Respecting our moms, wives, and other women we are blessed to know

Note: This sermon or Bible study is great as a Mother's day devotion for men or for a study in a men's prayer breakfast; it would also be a great reminder as a Sunday morning sermon for both gals and guys as to the importance Christ put on women.

Worksheet:  Here is worksheet for this study. Respecting Women Worksheet

Men’s Bible Study:

Respecting our Moms, our wives, and other women we are blessed to know

 

Introduction: We are living in a culture today in which Christian and secular men do not know how to treat and respect women; we have lost sight of men being the leaders of both church and family life and day to day living. When we turn to the Savior, we see how He lived life among them and was always a blessing.

 

1. How Jesus respected His earthly mother

2. How Jesus loved women

3. How we are to act to all women

 

1. How Jesus respected His earthly mother

A. He respected Mary’s relationship to Him. 

“And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.” Luke 2:51

 

B. He respected the wishes of His earthly mother. [In turn, she encouraged others to trust Him]

“His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” John 2:5

 

C. He took care of His mother, entrusting her care to other believers.

“When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.” John 19:26-27

 

2. How Jesus loved women

“The book of Luke is unusual among the ancient books of the world. Luke took to great care to record the emotional and physical responses of a woman in her pregnancy ... I know of no other book in ancient history that is concerned about and cares for the feelings of a woman as she is carrying her child or cares for her child. But God thought these things were important enough to include then in His eternal word ... Jesus’ sense of manhood was never threatened by the tenderness of a woman.” - Doug Clark

 

A. A woman knelt at Jesus’ feet and washed them in repentance. He never made her feel embarrassed, nor was He Himself embarrassed. Luke 7:36-50

 

B. Unlike rabbi’s of His day, Jesus was the only one who included women as His disciples. In fact, they ministered to Him when the mobs got crazy. Luke 10:38-42 - “38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.” 

 

C. Jesus was sensitive to and lifted the burdens of women with social and religious handicaps.

 

- Even sick women, in middle eastern culture, would have made sure to take care of guests; but Jesus healed Peter’s mother in law first, caring for her needs. Luke 4:38-39.

- When a woman became a widow in the Middle East, it was tragic because there was no one to take care of her; Jesus realizing that during a funeral procession, a widow marched behind her son’s casket - He raised her son from the dead. Luke 7:11-17

 

D. Jesus calls women into equal relationship and discipleship and healing with Him. Luke 13:10-17 [we studied this passage a few weeks ago for Wed night service]

- Jesus was teaching the scriptures on the Sabbath, yet He put that aside for a sick woman; he interrupted the teaching time.

- Whereas the synagogue was a man’s place to worship, yet He called the woman into the sanctuary of the men

- He spoke to her (a no-no culturally).

- He laid hands on her to heal her

- He neither look at a woman to lust after her nor followed the traditions of the Pharisees who avoided women; instead, He had the utmost respect for them in terms of their relationship to God.

 

3. How we are to act to all women

We can honor women by showing them the same love and respect that Jesus, through His life, and example showed.  

 

Doug Clark, in his article “Jesus and women” has written:

 

“We live in a world that sentimentalizes mothers and women in general.” He writes that after Mother’s day is over, do we continue to treat women in high esteem? He says of the culture over all, no:  “The United States has one of the highest rates of violence against women and abuse of young girls. We are one of the world’s deepest cesspools of pornography. In many ways, we have little room to criticize or condemn the Muslim. ... But Jesus is the perfect man, the man God wants every man to emulate. This is the kind of man God wants ever woman to know in her life.”

 

Here are some overall guidelines:

 

1. Philippians 2:3, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”

2. Matthew 5:28, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”

3. 1 Timothy 5:3, “Honor widows that are widows indeed.”

 

 

Separation of the church from the state

Separation of the church from the state

Baptist Distinctive Sermon - 04/26/2015 - BHBC

 

Introductory Passages as lead in: [2 Timothy 3:10-17]

 

“12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Tim 3:12

 

 

Introduction: We have met together to worship the risen Christ; we follow a rich biblical heritage of meeting on the first day of the week ever since the day of Pentecost. As believers in Christ, we come together to fellowship, worship, pray, and study the Scriptures all recognizing that living in our hearts is the Risen Christ! He has given us a reason to live, breathe, move, and have our being. The LORD, in fact, expects Christians to meet together like this wherever and whenever possible. However, as we read in today’s VOM news - many Christians meet together under duress, not knowing what might happen after, or even during their meeting times together.

 

As Christians, we have enjoyed many freedoms in America that other brothers and sisters in the Lord do not enjoy around the world. Persecutions, though primarily not here in the US, occur in high frequency else where and we have a promise, which America is not exempt from, that those who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. What, then, is our response? We could be like the Jews of Jesus’ day, many of which were waiting to establish an earthly kingdom that would legislate with an iron fist. Yet, when Jesus came - He did not try to establish an earthly rule, He did not teach and overthrow of existing governments, and He did not advocate that His Kingdom be a State-run Kingdom.

 

This is perhaps the strongest sense we have from Jesus’ ministry, that He Himself advocated no violence against government, no uprisings; yet, He spent much time emphasizing holiness, love, strength in resolve to spread the gospel, and a reaching out to the ends of the world. Today’s Baptist distinctive is separation of the state from the church. As we examine the Scriptural teaching of this separation, we take note of three important points in regard to what God has taught us in regards to the separation of the church and state. #1) Both government and the church has a place in the world today and they are distinctly different. #2) There is a proper way to look at separation of church and state  #3) In a less ideal time of human government, while we continue maintain our belief in separation of church and state - we must remember obeying God is of utmost priority.

 

1. Both government and the church has a place in the world today, and they are distinctly different.

a) What is God’s design for government? 

i. Governmental authority comes from God. John 19:10-11, v. 11, “Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.”

ii. God expects us to obey His God-given mandate to the government. Romans 13:1-7

1. Do not un-necessarily resist government’s power (v. 1 -3)

2. The government limits and punishes evil behavior (v. 4)

3. Protector of the good (v. 3 & 4)

4. They also collect funds so they may carry out their work (v. 6-7)

b) What is God’s design for His local New Testament Church?

i. Matthew 28: 19 - 20

1. Make disciples; baptize disciples; teach disciples

2. The church relies on the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. The government may rely on the physical sword to keep peace; but Christians wield the sword of the Spirit

3. The church is to spread the gospel (Acts 1:8), and to develop those believers who love Jesus (Ephesians 4:11-13, this passage is about the perfecting of the body with the various gifts that church members have.)

c) How should the church and state work together?

i. The state’s task should be to provide order and safety for all its citizens; with the government achieves this, free reign of the gospel can go forward, witnessing increasess and the task of showing Christ to others is aided.

ii. Our part as a church should be to help people obey the laws of the land and become hard working, honest citizens:

1. Ephesians 4:28-32, “28Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

2. 1 Peter 2:11-17 - This section exhorts us to submit to every ordinance of man, to governors:  for this is the will of God.

iii. It is rare that this beneficially mutual relationship occurs, though is ideal in America.

iv. John 18:33-36: The church must recognize it is part of a kingdom not of this world. Christ is now primarily ruling through the truth we hear from Him; He said as much to Pilate.

 

2. There is a proper way to look at separation of church and state

a) It does not mean

i. It does not mean God should never be considered at the state level or that He should be removed

ii. It does not mean the Bible should be removed from the public life of a nation

iii. It does not mean Jesus cannot or should not be presented in the public square

iv. It does not mean a school should not teach about how Christianity helped form the nation

v. It does not mean the government does not legislate morality (do not kill, adultery, etc.)

vi. It does not mean the government ignores biblical truth or biblical commands.

vii. It may not mean that government officials cannot pray in Jesus’ name (however, remember that religion in the hands of government is unwise. The same government that says you can pray in Jesus’ name may later demand someone else can pray to Buddha or Vishnu; ultimately, the best ideal is the government stay out of church life and churches do not try to legislate the government)

b) It does mean

i. Government has no job persuading you to be a certain religion

ii. Government has no job preventing you to religious exercises in any denomination

iii. Government has no job rewarding you or punishing you based on religion or religious beliefs

iv. There should be no union between organized religion and human government

v. Government should not seek to control the internal affairs of the church; the church should not try to run human government.

