That I May Know Him

The Apostle Paul was a tremendous soul winner and preacher of the Word. Some may think he had arrived  but Paul knew the truth. He was still working his passion—to know more of Christ.

Philippians 3:8,9,10 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, 

[9] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

What blessed scripture to take to heart beginning tomorrow, January 1, 2019—to know Christ better. 

Focusing on Jesus every day through prayer and reading His Word will keep us in the right direction to our fullest potential for the glory of God next year. 

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus—look full in His wonderful face,—and the things of earth will grow strangely dim,—in the light of His glory and grace."  —-Helen Hogarth Lemmel 1922.  

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

You Don’t Have To Fear

Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I wlll strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Every person goes through times of depression and distress, Job 14:1; Job 5:7.  

God specializes in lifting the fallen and strengthening the weak - Paul. 2 Cor. 12:7-10.  Think about the times He has lifted you. 

The presence of the Lord Is powerful. His presence has the power to drive away fear. 

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Don’t let fear overwhelm you. Trust the promises of the Lord. He loves you. 

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

Abiding In Jesus

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

How does one abide? —  Prayer, studying the Word, deny self, drawing nigh to God.  

The closer we abide in the Vine, the more His life can flow through us to produce the fruit He desires. 

There are three basic fruits the Lord bears in the lives of His children.

1. Sanctification — We become more like Him - Rom. 6:22; Phil. 1:11; Col. 1:10. 

2. Spirituality — We behave more like Him - Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

3. Souls — We are burdened like Him - Rom. 1:13.

“Without Him I would be drifting like a ship without a sail.”  — Mylon R. Le Fever  

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

Renewing The Inner Man

While every day brings with it unique problems, every day also comes with its own measure of grace from the hands of the Father in Heaven. 

Lamentations 3:22-25 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 

The inner man is renewed day by day by fresh fuel, by fresh food, and by fresh medicine. What does this means?

-   It means you need to feed on the Word of God every day.

-   You need to pray to the Father every day.

-   You need the fellowship of the saints every day.

-   You need a fresh supply every day. 

We lose heart when we focus on everything but the one thing that maters most—our relationship with God and the renewing of the inner man day by day.

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

The Lord Is My Shepherd

It isn’t all doom and gloom today. If you know the Great Shepherd you have plenty to be excited about.

Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

I’m ever so thankful that when I got saved I got more than a Savior. I also got a Shepherd. 

I got One Who loves me, tends to me, cares about me, leads me, feeds me, protects me and guides me through this life.  

Psalm 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

May the Lord’s sheep never be ashamed to exalt, praise and worship the One Who sought them and brought them in from the wild mountains of sin, Luke 15:4-7.

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission

Simple Saving Faith

A woman from the hated race of the Samaritans with low morals and a bad reputation comes to Jacob’s well to get water, and she meets Jesus. He tells her about an everlasting well of water from which she can take one drink and never thirst again. 

There are no miracles. No water turned to wine. No demons cast out. No one walks on water. Jesus simply tells her the truth and she believes it and is saved.  

This is the kind of faith that saves souls. Jesus said to come to Him as little children, Matt. 18:1-5. We are to simply come as we are and believe Him by faith. 

This is how it works for everyone who meets Him. One moment He is the Lord Jesus Christ, some holy, distant man who died on a cross. 

But, when faith is exercised in Him, He instantly becomes a personal Friend and the absolute focus and center of your being. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

His salvation is amazing because it brings about such an instantaneous depth of change, 

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

The Love Of God

There’s nothing like the love of God. It’s the greatest thing God ever did for any of us. Because He loved us, He was moved to do everything else He has done. 

1 John 4:9-10 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 

10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

I can't understand it or know why, but I know I have experienced it and I can never be separated from it - Rom. 8:38-39. 

God's love is best seen at the cross.

Could we with ink the ocean fill—-And were the skies of parchment made—-Were every stalk on earth a quill—-And every man a scribe by trade—-To write the love of God above—-Would drain the ocean dry—-Nor could the scroll contain the whole—-Though stretched from sky to sky. —-Meir Ben Isaac Nehorai, 1050

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

Heaven’s Gift

Before a gift can become what it was designed to be, it must first be given, then it must be received. 

God has given His gift to the world, the Christ-child born in Bethlehem. 

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

I unwrapped Heaven’s Gift when I was ten years old. I heard the message of Jesus and the cross and that if I believed in him and asked Him to forgive my sins and come into my heart, He would and He did and I will never forget the spirit of peace within. It’s still there. 

Is there a moment in time when you unwrapped Heaven‘s Gift? I hope so. It’s a life and death matter. 

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

The Star

Matthew 2:1-2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Following the star, these men traveled many miles through desert, crossed mountains and rivers. They endured hardships and faced bandits all for the sake of worshipping the new born King.  

It’s amazing that these heathen astrologers had enough insight to follow the star and recognize the glory of the One whom they had found. 

Matthew 2:10-11 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 

11. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 

The wisest people in the world today are those who trust in Jesus as their personal Savior, who are willing to forsake everything and give Him worship and praise.

