Sermon20121202

2 Corinthians 4:7-15
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;
8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12 So death works in us, but life in you.
13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “ I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak,
14 knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

Introduction:

Theme: Three observations of God placing His treasure in clay pots so you will gain a greater appreciation for your purpose on earth.

Two Preliminary Questions:
1.

2.

Observation #1 The reason why God does this is so He can display His power vv. 7b-12

Observation #2 The consequence of this is we display our faith in this treasure and tell others vv. 13-14

Observation #3 The benefit”
of this is an abundance of thanks given to God vs. 15

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Sermon20121125

2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Paul’s Apostolic Ministry
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart,
2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond- servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who said, “ Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Introduction:

Theme: Ten characteristics of the gospel ministry so you will understand its grace and glory.

I. Five Characteristics of the Gospel Ministers 4:1-2
A. They embrace the gospel ministry as their own.
B. They acknowledge being recipients of mercy
C. They do not grow discouraged
D. They renounce dishonest ministry practices
E. They appeal to the conscience of others.

II. Five Characteristics of the Gospel Message 4:3-6
A. It is good news
B. It is hidden to the perishing
C. It is about Christ, not the messengers
D. It is given by God
E. It shines the Light of God’s glory.

Questions for Application:

Read 2Corinthians 4:1-6

1. Do you ever grow discouraged in your own ministry in the church? How can remembering you are a recipient of God’s mercy help you overcome your discouragement?
2. How important is honesty in ministry? Have you ever observed dishonesty? What were the results?
3. Read vv.3-4. How can recognizing the helpless state of unbelievers as blinded by Satan, help us have compassion in witnessing to them?
4. Why is it important to keep the content of the gospel message w/Jesus as Lord, our constant theme?

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Sermon20121118

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Sermon20121111

2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Paul’s Apostolic Ministry
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart,
2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond- servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who said, “ Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Introduction:

Theme: Ten characteristics of the gospel ministry so you will understand its grace and glory.

I. Five Characteristics of the Gospel Ministers 4:1-2
A. They embrace the gospel ministry as their own.
B. They acknowledge being recipients of mercy
C. They do not grow discouraged
D. They renounce dishonest ministry practices
E. They appeal to the conscience of others.

II. Five Characteristics of the Gospel Message 4:3-6
A. It is good news
B. It is hidden to the perishing
C. It is about Christ, not the messengers
D. It is given by __________
E. It shines the __________ of God’s glory.

Questions for Application:

Read 2Corinthians 4:1-6

1. Do you ever grow discouraged in your own ministry in the church? How can remembering you are a recipient of God’s mercy help you overcome your discouragement?
2. How important is honesty in ministry? Have you ever observed dishonesty? What were the results?
3. Read vv.3-4. How can recognizing the helpless state of unbelievers as blinded by Satan, help us have compassion in witnessing to them?
4. Why is it important to keep the content of the gospel message w/Jesus as Lord, our constant theme?

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Sermon20121104

2 Corinthians 3:12-18
12 Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech,
13 and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away.
14 But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.
15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart;
16 but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Introduction:

Theme: four key provisions of the Spirit’s ministry so you will recognize the great transformation taking place in your life.

I. The ministry of the Spirit provides a basis for bold speech vv.12
II. The ministry of the Spirit provides for the removal of spiritual blindness vv.13-16
III. The ministry of the Spirit provides freedom vs. 17
IV. The ministry of the Spirit provides the fundamental transformation into Christlikeness vs.18

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Sermon20121027

2 Corinthians 3:12-18
12 Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech,
13 and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away.
14 But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.
15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart;
16 but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Introduction:

Theme: four key provisions of the Spirit’s ministry so you will recognize the great transformation taking place in your life.

I. The ministry of the Spirit provides a basis for bold speech vv.12
II. The ministry of the Spirit provides for the removal of spiritual blindness vv.13-16
III. The ministry of the Spirit provides

from the laws vs. 17
IV. The ministry of the Spirit provides the fundamental into Christlikeness vs.18

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Sermon20121021

Revelation 2:1-7
CHAPTER 2
Message to Ephesus
1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:
2 ‘ I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false;
3 and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary.
4 But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
5 Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.
6 Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God. ’

Introduction

I. The Angel
II. The Pastor
III. The Commendation
IV. The Condemnation
V. The Command
1. Remember
2. Repent
3. Re-Do
VI. The Reward

Conclusion

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Sermon20121014

2 Corinthians 3:7-11

7 But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was,
8 how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory?
9 For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory.
10 For indeed what had glory, in this case has no glory because of the glory that surpasses it.
11 For if that which fades away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.

Introduction:

Review:

Theme: Three features of Moses’ ministry of the old covenant so you can better appreciate the surpassing glory of the new

I. The old covenant was a ministry of death, yet came about with glory vv 7-8

II. The old covenant was a ministry of condemnation, yet had continuing glory vv 9-19.

III. The old covenant was a ministry which progressively fades in glory, yet the glory of the new remains. vs.11

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Sermon20121007

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Sermon20120930

2 Corinthians 3:1-6
CHAPTER 3
Ministers of a New Covenant
1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you?
2 You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men;
3 being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
4 Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.
5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,
6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Introduction:

Theme: Four important insights into the New Covenant Ministry

I. Standard commendation is of minimal value vs.1
Two kinds of commendation:
A. Self commendation
B. Letters of commendation

II. Supernatural

transformation

is a work of the Spirit of God vv. 2-3
Seven features of this letter:
A. A letter written in Paul’s heart
B. A letter of Christ
C. Cared for by us
D. Not written in ink
E. Written in the Spirit
F. Not on tablets of stone
G. Written on hearts

III. Sufficiency for the

servants

of this covenant is granted by God vv.4-6a

IV. Supremacy of the

New Covenant

is evident in that it gives life vs. 6b

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