ACTS 8:9-24 A Magic Act!

SERIES: #16 Acts of the Apostles - Witnesses to Judea & Samaria
TOPIC: Authenticity; Greed, Providence, Regeneration, Salvation, Simony

TITLE: A MAGIC ACT - There's nothing magical about this treasure!
TEXT: Acts 8:9-24

… when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of … hands, he offered … money, saying, "Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." But Peter said, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money! You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. So repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity."

Irony #1 – John and his brother once wanted fire from heaven to rain on these same Samaritans.

Irony #2 – In John 13:6 Peter was told he had no part of Jesus if he refused to surrender to God's will.

A tale of two Simons … Simon Peter and Simon Magnus, the later is much like not a few contemporary charlatans.

This passage gives us several pictures to think on …

The heart …

• Ground of salvation
• Measure of man’s treasure
  

The “Second Blessing” …

• The nature of God … a giver

The nature of salvation … a gift …

• False conversions

[MENACE] In the movie version of Dennis the Menace, there’s a scene where Mr. Wilson (Walter Matthau) wants to stop Dennis’ cheating in a game of hide-n-seek.

Dennis had recruited his cross-eyed buddy, Gunther, to watch where people hide and then tell him after the count; Wilson calls out to Gunther, “Gunther, your daddy just called and wants to take you to the ice cream store. You better run home.”

Now Gunther won’t run to the Mitchell home nor to a neighbor’s home nor to Wilson back yard. Why not? Because his father holds the key to what he wants … he’d run home as fast as he could to get that ice cream.

Everyone has expectations; some false expectations, they’re never satisfied … “someday my ship will come in.”

Unlike Gunther, they’ll run to every port but the right one to find their ship … all the while God is blowing the horn on the Royal Yacht.

Motivational speakers will encourage you to use positive thinking to motivate your self-actualization; this places us on the horizontal … our reward is in heaven, not on this earth; this denies the role of God in the destiny of man.

“Man's steps are ordained by the LORD, How then can man understand his way?”

Proverbs 20:24

“The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.”

Proverbs 16:9

“The naive believes everything, But the prudent man considers his steps.”

Proverbs 14:15

This is a story about a man (and others) who did not grasp these truths; oh, he said he did but the text and history tells a different story.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What do we know about Simon?

I. HIS PAST LIFE!

"Now there was a certain man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city, and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great."

Acts 8:9

We know it was a searching life – but he didn’t know for what!
We know it was a gifted life – but he didn’t know for what!
We know it was a successful life – but he didn’t know the source of success!

II. HIS PRESENT LIFE!

“Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.”

Acts 8:13

We know God sent him Philip – but he didn’t hear him!
We know God sent him The Word – but he didn’t understand Him!
We know God sent him the Holy Spirit – but he didn’t receive Him!

[DEAD OR ALIVE] A friend’s husband snored, till he had a heart attack; to help him sleep a doctor prescribed a muscle relaxant; his snoring stopped.

Prior to this, his snoring let her know he was at least alive; now she has to poke him to know.

I’ve seen so many people walk the aisle, pray the prayer, get baptized, then claim the name of Jesus who must be poked to see if they have the new life.

Christianity is used by some as a religious muscle relaxant … manifesting no Spirit-filled, animated, Pentecostal life.

God doesn’t relax our muscles to make us stop sinning, He makes “a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

III. HIS PROMISED LIFE!

“Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,”

Acts 8:18

We know he was promised a eternal life – but he wanted a temporal life!
We know he was promised an exciting life – but he wanted a lucrative life!
We know he was promised to be a power-filled life – but he wanted an admired life!
We know he was a rich life – but he wanted his inheritance in this life!

APPLICATION: Something went wrong here …

Simon …

Believed …

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name."

John 1:12

For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."

Romans 10:11

But did not receive …

However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

Romans 8:9

Peter’s remarks – “gall of bitterness” and “bond of iniquity” are Old Testament phrases used in cases involving “serious offenses.”

J. B. Philips says Peter’s remarks ARE tantamount to “To h__ with you and your money!”

In my opinion - Simon’s response to Peter is more of a threat than an entreaty. He had lost his following; tradition holds that he saw Philip and the others as a way to recover lost revenue. He was evidently a wealthy magician.

When the time came for Simon to bear evidence of his regeneration he showed instead that he did not have a relationship with Jesus.

Principle – if something is wrong with the heart upon believing, that something can keep one out of heaven.

Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing. But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.

