Introduction A. Too many people achieve success in a small thing only to fail in the things that really matter most. B. If salvation is the ultimate goal for all of us, and if Jesus is the only way to salvation, we need to listen to what He says on the subject and learn to ignore every voice besides His. Discussion I. Many winners are losers. A. The rich may seem to have it all, but they really don’t (Luke 12:20-21; 16:19-23; 18:22-25). B. The...
“From the Beginning”
Introduction A. When Jesus’ critics lined up with their questions, the Pharisees were first in line with their question on divorce (Matthew 19:1-6). B. In response to their question, Jesus takes them back to the very beginning to show them what God intended for our homes. Discussion I. Let’s look at the individuals in this original model. A. In the first home, there was a man and a woman (Genesis 1:27; 2:23). B. Each of the...
Who Is This Jesus?
Introduction A. John portrays Jesus as One Who was both fully man and fully God. B. Matthew approaches the task of chronicling Jesus’ life from a uniquely Jewish perspective with a strong emphasis on the kingdom of heaven that Jesus came to establish. C. Matthew portrays Jesus as the One anointed by God. I. Jesus is the Messiah, the Anointed One. A. Jesus is a prophet (John 4:19; 9:17; Matthew 21:46; 13:57). B. Jesus...
A Different Kind of Kingdom
Introduction A. When Jesus came into this world, He found a people expecting the kingdom to appear at any moment. B. The kingdom Jesus ushered in was very different from the one they had been expecting and from any other they had ever seen. I. This kingdom has a different kind of king. A. When offered earthly dominions, this King refused them (Matthew 4:8-10; John 6:15). B. When this King entered the capital...
The Lord’s Prayer
Introduction A. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to listen to Jesus pray? This text affords us that opportunity. B. Of all the hours that Jesus spent in prayer to the Father, this chapter is the longest excerpt of any of those prayers that is preserved today: this must have been an important prayer! I. Let’s take a look at the content of Jesus’ prayer. A. He prayed for Himself (John 17:1-5). B. He prayed for...
The Good Shepherd
Introduction A. Throughout John’s gospel Jesus introduces Himself in various ways (John 6:35; 8:12; 10:7,11; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1), and yet so very few realized who He was. B. One of the most endearing portraits of Jesus is that which represents Him as the Good Shepherd. What does it mean for us? I. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. A. The good shepherd knows his sheep (John 10:3,14). B. The good shepherd leads...
Profitable for Instruction in Righteousness
Introduction A. A carpenter will use nails and screws to hold a wall in place once he has it positioned right where it needs to be. B. Once we get our hearts right with God, we need something to hold them in place lest they slip away (cf. 2 Peter 2:15-21). I. If we wish to stay right, we must continue in God’s Word. A. This is precisely what Paul told young Timothy (2 Timothy 3:13-4:5) as well as the church in Ephesus...
What Do You See in Jesus?
Introduction A. Throughout Jesus’ public life, people had different perceptions about Him which varied dramatically. B. What do you see when you think of Jesus? I. The people who met Jesus saw Him in very different ways. A. Some saw Him as a great teacher and as a prophet (John 3:2; 14:19; 6:14; 7:40-41; 9:17). B. Some saw Him as an impostor (John 7:12; 9:16; 12:47-49). C. Some saw Him as a serious...
Profitable for Reproof
Introduction A. When it comes to matters of faith, who can you trust when there are so many conflicting doctrines (Jeremiah 27-28)? B. If we want to be able to identify error, we are going to have to consult God’s Word (Matthew 7:15-20). I. Jesus used Scripture when He rebuked those in the wrong. A. He quoted Scripture when He cleansed the temple (Matthew 21:12-13). B. He quoted Scripture when He rebuked...
Profitable for Correction
Introduction A. There are a lot of people who can tell you what is wrong with the world, but who holds the key to setting things right? B. God’s Word is the only source we can use to rebuke the world of sin, and in it we also find the positive message that the world needs to get on the right track. I. The great reformers all relied on God’s Word for correction. A. When David saw he had done something wrong, he went to the Law to make...