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

SERIES: Acts #12
TOPIC: Consecration; Witness

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

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

[D. L. MOODY] Said …

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I. HIS GIFTS CONFIRM IT

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

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

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

1 Corinthians 12:11 [1-11]

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

John 3:34

II. HIS ENEMIES CONFIRM IT

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

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

Matthew 10:24-26

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

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

Two things were operative on this day:

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

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

Proverbs 6:16-18

Notice Stephan confounded his persecutors with wisdom and Scripture.

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

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

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

III. HIS HEART CONFIRMS IT

Jesus said,

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

Matthew 6:20-21

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

IV. HIS HONOR CONFIRMS IT

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

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

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

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

APPLICATION: Bottom-line -

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

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

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

In view of our claims, unbelievers say they are unimpressed

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

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

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

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

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

2 Corinthians 3:1-18

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

God owns us ...

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

1 Corinthians 6:20

And ...

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

1 Corinthians 7:23

Plus ...

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

2 Peter 2:1

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

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

Acts 20:28

God owns us all!

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

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16:9a

THE EYES OF THE LORD - He strongly supports us!

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2 Chronicles 16:9a: The Eyes of the Lord!

TOPIC: Provision; Hope, Trust, Watchcare

TITLE: THE EYES OF THE LORD – He Strongly Supports Us!

Adapted form Spurgeon’s Morning & Evening; “Morning” September 28 (switched from Ps. 33:13 to ...

TEXT: 2 Chronicles 16:9a

“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth (in order) that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”

INQUIRY: How does God support us?
CONCISE OUTLINE

I. IN THE WAY HE ATTENDS TO OUR NEEDS!
II. IN THE WAY HE BEHOLDS TO OUR WOES!

TRUTH/CONTEXT: Perhaps no words represent God in a more gracious light than when He is spoken of as having leaned down from His throne or as having come down from heaven to behold the needs of man and attend to his woes.

Especially is this grand truth brought home, when we recall how attentive He is and has been to the whole of our temporal and eternal interests.

Our text provides two striking disclosures –

1. that the Lord is observing every movement and condition of man upon the earth and,
2. that He does so in order to know who serves Him, that He may “strongly support” them!

[SCANNER] Like a grocery scanner, His eyes are whipping back and forth over the entire surface of the earth, keeping tabs on all who live. Unlike the scanner, God misses nothing.

INQUIRY: How does God support us?
EXPANDED OUTLINE

I. IN THE WAY HE ATTENDS TO OUR NEEDS

Don’t get the idea that God sits in heaven taking no notice of us. No matter how poor or needy, no matter your station in life, remember –the Lord still numbers the hairs of your head.

The prophet Elijah, on the heights of Mt. Carmel, grappled with God over a drought and its end. But the prophet never once gave way to the fear that he would be unwelcome in God's courts.

Six times Elijah’s servant returned, and each time to the seventh, no word was spoken but "Go again.”

Our timing may not be God’s timing, but His concern for our needs is present at all times, infinitely.

II. IN THE WAY HE BEHOLDS OUR WOES

“The Lord looks from heaven; he beholds all the sons of men.”

Psalm 33:13

[LINKS] On the Internet there is something called a URL (Uniform Reference Link); it ties or links one computer with a file stored on another.

Though immeasurable of distance lies between the creature and the Creator, links exist unite us with God.

A. The Link of Our Tears: When a tear descends your cheek, don’t think God does not see its desent.

“Return and say to Hezekiah …, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of your father David, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears...”’”

2 Kings 20:5

“… the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping.”

Psalm 6:8

[BOB CARLISLE] “When a Grown Man Cries … his tears touch the very heart of God.”

B. The Link of Our Sighs: Your sigh is able to move the heart of God.

“Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, And He will hear my voice.”

Psalm 55:17

C. The Link of Our Trust: Your faith can move His arm.

“And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.”

Matthew 21:22

And He saves your prayers in golden bowls.

D. The Link of Our Fellowship: Not only your prayer but your time in the word can stay His hand.

“…the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weak-nesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.”

Hebrews 4:12-16

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Again, no image represents God more graciously than when He is spoken of as having leaned down from His throne (or as having come down from heaven) to behold the needs of man and attend to his woes.

But the text says His focus is only on “those whose heart is completely His.”

How the thought of Him warms our heart when we recall that He would not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah till He’d personally visited them, even though they were full of iniquity.

How our souls pour out affection toward our Lord when He ignores His Angelic Choir in order to place His ear close to the lips of a dying sinner who’s fading spirit longs for reconciliation.