John 2:23-25

He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, "Lord, do You wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter." Peter said to Him, "Never shall You wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head." Jesus said to him, "He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, "Not all of you are clean."

John 13:6-11

Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus *said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed."

John 20:28-29

CHALLENGE:

"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.‘”

Matthew 7:16-23

Acts, Christianity, Expository, Greed, Homiletics, Outlines,
Preaching, Regeneration, Sermons

1 CORINTHIANS: Full Sermons

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

1:1-17

HOW HAS CHRIST SENT US? - What did and did not God send us to do?

1:18, 22-23

THAT FOOLISH CROSS - The Power and Wisdom of God!

1 Corinthians, Expository, Homiletics, Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

3 JOHN - Seed Archive

1:1-14

TOPIC: Truth; Discipleship, Joy, Labor, Love, Testimony (Witness), Walk, Work

TITLE: IF THE TRUTH HAS SET YOU FREE - Jesus is the truth! (added 31 may 2006)
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How is the believer to relate to truth?

I. WE ARE TO LOVE IN TRUTH

The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

3 John 1:1

II. WE ARE TO WALK IN TRUTH

For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.

3 John 1:3

III. WE ARE TO REJOICE IN TRUTH

I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

3 John 1:4

IV. WE ARE TO LABOR IN TRUTH

Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.

3 John 1:8

V. WE ARE TO TESTIFY IN TRUTH

Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

3 John 1:12

3 John, Christianity, Discipleship,
Exposition, Homiletics, Joy, Outlines, Preaching,
Religion, Revelation, Sermons, Truth

1 CORINTHIANS 1:17 How to make the Cross meaningless!

TOPIC: Easter (series); Cross, Gospel, Word, Works
TITLE: How has God sent us?

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What did and did not the Lord send Paul to do?

TRUTH/CONTEXT: Easter is a time to remind ourselves that what matters is Christ … not us. In the passage before us, Paul is speaking to the Corinthians about the Christian focus because he knows he is about to confront them concerning their individual and corporate behavior.

Paul chooses his words carefully in order not to take away from his ministry to them but he wastes no time getting to the Cross (before the first chapter ends).

Consider that Paul says, "Christ did not send me to" (do certain things) ... implying the Lord did send him to do other things. What things?

First let's be clear about what he wasn't to do and then look at what he was to do!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What did and did not the Lord send Paul to do?
EXPANDED OUTLINE:

I. HE DIDN’T SEND PAUL TO DRAW ATTENTION TO PAUL!

A. He didn't send him to do righteous works ... "Christ did not send me to baptize"
B. He didn't send him to proclaim spiritual truths with clever words/speech ... "not in cleverness of speech"
C. Such things make "void" (i.e., make meaningless) the cross of Christ

II. HE SENT PAUL TO DRAW ATTENTION TO HIS WORDS, AND HIS CROSS!

A. He did send him that Jesus’ works would be full of meaning (ant. "void") …

[WOUNDED] I'm told that during World War I the Prince of Wales (I believe Edward who later abdicated his throne) visited 36 severely wounded men in a London hospital. The Prince shook hands with the men. As preparations were made to leave, the Prince indicated he’d only seen 30 men. "Where are the other six?"

Although he was informed the others were severe cases, he insisted he see the others. The others were soon seen. "But there are only five, where's the last?" asked the Prince. Although the Prince was told that the grotesqueness of the man's appearance would be unbearable, the Prince insisted on seeing him. They took him to the man's bedside.

The Prince stood silent for a long moment, then moved to the man and stooped to kiss him! With emotion breaking in his voice, the Prince of Wales was heard to say, Wounded for me. Wounded for me."

"Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD [i.e., power] been revealed? For He grew up before [the Father] like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed." [Isaiah 53:1-5].

B. And not made void [without meaning]!
C. That Jesus' words would be heard

1. Though foolishness to some ...
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, [1 Corinthians 1:18a]
2. It is powerful to others ... but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. [1 Corinthians 1:18b]

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: We now know that both the cross and the Good News are "the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes" [Romans 1:16].

And we know it is totally unrelated to man's works of righteousness ...

But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. [Galatians 5:11]

For ...

Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. (i.e., embarrassed) [Galatians 6:12]

So if we want to look good, then we must imitate Paul ...

But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.* [Galatians 6:14-15]

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. [2 Corinthians 5:17]

When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. [Col. 2:13-14]

We have the very bad habit of getting in the way of this Good News … talking about what we think and what we know and how we interpret and understand it and what we're doing or what we've done! All of this is fine but not what Christ sent us to do.

[VICTOR] A Commander-In-Chief may defeat all his enemies on the battlefield yet be unable to defeat his critics at home [Lincoln, Grant, Wilson, FDR, and Dubya].

He may be able to control the men under him and yet be unable to control himself [Jefferson, Kennedy, and Clinton]. He may be a victorious leader in the estimation of men, yet defeated in the estimation of God [numerous recent Christian leaders].

And he may congratulate himself that no one has been able to stand up against him, yet he will go down at last before man's final enemy, death [Stalin, Mao, Ho Chi Min, Castro, etc,].

Thus, all men's victories are partial in this life. Even the victory over sin and evil that the regenerated believer has in Christ is at best incomplete. Only one Man has ever conquered sin and death completely and defeated all His enemies.

And faith in Him is the victory. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying,

"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." [Matthew 28:18-20]

Our works and our words are offered within His authority and He has "all authority." Where do we hear Jesus saying, "Go therefore and cleverly trick them into buying what you’re selling nor are we to impress them with fancy footwork. We are to simply "go", "make", "baptize", and "teach" without worry or fear.

And as I reminded you last week, "Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, so send I you.'" [John 20:21]

Understand, if we do what Paul says not to do, but rather do what we want to do or what seems right to us in our own eyes, we make the Cross of Christ and the Good News meaningless or void ... the opposite of meaningless is meaningful or full of meaning; that is what Paul is telling the Corinthians and you and I today ... that's what we’re to be doing.

This message is not about you or me ... it’s about Him, the One who was on the Cross but no longer, the One who was in the grave but no longer, the One who was in the clutches of death and hell but could not be kept, the One who was in the flesh but is no longer, and in this world but not of this world. How would you like to leave church today knowing that you have been making and will continue to make the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross and the Good news meaningless? You can.

"Wounded for Me, O glory to God, wounded for me!"

1 Corinthians, Cross, Easter, Expository, Homiletics,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

PSALMS - Seed Archive

Psalm 1:2

TOPIC: Blessings

TITLE: THE SECRET THAT IS NO SECRET

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What must we do to be blessed by God?

I. Delight in His Word! (His delight is in the law of the Lord)
II. Meditate in His Word! (in the law of the Lord he meditates)
III. Abide in His Word! (day and night)

Psalm 1:3*

TOPIC: Blessings, Grace, Mercy
TITLE: SEVEN BLESSINGS OF THE GODLY MAN

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What characterizes a blessed [Godly] man?

I. Vitality! (“a tree”) [life, vigorous – “capacity to live”]
II. Security! (“firmly planted”) [safety, defense, free of risk, confident]
III. Capacity! (“by canals of water”) [potential, capability – “ability to receive”]
IV. Fertility! (“which yields its fruit”) [virility, productivity (better)]
V. Propriety! (“in its season”) [appropriateness, suitability – quality of being proper]
VI. Perpetuity! (“its foliage does not wither”) [continuity, constancy, durability, endurance – time without a defined end]
VII. Prosperity! (“all that he does prospers”) [affluence, well-being]

[*From W. Graham Scroggie’s volume THE PSALMS, Pickering & Inglis Ltd. London, 1965, p. 49]

Psalm 2:1-12

TOPIC: Protection, Provision

TITLE: THE ULTIMATE REFUGE

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What progression of prophetic events has God provided for man’s benefit?

I. MAN'S INSURRECTION! (1-3)
II. DIVINE INDIGNATION! (4-6)

A. God’s contempt [v. 4 – laughs, scoffs]
B. God’s wrath [v. 5 – His anger, fury]
C. God’s revelation [v. 6 – but … I have …]

III. MARVELOUS DECLARATION! (7-9)

A. Relationship [v. 7 – My Son]

1. Headship [v. 8 – nations, earth … as Thy possession]
2. Lordship [v. 9 – rule them, scepter or staff, shatter them]

IV. DIVINE ADMONITION! (10-12)

A. Words of warning! [v. 10 – show and take]
B. Worship and fear! [v. 11 – worship/serve, reverence/fear, rejoice/tremble]
C. Choose … [v. 12]

1. Love or Perish! [homage/kiss or]
2. Wrath of Refuge! [perish/wrath]

[Adapted from W. Graham Scroggie’s volume THE PSALMS, Pickering & Inglis Ltd. London, 1965, pp. 53, 54]

Psalm 6:1-10

TOPIC: Prayer

TITLE: TRIUMPH OVER TROUBLE – A prayer
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How should we pray when things get rough?

