Preach one sermon only

[johan777]

If you could speak/preach to an audience of born again believers for 30 minutes, what would you tell them? What scriptures would you use?

You only have one opportunity ever. What will be your approach, purpose, etc.?

 

[His]

This

Making ones calling and election sure




2 Peter 1:1-11

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

_____________________________________________________________



How good is your memory? Do you, like me; need to write notes to yourself to remind you of appointments, or groceries that need buying? Or are you one of those people who never forget anything?

Whatever category you fit into, the message of the verses we read is for you and me. Peter’s main purpose in writing this letter was as a reminder and to refresh the memories of those to whom the letter was written.

He tells us this in vv 12-13

“So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body”

It doesn’t matter how far along the Christian road we are, whether a babe in Christ or a mature believer who is firmly established in the truth. We all need reminding and our memories refreshed and stimulated to growth!!



So what is it that Peter is reminding us of? Two things:



1. God’s provision:

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises”

2. Our responsibility:

“So that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason make every effort to add to your faith”





Every resource of heaven is available to the Christian for growth and maturity. That is evident from verse 3 “His divine power has given us EVERYTHING we need”. God hasn’t short changed us in his provision for our growth. There is no excuse for lack of growth. We cannot complain to God that we are not growing because he is not providing us with the means. He has already made available all the resources we could ever need!



If we are not growing as Christians it is because we lack “the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness”

We cannot grow unless we know the one who has called us!

That statement isn’t a call to salvation; remember the letter is written to believers so I’m not making that statement with the intended purpose of calling unbelievers to faith. I’m making it to highlight that if we are not growing then we have shirked our responsibility to “participate in the divine nature”!



There is no such thing as a passive Christian! God wont cause our growth irrespective or in spite of us. We have to work with Him in our growth process! This is clearly evident from v5: “Make every effort to add to your faith…..”



The oxford English dictionary defines the word EFFORT as: Vigorous or determined attempt and, Strenuous physical or mental exertion.



It is clear then from our reading of our text that faith on its own is inadequate for the Christian. That is not to say that we need faith plus something else for salvation!!! We are not talking here of salvation by works. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone.

Paul tells us in :

Ephesians 2:8. It is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”

We can add nothing to our salvation. In fact the only contribution we make to our salvation is our sin!!



But Peter is writing to Christians here who have already received salvation. His intention is to remind them that they need to be building upon their faith. Our faith in Christ is the foundation on which we need to build our Christian character!

 

[His]

And this

Christian Growth








Just as in our physical and mental life there is a necessity to grow and become mature, so it is the same with our spiritual life! There is no such thing as spiritual stagnation in the Christian life! We are either moving forward or backwards!

When we were babies our mothers fed us as we required, for the benefit of our growth. If we had been neglected in this most basic of areas we would quickly deteriorate and die. If you don’t feed a child it does not stagnate and cease growing for lack of food, it deteriorates and gradually begins to waste away and eventually dies. Obviously the same would be true for any animal or vegetable which lacks the necessary sustenance which is vital to life. Even a piece of fruit which has been plucked from its tree, because it has been separated from its source of sustenance, it is slowly on a downward spiral to destruction. If left long enough it will rot and eventually reduce in size, dehydrate and fall as molded green dust.

This same principle applies to the Christian who is not growing in knowledge of God!!

No matter how a person becomes a Christian, whether a Damascus road experience as in the case of the Apostle Paul, or having been brought up in a Christian home and come through Sunday school, eventually becoming an active member in ministry, we all need to GROW!!



So why do we need to grow spiritually? Isn’t it enough that we are Christians saved by grace? What is the purpose of growth? What is the means of growth?

If we look back to Genesis chapter one we find the words:



“God created man in his own image.” Gen 1: 27



Before Adam fell into sin he was perfect. He reflected the moral image and character of God and had perfect unity with God. He had full access to Gods presence.

When Adam fell into sin by choosing to disobey God he lost the ability to access Gods presence and found himself alienated from him. That was why Adam hid. Also, when he fell, Adam lost something of Gods image in him. The image of God in him became marred and corrupted and brought about his spiritual “death” it was this death that brought about the need for redemption and reconciliation.



As we know, we are born sinners and in need of redemption. In Christ we are redeemed and brought into a right relationship with God but it doesn’t stop there! God is not in the business of merely saving us and leaving it at that! Like any earthly parent who desires that their child grow into maturity, God desires that we grow up spiritually and become mature and complete. The writer to the Hebrews said:



“ Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,” (Heb 6:1)



We need to grow spiritually in order that the image of God is restored in us. The purpose of this growth is that we be made ready for heaven.

Paul tells us that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20)

We are not of this world!



1PE 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.



1PE 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God's elect, strangers in the world,



By the implications of those two verses it is evident that we are not of this world!!



If then we are “not of this world” and citizens of another world it is imperative surely that we become aware of the character traits of a citizen of that kingdom!



Are we growing or shrinking, there is no middle ground!?

 

[Tekoa]

Well I have started this two times already and went to post it and my IE froze up on me! Satan apparently does not want this out!!! So I am typing it up in Word maybe I won’t lose it all and have to retype it! *Sigh* (greater is he that is in me!! Than he that is in the world!)



OK, I would take my text from Psalms 119: 165

That says “ Great peace have they that love thy law; and nothing shall offend them”



Too many times people quit church and give up on God because of offenses, they have been hurt by something or someone and in turn then give up on God, I have a hard time understanding why people would give up on God when the enemy was the one to offend them. We need to realize that we have an enemy and it is not our fellow neighbor.

Ephesians 6:12 says:

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”



God has a job for us to do but as long as we are going around with our feelings on our shoulders and easily offended we can’t do our job and be a witness for our Lord. We must be delivered from men and put our hope and expectations in the Lord.



Psalms 119:134 “Deliver me from the oppression of man, so I will keep thy precepts.”



Psalms 62:5 says; “ My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation if from Him.”

Disappointment is unmet expectations. Who or what is your expectations in? Let’s examine today where our hope and expectations are in, ask the Lord to show you if you are easily offended and ask Him to help us overcome and for help in being the person He created us to be!



Amen?

 

[johan777]

Bump! Where are all our preachers?

 

[Endure2]

i think you better pray about it, some men of God never preach the same sermon twice and sometimes they have no idea what theyre going to preach before they start preaching.

its the annointing the breaks the yoke, not wisdom or tactics or cunning words.

i have no idea, i have a general idea... but i better pray about it. becuase its the spirit that brings life, the letter brings death.
you have no idea what the personal needs of those people are at that time and place. you always seek fresh guidance from the holyspirit.

i dont think we should be able to say "this would be the one".

 

[Adammi]

I would preach on the Body of Christ.
We are the Body of Christ! We are part of each other. Wihtout one another we would be dead, and compared to the Christian life of unity that we coud have, we are dead. I would use all kinds of scriptures for this. Infact I am preparing a message on this for The West Virginia Church of God Teen Talent Bible Teaching Category, and I will be limitted to only 15 minutes.

 

[Peter]

Love. St. John, when he was very old and had to be carted around by his disciples would say "My children, love one another." When he was asked why he said this, he replied, "Because it is enough."

Peace.

Rdr. Peter

 

[Peter]

 

[Galatians513]

I think I would tell people about how loving god and one another is the thing we should be focusing on as believers; how one another does not just mean those within the body of christ; and how it seems our focus has somehow been lost along the way. I would preach this for thirty minutes if God allowed, and then I'd preach it over and over and over and over and over again if the Lord continued to allow it because I think it's sooooo important.

 

[2Timothy2]

I wouldn't speak to personal needs, those are important but temporary. I'd speak on something eternal. Probably the value and place of prayer and the Scriptures in the life of a Christian. As examples, I'd give Jesus, Paul, Stephen, Peter, and Daniel. They knew the Scriptures, taught them, and lived them. They all also had prayer lives we fall far short of. Without the Scriptures we are adrift, tossed about by every wind of doctrine, as can be seen on this board. Without a serious prayer life, we have no communion with our God. And I would definitely include Psalm 119. If we could get that passion for God's word, as is seen in that one Psalm, the world would be rocked to it's core.

 

[Endure2]

i completely agree, but many times it takes God speaking directly into a persons situation to make a diffrence in that persons life and you cant do this by just knowing and preaching eternal basics like prayer.
many times the only way to get the eternal principles through to them, is to doit in such a way that speaks to them personally and i am thankful that he is a personal God that moves in diffrent directions as i change and move, he isnt just a recorded program that says the same principles over and over.

hes the kind of God that says
"saul... why do you hurt me?"
not just a God that shows up and says
"thou shall not hurt God..."
hoping and demanding we understand hes speaking to us and about us...
he makes it personal becuase we are persons, not just repetitive machines that can always be fixed by a certain kind of tool or precedure.

it takes the annointing of the holyspirit to speak into peoples lives.
you cant always just apply the common remedy.

 

[Waylon]

Ephesians 2:11-14. I like these verses and would like to teach them one day, I never think about the fact that without Jesus I am an alien to God and His chosen people. Now I get to share in the inheritance of Israel, and maybe help to bring some of His people back to Him. What an honor, grace so abounding.

 

[BeautyForAshes]

I would tell people about the importance of not giving up! As a new believer, you have submitted your entire being (mind, body, spirit, thoughts, etc.) to God's control. And sometimes you may stumble or struggle with this submission, but don't let one failure/setback stop you. Repent and keep going.

I would go into detail about the difference between Judas and Peter. Both men betrayed the Son of God (stumbled in their walk), but why once realizing what each had done, did one eventually commit suidcide and the other become a great man of the gospel? Because Peter repented, dusted himself off, and rose again more determined that ever to serve, while Judas allowed the despair/hopelessness of what he had done to consume him.

I would just encourage then to not grow weary.

“Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9)

 

[Waylon]

I would tell people about the importance of not giving up! As a new believer, you have submitted your entire being (mind, body, spirit, thoughts, etc.) to God's control. And sometimes you may stumble or struggle with this submission, but don't let one failure/setback stop you. Repent and keep going.

I would go into detail about the difference between Judas and Peter. Both men betrayed the Son of God (stumbled in their walk), but why once realizing what each had done, did one eventually commit suidcide and the other become a great man of the gospel? Because Peter repented, dusted himself off, and rose again more determined that ever to serve, while Judas allowed the despair/hopelessness of what he had done to consume him.

I would just encourage then to not grow weary.

“Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9)

that would be cool to hear, I often succumb to despair because of my sins. Thank God for Jesus!!!!

 

[johan777]

What will you preach?



Thanks for everybody’s response. So far we have the following:

God’s provision and our responsibility.

Become mature.

Don’t be offended.

We cannot say “this is the one” (message). Wait for the anointing of Holy Spirit.

We are the Body of Christ! We are part of each other.

Love one another.

Focus onloving God and one another.

Not about personal needs, but probably the value and place of prayer and the Scriptures in the life of a Christian.

Do it (preach) in such a way that speaks to them personally.

(Preach on) that without Jesus I am an alien to God and His chosen people. Now I get to share in the inheritance of Israel.

I would tell people about the importance of not giving up, encourage them and don’t get weary.

Concur with the previous.

 

[walkin2e]

I have been preaching for over 18 years. Each message I have preached have been different, and came from the anointing of the Holy Spirit. I study continuously, and seek God in prayer, but do not prepare sermons. The Lord gives me the words because He knows what the congregation needs. I do preach often on prayer, faith, encouragement, and about testings and trials. I have preached on Acts 27 (I love that example of Paul and what it represents about our journey of faith). If I had my druthers, I would prefer to speak on God's love for us. The messages the Lord gives me are simple, and do not usually last for more than 30 minutes. One example I have preached follows:

2005 Chevrolet vs 1954 Chevrolet


Jesus saves. He died on the cross for you and me. Because He did, we can have salvation. The shortest prayer in the Bible was from Peter. He was walking on the water, took his eyes off Jesus, and begin to sink. Matthew 14 verse 30 "But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. Verse 31 "And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"

My brother in law once had a 1954 six cylinder Chevrolet truck. This truck was simply built. You opened the hood, and easily had access to the motor. You could work on it. Open the hood of a 2005 Chevrolet. The motors are so complicated these days, that professional training is needed to work on them.

We have often took the simple message of Jesus saves, complicated it to such an extent, that many seeking him are turned off. I remember before the Lord saved me. I was hurting so I went to a local church for help. The pastor talked with me, then handed me a sheaf of papers that I had to read and complete before I could join the church. I didn't need that; I needed Jesus....and this complicated way of going to Him turned me off. However, a few months later, while sitting at the kitchen table reading the Bible (Psalm 40) that my dear late Mama gave me, I looked up to heaven, and said, "God, if you are real, save me". Immediately, Jesus came into my heart and I knew I was a new creature.

Which model to we present to others...the 1954 or the 2005?

Walkin2e

 

[The Julikenz]

This is an awesome thread, I'm bumping it!!!