Life’s Foundation
A sermon that does not help the hearer is not worth preaching. The purpose of the sermon is to make clear the Word of God and inspire the hearer to do something about it. Matt. 7:24-27 I: Jesus Warned his Audience to Hear and Do. 1. He had just preached the Sermon on the Mt. 2. They had heard about God’s care for his own. 3. They had heard about how to fulfill the Law. 4. They were taught deep things of the heart. 5. Character was greater than possession. 6. He taught that we ought to serve others out of a heart of love. II: Three Things the Hearer Ought to Experience. 1. Our hearts ought to be stirred. a. A man without feelings is dead. b. Our emotions ought to be stirred by God’s word. 2. Our minds ought to be stimulated. a. Christ urged his...
Jesus Never Changes
Live in a world that changes rapidly. Heb. 13:8, Rev. 1:1-20 I: Methods and Materials of Warfare Change Continually. 1. Planes, tanks, guns, ships, etc. become obsolete in a few months. 2. Methods of warfare now include the whole nation, there seems to be no definite battle line. 3. Men fight for control of air, sea, and land. 4. Our guns shoot around corners, bullets seek out their target and pursue it. Plains fly without men aboard, ships directed by light, bombs droned in total darkness, water bailed 50 miles away. War is swiftly changing. II: Our Lives Have Been Changed in Home and Public. 1. Our homes have been changed until it affects our whole life. 2. Our fashions change. 3. Even our concept of moral standards have changed. 4. Our laws change from year to...
Jesus Loved Him
Mark 10:17-22, Matthew 19:16-30, Luke 18:25 I: “There Came One Running.” vs. 17 1. Jesus was passing by and there was need to hurry. 2. He fell on his knees. 3. He asked a question that had pressed hard upon his heart. 4. He felt there was more to religion than he had found in keeping the law. II: The Young Man’s Question and Jesus Answer. 1. His question came from a young and hungry heart. 2. He was not ashamed to run and kneel. 3. He was willing to do some hard task to have eternal life. 4. Jesus asked for all that he had. 5. Jesus looked deep into his heart and saw that there was great possibilities as a dedicated disciple. 6. Jesus saw the one thing that meant more than discipleship. 7. The young man counted the cost and found the price more...
Idle Living
Jesus was much concerned about idle words, idle fruit bearers and idle faith. It was the fruitless tree he cursed; it was the grapeless vine that was burned, and the saltless salt that was thrown away to be tramped by men. (Idle mind, the Devil’s work-shop). Inactive Christianity is the curse of America today. Matt. 12:36, Peter 2 1:1-9 I: Idle Words. 1. Idle is a combination of a negative prefix and the noun “work.” It means free from work, not working, inactive. An idle word is a weed in the garden of speech. 2. The danger of idle words to self. a. A busy tongue must find something to say. “In the multitude of words, there wanteth not a sin.” Prov. 10:19 “A fools voice is known by multitude of words.” Eccl. 5:3...
I Have Enough
Gen. 33:1-17, Tim. 1 6:6-12, Phil. 4:11-12, Prov. 30:8 I: Men of the Old Testament. 1. Abraham satisfied with the hills. 2. Lot desired the more fertile valleys, but was never happy. 3. Esau was content with only earthly things. 4. Jacob was satisfied with what God had given him and is only after he ceased from his own scheming and planning. II: Men of the New Testament. 1. Jesus taught contentment. Matt. 6:25-34 2. Paul learned contentment. Phil. 4:11-12 3. Paul taught contentment. Tim. 1 6:6-10 III: The Danger of Discontentment. 1. The danger of temptation and snares. 2. Foolish and hurtful lust. 3. The danger of being pierces with many sorrows. How strange to hear one say: “I have enough.” “I am content and happy.” There seems...
Hell’s Population
Will a loving God send people to Hell? Man is an external being, an external criminal must be placed in an external prison. Psalm 9:17, Gal. 5:19-21, Rev. 22:15, Rev. 21:8 I: Men Earn Their Own Hell. If God Will Permit Sin to: 1. Cripple, mime, blind and disease people. 2. Fill our jails and electric chair and noose. 3. Break up homes and leave children with broken hearts and lives. 4. Sin causes nations to rise against nation in War. 5. If man chooses to walk in sin he must spend eternity in God’s prison. II: Men without Honor, Woman without Virtue: 1. In hell, there will be no restraining influence, no Christians, and no Wholesome atmosphere. 2. The honest man will dwell with the thief. 3. The man of religion with the infidel. 4. The...