Taunting Temptings, Winning Words (Matthew 4) - Sermon Outline

A. TAUNTING TEMPTINGS (Matthew 4)
1. ABUSE OF DIVINE POSITION
"Son of God? Turn these stones to bread"
2. ABUSE OF DIVINE PROMISE
"It is written He'll order angels to catch.. so jump!"
3. ABUSE OF DIVINE PREROGATIVE
"Bow to me and the world'll bow to you!"

B. WINNING WORDS
1. MY PROVISION IS FROM GOD
"Not just by food but by His word"
2. MY PERSUASION IS OF GOD
"Don't tempt!"
3. MY PASSION IS FOR GOD
"Worship and serve only Him!"

The Communion Table - Sermon Outline

1 COR 11:23-30

We are called to
1. PARTAKE
2. PROCLAIM

The Table Is
1. COMMEMORATION of His Death
2. CELEBRATION of His Life
3. CONFESSION of His Glory

1. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TABLE
     A. COVENANT IN HIS BLOOD
     B. COMMUNION OF HIS BODY
    C. CONSOLATION THRU HIS PROMISE

2. SERIOUSNESS OF THE TABLE
     A. UNITY OF THE SACRAMENT - "THIS" BREAD... CUP.
     B. SANCTITY OF THE SACRAMENT - BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST
    C. GRAVITY OF THE SACRAMENT - DISCERNMENT IS EXPECTED, UNWORTHILY PARTICIPATING MEANS DAMNATION

A King Will Reign in Righteousness

Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, And princes will rule with justice. (Isaiah 32:1)

Psalm 96:10; 103:17; 2Pet 3:13

A. He is Righteous and True and Just in His Character (Mal.4:2; Jer.23:5)
B. He is All-knowing and Nothing is Hid from His Blazing Eyes (Heb.4: 13; Jer.23:24)
C. He is All-powerful and No Wicked Can Stand Before His Power (2Thess.1:6-9; Jude 1:14-15)

He is Coming Soon. Blessed is the man who trusts in Him.

Elisha Miracles

ELISHA’S MIRACLES OF FOOD
2 KGS 4:38
MIRACLE 1:
1. WHO GETS THE ORDER AND WHO GOES? BE CAREFUL WHO YOU ENTRUST A WORK TO. DO YOUR WORK AND PUT RIGHT PERSONS IN RIGHT PLACES. DON’T APPOINT UNTESTED WORKERS TO TASKS WHERE LIVES ARE AT RISK.
2. EXTREMITIES CAN OFTEN MAKE ONE RECKLESS. TO LIVE, DON’T JUST EAT ANYTHING YOU FEEL GOOD OR NICE ABOUT. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW, KEEP QUIET. DON’T MISTAKE IMAGINATION FOR TRUTH.
3. FLOUR IN STEW, STEW IN POISONED STEW. THE POWER OF GOD IS GREATER TO HEAL. THE POWER OF LIFE IS GREATER THAN THE POWER OF DEATH.
BIGGEST ENEMY: FEAR
BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF FEAR:
----IT MAKES YOU BELIEVE IT IS RIGHT, AND THE ONLY OPTION.
-----IT MAKES YOU BELIEVE GOD IS NOT ALL-POWERFUL AND ALL IN CONTROL.
-----IT MAKES YOU BELIEVE GOD IS NOT ALL-CARING AND DOUBTS THE LOVE OF GOD.
-----IT MAKES YOU BELIEVE SOMETHING BAD IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF FAITH:
-----IT BELIEVES THAT GOD’S WORD IS TRUE AND UNCHANGING.
-----IT BELIEVES THAT GOD IS ALL-POWERFUL AND IN ALL CONTROL
-----IT BELIEVES GOD IS ALL-CARING AND ALL-LOVING
-----IT BELIEVES THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THOSE WHO LOVE GOD.

MIRACLE 2: FAMINE OVER, HARVEST BEGINS
1. IF GOD SENDS PROVISION FOR 100 MEN, THOUGH IT MAY LOOK LESS, IT IS MORE THAN ENOUGH
2. THE SERVANT QUESTIONS. FAITH’S INSTRUCTIONS MAY NOT ALWAYS LOOK POSSIBLE. PEOPLE QUESTION FAITH.
3. THE DISCIPLES RESPONDED NEGATIVELY TO JESUS. BUT, FAITH KNOWS THAT THERE IS NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD AND FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE.
4. THOSE WHO OBEY ARE BETTER THAN THOSE WHO SAY “IT IS IMPOSSIBLE” AND AFTER THAT REBEL.
5. GOD’S BLESSINGS ALWAYS HAS LEFTOVERS

Life

LIFE
1. Is a Present, Gift (Ps.127:3)
2. Is Precious and Priceless (Lk.15)
3. Has a Purpose (Ps.73)

10 Lessons From The Temptation Of Christ Episode

MATTHEW 4: 1-11
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."  Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple,  and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: "He shall give His angels charge over you," and, "In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone." Jesus said to him, "It is written again, "You shall not tempt the LORD your God."  Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.  And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me."  Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve." Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

1. The First Temptation To Turn Stones Into Bread

Remember, Life is by the Word
- Deut 8:1-3.
-Gen 3:17-19. Eat bread till you return to the ground. Bread cannot prevent death.
-Even manna doesn't prevent death.
John 6:49-51. Your fathers ate manna and are dead... I am the Living Bread.. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.

The devil tries to turn the Living Bread of Life to lifeless stones

Bread:
(1) My Flesh (Jn.6:51-58). The sacrifice of Christ is the source of our new life. Life by His blood.
(2) My Words (Jn.6:63). The message of Christ.
(a) The word of the Gospel (1Pet.1:23-25)
(b) The commandment of the New Covenant. 1Jn.3:11-14. Eternal life and the commandment of Christ.

Lesson 1: Don't sell your birthright for a morsel of food (Heb.12:15-17). Sold by his words (Esau). Esau wept, but that didn’t restore his privileges. Gen.25:28-34. For a pot of stew and bread.

Lesson 2: Don't labor for bread that perishes, but labor for bread that endures to everlasting life (John 6:27). Don’t follow Christ for physical bread. Don’t pray and fast for blessings in this worldly life. Run in order to know Christ and His words. Don’t make your business or family the center of spirituality. Make Jesus the center and satisfaction of your life.

Lesson 3: The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom.14:17). The carnal church vs the spiritual church. The picnicking church vs the power-filled church. The partying church vs the worshipping church. The fashionable church vs the godly church. The worldly church vs the Bride of Christ.

Lesson 4: One's life does not consist in the abundance of things one possesses. Don't lay up treasures for yourself, but be rich toward God (Luke 12:15-21). Your identity and status is not determined by the kind of position you hold or the amount of wealth you have. Don’t be proud. Naked we came and naked we shall depart. Don’t labor to be rich in the world. Labor to be rich toward God.

Lesson 5: The food of the child of God is obedience to the will of God and to finish His work. (John 4:34). He only said "I thirst" after He knew that everything was accomplished.

2. The Second Temptation to Throw Oneself Down From The Top of The Temple.

Don't Forget: Life Has A Divine Purpose
What does it mean to tempt God?
To tempt God means to try to get God to fulfill what you desire rather than you trying to fulfill what God desires. To tempt God means to use tantrums, complainings, grumblings, wailings, or provocative actions in order to force or provoke God to do just want you want. Tempting God flows from self-centeredness. Tempting God flows from lusts of flesh. Exod 17:2-3.

Lesson 6: The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above. (Pro 14:14). The Israelites complained and craved for meat (Num.11:4,33). They tempted God. God gave them meat, but while the meat was in their teeth, the wrath of God came upon them. The good man is satisfied, but the self-centered person is perpetually dissatisfied. He is like a black hole that sucks everything and yet is never full. He is like a bottomless pit and therefore will be cast into the lake of fire. Jude 12. "They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever."

Heaven is only reserved for those who find pleasure in the presence of the Lord:  (Psa 36:8-9 NKJ)

8 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.
9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.

Lesson 7: Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. (Gal 6:7 NKJ)
The Law of sowing and reaping is ordained by God. Miracles exist, but miracles are not an excuse for violating the laws of nature. If you don't brush your teeth, no matter how spiritual you are, your teeth will rot. Faith is not foolish. If you jump from the mountain, you will break your bones. Unless, God has asked you to walk on water, don't try to jump into water unless you know how to swim. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. Don't waste your life in foolish living. Make good investments. Eccl.11:1 - Charity. Sow wisely and purposefully, reap bountifully. Eccl.7:17- Why should you die before your time?

3. The Third Temptation to Throw Himself Down At the Adversary's Feet

Know that Life is for God
There are two kinds of worship in the world: Worship for mammon, Worship in the spirit and truth.  Jesus said, you cannot serve God and mammon (or money, riches, worldly profits). The devil cannot think that anyone can serve God selflessly without any profit orientedness. He accused Job of being a utilitarian person. "Touch what he has and he will curse you to your face," he challenged. But, Job put the devil to shame by blessing God when everything was taken away. The devil now tries to tempt Jesus with mammon. But, Jesus came not to be a king of this world, but to put an end to this world and become the Author of the New heaven and earth.

Lesson 8: Bless the Lord at all times and let His praise be continually in your mouth. (Ps.34:1). It also means never curse your fellowmen (James 3:9-12). Eph.5:18-20

Lesson 9: Having gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: (Rom 12:6-11 READ). Serve God according to the grace given to us.

Lesson 10: Submit to God, Resist the Devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7)

Lesson 1: Don't sell your birthright for a morsel of food (Heb.12:15-17).
Lesson 2: Don't labor for bread that perishes, but labor for bread that endures to everlasting life (John 6:27).
Lesson 3: The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom.14:17).
Lesson 4: One's life does not consist in the abundance of things one possesses.
Lesson 5: The food of the child of God is obedience to the will of God and to finish His work. (John 4:34).
Lesson 6: The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above. (Pro 14:14). Let God be your satisfaction, don’t tempt God to satisfy your longings.
Lesson 7: Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. (Gal 6:7 NKJ)
Lesson 8: Bless the Lord at all times and let His praise be continually in your mouth. (Ps.34:1).
Lesson 9: Having gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: (Rom 12:6-11)
Lesson 10: Submit to God, Resist the Devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7)

Do Not Harden Your Hearts

But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Whenever God speaks, it is Today, and He demands that we respond positively to His voice as soon as we hear His word. Those who neglect to receive the word immediately or procrastinate to obey, harden their hearts. When a person listens to the voice of God and hardens his heart  from obeying God, he puts himself in the path of hardening, and the more a person gets hardened the more difficult it is for the word of God to find a place in his heart. Such a heart becomes like a stone that will take lot of hammering to break.

1. The Rebellious Heart Hardens Itself Against the Voice of God
Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness, Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, They always go astray in [their] heart, And they have not known My ways. So I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest. (Heb.3:7-11)

God told the Israelites that He was taking them to the Promised Land, but they couldnt accept His word. Their hearts turned towards idolatry, murmuring, criticism, and towards Egypt all the time. Therefore, they could not enter the Promised Land.

2. The Proud Self-Planner Hardens Himself against Gods Will
Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth. (Prov.27:1)

There are those who are full of their own plans and are unwilling to accept the plan of God because they feel that Gods plan interferes with all the hard labor they have put into their own plans and programs. They don't want God to spoil their schedule or arrangements. These are they who rely on their own understanding and do not trust in the Lord with all their hearts. They are so proud and boastful about their own dreams that they will be offended if God asked them to forsake all of their dreams, take up their cross, and follow Him. There are some who say, I will first do this and complete this, then I will serve God. These are those whose heart is becoming hardened and it will be difficult for them to serve God.

3. The Fearful Sinner Hardens His Heart Against the Convicting Work of the Holy Spirit
And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you. (Acts 24:24-25)

There are those who would only love to listen to sermons that suit them and do not like to listen to a preaching that would bother their conscience, because their works are evil and they either want their conscience to be blind about this or to satisfy themselves with the assurance that even the preachers of the word aren't able to follow what they preach. In the next verse we read that Felix was waiting for Paul to bribe him. But, Paul was not a preacher of word alone; he practiced what he preached. He never compromised. Felix was a fearful sinner; who was afraid that the light of the word would expose his sinful heart and he would be bothered in his conscience. There are people who change churches because they find the preaching too hard to bear. There are people who move away from a leadership because they are ashamed to work under a godly leader. They have hardened their hearts.

4. The Self-Oriented Servant Hardens His Heart Against Serving God
Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying: This people says, The time has not come, the time that the LORDs house should be built. Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying,[Is it] time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple [to lie] in ruins? Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways! (Haggai 1:2-5)

Like the man with the one talent who tried to accuse his master when he was found to have done nothing for the Kingdom of God, there are those who harden their hearts and do very little or nothing for God because all the time their mind is occupied with their own business, job, comfort, and desires. They find reasons and excuses, but such excuses are abominable in the sight of God. If a person has time for himself but has no time for God, it means that such a person is not a servant of God, but a servant of his own flesh. His heart is hardened, therefore, he cannot serve God. For no man can serve two masters.

5. The Foolish Virgins Harden their Heart Against Being Ready All the Time
Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five [were] foolish. Those who [were] foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was [heard:] Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him! Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, Give us [some] of your oil, for our lamps are going out. But the wise answered, saying, [No,] lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us! But he answered and said, Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you. Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. (Matthew 25:1-13)

I think that a person who cannot come to church on time, not because he couldn’t find a conveyance, but because of his lazy and procrastinating nature, will not be ready at the coming of the Son of God. I see no reason why a person who is lazy and neglectful can ever be ready on the Day of the Lord. Undisciplined and lazy people are hardened people. They are foolish because they think that whatever they do, they are fine. But, they aren’t. God wants us to make sure that our lamps are full of oil, that we take care of our own lamps, that we carry our own cross, that we be ready for His coming all the time.

Remember:
When the Spirit convicts us of sin, if we do not immediately repent and turn to God, then we only go away from Him. If we become slothful and lazy and uninterested in the plan of God and His desire, we are no longer His faithful servants; we only become stubborn and wicked and chaff for the fire of God's judgment. If we neglect the Gospel of the Kingdom and do not prepare our hearts to seek God and be ready for His coming, we will be astonished and ashamed on the Day of Judgment. So, it's important for us while it is called Today to exhort one another daily.

“Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts”

Purity: 5 Effects, 3 Aspects (Matt 5:8)

Matt.5:8 - Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.
Psa 24:3-5 - Who will ascend... He who has Clean Hands and Pure Heart
Psa 51:10 - Create in me a pure heart.. v.11. Cast me not away from Presence..

5 Effects of Purity:
1. Pure Humility. Prov.22:11 - pure heart.. speech gracious.. will have the king for his friend. Purity of heart and Humility go together.
2. Pure Eyes. Tit.1:15 - to the pure all things are pure.....
3. Pure Love. 1Tim.1:5 - Pure love can only come from pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith. (1Pet.1:22)
4. Pure Pursuit. Seeking. Calling. 2 Tim.2:22 - Flee evil desires... pure heart
5. Drawing Near. Communion with God. Heb.10:22 - Draw near to God with a sincere heart.. cleansed ...washed.. HOLINESS
6. Single Mindedness... James 4:8 (not love of the world, but love of God)


HOW TO BE PURE:
1. Purity by the Blood of Jesus. Forgiveness of Sins (Heb.13:12; Heb.9:14,22-28; Walk in Light, Confess...1Jn.1:7)... Heb.10:2 - no consciousness of past sins.. COVERED, CLEANSED. Tit.2;14 - Purity=> GOOD WORKS.
2. Purity by the Word of God (Psa.119:140. Cleanses Our Walk. Word is pure; Prov.30:5,6; John15:3; 1Pet.2:2..growth by pure word; 1Pet.1:22 - through OBEDIENCE)
3. Purity by the Spirit of God. Sanctifies through His Presence.  (2The.2:13;1Pet.1:2; Service by Spirit Rom.15:16) Spirit Speaks the Word and Applies the Blood (Heb.3:7,8; 10:29)

5 Entanglements that Christ Came to Deliver Us From

5 Human Entanglements that Christ Came To Deliver Us From
WHAT THEY DO
- They complicate life - Matt.23:4 "They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. (Mat 23:4 NIV)
- They violate God's commandments - Mark 7:8,9 - Set aside commandments for traditions
- They fossilize spirituality - Col.2:23 - False customs that have no value for the spirit.
- They hinder change - old wineskins can't hold new wine (Mat.9:17)
- They worsen the convert - (Mat.23:15)

Entanglements:
1. Traditions (Mark 7:8,9) - Traditionalism
:::caste-desire for dignity, social honor (Pharisees Jn.5:44); "what would people think?" Not desiring to be "rejected of men" (Vs.Isa.53)/ "Denominationalism"
2. Mammon (Lk.16:13-15; 1Tim.6:10)
::: Achan...Gehazi...Judas Iscariot... Materialism
3. Flesh (2Pet.2:18-22) - Sensualism (Sensationalism)
Lust of flesh, works of flesh, passions of flesh...Gal.5:19-21
::: Their god is their belly - Phil.3:19; Rom.16:17,18; Jude 19; 1Cor.6:13
Action-packed, stimulating, entertaining.... carnal food.
4. Debased Mind (Rom.1:28-32; 2Thess.2:11,12)
:::Genesis 6:5-Imaginations so rotten... Rom.1:21,22-foolish hearts darkened.
Can't think right anymore... Mat.7:6- Gospel is like pearls before swine for them.
5. Sin - One sin after another (Jn.8:34) - Prov.12:13
- David.. Bathsheba.. Uriah..; Ananias Saphira.. Lie after lie.. Gehazi..

Traditions-- Love of God (The Golden Rule): (1Pet 1:18)
Mammon - Serve God (Sell all!)
Flesh - Crucify flesh/ Gal.5. Mortify deeds of body through Spirit
Mind - Tit 3:5 renewing of spirit. ROM 12, Phil 2
Sin - ROM.6. sin shall not reign in your mortal bodies

7 Important Ingredients of a Fulfilled Life from the 7 Sayings of Jesus on the Cross

1. Luke 23:34: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.
Peace........
-Hitler "For the sake of freedom and democracy, never again fascism; millions of dead remind us"
Could u forgive him?
Corrie ten Boom
- Forgiveness is available,
Jewish proverb, forgiveness is like the sea, anyone can go and bath in it..
- but it must be received
Prodigal Son...
... Forgiven, so forgive. unmerciful servant
.... forgive, or will not be forgiven

2. Luke 23:43: Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise. Hope.....powerful word

Can man live without hope?
Job 14:7-10

Hope in life.
Hope beyond life..
Ecc 9:4 उसको परन्तु जो सब जीवतों में है, उसे आशा है, क्योंकि जीवता कुत्ता मरे हुए सिंह से बढ़कर है।
But only when hope in life, then hope beyond life.
Hope through new birth -
1Pet.1:3
New birth.. Repentance, Faith, Obedience... newness of life.
Col.1:27
You have the freedom to change your attitude, to change your life through the power of Christ.
Rom 1:16 
hope through believing

3. John 19:26–27: Woman, behold your son. Son Behold your mother. Care.....

He cares...
1Pe 5:7

Matt.6:26ff He cares....