How our own spirits adore Him when we remember that He numbers the very hairs of our heads, that He lights our paths, and that He establishes the way of our travels?

Oh! Then repeat the truth that never tires,
No god is as the God my soul desires;
He at whose voice heaven trembles, even He,
Great as He is, knows how to (lean down) to me.

Is your heart completely His? Does He strongly support you? If not, why not?

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1 CHRONICLES: Full Sermons

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

9:33

DAY AND NIGHT – Don't Stop Singing!

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ACTS 4:23-31 - NOTICE THEIR THREATS

SERIES #6: Acts of the Apostles; Witnesses to Jerusalem [1-7]

TOPIC: Power; Church, Testimony, Witness

TITLE: NOTICE THEIR THREATS - Prerequisite for Speaking with Boldness!
TEXT: Acts 4: 29-30 [23-31]

"And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus."

CONCISE OUTLINE
INQUIRY: How did the disciples react to the threat of persecution by the Jewish leaders?

I. THE THREAT MADE THEM PROCLAIM GOD … !

A. Their faith in God

1. Openly
2. Enthusiastically

II. THE THREAT MADE THEM PRAISE GOD … !

A. Loudly!
B. Unanimously!

III. THE THREAT MADE THEM PETITIONED GOD … !

A. Powerfully

TRUTH/CONTEXT: By now we should remember …

First that the Acts of the Apostles is outlined in chapter 1 verse 8 … and second that there are three themes revealed in its contents …

1. The preeminence of the Living Lord,
2. The prominence of the Holy Spirit, and
3. The power of the authentic church

We’ll be in Jerusalem through chapter 7; we’ll then enter Judea and Samaria until chapter 13, when we begin a journey to “the remotest part of the earth.”

Last week we saw that the authentic church can’t stop speaking about what is know to be true … unless it has allowed calluses to build up on its heart, or unless it, like the church in Laodicia, has lost its first love. [Revelation 2:4]

This week we’ll see how persecution results in a fearless voice, a unified voice, and a powerful voice all working together for God’s Glory.

EXPANDED OUTLINE
INQUIRY: How did the report of persecution by the Jewish leaders affect believers?

I. THE THREAT MADE THEM PROCLAIM GOD – Fearless Voice!

For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel. [27]

A. Jesus
B. By faith
C. Openly
D. Enthusiastically

1. Considered it an honor to suffer for His name
2. Unconcerned about the consequences
3. Hungered more

E. Didn’t suggest a retreat, criticize or question the apostle’s motives, suggest they go easy, stop going to the temple, propose appeasement, or send others so they could stay home.

II. THE THREAT MADE THEM PRAISE GOD – Unified Voice!

“And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord.” [24a]

A. When the disciples reported on the threat the combined response was unified. [24]
B. Praised God

1. Loudly
2. Unanimously
3. About

a) His creative POWER! [24]
b) About His providential care! [25,28]
c) About His word and its truth! [25,26]

C. Gave God the glory

1. … here called “Sovereign Lord” …
2. recognized He is greater than “nations … peoples … kings … and rulers” [despõtes]

III. THE THREAT MADE THEM PETITIONED GOD … Powerful Voice!

"And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus." [29, 30]

A. As a result they prayed boldly to God …

1. to consider the threats of His enemies
2. to grant them all confidence to proclaim the Good News
3. to continue …

a. His healing … not just the flesh but the spirit.
b. His signs and wonders …

E. Notice the use of Scripture in their worship of God [24b,25b,26]
F. Notice they don’t hesitate to call a “spade” a spade [27,28]
G. Notice they don’t cower but rather

1. Requested God would humble His enemies and
2. make bold His witnesses. [29]

H. Notice they don’t ask for boldness selfishly but rather for the benefit of others and for the glory of God! [30]
I. And notice God answered their prayers and released them with power … but for many it meant dispersion, tribulation, and death! [31]
J. Notice the request is not for power to afflict God’s enemies with His wrath but rather to extend His mercy “through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” [30]

We should covet the same.

APPLICATION:

[COMMAND] During WWII the North African Campaign was in a mess and General Montgomery was sent to clean it up. I’m told his first order was as follows: “The orders of the Commander-in-Chief will no longer be open to interpretation ... just action.”

God will not bully or threaten those He has chosen. No gun will be put to their head; they will not be drug kicking and screaming into the streets.

We may choose to obey or disobey. Yet there are those who insist they’re obedi-ent and but clearly are not! Such is the problem of the twentieth century.

Were I chosen to write the epitaph for the church of this century, I would write:

GREAT PROCLAMATION;
PROCLAMATION UNPROCLAIMED

The POWER of the church (for certain THE AUTHENTIC CHURCH) was reflected in the events that followed:

1. Immediate answer to prayer … [4:31]
2. Community … [4:32-35]
3. Barnabas … [4:36,37]
4. Ananias & Sapphira [5:1-16]
5. Followed by more persecution [5:17ff.]

CHALLENGE: The AUTHENTIC but contemporary church should expect, if it has committed itself into His hands, to be …

1. shaken
2. filled and
3. made bold.

[ARMY] A few years ago the U.S. Army unveiled a new recruitment slogan recently. The “Be All You Can Be” line, a cultural icon since the 1980s, was re-tired and replaced with “An Army of One.”

According to reports, the Army hopes the slogan will appeal to a genera-tion less attracted to military service than its predecessors.

Paul says the church has had that slogan for 2,000 years …

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians 4:4-6

And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.

Acts 4:31

Thus we know and proclaim, “I am an army of One in Christ Jesus … undefeated and unbeatable; overcoming and victorious!”

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6:4-7

DISCIPLESHIP: It’s A Relationship, Not A Religion!

6:19

OUR OBLIGATION - To Die, Live, Serve, and Be United to God!

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Judges 2:3: Thorns & Snares

TOPIC: Obedience; Disobedience, Justice, Wrath
TITLE: THORNS & SNARES – The Proof Is Indeed In the Pudding!

TEXT: Judges 2:3

“Therefore I also said, 'I will not drive them out before you; but they will become as thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you.”

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What are we to learn from the lesson of Israel?
CONCISE OUTLINE:

I. OUR ENEMIES WILL BE DUE TO OUR DISOBEDIENCE!
II. OUR ENEMIES WILL (probably) BE GOD’S TESTING OF US!

A. Our Enemies Will Be Pains In Our Daily Lives!
B. Our Enemies Will Trap Us In Things We Can't Control!

TRUTH/CONTEXT: Israel is not far from the shores of the Wilderness and yet here they are in this predicament. (READ ALOUD: Judges 2:10-11)

And when God rebuked them they named the place Bochim (Baw-gghh-heem; the weepers or the place of weeping).

Here is the basic outline of the entire Book of Judges:

Israel –

1. Is instructed to obey
2. Agrees to obey
3. Disobeys
4. Suffers
5. Cries out (repentance)
6. Is judged
7. Is restored
8. Is instructed to obey

That’s it; over and over Israel goes through this cycle. Even individuals are shown to exhibit the same characteristics (e.g., Samson, priests, Jephthah, the greedy Levite, etc.).

Paul says this about the Old Testament ...

“Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”

1 Corinthians 10:11

Would you say we’ve been in that cycle here in the United States? In the world?

Now look at what our history with God shows: Crusades, Dark Ages, Popish religion, paganism, materialism, Holocaust, Inquisition, witch trials, slavery, 500 years of conflict in Ireland, Bosnia/Rwanda/Darfur, terrorism, Islamic radicalism, wars, abortion, pedophilia, pornography, secular humanism, public homosexuality, judicial activism & tyranny, greed, selfishness, drugs, promiscuity, educational decay, taxation without representation, social & racial discrimination … and I could go on!

Worse haven’t we become a world which blames others for these thorns and snares?

You see our enemies don’t have to be nations, but they may be; one thing is for sure … if they are allowed to have at us, “they will become as thorns in [our] sides and [they] will be a snare to [us]”!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What are we to learn from the lesson of Israel?
EXPANDED OUTLINE:

I. OUR ENEMIES WILL BE DUE TO OUR DISOBEDIENCE!

Consider how the contemporary church has disobeyed God ...

A. The Great Commandments [Matthew 22:37-38]
B. First Things First

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Matthew 6:33

D. Sacrifice

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Romans 12:1

E. Others

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Philippians 2:4

[CHEAP WORDS] A non-believing lawyer went to a friend’s church, listened watching speechlessly to the behavior of many who he knew … especially a number whom he’d seen in court or whom he represented.

“How did you like the service?” His friend asked at the close of the service. He answered, “As a lawyer let me respond in this way: there is a world of difference between testimony and evidence.

