1 PETER: 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 ...

2:24

Link - THE TAPESTRY OF ATONEMENT - What it means to us!

1 Peter, Christianity, Easter, Expository,
Homiletics, Outlines, Preaching

FAITH OF THE FATHERS: How a Few Nobodies Turned World Upside Down!

SERIES: Acts #1

TOPIC: Early Church; Ecclesiology, Obedience, Priorities, Resurrection, Witness, World
TITLE: FAITH OF THE FATHERS: How a Few Nobodies Turned World Upside Down!
TEXT: Acts 1:4-8

Gathering [the apostles He had chosen] together, [Jesus] commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What themes are conspicuous in the Acts of the Apostles?
CONCISE OUTLINE

I. The Preeminence of the Living Lord!
II. The Prominence of the Holy Spirit!
III. The Power of the Authentic Church!

Asked another way …

1. What was preeminent in that church’s life? [That is, what was clearly the most important thing to the leaders and people of their fellowships?]
2. What was prominent in the ministries of that church? [That is, does any factor stand out over all others?]
3. What power was exhibited? [That is, if their ministries were effective, what energized them?]

TRUTH/CONTEXT: The book may be divided into three distinct sections based on the outline of 1:8b ...

“… you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem (Chapters 1-7), (8-12), and in all Judea and Samariaand even to the remotest part of the earth (13-28).”

If someone were to want to know what an authentic Christian community looked like, it would probably be best to look at a definition near the time of Christ … aka: the “early church.”

In looking one would have to look at the whole community of believers because the “local” church was not a known entity. Where would one look? The Book of Acts … the Acts of the Apostles!

SUCCINCTLY: The Great Commission of the Gospels [Matthew 28:16-20] is commenced in the Book of Acts.

EXPANDED OUTLINE
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What themes are conspicuous in the Acts of the Apostles?

I. THE PREEMINENCE OF THE LIVING LORD!

A. The context was the three decades after the death of Jesus …
B. J. Vernon McGee said Christ’s ministry after the resurrection was more important than that during His three years the Gospels write about. Think about that! Why?

1. Because He’s alive … He was dead now He is alive! That proves everything!
2. All Christ’s promises were now be seen in that light.
3. The church could now look forward to those promises future with great confidence that they too would be fulfilled … absolutely!

C. This knowledge caused the name of Jesus be the first thing on their mind when the awoke, the last thing on their mind when they laid down to sleep, and every moment in between … nothing else seemed im-portant in the light of Christ Jesus the Lord.
D. Christ opens the book, Paul closes the book preaching Christ dead, buried, resurrected, ascended and coming again at the end. Everything in between is too!
E. Stephen is martyred in that name; Peter and John are persecuted because of that name.

II. THE PROMINENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

A. “‘… IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,' God says, 'THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT UPON ALL MANKIND … ’” [Acts 2:17]
B. This spirit was “the promise of the Father” mentioned in 2:23.

1. In the book we have the promise of the Holy Spirit by Jesus in 1:5 & 1:8!
2. We have His coming as a “mighty rushing wind” (2).
3. People speaking in unknown tongues (2).
4. Persecution but Holy Spirit power (4).
5. Lied to (5).
6. Philip sent to and carried away from the Ethiopian Eunuch (8).
7. Paul on the road to Damascus (9).
8. Cornelius (10).
9. Conversion of the Gentiles.

C. Paul's Macedonian vision (16).
D. His shipwreck and snakebite (19).
E. The baptism of John’s disciples (28).
F. And the overall scriptural truth of Zechariah 4:7 ["not by might nor by power but by My Spirit says the Lord"].

III. THE POWER OF THE AUTHENTIC CHURCH!

A. Ten days following the ascension we have Pentecost. This is the beginning of what the church has known as Pentecostal power.
B. Pentecost follows the Feast of Fruits by 50 days …
C. Passover = death (no seed falls to the ground, no fruit.
D. Feast of First Fruits = Resurrection (new life)
E. Pentecost = full fruition (the church harvest)
F. Churches: Damascus (9); Antioch (11); Cyprus (13); Perga (14); Galatia (14,16); Philippi (16), Thessalo-nica (17 + Berea and Athens); Corinth (18); Ephesus (18); and etc. Even to Roman officials and cities with Paul.
G. In slightly less than 30 years the Good News is preached “to the remotest part of the earth.”
H. Prophetic fulfillment: “He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’” [Isaiah 49:6]

APPLICATION: What would the witness of the early church have been IF there was no “rushing wind,” IF the thousands were not saved, IF no healing of the lame, IF no healing of the blind, IF no churches planted because there were no Stephens, no Philips, no Pauls, no Apolloses, no Pricillas or Aquilas?

