ACTS 6:15 (8-15) Stephen - Owned by God!

SERIES: Acts #12
TOPIC: Consecration; Witness

TITLE: STEPHEN - Owned By God
TEXT: ACTS 6:15 (8-15)

And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.

[D. L. MOODY] Said …

“The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him.” [Desiring Life]

However, he was in error … the world has seen Enoch, Joseph, Joshua, Daniel, and John the Baptizer; all pre-Ascension.

But now Stephen, post-Ascension and sold out to God; he signed his pink slip over to God; he wanted nothing but God’s presence and pleasure.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What in this passage confirms that Stephen was wholly owned by God?
CONCISE OUTLINE:

I. HIS GIFTS CONFIRM IT
II. HIS ENEMIES CONFIRM IT
III. HIS HEART CONFIRMS IT
IV. HIS HONOR CONFIRMS IT

TRUTH CLAIM/CONTEXT: Much like the Church today, the people of Israel hungered to personally experience God (8 in 10 Americans admit to such a hunger).

In spite of intense persecution by both civil and religious authorities, the new church prospered at every turn.

They were growing in numbers, in knowledge, and in the fear of the Lord and they were learning how to faithfully respond to threats … externally and internally!

One man, Stephen, first deacon and first martyr (i.e., witness), caught the attention of influential religious zealots, why? Because he was “full of faith and power” and “performing great wonders and signs among the people.” [v. 8]

Stephen followed closely in the footsteps of his Master and Savior; proclaiming the coming Kingdom to all with ears to hear. But their attention wasn’t healthy … again, why?

Because the zealots felt threatened and “they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was preaching.” [v. 10] You see, God owned Stephen … lock, stock, and barrel.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What in this passage confirms that Stephen was wholly owned by God?
EXPANDED OUTLINE:

I. HIS GIFTS CONFIRM IT

Among them were – Spirit and wisdom [3]; faith and Holy Spirit [5]; grace and power with signs and wonders [8]; and evangelical eloquence [10]

These are all (charisma) gifts and effects (energẽma) of the Holy Spirit …

“But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”

1 Corinthians 12:11 [1-11]

“For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.”

John 3:34

II. HIS ENEMIES CONFIRM IT

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master.

“If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household! Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.”

Matthew 10:24-26

Stephen’s (and Christ’s) enemies began with argumentation [9,10]; failing, they incited a fabrication [11]; failing, they move to provocation [12]; then, to ensure the desired result they employed …

– Abduction [12]
– Falsification [13]
– Then Misrepresentation! [13-14]

Two things were operative on this day:

1. the Light of Truth walked in the shadow of Mount Moriah in Jerusalem
2. the fight to darken that Truth skulked in the shadows of evil, fearing the Light
   

“There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to [do] evil, A false witness who ut-ters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.”

Proverbs 6:16-18

Notice Stephan confounded his persecutors with wisdom and Scripture.

They failed both intellectually and spiritually … so they abused the Law to justify stoning him.

Historically, if a powerful movement’s followers appear to turn from the movement’s teachings, to adopt the teachings of another, these leaders are confronted with three choices:

– turn with them
– turn from them
– or turn upon them

III. HIS HEART CONFIRMS IT

Jesus said,

“… store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:20-21

Can there be any question about what is stored up in Stephen’s heart?

IV. HIS HONOR CONFIRMS IT

Stephen highly honored God in his last moments. [7:1-53]

God highly honor him by gifting him more abundantly than others.

This was done that his mirror of righteousness might reflect God’s Shechinah glory.

It was not Stephen’s flesh which glowed as an angel, it was the righteousness of God being reflected in him and from him.

APPLICATION: Bottom-line -

In the egocentric and humanistic courts of fallen man, with man's version of truth, the calm but confident spirit of a man owned by “this Nazarene, Jesus” [6:14] will trump a thousand tanks and a multitude of defense attorneys.

I believe, to some degree, we’ve allowed Moses’ veil to again slip down before our eyes.

I believe we are not truly owned by the Father! Have we accepted Jesus as Savior? Yes! But not Lord! He owns us but we've held back the owner's slip.

