The Italian Memorandum

“…and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe…”

(Hebrews 12:28)

Introduction: The context of Hebrews 12:28 is the book of Hebrews.

I. Clues from the text –

A. 12:28 and the five warnings of Hebrews
B. 12:28 and the “let us” admonitions
C. 12:28 definitions and emphases
D. 12:28 and OT references

II. Therefore, “acceptable worship” is…

1. Part of a ___________ from __________ (12:25)

2. _______________ based (13:20)

3. About being _____________ to God (13:16)

4. Different than _____ worship (8:9)

Conclusion: Worship has always been vital—vital to God; and vital to God’s people. But, evidently, not vital to everyone. Can you say today with candor, “Lord, I’m at your service?”

(Deep Vertical Cuts)

“When the house was built, it was with stone prepared at the quarry”

(1 Kings 6:7)

Introduction: A quarry is an open excavation from which stone is cut, usually for building purposes (John 2:18-22). Jesus, the Christ, is known in Scripture as, the stone. This sermon will emphasize the Messiah of the Quarry.

I. Why a Stone?

A. _________________________________

B. __________________________________

II. 4 Ideas Behind the Stone –

(1) ___________________

(2) ___________________

(3) ___________________

(4) ___________________

III. The Romans 9:32-33 Principle of ______________.

Conclusion: The Messiah of the Quarry is a highly theological message: heard by many, practiced by comparatively few (Mk. 8:27,29).

“And the LORD said to me, Go again, love a woman who is loved by anther man and is an adulteress, even as the LORD loves the children of Israel,

though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins”

(Hosea 3:1, ESV)

Introduction: “Sustain me with raisins; refresh me with apples, for I am sick with love” (Song of Solomon 2:5). Hosea 3 is about love. Has life ever not been about love?

I. What do cakes of raisins have to do with anything!?
Cakes of raisins are associated with…

A. Jeremiah 7:16-18 – ____________________

B. Song of Solomon 2:5 – _________________

II. 5 Lessons from Hosea 3 –

1. 3:1 presents an _____________of ________________.

2. 3:2 is a great theological concept – _______________.

3. 3:3 is about learning __________________.

4. 3:4 is about _________________________.

5. 3:5 contains _________________________.

Conclusion: The gods of the 21st century are the new cakes of raisins: familiar things; strange things; and illicit wrongs. The “latter days” of Judaism have come (Heb. 1:2). Christ now redeems, not with silver, but with blood (1 Peter 1:17-19).

Driven Out But Not Forgotten

“But what does the Scripture say?  Cast out the slave woman and her son…”

                                                                         (Galatians 4:30)

 

 

Introduction:  Genesis 21 tells the story of Hagar and her son Ishmael—Driven Out But Not Forgotten

 

I.                Outline of Genesis 21

vv.  1-7             The birth of Isaac

vv.  8-10          The mocking by Ishmael

vv.  11-14         The expulsion by Sarah

vv.  15-21         The protection by God

         

 

II.            Reasons to Appreciate Genesis 21

 

A.                Life is sometimes _________________.

 

B.                 Genesis 21 forces us to _____________.

 

C.                 It is background to Galatians 4.

 

III.            Lessons Learnt –

 

            A.  _______________________________________

 

B.     _______________________________________

 

            C.  ________________________________________

 

 

Conclusion:    The “heir apparent” notion failed.  While the promise by faith still holds sway today. 

“Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear”

(Luke 14:34-35)

Introduction: Salt (Greek, halas) has religious significance in the ancient world (TDNT, 228). Many moderns will not get this. But, for him that has ears to hear, salt will make a difference.

I. The Religious Significance of Salt

A. Used in OT worship (Ex. 30:35).
B. Re: Covenant (Num. 18:19; Lev. 2:13; 2 Chron. 13:5).
C. Used in the NT as the inner mark of the disciple

1. Mk. 9:49-50 (1 Cor. 3:13)
2. Col. 4:6
3. Matt. 5:13

II. Attempts Toward Salt Substitutes

A. The Dash ______________ of _______________.

B. The Accent on __________ rather than ________.

C. Why we substitute –

1. ______________________________________.

2. ______________________________________.

Conclusion: Redemptive living is about your religious salt. Are you in covenant? Are you involved in worship? Will you hear Jesus today?

“If anyone comes to me…”

(Luke 14:26)

Introduction: Luke 14:25-33 is about discipleship. The term “disciple” is used in this passage 3 times—beginning (v. 26); middle (v. 27); and end (v. 33).

I. 14:25 – Popularity in Perea

II. 14:26-27 –The Demands of Discipleship

III. 14:28-32 –Two Illustrations: Re: Counting the Cost

A. Tower building project (vv. 28-30)

B. Battle deliberations (vv. 31-32)

Conclusion: Jesus’ conclusion is expressed in 14:33.

“A man once gave a great banquet and invited many”

(Luke 14:16)

Introduction: This parable (think spiritual application) teaches that the kingdom is like a ________________.

I. Background of the banquet (vv. 15-17) (Isaiah 25:6) –

II. Excuse Making 101 (vv. 18-20)

A. _________________ : _________________

B. _________________ : _________________

C. _________________ : _________________

III. What is learnt about the kingdom (vv. 21-24)

A. ________________________________________________

B. ________________________________________________

C. ________________________________________________

Conclusion: Luke 14:15-24 is the theological basis for, All Things Are Ready (#23): “All things are ready, come to the feast.”

“You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just”

(Luke 14:14)

Introduction: Once again, parables are meant to make spiritual applications. Luke 14:12-14 is not typically how men think.

I. 14:12a “He said also…”

II. 14:12b Why is this even important?

III. 14:13 Oh?!

IV. 14:14 ___________, ___________

Conclusion: “For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). Will you respond to the invitation (R.S.V.P.)?

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
and he who humbles himself will be honored”

(Luke 14:11)

Introduction: The marriage feast of Luke 14:7-11, speaks of places of honor. But, is this mere social etiquette? Americans will almost certainly have trouble with this passage.

I. Honor and the predicament of entitlement

A. Who could possibly feel entitled? (14:1,7)
B. What is meant by entitled?

II. A parable for today…

A. Based upon observation (v. 7)

B. Assumption (v. 8) ________________ (see 14:24)

C. Power is in the word of the ___________ (v. 9,10)

D. Mere social etiquette?!

Conclusion: Our honor derives from His honor (John 12:26). Redemption must be seen as based upon the absolute value of Christ. Christ is “precious,” by virtue of his blood (1 Peter 2:4,6; 1:19). We are “precious,” therefore, as a result of his honorable status (1 Peter 2:7).

“…they were watching him carefully”

(Luke 14:1)

Introduction: It is through this Sabbath controversy that we learn about the very basics of religion and even ourselves. This passage exposes certain crucial matters:

I. Two Maladies (14:1,2)

A. _____________________

B. _____________________

II. A Study in Contrasts (14:3-6)

A. He __________ They ___________ (v.1)

B. He __________ They ___________ (vv. 3,4)

C. He __________ They ___________ (vv. 5,6)

Conclusion: There is a silence in this controversy (vv. 4, 6). It is the silence of reluctance to respond, and regret without remorse. This controversy continues among those absorbed in the self-centered lifestyle.