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Past Sermon Outlines
THE MOST RECENT SERMON SERIES: CONFESSIONS OF A STRUGGLING PARENT. For a copy of the acutal sermon, please contact the Jordan Creek Church Office. THEY ARE FREE! EMail: jcumc@jordancreekchurch.org
FOR SUNDAY, SEPT 27th
Conscious effort to make God part of my everyday life
We do not think of ourselves as saints
Mulholland – “A mud pie covered with veneer of icing”
Romans 1:7 - “If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you are a saint “
What is the goal of Christian spirituality?
Allowing God to shape our heart and soul….so our interior life directs our exterior life – decision making and the way we live life and deal with others.
What is a Methodist John Wesley Pamphlet 1742
“A Methodist is one who has “the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost given unto him;” one who “loves the Lord his God with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his mind, and with all his strength.” God is the joy of his heart, and the desire of his soul; which is constantly crying out, “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee “my God and my all! Thou art the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever!”
The ideal… the will of God before our own will…”Thy will be Done…”
But how do I get there in my ordinary life
How do I get to God’s will not my will?
Isa 64:8 “You are the potter– we are the clay”
Ephesians 2 : 3
“For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. “
You be the potter and I will be the clay…
And fixing your heart on that desire
W. PAUL JONES
Book – “An Eclectic Almanac for the Faithful: People, Places, And Events That Shape Us”
SACRAMENTALS - # 1 PRAYER
Begin with prayer…God can make you what God wants to make you.
My prayer: Lord, You are the potter I am the clay …make me what you want me to be
- Prayer is fixing our own hearts desires…this is what I really want
The Lords Prayer
– Not my will but they will
We have a problem…spiritual dementia…
So we forget who we are and what we are trying to become….
John 15:4 - Abide in me…Bear much fruit
Jesus gives the parable at the last supper
- Disciples I will leave you, but I will still be with you
- Remember that I am with you
- Stay connected to me…like a vine to branch…if not
You will wither away
- Abide in me and I in you and all things will be OK…
- If you stay connected to vine…you will bear much fruit
“I Met God in the Morning” by Ralph Cushman
FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2009
SUMMERTIME LIVING: Simple, Yet Important Words …making Livin’ Easy!
Simple Truths grounded in Scripture that can bring more Joy and less Pain
II Corinthians 4: Mark 2:3-5, Philippians 4:6-7
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed… So we do not lose heart. …For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Introduction: Four Foundations for Overcoming Lifes Setbacks
I. An Adequate Understanding of How Life Works
What role does God play in the Setbacks?
II. A Sufficient Network of “Stretcher-Bearers.”
Who are your stretcher bearers? Whose stretcher bearer are you?
II. A Healthy Focus in Adversity
People who overcome adversity…
1. Look to what ______________________________
2. Look for the ____________________________ and give thanks for them.
3. Look at the trials as opportunities to ___________________
4. Look in the adversity for ways to __________________
IV. A deep faith that anchors them and offers hope.
FOR SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2009
SUMMERTIME LIVING: Simple, Yet Important Words in Living the Christian Life…making Livin’ Easy!
Matthew 5:23-24 and Colossians 3:13
So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
I. Three Words that Must be Simply Spoken:
I AM SORRY
A. Why is it important to say these words?
B. What prevents us from saying them?
C. How should we say them? The five elements (Chapman/Thomas)
D. What happens when we do say them?
II. Three More Words That Must Follow the First:
PLEASE FORGIVE ME
A. Why is it important to say these words?
B. What makes it difficult to say these words?
C. Steps to being able to say, and experience, these words:
D. What happens when we do say them?
Three Final Words
I AM FORGIVEN
FOR SUNDAY, JULY 19th, 2009
LIVING THE GOLDEN RULE – Apply it –How it is to be really used!
Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
I. The Two Sides of the Golden Rule
A. The Confucian and Christian Versions of the Golden Rule
B. What’s the difference? Why are both important?
C. The General Rules of Methodists: “doing no harm, doing good and attending upon all the ordinances of God”
II. The Golden Rule in Daily Life
A. The Golden Rule and the second Great Commandment
Mark 12:30-31-
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
We have to think of other people – not so self-absorbed
Philippians 2: 3-4 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than
yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
B. A Word that characterize the practice of the Golden Rule: CONSIDERATE
Where and with whom do you struggle in being considerate? Thoughtful of other people
D. The Golden Rule in Marriage: THOUGHTFULNESS - DOING WHAT THEY ARE MOST BLESSED BY--
Speaking each other’s love languages: Speak love one way and give love the same way – note hearing “I love you in their language”
Understand the needs of our partner - Being in considerate…and just not thinking
III. The Golden Rule: How we live as CHRISTIAN Human Beings in the World - Requires Great Moral Courage
A Simple Rule…use it and Life Goes Better - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
CONFESSIONS OF A STRUGGLING PARENT
“NOW WHAT? RECLAIMING A PRODIGAL SON or DAUGHTER!
There is no one righteous, not even one…All have turned away…there is no one who does good, not even one. Romans 3:10-12
· GOD UNDERSTANDS PARENTAL PAIN.
…"I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows his master…but Israel does not know, my people do not understand."
Isaiah 1:2-3 NLT
PRODIGALS
"There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country… Luke 15:11-13
· Prodigals become increasingly self-centered.
· Prodigals think they know all the answers.
· Prodigals demand immediate gratification.
"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. Luke 15:13-16
HOW DO WE REACH OUR PRODIGALS?
1) UNWAVERING PRAYER
…we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you…
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way Colossians 1:9-10
· Pray they will have the right friends. (Pr. 1:10-15)
· Pray they will get caught when guilty. (Ps. 119:71)
· Pray that God will do whatever it takes.
2) UNENDING PATIENCE
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
…But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him… Luke 15:20
3) UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
…his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20
But the LORD still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God…Isaiah 30:18 NLT
FOR SUNDAY JULY 5th, 2009
Confessions of a Struggling Parent:
DISCIPLINE
· DISCIPLINE IS CORRECTION DRIVEN BY LOVE.
My child, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when God rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those God loves… Hebrews 12:5-6
Discipline your children while you still have the chance;
indulging them destroys them. Proverbs 19:18
indulging them destroys them. Proverbs 19:18
· DISCIPLINE ISN’T SOMETHING YOU DO TO YOUR CHILD, BUT FOR YOUR CHILD.
“A child who has not been disciplined with love by their little world will be disciplined without love by the great big world.” Zig Ziglar
UNDISCIPLINED PARENTS
· LIFEGUARD PARENTS: OFTEN RESCUE A CHILD FROM CONSEQUENCES.
Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, they will harvest. Galatians 6:7
ETCH-A-SKETCH PARENTS: OFTEN INCONSISTENT.
Wise discipline imparts wisdom; spoiled adolescents embarrass their parents. Discipline your children; you'll be glad you did— they'll turn out delightful to live with. Proverbs 29:15, 17
· SPLIT-DECISION PARENTS: OFTEN UNUNIFIED.
Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? Amos 3:3
PARENTAL EXPECTATIONS
1) WE EXPECT FIRST TIME AND CHEERFUL OBEDIENCE.
Children, do what your parents tell you. This delights the Master no end.. Colossians 3:20
Do everything without complaining or arguing… Philippians 2:14
· Discipline more for attitude than actions.
2) WE AGREE TO NEVER DISCIPLINE IN ANGER.
In your anger do not sin. Ephesians 4:26
Don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. (Ephesians 4:26-27 The Message)
3) WE WILL DISCIPLINE PROMPTLY WITH INSTRUCTION AND RECONCILIATION.
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4
FOR SUNDAY JUNE 28th, 2009
CONFESSIONS OF A STRUGGLING PARENT – 2
UNCHANGING PRINCIPLES OF PARENTING
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." 16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16
1) LOVING TOUCH.
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them… Mark 10:13
haptomai (hap'-tom-ahee); to attach oneself to, embrace or touch.
And wherever he went-into villages, towns or countryside-they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed. Mark 6:56
- Need for appropriate touch dramatically increases for girls during preteen years.
- Girls are touched in loving appropriate ways five times as often as boys.
- Boys need loving touch just as much as girls.
2) ABUNDANT TIME.
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me…
Mark 10:13-14
What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14
3) ENCOURAGING TALK.
And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16
- One of the best ways to start meaningful discussions is to ask open ended questions.
And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." Matt 3:17
FOR SUNDAY, JUNE 21st, 2009
Confessions of a Struggling Parent
Week 1: THE PARENT’S PRIORITY
· A PARENT’S PRIORITY IS TO GRADUALLY TRANSFER A CHILD’S DEPENDENCE AWAY FROM THEM UNTIL IT RESTS SOLELY ON GOD.
These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live…
Deuteronomy 6:1-2
1) LOVE YOUR GOD.
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Kids Who Become Active Christ-followers as Adults
If mom and dad went to church: 72% of kids will as adults.
If mom only went to church: 15% of kids will as adults.
If dad only went to church: 55% of kids will as adults.
If neither mom nor dad: 06% of kids will as adults.
· DO YOU LOVE GOD WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART OR SOME OF YOUR HEART?
2) LEAD YOUR FAMILY.
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:6-9
“The thing that impresses me most about America is the way the parents obey their children.” Edward, Duke of Windsor
· Lead intentionally.
Train a child in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6
TRAINING FROM PROVERBS
1) Train them to manage God’s money. (Prov. 3:9-10)
2) Train them to carefully select friends. (Prov. 13:20)
3) Train them to watch their words. (Prov. 4:24)
4) Train them to be responsible. (Prov. 6:6-8)
5) Train them to guard their minds. (Prov. 23:7)
6) Train them to be generous. (Prov. 11: 25)
7) Train them to fear God. (Prov. 1:7)
· ARE YOU LEADING YOUR CHILDREN OR ARE YOUR CHILDREN LEADING YOU?
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Luke 10:25-37 KJV
· True compassion compels us to cross the street and help.
· Involvement with a broken humanity will always cost us something.
· But emotional reaction is not the same as true compassion
· This is not a career or lifestyle; it’s a life of authentically following Jesus.
· The goal of life is not to end up at death safely.
· We’re not a product of time. We’re a product of eternity.
2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
· Fear cripples. Fear immobilizes.
· You can’t avoid risk.
We think as Christians we have to get risk adverse
· If we’re going to fulfill the purpose God has for our lives, we have to be prepared to take risks.
· God wants to take us to paths where no one has gone before.
Eph 2:10 KJV
Eph 2:8, 9 KJV
1 John 4:4 KJV
“When he came there was no light,
when he left there was no darkness”
FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2009
WHAT DOES IT MEAN: BEING A REAL CHRISTIAN
Not just doing Church but BEING the Church.
We have a desperate need in a desperate world
A dead empty tourist attraction
• When the church stops being the church and the church starts doing church, then we become a dead monument.
Stop beingteh church and start doing the church…going through the motions
Boring religious obligataion
Stop being the church and passionate about what Jesus is passionate about
We become a ritualistic place where people come nqad go through the motions
• We need to ensure our heart beats for what God’s heart beats for.
We need to make certain that our heartbeats for the same thing that God’s heart beats for a lost and broken world.
11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. Matthew 18:11 KJV
God is passionate about the Lost and we are to be passionate about what God is passionate about
• Passion is the seed bed of reaching a lost and dying world.
Passion is the seed bed about what we are to be passionatae about
You know you ae passionate about your relationship with Gpd and and the Christina life when you are not going through the moptions because you do what you want out of passion
But you do what you what to when you do it out of obligation
We do lots of things out fo passion
No one can make you come to church, read the bible attend a Sunday School, tithe, be passionate about inviting others…Nno one can make you do this…it comes out of your love relationship with God
Not a boring religious obligations…the passion…
What we need is a passion in the Church of Jesus Christ. Passionate difficience syndrome
We get too cool and too slick for God --
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV
We are called to love the whosoevers
Loves then so much that in
Luke Hapter 15 – Lost Sheep, lost coin, lost son
We learn a lot about the lost…we point fingers at lost….but do not reach them
We left that to the navy seals…left to others…not led to do…
• It’s a mandate from Heaven to reach the lost and broken world.
We are mandated to reach
Sheep does not want to get lost…just gets lost at the end fothe day
We have a generation that is pre-occupied….with life
Our job is not to point a finger…but seek and save that which is lost
• We have a generation on Earth that’s just preoccupied with life. We’re not called to judge or criticize, but to bridge the gap.
We are not to critice…we just point the way
• We are God’s spiritual GPS system.
The lost coin did not get lost on its own…the woman got careless (like the lamb) it just got pre-occupied with life
We have a generation of stewards to be looking out after our life and our living
But we got careless…not looked out after important things…just looked after themselves…
Lots of people end up losst…help reach a lost and broken world…
Son asked for inheritance…not give me the money to end up a pig pen
Though mis-caculation…not why…but our job is to be a conector
We are God’s spiritual GPS system…I liten to her…in the car…not connie…I listen to the woman
Go past…she recaculates….cardic arretst turn around…then words…recacuating…
That is th job and when they take a turn off…we are there to reroute them…you were created for a relationship with JC
How did we get so far away fro the mantate…instuttionalzed relationship…
To settle for…running from the darkness rather than being the light in the darkness
Than the mandate of “Let your light so shine…to glorify your God in heaven.”
John 17
14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. John 17:14-18 KJV
I pray you do not create a subculture tahken out of the world…
But we are to be in the world, but not of it.
Jesus says not of the world…loss of things…exterernal observations of external things…
Not external things
But a iunteral heart transformation…then changes us
Its about not what you wear but a condition of the heart…be in it but not of it…you think differently and act differently
Its all about the condition of the world…
We build a fortress…just us 4…we create this construct…
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Matthew 5:13-14 KJV
Salt and light are agents fo transformation
Slat is not made for the shaker…we are made for steak
One one big moment…but going out and salting our world….
We need to stop doing the church…but being the church
Being CHrstinas in the midst of a lsot and broken world…
Not just go to church but to be the church…
Matt 28 – if you have nothing better to do…bad hair day…then ….
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:19-20 KJV
I am going to a church…but not your church…but I need a church…
I came to bear witness…
37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
John 18:37 KJV
This generation wants to not go through a ritual.,. but bear witness…be transformed…by the
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2 KJV
We bear witness to the world
Jesus Says: Bear witness to the church…we are to be witnesses not do witnessesign…
We are all called to bring witnesses on the earth…salt and light…all of us…
We are called to be salt and light in the world…
Being – An authentic relationship with Jesus Christ.
There is a deep deep darkness hovering over the earth…
This is the hour for which we are created…nto to run from it….but to engage it…
We can be that if we are authentic witnesses of JC
There is a darkness in the world…we are called to engage it…
In Matthew – Jesus says…follow me and I will make you fishers of men…18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20 KJV
That’s what Jesus will make us…
If you are shy…I will make you, form you construct you into 1 thing: a fisher of men…
If we are not being a fisher of men who are we actually following..
Jesus says that the sign is not that you are rich, famous…You a fisher of men
Today, we are not fishers of men…we are just keeprs of the aqwuarium
Are all the little fishes happy & comforatbale in the aquarium?
And we have a world that Jesus has called us to impact…
Water temperature right…
Poem…Man fell in the pit
A man fell into a pit and couldn't get himself out.
A SUBJECTIVE person came along and said: "I feel for you, down there in that pit.”
An OBJECTIVE person came along and said: "It's logical that someone would fall down there in that pit."
A CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST came along: "You only think that you are in a pit."
A PHARISEE said: "Only bad people fall into a pit."
A NEWS-REPORTER wanted the exclusive story on his pit
A MATHEMATICIAN calculated how he fell into a pit.
A CONFUSIONIST SAID: “If you only listened to me you would not be in the pit”
A BUDDIST SAID: “The pit is only a state of mind.”
A REALIST said: "Now THAT'S a pit."
A SCEINTIST calculated the pressure necessary (kg/sq. m) to get him out of the pit
A PROFESSOR gave him a lecture on: "The elementary principles of the pit."
A GEOLOGIST told him to appreciate the rock strata in the pit
The PROPERTY-TAX DEPARTMENT asked if he was paying taxes on the pit.
The PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT asked if he had a permit to dig a pit.
An EVASIVE person came along and avouded the subject of his pit altogether.
A SELF-PITYING person said: "You haven't seen anything until you've seen MY pit!"
An Optimist said: "Things could have been worse."
A PESSIMIST said: "Things will get worse!!"
JESUS, seeing the man, took him by the hand and lifted him OUT of the pit"
FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2009
Surviving Summer and Setbacks
35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.