In view of our claims, unbelievers say they are unimpressed

“You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ … written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. [vv. 2-4]

We are not adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter [law] kills, but the Spirit gives life. [vv. 5-6]

But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, how will the ministry of the Spirit [life] fail to be even more with glory? For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory. For indeed what had glory, in this case has no glory because of the glory that surpasses it. For if that which fades away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory. [vv. 7-11]

Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away. But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. [vv. 12-16]

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. [vv. 17-18]

2 Corinthians 3:1-18

CHALLENGE: Our job is to understand the spiritual mechanics of this martyr (i.e., “witness”) Stephen … and be inspired by him.

God owns us ...

“For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”

1 Corinthians 6:20

And ...

“You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.”

1 Corinthians 7:23

Plus ...

“... false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.”

2 Peter 2:1

And for those in leadership … church leaders didn't purchase the sheep; the were paid for by the Lord's shed blood ... we don't own you.

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

Acts 20:28

God owns us all!

The church must once again find ways to let the world know our homes (i.e., “hearts”) have a new Owner.

Acts, Christianity, Expository, Homiletics,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons, Stephen

1 CHRONICLES: Full Sermons

The following are links to full sermons, preached at FBC La Verne (FBC/LV) in Southern California or at San Carlos Community Church (SCCC) in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico ...

9:33

DAY AND NIGHT – Don't Stop Singing!

1 Chronicles, Homiletics, Outlines,
Preaching, Sermons, Worship

JUDGES: Full Sermons

The following are links to full sermons, preached at FBC La Verne in Southern California or at San Carlos Community Church (SCCC) in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico ...

2:3

THE THORNS & SNARES - The Proof Is Indeed In the Pudding!

quick link: ESTHER Seed Archive (INACTIVE AT THIS TIME)

Christianity, Easter, Expository,
Homiletics, Judges, Outlines, Preaching

NUMBERS: Full Sermons

The following are links to full sermons, preached at FBC La Verne, California, or at San Carlos Community Church (SCCC) in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico ...

6:23-27

INVOKING GOD'S NAME - Remembering the Lord's Blessing!

14:8-9

WORDS TO LIVE BY - Facing the Unknown with Emmanuel?

quick link: NUMBERS Seed Archive (INACTIVE AT THIS TIME)

Expository, Homiletics, Numbers,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

HEBREWS: Full Sermons

The following are links to full sermons, preached at either FBC La Verne (FBC/LV) in Southern California or at San Carlos Community Church (SCCC) in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico ...


3:13-13

SON OF ENCOURAGEMENT - How to be a Biblical Encourager!

12:1-2

POWER CHALLENGE – The Race Set Before Us!

CrossLinked: Spurgeon's Morning & Evening Proclaimed Series [January 2, "Evening" and January 3, "Morning"]

Church health, Commitment, Endurance,
Faith, Hebrews, Perseverance, Preparation

MATTHEW - Full Sermons

The following are links to full sermons of mine, preached at FBC La Verne in California and San Carlos Community Church (SCCC) in San Carlos, Mexico ...

8:5-13

OH YOU OF LITTLE FAITH - What must God do to convince?

16:23-24 [21-28]

DENY THYSELF - Focus on the Object of Your Faith for a Straight Walk!

25:1-13

COME HOLY SPIRIT - Stone "1" On Our Weekly Spiritual Pathway!

25:46 [31-46]

A HELL OF A NOTE - The Bad News According to Jesus!

Homiletics, Matthew,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

NUMBERS 6:23-27 - Invoking God's Name!

TOPIC: Blessings (God’s); Name (the LORD’S)

TITLE: INVOKING GOD'S NAME - Remembering the Lord's Blessing!
TEXT: Numbers 6:23-27

Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, “Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them:

‘The LORD bless you, and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.'

So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.”

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What Is It God Wants You To Know?
CONCISE OUTLINE: He wants you to know that He wishes ...

I. SPEAK WELL OF YOU!
II. TO PERSERVE YOU!
III. TO ILLUMINATE YOU!
IV. TO REVEAL TO YOU!
V. TO COMMUNE WITH YOU!
VI. TO BE PLEASED WITH YOU!

