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June 28, 2010 in Sermon Skeletons, The Ten Commandments with 0 Comments

I resumed my study of the Ten Commandments this past Sunday with a message on the seventh commandment. Yes, where’s still counting number seven!

Here is the sermon skeleton…

Title: “Keeping Pleasure in its Place”

Text: Exodus 20:14

Series: The Ten Commandments: Loving God, Loving Your Neighbor

Theme: The sanctity of marriage and sex

Point: Do not have sex with any person you are not married to.

Outline:

I. Do not commit literal adultery: To commit adultery is to put pleasure beyond its God-designed place.

II. Do not commit moral adultery: To commit fornication is to put pleasure beyond its God-designed place.

III. Do not commit emotional adultery: To lust is to put pleasure beyond its God-designed place.

IV. Do not commit spiritual adultery: To live in sin is to put pleasure beyond its God-designed place.

Finishing the Beatitudes

November 12, 2009 in Sermon Series, Sermon Skeletons, The Beatitudes, The Sermon on the Mount with 1 Comment

I am preaching through the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) on Wednesday nights. Last night, I complete the introductory section – The Beatitudes of Jesus (Matt. 5:3-12).

The next section of the passage in Matthew 5:13-16, where Jesus describes the influence his disciples should have on the world for the kingdom of heaven. Using to gripping and dynamic word pictures, Jesus declares, “You are the salt of the earth” (5:13) and “You are the light of the world” (5:14-16).

Following this paragraph, I will be venturing into new ground in my exposition. Over the past two months, I have taken a fresh look at the beatitudes. But I have benefited from study notes that I already had on file. But I am now at a place in the text where I must study each text from scratch. I am looking forward to digging into portions of scripture that I have never studied or taught before. But it will require a lot more work. So please remember my study time in your prayers and my sequential exposition of Philippians on Sundays and the Sermon on the Mount on Wednesdays.

I preached last night from the final beatitude recorded in Matthew 5:10-12, in which Jesus blesses those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. I entitled the message, “In the Line of Fire.” It was very hard work. But the Lord is faithful. Here is the sermon skeleton from last night’s message:

Title: “In the Line of Fire”

Text: Matthew 5:10-12

Series: The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)

Theme: The blessing of Christian persecution

Point: The Lord blesses those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.

Outline:

I. The reality of Christian persecution (5:10-11)

A. You will be reviled (v. 11)

B. You will be persecuted (v. 11)

C. You will be slandered (v. 11)

II. The reason for Christian persecution (5:10-11)

A. You will be persecuted for righteousness’ sake (v. 10)

B. You will be persecuted for Christ’s sake (v. 11)

III. The response to Christian persecution (5:12)

A. Look up and rejoice: “for your reward is great in heaven“

B. Look back and rejoice: “for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you“

Lay Your Religion Down!

September 15, 2009 in Sermon Skeletons with 2 Comments

Last Sunday, I continued my study of the book of Philippians. I covered the first portion of Paul’s testimony, in which he discusses his conversion from Judaism to Christianity.

What a text!

Here is the skeleton from Sunday’s sermon.

TITLE: “Lay Your Religion Down”

TEXT: Philippians 3:4-9

SERMON SERIES: PHILIPPIANS: PARTNERSHIP IN THE GOSPEL

THEME: The dynamics of Christian conversion

POINT: Lay your religion down!

OUTLINE:

I. Paul’s past confidence in his flesh (3:4-6)

A. Paul boasting about his confidence in the flesh (v. 4)

A. A confession (v. 4a)

B. A challenge (v. 4b)

B. Paul basis for confidence in the flesh (vv. 5-6)

1. Paul’s confidence was in who he was (v. 5)

2. Paul’s confidence was in what he had done (vv. 5-6)

II. Paul’s powerful conversion to faith in Christ (4:7-9)

A. What Paul gained (vv. 7-8)

1. The extent of Paul’s loss (vv. 7-8)

2. Paul’s estimation of his loss (vv. 7-8)

• Paul made a definite decision (v. 7)

• Paul made a daily decision (v. 8)

B. What Paul gained (vv. 8-9)

1. Paul gained the knowledge of Christ (v. 8)

2. Paul gained the righteousness of Christ (v. 9)

Power Under Control

September 10, 2009 in Matthew, Sermon Skeletons, The Beatitudes, The Sermon on the Mount with 4 Comments

I continued my new study of the Sermon on the Mount. I am presently through the Beatitudes of Jesus in Matthew 5:3-12. What a challenge it is to wrestle with the demands of Jesus. My soul is being stretched and my mind is being renewed. I pray the congregation of SMBC is being blessed by the study so far.

Here is the sermon skeleton from last night’s message:

Title: “Strength Through Meekness”

Text: Matthew 5:5

Series: The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)

Theme: The blessedness of meekness

Point: God blesses the person who lives with confidence that God is in control.

Outline:

I. What is meekness?

- Meekness is not weakness.

- Meekness is power under control.

- Meekness is self-control rooted in confidence that God is in control.

II. What is the blessing of meekness?

- Jesus calls the meek blessed because of their inheritance.

- Jesus promises that the meek will inherit the earth.

* This is a promise for tomorrow

* This is a promise for today

The Blessing of Brokenness

September 3, 2009 in Sermon Skeletons, The Beatitudes, The Sermon on the Mount with 1 Comment

Last week I started a study of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) in our midweek services at Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church.

The first section of the message records the Beatitudes of Jesus (Matt. 5:3-12), in which Jesus announces those who exhibit certain kingdom attributes blessed.

Last week, we studied the first beatitude on “the poor in spirit” (Matt. 5:3). Last night, the blessing Jesus announces on those who “mourn” (Matt. 5:4).

Here is the sermon skeleton from last night’s message.

TITLE: “The Blessing of Brokenness”

TEXT: Matthew 5:4

SERMON SERIES: The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)

THEME: The blessedness of godly sorrow

POINT: God blesses those who mourn.

OUTLINE:

Consider what Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:4 about the sorrow and the comfort of the mourners.

I. The sorrow of the mourners (5:4a)

A. The place of natural sorrow

1. Natural sorrow can be evil.

2. Natural sorrow can be beneficial.

B. The priority of spiritual sorrow

II. The comfort of the mourners (5:4b)

A. God comforts the mourners through repentance of sin.

B. God comforts the mourners through faith in Jesus Christ.

1. Christ comforts believers by his atoning blood.

2. Christ comforts believers by his Holy Spirit.

August 26, 2009 in Sermon Series, Sermon Skeletons, The Beatitudes, The Sermon on the Mount with 0 Comments

Tonight, I began a new Wednesday night sermon series through Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).

I had planned on doing another series, on “Total-Life Stewardship.” It was very eager to get that study going. But I just could not get a green light to start it. I trust that the Lord will allow me to get to it at another time.

For the meantime, I will be in the Sermon on the Mount for a while. I plan to cover the entire passage. And I do not intend to rush through it. I need to spend this time studying the radical, exacting, and counter-cultural principles of the kingdom that Jesus teaches in Matthew 5-7. My congregation needs these encounter with Jesus, as well.

Please pray for us.

I began tonight with the opening section of the Sermon on the Mount, known as the “Beatitudes” (Matthew 5:3-12). God willing, I will go through each of them individually.

Here is the sermon skeleton from tonight’s message:

Title: “Good Credit for the Spiritually Bankrupt”

Text: Matthew 5:3

Sermon Series: “The Sermon on the Mount”

Theme: The blessed paradox of human depravity.

Point: God blesses the poor in spirit.

Outline:

I. What does it mean to be blessed?

A. True blessedness cannot be measured in man-centered terms.

A. It is not about emotional happiness.

B. It is not about favorable circumstances.

C. It is not about material prosperity.

B. True blessedness must be measured in God-centered terms.

II. What does it mean to be poor in spirit?

A. To be poor in spirit is to have a high view of God.

B. To be poor in spirit is to have a low view of self.

1. Spiritual poverty is necessary for salvation.

2. Spiritual poverty is necessary for spiritual growth.

III. What does it mean to have the kingdom of heaven?

A. The kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor in spirit exclusively.

B. The kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor in spirit presently.

I’d Rather See A Sermon Than Hear One Any Day

August 18, 2009 in Philippians, Sermon Skeletons with 1 Comment

This past Sunday, I preached from Philippians 2:16-18. I entitled the message, “How to be a Living Sermon.”

I labeled the sermon based upon a poem that I had read by an anonymous author. But for some reason, I did not have the guts to quote the poem in either of my two sermon presentations Sunday. But, apparently, I do have the guts to publish it here. So here it is:

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.
I’d rather one would walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear.
Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear.
The best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds.
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it if you’ll let me see it done.
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
The lectures you deliver may be very wise and true.
But I’d rather get my lesson by observing what you do.
I may not understand the high advice that you may give.
But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

And here is the sermon skeleton from Sunday’s sermon:

Title: “How to be a Living Sermon”

Text: Philippians 2:16-18

Theme: An example of humble servanthood

Point: We should live in such a way that our walk matches our talk.

Outline:

I. Live purposefully.

A. To live purposefully requires partnership.

B. To live purposefully requires perspective.

C. To live purposefully requires perseverance.

II. Live sacrificially.

A. We sacrifice by laying down our lives for Christ.

B. We sacrifice by laying down our lives for the church.

III. Live joyfully.

The Gift of Suffering

July 14, 2009 in Philippians, Sermon Skeletons with 2 Comments

This past Sunday, I concluded my study of Philippians chapter 1 with a message on verses 29-30, entitled, “The Gift of Suffering.” Here is the sermon skeleton:

TITLE: “The Gift of Suffering”

TEXT: Philippians 1:29-30

SERIES: PHILIPPIANS: PARTNERSHIP IN THE GOSPEL

THEME: The gift of suffering

POINT: Christian suffering is a gift from God to be embraced and endured with joy.

TRANSITION: Consider with we me three things these two verses teach us about Christian suffering.

OUTLINE:

I. The privilege of Christian suffering (1:29)

A. Belief in Christ is a gift from God: “For it has been granted to you for the sake of Christ not only to believe in him“

B. Suffering for Christ is a gift from God: “but also to suffer for his sake“

II. The purpose of Christian suffering (1:29) – “for the sake of Christ”/”For his sake”

A. Our suffering advances the gospel of Christ

B. Our suffering advances our growth in Christ

III. The proof of Christian suffering (1:30)

A. We are engaged in a spiritual conflict: “engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and hear that I still have”

B. We are engaged in the same conflict: “engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and hear that I still have“

God Is Bigger Than You Think

June 25, 2009 in Jonah, Sermon Skeletons with 3 Comments

Last night, I concluded my brief study of the Old Testament book of Jonah with a message on chapter 4, entitled, “God Is Bigger Than You Think.”

I have been stretched, challenged, and encouraged by studying Jonah over the past four weeks. And I pray that the saints of SMBC have been enriched and edified through the ministry of the word.

Here is the skeleton from last night’s message:

Title: “God Is Bigger Than You Think”

Text: Jonah 4:1-11

Series: Jonah: God Won’t Take No For An Answer

Theme: The Sovereign Mercy of God

Point: God is bigger than you think.

Outline:

I. God is bigger than what you think about him (4:1-4).

A. Jonah’s angry prayer (vv. 2-3)

B. God’s gracious response (v. 4)

II. God is bigger than what you think about yourself (4:5-8).

A. God appointed a plant (V. 6).

B. God appointed a worm (v. 7).

C. God appointed a strong east wind (v. 8)

III. God is bigger than what you think about other people (4:9-11).

A. A word about Jonah’s anger (v. 9)

B. A word about Jonah’s compassion (v. 10-11)

The Service Driven life

June 23, 2009 in Philippians, Sermon Skeletons with 2 Comments

This Sunday, I continued by study of the book of Philippians with a message on chapter 1, verses 22-26. Here is the sermon skeleton:

Philippians 1:22-26 is the final portion of Paul’s report to the Philippians about his personal circumstances and missionary work. In verses 12-18, Paul looks back and remembers what the Lord had done through his life and ministry. In verses 19-26, he looks ahead and anticipates what the Lord will do through his life and ministry. In verse 19-21, Paul speaks about the future with great confidence. Yet his confidence is tempered with uncertainty. In our text, verses 22-26, continues to address matters of life and death with this tension between confidence and uncertainty.

This text is a soliloquy, in which Paul muses over the possibilities of life and death. There are no commands or exhortations in this text. Paul speaks here for himself and about himself. Yet Paul writes this deeply personal letter in an open letter to the church at Philippi.Yet Paul does not write this passage to get some things off his chest. He writes this passage for the sake of the Philippians.

In the next passage, verses 27-30, Paul will exhort the church to live in unity and steadfastness. In chapter 2, Paul will emphasize the attitude of humble servanthood that is required for unity and steadfastness to take place in the church. But in our text, Paul makes this point, not by exhortation, but by testimony.

Title: “The Service Driven Life”

Text: Philippians 1:22-26

Series: Philippians: Partnership in the Gospel

Theme: A Christ-centered life of service to others

Point: Real Christian Service

Outline:

I. The service-driven life is marked by Christian devotion (1:21-22).

A. A devotion in life or death (1:21)

B. A dilemma about life or death (1:22)

II. The service-driven life is marked by Christian desire (1:23).

In verse 23, Paul makes three points about death from a Christian perspective:

A. To die is to depart.

B. To die is to be with Christ.

C. To die is far better.

III. The service-driven life is marked by Christian duty (1:24-26).

A. Our responsibility to serve others (1:24)

B. Our reasons for serving others (1:25-26)

1. The immediate reason (v. 25)

2. The ultimate reason (v. 26)

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