Why in this day and age do we not see Pentecostal power in the church? Why is the Holy Spirit only seen in the third world?

CHALLENGE: Is Jesus alive to you? Or is He still dead and buried? Oh? You say, "He is risen indeed!" But is He coming again in judgment?

Were all of those promises that were fulfilled in His resurrection for a bunch of old Jews and Gentiles too distant to identify with or can you feel the power of His resurrection course in your veins? He's alive! He is alive!

FEEL HIS POWER TODAY … NOT WHEN YOU ARE READY FEEL HIM NOW! KNOW HIM PERSONALLY!

Acts, Apostles, Ascension, Christianity,
Early Church, Ecclesiology, Obedience, Religion, Witness

2 TIMOTHY - Seed Archive

2:22

Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

TOPIC: Maturity; Faith, Love, Peace, Purity, Righteousness, Spiritual growth

TITLE: BUILDING ON A FIRM FOUNDATION (v.19) - Gaining Maturity in an Immature World!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What may we understand mature pursuits to be?
We may understand that mature pursuits are

I. RIGHT LIVING!
II. FAITHFUL LIVING!
III. LOVELY LIVING!
IV. PEACEFUL LIVING!

And we will seek "those who call on the Lord from a pure heart" as mature believers! Amen!

2 Timothy, Christianity, Homiletics,
Maturity, Outlines, Preaching,
Religion, Sermons, Spiritual growth

ACTS - Seed Archive

Acts 1:4-8

TOPIC: Trinity

TITLE: The Book of Acts in One Message!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What themes are conspicuous in the Acts of the Apostles?

I. The Preeminence of the Living Lord!
II. The Prominence of the Holy Spirit!
III. The Power of the Authentic Church!

Asked another way …

1. What was preeminent in that church’s life? [That is, what was clearly the most important thing to the leaders and people of their fellowships?]
2. What was prominent in the ministries of that church? [That is, does any factor stand out over all others?]
3. What power was exhibited? [That is, if their ministries were effective, what energized them?]

TRUTH/CONTEXT: The book may be divided into three distinct sections based on the outline of 1:8b ...

“… you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem (Chapters 1-7), and in all Judea and Samaria (8-12), and even to the remotest part of the earth" (13-28).

If someone were to want to know what an authentic Christian community looked like, it would probably be best to look at a definition near the time of Christ … aka: the “early church.”

Acts 1:14

TOPIC: Unity

TITLE: WITH ONE ACCORD – Biblical Co-operation!
[Concept from "The Acts of the Apostles," Thomas Walker; Moody (1965) p. 14]

ADDITIONAL TEXT: Romans 15:6 [Plus Various]

TRUTH CLAIM:

The Greek word used for our English “with one accord” is a compound word meaning “with a united heart and mind and spirit”; indicating perfect unanimity of feeling, desire, and purpose. It occurs only once outside of Acts [in Romans 15:6].

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What does God reveal about the unanimity of the original first century church?

I. They were with one accord in supplication! [1:14]
II. They were with one accord in convocation! [2:46]
III. They were with one accord in exaltation! [4:24]
IV. They were with one accord in devotion! [5:12]
V. They were with one accord in inspiration! [15:25]

And in this and many other ways the early church exhibited their unanimity over and over!

Acts 2:22-24

TOPIC: Father & Son [Foreknowledge; Gospel; Redemption; Will of God]

TITLE: UP WAS THE ONLY PLAN GOD HAD FOR HIS SON!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: Prior to sending Him, what was the Father's plan for His Son?

I. The Father Lifted Up the Son! [v. 22 - "Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God."]
II. The Father Delivered Up the Son! [v. 23 - "this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God."]
III. The Father Raised Up the Son! [v. 24 - "God raised Him up again."]

Acts 2:37-39

TOPIC: Good News; Early Church, Evangelism, Fruit, Power, Proclamation

TITLE: WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN WHEN THE GOOD NEWS IS PROCLAIMED FEARLESSLY!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What happened to the people who heard Peter's first proclamation of the Good News?

I. They Had a Great Conviction! (v. 37a - "they were pierced to the heart.")
II. They Asked a Great Question! (v. 37b - "they asked, 'what shall we do?'")
III. They Received a Great Response! (vv. 38,39 - "repent" and "receive.")

Acts 3:12-26

TOPIC: Faith; falsehood, fearlessness, hearing, lies, power, truth

TITLE: LISTEN TO HIM!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What can we learn from Peter’s reaction to the people running to John and him?

I. WE MUST … [12-15]

A. KNOW THE TRUTH
B. IF WE ARE TO SEE THE LIE

II. WE MUST … [16-21]

A. BOLDLY CORRECT THE LIE

1. WITHOUT FEAR
2. WITHOUT HESITATION
3. WITHOUT CONDEMNATION

III. WE MUST … [22-26]

A. KNOW SCRIPTURE WELL
B. IF WE ARE TO SEIZE

1. THE MOMENT
2. AND OPPORTUNITY TO PROCLAIM

Acts 9:1-25

TOPIC: Encountering God; regeneration, relationship (with God)

TITLE: DEALING WITH A SINNER – Encountering the Living God!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What did Saul experience in his encounter with Jesus?

I. HE SAW (was blinding)!
II. HE HEARD (was convicting)!
III. HE REVEALED (was challenging)!
IV. HE DID (was amazing)!
V. HE BECAME (was startling/miraculous)!

Acts 9:1-31

TOPIC: Encountering God; regeneration, relationship (with God), Saul’s conversion

TITLE: COOPERATIVE MISSIONS - Saul’s encounter with God!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What missions points do we see in this passage?

The extended passage before us (1-31) shows–

I. The Lord dealing with an outspoken sinner! (1-9)
II. The Lord directing a faithful servant! (10-19)
III. And Saul declaring a living Savior! (20-31)

Acts 27:13-14

TOPIC: Suffering; Trials, Tribulation

TITLE: EURAQUILON - Driven By Life’s Violent Winds!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: In what way is this text similar to the life of the child of God?

I. We often have a false sense of security!
II. We ignore warnings! [vv.9,10]
III. We listen to the wrong sources! [vv.11,12]
IV. We let “too little” result in “too much”! [v.13]
V. We are often caught by surprise!
VI. Violent winds always “rush” in! [v.14]
VII. Violent winds always drive us along! [v.15]

But, We Are Never Far From Shore!

Acts, Ecclesiology, Homiletics, Outlines,
Preaching, Sermons, Trinity

2 CORINTHIANS - Seed Archive

2 Corinthians 5:14

For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died.

TOPIC: Atonement, Commitment, Love of God, Sanctification

TITLE: No Longer Living for Self!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What have those who're controlled by Christ's love concluded?

I. They have concluded that only One has died!
II. They have concluded that One died for all!
III. They have concluded all therefore died!

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: See verses 15-17

2 Corinthians 15:12

Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

TOPIC: Christ crucified, Christ resurrected, Easter

TITLE: If Christ is preached?
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What consequences accrue if Christ had not risen?

I. Our Preaching Would Be In Vain! (v.14)
II. Our Faith Would Be In Vain! (v.14)
III. Our Faith Would Be Worthless! (v.17)
IV. We Are False Witnesses! (v.15)
V. We Are Still In Our Sins! (v.17)
VI. Our Dead have Perished! (vv.15,18)
VII. We Are To Be Pitied! (v.19)

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: But now Christ has been raised ... [15:20-22]. So the power of these truths has set us free from fear and unleashed our boldness in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians, Ecclesiology, Homiletics,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

EPHESIANS - Seed Archive

Ephesians 1:1-14 (part of ROMANS 8:32)

TOPIC: Unity with Christ [Abiding in Him]

TITLE: What's In It for Me? FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: Being in Him! What's in it for us?

I. In Him we are chosen! [4]
II. In Him we are adopted! [5]
III. In Him we are redeemed! [7]
IV. In Him we are Benefited! [11]
V. In Him we are Sealed! [4]

Ephesians 5:17-21

TOPIC: Holy Spirit [Filling]

TITLE: How To Know You're Filled With The Spirit!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How may we know we are filled with the Holy Spirit?

I. If we have joy-filled fellowship! [v.19a]

"speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs ... "

II. If we offer heart-felt praise! [v.19b]

"singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord ... "

III. If we possess a thanks-giving spirit! [v.20]

"always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God ... "

IV. If we are a God-awed servant! [v.21]

"submitting to one another in the fear of God."

Ephesians, Homiletics, Outlines,
Preaching, Sermons