Sunday, April 26, 2009
THE HEART OF GOD
FOLLOWING THE HEART OF GOD
I Samuel 13:1-14; Acts 13:22
INTRO: David was a man with good and bad on his record. He was a shepherd who ended up as king. He was a talented musician as seen in the Psalms. But he was also guilty of adultery and murder. How can God say that he is a man after His heart? --- We need to see that God does have a "heart." Ultimately, Gods evaluation is what matters, not what man says. We can follow and capture the heart of God. One does not have to live a perfect life to follow the heart of God. To follow the heart of God we must:
DECLARE GOD'S PRAISE
David had a way of passing the praise on to God.
His blend of confession and thanksgiving is enriching.
Hebrews 13:15 reminds about the fruit of our lips.
We must express our worship to God.
DEPEND ON GOD'S PROVISION
When he went against Goliath, he went in the name of God.
Even in exile he trusted in God's sovereignty
"The LORD is my light and my salvation." Psalm 27:1
"The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed
" Ps. 9:9
DESIRE GOD'S PRESENCE
Public praise is a vital part of faith.
But private time with God is mandatory.
Psalm 119 tells about David's great desire to know the Word.
His confessions (Ps 32 & 51) tell his desire to live with God.
DISPLAY GOD'S POWER
David gave God credit for defeating Goliath and wild animals
He depended on God at all times.
He wanted to build a temple to display the glory of God.
God is pleased when we trust Him. Hebrews 11:6
DO THESE 4 THINGS DESCRIBE YOUR LIFE? THEN GOD WILL BE PLEASED.
------- Outline adapted from Pastor Steve Andrews,
Preached April 26, 2009, Greenville Southern Baptist Church
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
RESPONDING TO GOD
Listening when God Speaks
I Samuel 3: 1-10
INTRO: Samuel was dedicated to God's service before his birth. (See chapter 1) He was brought to Eli to be his servant after he was weaned. In this passage while he is still a young man, God speaks to him. One phrase jumped out to me: "Samuel did not yet know the LORD." I asked myself "Why not?" Let's consider:
GOD HAD CHOSEN TO REVEAL HIMSELF
God created the world.
God came to talk with Adam and Eve.
He had continued to relate to His people.
Samuel's mother prayed for him dedicating him to the Lord.
She had raised him to weaning age (perhaps 6 or so).
Then she took him to the priest.
Samuel grew up in the temple.
Why then did he not know the Lord?
Perhaps he had not been taught. By his mother or Eli!
Perhaps he was not a good student!
Then I wondered: Are we raising a generation who does not know the Lord? In our homes and in the church?
This is a very challenging question for me. Are we faithful to God in teaching those who come after us?
SPEAK, FOR YOUR SERVANT IS LISTENING
When Eli understood what was happening, he told Samuel.
Samuel was obedient and spoke as told.
He was sincere and God gave him a message for Eli.
While it was not a good message, Samuel was obedient in telling it to Eli.
---- Hopefully this is our response when God speaks. He speaks through His word, through friends, through circumstances, and many ways. Are we listening? Are we teaching others to listen? When He speaks do we recognize Him?
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Tuesday, April 14, 2009
HE MAKES A DIFFERENCE!!
BECAUSE HE LIVES
Luke 24:1-35
INTRO: For the followers of Jesus it had been a long and busy week. It had been a week of high points and times of routine. It had ended with tragedy on Friday with the crucifixion of Jesus, the one they had hoped would be the Messiah.
The women had come to the tomb early on Sunday morning and found it empty. We focus on two of his disciples as they return home saddened and uncertain.
ON THE ROAD (vv. 13-29)
They walk along in sorrow.
Jesus joins them, but they do not recognize Him.
He expresses concern for them
They are amazed that he does not know what happened.
He taught them from their Scriptures about what must be.
REVEALED AT DINNER (vv. 30-32)
They prepare dinner.
He takes bread and blessed it.
They recognize Him, but He disappears!
RETURN TO
They rush back to
When they got there they were talking about his appearance.
They told about their experience.
In this passage I see at least 5 differences in the lives of the disciples when they met the Living Christ. We can experience these same changes:
1. Uplifted hearts (vs. 32)
2. Freedom from fear. (vs. 33)
3. Understanding of Scripture. (vs. 27 & 32)
4. A message to share. (vs. 35, 47)
5. A life to give. Our reasonable service (
Have you experienced this kind of deliverance? You can through faith in Jesus whose life we celebrate today.
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Preached at Greenville Southern Baptist Church, April 12, 2009
This has become my annual Easter sermon. I tweak it some from time to time, but the message is the same. Jesus is alive! And because He is alive, my life is different. Because He is alive, I have life too. And because He is alive, I can face any thing that comes my way. In these days of economic uncertainity it is good to know that we have a living Savior who is also the Lord of life. With Him I can face all kinds of uncertainities.
May you have the assurance that comes from faith in Him as Savior and Lord.
Monday, April 06, 2009
FROM THE CROSS
SPOKEN FROM THE CROSS
John 19: 17-30
INTRO: As we hear what Jesus said from the cross, we need to remember that Jesus was in control. In John 10:18, He said that He lays down His life of His own initiative. In John 12:27, He said it was for this purpose that He came.
FIRST WORD OF FORGIVENESS
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)
Forgive whom? Soldiers? Priests? Crowd? Us?
SECOND WORD OF FORGIVENESS
One of thieves asked to be remembered.
Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in
He extended forgiveness at the last moment!
CONCERN FOR MOTHER
"Woman, behold your son
behold your mother! (John 19:26-27)
Jesus felt responsibility for His mother even to the cross.
PERSONAL ANGUISH (Mark 15:34, Matthew 27:46)
"Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabachthani?
"My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
PHYSICAL ANGUISH
"I am thirsty." (John 19:28)
He considered His own needs last.
CRY OF VICTORY
"IT IS FINISHED!" John 19:30
CRY OF SUBMISSION (Luke 23:46)
"Father, into thy hands, I commit my spirit."
He was fully submitted to God's will and purpose.
As we celebrate the cross and the empty tomb, let us take time to remember that Jesus did this for us. He died for me! We also see some examples that we should follow. Have you trusted Jesus, like the thief? Have you learned to forgive? Have you learned to care for others?
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April 5, 2009, Greenville (CA) Southern Baptist Church
