Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Acts 8-10

Jesus Christ commanded us to take the Gospel to the darkest corners of this Earth, and God has given us open doors to all the world. In our own way and opportunity, each of us is called, ordained, and equipped to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In the Book of Acts, the conversions of three men reveal why it is so important to witness to others.

In Acts 8, the conversion of the Ethiopian man shows us that all people have a common hunger to know God, even if we don’t understand it yet.

Adrian Rogers says, “Man doesn’t primarily need a boost from beneath; he needs a birth from above.”

In Acts 9, the conversion of Saul—who later became Paul, an apostle of Christ— reminds us that all people have a common heartache. All the intelligence and money in the world couldn’t buy the satisfaction that is found only in Christ.

In Acts 10, the conversion of Cornelius tells us that all people have a common hope—Jesus.

Back-to-back, we are shown through Scripture that the hope of Africa is Jesus, the hope of Asia (Paul the Apostle) is Jesus, and the hope of Europe (Cornelius) is Jesus.

All people need the same help. The hope of the world is Jesus.

God told Phillip, Annanias, and Peter to “Go.” He took their availability, expendability, and adaptability, and used them to share the Gospel with men who would carry it even further, to the uttermost places on Earth.

Adrian Rogers says, “A Christian who refuses to go is not missing a blessing; he’s guilty of high treason against Heaven’s King.”

We all have the same heartaches and hunger that are only satisfied through our common hope in Jesus Christ. And remember: Jesus will save anybody who is willing to come to Him.

They may not even know that it is God they are searching for, but each and every man needs to know Him. It is our job, as a Christian community, to help them.

Apply it to your life

Are you available, expendable, and adaptable, ready to be used by God? Somebody needs you desperately! All men need the same help—they need somebody to tell them about Jesus and that somebody is you.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Matthew 28:18-20

Jesus’ final words spoken on Earth were His marching orders for His Church. No one is omitted from the Great Commission; it is an all-inclusive command, and the mandate is active today.

Matthew 28:18 says, “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”

As we fulfill the Great Commission, we are to employ all power.

Our Lord has given us every sufficiency we need in this mission.

Adrian Rogers says, “Those early Christians had something that swords couldn’t kill, water couldn’t drown, fire couldn’t burn, and jails couldn’t hold. There was no power able to stand against them because the authority of the Lord was with them.”

This power is described as sovereign authority from the Lord; its domain is endless, reaching from realm to realm, on Earth and in the heavenlies. This power transcends culture, creed, race, and time.

Jesus dispersed this power, through the Holy Spirit, as He ascended to Heaven. This power enlightens us, energizes us, and encourages us as we carry out the Great Commission.

We are also meant to evangelize all nations.

Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:19).

We’ve been commissioned to make disciples everywhere we go. Nobody is left out, nor overlooked—all are lost without Jesus, so we are meant to bring them to Him, whether they are across the world or across the street.

Third, we are commissioned to edify all believers.

“...teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:20a).

Once we’ve evangelized, we must baptize new believers and get them plugged into a church. Once you become a disciple of Jesus, you are to become a disciple-maker.

Finally, we are to endure all the ages.

“...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b).

Jesus Christ is still with us, even now. The Great Commission promises us power, but also promises us His presence. God is on the move: all power, all nations, all commandments, always.

Apply it to your life

Are you committed to the Great Commission? Are you making disciples that make disciples? Ask the Lord to ignite your passion to bring the lost to Jesus Christ.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: John 6:71

The name Judas is a name of infamy, disgrace, and treachery; yet Jesus chose Judas to be one of His twelve disciples. It was not a mistake, nor did Judas’s betrayal catch Jesus off guard.

The words of warning, assurance, and comfort in John 6 tell us why Jesus chose Judas.

First, it was a lesson about religious hypocrisy and the need for true salvation.

“‘But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him” (John 6:64).

Jesus knows the difference between a true believer and a hypocrite—those who have trusted in Him and those who have not. Judas serves as a warning for us, because by all appearances, Judas appeared to be in the right. He had the right associations, reputation, and participation. But these outward things did not reflect what was within.

Hypocrisy can hurt, especially in ministry; but remember—the other eleven disciples didn’t stop serving Jesus because of Judas. Nor should we let others' scandals keep us from serving.

Second, Jesus’ selection of Judas as a disciple teaches us of God’s divine sovereignty and the reliability of Scripture.

