Luke 9:18-20 KJV: THE ONE - Just Another Senator

NOTE: The following is a message prepared to be delivered on Radio Panorama in South African by a good friend, Cornelius Claassen. Cornelius and his family minister in Welcomen, South Africa, a gold fields Township.

TOPIC: The Second Coming
TITLE: THE ONE - Just Another Senator

TEXT: Luke 9:18-20 [KJV]

And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, "Whom say the people that I am?" They answering said, "John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again."

He said unto them, "But whom say ye that I am"? Peter answering said, "The Christ of God."

TRUTH CLAIM/CONTEXT: November 2008 and the American Nation has elected a new President – Senator Barack Hussein Obama – an historical event – the first American of African decent to be elected to the highest office in their democratic government.

A little known fact is that Senator Barack Obama visited South Africa two years ago.

The American Embassy informed the South African Government before hand of his proposed visit. They even warned the South African Government that the Senator had Presidential aspirations.

Senator Barack Obama visited many of the Townships in our country – places that the average visitor to South Africa never visits.

There was hardly any newspaper or TV coverage of his visit. Only one South African Government Official was prepared to meet with the Senator from Illinois.

Our Leaders were just too busy! Too many other important people to be met! Too many other important things to do! This was just another American Senator visiting South Africa!

Little did they realize that this man was to become the next freely elected leader of the most powerful nation on earth.

They were warned but they chose to ignore the possibility that he might become President of his country!

Today, many regret the decision they made two years back to ignore the Senator from Illinois:

"If only – if only we had known who it was that was visiting South Africa – things would have been done differently!"

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How does our text compare the opinion of man versus the opinion of a believer?

Should Barack Obama decide to visit South Africa again, I am convinced that things would be different, much different – he will receive red carpet treatment!

But it is too late now – the damage is done!

We thought that he was just another Senator from America!

So many regrets: "If only we had acted differently ... if only we had not ignored him!"

There are some important Spiritual lessons that we can learn from this event and what happened two years ago!

2000 years ago Jesus came to this earth.

Nearby the city of Bethsaida Jesus spoke to a multitude of about 5000 men about the Kingdom of God

Matthew tells us in his Gospel account – there were about 5000 hungry men, besides women and children!

Jesus took five loaves and two fishes and blessed them and broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before this multitude.

What a miracle:

And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

Luke 9:17 KJV

Friend I want to remind you:

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Hebrews 13:8 KJV

What Jesus did 2000 years ago – He is still able to do today!

Please don’t lose hope! Whatever your need or problem may be today – Jesus is able to help you!

Put your trust in Him! Prayer moves the hand of Him through whom all things are possible!

I. WHO MEN SAY HE IS!

Jesus leaves behind the crowd!

While He was alone praying, His disciples with Him He asked them:
"Who do men say that I am?"

They answered and said:
"Some say – John the Baptist!"
"Some say – Elijah!"
"Others say – One of the old prophets who has risen again!"

If I ask you today: Who do men say Jesus is? What answer would you receive?

If we ask our Muslim friends they will answer: He was a prophet! They will acknowledge that Jesus was born of a virgin! The only person ever known to be born of a virgin!

And she (Mary) who guarded her virginity. We breathed into her of Our spirit (Gabriel), and made her and her son a sign for the worlds.

Sura 21:91

They acknowledge that Jesus was a sign for the worlds! They even acknowledge that Jesus preformed many miracles! They will acknowledge that He was preferred above other Messengers of God -

Of these Messengers, We have preferred some above others. To some Allah spoke; and some He raised in rank. We gave (Prophet) Jesus, the son of Mary, clear signs and strengthened him with the Spirit of Purity (Gabriel). Had Allah willed, those who succeeded them would not have fought against one another after the clear verses came to them. But they differed among themselves; some believed, and others disbelieved. Yet had Allah willed, they would not have fought against one another. Allah does whatever He will.

Sura 2: 253

BUT they will insist – He was nothing more than a prophet!

Who do men say that Jesus is?

Some will tell you that Jesus was a good Teacher!
His teaching are worth following!
But that is as far as they will go – a good Man – a good teacher!

II. WHO BELIEVERS SAY HE IS!

Jesus then asks:

He said unto them, "But whom say ye that I am?" Peter answering said, "The Christ of God."

