Sermon Outlines for
The Teachings of Christ

 Rev. David P. Horrocks, Th.M., Pastor
Christ Community Church

 

Topic:  Himself – 10/14/07
Topic:  God the Father – 10/21/07
Topic:  The Holy Spirit – 10/28/07
Topic:  The Bible – 11/4/07
Topic:  Our Sin/His Salvation – 11/11/07
Topic:  Our Repentance/His Forgiveness – 11/18/07
Topic:  Love – 11/25/07
Topic:  Money – 12/4/07
Topic:  Prayer – 12/16/07
Topic:  Incarnation – 12/23/07
Topic:  His Second Coming – 12/30/07
Topic:  Marriage – 1/6/08
Topic:  The Christian Family – 1/13/08
Topic:  The Christian Teenager – 1/27/08
Topic:  God’s Holy Angels – 2/3/08
Topic:  Satan and His Demons – 2/10/08
Topic:  Hell & Heaven – 2/17/08
Topic:  His Authority – 2/24/08
Topic:  Sickness & Death – 3/2/08
Topic:  The Sabbath – 3/9/08
Topic:  The Kingdom – 3/16/08

 

 

 

 



 

Topic:  Himself

Introduction:  “The continuing influence of Jesus Christ”

Jesus is special in His being

            The eternal Son of God – Man’s perfect God
            The incarnate Son of Man – God’s perfect man

He is special in His education, teaching, and influence

            He was taught by God His Father
            He became an infallible teacher
            He is the light of the world

He is special in His powers (authority)

            He forgave sin
            He healed the sick
            He raised the dead
            He calmed the storm
            He controlled the angels, the demons, and the devil
            He sent the Holy Spirit
            He gave eternal life to all who followed Him

He is special in His mission

            To make God known, Jesus filled a cradle
            To save sinners, Jesus hung on a cross
            To build His church, Jesus walked out of a cave
            To rule the world, Jesus ascended to a crown

MESSAGE:
“JESUS BECAME ONE OF US TO SAVE US
AND TO BE THE LORD OF ALL WHO HAVE FAITH IN HIM.”

 

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Topic:  God the Father

Introduction:  “The Dalai Lama says…there is no God”

Jesus says…God our Father is a spirit living in heaven

            A child receives life from his father
            A child reflects the likeness and the nature of his father
            A child is provided for by his father
            A child is disciplined and instructed by his father
            A child communes with his father
            A child is forgiven by his father
            A child is the heir of his father

Jesus says to the woman at the well…(John 4)

            Think of our Father universally and not locally
            Think of our Father individually and not institutionally

Jesus says in His priestly prayer…(John 17)

            Our Father loves the guilty ones
            Our Father directs the flow of history
            Our Father is gathering a people to Himself
            Our Father forgives sinners and secures their forgiveness
            Our Father controls the content of divine revelation
            Our Father is glorified when His will is done on the earth
            Our Father will glorify in heaven those who glorify Him on earth
            Our Father seeks unity and love among those whom He has chosen

MESSAGE:
“GOD OUR FATHER IS A SPIRIT, LIVING IN HEAVEN,
WHO IS INFINITE, ETERNAL, AND UNCHANGEABLE IN HIS BEING,
WISDOM, POWER, HOLINESS, JUSTICE, GOODNESS, AND TRUTH.”

 

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Topic:  The Holy Spirit

Introduction: “I, by the Spirit of God…”

The Holy Spirit in preparing for Jesus’ ministry

            Active at creation and in the creation
            Indwelling God’s servants
            Instructing God’s prophets
            Caused Mary’s conception
            Filled Elizabeth’s spirit
            Met Jesus at the Temple in Simeon
            Appeared as a dove at Jesus’ baptism

The Holy Spirit in Jesus’ ministry

            A person without a body
            A divine person
            His ministry with Jesus
            His ministry as described by Jesus
            The unforgiveable sin against the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit after Jesus’ ministry

            His ministry of conviction to the world
            His ministry of construction of the church

                        He gives a new kind of life to believers
                        He informs Christ’s servants
                        He empowers Christ’s disciples
                        He conforms the children of God to God

MESSAGE:
“THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE MEMBER OF THE GODHEAD
WHO BUILDS THE CHURCH, EQUIPS ALL CHRISTIANS,
AND DEVELOPS US IN HIS HOLY CHARACTER.”

 

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Topic:  The Bible

Introduction:  “The critics are all around…”

What do the critics say about the Bible?

What did Jesus say about His Bible?

            His Bible was the Word of God
            His Bible was His authority
            His Bible was eternal in its value
            His Bible painted a portrait of Himself

The purpose for His Bible

            To reveal the person, the power, and the purpose of God
            To reveal the person, the power, and the purpose of Christ

The Bible and believers

We are to know the Bible – it defines our destiny
We are to choose the Bible – it develops our character
We are to balance life on the Bible – it determines our conduct
We are to teach the Bible to the world – it demands our obedience

Some answers to the critics

 

MESSAGE:
“WE PATTERN JESUS WHEN THE BIBLE DEFINES OUR DESTINY,
DEVELOPS OUR CHARACTER, DETERMINES OUR CONDUCT,
AND DEMANDS OUR OBEDIENCE.”

 

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Topic:  Our Sin/His Salvation

Introduction:  “I admit that I have…”

Because I alone sin, I am a sinner/Because I alone am a sinner, I sin

            Jesus characterized sin:  Because all of us sin

                        Sin is a debt that can be forgiven (Matthew 6:12)
                        Sin is any violation of God’s standards (Matthew 22:37-39)
                        Sin is slavery (John 8:34)
                        Sin defiles the fruit of our lives (Matthew 7:17)
                        Sin blinds us to God’s presence (Matthew 15:14)
                        Sin deafens us to God’s promises (John 8:43)
                        Sin has eternal consequences (John 8:24)

            Jesus characterized sinners:  Because all of us are sinners

                        Tax gatherers, landlords, and harlots transgress God’s law
                        The Pharisees transgress God’s nature
                        The Sadducees transgress God’s existence

Because only Jesus did not sin, He alone can save

            Jesus said He was heaven’s Savior for the world’s salvation
            Jesus said He was sinless
            Jesus said He would die and rise from the dead
            Jesus said His death would have world-wide significance
            Jesus said His death was for the salvation of others
            Jesus said His death would glorify His Father
            Jesus forfeited His free life in order to free our forfeited lives

MESSAGE:
“I ALONE HAVE SINNED AND JESUS ALONE CAN SAVE ME.”

 

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Topic:  Our Repentance/His Forgiveness

Introduction:  “He came to himself…”

Repentance and forgiveness are a team (Luke 24:47)

            They are preached together
            They are commanded by Christ

Repentance is behavioral

            The unsaved need to repent
            The saved need to repent
            Repentance is visible
            Repentance is foundation
            We repent of the sins we do
            We repent of the good we fail to do
            Repentance is the step towards forgiveness

Forgiveness is relational

            Only God forgives sin

                        God’s attribute in the Old Testament
                        Christ’s attribute in the New Testament

            God forgives sinners

                        Forgiveness is conditional on our faith in Christ
                        Forgiveness is conditional on our forgiving others

            We forgive one another

                        We treat others as God has treated us
                        Forgiveness must be unlimited

MESSAGE:
“REPENTANCE OF SIN AND FAITH IN CHRIST
IS STILL THE ONLY PATH TO FORGIVENESS AND SALVATION.”

 

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Topic:  Love

Introduction:  “Power over people…”

Love defined

            Three Greek words
            One powerful concept

Love directed

            We are to love:

                        God the Father who created us (John 14:31)
                        Jesus the Son who saved us (John 16:27)
                        God the Holy Spirit who empowers us (Matthew 28:19)
                        Our families who nurtured us (Matthew 10:37)
                        The disciples who surround us (John 13:35)
                        All others who meet us:

                                    Those who reject the gospel (Mark 10:21)
                                    Your neighbors in need (Luke 10:37)
                                    Your enemies, too (Matthew 5:44)

            We are to hate:

                        Life without God’s love (John 5:24)
                        Life without Christ’s forgiveness (John 8:24)
                        Life without the Holy Spirit’s power (Acts 1:8)
                        Life without honor (John 12:43)
                        Life without humility (Matthew 23:6)
                        Life without service (Mark 10:43)

MESSAGE:
“AS CHRIST’S LOVE FOR YOU CHANGES YOU,
SO CHRIST’S LOVE THROUGH YOU CAN CHANGE OTHERS.”

 

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Topic:  Money

Introduction:  “Money orders”

Three decisions with eternal consequences

            Your response to Jesus Christ
            Your response to those who offend and repent
            Your response to your money and possessions

Two money orders

            Order #1 – Stop being controlled by money and possessions
            Order #2 – Start taking control of money and possessions

Basic economics

            One pocket economics
            Two pocket economics
            Three pocket economics

World economics versus the Church economics

Law economics verses Grace economics

            Old Testament Law:  Tithes/Offerings
            New Testament Grace:  Being rich towards God

CCC economics

            Prioritize ministries
            13.5% increase in giving
            Give special gifts to reduce the $18,000 deficit
            Give special gifts to reduce our $140,000 mortgage

MESSAGE:
“OUR BEING RICH TOWARD GOD
IS MORE A MATTER OF RAISING OUR FAITH
THAN JUST RAISING OUR FUNDS.”

 

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Topic:  Prayer

Introduction:  “Visiting a foreign land”

Jesus taught His disciples to pray

            By demonstration (Luke 6:12)
            By instruction (Luke 18:1)
            By illustration (Luke 11:5-10)

Jesus taught His disciples what to pray (Matthew 6:9-13)

            Concerning God’s person – give praise and adoration
            Concerning man’s needs – confession, petitions and intercessions
            Concerning God’s will – our doxology

Jesus taught His disciples how to pray

            Pray in faith (Matthew 21:22)
            Pray in submission (Luke 22:41)
            Pray in private (Matthew 6:6)
            Pray in perseverance (Luke 11:5-10)
            Pray in person (Matthew 6:7-8)
            Pray without pride (Luke 18:9-13)
            Pray in community (Matthew 18:19-20)

Jesus taught His disciples why to pray

            A church that prays
            A church devoted to prayer

Praying as Jesus taught us to pray

            Adoration
            Confession
            Petitions:  Men, women, youth & children, missions
            Doxology

MESSAGE:
“PRAYER IS A HUMAN NECESSITY AND
A NATURAL FUNCTION OF SPIRITUAL PEOPLE.”

 

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Topic:  Incarnation

Introduction:  “GPS – Global Positioning System”

Jesus came into the world to reveal the glory of God’s nature

            Jesus in His flesh was revealing God in His spirit
            God is a Father to those who believe
            The Father loves the Son and those who believe in His Son
            The Father governs us by His grace

Jesus came into the world to reveal the grace of God’s government

            Jesus is the second Adam who always did what was right
            He fulfilled the law by His life of love for God and others
            He set as His priority the will of God
            He is the greatest ruler, yet He humbly serves those whom He rules

Jesus came into the world to reveal the truth of God’s gospel

            Jesus came to provide salvation for all who would believe in Him
            His mission required His death for the salvation of others
            His mission was designed in the love of God His Father
            He perfectly fulfilled His mission

MESSAGE:
“JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD
TO REVEAL GOD’S GLORY, GOD’S GRACE,
AND GOD’S GOSPEL.”

 

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Topic:  His Second Coming

Introduction:  “What went wrong?”

The prophetic events of the New Testament

            The coming of the Lord in the air – Gathering by rapture
            The coming of the Lord to the earth – Governing by return
            A great tribulation – Judging by troubles

Scheduling of prophetic events of the New Testament

            Tribulation – Rapture – Return
            Rapture – Tribulation – Return
            Trib(Rapture)ulation – Return

Our response to the prophetic events of the New Testament

            Be comforted that God is in control
            Be confident of your faith in Jesus
            Be concerned for the lost
            Be focused on godliness
            Be bold concerning the coming of the Lord
            Be generous in helping the needy
            Be cautious in your walk through the world

MESSAGE:
“TODAY JESUS SITS AT THE RIGHT HAND
OF GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY,
AND FROM THERE HE WILLQUICKLY COME TO JUDGE
THE LIVING AND THE DEAD…”

 

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Topic:  Marriage
Passages:  Matthew 5, 19, Mark 10, Luke 16

Introduction:  “Marriage 101”

Marriage is instituted by God

            Marriage is of divine origin
            Marriage is a divine correction
            Marriage supercedes other human relationships
            Marriages comes to us through Jesus

Marriage is a human covenant which receives divine attention

            The Lord takes note of marriages
            The Lord takes note of broken marriage covenants
            Moses spoke against the breakup of marriages
            Jesus spoke against the breakup of marriages

Marriage is 1 + 1 = 1

            Marriage is one man and one woman becoming one person
            God sees them as one
            When two cleave together they become one before the Lord
            Marriage is for life

Marriage is under attack

            Sin turns 1 back into 2
            Sinners turn 2 into 3
            Selfishness turns marriage on its head

                        Liberal school of Hillel – unrestricted divorce
                        Conservative school of Shammai – restricted divorce

            Jesus put marriage back on its feet

                        Mark and Luke – Jesus says marriage is for life
                        Matthew – Jesus says separate before your wedding day

MESSAGE:
“THOSE WHOM GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER
LET NO ONE PUT ASUNDER.”

 

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Topic:  The Christian Family

Introduction:  “Thanks for doing something”

Our physical roots are from God

Our spiritual roots are from God

Our spiritual blessings are from God

            Jesus is from God come to bless us
            The Gospel is from God to save us
            The Church is from God to unite us

Our life lessons are from God

            Love God and others
            Honor parents and widows
            Treat others the same way you want them to treat you

Our life patterns are from God

            Good earthly fathers reflect our Great Heavenly Father
            Serving mothers reflect our sacrificing Savior
            Developing children reflect the maturing disciples

MESSAGE:
“ALL WHO ARE DOING THE WILL OF GOD
ARE BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN GOD’S SPIRITUAL FAMILY.”

 

 

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Topic:  The Christian Teenager

Introduction:  “The classic Christian life is…”

Believing that what God says is true

            The Bible
            The Godhead
            The way of salvation

Being faithful to the truth you believe

            The definition of faith
            The definition of faithfulness
            The degrees of faithfulness
            The object of faithfulness
            The power of faithfulness

Being filled with the spirit of humility

            Incarnation
            Example of a child
            Call to be servants
            His mission to the earth
            Foot washing
            Dying on a cross
            Present ministry in heaven

MESSAGE:
“BEING FAITHFUL TO GOD’S TRUTH WITH ALL HUMILITY
IS THE CLASSIC CHRISTIAN LIFE – IT IS THE REAL THING!”

 

 

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Topic:  God’s Holy Angels

Introduction:  “The unseen army…”

The 12 ministries of the angels to Christ

The 7 messages about the angels from Christ

            They are charged with the care of God’s servants
            They have the sacred task as reapers
            They will share in the glory of Christ’s return
            They are servants to the children of the kingdom
            Their existence is a pattern for our future
            They are more numerous than we can imagine
            They share in heaven’s joy over the salvation of sinners

MESSAGE:
“WHEN THE LORD AND HIS ANGELS ARE WITH YOU,
IT DOESN’T MATTER IF THE WORLD FORGETS YOU!”

 

 

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Topic:  Satan and his demons

Introduction:  “Diagnosis:  Demons…”

What you should know about angels

            There are holy angels
            There are unholy angels (demons)

                        There are loose and active demons
                        There are confined demons

                                    Some demons are temporarily confined
                                    Some demons are permanently confined

What you should know about Satan

            His past was evil
            His present is evil
            His future is judgment

MESSAGE:
“OUR DRAWING ON THE POWER OF CHRIST
WILL ALWAYS DEFEAT THE PURPOSE
OF SATAN AND HIS DEMONS.”

 

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Topic:  Hell & Heaven

Introduction:  “Life after life”

The Old Testament revelation concerning death (Ecclesiastes 12:7)

            The body turns to dust
            The soul returns to God
                        In the presence of the Lord
                        In the place of torment
            Dust returns to a body (Daniel 12:2)
                        Resurrected to blessings from heaven
                        Resurrected to suffer in hell

The New Testament revelation concerning death

            Jesus spoke of hell as the place for those who would reject Him

                        Hell is a real place
                        Hell is an eternal place
                        Hell has an atmosphere of suffering
                        Hell is a place of appropriate punishment
                        Hell should be avoided at all costs
                        Hell is populated by people from the earth

            Jesus spoke of heaven as the place for those who would accept Him

                        Heaven is a real place
                        Heaven is an eternal place
                        Heaven has an atmosphere of joy
                        Heaven is a place of ever wider service
                        Heaven should be entered at all costs
                        Heaven is populated by people selected from the earth

MESSAGE:
“THE FEAR OF HELL AND THE HOPE OF HEAVEN
SHOULD BE SHAPING HOW WE LIVE EACH DAY IN THE WORLD.”

 

 

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Topic:  His Authority

Introduction:  “Promises without power…”

Jesus’ authority is from His two natures (Matthew 28:18)

Jesus has authority over human nature (John 2:25)

Jesus has authority over truth (Matthew 7:28-29)

Jesus has authority over creation (Mark 4:41)

Jesus has authority over sin (Mark 2:5)

Jesus has authority over what is revealed (Matthew 13:34)

Jesus has authority over all things pertaining to God (John 14:6)

                        Authority over the Temple (Matthew 21:23)
                        Authority over salvation (Matthew 11:27)
                        Authority over the future (John 5:27)

MESSAGE:
“LIVING UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS
IS THE BEST POSSIBLE PLACE WE COULD LIVE.”

 

 

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Topic:  Sickness & Death

Introduction:  “Who sinned…?”

Universal sin is the cause of sickness and death

            Sickness and death were not there in the beginning
            Sickness and death will not be there in the new beginning
            Sickness and death were caused by sin

                        The warning:  Genesis 2:17, 3:3
                        The violation:  Genesis 3:6
                        The consequences:  Genesis 3:7-8

                                    Inherited spiritual death to all of us (Psalm 51:5)
                                    Imputed physical death to each of us (Romans 5:12)
                                    Determined second death to all who die unsaved (Revelation 21:8)
                                    Temporary chaos in the creation (Romans 8:19)

The universal Savior rules over sickness and death

            Jesus’ presence brought an end to sickness and death (Matthew 4:23)
            Jesus glorified God by His power over sickness and death (John 11:4)
            Jesus uses sickness and death for greater purposes

                        He calls the unsaved to salvation (Matthew 9:2)
                        He disciplines believers for their sins (I Corinthians 11:30)
                        He disciples believers in their character (Romans 5:3)
                        He builds fellowship and unity in the Church (Galatians 6:2)

7 steps to living by faith in a universe of sickness and death

            Focus on heaven to face sickness and death on earth
            Prepare for heaven to face sickness and death on earth
            Faith is having confidence in God beyond reason
            Some have wounded bodies, we all have wounded souls
            Holy living is healthier than unholy living
            Holy people get sick too
            The silence of heaven is one of the great mysteries of life

MESSAGE:
“IT IS SIN THAT GIVES LIFE ITS SADNESS,
BUT IT IS FAITH THAT GIVES LIFE ITS SIGNIFICANCE.”

 

 

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Topic:  The Sabbath

Introduction:  “Transforming people…”

The Sabbath was applied by God to the seventh day of creation

The Sabbath on the seventh day was declared holy by the law

The Sabbath was defiled

            In the Old Testament it was defiled by disobedience
            In the Gospels it was defiled by legalism

Jesus came declaring Himself the Lord of the Sabbath

            He correctly observed the Sabbath
            He corrected the Jews concerning the Sabbath
            He transformed life on the Sabbath

Jesus gives us reasons for a Sabbath in our lives

MESSAGE:
“PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION TAKES PLACE
WHEN YOUR RELIGION IS TRANSFORMED
FROM RULES TO RELATIONSHIPS.”

 

 

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Topic:  The Kingdom

Introduction:  “Thy kingdom come”

The context of Christ’s kingdom teachings

            The Jews anticipated a political messiah
            Jesus presented Himself as a moral and spiritual messiah
            The Jews rejected Jesus as their messiah
            Jesus rejected the Jews from His kingdom

The content of Christ’s kingdom teaching

            Four public parables (Matthew 13:1-35)
            Four private parables (Matthew 13:36-52)
            Eight parables in parallel (Matthew 13:1-52)

                        The sower (1-9, 18-23)
                                    Weeds & wheat (24-30, 36-43)
                                                Mustard seed (31-32)
                                                Leaven (33-35)

                                                Hidden treasure (44)
                                                Costly pearl (45-46)
                                    Fish net (47-50)
                        The householder (51-52)

            Eight lessons about the kingdom

                        The sower – there will be varying responses to the gospel
                        Weeds – there will be opponents to the gospel
                        Mustard seed – there will be great external growth
                        Leaven – there will be great internal growth
                        Hidden treasure – there will be Jewish believers bought by Christ
                        Costly pearl – there will be Gentile believers bought by Christ
                        Fish net – there will be a separation of the saved and unsaved
                        The householder – The King of the kingdom always has workers

MESSAGE:
“MAY THE KINGDOM OF GOD WHICH RULES IN OUR LIVES
PERSUADE OTHERS TO ACCEPT THE KING OF THE KINGDOM
TO RULE IN THEIR HEARTS.”

 

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