Long before Judas made the decision to betray Jesus, it was prophesied in Scripture; we can rest assured, God knew. Nothing is out of God’s control.

Adrian Rogers says, “Where man rules, God overrules.”

Third, Judas’ story is a lesson of personal responsibility and the tragedy of sin.

Judas was not forced to betray Jesus; the Bible clearly reveals Judas’ shady character. Sin had deceived him; only after his betrayal did he realize what he’d done. Sin destroyed him. His soul was in remorse, and his mind was anguished. He was condemned by the very devil who enticed him.

Finally, Jesus chose Judas to illustrate the security of the believer.

Judas did not lose his salvation because he never had it to begin with. He was outwardly religious but had never been born again. On the other hand, Simon Peter, his counterpart disciple, was rough and spiritually clumsy; He denied knowing Jesus three times that same night. But Peter was eternally secure because he had been born again. God kept him, despite his sin, because Peter had put his faith in Jesus.

Apply it to your life

Have you trusted in Jesus Christ? Adrian Rogers says, “You need to put your faith where God has put your sins: right on Jesus.”

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Psalm 19

Can an intelligent man or woman believe in God? It may surprise us to realize that intellect has nothing to do with it. If a man doesn’t believe in God, it is not because of intellectual difficulties, rather it is because of moral difficulties.

Psalm 19 gives us three distinct reasons for intellectual belief in God, and how He has spoken of His own existence.

First, God has declared His glory in the skies.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1).

The heavens declare God’s greatness. The vastness of the Universe, along with its small intricacies, demonstrate God’s power.

The heavens declare the goodness of God: “Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge” (Psalm 19:2). It is God who daily maintains the fixed order in the Universe and provides everything it needs to give us life. His mercies are new every morning (see Lamentations 3:23).

Second, we can believe in God because of the revelation of the Scriptures.

God speaks to us through His written Word. We have access to Scripture, the teachings of God, full of many virtues. It is inerrant, infallible, foundational, and full of God’s promises.

The Scriptures are more precious than gold (Psalm 19:10).

They are protective, for “By them your servant is warned…” (Psalm 19:11).

They are profitable, for “...in keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:11).

If we want true and lasting wisdom, we can find it in the Word of God. The Scriptures are pure, clean, right, and righteous, and they endure forever.

Finally, we can know God through the illumination of the Spirit.

Through the Holy Spirit in our hearts, the Scriptures we read can become real.

Psalm 19:12 says, “But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.”

The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins and cleanses us. When we hand our control over to the Spirit, He brings us into communion with the Father.

Adrian Rogers says, “You don’t come to God because of intellect. You come to God because He first loved us."

Apply it to your life

By the Word of God in the heavens, in our hands, and in our hearts, we can know God. Spend time in His Word, marvel at His work in the Universe, and ask the Holy Spirit to commune with you.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Revelation 22

Make-believe is not new to our day and age. Some of the biggest actors in the world are not in Hollywood, but in our churches. The Bible calls them hypocrites, people who pander to a phony world.

Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus has compassion and forgiveness for the sinners, thieves, and prostitutes. However, Matthew 6 shows us He saves His most severe words for the hypocrites.

First, Matthew 6:1-2 illustrates the shameful display of hypocrisy:

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them…” (Matthew 6:1).

We are most susceptible to hypocrisy in our areas of deed, devotion, and discipline. When helping others, we must always examine our manner and motive, being careful not to do things for our own glory and praise.

This same principle is true for prayer. The length or the language of our prayers don’t impress God (see Matthew 6:7); we are not informing Him of anything He doesn’t already know. Rather, prayer invites God into our lives and grants us the privilege of fellowship with Him.

Adrian Rogers says, “Prayer is one of the greatest acts of love and kindness God could ever extend to you. God allows and enables you to join with Him in the administration of the Universe and the affairs of men.”

We must also be sure to fast for the right reasons, without posing (see Matthew 6:16). Our goal in fasting is not to draw attention; it is to get a word from God.

This passage also addresses the sinister danger of hypocrisy.

Hypocrites deceive themselves and others; they are blind leading the blind.

Hypocrites defraud themselves and others; in receiving glory here on Earth, they rob themselves of glory in eternity.

Hypocrisy destroys; it takes the form of godliness but denies the power of it.

We must evaluate our own lives with serious discernment. Hypocrites don’t realize they are hypocrites. Knowing this, we must check our motives, live rightly before the Lord, and serve Him out of our love for Him.

Apply it to your life

Take some time to ask yourself, “Is there a little Pharisee in me? Have I been playing a role without realizing it?”

Hypocrites are not always vile, wicked people; they just haven’t lived in the reality of knowing God. Be sure to check your motives and serve God with your whole heart.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Revelation 22

There is an ongoing war over the Word of God. There are those who despise, dissect, and disregard it. But perhaps the greatest enemy of the Word of God is the one who believes in it but doesn’t know it.

We will never be settled until we are settled about the Word of God. Our salvation and sanctification depend on it.

Revelation 22:18 says, “For I testify unto every man who heareth the words of the prophecy of this book…”

There are several reasons to consider in becoming certain that the Bible is the Word of God.

First, consider the Bible’s scientific accuracy.

There have been many instances in which scientific theories have gone against the Word of God, but those theories have crumbled over time. Science changes direction, improves, and builds upon itself. But the Word of God remains unchanged and unmovable.

Second, consider the Bible’s historical accuracy.

Though it’s not primarily a history book, the Bible records many notable events verified by historians.

We also believe in the Bible because of its wonderful unity.

It is penned by people from all kinds of backgrounds: shepherds, kings, soldiers, princes, priests, and fishermen. Yet, from Genesis to Revelation, it reads as one book because of its divine inspiration.

Another reason we believe in the Bible is its fulfilled prophecy.

The Old Testament contains more than 300 prophecies that deal with Jesus Christ that He fulfilled in the New Testament.

We believe in the Bible because of its ever-living qualities. The Bible has faced much opposition, yet it has survived, and it still applies today. Adrian Rogers says, “The Bible is not the book of the month; it is the book of the ages.”

Ultimately, we believe in this book because of its life-changing power.

Adrian Rogers says, “The Gospel of Christ is the dynamite of God that saves.”

It saves the sinners, sanctifies the saints, sustains the suffering, and satisfies the scholar.

The Bible, in all its wonder and majesty, is summed up in this: “Jesus loves me, this I know; for the Bible tells me so!”

Apply it to your life

Are you certain that the Bible is the Word of God? Consider these reasons, and come to a faithful understanding of Scripture… knowing that once you begin studying it, you are never finished with it!

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Matthew 27:22

In Matthew 27, Jesus Christ stood on trial before Pilate, and in verse 22, Pilate asked the most personal and pressing question: “What shall I do with Christ?”

What we do with Jesus is an unavoidable decision each of us will make; what we decide—or not decide—will dictate our eternity.

We must consider Pilate’s decision: as the people cried out for Jesus’ death, Pilate’s voice of reason and conscience raised alarm. He examined the evidence and listened to witnesses, including his own wife (see Matthew 27:19), and Jesus Himself, who confessed that He is the King for everyone who is of the truth (see John 18:37).

Though the voices that confronted Pilate clearly revealed the right thing to do, his warped values pressured him to decide otherwise.

Pilate was pressured by public opinion; the people were viciously calling for Jesus’ blood.

Pilate’s pride, position, and possessions were more valuable to him than the innocent man standing before him.

Adrian Rogers explains, “Pilate had to do something with Jesus. He was faced with the inevitable, unavoidable Jesus Christ, and so are you.”

At first, Pilate ignored the issue, then he tried to hand the decision off to someone else. Finally, he decided not to decide.

Matthew 27:24 says, “When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, ‘I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.’”

Pilate’s rejection of reason and misplaced values made Jesus’ trial a mockery of justice. Pilate’s “neutral” verdict condemned Jesus to death; with the verdict, Pilate also condemned himself.

We have an opportunity to make a different decision.

Analyzing the evidence from Scripture, the witnesses of the saints, of old and of new, we know Jesus is exactly who He says He is. And perhaps the most crucial witness of them all is God the Father.

1 John 5:9 says, “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he has testified of his Son.”

We know that Jesus is Lord, because after He was crucified, God reversed the decision of the court and raised Him from the dead!

Apply it to your life

You cannot be neutral about Jesus; you cannot avoid Him, escape Him, or bypass Him: so what will you do with Him?

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Exodus 20:12

One of the most basic, fundamental commandments we are to follow is to honor our fathers and mothers.

Exodus 20:12 says, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”

Our parents are the first people we meet in this world; if we do not love and respect them, how can we expect to love and respect others?

Adrian Rogers says, “The religion that does not begin at home does not begin.”

We first honor our parents by obeying them when we are young.

Disobedience is not a weakness; it is a wickedness. Disobedience invites the sure judgment of God. On the contrary, obedience invites the blessings of God. The first secret to a long life and prosperity is learning to honor our fathers and mothers. Through obedience, we learn character and self-control; we receive God’s blessing and protection.

Second, we should care for our parents when they are old.

In our society, people sometimes fail to care for their older parents. We must remember that our parents loved us in spite of our faults; we must love them in spite of their faults.

Third, we should honor our parents at all times.

We do that first by showing respect, no matter what. We also show honor when we express gratitude. Gratefulness blesses our parents more than we could ever know. We honor them when we listen to their counsel. Our parents have the advantage of being further down the road of life. How wise we would be to listen to the ones who love us and have our best interest in mind. We can live noble lives that bring honor to them. Children are an extension of their parents; when they see their children doing things that are godly and worthy, it gives them joy.

Last of all, we must show our parents love, remembering what we owe them; they gave us life, their blood flows through our veins.

Adrian Rogers says, “The love of your parents for you is the closest thing to the love of God known on this Earth.”

Apply it to your life

Do you obey and honor our Heavenly Father, showing respect, gratitude, and love?

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: 1 John 5:13

God wants salvation to be explained simply, because it is His desire that anyone can understand and obtain it.

1 John 5:13 says, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.”

Salvation is a relationship with God that pardons us from our sins. By salvation, we have peace with God and power over sin. We are given His presence through the Holy Spirit, and through the process of sanctification, we will be made perfect in God’s sight.

In order to understand how salvation saves us and makes us perfect, we must understand our human nature.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 says, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Human beings, God’s crowning creation, are composed of body, soul, and spirit.

Our bodies are made of the dust of the ground. But we are not our bodies; we just live in our bodies.

We also have souls, which are our personalities, sense of humor, intelligence, likes and dislikes, idiosyncrasies — the things that make us unique.

The human spirit is inextricably united with its soul, completely inseparable, but they are not the same thing. The human spirit is the organ of spiritual knowledge; it is evidence that God put Himself into man.

Adrian Rogers says, “Salvation is not primarily getting man out of Earth into Heaven; it is getting God out of Heaven and back into man.”

It is important that believers dwell in the Holy Spirit, because He speaks to our human spirits, which speak to our souls, which speak to our bodies. Our bodies move out into the world and allow us to be physical manifestations of the Holy Spirit.

When we are saved, we immediately receive justification in our Spirit; we are progressively sanctified in our souls, and ultimately glorified in our bodies.

Anyone can be saved; and when we are, we are given the assurance of our salvation through Jesus Christ. Faith is not a feeling; it is depending on God’s facts.

Apply it to your life

Do you have the assurance of salvation? Remember: salvation is simple: whosoever may come.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 1:16-22

Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Therefore, we know God is righteous, and there is no other way to Heaven except through Jesus. Romans 1:16-22 offers four factors to help us better understand this truth.

The Revelation Factor: all men have some light.

God created us to serve and know Him. There are two witnesses all people have; one is the outward, objective witness called creation. The other is the inward, subjective witness called conscience.

The Refusal Factor: light refused increases darkness.

Adrian Rogers says, “The opposite of truth is not error; it is sin.” When creation and conscience speak to us, and we continue to refuse God, we regress. We lose even the little light we have; our foolish hearts are darkened. Romans 1:18 says, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness." In this context, the word "suppress" means to resist the truth; not in error, but in unrighteousness. Because belief in God leads to an entire life change, unbelief is the baggage that comes with disobedience.

The Reception Factor: light obeyed increases light.

Romans 1:16-17 says, “...for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith.” The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. When we receive and believe the truth, we will be given more truth. When we surrender our will, God will speak to us; we can begin by obeying Scripture we understand.

The Reckoning Factor: God will judge us by the light we’ve rejected.

Many of us are fortunate to have immediate, easy access to the Bible. God will hold us accountable for this, more so than the person who’s never heard. This should encourage us to take advantage of the light we’ve been given, lest we lose it.

Apply it to your life

All men have some light; light refused increases darkness, and light obeyed increases light. Men are judged according to the light that they have. Knowing what you know, take advantage of the Scriptures available to you, and share it with others.