Archive for Special Occasion Messages
Our Sin on His Cross
by Eddie Lawrence
INTRODUCTION – The three crosses present the day Jesus died carry a message for each of us. Please allow me to use what Pastor Rod Parsley wrote about concerning these three crosses as a simple sermon outline that carries some very major truth from the Scripture.
Here is an excerpt from Pastor Parsley’s devotional thought and the link where you can find it in its entirety.
"There were three crosses. The cross in the middle bore the One who died for sin; another bore the one who died to sin; and the third bore the one who died in sin. Although both criminals originally railed Jesus, one asked for forgiveness and Jesus promised that man a home in Paradise. The other ridiculed His choice and now is spending eternity in hell." Read more: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/newsletters/daily-devotionals/daily-breakthroughs/20130-three-crosses-of-sin#ixzz0jIaiRnsH
With the above thought in mind, let’s look at these three powerful messages about the relationship each of us have with sin. I want to ask you three questions:
1. DO YOU KNOW THE ONE WHO "DIED FOR SIN"?
There is only ONE who has ever lived, who lived a perfect life who qualifies to die for the sin of another — His name is Jesus. Do you know him?
Consider:
A. He died willingly – He could not be made to die.
B. He died sacrificially – He chose to die for the benefit of others.
C. He died lovingly – In his death, he expressed forgivness and demonstrated God’s love to us.
D. He died triumphantly – The Bible teaches that through his death, we can now receive life. His resurrection is the proof of his triumph over the penalty of sin which is death.
2. ARE YOU ONE WHO HAS "DIED TO SIN"?
This happens when Christ is confessed as Lord of your life through the repentance from your sin and faith toward Jesus Christ.
Consider:
A. Through faith in Christ – His righteousness becomes your righteousness>
B. You receive the guaranteed of the Holy Spirit as proof of your own future resurrection to life.
C. You are granted access to God as a child of God.
D. You are liberated from the consequences and condemnation of sin.
3. IF YOU DIED TODAY, WOULD YOU BE ONE WHO "DIED IN SIN"?
You will die some day, what if it were this day? Which cross would you be hangin on?
Consider:
A. Each of us have an appointment with death.
B. There is only one way to experience victory over death.
C. Waiting till a later time is playing Russian Roulette with your soul?
D. Whatever keeps you from trusting Christ now is one of the very things he died to set you free from.
E. Will you confess Christ now? Will you value what happened for you on the cross where there was One who died for sin.
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This little sermon outline is one of our free sermons that’s great to use for a Father’s Day sermon. Take and shape it and use it!
A FATHER WHO FOUGHT TILL HE WON!
Mark 9:14 And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. 15 Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. 16 And He asked the scribes, “What are you discussing with them?”
17 Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. 18 And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.”
19 He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” 20 Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.
21 So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”
And he said, “From childhood. 22 And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe,[a] all things are possible to him who believes.”
24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” 26 Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
In this familiar story, let’s change our perspective a bit and focus on the father in the story. When we do we discover that–
He was a Father who knew how to:
1. Work for His Child
-This was a father who worked hard to find the best for his child. For years he provided for this child stricken by the enemy. He did not abandon his child. He was not embarassed to bring his child into the public arena to search for help.
Give honor to working fathers….
2. War for His Child
-He fought the enemy for years. He fought this disease for years. He fought through the crowd to bring him to Jesus. He had a daily battle which he warred on behalf of his son.
Give honor to warring fathers….
3. Wait for His Child
-Since childhood, his now much older son, had suffered. Think of the time his father had pulled him out of the fire, had to wrestle him to stop him from hurting himself. Yet, this father, years down the road was still searching and waiting for his son to be set free and healed.
Give honor to waiting fathers….
4. Worship for His Child
-In the moment, when it was just him and Jesus and he was called upon to have faith, he humbled himself before God, he wept and admitted he had the desire to believe but it was shrouded with unbelief. Jesus was moved by this man’s honestly and Jesus also knew the man brought the son to him because he was believing.
Give honor to worshipping fathers…
PLEASE CHECK OUT THE MONDAY MORNING PREACHER’S PACKAGE. In last week’s package, a great Father’s Day message was included along with four other solid sermon outlines. Each Monday morning I deliver 20-30 pages to your inbox filled with preaching content much more detailed than the above. These are fresh relevant messages. View a sample of one of the packages to see for yourself. For only $14.97 per month you get 80-120 pages of preaching material put together in a way that you can take it, add your own style and preach!) For the cost of a cup of coffee, you get 20-30 pages of fresh content!
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WHAT A FATHER GIVES
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this message, we will look at what Peter wrote as he blessed His his Heavenly Father and apply that as well as a tribute and a challenge to our earthly Fathers.