TRUTH/CONTEXT: What we have here is what I call “the Lord’s Prayer” of the Old Testament (not the “Our Father” one but the real prayer of the Lord in the Gospel of John) … I put this right along side the 2 Chronicles 7:13, 14.

The greater context of our passage is the book of Numbers, a book of wanderings and organization: wanderings in a wilderness and organization out of the disorganization for a people fresh from the oppression of slave masters.

How reassuring Israel was used by God to bequeath us an example … a example of fallen-man’s life in this world’s wilderness, needing organization and discipline. But the story of Numbers is also the story of rebellion by God’s people and their missing of a blessing from God.

God organized the people for His work immediately following their escape from Pharaoh and then again just prior to their entry into the Promised Land. But the people did not accomplish God’s work as He planned it, so God withheld His blessing.

The immediate context of our passage is in the period of Israel’s preparation for Kingdom living; during the section of the book dealing with cleansing. I suggest we’ve forgotten a key role of the Aaronic priesthood (pastors/leaders) as it relates to the sheep: that of blessing the sheep … now priests themselves (albeit Levitical).

Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he stepped down after making the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings. [Leviticus 9:22]

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What Is It God Wants Us To Know?
EXPANDED OUTLINE:

This is a comprehensive and wonderful prayer, it should be understood like this:

I. May God speak well to you, by keeping His promises for you!

II. May He preserve you in the possessions, providing good things and hedging you in from all evil by which you are threatened!

III. May God illuminate your heart, giving you true knowledge of yourself and of your God!

IV. May He show you His grace, forgiving your sins and sanctifying your walk with Him!

V. May God have communion with you, in each of the persons of the Godhead - Father, Son, and Spirit.

VI. And may God give you a constant sense of His pleasure, granting you prosperity in your heart and in your soul, and in all your temporal affairs!

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: And so how is this done?

Verse 27 brings to mind the fourth commandment:

You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.

[BARNES] Put my name upon the children of Israel - i.e. pronounce My Sacred Name over them in blessing them. God will give effect to the benediction pronounced by the priests.

Some suggest the blessing reflects the Trinity or Godhead by the repetition of the LORD (Jehovah) three times. Might be?

That, I believe, is His desire, what is yours?

This passage focuses on the Israelite need for consecration unto God for total service (free of guile and iniquity; honoring vows they’ve made). This is the whole sacrifice of the child of God. It’s a body and soul offering to Jehovah.

Never did God have in mind Aaron getting up each morning and saying, “I need to go bless the people or their day will be miserable.”

No, they were to bring their offerings in, the priests were to perform their functions, and the people would then be blessed by Aaron. What is our offering?

I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. [Romans 12:1]

And how are we to accomplish this?

"YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.” This is the great and foremost commandment. [Matthew 22:37, 38]

Oh how God would bless us if we were but obedient to Him in His desire to bring us out of our wilderness and chaos; God desires to bless and to lead us into organization.

I have been forced by the Holy Spirit to admit my complicity as a stumbling block to your blessing … certainly Hebrews 13:20-21 is a benediction of blessing, but my heart was motivated by a desire to remind you God supplies each of you each day to do the work of ministry … not that you would be blessed by the invocation of His name.

[BLESSING] Suppose for a moment you were to receive an inheritance from a rich Uncle; the only stipulation was you must behave in a way not natural for you, and this only for a time. Even then, a provision was made for forgiveness if you mess up! Now suppose you didn’t and you wouldn’t!

This is what Israel did!

Now, the bible says,

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. [Ephesians 1:7-12]

[KMV BIBLE] Howard Hendricks reminds us it is not the version of the bible a person uses that separates him from God, but rather what version he makes of the version he has. Sadly, many people edit the Word of God as they go, creating their own King Me Version (KMV).

God had intended for our obedience to Him to be clearly visible to Him and His sub-shepherds (you will know them by their fruit) … as a result they could freely bless the people with this blessing. To the extent you’ve made yourself a living sacrifice unto God …

The LORD bless you, and keep you;

The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you;

The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.