Love your neighbor...Who? Be a Good Samaritan
Do to others as u want them do to u...
Parents and own. 1Tim.5:4,8

4. Matthew 27:46 & Mark 15:34 My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?
Trust...
Godliness.. bhakti
Crying out to God... pouring

Heb.5:7 - cries..
Pray even when it seems God is nowhere..
in Him we live...

5. John 19:28: I thirst.
Passion...Happiness.....
First God.... John 4:32,34
Matt.4:4...
Haggai..

6. John 19:29-30: It is finished.
Purpose
Fruitfulness.... Success Satisfaction.....
John 17 Finished the work...
Salvation complete...
Who are you?
Why are you here?
Viktor Frankl .. Purpose not invented,, but discovered...
Worldliness.... Eccles..vanity
Fulfillment= fruitfulness
Unless u r connected with the One who finished, you cannot finish.. John15

7. Luke 23:46: Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. End.....
Relationship that lasts....
End is more important... Finishing the race.. Fighting well. 2Tim.4:5
Many begin... few end
can God receive your spirit..
Stephen..
who is your boss????
-Flesh lusts 2pet 2:19ff
-sin john 8:33
-devil .. Cain 1jn 3:10-12
pharisees jn8
Whose?
Peace..hope...care...trust....passion....success...relationship

Jesus Went Into The Temple (Matthew 21:12)

When Jesus came into the Temple there was:
1. Cleansing of Activities: He drove the ones who were turning God's temple into business center
2. Correction of Attitudes: He reminded that the House of God is a House of Prayer
3. Comfort to the Ailing: He healed the lame and the blind.

Why Is It Triumphant Sunday?

It is "triumphant" because the King has entered in.

3 Distinctives of Christ's Triumphant Entry
His entry shows His
-Conviction of Mission
-Control over Self
-Commitment to Righteousness

1. He moved towards the Cross, not away from the Cross.
The Cross defined His mission on earth. He knew where He was going.

2. He was indifferent to both Criticism and Praise.
Some praised and some criticized but He committed Himself to no man. It didn't matter what humans thought or said about Him; He knew who He was and what He was supposed to do.

3. He did not Compromise with Truth, with Meaning--He Cleansed the Temple
The Temple could not be confused with the Market. Jesus established that. There was no overlooking the truth. The definitions could not be compromised. The Priest made distinction between the clean and the unclean, between the right and the wrong, between the holy and the unholy.

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me (Psa 138:8)

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me (Psa 138:8)

The LORD always finishes what He starts. Men may start works that they leave unfinished; but, God always finishes what He starts. However, when it comes to His work in our lives, He can't perfect it without our cooperation. There are three essential things:

1. Absolute Trust and Confidence in God's Working
"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Phi 1:6)

Trust implies: (a) Faith in God's goodness and His work, to believe in Him even when everything looks the opposite. (b) Patience (James 1:4). To let patience do its work. To never compromise with anything that goes against the will of God.

2. Understanding of God's Will and Work in Our Lives
"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." (Phi 2:12-13)

We can understand God's will and work in our lives through the living Word of God who separates the soul from the spirit (Heb.4:12) and helps us to discern the promptings of the Spirit (Gal.5:16,17).

In an unspiritual man, desires are confused and he isn't able to discern what is of the Spirit and what is of the self; but, in a spiritual man who is governed by the living word of God, and who is mature, the distinction is clear (Heb.5:14).

The spiritual man is able to see the work of God in his life. He knows that God is working even though it seems God is absent from the scene.

3. Casting all Cares on Jesus and Being Ruled by the Peace of God
"Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus." (Phi 4:6-7)

When God's peace rules in our hearts and minds, the world gets puzzled because it can't understand this at all; God's peace surpasses all understanding.

When God's peace rules in our hearts, all doubts and fears of the heart are quelled and the boat sails softly, carried forward by the gentle breezes of the Spirit.

The spiritual man doesn't worry, doesn't unnecessarily hurry, but spends time in prayer with thanksgiving. And, when he does that he lays aside his will and submits to the will of God, and God perfects what He starts, He perfects that which concerns us.

Blessings of Sonship in Christ (Galatians 4)

God sent forth His Son...that we might receive the adoption as sons. (Gal 4:4-5 NKJ)

The poets asserted that we are offspring of God (Acts 17:28). But, like the prodigal son, we were lost, groping like the blind, in bondage to the elements of the world (Gal.4:1,2). Yet, when His Grace appeared, we saw light, we received the right to be called the children of God (Jn.1:12). He received us in loving embrace (Lk.15:20). He put His ring on our hand (Lk.15:22).He placed and positioned us as sons (Gk. huiothesia, "to place as son").

And with this placement as sons, this sonship, we received blessings:

1. The Spirit of the Son by which we call out "Abba, Father" (Gal.4:6)
He is the Spirit of prayer and supplication (Eph.6:18). He helps us in our weakness by praying for us (Rom.8:26). He is the inner witness (Rom.8:16) and the one who speaks the words of Truth in our heart (Jn.16:13; Rev.2:7).

2. Heirship. We became heirs of God through Christ (Gal.4:7)
We have received an eternal, imperishable inheritance; an eternal kingdom, and a bold access to all that belongs to God (Heb.9:15; 1Pet.1:4; Lk.15:31). What is ours is His and what is His is ours. We have free access and liberty in the house of God.

3. Spiritual Freedom. We became free from the elements of the world (Gal.4:8,9; Col.2:16,20-23).
He liberated us from the traditions of the fathers that put a hedge on us (1Pet.1:18,19). He liberated us from the dictates of human tutors (Gal.4:1-3). He brought us into the liberty of the walk in the Spirit, the Spirit of Freedom (Gal.3:4; 2Cor.3:17; Gal.5:1,5). He delivered us from false superstitions, false fears, false humility, false spirituality. He gave us spiritual freedom in the Spirit.

4. Family Likeness. We are transformed every moment into the image of the Son (Gal.4:19; 2Cor.3:18; Rom.8:29; Phil.2:5; 1Pet.2:21).

5. We are set apart from the world and the world of flesh conflicts with the children of promise (Gal.4:29)
The world cannot understand the sons of God (1Jn.3:1). The world persecutes the children of God as it persecuted Christ (Jn.15:20). But, by faith in Christ we overcome the world (Jn.16:33; 1Jn.5:4). We must learn to rejoice in persecution (Matt.5:11,12) looking to the joy ahead of us (Heb.12:1-4).

I am the Light of the world (Jn.8:12) - Sermon Outline

LIGHT in Darkness


1. Darkness of Sin (Ep.5:11,12)
Condition of the unbelievers (Eph.4:18,19)
Jesus. Zech 4:2: SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Eph.5:8 - You are Light

2. Darkness of the World Controlled by Devil (Eph.6:12; 1Jn.5:9)
-Devil blinds minds (2Cor.4:4)
-Devil oppresses people (Acts 10:38)
Jesus: Prince of the kingdom of Light (Col.1:12-13)

3. Darkness of Foolish Imagination
Rom.1:21-23
Rev.3:17
Jesus: Amen the Faithful and True Witness (Rev.3:14)

4. Darkness of Death
Job 10:21,22; Ps.23:4; Jn.8:12; Hb.2:14,15; Ps.18:28; 112:4

CHRIST
Light of Life
Light of Understanding
Light of Good
Light of Fearlessness

GOD MANIFESTED IN FLESH (1Tim.3:16) - Sermon Outline

1. The Invisible Made Visible
-General Revelation (1Tim.1:17)
-Specific Revelation (Jn.1:18)
Heb.1:3; Col.1:15

2. The Distant Brought Near
-Immanuel - God with us
-Jn.1:14 - "dwelt among us"
Acts 17:27,28

3. The Unknown Made Known
Acts 17:23. To the Unknown God
Jn.1:18; Jn.17:6-8
Jn.14:7

4. The Hidden Revealed
Job 23:8-9
Psalm 18:11

Caleb, History Maker

Numbers 13; Josh 14
Story Numbers 13

God told them to spy; why spy if He'd give.
Bible teaches human responsibility  God will give increase, but you must sow the seed. You must work. God made man to work. If you want blessing, you must do things
KNOWLEDGE, CONFIDENCE, ACTION

1. Learn about the land .. Business, job... Knowledge (Jesus said “Count the Cost”)
2. Believe that you can take the land because He has promised. Believe in God
3. Go up and fight the battle... You don't win more territory by sleeping.

PRAYER OF JABEZ- 1Chronicles 4:9,10. But, that prayer will mean nothing unless there is proper effort to learn, proper faith to act.

Now, some say no need work. Salvation not by work. But, they don't know James 2

Caleb - means dog. Bad! Especially for a Jew.. But, he didn’t care what his parents called him.

1. Man of Divine Vision
Caleb saw as God wanted them to see.
God showed them the land… He wanted to show the land that He was going to give them. What do you do when God shows you what He wants to give you?
- People liked it; but, people were discouraged!!!
-Caleb liked it, caleb wanted it, Caleb was ready to go take it!

General Vision: That all may be saved. It is possible for everyone to hear once about Jesus, of His power, of His teaching, of His love.

Specific Vision: What God shows that He can do with your life.
The Rich Young Man: Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:23
God showed Him the Kingdom of God; but, when He told him what he should do, he was discouraged…

Similar like the other 10 spies; when God showed them the Promised Land, they were happy, but when they realized what they had to do they were discouraged..

First thing, it is not your battle… God wants to carry you through!

HE CARRIED: Deut 1:32,33. Not just a vision of Glory, but also the affirmation of GRACE

IF YOU CANNOT DO IT, IT MEANS IT CAN ONLY BE BY GOD…

God doesn’t call you for the possible; He calls you for the impossible!

