Topical Sermons - Executable Outlines

[Pages:454]Topical Sermons

Miscellaneous Sermon Outlines

This material is from , a web site containing sermon outlines and Bible studies by Mark A. Copeland. Visit the web site to browse or download additional material for church or personal use. The outlines were developed in the course of my ministry as a preacher of the gospel. Feel free to use them as they are, or adapt them to suit your own personal style.

To God Be The Glory! Executable Outlines, Copyright ? Mark A. Copeland, 2012

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Table Of Contents

5BX Spiritual Fitness Plan After Baptism, What Then? The Anatomy Of A Backslider Angry Words! O Let Them Never The Apostasy And Restoration Apostolic Succession Are You A Disciple Of Jesus? Are You An Apatheist? Are You Drifting? Are You `High Maintenance'? Are You Ready For Your Journey Into Eternity? Are You The Pastor? Attitudes Needed In Congregational Work Back To The Basics! Baptism: Salvation By Grace Through Faith The Benefits Of A Small Church Biblical Illiteracy Blest Be The Tie Capital Punishment Cease From Anger, And Forsake Wrath The Celebration Of Christmas The Celebration Of Easter Challenges For A Growing Congregation Church Membership The Clarion Voices Of God Cohabitation Before Marriage Commanded To Love Congregational Evangelism Congregational Singing The Conversion Of Saul Cremation Or Burial? Daily Bible Reading (I) Daily Bible Reading (II) Dear Reverend Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty Disappointments New Christians Face Divine Signposts Emotion Vs. Emotionalism Evangelism Made Easy Evangelism Made Personal Examples Worth Following Faith In The Community Faith In The Family Faith In The Workplace Follow-up: Definition & Importance Follow-up: Factors Affecting Follow-up Getting Ready To Grow

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God Hates Divorce! God Loves Families! God's Great Book The Gospel According To Isaiah Gospel Meetings - Keys To A Successful Meeting Gospel Meetings - Why Should We Attend Them? Gospel Meetings - Why Some Succeed, Others Fail Gospel Meetings - Now Our Meeting Is Over The Gospel Of Christ The Gospel Of The Grace Of God Grace And The Christian The Great Commission According To Matthew The Great Commission According To Mark The Great Commission According To Luke The Greatest Need Growing Old Gracefully Heaven Will Surely Be Worth It All The High Cost Of A Free Gift Honk! - Lessons From Geese How Much Should I Give? How Well Do You Listen? I Am Coming, Lord! Into All The World Is Your Baptism Scriptural? Jesus, My Lord Jesus Our Shepherd The Laying On Of Hands Laying Up Treasure In Heaven Let's Make A Deal! The Lord's Supper The Lostness Of The Lost Love Your Enemies Making Wise Choices The Measure Of A Strong Christian The Measure Of A Strong Church Music In New Testament Worship (I) Music In New Testament Worship (II) The Nature Of Faith The Need For Vision A New Creation The Old Testament And The Christian The Parable Of The Lifesaving Station The Passion Of The Christ The Path To Salvation Perspectives For Success In Evangelism The Perverted Gospel - Its Message The Perverted Gospel - Its Witness The Power Of An Invitation Prescription For Spiritual Health Principles Of Church Growth Private Devotions The Problem Of Anxiety The Problem Of Religious Division

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149 152 154 157 160 163 165 168 171 174 177 180 182 185 187 191 196 198 201 203 207 211 213 217 221 224 226 229 232 235 239 241 243 246 249 252 255 259 262 265 268 273 275 278 281 287 290 293 295 298 301 303 306

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The Providence Of God A Reason For Our Hope Reflections On The Loss Of A Loved One Resolutions For A New Millennium Resolutions For The New Year Responding To Materialism The Sabbath Day Same-Sex Marriage Secrets Of The Abundant Life Shall We Dance? The Significance Of The Birth Of Jesus The Significance Of The Resurrection Of Christ The Single Christian The Sovereign Rule Of God Spirituality In Youth Spiritual Well Being Studying With JWs Support Your Local Church! Take Time To Be Holy To Seek Or To Serve? The Three Loves Of A Disciple The Uniqueness Of The Bible The Value Of Secret Prayer The Virtue Of Punctuality We Should Remember The Poor What Can Kill A Church What Does Jesus Require Of You? What God Has Joined What Is Evangelism? What Is The Church Of Christ? What It Takes To Be Interested In The Lord's Work What Mothers Deserve What Shall I Wear? What To Look For In A Church What Visitors Have A Right To Expect When Disasters Strike When The Election Is Over Who Killed Jesus? Why Are You Waiting? Why Attend Every Service? Why Did Jesus Die On The Cross? Why Did Jesus Suffer? A Woman's Contribution To The Local Congregation Would We Have Believed Them? WWJD - What Would Jesus Desire? Your Personal Bible

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5BX Spiritual Fitness Plan

Mark A. Copeland

INTRODUCTION

1. In the late 1950s, there was an exercise program called 5BX (Five Basic Exercises)... a. Developed for the Royal Canadian Air Force b. Published as a booklet with 23 million copies sold in Canada c. Consisted of five exercises to be done daily in 11 minutes

2. In this lesson, I would like to suggest a similar 5BX plan... a. Designed for Christians, to aid their spiritual growth and development b. Consisting of five spiritual exercises to be done daily (though not in 11 minutes!)

[I call it the 5BX Spiritual Fitness Plan. In the original 5BX plan, the first exercise involved stretching. Our spiritual 5BX plan begins with a daily regimen that will stretch our souls...]

I. READ THE WORD OF GOD

A. THE WORD OF GOD... 1. The means by which we grow spiritually - 1Pe 2:2 2. Read the Psalmist's valuation of the Word - Ps 19:7-10 3. It was by the Word of God that Jesus resisted the devil - Mt 4:4,7,10 4. It is by God's Word in our hearts that we can resist sin - Ps 119:11 -- The Word of God is therefore foundational to our spiritual fitness

B. READING THE WORD... 1. Develop the habit of reading the Word daily 2. Start slow; perhaps with the NT, a chapter a day 3. Progress to reading the Bible through each year 4. Read devotionally, meditating on what you read -- The Word of God will help you to grow in grace and knowledge

[In the original 5BX plan, the second exercise involved sit-ups to strengthen the midsection. Our spiritual 5BX plan involves a spiritual exercise that will empower our souls...]

II. SPEND TIME IN PRAYER

A. THE POWER OF PRAYER... 1. There is forgiveness from God - Ac 8:22; 1Jn 1:7-10 2. There is peace from God - Php 4:6-7 3. There is strength from God - Ep 3:14-16,20 4. There is opportunity from God - Col 4:3 5. There is boldness from God - Ep 6:19-20 6. There is wisdom from God - Jm 1:5-8 7. There is healing from God - Jm 5:14-16 8. There is tranquility from God - 1Ti 2:1-4 -- Together with the Word, prayer is foundational to spiritual fitness

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B. PRAYING FERVENTLY... 1. As you read the Word of God, pray for wisdom 2. Pray daily for forgiveness, strength, opportunity, boldness 3. As needed, pray for peace, healing, tranquility 4. Continue earnestly in prayer, vigilant in with thanksgiving - Col 4:2 -- Consistent, fervent prayer will strengthen your relationship with God

Mark A. Copeland

[In the original 5BX plan, the third exercise involved back extension that increased flexibility. Our spiritual 5BX plan involves a spiritual exercise that will enrich our souls...]

III. SING PRAISES

A. THE ROLE OF SINGING... 1. One purpose of singing is to praise God - Ac 16:25 2. It is a type of spiritual sacrifice that we offer to God - He 13:15 3. A way to be filled with grace and melody in our hearts - Col 3:16; Ep 5:19 4. A way to respond to the goodness of God - Jm 5:13 -- Singing praises is foundational to our spiritual well-being

B. SINGING PRAISES... 1. Make praising God in song a part of your daily devotional 2. Either by listening to hymns or singing them yourself 3. Sing while you drive, while you work, either quietly or aloud 4. Make melody in your heart, sing with grace in your heart -- Singing enriches our souls and fortifies our relationship with God

[The fourth exercise in the original 5BX plan was pushups to strengthen the upper body. Our spiritual 5BX plan involves a spiritual activity that strengthens our relationship with God and other Christians...]

IV. FELLOWSHIP WITH BRETHREN

A. THE IMPORTANCE OF FELLOWSHIP... 1. The church is the body of Christ which is built up when each part does its share - Ep 4:15-16 2. Our assembling is designed to stir one another to love and good works - He 10:24-25 3. Our fellowship is a source of comfort and edification - 1Th 5:11 4. A way to avoid becoming hardened by the deceitfulness of sin - He 3:12-14 -- Frequent fellowship is crucial to remaining faithful and steadfast

B. EXPERIENCING FELLOWSHIP... 1. Assemble together with Christians every opportunity you can 2. Take advantage of the assemblies offered by the local congregation 3. Not just one time on Sunday, but every time the door is open 4. Look for ways to be with Christians daily - by phone, Bible studies, social activities -- Fellowship with other Christians strengthens one's faith in God and Christ

[The fifth and final exercise in the original 5BX was running in place or walking to increase endurance. Our spiritual 5BX plan includes spiritual activity that produces endurance as well...]

V. DO GOOD WORKS

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Mark A. Copeland

A. THE ROLE OF GOOD WORKS... 1. We are not saved by good works - Ep 2:8-9; Tit 3:4-5 2. But we are created in Christ for good works, to glorify God - Ep 2:10; Mt 5:16 3. Thus we are to be fruitful in every good work - Col 1:10 4. We are not to grow weary in doing good - 1Co 15:58; Ga 6:9-10 -- Good works are essential if we are going reap spiritual benefits

B. DOING GOOD WORKS... 1. Share the gospel with the lost 2. Minister to brethren and to the lost in need, whether physical or spiritual 3. Utilize your resources (time, money, talents) to help the poor or sick 4. Each day try to do something that blesses another person -- Good works, done systematically, builds spiritual endurance

CONCLUSION

1. We have seen that the 5BX Spiritual Fitness Plan contains these five elements... a. Read The Word Of God b. Spend Time In Prayer c. Sing Praises d. Fellowship With Brethren e. Do Good Works

2. Engaged in daily, I believe they go a long way to developing strong Christians... a. But please note that these are "basic" exercises b. I am not suggesting they are everything a Christian needs to do c. However, they will establish a good foundation of spiritual fitness

Perhaps you might find this "plan" helpful as you seek to carry out the admonition given by Paul to the young man Timothy...

"...exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come." - 1Ti 4:7-8

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Mark A. Copeland

After Baptism, What Then?

INTRODUCTION

1. Wonderful blessings come to those who respond to the gospel of Christ in baptism... a. They receive remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit - Ac 2:38-39 b. They experience a washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit - Ti 3:5-7

2. Indeed, by God's grace they are "saved"... a. Saved from their past sins - cf. Mk 16:16 b. With sins washed away by the blood of Jesus - Ac 22:16; Ep 1:7 c. Becoming heirs according to hope of eternal life - Ti 3:7

3. Yet in another sense, they are still to be "saved"... a. They must make their call and election sure - 2Pe 1:10 b. They must be careful to save themselves - cf. 1 Ti 4:16 c. They must remain faithful to receive the crown of life - Re 2:10

[What is one to do after baptism that will ensure remaining faithful to the Lord? There are some...]

I. THINGS TO REMEMBER

A. YOU ARE A NEW CREATURE... 1. By virtue of being in Christ - 2 Co 5:17 2. Having been raised with Christ to walk in newness of life - Ro 6:3-4 -- God has given you new potential for living!

B. YOU ARE A BABE IN CHRIST... 1. We begin our new life as "babes in Christ" - 1 Co 3:1 2. We start with spiritual "milk" - 1 Co 3:2 -- God allows you time to grow! - cf. He 5:12-14

C. YOU ARE IN A CRITICAL PERIOD... 1. As a babe, you can be easily "tossed about" - cf. Ep 4:14 2. Satan often strikes hardest at the beginning of our service - e.g., Mt 4:1-11 -- Satan would love to see you fail! - cf. 1Pe 5:8

D. YOU FACE THE POSSIBILITY OF FALLING... 1. If you allow yourself to hardened by the deceit of sin - He 3:12-14 2. Especially when you think you are strong - 1 Co 10:12 -- God can be trusted to help us through temptations - cf. 1 Co 10:13; 1 Jn 2:1-2

E. YOU ARE TO BE A GOOD EXAMPLE... 1. An example of those who believe - 1 Ti 4:12 2. An example in both deed and word - Ti 2:7 -- Others should be able to look to you as to how to live for Christ - cf. Ph 3:17

[Remembering such things will certainly help keep one strong in the faith. Also helpful are...]

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