Blessings, Christianity, Expository, Name of God,
Numbers, Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

MATTHEW - Seed Archive

Matthew 1:1-17 (Luke 3:23-38)

TOPIC: Knowledge; Bible, Discipleship, Scripture, Word

TITLE: ROOTS OF THE TREE OF LIFE – Hidden Treasure in Biblical Trivia!
TRUTH CLAIM: It's becoming the single greatest embarrassment to the Body of Christ in the last 20 centuries! What is it? It's the horrible lack of biblical knowledge on the part of the saints of God!

It used to be any youngster in Sunday School was better by far in Scripture than any unchurched counterpart. Not only is that no longer true, but now grownup Christians run and hide when Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormon missionaries arrive at their door. Why?

Webster’s defines ignorance as "the lack of knowledge." That's why!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What must we know about a biblical passage in order to profit from it?

I. WE MUST UNDERSTAND THE POSITION OF THE PASSAGE!
II. THE PURPOSE OF THE PASSAGE!

THEN, AND ONLY THEN, WILL WE DISCOVER -

III. THE PROFIT OF THE PASSAGE!

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Bible study isn’t a duty or an obligation for the child of God; but it's not an option either.

The old saying is true: if you love the Author, then you'll love His book.

At no time in the history of the world has it been easier to know His story than it is now. And yet, at no time in the history of the world have so many, who have been blessed with so much, known so little about the Giver of all blessings.

Sadly, this is true in almost every church in America today!

Think long and hard about why you (yes, you!) lack the necessary knowledge to defend your faith.

Ask yourself, "What is so important in my life it keeps me from the study of God's word?" Whatever your excuse is, ask yourself this, "Will it (whatever it is) stand judgment over me on that day, or will God?"

Matthew 2:2a

Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?

TOPIC: Christmas [Christ]

TITLE: Where Is He? [Seven questions]
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: Where is He who was born King of the Jews?

I. Is He in our world?
II. Is He in our philosophy?
III. Is He in our religion?
IV. Is He in our government?
V. Is He in our homes?
VI. Is He in our lives?
VII. Is He in our heart?

Matthew 3:15a

But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

TOPIC: Obedience [Other topics - focus, God's plan, righteousness]

TITLE: Fulfilling All Righteousness!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How is "all righteousness" fulfilled?

I. By Being Obedient to the Father's Plan!
II. By Demonstrating Agreement with His Plan!
III. By Separating the Vertical from the Horizontal!

Matthew 6:18

... upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.

TOPIC: Church

TITLE: UPON THIS ROCK
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: Why is Jesus a successful church builder?

I. Because He builds on a solid foundation!

Jesus says, upon this rock, not just anyplace!

II. Because He builds with certainty!

Jesus says He will build, not can or might build!

III. Because He builds as owner!

Jesus says the church is My church!

IV. And because He builds for permanence!

Jesus says even the gates of Hades shall not overpower My church!

Only the True Church will be built, only perfect materials will be used; no natural or supernatural disasters will be able to shake it or break it, and the title is clear, no second mortgages, no liens, no encumbrances, it is bought and paid for.

Matthew 10:27

TOPIC: Evangelism [Other topics: outreach]

TITLE: Be A Cheerleader For God

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: I want to be a cheerleader for God, what do I do?

I. Get On Stage, Where You Can Be Seen!

What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light

II. Get A Megaphone, So You Can Be Heard!

What you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops

Matthew 25:14-30

TOPIC: Kingdom (to come) [Other topics - discipleship, prophecy, sanctification, saved vs. unsaved, warning]

TITLE: THE UNPROFITABLE SERVANT - What He Lacked!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What did the Unprofitable Servant lack?

I. He Lacked Comprehension (of God)!
II. He Lacked Devotion (to God)!
III. He Lacked Justification (from God)!

Matthew 26:17-46 (27:27-54)

TOPIC: Lord's Supper [Atonement, Blessing, Crucifixion, Easter, Ordinance, Sacrifice, Substitution, Suffering]

TITLE: THE KEEPSAKE OF THE LORD - His Agony, Our Ecstasy!
TRUTH CLAIM: Memorial tokens are given to special people in our lives to cause then to have fond and enduring remembrances of us! They're intended to be kept for remembrance’s sake ... thus they are known as keep-sakes!