Now, divine vision is not personal desire!!!! JER.14:14 (False Vision); JER 23:25 (False Dreams)

2. Man of Unshakeable Faith
Caleb not only saw, he was unshakeable in his conviction.. Num.13:30: LET US GO UP AT ONCE!!!!!
Psalm 125:1- Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved…
James 1:6- Doubts like wave….

NOT ALLOWING ANY NEGATIVE THOUGHT TO CONTRADICT GOD’S VISION..

Rom.4:20.. Abraham.. believed in God’s vision…..

3. Man of Determination
Will not allow something to stay unfinished… The Anakites are what they feared, they said that they cannot.. Now, at 80… I will take them..
Kirjath-arba (City of Arba, Anakite)
Hebron (Association, Sambandh)

Joshua 14:9-12.. GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN

General Vision: The Land to Israel
Specific Vision: Num 14:24; Josh 14:9

The Name of Jesus (Prayer)

IN THE NAME OF CHRIST

(Joh 14:13-14 NKJ) (Joh 16:24-28 NKJ)

"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
"If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (Joh 14:13-14 NKJ)
"Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
25 "These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father.
26 "In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you;
27 "for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.
28 "I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father." (Joh 16:24-28 NKJ)

The New Testament introduces a very distinctive element into prayer: the Name of Jesus. Of course, when we pray, we usually end our prayers with the words, “In the Name of Jesus, we pray…” However, when Jesus told us to pray in His Name, He didn’t just mean to repeat those words. To pray in Jesus’ Name means much more than just the repetition of a clause. It means to pray by virtue of the Person of Jesus. It means to petition not out of just who we are, but out of who we are in Jesus. It means to extend our hand to receive from God what He gives to us because of Jesus.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NAME OF JESUS IN PRAYER
1. THE NAME ASSERTS THE PRIORITY OF CHRIST. HE IS THE FIRST.
When I approach God in the Name of Jesus, I assert that Jesus has priority over my life.
Like John said, “He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.'" (Joh 1:15 NKJ)

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. (Col 1:16-17 NKJ)

HE IS BEFORE ALL THINGS

Christ Existed Before. He was with the Father..
Christ Went Before … He is the anchor of our hope.
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
(Heb 6:19-20 NKJ)


2. THE NAME ASSERTS THE MEDIATORSHIP OF CHRIST. HE IS THE MIDDLE ONE.
Through Him are all things.

He Stands between Man and God and the Eternal Priest, the Lamb of Sacrifice, the Atonement of our Sins, and the Paraclete. Therefore, He declared “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Jn.14:6). This understanding is important since the statement is trans-temporal, it applies to both Pre-Fall and Post-Fall situations alike. There was never that Christ was not the way. He did not become the way. He eternally exists as the way, the truth, and the life – the eternal “I am”, immutable and absolute.

He is the Eternal Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Psa.110:4). Not created but eternal.

He not only stands in between me and God. He also stands between me and anyone or anything else. He holds all things together.


Dietrich Bonhoeffer:
"But the same Mediator who makes us individuals is also the founder of a new fellowship. He stands in the centre between my neighbour and myself. He divides, but He also unites. Thus although the direct way to our neighbour is barred, we now find the new and only real way to him—the way which passes through the Mediator." – Bonhoeffer
Christ stands between us, and we can only get into touch with our neighbours through Him. That is why intercession is the most promising way to reach our neighbours"


3. THE NAME ASSERTS THE FINALITY OF CHRIST. HE IS THE LAST.
IN HIM ALL THINGS CONSIST.
that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth-- in Him. (Eph 1:10 NKJ)

FOR HIM… All things were created through Him and for Him. (Col 1:16 NKJ)

NOTHING BEFORE HIM, NOTHING AFTER HIM
NOTHING THAT CAN BE REMOVED, NOTHING THAT CAN BE ADDED.
IN OTHER WORDS, YOU DO NOT NEED ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE NAME OF CHRIST.

THE NAME OF CHRIST IS ENOUGH, ESSENTIALLY SPEAKING.

ILLUS: SIGNATURE ON CHECK

But, the Name is again not just about repeating few words.
IS CHRIST THE PRIORITY OF YOUR LIFE
IS CHRIST THE MEDIATOR OF YOUR LIFE
IS CHRIST THE FINALITY OF YOUR LIFE


That alone will make the difference

Visionary Prayer (Nehemiah)

VISIONARY PRAYER
Is Passionate (Neh.1:4)
Is Proactive (Neh.2:4). He prayed first...(Priority of Prayer)
Is Practical (Neh.4:9)
Is Persistent (Neh. 6:9) - Strengthened, not weakened
- Matt.5:4 - Blessed are those who mourn

- Isaiah 59:14-16 - God wondered that there was no intercessor, no mourner...
- Ezekiel 9:1-6: God killed all who didn't mourn over evil

Nehemiah's Passion: Mourned, Fasted, Prayed...
- Confession of Sins; Confession of God's Promises
- Solution: Neh 1:11 (Passion must have a direction - When God gives you passion, He also shows the way)
(Posture - Not necessarily kneeling...)
- Not pretence (2:2; or else would not be afraid)
- Visionary prayer helps not only to identify what is wrong, but also helps to see the SOLUTION (Vision of what must be done)
- A Man of Visionary Prayer doesn't just pray.. He is willing to do something to change the situation. He doesn't just mourn the bad shape of things, He SEES the RIGHT FORM that they can be brought into.

- Visionary Prayer is Practically Wise. It is based on a faith that knows its own responsibility.
- Their setting a watch and arming themselves didn't show the weakness of their faith, but the wisdom of their faith. Not weakness but wisdom.
Foolish to not take precautions, when precautions are possible. God guards us, but they knew they had to keep locks and gates.
Hyper-spirituality is reckless and lazy spirituality. They want God to do everything and themselves do nothing.
- Visionary Prayer is not wavering.. It doesn't get fragmented in faith because of circumstances.
- Visionary Prayer is bold and persistent.
- Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge.

- Pray without ceasing. Be strong in prayer.

The Gospel According to Romans

I. The Promise of the Gospel

Given through the prophets in the Holy Scriptures
- It was a Spoken Promise – Communicated
- It was a Written Promise – Encoded, Recorded

Promise of the Gospel: “That God will save…”
Promises of the Gospel. “Salvation, life, adoption….”

Rom.15:8; Gal.3:16, 22

Why the Promise of the Gospel Was Made
1. Because man by his righteousness could not fulfill the righteousness of God.
The Law can’t save. It can only condemn.
Israel is the greatest example.
- Sinned despite of miracles
- Sinned despite of Tabernacle
- Sinned despite of Shekinah
- Sinned despite of prophets, priests… (Jer.5:31)
Education can’t transform
Religion can’t transform
2. Because God loved us and wants us to be saved. (1Jn.4:19)
- Cross: Greatest symbol of human rejection of God and God’s embrace of man
3. Because the Gospel is the only way for man to be saved.
That is why it is the GOSPEL

II. The Person of the Gospel

Not an ordinary man.
Mediator: Real. High Priest.

According to the Flesh: Son of David
According to the Spirit of Holiness: Son of God

Jn.3:16

Gospel of the Son of David
Gospel of the Son of God

a. Humanity and Divinity. Perfect Mediator. (Heb.2)
b. Royal Lineage. King
c. Embodiment of Promise. In Him all promise are “Yes” and “Amen”
Declared: “It is finished”. His Name is “Amen”
He finished the work of righteousness
He sanctified us by His sacrifice.
Holiness: Not in degrees. But, a position. We don’t become holy. We are made holy in Him. New man.

III. The Propagation of the Gospel

Grace and Apostleship
Grace given to all; but Apostleship only to a few

Work of the Ministry- Ministry of the Gospel
Rom.12:6: Everyone gets gifts of grace
1Pet.4:10-11: Stewards of grace

120 saints in the Upper Room. Not all were apostles but all received grace to bear witness (Acts 1:8)

Matt.25:15: Parable of Talents

1. Grace is a Free Gift.
Received freely – freely give (Matt.10:8)
Everything received, nothing to boast (1Cor.4:7)
1Cor.9:18 – Gospel without charge
2Cor.11:7-9
1Tim.6:5 – Not for gain: Don’t be like the man with one talent who: “Why labor for someone else’ profit?” “What do I get?” This attitude is nothing but wickedness

The greatest reward: 1Cor.9:17-18; Phil.4:1

2. Grace is Privilege
1Cor.9:16-17. Woe if I don’t preach..
1Cor.15:10,11. By grace I am what I am…
Grace works… Grace in action.. Effective Grace
You can reach friends that I can’t; likewise, friends reach friends…

SEE THE PRIVILEGE
- 1Pet.1:10-12; Heb.1:1-2. Fathers, Prophets longed for
- Eph. 3:8-10; 1Pet.12. Angels desire to look into
Angels can’t preach the Gospel (e.g. Cornelius’ Story); but you can.

We know Christ. The Fullness of Grace.
New Birth- Spirit
New Law- Love
New Hope – Resurrection
New Ministry – Reconciliation
New Order – All Priests
New Position – Sons
New Relationship – Bride/Bridegroom

Not as OT, New Order

3. Grace is a Responsibility
1Pet.4:10,11. Stewards
Man of one talent – irresponsible, wicked

Esther 4:14. Grace positioned her. Grace demands from her.
Recognize your grace – Rom.12:6
Remember your grace
Witness – Work

Recognize Your Gift
1. Measure of faith. What do you have faith for? (Rom.12:3)
2. Laying on of hands – delegation, authority (2Tim.1:6)
3. Manifestation of Spirit – Gifts (1Cor.12)