I. The appeal in time of trouble! (1-5)
II. The agony in time of torment! (6-7)
III. The anticipation of time of triumph! (8-10)

Psalm 6:11

TOPIC: Calamity, Faith, Security, Wicked & Righteous, Traditions, Trials

TITLE: THE LORD IS OUR REFUGE!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: If the foundations are destroyed what can the righteous do?

I. Know that God is above it all! (v.4)
II. Know that God discerns the difference between ... (v.5)

A. The righteous!
B. The wicked!

III. Know that God is faithful to ...

A. Punish the wicked! (v.6)
B. Smile on the righteous! (v.7)

Psalm 11:1-7

TOPIC: God's foundations

TITLE: THE SIX FOUNDATIONS OF GOD
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What happens if the foundations are destroyed?

I. Our God Reigns From Heaven (4)
II. Our God Governs the World (4)
III. Our God Knows the Real Man (4)
IV. Our God Tests All Men (5)
V. Our God Wins the War (6)
VI. Our God Awaits Our Homecoming (7)

Psalm 12:4

Who have said, "With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?"

TOPIC: Wicked men; arrogance, lordship, sovereignty]
TITLE: TO ERR IS HUMAN!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What are the most common and arrogant errors of the wicked?

I. That man himself determines life's outcomes! (4a)
II. That man himself controls his words! (4b)
III. That man himself serves only himself! (4c)

Psalm 17

TOPIC: Prayer (in times of oppression); oppression, petitions, supplications

TITLE: IN THE SHADOW OF HIS WINGS!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What three requests may we make to God in times of oppression?

[Notice the three inferior petitions in each of David's requests, each of these might be brought as a message by themselves.]

I. Judge me, O Lord! [1-2]

A. Listen to me, Lord! (1)
B. Tell it like it is, Lord! (2a)
C. Be just, Lord! (2b)

II. Protect me, O Lord! [7-9]

A. Show me lovingkindness, Lord! (7)
B. Keeep me special, Lord! (8a)
C. Hide me in Your presence, Lord! (8b-9)

III. Avenge me, O Lord! [13]

A. Get up and confront in indignation, Lord!
B. Humble my enemies, Lord!
C. Deliver my soul (a.k.a. "life"), Lord!

Psalm 27

TOPIC: Provision (of God)

TITLE: WAIT ON THE LORD - He hasn't forgotten you or your needs!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What four things does David tell us are needed for a right relationship with our God?

I. His Grace Is Always Needed! [v.7]
II. His Presence Is Always Needed! [v. 9]
III. His Instruction Is Always Needed! [v. 11]

Application/Challenge: I said there were four things David told us we needed to have but only listed three ... so what is the fourth? Verses 13 & 14 tell us Our Patience Is Always Needed!

Psalm 27:1

TOPIC: Fearlessness; faith

TITLE: The Lord Is My Everything!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What should God be to you?

I. He should be the illumination of your life!
II. He should be the deliverance of your life!
III. He should be the defense of your life!

Application/Challenge: If indeed He is all of these things ... who or what should you fear?

Psalm 27:4

TOPIC: Hope

TITLE: What Would You Ask of the Lord if You Could?
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What three Kingdom things from the Lord did David consider top priority?

I. To Dwell in the House of the Lord Forever!
II. To Behold the Beauty of the Lord Forever!
III. To Inquire In the Temple of the Lord Forever!

Psalm 27:13-14

TOPIC: Despair

TITLE: An Anecdote for Despair!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How does David suggest we respond to despair?

I. David tells us to "Wait for the Lord"!
II. David Tells Us to "Be Strong"!
III. David Tells to "Take Courage"!

Psalm 50:7

TOPIC: God; Judgment, Justice, Nature, Sufficiency

TITLE: I AM YOUR GOD – God’s All Sufficient Essence
TEXT: Psalms 50:7

“Hear, O My people, and I will speak … I am God, your God.”

CONTEXT: The author is Asaph, a Levite; the patriarch of a bloodline of poets and singers ... also Psalms 73-83.

Psalm 50 is where we get “God owns … … the cattle on a thousand hills.” [10b]

Asaph was a leader in King David’s choir.

Here is judgment coming, judgment explained, judgment promised; here legalistic hypocrites are revealed ... they dot the “I” and cross the “t” of religion, yet they fail to see who God really is.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What three attitudes (expectations) interfere with God’s amazing grace?