The Lord gave us His keepsake - an ordinance - we know it as the Lord's Supper! He paid for it with His life, yet it brings us great blessing!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How ought we visualize the Lord’s Supper in the light of His agony but Our ecstasy?

I. WE SEE HIS AGONY IN ...

A. THE CUP OF...

1. HIS BETRAYAL!
2. HIS NECESSITY!
3. HIS SHAME!
4. HIS PAIN!
5. HIS CONDEMNATION!

B. THE BREAD OF HIS DEATH!

II. WE SEE OUR ECSTASY IN ...

A. THE CUP OF...

1. OUR AWE!
2. OUR REMEMBRANCE!

B. THE BREAD OF OUR NEW LIFE!

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: 1 Corinthians 11:26 says "as often as" we partake of His supper we "proclaim the Lord's death until He comes." This we may all do, freely!

Yet only those who can declare in truth they’ve been "crucified with Christ" will have power in the proclamation of their testimony!

I perceive there are many who desire to proclaim Him "crucified," yet have no power, because they themselves have not been crucified with Him!

How the Lord must grieve as He sees us partake of His supper with such a deficiency in our lives.

If we freely choose to preach the Lord's agony (in this symbolic way), then we are obligated to practice what we preach!

It's not just those who are called to the preaching ministry who are obligated to preach that Christ died for our sins, but all those who go by the name of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)!

And, if we preach the Lord's agony, in this memorial way, professing to be followers of His, then we must manifest that same spirit of sacrifice which brought Him to the cross of His agony!

For it's in that spirit of sacrifice the world sees the truth and reality of what Jesus did for them!

Matthew 26:36-46

TOPIC: Pre-Easter [Other topics - prayer]

TITLE: HE WAS HEARD! [Adapted from Spurgeon's Morning & Evening; "Evening," March 22]

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How did Jesus face the road He had to travel?

I. With Powerful Humility! (He fell on His face!)
II. With Powerful Misery! (Being in agony!!)
III. With Powerful Sanctity! (Thy will be done!)

Matthew 26:36-56

TOPIC: Pre-Easter [Other topics - prayer]

TITLE: STAYING FAITHFUL! [Adapted from Family Bible Study: Life Truths quarterly; LifeWay Christian Resources (© Southern Baptist Convention) June 24 2001, pp.43-51 (edited for use by Pastors Pastor)]
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How may I stay faithful to God in the face of difficult circumstances?

I. By Asking Friends for Support! [36-38]
II. By Seeking God’s Will! (39)
III. By Guarding Against Temptation! (40,41)
IV. By Facing Difficulties Head On! (47-50)
V. By Knowing God’s Word! (51-56)

Matthew 28:18 [cp. 22:37]

TOPIC: Lordship

TITLE: If Not Of All, Then Not At All!
TRUTH CLAIM: If we claim to understand every doctrine concerning the person and workof Christ but fail to allow Him to be Lord of all, we must sadly confess that weunderstand nothing at all!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What must Jesus be Lord of if He is to truly be Lord of All?

I. He Must Be Lord of All the Visibles!

A. All Our Possessions!
B. All Our Professions!
C. All Our Personals!
D. All Our Particulars!

II. He Must Be Lord of All the Invisibles!

A. All Our Thoughts!
B. All Our Emotions!
C. All Our Will!

Jesus is not Lord of anything if He is not Lord of everything.

Two points: first, Jesus IS Lord whether we accept Him or not but, second, we must submit to Him as Lord in order for Him to be OUR Lord!

Matthew 28:18-20

TOPIC: Great Commission

TITLE: A COMMISSION WITH ROYAL BACKBONE - "Go ... I Am is with you."
[Adapted from T. C. Horton, "Go & Lo!" The King's Business (Biola Press, March 1922) pp.227-28.]
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What kind of a commission are we given?

I. A BLESSED COMMISSION - One with Authorization!

All authority has been given to Me ...

II. A BLESSED COMMISSION - One with Association!

... lo, I am is with you ...

III. A BLESSED COMMISSION - One with Assertion!

Go therefore ...

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: The Great Commission -

• provides us the greatest work place - the whole world!
• provides us the greatest work ethic - the gospel truth!
• provides us the greatest work mate - The Risen Lord!
• Will you hear?
• Will you heed?
• Will you hesitate?

Homiletics, Matthew,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

ROMANS 6:19 – Our obligation!

I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.

TOPIC: Sanctification
TITLE: OUR OBLIGATION – To die, live, serve, and be united to God!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How does Paul attempt to free the Romans from the Law and lead them to understand their new freedom?
CONCISE OUTLINE:

I. BY USING DEATH TO ILLUSTRATE THEIR FREEDOM!
II. BY USING LIFE TO ILLUSTRATE THEIR FREEDOM!
III. BY USING SLAVERY TO ILLUSTRATE THEIR FREEDOM!
IV. BY USING MARRIAGE TO ILLUSTRATE THEIR FREEDOM!

TRUTH/CONTEXT: Paul apologizes to his Roman audience for using slavery as an illustration; slavery had a specific meaning in Roman times … a citizen of the Roman Empire could not, by law, be enslaved to anyone!

This later word is a new word in Paul’s day … a word that supposedly enhances its twin, holiness; but the word “sanctification” has, in English, become something inferior to the twin.

Holiness is the goal of the sanctified life, and is the focus of chapters 6-8. Let me illustrate what the essence of the section is …

[MASTER BUILDER] A master shipbuilder steps out into his yard and looks around him. There are vast skeletons of ships in the process of completion; there are others nearing completion. But there is nothing in the scene to satisfy, nothing is as he envisions. The big hulls are at present good for nothing. A thousand hammers pounding a thousand rivets into place like a thousand woodpeckers from hell. The yard is strewn with scrap and jigs. [Continue reading ... ]

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. [1 John 3:2]

Sanctification is both the inauguration of and the process of the life in fellowship with God, as well as that life’s objective … an ultimate state of permanent and perfect sanctification. It’s my opinion that the whole kit and caboodle are in view in verse 19, though the process seems to dominate.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How does Paul attempt to free the Romans from the Law and lead them to understand their new freedom?

EXPANDED OUTLINE:

PAUL DOES SO BY USING …

I. DEATH TO ILLUSTRATE THIS NEW FREEDOM! [6:1-8]

A. If indeed we died to sin “how shall we … still live in it?” [v.2]
B. Our baptism is a baptism into Christ Jesus’ death [v. 3]
C. So we’ve been buried with Him (with our unrighteousness, and the Law that enslaved us) [v. 6]
D. Thus, we’re free from sin by our death in Christ [v. 7]

II. LIFE TO ILLUSTRATE THIS NEW FREEDOM! [6:5-14]

A. If we're like Him in His death and His burial, how is it that we will not be like Him in His resurrection? [v. 5]
B. We will live again ... this should motivate us to a new kind of life [v. 8]
C. Death is no longer a master over Christ [v.9] and (by our baptism into His death [v. 3]) it no longer is masters us
D. The life He now lives He lives to God [v. 10] “so consider yourselves to be dead to sin” and “alive to God in Christ” [v. 11]

III. SLAVERY TO ILLUSTRATE THIS NEW FREEDOM! [12-23]

A. I’m glad Paul used slavery as a type of commitment to God for sanctification … today’s culture insists on it
B. Paul says because of our intentional slavery to sin we are morally defective [v. 19]
C. Therefore, we must, in the same way, intentionally submit ourselves to righteousness, so sin might not, like death, “reign in [our] mortal body so that [we] obey its lusts” [v. 12]
D. This, he says will lead to sanctification (aka: holiness) [v. 19]
E. This goal demands and deserves this new master “for sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace” [v. 14]
F. So obey this new Master [v. 16] for “you became slaves of righteousness” [v. 18]
G. What benefit is there in those “things of which you are now ashamed?” [v. 21]
H. You are now free from all that and are “enslaved to God” which results “in sanctification” and the benefit? Life eternal! [v. 22]
I. The wage of sin is death, but God in Christ gives us life everlasting [v. 23]

IV. MARRIAGE TO ILLUSTRATE THIS NEW FREEDOM! [7:1-6]

A. In this sin fallen world, if one is alive, the Law, by default, reigns over him [v. 1]
B. But if we’ve died to sin and born-again to God [v. 11] the law no more reigns
C. Paul’s example: the Law binds a woman to her husband as long as he lives (don’t get any ideas women), but when he dies, she is free to marry again [v. 2]
D. by dying to sin and the law you’re now free to join with another [v. 4-6]
E. Remember, Jesus said we can't serve two masters [Luke 16:13]
F. “so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter” [v. 6]

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: When we accepted Christ as Lord we discovered

• we were free from sin, its yoke had been removed from our shoulders,
• we had a spontaneous desire to have nothing more to do with it; and
• a desire to serve and please God, with Him as our Master and righteousness as our labor

We’ve, so to speak, been led out of our personal Egypt, passed through the our Red Sea, into an our earthly wilderness, and now await our arrival at the Jordan, with the Promised Land before us.

Let's surrender to holiness and be as sincere and unqualified in our zeal for it as we were to sin. This is every Christian’s obligation.

Had every Christian employed the same energy in advancing the Kingdom of God as they did in promoting Satan’s kingdom, every land would have felt every step the Bride of Christ took.

It should be our lament that we have not; that we’ve used so much energy in Satan’s cause and have done so little in God’s service is our shame.

Remember, God is our Master Builder and though we may not yet be what He wants us to be ,He is building us according to blueprint drawn in the Blood of the Lamb.

We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. [Romans 8:28]

So we should be serving Him as if the goal is in sight.

The key of course is do you love God? Are you called according to His purpose? If indeed you do are, you should be looking back upon the fervor with which you served the devil and in the same way give service to God as your Master, only the latter should exceed the former.

If it does not or can not you would be wise to ask why!

Homiletics, Outlines, Preaching,
Sermons, Romans

GALATIANS - Seed Archive

Galatians 4:1-8 (cf. Luke 1:26-31)

TOPIC: Incarnation [Christmas]

TITLE: In the Fullness of Time!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What ought the Incarnation remind of us each year?

I. That We Were Slaves!
II. That We Are Saved!
III. That We Are Sons (& now heirs)!

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: See verses Hebrews 4:15-17

Galatians, Homiletics, Outlines,
Preaching, Sermons

HEBREWS - Seed Archive

4:14 -- 5:10

TOPIC: Eternal Life, Easter

TITLE: OUR HIGH PRIEST - The Source of Eternal Life!

The Hebrews were as familiar with the duties of the High Priest as modern Americans are with the duties of the President of the United States.

Their daily lives were permeated with priests, altars, and sacrifices; the writer of this epistle reminds them God has provided them a perfect High Priest and a Perfect Sacrifice for the heavenly temple ... the Lamb of God.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: Why do we need such a High Priest?

Because we need an Intercessor ...

I. Who Is Appointed By God!
II. Who Is in the Presence of God!
III. Who Is God!

The Hebrews had the shadow of the good things to come ... we have found the reality and that reality is in Jesus ... we have found the evidence of His atoning work written in blood on the altar of God's Word.

God would encourage us to persevere in the face of obstacles. We have a forerunner who is our hope, and anchor of our soul, both sure and steadfast.

12:25

See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven.

TOPIC: Salvation; hearers, judgment, last days, warnings

TITLE: LAST DAYS WARNING - Salvation Message
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What three types of listeners are seen here?

I. STUBBORN LISTENERS! (they refuse to listen)
II. UNHEEDING LISTENERS! (they do not heed the warning)

A. Earthly - did not escape him! (Moses)
B. Heavenly - will not escape Him! (God)

III. WARNED LISTENERS! (they heed the warning)

Hebrews, Homiletics,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons