Sermon Central
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I John: Knowing How We Know
Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 14, 2019 (message contributor)
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1. A Different Angle
Contributed on Jan 14, 2019
Sometimes we need to strive to understand important truths more deeply. Sometimes we need to be admonished to stay true to those truths, and to interpret events through their filter. Sometimes we need to find our unity through these.
A Different Angle Introduction to I John 1. Being well-intended does not always work. One blogger writes, “Today, I found out that shutting off the heat in the rental property my parents owned was a bad idea. The water froze and the pipes burst, causing the whole kitchen ceiling to fall down. The ...read more
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2. Forgiven Sinners In The Hands Of A Gracious God
Contributed on Jan 21, 2019
As followers of Jesus Christ, we can never be completely pure in this life as He was pure. Just as we need showers, baths, or washings, so we need to address the stain of sin on an ongoing basis!
Forgiven Sinners in the Hands of A Gracious God (I John 1:5-10) 1. President Harry Truman snuck into church one Sunday, and a reporter met him after church. The reporter asked Truman what the sermon was about. 2. “Sin,” the President answered succinctly. 3. “And what did the pastor say about ...read more
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3. What Makes A Genuine Believer Different?
Contributed on Jan 28, 2019
Since both believers and unbelievers sin, how are believers different?
What Makes A Genuine Believer Different? (I John 2:1-6) 1. Just a few years ago, during Christmas caroling, we missed Doris Smith. Here is how it happened….. 2. To atone for this, I remembered that Doris loved doughnuts…so I brought her half a dozen with some fruit and sang to her… 3. Doris was ...read more
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4. The Spirit Of The Age
Contributed on Feb 11, 2019
Although modern Christians seem to have abandoned any ethic of avoiding worldliness, the Bible has not. But what is worldliness, and why must we avoid it?
The Spirit of the Age (I John 2:15-17) 1. People go through great lengths to avoid being proud and worldly. A rabbi and a cantor are standing in the largely empty synagogue one day, talking mystically about how, given the awesome glory of God’s Infinite Divine Presence, they are each really ...read more
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5. Love In Bloom
Contributed on Mar 11, 2019
Genuine believers put in great effort toward loving fellow believers, and yet are willing to be hated for doing right.
Love in Bloom (I John 3:11-18) 1. In the world, a lot of people do things for spite. Here are a few real life examples from some blogs: Today, my boss got mad at me because I told her that I wouldn't be able to work two days out of the week, due to college classes. She then cut back my hours ...read more
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6. Our Subjective Spiritual Struggles: They Matter
Contributed on Mar 18, 2019
Although many of our struggles as followers of Jesus are with the world, the flesh, and the devil, sometimes they are about monitoring our inner affections and deep seated thoughts.
Our Subjective Spiritual Struggles: They Matter (I John 3:19-24, 4:7-21) 1. Today I begin my message with some comments about modern art. It’s easy to understand modern art. If it hangs on a wall, it’s a painting. If you can walk around it, it’s a sculpture. How many surrealists does it take to ...read more
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7. This Is A Test
Contributed on Mar 25, 2019
We need to test what we are taught and what we hear, based upon God’s revealed objective truth.
This Is A Test (I John 4:1-6) 1. A teacher sent home a letter to all the parents after the first day of the new school year. It read, “If you promise not to believe all that your child says goes on at school, I will promise not to believe all that your child says goes on at home.” 2. When it ...read more
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8. Sin Comes In Varieties
Contributed on Mar 4, 2019
We believers will still sin as long as we are earthly mortals. But some sins do not characterize us, and one sin we cannot commit.
Sin Comes in Varieties (I John 3:4-10) 1. A tourist stops at our church and says, “What is the quickest way to get to the Sieberling Mansion?” 2. “By foot or by car?” I asked. 3. “By car,” he answered. 4. “Yes,” I replied, “That is the quickest way.” 5. There are different ways to travel – foot, ...read more
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9. Status
Contributed on Feb 25, 2019
Our status as unique children of God – in contrast to unbelievers – carries with it a host of implications.
Status (I John 2:28-3:3) 1. A not-so-bright woman noticed that her coworker has a thermos, so she asks her what it's for. She responds, "It keeps hot things hot and cold things cold." The not-so-bright woman immediately buys one for herself. The next day, she goes to work and proudly ...read more
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10. Arrivals And Departures
Contributed on Feb 18, 2019
Spiritual dangers await us everywhere, maybe even among Christians!
Arrivals and Departures (I John 2:18-27) 1. Last March, I dropped off Marylu and the Indianapolis Intl. Airport to visit Hannah. 2. Horrid snow storm made driving slow, but made it on time, barely. Other people not so fortunate. Too dangerous to drive back, so I called Curt Hoeksema to preach ...read more
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11. Inheriting God’s Love Dna
Contributed on Apr 1, 2019
We inherit a certain DNA from our parents; believers have one spiritual parent, the Father. We evidence our family relationship by evidencing His qualities, especially love.
Inheriting God’s Love DNA (I John 4:7-21) 1. There is much debate about whether obesity is genetic. Identical twins raised apart. 2. As one strand of DNA asked the other, “Do these genes make me look fat?” 3. Seriously, though, I have greatly enjoyed the results of a DNA test through ...read more
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12. Overcoming With Confidence
Contributed on Apr 8, 2019
God want us to take seriously the call to overcome the world because what we believe has been certified by the best witnesses possible.
Overcoming with Confidence (I John 5:1-11) 1. Two guys are walking through a game park & they come across a lion that has not eaten for days. The lion starts chasing the two men. They run as fast as they can and the one guy starts getting tired and decides to say a prayer, "Please turn ...read more