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.

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.

The Man (Woman) Who Loves God - Sermons in the Psalms Series

Sermons in the Psalms Series

Scripture:  Psalms 1:1-6
Topic:  The man who loves God

Introduction:  The godly man fails from the earth.  It is difficult to find Christians committed to the Lord.  It is easy to find confessors, but hard to find those who put feet to their action, those who live and believe the Scriptures.  What do the real men, women, boys, and girls who are godly look like?  Psalms 1 gives us the outline.

Psalms 1:1-6

v. 1 - 2 – Definition of a godly man

v. 3- 4 – Direction of a godly man

v. 5 – 6 – Destination of a godly man.

A.    Definition of a godly man (v.1 -2). 

a.       Negative:  This section deals with various postures of the body and what they might represent in the believer’s life.  One who walks is moving forward, one who stands is being firm in his present condition, and one who is sitting is resting for a time.  On the negative side, the Christian does not walk in ungodly counsel, stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of men who scorn and bring derision.

b.      Positive:  His delight is in the law of Lord and he meditates in the Bible day and night.  Instead of walking in bad advice, standing in the path of a sinful lifestyle, or gossiping endlessly about his or her’s brothers and sisters – He is about the Father’s business as found in the Word of God.

B.     Direction of a godly man (v. 3-4)

a.       Godly:  He is in a state of spiritual growth; he brings forth his fruit in his season, his leaf shall not whither.  He prospers.  The direction of the godly man is upward in growth.

b.      The ungodly:  During the harvest of the Jews, a person separates the chaff from the wheat.  The wheat is throw in the air by a rake; the simple air separates the wheat and chaff.  The chaff is so light, so fluffy, and so weightless – the air easily carries it away. So too, the ungodly are simply thrown in the air and is driven away easily by any passing wind.

C.    Destination of a godly man.  (v. 5-6)

a.       Ungodly:  He shall not stand in the judgment of rewards for the righteous, nor will they hang out in the congregation of the righteous in the end.

b.      Godly:  The Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.  (compare to 2 Timothy 2:19)  God knows perfectly the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.  The Lord see everything the righteous does; He knows who is His and He is the one who judges the hearts and motives of us all.  Commit yourself to God.

Observations:

·         Notice no where in Psalm 1 is ‘good works’ or ‘being godly’ a path to salvation.  Instead, it is the evidence that salvation is or is not present.  The ungodly simply follow the path of ungodliness, the godly simply follow the path of godliness.  No works-salvation is implied in this section.

·         When preaching the section, be careful not to infer that God does not love those who are struggling in sin.  Nothing is further from the truth.  Instead, preach that the Christian walks in the path of holiness because of the nail print in Jesus’ hands; they are grateful to Him and, in the realization of what Christ did for them, gladly turn their lives over to Him.

Conclusion.

The Prophetic Word of Holiness

Sermon Outline

The Prophetic Word of Holiness

Scripture:  1 Thessalonians 1 - 5

Introduced May 2011 / Written some time in 2008

Sermon Outline

Introduction:  The Lord is bodily returning to this earth (Acts 1:11; Matthew 24:30).  In 1 Thessalonians, Paul shows an intense love and appreciation for the Thessalonians and their faith.

            - The Thessalonians were examples, 1 Thessalonians 1:7

            - Paul was like a father to them, 2:11

            - He commanded that they should love one another, 4:9

            - Yet, what were they missing? [after all, Paul wrote to them to help them in their spiritual journey.]

Today, we have an increased interest in the end of the world.

            - What will happen?  (every world view has a different answer.)

            - There are tons of literature that believe Jesus will come at certain times.

            - There are tons of magazines.

            - There are tons of end time books

We know for sure that without holiness, we are not ready for the return of Christ.  An accumulation of knowledge, books, and end time novels do not prepare us fully for the Lord’s return.  * A person who strives at a holy life is more prepared than someone who is merely a “prophecy buff”.  In fact, we have actually met worldly people who loved fictional end time books (can’t tell you which ones, or we will break copyright – but let’s just say they are very popular)

Overview of 1 Thessalonians 1-5 – How You Can Prepare for Jesus’s return.

1. Prepare for Jesus’s return by turning from all idols.  1:9-10
   See also 1 John 5:21; 1 Corinthians 10:14
1. Turn to God first; He will enable us to overcome the idolatry
2. Your salvation was not of your own; neither is the Christian walk.
3. Idols can be behaviors or people or things.  Idols have these characteristics: 

                                                              i.      you return to them again and again

                                                            ii.      It brings you comfort

                                                          iii.      You begin to resemble it

                                                          iv.      You know its an idol, but you refuse to acknowledge it.

2.  Prepare for Jesus’s return by being your Pastor’s glory and joy  2:18-20
1. What a joy as a Pastor to see Christians living a holy life.
2. Notice in this verse the ministry of the DEVIL à v. 18 – Satan “hindered us”
3. Notice, however, how proud Paul was that these Christians were progressing.  When the LORD Jesus returns, Paul says – I will take these Christians and present them to the Lord Jesus.

3. Prepare for Jesus’s return by learning to love one another.  3:12-13
   NOTE:  Notice, coming with all his Saints.  Coming of Jesus will be 1 coming in 2 phases:
   
   
1. Coming for his saints such as 2 Thessalonians 2:4 (gathering together unto him)
2. Coming with his saints such as 1 Thessalonians 3:13

This [love one another] is the commandment we seek to avoid.  We want to learn more about Jesus, the Bible, prophecy, the tabernacle, etc.  And all these are good, but God has a plan for us.  His plan is to be like His Son.  Jesus knew the Old & New Testaments thoroughly and used them when necessary, but, He also taught us how to love God and others.

Love – an affectionate feeling that is proved by our actions of kindness to the ones we have the feelings to.  God’s love – His abundant desire to do good in our lives.

We will hold grudges against people, but Christians can’t pretend to hold grudges forever.  God’s love shed in our heart comes out!

Romans 5:8 – God’s love is characterized by a difficult, yet attainable, ideal.  God commendeth his love toward us, while we were sinners, Christ died for us.

4. Prepare for Jesus’s return by realizing who is going to call you at the Day of Reckoning – God.  4:15-18

1. Sometimes we chose our friends and people we “hang-out-with” by whether we like them or not.  There are so many Christians who say they love God, but fail to live holy lives.  How will they be able to live with Him who is Holy.
2. Joel 2:1 – [not a direct quote] - Blow a trumpet in Zion, shout it on the mountain, blow a trumpet in Zion – for the Day of the Lord is come!
3. There is a time coming when God Himself will call us to this appointment.  An appointment where we will stand before Him.

5. Prepare for the Lord’s return by striving for holiness.  5:22-24
   
   

Why are we striving for His holiness?  Why is the Lord’s return characterized with holiness?  And why will the place of our future house be holy?

1. Our age is characterized by lawlessness.  Hurt feelings, disobedience to God’s commandments, decadence.  The Spirit of this age
2. The spirit of this age is trying to seduce last day Christians.  We are no different than the Thessalonians.  Even the simple, basic things in life seem to be corrupted.

Conclusion:  God is calling out a holy people unto Himself.

            Revelation 18:4 – Come out of Babylon!

            Babylon is to be destroyed.  Revelation 19:7-8 – Fine linen is the righteousness of the saints.

Sermon Outline Creation Date:  2008.  This sermon was created in 2008 for preaching; I can’t remember if I preached it!  No matter – I hope you can use it in your own ministry.

Don’t be fooled by the title “The Prophetic Word of Holiness”.  By this, we mean – all prophecy today is telling forth God’s word in the Bible … I do not believe new revelation is being given to us today.  Still, this title might be confusing to some.  So, feel free to change it.

You most likely should tailor this to your own situation.

In fact, if you haven’t figure out by now:  I write these sermons so that you WILL edit it, or use it, or modify it.  I am not offended in the least … however, I would like to have a “stories/testimony” section on my blog – so please email me at pjmarkavage@gmail.com and tell me how you are doing with these sermons.