Luke 9:20 KJV

I want you to notice something very carefully:

But who do you say I am?

We need to answer this question!

Friend, what is important is not -

Who your parents say Jesus is!
Who you family say Jesus is!
Who your friends say Jesus is!
Or even Who your Church says Jesus is!

The question is Who do you say – Jesus is?

Peter answered: "The Christ of God!"

John the Baptist called out:

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

John 1:29 KJV

Remember when Jesus was baptised:

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Matthew 3:16-17 KJV

Jesus told His disciples during the night that He was betrayed:

Jesus saith unto him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

John 14:6 KJV

The only way to the Father!

The only way to enter the Kingdom of God is by going through the door, into the Lord's sheep pen, and enter into Jesus!

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: To leaders of South Africa, Obama was a mere human being, just another Senator from America; little did they know that the Senator from Illinois would become the next President of the most powerful nation in the World!

If they had only known!

Friend I want to remind you of something in closing -
The Bible says:

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

2 Corinthians 5:10

In that day will you call out: If only I realized Who Jesus was!

Today, I was fulfilled my duty as a Preacher of the Gospel!

Jesus is the Son of God – the Saviour of the World!

Listen to the words of Scripture:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 KJV

What must we do?

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:9

Then Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."

Acts 2:38-39 KJV

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Acts 4:12 KJV

Dear friend, do not hesitate to go out to see Him for yourself, do not hesitate one microsecond - seek Him, ask Him to be your Savior and your Lord, seek His forgiveness and live for all eternity with Him.

Homiletics, Luke,
Preaching, Second Coming, Sermons

DANIEL 10:14, 18-19: How prophecy strengthens us!

TOPIC: Prophecy; Character, Conduct, Promises (of God), Understanding

TITLE: "A PROPHETIC WORD -- How prophecy strengthens us!"

TEXT: Daniel 10:14, 18-19 [2-19]

"Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future."
...
"Then this one with human appearance touched me again and strengthened me. He said, 'O man of high esteem, do not be afraid. Peace be with you; take courage and be courageous!' Now as soon as he spoke to me, I received strength and said, 'May my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.'"

TRUTH CLAIM/CONTEXT: Daniel, great man of faith, broken hearted over Israel, "mourning" for his nation; weak from fasting, his strength fails him in the presence of an angelic messenger; but the messenger gave him "understanding of what will happen to [his] people in ... the days yet future" and he was strengthened.

Even though the strengthening was by way of an angelic visitor's touch, it was the prophet's faith (belief) which allowed him to be effected ... he believed the messenger's words ... "as soon as he spoke to me, I received strength."

Now (Chapters 11 & 12) Daniel was about to become familiar with the promises of God concerning Israel.

It is God's intention His words strengthen those who hear them, same as Daniel [Romans 10:17]; God intends His words to influence us.

We conclude prophetic messages are intended to "strengthen" or influence or change those who receive them by faith.

We need strengthening as much as Daniel; we too are weary of the continuing powerlessness and decline of the church (the true Church being our Israel).

As Scofield said in his classic Addresses on Prophecy -

"there is implied in the influence of any truth, the fact that it is really believed to be true." [Addresses on Prophecy, C. I. Scofield, A.C. Gaebelein Publ. (NY 1910) p. 3]

Scofield also wrote elsewhere,

"The church ... has failed to follow her appointed pathway of separation, holiness ... and testimony to an absent but coming Christ; she has turned aside from that purpose to the work of civilizing the world, building magnificent temples, and acquiring earthly power and wealth, and in this way, has ceased to follow in the footsteps of Him who had not where to lay His head." [C. I. Scofield, The Biggest Failure of the Church Age]

Oh how true; both then and now.

God inaugurated a plan for the ages; He has revealed this plan to His people in His Word (His Son, John 1:14).

In ages past, He inspired men to keep a record, so that their experiences might be examples for those living in the present [1 Corinthians 10:11]; He inspired still others to speak words of prophetic mystery [Hebrews 1:1] concerning the future, so that men of every age would be inspired or condemned by them; He then spoke through His Son once, for all and for all time, in "these last days" [Hebrews 1:2-4]; and His Son declared "It is finished" [John 19:30]; We are also reminded the Law and the Prophets were fulfilled in Him [Luke 24:44].