"Words are cheap; it’s easy to give testimony for Christ, but quite another matter to offer evidence of God's purifying power in one’s life in Christ. Didn’t your Jesus say ... 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.'” [Mark 7:6]

II. OUR ENEMIES WILL (probably) BE GOD’S TESTING OF US!

“Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to test Israel …”

Judges 3:1

A. OUR ENEMIES WILL BE PAINS IN OUR DAILY LIVES!

1. Entertainment industry is surely testing us

a) Audio & video
b) Prurient & voyeuristic desires
c) Gambling and pampering

2. Political system is surely testing us

a) Lacks a clear Christian national-view
b) Lacks a Christian worldview

3. Educational system is surely testing us

a) Corrupting the minds of our young people
b) Anti-Americanism
c) Lying & cheating
d) Communistic & socialistic

B. OUR ENEMIES WILL TRAP US IN THINGS WE CAN’T CONTROL!

1. Our own churches

a) Mega-church growth
b) Theological conflict
c) Church splits & pastoral hostility
d) Tares & wolves

2. Judicial system:

a) 9th Circuit decision this week
b) Kelo
c) Gay marriage
d) Destruction of the family

3. Secularism-humanism

a) Paganism
b) Drug trade
c) Pornographers
d) Materialism
e) Victim class
f) Laziness

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: So where have we disobeyed the LORD? Remind them of the above AND it was up to God’s people to drive the enemies of Israel out but it was in fact the Lord who drove them out.

And don’t you see: God’s people are failing to be obedient by faith so that He will drive them out for us!

Except with obedience and repentance, we will see no change in our nations! [2 Chronicles 7:14]

[REAL WITNESS] Let's not be like those who are seen and heard being un-Christian. People who know we are Christians will wonder greatly at our conduct.

We might say, “I do this or that not as a Christian, but as a sinner saved by grace." Or we might even try, “I do this or that not as a Christian, I am at work where I may not act like a Christian.”

“But,” the observer will ask, “when the sinner or worker goes to Hell, what will become of the Christian?”

How will God judge us when we appear before His throne? Will it be for what we sang or prayed in church, or will it be for our witness before a lost and dying world?

It will be whether His Son ever knew us!

[NAME CHANGE] Once a soldier was reported to Alexander the Great for showing cowardice on a particular occasion; when the soldier appeared before Alexander the Great, he asked him his name. He said, “Alexander, sir!” Alexander rebuked him for the dishonor he’d brought upon the name and ordered him to change his name or behave in a way that honored the name.

It would not be a better thing to have fewer Christians laboring in the Lord’s vineyard but it would be to have better ones.

It would seem to me that most of what passes as Christianity today could certainly use a name change.

Didn’t the LORD say we were not to take His name in vain? Isn’t calling oneself a Christian but not behaving as one taking the name of Jesus in vain?

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MAKE READY THE WAY: Do You Desire the Presence of the Lord?

TOPIC: Kingdom Living; Presence, Sanctification, Walk, Way (as in "Preparing")]
TITLE: MAKE READY THE WAY – Do You Desire the Presence of the Lord?*

TEXT: Luke 3:4 & Isaiah 40:3-5

"And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins; as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, 'THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT. EVERY RAVINE SHALL BE FILLED UP, AND EVERY MOUNTAIN AND HILL SHALL BE BROUGHT LOW; AND THE CROOKED SHALL BECOME STRAIGHT, AND THE ROUGH ROADS SMOOTH; AND ALL FLESH SHALL SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD.'"

"A voice is calling, 'Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. Let every valley be lifted up, And every mountain and hill be made low; And let the rough ground become a plain, And the rugged terrain a broad valley; Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, And all flesh will see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

INQUIRY: How should we make the way ready for Jesus?

CONCISE OUTLINE

I. WE MUST PREPARE A HIGH-WAY FOR HIS GRACE!
II. WE MUST PREPARE A PATHWAY FOR HIS HOLINESS!
III. WE MUST PREPARE A CAUSEWAY FOR HIS SOVEREIGNTY!
IV. WE MUST PREPARE A FREEWAY FOR HIS FELLOWSHIP!

TRUTH/CONTEXT: The voice crying in the wilderness is demanding a way be prepared for our soon coming Lord.

I think we understand this passage well enough; it deals, in context, with the coming of the Lord Jesus to Israel the first time.

How did they respond to the coming of their Savior, their Messiah? As a nation? Not well, I’m afraid! As a religious body of chosen people? Shame!

I believe it is important for the believer to do some introspection at this point. They must grasp the general principle of truth behind this passage and that it applies to all areas of His coming, not just His first!

[SPURGEON] Regarding this passage Spurgeon says, “I would be attentive to the Master's proclamation, and give him a road into my heart ... through the desert of my nature.”

I believe Spurgeon is right. I believe if you’re expecting Jesus to come to you in some fashion, any fashion (e.g., this morning’s healing time), you need to make ready for His arrival!

Jesus desires to come to us, to dwell in us, to work out His plan for our lives; how many have lost this opportunity and have found themselves longing today for the same things they longed for when they were first saved.

Our hearts are the very center of our being; they are our wilderness!

[STUMBLING BLOCKS] We have a moderate tradition in our house: dad reads to the kids at bedtime. I’m currently reading Frank Peretti’s “The Tombs of Anak” (Book 3 of The Cooper Kids Adventure Series) to my daughter Naomi.

In it, the heroes are trying to find their way to a companion who is being held in a maze of underground tombs by some unknown bad guys. At every turn, something gets in their way.

The Lord is earnestly seeking access to our hearts but at every turn, we throw something in His way.

INQUIRY: How must we make the way ready for Jesus?
EXPANDED OUTLINE

I. WE MUST PREPARE A HIGH-WAY FOR HIS GRACE!

A. Grace and faith are forever joined at the hip.
B. Every valley must be lifted; false humilities and hypocrisies are unbecoming to our King, every mountain of pride must be torn down.
C. All doubt and despair must be removed; self-seeking and carnal living forsaken.
D. Across all ravines, gouged out by the torrents of life, a highway for His grace must be raised.

II. WE MUST PREPARE A PATHWAY FOR HIS HOLINESS!

[REMEMBER] In 1972, the Duke of Windsor, the uncrowned King Edward VIII, died in Paris. A television program recounted his life. Viewers watched an interview in which he answered questions about his upbringing, his brief reign, and his eventual abdication.

Recalling his boyhood as Prince of Wales, he said, “My father [King George V] was a strict disciplinarian. When I had done something wrong, he would admonish me, saying, ‘My boy, you must always remember who you are.’”

Our heavenly Father says the same to us every day, “My child, you must always remember who you are.” Let us constantly remind ourselves of who we are [in Christ].

A. The crooked must be straightened; wavering hearts must have straight pathways for God, with holiness for its pavement.
B. The double-minded are not welcome on this path; they’re strangers to God’s truths.
C. Heed all things honest and true; God is a heart-searching God.

III. WE MUST PREPARE A CAUSEWAY FOR HIS SOVEREIGNTY!

[OBEDIENCE] Fort Bragg, North Carolina: A clerical error sent a supply clerk with the 82nd Airborne Division on his first parachute jump without any formal training.

When he jumped, Army Specialist Jeff Lewis, who landed unhurt, said he was just doing what any good soldier is supposed to do - follow orders. “The Army said I was airborne-qualified,” Lewis said. “I wasn't going to question it.”

A. Every mountain of self, every high-rise built by human hands must be bulldozed down.
B. The proud, the egocentric, and the self-righteousness must be leveled, to make a causeway for the King of kings.
C. The Lord has respect for the humble, He visits the contrite in heart, but the lofty are an abomination to him.
D. Implore the Holy Spirit to set you right in this.

IV. WE MUST PREPARE A FREEWAY FOR HIS FELLOWSHIP!

A. The rough places must be smooth; sin’s obstacles removed.
B. Divine fellowship is never offered to calloused or casual sinners.
C. All weeds of rebellion must be uprooted from the roadbed.
D. Such a great visitor must not be expected to travel muddy and stone littered alleyways when he comes to honor us with his company ... let Him find freeways of blessing and expectation.

[GRAHAM] As Billy once said, “If you were told the President of the United States would be at your house for a visit, you wouldn’t wait until you saw the presidential limousine driving down your street before you began to prepare for his arrival.” [Loose paraphrase]

How much more should you be prepared for the Lord’s arrival to meet your needs?

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Beloved, would it be this morning that the Lord would find in our heart a highway of faith made ready for His grace ... that He might make a triumphal entry through the utmost wilderness of our soul, from now till the end of our time.

How we hinder the work of the Lord in these days; how we must stop and surrender to His sovereignty and grace.

* Morning & Evening, January 03 - "Evening"

Isaiah, Kingdom Living, Luke,
Presence, Sanctification

JOHN - Full Sermons

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

1:1-2,14

CHRIST JESUS - The alpha & The omega! (SCCC)

8:36

FREEDOM - The Threat & The Price! (SCCC)

15:4-5

REAL SOVEREIGNTY - What Jesus Meant by "apart from"! (SCCC)

17:15

CHRIST DID NOT PRAY - How We Should Relate to Our Ingathering!

18:36

KINGDOM OF GOD - Fighting for the Right Kingdom! (SCCC)

Bible, Gospel of John,
Homiletics, Preaching, Sermons

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

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