm Sunday: The Call of Discipleship” John 12:12-26 Purpose: To Join Jesus in His Salvation Plan 1. God’s Prophecy Fulfilled In Jesus Christ (John 12:12-19) Psalm 118 approximately 1,000 B.C. Zechariah 9:9-13 prophesied between 500 and 470 B.C. When, exactly, did the disciples figure this out? (v. 16) So how should we read this today, for us? 2. Following Jesus Christ Wherever He Leads Us! (John 12:20-26) a. Jesus’s “hour” coincides with Passover! This is God’s Providential & Eternal Plan Jesus’ “hour” is “not yet” John 2:4; John 7:6, 30; John 8:20 Jesus’ “hour has come” 12:23; 13:1;16:32; 17:1 b. “The Son of Man” is from Daniel 7:13-14 Daniel is a 6th century B.C. prophet in Babylon c. “Follow Me” in John 1:43; 10:27; 12:26; 13:36; 21:19; 21:22 d. Lose yourself in Jesus Christ (John 12:25-26) Jesus is calling you today to “Follow Me”! What is your answer?
Good Fruit v. Bad Fruit James 1:18-26 Purpose: we are brought forth to live a life of pure (not worthless) religion 1. Good Fruit = “Pure and Undefiled Religion” James 1:18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. 19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word”¦ 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does”¦27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. What is the instrumentality of the change?______________________ (James 1:18) How are we to receive it, in what state?_____________________________ List the “good fruit” What is pure and undefiled religion? 2. Bad Fruit = “Worthless Religion” James 1:22b and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was”¦ 26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Jesus’ teaching about good fruit versus bad fruit (Matthew 7:13-27) As yourself, “Which one of these descriptions am I most like?”
Passing the Test of Trials James 1:12-18 Purpose: to trust God in spite of the trials, a.k.a. check your “sources”! 1. Don’t Blame God! James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. Can God be tempted by evil? ___________________ Does God tempt anyone? ____________________ 2. Know the Source of Your Temptation James 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. What is the source of our temptations? _________________________________ 3. God is the Source of Truth and Life James 1:17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. Source of all good gifts is ________________________, especially endurance in trials Who does the action? ___________________ Why?_______________________ Who receives the result of the action? _____________________ What is the outcome of the action? __________________ How is the action carried out? ___________________________
Poverty and Riches James 1:9-11 Purpose: to see and value our lives by God’s measure, not the world’s 1. God’s Poor People, Glorified James 1:9 But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; Blessed are the poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3) A biblical reality-check between the rich and the poor (Luke 12:13-21) 2. The World’s Rich, Humbled James 1:10 and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away. Isaiah 40:6-8 and 1 Peter 1:24 Where’s your treasure? Where’s your heart? (Matthew 6:19-21) Who’s your master? What is the first thing you seek? (Matthew 6:24-34)
Faith and Wisdom James 1:5-8 Purpose: pursuing wisdom with single-minded faith 1. A Picture of Faithful Wisdom James 1:4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. Are you lacking wisdom? Then ask God! God is the source of wisdom True wisdom is seen when a Christian considers it all joy! (James 1:2-3) 2. A Picture Showing Lack of Faith and Wisdom James 1:6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Is your faith driven by the fads or by the Word? God wants you to be single-minded, trusting in Him Are you stable or unstable in your faith?
Trials Are Gold, So Don’t Waste Them James 1:1-4 Purpose: To show believers how they can have joy in the face of trials 1. Have Joy in Your Trials James 1:1-2 James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials Acts 5:40-42 The command ensures the possibility of joy in your trials 2. How to Pass the Test of Faith James 1:3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. God does not tempt us (James 1:13-14) Do we have endurance like Job? (James 5:10-11) 1 Peter 1:6-9 How to pass the test! React to the test with joy. (Compared to 1:19-21). In trials, we must not run from God or blame Him, but run to Him! 3. We Need Endurance James 1: 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. You will be able to emulate Jesus & His teachings (Matthew 5-7 Sermon on the Mount) Not only is He not to be blamed, but God is to be praised. He is the redeemer of our trials. He takes what is bad and sinful and uses it, in the context of our faith, for our endurance and perfection.