1. A FATHER GIVES MERCY (v3)
-If God who is perfect is willing to extend mercy to us, how much more should earthly father’s who need mercy be willing to extend it to their children.
ILLUS– (Share an example of a time you or someone you know were given mercy when it could have been really bad)
2. A FATHER GIVES LIFE (v3)
-"begotten us again" Regardless of a person’s relationship with their father, they can be thankful for being begotten by them.
-We should also be grateful for the things a father does to lead their child to experience the new birth
ILLUS–(Give a personal snapshot of what it was like to see your child for the first time. If you do not have children, then share what it was like for a father you witnessed in their first days with their child)
3. A FATHER GIVES HOPE (v3)
WORD STUDY–Peter is fond of the word "living" (present active participle of \za“\) as in
1:23; 2:4,5,24; 4:5,6. The Pharisees cherished the hope of the
resurrection (Ac 23:6), but the resurrection of Jesus gave it
proof and permanence (1Co 15:14,17). It is no longer a dead
hope like dead faith (Jas 2:17,26). This revival of hope was
wrought "by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (\dia anastase“s\).
Hope rose up with Christ from the dead,…(A.T. Robertson’s Word Pictures)
-Heavenly Father had in His heart a desire to see His children living with a life and meaningful hope
-There is such power in the words of a father spoken to a child. It means so much when words of promise and hope are exchanged from a father’s heart to their children’s hearts. This is part of giving a generational blessing to our children. Speak over them the promises of God.
ILLUS–(Think of a time when you have witnessed the power of hope given to someone who was really facing huge obstacles and how it affected them OR maybe there was a time when your father gave you a word of promise that you lived for.)
4. A FATHER BELIEVES IN RESURRECTION (v3)
-Just as God the Father raised Jesus from the dead. There will be times when a Father reaches down to his child and helps them experience a second chance. Giving children the ability to fail but get up and go again is key to living a successful life. The resurrection truth gives us all the assurance that in no way will we be ultimately defeated.
ILLUS-(This is a great place for that story of the time when you thought it was all over and got your miracle.)
5. A FATHER LEAVES INHERITANCE (v4)
-an inheritance of treasure (it is not the amount here but the heart of wanting one’s children to have all that you have. This is a blessing financially.)
-an inheritance of truth (This is a blessings spiritually, morally, and ethically) To see one’s children in heaven for eternity is the greatest blessing you could give them.
-an inheritance of tradition (This is a blessing memorially to carry on the blessings that were received in previous generations)
ILLUS–(Choose one of the above and give an example in your own life–a family tradition that uniquely identifies your family, some treasure that is very meaningful you have received from a loved one, or how a family member’s faith has influenced your own.)
6. A FATHER PROTECTS (v5)
-The word Peter uses "kept" is a word that means to guard and protect. Heavenly Father with all HIs power watches over us. A good father protects his children from those things that will corrupt and destroy.
WORD STUDY–1:5 {By the power of God} (\en dunamei theou\). No other
\dunamis\ (power) like this (Col 1:3). {Are guarded}
(\phrouroumenous\). Present (continuous process) passive
articular (\tous\) participle of \phroure“\, to garrison, old
verb (from \phrouros\ sentinel), a military term (Ac 9:24; 2Co
11:32), used of God’s love (Php 4:7) as here. "The inheritance
is kept; the heirs are guarded" (Bengel). {Through faith} (\dia
piste“s\). Intermediate agency (\dia\), the immediate being
(\en\, in, by) God’s power. (A.T. Robertson’s Word Pictures)
ILLUS– We all have fears. In what way growing up did your father rescue you from fear?
CONCLUSION — Just as Peter begins the above passage by saying "Blessed be the God and Father…", let us now speak blessing over our fathers.
Honor the father’s present, but also acknowledge those present who did not have a good relationship with their father and encourage them that a loving Heavenly Father is present to love them and give them all these things.
PLEASE CHECK OUT THE MONDAY MORNING PREACHER’S PACKAGE. In last week’s package, a great Father’s Day message was included along with four other solid sermon outlines. Each Monday morning I deliver 20-30 pages to your inbox filled with preaching content much more detailed than the above. These are fresh relevant messages. View a sample of one of the packages to see for yourself. For only $14.97 per month you get 80-120 pages of preaching material put together in a way that you can take it, add your own style and preach!) For the cost of a cup of coffee, you get 20-30 pages of fresh content!
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This is another Mother’s Day sermon outline among our free sermons for you to use and enjoy in your online bible study and bible preaching.
The 1122 Motherhood Principle
1 Samuel 1:11 Then she made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”
1 Samuel 1:22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “Not until the child is weaned; then I will take him, that he may appear before the LORD and remain there forever.”
Verse 11 demonstrates Hannah’s desire for Samuel and her devotion to the Lord.
Verse 22 demonstrates Hannah’s dedication to Samuel and her devotion to the Lord
Desire, Devotion, and Dedication are the three words that make up the core of what I am calling the 1122 Principle of Motherhood. It comes from this two verses in 1 Samuel. It also speaks of all that transpires in a woman’s life and a child life’s between the time the child is conceived until the child is released from the home. In Samuel’s case, it was only three short years. In most cases, it is the period of time from birth until marriage or moving away from home to pursue a career.
Let’s think about these three words. First let’s look at:
1. DESIRE FOR MOTHERHOOD
-God placed a special nurturing love within the heart of women toward little ones.
-The yearning for a child can be very deep and intense as it was with Hannah
-Stop and pray for all women who desire a child and have been unable to have one
-Pray blessing upon those who have stepped forward to adopt a child (this also reflects God’s heart who has adopted us)
2. DEVOTION TO THE LORD
-Hannah had a deep devotion to the Lord
-She was in the house of the Lord praying
-She was overwhelmed with emotion
-She knew God could grant her the longing of her heart
-She was a worshipping woman
-Pause and pray blessing over all mothers for their devotion to the Lord and its effect upon their children. Honor them.
3. DEDICATION TO A CHILD
-Hannah vowed early on to give her child to the Lord
-She was faithful to her promise to give him to the Lord
-She did all she could do to prepare Samuel to live for the Lord
-She knew God had a special purpose for him
-A mother sacrifices like no one else selflessly in order to see their children grow and succeed.
-Pause and pray thanking God for the sacrifices mothers have made for their families.
-Pray blessing over all children present and remember to pray for those who are away from the Lord.
Conclusion– If you are a person who has a mother that desires you, is devoted to the Lord, and has dedicated her life to release you to the purposes of God, you are blessed indeed.
(Remember to provide encouragement and ministry to those who have been abandoned by their mothers, have conflict with their mothers, or have lost their mothers through death).
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Three Declarations That Will Change Your Life — Free Sermons
Intro– All of us are aware of the plight that Job faced. Family loss! Financial loss! Friends that turned on him! Even his wife told him to curse God and die. In Job the 19th chapter, Job chronicles his problems but then suddenly he shifts what he has to say and begins to decree his hope. That’s what a lot of us need to start doing today as well. Look at what he says:
Job 19:25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
27 Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!
I promise you that I will share with you three different DECLARATIONS with you that have the potential to change the way you live your life!
I can make such a promise because these commands I will share with you have helped me redirect the way I live my own life.
The First Declaration is:
1. STAKE YOUR CLAIM ON THE GROUND OF HOPE!
"For I know that my Redeemer lives,"
-You will either live in hope or despair.
Illus–In Anne of Green Gables, which I believe is the best family movie ever made, Little orphan Anne was storming up the stairs in exasperation. She screamed out, "I am id the depths of despair!" Her guardian. Maurilla Guthberg, replied, "Child, to despair is to turn your back on God!"
Living in despair is to live with your back turned toward God.
You will choose to look at your circumstances and turn your back on God, or you will face your circumstances knowing God will never turn His back on you. Job knew His redeemer lived and because he did, he had hope for his future.
2. ALWAYS MAGNIFY THE WORK OF REDEMPTION
"For I know that my Redeemer lives,"
-Job believed that his redeemer could redeem his situation. Everyone else thought "No way!" Job believed God would ultimately turn it all around even after if were after his death.
-God is in the salvage business.
Illus–Read about the man who made a lucrative business out of salvaging logs that everyone else thought were no good. Check it out by reading this article and visiting the following site www.logsend.com and read the history page. This is a beautiful picture of God’s heart. He takes what others think is no good and makes something out of it that everyone else wants. We are his treasures. He has transformed trash into treasure.
3. REMEMBER NOTHING CAN KEEP A GODLY MAN DOWN!
" For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
27 Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!
Illus–The movie, The Green Mile, when they were leading the prisoners down the corridor to lock them up on death row, the guard would call out as they brought him in to death row — Dead Man Walking! Dead Man Walking! Why? Because all that was before him was the death.
When we have to stare at circumstances that are bleak and dim, or ever have to stare death in the face, we can just call out –Dead man rising! Dead man rising! Why? Because we know our Redeemer lives and in though our bodies are destroyed, in these bodies we shall see God!