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

From The Manger To The Cross

As the angel appeared to the unsuspecting shepherds, and the glory of the Lord shone  around them, they were shocked—sore afraid. I would be pretty scared too—probably trembling. 

Luke 2:10-11 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

A Savior is born. That ought to be our message all through the year. 

God help us to tell a lost and dying world about a living, loving Saviour who can give them grace, peace, hope, blessings, joy and salvation. 

Here’s the good news: From the manger to the cross to the tomb to His triumphant resurrection—Jesus is Lord and Savior to all who believe.

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

Bethlehem

It was in Bethlehem that Ruth the Moabitess found redemption, and David was anointed King over Israel, 1 Sam. 16:1-13.

But Bethlehem witnessed the most amazing miracle the world has ever seen at the birth of Jesus, the very Son of God—God in the flesh, Luke 2:1-20.

The Prophet Micah first told us Jesus would be born at Bethlehem. 

Micah 5:2 But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Though He will be born in Bethlehem, He is eternal. 

In 1867 Phillip Brooks wrote a special biblical song we sing at Christmas time.

“O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie.—Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.—Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;—The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,—While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.—O morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth,—And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth!

O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;—Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.—We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;—O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!”

Jesus came to this earth in the fashion that He did because He loved you and me and wanted to give His life a ransom for our sins. 

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

The True Glory Of Christmas

That God stepped out of eternity into time is mind-boggling. 

That the undeserving shepherds first received the Announcement of the birth of the Christ-Child is more than my mind can grasp. 

But the Creator, with all His deity, humbling Himself to be laid in a manger is unthinkable. 

The precious baby Jesus sleeping quietly in a farm animal’s feeding trough—imagine that. 

We find the true glory of Christmas in the words of the angel who visited the shepherds on that Judean hillside. 

Luke 2:10-11 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

No matter what we may make of it, Christmas will always be about the Baby born in Bethlehem—our Savior. 

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

What A Lovely Name

Luke 1:30-31 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

What a lovely name, the name of Jesus. At the mention of that name hell trembles—Satan flees—sin is defeated—captives are delivered—fear gives way to peace—hopelessness is swallowed up in victory—the blind see—and the dead live.

At the name of Jesus drunkards are made sober—harlots are made pure—addicts are delivered from addictions—the lost are saved—and new life begins. 

The name of Jesus marks the difference between Heaven and Hell—life and death—hope and despair—sin and salvation—judgment and forgiveness—and between the grace of God and His condemnation.

Many have shared that name, but there is only one Jesus Christ, and He is KIng of Kings and Lord of Lords. Alone. Forever.

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

The Greatest Gift

This child born in Bethlehem was no ordinary baby. The Angelic Announcement gave proof, Matt. 1:20-23. 

All through His life Jesus proved He was literally God in human flesh, John 1:1,14. 

He taught like no other. He healed, He preached, He loved, He reached out. His life was one miraculous event after another. But none of those events qualified Him to be Savior. 

When John 3:16 tells us that God "gave His only begotten Son", that’s the precise meaning. He gave us the greatest gift ever. 

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The cradle was the first stop on the road to Calvary. It was there that Jesus surrendered His life—a bloody sacrifice for sin on a cruel cross—to become our Savior, bringing Salvation to all who believe. 

Do you want to give something to Jesus for Christmas? Give Him your heart. 

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

The Real Hero Of Christmas

According to history, there were three theories surrounding Mary's pregnancy.

A. The baby was Joseph's.

B. The baby belonged to Mary's secret lover.

C. Mary had been raped by a Roman soldier.

Any of these situations would bring shame on Mary and Joseph, yet Joseph went ahead and married Mary. 

Matthew 1:24-25 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Doing God’s will isn’t always the easiest thing to do, but it’s always the right thing to do. 

Eventually, Mary delivered her baby. On that great night, Joseph did as he had been commanded when he took his Creator into his arms and called his name JESUS.

This year in Christmas plays and programs all around the world Joseph will take a back seat to shepherds, wise men, animals and other characters. 

But he is the real hero of Christmas, because of the lessons he teaches us about obedience and surrender to the will of God. 

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

Believers And Christmas

Though we allow ourselves to get caught up in the hustle and bustle this time of year, most believers understand something of the true meaning of Christmas.

•  We know that Jesus was God in human flesh.

•  We know that when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, God stepped out of eternity and entered time.

•  We know that Jesus was a great teacher, healer, and miracle worker.

•  We know that Jesus came to earth to die for our sins on the cross.

• We know that He rose again from the dead and ascended back to heaven to make intercession for His people and to prepare a place for us there.

•  We know that all of this, and more, is the true meaning of Christmas.

•  We know that the real gift of Christmas is Christ Himself. 

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

The Mother Of Jesus

Young Mary was already a believer when she was chosen to be the vessel through which Jesus would come into the world. The Angel Gabriel told her about Him. 

Luke 1:32-33 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

As she watched Him receive worship as God, she would never be the same.  “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart”, Luke 2:19. 

She would watch Him grow strong physically, mentally and spiritually. She would watch Him heal, hear Him preach, and see Him suffer. 

Eventually, she would watch Him die on a cross for the sins of humanity and rise from the grave three days later. 

Those who believe on Him (get saved) will never be the same. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission.