Sermon Seedbed
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“God’s Word is so life changing. I am grateful to be able to share these outlines with you which are based on God’s Word. They are just outlines, some with more info than others, so you can add from your own insights to give them your flavor for your people. I pray that they are a blessing to you personally and to your ministry as well.”
~ Eddie Lawrence
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. SIX THINGS THE LORD SAYS TO THE TIRED, AFRAID,
AND LONELY
2. THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN HARD TIMES COME
3. SIX TRUTHS ABOUT BLESSING A NATION
4. SUPERNATURAL RESISTANCE
5. THE DWELLING LIFE
6. TAKE THE STEPS TO LIVE THE LIFE
7. 7 REASONS I WANT TO SAY, “THANK YOU DADDY GOD” ON THIS
FATHER’S DAY
8. FOUR FACTS ABOUT GOOD FATHERS
9. FOUR REASONS THE GOSPEL IS THE BEST NEWS EVER
10. NEED GOD TO DIRECT YOUR PATH?
11. THREE TRUTHS WHEN TEMPTED TO LOSE HEART
12. FOUR ANCHOR AREAS FOR A STRONG AND STABLE LIFE
13. A POWER VERSE FOR DAILY LIVING
14. A PREACHER'S 7-11
15. NEED A MIRACLE? - GIVE GOD A CALL!
16. PENTECOST - LIVING DAILY IN THE POWER OF CHRIST
17. THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT JESUS
18. BEAUTIFUL BENEFITS FROM THE BOUNTIFUL SON
19. YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND
20. SIX THINGS EVERY CHRISTIAN MOTHER DESIRES FOR HER KIDS
Bio of Eddie Lawrence
SIX THINGS THE LORD SAYS TO THE TIRED, AFRAID,
AND LONELY
by Eddie Lawrence
Introduction: The following two verses contain some potent truth for us to remember on those occasions when we are struggling with discontent, worn out, afraid of things happening, or you just feel forgotten. Be encouraged by the following six things I think the Lord would say to you through these two little verses:
Hebrews 13: 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say:
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”
1. BE CONTENT
Hebrews 13: 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.
- Someone said. “Everyone lives in one of two tents: content or discontent. It takes Jesus to be truly contented. Only he can restore us to what we were made to enjoy – the unhindered fellowship and relationship with God.
2. I’M HERE
Hebrews 13: 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
3. I’M NOT LEAVING
Hebrews 13: 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
4. I’LL HELP
Hebrews 13: 6 So we may boldly say:
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”
5. DON’T BE AFRAID
Hebrews 13: 6 So we may boldly say:
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”
6. REMEMBER I’M GOD
Hebrews 13: 6 So we may boldly say:
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”
THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN HARD TIMES COME
by Eddie Lawrence
Introduction: The group of men that I have been meeting with the past five years early each Tuesday morning helped me come up with the following list of things we all need to remember when we are going through hard times. The list is not complete, you could add many more things of importance, but it does contain a lot of really good encouragements. I hope it will prove helpful to you as you develop it and add appropriate scriptures and illustrations.
1. Remember to help others in their hard times.
- It is often in giving away what you need that you position yourself to receive it yourself. Selfless acts of love always carry a note of victory that strike at discouragement.
2. Remember to rehearse the testimonies of god’s faithfulness in previous situations you have gone through.
- When you celebrate a past victory it cultivates your faith and fills the atmosphere with the truth that can birth a new testimony in your current situation.
3. Remember that when you are suffering in the temporal realm think on the truth of the eternal realm.
- What you are going through is not all there is. The light afflictions of your present difficulty is not worthy to be compared to the glory that will come.
4. Remember that God is with you and that he is always enough.
- He has promised never to leave you nor forsake you. He has promised to supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
5. Remember that we are stronger together than we are apart.
- The enemy wants to separate you from your sources of encouragement.
- One can put a thousand to flight, two can put ten thousand to flight.
- When two agree in prayer it shall be done.
- There is a glory of God on unity of believers.
6. Remember to call upon the Lord.
- Jeremiah 33:3 is a potent promise for hard times. Call upon the Lord and watch the great and mighty things He will do. This was given Jeremiah when God’s people were in really hard times.
7. Remember that God has not forgotten you.
- Hebrews 13:4-6 gives us some great truth and encourages us to remember He is with you whether you think He is or not.
8. Remember that grace is available to you.
- Paul who went through tough times tells us that he discovered the sufficiency of God’s grace.
-Always remember that your Heavenly Father is a grace giver. Remember that Jesus came full of grace and truth. God’s grace is God’s power and desire given to you to do God’s will!
- Think of grace as Holy Spirit given fuel for your tank and request God to “fill it up!”
9. Remember that you will need faith to receive all that you can.
- Faith pleases God. Heb. 11:6
- This is the victory that overcomes the world, even your faith.
10. Remember to keep your whole heart God centered as much as possible.
- When you seek Him with your whole heart, you will begin to discover more of Him and what He is doing.
11. Remember to rejoice in your future and keep hope alive.
- Regardless of your present circumstance, your future is secure in Christ. The best is yet to come. Your hope is an anchor for your soul. Keep hope alive by focusing on Jesus and his victorious redemption. You win because He overcame death and broke all sin’s penalty off you.
12. Remember to hold fast and do not waver.
- I love Galatians 6:9 which promises us that we cannot fail if we do not quit. Abraham obtained the promise by patience endurance. He did not stagger in unbelief before the promise of God. He clung to it in faith.
13. Remember that God listens to you and a good friend will too.
- Pour your heart out to God. Pour your heart out to a trustworthy and biblically anchored friend. This often allows us to regain proper perspective.
14. Remember to overcome the temptation to become bitter and commit to the process of becoming better.
- Every adverse circumstance provides us these two paths: bitter or better – your choice.
15. Remember to praise God for the small answers to prayer in order to see more and more breakthrough.
- Sometimes when we are going through a big problem, we fail to see the little blessings that are still present. We are called to give thanks at all times IN all things and by so doing we keep our heart tenderized by the Lord’s goodness and kindness and free from resentment.
SIX TRUTHS ABOUT BLESSING A NATION
by Eddie Lawrence
Text: Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
13 The Lord looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men.
1. GOD HAS A PLAN AND WILL GIVE COUNSEL TO NATIONS
Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
13 The Lord looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men.
-There is a path a nation should walk. God has plans for the nations. They are the inheritance of Jesus. He died to bring the nations to himself.
-We should pray that all nations would know God’s plan of salvation and God’s specific plan for their existence as a nation.
2. THERE IS A NATIONAL BLESSING A PEOPLE CAN RECEIVE
Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
13 The Lord looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men.
-Individuals can be favored and blessed and so can a nation. Ours has been.
3. EVERY NATION HAS A GOD
Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
13 The Lord looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men.
- It may be human intelligence (atheism and agnosticism)
- It may be man (secular humanism)
- It may be “other gods” (polytheism)
- It may be Satan (occult and Satanism)
- It should be the LORD (Jehovah God revealed through Jesus Christ)
4. NATIONS WHO SUBMIT TO THE LORD WILL BE BLESSED
Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
13 The Lord looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men.
-LORD is the covenant name for the God of the Bible
5. THERE IS AN INHERITANCE THAT WILL PROSPER GENERATIONS
Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
13 The Lord looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men.
-serving the Lord prepares the next generation for blessing as well. Righteousness exalts a nation but sin brings a reproach on many people.
-Paul commended Timothy for the generational blessing on his life through his mother and grandmother.
-In the Bible, we see the term that God is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It’s a family line blessing.
6. THE LORD SEES AND WAITS ON ALL THE NATIONS
Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
13 The Lord looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men.
-This shows us God is concerned for all nations. This is in line with Jesus commission for us to go into all the world. We have a responsibility to lead our nation to serve the Lord and to lead other nations to know and serve the Lord. We need to think BIG PICTURE.
SUPERNATURAL RESISTANCE
by Eddie Lawrence
(This message in audio form can be heard at ) By listening to the sermon, you’ll get tons more material and clarification.
Introduction: There are two extremes when it comes to the truth of spiritual warfare. Toward one extreme are those who see a demon behind every bush and become so preoccupied with all the enemy is doing that they live with their eyes on the enemy and not on Christ. There is a difference in knowing Satan’s devices and becoming fixated on him and the evil he performs. By doing this, he is overly magnified and begins to set the agenda for your life. We are not called to react to the devil but to deactivate him.
The other extreme is to relegate spiritual warfare, the devil and demons to myth and ignorance. We allow our western way of thinking to seduce us into disregarding spiritual warfare. This is something the devil delights in. He enjoys being able to do his evil works and have people hide themselves in pride and arrogance and worldly wisdom.
Jesus confronted evil and the devil. Jesus taught the reality of both. Jesus has saved us and calls us to advance the Kingdom and carry a message of salvation, healing and deliverance from evil. Let’s look at a passage together that clarifies this for us.
A Clarifying Scripture
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Landing Pad and Launching Pad
Where is sin is tolerated, the enemy sets up a ground of operation. Remember Paul taught for example that when we get angry and sin, we give place (topos-ground) to the devil. Here are four areas to consider.
▪ Warfare – You are in a war whether you know it or not. Advancing the Kingdom means facing the enemy. Don’t allow him to get you off track by becoming overly focuses on him. Keep your eyes on Jesus. He is your victory.
▪ Wickedness – When you sin, he can get in. Don’t walk in known sin as this is rooted in rebellion. The enemy is the chief rebel and therefore wants you to have areas where you choose to rebel against God.
▪ Weakness- These can be passed on in family lines or it can be a result of failure in your life where the enemy has set up a stronghold in your thought life ( 2 Cor. 10:3-4).
▪ Woundedness- Unhealed hurts can bring about entry ways for the enemy. Resentment, unforgiveness, bitterness, and the like or all swamps in the soul where the enemy lurks.
(I want to thank Michael Cusick, an incredible counselor in Denver, Colorado for the above for points of information.)
Truths to Anchor In:
▪ 1 John 3:8…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. (There is a warfare and it has been won. The Devil is real and so is Jesus’ victory.)
▪ John 12:30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. (Jesus offered no landing pad for the enemy. Now believer, where is your life? Is it not in Christ? Therefore, see yourself filled with his victory. Focusing on your struggle will not liberate you. Focusing on Christ’s victory will!
▪ Romans 13: 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. (We are called to robe ourselves in Christ. We are righteous in him. He overcame every temptation and this is how we do so….by seeing ourselves rooted and grounded in his life and victory.)
▪ 1 John 4: 4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (This verse clearly tells us we have the same power to overcome the enemy and all that is thrown at us. We have the same Holy Spirit in us.)
Our Armor for Warfare
Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
OUR ARMOR FIRST AND FOREMOST IS CHRIST HIMSELF!
SO LET’S PUT ON CHRIST:
1. Truth - (John 14:6 I am the way, the truth and the life…..)
2. Righteousness - (2 Cor. 5: 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.)
3. Peace – (Romans 5:1 …..I have peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.)
4. Faith – (Gal. 2:20 ….the life which I now live I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.)
5. Word of God – (John 1:1 In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God…)
6. Prayer – Hebrews 7: 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. & when we are praying in the Spirit, is it not his Spirit leading the way?)
In Conclusion- I simply want to read a passage of Scripture over you. Listen to it from your heart as Paul encourages believers to root themselves in Christ. Listen for how Christ through the cross has already disarmed the enemy on our behalf:
You Are Complete in Christ!
Colossians 2: 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
Colossians 2: 11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
THE DWELLING LIFE
by Eddie Lawrence
Psalm 91: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
INTRO – David was surrounded by his enemies but he learned the secret of dwelling with God. This changed everything and secured his sense of victory. Let’s just look at the first two verse of what many call the SOLDIER’S PSALM and note four specific truths about secret place living and the dwelling life.
1. THERE’S A SETTLEDNESS ABOUT IT.
Psalm 91: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
-You can be homeless and yet have a home – it’s just the wrong home. You can still feel lonely in the middle of the masses, until you find your resting place in God.
-We were made to dwell in God’s presence. This is our true sphere we are to live in. As Adam was created and awakened to live in God’s presence, so are we.
-In Christ, we are seated in the heavenlies.
-We have the comfort of knowing we are where we were created to be when we are living in the conscious awareness of His presence in our lives. This is our dwelling place. We are just passing through this world, but our true dwelling place is in Him and with Him. We do not have to stake our claim on the shifting sand of this temporal world. We can have that settled peace with in our soul that we were made to dwell with God.
2. THERE’S A SECRECY ABOUT IT.
Psalm 91: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
-This speaks of the definite activity that surrounds our spiritual life in the unseen realm. We are not moved by what we see but what we believe and know to be true about the presence of God.
-Regardless of what place you are not at in the material world, it’s force against you is trumped by the life and energy you draw from the secret place of the most High God. Your feet may be on planet Earth, but your spirit man is anchored in the secret place of God.
-Jesus taught us to draw away into a secret place away from man so that we can spend time with the One who dwells in the secret place. When we live in the secret place, then the love and power of God that will fill your life will not be kept a secret. People will see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.
3. THERE’S A SECURITY ABOUT IT.
Psalm 91: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
-As you read the above verses, note the sense of safety that David had knowing he lived in the presence of the One in control of all things. I can imagine a little child standing beneath his/her Father and resting in the shade of their stature knowing that Daddy can handle anything. Daddy will protect and take care of me. This is our true position as sons and daughters of God.
-What comes to your mind, when you hear the words “refuge” and “fortress”? A place to hide and get away from danger and stress. A place to be protected and feel safe. A place to run to away from threats and harm. Father wants us to know we are safe and secure with Him. Read Romans 8:28-38 for a N.T. picture of this.
4. THERE’S A STEADFASTNESS ABOUT IT.
Psalm 91: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
-Like David, we too can make our declaration, “In Him I will trust!” We will not be moved by the lies of the enemy. We will not be driven into doubt and uncertainty. We will confidently rest in the truth of who we are and Whose we are. We will be driven and tossed by every wind of doctrine. We will not bow to unbelief and despair.
WE WILL DWELL!
WE WILL ABIDE!
WE WILL TRUST!
Conclusion: If you were to read the rest of this Psalm, you would see a listing of the benefits of this dwelling life. But first, you must take that step to dwell in the right place and trust in the right One. Will you do that now?
TAKE THE STEPS TO LIVE THE LIFE
By Eddie Lawrence
TEXT: Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
1. THE PRESENTATION
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
-The presenting of oneself to God in self-surrender is indeed a massive movement for our hearts. It is the step that places us under the waterfall of Heaven to be drenched with Divine influence. The giving up of one’s will to the will of God is vital to growth and development in one’s destiny. Honestly, this may be required more often than we like to admit.
2. THE CONFORMATION
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
-This deals with the force of the world around us that is racing away from God. We are to being equipped to live life in the Godward direction. So we are constantly dealing with the pressure of being pushed into the world’s mold. We are to fully and wholly resist this force while fully and wholly surrendering to the upward call of God.
-The conforming that is to take place in our lives is to be conformed to the image of Jesus (Rom. 8:29). Which one does the portrait of your life most resemble….the world or Jesus?
3. THE TRANSFORMATION
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
-This takes place through the renewing of the mind. When we begin to think differently we begin to live differently.
4. THE CONSECRATION
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
-Ah, to live in the perfect will of God is the place of greatest serenity and peace and the place of greatest warfare and power. To give over completely to God and have the mind renewed and then to know and walk out the will of God is the consecrated life. Jesus said. “I have come to do thy will O Lord!” This should be our declaration as well.
7 REASONS I WANT TO SAY,
“THANK YOU DADDY GOD” ON THIS FATHER’S DAY
by Eddie Lawrence
(Add you own stories and personal touch to the following simple outline and then preach it with passion bragging on your Daddy God.)
There is an endless list of reasons to thank God for being our Heavenly Father, here are seven meaningful ones I would like to share with you:
1. He Knows My Needs
Matthew 6:8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
-Needs (Even the ones we are not aware of. Sometimes we do not know what we really need.)
-Desires (These are the things we want that will not hinder or harm us.)
-Awakening of Desire (This is when God stirs our heart to desire the thing that He knows we really need.)
-He has promised to meet all my needs according to the riches of glory in Christ Jesus. THANK YOU DADDY GOD!
2. He Adopted Me
Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God
-We were orphans that were fatherless in this present world, then He took the initiative and set in motion through the cross our adoption.
-I do not have to struggle with rejection, feeling abandoned, alone or worthless. He adopted me as His own and now I belong to Him. THANK YOU DADDY GOD!
3. He Controls My Future
1 Corinthians 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it isevident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
-This passage shows us that at the end of it all, Father God will have His children at His House enjoying His party.
-My resurrection
-My eternal home.
-My eternal family.
-There is nothing that can separate me from His love. My future is secure in Him. Therefore, I do not have to worry about tomorrow. I do not have to fret about frustrating circumstances. I do not have to fear defeat in the presence of mine enemies. My future is in His hands. THANK YOU DADDY GOD!
4. He Comforts Me
2 Corinthians 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
-His heart is huge with compassion, mercy, and comfort when we are grieving. He truly is near to the broken hearted.
-In our lowest points, under our heaviest burden, on our darkest day....Our Father is there to help us through. He sustains us. He gives us what we do not have to make it through something that we cannot endure. THANK YOU DADDY GOD!
5. He Chose Me
Ephesians 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
-None of us have to be like the child on the playground who is never chosen because their skill level doesn't measure up. We are chosen in Him. We get the righteous perfection of Jesus Christ through faith in him.
-He chose you, not because of your great love for Him but because of His great love for you. THANK YOU DADDY GOD!
6. He Graced Me
Ephesians 3:8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,……14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,….
-Paul was given grace to share the revelation of the church to the Gentiles. We all are graced of God with the grace to fulfill His purposes for our lives.
-God's grace is the desire and power He gives us to do His will. It is a gift from Him to us. THANK YOU DADDY GOD!
7. He Qualifed Me
Colossians 1:12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
-Ephesians one has a whole list of benefits that are ours because of what Jesus has done for us. This one in verse 12 tells us that we are ALREADY qualified through our faith in Christ's work. We make an "F" on our report card but when we are saved, we get the "A" Jesus has made. What an awesome gift. An.....we are made partakers of the inheritance. IN other words, we are in the family and get the same inheritance that Jesus the only begotten Son gets. We are joint heirs. THANK YOU DADDY GOD!
Conclusion: Why Would He Do All This for Me?
He Loves Me
FOUR FACTS ABOUT GOOD FATHERS
by Eddie Lawrence
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:13 NKJV
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11 NKJV
1. A GOOD FATHER REALIZES HIS OWN WEAKNESSES
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:13 NKJV
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11 NKJV
2. A GOOD FATHER DESIRES TO GIVE GOOD GIFTS TO HIS CHILDREN
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:13 NKJV
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11 NKJV
3. A GOOD FATHER KNOWS THE HEAVENLY FATHER GIVES WHAT WE CAN'T GIVE
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:13 NKJV
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11 NKJV
4. A GOOD FATHER WILL ASK GOD TO HELP HIM BE A BETTER FATHER
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:13 NKJV
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11 NKJV
FOUR REASONS THE GOSPEL IS THE BEST NEWS EVER
by Eddie Lawrence
(This is simple evangelistic sermon outline that allows you to share the good news.)
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
1. It is for Anyone
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
-This whole section of Scripture is written by Paul to explain how God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. Look at verse 19 ....God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself
-The song we sang as children is true - He's got the whole world in His hands...
-Jesus death was for anyone and everyone. What he did was sufficient to save the whole world, but it becomes efficient in a person's life when they believe.
-The phrase "In Christ" is very important. This shows us that it is the person that has placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior who is saved.
-The good news is that "anyone" including "you" can be in Christ. When that happens then other wonderful things happen such as-----
2. It is the Ultimate Makeover
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
-When a person is saved and placed IN CHRIST then, they are a new creation. Think of it, God does a creative work in that persons life.
ILLUS- There are several reality TV shows that deal with MAKEOVERS. One of them deals with houses. A team goes into an older out of date house and in a few days they redo it. The difference is stunning. What God does in a person's life is way beyond a new coat of paint and some new furnishings. He rebuilds from the deepest level out. The result is a person's worldview, Godview, and perspective on life completely changes. There is a love beyond anything they have ever experienced. The benefits of being made a new creation in Christ are literally out of this world and unlimited.
-The Scripture expresses this in many ways: being born again, translated into the kingdom of God's Son, passing from death to life, from darkness to light, being adopted into God's family, being reconciled to God, made alive unto God by His Spirit....
-This happens instantaneously and the results of it continue to manifest more and more as we become aware of what it means to be a child of God, a Christian, a believer.
-The bottom line is we are forgiven and brought back into the relationship with God that was intended for man in the very beginning of time. We were created to fellowship with God as Father and to know Him intimately. Anything else less than this misses the mark of what makes a man fully alive.
3. It Takes Care of the Past
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
-It is like the yard sale of yard sale where everything you don't need is hauled away. Being forgiven of one's sin is a powerful thing.
-This encompasses all one's sin--past, present, and future. All of our sin was future when Christ died, was it not?
-The things that the devil has tormented you with, condemned you with, and harassed you with, is placed under the blood of Jesus.
-In verses 20-21 of this same chapter, Paul teaches us that Jesus took our sin and gave us his righteousness. This is what theologians call, The Great Exchange. What a deal! What good news!
4. It Introduces the New Future
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
-When you get saved, you get a new set of eyes too. What do I mean? I mean everything looks different.
Illus- I remember the occasion when I led my first born son to the Lord at the age of six. We were in the upstairs bedroom of his little sister. The walls in that room where a light shade of purple. After he prayed to receive Christ in his life, he opened his eyes and out of his mouth came the words, "The room is more purple-er." Wow, was that a blessing and I knew exactly what he meant. Jesus is the gamechanger. When he shows us in a person's life, he brings a whole new future, everything is different.
-He brings the gift of eternal life. That's a long future.
-He gives you entrance into Heaven. That's a bright future.
-He gives you the Holy Spirit who can show you things to come. That is future based stuff.
-He guides you step by step into your God blessed future.
-He assures you that your name is written in the book of life.
What kind of future do you have planned? Is your future being planned based on Jesus finished work on the cross for you?
Conclusion: If you have not already, are you ready now to become a believer in Jesus Christ? Do you believe that he died on the cross for your sins? Do you believe that God raised him from the dead? Will you now confess him as Lord of your life? Will you now place your past and your future in his hands? Listen once again to this powerful promise in Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
NEED GOD TO DIRECT YOUR PATH?
By Eddie Lawrence
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
1. A FULL HEARTED TRUST
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
Illus – How would your spouse react to the following statement: "Sweetheart, I want you to know, I love you with 85% of my heart!"
2. A REMOVAL OF ALL PROPS
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
Illus – We lean on things we have the faith in to hold us up. Leaning on our own understanding can be very dangerous, like leaning back in a cheap plastic folding chair….. a collaspe is on the way. (Do you have a personal story of falling out of a chair, etc.)
3. A CONSTANT AWARENESS OF GOD'S GUIDANCE
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
Illus – If you are on a trip to a place you have never been and you have an accurate print out of the directions and you choose to consult the directions on a few of your turns, you probably will experience one of few results:
A. You luck up and get it right (this would be mercy and you would be proud you didn't need directions.) Men hate to ask for directions.
B. You end up going way past where you need to be.
C. You end up going the opposite of where you need to be.
D. You end up being further away when you get to the wrong place than you where when you started.
E. You end up going in a circle and wind up where you started except you have wasted a lot of time and energy not to mention gaining a lot of frustration.
The moral: Consult the directions. Ask someone who knows where you need to go. Talk to God. Ask God. Let Him guide your steps.
4. A DEPARTURE FROM PRIDE AND EVIL
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
Illus – Remember that old country song, "Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble, when your perfect in every way…." Well don't sing it! It's what you learn after you know it all that counts. Stay away from prideful thinking and anything evil. Why? That's not the direction the Lord is leading you and that's not the path that God blesses.
5. A REVERENTIAL FEAR OF THE LORD
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
Illus – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Anyone who does not care what God says or thinks is being foolish and heading for the city called Trouble. The Bible calls us to have a healthy fear of the Lord. We are not to be afraid to go to Him or fear that He desires to punish us, but we should honor and respect the fact that He directs us in ways that are best for us and to go against what He says is to ignore Who He is and place ourselves in situations where the enemy can blast us. At the end of the day, HE is still God and we are not. HE is still judge and we are not. HE is still all powerful and we are not. HE is still all knowing and we are not. But the good news is, He invites us to let Him direct our paths so He can bless us as the verses that follow these suggest.
THREE TRUTHS WHEN TEMPTED TO LOSE HEART
By Eddie Lawrence
Psalm 27: 13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
14 Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!
1. Believe in God’s Present Goodness
Psalm 27: 13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
14 Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!
2. Patiently Submit to God’s Calendar
Psalm 27: 13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
14 Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!
3. Courageously Stand Against Fear
Psalm 27: 13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
14 Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!
FOUR ANCHOR AREAS FOR A STRONG AND STABLE LIFE
by Eddie Lawrence
It is easy to be sidetracked from the anchor attitudes and actions that are so important in our Christian lives. So by way of encouragement and reminder, how are you doing in regard to the following four areas?
(You can add many various Scripture references and illustrations to create a neat topical sermon.)
1. Faithfulness
Are you being faithful to God? ( time, talent, treasure)
Are you being faithful to your family?
Are you being faithful to your local church?
Are you being faithful to your employer?
If God had the same level of faithfulness toward you that you have toward Him, how different would your life be?
2. Worship
Are you bringing a worshipping heart into all you do?
Are you praising God for His goodness throughout the day?
Are you spending time talking and listening to God?
Are you reading His Word?
When is the last time you have closed the door and just poured your heart out in worship to God while you were alone and away from everyone else?
3. Love
Are you demonstrating an attitude and heart of love in all you do?
Is love a highly valued stock in the portfolio of your soul?
Are you allowing love and forgiveness to keep envy, resentment, and bitterness out of your soul?
What is the last thing you have sacrificed due to love?
Do people see Jesus through your love?
4. Gratitude
Do you live a thankful life?
Are you standing against the temptation to complain?
When is the last time you had a praise party just to thank God for all He does for you?
Do you let others know how grateful you are for them?
Conclusion: There are so many other words that could be anchors for us to live stable and strong Christian lives, these are four important ones. May Jesus shine through us all!
A POWER VERSE FOR DAILY LIVING
by Eddie Lawrence
INTRODUCTION: If you read Philippians chapter four, you realize that Paul was sharing how to live a life above worries and cares and find contentment in every moment. This is a powerful truth. I want to focus on one very short but well known verse to encourage you today.
TEXT: Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
1. IT'S POSITIVE
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
-We will live focusing on what we cannot do or what we can do.
-Even the world recognizes the power of positive thinking.
-Think of the cross as God's plus sign where he took a minus and made a plus.
-Any carnal Christian can doubt and be negative and tell you all the Devil is doing, but it takes faith to believe that God will work all things together for good, so this means we expect good from God even when bad things happen.
-All the great men and women in Scripture chose to believe they could do what God told them to do.
-Do you have an "I can" attitude?
2. IT'S UNLIMITED
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
-Notice believer that Paul said through Christ he could do ALL things.
-This means that there is no thing that you cannot do that God calls you to…..as long as you do it the right way which we will discuss shortly.
-What are you staring out that makes you feel helpless and weak? Take this verse and hold it up between you and that thing and declare God's truth that you can do it!
-Get the promise in your heart, speak it out your mouth, and live it in your life!
-Is there a mountain that needs to move? A demon that needs to flee? A sickness that needs to leave? A provision that needs to come? Think of all the miracles in Scripture where God came through and realize that He is the same and is love for you is hte same and faith still works the same.
3. IT'S SUPERNATURAL
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
-Now this is an important truth—–this ability to do all things comes to you through Christ.
-Without him we can do nothing (John 15:5). With him all things, without no thing! Christ makes the difference.
-This shows us the supernatural aspect of our Christian life. What we need to do what we have to do must come from another world. It comes through the agency of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, through our lives. This is called God's grace, His power given to us to do His will.
-He is the vine we are the branch (John 15) so His strength flows into us producing the result that the branch determines.
-If you take this supernatural element away, you are left with just will power and self produced results which = nothing in the Kingdom.
-A life of intimate connectedness with Christ enables us to experience his life flow supernaturally through our lives.
-All the work that we carry out is to rest upon the work He has already finished on the cross. We rest in Him and he supplies the power to accomplish the work through us. And….it's capacity is more than we can imagine or think (Eph. 3:201-21).
4. IT'S PERSONAL
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
-This little verse begins with an I CAN and ends with a THROUGH ME. It is personal.
-Yes it is Christ and his power that effects what is done but it is done THROUGH ME. It is done THROUGH YOU.
-Don't magnify yourself above Christ but neither minimize the role your faith in Christ plays in the activity of God in your life.
-Your life is to be a life of faith where you are moment by moment resting upon and trusting in Christ. It is personal. You can do all things. His strength flows through YOU for HIS GLORY.
Conclusion: This little verse in context is what Paul shared that enabled him to live a contented life. This is the life that allows Christ and His strength to provide all that is needed (Phil. 4:19).
A PREACHER'S 7-11
by Eddie Lawrence
These are 7 things a preacher needs to keep in mind 7 days a week.
(You can take a little time and look up the meanings of each of the words and phrases and have good Bible study or message to share with others.)
TEXT: 2 Timothy 4:1-5
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
1. Preach the Word
2. Be Ready at All Times
3. Convince
4. Rebuke
5. Exhort
6. Be Patient
7. Teach
8. Be Watchful
9. Endure Affliction
10. Evangelize
11. Fulfill Your Ministry
Conclusion: Keep these areas before you and realize that being called means you are also equipped by God's grace and experience to do these things.
NEED A MIRACLE? - GIVE GOD A CALL!
by Eddie Lawrence
Text: Jeremiah 33:3 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’
1. THE INVITATION
Jeremiah 33:3 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’
-Judah was in captivity and the situation seemed hopeless and impossible, yet God takes the initiative and extends an invitation to His people to call to Him.
-Though this historically for the cities of Judah, it shows us God's heart for us as well when we are in circumstances where a favorable outcome seems impossible.
-God invites us to call Him. Some have called this verse of Scripture, "God's Phone Number."
-In the New Testament, James says, "We have not because we ask not."
-Could it be that between you and the miracle you need, all that is needed, is for you to cry out to God? Have you? Will you?
-Interestingly, it is Judah (which means praise) that God is speaking to. It is the people of praise that had lost sight of who they were? They were the people of praise and yet they were not calling on God. The enemy will often come against us and shut down our true identity to keep us away from our true destiny.
2. THE RECIPROCATION
Jeremiah 33:3 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’
-This is one of those promises where God says, "If you'll do something, I will reciprocate and I'll do something."
-Amazingly, God asks us to do something we can do (Call on Him) and He will do something we can't do (Great and Mighty Things).
3. THE DEMONSTRATION
Jeremiah 33:3 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’
-These great and mighty things in Judah's case involved moving upon a foreign nation to bring about the freedom of a people who had been held in bondage.....and God did it!
-(Share a story of a time when you saw God bring a powerful breakthrough in your life or family that turned things around for you.)
-I love the idea that God says, "I will show you...." In other words, you will be able to watch and see it with your own eyes.
-Do you need a right before your own eyes miracle of God to happen in your life?
-Do you need something great and mighty to happen in your circumstances?
-Do you need something do that will take and act of God to perform? Well, here's your promise to claim.
4. THE REVELATION
Jeremiah 33:3 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’
-I wanted to point out something to you in this last phrase that is encouraging to me. The Lord says that what He will do is in the category of things you do not know.
-Often, we become overwhelmed and anxious because we cannot figure out a situation. We simply do not know what to do. We do not know how it can work out. This promise of God assures us that He operates in a realm beyond our knowledge. Maybe it goes without saying, but I am going to say it anyway. GOD KNOWS MORE THAN YOU DO. GOD KNOWS MORE THAN WE DO.
-Think through some of the miracle stories in Scripture and see if what God did is what you would have done.
-Would you have thrown up a wall of fire and then had the wind blow to part to Red Sea?
-Would you have had those three guys thrown into the furnace and got in there with them?
-Would you have used a little boy to hurl a piece of gravel to kill the giant in the land?
-Would you have used a little boy's lunch to feed a multitude?
-Would you have sent someone fishing to find a coin in a fishes' mouth to pay your taxes?
-Don't sweat about how God will bring your miracle, just place your faith in Him and trust Him to do it anyway He wants to do it.
Conclusion- To sum all this up, if you need a move of God to change your circumstances, then you do the praying..... and let God to the answering. I think this would be a good time for us all to pray......
PENTECOST - LIVING DAILY IN THE POWER OF CHRIST
by Eddie Lawrence
With Pentecost Sunday coming up (I'm writing this the week before pentecost Sunday), I thought it beneficial to share with you the main points of the message I am working on.
TEXT: Acts 2
1. A PROPHECY FULFILLED
-Share how this fulfilled the underlying message of the feast of weeks in the Old Testament, the picture of harvest and bringing forth fruit.
-Share how it fulfilled Joel's prophecy of how God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh.
-Share how it ushered in the new age of the Spirit and grace and left behind the age of law and judgment.
2. A PROMISE KEPT
-Share how the Holy Spirit is referred to as the promise of the Father.
-This is a gift for all those who believe regardless of ethnicity or gender.
-Encourage people to see the God is a promise keeper and He gives them His Holy Spirit.
3. A POWER RELEASED
-Share what Jesus taught in Acts 1:8
-John 14 - 16 that they would continue his ministry on earth through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
-Share a story of how the Holy Spirit led you to witness to someone.
-Share a story of His guidance in your life.
4. A PERSONAL ENCOUNTER
-Share with them that the power of the Holy Spirit is for them not just the preachers.
-Ask if they have had a personal encounter with the power of the Holy Spirit.
-They question is not have you been filled but are you presently full of the Spirit.
-Lead people to ask the Holy Spirit to fill them and immerse them with His power.
-Encourage them to open their hearts to all the Holy Spirit brings to us, His power, His fruit, and His gifts. Do not quench or grieve Him, He is God's gift to you. He is God living in power in your life.
-Don't look for a manisfestation but for Him, but neither quench how He may desire to manifest in your life.
5. A PRESENCE ESTABLISHED
-Share how through the indwelling and empowering of the Holy Spirit, the Church is now the body of Christ in the Earth. The world should look at the Church and see Jesus. The Church is to continue to works of Jesus in touching a hurting lost world.
-Ask people how well are they manifesting Christ? His love? His power? What have you seen Christ do through you that is unmistakably Him?
-Ask people to submit themselves more fully to the infilling and empowering of the Holy Spirit.
-Jesus said if we give good gifts to our children, how much more will the Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask............
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT JESUS
by Eddie Lawrence
TEXT: 2 Timothy 4:1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
1. HE WILL JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD
2 Timothy 4:1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
-What do you base your standing before God upon? This will be what you are judged by.
-If it is law keeping,,,,no flesh shall be justified by works of law.
-If it is church attendance....no one is declared righteous based on church affilation.
-If it is good works....there is none righteous no not one.
Your salvation must rest upon the One that will judge you. Let him become your advocate. Trust in the finished work he carried out on your behalf on the cross. DO NOT STAND BEFORE GOD WITHOUT CHRIST!!
2. HE WILL RETURN
2 Timothy 4:1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
-His next coming is his second coming.
-John 14:1-6 He states that he is coming again.
-His delay does not mean he has decided not to return.
-His resurrection quarantees our resurrection.
-He will return and graves will open.
-Don't get caught up in all the debate about when and how it will look, just be ready to be caught up by him into the clouds to be with Him forever.
If he returned today, would you be ready?
If so, are there others you love and know who are not ready? Are you living in such a way to encourage them toward trust in Christ?
3. HE WILL HAVE A KINGDOM
2 Timothy 4:1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
-He is not coming back to take sides, he is coming back to take over!
-He is Lord and King and therefore He has a kingdom.
-Does he rule as King in your heart today?
-In the throneroom of your soul, is he seated there as king?
Jesus will rule and reign and the righteous will rule and reign with him. Dear friend, make sure you are in the kingdom of light and not the kingdom of darkness.
CONCLUSION: Are you a citizen of the kingdom of God? If not, why not? Would you like to make that decision now? Are you looking forward to his return? Are you ready? Are you prepared o stand before God and the Lord Jesus Christ in Judgement? These are important matters where eternity awaits your answer.....
BEAUTIFUL BENEFITS FROM THE BOUNTIFUL SON
by Eddie Lawrence
TEXT: Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
1. A Blood Bathed Boldness to Enter
Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
2. The New and Living Way
Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
3. A High Priest Over Us
Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
4. A Life of Drawing Near
Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
5. A True Heart
Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
6. The Full Assurance of Faith
Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
7. Freedom from An Evil Conscience
Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
8. A Cleansed Life
Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
9. An Unwavering Confession
Hebrews 10: 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
10. The Faithfulness of God
Hebrews 10: 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
11. A Stirring Up of Love and Good Works
Hebrews 10: 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
12. A Life of Connecting and Exhorting
Hebrews 10: 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND
By Eddie Lawrence
(Listen to the audio message in its entirety at (Sermon title: Something Everyone Needs, May 5, 2013)
Introduction: Lyrics of You’ve Got A Friend as sung by James Taylor. (I played the actual Youtube video)
LYRICS - When you're down and troubled and you need a helping hand
and nothing, whoa, nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there to brighten up even your darkest nights.
You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call and I'll be there, yeah, yeah,
you've got a friend.
If the sky above you should turn dark and full of clouds
and that old north wind should begin to blow,
keep your head together and call my name out loud.
Soon I will be knocking upon your door.
You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call and I'll be there.
Hey, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend? People can be so cold.
They'll hurt you and desert you. Well, they'll take your soul if you let them,
oh yeah, but don't you let them.
You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call, Lord, I'll be there, yeah, yeah,
you've got a friend. You've got a friend.
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend. Ain't it good to know you've got a friend.
Oh, yeah, yeah, you've got a friend.
Jesus Values True Friendship
TEXT: Luke 22:28 “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Reaping Relational Benefits
Luke 22: 28 “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Note the two important elements we see in this verse.
1. Intimacy – they went through trials with Jesus.
2. Authority – they would receive authority.
10 MARKS OF TRUE FRIENDSHIP (Could also use this for title.)
(In the following list I used each point and applied it as the way Jesus is a friend to us, the way our true friends relate to us, and the way we relate when we are being a true friend.
1. Cry With You - At Lazarus tomb the friend of Jesus, Jesus wept!
Illus- (Original source unknown) My mother used to ask me what is the most important part of the body. Through the years I would take a guess at what I thought was the correct answer. When I was younger, I thought sound was very important to us as humans, so I said, "My ears, Mommy. "She said, "No. Many people are deaf. But you keep thinking about it and I will ask you again soon."
Several years passed before she asked me again. Since making my first attempt, I had contemplated the correct answer. So this time I told her, "Mommy, sight is very important to everybody, so it must be our eyes."
She looked at me and told me, "You are learning fast, but the answer is not correct because there are many people who are blind."
Stumped again, I continued my quest for knowledge and over the years, Mother asked me a couple more times and always her answer was, "No. But you are getting smarter every year, my child."
Then last year, my grandpa died. Everybody was hurt. Everybody was crying. Even my father cried. I remember that especially because it was only the second time I saw him cry. My Mom looked at me when it was our turn to say our final good-bye to Grandpa. She asked me, "Do you know the most important body part yet, my dear?"
I was shocked when she asked me this now. I always thought this was a game between her and me. She saw the confusion on my face and told me, "This question is very important. It shows that you have really lived in your life. For every body part you gave me in the past, I have told you were wrong and I have given you an example why.
But today is the day you need to learn this important lesson." She looked down at me as only a mother can. I saw her eyes well up with tears. She said, "My dear, the most important body part is your shoulder."
I asked, "Is it because it holds up my head?" She replied, "No, it is because it can hold the head of a friend or a loved one when they cry. Everybody needs a shoulder to cry on sometime in life, my dear. I only hope that you have enough love and friends that you will always have a shoulder to cry on when you need it."
Then and there I knew the most important body part is not a selfish one. It is sympathetic to the pain of others. People will forget what you said...People will forget what you did....But people will NEVER forget how you made them feel.
2. Celebrate With You - weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice
3. Comfort You - Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit as our comforter who is with us always.
4. Contend With You - Jesus prays for us. He walks with us in our battles and gives us strength. This is what we should do for our friends. Do you have friends that do this for you?
5. Contend For You - a friend will fight for you even when you do not see the need to be fighting for yourself. How many people prayed for you to be saved when you saw no need in it?
6. Cover You - Love covers a multitude of sin. This is the message of the cross.
7. Communicate With You - Jesus listens and talks to us. This is called prayer. Husbands, Jesus listens to his bride.
8. Confront You - When the friendship is deep then the door is open to confront and challenge each other.
9. Continue With You - Jesus told the disciples that they had continued with him through his trials. Friends do this for each other.
10. ALL THIS = LOVE!
SIX THINGS EVERY CHRISTIAN MOTHER DESIRES FOR HER KIDS
by Eddie Lawrence
(This is a simple outline you can add the meat to the bones and preach it with fire!)
TEXT: 2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
1. A FAITH PASSED ON
2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2. A GIFT STIRRED UP
2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
3. A FEAR CAST OFF
2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
4. A POWER WITHIN
2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
5. A LOVE OVERFLOWING
2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
6. A MIND AT PEACE
2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Bio of Eddie Lawrence
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Eddie lives nearby the beautiful Tennessee River in Florence, AL and serves as Lead Pastor of Grace House which is a non-denominational church also in Florence. He has been married 35+ years to his lovely wife, Mikki Lawrence who is a licensed professional counselor. They have four children, two grandchildren and a Yorkie.
With over 30 years in ministry, Eddie enjoys putting together sermon materials to help other pastors. He is the owner of an internet resource that helps ten of thousands of ministers in 180 different nations. He holds earned and accredited B.S., M. Div. and D. Min degrees.
Visit his and Mikki’s websites at:
Eddie has also authored: Breath of God (Thomas Nelson Books), The Forerunner Anointing, Dealing with Demons While Dancing with God, Woman: Who God Says She Is!, Awaking Your Patriotic Heart, Six Roadblocks of Marriage, The eBay Car, The Poison Dream, and others.
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