Sermon Central
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Storm Prep
Contributed by Mark Opperman on Oct 1, 2015 (message contributor)
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1. Withstanding The Storms
Contributed on Oct 1, 2015
This sermon begins a journey through the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). I’ve begun with the end in mind. If we hear and do what Jesus taught, we will be like the wise person who built on the rock and withstood the storm.
Withstanding the Storms [Show storm video] Matthew 7:24-27 24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did ...read more
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2. Perfect Love
Contributed on Oct 1, 2015
Jesus is talking about the way we love others. We can only love perfectly when we have been changed by God’s perfect love.
Perfect Love Matthew 5:43-48 43 ”You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, ...read more
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3. Reversal Of Fortunes
Contributed on Oct 1, 2015
These words of Jesus were caring words of understanding. He was saying to these people, “I know your struggles. I understand what you are going through and I care.” The beatitudes may be prescriptive, but on one level may be descriptive. We will see both.
Reversal of Fortunes Matthew 5:1-12 1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will ...read more
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4. Right Side Up In An Upside Down World
Contributed on Oct 1, 2015
Rather than giving a list of ideals to strive for, Jesus was showing the people how widely available God’s kingdom was – even for ordinary, poor, ignorant, imperfect, despised people. The beatitudes describe their struggle & grace to thrive in adversity.
Right Side Up in an Upside Down World Intro: The more I study the Sermon on the Mount, esp. the Beatitudes, the less prescriptive and the more descriptive they become to me. Here is what I mean by that. Last week as I shared them, I introduced the first one (poor in spirit) as a requirement for ...read more
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5. The Reliability Of God’s Words
Contributed on Oct 1, 2015
If we will join ourselves to God’s words, our future will be secure.
The Reliability of God’s Words Matthew 5:17-20 Intro: Talk can be cheap, but it is how we communicate. We use words to give and receive information. We use words to communicate thoughts and feelings. We even use words to convey our wishes and desires, and at times to impose our will on ...read more
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6. Anger Management
Contributed on Oct 1, 2015
Anger can be a good thing and serve good purposes. It is a God-given emotion. However, it has a destructive side to it that can hurt people and hinder your relationship with God. Jesus gives the grace to deal with it!
Anger Management Matthew 5:21-26 21 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ...read more
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7. Staying The Right Course
Contributed on Nov 9, 2015
Jesus give us directions on how to choose the right path; He gives us a warning concerning who we follow and allow to influence our lives and decisions; and He gives the means by which we can evaluate the leadership of those whom we follow.
Staying the Right Course Matthew 7:13-20 Intro: Last week we talked about the fact that every human has a free will and cannot be forced (nor can we force others) to accept God’s way of life that He offers freely. When someone tries to force someone to follow a certain path, through ...read more
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8. Two Masters, One Heart
Contributed on Nov 9, 2015
Theme: worry as it relates to money. God wants us to trust Him and follow Him rather than trading the gift of relationship for what we can acquire on this earth. God wants us to discover the worry-free treasure of loving and trusting Him.
Two Masters, One Heart Matthew 6:22-34 Intro: “I have a mountain of credit card debt”, one man told another. “I have lost my job. My car is being repossessed and our house is in foreclosure, but I am not worried about it”, exclaimed his friend. “No, I’ve ...read more
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9. Doing What He Said
Contributed on Nov 9, 2015
Wrap up of Sermon on the Mount series from Matt. 7:24. “…everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Summary of 16 messages from Matthew 5 - 7.
Doing What He Said Matthew 5-7 – Sermon on the Mount – Living from the Heart Matthew 7:24-29 24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the ...read more
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10. Fifty Shades Of Grace
Contributed on Oct 1, 2015
Selfishness colors everything around us until common sense and decency gets lost, having been painted over with these shades of gray. This same selfish spirit was working in the hearts of men in Jesus’ day. And that is what our passage is about today.
Fifty Shades of Grace -Love belongs to God! It not only belongs to Him, it is Him and He is it! God is love! So if anyone has anything to say about love, it would be God Himself. Out of love God created mankind, each one of us fearfully and wonderfully made. He made us in His own image with the ...read more
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11. Word Breakers & Will Benders
Contributed on Oct 1, 2015
How we talk and interface our will with the will of others says something about our Father in heaven. Our words, promises, and intents reflect on people’s view of God. God desires an accurate reflection of Himself in and through us.
Word Breakers & Will Benders Matthew 5:33-37 33 "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' 34 But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35 or by the earth, for it ...read more
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12. Rewards And Treasures
Contributed on Oct 1, 2015
Treasure God, not temporary things! We’ve already talked about prayer in this chapter. Well, fasting goes along with prayer and is an investment that brings spiritual dividends. Let’s look at some thoughts on hunger, reward, and treasure.
Rewards and Treasures Matthew 6:19-21 19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ...read more
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13. Gracious Living
Contributed on Oct 1, 2015
We must be more concerned with showing the generous love of God than with receiving proper treatment from others.
Gracious Living Matthew 5:38-42 38 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him ...read more
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14. The Dog-Life Is Gone!
Contributed on Nov 9, 2015
God’s kingdom will come, but it can only be received by willing hearts. Let’s look at some thoughts about how we can make God’s kingdom more accessible to those around us.
The Dog-Life is Gone! Matthew 7:6-12 Intro: In the Peanuts comic strip, we find Snoopy thinking to himself: "Yesterday I was a dog. Today I’m a dog. Tomorrow I’ll probably still be a dog. Ohh…there’s so little hope for advancement." Well, there is hope for those who ...read more
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15. Learning To Pray
Contributed on Oct 1, 2015
Everyone can and should learn to pray as Jesus taught. We will take a look at what Jesus taught about prayer and apply those truths to our own relationship with God.
Learning to Pray Matthew 6:7-15 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in ...read more
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16. An Audience Of One
Contributed on Oct 1, 2015
True worship is all about God, not about us. How important it is that we serve God and communicate with Him in a way that takes the focus off of us and puts it on Him!
An Audience of One Matthew 6:1-6 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on ...read more
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17. Clean Hands And Pure Hearts
Contributed on Nov 9, 2015
What kind of people will be allowed to enter heaven? Those whose hearts are right with God! Those who have been changed on the inside by their encounters with the living God! Those whose lives reflect the character of Jesus!
Clean Hands and Pure Hearts Context: Jesus has just warned of false teachers/prophets whose hearts would be revealed by the fruit in their lives. He spoke about the inward life as opposed to outward appearance. 1 Samuel 16:7: “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People ...read more
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18. I Can See Clearly Now
Contributed on Nov 9, 2015
When we lay aside a critical spirit, our vision becomes clearer helping us see God’s plan for us and for those around us.
I Can See Clearly Now… Matthew 7:1-5 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no ...read more