God’s promises are revealed through prophecy; they are joined at the hip, and play a critical role in the strengthening of His people.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How does Daniel's context parallel ours?
EXPANDED OUTLINE

I. IT PARALLELS -

A. In That Both Face the Same Dilemma

1. The Jews were being held captive by Persia; we are being held captive by the world
2. Israel was rebelling; so is the Church
3. Daniel was "mourning" Israel [2, 3]; we are mourning the Church
4. He is feeling hopeless, he was losing his will to keep on keeping on [8, 9]; we often feel similar to this
5. Future revealed to Daniel; future revealed to us

II. IT DOESN’T PARALLEL -

A. IN THAT –

1. Daniel was reading his “books” [9:2]; we aren’t reading ours
2. He prayed and fasted [3, 4]; we aren’t doing much of the former and little of the latter
3. Daniel’s humility impressed God [12, 17]; what do you think God thinks of Gringo humility?
4. Christ came to give him understanding & strengthen him [14]; He’s departed from visible church, we’ve lost our understanding, and remain without strength
5. Daniel had ears that heard and eyes that see [8, 9]; we have neither
6. God held Daniel in high esteem [11]; no comment
7. Sent an angel to strengthen him [14, 18-19]; only sends angels to televangelists
8. Revelation renders Daniel speechless [15]; we can’t shut up
9. He confesses his own powerlessness [16]; the church is trying to impress God with all that it can do for Him

APPLICATION: One hundred years have passed since the writing of Scofield's now classic work: nothing has changed.

"There is a great deal of the study of prophetic truth, and a great deal of the hearing of the exposition of prophetic truth which has no effect upon conduct or character, simply because it is heard or studied without faith." [Scofield, p. 4]

Faith is the conduit for illumination [1 Corinthians 2:12-13] just as it is for saving grace [Ephesians 2:8].

And Paul cautions us to recognize that hope that is seen is not hope at all.

Now, shifting gears - what forms conduct and builds character?

"It is ... a believing understanding of prophetic truth which has an influence upon either character or conduct." [Ibid.]

Common sense reveals that conduct is what we do, how we conduct ourselves ... our behavior!

And our behavior (ultimately) finds its roots in character – character is who we are! Consider a good man habitually exhibiting bad behavior ... it is an oxymoron to think a man is good who regularly exhibits bad conduct.

Turn that around: consider a bad man habitually behaving morally and ethically ... another oxymoron.

Hopelessness or hopefulness, it's our choice. If the Word of God is errant, fallible, and not God-breathed, we're hopeless; there's no future in these.

If the Word of God is inerrant, infallible, and God-breathed, then we're hopefilled. There is prophetic truth in these; in these is hopefilled expectation from generation unto generation.

For hope is from expectation and it is born out of that expected or promised ... our promise is in God's prophetic word. If the word of God can’t be trusted; there is no hope because there is no promise.

To be familiar with God’s promises we must be intimate with His prophecies; this requires intimacy with the Author. Intimacy implies knowledge of both; this knowledge is formative … it forms who we are.

And knowledge of God’s promises brings expectation to the table.

[RETURN] A farmer had an old hound dog that he cherished. One day the dog disappeared, and several weeks passed without his return. In spite of this, the farmer continued to set out fresh food for the dog every day.

Finally, in curiosity, one of the farmer's neighbors asked why he continued to set out food for the dog when he obviously was not returning.

"He will be back," replied the farmer. "Because he knows I am here waiting for him. And when he gets here I want him to know he is welcome back."

Today we wait for Christ's return with great expectancy … it’s promised.

We don’t know the day or the hour, but we’re confident He is coming back; this knowledge should influence us to act accordingly.

Don't confuse reputation with character; a gifted gossip can ruin a good man's reputation but not his character; a gifted ad man can get an immoral man elected president.

Everything and more than what Daniel learned and "understood" is ours! We have Christ; and Christ said, "It is finished."

Peter writes that even the angels would like to look into what we know [1 Peter 1:12].

Hope comes from the expectation a thing will occur, a formative influence. Hope, for believers, is rooted in our salvation [Romans 8:24], a promise of God.

