TRUST - Sermon Outline by Pastor R.A. Woods

SPIRITUAL CONCLUSION

Spiritual Conclusion
By Pastor R.A. Woods

Text: Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV)
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Intro: Conclusion: termination or end of. Solomon, the son of David, the richest man that ever lived, when he assumed the kingdom, didn't ask God for riches, power, houses and land. He asked God to give him the wisdom to go in and to come out, to lead God's people. God was so impressed with Solomon's request, that he not only gave him wisdom, but blessed him with riches untold. As you read through the chapters in Ecclesiastes, you will find that he had experiences that brought problems to his life.

Vanity: Emptiness. (All is vanity and vexation of the spirit)

There is nothing wrong with having nice things! There is nothing wrong with having riches, material things, position, etc. The problem in them is when we allow them to own us instead of us owning them, also allowing these things to become more important than God. So that brings us to an all important conclusion, which is spiritual in nature. What is it that we can do that really matters in life, thats fulfilling and satisfying? The answer is fulfill our duty to God, not only that, but our whole duty. (complete duty)

Illustration: Day Of Judgment And Daily Work
Once in New England, a strange darkness fell at noon time. The birds started their evening songs, chickens went to roost, and cows returned from pasture. The Connecticut State Legislature was in session and it was suggested that they should adjourn, as the Day of Judgment had come. One of the legislators took the floor and said: "I am against adjournment. The Day of Judgment is either approaching or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for adjournment. If it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. Let candles be brought in!"
Later, the poet Whittier wrote about this incident. And there he stands in memory to this day, erect, self-poised, a rugged face half seen against a background of unnatural dark--a witness to the ages as they pass that simple duty hath no place for fear.

I. Fear God

A.Fear: to stand in awe or reverence. (to look at with respect)

1. Proverbs 9:10 (KJV)
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

2. Hebrews 10:31 (KJV)
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

a. It's a fearful thing to know that you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your personal savior, that you have not repented of your sins and made peace with God.

b. It's a fearful thing to know that we are going to answer for every deed done in our bodies.

c. 2 Corinthians 5:10-11 (KJV)
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God,' and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

II. Keep His Commandments (It's all founded and based on love)

A. Commandments: Is an order or directive.
1. John 14:15 (KJV)
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

2. John 15:10 (KJV)
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

1. When you really love God, his commandments are not grievous, they don't irritate you to do them. Real love will motivate you to obey God, and fulfill his will for your life.

Conclusion: The conclusion of the matter is that it's your duty to fear God, keep his commandments.

INSPIRATION

INSPIRATION

By Pastor R.A. Woods

Text: Luke 19:40 (KJV)

40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

BR: Luke19:37-40

Intro: The disciples had been up in the mountain with Jesus, because of the mighty works they had seen, they begin to worship and praise the Lord out loud.  In other words they were inspired, enthused, jazzed and upbeat at the fact that they had witnessed the things of God. They saw the power of God at work, affecting the people's lives. ('Inspiration is an attitude and emotion that you have about someone or something. “Attitude determines your Altitude" Whatever you do for God should have inspiration involved; Preaching, witnessing, teaching, ushering, praying, singing, playing an instrument, etc.

Inspiration: Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity. Divine guidance or influence exerted directly on the mind and soul of humankind.  It's inspiring, stimulating to see God at work! Coming to church, when its time to pray, read the bible should be exciting, stimulating, inspiring because it's in those things that God works, moves and accomplishes his will.

Illustration:

A friend asked Mrs. Thomas A. Edison, "Have you ever asked your husband where he gets all the ideas that make him so famous?" Thoughtfully, Mrs. Edison replied, "Yes, I did ask him once. He didn't say anything. He just pointed upward and smiled"

I. It's inspiring to see people get save!

A. Begins with a witness (Somebody showing them with their life or telling them their testimony or simply inviting them to service) That's exciting to know that a lost soul would have an opportunity to make a lifetime of mistakes, errors and wrongdoing right with God.

     1. Acts 2:21 (KJV)

21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

      2. James 5:20 (KJV)

20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

B. Mark 16:15 (KJV)

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

    1. It's inspiring to know that all colors, creed, cultures, socio economic status, can come to God, be a part of the family of God. (whosoever will let him come) let the drunk come, homosexual come, prejudice come, prostitute come, drug dealer come, liar and thief come, career criminal come!

I'm inspired this morning, enthused about Jesus, I'm excited about the fact that we have hope, we are doing something worth doing, our life has meaning because Jesus is in it. I'm excited about the church growing, about you being excited and inspired, about the house of God being full of people that love him. I'm excited and inspired about our children's church, etc.

SALVATION

SALVATION

By Pastor R.A. Woods

Text: Psalms 32:1 (KJV)1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Bible Reading: Psalms 32:1-11

Introduction: What is salvation or being saved from a biblical perspective and what is the evidence that this has taken place to prove it exist in you?

Salvation: deliverance and preservation, rescue or safety (physically and morally), to make whole or complete, to heal or recover (salvation is symbolic of having a terminal illness and Jesus comes along and heal it and restore your life again.

Romans 10:10 (KJV) (proof)

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (righteousness is simply clean, holy living ensues)

So the Psalmist gives us a picture of what happens to a person when they have an encounter with God. Think about the gospels, when Jesus came in contact with men and women, they were never the same.

I. The Need of Salvation

A. SIN IMPLIED (verses 1-2) sin is there, exist, in violation.

1. Three phases of guilt (transgression, sin and iniquity)

a.  Transgression: revolt or rebel against God.

b.  Sin: offence or offend God. (violated God)

c.  Iniquity: guilt and punishment.

2. If we are to reckon with God. we must face the question of sin! a. Romans: All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. b. I John 1:9 If we confess .... unrighteousness.

B. SIN DISCOVERED (verse 4)

1. my moisture turned into drought like summer. Psalmist described how God was dealing with him and the things he was doing were no longer prospering. The game is up, your cover will be blown, sin will be discovered.

2. Proverbs 28:13 (KJV)

13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh, them shall have mercy.

3. Romans 6:23 (KJV)

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C. SIN CONFESSED (Verse 5)

1. There is an old saying that "Confession is good for the soul".

2. Romans 10:9 (KJV)

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, andshalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

3. What is confession? Confession: to agree with God that you are as he sees you, to acknowledge things in the true state that they are.

D. SIN FORGIVEN (Verse 5)

1. When God enters into a persons life who is forgiven, he blesses that life. Because the bible says: Psalms 32:1 (KJV) 1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Illustration: REGENERATION.

It is a well-known fact, although it is an ever-increasing wonder, that a caterpillar changes into a butterfly. There is certainly very little resemblance between the two, yet every butterfly has been a caterpillar. The butterflies can truthfully say, as they look at the poor caterpillars, "Such were some of us, but we are changed. So Every saint has been a sinner, but a wonderful work has been wrought in them. Thc caterpillar sinner knows nothing of the delights of the butterfly saint. The only way a caterpillar can enter into the joys of the butterfly life is by being made a "new creature"--by being, in a sense, "born again." The cabbage-loving caterpillar has no capacity for the new-born movements and delights of the butterfly. No more can the carnal nature of man enter into the enjoyment of the things of God without Being born again.

THE UNBAPTIZED ARM

THE UNBAPTIZED ARM

By Pastor R.A. Woods

Old time baptism in America about the 1800's

Text: Romans 6:3 (KJV)

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Matthew 3:11 (KJV)

11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Matthew 28:19 (KJV)

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Bible Reading: Romans 6:1-4, Matthew 3:11, Matthew 28:18-20

Introduction: Tonight I am presenting to you 3 baptisms that need to take place in the life of a believer. These three baptisms are vital, because they will provide to you the necessary ingredients you need to have a successful Christian life. I have observed that there are many who have called upon the name of Jesus, claim to have been saved and had these experiences, yet their life does not reflect the proper results. Could it not be that men and women have been holding back things while they were claiming to be saved? What is it that you are struggling with, wrestling with, wrangling with? Is it not that you refuse to admit these issues, present these problems to God? Are they any different than the other things that you have given to God?

Illustration:

Toad Shuts City Water Mains

An incident is told of a certain college which was without any supply of water one morning. The plumber was called and he examined the plumbing, but could find nothing wrong. Yet, there was no water.  Next the water department of the city was called and they sent men to investigate the trouble. After much searching they finally found the cause.  A mile away from the college--where the small pipe line supplying the college was connected with the large line going into the city--they found a huge toad sucked partly into the small line. The effect was to literally shut off all the water. City officials speculated that it had most likely got in there first as a little tadpole, but it had fed upon the water until grew and shut off the water.  Many a Christian has allowed some little sin to sneak into his life, and allowed it to remain there, until he woke up one day, and like Samson long ago, found that the power was gone.

I. Korah: Numbers 16:1-3 (KJV)

1. Now Korah, the son of lzhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:

2. And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:

3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?

A. He was following Moses to the promise land as the others was, but something was wrong in his heart that caused him to become spiritual insubordinate to the man of God, so to speak an unbaptized arm, thinking that he could put himself above the things of God.

2. Judas: Luke 22:3-4 (KJV)

3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

A. Judas had walked along with the 12 disciples, got the same teachings and instructions, but somewhere along the line, greed caused him to betray Jesus. Along the way he didn't address an obvious problem in his life, with hem this problem, which led to his suicide.

B. What about us tonight? Do we have something that is unbaptized, that didn't go under the blood, was not baptized into the body of Christ, was not baptized in water, the unbaptized arm? The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

INVENTORY TIME IN THE PIGPEN

INVENTORY TIME IN THE PIGPEN

Preached by the Pastor R.A. Woods 12/18/2011 Sunday Morning in "All-in" Sunday Worship Service, a special event to see where we are as a church, before the start of the new year 2012.

                                                         The prodigal son in the pigpen

                 

Text: Luke 15:17 (KJV)

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and l perish with hunger.
Bible Reading: Luke 15:11-20

Introduction: I have called upon you to be here this Sunday for the express purpose of finding out where we are as a Church, as people of God and as a Christian. There were some people who responded that they had to work, couldn't make it until tonight, etc. We are embarking upon a new year, this year we had a lot of ups and downs, but however, we are looking forward to 2012, with a new approach, afresh attitude, a renewed vigor and with resolve to serve God. Hopefully, somewhere in this service you can find your situation, solution and answer to what you have been dealing with. Let the Lord help you to take inventory, assess your life and where you are. If you attend one service a week, start coming to two. If you have slacked in bible reading and praying, get back on track. If there are things in your life you struggled with in 2011, in 2012 change it, it’s time to get in, "All in" (All in with God).

This story of the Prodigal Son, is symbolic of what has happened with many, so let's look at it and allow God to speak to us, lead us, guide us and to help us start anew.

I. Wanted to do his own thing. (Verse 12)

A. Younger of the Two Sons.

1. Shows the lack of maturity, no doubt there were things that he still needed to learn and understand, but yet he made the decision to do his own thing.
2. Perhaps he didn't like the rules of his Father's house, the chores and responsibilities that his Father placed upon him, I can do better on my own.

B. Proverbs 14.'12 (KJV)

12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

C. Jeremiah 6:16-17 (KJV)

16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said. We will not hearken.

II. Ended up in the Pigpen (Verses 15, 16)

A. Pigs stink, they like the mud, and its nastv (That’s what doing his own thing led him to)
1. Pigs (nature, etc) explain and let God direct!
2. He was even desiring to eat the food for the pigs!!!!!

B. It was there that he took inventory, he assessed his situation and made a conscientious decision to go back and do right, no matter what status!!

III. Arose and went to his Father's house. (I don't care what I have to do, I'm going back and do right (All In Daddy!!!) If you want me to clean, milk the cows, plow the field, mop the floors, etc. just let me back in, let me come back home.

A. You come back with the right attitude, God will receive you and make a feast, kill the fatted calf, etc.