We Need Stickability

This outline reminds us that we need to be faithful in our place of service in God’s perfect will. We should be careful to not get sidetracked from God’s purpose for our lives. We should be involved in God’s BEST for our lives!

Title: “We Need Stickability!”

Text: II Timothy 2:3-4

(2 Timothy 2:3-4) “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”  (KJV)

Introduction:

•    In World War II, on the night preceding D-Day, the Allied forces flew in paratroopers well behind the front lines in hopes to divert attention from their main objective: NORMANDY.
•    For quite some time, the Allies were building up forces in Great Britain. The Germans never suspected that the Allies would cross the channel anywhere but at the narrowest point. Instead they crossed at the widest, which was NORMANDY.
•    I mention these facts about the war of the greatest generation because what the Allies successfully accomplished is what Satan tries to do to each Child of God!
•    If he can divert our attention from the main objective, which is the Will of God, then he has mimicked the allied forces of WWII and has sidetracked our usefulness.
•    God needs for his children to have stickability.
•    This is what Paul tells Timothy in our text.

Proposition: There are three things I want us to see tonight about the need for stickability!

I.    Notice The Picture Our Text Paints!

A.    Our text paints the picture of a foot soldier’s life.

B.    Paul was trying to convey that we are soldiers of the cross and we should be able to endure hardness!

C.    He points to the fact that we should not get distracted by things in this life that would hinder us from pleasing God!

D.    Distractions like:

i.    Material things
ii.    Problems at work and at home
iii.    Political situations – President Obama

E.    Paul does not say that these things will not be hard for us, but admonishes us to endure them!

II.    Notice The Example Of Our Lord!

A.    There is no greater example of enduring hard times than the one found in our Lord Jesus Christ!

B.    None of us can imagine what it was for Christ to suffer for us!

C.    Consider what was said of Him in Hebrews

(Hebrews 12:2) “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  (KJV)

III.    Notice The Lives Of Many Bible Characters!

A.    David reflects upon the hard times he faced when he penned Psalm 60.

(Psalms 60:3) “Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.”  (KJV)

B.    Muse upon Hebrews chapter eleven.

C.    We should realize that these people endured a great fight, and we can to!

D.    I like what Pastor Billy Ball said when went full time in the ministry. He was struggling and he felt like God told him to say “By faith… Billy Ball” when he read chapter eleven of Hebrews!

E.    There is one common denominator about these heroes of the faith: they all had stickability!

Conclusion:

•    Sinner be saved!

•    Christian strive for stickability! Endure hardness!

 

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A Man Of Integrity!

What would you do if you were made to look foolish in everyone’s eyes when you found out your fiance was pregnant? How would you react to the disbelief, shown by others, when you explained the situation was caused by God and not yourself? Hard questions, aren’t they? Well, put yourself in Joseph’s shoes for a minute. Whatever you think about this godly man, he had integrity! This sermon outline highlights some aspects of his character!

Title: “A Man Of Integrity!”

Text: Matthew 1:18-25

(Matthew 1:18-25) “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 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.”  (KJV)

Introduction:

•    Much is said in sermons about Mary, the babe Jesus, the manger, the wise men, and shepherds, but very little is said about Joseph, probably because of the Scripture’s lack of mention of him.
•    He does not play a leading role in the Gospel accounts but we do find him playing an important one.
•    He is to raise this young man and love him as his own. It is hard to speculate what it must have been like seeing the little fellow growing up.
•    One does not want to be sacrilegious!
•    I want to point out a few things about Joseph that should help us learn about his integrity!

Proposition: There are five ingredients to Joseph’s character that reveal the amount of integrity that he had!

I.    He Loved And Honored His Wife!

(Matthew 1:19) “Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.”  (KJV)

(Ephesians 5:25) “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”  (KJV)

A.    Joseph could have shunned and publicly humiliated Mary when she was found with child.

B.    He loved her and showed that by giving honor to her.

C.    He treated her like he would want to be treated.

(Ephesians 5:28-29) “So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:”  (KJV)

D.    We can learn a lot from his acts of love.

II.    He Learned To Live Through Unexpected Hardships!

A.    It was before they were officially married that this unexpected problem came up.

B.    The measure of a man is seen by what it takes to stop him.

C.    He thought about the situation and no doubt prayed about everything!

(Matthew 1:20-23) “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”  (KJV)

D.    He trusted God to help give him direction. When they fled to Egypt, it was Divine direction that was followed.

III.    He Recognized His Redeemer!

A.    It is obvious that Joseph believed who his Redeemer was!

B.    Had he not accepted this, things would have turned out much differently!

C.    He believed the revelation given to him about his the child being Emmanuel, which is “God with us”!

IV.    He Obeyed God!

A.    Joseph’s is seen throughout the Gospel accounts of him as an obedient person.

B.    He obeyed in naming the child Jesus!

(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.”  (KJV)

C.    He obeyed in protecting the child and fleeing to Egypt!

(Matthew 2:13-15) “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.”  (KJV)

D.    He obeyed and came home, eventually by Providence would have it to Nazareth!

(Matthew 2:19-23) “But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.”  (KJV)

V.    He Endured Criticism!

(John 8:40-42) “But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.”  (KJV)

A.    These verses do not directly speak of Joseph being criticized, but the inference is made!

B.    It is apparent that many did not believe that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost!

C.    No where do you find Joseph be said to have fought back about it!

D.    Joseph endured the sly comments that were sure to have been said!

Conclusion:

To The Sinner:

•    Be saved!

To The Christian:

•    Let us work on our integrity!

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Would You Consider Purchasing…

838309: The Preacher and His Preaching The Preacher and His Preaching

By A.P. Gibbs / ECS Ministries

This present books brings Gibb’s encyclopedic knowledge of the subject within our reach. Gibb’s seriousness, thoroughness, energy, and urgency breath from this book. First entitled A Primer on Preaching, as Gibbs matured so his study of the sacred art of preaching grew. His final edition was completed just months before his sudden homecall in an auto accident enroute to Hamilton, Ontario, for a two week series of Gospel meetings.

When Your Back Is Against The Wall

This sermon outline encourages us to look to the Lord at all times, but especially in the midst of our impotence. Let’s face it, many things are not within our grasp or under our control. May God help all who review this post so they can be reminded of God’s omnipotence!

Title: “When Your Back Is Against The Wall!”

Text: Exodus 14:13-14  

(Exodus 14:13-14) “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”  (KJV)

Introduction:

•    Many times in life we come to realize that there is not one thing you can do to change the situation for the better.
•    The best of parents, the best of doctors, the best of negotiators, and the best of many others cannot change the fact that some things you cannot do or better in your own strength.
•    Moses’ life is full of situations just like this.
•    I want us to see a great truth that Moses had to learn that should encourage us in our prayer life.
•    This great truth of which I am referring to is the truth of Importunity.
•    Moses was completely impotent in the situation at the Red Sea and in many other situations.
•    Sure he could have done certain things but they would have been futile.
•    I want us to see that we have to realize we are utterly helpless in this life apart from God!
•    We must come to Him in faith believing His Divinely Inspired word.
•     Let us examine our text for some tools in our prayer life!

Proposition: There are three things I see in our text verses that reveal importunity which we should adopt into our prayer lives!

I.    Don’t Fear!

A.    Sometimes things happen and we get scared!

B.    Many times we get scared because things are completely out of our control!

C.    A child of God should abandoned fear and seek out faith!

D.    Moses was probably a little scared but he soon recognized that fear would be disastrous

E.    All Moses knew when he called on God was that he had done exactly what God said to do and he was now in a predicament!

F.    We should not fear, but rely upon God!

(Proverbs 3:25) “Be not afraid of sudden fear..”  (KJV)

(Psalms 56:3) “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.”  (KJV)

II.    Stand Still!

A.    The hardest thing to do sometimes is to keep your hands out of a situation!

B.    We are not in control of something and we try to fix it, but many times we end up fighting against God.

C.    Through this difficult and precarious position Moses was in God had a grand design and Israel did not comprehend what was going on!

D.    Standing still shows that you are resided in God’s hand and you are going to trust Him to work it out!

(Psalms 46:10) “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”  (KJV)

III.    Look For God!

A.    Sometimes no matter what you think, plan, figure out, you end up seeing that all is vain!

B.    God wants us to see Him all glorious and grand!

C.    If you are in His will then you can rest assured that He will work things out for His glory!

D.    Look at what God id for Israel!

(Exodus 14:15-31) “And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians. And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.”  (KJV)

Conclusion:

To The Christian:

•    God was proving His provision and proving His servant Moses’ leadership among those of Israel!
•    When your back is against the wall, Don’t fear, Stand still, and look for God to work things in His way and teach you something in the process!
•    Realize that you cannot fix everything the way you want them!
•    God is in control!

To The Sinner:

•    Accept Christ as a repentant sinner!

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