What and who we know are formative; where we are ignorant of a matter or a thing we are free from its formative influence.

That which we know intimately influences our character (and therefore our conduct) intimately.
We are not a religious people, we are a relational people; God desires an intimate relationship with each and every one of us.

CHALLENGE: So, if it’s behavior we wish to influence in our churches, and it’s character we wish to build in our people, we must begin first with our church and then with ourselves … just as Daniel did.

We must acknowledge our failure to have an intimate relationship with God, solid knowledge of His promises, and a faithful expectation of their coming fulfillment.

Then, and only then, will we be strengthened by the both the Author of our faith and the Promise Keeper Himself.

Christianity, Daniel, Expository,
Homiletics, Outlines, Preaching,
Prophecy, Promises, Sermons

ECCLESIASTES 1:3 Under the sun!

TOPIC: Hope; Apathy, Hopelessness

TITLE: UNDER THE SUN - No thing new there!
TEXT: Ecclesiastes 1:3-11

What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun? A generation goes and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever.

Also, the sun rises and the sun sets; and hastening to its place it rises there again. Blowing toward the south, then turning toward the north, the wind continues swirling along; and on its circular courses the wind returns.

All the rivers flow into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, there they flow again. All things are wearisome; Man is not able to tell it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor is the ear filled with hearing. That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done.
So, there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one might say, 'See this, it is new'? Already it has existed for ages which were before us. There is no remembrance of earlier things; and also of the later things which will occur, there will be for them no remembrance among those who will come later still.”

INQUIRY: What three questions, when answered, would help man have a more abiding hope?
CONCISE OUTLINE

I. WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF OUR DILEMMA?

A. The Introduction of Sin (Rebellion)
B. The Denial of Sin
C. The Absence of the Fear of God

II. WHAT IS THE PRODUCT OF OUR DILEMMA?

A. Common Depravity
B. Certain Death and Judgment
C. Constant Conflict

III. WHAT IS THE CURE FOR OUR DILEMMA?

Christ Jesus is the cure for all of man’s problems,

TRUTH/CONTEXT: Apathy is defined as the “lack of emotion or feeling” and “indifference.”

Apathy is a compound word, having a negative prefix attached to the Greek word pathos. It’s similar to our word amoral (a-moral), meaning “not moral” or “without morals” or “immoral” in English.

Social commentators and pollsters have been talking about America’s apathy for some time now, especially among voters.

Religion watchers and analysts have been seeing the same phenomena in the American spiritual community.

It’s almost as if everyone has become indifferent to the condition of the world, there is an observable absence of animated concern.

• Would you agree with me the world, including the USA, is in a real mess?
• Would you agree with me the mess is bigger than you have ever seen in your life?
• Would you agree with me that far too many people seem to have given up, a kind of a nationwide sigh of resignation?

I must confess I’ve been apathetic lately too. But I’ve been trying to motivate people to action: you, neighbors and acquaintances, but with no appreciable success.

I’ve found myself telling others I’m sorry I ever had kids. I’ve been feeling somewhat hopeless. I’ve needed some hope.

Would you agree with me, Billy Graham is one of the most popular and trusted people alive today?

Well, through a 1950s message he reminded me of something: my hope is anchored to the Rock of my salvation.

INQUIRY: What three questions, when answered, would help man have a more abiding hope?
EXPANDED OUTLINE

I. WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF OUR DILEMMA!

A. Introduction of Sin (Rebellion)

1. The Origin

“When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened.”

Genesis 3:6, 7

2. If anyone should feel bad about the world that’s been left to our children, it is Adam and Eve.
3. Paul said,

“Through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.”

Romans 5:12a

“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”

Romans 3:23

B. Denial of sin

“If we say that we’ve no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we’ve not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”

1 John 1:8-10

C. No Fear of God

1. Following the resume of a classic sinner, Paul writes,

“THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.”

Romans 3:18

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 1:7

II. WHAT IS THE PRODUCT OF OUR DILEMMA!

A. Common Depravity

1. Depravity has filled our prisons, half-way houses, and gutters
2. It has destroyed families, marriages, careers, homes, communities, and even churches
3. It has brought us hopelessness and emptiness
4. It’s left us confused, numb, and burdened

B. Certain Death and Judgment

“And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.”

