20 Esther – God will Deliver His People
Sermon outline Family Feuds The Jews and their Enemies The Setting – Ahasuerus’ Reign, aka Xerxes I Persian King has wealth beyond comprehension. (Esther 1:6-7) Vashti’s refusal (Esther 1:19) Mordecai, a descendant of Benjamin (Esther 2:5, 1Sam 9:3) Haman the Agagite (Esther 3:1, 1Sam 15:2-8, 17:14-16, Judg 6:3) Esther, the chosen vessel A Beautiful Woman (Esther 2:9, 14-18, Prov 12:4, 31:10) The Impending Disaster Her Wisdom Fasting and prayer (Esther 4:16-17, Institutes 3.4.11) The call to prayer and fasting…
19 Providence, Pagans and the Worship of God (Ezra 1)
Sermon Outline Providence Introductory Questions Providence defined (WCF 5.1, Belgic 13) Cyrus’ Decree Background (2Chr 36:17-21, 2Kin 24:14, 25:1-21, Ezra 1:1) Who was Cyrus? Historical Information Cyrus was prophesied about in the Scriptures (Isa 44:24, 28, 45:1-13) Jeremiah’s prophecies (Jer 16:14-15, 25:11, 30:3, 32:42-44) The Prophesy fulfilled People return to Jerusalem (Ezra 2:64-67, 1:7) People rebuild the Altar and restart the worship of God (Ezra 3:1-5) Worship is at the forefront of these returning exiles. Worship doesn’t require a…
18 Daniel – Being Faithful in times of exile & persecution
Sermon outline Introduction What does it look like to be faithful to God in a world which is hostile to Him? What does it look like to be faithful to God when the ruling powers want you to extend their government and that government is pagan? Secular? Antagonistic to God? What does it look like to be faithful when you are a minority in the midst of a majority culture and some in that majority want to see you dead?…
17 Only God can bring Life to the dead (Ezekiel 37:1-14)
17 Ezekiel 37:1-14 Only God can bring LIFE to the dead Testimony – David Richards Sermon Outline Judah no different than Israel (Jer 5:1, 2Ki 21:9, 2Chr 36:15-16) But there is hope in The Valley of Dry Bones Israel Dead and Shriveled (Eze 37:1-2) Can Israel be brought back to life? (Eze 37:3a) Can our dry bones, dead churches, lost children be brought back to God? God knows if Life can be given to the dead (Eze 37:3b) God restores…
15 Amos and Justice
Sermon Outline God’s First Messengers to a Wayward People Elijah and Elisha Hosea & Amos Prophets are Men sent by God to speak His heart to His people Remind the People of Covenant Announce the ways the covenant is violated Spell out the Punishment for violation Hold out Hope after the punishment B/C God’s purpose is to relate to people and build up an obedient, live giving communion of persons on this earth. Reminds the people that the Covenant requires…
14 God is Faithful to His Word 1Kings 11-16
Sermon Outline Read 1 Kings 11:9-40 & 14:1-16 We think it’s all about politics (Lower Story) Introduction Poor rulers abuse people (1Ki 12:4, 14) Good Rulers serve people (1Ki 12:7) Who we take counsel from matters (1Ki 12;7, 10-11) Transition to the Character of God To God it’s all about keeping his Word (Upper Story) Ancient Prophecy of Jericho (1Ki 16:34, Josh 6:26) Jeroboam (Israel) An amazing conditional promise (1Ki 11:37-38) Failure to trust God (1Kings 12:28, 31)…
13 Three Strikes and You’re Out! 1Kings 1-8
Sermon Outline I. Baseball and the Strike out II. Solomon A. Rough start (1Ki 1-2) B. Promising beginning? God meets with him in a dream. (1Ki 3:5) 1. What would you ask for? 2, Solomon asked for wisdom to govern God’s people. ( 1Ki 3:9-13, Prov 1:2-4,7) 3. Wealth and honor are present in the Kingdom. 4. Peacemaking and diplomacy (1Ki 4:21, 24-25) C. Where is this kingship going? 1. Alliance with Egypt (1Ki 3:1) 2. Walked according to David…
Why we can believe in the Resurrection and what difference does it make (1Peter 1:3-7)
Sermon Outline “The resurrection of Jesus Christ and Christianity stand or fall together.” – Josh (1Cor 15:13-17) A Few reasons why you ought to believe in the resurrection: Historical proof Is the Bible reliable? Manuscript Quantity and Quality Death occurred (Jn 19:32-34) There was an empty tomb (Mt 28:11-15) Eyewitness Accounts (1Cor 15:3-8) Psychological proof You don’t have mass hallucinations! Lives were transformed At every step of the way there was doubt, but that doubt turned to belief when Jesus…
12 Even Good Kings Struggle (2Sam 11-12, 18-19, 1Chr 22, 29, Ps 23, 32, 51)
Sermon Outline Introduction David, a chosen but sinful King We have high hopes as we leave Saul’s reign. (2Sam 9:9-10) BUT…David is a sinful man, like you and I. (1Chr 27, 2Sam 18-19) David Didn’t lead his Nation to War (2Sam 11:1) David struggled with Lust and pursued Adultery (2Sam 11:2-4) APPLICATION: When you tire of the fight, you are in danger of great spiritual battles and defeat. David Sought to Cover up his sin Lying Trickery (2Sam 11:13) Murder…