SERMON: Why did the Savior come to Earth?

TEXT: 1 Pet 3:18, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.”

Intro: “Why did Jesus Christ suffer and die?” is the most important question of the twenty-first century!

How important is it to YOU? 1. The Suffering Passion of the Cross: “for Christ also suffered once for sins.” Cf. 1 Pet. 2:21-22. There is

no sacrifice or atonement that can please God other than Jesus’ death on the cross. Even our own

suffering won't pay for our sins. The price has already been paid – Jesus Paid it ALL! Cf. 1 Cor. 6:20. 2. The Substitutionary Provision of the Cross: “the just for the unjust.” Cf. 1 Pet. 2:24a. Jesus (“the

just”) took our (“the unjust”) place and died our death. Thus, Christ became a substitutionary sacri-fice, paying the price for human salvation! Cf. 1 John 2:2; 2 Cor. 5:21.

3. The Saving Power of the Cross: “that He might bring us to God.” Cf. 1 Pet. 2:24b. Christ restored our

dead and broken relationship with God. Paul calls this – Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-19).

Con: The word “bring” in this verse is amazing. In ancient literature it described "admission to an audience with the Great King." In scripture it identifies ACCESS (cf. Rom. 5:2; Eph. 2:18). Thus, it is ONLY through

Jesus we have access to God (John 14:6). Will you obey Jesus today (Heb. 5:8-9)? - Mark N. Posey

SERMON: A Few Good Men!

TEXT: Exod. 18:21, “Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such

as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be

rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.”

Intro: "There is no greater art in the world than to develop the latent capacities of

those around us by yoking them to useful service" (Meyer). Cf. 2 Tim. 2:2.

1. Men of ability [able men]. Are you ready to do God’s Work?

2. Men of godliness [such as fear God]. Job was such a man!

3. Men of God's Word [men of truth]. Buy the truth & sell it not!

4. Men of honor [hating covetousness]. My treasure is heaven!

Con: Are you a man of God worthy of His work delegated into your care? Are you

one of the Few Good Men? Adapted—Mark N. Posey

SERMON: What we are called FROM and called TO? TEXT: Matthew 11:28-30.

1. Called from labor to rest (Matthew 11:28). 2. Called from death to life (1 John 3:14). 3. Called from

bondage to liberty (Galatians 5:13). 4. Called out of darkness into light (1 Peter 2:9). 5. Called from

bondage to peace (1 Corinthians 7:15). 6. Called to the fellowship of His Son (1 Corinthians 1:9).

SERMON: “For You Have Never Passed This Way Before!” TEXT: Joshua 3:4

1. PLAN PURPOSEFULLY – “for you have never passed this way before.” Paul said, “this ONE thing I do…”

2. PREPARE PRAYERFULLY – “for you have never passed this way before.” James said, “…let him ask in faith…”

3. PROCEED POSITIVELLY – “for you have never passed this way before.” Paul said, “I can do all things…”

4. PURSUE PERSISTENTLY – “for you have never passed this way before”. Paul said, “do all in the name of the Lord.”

Pulpit Preview is sent for the pur-pose of sharing sermon ideas & useful illustrations. It is sent via email on a monthly bases. Editor: Mark N. Posey D.D., preaching minister for the Austinville Church of Christ (2833 Danville Rd. SW Decatur, AL 35603) since 1994. Please send all comments to—pulpitpreview@austinvillecoc.org or address above. Thanks, MNP.

November 15, 2015 Vol. 7, No. 14

What is RIGHT with the Church? Ephesians 5:25-27

The church is the body of Christ, of which He is the Head (Ephesians 1:21-23). The body of Christ is made up of all baptized believers in Jesus Christ from the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) until Christ’s return. The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia, which is defined as “an assem-bly” or “called-out ones.” The root meaning of “church” is not that of a build-

ing, but of people. Sometimes people disparage the church and say awful things about it; howev-er, our thoughts and words should reflect respect, honor and appreciation for the church. The church is right, and we must communicate the blessings and benefits of it; therefore, what is right with the church?

1. The FOUNDATION is right. Everything must have a proper foundation, whether it is a marriage, building or church. Jesus built His church upon the foundation of faith (Matthew 16:13-19). The church has the right foundation because Jesus is that foundation (1 Corinthi-ans 3:11; Ephesians 2:20-21). The foundation of Jesus is solid as rock (Matthew 7:24-27).

2. The FATIH is right. Doctrine is simply that which we teach. Some teach truth while oth-ers teach falsehood. Those who teach falsehood pervert the Word of God. Those who teach truth affirm the Word of God. It is the truth for which we should “earnestly contend” (Jude 3). The church has the right doctrine because Jesus is that doctrine (Acts 8:35)!

3. The FELLOWSHIP is right. Fellowship is the life blood of the church (Philippians 1:3-6; Acts 2:42). The early church spent time together on the basis of new family relationships in Christ. Over and over came the instructions: suffer together (1 Cor. 12:26), rejoice together (Rom. 12:15), carry each other’s burdens (Gal. 6:2), restore each other (Gal. 6:1), pray for each other (Rom. 15:30), encourage each other (Rom. 1:12), forgive each other (Eph. 4:32), confess to each other (James 5:16), be truthful with each other (Eph. 4:25), spur each other on to good deeds (Hebrews 10:24) and give to each other (Phil. 4:14-15).

4. The FOCUS is right. The soul is infinite in value (Matthew 16:24); therefore, the church’s fixation is souls (Mark 16:15). In fact, Jesus was moved with compassion when He saw the mass of lost souls (Matthew 9:35-36; 14:14; 15:32). Such compassion motivated Him to do two things. First, He asked His disciples to pray that God might “send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38). Then, He did something about it Himself, that is, He selected and sent His apostles (Matthew 10:1, 5-7). Do we ever find ourselves filled with compassion for the lost and doing something about it? If we can only have this same compassion for lost souls, we will not rest till we are striving to bring them to Jesus (cf. Romans 10:1)!

5. The FUTURE is right. When Jesus returns, He’s coming for His church (1 Corinthians 15:24). Paul said, “the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Each day we should live for the One that died for us (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Therefore, heaven will surely be worth it all!

Conclusion: The church is so right it cannot be wrong! We see the faults of its members, but the beautiful of the church is the glory of Christ. He shines like the morning sun!

Mark N. Posey

SERMON: The only hope for the World!

TEXT: Hebrews 9:22

1. In times of war or peace, in times of good or

bad, the only hope for this world is the Son of God – The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2. Heb. 9:22 says, “according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without

shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” 3. This passage contains a foundational principle

of God's dealings with humanity. Many people think that sin is forgiven by time, by our good

works, by our decent lives, or by simply death. But there is no forgiveness without the shed-

ding of blood, and there is no perfect for-

giveness without a perfect sacrifice. 4. Thus, the Bible is a blood soaked book for a sin

stained people. We need that blood; we need the Crimson Tide that flows through the Bible.

Conclusion: Would you be free from the burden of sin? There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood;

would you o’er evil a victory win? There’s wonderful

pow’r in the blood.

SERMON: You are NOT your own!

TEXT: 1 Corinthians 6:19

1. Your eyes are not your own – We must not be guilty of the sin of “The Lust of the Eyes” (1

John 2:16). See Heb. 12:2.

2. Your ears are not your own – We must use our ears to “receive the implanted word” (Jam.

1:21). See Rom. 10:17. 3. Your tongue is not your own – We must use our

tongue to “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). 2 Tim. 4:2.

4. Your hands are not your own – We must use our hands to do God’s Will (Eccl. 9:10). See 1

Cor. 15:58. 5. Your feet are not your own – We must use our

feet to take God’s Word to the lost (Rom. 10:15).

SERMON: Work Out Your Own Salvation! Phil. 2:12-16

1. Obey God Consistently (12a). 2. Fear God Reverently (12b).

3. Trust God Dependently (13). 4. Serve God Contentedly (14).

5. Reflect God Accurately (15-16).

SERMON: What we have from the Father?

TEXT: Ephesians 4:6

1. We have the Father’s Call – Hebrews 2:10-11.

2. We have the Father’s Care – Matthew 6:26. 3. We have the Father’s Correction – Heb. 12:5-7.

4. We have the Father’s Compassion – Ps. 103:13. 5. We have the Father’s Companionship – 1 Jn 3:1.

SERMON: What the Church should mean to me!

TEXT: Ephesians 3:20-21; 5:22-27

1. HEADSHIP in the Church (Eph. 5:22-24). Cf. 1 Cor. 11:3.

2. LOVE for the Church (Eph. 5:25). Cf. 1 Peter 1:19; Eph. 1:7.

3. EXPECTATIONS for the Church (Eph. 5:26-27). Cf. 1 Cor. 13:7.

SERMON: The Great C’s

TEXT: Hebrews 2:3 1. The Great Commission—Matthew 28:18-20 (All

Authority, Nations, Things and All the Days).

2. The Great Command—Mark 12:30 (ALL your Heart, ALL your Soul, ALL your Mind, ALL your

Strength). 3. The Great Commitment—Romans 12:1-2

(Context of Commitment, Character of Commit-ment, Commands of Commitment, Confirmation

of Commitment).

SERMON: What have you “seen” in 2015?

TEXT: Romans 1:20 1. Transcendence of God (Isa. 6:3; Eph. 4:6).

2. Sovereignty of God (Deut. 10:17; 1 Tim. 6:15-16). 3. Omniscience of God (Psalm 139:1-6).

4. Omnipresence of God (Psalm 139:7-12). 5. Omnipotence of God (Psalm 139:19-24).

6. Wisdom of God (Dan. 2:20; Rom. 11:33; 16:27). 7. Goodness of God (Ex. 33:18-19; Ps. 25:8; 119:68).

8. Glory of God (Ps. 24:7-10; 138:5; 148:13). 9. Immanence of God (Acts 17:27; Jer. 23:23-24).

SERMON: What EVERY Christian NEEDS!

TEXT: 1 Peter 1:6, “if need me…”

1. Christian Home. 2. Church Home

3. Heavenly Home

Con: Joshua 24:15, “as for me and my house…”

SERMON: “…be ye thankful.” *Thanksgiving Sermon!

TEXT: Colossians 3:15—Keep on becoming thankful (present imperative) means we need to allow this to be our habitual practice. Praise on the lips naturally flows out of peace in one's heart (what fills you controls you, out of the mouth comes that which fills the heart). When we do not have the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts individu-ally or in the local body, we are not likely to offer up sincere thanks to God. Introduction: Christianity is the religion of thanksgiving! An estimated 1.5 million people are living today after bouts with breast cancer. Every time I forget to feel grate-ful to be among them, I hear the voice of an eight-year-old named Christina, who had cancer of the nervous system. When asked what she wanted for her birthday, she thought long and hard and finally said, "I don't know. I have two sticker books and a Cabbage Patch doll. I have everything!" The kid is right (Erma Bombeck, Redbook, Oc-tober,1992). Cf. 1 Tim. 6:8; Phil. 4:11-13; Matt. 6:19-21. 1. I am thankful for the BIBLE that guides my life (Ps. 119:105; 2 Tim. 3:12-4:8). 2. I am thankful for the SAVIOR that saves my soul (Matt. 1:21; Luke 19:10; 1 Tim.

1:15). 3. I am thankful for the CHURCH that shares my faith (2 Peter 1:1; Eph. 5:25-27). 4. I am thankful for the HOPE that sustains my present (1 Peter 1:3-5; Hebrews

6:19). 5. I am thankful for the GOAL that defines my future (Phil. 3:13-14; John 14:1-6).

Conclusion: “…in everything give thanks” (1 Thess. 5:18).

- Mark N. Posey

SERMON: God’s Amazing Love & Grace!

TEXT: John 3;16. Cf. Titus 2:11-14

1. God’s Grace - For God so loved the world.

2. God’s Gift - That he gave his only begotten Son. 3. God’s Gospel - That whosoever believeth in him.

4. God’s Glory - But have everlasting life.

SERMON: Looking Unto Jesus!

TEXT: Hebrews 1:1-2. The Hebrews were exhorted to

remain faithful to God’s Holy & Divine Word! In doing

so, they would avoid… 1. Drifting from the Word - 2:1-4.

2. Doubting the Word - 3:7-4:13. 3. Dullness toward the Word - 5:11-6:20.

4. Despising the Word - 10:26-39. 5. Defying the Word - 12:14-29.

SERMON: Loyal Love!

TEXT: Book of Ruth 1. Loving Hope in Suffering (Ruth 1:1-22).

2. Loving Hope in Providence (Ruth 2:1-23). 3. Loving Hope in Petition (Ruth 3:1-18).

4. Loving Hope in Redemption (Ruth 4:1-22).

SERMON: In Christ, I am the Richest Person Alive!

TEXT: Eph. 3:8—The unsearchable riches of Christ!

1. I am rich in Christ’s blessings (ch.1).

2. I am rich in Christ’s salvation (ch.2). 3. I am rich in Christ’s mysteries (ch.3).

4. I am rich in Christ’s equipping (ch.4). 5. I am rich in Christ’s imitation (ch.5).

6. I am rich in Christ’s weapons (ch.6).

SERMON: Responsibility!

TEXT: Philippians 1:21 1. Pattern - Galatians 6:1.

2. Principle - Colossians 3:17. 3. Produce - Acts 8:4.

Joshua M. Posey

SERMON: Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

TEXT: 1 Peter 1:6-7, trials can help! 1. Trials are temporary: “for a little while…”

2. Trials meet needs: “if need be…” 3. Trials are not easy: “grieved,” i.e., distressed.

4. Trials come in all shapes and sizes: “various trials…”

5. Trials produce: “praise, honor and glory…”