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5 Truths to Remember in Uncertain Times
(Alternate Title :5 Truths to Remember in 2009) by Eddie Lawrence
Photo by Baltimore Heritage
Phil. 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Paul wrote the Philippians from a Roman prison cell. Yet we find Him encouraging them to rejoice in tough times. He did not allow the circumstances he was in to bring defeat into his life. He had something he clung to and that was stronger than the bands of men that were around his feet. Listen to his declaration and it is one we all need to learn to use and use regularly to keep our heart properly aligned with our true source of strength!
1. He is the God Who is Personal 'My God"
-Paul could say He is "My God." God desires a personal relationship with each person on the planet.
-He wants us to acknowledge Him as our God. The deeper our intimacy with Him, the more secure we become in knowing we belong to Him.
-Sometimes you just need to declare "He is My God!" to yourself and to your circumstances.
-What an intoxicating thought–The God Who has all power knows me and wants me to know Him personally.
2. He is the God Who Promises "shall"
-This does not say He "might" supply our need but He "shall"
-God has the power and will to keep all His promises
-When you are staring at a need, remember to stand on a promise!
-Trade in what the News broadcast says for what God says!
-God has the power to shift the facts in your favor
3. He is the God Who Provides "shall supply"
-It is one thing to have the power and resources to provide, but the willingness to do it, is the key.
-A billionaire may have the resources to help you in your circumstance but if he is not willing then you are still without help.
-You have access to God Who has it all, and He wants you to come to Him. He has a big willing Father's heart.
4. He is the God Who is Powerful "all your need"
-There is not an area of legitimate need in your life that God is unable to respond to.
-He is aware of all your needs and is willing to be involved in meeting all of your needs
-When Paul wrote this verse he was in prison. Yet, he knew God knew right where he was and just what he needed.
-He knows your address and your need and has the power to meet it.
-Make the choice right now to trust God to meet your need.
-Don't assume or be blind to how God will meet it.
-Pray for the sensitivity to recognize when and how God meets your need and praise Him for it.
-Exercise your faith right now and go ahead and thank God that He is going to meet your need.
5. He is the God Who is Parent "according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
-Jesus came to introduce us to the Father and reconnect us to the Father.
-We have authority as children of God through the atoning work of Jesus.
-All Heaven's resources are accessible to us because we are part of the royal family.
-A good Parent always desires to know where the kids are, what they are doing, and what they need. God knows all this about you.
-One of the greatest breakthroughs in the Christian life comes when the child of God really recognizes that they are "a child of God."
-Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 7. If we are evil and want to give good things to our kids, how much more will Father do
so,
-We have been given heaven's checkbook and it has been signed by Jesus in his own blood and Father has declared he will honor all checks issued in the name of His Son.
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Choose How You Will Live in 2009
Most people will live in one of the four following ways in 2009:
Phil. 3:12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
1. The Mad Dash Way of Living
-This is the busy lifestyle that never has time for the first things to really be first.
2. The Rehash Way of Living
-This is the dwelling on the past lifestyle that never moves on because of hurt and bitterness.
3. The Stuff and Stash Way of Living
-This is the fear filled lifestyle that is afraid of what tomorrow holds so it stuffs and stashes and is held captive by worry.
4. The Pray and Fast Way of Living
-This is the lifestyle that talks to God and is willing to sacrifice other things for the most important things.
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Three Steps to Start 2010
Following is a very simple outline that will allow you to challenge your people as all of you step into 2010. I chose the following passage because I think it represents all of us at one time or another. Peter had recent failure that caused him pain, his future was unsure, but Jesus shows up and challenges him concerning his future and releases him concerning his past. Peter was able to dream again.
John 21:15 15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
1. Make it a Time of Forgetting
-Peter needed to be released from his failure.
-Peter needed to forget about going back to what he had done before he met Jesus ( I go fishing, he said)
-What is it you need to forget that is holding you back? Something you did do? Something you did not do?
-Forget those grudges, unkind words, etc
2. Make it a Time of Remembering
-Peter needed to remember what Jesus had said to him before all this happened. Jesus had told him, I have prayed for you that your faith fail not and when you are restored, strengthen your brothers. Jesus had seen through Peter’s failure to Peter’s restoration, and now Peter needed to remember the good words of the Lord.
-We all have words the Lord has spoken to our hearts and we have His written word to assure us of his promises to us. As we face a very uncertain 2010, we need to remember God’s promises to us. He is not a man that He should lie!
3. Make it a Time of Dreaming
-At the fireside in the presence of Jesus, Peter’s dream was reawakened. Look what happened on the Day of Pentecost.
-Allow the Spirit of God to reawaken your dreams. Don’t allow the circumstances in the natural to blind you to what God wants you to see concerning His glorious plan for your life. The capacity to dream is part of the image of God in you.
-What dreams will God give us and bring to pass in this coming year. His dreams inspires us with hope for our tomorrows!
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