Indebted & Entrusted Baptist Faith & Message ““ XIII. Stewardship God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth. Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30-32; Deuteronomy 8:18; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:1-4,19-21; 19:21; 23:23; 25:14-29; Luke 12:16-21,42; 16:1-13; Acts 2:44-47; 5:1-11; 17:24-25; 20:35; Romans 6:6-22; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 6:19-20; 12; 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-9; 12:15; Philippians 4:10-19; 1 Peter 1:18-19. 1. Indebted To God? Actually, No (Colossians 2:14) 2. Indebted To the Bank? Actually, No (Romans 13:7-8) 3. Indebted To the Lost? Actually, YES! Listen for the concepts of indebtedness and being entrusted with the gospel Luke 12:47-48 What have you been given? Luke 16:11 True riches! Romans 1:13 “Under obligation” is literally “debtor” 1 Corinthians 9:17 Stewardship entrusted 2 Corinthians 5:19 God has committed to us”¦ Galatians 2:7 entrusted with the gospel 1 Thessalonians 2:4 we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel 1 Timothy 1:11 entrusted with the glorious gospel of the blessed God 1 Timothy 1:18 entrusted to fight the good fight 1 Timothy 6:20 guard what has been entrusted to you 2 Timothy 1:12 Him Guard the treasure which has been entrusted to you Titus 1:3 entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior 4. Christ’s Great Commission, Our Marching Orders (Matt. 28:18-20; Luke 24:45-47) 5. The Finish Line (Revelation 5:9; 7:9-10) 6. To God Alone be The Glory (Isaiah 48:11) 100 years from now”¦
“Guard and Grow” 2 Peter 3:17-18 Purpose: To arm you with the double-edged sword against false teachings 1. First Edge of the Sword: GUARD Yourself from Lies! 2 Peter 3: 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, The Command = Guard Why? 1) so that you are not carried away 2) and thereby fall from your own steadfastness Deuteronomy 13:1-5 Stay with the LORD no matter what! Guard against these errors: 1. Disbelief (Genesis 3:1 Satan’s strategy in the garden and today) 2. Doubt (Matthew 21:21; James 1:6) 3. Beware of False Christs (Matthew 24:24) 4. Know them by their fruit (Matthew 7:16-20) 5. Falling out of fellowship, i.e., be an “iron man” (Proverbs 25:17; Hebrews 10:25) 2. Second Edge of the Sword: GROW in the Lord! 2 Peter 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. Many today do not know God Jesus IS Truth (John 14:6) Doxology TO Jesus: here; 2 Timothy 4:18; Revelation 1:5-6 Use your sword against the Lion! (Luke 22:28-34; 1 Peter 5:5-11) Joshua 24:14-15
“The Road Few Travel” 2 Peter 3:15-16 Purpose: The Scriptures are the authority for life and the basis of judgment. 1. Because the Scriptures are the authority for life, we must handle them like a treasure! 2 Peter 3:15″¦ just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand”¦ In Ephesians 3, Paul’s wisdom is from God = revelation 2 Timothy 2:14 1 Timothy 4:16 We must handle the Scriptures with Total Trust!!!! What danger is there if we deviate from this book? Galatians 1:8; Revelation 22:18-19 There is only one path, one road, one way! 2. Because the Scriptures are the basis of all judgment, we must handle them with fear! 2 Peter 3:16″¦ which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. If we Follow Scripture = We Live If we Distort Scripture = We head toward destruction We must handle the Scriptures with humility and submission Proverbs 1:7 Psalm 1 What is your relationship with God? What is your relationship with Scripture? Are you on the path of Scripture, or off the path?
“The Road Few Travel” 2 Peter 3:15-16 Purpose: The Scriptures are the authority for life and the basis of judgment. 1. Because the Scriptures are the authority for life, we must handle them like a treasure! 2 Peter 3:15″¦ just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand”¦ In Ephesians 3, Paul’s wisdom is from God = revelation 2 Timothy 2:14 1 Timothy 4:16 We must handle the Scriptures with Total Trust!!!! What danger is there if we deviate from this book? Galatians 1:8; Revelation 22:18-19 There is only one path, one road, one way! 2. Because the Scriptures are the basis of all judgment, we must handle them with fear! 2 Peter 3:16″¦ which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. If we Follow Scripture = We Live If we Distort Scripture = We head toward destruction We must handle the Scriptures with humility and submission Proverbs 1:7 Psalm 1 What is your relationship with God? What is your relationship with Scripture? Are you on the path of Scripture, or off the path?
“Focused on our Prize, Focused on our God” 2 Peter 3:14-15a Purpose: To live the Christian life focused on God and His Word 1. Focused on Our Prize, God’s Acceptance of Us 2 Peter 3:14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; Be diligent “¦to be found “¦in peace “¦spotless “¦blameless This is opposite of the False Teachers in 2 Peter 2:13 1 Peter 1:6-7; 1 Peter 2:2 How will you be found by God? 2. Focused on Our God, Trusting His Plan and Timing 2 Peter 3:14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; God’s patience Salvation 1 Peter 1:8-9 Exodus 34:5-7 Rom 9:22 2 Peter 2:9
“God’s Patience Our Salvation” Text: 2 Peter 3:3-9 Purpose: To rediscover the reality of God’s Sovereign Control over all things! 1. Be aware of the reality of People’s Poor Perceptions! 2 Peter 3:3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” 2 Peter 1:16-21 God’s Word is sure, follow it until you see Christ Isaiah 55:8 God’s ways are not our ways Romans 8:28 God causes all things to work together Isaiah 40:10-15 God is God of All 2. Be aware of the reality of GOD’s Power! 2 Peter 3:5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. 7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. Deuteronomy 29:29 God knows what we do not know Psalm 36:6 God’s righteousness, judgments and preservation of man and beast Romans 11:33-12:3 God’s unsearchable and unfathomable ways, therefore “¦ 3. Be aware of the reality of GOD’s Person, Promise, and Patience! 2 Peter 3:8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. Job 42:1-6 no purpose of God can be thwarted Romans 9:6-21 God has mercy and hardens whom He desires How does this apply to my life? 1. God is vindicated, keep trusting Him 2. Don’t be willfully ignorant of God’s truth, like the mockers 3. Beware of the schemes causing doubt of Jesus or God’s Word 4. God’s wrath is imminent, come to Him before it’s too late 5. Remember, learn, study, fear the Lord 6. Escape the judgment, you must be born again by personally believing in Jesus Christ