vi. “Christians in a free society can properly influence government toward righteousness, which is not the same as a denomination or group of churches controlling the government”

c) Conclusion

i. Christians of both oppressive and free societies should

1. Pray for their government. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 [in fact, pray for government before complaining about government]

2. Pray that the gospel would have free course to be delivered where it needs to be delivered. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2

3. Pray for those of the persecuted church. John 15:19-21; Matthew 5:44

Like the prophets, but More than a Prophet

Sermon Title:  Like the Prophets, But More than a Prophet
Scripture Text:  Matthew 16:13-16

"13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Type of Sermon: Sermon starter
Purpose of Sermon: The idea of this sermon came to mind when, in church, we were studying Christ's teachings on the church. In introducing the church, He first asked His disciples who people thought He was. Three names are suddenly given: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets. We will look at why some people may have thought Christ was these men, but why He is so much more. Use this sermon to build the anticipation of people's hope to see how the prophets were mere mirrors of the reality of Christ, yet were not complete pictures. Christ was the summation of all the prophets, and so much more than that.

Outline:
Introduction: The world could not deny that Jesus was extraordinary; when Christ asked his disciples what other people thought of Him, He was given three answers:

I. Some thought Jesus was John the Baptist; He is so much more.

II. Some thought Jesus was Elijah; He is so much more.

III. Some thought Jesus was Jeremiah or other prophets; He is so much more.

IV. One remembered He was Christ.

Lost It all to gain Him

Sermon Title:  Lost it all to gain Him

Sermon Type:  Sermon Starter

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-8, "7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ"

Introduction: While there are many pleasures in this life (money, fame, sin, respect, comfortable living) and while it was wholly possible for Paul to gravitate to comfortable living (as an apostle, who would have stopped him), yet he decided to give up everything so he could have Christ. Only Jesus is enough in this life; as the famous hymn says, "all other ground is sinking sand".

When you preach this message, make sure to point out to the people that Paul, as well as we, have a choice: will we try to put our life on 'cruise' control so there are little or no waves going on about us? Or, are we willing to lose it all and count it as 'dung' so that we can turn our full attention on Him?

Sermon Note:

1. Christians count what they have gained as loss for Christ.

     a. Those things we have gained (v. 7) may have come as gifts from God Himself; but do not begin to worship or rely on them as eternal rewards. Nothing of the world system is eternal.

     b. Those things we have lost (v. 8) pales in knowing Christ.  Notice that the excellency of the knowledge of Him as a person is so much greater than anything in this life. In fact, the original sin in the Garden of Eden was Adam partaking of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17).  Sin always tempts us to know something other than Jesus. And righteousness always leads us to know Jesus.  In other words, all sin is designed that we may fill our mind with knowledge other than who God is, what He is like, how He alone can fill our loneliness, and how He alone is our sufficient life. Christ is our life, let us not let other things come in the way of loving Him.

2. Paul felt the pain of this life, yet he trusted in the Lord Jesus.

     a. 2 Timothy 1:16 - He was in chains; yet the Lord sent Onesiphorus to refresh him.

     b. 2 Timothy 3:11 - Paul received persecutions and afflictions at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. He endured them because he knew that Jesus would deliver him.

     c. 2 Timothy 4:10 - Demas, a worker of Paul, forsook Paul at the worst time. It seems right when ministry becomes difficult, right when it becomes hard, right when tasks are piling up on each other - someone may forsake us like someone forsook Paul. It is a lonely, difficult, painful trial. It is especially trying because Demas loved this world.

In a sense, those who give up all to gain all will walk a lonely path; yet be reassured there are those praying for you (for instance, even though Demas left Paul - Luke was still with him). Stand strong in what the Lord has done, and do not allow the difficulties of this life to cause you to forsake the Lord.

Sermon Ideas in Colossians Part 4 - Why was the Epistle Written?

Day #4 Sermon Starters – Why was the Epistle of Colossians written?

Purpose:  In today’s sermon starters, we wish to provide two things for you:  a) A workable and reasonable outline for Colossians and b) A biblical defense as to the reasons why Paul wrote to the Christians at Colosse and Laodicea. 

Outline of Colossians:

Theme of Colossians:  Growing in maturity and discernment by knowing Christ.

Chapter #1:  Knowing Christ’s pre-eminence

Chapter #2:  Knowing Christ’s sufficiency

Chapter #3:  Knowing Christ’s word

Chapter #4:  Knowing Christ’s love

Why was the Epistle of Colossians Written?

·         1:2 – Written to the faithful at Colosse

·         1:3-4 – Written in prayer because of their faith (v.3), hope (v.5), and love (v.8)

·         1:9-14 – Written so they (Colossians) know of prayers for them which specifically were intercessions for 1) The knowledge of His will; 2) That they might walk worthy of the Lord; 3) That they might be fruitful 4) That they might increase in the knowledge of God; 5) That they would be strengthened with His glorious power; 6) That they might continue in thankfulness of our Redeemer; 7) that they might learn patience and longsuffering; 8) That they might continue in the faith grounded and settled; 9) That they would not be moved away from the hope of the gospel.  10) Ultimate aim:  Preaching/warning so that Paul could present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

·         Background:  Based on previous observations, the Colossians may have been giving way to smooth talkers and deceivers who did not know the Lord.  They may have been being deceived by the vain philosophies and rudiments of the world.  (Colossians 2:20)

Hint:  Some might ask why the current series on Colossians seem to be a ‘hit or miss’ type of study with no real pattern of preaching.

The reason is because unlike other studies, I am releasing my observations of the text as we go.  I have no need to edit it because you, the reader, will edit and massage the data as the Holy Spirit sees fit for your ministry.  I am amazed at what the work the Holy Spirit is doing through our ministry and through all ministries that faithfully make their sermon outlines available free of use.  May the Lord see fit to richly bless your work.  Thank you.

The Ministry of Prayer

The Ministry of Prayer

11/10/2013

To the reader: The following sermon, or a derivative of it, will be preached at the Berkshire Hills Baptist Church on November 10, 2013 in the morning service. May the Lord be pleased to edit, refine, and change the sermon through your hands (as Pastors and ministers of the Lord) to present to your people. May the Lord's word be prepared, preached, and presented by all those whom the Lord touches.  [Please note: the second half of the sermon needs to be developed and tweaked; also note, in Thessalonians - the many times 'thankfulness' is mentioned, it is often linked to praying.]

Title: The Ministry of Prayer

Scripture Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Introduction:

“I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.” What better way, today, this morning, to learn how to detach ourselves from the world and attach ourselves to the loving Father; He is not an ogre expecting you to bow down numerous times during the day. Rather, He is our loving Father who has given us a precious gift: His Son, Jesus Christ, to reconcile us back to Him. 

If we are not praying regularly, we can begin. They may not be great big, large steps – but small steps nonetheless to get us back praying to Him is important. There is no reason to look back at our failures and discouragement; look forward. What would motivate us to pray?

1. Because we are in the end times, and we are waiting for God's Son to return.
   1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 focused on the glorious Rapture and 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 spoke of the soon coming Day of the Lord, of which God's wrath is not upon Christians. While we are waiting, we are told to be sober, not sorrowing, not sleeping, and comforting one another [1 Thess. 4:13,18 & 1 Thess. 5:6,11.] These important qualities are necessary as we come to the end, hear of world events setting the stage for His return, and looking at the general disintegration in society. Are we unsure how to start praying; just start talking to God.
   
2. Because we can learn to rejoice and be thankful in prayer. Notice that sandwiched around 1 Thess 5:17 is v. 16, “Rejoice evermore” and v. 18, “In every thing, give thanks”. Has our heart found discontentment; have we complained to everybody about our problems except the Lord? Have we sunk so low that we want to know, how can the Lord lift us back up again? Go to prayer; write out 50 things you are thankful for, then rejoice in each one. You will soon see how blessed you are in Christ Jesus.  
   

a. You cannot have a thankful heart and a sinful heart at the same time;

b. You can have a rejoicing heart and complaining spirit at the same time.

3. Because, it is the Lord's will for us to pray. Notice the end of v. 18, “for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 

a. God's will is not a mystery that we must pull from the sky; it is real.

b. Don't beat yourself up for failing to pray; that will not help anyone. Instead, just start praying – start talking to God. Begin opening up your heart to Him and begin talking to Him as your Holy Savior and your Best Friend; He has been waiting for you to talk to Him.

Gospel Presentation. At this stage, we must not assume all of our listeners are Christians; we must pray all the more fervently before preaching this message that the Lord would be pleased to bring a soul to Christ through His word.

Inform people that perhaps some of them need to talk to God for the first time about receiving the gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ. Be specific and tell people at this stage that a vibrant prayer life begins with the prayer of salvation.

* Show the people that without Christ, all people are sinners and in need of a Savior (Romans 3:23, 6:23). Don't go over this lightly. There is some bad news, but that is what makes the Savior good news! We couldn't obey God perfectly, and we can't obtain heaven either on our own OR with someone else's help. Instead, we need someone to come down and give us His finished work.

* Then bring people to the good news! They can now receive Christ Jesus as their Savior, turn away from all of their works good or bad, and fully trust in the sacrifice of the cross for their salvation. The only way to God the Father and the only way to receive forgiveness of sin is through Jesus Christ. Show them the precious promises of John

Body of the Message: What did Paul mean when he said pray without ceasing? Did Paul practice what he preached when it came to praying.

One Lesson Today, learn: Thanksgiving is cultivated in prayer. No one has yet mastered the art of thanksgiving until they have thanked the Lord in prayer.

• Thank you, by name, for those who know Christ.
  

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3, “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father”

• Thank you when Christians understand. Paul thanked the Lord 'without ceasing' when Christians received the Word of God as the word of God, and not the word of man.
  

1 Thessalonians 2:13, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe”.

• Thank you for the joy we have over fellow believers; we pray constantly that we might see them again.
  

1 Thessalonians 3:9-10, “9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; 10Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?”

• Thank the Lord that our faith and love is growing.
  

2 Thessalonians 1:3 “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;”

• Thank you for all the brothers and sisters that God loves.
  

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 - 13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits^b to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

Sermon Ideas in Colossians Part 3

Sermons in Colossians based on observation notes

Day #3 Sermon Starters – Whatever You Do – Do to God’s Glory

Purpose:  On the third day of the study of Colossians, the Lord brought to our mind the concept of doing all for His glory, not our own.  In light of this, we have tried to survey for you all the verses in Colossians that highlight this Christ like faithfulness from the Christian.

May these verses speak to the hearers God has blessed you with.

Whatever You Do – Do to God’s Glory:

1.      Colossians 1:2 – “Faithful” brethren.  Apparently, Colosse Christians had a reputation of faithfulness.

2.      Colossians 1:4 – They had love to all saints

3.      Colossians 1:6 – They brought forth fruit – fruitful Christians.

4.      Colossians 1:7 – They had a faithful minister.

5.      Colossians 1:10 – Paul prayed that they would walk worthy.

6.      Colossians 1:23 – Prayer was given that they would remain grounded in the faith.

7.      Colossians 1:28 – Paul prayed that they would present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

8.      Colossians 2:5 – Paul observed the Colossians’s steadfastness in Christ. 

9.      Colossians 2:23 – Christians are told that following earthly ordinances does not bring honor or satisfy the flesh.

10.  Colossians 3:5 – Faithful Christians mortify their members.

11.  Colossians 3:12-13 – Faithful Christians exhibit, as God’s elect, loving kindness one to another.

12.  Colossians 3:16 – We should let the word of Christ dwell richly in us.

13.  Colossians 3:17 – Whatever we do, let us do it in the name of Jesus.

14.  Colossians 3:23 – Whatever you do, do it heatily unto the Lord and not unto men.