Hebrews 9:27

1. The world seems to have no understanding of either
2. First Death

Our graveyards are full of these -

“The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23

3. Second Death

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”

Revelation 2:11

“Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power”

Revelation 20:6

“And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.”

Revelation 20:14

“But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Revelation 21:8

4. Sheep-Goat Judgment

C. Constant Conflict

1. Every day of man’s existence, since the fall, has been scar pocked with conflict
2. Life’s road is littered with the wreckage of human conflict
3. Every home, every city, every nation

III. WHAT IS THE CURE FOR OUR DILEMMA!

Christ Jesus is the Cure!

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23

“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive.”

1 Corinthians 15:22

Jesus said, “Come unto Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11:25, 26

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: I ask you, “Do you believe this?”

Though man has changed the world, in 6,000 years of existence he hasn’t changed the cause of the world’s problem or eliminated its rotten fruit.

We’ve disguised, renamed, and remodeled sin … and given it an extreme makeover … but a jackass in a dress is still just a boy donkey!

We’ve used philosophy, technology, and psychology to explain it away … but running down the street with arms out shouting, “To infinity and beyond,” won’t get you in the air!

We’ve used mysticism, plastic surgery, open-heart surgery, cryogenics, diets, expensive spas and mud baths, botox, and cucumbers to avoid it … but a Tom Cruise looking Frankenstein is still a dead thing!

Christ is the cure!

I don’t need to regret that I did not have a plan to change the world or to make it a better place for my kids. Because Jesus did!

My job is not to save the world, my job is to tell my kids about Jesus, their job is tell my grandkids about Jesus.

[IN CHRIST] In the movie “In America,” an Irish family is chasing a dream to start over. The father has lost his ability to feel anything since the death of his son (for which he blames himself). He lost his hope and desire to love, laugh, and cry. Through a chain of events (the presence of innocence, an act of love, a death, a birth, a miracle, two adorable little colleens) his faith in God is restored and his hope returned.

The movie presents America as the hope and dream of all, a place for new beginnings, a place to leave the past and build for the future … but they set the film in NYC and so you see the pain, the tears, the sorrow, and the depravity all around.
The potential for apathy and hopelessness was still there; clearly, effort alone could not protect them. In the end, it was the faith of the two little Irish girls that gave them all hope and purpose for living … to see Frankie (the son) again, and be with him.

Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ and His righteousness.

“In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who’ve fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us.

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 6:17-20

Yesterday, Christ made atonement for your sins. You need to receive Him into your heart through repentance in order to receive His atonement.

Today, Christ is at His Father’s right hand, in fact He is His Father’s right hand, in-terceding for you. You need to appropriate His intercession through prayer.

Tomorrow is not yet here, but Jesus has prepared a place for you, that where He is you may be also.

Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. You come, let’s take care of business today!

Apathy, Christianity, Ecclesiastes, Expository, Homiletics,
Hope, 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

ISAIAH - Seed Archive

Isaiah 9:6-7

TOPIC: Christmas; Emmanuel, hope, promise

TITLE: GOD'S LITTLE WORD - A Child With Us!

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given ... .”

TRUTH CLAIM: God has revealed His plan for the ages! In a world gone nuts with hate (terrorists), evil (killing of the innocent unborn), deception (false religions), war (Israel), corruption (politics), and much, much more, it's good to know God has a plan!

God told us not to be downtrodden but rather to rejoice in everything ... for GOD IS WITH US! “If God is for us, who then can be against us”?

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How does this passage apply to me?

I. It Provides Me a Greater Joy!
II. It Provides Me a Greater Light!
III. It Provides Me a Greater Victory!
IV. It Provides Me a Greater King!

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Dear friends, if the first half of Isaiah's prophecy has been fulfilled ... that is, if it is true that God "sent His only begotten Son," that His Son was "born of a virgin," that His Son "suffered and died for our sins," and that "God raised Him from the dead on the third day" … then we ought to believe the second half as well!

That is, Christ is coming again ... to bring a greater joy, to bring a greater light for those who dwell in darkness, to bring final victory, and to bring a government greater in every way than David's! Oh what a day of rejoicing that will be!

Isaiah 49:6

"I will also make You as a light to the Nations, so that You, My Salvation, may reach the ends of the earth."