I. THE EXPECTATION OF COMPLETE SANCTIFICATION
II. THE EXPECTATION OF IMMEDIATE SATISFACTION
III. THE EXPECTATION OF ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: So you want to rob the bank and keep the money when you are caught? Your satisfaction in life is all that matters to you … and you want it now! Simple satisfaction is not enough; you had that long ago.

And you will believe in God for sure … if He will just make an appointment with you at a convenient time … that’ll do it.

Asaph pleads on behalf of God, that disobedient men repent of their ritualistic religion and return to true worship … surrendering to God with a broken and contrite spirit.

Psalm 52

TOPIC: Fear (of God), Trust (in God)

TITLE: HOW TO DEAL WITH ENEMIES!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What should we do when others speak badly of us?

I. Do Not Speak Well of Their Behavior [vv. 1-5]
II. Do Understand the Difference Between the Righteous and the Wicked [vv. 6-8]
III. Do Tell God You Will Look [v. 9]

A. Behind and Praise Him
B. Forward and Wait on Him

Psalm 57 [Cf. 1 Samuel 22 or 1 Samuel 24]

TOPIC: Tribulation

TITLE: HOPE & TRUST IN GOD

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: Without tribulations in life and attacks from enemies, what kinds of victories would we have in life and would we still feel a need for a Savior?

I. FAITH IN A COMING SAVIOR [Vv. 1-5]

1. David seeking grace.

2. An earnest plea "to God the Most High" (Elohim elyon ... a powerful and exalted name of God. The literal translation is "to God who performs for me").

3. The coming Messiah.
4. Words are powerful weapons.
5. Praise to God most high; repeated in verse 11.

II. FAITH IN A COMING JUSTICE [Vv. 6-11]

6. The trapper becomes the quarry.
7. A profession of faith in song.
8. A noisy profession.
9. And publicly.
10. God's attributes.
11. Praise to God most high; verse five repeated.

Scroggie said - " his fear of the one is more than counteracted by his faith in the Other." [p.42]

Psalm 64 (cp. James 3)

A Psalm of prayer by David. I think it's marvelous the way David put his prayers to music.

TOPIC: Prayer

TITLE: CONFIDENCE IN GOD TRUMPS COMPLAINTS ABOUT OTHERS
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How should we deal with the tribulations of life?

I. MAKE CLEAR YOUR COMPLAINT [1-6]

A. David Describes Sinners Generally [1, 2]

1. The king wants to heard by the King of kings, he wants his complaint to have be considered. His request? He asks God to "preserve" his life from "the dread of" not from a dreaded enemy.

2. As we've seen David's life is constantly pestered by "evildoers" and "those who do iniquity." It's not that he wants God to stop their "secret counsel" but rather that he wants their fruit ("the tumult") to fall of him. In other words, his complaint is that it takes up too much of his time.

B. David Describes Sinners Specifically

3. Tongue, bitter speech: "like a sword," like an "arrow." What imagery.
4. The don't fear God and the strike the blameless "from" a hidden place and by surprise ("suddenly").
5. They conspire to do their evil; they hide traps in the innocents' path.
6. Their hearts are wicked and they devise "a well-conceived plot."

II. MAKE FIRM YOUR CONFIDENCE [7-10]

A. God is the Source of Confidence: Trust Him [7, 8]

7. But God has arrows of His own, and a blade too! And He can strike "suddenly" as well.
8. I think this should say "So He will make them stumble." Their sword, their tongue will strike them ... people will be amazed. Scroggie: "So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves."

B. God is the Source of Justice: Fear Him [9,10]

9. Because David has confidence that God is just and Protector of the innocent. Men will fear ... "all" of them. Men will proclaim God's great deeds in protecting the "blameless" and men will study them.
10. By faith "the righteous" and "the upright" live "in the LORD." AMEN.

It is a better thing to be slandered than to be one who slanders; it is a better thing to be an evil sufferer than to be an evildoer.

Psalm 95

TOPIC: Worship

TITLE: O COME! LET US CELEBRATE!*
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How should we come to worship?

I. O Come! We Come In Joy! [1-5]
II. O Come! We Come In Reverence! [6-7c]
III. O Come! We Come In Faith! [7d]
IV. O Come! And So Let Us Come! [John 4:23, 24]

[By Dr. Ronald Barcley Allen, Western Conservative Seminary (Portland, OR) 1981]

Psalm 126 (Cf. Matthew 5:1-12)

TOPIC: Encouragement, Evangelism, Prophetic Promise

TITLE: MOUTHS FILLED WITH LAUGHTER
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What is the conclusion of the captives’ song? [2]

I. They Will Be Sowing In Tears! [5a]
II. They Will Be Reaping In Joy! [5b]
III. They Will Be Bringing In Sheaves! [6]

Holiletics, Outlines,
Preaching, Psalms, Sermons

HABAKKUK - Seed Archive

Habakkuk 2:4, 8, 20

TOPIC: God's Will

TITLE: Three Elements of God’s Sovereign Will to Know.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What three elements of God's will should we know?

I. God will spare His own (4)
II. God will judge His enemies (8)
III. God will rule in His-story (20)

Habakkuk 3:1

TOPIC: God's nature

TITLE: Three Critical Aspects of God’s Nature!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What three aspects of God's nature are undeniable?

I. God is Capable of Intense Wrath!
II. God is Capable of Remembering!
III. God is Capable of Compassion!

Habakkuk 3:16-19

TOPIC: Prophecy

TITLE: The Effects of Prophecy on God’s People
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What should the effects of prophecy be on God's people?

I. Abject [Arena of] Fear (16)
II. Absent [Absence of] Fruit (17)
III. Abundant Future [Abundance of Future or Faith] (18-19)

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: God takes us into an arena of fear, chastening us by removing the very things which drew us away from Him, and leaving us with tested faith and the promise of an abundant future.

Hababbuk, Homiletics,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

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

1 CORINTHIANS - Seed Archive

3:13

... each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work.

TOPIC: Discipleship [Sanctification]
TITLE: UNFIRED CLAY - What it means to be a Christian!

TRUTH CLAIM/CONTEXT: What a privilege to even be considered worthy to pass through the fire, to be provided works that need testing! Likewise, what a privilege to be placed on the Potter's wheel and be molded by the Master's hand!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What does being a Christian mean?

I. It Means We've Chosen (versus being forced)! [Acts 26:28]
II. It Means We've Changed (the old is new)! [Acts 11:26]
III. It Means We're Challenged (to glorify our God)! [1 Peter 4:15,16]

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Why are Christians so proud of their denominational affiliations, of their family tree or father's name? Our Savior's name is Jesus! We ought to be more proud of our affiliation with Him and with our Father in heaven's name.

Rebirth involves a conscious choice of acceptance, a certain and consequentialchange in one's life, and no promise of vital life with out challenge.

10:1-13

TOPIC: Testimony

TITLE: STANDING LEST WE FALL - An Example to Follow!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What seven examples in the wilderness did the Israelites leave for us to follow?

I. Not to crave evil things! [6b]
II. Not to submit to idols! [7a]
III. Not to act immorally! [8a]
IV. Not to provoke the Lord! [9a]
V. Not to grumble! [10a]
VI. Not to be proud in you own eyes! [12]
VII. Not to think you suffer alone! [13a]

10:1-14

TOPIC: Walk (The Christian), Hypocrisy
TITLE: NOW YOU SEE ME, NOW YOU DON’T!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How Is Life in Corinth seen in this passage?

I. The Life Presented Outwardly!
II. The Life Revealed Inwardly!
III. The Life Ignored Spiritually!

Christians seem to be awfully naive; believing like the Hebrews ... during the days of Ezekiel and Jeremiah ... that God does not see what they are doing or know what they are thinking. (added 2/22/06)


11:11-29

TOPIC: Lord's Supper [Communion; Eucharist]
TITLE: Testimonial Proclamation!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What three questions need to be answered before we come to the Lord's Table?

I. Why do we partake in the Lord's Supper?

A. To recognize His presence!
B.To remember His absence!
C. To proclaim His resurrection!

II. What is the Lord's Supper?

A. It is a cooperative (aspect of sharing)!
B. It is a concert (aspect of unity)!
C. It is a companionship (aspect of participation)!

III. Who may share in the Lord's Supper?

A. Disciples only! (only kind present)
B. Baptized only! (ditto)
C. Worthy only! (ditto)

15:12

TITLE: HOW DO SOME SAY?

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?

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What consequences accrue if Christ doesn't rise from the dead?

I. Our Preaching Is In Vain! (v.14)
II. Our Faith Is In Vain! (v.14)
III. Our Faith Is 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: But now Christ has been raised ... ! [15:20-22]

(Rev. 2/22/06)

Bible, 1 Corinthians, Homiletics, Preaching, Outlines, Religion, Sermons