Sunday September 5 Sermon Outlines

For those of you who have tried to read through my sermon outlines before and been frustrated by the audio player, I'm going to try something else.  There will be a direct link to the audio file that you can click to open in your browser or right-click it and download it. 

Audio link here for Sunday Morning Sermon here:  http://www.fileden.com/files/2010/8/17/2944457/John%20c1v1%20pt%201%20Sept%205%20AM.mp3

Sunday Morning Outline:

Text: John 1:1

Theme: Beginnings

Date: September 5 2010 AM

Location: FBC Almyra, AR

Book Title: The Gospel According to John:

Notice that a man is explaining, but the Gospel is a static idea. The idea in the titling (yes, added later) is that this John's viewpoint on the unchanging Gospel.

I. John: tradition establishes John the Apostle as the author. There is no sound reason to abandon that tradition. We'll see continuing evidences as we work through John in coming weeks.

1. In the beginning

   1. In his first phrase, John uses a phrase that will gain the attention of both the Jew and the Greek

      1. Realize that, at the time, you were really dealing with only 2 divisions of people: Jews and Gentiles (or Greeks)

      2. Most societies over the ages have viewed the world that simply: “One of us” or “NOT one of us”

   2. With “In the beginning” John addresses:

      1. The Jewish Reader: In the beginning is not just how the 1^st book of the Torah begins, it's the title: “B^erē'shiḥ”

      2. The Greek Reader; “Archē” (beginning) represented whatever was there at the start of creation/existence. It was actually a frequent debate: “What was first?” (kind of like the chicken or the egg discussion.)

      3. So, John sets out to parallel the Creation account for the Jew, and answer one of the questions of existence for the Greek

   3. We are seeing an explanation of “pre-existence”: before humanly measurable, there is the Word and God, together

2. So, what's there? What's the beginning? The Word.

   1. The Word: But not “a word”: The description here shows that “The Word” is special, unique: “The Word”

   2. The Word: But not alone: with God. Not an ideal or a principle that simply exists, but capable of relationship

   3. The Word: But not apart: was God: Not to be confused with other ideas, John points out that the Word is both with God and God. This is important

3. Why does this matter?

   1. We should know:

      1. God has always been there

         1. Philosophies change and change

         2. Science comes up with new and different ideas

      2. God has always planned on the Cross

         1. Adam and Eve didn't sneak one in on Him

         2. Our Creator knew the price of Creation would be the Cross

   2. We should do:

      1. Trust God's Word:

         1. The changes of time do not erase the stability of the Timeless

         2. Accept His understanding of us: sinners in need of a savior, weak in need of strength

      2. Learn to explain God's Word His way:

         1. Understand other viewpoints but be committed to showing what you are FOR more than what you are AGAINST

         2. Hold the Word in ourselves to be ready to share it

Sunday Evening Audio link:  http://www.fileden.com/files/2010/8/17/2944457/Psalm%20119%20Aleph%20Sept%205%20PM.mp3

Text: Psalm 119:1-8

Theme: Blessedness

Date: September 5 PM

Location: FBC Almyra

1. Text: Psalm 119:1-8

2. Authorship: A. Nonny Moose

3. Structure: Acrostic Poem

4. Content

   1. Blessed: Happy, but not the fluff happiness of the world

   2. Way: habit of behavior

   3. Blameless: complete in honoring the Lord God.

   4. Seek with all our heart: not partially obedient

   5. Aspects of the Word

      1. Law---usually singular: refers to the whole of the counsel of God

      2. Testimony---refers to the prior actions and works of God

      3. Precept---refers to the principles God has given

      4. Statute---refers to general rules for living together

      5. Commandment---refers to specific actions for individuals

   6. Judgment: Righteous: not ever wrong

   7. Request for mercy

5. Response:

   1. Determine our goal:

      1. Should be blessedness

      2. Should be unashamed standing before God

   2. Determine the path:

      1. Know the Law

      2. Follow the Law

      3. Summarize:

         1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind (Matthew 22:36)

         2. Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39)

      4. How to follow?

         1. Commit all we have to God

         2. Do we love our neighbor as ourselves?

            1. Are we going to eternal punishment?

            2. Is our neighbor? Do we not love them enough to tell them?

            3. Do we recognize, as taught in Luke 10:30-37 (Good Samaritan)

   3. Determine to be grateful:

      1. Thankfulness of heart:

         1. at the decisions of God

         2. at the righteousness of God

Thanks for taking the time to read! Doug Hibbard