TOPIC: Missions [Calling; Evangelism, Missionaries]

TITLE: TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH!

TRUTH CLAIM: God has a plan, salvation to "all the nations" through His Son; theSon has a plan, salvation "all the nations" through you and me!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What is our role in foreign missions?

I. Our Role is Direct Involvement!

A. Through Submission!
B. Through Promotion!

II. Our Role is Indirect Involvement!

A. Intellectually!
B. Prayerfully!
C. Financially!

III. But Our Role is Never Uninvolvement!

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Our world view affects every thought we have and everyaction we take concerning missions. God is challenging all of us to remember: nomatter how many of us there are and no matter how great our problems seem to be,there are still billions more lost people than we have problems.

Isaiah 49:8-9

TOPIC: Covenant; faithfulness (of God), promises (of God)

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What then are some of His possessions which are now yours?

I. The Power of Christ is ours!
II. The Love of Christ is ours!
III. The Justice of Christ is ours!
IV. The Acceptance of Christ is ours!
V. The Righteousness of Christ is ours!

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Our blessed Jesus, as God, is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent. Will it not console you to know that all these great and glorious attributes are altogether yours?

Our blessed Lord, as perfect man, is our substitute, our blood atonement. Does it not give you hope and peace to know that He did these things for you and that they are altogether yours?

Christ Himself is our peace and Christ is our the covenant, but you must be in Him to be a part of the agreement.

Homiletics, Isaiah, Outlines,
Preaching, Sermons

1 PETER - Seed Archive

1 Peter 2:20-25

"when you do good and suffer, patiently enduring it, this finds favor before God"

TOPIC: Christ Jesus

TITLE: A Divine Response for Straying Sheep
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: Why have we been called to suffer when doing good?

I. Because Christ Experienced Suffering On Our Behalf! [21]
II. Because Christ Endured While Blameless! [22]
III. Because Christ Entrusted Himself To God Completely! [23]
IV. Because Christ Earned Our Salvation! [24]

"... for now we've returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls"

1 Peter 2:22-25

TOPIC: Jesus [Example (His); Discipleship]

TITLE: THE GUARDIAN OF MY SOUL!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How did Jesus set an example?

I. In His Nature - Sinless!

"WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH" [22]

II. In His Temperament - Blameless!

"while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously" [23]

III. In His Death - Vicarious!

"... He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed." [24]

IV. In His Guardianship - Shepherd!

"For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls." [25]

1 Peter, Homiletics, Outlines,
Preaching, Sermons

LAMENTATIONS - Seed Archive

1:1

"How lonely sits the city That was full of people! She has become like a widow Who was once great among the nations! She who was a princess among the provinces Has become a forced laborer!"

TOPIC: People of God

TITLE: The Cost of Disobedience - How to be Lifeless, Alone and Enslaved!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How does God want His people ["the city"] to be?

I. He wants her full of life! [a city once "full of people," now "lonely"]
II. He wants her great among nations! [once "great," now widowed]
III. He wants her regal! [then a "princess," now a "forced laborer"]

1:4

The roads of Zion are in mourning

Because no one comes to the appointed feasts
All her gates are desolate;
Her priests are groaning,
Her virgins are afflicted,
And she herself is bitter.

TOPIC: Price of Sin [Church health & behavior, Spiritual infidelity, Worship; holiness]

TITLE: BLACK GOLD*: The Heavy Price of Infidelity! [* see 4:1]
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: Why does the way to Zion mourn?

I. Attendance problems! [1b]
II. Missing Elders ! [1c]
III. Complaining priests! [1d]
IV. Declining [read "Reclining"] virgins! [1e]
V. Insensitive members [1f]

Apostasy, Christianity, Homiletics, Outlines,
Preaching, Rebellion, Sermons

JOHN - Seed Archive

3:7, 14, 30

TOPIC: Absolutes; Atonement, Good News, Prophecy, Relativism
TITLE: John 3's Four Absolutes!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What four absolutes in John 3 help us understand the Good News?

I. The Sons of Men Must Be Born-again! (John 3:7)
II. The Son of Man Must Be Lifted-up! (John 3:14)
III. The Bridegroom Must Increase! (John 3:30a)
IV. The Friends of the Bridegroom Must Decrease! (John 3:30b)

11:1-45

TOPIC: Death; Doctrine, Easter, Faith, Resurrection, Sovereignty of God

TITLE: UP FROM THE GRAVE HE CALLED - Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead!*

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What doctrinal ignorance existed among the people?

I. A Misunderstanding Concerning Death [12]
II. A Misunderstanding Concerning Resurrection [23-25]
III. A Misunderstanding Concerning Faith [38-40]

14:6

TOPIC: The Way
TITLE: THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE – Jesus is the way!

Jesus answered him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How is Jesus the way?

I. HE IS THE WAY BY DOCTRINE
II. HE IS THE WAY BY EXAMPLE
III. HE IS THE WAY BY THE SPIRIT
IV. HE IS THE WAY BY SACRIFICE

15:1-8

TOPIC: Church, Priorities
TITLE: THE PRIORITIES OF THE CHURCH - Under His Banner of Love!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How do we experience God's love?

I. Through Body Life
II. Through Fellowship
III. Through People
IV. Through Organization
V. Through Programs

16:8-15

TOPIC: Conviction, Holy Spirit, Ministry, Submission, Truth
TITLE: The Ministry of The Holy Spirit

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What are the Holy Spirit's ministries?

I. His ministry to the world! [8-11]

A. Conviction of sin! [9]
B. Conviction of righteousness! [10]
C. Conviction of judgment! [11]

II. His ministry to Christ's disciples! [12,13]

A. For guidance! [13]
B. For truth! [13]

III. His ministry to the Son of God! [14,15]

A. Revealing Him! [14]
B. Glorifying Him! [14]

16:32-33

TOPIC: Personality, Character, Nature of Jesus
TITLE: TWO UNITED IN ONE - Seeing the Humanity in Jesus' Divinity!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How do we see Jesus humanity?

I. IN HIS LONELY UNITY!

Though left alone by His friends [and He is saddened], He is not alone in the Father [for They are One].

II. IN HIS TEMPORAL MERCY!

Jesus knew His disciples would abandon Him; He brought it up now that they might be forewarned and reach beyond it, yet He did not bring it up later to hold it against them. [After all, while we were yet sinners He died for us ... why should this transgression be thought so great a thing?]

III. IN HIS OMNISCIENT SYMPATHY!

Well He knew the weaknesses of man. One such weakness was to let guilt caused by personal failure become despair. [Knowing they would lack Pentecostal power for some time yet, Jesus exhorted them, offering them peace and encouragement.]

IV. In His Shared Omnipotence!

Knowing their weakness and knowing the final outcome of the ages, Jesus shares the final chapter with His disciples.

[Thanks to Wm. Barclay for the seed thoughts for this message; see his Daily Bible Study Series, "The Gospel of John" (Westminster Press, Phil.), 1956, volume 2, pp. 237-38; Sermon Seed; Sermon-Outline-A-Week, August 2000]

Christianity, Expository Preaching, Homiletics,
John, Sermon Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

ROMANS 6:4-7 - DISCIPLESHIP: It’s A Relationship, Not A Religion!

TOPIC: Discipleship; relationship (with God), religion
TITLE: DISCIPLESHIP: It’s A Relationship, Not A Religion!
TEXT: Romans 6:4-7

“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.”

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What kind of relationship do we have with God?
CONCISE OUTLINE:

I. It's A Past Relationship - via our Old Nature!
II. It's A Present Relationship - via our New Nature!
III. It's A Prophetic Relationship - via our Promised Nature!

TRUTH CLAIM: Our relationship with God is not only in the shadow of today but in the shadows of the yesterdays and tomorrows, as well. A relationship requires two people; that is, we need a person on the other side of a relationship, to have one.

We have relationships with all sorts of people (e.g., family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc.), but love relationships are few, as they rightly ought to be.

Christianity is the only spiritual body that has or ever has claimed to have a God who desires, let alone allows, a personal, love relationship with His followers.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What kind of relationship do we have with God?

Not to dismiss the majesty and wonder of a love relationship with our Creator, let me say that we have -

I. A Past Relationship - via our Old Nature!

A. As a Debtor!

We are related to God through Grace!

[BURDEN] Debt of any kind is a burden. God tells us to owe no man anything; He understands the nature of debt. All of us have been in debt
at sometime; some quite seriously. It’s a heavy weight to bear - when the debt is finally lifted, what a relief.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God - ."

Ephesians 2:8

What a gift!

"[For] God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him."

Romans 5:8-9

What a God! What a relationship!

Remember, it was accounted to Abraham because he believed! That is, God credited his account to pay his debt!

B. As a Dead-man!

We are related to God through death!

[PLOTS] An acquaintance shared with me that he had a visit from an inexperienced and very nervous salesman the other day. The young man was selling cemetery plots. Being gracious, he allowed the sales pitch to be presented. But when finished he informed the youngster that he and his wife had previously purchased two burial plots at a competitor’s across town.

Awkwardly, the salesman excused himself and made his way to the door. As he hurried down the sidewalk, he turned and petulantly said, "Well, I hope you’ll both be very happy there!"

"Well, God has purchased us a burial plot only we won't have to stay there for long ... ."

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Read Romans 6:2-7, in its entirety.

We’re dead to sin! We’re free from the bonds of sin and death! We’re alive to God in Christ!

C. As a New Man!

We are related to God through life; through our new nature!

[BUTTERFLY] Think about the freedom the butterfly must feel as it experiences its new nature. Oh, I recall my joy when I shed my old nature and flew with the eagles!

"- if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."

2 Corinthians 5:17

This segues us neatly into the present.

II. It's A Present Relationship - via our New Nature!

A. As a Citizen!

We are related to God through citizenship! We are aliens, strangers, and

foreigners in this land!

[CALVYN] For almost two years our church had a visitor from Indonesia, a student at one of the local universities. No amount of effort or prayer on our part could change the fact that he was from Indonesia. In our land he was and always would be an alien, a stranger, and a foreigner.

So too are Christians on this The Third Rock from the Sun!

"- conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth -"

1 Peter 1:17b

"- our citizenship is in heaven -"

Philippians 3:20

B. As a Stewards and Ambassadors!

We are related to God through the Gospel of the King!

"Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy."

1 Corinthians 4:1-2

"I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes - For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith -"

Romans 1:16-17a

"- we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel -"

1 Thessalonians 2:4

"- we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

2 Corinthians 5:20

C. As a Family Member!

We are related to God through our blood-line - we’re brothers and sisters of the Father’s only begotten Son!

"'And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,' says the Lord Almighty."

2 Corinthians 6:18

We are related to God through our blood-line - we’re children of God!

[ADOPTIONS] This past Saturday, judges, social workers, and attorneys from all over California gathered in Los Angeles to do their annual "one-day" adoptions.

Normally, it can take years to process an adoption in Los Angeles County due to the bureaucratic red-tape. But once a year these folks get together to speed it up. The Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court presided; over 200 foster kids were process through the system to new families.

Praise God we have been adopted by the Father through the Son. The Chief Justice of Creation’s Supreme Court presided over our adoption. What the Law could not accomplish in a lifetime of lifetimes, God accomplished on the Cross in the twinkling of an eye.

"Beloved, now we are children of God -"

1 John 3:2a

"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him."

Romans 8:16-17

III. It's A Prophetic Relationship - via our Promised Nature!

As an Heir apparent!

We are related to God through hope!

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

1 Peter 1:3-5

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Oh, my beloved brethren, there are so many other aspects of our relationship to God that I could present but time and space prevent me.

God in His wisdom revealed through His Son our relationship with the Father - past, present, and future!

Praise God we’re related to Him -

• through grace - we’re no longer debtors!
• through death - we’re no longer bound by it!
• through life - we’ve received a new nature, the old has passed away!
• through citizenship - our kingdom is not of this world!
• through the Gospel - we’re stewards of the Good News, ambassadors for the Prince of Peace and Reconciliation!
• through blood - we’re so glad to be a part of the family of God!
• through hope - we’re heirs of the King!
  

And our God has never, ever broken His Word!

Do you know this? Do you have a relationship? Can you say that you are related in this way? If not, why not? And why do you delay while the Father waits by the road for His prodigals to return?

Christianity, Expository Preaching, Homiletics,
Preaching, Relationship, Sermon Outlines, Sermons