MATTHEW - Full Sermons

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

8:5-13

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

16:23-24 [21-28]

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

25:1-13

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

25:46 [31-46]

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

Homiletics, Matthew,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

Matthew 16:23-24 [21-28] - Daily walk; deny thyself!

TOPIC: Commitment, Discipleship, Sanctification
TITLE: DENY THYSELF - Focus on the Object of Your Faith for a Straight Walk!

But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What two questions must be asked in order to properly understand the teachings of Jesus? (Not a trick question)
CONCISE OUTLINE:

I. WHAT DID JESUS SAY?
II. WHAT DID JESUS NOT SAY?

TRUTH/CONTEXT: SURVEY TIME - ask some survey questions leading up to last week's challenge:

READER: "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." [Matthew 18:20]

• How many of you believe that? You do? You believe Jesus is here? His presence? Good!
• How many of you truly believe you are followers of Jesus and desperately want to feel His embrace and His presence this morning? Good!
• We all want to be known as disciples of Jesus, don't we?
  

Okay, we have virtual unanimity on our survey; so now, recall last week: at the end of the service I challenged you to imagine Sunday's worship service as the first stone of a seven-day, seven-stone walk with the Lord. Sort of "Seven Days of Purpose Driven Life"! (Pause for it to sink in!)

I challenged you to take each stone one at a time through Saturday and then meet here the following Sunday to begin a new seven-day walk with the Lord. I challenged you to see this one hour each week as the kickoff point for a week long journey ... that wasn’t asking too much was it?

• How many of you actually practiced what I preached?
• How is it that we come here today, professing to desire to "worship Him in Spirit and in truth" when the facts say otherwise?
  

[GOD'S HOUSE] A missionary gave a sundial to a group of natives when he departed from them. They came to regard it as holy and wanted to protect it, so they built a roof over it to keep it safe. This of course, kept the sun away from it. Later they added walls.

When He returned, he saw they'd rendered useless what they were protecting. They honored the image, but impeded its purpose.

That's how many regard Christianity today. It’s become something to enclose with walls and a roof. But, far worse, they've walled off the Christ of Christianity ... and in other ways they've done the same thing with their daily walk, literally saying to themselves, I walk with the Lord on Sundays, the rest of the week is mine.

If we behave this way about our walk with the Lord are we not denying Him rather than self? Will He not stay away if the testimony of our lives is, "Lord I'm too busy or distracted to pay much attention to Your stuff, leave me alone ... OKAY?" [Adapted from e-Sword ministries 2000+ Illustrations add-on]

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What two questions must be asked in order to properly understand the teachings of Jesus?
EXPANDED OUTLINE:

When Jesus teaches in this way there are two essential components to understand the teaching - first, what He in fact did say; second, what He in fact did not say!

I. NOTICE WHAT JUSUS DID SAY -

• notice the goal – “to come after Me” and “follow Me"
• notice the two things one must do if one wishes to achieve the goal - 1) “deny himself” and 2) “take up his cross”
  

• denial of self – “surrender"

Albert Barnes: Let him surrender to God his will, his affections, his body, and his soul. Let him not seek his own happiness as the supreme object, but be willing to renounce all, and lay down his life also, if required.

• taking up cross - your “calling” in life according to God's will

Albert Barnes: When persons were condemned to be crucified, a part of the sentence was that they should carry the cross on which they were to die to the place of execution. ... To carry it was burdensome, was disgraceful, was trying to the feelings, was an addition to the punishment ... we must endure whatever is burdensome, or is trying, or is considered disgraceful, in following Christ. It consists simply in doing our duty, let the people of the world think of it or speak of it as they may. It does not consist in making trouble for ourselves, or doing things merely “to be opposed;” it is doing just what is required of us in the Scriptures, let it produce whatever shame, disgrace, or pain it may. This every follower of Jesus is required to do.

READER: So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, "We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done." [Luke 17:10]

• notice in Matthew 10:38 that anyone who is unwilling to do this “is not worthy of” Him. Ouch!
• notice the context [vv. 21-28] - has to do with Peter being a stumbling block to the Lord
• also, after Jesus rebukes Peter (Satan; “adversary"); He says, “for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's”

• we know the context doesn't stop with v. 24, because it didn't in Matthew 10:38-39; and the context for Mark 8:34-38; Mark 9:1, the parallel passage in Mark (Luke 9:23-27, as well) clearly includes the whole of Matthew 16:24-28
• Peter loved the Lord but the disciple exhibited behavior which, if left unchallenged, would stand in the way of God's plan and Jesus let him know it
• not the first time for Peter, he did likewise in John 13:8 with the washing of the feet
• Peter was guilty of what a lot of us are guilty of, horizontal thinking or horizontal faith
  

• notice Jesus defines the bedrock of His statement in [v. 25] – “for My sake” leading to “will find it”

  “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.” [Mark 8:35]

• Notice that Jesus addresses the horizontal problem of the disciples

it doesn't work in God's system like it does in the world

READER: “but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong” [1 Corinthians 1:27]

there are two lives -- temporal and eternal -- try to save the former and you lose the latter, to save the latter and you must lose the former

any profit the world offers is not worth the price of the investment, your soul

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” [Matthew 6:33]

v. 28 tells us those who do not die to self, who are not baptized in the death of Jesus [Romans 6:3] will not taste real death until it is too late

do you think it was easy for Jesus to say “and so are some of you”? It's not easy for me, why would it be easy for Him

II. NOTICE WHAT JESUS DID NOT SAY!

He did not say "you are exempt from denying yourself and taking up your cross" if you …

• are too intelligent (not smart)
• are too old or too young
• are retired or employed job
• are too poor or rich
• don't belong to a church or are a deacon in a church
• have a spouse who won't join you or one who does it all
• find it's inconvenient
• feel embarrassed or ashamed
• don't feel called

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Someone said many of today's church people don't seem "chosen" because they're "frozen."

Adam Clarke sees four principles of the Christian walk from verse 24:

1. to sincerely desire to belong to Christ – “If any man wishes to come after Me,” etc.
2. to renounce one's independent spirit, and self-centered pursuits – “he must deny Himself.”
3. to embrace the condition which God has appointed, and bear the troubles and difficulties he may meet while on the Christian pathway – “take up his Cross.”
4. to follow after Jesus, and do and suffer all in hisspirit – “let him follow Me."

[WELCH] Years ago a young man and his bride wanted to make a difference for God in this world; they applied and were accepted as missionaries to Africa. Following their arrival in New York to prepare for oversees service mission officials determined the rigors of Africa would put the wife at risk. The agency revoked their deputation.

The couple returned home, brokenhearted, wondering how to rebuild their shattered dream. They decided to make money – lots of money – to support missions. They figured they could make it possible to send others to share the gospel of Christ even though they could not go themselves.

The young man's father had been making unfermented wine for their church’s communion services. His son soon became involved with him. Their name was Welch. They manufacture Welch’s grape juice to this day. The company has given millions to spread the gospel through missions. Did they rebuild their dream?

Despite our human frailty - God wants to use us in a positive way in negative world. Remember who we are; we are a people of God’s own choosing, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation.

It only takes a grain of salt in a substance to know it’s there. Even though you may feel small, weak, or insignificant - you're not! We are “the salt of the earth, the light of the world.”

Bottom-line, I believe this is the teaching of this passage:

• you and if, if we claim to be disciples, should be laboring under some calling of service and ministry
• absent the desires of the world, self, and the devil
• I think it is indicative of where you are at, in that so few of you can say that you are bearing a burden for Jesus alone, without any mixture of self, and following Him daily.
  

READER: Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [Hebrews 12:1-2]

[FIXED EYES] The snow covered the ground, and three young boys were playing in it. A man said to them, "Would you like to try to race, with the promise of a prize for the winner?"

The boys agreed, and the man told them that his race was to be different. "I will go to the other side of the field," he said, "and when I give you the signal, you will start to run. The one whose footsteps are the straightest in the snow will be the winner."
As the race commenced, the first boy began looking at his feet to see if his steps were straight. The second lad kept looking at his companions to see what they were doing; but the third boy just ran on with his eyes fixed on the man on the other side of the field.

The third boy was the winner, for his footsteps were straight in the snow. He had kept his eyes on the goal ahead of him. [Ibid.]

A long time ago, another man using similar words taught the same principle. It was Paul who said, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." [Philippians 3:13-14]

Discipleship, Homiletics, Matthew, Outlines,
Preaching, Sermons series, Sermons

Matthew 25:1-13 - Stone "1" on our spiritual weekly pathway!

TOPIC: Holy Spirit [Preparation, Second Coming]

TITLE: COME, HOLY SPIRIT – Stone "1" On Our Weekly Spiritual Pathway!
TEXT: Matthew 25:1-13

Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.

Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. But at midnight there was a shout, “Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.

The foolish said to the prudent, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the prudent an-swered, “No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for your-selves.”

And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut.

Later the other virgins also came, saying, “Lord, lord, open up for us.” But he answered, “Truly I say to you, I do not know you.” Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What is the Holy Spirit’s role in my walk?
CONCISE OUTLINE:

I. HE IS TO LIVE WITHIN ME!
II. HE IS TO HELP ME!
III. HE IS TO TEACH ME!
IV. HE IS TO REMOVE THE DARKNESS WITHIN ME!

TRUTH/CONTEXT:

[AIR SPEED] All winged aircraft have one thing in common, they must maintain air speed or they will go into a stall and nose-over. From time to time, our walk seems to nose-over, our forward progress being insufficient to sustain the "lift" needed. We must ...

1. be prepared for His presence
2. be prepared to respond to his presence, and
3. be prepared to experience His presence!

Two things confront me as a Pastor – first, the condition of the world and, second, the condition of the church.

Now, if the condition of the world makes me think that the Lord’s Second Coming might be close, then I must choose between a very few options. I can say the end is close and risk embarrassment if wrong; or, I can avoid the embarrassment by ignoring it and preaching on other things.

However, if I am right and the Lord does come, then I'm guilty of not preaching “in season and out,” [2 Timothy 4:2] and will answer to the Lord … what will I say to Him? However, if I'm wrong and the Lord delays … what am I guilty of before the Lord?

So, let me explain why I’m preaching on the role of the Holy Spirit: because – right or wrong – we are to be prepared. That is our role, our faith obligation.

We hear much of revival lately; revival resides in hearts not behaviors. A mere emotional upheaval, a spurt of religious excitement, is not revival.

I think it is time for us as a church to make a change in our attention to the Holy Spirit … no, I’m not calling on our church to become Charismatics or Pentecostals … I’m calling on you to be intentionally receptive to the ministry of the Holy Spirit, one day a week, for one hour!

Now that’s not too much to ask!

It is a scandal to the Lord if our faith is but one hour per week; but I’m not asking for that, because that would be the final stone in our Christian walk when said that way. I am asking for this one hour to be the first stone of our weekly spiritual pathway.

It is my conviction we must start here, in this hour, together, to honor and magnify the Lord. Please, by the mercies of the Lord, allow yourself to be renewed in the Son, to be restored in the Father, and to be revived in the Spirit.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What is the Holy Spirit’s role in my walk?
EXPANDED OUTLINE:

I. HE IS TO LIVE WITHIN ME! [1 Corinthians 6:19]

READER: Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

A. He is to be the life within me; the life I live is no longer my own!

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

[Galatians 2:20]

B. But precursor to this is my allowing Him in to live in me!

[GLOVE] The glove cannot do anything by itself, but when my hand is in it, the glove can do many things. True, it is not the glove, but my hand in the glove that acts. The Christian is a glove. It is the Holy Spirit in us, the hand, who does the work. We have to make room for the hand so that every finger in the glove is filled.

II. HE IS TO HELP (COMFORT) ME! [John 16:7]

READER: But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.

A. Therefore, I must receive Him.
B. And I must not to be stressed out by life and its circumstances!

III. HE IS TO TEACH ME! [1 Corinthians 2:12-13]

READER: Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by hu-man wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

A. I must have teachable (i.e., have a teachable spirit within me)!
B. I must not let the world dictate what I believe.

IV. HE IS TO REMOVE THE DARKNESS IN ME! [Luke 11:34]

READER: The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness.

[HOME] We’ve all seen a home, late at night where all of the lights are out, and seen how dark the home is … in fact it doesn’t seem like a home at all, just a dark house, black panes, no light from within. But then you see a home with a light on in one room, perhaps it is just a night light, but the whole house, every window seems to be affected by that one lamp.

[SIGNS] Along our highways, well placed at appropriate locations, are official signs which give us direction and warn us of danger. Most of these are the reflector type; that is, they are designed to reflect the light of auto headlamps. In darkness, they are invisible to anyone who travels with-out a light. But when our auto headlights are flashed upon these signs, they reflect back to us their message of guidance or caution. Their night-time aid to us depends upon the light we bring to them. They have no meaning for unlighted lamps.

God would like to guide us through the days and through the years of this life. His signs are out there - in all the appropriate places. But whether we see them will depend upon the light within.

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: And I must remember that God has not given me a spirit of timidity …

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7

The Book of Acts is called the Acts of the Apostles; but I agree with Chuck Swindoll – “it would be better to call it the Acts of the Holy Spirit” (my paraphrase).

So, I believe Acts reveals a spirit of power, of love, of discipline (sound judgment or self-control)! Read it again for yourself!

An element of a power is heat, and in a powerful life the heat of an unquenchable enthusiasm.... Acts is a burning book; there’s no cool or lukewarm in it, from beginning to end.

The disciples had been baptized with fire, with the holy, glowing enthusiasm caught from the very altar of God.

This fire caused them to love others in extraordinary ways. They had a love burning with heat and strength but they never manifested an excessive behavior, out of control or lacking in judgment.

Nothing could stop these men. Nothing could hinder their doing.

“We cannot but speak the things that we have seen and heard. We must obey God rather than men.”

Acts 5:29

This rings true throughout their behavior and speech. They have power, light, and life because they were not operating in their own strength but in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Someone once said they knew when a believer was growing because:

1. he more and more elevates the Lord
2. he less and less speaks of self, and more and more speaks of God,
3. and he became smaller and smaller in his own eyes …

“until, like the morning star, he fades away before the rising (Son).”

Bonar

John the Baptizer understood this timeless truth when he said, “He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease.”

I am asking you to be a Spirit indwelled, a Spirit enlightened, a Spirit taught, Spirit guided, and a Spirit empowered believer just one hour per week, one day a week to start your week on the first day of the week.

Today, right now, is the first stepping stone in your weekly Christ-walk!

Holy Spirit, Homiletics, Matthew,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

MATTHEW 8:5-13 - You of little faith!

TOPIC: Faith (living or simple)

TITLE: OH YOU OF LITTLE FAITH – What must God do to convince?
TEXT: Matthew 5:5-13

And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him, and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented." Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him." But the centurion said, "Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes, and to another, 'Come!' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it."

Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, "Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel. I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” And Jesus said to the centurion, "Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed that very moment.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What kind of faith did the Centurion exhibit that attracted the Lord’s notice?

CONCISE OUTLINE

I. HE EXHIBITED A PROACTIVE FAITH!
II. HE EXHIBITED A SELF-RELIANT FAITH!
III. HE EXHIBITED AN UNSELFISH FAITH!
IV. HE EXHIBITED A FAITH-BASED FAITH!
V. HE EXIBITED A GOD EXALTING FAITH!
VI. HE EXHIBITED A CHILD-LIKE FAITH!

TRUTH/CONTEXT: Faith is not a normal feature of human existence; having been given intellect/reason man has a hard time dealing openly with acts of faith (e.g., child discipline, patriotism, moral values, traditions, etc.).

We’re challenged everyday with events and circumstances which cry out for faith, for trust in God, for confidence in Him, for simple belief. Yet, how do we deal with the testing?

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

James 1:2-8

This week’s message is a result of two separate events. I get together each week with another member for Bible study; it was at this week’s get together the Lord pointed to our text as the text He wanted me to preach today!

I believe it had to do with another event involving a member of the church, where a lack of faith has been exhibited for some time. That lack of faith revealed a misunderstanding of faith by still another member.

[SOVEREIGNTY] One night when a diplomat and his valet were required to sleep in the same railcar, the valet noticed his boss having trouble sleeping. “Whazzzzup?” He asked (things have changed). “Oh, I have so many things on my mind; the responsibilities I have to bear.”

“Look, I want to get some sleep, so let me ask you: do you think God was governing the world okay before you were born and don’t you think He'll manage after you're dead and gone?” “Absolutely!” “Okay then, let’s get some sleep, cause He’s gonna do just fine while your alive … right?"

As pastor, I’m called upon to address issues such as faith and nothing can be more important to a Christian church than faith …

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What kind of faith did the Centurion exhibit that attracted the Lord’s notice?
EXPANDED OUTLINE: To answer that we need to notice what stands out as significant in our scriptural vignette …

I. HE EXHIBITED A PROACTIVE FAITH!

He didn’t worry himself sick; by faith he took action! He didn’t sit around wringing his hands; by faith he went to the Right Hand of God! He didn’t complain to local religious leaders; by faith he went to the Son of God! He didn’t call for a healing service; by faith he went to the Healer! He didn’t go to the medical community; by faith he went to the Great Physician!

II. HE EXHIBITED A SELF-RELIANT FAITH!

He didn’t send others; by faith he went himself! He didn’t seek intercessors; by faith he went directly to the One he believed could solve his problem!

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.

Hebrews 11:30

III. HE EXHIBITED AN UNSELFISH FAITH!

He didn’t go for himself; by faith he went for a servant!

By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Hebrews 11:7

IV. HE EXHIBITED A FAITH-BASED FAITH!

There is no record of God having done anything for this man that would have explained such proactive faith; by faith he simply went.

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Hebrews 11:8

V. HE EXIBITED A GOD EXALTING FAITH!

By faith he went and humbled himself before someone people considered of less stature. By faith he recognized Jesus authority and sovereignty and power!

By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.

Hebrews 11:11

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.

Hebrews 11:24-26

VI. HE EXHIBITED A CHILD-LIKE FAITH!

And said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 18:3

By faith the Centurion told Jesus, “Just say the word” and he will be healed.

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son.

Hebrews 11:17

[I SEE YOU] A dad stood in the cellar looking up at his son standing at the edge of a trap door. He called up, “I’m right here son, go ahead jump down to me."

The boy hesitated, in uncertain fear. "I can't, dad; I can't see you." Up came the answer, "I know you can't, but I see you!”

We may not see our Father but He sees us!

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE:

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.

They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us …

Hebrews 11:32-40

I’m usually conflicted when I hear people try to describe the difference between Christianity and another religions ... "by grace you are saved, through faith" [Ephesians 2:8]; this includes every thing from Genesis to Revelation, from the Garden to the incarnation, from Calvary’s cross to the Judgment seat, from the ascension to the 2nd Coming, from the Rapture to the millennium, and from Creation to our first moment in eternity future ... in a word, Christianity is summed up in Christ.

Consider the following in light of the Centurion’s interaction with Jesus –

Money: both personal and related (e.g., paying your bills and the church’s)
Career: both the one you are in and the one you want
Health: both yours and those around you (e.g., recent events regarding your health or the health of a loved one)
Family: yours or that of someone near you; parents or grandkidsConsider how you, by faith, would approach the Lord; put yourself in the Centurion’s shoes of faith, just change his need to your need.

At this point in your life, what behavior, what words, what faith would impress the Lord similarly to that of the Centurion?

Are you coming proactively or with doubt? Are you expecting your church or your pastor to go to the Lord for you? Are you coming on behalf of others or self? Are you going due to something the Lord did or something He promised to do? Is your supplication be exalting to God or man?

Are you seeming to be foolish to others? When you come to you understand … "the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those (are the things that) defile the man." [Matthew 15:18]

[YOUR WALLET] Faith is resident in the heart of the believer; dozens of Scripture support this. Capitol One runs a popular commercial which has the punch line, “What’s in your wallet?” For our purposes, let’s morph this to, “What’s in your heart?”

[TWO PARTS] An old preacher was fond of saying, “There are two parts to the Good News; the first is believing and the second is behaving.” The one who hears but does not do is the one James describes as having dead faith. [James 2:17]

For nine long years we’ve been a church which has lived in the past; everything that happens, good or bad, seems to be examined by our history, rather than looking forward by faith to what can be … to what is promised!

We’ve been so busy licking our wounds, we’ve forgotten we’re to live by faith, believing God will do great things.

Our text tells us a world of things about the kind of faith which gets the notice of God. Let me suggest that we start being noticed!

Faith, Homiletics, Matthew, Outlines,
Preaching, Sermons, Sovereignty

MATTHEW - Seed Archive

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

TOPIC: Knowledge; Bible, Discipleship, Scripture, Word

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

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

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

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

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

THEN, AND ONLY THEN, WILL WE DISCOVER -

III. THE PROFIT OF THE PASSAGE!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Matthew 2:2a

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

TOPIC: Christmas [Christ]

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

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

Matthew 3:15a

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

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

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

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

Matthew 6:18

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

TOPIC: Church

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

I. Because He builds on a solid foundation!

Jesus says, upon this rock, not just anyplace!

II. Because He builds with certainty!

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

III. Because He builds as owner!

Jesus says the church is My church!

IV. And because He builds for permanence!

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

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

Matthew 10:27

TOPIC: Evangelism [Other topics: outreach]

TITLE: Be A Cheerleader For God

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

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

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

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

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

Matthew 25:14-30

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I. WE SEE HIS AGONY IN ...

A. THE CUP OF...

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

B. THE BREAD OF HIS DEATH!

II. WE SEE OUR ECSTASY IN ...

A. THE CUP OF...

1. OUR AWE!
2. OUR REMEMBRANCE!

B. THE BREAD OF OUR NEW LIFE!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Matthew 26:36-46

TOPIC: Pre-Easter [Other topics - prayer]

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

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

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

Matthew 26:36-56

TOPIC: Pre-Easter [Other topics - prayer]

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

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

Matthew 28:18 [cp. 22:37]

TOPIC: Lordship

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

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

I. He Must Be Lord of All the Visibles!

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

II. He Must Be Lord of All the Invisibles!

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

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

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

Matthew 28:18-20

TOPIC: Great Commission

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

I. A BLESSED COMMISSION - One with Authorization!

All authority has been given to Me ...

II. A BLESSED COMMISSION - One with Association!

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

III. A BLESSED COMMISSION - One with Assertion!

Go therefore ...

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: The Great Commission -

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

Homiletics, Matthew,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons